The first detection of Babesia species DNA from Japanese black bears (Ursus thibetanus japonicus) in Japan

Ikawa, Kazuhito; Aoki, Mikiko; Ichikawa, Madoka; Itagaki, Tadashi

doi:10.1016/j.parint.2011.02.005

Cited by 17 publications

(16 citation statements)

References 22 publications

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“…Further studies are needed to assess the clinical impact of piroplasms on wildlife. Our results support other studies (Ikawa et al 2011;Shaw et al 2015;Skinner et al 2017) suggesting black bears can be a reservoir for these and other vector-borne pathogens. The increased bear population in North Carolina and the associated increase in contact be- tween bears, humans, vectors, and domestic animals suggest a potential for babesiosis and other vector-borne zoonosis exposure.…”

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confidence: 92%

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Detection and Prevalence of Babesia spp. in American Black Bears (Ursus americanus) from Eastern and Western North Carolina, USA

Westmoreland

Stoskopf

Sheppard

et al. 2019

Journal of Wildlife Diseases

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Blood samples collected from American black bears (Ursus americanus) in eastern and western North Carolina, US, were analyzed for piroplasms. Piroplasmids were detected in 17% (23/132) of the animals surveyed. We detected a Babesia spp. previously identified in North American raccoons (Procyon lotor) and a maned wolf (Chrysocyon brachyurus); prevalence was 22% (14/64) and 13% (9/68) in the mountain and coastal black bear populations, respectively. The presence of the same Babesia species in black bears, raccoons, and a maned wolf suggests piroplasms may not be host specific.

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confidence: 92%

“…Piroplasmid transmission occurs mostly through competent vectors or direct contact (i.e., animal fights; Ikawa et al 2011). Specifically, Babesia transmission is commonly associated with ticks of the order Ixodida, and the most commonly recognized vectors are Dermacentor spp., Rhipicephalus spp., Amblyomma spp., and Ixodes spp.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Detection and Prevalence of Babesia spp. in American Black Bears (Ursus americanus) from Eastern and Western North Carolina, USA

Westmoreland

Stoskopf

Sheppard

et al. 2019

Journal of Wildlife Diseases

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“…in Japan: [ 4 ]), and the number of families within order Carnivora, in which piroplasms are molecularly detected, also increased (e.g. Ursidae [ 5 , 6 ]; Herpestidae [ 7 ]; Hyaenidae [ 8 ]). Furthermore, mostly in individual cases, piroplasms from more distant host taxa might also occur in carnivores, as exemplified by T. equi or B. caballi in dogs (typical hosts being Equidae) [ 9 , 10 ], or T. capreoli in grey wolves (typical hosts are Cervidae) [ 11 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Molecular identification of badger-associated Babesia sp. DNA in dogs: updated phylogeny of piroplasms infecting Caniformia

Hornok

Horváth²,

Takács

et al. 2018

Parasites Vectors

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BackgroundPiroplasms are unicellular, tick-borne parasites. Among them, during the past decade, an increasing diversity of Babesia spp. has been reported from wild carnivores. On the other hand, despite the known contact of domestic and wild carnivores (e.g. during hunting), and a number of ixodid tick species they share, data on the infection of dogs with babesiae from other families of carnivores are rare.MethodsIn this study blood samples were collected from 90 dogs and five road-killed badgers. Ticks were also removed from these animals. The DNA was extracted from all blood samples, and from 33 ticks of badgers, followed by molecular analysis for piroplasms with PCR and sequencing, as well as by phylogenetic comparison of detected genotypes with piroplasms infecting carnivores.ResultsEleven of 90 blood DNA extracts from dogs, and all five samples from badgers were PCR-positive for piroplasms. In addition to the presence of B. canis DNA in five dogs, sequencing identified the DNA of badger-associated “Babesia sp. Meles-Hu1” in six dogs and in all five badgers. The DNA of “Babesia sp. Meles-Hu1” occurred significantly more frequently in dogs often taken to forests (i.e. the preferred habitat of badgers in Hungary), than in dogs without this characteristic. Moreover, detection of DNA from this Babesia sp. was significantly associated with hunting dogs in comparison with dogs not used for hunting. Two PCR-positive dogs (in one of which the DNA of the badger-associated Babesia sp. was identified, whereas in the other the DNA of B. canis was present) showed clinical signs of babesiosis. Engorged specimens of both I. canisuga and I. hexagonus were collected from badgers with parasitaemia, but only I. canisuga contained the DNA of “Babesia sp. Meles-Hu1”. This means a significant association of the DNA from “Babesia sp. Meles-Hu1” with I. canisuga. Phylogenetically, “Babesia sp. Meles-Hu1” belonged to the “B. microti” group.ConclusionsThis is the first detection of the DNA from a badger-associated Babesia sp. in dogs, one of which also showed relevant clinical signs. Based on the number of dogs with blood samples containing the DNA of “Babesia sp. Meles-Hu1” in this study (i.e. exceeding the number of B. canis-positives), these findings should not be regarded as isolated cases. It is assumed that dogs, which are used for hunting or frequently visit forests, are more likely to be exposed to this piroplasm, probably as a consequence of infestation with I. canisuga from badgers or from the burrows of badgers. The above results suggest that “Babesia sp. Meles-Hu1” should be added to the range of piroplasms, which are naturally capable of infecting hosts from different families of Caniformia.

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“… [ 79 ] Japanese black bear ( Ursus thibetanus japonicus ) 14.1 (22/156) PCR Babesia sp. Iwate, Japan W 76.3 % co-infection with Hepatozoon ursi [ 48 ] Procyonidae Raccoon ( Procyon lotor ) 8.3 (2/24) PCR Babesia sp. Hokkaido, Japan W All have splenomegaly [ 44 ] (1/1) PCR Babesia sp.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This agent was subsequently detected in Japanese raccoons by Jinnai et al [ 47 ], confirming that both species are also present in Japan. Interestingly, a sequence showing 99.3 % identity with these agents was later detected in a Japanese black bear ( Ursus thibetanus japonicus ) [ 48 ]. Moreover, other Babesia spp.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A review of piroplasmid infections in wild carnivores worldwide: importance for domestic animal health and wildlife conservation

2016

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Piroplasmids are tick-borne protozoan parasites that infect blood cells (erythrocytes, lymphocytes or other leukocytes) or endothelial cells of numerous wild and domestic vertebrates worldwide. They cause severe disease in livestock, dogs, cats, wild mammals and, occasionally, in humans. Piroplasmid infections are prevalent in wild carnivores worldwide although there is limited information about their clinical and epidemiological importance. There are currently nine recognized species of Babesia, two of Theileria, two of Cytauxzoon and one of Rangelia infecting captive and wild carnivores, including members of Canidae, Felidae, Mustelidae, Procyonidae, Ursidae, Viverridae, Hyaenidae and Herpestidae in the Americas, Eurasia and Africa. However, the number of piroplasmid species is likely higher than currently accepted due to the reported existence of DNA sequences that may correspond to new species and the lack of studies on many host species and biogeographical areas. Indeed, many species have been recognized in the last few years with the advancement of molecular analyses. Disease and mortality have been documented in some wild carnivores, whereas other species appear to act as natural, subclinical reservoirs. Various factors (e.g. unnatural hosts, stress due to captivity, habitat degradation, climate fluctuation or immunosuppression) have been associated with disease susceptibility to piroplasmid infections in some species in captivity. We aimed to review the current knowledge on the epidemiology of piroplasmid infections in wild carnivores and associated tick vectors. Emphasis is given to the role of wild carnivores as reservoirs of clinical piroplasmosis for domestic dogs and cats, and to the importance of piroplasmids as disease agents for endangered carnivores.

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The first detection of Babesia species DNA from Japanese black bears (Ursus thibetanus japonicus) in Japan

Cited by 17 publications

References 22 publications

Detection and Prevalence of Babesia spp. in American Black Bears (Ursus americanus) from Eastern and Western North Carolina, USA

Detection and Prevalence of Babesia spp. in American Black Bears (Ursus americanus) from Eastern and Western North Carolina, USA

Molecular identification of badger-associated Babesia sp. DNA in dogs: updated phylogeny of piroplasms infecting Caniformia

A review of piroplasmid infections in wild carnivores worldwide: importance for domestic animal health and wildlife conservation

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