Pub Date : 2024-09-01Epub Date: 2024-11-11DOI: 10.1017/S003118202400088X
Marta Gałązka, Katarzyna Filip-Hutsch, Daniel Klich, Wanda Olech, Krzysztof Anusz, Anna M Pyziel
Most studies concerning parasitic infections in European bison have been performed on free-ranging animals: comparatively little is known about the abomasal nematodes of captive wisents, which are widely used in reintroduction programmes. The aim of the study was to determine the infection level and species composition of abomasal nematodes in captive European bison in enclosures (including zoos) and breeding centres compared to free-ranging individuals. It also includes a morphological analysis of the parasites based on figures and measurement data. Altogether, 11 species of nematodes were detected, with both captive and free-ranging animals demonstrating similar species compositions. Among those, 2 species of blood-sucking nematodes were detected, including Ashworthius sidemi and Haemonchus contortus. Interestingly, A. sidemi was found in almost all free-roaming animals, but only in 1 captive European bison. In addition, H. contortus was predominant in captive animals. The morphological identification was confirmed molecularly for 5 nematode species: A. sidemi, H. contortus, Ostertagia kolchida, O. ostertagi and Spiculopteragia boehmi. The identification was performed using small subunit ribosomal rDNA. The study provides the first available set of specular lengths of the gastric nematodes of European bison, and the first molecular data of O. kolchida and S. boehmi derived from the same host species. Our findings may simplify the morphometrical and molecular identification of Trichostrongylidae species infecting European bison, and can be useful in developing new management strategies for populations of this near-threatened species in Europe.
{"title":"The variety of abomasal nematode communities of captive and free-roaming populations of European bison, <i>Bison bonasus</i> (L.): a morphometric and molecular approach.","authors":"Marta Gałązka, Katarzyna Filip-Hutsch, Daniel Klich, Wanda Olech, Krzysztof Anusz, Anna M Pyziel","doi":"10.1017/S003118202400088X","DOIUrl":"10.1017/S003118202400088X","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Most studies concerning parasitic infections in European bison have been performed on free-ranging animals: comparatively little is known about the abomasal nematodes of captive wisents, which are widely used in reintroduction programmes. The aim of the study was to determine the infection level and species composition of abomasal nematodes in captive European bison in enclosures (including zoos) and breeding centres compared to free-ranging individuals. It also includes a morphological analysis of the parasites based on figures and measurement data. Altogether, 11 species of nematodes were detected, with both captive and free-ranging animals demonstrating similar species compositions. Among those, 2 species of blood-sucking nematodes were detected, including <i>Ashworthius sidemi</i> and <i>Haemonchus contortus</i>. Interestingly, <i>A. sidemi</i> was found in almost all free-roaming animals, but only in 1 captive European bison. In addition, <i>H. contortus</i> was predominant in captive animals. The morphological identification was confirmed molecularly for 5 nematode species: <i>A. sidemi</i>, <i>H. contortus</i>, <i>Ostertagia kolchida</i>, <i>O. ostertagi</i> and <i>Spiculopteragia boehmi</i>. The identification was performed using small subunit ribosomal rDNA. The study provides the first available set of specular lengths of the gastric nematodes of European bison, and the first molecular data of <i>O. kolchida</i> and <i>S. boehmi</i> derived from the same host species. Our findings may simplify the morphometrical and molecular identification of Trichostrongylidae species infecting European bison, and can be useful in developing new management strategies for populations of this near-threatened species in Europe.</p>","PeriodicalId":19967,"journal":{"name":"Parasitology","volume":" ","pages":"1175-1184"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2024-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11894010/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142625816","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-09-01Epub Date: 2024-10-30DOI: 10.1017/S0031182024001112
Luis F Rangel, Ricardo Severino, Maria J Santos, Sónia Rocha
A new species of Myxobolidae, Henneguya cardii n. sp., is described infecting the European seabass Dicentrarchus labrax, a fish of high commercial value intensively cultivated in southern Europe. Henneguya cardii n. sp. was found in the bulbus arteriosus and spleen with a prevalence of infection of 13.5%. In the heart, it forms irregular whitish plasmodia measuring 1 mm in size. Mature myxospores are broadly obovoid in frontal view and ellipsoidal in lateral view, with 2 equal caudal appendages. Polar capsules are ovoid and symmetric, with 3–4 polar tubule coils. Myxospores measure 10.2 ± 0.6 (8.8–11.6) μm in length, 8.0 ± 0.7 (5.3–8.8) μm in width and 5.6 ± 0.2 (5.1–6.4) μm in thickness. Caudal appendages are 36.6 ± 3.2 (27.4–42.9) μm long. Total spore length is 47.6 ± 3.2 (41.2–53.2) μm. Polar capsules measure 4.0 ± 0.2 (3.4–4.6) by 2.2 ± 0.1 (1.9–2.6) μm. Small subunit ribosomal RNA-based tree topologies position H. cardii n. sp. within a lineage of marine myxobolids that is mostly comprised of other Henneguya species. Host-relatedness is reinforced as the main evolutionary driver for myxobolids, with the positioning of H. cardii n. sp. further suggesting tissue tropism as another important evolutionary driver for marine heart infecting Henneguya. Nonetheless, the inner complexity of this lineage suggests that identification of the evolutionary patterns driving its phylogeny will require discovery of the true diversity of marine myxobolids.
{"title":"Morphological and molecular characterization of <i>Henneguya cardii</i> n. sp. (Cnidaria: Myxosporea) from the bulbus arteriosus of European seabass <i>Dicentrarchus labrax</i> (Teleostei: Moronidae).","authors":"Luis F Rangel, Ricardo Severino, Maria J Santos, Sónia Rocha","doi":"10.1017/S0031182024001112","DOIUrl":"10.1017/S0031182024001112","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>A new species of Myxobolidae, <i>Henneguya cardii</i> n. sp., is described infecting the European seabass <i>Dicentrarchus labrax</i>, a fish of high commercial value intensively cultivated in southern Europe. <i>Henneguya cardii</i> n. sp. was found in the bulbus arteriosus and spleen with a prevalence of infection of 13.5%. In the heart, it forms irregular whitish plasmodia measuring 1 mm in size. Mature myxospores are broadly obovoid in frontal view and ellipsoidal in lateral view, with 2 equal caudal appendages. Polar capsules are ovoid and symmetric, with 3–4 polar tubule coils. Myxospores measure 10.2 ± 0.6 (8.8–11.6) μm in length, 8.0 ± 0.7 (5.3–8.8) μm in width and 5.6 ± 0.2 (5.1–6.4) μm in thickness. Caudal appendages are 36.6 ± 3.2 (27.4–42.9) μm long. Total spore length is 47.6 ± 3.2 (41.2–53.2) μm. Polar capsules measure 4.0 ± 0.2 (3.4–4.6) by 2.2 ± 0.1 (1.9–2.6) μm. Small subunit ribosomal RNA-based tree topologies position <i>H. cardii</i> n. sp. within a lineage of marine myxobolids that is mostly comprised of other <i>Henneguya</i> species. Host-relatedness is reinforced as the main evolutionary driver for myxobolids, with the positioning of <i>H. cardii</i> n. sp. further suggesting tissue tropism as another important evolutionary driver for marine heart infecting <i>Henneguya</i>. Nonetheless, the inner complexity of this lineage suggests that identification of the evolutionary patterns driving its phylogeny will require discovery of the true diversity of marine myxobolids.</p>","PeriodicalId":19967,"journal":{"name":"Parasitology","volume":" ","pages":"1290-1297"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2024-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11894001/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142546686","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Host–bacterial communities (microbiomes) are influenced by a wide range of factors including host genotype and parasite exposure. However, few studies disentangle temporal and host-genotype-specific variation in microbiome response to infection across several host tissues. We experimentally exposed the freshwater crustacean Daphnia magna to its fungal parasite Metschnikowia bicuspidata and characterized changes in host–bacterial communities associated with the parasite's development within the host. We used 16S rRNA gene sequencing to assess bacterial communities of the host (a) 24 h (‘initial parasite exposure’) and (b) 10 days (‘successful infection’) after exposure to a standard dose of M. bicuspidata spores, in host guts, body tissue (excluding guts) and whole individuals. We also investigated whether bacterial community responses to parasite exposure varied by host genotype.Parasite exposure did not immediately alter host gut bacterial communities, but drove host-genotype-specific changes in the bacterial community composition of whole individuals. We validated that these changes were not driven by shifts in bacterial communities of the culturing medium, due to the addition of the parasite spore solution. Successful infection (i.e. the proliferation of M. bicuspidata spores in the host body) reduced alpha diversity and shifted abundance of dominant bacterial orders in the gut. Moreover, it induced a host-genotype-specific changes in body bacterial community composition. Overall, bacterial community responses to parasite exposure and subsequent infection are complex: they occur in a host-genotype-dependent manner, differentially at distinct timepoints after parasite exposure, and in specific host tissue.
{"title":"Host genotype and infection status interact to shape microbiomes in <i>Daphnia magna</i>.","authors":"Amruta Rajarajan, Ellen Decaestecker, Lore Bulteel, Jean-Claude Walser, Piet Spaak, Justyna Wolinska","doi":"10.1017/S0031182024000787","DOIUrl":"10.1017/S0031182024000787","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Host–bacterial communities (microbiomes) are influenced by a wide range of factors including host genotype and parasite exposure. However, few studies disentangle temporal and host-genotype-specific variation in microbiome response to infection across several host tissues. We experimentally exposed the freshwater crustacean <i>Daphnia magna</i> to its fungal parasite <i>Metschnikowia bicuspidata</i> and characterized changes in host–bacterial communities associated with the parasite's development within the host. We used 16S rRNA gene sequencing to assess bacterial communities of the host (a) 24 h (‘initial parasite exposure’) and (b) 10 days (‘successful infection’) after exposure to a standard dose of <i>M. bicuspidata</i> spores, in host guts, body tissue (excluding guts) and whole individuals. We also investigated whether bacterial community responses to parasite exposure varied by host genotype.Parasite exposure did not immediately alter host gut bacterial communities, but drove host-genotype-specific changes in the bacterial community composition of whole individuals. We validated that these changes were not driven by shifts in bacterial communities of the culturing medium, due to the addition of the parasite spore solution. Successful infection (i.e. the proliferation of <i>M. bicuspidata</i> spores in the host body) reduced alpha diversity and shifted abundance of dominant bacterial orders in the gut. Moreover, it induced a host-genotype-specific changes in body bacterial community composition. Overall, bacterial community responses to parasite exposure and subsequent infection are complex: they occur in a host-genotype-dependent manner, differentially at distinct timepoints after parasite exposure, and in specific host tissue.</p>","PeriodicalId":19967,"journal":{"name":"Parasitology","volume":" ","pages":"1137-1147"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2024-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11894000/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142625793","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-09-01Epub Date: 2024-11-11DOI: 10.1017/S0031182024001057
Dayse M S Lopes, Jackeline M S Lima, Karine S M Ribeiro, Clarissa F Gomes, Rebeca M Rocha, Thainara S Gonçalves, Thallyta M Vieira, Sílvio F de Carvalho, M G Finn, Ana Paula Venuto, Alexandre F Marques
The challenge of American tegumentary leishmaniasis (ATL) continues in Brazil, presenting a persistent public health issue despite initiatives aimed at public outreach, vector control and health education. To gain a deeper understanding of this disease, a study was conducted in an endemic region located in the northern region of the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. The study monitored 30 resident patients diagnosed with ATL, using serum samples from 6 healthy individuals as controls. The localized cutaneous form of the disease was found to be predominant, with lesions appearing on various parts of the body and the majority of the affected individuals being male. The study found significantly higher levels of IgG anti-α-Gal antibodies in ATL-infected patients compared to healthy individuals. Treatment of 19 patients with meglumine antimoniate resulted in limited improvement in symptoms for most. Nonetheless, the study found that 12 patients who completed treatment with epithelialization of the lesions showed a significant decrease in IgG anti-α-Gal antibodies, indicating potential applications of this antibody in the diagnosis and monitoring of the disease. The study also identified Leishmania species in 7 analysed patients, revealing 6 cases infected by Leishmania braziliensis and 1 by L. infantum, with a significant difference in the anti-α-Gal responses. The findings of the study emphasize the urgent need for the development of human vaccines and innovative treatment strategies adapted to the diversity of Leishmania species causing cutaneous leishmaniasis and individual patient responses to improve the clinical management of ATL in Brazil and similar endemic regions.
{"title":"Understanding American tegumentary leishmaniasis in urban Montes Claros, Brazil: insights from clinical, immunological and therapeutic investigations.","authors":"Dayse M S Lopes, Jackeline M S Lima, Karine S M Ribeiro, Clarissa F Gomes, Rebeca M Rocha, Thainara S Gonçalves, Thallyta M Vieira, Sílvio F de Carvalho, M G Finn, Ana Paula Venuto, Alexandre F Marques","doi":"10.1017/S0031182024001057","DOIUrl":"10.1017/S0031182024001057","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The challenge of American tegumentary leishmaniasis (ATL) continues in Brazil, presenting a persistent public health issue despite initiatives aimed at public outreach, vector control and health education. To gain a deeper understanding of this disease, a study was conducted in an endemic region located in the northern region of the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. The study monitored 30 resident patients diagnosed with ATL, using serum samples from 6 healthy individuals as controls. The localized cutaneous form of the disease was found to be predominant, with lesions appearing on various parts of the body and the majority of the affected individuals being male. The study found significantly higher levels of IgG anti-<i>α</i>-Gal antibodies in ATL-infected patients compared to healthy individuals. Treatment of 19 patients with meglumine antimoniate resulted in limited improvement in symptoms for most. Nonetheless, the study found that 12 patients who completed treatment with epithelialization of the lesions showed a significant decrease in IgG anti-<i>α</i>-Gal antibodies, indicating potential applications of this antibody in the diagnosis and monitoring of the disease. The study also identified <i>Leishmania</i> species in 7 analysed patients, revealing 6 cases infected by <i>Leishmania braziliensis</i> and 1 by <i>L. infantum</i>, with a significant difference in the anti-<i>α</i>-Gal responses. The findings of the study emphasize the urgent need for the development of human vaccines and innovative treatment strategies adapted to the diversity of <i>Leishmania</i> species causing cutaneous leishmaniasis and individual patient responses to improve the clinical management of ATL in Brazil and similar endemic regions.</p>","PeriodicalId":19967,"journal":{"name":"Parasitology","volume":" ","pages":"1260-1268"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2024-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11894006/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142625818","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-08-01Epub Date: 2024-02-05DOI: 10.1017/S0031182024000143
María Martina Esperanza Perez-Soria, Daniel Gustavo López-Díaz, Rafael Jiménez-Ocampo, Gabriela Aguilar-Tipacamú, Massaro W Ueti, Juan Mosqueda
Rhipicephalus microplus, the cattle fever tick, is the most important ectoparasite impacting the livestock industry worldwide. Overreliance on chemical treatments for tick control has led to the emergence of acaricide-resistant ticks and environmental contamination. An immunological strategy based on vaccines offers an alternative approach to tick control. To develop novel tick vaccines, it is crucial to identify and evaluate antigens capable of generating protection in cattle. Chitinases are enzymes that degrade older chitin at the time of moulting, therefore allowing interstadial metamorphosis. In this study, 1 R. microplus chitinase was identified and its capacity to reduce fitness in ticks fed on immunized cattle was evaluated. First, the predicted amino acid sequence was determined in 4 isolates and their similarity was analysed by bioinformatics. Four peptides containing predicted B-cell epitopes were designed. The immunogenicity of each peptide was assessed by inoculating 2 cattle, 4 times at 21 days intervals, and the antibody response was verified by indirect ELISA. A challenge experiment was conducted with those peptides that were immunogenic. The chitinase gene was successfully amplified and sequenced, enabling comparison with reference strains. Notably, a 99.32% identity and 99.84% similarity were ascertained among the sequences. Furthermore, native protein recognition was demonstrated through western blot assays. Chitinase peptide 3 reduced the weight and oviposition of engorged ticks, as well as larvae viability, exhibiting a 71% efficacy. Therefore, chitinase 3 emerges as a viable vaccine candidate, holding promise for its integration into a multiantigenic vaccine against R. microplus.
{"title":"Immunization of cattle with a <i>Rhipicephalus microplus</i> chitinase peptide containing predicted B-cell epitopes reduces tick biological fitness.","authors":"María Martina Esperanza Perez-Soria, Daniel Gustavo López-Díaz, Rafael Jiménez-Ocampo, Gabriela Aguilar-Tipacamú, Massaro W Ueti, Juan Mosqueda","doi":"10.1017/S0031182024000143","DOIUrl":"10.1017/S0031182024000143","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><i>Rhipicephalus microplus</i>, the cattle fever tick, is the most important ectoparasite impacting the livestock industry worldwide. Overreliance on chemical treatments for tick control has led to the emergence of acaricide-resistant ticks and environmental contamination. An immunological strategy based on vaccines offers an alternative approach to tick control. To develop novel tick vaccines, it is crucial to identify and evaluate antigens capable of generating protection in cattle. Chitinases are enzymes that degrade older chitin at the time of moulting, therefore allowing interstadial metamorphosis. In this study, 1 <i>R. microplus</i> chitinase was identified and its capacity to reduce fitness in ticks fed on immunized cattle was evaluated. First, the predicted amino acid sequence was determined in 4 isolates and their similarity was analysed by bioinformatics. Four peptides containing predicted B-cell epitopes were designed. The immunogenicity of each peptide was assessed by inoculating 2 cattle, 4 times at 21 days intervals, and the antibody response was verified by indirect ELISA. A challenge experiment was conducted with those peptides that were immunogenic. The <i>chitinase</i> gene was successfully amplified and sequenced, enabling comparison with reference strains. Notably, a 99.32% identity and 99.84% similarity were ascertained among the sequences. Furthermore, native protein recognition was demonstrated through western blot assays. Chitinase peptide 3 reduced the weight and oviposition of engorged ticks, as well as larvae viability, exhibiting a 71% efficacy. Therefore, chitinase 3 emerges as a viable vaccine candidate, holding promise for its integration into a multiantigenic vaccine against <i>R. microplus.</i></p>","PeriodicalId":19967,"journal":{"name":"Parasitology","volume":" ","pages":"1053-1062"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2024-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11770533/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139707432","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-08-01Epub Date: 2024-11-27DOI: 10.1017/S0031182024001537
Ben J Mans, Lidia Chitimia-Dobler, Ronel Pienaar, Minique de Castro, Mehran Khan, Mashal M Almutairi, Abdulaziz Alouffi, Abid Ali
{"title":"Mitochondrial genome and nuclear ribosomal RNA analysis place <i>Alveonasus lahorensis</i> within the Argasinae and suggest that the genus <i>Alveonasus</i> is paraphyletic - ERRATUM.","authors":"Ben J Mans, Lidia Chitimia-Dobler, Ronel Pienaar, Minique de Castro, Mehran Khan, Mashal M Almutairi, Abdulaziz Alouffi, Abid Ali","doi":"10.1017/S0031182024001537","DOIUrl":"10.1017/S0031182024001537","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":19967,"journal":{"name":"Parasitology","volume":" ","pages":"918"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2024-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11770513/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142731806","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-08-01Epub Date: 2024-10-02DOI: 10.1017/S0031182024000982
Abid Ali, Mehran Khan, Muhammad Numan, Abdulaziz Alouffi, Mashal M Almutairi, Ronel Pienaar, Minique H de Castro, Lidia Chitimia-Dobler, Sebastián Muñoz-Leal, Ben J Mans
The genus Ornithodoros is notably diverse within the family Argasidae, comprising approximately 134 species distributed among 4 subgenera, 1 of which is the subgenus Pavlovskyella. In an earlier study, we identified distinct soft ticks as Ornithodoros (Pavlovskyella) sp., which were collected from animal shelters in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Providing additional collections from that same locality and a comprehensive analysis involving detailed morphological and mitogenome-based comparisons with closely related species, this study formally designates a novel species for these specimens. Adults and late-instar nymphs of the new species display a dorsoventral groove, small cheeks not covering the capitulum, 5 small even humps on tarsus I and a transverse postanal groove intersecting the median postanal groove perpendicularly. It also lacks a tuft of setae on the ventral surface of the hood which separates the novel species from Ornithodoros papillipes. Ventral chaetotaxy of tarsus IV indicates 4–7 setal pairs in nymphs and 5–7 pairs in adults that separate the new species from Ornithodoros tholozani sensu stricto and Ornithodoros crossi, 2 morphologically closely related species that occur in geographical proximity. Phylogenetic analyses of the full-length mitochondrial genome and the 18S and 28S ribosomal RNA genes, combined with pairwise nucleotide comparisons of cox1, cox2, atp8, atp6, cox3, nad3, nad5, nad4, nad4L, nad6, cytb, nad1, nad2, 12S rDNA, 16S rDNA, 18S rDNA and 28S rDNA further support that the new species belongs to the Pavlovskyella subgenus, clustering with O. tholozani, Ornithodoros verrucosus and Ornithodoros tartakovskyi.
{"title":"Description of a new <i>Ornithodoros</i> (<i>Pavlovskyella</i>) (Ixodida: Argasidae) tick species from Pakistan.","authors":"Abid Ali, Mehran Khan, Muhammad Numan, Abdulaziz Alouffi, Mashal M Almutairi, Ronel Pienaar, Minique H de Castro, Lidia Chitimia-Dobler, Sebastián Muñoz-Leal, Ben J Mans","doi":"10.1017/S0031182024000982","DOIUrl":"10.1017/S0031182024000982","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The genus <i>Ornithodoros</i> is notably diverse within the family Argasidae, comprising approximately 134 species distributed among 4 subgenera, 1 of which is the subgenus <i>Pavlovskyella</i>. In an earlier study, we identified distinct soft ticks as <i>Ornithodoros</i> (<i>Pavlovskyella</i>) sp., which were collected from animal shelters in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Providing additional collections from that same locality and a comprehensive analysis involving detailed morphological and mitogenome-based comparisons with closely related species, this study formally designates a novel species for these specimens. Adults and late-instar nymphs of the new species display a dorsoventral groove, small cheeks not covering the capitulum, 5 small even humps on tarsus I and a transverse postanal groove intersecting the median postanal groove perpendicularly. It also lacks a tuft of setae on the ventral surface of the hood which separates the novel species from <i>Ornithodoros papillipes</i>. Ventral chaetotaxy of tarsus IV indicates 4–7 setal pairs in nymphs and 5–7 pairs in adults that separate the new species from <i>Ornithodoros tholozani</i> sensu stricto and <i>Ornithodoros crossi</i>, 2 morphologically closely related species that occur in geographical proximity. Phylogenetic analyses of the full-length mitochondrial genome and the 18S and 28S ribosomal RNA genes, combined with pairwise nucleotide comparisons of <i>cox1</i>, <i>cox2</i>, <i>atp8</i>, <i>atp6</i>, <i>cox3</i>, <i>nad3</i>, <i>nad5</i>, <i>nad4</i>, <i>nad4L</i>, <i>nad6</i>, <i>cytb</i>, <i>nad1</i>, <i>nad2</i>, 12S rDNA, 16S rDNA, 18S rDNA and 28S rDNA further support that the new species belongs to the <i>Pavlovskyella</i> subgenus, clustering with <i>O. tholozani</i>, <i>Ornithodoros verrucosus</i> and <i>Ornithodoros tartakovskyi</i>.</p>","PeriodicalId":19967,"journal":{"name":"Parasitology","volume":" ","pages":"919-932"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2024-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11770527/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142361900","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-08-01DOI: 10.1017/S0031182024001161
Nighat Perveen, Sabir B Muzaffar, Areej Jaradat, Olivier A Sparagano, Arve L Willingham
Ticks are important vectors and reservoirs of pathogens causing zoonotic diseases in camels and other livestock, rodents and other small mammals, birds and humans. Hyalomma dromedarii is the most abundant tick species in Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates (UAE) affecting primarily camels, and to a lesser extent, other livestock. Species presence data, land use/landcover, elevation, slope and 19 bioclimatic variables were used to model current and future distribution of H. dromedarii ticks using maximum entropy species distribution modelling (MaxEnt.). The model highlighted areas in the northern, eastern and southwestern parts of the study area as highly suitable for ticks. Several variables including land use/land cover (LULC) (53.1%), precipitation of coldest quarter (Bio19) (21.8%), elevation (20.6%), isothermality (Bio3) (1.9%), mean diurnal range [mean of monthly (max temp – min temp)] (Bio2) (1.8%), slope (0.5%), precipitation, seasonality (Bio15) (0.2%) influenced habitat suitability of ticks, predicting high tick density or abundance. Middle of the road scenario (ssp2-4.5) where CO2 levels remain similar to current levels, did not indicate a major change in the tick distributions. This tick distribution model could be used for targeting surveillance efforts and increasing the efficiency and accuracy of public health investigations and vector control strategies.
{"title":"Camel tick species distribution in Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates using MaxEnt modelling.","authors":"Nighat Perveen, Sabir B Muzaffar, Areej Jaradat, Olivier A Sparagano, Arve L Willingham","doi":"10.1017/S0031182024001161","DOIUrl":"10.1017/S0031182024001161","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Ticks are important vectors and reservoirs of pathogens causing zoonotic diseases in camels and other livestock, rodents and other small mammals, birds and humans. <i>Hyalomma dromedarii</i> is the most abundant tick species in Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates (UAE) affecting primarily camels, and to a lesser extent, other livestock. Species presence data, land use/landcover, elevation, slope and 19 bioclimatic variables were used to model current and future distribution of <i>H. dromedarii</i> ticks using maximum entropy species distribution modelling (MaxEnt.). The model highlighted areas in the northern, eastern and southwestern parts of the study area as highly suitable for ticks. Several variables including land use/land cover (LULC) (53.1%), precipitation of coldest quarter (Bio19) (21.8%), elevation (20.6%), isothermality (Bio3) (1.9%), mean diurnal range [mean of monthly (max temp – min temp)] (Bio2) (1.8%), slope (0.5%), precipitation, seasonality (Bio15) (0.2%) influenced habitat suitability of ticks, predicting high tick density or abundance. Middle of the road scenario (ssp2-4.5) where CO<sub>2</sub> levels remain similar to current levels, did not indicate a major change in the tick distributions. This tick distribution model could be used for targeting surveillance efforts and increasing the efficiency and accuracy of public health investigations and vector control strategies.</p>","PeriodicalId":19967,"journal":{"name":"Parasitology","volume":" ","pages":"1024-1034"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2024-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11772089/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142854763","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-08-01Epub Date: 2024-11-11DOI: 10.1017/S0031182024000817
Lisa Godinho, Emile van Lieshout, Stephen Griffiths, Mackenzie L Kwak
Although 12 soft tick species (Argasidae) are native to Australia, the ecology of most is poorly known. Argas dewae parasitizes several insectivorous bat species and has been recorded on humans. Therefore, understanding its ecology is crucial for wildlife health management and public health preparedness. To address this knowledge gap, A. dewae populations were monitored from 2 bat hosts (Chalinolobus gouldii and Austronomus australis) using bat boxes at 3 sites in Victoria, Australia, for 28 months (July 2005–December 2007). A phenological profile undertaken for A. dewae revealed that tick load on bat hosts increased throughout winter and peaked in the first month of spring, before collapsing and remaining low throughout the drier late spring and summer periods. There was also further investigation of the relationship between 2 response variables (tick infestation risk and tick load) and a range of explanatory variables (body condition index, sex, age class, bioseason, site, bat density per nest box). In C. gouldii, site was the only significant predictor of A. dewae infestation risk, while load was correlated with several variables including age class, sex, bioseason, roost density and body condition index. This paper also reports the first records of A. dewae from 6 bat species in 3 bat families (Miniopteridae: Miniopterus australis; Molossidae: A. australis; Vespertilionidae: Chalinolobus morio, Myotis Macropus, Vespadelus darlingtonia, Vespadelus regulus) and a second record of A. dewae from a human. The first distribution records are presented for A. dewae in South Australia, the Australian Capital Territory and Queensland.
{"title":"Ecology and phenology of the bat tick <i>Argas</i> (<i>Carios</i>) <i>dewae</i> (Acari: Argasidae).","authors":"Lisa Godinho, Emile van Lieshout, Stephen Griffiths, Mackenzie L Kwak","doi":"10.1017/S0031182024000817","DOIUrl":"10.1017/S0031182024000817","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Although 12 soft tick species (Argasidae) are native to Australia, the ecology of most is poorly known. <i>Argas dewae</i> parasitizes several insectivorous bat species and has been recorded on humans. Therefore, understanding its ecology is crucial for wildlife health management and public health preparedness. To address this knowledge gap, <i>A. dewae</i> populations were monitored from 2 bat hosts (<i>Chalinolobus gouldii</i> and <i>Austronomus australis</i>) using bat boxes at 3 sites in Victoria, Australia, for 28 months (July 2005–December 2007). A phenological profile undertaken for <i>A. dewae</i> revealed that tick load on bat hosts increased throughout winter and peaked in the first month of spring, before collapsing and remaining low throughout the drier late spring and summer periods. There was also further investigation of the relationship between 2 response variables (tick infestation risk and tick load) and a range of explanatory variables (body condition index, sex, age class, bioseason, site, bat density per nest box). In <i>C. gouldii</i>, site was the only significant predictor of <i>A. dewae</i> infestation risk, while load was correlated with several variables including age class, sex, bioseason, roost density and body condition index. This paper also reports the first records of <i>A. dewae</i> from 6 bat species in 3 bat families (Miniopteridae: <i>Miniopterus australis</i>; Molossidae: <i>A. australis</i>; Vespertilionidae: <i>Chalinolobus morio</i>, <i>Myotis Macropus</i>, <i>Vespadelus darlingtonia</i>, <i>Vespadelus regulus</i>) and a second record of <i>A. dewae</i> from a human. The first distribution records are presented for <i>A. dewae</i> in South Australia, the Australian Capital Territory and Queensland.</p>","PeriodicalId":19967,"journal":{"name":"Parasitology","volume":" ","pages":"1035-1044"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2024-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11770525/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142625787","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-08-01Epub Date: 2024-11-25DOI: 10.1017/S0031182024001549
Ala E Tabor
Ticks and tick-borne diseases affect humans, livestock, and wildlife in most regions of the globe. Although there are over 900 tick species globally, only approximately 10% of species are second to mosquitoes as major vectors of human and veterinary diseases. The 17 articles of this themed Special Issue highlight the current research trends associated with newly discovered tick species, concepts of tick evolution, new vaccinology approaches, factors affecting disease transmission, and factors affecting tick ecology and tick-borne disease epidemiology. summarizes the articles in this Special Issue in alphabetical author order and is a word cloud generated from the article titles. Of the 17 articles in this Special Issue, two are review articles (vaccinology) while the remaining 15 are original research articles. The topics range from tick control, to epidemiology, ecology, tick-borne disease control, tick-borne disease transmission, vaccine approaches, and the description of novel extant and extinct tick species. is graphical representation of the articles within this Special Issue including tick hosts and the most representative tick species studied. The articles also include authors from most continents globally with first author contributions from Australia, Bangladesh, Brazil, Czech Republic, Germany, India, Mexico, Pakistan, South Africa, Spain, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, USA and Zambia. This issue is thus truly diverse which reflects the diversity of ticks, tick-borne diseases and they hosts they infest globally.
{"title":"Editorial: ticks & tick-borne parasites and diseases.","authors":"Ala E Tabor","doi":"10.1017/S0031182024001549","DOIUrl":"10.1017/S0031182024001549","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Ticks and tick-borne diseases affect humans, livestock, and wildlife in most regions of the globe. Although there are over 900 tick species globally, only approximately 10% of species are second to mosquitoes as major vectors of human and veterinary diseases. The 17 articles of this themed Special Issue highlight the current research trends associated with newly discovered tick species, concepts of tick evolution, new vaccinology approaches, factors affecting disease transmission, and factors affecting tick ecology and tick-borne disease epidemiology. summarizes the articles in this Special Issue in alphabetical author order and is a word cloud generated from the article titles. Of the 17 articles in this Special Issue, two are review articles (vaccinology) while the remaining 15 are original research articles. The topics range from tick control, to epidemiology, ecology, tick-borne disease control, tick-borne disease transmission, vaccine approaches, and the description of novel extant and extinct tick species. is graphical representation of the articles within this Special Issue including tick hosts and the most representative tick species studied. The articles also include authors from most continents globally with first author contributions from Australia, Bangladesh, Brazil, Czech Republic, Germany, India, Mexico, Pakistan, South Africa, Spain, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, USA and Zambia. This issue is thus truly diverse which reflects the diversity of ticks, tick-borne diseases and they hosts they infest globally.</p>","PeriodicalId":19967,"journal":{"name":"Parasitology","volume":" ","pages":"885-890"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2024-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11770510/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142710858","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}