RESUMO
Small mammals play an essential role as disseminators of pathogens because they reach high population densities and have ubiquitous distributions. In the Northern Hemisphere rodents are well recognized as reservoirs for tick-borne bacteria of the Anaplasmataceae family and also apicomplexan protozoans. In contrast, South American rodents hosting these microorganisms have been rarely identified. In this study, we collected blood from rodents and marsupials in northern Chile and screened for Anaplasmataceae bacteria and apicomplexan protozoa. Overall, 14.7% of the samples were positive for Babesia, Hepatozoon, and Sarcocystidae using conventional PCR assays targeting the structural 18S rRNA locus (18S). Phylogenetic analyses performed with amplicons derived from 18S and cytochrome c oxidase (COI) gene provided evidence of a Babesia sp. belonging to the Babesia microti group in Phyllotis darwini, and a novel Babesia genotype in P. darwini and Abrothrix jelskii. Furthermore, four novel genotypes of Hepatozoon retrieved from Abrothrix olivacea, P. darwini, and Oligoryzomys longicaudatus, formed independent lineages within a clade that includes additional Hepatozoon spp. detected in South American rodents. Moreover, an incidental finding of a previously detected apicomplexan, herein designated as Sarcocystidae sp., was recorded in Thylamys opossums with a high prevalence, indicating a possible specific association with these mammals. Phylogenetic analysis of Sarcoystidae sp. clearly demonstrated its relatedness to apicomplexans detected in Australian marsupials. Our results expand the range of mammals hosting tick-borne apicomplexans in South America, highlight a novel clade consisting of South American babesias, and report for the first time the B. microti group infecting rodents in the region.
Assuntos
Babesia microti , Babesiose , Animais , Austrália , Babesia microti/genética , Babesiose/epidemiologia , Babesiose/parasitologia , Chile/epidemiologia , Mamíferos , Filogenia , Roedores/parasitologiaRESUMO
The increase in human babesiosis is of major concern to health authorities. In the USA, most of these cases are due to infections with Babesia microti, whereas in Europe B. divergens is the major cause of clinical disease in humans. Here we review the immunological and biological literature of glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored merozoite proteins of human Babesia parasites with emphasis on their role in immunity, and provide some new bioinformatical information on B. microti GPI-Anchored Proteins (GPI-AP). Cattle can be vaccinated with soluble parasite antigens (SPA) of Babesia divergens that are released by the parasite during proliferation. The major component in SPA preparations appeared to be a 37â¯kDa merozoite surface protein that is anchored in the merozoite membrane by a GPI anchor. Animals could be protected by vaccination with the recombinant 37â¯kDa protein expressed in Escherichia coli, provided the protein had a hydrophobic terminal sequence. Based on this knowledge, a recombinant vaccine was developed against Babesia canis infection in dogs, successfully. In order to identify similar GPI-AP in B. microti, the genome was analysed. Here it is shown that B. microti encodes all proteins necessary for GPI assembly and its subsequent protein transfer. In addition, in total 21 genes encoding for GPI-AP were detected, some of which reacted particularly strongly with sera from B. microti-infected human patients. Reactivity of antibodies with GPI-anchored merozoite proteins appears to be dependent on the structural conformation of the molecule. It is suggested that the three-dimensional structure of the protein that is anchored in the membrane is different from that of the protein that has been shed from the merozoite surface. The significance of this protein's dynamics in parasite biology and immune evasion is discussed. Finally, we discuss developments in tick and Babesia vaccine research, and the role such vaccines could play in the control of human babesiosis.
Assuntos
Antígenos de Protozoários/imunologia , Babesia microti/imunologia , Babesiose/prevenção & controle , Vacinas Protozoárias/administração & dosagem , Vacinas Protozoárias/imunologia , Animais , Modelos Animais de Doenças , Cães , Vacinas Sintéticas/administração & dosagem , Vacinas Sintéticas/imunologiaRESUMO
In 2015, we detected clinical cases of babesiosis caused by Babesia microti in Yucatán State, Mexico. Cases occurred in 4 children from a small town who became ill during the same month. Diagnosis was confirmed using conventional PCR followed by sequencing of the DNA fragment obtained.
Assuntos
Babesia microti/isolamento & purificação , Babesiose/diagnóstico , Babesiose/parasitologia , Adolescente , Babesia microti/genética , Criança , DNA de Protozoário/química , DNA de Protozoário/genética , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , México , Reação em Cadeia da PolimeraseAssuntos
Babesiose/sangue , Bancos de Sangue/normas , Doadores de Sangue/legislação & jurisprudência , Síndrome de Creutzfeldt-Jakob/sangue , Testes Hematológicos , Programas de Rastreamento , Infecção por Zika virus/sangue , Babesia microti/genética , Babesia microti/isolamento & purificação , Babesiose/epidemiologia , Babesiose/parasitologia , Babesiose/prevenção & controle , Transfusão de Sangue , Síndrome de Creutzfeldt-Jakob/prevenção & controle , Síndrome de Creutzfeldt-Jakob/transmissão , Feminino , Testes Hematológicos/tendências , Humanos , Masculino , Programas de Rastreamento/tendências , Mosquitos Vetores/virologia , Porto Rico/epidemiologia , RNA Viral/sangue , Estados Unidos/epidemiologia , United States Food and Drug Administration/legislação & jurisprudência , Zika virus/genética , Zika virus/isolamento & purificação , Infecção por Zika virus/epidemiologia , Infecção por Zika virus/prevenção & controle , Infecção por Zika virus/virologiaRESUMO
To investigate human babesiosis in the Bolivian Chaco, in 2013 we tested blood samples from 271 healthy persons living in 2 rural communities in this region. Microscopy and PCR indicated that 3.3% of persons were positive for Babesia microti parasites (US lineage); seroprevalence was 45.7%. Appropriate screening should mitigate the risk for transfusion-associated babesiosis.
Assuntos
Babesiose/epidemiologia , Babesiose/parasitologia , Adolescente , Adulto , Idoso , Antígenos de Protozoários/sangue , Babesia microti/isolamento & purificação , Bolívia/epidemiologia , Criança , Pré-Escolar , Estudos Transversais , Feminino , Humanos , Lactente , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Adulto JovemRESUMO
A previously healthy febrile patient with travel history to Nicaragua showed rapid clinical deterioration with hemodynamic shock and anuria. Diagnosis of severe malaria was established based on intra-erythrocytic parasites and antimalarial treatment was initiated. However, upon reevaluation Babesia microti infection was suspected and molecular characterization by polymerase chain reaction and sequence analysis was performed.
Assuntos
Babesia microti/isolamento & purificação , Babesiose/diagnóstico , Áustria , Babesia microti/genética , Babesiose/sangue , Diagnóstico Diferencial , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Nicarágua , Reação em Cadeia da Polimerase , Viagem , Resultado do TratamentoRESUMO
OBJECTIVE: Establishing seroprevalence against Bartonella and Babesia microti in arural population exposed and/or non-exposed to domestic animals in Cordoba,Colombia. METHODOLOGY: Sera samples taken from 80 people from Montería and Cereté (Córdoba department) were analysed; the population sample was chosen by non-probabilistic means. Anti-Bartonella and Babesia microti were detected by indirect immunofluorescence (IFI), (Focus Technologies, Cypres, CA, USA). RESULTS: Total anti-bartonella IgG seroprevalence was 48,7 % (39/80), 77 % being male and 23 % female. Bartonella quintana seropositivity was 45 % (36/80) and Bartonella henselae seropositivity 30 % (24/80); 21 of these individuals (26,2 %) had antibodies to both bartonellas. Babesia microti seroprevelence was 30,6 % (23/80),65 % being male patients. CONCLUSIONS: High Bartonella and Babesia seroprevelence showed that infection levels had been underestimated in Colombia. Medical and sanitary authorities on the Caribbean coast of Colombia must take measures for monitoring the distribution,propagation and identification of human populations at risk of contracting infection by these micro-organisms and also orientate diagnosis and enable suitable prevention strategies to be developed for these diseases.
Assuntos
Anticorpos Antibacterianos/sangue , Anticorpos Antiprotozoários/sangue , Babesia microti/imunologia , Bartonella/imunologia , Adolescente , Adulto , Idoso , Idoso de 80 Anos ou mais , Animais , Colômbia/epidemiologia , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Saúde da População Rural , Estudos Soroepidemiológicos , Saúde da População UrbanaAssuntos
Adolescente , Adulto , Idoso , Idoso de 80 Anos ou mais , Animais , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Anticorpos Antibacterianos/sangue , Anticorpos Antiprotozoários/sangue , Babesia microti/imunologia , Bartonella/imunologia , Colômbia/epidemiologia , Saúde da População Rural , Estudos Soroepidemiológicos , Saúde da População UrbanaRESUMO
La babesiosis es una enfermedad zoonótica poco común, que en la mayoría de los casos es asintomática pero que en personas con alguna inmunodeficiencia puede llegar a ser fatal. La provocan diferentes tipos de babesia, las más frecuentes B. microti en Estados Unidos y B. divergens en Europa y es transmitida por la picadura de la garrapata de ciervo infectada, la lxodes scapularis. El mayor número de casos de la enfermedad se presenta principalmente en verano y primavera, en zonas de la costa noreste de Estados Unidos, Massachussets, especialmente en Nanmcket Island y en Long Island, Nueva York. También hay informes de casos observados en Wisconsin, California, Georgia, Missouri y algunos países europeos. La enfermedad puede causar fiebre, escalofrío, malestar general, fatiga, anemia hemolítica y puede durar desde días hasta meses. El diagnóstico se realiza por examen directo donde se observa al protozoario dentro de los glóbulos rojos. También hay pruebas de inmunofluorescencia y amplificación de ácidos nucleicos por reacción en cadena de la polimerasa PCR. El tratamiento que se ha venido utilizando es Quinina y Clindamicina, aunque tienen muchos efectos secundarios. Se han utilizado también otros medicamentos como azitromicina, tetraciclinas y atovaquona. La principal medida de prevención tiene que ver con el control del vector transmisor de la enfermedad.