- Authors: Campino L, Casadinho A, Maia C, Nunes M, Parreira R, Pereira A, Vieira ML
- Publication Year: 2016
- Journal: Parasites & Vectors
- Link: https://parasitesandvectors.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13071-016-1535-0
Tick-borne bacteria and protozoa by molecular sequencing
The authors assess the presence of tick-borne bacteria and protozoa by molecular sequencing. Cervids and wild boars can can act as reservoir of different tick-borne pathogens, such as bacteria, parasites and viruses.
The researchers collected 141 blood samples from free-ranging ungulates including 73 red deer, 65 wild boars and three fallow deer. Moreover, they detected the presence of DNA of by PCR. They found Anaplasma marginale/A. ovis, A. phagocytophilum, Anaplasma/Ehrlichia spp., Babesia/Theileria spp., Borrelia burgdorferi (sensu lato) (s.l.), and Rickettsia spp. in blood samples.
The researchers detected Anaplasma spp. DNA in 33 cervids (31 red deer and two fallow deer) and in two wild boars. In addition, they found Theileria spp. in 34 cervids (32 red deer and two fallow deer) and in three wild boar blood samples.
Sequence analysis of msp4 identified A. marginale, A. ovis, while the analysis of rDNA sequence data disclosed the presence of A. platys and A. phagocytophilum and T. capreoli and Theileria sp. OT3. The researchers found Anaplasma spp./Theileria spp. mixed infections in 17 cervids and in two wild boars. All samples were negative for Babesiasp., B. burgdorferi (s.l.), Ehrlichia sp. or Rickettsia sp.
This is the first detection of Anaplasma marginale, A. ovis, A. phagocytophilum, A. platys, Theileria capreoli and Theileria sp. OT3 in cervids and wild boars from Portugal. Further studies concerning the potential pathogenicity of the different species of Anaplasma and Theileria infecting wild ungulates. Also the identification of their vector range, and their putative infectivity to domestic livestock and humans should be undertaken.
