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Home / Equine Research Bank / Vet Parasitol / A molecular survey of Piroplasmida and Hepatozoon isolated f...
Veterinary parasitology2009; 162(1-2); 147-150; doi: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2009.02.021

A molecular survey of Piroplasmida and Hepatozoon isolated from domestic and wild animals in Burgos (northern Spain).

Abstract: This study reports a molecular survey of Hepatozoon species and of the order Piroplasmida in the Province of Burgos, northern Spain. The diagnostic techniques employed included PCR and the sequencing of the 18S rRNA gene. Eighty-nine blood samples from domestic animals plus 138 blood/coagulated blood samples from wild mammals were examined. Theilerid protozoa were found at relatively high frequencies in bovines (14.6%) and horses (36%). Theileria buffeli, T. sergenti and T. annulata were diagnosed in cows. T. equi was common in horses and T. annae was found in a donkey for the first time. A new piroplasmid was found in the European badger (20%). This appears to be distantly related to both T. annae and a piroplasmid isolated from Lontra canadensis. A moderate prevalence (14%) for T. annae was recorded in red foxes. A species of hepatozoon was found in one bank vole (17%), while 28% of the red foxes examined were found to be infected with H. canis. Twenty-five wild house mice were studied and found not to be carriers of piroplasmids or Hepatozoon species. Wild boars, roe deer, hares, Apodemus sp. and moles were also negative for haematozoan infection. The present study indicates that piroplasmid protozoa are present at a low to moderate frequency in some domestic herbivores in the Burgos area. They also infect certain wild mammalian species, which may act as zoonotic carriers.
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Publication Date: 2009-02-26 PubMed ID: 19297099DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2009.02.021Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
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  • Non-U.S. Gov't

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research article explores the incidence of protozoa (Hepatozoon species and Piroplasmida order) found in the blood of both domestic and wild animals in Burgos, Northern Spain, applying PCR and 18S rRNA gene sequencing techniques in its approach.

Study Methodology

  • The researchers used molecular techniques including Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and sequencing of the 18S rRNA gene to detect the pathogens in the blood samples collected from domestic and wild animals.
  • A total of 89 blood samples from domestic animals and an additional 138 samples from wild animals were scrutinized.

Molecular Occurrences in Domestic Animals

  • The Protozoa from the Theilerid genus were found to be present in a significant proportion, with a frequency of 14.6% in bovines and a large 36% in horses.
  • Within the cows sampled, the species included Theileria buffeli, T. sergenti, and T. annulata.
  • In the equine samples, T. equi was a common occurrence while an instance of T. annae was found in a donkey for the first time in the region.

Findings in Wild Animals

  • Within the wild animal samples, a novel piroplasmid was discovered in the European badger, with a frequency of 20%.
  • This new piroplasmid seemed to be distantly related to both T. annae and a piroplasmid isolated from Lontra canadensis.
  • A moderate prevalence of T. annae was recorded in red foxes, measured at 14%.
  • Hepatozoon species were found in one bank vole, and a substantial percentage (28%) of red foxes were found to be infected with H. canis.
  • However, in the 25 studied wild house mice, no traces of piroplasmids or Hepatozoon species were discovered.
  • Wild boars, roe deer, hares, Apodemus sp., and moles were also tested and found to be free from haematozoan infection.

Conclusion and Implications

  • The study indicates a variable frequency of Piroplasmid protozoa in the tested animals, with a low to moderate occurrence in some domestic herbivores in the Burgos area.
  • These protozoa also infect specific wild mammalian species, thereby suggesting the potential for them to function as zoonotic carriers (animals that can transmit pathogens to humans).

Cite This Article

APA
Gimenez C, Casado N, Criado-Fornelio A, de Miguel FA, Dominguez-Peñafiel G. (2009). A molecular survey of Piroplasmida and Hepatozoon isolated from domestic and wild animals in Burgos (northern Spain). Vet Parasitol, 162(1-2), 147-150. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetpar.2009.02.021

Publication

Veterinary parasitology
ISSN: 0304-4017
NlmUniqueID: 7602745
Country: Netherlands
Language: English
Volume: 162
Issue: 1-2
Pages: 147-150

Researcher Affiliations

Gimenez, Consuelo
  • Departamento de Microbiología y Parasitología, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Alcalá, Crta. Madrid-Barcelona, Km. 33,600, 28871 Alcalá de Henares, Spain.
Casado, Nieves
    Criado-Fornelio, Angel
      de Miguel, Florencio Alvarez
        Dominguez-Peñafiel, Gerardo

          MeSH Terms

          • Animals
          • Animals, Domestic / parasitology
          • Animals, Wild / parasitology
          • Coccidia / genetics
          • Piroplasmida / genetics
          • Protozoan Infections, Animal / epidemiology
          • Protozoan Infections, Animal / parasitology
          • Spain / epidemiology
          • Tick-Borne Diseases / epidemiology
          • Tick-Borne Diseases / parasitology
          • Tick-Borne Diseases / veterinary

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