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International journal for parasitology2001; 31(4); 384-386; doi: 10.1016/s0020-7519(01)00120-5

Detection of Babesia caballi and Babesia equi in Dermacentor nuttalli adult ticks.

Abstract: Ticks play an important role in human and veterinary medicine particularly due to their ability to transmit protozoan pathogens. In this study we have demonstrated that polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and nested PCR methods enabled detection of Babesia caballi and Babesia equi in field isolates of Dermacentor nuttalli adult ticks from Mongolia. Primers specific for 218 bp fragment merozoite antigen 1 (EMA-1) gene of B. equi successfully amplified products from all samples of D. nuttalli adult ticks while primers for the 430 bp fragment product from BC48 gene of B. caballi amplified products from seven of the 54 samples. Using PCR and nested PCR methods we have found mixed infections with B. equi and B. caballi in the tick vector. The amplified DNA fragment from D. nuttalli ticks was inserted into the EcoRV site of pBluescript SK and sequenced. The sequence of the 430 bp fragment was completely identical to the nucleotide sequence of the USDA strain of B. caballi. These results suggest that D. nuttalli may play an important role as a vector of both B. caballi and B. equi and also may be important in maintaining endemicity of equine piroplasmosis in Mongolia.
Publication Date: 2001-04-18 PubMed ID: 11306116DOI: 10.1016/s0020-7519(01)00120-5Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
  • Research Support
  • Non-U.S. Gov't

Summary

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This research reveals that the detection of the pathogens Babesia caballi and Babesia equi was possible in Dermacentor nuttalli adult ticks from Mongolia using PCR and nested PCR methods.

Objective and Methods

  • The study focused on the ability of ticks, namely Dermacentor nuttalli, to transmit protozoan pathogens – specifically focussing on Babesia caballi and Babesia equi.
  • The researchers applied methods of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and nested PCR to field isolates of adult ticks from Mongolia to detect these pathogens.
  • The merozoite antigen 1 (EMA-1) gene of B. equi and the BC48 gene of B. caballi were targeted with specific primers for this PCR detection.

Findings

  • The primers for B. equi’s EMA-1 gene successfully amplified products from all of D. nuttalli’s adult tick samples.
  • For B. caballi’s BC48 gene, the result was different as only seven out of the 54 samples showed amplified products.
  • Through the use of PCR and nested PCR methods, the researchers identified mixed infections of both B. equi and B. caballi pathogens in the tick vector.
  • The amplified DNA fragment from D. nuttalli ticks was inserted into the EcoRV site of pBluescript SK and sequenced. It was found that the 430 bp fragment was identical to the nucleotide sequence of the USDA strain of B. caballi.

Significance of the Research

  • The researchers concluded from their findings that D. nuttalli potentially plays a significant role in vectoring both B. caballi and B. equi.
  • This implies that D. nuttalli may contribute to the maintenance of endemic equine piroplasmosis in Mongolia.

By elucidating D. nuttalli’s role in transmitting these pathogens, this research provides insights that may shape future studies and control strategies for equine piroplasmosis.

Cite This Article

APA
Battsetseg B, Xuan X, Ikadai H, Bautista JL, Byambaa B, Boldbaatar D, Battur B, Battsetseg G, Batsukh Z, Igarashi I, Nagasawa H, Mikami T, Fujisaki K. (2001). Detection of Babesia caballi and Babesia equi in Dermacentor nuttalli adult ticks. Int J Parasitol, 31(4), 384-386. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0020-7519(01)00120-5

Publication

ISSN: 0020-7519
NlmUniqueID: 0314024
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 31
Issue: 4
Pages: 384-386

Researcher Affiliations

Battsetseg, B
  • Basic Veterinary Science, United Graduate School of Veterinary Sciences, Gifu University, 1-1, Yanagido, Gifu- shi, 501-1193, Japan.
Xuan, X
    Ikadai, H
      Bautista, J L
        Byambaa, B
          Boldbaatar, D
            Battur, B
              Battsetseg, G
                Batsukh, Z
                  Igarashi, I
                    Nagasawa, H
                      Mikami, T
                        Fujisaki, K

                          MeSH Terms

                          • Animals
                          • Arachnid Vectors
                          • Babesia / chemistry
                          • Babesia / genetics
                          • Babesia / isolation & purification
                          • Babesiosis / veterinary
                          • DNA, Protozoan / chemistry
                          • DNA, Protozoan / isolation & purification
                          • Dermacentor / parasitology
                          • Female
                          • Horse Diseases / parasitology
                          • Horses
                          • Mongolia
                          • Polymerase Chain Reaction
                          • Sequence Analysis, DNA

                          Citations

                          This article has been cited 19 times.
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