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Frontiers in cellular and infection microbiology2022; 12; 789157; doi: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.789157

Equine Histoplasmosis in Ethiopia: Phylogenetic Analysis by Sequencing of the Internal Transcribed Spacer Region of rRNA Genes.

Abstract: Equine histoplasmosis commonly known as epizootic lymphangitis (EL) is a neglected granulomatous disease of equine that is endemic to Ethiopia. It is caused by variety , a dimorphic fungus that is closely related to variety c The objective of this study was to undertake a phylogenetic analysis of isolated from EL cases of horses in central Ethiopia and evaluate their relationship with isolates in other countries and/or clades using the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of rRNA genes. Clinical and mycological examinations, DNA extraction, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), Sanger sequencing, and phylogenetic analysis were used for undertaking this study. Additionally, sequence data of isolates were retrieved from GenBank and included for a comprehensive phylogenetic analysis. A total of 390 horses were screened for EL and 97 were positive clinically while was isolated from 60 horses and further confirmed with PCR, of which 54 were sequenced. BLAST analysis of these 54 isolates identified 29 isolates and 14 isolates from other fungal genera while the remaining 11 samples were deemed insufficient for further downstream analysis. The phylogenetic analysis identified five clades, namely, African, Eurasian, North American 1 and 2, and Latin American A and B. The Ethiopian isolates were closely aggregated with isolates of the Latin American A and Eurasian clades, whereas being distantly related to isolates from North American 1 and 2 clades as well as Latin American B clade. This study highlights the possible origins and transmission routes of Histoplasmosis in Ethiopia.
Copyright © 2022 Ameni, Messele Kebede, Zewude, Girma Abdulla, Asfaw, Gobena, Kyalo, Stomeo, Gumi and Sori.
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Publication Date: 2022-07-08 PubMed ID: 35909976PubMed Central: PMC9330904DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.789157Google Scholar: Lookup
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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 focuses on an investigation into Equine histoplasmosis or epizootic lymphangitis (EL) – a prevalent disease among core horses in Ethiopia caused by a specific variety of fungus. The study attempts to understand the phylogeny of the causative agent by analyzing the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of rRNA genes, comparing Ethiopian isolates with those from around the world.

Methods Used in the Research

  • The approach followed involved the examination of clinical signs and mycological features in horses.
  • Using cases of EL amongst horses from Central Ethiopia, samples were collected for further investigation.
  • The process involved DNA extraction from the samples obtained, followed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for amplifying the DNA.
  • Sanger sequencing methodologies were used to sequence the amplified DNA.
  • The sequenced genes underwent BLAST (basic local alignment search tool) analysis to identify isolates of the fungus.
  • Simultaneously, sequence data of similar isolates were collected from GenBank for comprehensive phylogenetic analysis.

Research Findings

  • The study started with a screening of 390 horses, of which 97 were clinically positive for EL. The identified fungus was isolated from 60 horses and confirmed via PCR.
  • 54 of these isolated samples were sequenced.
  • BLAST analysis revealed that 29 out of 54 isolates were the targeted fungal variety, and 14 isolates belonged to other fungal genera. The remaining 11 samples were inadequate for further analysis.
  • The phylogenetic analysis of the sequenced data showed that the fungal isolates could be classified into five major clades – African, Eurasian, North American 1 and 2, and Latin American A and B.
  • The isolates from Ethiopia were closely related to those in the Latin American A and Eurasian clades but showed considerable distance with isolates from North American 1 and 2 clades and the Latin American B clade.

Significance of the Study

  • The research provides a new understanding of the probable origins and transmission routes of Histoplasmosis in Ethiopia.
  • Such insights are invaluable in designing future control strategies for the disease.

Cite This Article

APA
Ameni G, Messele Kebede A, Zewude A, Girma Abdulla M, Asfaw R, Gobena MM, Kyalo M, Stomeo F, Gumi B, Sori T. (2022). Equine Histoplasmosis in Ethiopia: Phylogenetic Analysis by Sequencing of the Internal Transcribed Spacer Region of rRNA Genes. Front Cell Infect Microbiol, 12, 789157. https://doi.org/10.3389/fcimb.2022.789157

Publication

Frontiers in cellular and infection microbiology
ISSN: 2235-2988
NlmUniqueID: 101585359
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 12
Pages: 789157
PII: 789157

Researcher Affiliations

Ameni, Gobena
  • Aklilu Lemma Institute of Pathobiology, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
  • Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Food and Agriculture, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates.
Messele Kebede, Alebachew
  • Aklilu Lemma Institute of Pathobiology, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Zewude, Aboma
  • Aklilu Lemma Institute of Pathobiology, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
  • Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Food and Agriculture, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates.
Girma Abdulla, Musse
  • Aklilu Lemma Institute of Pathobiology, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Asfaw, Rahel
  • Aklilu Lemma Institute of Pathobiology, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Gobena, Mesfin Mamo
  • Aklilu Lemma Institute of Pathobiology, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
  • College of Veterinary Medicine and Agriculture, Addis Ababa University, Debre Zeit, Ethiopia.
Kyalo, Martina
  • Capacity Building, Biosciences for Eastern and Central Africa-International Livestock Research Institute (BecA-ILRI) Hub, Nairobi, Kenya.
Stomeo, Francesca
  • Capacity Building, Biosciences for Eastern and Central Africa-International Livestock Research Institute (BecA-ILRI) Hub, Nairobi, Kenya.
Gumi, Balako
  • Aklilu Lemma Institute of Pathobiology, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Sori, Teshale
  • College of Veterinary Medicine and Agriculture, Addis Ababa University, Debre Zeit, Ethiopia.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • DNA, Fungal / genetics
  • Ethiopia / epidemiology
  • Genes, rRNA
  • Histoplasma / genetics
  • Histoplasmosis / epidemiology
  • Histoplasmosis / genetics
  • Histoplasmosis / veterinary
  • Horses / genetics
  • Phylogeny

Grant Funding

  • U01 HG007472 / NHGRI NIH HHS

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

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Citations

This article has been cited 3 times.
  1. Maphanga TG, Mapengo RE, Ventouras O, Naicker SD, Govender NP. Molecular detection of Histoplasma capsulatum in environmental samples collected from South African caves. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2025 Dec;19(12):e0013778.
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  3. Marques PH, Tiwari S, Felice AG, Jaiswal AK, Aburjaile FF, Azevedo V, Silva-Vergara ML, Ferreira-Paim K, Soares SC, Fonseca FM. Design of a Multi-Epitope Vaccine against Histoplasma capsulatum through Immunoinformatics Approaches. J Fungi (Basel) 2024 Jan 5;10(1).
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