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Parasitology international2019; 76; 102028; doi: 10.1016/j.parint.2019.102028

First description of Coxiella burnetii and Rickettsia spp. infection and molecular detection of piroplasma co-infecting horses in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China.

Abstract: Q fever, spotted fever rickettsioses and equine piroplasmosis, are some of the most serious equine tick-borne diseases caused by Coxiella burnetii, Rickettsia spp., Babesia caballi and/or Theileria equi. This study surveyed and molecularly characterized these pathogens infecting horses in ten ranches from XUAR, China using molecular technology. Among 200 horse blood samples, 163 (81.5%) were infected with at least one of the pathogens. Rickettsia spp. was the most prevalent pathogen (n = 114, 57.0%), followed by C. burnetii (n = 79, 39.5%), T. equi (n = 79, 39.5%) and B. caballi (n = 49, 24.5%). Co-infections were observed in 61.3% of positive samples in this study. Statistically significant differences were observed between the sampling regions for C. burnetii, B. caballi and T. equi, and also in different age group for C. burnetii and T. equi. The genotype analysis indicated that C. burnetii htpB, Rickettsia spp. ompA, B. caballi rap-1, B. caballi 18S rRNA, T. equi EMA-1 and T. equi 18S rRNA gene sequences from horses in XUAR were variable. To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first report of C. burnetii and Rickettsia spp. infection and co-infected with piroplasma in horses in China. Overall, this study revealed the high infection rate of the pathogens in horses in XUAR, China. The current findings are expected to provide a basis for better tick-borne disease control in the region.
Copyright © 2019 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
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Publication Date: 2019-11-20 PubMed ID: 31759172DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2019.102028Google 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 focuses on the study of several equine tick-borne diseases in horses within the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region (XUAR) of China, marking the first report of Coxiella burnetii and Rickettsia spp. infection. The study scrutinizes these pathogens, which were detected in most sampled horses, describes gene variations, and emphasizes the significance of these findings for improved disease control in the region.

Study Background

  • The researchers investigated three of the most severe equine tick-borne diseases: Q fever, spotted fever rickettsioses, and equine piroplasmosis.
  • These illnesses are caused by Coxiella burnetii, Rickettsia spp., Babesia caballi, and Theileria equi respectively.
  • In particular, this research marked the first time both C. burnetii and Rickettsia spp. were observed to co-infect horses in China.

Research Methodology

  • The researchers utilized molecular technology to examine and characterize the pathogens in horses from ten ranches in XUAR, China.
  • A total of 200 horse blood samples were evaluated in the study.

Results

  • The researchers found that a majority of the samples (81.5%) were infected with at least one of the pathogens under study.
  • Rickettsia spp. had the highest prevalence (57%), followed by C. burnetii and T. equi (both 39.5%), and B. caballi (24.5%).
  • Co-infections, where more than one pathogen was present in the sample, were found in 61.3% of the positive samples.
  • Significant differences in prevalence were noted between different sampling regions for C. burnetii, B. caballi and T. equi, and also among different age groups for C. burnetii and T. equi.

Gene Sequence Variations

  • The genotype analysis revealed variability in several gene sequences in the pathogens that infect horses in XUAR.
  • The gene sequences varied for C. burnetii (htpB), Rickettsia spp. (ompA), B. caballi (rap-1, 18S rRNA), and T. equi (EMA-1, 18S rRNA).

Implications of the Findings

  • The significant infection rate amongst horses in XUAR, China highlights the need for effective tick-borne disease control in the region.
  • The results of the study will provide a basis for implementing better disease control measures.

Cite This Article

APA
Li J, Li Y, Moumouni PFA, Lee SH, Galon EM, Tumwebaze MA, Yang H, Huercha , Liu M, Guo H, Gao Y, Benedicto B, Zhang W, Fan X, Chahan B, Xuan X. (2019). First description of Coxiella burnetii and Rickettsia spp. infection and molecular detection of piroplasma co-infecting horses in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China. Parasitol Int, 76, 102028. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.parint.2019.102028

Publication

Parasitology international
ISSN: 1873-0329
NlmUniqueID: 9708549
Country: Netherlands
Language: English
Volume: 76
Pages: 102028
PII: S1383-5769(19)30379-4

Researcher Affiliations

Li, Jixu
  • National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro, Hokkaido 080-8555, Japan.
Li, Yongchang
  • National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro, Hokkaido 080-8555, Japan.
Moumouni, Paul Franck Adjou
  • National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro, Hokkaido 080-8555, Japan.
Lee, Seung-Hun
  • National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro, Hokkaido 080-8555, Japan.
Galon, Eloiza May
  • National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro, Hokkaido 080-8555, Japan.
Tumwebaze, Maria Agnes
  • National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro, Hokkaido 080-8555, Japan.
Yang, Hongxia
  • Parasitology Laboratory, Veterinary College, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Uygur, Xuar 830052, China.
Huercha,
  • Parasitology Laboratory, Veterinary College, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Uygur, Xuar 830052, China.
Liu, Mingming
  • National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro, Hokkaido 080-8555, Japan.
Guo, Huanping
  • National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro, Hokkaido 080-8555, Japan.
Gao, Yang
  • National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro, Hokkaido 080-8555, Japan.
Benedicto, Byamukama
  • National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro, Hokkaido 080-8555, Japan.
Zhang, Wei
  • Parasitology Laboratory, Veterinary College, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Uygur, Xuar 830052, China.
Fan, Xinli
  • Parasitology Laboratory, Veterinary College, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Uygur, Xuar 830052, China.
Chahan, Bayin
  • Parasitology Laboratory, Veterinary College, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Uygur, Xuar 830052, China. Electronic address: bynch@hotmail.com.
Xuan, Xuenan
  • National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro, Hokkaido 080-8555, Japan. Electronic address: gen@obihiro.ac.jp.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Babesia / genetics
  • Babesia / pathogenicity
  • Babesiosis / epidemiology
  • China / epidemiology
  • Coinfection / epidemiology
  • Coinfection / veterinary
  • Coxiella burnetii / genetics
  • Coxiella burnetii / pathogenicity
  • DNA, Protozoan / genetics
  • Female
  • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
  • Horse Diseases / microbiology
  • Horse Diseases / parasitology
  • Horses / microbiology
  • Horses / parasitology
  • Phylogeny
  • Prevalence
  • Q Fever / epidemiology
  • Q Fever / veterinary
  • RNA, Ribosomal, 18S / genetics
  • Rickettsia / genetics
  • Rickettsia / pathogenicity
  • Rickettsia Infections / epidemiology
  • Rickettsia Infections / veterinary
  • Theileria / genetics
  • Theileria / pathogenicity
  • Theileriasis / epidemiology
  • Ticks / microbiology

Conflict of Interest Statement

Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no competing interest.

Citations

This article has been cited 16 times.
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