Genetic diversity of piroplasms in plains zebra (Equus quagga burchellii) and Cape mountain zebra (Equus zebra zebra) in South Africa.
Abstract: Seventy EDTA blood samples collected from plains zebra (Equus quagga burchellii) and Cape mountain zebra (Equus zebra zebra) were screened for the presence of piroplasm parasite DNA using quantitative T. equi-specific and B. caballi-specific TaqMan real-time PCR (qPCR) tests. T. equi parasite DNA was detected in 60 samples, 19 of which were also positive for B. caballi. Approximately 1480bp of the piroplasm 18S rRNA gene was amplified and sequenced from 17 samples, while the V4 hypervariable region of the 18S rRNA gene was amplified, cloned and sequenced from 31 samples. BLASTN analysis revealed that all of the sequences obtained were most similar to T. equi genotypes and not B. caballi genotypes. Although Babesia parasites were present in some of these samples, as indicated by qPCR, the parasitaemia may have been too low to allow detection by cloning of PCR products from a mixed infection. Sequence analyses of both the full-length and the V4 hypervariable region of the T. equi 18S rRNA gene revealed the existence of 13 new T. equi sequences from zebra, confirming the existence of sequence heterogeneity in the rRNA genes of the parasites that cause equine piroplasmosis, and further suggesting that there may be additional, as yet unidentified, T. equi and B. caballi 18S rRNA sequences present in the horse and zebra populations in South Africa. The occurrence of previously unrecognized sequence variation could pose a potential problem in the implementation of diagnostic tests targeting the 18S rRNA gene.
Copyright © 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Publication Date: 2010-08-21 PubMed ID: 20833476DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2010.08.014Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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The research investigates the genetic differences in piroplasm parasites found in two species of zebras in South Africa, using DNA analysis and sequencing techniques. The findings suggest there may be multiple undiscovered genotypes of these parasites, which could complicate diagnostic test implementation.
Research Methodology
- In this study, researchers collected blood samples from 70 zebras – both plains zebra (Equus quagga burchellii) and Cape mountain zebra (Equus zebra zebra).
- These samples were then checked for piroplasm parasite DNA using two types of quantitative real-time PCR tests, specific for T. equi and B. caballi, two common piroplasm species.
- The researchers were able to detect T. equi parasite DNA in 60 samples, with 19 of the samples also testing positive for B. caballi.
- They then amplified and sequenced parts of the piroplasm 18S rRNA gene in 17 samples, alongside the V4 hypervariable region of this gene in 31 samples.
Findings
- All the sequences determined from the analysis were closely related to T. equi genotypes over B. caballi genotypes.
- Even though there were signs of Babesia parasites in certain samples by a qPCR detection method, the parasitic load might have been too low to be detected through the method of amplification and sequencing used in this study.
- An intriguing find was the existence of 13 new T. equi sequences from the zebra, providing evidence of sequence variation in the rRNA genes of the parasites that cause equine piroplasmosis.
- This suggests a potential presence of yet undiscovered T. equi and B. caballi 18S rRNA sequences in the horse and zebra populations in South Africa.
Implications
- The research indicates that this previously unrecognized sequence variation could present challenges in implementing diagnostic tests focused on the 18S rRNA gene.
- Further research is needed to search for and identify additional genotypes in the parasites, which will help improve diagnostic testing capability thereby enhancing the treatment and management of equine piroplasmosis.
Cite This Article
APA
Bhoora R, Buss P, Guthrie AJ, Penzhorn BL, Collins NE.
(2010).
Genetic diversity of piroplasms in plains zebra (Equus quagga burchellii) and Cape mountain zebra (Equus zebra zebra) in South Africa.
Vet Parasitol, 174(1-2), 145-149.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetpar.2010.08.014 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Veterinary Tropical Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X4, Onderstepoort 0110, South Africa. raksha.bhoora@up.ac.za
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Babesia / classification
- Babesia / genetics
- Babesiosis / parasitology
- DNA, Protozoan / blood
- Equidae / parasitology
- Genetic Variation
- Genotype
- Molecular Sequence Data
- Phylogeny
- RNA, Ribosomal, 18S / genetics
- South Africa
- Theileria / classification
- Theileria / genetics
- Theileriasis / parasitology
Citations
This article has been cited 8 times.- Schnittger L, Ganzinelli S, Bhoora R, Omondi D, Nijhof AM, Florin-Christensen M. The Piroplasmida Babesia, Cytauxzoon, and Theileria in farm and companion animals: species compilation, molecular phylogeny, and evolutionary insights.. Parasitol Res 2022 May;121(5):1207-1245.
- Tirosh-Levy S, Gottlieb Y, Fry LM, Knowles DP, Steinman A. Twenty Years of Equine Piroplasmosis Research: Global Distribution, Molecular Diagnosis, and Phylogeny.. Pathogens 2020 Nov 8;9(11).
- Bishop RP, Kappmeyer LS, Onzere CK, Odongo DO, Githaka N, Sears KP, Knowles DP, Fry LM. Equid infective Theileria cluster in distinct 18S rRNA gene clades comprising multiple taxa with unusually broad mammalian host ranges.. Parasit Vectors 2020 May 19;13(1):261.
- Onyiche TE, Suganuma K, Igarashi I, Yokoyama N, Xuan X, Thekisoe O. A Review on Equine Piroplasmosis: Epidemiology, Vector Ecology, Risk Factors, Host Immunity, Diagnosis and Control.. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2019 May 16;16(10).
- Smith RM, Bhoora RV, Kotzé A, Grobler JP, Lee Dalton D. Translocation a potential corridor for equine piroplasms in Cape mountain zebra (Equus zebra zebra).. Int J Parasitol Parasites Wildl 2019 Aug;9:130-133.
- Wamuyu L, Obanda V, Kariuki D, Gakuya F, Makanda M, Otiende M, Ommeh S. Molecular Detection and Characterization of Theileria Infecting Wildebeest (Connochaetes taurinus) in the Maasai Mara National Reserve, Kenya.. Pathogens 2015 Aug 18;4(3):626-38.
- Hooge J, Howe L, Ezenwa VO. Identification of novel Theileria genotypes from Grant's gazelle.. Int J Parasitol Parasites Wildl 2015 Aug;4(2):239-43.
- Mans BJ, Pienaar R, Latif AA. A review of Theileria diagnostics and epidemiology.. Int J Parasitol Parasites Wildl 2015 Apr;4(1):104-18.
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