Molecular characterization of some equine vector-borne diseases and associated arthropods in Egypt.
Abstract: Equine vector-borne diseases (EVBDs) are emerging and re-emerging diseases, and most of them are zoonotic. This study aimed to investigate EVBDs in equines and associated arthropods (ticks and flies) from Egypt using molecular analyses, in addition to a preliminary characterization of associated ticks and flies by the matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight (MALDI-TOF) and molecular techniques. In this study, 335 blood samples were obtained from equines that appeared to be in good health (320 horses and 15 donkeys) in Cairo and Beni Suef provinces, Egypt. From the same animals, 166 arthropods (105 sucking flies and 61 ticks) were collected. Ticks and flies were preliminary characterized by the MALDI-TOF and molecular tools. Quantitative PCR (qPCR) and standard PCR coupled with sequencing were performed on the DNA of equines, ticks, and flies to screen multiple pathogens. The MALDI-TOF and molecular characterization of arthropods revealed that louse fly (Hippobosca equina) and cattle tick (Rhipicephalus annulatus) infesting equines. Anaplasma platys-like (1.6%), Anaplasma marginale (1.6%), Candidatus Ehrlichia rustica (6.6%), a new Ehrlichia sp. (4.9%), and Borrelia theileri (3.3%) were identified in R. annulatus. Anaplasma sp. and Borrelia sp. DNAs were only detected in H. equina by qPCR. A. marginale, Anaplasma ovis, and Theileria ovis recorded the same low infection rate (0.6%) in donkeys, while horses were found to be infected with Theileria equi and a new Theileria sp. Africa with recorded prevalence rates of 1.2% and 2.7%, respectively. In conclusion, different pathogens were first detected such as A. platys-like, Candidatus E. rustica, and a new Ehrlichia sp. in R. annulatus; A. marginale, A. ovis, and T. ovis in donkeys; and a new Theileria sp. "Africa" in horses.
Copyright © 2021 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Publication Date: 2021-12-23 PubMed ID: 34954258DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2021.106274Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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This study focuses on the assessment of equine vector-borne diseases (EVBDs) and associated arthropods in Egypt. It used molecular analyses to explore these diseases in healthy horses and donkeys, as well as ticks and flies that were found on these animals, helping to identify new pathogens that had not been detected before.
Study Methodology
- The team collected blood samples from 335 healthy equines, comprising of 320 horses and 15 donkeys in Cairo and Beni Suef provinces in Egypt. They also extracted 166 arthropods, including 105 sucking flies and 61 ticks from these animals.
- They utilized the matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight (MALDI-TOF) and molecular techniques to preliminarily characterize the ticks and flies.
- Standard PCR, quantitative PCR (qPCR), and sequencing were carried out on the DNA of the equines, ticks, and flies to screen for various pathogens.
Research Findings
- Using MALDI-TOF and molecular identification, the researchers found that the equines were infested by the louse fly (Hippobosca equina) and cattle tick (Rhipicephalus annulatus).
- Different pathogens were identified in the R. annulatus ticks, including Anaplasma platys-like (1.6%), Anaplasma marginale (1.6%), Candidatus Ehrlichia rustica (6.6%), a new Ehrlichia sp. (4.9%), and Borrelia theileri (3.3%).
- In the H. equina flies, only Anaplasma sp. and Borrelia sp. DNAs were detected via qPCR.
- Donkeys showed a low infection rate of 0.6% from A. marginale, Anaplasma ovis, and Theileria ovis, while the horses were infected with Theileria equi and a new species of Theileria termed “Africa”, with prevalence rates of 1.2% and 2.7% respectively.
Summary of Findings
- The new findings from this study include the first detections of A. platys-like, Candidatus E. rustica, and a new Ehrlichia species in the ticks; A. marginale, A. ovis, and T. ovis in the donkeys; and a new Theileria species, “Africa”, in the horses. These discoveries demonstrate the extent of EVBDs and highlight the need for further research in this area.
Conclusion
- This study underlines the importance of continuous monitoring and characterizing of EVBDs in equines and their associated arthropods to better understand disease spread and develop appropriate treatment or prevention strategies.
Cite This Article
APA
Abdullah HHAM, Aboelsoued D, Farag TK, Abdel-Shafy S, Abdel Megeed KN, Parola P, Raoult D, Mediannikov O.
(2021).
Molecular characterization of some equine vector-borne diseases and associated arthropods in Egypt.
Acta Trop, 227, 106274.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actatropica.2021.106274 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Parasitology and Animal Diseases, Veterinary Research Institute, National Research Centre, Dokki, Giza, Egypt; Aix Marseille Univ, IRD, AP-HM, MEPHI, IHU-Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France. Electronic address: dr.hendabdullah6@gmail.com.
- Department of Parasitology and Animal Diseases, Veterinary Research Institute, National Research Centre, Dokki, Giza, Egypt.
- Department of Parasitology and Animal Diseases, Veterinary Research Institute, National Research Centre, Dokki, Giza, Egypt.
- Department of Parasitology and Animal Diseases, Veterinary Research Institute, National Research Centre, Dokki, Giza, Egypt.
- Department of Parasitology and Animal Diseases, Veterinary Research Institute, National Research Centre, Dokki, Giza, Egypt.
- Aix Marseille Univ, IRD, AP-HM, SSA, VITROME, IHU-Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France.
- Aix Marseille Univ, IRD, AP-HM, MEPHI, IHU-Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France.
- Aix Marseille Univ, IRD, AP-HM, MEPHI, IHU-Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Arthropods
- Cattle
- Cattle Diseases / epidemiology
- Egypt / epidemiology
- Horses
- Rhipicephalus
- Sheep
- Theileria / genetics
- Tick-Borne Diseases / epidemiology
- Vector Borne Diseases
Citations
This article has been cited 13 times.- Frisch V, Fuehrer HP, Cavalleri JV. Relevant Brachycera (Excluding Oestroidea) for Horses in Veterinary Medicine: A Systematic Review. Pathogens 2023 Apr 6;12(4).
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