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Home / Equine Research Bank / Parasitol Res / New findings in the development of Babesia (Theileria) equi ...
Parasitology research1994; 80(7); 543-548; doi: 10.1007/BF00933000

New findings in the development of Babesia (Theileria) equi (Laveran, 1901) in the salivary glands of the vector ticks, Hyalomma species.

Abstract: The development of the piroplasm Babesia equi was studied by light microscopy in the salivary glands of three different Hyalomma species during and after the engorgement of nymphs on experimentally infected horses and after adults had fed on a vertebrate host following ecdysis. The stock of B. equi used was isolated from a horse imported from Turkmenistan (CIS) in 1991. The findings, being identical in all three Hyalomma species, differ with regard to the chronological order of the development stages in several respects from the results of previous studies based upon light or electron microscopy. A first sporogony phase of B. equi was found to develop in the salivary glands of the engorged nymphs before the ticks moulted to adults. Beginning at day 6 postinfestation (p. infest.) of the nymphs, spindle-shaped sporozoites appeared to be formed by both rapid sequential fission of a multinucleated complex and a process of radial budding from multiple fission bodies. Sporozoites isolated from the salivary glands of the engorged nymphs proved to be infectious when they were injected into a susceptible horse. After the nymphs had moulted, a second sporogony phase similar to the first one observed in the salivary glands of engorged nymphs could also be initiated in the salivary glands of adults when they were attached to a vertebrate host. Sporozoites produced in the salivary glands of adults were equally infectious for horses. Thus, two completely separate sporogony phases in B. equi seem to develop successively in the salivary glands of Hyalomma species during a transstadial transmission.
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Publication Date: 1994-01-01 PubMed ID: 7855118DOI: 10.1007/BF00933000Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article

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 investigates the progression of the Babesia equi parasite within the salivary glands of three types of Hyalomma ticks through the course of feeding on infected horses and draws distinctions from previous studies.

Introduction

  • The study focuses on the development stages of the parasite Babesia (Theileria) equi within the salivary glands of the Hyalomma species of ticks, a recognized vector of the parasite.
  • The researchers deliberately infected horses with ticks harboring the parasite to track its development in various feeding stages, from an engorged nymph stage feeding on the horses to an adult stage feeding on a vertebrate host post-molting.
  • The specific strain of B. equi used for this study was sourced from a horse imported from Turkmenistan in 1991.

Findings

  • The result showed some differences compared to previous research in the chronological order of the development stages, possibly due to the advanced microscopic techniques employed.
  • The first phase of sporogony (asexual reproduction) for B. equi was observed to occur within the salivary glands of engorged nymph ticks before they molted to become adults.
  • As of day 6 post-infestation, the creation of spindle-shaped sporozoites (final infective stage of parasites) was observed. These were formed via a rapid fission process of a cluster with multiple nuclei, and also by a radially outward budding process from an entity created by multiple fissions.
  • The sporozoites found in engorged nymphs’ salivary glands were discovered to be infectious when injected into a susceptible horse.

Further Observations

  • The researchers noted another phase of sporogony initiates in the ticks after they have molted and become adults, repeating the process experienced during their nymph stage.
  • These adult stage sporozoites were found equally infectious. This finding suggests two separate cycles of sporogony develop in sequence within the salivary glands of Hyalomma ticks during their lifecycle and it further highlights the role of these ticks in the transmission of B. equi.

Cite This Article

APA
Zapf F, Schein E. (1994). New findings in the development of Babesia (Theileria) equi (Laveran, 1901) in the salivary glands of the vector ticks, Hyalomma species. Parasitol Res, 80(7), 543-548. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00933000

Publication

Parasitology research
ISSN: 0932-0113
NlmUniqueID: 8703571
Country: Germany
Language: English
Volume: 80
Issue: 7
Pages: 543-548

Researcher Affiliations

Zapf, F
  • Institute of Parasitology and Tropical Veterinary Medicine, Free University of Berlin, Germany.
Schein, E

    MeSH Terms

    • Acari
    • Animals
    • Arachnid Vectors / parasitology
    • Babesia / growth & development
    • Babesiosis / parasitology
    • Babesiosis / transmission
    • Horse Diseases / parasitology
    • Horse Diseases / transmission
    • Horses
    • Salivary Glands / parasitology
    • Ticks / parasitology
    • Turkmenistan

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    This article includes 11 references
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    Citations

    This article has been cited 6 times.
    1. Bonnet SI, Bertagnoli S, Falchi A, Figoni J, Fite J, Hoch T, Quillery E, Moutailler S, Raffetin A, René-Martellet M, Vourc'h G, Vial L. An Update of Evidence for Pathogen Transmission by Ticks of the Genus Hyalomma.. Pathogens 2023 Mar 25;12(4).
      doi: 10.3390/pathogens12040513pubmed: 37111399google scholar: lookup
    2. Jalovecka M, Hajdusek O, Sojka D, Kopacek P, Malandrin L. The Complexity of Piroplasms Life Cycles.. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2018;8:248.
      doi: 10.3389/fcimb.2018.00248pubmed: 30083518google scholar: lookup
    3. Scoles GA, Ueti MW. Amblyomma cajennense is an intrastadial biological vector of Theileria equi.. Parasit Vectors 2013 Oct 23;6(1):306.
      doi: 10.1186/1756-3305-6-306pubmed: 24499587google scholar: lookup
    4. Scoles GA, Hutcheson HJ, Schlater JL, Hennager SG, Pelzel AM, Knowles DP. Equine piroplasmosis associated with Amblyomma cajennense Ticks, Texas, USA.. Emerg Infect Dis 2011 Oct;17(10):1903-5.
      doi: 10.3201/eid1710.101182pubmed: 22000367google scholar: lookup
    5. Ueti MW, Palmer GH, Kappmeyer LS, Scoles GA, Knowles DP. Expression of equi merozoite antigen 2 during development of Babesia equi in the midgut and salivary gland of the vector tick Boophilus microplus.. J Clin Microbiol 2003 Dec;41(12):5803-9.
      doi: 10.1128/JCM.41.12.5803-5809.2003pubmed: 14662988google scholar: lookup
    6. Gauer M, Mackenstedt U, Mehlhorn H, Schein E, Zapf F, Njenga E, Young A, Morzaria S. DNA measurements and ploidy determination of developmental stages in the life cycles of Theileria annulata and T. parva.. Parasitol Res 1995;81(7):565-74.
      doi: 10.1007/BF00932023pubmed: 7479648google scholar: lookup
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