• MeSH
• Babesia * genetika   MeSH
• babezióza * MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• protozoální DNA MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Názvy látek
• protozoální DNA MeSH

Babesia divergens is an emerging tick-borne pathogen considered as the principal causative agent of bovine babesiosis in Europe with a notable zoonotic risk to human health. Despite its increasing impact, considerable gaps persist in our understanding of the molecular interactions between this parasite and its hosts. In this study, we address the current limitation of functional genomic tools in B. divergens and introduce a stable transfection system specific to this parasite. We define the parameters for a drug selection system hdhfr-WR99210 and evaluate different transfection protocols for highly efficient generation of transgenic parasites expressing GFP. We proved that plasmid delivery into bovine erythrocytes prior to their infection is the most optimal transfection approach for B. divergens, providing novel evidence of Babesia parasites' ability to spontaneously uptake external DNA from erythrocytes cytoplasm. Furthermore, we validated the bidirectional and symmetrical activity of ef-tgtp promoter, enabling simultaneous expression of external genes. Lastly, we generated a B. divergens knockout line by targeting a 6-cys-e gene locus. The observed dispensability of this gene in intraerythrocytic parasite development makes it a suitable recipient locus for further transgenic application. The platform for genetic manipulations presented herein serves as the initial step towards developing advanced functional genomic tools enabling the discovery of B. divergens molecules involved in host-vector-pathogen interactions.

• Klíčová slova
• 6-cys-e gene knockout, Babesia divergens, GFP-expression, bidirectional promoter, erythrocytes pre-loading, gene targeting, transfection system,
• MeSH
• Babesia * genetika   MeSH
• babezióza * parazitologie   MeSH
• erytrocyty parazitologie   MeSH
• genový targeting MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• transfekce MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH

Babesiosis is a less common but important tick-borne infectious disease. Over the last 50 years, an increasing number of cases have been reported worldwide, especially in the USA. The northern part of the US is an endemic area where the incidence has risen to 2,000 cases per year in the last decade. Babesia microti, a parasite of small rodents, is the cause of most of these infections in that region. In Europe, 56 autochthonous cases of human babesiosis have been reported since 1957. Most of them were caused by the species Babesia divergens, a parasite of cattle. Since 1992, 13 cases of B. microti infection have been imported from North America into Europe. The disease is serious especially for splenectomised and immunocompromised patients. Although the most important vector of babesiosis in Europe is the tick Ixodes ricinus, infection was transmitted through blood transfusion in number of patients, which can be fatal for immunosuppressed patients. The diagnosis of babesiosis is based on the identification of intraerythrocytic parasites in a blood smear, PCR detection of Babesia DNA, and determination of antibodies by serology and immunofluorescence assays. The disease is treated with antibiotics (azithromycin or clindamycin in a severe course of the disease) and quinine. The increase in human babesiosis is not only due to climate change and tick activity, outdoor leisure activities, and increased human migration, but an important role is also played by improved molecular methods and growing awareness of the disease.

• Klíčová slova
• Babesia divergens, Babesia microti, Babesia venatorum, Babesiosis, PCR, Serology, babesiosis, diagnosis, splenectomy, tick, treatment, type 2 diabetes,
• MeSH
• Babesia * genetika   MeSH
• babezióza * diagnóza   epidemiologie   parazitologie   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• skot MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• skot MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Evropa MeSH

Piroplasmids of the genera Babesia, Theileria, and Cytauxzoon are tick-transmitted parasites with a high impact on animals and humans. They have complex life cycles in their definitive arthropod and intermediate vertebrate hosts involving numerous processes, including invasion of, and egress from, host cells, parasite growth, transformation, and migration. Like other parasitic protozoa, piroplasmids are equipped with different types of protease to fulfill many of such essential processes. Blockade of some key proteases, using inhibitors or antibodies, hinders piroplasmid growth, highlighting their potential usefulness in drug therapies and vaccine development. A better understanding of the functional significance of these enzymes will contribute to the development of improved control measures for the devastating animal and human diseases caused by these pathogens.

• Klíčová slova
• Babesia, Theileria, chemotherapeutics, degradome, peptidase, vaccines,
• MeSH
• Babesia * genetika   MeSH
• babezióza * parazitologie   MeSH
• klíšťata * parazitologie   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• Piroplasmida * MeSH
• proteasy MeSH
• Theileria * MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• přehledy MeSH
• Názvy látek
• proteasy MeSH

Equine piroplasmosis (EP) is a vector borne disease caused by apicomplexans protists Babesia caballi (Nuttal et Strickland, 1910) and Theileria equi (Laveran, 1901). Carrier mares may transmit the infection transplacental resulting in neonatal piroplasmosis or abortions. This event has been described for T. equi by several authors over the world, but no evidence for B. caballi has been reported in Europe. In this study, vertical transmission for both parasites in an Italian breed mare has been confirmed using molecular and microscopic tools. Transplacental transmission is an underestimated problem mainly in endemic areas as it not only contributes to the spread and maintenance of the infection, but also produces significant economic losses.

• Klíčová slova
• abortions, polymerase chain reaction, serological assays, vertical transmission,
• MeSH
• Babesia * MeSH
• babezióza * parazitologie   MeSH
• koně MeSH
• nemoci koní * parazitologie   MeSH
• skot MeSH
• těhotenství MeSH
• Theileria * MeSH
• theilerióza * epidemiologie   parazitologie   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• skot MeSH
• těhotenství MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Itálie epidemiologie   MeSH

PURPOSE: Babesia canis infection occurs in many locations throughout Europe. However, various studies report different clinicopathological findings in affected dogs. This study was focused on changes in clinical and hematologic parameters in dogs with B. canis infection from eastern Slovakia. METHODS: The study was prospective and included 45 dogs with suspected babesiosis. Babesia canis infection was confirmed by PCR in 34 cases and by blood smear microscopy in 24 (70.6%) of them. Hematology results, clinical examination from these dogs, and possible co-infection with other tick-borne pathogens by PCR were subsequently evaluated. RESULTS: The major clinical signs found included lethargy (91%), fever (59%), anorexia (59%), pigmenturia (47%) and icterus (18%). Mortality rate was 6%. Thrombocytopenia was the most common hematologic change, observed in 100% of the dogs with B. canis infection. Other frequent findings were lymphopenia (82%) and anemia (68%). No co-infections were detected. Anaplasma phagocytophilum infection was diagnosed by PCR only in one dog, which was not infected with B. canis. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that B. canis infection in eastern Slovakia should be diagnosed by PCR when there is clinical suspicion of the disease, as almost 30% of the infected sick dogs did not have demonstrable parasites in their blood smear by microscopy. Lymphopenia is a frequent hematologic finding in B. canis infection and observed even more often than anemia. However, in agreement with previous studies, thrombocytopenia remains the most common hematologic finding associated with B. canis infection.

• Klíčová slova
• Anemia, Babesiosis, Dog, Lymphopenia, Thrombocytopenia,
• MeSH
• anemie * MeSH
• Babesia * genetika   MeSH
• babezióza * diagnóza   epidemiologie   MeSH
• koinfekce * epidemiologie   veterinární   MeSH
• lymfopenie * MeSH
• nemoci psů * diagnóza   epidemiologie   MeSH
• prospektivní studie MeSH
• psi MeSH
• trombocytopenie * MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• psi MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Slovenská republika epidemiologie   MeSH

BACKGROUND: The range of the ornate dog tick Dermacentor reticulatus is rapidly expanding in Europe. This tick species is the vector of canine babesiosis, caused by Babesia canis, and also plays a role in the transmission of Theileria equi and Babesia caballi in equids. METHODS: The geographic range of D. reticulatus in the Czech Republic was re-assessed, and an up-to-date distribution map is presented based on material and data obtained during a nationwide citizen science campaign. Received and flagged individuals of D. reticulatus were also analysed for the presence of B. canis DNA. RESULTS: In striking contrast to historical records, D. reticulatus was found in all regions of the Czech Republic, with most reports coming from the southeast and northwest of the country. Between February 2018 and June 2021, the project team received 558 photo reports of ticks and 250 packages containing ticks. Of the former, 71.1% were identified as Dermacentor sp. with the remainder identified as Ixodes sp., Haemaphysalis sp., Argas sp. or Hyalomma sp. The majority of specimens in the subset of ticks that were received (N = 610) were D. reticulatus (N = 568, 93.7%), followed by Ixodes ricinus and Hyalomma spp. A total of 783 adult D. reticulatus, either received (568) or collected by flagging (215), were tested for the presence of B. canis DNA using species-specific nested PCR targeting part of the 18S rRNA gene; B. canis DNA was demonstrated in 22 samples (2.81%). CONCLUSIONS: The continuous spread of D. reticulatus in the Czech Republic was documented in this study. In addition, DNA of B. canis was also detected in a number of ticks, suggesting the establishment of B. canis in the Czech Republic. These results suggest that veterinarians need to consider the possibility of canine babesiosis even in dogs without a history of travel.

• Klíčová slova
• Babesia canis, Citizen science, Czech Republic, Dermacentor reticulatus, Europe, Geographic distribution,
• MeSH
• Babesia * genetika   MeSH
• babezióza * epidemiologie   MeSH
• Dermacentor * MeSH
• infestace klíšťaty * epidemiologie   veterinární   MeSH
• Ixodidae * MeSH
• klíště * MeSH
• nemoci psů * epidemiologie   MeSH
• občanská věda * MeSH
• psi MeSH
• Rhipicephalus sanguineus * MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• psi MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Česká republika epidemiologie   MeSH

We developed a PCR assay for the detection of Babesia odocoilei based on the 18S rRNA gene. Multiple specimens of B. odocoilei were examined, and the assay consistently produced a small specific PCR product of 306 bp. The PCR assay was also challenged with DNA from 13 other Babesia species and 2 Theileria species, originating from 10 different host species; however, nonspecific DNA amplification and multiple banding patterns were observed, and the amplicon banding patterns varied between different isolates of the same species. Sensitivity was determined to be 6.4 pg of DNA, and an estimated 0.0001% parasitism. This assay can be utilized for species-specific differential detection of B. odocoilei.

• Klíčová slova
• Babesia odocoilei, PCR, cervids, specificity,
• MeSH
• Babesia * genetika   MeSH
• babezióza * diagnóza   MeSH
• polymerázová řetězová reakce veterinární   MeSH
• protozoální DNA genetika   MeSH
• RNA ribozomální 18S genetika   MeSH
• Theileria * genetika   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Názvy látek
• protozoální DNA MeSH
• RNA ribozomální 18S MeSH

Theileria equi and Babesia caballi are protozoan agents causing equine piroplasmosis, endemic in countries all over the world. The aim of this study was to detect antibodies to T. equi and B. caballi in horses in the Czech Republic and to investigate the origin of the infection. Blood sera from 711 horses were examined with competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; positive samples were verified with indirect fluorescence immunoassay. Antibodies to T. equi and B. caballi were detected in eight (1.1%) and three (0.4%) horses, respectively. Infection with T. equi was confirmed by PCR and sequencing in the blood of five serologically positive horses. An autochthonous origin of T. equi infection could not be excluded in two (0.3%) horses. Intensive movement of horses across European countries and the expanding occurrence of competent tick vector Dermacentor reticulatus in the Czech Republic create an increasing risk of establishing active foci of equine piroplasmosis in the country.

• Klíčová slova
• Dermacentor reticulatus, Equine nuttaliosis, Hemoprotozoan parasites, Tick-born disease,
• MeSH
• Babesia * genetika   MeSH
• babezióza * epidemiologie   MeSH
• koně MeSH
• nemoci koní * epidemiologie   MeSH
• skot MeSH
• Theileria * genetika   MeSH
• theilerióza * epidemiologie   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• skot MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Česká republika epidemiologie   MeSH

The protozoan parasites Theileria equi and Babesia caballi, transmitted by ticks, cause equine piroplasmosis, the most prevalent tick-borne disease in equids. Trichinellosis is a worldwide food-borne zoonosis caused by helminth Trichinella spp. that can lead to serious disease in humans, with fatal outcome. Although the infection is rare in horses, it deserves attention due to the increasing use of horse meat as a source of protein for humans. Horse trichinellosis is caused by several Trichinella species, most commonly by T. spiralis. The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of antibodies to T. equi, B. caballi and Trichinella spp. in equids from three states of Northern Nigeria. Serum samples were collected from 139 clinically healthy animals, comprising 115 horses and 24 donkeys. Antibodies to T. equi and B. caballi were detected in serum by competitive-inhibition enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (cELISA) and antibodies to Trichinella spp. by ELISA. Antibodies to T. equi were detected in 34% of equids (41% horses and 0% donkeys), antibodies to B. caballi in 9% of equids (8% horses and 13% donkeys), and antibodies to Trichinella spp. in 4% of equids (4% horses and 0% donkeys). There was co-infection of T. equi and B. caballi in 1% of horses and co-infection of T. equi and Trichinella spp. in 2.6% of horses. This is the first report on seroprevalence of Trichinella spp. in equids from Northern Nigeria.

• Klíčová slova
• Equus asinus, Equus caballus, Piroplasm, Trichinosis,
• MeSH
• Babesia * MeSH
• babezióza * epidemiologie   MeSH
• Equidae MeSH
• koně MeSH
• nemoci koní * epidemiologie   MeSH
• nemoci skotu * MeSH
• séroepidemiologické studie MeSH
• skot MeSH
• Theileria * MeSH
• theilerióza * epidemiologie   MeSH
• Trichinella * MeSH
• trichinelóza * epidemiologie   veterinární   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• skot MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Nigérie epidemiologie   MeSH
• západní Afrika MeSH