Abstract
The causative agents of Babesiosis are intraerythrocytic protozoa of the genus Babesia. Babesia parasites are present around the world, affecting several mammals including humans, pets and livestock, hence its medical and veterinary relevance. Babesia spp. detection in its invertebrate host is a main point in understanding the biology of the parasite to acquire more knowledge on the host–Babesia–vector interactions, as increasing knowledge of the Babesia lifecycle and babesiosis epidemiology can help prevent babesiosis outbreaks in susceptible mammals. The aim of the present review is to highlight the newest findings in this field, based on a bibliographic compilation of research studies recently carried out for the detection of the main Babesia species found in tick vectors affecting mammalian hosts, including the different tick stages such as adult ticks, larvae, nymphs and eggs, as well as the detection method implemented: microscopic tools for parasite identification and molecular tools for parasite DNA detection by conventional PCR, nested-PCR, PCR-RFLP, PCR-RLB hybridization, real time-PCR, LAMP and RAP assays. Although molecular identification of Babesia parasites has been achieved in several tick species and tissue samples, it is still necessary to carry out transmission experiments through biological models to confirm the vectorial capacity of various tick species.
Highlights
The findings proved the capacity for I. ricinus male ticks to acquire the Babesia parasites, it is still necessary to confirm if the parasites present in salivary glands can infect cervids [101]
Despite that a number of methods have been developed and are currently available to be used for that purpose, most of them, especially those based in the molecular detection of the parasite, were initially designed for the identification of the babesia parasite in the vertebrate host and have been later on adapted for use with DNA samples derived from ticks
The ineffectiveness of the tests when working with tick samples has been reported in some instances: such is the case for Babesia ovata detection in H. longicornis and I. ovatus
Summary
Publisher’s Note: MDPI stays neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations. Ticks and tick-borne diseases are one of the main medical, veterinary and economic problems worldwide. Ticks are ectoparasites with blood-sucking habits and high vector capacity, and parasitize amphibians, birds, mammals and reptiles. In addition to the damage caused per se due to blood intake, injection of toxins and skin damage due to the bite, ticks can transmit several pathogens, such as viruses, bacteria, protozoa and rickettsiae [1,2]. More than 900 species of ticks have been described worldwide, divided into four families: Argasidae, Ixodidae, Nuttalliellidae and Deinocrotonidae
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