Abstract
Trypanosomes have long been recognised as being amongst the most important protozoan parasites of vertebrates, from both medical and veterinary perspectives. Whilst numerous insect species have been identified as vectors, the role of ticks is less well understood. Here we report the isolation and partial molecular characterisation of a novel trypanosome from questing Ixodes ricinus ticks collected in Slovakia. The trypanosome was isolated in tick cell culture and then partially characterised by microscopy and amplification of fragments of the 18S rRNA and 24Sα rDNA genes. Analysis of the resultant sequences suggests that the trypanosome designated as Trypanosoma sp. Bratislava1 may be a new species closely related to several species or strains of trypanosomes isolated from, or detected in, ticks in South America and Asia, and to Trypanosoma caninum isolated from dogs in Brazil. This study highlights the potential involvement of ixodid ticks in the epidemiology of trypanosomes, as well as the use of tick cell lines for isolation of such tick-borne protozoa. Further studies are required to investigate the epidemiology, transmission and life cycle of this putative novel species.
Highlights
Trypanosomes are protozoan parasites recognised as the causative agents of numerous important human and livestock diseases, such as Chagas' disease caused by Trypanosoma cruzi, African sleeping sickness caused by Trypanosoma brucei and surra caused by Trypanosoma evansi (Haag et al, 1998)
In one of these extracts, derived from a pool of six male ticks, live trypanosomes were seen in the inoculum added to four different cell lines; three of the cultures became grossly contaminated with bacteria and/or fungi within the first few days
An ISE6 culture incubated at 32 °C, many trypanosomes were visible on day 7 p.i. when supernate was subcultured onto a fresh ISE6 culture
Summary
Trypanosomes are protozoan parasites recognised as the causative agents of numerous important human and livestock diseases, such as Chagas' disease caused by Trypanosoma cruzi, African sleeping sickness caused by Trypanosoma brucei and surra caused by Trypanosoma evansi (Haag et al, 1998). Whilst transmission is frequently via insect vectors, other blood-feeding organisms have been shown to be vectors, including leeches (Haag et al, 1998). Ticks transmit a wider range of infectious agents than any other arthropod vector (Jongejan and Uilenberg, 2004) but their role as vectors of trypanosomes is less well-documented. Ticks of the genus Ixodes are notorious as vectors of a broad range of viral, bacterial and protozoan pathogens to livestock, companion animals and humans in many parts of the world (Jongejan and Uilenberg, 2004; Sonenshine, 2005). As well as historic studies reporting the detection or isolation of trypanosomes from Ixodes spp. ticks (Cunningham, 1974; Rehacek et al, 1974; Aeschlimann et al, 1979; Mungomba et al, 1987), a more recent study suggested the possibility of transmission of trypanosomes harboured by the Australian species Ixodes australiensis via tick faeces (Austen et al, 2011)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
