Molecular detection and identification of piroplasms (Babesia spp. and Theileria spp.) and Anaplasma phagocytophilum in questing ticks from northwest Spain.

G Fernández,R Panadero,P Díez‐Baños,D García‐Dios,P Díaz,E Brianti,C M López,A Prieto,P Morrondo,S Remesar

doi:10.1111/mve.12468

Abstract

Anaplasma phagocytophilum and some piroplasm species are pathogens mainly transmitted by Ixodes ricinus. Considering that this tick species is predominant in north-western Spain, individual specimens (652 nymphs, 202 females and 202 males) and 23 larval pools were processed to determine the prevalence of these pathogens in questing I. ricinus from that region. Additionally, Dermacentor marginatus, Dermacentor reticulatus, Ixodes frontalis and Ixodes acuminatus were individually analysed. The groESL operon as well as the 16S rRNA and msp2 genes of Anaplasma were analysed. Similarly, piroplasms were identified at the 18S rRNA gene and the ITS1 of Babesia spp. and Theileria spp. Babesia venatorum (1.5%), A. phagocytophilum (0.7%), Babesia microti (0.3%) and Theileria sp. OT3 (0.2%) were detected in I. ricinus. A single I. frontalis (8.3%) tested positive to A. phagocytophilum. Although a low percentage of I. ricinus were infected with A. phagocytophilum and piroplasms, a potentially human pathogenic variant of A. phagocytophilum was detected, and both Babesia species found were zoonotic. Since the vector of Theileria sp. OT3 remains unknown, further investigations are needed to unravel the role of I. ricinus in the transmission of this piroplasm.

Highlights

Ticks can transmit a wide range of pathogens; some of them are regarded as emerging or re-emerging pathogens causing a significant impact on human and animal health
Our results revealed that a low percentage of I. ricinus from northwest Spain were infected with A. phagocytophilum and piroplasms
OT3 remains unknown, its identification in I. ricinus is especially interesting; further investigations are needed to unravel the role of I. ricinus in the transmission of this Theileria species

Summary

Introduction

Ticks can transmit a wide range of pathogens; some of them are regarded as emerging or re-emerging pathogens causing a significant impact on human and animal health. Lyme borreliosis and tick-borne encephalitis are the most common tick-borne diseases in Europe, the negative impact of other tick-borne pathogens causing diseases on human and animals should be considered [2]. Many of these pathogens, including Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Candidatus Neoehrlichia mikurensis and some Babesia species such as Babesia venatorum and Babesia microti, are regarded as emerging or re-emerging pathogens with a significant impact on human health [3]. More than ten variants have been described at the 16S rRNA gene, only three (“A”, “B” and “W”) have been identified in cases of granulocytic anaplasmosis [12,13,14]

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion