A survey for piroplasmids in questing Ixodes fuscipes ticks reveals undescribed Babesia lineages in Uruguay.

IF 3 2区医学 Q1 PARASITOLOGY

Parasites & Vectors Pub Date : 2025-06-18 DOI:10.1186/s13071-025-06866-0

Rodrigo Alvez, María L Félix, Adriana Santodomingo, Pablo Parodi, Richard Thomas, Sebastián Muñoz-Leal, Luis Carvalho, José M Venzal

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Background: Ixodes fuscipes is a tick species found in the Southern Cone of America and the only member of the Ixodes ricinus complex present in Uruguay. Members of this complex are particularly recognized as vectors of diseases affecting human health, such as babesiosis, caused by parasites of the genus Babesia (Apicomplexa: Piroplasmida). However, even though potential hosts of I. fuscipes in Uruguay (rodents, birds, and artiodactyls) are known carriers of Babesia species, the potential role of I. fuscipes as a vector of piroplasmids has not been studied.

Methods: In this study, questing I. fuscipes ticks were collected from five locations in Uruguay, and the presence of piroplasmid DNA was assessed using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to amplify fragments of the small subunit ribosomal RNA (18S rRNA) and cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (COI) genes.

Results: A total of 953 ticks (larvae, nymphs, and adults) were collected; 14 samples (two larval pools and 12 nymphs) tested positive. Genetic analyses using 18S rDNA and COI sequences revealed the presence of undescribed Babesia lineages, belonging to the Babesia odocoilei clade and others to the Babesia microti sensu stricto clade.

Conclusions: This work represents the first association of Babesia spp. with I. fuscipes and highlights the importance of this type of study to detect and mitigate the emergence of diseases associated with these arthropods.

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一项调查在探索梭形伊蚊蜱的梨质粒揭示了未描述的巴贝斯虫谱系在乌拉圭。

背景：穗状硬蜱是发现于美洲南锥的一种蜱，是乌拉圭存在的蓖麻硬蜱复合体的唯一成员。该复合体的成员尤其被认为是影响人类健康的疾病的媒介，例如由巴贝斯虫属寄生虫引起的巴贝斯虫病（顶复合体：梨质虫）。然而，尽管乌拉圭fuscipi的潜在宿主（啮齿动物、鸟类和偶蹄动物）是巴贝斯虫的已知携带者，但fuscipi作为梨质粒载体的潜在作用尚未得到研究。方法：采用聚合酶链式反应（PCR）技术扩增核糖体小亚基RNA （18S rRNA）和细胞色素c氧化酶亚基1 （COI）基因片段，对乌拉圭5个地点的梭形蜱进行检测。结果：共捕获蜱虫953只（包括幼虫、若虫和成虫）；14个样本（2个幼虫池和12个若虫）检测呈阳性。利用18S rDNA和COI序列进行遗传分析，发现存在未描述的巴贝斯虫谱系，属于臭虫巴贝斯虫支系，其他属于严格微感巴贝斯虫支系。结论：这项工作代表了巴贝斯虫与fuscipi的首次关联，并强调了这种类型的研究对于检测和减轻与这些节肢动物相关的疾病的出现的重要性。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Parasites & Vectors 医学-寄生虫学

CiteScore

6.30

自引率

9.40%

发文量

433

审稿时长

1.4 months

期刊介绍： Parasites & Vectors is an open access, peer-reviewed online journal dealing with the biology of parasites, parasitic diseases, intermediate hosts, vectors and vector-borne pathogens. Manuscripts published in this journal will be available to all worldwide, with no barriers to access, immediately following acceptance. However, authors retain the copyright of their material and may use it, or distribute it, as they wish. Manuscripts on all aspects of the basic and applied biology of parasites, intermediate hosts, vectors and vector-borne pathogens will be considered. In addition to the traditional and well-established areas of science in these fields, we also aim to provide a vehicle for publication of the rapidly developing resources and technology in parasite, intermediate host and vector genomics and their impacts on biological research. We are able to publish large datasets and extensive results, frequently associated with genomic and post-genomic technologies, which are not readily accommodated in traditional journals. Manuscripts addressing broader issues, for example economics, social sciences and global climate change in relation to parasites, vectors and disease control, are also welcomed.