Article
Veterinary Sciences
S. Remesar, A. Mendez, A. Benito, A. Prieto, D. Garcia-Dios, C. M. Lopez, R. Panadero, P. Diez-Banos, P. Morrondo, P. Diaz
Summary: In Europe, most cases of canine babesiosis are caused by Babesia canis, Babesia vogeli, and Babesia vulpes. A rapid and efficient multiplex PCR was developed to simultaneously detect and distinguish between large and small forms of the parasite. The multiplex PCR successfully discriminated between the two Babesia groups and can be used as a reliable tool for detecting infections in dogs. It allows for rapid administration of an appropriate treatment, improving the survival rate of infected animals and aiding in understanding the prevalence and distribution of B. vulpes.
RESEARCH IN VETERINARY SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Stephen J. Goodswen, Paul J. Kennedy, John T. Ellis
Summary: Infections from Babesia in red blood cells can lead to severe diseases in susceptible hosts. Bovine babesiosis and canine babesiosis are significant issues in the beef and dairy cattle industries, as well as with dogs. Machine learning methods have been developed to predict exportome members, providing valuable insights for laboratory validation.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Martina Karasova, Csilla Tothova, Simona Grelova, Maria Fialkovicova
Summary: Babesia gibsoni is a parasite that causes red blood cell rupture in dogs, and its incidence has been increasing in European countries. Fighting dog breeds are more susceptible to the disease and may serve as potential sources of infection. The disease is often asymptomatic and easily introduced into Europe through importation or travel of dogs from endemic areas. This highlights the need for attention and study of B. gibsoni infection and its treatment, which can be challenging.
Article
Biology
Mariana Ionita, Laurentiu Leica, Marion Wassermann, Emanuel Mitrea, Isabela Madalina Nicorescu, Ioan Liviu Mitrea
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the genetic diversity of Babesia spp. strains in a tick-endemic area in southeastern Romania. It identified the presence of both Babesia canis and Babesia vogeli strains, with different genotypes of B. canis. It also revealed the first evidence of genetic variability in canine babesiosis in Romania, providing a basis for further studies on the disease.
Review
Microbiology
Wojciech Zygner, Olga Gojska-Zygner, Luke J. J. Norbury
Summary: Canine babesiosis is a tick-borne parasitic disease that leads to anemia in infected dogs. The anemia is not caused directly by the pathogen, but rather by the immune response to the infection. Pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines play a role in the mechanisms leading to anemia in canine babesiosis, including antibody production, erythrophagocytosis, oxidative damage, and splenic sequestration of red blood cells.
Article
Parasitology
Dorota Dwuznik-Szarek, Ewa J. Mierzejewska, Anna Rodo, Katarzyna Gozdzik, Jolanta Behnke-Borowczyk, Dorota Kiewra, Natalia Kartawik, Anna Bajer
Summary: The study demonstrates the continuous expansion of two populations of D. reticulatus ticks in Poland, mainly along river basins. There is a marked colonization of the gap zone and a decreasing distance between Western and Eastern tick populations. The incidence of canine babesiosis is lower in Western Poland and the gap area, while higher in Central and Eastern Poland, suggesting strong associations between tick distribution and occurrence of babesiosis.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2021)
Review
Microbiology
Yi Yang, Jevan Christie, Liza Koster, Aifang Du, Chaoqun Yao
Summary: The first case of human babesiosis was reported in 1957, and since then sporadic cases have been reported in North America and Europe, with an increase in cases in Asia, South America, and Africa in recent years. More than 20,000 cases have been reported in North America alone, showing a widespread distribution of these tick-borne pathogens in both urban and rural populations, affecting both immunocompromised and immunocompetent individuals.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Olga Gojska-Zygner, Justyna Karabowicz, Justyna Bartosik, Wojciech Zygner
Summary: This study investigates the association between increased serum AST activity and renal indices in dogs with renal azotaemia infected with Babesia canis. The results suggest that increased serum AST activity may have a renal origin and the AST/ALT ratio could be a convenient renal index for recognizing renal azotaemia in canine babesiosis.
Article
Parasitology
Dieter J. A. Heylen, Bersissa Kumsa, Elikira Kimbita, Mwiine Nobert Frank, Dennis Muhanguzi, Frans Jongejan, Safiou Bienvenu Adehan, Alassane Toure, Fred Aboagye-Antwi, Ndudim Isaac Ogo, Nick Juleff, Dionne Crafford, Josephus Fourie, Michel Labuchange, Maxime Madder
Summary: This study conducted a surveillance of tick-borne pathogens in cattle in rural areas of several African countries. The prevalence of different pathogens varied among countries and was associated with the distribution of specific vector ticks. Factors such as age, gender, weight, and tick exposure were also found to be related to infections. The findings of this study can provide important insights for monitoring and prevention of tick-borne pathogens in cattle.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Reginaldo G. Bastos, Jacob M. Laughery, Sezayi Ozubek, Heba F. Alzan, Naomi S. Taus, Massaro W. Ueti, Carlos E. Suarez
Summary: This study investigated immune correlates of protection against acute bovine babesiosis by infecting cows with attenuated and virulent strains of Babesia bovis. The results demonstrated changes in the profile of blood immune cells and cytokine expression that are associated with protection against acute bovine babesiosis.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Alida Avenant, Janice Y. Park, Ilse Vorster, Emily P. Mitchell, Angela M. Arenas-Gamboa
Summary: Babesiosis, caused by Babesia spp., is a tick-borne disease that affects livestock worldwide. Although less common in pigs, a case in a 12-year old pot-bellied pig from South Africa exhibited typical pathological features including hemoparasites, anemia, icterus, and organ damage. The 18SrRNA sequence analysis confirmed the identity of the Babesia strain, highlighting the clinical manifestations of porcine babesiosis.
FRONTIERS IN VETERINARY SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Rachel L. Smith, Amelia Goddard, Arun Boddapati, Steven Brooks, Johan P. Schoeman, Justin Lack, Andrew Leisewitz, Hans Ackerman
Summary: The study investigates the clinical and transcriptomic progression of B. rossi infection in canines through controlled inoculations. The research establishes a large mammalian model of severe hemoprotozoal disease, providing insights into host-parasite biology and potential anti-disease therapeutics. Insights gained from studying B. rossi in canines may improve understanding of this emerging infectious disease threat in domestic dogs and offer knowledge on human diseases caused by Babesia and Plasmodium species.
Article
Parasitology
Agnija Kivrane, Agne Namina, Maija Seleznova, Sarmite Akopjana, Valentina Capligina, Renate Ranka
Summary: A novel duplex RT-PCR molecular method was developed for the detection of B. canis and A. phagocytophilum in canine clinical samples. Sequence variability of Bc28.1 and mdh genes indicated the genetic variability of B. canis and A. phagocytophilum isolates occurring in Latvian domestic dogs.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2021)
Review
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Wojciech Zygner, Olga Gojska-Zygner, Justyna Bartosik, Pawel Gorski, Justyna Karabowicz, Grzegorz Kotomski, Luke J. Norbury
Summary: Canine babesiosis is a disease caused by protozoan pathogens of the genus Babesia. The disease is caused by four species of large Babesia, with each species having specific regions of occurrence. B. vogeli is the most prevalent and widely distributed species globally, likely due to its wide range of vector species and mild infections, as well as its long evolutionary association with dogs. The main risk factors for large Babesia infection include living in rural areas, kennels or animal shelters, being in endemic regions, the season of the year (increased tick activity), tick infestation, and lack of acaricidal treatment.
Article
Infectious Diseases
M. Padmaja, Harkirat Singh, Harsh Panwar, Jyoti, Niraj Kumar Singh, Nirbhay Kumar Singh
Summary: Two multiplex SYBR Green based real-time PCR assays were standardized and evaluated to detect DNA from four canine haemoparasites. The assays showed high sensitivity and specificity compared to microscopic evaluation. The study also revealed the prevalence of different haemoparasites and identified risk factors associated with their infections.
TICKS AND TICK-BORNE DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Parasitology
Gad Baneth, Yaarit Nachum-Biala, Adam Joseph Birkenheuer, Megan Elizabeth Schreeg, Hagar Prince, Monica Florin-Christensen, Leonhard Schnittger, Itamar Aroch
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2020)
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Barry A. Hedgespeth, Adam J. Birkenheuer, Steven G. Friedenberg, Natasha J. Olby, Kathryn M. Meurs
Summary: An 18-month-old intact male Schnauzer dog with chronic respiratory infections and gastrointestinal issues was euthanized due to lack of response to treatment. Whole genome sequencing revealed a deleterious mutation in the NAT10 gene, which has not been found in other breeds but is associated with ciliary aplasia in humans.
JOURNAL OF VETERINARY INTERNAL MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Tzushan S. Yang, Mason Reichard, Henry S. Marr, Leah A. Cohn, Laura Nafe, Nathan Whitehurst, Adam J. Birkenheuer
Summary: This study aimed to infect Amblyomma americanum ticks with C. felis by injecting infected feline erythrocytes, but found that the parasites in the ticks were unable to progress to the infective sporozoite stage. The study demonstrated the potential of using ticks as an alternative model to study C. felis.
TICKS AND TICK-BORNE DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Anthony J. Cerreta, Tzushan S. Yang, Edward C. Ramsay, Adam J. Birkenheuer, Dane Rahoi, Barbara Qurollo, James Wilson, Andrew C. Cushing
Summary: This study investigates the occurrence of vector-borne infections in managed non-domestic felids in the southeastern United States. The results suggest that tigers are more susceptible to tick-borne diseases compared to lions. This finding emphasizes the importance of ectoparasite control in managed care.
JOURNAL OF ZOO AND WILDLIFE MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Parasitology
Kayla Garrett, Ashlyn Halseth, Mark G. Ruder, James Beasley, Barbara Shock, Adam J. Birkenheuer, Mourad Gabriel, Christine Fiorello, M. Melanie Haire, Colleen Olfenbuttel, M. Kevin Keel, Michael J. Yabsley
Summary: This article reports a potential pathogen, Babesia sp., in North American river otters and its wide distribution in otter populations in the eastern United States.
VETERINARY PARASITOLOGY- REGIONAL STUDIES AND REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Jonathan D. Dear, Adam Birkenheuer
Summary: Canine babesiosis in North America is a multisystemic disease caused by one of five identified Babesia species. Clinical signs include lethargy, anorexia, and depression, and diagnosis can be achieved through blood smear, serology, or PCR.
VETERINARY CLINICS OF NORTH AMERICA-SMALL ANIMAL PRACTICE
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Tzushan S. Yang, Mason Reichard, Jennifer E. Thomas, Laura S. Miller, Henry S. Marr, Michael Karounos, Aaron J. Bell, Adam J. Birkenheuer
Summary: This study provides the first direct visualization of any developing stage of Cytauxzoon felis in ticks using a combination of molecular and microscopic techniques. It lays the foundation for further investigations into the life cycle of C. felis.
TICKS AND TICK-BORNE DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Yun-Fan Kao, Rebecca Spainhour, Shannon R. Cowan, Laura Nafe, Adam Birkenheuer, Mason Reichard, Craig A. Miller
Summary: Cytauxzoonosis is a tick-borne infectious disease that affects domestic cats and has high mortality rates. This study developed an ELISA test to detect and differentiate acute and chronic infections. The C. felis IgM ELISA showed promise in detecting acute cytauxzoonosis, but combined interpretation with IgG ELISA was not reliable in distinguishing acute and chronic infections.
Article
Immunology
Pabasara Weerarathne, Rebekah Maker, Chaoqun Huang, Brianne Taylor, Shannon R. Cowan, Julia Hyatt, Miruthula Tamil Selvan, Shoroq Shatnawi, Jennifer E. Thomas, James H. Meinkoth, Ruth Scimeca, Adam Birkenheuer, Lin Liu, Mason V. Reichard, Craig A. Miller
Summary: Cytauxzoonosis is a disease caused by C. felis, a parasite transmitted by ticks, that can cause severe illness in domestic cats in the United States. Currently, there is no vaccine available to prevent this deadly disease due to difficulties in culturing the parasite in vitro.
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Kylie Grady, Eli Ernst, Patricia L. Secoura, Josh Price, Adam Birkenheuer, Shelly L. Vaden, Jonathan Lidbury, Emily Gould, Jeorg M. Steiner, M. Katherine Tolbert
Summary: This study compared gastric pH and serum gastrin concentrations in dogs with CKD to healthy dogs and found no significant differences between the two groups. These results suggest that prophylactic gastric acid suppression is not necessary in dogs with CKD unless there are other clinical indications.
JOURNAL OF VETERINARY INTERNAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Parasitology
Tzushan S. Yang, Mason Reichard, Jennifer E. Thomas, Henry S. Marr, Michael Karounos, Julia Hyatt, Craig Miller, Adam J. Birkenheuer
Summary: The aim of this study was to determine if C. felis sporozoites collected from the salivary glands of Amblyomma americanum ticks could induce cytauxzoonosis in naive cats. The results showed that the inoculums produced by stimulation-fed ticks were capable of causing cytauxzoonosis, validating the feasibility of collecting infectious sporozoites from C. felis-infected ticks.
PARASITOLOGY INTERNATIONAL
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Tzushan S. Yang, Elise E. B. LaDouceur, Wes A. Baumgartner, Henry S. Marr, Michael Karounos, James Robertson, Nathan Whitehurst, Laura S. Miller, Adam J. Birkenheuer
Summary: This study aims to provide a feasible protocol for preparing high quality paraffin-embedded whole tick histology sections. Two common fixatives, 10% neutral-buffered formalin (NBF) and Bouin's solution, were compared and Bouin's solution showed significantly higher scores in terms of the quality of whole tick sections. The feasibility of using Bouin's solution for producing high quality whole tick sections for other tick species was also demonstrated.
TICKS AND TICK-BORNE DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Parasitology
Adam J. Birkenheuer, Jesse Buch, Melissa J. Beall, Jennifer Braff, Ramaswamy Chandrashekar
VETERINARY PARASITOLOGY- REGIONAL STUDIES AND REPORTS
(2020)
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Allison Kendall, Erin Keenihan, Zachary T. Kern, Crystal Lindaberry, Adam Birkenheuer, George E. Moore, Shelly L. Vaden
JOURNAL OF VETERINARY INTERNAL MEDICINE
(2020)
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Ashley N. Hartley, Henry S. Marr, Adam J. Birkenheuer
JOURNAL OF VETERINARY INTERNAL MEDICINE
(2020)
