Article
Microbiology
Sezayi Ozubek, Mehmet Can Ulucesme, Veli Yilgor Cirak, Munir Aktas
Summary: This study identified buffeli (type 3) and chitose (type 1) genotypes of T. orientalis in cattle in Kyrgyzstan. Comprehensive epidemiological studies are needed to understand the clinical infections caused by the pathogenic chitose A and to determine the geographical distribution and different genotypes of T. orientalis.
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Nneka Iduu, Subarna Barua, Shollie Falkenberg, Chance Armstrong, Jenna Workman Stockler, Annie Moye, Paul H. Walz, Chengming Wang
Summary: Theileria orientalis Ikeda genotype, a parasite causing economic challenges in cattle in Asia, New Zealand, and Australia, has been identified in Alabama, USA. The study found that infected cattle showed a high pathogen burden and the infection was persistent even in seemingly healthy cattle. Further investigation and surveillance of Theileria orientalis Ikeda and Haemaphysalis longicornis ticks in Alabama and other states, as well as evaluating the pathogenicity in cattle, are necessary.
VETERINARY SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Biniam T. Lakew, Sarbast K. Kheravii, Shu-Biao Wu, Steve Eastwood, Nigel R. Andrew, Cheryl Jenkins, Stephen W. Walkden-Brown
Summary: Bovine theileriosis caused by the Theileria orientalis complex results in a mild persistent infection with severity depending on the infecting genotype and host exposure status. The study found that all three genotypes of T. orientalis are now endemic in the region with no cross-protection between genotypes. Additionally, Haemaphysalis bancrofti may serve as a vector for T. orientalis in the area.
TICKS AND TICK-BORNE DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Alex Telionis, Kevin Lahmers, Michelle Todd, Amanda Carbonello, Charles C. Broaddus, Carolynn J. Bissett, Laura L. Hungerford
Summary: This study investigates the distribution and prevalence of Theileria orientalis pathogen in North America, and analyzes the spatial distribution of different genotypes and their associations with environmental factors and cattle movements. The study finds that the prevalence of Ikeda genotype increases over time in northern and southwestern Virginia markets. Genotype specific qPCR testing and surveillance provide important information for understanding the spread of this emerging disease.
Article
Parasitology
David Emery, Susan de Burgh, Therese Hoang Hieu Hanh Dinh, Peter Rolls, Phillip Carter
Summary: This study confirmed that immunization with the buffeli genotype of T. orientalis could reduce the parasitaemia of the ikeda genotype. Following tick challenge, immunized calves showed a significant reduction in parasitaemia with T. orientalis ikeda at 4-6 weeks before entering the carrier state at 9 weeks.
VETERINARY PARASITOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Boitumelo B. Maboko, Kgomotso P. Sibeko-Matjila, Rian Pierneef, Wai Y. Chan, Antoinette Josemans, Ratselane D. Marumo, Sikhumbuzo Mbizeni, Abdalla A. Latif, Ben J. Mans
Summary: Genetic diversity analysis of South African Theileria parva populations reveals that buffaloes are the ancestral reservoir hosts, with buffalo-derived strains showing higher genetic diversity compared to cattle-derived strains. Strains tend to cluster by host, with South African buffalo-derived strains clustering with other buffalo-derived strains.
FRONTIERS IN GENETICS
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Cheryl Jenkins, Melinda L. Micallef, Matthew P. Padula, Daniel R. Bogema
Summary: By analyzing the proteome of Theileria orientalis during its piroplasm phase, we identified a number of proteins that may serve as potential targets for therapeutic development. These proteins are involved in glycolysis, haemoglobin binding and breakdown, as well as host cell interaction.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Charles Byaruhanga, Patience C. Akure, Donald M. Lubembe, Kgomotso Sibeko-Matjila, Milana Troskie, Marinda C. Oosthuizen, Hein Stoltsz
Summary: This study conducted a cross-sectional investigation on cattle in the Karamoja Region of northeastern Uganda, identifying 12 different tick species, some of which were previously unreported. Parasites that transmit diseases and uncommon pathogens harmful to cattle were detected in the vectors. The gathered information serves as an indicator for estimating potential disease transmission risks among cattle populations and to humans, aiding in disease control strategies.
TICKS AND TICK-BORNE DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Abdelfattah Selim, Kotb Attia, Muneera D. F. AlKahtani, Fatima M. Albohairy, Salma Shoulah
Summary: The purpose of this study was to determine the current status and genetic diversity of Theileria orientalis infection in cattle in northern Egypt. The results showed a relatively high prevalence of T. orientalis infection in the cattle population, with mixed breed cattle and older animals being at higher risk. Lack of acaricide application, tick infestation, and communal grazing system were identified as potential risk factors. Phylogenetic analysis revealed genetic variation in T. orientalis isolates from different geographic areas.
TROPICAL ANIMAL HEALTH AND PRODUCTION
(2022)
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Elizabeth A. J. Cook, Tatjana Sitt, E. Jane Poole, Gideon Ndambuki, Stephen Mwaura, Maurine C. Chepkwony, Perle Latre de Late, Antoinette A. Miyunga, Richard van Aardt, Giles Prettejohn, David Wragg, James G. D. Prendergast, W. Ivan Morrison, Philip Toye
Summary: This study provides a detailed description of the clinical and laboratory findings in cattle naturally infected with buffalo-derived Theileria parva in Kenya. The research highlights the rapid onset and severity of the disease, with all infections considered clinically severe and a high mortality rate. Early recognition of clinical signs is crucial for effective intervention and management of Corridor Disease in cattle.
FRONTIERS IN VETERINARY SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Cynthia K. Onzere, David R. Herndon, Amany Hassan, Kennan Oyen, Karen C. Poh, Glen A. Scoles, Lindsay M. Fry
Summary: Theileria orientalis Ikeda has caused widespread outbreak of bovine anemia and abortion in several U.S. states, transmitted by Haemaphysalis longicornis ticks. It is unknown if other North American ticks are competent vectors. The presence of Rhipicephalus microplus, a vector of Theileria equi, in the U.S. raises concerns for potential reintroduction of T. orientalis.
Article
Parasitology
Kelcey D. Dinkel, David R. Herndon, Susan M. Noh, Kevin K. Lahmers, S. Michelle Todd, Massaro W. Ueti, Glen A. Scoles, Kathleen L. Mason, Lindsay M. Fry
Summary: The study confirmed that the U.S. invasive H. longicomis ticks are competent vectors of the virulent T. orientalis Ikeda strain, which could significantly impact the U.S. cattle industry. Enhanced surveillance and control measures are necessary to prevent the spread of this parasite.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2021)
Article
Parasitology
Adamu Haruna Mamman, Vincenzo Lorusso, Babagana Mohammed Adam, Goni Abraham Dogo, Kevin J. Bown, Richard J. Birtles
Summary: This study identified a diverse range of tick species in cattle from north-western Nigeria, including a species not previously recorded in the country. The presence of Theileria annulata in local ticks was also confirmed, indicating the need for further research to understand its epidemiology, transmission, and clinical significance in cattle from northern Nigeria and neighboring Sahelian countries.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2021)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Fiona K. Allan, Siddharth Jayaraman, Edith Paxton, Emmanuel Sindoya, Tito Kibona, Robert Fyumagwa, Furaha Mramba, Stephen J. Torr, Johanneke D. Hemmink, Philip Toye, Tiziana Lembo, Ian Handel, Harriet K. Auty, W. Ivan Morrison, Liam J. Morrison
Summary: This study aimed to determine the genetic diversity of Theileria parva populations in cattle and buffalo, in an area where livestock co-exist with buffalo. The results showed significantly greater allelic diversity in buffalo-derived parasites compared to cattle-derived ones, with very few shared alleles between the two host species. This indicates the complex interaction between T. parva populations in buffalo and cattle and highlights the importance of understanding buffalo T. parva population dynamics for assessing infection risk in cattle and implementing control measures like vaccination.
FRONTIERS IN GENETICS
(2021)
Article
Infectious Diseases
K. R. Baghel, B. C. Saravanan, K. Jeeva, Dinesh Chandra, K. P. Singh, S. Ghosh, A. K. Tewari
Summary: A clinical outbreak of oriental theileriosis in Indian buffalo calves caused by a novel genotype of T. orientalis was reported for the first time. The disease caused a range of clinical signs and significant necropsy findings.
TICKS AND TICK-BORNE DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Joshua A. Thia, Pasi K. Korhonen, Neil D. Young, Robin B. Gasser, Paul A. Umina, Qiong Yang, Owain Edwards, Tom Walsh, Ary A. Hoffmann
Summary: Genomic data provides insights into pest management, resistance evolution, pest invasions, and population dynamics. The first reference genome for the redlegged earth mite, Halotydeus destructor, was assembled to study pesticide adaptation and population demographics using whole-genome pool-seq data. Genetic mutations have been identified that contribute to organophosphate and pyrethroid resistance. Population genomic analyses reveal regional structuring in H. destructor populations, while demographic analyses indicate reduced genetic diversity and smaller effective population sizes in eastern populations. These findings have important implications for genetic markers, understanding resistance mechanisms, and predictive modeling of resistance evolution and spread.
JOURNAL OF EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Parasitology
Sandani S. S. Thilakarathne, Nayana Wijayawardhane, Piyumali K. K. Perera, Chandima Mallawa, Rupika S. S. Rajakaruna
Summary: This study provides the first molecular characterization of Dirofilaria repens, a zoonotic filarial disease in dogs in Sri Lanka. High infection rates of Dirofilaria among domestic dogs indicate a potential reservoir for emerging cases of human dirofilariasis. Therefore, morphological and molecular diagnosis, along with epidemiological assessment, are critical for the formulation of effective public health programs and control mechanisms.
PARASITOLOGY RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Parasitology
Abdul Ghafar, Ghazanfar Abbas, Anne Beasley, Jenni Bauquier, Edwina J. A. Wilkes, Caroline Jacobson, Emma McConnell, Charles El-Hage, Peter Carrigan, Lucy Cudmore, Brett Tennent-Brown, John Hurley, Martin K. Nielsen, Charles G. Gauci, Ian Beveridge, Kristopher J. Hughes, Abdul Jabbar
Summary: This systematic review evaluates molecular investigations on the diagnosis and quantification of gastrointestinal helminths (GIH) in equids, identifies knowledge gaps, and discusses future research directions in equine parasitology. PCR was employed in all of the studies, with sequencing of PCR amplicons in 18 of them. Other techniques used include reverse line blot, qPCR, restriction fragment length polymorphism, nestedPCR, PCR-directed next-generation sequencing, and various other methods. The majority of studies targeted nuclear ribosomal RNA, with only a few studies targeting other loci. The review highlights the importance of advanced metabarcoding techniques for surveillance of parasite populations and the need for further research in this field.
VETERINARY PARASITOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Abdul Ghafar, Nick Davies, Mythili Tadepalli, Amanda Breidahl, Clare Death, Philip Haros, Yuting Li, Peter Dann, Alejandro Cabezas-Cruz, Sara Moutailler, Angelique Foucault-Simonin, Charles G. Gauci, John Stenos, Jasmin Hufschmid, Abdul Jabbar
Summary: Ticks of Australian wildlife carry a diverse array of microorganisms, including Apicomplexa, Rickettsia, Theileria, Bartonella, Coxiella-like, Hepatozoon, and Ehrlichia. The study highlights the need for continuous surveillance of tick-associated pathogens/microorganisms to minimize health threats to humans and animals.
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Yan Liu, Guo Wei, Chen Li, Long-Chen Shen, Robin B. Gasser, Jiangning Song, Dijun Chen, Dong-Jun Yu
Summary: Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) has greatly facilitated the characterization of cell lineages and types in complex tissues and organisms. Cell-type annotation is important in scRNA-seq analysis, but manual annotation can be time-consuming and subjective. To address these challenges, we propose a new pipeline called TripletCell for cross-species, cross-protocol, and cross-sample cell-type annotation. Experimental results demonstrate that TripletCell outperforms existing methods and can accurately annotate different cell types regardless of protocols or species.
BRIEFINGS IN BIOINFORMATICS
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Chamara V. Senaratna, Piyumali K. Perera, Segarajasingam Arulkumaran, Nirupama Abeysekara, Pramodya Piyumanthi, Garun S. Hamilton, Gillian M. Nixon, Rupika S. Rajakaruna, Shyamali C. Dharmage
Summary: The study in Sri Lanka found a significant association between asthma and helminthiasis, particularly with Trichiuris trichura infection.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Chen Zhang, Kah Yean Lum, Aya C. Taki, Robin B. Gasser, Joseph J. Byrne, Luis J. Montaner, Ian Tietjen, Vicky M. Avery, Rohan A. Davis
Summary: The study focused on the purification and synthesis of a bioactive compound derived from Eremophila microtheca. A library of carbamate-based compounds was generated using the synthesized compound as a scaffold, and their activities against parasites, malaria, and HIV were evaluated. The results showed promising antiparasitic, antimalarial, and antiviral activities of certain compounds.
JOURNAL OF NATURAL PRODUCTS
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Caroline K. Glidden, Canan Karakoc, Chenyang Duan, Yuan Jiang, Brianna Beechler, Abdul Jabbar, Anna E. Jolles
Summary: Individual animals in natural populations tend to host diverse parasite species concurrently over their lifetimes. In free-living ecological communities, organismal life histories shape interactions with their environment, which ultimately forms the basis of ecological succession. Here, we studied community dynamics of 12 subtypes of protozoan microparasites (Theileria spp.) in a herd of African buffalo.
Article
Parasitology
Stephanie L. Macdonald, Ghazanfar Abbas, Abdul Ghafar, Charles G. Gauci, Jenni Bauquier, Charles El-Hage, Brett Tennent-Brown, Edwina J. A. Wilkes, Anne Beasley, Caroline Jacobson, Lucy Cudmore, Peter Carrigan, John Hurley, Ian Beveridge, Kristopher J. Hughes, Martin K. Nielsen, Abdul Jabbar
Summary: This paper reviews the available data on the egg reappearance period (ERP) of cyathostomins against the three major classes of anthelmintics. A total of 54 studies met the inclusion criteria for the systematic review. Until 2022, there was no agreed definition of the ERP, and different definitions in the literature complicated the comparison between studies. Future research is needed to understand the mechanism(s) behind the shortening of ERP for cyathostomins.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR PARASITOLOGY-DRUGS AND DRUG RESISTANCE
(2023)
Article
Biology
Fuyi Li, Xudong Guo, Yue Bi, Runchang Jia, Miranda E. Pitt, Shirui Pan, Shuqin Li, Robin B. Gasser, Lachlan JM. Coin, Jiangning Song
Summary: A deep learning-based approach called Digerati was developed for the rapid and accurate identification of PE and PPE family proteins. Digerati achieved a significantly better performance (-18-20%) than alignment-based methods. It is expected to facilitate high-throughput identification and analysis of PE/PPE family members.
COMPUTERS IN BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Parasitology
Marshall W. Lightowlers, Diana Edithe Andria Mananjara, Mihajamanana Rakotoarinoro, Valisoa C. Rakotoarison, Modestine Raliniaina, Harentsoaniaina Rasamoelina-Andriamanivo, Charles G. Gauci, Abdul Jabbar, Kabemba E. Mwape, Meritxell Donadeu, Noromanana Sylvia Ramiandrasoa, Jose Alphonse Nely
Summary: Four methods were compared for the diagnosis of human taeniasis caused by Taenia solium. The study found that the species-specific diagnosis of T. solium taeniasis can be achieved by either coprological examination to detect eggs or coproantigen testing, followed by PCR and DNA sequencing to confirm the tapeworm species.
Article
Parasitology
Martin K. Nielsen, Ray M. Kaplan, Ghazanfar Abbas, Abdul Jabbar
Summary: Long-term intensive use of anthelmintics has led to widespread anthelmintic resistance, but it can also select for other biological traits. This study highlights examples of changing parasite dynamics that don't fit the definition of anthelmintic resistance, and explores cases where anthelmintic resistance has occurred along with coselection for other traits. Suggestions are made for collecting more information and addressing these knowledge gaps.
TRENDS IN PARASITOLOGY
(2023)
Editorial Material
Ecology
Danielle Sisson, Brianna Beechler, Abdul Jabbar, Anna Jolles, Jasmin Hufschmid
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR PARASITOLOGY-PARASITES AND WILDLIFE
(2023)
Editorial Material
Microbiology
Abdul Ghafar, Alejandro Cabezas-Cruz
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Tong Pan, Chen Li, Yue Bi, Zhikang Wang, Robin B. Gasser, Anthony W. Purcell, Tatsuya Akutsu, Geoffrey Webb, Seiya Imoto, Jiangning Song
Summary: PFresGO is an attention-based deep-learning approach that incorporates hierarchical structures in Gene Ontology (GO) graphs and natural language processing algorithms for functional annotation of proteins, achieving superior performance compared to existing methods.