Article
Parasitology
Rafael Chiummo, Eva Zschiesche, Balazs Capari, Robert Farkas, Mathieu Chiquet, Dhimiter Rapti, Rezart Postoli, Alain Audry, Michael Leschnik
Summary: This study demonstrated that the use of fluralaner chewable tablets effectively prevents the transmission of Babesia canis in dogs under natural conditions, with a 100% efficacy rate.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Michiel Wijnveld, Anna-Margarita Schoetta, Theresa Stelzer, Georg Duscher, Michael Leschnik, Hannes Stockinger, Per-Eric Lindgren, Gerold Stanek
Summary: By screening ticks collected from dogs in 2008, the study found DNA from a Babesia sp. and an organism closely related to Theileria capreoli, which are novel for Austria.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Ewa J. Mierzejewska, Dorota Dwuznik, Julia Koczwarska, Lukasz Stanczak, Patrycja Opalinska, Malgorzata Krokowska-Paluszak, Anna Wierzbicka, Grzegorz Gorecki, Anna Bajer
Summary: The study compared the prevalence of haemoprotozoa in red foxes from four regions in Poland, finding that infection with Babesia and Hepatozoon parasites can lead to significant enlargement of spleen and kidney sizes in infected foxes.
TICKS AND TICK-BORNE DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Entomology
Anna Grochowska, Justyna Dunaj, Slawomir Pancewicz, Piotr Czupryna, Piotr Majewski, Mulugeta Wondim, Elzbieta Tryniszewska, Anna Moniuszko-Malinowska
Summary: The study in Poland found that Dermacentor reticulatus ticks in urban areas are infected with at least three pathogens, posing a significant public health risk for tick-borne diseases.
EXPERIMENTAL AND APPLIED ACAROLOGY
(2021)
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)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Algimantas Paulauskas, Asta Aleksandraviciene, Indre Lipatova, Loreta Griciuviene, Arturas Kibisa, Judita Zukauskiene, Jana Radzijevskaja
Summary: Babesia spp. infection was found in both European bison and ticks collected from them, with the presence of B. divergens, B. capreoli, B. microti, and B. venatorum detected through molecular analysis.
TICKS AND TICK-BORNE DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Medhavi Dhakal, Tulsi Ram Gompo, Prakash Devkota, Sharmila Chapagain Kafle, Janak Raj Subedi, Haiyan Gong, Hiroaki Arima, Richard Culleton, Masahito Asada, Kishor Pandey
Summary: In Nepal, TBPPs infecting cattle, including Babesia and Theileria, were successfully identified using conventional nested PCR and sequence analysis. This study provides a starting point for TBPP surveillance and prevention programs in Nepal.
Article
Microbiology
Luca Villa, Sergio Aurelio Zanzani, Michele Mortarino, Alessia Libera Gazzonis, Emanuela Olivieri, Maria Teresa Manfredi
Summary: D. reticulatus ticks were collected monthly over a 15-month period in a peri-urban park in Lombardy, Italy, to study the molecular prevalence and seasonal variation of tick-borne pathogens. The study found a high prevalence of Babesia infection, especially in winter months, but no evidence of Rickettsia infection. This highlights the importance of preventive measures against canine babesiosis in the area and the potential for D. reticulatus ticks to transmit zoonotic pathogens.
Article
Microbiology
Esther Dirks, Phebe de Heus, Anja Joachim, Jessika-M Cavalleri, Ilse Schwendenwein, Maria Melchert, Hans-Peter Fuehrer
Summary: This case describes the clinical presentation and management of a pregnant warmblood mare infected with Theileria equi, which ultimately resulted in abortion and transmission to the fetus. It also highlights the possible repeated transmission of equine theileriosis in the pasture where the infected mare had grazed.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Marek Asman, Joanna Witecka, Jan Korbecki, Krzysztof Solarz
Summary: Ixodes ricinus is the main vector in Europe for Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, Anaplasma phagocytophilum, and Babesia microti. A study conducted in Wolinski National Park showed a high potential human risk of exposure to tick-borne infection with Babesia microti, and low risks of infection with Borrelia garinii and Anaplasma phagocytophilum in the area.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Bassma S. M. Elsawy, Ahmed M. Nassar, Heba F. Alzan, Raksha Bhoora, Sezayi Ozubek, Mona S. Mahmoud, Omnia M. Kandil, Olfat A. Mahdy
Summary: Equine Piroplasmosis is an infectious disease caused by multiple hemoprotozoan parasites, with T. equi and B. caballi detected in Egyptian equids and the presence of T. haneyi reported for the first time. Coinfections were found in both horses and donkeys, with some samples showing infection with all three EP species.
Article
Parasitology
Monica T. A. Kakimori, Luiz D. Barros, Flavia C. M. Collere, Larissa D. R. Ferrari, Aldair de Matos, Juliana Lucas, Vanessa S. Coradi, Anna C. B. Mongruel, Daniel M. Aguiar, Rosangela Z. Machado, Marcos R. Andre, Thallitha S. W. J. Vieira, Rafael F. C. Vieira
Summary: This study aimed to determine the occurrence of blood parasites and tick-borne diseases in horses and ticks in a rural settlement in southern Brazil. The study found that some horses were infected with blood parasites and tick-borne diseases. Salivary glands of ticks were negative for infection. Further studies are needed to understand the transmission capability of ticks.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Sandor Hornok, Sandor Szekeres, Gabor Horvath, Nora Takacs, Katinka Beko, Jeno Kontschan, Miklos Gyuranecz, Barnabas Toth, Attila D. Sandor, Alexandra Juhasz, Relja Beck, Robert Farkas
Summary: This study found that various ticks carrying tick-borne pathogens were found on wild boars in peri-urban areas of Hungary, suggesting that wild boars may play a significant role in the transmission of tick-borne diseases.
TICKS AND TICK-BORNE DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Eloiza May Galon, Rochelle Haidee Ybanez, Adrian Miki Macalanda, Giemelene Rose Estabillo, Margaret Therese Rose Montano, Marielle Danise Veedor, Anatolio Garvida, Ralph Joselle Fabon, Mary Ruth Callanta, Kim Joseph Labutong, Maria Agnes Tumwebaze, Benedicto Byamukama, Shengwei Ji, Iqra Zafar, Adrian Ybanez, Xuenan Xuan
Summary: Goats play a key role in livestock farming and contribute to agricultural development for smallholder farmers worldwide. However, various factors, including tick-borne diseases, often limit goat production. This study identified Babesia ovis, Theileria spp., and Anaplasma spp. in goats from the Philippines for the first time, highlighting their prevalence and potential impact on goat health and production.
Article
Microbiology
Olga Pawelczyk, Damian Kotela, Marek Asman, Joanna Witecka, Peter Wilhelmsson, Paulina Bubel, Krzysztof Solarz
Summary: Tick-borne microorganisms, including Babesia canis, are important agents causing infectious diseases in humans and animals. This study reports two cases of symptomatic canine babesiosis caused by Babesia canis in domestic dogs from Poland, as well as the presence of Dermacentor reticulatus ticks on one of the infected dogs. Molecular analysis confirmed the presence of Babesia canis in the dogs' blood, with the obtained sequence being identical to a known isolate.
Review
Parasitology
Apolline Maitre, Alejandra Wu-Chuang, Juste Azelyte, Vaidas Palinauskas, Lourdes Mateos-Hernandez, Dasiel Obregon, Adnan Hodzic, Claire Valiente Moro, Agustin Estrada-Pena, Jean-Christophe Paoli, Alessandra Falchi, Alejandro Cabezas-Cruz
Summary: Human and animal pathogens transmitted by arthropods, such as ticks and mosquitoes, are a global concern. Control measures using acaricides are threatened by resistance in vector populations. Alternative strategies that target the vector microbiota and interfere with pathogen development are encouraged. Understanding the immune functions of host antibodies and disrupting the vector microbiota open up possibilities for novel transmission-blocking vaccines.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Amer Alic, Jovana Supic, Teufik Goletic, Emina Residbegovic, Ismar Lutvikadic, Adnan Hodzic
Summary: We report the first-ever case of a fatal Leptospira spp. and H. canis coinfection in a two-month-old red fox cub. This study suggests that such coinfection cases may commonly occur in young red foxes, and further studies are required.
Article
Immunology
Milan Thorel, Lourdes Mateos-Hernandez, Baptiste Mulot, Mouna Naila Azzouni, Adnan Hodzic, Hugues Gaillot, Yannick Ruel, Guillaume Desoubeaux, Jean-Baptiste Delaye, Dasiel Obregon, Alejandra Wu-Chuang, Jose de la Fuente, Luis G. Bermudez-Humaran, Veronica Risco-Castillo, Antoine Leclerc, Alejandro Cabezas-Cruz
Summary: Aspergillosis is a respiratory disease in birds caused by a fungus called Aspergillus fumigatus. It is a major threat to captive-bred penguin species, but there is currently no vaccine available for prevention. Recent research has shown that oral administration of bacteria with high levels of alpha-Gal can modulate the immune response and protect turkeys from aspergillosis. This study investigated the distribution of alpha-1,3-galactosyltransferase (alpha 1,3GT) genes in the fecal microbiome of Humboldt penguins and found the presence of natural anti-alpha-Gal antibodies in healthy penguins. The results of a trial showed that oral administration of Escherichia coli Nissle, which expresses high alpha-Gal levels, can modulate the immune response in Humboldt penguins and protect them from aspergillosis.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Editorial Material
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Shi Yan, Adnan Hodzic, Giulia Bandini, Ganglong Yang, Jorick Vanbeselaere, Yann Guerardel
FRONTIERS IN MOLECULAR BIOSCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Konstantin S. Vainutis, Anastasia N. Voronova, Georg G. Duscher, Egor M. Shchelkanov, Mikhail Yu Shchelkanov
Summary: In this study, we investigated the origins and historical relationships of the trematodes from the families Troglotrematidae and Paragonimidae. Through phylogenetic analysis and molecular-clock methods, we found that these two families belong to the superfamily Troglotrematoidea, with the family Troglotrematidae being more closely related to the common troglotrematoid ancestor. The divergence of the common ancestor of the superfamily Troglotrematoidea likely occurred during the Mesozoic Era and originated in the Asiatic region. The radiation time of the common troglotrematoid ancestor and the formation of the families Troglotrematidae and Paragonimidae coincide with the time of settling in East Asia by many mammaliaforms species.
INFECTION GENETICS AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Vito Colella, Lucas Huggins, Adnan Hodzic, Clemence Galon, Rebecca Traub, Amer Alic, Roberta Iatta, Lenaig Halos, Domenico Otranto, Muriel Vayssier-Taussat, Sara Moutailler
Summary: A lack of information and awareness about zoonotic vector-borne pathogens (VBPs) in low-middle income countries such as Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) hinders control efforts. By using a microfluidic qPCR assay, we found high prevalence of VBPs among dogs in BiH, including some previously unreported pathogens.
TRANSBOUNDARY AND EMERGING DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Georg Gerhard Duscher, Stefan Kienberger, Klaus Haslinger, Barbara Holzer, Irene Zimpernik, Reinhard Fuchs, Michael Schwarz, Peter Hufnagl, Peter Schiefer, Friedrich Schmoll
Summary: The occurrence and potential spread of Hyalomma ticks in Austria has raised concerns due to their role as vectors of diseases such as CCHF. Although no positive cases were found in grasslands and large livestock, various factors need to be considered to assess the risk of human exposure to these ticks.
Article
Parasitology
Branka Bilbija, Caecilia Spitzweg, Ivo Papousek, Uwe Fritz, Gabor Foeldvari, Martin Mullett, Flora Ihlow, Hein Sprong, Kristina Civanova Krizova, Nikolay Anisimov, Oxana A. Belova, Sarah I. Bonnet, Elizabeth Bychkova, Aleksandra Czulowska, Georg G. Duscher, Manoj Fonville, Olaf Kahl, Grzegorz Karbowiak, Ivan S. Kholodilov, Dorota Kiewra, Stjepan Krcmar, Gulzina Kumisbek, Natalya Livanova, Igor Majlath, Maria Teresa Manfredi, Andrei D. Mihalca, Guadalupe Miro, Sara Moutailler, Igor V. Nebogatkin, Snezana Tomanovic, Zati Vatansever, Marya Yakovich, Sergio Zanzani, Pavel Siroky
Summary: The population structure of the ornate dog tick in Eastern Europe exhibits an east-west gradient, which may be influenced by geographic factors and genetic evolution. This finding is crucial for assessing disease transmission risks and predicting future spread.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR PARASITOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Parasitology
Mathilde Uiterwijk, Lea Vojta, Nikica Sprem, Ana Beck, Daria Jurkovic, Marja Kik, Georg G. G. Duscher, Adnan Hodzic, Slaven Reljic, Hein Sprong, Relja Beck
Summary: The goal of this study was to determine the prevalence and distribution of Hepatozoon parasites in wild mammals and ticks in Europe. The results showed that out of the 2801 mammal samples tested, 370 (13.2%) were positive. Hepatozoon canis was the most common species detected, primarily infecting carnivores such as dogs. These findings are important for monitoring and controlling the spread of these parasites and protecting the health of domestic animals.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2023)
Article
Parasitology
Adnan Hodzic, Nolwenn M. Dheilly, Alejandro Cabezas-Cruz, David Berry
Summary: Gastrointestinal helminths manipulate the host microbiome to create a favorable environment for their survival, and understanding the helminth-associated microbiome may lead to alternative control strategies against parasitic diseases.
TRENDS IN PARASITOLOGY
(2023)
Editorial Material
Parasitology
Adnan Hodzic, Amer Alic
Summary: Hepatozoon silvestris is a recently described parasite causing feline hepatozoonosis, which is still not well understood. This study aims to provide insight into the distribution, biology, and pathogenesis of the disease caused by this parasite.
TRENDS IN PARASITOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Parasitology
Miguel Pena-Espinoza, Daniel Em, Bita Shahi-Barogh, Dominik Berer, Georg G. Duscher, Lara van der Vloedt, Walter Glawischnig, Steffen Rehbein, Josef Harl, Maria S. Unterkoefler, Hans-Peter Fuehrer
Summary: In this study, molecular genetics were used to detect and characterize vector-borne pathogens in hippoboscid flies infesting domestic and wild animals in Austria. Several pathogens were found, including some with zoonotic potential. The presence of Trypanosoma sp. in H. equina, a louse fly, was also reported for the first time in Austria. Further research and monitoring are needed to understand the role of these ectoparasites as vectors of infectious agents in a One-Health context.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2023)
Article
Parasitology
Maria Sophia Unterkoefler, Patrick Dengg, Miriam Niederbacher, Sarah Lindorfer, Antonia Eberle, Alexandra Huck, Katalina Staufer, Carina Zittra, Licha Natalia Wortha, Adnan Hodzic, Georg Gerhard Duscher, Josef Harl, Gerhard Schluesslmayr, Marcos Antonio Bezerra-Santos, Domenico Otranto, Katja Silbermayr, Hans-Peter Fuehrer
Summary: The zoonotic nematode Thelazia callipaeda and its vector Phortica variegata were found to naturally occur in Austria. Their presence was confirmed through DNA analysis and morphological identification. However, T. callipaeda was not detected in any of the Phortica specimens.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2023)