Editorial Material
Microbiology
Carlos Ramiro Silva-Ramos, Alvaro A. Faccini-Martinez
Summary: Currently, there are six confirmed species and two genetic variants within the Babesia genus that act as human pathogens. Babesia bovis and Babesia bigemina, which are responsible for bovine babesiosis, have a global distribution, but there are no reports of related human cases. This contribution discusses articles claiming the alleged role of B. bovis and B. bigemina as anthropozoonotic pathogens in Colombia.
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Stephen J. Goodswen, Paul J. Kennedy, John T. Ellis
Summary: This study explores a novel approach using protein secondary structure characteristics and machine learning algorithms to predict exportome membership probabilities. By detecting characteristic differences, the methods presented in this study can accurately classify exportome and non-exportome proteins with an 86-92% accuracy. Therapeutic candidates for laboratory investigation are proposed for several haemoprotozoan species.
FRONTIERS IN GENETICS
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Maria A. Chavez-Larrea, Cristina Cholota-Iza, Viviana Medina-Naranjo, Michelle Yugcha-Diaz, Jorge Ron-Roman, Sarah Martin-Solano, Gelacio Gomez-Mendoza, Claude Saegerman, Armando Reyna-Bello
Summary: This study conducted PCR testing on cattle in different farms in Ecuador and found Babesia spp. positivity rates of 18.94% and 20.28% in El Carmen and Quito, respectively. Age was identified as a factor influencing Babesia positivity, and sequence analysis revealed the presence of B. bovis and B. bigemina.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Bumduuren Tuvshintulga, Arifin Budiman Nugraha, Tomoka Mizutani, Mingming Liu, Takahiro Ishizaki, Thillaiampalam Sivakumar, Xuenan Xuan, Naoaki Yokoyama, Ikuo Igarashi
Summary: This study reports the development of a stable transgenic Theileria equi line expressing enhanced green fluorescent protein/blasticidin S deaminase, with the integration of an expression cassette into the parasite's genome. The dynamics of parasitaemia between the transgenic and parental T. equi lines were comparable in vitro, providing new opportunities for better understanding of T. equi biology.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Nitipon Srionrod, Pornpiroon Nooroong, Napassorn Poolsawat, Sutthida Minsakorn, Amaya Watthanadirek, Witchuta Junsiri, Siriphan Sangchuai, Runglawan Chawengkirttikul, Panat Anuracpreeda
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the molecular detection, genetic diversity, and antigenicity of B. bovis and B. bigemina in cattle in Thailand. The results showed infection rates of 2.58% and 5.80% for B. bovis and B. bigemina, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis revealed multiple clades within Thailand strains, and diversity and entropy analysis provided insights into the genetic variability of the studied genes. Motifs analysis further demonstrated the conservation and distribution of sequences. The findings contribute to a better understanding of the molecular phylogeny, genetic diversity, and antigenicity of B. bovis and B. bigemina Thailand strains.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Parasitology
Sabrina Ganzinelli, Charles Byaruhanga, Maria E. Primo, Zinathi Lukanji, Kgomotso Sibeko, Tshepo Matjila, Luis Neves, Daniel Benitez, Batmagnai Enkhbaatar, Arifin Budiman Nugraha, Ikuo Igarashi, Monica Florin-Christensen, Leonhard Schnittger
Summary: Babesia bovis and B. bigemina are tick-transmitted parasites that cause bovine babesiosis, leading to economic losses in the livestock industry. This study developed improved detection methods with high sensitivity for these parasites and compared them to reference protocols, demonstrating their superior capability in detecting carrier animals. Additionally, the reproducibility of the new methods was validated in different laboratories.
VETERINARY PARASITOLOGY
(2022)
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.
Review
Microbiology
Michal Jerzak, Albert Gandurski, Marta Tokaj, Weronika Stachera, Magdalena Szuba, Monika Dybicz
Summary: Babesiosis is a tick-borne zoonotic disease caused by various species of intracellular Babesia parasite, which poses a problem for both the livestock industry and global health. Insufficient preventive measures have led to significant economic losses, particularly in cattle production, and there is a need for the development of a vaccine.
Article
Immunology
Sen Wang, Dongfang Li, Fangwei Chen, Weijun Jiang, Wanxin Luo, Guan Zhu, Junlong Zhao, Lan He
Summary: This study successfully developed a genetic modification method for Babesia duncani and validated its feasibility by knocking out a gene. This method will facilitate gene function research and vaccine development of B. duncani.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Luciana Maffini Heller, Dina Maria Beltran Zapa, Luiz Fellipe Monteiro Couto, Lidia Mendes de Aquino Gontijo, Joao Eduardo Nicaretta, Igor Maciel Lopes de Morais, Vanessa Ferreira Salvador, Luccas Lourenzzo Lima Lins Leal, Lorena Lopes Ferreira, Hariye Victoria Iuasse, Alexandre Braga Scarpa, Joao Ricardo de Souza Martins, Vando Edesio Soares, Caio Marcio de Oliveira Monteiro, Welber Daniel Zanetti Lopes
Summary: In this study, PCV monitoring showed higher sensitivity and specificity for A. marginale parasitemia, performing better compared to other monitoring techniques, especially as the genetic proportion of calves (B. t. taurus) increased. Calves monitored by PCV exhibited better health status and weight gain compared to those monitored by other techniques.
VETERINARY RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Parasitology
Hany M. Ibrahim, Eloiza May S. Galon, Maria Agnes Tumwebaze, Benedicto Byamukama, Mingming Liu, Khaled Mohammed-Geba, Sherin K. Sheir, Asmaa Galal-Khallaf, Heba M. Abd El Latif, Dalia S. Morsi, Nora M. Bishr, Xuenan Xuan
Summary: The study aimed to determine the seroprevalence of Babesia bigemina and B. bovis in cattle and water buffaloes in Menoufia province, Egypt. The results showed that babesiosis is frequent in the province, posing a potential threat to milk and meat production in the area.
ACTA PARASITOLOGICA
(2021)
Article
Parasitology
Sofia de la Fourniere, Martina Soledad Paoletta, Eliana Carolina Guillemi, Nestor Fabian Sarmiento, Pablo Alejandro Donati, Silvina Elizabeth Wilkowsky, Marisa Diana Farber
Summary: Researchers proposed a single step PCR method for detecting Babesia bigemina and B. bovis in bovine babesiosis, showing significantly higher detection capacity. The method detected a higher proportion of positive animals in field samples compared to traditional tests, with a six-order improvement in sensitivity.
VETERINARY PARASITOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Parasitology
Naftaly W. Githaka, Richard P. Bishop, Jan Slapeta, David Emery, Edward K. Nguu, Esther G. Kanduma
Summary: This study investigated the prevalence of pathogenic Babesia bovis in cattle in Kwale County, Kenya. The findings reveal a high prevalence of B. bovis and highlight the threat of fatal babesiosis caused by this pathogen. The multiplex real-time PCR assay used in this study is specific and can be used for routine surveillance to monitor the spread of B. bovis in other African countries.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2022)
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
Microbiology
Juan Mosqueda, Diego Josimar Hernandez-Silva, Massaro W. Ueti, Adolfo Cruz-Resendiz, Ricardo Marquez-Cervantez, Uriel Mauricio Valdez-Espinoza, Minh-Anh Dang-Trinh, Thu-Thuy Nguyen, Minerva Camacho-Nuez, Miguel Angel Mercado-Uriostegui, Gabriela Aguilar-Tipacamu, Juan Alberto Ramos-Aragon, Ruben Hernandez-Ortiz, Shin-ichiro Kawazu, Ikuo Igarashi
Summary: Bovine babesiosis is caused by protozoan parasites of the genus Babesia and recent research has identified a new gene called SBP4 that encodes a protein capable of producing antibodies. Immunization with recombinant B. bigemina SBP4 has shown potential for controlling bovine babesiosis.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Sharon Tirosh-Levy, Yuval Gottlieb, Ori Arieli, Monica L. Mazuz, Roni King, Igal Horowitz, Amir Steinman
TICKS AND TICK-BORNE DISEASES
(2020)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Sharon Tirosh-Levy, Yuval Gottlieb, Lea Mimoun, Monica L. Mazuz, Amir Steinman
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Idoko Idoko, Sharon Tirosh-Levy, Monica Mazuz, Babagana Adam, Bello Garba, Daniel Nafarnda, Amir Steinman
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Sharon Tirosh-Levy, Amir Steinman, Avital Minderigiu, Ori Arieli, Igor Savitski, Ludmila Fleiderovitz, Nir Edery, Gili Schvartz, Monica Leszkowicz Mazuz
Article
Microbiology
Monica Leszkowicz Mazuz, Lea Mimoun, Gili Schvartz, Sharon Tirosh-Levy, Igor Savitzki, Nir Edery, Shlomo E. Blum, Gad Baneth, Nicola Pusterla, Amir Steinman
Article
Immunology
Monica L. Mazuz, Benjamin Leibovitz, Igor Savitsky, Elena Blinder, Daniel Yasur-Landau, Yaniv Lavon, Binyamin Sharir, Sharon Tirosh-Levy
Summary: Vaccination with frozen live Neospora caninum tachyzoites was found to reduce abortion rates in naturally infected seropositive pregnant dairy dams, particularly in cows with high antibody titers. The vaccine efficacy varied among different farms, but overall, the frozen live vaccination may be an effective method to control neosporosis in cattle.
Article
Microbiology
Sharon Tirosh-Levy, Monica L. Mazuz, Igor Savitsky, Dana Pinkas, Yuval Gottlieb, Amir Steinman
Summary: The study demonstrates a high level of exposure to Babesia caballi and identifies important risk factors for infection. The difference between serological and molecular prevalence, probably related to parasite clearance, is highlighted. Geographical area and horses' sex remained significant factors in the multivariable analysis.
Article
Microbiology
Sharon Tirosh-Levy, Asael Roth, Binyamin Leibovich, Ludmila Fleiderovitz, Ohad Frid, Daniel Yasur-Landau, Ricardo Wolkomirskyi, Monica L. Mazuz
Summary: Babesia bovis is a widely-spread hemoparasite of cattle transmitted by ticks, particularly Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) annulatus in the Middle East and Africa. This study demonstrates a protocol using diminazene aceturate to establish a Babesia-free tick colony in the laboratory, which could potentially help reduce parasite circulation in the field. However, resistance to the drug may develop and caution is advised against its routine use.
Article
Fisheries
Tomas Scholz, Nadav Davidovich, Ortal Aflalo, Shoshi Hadar, Monica L. Mazuz, Daniel Yasur-Landau
Summary: This study reported for the first time the parasitism of Amirthalingamia macracantha in the liver of tilapia hybrids in northeastern Israel, representing the first record of this African parasite outside Africa and tropical regions. Species identification was confirmed through characteristics of larvae in the liver and molecular data, with discussion on the possible introduction route of this large and potentially pathogenic parasite to Israel.
DISEASES OF AQUATIC ORGANISMS
(2021)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Lea Mimoun, Amir Steinman, Ynon Kliachko, Sharon Tirosh-Levy, Gili Schvartz, Elena Blinder, Gad Baneth, Monica Leszkowicz Mazuz
Summary: This study investigated the prevalence of Neospora infection in horses and associated risk factors. The findings revealed high exposure of horses, especially pregnant mares, to Neospora parasites. Proper management and active surveillance can help reduce the spread of the parasite among horses in endemic areas.
Article
Microbiology
Noa Berman, Sharon Tirosh-Levy, Amir Steinman, Avital Minderigiu, Elena Blinder, Monica Leszkowicz Mazuz
Summary: This study conducted the first serosurvey of Besnoitia infection in equines in Israel, and the results are consistent with reports from Europe. Significant associations were found between geographic location and seropositivity in horses and donkeys.
Article
Parasitology
Sivan Tako, Ludmila Fleiderovitz, Michal Perry Markovich, Monica Leszkowicz Mazuz, Adi Behar, Daniel Yasur-Landau
Summary: A study in Israel found that the majority of fecal samples from preweaned lambs and goats with diarrhea contained Cryptosporidium parvum DNA. In addition, three samples were found to contain Cryptosporidium xiaoi DNA. The study also identified 11 different subtypes of C. parvum, with IIdA20G1 and IIaA15G2R1 being the most prevalent and widespread subtypes.
PARASITOLOGY RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Adi Behar, Omer Izhaki, Asael Rot, Tzvika Benor, Mario Yankilevich, Monica Leszkowicz-Mazuz, Jacob Brenner
Summary: The study demonstrates the genomic detection of Schmallenberg virus in Culicoides midges and affected ruminants in Israel from June 2018 to December 2019, indicating its circulation in the region. Israel, geographically bridging three continents, may serve as an epidemiologic bridge for potential spread of the Schmallenberg virus into Asia.
EMERGING INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Parasitology
H. Salant, S. Klainbart, E. Kelmer, M. L. Mazuz, G. Baneth, I Aroch
Summary: A domestic cat developed severe toxoplasmosis after long-term treatment with cyclosporine, leading to pneumonia and abdominal effusion. Despite aggressive treatment, the cat unfortunately died. It is recommended to screen potential candidates for cyclosporine for T. gondii antibodies and prevent exposure to T. gondii infection by keeping animals indoors and avoiding raw meat.
VETERINARY PARASITOLOGY- REGIONAL STUDIES AND REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Sharon Tirosh-Levy, Yuval Gottlieb, Monica L. Mazuz, Igor Savitsky, Amir Steinman
TICKS AND TICK-BORNE DISEASES
(2020)