Molecular Epidemiology and Risk Factors of Anaplasma Spp., Babesia Spp. and Theileria Spp. Infection in Cattle in Chongqing, China

Overview

Journal PLoS One

Specialties General Medicine
Science

Date 2019 Jul 16

PMID 31306422

Citations 18

Authors

Zuoyong Zhou

Kai Li

Yingying Sun

Junge Shi

Hexian Li

Yiwang Chen

Haoyue Yang

Xiao Li

Bi Wu

Xiaoxia Li

Zhiying Wang

Fangjun Cheng

Shijun Hu

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Tick-borne pathogens (TBPs) seriously affect cattle production and can be economically damaging. The epidemiology of these organisms in the Chongqing municipality of China is not well described. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and risk factors of TBPs including Anaplasma spp., Babesia spp. and Theileria spp. in cattle in Chongqing municipality. The results showed that 43.48% (150/345) of cattle were infected with at least one TBP, of which single infections were detected in 104 (30.14%), double infections in 34 cattle (9.86%) and triple infections in 12 (3.48%) of the cattle. The overall prevalence of Anaplasma spp., Theileria spp. and B. bigemina were 22.32%, 23.19% and 7.24%, respectively. Among these, the prevalence of A. bovis, A. central, A. phagocytophilum, A. platys, A. marginale, T. sinensisi and T. orientalis were 8.41%, 7.83%, 4.93%, 4.35%, 2.61%, 22.32% and 2.60%, respectively. We could not detect B. bovis, T. annulata, T. luwenshuni or T. uilenbergi in cattle. Cattle ≥1-year-old were more likely to be infected with Theileria spp. [adjusted odd ratio (AOR) = 2.70, 95% CI = 1.12-6.56)] compared with younger cattle, while cattle ≥1-year-old had reduced susceptibility to B. bigemina (AOR = 0.14, 95% CI = 0.03-0.60). Cattle living at higher altitude (≥500 m) were more susceptible to B. bigemina (AOR = 6.97, 95% CI = 2.08-23.35) and Theileria spp. infection (AOR = 1.87, 95% CI = 1.06-3.32). The prevalence of Theileria spp. on farms with cats was significantly higher than that without cats (AOR = 2.56, 95% CI = 1.12-5.88). Infection with A. bovis and A. central were significantly associated with A. phagocytophilum infection. Furthermore, there were significant associations between A. bovis and A. central infection, T. sinensisi and A. marginale infection, and B. bigemina and T. orientalis infection. This study provides new data on the prevalence of Anaplasma spp., Babesia spp. and Theileria spp. in cattle in Chongqing, and for the first time we reveal a possible relationship between the afore-mentioned pathogens, which will help in formulating appropriate control strategies for these pathogens in this area.

Citing Articles

Global Prevalence of Anaplasma phagocytophilum in Cattle: A One Health Perspective, Meta-Analysis and Future Predictions (up to 2035).

Abdoli A, Olfatifar M, Zaki L, Nikkhahi F, Fardsanei F, Sobhani S Vet Med Sci. 2025; 11(2):e70251.

PMID: 39969156 PMC: 11837283. DOI: 10.1002/vms3.70251.

Molecular Characterization of spp. in Cattle from Kazakhstan.

Kadyrova M, Ostrovskii A, Mukanov K, Kassen A, Shevtsova E, Berdikulov M Pathogens. 2024; 13(10).

PMID: 39452765 PMC: 11510537. DOI: 10.3390/pathogens13100894.

Babesia bigemina and Theileria annulata infections in cattle: molecular detection, phylogenetic analysis, and assessment of risk factors.

Khan M, Khan M, Khan M, Batool S, Tanaka T, Aloufi A Trop Anim Health Prod. 2024; 56(8):282.

PMID: 39322769 DOI: 10.1007/s11250-024-04122-8.

Molecular occurrence and genetic identification of Babesia spp. and Theileria spp. in naturally infected cattle from Thailand.

Seerintra T, Krinsoongnern W, Thanchomnang T, Piratae S Parasitol Res. 2024; 123(8):287.

PMID: 39083117 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-024-08299-7.

Leading report of molecular prevalence of tick borne Anaplasma marginale and Theileria ovis in yaks (Bos grunniens) from Pakistan.

Nawaz M, Ullah R, Rehman Z, Naeem M, Khan A, Bourhia M Arch Microbiol. 2024; 206(4):149.

PMID: 38466437 DOI: 10.1007/s00203-024-03916-6.

References

Thumbi S, Bronsvoort B, Poole E, Kiara H, Toye P, Mbole-Kariuki M . Parasite co-infections and their impact on survival of indigenous cattle. PLoS One. 2014; 9(2):e76324. PMC: 3930515. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0076324. View

Terkawi M, Huyen N, Shinuo C, Inpankaew T, Maklon K, AbouLaila M . Molecular and serological prevalence of Babesia bovis and Babesia bigemina in water buffaloes in the northeast region of Thailand. Vet Parasitol. 2011; 178(3-4):201-7. DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2011.01.041. View

Liu A, Guan G, Liu Z, Liu J, LeBlanc N, Li Y . Detecting and differentiating Theileria sergenti and Theileria sinensis in cattle and yaks by PCR based on major piroplasm surface protein (MPSP). Exp Parasitol. 2010; 126(4):476-81. DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2010.05.024. View

Zhang L, Wang Y, Cai D, He G, Cheng Z, Liu J . Detection of Anaplasma marginale in Hyalomma asiaticum ticks by PCR assay. Parasitol Res. 2013; 112(7):2697-702. DOI: 10.1007/s00436-013-3437-9. View

Byaruhanga C, Collins N, Knobel D, Khumalo Z, Chaisi M, Oosthuizen M . Molecular detection and phylogenetic analysis of Anaplasma marginale and Anaplasma centrale amongst transhumant cattle in north-eastern Uganda. Ticks Tick Borne Dis. 2018; 9(3):580-588. DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2018.01.012. View

Adjou Moumouni P, Aboge G, Terkawi M, Masatani T, Cao S, Kamyingkird K . Molecular detection and characterization of Babesia bovis, Babesia bigemina, Theileria species and Anaplasma marginale isolated from cattle in Kenya. Parasit Vectors. 2015; 8:496. PMC: 4589125. DOI: 10.1186/s13071-015-1106-9. View

Craig B, Tempest L, Pilkington J, Pemberton J . Metazoan-protozoan parasite co-infections and host body weight in St Kilda Soay sheep. Parasitology. 2008; 135(4):433-41. DOI: 10.1017/S0031182008004137. View

Dahmani M, Davoust B, Benterki M, Fenollar F, Raoult D, Mediannikov O . Development of a new PCR-based assay to detect Anaplasmataceae and the first report of Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Anaplasma platys in cattle from Algeria. Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis. 2015; 39:39-45. DOI: 10.1016/j.cimid.2015.02.002. View

Bock R, Jackson L, de Vos A, Jorgensen W . Babesiosis of cattle. Parasitology. 2005; 129 Suppl:S247-69. DOI: 10.1017/s0031182004005190. View

10.

Niu Q, Liu Z, Yu P, Yang J, Abdallah M, Guan G . Genetic characterization and molecular survey of Babesia bovis, Babesia bigemina and Babesia ovata in cattle, dairy cattle and yaks in China. Parasit Vectors. 2015; 8:518. PMC: 4600270. DOI: 10.1186/s13071-015-1110-0. View

11.

Yu L, Terkawi M, Cruz-Flores M, Claveria F, Aboge G, Yamagishi J . Epidemiological survey of Babesia bovis and Babesia bigemina infections of cattle in Philippines. J Vet Med Sci. 2013; 75(7):995-8. DOI: 10.1292/jvms.12-0425. View

12.

Swai E, Karimuribo E, French N, Fitzpatrick J, Bryant M, Kambarage D . Seroprevalence of Babesia bigemina in smallholder dairy cattle in Tanzania and associated risk factors. J S Afr Vet Assoc. 2007; 78(1):15-20. DOI: 10.4102/jsava.v78i1.280. View

13.

Qin S, Wang J, Ning H, Tan Q, Yin M, Zhang X . First report of Babesia bigemina infection in white yaks in China. Acta Trop. 2015; 145:52-4. DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2015.02.005. View

14.

Sisson D, Hufschmid J, Jolles A, Beechler B, Jabbar A . Molecular characterisation of Anaplasma species from African buffalo (Syncerus caffer) in Kruger National Park, South Africa. Ticks Tick Borne Dis. 2017; 8(3):400-406. DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2017.01.003. View

15.

Kawahara M, Rikihisa Y, Lin Q, Isogai E, Tahara K, Itagaki A . Novel genetic variants of Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Anaplasma bovis, Anaplasma centrale, and a novel Ehrlichia sp. in wild deer and ticks on two major islands in Japan. Appl Environ Microbiol. 2006; 72(2):1102-9. PMC: 1392898. DOI: 10.1128/AEM.72.2.1102-1109.2006. View

16.

Rjeibi M, Ayadi O, Rekik M, Gharbi M . Molecular survey and genetic characterization of Anaplasma centrale, A. marginale and A. bovis in cattle from Algeria. Transbound Emerg Dis. 2017; 65(2):456-464. DOI: 10.1111/tbed.12725. View

17.

Niu Q, Liu Z, Yang J, Gao S, Pan Y, Guan G . Genetic characterization and molecular survey of Babesia sp. Xinjiang infection in small ruminants and ixodid ticks in China. Infect Genet Evol. 2017; 49:330-335. DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2017.01.025. View

18.

Yu P, Liu Z, Niu Q, Yang J, Abdallah M, Chen Z . Molecular evidence of tick-borne pathogens in Hyalomma anatolicum ticks infesting cattle in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Northwestern China. Exp Appl Acarol. 2017; 73(2):269-281. DOI: 10.1007/s10493-017-0162-6. View

19.

Jirapattharasate C, Adjou Moumouni P, Cao S, Iguchi A, Liu M, Wang G . Molecular detection and genetic diversity of bovine Babesia spp., Theileria orientalis, and Anaplasma marginale in beef cattle in Thailand. Parasitol Res. 2016; 116(2):751-762. DOI: 10.1007/s00436-016-5345-2. View

20.

Chen Z, Liu Q, Liu J, Xu B, Lv S, Xia S . Tick-borne pathogens and associated co-infections in ticks collected from domestic animals in central China. Parasit Vectors. 2014; 7:237. PMC: 4045914. DOI: 10.1186/1756-3305-7-237. View