The Experts below are selected from a list of 321 Experts worldwide ranked by ideXlab platform

Emmanuelle Moreau - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • A member of the HSP90 family from ovine Babesia in China: molecular characterization, phylogenetic analysis and antigenicity
    Parasitology, 2015
    Co-Authors: Guiquan Guan, Alain Chauvin, Jianxun Luo, Jinliang Gao, Aihong Liu, Junlong Liu, Qingli Niu, Hong Yin, Emmanuelle Moreau
    Abstract:

    Heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) is a key component of the molecular chaperone complex essential for activating many signalling proteins involved in the development and progression of pathogenic cellular transformation. A Hsp90 gene (BQHsp90) was cloned and characterized from Babesia sp. BQ1 (Lintan), an ovine Babesia isolate belonging to Babesia motasi-like group, by screening a cDNA expression library and performing rapid amplification of cDNA ends. The full-length cDNA of BQHsp90 is 2399 bp with an open reading frame of 2154 bp encoding a predicted 83 kDa polypeptide with 717 amino acid residues. It shows significant homology and similar structural characteristics to Hsp90 of other apicomplex organisms. Phylogenetic analysis, based on the HSP90 amino acid sequences, showed that the Babesia genus is clearly separated from other apicomplexa genera. Five Chinese ovine Babesia isolates were divided into 2 phylogenetic clusters, namely Babesia sp. Xinjiang (previously designated a new species) cluster and B. motasi-like cluster which could be further divided into 2 subclusters (Babesia sp. BQ1 (Lintan)/Babesia sp. Tianzhu and Babesia sp. BQ1 (Ningxian)/Babesia sp. Hebei). Finally, the antigenicity of rBQHSP90 protein from prokaryotic expression was also evaluated using western blot and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)

  • Isolation and characterization of Babesia pecorum sp. nov. from farmed red deer (Cervus elaphus)
    Veterinary Research, 2014
    Co-Authors: Maggy Jouglin, Isabel G Fernández-de-mera, Nathalie De La Cotte, Francisco Ruiz-fons, Christian Gortázar, Emmanuelle Moreau, Suzanne Bastian, José De La Fuente, Laurence Malandrin
    Abstract:

    The diversity of Babesia species infecting cervids in parts of central and southern Spain was analyzed by collecting blood from farmed red deer (Cervus elaphus). Babesia sp. was isolated in vitro from two red deer herds in Cádiz and Ciudad Real. The number of Babesia sp. carriers differed between the two herds: 36/77 in Cádiz and 1/35 in Ciudad Real. Hyalomma lusitanicum was the most prevalent tick species identified on the Cádiz farm vegetation and on sampled animals, and is therefore a candidate vector. The molecular characteristics of 21 isolates were determined by complete (8 isolates) or partial (13 isolates) 18S rRNA gene sequencing. The sequences were highly similar (over 99.4% identity) and 6 sequence types were identified at the level of one herd only, demonstrating a rather high genetic diversity. They formed a monophyletic clade, and members of the three main sequence types shared a similar morphology and the same erythrocyte susceptibility pattern. This clade also included Babesia sp. Xinjiang isolated from sheep in China and Babesia sp. identified in giraffe in South Africa, with identities higher than 98.3% and statistically relevant phylogenetic support. None of the biological properties analyzed for both Babesia from red deer and Babesia sp. Xinjiang allowed their differentiation (ability to develop in vitro in erythrocytes from cattle and sheep, as well as in erythrocytes from different cervids, unsuccessful infection of calves). We propose the Babesia isolated from red deer as a new species named B. pecorum. Whether Babesia sp. Xinjiang and the Babesia characterized in South Africa belong to the same species is debated.

  • Course of infection by Babesia sp BQ1 (Lintan) and B-divergens in sheep depends on the production of IFN gamma and IL10
    Parasite Immunology, 2010
    Co-Authors: Guiquan Guan, Alain Chauvin, H. Yin, Jie Luo, Emmanuelle Moreau
    Abstract:

    Ovine babesiosis is an important disease in China and responsible for economic losses. Several Babesia strains are involved, but Babesia sp. BQ1 (Lintan) and Babesia sp. BQ1 (Ningxian) are particularly prevalent in the Guansu region. Babesia divergens, in contrast, can experimentally infect spleen-intact sheep, but does not induce clinical signs. The immune response of spleen-intact sheep to Babesia sp. BQ1 (Lintan) and to B. divergens was therefore compared to identify the immune mechanisms involved in pathogenicity. The greater pathogenicity of Babesia sp. BQ1 (Lintan) than that of B. divergens was confirmed: sheep infected with Babesia sp. BQ1 (Lintan), but not with B. divergens, developed hyperthermia and showed patent parasitaemia in Giemsa-stained blood smears from the ear vein. Furthermore, more parasites were also detected in the blood from the jugular vein of Babesia sp. BQ1 (Lintan)-infected sheep. Pathogenicity of Babesia spp. involved cellular responses, but not humoral responses. Interferon-gamma was produced only by specifically activated PBMC from B. divergens-infected sheep and interleukin-10 only by specifically activated PBMC from Babesia sp. BQ1 (Lintan)-infected sheep. The role of these cytokines in the course of infection by Babesia spp. is discussed.

  • Merozoite proteins from Babesia sp BQ1 (Lintan) as potential antigens for serodiagnosis by ELISA
    Parasitology, 2010
    Co-Authors: G.q. Guan, Alain Chauvin, H. Yin, Helene Rogniaux, J.x. Luo, Emmanuelle Moreau
    Abstract:

    Babesia sp. BQ1 (Lintan) is a Babesia isolated from sheep infested with Haemaphysalis qinghaiensis in China, and is closely related to B. motasi based on the 18S rRNA gene sequence. In the present study, an ELISA was developed with merozoite antigens of Babesia sp. BQ1 (Lintan) (BQMA) purified from in vitro culture. When the positive threshold was chosen as 30% of the antibodies rate, evaluated with 198 negative sera, the specificity was 95·5%. Except for Babesia sp. Tianzhu, there was no cross-reaction between BQMA and positive sera from Babesia sp. BQ1 (Ningxian)-, Babesia sp. Hebei-, Babesia sp. Xinjiang-, Theileria luwenshuni-, T. uilenbergi-, or Anaplasma ovis-infected sheep, which are the dominant haemoparasites of small ruminants in China. Specific antibodies against Babesia sp. BQ1 (Lintan) were produced 1 or 2 weeks post-infection and a high level of antibodies persisted for more than 8 months in experimentally infected sheep. This ELISA was tested on 974 sera collected from field-grazing sheep in 3 counties of Gansu province, northwestern China to evaluate the seroprevalence of Babesia sp. BQ1 (Lintan) infection and the average positive rate was 66·84%. The feasibility of increasing the specificity of this BQMA-based ELISA, by using some BQMA antigens for serodiagnosis is discussed.

  • Babesia sp. BQ1 (Lintan): Molecular evidence of experimental transmission to sheep by Haemaphysalis qinghaiensis and Haemaphysalis longicornis
    Parasitology International, 2010
    Co-Authors: Guiquan Guan, Emmanuelle Moreau, Alain Chauvin, Junlong Liu, Xuefen Hao, Hong Yin
    Abstract:

    Ovine babesiosis is an economically important disease induced by tick transmitted haemoparasites throughout the world. In China, several ovine Babesia strains have been isolated from field-collected ticks or sheep blood during the last two decades but little is known about the vector ticks and transmission pattern. Babesia sp. BQ1 (Lintan) is a Babesia strain infective for sheep and goats, isolated from blood of sheep experimentally infested with Haemaphysalis qinghaiensis collected in field. In the present study, we explored the experimental transmission of Babesia sp. BQ1 (Lintan) to sheep by H. qinghaiensis and Haemaphysalis longicornis. Based on the evidence from nested PCR, it suggested that H. qinghaiensis and H. longicornis are the potential vector ticks of Babesia sp. BQ1 (Lintan) and that larvae, nymphs and adults of both tick species were able to transmit Babesia sp. BQ1 (Lintan) to sheep. Parasites could be detected in the blood, by specific nested PCR, for one month post-infestation

Guiquan Guan - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • A Molecular Survey of Babesia Species and Detection of a New Babesia Species by DNA Related to B. venatorum from White Yaks in Tianzhu, China
    Frontiers in microbiology, 2017
    Co-Authors: Junlong Liu, Guiquan Guan, Jianxun Luo, Aihong Liu, Hong Yin
    Abstract:

    Bovine babesiosis is a tick-transmitted disease caused by different species of Babesia. The white yak is a unique yak breed that lives only in Tianzhu in the Tibetan Autonomous County, Gansu Province, in northwestern China. Previous research using the ELISA method has confirmed that the white yak could become infected with Babesia bigemina. The objective of this study was the molecular detection and identification of Babesia species in white yaks. A total of 409 white yak blood samples were collected from 11 areas of the Tianzhu Tibetan Autonomous County in Northwest China from April to August, 2015. The V4 hypervariable region of Babesia 18S rRNA was amplified from extracted genomic DNA using nested PCR and sequenced. The nearly full-length sequence of 18S rRNA including the V4 region from the newly discovered Babesia was amplified and sequenced with Sanger method. PCR detection and sequencing indicated that 4/409 samples were positive for B. bigemina, 3/409 samples were positive for B. bovis, and 5/409 samples were positive for B. ovata. Additionally, a new Babesia species was found in 4/409 white yaks. A unique sequence of 1,627 bp was obtained from 2 of the 4 samples. The sequence was similar to Babesia species Akita (98.5%) found in Ixodes ovatus and B. venatorum (98%) and shared a 98% identity with B. divergens and a 98.1% identity with B. odocoilei. This study provides new data about Babesia infections in white yaks in northwestern China, and a new Babesia species similar to B. venatorum was identified in white yaks for the first time.

  • A member of the HSP90 family from ovine Babesia in China: molecular characterization, phylogenetic analysis and antigenicity
    Parasitology, 2015
    Co-Authors: Guiquan Guan, Alain Chauvin, Jianxun Luo, Jinliang Gao, Aihong Liu, Junlong Liu, Qingli Niu, Hong Yin, Emmanuelle Moreau
    Abstract:

    Heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) is a key component of the molecular chaperone complex essential for activating many signalling proteins involved in the development and progression of pathogenic cellular transformation. A Hsp90 gene (BQHsp90) was cloned and characterized from Babesia sp. BQ1 (Lintan), an ovine Babesia isolate belonging to Babesia motasi-like group, by screening a cDNA expression library and performing rapid amplification of cDNA ends. The full-length cDNA of BQHsp90 is 2399 bp with an open reading frame of 2154 bp encoding a predicted 83 kDa polypeptide with 717 amino acid residues. It shows significant homology and similar structural characteristics to Hsp90 of other apicomplex organisms. Phylogenetic analysis, based on the HSP90 amino acid sequences, showed that the Babesia genus is clearly separated from other apicomplexa genera. Five Chinese ovine Babesia isolates were divided into 2 phylogenetic clusters, namely Babesia sp. Xinjiang (previously designated a new species) cluster and B. motasi-like cluster which could be further divided into 2 subclusters (Babesia sp. BQ1 (Lintan)/Babesia sp. Tianzhu and Babesia sp. BQ1 (Ningxian)/Babesia sp. Hebei). Finally, the antigenicity of rBQHSP90 protein from prokaryotic expression was also evaluated using western blot and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)

  • Course of infection by Babesia sp BQ1 (Lintan) and B-divergens in sheep depends on the production of IFN gamma and IL10
    Parasite Immunology, 2010
    Co-Authors: Guiquan Guan, Alain Chauvin, H. Yin, Jie Luo, Emmanuelle Moreau
    Abstract:

    Ovine babesiosis is an important disease in China and responsible for economic losses. Several Babesia strains are involved, but Babesia sp. BQ1 (Lintan) and Babesia sp. BQ1 (Ningxian) are particularly prevalent in the Guansu region. Babesia divergens, in contrast, can experimentally infect spleen-intact sheep, but does not induce clinical signs. The immune response of spleen-intact sheep to Babesia sp. BQ1 (Lintan) and to B. divergens was therefore compared to identify the immune mechanisms involved in pathogenicity. The greater pathogenicity of Babesia sp. BQ1 (Lintan) than that of B. divergens was confirmed: sheep infected with Babesia sp. BQ1 (Lintan), but not with B. divergens, developed hyperthermia and showed patent parasitaemia in Giemsa-stained blood smears from the ear vein. Furthermore, more parasites were also detected in the blood from the jugular vein of Babesia sp. BQ1 (Lintan)-infected sheep. Pathogenicity of Babesia spp. involved cellular responses, but not humoral responses. Interferon-gamma was produced only by specifically activated PBMC from B. divergens-infected sheep and interleukin-10 only by specifically activated PBMC from Babesia sp. BQ1 (Lintan)-infected sheep. The role of these cytokines in the course of infection by Babesia spp. is discussed.

  • Babesia sp. BQ1 (Lintan): Molecular evidence of experimental transmission to sheep by Haemaphysalis qinghaiensis and Haemaphysalis longicornis
    Parasitology International, 2010
    Co-Authors: Guiquan Guan, Emmanuelle Moreau, Alain Chauvin, Junlong Liu, Xuefen Hao, Hong Yin
    Abstract:

    Ovine babesiosis is an economically important disease induced by tick transmitted haemoparasites throughout the world. In China, several ovine Babesia strains have been isolated from field-collected ticks or sheep blood during the last two decades but little is known about the vector ticks and transmission pattern. Babesia sp. BQ1 (Lintan) is a Babesia strain infective for sheep and goats, isolated from blood of sheep experimentally infested with Haemaphysalis qinghaiensis collected in field. In the present study, we explored the experimental transmission of Babesia sp. BQ1 (Lintan) to sheep by H. qinghaiensis and Haemaphysalis longicornis. Based on the evidence from nested PCR, it suggested that H. qinghaiensis and H. longicornis are the potential vector ticks of Babesia sp. BQ1 (Lintan) and that larvae, nymphs and adults of both tick species were able to transmit Babesia sp. BQ1 (Lintan) to sheep. Parasites could be detected in the blood, by specific nested PCR, for one month post-infestation

  • The development and evaluation of a loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) method for detection of Babesia spp. infective to sheep and goats in China
    Experimental Parasitology, 2008
    Co-Authors: Guiquan Guan, Emmanuelle Moreau, Alain Chauvin, Jianxun Luo, Noboru Inoue, Zhijie Liu, Jinliang Gao, Oriel M.m. Thekisoe, Aihong Liu, Zhisheng Dang
    Abstract:

    The loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) reaction is a method that amplifies with high sensitivity, efficiency, and rapidity, deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) under isothermal condition in simple incubators. Two primer sets for the LAMP method were designed using the nucleotide sequences of 18S rRNA gene of Babesia sp. BQ1 (Lintan) and Babesia sp. Xinjiang-2005 isolated in China. The primers were used to detect parasite DNA extracted from infected blood and purified parasites by LAMP. The specific ladder bands were amplified from the autologous genomic DNA of two Babesia species, respectively, and did not cross-react with the genomic DNA of Theileria sp. China 1, Theileria sp. China 2, B. bovis, Theileria sp. (Japan) and sheep. The LAMP was sensitive enough to detect 0.02 pg and 0.2 pg genomic DNA of Babesia sp. BQ1 (Lintan) and Babesia sp. Xinjiang-2005, respectively, from 10-fold serially diluted samples corresponding to the amount of DNA present in 50 μl of 0.000002% and 0.00002% parasitemic erythrocytes. Furthermore, DNA extracted from blood of intact (non-splenectomized) sheep experimentally infected with Babesia sp. BQ1 (Lintan) and Babesia sp. Xinjiang-2005 was amplified by the LAMP from week 1 to 9 and week 2 and 3 post-infection, respectively, demonstrating the high sensitivity of these primers. Of 365 samples collected from Gansu province, 14.3% (52/365) were positively detected by the LAMP. Of 145 samples collected on filter papers (Whatman) from the grazing sheep in Xinjiang province, 3.5% (5/145) were positive. These results show that the LAMP could be an alternative diagnostic tool for the detection of Babesial infection in sheep and goats.

Alain Chauvin - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • A member of the HSP90 family from ovine Babesia in China: molecular characterization, phylogenetic analysis and antigenicity
    Parasitology, 2015
    Co-Authors: Guiquan Guan, Alain Chauvin, Jianxun Luo, Jinliang Gao, Aihong Liu, Junlong Liu, Qingli Niu, Hong Yin, Emmanuelle Moreau
    Abstract:

    Heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) is a key component of the molecular chaperone complex essential for activating many signalling proteins involved in the development and progression of pathogenic cellular transformation. A Hsp90 gene (BQHsp90) was cloned and characterized from Babesia sp. BQ1 (Lintan), an ovine Babesia isolate belonging to Babesia motasi-like group, by screening a cDNA expression library and performing rapid amplification of cDNA ends. The full-length cDNA of BQHsp90 is 2399 bp with an open reading frame of 2154 bp encoding a predicted 83 kDa polypeptide with 717 amino acid residues. It shows significant homology and similar structural characteristics to Hsp90 of other apicomplex organisms. Phylogenetic analysis, based on the HSP90 amino acid sequences, showed that the Babesia genus is clearly separated from other apicomplexa genera. Five Chinese ovine Babesia isolates were divided into 2 phylogenetic clusters, namely Babesia sp. Xinjiang (previously designated a new species) cluster and B. motasi-like cluster which could be further divided into 2 subclusters (Babesia sp. BQ1 (Lintan)/Babesia sp. Tianzhu and Babesia sp. BQ1 (Ningxian)/Babesia sp. Hebei). Finally, the antigenicity of rBQHSP90 protein from prokaryotic expression was also evaluated using western blot and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)

  • Course of infection by Babesia sp BQ1 (Lintan) and B-divergens in sheep depends on the production of IFN gamma and IL10
    Parasite Immunology, 2010
    Co-Authors: Guiquan Guan, Alain Chauvin, H. Yin, Jie Luo, Emmanuelle Moreau
    Abstract:

    Ovine babesiosis is an important disease in China and responsible for economic losses. Several Babesia strains are involved, but Babesia sp. BQ1 (Lintan) and Babesia sp. BQ1 (Ningxian) are particularly prevalent in the Guansu region. Babesia divergens, in contrast, can experimentally infect spleen-intact sheep, but does not induce clinical signs. The immune response of spleen-intact sheep to Babesia sp. BQ1 (Lintan) and to B. divergens was therefore compared to identify the immune mechanisms involved in pathogenicity. The greater pathogenicity of Babesia sp. BQ1 (Lintan) than that of B. divergens was confirmed: sheep infected with Babesia sp. BQ1 (Lintan), but not with B. divergens, developed hyperthermia and showed patent parasitaemia in Giemsa-stained blood smears from the ear vein. Furthermore, more parasites were also detected in the blood from the jugular vein of Babesia sp. BQ1 (Lintan)-infected sheep. Pathogenicity of Babesia spp. involved cellular responses, but not humoral responses. Interferon-gamma was produced only by specifically activated PBMC from B. divergens-infected sheep and interleukin-10 only by specifically activated PBMC from Babesia sp. BQ1 (Lintan)-infected sheep. The role of these cytokines in the course of infection by Babesia spp. is discussed.

  • Merozoite proteins from Babesia sp BQ1 (Lintan) as potential antigens for serodiagnosis by ELISA
    Parasitology, 2010
    Co-Authors: G.q. Guan, Alain Chauvin, H. Yin, Helene Rogniaux, J.x. Luo, Emmanuelle Moreau
    Abstract:

    Babesia sp. BQ1 (Lintan) is a Babesia isolated from sheep infested with Haemaphysalis qinghaiensis in China, and is closely related to B. motasi based on the 18S rRNA gene sequence. In the present study, an ELISA was developed with merozoite antigens of Babesia sp. BQ1 (Lintan) (BQMA) purified from in vitro culture. When the positive threshold was chosen as 30% of the antibodies rate, evaluated with 198 negative sera, the specificity was 95·5%. Except for Babesia sp. Tianzhu, there was no cross-reaction between BQMA and positive sera from Babesia sp. BQ1 (Ningxian)-, Babesia sp. Hebei-, Babesia sp. Xinjiang-, Theileria luwenshuni-, T. uilenbergi-, or Anaplasma ovis-infected sheep, which are the dominant haemoparasites of small ruminants in China. Specific antibodies against Babesia sp. BQ1 (Lintan) were produced 1 or 2 weeks post-infection and a high level of antibodies persisted for more than 8 months in experimentally infected sheep. This ELISA was tested on 974 sera collected from field-grazing sheep in 3 counties of Gansu province, northwestern China to evaluate the seroprevalence of Babesia sp. BQ1 (Lintan) infection and the average positive rate was 66·84%. The feasibility of increasing the specificity of this BQMA-based ELISA, by using some BQMA antigens for serodiagnosis is discussed.

  • Babesia sp. BQ1 (Lintan): Molecular evidence of experimental transmission to sheep by Haemaphysalis qinghaiensis and Haemaphysalis longicornis
    Parasitology International, 2010
    Co-Authors: Guiquan Guan, Emmanuelle Moreau, Alain Chauvin, Junlong Liu, Xuefen Hao, Hong Yin
    Abstract:

    Ovine babesiosis is an economically important disease induced by tick transmitted haemoparasites throughout the world. In China, several ovine Babesia strains have been isolated from field-collected ticks or sheep blood during the last two decades but little is known about the vector ticks and transmission pattern. Babesia sp. BQ1 (Lintan) is a Babesia strain infective for sheep and goats, isolated from blood of sheep experimentally infested with Haemaphysalis qinghaiensis collected in field. In the present study, we explored the experimental transmission of Babesia sp. BQ1 (Lintan) to sheep by H. qinghaiensis and Haemaphysalis longicornis. Based on the evidence from nested PCR, it suggested that H. qinghaiensis and H. longicornis are the potential vector ticks of Babesia sp. BQ1 (Lintan) and that larvae, nymphs and adults of both tick species were able to transmit Babesia sp. BQ1 (Lintan) to sheep. Parasites could be detected in the blood, by specific nested PCR, for one month post-infestation

  • Babesia and its hosts: adaptation to long-lasting interactions as a way to achieve efficient transmission
    Veterinary Research, 2009
    Co-Authors: Alain Chauvin, Emmanuelle Moreau, Sarah Bonnet, Olivier Plantard, Laurence Malandrin
    Abstract:

    Babesia, the causal agent of babesiosis, are tick-borne apicomplexan protozoa. True Babesiae (Babesia genus sensu stricto) are biologically characterized by direct development in erythrocytes and by transovarial transmission in the tick. A large number of true Babesia species have been described in various vertebrate and tick hosts. This review presents the genus then discusses specific adaptations of Babesia spp. to their hosts to achieve efficient transmission. The main adaptations lead to long-lasting interactions which result in the induction of two reservoirs: in the vertebrate host during low long-term parasitemia and throughout the life cycle of the tick host as a result of transovarial and transstadial transmission. The molecular bases of these adaptations in vertebrate hosts are partially known but few of the tick-host interaction mechanisms have been elucidated.

Hong Yin - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • A Molecular Survey of Babesia Species and Detection of a New Babesia Species by DNA Related to B. venatorum from White Yaks in Tianzhu, China
    Frontiers in microbiology, 2017
    Co-Authors: Junlong Liu, Guiquan Guan, Jianxun Luo, Aihong Liu, Hong Yin
    Abstract:

    Bovine babesiosis is a tick-transmitted disease caused by different species of Babesia. The white yak is a unique yak breed that lives only in Tianzhu in the Tibetan Autonomous County, Gansu Province, in northwestern China. Previous research using the ELISA method has confirmed that the white yak could become infected with Babesia bigemina. The objective of this study was the molecular detection and identification of Babesia species in white yaks. A total of 409 white yak blood samples were collected from 11 areas of the Tianzhu Tibetan Autonomous County in Northwest China from April to August, 2015. The V4 hypervariable region of Babesia 18S rRNA was amplified from extracted genomic DNA using nested PCR and sequenced. The nearly full-length sequence of 18S rRNA including the V4 region from the newly discovered Babesia was amplified and sequenced with Sanger method. PCR detection and sequencing indicated that 4/409 samples were positive for B. bigemina, 3/409 samples were positive for B. bovis, and 5/409 samples were positive for B. ovata. Additionally, a new Babesia species was found in 4/409 white yaks. A unique sequence of 1,627 bp was obtained from 2 of the 4 samples. The sequence was similar to Babesia species Akita (98.5%) found in Ixodes ovatus and B. venatorum (98%) and shared a 98% identity with B. divergens and a 98.1% identity with B. odocoilei. This study provides new data about Babesia infections in white yaks in northwestern China, and a new Babesia species similar to B. venatorum was identified in white yaks for the first time.

  • A member of the HSP90 family from ovine Babesia in China: molecular characterization, phylogenetic analysis and antigenicity
    Parasitology, 2015
    Co-Authors: Guiquan Guan, Alain Chauvin, Jianxun Luo, Jinliang Gao, Aihong Liu, Junlong Liu, Qingli Niu, Hong Yin, Emmanuelle Moreau
    Abstract:

    Heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) is a key component of the molecular chaperone complex essential for activating many signalling proteins involved in the development and progression of pathogenic cellular transformation. A Hsp90 gene (BQHsp90) was cloned and characterized from Babesia sp. BQ1 (Lintan), an ovine Babesia isolate belonging to Babesia motasi-like group, by screening a cDNA expression library and performing rapid amplification of cDNA ends. The full-length cDNA of BQHsp90 is 2399 bp with an open reading frame of 2154 bp encoding a predicted 83 kDa polypeptide with 717 amino acid residues. It shows significant homology and similar structural characteristics to Hsp90 of other apicomplex organisms. Phylogenetic analysis, based on the HSP90 amino acid sequences, showed that the Babesia genus is clearly separated from other apicomplexa genera. Five Chinese ovine Babesia isolates were divided into 2 phylogenetic clusters, namely Babesia sp. Xinjiang (previously designated a new species) cluster and B. motasi-like cluster which could be further divided into 2 subclusters (Babesia sp. BQ1 (Lintan)/Babesia sp. Tianzhu and Babesia sp. BQ1 (Ningxian)/Babesia sp. Hebei). Finally, the antigenicity of rBQHSP90 protein from prokaryotic expression was also evaluated using western blot and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)

  • Babesia sp. BQ1 (Lintan): Molecular evidence of experimental transmission to sheep by Haemaphysalis qinghaiensis and Haemaphysalis longicornis
    Parasitology International, 2010
    Co-Authors: Guiquan Guan, Emmanuelle Moreau, Alain Chauvin, Junlong Liu, Xuefen Hao, Hong Yin
    Abstract:

    Ovine babesiosis is an economically important disease induced by tick transmitted haemoparasites throughout the world. In China, several ovine Babesia strains have been isolated from field-collected ticks or sheep blood during the last two decades but little is known about the vector ticks and transmission pattern. Babesia sp. BQ1 (Lintan) is a Babesia strain infective for sheep and goats, isolated from blood of sheep experimentally infested with Haemaphysalis qinghaiensis collected in field. In the present study, we explored the experimental transmission of Babesia sp. BQ1 (Lintan) to sheep by H. qinghaiensis and Haemaphysalis longicornis. Based on the evidence from nested PCR, it suggested that H. qinghaiensis and H. longicornis are the potential vector ticks of Babesia sp. BQ1 (Lintan) and that larvae, nymphs and adults of both tick species were able to transmit Babesia sp. BQ1 (Lintan) to sheep. Parasites could be detected in the blood, by specific nested PCR, for one month post-infestation

Alexander Mathis - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • Babesia spp. in European wild ruminant species: parasite diversity and risk factors for infection
    Veterinary Research, 2014
    Co-Authors: Adam O Michel, Alexander Mathis, Marie-pierre Ryser-degiorgis
    Abstract:

    Babesia are tick-borne parasites that are increasingly considered as a threat to animal and public health. We aimed to assess the role of European free-ranging wild ruminants as maintenance mammalian hosts for Babesia species and to determine risk factors for infection. EDTA blood was collected from 222 roe deer (Capreolus c. capreolus), 231 red deer (Cervus e. elaphus), 267 Alpine chamois (Rupicapra r. rupicapra) and 264 Alpine ibex (Capra i. ibex) from all over Switzerland and analysed by PCR with pan-Babesia primers targeting the 18S rRNA gene, primers specific for B. capreoli and Babesia sp. EU1, and by sequencing. Babesia species, including B. divergens, B. capreoli, Babesia sp. EU1, Babesia sp. CH1 and B. motasi, were detected in 10.7% of all samples. Five individuals were co-infected with two Babesia species. Infection with specific Babesia varied widely between host species. Cervidae were significantly more infected with Babesia spp. than Caprinae. Babesia capreoli and Babesia sp. EU1 were mostly found in roe deer (prevalences 17.1% and 7.7%, respectively) and B. divergens and Babesia sp. CH1 only in red deer. Factors significantly associated with infection were low altitude and young age. Identification of Babesia sp. CH1 in red deer, co-infection with multiple Babesia species and infection of wild Caprinae with B. motasi and Babesia sp. EU1 are novel findings. We propose wild Caprinae as spillover or accidental hosts for Babesia species but wild Cervidae as mammalian reservoir hosts for B. capreoli, possibly Babesia sp. EU1 and Babesia sp. CH1, whereas their role regarding B. divergens is more elusive.

  • Babesia spp identified by pcr in ticks collected from domestic and wild ruminants in southern switzerland
    Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 2006
    Co-Authors: Heidi Hilpertshauser, Lise Gern, Peter Deplazes, Manuela Schnyder, Alexander Mathis
    Abstract:

    Concurrent infections with vector-borne pathogens affected a cattle herd in Switzerland, and one of the pathogens was identified as Babesia bigemina, which had never been observed in this country before. Therefore, a survey of the occurrence of ruminant Babesia spp. and their tick vectors in Switzerland was conducted. A total of 2,017 ticks were collected from sheep, goats, cattle, and wild ruminants (deer, roe deer, and chamois) in southern parts of Switzerland and identified morphologically. The vast majority of the ticks (99.2%) were Ixodes ricinus, but 14 ticks from sheep and goats were identified as Dermacentor marginatus and two ticks from wild ruminants were identified as Hemaphysalis punctata. PCR analyses of 700 ticks revealed the presence of Babesia divergens (n = 6), Babesia sp. genotype EU1 (n = 14), and B. major (n = 2), whose suggested occurrence was confirmed in this study by molecular analysis, and the presence of novel Babesia sp. genotype CH1 (n = 4), which is closely related to B. odocoilei and to Babesia sp. genotype RD61 reported from North America. The identification of B. divergens and B. major in ticks collected from wild ruminants cast doubt on the postulated strict host specificity of these bovine Babesia species. Furthermore, the zoonotic Babesia sp. genotype EU1 was detected in ticks collected from domestic animals but was obtained predominantly from ticks collected from wild ruminants. More than one tick containing DNA of different Babesia spp. were collected from two red deer. Hence, the role of these game animals as reservoir hosts of Babesia spp. seems to be important but requires further investigation.