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Patricia J Holman - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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sika deer carrying babesia parasites closely related to b divergens japan
Emerging Infectious Diseases, 2014Co-Authors: Aya Zamotoniikura, Masayoshi Tsuji, Koichi Imaoka, Masanobu Kimura, Shigeru Morikawa, Patricia J Holman, Haruyuki Hirata, Chiaki IshiharaAbstract:To the Editor: Human babesiosis caused by Babesia divergens, a zoonotic pathogen of bovines in Europe, is an emerging tickborne disease (1). In the United States, a closely related Babesia sp. was identified in persons in Missouri and Kentucky and in eastern cottontail rabbits (Sylvilagus floridanus) on Nantucket Island, Massachusetts (2–5). We report that sika deer (Cervus nippon) in Japan also carry parasites genetically closely related to B. divergens.
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In vitro host erythrocyte specificity and differential morphology of Babesia divergens and a zoonotic Babesia sp. from eastern cottontail rabbits (Sylvilagus floridanus).
The Journal of parasitology, 2006Co-Authors: Angela M. Spencer, Heidi K Goethert, Sam R Telford, Patricia J HolmanAbstract:A Babesia sp. isolated from eastern cottontail rabbits (Sylvilagus floridanus) is morphologically similar and genetically identical, based on SSU rRNA gene comparisons, to 2 agents responsible for human babesiosis in the United States. This zoonotic agent is closely related to the European parasite, Babesia divergens. The 2 organisms were characterized by in vitro comparisons. In vitro growth of the rabbit Babesia sp. was supported in human and cottontail rabbit erythrocytes, but not in bovine cells. Babesia divergens was supported in vitro in bovine and human erythrocytes, but not in cottontail rabbit cells. Morphometric analysis classifies B. divergens as a small babesia in bovine erythrocytes, but the parasite exceeds this size in human erythrocytes. The rabbit Babesia sp. is large, the same size in both human or rabbit erythrocytes, and is significantly larger than B. divergens. Eight or more rabbit Babesia sp. parasites may occur within a single erythrocyte, sometimes in a floret array, unlike B. divergens. The erythrocyte specificity and morphological differences reported in this study agree with previous in vivo results and validate the use of in vitro methods for characterization of Babesia species.
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in vitro cultivation of a zoonotic babesia sp isolated from eastern cottontail rabbits Sylvilagus floridanus on nantucket island massachusetts
Journal of Clinical Microbiology, 2005Co-Authors: Patricia J Holman, Heidi K Goethert, Angela M Spencer, Robert E Droleskey, Sam R TelfordAbstract:A Babesia sp. found in eastern cottontail rabbits (Sylvilagus floridanus) on Nantucket Island, Massachusetts, is the same organism that caused human babesiosis in Missouri and Kentucky, on the basis of morphology and identical small-subunit rRNA (SSU rRNA) gene sequences. Continuous cultures of the rabbit parasite were established from infected blood samples collected from two cottontail rabbits livetrapped on Nantucket Island. HL-1 medium or minimal essential medium alpha medium supplemented with 20% human serum best supported in vitro propagation of the parasite in human or cottontail erythrocytes, respectively. Parasite growth was not sustained in domestic-rabbit erythrocytes or in medium supplemented with domestic-rabbit serum. The cultured parasites were morphologically indistinguishable from the Kentucky human isolate. Transmission electron microscopy revealed similar fine structures of the parasite regardless of the host erythrocyte utilized in the cultures. Two continuous lines of the zoonotic Babesia sp. were established and confirmed to share identical SSU rRNA gene sequences with each other and with the Missouri and Kentucky human Babesia isolates.
Sam R Telford - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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In vitro host erythrocyte specificity and differential morphology of Babesia divergens and a zoonotic Babesia sp. from eastern cottontail rabbits (Sylvilagus floridanus).
The Journal of parasitology, 2006Co-Authors: Angela M. Spencer, Heidi K Goethert, Sam R Telford, Patricia J HolmanAbstract:A Babesia sp. isolated from eastern cottontail rabbits (Sylvilagus floridanus) is morphologically similar and genetically identical, based on SSU rRNA gene comparisons, to 2 agents responsible for human babesiosis in the United States. This zoonotic agent is closely related to the European parasite, Babesia divergens. The 2 organisms were characterized by in vitro comparisons. In vitro growth of the rabbit Babesia sp. was supported in human and cottontail rabbit erythrocytes, but not in bovine cells. Babesia divergens was supported in vitro in bovine and human erythrocytes, but not in cottontail rabbit cells. Morphometric analysis classifies B. divergens as a small babesia in bovine erythrocytes, but the parasite exceeds this size in human erythrocytes. The rabbit Babesia sp. is large, the same size in both human or rabbit erythrocytes, and is significantly larger than B. divergens. Eight or more rabbit Babesia sp. parasites may occur within a single erythrocyte, sometimes in a floret array, unlike B. divergens. The erythrocyte specificity and morphological differences reported in this study agree with previous in vivo results and validate the use of in vitro methods for characterization of Babesia species.
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in vitro cultivation of a zoonotic babesia sp isolated from eastern cottontail rabbits Sylvilagus floridanus on nantucket island massachusetts
Journal of Clinical Microbiology, 2005Co-Authors: Patricia J Holman, Heidi K Goethert, Angela M Spencer, Robert E Droleskey, Sam R TelfordAbstract:A Babesia sp. found in eastern cottontail rabbits (Sylvilagus floridanus) on Nantucket Island, Massachusetts, is the same organism that caused human babesiosis in Missouri and Kentucky, on the basis of morphology and identical small-subunit rRNA (SSU rRNA) gene sequences. Continuous cultures of the rabbit parasite were established from infected blood samples collected from two cottontail rabbits livetrapped on Nantucket Island. HL-1 medium or minimal essential medium alpha medium supplemented with 20% human serum best supported in vitro propagation of the parasite in human or cottontail erythrocytes, respectively. Parasite growth was not sustained in domestic-rabbit erythrocytes or in medium supplemented with domestic-rabbit serum. The cultured parasites were morphologically indistinguishable from the Kentucky human isolate. Transmission electron microscopy revealed similar fine structures of the parasite regardless of the host erythrocyte utilized in the cultures. Two continuous lines of the zoonotic Babesia sp. were established and confirmed to share identical SSU rRNA gene sequences with each other and with the Missouri and Kentucky human Babesia isolates.
Sadie J. Ryan - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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gastrointestinal parasites of the new england cottontail rabbit Sylvilagus transitionalis and eastern cottontail rabbit Sylvilagus floridanus in the hudson valley new york
Parasitology Research, 2019Co-Authors: Christopher M. Whipps, Sadie J. Ryan, E. J. Gavard, Jonathan B. CohenAbstract:The New England cottontail rabbit (NEC, Sylvilagus transitionalis) population has decreased dramatically in New York, USA, and the role of parasites in limiting the population has never been examined. The closely related and sympatric eastern cottontail rabbit (EC, Sylvilagus floridanus) was introduced into the range of NEC by humans and is currently thriving. This study aimed to investigate gastrointestinal parasites of the NEC and the EC and compare their parasite communities. Fecal pellets from 195 NEC and 125 EC were collected from the Hudson Valley, New York, in the winter of 2013–2014. Centrifugal fecal floats were performed in Sheather’s sugar solution, and parasite ova and cysts were examined microscopically to identify gastrointestinal parasites present. For all pellets combined (n = 320), 91% were found to harbor at least 1 parasite species, with Eimeria species being the most common. Genetic analysis of pellets using microsatellite DNA identified 248 individual rabbits, with parasite prevalence (94%) similar to the prevalence estimate based on all pellets (91%). EC samples had a significantly higher (p < 0.05) parasite species richness (1.73, range 0–4) than NEC (1.20, range 0–3). EC and NEC shared 3 moderate to high (9–89%) prevalence parasites, in which EC prevalence was consistently higher. One parasite species was only found in NEC, and two were only found in EC, but the majority of these were of low abundance, precluding further statistical analyses.
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reference and baseline hematocrit measures for the threatened new england cottontail Sylvilagus transitionalis and comparison with sympatric eastern cottontail Sylvilagus floridanus rabbits
Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine, 2016Co-Authors: Sadie J. Ryan, E. J. Gavard, Jonathan B. Cohen, Amanda E Cheeseman, Christopher M. WhippsAbstract:From June 2014 to June 2015, capillary tube collections of blood were obtained concurrently with ear clips of trapped free-ranging, globally vulnerable New England cottontails (NEC; Sylvilagus transitionalis) and eastern cottontail rabbits (EC; Sylvilagus floridanus) in the Hudson Valley region of New York, United States. Species identification (NEC, EC) and sex (NEC) were determined genetically using a mitochondrial DNA assay and Y chromosome marker, respectively. Hematocrit values were obtained using a microhematocrit centrifuge. We provide the reference values 35.15-49.55 (2.5 and 97.5 percentiles) and 90% confidence intervals (CI) [lower: 33.00, 36.08; upper: 46.95, 51.00], for hematocrit of NEC. The mean hematocrit for NEC was 42.35% (SE = 0.58, n = 47) and a comparative contemporaneous mean in the same area for EC [39.96 (SE = 0.81, n = 26)], which was significantly different from NEC (P = 0.02). There was a significant sex difference for NEC [male: 43.99 (SE = 1.02, n = 28); female: 39.92 (SE = 0.78, n = 19), P < 0.0001], though not for EC.
Paolo Tizzani - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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does the introduction of alien species represent a sanitary threat for native species the case of the eastern cottontail Sylvilagus floridanus in italy
Life, 2020Co-Authors: Paolo Tizzani, A. Peano, Daniela Andrade, Anna Rita Molinar Min, Pier Giuseppe MeneguzAbstract:Introduction of alien species is a well-known threat to biodiversity. Where newly introduced, alien species may pose a risk for the local ecological community by competing for resources or by introducing pathogens. Sylvilagus floridanus is an American lagomorph introduced into Europe in the second half of 20th century, for hunting. This study evaluated the structure and epidemiological characteristics of the gastrointestinal parasite community in an introduced population of S. floridanus in the Province of Alessandria (Piedmont Region—Italy). Three alien parasites were reported out of 271 animals: Obeliscoides cuniculi in the stomach, Trichostrongylus calcaratus in the small intestine, and Passarulus nonnanulatus in the large intestine. All these nematodes are commonly reported in S. floridanus in its natural range, but they represent alien species in Europe. The report of these alien parasites is an example of the unexpected consequences caused by the introduction of non-native vertebrates. The documented introduction of new pathogens may alter the parasite community of the native lagomorphs, with possible long-term effects on local ecological dynamics.
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Field and experimental data indicate that the eastern cottontail (Sylvilagus floridanus) is susceptible to infection with European brown hare syndrome (EBHS) virus and not with rabbit haemorrhagic disease (RHD) virus
Veterinary Research, 2015Co-Authors: Antonio Lavazza, Paolo Tizzani, Patrizia Cavadini, Ilaria Barbieri, Ana Pinheiro, Guido Grilli, Emanuela Gioia, Mariagrazia ZanoniAbstract:The eastern cottontail ( Sylvilagus floridanus ) is an American lagomorph. In 1966, it was introduced to Italy, where it is currently widespread. Its ecological niche is similar to those of native rabbits and hares and increasing overlap in distribution brings these species into ever closer contact. Therefore, cottontails are at risk of infection with the two lagoviruses endemically present in Italy: Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease virus (RHDV) and European Brown Hare Syndrome Virus (EBHSV). To verify the susceptibility of Sylvilagus to these viruses, we analyzed 471 sera and 108 individuals from cottontail populations in 9 provinces of north-central Italy from 1999 to 2012. In total, 15–20% of the cottontails tested seropositive for EBHSV; most titres were low, but some were as high as 1/1280. All the cottontails virologically tested for RHDV and EBHSV were negative with the exception of one individual found dead with hares during a natural EBHS outbreak in December 2009. The cottontail and the hares showed typical EBHS lesions, and the EBHSV strain identified was the same in both species (99.9% identity). To experimentally confirm the diagnosis, we performed two trials in which we infected cottontails with both EBHSV and RHDV. One out of four cottontails infected with EBHSV died of an EBHS-like disease, and the three surviving animals developed high EBHSV antibody titres. In contrast, neither mortality nor seroconversion was detected after infection with RHDV. Taken together, these results suggest that Sylvilagus is susceptible to EBHSV infection, which occasionally evolves to EBHS-like disease; the eastern cottontail could therefore be considered a “spill over” or “dead end” host for EBHSV unless further evidence is found to confirm that it plays an active role in the epidemiology of EBHSV.
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invasive species and their parasites eastern cottontail rabbit Sylvilagus floridanus and trichostrongylus affinis graybill 1924 from northwestern italy
Parasitology Research, 2014Co-Authors: Paolo Tizzani, Stefano Catalano, Pádraig J. Duignan, Luca Rossi, Pier Giuseppe MeneguzAbstract:The eastern cottontail Sylvilagus floridanus is a native American lagomorph. Within the genus Sylvilagus, the eastern cottontail is the species with the widest distribution. From 1950s, the species was introduced to several European countries. A rapid territorial expansion of the introduced eastern cottontails has been observed in many areas of Italy. The eastern cottontail has been demonstrated to play a main role as carrier of exotic parasites. To date, three nematode species, exotic in Italian ecosystems, have been reported from introduced S. floridanus. However, its parasite fauna biodiversity is richer in native populations of the American continent. The aim of this work was to further investigate the gastrointestinal parasites of S. floridanus, to evaluate the potential presence of other exotic species. During 2010, 101 hosts were examined, and three nematodes were collected from their digestive tract. Two parasite species (Obeliscoides cuniculi, Trichostrongylus calcaratus) were already reported in Italy; the isolation of Trichostrongylus affinis is instead the first report of this nematode in Italy and in Europe as a whole. This study wants to highlight the great risks related to the introduction of allochthonous species. The impact of the invasion by alien animal species may be particularly severe for public and animal health, due to the potential introduction of new pathogens. The good number of exotic parasites found in introduced eastern cottontails, together with the few sanitary surveys carried out, suggests that an epidemiological survey, with specimens from multiple localities on a wider geographic range, could lead to interesting findings on parasites of native and alien lagomorphs in Europe.
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First report of Obeliscoides cuniculi in European brown hare (Lepus europaeus)
Parasitology Research, 2011Co-Authors: Paolo Tizzani, Stefano Catalano, Luca Rossi, Arianna Menzano, Pier Giuseppe MeneguzAbstract:Obeliscoides cuniculi is a New World nematode parasite of the Trichostrongilidae family infecting the gastric tract of different domestic and wild Lagomorph species. This parasite is reported for the first time from a European brown hare ( Lepus europaeus ). The nematodes isolated from the gastro-intestinal tract were identified using the primary characteristics used to differentiate the species of this genus as adults morphology (length and thickness) and other characteristics of spicules, cervical papillae, cuticular ridges and striations. In the Italian study area, the European brown hare lives in sympatry with the eastern cottontail ( Sylvilagus floridanus ), species in which the nematode was previously isolated; therefore, the possibility of a cross-infestation must be considered.
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Dermatophytosis caused by Microsporum canis in Eastern cottontail (Sylvilagus floridanus)
European Journal of Wildlife Research, 2007Co-Authors: Paolo Tizzani, M. G. Gallo, A. Peano, A. Molinar Min, C. Martínez-carrasco Pleite, Pier Giuseppe MeneguzAbstract:Eastern cottontail ( Sylvilagus floridanus , fam. Leporidae) has previously been shown to be a potential healthy carrier of dermatophyte fungi both geophilic ( Microsporum gypseum , M. cookei , Trichophyton ajelloi , T. terrestre ) and zoophilic ( M. canis , T. mentagrophytes ). In this communication, the first case, to the best of our knowledge, of a symptomatic dermatophyte infection in S. floridanus is described.
Mariagrazia Zanoni - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Field and experimental data indicate that the eastern cottontail (Sylvilagus floridanus) is susceptible to infection with European brown hare syndrome (EBHS) virus and not with rabbit haemorrhagic disease (RHD) virus
Veterinary Research, 2015Co-Authors: Antonio Lavazza, Paolo Tizzani, Patrizia Cavadini, Ilaria Barbieri, Ana Pinheiro, Guido Grilli, Emanuela Gioia, Mariagrazia ZanoniAbstract:The eastern cottontail ( Sylvilagus floridanus ) is an American lagomorph. In 1966, it was introduced to Italy, where it is currently widespread. Its ecological niche is similar to those of native rabbits and hares and increasing overlap in distribution brings these species into ever closer contact. Therefore, cottontails are at risk of infection with the two lagoviruses endemically present in Italy: Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease virus (RHDV) and European Brown Hare Syndrome Virus (EBHSV). To verify the susceptibility of Sylvilagus to these viruses, we analyzed 471 sera and 108 individuals from cottontail populations in 9 provinces of north-central Italy from 1999 to 2012. In total, 15–20% of the cottontails tested seropositive for EBHSV; most titres were low, but some were as high as 1/1280. All the cottontails virologically tested for RHDV and EBHSV were negative with the exception of one individual found dead with hares during a natural EBHS outbreak in December 2009. The cottontail and the hares showed typical EBHS lesions, and the EBHSV strain identified was the same in both species (99.9% identity). To experimentally confirm the diagnosis, we performed two trials in which we infected cottontails with both EBHSV and RHDV. One out of four cottontails infected with EBHSV died of an EBHS-like disease, and the three surviving animals developed high EBHSV antibody titres. In contrast, neither mortality nor seroconversion was detected after infection with RHDV. Taken together, these results suggest that Sylvilagus is susceptible to EBHSV infection, which occasionally evolves to EBHS-like disease; the eastern cottontail could therefore be considered a “spill over” or “dead end” host for EBHSV unless further evidence is found to confirm that it plays an active role in the epidemiology of EBHSV.
