Molecular detection of tick-borne pathogens in caracals (Caracal caracal) living in human-modified landscapes of South Africa
| العنوان: | Molecular detection of tick-borne pathogens in caracals (Caracal caracal) living in human-modified landscapes of South Africa |
|---|---|
| المؤلفون: | Bogdan Cristescu, Kristine J. Teichman, M. Justin O'Riain, Laurel E. K. Serieys, Barend Louis Penzhorn, Marine Drouilly, Storme Viljoen, Jacqueline M. Bishop |
| المصدر: | Parasites & Vectors Parasites & Vectors, Vol 13, Iss 1, Pp 1-16 (2020) |
| سنة النشر: | 2020 |
| مصطلحات موضوعية: | 0301 basic medicine, Felidae, Entomology, Anaplasma, 030231 tropical medicine, Babesia, Zoology, Animals, Wild, Biology, Tick, Caracal caracal, 18S ribosomal RNA, Babesia felis, lcsh:Infectious and parasitic diseases, South Africa, 03 medical and health sciences, Dogs, Ticks, 0302 clinical medicine, RNA, Ribosomal, 16S, parasitic diseases, RNA, Ribosomal, 18S, Animals, Humans, lcsh:RC109-216, Hepatozoon felis, Rickettsia, Carnivore, Pathogen, Phylogeny, Coinfection, Research, 030108 mycology & parasitology, biology.organism_classification, Coccidia, Insect Vectors, Infectious Diseases, Parasitology, Tick-Borne Diseases, Animals, Domestic, Reverse Line Blot Hybridisation, Cats, Babesia leo |
| الوصف: | Background Wild carnivores living alongside humans and domestic animals are vulnerable to changes in the infectious disease dynamics in their populations. The aims of this study were to determine the prevalence and diversity of selected tick-borne pathogens (TBPs) of veterinary and/or zoonotic concern in wild populations of caracals (Caracal caracal) occurring in human-modified landscapes in South Africa. Using molecular techniques, we screened 57 caracal blood samples for infection by rickettsial bacteria and piroplasms in three regions of South Africa: rangeland in the Central Karoo (n = 27) and Namaqualand (n = 14) as well as the urban edge of the Cape Peninsula (n = 16) of South Africa. To characterise pathogen identity, we sequenced the 18S rRNA and 16S rRNA genes from positive samples and analysed sequences within a phylogenetic framework. We also examine the diversity of potential tick vectors. Results All individuals tested were infected with at least one tick-borne pathogen. Pathogens included Hepatozoon felis, Babesia felis, Babesia leo and a potentially novel Babesia species. An Anaplasma species previously described in South African domestic dogs was also found in 88% of urban edge caracals. Higher rates of co-infection characterised urban edge caracals (81% vs 15% and 0% in the two rangeland populations), as well as a greater incidence of mixed infections. Host attached tick species include Haemaphysalis elliptica, an important pathogen vector among carnivore hosts. Conclusions This study confirms the occurrence of previously undocumented tick-borne pathogens infecting free-ranging caracals in human-modified landscapes. We identify clear differences in the pathogen profiles among our study populations and discuss the likely health costs to caracals living adjacent to urban areas. |
| وصف الملف: | application/pdf |
| اللغة: | English |
| URL الوصول: | https://explore.openaire.eu/search/publication?articleId=doi_dedup___::8ec504a0e48ed4dde83f1837d18ae266 https://hdl.handle.net/11427/31825 |
| حقوق: | OPEN |
| رقم الأكسشن: | edsair.doi.dedup.....8ec504a0e48ed4dde83f1837d18ae266 |
| قاعدة البيانات: | OpenAIRE |
| الوصف غير متاح. |