Molecular Survey of <i>Babesia</i> spp. and <i>Anaplasma phagocytophilum</i> in Roe Deer from a Wildlife Rescue Center in Italy
<i>Babesia</i> ssp. and <i>Anaplasma</i> spp. are tick-borne microorganisms representing a possible health risk for domestic and wild animals, as well as humans. Roe deer serve as a suitable reservoir host for some species ascribed to <i>Babesia</i> spp. and <i...
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MDPI AG
2021-11-01
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| Series: | Animals |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/11/11/3335 |
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| author | Alessandra Cafiso Chiara Bazzocchi Martina Cavagna Elena Di Lorenzo Valentina Serra Riccardo Rossi Stefano Comazzi |
| author_facet | Alessandra Cafiso Chiara Bazzocchi Martina Cavagna Elena Di Lorenzo Valentina Serra Riccardo Rossi Stefano Comazzi |
| author_sort | Alessandra Cafiso |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | <i>Babesia</i> ssp. and <i>Anaplasma</i> spp. are tick-borne microorganisms representing a possible health risk for domestic and wild animals, as well as humans. Roe deer serve as a suitable reservoir host for some species ascribed to <i>Babesia</i> spp. and <i>Anaplasma phagocytophilum</i> taxa, also due to its important role in the maintenance of large populations of <i>Ixodes ricinus</i>, the main tick vector of these pathogens in Europe. Roe deer populations have been recently expanding throughout Europe, namely in Italy. However, the collection of samples from free-ranging wild animals for diagnostic investigations often includes several practical issues. This problem can be overcome using samples provided by wildlife rescue centers making them available for investigations following routine analyses. The presence of <i>Babesia</i> spp. and <i>Anaplasma</i> spp. in blood samples of 43 roe deer rescued by a wildlife rescue center in Emilia-Romagna region (Italy) was molecularly investigated. PCR screening revealed the presence of at least one pathogen in 86.05% of the animals, while co-infection occurred in 18.92% of the tested individuals. Zoonotic <i>Babesia venatorum</i> was found in 6.98% of the samples, while <i>Babesia capreoli</i> and <i>Anaplasma phagocytophilum</i> were detected in 74.42% and in 20.93%, respectively. No hematological signs compatible with clinical anaplasmosis or piroplasmosis, as well as absence of intracellular circulating microorganisms in blood smears, were observed, suggesting asymptomatic infection in the tested animals. These results confirm the usefulness of wild rescued animals as convenient source of biological samples for tick-borne pathogens investigation and the role of roe deer as a key factor in the endemic cycle of <i>Babesia</i> species and <i>A. phagocytophilum</i>. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T05:45:49Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-194f8414d6b64c5d9f7cb99dbb395289 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2076-2615 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T05:45:49Z |
| publishDate | 2021-11-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Animals |
| spelling | doaj.art-194f8414d6b64c5d9f7cb99dbb3952892023-11-22T22:09:07ZengMDPI AGAnimals2076-26152021-11-011111333510.3390/ani11113335Molecular Survey of <i>Babesia</i> spp. and <i>Anaplasma phagocytophilum</i> in Roe Deer from a Wildlife Rescue Center in ItalyAlessandra Cafiso0Chiara Bazzocchi1Martina Cavagna2Elena Di Lorenzo3Valentina Serra4Riccardo Rossi5Stefano Comazzi6Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Milan, 26900 Lodi, ItalyDepartment of Veterinary Medicine, University of Milan, 26900 Lodi, ItalyDepartment of Veterinary Medicine, University of Milan, 26900 Lodi, ItalyDepartment of Veterinary Medicine, University of Milan, 26900 Lodi, ItalyDepartment of Veterinary Medicine, University of Milan, 26900 Lodi, ItalyPiacenza Wildlife Rescue Center, 29120 Niviano di Rivergano, ItalyDepartment of Veterinary Medicine, University of Milan, 26900 Lodi, Italy<i>Babesia</i> ssp. and <i>Anaplasma</i> spp. are tick-borne microorganisms representing a possible health risk for domestic and wild animals, as well as humans. Roe deer serve as a suitable reservoir host for some species ascribed to <i>Babesia</i> spp. and <i>Anaplasma phagocytophilum</i> taxa, also due to its important role in the maintenance of large populations of <i>Ixodes ricinus</i>, the main tick vector of these pathogens in Europe. Roe deer populations have been recently expanding throughout Europe, namely in Italy. However, the collection of samples from free-ranging wild animals for diagnostic investigations often includes several practical issues. This problem can be overcome using samples provided by wildlife rescue centers making them available for investigations following routine analyses. The presence of <i>Babesia</i> spp. and <i>Anaplasma</i> spp. in blood samples of 43 roe deer rescued by a wildlife rescue center in Emilia-Romagna region (Italy) was molecularly investigated. PCR screening revealed the presence of at least one pathogen in 86.05% of the animals, while co-infection occurred in 18.92% of the tested individuals. Zoonotic <i>Babesia venatorum</i> was found in 6.98% of the samples, while <i>Babesia capreoli</i> and <i>Anaplasma phagocytophilum</i> were detected in 74.42% and in 20.93%, respectively. No hematological signs compatible with clinical anaplasmosis or piroplasmosis, as well as absence of intracellular circulating microorganisms in blood smears, were observed, suggesting asymptomatic infection in the tested animals. These results confirm the usefulness of wild rescued animals as convenient source of biological samples for tick-borne pathogens investigation and the role of roe deer as a key factor in the endemic cycle of <i>Babesia</i> species and <i>A. phagocytophilum</i>.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/11/11/3335<i>Babesia</i><i>Anaplasma phagocytophilum</i>rescued animalroe deerzoonosistick-borne pathogen |
| spellingShingle | Alessandra Cafiso Chiara Bazzocchi Martina Cavagna Elena Di Lorenzo Valentina Serra Riccardo Rossi Stefano Comazzi Molecular Survey of <i>Babesia</i> spp. and <i>Anaplasma phagocytophilum</i> in Roe Deer from a Wildlife Rescue Center in Italy Animals <i>Babesia</i> <i>Anaplasma phagocytophilum</i> rescued animal roe deer zoonosis tick-borne pathogen |
| title | Molecular Survey of <i>Babesia</i> spp. and <i>Anaplasma phagocytophilum</i> in Roe Deer from a Wildlife Rescue Center in Italy |
| title_full | Molecular Survey of <i>Babesia</i> spp. and <i>Anaplasma phagocytophilum</i> in Roe Deer from a Wildlife Rescue Center in Italy |
| title_fullStr | Molecular Survey of <i>Babesia</i> spp. and <i>Anaplasma phagocytophilum</i> in Roe Deer from a Wildlife Rescue Center in Italy |
| title_full_unstemmed | Molecular Survey of <i>Babesia</i> spp. and <i>Anaplasma phagocytophilum</i> in Roe Deer from a Wildlife Rescue Center in Italy |
| title_short | Molecular Survey of <i>Babesia</i> spp. and <i>Anaplasma phagocytophilum</i> in Roe Deer from a Wildlife Rescue Center in Italy |
| title_sort | molecular survey of i babesia i spp and i anaplasma phagocytophilum i in roe deer from a wildlife rescue center in italy |
| topic | <i>Babesia</i> <i>Anaplasma phagocytophilum</i> rescued animal roe deer zoonosis tick-borne pathogen |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/11/11/3335 |
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