Molecular detection of tick-borne pathogens in caracals (Caracal caracal) living in human-modified landscapes of South Africa

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dc.contributor.authorViljoen, Storme
dc.contributor.authorO’Riain, M J
dc.contributor.authorPenzhorn, Barend L
dc.contributor.authorDrouilly, Marine
dc.contributor.authorSerieys, Laurel E K
dc.contributor.authorCristescu, Bogdan
dc.contributor.authorTeichman, Kristine J
dc.contributor.authorBishop, Jacqueline M
dc.date.accessioned2020-05-06T17:17:38Z
dc.date.available2020-05-06T17:17:38Z
dc.date.issued2020-04-30
dc.date.updated2020-05-03T03:50:15Z
dc.description.abstractBackground 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.
dc.identifier.apacitationViljoen, S., , Penzhorn, B. L., Drouilly, M., Serieys, L. E. K., Cristescu, B., ... Bishop, J. M. (2020). Molecular detection of tick-borne pathogens in caracals (Caracal caracal) living in human-modified landscapes of South Africa. <i>Parasites & Vectors</i>, 13(1), en_ZA
dc.identifier.chicagocitationViljoen, Storme, , Barend L Penzhorn, Marine Drouilly, Laurel E K Serieys, Bogdan Cristescu, Kristine J Teichman, and Jacqueline M Bishop "Molecular detection of tick-borne pathogens in caracals (Caracal caracal) living in human-modified landscapes of South Africa." <i>Parasites & Vectors</i> 13, 1. (2020) en_ZA
dc.identifier.citationViljoen, S., , Penzhorn, B.L., Drouilly, M., Serieys, L.E.K., Cristescu, B., Teichman, K.J. & Bishop, J.M. et al. 2020. Molecular detection of tick-borne pathogens in caracals (Caracal caracal) living in human-modified landscapes of South Africa. <i>Parasites & Vectors.</i> 13(1) en_ZA
dc.identifier.ris TY - Journal Article AU - Viljoen, Storme AU - O’Riain, M J AU - Penzhorn, Barend L AU - Drouilly, Marine AU - Serieys, Laurel E K AU - Cristescu, Bogdan AU - Teichman, Kristine J AU - Bishop, Jacqueline M AB - 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. DA - 2020-04-30 DB - OpenUCT DP - University of Cape Town IS - 1 J1 - Parasites & Vectors KW - Anaplasma KW - Babesia felis KW - Babesia leo KW - Hepatozoon felis KW - Reverse Line Blot Hybridisation LK - https://open.uct.ac.za PY - 2020 T1 - Molecular detection of tick-borne pathogens in caracals (Caracal caracal) living in human-modified landscapes of South Africa TI - Molecular detection of tick-borne pathogens in caracals (Caracal caracal) living in human-modified landscapes of South Africa UR - ER - en_ZA
dc.identifier.urihttps://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-020-04075-5
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/11427/31825
dc.identifier.vancouvercitationViljoen S, , Penzhorn BL, Drouilly M, Serieys LEK, Cristescu B, et al. Molecular detection of tick-borne pathogens in caracals (Caracal caracal) living in human-modified landscapes of South Africa. Parasites & Vectors. 2020;13(1) .en_ZA
dc.language.rfc3066en
dc.rights.holderThe Author(s)
dc.sourceParasites & Vectors
dc.source.journalissue1
dc.source.journalvolume13
dc.source.journalvolume220
dc.source.urihttps://parasitesandvectors.biomedcentral.com/
dc.subjectAnaplasma
dc.subjectBabesia felis
dc.subjectBabesia leo
dc.subjectHepatozoon felis
dc.subjectReverse Line Blot Hybridisation
dc.titleMolecular detection of tick-borne pathogens in caracals (Caracal caracal) living in human-modified landscapes of South Africa
dc.typeJournal Article
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