METHODS: Infection with a piroplasmid species was detected by microscopy of stained blood smears in three sick cats from Israel. Genetic characterization of the piroplasmid was performed by PCR amplification of the 18S rRNA, cytochorme B (CytB) and heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) genes and the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) locus, DNA sequencing and phylogenetic analysis. In addition, Haemaphysalis adleri ticks collected from two cats were analyzed by PCR for piroplasmids.
RESULTS: The infected cats presented with anemia and thrombocytopenia (3/3), fever (2/3) and icterus (1/3). Comparison of gene and loci sequences found 99-100% identity between sequences amplified from different cats and ticks. Constructed phylogenetic trees and DNA sequence comparisons demonstrated a previously undescribed Babesia sp. belonging to the Babesia sensu stricto (clade X). The piroplasm forms detected included pear-shaped merozoite and round-to-oval trophozoite stages with average sizes larger than those of Babesia felis, B. leo and B. lengau and smaller than canine Babesia s.s. spp. Four of 11 H. adleri adult ticks analyzed from cat # 3 were PCR positive for Babesia sp. with a DNA sequence identical to that found in the cats. Of these, two ticks were PCR positive in their salivary glands, suggesting that the parasite reached these glands and could possibly be transmitted by H. adleri.
CONCLUSIONS: This study describes genetic and morphological findings of a new Babesia sp. which we propose to name Babesia galileei sp. nov. after the Galilee region in northern Israel where two of the infected cats originated from. The salivary gland PCR suggests that this Babesia sp. may be transmitted by H. adleri. However, incriminating this tick sp. as the vector of B. galilee sp. nov. would require further studies.
方法:通过对来自以色列的三只病猫的染色血涂片的显微镜检查,检测到了一种质粒的感染。通过18SrRNA的PCR扩增进行了piro质粒的遗传表征,胞质B(CytB)和热休克蛋白70(HSP70)基因和内部转录间隔区(ITS)基因座,DNA测序和系统发育分析。此外,通过PCR分析了从两只猫收集的Haemphysalisadleri蜱虫。
结果:感染的猫出现贫血和血小板减少症(3/3),发热(2/3)和黄疸(1/3)。基因和基因座序列的比较发现,从不同的猫和壁虱扩增的序列之间具有99-100%的同一性。构建的系统发育树和DNA序列比较证明了以前未描述的Babesiasp。属于Sensustricto的Babesia(进化枝X)。检测到的piros质形式包括梨形裂殖子体和圆形到椭圆形滋养体阶段,其平均尺寸大于费氏巴贝斯虫。B.狮子座和B.lengau,比犬小的Babesias.s.spp。从3号猫分析的11只H.adleri成年蜱中的4只对Babesiasp。具有与猫中发现的相同的DNA序列。其中,两个蜱在他们的唾液腺中PCR阳性,这表明寄生虫到达了这些腺体,并可能由H.adleri传播。
结论:这项研究描述了一种新的巴贝斯虫的遗传和形态学发现。我们建议将其命名为巴贝西亚galileeisp。11月。在以色列北部的加利利地区之后,有两只被感染的猫来自那里。唾液腺PCR表明这种巴贝虫。可能由H.adleri发送。然而,指控这个滴答。作为B.galileesp.的载体。11月。需要进一步研究。