Molecular characterization of some equine vector-borne diseases and associated arthropods in Egypt

• Published in: Acta tropica Vol. 227; p. 106274
• Main Authors: Abdullah, Hend H.A.M., Aboelsoued, Dina, Farag, Tarek K., Abdel-Shafy, Sobhy, Abdel Megeed, Kadria N., Parola, Philippe, Raoult, Didier, Mediannikov, Oleg
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 01.03.2022; Elsevier
• Series: Acta Tropica
• Subjects: Animals; Arthropods; Bacteriology; Cardiology and cardiovascular system; Cattle; Cattle Diseases - epidemiology; Egypt - epidemiology; Emerging diseases; Equine; Hippobosca equina; Horses; Human health and pathology; Infectious diseases; Life Sciences; MALDI-TOF; Microbiology and Parasitology; Parasitology; PCR; Rhipicephalus; Rhipicephalus annulatus; Sheep; Theileria - genetics; Tick-Borne Diseases - epidemiology; Vector Borne Diseases; Virology; Egypt; Vector-borne diseases; Equine; MALDI-TOF; Rhipicephalus annulatus; PCR; Hippobosca equina; EGYPTE
• ISSN: 0001-706X; 1873-6254
• DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2021.106274

•This study has provided a survey of multiple blood-borne pathogens in equines and their associated arthropods in egypt.•For the first time in Egypt, a combination between the MALDI-TOF and molecular markers for the correct identification of arthropods.•We reported the first detection of A. platys-like, candidatus E. rustica, and a new ehrlichia sp. in R. annulatus in egypt.•For equines, we reported the first detection of A. marginale, A. ovis, and T. ovis in donkeys and a new theileria sp. “Africa” in horses in egypt. Equine vector-borne diseases (EVBDs) are emerging and re-emerging diseases, and most of them are zoonotic. This study aimed to investigate EVBDs in equines and associated arthropods (ticks and flies) from Egypt using molecular analyses, in addition to a preliminary characterization of associated ticks and flies by the matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight (MALDI-TOF) and molecular techniques. In this study, 335 blood samples were obtained from equines that appeared to be in good health (320 horses and 15 donkeys) in Cairo and Beni Suef provinces, Egypt. From the same animals, 166 arthropods (105 sucking flies and 61 ticks) were collected. Ticks and flies were preliminary characterized by the MALDI-TOF and molecular tools. Quantitative PCR (qPCR) and standard PCR coupled with sequencing were performed on the DNA of equines, ticks, and flies to screen multiple pathogens. The MALDI-TOF and molecular characterization of arthropods revealed that louse fly (Hippobosca equina) and cattle tick (Rhipicephalus annulatus) infesting equines. Anaplasma platys-like (1.6%), Anaplasma marginale (1.6%), Candidatus Ehrlichia rustica (6.6%), a new Ehrlichia sp. (4.9%), and Borrelia theileri (3.3%) were identified in R. annulatus. Anaplasma sp. and Borrelia sp. DNAs were only detected in H. equina by qPCR. A. marginale, Anaplasma ovis, and Theileria ovis recorded the same low infection rate (0.6%) in donkeys, while horses were found to be infected with Theileria equi and a new Theileria sp. Africa with recorded prevalence rates of 1.2% and 2.7%, respectively. In conclusion, different pathogens were first detected such as A. platys-like, Candidatus E. rustica, and a new Ehrlichia sp. in R. annulatus; A. marginale, A. ovis, and T. ovis in donkeys; and a new Theileria sp. “Africa” in horses.