Babesia sp. BQ1 (Lintan): molecular evidence of experimental transmission to sheep by Haemaphysalis qinghaiensis and Haemaphysalis longicornis.
Ovine babesiosis is an economically important disease induced by tick transmitted haemoparasites throughout the world. In China, several ovine Babesia strains have been isolated from field-collected ticks or sheep blood during the last two decades but little is known about the vector ticks and transmission pattern. Babesia sp. BQ1 (Lintan) is a Babesia strain infective for sheep and goats, isolated from blood of sheep experimentally infested with Haemaphysalis qinghaiensis collected in field. In the present study, we explored the experimental transmission of Babesia sp. BQ1 (Lintan) to sheep by H. qinghaiensis and Haemaphysalis longicornis. Based on the evidence from nested PCR, it suggested that H. qinghaiensis and H. longicornis are the potential vector ticks of Babesia sp. BQ1 (Lintan) and that larvae, nymphs and adults of both tick species were able to transmit Babesia sp. BQ1 (Lintan) to sheep. Parasites could be detected in the blood, by specific nested PCR, for one month post-infestation.
Guan
Guiquan
G
Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Key Laboratory of Grazing Animal Diseases MOA, State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science, Xujiaping 1, Gansu, PR China.
Moreau
Emmanuelle
E
Liu
Junlong
J
Hao
Xuefen
X
Ma
Miling
M
Luo
Jianxun
J
Chauvin
Alain
A
Yin
Hong
H
D000818:Animals; D001096:Arachnid Vectors / Q000254:growth & development / Q000469:parasitology*; D001403:Babesia / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D001404:Babesiosis / Q000469:parasitology / Q000635:transmission*; D001769:Blood / Q000469:parasitology; D002681:China; D005260:Female; D026863:Ixodidae / Q000254:growth & development / Q000469:parasitology*; D007814:Larva / Q000469:parasitology; D009758:Nymph / Q000469:parasitology; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012756:Sheep / Q000469:parasitology; D012757:Sheep Diseases / Q000469:parasitology / Q000635:transmission*; D013984:Tick Infestations / Q000469:parasitology