A survey for piroplasmids in questing Ixodes fuscipes ticks reveals undescribed Babesia lineages in Uruguay
Abstract Background Ixodes fuscipes is a tick species found in the Southern Cone of America and the only member of the Ixodes ricinus complex present in Uruguay. Members of this complex are particularly recognized as vectors of diseases affecting human health, such as babesiosis, caused by parasites...
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BMC
2025-06-01
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| Series: | Parasites & Vectors |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-025-06866-0 |
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| author | Rodrigo Alvez María L. Félix Adriana Santodomingo Pablo Parodi Richard Thomas Sebastián Muñoz-Leal Luis Carvalho José M. Venzal |
| author_facet | Rodrigo Alvez María L. Félix Adriana Santodomingo Pablo Parodi Richard Thomas Sebastián Muñoz-Leal Luis Carvalho José M. Venzal |
| author_sort | Rodrigo Alvez |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Ixodes fuscipes is a tick species found in the Southern Cone of America and the only member of the Ixodes ricinus complex present in Uruguay. Members of this complex are particularly recognized as vectors of diseases affecting human health, such as babesiosis, caused by parasites of the genus Babesia (Apicomplexa: Piroplasmida). However, even though potential hosts of I. fuscipes in Uruguay (rodents, birds, and artiodactyls) are known carriers of Babesia species, the potential role of I. fuscipes as a vector of piroplasmids has not been studied. Methods In this study, questing I. fuscipes ticks were collected from five locations in Uruguay, and the presence of piroplasmid DNA was assessed using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to amplify fragments of the small subunit ribosomal RNA (18S rRNA) and cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (COI) genes. Results A total of 953 ticks (larvae, nymphs, and adults) were collected; 14 samples (two larval pools and 12 nymphs) tested positive. Genetic analyses using 18S rDNA and COI sequences revealed the presence of undescribed Babesia lineages, belonging to the Babesia odocoilei clade and others to the Babesia microti sensu stricto clade. Conclusions This work represents the first association of Babesia spp. with I. fuscipes and highlights the importance of this type of study to detect and mitigate the emergence of diseases associated with these arthropods. Graphical Abstract |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-599e01dcad754d37b7dfb3f0de8948f9 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 1756-3305 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Parasites & Vectors |
| spelling | doaj-art-599e01dcad754d37b7dfb3f0de8948f92025-08-20T02:37:13ZengBMCParasites & Vectors1756-33052025-06-0118111310.1186/s13071-025-06866-0A survey for piroplasmids in questing Ixodes fuscipes ticks reveals undescribed Babesia lineages in UruguayRodrigo Alvez0María L. Félix1Adriana Santodomingo2Pablo Parodi3Richard Thomas4Sebastián Muñoz-Leal5Luis Carvalho6José M. Venzal7Laboratorio de Vectores y Enfermedades Transmitidas, Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, CENUR Litoral Norte, Universidad de la RepúblicaLaboratorio de Vectores y Enfermedades Transmitidas, Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, CENUR Litoral Norte, Universidad de la RepúblicaCentro de Investigación de Estudios Avanzados del Maule (CIEAM), Vicerrectoría de Investigación y Postgrado, Universidad Católica del MauleInstituto Nacional de Investigación Agropecuaria, Plataforma de Investigación en Salud Animal, Estación Experimental INIA TacuarembóDepartamento de Ciencia Animal, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad de ConcepciónDepartamento de Ciencia Animal, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad de ConcepciónAgResearch, Grasslands Research CentreLaboratorio de Vectores y Enfermedades Transmitidas, Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, CENUR Litoral Norte, Universidad de la RepúblicaAbstract Background Ixodes fuscipes is a tick species found in the Southern Cone of America and the only member of the Ixodes ricinus complex present in Uruguay. Members of this complex are particularly recognized as vectors of diseases affecting human health, such as babesiosis, caused by parasites of the genus Babesia (Apicomplexa: Piroplasmida). However, even though potential hosts of I. fuscipes in Uruguay (rodents, birds, and artiodactyls) are known carriers of Babesia species, the potential role of I. fuscipes as a vector of piroplasmids has not been studied. Methods In this study, questing I. fuscipes ticks were collected from five locations in Uruguay, and the presence of piroplasmid DNA was assessed using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to amplify fragments of the small subunit ribosomal RNA (18S rRNA) and cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (COI) genes. Results A total of 953 ticks (larvae, nymphs, and adults) were collected; 14 samples (two larval pools and 12 nymphs) tested positive. Genetic analyses using 18S rDNA and COI sequences revealed the presence of undescribed Babesia lineages, belonging to the Babesia odocoilei clade and others to the Babesia microti sensu stricto clade. Conclusions This work represents the first association of Babesia spp. with I. fuscipes and highlights the importance of this type of study to detect and mitigate the emergence of diseases associated with these arthropods. Graphical Abstracthttps://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-025-06866-0Vector-borne piroplasmidsBabesia spp.Ixodes fuscipesOne HealthUruguay |
| spellingShingle | Rodrigo Alvez María L. Félix Adriana Santodomingo Pablo Parodi Richard Thomas Sebastián Muñoz-Leal Luis Carvalho José M. Venzal A survey for piroplasmids in questing Ixodes fuscipes ticks reveals undescribed Babesia lineages in Uruguay Parasites & Vectors Vector-borne piroplasmids Babesia spp. Ixodes fuscipes One Health Uruguay |
| title | A survey for piroplasmids in questing Ixodes fuscipes ticks reveals undescribed Babesia lineages in Uruguay |
| title_full | A survey for piroplasmids in questing Ixodes fuscipes ticks reveals undescribed Babesia lineages in Uruguay |
| title_fullStr | A survey for piroplasmids in questing Ixodes fuscipes ticks reveals undescribed Babesia lineages in Uruguay |
| title_full_unstemmed | A survey for piroplasmids in questing Ixodes fuscipes ticks reveals undescribed Babesia lineages in Uruguay |
| title_short | A survey for piroplasmids in questing Ixodes fuscipes ticks reveals undescribed Babesia lineages in Uruguay |
| title_sort | survey for piroplasmids in questing ixodes fuscipes ticks reveals undescribed babesia lineages in uruguay |
| topic | Vector-borne piroplasmids Babesia spp. Ixodes fuscipes One Health Uruguay |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-025-06866-0 |
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