First detection and phylogenetic analysis of Trypanosoma species in European wolves and bears: discovery of novel haplotypes
Abstract Wild carnivores may be important sources of emerging zoonotic pathogens worldwide, however, specific data concerning their presence in large carnivores are limited. The genus Trypanosoma (protozoan parasites) comprises numerous species adapted to all classes of vertebrates. This genus inclu...
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2025-02-01
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| author | Blanka Orłowska Magdalena Świsłocka-Cutter Katarzyna Filip-Hutsch Daniel Młocicki Adam Olszewski Marek Asman Krzysztof Anusz Joanna Werszko |
| author_facet | Blanka Orłowska Magdalena Świsłocka-Cutter Katarzyna Filip-Hutsch Daniel Młocicki Adam Olszewski Marek Asman Krzysztof Anusz Joanna Werszko |
| author_sort | Blanka Orłowska |
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| description | Abstract Wild carnivores may be important sources of emerging zoonotic pathogens worldwide, however, specific data concerning their presence in large carnivores are limited. The genus Trypanosoma (protozoan parasites) comprises numerous species adapted to all classes of vertebrates. This genus includes highly pathogenic species, such as T. brucei ssp., T. congolense or T. vivax. The aim of this study was to expand on the ecological or zoonotic significance of detecting Trypanosoma in large carnivores. Samples from free-living carnivores (n = 26) were collected. The diversity and occurrence of Trypanosoma species among wildlife in Europe were investigated through the analysis of 18S rRNA gene sequences. The phylogenetic analysis showed three new haplotypes of the 18S rRNA gene of Trypanosoma sp. isolated from two grey wolves (Canis lupus) and two brown bears (Ursus arctos). To the best of our knowledge, this this study represents the first detection of trypanosomes in large carnivores in Europe. The detection of Trypanosoma sp. was achieved through nested- PCR amplification. Furthermore, the identification of new haplotypes of these protozoan highlights variability within Trypanosoma sp., which could lead to the emergence of new, potentially more virulent variants of these parasites in wild animal populations, posing a potential threat to their health. Moreover, these findings underscore the need for further research to comprehensively understand the diversity, distribution, and potential impact of Trypanosoma species on the populations of large carnivores. |
| format | Article |
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| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2045-2322 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-02-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
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| spelling | doaj-art-e0e1c8040c834516b27b893deb70ddcc2025-02-09T12:28:35ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-02-011511910.1038/s41598-025-88397-3First detection and phylogenetic analysis of Trypanosoma species in European wolves and bears: discovery of novel haplotypesBlanka Orłowska0Magdalena Świsłocka-Cutter1Katarzyna Filip-Hutsch2Daniel Młocicki3Adam Olszewski4Marek Asman5Krzysztof Anusz6Joanna Werszko7Department of Food Hygiene and Public Health Protection, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, University of Life Sciences (SGGW)Department of Zoology and Genetics, Faculty of Biology, University of BiałystokDepartment of Food Hygiene and Public Health Protection, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, University of Life Sciences (SGGW)Department of General Biology and Parasitology, Medical University of WarsawKampinos National ParkDepartment of Medical and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Zabrze, Medical University of Silesia in KatowiceDepartment of Food Hygiene and Public Health Protection, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, University of Life Sciences (SGGW)Department of General Biology and Parasitology, Medical University of WarsawAbstract Wild carnivores may be important sources of emerging zoonotic pathogens worldwide, however, specific data concerning their presence in large carnivores are limited. The genus Trypanosoma (protozoan parasites) comprises numerous species adapted to all classes of vertebrates. This genus includes highly pathogenic species, such as T. brucei ssp., T. congolense or T. vivax. The aim of this study was to expand on the ecological or zoonotic significance of detecting Trypanosoma in large carnivores. Samples from free-living carnivores (n = 26) were collected. The diversity and occurrence of Trypanosoma species among wildlife in Europe were investigated through the analysis of 18S rRNA gene sequences. The phylogenetic analysis showed three new haplotypes of the 18S rRNA gene of Trypanosoma sp. isolated from two grey wolves (Canis lupus) and two brown bears (Ursus arctos). To the best of our knowledge, this this study represents the first detection of trypanosomes in large carnivores in Europe. The detection of Trypanosoma sp. was achieved through nested- PCR amplification. Furthermore, the identification of new haplotypes of these protozoan highlights variability within Trypanosoma sp., which could lead to the emergence of new, potentially more virulent variants of these parasites in wild animal populations, posing a potential threat to their health. Moreover, these findings underscore the need for further research to comprehensively understand the diversity, distribution, and potential impact of Trypanosoma species on the populations of large carnivores.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-88397-3TrypanosomaWild carnivoresCanis lupusUrsus arctos |
| spellingShingle | Blanka Orłowska Magdalena Świsłocka-Cutter Katarzyna Filip-Hutsch Daniel Młocicki Adam Olszewski Marek Asman Krzysztof Anusz Joanna Werszko First detection and phylogenetic analysis of Trypanosoma species in European wolves and bears: discovery of novel haplotypes Scientific Reports Trypanosoma Wild carnivores Canis lupus Ursus arctos |
| title | First detection and phylogenetic analysis of Trypanosoma species in European wolves and bears: discovery of novel haplotypes |
| title_full | First detection and phylogenetic analysis of Trypanosoma species in European wolves and bears: discovery of novel haplotypes |
| title_fullStr | First detection and phylogenetic analysis of Trypanosoma species in European wolves and bears: discovery of novel haplotypes |
| title_full_unstemmed | First detection and phylogenetic analysis of Trypanosoma species in European wolves and bears: discovery of novel haplotypes |
| title_short | First detection and phylogenetic analysis of Trypanosoma species in European wolves and bears: discovery of novel haplotypes |
| title_sort | first detection and phylogenetic analysis of trypanosoma species in european wolves and bears discovery of novel haplotypes |
| topic | Trypanosoma Wild carnivores Canis lupus Ursus arctos |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-88397-3 |
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