Endemisation and management of Babesia divergens on a beef production farm.

Autor:	Springer A; Institute for Parasitology, Centre for Infection Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Buenteweg 17, 30559, Hanover, Germany., Jordan D; Institute for Parasitology, Centre for Infection Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Buenteweg 17, 30559, Hanover, Germany., Höltershinken M; Clinic for Cattle, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Bischofsholer Damm 15, 30173, Hanover, Germany., Barutzki D; Tierärztliches Labor Freiburg GmbH, Engesserstraße 4b, 79108, Freiburg, Germany., Strube C; Institute for Parasitology, Centre for Infection Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Buenteweg 17, 30559, Hanover, Germany.
Jazyk:	angličtina
Zdroj:	Current research in parasitology & vector-borne diseases [Curr Res Parasitol Vector Borne Dis] 2024 Jun 14; Vol. 6, pp. 100188. Date of Electronic Publication: 2024 Jun 14 (Print Publication: 2024).
DOI:	10.1016/j.crpvbd.2024.100188
Abstrakt:	The hard tick Ixodes ricinus transmits a variety of zoonotic pathogens, including Babesia divergens , the most common cause of bovine babesiosis in northern Europe. In endemic areas, cattle are rarely clinically affected, as animals up to the age of nine months are resistant against relevant clinical disease and develop protective premunity. However, outbreaks in immunologically naïve herds may lead to considerable losses. Such an outbreak with a high mortality rate occurred in 2018 on a northern German beef production farm, as previously reported. The present study provides an update on the epidemiological situation and management strategy of the farm. In spring 2022, blood samples were taken from 46 animals for PCR and serological testing before pasture turnout. Although no clinical cases had been noticed since 2019, B. divergens DNA was detected by quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR), followed by amplification and sequencing of the 18S rRNA gene, in 6.5% (3/46) of cattle blood samples. Presence of anti- B. divergens antibodies was confirmed in 26.1% (12/46) of animals, while further 10.9% (5/46) had a borderline antibody titre. The antibody status of 23 of these animals had already been determined in 2018 and/or 2020, revealing fluctuating titre patterns indicative of repeated pathogen exposure. Moreover, 457 questing I. ricinus specimens collected on the farm's pastures and 83 I. ricinus specimens detached from cattle were screened for Babesia spp. DNA by qPCR, followed by 18S rDNA amplification and sequencing. Endemisation of B. divergens was confirmed by 0.9% (4/457) positive questing I. ricinus , while the ticks detached from cattle were Babesia -negative. The farm's management strategy includes annual metaphylactic treatment with imidocarb dipropionate during the main tick exposure period in spring. However, the antibody titre fluctuations and the persistent infections at the end of the housing period indicate that the absence of clinical disease is primarily due to a rising level of premunity. Metaphylactic treatment with imidocarb seems to be a suitable management option to protect newly acquired immunologically naïve animals. The endemisation of B. divergens is also of public health significance, as the pastures are located close to a tourist destination in a popular hiking area. Competing Interests: The authors declare the following financial interests/personal relationships which may be considered as potential competing interests: Dieter Barutzki acted as Managing Director of the diagnostic Tierärztliches Labor Freiburg GmbH and had research collaborations with veterinary pharmaceutical companies; Christina Strube has repeatedly lectured for and acted as a consultant for diagnostic and (veterinary) pharmaceutical companies and has previous and ongoing research collaborations with various diagnostic and (veterinary) pharmaceutical companies. The other authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper. (© 2024 The Authors.)
Databáze:	MEDLINE
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