Molecular and morphological description of a Hepatozoon species in reptiles and their ticks in the Northern Territory, Australia

The Journal of Parasitology
Inger-Marie E VilcinsElizabeth Deane

Abstract

Ticks, representing 3 species of Amblyomma, were collected from the water python (Liasis fuscus) and 3 additional reptile species in the Northern Territory, Australia, and tested for the presence of Hepatozoon sp., the most common blood parasites of snakes. In addition, blood smears were collected from 5 reptiles, including the water python, and examined for the presence of the parasite. Hepatozoon sp. DNA was detected in all tick and reptile species, with 57.7% of tick samples (n = 187) and 35.6% of blood smears (n=35) showing evidence of infection. Phylogenetic analysis of the 18S rRNA gene demonstrated that half of the sequences obtained from positive tick samples matched closest with a Hepatozoon species previously identified in the water python population. The remaining sequences were found to be more closely related to mammalian and amphibian Hepatozoon species. This study confirms that species of Amblyomma harbor DNA of the same Hepatozoon species detected in the water pythons. The detection of an additional genotype suggests the ticks may be exposed to 2 Hepatozoon species, providing further opportunity to study multiple host-vector-parasite relationships.

References

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Citations

Jun 28, 2013·Journal of Medical Entomology·Aliny P AlmeidaMarcelo B Labruna
Jun 5, 2016·Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases·Ísis Assis BragaDaniel Moura Aguiar
Apr 22, 2011·The Journal of Parasitology·João P M C MaiaAna Perera
Feb 26, 2011·The Journal of Parasitology·D James HarrisAna Perera
May 7, 2020·Frontiers in Veterinary Science·Maísa Santos FonsecaRicardo Wagner Portela
Jan 16, 2021·Animals : an Open Access Journal From MDPI·Saleh Al-QuraishyRewaida Abdel-Gaber
Jan 8, 2021·Parasitology Research·Danielle BeardJulie M Old
Aug 29, 2021·Pathogens·Kimberly J LedgerSamantha M Wisely

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Methods Mentioned

BETA
PCR

Software Mentioned

Mega
Clustal
BLAST

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