Isolation and partial characterisation of a novel Trypanosoma from the tick Ixodes ricinus

Luu, L; Bown, K; Palomar, AM; Kazimírová, M; Bell-Sakyi, L

Abstract

Trypanosomes have long been recognised as being amongst the most important protozoan parasites of vertebrates, from both medical and veterinary perspectives. Whilst numerous insect species have been identified as vectors, the role of ticks is less well understood. Here we report the isolation and partial molecular characterisation of a novel trypanosome from questing Ixodes ricinus ticks collected in Slovakia. The trypanosome was isolated in tick cell culture and then partially characterised by microscopy and amplification of fragments of the 18S rRNA and 24Sα rDNA genes. Analysis of the resultant sequences suggests that the trypanosome designated as Trypanosoma sp. Bratislava1 may be a new species closely related to several species or strains of trypanosomes isolated from, or detected in, ticks in South America and Asia, and to Trypanosoma caninum isolated from dogs in Brazil. This study highlights the potential involvement of ixodid ticks in the epidemiology of trypanosomes, as well as the use of tick cell lines for isolation of such tick-borne protozoa. Further studies are required to investigate the epidemiology, transmission and life cycle of this putative novel species.

Citation

Luu, L., Bown, K., Palomar, A., Kazimírová, M., & Bell-Sakyi, L. (2020). Isolation and partial characterisation of a novel Trypanosoma from the tick Ixodes ricinus. Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases, 11(5), 101501. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ttbdis.2020.101501

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jun 21, 2020
• Online Publication Date: Jun 27, 2020
• Publication Date: Sep 1, 2020
• Deposit Date: Aug 6, 2020
• Publicly Available Date: Aug 6, 2020
• Journal: Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases
• Print ISSN: 1877-959X
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Volume: 11
• Issue: 5
• Pages: 101501
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ttbdis.2020.101501
• Publisher URL: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ttbdis.2020.101501
• Related Public URLs: http://www.elsevier.com/wps/product/cws_home/721452/description
• Additional Information: Funders : Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC);University of Salford Vice Chancellor’s Early Career Research Scholarship;The Tick Cell Biobank;EDENext; Grant Number: BB/N023889/2, BBS/E/1/00001741 and BB/P024270/1; Grant Number: FP7-261504