Detection of a novel Babesia sp. in Amblyomma javanense, an ectoparasite of Sunda pangolins.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Babesia is a protozoal, tick-borne parasite that can cause life-threatening disease in humans, wildlife and domestic animals worldwide. However, in Southeast Asia, little is known about the prevalence and diversity of Babesia species present in wildlife and the tick vectors responsible for its transmission. Recently, a novel Babesia species was reported in confiscated Sunda pangolins (Manis javanica) in Thailand. To investigate the presence of this parasite in Singapore, we conducted a molecular survey of Babesia spp. in free-roaming Sunda pangolins and their main ectoparasite, the Amblyomma javanense tick.

Methods

Ticks and tissue samples were opportunistically collected from live and dead Sunda pangolins and screened using a PCR assay targeting the 18S rRNA gene

SUBMITTER: Chong SQY 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10664631 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature