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. 1999 May;37(5):1548-53.
doi: 10.1128/JCM.37.5.1548-1553.1999.

Detection of enzootic babesiosis in baboons (Papio cynocephalus) and phylogenetic evidence supporting synonymy of the genera Entopolypoides and Babesia

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Detection of enzootic babesiosis in baboons (Papio cynocephalus) and phylogenetic evidence supporting synonymy of the genera Entopolypoides and Babesia

M A Bronsdon et al. J Clin Microbiol. 1999 May.

Abstract

Blood smear evaluation of two baboons (Papio cynocephalus) experiencing acute hemolytic crises following experimental stem cell transplantation revealed numerous intraerythrocytic organisms typical of the genus Babesia. Both animals had received whole-blood transfusions from two baboon donors, one of which was subsequently found to display rare trophozoites of Entopolypoides macaci. An investigation was then undertaken to determine the prevalence of hematozoa in baboons held in our primate colony and to determine the relationship, if any, between the involved species. Analysis of thick and thin blood films from 65 healthy baboons (23 originating from our breeding facility, 26 originating from an out-of-state breeding facility, and 16 imported from Africa) for hematozoa revealed rare E. macaci parasites in 31%, with respective prevalences of 39, 35, and 12%. Phylogenetic analysis of nuclear small-subunit rRNA gene sequences amplified from peripheral blood of a baboon chronically infected with E. macaci demonstrated this parasite to be most closely related to Babesia microti (97.9% sequence similarity); sera from infected animals did not react in indirect fluorescent-antibody tests with Babesia microti antigen, however, suggesting that they represent different species. These results support an emerging view that the genus Entopolypoides Mayer 1933 is synonymous with that of the genus Babesia Starcovici 1893 and that the morphological variation noted among intracellular forms is a function of alteration in host immune status. The presence of an underrecognized, but highly enzootic, Babesia sp. in baboons may result in substantial, unanticipated impact on research programs. The similarity of this parasite to the known human pathogen B. microti may also pose risks to humans undergoing xenotransplantation, mandating effective screening of donor animals.

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Figures

FIG. 1
FIG. 1
(A) Giemsa-stained thin blood film from an immunosuppressed baboon in severe hemolytic crisis secondary to fulminant Babesia infection. Note the presence of single intracellular ring-shaped trophozoites, typical piroplasms, and merozoites forming a tetrad or Maltese cross (arrow); (B) Giemsa-stained thin blood film of a healthy baboon displaying very rare accolé forms (arrow) consistent with E. macaci; (C and D) Wright’s-stained thin blood film from a baboon which had undergone splenectomy 30 days previously and had developed spontaneous parasitemia with E. macaci. Numerous delicate ring trophozoites, accolé forms (arrow in panel C), a tetrad (arrow in panel D), and erythrocytes containing multiple forms are seen. Bar = 12 μm.
FIG. 2
FIG. 2
Neighbor-joining analysis showing evolutionary relationships of 13 Babesia and Theileria species with PB-1; B. bovis, B. canis, and B. divergens represent outgroups. PB-1 appears to be most closely related to B. microti, with a sequence similarity of 97.9%. The percentages of 500 bootstrap replications in which designated groupings of species appeared are noted above the branches.

References

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