Project Title: „ Assessment of magnitude and importance of vectorborne Babesiosis in Latvia: epidemiological and diagnostic approach”
Funding: European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) 1.1.1.1. measure “Support for applied research”
Project Nr.: 1.1.1.1/16/A/044
Period: 1st February 2017 – 31st January 2020
Project costs: 648 640,00 EUR
Principle Investigator: Dr.biol. R. Ranka
The aim of this project is to generate a comprehensive epidemiologic understanding of babesiosis in Latvia and to develop novel methods for epidemiological and diagnostic needs.
The project intends to compare prevalence and distribution of Babesia pathogens in Latvia that will be combined with phylogenetic and epidemiological studies to generate a comprehensive epidemiologic understanding of these infections, to identify disease risks and increase awareness about babesiosis. The pathogen typing data along with tick and clinical samples will serve as a basis for the development of novel systems of pathogen detection. Together with experienced researchers, the involvement of several PhD students is planned that will contribute to the development of human resources in science in Latvia.
Information published: 01.02.2017.
Progress of the project
1 February 2017 – 30 April 2017
Protocols for tick collections have been revised and harmonized; tick sampling sites have been planned. Sample collection from biotopes and animals has been started. DNS isolation and Babesia detection in tick samples has been started. The analysis of molecular identity and relationships between different Babesia isolates in tick and animal samples has been started. DNA isolation and Babesia detection in first clinical samples was performed by 18S rRNA gene PCR amplification followed by sequencing. Topic-related scientific literature has been studied.
Information published: 28.04.2017.
Progress of the project:
1 May 2017 – 31 July 2017
Sample collection from different Latvian regions and biotopes by flagging method has been continued. During the tick activity period in spring more than 500 tick samples have been collected. Tick species, development stage and gender has been analysed. Available DNS samples have been analysed by PCR and sequencing methods. The data analysis of ticks` activity and distribution in different Latvian regions during the spring tick activity period has been started. The analysis of prevalence of Dermacentor ticks in different biotopes has been started. Sample collection from animals has been continued.
The analysis of molecular identity and relationships between different Babesia isolates in tick and animal samples has been continued. Clinical samples from companion animals have been collected followed by DNA isolation. Detection of tick-borne pathogens in these DNA samples was performed by PCR amplification followed by sequencing analysis. Babesia species have been identified by 18S rRNA gene amplification. Up to date available clinical information have been collected and microscopy of blood samples has been performed. Phylogenetic analysis of available Babesia canis 18S rRNA gene sequences has been continued. Topic-related scientific literature has been studied.
Information published: 31.07.2017.
Progress of the project:
1 August 2017 – 31 Oktober 2017
Sample collection from different Latvian regions and biotopes by flagging method has been performed during the tick activity period in autumn. More than 300 Ixodes and Dermacentor tick samples have been collected. Tick species, development stage and gender has been analysed. Available DNS samples have been analysed by PCR and sequencing methods to detect tick-borne pathogen species. Sample collection from animals has been continued. The data available to date have been analysed and presented during the international conference.
Information published: 31.10.2017.
Progress of the project:
1 November 2017 – 31 January 2018
DNA sample analysis for more than 700 Ixodes and Dermacentor ticks from different Latvian regions and biotopes has been performed by 18S rRNA PCR. Sample analysis from animals has been continued. The data available to date revealed that not all clinical samples were Babesia DNA-positive. On the other hand, Babesia pathogens have been detected in clinically healthy animals suggesting a subclinical babesiosis carrier state in these animals. In some cases, a different pathogen (i.e. Anaplasma) has been detected in the symptomatic animal. Altogether, our data suggest that a Babesia coinfection could not be excluded, thus all samples have to be tested for all clinically important tick-borne pathogens.
Information published: 31.01.2018.
Progress of the project:
1 February 2018 – 30 April 2018
Sample analysis from ticks and animals (collected in year 2017) has been continued. The results showed significant prevalence of Babesia pathogens in ticks removed from domestic dogs. Four different Babesia species were detected in these samples, including human- and animals-pathogenic species. B. canis canis was a sole genospecies detected in the clinical samples of dogs so far. The circulation of several clinically-relevant Babesia in Ixodes and Dermacentor ticks in Latvia indicates high risk of a possible exposure. The results were presented in an international conference.
Information published: 27.04.2018.
Progress of the project:
1 May 2018 – 31 July 2018
DNA sample analysis of tick samples collected in year 2017 has been done aimed to detect Anaplasma and Borrelia pathogens in these samples. Morphological analysis of tick samples collected in 2018 has been performed. The DNA and RNA isolation from ticks collected in 2018 has been started. Despite of the unusual hot and dry weather, which affected tick activity and animals` behaviour, we have received clinical samples from veterinarians and molecular analysis has been performed. Anaplasma and Babesia pathogens were detected in several samples. Further, several additional genes have been selected for the Babesia phylogenetic analysis. The development of molecular analysis – based methods for simultaneous detection of Anaplasma, Babesia and Borrelia pathogens has been started.
Information published: 31.07.2018.
Progress of the project:
1 August 2018 – 31 October 2018
DNA isolation from ticks and animals` samples (collected in year 2018) and DNA molecular analysis has been continued. The RNA isolation has been performed too. At present moment, more than 700 DNA samples have been obtained from ticks collected in different regions of Latvia in 2018. Several additional genes have been selected and tested for the Babesia phylogenetic analysis, such as RPS8, HSP70, BC28 and MSA2. Mapping of hotspots of babesiosis in Latvia has been continued by adding novel data (obtained for the 2018 year samples).
Information published: 31.10.2018.
Progress of the project:
1 November 2018 – 31 January 2019
DNA isolation from ticks and animals` samples which were collected in year 2018 has been successfully finished. The obtained results indicate the presence of Babesia canis canis, Babesia microti, Babesia sp. venatorum un Babesia capreoli in Latvia. These Babesia species are important human and animal pathogens. Babesia canis canis is highly associated with Dermacentor reticulatus ticks in Latvia, and the spreading of this tick species occurred much further. The analysis of obtained results has been performed and the preparation of manuscript was started.
Information published: 31.01.2019.
Progress of the project:
1 February 2019 – 30 April 2019
The analysis of the data obtained for the 2017.-2018. tick season has been performed. All main milestones proposed for the project`s interim report have been successfully reached. Based on the available data the thesis for the RSU International conference has been prepared and presented as poster presentation during the event, as well as the manuscript has been prepared and submitted to the journal. Because of the fine and warm weather, tick collection has been started in April. Our main focus during this year`s tick season is on the Vidzeme and Latgale regions.
Information published: 30.04.2019.
Progress of the project:
1 May 2019 – 31 July 2019
Within this period, we did DNA isolation from tick samples collected in year 2019; isolation of RNA was also started. The analysis of pathogens` prevalence data has been performed. Analysis of several genes suitable for novel monitoring method has been performed. Based on the available results several theses for the international conference have been prepared and presented as poster presentations during the event. Also, detection and genotyping of tick-borne pathogens in the year 2019 tick samples was successfully started.
Information published: 31.07.2019.
Progress of the project:
1 August 2019 – 31 October 2019
Within this period we performed data analysis about Babesia-positive clinical samples from dogs and a manuscript was prepared. Analysis of babesia, borrelia and rickettsia foci and prevalence in ticks in Latvia was conducted. The performance of the real-time PCR method for Babesia canis and Anaplasma was assessed. Next generation sequencing-based analysis of tick samples was continued. The results were presented at international conferences.
Information published: 31.10.2019.
Progress of the project:
1 November 2019 – 31 January 2020
A compilation of the data and results obtained during the project was carried out. Analysis of Babesia isolates pointed to two clusters of diseases distributed in Latvia.
The development of a molecular method allowing simultaneous detection of Babesia and Anaplasma infections in clinical samples from animals was completed. A protocol for the new real-time PCR-based method has been prepared. Scientific articles were prepared and submitted to internationally cited journals.
The aim of the project was to create a comprehensive epidemiological understanding of babesiosis in Latvia and to develop new methods for epidemiological and diagnostic purposes. The results showed that the occurrence of canine babesiosis in Latvia is most likely related to the spread of the new tick species D. reticulatus, however, other factors are involved in the pathogen distribution process. Phylogenetic results of B. canis indicate the existence of two large disease clusters in the territory of Latvia. During the project we were also able to find out the current situation of tick-borne pathogens in the country and their prevalence data in Latvian ticks was obtained. A real-time PCR-based method for simultaneous detection of B. canis and A. phagocytophilum in canine clinical specimens has been successfully developed, and all planned design indicators and conditions have been met.
Information published: 31.01.2020.