CONCLUSIONS: This study provides the first molecular evidence of H. shimoga and H. bispinosa infesting captive Samber deer, with detection of Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Theileria co-infection in Malaysia and highlights the occurrence of tick-associated pathogens in these specimens in Malaysia.

by Marisol Giacomini, Aristeidis Panagiotou, Steve G. Odette, Ariane Honfozo, Jeremy Berthelet, Angelique Amo, Joseph M. Dybas, Julia Orio-Tejada, Katarzyna Kulej, Marie Villares, Benjamin A. Garcia, Magali Hennion, Matthew D. Weitzman, Jonathan B. Weitzman Cancer hallmarks are characterized by wide-scale changes in gene expression programs. Pioneering studies showed how viral oncogenes target regulatory pathways, but little is known about tumorigenic mechanisms of non-viral pathogens. Theileria annulata is an intracellular parasite (related to apicomplexa parasites causing malaria) which remarkably transforms bovine leukocytes, hijacking host signaling pathways to induce cancer phenotypes, akin to human leukemias. While some host genes contribute to the proliferative or invasive hallmark phenotypes, there is still limited comprehensive understanding of the impact of Theileria infection on host transcription and transformation. We performed a multi-omics meta-analysis to investigate the effect of Theileria infection on cancer hallmarks in bovine B lymphocytes. Combining transcriptomic, proteomic and epigenomic analysis across multiple datasets, we show that Theileria infection suppresses host immune pathways. Specifically, genes encoding innate and adaptive immune mediators are repressed in T. annulata-infected B cells (and in T. parva infected T cells), including downregulation of genes for Toll-like receptors (TLR), inflammasome components of the guanylate binding protein (GBP) family and major histocompatibility complex class (MHC) II genes. Treatment with distinct theilericidal drugs could partially rescue immune gene expression. Mechanistically, we describe alterations in the host epigenome, including loss of activating histone modifications (e.g., H3K18ac, H3K4me3, H3K27ac) on the promoters of repressed immune genes, and enrichment of silencing marks (H3K27me3) on promoters of the BOLA genes and the gene encoding CIITA, the master transcriptional regulator of MHC class II gene expression. Our results suggest that intracellular T. annulata and T. parva parasites could drive an immune evasion cancer hallmark in host lymphocytes by epigenetic silencing of genes for innate and adaptive immunity.

by Marisol Giacomini, Aristeidis Panagiotou, Steve G. Odette, Ariane Honfozo, Jeremy Berthelet, Angelique Amo, Joseph M. Dybas, Julia Orio-Tejada, Katarzyna Kulej, Marie Villares, Benjamin A. Garcia, Magali Hennion, Matthew D. Weitzman, Jonathan B. Weitzman Cancer hallmarks are characterized by wide-scale changes in gene expression programs. Pioneering studies showed how viral oncogenes target regulatory pathways, but little is known about tumorigenic mechanisms of non-viral pathogens. Theileria annulata is an intracellular parasite (related to apicomplexa parasites causing malaria) which remarkably transforms bovine leukocytes, hijacking host signaling pathways to induce cancer phenotypes, akin to human leukemias. While some host genes contribute to the proliferative or invasive hallmark phenotypes, there is still limited comprehensive understanding of the impact of Theileria infection on host transcription and transformation. We performed a multi-omics meta-analysis to investigate the effect of Theileria infection on cancer hallmarks in bovine B lymphocytes. Combining transcriptomic, proteomic and epigenomic analysis across multiple datasets, we show that Theileria infection suppresses host immune pathways. Specifically, genes encoding innate and adaptive immune mediators are repressed in T. annulata-infected B cells (and in T. parva infected T cells), including downregulation of genes for Toll-like receptors (TLR), inflammasome components of the guanylate binding protein (GBP) family and major histocompatibility complex class (MHC) II genes. Treatment with distinct theilericidal drugs could partially rescue immune gene expression. Mechanistically, we describe alterations in the host epigenome, including loss of activating histone modifications (e.g., H3K18ac, H3K4me3, H3K27ac) on the promoters of repressed immune genes, and enrichment of silencing marks (H3K27me3) on promoters of the BOLA genes and the gene encoding CIITA, the master transcriptional regulator of MHC class II gene expression. Our results suggest that intracellular T. annulata and T. parva parasites could drive an immune evasion cancer hallmark in host lymphocytes by epigenetic silencing of genes for innate and adaptive immunity.

Artificial tick feeding systems (ATFS) enable controlled investigation of tick biology under in vitro membrane-feeding conditions. However, their application to immature stages and microbiome structure during prolonged host-free maintenance remains poorly understood. Here, we extend a recently established ATFS to the nymphal stage of Haemaphysalis longicornis, an invasive tick of global significance and the primary vector of Theileria orientalis in Australia. We provide the first integrated...

Cancer hallmarks are characterized by wide-scale changes in gene expression programs. Pioneering studies showed how viral oncogenes target regulatory pathways, but little is known about tumorigenic mechanisms of non-viral pathogens. Theileria annulata is an intracellular parasite (related to apicomplexa parasites causing malaria) which remarkably transforms bovine leukocytes, hijacking host signaling pathways to induce cancer phenotypes, akin to human leukemias. While some host genes contribute...

Pathogen surveillance contributes to the prediction of outbreaks and implementation of strategies to minimize disease transmission. White-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) host important disease vectors and often support the proliferation of associated pathogens. Such vectors include ticks: hematophagous acarids that facilitate pathogen transmission between animals through blood feeding. Piroplasmida, an order of blood-borne protozoa including Babesia and Theileria, exploits this feeding to...

Publication date: Available online 24 August 2026 Source: Veterinary Parasitology Author(s): Abdullah Azeem, Muhammad Kasib Khan, Muhammad Shahid Mahmood, Rao Zahid Abbas, Muhammad Umer Ashraf, Sultan Ali, Muhammad Adnan Sabir Mughal, Zaheer Abbas, Sundas Afresham, Mehroz Latif, Muhammad Imran, Zia ud Din Sindhu

Publication date: Available online 24 August 2026 Source: Veterinary Parasitology Author(s): Abdullah Azeem, Muhammad Kasib Khan, Muhammad Shahid Mahmood, Rao Zahid Abbas, Muhammad Umer Ashraf, Sultan Ali, Muhammad Adnan Sabir Mughal, Zaheer Abbas, Sundas Afresham, Mehroz Latif, Muhammad Imran, Zia ud Din Sindhu

CONCLUSION: This study provides the first molecular detection and comprehensive phylogenetic characterization of T. orientalis simultaneously in cattle and associated tick vectors from Wasit Province, Iraq. The findings establish the first molecular evidence linking genetically related cattle and tick isolates in the country and provide an important baseline for understanding the epidemiology of oriental theileriosis. Expanded nationwide molecular surveillance, genotype-specific characterization...

Pathogen surveillance contributes to the prediction of outbreaks and implementation of strategies to minimize disease transmission. White-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) host important disease vectors and often support the proliferation of associated pathogens. Such vectors include ticks: hematophagous acarids that facilitate pathogen transmission between animals through blood feeding. Piroplasmida, an order of blood-borne protozoa including Babesia and Theileria, exploits this feeding to infect definitive hosts. Accordingly, we investigated the prevalence of Theileria cervi infections in Massachusetts white-tailed deer. Conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to detect parasite gene fragments encoding the small ribosomal subunit (18S rRNA). Confirmation of species identity was determined by Oxford nanopore sequencing and Sequencher analysis. This revealed a 32.6% prevalence of T. cervi across Massachusetts. Whilst surveillance of deer blood uncovers parasite abundance and distribution, inversely, this allows us to also monitor vector populations. As Amblyomma americanum is the only vector implicated in the transmission of T. cervi, the detection of T. cervi in regions without anticipated Amblyomma presence may indicate expansion of vector populations. These findings provide valuable insights into the prevalence and ecology of this piroplasm and its vector, with possible implications for veterinary and public health.

Pathogen surveillance contributes to the prediction of outbreaks and implementation of strategies to minimize disease transmission. White-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) host important disease vectors and often support the proliferation of associated pathogens. Such vectors include ticks: hematophagous acarids that facilitate pathogen transmission between animals through blood feeding. Piroplasmida, an order of blood-borne protozoa including Babesia and Theileria, exploits this feeding to infect definitive hosts. Accordingly, we investigated the prevalence of Theileria cervi infections in Massachusetts white-tailed deer. Conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to detect parasite gene fragments encoding the small ribosomal subunit (18S rRNA). Confirmation of species identity was determined by Oxford nanopore sequencing and Sequencher analysis. This revealed a 32.6% prevalence of T. cervi across Massachusetts. Whilst surveillance of deer blood uncovers parasite abundance and distribution, inversely, this allows us to also monitor vector populations. As Amblyomma americanum is the only vector implicated in the transmission of T. cervi, the detection of T. cervi in regions without anticipated Amblyomma presence may indicate expansion of vector populations. These findings provide valuable insights into the prevalence and ecology of this piroplasm and its vector, with possible implications for veterinary and public health.

Tropical theileriosis is a significant health risk for cattle especially in tropical and subtropical regions where it contributes to high mortality rates and economic losses. Tick-borne protozoan parasites belonging to Theileria genera are responsible for this infection. Theileriosis has been associated with abortion and stillbirth in cattle, primarily as an indirect consequence of maternal illness; however, this association has not been investigated in Pakistan. Therefore, the present study...

Tradicionalmente considerado un parásito benigno o de baja virulencia, T. orientalis ha experimentado un cambio sustancial en la percepción de su importancia clínica en rumiantes ...

Tradicionalmente considerado un parásito benigno o de baja virulencia, T. orientalis ha experimentado un cambio sustancial en la percepción de su importancia clínica en rumiantes ...

Tradicionalmente considerado un parásito benigno o de baja virulencia, T. orientalis ha experimentado un cambio sustancial en la percepción de su importancia clínica en rumiantes ...