Tickborne <i>Colpodella</i> Species Infections: Time for a New Integrated Approach to Understand Transmission and Pathogenicity
<i>Colpodella</i> species are free-living predatory protists that prey on algae, ciliates and bodonids using myzocytosis. <i>Colpodella</i> species have been reported in human and animal infections. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using primers targeting 18S rRNA genes of <...
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| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2025-05-01
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| Series: | Zoonotic Diseases |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2813-0227/5/2/14 |
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| Summary: | <i>Colpodella</i> species are free-living predatory protists that prey on algae, ciliates and bodonids using myzocytosis. <i>Colpodella</i> species have been reported in human and animal infections. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using primers targeting 18S rRNA genes of <i>Cryptosporidium</i> and piroplasms have identified <i>Colpodella</i> species in arthropods, host blood and feces, demonstrating the phylogenetic closeness of <i>Colpodella</i> species to the apicomplexa. However, in human, animal and arthropod hosts, the life cycle stages of <i>Colpodella</i> are unknown. In this literature review, we provide an overview of the widespread occurrence of <i>Colpodella</i> species in ticks, and pathogenicity in humans and animals. We discuss methods for culture and microscopy that can aid diagnosis. Phylogenetic tree analysis of <i>Colpodella</i> species identified using 18S rRNA demonstrates that the <i>Colpodella</i> species identified in different geographic regions represent different species and strains that may impact virulence and zoonotic transmission. There is a pressing need to culture <i>Colpodella</i> species, and to stain cells for morphological identification. This will aid molecular investigations aimed at identifying molecular markers of <i>Colpodella</i> spp. facilitating transmission, survival and pathogenesis in hosts, and will determine which species and strains to prioritize for the risk of zoonotic infections to humans and for infections in animals. |
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| ISSN: | 2813-0227 |