A new subspecies of Trypanosoma cyclops found in the Australian terrestrial leech Chtonobdella bilineata
Research article published in Parasitology (2021)
Abstract
Previously, it was suggested that haemadipsid leeches represent an important vector of trypanosomes amongst native animals in Australia. Consequently, Chtonobdella bilineata leeches were investigated for the presence of trypanosome species by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), DNA sequencing and in vitro isolation. Phylogenetic analysis ensued to further define the populations present. PCR targeting the 28S rDNA demonstrated that over 95% of C. bilineata contained trypanosomes; diversity profiling by deep amplicon sequencing of 18S rDNA indicated the presence of four different clusters related to the Trypanosoma (Megatrypanum) theileri. Novy–MacNeal–Nicolle slopes with liquid overlay were used to isolate trypanosomes into culture that proved similar in morphology to Trypanosoma cyclops in that they contained a large numbers of acidocalcisomes. Phylogeny of 18S rDNA/GAPDH/ND5 DNA sequences from primary cultures and subclones showed the trypanosomes were monophyletic, with T. cyclops as a sister group. Blood-meal analysis of leeches showed that leeches primarily contained blood from swamp wallaby (Wallabia bicolour), human (Homo sapiens) or horse (Equus sp.). The leech C. bilineata is a host for at least five lineages of Trypanosoma sp. and these are monophyletic with T. cyclops; we propose Trypanosoma cyclops australiensis as a subspecies of T. cyclops based on genetic similarity and biogeography considerations.
Abstract sourced from PubMed (NCBI) for the cited record. See the original publication for the authoritative version.
Resumen
Peer-reviewed clinical and outcomes research relevant to anticoagulation, leech therapy, and microsurgical flap management. Indexed in PubMed and verified against the NCBI record.
Por qué esto importa para la hirudoterapia
Mediante PCR, secuenciación de ADN, cultivo in vitro y análisis filogenético, este estudio encontró que más del 95% de la lombriz terrestre australiana Chtonobdella bilineata portaba tripanosomas, identificó al menos cinco linajes de Trypanosoma monofiléticos con T. cyclops y propuso una nueva subespecie, T. cyclops australiensis, con análisis de la ingesta de sangre que mostró alimentación sobre wallaby pantanoso, humano y caballo. La relevancia para la hirudoterapia es un recordatorio de que las sanguijuelas son vectores alimentados por sangre cuyo intestino puede albergar microorganismos transmisibles, lo que refuerza por qué la hirudoterapia utiliza Hirudo medicinalis controlados y de uso único de fuentes reguladas en lugar de sanguijuelas recolectadas en la naturaleza. Este es un estudio básico de parasitología/biología vectorial de una especie terrestre no medicinal en Australia, por lo que no tiene implicación clínica directa para la hirudoterapia y no evalúa el riesgo de infección humana de sanguijuelas médicas.
Citación
A new subspecies of Trypanosoma cyclops found in the Australian terrestrial leech Chtonobdella bilineata.
Ellis et al. · Parasitology, 2021
Contexto clínico relacionado
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Añadido a la biblioteca ASH: May 28, 2026 · Última actualización del sitio: June 18, 2026