Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42101751›Full record

SynthesisTropical animal health and production2026

Next-generation sequencing in tick-borne apicomplexan parasites: approaches for Theileria and Babesia, a systematic review.

Daniel Mukandabvute, Noah Herbert Paul, Kgomotso Sibeko-Matjila, Valérie Pinarello, Nyasha Chin'ombe, Ephraim Chauke, Chenai Majuru, Hélène M De Nys, Leonard Madzingaidzo, Thokozani Hove

Abstract readSystematic Review
PubMed Publisher
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Tropical animal health and production, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

10 authors.

Daniel MukandabvuteVeterinary Vaccinology Unit, Food and Biomedical Technology Institute, Scientific and Industrial Research and Development Centre, Harare, Zimbabwe. danielmukandabvute@gmail.com.ORCID http://orcid.org/0009-0005-6114-319X
Noah Herbert PaulVeterinary Vaccinology Unit, Food and Biomedical Technology Institute, Scientific and Industrial Research and Development Centre, Harare, Zimbabwe.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-8473-943X
Kgomotso Sibeko-MatjilaDepartment of Veterinary Tropical Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-1139-7333
Valérie PinarelloVeterinary Biosciences, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-9209-2111
Nyasha Chin'ombeLaboratory Diagnostic and Investigative Sciences, Medical Microbiology Unit, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0977-610X
Ephraim ChaukeVeterinary Vaccinology Unit, Food and Biomedical Technology Institute, Scientific and Industrial Research and Development Centre, Harare, Zimbabwe.
Chenai MajuruCentral Veterinary Laboratory, Directorate of Veterinary Services, Harare, Zimbabwe.
Hélène M De NysVeterinary Biosciences, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-2942-4531
Leonard MadzingaidzoVeterinary Vaccinology Unit, Food and Biomedical Technology Institute, Scientific and Industrial Research and Development Centre, Harare, Zimbabwe.
Thokozani HoveVeterinary Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe.ORCID http://orcid.org/0009-0001-6888-7619

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundTick-borne apicomplexan parasites are a threat to livestock health and human life, underscoring parasite significance within the One Health Framework. Advances in sequencing provide vital insights into parasite diversity, genetic composition, and behavior, supporting improved prevention and control strategies. This review synthesizes sequencing approaches applied to Theileria and Babesia, highlighting how evolving technologies are reshaping comprehension of parasite variation and gene function.

methodsA systematic analysis was conducted using five databases -Wiley Online Library, ScienceDirect, SpringerLink, PubMed, and the Africa Online Journals (AJOL), and Google Scholar. The Joanna Briggs Institute critical appraisal checklist was used for managing data bias and the PRISMA guidelines flow diagram summarized the data selection criteria.

resultsA total of 127 articles (1995 to 2025) were synthesized, representing the first systematic synthesis of sequencing approaches for Theileria and Babesia. The review highlights three sampling approaches used in sequencing; infected host tissue, parasite culture and questing ticks. Emerging sequencing technologies such as Oxford Nanopore present promising opportunities for direct RNA sequencing, complementing existing platforms. Sequencing advances have revealed hypervariable genetic regions with direct implications for improved variant detection and surveillance, and vaccine target discovery. Whole-genome and transcriptome sequencing have uncovered key gene families essential for host specificity and parasite survival, paving way for potential targets for parasite control strategies in livestock and human health, while reassembly of older genomes has enhanced resolution of genetic variation.

conclusionAdvances in genome sequencing have enhanced our understanding of parasite biology and reshaped parasite detection, surveillance, and vaccine development. CLINICAL TRIAL NUMBER: Not applicable.

Indexed as

BabesiaHigh-Throughput Nucleotide SequencingTheileriaAnimalsBabesiosisHumansTheileriasisTick-Borne DiseasesTicksAntigenic discoveryGene functionGenotypingNucleotide sequencingTick-borne diseases

Identifiers

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.