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Kim TK, Tirloni L, Pinto AFM, Diedrich JK, Moresco JJ, Yates JR, da Silva Vaz I, Mulenga A. Time-resolved proteomic profile of Amblyomma americanum tick saliva during feeding. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2020; 14:e0007758. [PMID: 32049966 PMCID: PMC7041860 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0007758] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2019] [Revised: 02/25/2020] [Accepted: 01/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Amblyomma americanum ticks transmit more than a third of human tick-borne disease (TBD) agents in the United States. Tick saliva proteins are critical to success of ticks as vectors of TBD agents, and thus might serve as targets in tick antigen-based vaccines to prevent TBD infections. We describe a systems biology approach to identify, by LC-MS/MS, saliva proteins (tick = 1182, rabbit = 335) that A. americanum ticks likely inject into the host every 24 h during the first 8 days of feeding, and towards the end of feeding. Searching against entries in GenBank grouped tick and rabbit proteins into 27 and 25 functional categories. Aside from housekeeping-like proteins, majority of tick saliva proteins belong to the tick-specific (no homology to non-tick organisms: 32%), protease inhibitors (13%), proteases (8%), glycine-rich proteins (6%) and lipocalins (4%) categories. Global secretion dynamics analysis suggests that majority (74%) of proteins in this study are associated with regulating initial tick feeding functions and transmission of pathogens as they are secreted within 24–48 h of tick attachment. Comparative analysis of the A. americanum tick saliva proteome to five other tick saliva proteomes identified 284 conserved tick saliva proteins: we speculate that these regulate critical tick feeding functions and might serve as tick vaccine antigens. We discuss our findings in the context of understanding A. americanum tick feeding physiology as a means through which we can find effective targets for a vaccine against tick feeding. The lone star tick, Amblyomma americanum, is a medically important species in US that transmits 5 of the 16 reported tick-borne disease agents. Most recently, bites of this tick were associated with red meat allergies in humans. Vaccination of animals against tick feeding has been shown to be a sustainable and an effective alternative to current acaricide based tick control method which has several limitations. The pre-requisite to tick vaccine development is to understand the molecular basis of tick feeding physiology. Toward this goal, this study has identified proteins that A. americanum ticks inject into the host at different phases of its feeding cycle. This data set has identified proteins that A. americanum inject into the host within 24–48 h of feeding before it starts to transmit pathogens. Of high importance, we identified 284 proteins that are present in saliva of other tick species, which we suspect regulate important role(s) in tick feeding success and might represent rich source target antigens for a tick vaccine. Overall, this study provides a foundation to understand the molecular mechanisms regulating tick feeding physiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tae Kwon Kim
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, United States of America
| | - Lucas Tirloni
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, United States of America
- Centro de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Antônio F. M. Pinto
- Foundation Peptide Biology Lab, Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, Californai, United States of America
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | - Jolene K. Diedrich
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California, United States of America
- Mass Spectrometry Core, Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | - James J. Moresco
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California, United States of America
- Mass Spectrometry Core, Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | - John R. Yates
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | - Itabajara da Silva Vaz
- Centro de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
- Faculdade de Veterinária, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Albert Mulenga
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Platts-Mills TAE, Commins SP, Biedermann T, van Hage M, Levin M, Beck LA, Diuk-Wasser M, Jappe U, Apostolovic D, Minnicozzi M, Plaut M, Wilson JM. On the cause and consequences of IgE to galactose-α-1,3-galactose: A report from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Workshop on Understanding IgE-Mediated Mammalian Meat Allergy. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2020; 145:1061-1071. [PMID: 32057766 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2020.01.047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2019] [Revised: 01/29/2020] [Accepted: 01/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The mammalian meat allergy known as the "α-Gal syndrome" relates to IgE specific for galactose-α-1,3-galactose (α-Gal), an oligosaccharide that is present in cells and tissues of nonprimate mammals. The recognition of delayed reactions to food derived from mammals in patients with IgE to α-Gal and also the association with tick bites have been increasing worldwide. In 2018, the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Division of Allergy, Immunology and Transplantation, sponsored a workshop on this emerging tick-related disease. International experts from the fields of tick biology, allergy, immunology, infectious disease, and dermatology discussed the current state of our understanding of this emerging medical condition. The participants provided suggestions for specific research priorities and for the development of resources to advance our knowledge of the mechanisms, diagnosis, management, and prevention of this allergic disease. This publication is a summary of the workshop and the panel's recommendations are presented herein.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Scott P Commins
- Departments of Medicine & Pediatrics, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC
| | - Tilo Biedermann
- Department of Dermatology and Allergy, Technical University of Munich and Unit Clinical Allergology (EKA), Helmholtz Zentrum München, Munich, Germany
| | - Marianne van Hage
- Division of Immunology and Allergy, Department of Medicine Solna, Karolinska Institutet and University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Michael Levin
- Division of Paediatric Allergy, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Lisa A Beck
- Department of Dermatology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY
| | - Maria Diuk-Wasser
- Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Environmental Biology, Columbia University, New York, NY
| | - Uta Jappe
- Division of Clinical and Molecular Allergology, Research Center Borstel, Airway Research, Center North (ARCN), Member of the German Center for Lung Research, Borstel, Germany; Interdisciplinary Allergy Outpatient Clinic, Department of Pneumology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Danijela Apostolovic
- Division of Immunology and Allergy, Department of Medicine Solna, Karolinska Institutet and University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Michael Minnicozzi
- Division of Allergy, Immunology and Transplantation, Allergy, Asthma and Airway Biology Branch, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, NIH, Rockville, Md
| | - Marshall Plaut
- Division of Allergy, Immunology and Transplantation, Allergy, Asthma and Airway Biology Branch, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, NIH, Rockville, Md
| | - Jeffrey M Wilson
- Division of Allergy & Clinical Immunology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Va
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Lehane A, Parise C, Evans C, Beati L, Nicholson WL, Eisen RJ. Reported County-Level Distribution of the American Dog Tick (Acari: Ixodidae) in the Contiguous United States. JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY 2020; 57:131-155. [PMID: 31368492 PMCID: PMC8911316 DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjz119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2019] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
In the United States, tick-borne diseases are increasing in incidence and cases are reported over an expanding geographical area. Avoiding tick bites is a key strategy in tick-borne disease prevention, and this requires current and accurate information on where humans are at risk for exposure to ticks. Based on a review of published literature and records in the U.S. National Tick Collection and National Ecological Observatory Network databases, we compiled an updated county-level map showing the reported distribution of the American dog tick, Dermacentor variabilis (Say). We show that this vector of the bacterial agents causing Rocky Mountain spotted fever and tularemia is widely distributed, with records derived from 45 states across the contiguous United States. However, within these states, county-level records of established tick populations are limited. Relative to the range of suitable habitat for this tick, our data imply that D. variabilis is currently underreported in the peer-reviewed literature, highlighting a need for improved surveillance and documentation of existing tick records.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aine Lehane
- Bacterial Diseases Branch, Division of Vector-Borne Diseases, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 3156 Rampart Road, Fort Collins, CO 80521
| | - Christina Parise
- Bacterial Diseases Branch, Division of Vector-Borne Diseases, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 3156 Rampart Road, Fort Collins, CO 80521
| | - Colleen Evans
- U.S. National Tick Collection, Institute for Coastal Plain Science, Georgia Southern University, 202 Georgia Avenue, Statesboro, GA 30460
| | - Lorenza Beati
- U.S. National Tick Collection, Institute for Coastal Plain Science, Georgia Southern University, 202 Georgia Avenue, Statesboro, GA 30460
| | - William L. Nicholson
- Rickettsial Zoonoses Branch, 1600 Clifton Road, NE, Division of Vector-Borne Diseases, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30333
| | - Rebecca J. Eisen
- Bacterial Diseases Branch, Division of Vector-Borne Diseases, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 3156 Rampart Road, Fort Collins, CO 80521
- Corresponding author,
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Ghafar A, Cabezas-Cruz A, Galon C, Obregon D, Gasser RB, Moutailler S, Jabbar A. Bovine ticks harbour a diverse array of microorganisms in Pakistan. Parasit Vectors 2020; 13:1. [PMID: 31900233 PMCID: PMC6942265 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-019-3862-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 96] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2019] [Accepted: 12/19/2019] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ticks and tick-borne pathogens (TTBP) are a major constraint to livestock production in Pakistan; despite a high prevalence of TTBPs, knowledge on the capacity of Pakistani ticks to carry pathogens and endosymbionts is limited. Furthermore, mixed infections with multiple microorganisms further complicate and limit the detection potential of traditional diagnostic methods. The present study investigated the tick-borne microorganisms in bovine ticks in Pakistan, employing a high-throughput microfluidic real-time PCR based technique. METHODS Ticks were collected from clinically healthy cattle (n = 116) and water buffaloes (n = 88) from 30 villages across six districts located in five agro-ecological zones (AEZs) of Pakistan from September to November 2017. The microfluidic real-time PCR was used to test the genomic DNA of individual ticks for the presence of 27 bacterial and eight parasitic microorganisms. Phylogenetic methods were used to assess the genetic relationship of DNA sequences determined herein. RESULTS PCR detected DNA of at least one microorganism in each of 221 ticks tested (94.4%, 221/234). DNA-based detection inferred that single pathogens/endosymbionts were the most common (43.4%, 96/221) followed by double (38.9%, 86/221), triple (14.5%, 32/221), quadruple (2.3%, 5/221) and quintuple (0.9%, 2/221) mixed infections. Piroplasms (Babesia/Theileria spp.) were the most prevalent (31.6%, 74/234), followed by Ehrlichia spp. (20%, 47/234) and Anaplasma marginale (7.7%, 18/234). Anaplasma phagocytophilum, A. ovis, A. centrale, Babesia ovis, Borrelia spp., Rickettsia spp., R. massiliae, Bartonella spp. and Hepatozoon spp. were also detected. Endosymbionts such as Francisella-like (91.5%, 214/234) and Coxiella-like (1.3%, 3/234) organisms were also detected in ticks. The highest diversity of microorganisms was detected in Hyalomma anatolicum ticks (test-positive for 14/14 microorganisms), followed by Rhipicephalus microplus (4/14), Hy. hussaini (3/14) and Rh. annulatus (2/14). Ticks collected from cattle carried significantly more frequently piroplasms (41.2%, 54/131; P < 0.05) than those from buffaloes (19.4%, 20/103). However, the overall prevalence of microorganisms did not vary significantly among ticks from the two host species as well as across different AEZs. CONCLUSIONS To our knowledge, this is the first study to investigate a wide range of tick-borne microorganisms in bovine ticks using a high-throughput diagnostic method from different AEZs in Pakistan. These findings will aid in establishing the distribution patterns and the control of tick-borne pathogens of bovines in Pakistan.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdul Ghafar
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Melbourne Veterinary School, The University of Melbourne, Werribee, VIC, 3030, Australia
| | - Alejandro Cabezas-Cruz
- UMR BIPAR, INRAE, ANSES, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, Université Paris-Est, 94700, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Clemence Galon
- UMR BIPAR, INRAE, ANSES, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, Université Paris-Est, 94700, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Dasiel Obregon
- Center for Nuclear Energy in Agriculture, University of Sao Paulo, Piracicaba, 13400-970, Brazil.,School of Environmental Sciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Robin B Gasser
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Melbourne Veterinary School, The University of Melbourne, Werribee, VIC, 3030, Australia
| | - Sara Moutailler
- UMR BIPAR, INRAE, ANSES, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, Université Paris-Est, 94700, Maisons-Alfort, France.
| | - Abdul Jabbar
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Melbourne Veterinary School, The University of Melbourne, Werribee, VIC, 3030, Australia.
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Presence of diverse Rickettsia spp. and absence of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato in ticks in an East Texas forest with reduced tick density associated with controlled burns. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2019; 11:101310. [PMID: 31704208 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2019.101310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2019] [Revised: 10/07/2019] [Accepted: 10/09/2019] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
As tick-borne diseases continue to emerge across the United States, there is need for a better understanding of the tick and pathogen communities in the southern states and of habitat features that influence transmission risk. We surveyed questing and on-host ticks in pine-dominated forests with various fire management regimes in the Sam Houston National Forest, a popular recreation area near Houston, Texas. Four linear transects were established- two with a history of controlled burns, and two unburned. Systematic drag sampling yielded 112 ticks from two species, Ixodes scapularis (n=73) and Amblyomma americanum (n=39), with an additional 106 questing ticks collected opportunistically from drag cloth operators. There was a significant difference in systematically-collected questing tick density between unburned (15 and 18 ticks/1000 m2) and burned (2 and 4 ticks/1000 m2) transects. We captured 106 rodents and found 74 ticks on the rodents, predominantly Dermacentor variabilis. One unburned transect had significantly more ticks per mammal than any of the other three transects. DNA of Rickettsia species was detected in 146/292 on and off-host ticks, including the 'Rickettsial endosymbiont of I. scapularis' and Rickettsia amblyommatis, which are of uncertain pathogenicity to humans. Borrelia lonestari was detected in one A. americanum, while Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto, the agent of Lyme disease, was not detected in any tick samples. Neither Borrelia nor Rickettsia spp. were detected in any of the mammal ear biopsies (n=64) or blood samples (n=100) tested via PCR. This study documents a high prevalence in ticks of Rickettsia spp. thought to be endosymbionts, a low prevalence of relapsing fever group Borrelia in ticks, and a lack of detection of Lyme disease-group Borrelia in both ticks and mammals in an east Texas forested recreation area. Additionally, we observed low questing tick density in areas with a history of controlled burns. These results expand knowledge of tick-borne disease ecology in east Texas which can aid in directing future investigative, modeling, and management efforts.
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De Jesus CE, Ganser C, Kessler WH, White ZS, Bhosale CR, Glass GE, Wisely SM. A Survey of Tick-Borne Bacterial Pathogens in Florida. INSECTS 2019; 10:insects10090297. [PMID: 31540253 PMCID: PMC6780285 DOI: 10.3390/insects10090297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2019] [Revised: 08/13/2019] [Accepted: 09/11/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Within the past three decades, new bacterial etiological agents of tick-borne disease have been discovered in the southeastern U.S., and the number of reported tick-borne pathogen infections has increased. In Florida, few systematic studies have been conducted to determine the presence of tick-borne bacterial pathogens. This investigation examined the distribution and presence of tick-borne bacterial pathogens in Florida. Ticks were collected by flagging at 41 field sites, spanning the climatic regions of mainland Florida. DNA was extracted individually from 1608 ticks and screened for Anaplasma, Borrelia, Ehrlichia and Rickettsia using conventional PCR and primers that amplified multiple species for each genus. PCR positive samples were Sanger sequenced. Four species of ticks were collected: Amblyomma americanum, Amblyomma maculatum, Dermacentor variabilis, and Ixodes scapularis. Within these ticks, six bacterial species were identified: Borrelia burgdorferi, Borrelia lonestari, Ehrlichia ewingii, Rickettsia amblyommatis, Rickettsia andeanae, Rickettsia parkeri, and Rickettsia endosymbionts. Pathogenic Borrelia, Ehrlichia, and Rickettsia species were all detected in the North and North-Central Florida counties; however, we found only moderate concordance between the distribution of ticks infected with pathogenic bacteria and human cases of tick-borne diseases in Florida. Given the diversity and numerous bacterial species detected in ticks in Florida, further investigations should be conducted to identify regional hotspots of tick-borne pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carrie E De Jesus
- Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA.
| | - Claudia Ganser
- Department of Geography, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA.
| | - William H Kessler
- Department of Geography, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA.
| | - Zoe S White
- Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA.
| | - Chanakya R Bhosale
- Department of Entomology and Nematology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA.
| | - Gregory E Glass
- Department of Geography, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA.
| | - Samantha M Wisely
- Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA.
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Sanchez-Vicente S, Tagliafierro T, Coleman JL, Benach JL, Tokarz R. Polymicrobial Nature of Tick-Borne Diseases. mBio 2019; 10:e02055-19. [PMID: 31506314 PMCID: PMC6737246 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.02055-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2019] [Accepted: 08/07/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Tick-borne diseases have doubled in the last 12 years, and their geographic distribution has spread as well. The clinical spectrum of tick-borne diseases can range from asymptomatic to fatal infections, with a disproportionate incidence in children and the elderly. In the last few years, new agents have been discovered, and genetic changes have helped in the spread of pathogens and ticks. Polymicrobial infections, mostly in Ixodes scapularis, can complicate diagnostics and augment disease severity. Amblyomma americanum ticks have expanded their range, resulting in a dynamic and complex situation, possibly fueled by climate change. To document these changes, using molecular biology strategies for pathogen detection, an assessment of 12 microbes (9 pathogens and 3 symbionts) in three species of ticks was done in Suffolk County, New York. At least one agent was detected in 63% of I. scapularis ticksBorrelia burgdorferi was the most prevalent pathogen (57% in adults; 27% in nymphs), followed by Babesia microti (14% in adults; 15% in nymphs), Anaplasma phagocytophilum (14% in adults; 2% in nymphs), Borrelia miyamotoi (3% in adults), and Powassan virus (2% in adults). Polymicrobial infections were detected in 22% of I. scapularis ticks, with coinfections of B. burgdorferi and B. microti (9%) and of B. burgdorferi and A. phagocytophilum (7%). Three Ehrlichia species were detected in 4% of A. americanum ticks. The rickettsiae constituted the largest prokaryotic biomass of all the ticks tested and included Rickettsia amblyommatis, Rickettsia buchneri, and Rickettsia montanensis The high rates of polymicrobial infection in ticks present an opportunity to study the biological interrelationships of pathogens and their vectors.IMPORTANCE Tick-borne diseases have increased in prevalence in the United States and abroad. The reasons for these increases are multifactorial, but climate change is likely to be a major factor. One of the main features of the increase is the geographic expansion of tick vectors, notably Amblyomma americanum, which has brought new pathogens to new areas. The clinical spectrum of tick-borne diseases can range from asymptomatic to fatal infections, with a disproportionate incidence in children and the elderly. In addition, new pathogens that are cotransmitted by Ixodes scapularis have been discovered and have led to difficult diagnoses and to disease severity. Of these, Borrelia burgdorferi, the agent of Lyme disease, continues to be the most frequently transmitted pathogen. However, Babesia microti, Borrelia miyamotoi (another spirochete), Anaplasma phagocytophilum, and Powassan virus are frequent cotransmitted agents. Polymicrobial infection has important consequences for the diagnosis and management of tick-borne diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Santiago Sanchez-Vicente
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology and Center for Infectious Diseases, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA
| | - Teresa Tagliafierro
- Center for Infection and Immunity, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA
| | - James L Coleman
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology and Center for Infectious Diseases, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA
| | - Jorge L Benach
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology and Center for Infectious Diseases, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA
| | - Rafal Tokarz
- Center for Infection and Immunity, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA
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Trout Fryxell RT, Vogt JT. Collaborative-Tick Surveillance Works: An Academic and Government Partnership for Tick Surveillance in the Southeastern United States (Acari: Ixodidae). JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY 2019; 56:1411-1419. [PMID: 31049584 DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjz055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Tick surveillance provides essential information on distributions and encounter frequencies; it is a component of operational activities in public health practice. Our research objectives were a proof-of-concept for collaborative surveillance, which involved establishing an academic and government partnership to enhance tick surveillance efforts. The University of Tennessee (UT) collaborated with United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service, Southern Research Station Forest Inventory Analysis (FIA) in an Occupational Health and Safety partnership. UT provided FIA crews in the southeastern United States with vials containing 80% ethanol (July 2014-November 2017). Crew members were instructed to put all encountered ticks into the vials and return them to FIA headquarters. UT identified all submitted ticks to species and life stage, and screened Amblyomma americanum (L.) for Ehrlichia bacteria using a nested-PCR assay. From the 198 returned vials, 1,180 ticks were submitted, including A. americanum (90.51%; 202 larvae, 503 nymphs, and 363 adults), Dermacentor variabilis Say (7.12%; 1 nymph, 83 adults), Ixodes scapularis (Say) (1.61%; 19 adults), Amblyomma maculatum Koch (0.59%; 1 nymph, 6 adults), and Amblyomma cajennense (Fabricius) (0.17%; 1 nymph, 1 adult). FIA crews encountered A. americanum with Ehrlichia and collection information was used to generate baseline occurrence data of tick encounters. Results indicate that this collaborative-tick surveillance can be improved and used to generate useful data including pathogen detection, and because crews revisit these sites, changes in tick encounters can be monitored.
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Affiliation(s)
- R T Trout Fryxell
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Plant Biotechnology Building, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN )
| | - J T Vogt
- United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service, Southern Research Station - Insects, Diseases, and Invasive Plants in Southern Forests, Athens, GA
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Molaei G, Karpathy SE, Andreadis TG. First Report of the Introduction of an Exotic Tick, Amblyomma coelebs (Acari: Ixodidae), Feeding on a Human Traveler Returning to the United States from Central America. J Parasitol 2019. [DOI: 10.1645/19-74] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Goudarz Molaei
- Center for Vector Biology and Zoonotic Diseases, Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, 123 Huntington Street, New Haven, Connecticut 06511
| | - Sandor E. Karpathy
- Rickettsial Zoonoses Branch, Division of Vector-Borne Diseases, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Atlanta, Georgia 30329
| | - Theodore G. Andreadis
- Center for Vector Biology and Zoonotic Diseases, Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, 123 Huntington Street, New Haven, Connecticut 06511
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Frequent Prescribed Fires Can Reduce Risk of Tick-borne Diseases. Sci Rep 2019; 9:9974. [PMID: 31292479 PMCID: PMC6620321 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-46377-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2019] [Accepted: 06/27/2019] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Recently, a two-year study found that long-term prescribed fire significantly reduced tick abundance at sites with varying burn regimes (burned surrounded by burned areas [BB], burned surrounded by unburned areas [BUB], and unburned surrounded by burned areas [UBB]). In the current study, these ticks were tested for pathogens to more directly investigate the impacts of long-term prescribed burning on human disease risk. A total of 5,103 ticks (4,607 Amblyomma americanum, 76 Amblyomma maculatum, 383 Ixodes scapularis, two Ixodes brunneus, and 35 Dermacentor variabilis) were tested for Borrelia spp., Rickettsia spp., Ehrlichia spp., and Anaplasma phagocytophilum. Long-term prescribed fire did not significantly impact pathogen prevalence except that A. americanum from burned habitats had significantly lower prevalence of Rickettsia (8.7% and 4.6% for BUB and UBB sites, respectively) compared to ticks from control sites (unburned, surrounded by unburned [UBUB])(14.6%). However, during the warm season (spring/summer), encounter rates with ticks infected with pathogenic bacteria was significantly lower (98%) at burned sites than at UBUB sites. Thus, despite there being no differences in pathogen prevalence between burned and UBUB sites, risk of pathogen transmission is lower at sites subjected to long-term burning due to lower encounter rates with infected ticks.
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Dolz G, Castro R, Jiménez-Rocha AE, Retamosa M, Alberti A. Strain diversity of Rickettsia amblyommatis in ticks infesting birds in the North Huetar conservation area of Costa Rica. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2019; 10:1109-1112. [PMID: 31202621 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2019.06.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2018] [Revised: 05/25/2019] [Accepted: 06/09/2019] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Although the presence of rickettsial agents in ticks infesting wild birds in Costa Rica has been recently reported, information on strain diversity is limited to selected rickettsial species. In order to mine deeper into rickettsial agents of ticks infesting Costa Rica wild birds a total of 399 birds from the North Huetar Conservation Area of Costa Rica were captured, and 134 immature ticks (76 larvae and 58 nymphs) were recovered from 61 birds. Ticks were tested for the presence of Rickettsia spp. by conventional PCR and sequencing of the gltA, ompA, ompB, 17 kDa, and groEL genes. Six (11.3%) Amblyomma longirostre and Amblyomma geayi ticks collected from passeriform birds, yielded amplicons of the expected size. Amplicons were sequenced, and BLAST results collectively showed that all sequences had 99-100% nucleotide identity with Rickettsia amblyommatis (formerly, 'Candidatus Rickettsia amblyommii'). Three different R. amblyommatis strains were identified. Four new tick species-host associations and the first detection of R. amblyommatis in A. geayi in Costa Rica are also reported.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gaby Dolz
- Escuela de Medicina Veterinaria, Universidad Nacional, P.O. Box 86-3000, Heredia, Costa Rica.
| | - Ruth Castro
- Escuela de Medicina Veterinaria, Universidad Nacional, P.O. Box 86-3000, Heredia, Costa Rica
| | - Ana E Jiménez-Rocha
- Escuela de Medicina Veterinaria, Universidad Nacional, P.O. Box 86-3000, Heredia, Costa Rica.
| | - Mónica Retamosa
- Instituto Internacional en Conservación y Manejo de Vida Silvestre, Universidad Nacional, P.O. Box 86-3000 Heredia, Costa Rica.
| | - Alberto Alberti
- Mediterranean Center for Disease Control/Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sassari, Via Vienna 2, 07100 Sassari, Italy.
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Cleveland CA, Swanepoel L, Box EK, De Nicola A, Yabsley MJ. Rickettsia species in ticks collected from wild pigs (Sus scrofa) and Philippine deer (Rusa marianna) on Guam, Marianna Islands, USA. Acta Trop 2019; 194:89-92. [PMID: 30898613 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2019.03.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2018] [Revised: 03/06/2019] [Accepted: 03/06/2019] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The prevalence and diversity of ticks on wildlife species on Guam is understudied, as to date no work has been conducted on the infection of these ticks with Rickettsia (obligate intracellular pathogens that use a variety of ectoparasites as vectors and can cause disease in humans, domestic animals, and wildlife species). The goal of our study was to investigate the presence of Rickettsia species on the island of Guam by testing ticks found on Philippine deer (Rusa marianna) and wild pigs (Sus scrofa). Increasing numbers of these species have led to increased interactions with humans, including hunting, highlighting the importance of studies on vector prevalence and associated zoonotic pathogens. In this study, ticks were removed from Philippine deer and wild pigs in March and April of 2015 and tested for Rickettsia spp. using nested PCR. Overall, a low prevalence of Rickettsia spp. was detected (5.4% (6/112 ticks)). Ticks removed from wild pigs were identified as Amblyomma breviscutatum, one of which was positive for Rickettsia ambylommatis. Ticks recovered from Philippine deer were identified as Rhipicephalus microplus, and five were positive for Rickettsia; two with R. amblyommatis and one with 'Candidatus Rickettsia senegalensis', a recently proposed species in the R. felis cluster. The remaining two sequences were short and species classification was not possible. Rickettsia felis is a known zoonotic pathogen in the spotted fever group of Rickettsia and there is evidence that 'C. R. senegalensis' can also cause illness in people. This study confirms the occurrence of Rickettsia in ticks on Guam and highlights the presence of potential human pathogenic species in the R. felis cluster.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher A Cleveland
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, Department of Population Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA; Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA.
| | - Liandrie Swanepoel
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, Department of Population Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Erin K Box
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, Department of Population Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | | | - Michael J Yabsley
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, Department of Population Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA; Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
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63
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Boyce RM, Sanfilippo AM, Boulos JM, Cleinmark M, Schmitz J, Meshnick S. Ehrlichia Infections, North Carolina, USA, 2016. Emerg Infect Dis 2019; 24:2087-2090. [PMID: 30334725 PMCID: PMC6200012 DOI: 10.3201/eid2411.180496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Nearly two thirds of persons suspected of having tickborne illness in central North Carolina, USA, were not tested for Ehrlichia. Failure to test may have resulted in a missed diagnosis for ≈13% of these persons, who were therefore substantially less likely to receive antimicrobial treatment and to have follow-up testing performed.
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Sánchez-Montes S, Isaak-Delgado AB, Guzmán-Cornejo C, Rendón-Franco E, Muñoz-García CI, Bermúdez S, Morales-Diaz J, Cruz-Romero A, Romero-Salas D, Dzul-Rosado K, Lugo-Caballero C, Colunga-Salas P, Becker I. Rickettsia species in ticks that parasitize amphibians and reptiles: Novel report from Mexico and review of the worldwide record. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2019; 10:987-994. [PMID: 31126748 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2019.04.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2018] [Revised: 04/15/2019] [Accepted: 04/16/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Ticks are obligate haematophagous ectoparasites that are associated with a wide range of vertebrate hosts, among them also reptiles and amphibians. They have dynamic ecological interactions with multiple microorganisms, ranging from endosymbionts to pathogens, such as the members of the genus Rickettsia. The aim of this work was to detect Rickettsia in ticks from amphibians and reptiles from southern Mexico by the amplification, sequencing and phylogenetic reconstruction of the gltA and ompA genes, and also to compile all the published records worldwide of Rickettsia associated with ticks attached to reptiles and amphibians, in order to elucidate the host-parasite relationships, and to identify the geographical distribution of each bacterial species. We record for the first time the presence of Rickettsia sp. strain Colombianensi and Rickettsia amblyommatis in ticks from several reptiles and amphibians collected in three new localities from the states of Guerrero and Veracruz, Mexico. Additionally, we here report 23 Rickettsia taxa associated with 18 tick species attached to 42 host taxa of amphibians and reptiles in 36 countries. Our findings increase the inventory of rickettsia reported in Mexico and summarizes the knowledge of these bacteria associated with ticks of this particular group of vertebrate host worldwide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sokani Sánchez-Montes
- Centro de Medicina Tropical, Unidad de Investigación en Medicina Experimental, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Ana Belem Isaak-Delgado
- Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Carmen Guzmán-Cornejo
- Laboratorio de Acarología, Departamento de Biología Comparada, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Emilio Rendón-Franco
- Departamento de Producción Agrícola y Animal, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana Unidad Xochimilco, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Claudia I Muñoz-García
- Departamento de Producción Agrícola y Animal, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana Unidad Xochimilco, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Sergio Bermúdez
- Departamento de Investigación en Entomología Médica, Instituto Conmemorativo Gorgas de Estudios de la Salud, Panama
| | - Jorge Morales-Diaz
- Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Región Veracruz. Universidad Veracruzana, Mexico
| | - Anabel Cruz-Romero
- Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Región Veracruz. Universidad Veracruzana, Mexico
| | - Dora Romero-Salas
- Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Región Veracruz. Universidad Veracruzana, Mexico
| | - Karla Dzul-Rosado
- Centro de Investigaciones Regionales "Dr. Hideyo Noguchi", Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Yucatán, Mexico
| | - César Lugo-Caballero
- Centro de Investigaciones Regionales "Dr. Hideyo Noguchi", Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Yucatán, Mexico
| | - Pablo Colunga-Salas
- Centro de Medicina Tropical, Unidad de Investigación en Medicina Experimental, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Ingeborg Becker
- Centro de Medicina Tropical, Unidad de Investigación en Medicina Experimental, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, Mexico.
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Gruhn KD, Ogrzewalska M, Rozental T, Farikoski IO, Blanco C, de Souza Freitas L, de Lemos ERS, Ribeiro VMF. Evaluation of rickettsial infection in free-range capybaras (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris Linnaeus, 1766) (Rodentia: Caviidae) and ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) in the Western Amazon, Brazil. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2019; 10:981-986. [PMID: 31109835 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2019.04.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2018] [Revised: 03/21/2019] [Accepted: 04/10/2019] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Capybaras (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris Linnaeus, 1766) (Rodentia: Caviidae) are important hosts of Amblyomma ticks (Acari: Ixodidae), which in turn can transmit rickettsiae to humans and animals. However, there is a scarcity of studies about the tick fauna and rickettsial infection in the Amazon region. The present study evaluated rickettsial infection in capybaras and ticks in different areas of the municipality of Rio Branco, state of Acre, in the Western Brazilian Amazon, where rickettsiosis has never been reported. Blood sera from 43 capybaras from four localities in Rio Branco were tested by indirect immunofluorescence assay using Rickettsia rickettsii antigens. Ticks were collected from capybaras and from vegetation as well. Ticks were taxonomically identified to the species level and some of them were tested by PCR, targeting a fragment of the rickettsial gltA gene. Additionally, ticks were tested for bacteria from the genus Borrelia and family Anaplasmatacae. All capybaras submitted to the serological examination were considered non-reactive to R. rickettsii. A total of 410 ticks were collected directly from the capybaras. Amblyomma dubitatum Neumann, 1899 was the most abundant species (82.4%), followed by Amblyomma naponense (Packard, 1869) (14.3%), Amblyomma humerale Koch, 1844 (0.7%), Amblyomma pacae Aragão, 1911 (0.4%), Amblyomma rotundatum Koch 1844 (0.2%) and Amblyomma sp. (1.7%). From the environment 262 ticks were collected: Rhipicephalus microplus (Canestrini, 1888) (88.9%), Dermacentor nitens Neumann, 1897 (9.9%), Amblyomma varium Koch, 1844 (0.7%) and A. rotundatum (0.3%). With the exception of A. humerale, A. rotundatum and R. microplus, all other species are reported here for the first time in the state. Some of the ticks sampled (N = 317) were tested by molecular methods for infection by Rickettsia spp. Rickettsia bellii was identified infecting A. dubitatum and A. rotundatum, while Rickettsia amblyommatis only was found infecting A. humerale and Rickettsia sp. strain Tapirapé was found in A. naponense. This is the first detection of R. bellii and Rickettsia sp. strain Tapirapé in Acre. No Borrelia or Anaplasmataceae were found in the tested ticks. These results add relevant knowledge about the Rickettsia spp. and the acarological fauna in the region of the Western Amazon, and are essential for the maintenance of vigilance about possible pathogens that occur in the state and determination of the risks that they pose to humans and animals that inhabit the region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karla Dayane Gruhn
- Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Natureza, Universidade Federal do Acre, Rio Branco, AC, Brazil.
| | - Maria Ogrzewalska
- Laboratório de Hantaviroses e Rickettsioses, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Tatiana Rozental
- Laboratório de Hantaviroses e Rickettsioses, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Itacir Olivio Farikoski
- Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Natureza, Universidade Federal do Acre, Rio Branco, AC, Brazil
| | - Carolina Blanco
- Laboratório de Hantaviroses e Rickettsioses, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Lucas de Souza Freitas
- Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Natureza, Universidade Federal do Acre, Rio Branco, AC, Brazil
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66
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Hecht JA, Allerdice MEJ, Dykstra EA, Mastel L, Eisen RJ, Johnson TL, Gaff HD, Varela-Stokes AS, Goddard J, Pagac BB, Paddock CD, Karpathy SE. Multistate Survey of American Dog Ticks ( Dermacentor variabilis) for Rickettsia Species. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2019; 19:652-657. [PMID: 30942664 DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2018.2415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Dermacentor variabilis, a common human-biting tick found throughout the eastern half and along the west coast of the United States, is a vector of multiple bacterial pathogens. Historically, D. variabilis has been considered a primary vector of Rickettsia rickettsii, the causative agent of Rocky Mountain spotted fever. A total of 883 adult D. variabilis, collected between 2012 and 2017 from various locations in 12 states across the United States, were screened for rickettsial DNA. Tick extracts were evaluated using three real-time PCR assays; an R. rickettsii-specific assay, a Rickettsia bellii-specific assay, and a Rickettsia genus-specific assay. Sequencing of ompA gene amplicons generated using a seminested PCR assay was used to determine the rickettsial species present in positive samples not already identified by species-specific real-time assays. A total of 87 (9.9%) tick extracts contained R. bellii DNA and 203 (23%) contained DNA of other rickettsial species, including 47 (5.3%) with Rickettsia montanensis, 11 (1.2%) with Rickettsia amblyommatis, 2 (0.2%) with Rickettsia rhipicephali, and 3 (0.3%) with Rickettsia parkeri. Only 1 (0.1%) tick extract contained DNA of R. rickettsii. These data support multiple other contemporary studies that indicate infrequent detection of R. rickettsii in D. variabilis in North America.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joy A Hecht
- Rickettsial Zoonoses Branch, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Disease, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Michelle E J Allerdice
- Rickettsial Zoonoses Branch, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Disease, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Elizabeth A Dykstra
- Zoonotic Disease Program, Washington State Department of Health, Olympia, Washington
| | - Laura Mastel
- Division of Microbiology Lab Services, North Dakota Department of Health, Bismarck, North Dakota
| | - Rebecca J Eisen
- Bacterial Diseases Branch, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Disease, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Ft. Collins, Colorado
| | - Tammi L Johnson
- Bacterial Diseases Branch, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Disease, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Ft. Collins, Colorado
| | | | - Andrea S Varela-Stokes
- Department of Basic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, Mississippi
| | - Jerome Goddard
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Entomology, and Plant Pathology, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, Mississippi
| | | | - Christopher D Paddock
- Rickettsial Zoonoses Branch, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Disease, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Sandor E Karpathy
- Rickettsial Zoonoses Branch, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Disease, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
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Lopes MG, Krawczak FDS, Lima JTRD, Fournier GFDSR, Acosta IDCL, Ramirez DG, Marcili A, Labruna MB, Gennari SM. Occurrence of Ehrlichia canis and Hepatozoon canis and probable exposure to Rickettsia amblyommatis in dogs and cats in Natal, RN. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2018; 28:151-156. [PMID: 30462820 DOI: 10.1590/s1984-296120180065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2018] [Accepted: 07/23/2018] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Occurrence of infection or exposure to Ehrlichia canis, Hepatozoon canis and Rickettsia spp. was detected in feral cats living in two fragments from Atlantic rainforest, in Natal, RN, Brazil, and in dogs living around the parks. While serum samples were collected from 155 animals (53 cats living in the parks; 29 dogs living in human homes around the parks; and 73 dogs living at an animal control center - ACC), spleen samples were collected from 20 dogs that were euthanized at ACC. Serum samples were analyzed to Rickettsia spp. and E. canis antibodies using the indirect immunofluorescence assay. Seventeen of the 102 dogs (17%) had E. canis antibodies and 13% (20/155) of all dogs and cats (i.e. 3% (3/102) of the dogs and 32% (17/53) of the cats) were seropositive for Rickettsia spp. antigens. The animals were therefore been exposed to R. amblyommatis or by a very closely related genotype. Among the 20 dog spleen samples analyzed, eight were PCR positive for E. canis and two for H. canis (GenBank accession number MG772657 and MG772658, respectively). In none of the spleen samples were obtained amplicons for Babesia spp. through PCR. This study provided the first evidence that Rickettsia of the spotted fever group is circulating among dogs and cats in Natal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcos Gomes Lopes
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo - USP, São Paulo, SP, Brasil
| | - Felipe da Silva Krawczak
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo - USP, São Paulo, SP, Brasil.,Setor de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva, Escola de Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade Federal de Goiás - UFG, Goiânia, GO, Brasil
| | - Julia Teresa Ribeiro de Lima
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo - USP, São Paulo, SP, Brasil
| | - Gislene Fatima da Silva Rocha Fournier
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo - USP, São Paulo, SP, Brasil
| | - Igor da Cunha Lima Acosta
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo - USP, São Paulo, SP, Brasil
| | - Diego Garcia Ramirez
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo - USP, São Paulo, SP, Brasil
| | - Arlei Marcili
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo - USP, São Paulo, SP, Brasil.,Mestrado em Medicina e Bem-Estar Animal, Universidade Santo Amaro - UNISA, São Paulo, SP, Brasil
| | - Marcelo Bahia Labruna
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo - USP, São Paulo, SP, Brasil
| | - Solange Maria Gennari
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo - USP, São Paulo, SP, Brasil.,Mestrado em Medicina e Bem-Estar Animal, Universidade Santo Amaro - UNISA, São Paulo, SP, Brasil
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68
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Lopes MG, Muñoz-Leal S, de Lima JTR, Fournier GFDSR, Acosta IDCL, Martins TF, Ramirez DG, Gennari SM, Labruna MB. Ticks, rickettsial and erlichial infection in small mammals from Atlantic forest remnants in northeastern Brazil. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR PARASITOLOGY-PARASITES AND WILDLIFE 2018; 7:380-385. [PMID: 30370217 PMCID: PMC6199183 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2018.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2018] [Revised: 08/08/2018] [Accepted: 10/08/2018] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
We evaluated infection by Rickettsia spp. and Ehrlichia spp in small mammals and their ticks from two Atlantic forest conservation areas in the state of Rio Grande do Norte, northeastern Brazil. A total of 39 small mammals were captured during 2012–2013, encompassing 33 marsupials (29 Didelphis albiventris, four Monodelphis domestica), three Cricetidae rodents (two Necromys lasiurus, one Rattus rattus), one Caviomorpha rodent (Thrichomys apereoides) and two armadillos (Euphractus sexcinctus). The ticks Amblyomma auricularium, Ixodes loricatus, and Ornithodoros mimon were collected from D. albiventris, whereas only A. auricularium was collected from armadillos. Through immunofluorescence assay with Rickettsia spp. antigens, 6/28 (21%) D. albiventris and the single R. rattus specimen reacted to at least one rickettsial antigen, with highest seroprevalence and endpoint titers to Rickettsia amblyommatis. A total of 150 ticks (126 A. auricularium, nine I. loricatus, 15 O. mimon) was tested for rickettsial infection by PCR, which detected only R. amblyommatis in most of the A. auricularium ticks. Lung and spleen samples were collected from small mammals (two N. lasiurus, six D. albiventris, three M. domestica, one T. apereoides, one R. rattus) and were tested by PCR for Anaplasmataceae agents. The spleen from one D. albiventris contained a new ehrlichial agent, here named as Ehrlichia sp. strain Natal. Phylogenetic analysis inferred from the dsb gene of Ehrlichia spp. indicates that this novel agent is potentially a new species. Future studies should monitor the possible role of rickettsial and/or ehrlichial microorganisms as agents of emerging diseases in these degraded areas of Atlantic forest, just as has occurred with other agents in degraded areas of this biome in southeastern Brazil. Amblyomma auricularium, Ixodes loricatus and Ornithodoros mimon ticks were found. Infection by Rickettsia amblyommatis was detected in A. auricularium ticks. Wild small mammals presented serological evidence of R. amblyommatis infection. A potentially novel Ehrlichia species infected the opossum Didelphis albiventris.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcos G Lopes
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine and Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of São Paulo, Av. Prof. Orlando Marques de Paiva 87, Cidade Universitária, 05508-270, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Sebastián Muñoz-Leal
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine and Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of São Paulo, Av. Prof. Orlando Marques de Paiva 87, Cidade Universitária, 05508-270, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Julia T Ribeiro de Lima
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine and Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of São Paulo, Av. Prof. Orlando Marques de Paiva 87, Cidade Universitária, 05508-270, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Gislene Fatima da S Rocha Fournier
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine and Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of São Paulo, Av. Prof. Orlando Marques de Paiva 87, Cidade Universitária, 05508-270, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Igor da Cunha L Acosta
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine and Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of São Paulo, Av. Prof. Orlando Marques de Paiva 87, Cidade Universitária, 05508-270, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Thiago F Martins
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine and Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of São Paulo, Av. Prof. Orlando Marques de Paiva 87, Cidade Universitária, 05508-270, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Diego G Ramirez
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine and Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of São Paulo, Av. Prof. Orlando Marques de Paiva 87, Cidade Universitária, 05508-270, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Solange M Gennari
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine and Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of São Paulo, Av. Prof. Orlando Marques de Paiva 87, Cidade Universitária, 05508-270, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.,Mestrado em Medicina e Bem estar animal, Universidade Santo Amaro, Av. Prof. Eneas de Siqueira Neto, 340, São Paulo, 04529-300, Brazil
| | - Marcelo B Labruna
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine and Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of São Paulo, Av. Prof. Orlando Marques de Paiva 87, Cidade Universitária, 05508-270, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
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Santanello C, Barwari R, Troyo A. Spotted fever group Rickettsiae in Ticks from Missouri. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2018; 9:1395-1399. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2018.06.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2017] [Revised: 06/12/2018] [Accepted: 06/21/2018] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
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Kakumanu ML, Ponnusamy L, Sutton H, Meshnick SR, Nicholson WL, Apperson CS. Prevalence of Rickettsia Species (Rickettsiales: Rickettsiaceae) in Dermacentor variabilis Ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) in North Carolina. JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY 2018; 55:1284-1291. [PMID: 29771344 DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjy074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
The American dog tick, Dermacentor variabilis (Say), is a vector of spotted fever group (SFG) rickettsiae, including Rickettsia rickettsii the causative organism of Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF). In North Carolina, SFG rickettsioses (including RMSF) are a leading cause of tick-borne illness. Knowledge of the infection rate and geographic distribution of D. variabilis ticks infected with Rickettsia spp. provides information on the spatial distribution of public health risk. Accordingly, we extracted genomic DNA from adult D. variabilis collected from field habitats in 32 North Carolina counties from 2009 to 2013. A nested PCR assay of the 23S-5S intergenic spacer (IGS) region of Rickettsia coupled with reverse line blot hybridization (RLBH) with species-specific probes was used to detect and identify rickettsiae to species. Approximately half of the 532 tick DNA samples exhibited a band of the expected size on agarose gels, indicating infection with Rickettsia spp. RLBH analyses showed R. amblyommatis (formerly 'Candidatus R. amblyommii'), R. parkeri, and R. montanensis were predominant, while other Rickettsia species detected included R. conorii-like, R. massiliae, R. rhipicephali, R. canadensis, R. bellii, and some unknown Rickettsia spp. Some ticks were infected with more than one Rickettsia species. Notably, several Rickettsia-positive ticks harbored R. rickettsii. DNA sequencing was performed on a portion of the 23S-5S IGS amplicons and the results were concordant with RLB assay results. We conclude that Rickettsia spp. are common in D. variabilis in North Carolina. Geographic patterns in the occurrence of Rickettsia-infected D. variabilis ticks across the counties sampled are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madhavi L Kakumanu
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC
| | - Loganathan Ponnusamy
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC
- Comparative Medicine Institute, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC
| | - Haley Sutton
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC
| | - Steven R Meshnick
- Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC
| | - William L Nicholson
- Rickettsial Zoonoses Branch, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA
| | - Charles S Apperson
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC
- Comparative Medicine Institute, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC
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71
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Springer A, Montenegro VM, Schicht S, Wölfel S, Schaper SR, Chitimia-Dobler L, Siebert S, Strube C. Detection of Rickettsia monacensis and Rickettsia amblyommatis in ticks collected from dogs in Costa Rica and Nicaragua. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2018; 9:1565-1572. [PMID: 30098931 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2018.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2017] [Revised: 08/02/2018] [Accepted: 08/04/2018] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
The neotropical climate of Central America provides ideal conditions for ticks, which may transmit several human pathogens, including spotted-fever group Rickettsia. Dogs may act as sentinels or reservoirs for human tick-borne diseases due to shared tick species. Here, ticks were collected from 680 client-owned dogs in Nicaragua and Costa Rica, and a total of 316 tick pools were investigated for Rickettsia infection by quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) targeting the gltA gene. Subsequently, up to six further genomic targets (16S rDNA, gltA, sca4, ompA, ompB and the 23S-5S intergenic spacer) were investigated for Rickettsia species determination. The predominant tick species was Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato (s.l.) (19.9% of dogs infested in Costa Rica, 48.0% in Nicaragua), followed by Ixodes boliviensis (3.1% in Costa Rica / none in Nicaragua) and Amblyomma ovale (4.8% in Costa Rica, 0.9% in Nicaragua). In total, 22 of 316 tick pools containing 60 of 1023 individual ticks were Rickettsia-positive as determined by qPCR, resulting in a minimum infection rate (MIR) of 2.2%. In detail, MIR in Rh. sanguineus s.l. was 0.7% (7/281 pools), in I. boliviensis 33.3% (12/13 pools) and in A. ovale 9.7% (3/22 pools). For 11 of 12 positive I. boliviensis pools and one of six positive Rh. sanguineus s.l. pools, the species could be determined as R. monacensis. R. amblyommatis was identified in one Rh. sanguineus s.l. pool from Costa Rica and one A. ovale pool from Nicaragua. Nine of 12 R. monacensis-positive tick pools were collected in San Rafael de Heredia, Costa Rica, indicating a high local occurrence in this area. This study supports recent evidence that R. monacensis is present on the American continent. Its high local occurrence among dog-associated I. boliviensis, which may also parasitize humans, in Costa Rica gives cause for concern, as R. monacensis is also pathogenic to humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Springer
- Institute for Parasitology, Centre for Infection Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Buenteweg 17, 30559 Hanover, Germany
| | - Víctor M Montenegro
- Laboratorio de Parasitología, Escuela de Medicina Veterinaria, Universidad Nacional, Campus Benjamín Núñez, Heredia, Costa Rica
| | - Sabine Schicht
- Institute for Parasitology, Centre for Infection Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Buenteweg 17, 30559 Hanover, Germany
| | - Silke Wölfel
- Bundeswehr Institute of Microbiology, Neuherbergstrasse 11, D80937 Munich, Germany; Center of Infection Research (DZIF) Partner, Munich, Germany
| | - Sabine R Schaper
- Bundeswehr Institute of Microbiology, Neuherbergstrasse 11, D80937 Munich, Germany
| | - Lidia Chitimia-Dobler
- Bundeswehr Institute of Microbiology, Neuherbergstrasse 11, D80937 Munich, Germany; Center of Infection Research (DZIF) Partner, Munich, Germany
| | - Susanne Siebert
- Bayer Animal Health GmbH, Global Marketing CAP, MON/6210, 51373 Leverkusen, Germany
| | - Christina Strube
- Institute for Parasitology, Centre for Infection Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Buenteweg 17, 30559 Hanover, Germany.
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72
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Abstract
In this paper, we present a historical review of rickettsiosis in Central America and also the most recent findings of Rickettsia in ectoparasites. All countries of Central America have records of rickettsiosis. Regarding the typhus group rickettsioses, there is clinical or serological evidence of Rickettsia prowazekii in Guatemala, Rickettsia typhi in Panama, Guatemala, and Costa Rica and unidentified species of the typhus group in El Salvador. Concerning spotted fever group rickettsiosis, there is serological evidence of infection by Rickettsia akari in Costa Rica and confirmed cases involving Rickettsia rickettsii in Panama and Costa Rica. There are also reports of spotted fever group rickettsiosis in acute patients from Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. Serological studies in Central America show reactivity of Rickettsia ambyommatis, Rickettsia bellii, Rickettsia felis, Rickettsia rhipicephali, and R. rickettsii in domestic and wild mammals. Eight species of Rickettsia have been detected in ectoparasites from Central America: R. africae (or very similar), R. amblyommatis, R. asembonensis, R. bellii, R. felis, R. parkeri, R. rhipicephali, and R. rickettsii, in addition to undescribed strains such as Atlantic Rainforest, Colombianensi, IbR/CRC, Barva, Aragaoi, and Candidatus "Rickettsia nicoyana;" the latter being the only one associated with Argasidae (Ornithodoros knoxjonesi). R. amblyommatis is the most common species in Central America, seeing as it has been reported in 10 species of ticks and one of fleas in five of the seven countries of the region. In this study, we demonstrate that the genus Rickettsia is widely distributed in Central America and that rickettsiosis could be an underestimated problem in the absence of greater diagnostic efforts in undetermined febrile cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Sergio E Bermúdez
- Department of Medical Entomology, Gorgas Memorial Institute for Health Research, Panamá,
| | - Adriana Troyo
- Vector Research Laboratory, Tropical Diseases Research Center, Faculty of Microbiology, University of Costa Rica, San Jose, Costa Rica
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73
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Silva AB, Cardoso KM, de Oliveira SV, Costa RMF, Oliveira G, Amorim M, Alves LC, Monteiro MFM, Gazeta GS. Rickettsia amblyommatis infecting Amblyomma pseudoconcolor in area of new focus of spotted fever in northeast Brazil. Acta Trop 2018; 182:305-308. [PMID: 29545159 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2018.03.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2017] [Revised: 03/07/2018] [Accepted: 03/10/2018] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
In Brazil, active infections of Rickettsia spp. is confirmed in all regions, involving various species of ticks. During investigation of a new focus of Spotted Fever (SF) incidence in the state of Pernambuco, northeastern Brazil, tick species Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato (Latreille), and Amblyomma pseudoconcolor were collected from one Canis familiaris and four Euphractus sexcinctus, respectively, and analized for the presence of rickettsial genes. Ten A. pseudoconcolor ticks (90.9%) were found to be infected with Rickettsia, whereas no evidence of Rickettsia spp. was found in R. sanguineus s. l. Genetic analysis based of five rickettsial genes showed that the detected strain is most closely related to Rickettsia amblyommatis (formerly Candidatus Rickettsia amblyommii). R. amblyommatis was, for the first time, detected in Amblyomma pseudoconcolor and the results pointed to this tick like a potential vector in the enzootic cycle of R. amblyommatis in a typical semiarid Brazilian savannah region. In conclusion, despite the need for further studies to confirm if R. amblyommatis was responsible for the observed case in the state of Pernambuco, the presence of this bacterium during an SF focussed investigation should be a major concern in terms of public health due the capacity of SF for rapid and extensive dispersion within Brazilian territory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arannadia Barbosa Silva
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz/Instituto Oswaldo Cruz/(FIOCRUZ/IOC), Laboratório de Referência Nacional em Vetores das Riquetsioses (LIRN), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil; Universidade CEUMA - UNICEUMA, Imperatriz, MA, Brazil; Faculdade Vale do Aço - FAVALE, Açailândia, MA, Brazil
| | - Karen Medeiros Cardoso
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz/Instituto Oswaldo Cruz/(FIOCRUZ/IOC), Laboratório de Referência Nacional em Vetores das Riquetsioses (LIRN), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Stefan Vilges de Oliveira
- Coordenação Geral de Doenças Transmissíveis, Departamento de Vigilância das Doenças Transmissíveis, Secretaria de Vigilância em Saúde, Ministério da Saúde, Brasília, DF, Brazil
| | | | - Geane Oliveira
- Secretaria de Saúde do Estado de Pernambuco, Recife, PE, Brazil
| | - Marinete Amorim
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz/Instituto Oswaldo Cruz/(FIOCRUZ/IOC), Laboratório de Referência Nacional em Vetores das Riquetsioses (LIRN), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Leucio Câmara Alves
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Recife, PE, Brazil
| | | | - Gilberto Salles Gazeta
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz/Instituto Oswaldo Cruz/(FIOCRUZ/IOC), Laboratório de Referência Nacional em Vetores das Riquetsioses (LIRN), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
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74
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Aguirre AAR, Garcia MV, Costa IND, Csordas BG, Rodrigues VDS, Medeiros JF, Andreotti R. New records of tick-associated spotted fever group Rickettsia in an Amazon-Savannah ecotone, Brazil. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2018; 9:1038-1044. [PMID: 29625922 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2018.03.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2017] [Revised: 03/11/2018] [Accepted: 03/12/2018] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Human rickettsiosis has been recorded in the Amazon Biome. However, the epidemiological cycle of causative rickettsiae has not been fully accounted for in the Amazon region. This study investigates the presence of spotted fever group (SFG) Rickettsia spp. in free-living unfed ticks of the Amblyomma genus. The study was conducted in seven municipalities in Rondonia State, Brazil, where the main biomes are Amazon forest, Brazilian Savannah and their ecotones (areas of ecological tension between open ombrophilous forest and savannah). The following tick species were collected: Amblyomma cajennense (sensu lato) s.l., A. cajennense (sensu stricto) s.s., A. coelebs, A. naponense, A. oblongoguttatum, A. romitii, A. scalpturatum and A. sculptum. A total of 167 adults, 248 nymphs and 1004 larvae were subjected to DNA extraction and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to determine the presence of SFG Rickettsia spp. PCR-positive samples included: one A. cajennense s.s. female and one A. cajennense s.l. male from a rural area in Vilhena Municipality; 10 nymphs and a sample of larvae of A. cajennense s.l. from a peri-urban area in Cacoal Municipality; and an A. oblongoguttatum adult male from a rural area of Pimenta Bueno Municipality. All sequences obtained exhibited 100% identity with Rickettsia amblyommatis sequences. This is the first confirmation of SFG Rickettsia in an A. oblongoguttatum tick. Furthermore, this is the first record of SFG Rickettsia in the municipalities targeted by this study. These results warn that SFG Rickettsia circulation poses a threat in Rondonia State (among Amazon-Savannah ecotones), and that this threat is increased by the fact that SFG Rickettsia infect a human-biting tick species hitherto unconfirmed as a vector.
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Affiliation(s)
- A A R Aguirre
- Plataforma de Criação e Experimentação Animal, Fiocruz Rondônia, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, n° 7671, Bairro Lagoa, Porto Velho, RO, CEP 76812-245, Brazil; Programa de Pós-Graduação em Doenças Infecciosas e Parasitárias, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, Av. Costa e Silva, Bairro Universitário, Campo Grande, MS, CEP 79070-900, Brazil.
| | - Marcos Valério Garcia
- Laboratórios de Biologia Molecular e do Carrapato, Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation, Av. Rádio Maia, n° 830, Zona Rural, Campo Grande, MS, CEP 79106-550, Brazil
| | - Ivaneide Nunes da Costa
- Laboratório de Entomologia Médica, Fiocruz Rondônia, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rua da Beira, n° 7671, Bairro Lagoa, Porto Velho, RO, CEP 76812-245, Brazil; Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Experimental, Universidade Federal de Rondônia, Rodovia BR 364, Km 9,5, Porto Velho, RO, CEP 76801-059, Brazil
| | - Bárbara Guimarães Csordas
- Laboratórios de Biologia Molecular e do Carrapato, Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation, Av. Rádio Maia, n° 830, Zona Rural, Campo Grande, MS, CEP 79106-550, Brazil; Programa de Pós-Graduação em Doenças Infecciosas e Parasitárias, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, Av. Costa e Silva, Bairro Universitário, Campo Grande, MS, CEP 79070-900, Brazil
| | - Vinícius da Silva Rodrigues
- Laboratórios de Biologia Molecular e do Carrapato, Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation, Av. Rádio Maia, n° 830, Zona Rural, Campo Grande, MS, CEP 79106-550, Brazil
| | - Jansen Fernandes Medeiros
- Laboratório de Entomologia Médica, Fiocruz Rondônia, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rua da Beira, n° 7671, Bairro Lagoa, Porto Velho, RO, CEP 76812-245, Brazil
| | - Renato Andreotti
- Laboratórios de Biologia Molecular e do Carrapato, Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation, Av. Rádio Maia, n° 830, Zona Rural, Campo Grande, MS, CEP 79106-550, Brazil
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75
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Lockwood BH, Stasiak I, Pfaff MA, Cleveland CA, Yabsley MJ. Widespread distribution of ticks and selected tick-borne pathogens in Kentucky (USA). Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2018; 9:738-741. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2018.02.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2017] [Revised: 02/15/2018] [Accepted: 02/15/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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76
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Suspected and Confirmed Vector-Borne Rickettsioses of North America Associated with Human Diseases. Trop Med Infect Dis 2018; 3:tropicalmed3010002. [PMID: 30274401 PMCID: PMC6136625 DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed3010002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2017] [Revised: 12/18/2017] [Accepted: 12/19/2017] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The identification of pathogenic rickettsial agents has expanded over the last two decades. In North America, the majority of human cases are caused by tick-borne rickettsioses but rickettsiae transmitted by lice, fleas, mites and other arthropods are also responsible for clinical disease. Symptoms are generally nonspecific or mimic other infectious diseases; therefore, diagnosis and treatment may be delayed. While infection with most rickettsioses is relatively mild, delayed diagnosis and treatment may lead to increased morbidity and mortality. This review will discuss the ecology, epidemiology and public health importance of suspected and confirmed vector-transmitted Rickettsia species of North America associated with human diseases.
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77
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Saracho-Bottero MN, Tarragona EL, Sebastian PS, Venzal JM, Mangold AJ, Guglielmone AA, Nava S. Ticks infesting cattle and humans in the Yungas Biogeographic Province of Argentina, with notes on the presence of tick-borne bacteria. EXPERIMENTAL & APPLIED ACAROLOGY 2018; 74:107-116. [PMID: 29380169 DOI: 10.1007/s10493-018-0208-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2017] [Accepted: 01/01/2018] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
This study was performed to determine the tick species that infest cattle and humans throughout an altitudinal gradient in the Yungas Biogeographic Province of Argentina. The presence of tick-borne bacteria of the genera Rickettsia, Ehrlichia and Borrelia in the collected ticks was also evaluated. Samples of ticks parasitizing cattle and humans were carried out in different seasons. Questing ticks (adults and nymphs) were collected from vegetation and analyzed to detect the presence of Rickettsia, Ehrlichia and Borrelia by a battery of different PCRs. Five species of hard ticks were found parasitizing cattle: Amblyomma sculptum, Amblyomma tonelliae, Amblyomma hadanii, Haemaphysalis juxtakochi and Ixodes pararicinus. Amblyomma sculptum (immature and adults), A. tonelliae (immature and adults), A. hadanii (larvae) and one nymph of I. pararicinus were found attached to humans. Rickettsia amblyommatis was detected in one nymph of A. hadanii. DNA of a Borrelia genospecies belonging to the B. burgdorferi s.l. complex (phylogenetically related to haplotypes previously reported in Ixodes aragaoi from Uruguay and I. pararicinus from Argentina) was detected in adults of I. pararicinus. Amblyomma sculptum and I. pararicinus appear to be the tick species more frequent on cattle in the YBP from Argentina, and A. sculptum and A. tonelliae, were the main ticks found attached to humans. The medical importance of the bacteria of the genus Rickettsia and Borrelia detected in this work remains unknown.
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Affiliation(s)
- María N Saracho-Bottero
- Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria, Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Rafaela and Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, CC 22, CP 2300, Rafaela, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Evelina L Tarragona
- Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria, Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Rafaela and Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, CC 22, CP 2300, Rafaela, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Patrick S Sebastian
- Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria, Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Rafaela and Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, CC 22, CP 2300, Rafaela, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - José M Venzal
- Laboratorio de Vectores y enfermedades transmitidas, Facultad de Veterinaria, CENUR Litoral Norte - Salto, Universidad de la República, Rivera 1350, CP 50000, Salto, Uruguay
| | - Atilio J Mangold
- Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria, Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Rafaela and Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, CC 22, CP 2300, Rafaela, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Alberto A Guglielmone
- Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria, Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Rafaela and Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, CC 22, CP 2300, Rafaela, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Santiago Nava
- Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria, Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Rafaela and Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, CC 22, CP 2300, Rafaela, Santa Fe, Argentina.
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78
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Hollmann T, Kim TK, Tirloni L, Radulović ŽM, Pinto AFM, Diedrich JK, Yates JR, da Silva Vaz I, Mulenga A. Identification and characterization of proteins in the Amblyomma americanum tick cement cone. Int J Parasitol 2017; 48:211-224. [PMID: 29258831 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2017.08.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2017] [Accepted: 08/26/2017] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
The adaptation of hard ticks to feed for long periods is facilitated by the cement cone, which securely anchors the tick mouthparts onto host skin and protects the tick from being groomed off by the host. Thus, preventing tick cement deposition is an attractive target for the development of innovative tick control. We used LC-MS/MS sequencing to identify 160 Amblyomma americanum tick cement proteins that include glycine-rich proteins (GRP, 19%), protease inhibitors (12%), proteins of unknown function (11%), mucin (4%), detoxification, storage, and lipocalin at 1% each, and housekeeping proteins (50%). Spatiotemporal transcription analysis showing mRNA expression in multiple tick organs and transcript abundance increasing with feeding suggest that selected GRPs (n = 13) regulate multiple tick feeding functions, being classified as constitutively expressed (CE), feeding induced (FI), and up-regulated with feeding (UR). We show that transcription of CE GRPs is likely under the control of tick appetence associated factors in that mRNA abundance increased several thousand fold in 1 week old adult ticks, the time period that coincides with tick attainment of appetence. Given the high number of targets, we synthesized and injected unfed ticks with combinatorial (co) double stranded (ds)RNA and disrupted GRP mRNA in clusters according to similar transcription patterns: CE (n = 3), FI, (n = 4), and UR (n = 6) to streamline the work. Our data suggest that CE and FI GRPs are important for maintenance of the tick feeding site in that reddening and subsequent bleeding were observed around the mouthparts of CE and FI GRP co-dsRNA injected ticks during feeding. Furthermore, although not significantly different, indices for blood meal size and fecundity were apparently reduced in FI and UR ticks. We discuss our data with reference to A. americanum tick feeding physiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taylor Hollmann
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Tae Kwon Kim
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Lucas Tirloni
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA; Centro de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Željko M Radulović
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Antônio F M Pinto
- Centro de Pesquisas em Biologia Molecular e Funcional, Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Tuberculose (INCT-TB), Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil; Department of Chemical Physiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA; Mass Spectrometry Core, Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Jolene K Diedrich
- Department of Chemical Physiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA; Mass Spectrometry Core, Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - John R Yates
- Department of Chemical Physiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Itabajara da Silva Vaz
- Centro de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil; Faculdade de Veterinária, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Albert Mulenga
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA.
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79
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Santibáñez S, Portillo A, Palomar AM, Oteo JA. Isolation of Rickettsia amblyommatis in HUVEC line. New Microbes New Infect 2017; 21:117-121. [PMID: 29321939 PMCID: PMC5756052 DOI: 10.1016/j.nmni.2017.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2017] [Accepted: 12/05/2017] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Rickettsia amblyommatis, formerly named Rickettsia amblyommii and ‘Candidatus Rickettsia amblyommii’ is an intracellular bacterium belonging to the spotted fever group Rickettsia. It is highly prevalent in Amblyomma americanum and in other Amblyomma spp. throughout the Western Hemisphere. R. amblyommatis has been cultivated in chicken fibroblast, primary embryonated chicken eggs, Vero cells and arthropod-derived cells. Because of the affinity of rickettsiae to invade vascular endothelial cells, we tried to isolate R. amblyommatis from a nymph of Amblyomma cajennense s.l. collected in Saltillo (Coahulia, Mexico) using human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). One tick half was analysed by ompA PCR and was found to be positive for R. amblyommatis. The other half was selected for in vitro culture of Rickettsia spp. It was triturated in 1 mL of endothelial cell growth medium with 1% antibiotic–antimycotic solution, and the homogenate was inoculated into a HUVEC line. Culture was maintained at 33°C in endothelial cell growth medium plus 2 mM l-glutamine and 2% fetal calf serum, with 5% CO2. The medium was changed weekly. Culture was checked by Gimenez stain for Rickettsia-like intracellular organisms. After 48 days of incubation, Rickettsia-like organisms were observed in HUVEC. PCR assays and sequencing of ompA gene in the culture suspension showed 100% identity with R. amblyommatis. This isolate was successfully established in HUVEC, and it has been deposited in the collection of the Center of Rickettsioses and Arthropod-Borne Diseases, Infectious Diseases Department, Hospital San Pedro–Center of Biomedical Research from La Rioja, Logroño, Spain. The HUVEC line is a useful tool for the isolation of R. amblyommatis.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Santibáñez
- Center of Rickettsiosis and Arthropod-Borne Diseases, Infectious Diseases Department, Hospital San Pedro-Center of Biomedical Research from La Rioja (CIBIR), Logroño, La Rioja, Spain
| | - A Portillo
- Center of Rickettsiosis and Arthropod-Borne Diseases, Infectious Diseases Department, Hospital San Pedro-Center of Biomedical Research from La Rioja (CIBIR), Logroño, La Rioja, Spain
| | - A M Palomar
- Center of Rickettsiosis and Arthropod-Borne Diseases, Infectious Diseases Department, Hospital San Pedro-Center of Biomedical Research from La Rioja (CIBIR), Logroño, La Rioja, Spain
| | - J A Oteo
- Center of Rickettsiosis and Arthropod-Borne Diseases, Infectious Diseases Department, Hospital San Pedro-Center of Biomedical Research from La Rioja (CIBIR), Logroño, La Rioja, Spain
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80
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Bitencourth K, Amorim M, DE Oliveira SV, Caetano RL, Voloch CM, Gazêta GS. Amblyomma sculptum: genetic diversity and rickettsias in the Brazilian Cerrado biome. MEDICAL AND VETERINARY ENTOMOLOGY 2017; 31:427-437. [PMID: 28752684 DOI: 10.1111/mve.12249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2017] [Revised: 03/19/2017] [Accepted: 04/10/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Amblyomma sculptum (Ixodida: Ixodidae) Berlese, 1888 is the most important tick vector in Brazil, transmitting the bioagent of the most severe form of spotted fever (SF) in part of the Cerrado (in the states of Minas Gerais and São Paulo). In another part of the Cerrado (Central-West region of Brazil), a milder form of SF has been recorded. However, neither the rickettsia nor the vector involved have been characterized. The aim of the current study was to analyse genetic variation and the presence of rickettsia in A. sculptum in Cerrado, from silent areas and with the milder form of SF. Samples were subjected to DNA extraction, amplification and sequencing of 12S rDNA, cytochrome oxidase subunit II and D-loop mitochondrial genes (for tick population analyses), and gltA, htrA, ompA and gene D (sca4) genes for rickettsia researches. Exclusive haplotypes with low frequencies, high haplotype diversity and low nucleotide diversity, star-shaped networks and significant results in neutrality tests indicate A. sculptum population expansions in some areas. Rickettsia amblyommatis, Candidatus Rickettsia andeanae and Rickettsia felis were detected. The A. sculptum diversity is not geographically, or biome delimited, pointing to a different potential in vector capacity, possibly associated with differing tick genetic profiles.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Bitencourth
- Laboratório de Referência Nacional em Vetores das Riquetsioses, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biodiversidade e Saúde, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - M Amorim
- Laboratório de Referência Nacional em Vetores das Riquetsioses, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - S V DE Oliveira
- Secretaria de Vigilância em Saúde, Ministério da Saúde, Unidade Técnica de Vigilância de Zoonoses, Brasília, Brazil
| | - R L Caetano
- Laboratório de Referência Nacional em Vetores das Riquetsioses, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - C M Voloch
- Laboratório de Biologia Evolutiva Teórica e Aplicada, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - G S Gazêta
- Laboratório de Referência Nacional em Vetores das Riquetsioses, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biodiversidade e Saúde, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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81
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Polsomboon S, Hoel DF, Murphy JR, Linton YM, Motoki M, Robbins RG, Bautista K, Bricen O I, Achee NL, Grieco JP, Ching WM, Chao CC. Molecular Detection and Identification of Rickettsia Species in Ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) Collected From Belize, Central America. JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY 2017; 54:1718-1726. [PMID: 28981693 DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjx141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Little is known about tick-borne rickettsial pathogens in Belize, Central America. We tested ixodid ticks for the presence of Rickettsia species in three of the six northern and western Belizean districts. Ticks were collected from domestic animals and tick drags over vegetation in 23 different villages in November 2014, February 2015, and May 2015. A total of 2,506 collected ticks were identified to the following species: Dermacentor nitens Neumann (46.69%), Rhipicephalus sanguineus (Latreille) (19.55%), Rhipicephalus microplus (Canestrini) (19.47%), Amblyomma cajennense complex (9.74%), Amblyomma maculatum Koch (3.47%), Amblyomma ovale Koch (0.68%), Ixodes nr affinis (0.16%), Amblyomma nr maculatum (0.12%), and Amblyomma nr oblongoguttatum (0.12%). Ticks were pooled according to species, life stage (larva, nymph, or adult), and location (n = 509) for DNA extraction and screened for genus Rickettsia by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). All 42 positive pools were found to be positive for spotted fever group (SFG) Rickettsia in pools of A. cajennense complex (n = 33), A. maculatum (n = 4), A. nr maculatum (n = 1), A. ovale (n = 1), R. sanguineus (n = 1), and I. nr affinis (n = 2). Rickettsia amblyommatis was identified from A. cajennense complex and A. nr maculatum. Rickettsia parkeri was found in A. maculatum, and Rickettsia sp. endosymbiont was detected in I. nr affinis. The presence of infected ticks suggests a risk of tick-borne rickettsioses to humans and animals in Belize. This knowledge can contribute to an effective tick management and disease control program benefiting residents and travelers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suppaluck Polsomboon
- Department of Preventive Medicine & Biostatistics, F. Edward Hébert School of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD 20814
| | - David F Hoel
- Department of Preventive Medicine & Biostatistics, F. Edward Hébert School of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD 20814
| | - Jittawadee R Murphy
- Department of Preventive Medicine & Biostatistics, F. Edward Hébert School of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD 20814
| | - Yvonne-Marie Linton
- Walter Reed Biosystematics Unit, Smithsonian Institution, Museum Support Center, MRC-534, Suitland, MD 20746
- Smithsonian Institution, Department of Entomology, National Museum of Natural History, 10th St. & Constitution Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20560
| | - Maysa Motoki
- Walter Reed Biosystematics Unit, Smithsonian Institution, Museum Support Center, MRC-534, Suitland, MD 20746
- Department of Entomology, Institut Pasteur du Laos, Sisattanak District, PO Box 3560, Vientiane, Laos, PDR
| | - Richard G Robbins
- Walter Reed Biosystematics Unit, Smithsonian Institution, Museum Support Center, MRC-534, Suitland, MD 20746
| | - Kim Bautista
- Ministry of Health, Vector Control Office, Orange Walk Town, Orange Walk, Belize
| | - Ireneo Bricen O
- Ministry of Health, Vector Control Office, Orange Walk Town, Orange Walk, Belize
- Belize Vector and Ecology Center (BVEC), Orange Walk Town, Orange Walk District, Belize
| | - Nicole L Achee
- Department of Biological Sciences, Eck Institute for Global Health, University of Notre Dame, 239 Galvin Life Science Center, Notre Dame, IN 46556
| | - John P Grieco
- Department of Biological Sciences, Eck Institute for Global Health, University of Notre Dame, 239 Galvin Life Science Center, Notre Dame, IN 46556
| | - Wei-Mei Ching
- Viral and Rickettsial Diseases Department, Infectious Disease Directorate, Naval Medical Research Center, Silver Spring, MD 20910
| | - Chien-Chung Chao
- Viral and Rickettsial Diseases Department, Infectious Disease Directorate, Naval Medical Research Center, Silver Spring, MD 20910
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Rotondano TEDF, Krawczak FDS, Barbosa WDO, Moraes-Filho J, Bastos FN, Labruna MB, Azevedo SSD, Melo MAD, Almeida AMPD. Ehrlichia canis and Rickettsia spp. in dogs from urban areas in Paraiba state, northeastern Brazil. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2017; 26:211-215. [PMID: 28658415 DOI: 10.1590/s1984-29612017030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2017] [Accepted: 04/26/2017] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The aims of our study was to identify Ehrlichia canis and antibodies against Rickettsia spp. belonging to the spotted fever group (SFG) in dogs sampled from Paraiba state, northeastern Brazil. Blood and serum samples collected by convenience from dogs in urban areas of five municipalities were analyzed by real-time PCR for the detection of E. canis DNA and by immunofluorescence assay test (IFAT) for the identification of antibodies against Rickettsia rickettsii, R. felis, R. parkeri, R. amblyommii and R. rhipicephali antigens. E. canis DNA was detected in 8.9% (64/719) of the blood samples, whereas 5.63% (43/763) of the serum samples were positive for at least one of the Rickettsia antigens tested by IFAT. This study showed for the first time the occurrence of E. canis and suggested the circulation of SFG Rickettsia in dogs in the study region of Paraiba state, northeastern Brazil.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Felipe da Silva Krawczak
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo - USP, São Paulo, SP, Brasil
| | | | - Jonas Moraes-Filho
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo - USP, São Paulo, SP, Brasil
| | - Fernanda Nieri Bastos
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo - USP, São Paulo, SP, Brasil
| | - Marcelo Bahia Labruna
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo - USP, São Paulo, SP, Brasil
| | - Sérgio Santos de Azevedo
- Unidade Acadêmica de Medicina Veterinária, Centro de Saúde e Tecnologia Rural, Universidade Federal de Campina Grande - UFCG, Patos, PB, Brasil
| | - Marcia Almeida de Melo
- Unidade Acadêmica de Medicina Veterinária, Centro de Saúde e Tecnologia Rural, Universidade Federal de Campina Grande - UFCG, Patos, PB, Brasil
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Trout Fryxell RT, Hendricks BM, Pompo K, Mays SE, Paulsen DJ, Operario DJ, Houston AE. Investigating the Adult Ixodid Tick Populations and Their Associated Anaplasma, Ehrlichia, and Rickettsia Bacteria at a Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever Hotspot in Western Tennessee. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2017; 17:527-538. [PMID: 28598270 DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2016.2091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Ehrlichiosis and rickettsiosis are two common bacterial tick-borne diseases in the southeastern United States. Ehrlichiosis is caused by ehrlichiae transmitted by Amblyomma americanum and rickettsiosis is caused by rickettsiae transmitted by Amblyomma maculatum and Dermacentor variabilis. These ticks are common and have overlapping distributions in the region. The objective of this study was to identify Anaplasma, Ehrlichia, and Rickettsia species associated with questing ticks in a Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF) hotspot, and identify habitats, time periods, and collection methods for collecting questing-infected ticks. Using vegetation drags and CO2-baited traps, ticks were collected six times (May-September 2012) from 100 sites (upland deciduous, bottomland deciduous, grassland, and coniferous habitats) in western Tennessee. Adult collections were screened for Anaplasma and Ehrlichia (simultaneous polymerase chain reaction [PCR]) and Rickettsia using genus-specific PCRs, and resulting positive amplicons were sequenced. Anaplasma and Ehrlichia were only identified within A. americanum (Ehrlichia ewingii, Ehrlichia chaffeensis, Panola Mountain Ehrlichia, and Anaplasma odocoilei sp. nov.); more Ehrlichia-infected A. americanum were collected at the end of June regardless of habitat and collection method. Rickettsia was identified in three tick species; "Candidatus Rickettsia amblyommii" from A. americanum, R. parkeri and R. andeanae from A. maculatum, and R. montanensis ( = montana) from D. variabilis. Overall, significantly more Rickettsia-infected ticks were identified as A. americanum and A. maculatum compared to D. variabilis; more infected-ticks were collected from sites May-July and with dragging. In this study, we report in the Tennessee RMSF hotspot the following: (1) Anaplasma and Ehrlichia are only found in A. americanum, (2) each tick species has its own Rickettsia species, (3) a majority of questing-infected ticks are collected May-July, (4) A. americanum and A. maculatum harbor pathogenic bacteria in western Tennessee, and (5) R. rickettsii remains unidentified.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca T Trout Fryxell
- 1 Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, University of Tennessee , Knoxville, Tennessee
| | - Brain M Hendricks
- 1 Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, University of Tennessee , Knoxville, Tennessee
| | - Kimberly Pompo
- 1 Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, University of Tennessee , Knoxville, Tennessee
| | - Sarah E Mays
- 1 Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, University of Tennessee , Knoxville, Tennessee
| | - Dave J Paulsen
- 1 Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, University of Tennessee , Knoxville, Tennessee
| | - Darwin J Operario
- 2 Division of Infectious Diseases and International Health, University of Virginia Health System , Charlottesville, Virginia
| | - Allan E Houston
- 3 Department of Forestry, Wildlife and Fisheries, University of Tennessee , Knoxville, Tennessee
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84
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Costa FB, da Costa AP, Moraes-Filho J, Martins TF, Soares HS, Ramirez DG, Dias RA, Labruna MB. Rickettsia amblyommatis infecting ticks and exposure of domestic dogs to Rickettsia spp. in an Amazon-Cerrado transition region of northeastern Brazil. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0179163. [PMID: 28594882 PMCID: PMC5464615 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0179163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2017] [Accepted: 05/24/2017] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
This study was performed in Maranhão state, a transition area two Brazilian biomes, Amazon and Cerrado. During 2011-2013, 1,560 domestic dogs were sampled for collection of serum blood samples and ticks in eight counties (3 within the Amazon and 5 within the Cerrado). A total of 959 ticks were collected on 150 dogs (9.6%). Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato (s.l.) was the most abundant tick (68% of all collected specimens), followed by Amblyomma cajennense sensu lato (s.l.) (12.9%), Amblyomma parvum (9.2%), and Amblyomma ovale (5.2%). Other less abundant species (<1%) were Amblyomma oblongoguttatum, Rhipicephalus microplus, Haemaphysalis juxtakochi, and Amblyomma rotundatum. Females of A. cajennense s.l. ticks were morphologically identified as A. cajennense sensu stricto (s.s.) or A. sculptum. Molecular analyses of 779 canine ticks revealed three Rickettsia species: Rickettsia amblyommatis in 1% (1/100) A. cajennense s.l., 'Candidatus Rickettsia andeanae' in 20.7% (12/58) A. parvum, Rickettsia bellii in 6.8% (3/44) A. ovale and 100% (1/1) A. rotundatum ticks. An additional collection of A. sculptum from horses in a Cerrado area, and A. cajennense s.s. from pigs in an Amazon area revealed R. amblyommatis infecting only the A. cajennense s.s. ticks. Serological analysis of the 1,560 canine blood samples revealed 12.6% canine seroreactivity to Rickettsia spp., with the highest specific seroreactivity rate (10.2%) for R. amblyommatis. Endpoint titers to R. amblyommatis were significantly higher than those for the other Rickettsia antigens, suggesting that most of the seroreactive dogs were exposed to R. amblyommatis-infected ticks. Highest canine seroreactivity rates per locality (13.1-30.8%) were found in Amazon biome, where A. cajennense s.s. predominated. Lowest seroreactivity rates (1.9-6.5%) were found in Cerrado localities that were further from the Amazon, where A. sculptum predominated. Multivariate analyses revealed that canine seroreactivity to Rickettsia spp. or R. amblyommatis was statistically associated with rural dogs, exposed to Amblyomma ticks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francisco B Costa
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine and Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
- Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, State University of Maranhão, São Luís, MA, Brazil
| | - Andréa P da Costa
- Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, State University of Maranhão, São Luís, MA, Brazil
| | - Jonas Moraes-Filho
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine and Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
- Mestrado em Medicina e Bem estar animal, Universidade Santo Amaro, Av. Prof. Eneas de Siqueira Neto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Thiago F Martins
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine and Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Herbert S Soares
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine and Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Diego G Ramirez
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine and Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Ricardo A Dias
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine and Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Marcelo B Labruna
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine and Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
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85
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Egizi A, Fefferman NH, Jordan RA. Relative Risk for Ehrlichiosis and Lyme Disease in an Area Where Vectors for Both Are Sympatric, New Jersey, USA. Emerg Infect Dis 2017; 23. [DOI: 10.3201/eid2306.160528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
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86
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Luz HR, Faccini JLH, McIntosh D. Molecular analyses reveal an abundant diversity of ticks and rickettsial agents associated with wild birds in two regions of primary Brazilian Atlantic Rainforest. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2017; 8:657-665. [PMID: 28479066 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2017.04.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2016] [Revised: 04/17/2017] [Accepted: 04/18/2017] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Brazilian wild birds are recognized as frequent and important hosts for immature stages of more than half of the 32 recognized species of Amblyomma ticks recorded in that country. Several species of Amblyomma harbor rickettsial agents, including members of the spotted fever group (SFG). Most studies on this topic relied primarily on morphological characterization and reported large portions of the collected ticks at the genus rather than species level. Clearly, this factor may have contributed to an underestimation of tick diversity and distribution and makes comparisons between studies difficult. The current investigation combined morphological and molecular analyses to assess the diversity of ticks and rickettsial agents associated with wild birds, captured in two regions of native Atlantic rainforest, in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. A total of 910 birds were captured, representing two orders, 34 families and 106 species, among which 93 specimens (10.2%), were parasitized by 138 immature ticks (60 larvae and 78 nymphs), representing 10 recognized species of the genus Amblyomma; together with two reasonably well classified haplotypes (Amblyomma sp. haplotype Nazaré and Amblyomma sp. strain USNTC 6792). Amplification by PCR and sequencing of rickettsial genes (htrA, gltA, ompA and ompB), demonstrated the presence of Rickettsia DNA in 48 (34%) of the ticks. Specifically, Rickettsia bellii was detected in a single larva and a single nymph of A. aureolatum; R. amblyomatis was found in 16 of 37 A. longirostre and was recorded for the first time in three nymphs of A. calcaratum; R. rhipicephali was detected in 9 (47%) of 19 Amblyomma sp. haplotype Nazaré ticks. The remaining ticks were infected with genetic variants of R. parkeri, namely strain ApPR in 12 A. parkeri and seven Amblyomma sp. haplotype Nazaré ticks, with the strain NOD found in two specimens of A. nodosum. Interestingly, a single larvae of A. ovale was shown to be infected with the emerging human pathogen Rickettsia sp. strain Atlantic rainforest (ARF), suggesting a possible role for birds in the dispersal of ticks infected with this variant of R. parkeri. The diversity of ticks and Rickettsia recorded in this study is, to our knowledge, the most abundant recorded to date in Brazil and highlighted the value of employing methods capable of providing species level identification of the ixodofauna of wild birds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hermes Ribeiro Luz
- Departamento de Parasitologia Animal, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, UFRRJ, Seropédica, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
| | - João Luiz Horacio Faccini
- Departamento de Parasitologia Animal, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, UFRRJ, Seropédica, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
| | - Douglas McIntosh
- Departamento de Parasitologia Animal, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, UFRRJ, Seropédica, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
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87
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Sosa-Gutierrez CG, Vargas-Sandoval M, Torres J, Gordillo-Pérez G. Tick-borne rickettsial pathogens in questing ticks, removed from humans and animals in Mexico. J Vet Sci 2017; 17:353-60. [PMID: 26726019 PMCID: PMC5037303 DOI: 10.4142/jvs.2016.17.3.353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2015] [Revised: 11/06/2015] [Accepted: 11/09/2015] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Tick-borne rickettsial diseases (TBRD) are commonly encountered in medical and veterinary clinical settings. The control of these diseases is difficult, requiring disruption of a complex transmission chain involving a vertebrate host and ticks. The geographical distribution of the diseases is related to distribution of the vector, which is an indicator of risk for the population. A total of 1,107 ticks were collected by tick dragging from forests, ecotourism parks and hosts at 101 sites in 22 of the 32 states of Mexico. Collected ticks were placed in 1.5 mL cryovials containing 70% ethanol and were identified to species. Ticks were pooled according to location/host of collection, date of collection, sex, and stage of development. A total of 51 ticks were assayed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to confirm species identification using morphological methods. A total of 477 pools of ticks were assayed using PCR techniques for selected tick-borne pathogens. Anaplasma phagocytophilum was the most commonly detected pathogen (45 pools), followed by, Ehrlichia (E.) canis (42), Rickettsia (R.) rickettsii (11), E. chaffeensis (8), and R. amblyommii (1). Rhipicephalus sanguineus was the tick most frequently positive for selected pathogens. Overall, our results indicate that potential tick vectors positive for rickettsial pathogens are distributed throughout the area surveyed in Mexico.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolina G Sosa-Gutierrez
- Unit of Research in Infectious Diseases, Children Hospital, National Medical Center, Institute of Mexico Social Security, Mexico City 06720, Mexico
| | - Margarita Vargas-Sandoval
- Department of Entomology, Faculty of Agrobiology, Universidad Michoacana de San Nicolás de Hidalgo, Uruapan 60150, Mexico
| | - Javier Torres
- Unit of Research in Infectious Diseases, Children Hospital, National Medical Center, Institute of Mexico Social Security, Mexico City 06720, Mexico
| | - Guadalupe Gordillo-Pérez
- Unit of Research in Infectious Diseases, Children Hospital, National Medical Center, Institute of Mexico Social Security, Mexico City 06720, Mexico
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88
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Minervino AHH, Lima JTR, Soares HS, Malheiros AF, Marcili A, Krawczak FDS, Lopes MG, Martins TF, Moreira TR, Ribeiro MFB, Labruna MB, Gennari SM. Seroprevalence of Tick-Borne Pathogens and Tick Infestation in Dogs from Tapirapé and Karajá Indigenous Communities, Brazil. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2017; 15:412-8. [PMID: 26186512 DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2014.1737] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
With the aim of studying some tick-borne diseases, a total of 327 dogs (114 from Tapirapé and 213 from Karajá indigenous ethnicity, Mato Grosso, MT, Brazil) were sampled. Serum samples were submitted to the indirect fluorescence antibody test (IFAT) to detect antibodies against Babesia vogeli, Ehrlichia canis, and Rickettsia spp. Possible associations of risk factors and the occurrence of seroreativity to tick-borne agents and tick infestations were analyzed through chi-squared tests. Among 327 dogs, 46 (13.15%) were seropositive for B. vogeli and 47 (14.37%) for E. canis. The B. vogeli seroprevalence was higher for Karajá and for adult dogs (p>0.05). No association was found for E. canis seroprevalence. From 103 serum samples tested with rickettsial antigens, 90 (87%) dogs were seropositive to Rickettsia spp., with highest reactivity to Rickettsia amblyommii. Canine seropositivity to Rickettsia spp. was associated (p<0.05) with ethnicity (higher seroprevalence in Tapirapé dogs), age (higher in adults), and hunting (higher among hunting dogs). From the 327 dogs, 39 (11.9%) were infested by ticks (Amblyomma cajennense sensu stricto, Amblyomma ovale, Amblyomma oblongoguttatum, Amblyomma tigrinum, and Rhipicephalus sanguineus). Infestations by Amblyomma spp. ticks were higher in dogs from Tapirapé community and in hunting dogs (p<0.05). Regarding R. sanguineus, infestations were higher (p<0.05) among young dogs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Humberto Hamad Minervino
- 1 Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo , São Paulo, SP, Brazil .,2 Instituto de Biodiversidade e Floresta, Universidade Federal do Oeste do Pará , Santarém, PA, Brazil
| | | | - Herbert Sousa Soares
- 1 Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo , São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Antonio Francisco Malheiros
- 3 Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Biológicas, Universidade do Estado de Mato Grosso-UNEMAT, Cáceres, MT, Brazil
| | - Arlei Marcili
- 1 Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo , São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Felipe da Silva Krawczak
- 1 Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo , São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Marcos Gomes Lopes
- 1 Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo , São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Thiago Fernandes Martins
- 1 Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo , São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Thiago Rocha Moreira
- 2 Instituto de Biodiversidade e Floresta, Universidade Federal do Oeste do Pará , Santarém, PA, Brazil
| | - Múcio Flávio Barbosa Ribeiro
- 3 Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Biológicas, Universidade do Estado de Mato Grosso-UNEMAT, Cáceres, MT, Brazil
| | - Marcelo B Labruna
- 1 Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo , São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Solange Maria Gennari
- 1 Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo , São Paulo, SP, Brazil
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Levin ML, Zemtsova GE, Killmaster LF, Snellgrove A, Schumacher LBM. Vector competence of Amblyomma americanum (Acari: Ixodidae) for Rickettsia rickettsii. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2017; 8:615-622. [PMID: 28433728 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2017.04.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2016] [Revised: 03/03/2017] [Accepted: 04/10/2017] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Rickettsia rickettsii - the etiologic agent of Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF) - is widely spread across the Americas. In the US, Dermacentor spp. ticks are identified as primary vectors of R. rickettsii and Rhipicephalus sanguineus s.l. has been implicated in transmission of this pathogen in several locations in the Southwest. Conversely, ticks of the genus Amblyomma are recognized vectors of RMSF in Central and South America, but not in the US. A. americanum is one of the most aggressive human-biting ticks in the US, whose geographical range overlaps with that of reported RMSF cases. Despite sporadic findings of R. rickettsii DNA in field-collected A. americanum and circumstantial association of this species with human RMSF cases, its vector competence for R. rickettsii has not been appropriately studied. Therefore, we assessed the ability of A. americanum to acquire and transmit two geographically distant isolates of R. rickettsii. The Di-6 isolate of R. rickettsii used in this study originated in Virginia and the AZ-3 isolate originated in Arizona. Under laboratory conditions, A. americanum demonstrated vector competence for both isolates, although the efficiency of acquisition and transovarial transmission was higher for Di-6 than for AZ-3 isolate. Uninfected larvae acquired the pathogen from systemically infected guinea pigs, as well as while feeding side by side with Rickettsia-infected ticks on non-rickettsiemic hosts. Once acquired, R. rickettsii was successfully maintained through the tick molting process and transmitted to susceptible animals during subsequent feedings. Guinea pigs and dogs infested with infected A. americanum developed fever, scrotal edema and dermatitis or macular rash. R. rickettsii DNA was identified in animal blood, skin, and internal organs. The prevalence of infection within tick cohorts gradually increased due to side-by-side feeding of infected and uninfected individuals from 33 to 49% in freshly molted nymphs to 71-98% in engorged females. Moreover, R. rickettsii was transmitted transovarially by approximately 28% and 14% of females infected with Di-6 and AZ-3 isolates, respectively. Hence, A. americanum is capable of acquiring, maintaining and transmitting R. rickettsii isolates originating from two different geographical regions of the US, at least under laboratory conditions. Its role in ecology and epidemiology of RMSF in the US deserves further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael L Levin
- Rickettsial Zoonoses Branch, Centers for Disease Control, Prevention, Atlanta, GA, United States.
| | - Galina E Zemtsova
- Rickettsial Zoonoses Branch, Centers for Disease Control, Prevention, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Lindsay F Killmaster
- Rickettsial Zoonoses Branch, Centers for Disease Control, Prevention, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Alyssa Snellgrove
- Rickettsial Zoonoses Branch, Centers for Disease Control, Prevention, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Lauren B M Schumacher
- Rickettsial Zoonoses Branch, Centers for Disease Control, Prevention, Atlanta, GA, United States
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90
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Jordan RA, Schulze TL, Eisen L, Dolan MC. Ability of Three General-Use Pesticides To Suppress Nymphal Ixodes scapularis and Amblyomma americanum (Acari: Ixodidae). JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN MOSQUITO CONTROL ASSOCIATION 2017; 33:50-55. [PMID: 28388324 DOI: 10.2987/16-6610.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
We evaluated 3 over-the-counter pesticides for their ability to suppress host-seeking Ixodes scapularis and Amblyomma americanum nymphs. We applied liquid concentrate and granular formulations of Bayer Advanced Complete Insect Killer, Spectracide Triazicide Insect Killer, and Ortho Bug-B-Gon to forest plots using equipment available for purchase at retail home improvement outlets. All 3 liquid formulations provided rapid knockdown (≥98% control) of both species 1 day after application. Liquid Ortho Bug-B-Gone provided 100% suppression of I. scapularis throughout the 28-day postapplication period, while the other 2 liquid materials provided >95% control after 28 days. All liquid products also provided ≥95% control of A. americanum nymphs after 28 days. Granular formulations provided less consistent results, including lower 1-day knockdown rates for both species, due to very dry conditions, which prevented adequate release of the active ingredient from the carrier materials. After it rained in the study area, 7 and 14 days after application, we observed ≥99% suppression of both species. At 28 days posttreatment, control ranged between 87.5% and 95.6% for I. scapularis and between 89.3% and 94.4% for A. americanum . We show that these over-the-counter acaricides effectively suppressed 2 medically important tick vectors for at least 4 wk, and they provide a cost-effective tick control option for homeowners. In general, liquid formulations provided more rapid and greater and more consistent suppression than granular formulations, which may have implications for homeowner use of these products.
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91
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Bermúdez SE, Gottdenker N, Krishnvajhala A, Fox A, Wilder HK, González K, Smith D, López M, Perea M, Rigg C, Montilla S, Calzada JE, Saldaña A, Caballero CM, Lopez JE. Synanthropic Mammals as Potential Hosts of Tick-Borne Pathogens in Panama. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0169047. [PMID: 28060928 PMCID: PMC5218486 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0169047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2016] [Accepted: 12/11/2016] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Synanthropic wild mammals can be important hosts for many vector-borne zoonotic pathogens. The aim of this study was determine the exposure of synanthropic mammals to two types of tick-borne pathogens in Panama, spotted fever group Rickettsia (SFGR) and Borrelia relapsing fever (RF) spirochetes. One hundred and thirty-one wild mammals were evaluated, including two gray foxes, two crab-eating foxes (from zoos), four coyotes, 62 opossum and 63 spiny rats captured close to rural towns. To evaluate exposure to SFGR, serum samples from the animals were tested by indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) using Rickettsia rickettsii and Candidatus Rickettsia amblyommii antigen. Immunoblotting was performed using Borrelia turicatae protein lysates and rGlpQ, to assess infection caused by RF spirochetes. One coyote (25%) and 27 (43%) opossums showed seroreactivity to SFGR. Of these opossums, 11 were seroreactive to C. R. amblyommii. Serological reactivity was not detected to B. turicatae in mammal samples. These findings may reflect a potential role of both mammals in the ecology of tick-borne pathogens in Panama.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergio E. Bermúdez
- Departamento de Investigación en Entomología Médica, Instituto Conmemorativo Gorgas de Estudios de la Salud, Ciudad de Panamá, Panamá
| | - Nicole Gottdenker
- Department of Veterinary Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Aparna Krishnvajhala
- Department of Pediatrics, Section of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Amy Fox
- Department of Pediatrics, Section of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Hannah K. Wilder
- Department of Pediatrics, Section of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Kadir González
- Departamento de Investigación en Parasitología, Instituto Conmemorativo Gorgas de Estudios de la Salud, Ciudad de Panamá, Panamá
| | | | | | - Milixa Perea
- Departamento de Investigación en Parasitología, Instituto Conmemorativo Gorgas de Estudios de la Salud, Ciudad de Panamá, Panamá
| | - Chystrie Rigg
- Departamento de Investigación en Parasitología, Instituto Conmemorativo Gorgas de Estudios de la Salud, Ciudad de Panamá, Panamá
| | - Santiago Montilla
- Departamento de Investigación en Parasitología, Instituto Conmemorativo Gorgas de Estudios de la Salud, Ciudad de Panamá, Panamá
| | - José E. Calzada
- Departamento de Investigación en Parasitología, Instituto Conmemorativo Gorgas de Estudios de la Salud, Ciudad de Panamá, Panamá
| | - Azael Saldaña
- Departamento de Investigación en Parasitología, Instituto Conmemorativo Gorgas de Estudios de la Salud, Ciudad de Panamá, Panamá
| | | | - Job E. Lopez
- Department of Pediatrics, Section of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, Texas, United States of America
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92
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Sebastian PS, Tarragona EL, Bottero MNS, Mangold AJ, Mackenstedt U, Nava S. Bacteria of the genera Ehrlichia and Rickettsia in ticks of the family Ixodidae with medical importance in Argentina. EXPERIMENTAL & APPLIED ACAROLOGY 2017; 71:87-96. [PMID: 27812828 DOI: 10.1007/s10493-016-0096-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2016] [Accepted: 10/20/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to get an overview about the occurrence of bacteria from the genus Ehrlichia and Rickettsia in ixodid ticks with medical importance in Argentina. Therefore, in 2013 and 2014, free-living ticks were collected in different provinces of northern Argentina. These ticks were determined as Amblyomma sculptum, Amblyomma neumanni, Amblyomma parvum, Amblyomma triste, Amblyomma ovale, Amblyomma tonelliae and Haemaphysalis juxtakochi. All samples were tested to determine the infection with Ehrlichia spp. and Rickettsia spp. by PCR assays. Rickettsial DNA was detected in all tested tick species, with the exception of A. tonelliae. 'Candidatus Rickettsia amblyommii', 'Candidatus Rickettsia andeanae', and Rickettsia parkeri were found in A. neumanni, A. parvum, and A. triste, respectively. Another rickettsial species, Rickettsia bellii, was found in A. sculptum, A. ovale and H. juxtakochi. None of the tested ticks showed infection with Ehrlichia. The results of the study demonstrate that Rickettsia species belonging to the spotted fever group are associated with various species of Amblyomma throughout a wide area of northern Argentina, where cases of Amblyomma ticks biting humans are common.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick S Sebastian
- Parasitology Unit, University of Hohenheim, Emil-Wolff-Straße 34, 70593, Stuttgart, Germany.
- Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria, Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Rafaela and Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, CC 22, 2300, Rafaela, Santa Fe, Argentina.
| | - Evelina L Tarragona
- Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria, Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Rafaela and Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, CC 22, 2300, Rafaela, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - María N Saracho Bottero
- Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria, Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Rafaela and Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, CC 22, 2300, Rafaela, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Atilio J Mangold
- Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria, Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Rafaela and Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, CC 22, 2300, Rafaela, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Ute Mackenstedt
- Parasitology Unit, University of Hohenheim, Emil-Wolff-Straße 34, 70593, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Santiago Nava
- Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria, Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Rafaela and Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, CC 22, 2300, Rafaela, Santa Fe, Argentina
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93
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Fluorescent Protein Expressing Rickettsia buchneri and Rickettsia peacockii for Tracking Symbiont-Tick Cell Interactions. Vet Sci 2016; 3:vetsci3040034. [PMID: 29056742 PMCID: PMC5606589 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci3040034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2016] [Revised: 11/10/2016] [Accepted: 11/14/2016] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Rickettsiae of indeterminate pathogenicity are widely associated with ticks. The presence of these endosymbionts can confound a One Health approach to combatting tick-borne diseases. Genomic analyses of symbiotic rickettsiae have revealed that they harbor mutations in gene coding for proteins involved in rickettsial pathogenicity and motility. We have isolated and characterized two rickettsial symbionts—Rickettsia peacockii and R. buchneri—both from ticks using tick cell cultures. To better track these enigmatic rickettsiae in ticks and at the tick-mammal interface we transformed the rickettsiae to express fluorescent proteins using shuttle vectors based on rickettsial plasmids or a transposition system driving insertional mutagenesis. Fluorescent protein expressing R. buchneri and R. peacockii will enable us to elucidate their interactions with tick and mammalian cells, and track their location and movement within individual cells, vector ticks, and host animals.
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94
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Budachetri K, Williams J, Mukherjee N, Sellers M, Moore F, Karim S. The microbiome of neotropical ticks parasitizing on passerine migratory birds. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2016; 8:170-173. [PMID: 27802919 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2016.10.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2015] [Revised: 10/17/2016] [Accepted: 10/24/2016] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Seasonal migration of passerine birds between temperate North America and tropical Central and South America is an ecological phenomenon. Migration of birds has been associated with the introduction of ectoparasites like ticks or tick-borne pathogens across the avian migration routes. In this study, the microbial diversity was determined in the ticks and bird DNA samples using 454 pyrosequencing of bacterial 16S rRNA gene. Tick DNA samples showed the dominance of genera Lactococcus, Francisella, Raoultella, Wolbachia and Rickettsia across all the ticks, but birds DNA did not share common microbial diversity with ticks. Furthermore, "Candidatus Rickettsia amblyommii" infection in the 91 ticks collected off the songbirds was also quantified by qPCR assay. Interestingly, "Candidatus R. amblyommii" was tested positive in 24 ticks (26% infection), and infection varied from as low as three copies to thousands of copies, but bird blood samples showed no amplification. Our results provide evidence that songbirds serve as transport carrier for immature ticks, and less likely to be a reservoir for "Candidatus R. amblyommii".
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Affiliation(s)
- Khemraj Budachetri
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Southern Mississippi, 118 College Drive #5018, Hattiesburg, MS 39406, USA
| | - Jaclyn Williams
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Southern Mississippi, 118 College Drive #5018, Hattiesburg, MS 39406, USA
| | - Nabanita Mukherjee
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Southern Mississippi, 118 College Drive #5018, Hattiesburg, MS 39406, USA
| | - Michael Sellers
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Southern Mississippi, 118 College Drive #5018, Hattiesburg, MS 39406, USA
| | - Frank Moore
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Southern Mississippi, 118 College Drive #5018, Hattiesburg, MS 39406, USA
| | - Shahid Karim
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Southern Mississippi, 118 College Drive #5018, Hattiesburg, MS 39406, USA.
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95
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Risk of encountering ticks and tick-borne pathogens in a rapidly growing metropolitan area in the U.S. Great Plains. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2016; 8:119-124. [PMID: 27773826 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2016.10.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2016] [Revised: 09/16/2016] [Accepted: 10/13/2016] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The prevalence of tick-borne diseases has increased dramatically in many urban areas of the U.S., yet little is known about the ecology of ticks and tick-borne pathogens in relation to characteristics of North American urban and suburban landscapes. This study aimed to begin identification of the risk of encountering ticks and tick-borne pathogens within a rapidly expanding metropolitan area in the U.S. Great Plains region. Ten sites across Oklahoma City, Oklahoma were selected for tick sampling based on presence of tick habitat and level of urbanization intensity. Sampling was conducted using CO2 traps and flagging in June, July and October 2015. A total of 552 ticks were collected from eight of the ten sampled greenspaces. The majority of ticks collected in summer were Amblyomma americanum (N=534 (97.8%)), followed by Dermacentor variabilis (N=10 (1.8%)) and Amblyomma maculatum (N=2 (0.3%)). Ixodes scapularis adult females (N=4) and nymphal A. americanum (N=2) were also collected in October 2015. Tick species diversity was highest in sites with >15% of the surrounding landscape composed of undeveloped land. Rickettsia sp. (including R. amblyommii and 'Candidatus R. andeanae'), Ehrlichia chaffeensis and/or E. ewingii were detected in tick pools from all eight sites where ticks were found. Our data suggest that the risk of encountering ticks and tick-borne pathogens exists throughout the Oklahoma City metropolitan area and that tick populations are likely influenced by urbanization intensity. Continued research is needed to clarify the full range of abiotic and biotic features of urban landscapes that influence the risk of encountering ticks and transmitting tick-borne diseases.
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96
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Jaworski DC, Cheng C, Nair ADS, Ganta RR. Amblyomma americanum ticks infected with in vitro cultured wild-type and mutants of Ehrlichia chaffeensis are competent to produce infection in naïve deer and dogs. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2016; 8:60-64. [PMID: 27729288 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2016.09.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2015] [Revised: 09/25/2016] [Accepted: 09/25/2016] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Monocytic ehrlichiosis in people caused by the intracellular bacterium, Ehrlichia chaffeensis, is an emerging infectious disease transmitted by the lone star tick, Amblyomma americanum. Tick transmission disease models for ehrlichiosis require at least two hosts and two tick blood feeding episodes to recapitulate the natural transmission cycle. One blood feeding is necessary for the tick to acquire the infection from an infected host and the next feeding is needed to transmit the bacterium to a naïve host. We have developed a model for E. chaffeensis transmission that eliminates the entire tick acquisition stage while still producing high numbers of infected ticks that are also able to transmit infections to naïve hosts. Fully engorged A. americanum nymphs were ventrally needle-infected, possibly into the midgut, and following molting, the unfed adult ticks were used to infect naive deer and dogs. We have also described using the ticks infected by this method the transmission of both wild-type and transposon mutants of E. chaffeensis to its primary reservoir host, white tailed deer and to another known host, dog. The infection progression and IgG antibody responses in deer were similar to those observed with transmission feeding of ticks acquiring infection by natural blood feeding. The pathogen infections acquired by natural tick transmission and by feeding needle-infected ticks on animals were also similar to intravenous infections in causing persistent infections. Needle-infected ticks having the ability to transmit pathogens will be a valuable resource to substantially simplify the process of generating infected ticks and to study infection systems in vertebrate hosts where interference of other pathogens could be avoided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deborah C Jaworski
- Center of Excellence for Vector-Borne Diseases, Department of Diagnostic Medicine/Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506, United States; Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078, United States.
| | - Chuanmin Cheng
- Center of Excellence for Vector-Borne Diseases, Department of Diagnostic Medicine/Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506, United States
| | - Arathy D S Nair
- Center of Excellence for Vector-Borne Diseases, Department of Diagnostic Medicine/Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506, United States
| | - Roman R Ganta
- Center of Excellence for Vector-Borne Diseases, Department of Diagnostic Medicine/Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506, United States
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97
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Karpathy SE, Slater KS, Goldsmith CS, Nicholson WL, Paddock CD. Rickettsia amblyommatis sp. nov., a spotted fever group Rickettsia associated with multiple species of Amblyomma ticks in North, Central and South America. Int J Syst Evol Microbiol 2016; 66:5236-5243. [PMID: 27638476 DOI: 10.1099/ijsem.0.001502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
In 1973, investigators isolated a rickettsial organism, designated strain WB-8-2T, from an adult Amblyomma americanum tick collected at Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area, TN, USA. This organism is now recognized as highly prevalent in A. americanum, as well as several other Amblyomma species found throughout the Western hemisphere. It has been suggested that cross-reactivity to WB-8-2T and similar strains contributes to the increasing number of spotted fever cases reported in the USA. In 1995, investigators provided preliminary evidence that this strain, as well as another strain from Missouri, represented a distinct taxonomic unit within the genus Rickettsia by evaluating sequences of the 16S rRNA and 17 kDa protein genes. However, the bacterium was never formally named, despite the use of the designation 'Rickettsia amblyommii' and later 'Candidatus Rickettsia amblyommii', for more than 20 years in the scientific literature. Herein, we provide additional molecular evidence to identify strain WB-8-2T as a representative strain of a unique rickettsial species and present a formal description for the species, with the proposed name modified to Rickettsia amblyommatis sp. nov. to conform to the International Code of Nomenclature of Prokaryotes. We also establish a pure culture of strain WB-8-2T and designate it as the type strain for the species. The type strain is WB-8-2T (=CRIRC RAM004T=CSURP2882T).
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandor E Karpathy
- Rickettsial Zoonoses Branch, Division of Vector-Borne Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Kimetha S Slater
- Rickettsial Zoonoses Branch, Division of Vector-Borne Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Cynthia S Goldsmith
- Infectious Diseases Pathology Branch, Division of High-Consequence Pathogens and Pathology, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - William L Nicholson
- Rickettsial Zoonoses Branch, Division of Vector-Borne Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Christopher D Paddock
- Rickettsial Zoonoses Branch, Division of Vector-Borne Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Atlanta, GA, USA
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98
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First report of "Candidatus Rickettsia amblyommii" in west coast of Mexico. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2016; 7:1139-1145. [PMID: 27616774 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2016.08.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2016] [Revised: 08/01/2016] [Accepted: 08/14/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
We report the first case of "Candidatus Rickettsia amblyommii" detected in Amblyomma mixtum ticks on humans on the west coast of Mexico. This is the most western record of "Ca. R. amblyommii" in the Western Hemisphere, representing the first record for the western coast of the Americas. Even if the record is far from the previously known locations for the species it does not represent a new record regarding temperature, precipitation and topographic parameters. Since "Ca. R. amblyommii" antibodies have been detected in patients suspected of Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and the tick A. mixtum has been associated with humans, it is important to consider "Ca. R. amblyommii" as a potential risk for the human population that has not been considered at risk before.
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Troyo A, Moreira-Soto RD, Calderon-Arguedas Ó, Mata-Somarribas C, Ortiz-Tello J, Barbieri ARM, Avendaño A, Vargas-Castro LE, Labruna MB, Hun L, Taylor L. Detection of rickettsiae in fleas and ticks from areas of Costa Rica with history of spotted fever group rickettsioses. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2016; 7:1128-1134. [PMID: 27592065 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2016.08.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2016] [Revised: 08/01/2016] [Accepted: 08/22/2016] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Outbreaks of spotted fevers have been reported in Costa Rica since the 1950s, although vectors responsible for transmission to humans have not been directly identified. In this study, species of Rickettsia were detected in ectoparasites from Costa Rica, mostly from five study sites where cases of spotted fevers have been reported. Ticks and fleas were collected using drag cloths or directly from domestic and wild animals and pooled according to species, host, and location. Pools were analyzed initially by PCR to detect a fragment of Rickettsia spp. specific gltA gene, and those positive were confirmed by detection of htrA and/or ompA gene fragments. Partial sequences of the gltA gene were obtained, as well as at least one ompA and/or ompB partial sequence of each species. Rickettsia spp. were confirmed in 119 of 497 (23.9%) pools of ticks and fleas analyzed. Rickettsia rickettsii was identified in one nymph of Amblyomma mixtum and one nymph of Amblyomma varium. Other rickettsiae present were 'Candidatus Rickettsia amblyommii' in A. mixtum, Amblyomma ovale, Dermacentor nitens, and Rhipicephalus sanguineus s. l.; Rickettsia bellii in Amblyomma sabanerae; Rickettsia felis in Ctenocephalides felis; and Rickettsia sp. similar to 'Candidatus R. asemboensis' in C. felis, Pulex simulans, A. ovale, and Rhipicephalus microplus. Results show the presence of rickettsiae in vectors that may be responsible for transmission to humans in Costa Rica, and evidence suggests exposure to rickettsial organisms in the human environment may be common. This is the first study to report R. rickettsii in A. varium and in A. mixtum in Costa Rica.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriana Troyo
- Centro de Investigación en Enfermedades Tropicales and Facultad de Microbiología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica.
| | - Rolando D Moreira-Soto
- Centro de Investigación en Enfermedades Tropicales and Facultad de Microbiología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica; Centro de Investigación en Estructuras Microscópicas, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica
| | - Ólger Calderon-Arguedas
- Centro de Investigación en Enfermedades Tropicales and Facultad de Microbiología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica
| | - Carlos Mata-Somarribas
- Centro de Investigación en Enfermedades Tropicales and Facultad de Microbiología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica
| | - Jusara Ortiz-Tello
- Centro de Investigación en Enfermedades Tropicales and Facultad de Microbiología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica
| | - Amália R M Barbieri
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Adrián Avendaño
- Centro de Investigación en Enfermedades Tropicales and Facultad de Microbiología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica
| | - Luis E Vargas-Castro
- Centro de Investigación en Enfermedades Tropicales and Facultad de Microbiología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica
| | - Marcelo B Labruna
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Laya Hun
- Centro de Investigación en Enfermedades Tropicales and Facultad de Microbiología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica
| | - Lizeth Taylor
- Centro de Investigación en Enfermedades Tropicales and Facultad de Microbiología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica
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Sayler KA, Loftis AD, Beatty SK, Boyce CL, Garrison E, Clemons B, Cunningham M, Alleman AR, Barbet AF. Prevalence of Tick-Borne Pathogens in Host-Seeking Amblyomma americanum (Acari: Ixodidae) and Odocoileus virginianus (Artiodactyla: Cervidae) in Florida. JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY 2016; 53:949-956. [PMID: 27117680 DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjw054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2016] [Accepted: 03/27/2016] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Amblyomma americanum (L.), the lone star tick, is an aggressive tick that is expanding its geographic range within the United States. This tick is the vector for the human and veterinary pathogens Ehrlichia chaffeensis and Ehrlichia ewingii and is associated with other microbes of unspecified pathogenicity including Rickettsia amblyommii, Panola Mountain Ehrlichia, and Borrelia lonestari In Florida, there has been sparse contemporary data on the prevalence of these organisms in host-seeking lone star ticks. To determine the prevalence of this tick and associated microbes in North Central Florida state parks, ∼1,500 lone star tick specimens were collected between 2010 and 2012 analyzed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) sequencing. Additionally, 393 white-tailed deer, Odocoileus virginianus (Zimmerman), samples were analyzed for pathogen prevalence using molecular methods and serology. In lone star ticks, 14.6, 15.6, and 57.1% were positive for E. chaffeensis, E. ewingii, and Rickettsia spp. DNA, respectively. Panola Mountain Ehrlichia or B. lonestari DNA were each detected in nearly 2% of tick specimens. In white-tailed deer, 7.3% were PCR positive for E. chaffeensis, 6.0% for E. ewingii, and 3.2% for rickettsial species. Approximately 45% of white-tailed deer specimens had antibodies to Ehrlichia spp., and <1% had antibodies to Borrelia burgdorferi In summary, E. chaffeensis, E. ewingii, and spotted fever group rickettsia are highly prevalent in host-seeking lone star ticks and in white-tailed deer in Florida. The molecular and serological evidence of these microbes underscore their zoonotic potential in this region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine A Sayler
- Department of Physiological Sciences, University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine, 2015 SW 16th Ave., Gainesville, FL 32608 (; ; ; ),
- Department of Infectious Disease and Pathology, University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine, 2015 SW 16th Ave., Gainesville, FL 32608
| | - Amanda D Loftis
- Department of Microbiology, Midwestern University Glendale, 19555 N 59th Ave., Glendale, AZ 85308 , and
| | - Sarah K Beatty
- Department of Physiological Sciences, University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine, 2015 SW 16th Ave., Gainesville, FL 32608 (; ; ; )
| | - Carisa L Boyce
- Department of Physiological Sciences, University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine, 2015 SW 16th Ave., Gainesville, FL 32608 (; ; ; )
| | - Elina Garrison
- Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Fish & Wildlife Research Institute, 1105 SW Williston Rd., Gainesville, FL 32601 (; ; )
| | - Bambi Clemons
- Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Fish & Wildlife Research Institute, 1105 SW Williston Rd., Gainesville, FL 32601 (; ; )
| | - Mark Cunningham
- Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Fish & Wildlife Research Institute, 1105 SW Williston Rd., Gainesville, FL 32601 (; ; )
| | - Arthur R Alleman
- Department of Physiological Sciences, University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine, 2015 SW 16th Ave., Gainesville, FL 32608 (; ; ; )
| | - Anthony F Barbet
- Department of Infectious Disease and Pathology, University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine, 2015 SW 16th Ave., Gainesville, FL 32608
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