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Lledó L, Giménez-Pardo C. Preliminary Evidence of Rickettsia slovaca and Rickettsia conorii Infection in the Sera of Sheep, Dogs and Deer from an Area of Northern Spain. Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10070836. [PMID: 34357986 PMCID: PMC8308561 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10070836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2021] [Revised: 06/24/2021] [Accepted: 07/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Limited information is available on the presence of rickettsial infection in animal reservoirs in Spain. Antibodies against Rickettsia slovaca and Rickettsia conorii were therefore sought in the sera of farm, domestic and wild animals (n = 223 samples) in an area of northern Spain. Indirect immunofluorescence assays showed: (A) 17/120 and 16/120 (14.2% and 13.3%) of serum samples from sheep (farm animals) reacted with R. slovaca and R. conorii antigens, respectively; (B) 10/73 and 10/73 (13.7% and 13.7%) of samples from dogs (domestic animals) did the same; (C) as did 22/30 and 20/30 (73.3% and 66.6%) of samples from deer (wild animals) (overall titre range: 1/40 to 1/1280). The prevalence of both types of infection was significantly greater in the wild animals than either the farm or domestic animals. The largest titres were recorded for R. slovaca in all three groups.
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Wild Small Mammals and Ticks in Zoos-Reservoir of Agents with Zoonotic Potential? Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10060777. [PMID: 34205547 PMCID: PMC8235793 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10060777] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2021] [Revised: 06/13/2021] [Accepted: 06/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Wild small mammals and ticks play an important role in maintaining and spreading zoonoses in nature, as well as in captive animals. The aim of this study was to monitor selected agents with zoonotic potential in their reservoirs and vectors in a zoo, and to draw attention to the risk of possible contact with these pathogens. In total, 117 wild small mammals (rodents) and 166 ticks were collected in the area of Brno Zoo. Antibodies to the bacteria Coxiella burnetii, Francisella tularensis, and Borrelia burgdorferi s.l. were detected by a modified enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in 19% (19/99), 4% (4/99), and 15% (15/99) of rodents, respectively. Antibodies to Leptospira spp. bacteria were detected by the microscopic agglutination test in 6% (4/63) of rodents. Coinfection (antibodies to more than two agents) were proved in 14.5% (15/97) of animals. The prevalence of C. burnetii statistically differed according to the years of trapping (p = 0.0241). The DNAs of B. burgdorferi s.l., Rickettsia sp., and Anaplasma phagocytophilum were detected by PCR in 16%, 6%, and 1% of ticks, respectively, without coinfection and without effect of life stage and sex of ticks on positivity. Sequencing showed homology with R. helvetica and A. phagocytophilum in four and one positive samples, respectively. The results of our study show that wild small mammals and ticks in a zoo could serve as reservoirs and vectors of infectious agents with zoonotic potential and thus present a risk of infection to zoo animals and also to keepers and visitors to a zoo.
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Turebekov N, Abdiyeva K, Yegemberdiyeva R, Kuznetsov A, Dmitrovskiy A, Yeraliyeva L, Shapiyeva Z, Batyrbayeva D, Tukhanova N, Shin A, Musralina L, Hoelscher M, Froeschl G, Dobler G, Freimueller K, Wagner E, Frey S, Essbauer S. Occurrence of Anti-Rickettsia spp. Antibodies in Hospitalized Patients with Undifferentiated Febrile Illness in the Southern Region of Kazakhstan. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2021; 104:2000-2008. [PMID: 33901004 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.20-0388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2020] [Accepted: 02/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Undifferentiated febrile illness still represents a demanding medical problem all over the world, but primarily in low- and middle-income countries. Scientific and clinical investigations related to undifferentiated febrile illness and rickettsial diseases in Kazakhstan are lacking. This study reflects the investigation of antibodies against spotted fever group (SFG) and typhus group (TG) rickettsiae in patients with undifferentiated febrile illness in the southern region of Kazakhstan (Almaty and Kyzylorda oblasts). Paired serum samples were gathered from 13 hospitals in these two oblasts and explored for the presence of IgM and IgG antibodies against typhus group and IgG antibodies against spotted fever group rickettsiae using ELISA. Patient's questionnaires were statistically analyzed. In total, 802 inpatients from Almaty (N = 9) and Kyzylorda (N = 4) hospitals were included in this research. Based on ELISA results, 250 patients out of 802 (31.2%) from both oblasts had IgG antibodies against SFG rickettsiae. Results from 11 (1.4%) patients indicated acute infection with tick-borne rickettsiosis. Regarding TG rickettsiae (R. typhi), a past infection was detected in 248 (30.9%) febrile patients and acute infection in 22 (2.7%) patients in the two selected oblasts. The data indicated that SFG and TG rickettsioses are present in Kazakhstan. Kazakh physicians should be aware of these emerging diseases in both investigated oblasts because the occurrence of these diseases is not suspected during day-to-day clinical practice. The identification of rickettsial pathogens and implementation of modern laboratory methods for the diagnostics of rickettsioses are in need throughout Kazakhstan.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nurkeldi Turebekov
- 1Central Reference Laboratory, National Scientific Center for Especially Dangerous Infections, Almaty, Kazakhstan
| | - Karlygash Abdiyeva
- 1Central Reference Laboratory, National Scientific Center for Especially Dangerous Infections, Almaty, Kazakhstan
| | - Ravilya Yegemberdiyeva
- 2Department of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, Kazakh National Medical University, Almaty, Kazakhstan
| | - Andrey Kuznetsov
- 3National Scientific Center for Especially Dangerous Infections, Almaty, Kazakhstan
| | - Andrey Dmitrovskiy
- 3National Scientific Center for Especially Dangerous Infections, Almaty, Kazakhstan
| | - Lyazzat Yeraliyeva
- 4Department of Children's Infectious Diseases, Kazakh National Medical University, Almaty, Kazakhstan
| | - Zhanna Shapiyeva
- 5Scientific Practical Center of Sanitary Epidemiological Expertise and Monitoring, Almaty, Kazakhstan
| | - Dinara Batyrbayeva
- 6Scientific Clinical Diagnostic Laboratory, Kazakh National Medical University, Almaty, Kazakhstan
| | - Nur Tukhanova
- 7Center for International Health, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, Munich, Germany
| | - Anna Shin
- 7Center for International Health, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, Munich, Germany
| | - Lyazzat Musralina
- 8Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Almaty, Kazakhstan.,9Institute of General Genetics and Cytology, Almaty, Kazakhstan
| | - Michael Hoelscher
- 10Division of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, German Center for Infection Research, Munich Partner site, Munich, Germany
| | - Guenter Froeschl
- 7Center for International Health, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, Munich, Germany.,10Division of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, German Center for Infection Research, Munich Partner site, Munich, Germany
| | - Gerhard Dobler
- 11Bundeswehr Institute of Microbiology, Department Virology & Rickettsiology, German Center for Infection Research, Munich Partner site, Munich, Germany
| | - Klaus Freimueller
- 11Bundeswehr Institute of Microbiology, Department Virology & Rickettsiology, German Center for Infection Research, Munich Partner site, Munich, Germany
| | - Edith Wagner
- 11Bundeswehr Institute of Microbiology, Department Virology & Rickettsiology, German Center for Infection Research, Munich Partner site, Munich, Germany
| | - Stefan Frey
- 11Bundeswehr Institute of Microbiology, Department Virology & Rickettsiology, German Center for Infection Research, Munich Partner site, Munich, Germany.,12Bundeswehr Research Institute for Protective Technologies and CBRN Protection, Munster, Germany
| | - Sandra Essbauer
- 11Bundeswehr Institute of Microbiology, Department Virology & Rickettsiology, German Center for Infection Research, Munich Partner site, Munich, Germany
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Tariq M, Seo JW, Kim DY, Panchali MJL, Yun NR, Lee YM, Kim CM, Kim DM. First report of the molecular detection of human pathogen Rickettsia raoultii in ticks from the Republic of Korea. Parasit Vectors 2021; 14:191. [PMID: 33827669 PMCID: PMC8025568 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-021-04695-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2020] [Accepted: 03/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Rickettsial diseases associated with the spotted fever group constitute a growing number of newly identified Rickettsia pathogens and their tick vectors in various parts of the world. At least 15 distinct tick species belonging to six genera have shown the presence of Rickettsia raoultii. Herein, we report the detection of R. raoultii in ticks from the Republic of Korea (ROK). Methods Thirty-five ticks were collected from 29 patients with tick bites in Gwangju Metropolitan City, Jeollanam Province, ROK. The ticks were identified using molecular, morphological, and taxonomic characteristics. All samples were screened for presence of Rickettsia species using nested polymerase chain reactions of their outer membrane protein (ompA) and citrate synthase (gltA) genes. The amplified products were sequenced for subsequent phylogenetic analyses. Results Sequencing data showed the DNA sequences of R. raoultii in three Haemaphysalis longicornis ticks. All three tick samples were 99.4–100% similar to previously reported partial sequences of ompA of R. raoultii strains CP019435 and MF002523, which formed a single clade with the reference strains. Conclusions We provide the first description and molecular identification of R. raoultii detected in H. longicornis ticks in the ROK. This observation extends the geographical distribution of R. raoultii. Screening of human samples for this pathogen will provide information about the prevalence of rickettsial infections in this region. ![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Misbah Tariq
- Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Chosun University, Gwangju, Republic of Korea
| | - Jun-Won Seo
- Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Chosun University, Gwangju, Republic of Korea
| | - Da Young Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Chosun University, Gwangju, Republic of Korea
| | | | - Na Ra Yun
- Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Chosun University, Gwangju, Republic of Korea
| | - You Mi Lee
- Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Chosun University, Gwangju, Republic of Korea
| | - Choon-Mee Kim
- Department of Premedical Science, College of Medicine, Chosun University, Gwangju, Republic of Korea
| | - Dong-Min Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Chosun University, Gwangju, Republic of Korea.
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High-Throughput Microfluidic Real-Time PCR for the Detection of Multiple Microorganisms in Ixodid Cattle Ticks in Northeast Algeria. Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10030362. [PMID: 33803682 PMCID: PMC8002991 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10030362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2021] [Revised: 03/16/2021] [Accepted: 03/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Ixodid ticks are hematophagous arthropods considered to be prominent ectoparasite vectors that have a negative impact on cattle, either through direct injury or via the transmission of several pathogens. In this study, we investigated the molecular infection rates of numerous tick-borne pathogens in ticks sampled on cattle from the Kabylia region, northeastern Algeria, using a high-throughput microfluidic real-time PCR system. A total of 235 ticks belonging to seven species of the genera Rhipicephalus, Hyalomma, and Ixodes were sampled on cattle and then screened for the presence of 36 different species of bacteria and protozoans. The most prevalent tick-borne microorganisms were Rickettsia spp. at 79.1%, followed by Francisella-like endosymbionts (62.9%), Theileria spp. (17.8%), Anaplasma spp. (14.4%), Bartonella spp. (6.8%), Borrelia spp. (6.8%), and Babesia spp. (2.5%). Among the 80.4% of ticks bearing microorganisms, 20%, 36.6%, 21.7%, and 2.1% were positive for one, two, three, and four different microorganisms, respectively. Rickettsia aeschlimannii was detected in Hyalomma marginatum, Hyalomma detritum, and Rhipicephalus bursa ticks. Rickettsia massiliae was found in Rhipicephalus sanguineus, and Rickettsiamonacensis and Rickettsia helvetica were detected in Ixodesricinus. Anaplasma marginale was found in all identified tick genera, but Anaplasma centrale was detected exclusively in Rhipicephalus spp. ticks. The DNA of Borrelia spp. and Bartonella spp. was identified in several tick species. Theileria orientalis was found in R. bursa, R. sanguineus, H. detritum, H. marginatum, and I. ricinus and Babesia bigemina was found in Rhipicephalus annulatus and R. sanguineus. Our study highlights the importance of tick-borne pathogens in cattle in Algeria.
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Felice AG, Alves LG, Freitas ASF, Rodrigues TCV, Jaiswal AK, Tiwari S, Gomes LGR, Miranda FM, Ramos RTJ, Azevedo V, Oliveira LC, Oliveira CJ, Soares SDC, Benevides LJ. Pan-genomic analyses of 47 complete genomes of the Rickettsia genus and prediction of new vaccine targets and virulence factors of the species. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2021; 40:7496-7510. [PMID: 33719856 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2021.1898473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
The genus Rickettsia belongs to the Proteobacteria phylum and these bacteria infect animals and humans causing a range of diseases worldwide. The genus is divided into 4 groups and despite the public health threat and the knowledge accumulated so far, the mandatory intracellular bacteria behaviour and limitation for in vitro culture makes it difficult to create new vaccines and drug targets to these bacteria. In an attempt to overcome these limitations, pan-genomic approaches has used 47 genomes of the genus Rickettsia, in order to describe species similarities and genomics islands. Moreover, we conducted reverse vaccinology and docking analysis aiming the identification of proteins that have great potential to become vaccine and drug targets. We found out that the bacteria of the four Rickettsia groups have a high similarity with each other, with about 90 to 100% of identity. A pathogenicity island and a resistance island were predicted. In addition, 8 proteins were also predicted as strong candidates for vaccine and 9 as candidates for drug targets. The prediction of the proteins leads us to believe in a possibility of prospecting potential drugs or creating a polyvalent vaccine, which could reach most strains of this large group of bacteria.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrei G Felice
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Institute of Biological and Natural Sciences, Federal University of Triangulo Mineiro, Uberaba, MG, Brazil
| | - Leandro G Alves
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Institute of Biological and Natural Sciences, Federal University of Triangulo Mineiro, Uberaba, MG, Brazil
| | - Alissa S F Freitas
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Institute of Biological and Natural Sciences, Federal University of Triangulo Mineiro, Uberaba, MG, Brazil
| | - Thaís C V Rodrigues
- Department of General Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Arun K Jaiswal
- Department of General Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Sandeep Tiwari
- Department of General Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Lucas G R Gomes
- Department of General Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Fábio M Miranda
- Department of General Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Rommel T J Ramos
- Department of General Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.,Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Pará, Belém, Brazil
| | - Vasco Azevedo
- Department of Genetics, Ecology and Evolution, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Letícia C Oliveira
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Institute of Biological and Natural Sciences, Federal University of Triangulo Mineiro, Uberaba, MG, Brazil
| | - Carlo J Oliveira
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Institute of Biological and Natural Sciences, Federal University of Triangulo Mineiro, Uberaba, MG, Brazil
| | - Siomar D C Soares
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Institute of Biological and Natural Sciences, Federal University of Triangulo Mineiro, Uberaba, MG, Brazil
| | - Leandro J Benevides
- Bioinformatics Laboratory, National Laboratory for Scientific Computing, Petrópolis, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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Role of reptiles and associated arthropods in the epidemiology of rickettsioses: A one health paradigm. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2021; 15:e0009090. [PMID: 33596200 PMCID: PMC7888606 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0009090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2020] [Accepted: 12/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
We assessed the presence of Rickettsia spp., Coxiella burnetii and Anaplasma phagocytophilum in reptiles, their ectoparasites and in questing ticks collected in a nature preserve park in southern Italy, as well as in a peri-urban area in another region. We also investigated the exposure to these pathogens in forestry workers, farmers and livestock breeders living or working in the nature preserve park given the report of anecdotal cases of spotted fever rickettsioses. Rickettsia spp. were molecularly detected in Podarcis muralis and Podarcis siculus lizards (i.e., 3.1%), in Ixodes ricinus (up to 87.5%) and in Neotrombicula autumnalis (up to 8.3%) collected from them as well as in I. ricinus collected from the environment (up to 28.4%). Rickettsia monacensis was the most prevalent species followed by Rickettsia helvetica. An undescribed member of the family Anaplasmataceae was detected in 2.4% and 0.8% of the reptiles and ectoparasites, respectively. Sera from human subjects (n = 50) were serologically screened and antibodies to Rickettsia spp. (n = 4; 8%), C. burnetti (n = 8; 16%) and A. phagocytophilum (n = 11; 22%) were detected. Two ticks collected from two forestry workers were positive for spotted fever group (SFG) rickettsiae. Ixodes ricinus is involved in the transmission of SFG rickettsiae (R. monacensis and R. helvetica) in southern Europe and lizards could play a role in the sylvatic cycle of R. monacensis, as amplifying hosts. Meanwhile, N. autumnalis could be involved in the enzootic cycle of some SFG rickettsiae among these animals. People living or working in the southern Italian nature preserve park investigated are exposed to SFG rickettsiae, C. burnetii and A. phagocytophilum. Zoonotic pathogens such as Rickettsia spp., Coxiella burnetii and Anaplasma phagocytophilum are associated with ticks, lice, fleas and mites and may infect a wide range of vertebrate species. There are still many knowledge gaps concerning the arthropod vectors and amplifying hosts of these pathogens. Reptiles are known to host infected ticks with these zoonotic pathogens and eventually become infected themselves by these bacteria. Hence to address this question from a broad One-Health perspective, we assessed the molecular prevalence of Rickettsia spp., C. burnetii and A. phagocytophilum in reptiles, ticks and mites from both hosts and environment and seroprevalence in humans living or working near the same area. Rickettsia DNA was detected in lizards’ tails, Ixodes ricinus ticks and in Neotrombicula autumnalis mites collected from them and in questing ticks. Although DNA of C. burnetii and A. phagocytophilum was not detected in lizards and their ectoparasites, sera samples of human subjects tested positive for the antibodies against these zoonotic pathogens. These findings indicate the epidemiological role of lizards in spreading SFG rickettsiae as well as I. ricinus, and hence representing a potential public health concern in geographical areas where lizards, ticks and humans share the same environment.
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Vikentjeva M, Geller J, Remm J, Golovljova I. Rickettsia spp. in rodent-attached ticks in Estonia and first evidence of spotted fever group Rickettsia species Candidatus Rickettsia uralica in Europe. Parasit Vectors 2021; 14:65. [PMID: 33472659 PMCID: PMC7818765 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-020-04564-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2020] [Accepted: 12/28/2020] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Rickettsia spp. are human pathogens that cause a number of diseases and are transmitted by arthropods, such as ixodid ticks. Estonia is one of few regions where the distribution area of two medically important tick species, Ixodes persulcatus and I. ricinus, overlaps. The nidicolous rodent-associated Ixodes trianguliceps has also recently been shown to be present in Estonia. Although no data are available on human disease(s) caused by tick-borne Rickettsia spp. in Estonia, the presence of three Rickettsia species in non-nidicolous ticks has been previously reported. The aim of this study was to detect, identify and partially characterize Rickettsia species in nidicolous and non-nidicolous ticks attached to rodents in Estonia. RESULTS Larvae and nymphs of I. ricinus (n = 1004), I. persulcatus (n = 75) and I. trianguliceps (n = 117), all removed from rodents and shrews caught in different parts of Estonia, were studied for the presence of Rickettsia spp. by nested PCR. Ticks were collected from 314 small animals of five species [Myodes glareolus (bank voles), Apodemus flavicollis (yellow necked mice), A. agrarius (striped field mice), Microtus subterranius (pine voles) and Sorex araneus (common shrews)]. Rickettsial DNA was detected in 8.7% (103/1186) of the studied ticks. In addition to identifying R. helvetica, which had been previously found in questing ticks, we report here the first time that the recently described I. trianguliceps-associated Candidatus Rickettsia uralica has been identified west of the Ural Mountains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Vikentjeva
- Department of Virology and Immunology, National Institute for Health Development, Tallinn, Estonia. .,Department of Gene Technology, Tallinn University of Technology, Tallinn, Estonia.
| | - Julia Geller
- Department of Virology and Immunology, National Institute for Health Development, Tallinn, Estonia
| | - Jaanus Remm
- Department of Zoology, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Irina Golovljova
- Department of Virology and Immunology, National Institute for Health Development, Tallinn, Estonia.,Tallinn Children's Hospital, Tallinn, Estonia
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Perveen N, Muzaffar SB, Al-Deeb MA. Ticks and Tick-Borne Diseases of Livestock in the Middle East and North Africa: A Review. INSECTS 2021; 12:83. [PMID: 33477991 PMCID: PMC7835866 DOI: 10.3390/insects12010083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2020] [Revised: 01/13/2021] [Accepted: 01/13/2021] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Ticks are important vectors of an array of viral, bacterial and protozoan pathogens resulting in a wide range of animal and human diseases. There is limited information in the literature about tick species in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) countries, even though they have suitable climate and vegetation for ticks and their hosts. We reviewed the occurrence of tick species and the pathogens they transmit from the MENA on published papers from 1901-2020. We found taxonomic records of 55 tick species infesting livestock representing the following eight genera: Ornithodoros, Otobius, Amblyomma, Dermacentor, Haemaphysalis, Hyalomma, Ixodes, and Rhipicephalus. In addition, 15 pathogens were recorded causing diseases of significance, with Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever, theileriosis, babesiosis and anaplasmosis being widely distributed diseases in the region. In recent decades, there has been increasing trends in disease occurrence and movement associated with global movement of humans and global trade of animals. We suggest that disease control and prevention could be achieved effectively through good integration between public health, veterinary medicine and animal management, and ecological approaches. We recommend further research in the areas of tick ecology and tick born-disease transmission. Furthermore, we suggest evaluation and improvement of disease control policies in the region.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Mohammad Ali Al-Deeb
- Department of Biology, United Arab Emirates University, Al-Ain 15551, UAE; (N.P.); (S.B.M.)
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Beard D, Stannard HJ, Old JM. Parasites of wombats (family Vombatidae), with a focus on ticks and tick-borne pathogens. Parasitol Res 2021; 120:395-409. [PMID: 33409643 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-020-07036-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2020] [Accepted: 12/22/2020] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Ticks (Arachnida: Acari) are vectors for pathogens and the biggest threat to animal health. Many Australian ticks are associated with pathogens that impact humans, domestic animals and livestock. However, little is known about the presence or impact of tick-borne pathogens in native Australian wildlife. Wombats are particularly susceptible to the effects of the ectoparasite Sarcoptes scabiei which causes sarcoptic mange, the reason for which is unknown. Factors such as other ectoparasites and their associated pathogens may play a role. A critical understanding of the species of ectoparasites that parasitise wombats and their pathogens, and particularly ticks, is therefore warranted. This review describes the ectoparasites of wombats, pathogens known to be associated with those ectoparasites, and related literature gaps. Pathogens have been isolated in most tick species that typically feed on wombats; however, there are minimal molecular studies to determine the presence of pathogens in any other wombat ectoparasites. The development of next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies allows us to explore entire microbial communities in ectoparasite samples, allowing fast and accurate identification of potential pathogens in many samples at once. These new techniques have highlighted the diversity and uniqueness of native ticks and their microbiomes, including pathogens of potential medical and veterinary importance. An increased understanding of all ectoparasites that parasitise wombats, and their associated pathogens, requires further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danielle Beard
- School of Science, Hawkesbury, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW, 2751, Australia
| | - Hayley J Stannard
- School of Animal and Veterinary Science, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, NSW, 2678, Australia
| | - Julie M Old
- School of Science, Hawkesbury, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW, 2751, Australia.
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Hoseini Z, Alipour H, Azizi K, Soltani A. Molecular-based Survey of Rickettsia spp. and Coxiella burnetii in Mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) from Fars Province, Southern Iran, during 2017-18. Open Microbiol J 2020. [DOI: 10.2174/1874434602014010281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives:
Since there have not been any studies on the roles of the Iranian mosquitoes in the transmission of Rickettsia spp. and Coxiella burneti, the present study investigates the roles of mosquitoes in the transmission of the pathogens using the PCR techniques for the first time in Iran.
Methods:
The present study was conducted in Fars province during the activity seasons of mosquitoes in 2017-18. The primer design was done to investigate the probability of mosquito’s contamination with Rickettsia spp. and Coxiella burnetii. The conventional PCR was used after the extraction of DNA from mosquitoes to study the contamination.
Results:
A total of 1103 adult mosquitoes were collected and identified. Among them, 3 genera and 11 species were identified, including Anopheles (25.74%), Culex (51.84%) and Culiseta (22.39%) genera. All tested mosquitoes were negative in terms of contamination to Rickettsia spp. and Coxiella burnetii.
Conclusion:
Based on the results, mosquitoes are not considered as vectors of Rickettsia spp. and Coxiella burnetii in this part of the country currently. Further studies on a larger scale are needed to examine the exact role of mosquitoes (as a possible vector with high abundance and mobility) in the transmission of these pathogens in tropical areas of Iran.
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62
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Qiu Y, Kidera N, Hayashi M, Fujishima K, Tamura H. Rickettsia spp. and Ehrlichia spp. in Amblyomma ticks parasitizing wild amphibious sea kraits and yellow-margined box turtles in Okinawa, Japan. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2020; 12:101636. [PMID: 33360921 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2020.101636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2020] [Revised: 10/30/2020] [Accepted: 11/15/2020] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Recently, several tick-borne pathogens were detected in reptile-associated ticks. However, studies on the microorganisms in reptile-associated ticks in Japan are limited. This molecular survey thus aimed to identify and characterize tick-borne pathogens (Rickettsiaceae and Anaplasmataceae) in reptile-associated ticks in Japan. In total, 77 Amblyomma nitidum and 104 Amblyomma geoemydae were collected from wild amphibious sea kraits (Laticauda semifasciata, Laticauda colubrina, and Laticauda laticaudata) and from yellow-margined box turtles (Cuora flavomarginata evelynae), respectively. Conventional polymerase chain reaction was performed using the DNA extracted from the ticks to detect the selected pathogens. Sequencing analysis of four Rickettsia genes (gltA, ompA, ompB, and sca4) led to the identification of a putative novel Rickettsia sp. and Rickettsia aeschlimannii-like rickettsia in A. nitidum and A. geoemydae, respectively. Sequencing analysis of gltA and groEL of Anaplasmataceae revealed that the Ehrlichia spp. in these ticks were novel and related to Candidatus Ehrlichia occidentalis. This is the first study on the microorganisms in A. nitidium and the first record of Rickettsia and Ehrlichia in A. geoemydae. Further studies are required to understand their pathogenicity to humans and animals and their life cycle in the wild.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongjin Qiu
- Hokudai Center for Zoonosis Control in Zambia, Hokkaido University Research Center for Zoonosis Control, Sapporo, Japan.
| | - Noriko Kidera
- Department of Biosphere-Geosphere Science, Faculty of Biosphere-Geosphere Science, Okayama University of Science, Okayama, Japan.
| | - Masaki Hayashi
- Department of Biosphere-Geosphere Science, Faculty of Biosphere-Geosphere Science, Okayama University of Science, Okayama, Japan.
| | - Kanta Fujishima
- Department of Social Informatics, Graduate School of Informatics, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.
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63
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Chiuya T, Masiga DK, Falzon LC, Bastos ADS, Fèvre EM, Villinger J. Tick-borne pathogens, including Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever virus, at livestock markets and slaughterhouses in western Kenya. Transbound Emerg Dis 2020; 68:2429-2445. [PMID: 33142046 PMCID: PMC8359211 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.13911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2020] [Revised: 10/26/2020] [Accepted: 10/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Vectors of emerging infectious diseases have expanded their distributional ranges in recent decades due to increased global travel, trade connectivity and climate change. Transboundary range shifts, arising from the continuous movement of humans and livestock across borders, are of particular disease control concern. Several tick-borne diseases are known to circulate between eastern Uganda and the western counties of Kenya, with one fatal case of Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF) reported in 2000 in western Kenya. Recent reports of CCHF in Uganda have highlighted the risk of cross-border disease translocation and the importance of establishing inter-epidemic, early warning systems to detect possible outbreaks. We therefore carried out surveillance of tick-borne zoonotic pathogens at livestock markets and slaughterhouses in three counties of western Kenya that neighbour Uganda. Ticks and other ectoparasites were collected from livestock and identified using morphological keys. The two most frequently sampled tick species were Rhipicephalus decoloratus (35%) and Amblyomma variegatum (30%); Ctenocephalides felis fleas and Haematopinus suis lice were also present. In total, 486 ticks, lice and fleas were screened for pathogen presence using established molecular workflows incorporating high-resolution melting analysis and identified through sequencing of PCR products. We detected CCHF virus in Rh. decoloratus and Rhipicephalus sp. cattle ticks, and 82 of 96 pools of Am. variegatum were positive for Rickettsia africae. Apicomplexan protozoa and bacteria of veterinary importance, such as Theileria parva, Babesia bigemina and Anaplasma marginale, were primarily detected in rhipicephaline ticks. Our findings show the presence of several pathogens of public health and veterinary importance in ticks from livestock at livestock markets and slaughterhouses in western Kenya. Confirmation of CCHF virus, a Nairovirus that causes haemorrhagic fever with a high case fatality rate in humans, highlights the risk of under-diagnosed zoonotic diseases and calls for continuous surveillance and the development of preventative measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatenda Chiuya
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe), Nairobi, Kenya.,Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Daniel K Masiga
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe), Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Laura C Falzon
- Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Neston, UK.,International Livestock Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Armanda D S Bastos
- Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Eric M Fèvre
- Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Neston, UK.,International Livestock Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Jandouwe Villinger
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe), Nairobi, Kenya
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64
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Pillay AD, Mukaratirwa S. Genetic diversity of Rickettsia africae isolates from Amblyomma hebraeum and blood from cattle in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. EXPERIMENTAL & APPLIED ACAROLOGY 2020; 82:529-541. [PMID: 33025239 DOI: 10.1007/s10493-020-00555-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2020] [Accepted: 09/29/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Rickettsia africae is a re-emerging tick-borne pathogen causing African tick bite fever (ATBF) in humans. Amblyomma variegatum is the principal vector in most sub-Sahara African countries, whereas in South Africa it is A. hebraeum. Reports of high genetic heterogeneity among R. africae isolates in southern Africa have prompted the need for molecular investigations of isolates form South Africa. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the prevalence and genetic diversity of R. africae in A. hebraeum collected from cattle, grazing pasture, as well as from blood of cattle in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. Amblyomma hebraeum and blood from cattle were screened by PCR and the gltA, ompA, ompB, sca4, and 17kDa genes were sequenced for R. africae from samples collected from Caquba in Port St. Johns along the coastal region in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. The overall proportion of adult A. hebraeum that were positive for the gltA and ompA genes was 0.63 (108/180). The overall proportion of nymphs positive for the gltA and ompA genes was 0.62 (23/37) and 0.22 (20/90) from cattle blood. A positive R. africae infection was inferred by analysis of 26 sequences of the ompA, gltA, ompB, 17kDa and sca4 genes. Neighbour-joining and Maximum Likelihood analysis revealed that the study isolates were closely related to R. africae isolates from South Africa deposited in GenBank, forming a clade that was separate from north, east and west African strains. This study provides new information on the epidemiology and phylogeny of R. africae isolated from A. hebraeum ticks in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. The heterogeneity observed between R. africae isolates from South Africa deposited in GenBank and R. africae isolates from Africa retrieved from Genbank highlight the importance of differentiation and tracking of the genetic movement among R. africae isolates in southern Africa for the better characterisation of ATBF cases, especially in rural communities and travellers visiting the region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alicia D Pillay
- School of Life Sciences, College of Agriculture, Engineering and Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville Campus, Durban, South Africa
| | - S Mukaratirwa
- School of Life Sciences, College of Agriculture, Engineering and Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville Campus, Durban, South Africa.
- One Health Center for Zoonoses and Tropical Veterinary Medicine, Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, Basseterre, West Indies, Saint Kitts and Nevis.
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65
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Ueno TEH, Cutolo AA, Martins TF, Moraes-Filho J, Azevedo SSD, Labruna MB. Rickettsial infection in equids, opossums and ticks in the municipality of Monte Mor, state of São Paulo, Brazil. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2020; 29:e015420. [PMID: 33237125 DOI: 10.1590/s1984-29612020073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2020] [Accepted: 07/09/2020] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate rickettsial infection in equids, opossums and ticks in the municipality of Monte Mor, a place where a Brazilian spotted fever case occurred in 2005. In addition, characteristics possibly associated with seropositivity in horses were analyzed. Serum samples from horses, mules and opossums (Didelphis albiventris) were subjected to indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) against Rickettsia rickettsii. The ticks collected from the animals were identified and Amblyomma sculptum ticks from the equids were tested using PCR for Rickettsia spp. Anti-R. rickettsii antibodies were detected in 22.6% (14/62) of the horses, none of the mules and 21.7% (5/23) of the opossums. Among the variables analyzed, only age > 12 years showed a statistically significant association with seropositivity among horses. All of the 166 A. sculptum ticks tested using PCR were negative. The results showed that rickettsiae of the spotted fever group was circulating in the municipality of Monte Mor when the samples were collected and indicate a need for surveillance of Brazilian spotted fever in this region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatiana Evelyn Hayama Ueno
- Polo Regional Alta Sorocabana, Agência Paulista de Tecnologia dos Agronegócios - APTA, Presidente Prudente, SP, Brasil
| | - André Antonio Cutolo
- Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade Estadual Paulista - UNESP, Botucatu, SP, Brasil
| | - Thiago Fernandes Martins
- Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo - USP, São Paulo, SP, Brasil
| | | | - Sérgio Santos de Azevedo
- Centro de Saúde e Tecnologia Rural, Universidade Federal de Campina Grande - UFCG, Patos, PB, Brasil
| | - Marcelo Bahia Labruna
- Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo - USP, São Paulo, SP, Brasil
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66
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Hamzaoui BE, Zurita A, Cutillas C, Parola P. Fleas and flea-borne diseases of North Africa. Acta Trop 2020; 211:105627. [PMID: 32652054 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2020.105627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2020] [Revised: 07/07/2020] [Accepted: 07/07/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
North Africa has an interesting and rich wildlife including hematophagous arthropods, and specifically fleas, which constitute a large part of the North African fauna, and are recognised vectors of several zoonotic bacteria. Flea-borne organisms are widely distributed throughout the world in endemic disease foci, where components of the enzootic cycle are present. Furthermore, flea-borne diseases could re-emerge in epidemic form because of changes in the vector-host ecology due to environmental and human behaviour modifications. We need to know the real incidences of flea-borne diseases in the world due to this incidence could be much greater than are generally recognized by physicians and health authorities. As a result, diagnosis and treatment are often delayed by health care professionals who are unaware of the presence of these infections and thus do not take them into consideration when attempting to determine the cause of a patient's illness. In this context, this bibliographic review aims to summarise the main species of fleas present in North Africa, their geographical distribution, flea-borne diseases, and their possible re-emergence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Basma El Hamzaoui
- Aix Marseille Univ, IRD, AP-HM, SSA, VITROME; IHU Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France.
| | - Antonio Zurita
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Seville, Profesor García González 2, 41012 Seville, Spain.
| | - Cristina Cutillas
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Seville, Profesor García González 2, 41012 Seville, Spain.
| | - Philippe Parola
- Aix Marseille Univ, IRD, AP-HM, SSA, VITROME; IHU Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France.
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67
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Advantages and Limitations of 16S rRNA Next-Generation Sequencing for Pathogen Identification in the Diagnostic Microbiology Laboratory: Perspectives from a Middle-Income Country. Diagnostics (Basel) 2020; 10:diagnostics10100816. [PMID: 33066371 PMCID: PMC7602188 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics10100816] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2020] [Revised: 09/18/2020] [Accepted: 10/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacterial culture and biochemical testing (CBtest) have been the cornerstone of pathogen identification in the diagnostic microbiology laboratory. With the advent of Sanger sequencing and later, next-generation sequencing, 16S rRNA next-generation sequencing (16SNGS) has been proposed to be a plausible platform for this purpose. Nevertheless, usage of the 16SNGS platform has both advantages and limitations. In addition, transition from the traditional methods of CBtest to 16SNGS requires procurement of costly equipment, timely and sustainable maintenance of these platforms, specific facility infrastructure and technical expertise. All these factors pose a challenge for middle-income countries, more so for countries in the lower middle-income range. In this review, we describe the basis for CBtest and 16SNGS, and discuss the limitations, challenges, advantages and future potential of using 16SNGS for bacterial pathogen identification in diagnostic microbiology laboratories of middle-income countries.
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68
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Hosseini-Chegeni A, Tavakoli M, Telmadarraiy Z, Faghihi F. Molecular Detection of Spotted Fever Group Rickettsia (Rickettsiales: Rickettsiaceae) in Ticks of Iran. ARCHIVES OF RAZI INSTITUTE 2020; 75:317-325. [PMID: 33025772 DOI: 10.22092/ari.2019.125746.1317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2019] [Accepted: 07/27/2019] [Indexed: 09/30/2022]
Abstract
Ticks are reservoir hosts of pathogenic Rickettsia in humans and domestic animals. Most pathogenic Rickettsia species belong to the spotted fever group (SFG). The present study aimed to determine the tick species infected with Rickettsia based on the genus-specific 23S ribosomal ribonucleic acid (rRNA), 16S rRNA, and citrate synthase (gltA) gene fragments. A total of 61 tick specimens were selected for molecular assay and 12 samples for sequencing. Phylogenetic analysis was conducted using neighbor-joining and Bayesian inference methods. Argas persicus, Haemaphysalis sulcata, Ha. inermis, and Hyalomma asiaticum were infected by spotted fever Rickettsia. The SFG is the main group of Rickettsia that can be detected in the three genera of ticks from Iran.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Hosseini-Chegeni
- Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, Lorestan University, Khorramabad, Iran.,Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Lorestan Agricultural and Natural Resources Research Center, Khorramabad, Iran
| | - M Tavakoli
- Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Lorestan Agricultural and Natural Resources Research Center, Khorramabad, Iran
| | - Z Telmadarraiy
- Department of Medical Entomology and Vector Control, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - F Faghihi
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Razi Herbal Medicines Research Center, Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, Khorramabad, Iran.,Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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69
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Weber N, Trujillo-Trujillo J, Krücken J, Michl C, Hidalgo ME, Appráez-Ippolito G, Castillo F, Feldmeier H, Sunderkötter C. Tickbite-associated chronic pruritic lesions in an Afro-descendant population in the Cauca Department, Colombia. I. Clinical features and impact on health. Int J Dermatol 2020; 59:1491-1501. [PMID: 32975315 DOI: 10.1111/ijd.15184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2020] [Revised: 08/17/2020] [Accepted: 08/26/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND During a health survey in a remote area in southwest Colombia, it became apparent that a high percentage of the population suffered from chronic pruritus in association with high numbers of ticks and tickbites. OBJECTIVE To determine the clinical features and severity of tickbite-associated pruritus. METHOD At twotime points - 8 weeks apart to account for seasonal effects - a cross-sectional study was conducted encompassing physical examination of the population, histological analysis of skin biopsies, and determining serum for antibodies against spotted fever (SFG) rickettsiae and typhus group (TG) rickettsiae. Ticks were identified using morphological criteria, and infection by rickettsiae was determined by PCR. RESULTS About 94.5% of the population (95% CI 92-97%) showed clinical signs of a pruritic arthropod reaction and of chronic pruritus with lichenoid papules and hyper- and hypopigmented nodules on otherwise noninflamed skin. Pruritus markedly impaired the quality of life in terms of sleeping disturbances. No signs for other diseases were observed. Chronic pruritus appeared to be because of repeated tickbites and scratching, but not because of other dermatological or medical conditions. Antibodies against SFG and TG-rickettsiae were detected at 79.0% (95% CI 73-86) and 3.6% (95% CI 0.7-6), respectively. Ticks were identified as Amblyomma cajennense. CONCLUSION Remarkably high exposure to tick bites caused an unusually high rate of acute and chronic pruritus and markedly impaired quality of life of the investigated rural community. This underlines the necessity of public health measures and surveillance of rickettsial disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niklas Weber
- Department of Dermatology and Venereology, University Hospital Halle, Halle, Germany
| | | | - Jürgen Krücken
- Institute for Parasitology and Tropical Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Christiane Michl
- Department of Dermatology and Venereology, University Hospital Halle, Halle, Germany
| | - Maryln E Hidalgo
- Grupo de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Departamento de Microbiología, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia
| | | | | | - Hermann Feldmeier
- Institute of Microbiology and Hygiene, Charite-Universitätsmedizin, Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Cord Sunderkötter
- Department of Dermatology and Venereology, University Hospital Halle, Halle, Germany.,Department of Translational Dermatoinfectiology, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
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70
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Epidemiology, Clinical Aspects, Laboratory Diagnosis and Treatment of Rickettsial Diseases in the Mediterranean Area During COVID-19 Pandemic: A Review of the Literature. Mediterr J Hematol Infect Dis 2020; 12:e2020056. [PMID: 32952967 PMCID: PMC7485464 DOI: 10.4084/mjhid.2020.056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2020] [Accepted: 08/04/2020] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
The purpose of the present review is to give an update regarding the classification, epidemiology, clinical manifestation, diagnoses, and treatment of the Rickettsial diseases present in the Mediterranean area. We performed a comprehensive search, through electronic databases (Pubmed – MEDLINE) and search engines (Google Scholar), of peer-reviewed publications (articles, reviews, and books). The availability of new diagnostic tools, including Polymerase Chain Reaction and nucleotide sequencing has significantly modified the classification of intracellular bacteria, including the order Rickettsiales with more and more new Rickettsia species recognized as human pathogens. Furthermore, emerging Rickettsia species have been found in several countries and are often associated with unique clinical pictures that may challenge the physician in the early detection of the diseases. Rickettsial infections include a wide spectrum of clinical presentations ranging from a benign to a potentially life treating disease that requires prompt recognition and proper management. Recently, due to the spread of SARS-CoV-2 infection, the differential diagnosis with COVID-19 is of crucial importance. The correct understanding of the clinical features, diagnostic tools, and proper treatment can assist clinicians in the management of Rickettsioses in the Mediterranean area.
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71
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Oundo JW, Villinger J, Jeneby M, Ong’amo G, Otiende MY, Makhulu EE, Musa AA, Ouso DO, Wambua L. Pathogens, endosymbionts, and blood-meal sources of host-seeking ticks in the fast-changing Maasai Mara wildlife ecosystem. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0228366. [PMID: 32866142 PMCID: PMC7458302 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0228366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2020] [Accepted: 07/27/2020] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The role of questing ticks in the epidemiology of tick-borne diseases in Kenya's Maasai Mara National Reserve (MMNR), an ecosystem with intensified human-wildlife-livestock interactions, remains poorly understood. We surveyed the diversity of questing ticks, their blood-meal hosts, and tick-borne pathogens to understand potential effects on human and livestock health. By flagging and hand-picking from vegetation in 25 localities, we collected 1,465 host-seeking ticks, mostly Rhipicephalus and Amblyomma species identified by morphology and molecular analysis. We used PCR with high-resolution melting (HRM) analysis and sequencing to identify Anaplasma, Babesia, Coxiella, Ehrlichia, Rickettsia, and Theileria pathogens and blood-meal remnants in 231 tick pools. We detected blood-meals from humans, wildebeest, and African buffalo in Rh. appendiculatus, goat in Rh. evertsi, sheep in Am. gemma, and cattle in Am. variegatum. Rickettsia africae was detected in Am. gemma (MIR = 3.10) that had fed on sheep and in Am. variegatum (MIR = 250) that had fed on cattle. We found Rickettsia spp. in Am. gemma (MIR = 9.29) and Rh. evertsi (MIR = 200), Anaplasma ovis in Rh. appendiculatus (MIR = 0.89) and Rh. evertsi (MIR = 200), Anaplasma bovis in Rh. appendiculatus (MIR = 0.89), and Theileria parva in Rh. appendiculatus (MIR = 24). No Babesia, Ehrlichia, or Coxiella pathogens were detected. Unexpectedly, species-specific Coxiella sp. endosymbionts were detected in all tick genera (174/231 pools), which may affect tick physiology and vector competence. These findings show that ticks from the MMNR are infected with zoonotic R. africae and unclassified Rickettsia spp., demonstrating risk of African tick-bite fever and other spotted-fever group rickettsioses to locals and visitors. The protozoan pathogens identified may also pose risk to livestock production. The diverse vertebrate blood-meals of questing ticks in this ecosystem including humans, wildlife, and domestic animals, may amplify transmission of tick-borne zoonoses and livestock diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph Wang’ang’a Oundo
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe), Nairobi, Kenya
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Jandouwe Villinger
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe), Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Maamun Jeneby
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe), Nairobi, Kenya
- Institute of Primate Research, National Museums of Kenya, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - George Ong’amo
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
| | | | - Edward Edmond Makhulu
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe), Nairobi, Kenya
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Egerton University, Egerton, Kenya
| | - Ali Abdulahi Musa
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe), Nairobi, Kenya
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Kenyatta University, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Daniel Obado Ouso
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe), Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Lillian Wambua
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe), Nairobi, Kenya
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
- * E-mail:
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72
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Rickettsia africae an Agent of African Tick Bite Fever in Ticks Collected from Domestic Animals in Eastern Cape, South Africa. Pathogens 2020; 9:pathogens9080631. [PMID: 32748891 PMCID: PMC7459594 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens9080631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2020] [Revised: 07/07/2020] [Accepted: 07/17/2020] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Ticks transmit a plethora of pathogens of zoonotic implications. Their distribution, diversity and the pathogens they transmit differ from one ecological location to another. Rickettsia africae is the agent of African tick bite fever found in South Africa, a zoonotic infection that is frequently reported among travelers who have visited many sub-Saharan African countries where the pathogen is prevalent. Methods: Ticks were collected from domestic animals in Raymond Nkandla Municipality, Eastern Cape, South Africa. The ticks were identified morphologically prior to DNA extraction followed by molecular identification of randomly selected ticks from the morphologically delineated groups. To assess for the presence of tick-borne pathogens belonging to Rickettsia spp. by PCR (polymerase chain reaction), we used specific primer pairs targeting the gltA, ompA and ompB genes. The selected amplified ticks, all positive ompB and forty three ompA amplicons were sequenced in a commercial sequencing facility. The obtained nucleotide sequences were edited and subjected to BLASTn for homology search and phylogenetic analyses were performed with MEGA 7 Version for genetic relationships with curated reference sequences in GenBank. Results: A total of 953 ticks collected in the study were delineated into three genera consisting of Amblyomma, Rhipicephalus and Hyalomma in decreasing order of abundance. The presence of rickettsial DNA was detected in 60/953 (6.3%) from the three genera of ticks screened. Genetic analyses of the DNA sequences obtained showed that they have phylogenetic relationship to members of the spotted fever group rickettsiae with R. africae, being the predominant SFGR (spotted fever group rickettsiae) detected in the screened ticks. Conclusion: This report shows that R. africae is the predominant spotted fever group rickettsiae in ticks collected from domestic animals in the study area and the human health impacts are not known.
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73
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Kuo CC, Lee PL, Wang HC. Molecular detection of Rickettsia species and host associations of Laelaps mites (Acari: Laelapidae) in Taiwan. EXPERIMENTAL & APPLIED ACAROLOGY 2020; 81:547-559. [PMID: 32647905 PMCID: PMC7346847 DOI: 10.1007/s10493-020-00522-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2019] [Accepted: 06/30/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Various rickettsiae have recently been detected in Laelaps mites (Acari: Laelapidae), which are common ectoparasites of rodents; however, investigations on this topic remain very scarce, particularly in Asia. In the present study, shrews and rodents were trapped from 2006 to 2010 in eight lowland regions of Taiwan (< 500 m in elevation) to collect associated Laelaps mites, from which Rickettsia-a group of emerging pathogens-were detected and identified by assaying the gltA and ompB genes. A total of 853 Laelaps mites of at least four species were collected from a sample of 1004 small mammals that included one shrew and 10 rodent species. Rattus losea was the most common species (44.9% of total hosts) and hosted the highest percentage of mites (76.6% of total mites). Laelaps nuttalli was the most abundant mite species (51.7% of total mites), followed by Laelaps echidninus (24.2%), Laelaps sedlaceki (23.1%), and Laelaps myonyssognathus (0.2%). Notably, Rickettsia species with the highest similarity to spotted fever group (SFG) rickettsiae were identified from seven of the 72 pools of Laelaps mites. The presence of SFG rickettsiae in hematophagous Laelaps mites, particularly including species that are closely associated with commensal rodents in frequent contact with humans, calls for further investigation on the competence of Laelaps mites in transmitting rickettsiae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chi-Chien Kuo
- Department of Life Science, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Pei-Lung Lee
- Center for Diagnostics and Vaccine Development, Centers for Disease Control, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Hsi-Chieh Wang
- Center for Diagnostics and Vaccine Development, Centers for Disease Control, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Taipei, Taiwan.
- Institute of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.
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74
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Martins KR, Garcia MV, Bonatte-Junior P, Duarte PO, de Higa LOS, Csordas BG, Barros JC, Andreotti R. Correlation between Rhipicephalus microplus ticks and Anaplasma marginale infection in various cattle breeds in Brazil. EXPERIMENTAL & APPLIED ACAROLOGY 2020; 81:585-598. [PMID: 32681278 DOI: 10.1007/s10493-020-00514-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2019] [Accepted: 06/18/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The tick Rhipicephalus microplus is responsible for the transmission of Anaplasma marginale, which causes hemolytic anemia, abortion, decreased production, and mortality in cattle in Brazil. However, A. marginale can also persist in cattle herds without any clinical signs. This study investigated the relationship between the number of ticks present on each cattle and the circulating number of A. marginale msp1β gene copies in the blood of Brangus and Nellore cattle reared in the Brazilian Cerrado through a year period. Twenty-three animals (11 Brangus and 12 Nellore) were raised for 12 months with ticks counted every 18 days, and blood collected every 36 days. Blood sera was used for total antigen iELISA, genomic DNA was extracted from whole blood by the phenol/chloroform method and then analyzed by PCR to confirm A. marginale presence with the msp5 gene. Positive samples were quantified by qPCR using msp1β gene. Brangus cattle presented 4.5 fold more ticks than Nellore group. Although Brangus cattle carried a higher overall A. marginale msp1β gene presence than Nellore cattle, no relationship of tick count and copy number could be achieved due to high variability in copy number. Moreover, both breeds showed similar weight gain and a similar serological pattern throughout the year. None of the animals showed any clinical signs of anaplasmosis during the experimental period, indicating that a low level of tick infestation may be sufficient to maintain a stable enzootic situation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kauê Rodriguez Martins
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Veterinárias, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
| | - Marcos Valério Garcia
- Bolsista DCR, Fundapam - Governo do Estado de Mato Grosso do Sul/Laboratório de Biologia do Carrapato, Embrapa Gado de Corte, Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
| | - Paulino Bonatte-Junior
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Veterinárias, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
| | - Pãmella Oliveira Duarte
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em doenças Infecciosas e Parasitárias, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
| | - Leandro Oliveira Souza de Higa
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em doenças Infecciosas e Parasitárias, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
| | - Bárbara Guimarães Csordas
- Bolsista DCR, Fundapam - Governo do Estado de Mato Grosso do Sul/Laboratório de Biologia do Carrapato, Embrapa Gado de Corte, Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em doenças Infecciosas e Parasitárias, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
| | - Jacqueline Cavalcante Barros
- Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuária, Embrapa Gado de Corte, Avenida Radio Maia, 830, Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, Brazil
| | - Renato Andreotti
- Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuária, Embrapa Gado de Corte, Avenida Radio Maia, 830, Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, Brazil.
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75
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Rodríguez-Alonso B, Almeida H, Alonso-Sardón M, Velasco-Tirado V, Robaina Bordón JM, Carranza Rodríguez C, Pérez Arellano JL, Belhassen-García M. Murine typhus. How does it affect us in the 21st century? The epidemiology of inpatients in Spain (1997–2015). Int J Infect Dis 2020; 96:165-171. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijid.2020.04.054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2020] [Revised: 04/11/2020] [Accepted: 04/18/2020] [Indexed: 10/24/2022] Open
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76
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A Szakacs T, Wood H, Russell CB, Nelder MP, Patel S. An apparent, locally acquired case of rickettsialpox ( Rickettsia akari) in Ontario, Canada. JOURNAL OF THE ASSOCIATION OF MEDICAL MICROBIOLOGY AND INFECTIOUS DISEASE CANADA = JOURNAL OFFICIEL DE L'ASSOCIATION POUR LA MICROBIOLOGIE MEDICALE ET L'INFECTIOLOGIE CANADA 2020; 5:115-119. [PMID: 36338184 PMCID: PMC9602889 DOI: 10.3138/jammi-2019-0028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2019] [Accepted: 01/15/2020] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Rickettsialpox, caused by Rickettsia akari, is a spotted fever group rickettsiae transmitted to humans through the bite of the house mouse mite (Liponyssoides sanguineus). Worldwide, rickettsialpox is most commonly associated with exposure to rodents in urban environments. Here, we present the case of a 47-year-old woman from Brantford, Ontario, with fever, eschar on the right leg, expanding erythema, and right groin lymphadenopathy. Early in infection, R. akari serology was negative (IgG <1:64), but convalescent titre increased to 1:1,024. The patient did not travel outside of Ontario in the previous year. She denied any rodent or arthropod exposures in her home, but recently visited a friend's home infested with bats and mice. The patient was afebrile after treatment with doxycycline, with resolution of most clinical and laboratory findings in 5 days. This is the first rickettsialpox case reported in Canada and highlights the importance of obtaining convalescent serology to assist in the diagnosis of rickettsial infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tom A Szakacs
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Brant Community Healthcare System, Brantford, Ontario, Canada
| | - Heidi Wood
- National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Curtis B Russell
- Enteric, Zoonotic and Vector-Borne Diseases, Public Health Ontario, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Mark P Nelder
- Enteric, Zoonotic and Vector-Borne Diseases, Public Health Ontario, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Samir N Patel
- Public Health Ontario Laboratory, Public Health Ontario, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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77
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Lokida D, Hadi U, Lau CY, Kosasih H, Liang CJ, Rusli M, Sudarmono P, Lukman N, Laras K, Asdie RH, Murniati D, Utama IMS, Mubin RH, Karyana M, Gasem MH, Alisjahbana B. Underdiagnoses of Rickettsia in patients hospitalized with acute fever in Indonesia: observational study results. BMC Infect Dis 2020; 20:364. [PMID: 32448167 PMCID: PMC7245627 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-020-05057-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2020] [Accepted: 04/28/2020] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Reports of human rickettsial infection in Indonesia are limited. This study sought to characterize the epidemiology of human rickettsioses amongst patients hospitalized with fever at 8 tertiary hospitals in Indonesia. METHODS Acute and convalescent blood from 975 hospitalized non-dengue patients was tested for Rickettsia IgM and IgG by ELISA. Specimens from cases with seroconversion or increasing IgM and/or IgG titers were tested for Rickettsia IgM and IgG by IFA and Rickettsia genomes using primers for Rickettsia (R.) sp, R. typhi, and Orientia tsutsugamushi. Testing was performed retrospectively on stored specimens; results did not inform patient management. RESULTS R. typhi, R. rickettsii, and O. tsutsugamushi IgG antibodies were identified in 269/872 (30.8%), 36/634 (5.7%), and 19/504 (3.8%) of samples, respectively. For the 103/975 (10.6%) non-dengue patients diagnosed with acute rickettsial infection, presenting symptoms included nausea (72%), headache (69%), vomiting (43%), lethargy (33%), anorexia (32%), arthralgia (30%), myalgia (28%), chills (28%), epigastric pain (28%), and rash (17%). No acute rickettsioses cases were suspected during hospitalization. Discharge diagnoses included typhoid fever (44), dengue fever (20), respiratory infections (7), leptospirosis (6), unknown fever (6), sepsis (5), hepatobiliary infections (3), UTI (3), and others (9). Fatalities occurred in 7 (6.8%) patients, mostly with co-morbidities. CONCLUSIONS Rickettsial infections are consistently misdiagnosed, often as leptospirosis, dengue, or Salmonella typhi infection. Clinicians should include rickettsioses in their differential diagnosis of fever to guide empiric management; laboratories should support evaluation for rickettsial etiologies; and public policy should be implemented to reduce burden of disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dewi Lokida
- Tangerang District Hospital, Tangerang, Indonesia
- Indonesia Research Partnership on Infectious Disease (INA-RESPOND), Badan Litbangkes, Building 4, 5th floor, Jl Percetakan Negara no 29, Jakarta, 10560, Indonesia
| | - Usman Hadi
- Dr. Soetomo Academic General Hospital - Faculty of Medicine Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya, Indonesia
| | - Chuen-Yen Lau
- National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease (NIAID), National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Herman Kosasih
- Indonesia Research Partnership on Infectious Disease (INA-RESPOND), Badan Litbangkes, Building 4, 5th floor, Jl Percetakan Negara no 29, Jakarta, 10560, Indonesia.
| | - C Jason Liang
- National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease (NIAID), National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Musofa Rusli
- Dr. Soetomo Academic General Hospital - Faculty of Medicine Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya, Indonesia
| | | | - Nurhayati Lukman
- Indonesia Research Partnership on Infectious Disease (INA-RESPOND), Badan Litbangkes, Building 4, 5th floor, Jl Percetakan Negara no 29, Jakarta, 10560, Indonesia
| | - Kanti Laras
- Indonesia Research Partnership on Infectious Disease (INA-RESPOND), Badan Litbangkes, Building 4, 5th floor, Jl Percetakan Negara no 29, Jakarta, 10560, Indonesia
| | | | | | | | | | - Muhammad Karyana
- Indonesia Research Partnership on Infectious Disease (INA-RESPOND), Badan Litbangkes, Building 4, 5th floor, Jl Percetakan Negara no 29, Jakarta, 10560, Indonesia
- National Institute of Health Research and Development (NIHRD), Ministry of Health Republic of Indonesia, Jakarta, Indonesia
| | | | - Bachti Alisjahbana
- Hasan Sadikin Hospital - Faculty of Medicine Universitas Padjadjaran, Bandung, Indonesia
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78
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Lin IF, Lin JN, Tsai CT, Wu YY, Chen YH, Lai CH. Serum C-reactive protein and procalcitonin values in acute Q fever, scrub typhus, and murine typhus. BMC Infect Dis 2020; 20:334. [PMID: 32398008 PMCID: PMC7216490 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-020-05058-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2020] [Accepted: 04/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Although C-reactive protein (CRP) and procalcitonin (PCT) are widely used inflammatory markers for infectious diseases, their role and potential application for rickettsioses were rarely studied. Methods A retrospective chart review and serological study were conducted in patients with rickettsioses. The clinical presentations, characteristics, laboratory data, and treatment responses were recorded and their associations with CRP and PCT values were analyzed. Results A total of 189 cases of rickettsioses, including 115 cases of acute Q fever (60.8%), 55 cases of scrub typhus (29.1%), and 19 cases of murine typhus (10.1%) were investigated. Both CRP and PCT values increased in the acute phase and declined in the convalescent phase. In the acute phase, mean CRP and PCT values were 78.2 ± 63.7 mg/L and 1.05 ± 1.40 ng/mL, respectively. Percentages of patients falling under different cut-off values of CRP and PCT were calculated systematically. Only 10.8% of CRP was > 150 mg/L and 14.2% of PCT was > 2.0 ng/mL. Patients with delayed responses to doxycycline treatment (> 3 days from treatment to defervescence) had significantly higher CRP values (102.7 ± 77.1 vs. 72.2 ± 58.2 mg/L, p = 0.041) and more PCT > 1.0 ng/ml (48.4% vs. 26.0%, p = 0.019) in the acute phase; higher CRP values (19.1 ± 37.4 vs. 3.6 ± 13.1 mg/L, p = 0.049) and more PCT > 0.5 ng/ml (19.2% vs. 1.4%, p = 0.005) in the convalescent phase. Correlation analysis was conducted for patients with acute Q fever. CRP and PCT values were positively correlated to each other, and both markers also had a positive correlation with serum aspartate transaminase values. Both CRP and PCT values and white blood cell counts were positively correlated to the days needed from doxycycline treatment to defervescence. Conclusion CRP and PCT values might be useful in clinical investigations for patients with suspected rickettsioses and in predicting the response to doxycycline treatment for rickettsioses.
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Affiliation(s)
- I-Fan Lin
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, E-Da Hospital, I-Shou University, No.1, Yi-Da Road, Jiao-Su Village, Yan-Chao District, Kaohsiung City, 824, Taiwan
| | - Jiun-Nong Lin
- School of Medicine, College of Medicine, I-Shou University, No.1, Yi-Da Road, Jiao-Su Village, Yan-Chao District, Kaohsiung City, 824, Taiwan.,Department of Critical Care Medicine, E-Da Hospital, I-Shou University, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Ta Tsai
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, E-Da Hospital, I-Shou University, No.1, Yi-Da Road, Jiao-Su Village, Yan-Chao District, Kaohsiung City, 824, Taiwan.,Department of Infection Control, E-Da Hospital, I-Shou University, Kaohsiung City, 824, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Ying Wu
- Department of Neurosurgery, E-Da Hospital, I-Shou University, Kaohsiung City, 824, Taiwan
| | - Yen-Hsu Chen
- Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Municipal Ta-Tung Hospital, Kaohsung, Taiwan.,School of Medicine, Graduate Institute of Medicine, Sepsis Research Center, Center of Dengue Fever Control and Research, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsung, Taiwan.,Department of Biological Science and Technology, College of Biological Science and Technology, National Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Chung-Hsu Lai
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, E-Da Hospital, I-Shou University, No.1, Yi-Da Road, Jiao-Su Village, Yan-Chao District, Kaohsiung City, 824, Taiwan. .,School of Medicine, College of Medicine, I-Shou University, No.1, Yi-Da Road, Jiao-Su Village, Yan-Chao District, Kaohsiung City, 824, Taiwan.
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79
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Špitalská E, Kraljik J, Miklisová D, Boldišová E, Sparagano OAE, Stanko M. Circulation of Rickettsia species and rickettsial endosymbionts among small mammals and their ectoparasites in Eastern Slovakia. Parasitol Res 2020; 119:2047-2057. [PMID: 32382991 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-020-06701-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2019] [Accepted: 04/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Bacteria belonging to the genus Rickettsia are known as causative agents of vector-borne zoonotic diseases, such as spotted fevers, epidemic typhus and endemic typhus. Different species of ticks, mites and fleas could act as reservoirs and arthropod vectors of different pathogenic Rickettsia species. The aim of this work was to establish active surveillance of Rickettsia spp. in mites, ticks and fleas collected from small mammals (rodents and shrews) in Eastern Slovakia. A total of 964 animal ear biopsies, 871 mites, 667 ticks and 743 fleas were collected from small mammals in the Košice region, Eastern Slovakia. All specimens were identified using specialized taxonomic keys, and were conserved in ethanol until DNA extraction was performed. After DNA extraction, identification of Rickettsia species was performed by PCR-based methods. The total prevalence of rickettsiae from ear biopsies was 4.6% (95% CI, 3.2-5.9), in tested mites 9.3% (95% CI, 7.4-11.2), 17.2% (95% CI, 14.3-20.1) in I. ricinus ticks and 3.5% (95% CI, 2.2-4.8) in fleas. Sequence analysis of the partial gltA gene and Rickettsia helvetica-, Rickettsia slovaca-, Rickettsia raoultii- species specific real-time PCR tests revealed the presence of R. helvetica, R. slovaca, unidentified Rickettsia and rickettsial endosymbionts. These pathogenic and symbiotic species were confirmed in the following ectoparasite species-Laelaps jettmari, Haemogamasus nidi, Laelaps agilis and Eulaelaps stabularis mites, Ixodes ricinus ticks, Ctenophthalmus solutus, C. assimilis and Megabothris turbidus fleas infesting host-Apodemus agrarius, A. flavicollis, Microtus arvalis and Myodes glareolus small mammals. These results confirm the circulation of R. helvetica, R. slovaca, unidentified Rickettsia and rickettsial endosymbionts in mites, ticks and fleas collected on small mammals in the Košice region, Eastern Slovakia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Špitalská
- Institute of Virology, Biomedical Research Center, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dúbravská cesta 9, 845 05, Bratislava, Slovak Republic.
| | - Jasna Kraljik
- Institute of Zoology Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dúbravská cesta 9, 845 06, Bratislava, Slovak Republic
| | - Dana Miklisová
- Institute of Parasitology Slovak Academy of Sciences, Hlinkova 3, 040 01, Košice, Slovak Republic
| | - Eva Boldišová
- Institute of Virology, Biomedical Research Center, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dúbravská cesta 9, 845 05, Bratislava, Slovak Republic
| | - Olivier A E Sparagano
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Public Health, Jockey Club College of Veterinary Medicine and Life Sciences, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR
| | - Michal Stanko
- Institute of Zoology Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dúbravská cesta 9, 845 06, Bratislava, Slovak Republic
- Institute of Parasitology Slovak Academy of Sciences, Hlinkova 3, 040 01, Košice, Slovak Republic
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80
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Heglasová I, Víchová B, Stanko M. Detection of Rickettsia spp. in Fleas Collected from Small Mammals in Slovakia, Central Europe. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2020; 20:652-656. [PMID: 32366189 DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2019.2567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
This survey is aimed at investigation of species composition of fleas removed from small terrestrial mammals captured in rural, suburban, and urban types of habitat and molecular screening of the presence and diversity of Rickettsia species in collected ectoparasites. In total, 279 fleas (Siphonaptera) belonging to 9 species of 2 families, Ceratophyllidae and Hystrichopsyllidae, were collected from 115 (46%) out of 250 trapped small mammals of eight species (Apodemus agrarius, Apodemus flavicollis, Apodemus uralensis, Myodes glareolus, Microtus arvalis, Microtus subterraneus, Crocidura leucodon, and Sorex minutus). Rickettsia spp. were found in 2.5% (7/279) of tested fleas, namely in Ctenophthalmus agyrtes, Ctenophthalmus solutus, Ctenophthalmus uncinatus, Megabothris turbidus, and Amalareus penicilliger. Rickettsia felis, Rickettsia helvetica, and unidentified Rickettsia species were detected in fleas infesting small mammals in Eastern Slovakia. The results of the study suggest that some species of rickettsiae have a different range of arthropod vectors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivana Heglasová
- Institute of Parasitology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Košice, Slovakia.,Department of Zoology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | | | - Michal Stanko
- Institute of Parasitology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Košice, Slovakia.,Institute of Zoology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
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81
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Modeo L, Salvetti A, Rossi L, Castelli M, Szokoli F, Krenek S, Serra V, Sabaneyeva E, Di Giuseppe G, Fokin SI, Verni F, Petroni G. "Candidatus Trichorickettsia mobilis", a Rickettsiales bacterium, can be transiently transferred from the unicellular eukaryote Paramecium to the planarian Dugesia japonica. PeerJ 2020; 8:e8977. [PMID: 32351785 PMCID: PMC7183750 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.8977] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2019] [Accepted: 03/24/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Most of the microorganisms responsible for vector-borne diseases (VBD) have hematophagous arthropods as vector/reservoir. Recently, many new species of microorganisms phylogenetically related to agents of VBD were found in a variety of aquatic eukaryotic hosts; in particular, numerous new bacterial species related to the genus Rickettsia (Alphaproteobacteria, Rickettsiales) were discovered in protist ciliates and other unicellular eukaryotes. Although their pathogenicity for humans and terrestrial animals is not known, several indirect indications exist that these bacteria might act as etiological agents of possible VBD of aquatic organisms, with protists as vectors. In the present study, a novel strain of the Rickettsia-Like Organism (RLO) endosymbiont "Candidatus (Ca.) Trichorickettsia mobilis" was identified in the macronucleus of the ciliate Paramecium multimicronucleatum. We performed transfection experiments of this RLO to planarians (Dugesia japonica) per os. Indeed, the latter is a widely used model system for studying bacteria pathogenic to humans and other Metazoa. In transfection experiments, homogenized paramecia were added to food of antibiotic-treated planarians. Treated and non-treated (i.e. control) planarians were investigated at day 1, 3, and 7 after feeding for endosymbiont presence by means of PCR and ultrastructural analyses. Obtained results were fully concordant and suggest that this RLO endosymbiont can be transiently transferred from ciliates to metazoans, being detected up to day 7 in treated planarians' enterocytes. Our findings might offer insights into the potential role of ciliates or other protists as putative vectors for diseases caused by Rickettsiales or other RLOs and occurring in fish farms or in the wild.
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Affiliation(s)
- Letizia Modeo
- Department of Biology, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.,CIME, Centro Interdipartimentale di Microscopia Elettronica, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.,CISUP, Centro per l'Integrazione della Strumentazione, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Alessandra Salvetti
- CIME, Centro Interdipartimentale di Microscopia Elettronica, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.,CISUP, Centro per l'Integrazione della Strumentazione, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.,Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Leonardo Rossi
- CIME, Centro Interdipartimentale di Microscopia Elettronica, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.,CISUP, Centro per l'Integrazione della Strumentazione, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.,Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Michele Castelli
- Centro Romeo ed Enrica Invernizzi Ricerca Pediatrica, Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Franziska Szokoli
- Institute of Hydrobiology, Dresden University of Technology, Dresden, Germany
| | - Sascha Krenek
- Institute of Hydrobiology, Dresden University of Technology, Dresden, Germany.,Department of River Ecology, Helmholtz Center for Environmental Research-UFZ, Magdeburg, Germany
| | | | - Elena Sabaneyeva
- Department of Cytology and Histology, Faculty of Biology, Saint Petersburg State University, Saint Petersburg, Russia
| | | | - Sergei I Fokin
- Department of Biology, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.,CIME, Centro Interdipartimentale di Microscopia Elettronica, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.,Department of Invertebrate Zoology, Saint Petersburg State University, Saint Petersburg, Russia
| | - Franco Verni
- Department of Biology, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.,CIME, Centro Interdipartimentale di Microscopia Elettronica, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.,CISUP, Centro per l'Integrazione della Strumentazione, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Giulio Petroni
- Department of Biology, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.,CIME, Centro Interdipartimentale di Microscopia Elettronica, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.,CISUP, Centro per l'Integrazione della Strumentazione, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
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Hauck D, Jordan D, Springer A, Schunack B, Pachnicke S, Fingerle V, Strube C. Transovarial transmission of Borrelia spp., Rickettsia spp. and Anaplasma phagocytophilum in Ixodes ricinus under field conditions extrapolated from DNA detection in questing larvae. Parasit Vectors 2020; 13:176. [PMID: 32264920 PMCID: PMC7140504 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-020-04049-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2020] [Accepted: 03/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Ixodes ricinus constitutes the main European vector tick for the Lyme borreliosis pathogen Borrelia burgdorferi (sensu lato), the relapsing fever borrelia Borrelia miyamotoi, as well as Anaplasma phagocytophilum and several Rickettsia species. Under laboratory conditions, a transovarial transmission to the next tick generation is described for Rickettsia spp. and Borrelia spp., especially regarding B. miyamotoi, whereas the efficiency of transovarial transfer under field conditions is largely unstudied. Methods In order to better estimate the potential infection risk by tick larvae for humans and animals, 1500 I. ricinus larvae from 50 collected “nests” (larvae adhering to the flag in a clumped manner) were individually examined for Borrelia, Rickettsia and A. phagocytophilum DNA using quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR). Results Thirty-nine of 50 nests each (78.0%, 95% CI: 64.0–88.5%) were positive for Borrelia spp. and Rickettsia spp. DNA, and in three nests (6.0%, 95% CI: 1.3–16.5%) A. phagocytophilum DNA was detected. Overall, DNA from at least one pathogen could be detected in 90.0% (45/50, 95% CI: 78.2–96.7%) of the nests. Of the 1500 larvae, 137 were positive for Borrelia spp. DNA (9.1%, 95% CI: 7.7–10.7%), 341 for Rickettsia spp. DNA (22.7%, 95% CI: 20.6–24.9%) and three for A. phagocytophilum DNA (0.2%, 95% CI: 0–0.6%). Quantity of Borrelia spp. and Anaplasma spp. DNA in positive larvae was low, with 2.7 × 100Borrelia 5S-23S gene copies and 2.4 × 101A. phagocytophilum msp2/p44 gene copies detected on average, while Rickettsia-positive samples contained on average 5.4 × 102gltA gene copies. Coinfections were found in 66.0% (33/50, 95% CI: 51.2–78.8%) of the nests and 8.6% (38/443, 95% CI: 6.1–11.6%) of positive larvae. In fact, larvae had a significantly higher probability of being infected with Borrelia spp. or Rickettsia spp. when both pathogens were present in the nest. Conclusions This study provides evidence for transovarial transmission of Rickettsia spp. and Borrelia spp. in I. ricinus under field conditions, possibly facilitating pathogen persistence in the ecosystem and reducing the dependence on the presence of suitable reservoir hosts. Further studies are needed to prove transovarial transmission and to explain the surprisingly high proportion of nests containing Rickettsia and/or Borrelia DNA-positive larvae compared to infection rates in adult ticks commonly reported in other studies.![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Hauck
- Institute for Parasitology, Centre for Infection Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Buenteweg 17, 30559, Hanover, Germany
| | - Daniela Jordan
- Institute for Parasitology, Centre for Infection Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Buenteweg 17, 30559, Hanover, Germany
| | - Andrea Springer
- Institute for Parasitology, Centre for Infection Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Buenteweg 17, 30559, Hanover, Germany
| | | | | | - Volker Fingerle
- National Reference Centre for Borrelia, Veterinaerstraße 2, 85764, Oberschleissheim, Germany
| | - Christina Strube
- Institute for Parasitology, Centre for Infection Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Buenteweg 17, 30559, Hanover, Germany.
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83
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Frątczak M, Vargová B, Tryjanowski P, Majláth I, Jerzak L, Kurimský J, Cimbala R, Jankowiak Ł, Conka Z, Majláthová V. Infected Ixodes ricinus ticks are attracted by electromagnetic radiation of 900 MHz. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2020; 11:101416. [PMID: 32209348 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2020.101416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2019] [Revised: 03/12/2020] [Accepted: 03/16/2020] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
The electromagnetic field (EMF) is known to influence functions of the nervous, cardiovascular and reproductive systems of many animals, including ticks. The aim of this study was to test the behavior of ticks in the presence of radio-frequency EMF. For testing, 160 adult male and 140 adult female unfed Ixodes ricinus ticks were used. Individuals were exposed to 900 MHz EMF in the Radiation-Shielded Tube (RST). Ticks were attracted to the irradiated area. This effect was significantly stronger for ticks infected with Rickettsia spp., suggesting that pathogens can alter the ticks' response to environmental stimuli. These results lead to the question of whether man-made EMF may have an impact on I. ricinus activity and, as such, be a contributing factor to the ongoing changes in the distribution of the tick and its pathogens currently observed in Europe and elsewhere.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martyna Frątczak
- Institute of Zoology, Poznań University of Life Sciences, Wojska Polskiego 71C, 60-625 Poznań, Poland
| | - Blažena Vargová
- Centre of Applied Science, University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy, Komenského 73, Košice, Slovakia
| | - Piotr Tryjanowski
- Institute of Zoology, Poznań University of Life Sciences, Wojska Polskiego 71C, 60-625 Poznań, Poland
| | - Igor Majláth
- Institute of Biology and Ecology, Pavol Jozef Safarik University in Kosice, Srobarova 2, 041 80 Kosice, Slovakia
| | - Leszek Jerzak
- Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Zielona Góra, Prof. Z. Szafrana St. 1, 65-516 Zielona Góra, Poland
| | - Juraj Kurimský
- Department of Electrical Power Engineering, Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Informatics, Technical University of Kosice, Masiarska 74, 041 20 Kosice, Slovakia
| | - Roman Cimbala
- Department of Electrical Power Engineering, Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Informatics, Technical University of Kosice, Masiarska 74, 041 20 Kosice, Slovakia
| | - Łukasz Jankowiak
- Department of Vertebrate Anatomy and Zoology, University of Szczecin, Wąska 13, 71-412 Szczecin, Poland
| | - Zsolt Conka
- Department of Electrical Power Engineering, Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Informatics, Technical University of Kosice, Masiarska 74, 041 20 Kosice, Slovakia
| | - Viktória Majláthová
- Institute of Biology and Ecology, Pavol Jozef Safarik University in Kosice, Srobarova 2, 041 80 Kosice, Slovakia.
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84
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Liu H, Liang X, Wang H, Sun X, Bai X, Hu B, Shi N, Wang N, Zhang X, Huang L, Liao J, Huang F, Zhang H, Si X, Huang S, Jin N, Liu Q, Li L. Molecular evidence of the spotted fever group Rickettsiae in ticks from Yunnan Province, Southwest China. EXPERIMENTAL & APPLIED ACAROLOGY 2020; 80:339-348. [PMID: 31925589 DOI: 10.1007/s10493-020-00467-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2019] [Accepted: 01/03/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Ixodid ticks transmit many obligate intracellular Rickettsial species. Several previous studies have identified Rickettsia species in the northeastern and southern part of China, but few reports on the prevalence of infection of spotted fever group Rickettsiae (SFGR) in ticks in southwest China are available. Here, we investigated SFGR in 394 adult ticks of five species including Dermacentor nuttalli, Dermacentor silvarum, Haemaphysalis longicornis, Ixodes sinensis and Ixodes persulcatus, collected in the border region between China and Burma in Yunnan Province. PCR was used to detect the presence of the citrate synthase (gltA) gene of Rickettsia species. SFGR was found in 12.1% (15/124) of I. persulcatus ticks, which was significantly higher than the 7.2% (7/97) positive D. nuttalli, 5.4% (3/56) D. silvarum, 5.6% (4/72) H. longicornis and 4.4 (2/45) I. sinensis. A portion of the gltA and ompA gene data subjected to phylogenetic analysis revealed that the detected SFGR clustered into two species, Rickettsia raoultii and the new Rickettsia species Candidatus Rickettsia jingxinensis. Detection of both Rickettsia spp. in this region indicates a potential public health threat posed by SFGR infection in Yunnan Province.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Liu
- School of Life Sciences and Engineering, Foshan University, Foshan, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Xiaotong Liang
- School of Life Sciences and Engineering, Foshan University, Foshan, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Haijun Wang
- Jilin Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Center, Forestry Department of Jilin Province, Changchun, China
| | - Xiutao Sun
- Honghe Animal Disease Prevention and Control Center, Mengzi, Yunnan Province, China
| | - Xue Bai
- Institute of Special Economic Animal and Plant Sciences, Key Laboratory of Special Animal Epidemic Disease, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Ministry of Agriculture, Changchun, Jilin Province, China
| | - Bo Hu
- Institute of Special Economic Animal and Plant Sciences, Key Laboratory of Special Animal Epidemic Disease, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Ministry of Agriculture, Changchun, Jilin Province, China
| | - Ning Shi
- School of Life Sciences and Engineering, Foshan University, Foshan, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Nina Wang
- School of Life Sciences and Engineering, Foshan University, Foshan, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Xuelian Zhang
- School of Life Sciences and Engineering, Foshan University, Foshan, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Liangzhong Huang
- School of Life Sciences and Engineering, Foshan University, Foshan, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Jiedan Liao
- School of Life Sciences and Engineering, Foshan University, Foshan, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Fuqiang Huang
- School of Life Sciences and Engineering, Foshan University, Foshan, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Haoji Zhang
- School of Life Sciences and Engineering, Foshan University, Foshan, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Xingkui Si
- School of Life Sciences and Engineering, Foshan University, Foshan, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Shujian Huang
- School of Life Sciences and Engineering, Foshan University, Foshan, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Ningyi Jin
- Military Veterinary Institute, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Changchun, Jilin Province, China
| | - Quan Liu
- School of Life Sciences and Engineering, Foshan University, Foshan, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Lixia Li
- School of Life Sciences and Engineering, Foshan University, Foshan, Guangdong Province, China.
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85
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Diop A, El Karkouri K, Raoult D, Fournier PE. Genome sequence-based criteria for demarcation and definition of species in the genus Rickettsia. Int J Syst Evol Microbiol 2020; 70:1738-1750. [DOI: 10.1099/ijsem.0.003963] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Over recent years, genomic information has increasingly been used for prokaryotic species definition and classification. Genome sequence-based alternatives to the gold standard DNA–DNA hybridization (DDH) relatedness have been developed, notably average nucleotide identity (ANI), which is one of the most useful measurements for species delineation in the genomic era. However, the strictly intracellar lifestyle, the few measurable phenotypic properties and the low level of genetic heterogeneity made the current standard genomic criteria for bacterial species definition inapplicable to
Rickettsia
species. We evaluated a range of whole genome sequence (WGS)-based taxonomic parameters to develop guidelines for the classification of
Rickettsia
isolates at genus and species levels. By comparing the degree of similarity of 74 WGSs from 31
Rickettsia
species and 61 WGSs from members of three closely related genera also belonging to the order
Rickettsiales
(
Orientia
, 11 genomes;
Ehrlichia
, 22 genomes; and
Anaplasma
, 28 genomes) using digital DDH (dDDh) and ANI by orthology (OrthoANI) parameters, we demonstrated that WGS-based taxonomic information, which is easy to obtain and use, can serve for reliable classification of isolates within the
Rickettsia
genus and species. To be classified as a member of the genus
Rickettsia
, a bacterial isolate should exhibit OrthoANI values with any
Rickettsia
species with a validly published name of ≥83.63 %. To be classified as a new
Rickettsia
species, an isolate should not exhibit more than any of the following degrees of genomic relatedness levels with the most closely related species: >92.30 and >99.19 % for the dDDH and OrthoANI values, respectively. When applied to four rickettsial isolates of uncertain status, the above-described thresholds enabled their classification as new species in one case. Thus, we propose WGS-based guidelines to efficiently delineate
Rickettsia
species, with OrthoANI and dDDH being the most accurate for classification at the genus and species levels, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Awa Diop
- Institut Hospitalo-universitaire Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
- UMR VITROME, Aix-Marseille University, Institut pour la Recherche et le Développement, Service de Santé des Armées, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Marseille, Institut Hospitalo-universitaire Méditerranée Infection, 19-21 Boulevard Jean Moulin, 13005 Marseille, France
| | - Khalid El Karkouri
- Institut Hospitalo-universitaire Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
- UMR VITROME, Aix-Marseille University, Institut pour la Recherche et le Développement, Service de Santé des Armées, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Marseille, Institut Hospitalo-universitaire Méditerranée Infection, 19-21 Boulevard Jean Moulin, 13005 Marseille, France
| | - Didier Raoult
- UMR MEPHI, Aix-Marseille University, Institut pour la Recherche et le Développement, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Marseille, Institut Hospitalo-Universitaire Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
- Institut Hospitalo-universitaire Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
| | - Pierre-Edouard Fournier
- Institut Hospitalo-universitaire Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
- UMR VITROME, Aix-Marseille University, Institut pour la Recherche et le Développement, Service de Santé des Armées, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Marseille, Institut Hospitalo-universitaire Méditerranée Infection, 19-21 Boulevard Jean Moulin, 13005 Marseille, France
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86
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Binetruy F, Buysse M, Barosi R, Duron O. Novel Rickettsia genotypes in ticks in French Guiana, South America. Sci Rep 2020; 10:2537. [PMID: 32054909 PMCID: PMC7018960 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-59488-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2019] [Accepted: 01/29/2020] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Rickettsia are obligate intracellular bacteria often associated with ticks and best known for causing human diseases (rickettsiosis), including typhus fever and sporadic cases of serious infection. In this study, we conducted a large survey of ticks in French Guiana to understand the overall diversity of Rickettsia in this remote area largely covered by dense rainforests. Out of 819 individuals (22 tick species in six genera), 252 (30.8%) samples were positive for Rickettsia infection. Multilocus typing and phylogenetic analysis identified 19 Rickettsia genotypes, but none was 100% identical to already known Rickettsia species or strains. Among these 19 genotypes, we identified two validated Rickettsia species, Rickettsia amblyommatis (spotted fever group) and Rickettsia bellii (bellii group), and characterized a novel and divergent Rickettsia phylogenetic group, the guiana group. While some tick hosts of these Rickettsia genotypes are among the most common ticks to bite humans in French Guiana, their potential pathogenicity remains entirely unknown. However, we found a strong association between Rickettsia genotypes and their host tick species, suggesting that most of these Rickettsia genotypes may be nonpathogenic forms maintained through transovarial transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florian Binetruy
- Laboratoire Maladies Infectieuses et Vecteurs: Ecologie, Génétique, Evolution et Contrôle (MIVEGEC), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) - Institut pour la Recherche et le Développement (IRD) - Université de Montpellier (UM), 911 Avenue Agropolis, F-34394, Montpellier, France
| | - Marie Buysse
- Laboratoire Maladies Infectieuses et Vecteurs: Ecologie, Génétique, Evolution et Contrôle (MIVEGEC), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) - Institut pour la Recherche et le Développement (IRD) - Université de Montpellier (UM), 911 Avenue Agropolis, F-34394, Montpellier, France
| | - Roxanne Barosi
- Laboratoire Maladies Infectieuses et Vecteurs: Ecologie, Génétique, Evolution et Contrôle (MIVEGEC), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) - Institut pour la Recherche et le Développement (IRD) - Université de Montpellier (UM), 911 Avenue Agropolis, F-34394, Montpellier, France
| | - Olivier Duron
- Laboratoire Maladies Infectieuses et Vecteurs: Ecologie, Génétique, Evolution et Contrôle (MIVEGEC), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) - Institut pour la Recherche et le Développement (IRD) - Université de Montpellier (UM), 911 Avenue Agropolis, F-34394, Montpellier, France.
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87
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Wei CY, Wang JK, Shih HC, Wang HC, Kuo CC. Invasive plants facilitated by socioeconomic change harbor vectors of scrub typhus and spotted fever. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2020; 14:e0007519. [PMID: 31961870 PMCID: PMC6994164 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0007519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2019] [Revised: 01/31/2020] [Accepted: 11/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ecological determinants of most emerging vector-borne diseases are understudied, particularly for neglected tropical disease. Moreover, although socioeconomic impacts can have significant downstream effects on human risks to vector-borne diseases via a change in land cover, particularly facilitating the invasion of exotic plants, related studies remains very scarce. Scrub typhus and spotted fever are neglected diseases emerging around the globe and are transmitted by chigger mites and ticks infective of Orientia tsutsugamushi and Rickettsia spp., respectively, with small mammals as the primary hosts of both vectors. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS We investigated how invasions of the plant Leucaena leucocephala caused by widespread abandonment of farmlands driven by industrialization affected abundance of chiggers and ticks in Penghu Island, Taiwan. We determined ectoparasite abundance by trapping small mammals in three types of habitats (invasion site, agricultural field, human residential) every two months for a year. Based on ectoparasite burdens, invasion sites harbored more chiggers and ticks than the other two habitats. Furthermore, hosts maintained higher burdens of both vectors in early winter and burdens of chiggers were more stable across seasons in invasion sites, suggesting that sites with invasive plants could be a temporary refuge for both vectors and might help mitigate the negative influence of unfavorable climate. Infective rates of O. tsutsugamushi in chiggers and Rickettsia in ticks were also consistently not lower in invasion sites. Top soil temperature and relative humidity were similar across the three habitats, but invasion sites contained more of the rat Rattus losea, on which chiggers and ticks were more engorged than those from the most commonly trapped species (Suncus murinus shrew), indicating that abundance of the host R. losea instead of microclimate might better determine the abundance of both vectors. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE This study highlights an important but largely neglected issue that socioeconomic change can have unexpected consequences for human health induced particularly by invasive plants, which could become a hotspot for emerging infectious diseases but usually are very hard to be eradicated. In the future, a more comprehensive approach that integrates socio-economics, land use, exotic species, and human health should be considered to fully understand potential emergence of vector-borne diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen-Yu Wei
- Department of Life Science, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Jen-Kai Wang
- Department of Life Science, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Han-Chun Shih
- Center for Diagnostics and Vaccine Development, Centers for Disease Control, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Hsi-Chieh Wang
- Center for Diagnostics and Vaccine Development, Centers for Disease Control, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Taipei, Taiwan
- Institute of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chi-Chien Kuo
- Department of Life Science, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei, Taiwan
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88
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Liu Y, Fan ZY, An X, Shi PQ, Ahmed MZ, Qiu BL. A single-pair method to screen Rickettsia-infected and uninfected whitefly Bemisia tabaci populations. J Microbiol Methods 2020; 168:105797. [DOI: 10.1016/j.mimet.2019.105797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2019] [Revised: 11/29/2019] [Accepted: 11/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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89
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Selmi R, Ben Said M, Ben Yahia H, Abdelaali H, Messadi L. Molecular epidemiology and phylogeny of spotted fever group Rickettsia in camels (Camelus dromedarius) and their infesting ticks from Tunisia. Transbound Emerg Dis 2019; 67:733-744. [PMID: 31626722 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.13392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2019] [Revised: 09/17/2019] [Accepted: 10/10/2019] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Rickettsia species are adapted to a wide range of specific animal hosts. Camels (Camelus dromedarius) have been identified as a carrier of various zoonotic pathogens and became a focus of growing public health interest. This study reported the occurrence of rickettsial infection in camels and infesting ticks from five Tunisian governorates. Based on ompB PCR, eight out of 293 camels (2.7%) were found to be infected with Rickettsia spp. Furthermore, 13 tick specimens of Hyalomma impeltatum (10.4%) and 9 of H. dromedarii (8.0%) harboured DNA of Rickettsia bacteria with an overall prevalence rate of 9.2% (22/237). Molecular prevalence of Rickettsia infection varied significantly according to tick infestation for camels and among tick genders. Five rickettsial species, showing a potential public health interest, were revealed by sequencing. Based on ompB partial sequences, five species were identified corresponding to R. aeschlimannii, R. monacensis, R. helvetica and R. massiliae in camels and to R. africae, R. aeschlimannii, R. monacensis and R. helvetica in ticks. Based on ompA typing, three species were revealed corresponding to R. africae and R. monacensis in camels and to R. africae, R. aeschlimannii and R. monacensis in ticks. This is the first report consolidating the hypothesis that camels may serve as potential hosts for Rickettsia spp. and Hyalomma spp. ticks as possible vectors in arid and Saharan areas of Tunisia. The present data highlight the importance of preventive measures and survey that must be implemented in camel herds in order to limit the spread of these vector-borne bacteria to animals and humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachid Selmi
- Service de Microbiologie et Immunologie, Ecole Nationale de Médecine Vétérinaire de Sidi Thabet, Université de la Manouba, Manouba, Tunisia.,Ministère de la Défense Nationale, Direction Générale de la Santé Militaire, Service Vétérinaire, Tunis, Tunisia.,Institut National Agronomique de Tunis, Université de Carthage, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Mourad Ben Said
- Service de Microbiologie et Immunologie, Ecole Nationale de Médecine Vétérinaire de Sidi Thabet, Université de la Manouba, Manouba, Tunisia
| | - Houcine Ben Yahia
- Ministère de la Défense Nationale, Direction Générale de la Santé Militaire, Service Vétérinaire, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Hedi Abdelaali
- Ministère de la Défense Nationale, Direction Générale de la Santé Militaire, Service Vétérinaire, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Lilia Messadi
- Service de Microbiologie et Immunologie, Ecole Nationale de Médecine Vétérinaire de Sidi Thabet, Université de la Manouba, Manouba, Tunisia
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90
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Pawelczyk O, Asman M, Solarz K. The molecular detection of Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Rickettsia spp. in cat and dog fleas collected from companion animals. Folia Parasitol (Praha) 2019; 66. [PMID: 31823859 DOI: 10.14411/fp.2019.020] [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: 11/08/2018] [Accepted: 08/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Companion animals can be infested by various species of parasitic insects. Cat flea Ctenocephalides felis (C. felis felis) (Bouché, 1835) and dog flea Ctenocephalides canis (Curtis, 1826) belong to multihost external parasites of mammals, which most frequently occur on domestic cats Felis catus Linnaeus and dogs Canis familiaris Linnaeus. The main aim of this study was to investigate the presence of pathogens, such as Anaplasma phagocytophilum (syn. Ehrlichia phagocytophila) and Rickettsia spp., in adult C. felis and C. canis fleas. Flea sampling has been realised from January 2013 to April 2017 in veterinary clinics, animal shelters and pet grooming salons. Fleas were collected from domestic cats and dogs, directly from the pet skin or hair. Then, the DNA was isolated from a single flea by using the alkaline hydrolysis and samples were screened for the presence of pathogens using PCR method. Anaplasma phagocytophilum has occurred in 29% of examined C. felis and 16% of C. canis individuals. In turn, the prevalence of Rickettsia spp. in cat fleas population was only 3%, and the dog fleas 7%. The present study showed the presence of pathogenic agents in cat and dog fleas, which indicates the potential role of these insects in circulation of A. phagocytophilum and Rickettsia spp. in the natural habitat. Furthermore, exposition to these flea species, whose hosts are domestic cats and dogs, can pose a potential risk of infection for humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga Pawelczyk
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences in Sosnowiec, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland
| | - Marek Asman
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences in Sosnowiec, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland
| | - Krzysztof Solarz
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences in Sosnowiec, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland
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91
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Li H, Zhang PH, Huang Y, Du J, Cui N, Yang ZD, Tang F, Fu FX, Li XM, Cui XM, Fan YD, Xing B, Li XK, Tong YG, Cao WC, Liu W. Isolation and Identification of Rickettsia raoultii in Human Cases: A Surveillance Study in 3 Medical Centers in China. Clin Infect Dis 2019; 66:1109-1115. [PMID: 29069294 DOI: 10.1093/cid/cix917] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2017] [Accepted: 10/19/2017] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Rickettsia raoultii is frequently detected in multiple tick species, whereas human infection remains scarcely studied. Methods A surveillance study was performed at 3 sentinel hospitals in China, to recruit participants with suspected tick exposure. Rickettsia raoultii infection was identified through polymerase chain reaction, followed by sequencing, and confirmed serologically. Isolation by cell culture was performed and the isolates were genome sequenced. Results Twenty-six subjects were determined to have R. raoultii infection, including 7 with asymptomatic infection, 15 with mild to moderate illness, and 4 with severe illness. Common nonspecific manifestations in the 19 patients with mild to moderate or severe illness included fever (100%), malaise (95%), myalgia (58%), lymphadenopathy (53%), and nausea (42%). Only 5% of them had rash, and 16% had eschar. Scalp eschar and neck lymphadenopathy after a tick bite syndrome was only seen in 2 patients. Of the 4 patients with severe complications, 3 developed pulmonary edema, and 1 developed clouding of consciousness and lethargy. Frequent abnormalities of laboratory testing included leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, lymphopenia, neutropenia, hypoproteinemia, and elevated levels of total bilirubin, hepatic aminotransferases, lactate dehydrogenase, and creatine kinase. All the 19 patients recovered without sequelae after receiving doxycycline treatment. Two R. raoultii strains were isolated, and a significantly less degraded genome was observed than other more virulent Rickettsia strains, indicating a low pathogenicity of the current strain. Conclusions Human infection with R. raoultii has a wide clinical spectrum that ranged from subclinical infection to severe complications. Physicians need to be aware of the high potential and clinical complexity of R. raoultii infection, to ensure appropriate testing and treatment in endemic regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Li
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology
| | - Pan-He Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology
| | - Yong Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology
| | - Juan Du
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology
| | - Ning Cui
- The 154 Hospital, People's Liberation Army, Xinyang
| | | | - Fang Tang
- Center for Disease Control and Prevention of the Chinese Peoples' Armed Police Forces, Beijing
| | - Fei-Xiang Fu
- Center for Disease Control and Prevention of the Chinese Peoples' Armed Police Forces, Beijing
| | - Xiao-Mei Li
- Taishan Medical University, Tai'an, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiao-Ming Cui
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology
| | - Ya-Di Fan
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology
| | - Bo Xing
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology
| | - Xiao-Kun Li
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology
| | - Yi-Gang Tong
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology
| | - Wu-Chun Cao
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology
| | - Wei Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology
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92
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Complete Genome Sequence of Rickettsia asiatica Strain Maytaro1284, a Member of Spotted Fever Group Rickettsiae Isolated from an Ixodes ovatus Tick in Japan. Microbiol Resour Announc 2019; 8:8/37/e00886-19. [PMID: 31515347 PMCID: PMC6742798 DOI: 10.1128/mra.00886-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
This is the first report of the complete genome sequence of Rickettsia asiatica strain Maytaro1284, isolated from an Ixodes ovatus tick in Japan. The genome contains a 1,344,324-bp circular chromosome and one plasmid of 74,761 bp. There was no outer membrane protein A (ompA) gene encoded in the genome. This is the first report of the complete genome sequence of Rickettsia asiatica strain Maytaro1284, isolated from an Ixodes ovatus tick in Japan. The genome contains a 1,344,324-bp circular chromosome and one plasmid of 74,761 bp. There was no outer membrane protein A (ompA) gene encoded in the genome.
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93
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Sekeyová Z, Danchenko M, Filipčík P, Fournier PE. Rickettsial infections of the central nervous system. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2019; 13:e0007469. [PMID: 31465452 PMCID: PMC6715168 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0007469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
As a result of migrations and globalization, people may face a possible increase in the incidence of central nervous system rickettsial infections (CNS R). These diseases, caused by Rickettsia species and transmitted to humans by arthropod bites, are putatively lethal. However, the diagnosis of CNS R is challenging and often delayed due to their nonspecific clinical presentation and the strict intracellular nature of rickettsiae. Furthermore, transfer of rickettsiae to the brain parenchyma is not yet understood. The aim of this review is to analyze and summarize the features and correlated findings of CNS R in order to focus attention on these intriguing but frequently neglected illnesses. We also incorporated data on CNS infections caused by Rickettsia-related microorganisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zuzana Sekeyová
- Institute of Virology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dubravska cesta, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Monika Danchenko
- Institute of Virology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dubravska cesta, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Peter Filipčík
- Institute of Neuroimmunology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dubravska cesta, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Pierre Edouard Fournier
- Aix-Marseille Univ, IRD, AP-HM, SSA, VITROME, IHU Mediterranée-Infection, Marseille, France
- Centre National de Référence des Rickettsia, Coxiella et Bartonella, IHU Mediterranée-Infection, Marseille, France
- * E-mail:
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94
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Grouteau G, Lancelot O, Bertolotti A, Poubeau P, Manaquin R, Foucher A, Jaubert J, Parola P, Pagès F, Camuset G. Emergence of murine typhus in La Réunion, France, 2012-2017. Med Mal Infect 2019; 50:22-27. [PMID: 31387814 DOI: 10.1016/j.medmal.2019.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2018] [Revised: 09/01/2018] [Accepted: 06/11/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Murine typhus (MT) is an acute zoonosis caused by Rickettsia typhi, a flea-borne rickettsiosis. The first autochthonous case was reported in 2012. Once autochthonous transmission of Rickettsia typhi was proven, we performed a prospective study to describe and raise awareness of this often-misdiagnosed disease among physicians. PATIENTS AND METHODS We performed a prospective observational study of MT cases in La Réunion from 2012 to 2017. MT cases were defined as clinically compatible illnesses with a specific positive serology and/or PCR. RESULTS Sixty-one confirmed cases were collected. The main clinical features were prolonged fever (90%), asthenia (87%), and headaches (79%). The main biological abnormalities were elevated liver enzymes (84%) and thrombopenia (75%). Renal function was normal in 90% of cases; it was an important feature because leptospirosis is a frequent cause of acute renal failure. A seasonal factor was observed with 79% of cases reported in the warm season and most of them in the west and south of the island (i.e., the dry areas). CONCLUSION MT is an emerging disease in La Réunion, and local conditions could lead to an endemic situation. Cases of acute undifferentiated fever with headaches should guide to the diagnosis of MT especially in the warm season and dry areas. Leptospirosis is an alternative diagnosis, which differs from MT by its epidemiological characteristics and by the associated frequent renal dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Grouteau
- Service de maladies infectieuses et tropicales, centre hospitalier universitaire de La Réunion, site sud, avenue Prés-Mitterrand, 97448 St-Pierre, Reunion.
| | - O Lancelot
- Service d'accueil des Urgences, centre hospitalier universitaire de La Réunion, site sud, avenue Prés-Mitterrand, 97448 St-Pierre, Reunion
| | - A Bertolotti
- Service de maladies infectieuses et tropicales, centre hospitalier universitaire de La Réunion, site sud, avenue Prés-Mitterrand, 97448 St-Pierre, Reunion
| | - P Poubeau
- Service de maladies infectieuses et tropicales, centre hospitalier universitaire de La Réunion, site sud, avenue Prés-Mitterrand, 97448 St-Pierre, Reunion
| | - R Manaquin
- Service de maladies infectieuses et tropicales, centre hospitalier universitaire de La Réunion, site sud, avenue Prés-Mitterrand, 97448 St-Pierre, Reunion
| | - A Foucher
- Service de maladies infectieuses et tropicales, centre hospitalier universitaire de La Réunion, site sud, avenue Prés-Mitterrand, 97448 St-Pierre, Reunion
| | - J Jaubert
- Service de bactériologie, virologie, parasitologie, centre hospitalier universitaire de La Réunion, site sud, avenue Prés-Mitterrand, 97448 St-Pierre, Reunion
| | - P Parola
- Aix Marseille Univ, IRD, AP-HM, SSA, VITROME, IHU-Méditerranée Infection, 13005 Marseille, France
| | - F Pagès
- Santé Publique France, 2, bis avenue Georges-Brassens, 97743 Saint-Denis cedex 9, Reunion
| | - G Camuset
- Service de maladies infectieuses et tropicales, centre hospitalier universitaire de La Réunion, site sud, avenue Prés-Mitterrand, 97448 St-Pierre, Reunion
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95
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Gérardin P, Zemali N, Bactora M, Camuset G, Balleydier E, Pascalis H, Guernier V, Mussard C, Bertolotti A, Koumar Y, Naze F, Picot S, Filleul L, Pages F, Tortosa P, Jaubert J. Seroprevalence of typhus group and spotted fever group Rickettsia exposures on Reunion island. BMC Res Notes 2019; 12:387. [PMID: 31288833 PMCID: PMC6617902 DOI: 10.1186/s13104-019-4416-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2019] [Accepted: 06/29/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Murine typhus has been increasingly reported on Reunion island, Indian ocean, following documentation of eight autochthonous infections in 2012-2013. We conducted a serosurvey to assess the magnitude of the seroprevalence of rickettsioses in the population. Two hundred and forty-one stored frozen sera taken from the 2009 Copanflu-RUN cohort were analysed using an immunofluorescence assay allowing to distinguish typhus group (TGR) and spotted fever group Rickesttsiae (SFGR). Seropositivity was defined for a dilution titre of Rickettsia IgG antibodies ≥ 1:64. Seroprevalence was weighted to account for the discrepancy between the Copanflu-RUN subset and the general population, as to infer prevalence at community level. Prevalence proportion ratios (PPR) were measured using log-binomial models. RESULTS The weighted seroprevalences of typhus group rickettsioses and spotted fever group rickettsioses were of 12.71% (95% CI 8.84-16.58%) and 17.68% (95% CI 13.25-22.11%), respectively. Pooled together, data suggested that a fifth of the population had been exposed at least to one Rickettsia group. Youths (< 20 years) were less likely seropositive than adults (adjusted PPR 0.13, 95% CI 0.01-0.91). People living in the western dryer part of the island were more exposed (adjusted PPR 2.53, 95% CI 1.07-5.97). Rickettsioses are endemic on Reunion island and circulated before their first identification as murine typhus in year 2011. Surprisingly, since isolation of Rickettsia africae from Amblyomma variegatum in year 2004 or isolation of Rickettsia felis from Amblyomma loculosum, no autochthonous cases of African tick-bite fever or flea-borne spotted fever has yet been diagnosed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick Gérardin
- INSERM Centre d’Investigation Clinique 1410 Epidémiologie Clinique, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU), Groupe Hospitalier Sud Réunion, BP 350, 97448 Saint Pierre Cedex, Reunion France
- UM 134 PIMIT Processus Infectieux en Milieu Insulaire Tropical, INSERM 1187, CNRS 9192, IRD 249, CYROI, Université de La Réunion, Sainte Clotilde, Reunion France
| | - Naël Zemali
- Laboratoire de Bactériologie, Virologie et Parasitologie, CHU de la Réunion, Saint Pierre, Reunion France
| | - Marie Bactora
- Laboratoire de Bactériologie, Virologie et Parasitologie, CHU de la Réunion, Saint Pierre, Reunion France
| | - Guillaume Camuset
- Service des Maladies Infectieuses, CHU de la Réunion, Saint Pierre, Reunion France
| | - Elsa Balleydier
- Cellule d’Intervention Régionale et d’Epidémiologie, Océan Indien, Santé Publique France, French National Public Health Agency, Saint Denis, Reunion France
| | - Hervé Pascalis
- UM 134 PIMIT Processus Infectieux en Milieu Insulaire Tropical, INSERM 1187, CNRS 9192, IRD 249, CYROI, Université de La Réunion, Sainte Clotilde, Reunion France
| | - Vanina Guernier
- Geelong Centre for Emerging Infectious Diseases, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC Australia
| | - Corinne Mussard
- INSERM Centre d’Investigation Clinique 1410 Epidémiologie Clinique, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU), Groupe Hospitalier Sud Réunion, BP 350, 97448 Saint Pierre Cedex, Reunion France
| | - Antoine Bertolotti
- INSERM Centre d’Investigation Clinique 1410 Epidémiologie Clinique, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU), Groupe Hospitalier Sud Réunion, BP 350, 97448 Saint Pierre Cedex, Reunion France
- Service des Maladies Infectieuses, CHU de la Réunion, Saint Pierre, Reunion France
| | - Yatrika Koumar
- Service des Maladies Infectieuses, CHU de la Réunion, Saint Pierre, Reunion France
| | - Florence Naze
- Laboratoire de Bactériologie, Virologie et Parasitologie, CHU de la Réunion, Saint Pierre, Reunion France
| | - Sandrine Picot
- Laboratoire de Bactériologie, Virologie et Parasitologie, CHU de la Réunion, Saint Pierre, Reunion France
| | - Laurent Filleul
- Cellule d’Intervention Régionale et d’Epidémiologie, Océan Indien, Santé Publique France, French National Public Health Agency, Saint Denis, Reunion France
| | - Frédéric Pages
- Cellule d’Intervention Régionale et d’Epidémiologie, Océan Indien, Santé Publique France, French National Public Health Agency, Saint Denis, Reunion France
| | - Pablo Tortosa
- UM 134 PIMIT Processus Infectieux en Milieu Insulaire Tropical, INSERM 1187, CNRS 9192, IRD 249, CYROI, Université de La Réunion, Sainte Clotilde, Reunion France
| | - Julien Jaubert
- Laboratoire de Bactériologie, Virologie et Parasitologie, CHU de la Réunion, Saint Pierre, Reunion France
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96
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Turebekov N, Abdiyeva K, Yegemberdiyeva R, Dmitrovsky A, Yeraliyeva L, Shapiyeva Z, Amirbekov A, Oradova A, Kachiyeva Z, Ziyadina L, Hoelscher M, Froeschl G, Dobler G, Zinner J, Frey S, Essbauer S. Prevalence of Rickettsia species in ticks including identification of unknown species in two regions in Kazakhstan. Parasit Vectors 2019; 12:197. [PMID: 31053085 PMCID: PMC6500025 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-019-3440-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2018] [Accepted: 04/12/2019] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Over 60 years ago clinical patterns resembling tick-borne rickettsioses have been described for the first time in Kazakhstan. Since 1995 the incidence of clinical cases of tick-borne rickettsioses in humans seems to be rising but studies on epidemiological data regarding the occurring etiological agents, tick vector species, prevalence and distribution throughout Kazakhstan are still scarce to date. The aim of the study was molecular investigation of ticks for spotted-fever group rickettsiae in the endemic Kyzylorda region and the so far considered as non-endemic Almaty region. A total of 2341 ticks was collected in the two regions in Kazakhstan and sorted in 501 pools: Ixodes persulcatus (243); Dermacentor marginatus (129); Haemaphysalis punctata (104); Hyalomma asiaticum (17); Dermacentor reticulatus (3); and Rhipicephalus turanicus (5). Pools were tested for Rickettsia spp. using real-time PCR. For positive samples multilocus sequence typing (MLST) was performed. RESULTS The calculated minimum infection rate (MIR) for rickettsiae in the investigated ticks in Almaty region varied between 0.4-15.1% and 12.6-22.7% in the Kyzylorda region. At least four different Rickettsia species were identified in the two selected regions of Kazakhstan. Two of these are already known to science: Rickettsia raoultii and R. slovaca, the latter being reported for the first time in Almaty region One new form, "Candidatus R. yenbekshikazakhensis", was described by MLST of six gene fragments in Almaty region and one new genotype, "genotype R. talgarensis" was detected using three gene fragments. CONCLUSIONS Kazakh physicians should be aware of rickettsioses after tick bites in both regions studied. Both, R. raoultii and R. slovaca should be included in the diagnostics. The role for human diseases has further to be investigated for the newly described rickettsiae, "Candidatus R. yenbekshikazakhensis" and "Genotype R. talgarensis".
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Affiliation(s)
- Nurkeldi Turebekov
- Center for International Health, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany.,Central Reference Laboratory, Kazakh Scientific Center for Quarantine and Zoonotic Diseases, Almaty, Kazakhstan
| | - Karlygash Abdiyeva
- Center for International Health, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany.,Central Reference Laboratory, Kazakh Scientific Center for Quarantine and Zoonotic Diseases, Almaty, Kazakhstan
| | - Ravilya Yegemberdiyeva
- Department of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, Kazakh National Medical University, Almaty, Kazakhstan
| | - Andrey Dmitrovsky
- Department of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, Kazakh National Medical University, Almaty, Kazakhstan
| | - Lyazzat Yeraliyeva
- Department of Children's Infectious Diseases, Kazakh National Medical University, Almaty, Kazakhstan
| | - Zhanna Shapiyeva
- Scientific Practical Center of Sanitary Epidemiological Expertise and Monitoring, Almaty, Kazakhstan
| | - Aday Amirbekov
- Research Institute of Applied and Fundamental Medicine, Kazakh National Medical University, Almaty, Kazakhstan
| | - Aksoltan Oradova
- Research Institute of Applied and Fundamental Medicine, Kazakh National Medical University, Almaty, Kazakhstan
| | - Zulfiya Kachiyeva
- Research Institute of Applied and Fundamental Medicine, Kazakh National Medical University, Almaty, Kazakhstan
| | - Lyazzat Ziyadina
- Scientific Practical Center of Sanitary Epidemiological Expertise and Monitoring, Almaty, Kazakhstan
| | - Michael Hoelscher
- Center for International Health, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany.,Division of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, University Hospital, Ludwig-Maxmilians-University, German Center for Infection Research, Munich Partner site, Munich, Germany
| | - Guenter Froeschl
- Center for International Health, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany.,Division of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, University Hospital, Ludwig-Maxmilians-University, German Center for Infection Research, Munich Partner site, Munich, Germany
| | - Gerhard Dobler
- Department Virology & Rickettsiology, Bundeswehr Institute of Microbiology, German Center for Infection Research, Munich Partner site, Munich, Germany
| | - Josua Zinner
- Department Virology & Rickettsiology, Bundeswehr Institute of Microbiology, German Center for Infection Research, Munich Partner site, Munich, Germany
| | - Stefan Frey
- Department Virology & Rickettsiology, Bundeswehr Institute of Microbiology, German Center for Infection Research, Munich Partner site, Munich, Germany
| | - Sandra Essbauer
- Department Virology & Rickettsiology, Bundeswehr Institute of Microbiology, German Center for Infection Research, Munich Partner site, Munich, Germany.
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97
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Mediterranean spotted fever in the elderly: a prospective cohort study. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis 2019; 38:1333-1337. [PMID: 30972588 DOI: 10.1007/s10096-019-03558-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2019] [Accepted: 04/02/2019] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
The objective of this study is to evaluate the characteristics and outcome of elderly patients with Mediterranean spotted fever (MSF). This study was a prospective observational cohort study of all adult cases with confirmed MSF treated in a teaching hospital (1984-2015) to compare the characteristics of elderly patients (> 65 years) with younger adults. We identified 263 adult patients with MSF, and 53 (20.2%) were elderly. Severe MSF was more frequent in the elderly (26.4% vs. 10.5%; p = 0.002). Gastrointestinal symptoms, impaired consciousness, lung infiltrate, oedema, acute hearing loss, raised alanine transaminase, hyponatremia, and thrombocytopenia occurred more frequently in elderly patients, and arthromyalgia occurred less frequently. Most patients were treated with a single-day doxycycline regimen (two oral doses of 200 mg for 1 day). All patients recovered uneventfully. Fever disappeared 2.55 ± 1.16 days after treatment initiation in elderly patients, and the remaining symptoms disappeared after 3.65 ± 1.42 days. These figures were similar to non-elderly patients. Severe MSF was more frequent in elderly patients. Some clinical manifestations occurred with different frequencies in the elderly compared with younger patients. Single-day doxycycline therapy is an effective and well-tolerated treatment for MSF in elderly patients.
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98
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Guo WP, Wang YH, Lu Q, Xu G, Luo Y, Ni X, Zhou EM. Molecular detection of spotted fever group rickettsiae in hard ticks, northern China. Transbound Emerg Dis 2019; 66:1587-1596. [PMID: 30920159 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.13184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2018] [Revised: 03/20/2019] [Accepted: 03/22/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Spotted fever group (SFG) rickettsiae are important causative agents of (re)emerging tick-borne infectious diseases in humans, and ticks play a key role in their maintenance and transmission. In this study, hard ticks were collected from five sampling sites in North China in 2017 and 2018. Of them, Haemaphysalis longicornis, Rhipicephalus microplus and Dermacentor nuttalli were collected from livestock (sheep and goats) and the vegetation, Hyalomma asiaticum from sheep, goats and camels, and Hyalomma marginatum from sheep and goats. The SFG rickettsiae were identified in these ticks by amplifying the partial rrs and complete 17-kDa genes, with an overall infection rate of 52.9%. In addition, the nearly full-length rrs and gltA and partial ompA genes were recovered to classify the species of SFG rickettsiae further. Phylogenetic analysis revealed the presence of three human pathogenic species in Hy. asiaticum, Hy. marginatum, Ha. longicornis and De. nuttalli, including two cultured ones (Rickettsia raoultii and Rickettsia aeschlimannii) and one uncultured (Candidatus R. jingxinensis). Furthermore, partial groEL gene was also obtained, and phylogenetic trees were also reconstructed to better understand the genetic relationship with known sequences in each SFG rickettsiae species detected in the current study. Notably, the R. aeschlimannii sequences described in this study were closely related to those from abroad rather than from another part of China, indicating their different origin. However, the R. raoultii and Ca. R. jingxinensis sequences presented close relationship with variants from other parts of China. In sum, our data revealed SFG rickettsiae species in northern China, highlighting the need for surveillance of their infection in local humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen-Ping Guo
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China.,Scientific Observing and Experimental Station of Veterinary Pharmacology and Diagnostic Technology, Ministry of Agriculture, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
| | - Yi-Han Wang
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China.,Scientific Observing and Experimental Station of Veterinary Pharmacology and Diagnostic Technology, Ministry of Agriculture, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
| | - Qizhong Lu
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China.,Scientific Observing and Experimental Station of Veterinary Pharmacology and Diagnostic Technology, Ministry of Agriculture, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
| | - Gang Xu
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China.,Scientific Observing and Experimental Station of Veterinary Pharmacology and Diagnostic Technology, Ministry of Agriculture, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
| | - Yuhang Luo
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China.,Scientific Observing and Experimental Station of Veterinary Pharmacology and Diagnostic Technology, Ministry of Agriculture, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
| | - Xuebing Ni
- State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Disease, School of Public Health, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - En-Min Zhou
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China.,Scientific Observing and Experimental Station of Veterinary Pharmacology and Diagnostic Technology, Ministry of Agriculture, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
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99
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Rauch J, Eisermann P, Noack B, Mehlhoop U, Muntau B, Schäfer J, Tappe D. Typhus Group Rickettsiosis, Germany, 2010-2017 1. Emerg Infect Dis 2019; 24:1213-1220. [PMID: 29912688 PMCID: PMC6038764 DOI: 10.3201/eid2407.180093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Typhus group rickettsiosis is caused by the vectorborne bacteria Rickettsia typhi and R. prowazekii. R. typhi, which causes murine typhus, the less severe endemic form of typhus, is transmitted by fleas; R. prowazekii, which causes the severe epidemic form of typhus, is transmitted by body lice. To examine the immunology of human infection with typhus group rickettsiae, we retrospectively reviewed clinical signs and symptoms, laboratory changes, and travel destinations of 28 patients who had typhus group rickettsiosis diagnosed by the German Reference Center for Tropical Pathogens, Hamburg, Germany, during 2010-2017. Immunofluorescence assays of follow-up serum samples indicated simultaneous seroconversion of IgM, IgA, and IgG or concurrence in the first serum sample. Cytokine levels peaked during the second week of infection, coinciding with organ dysfunction and seroconversion. For 3 patients, R. typhi was detected by species-specific nested quantitative PCR. For all 28 patients, R. typhi was the most likely causative pathogen.
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100
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Bilateral Sensorineural Deafness in a Young Pregnant Female Presenting with a Fever: A Rare Complication of a Reemerging Disease-Spotted Fever Group Rickettsioses. Case Rep Infect Dis 2019; 2019:5923146. [PMID: 31019815 PMCID: PMC6452535 DOI: 10.1155/2019/5923146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2018] [Revised: 01/14/2019] [Accepted: 03/03/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Rickettsial illnesses are a group of arthropod-borne remerging diseases. They are subdivided into three groups as typhus, spotted fever, and scrub typhus group. Complications such as reversible bilateral deafness due to spotted fever rickettsioses are infrequently reported in the literature. Case Presentation We present a young pregnant female who developed bilateral sensorineural deafness on the fifth day of an acute febrile illness with a maculopapular rash. Rickettsia conorii IgG (>1/450) became highly positive, and she received oral azithromycin for ten days with complete resolution of fever and rash. The sensorineural deafness slowly improved over several months. Conclusion Sensorineural deafness is a rare complication of spotted fever group rickettsioses. Since usage of doxycycline is controversial in pregnancy, azithromycin gave a favourable recovery of fever. Sensorineural deafness took several months to resolve after completion of antibiotics.
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