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Ixodes ricinus immunogenic saliva protein, homologue to Amblyomma americanum AV422: Determining its potential for use in tick bite confirmation. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2017; 8:391-395. [PMID: 28119040 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2017.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2016] [Revised: 12/30/2016] [Accepted: 01/04/2017] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Tick bites often go unnoticed, so specific reliable tests are needed to confirm them for prompt diagnosis and treatment of tick-borne diseases. One of the promising candidates for developing such a test is AV422, a tick saliva protein that has been conserved across tick genera. In this study, we demonstrate the potential of the AV422 homologue from Ixodes ricinus to be used for tick bite detection for both Prostriata and Metastriata. We expressed recombinant (r) I. ricinus (Ir) AV422 in E. coli and subjected it to Western blot analysis using rat antibodies to saliva proteins of both I. ricinus (Prostriata) and Dermacentor reticulatus (Metastriata) larvae. Our data demonstrate that rIrAV422 specifically bound to antibodies from sera of rats used for both I. ricinus and D. reticulatus larvae feeding, but not to antibodies from control serum, emphasizing its specificity since tick bites were the sole cause of sera reactivity.
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152
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Emergence of New Tickborne Infections. EMERGING ZOONOSES 2017. [PMCID: PMC7122411 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-50890-0_5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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153
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Ferritin 1 silencing effect in Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato (Acari: Ixodidae) during experimental infection with Ehrlichia canis. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2017; 8:174-184. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2016.10.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2016] [Revised: 10/24/2016] [Accepted: 10/27/2016] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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154
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Hornok S, Szőke K, Kováts D, Estók P, Görföl T, Boldogh SA, Takács N, Kontschán J, Földvári G, Barti L, Corduneanu A, Sándor AD. DNA of Piroplasms of Ruminants and Dogs in Ixodid Bat Ticks. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0167735. [PMID: 27930692 PMCID: PMC5145180 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0167735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2016] [Accepted: 11/18/2016] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
In this study 308 ticks (Ixodes ariadnae: 26 larvae, 14 nymphs, five females; I. vespertilionis: 89 larvae, 27 nymphs, eight females; I. simplex: 80 larvae, 50 nymphs, nine females) have been collected from 200 individuals of 17 bat species in two countries, Hungary and Romania. After DNA extraction these ticks were molecularly analysed for the presence of piroplasm DNA. In Hungary I. ariadnae was most frequently identified from bat species in the family Vespertilionidae, whereas I. vespertilionis was associated with Rhinolophidae. Ixodes ariadnae was not found in Romania. Four, four and one new bat host species of I. ariadnae, I. vespertilionis and I. simplex were identified, respectively. DNA sequences of piroplasms were detected in 20 bat ticks (15 larvae, four nymphs and one female). I. simplex carried piroplasm DNA sequences significantly more frequently than I. vespertilionis. In I. ariadnae only Babesia vesperuginis DNA was detected, whereas in I. vespertilionis sequences of both B. vesperuginis and B. crassa. From I. simplex the DNA of B. canis, Theileria capreoli, T. orientalis and Theileria sp. OT3 were amplified, as well as a shorter sequence of the zoonotic B. venatorum. Bat ticks are not known to infest dogs or ruminants, i.e. typical hosts and reservoirs of piroplasms molecularly identified in I. vespertilionis and I. simplex. Therefore, DNA sequences of piroplasms detected in these bat ticks most likely originated from the blood of their respective bat hosts. This may indicate either that bats are susceptible to a broader range of piroplasms than previously thought, or at least the DNA of piroplasms may pass through the gut barrier of bats during digestion of relevant arthropod vectors. In light of these findings, the role of bats in the epidemiology of piroplasmoses deserves further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sándor Hornok
- Department of Parasitology and Zoology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Budapest, Hungary
- * E-mail:
| | - Krisztina Szőke
- Department of Parasitology and Zoology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Dávid Kováts
- Department of Evolutionary Zoology and Human Biology, Debrecen University, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Péter Estók
- Department of Zoology, Eszterházy Károly University, Eger, Hungary
| | - Tamás Görföl
- Department of Zoology, Hungarian Natural History Museum, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Sándor A. Boldogh
- Department of Nature Conservation, Aggtelek National Park Directorate, Jósvafő, Hungary
| | - Nóra Takács
- Department of Parasitology and Zoology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Jenő Kontschán
- Plant Protection Institute, Centre for Agricultural Research, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Gábor Földvári
- Department of Parasitology and Zoology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Levente Barti
- Romanian Bat Protection Association, Satu Mare, Romania
| | - Alexandra Corduneanu
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Attila D. Sándor
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
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155
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Sándor AD, Kalmár Z, Matei I, Ionică AM, Mărcuţan ID. Urban Breeding Corvids as Disseminators of Ticks and Emerging Tick-Borne Pathogens. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2016; 17:152-154. [PMID: 27922802 DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2016.2054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Crows (Corvidae) are common city dwellers worldwide and are increasingly important subjects of epidemiology studies. Although their importance as hosts and transmitters of a number of zoonotic parasites and pathogens is well known, there are no studies on their importance as tick hosts. After mosquitoes, ticks are the most important vectors of zoonotic pathogens, especially for those causing emerging zoonotic diseases. Pathogenic bacteria, especially Borrelia spp., Rickettsia spp., and Anaplasma spp., vectored by ticks, are the cause for most vector-borne diseases in Europe. Here we report on ticks and tick-borne pathogens harbored by urban breeding crows. A total of 36 birds (33.33%, n = 108) hosted ticks, with 91 individual ticks belonging to 6 species (Haemaphysalis concinna, Haemaphysalis parva, Haemaphysalis punctata, Hyalomma marginatum, Ixodes arboricola, and Ixodes ricinus). Rickettsia spp. DNA was found in 6.6% of ticks and 1.9% of bird tissues, whereas Anaplasma phagocytophilum was found in 5.9% of ticks and 0.9% of birds. Two rickettsial genospecies were located, Rickettsia helvetica and Rickettsia monacensis. This is the first study to determine such a diverse tick spectrum feeding on urban corvids, while highlighting their importance as tick hosts and raising concerns about their potential risk to human health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Attila D Sándor
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine , Cluj Napoca, Cluj, Romania
| | - Zsuzsa Kalmár
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine , Cluj Napoca, Cluj, Romania
| | - Ioana Matei
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine , Cluj Napoca, Cluj, Romania
| | - Angela Monica Ionică
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine , Cluj Napoca, Cluj, Romania
| | - Ioan-Daniel Mărcuţan
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine , Cluj Napoca, Cluj, Romania
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156
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Nchu F, Magano SR, Eloff JN. Repellent activities of dichloromethane extract of Allium sativum (garlic) (Liliaceae) against Hyalomma rufipes (Acari). J S Afr Vet Assoc 2016; 87:e1-e5. [PMID: 28155295 PMCID: PMC6138159 DOI: 10.4102/jsava.v87i1.1356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2015] [Revised: 09/27/2016] [Accepted: 09/20/2016] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Dichloromethane (DCM) extract of garlic (Allium sativum Linn.) bulbs was assessed for its repellent effect against the hard tick, Hyalomma rufipes (Acari: Ixodidae) using two tick behavioural bioassays; Type A and Type B repellency bioassays, under laboratory conditions. These bioassays exploit the questing behaviour of H. rufipes, a tick that in nature displays ambush strategy, seeking its host by climbing up on vegetation and attaching to a passing host. One hundred microlitres (100 µL) of the test solution containing DCM extract of garlic bulbs and DCM at concentrations of 0.35%, 0.7% or 1.4% w/v were evaluated. DCM only was used for control. Tick repellency increased significantly (R2 = 0.98) with increasing concentration (40.03% - 86.96%) yielding an EC50 of 0.45% w/v in Type B repellency bioassay. At concentration of 1.4% w/v, the DCM extract of garlic bulbs produced high repellency index of 87% (male ticks) and 87.5% (female ticks) in the Type A repellency bioassay. Only 4% avoidance of male ticks or female ticks was recorded in the Type B repellency bioassay. In the corresponding controls, the mean numbers of non-repelled male or female ticks were 80% and 41 males or 38 females of 50 ticks in the Type A and Type B repellency bioassays, respectively. The variations in the results could be attributed to the difference in tick repellent behaviours that were assessed by the two repellency bioassays; the Type A repellency bioassay assessed repellent effect of garlic extracts without discriminating between deterrence and avoidance whereas the Type B repellency bioassay only assessed avoidance response. Generally, DCM extract of garlic was repellent against H. rufipes, albeit weak tick repellency was obtained in the Type B repellency bioassay. Furthermore, this study established that the tick repellent activity of garlic extracts is predominantly by deterrence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felix Nchu
- Department of Horticultural Science, Cape Peninsula University of Technology.
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157
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da Silva EMG, Rodrigues VDS, Jorge JDO, Osava CF, Szabó MPJ, Garcia MV, Andreotti R. Efficacy of Tagetes minuta (Asteraceae) essential oil against Rhipicephalus sanguineus (Acari: Ixodidae) on infested dogs and in vitro. EXPERIMENTAL & APPLIED ACAROLOGY 2016; 70:483-489. [PMID: 27815656 DOI: 10.1007/s10493-016-0092-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2016] [Accepted: 10/20/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Ticks from Rhipicephalus sanguineus complex are widely distributed in the world and one species from this complex is the most common tick on dogs in Brazil, notably in urban areas. This tick is a vector of several diseases. Among others it transmits the agent of canine Ehrlichiosis, a major dog infectious disease and the agent of Rocky Mountain spotted fever. This tick can spread rapidly and develop intolerable infestations within no time. Currently tick control is done with acaricides and demand for such drugs has grown fast. However, R. sanguineus has already developed resistance to the main active compounds and the development of new acaricides is necessary. Many essential oils of plants have acaricidal effect and may be an important source of molecules for the synthesis of new acaricide products. In this study, we evaluated the effectiveness of a new herbal phytotherapic, consisting of the essential oil of Tagetes minuta L., against R. sanguineus in vitro and on dogs undergoing experimental infestations. The product displayed 100% efficacy against larvae, nymphs and adults of the tick on all tested conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Vinicius da Silva Rodrigues
- Laboratório de Biologia do Carrapato, Embrapa Gado de Corte, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, MS, Brazil
| | | | - Carolina Fonseca Osava
- Laboratório de Ixodologia, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil
| | - Matias Pablo Juan Szabó
- Laboratório de Ixodologia, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil
| | - Marcos Valério Garcia
- Laboratório de Biologia do Carrapato, Embrapa Gado de Corte/Bolsista DCR Fundect, Governo do Estado de Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, MS, Brazil
| | - Renato Andreotti
- Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuária, Embrapa Gado de Corte, Avenida Rádio Maia, 830, Campo Grande, MS, CEP 79106-550, Brazil.
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158
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Affiliation(s)
- Fedor Gassner
- Gassner Biological Risk Consultancy, Jachthoeve 22, 3992 NV Houten, the Netherlands
| | - Kayleigh M. Hansford
- Medical Entomology & Zoonoses Ecology, Emergency Response Department – Science & Technology, Health Protection Directorate, Public Health England, Porton Down, Salisbury, Wiltshire SP4 0JG, United Kingdom
- NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Environmental Change and Health, Porton Down, Salisbury, Wiltshire SP4 0JG, United Kingdom
| | - Jolyon M. Medlock
- Medical Entomology & Zoonoses Ecology, Emergency Response Department – Science & Technology, Health Protection Directorate, Public Health England, Porton Down, Salisbury, Wiltshire SP4 0JG, United Kingdom
- NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Environmental Change and Health, Porton Down, Salisbury, Wiltshire SP4 0JG, United Kingdom
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159
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Burtis JC, Sullivan P, Levi T, Oggenfuss K, Fahey TJ, Ostfeld RS. The impact of temperature and precipitation on blacklegged tick activity and Lyme disease incidence in endemic and emerging regions. Parasit Vectors 2016; 9:606. [PMID: 27887625 PMCID: PMC5124264 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-016-1894-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2016] [Accepted: 11/18/2016] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The incidence of Lyme disease shows high degrees of inter-annual variation in the northeastern United States, but the factors driving this variation are not well understood. Complicating matters, it is also possible that these driving factors may vary in regions with differing histories of Lyme disease endemism. We evaluated the effect of the number of hot (T > 25 °C), dry (precipitation = 0) days during the questing periods of the two immature Ixodes scapularis life stages (larval and nymphal) on inter-annual variation in Lyme disease incidence between 2000 and 2011 in long-term endemic versus recently endemic areas. We also evaluated the effect of summer weather on tick questing activity and the number of ticks found on small mammals between 1994 and 2012 on six sites in Millbrook, NY. RESULTS The number of hot, dry days during the larval period of the previous year did not affect the human incidence of Lyme disease or the density of questing nymphs the following season. However, dry summer weather during the nymphal questing period had a significant negative effect on the incidence of Lyme disease in the long-term endemic areas, and on the density of questing nymphs. Summer weather conditions had a more pronounced effect on actively questing I. scapularis collected via dragging than on the number of ticks found feeding on small mammals. In recently endemic areas Lyme disease incidence increased significantly over time, but no trend was detected between disease incidence and dry summer weather. CONCLUSIONS Recently endemic regions showed an increase in Lyme disease incidence over time, while incidence in long-term endemic regions appears to have stabilized. Only within the stabilized areas were we able to detect reduced Lyme disease incidence in years with hot, dry summer weather. These patterns were reflected in our field data, which showed that questing activity of nymphal I. scapularis was reduced by hot, dry summer weather.
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Affiliation(s)
- James C Burtis
- Department of Natural Resources, Cornell University, Fernow Hall, Ithaca, NY, USA.
| | - Patrick Sullivan
- Department of Natural Resources, Cornell University, Fernow Hall, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Taal Levi
- Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, USA
| | - Kelly Oggenfuss
- Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies, 2801 Sharon Turnpike, Millbrook, NY, USA
| | - Timothy J Fahey
- Department of Natural Resources, Cornell University, Fernow Hall, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Richard S Ostfeld
- Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies, 2801 Sharon Turnpike, Millbrook, NY, USA
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160
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Heat-stressed Metarhizium anisopliae: viability (in vitro) and virulence (in vivo) assessments against the tick Rhipicephalus sanguineus. Parasitol Res 2016; 116:111-121. [PMID: 27704216 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-016-5267-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2016] [Accepted: 09/19/2016] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
The current study investigated the thermotolerance of Metarhizium anisopliae s.l. conidia from the commercial products Metarril® SP Organic and Metarril® WP. The efficacy of these M. anisopliae formulations against the tick Rhipicephalus sanguineus s.l. was studied in laboratory under optimum or heat-stress conditions. The products were prepared in water [Tween® 80, 0.01 % (v/v)] or pure mineral oil. Conidia from Metarril® SP Organic suspended in water presented markedly delayed germination after heating to constant 40 °C (for 2, 4, or 6 h) compared to conidia suspended in mineral oil. Metarril® SP Organic suspended in oil and exposed to daily cycles of heat-stress (40 °C for 4 h and 25 °C for 19 h for 5 consecutive days) presented relative germination of conidia ranging from 92.8 to 87.2 % from day 1 to day 5, respectively. Conversely, germination of conidia prepared in water ranged from 79.3 to 39.1 % from day 1 to day 5, respectively. Culturability of Metarril® WP decreased from 96 % when conidia were cultured for 30 min prior to heat exposure (40 °C for 4 h) to 9 % when conidia were cultured for 8 h. Tick percent control was distinctly higher when engorged females were treated with oil suspensions rather than water suspensions, even when treated ticks were exposed to heat-stress regimen. Oil-based applications protected fungal conidia against heat-stress. Although Metarril® is not registered for tick control, it may be useful for controlling R. sanguineus, especially if it is prepared in mineral oil.
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161
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Teshale S, Kumsa B, Menandro ML, Cassini R, Martini M. Anaplasma, Ehrlichia and rickettsial pathogens in ixodid ticks infesting cattle and sheep in western Oromia, Ethiopia. EXPERIMENTAL & APPLIED ACAROLOGY 2016; 70:231-237. [PMID: 27411938 DOI: 10.1007/s10493-016-0067-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2016] [Accepted: 07/05/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Although ticks are widely distributed in all agro-ecological zones of Ethiopia, information on tick-borne pathogens is scarce. This study was conducted to determine the presence of Anaplasma spp., Ehrlichia spp., and Rickettsia spp. in Rhipicephalus evertsi and Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) decoloratus collected from cattle and sheep at Bako, western Oromia, Ethiopia, using polymerase chain reaction and sequencing. Anaplasma ovis and Anaplasma spp., Ehrlichia ruminantium and Ehrlichia spp. were detected in Rh. decoloratus, whereas only A. ovis was detected in Rh. evertsi. Both tick species were found to harbor DNA belonging to Rickettsia spp., and Rickettsia africae. Our findings highlight the risk of infection of animals and humans with these zoonotic tick-borne bacteria in Ethiopia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sori Teshale
- College of Veterinary Medicine and Agriculture, Addis Ababa University, P.O. Box 34, Bishoftu, Ethiopia
| | - Bersissa Kumsa
- College of Veterinary Medicine and Agriculture, Addis Ababa University, P.O. Box 34, Bishoftu, Ethiopia
| | - Maria Luisa Menandro
- Department of Animal Medicine, Production and Health, University of Padova, Viale dell'Università, 16, 35020, Legnaro, PD, Italy
| | - Rudi Cassini
- Department of Animal Medicine, Production and Health, University of Padova, Viale dell'Università, 16, 35020, Legnaro, PD, Italy.
| | - Marco Martini
- Department of Animal Medicine, Production and Health, University of Padova, Viale dell'Università, 16, 35020, Legnaro, PD, Italy
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162
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Complete mitochondrial genomes of Dermacentor silvarum and comparative analyses with another hard tick Dermacentor nitens. Exp Parasitol 2016; 169:22-7. [DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2016.07.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2016] [Revised: 05/23/2016] [Accepted: 07/11/2016] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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163
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Tomassone L, De Meneghi D, Adakal H, Rodighiero P, Pressi G, Grego E. Detection of Rickettsia aeschlimannii and Rickettsia africae in ixodid ticks from Burkina Faso and Somali Region of Ethiopia by new real-time PCR assays. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2016; 7:1082-1088. [PMID: 27641952 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2016.09.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2016] [Revised: 08/09/2016] [Accepted: 09/10/2016] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
In the framework of cooperation for development projects in Burkina Faso and Ethiopia, we collected ixodid ticks from cattle, small ruminants and camels. We optimized new TaqMan Probe real-time PCR assays to detect Rickettsia aeschlimannii and Rickettsia africae OmpA gene in the collected samples. Rickettsia africae was identified in 75.0% Amblyomma variegatum (95%CI: 56.6-88.5), while R. aeschlimannii in 24.0% Hyalomma truncatum (95%CI: 9.4-45.1) and 50.0% H. rufipes (95%CI: 29.9-70.0) collected from cattle in different provinces throughout Burkina Faso. Ticks from the Libaan zone, Somali Region of Ethiopia, were also infected by R. africae (28.5% prevalence in Amblyomma gemma, 95%CI: 14.7-46.0) and R. aeschlimannii (27.0% H. truncatum, 95%CI: 5.0-62.9; 88.3% H. rufipes, 95%CI: 60.5-99.3). All tested ticks were adults. The developed diagnostic tools were highly sensitive and enabled us to rapidly classify R. aeschlimannii and R. africae, which were identified in Burkina Faso and in the Somali Region of Ethiopia for the first time. Further studies are needed to assess the zoonotic risk and prevalence of infection in local human populations, who have high contact rates with ticks and their animal hosts.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Tomassone
- Dipartimento Scienze Veterinarie, Università degli Studi di Torino, Largo Braccini 2, 10095 Grugliasco, Torino, Italy.
| | - D De Meneghi
- Dipartimento Scienze Veterinarie, Università degli Studi di Torino, Largo Braccini 2, 10095 Grugliasco, Torino, Italy
| | - H Adakal
- Centre International de Recherche-Développement sur l'Elevage en zone Subhumide - CIRDES, Bobo Dioulasso, Burkina Faso; present affiliation: Département Sciences et Techniques de l'Elevage, Université Dan Dicko Dankoulodo de Maradi, Niger
| | - P Rodighiero
- Comitato di Collaborazione Medica, via Cirié 32/e, Torino, Italy; present affiliation: Associazione Veterinaria di Cooperazione con i Paesi in Via di Sviluppo - AVEC PVS, Via Laffait 13, Donnas, Aosta, Italy
| | - G Pressi
- Comitato di Collaborazione Medica, via Cirié 32/e, Torino, Italy; present affiliation: Associazione Veterinaria di Cooperazione con i Paesi in Via di Sviluppo - AVEC PVS, Via Laffait 13, Donnas, Aosta, Italy
| | - E Grego
- Dipartimento Scienze Veterinarie, Università degli Studi di Torino, Largo Braccini 2, 10095 Grugliasco, Torino, Italy
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164
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Novel Rickettsia and emergent tick-borne pathogens: A molecular survey of ticks and tick-borne pathogens in Shimba Hills National Reserve, Kenya. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2016; 8:208-218. [PMID: 28011185 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2016.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2015] [Revised: 09/01/2016] [Accepted: 09/03/2016] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Ticks are important vectors of emerging and re-emerging zoonoses, the majority of which originate from wildlife. In recent times, this has become a global public health concern that necessitates surveillance of both known and unknown tick-borne pathogens likely to be future disease threats, as well as their tick vectors. We carried out a survey of the diversity of ticks and tick-borne pathogens in Kenya's Shimba Hills National Reserve (SHNR), an area with intensified human-livestock-wildlife interactions, where we collected 4297 questing ticks (209 adult ticks, 586 nymphs and 3502 larvae). We identified four tick species of two genera (Amblyomma eburneum, Amblyomma tholloni, Rhipicephalus maculatus and a novel Rhipicephalus sp.) based on both morphological characteristics and molecular analysis of 16S rRNA, internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS 2) and cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 (CO1) genes. We pooled the ticks (3-8 adults, 8-15 nymphs or 30 larvae) depending on species and life-cycle stages, and screened for bacterial, arboviral and protozoal pathogens using PCR with high-resolution melting analysis and sequencing of unique melt profiles. We report the first molecular detection of Anaplasma phagocytophilum, a novel Rickettsia-like and Ehrlichia-like species, in Rh. maculatus ticks. We also detected Ehrlichia chaffeensis, Coxiella sp., Rickettsia africae and Theileria velifera in Am. eburneum ticks for the first time. Our findings demonstrate previously unidentified tick-pathogen relationships and a unique tick diversity in the SHNR that may contribute to livestock, and possibly human, morbidity in the region. This study highlights the importance of routine surveillance in similar areas to elucidate disease transmission dynamics, as a critical component to inform the development of better tick-borne disease diagnosis, prevention and control measures.
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165
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Ariyarathne S, Apanaskevich DA, Amarasinghe PH, Rajakaruna RS. Diversity and distribution of tick species (Acari: Ixodidae) associated with human otoacariasis and socio-ecological risk factors of tick infestations in Sri Lanka. EXPERIMENTAL & APPLIED ACAROLOGY 2016; 70:99-123. [PMID: 27382981 DOI: 10.1007/s10493-016-0056-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2016] [Accepted: 06/13/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Tick infestation in humans is a major public health concern. The diversity and distribution of tick species associated with human otoacariasis was studied in five districts: Anuradhapura, Kandy, Kurunegala, Nuwara Eliya and Ratnapura in the main agro-climatic zones of Sri Lanka. Ticks from patients attending the ear, nose and throat clinics of the General Hospitals were collected during a 3 year period. In total 426 ticks were collected. Most human otoacariasis cases were reported from Kandy (33.8 %) and the fewest from Nuwara Eliya (8.2 %). Of the five tick species identified, nymphs of Dermacentor auratus constituted 90.6 % of the collection. Rhipicephalus sanguineus, Hyalomma isaaci, Haemaphysalis bispinosa and Otobius megnini were found rarely infesting humans possibly as an accidental host; H. bispinosa and O. megnini in the human ear canal were first time records in Sri Lanka. Females and children under 10 years were identified as risk groups of human otoacariasis. Subsequently, a field study was carried out to determine socio-ecological risk factors of human tick infestations in the five districts. Based on hospital data, eight villages with high prevalence of otoacariasis were selected from each district. A total 40 villages were visited and 1674 household members were interviewed. Involvement in outdoor activities, presence of wild animals around the house, location of the house in close proximity to a forest and occupation were identified as major risk factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Ariyarathne
- Postgraduate Institute of Science, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka
- Department of Zoology, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka
| | - D A Apanaskevich
- Department of Biology, Institute for Coastal Plain Science, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA, USA
| | - P H Amarasinghe
- International Water Management Institute, C/O ICRISAT, Hyderabad, India
| | - R S Rajakaruna
- Postgraduate Institute of Science, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka.
- Department of Zoology, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka.
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166
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Michelet L, Joncour G, Devillers E, Torina A, Vayssier-Taussat M, Bonnet SI, Moutailler S. Tick species, tick-borne pathogens and symbionts in an insular environment off the coast of Western France. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2016; 7:1109-1115. [PMID: 27622976 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2016.08.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2016] [Revised: 08/03/2016] [Accepted: 08/28/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Insular environments provide ideal natural conditions to study disease ecology, especially emerging diseases, due to clear differentiation between local and long-distance transmission. Such environments are of particular interest regarding tick-borne pathogens (TBP), since animal exchange with the mainland (along with any ticks they carry) is limited, and because such locations could lie on migratory routes for birds carrying ticks. Therefore both tick species and TBP may display different prevalence than those observed on the continent. As such, an epidemiological survey was performed on Belle-Ile-en-Mer, an island off the coast of Western France, in order to estimate the prevalence of tick species and the microorganisms they carried. Three tick species, Dermacentor marginatus, D. reticulatus, and Haemaphysalis punctata were collected at five different sites in 2010 and 2011. All ticks were tested for pathogen's and symbiont's DNA by (i) PCR for Anaplasma spp., Borrelia spp., Rickettsia spp.; (ii) real-time PCR for Francisella tularensis, Francisella-like endosymbionts (FLE) and Coxiella spp. and (iii) PCR-RLB for Babesia-Theileria spp. Pathogen DNA detected in D. marginatus including Borrelia spp. (18%), Rickettsia spp. (13%) which was identified as R. slovaca, Babesia spp. (8%), and Theileria spp. (1%). Pathogens detected in D. reticulatus including Rickettsia spp. (31%) identified as R. raoulti, Francisella-like endosymbiont (86%), and Babesia spp (21%). Pathogens detected in H. punctata including Rickettsia spp. (1%) identified as R. aeschlimannii, FLE (0.4%), Babesia spp. (18%), and Theileria spp. (7%). Anaplasma spp., F. tularensis, or Coxiella spp. were not detected in any of the collected ticks. This study represents the first epidemiological survey of the insular Belle-Ile-en-Mer environment. It demonstrated the presence of expected pathogens, consistent with reports from island veterinarians or physicians, as well as unexpected pathogens, raising questions about their potential introduction through infected animals and/or their dispersion by migratory birds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorraine Michelet
- UMR BIPAR, Animal Health Laboratory, ANSES, INRA, ENVA, 14 Rue Pierre et Marie Curie, 94706 Maisons Alfort cedex, France
| | - Guy Joncour
- Technical Veterinary Groups National Society (SNGTV), 2, Kervellan, Callac, France
| | - Elodie Devillers
- UMR BIPAR, Animal Health Laboratory, ANSES, INRA, ENVA, 14 Rue Pierre et Marie Curie, 94706 Maisons Alfort cedex, France
| | - Alessandra Torina
- Dipartimento Sanità Interprovinciale, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia, Via Gino Marinuzzi, 90129 Palermo, Italy
| | - Muriel Vayssier-Taussat
- UMR BIPAR, Animal Health Laboratory, ANSES, INRA, ENVA, 14 Rue Pierre et Marie Curie, 94706 Maisons Alfort cedex, France
| | - Sarah I Bonnet
- UMR BIPAR, Animal Health Laboratory, ANSES, INRA, ENVA, 14 Rue Pierre et Marie Curie, 94706 Maisons Alfort cedex, France
| | - Sara Moutailler
- UMR BIPAR, Animal Health Laboratory, ANSES, INRA, ENVA, 14 Rue Pierre et Marie Curie, 94706 Maisons Alfort cedex, France.
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167
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Diyes GCP, Rajakaruna RS. Seasonal dynamics of spinose ear tick Otobius megnini associated with horse otoacariasis in Sri Lanka. Acta Trop 2016; 159:170-5. [PMID: 27012721 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2016.03.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2015] [Revised: 03/07/2016] [Accepted: 03/20/2016] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Otobius megnini is a one host, nidicolous soft tick (Family Argasidae) whose larvae and nymphs parasitize the external ear canal of many wild and domestic animals and occasionally humans. The present study was conducted to determine the seasonal dynamics of O. megnini infesting stabled horses in Nuwara Eliya racecourses. Ticks were sampled biweekly for two years from May 2013 to May 2015 from the ear canal of seven thoroughbred male horses. Weather data: temperature, rainfall and humidity for the study period were obtained from the Meteorological Department, Colombo. A total of 23, 287 ticks of O. megnini were collected from the ear canal of horses and all of which were immature stages comprising 41.4% larvae and 59.6% nymphs. Larval counts were high during warmer months of the year with minimum numbers recording September-November. High larval abundance may be due to the high hatching rate of eggs at high temperatures. Larval abundance was significantly affected by maximum temperature, minimum relative humidity and average relative humidity (Multiple regression; r(2)=0.5, F=3.7, p=0.01). Population peaks for nymphs occurred in May, October and January. Nymph counts were low in March and April. Weather conditions did not have any correlation with the abundance of nymphs. Rainfall had no effect on both larvae and nymph counts. Even though control measures have been taken, O. megnini infestation is a serious problem for the stable owners especially because these horses are used in racing and other recreational purposes. Further, there is a high risk of spreading this tick within the country due to the presence of suitable hosts and the adaptability of the tick to survive in changing climatic conditions. Information on the seasonal dynamics of the tick population is important for employing control measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- G C P Diyes
- Postgraduate Institute of Science and Department of Zoology, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, 20400, Sri Lanka.
| | - R S Rajakaruna
- Postgraduate Institute of Science and Department of Zoology, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, 20400, Sri Lanka.
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168
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Effect of heat stress and oil formulation on conidial germination of Metarhizium anisopliae s.s. on tick cuticle and artificial medium. J Invertebr Pathol 2016; 138:94-103. [PMID: 27317831 DOI: 10.1016/j.jip.2016.06.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2016] [Revised: 06/13/2016] [Accepted: 06/15/2016] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The effect of heat stress (45°C) versus non-heat stress (27°C) on germination of Metarhizium anisopliae sensu stricto (s.s.) isolate IP 119 was examined with conidia formulated (suspended) in pure mineral oil or in water (Tween 80, 0.01%), and then applied onto the cuticle of Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato (s.l.) engorged females or onto culture medium (PDAY). In addition, bioassays were performed to investigate the effect of conidia heated while formulated in oil, then applied to blood-engorged adult R. sanguineus females. Conidia suspended in water then exposed to 45°C, in comparison to conidia formulated in mineral oil and exposed to the same temperature, germinated less and more slowly when incubated on either PDAY medium or tick cuticle. Also, conidial germination on tick cuticle was delayed in comparison to germination on artificial culture medium; for example, germination was 13% on tick cuticle 72h after inoculation, in contrast to 61.5% on PDAY medium. Unheated (27°C) conidia suspended in either water or oil and applied to tick cuticle developed appressoria 36h after treatment; whereas only heat-stressed conidia formulated in oil developed appressoria on tick cuticle. In comparison to conidia heated in mineral oil, there was a strong negative effect of heat on germination of conidia heated in water before being applied to arthropod cuticle. Nevertheless, bioassays [based primarily on egg production (quantity) and egg hatchability] exhibited high percentages of tick control regardless of the type of conidial suspension; i.e., water- or oil-formulated conidia, and whether or not conidia were previously exposed to heat. In comparison to aqueous conidial preparations, however, conidia formulated in oil reduced egg hatchability irrespective of heat or no-heat exposure. In conclusion, mineral-oil formulation protected conidia against heat-induced delay of both germination and appressorium production when applied to the cuticle of R. sanguineus.
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169
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Földvári G, Široký P, Szekeres S, Majoros G, Sprong H. Dermacentor reticulatus: a vector on the rise. Parasit Vectors 2016; 9:314. [PMID: 27251148 PMCID: PMC4888597 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-016-1599-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 159] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2015] [Accepted: 05/18/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Dermacentor reticulatus is a hard tick species with extraordinary biological features. It has a high reproduction rate, a rapid developmental cycle, and is also able to overcome years of unfavourable conditions. Dermacentor reticulatus can survive under water for several months and is cold-hardy even compared to other tick species. It has a wide host range: over 60 different wild and domesticated hosts are known for the three active developmental stages. Its high adaptiveness gives an edge to this tick species as shown by new data on the emergence and establishment of D. reticulatus populations throughout Europe. The tick has been the research focus of a growing number of scientists, physicians and veterinarians. Within the Web of Science database, more than a fifth of the over 700 items published on this species between 1897 and 2015 appeared in the last three years (2013–2015). Here we attempt to synthesize current knowledge on the systematics, ecology, geographical distribution and recent spread of the species and to highlight the great spectrum of possible veterinary and public health threats it poses. Canine babesiosis caused by Babesia canis is a severe leading canine vector-borne disease in many endemic areas. Although less frequently than Ixodes ricinus, D. reticulatus adults bite humans and transmit several Rickettsia spp., Omsk haemorrhagic fever virus or Tick-borne encephalitis virus. We have not solely collected and reviewed the latest and fundamental scientific papers available in primary databases but also widened our scope to books, theses, conference papers and specialists colleagues’ experience where needed. Besides the dominant literature available in English, we also tried to access scientific literature in German, Russian and eastern European languages as well. We hope to inspire future research projects that are necessary to understand the basic life-cycle and ecology of this vector in order to understand and prevent disease threats. We conclude that although great strides have been made in our knowledge of the eco-epidemiology of this species, several gaps still need to be filled with basic research, targeting possible reservoir and vector roles and the key factors resulting in the observed geographical spread of D. reticulatus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gábor Földvári
- Department of Parasitology and Zoology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Szent István University, Budapest, Hungary.
| | - Pavel Široký
- Department of Biology and Wildlife Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Hygiene and Ecology, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences Brno, Brno, Czech Republic.,CEITEC-Central European Institute of Technology, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences Brno, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Sándor Szekeres
- Department of Parasitology and Zoology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Szent István University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Gábor Majoros
- Department of Parasitology and Zoology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Szent István University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Hein Sprong
- National Institute of Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, The Netherlands
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170
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Baneth G, Nachum-Biala Y, Halperin T, Hershko Y, Kleinerman G, Anug Y, Abdeen Z, Lavy E, Aroch I, Straubinger RK. Borrelia persica infection in dogs and cats: clinical manifestations, clinicopathological findings and genetic characterization. Parasit Vectors 2016; 9:244. [PMID: 27160515 PMCID: PMC4862127 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-016-1530-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2016] [Accepted: 04/24/2016] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Relapsing fever (RF) is an acute infectious disease caused by arthropod-borne spirochetes of the genus Borrelia. The disease is characterized by recurrent episodes of fever that concur with spirochetemia. The RF borrelioses include louse-borne RF caused by Borrelia recurrentis and tick-borne endemic RF transmitted by argasid soft ticks and caused by several Borrelia spp. such as B. crocidurae, B. coriaceae, B. duttoni, B. hermsii, B. hispanica and B. persica. Human infection with B. persica is transmitted by the soft tick Ornithodoros tholozani and has been reported from Iran, Israel, Egypt, India, and Central Asia. Methods During 2003–2015, five cats and five dogs from northern, central and southern Israel were presented for veterinary care and detected with borrelia spirochetemia by blood smear microscopy. The causative infective agent in these animals was identified and characterized by PCR from blood and sequencing of parts of the flagellin (flab), 16S rRNA and glycerophosphodiester phosphodiestrase (GlpQ) genes. Results All animals were infected with B. persica genetically identical to the causative agent of human RF. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that DNA sequences from these pet carnivores clustered together with B. persica genotypes I and II from humans and O. tholozani ticks and distinctly from other RF Borrelia spp. The main clinical findings in cats included lethargy, anorexia, anemia in 5/5 cats and thrombocytopenia in 4/5. All dogs were lethargic and anorectic, 4/5 were febrile and anemic and 3/5 were thrombocytopenic. Three dogs were co-infected with Babesia spp. The animals were all treated with antibiotics and the survival rate of both dogs and cats was 80 %. The cat and dog that succumbed to disease died one day after the initiation of antibiotic treatment, while survival in the others was followed by the rapid disappearance of spirochetemia. Conclusions This is the first report of disease due to B. persica infection in cats and the first case series in dogs. Infection was associated with anemia and thrombocytopenia. Fever was more frequently observed in dogs than cats. Domestic canines and felines suffer from clinical disease due to B. persica infection and may also serve as sentinels for human infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gad Baneth
- Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, Hebrew University, Rehovot, Israel.
| | | | - Tamar Halperin
- Medical Laboratory, Medical Corps, IDF, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Yizhak Hershko
- Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, Hebrew University, Rehovot, Israel
| | | | - Yigal Anug
- Pathovet LTD, Yehosa Ben Hanania 81, Rehovot, 76391, Israel
| | - Ziad Abdeen
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of community Health, Al-Quds University, Jerusalem, Palestinian Authority
| | - Eran Lavy
- Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, Hebrew University, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Itamar Aroch
- Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, Hebrew University, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Reinhard K Straubinger
- Bacteriology and Mycology, Institute for Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany
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171
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Wormser GP, Wormser V. Did Garin and Bujadoux Actually Report a Case of Lyme Radiculoneuritis? Open Forum Infect Dis 2016; 3:ofw085. [PMID: 27419161 PMCID: PMC4943566 DOI: 10.1093/ofid/ofw085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2016] [Accepted: 04/21/2016] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Although a 1922 report by Garin and Bujadoux is widely regarded as describing the first case of neurologic Lyme borreliosis, the many highly atypical features raises the question of whether the paper deserves the historic recognition that it has received. A 1922 report by Garin and Bujadoux is widely regarded as describing the first case of neurologic Lyme borreliosis. Although the patient reported had a tick bite followed by the development of a rash and radiculoneuritis, there were a number of highly atypical features, raising the question of whether the patient, in fact, had neurologic Lyme borreliosis. The paper may not deserve the historic recognition that it has received.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gary P Wormser
- Division of Infectious Diseases , New York Medical College , Valhalla
| | - Vanessa Wormser
- Division of Infectious Diseases , New York Medical College , Valhalla
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172
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Mentz MB, Trombka M, Silva GLD, Silva CE. Rhipicephalus sanguineus (ACARI: IXODIDAE) BITING A HUMAN BEING IN PORTO ALEGRE CITY, RIO GRANDE DO SUL, BRAZIL. Rev Inst Med Trop Sao Paulo 2016; 58:35. [PMID: 27074329 PMCID: PMC4826088 DOI: 10.1590/s1678-9946201658035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2015] [Accepted: 09/28/2015] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
We report the finding of a female brown dog tick, Rhipicephalus sanguineus (Acari: Ixodidae) on the scalp of a male patient inPorto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Human parasitism by this tick is rare and has seldomly been reported in the literature, despite its recognized importance since it can act as a vector of Rickettsia rickettsii, the agent of spotted fever.
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Affiliation(s)
- Márcia Bohrer Mentz
- Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Departamento de Microbiologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brasil
| | - Marcelo Trombka
- Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil
| | - Guilherme Liberato da Silva
- Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Departamento de Microbiologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brasil
| | - Carlos Eugênio Silva
- Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Departamento de Microbiologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brasil
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173
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Aubry C, Socolovschi C, Raoult D, Parola P. Bacterial agents in 248 ticks removed from people from 2002 to 2013. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2016; 7:475-81. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2016.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2014] [Revised: 01/18/2016] [Accepted: 02/03/2016] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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174
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Akin Belli A, Dervis E, Kar S, Ergonul O, Gargili A. Revisiting detachment techniques in human-biting ticks. J Am Acad Dermatol 2016; 75:393-7. [PMID: 26944595 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaad.2016.01.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2015] [Revised: 01/23/2016] [Accepted: 01/27/2016] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Early and complete removal of ticks using the right technique is important to reduce tick-transmitted diseases. Several chemical and mechanical detachment techniques have been described previously. OBJECTIVE We aimed to compare the performance of 4 tick-detachment techniques that are widely used in human beings and to determine the optimal method from these techniques. METHODS A cross-sectional study was conducted on 160 patients between April and June 2010. Patients with reported tick bite were reviewed retrospectively and divided into the following 4 groups according to the tick-detachment technique used: card detachment, lassoing, freezing, and tweezers. Performance of each technique was evaluated according to the number of fully detached, nondetached, and crushed ticks and the duration of application. RESULTS Of the 160 tick-bite cases assessed, we found the following efficacy rates: 82.5% (33/40), technique using tweezers; 47.5% (19/40), lassoing technique; 7.5% (3/40), card detachment; and 0% (0/40), freezing technique. The efficacy rate of the technique using tweezers was significantly higher than that of the other 3 techniques (P < .05). LIMITATIONS This was a relatively small sample size and not designed as a randomized clinical trial. CONCLUSION Tick detachment using tweezers, performed in an appropriate manner, is the easiest and most effective technique.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asli Akin Belli
- Department of Dermatology, Mugla Sitki Kocman University Training and Research Hospital, Mugla, Turkey.
| | - Emine Dervis
- Department of Dermatology, Haseki Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Sirri Kar
- Department of Biology, Namik Kemal University, Tekirdag, Turkey
| | - Onder Ergonul
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Koc University Medical School, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Aysen Gargili
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Marmara University, Istanbul, Turkey
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175
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Gleim ER, Garrison LE, Vello MS, Savage MY, Lopez G, Berghaus RD, Yabsley MJ. Factors associated with tick bites and pathogen prevalence in ticks parasitizing humans in Georgia, USA. Parasit Vectors 2016; 9:125. [PMID: 26935205 PMCID: PMC4776404 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-016-1408-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2015] [Accepted: 02/24/2016] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The incidence and emergence of tick-borne diseases has increased dramatically in the United States during the past 30 years, yet few large-scale epidemiological studies have been performed on individuals bitten by ticks. Epidemiological information, including disease development, may provide valuable information regarding effectiveness of tick bite prevention education, pathogen transmission, human-disease dynamics, and potential implications for under reporting of tick-borne diseases. Methods Ticks found attached to Georgia residents were submitted for identification and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing for Francisella tularensis, Ehrlichia, Anaplasma, Borrelia, and Rickettsia spp. Tick bite victims were interviewed three weeks after the tick bite to identify various epidemiologic factors associated with infestation and if signs suggestive of a tick-borne disease had developed. Fisher’s exact test of independence was used to evaluate associations between various factors evaluated in the study. A multivariable logistic regression model was used for the prediction of non-specific illness post-tick bite. Results From April 2005-December 2006, 444 participants submitted 597 ticks (426 Amblyomma americanum, 142 Dermacentor variabilis, 19 A. maculatum, 7 Ixodes scapularis, 3 Amblyomma sp.) which originated from 95 counties. Only 25 (34 %) of 74 interviewed individuals purposely took tick bite prevention measures. Ticks that were PCR positive for bacterial organisms were attached to 136 participants. Of the 77 participants who developed non-specific illness, 50 did not have PCR positive ticks, whereas 27 did have PCR positive tick (s). Of those 27 individuals, 12 fit the criteria for a possible tick-borne illness (i.e., tick attached >6 h [if known], ≥4 day incubation period, and the individual exhibited clinical symptoms typical of a tick-borne illness without exhibiting cough, sore throat, or sinus congestion). Ticks from these individuals were positive for R. amblyommii (n = 8), E. ewingii (n = 1), R. montana (n = 1), R. rhiphicephali (n = 1), and Rickettsia sp. TR-39 (n = 1). Conclusions Although illnesses reported in this study cannot definitively be connected with tick bites, it does provide insight into development, diagnosis, and treatment of possible tick-borne diseases post-tick bite. The study also provided data on pathogen prevalence, and epidemiologic factors associated with tick bites, as well as tick presence by county in Georgia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth R Gleim
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, College of Veterinary Medicine, The University of Georgia, 589 D.W. Brooks Dr., Wildlife Health Bldg, Athens, GA, 30602, USA. .,Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, The University of Georgia, 180 E. Green St., Athens, GA, 30602, USA. .,Current Address: Oxford College of Emory University, 150 Few Cr, Oxford, GA, 30054, USA.
| | - Laurel E Garrison
- Georgia Department of Human Resources, Division of Public Health, 2 Peachtree St. NW, Atlanta, GA, 30303, USA. .,Current address: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Rd. NE, MS C-25, Atlanta, GA, 30333, USA.
| | - Marianne S Vello
- Georgia Department of Human Resources, Division of Public Health, 2 Peachtree St. NW, Atlanta, GA, 30303, USA.
| | - Mason Y Savage
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, College of Veterinary Medicine, The University of Georgia, 589 D.W. Brooks Dr., Wildlife Health Bldg, Athens, GA, 30602, USA. .,Current address: College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, 1052 William Moore Dr, Raleigh, NC, 27606, USA.
| | - Gaylord Lopez
- Georgia Poison Center, 80 Jesse Hill Junior Dr. SE, Atlanta, GA, 30303, USA.
| | - Roy D Berghaus
- Department of Population Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, The University of Georgia, 501 D.W. Brooks Dr, Atlanta, GA, 30602, USA.
| | - Michael J Yabsley
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, College of Veterinary Medicine, The University of Georgia, 589 D.W. Brooks Dr., Wildlife Health Bldg, Athens, GA, 30602, USA. .,Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, The University of Georgia, 180 E. Green St., Athens, GA, 30602, USA.
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176
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Sumrandee C, Baimai V, Trinachartvanit W, Ahantarig A. Molecular detection of Rickettsia, Anaplasma, Coxiella and Francisella bacteria in ticks collected from Artiodactyla in Thailand. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2016; 7:678-689. [PMID: 26934997 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2016.02.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2015] [Revised: 01/12/2016] [Accepted: 02/19/2016] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
A total of 79 ticks collected from Sambar deer (Cervus unicolor), Barking deer (Muntiacus muntjak) and Wild boar (Sus scrofa) were examined by PCR for the presence of Rickettsia, Anaplasma, Coxiella, and Francisella bacteria. Of the 79 ticks, 13% tested positive for Rickettsia, 15% tested positive for Anaplasma, 4% tested positive for Coxiella, and 3% tested positive for Francisella. Interestingly, triple infection with Anaplasma, Rickettsia and Francisella was determined in a Dermacentor auratus tick. Moreover, another triple infection with Rickettsia, Anaplasma, and Coxiella was found in a Haemaphysalis lagrangei tick. Double infection of Rickettsia with Coxiella was also detected in another H. lagrangei tick. From the phylogenetic analyses, we found a Rickettsia sp. with a close evolutionary relationship to Rickettsia bellii in the H. lagrangei tick. We also found the first evidence of a Rickettsia sp. that is closely related to Rickettsia tamurae in Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus ticks from Thailand. H. lagrangei and Haemaphysalis obesa ticks collected from Sambar deer tested positive for Anaplasma species form the same clade with Anaplasma bovis. In contrast, other H. lagrangei ticks collected from Sambar deer and D. auratus ticks collected from Wild boar were also reported for the first time to be infected with an Anaplasma species that is closely related to Anaplasma platys. The phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene of Coxiella bacteria revealed that Coxiella symbionts from H. lagrangei formed a distinctly different lineage from Coxiella burnetii (a human pathogen). Additionally, Francisella bacteria identified in D. auratus ticks were found to be distantly related to a group of pathogenic Francisella species. The identification of these bacteria in several feeding ticks suggests the risk of various emerging tick-borne diseases and endosymbionts in humans, wildlife, and domestic animals in Thailand.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chalao Sumrandee
- Biodiversity Research Cluster, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Rama 6 Road, Bangkok 10400, Thailand; Department of Fundamental Science, Faculty of Science and Technology, Surindra Rajabhat University, Muang District, Surin 32000, Thailand
| | - Visut Baimai
- Biodiversity Research Cluster, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Rama 6 Road, Bangkok 10400, Thailand; Center of Excellence for Vectors and Vector-Borne Diseases, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University at Salaya, Phutthamonthon 4 Road, Nakhon Pathom 73170, Thailand; Department of Fundamental Science, Faculty of Science and Technology, Surindra Rajabhat University, Muang District, Surin 32000, Thailand
| | - Wachareeporn Trinachartvanit
- Biodiversity Research Cluster, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Rama 6 Road, Bangkok 10400, Thailand; Department of Fundamental Science, Faculty of Science and Technology, Surindra Rajabhat University, Muang District, Surin 32000, Thailand
| | - Arunee Ahantarig
- Biodiversity Research Cluster, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Rama 6 Road, Bangkok 10400, Thailand; Center of Excellence for Vectors and Vector-Borne Diseases, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University at Salaya, Phutthamonthon 4 Road, Nakhon Pathom 73170, Thailand; Department of Fundamental Science, Faculty of Science and Technology, Surindra Rajabhat University, Muang District, Surin 32000, Thailand.
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177
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Keskin A, Erciyas-Yavuz K. A Preliminary Investigation on Ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) Infesting Birds in Kızılırmak Delta, Turkey. JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY 2016; 53:217-220. [PMID: 26487249 DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjv149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2015] [Accepted: 09/09/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Ticks are mandatory blood-feeding ectoparasites of mammals, birds, reptiles, and even amphibians. Turkey has a rich bird fauna and is located on the main migration route for many birds. However, information on ticks infesting birds is very limited. In the present study, we aimed to determine ticks infesting birds in Kızılırmak Delta, Turkey. In 2014 autumn bird migration season, a total of 7,452 birds belonging to 79 species, 52 genera, 35 families, and 14 orders were examined for tick infestation. In total, 287 (234 larvae, 47 nymphs, 6♀) ticks were collected from 54 passerine birds (prevalence = 0.72%) belonging to 12 species. Ticks were identified as Amblyomma sp., Dermacentor marginatus (Sulzer), Haemaphysalis concinna Koch, Haemaphysalis punctata Canestrini and Fanzago, Hyalomma sp., Ixodes frontalis (Panzer), and Ixodes ricinus (L). The most common tick species were I. frontalis (223 larvae, 23 nymphs, 6♀) followed by I. ricinus (3 larvae, 12 nymphs) and H. concinna (4 larvae, 6 nymphs). Based on our results, it can be said that Erithacus rubecula (L.) is the main host of immature I. frontalis, whereas Turdus merula L. is the most important carrier of immature stages of some ticks in Kızılırmak Delta, Turkey. To the best of our knowledge, most of the tick-host associations found in this study have never been documented in the literature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adem Keskin
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science & Art, Gaziosmanpasa University, Tasliciftlik, Tokat, Turkey 60250 ,
| | - Kiraz Erciyas-Yavuz
- Ornithology Research Center, Ondokuz Mayis University, Atakum, Samsun, Turkey 55137
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178
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Costa GCA, Soares AC, Pereira MH, Gontijo NF, Sant’Anna MRV, Araujo RN. Physiological characterization of the hematophagy of Ornithodoros rostratus (Acari: Argasidae) on live hosts. J Exp Biol 2016; 219:3656-3664. [DOI: 10.1242/jeb.144246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2016] [Accepted: 09/07/2016] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Ornithodoros rostratus is an argasid tick and its importance is based on its hematophagy and the resulting transmission of pathogens such as Rickettsia rickettsii and Coxiella burnetii unto its vertebrate hosts. In the face of a lack of physiological studies related to hematophagy in argasid ticks, this paper aims to identify and characterize the events that occur throughout the feeding by O. rostratus on live hosts. Electrical signals and alterations on the feeding site were monitored using intravital microscopy and electromyography. The analyses allowed for the characterization of four distinct events: suction, salivation, chelicerae movements, and inactivity. Feeding was divided into two distinct phases: 1- penetration of mouthparts (when only salivation and chelicerae movements occurred) and the formation of the feeding pool (salivation and chelicerae movements with the first signs of suction) and 2 - engorgement during which chelicerae movements ceased and blood intake took place in feeding complexes (salivation followed by suction). Variations in patterns of the electrical signals, suction frequency, and salivation showed four distinct sub phases: 2a – Suction with electrical signals of irregular shape, increased suction frequency and decreased salivation frequency throughout blood feeding; 2b – Suction with electrical signals of symmetrical shape, high suction rates (3.8 Hz on average) and feeding complexes lasting for 7.7 seconds; 2c - Suction with electrical signals of irregular shape, high suction frequency and feeding complex lasting 11.5 seconds; 2d - Electrical signals with no profile and longest feeding complexes (14.5 seconds). Blood feeding ended with the withdrawal of the mouthparts from the host's skin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriel Cerqueira Alves Costa
- Laboratório de Fisiologia de Insetos Hematófagos, Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Presidente Antônio Carlos 6627, 31270-901, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Adriana Coelho Soares
- Laboratório de Fisiologia de Insetos Hematófagos, Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Presidente Antônio Carlos 6627, 31270-901, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Marcos Horácio Pereira
- Laboratório de Fisiologia de Insetos Hematófagos, Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Presidente Antônio Carlos 6627, 31270-901, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, 21941-909, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Nelder Figueiredo Gontijo
- Laboratório de Fisiologia de Insetos Hematófagos, Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Presidente Antônio Carlos 6627, 31270-901, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, 21941-909, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Maurício Roberto Viana Sant’Anna
- Laboratório de Fisiologia de Insetos Hematófagos, Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Presidente Antônio Carlos 6627, 31270-901, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Ricardo Nascimento Araujo
- Laboratório de Fisiologia de Insetos Hematófagos, Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Presidente Antônio Carlos 6627, 31270-901, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, 21941-909, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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179
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Keskin A, Keskin A, Bursali A, Tekin S. Ticks (Acari: Ixodida) parasitizing humans in Corum and Yozgat provinces, Turkey. EXPERIMENTAL & APPLIED ACAROLOGY 2015; 67:607-616. [PMID: 26385209 DOI: 10.1007/s10493-015-9966-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2015] [Accepted: 09/04/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
In order to identify ticks infesting humans in Corum and Yozgat provinces in Turkey, a total of 2110 ticks representing 14 species were collected on humans, between June and September 2009. Of those, 1551 (687♂, 450♀, 407 nymphs, 7 larvae) were collected from Corum and 559 (330♂, 180♀, 49 nymphs) were collected from Yozgat. The majority of ticks (n = 1121, 53.1 %) was Hyalomma marginatum. Other common ticks infesting humans were Dermacentor marginatus (n = 209, 9.9 %) and Rhipicephalus turanicus sensu lato (n = 145, 6.9 %) in the study area. In addition, a total of 386 immature Hyalomma were found on humans in Corum (335 nymphs, 7 larvae) and Yozgat (44 nymphs). Ixodes laguri and Haemaphysalis erinacei taurica were recorded for the first time in Corum. To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first detailed investigation on ticks infesting humans in Corum and Yozgat, except individual or incidental records. The present study provides useful information for those concerned with ticks and tick-borne diseases in Turkey.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adem Keskin
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science and Art, Gaziosmanpasa University, 60250, Tokat, Turkey.
| | - Aysun Keskin
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science and Art, Gaziosmanpasa University, 60250, Tokat, Turkey
| | - Ahmet Bursali
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science and Art, Gaziosmanpasa University, 60250, Tokat, Turkey
| | - Saban Tekin
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Gaziosmanpasa University, Tokat, Turkey
- Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology Institute, TUBITAK Marmara Research Center, Kocaeli, Turkey
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180
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Coumou J, Narasimhan S, Trentelman JJ, Wagemakers A, Koetsveld J, Ersoz JI, Oei A, Fikrig E, Hovius JW. Ixodes scapularis dystroglycan-like protein promotes Borrelia burgdorferi migration from the gut. J Mol Med (Berl) 2015; 94:361-70. [PMID: 26594018 PMCID: PMC4803822 DOI: 10.1007/s00109-015-1365-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2015] [Revised: 10/09/2015] [Accepted: 11/10/2015] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Abstract The causative agent of Lyme borreliosis, Borrelia burgdorferi, is transmitted by Ixodes ticks. During tick feeding, B. burgdorferi migrates from the tick gut to the salivary glands from where transmission to the host occurs. B. burgdorferi-interacting tick proteins might serve as vaccine targets to thwart B. burgdorferi transmission. A previous screening for B. burgdorferi-interacting Ixodes scapularis gut proteins identified an I. scapularis putative dystroglycan protein (ISCW015049). Here, we describe the ISCW015049’s protein structure and its cellular location in the tick gut in relation to B. burgdorferi migration. Secondly, in vivo B. burgdorferi–tick attachment murine models were performed to study the role of ISCW015049 during B. burgdorferi migration and transmission. In silico analysis confirmed that ISCW015049 is similar to dystroglycan and was named I. scapularis dystroglycan-like protein (ISDLP). Confocal microscopy of gut tissue showed that ISDLP is expressed on the surface of gut cells, is upregulated during tick feeding, and is expressed significantly higher in infected ticks compared to uninfected ticks. Inhibition of ISDLP by RNA interference (RNAi) resulted in lower B. burgdorferi transmission to mice. In conclusion, we have identified a dystroglycan-like protein in I. scapularis gut that can bind to B. burgdorferi and promotes B. burgdorferi migration from the tick gut. Key messages B. burgdorferi exploits tick proteins to orchestrate its transmission to the host. B. burgdorferi is able bind to an I. scapularis dystroglycan-like protein (ISDLP). Inhibition of ISDLP in ticks results in lower B. burgdorferi transmission to mice. ISDLP is a potential target to prevent Lyme borreliosis.
Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s00109-015-1365-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeroen Coumou
- Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, 1105 AZ, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - Sukanya Narasimhan
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, 06511, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Jos J Trentelman
- Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, 1105 AZ, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Alex Wagemakers
- Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, 1105 AZ, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Joris Koetsveld
- Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, 1105 AZ, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Jasmin I Ersoz
- Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, 1105 AZ, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Anneke Oei
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, 1105 AZ, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Erol Fikrig
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, 06511, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Joppe W Hovius
- Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, 1105 AZ, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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181
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Lledó L, Giménez-Pardo C, Saz JV, Serrano JL. Wild Red Foxes (Vulpes vulpes) as Sentinels of Parasitic Diseases in the Province of Soria, Northern Spain. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2015; 15:743-9. [PMID: 26565688 DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2014.1766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Four hundred red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) were examined for ecto- (arthropods) and endoparasites (Leishmania spp., Trichinella spp., and intestinal parasites). Different species of flea (total prevalence, 40.50%), tick (16.25%), mite (7.25%), and fly (1.50%) were identified. The most prevalent flea was Pulex irritans (found on 29% of the foxes); the most prevalent tick, mite, and fly were Ixodes canisuga (on 5%), Sarcoptes scabiei (on 5.25%), and Hippobosca equina (on 1%), respectively. The endoparasites identified included Leishmania spp. (found in 12% of the foxes), Trichinella spp. (in 15.5%, with T. britovi the most prevalent species in 15.25%), Cestoda (in 72.75%, with Mesocestoides spp. the most prevalent in 69.50%), and intestinal ascarids (in 73.25%, with Ancylostoma caninum the most prevalent in 12.50%). No animal was free of parasites. The present results suggest that foxes can act as sentinels of diseases transmitted by ecto- and endoparasites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lourdes Lledó
- 1 Department of Biomedicine and Biotechnology, Alcalá University , Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain
| | - Consuelo Giménez-Pardo
- 1 Department of Biomedicine and Biotechnology, Alcalá University , Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain
| | - José Vicente Saz
- 1 Department of Biomedicine and Biotechnology, Alcalá University , Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain
| | - José Luis Serrano
- 2 Territorial Health and Social Welfare Service of the Junta de Castilla y León , Soria, Spain
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182
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Geographical distribution of Dermacentor marginatus and Dermacentor reticulatus in Europe. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2015; 7:224-233. [PMID: 26552893 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2015.10.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 144] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2015] [Revised: 10/19/2015] [Accepted: 10/20/2015] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The goal of this paper is to present up-to-date maps depicting the geographical distribution of Dermacentor species in Europe based on georeferenced sampling sites. Therefore, a dataset was compiled, resulting in 1286 D. marginatus (Sulzer, 1776) and 1209 D. reticulatus (Fabricius, 1794) locations. Special emphasis is given to the region of the European Alps depicting a presumable climate barrier of the mountains and to overlaps in the distribution of both species as well as on the situation in eastern European countries. For the latter newly described Dermacentor findings comprise 59 locations in Romania and 62 locations in Ukraine. The geographical distributions of both species in Europe range from Portugal to Ukraine (and continue to the east of Kazakhstan). Although it is well known that D. marginatus is adapted to a warmer and drier climate at more southern latitudes and D. reticulatus to a moderately moist climate at more northern latitudes, the distribution limits of both species were not well known. Here, the northern and southern distribution limits for both species in Europe, as determined from the georeferenced database, were specified for D. marginatus by the belt of 33-51° N latitude and for D. reticulatus by the belt of 41-57° N latitude. Thus, overlapping species distributions were found between 41° N and 51° N.
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183
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Kúdelová M, Belvončíková P, Vrbová M, Kovaľová A, Štibrániová I, Kocáková P, Slovák M, Špitalská E, Lapuníková B, Matúšková R, Šupolíková M. Detection of Murine Herpesvirus 68 (MHV-68) in Dermacentor reticulatus Ticks. MICROBIAL ECOLOGY 2015; 70:785-794. [PMID: 25947097 DOI: 10.1007/s00248-015-0622-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2014] [Accepted: 04/24/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Murid herpesvirus 4 (MuHV 4) strain 68 (MHV-68) is a natural pathogen of murid rodents, which serves as hosts to Dermacentor reticulatus ticks. These ticks are known to transmit multiple pathogens, which can cause diseases in humans and animals. Recently, the detection of MHV-68 antibodies in the blood of animals living in the same biotope as virus-infected mice has suggested the role of ticks in pathogen circulation in nature. Herein, to identify MHV-68 in D. reticulatus ticks, DNA samples from 432 adults were collected at two sites in southwestern Slovakia from 2011 to 2014. Samples were examined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), targeting ORF50 of MHV-68. Ignoring season and locality, we have found 25.9 % of the male and 44.9 % of the female ticks to be positive. Within ticks collected in Vojka, 40 % (125/312) became positive, at a rate of approximately 6.8 times higher in spring than in autumn (66 vs 9.7 %). In addition, in the spring, 1.4 times more females were positive than males. Within ticks collected in Gabčíkovo, 23.3 % (28/120) became positive, with positive females being twice as frequent. The infecting virus was identified by analyzing amplified products via sequencing and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analyses. Using an explantation/co-cultivation procedure, we examined the salivary glands, intestines, and ovaries of five females for live MHV-68. In all organs of two ticks, we identified a virus capable of replication in mammalian cells. This is the first report of MHV-68 detection in D. reticulatus ticks and of a live virus in their organs. Findings encourage further study to determine whether this potential arbovirus, found in salivary glands, is transmissible. It further supports the hypothesis regarding the mediating role of ticks in MHV-68 circulation in nature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcela Kúdelová
- Institute of Virology, Slovak Academy of Science, 845 05, Bratislava, Slovak Republic.
| | - Petra Belvončíková
- Institute of Virology, Slovak Academy of Science, 845 05, Bratislava, Slovak Republic
| | - Michaela Vrbová
- Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University, Bratislava, Slovak Republic
| | - Alžbeta Kovaľová
- Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University, Bratislava, Slovak Republic
| | - Iveta Štibrániová
- Institute of Virology, Slovak Academy of Science, 845 05, Bratislava, Slovak Republic
| | - Paulína Kocáková
- Institute of Virology, Slovak Academy of Science, 845 05, Bratislava, Slovak Republic
| | - Mirko Slovák
- Institute of Zoology, Slovak Academy of Science, Bratislava, Slovak Republic
| | - Eva Špitalská
- Institute of Virology, Slovak Academy of Science, 845 05, Bratislava, Slovak Republic
| | - Barbora Lapuníková
- Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University, Bratislava, Slovak Republic
| | - Radka Matúšková
- Institute of Virology, Slovak Academy of Science, 845 05, Bratislava, Slovak Republic
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184
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Leydet BF, Liang FT. Similarities in murine infection and immune response to Borrelia bissettii and Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto. MICROBIOLOGY-SGM 2015; 161:2352-60. [PMID: 26419825 DOI: 10.1099/mic.0.000192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
In 1982, Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto (ss) was identified as the aetiological agent of Lyme disease. Since then an increasing number of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (sl) species have been isolated in the United States. To date, many of these species remain understudied despite mounting evidence associating them with human illness. Borrelia bissettii is a spirochaete closely related to B. burgdorferi that has been loosely associated with human illness. Using an experimental murine infection model, we compared the infectivity and humoral immune response with a North American isolate of B. bissettii and B. burgdorferi using culture, molecular and serological methods. The original B. bissettii cultures were unable to infect immunocompetent mice, but were confirmed to be infectious after adaptation in immunodeficient animals. B. bissettii infection resulted in spirochaete burdens similar to B. burgdorferi in skin, heart and bladder whereas significantly lower burdens were observed in the joint tissues. B. bissettii induced an antibody response similar to B. burgdorferi as measured by both immunoblotting and the C6 ELISA. Additionally, this isolate of B. bissettii was sequenced on the Ion Torrent PGM, which successfully identified many genes orthologous to mammalian virulence factors described in B. burgdorferi. Similarities seen between both infections in this well-characterized murine model contribute to our understanding of the potential pathogenic nature of B. bissettii. Infection dynamics of B. bissettii, and especially the induced humoral response, are similar to B. burgdorferi, suggesting this species may contribute to the epidemiology of human borreliosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian F Leydet
- Department of Pathobiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana , USA
| | - Fang Ting Liang
- Department of Pathobiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana , USA
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185
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Zhou M, Cao S, Sevinc F, Sevinc M, Ceylan O, Moumouni PFA, Jirapattharasate C, Liu M, Wang G, Iguchi A, Vudriko P, Suzuki H, Xuan X. Molecular detection and genetic identification of Babesia bigemina, Theileria annulata, Theileria orientalis and Anaplasma marginale in Turkey. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2015; 7:126-134. [PMID: 26492823 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2015.09.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2015] [Revised: 09/11/2015] [Accepted: 09/25/2015] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Babesia spp., Theileria spp. and Anaplasma spp. are significant tick-borne pathogens of livestock globally. In this study, we investigated the presence and distribution of Babesia bigemina, Theileria annulata, Theileria orientalis and Anaplasma marginale in cattle from 6 provinces of Turkey using species-specific PCR assays. The PCR were conducted using the primers based on the B. bigemina rhoptry-associated protein 1a (BbiRAP-1a), T. annulata merozoite surface antigen-1 (Tams-1), T. orientalis major piroplasm surface protein (ToMPSP) and A. marginale major surface protein 4 (AmMSP4) genes, respectively. Fragments of B. bigemina internal transcribed spacer (BbiITS), T. annulata internal transcribed spacer (TaITS), ToMPSP and AmMSP4 genes were sequenced for phylogenetic analysis. PCR results revealed that the overall infections of A. marginale, T. annulata, B. bigemina and T. orientalis were 29.1%, 18.9%, 11.2% and 5.6%, respectively. The co-infection of two or three pathogens was detected in 29/196 (15.1%) of the cattle samples. The results of sequence analysis indicated that BbiRAP-1a, BbiITS, Tams-1, ToMPSP and AmMSP4 were conserved among the Turkish samples, with 99.76%, 99-99.8%, 99.34-99.78%, 96.9-99.61% and 99.42-99.71% sequence identity values, respectively. In contrast, the Turkish TaITS gene sequences were relatively diverse with 92.3-96.63% identity values. B. bigemina isolates from Turkey were found in the same clade as the isolates from other countries in phylogenetic analysis. On the other hand, phylogenetic analysis based on T. annulata ITS sequences revealed significant differences in the genotypes of T. annulata isolates from Turkey. Additionally, the T. orientalis isolates from Turkish samples were classified as MPSP type 3 genotype. This is the first report of type 3 MPSP in Turkey. Moreover, AmMSP4 isolates from Turkey were found in the same clade as the isolates from other countries. This study provides important data for understanding the epidemiology of tick-borne diseases and it is expected to improve approach for diagnosis and control of tick-borne diseases in Turkey.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mo Zhou
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro, Hokkaido 080-8555, Japan
| | - Shinuo Cao
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro, Hokkaido 080-8555, Japan
| | - Ferda Sevinc
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Selcuk University, Konya, Turkey
| | - Mutlu Sevinc
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Selcuk University, Konya, Turkey
| | - Onur Ceylan
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Selcuk University, Konya, Turkey
| | - Paul Franck Adjou Moumouni
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro, Hokkaido 080-8555, Japan
| | - Charoonluk Jirapattharasate
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro, Hokkaido 080-8555, Japan
| | - Mingming Liu
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro, Hokkaido 080-8555, Japan
| | - Guanbo Wang
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro, Hokkaido 080-8555, Japan
| | - Aiko Iguchi
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro, Hokkaido 080-8555, Japan
| | - Patrick Vudriko
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro, Hokkaido 080-8555, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Suzuki
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro, Hokkaido 080-8555, Japan
| | - Xuenan Xuan
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro, Hokkaido 080-8555, Japan.
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186
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Lafri I, Leulmi H, Baziz-Neffah F, Lalout R, Mohamed C, Mohamed K, Parola P, Bitam I. Detection of a novel Rickettsia sp. in soft ticks (Acari: Argasidae) in Algeria. Microbes Infect 2015; 17:859-61. [PMID: 26408401 DOI: 10.1016/j.micinf.2015.09.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2015] [Revised: 09/09/2015] [Accepted: 09/10/2015] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Argasid ticks are vectors of viral and bacterial agents that can infect humans and animals. In Africa, relapsing fever borreliae are neglected arthropod-borne pathogens that cause mild to deadly septicemia and miscarriage. It would be incredibly beneficial to be able to simultaneous detect and identify other pathogens transmitted by Argasid ticks. From 2012 to 2014, we conducted field surveys in 4 distinct areas of Algeria. We investigated the occurrence of soft ticks in rodent burrows and yellow-legged gull (Larus michahellis) nests in 10 study sites and collected 154 soft ticks. Molecular identification revealed the occurrence of two different soft tick genera and five species, including Carios capensis in yellow-legged gull nests and Ornithodoros occidentalis, Ornithodoros rupestris, Ornithodoros sonrai, Ornithodoros erraticus in rodent burrows. Rickettsial DNA was detected in 41/154, corresponding to a global detection rate of 26.6%. Sequences of the citrate synthase (gltA) gene suggest that this agent is a novel spotted fever group Rickettsia. For the first time in Algeria, we characterize a novel Rickettsia species by molecular means in soft ticks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ismail Lafri
- Aix Marseille Université, URMITE, UM63, CNRS 7278, IRD 198, Inserm 1095, 13005 Marseille, France; Ecole Nationale Supérieure Vétérinaire d'Alger, 16000, Algeria; Institut des Sciences Vétérinaires, Université Blida 1, 09000, Algeria
| | - Hamza Leulmi
- Aix Marseille Université, URMITE, UM63, CNRS 7278, IRD 198, Inserm 1095, 13005 Marseille, France; Ecole Nationale Supérieure Vétérinaire d'Alger, 16000, Algeria
| | - Fadhila Baziz-Neffah
- Department of Zoology, Agronomic Graduate School, El Harrach, Algiers, 16000, Algeria
| | - Reda Lalout
- EPH de Sidi Ali, Mostaganem, Ministère de la santé, de la population et de la réforme hospitalière, 27000, Algeria
| | - Chergui Mohamed
- EPH de Sidi Ali, Mostaganem, Ministère de la santé, de la population et de la réforme hospitalière, 27000, Algeria
| | - Karakallah Mohamed
- EPH de Sidi Ali, Mostaganem, Ministère de la santé, de la population et de la réforme hospitalière, 27000, Algeria
| | - Philippe Parola
- Aix Marseille Université, URMITE, UM63, CNRS 7278, IRD 198, Inserm 1095, 13005 Marseille, France
| | - Idir Bitam
- Aix Marseille Université, URMITE, UM63, CNRS 7278, IRD 198, Inserm 1095, 13005 Marseille, France; Ecole Nationale Supérieure Vétérinaire d'Alger, 16000, Algeria.
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187
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Wojcik-Fatla A, Sroka J, Zajac V, Sawczyn A, Cisak E, Dutkiewicz J. Toxoplasma gondii (Nicolle et Manceaux, 1908) detected in Dermacentor reticulatus (Fabricius) (Ixodidae). Folia Parasitol (Praha) 2015; 62. [PMID: 26449345 DOI: 10.14411/fp.2015.055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2015] [Accepted: 06/21/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The aim of the present work was to determine whether Dermacentor reticulatus (Fabricius), tick species common in eastern Poland could be infected with Toxoplasma gondii (Nicolle et Manceaux, 1908). A total of 664 unfed D. reticulatus ticks were collected from six localities of Lublin province (eastern Poland) within the framework of study for the presence of bacterial, viral and parasitological infections, with use of PCR and confirmed by sequencing analysis. The prevalence of T. gondii DNA of B1 gene in the total examined D. reticulatus ticks was 3.2%. The infection varies greatly depending on the locality of tick collection (0-16.7%). Preliminary identification of clonal type (I or II/III) by Restriction Fragments Length Polymorphism PCR (RFLP-PCR) with use B1 gene showed that all isolates of T. gondii belonged to type I. RFLP analysis using genetic markers SAG1, 5'-SAG2, 3'-SAG2, SAG3, and GRA6 on B1-positive samples showed that only a single isolate proved to be type I with all five markers, another type was classified to type I according to four markers, while another five isolates had only type I alleles at GRA6, which cannot be regarded as type I confirmation. It must be pointed out that the used DNA isolation method by boiling with ammonium hydroxide enables to receive the total DNA from ticks, but may be not quite suitable for genotyping. In conclusion, this study indicates that besides Ixodes ricinus (Linnaeus), also D. reticulatus should be considered as a potential vector of T. gondii. The presumption of tick-borne transmission as an alternative pathway of disease spreading could well explain the high prevalence of toxoplasmosis among the herbivorous mammals and birds. However, this hypothesis needs verification by further experimental and ecological studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angelina Wojcik-Fatla
- Department of Health Biohazards and Parasitology, Institute of Rural Health, Lublin, Poland
| | - Jacek Sroka
- Department of Health Biohazards and Parasitology, Institute of Rural Health, Lublin, Poland.,Department of Parasitology, National Veterinary Research Institute in Pulawy, Pulawy, Poland
| | - Violetta Zajac
- Department of Health Biohazards and Parasitology, Institute of Rural Health, Lublin, Poland
| | - Anna Sawczyn
- Department of Health Biohazards and Parasitology, Institute of Rural Health, Lublin, Poland
| | - Ewa Cisak
- Department of Health Biohazards and Parasitology, Institute of Rural Health, Lublin, Poland
| | - Jacek Dutkiewicz
- Department of Health Biohazards and Parasitology, Institute of Rural Health, Lublin, Poland
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188
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Fabbro SD, Gollino S, Zuliani M, Nazzi F. Investigating the relationship between environmental factors and tick abundance in a small, highly heterogeneous region. JOURNAL OF VECTOR ECOLOGY : JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY FOR VECTOR ECOLOGY 2015; 40:107-116. [PMID: 26047190 DOI: 10.1111/jvec.12138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2014] [Accepted: 10/05/2014] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
The tick Ixodes ricinus (L.) is the most important vector of tick-borne zoonoses in Europe. Apart from factors related to human behavior, tick abundance is a major driver of the incidence of tick-borne diseases in a given area and related data represent critical information for promoting effective public health policies. The present study analyzed the relationship between different environmental factors and tick abundance in order to improve the understanding of I. ricinus autecology and develop spatial predictive models that can be implemented in tick-borne disease prevention strategies. Ticks were sampled in 27 sites over a four-year period and different environmental variables were studied. Five simple models were developed that explain a large part of variation in tick abundance. Precipitation seems to play the most important role, followed by temperature, woodland coverage, and solar radiation. Model equations obtained in this study may enable the spatial interpolation and extension of tick abundance predicted values to sites of the same area, in order to build regional predictive maps. They could also be useful for the validation of large-scale spatial predictive maps.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone Del Fabbro
- Department of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (DISA), University of Udine, via delle Scienze, 206, Udine, 33100, Italy.
| | - Sergio Gollino
- Ufficio Sistemi Informativi Territoriali, Comunità Montana della Carnia, Tolmezzo (Udine), Italy
| | - Michel Zuliani
- Ufficio Sistemi Informativi Territoriali, Comunità Montana della Carnia, Tolmezzo (Udine), Italy
| | - Francesco Nazzi
- Department of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (DISA), University of Udine, via delle Scienze, 206, Udine, 33100, Italy
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189
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Burazerović J, Ćakić S, Mihaljica D, Sukara R, Ćirović D, Tomanović S. Ticks (Acari: Argasidae, Ixodidae) parasitizing bats in the central Balkans. EXPERIMENTAL & APPLIED ACAROLOGY 2015; 66:281-91. [PMID: 25717009 DOI: 10.1007/s10493-015-9891-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2014] [Accepted: 02/17/2015] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Ticks parasitizing bats have been largely understudied, especially in the central part of the Balkan Peninsula, where the last data from the field research date from almost 25 years ago. Bats are hosts to a large number of ectoparasites, including ticks, which can act as vectors of zoonotic agents. For this reason, it is important to identify the distribution of ticks and their relationship to different hosts, including wild animals, bats in particular. The present research was conducted at 16 localities throughout Serbia, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM). We examined 475 individuals of bats belonging to 13 species. A total of three tick species were identified, I. simplex being the most numerous and widespread, followed by I. vespertilionis and A. vespertilionis. To the best of our knowledge, the presented data include the first records of I. simplex in Serbia and Montenegro, I. vespertilionis for Montenegro and A. vespertilionis in FYROM. Also, we identify a new possible host/parasite association between I. simplex and Rhinolophus euryale.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Burazerović
- Chair of Animal Ecology and Zoogeography, Faculty of Biology, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
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190
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Costa GCA, Soares AC, Pereira MH, Gontijo NF, Sant'Anna MRV, Araujo RN. Life cycle of Ornithodoros rostratus (Acari: Argasidae) ticks feeding on mice under laboratory conditions. EXPERIMENTAL & APPLIED ACAROLOGY 2015; 66:53-61. [PMID: 25717006 DOI: 10.1007/s10493-015-9888-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2014] [Accepted: 02/17/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Ornithodoros rostratus Aragão is an argasid tick found in Bolivia, Paraguay, Argentina and Brazil. Only limited studies about O. rostratus have been conducted and several aspects of their life cycle differ among studies or remain unexplored. In order to better elucidate the biology of O. rostratus, the present work describes its life cycle when feeding on mice under laboratory conditions. To complete their life cycle on mice, O. rostratus goes through a larval stage, 3-6 nymphal instars (nymph 1-6) and adult male and female. Adults can be originated from nymph 3-6. Nymphs 4 with higher weight after feeding tend to originate adults. Adults originated from early instars tended to be lighter. Females tended to be heavier than males. Larvae needed on average 2.7 days to complete their blood meal whereas other instars ranged from 17.3 to 78.3 min. The capacity to ingest blood was higher in larvae and females in comparison to males. The preecdysis period ranged from 5 to 12.5 days. After one blood meal, females remain on average 15.2 ± 5.8 days laying 276.8 ± 137.2.9 eggs. Females originated from nymph 4 had similar oviposition time, egg incubation and conversion ingested blood/number of eggs produced, but presented lower initial weigh and weigh gain, generating fewer eggs. Our results added novel information on O. rostratus biology and was discussed considering the variability of argasid populations and in context with the differences about their life cycle described in previous works.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriel Cerqueira Alves Costa
- Laboratório de Fisiologia de Insetos Hematófagos, Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Presidente Antônio Carlos 6627, Belo Horizonte, MG, 31270-901, Brazil
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191
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Host preferences of immature Dermacentor reticulatus (Acari: Ixodidae) in a forest habitat in Germany. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2015; 6:508-15. [PMID: 25983104 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2015.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2015] [Revised: 04/09/2015] [Accepted: 04/11/2015] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Dermacentor reticulatus is widespread throughout Europe and is expanding its range in several European countries. It is associated with a number of different pathogens. Its role in the transmission of disease to humans is currently small; however, it might play an important role in the maintenance of pathogens in enzootic cycles. The ecology of D. reticulatus, especially of the immatures, is not well known. In this study, ticks from small mammals, caught in a capture-mark-release study between May 2012 and October 2014 in a unique woodland area close to Karlsruhe, Germany, were collected. The main host species trapped were the yellow-necked mouse (Apodemus flavicollis) and the bank vole (Myodes glareolus). Small mammal populations showed high variability in their density between the study years, which is probably due to harsh winter conditions in 2012/2013 and missing mast leading to high winter mortality. Larvae and nymphs of D. reticulatus were predominantly found in July and August, respectively, and the infestation rates among the different small mammal species suggest a host preference of D. reticulatus for M. glareolus.
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192
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Wagemakers A, Staarink PJ, Sprong H, Hovius JWR. Borrelia miyamotoi: a widespread tick-borne relapsing fever spirochete. Trends Parasitol 2015; 31:260-9. [PMID: 25892254 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2015.03.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 118] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2014] [Revised: 02/20/2015] [Accepted: 03/20/2015] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Borrelia miyamotoi is a relapsing fever spirochete that has only recently been identified as a human pathogen. Borrelia miyamotoi is genetically and ecologically distinct from Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, while both are present in Ixodes ticks. Over 50 patients with an acute febrile illness have been described with a B. miyamotoi infection, and two infected immunocompromised patients developed a meningoencephalitis. Seroprevalence studies indicate exposure in the general population and in specific risk groups, such as patients initially suspected of having human granulocytic anaplasmosis. Here, we review the available literature on B. miyamotoi, describing its presence in ticks, reservoir hosts, and humans, and discussing its potential impact on public health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alex Wagemakers
- Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine, Academic Medical Center, Meibergdreef 9, 1105AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Pieter J Staarink
- Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine, Academic Medical Center, Meibergdreef 9, 1105AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Hein Sprong
- Laboratory for Zoonoses and Environmental Microbiology, National Institute for Public Health and Environment (RIVM), Antonie van Leeuwenhoeklaan 9, PO Box 1, Bilthoven, The Netherlands
| | - Joppe W R Hovius
- Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine, Academic Medical Center, Meibergdreef 9, 1105AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Academic Medical Center, Meibergdreef 9, 1105AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Amsterdam Multidisciplinary Lyme Center, Academic Medical Center, Meibergdreef 9, 1105AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
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193
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Krawczyk AI, van Leeuwen AD, Jacobs-Reitsma W, Wijnands LM, Bouw E, Jahfari S, van Hoek AHAM, van der Giessen JWB, Roelfsema JH, Kroes M, Kleve J, Dullemont Y, Sprong H, de Bruin A. Presence of zoonotic agents in engorged ticks and hedgehog faeces from Erinaceus europaeus in (sub) urban areas. Parasit Vectors 2015; 8:210. [PMID: 25885888 PMCID: PMC4406014 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-015-0814-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2015] [Accepted: 03/18/2015] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Background European hedgehogs (Erinaceus europaeus) are hosts for Ixodes hexagonus and I. ricinus ticks, which are vectors for zoonotic microorganisms. In addition, hedgehogs may carry several enteric zoonoses as well. It is unclear to what extent a presence of pathogens in hedgehogs poses a risk to public health, as information on the presence of zoonotic agents in hedgehogs in urban areas is relatively scarce. Methods Engorged ticks and hedgehog faeces were collected from rehabilitating hedgehogs. Ticks were screened individually for presence of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, B. miyamotoi, Anaplasma phagocytophilum, and Candidatus Neoehrlichia mikurensis using PCR-based assays. Faecal samples were screened for presence of Campylobacter, Salmonella, Giardia, Cryptosporidium, and extended-spectrum cephalosporin-resistant-Escherichia coli (ESC)-resistant E. coli, using both culture-based and PCR-based methods. Results Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Borrelia genospecies B. afzelii, B. spielmanii, B. garinii, and B. burgdorferi sensu stricto were detected in both I. hexagonus and I. ricinus ticks. Despite their widespread distribution in the Netherlands, B. miyamotoi and Candidatus N. mikurensis were not detected in collected ticks. Analysis of hedgehog faecal samples revealed the presence of Salmonella enterica subspecies enterica and Campylobacter jejuni. In addition, ESC-resistant E. coli were observed in high prevalence in faecal samples, but no Shiga-toxin producing-E.coli were detected. Finally, potentially zoonotic protozoan parasites were observed in hedgehog faecal samples as well, including Giardia duodenalis assemblage A, Cryptosporidium parvum subtypes IIaA17G1R1 and IIcA5G3, and C. hominis subtype IbA10G2. Conclusions European hedgehogs in (sub)urban areas harbor a number of zoonotic agents, and therefore may contribute to the spread and transmission of zoonotic diseases. The relatively high prevalence of B. burgdorferi s.l. and A. phagocytophilum in engorged ticks, suggests that hedgehogs contribute to their enzootic cycles in (sub)urban areas. To what extent can hedgehogs maintain the enteric zoonotic agents in natural cycles, and the role of (spill-back from) humans remains to be investigated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleksandra I Krawczyk
- Centre for Zoonoses & Environmental Microbiology, Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, the Netherlands.
| | - Arieke Docters van Leeuwen
- Centre for Zoonoses & Environmental Microbiology, Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, the Netherlands.
| | - Wilma Jacobs-Reitsma
- Centre for Zoonoses & Environmental Microbiology, Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, the Netherlands.
| | - Lucas M Wijnands
- Centre for Zoonoses & Environmental Microbiology, Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, the Netherlands.
| | - El Bouw
- Centre for Zoonoses & Environmental Microbiology, Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, the Netherlands.
| | - Setareh Jahfari
- Centre for Zoonoses & Environmental Microbiology, Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, the Netherlands. .,Centre for Research Infectious Diseases Diagnostics and Screening, Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, the Netherlands.
| | - Angela H A M van Hoek
- Centre for Zoonoses & Environmental Microbiology, Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, the Netherlands.
| | - Joke W B van der Giessen
- Centre for Zoonoses & Environmental Microbiology, Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, the Netherlands.
| | - Jeroen H Roelfsema
- Centre for Research Infectious Diseases Diagnostics and Screening, Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, the Netherlands.
| | - Michiel Kroes
- Centre for Research Infectious Diseases Diagnostics and Screening, Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, the Netherlands.
| | - Jenny Kleve
- Stichting Egelbescherming Nederland, Naarden, the Netherlands.
| | | | - Hein Sprong
- Centre for Zoonoses & Environmental Microbiology, Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, the Netherlands.
| | - Arnout de Bruin
- Centre for Zoonoses & Environmental Microbiology, Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, the Netherlands.
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194
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New Borrelia species detected in ixodid ticks in Oromia, Ethiopia. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2015; 6:401-7. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2015.03.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2014] [Revised: 03/06/2015] [Accepted: 03/06/2015] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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195
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Cuber P, Andreassen Å, Vainio K, Asman M, Dudman S, Szilman P, Szilman E, Ottesen P, Ånestad G, Cieśla-Nobis S, Solarz K. Risk of exposure to ticks (Ixodidae) and the prevalence of tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) in ticks in Southern Poland. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2015; 6:356-63. [PMID: 25838177 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2015.02.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2013] [Revised: 12/18/2014] [Accepted: 02/25/2015] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The article presents the results of the first study on seasonal activity of ticks and prevalence of tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) in nymphs from the Silesian Province (Southern Poland). Previous studies on the prevalence of TBEV in ticks in Poland have been conducted mostly in northern and eastern regions, but none in the Silesian Province itself. The aims of this study were to analyse the seasonal variation in tick populations and compare TBEV prevalence in nymphs from different geographical locations in the Silesia. A total of 5160 questing Ixodes ricinus ticks were collected by the flagging method from 23 localities in southern Poland in 2010. Micro-climatic parameters (air temperature and humidity) were measured in order to estimate their influence on tick population. The highest tick activity was recorded in spring and was positively correlated with relative air humidity (RH). TBEV in the Silesian Province was analysed in 1750 nymphs and an overall prevalence was 0.11% (2 pools out of 175 analysed). The results of this study show that TBEV pool prevalence in nymphs is low in accordance with the low number of TBE cases reported within the region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Piotr Cuber
- Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, School of Pharmacy, Department of Parasitology, ul. Jedności 8, 41-200 Sosnowiec, Poland.
| | - Åshild Andreassen
- Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Division of Infectious Disease Control, Department of Virology, P.O. Box 4404 Nydalen, 0403 Oslo, Norway.
| | - Kirsti Vainio
- Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Division of Infectious Disease Control, Department of Virology, P.O. Box 4404 Nydalen, 0403 Oslo, Norway.
| | - Marek Asman
- Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, School of Pharmacy, Department of Parasitology, ul. Jedności 8, 41-200 Sosnowiec, Poland.
| | - Susanne Dudman
- Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Division of Infectious Disease Control, Department of Virology, P.O. Box 4404 Nydalen, 0403 Oslo, Norway.
| | - Piotr Szilman
- Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, School of Pharmacy, Department of Parasitology, ul. Jedności 8, 41-200 Sosnowiec, Poland.
| | - Ewa Szilman
- Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, School of Pharmacy, Department of Parasitology, ul. Jedności 8, 41-200 Sosnowiec, Poland.
| | - Preben Ottesen
- Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Division of Infectious Disease Control, Department of Pest Control, P.O. Box 4404 Nydalen, 0403 Oslo, Norway.
| | - Gabriel Ånestad
- Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Division of Infectious Disease Control, Department of Virology, P.O. Box 4404 Nydalen, 0403 Oslo, Norway.
| | - Sabina Cieśla-Nobis
- Silesian ZOO, Department of Birds, Promenada Gen. Jerzego Ziętka 7, 41-501 Chorzów, Poland.
| | - Krzysztof Solarz
- Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, School of Pharmacy, Department of Parasitology, ul. Jedności 8, 41-200 Sosnowiec, Poland.
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196
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Sultana H, Patel U, Sonenshine DE, Neelakanta G. Identification and comparative analysis of subolesin/akirin ortholog from Ornithodoros turicata ticks. Parasit Vectors 2015; 8:132. [PMID: 25889484 PMCID: PMC4359563 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-015-0749-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2014] [Accepted: 02/12/2015] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Subolesin is an evolutionary conserved molecule in diverse arthropod species that play an important role in the regulation of genes involved in immune responses, blood digestion, reproduction and development. In this study, we have identified a subolesin ortholog from soft ticks Ornithodoros turicata, the vector of the relapsing fever spirochete in the United States. METHODS Uninfected fed or unfed O. turicata ticks were used throughout this study. The subolesin mRNA was amplified by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and sequenced. Quantitative-real time PCR (QRT-PCR) was performed to evaluate subolesin mRNA levels at different O. turicata developmental stages and from salivary glands and gut tissues. Bioinformatics and comparative analysis was performed to predict potential post-translational modifications in O. turicata subolesin amino-acid sequences. RESULTS Our study reveals that O. turicata subolesin gene expression is developmentally regulated, where; adult ticks expressed significantly higher levels in comparison to the larvae or nymphal ticks. Expression of subolesin was evident in both unfed and fed ticks and in the salivary glands and midgut tissues. The expression of subolesin transcripts varied in fed ticks with peak levels at day 14 post-feeding. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that O. turicata subolesin showed a high degree of sequence conservation with subolesin's from other soft and hard ticks. Bioinformatics and comparative analysis predicted that O. turicata subolesin carry three Protein kinase C and one Casein kinase II phosphorylation sites. However, no myristoylation or glycosylation sites were evident in the O. turicata subolesin sequence. CONCLUSION Our study provides important insights in recognizing subolesin as a conserved potential candidate for the development of a broad-spectrum anti-vector vaccine to control not only ticks but also several other arthropods that transmit diseases to humans and animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hameeda Sultana
- Center for Molecular Medicine, College of Sciences, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, 23529, VA, USA. .,Department of Biological Sciences, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, 23529, VA, USA.
| | - Unnati Patel
- Department of Biological Sciences, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, 23529, VA, USA.
| | - Daniel E Sonenshine
- Department of Biological Sciences, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, 23529, VA, USA.
| | - Girish Neelakanta
- Center for Molecular Medicine, College of Sciences, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, 23529, VA, USA. .,Department of Biological Sciences, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, 23529, VA, USA.
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197
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Parizi LF, Sabadin GA, Alzugaray MF, Seixas A, Logullo C, Konnai S, Ohashi K, Masuda A, da Silva Vaz I. Rhipicephalus microplus and Ixodes ovatus cystatins in tick blood digestion and evasion of host immune response. Parasit Vectors 2015; 8:122. [PMID: 25889092 PMCID: PMC4340882 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-015-0743-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2014] [Accepted: 02/16/2015] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cystatins are a group of cysteine protease inhibitors responsible for physiological proteolysis regulation and present in a wide range of organisms. Studies about this class of inhibitors in parasites have contributed to clarify their roles in important physiological processes, like blood digestion and modulation of host immune response during blood feeding. Thus, cystatins are a subject of research on the development of new parasite control methods. Additionally, the characterization of proteins shared by different parasite species represents a valuable strategy to find potential targets in multi-species control methods. However, cystatin functions in ticks remain undetermined, especially in Rhipicephalus microplus and Ixodes ovatus, two species that affect livestock and human health, respectively. METHODS Here we report the inhibitory profile of two R. microplus (BrBmcys2b and BrBmcys2c) and one I. ovatus (JpIocys2a) cystatins to commercial cathepsins B, C, and L. The presence of native cystatins in R. microplus tissues was analyzed using sera against recombinant BrBmcys2b and BrBmcys2c. Also, a peptide from JpIocys2a was synthesized for rabbit immunization, and this serum was used to analyze the cross antigenicity between R. microplus and I. ovatus cystatins. RESULTS Enzymatic inhibition profile of tick cystatins shows a distinct modulation for cathepsins related to tick blood digestion and evasion of host immune response. Furthermore, BrBmcys2b was detected in saliva and different tissues along tick stages, while BrBmcys2c was detected mainly in gut from partially engorged R. microplus females, demonstrating a distinct pattern of cystatin expression, secretion and traffic between tick tissues. Moreover, phylogenetic analysis suggests that JpIocys2a belongs to the group of tick gut secreted cystatins. Finally, cross-antigenicity assays revealed that antibodies against the JpIocys2a peptide recognize native and recombinant R. microplus cystatins. CONCLUSION The presence of these proteins in different tissues and their ability to differentially inhibit cathepsins suggest distinct roles for JpIocys2a, BrBmcys2b, and BrBmcys2c in blood digestion, egg and larvae development, and modulation of host immune response in tick physiology. The cross-antigenicity between native and recombinant cystatins supports further experiments using JpIocys2a, BrBmcys2b, and BrBmcys2c as vaccine antigens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luís Fernando Parizi
- Centro de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Avenida Bento Gonçalves, 9500, Prédio 43421, Porto Alegre, 91501-970, , RS, Brazil.
| | - Gabriela Alves Sabadin
- Centro de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Avenida Bento Gonçalves, 9500, Prédio 43421, Porto Alegre, 91501-970, , RS, Brazil.
| | - María Fernanda Alzugaray
- Centro de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Avenida Bento Gonçalves, 9500, Prédio 43421, Porto Alegre, 91501-970, , RS, Brazil.
- Departamento de Ciencias Microbiológicas, Laboratorio de Inmunología, Facultad de Veterinaria, UDELAR, Montevideo, Uruguay.
| | - Adriana Seixas
- Centro de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Avenida Bento Gonçalves, 9500, Prédio 43421, Porto Alegre, 91501-970, , RS, Brazil.
- Departamento de Farmacociências, Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre, Rua Sarmento Leite, 245, Porto Alegre, 90050-170, , RS, Brazil.
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
| | - Carlos Logullo
- Laboratório de Química e Função de Proteínas e Peptídeos-CBB-UENF and Unidade de Experimentação Animal, Avenida Alberto Lamego, 2000, Horto, Campos dos Goytacazes, 28015-620, , RJ, Brazil.
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
| | - Satoru Konnai
- Department of Disease Control, Laboratory of Infectious Diseases, Graduate School of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, 060-0818, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan.
| | - Kazuhiko Ohashi
- Department of Disease Control, Laboratory of Infectious Diseases, Graduate School of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, 060-0818, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan.
| | - Aoi Masuda
- Centro de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Avenida Bento Gonçalves, 9500, Prédio 43421, Porto Alegre, 91501-970, , RS, Brazil.
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
| | - Itabajara da Silva Vaz
- Centro de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Avenida Bento Gonçalves, 9500, Prédio 43421, Porto Alegre, 91501-970, , RS, Brazil.
- Faculdade de Veterinária, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Avenida Bento Gonçalves, 9090, Porto Alegre, 91540-000, , RS, Brazil.
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
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198
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Mohapatra RK, Panda S, Nair MV, Acharjyo LN. Check list of parasites and bacteria recorded from pangolins ( Manis sp.). J Parasit Dis 2015; 40:1109-1115. [PMID: 27876899 DOI: 10.1007/s12639-015-0653-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2014] [Accepted: 01/24/2015] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Sound knowledge on parasite fauna of pangolins is crucial for evaluation of their health status. In the present review, a checklist of 34 genera of parasites and bacteria, including 4 genera of protozoan, 13 genera of helminthes, 8 genera of ticks, 2 genera of mites and 7 genera of bacteria reported from pangolins was compiled and their zoonotic potential were discussed. The aim of this checklist is to underline the information gap and to provide a reference list of parasites and bacteria known for pangolins to assist in their further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajesh Kumar Mohapatra
- Pangolin Conservation Breeding Center, Nandankanan Zoological Park, Baranga, Khurda, 754005 Odisha India
| | - Sudarsan Panda
- Nandankanan Biological Park, Mayur Bhawan, Saheed Nagar, Bhubaneswar, 751007 Odisha India
| | - Manoj V Nair
- Nandankanan Zoological Park, Baranga, Khurda, 754005 Odisha India
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199
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Mackenstedt U, Jenkins D, Romig T. The role of wildlife in the transmission of parasitic zoonoses in peri-urban and urban areas. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR PARASITOLOGY-PARASITES AND WILDLIFE 2015; 4:71-9. [PMID: 25830108 PMCID: PMC4356871 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2015.01.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 126] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2014] [Revised: 01/15/2015] [Accepted: 01/20/2015] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
During the last 100 years in many countries of the world, there have been dramatic changes in natural/rural landscapes due to urbanization. Since many wildlife species are unable to adapt to these alterations in their environment, urbanization is commonly responsible for a decline of biodiversity in areas of urban development. In contrast, some wild animal species are attracted to peri-urban and urban habitats due to the availability of an abundant food supply and the presence of structures in which to shelter. Urban foxes and/or raccoons are common sights in many peri-urban and urban areas of Europe where they can reach far higher population densities than in their natural habitats. The same is true for foxes and dingoes in some urban areas of Australia. Unfortunately, some of these highly adaptable species are also hosts for a number of parasites of public health and veterinary importance. Due to the complexity of many parasitic life cycles involving several host species, the interactions between wild animals, domestic animals and humans are not fully understood. The role of potential hosts for transmission of a zoonotic disease in urban or peri-urban areas cannot be extrapolated from data obtained in rural areas. Since more than 75% of human diseases are of zoonotic origin, it is important to understand the dynamics between wildlife, domestic animal species and humans in urbanized areas, and to conduct more focused research on transmission of zoonotic parasites including arthropod vectors under such conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ute Mackenstedt
- Parasitology Unit, University of Hohenheim, Emil-Wolff-Straße 34, 70593 Stuttgart, Germany
| | - David Jenkins
- School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Locked Bag 588, Wagga Wagga, NSW 2678, Australia
| | - Thomas Romig
- Parasitology Unit, University of Hohenheim, Emil-Wolff-Straße 34, 70593 Stuttgart, Germany
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200
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Yu Z, Wang H, Wang T, Sun W, Yang X, Liu J. Tick-borne pathogens and the vector potential of ticks in China. Parasit Vectors 2015; 8:24. [PMID: 25586007 PMCID: PMC4300027 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-014-0628-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 103] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2014] [Accepted: 12/29/2014] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Ticks, as obligate blood-sucking ectoparasites, attack a broad range of vertebrates and transmit a great diversity of pathogenic microorganisms. They are considered second only to mosquitoes as vectors of human disease, and the most important vector of pathogens of domestic and wild animals. Of the 117 described species in the Chinese tick fauna, 60 are known to transmit one or more diseases: 36 species isolated within China and 24 species isolated outside China. Moreover, 38 of these species carry multiple pathogens, indicating the potentially vast role of these vectors in transmitting pathogens. Spotted fever is the most common tick-borne disease, and is carried by at least 27 tick species, with Lyme disease and human granulocytic anaplasmosis ranked as the second and third most widespread tick-borne diseases, carried by 13 and 10 species, respectively. Such knowledge provides us with clues for the identification of tick-associated pathogens and suggests ideas for the control of tick-borne diseases in China. However, the numbers of tick-associated pathogens and tick-borne diseases in China are probably underestimated because of the complex distribution and great diversity of tick species in this country.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhijun Yu
- Key Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of Hebei Province, College of Life Sciences, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang, 050024, China.
| | - Hui Wang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of Hebei Province, College of Life Sciences, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang, 050024, China.
| | - Tianhong Wang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of Hebei Province, College of Life Sciences, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang, 050024, China.
| | - Wenying Sun
- Key Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of Hebei Province, College of Life Sciences, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang, 050024, China.
| | - Xiaolong Yang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of Hebei Province, College of Life Sciences, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang, 050024, China.
| | - Jingze Liu
- Key Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of Hebei Province, College of Life Sciences, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang, 050024, China.
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