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Epidemiological Study of the Occurrence of Typhus Group Rickettsia Natural Infection in Domiciliated Dogs from a Rural Community in South-Eastern Mexico. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12202885. [PMID: 36290270 PMCID: PMC9598504 DOI: 10.3390/ani12202885] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2022] [Revised: 10/14/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Rickettsioses are relevant emergent and reemergent zoonoses in the Americas, including Mexico. Murine typhus caused by typhus group (TG) Rickettsia is prevalent in humans and their companion animals, such as dogs. This study found that 23.9% of the dogs (34/142) were infected by TG Rickettsia in Maxcanú, Yucatan (southeastern Mexico). Statistical analyses showed that reduced outdoor activities, age, sex and previous antiparasitic treatment are associated factors with less risk of TG Rickettsia infection in the sampled dogs. Monitoring and controlling these factors could help to restrict the enzootic transmission risk and prevent the potential zoonotic transmission. Abstract The aim is to describe the Typhus group (TG) Rickettsia infection in dogs and to identify factors associated with this infection. We collected blood samples and gathered exposure and clinical data of 142 dogs from a rural community of Yucatan. The Rickettsia group was determined by semi-nested PCR. Generalized linear models with binomial error distribution were used to model the associated factors from the dog sample for risk ratio (RR) estimation. Thirty-four dogs (23.9%) showed molecular evidence of TG Rickettsia DNA. The multivariate model showed that mixed-breed dogs (RR = 0.06) and dogs that had received antiparasitic treatment (RR = 0.049) had a lower risk of getting infected, taking as reference the purebred group and the non-treated dogs, respectively. Looking at variable interactions, adult dogs without outdoor activities had a lower infection risk than puppies (RR = 0.26). Among dogs with antiparasitic treatment, females had a higher infection risk than male dogs (RR = 26.2). The results showed enzootic TG Rickettsia circulation in dogs of a rural community. The factors outdoor activities, age and previous antiparasitic treatment, as well as the clinical variables signs of hemorrhages and epistaxis, were associated with a less chance of natural infection in the studied dogs. Prevention and control of the enzootic transmission risk of TG Rickettsia should help to reduce the potential zoonotic transmission of this pathogen.
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Lledó L, Giménez-Pardo C. Preliminary Evidence of Rickettsia slovaca and Rickettsia conorii Infection in the Sera of Sheep, Dogs and Deer from an Area of Northern Spain. Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10070836. [PMID: 34357986 PMCID: PMC8308561 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10070836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2021] [Revised: 06/24/2021] [Accepted: 07/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Limited information is available on the presence of rickettsial infection in animal reservoirs in Spain. Antibodies against Rickettsia slovaca and Rickettsia conorii were therefore sought in the sera of farm, domestic and wild animals (n = 223 samples) in an area of northern Spain. Indirect immunofluorescence assays showed: (A) 17/120 and 16/120 (14.2% and 13.3%) of serum samples from sheep (farm animals) reacted with R. slovaca and R. conorii antigens, respectively; (B) 10/73 and 10/73 (13.7% and 13.7%) of samples from dogs (domestic animals) did the same; (C) as did 22/30 and 20/30 (73.3% and 66.6%) of samples from deer (wild animals) (overall titre range: 1/40 to 1/1280). The prevalence of both types of infection was significantly greater in the wild animals than either the farm or domestic animals. The largest titres were recorded for R. slovaca in all three groups.
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Herrador Z, Fernandez-Martinez A, Gomez-Barroso D, León I, Vieira C, Muro A, Benito A. Mediterranean spotted fever in Spain, 1997-2014: Epidemiological situation based on hospitalization records. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0174745. [PMID: 28355307 PMCID: PMC5371374 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0174745] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2016] [Accepted: 03/14/2017] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Mediterranean spotted fever (MSF) is a zoonotic disease caused by Rickettsia conorii. In Spain, deficiencies in the official reporting result in misreporting of this disease. This study aims to describe the clinical and temporal-spatial characteristics of MSF hospitalizations between 1997 and 2014. Materials and methods We performed a retrospective descriptive study using the Hospitalization Minimum Data Set (CMBD). All CMBD’s hospital discharges with ICD-9 CM code 082.1 were analyzed. Hospitalization rates were calculated and clinical characteristics were described. Spatial distribution of cases and their temporal behavior were also assessed. Results A total of 4,735 hospitalizations with MSF diagnosis were recorded during the study period, out of which 62.2% were male, mean age of 48. Diabetes mellitus, alcohol dependence syndrome, and chronic liver disease occurred in 10.8%, 2.4% and 2.8% hospitalizations, respectively. The median annual hospitalization rate showed a decreasing trend from a maximum of 12.9 in 1997 to a minimum rate of 3.1 in 2014. Most admissions occurred during the summer, showing a significant annual seasonal behavior. Important regional differences were found. Discussion Although MSF hospitalization rates have decreased considerably, it remains a public health problem due to its severity and economic impact. Therefore, it would be desirable to improve its oversight and surveillance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zaida Herrador
- National Centre for Tropical Medicine, Health Institute Carlos III (ISCIII in Spanish), Madrid, Spain
- Network Biomedical Research on Tropical Diseases (RICET in Spanish), Madrid, Spain
- * E-mail:
| | - Amalia Fernandez-Martinez
- National Centre for Tropical Medicine, Health Institute Carlos III (ISCIII in Spanish), Madrid, Spain
- Network Biomedical Research on Tropical Diseases (RICET in Spanish), Madrid, Spain
| | - Diana Gomez-Barroso
- Network Biomedical Research Centre in Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP in Spanish), Madrid, Spain
- National Centre of Epidemiology, Health Institute Carlos III (ISCIII in Spanish), Madrid, Spain
| | - Inmaculada León
- Network Biomedical Research Centre in Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP in Spanish), Madrid, Spain
- National Centre of Epidemiology, Health Institute Carlos III (ISCIII in Spanish), Madrid, Spain
| | - Carmen Vieira
- Network Biomedical Research on Tropical Diseases (RICET in Spanish), Madrid, Spain
- Unidad de Investigación Enfermedades Infecciosas y Tropicales (e-INTRO), Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca-Centro de Investigación de Enfermedades Tropicales de la Universidad de Salamanca (IBSAL-CIETUS), Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Antonio Muro
- Network Biomedical Research on Tropical Diseases (RICET in Spanish), Madrid, Spain
- Unidad de Investigación Enfermedades Infecciosas y Tropicales (e-INTRO), Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca-Centro de Investigación de Enfermedades Tropicales de la Universidad de Salamanca (IBSAL-CIETUS), Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Agustín Benito
- National Centre for Tropical Medicine, Health Institute Carlos III (ISCIII in Spanish), Madrid, Spain
- Network Biomedical Research on Tropical Diseases (RICET in Spanish), Madrid, Spain
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Solano-Gallego L, Caprì A, Pennisi MG, Caldin M, Furlanello T, Trotta M. Acute febrile illness is associated with Rickettsia spp infection in dogs. Parasit Vectors 2015; 8:216. [PMID: 25886403 PMCID: PMC4407383 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-015-0824-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2015] [Accepted: 03/23/2015] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Rickettsia conorii is transmitted by Rhipicephalus sanguineus ticks and causes Mediterranean Spotted Fever (MSF) in humans. Although dogs are considered the natural host of the vector, the clinical and epidemiological significance of R. conorii infection in dogs remains unclear. The aim of this prospective study was to investigate whether Rickettsia infection causes febrile illness in dogs living in areas endemic for human MSF. METHODS Dogs from southern Italy with acute fever (n = 99) were compared with case-control dogs with normal body temperatures (n = 72). Serology and real-time PCR were performed for Rickettsia spp., Ehrlichia canis, Anaplasma phagocytophilum/A. platys and Leishmania infantum. Conventional PCR was performed for Babesia spp. and Hepatozoon spp. Acute and convalescent antibodies to R. conorii, E. canis and A. phagocytophilum were determined. RESULTS The seroprevalence rates at first visit for R. conorii, E. canis, A. phagocytophilum and L. infantum were 44.8%, 48.5%, 37.8% and 17.6%, respectively. The seroconversion rates for R. conorii, E. canis and A. phagocytophilum were 20.7%, 14.3% and 8.8%, respectively. The molecular positive rates at first visit for Rickettsia spp., E. canis, A. phagocytophilum, A. platys, L. infantum, Babesia spp. and Hepatozoon spp. were 1.8%, 4.1%, 0%, 2.3%, 11.1%, 2.3% and 0.6%, respectively. Positive PCR for E. canis (7%), Rickettsia spp. (3%), Babesia spp. (4.0%) and Hepatozoon spp. (1.0%) were found only in febrile dogs. The DNA sequences obtained from Rickettsia and Babesia PCRs positive samples were 100% identical to the R. conorii and Babesia vogeli sequences in GenBank®, respectively. Febrile illness was statistically associated with acute and convalescent positive R. conorii antibodies, seroconversion to R. conorii, E. canis positive PCR, and positivity to any tick pathogen PCRs. Fourteen febrile dogs (31.8%) were diagnosed with Rickettsia spp. infection based on seroconversion and/or PCR while only six afebrile dogs (12.5%) seroconverted (P = 0.0248). The most common clinical findings of dogs with Rickettsia infection diagnosed by seroconversion and/or PCR were fever, myalgia, lameness, elevation of C-reactive protein, thrombocytopenia and hypoalbuminemia. CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrates acute febrile illness associated with Rickettsia infection in dogs living in endemic areas of human MSF based on seroconversion alone or in combination with PCR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laia Solano-Gallego
- Departament de Medicina i Cirurgia Animals, Facultat de Veterinària, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Cerdanyola, 08193, , Barcelona, Spain. .,Royal Veterinary College, University of London, Hatfield, United Kingdom.
| | - Alessandra Caprì
- Clinica Veterinaria Camagna, Reggio, Calabria, Italy. .,Dip.to di Scienze Veterinarie, Polo Universitario Annunziata, Messina, Italy.
| | | | - Marco Caldin
- Laboratorio Veterinario San Marco, Padova, Italy.
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Dantas-Torres F, Chomel BB, Otranto D. Ticks and tick-borne diseases: a One Health perspective. Trends Parasitol 2012; 28:437-46. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2012.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 547] [Impact Index Per Article: 45.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2012] [Revised: 07/17/2012] [Accepted: 07/19/2012] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
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Levin ML, Killmaster LF, Zemtsova GE. Domestic Dogs (Canis familiaris) as Reservoir Hosts forRickettsia conorii. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2012; 12:28-33. [DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2011.0684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Michael L. Levin
- Rickettsial Zoonoses Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Lindsay F. Killmaster
- Rickettsial Zoonoses Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Galina E. Zemtsova
- Rickettsial Zoonoses Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
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Agahan ALD, Torres J, Fuentes-Páez G, Martínez-Osorio H, Orduña A, Calonge M. Intraocular inflammation as the main manifestation of Rickettsia conorii infection. Clin Ophthalmol 2011; 5:1401-7. [PMID: 22034560 PMCID: PMC3198414 DOI: 10.2147/opth.s21257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective To report the clinical features and management of seven cases of intraocular inflammation caused by Rickettsia infection and review published literature. Methods Rickettsia conorii or Rickettsia spp. infection was diagnosed based on the following criteria: (1) positive serology according to the European Guidelines, (2) titer normalization after specific treatment, and (3) complete resolution of ophthalmic disease and accompanying symptoms after antibiotic therapy. Results Seven patients were referred for uveitis of unknown etiology. All came from regions where Mediterranean spotted fever is prevalent. One patient met the European guidelines criteria for Rickettsia spp. infection, while the other six cases met the criteria for R. conorii infection. The main symptoms were visual loss, floaters, eye redness, photophobia, and ocular pain. Predominant ophthalmic signs included vasculitis, choroiditis, vitritis, and macular edema. All patients required antibiotic treatment that resulted in the remission of the infection. Doxycycline was the first choice and the only antibiotic used to treat four patients. One patient needed ciprofloxacin as a second antibiotic after not responding to doxycycline. Two patients had doxycycline as a second antibiotic after not responding primarily to sulfonamides (which had been given after 2–3 days of doxycycline gastric intolerance); one of these patients needed ciprofloxacin as a third antibiotic. Conclusion Intraocular inflammation can occur as the main manifestation of Rickettsia conorii or Rickettsia spp. infection. It should be considered as a differential diagnosis for uveitis especially for patients living in countries where this infection is endemic in the world. Antibiotic treatment remains effective in the management of Rickettsia infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Archimedes L D Agahan
- Ocular Immunology and Uveitis Unit, Institute of Applied Ophthalmobiology (IOBA), University of Valladolid, Valladolid, Spain
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Solano-Gallego L, Trotta M, Caldin M, Furlanello T. Molecular survey of Rickettsia spp. in sick dogs in Italy. Zoonoses Public Health 2008; 55:521-5. [PMID: 18631232 DOI: 10.1111/j.1863-2378.2008.01149.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this retrospective study was to investigate the prevalence of Rickettsia spp. DNA in the blood of sick dogs from Italy. Canine blood samples (n=650) submitted for molecular testing of Rickettsia spp. to a diagnostic laboratory from February 2003 to March 2006 were studied. The Rickettsia spp. DNA detection was performed by Light Cycler real-time PCR using hybridization probes separately conducted with specific primers and probes. The total percentage of Rickettsia spp.-positive dog samples was 1.5% (10 out of 650). The percentage of Rickettsia spp.-positive dog samples submitted from north, central and southern Italy were 0.4% (1/248), 1.4% (3/219) and 3.3% (6/183), respectively. Five out of 138 dogs (3.6%) from Sicily were positive on Rickettsia PCR testing. A statistical difference was found between the percentages of positive samples from the Yorkshire terrier group (10.7%) compared with the mixed breed group (0.7%). No statistical differences were found between seasonal period, region and gender. Based on molecular data, there is infrequent rickettsiemia in dogs.
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Amusategui I, Tesouro MA, Kakoma I, Sainz Á. Serological Reactivity toEhrlichia canis, Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Neorickettsia risticii, Borrelia burgdorferiandRickettsia conoriiin Dogs from Northwestern Spain. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2008; 8:797-803. [DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2007.0277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Inmaculada Amusategui
- Departamento de Medicina y Cirugia Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Miguel A. Tesouro
- Departamento de Patologia Animal, Medicina Veterinaria, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de León, León, Spain
| | - Ibulaimu Kakoma
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Illinois
| | - Ángel Sainz
- Departamento de Medicina y Cirugia Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
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Nebreda Mayoral T, Merino FJ, Serrano JL, Fernández-Soto P, Encinas A, Pérez-Sánchez R. Detection of antibodies to tick salivary antigens among patients from a region of Spain. Eur J Epidemiol 2004; 19:79-83. [PMID: 15012027 DOI: 10.1023/b:ejep.0000013252.97826.10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
With a view to determine which tick species bite humans most frequently in the province of Soria (Spain) and to know whether these species act as vectors of Rickettsia conorii and/or Borrelia burgdorferi, we analysed the presence of antibodies against salivary proteins of several tick species and of antibodies against R. conorii and B. burgdorferi sensu lato in 102 samples of serum. The sera were collected from 63 patients who were treated for tick bites at the health services of the Soria Health Area. Thirty-nine percent of the patients displayed antibodies against Dermacentor marginatus; 21% against Ixodes ricinus, and 6% against Rhipicephalus sanguineus. IgM antibodies against R. conorii were found in 15 patients, but none of the patients included in the study displayed IgG/IgM Abs against B. burgdorferi sensu lato. In 30% of the patients bitten by I. ricinus and in 24% bitten by D. marginatus, antibodies against R. conorii were found. None of the patients who had been bitten by R. sanguineus expressed antibodies against this pathogen. The results obtained here suggest that D. marginatus and I. ricinus are the main vectors of the spotted fever group rickettsiae in our environment and that the role of R. sanguineus in the transmission of these rickettsiae is debatable.
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Mannelli A, Mandola ML, Pedri P, Tripoli M, Nebbia P. Associations between dogs that were serologically positive for Rickettsia conorii relative to the residences of two human cases of Mediterranean spotted fever in Piemonte (Italy). Prev Vet Med 2003; 60:13-26. [PMID: 12900146 DOI: 10.1016/s0167-5877(03)00079-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
A geographic information system and K-function analysis were used to evaluate the spatial association of canine serological results for Rickettsia conorii, the causative agent of Mediterranean spotted fever (MSF), and clinical cases of MSF in humans in Piemonte, northwest Italy. The residences of dog owners were clustered in two rural villages in the province of Cuneo, where two human cases of MSF occurred in 1997 and 1998. Eighteen out of 116 dogs examined were positive by indirect immunofluorescent assay (IFA+, titre > or =1:160) for MSF. K-functions were compared for IFA+ dogs and for all dogs sampled. Monte Carlo and bootstrap simulations demonstrated that clustering of IFA+ dogs was significantly greater than clustering of all dogs, at distances of less than 0.6 km from human cases of MSF. Logistic regression analysis indicated that the risk of being IFA+ was highest for dogs residing within the first quartile of distance (0.7 km) from human cases of the disease, and for dogs that were not confined. However, year and season of blood collection were not associated with IFA status. It was concluded that a relatively high dog population density along with a rural or semi-rural environment favours the occurrence of emergent foci of MSF in the province of Cuneo.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Mannelli
- Dipartimento di Produzioni Animali, Epidemiologia ed Ecologia, Via Leonardo da Vinci 44, 10095 Grugliasco, Turin, Italy.
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Rozental T, Bustamante MC, Amorim M, Serra-Freire NM, Lemos ERSD. Evidence of spotted fever group rickettsiae in state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Rev Inst Med Trop Sao Paulo 2002; 44:155-8. [PMID: 12163909 DOI: 10.1590/s0036-46652002000300008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Ticks were obtained from dogs from February to September of 1999 at weekly intervals, in the County of Piraí, State of Rio de Janeiro. Four hundred seventy four ixodids were taxonomically identified, 103 Amblyomma cajennense, seven Amblyomma ovale, 209 Rhipicephalus sanguineus, and 155 Amblyomma sp. An hemolymph test associated with Giemsa's stain revealed two specimens in 163 ticks tested (R. sanguineus and Amblyomma sp), containing rickettsia-like organisms. Direct immunofluorescence verified the presence of spotted fever group rickettsia in one specimen of R. sanguineus. Considering the limited information on rickettsiosis in Brazil, principally in relation to the vectors involved in perpetuating it in foci, these preliminary results give us an idea on the importance of infection in ticks, allowing to expand our knowledge on this zoonosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatiana Rozental
- Department of Virology, Institute Oswaldo Cruz, FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil.
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Aharonowitz G, Koton S, Segal S, Anis E, Green MS. Epidemiological characteristics of spotted fever in Israel over 26 years. Clin Infect Dis 1999; 29:1321-2. [PMID: 10524985 DOI: 10.1086/313432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
During the summer of 1997, 2 confirmed and several suspected fatal cases of spotted fever (SF) occurred in previously healthy young adults in Israel. This unusual cluster of events stimulated the current study. The incidence of SF in Israel from 1971-98 was analyzed. Incidence increased until 1980, declined until 1994, and increased slightly from 1994-97. Incidence was higher during the summer, among children aged 0-9 years, and in rural settlements in central Israel. From 1971-1997, 31 deaths were reported, mostly in the elderly. The deaths that occurred in 1997 are a reminder that, despite the fact that morbidity due to SF is described mainly in children, SF can have a rapidly fatal outcome in healthy young adults. Thus, even during periods of low incidence, careful monitoring and high awareness for prompt diagnosis and treatment are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Aharonowitz
- Israel Center for Disease Control, Gertner Institute, Tel Hashomer 52621, Israel.
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