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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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Romaní Vidal A, Fernández-Martínez B, Herrador Z, León Gómez I, Gómez Barroso D. Spatial and temporal trends of Mediterranean spotted fever in Spain, 2005-2015. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2019; 11:101353. [PMID: 31839472 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2019.101353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2019] [Revised: 11/20/2019] [Accepted: 12/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mediterranean spotted fever (MSF) is a zoonotic disease caused by Rickettsia conorii and transmitted by Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato. The aim of this study is to understand the epidemiology and trends regarding the disease in Spain, based on notifications to the Spanish National Epidemiology Surveillance Network (RENAVE) and the National Hospital Discharge Database (CMBD) between 2005 and 2015. METHODS We carried out a retrospective cross-sectional study of the cases and the outbreaks reported to the RENAVE and of those found in the CMBD between January 1st, 2005 and December 31st, 2015. We studied the characteristics of the cases and analyzed their spatio-temporal distribution. RESULTS 1603 cases notified to the RENAVE and 1789 cases registered in the CMBD were analyzed. The most affected group were men between 45 and 64. There were 8 MSF outbreaks during the study period. RENAVE registered lower rates until 2012, when it was decided that MSF in Spain would become a notifiable disease. Across the temporal series we saw that there was seasonality with an increase in cases in summer, and an overall upward trend according to the RENAVE data and descending according to the CMBD. The geographic distribution was heterogeneous throughout the territory, with maximum rates in La Rioja at 1.87 cases and 2.01 cases per 100,000 inhabitants according to the RENAVE and the CMBD, respectively. CONCLUSIONS It is of great importance to continue monitoring the disease since it appears to be endemic throughout Spain. There is a need for a common strategy on monitoring and reporting, which would facilitate a more accurate picture on the MSF epidemiological scenario. Entomological information will be of added value.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriana Romaní Vidal
- Public Health and Preventive Medicine Service, Ramón y Cajal University Hospital, Ctra. Colmenar Viejo, Km. 9, 100, 28034, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Beatriz Fernández-Martínez
- Consortium for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBER en Epidemiología y Salud Pública CIBERESP), Spain; National Centre for Epidemiology, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Calle De Melchor Fernández Almagro, 5, 28029, Madrid, Spain
| | - Zaida Herrador
- National Centre of Tropical Medicine, Instituto De Salud Carlos III, Calle De Monforte De Lemos Nº 5, 28019, Madrid, Spain; Network Biomedical Research on Tropical Diseases (RICET), Madrid, Spain
| | - Inmaculada León Gómez
- Consortium for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBER en Epidemiología y Salud Pública CIBERESP), Spain; National Centre for Epidemiology, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Calle De Melchor Fernández Almagro, 5, 28029, Madrid, Spain
| | - Diana Gómez Barroso
- Consortium for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBER en Epidemiología y Salud Pública CIBERESP), Spain; National Centre for Epidemiology, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Calle De Melchor Fernández Almagro, 5, 28029, Madrid, Spain
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Seroprevalence against Rickettsia and Borrelia Species in Patients with Uveitis: A Prospective Survey. J Ophthalmol 2017; 2017:9247465. [PMID: 29318041 PMCID: PMC5727782 DOI: 10.1155/2017/9247465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2017] [Revised: 10/01/2017] [Accepted: 10/30/2017] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Vector-borne diseases such as Lyme borreliosis and rickettsioses have been associated with ocular inflammation. Our aim was to study patients with diagnosed uveitis to evaluate serological signs of infection or exposure to these tick-borne agents. Forty-eight patients were prospectively examined with serology together with medical records and a questionnaire concerning previous exposure, diseases, and treatments. Seven patients (14.6%) showed seroconversion to Rickettsia spp. between acute and convalescent phase sera, which provides support for a positive Rickettsia diagnosis according to guidelines. The specificity was confirmed by Western blot. Additional 28 patients had stationary titres of which eight (16.6%) had 1 : 256 or higher titre in the first serum, and another 13 patients were seronegative. No epidemiological risk factor or marker could be identified. For Borrelia, only three patients showed moderate IgG titres. A control group of 100 blood donors, 60 patients with rheumatic disease, and 56 patients seeking medical care were tested of which 2.0–7.1% showed low anti-Rickettsia titres and 3.0–8.3% anti-Borrelia titres. The findings are indicative for an association between infection or exposure to Rickettsia spp. and uveitis with a seropositivity among patients with recurrent uveitis in concordance with the spread of rickettsial exposure in a tick-exposed population.
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ESPEJO E, ANDRÉS M, PÉREZ J, PRAT J, GUERRERO C, MUÑOZ MT, ALEGRE MD, LITE J, BELLA F. Prevalence of antibodies to Rickettsia conorii in human beings and dogs from Catalonia: a 20-year perspective. Epidemiol Infect 2016; 144:1889-94. [PMID: 26899636 PMCID: PMC9150624 DOI: 10.1017/s0950268816000261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2015] [Revised: 12/28/2015] [Accepted: 01/29/2016] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
The incidence of Mediterranean spotted fever (MSF) in Catalonia (Spain) has decreased in the last two decades. The prevalence of antibodies to Rickettsia conorii in human beings and dogs in the region of Vallès Occidental (Catalonia) was assessed by indirect immunofluorescence, and the results compared with those obtained in a similar study from 1987. Nineteen (5·0%) out of 383 human serum samples had antibodies to R. conorii. This seroprevalence was significantly lower (11·5%) (P = 0·003) than that recorded in the 1987 survey. Forty-two out (42·0%) of 100 canine serum samples had antibodies to R. conorii. A high proportion of the studied dogs (91·0%) were receiving anti-tick treatment, mainly with permethrin-imidacloprid spot-on (Advantix, Bayer, Germany). The current canine seroprevalence was not significantly different from that recorded in the 1987 survey (36.9%). In conclusion, this study shows a significant decrease in the prevalence of antibodies to R. conorii in the human population of Catalonia in the last 20 years, which corresponds with a decrease in the number of cases of MSF. We suggest that the widespread use of anti-tick treatment in dogs could limit the introduction of ticks to humans due to a reduction of infestation duration in dogs, thus contributing to the decrease in MSF incidence.
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Affiliation(s)
- E. ESPEJO
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Internal Medicine Service, Hospital de Terrassa, Terrassa, Spain
| | - M. ANDRÉS
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Internal Medicine Service, Hospital de Terrassa, Terrassa, Spain
| | - J. PÉREZ
- Microbiology Laboratory, Catlab, Terrassa, Spain
| | - J. PRAT
- Hospital Veterinari J. Prat Morera, Terrassa, Spain
| | - C. GUERRERO
- Internal Medicine Service, Hospital de Terrassa, Terrassa, Spain
| | - M. T. MUÑOZ
- Internal Medicine Service, Hospital de Terrassa, Terrassa, Spain
| | - M. D. ALEGRE
- Microbiology Laboratory, Catlab, Terrassa, Spain
| | - J. LITE
- Microbiology Laboratory, Catlab, Terrassa, Spain
| | - F. BELLA
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Internal Medicine Service, Hospital de Terrassa, Terrassa, Spain
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Lledó L, Domínguez-Peñafiel G, Giménez-Pardo C, Gegúndez I, González R, Saz JV. Molecular and serological study of rickettsial infection in humans, and in wild and farm animals, in the province of Burgos, Spain. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2014; 14:383-8. [PMID: 24866558 DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2013.1513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Limited information is available on the presence of rickettsial infection in humans and animal reservoirs in Spain. Exposure to spotted fever group rickettsia in healthy humans and in farm and wild animals in the Province of Burgos, Spain, was examined by serological methods. Rickettsial DNA was also sought by PCR in animal samples. Of 102 human serum samples examined by indirect immunofluorescence assays (IFA), 5.88% were positive for antibodies against Rickettsia conorii (titers 1/128-1/512). Significant differences were detected in human seroprevalence with respect to age. In further IFAs, 102 out of 375 (27.2%) serum samples from the wild animals reacted with R. conorii antigens (titers 1/64-1/1024); 32 out of 281 (11.38%) samples from farm animals were also positive for R. conorii (titers 1/64-1/2048). The prevalence detected among total wild animals was significantly higher than among total farm animals. No rickettsial DNA was found by PCR in any farm or wild animal sample.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lourdes Lledó
- 1 Departamento de Biomedicina y Biotecnología, Universidad de Alcalá , Alcalá de Henares, Spain
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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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Abstract
Mediterranean spotted fever (MSF) was first described in 1910. Twenty years later, it was recognized as a rickettsial disease transmitted by the brown dog tick. In contrast to Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF), MSF was thought to be a benign disease; however, the first severe case that resulted in death was reported in France in the 1980s. We have noted important changes in the epidemiology of MSF in the last 10 years, with emergence and reemergence of MSF in several countries. Advanced molecular tools have allowed Rickettsia conorii conorii to be classified as a subspecies of R. conorii. New clinical features, such as multiple eschars, have been recently reported. Moreover, MSF has become more severe than RMSF; the mortality rate was as high as 32% in Portugal in 1997. Whether Rhipicephalus sanguineus is the only vector and reservoir for R. conorii conorii is a question not yet answered.
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Márquez FJ. Spotted fever group Rickettsia in ticks from southeastern Spain natural parks. EXPERIMENTAL & APPLIED ACAROLOGY 2008; 45:185-194. [PMID: 18677442 DOI: 10.1007/s10493-008-9181-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2008] [Accepted: 07/17/2008] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
During an 8-years study, we collected from vegetation or domestic and wild mammals 1246 ticks (624 males, 511 females and 111 nymphs) belonging to 13 species in Jaen province (Andalusia) and we analyzed these ticks by PCR and sequencing for the presence of rickettsiae. Specific rickettsiae DNA was detected in 243 (19.5%) of the ticks tested. Sequence analysis of amplicons of gltA, ompA and ompB genes revealed that Ixodes ricinus were infected with R. monacensis, including strain IRS3, and R. helvetica (prevalences of 27.0% and 2.7%, respectively), while in I. ventalloi we found only this last species (12.5%). Moreover, Dermacentor marginatus presents R. slovaca (24.7%) and R. raoultii (59.9%). In Rhipicephalus sanguineus group ticks (Rh. sanguineus, Rh. turanicus and Rh. pusillus) only R. massiliae (15.2%) was found. Haemaphysalis punctata and Ha. sulcata were infected with a Rickettsia sp. near R. hoogstraalii (prevalence of 3.1% and 16.1%, respectively). In addition, Ha. punctata appeared infected with R. monacensis-like Rickettsia (1.0%) and R. raoultii (9.3%). None of I. hexagonus, Hyalomma lusitanicum, Hyalomma sp., Ha. hispanica or Rh. bursa studied ticks contained rickettsiae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francisco J Márquez
- Dpto. Biología Animal, Biología Vegetal y Ecología, Universidad de Jaén, Campus Las Lagunillas s/n, 23071, Jaen, Spain.
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Punda-Polić V, Luksić B, Capkun V. Epidemiological features of Mediterranean spotted fever, murine typhus, and Q fever in Split-Dalmatia County (Croatia), 1982-2002. Epidemiol Infect 2008; 136:972-9. [PMID: 17850690 PMCID: PMC2870890 DOI: 10.1017/s0950268807009491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
We determined the epidemiological features of three zoonoses in hospitalized patients in southern Croatia. Patients were diagnosed by serological testing. Clinical and epidemiological data were also collected. Between 1982 and 2002, Mediterranean spotted fever (MSF) was diagnosed in 126 (incidence rate 1.27/100,000 per year), murine typhus (MT), in 57 (incidence rate 0.57/100,000 per year), and Q fever in 170 (incidence rate 1.7/100,000 per year) patients. MSF and Q fever were characterized by a marked seasonality. Incidences of Q fever and of MSF were higher for males than for females (P<0.0001 and P=0.0024, respectively). The most frequent of the three zoonoses in children was MSF. Q fever and MT cases were mostly seen in the 21-50 years age group. We found no statistically significant differences between season- and gender-specific incidence rates of MT. Whereas infections due to rickettsiae decreased, the incidence of Q fever increased over the last 12 years of the study.
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Affiliation(s)
- V Punda-Polić
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Split University Medical School and Split University Hospital, Split, Croatia.
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Spotted fever group Rickettsia in brown dog ticks Rhipicephalus sanguineus in southwestern Spain. Parasitol Res 2008; 103:119-22. [DOI: 10.1007/s00436-008-0938-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2008] [Accepted: 02/19/2008] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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Bartolomé J, Lorente S, Hernández-Pérez N, Martínez-Alfaro E, Marín-Ors A, Crespo MD. Estudio clínico-epidemiológico de las rickettsiosis del grupo de las fiebres exantemáticas en Albacete. Enferm Infecc Microbiol Clin 2005; 23:194-6. [PMID: 15826542 DOI: 10.1157/13073143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The aim of this study was to describe the clinical and epidemiological features of spotted fever group rickettsiosis acquired in the province of Albacete, Spain. METHODS We retrospectively reviewed the clinical records of patients with a diagnosis of spotted fever group rickettsiosis and positive serologic results between 1997 and 2003. Criteria for inclusion were as follows: 1) seroconversion in IgG to Rickettsia conorii by indirect immunofluorescence, or 2) a single titer of 160 dollars with two or three of the following symptoms: fever, eschar, or rash. RESULTS There were 41 cases in the study period. Mean age was 58 years (range: 14-84). Thirty-seven (90%) patients were 40 or more years old (RR: 10,1; 95% CI: 4,3-24,0). Twenty-five (63%) patients were of rural origin (RR: 3,5; 95% CI: 1,8-6,5). Thirty-six (88%) patients had regular or recent contact with the rural milieu or with animals. Forty patients had fever and 38 (93%) had one or two eschars. There were 32 cases of Mediterranean spotted fever, 2 cases with symptoms consistent with DEBONEL/TIBOLA, and 7 atypical cases with eschar and no rash. CONCLUSION Spotted fever group rickettsiosis was mainly found in adults in contact with the rural milieu or with animals. Age over 40 years old and residence in a rural area were risk factors. Mediterranean spotted fever was the most common syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joaquín Bartolomé
- Laboratorio de Microbiología, Complejo Hospitalario Universitario de Albacete, España.
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Punda-Polić V, Klismanić Z, Capkun V. Prevalence of antibodies to spotted fever group rickettsiae in the region of Split (southern Croatia). Eur J Epidemiol 2003; 18:451-5. [PMID: 12889692 DOI: 10.1023/a:1024265306482] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
The prevalence of IgG antibodies to spotted fever group rickettsiae (SFG) was investigated by the indirect immunofluorescence assay in a sample of 1207 healthy residents of the central part of southern Croatia (eastern coast of Adriatic Sea). Sera obtained from subjects living in three different places of residency (urban, suburban and rural environs of the region) were tested. Overall 528 (43.7%) persons had significant antibody titers (1:40 or higher), with a significantly higher prevalence in suburban and rural areas. The results show that inhabitants in the area are clearly being exposed to SFG rickettsiae. Risk factors significantly associated with seropositivity to SFG rickettsiae were: living in suburban and rural settlements (odds ratio [OR] = 1.81; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.35-2.4), contact with animals (OR: 1.52; 95% CI: 1.15-1.99), and increase of age (OR: 1.18; 95% CI: 1.09-1.26).
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Affiliation(s)
- Volga Punda-Polić
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, University Hospital Split and Medical School Split, Spincicéva 1, 21 000 Split, Croatia.
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Beati L, Roux V, Ortuño A, Castella J, Porta FS, Raoult D. Phenotypic and genotypic characterization of spotted fever group Rickettsiae isolated from Catalan Rhipicephalus sanguineus ticks. J Clin Microbiol 1996; 34:2688-94. [PMID: 8897166 PMCID: PMC229387 DOI: 10.1128/jcm.34.11.2688-2694.1996] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Eighty-nine Rhipicephalus sanguineus ticks and 21 Rhipicephalus bursa ticks collected in Catalonia were tested by the hemolymph test to establish their infection rate with spotted fever group rickettsiae. By Giménez staining, 11.2% of the R. sanguineus isolates and 0% of the R. bursa isolates were found to contain rickettsia-like organisms. Six spotted fever group rickettsial strains (Bar29, Bar31, Gir4, Tar1, Tar2, and Tar3) were isolated from these ticks and were characterized by phenotypic and genotypic analyses. PCR followed by restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis showed that the six strains were identical and were characterized by the same restriction profiles as a strain, Mtu5, previously isolated from Rhipicephalus turanicus ticks in the South of France. Microimmunofluorescence serotyping, sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of the purified organisms, and Western blot (immunoblot) assay with mouse polyclonal sera confirmed this observation. Pulsed field gel electrophoresis of the whole genome of three of the strains showed that, although closely related, the profile of Tar1 was slightly different from that of the Bar strains. Phylogenetic analysis showed that this new rickettsial sero- and genotype, which will be named the "Catalan strain," is closely related to Rickettsia massiliae. This strain shows an unexpected resistance to rifampin. The epidemiological implications of these findings are considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Beati
- Unité des Rickettsies, Faculté de Médecine, Marseille, France
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Oteo JA, Estrada-Peña A, Ortega-Pérez C, Martínez de Artola V. Mediterranean spotted fever: a preliminary tick field study. Eur J Epidemiol 1996; 12:475-8. [PMID: 8905308 DOI: 10.1007/bf00143999] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
We studied the prevalence of rickettsialike organisms infection in different tick species (3154 adults) collected in several areas of the Ebro valley (Spain). The Gimenez stain showed a prevalence of rickettsia-like organisms in 38.6% of the studied ticks. Using the immunofluorescence assay, only two species, Rhipicephalus sanguineus (16.4%) and R. pusillus (19.9%) have shown organisms compatible with spotted fever group rickettsiae.
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Affiliation(s)
- J A Oteo
- Servicio de Medicina Interna, Hospital de La Rioja, Logroño, Spain
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Delgado S, Cármenes P. Canine seroprevalence of Rickettsia conorii infection (Mediterranean spotted fever) in Castilla y León (northwest Spain). Eur J Epidemiol 1995; 11:597-600. [PMID: 8549737 DOI: 10.1007/bf01719315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
A seroepidemiological study was conducted in 308 dogs to determine the presence of antibodies to Rickettsia conorii, using an indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA). Seven of the provinces of the Castilla y León region (Burgos, León, Palencia, Salamanca, Soria, Valladolid, and Zamora) were covered by the study. Of the 308 dogs analysed, 72 (23.4%) showed significant titers by IFA (1/40 or higher). Seroprevalences were significantly different between provinces of origin of the animals. These were below 30% in almost all the provinces studied, except for Salamanca province, where the percentage of seropositive dogs was much greater (93.3%). Potential risk factors (presence of ticks on the animals, age, sex, use, habitat, and season) relating to the presence of Mediterranean spotted fever, or Boutonneuse fever, were evaluated. Animals used for guard or pastor activities and those living in rural areas (these factors are closely linked), together with those suffering from tick infestation, had significantly higher seroprevalence than the remainder. The frequency of seropositive dogs increased during the summer months, and these coincide with the period of greatest activity by the vector. Sex and age variables were not identified as risk factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Delgado
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal (Enfermedades Infecciosas y Epidemiología), Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de León, Spain
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17
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Eremeeva M, Balayeva N, Roux V, Ignatovich V, Kotsinjan M, Raoult D. Genomic and proteinic characterization of strain S, a rickettsia isolated from Rhipicephalus sanguineus ticks in Armenia. J Clin Microbiol 1995; 33:2738-44. [PMID: 8567916 PMCID: PMC228566 DOI: 10.1128/jcm.33.10.2738-2744.1995] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Strain S, a spotted fever group (SFG) rickettsia isolated from Rhipicephalus sanguineus ticks collected in Armenia, was identified. Microimmunofluorescence, sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel protein electrophoresis and Western immunoblotting, PCR and then restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis, pulsed-field gel electrophoresis, and 16S rRNA gene sequencing were used to compare strain S with reference isolates. Strain S was found to possess proteinic, antigenic, and genomic patterns which were unique among SFG rickettsiae. Strain S is characterized by its high degree of pathogenicity for experimental animals, but its role as a potential human pathogen should be determined. The role of R. sanguineus ticks in the epidemiology of SFG rickettsiae is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Eremeeva
- Unité des Rickettsies, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique EP J0054, Faculté de Médecine, Marseille, France
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Punda-Polić V, Bradarić N, Klismanić-Nuber Z, Mrljak V, Giljanović M. Antibodies to spotted fever group rickettsiae in dogs in Croatia. Eur J Epidemiol 1995; 11:389-92. [PMID: 8549704 DOI: 10.1007/bf01721222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
The prevalence of IgG antibodies to spotted fever group rickettsiae was studied by the indirect immunofluorescent antibody assay in a sample of 194 canine sera from different parts of Croatia. Dogs (n = 141) from urban and suburban-semirural environs from the middle part of the eastern coast of Adriatic sea, and dogs (n = 53) from Zagreb, the capital of Croatia located in the northern continental part of Croatia, were tested. The total of 88 (62.4%) dogs from southern coastal Croatia had antibodies to Rickettsia conorii, with a significantly higher prevalence (69.9%) in suburban-semirural areas. The prevalence rate of antibodies to Rickettsia conorii in canine sera from urban environment in the north of Croatia was 20.7%. The results show that the members of spotted fever group rickettsiae are present in both coastal and continental Croatia.
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Affiliation(s)
- V Punda-Polić
- Department of Microbiology, Medical School University of Zagreb, Split, Croatia
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Raoult D, Arzouni JP, Jambon MC, Beytout J, Ramousse O. Western blot as a seroepidemiologic tool for detecting foci of Mediterranean spotted fever (MSF). Eur J Epidemiol 1994; 10:37-40. [PMID: 7957788 DOI: 10.1007/bf01717449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
We conducted a serosurvey on Mediterranean spotted fever (MSF), in a nonendemic area using western blot and microimmunofluorescence. Among 262 tested sera, 53 were positive by micro-immunofluorescence at a titer of 50. When 48 positive sera were western blot tested, 15 did not exhibited any reaction, 17 reacted against the non-specific lipopolysaccharide, and only 16 reacted against the specific protein antigens. Fourteen of the sera with a specific reaction were sampled in a village with a unique submediterranean climate. Western blot may be a more specific tool to determine the real seroprevalence of MSF.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Raoult
- Unité des Rickettsies, Faculté de Médecine, Marseille, France
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Radulovic S, Walker DH, Weiss K, Dzelalija B, Morovic M. Prevalence of antibodies to spotted fever group rickettsiae along the eastern coast of the Adriatic sea. J Clin Microbiol 1993; 31:2225-7. [PMID: 8370756 PMCID: PMC265730 DOI: 10.1128/jcm.31.8.2225-2227.1993] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
A seroepidemiological survey in coastal Croatia detected antibodies reactive with Rickettsia conorii in 4.2% of sera by immunofluorescence assay and in 5.0% of sera by enzyme immunoassay. Western immunoblotting demonstrated antibodies to the 120-kDa surface protein in all 20 positive serum samples examined and to rickettsial lipopolysaccharide in 3 of these serum samples. Humans in this area are clearly being exposed to spotted fever rickettsiae.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Radulovic
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston 77555-0609
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Espejo E, Alegre MD, Font B, Font A, Segura F, Bella F. Antibodies to Rickettsia conorii in dogs: seasonal differences. Eur J Epidemiol 1993; 9:344-6. [PMID: 8405323 DOI: 10.1007/bf00146275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
Eight dogs, having showed positivity to Rickettsia conorii in serum samples obtained during the spring and summer, were studied again by means of a second determination during the next winter, 4-10 months later. Serum titer became negative in six dogs, persisted high in one, and fell from 1:640 to 1:40 in another dog. This seasonal difference suggests a short persistence of antibodies in dogs after contact with R. conorii in the Mediterranean area.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Espejo
- Hospital de Terrassa, Barcelona, Spain
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Herrero-Herrero JI, Ruiz-Beltrán R, Walker DH. Antigens of Rickettsia conorii recognized by seropositive healthy people from Salamanca (central-west Spain). Eur J Epidemiol 1993; 9:59-63. [PMID: 8472802 DOI: 10.1007/bf00463091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
The antigenic reactivity in Western immunoblotting assay of individual Rickettsia conorii components with sera of healthy people living in Salamanca Province, an endemic zone of Mediterranean spotted fever, is evaluated. Polypeptides of molecular weights 100 kDa (92.7%), 135 kDa (75.6%), 160 kDa (70.7%) and 115 kDa (48.8%) were recognized by a higher proportion of sera with indirect immunofluorescent antibody test titers > or = 1:80. Reaction with apparent rickettsial lipopolysaccharide was found in 15 (36.6%) of these samples. The involvement of different rickettsial strains, atypical routes of inoculation, varying content of the inoculum, and host factors may be determinants of the clinical expression of the spotted fever group rickettsial infection in people who produce antibodies reactive with Rickettsia conorii antigens.
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Herrero-Herrero JI, Walker DH, Ruiz-Beltrán R. Use of western blot to analyze the reactivity of sera from patients with Mediterranean spotted fever. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis 1992; 11:939-42. [PMID: 1486892 DOI: 10.1007/bf01962380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
The reactivity of antigenic components of Rickettsia conorii with sequentially obtained sera from 20 adult Spanish patients with Mediterranean spotted fever was analyzed by Western blot. The major rickettsial antigens reacting with the serum samples corresponded to molecular weights of 135 and 115 kDa. These antigens constantly exhibited higher staining intensity than the other antigens, and reacted with 100% and 86.7%, respectively, of acute sera and with 100% of convalescent phase samples. Rickettsial lipopolysaccharide antigens reacted with 94.7% of sera collected in the fourth and fifth week after onset of symptoms. Other major antigens reactive in the blots had molecular sizes of 160, 100, 90 and 60 kDa, and a relatively frequent humoral immune response was also seen to antigens of 80, 73 and 55 kDa.
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Affiliation(s)
- J I Herrero-Herrero
- Department of Medicine, University Hospital, Paseo de San Vicente, Salmanca, Spain
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Raoult D, Tissot Dupont H, Caraco P, Brouqui P, Drancourt M, Charrel C. Mediterranean spotted fever in Marseille: descriptive epidemiology and the influence of climatic factors. Eur J Epidemiol 1992; 8:192-7. [PMID: 1644135 DOI: 10.1007/bf00144799] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
The authors report the general epidemiologic features of Mediterranean spotted fever (MSF) in the Marseille area (South France). Age was a risk factor, increasing after 50 years, and annual incidence seemed positively correlated with the average temperature of the preceding year and negatively correlated with the number of days with frost of the preceding year. However, correlations were not significant.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Raoult
- Unité des Rickettsies, Faculté de Médecine, Marseille, France
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Abstract
The past ten years were characterized by the appearance of several "new" transmissible spotted fever group (SFG) rickettsioses, e.g. Israeli, Japanese and Astrakhan fevers. The factors responsible for their establishment probably include the introduction of chemicals from industry, agriculture and the timber industry into natural habitats. Such factors may influence the pathogenicity of these rickettsiae. In this case, in addition to the human influence, the mechanism of the circulation of the agents under natural conditions of both abiotic (climate, etc.) and biotic (flora and fauna) components may play a decisive role. The modern management of breeding domestic animals, indoor and outdoor maintenance, seasonal migrations, new animal foods, stress, etc., can be important factors affecting the biological properties of the Q fever agent. Nonpathogenic rickettsiae, rickettsia-like symbionts and other microorganisms circulating in nature may also influence the pathogenic rickettsiae. Studies on their interrelationships in hosts and vectors may markedly contribute to the understanding of the circulation of pathogenic rickettsiae in nature. Recognition of factors causing the appearance of new rickettsial agents or differences in pathogenicity of rickettsial strains is important not only for the prognosis of rickettsial diseases but also for the prognosis of other infectious diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Rehácek
- Institute of Virology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, C.S.F.R
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Gilot B, Laforge ML, Pichot J, Raoult D. Relationships between the Rhipicephalus sanguineus complex ecology and Mediterranean spotted fever epidemiology in France. Eur J Epidemiol 1990; 6:357-62. [PMID: 2091935 DOI: 10.1007/bf00151708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
The authors examine the epidemiologic features of Mediterranean spotted fever in France in light of the bioecological peculiarities of each of the three known member of the Rhipicephalus sanguineus tick group (R. sanguineus, R. turanicus, R. pusillus). The results show that R. sanguineus is the main vector. Certain aspects of this tick species are of interest: affinity for man, close contact with humans for a long periods, peak of tick population (preimaginal stages) at the same time as the peak of the disease. The largest populations of R. sanguineus are noted in the endemic zone of human rickettsiosis. The fact that immature stages are more prevalent during the hot season and these forms' ability to bite humans is important and may suggest a role for them in the epidemiology of the disease. The sporadic isolation of this species outside the endemic zone may explain the occurrence of isolated cases of the disease in these areas. We cannot currently exclude vector roles for the two other species, which can parasitize humans, though none of our data supports this hypothesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Gilot
- INSERM, Laboratoire de Parasitologie, Faculté de Médecine, Marseille
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