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Wang Y, Li R, Yin T, He Z, Lu Z, Shao Z, Long Y. Prevalence of Tick Infection with Bartonella in China: A Review and Meta-analysis. Acta Parasitol 2024:10.1007/s11686-024-00893-0. [PMID: 39240447 DOI: 10.1007/s11686-024-00893-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2024] [Accepted: 07/30/2024] [Indexed: 09/07/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Bartonellosis is a global vector-borne zoonosis caused by Bartonella, a genus of intracellular Gram-negative bacteria. It is one of 14 emerging infectious diseases that have recently been identified in China, and the prevalence varies by region. A more in-depth understanding is needed regarding the role and influencing factors of ticks in the transmission of Bartonella, including the infection rate of ticks with Bartonella in different regions. This study explored the prevalence of Bartonella in ticks and the factors that influence it. METHODS Databases (PubMed, Embase, Elsevier ScienceDirect, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, CNKI, VIP, CBM, and WanFang) were searched to review the preliminary research on Bartonella-carrying ticks in China. RESULTS We identified and included 22 articles. Bartonella infection rates in ticks varied from 0 to 22.79% examined by the included studies. Our meta-analysis revealed that the prevalence of Bartonella in ticks was 3.15% (95% CI: 1.22 - 5.82%); the prevalence was higher in parasitic ticks (4.90%; 95% CI: 1.39 -10.14%) than ticks seeking hosts (1.42%; 95% CI: 0.62 - 2.50%) (P = 0.047). CONCLUSION The prevalence of Bartonella in the southern region of China (6.45%) was higher than that in the northern region (1.28%) (P = 0.030). Knowledge of ticks' vectors and reservoir competence is crucial to reduce the disease burden.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuhua Wang
- Department of Epidemiology, Ministry of Education Key Lab of Hazard Assessment and Control in Special Operational Environment, School of Public Health, Air Force Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Ruishan Li
- Department of Epidemiology, Ministry of Education Key Lab of Hazard Assessment and Control in Special Operational Environment, School of Public Health, Air Force Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Ting Yin
- Department of Epidemiology, Ministry of Education Key Lab of Hazard Assessment and Control in Special Operational Environment, School of Public Health, Air Force Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Zhen He
- Department of Epidemiology, Ministry of Education Key Lab of Hazard Assessment and Control in Special Operational Environment, School of Public Health, Air Force Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Zhenhua Lu
- Department of Epidemiology, Ministry of Education Key Lab of Hazard Assessment and Control in Special Operational Environment, School of Public Health, Air Force Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Zhongjun Shao
- Department of Epidemiology, Ministry of Education Key Lab of Hazard Assessment and Control in Special Operational Environment, School of Public Health, Air Force Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Yong Long
- Department of Epidemiology, Ministry of Education Key Lab of Hazard Assessment and Control in Special Operational Environment, School of Public Health, Air Force Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China.
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Li Y, Cheng R, Liu XY, Mihaljica D, Cheng TY. The effect of feeding on different hosts on the egg proteins in Haemaphysalis qinghaiensis tick. Parasitol Res 2024; 123:197. [PMID: 38668762 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-024-08211-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2024] [Accepted: 04/12/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024]
Abstract
The majority of ixodid ticks display host-specificity to varying extents. Feeding on different hosts affects their development and reproduction. Consequences can be analyzed at the level of the egg, as it is the initial stage of tick development. Tick egg proteins are abundant and diverse, providing nutrients for embryonic development. However, studies on tick egg profiles are scarce. In this study, we aimed to analyze whether feeding Haemaphysalis qinghaiensis ticks on the yaks (Bos grunniens) and domestic sheep (Ovis aries) has an impact on the variety and variability of the egg proteome. Detached engorged females were used to lay eggs, which were then collected, dewaxed, and subjected to protein extraction. The extracted egg proteins were enzymatically digested using Filter-Aided Sample Preparation (FASP), and the unique peptides were separated and detected by Liquid Chromatography-tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The MS data were searched against the previously constructed whole tick transcriptome library of H. qinghaiensis, and the UniProt database for the identification of tick-derived egg proteins. The analysis revealed 49 and 53 high-confidence proteins identified in eggs collected from B. grunniens (EggBg) and O. aries (EggOa), respectively. Of these, 46 high-confidence proteins were common to both egg types, while three were unique to EggBg and seven to EggOa. All the identified proteins mainly belonged to enzymes, enzyme inhibitors, transporters, and proteins with unknown functions. The differential abundance analysis showed that nine proteins were significantly more present in EggBg, while six were significantly more present in EggOa. Overall, enzymes were the most diverse group, while vitellogenin (Vg) was the most abundant. Blood meal uptake on different hosts has a certain effect on the egg proteome composition and the abundance of some proteins, but it may also lead to compensation of protein roles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong Li
- Research Center for Parasites & Vectors, College of Veterinary Medicine, Hunan Agricultural University, Hunan Province 410128, Changsha, China
| | - Rong Cheng
- Research Center for Parasites & Vectors, College of Veterinary Medicine, Hunan Agricultural University, Hunan Province 410128, Changsha, China
| | - Xiao-Yu Liu
- Research Center for Parasites & Vectors, College of Veterinary Medicine, Hunan Agricultural University, Hunan Province 410128, Changsha, China
| | - Darko Mihaljica
- Group for Medical Entomology, Centre of Excellence for Food- and Vector-Borne Zoonoses, Institute for Medical Research, National Institute of Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia.
| | - Tian-Yin Cheng
- Research Center for Parasites & Vectors, College of Veterinary Medicine, Hunan Agricultural University, Hunan Province 410128, Changsha, China.
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Ma H, Ai J, La Y, Zhao X, Zeng A, Qin Q, Feng S, Kang M, Sun Y, Li J. Hemalin vaccination modulates the host immune response and reproductive cycle of Haemaphysalis longicornis. Vet Parasitol 2023; 323:110051. [PMID: 37866015 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2023.110051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2023] [Revised: 09/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/07/2023] [Indexed: 10/24/2023]
Abstract
Haemaphysalis longicornis can transmit high varieties of tick-borne pathogens (TBPs), and a primary strategy for preventing the transmission of those TBPs is to control ticks. Hemalin, a thrombin inhibitor of the Kunitz-type family and a crucial component in H. longicornis feeding process has been isolated from parthenogentic ticks. This study aimed to evaluate the validity of a recombinant Hemalin (rHlHemalin) vaccination as an anti-tick vaccine against H. longicornis in rabbits to find a new candidate for an effective tick control. In this study, mouse splenocytes were isolated and used to investigate immune responses after rHlHemalin stimulation. The rabbits were vaccinated with the rHlHemalin protein. After tick challenges, body weight at engorgement, egg mass, and the reproductive cycle of H. longicornis were evaluated. To confirm the vaccination, the passive immunization tests of α-rHlHemalin sera were performed. The results showed that the rHlHemalin protein could stimulate cytokine production in mouse splenocytes. Vaccination assay revealed that the periods from tick infestations to egg-hatch in the vaccination group were significantly longer than those in the phosphate buffer saline (PBS) group (P = 0.0003). In addition, the tick body weight at engorgement (P = 0.0019) and egg mass at 10 days after oviposition (P = 0.0232) were higher than those in the PBS group. These findings were consistent with the current passive immunization results and suggest rHlHemalin vaccination extended the reproductive cycle in H. longicornis but did not decrease the body weight at engorgement or weight of egg mass. Therefore, it is debatable whether Hemalin vaccination is highly-effective anti-tick vaccine or not. However, due to the importance of thrombin inhibitors in tick blood feeding and blood digestion, additional inhibitor-based vaccines should be developed aiming to find an effective and environmentally friendly biological strategy to combat ticks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hejia Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Plateau Ecology and Agriculture, Qinghai University, Xining 810016, China; College of Agriculture and Animal Husbandry, Qinghai University, Xining 810016, China
| | - Jingkai Ai
- State Key Laboratory of Plateau Ecology and Agriculture, Qinghai University, Xining 810016, China; College of Agriculture and Animal Husbandry, Qinghai University, Xining 810016, China
| | - Yansha La
- State Key Laboratory of Plateau Ecology and Agriculture, Qinghai University, Xining 810016, China; College of Agriculture and Animal Husbandry, Qinghai University, Xining 810016, China
| | - Xinyuan Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Plateau Ecology and Agriculture, Qinghai University, Xining 810016, China; College of Agriculture and Animal Husbandry, Qinghai University, Xining 810016, China
| | - Ankang Zeng
- State Key Laboratory of Plateau Ecology and Agriculture, Qinghai University, Xining 810016, China; College of Agriculture and Animal Husbandry, Qinghai University, Xining 810016, China
| | - Qi Qin
- State Key Laboratory of Plateau Ecology and Agriculture, Qinghai University, Xining 810016, China; College of Agriculture and Animal Husbandry, Qinghai University, Xining 810016, China
| | - Shangjiali Feng
- State Key Laboratory of Plateau Ecology and Agriculture, Qinghai University, Xining 810016, China; College of Agriculture and Animal Husbandry, Qinghai University, Xining 810016, China
| | - Ming Kang
- State Key Laboratory of Plateau Ecology and Agriculture, Qinghai University, Xining 810016, China; College of Agriculture and Animal Husbandry, Qinghai University, Xining 810016, China
| | - Yali Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Plateau Ecology and Agriculture, Qinghai University, Xining 810016, China; College of Agriculture and Animal Husbandry, Qinghai University, Xining 810016, China; Qinghai Provincial Key Laboratory of Pathogen Diagnosis for Animal Diseases and Green Technical Research for Prevention and Control, Qinghai University, Xining 810016, China
| | - Jixu Li
- State Key Laboratory of Plateau Ecology and Agriculture, Qinghai University, Xining 810016, China; College of Agriculture and Animal Husbandry, Qinghai University, Xining 810016, China; Qinghai Provincial Key Laboratory of Pathogen Diagnosis for Animal Diseases and Green Technical Research for Prevention and Control, Qinghai University, Xining 810016, China.
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Xu J, Gu XL, Jiang ZZ, Cao XQ, Wang R, Peng QM, Li ZM, Zhang L, Zhou CM, Qin XR, Yu XJ. Pathogenic Rickettsia, Anaplasma, and Ehrlichia in Rhipicephalus microplus ticks collected from cattle and laboratory hatched tick larvae. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2023; 17:e0011546. [PMID: 37647577 PMCID: PMC10468208 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0011546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2023] [Accepted: 07/23/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The order Rickettsiales contains a group of vector-borne gram-negative obligate intracellular bacteria, which often cause human emerging infectious diseases and economic losses for dairy and meat industries. The purpose of this study is to investigate the distribution of the pathogens including Rickettsia spp., Anaplasma spp., and Ehrlichia spp. in the order Rickettsiales in ticks from Yueyang, a prefecture-level city of Hunan Province in Sothern China, and assess the potentiality of transovarial transmission of these rickettsial organisms. METHODS Ticks were collected from cattle in a farm in Yueyang City and the tick DNA was used as template to amplify the htrA, rrs, gltA, ompA and ompB genes of Rickettsia as well as rrs and groEL genes of Anaplasma and Ehrlichia. RESULTS All ticks (465) collected were the cattle tick, Rhipicephalus microplus. PCR showed the minimum infection rate (MIR) was 1.5% (7/465) for Candidatus Rickettsia xinyangensis, 1.9% (9/465) for C. Anaplasma boleense, 1.3% (6/465) for Anaplasma platys, 0.6% (3/465) for A. marginale, and 1.17% (2/465) for each of A. bovis, Ehrlichia minasensis, and a non-classified Ehrlichia sp. A human pathogen, C. Rickettsia xinyangensis and A. platys were detected in 100% (3/3) and 33.3% (2/6) laboratory-hatched larval pools from infected females respectively. CONCLUSION Our study revealed a diversity of pathogenic rickettsial species in R. microplus ticks from Hunan Province suggesting a threat to people and animals in China. This study also provided the first molecular evidence for the potential transovarial transmission of C. Rickettsia xinyangensis and A. platys in R. microplus, indicating that R. microplus may act as the host of these two pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiao Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, School of Public Health, Wuhan University, Wuhan City, China
| | - Xiao-Lan Gu
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, School of Public Health, Wuhan University, Wuhan City, China
| | - Ze-Zheng Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, School of Public Health, Wuhan University, Wuhan City, China
| | - Xiao-Qian Cao
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, School of Public Health, Wuhan University, Wuhan City, China
| | - Rui Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, School of Public Health, Wuhan University, Wuhan City, China
| | - Qiu-Ming Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, School of Public Health, Wuhan University, Wuhan City, China
| | - Ze-Min Li
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, School of Public Health, Wuhan University, Wuhan City, China
| | - Li Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, School of Public Health, Wuhan University, Wuhan City, China
| | - Chuan-Min Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, School of Public Health, Wuhan University, Wuhan City, China
| | - Xiang-Rong Qin
- The Second Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Xue-Jie Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, School of Public Health, Wuhan University, Wuhan City, China
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Dong L, Li Y, Yang C, Gong J, Zhu W, Huang Y, Kong M, Zhao L, Wang F, Lu S, Pu J, Yang J. Species-level microbiota of ticks and fleas from Marmota himalayana in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1188155. [PMID: 37415819 PMCID: PMC10320725 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1188155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2023] [Accepted: 05/31/2023] [Indexed: 07/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Ticks and fleas, as blood-sucking arthropods, carry and transmit various zoonotic diseases. In the natural plague foci of China, monitoring of Yersinia pestis has been continuously conducted in Marmota himalayana and other host animals, whereas other pathogens carried by vectors are rarely concerned in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Methods In this study, we investigated the microbiota of ticks and fleas sampling from M. himalayana in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, China by metataxonomics combined with metagenomic methods. Results By metataxonomic approach based on full-length 16S rDNA amplicon sequencing and operational phylogenetic unit (OPU) analyses, we described the microbiota community of ticks and fleas at the species level, annotated 1,250 OPUs in ticks, including 556 known species and 492 potentially new species, accounting for 48.50% and 41.71% of the total reads in ticks, respectively. A total of 689 OPUs were detected in fleas, consisting of 277 known species (40.62% of the total reads in fleas) and 294 potentially new species (56.88%). At the dominant species categories, we detected the Anaplasma phagocytophilum (OPU 421) and potentially pathogenic new species of Wolbachia, Ehrlichia, Rickettsia, and Bartonella. Using shotgun sequencing, we obtained 10 metagenomic assembled genomes (MAGs) from vector samples, including a known species (Providencia heimbachae DFT2), and six new species affliated to four known genera, i.e., Wolbachia, Mumia, Bartonella, and Anaplasma. By the phylogenetic analyses based on full-length 16S rRNA genes and core genes, we identified that ticks harbored pathogenic A. phagocytophilum. Moreover, these potentially pathogenic novel species were more closely related to Ehrlichia muris, Ehrlichia muris subsp. eauclairensis, Bartonella rochalimae, and Rickettsia limoniae, respectively. The OPU 422 Ehrlichia sp1 was most related to Ehrlichia muris and Ehrlichia muris subsp. eauclairensis. The OPU 230 Bartonella sp1 and Bartonella spp. (DTF8 and DTF9) was clustered with Bartonella rochalimae. The OPU 427 Rickettsia sp1 was clustered with Rickettsia limoniae. Discussion The findings of the study have advanced our understanding of the potential pathogen groups of vectors in marmot (Marmota himalayana) in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lingzhi Dong
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
- State Key Laboratory of Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Yaben Li
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
- State Key Laboratory of Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Caixin Yang
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
- State Key Laboratory of Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Jian Gong
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
- State Key Laboratory of Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Wentao Zhu
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Yuyuan Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Mimi Kong
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
- State Key Laboratory of Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Lijun Zhao
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
- State Key Laboratory of Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Feifei Wang
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
- State Key Laboratory of Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Shan Lu
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
- State Key Laboratory of Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
- Research Units of Discovery of Unknown Bacteria and Function, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Ji Pu
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
- State Key Laboratory of Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Jing Yang
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
- State Key Laboratory of Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
- Research Units of Discovery of Unknown Bacteria and Function, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
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Abdelbaset AE, Kwak ML, Nonaka N, Nakao R. Human-biting ticks and zoonotic tick-borne pathogens in North Africa: diversity, distribution, and trans-Mediterranean public health challenges. One Health 2023; 16:100547. [PMID: 37363219 PMCID: PMC10288109 DOI: 10.1016/j.onehlt.2023.100547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2023] [Revised: 04/18/2023] [Accepted: 04/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023] Open
Abstract
North Africa is home to more than 200 million people living across five developing economies (Egypt, Libya, Tunisia, Algeria, and Morocco) and two Spanish exclaves (Ceuta and Melilla), many of whom are impacted by ticks and tick-borne zoonoses. Populations in Europe are also increasingly vulnerable to North African ticks and tick-borne zoonoses due to a combination of climate change and the movement of ticks across the Mediterranean on migratory birds, human travellers, and trafficked wildlife. The human-biting ticks and tick-borne zoonoses in North Africa are reviewed along with their distribution in the region. We also assess present and future challenges associated with ticks and tick-borne zoonoses in North African and highlight opportunities for collaboration and coordination between governments in Europe and North Africa to address public health challenges posed by North African ticks and tick-borne zoonoses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdelbaset Eweda Abdelbaset
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Department of Disease Control, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, N18 W9, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido 060-0818, Japan
- Clinical Laboratory Diagnosis, Department of Animal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut 71515, Egypt
| | - Mackenzie L. Kwak
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Department of Disease Control, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, N18 W9, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido 060-0818, Japan
| | - Nariaki Nonaka
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Department of Disease Control, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, N18 W9, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido 060-0818, Japan
| | - Ryo Nakao
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Department of Disease Control, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, N18 W9, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido 060-0818, Japan
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Abdelbaset AE, Nonaka N, Nakao R. Tick-borne diseases in Egypt: A one health perspective. One Health 2022; 15:100443. [PMID: 36561707 PMCID: PMC9767813 DOI: 10.1016/j.onehlt.2022.100443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2022] [Revised: 10/07/2022] [Accepted: 10/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Ticks are important arthropod vectors that transmit pathogens to humans and animals. Owing to favourable climatic and environmental conditions, along with animal importation from neighbouring countries, ticks and tick-borne diseases (TBDs) are widespread in Egyptian localities. Here, we review the current knowledge on the epidemiology of TBDs in Egypt in light of the One Health paradigm. Methods and results Five scientific databases, including "Web of Science", "Scopus", "PubMed", "Science Direct", and "Google Scholar", were searched for articles describing TBDs in Egypt. A total of 18 TBDs have been reported in humans and animals, including three protozoal diseases (babesiosis, theileriosis, and hepatozoonosis), 12 bacterial diseases (anaplasmosis, ehrlichiosis, Lyme borreliosis, bovine borreliosis, tick-borne relapsing fever, Mediterranean spotted fever, African tick-borne fever, lymphangitis-associated rickettsiosis, bartonellosis, tularaemia, Q fever, and aegyptianellosis), and three viral diseases (Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever, Alkhurma haemorrhagic fever, and Lumpy skin disease). Conclusions Despite the circulation of zoonotic tick-borne pathogens among livestock and tick vectors, human infections have been overlooked and are potentially limited to infer the actual communicable disease burden. Therefore, facility-based surveillance of TBDs, combined with capacity building for laboratory diagnostics in healthcare facilities, is urgently required to improve diagnosis and inform policy-making in disease prevention. Additionally, collaboration between expert researchers from various disciplines (physicians, biologists, acarologists, and veterinarians) is required to develop advanced research projects to control ticks and TBDs. Considering that domestic livestock is integral to many Egyptian households, comprehensive epidemiological studies on TBDs should assess all disease contributors, including vertebrate hosts (animals, humans, and rodents) and ticks in the same ecological region, for better assessment of disease burden. Additionally, upscaling of border inspections of imported animals is required to stop crossover movements of ticks and TBDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdelbaset Eweda Abdelbaset
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Graduate School of Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan
- Clinical Laboratory Diagnosis, Department of Animal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt
| | - Nariaki Nonaka
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Graduate School of Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Ryo Nakao
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Graduate School of Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan
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Zhao L, Ma YM, Yang B, Han WX, Zhao WH, Chai HL, Zhang ZS, Zhan YJ, Wang LF, Xing Y, Yu LF, Wang JL, Ding YL, Liu YH. Comparative analysis of microbial communities in different growth stages of Dermacentor nuttalli. Front Vet Sci 2022; 9:1021426. [PMID: 36311671 PMCID: PMC9614212 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2022.1021426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2022] [Accepted: 09/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Ticks were identified as arthropods that are pathogenic vectors. Dermacentor nuttalli is one of the dominant tick species in Inner Mongolia, and it carries and transmits a wide range of pathogenic microorganisms. However, at present, only the detection of D. nuttalli adult ticks and D. nuttalli different developmental stages carrying one specific pathogen, or the next-generation sequencing of D. nuttalli adult ticks were available. In this study, we investigated the microbial community structures of D. nuttalli in different growth stages under laboratory artificial feeding conditions. Total DNA was extracted from seven growth stages (female adult ticks, eggs, larval ticks, engorged larval ticks, nymphal ticks, engorged nymphal ticks, and second-generation adult ticks) obtained from laboratory artificial feeding of engorged D. nuttalli female ticks in Inner Mongolia. Then, the 16S rDNA V3-V4 hypervariable region was amplified to construct an Illumina PE250 library. Finally, 16S rRNA sequencing was performed on Illumina Novaseq 6000 platform. The sequencing data were analyzed using molecular biology software and platforms. The Illumina PE250 sequencing results showed that the egg stage had the highest diversity and number of species (28.74%, 98/341), while the engorged nymph stage had the lowest diversity and number of species (9.72%, 21/216). A total of 387 genera of 22 phyla were annotated in D. nuttalli, with 9 phyla and 57 genera found throughout all 7 growth stages. The dominant phylum was Proteobacteria; the dominant genera were Arsenophonus and Rickettsia; and the genera with the highest relative abundance in the 7 growth stages were Pseudomonas, Paenalcaligenes, Arsenophonus, Arsenophonus, Pseudomonas, Arsenophonus, and Rickettsia, respectively. Among the 23 exact species annotated, Brucella melitensis exhibits pathogeny that poses a serious threat to humans and animals. In this study, the microbial community composition at different growth stages of D. nuttalli was comprehensively analyzed for the first time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Zhao
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, China,Key Laboratory of Clinical Diagnosis and Treatment Technology in Animal Disease, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Hohhot, China
| | - Yi-Min Ma
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, China
| | - Bo Yang
- Animal Disease Control Center of Ordos, Ordos City, China
| | - Wen-Xiong Han
- Inner Mongolia Saikexing Reproductive Biotechnology (Group) Co., Ltd., Hohhot, China
| | - Wei-Hong Zhao
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, China
| | - Hai-Liang Chai
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, China
| | - Zhan-Sheng Zhang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, China
| | - Yong-Jie Zhan
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, China
| | - Li-Feng Wang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, China
| | - Yu Xing
- Shanghai Origingene Bio-pharm Technology Co. Ltd., Shanghai, China
| | - Lu-Fei Yu
- Shanghai Origingene Bio-pharm Technology Co. Ltd., Shanghai, China
| | - Jin-Ling Wang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, China,Key Laboratory of Clinical Diagnosis and Treatment Technology in Animal Disease, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Hohhot, China
| | - Yu-Lin Ding
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, China,Key Laboratory of Clinical Diagnosis and Treatment Technology in Animal Disease, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Hohhot, China
| | - Yong-Hong Liu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, China,Key Laboratory of Clinical Diagnosis and Treatment Technology in Animal Disease, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Hohhot, China,*Correspondence: Yong-Hong Liu
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9
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Incidence of tick-borne spotted fever group Rickettsia species in rodents in two regions in Kazakhstan. Sci Rep 2022; 12:14872. [PMID: 36050456 PMCID: PMC9437098 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-19145-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2022] [Accepted: 08/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Records on the distribution of Rickettsia spp. in their natural hosts in Central Asia are incomplete. Rodents and small mammals are potential natural reservoirs for Rickettsiae in their natural lifecycle. Studies about the maintenance of Rickettsia in wild animals are available for Western nations, but—to our knowledge—no studies and data are available in the Republic of Kazakhstan so far. The first case description of Rickettsioses in Kazakhstan was made in the 1950ies in the Almaty region and now Kyzylorda, East Kazakhstan, Pavlodar and North Kazakhstan are endemic areas. The existence of murine and endemic typhus was proven in arthropod vectors in the regions Kyzylorda and Almaty. Here we show for the first time investigations on tick-borne Rickettsia species detected by a pan-rickettsial citrate synthase gene (gltA) real-time PCR in ear lobes of small mammals (n = 624) in Kazakhstan. From all analysed small mammals 2.72% were positive for Rickettsia raoultii, R. slovaca or R. conorii. Sequencing of the rickettsial gene OmpAIV and the 23S–5S interspacer region revealed a similar heritage of identified Rickettsia species that was observed in ticks in previous studies from the region. In summary, this study proves that rodents in Kazakhstan serve as a natural reservoir of Rickettsia spp.
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10
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Schäfer I, Kohn B, Müller E. Anaplasma phagocytophilum in domestic cats from Germany, Austria and Switzerland and clinical/laboratory findings in 18 PCR-positive cats (2008-2020). J Feline Med Surg 2022; 24:290-297. [PMID: 34076536 PMCID: PMC10812253 DOI: 10.1177/1098612x211017459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Anaplasma phagocytophilum is considered the most significant rickettsial pathogen affecting cats. The organism is transmitted by ticks of the species Ixodes ricinus in Central Europe and can cause granulocytic anaplasmosis in pets, wildlife and humans. The aims of this study were to assess the frequency of positive test results for A phagocytophilum in cats in Germany, Austria and Switzerland, as well as to evaluate clinical and laboratory findings in cats with positive PCR results. METHODS This study included the results of direct (PCR) and indirect detection methods (immunofluorescence antibody tests [IFAT]) requested by veterinarians in Germany, Austria and Switzerland between 2008 and 2020 from the LABOKLIN laboratory (Bad Kissingen, Germany). The veterinarians treating the PCR-positive cats were contacted by telephone to enquire about their clinical signs, laboratory findings, management and outcomes. RESULTS In total, 244/1636 cats (15%) tested positive by direct (PCR: n = 27/725 [4%]) and/or indirect detection methods (IFAT: n = 221/956 [23%]). In 18/26 cats with PCR results positive for A phagocytophilum, additional information about clinical signs, laboratory findings, treatment and outcome was obtained. Of these 18 cats, five had comorbidities independent of their infection with A phagocytophilum. The most common clinical signs in PCR-positive cats (total/without comorbidities) were lethargy (83%/92%), fever (83%/85%) and thrombocytopenia (61%/62%). Overall, more than half (57%) of the cats with and without comorbidities recovered clinically. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE Infections with A phagocytophilum should be considered as differential diagnoses in cats with tick infestation, lethargy, fever and thrombocytopenia. The clinical signs and laboratory findings are consistent with published case reports in cats. Ectoparasite prophylaxis in cats is recommended throughout the entire year.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ingo Schäfer
- LABOKLIN, Bad Kissingen, Germany
- Clinic for Small Animals, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Barbara Kohn
- Clinic for Small Animals, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
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11
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Anaplasma phagocytophilum in Multiple Tissue Samples of Wild Carnivores in Romania. J Wildl Dis 2021; 57:949-953. [PMID: 34427664 DOI: 10.7589/jwd-d-20-00158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2020] [Accepted: 02/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Wild vertebrate hosts can serve as reservoirs or amplification hosts for tick-borne pathogens (TBPs). Wild carnivores due to their large size have an increased risk for harboring large numbers of ticks. Moreover, their large home ranges and long lives may increase the risk of exposure to ticks and TBPs. Wild carnivores therefore may be good sentinel species with which to monitor the distribution of TBPs. We aimed to evaluate the presence of rickettsial DNA in wild carnivores and to compare its presence in different types of samples. In total, 95 wild carnivores from nine species, originating from 17 counties of Romania collected during 2014-18, were included in the study. From each animal, DNA was extracted from multiple tissue samples, including blood clot, heart, liver, lungs, spleen, kidney, lymph node, and bone marrow, and screened for the presence of rickettsial pathogen DNA (Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Ehrlichia canis, and Rickettsia spp.). Samples from 10 animals from six species (Canis aureus, Ursus arctos, Canis lupus, Felis sylvestris, Lutra lutra, and Martes foina) were found to be positive for A. phagocytophilum. The most frequently positive sample was the spleen. No animal was positive for Ehrlichia spp. or Rickettsia spp. Wild carnivores may be involved in the ecoepidemiology of A. phagocytophilum by maintaining the infection in synanthropic environments.
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12
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Tahir D, Asri B, Meyer LN, Evans A, Mather T, Blagburn B, Straubinger RK, Choumet V, Jongejan F, Varloud M. Vectra 3D (dinotefuran, pyriproxyfen and permethrin) prevents acquisition of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto by Ixodes ricinus and Ixodes scapularis ticks in an ex vivo feeding model. Parasit Vectors 2021; 14:416. [PMID: 34419129 PMCID: PMC8379798 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-021-04881-5] [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: 03/12/2021] [Accepted: 07/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND We evaluated the efficiency of an ex vivo feeding technique using a silicone membrane-based feeding chamber to (i) assess the anti-feeding and acaricidal efficacy of a spot-on combination of dinotefuran, pyriproxyfen and permethrin (DPP, Vectra® 3D) against adult Ixodes scapularis and Ixodes ricinus ticks, and to (ii) explore its effect on blocking the acquisition of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto. METHODS Eight purpose-bred dogs were randomly allocated to two equal-size groups based on body weight assessed on day 2. DPP was administered topically, as spot-on, to four dogs on day 0. Hair from the eight dogs was collected individually by brushing the whole body on days 2, 7, 14, 21, 28 and 35. On each day of hair collection, 0.05 g of sampled hair was applied on the membrane corresponding to each feeding unit (FU). Seventy-two FU were each seeded with 30 adults of I. scapularis (n = 24 FU) or I. ricinus ticks (n = 48 FU). Bovine blood spiked with B. burgdorferi sensu stricto (strain B31) was added into each unit and changed every 12 h for 4 days. Tick mortality was assessed 1 h after seeding. One additional hour of incubation was added for live/moribund specimens and reassessed for viability. All remaining live/moribund ticks were left in the feeders and tick engorgement status was recorded at 96 h after seeding, and the uptake of B. burgdorferi s.s. was examined in the collected ticks by applying quantitative real-time PCR. RESULTS Exposure to DPP-treated hair was 100% effective in blocking B. burgdorferi s.s. acquisition. The anti-feeding efficacy remained stable (100%) against both Ixodes species throughout the study. The acaricidal efficacy of DPP evaluated at 1 and 2 h after exposure was 100% throughout the study for I. ricinus, except the 1-h assessment on day 28 (95.9%) and day 35 (95.3%). The 1-h assessment of acaricidal efficacy was 100% at all time points for I. scapularis. CONCLUSIONS The ex vivo feeding system developed here demonstrated a protective effect of DPP against the acquisition of B. burgdorferi without exposing the animals to the vectors or to the pathogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Djamel Tahir
- Clinvet Morocco, B.P 301, 28815, Mohammedia, Morocco
| | - Btissam Asri
- Clinvet Morocco, B.P 301, 28815, Mohammedia, Morocco.,Institut Agronomique Et Vétérinaire Hassan II, Rabat, Morocco
| | | | - Alec Evans
- Clinvet Morocco, B.P 301, 28815, Mohammedia, Morocco
| | - Thomas Mather
- Center for Vector-Borne Disease, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI, USA
| | - Byron Blagburn
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, 36849, USA
| | - Reinhard K Straubinger
- Institute for Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Bacteriology and Mycology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, 80539, Munich, Germany
| | - Valérie Choumet
- Environnement Et Risques Infectieux, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
| | - Frans Jongejan
- Vectors and Vector-Borne Diseases Research Programme, Department of Veterinary Tropical Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Onderstepoort, South Africa
| | - Marie Varloud
- Ceva Santé Animale, 10 Avenue de la Ballastière, 33500, Libourne, France.
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13
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Zhao GP, Wang YX, Fan ZW, Ji Y, Liu MJ, Zhang WH, Li XL, Zhou SX, Li H, Liang S, Liu W, Yang Y, Fang LQ. Mapping ticks and tick-borne pathogens in China. Nat Commun 2021; 12:1075. [PMID: 33597544 PMCID: PMC7889899 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-21375-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2020] [Accepted: 01/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Understanding ecological niches of major tick species and prevalent tick-borne pathogens is crucial for efficient surveillance and control of tick-borne diseases. Here we provide an up-to-date review on the spatial distributions of ticks and tick-borne pathogens in China. We map at the county level 124 tick species, 103 tick-borne agents, and human cases infected with 29 species (subspecies) of tick-borne pathogens that were reported in China during 1950-2018. Haemaphysalis longicornis is found to harbor the highest variety of tick-borne agents, followed by Ixodes persulcatus, Dermacentor nutalli and Rhipicephalus microplus. Using a machine learning algorithm, we assess ecoclimatic and socioenvironmental drivers for the distributions of 19 predominant vector ticks and two tick-borne pathogens associated with the highest disease burden. The model-predicted suitable habitats for the 19 tick species are 14‒476% larger in size than the geographic areas where these species were detected, indicating severe under-detection. Tick species harboring pathogens of imminent threats to public health should be prioritized for more active field surveillance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guo-Ping Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, P.R. China
- Logistics College of Chinese People's Armed Police Forces, Tianjin, P.R. China
| | - Yi-Xing Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, P.R. China
| | - Zheng-Wei Fan
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, P.R. China
| | - Yang Ji
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, P.R. China
| | - Ming-Jin Liu
- College of Public Health and Health Professions and Emerging Pathogens Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Wen-Hui Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, P.R. China
| | - Xin-Lou Li
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, P.R. China
| | - Shi-Xia Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, P.R. China
| | - Hao Li
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, P.R. China
| | - Song Liang
- College of Public Health and Health Professions and Emerging Pathogens Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Wei Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, P.R. China.
| | - Yang Yang
- College of Public Health and Health Professions and Emerging Pathogens Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.
| | - Li-Qun Fang
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, P.R. China.
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14
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Interrupted Blood Feeding in Ticks: Causes and Consequences. Microorganisms 2020; 8:microorganisms8060910. [PMID: 32560202 PMCID: PMC7355616 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms8060910] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2020] [Revised: 06/12/2020] [Accepted: 06/14/2020] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Ticks are obligate hematophagous arthropods and act as vectors for a great variety of pathogens, including viruses, bacteria, protozoa, and helminths. Some tick-borne viruses, such as Powassan virus and tick-borne encephalitis virus, are transmissible within 15–60 min after tick attachment. However, a minimum of 3–24 h of tick attachment is necessary to effectively transmit bacterial agents such as Ehrlichia spp., Anaplasma spp., and Rickettsia spp. to a new host. Longer transmission periods were reported for Borrelia spp. and protozoans such as Babesia spp., which require a minimum duration of 24–48 h of tick attachment for maturation and migration of the pathogen. Laboratory observations indicate that the probability of transmission of tick-borne pathogens increases with the duration an infected tick is allowed to remain attached to the host. However, the transmission time may be shortened when partially fed infected ticks detach from their initial host and reattach to a new host, on which they complete their engorgement. For example, early transmission of tick-borne pathogens (e.g., Rickettsia rickettsii, Borrelia burgdorferi, and Babesia canis) and a significantly shorter transmission time were demonstrated in laboratory experiments by interrupted blood feeding. The relevance of such situations under field conditions remains poorly documented. In this review, we explore parameters of, and causes leading to, spontaneous interrupted feeding in nature, as well as the effects of this behavior on the minimum time required for transmission of tick-borne pathogens.
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15
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Satjanadumrong J, Robinson MT, Hughes T, Blacksell SD. Distribution and Ecological Drivers of Spotted Fever Group Rickettsia in Asia. ECOHEALTH 2019; 16:611-626. [PMID: 30993545 PMCID: PMC6910891 DOI: 10.1007/s10393-019-01409-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2018] [Revised: 02/21/2019] [Accepted: 02/22/2019] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
Spotted fever group and related rickettsia (SFGR) are a neglected group of pathogens that belong to the genus Rickettsia. SFGR are zoonotic and are transmitted by arthropod vectors, primarily ticks, fleas and mites to accidental hosts. These emerging and re-emerging infections are widely distributed throughout the world. Land-use change and increasing human-wildlife conflict compound the risk of SFGR infection to local people in endemic areas and travelers to these regions. In this article, we discuss the rickettsial organisms causing spotted fever and related diseases, their arthropod vectors in Asia and the impact of land-use change on their spread.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaruwan Satjanadumrong
- Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, 420/6 Rajvithee Road, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand
| | - Matthew T Robinson
- Lao-Oxford-Mahosot Hospital-Wellcome Trust Research Unit (LOMWRU), Mahosot Hospital, Vientiane, Lao People's Democratic Republic
- Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, Churchill Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 7FZ, UK
| | - Tom Hughes
- Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, 420/6 Rajvithee Road, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand
- EcoHealth Alliance, 460 West 34th Street, 17th Floor, New York, NY, USA
| | - Stuart D Blacksell
- Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, 420/6 Rajvithee Road, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand.
- Lao-Oxford-Mahosot Hospital-Wellcome Trust Research Unit (LOMWRU), Mahosot Hospital, Vientiane, Lao People's Democratic Republic.
- Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, Churchill Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 7FZ, UK.
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16
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Abstract
Spotted fever group rickettsiae (SFG) are a neglected group of bacteria, belonging to the genus Rickettsia, that represent a large number of new and emerging infectious diseases with a worldwide distribution. The diseases are zoonotic and are transmitted by arthropod vectors, mainly ticks, fleas and mites, to hosts such as wild animals. Domesticated animals and humans are accidental hosts. In Asia, local people in endemic areas as well as travellers to these regions are at high risk of infection. In this review we compare SFG molecular and serological diagnostic methods and discuss their limitations. While there is a large range of molecular diagnostics and serological assays, both approaches have limitations and a positive result is dependent on the timing of sample collection. There is an increasing need for less expensive and easy-to-use diagnostic tests. However, despite many tests being available, their lack of suitability for use in resource-limited regions is of concern, as many require technical expertise, expensive equipment and reagents. In addition, many existing diagnostic tests still require rigorous validation in the regions and populations where these tests may be used, in particular to establish coherent and worthwhile cut-offs. It is likely that the best strategy is to use a real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and immunofluorescence assay in tandem. If the specimen is collected early enough in the infection there will be no antibodies but there will be a greater chance of a PCR positive result. Conversely, when there are detectable antibodies it is less likely that there will be a positive PCR result. It is therefore extremely important that a complete medical history is provided especially the number of days of fever prior to sample collection. More effort is required to develop and validate SFG diagnostics and those of other rickettsial infections.
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17
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Qiu Y, Abe T, Nakao R, Satoh K, Sugimoto C. Viral population analysis of the taiga tick, Ixodes persulcatus, by using Batch Learning Self-Organizing Maps and BLAST search. J Vet Med Sci 2019; 81:401-410. [PMID: 30674747 PMCID: PMC6451905 DOI: 10.1292/jvms.18-0483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Ticks transmit a wide range of viral, bacterial, and protozoal pathogens, which are often zoonotic. Several novel tick-borne viral pathogens have been reported during the past few years.
The aim of this study was to investigate a diversity of tick viral populations, which may contain as-yet unidentified viruses, using a combination of high throughput pyrosequencing and Batch
Learning Self-Organizing Map (BLSOM) program, which enables phylogenetic estimation based on the similarity of oligonucleotide frequencies. DNA/cDNA prepared from virus-enriched fractions
obtained from Ixodes persulcatus ticks was pyrosequenced. After de novo assembly, contigs were cataloged by the BLSOM program. In total 41 different viral
families and order including those previously associated with human and animal diseases such as Bunyavirales, Flaviviridae, and Reoviridae,
were detected. Therefore, our strategy is applicable for viral population analysis of other arthropods of medical and veterinary importance, such as mosquitos and lice. The results lead to
the contribution to the prediction of emerging tick-borne viral diseases. A sufficient understanding of tick viral populations will also empower to analyze and understand tick biology
including vector competency and interactions with other pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongjin Qiu
- Division of Collaboration and Education, Hokkaido University Research Center for Zoonosis Control, Kita 20 Nishi 10, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido 001-0020 Japan.,Hokudai Center for Zoonosis Control in Zambia, the University of Zambia, Lusaka, 10101 Zambia
| | - Takashi Abe
- Graduate School of Science and Technology, Niigata University, Ikarashi 2 no-cho 8050, Nishi-ku, Niigata, Niigata 950-2181 Japan
| | - Ryo Nakao
- Unit of Risk Analysis and Management, Hokkaido University Research Center for Zoonosis Control, Kita 20 Nishi 10, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido 001-0020 Japan.,Laboratory of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Graduate School of Infectious Diseases, Hokkaido University, Kita 18 Nishi 9, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido 060-0818 Japan
| | - Kenro Satoh
- Graduate School of Science and Technology, Niigata University, Ikarashi 2 no-cho 8050, Nishi-ku, Niigata, Niigata 950-2181 Japan
| | - Chihiro Sugimoto
- Division of Collaboration and Education, Hokkaido University Research Center for Zoonosis Control, Kita 20 Nishi 10, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido 001-0020 Japan.,Global Institution for Collaborative Research and Education (GI-CoRE), Hokkaido University, Kita 20 Nishi 10, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido 001-0020 Japan
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18
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Gomez-Barroso D, Vescio MF, Bella A, Ciervo A, Busani L, Rizzo C, Rezza G, Pezzotti P. Mediterranean spotted fever rickettsiosis in Italy, 2001-2015: Spatio-temporal distribution based on hospitalization records. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2018; 10:43-50. [PMID: 30197269 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2018.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2018] [Revised: 08/29/2018] [Accepted: 09/01/2018] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The Mediterranean spotted fever (MSF) rickettsiosis is the predominant rickettsial disease among the spotted fever group (SFG) rickettsiae in the Mediterranean countries and North Africa. Its causative agent is Rickettsia conorii, although, SFG rickettsiosis - cases due to Rickettsia monacensis, Rickettsia massiliae and Rickettsia aeschlimannii were also described. A retrospective study based on hospital discharge records with a diagnosis of SFG rickettsiosis was carried out to describe the spatial pattern, the trend of the disease, and the epidemiological characteristics of persons hospitalized in the period 2001-2015. Standardized hospitalization ratios were calculated at municipal level using the European population. Smoothed maps were produced using a localised smoothing Poisson model. The mean annual standardized hospitalization rate was 1.36/100,000 person years (95%CI: 1.34; 1.39). Rates showed strong summer seasonality and tended to decrease over time. During the study period, 28.89% of municipalities had smoothed standardized hospitalization ratios greater than 1 and 14.01% above 20. Higher standardized hospitalization ratios were found in areas along the Tyrrhenian coast, especially in the south of Calabria and in the islands of Sardinia and Sicily, where the disease is of public health relevance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana Gomez-Barroso
- Consortium for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), National Center for Epidemiology, Carlos III Institute of Health, Madrid, Spain.
| | | | - Antonino Bella
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Alessandra Ciervo
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Luca Busani
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Caterina Rizzo
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Giovanni Rezza
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Patrizio Pezzotti
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
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19
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Luz HR, Costa Neto SFD, Weksler M, Gentile R, Faccini JLH. Ticks parasitizing wild mammals in Atlantic Forest areas in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2018; 27:409-414. [PMID: 29846459 DOI: 10.1590/s1984-296120180027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2018] [Accepted: 03/07/2018] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Mammals captured in the Serra dos Órgãos National Park (PARNASO) and the Pedra Branca State Park (PBSP) between 2012 and 2015 were examined for the presence of ticks. In total, 140 mammals were examined, and 34 specimens were found to be parasitized by ticks. Didelphis aurita, Akodon montensis and Oligoryzomys nigripes were the species most parasitized. From these specimens, 146 ticks were collected, including 10 larvae. The ticks belonged to eight species: one in the genus Ixodes and seven in the genus Amblyomma. This study reports new associations of ticks and wild mammals in Brazil.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hermes Ribeiro Luz
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Escola de Medicina Veterinária e Ciência Animal, Universidade de São Paulo - USP, São Paulo, SP, Brasil
| | - Sócrates Fraga da Costa Neto
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Biodiversidade e Saúde, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz - Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil.,Laboratório de Biologia e Parasitologia de Mamíferos Silvestres, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz - Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil
| | - Marcelo Weksler
- Departamento de Vertebrados, Museu Nacional, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro - UFRJ, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil
| | - Rosana Gentile
- Laboratório de Biologia e Parasitologia de Mamíferos Silvestres, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz - Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil
| | - João Luiz Horacio Faccini
- Departamento de Parasitologia Animal, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro - UFRRJ, Seropédica, RJ, Brasil
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20
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Pistone D, Pajoro M, Novakova E, Vicari N, Gaiardelli C, Viganò R, Luzzago C, Montagna M, Lanfranchi P. Ticks and bacterial tick-borne pathogens in Piemonte region, Northwest Italy. EXPERIMENTAL & APPLIED ACAROLOGY 2017; 73:477-491. [PMID: 29189951 DOI: 10.1007/s10493-017-0202-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2017] [Accepted: 11/26/2017] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
A molecular screening for tick-borne pathogens was carried out in engorged and in questing ticks collected in Verbano Cusio Ossola county, Piemonte region, Italy. Engorged ticks were removed from wild and domestic animal hosts. The most abundant and common tick species in the area was Ixodes ricinus (192 adults, 907 nymphs). Few individuals of Ixodes hexagonus (15) and Rhipicephalus sanguineus (7) were found among the ticks removed from domestic animals (46 examined ticks). The presence of Rickettsia spp., Borrelia burgdorferi sensu latu, Francisella tularensis and Coxiella burnetii was evaluated by PCR and sequencing in 392 individuals of I. ricinus (adult and nymphal stages) and 22 individuals of the two other tick species. Five Borrelia species (i.e. B. burgdorferi sensu stricto, B. garinii, B. afzelii, B. valaisiana and B. lusitaniae), proved or suspected to cause clinical manifestations of Lyme disease in humans, showed 10.5 and 2.2% combined prevalence in questing and engorged I. ricinus, respectively. In addition, two species of rickettsiae (R. helvetica and R. monacensis) were identified and reported with 14.5 and 24.8% overall prevalence in questing and in engorged ticks. The prevalence of F. tularensis in the ticks collected on two wild ungulate species (Capreolus capreolus and Cervus elaphus) was 5.7%. This work provided further data and broadened our knowledge on bacterial pathogens present in ticks in Northwest Italy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dario Pistone
- Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia in Ceske Budejovice, Branisovska 31, 37005, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic.
- Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, Via Celoria, 26, 20133, Milan, Italy.
| | - Massimo Pajoro
- Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, Via Celoria, 26, 20133, Milan, Italy
- Pediatric Clinical Research Center Romeo and Enrica Invernizzi, Ospedale "Luigi Sacco", Via Giovanni Battista Grassi, 74, 20157, Milan, Italy
| | - Eva Novakova
- Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia in Ceske Budejovice, Branisovska 31, 37005, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
| | - Nadia Vicari
- Pavia Unit, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna "Bruno Ubertini", Strada Campeggi 59/61, 27100, Pavia, Italy
| | - Cesare Gaiardelli
- Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, Via Celoria, 26, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Roberto Viganò
- Studio Associato AlpVet, Piazza Venzaghi, 2, 21052, Busto Arsizio, VA, Italy
| | - Camilla Luzzago
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Milan, Via Celoria, 10, 20133, Milan, Italy
- Centro di Ricerca Coordinata Epidemiologia e Sorveglianza Molecolare delle Infezioni - EpiSoMI, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Matteo Montagna
- Dipartimento di Scienze Agrarie e Agroambientali, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria, 2, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Paolo Lanfranchi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Milan, Via Celoria, 10, 20133, Milan, Italy
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Sun RX, Lai SJ, Yang Y, Li XL, Liu K, Yao HW, Zhou H, Li Y, Wang LP, Mu D, Yin WW, Fang LQ, Yu HJ, Cao WC. Mapping the distribution of tick-borne encephalitis in mainland China. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2017; 8:631-639. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2017.04.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2016] [Revised: 04/12/2017] [Accepted: 04/13/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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Bonnet SI, Paul REL, Bischoff E, Cote M, Le Naour E. First identification of Rickettsia helvetica in questing ticks from a French Northern Brittany Forest. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2017; 11:e0005416. [PMID: 28248955 PMCID: PMC5348082 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0005416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2016] [Revised: 03/13/2017] [Accepted: 02/16/2017] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Tick-borne rickettsiae are considered to be emerging, but data about their presence in western Europe are scarce. Ixodes ricinus ticks, the most abundant and widespread tick species in western Europe, were collected and tested for the presence of several tick-borne pathogens in western France, a region never previously explored in this context. There was a high tick abundance with a mean of 4 females, 4.5 males, and 23.3 nymphs collected per hour per collector. Out of 622 tested ticks, specific PCR amplification showed the presence of tick symbionts as well as low prevalence of Borrelia burgdorferi (0.8%), Bartonella spp. (0.17%), and Anaplasma phagocytophilum (0.09%). The most prevalent pathogen was Rickettsia helvetica (4.17%). This is the first time that this bacteria has been detected in ticks in this region, and this result raises the possibility that bacteria other than those classically implicated may be involved in rickettsial diseases in western France.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Richard E. L. Paul
- Institut Pasteur, Unité de Génétique Fonctionnelle des Maladies Infectieuses, Paris, France
- CNRS URA3012, Paris, France
| | - Emmanuel Bischoff
- Institut Pasteur, Unité de Génétique et génomique des insectes vecteurs, Paris, France
| | - Martine Cote
- UMR BIPAR INRA-ANSES-ENVA, Maisons-Alfort cedex, France
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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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Khatri-Chhetri R, Wang HC, Chen CC, Shih HC, Liao HC, Sun CM, Khatri-Chhetri N, Wu HY, Pei KJC. Surveillance of ticks and associated pathogens in free-ranging Formosan pangolins (Manis pentadactyla pentadactyla). Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2016; 7:1238-1244. [PMID: 27426438 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2016.07.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2016] [Revised: 07/09/2016] [Accepted: 07/09/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Chinese pangolins are critically endangered insectivorous mammals distributed in several South and Southeast Asian countries. In recent years, there has been an increase in spread of tick-borne diseases in both humans and animals worldwide. Currently, limited information is available on ticks and associated pathogens infesting pangolins. The objective of the present study was to survey ticks and associated pathogens in the Formosan pangolin population in Southeastern Taiwan. Free-ranging Formosan pangolins captured during ecological survey were examined for the presence of ticks. DNA extracted from these ticks was used to identify the tick species and also to detect the tick-borne pathogens, by molecular methods. In the present study, we found 25% (13/52) of pangolins captured during 2012-2014 infested with ixodid ticks. A total of 21 ticks were collected and 3 species were identified: Haemaphysalis hystricis (14/21), Haemaphysalis formosensis (2/21) and Amblyomma testudinarium (5/21). We detected four different tick-borne pathogens, where one was identical to Anaplasma sp. strain An.H1446 while others showed close resemblance to Rickettsia conorii subsp. caspia A-167, Ehrlichia sp. TC251-2 and Cytauxzoon spp., respectively. The present study is the first survey of ticks infesting the free-ranging Chinese pangolins and pathogens harboured by these ticks. This information is important to know the diversity of ticks and tick-borne pathogens, and its conservation significance to pangolins and other sympatric wildlife. Important future step should be regular surveillance of ticks and tick-borne diseases at human-domestic animals-wildlife interface, which can provide a useful insight into the dynamics of these pathogens and can help control and prevent outbreak of zoonoses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rupak Khatri-Chhetri
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Taiwan
| | - Hsi-Chieh Wang
- Diagnostic and Vaccine Development, Centers for Disease Control, Taiwan
| | - Chen-Chih Chen
- Institute of Wildlife Conservation, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Taiwan
| | - Han-Chun Shih
- Diagnostic and Vaccine Development, Centers for Disease Control, Taiwan
| | - Hsien-Chun Liao
- Diagnostic and Vaccine Development, Centers for Disease Control, Taiwan
| | - Ching-Min Sun
- Institute of Bioresources, College of Agriculture, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Taiwan
| | - Nabin Khatri-Chhetri
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Taiwan
| | - Hung-Yi Wu
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Taiwan.
| | - Kurtis Jai-Chyi Pei
- Institute of Wildlife Conservation, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Taiwan; Pingtung Rescue Center for Endangered Wild Animals, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Taiwan.
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Serological evidence of Rickettsia and Coxiella burnetii in humans of Buenos Aires, Argentina. Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis 2015; 43:57-60. [PMID: 26616661 DOI: 10.1016/j.cimid.2015.10.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2015] [Revised: 10/07/2015] [Accepted: 10/22/2015] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
In Buenos Aires city (Argentina), the circulation of these agents has been detected mainly in vectors and animals, few human cases having been described. The aim of our study was to determine the seroprevalence of Rickettsia (spotted fever--SFG--and typhus--TG--groups) and Coxiella burnetii (Q fever agent) in residents of Buenos Aires city. The study involved 99 participants. Rickettsia IgG antibodies against SFG and TG were detected by IFA in 28.3% and 16.2% of serum samples, respectively. SFG titers were mostly 1/64 (53.6%) with a maximum of 1/512 (3.5%) whereas TG titers ranged between 1/64 (62.5%) and 1/256 (6.3%). Only one sample showed a titer of 1/32 for C. burnetii (phases I and II). The circulation of these pathogens in urban areas such as the city of Buenos Aires should be considered by health services, especially at the primary care level.
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Fang LQ, Liu K, Li XL, Liang S, Yang Y, Yao HW, Sun RX, Sun Y, Chen WJ, Zuo SQ, Ma MJ, Li H, Jiang JF, Liu W, Yang XF, Gray GC, Krause PJ, Cao WC. Emerging tick-borne infections in mainland China: an increasing public health threat. THE LANCET. INFECTIOUS DISEASES 2015; 15:1467-1479. [PMID: 26453241 PMCID: PMC4870934 DOI: 10.1016/s1473-3099(15)00177-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 200] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2015] [Revised: 06/18/2015] [Accepted: 07/07/2015] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Since the beginning of the 1980s, 33 emerging tick-borne agents have been identified in mainland China, including eight species of spotted fever group rickettsiae, seven species in the family Anaplasmataceae, six genospecies in the complex Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, 11 species of Babesia, and the virus causing severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome. In this Review we have mapped the geographical distributions of human cases of infection. 15 of the 33 emerging tick-borne agents have been reported to cause human disease, and their clinical characteristics have been described. The non-specific clinical manifestations caused by tick-borne pathogens present a major diagnostic challenge and most physicians are unfamiliar with the many tick-borne diseases that present with non-specific symptoms in the early stages of the illness. Advances in and application of modern molecular techniques should help with identification of emerging tick-borne pathogens and improve laboratory diagnosis of human infections. We expect that more novel tick-borne infections in ticks and animals will be identified and additional emerging tick-borne diseases in human beings will be discovered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li-Qun Fang
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, China
| | - Kun Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, China
| | - Xin-Lou Li
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, China
| | - Song Liang
- College of Public Health and Health Professions, and Emerging Pathogens Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Yang Yang
- College of Public Health and Health Professions, and Emerging Pathogens Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Hong-Wu Yao
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, China
| | - Ruo-Xi Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, China
| | - Ye Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, China
| | - Wan-Jun Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, China
| | - Shu-Qing Zuo
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, China
| | - Mai-Juan Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, China
| | - Hao Li
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, China
| | - Jia-Fu Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, China
| | - Wei Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, China
| | - X Frank Yang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Barnhill, IN, USA
| | | | - Peter J Krause
- Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- Department of Medicine and Department of Pediatrics, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Wu-Chun Cao
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, China
- Correspondence to: Prof Wu-Chun Cao, State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Fengtai District, Beijing 100071, China
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Diaz JH. Ticks, Including Tick Paralysis. MANDELL, DOUGLAS, AND BENNETT'S PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICE OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES 2015. [PMCID: PMC7158346 DOI: 10.1016/b978-1-4557-4801-3.00298-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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Michelet L, Delannoy S, Devillers E, Umhang G, Aspan A, Juremalm M, Chirico J, van der Wal FJ, Sprong H, Boye Pihl TP, Klitgaard K, Bødker R, Fach P, Moutailler S. High-throughput screening of tick-borne pathogens in Europe. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2014; 4:103. [PMID: 25120960 PMCID: PMC4114295 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2014.00103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 177] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2014] [Accepted: 07/10/2014] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Due to increased travel, climatic, and environmental changes, the incidence of tick-borne disease in both humans and animals is increasing throughout Europe. Therefore, extended surveillance tools are desirable. To accurately screen tick-borne pathogens (TBPs), a large scale epidemiological study was conducted on 7050 Ixodes ricinus nymphs collected from France, Denmark, and the Netherlands using a powerful new high-throughput approach. This advanced methodology permitted the simultaneous detection of 25 bacterial, and 12 parasitic species (including; Borrelia, Anaplasma, Ehrlichia, Rickettsia, Bartonella, Candidatus Neoehrlichia, Coxiella, Francisella, Babesia, and Theileria genus) across 94 samples. We successfully determined the prevalence of expected (Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Rickettsia helvetica, Candidatus Neoehrlichia mikurensis, Babesia divergens, Babesia venatorum), unexpected (Borrelia miyamotoi), and rare (Bartonella henselae) pathogens in the three European countries. Moreover we detected Borrelia spielmanii, Borrelia miyamotoi, Babesia divergens, and Babesia venatorum for the first time in Danish ticks. This surveillance method represents a major improvement in epidemiological studies, able to facilitate comprehensive testing of TBPs, and which can also be customized to monitor emerging diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sabine Delannoy
- IdentyPath Platform, Food Safety Laboratory, ANSES Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Elodie Devillers
- UMR BIPAR, Animal Health Laboratory, ANSES Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Gérald Umhang
- Nancy Laboratory for Rabies and Wildlife, Wildlife EcoEPIdemiology and Surveillance Unit, ANSES Malzéville, France
| | - Anna Aspan
- Department of Bacteriology, National Veterinary Institute (SVA) Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Mikael Juremalm
- Department of Virology, Immunobiology and Parasitology, National Veterinary Institute (SVA) Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Jan Chirico
- Department of Virology, Immunobiology and Parasitology, National Veterinary Institute (SVA) Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Fimme J van der Wal
- Department of Infection Biology, Central Veterinary Institute, Wageningen UR Lelystad, Netherlands
| | - Hein Sprong
- Laboratory for Zoonoses and Environmental Microbiology, National Institute for Public Health and Environment (RIVM) Bilthoven, Netherlands
| | | | | | - Rene Bødker
- National Veterinary Institute, DTU Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Patrick Fach
- IdentyPath Platform, Food Safety Laboratory, ANSES Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Sara Moutailler
- UMR BIPAR, Animal Health Laboratory, ANSES Maisons-Alfort, France
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Mazza G, Tricarico E, Genovesi P, Gherardi F. Biological invaders are threats to human health: an overview. ETHOL ECOL EVOL 2013. [DOI: 10.1080/03949370.2013.863225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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Paduraru OA, Buffet JP, Cote M, Bonnet S, Moutailler S, Paduraru V, Femenia F, Eloit M, Savuta G, Vayssier-Taussat M. Zoonotic transmission of pathogens by Ixodes ricinus ticks, Romania. Emerg Infect Dis 2013; 18:2089-90. [PMID: 23171510 PMCID: PMC3557884 DOI: 10.3201/eid1812.120711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
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A novel approach, based on BLSOMs (Batch Learning Self-Organizing Maps), to the microbiome analysis of ticks. ISME JOURNAL 2013; 7:1003-15. [PMID: 23303373 DOI: 10.1038/ismej.2012.171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
Ticks transmit a variety of viral, bacterial and protozoal pathogens, which are often zoonotic. The aim of this study was to identify diverse tick microbiomes, which may contain as-yet unidentified pathogens, using a metagenomic approach. DNA prepared from bacteria/archaea-enriched fractions obtained from seven tick species, namely Amblyomma testudinarium, Amblyomma variegatum, Haemaphysalis formosensis, Haemaphysalis longicornis, Ixodes ovatus, Ixodes persulcatus and Ixodes ricinus, was subjected to pyrosequencing after whole-genome amplification. The resulting sequence reads were phylotyped using a Batch Learning Self-Organizing Map (BLSOM) program, which allowed phylogenetic estimation based on similarity of oligonucleotide frequencies, and functional annotation by BLASTX similarity searches. In addition to bacteria previously associated with human/animal diseases, such as Anaplasma, Bartonella, Borrelia, Ehrlichia, Francisella and Rickettsia, BLSOM analysis detected microorganisms belonging to the phylum Chlamydiae in some tick species. This was confirmed by pan-Chlamydia PCR and sequencing analysis. Gene sequences associated with bacterial pathogenesis were also identified, some of which were suspected to originate from horizontal gene transfer. These efforts to construct a database of tick microbes may lead to the ability to predict emerging tick-borne diseases. Furthermore, a comprehensive understanding of tick microbiomes will be useful for understanding tick biology, including vector competency and interactions with pathogens and symbionts.
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Edouard S, Koebel C, Goehringer F, Socolovschi C, Jaulhac B, Raoult D, Brouqui P. Emergence of human granulocytic anaplasmosis in France. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2012. [PMID: 23182272 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2012.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
In France, only one case of tick-borne human granulocytic anaplasmosis has been described in the literature (in 2003). Here, we report 5 new human cases of Anaplasma phagocytophilum infection from north-eastern France diagnosed in our laboratory in south-eastern France by serology and molecular biology. This increase is directly related to more physician interest in this disease and the implementation of a new PCR tool.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophie Edouard
- Aix Marseille Université, Unité de Recherche en Maladies Infectieuses et Tropicales Emergentes (URMITE), UM63, CNRS 7278, IRD 198, Inserm 1095, WHO Collaborative Center for Rickettsioses and Other Arthropod Borne Bacterial Diseases, 27 bd Jean Moulin, 13385 Marseille Cedex 5, France
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Abstract
SUMMARYIn the epidemiology of infectious diseases, the basic reproduction number, R0, has a number of important applications, most notably it can be used to predict whether a pathogen is likely to become established, or persist, in a given area. We used the R0model to investigate the persistence of 3 tick-borne pathogens;Babesia microti, Anaplasma phagocytophilumandBorrelia burgdorferisensu lato in anApodemus sylvaticus-Ixodes ricinussystem. The persistence of these pathogens was also determined empirically by screening questing ticks and wood mice by PCR. All 3 pathogens behaved differently in response to changes in the proportion of transmission hosts on whichI. ricinusfed, the efficiency of transmission between the host and ticks and the abundance of larval and nymphal ticks found on small mammals. Empirical data supported theoretical predictions of the R0model. The transmission pathway employed and the duration of systemic infection were also identified as important factors responsible for establishment or persistence of tick-borne pathogens in a given tick-host system. The current study demonstrates how the R0model can be put to practical use to investigate factors affecting tick-borne pathogen persistence, which has important implications for animal and human health worldwide.
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Travel and disease vector ticks. Travel Med Infect Dis 2011; 9:49-59. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tmaid.2011.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2010] [Revised: 01/06/2011] [Accepted: 01/11/2011] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
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Guyot H, Ramery E, O'Grady L, Sandersen C, Rollin F. Emergence of bovine ehrlichiosis in Belgian cattle herds. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2011; 2:116-8. [PMID: 21771546 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2010.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2010] [Revised: 11/16/2010] [Accepted: 12/18/2010] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Bovine ehrlichiosis is a tick-borne rickettsial disease caused by Anaplasma phagocytophilum. The disease can also be transmitted to humans. Outbreaks in cattle have been described in many European countries. In Belgium, infections caused by A. phagocytophilum have been reported in humans and dogs; however, this paper details the first report of ehrlichiosis in cattle herds in Belgium. The first case described was in a dairy herd located in eastern Belgium. Clinical signs included hyperthermia, polypnea, and swelling of the limbs. The other case was diagnosed in a second, mixed purpose herd in western Belgium. Within the second herd, all of the affected animals came from the same pasture. All animals in that pasture showed recurrent hyperthermia, and some also showed signs of mastitis and late-term abortions. Blood smears and serology revealed the presence of A. phagocytophilum in the majority of animals with pyrexia. Furthermore, the presence of leptospirosis, Neospora caninum, and Q fever antibodies was tested by serological analysis, but all results were negative. Paired serology for Adenovirus, BHV-4, BHV-1, BVD, PI3, and RSV-B did not show any significant seroconversion. Milk samples from cows affected by mastitis revealed minor pathogens. Fecal testing for the presence of Dictyocaulus viviparus in the first herd was negative. Recurrent pyrexia in pastured cattle is a non-specific sign, and can be related to several different pathogens. Bovine ehrlichiosis is transmitted by the tick species Ixodes ricinus which is known to be present throughout Belgium. Belgian practitioners should include ehrlichiosis in their differential diagnosis when confronted with pastured cattle suffering from recurrent pyrexia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hugues Guyot
- University of Liege, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Clinic for Ruminants, Boulevard de Colonster, 20 Bat. B42, 4000 Liege, Belgium.
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Anaplasma phagocytophilum infection in a domestic cat in Finland: Case report. Acta Vet Scand 2010; 52:62. [PMID: 21078141 PMCID: PMC2996389 DOI: 10.1186/1751-0147-52-62] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2010] [Accepted: 11/15/2010] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Anaplasmosis is a vectorborne disease caused by the gram-negative bacterium Anaplasma phagocytophilum. This species displays positive tropism to granulocytes and can cause illness in several mammalian species, including cats, dogs, and humans. It is considered as an emerging disease in Europe. The clinical signs are nonspecific and include fever, lethargy, and inappetence. The most typical hematologic abnormality is thrombocytopenia. A tentative diagnosis can be made by detecting intracytoplasmic morulae inside neutrophils. The diagnosis is confirmed by PCR and serology in paired serum samples. A sample for PCR analysis should be taken before treatment. Anaplasmosis is treated with doxycycline. Case presentation A feline case of anaplasmosis is presented. The history, clinical presentation, diagnostics, treatment, and follow-up are discussed. Conclusions This case indicates that Anaplasma phagocytophilum infects cats in Finland. To provide accurate treatment, anaplasmosis should be listed as a differential diagnosis in cats suffering from acute febrile illness with previous tick exposure.
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Hornok S, Meli ML, Perreten A, Farkas R, Willi B, Beugnet F, Lutz H, Hofmann-Lehmann R. Molecular investigation of hard ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) and fleas (Siphonaptera: Pulicidae) as potential vectors of rickettsial and mycoplasmal agents. Vet Microbiol 2010; 140:98-104. [DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2009.07.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2008] [Revised: 04/23/2009] [Accepted: 07/03/2009] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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38
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Xhaxhiu D, Kusi I, Rapti D, Visser M, Knaus M, Lindner T, Rehbein S. Ectoparasites of dogs and cats in Albania. Parasitol Res 2009; 105:1577-87. [DOI: 10.1007/s00436-009-1591-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2009] [Accepted: 07/30/2009] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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39
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Uspensky I. Attachment of nymphal Rhipicephalus sanguineus (Acari: Ixodidae) to a human in an urban area followed by severe adverse reaction shortly before drop-off. Folia Parasitol (Praha) 2009; 56:67-9. [PMID: 19391333 DOI: 10.14411/fp.2009.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
A case of attachment and complete engorgement of a Rhipicephalus sanguineus (Latreille, 1806) nymph on a woman with severe pain shortly before nymphal drop-off is described. The pain continued for about 2 weeks after tick removal. Apparently, this is the first documented case of human adverse reaction developed at the very last stage of engorgement of nymphal R. sanguineus. The infestation most likely took place inside the enclosed household garden in the southern area of Jerusalem where the woman took care of the plants. The importance of immature R. sanguineus ticks in attacking humans is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Igor Uspensky
- Department of Biological Chemistry, A. Silberman Institute of Life Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Givat-Ram Campus, Jerusalem 91904, Israel.
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40
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Tsao JI. Reviewing molecular adaptations of Lyme borreliosis spirochetes in the context of reproductive fitness in natural transmission cycles. Vet Res 2009; 40:36. [PMID: 19368764 PMCID: PMC2701186 DOI: 10.1051/vetres/2009019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2008] [Accepted: 04/15/2009] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Lyme borreliosis (LB) is caused by a group of pathogenic spirochetes – most often Borrelia burgdorferi, B. afzelii, and B. garinii – that are vectored by hard ticks in the Ixodes ricinus-persulcatus complex, which feed on a variety of mammals, birds, and lizards. Although LB is one of the best-studied vector-borne zoonoses, the annual incidence in North America and Europe leads other vector-borne diseases and continues to increase. What factors make the LB system so successful, and how can researchers hope to reduce disease risk – either through vaccinating humans or reducing the risk of contacting infected ticks in nature? Discoveries of molecular interactions involved in the transmission of LB spirochetes have accelerated recently, revealing complex interactions among the spirochete-tick-vertebrate triad. These interactions involve multiple, and often redundant, pathways that reflect the evolution of general and specific mechanisms by which the spirochetes survive and reproduce. Previous reviews have focused on the molecular interactions or population biology of the system. Here molecular interactions among the LB spirochete, its vector, and vertebrate hosts are reviewed in the context of natural maintenance cycles, which represent the ecological and evolutionary contexts that shape these interactions. This holistic system approach may help researchers develop additional testable hypotheses about transmission processes, interpret laboratory results, and guide development of future LB control measures and management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean I Tsao
- Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48864, USA.
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41
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Paulauskas A, Radzijevskaja J, Rosef O. Anaplasma in ticks feeding on migrating birds and questing ticks in Lithuania and Norway. Clin Microbiol Infect 2009; 15 Suppl 2:34-6. [PMID: 19392894 DOI: 10.1111/j.1469-0691.2008.02164.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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42
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Radzijevskaja J, Paulauskas A, Rosef O. Prevalence of Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Babesia divergens in Ixodes ricinus ticks from Lithuania and Norway. Int J Med Microbiol 2008. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijmm.2008.01.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022] Open
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43
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Rosà R, Pugliese A, Ghosh M, Perkins SE, Rizzoli A. Temporal Variation of Ixodes ricinus Intensity on the Rodent Host Apodemus flavicollis in Relation to Local Climate and Host Dynamics. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2007; 7:285-95. [PMID: 17760511 DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2006.0607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The risk to humans of contracting tick-borne zoonotic diseases depends on the risk of a bite from an infected tick, which can be broken down into its component parts as the number of host-seeking ticks in the environment, in particular nymphs, and the prevalence of tick-borne pathogens they are carrying. In turn, the prevalence of tick-borne pathogens is dependent upon tick biting intensity on hosts that support transmission between ticks; namely rodents. These ticks once fed moult into the next life stage and search for the next blood meal, thus posing a zoonotic risk. Here, we analyse tick biting intensity on rodents in a known tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) focus in Trentino (northern Italy). We examine patterns of tick demography and the influence of host densities and climate on ticks' generation time, development rates, tick density and intensity. During the period 2000-2004, a population of the yellow-necked mouse, Apodemus flavicollis, the most important TBE transmission host, was intensively monitored. Ticks feeding on individual rodents were counted, distinguishing between the larval and nymph life-stages. Local temperature and relative humidity was calculated using both data-loggers in the field site and regional weather stations. We investigated which factors had a predictive value both on feeding tick intensity and on the overall density of larvae or nymphs feeding on rodents in a year. We observed a negative effect of rodent density on tick intensity, while temperature influenced positively both larvae and nymph intensity. Overall larval density was higher in the years and trapping grids where rodent density was higher, while for nymphs no such effect was observed. The best explanatory variable for nymph density was the larval density in the previous year, confirming the discrete nature of tick demography. This provides important information in terms of monitoring the risk to humans of acquiring pathogen-infected ticks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Rosà
- Centre for Alpine Ecology, Viote del Monte Bondone, Trento, Italy.
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44
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Brouqui P, Parola P, Fournier PE, Raoult D. Spotted fever rickettsioses in southern and eastern Europe. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2007; 49:2-12. [PMID: 17266709 DOI: 10.1111/j.1574-695x.2006.00138.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 103] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Mediterranean spotted fever due to Rickettsia conorii conorii was thought, for many years, to be the only tick-borne rickettsial disease prevalent in southern and eastern Europe. However, in recent years, six more species or subspecies within the spotted fever group of the genus Rickettsia have been described as emerging pathogens in this part of the world. Tick-borne agents include Rickettsia conorii israelensis, Rickettsia conorii caspia, Rickettsia aeschlimannii, Rickettsia slovaca, Rickettsia sibirica mongolitimonae and Rickettsia massiliae. Many Rickettsia of unknown pathogenicity have also been detected from ticks and could represent potential emerging pathogens to be discovered in the future. Furthermore, a new spotted fever rickettsia, Rickettsia felis, was found to be associated with cat fleas and is an emerging human pathogen. Finally, the mite-transmitted Rickettsia akari, the agent of rickettsialpox, is also known to be prevalent in Europe. We present here an overview of these rickettsioses, focusing on emerging diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philippe Brouqui
- Unité des Rickettsies, Faculté de Médecine, Université de la Méditerranée, Marseille, France.
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45
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Sassera D, Beninati T, Bandi C, Bouman EAP, Sacchi L, Fabbi M, Lo N. 'Candidatus Midichloria mitochondrii', an endosymbiont of the tick Ixodes ricinus with a unique intramitochondrial lifestyle. Int J Syst Evol Microbiol 2007; 56:2535-2540. [PMID: 17082386 DOI: 10.1099/ijs.0.64386-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 160] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
An intracellular bacterium with the unique ability to enter mitochondria exists in the European vector of Lyme disease, the hard tick Ixodes ricinus. Previous phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences suggested that the bacterium formed a divergent lineage within the Rickettsiales (Alphaproteobacteria). Here, we present additional phylogenetic evidence, based on the gyrB gene sequence, that confirms the phylogenetic position of the bacterium. Based on these data, as well as electron microscopy (EM), in situ hybridization and other observations, we propose the name 'Candidatus Midichloria mitochondrii' for this bacterium. The symbiont appears to be ubiquitous in females of I. ricinus across the tick's distribution, while lower prevalence is observed in males (44%). Based on EM and in situ hybridization studies, the presence of 'Candidatus M. mitochondrii' in females appears to be restricted to ovarian cells. The bacterium was found to be localized both in the cytoplasm and in the intermembrane space of the mitochondria of ovarian cells. 'Candidatus M. mitochondrii' is the first bacterium to be identified that resides within animal mitochondria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Davide Sassera
- Dipartimento di Patologia Animale, Igiene e Sanità Pubblica Veterinaria, Università degli studi di Milano, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Tiziana Beninati
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Sydney, New South Wales 2006, Australia
| | - Claudio Bandi
- Dipartimento di Patologia Animale, Igiene e Sanità Pubblica Veterinaria, Università degli studi di Milano, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Edwin A P Bouman
- Biology Centre, Institute of Parasitology, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Branišovská 31, 370 05 České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Luciano Sacchi
- Dipartimento di Biologia Animale, Università di Pavia, Piazza Botta 9, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Massimo Fabbi
- Sezione Diagnostica di Pavia, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna "Bruno Ubertini", 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Nathan Lo
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Sydney, New South Wales 2006, Australia
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46
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Torina A, Vicente J, Alongi A, Scimeca S, Turlá R, Nicosia S, Di Marco V, Caracappa S, de la Fuente J. Observed Prevalence of Tick-borne Pathogens in Domestic Animals in Sicily, Italy during 2003?2005. Zoonoses Public Health 2007; 54:8-15. [PMID: 17359441 DOI: 10.1111/j.1863-2378.2007.00989.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The objective of this study was to characterize the observed prevalence of tick-borne pathogens (TBP) in domestic animals in Sicily, Italy during 2003-2005. Serological (competitive ELISA and indirect immunofluorescence antibody, n = 3299) and DNA tests (polymerase chain reaction and reverse line blot, n = 2565) were conducted on horse, donkey, cattle, sheep, goat, pig and dog samples. Pathogens analysed included Anaplasma, Ehrlichia, Rickettsia, Babesia and Theileria species, and Coxiella burnetii. The most prevalent TBP were Anaplasma and Babesia species. The results reported herein suggested that cattle could serve as the major reservoir for Babesia and Theileria spp. while for Anaplasma spp. cattle, dogs, sheep and goats may be the most important reservoir species. These results expanded our knowledge about the prevalence of TBP in Sicily and provided information to understand the epidemiology of tick-borne diseases and may help to implement measures to diagnose, treat and control transmission to humans and animals in this region.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Torina
- Instituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia, Via G. Marinuzzi no. 3, 90129 Palermo, Sicily, Italy
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47
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Ortuño A, Quesada M, López S, Miret J, Cardeñosa N, Castellà J, Anton E, Segura F. Prevalence of Rickettsia slovaca in Dermacentor marginatus ticks removed from wild boar (Sus scrofa) in northeastern Spain. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2007; 1078:324-7. [PMID: 17114731 DOI: 10.1196/annals.1374.061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Rickettsia slovaca, the causative agent of TIBOLA, is transmitted by Dermacentor ticks. Dermacentor marginatus is the most widely species distributed in northeastern Spain, and the wild boar constitutes the main host. D. marginatus ticks were collected from hunter-killed wild boar and were tested by PCR/RFLP. Rickettsial DNA-positive ticks were sequenced using the ompA PCR primers. The prevalence of R. slovaca in D. marginatus ticks was 17.7%. Other spotted fever group rickettsiae were detected in ticks, but these were not definitely identified.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Ortuño
- Parasitologia i Malalties Parasitàries, Department of Sanitat i Anatomia Animal, Facultat de Veterinària, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain.
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48
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Wölfel R, Terzioglu R, Kiessling J, Wilhelm S, Essbauer S, Pfeffer M, Dobler G. Rickettsia spp. in Ixodes ricinus ticks in Bavaria, Germany. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2007; 1078:509-11. [PMID: 17114766 DOI: 10.1196/annals.1374.133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
This study aims to provide information on the occurrence of spotted fever rickettsiae in Ixodes ricinus ticks in southern Germany. A total of 2,141 I. ricinus ticks was collected in Bavaria. Pools of 5-10 ticks were studied by a PCR targeting the rickettsial citrate synthase gene gltA. The average prevalence rate was 12% (257 of 2,141). Sequencing data exclusively identified Rickettsia helvetica DNA. Results and other data demonstrate the possible role of R. helvetica in I. ricinus as a source of human infections in southern Germany.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Wölfel
- Department of Virology and Rickettsiology, Bundeswehr Institute of Microbiology, Neuherbergstrasse 11, 80937 Munich, Germany.
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49
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Strik NI, Alleman AR, Barbet AF, Sorenson HL, Wamsley HL, Gaschen FP, Luckschander N, Wong S, Chu F, Foley JE, Bjoersdorff A, Stuen S, Knowles DP. Characterization of Anaplasma phagocytophilum major surface protein 5 and the extent of its cross-reactivity with A. marginale. CLINICAL AND VACCINE IMMUNOLOGY : CVI 2007; 14:262-8. [PMID: 17215333 PMCID: PMC1828860 DOI: 10.1128/cvi.00320-06] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Major surface protein 5 (Msp5) of Anaplasma marginale is highly conserved in the genus Anaplasma and the antigen used in a commercially available competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (cELISA) for serologic identification of cattle with anaplasmosis. This study analyzes the degrees of conservation of Msp5 among various isolates of Anaplasma phagocytophilum and the extent of serologic cross-reactivity between recombinant Msp5 (rMsp5) of Anaplasma marginale and A. phagocytophilum. The msp5 genes from various isolates of A. phagocytophilum were sequenced and compared. rMsp5 proteins of A. phagocytophilum and A. marginale were used separately in an indirect ELISA to detect cross-reactivity in serum samples from humans and dogs infected with A. phagocytophilum and cattle infected with A. marginale. Serum samples were also tested with a commercially available competitive ELISA that uses monoclonal antibody ANAF16C1. There were 100% sequence identities in the msp5 genes among all of the A. phagocytophilum isolates from the United States and a horse isolate from Sweden. Sheep isolates from Norway and dog isolates from Sweden were 99% identical to one another but differed in 17 base pairs from the United States isolates and the horse isolate. Serologic cross-reactivity was identified when serum samples from cattle infected with A. marginale were reacted with rMsp5 of A. phagocytophilum and when serum samples from humans and dogs infected with A. phagocytophilum were reacted with rMsp5 of A. marginale in an indirect-ELISA format. Serum samples from dogs or humans infected with A. phagocytophilum did not cross-react with rMsp5 of A. marginale when tested with the commercially available cELISA. These results suggest that rMsp5 of A. phagocytophilum is highly conserved among United States and European isolates and that serologic distinction between A. phagocytophilum and A. marginale infections cannot be accomplished if rMsp5 from either organism is used in an indirect ELISA.
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Affiliation(s)
- N I Strik
- College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, 2015 S.W. 16th Ave., Box 100103, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
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50
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Halos L, Vourc'h G, Cotte V, Gasqui P, Barnouin J, Boulous HJ, Vayssier-Taussat M. Prevalence of Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Rickettsia sp. and Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato DNA in Questing Ixodes ricinus Ticks from France. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2006; 1078:316-9. [PMID: 17114729 DOI: 10.1196/annals.1374.059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
A total of 4701 Ixodes ricinus, collected during the summer of 2003, were analyzed for three pathogens. DNA was detected from the three pathogens. Co-detection of more than one pathogen was observed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lénaïg Halos
- UMR 956 BIPAR, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, Maisons-Alfort, France
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