1
|
Makhoul J, Ben-Arie-Weintrob Y, Ben Ephraim Noyman D. Retinochoroiditis secondary to Rickettsia typhi infection: a case report. BMC Ophthalmol 2024; 24:111. [PMID: 38454387 PMCID: PMC10919007 DOI: 10.1186/s12886-024-03329-5] [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: 11/29/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND To report a case of unusual presentation of retinochoroiditis caused by Rickettsia typhi in a patient without prior uveitis. CASE PRESENTATION In this case, we describe a 24-year-old male soldier with no previous eye disease, who was referred to our ophthalmology department due to bilateral retinochoroiditis and vitritis. The patient initially presented with a paracentral scotoma in his right eye persisting for 7 days and scattered dark spots in his left eye for 2 days in June 2023. Preceding these ocular symptoms, he experienced a two-week episode of fever, headaches, night sweats, and rapid weight loss of 10 kg. A transient rash covered his body briefly. His mother had a history of recurrent eye inflammation. Physical examination revealed bilateral keratic precipitates on the lower corneal periphery, 1 + anterior vitreous cells, small retinal lesions and mild optic discs elevation. Fluorescein angiography indicated mild discs hyperfluorescence, and the clinically visible round punctate lesions on OCT showed inner retinal hyper-reflective lesion with a depth till outer plexiform layer possibly suggestive of a retinitis lesion. Laboratory tests were normal except thrombocytosis, elevated ESR, liver enzymes and ACE levels, with positive Rickettsia typhi serology tests. Rheumatology and infectious disease consultations ruled out autoimmune diseases, confirming Rickettsia typhi infection. Treatment included systemic doxycycline and prednisone, with improvement of visual acuity, ocular symptoms, OCT abnormalities and resolution of inflammation. Prednisone was discontinued, and after two months, additional improvement was seen clinically, with preserved retinal structures on OCT. CONCLUSION This study explores retinochoroiditis as a rare ocular presentation of Rickettsia typhi, an unusual infection in the Middle East. Previously reported ocular manifestations include conjunctivitis, vitritis, post infectious optic neuropathy and a few cases of uveitis. Ocular symptoms followed systemic illness, highlighting the need for awareness among clinicians. Diagnosis relies on seroconversion, with fluorescein angiography and OCT aiding in assessment. Empiric doxycycline and systemic corticosteroid therapy is recommended. Ocular symptoms resolved in two months. Awareness of these ocular manifestations is essential for timely diagnosis and management. Further research is needed to fully understand this aspect of murine typhus.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Joanne Makhoul
- Ruth and Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel.
- Rambam Health Care Campus, Haifa, Israel.
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
2
|
Antonovskaia AA, Balakirev AE, Lopatina YV. New data on the distribution of chigger mites (Acariformes: Trombiculidae) associated with small mammals in Vietnam. Zootaxa 2023; 5346:271-306. [PMID: 38221339 DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5346.3.3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/16/2024]
Abstract
The study of chigger mites of Vietnam is based on the material collected during fieldworks in 20112019 and examination of small mammal samples deposited in museum collections. A total 59 small mammals species were examined (49 species of Rodentia, 8 species of Eulipotyphla, and 2 species of Scandentia). On them, 79 species of chigger mites were collected, of which 44 species are recorded in Vietnam for the first time. Thus, the list of chigger mite species reported in Vietnam has been extended to 122 species belonging to 16 genera and 3 subfamilies. Most recorded species belong to the genera Leptotrombidium and Walchia. New hosts have been recorded for 48 trombiculid species. The study showed that the diversity of trombiculids of various regions of Vietnam has been studied unevenly.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- A A Antonovskaia
- Department of Entomology; Lomonosov Moscow State University; Moscow; Russia.
| | - A E Balakirev
- Laboratory of Tropical Ecology; Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution; Russian Academy of Sciences; Moscow; Russia; Russian-Vietnamese Tropical Research and Test Center; Hanoi; Vietnam.
| | - Y V Lopatina
- Department of Entomology; Lomonosov Moscow State University; Moscow; Russia.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Molecular characterization of Rickettsia spp., Bartonella spp., and Anaplasma phagocytophilum in hard ticks collected from wild animals in Benin, West Africa. Trop Anim Health Prod 2022; 54:306. [DOI: 10.1007/s11250-022-03286-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2022] [Accepted: 08/31/2022] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
|
4
|
Biselli R, Nisini R, Lista F, Autore A, Lastilla M, De Lorenzo G, Peragallo MS, Stroffolini T, D’Amelio R. A Historical Review of Military Medical Strategies for Fighting Infectious Diseases: From Battlefields to Global Health. Biomedicines 2022; 10:2050. [PMID: 36009598 PMCID: PMC9405556 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10082050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2022] [Revised: 08/12/2022] [Accepted: 08/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The environmental conditions generated by war and characterized by poverty, undernutrition, stress, difficult access to safe water and food as well as lack of environmental and personal hygiene favor the spread of many infectious diseases. Epidemic typhus, plague, malaria, cholera, typhoid fever, hepatitis, tetanus, and smallpox have nearly constantly accompanied wars, frequently deeply conditioning the outcome of battles/wars more than weapons and military strategy. At the end of the nineteenth century, with the birth of bacteriology, military medical researchers in Germany, the United Kingdom, and France were active in discovering the etiological agents of some diseases and in developing preventive vaccines. Emil von Behring, Ronald Ross and Charles Laveran, who were or served as military physicians, won the first, the second, and the seventh Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine for discovering passive anti-diphtheria/tetanus immunotherapy and for identifying mosquito Anopheline as a malaria vector and plasmodium as its etiological agent, respectively. Meanwhile, Major Walter Reed in the United States of America discovered the mosquito vector of yellow fever, thus paving the way for its prevention by vector control. In this work, the military relevance of some vaccine-preventable and non-vaccine-preventable infectious diseases, as well as of biological weapons, and the military contributions to their control will be described. Currently, the civil-military medical collaboration is getting closer and becoming interdependent, from research and development for the prevention of infectious diseases to disasters and emergencies management, as recently demonstrated in Ebola and Zika outbreaks and the COVID-19 pandemic, even with the high biocontainment aeromedical evacuation, in a sort of global health diplomacy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Biselli
- Ispettorato Generale della Sanità Militare, Stato Maggiore della Difesa, Via S. Stefano Rotondo 4, 00184 Roma, Italy
| | - Roberto Nisini
- Dipartimento di Malattie Infettive, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Roma, Italy
| | - Florigio Lista
- Dipartimento Scientifico, Policlinico Militare, Comando Logistico dell’Esercito, Via S. Stefano Rotondo 4, 00184 Roma, Italy
| | - Alberto Autore
- Osservatorio Epidemiologico della Difesa, Ispettorato Generale della Sanità Militare, Stato Maggiore della Difesa, Via S. Stefano Rotondo 4, 00184 Roma, Italy
| | - Marco Lastilla
- Istituto di Medicina Aerospaziale, Comando Logistico dell’Aeronautica Militare, Viale Piero Gobetti 2, 00185 Roma, Italy
| | - Giuseppe De Lorenzo
- Comando Generale dell’Arma dei Carabinieri, Dipartimento per l’Organizzazione Sanitaria e Veterinaria, Viale Romania 45, 00197 Roma, Italy
| | - Mario Stefano Peragallo
- Centro Studi e Ricerche di Sanità e Veterinaria, Comando Logistico dell’Esercito, Via S. Stefano Rotondo 4, 00184 Roma, Italy
| | - Tommaso Stroffolini
- Dipartimento di Malattie Infettive e Tropicali, Policlinico Umberto I, 00161 Roma, Italy
| | - Raffaele D’Amelio
- Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Molecolare, Sapienza Università di Roma, Via di Grottarossa 1035-1039, 00189 Roma, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Peter SG, Kariuki HW, Aboge GO, Gakuya DW, Maingi N, Mulei CM. Prevalence of Ticks Infesting Dairy Cattle and the Pathogens They Harbour in Smallholder Farms in Peri-Urban Areas of Nairobi, Kenya. Vet Med Int 2021; 2021:9501648. [PMID: 34925753 PMCID: PMC8683169 DOI: 10.1155/2021/9501648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2021] [Accepted: 11/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
This study aimed at determining the tick species infesting dairy cattle in Nairobi, Kenya, and the pathogens they harbour. While ticks are well-known vectors of major bacterial pathogens of both veterinary importance and public health importance, few studies have investigated the range of the tick species and the associated pathogens, especially present in unique dairy production systems, which compromise animal welfare, such as those in peri-urban areas. A cross-sectional study was undertaken involving 314 randomly selected dairy cattle in 109 smallholder farms. Each animal was examined for attached ticks followed by morphological tick identification at the species level. Genomic DNA was extracted from each of the ticks, and 16S rDNA gene was amplified for pathogen identification. Sequencing of the amplicons and subsequent BLASTn analysis, multiple sequence alignment, and phylogenetic reconstruction were performed to confirm the species of the pathogens. Sixty-six (21.0%) of the cattle examined had ticks. A total of 94 adult ticks were found on the cattle, and of these, 63 (67.0%), 18 (19.1%), and 13 (13.8%) were in the genera Rhipicephalus, Amblyomma, and Hyalomma, respectively. Twelve tick species in Rhipicephalus genus and two in Amblyomma and Hyalomma genera were identified. Although Rh. decoloratus was the most prevalent tick (24.5% (23/94)), the emerging Rh. microplus (6.4% (6/94)) was also identified. The DNA of Rickettsia was detected in the ticks, with Rickettsia conorii in H. rufipes and A. variegatum, and Rickettsia aeschlimannii in Rh. microplus and H. rufipes, while Ehrlichia ruminantium and E. canis were in A. variegatum. In conclusion, the study reported a wide range of tick species present in the study area including Rhipicephalus microplus, which is an emerging tick species in parts of Kenya. The ticks harboured DNA of Rickettsia and Ehrlichia, highlighting possible animal and human health concerns. Hence, effective tick control strategies remain paramount to prevent potential diseases associated with the harboured pathogens.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shepelo Getrude Peter
- Department of Clinical Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Nairobi, P.O. Box 29053-00625, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Hellen Wambui Kariuki
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Nairobi, P.O. Box 19676-00202, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Gabriel Oluga Aboge
- Department of Public Health Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Nairobi, P.O. Box 29053-00625, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Daniel Waweru Gakuya
- Department of Clinical Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Nairobi, P.O. Box 29053-00625, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Ndichu Maingi
- Department of Veterinary Pathology, Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Nairobi, P.O. Box 29053-00625, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Charles Matiku Mulei
- Department of Clinical Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Nairobi, P.O. Box 29053-00625, Nairobi, Kenya
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Park JW, Lee SH, Lee GS, Seo JJ, Chung JK. Epidemiological Characteristics of Field Tick-Borne Pathogens in Gwang-ju Metropolitan Area, South Korea, from 2014 to 2018. Osong Public Health Res Perspect 2020; 11:177-184. [PMID: 32864308 PMCID: PMC7442441 DOI: 10.24171/j.phrp.2020.11.4.06] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives The importance of tick-borne diseases is increasing because of climate change, with a lack of long-term studies on tick-borne pathogens in South Korea. To understand the epidemiological characteristics of tick-borne diseases, the monthly distribution of field ticks throughout the year was studied in South Korea between May 2014 and April 2018 in a cross sectional study. Methods The presence of various tick-borne pathogens (Rickettsia species, Borrelia species, Anaplasma phagocytophilum) was confirmed by using polymerase chain reaction, to provide information for a prevention strategy against tick-borne pathogenic infections, through increased understanding of the relationship between seasonal variation and risk of infection with Rickettsia species. This was performed using logistic regression analysis (SPSS 20, IBM, USA) of the data obtained from the study. Results During the study period there were 11,717 ticks collected and 4 species identified. Haemapysalis longicornis was the most common species (n = 10,904, 93.1%), followed by Haemapysalis flava (n = 656, 5.6%), Ixodes nipponensis (n = 151, 1.3%), and Amblyomma testudinarium (n = 6, 0.05%) The results of this cross-sectional study showed that Haemapysalis flava carried a higher risk of transmission of Rickettsia species than other tick species (p < 0.05). Conclusion In conclusion, due attention should be paid to preventing tick-borne infections in humans whilst engaged in outdoor activities in Spring and Autumn, particularly in places where there is a high prevalence of ticks.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jung Wook Park
- Division of Infectious Disease Investigation, Health and Environment Research Institute of Gwangju, Gwangju, Korea
| | - Seung Hun Lee
- Division of Bacterial Disease Research, Center for Infectious Disease Research, Korea National Institute of Health, Cheongju, Korea.,Yeosu National Quarantine Station, Korea Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, Yeosu, Korea
| | - Gi Seong Lee
- Division of Infectious Disease Investigation, Health and Environment Research Institute of Gwangju, Gwangju, Korea
| | - Jin Jong Seo
- Division of Infectious Disease Investigation, Health and Environment Research Institute of Gwangju, Gwangju, Korea
| | - Jae Keun Chung
- Division of Infectious Disease Investigation, Health and Environment Research Institute of Gwangju, Gwangju, Korea
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Batu N, Wang Y, Liu Z, Huang T, Bao W, He H, Geri L. Molecular epidemiology of Rickettsia sp. and Coxiella burnetii collected from Hyalomma asiaticum in Bactrian camels (Camelus bactrianus) in inner Mongolia of China. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2020; 11:101548. [PMID: 32993954 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2020.101548] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2019] [Revised: 08/05/2020] [Accepted: 08/19/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The purpose of the present study was to determine the presence of Rickettsia sp. and Coxiella burnetii in Hyalomma asiaticum collected from Bactrian camels (Camelus bactrianus) in Inner Mongolia of China. A total of 385 H. asiaticum adults collected from Bactrian camels from Alxa in Inner Mongolia from 2017 to 2018 were examined using PCR combined with sequencing. The results indicated that 18 (4.7 %) and 5 (1.3 %) samples tested positive for Rickettsia and C. burnetii, respectively. The corresponding nucleotide identities among detected genes ranged between 99.7 % and 100 % for the sequences of 17 kD and ompB from Rickettsia and 16S rRNA and FtsX from C. burnetii. Two representative strains-Rickettsia IMA-1 strain and C. burnetii IMA-1 strain-were used for subsequent analysis. NCBI BLAST and phylogenetic analyses demonstrated that the detected strain Rickettsia IMA-1 may represent a novel species of spotted fever group (SFG) rickettsiae. The C. burnetii IMA-1 strain was grouped with Coxiella burnetii str. RSA439 (GenBank: CP040059.1). In addition, the Rickettsia sp. was successfully isolated from the ticks in Vero cells incubated at 28 °C. These findings indicate that the H. asiaticum collected off Bactrian camels in Inner Mongolia carried SFG Rickettsia species and C. burnetii and could contribute to the etiology of febrile illness in animals and humans.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Naren Batu
- College of Animal Science, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, No. 306 Zhaowuda Road, Hohhot City, Inner Mongolia 010018, China
| | - Yunchong Wang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, No. 306 Zhaowuda Road, Hohhot City, Inner Mongolia 010018, China
| | - Zhicheng Liu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, No. 306 Zhaowuda Road, Hohhot City, Inner Mongolia 010018, China
| | - Tianpeng Huang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, No. 306 Zhaowuda Road, Hohhot City, Inner Mongolia 010018, China
| | - Weidong Bao
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, No. 306 Zhaowuda Road, Hohhot City, Inner Mongolia 010018, China
| | - Haiyan He
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, No. 306 Zhaowuda Road, Hohhot City, Inner Mongolia 010018, China
| | - Letu Geri
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, No. 306 Zhaowuda Road, Hohhot City, Inner Mongolia 010018, China.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Wang HC, Lee PL, Kuo CC. Fleas of Shrews and Rodents in Rural Lowland Taiwan. JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY 2020; 57:595-600. [PMID: 31693136 DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjz194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Fleas transmit a variety of pathogens to humans but are relatively understudied in comparison to mosquitoes and ticks, including in Taiwan, where fleas in rural lowlands have never been systematically surveyed. In total, 700 fleas of four species were collected from 1,260 shrews and rodents at nine counties across lowland Taiwan. Nosopsyllus nicanus Jordan (Siphonaptera: Ceratophyllidae) and Xenopsylla cheopis Rothschild (Siphonaptera: Pulicidae) were the most abundant flea species (79.0 and 14.6% of total fleas, respectively); the former was largely limited to the islets, while the latter was restricted to the Taiwan main island. Rattus losea Swinhoe (Rodentia: Muridae) was the most common small mammal species (49.3% of total) and hosted the majority of fleas (88.3% of total). Five Rickettsia spp., including Rickettsia conorii Brumpt (Rickettsiales: Rickettsiaceae), Rickettsia felis Bouyer et al. Rickettsia japonica Uchida, Rickettsia raoultii Mediannikov, and Rickettsia rickettsii Brumpt or closely related species, were identified from 67 individually assayed fleas based on ompB and gltA genes. Rickettsia felis, mainly transmitted by fleas, was detected in one X. cheopis in southern Taiwan where a confirmed human case of infection with R. felis has been reported. The presence of R. felis, along with the other four tick-borne Rickettsia spp., demonstrates that a variety of rickettsiae circulate in rural lowland Taiwan and could pose risks to human health.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hsi-Chieh Wang
- Center for Diagnostics and Vaccine Development, Centers for Disease Control, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Taipei, Taiwan
- Institute of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Pei-Lung Lee
- Center for Diagnostics and Vaccine Development, Centers for Disease Control, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chi-Chien Kuo
- Department of Life Science, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei, Taiwan
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Carugati M, Kilonzo KG, Crump JA. Fever, bacterial zoonoses, and One Health in sub-Saharan Africa. Clin Med (Lond) 2019; 19:375-380. [PMID: 31530684 DOI: 10.7861/clinmed.2019-0180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Although often underappreciated, a number of bacterial zoonoses are endemic in Africa. Of these, brucellosis, leptospirosis, Q fever, and rickettsioses are responsible for a substantial proportion of febrile illness among patients seeking hospital care. In this paper, we discuss the aetiology, epidemiology, clinical presentation, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of these bacterial zoonoses. To prevent and control bacterial zoonoses, strategies targeting both animals and humans are crucial. These may lead to better outcomes than strategies based exclusively on treatment of human infections. Such strategies are referred to as the 'One Health' approach; the collaborative effort of multiple disciplines to attain optimal health for people, animals and the environment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Manuela Carugati
- Duke University, Durham, USA and consultant, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Kajiru G Kilonzo
- Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre, Moshi, United Republic of Tanzania
| | - John A Crump
- University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand and adjunct professor of medicine, pathology and global health, Duke University, Durham, USA
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Gérardin P, Zemali N, Bactora M, Camuset G, Balleydier E, Pascalis H, Guernier V, Mussard C, Bertolotti A, Koumar Y, Naze F, Picot S, Filleul L, Pages F, Tortosa P, Jaubert J. Seroprevalence of typhus group and spotted fever group Rickettsia exposures on Reunion island. BMC Res Notes 2019; 12:387. [PMID: 31288833 PMCID: PMC6617902 DOI: 10.1186/s13104-019-4416-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2019] [Accepted: 06/29/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Murine typhus has been increasingly reported on Reunion island, Indian ocean, following documentation of eight autochthonous infections in 2012-2013. We conducted a serosurvey to assess the magnitude of the seroprevalence of rickettsioses in the population. Two hundred and forty-one stored frozen sera taken from the 2009 Copanflu-RUN cohort were analysed using an immunofluorescence assay allowing to distinguish typhus group (TGR) and spotted fever group Rickesttsiae (SFGR). Seropositivity was defined for a dilution titre of Rickettsia IgG antibodies ≥ 1:64. Seroprevalence was weighted to account for the discrepancy between the Copanflu-RUN subset and the general population, as to infer prevalence at community level. Prevalence proportion ratios (PPR) were measured using log-binomial models. RESULTS The weighted seroprevalences of typhus group rickettsioses and spotted fever group rickettsioses were of 12.71% (95% CI 8.84-16.58%) and 17.68% (95% CI 13.25-22.11%), respectively. Pooled together, data suggested that a fifth of the population had been exposed at least to one Rickettsia group. Youths (< 20 years) were less likely seropositive than adults (adjusted PPR 0.13, 95% CI 0.01-0.91). People living in the western dryer part of the island were more exposed (adjusted PPR 2.53, 95% CI 1.07-5.97). Rickettsioses are endemic on Reunion island and circulated before their first identification as murine typhus in year 2011. Surprisingly, since isolation of Rickettsia africae from Amblyomma variegatum in year 2004 or isolation of Rickettsia felis from Amblyomma loculosum, no autochthonous cases of African tick-bite fever or flea-borne spotted fever has yet been diagnosed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Patrick Gérardin
- INSERM Centre d’Investigation Clinique 1410 Epidémiologie Clinique, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU), Groupe Hospitalier Sud Réunion, BP 350, 97448 Saint Pierre Cedex, Reunion France
- UM 134 PIMIT Processus Infectieux en Milieu Insulaire Tropical, INSERM 1187, CNRS 9192, IRD 249, CYROI, Université de La Réunion, Sainte Clotilde, Reunion France
| | - Naël Zemali
- Laboratoire de Bactériologie, Virologie et Parasitologie, CHU de la Réunion, Saint Pierre, Reunion France
| | - Marie Bactora
- Laboratoire de Bactériologie, Virologie et Parasitologie, CHU de la Réunion, Saint Pierre, Reunion France
| | - Guillaume Camuset
- Service des Maladies Infectieuses, CHU de la Réunion, Saint Pierre, Reunion France
| | - Elsa Balleydier
- Cellule d’Intervention Régionale et d’Epidémiologie, Océan Indien, Santé Publique France, French National Public Health Agency, Saint Denis, Reunion France
| | - Hervé Pascalis
- UM 134 PIMIT Processus Infectieux en Milieu Insulaire Tropical, INSERM 1187, CNRS 9192, IRD 249, CYROI, Université de La Réunion, Sainte Clotilde, Reunion France
| | - Vanina Guernier
- Geelong Centre for Emerging Infectious Diseases, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC Australia
| | - Corinne Mussard
- INSERM Centre d’Investigation Clinique 1410 Epidémiologie Clinique, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU), Groupe Hospitalier Sud Réunion, BP 350, 97448 Saint Pierre Cedex, Reunion France
| | - Antoine Bertolotti
- INSERM Centre d’Investigation Clinique 1410 Epidémiologie Clinique, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU), Groupe Hospitalier Sud Réunion, BP 350, 97448 Saint Pierre Cedex, Reunion France
- Service des Maladies Infectieuses, CHU de la Réunion, Saint Pierre, Reunion France
| | - Yatrika Koumar
- Service des Maladies Infectieuses, CHU de la Réunion, Saint Pierre, Reunion France
| | - Florence Naze
- Laboratoire de Bactériologie, Virologie et Parasitologie, CHU de la Réunion, Saint Pierre, Reunion France
| | - Sandrine Picot
- Laboratoire de Bactériologie, Virologie et Parasitologie, CHU de la Réunion, Saint Pierre, Reunion France
| | - Laurent Filleul
- Cellule d’Intervention Régionale et d’Epidémiologie, Océan Indien, Santé Publique France, French National Public Health Agency, Saint Denis, Reunion France
| | - Frédéric Pages
- Cellule d’Intervention Régionale et d’Epidémiologie, Océan Indien, Santé Publique France, French National Public Health Agency, Saint Denis, Reunion France
| | - Pablo Tortosa
- UM 134 PIMIT Processus Infectieux en Milieu Insulaire Tropical, INSERM 1187, CNRS 9192, IRD 249, CYROI, Université de La Réunion, Sainte Clotilde, Reunion France
| | - Julien Jaubert
- Laboratoire de Bactériologie, Virologie et Parasitologie, CHU de la Réunion, Saint Pierre, Reunion France
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Le-Viet N, Phan DT, Le-Viet N, Trinh S, To M, Raoult D, Parola P. Dual Genotype Orientia tsutsugamushi Infection in Patient with Rash and Eschar, Vietnam, 2016. Emerg Infect Dis 2019; 24:1520-1523. [PMID: 30014833 PMCID: PMC6056126 DOI: 10.3201/eid2408.171622] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
We report a dual genotype Orientia tsutsugamushi infection in Vietnam in 2016. The patient had fever, rash, and an eschar. The Kawasaki genotype was identified in the eschar specimen and Karp genotype in the whole blood specimen. The genotype co-infection rate for scrub typhus is unknown and should be further evaluated.
Collapse
|
12
|
van Eekeren LE, de Vries SG, Wagenaar JFP, Spijker R, Grobusch MP, Goorhuis A. Under-diagnosis of rickettsial disease in clinical practice: A systematic review. Travel Med Infect Dis 2018; 26:7-15. [PMID: 29486240 DOI: 10.1016/j.tmaid.2018.02.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2017] [Revised: 02/14/2018] [Accepted: 02/16/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Rickettsial diseases present as acute febrile illnesses, sometimes with inoculation eschars. METHODS We performed a systematic review of studies published between 1997 and 2017 to assess the underestimation of non-eschar rickettsial disease (NERD) relative to eschar rickettsial disease (ERD), as a cause of acute fever in patients with rickettsial diseases that commonly present with eschar(s): scrub typhus (ST), Mediterranean spotted fever (MSF), and African tick-bite fever. We compared ERD/NERD ratios according to study design: 'complete approach' studies, with testing performed in all patients with 'unspecified febrile illness'; versus 'clinical judgement' studies, with testing performed if patients presented with specific symptoms. RESULTS In 'complete approach' studies, ERD/NERD ratios were significantly lower, suggesting a considerable under-diagnosis of NERD in 'clinical judgement' studies. Based on these results, we estimate that the diagnosis of rickettsial disease was missed in 66.5% of patients with ST, and in 57.9% of patients with MSF. CONCLUSIONS Study design influences the reported eschar rates in ST and MSF significantly. NERD is likely to be a vastly underdiagnosed entity, and clinicians should consider and test for the disease more often. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER CRD 42016053348.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Louise E van Eekeren
- Center of Tropical Medicine and Travel Medicine, Department of Infectious Diseases, Division of Internal Medicine, Academic Medical Center (AMC), University of Amsterdam (UvA), Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Sophia G de Vries
- Center of Tropical Medicine and Travel Medicine, Department of Infectious Diseases, Division of Internal Medicine, Academic Medical Center (AMC), University of Amsterdam (UvA), Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Jiri F P Wagenaar
- Leptospirosis Reference Center, Department of Medical Microbiology, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - René Spijker
- Medical Library, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Cochrane Netherlands, Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Martin P Grobusch
- Center of Tropical Medicine and Travel Medicine, Department of Infectious Diseases, Division of Internal Medicine, Academic Medical Center (AMC), University of Amsterdam (UvA), Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Abraham Goorhuis
- Center of Tropical Medicine and Travel Medicine, Department of Infectious Diseases, Division of Internal Medicine, Academic Medical Center (AMC), University of Amsterdam (UvA), Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Otten C, Brilli M, Vollmer W, Viollier PH, Salje J. Peptidoglycan in obligate intracellular bacteria. Mol Microbiol 2018; 107:142-163. [PMID: 29178391 PMCID: PMC5814848 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.13880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/11/2017] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Peptidoglycan is the predominant stress-bearing structure in the cell envelope of most bacteria, and also a potent stimulator of the eukaryotic immune system. Obligate intracellular bacteria replicate exclusively within the interior of living cells, an osmotically protected niche. Under these conditions peptidoglycan is not necessarily needed to maintain the integrity of the bacterial cell. Moreover, the presence of peptidoglycan puts bacteria at risk of detection and destruction by host peptidoglycan recognition factors and downstream effectors. This has resulted in a selective pressure and opportunity to reduce the levels of peptidoglycan. In this review we have analysed the occurrence of genes involved in peptidoglycan metabolism across the major obligate intracellular bacterial species. From this comparative analysis, we have identified a group of predicted 'peptidoglycan-intermediate' organisms that includes the Chlamydiae, Orientia tsutsugamushi, Wolbachia and Anaplasma marginale. This grouping is likely to reflect biological differences in their infection cycle compared with peptidoglycan-negative obligate intracellular bacteria such as Ehrlichia and Anaplasma phagocytophilum, as well as obligate intracellular bacteria with classical peptidoglycan such as Coxiella, Buchnera and members of the Rickettsia genus. The signature gene set of the peptidoglycan-intermediate group reveals insights into minimal enzymatic requirements for building a peptidoglycan-like sacculus and/or division septum.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christian Otten
- The Centre for Bacterial Cell BiologyInstitute for Cell and Molecular Biosciences, Newcastle UniversityNewcastle upon TyneNE2 4AXUK
| | - Matteo Brilli
- Department of Agronomy, Food, Natural Resources, Animals and Environment (DAFNAE)University of Padova. Agripolis ‐ V.le dell'Università, 16 | 35020 Legnaro PadovaItaly
- Present address:
Department of BiosciencesUniversity of Milan, via Celoria 26(MI)Italy
| | - Waldemar Vollmer
- The Centre for Bacterial Cell BiologyInstitute for Cell and Molecular Biosciences, Newcastle UniversityNewcastle upon TyneNE2 4AXUK
| | - Patrick H. Viollier
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular MedicineInstitute of Genetics & Genomics in Geneva (iGE3), University of GenevaGenevaSwitzerland
| | - Jeanne Salje
- Nuffield Department of Medicine, Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global HealthUniversity of OxfordOxfordUK
- Mahidol‐Oxford Tropical Medicine Research UnitMahidol UniversityBangkokThailand
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Kamani J, Baneth G, Gutiérrez R, Nachum-Biala Y, Mumcuoglu KY, Harrus S. Coxiella burnetii and Rickettsia conorii: Two zoonotic pathogens in peridomestic rodents and their ectoparasites in Nigeria. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2017; 9:86-92. [PMID: 29042240 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2017.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2017] [Revised: 09/22/2017] [Accepted: 10/02/2017] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Rodents are hosts of numerous pathogenic agents of public health importance globally. Their ability to harbor these pathogens without showing overt clinical signs of disease has epidemiologic consequences. In some rural settings in Nigeria, humans and rodents do not only share feeds and abode, but the latter may end up on the table of the former as a source of protein, thereby increasing the risks of disease transmission. Molecular assays were used to detect and characterize two agents of zoonotic importance, Coxiella burnetii and Rickettsia spp. in 194 peridomestic rodents captured in a peri-urban setting in Nigeria, and 32 pools of ectoparasites removed from them, to determine their possible role in the epidemiology of these diseases in this country. Targeting and characterizing the insertion sequence IS1111, C. burnetii DNA was detected in 4 out of 194 (2.1%) rodents comprising 3 out of 121 (2.5%) Rattus norvegicus and 1 out of 48 (2.1%) Rattus rattus screened in this study. Rickettsia spp. DNA was detected in two Rhipicephalus sanginueus sensu lato pools (i.e. RT1 and RT4) using the citrate synthase (gltA) gene and further characterized by amplification and sequence analysis of six genes to determine their identity. The RT1 sample consistently gave 98-100% identity to Rickettsia conorii str. Malish 7 for the various genes and loci studied. However, the identity of RT4 could not be definitively determined due to variable identities to different Rickettsia spp. according to the gene or loci under consideration. Further isolation study to determine if the RT4 characterized is a new variant or a mixture of sequences of different rickettsiae within the pool will be worthwhile.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Joshua Kamani
- Parasitology Division, National Veterinary Research Institute (NVRI), PMB 01 Vom, Plateau State, Nigeria.
| | - Gad Baneth
- Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel.
| | - Ricardo Gutiérrez
- Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel.
| | - Yaarit Nachum-Biala
- Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel.
| | - Kosta Y Mumcuoglu
- Parasitology Unit, Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, The Kuvin Center for the Study of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, Hebrew University Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem, Israel.
| | - Shimon Harrus
- Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel.
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
State of the art of diagnosis of rickettsial diseases: the use of blood specimens for diagnosis of scrub typhus, spotted fever group rickettsiosis, and murine typhus. Curr Opin Infect Dis 2017; 29:433-9. [PMID: 27429138 PMCID: PMC5029442 DOI: 10.1097/qco.0000000000000298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 119] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW With improved malaria control, acute undifferentiated febrile illness studies in tropical regions reveal a startling proportion of rickettsial illnesses, especially scrub typhus, murine typhus, and spotted fever group rickettsioses. Laboratory diagnosis of these infections evolved little over the past 40 years, but combinations of technologies like PCR and loop-mediated isothermal amplification, with refined rapid diagnostic tests and/or ELISA, are promising for guidance for early antirickettsial treatment. RECENT FINDINGS The long-term reliance on serological tests - useful only late in rickettsial infections - has led to underdiagnosis, inappropriate therapies, and undocumented morbidity and mortality. Recent approaches integrate nucleic acid amplification and recombinant protein-based serological tests for diagnosing scrub typhus. Optimized using Bayesian latent class analyses, this strategy increases diagnostic confidence and enables early accurate diagnosis and treatment - a model to follow for lagging progress in murine typhus and spotted fever. SUMMARY A laboratory diagnostic paradigm shift in rickettsial infections is evolving, with replacement of indirect immunofluorescence assay by the more objective ELISA coupled with nucleic acid amplification assays to expand the diagnostic window toward early infection intervals. This approach supports targeted antirickettsial therapy, reduces morbidity and mortality, and provides a robust evidence base for further development of diagnostics and vaccines.
Collapse
|
16
|
Prado IC, Chino META, Dos Santos AL, Souza ALA, Pinho LG, Lemos ERS, De-Simone SG. Development of an electrochemical immunosensor for the diagnostic testing of spotted fever using synthetic peptides. Biosens Bioelectron 2017; 100:115-121. [PMID: 28886455 DOI: 10.1016/j.bios.2017.08.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2017] [Revised: 07/29/2017] [Accepted: 08/12/2017] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Spotted fever is a rare acute and multisystemic febrile infectious disease with a mortality rate of ≥50% without adequate antibiotic treatment, and in diagnosed and treated cases, of approximately 2.5%. Currently, the applied test to diagnose this disease is the indirect immunofluorescence reaction, however two samples of paired sera are necessary to confirm the diagnosis, since using only one sample may allow for confusion with cross reactions. OmpA is an outer membrane protein present in the R. rickettsia, the etiological agent of spotted fever, able to activate dendritic and macrophage cells. It also presents immunogenicity properties, and is considered a target for the development of diagnostic tests for spotted fever. In this context, an amperometric immunosensor was developed for the identification of sera antibodies (human IgG) from patients with spotted fever aimed at improving sensitivity and minimize sample volume. The development of the immunosensor was conducted using a synthetic peptide, derivative from the H6PGA4 R. rickettsia protein, homologous to OmpA. Amperometric responses were generated at -0.6 to 0.6V, at a scan rate of 0.025Vs-1 for 20 cycles, a limit of detection of approximately 10ngmL-1 for the synthetic peptides and 0.01µgmL-1 for the humam serum, a sensitivity of 2.59µA, adequate for the detection of spotted fever antibodies. The construction of this immunosensor, capable of identifying circulating antibodies in real time, can also be applied in the diagnosis of other infectious-parasitic diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Isis C Prado
- Center of Technological Development in Health (CDTS)/National Institute of Science and Technology for Innovation on Neglected Diseases (INCT-IDN), FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
| | - Mônica E T A Chino
- Laboratory of Experimental and Computational Biochemistry of Pharmaceuticals, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Antonia L Dos Santos
- Laboratory of Experimental and Computational Biochemistry of Pharmaceuticals, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - André L A Souza
- Laboratory of Experimental and Computational Biochemistry of Pharmaceuticals, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Luciano G Pinho
- Laboratory of Experimental and Computational Biochemistry of Pharmaceuticals, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Elba R S Lemos
- Hantavirus and Rickettsia Laboratory, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Salvatore G De-Simone
- Center of Technological Development in Health (CDTS)/National Institute of Science and Technology for Innovation on Neglected Diseases (INCT-IDN), FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil; Laboratory of Experimental and Computational Biochemistry of Pharmaceuticals, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil; Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Biology Institute, Federal University Fluminense, Niterói, RJ, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Abstract
Epidemic typhus caused by Rickettsia prowazekii is one of the oldest pestilential diseases of humankind. The disease is transmitted to human beings by the body louse Pediculus humanus corporis and is still considered a major threat by public health authorities, despite the efficacy of antibiotics, because poor sanitary conditions are conducive to louse proliferation. Epidemic typhus has accompanied disasters that impact humanity and has arguably determined the outcome of more wars than have soldiers and generals. The detection, identification, and characterization of microorganisms in ancient remains by paleomicrobiology has permitted the diagnosis of past epidemic typhus outbreaks through the detection of R. prowazekii. Various techniques, including microscopy and immunodetection, can be used in paleomicrobiology, but most of the data have been obtained by using PCR-based molecular techniques on dental pulp samples. Paleomicrobiology enabled the identification of the first outbreak of epidemic typhus in the 18th century in the context of a pan-European great war in the city of Douai, France, and supported the hypothesis that typhus was imported into Europe by Spanish soldiers returning from America. R. prowazekii was also detected in the remains of soldiers of Napoleon's Grand Army in Vilnius, Lithuania, which indicates that Napoleon's soldiers had epidemic typhus. The purpose of this article is to underscore the modern comprehension of clinical epidemic typhus, focus on the historical relationships of the disease, and examine the use of paleomicrobiology in the detection of past epidemic typhus outbreaks.
Collapse
|
18
|
Kuo CC, Wardrop N, Chang CT, Wang HC, Atkinson PM. Significance of major international seaports in the distribution of murine typhus in Taiwan. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2017; 11:e0005430. [PMID: 28264003 PMCID: PMC5354449 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0005430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2016] [Revised: 03/16/2017] [Accepted: 02/23/2017] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background International seaports are hotspots for disease invasion and pathogens can persist in seaports even after ports are abandoned. Transmitted by fleas infected by Rickettsia typhi, murine typhus, a largely neglected and easily misdiagnosed disease, is known to occur primarily in large seaports. However, the significance of seaports in the occurrence of murine typhus has never been validated quantitatively. Methodology/Principal findings We studied the spatial distribution of murine typhus, a notifiable disease, in Taiwan. We investigated whether risk of infection was correlated with distance to international seaports and a collection of environmental and socioeconomic factors, using a Bayesian negative binomial conditionally autoregressive model, followed with geographically weighted regression. Seaports that are currently in use and those that operated in the 19th century for trade with China, but were later abandoned due to siltation were analyzed. A total of 476 human cases of murine typhus were reported during 2000–2014 in the main island of Taiwan, with spatial clustering in districts in southwest and central-west Taiwan. A higher incidence rate (case/population) was associated with a smaller distance to currently in-use international seaports and lower rainfall and temperature, but was uncorrelated with distance to abandoned ports. Geographically weighted regression revealed a geographic heterogeneity in the importance of distance to in-use seaports near the four international seaports of Taiwan. Conclusions/Significance Our study suggests that murine typhus is associated with international seaports, especially for those with large trading volume. Thus, one of the costs of global trade in Taiwan might be elevated risks of murine typhus. Globalization has accelerated the spread of infectious diseases, but the burden of disease varies geographically, with regions surrounding major international seaports warranting particular surveillance. Globalization has hastened the spread of infectious diseases, with seaports as hotspots for disease invasion. Transmitted by fleas infected with the rickettsia Rickettsia typhi, murine typhus occurs worldwide, but its significance as a common causative agent of illness in tropical regions remains largely neglected. Although it is recognized that murine typhus is prevalent primarily in large seaports, the significance of seaports in the occurrence of murine typhus has never been validated quantitatively. We thus investigated whether distribution of murine typhus in Taiwan was associated with international seaports. Notably, abandoned international seaports (abandoned in the 19th century due to siltation) were also studied to see whether the causative agent of murine typhus might still circulate around the ports even after being abandoned. We found that infection risk of murine typhus was negatively associated with distance to operating seaports but was uncorrelated with nearness to abandoned seaports. In addition, the importance of distance to operating seaports for risk of murine typhus infection varied spatially. Our study highlights elevated disease risk as a cost of international trade and suggests particular surveillance in regions surrounding major international seaports.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chi-Chien Kuo
- Department of Life Science, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei, Taiwan
- * E-mail:
| | - Nicola Wardrop
- Geography and Environment, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - Chung-Te Chang
- Department of Geography, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Hsi-Chieh Wang
- Center for Diagnostics and Vaccine Development, Centers for Disease Control, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Peter M. Atkinson
- Geography and Environment, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
- Faculty of Science and Technology, Lancaster University, Lancaster, United Kingdom
- School of Geography, Archaeology and Palaeoecology, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Le Viet N, Laroche M, Thi Pham HL, Viet NL, Mediannikov O, Raoult D, Parola P. Use of eschar swabbing for the molecular diagnosis and genotyping of Orientia tsutsugamushi causing scrub typhus in Quang Nam province, Vietnam. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2017; 11:e0005397. [PMID: 28241043 PMCID: PMC5344524 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0005397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2016] [Revised: 03/09/2017] [Accepted: 02/07/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Scrub typhus is a rickettsiosis which is caused by Orientia tsutsugamushi and occurs throughout the Asia-Pacific region. Molecular diagnosis of rickettsioses using eschar swabs has recently emerged, and may be very useful for the diagnosis of these diseases in tropical settings. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) was used to detect O. tsutsugamushi DNA in whole blood and eschar swab specimens of 67 patients who were clinically suspected of scrub typhus in Quang Nam province, Vietnam. Among the 20 patients for whom both eschar and whole blood were obtained, 17 (85%) of the eschar specimens and 5 (25%) of the whole blood specimens tested positive for O. tsutsugamushi. Genetic analysis of the 56-kDa TSA gene sequences demonstrated that the 14 sequences obtained in this study, including 12 eschar swabs and 2 whole blood specimens, were related to 4 groups: Karp, Kawasaki, Gilliam (JG-v and TG-v) and TA716. The majority (9/14; 64.4%) of contemporary O. tsutsugamushi genotypes in Quang Nam province were related to the Karp group. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that polyclonal antigen pools used for serological testing in the future should contain at least Karp, Kawasaki, Gilliam and TA716 antigens for Vietnamese patients, as well as patients who have traveled to Vietnam. qPCR after eschar swabbing should be considered for molecular diagnosis of scrub typhus in endemic patients as well as in travelers, since it is easy to perform and appears very useful for the rapid detection of Orientia tsutsugamushi in the early phase of infection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nhiem Le Viet
- URMITE, Aix Marseille Université, UM63, CNRS 7278, IRD 198, INSERM 1095, IHU - Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
- Department of Tropical Diseases, Quang Nam Central General Hospital, Quang Nam, Vietnam
| | - Maureen Laroche
- URMITE, Aix Marseille Université, UM63, CNRS 7278, IRD 198, INSERM 1095, IHU - Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
| | - Hoa L. Thi Pham
- Department of Infectious Diseases, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Ho Chi Minh City, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
| | - Nho L. Viet
- Department of Internal Medicine, Quang Nam Central General Hospital, Quang Nam, Vietnam
| | - Oleg Mediannikov
- URMITE, Aix Marseille Université, UM63, CNRS 7278, IRD 198, INSERM 1095, IHU - Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
| | - Didier Raoult
- URMITE, Aix Marseille Université, UM63, CNRS 7278, IRD 198, INSERM 1095, IHU - Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
| | - Philippe Parola
- URMITE, Aix Marseille Université, UM63, CNRS 7278, IRD 198, INSERM 1095, IHU - Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Use of Multiplex Real-Time PCR To Diagnose Scrub Typhus. J Clin Microbiol 2017; 55:1377-1387. [PMID: 28202789 DOI: 10.1128/jcm.02181-16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2016] [Accepted: 02/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Scrub typhus, caused by Orientia tsutsugamushi, is a common cause of acute undifferentiated febrile illness in the Asia-Pacific region. However, its nonspecific clinical manifestation often prevents early diagnosis. We propose the use of PCR and serologic tests as diagnostic tools. Here, we developed a multiplex real-time PCR assay using hydrolysis (TaqMan) probes targeting O. tsutsugamushi 47-kDa, groEL, and human interferon beta (IFN-β gene) genes to improve early diagnosis of scrub typhus. The amplification efficiency was higher than 94%, and the lower detection limit was 10 copies per reaction. We used a human gene as an internal DNA quality and quantity control. To determine the sensitivity of this PCR assay, we selected patients with confirmed scrub typhus who exhibited a clear 4-fold increase in the level of IgG and/or IgM. The PCR assay result was positive in 45 of 52 patients, indicating a sensitivity of 86.5% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 74.2 to 94.4). The PCR assessment was negative for all 136 non-scrub typhus patients, indicating a specificity of 100% (95% CI: 97.3 to 100). In addition, this test helped diagnose patients with inconclusive immunofluorescence assay (IFA) results and using single blood samples. In conclusion, the real-time PCR assay proposed here is sensitive and specific in diagnosing scrub typhus. Combining PCR and serologic tests will improve the diagnosis of scrub typhus among patients presenting with acute febrile illness.
Collapse
|
21
|
Rickettsia and Rickettsia-Like Organisms. Infect Dis (Lond) 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-7020-6285-8.00187-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022] Open
|
22
|
Schroeder CLC, Narra HP, Sahni A, Rojas M, Khanipov K, Patel J, Shah R, Fofanov Y, Sahni SK. Identification and Characterization of Novel Small RNAs in Rickettsia prowazekii. Front Microbiol 2016; 7:859. [PMID: 27375581 PMCID: PMC4896933 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2016.00859] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2016] [Accepted: 05/23/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Emerging evidence implicates a critically important role for bacterial small RNAs (sRNAs) as post-transcriptional regulators of physiology, metabolism, stress/adaptive responses, and virulence, but the roles of sRNAs in pathogenic Rickettsia species remain poorly understood. Here, we report on the identification of both novel and well-known bacterial sRNAs in Rickettsia prowazekii, known to cause epidemic typhus in humans. RNA sequencing of human microvascular endothelial cells (HMECs), the preferred targets during human rickettsioses, infected with R. prowazekii revealed the presence of 35 trans-acting and 23 cis-acting sRNAs, respectively. Of these, expression of two trans-acting (Rp_sR17 and Rp_sR60) and one cis-acting (Rp_sR47) novel sRNAs and four well-characterized bacterial sRNAs (RNaseP_bact_a, α-tmRNA, 4.5S RNA, 6S RNA) was further confirmed by Northern blot or RT-PCR analyses. The transcriptional start sites of five novel rickettsial sRNAs and 6S RNA were next determined using 5' RLM-RACE yielding evidence for their independent biogenesis in R. prowazekii. Finally, computational approaches were employed to determine the secondary structures and potential mRNA targets of novel sRNAs. Together, these results establish the presence and expression of sRNAs in R. prowazekii during host cell infection and suggest potential functional roles for these important post-transcriptional regulators in rickettsial biology and pathogenesis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Hema P. Narra
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical BranchGalveston, TX, USA
| | - Abha Sahni
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical BranchGalveston, TX, USA
| | - Mark Rojas
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Medical BranchGalveston, TX, USA
| | - Kamil Khanipov
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Medical BranchGalveston, TX, USA
| | - Jignesh Patel
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical BranchGalveston, TX, USA
| | - Riya Shah
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Texas at DallasDallas, TX, USA
| | - Yuriy Fofanov
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Medical BranchGalveston, TX, USA
| | - Sanjeev K. Sahni
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical BranchGalveston, TX, USA
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Seroprevalence of antibodies to Rickettsia typhi in the Waikato region of New Zealand. Epidemiol Infect 2016; 144:2283-9. [PMID: 27040715 DOI: 10.1017/s0950268816000698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
The first reported New Zealand-acquired case of murine typhus occurred near Auckland in 1989. Since then, 72 locally acquired cases have been recorded from northern New Zealand. By 2008, on the basis of the timing and distribution of cases, it appeared that murine typhus was escalating and spreading southwards. To explore the presence of Rickettsia typhi in the Waikato region, we conducted a seroprevalence study, using indirect immunofluorescence, Western blot, and cross-adsorption assays of blood donor samples. Of 950 human sera from Waikato, 12 (1·3%) had R. typhi antibodies. The seroprevalence for R. typhi was slightly higher in northern Waikato (1·4%) compared to the south (1·2%; no significant difference, χ 2 P = 0·768 at P < 0·05). Our results extend the reported southern range of R. typhi by 140 km and indicate it is endemic in Waikato. Evidence of past Rickettsia felis infections was also detected in six sera. Globally, R. felis is an emerging disease of concern and this pathogen should also be considered when locally acquired rickettsiosis is suspected. If public health interventions are to be implemented to reduce the risk of rickettsioses as a significant public health problem, improvements in rickettsial diagnostics and surveillance will be necessary.
Collapse
|
24
|
Kolo AO, Sibeko-Matjila KP, Maina AN, Richards AL, Knobel DL, Matjila PT. Molecular Detection of Zoonotic Rickettsiae and Anaplasma spp. in Domestic Dogs and Their Ectoparasites in Bushbuckridge, South Africa. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2016; 16:245-52. [PMID: 26974185 DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2015.1849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Members of the order Rickettsiales are small, obligate intracellular bacteria that are vector-borne and can cause mild to fatal diseases in humans worldwide. There is little information on the zoonotic rickettsial pathogens that may be harbored by dogs from rural localities in South Africa. To characterize rickettsial pathogens infecting dogs, we screened 141 blood samples, 103 ticks, and 43 fleas collected from domestic dogs in Bushbuckridge Municipality, Mpumalanga Province of South Africa, between October 2011 and May 2012 using the reverse line blot (RLB) and Rickettsia genus and species-specific quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) assays. Results from RLB showed that 49% of blood samples and 30% of tick pools were positive for the genus-specific probes for Ehrlichia/Anaplasma; 16% of the blood samples were positive for Ehrlichia canis. Hemoparasite DNA could not be detected in 36% of blood samples and 30% of tick pools screened. Seven (70%) tick pools and both flea pools were positive for Rickettsia spp; three (30%) tick pools were positive for Rickettsia africae; and both flea pools (100%) were positive for Rickettsia felis. Sequencing confirmed infection with R. africae and Candidatus Rickettsia asemboensis; an R. felis-like organism from one of the R. felis-positive flea pools. Anaplasma sp. South Africa dog strain (closely related to Anaplasma phagocytophilum), A. phagocytophilum, and an Orientia tsutsugamushi-like sequence were identified from blood samples. The detection of emerging zoonotic agents from domestic dogs and their ectoparasites in a rural community in South Africa highlights the potential risk of human infection that may occur with these pathogens.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Agatha O Kolo
- 1 Department of Veterinary Tropical Diseases, University of Pretoria , Pretoria, South Africa
| | | | - Alice N Maina
- 2 Department of Viral and Rickettsial Disease, Naval Medical Research Center , Silver Spring, Maryland
| | - Allen L Richards
- 2 Department of Viral and Rickettsial Disease, Naval Medical Research Center , Silver Spring, Maryland
| | - Darryn L Knobel
- 3 Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine , Basseterre, Saint Kitts and Nevis
| | - Paul T Matjila
- 1 Department of Veterinary Tropical Diseases, University of Pretoria , Pretoria, South Africa
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Leulmi H, Aouadi A, Bitam I, Bessas A, Benakhla A, Raoult D, Parola P. Detection of Bartonella tamiae, Coxiella burnetii and rickettsiae in arthropods and tissues from wild and domestic animals in northeastern Algeria. Parasit Vectors 2016; 9:27. [PMID: 26791781 PMCID: PMC4721140 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-016-1316-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2015] [Accepted: 01/15/2016] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background In recent years, the scope and importance of emergent vector-borne diseases has increased dramatically. In Algeria, only limited information is currently available concerning the presence and prevalence of these zoonotic diseases. For this reason, we conducted a survey of hematophagous ectoparasites of domestic mammals and/or spleens of wild animals in El Tarf and Souk Ahras, Algeria. Methods Using real-time PCR, standard PCR and sequencing, the presence of Bartonella spp., Rickettsia spp., Borrelia spp. and Coxiella burnetii was evaluated in 268/1626 ticks, 136 fleas, 11 Nycteribiidae flies and 16 spleens of domestic and/or wild animals from the El Tarf and Souk Ahras areas. Results For the first time in Algeria, Bartonella tamiae was detected in 12/19 (63.2 %) Ixodes vespertilionis ticks, 8/11 (72.7 %) Nycteribiidae spp. flies and in 6/10 (60 %) bat spleens (Chiroptera spp.). DNA from Coxiella burnetii, the agent of Q fever, was also identified in 3/19 (15.8 %) I. vespertilionis from bats. Rickettsia slovaca, the agent of tick-borne lymphadenopathy, was detected in 1/1 (100 %) Haemaphysalis punctata and 2/3 (66.7 %) Dermacentor marginatus ticks collected from two boars (Sus scrofa algira) respectively. Ri. massiliae, an agent of spotted fever, was detected in 38/94 (40.4 %) Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato collected from cattle, sheep, dogs, boars and jackals. DNA of Ri. aeschlimannii was detected in 6/20 (30 %) Hyalomma anatolicum excavatum and 6/20 (30 %) Hy. scupense from cattle. Finally, Ri. felis, an emerging rickettsial pathogen, was detected in 80/110 (72.7 %) Archaeopsylla erinacei and 2/2 (100 %) Ctenocephalides felis of hedgehogs (Atelerix algirus). Conclusion In this study, we expanded knowledge about the repertoire of ticks and flea-borne bacteria present in ectoparasites and/or tissues of domestic and wild animals in Algeria.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hamza Leulmi
- Aix Marseille Université, Unité de Recherche en Maladies Infectieuses et Tropicales Emergentes (URMITE), UM63, CNRS 7278, IRD 198 (Dakar), Inserm 1095, Faculté de Médecine, 27 bd Jean Moulin, 13385, Marseille, Cedex 5, France. .,Ecole Nationale Supérieure Vétérinaire d'Alger. El Aliya Alger, Algiers, 16000, Algeria.
| | - Atef Aouadi
- Département des Sciences Vétérinaires, Université Cherif Messaadia, Souk Ahras, 41000, Algeria. .,Département des Sciences Vétérinaires, Université Chadli Bendjdid, El Tarf, 36000, Algeria.
| | - Idir Bitam
- Aix Marseille Université, Unité de Recherche en Maladies Infectieuses et Tropicales Emergentes (URMITE), UM63, CNRS 7278, IRD 198 (Dakar), Inserm 1095, Faculté de Médecine, 27 bd Jean Moulin, 13385, Marseille, Cedex 5, France. .,Ecole Nationale Supérieure Vétérinaire d'Alger. El Aliya Alger, Algiers, 16000, Algeria. .,Laboratoire d'Ecologie et Environnement: Interaction, Génome, Université de Bab Ezzouar, Bab Ezzouar, 16000, Algeria.
| | - Amina Bessas
- Ecole Nationale Supérieure Vétérinaire d'Alger. El Aliya Alger, Algiers, 16000, Algeria.
| | - Ahmed Benakhla
- Département des Sciences Vétérinaires, Université Cherif Messaadia, Souk Ahras, 41000, Algeria.
| | - Didier Raoult
- Aix Marseille Université, Unité de Recherche en Maladies Infectieuses et Tropicales Emergentes (URMITE), UM63, CNRS 7278, IRD 198 (Dakar), Inserm 1095, Faculté de Médecine, 27 bd Jean Moulin, 13385, Marseille, Cedex 5, France.
| | - Philippe Parola
- Aix Marseille Université, Unité de Recherche en Maladies Infectieuses et Tropicales Emergentes (URMITE), UM63, CNRS 7278, IRD 198 (Dakar), Inserm 1095, Faculté de Médecine, 27 bd Jean Moulin, 13385, Marseille, Cedex 5, France.
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Schroeder CLC, Narra HP, Rojas M, Sahni A, Patel J, Khanipov K, Wood TG, Fofanov Y, Sahni SK. Bacterial small RNAs in the Genus Rickettsia. BMC Genomics 2015; 16:1075. [PMID: 26679185 PMCID: PMC4683814 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-015-2293-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2015] [Accepted: 12/14/2015] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Rickettsia species are obligate intracellular Gram-negative pathogenic bacteria and the etiologic agents of diseases such as Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF), Mediterranean spotted fever, epidemic typhus, and murine typhus. Genome sequencing revealed that R. prowazekii has ~25 % non-coding DNA, the majority of which is thought to be either “junk DNA” or pseudogenes resulting from genomic reduction. These characteristics also define other Rickettsia genomes. Bacterial small RNAs, whose biogenesis is predominantly attributed to either the intergenic regions (trans-acting) or to the antisense strand of an open reading frame (cis-acting), are now appreciated to be among the most important post-transcriptional regulators of bacterial virulence and growth. We hypothesize that intergenic regions in rickettsial species encode for small, non-coding RNAs (sRNAs) involved in the regulation of its transcriptome, leading to altered virulence and adaptation depending on the host niche. Results We employed a combination of bioinformatics and in vitro approaches to explore the presence of sRNAs in a number of species within Genus Rickettsia. Using the sRNA Identification Protocol using High-throughput Technology (SIPHT) web interface, we predicted over 1,700 small RNAs present in the intergenic regions of 16 different strains representing 13 rickettsial species. We further characterized novel sRNAs from typhus (R. prowazekii and R. typhi) and spotted fever (R. rickettsii and R. conorii) groups for their promoters and Rho-independent terminators using Bacterial Promoter Prediction Program (BPROM) and TransTermHP prediction algorithms, respectively. Strong σ70 promoters were predicted upstream of all novel small RNAs, indicating the potential for transcriptional activity. Next, we infected human microvascular endothelial cells (HMECs) with R. prowazekii for 3 h and 24 h and performed Next Generation Sequencing to experimentally validate the expression of 26 sRNA candidates predicted in R. prowazekii. Reverse transcriptase PCR was also used to further verify the expression of six putative novel sRNA candidates in R. prowazekii. Conclusions Our results yield clear evidence for the expression of novel R. prowazekii sRNA candidates during infection of HMECs. This is the first description of novel small RNAs for a highly pathogenic species of Rickettsia, which should lead to new insights into rickettsial virulence and adaptation mechanisms. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12864-015-2293-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Casey L C Schroeder
- Department of Pathology, the University of Texas Medical Branch, 301 University Blvd, Galveston, TX, 77555, USA.
| | - Hema P Narra
- Department of Pathology, the University of Texas Medical Branch, 301 University Blvd, Galveston, TX, 77555, USA.
| | - Mark Rojas
- Department of Pharmacology, the University of Texas Medical Branch, 301 University Blvd, Galveston, TX, 77555, USA.
| | - Abha Sahni
- Department of Pathology, the University of Texas Medical Branch, 301 University Blvd, Galveston, TX, 77555, USA.
| | - Jignesh Patel
- Department of Pathology, the University of Texas Medical Branch, 301 University Blvd, Galveston, TX, 77555, USA.
| | - Kamil Khanipov
- Department of Pharmacology, the University of Texas Medical Branch, 301 University Blvd, Galveston, TX, 77555, USA.
| | - Thomas G Wood
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, the University of Texas Medical Branch, 301 University Blvd, Galveston, TX, 77555, USA.
| | - Yuriy Fofanov
- Department of Pharmacology, the University of Texas Medical Branch, 301 University Blvd, Galveston, TX, 77555, USA.
| | - Sanjeev K Sahni
- Department of Pathology, the University of Texas Medical Branch, 301 University Blvd, Galveston, TX, 77555, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Hamaguchi S, Cuong NC, Tra DT, Doan YH, Shimizu K, Tuan NQ, Yoshida LM, Mai LQ, Duc-Anh D, Ando S, Arikawa J, Parry CM, Ariyoshi K, Thuy PT. Clinical and Epidemiological Characteristics of Scrub Typhus and Murine Typhus among Hospitalized Patients with Acute Undifferentiated Fever in Northern Vietnam. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2015; 92:972-978. [PMID: 25778504 PMCID: PMC4426587 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.14-0806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2014] [Accepted: 01/20/2015] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
A descriptive study on rickettsiosis was conducted at the largest referral hospital in Hanoi, Vietnam, to identify epidemiological and clinical characteristics of specific rickettsiosis. Between March 2001 and February 2003, we enrolled 579 patients with acute undifferentiated fever (AUF), excluding patients with malaria, dengue fever, and typhoid fever, and serologically tested for Orientia tsutsugamushi and Rickettsia typhi. Of the patients, 237 (40.9%) and 193 (33.3%) had scrub and murine typhus, respectively, and 149 (25.7%) had neither of them (non-scrub and murine typhus [non-ST/MT]). The proportion of murine typhus was highest among patients living in Hanoi whereas that of scrub typhus was highest in national or regional border areas. The presence of an eschar, dyspnea, hypotension, and lymphadenopathy was significantly associated with a diagnosis of scrub typhus (OR = 46.56, 10.90, 9.01, and 7.92, respectively). Patients with murine typhus were less likely to have these findings but more likely to have myalgia, rash, and relative bradycardia (OR = 1.60, 1.56, and 1.45, respectively). Scrub typhus and murine typhus were shown to be common causes of AUF in northern Vietnam although the occurrence of spotted fever group rickettsiae was not determined. Clinical and epidemiological information may help local clinicians make clinical diagnosis of specific rickettsioses in a resource-limited setting.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Pham Thanh Thuy
- *Address correspondence to Pham Thanh Thuy, Infectious Disease Department, Bach Mai Hospital, 78 Giai Phong Road, Hanoi 84, Vietnam. E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Derne B, Weinstein P, Musso D, Lau C. Distribution of rickettsioses in Oceania: past patterns and implications for the future. Acta Trop 2015; 143:121-33. [PMID: 25446172 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2014.10.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2014] [Revised: 10/04/2014] [Accepted: 10/17/2014] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Rickettsioses present a threat to human health worldwide, but relatively little is known on their epidemiology and ecology in Oceania. These bacteria are the cause of potentially fatal febrile illnesses in humans (categorized into scrub typhus, typhus group and spotted fever group rickettsioses). They are transmitted by arthropod vectors such as ticks, mites, fleas and lice, which are associated with vertebrate host animals including rodents and companion animals. We conducted a search in the scientific and grey literature of Rickettsia spp. and Orientia tsutsugamushi within the Oceania region. Human case reports, human serosurveys and PCR-based testing of vectors and host animals reviewed here highlight the widespread distribution of these pathogens in the region, with the majority of human serological and vector surveys reporting positive results. These findings suggest that rickettsioses may have a significantly higher burden of disease in Oceania than is currently appreciated due to diagnostic challenges. Furthermore, consideration of the ecology and risk factors for rickettsioses reported for Oceania suggests that their importance as a cause of undifferentiated acute febrile illness may grow in the future: environmental and social changes driven by predicted climate change and population growth have the potential to lead to the emergence of rickettsioses as a significant public health problem in Oceania.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bonnie Derne
- Queensland Children's Medical Research Institute, Level 4 Foundation Building, Royal Children's Hospital, Herston Rd, Herston, Brisbane 4029, QLD, Australia; Barbara Hardy Institute, City East Campus, University of South Australia, GPO Box 2471, Adelaide 5000, SA, Australia.
| | - Philip Weinstein
- School of Pharmacy and Medicine, City East Campus, University of South Australia, GPO Box 2471, Adelaide, 5000, SA, Australia; School of Biological Sciences, North Terrace Campus, University of Adelaide, Adelaide 5000, SA, Australia
| | - Didier Musso
- Unit of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Institut Louis Malardé, BP 30, Pape'ete 98713, Tahiti, French Polynesia
| | - Colleen Lau
- Queensland Children's Medical Research Institute, Level 4 Foundation Building, Royal Children's Hospital, Herston Rd, Herston, Brisbane 4029, QLD, Australia; Research School of Population Health, Australian National University, Acton 2601, ACT, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
A life threatening rash, an unexpected cause. Case Rep Dermatol Med 2014; 2014:146251. [PMID: 25431693 PMCID: PMC4241284 DOI: 10.1155/2014/146251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2014] [Accepted: 10/13/2014] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
We describe a 74-year-old man with purpura fulminans and altered sensorium following an acute febrile illness. Intensive sepsis management was to no avail, until institution of doxycycline therapy following confirmation of scrub typhus. Empirical doxycycline needs to be considered in endemic areas for patients presenting with purpura fulminans.
Collapse
|
30
|
Detection of Rickettsia felis, Rickettsia typhi, Bartonella Species and Yersinia pestis in Fleas (Siphonaptera) from Africa. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2014; 8:e3152. [PMID: 25299702 PMCID: PMC4191943 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0003152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2014] [Accepted: 07/29/2014] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
UNLABELLED Little is known about the presence/absence and prevalence of Rickettsia spp, Bartonella spp. and Yersinia pestis in domestic and urban flea populations in tropical and subtropical African countries. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS Fleas collected in Benin, the United Republic of Tanzania and the Democratic Republic of the Congo were investigated for the presence and identity of Rickettsia spp., Bartonella spp. and Yersinia pestis using two qPCR systems or qPCR and standard PCR. In Xenopsylla cheopis fleas collected from Cotonou (Benin), Rickettsia typhi was detected in 1% (2/199), and an uncultured Bartonella sp. was detected in 34.7% (69/199). In the Lushoto district (United Republic of Tanzania), R. typhi DNA was detected in 10% (2/20) of Xenopsylla brasiliensis, and Rickettsia felis was detected in 65% (13/20) of Ctenocephalides felis strongylus, 71.4% (5/7) of Ctenocephalides canis and 25% (5/20) of Ctenophthalmus calceatus calceatus. In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, R. felis was detected in 56.5% (13/23) of Ct. f. felis from Kinshasa, in 26.3% (10/38) of Ct. f. felis and 9% (1/11) of Leptopsylla aethiopica aethiopica from Ituri district and in 19.2% (5/26) of Ct. f. strongylus and 4.7% (1/21) of Echidnophaga gallinacea. Bartonella sp. was also detected in 36.3% (4/11) of L. a. aethiopica. Finally, in Ituri, Y. pestis DNA was detected in 3.8% (1/26) of Ct. f. strongylus and 10% (3/30) of Pulex irritans from the villages of Wanyale and Zaa. CONCLUSION Most flea-borne infections are neglected diseases which should be monitored systematically in domestic rural and urban human populations to assess their epidemiological and clinical relevance. Finally, the presence of Y. pestis DNA in fleas captured in households was unexpected and raises a series of questions regarding the role of free fleas in the transmission of plague in rural Africa, especially in remote areas where the flea density in houses is high.
Collapse
|
31
|
Cutaneous manifestations of spotted fever rickettsial infections in the Central Province of Sri Lanka: a descriptive study. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2014; 8:e3179. [PMID: 25232837 PMCID: PMC4169373 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0003179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2014] [Accepted: 08/09/2014] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Characteristic skin lesions play a key role in clinical diagnosis of spotted fever group rickettsioses and this study describes these cutaneous manifestations along with basic histological features. METHODS AND FINDINGS Study was conducted at Medical Unit, Teaching Hospital, Peradeniya, from November 2009 to October 2011, where a prospective data base of all rickettsial infections is maintained. Confirmation of diagnosis was made when IgM and IgG immunofluorescent antibody titre of 1/32 and >1/256 respectively. Of the 210 clinical cases, 134 had cutoff antibody titers for Rickettsia conorii antigen for confirmation. All these 134 patients had fever and skin rash, and of them 132(98%) had discrete maculopapular rash while eight (6%) had fern leaf type skin necrosis. Eight patients (6%) had healed tick bite marks. Average size of a skin lesion was 5 mm and rash involved 52% of body surface, distributed mainly in limbs and back of the chest. Generally the facial and leg skin was slightly oedematous particularly in old aged patients. Sixteen patients (12%) had pain and swelling of ankle joints where swelling extended to feet and leg. Biopsies from skin rash of six patients showed evidence of cutaneous vasculitis and of them, 247 bp region of the 17-kDa spotted fever group specific protein antigen was amplified using PCR. CONCLUSIONS A discrete maculopapular rash and occasional variations such as fern leaf shape necrosis and arthritis are found in spotted fever group. Histology found vasculitis as the pathology of these lesions.
Collapse
|
32
|
Delord M, Socolovschi C, Parola P. Rickettsioses and Q fever in travelers (2004-2013). Travel Med Infect Dis 2014; 12:443-58. [PMID: 25262433 DOI: 10.1016/j.tmaid.2014.08.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2014] [Revised: 08/27/2014] [Accepted: 08/27/2014] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Rickettsioses (also called typhus) are associated with arthropods, including ticks, mites, fleas, and lice, although Q fever is more frequently acquired through the inhalation of contaminated aerosols or the consumption of milk. These zoonoses first emerged in the field of travel medicine 20 years ago. Here, we review rickettsioses and Q fever in travelers, highlighting cases reported in the past decade. African tick bite fever and Mediterranean spotted fever are the two most frequent spotted fevers. While the presentation of these fevers is typically benign, cardiac and neurological complications due to African tick bite fever have been reported, and Mediterranean spotted fever has been complicated by multi-organ failure and death in a few cases. Murine typhus and Q fever remain difficult to recognize and diagnose because these illnesses often present with only fever. New molecular tools, particularly when deployed with samples obtained from eschar swabs, might be easily implemented in laboratories with PCR facilities. Doxycycline must be introduced upon clinical suspicion of rickettsioses or Q fever and should be considered in cases of fever of unknown origin in travelers who are returning from at-risk geographic areas.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marion Delord
- Assistance Publique Hôpitaux de Marseille, Pole Maladies Infectieuses, Hôpital Nord, Marseille, France
| | - Cristina Socolovschi
- Aix Marseille Université, Unité de Recherche en Maladies Infectieuses et Tropicales Emergentes (URMITE), UM63, CNRS 7278, IRD 198 (Dakar), Inserm 1095, WHO Collaborative Center for Rickettsioses and Other Arthropod-borne Bacterial Diseases, Marseille, France
| | - Philippe Parola
- Assistance Publique Hôpitaux de Marseille, Pole Maladies Infectieuses, Hôpital Nord, Marseille, France; Aix Marseille Université, Unité de Recherche en Maladies Infectieuses et Tropicales Emergentes (URMITE), UM63, CNRS 7278, IRD 198 (Dakar), Inserm 1095, WHO Collaborative Center for Rickettsioses and Other Arthropod-borne Bacterial Diseases, Marseille, France.
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Myers T, Lalani T, Dent M, Jiang J, Daly PL, Maguire JD, Richards AL. Detecting Rickettsia parkeri infection from eschar swab specimens. Emerg Infect Dis 2013; 19:778-80. [PMID: 23647926 PMCID: PMC3647493 DOI: 10.3201/eid1905.120622] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The typical clinical presentation of several spotted fever group Rickettsia infections includes eschars. Clinical diagnosis of the condition is usually made by analysis of blood samples. We describe a more sensitive, noninvasive means of obtaining a sample for diagnosis by using an eschar swab specimen from patients infected with Rickettsia parkeri.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Todd Myers
- Naval Medical Research Center, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910, USA.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
34
|
Viswanathan S, Muthu V, Iqbal N, Remalayam B, George T. Scrub typhus meningitis in South India--a retrospective study. PLoS One 2013; 8:e66595. [PMID: 23799119 PMCID: PMC3682970 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0066595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2013] [Accepted: 05/08/2013] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Scrub typhus is prevalent in India although definite statistics are not available. There has been only one study on scrub typhus meningitis 20 years ago. Most reports of meningitis/meningoencephalitis in scrub typhus are case reports Methods A retrospective study done in Pondicherry to extract cases of scrub typhus admitted to hospital between February 2011 and January 2012. Diagnosis was by a combination of any one of the following in a patient with an acute febrile illness- a positive scrub IgM ELISA, Weil-Felix test, and an eschar. Lumbar puncture was performed in patients with headache, nuchal rigidity, altered sensorium or cranial nerve deficits. Results Sixty five cases of scrub typhus were found, and 17 (17/65) had meningitis. There were 33 males and 32 females. Thirteen had an eschar. Median cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) cell count, lymphocyte percentage, CSF protein, CSF glucose/blood glucose, CSF ADA were 54 cells/µL, 98%, 88 mg/dL, 0.622 and 3.5 U/mL respectively. Computed tomography was normal in patients with altered sensorium and cranial nerve deficits. Patients with meningitis had lesser respiratory symptoms and signs and higher urea levels. All patients had received doxycycline except one who additionally received chloramphenicol. Conclusion Meningitis in scrub typhus is mild with quick and complete recovery. Clinical features and CSF findings can mimic tuberculous meningitis, except for ADA levels. In the Indian context where both scrub typhus and tuberculosis are endemic, ADA and scrub IgM may be helpful in identifying patients with scrub meningitis and in avoiding prolonged empirical antituberculous therapy in cases of lymphocytic meningitis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Stalin Viswanathan
- Department of General Medicine, Indira Gandhi Medical College, Kathirkamam, Pondicherry, India.
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
35
|
Chappuis F, Alirol E, d’Acremont V, Bottieau E, Yansouni C. Rapid diagnostic tests for non-malarial febrile illness in the tropics. Clin Microbiol Infect 2013; 19:422-31. [DOI: 10.1111/1469-0691.12154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2012] [Revised: 12/21/2012] [Accepted: 01/07/2013] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
|
36
|
Wood H, Artsob H. Spotted Fever Group Rickettsiae: A Brief Review and a Canadian Perspective. Zoonoses Public Health 2012; 59 Suppl 2:65-79. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1863-2378.2012.01472.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
|
37
|
Kuo CC, Huang JL, Lin TE, Wang HC. Detection of Rickettsia spp. and host and habitat associations of fleas (Siphonaptera) in eastern Taiwan. MEDICAL AND VETERINARY ENTOMOLOGY 2012; 26:341-350. [PMID: 22390200 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2915.2012.01009.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Rickettsia typhi and Rickettsia felis (Rickettsiales: Rickettsiaceae) are two rickettsiae principally transmitted by fleas, but the detection of either pathogen has rarely been attempted in Taiwan. Of 2048 small mammals trapped in eastern Taiwan, Apodemus agrarius Pallas (24.5%) and Mus caroli Bonhote (24.4%) (both: Rodentia: Muridae) were the most abundant, and M. caroli hosted the highest proportion of fleas (63.9% of 330 fleas). Two flea species were identified: Stivalius aporus Jordan and Rothschild (Siphonaptera: Stivaliidae), and Acropsylla episema Rothschild (Siphonaptera: Leptopsyllidae). Nested polymerase chain reaction targeting parts of the ompB and gltA genes showed six fleas to be positive for Rickettsia spp. (3.8% of 160 samples), which showed the greatest similarity to R. felis, Rickettsia japonica, Rickettsia conorii or Rickettsia sp. TwKM01. Rickettsia typhi was not detected in the fleas and Rickettsia co-infection did not occur. Both flea species were more abundant during months with lower temperatures and less rainfall, and flea abundance on M. caroli was not related to soil hardness, vegetative height, ground cover by litter or by understory layer, or the abundance of M. caroli. Our study reveals the potential circulation of R. felis and other rickettsiae in eastern Taiwan, necessitating further surveillance of rickettsial diseases in this region. This is especially important because many novel rickettsioses are emerging worldwide.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- C C Kuo
- Research and Diagnostic Centre, Centres for Disease Control, Taipei, Taiwan
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
38
|
Mika A, Reynolds SL, Mohlin FC, Willis C, Swe PM, Pickering DA, Halilovic V, Wijeyewickrema LC, Pike RN, Blom AM, Kemp DJ, Fischer K. Novel scabies mite serpins inhibit the three pathways of the human complement system. PLoS One 2012; 7:e40489. [PMID: 22792350 PMCID: PMC3394726 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0040489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2012] [Accepted: 06/07/2012] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Scabies is a parasitic infestation of the skin by the mite Sarcoptes scabiei that causes significant morbidity worldwide, in particular within socially disadvantaged populations. In order to identify mechanisms that enable the scabies mite to evade human immune defenses, we have studied molecules associated with proteolytic systems in the mite, including two novel scabies mite serine protease inhibitors (SMSs) of the serpin superfamily. Immunohistochemical studies revealed that within mite-infected human skin SMSB4 (54 kDa) and SMSB3 (47 kDa) were both localized in the mite gut and feces. Recombinant purified SMSB3 and SMSB4 did not inhibit mite serine and cysteine proteases, but did inhibit mammalian serine proteases, such as chymotrypsin, albeit inefficiently. Detailed functional analysis revealed that both serpins interfered with all three pathways of the human complement system at different stages of their activation. SMSB4 inhibited mostly the initial and progressing steps of the cascades, while SMSB3 showed the strongest effects at the C9 level in the terminal pathway. Additive effects of both serpins were shown at the C9 level in the lectin pathway. Both SMSs were able to interfere with complement factors without protease function. A range of binding assays showed direct binding between SMSB4 and seven complement proteins (C1, properdin, MBL, C4, C3, C6 and C8), while significant binding of SMSB3 occurred exclusively to complement factors without protease function (C4, C3, C8). Direct binding was observed between SMSB4 and the complement proteases C1s and C1r. However no complex formation was observed between either mite serpin and the complement serine proteases C1r, C1s, MASP-1, MASP-2 and MASP-3. No catalytic inhibition by either serpin was observed for any of these enzymes. In summary, the SMSs were acting at several levels mediating overall inhibition of the complement system and thus we propose that they may protect scabies mites from complement-mediated gut damage.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Angela Mika
- Infectious Diseases Program, Biology Department, Queensland Institute of Medical Research, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
39
|
Abstract
Endemic typhus (Rickettsia typhi), also known as murine typhus, is a flea-borne bacterial disease rarely found in most of the developed world. Known ocular manifestations linked to endemic typhus include mild vitritis, retinal lesions, and retinal vascular leakage. Optic neuropathy, however, is rarely associated with R. typhi, and postinfectious optic neuropathy is even less common. To highlight this unusual complication, we report a patient who developed postinfectious optic neuropathy a few weeks after he was successfully treated for endemic typhus.
Collapse
|
40
|
Badiaga S, Benkouiten S, Hajji H, Raoult D, Brouqui P. Murine typhus in the homeless. Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis 2011; 35:39-43. [PMID: 22093517 DOI: 10.1016/j.cimid.2011.09.008] [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: 07/29/2011] [Revised: 09/27/2011] [Accepted: 09/28/2011] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Homeless populations are particularly exposed to many vector-borne diseases because of their poor living conditions. We tested sera from 299 homeless people recruited in 2010 and 2011 in Marseilles, France for antibodies to Rickettsia typhi by microimmunofluorescence using a titer of 1:25 as a cut-off titer, and we confirmed the results by Western blot and cross-adsorption studies. Sixty-three persons (22%) had antibodies against R. typhi. The murine typhus seroprevalence rates have significantly increased in homeless populations between the 2000-2003 and 2010-2011 periods. These findings indicate that the homeless are increasingly exposed to flea-borne murine typhus in Marseilles. One might suggest that multiple strikes of sanitation workers resulting in the increase of waste and construction sites combined with the poor living conditions of the homeless expose this population to rodents and their fleas. Further annual studies are necessary to follow rodent-associated diseases among homeless people in Marseille.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sékéné Badiaga
- Institut Hospitalo-Universitaire des Maladies Infectieuses et Tropicales, Marseille, France
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
41
|
Abstract
Flea-borne zoonoses such as plague (Yersinia pestis) and murine typhus (Rickettsia typhi) caused significant numbers of human cases in the past and remain a public health concern. Other flea-borne human pathogens have emerged recently (e.g., Bartonella henselae, Rickettsia felis), and their mechanisms of transmission and impact on human health are not fully understood. Our review focuses on the ecology and epidemiology of the flea-borne bacterial zoonoses mentioned above with an emphasis on recent advancements in our understanding of how these organisms are transmitted by fleas, maintained in zoonotic cycles, and transmitted to humans. Emphasis is given to plague because of the considerable number of studies generated during the first decade of the twenty-first century that arose, in part, because of renewed interest in potential agents of bioterrorism, including Y. pestis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca J Eisen
- Division of Vector-Borne Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Fort Collins, Colorado 30333, USA.
| | | |
Collapse
|
42
|
Chalaire KC, Kim TK, Garcia-Rodriguez H, Mulenga A. Amblyomma americanum (L.) (Acari: Ixodidae) tick salivary gland serine protease inhibitor (serpin) 6 is secreted into tick saliva during tick feeding. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2011; 214:665-73. [PMID: 21270316 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.052076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
In order to successfully feed and transmit disease agents, ticks are thought to inject serine protease inhibitors (serpins) into the host to modulate host defense responses to tick feeding, such as inflammation, the complement activation pathway and blood coagulation. In this study, we show that Amblyomma americanum (Aam) serpin (S) 6 is putatively injected into the host during tick feeding, in that the antibody to recombinant (r) AamS6 specifically reacted with the expected ∼43/45 kDa AamS6 protein band on western blots of pilocarpine-induced tick saliva. Additionally, antibodies to tick saliva proteins that were generated by repeated 48 h infestations of rabbits with adult A. americanum specifically reacted with rAamS6. We speculate that AamS6 is associated with regulating events at the start of the tick feeding process, as temporal and spatial RT-PCR and western blot analyses revealed that both AamS6 mRNA and protein are strongly expressed during the first 24-72 h of feeding time before starting to fade from 96 h. The AamS6 protein has an apparently slow turnover rate in that, although the injection of AamS6 dsRNA into unfed ticks triggered complete disruption of the AamS6 mRNA by the 48 h feeding time point, western blot analysis of protein extracts of the same animals showed that the AamS6 protein that may have been expressed prior to disruption of the AamS6 mRNA was not depleted. We speculate that the presence of the AamS6 protein in ticks despite the complete disruption of the AamS6 mRNA explains the observation that RNAi-mediated silencing of the AamS6 mRNA did not affect the ability of A. americanum ticks to attach onto host skin, successfully feed and lay eggs. These findings are discussed in regards to advances in the molecular biology of ticks.
Collapse
|
43
|
Vigilancia de la infección por Rickettsia sp. en capibaras (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris) un modelo potencial de alerta epidemiológica en zonas endémicas. BIOMEDICA 2011. [DOI: 10.7705/biomedica.v31i2.306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
|
44
|
O'Guinn ML, Klein TA, Lee JS, Richards AL, Kim HC, Ha SJ, Shim SH, Baek LJ, Song KJ, Chong ST, Turell MJ, Burkett DA, Schuster A, Lee IY, Yi SH, Sames WJ, Song JW. Serological surveillance of scrub typhus, murine typhus, and leptospirosis in small mammals captured at firing points 10 and 60, Gyeonggi province, Republic of Korea, 2001-2005. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2010; 10:125-33. [PMID: 19402761 DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2008.0123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Soldiers from the Republic of Korea and the United States conducting peacetime military operations at various training sites and multiple range complexes located near the demilitarized zone separating North and South Korea are exposed to rodents and their potentially disease-carrying ectoparasites. These diseases include scrub typhus, murine typhus, and leptospirosis. Many of the training sites are rural or semi-rural, surrounded or co-located with various forms of agriculture, and are infested with rodents and insectivores (as well as their ectoparasites), which are commonly found in association with unmanaged tall grasses, scrub, and crawling vegetation habitats. For 5 years, rodents and insectivores were collected seasonally (spring, summer, fall, and winter) at firing points 10 and 60 near the demilitarized zone and serologically tested for the presence of scrub typhus, murine typhus, and leptospirosis antibodies. Of the nine species of small mammals collected, Apodemus agrarius, the common striped field mouse and known reservoir of scrub typhus, was the most frequently collected (90.6%). Only four of the nine species captured, A. agrarius (60.9%), Micromys minutus (100%), Mus musculus (55.6%), and Rattus norvegicus (46.7%), were positive for scrub typhus. Of all the small mammals captured, only A. agrarius was positive for murine typhus (0.3%) and leptospirosis (1.3%). Seasonal and annual prevalence rates based on weight and sex are presented.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Monica L O'Guinn
- Virology Division, U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Fort Detrick, Maryland, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
45
|
Pages F, Faulde M, Orlandi-Pradines E, Parola P. The past and present threat of vector-borne diseases in deployed troops. Clin Microbiol Infect 2010; 16:209-24. [PMID: 20222896 DOI: 10.1111/j.1469-0691.2009.03132.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
From time immemorial, vector-borne diseases have severely reduced the fighting capacity of armies and caused suspension or cancellation of military operations. Since World War I, infectious diseases have no longer been the main causes of morbidity and mortality among soldiers. However, most recent conflicts involving Western armies have occurred overseas, increasing the risk of vector-borne disease for the soldiers and for the displaced populations. The threat of vector-borne disease has changed with the progress in hygiene and disease control within the military: some diseases have lost their military significance (e.g. plague, yellow fever, and epidemic typhus); others remain of concern (e.g. malaria and dengue fever); and new potential threats have appeared (e.g. West Nile encephalitis and chikungunya fever). For this reason, vector control and personal protection strategies are always major requirements in ensuring the operational readiness of armed forces. Scientific progress has allowed a reduction in the impact of arthropod-borne diseases on military forces, but the threat is always present, and a failure in the context of vector control or in the application of personal protection measures could allow these diseases to have the same devastating impact on human health and military readiness as they did in the past.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- F Pages
- Institut de Recherche Biomédicale des Armées, antenne de Marseille, Marseille, France.
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
46
|
Forshey BM, Stewart A, Morrison AC, Gálvez H, Rocha C, Astete H, Eza D, Chen HW, Chao CC, Montgomery JM, Bentzel DE, Ching WM, Kochel TJ. Epidemiology of spotted fever group and typhus group rickettsial infection in the Amazon basin of Peru. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2010; 82:683-90. [PMID: 20348519 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.2010.09-0355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
A seroprevalence study for IgG antibodies against spotted fever group (SFGR) and typhus group (TGR) Rickettsia among humans and domestic pets was conducted in the city of Iquitos, located in the Amazon basin of Peru. Of 1,195 human sera analyzed, 521 (43.6%) and 123 (10.3%) were positive for SFGR and TGR antibodies, respectively. District of residence and participant age were associated with antibody positivity for both groups, whereas rodent sightings in the home were associated with TGR antibody positivity. Of the 71 canines tested, 42 (59.2%) were positive for SFGR antibodies, and two (2.8%) were positive for TGR antibodies; one active SFGR infection was detected by polymerase chain reaction. An uncharacterized SFGR species was detected in 95.9% (71/74) of Ctenocephalides felis pools collected from domestic pets. These data suggest that rickettsial transmission is widespread in Iquitos. Rickettsia species should be further explored as potential causes of acute febrile illnesses in the region.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Brett M Forshey
- U.S. Naval Medical Research Center Detachment, Iquitos and Lima, Peru.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
47
|
Day NP, Newton P, Parola P, Raoult D. Scrub typhus and other tropical rickettsioses. Infect Dis (Lond) 2010. [DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-323-04579-7.00122-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022] Open
|
48
|
Kelly P, Angelakis E, Raoult D. Rickettsia and rickettsia-like organisms. Infect Dis (Lond) 2010. [DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-323-04579-7.00176-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
|
49
|
Nagalingam K, Rolain JM, Thevanesam V, Lakkumar F, Gunawardana G, Raoult D. Spotted fever rickettsioses in children in Sri Lanka. Clin Microbiol Infect 2009; 15 Suppl 2:330-1. [PMID: 19793115 DOI: 10.1111/j.1469-0691.2008.02262.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- K Nagalingam
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
50
|
Sahni SK, Rydkina E. Host-cell interactions with pathogenic Rickettsia species. Future Microbiol 2009; 4:323-39. [PMID: 19327117 DOI: 10.2217/fmb.09.6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Pathogenic Rickettsia species are Gram-negative, obligate intracellular bacteria responsible for the spotted fever and typhus groups of diseases around the world. It is now well established that a majority of sequelae associated with human rickettsioses are the outcome of the pathogen's affinity for endothelium lining the blood vessels, the consequences of which are vascular inflammation, insult to vascular integrity and compromised vascular permeability, collectively termed 'Rickettsial vasculitis'. Signaling mechanisms leading to transcriptional activation of target cells in response to Rickettsial adhesion and/or invasion, differential activation of host-cell signaling due to infection with spotted fever versus typhus subgroups of Rickettsiae, and their contributions to the host's immune responses and determination of cell fate are the major subtopics of this review. Also included is a succinct analysis of established in vivo models and their use for understanding Rickettsial interactions with host cells and pathogenesis of vasculotropic rickettsioses. Continued progress in these important but relatively under-explored areas of bacterial pathogenesis research should further highlight unique aspects of Rickettsial interactions with host cells, elucidate the biological basis of endothelial tropism and reveal novel chemotherapeutic and vaccination strategies for debilitating Rickettsial diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sanjeev K Sahni
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, University of Rochester School of Medicine & Dentistry, 601 Elmwood Avenue, Rochester, NY 14642, USA.
| | | |
Collapse
|