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Flores FS, Sebastian PS, Nava S. Molecular detection of Candidatus Ehrlichia pampeana (Rickettsiales: Anaplasmataceae) in Haemaphysalis juxtakochi (Acari: Ixodidae) from central Argentina. Vet Res Commun 2024; 48:585-589. [PMID: 37718328 DOI: 10.1007/s11259-023-10219-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2023] [Accepted: 09/09/2023] [Indexed: 09/19/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to report the first detection of Candidatus Ehrlichia pampeana in Haemaphysalis juxtakochi from Argentina. Free-living ticks were collected from vegetation by drag-flag method on five sample sites in Entre Ríos Province, central Argentina, belonging to the Espinal Phytogeographic Province. Molecular detection of order Rickettsiales agents was performed using gltA (Rickettsia spp.), 16 S rRNA and groEL (Anaplasmataceae) genes as targets. A total of 67 ticks of Amblyomma aureolatum (20 nymphs and 4 adults), Amblyomma dubitatum (15 nymphs) and Haemaphysalis juxtakochi (24 nymphs and 4 adults) were collected. While all tested ticks were negative for Rickettsia spp., and Anaplasmataceae agents could neither be detected in A. aureolatum nor in A. dubitatum, Candidatus Ehrlichia pampeana was detected in one male of H. juxtakochi. DNA sequences of this microorganism (16 S rDNA and groEL) are related to sequences of Ehrlichia ewingii. The findings of the current study represent the first report of this Ehrlichia strain for Argentina.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernando S Flores
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas y Tecnológicas (IIByT), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina.
- Centro de Investigaciones Entomológicas de Córdoba (CIEC), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina.
| | - Patrick S Sebastian
- Instituto de Investigación de la Cadena Láctea (IDICAL, INTA - CONICET), Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria, E.E.A. Rafaela, Rafaela, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Santiago Nava
- Instituto de Investigación de la Cadena Láctea (IDICAL, INTA - CONICET), Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria, E.E.A. Rafaela, Rafaela, Santa Fe, Argentina
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Eberhardt AT, Manzoli DE, Fernandez C, Zurvera D, Monje LD. Capybara density and climatic factors as modulators of Ehrlichia prevalence in questing ticks in the Iberá wetlands, Argentina. Sci Rep 2023; 13:12237. [PMID: 37507526 PMCID: PMC10382574 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-39557-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2023] [Accepted: 07/27/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
We evaluated the presence of Ehrlichia spp. in unfed capybara ticks, Amblyomma dubitatum, and explored its association with capybaras density, ticks density and environmental variables. We observed that in the Iberá wetlands ecoregion A. dubitatum is infected by "Candidatus Ehrlichia hydrochoerus" and in a lesser extent with an Ehrlichia species closely related to Ehrlichia chaffeensis. The frequency of "Ca. Ehrlichia hydrochoerus" presence in A. dubitatum was not associated with vector abundance, but the probability of finding "Ca. Ehrlichia hydrochoerus"-infected ticks increased when the density of capybaras was low two months before. We hypothesize that when the density of capybaras decreases, A. dubitatum immature stages may seek out alternative hosts one of which could exhibit high realized reservoir competence for "Ca. Ehrlichia hydrochoerus", leading to an increased prevalence of this ehrlichiae in questing A. dubitatum. High minimum temperatures and high cumulative rainfall in the time period previous to tick collection (15 to 60 days) were positively correlated with the prevalence of "Ca. Ehrlichia hydrochoerus" infection in A. dubitatum. Our results suggest that a combination of factors (both biological and abiotic) could raise the risk of human exposure to tick-borne Ehrlichia in the Iberá wetlands ecoregion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayelen T Eberhardt
- Laboratorio de Ecología de Enfermedades, Instituto de Ciencias Veterinarias del Litoral (ICIVET-Litoral), Universidad Nacional del Litoral (UNL)/Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), R.P. Kreder 2805, S3080, Esperanza, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Darío E Manzoli
- Laboratorio de Ecología de Enfermedades, Instituto de Ciencias Veterinarias del Litoral (ICIVET-Litoral), Universidad Nacional del Litoral (UNL)/Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), R.P. Kreder 2805, S3080, Esperanza, Santa Fe, Argentina
- Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Nacional del Litoral (UNL), Esperanza, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Camilo Fernandez
- Laboratorio de Ecología de Enfermedades, Instituto de Ciencias Veterinarias del Litoral (ICIVET-Litoral), Universidad Nacional del Litoral (UNL)/Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), R.P. Kreder 2805, S3080, Esperanza, Santa Fe, Argentina
- Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Nacional del Litoral (UNL), Esperanza, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Daniel Zurvera
- Laboratorio de Ecología de Enfermedades, Instituto de Ciencias Veterinarias del Litoral (ICIVET-Litoral), Universidad Nacional del Litoral (UNL)/Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), R.P. Kreder 2805, S3080, Esperanza, Santa Fe, Argentina
- Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Nacional del Litoral (UNL), Esperanza, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Lucas D Monje
- Laboratorio de Ecología de Enfermedades, Instituto de Ciencias Veterinarias del Litoral (ICIVET-Litoral), Universidad Nacional del Litoral (UNL)/Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), R.P. Kreder 2805, S3080, Esperanza, Santa Fe, Argentina.
- Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral (UNL), Santa Fe, Santa Fe, Argentina.
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Cândido SL, de Assis Pereira N, de Oliveira Rosa Fonseca MJ, de Campos Pacheco R, Morgado TO, Colodel EM, Nakazato L, Dutra V, Vieira TSWJ, de Aguiar DM. Molecular detection and genetic characterization of Ehrlichia canis and Ehrlichia sp. in neotropical primates from Brazil. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2023; 14:102179. [PMID: 36989601 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2023.102179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2022] [Revised: 03/20/2023] [Accepted: 03/21/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023]
Abstract
The Anaplasmataceae family includes obligate, arthropod-transmitted intracellular bacteria that can be zoonotic and potentially fatal. Studies focusing on the interaction between neotropical primates and the agents of this family are scarce. The present study aimed to identify agents of the Anaplasmataceae family in the whole blood of free-living and captive neotropical primates in the State of Mato Grosso, Central-West Brazil. Thirty-eight samples of six nonhuman primate (NHP) species were collected in seven municipalities and analysed through polymerase chain reaction (PCR), nucleotide sequencing, and phylogenetic analysis of the dsb, groEL, 16S rRNA, and gltA genes. DNA fragments similar to those of Ehrlichia canis were detected in Sapajus apella and Ehrlichia chaffeensis from Mico melanurus. The sequences generated in this study and homologous sequences retrieved from GenBank® were used for phylogenetic analyses to characterize the Ehrlichial agents detected in NHPs. The agents were then grouped into clades corresponding to different isolates from the NHP species. In addition, an Anaplasma sp. closely related to Anaplasma marginale was identified in two S. apella individuals. These findings shed light on the susceptibility of neotropical NHPs to Anaplasmataceae agents. These bacteria are known to be transmitted by ticks, which can also serve as possible sources of infection for other animals, including humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stéfhano Luís Cândido
- Veterinary Microbiology and Molecular Biology Laboratory, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine - FAVET, Veterinary Hospital - HOVET, Federal University of Mato Grosso - UFMT, 2367 Fernando Correa Avenue, Cuiabá, MT 78060-900, Brazil
| | - Nathalia de Assis Pereira
- Virology and Rickettsiosis Laboratory, HOVET, FAVET, UFMT, 2367 Fernando Correa Avenue, Cuiabá, MT 78060-900, Brazil
| | | | - Richard de Campos Pacheco
- Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases Veterinary Parasitology of Domestic and Wild Animals, HOVET, FAVET, UFMT, 2367 Fernando Correa Avenue, Cuiabá, MT 78060-900, Brazil
| | - Thais Oliveira Morgado
- Wild Animals Sector, HOVET, FAVET, UFMT, 2367 Fernando Correa Avenue, Cuiabá, MT 78060-900, Brazil
| | - Edson Moleta Colodel
- Veterinary Pathology Laboratory, HOVET, FAVET, UFMT, 2367 Fernando Correa Avenue, Cuiabá, MT 78060-900, Brazil
| | - Luciano Nakazato
- Veterinary Microbiology and Molecular Biology Laboratory, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine - FAVET, Veterinary Hospital - HOVET, Federal University of Mato Grosso - UFMT, 2367 Fernando Correa Avenue, Cuiabá, MT 78060-900, Brazil
| | - Valéria Dutra
- Veterinary Microbiology and Molecular Biology Laboratory, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine - FAVET, Veterinary Hospital - HOVET, Federal University of Mato Grosso - UFMT, 2367 Fernando Correa Avenue, Cuiabá, MT 78060-900, Brazil
| | - Thállitha Samih Wischral Jayme Vieira
- Vector-Borne Diseases Laboratory, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Paraná - UFPR, 1540 Funcionários Street, Curitiba, PR, 80035-050, Brazil
| | - Daniel Moura de Aguiar
- Virology and Rickettsiosis Laboratory, HOVET, FAVET, UFMT, 2367 Fernando Correa Avenue, Cuiabá, MT 78060-900, Brazil.
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Berra Y, Moré G, Helman E, Argibay HD, Orozco MM. Identification of a new Sarcocystis sp. in marsh deer ( Blastocerus dichotomus) from wetlands of Argentina. Int J Parasitol Parasites Wildl 2023; 20:39-45. [PMID: 36688075 PMCID: PMC9849927 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2022.12.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2022] [Revised: 12/30/2022] [Accepted: 12/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
The marsh deer (Blastocerus dichotomus) is the largest South American native deer species and is listed as "Vulnerable" by IUCN due to the population reduction. As part of a conservation and disease surveillance program, muscle samples from 14 marsh deer found dead in 2016 and 2017 in northeast Argentina were obtained at necropsy. Samples from each animal were processed as pooled muscles (heart, diaphragm, tongue and hindlimb) by homogenization and direct microscopical observation to detect intracellular Sarcocystis spp. cysts. Sarcocysts were observed in six samples, and several cysts recovered from two samples were processed by transmission electron microscopy. The cysts were thin-walled and showed a cyst-wall ultrastructure with ribbon-like protrusions similar to other species using cervids as intermediate host and canids as definitive hosts. Genomic DNA from individual sarcocysts from three marsh deer were successfully amplified by PCR of 18S rRNA and COI gene fragments and further sequenced. Sequence comparison revealed a 99.3-100% identity among them and only 93.7-96.6% and 88.8-89.7% identity at 18S rRNA and COI markers, respectively, with other Sarcocystis spp. Despite morphological similarities, the high sequence divergence at 18S rRNA and COI fragments allowed the assumption that Sarcocystis sp. from marsh deer is a different species from others using cervids as intermediate hosts. Therefore, we propose the name Sarcocystis blastoceris n. sp. for the species infecting marsh deer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanina Berra
- Cátedra de Salud Pública, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Chorroarin 280, (C1217DSM), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina,Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET). Godoy Cruz 2290, (C1425FQB), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Gastón Moré
- Laboratorio de Inmunoparasitología (LAINPA), Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, Calle 60 y 118, (B1904), La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina,Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET). Godoy Cruz 2290, (C1425FQB), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina,Corresponding author. Laboratorio de Inmunoparasitología (LAINPA), Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Calle 60 y 118, (B1904), La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| | - Elisa Helman
- Laboratorio de Inmunoparasitología (LAINPA), Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, Calle 60 y 118, (B1904), La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina,Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET). Godoy Cruz 2290, (C1425FQB), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Hernan D. Argibay
- Instituto de Saúde Coletiva, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Salvador, Bahia, 40110-040, Brazil
| | - M. Marcela Orozco
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET). Godoy Cruz 2290, (C1425FQB), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina,Instituto de Ecología, Genética y Evolución de Buenos Aires (IEGEBA-CONICET), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires. Av. Int. Cantilo, (C1428EGA), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Félix ML, Muñoz-Leal S, Carvalho LA, Queirolo D, Remesar S, Armúa-Fernández MT, Venzal JM. Characterization of " Candidatus Ehrlichia Pampeana" in Haemaphysalis juxtakochi Ticks and Gray Brocket Deer ( Mazama gouazoubira) from Uruguay. Microorganisms 2021; 9:2165. [PMID: 34683486 PMCID: PMC8538733 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9102165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2021] [Revised: 09/30/2021] [Accepted: 10/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Human ehrlichiosis are scantily documented in Uruguay. The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of Ehrlichia spp. in Haemaphysalis juxtakochi and in a gray brocket deer (Mazama gouazoubira) from Uruguay. The presence of Ehrlichia DNA was investigated in free-living H. juxtakochi in five localities of southeast and northeast Uruguay, as well as blood, spleen, and ticks retrieved from a M. gouazoubira. Ehrlichia spp. DNA was detected in six out of 99 tick pools from vegetation, in the spleen of M. gouazoubira, and in one out of five pools of ticks feeding on this cervid. Bayesian inference analyses for three loci (16S rRNA, dsb, and groEL) revealed the presence of a new rickettsial organism, named herein as "Candidatus Ehrlichia pampeana". This new detected Ehrlichia is phylogenetically related to those found in ticks from Asia, as well as Ehrlichia ewingii from USA and Cameroon. Although the potential pathogenicity of "Ca. E. pampeana" for humans is currently unknown, some eco-epidemiological factors may be relevant to its possible pathogenic role, namely: (i) the phylogenetic closeness with the zoonotic agent E. ewingii, (ii) the evidence of H. juxtakochi parasitizing humans, and (iii) the importance of cervids as reservoirs for zoonotic Ehrlichia spp. The molecular detection of "Ca. E. pampeana" represents the third Ehrlichia genotype described in Uruguay.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Laura Félix
- Laboratorio de Vectores y Enfermedades Transmitidas, Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, CENUR Litoral Norte—Salto, Universidad de la República, Rivera 1350, Salto 50000, Uruguay; (M.T.A.-F.); (J.M.V.)
| | - Sebastián Muñoz-Leal
- Departamento de Ciencia Animal, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad de Concepción, Av. Vicente Méndez 595, Casilla 537, Chillán 3780000, Chile;
| | - Luis Andrés Carvalho
- AgResearch, Grasslands Research Centre, Private Bag 11008, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand;
| | - Diego Queirolo
- Laboratorio de Ecología de Vertebrados, CENUR Noreste, Universidad de la República, Ituzaingó 667, Rivera 40000, Uruguay;
| | - Susana Remesar
- INVESAGA Group, Department of Animal Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, 27002 Lugo, Spain;
| | - María Teresa Armúa-Fernández
- Laboratorio de Vectores y Enfermedades Transmitidas, Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, CENUR Litoral Norte—Salto, Universidad de la República, Rivera 1350, Salto 50000, Uruguay; (M.T.A.-F.); (J.M.V.)
| | - José Manuel Venzal
- Laboratorio de Vectores y Enfermedades Transmitidas, Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, CENUR Litoral Norte—Salto, Universidad de la República, Rivera 1350, Salto 50000, Uruguay; (M.T.A.-F.); (J.M.V.)
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Zhai J, Wu Y, Chen J, Zou J, Shan F, Li W, Chen W, Zhou N. Identification of Amblyomma javanense and detection of tick-borne Ehrlichia spp. in confiscated Malayan Pangolins. Int J Parasitol Parasites Wildl 2021; 14:107-116. [PMID: 33598400 PMCID: PMC7868807 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2021.01.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2020] [Revised: 01/12/2021] [Accepted: 01/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Due to habitat destruction and illegal hunting and trade, the number of pangolins has been sharply reduced. To protect pangolins from extinction, relevant departments are combined and active action have been taken. A total of 21 confiscated Malayan pangolins were rescued in 2019, but died continuously for unknown reasons. This study aimed to investigate the reasons for the death of these pangolin and rescue them. 19 of the 21 confiscated pangolins had ticks on their body integument. A total of 303 ticks were collected and identified as Amblyomma javanense (A. javanense) according to their morphology and the sequences of 16S rRNA and internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2). There were multi-organ damages in the dead pangolins, especially congestion and hemorrhage in lung, heart and kidney and inflammation of which were observed using HE staining. Pathogens' nucleic acid detection showed ticks were only positive for Ehrlichia spp, with 56.7% positive rate of collected ticks (127/224), which was further confirmed in tissues from dead pangolins. Our findings confirm that ehrlichiosis caused by Ehrlichia spp. from A. javanense might accelerate the confiscated pangolin's death. More attention should be payed to tick-elimination work and the diagnoses and treatment of tick-borne diseases in the follow-up rescue operation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junqiong Zhai
- Guangzhou Zoo, Guangzhou, 510070, China
- Wildlife Microbiology Laboratory, Guangzhou Wildlife Research Center, Guangzhou, 510070, China
| | - Yajiang Wu
- Guangzhou Zoo, Guangzhou, 510070, China
- Wildlife Microbiology Laboratory, Guangzhou Wildlife Research Center, Guangzhou, 510070, China
| | - Jinping Chen
- Guangdong Institute of Applied Biological Resources, Guangzhou, 510260, China
| | - Jiejian Zou
- Guangdong Provincial Wildlife Rescue Center, Guangzhou, 510520, China
| | - Fen Shan
- Guangzhou Zoo, Guangzhou, 510070, China
- Wildlife Microbiology Laboratory, Guangzhou Wildlife Research Center, Guangzhou, 510070, China
| | - Wanping Li
- Guangzhou Zoo, Guangzhou, 510070, China
- Wildlife Microbiology Laboratory, Guangzhou Wildlife Research Center, Guangzhou, 510070, China
| | - Wu Chen
- Guangzhou Zoo, Guangzhou, 510070, China
- Wildlife Microbiology Laboratory, Guangzhou Wildlife Research Center, Guangzhou, 510070, China
| | - Niu Zhou
- Guangzhou Zoo, Guangzhou, 510070, China
- Wildlife Microbiology Laboratory, Guangzhou Wildlife Research Center, Guangzhou, 510070, China
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Hrnková J, Schneiderová I, Golovchenko M, Grubhoffer L, Rudenko N, Černý J. Role of Zoo-Housed Animals in the Ecology of Ticks and Tick-Borne Pathogens-A Review. Pathogens 2021; 10:210. [PMID: 33669161 PMCID: PMC7919684 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10020210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2021] [Revised: 02/11/2021] [Accepted: 02/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Ticks are ubiquitous ectoparasites, feeding on representatives of all classes of terrestrial vertebrates and transmitting numerous pathogens of high human and veterinary medical importance. Exotic animals kept in zoological gardens, ranches, wildlife parks or farms may play an important role in the ecology of ticks and tick-borne pathogens (TBPs), as they may serve as hosts for local tick species. Moreover, they can develop diseases of varying severity after being infected by TBPs, and theoretically, can thus serve as reservoirs, thereby further propagating TBPs in local ecosystems. The definite role of these animals in the tick-host-pathogen network remains poorly investigated. This review provides a summary of the information currently available regarding ticks and TBPs in connection to captive local and exotic wildlife, with an emphasis on zoo-housed species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johana Hrnková
- Centre for Infectious Animal Diseases and Zoonoses, Faculty of Tropical AgriSciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129, Prague 6, 165 00 Suchdol, Czech Republic;
- Department of Animal Science and Food Processing, Faculty of Tropical AgriSciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129, Prague 6, 165 00 Suchdol, Czech Republic;
| | - Irena Schneiderová
- Department of Animal Science and Food Processing, Faculty of Tropical AgriSciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129, Prague 6, 165 00 Suchdol, Czech Republic;
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Viničná 7, 2 128 00 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Marina Golovchenko
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences, Branišovská 1160/31, 370 05 České Budějovice, Czech Republic; (M.G.); (L.G.); (N.R.)
| | - Libor Grubhoffer
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences, Branišovská 1160/31, 370 05 České Budějovice, Czech Republic; (M.G.); (L.G.); (N.R.)
- Faculty of Sciences, University of South Bohemia, Branišovská 1160/31, 370 05 České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Natalie Rudenko
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences, Branišovská 1160/31, 370 05 České Budějovice, Czech Republic; (M.G.); (L.G.); (N.R.)
| | - Jiří Černý
- Centre for Infectious Animal Diseases and Zoonoses, Faculty of Tropical AgriSciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129, Prague 6, 165 00 Suchdol, Czech Republic;
- Department of Animal Science and Food Processing, Faculty of Tropical AgriSciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129, Prague 6, 165 00 Suchdol, Czech Republic;
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Detection of Ehrlichia sp. in Amblyomma sculptum parasitizing horses from Brazilian Pantanal wetland. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2021; 12:101658. [PMID: 33556777 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2021.101658] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2020] [Revised: 12/30/2020] [Accepted: 01/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Bacteria of the genus Ehrlichia are transmitted by ticks and also are an important cause of infection in wild and domestic mammals. Infection with Ehrlichia spp. has been reported in horses, especially in the USA, Nicaragua and Brazil. In this study, we report the parasitism by Amblyomma sculptum, Rhipicephalus microplus and Dermacentor nitens ticks in horses from a ranch located in south Pantanal wetland. Molecular and serological analyzes to determine infection by Ehrlichia spp. in horses and their respective ticks were carried out. A total of 12 horses were submitted to blood collection to investigate antibodies by indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) using Ehrlichia canis crude antigens and to be tested by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in order to amplify fragments of the 16S rRNA, dsb, groEL and sodB gene of Ehrlichia spp. A total of 164 tick specimens were removed from horses, stored in isopropanol and later identified as D. nitens, A. sculptum and R. microplus. DNA from ticks were extracted and subjected to the same PCR assays to detect Ehrlichia spp. Anti-Ehrlichia spp. antibodies were detected in five/12 (41.7 %) horses by IFA, with antibody titers ranging from 40 to 160. All horse DNA samples were negative for the 16S rRNA, dsb, groEL and sodB of Ehrlichia spp. One A. sculptum female was positive to all target genes of Ehrlichia. This tick was parasitizing an Ehrlichia-seropositive horse with antibody titer of 80. Nucleotide sequences of 16S rRNA, dsb, groEL and sodB genes showed close relationship with different strains of Ehrlichia detected in wild mammals, Amblyomma ticks and horses from Brazil and Argentina. Detection of anti-Ehrlichia sp. antibodies suggests that horses have been exposed to an ehrlichial agent in the Pantanal. Future studies on Ehrlichia infection should be carried out to better elucidate and to bring new information about equine ehrlichiosis, since these animals are important hosts of ticks in the Brazilian Pantanal wetlands.
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Félix ML, Muñoz-Leal S, Carvalho LA, Queirolo D, Remesar Alonso S, Nava S, Armúa-Fernández MT, Venzal JM. Molecular characterization of novel Ehrlichia genotypes in Ixodes auritulus from Uruguay. CURRENT RESEARCH IN PARASITOLOGY & VECTOR-BORNE DISEASES 2021; 1:100022. [PMID: 35284857 PMCID: PMC8906135 DOI: 10.1016/j.crpvbd.2021.100022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2021] [Revised: 03/29/2021] [Accepted: 04/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Ehrlichia are small intracellular Gram-negative bacteria transmitted by ticks. These microorganisms cause ehrlichiosis, a complex of life-threatening emerging zoonoses and diseases of global veterinary relevance. The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of Ehrlichia in free-living Ixodes auritulus collected in Uruguay. Ticks were collected from vegetation in five localities from the southeast and northeast of the country between 2014 and 2017. Detection of Ehrlichia DNA was performed in pools of adults or nymphs grouped according to the collection site and date. A total of 1,548 I. auritulus ticks were collected in four of the five locations sampled. Fragments of three loci (16S rRNA, dsb and groEL) were obtained by PCR, and phylogenies inferred using Bayesian inference analysis for each gene independently. DNA of Ehrlichia spp. was found in 15 out of 42 tick pools. Based on the topology of the phylogenetic trees, our sequences represent two novel genotypes for the genus named as Ehrlichia sp. Serrana and Ehrlichia sp. Laguna Negra. Both genotypes were closely related to Ehrlichia sp. Magellanica, a species detected in Ixodes uriae and Magellanic penguins. Considering that all stages of I. auritulus and I. uriae are parasites of birds, their phylogenetic relationships, and common eco–epidemiological profiles, it is reasonable to state that these genotypes of Ehrlichia spp. may represent a natural group likely associated with birds. Our results constitute the first characterization of Ehrlichia spp. in Uruguay. Future studies on birds reported as hosts for I. auritulus are needed to further understand the epidemiological cycles of both Ehrlichia genotypes in the country. Finally, I. auritulus does not feed on humans, so the two Ehrlichia species reported herein might have no implications in human health. First molecular characterization of Ehrlichia in Uruguay. Two novel genotypes of Ehrlichia were detected in Ixodes auritulus. Evidence of a natural lineage of Ehrlichia associated with birds is reinforced.
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Orozco MM, Argibay HD, Minatel L, Guillemi EC, Berra Y, Schapira A, Di Nucci D, Marcos A, Lois F, Falzone M, Farber MD. A participatory surveillance of marsh deer (Blastocerus dichotomus) morbidity and mortality in Argentina: first results. BMC Vet Res 2020; 16:321. [PMID: 32873288 PMCID: PMC7465331 DOI: 10.1186/s12917-020-02533-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2019] [Accepted: 08/22/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background In an era of unprecedented socio-ecological changes, managing wildlife health demands high-quality data collection and the engagement of local communities. Blastocerus dichotomus, the largest South American deer, is Vulnerable to extinction mainly due to habitat loss. Diseases have been recognised as a potential threat, and winter mortality has been historically described in marsh deer populations from Argentina. Field difficulties have, however, prevented in-depth studies of their health status. Results Between May 2014 and April 2017, we investigated marsh deer morbidity and mortality in the two largest populations in Argentina. We collected data by means of a passive surveillance system that involved a network of researchers, field partners (veterinarians, park rangers, and local community), and decision makers. We sampled marsh deer during as well as outside mortality events. A total of 44 marsh deer with different body condition scores were evaluated. We obtained haematology and biochemistry values from animals with good body condition score. Marsh deer with poor body condition had a high burden of the ticks Amblyomma triste and Rhipicephalus microplus. Vector-borne agents such as Theileria cervi, Trypanosoma theileri, Trypanosoma evansi, Ehrlichia chaffeensis, Anaplasma platys, Anaplasma odocoilei, Anaplasma marginale, and Candidatus Anaplasma boleense were also found. Haemonchus spp., Ostertagia spp., and Trichostrongylus spp. were the most frequent gastrointestinal parasites in deer with poor body condition. A Multiple Correspondence Analysis reinforced a possible association of winter period with lower body score condition, high tick loads, infection with E. chaffeensis, and presence of harmful gastrointestinal parasites. Conclusions Our approach allowed the establishment of a participatory surveillance network of marsh deer morbidity and mortality in Argentina. We report and analyse the first data obtained opportunistically within the framework of this network, providing information on the infectious and parasitic agents in marsh deer populations. The occurrence of Fasciola hepatica and Leptospira interrogans serovar pyrogenes is reported for the first time in wild marsh deer from Argentina. Our data will be useful to improve the interpretation of future mortality events. The field implementation of a surveillance network is key to a holistic approach to wildlife diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Marcela Orozco
- Instituto de Ecología, Genética y Evolución de Buenos Aires, IEGEBA-CONICET, Intendente Güiraldes 2160, Ciudad Universitaria, C1428EGA, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina. .,Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Intendente Güiraldes 2160, Ciudad Universitaria, C1428EGA, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| | - Hernán D Argibay
- Instituto de Ecología, Genética y Evolución de Buenos Aires, IEGEBA-CONICET, Intendente Güiraldes 2160, Ciudad Universitaria, C1428EGA, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Intendente Güiraldes 2160, Ciudad Universitaria, C1428EGA, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Leonardo Minatel
- Cátedra de Patología, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Av. San Martín 5285, C1217DSM, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Eliana C Guillemi
- Instituto de Biotecnología-IABiMo, Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA- CONICET), Las Cabañas y Los Reseros s/n, B1712WAA, Castelar, Argentina
| | - Yanina Berra
- Área Salud Pública, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Av. Chorroarín 280, C1427CW, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Andrea Schapira
- Cátedra de Patología, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Av. San Martín 5285, C1217DSM, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Dante Di Nucci
- Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Intendente Güiraldes 2160, Ciudad Universitaria, C1428EGA, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Fundación de Historia Natural Félix de Azara, Hidalgo 767, C1405BCK, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Andrea Marcos
- Servicio Nacional de Sanidad y Calidad Agroalimentaria (SENASA), Av. Paseo Colón 367, C1063ACD, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Fernanda Lois
- Fundación Temaikèn, Ruta Provincial 25, B1625 Belén de Escobar, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Martín Falzone
- Fundación Temaikèn, Ruta Provincial 25, B1625 Belén de Escobar, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Marisa D Farber
- Instituto de Biotecnología-IABiMo, Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA- CONICET), Las Cabañas y Los Reseros s/n, B1712WAA, Castelar, Argentina
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Cicuttin GL, De Salvo MN, Pérez PD, Silva D, Félix ML, Venzal JM, Nava S. A novel Ehrlichia strain (Rickettsiales: Anaplasmataceae) detected in Amblyomma triste (Acari: Ixodidae), a tick species of public health importance in the Southern Cone of America. Pathog Glob Health 2020; 114:318-322. [PMID: 32684117 DOI: 10.1080/20477724.2020.1795579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of this work was to report the detection of a putative novel Ehrlichia strain associated with the tick Amblyomma triste. Free-living adult ticks determined as A. triste were collected by drag-sampling in Argentina and Uruguay. Molecular detection of Ehrlichia agents was performed targeting three different loci: 16S rRNA gene, dsb gene and a fragment of groESL heat shock operon. In total, 164 adults of A. triste (38 from INTA E.E.A Delta del Paraná in Argentina and 126 from Toledo Chico in Uruguay) were analyzed. One tick (0.6%) collected in INTA E.E.A. Delta del Paraná (Argentina) was positive. The phylogenetic analyses show that the Ehrlichia strain found in this study (named Ehrlichia sp. strain Delta) represents an independent lineage within the genus Ehrlichia, close to E. chaffeensis and E. muris. This is also the first report of an Ehrlichia agent infecting the tick A. triste. The medical and veterinary significance of Ehrlichia sp. strain Delta remains to be demonstrated. However, it is important to mention that adults of A. triste are aggressive to humans and domestic mammals. Therefore, the potential role of A. triste in the transmission of Ehrlichia agents to humans or domestic animals across its distributional range should be highlighted, even more considering that Ehrlichia sp. strain Delta is phylogenetically related to the zoonotic E. chaffeensis, which is recognized as pathogenic to both humans and animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriel L Cicuttin
- Instituto de Zoonosis Luis Pasteur , Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - María N De Salvo
- Instituto de Zoonosis Luis Pasteur , Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Paula Díaz Pérez
- Instituto de Zoonosis Luis Pasteur , Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Darío Silva
- Instituto de Zoonosis Luis Pasteur , Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - María L Félix
- Laboratorio de Vectores y Enfermedades Transmitidas, Facultad de Veterinaria, CENUR Litoral Norte, Universidad de la República , Salto, Uruguay
| | - José M Venzal
- Laboratorio de Vectores y Enfermedades Transmitidas, Facultad de Veterinaria, CENUR Litoral Norte, Universidad de la República , Salto, Uruguay
| | - Santiago Nava
- Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Rafaela, and Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria , Santa Fe, Argentina
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Eberhardt AT, Fernandez C, Fargnoli L, Beldomenico PM, Monje LD. A putative novel strain of Ehrlichia infecting Amblyomma tigrinum associated with Pampas fox (Lycalopex gymnocercus) in Esteros del Iberá ecoregion, Argentina. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2019; 11:101318. [PMID: 31711730 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2019.101318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2019] [Revised: 10/07/2019] [Accepted: 10/21/2019] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The current work evaluated road-killed Pampas foxes (Lycalopex gymnocercus) and their ticks for the presence of vector-borne agents in the ecoregion Esteros del Iberá in northeastern Argentina. Spleen, lung and blood samples and Amblyomma tigrinum adult ticks collected from the foxes were tested by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays targeting bacteria of the genera Ehrlichia, Anaplasma, and Rickettsia. All foxes tested were negative for the three genera, but evidence of Ehrlichia and Rickettsia infection was detected in the ticks. One A. tigrinum (out of 12 tested) was infected by an ehrlichial agent, here named Ehrlichia sp. strain Iberá, related to ehrlichial agents recently detected in platypuses in Tasmania (Ornithorhynchus anatinus) and in voles (Myodes rutilus and Myodes rufocanus) and shrews (Sorex araneus) in the Russian Far East. Regarding Rickettsia, all A. tigrinum ticks (100%) were infected by ´Candidatus Rickettsia andeanae´, a member of the spotted fever group rickettsia of unknown pathogenicity. Further research is necessary to unveil the ecology of Ehrlichia sp. strain Iberá as well as its zoonotic relevance. The species of the genus Ehrlichia are known to be pathogenic to mammals, including humans and domestic animals, thus the presence of this ehrlichial agent in A. tigrinum is a potential risk for veterinary and public health, as the adults of A. tigrinum are common parasites of dogs in rural and peri-urban environments, and humans are also frequently bitten by this tick species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayelen T Eberhardt
- Laboratorio de Ecología de Enfermedades, Instituto de Ciencias Veterinarias del Litoral (ICIVET-Litoral), Universidad Nacional del Litoral (UNL), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Esperanza, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Camilo Fernandez
- Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias del Litoral, Universidad Nacional del Litoral (UNL), Esperanza, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Lucía Fargnoli
- Laboratorio de Ecología de Enfermedades, Instituto de Ciencias Veterinarias del Litoral (ICIVET-Litoral), Universidad Nacional del Litoral (UNL), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Esperanza, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Pablo M Beldomenico
- Laboratorio de Ecología de Enfermedades, Instituto de Ciencias Veterinarias del Litoral (ICIVET-Litoral), Universidad Nacional del Litoral (UNL), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Esperanza, Santa Fe, Argentina; Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias del Litoral, Universidad Nacional del Litoral (UNL), Esperanza, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Lucas D Monje
- Laboratorio de Ecología de Enfermedades, Instituto de Ciencias Veterinarias del Litoral (ICIVET-Litoral), Universidad Nacional del Litoral (UNL), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Esperanza, Santa Fe, Argentina.
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