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Nasirian H. Hard Tick Species Parasitism Levels in Domestic Ruminants with Their Distribution and Role as Vectors: A Detailed Global Meta-analysis and Systematic Review. Acta Parasitol 2024; 69:1-105. [PMID: 37987883 DOI: 10.1007/s11686-023-00724-8] [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: 05/21/2022] [Accepted: 10/03/2023] [Indexed: 11/22/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE This comprehensive global meta-analysis reviews the parasitism levels of tick genera and species, life stages, seasonality, attachment sites, the global mean ranks of tick species parasitism rates and records, and their distribution and role as vectors. METHODS From the 418 papers identified, 390 papers were selected to become part of the study. RESULTS The genera recorded as infesting domestic ruminants were Rhipicephalus (42 species), Haemaphysalis (32 species), Hyalomma (19 species), Amblyomma (18 species), Ixodes (10 species), Dermacentor (8 species), Margaropus and Nosomma (1 species). Globally, domestic ruminants are more infested by adult females and males than by the nymphal and larval stages of the tick species. The global tick species parasitism levels at the attachment sites of domestic ruminants were, in order, tail and anal region, neck and dewlap, scrotum or udder, ear region, thigh and abdomen, and dorsal surface. CONCLUSIONS Among 131 species of eight genera of hard ticks recorded infesting domestic ruminants, 42 species had mean ranks of tick species parasitism rates up to 10%, and 37 species had mean ranks of tick species parasitism up to 10 records. Briefly, the higher the indexes of tick species parasitism rates and records, the more important their role as vectors. In addition, the majority of them are found among tick species-infested humans with nearly high ranks of tick species parasitism rates and records that double their medical, veterinary, and zoonotic importance to be the most common vectors and reservoirs of bacterial, protozoan, and viral pathogenic microorganisms, causing severe infectious diseases, and as a result, can be more dangerous to humans and domestic ruminants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hassan Nasirian
- Department of Medical Entomology and Vector Control, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran.
- Institute for Environmental Research (IER), Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran.
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El-Alfy ES, Abbas I, Saleh S, Elseadawy R, Fereig RM, Rizk MA, Xuan X. Tick-borne pathogens in camels: A systematic review and meta-analysis of the prevalence in dromedaries. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2024; 15:102268. [PMID: 37769585 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2023.102268] [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: 05/18/2022] [Revised: 09/18/2023] [Accepted: 09/19/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023]
Abstract
Published data on tick-borne pathogens (TBPs) in camels worldwide have been collected to provide an overview of the global prevalence and species diversity of camelid TBPs. Several TBPs have been detected in dromedary camels, raising concerns regarding their role as natural or maintenance hosts for tick-borne pathogens. Insubstantial evidence exists regarding the natural infection of camels with Babesia spp., Theileria spp., Anaplasma spp., and Ehrlichia spp., particularly because most of the camels were considered healthy at the time of sampling. Based on polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing, a pooled prevalence of 35.3% (95% CI: 22.6-48.1%) was estimated for Anaplasma, which was the most frequently tested TBP in dromedaries, and DNA of Anaplasma marginale, Anaplasma centrale, Anaplasma ovis, Anaplasma platys, and A. platys-like were isolated, of which ruminants and dogs are reservoirs. Similarly, the estimated pooled prevalence for the two piroplasmid genera; Babesia and Theileria was approximately equal (10-12%) regardless of the detection method (microscopy or PCR testing). Nevertheless, Babesia caballi, Theileria equi, and Theileria annulata DNA have frequently been detected in camels but they have not yet been proven to be natural hosts. Scarce data detected Babesia microti, Anaplasma phagocytophilum, and Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (s.l.) DNA in blood of dromedaries, although ticks of the genus Ixodes are distributed in limited areas where dromedaries are raised. Interestingly, a pooled seroprevalence of 47.7% (26.3-69.2%) was estimated for Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus, and viral RNA was detected in dromedary blood; however, their contribution to maintain the viral transmission cycles requires further experimental investigation. The substantially low incidence and scarcity of data on Rickettsia and Ehrlichia species could imply that camels were accidentally infected. In contrast, camels may play a role in the spread of Coxiella burnetii, which is primarily transmitted through the inhalation of aerosols emitted by diseased animals and contaminated environments. Bactrian camels showed no symptoms due to the examined TBPs, meanwhile, clinical disease was seen in alpacas infected with A. phagocytophilum. Similar to dromedaries, accidental tick bites may be the cause of TBP DNA found in the blood of Bactrian camels.
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Affiliation(s)
- El-Sayed El-Alfy
- Parasitology Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura 35516, Egypt
| | - Ibrahim Abbas
- Parasitology Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura 35516, Egypt
| | - Somaya Saleh
- Parasitology Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura 35516, Egypt
| | - Rana Elseadawy
- Parasitology Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura 35516, Egypt
| | - Ragab M Fereig
- Department of Animal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, South Valley University, Qena City, Qena 83523, Egypt
| | - Mohamed Abdo Rizk
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Inada-Cho, Obihiro, Hokkaido, Japan; Department of Internal Medicine, Infectious and Fish Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura 35516, Egypt.
| | - Xuenan Xuan
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Inada-Cho, Obihiro, Hokkaido, Japan
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3
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Ali A, Obaid MK, Almutairi MM, Alouffi A, Numan M, Ullah S, Rehman G, Islam ZU, Khan SB, Tanaka T. Molecular detection of Coxiella spp. in ticks (Ixodidae and Argasidae) infesting domestic and wild animals: with notes on the epidemiology of tick-borne Coxiella burnetii in Asia. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1229950. [PMID: 37577446 PMCID: PMC10415105 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1229950] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Tick-borne Coxiella spp. are emerging in novel regions infecting different hosts, but information regarding their occurrence is limited. The purpose of this study was the molecular screening of Coxiella spp. in various ticks infesting goats, sheep, camels, cattle, wild mice, and domestic fowls (Gallus gallus domesticus) in various districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Morphologically identified tick species were confirmed by obtaining their cox1 sequences and were molecularly screened for Coxiella spp. by sequencing GroEL fragments. Almost 345 out of 678 (50.9%) hosts were infested by nine tick species. Regarding the age groups, the hosts having an age >3 years were highly infested (192/345, 55.6%), while gender-wise infestation was higher in female hosts (237/345, 68.7%). In collected ticks, the nymphs were outnumbered (613/1,119, 54.8%), followed by adult females (293/1,119, 26.2%) and males (213/1,119, 19.7%). A total of 227 ticks were processed for molecular identification and detection of Coxiella spp. The obtained cox1 sequences of nine tick species such as Hyalomma dromedarii, Hyalomma anatolicum, Haemaphysalis cornupunctata, Haemaphysalis bispinosa, Haemaphysalis danieli, Haemaphysalis montgomeryi, Rhipicephalus haemaphysaloides, Rhipicephalus microplus, and Argas persicus showed maximum identities between 99.6% and 100% with the same species and in the phylogenetic tree, clustered to the corresponding species. All the tick species except Ha. danieli and R. microplus were found positive for Coxiella spp. (40/227, 17.6%), including Coxiella burnetii (15/40, 6.7%), Coxiella endosymbionts (14/40, 6.3%), and different Coxiella spp. (11/40, 4.9%). By the BLAST results, the GroEL fragments of Coxiella spp. showed maximum identity to C. burnetii, Coxiella endosymbionts, and Coxiella sp., and phylogenetically clustered to the corresponding species. This is the first comprehensive report regarding the genetic characterization of Coxiella spp. in Pakistan's ticks infesting domestic and wild hosts. Proper surveillance and management measures should be undertaken to avoid health risks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abid Ali
- Department of Zoology, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, Mardan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Kashif Obaid
- Department of Zoology, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, Mardan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
| | - Mashal M. Almutairi
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdulaziz Alouffi
- King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Muhammad Numan
- Department of Zoology, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, Mardan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
| | - Shafi Ullah
- Department of Zoology, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, Mardan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
| | - Gauhar Rehman
- Department of Zoology, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, Mardan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
| | - Zia Ul Islam
- Department of Biotechnology, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, Mardan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
| | - Sher Bahadar Khan
- College of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Sciences, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, Mardan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
| | - Tetsuya Tanaka
- Laboratory of Infectious Diseases, Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima, Japan
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Abdelbaset AE, Kwak ML, Nonaka N, Nakao R. Human-biting ticks and zoonotic tick-borne pathogens in North Africa: diversity, distribution, and trans-Mediterranean public health challenges. One Health 2023; 16:100547. [PMID: 37363219 PMCID: PMC10288109 DOI: 10.1016/j.onehlt.2023.100547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2023] [Revised: 04/18/2023] [Accepted: 04/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023] Open
Abstract
North Africa is home to more than 200 million people living across five developing economies (Egypt, Libya, Tunisia, Algeria, and Morocco) and two Spanish exclaves (Ceuta and Melilla), many of whom are impacted by ticks and tick-borne zoonoses. Populations in Europe are also increasingly vulnerable to North African ticks and tick-borne zoonoses due to a combination of climate change and the movement of ticks across the Mediterranean on migratory birds, human travellers, and trafficked wildlife. The human-biting ticks and tick-borne zoonoses in North Africa are reviewed along with their distribution in the region. We also assess present and future challenges associated with ticks and tick-borne zoonoses in North African and highlight opportunities for collaboration and coordination between governments in Europe and North Africa to address public health challenges posed by North African ticks and tick-borne zoonoses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdelbaset Eweda Abdelbaset
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Department of Disease Control, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, N18 W9, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido 060-0818, Japan
- Clinical Laboratory Diagnosis, Department of Animal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut 71515, Egypt
| | - Mackenzie L. Kwak
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Department of Disease Control, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, N18 W9, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido 060-0818, Japan
| | - Nariaki Nonaka
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Department of Disease Control, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, N18 W9, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido 060-0818, Japan
| | - Ryo Nakao
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Department of Disease Control, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, N18 W9, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido 060-0818, Japan
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Bonnet SI, Bertagnoli S, Falchi A, Figoni J, Fite J, Hoch T, Quillery E, Moutailler S, Raffetin A, René-Martellet M, Vourc’h G, Vial L. An Update of Evidence for Pathogen Transmission by Ticks of the Genus Hyalomma. Pathogens 2023; 12:pathogens12040513. [PMID: 37111399 PMCID: PMC10146795 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12040513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2023] [Revised: 03/15/2023] [Accepted: 03/22/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Current and likely future changes in the geographic distribution of ticks belonging to the genus Hyalomma are of concern, as these ticks are believed to be vectors of many pathogens responsible for human and animal diseases. However, we have observed that for many pathogens there are no vector competence experiments, and that the level of evidence provided by the scientific literature is often not sufficient to validate the transmission of a specific pathogen by a specific Hyalomma species. We therefore carried out a bibliographical study to collate the validation evidence for the transmission of parasitic, viral, or bacterial pathogens by Hyalomma spp. ticks. Our results show that there are very few validated cases of pathogen transmission by Hyalomma tick species.
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6
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MALDI-TOF MS Identification of Dromedary Camel Ticks and Detection of Associated Microorganisms, Southern Algeria. Microorganisms 2022; 10:microorganisms10112178. [DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10112178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2022] [Revised: 10/19/2022] [Accepted: 10/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
This study used MALDI-TOF MS and molecular tools to identify tick species infesting camels from Tamanrasset in southern Algeria and to investigate their associated microorganisms. Ninety-one adult ticks were collected from nine camels and were morphologically identified as Hyalomma spp., Hyalomma dromedarii, Hyalomma excavatum, Hyalomma impeltatum and Hyalomma anatolicum. Next, the legs of all ticks were subjected to MALDI-TOF MS, and 88/91 specimens provided good-quality MS spectra. Our homemade MALDI-TOF MS arthropod spectra database was then updated with the new MS spectra of 14 specimens of molecularly confirmed species in this study. The spectra of the remaining tick specimens not included in the MS database were queried against the upgraded database. All 74 specimens were correctly identified by MALDI-TOF MS, with logarithmic score values ranging from 1.701 to 2.507, with median and mean values of 2.199 and 2.172 ± 0.169, respectively. One H. impeltatum and one H. dromedarii (2/91; 2.20%) tested positive by qPCR for Coxiella burnetii, the agent of Q fever. We also report the first detection of an Anaplasma sp. close to A. platys in H. dromedarii in Algeria and a potentially new Ehrlichia sp. in H. impeltatum.
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7
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Distribution of Tick-Borne Pathogens in Domestic Animals and Their Ticks in the Countries of the Mediterranean Basin between 2000 and 2021: A Systematic Review. Microorganisms 2022; 10:microorganisms10061236. [PMID: 35744755 PMCID: PMC9228937 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10061236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2022] [Revised: 06/10/2022] [Accepted: 06/14/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Tick-borne pathogens (TBPs) include a wide range of bacteria, parasites and viruses that cause a large spectrum of animal, human and zoonotic tick-borne diseases (TBDs). The object of this review was to establish an inventory and an analysis of TBPs found in domestic animals in the countries of the Mediterranean Basin. This geographic area occupies a central position between several continents and is an area of movement for animals, humans and pathogens of interest and their vectors, which is important in terms of animal and human health. In this systematic review, we included a total of 271 publications produced between 2000–2021 concerning TBPs in domestic animals. Among this literature, we found a total of 90 pathogen species (known as TBPs) reported in the 20 countries of the area; these were detected in tick species from domestic animals and were also directly detected in domestic animals. In all, 31 tick species were recorded and 12 domestic animal species, the latter comprising nine livestock and three pet species. More than 50% of the publications were from Western Europe. Island data were extracted and assessed, as islands of the Mediterranean Basin were represented in 16% of the publications and 77.8% of the TBPs reported. Our results show the importance of islands in the monitoring of TBPs, despite the low percentage of publications.
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8
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Detailed new insights about tick infestations in domestic ruminant groups: a global systematic review and meta-analysis. J Parasit Dis 2022; 46:526-601. [DOI: 10.1007/s12639-021-01460-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2021] [Accepted: 11/21/2021] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
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9
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Buysse M, Floriano AM, Gottlieb Y, Nardi T, Comandatore F, Olivieri E, Giannetto A, Palomar AM, Makepeace BL, Bazzocchi C, Cafiso A, Sassera D, Duron O. A dual endosymbiosis supports nutritional adaptation to hematophagy in the invasive tick Hyalomma marginatum. eLife 2021; 10:e72747. [PMID: 34951405 PMCID: PMC8709577 DOI: 10.7554/elife.72747] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2021] [Accepted: 12/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Many animals are dependent on microbial partners that provide essential nutrients lacking from their diet. Ticks, whose diet consists exclusively on vertebrate blood, rely on maternally inherited bacterial symbionts to supply B vitamins. While previously studied tick species consistently harbor a single lineage of those nutritional symbionts, we evidence here that the invasive tick Hyalomma marginatum harbors a unique dual-partner nutritional system between an ancestral symbiont, Francisella, and a more recently acquired symbiont, Midichloria. Using metagenomics, we show that Francisella exhibits extensive genome erosion that endangers the nutritional symbiotic interactions. Its genome includes folate and riboflavin biosynthesis pathways but deprived functional biotin biosynthesis on account of massive pseudogenization. Co-symbiosis compensates this deficiency since the Midichloria genome encompasses an intact biotin operon, which was primarily acquired via lateral gene transfer from unrelated intracellular bacteria commonly infecting arthropods. Thus, in H. marginatum, a mosaic of co-evolved symbionts incorporating gene combinations of distant phylogenetic origins emerged to prevent the collapse of an ancestral nutritional symbiosis. Such dual endosymbiosis was never reported in other blood feeders but was recently documented in agricultural pests feeding on plant sap, suggesting that it may be a key mechanism for advanced adaptation of arthropods to specialized diets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie Buysse
- MIVEGEC (Maladies Infectieuses et Vecteurs : Ecologie, Génétique, Evolution et Contrôle), Univ. Montpellier (UM) - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) - Institut pour la Recherche et le Développement (IRD)MontpellierFrance
- Centre of Research in Ecology and Evolution of Diseases (CREES), Montpellier, FranceMontpellierFrance
| | - Anna Maria Floriano
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology “L. Spallanzani”, University of PaviaPaviaItaly
- Faculty of Science, University of South BohemiaČeské BudějoviceCzech Republic
| | - Yuval Gottlieb
- Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, The Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, The Hebrew University of JerusalemRehovotIsrael
| | - Tiago Nardi
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology “L. Spallanzani”, University of PaviaPaviaItaly
| | - Francesco Comandatore
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences L. Sacco and Pediatric Clinical Research Center, University of MilanMilanItaly
| | - Emanuela Olivieri
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology “L. Spallanzani”, University of PaviaPaviaItaly
| | - Alessia Giannetto
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of MessinaMessinaItaly
| | - Ana M Palomar
- Center of Rickettsiosis and Arthropod-Borne Diseases (CRETAV), San Pedro University Hospital- Center of Biomedical Research from La Rioja (CIBIR)LogroñoSpain
| | - Benjamin L Makepeace
- Institute of Infection, Veterinary & Ecological Sciences, University of LiverpoolLiverpoolUnited Kingdom
| | | | | | - Davide Sassera
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology “L. Spallanzani”, University of PaviaPaviaItaly
| | - Olivier Duron
- MIVEGEC (Maladies Infectieuses et Vecteurs : Ecologie, Génétique, Evolution et Contrôle), Univ. Montpellier (UM) - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) - Institut pour la Recherche et le Développement (IRD)MontpellierFrance
- Centre of Research in Ecology and Evolution of Diseases (CREES), Montpellier, FranceMontpellierFrance
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Selmi R, Belkahia H, Dhibi M, Abdelaali H, Lahmar S, Ben Said M, Messadi L. Zoonotic vector-borne bacteria in wild rodents and associated ectoparasites from Tunisia. INFECTION, GENETICS AND EVOLUTION : JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR EPIDEMIOLOGY AND EVOLUTIONARY GENETICS IN INFECTIOUS DISEASES 2021; 95:105039. [PMID: 34438095 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2021.105039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2021] [Revised: 07/23/2021] [Accepted: 08/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Wild rodents are considered as potential carriers of several zoonotic vector-borne bacteria but their epidemiology is poorly understood in Tunisia. A total of 305 biological samples (100 spleens, 100 livers, 100 kidneys, and 5 pooled ectoparasites (Xenopsylla cheopis, Laelaps echidninus, Ornithonyssus sp., Hoplopleura sp. and eggs of the rat fleas)) were collected from 100 wild rodents from three Tunisian governorates. Molecular screening was performed to reveal infections with main vector-borne bacteria. Captured rodents belonged to three rodent genera and species including Rattus rattus (n = 51, 51%), Meriones shawi (n = 24, 24%) and Mus musculus (n = 25, 25%). Examined rodents were found to be heavily infested by the rat flea X. cheopis (n = 32, 47%) and the rat mite L. echidninus (n = 22, 32.3%). However, the rat mite Ornithonyssus sp. (n = 13, 19.1%) and the rat lice Hoplopleura sp. (n = 1, 1.5%) were rarely identified. Based on 16S rRNA and msp4 genes, infection with Anaplasmataceae bacteria was detected in six specimens of R. rattus and one M. shawi. Pathogenic A. phagocytophilum (n = 1), A. phagocytophilum-like 1 (Anaplasma sp. Japan) (n = 1), and A. ovis (n = 5) were identified. On the basis of ompB, ompA and gltA genes, infection with Rickettsia spp. was identified in three specimens of R. rattus and one of M. shawi. Five Rickettsia species of the spotted fever group, corresponding to R. monacensis, R. helvetica, R. massiliae, R. africae, and R. aeschlimannii, were detected in mixed infections. Bartonella henselae DNA was also found in two R. rattus, based on rpoB partial sequences. All revealed Anaplasma, Rickettsia and Bartonella bacteria were detected in spleen samples. Ehrlichia, Coxiella and Borrelia spp. were not identified in any of the tested samples. In Tunisia, this is the first report indicating infections with Anaplasma, Rickettsia and Bartonella spp. in wild rodents, particularly present alongside domestic livestock and human. This represents a serious risk of potential bacterial transmission. Thus, controlling rodent population in animal herds, residential areas and sensitizing local people to this risk seem absolutely necessary.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachid Selmi
- Service de Microbiologie et Immunologie, Ecole Nationale de Médecine Vétérinaire, Univ. Manouba, Sidi Thabet, Tunisie; Ministère de la Défense Nationale, Direction Générale de la Santé Militaire, Service Vétérinaire, Tunis, Tunisie
| | - Hanène Belkahia
- Service de Microbiologie et Immunologie, Ecole Nationale de Médecine Vétérinaire, Univ. Manouba, Sidi Thabet, Tunisie
| | - Mokhtar Dhibi
- Service de Parasitologie, Ecole Nationale de Médecine Vétérinaire, Univ. Manouba, Sidi Thabet, Tunisie
| | - Hedi Abdelaali
- Ministère de la Défense Nationale, Direction Générale de la Santé Militaire, Service Vétérinaire, Tunis, Tunisie
| | - Samia Lahmar
- Service de Parasitologie, Ecole Nationale de Médecine Vétérinaire, Univ. Manouba, Sidi Thabet, Tunisie
| | - Mourad Ben Said
- Service de Microbiologie et Immunologie, Ecole Nationale de Médecine Vétérinaire, Univ. Manouba, Sidi Thabet, Tunisie; Institut Supérieur de Biotechnologie de Sidi Thabet, Département des Sciences Fondamentales, Univ. Manouba, Sidi Thabet, Tunisie.
| | - Lilia Messadi
- Service de Microbiologie et Immunologie, Ecole Nationale de Médecine Vétérinaire, Univ. Manouba, Sidi Thabet, Tunisie.
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Selmi R, Belkahia H, Dhibi M, Ben Said M, Messadi L. First case of
Ehrlichia canis
infection in the common pipistrelle bat (
Pipistrellus pipistrellus
). VETERINARY RECORD CASE REPORTS 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/vrc2.190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Rachid Selmi
- Service de Microbiologie et Immunologie Ecole Nationale de Médecine Vétérinaire Université de la Manouba Sidi Thabet Tunisia
| | - Hanène Belkahia
- Service de Microbiologie et Immunologie Ecole Nationale de Médecine Vétérinaire Université de la Manouba Sidi Thabet Tunisia
| | - Mokhtar Dhibi
- Service de Parasitologie Ecole Nationale de Médecine Vétérinaire Université de la Manouba Sidi Thabet Tunisia
| | - Mourad Ben Said
- Service de Microbiologie et Immunologie Ecole Nationale de Médecine Vétérinaire Université de la Manouba Sidi Thabet Tunisia
- Département des Sciences Fondamentales Institut Supérieur de Biotechnologie de Sidi Thabet Université de la Manouba Sidi Thabet Tunisia
| | - Lilia Messadi
- Service de Microbiologie et Immunologie Ecole Nationale de Médecine Vétérinaire Université de la Manouba Sidi Thabet Tunisia
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Atelerix algirus, the North African Hedgehog: Suitable Wild Host for Infected Ticks and Fleas and Reservoir of Vector-Borne Pathogens in Tunisia. Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10080953. [PMID: 34451417 PMCID: PMC8399139 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10080953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2021] [Revised: 07/05/2021] [Accepted: 07/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Small wild mammals are an important element in the emergence and transmission of vector-borne pathogens (VBPs). Among these species, hedgehogs have been found to be a reservoir of VBPs and host of arthropod vectors. Surveillance of VBPs in wildlife and their arthropods are crucial in a one health context. We conducted an exploratory study to screen Atelerix algirus hedgehogs and their infesting ticks and fleas for VBPs using a high throughput microfluidic real-time PCR system. Tested biopsies from hedgehogs were found to be naturally infected by Theileria youngi, Hepatozoon sp., Ehrlichia ewingii, Coxiella burnetii, and Candidatus Ehrlichia shimanensis. Similarly, Haemaphysalis erinacei and Rhipicephalus sanguineus tick species were infected by Ehrlichia ewingii, Rickettsia spp., Rickettsia massiliae, Borrelia sp., Coxiella burnetii, Rickettsia lusitaniae and Anaplasma sp. Archaeopsylla erinacei fleas were infected by Rickettsia asembonensis, Coxiella burnetii, and Rickettsia massiliae. Co-infections by two and three pathogens were detected in hedgehogs and infesting ticks and fleas. The microfluidic real-time PCR system enabled us not only to detect new and unexpected pathogens, but also to identify co-infections in hedgehogs, ticks, and fleas. We suggest that hedgehogs may play a reservoir role for VBPs in Tunisia and contribute to maintaining enzootic pathogen cycles via arthropod vectors.
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Getange D, Bargul JL, Kanduma E, Collins M, Bodha B, Denge D, Chiuya T, Githaka N, Younan M, Fèvre EM, Bell-Sakyi L, Villinger J. Ticks and Tick-Borne Pathogens Associated with Dromedary Camels ( Camelus dromedarius) in Northern Kenya. Microorganisms 2021; 9:1414. [PMID: 34209060 PMCID: PMC8306667 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9071414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2021] [Revised: 06/21/2021] [Accepted: 06/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Ticks and tick-borne pathogens (TBPs) are major constraints to camel health and production, yet epidemiological data on their diversity and impact on dromedary camels remain limited. We surveyed the diversity of ticks and TBPs associated with camels and co-grazing sheep at 12 sites in Marsabit County, northern Kenya. We screened blood and ticks (858 pools) from 296 camels and 77 sheep for bacterial and protozoan TBPs by high-resolution melting analysis and sequencing of PCR products. Hyalomma (75.7%), Amblyomma (17.6%) and Rhipicephalus (6.7%) spp. ticks were morphologically identified and confirmed by molecular analyses. We detected TBP DNA in 80.1% of blood samples from 296 healthy camels. "Candidatus Anaplasma camelii", "Candidatus Ehrlichia regneryi" and Coxiella burnetii were detected in both camels and associated ticks, and Ehrlichia chaffeensis, Rickettsia africae, Rickettsia aeschlimannii and Coxiella endosymbionts were detected in camel ticks. We also detected Ehrlichia ruminantium, which is responsible for heartwater disease in ruminants, in Amblyomma ticks infesting camels and sheep and in sheep blood, indicating its endemicity in Marsabit. Our findings also suggest that camels and/or the ticks infesting them are disease reservoirs of zoonotic Q fever (C. burnetii), ehrlichiosis (E. chaffeensis) and rickettsiosis (R. africae), which pose public health threats to pastoralist communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dennis Getange
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe), Nairobi P.O. Box 30772-00100, Kenya; (D.G.); (T.C.)
- Department of Biochemistry, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Nairobi P.O. Box 62000-00200, Kenya
| | - Joel L. Bargul
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe), Nairobi P.O. Box 30772-00100, Kenya; (D.G.); (T.C.)
- Department of Biochemistry, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Nairobi P.O. Box 62000-00200, Kenya
| | - Esther Kanduma
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, University of Nairobi, Nairobi P.O. Box 30197-00100, Kenya;
| | - Marisol Collins
- Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L3 5RF, UK; (M.C.); (E.M.F.); (L.B.-S.)
| | - Boku Bodha
- Directorate of Veterinary Services, County Government of Marsabit, Marsabit P.O. Box 384-60500, Kenya; (B.B.); (D.D.)
| | - Diba Denge
- Directorate of Veterinary Services, County Government of Marsabit, Marsabit P.O. Box 384-60500, Kenya; (B.B.); (D.D.)
| | - Tatenda Chiuya
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe), Nairobi P.O. Box 30772-00100, Kenya; (D.G.); (T.C.)
| | - Naftaly Githaka
- International Livestock Research Institute, Nairobi P.O. Box 30709-00100, Kenya;
| | - Mario Younan
- Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Programme & Operational Support to Syria Crisis, UN cross-border hub, Gaziantep 27010, Turkey;
| | - Eric M. Fèvre
- Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L3 5RF, UK; (M.C.); (E.M.F.); (L.B.-S.)
- International Livestock Research Institute, Nairobi P.O. Box 30709-00100, Kenya;
| | - Lesley Bell-Sakyi
- Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L3 5RF, UK; (M.C.); (E.M.F.); (L.B.-S.)
| | - Jandouwe Villinger
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe), Nairobi P.O. Box 30772-00100, Kenya; (D.G.); (T.C.)
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Norte AC, Harris DJ, Silveira D, Nunes CS, Núncio MS, Martínez EG, Giménez A, de Sousa R, Lopes de Carvalho I, Perera A. Diversity of microorganisms in Hyalomma aegyptium collected from spur-thighed tortoise (Testudo graeca) in North Africa and Anatolia. Transbound Emerg Dis 2021; 69:1951-1962. [PMID: 34125999 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.14188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2021] [Accepted: 06/04/2021] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Ticks carry a diverse community of microorganisms including non-pathogenic symbionts, commensals, and pathogens, such as viruses, bacteria, protozoans, and fungi. The assessment of tick-borne microorganisms (TBM) in tortoises and their ticks is essential to understand their eco-epidemiology, and to map and monitor potential pathogens to humans and other animals. The aim of this study was to characterize the diversity of microorganisms found in ticks collected from the spur-thighed tortoise (Testudo graeca) in North Africa and Anatolia. Ticks feeding on wild T. graeca were collected, and pathogens were screened by polymerase chain reaction using group-specific primers. In total, 131 adult Hyalomma aegyptium ticks were collected from 92 T. graeca in Morocco (n = 48), Tunisia (n = 2), Algeria (n = 70), and Turkey (n = 11). Bacteria and protozoa detected included Hemolivia mauritanica (22.9%), Midichloria mitochondrii (11.4%), relapsing-fever borreliae (8.4%), Ehrlichia spp. (7.6%), Rickettsia spp. (3.4%), Borrelia burgdorferi s.l. (0.9%), Francisella spp. (0.9%), and Wolbachia spp. (0.8%). The characterization of Rickettsia included R. sibirica mongolitimonae (Algeria), R. aeschlimannii (Turkey), and R.africae (Morocco). Hemolivia mauritanica and Ehrlichia spp. prevalence varied significantly with the sampling region/country. We did not detect significant associations in microorganism presence within ticks, nor between microorganism presence and tick mitochondrial DNA haplogroups. This is the first report of Francisella persica-like, relapsing fever borreliae, M. mitochondrii, and Wolbachia spp. in H. aegyptium ticks collected from wild hosts from the South and Eastern Mediterranean region, and of R. sibirica mongolitimonae and R. africae in H. aegyptium from Algeria and Morocco, respectively. Given that T. graeca is a common species in commercial and non-commercial pet trade, the evaluation of the role of this species and its ticks as hosts for TBM is particularly relevant for public health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Cláudia Norte
- MARE - Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,Centre for Vector and Infectious Diseases Research, National Institute of Health Doutor Ricardo Jorge, Águas de Moura, Portugal
| | - David James Harris
- CIBIO/InBIO - Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, Universidade do Porto, Vairão, Portugal
| | - Diogo Silveira
- CIBIO/InBIO - Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, Universidade do Porto, Vairão, Portugal
| | - Carolina Saramago Nunes
- Centre for Vector and Infectious Diseases Research, National Institute of Health Doutor Ricardo Jorge, Águas de Moura, Portugal
| | - Maria Sofia Núncio
- Centre for Vector and Infectious Diseases Research, National Institute of Health Doutor Ricardo Jorge, Águas de Moura, Portugal
| | - Eva Graciá Martínez
- Departamento de Biología Aplicada, Universidad Miguel Hernández, Elche, Spain.,Centro de Investigación e Innovación Agroalimentaria y Agroambiental (CIAGRO-UMH), Miguel Hernández University, Elche, Spain
| | - Andrés Giménez
- Departamento de Biología Aplicada, Universidad Miguel Hernández, Elche, Spain.,Centro de Investigación e Innovación Agroalimentaria y Agroambiental (CIAGRO-UMH), Miguel Hernández University, Elche, Spain
| | - Rita de Sousa
- Centre for Vector and Infectious Diseases Research, National Institute of Health Doutor Ricardo Jorge, Águas de Moura, Portugal
| | - Isabel Lopes de Carvalho
- Centre for Vector and Infectious Diseases Research, National Institute of Health Doutor Ricardo Jorge, Águas de Moura, Portugal
| | - Ana Perera
- CIBIO/InBIO - Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, Universidade do Porto, Vairão, Portugal
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Devaux CA, Osman IO, Million M, Raoult D. Coxiella burnetii in Dromedary Camels ( Camelus dromedarius): A Possible Threat for Humans and Livestock in North Africa and the Near and Middle East? Front Vet Sci 2020; 7:558481. [PMID: 33251255 PMCID: PMC7674558 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2020.558481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2020] [Accepted: 09/28/2020] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The "One Health" concept recognizes that human health is connected to animal health and to the ecosystems. Coxiella burnetii-induced human Q fever is one of the most widespread neglected zoonosis. The main animal reservoirs responsible for C. burnetii transmission to humans are domesticated ruminants, primarily goats, sheep, and cattle. Although studies are still too sparse to draw definitive conclusions, the most recent C. burnetii serosurvey studies conducted in herds and farms in Africa, North Africa, Arabian Peninsula, and Asia highlighted that seroprevalence was strikingly higher in dromedary camels (Camelus dromedarius) than in other ruminants. The C. burnetii seroprevalence in camel herds can reach more than 60% in Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Sudan, and 70 to 80% in Algeria and Chad, respectively. The highest seroprevalence was in female camels with a previous history of abortion. Moreover, C. burnetii infection was reported in ticks of the Hyalomma dromedarii and Hyalomma impeltatum species collected on camels. Even if dromedary camels represent <3% of the domesticated ruminants in the countries of the Mediterranean basin Southern coast, these animals play a major socioeconomic role for millions of people who live in the arid zones of Africa, Middle East, and Asia. In Chad and Somalia, camels account for about 7 and 21% of domesticated ruminants, respectively. To meet the growing consumers demand of camel meat and milk (>5 million tons/year of both raw and pasteurized milk according to the Food and Agriculture Organization) sustained by a rapid increase of population (growth rate: 2.26-3.76 per year in North Africa), dromedary camel breeding tends to increase from the Maghreb to the Arabic countries. Because of possible long-term persistence of C. burnetii in camel hump adipocytes, this pathogen could represent a threat for herds and breeding farms and ultimately for public health. Because this review highlights a hyperendemia of C. burnetii in dromedary camels, a proper screening of herds and breeding farms for C. burnetii is urgently needed in countries where camel breeding is on the rise. Moreover, the risk of C. burnetii transmission from camel to human should be further evaluated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian A. Devaux
- Aix-Marseille Univ, IRD, APHM, MEPHI, IHU-Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
- CNRS, Marseille, France
| | - Ikram Omar Osman
- Aix-Marseille Univ, IRD, APHM, MEPHI, IHU-Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
- Faculty of Sciences Ben-Ben-M'Sik, University Hassan II, Casablanca, Morocco
| | - Matthieu Million
- Aix-Marseille Univ, IRD, APHM, MEPHI, IHU-Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
| | - Didier Raoult
- Aix-Marseille Univ, IRD, APHM, MEPHI, IHU-Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
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Kilicoglu Y, Cagirgan AA, Serdar G, Kaya S, Durmaz Y, Gur Y. Molecular investigation, isolation and phylogenetic analsysis of Coxiella burnetii from aborted fetus and ticks. Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis 2020; 73:101571. [PMID: 33129174 DOI: 10.1016/j.cimid.2020.101571] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2020] [Revised: 10/18/2020] [Accepted: 10/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Q fever is a zoonotic infection threatening human health, causing abortions in cattle, sheep and goats. Coxiella burnetii (C. burnetii) also causes serious problems such as low birth weight, infertility. This study is the first exemplary for analysis of Q fever around Black Sea region in Turkey. In the study, a total of 270 aborted fetuses (171 cattle, 79 sheep, 20 goats) and 1069 tick samples were aimed to be searched by PCR method. C. burnetii DNA was detected in 8 (2.96 %) of 270 sheep specimens while it could not be found in cattle and goat specimens. 406 sample pools were created from 1069 tick samples (490 male, 579 female) collected from 254 farm animals (187 cattle, 54 sheep, 13 goats) and 11 of these were stated positive. Tick species determined as C. burnetii positive were Hyalomma marginatum, Hyalomma anoliticum excavatum, Hyalomma detritum and Boophilus annulatus. Agent isolation was carried out within embryonated eggs. Agents were stained with Giemsa and was showed. Sequence analysis was performed for TUR/SAM/coxiella_1 (MN917207) isolate and phylogenetic tree was created. This tree, created in compliance with IS1111 transposon gene, did not form different branches in regard to host affiliation (goat, sheep, tick, human) and geographical distribution. As a result, an important zoonotic agent, C. burnetii was diagnosed in sheep aborted fetuses and the infection was proved to have spread among sheep herds in Black Sea region. Besides, 4 separate tick species found in our region hosted the agent and were found important for infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunus Kilicoglu
- Samsun Veterinary Control Institute, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Samsun, 55200, Turkey.
| | | | - Gulnur Serdar
- Samsun Veterinary Control Institute, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Samsun, 55200, Turkey
| | - Selma Kaya
- Samsun Veterinary Control Institute, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Samsun, 55200, Turkey
| | - Yuksel Durmaz
- Samsun Veterinary Control Institute, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Samsun, 55200, Turkey
| | - Yunus Gur
- Samsun Veterinary Control Institute, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Samsun, 55200, Turkey
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Bellabidi M, Benaissa MH, Bissati-Bouafia S, Harrat Z, Brahmi K, Kernif T. Coxiella burnetii in camels (Camelus dromedarius) from Algeria: Seroprevalence, molecular characterization, and ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) vectors. Acta Trop 2020; 206:105443. [PMID: 32173315 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2020.105443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2019] [Revised: 03/11/2020] [Accepted: 03/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Q fever is a widespread zoonotic disease caused by Coxiella burnetii that most commonly infects not only a variety of mammals but also arthropods and in particularly ticks. The aim of this study was to detect C. burnetii infection in camels including ixodid ticks using serological and molecular assays. Between July 2018 to June 2019, blood samples from 184 male and female camels (Camelus dromedarius) were collected from 3 regions of South-East Algeria and serum samples were tested for antibodies against Coxiella burnetii using indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit. The positive sera and a total of 60 ticks were tested by quantitative PCR (qPCR) for detection of C. burnetii with primers and probes specific to the transposon-like repetitive region (IS1111 gene). Positive samples were genotyped by amplification and sequencing of partial sequences based on the IS1111 gene. The seroprevalence of antibodies against C. burnetii was 75.5%. Statistical analysis pointed out three potential risk factors associated with Q fever infection: geographic location, age class and season. No positive DNA of camel blood sample was observed. However, five Hyalomma dromedarii, one H. impeltatum and one H. excavatum tick species were detected positive for Coxiella burnetii DNA by qPCR, with an overall prevalence rate of 11.66% (7/60). The revealed Algerian strains by phylogenetic and comparative analysis of the IS1111 nucleotide sequences were clustered with several pathogenic C. burnetii strains isolated from ticks, human, and cattle located in Tunisia, Greece and in some Mediterranean countries, respectively. The study results clearly indicate that camels and their ticks in Algeria may play an important role as a reservoir for C. burnetii and can be considered as a significant source of Q fever transmission to other animal species and humans.
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