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de Souza EAR, Farias IF, Pesqueira TR, de Azevedo Serpa MC, Cunha TS, Moraes EA, Brandão PE, Labruna MB, Horta MC. Exposure of small ruminants and humans to Coxiella burnetii in the semi-arid region of Northeastern Brazil. Braz J Microbiol 2024; 55:1931-1939. [PMID: 38573541 PMCID: PMC11153395 DOI: 10.1007/s42770-024-01317-x] [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: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Q fever is a zoonotic disease caused by the obligate intracellular pathogen Coxiella burnetii, for which domestic ruminants are the primary source of infection in humans. Herein, we investigated the presence of C. burnetii in humans, sheep, and goats in the semi-arid region of northeastern Brazil. The presence of anti-C. burnetii antibodies was surveyed using indirect immunofluorescence assay, and detection of C. burnetii DNA was performed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Anti-C. burnetii antibodies were detected in 60% of farms, 4.8% of goats, 1.5% of sheep, and 4.5% of human samples. PCR was positive in 18.9% of blood samples, 7.7% of milk samples, and 7.7% of vaginal mucus samples. A DNA sequence of a C. burnetii DNA sample extracted from the goat vaginal mucus showed 99.2-99.4% nucleotide identity with other strains previously reported in Brazil. These results indicate that C. burnetii is present in the surveyed area, where it poses a risk to both public and animal health. These findings indicate an urgent need for educative actions to protect population, as well as better training of veterinarians to detect and report Q fever.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eline Almeida Rodrigues de Souza
- Universidade Federal do Vale do São Francisco, Rodovia BR-407, KM 12 Lote 543 S/n Projeto de Irrigação Nilo Coelho, Petrolina, Pernambuco, 56300-000, Brazil.
- Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil.
| | - Ila Ferreira Farias
- Universidade Federal do Vale do São Francisco, Rodovia BR-407, KM 12 Lote 543 S/n Projeto de Irrigação Nilo Coelho, Petrolina, Pernambuco, 56300-000, Brazil
| | - Tainã Ramos Pesqueira
- Universidade Federal do Vale do São Francisco, Rodovia BR-407, KM 12 Lote 543 S/n Projeto de Irrigação Nilo Coelho, Petrolina, Pernambuco, 56300-000, Brazil
| | | | - Thaís Souza Cunha
- Universidade Federal do Vale do São Francisco, Rodovia BR-407, KM 12 Lote 543 S/n Projeto de Irrigação Nilo Coelho, Petrolina, Pernambuco, 56300-000, Brazil
| | - Elenice Andrade Moraes
- Universidade Federal do Vale do São Francisco, Rodovia BR-407, KM 12 Lote 543 S/n Projeto de Irrigação Nilo Coelho, Petrolina, Pernambuco, 56300-000, Brazil
| | - Paulo Eduardo Brandão
- Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Marcelo Bahia Labruna
- Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Mauricio Claudio Horta
- Universidade Federal do Vale do São Francisco, Rodovia BR-407, KM 12 Lote 543 S/n Projeto de Irrigação Nilo Coelho, Petrolina, Pernambuco, 56300-000, Brazil
- Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil
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Rousseau R, Mori M, Kabamba B, Vanwambeke SO. Tick abundance and infection with three zoonotic bacteria are heterogeneous in a Belgian peri-urban forest. EXPERIMENTAL & APPLIED ACAROLOGY 2024; 93:49-69. [PMID: 38869724 DOI: 10.1007/s10493-024-00919-2] [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: 10/17/2023] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 06/14/2024]
Abstract
Ixodes ricinus is a vector of several pathogens of public health interest. While forests are the primary habitat for I. ricinus, its abundance and infection prevalence are expected to vary within forest stands. This study assesses the spatio-temporal variations in tick abundance and infection prevalence with three pathogens in and around a peri-urban forest where human exposure is high. Ticks were sampled multiple times in 2016 and 2018 in multiple locations with a diversity of undergrowth, using the consecutive drags method. Three zoonotic pathogens were screened for, Borrelia burgdorferi s.l., Coxiella burnetii, and Francisella tularensis. The influence of season, type of site and micro-environmental factors on tick abundance were assessed with negative binomial generalized linear mixed-effects models. We collected 1642 nymphs and 181 adult ticks. Ticks were most abundant in the spring, in warmer temperatures, and where undergrowth was higher. Sites with vegetation unaffected by human presence had higher abundance of ticks. Forest undergrowth type and height were significant predictors of the level of tick abundance in a forest. The consecutive drags method is expected to provide more precise estimates of tick abundance, presumably through more varied contacts with foliage. Borrelia burgdorferi s.l. prevalence was estimated from pooled ticks at 5.33%, C. burnetii was detected in six pools and F. tularensis was not detected. Borrelia afzelii was the dominant B. burgdorferi genospecies. Tick abundance and B. burgdorferi s.l. infection prevalence were lower than other estimates in Belgian forests.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raphaël Rousseau
- Earth and Life Institute (ELI), Earth and Climate pole (ELIC), Université catholique de Louvain (UCLouvain), Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
| | - Marcella Mori
- Bacterial zoonoses unit, Veterinary bacteriology, Sciensano, Ukkel/Uccle, Belgium
| | - Benoît Kabamba
- Institute of Clinical and Experimental Research (IREC), Pôle de Microbiologie Médicale, Université catholique de Louvain (UCLouvain), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Sophie O Vanwambeke
- Earth and Life Institute (ELI), Earth and Climate pole (ELIC), Université catholique de Louvain (UCLouvain), Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium.
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Castro-Scholten S, Caballero-Gómez J, Martínez R, Nadales-Martín BJ, Cano-Terriza D, Jiménez-Martín D, Remesar S, Jiménez-Ruiz S, Gómez-Guillamón F, García-Bocanegra I. Occurrence of Coxiella burnetii in wild lagomorphs and their ticks in Spanish Mediterranean ecosystems. Zoonoses Public Health 2024. [PMID: 38773699 DOI: 10.1111/zph.13155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2023] [Revised: 04/25/2024] [Accepted: 05/10/2024] [Indexed: 05/24/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Coxiella burnetii, the causative agent of Q fever, is a zoonotic multi-host vector-borne pathogen of major public health importance. Although the European Food Safety Authority has recently made the monitoring of this bacterium in wildlife a priority, the role of wild lagomorphs in the transmission and maintenance of C. burnetii is poorly understood. AIMS The aims of this study were to determine the prevalence and risk factors associated with C. burnetii circulation in European wild rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) and Iberian hares (Lepus granatensis) and to assess the presence of this pathogen in ticks that feed on them in Mediterranean ecosystems in Spain, the country with the highest number of reported cases of Q fever in Europe. METHODS A total of 574 spleen samples were collected from 453 wild rabbits and 121 Iberian hares, and 513 ticks (processed in 120 pools) between the 2017/2018 and 2021/2022 hunting seasons. RESULTS C. burnetii DNA was detected in 103 (17.9%; 95% CI: 14.8-21.1) of the 574 wild lagomorphs tested. By species, prevalence was 16.3% (74/453; 95% CI: 12.9-19.7) in the European wild rabbit and 24.0% (29/121; 95% CI: 16.4-31.6) in the Iberian hare. At least one positive lagomorph was found on 47.9% of the 96 hunting estates sampled and in every hunting season since 2018/2019. Two risk factors associated with C. burnetii infection were as follows: outbreak of myxomatosis on the hunting estate in the month prior to sampling and high tick abundance observed by gamekeepers on the hunting estate. C. burnetii DNA was also found in 33 of the 120 (27.5%; 95% CI: 19.5-35.5) tick pools tested. The pathogen was detected in 66.7% (4/6), 29.2% (26/89) and 21.4% (3/14) of Haemaphysalis hispanica, Rhipicephalus pusillus and Hyalomma lusitanicum pools respectively. CONCLUSIONS This study provides new epidemiological data on C. burnetii in European wild rabbits and is the first survey on this zoonotic pathogen performed in Iberian hares. Our results indicate widespread endemic circulation of C. burnetii and highlight the importance of both wild lagomorph species as natural reservoirs of this zoonotic bacterium in Mediterranean ecosystems in southern Spain, which may be of public and animal health concern. The high prevalence and wide diversity of positive tick species suggest the possible role of ticks in the epidemiological cycle of C. burnetii, with the potential risk of transmission to sympatric species, including humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabrina Castro-Scholten
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Grupo de Investigación en Sanidad Animal y Zoonosis (GISAZ), UIC Zoonosis y Enfermedades Emergentes ENZOEM, Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
| | - Javier Caballero-Gómez
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Grupo de Investigación en Sanidad Animal y Zoonosis (GISAZ), UIC Zoonosis y Enfermedades Emergentes ENZOEM, Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
- Grupo de Virología Clínica y Zoonosis, Unidad de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto Maimónides de Investigación Biomédica de Córdoba (IMIBIC), Hospital Universitario Reina Sofía, Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
- CIBERINFEC, ISCIII - CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Remigio Martínez
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Grupo de Investigación en Sanidad Animal y Zoonosis (GISAZ), UIC Zoonosis y Enfermedades Emergentes ENZOEM, Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de Extremadura, Cáceres, Spain
| | - Borja J Nadales-Martín
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Grupo de Investigación en Sanidad Animal y Zoonosis (GISAZ), UIC Zoonosis y Enfermedades Emergentes ENZOEM, Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
| | - David Cano-Terriza
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Grupo de Investigación en Sanidad Animal y Zoonosis (GISAZ), UIC Zoonosis y Enfermedades Emergentes ENZOEM, Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
- CIBERINFEC, ISCIII - CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Débora Jiménez-Martín
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Grupo de Investigación en Sanidad Animal y Zoonosis (GISAZ), UIC Zoonosis y Enfermedades Emergentes ENZOEM, Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
| | - Susana Remesar
- Investigación en Sanidad Animal: Galicia (Grupo INVESAGA), Facultade de Veterinaria, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Lugo, Spain
| | - Saúl Jiménez-Ruiz
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Grupo de Investigación en Sanidad Animal y Zoonosis (GISAZ), UIC Zoonosis y Enfermedades Emergentes ENZOEM, Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
| | - Félix Gómez-Guillamón
- Programa de Vigilancia Epidemiológica de la Fauna Silvestre (PVE), Consejería de Sostenibilidad, Medio Ambiente y Economía Azul, Junta de Andalucía, Málaga, Spain
| | - Ignacio García-Bocanegra
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Grupo de Investigación en Sanidad Animal y Zoonosis (GISAZ), UIC Zoonosis y Enfermedades Emergentes ENZOEM, Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
- CIBERINFEC, ISCIII - CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
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Eikenbary B, Devaraju P, Chakkravarthi A, Sihag KK, Nathan T, Thangaraj G, Srinivasan L, Kumar A. A molecular survey of zoonotic pathogens of public health importance in rodents/shrews and their ectoparasites trapped in Puducherry, India. Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg 2024:trae033. [PMID: 38768316 DOI: 10.1093/trstmh/trae033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2023] [Revised: 03/18/2024] [Accepted: 04/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Globally, India has a high zoonotic disease burden and lacks surveillance data in humans and animals. Rodents are known reservoirs for many zoonotic diseases and their synanthropic behavior poses a great public health threat. METHODS In this study, trapped rodents/shrews from randomly selected villages within Puducherry, India, and their ectoparasites were screened for zoonotic pathogens, namely, Orientia tsutsugamushi, other pathogenic rickettsiae, Leptospira spp., Cryptosporidium spp., Coxiella burnetii and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) using conventional PCR. A total of 58 rodents/shrews were trapped from 11 villages. The species trapped were Suncus murinus (49/58, 84.48%), Rattus rattus (8/58, 13.79%) and Rattus norvegicus (1/58, 1.72%). All ectoparasites collected were identified as mites and its infestation rate was 46.55% (27/58). RESULTS Real-time PCR targeting the 47 kDa gene of O. tsutsugamushi revealed positivity in one rodent and one shrew (3.45%) and two mite pools (7.41%). Conventional PCR targeting the 56 kDa gene revealed positivity in one shrew and two mite pools and the phylogenetic analysis of all three amplicons indicated the circulation of the Gilliam-related serotype. MRSA was detected in the alimentary tract of a shrew (1/32, 3.13%). Leptospira spp., Rickettsia, Cryptosporidium spp. and Co. burnetii tested negative. CONCLUSIONS The detection of zoonotic pathogens within reservoir hosts and vectors poses a risk of transmission to humans. This study signifies the need for zoonotic pathogen surveillance in synanthropic rodents/shrews.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brenna Eikenbary
- Department of Global Health, Georgetown University, Washington DC, 20057, USA
| | - Panneer Devaraju
- Unit of One Health, ICMR-Vector Control Research Centre (ICMR-VCRC), Puducherry 605006, India
| | | | - Krishan Kumar Sihag
- Unit of One Health, ICMR-Vector Control Research Centre (ICMR-VCRC), Puducherry 605006, India
| | - Terence Nathan
- Unit of One Health, ICMR-Vector Control Research Centre (ICMR-VCRC), Puducherry 605006, India
| | - Gowdham Thangaraj
- Unit of One Health, ICMR-Vector Control Research Centre (ICMR-VCRC), Puducherry 605006, India
| | - Lakshmy Srinivasan
- Unit of One Health, ICMR-Vector Control Research Centre (ICMR-VCRC), Puducherry 605006, India
| | - Ashwani Kumar
- ICMR-Vector Control Research Centre (ICMR-VCRC), Puducherry 605006, India
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de França DA, da Silva JS, Rodrigues NJL, Duré AÍDL, Farinhas JH, Kmetiuk LB, Langoni H, Biondo AW. Serosurvey of Coxiella burnetii in Police Officers and Working Dogs in Brazil: Case Report and One Health Implications. Trop Med Infect Dis 2024; 9:78. [PMID: 38668539 PMCID: PMC11054645 DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed9040078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2024] [Revised: 03/29/2024] [Accepted: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 04/29/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although the Coxiella burnetii infection has been investigated in dogs, its role in human transmission remains to be fully established, particularly in close and daily human-dog contact settings, such as in Police K-9 Units. METHODS Accordingly, this study aimed to assess anti-C. burnetii antibodies in clinically healthy police officers by an in-house indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA), and working dogs by a commercial IFA Kit, from the State Special Operations Battalion, Paraná, Southern Brazil. RESULTS Overall, 1/18 (5.5%) police officers and 9/30 (30.0%; CI 95% 16.66-47.88) dogs tested seropositive to anti-C. burnetii IgG antibodies. CONCLUSIONS To date, this is the highest prevalence of Q fever seropositivity among military dogs worldwide. Despite the low sampling rate, a statistically significant association was found between seropositivity and female dogs (p = 0.0492). Further studies with larger sample sizes should be conducted to establish the prevalence of Q Fever in other Brazilian K-9 Units. In summary, this study is the first to conduct a concomitant serosurvey of police officers and working dogs, and its findings should be considered a warning for cross-exposure and transmission of Coxiella burnetii among Police K-9 Units in Brazil and worldwide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danilo Alves de França
- Department of Animal Production and Preventive Veterinary Medicine, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animals Science, São Paulo State University, Botucatu 05508-220, Brazil; (D.A.d.F.); (N.J.L.R.); (H.L.)
| | - Jéssica Santos da Silva
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Paraná State, Curitiba 81530-000, Brazil; (J.S.d.S.); (J.H.F.)
| | - Nássarah Jabur Lot Rodrigues
- Department of Animal Production and Preventive Veterinary Medicine, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animals Science, São Paulo State University, Botucatu 05508-220, Brazil; (D.A.d.F.); (N.J.L.R.); (H.L.)
| | - Ana Íris de Lima Duré
- Service of Virology and Rickettsiosis, Octavio Magalhaes Institute, Ezequiel Dias Foundation, Belo Horizonte 30510-010, Brazil;
| | - João Henrique Farinhas
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Paraná State, Curitiba 81530-000, Brazil; (J.S.d.S.); (J.H.F.)
| | - Louise Bach Kmetiuk
- Zoonoses Surveillance Unit, Municipal Secretary of Health, Curitiba 81265-320, Brazil;
| | - Helio Langoni
- Department of Animal Production and Preventive Veterinary Medicine, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animals Science, São Paulo State University, Botucatu 05508-220, Brazil; (D.A.d.F.); (N.J.L.R.); (H.L.)
| | - Alexander Welker Biondo
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Paraná State, Curitiba 81530-000, Brazil; (J.S.d.S.); (J.H.F.)
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Ghazanabad AE, Esfandiari N, Najafi M, Mehrabi S, Sarani S, Khademi P, Maurin M. Molecular detection of Coxiella burnetii in tick and blood samples from small ruminants in northwest of Iran. EXPERIMENTAL & APPLIED ACAROLOGY 2024; 92:529-546. [PMID: 38407754 DOI: 10.1007/s10493-023-00888-y] [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: 07/04/2023] [Accepted: 12/29/2023] [Indexed: 02/27/2024]
Abstract
This survey sought to molecularly detect Coxiella burnetii in Argasidae and Ixodidae ticks attached to small ruminants in the region of West Azerbaijan (Northwest of Iran) and blood samples collected from the same animals. 451 tick samples and 927 blood samples were obtained from sheep (n = 536) and goats (n = 391) and tested by nested PCR for detection of C. burnetii insertion sequence IS1111 or icd gene sequence. The collected ticks were morphologically classified as Rhipicephalus sanguineus, Rhipicephalus turanicus, Hyalomma asiaticum, Hyalomma anatolicum, or Argas reflexus. 14% of ticks (65 in total 43 for IS1111 and 22 for icd gene) tested positive for C. burnetii, none of which were from the Argas genus. Among the 927 blood samples, 218 (23.5%) tested positive for C. burnetii. The positive result from analysis targeting the genes IS1111 and icd were 131 and 87 respectively. As Q fever is a tickborne zoonosis and endemic to Iran, such information is critical for creating effective, coordinated, and strategic tick and pathogen control programs to prevent disease outbreak in domestic animals and humans.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Negin Esfandiari
- Department of Food Hygiene and Quality Control, Division of Epidemiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammadreza Najafi
- Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran
| | - Shahryar Mehrabi
- Department of Large Animal Internal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Saeedeh Sarani
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Zabol University, Zabol, Iran
| | - Peyman Khademi
- Department of pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Lorestan University, Khoram Abad, Iran
| | - Max Maurin
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, CHU Grenoble Alpes, University Grenoble Alpes, CNRS, TIMC, 38000, Grenoble, France
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Guzman RM, Savolainen NG, Hayden OM, Lee M, Osbron CA, Liu Z, Yang H, Shaw DK, Omsland A, Goodman AG. Drosophila melanogaster Sting mediates Coxiella burnetii infection by reducing accumulation of reactive oxygen species. Infect Immun 2024; 92:e0056022. [PMID: 38363133 PMCID: PMC10929449 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00560-22] [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: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 02/17/2024] Open
Abstract
The Gram-negative bacterium Coxiella burnetii is the causative agent of query fever in humans and coxiellosis in livestock. C. burnetii infects a variety of cell types, tissues, and animal species including mammals and arthropods, but there is much left to be understood about the molecular mechanisms at play during infection in distinct species. Human stimulator of interferon genes (STING) induces an innate immune response through the induction of type I interferons (IFNs), and IFN promotes or suppresses C. burnetii replication, depending on tissue type. Drosophila melanogaster contains a functional STING ortholog (Sting) which activates NF-κB signaling and autophagy. Here, we sought to address the role of D. melanogaster Sting during C. burnetii infection to uncover how Sting regulates C. burnetii infection in flies. We show that Sting-null flies exhibit higher mortality and reduced induction of antimicrobial peptides following C. burnetii infection compared to control flies. Additionally, Sting-null flies induce lower levels of oxidative stress genes during infection, but the provision of N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC) in food rescues Sting-null host survival. Lastly, we find that reactive oxygen species levels during C. burnetii infection are higher in Drosophila S2 cells knocked down for Sting compared to control cells. Our results show that at the host level, NAC provides protection against C. burnetii infection in the absence of Sting, thus establishing a role for Sting in protection against oxidative stress during C. burnetii infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosa M. Guzman
- School of Molecular Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, USA
| | - Nathan G. Savolainen
- School of Molecular Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, USA
| | - Olivia M. Hayden
- School of Molecular Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, USA
| | - Miyoung Lee
- School of Molecular Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, USA
| | - Chelsea A. Osbron
- School of Molecular Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, USA
| | - Ziying Liu
- School of Molecular Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, USA
| | - Hong Yang
- Paul G. Allen School for Global Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, USA
| | - Dana K. Shaw
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, USA
| | - Anders Omsland
- Paul G. Allen School for Global Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, USA
| | - Alan G. Goodman
- School of Molecular Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, USA
- Paul G. Allen School for Global Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, USA
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8
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Segura JA, Dibernardo A, Manguiat K, Waitt B, Rueda ZV, Keynan Y, Wood H, Gutiérrez LA. Molecular surveillance of microbial agents from cattle-attached and questing ticks from livestock agroecosystems of Antioquia, Colombia. Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis 2024; 105:102113. [PMID: 38176202 DOI: 10.1016/j.cimid.2023.102113] [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: 09/08/2023] [Revised: 12/16/2023] [Accepted: 12/16/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024]
Abstract
Ticks are obligate ectoparasites and vectors of pathogens affecting health, agriculture, and animal welfare. This study collected ticks from the cattle and questing ticks of 24 Magdalena Medio Antioquia region cattle farms. Genomic DNA was extracted from the specimens (individual or pools) of the 2088 adult ticks collected from cattle and 4667 immature questing ticks collected from pastures. The molecular detection of Babesia, Anaplasma, Coxiella and Rickettsia genera was performed by polymerase chain reaction amplification and subsequent DNA sequencing. In a total of 6755 Rhipicephalus microplus DNA samples, Anaplasma marginale was the most detected with a frequency of 2% (Confidence Interval- CI 1.68-2.36), followed by Babesia bigemina with 0.28% (CI 0.16-0.44), Coxiella spp. with 0.15% (CI 0.07-0.27), and Rickettsia spp. with 0.13% (CI 0.06-0.25). Molecular analysis of the DNA sequences obtained from the tick samples revealed the presence of Coxiella-like endosymbiont and R. felis. These results demonstrated the diversity of microorganisms present in R. microplus ticks predominantly associated with cattle and questing ticks from livestock agroecosystems, suggesting their role as reservoirs and potential biological vectors of these microorganisms on the studied sites. Also, it emphasizes the need to combine acarological surveillance with clinical diagnoses and control strategies on regional and national levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan A Segura
- Grupo Biología de Sistemas, Escuela de Ciencias de la Salud, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana, Circular 1a No 70-01, Bloque 11C - Oficina 417, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Antonia Dibernardo
- One Health, National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada, Winnipeg, Canada
| | - Kathy Manguiat
- One Health, National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada, Winnipeg, Canada
| | - Brooks Waitt
- One Health, National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada, Winnipeg, Canada
| | - Zulma V Rueda
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada; Grupo de investigación en Salud Pública, Escuela de Ciencias de la Salud, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Yoav Keynan
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada; Department of Internal Medicine, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada
| | - Heidi Wood
- One Health, National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada, Winnipeg, Canada
| | - Lina A Gutiérrez
- Grupo Biología de Sistemas, Escuela de Ciencias de la Salud, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana, Circular 1a No 70-01, Bloque 11C - Oficina 417, Medellín, Colombia.
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9
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Su S, Hong M, Cui MY, Gui Z, Ma SF, Wu L, Xing LL, Mu L, Yu JF, Fu SY, Gao RJ, Qi DD. Microbial diversity of ticks and a novel typhus group Rickettsia species (Rickettsiales bacterium Ac37b) in Inner Mongolia, China. Parasite 2023; 30:58. [PMID: 38084939 PMCID: PMC10714680 DOI: 10.1051/parasite/2023057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Ticks can carry multiple pathogens, and Inner Mongolia's animal husbandry provides excellent environmental conditions for ticks. This study characterized the microbiome of ticks from different geographical locations in Inner Mongolia; 905 Dermacentor nuttalli and 36 Ixodes persulcatus were collected from sheep in three main pasture areas and from bushes within the forested area. Mixed DNA samples were prepared from three specimens from each region and tick species. Microbial diversity was analyzed by 16S rRNA sequencing, and α and β diversity were determined. The predominant bacterial genera were Rickettsia (54.60%), including Rickettsiales bacterium Ac37b (19.33%) and other Rickettsia (35.27%), Arsenophonus (11.21%), Candidatus Lariskella (10.84%), and Acinetobacter (7.17%). Rickettsia bellii was identified in I. persulcatus, while Rickettsiales bacterium Ac37b was found in D. nuttalli from Ordos and Chifeng. Potential Rickettsia and Anaplasma coinfections were observed in the Ordos region. Tick microbial diversity analysis in Inner Mongolia suggests that sheep at the sampling sites were exposed to multiple pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Si Su
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Graduate School, Inner Mongolia Medical University Hohhot 010059 Inner Mongolia China
| | - Mei Hong
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School of Basic Medicine, Inner Mongolia Medical University Hohhot 010110 Inner Mongolia China
| | - Meng-Yu Cui
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Graduate School, Inner Mongolia Medical University Hohhot 010059 Inner Mongolia China
| | - Zheng Gui
- First Hospital of Jilin University Changchun 130021 China
| | - Shi-Fa Ma
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Hulunbuir Mental Health Center Hulunbuir 022150 Inner Mongolia China
| | - Lin Wu
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Beijing Guoke Biotechnology Co., Ltd 102200 Beijing China
| | - Li-Li Xing
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Department of Infection Control, Second Affiliated Hospital of Inner Mongolia Medical University Hohhot Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region 010000 China
| | - Lan Mu
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School of Basic Medicine, Inner Mongolia Medical University Hohhot 010110 Inner Mongolia China
| | - Jing-Feng Yu
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School of Basic Medicine, Inner Mongolia Medical University Hohhot 010110 Inner Mongolia China
| | - Shao-Yin Fu
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Inner Mongolia Academy of Agricultural & Animal Husbandry Science Hohhot 010031 Inner Mongolia China
| | - Rui-Juan Gao
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School of Basic Medicine, Inner Mongolia Medical University Hohhot 010110 Inner Mongolia China
| | - Dong-Dong Qi
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Hulunbuir Mental Health Center Hulunbuir 022150 Inner Mongolia China
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10
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Robi DT, Demissie W, Bogale A, Temteme S, Aleme M, Urge B. Epidemiological investigation of Coxiella burnetii in cattle and its association with Ixodid tick infestation in different agro-ecological zones of Southwest Ethiopia. Res Vet Sci 2023; 164:105015. [PMID: 37708827 DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2023.105015] [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: 04/16/2023] [Revised: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 08/24/2023] [Indexed: 09/16/2023]
Abstract
Coxiella burnetii is a serious zoonotic disease that causes significant economic losses in cattle production, including abortion, stillbirth, infertility, and reduced milk yield. However, little is known about the epidemiology of C. burnetii in Ethiopia. From November 2020 to November 2021, a cross-sectional study was conducted to estimate the seroprevalence and associated risk factors of C. burnetii in cattle in various agro-ecologies of Southwest Ethiopia. Blood samples were collected from 461 cattle, and the serum samples were tested for the presence of C. burnetii antibodies using an indirect ELISA. To identify potential risk factors for C. burnetii seropositivity, a multivariable mixed-effect logistic regression analysis was used. The study found an overall seroprevalence of 8.68% (95% CI: 6.11-11.25) and 13.57% (95% CI: 9.56-17.58) at the animal and herd levels, respectively, in the study areas. The results of the study indicated that C. burnetii infection was a widespread disease in the study areas. C. burnetii seropositivity at the animal level was significantly associated with age (OR = 4.1, 95%CI: 1.47-10.92), herd size (OR = 3.9, 95%CI: 1.21-12.66), management system (OR = 9.7, 95%CI: 1.27-27.25), cattle access to dogs, cats, and mice (OR = 2.5, 95%CI: 1.21-5.28), accessibility of cattle to wild animals (OR = 4.2, 95%CI: 1.01-17.18), presence of ticks on cattle (OR = 2.3, 95%CI: 1.12-4.83), and history of abortion (OR = 3.8, 95%CI: 1.78-8.23). A herd level analysis identified several risk factors for C. burnetii infection, including the management system (OR = 3.8, 95%CI: 1.59-8.98), agro-ecology (OR = 2.8, 95%CI: 1.43-7.21), herd size (OR = 4.3, 95%CI: 1.69-9.76), and accessibility of cattle to dogs, cats, and mice (OR = 2.6, 95%CI: 1.18-3.96). Therefore, it is important to implement appropriate control methods and raise public awareness about C. burnetii zoonotic transmission. Moreover, further studies should be conducted to isolate and characterize C. burnetii as a cause of reproductive problems and in disease reservoirs such as ticks and wildlife in the study areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dereje Tulu Robi
- Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research, Tepi Agricultural Research Center, P.O Box, 34, Tepi, Ethiopia.
| | - Wondimagegn Demissie
- Jimma University College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine School of Veterinary Medicine, P.O. Box 307, Jimma, Ethiopia
| | - Ararsa Bogale
- Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research, Tepi Agricultural Research Center, P.O Box, 34, Tepi, Ethiopia
| | - Shiferaw Temteme
- Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research, Tepi Agricultural Research Center, P.O Box, 34, Tepi, Ethiopia
| | - Melkam Aleme
- Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research, Tepi Agricultural Research Center, P.O Box, 34, Tepi, Ethiopia
| | - Beksisa Urge
- Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research, Holeta Agricultural Research Center, P.O. Box 2003, Holeta, Ethiopia
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11
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Bauer BU, Knittler MR, Andrack J, Berens C, Campe A, Christiansen B, Fasemore AM, Fischer SF, Ganter M, Körner S, Makert GR, Matthiesen S, Mertens-Scholz K, Rinkel S, Runge M, Schulze-Luehrmann J, Ulbert S, Winter F, Frangoulidis D, Lührmann A. Interdisciplinary studies on Coxiella burnetii: From molecular to cellular, to host, to one health research. Int J Med Microbiol 2023; 313:151590. [PMID: 38056089 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijmm.2023.151590] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2023] [Revised: 10/19/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 12/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The Q-GAPS (Q fever GermAn interdisciplinary Program for reSearch) consortium was launched in 2017 as a German consortium of more than 20 scientists with exceptional expertise, competence, and substantial knowledge in the field of the Q fever pathogen Coxiella (C.) burnetii. C. burnetii exemplifies as a zoonotic pathogen the challenges of zoonotic disease control and prophylaxis in human, animal, and environmental settings in a One Health approach. An interdisciplinary approach to studying the pathogen is essential to address unresolved questions about the epidemiology, immunology, pathogenesis, surveillance, and control of C. burnetii. In more than five years, Q-GAPS has provided new insights into pathogenicity and interaction with host defense mechanisms. The consortium has also investigated vaccine efficacy and application in animal reservoirs and identified expanded phenotypic and genotypic characteristics of C. burnetii and their epidemiological significance. In addition, conceptual principles for controlling, surveilling, and preventing zoonotic Q fever infections were developed and prepared for specific target groups. All findings have been continuously integrated into a Web-based, interactive, freely accessible knowledge and information platform (www.q-gaps.de), which also contains Q fever guidelines to support public health institutions in controlling and preventing Q fever. In this review, we will summarize our results and show an example of how an interdisciplinary consortium provides knowledge and better tools to control a zoonotic pathogen at the national level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin U Bauer
- Clinic for Swine and Small Ruminants, Forensic Medicine and Ambulatory Service, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Hannover, Germany
| | - Michael R Knittler
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Institute of Immunology, Greifswald - Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Jennifer Andrack
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Institute of Bacterial Infections and Zoonoses, Jena, Germany
| | - Christian Berens
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Institute of Molecular Pathogenesis, Jena, Germany
| | - Amely Campe
- Department of Biometry, Epidemiology and Information Processing, (IBEI), WHO Collaborating Centre for Research and Training for Health at the Human-Animal-Environment Interface, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Hannover, Germany
| | - Bahne Christiansen
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Institute of Immunology, Greifswald - Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Akinyemi M Fasemore
- Bundeswehr Institute of Microbiology, Munich, Germany; University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany; ZB MED - Information Centre for Life Science, Cologne, Germany
| | - Silke F Fischer
- Landesgesundheitsamt Baden-Württemberg, Ministerium für Soziales, Gesundheit und Integration, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Martin Ganter
- Clinic for Swine and Small Ruminants, Forensic Medicine and Ambulatory Service, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Hannover, Germany
| | - Sophia Körner
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Institute of Bacterial Infections and Zoonoses, Jena, Germany; Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology IZI, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Gustavo R Makert
- Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology IZI, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Svea Matthiesen
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Institute of Immunology, Greifswald - Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Katja Mertens-Scholz
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Institute of Bacterial Infections and Zoonoses, Jena, Germany
| | - Sven Rinkel
- Institut für Klinische Mikrobiologie, Immunologie und Hygiene, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Germany
| | - Martin Runge
- Lower Saxony State Office for Consumer Protection and Food Safety (LAVES), Food and Veterinary Institute Braunschweig/Hannover, Hannover, Germany
| | - Jan Schulze-Luehrmann
- Institut für Klinische Mikrobiologie, Immunologie und Hygiene, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Germany
| | - Sebastian Ulbert
- Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology IZI, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Fenja Winter
- Department of Biometry, Epidemiology and Information Processing, (IBEI), WHO Collaborating Centre for Research and Training for Health at the Human-Animal-Environment Interface, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Hannover, Germany
| | - Dimitrios Frangoulidis
- Bundeswehr Institute of Microbiology, Munich, Germany; Bundeswehr Medical Service Headquarters VI-2, Medical Intelligence & Information, Munich, Germany
| | - Anja Lührmann
- Institut für Klinische Mikrobiologie, Immunologie und Hygiene, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Germany.
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12
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Onyiche TE, MacLeod ET. Hard ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) and tick-borne diseases of sheep and goats in Africa: A review. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2023; 14:102232. [PMID: 37531888 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2023.102232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2022] [Revised: 07/10/2023] [Accepted: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 08/04/2023]
Abstract
Ticks are leading vectors of economically important pathogens that affect small ruminants due to favourable climatic conditions across different regions of the African continent. They are responsible for both direct and indirect economic losses in the livestock industry. This review focuses on the species diversity of hard ticks, their biology, tick-borne diseases of sheep and goats including non-infectious disease, and risk factors to tick infestation in Africa. Furthermore, our review provides recent updates on distribution of ticks and tick-borne pathogens of small ruminants in Africa. It was observed that several species and subspecies of hard ticks belonging to the genera Hyalomma (Hy), Rhipicephalus (Rh), Ixodes (I) and Amblyomma (Am) were found infesting small ruminants across the different regions of the continent. Of these genera, Rhipicephalus ticks accounts for the majority of the registered species, with exactly 27 different species infesting small ruminant stocks comprising of different developmental instars and adults of the tick. Rhipicephalus decolaratus, Rh. e. evertsi and Rh. appendiculatus were the three most common Rhipicephalus species reported. Both protozoal (Babesia and Theileria) and bacterial (Anaplasma, Rickettsia, Ehrlichia, Coxiella and Mycoplasma) pathogens have being reported to be amplified in several hard tick species and/or small ruminant hosts. Furthermore, tick paralysis and lameness were non-infectious conditions attributed to tick infestations. Amblyomma hebraeum and Rh. glabroscutatum may cause lameness in goats, while Hy. rufipes is responsible for the same condition in Merino sheep. Host paralysis due to a neurotoxin released by female Rh. e. evertsi and I. rubicundus has been documented within the continent. We therefore advocate for the need of integrated control measures against tick-borne pathogens (TBPs) including their arthropod vectors, to be performed simultaneously to ease the burden of vector-borne diseases in small ruminant production.
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Affiliation(s)
- ThankGod E Onyiche
- Deanery of Biomedical Sciences, Edinburgh Medical School, College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine, The University of Edinburgh, 1 George Square, Edinburgh EH8 9JZ, UK; Department of Veterinary Parasitology and Entomology, University of Maiduguri, P. M. B. 1069, Maiduguri, Nigeria; Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, Private Bag X6001, Potchefstroom 2520, South Africa.
| | - Ewan Thomas MacLeod
- Deanery of Biomedical Sciences, Edinburgh Medical School, College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine, The University of Edinburgh, 1 George Square, Edinburgh EH8 9JZ, UK
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13
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Muhammad KA, Gadzama UN, Onyiche TE. Distribution and Prevalence of Coxiella burnetii in Animals, Humans, and Ticks in Nigeria: A Systematic Review. Infect Dis Rep 2023; 15:576-588. [PMID: 37888137 PMCID: PMC10606657 DOI: 10.3390/idr15050056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2023] [Revised: 09/24/2023] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023] Open
Abstract
'Query' (Q) fever is a neglected but emerging or re-emerging zoonotic disease caused by the bacterium Coxiella (C.) burnetii. Several host species are considered or speculated to be the primary reservoir hosts for human infection. In the past, several research groups in Nigeria have evaluated the prevalence of C. burnetii in various vertebrate and invertebrate hosts. Currently, there is a paucity of knowledge regarding the epidemiology of the pathogen in Nigeria with limited or no attention to control and prevention programs. Therefore, this review was undertaken to comprehend the current situation of C. burnetii infection in human, domestic and peri-domestic animals, and some tick species in Nigeria since 1960 with the aim to help identify future research priorities for the country. A comprehensive literature search was performed using the PRISMA guidelines on five scientific databases including Google Scholar, PubMed, AJOL, Science Direct, and Scopus for articles published from Nigeria dealing with the screening of blood, milk, or tick DNA for evidence of C. burnetii using any standard diagnostic approach. Of the 33 published articles subjected to full-text evaluation, more than 48% of the articles met the inclusion criteria and were thus included in this review. We observed different ranges of prevalence for C. burnetii antibodies from four vertebrate hosts including cattle (2.5-23.5%), sheep (3.8-12.0%), goats (3.1-10.9%), and humans (12.0-61.3%). Additionally, the use of molecular diagnostics revealed that the DNA of C. burnetii has been amplified in eight tick species including Hyalomma (Hy) dromedarii, Hy. truncatum, Hy. impeltatum, Hy. rufipes, Hy. impressum, Amblyomma (Am.) variegatum, Rhipicephalus (Rh.) evertsi evertsi, and Rh. annulatus. Two rodent's species (Rattus rattus and Rattus norvegicus) in Nigeria were documented to show evidence of the bacterium with the detection of the DNA of C. burnetii in these two mammals. In conclusion, this review has provided more insight on the prevalence of C. burnetii and its associated host/vector in Nigeria. Domestic animals, peri-domestic animals, and ticks species harbor C. burnetii and could be a source of human infections. Due to the paucity of studies from southern Nigeria, we recommend that research groups with interest on vector-borne diseases need to consider more epidemiological studies in the future on C. burnetii prevalence in diverse hosts to help unravel their distribution and vector potentials in Nigeria as a whole.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaka A. Muhammad
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Maiduguri, P. M. B. 1069, Maiduguri 600230, Nigeria; (K.A.M.); (U.N.G.)
| | - Usman N. Gadzama
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Maiduguri, P. M. B. 1069, Maiduguri 600230, Nigeria; (K.A.M.); (U.N.G.)
| | - ThankGod E. Onyiche
- Department of Veterinary Parasitology and Entomology, University of Maiduguri, P. M. B. 1069, Maiduguri 600230, Nigeria
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Walter Sisulu University, PBX1, Mthatha 5117, South Africa
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14
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França DAD, Mioni MDSR, Fernandes J, Lemos ERSD, Duré AÍDL, Silva MVF, Langoni H, Megid J. Overview of Q fever in Brazil: an underestimated zoonosis. Rev Inst Med Trop Sao Paulo 2023; 65:e39. [PMID: 37377322 DOI: 10.1590/s1678-9946202365039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 04/25/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
This review aims to provide current information about Q fever, elucidating the etiological, epidemiological, pathogenic, clinical, diagnostic, therapeutic, and prophylactic aspects of the disease for the medical community. We discuss the main forms of presentation of the agent, its ability to persist in the body, the infinite possibilities of susceptible hosts, the main known forms of transmission, its importance in populations at occupational risk, and the role of arthropods in the natural history of the disease. Focusing on Brazil, we present the cases already described and studies developed since its first report, and how there is still much to unravel. We are aware of the possibilities of the persistence of the agent and the development of severe clinical pictures and the specific treatments currently instituted. We also wish to raise awareness about the future, the new genotypes that are emerging, the need to study the effects of vaccines, and the impact of Q fever on the population. Q fever is a poorly understood disease in Latin America, and recent studies, especially in Brazil, have revealed the importance of developing new studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danilo Alves de França
- Universidade Estadual Paulista, Departamento de Higiene Veterinária e Saúde Pública, Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Jorlan Fernandes
- Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Laboratório de Hantaviroses e Rickettsioses, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | - Ana Íris de Lima Duré
- Fundação Ezequiel Dias, Instituto Otávio Magalhães, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | | | - Helio Langoni
- Universidade Estadual Paulista, Departamento de Higiene Veterinária e Saúde Pública, Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Jane Megid
- Universidade Estadual Paulista, Departamento de Higiene Veterinária e Saúde Pública, Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil
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15
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Burns RJ, Le KK, Siengsanun-Lamont J, Blacksell SD. A review of coxiellosis (Q fever) and brucellosis in goats and humans: Implications for disease control in smallholder farming systems in Southeast Asia. One Health 2023; 16:100568. [PMID: 37363211 PMCID: PMC10288130 DOI: 10.1016/j.onehlt.2023.100568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2023] [Revised: 05/19/2023] [Accepted: 05/20/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Coxiella burnetii and Brucella spp. are pathogenic bacteria that can cause large-scale outbreaks in livestock. Furthermore, these infectious agents are capable of causing zoonotic infections and therefore pose a risk to the close relationship between farm households and their livestock, especially goats. A review of seroprevalence studies of Coxiella burnetii and Brucella spp. in domestic goats demonstrated large differences in the total number of samples tested in different regions and countries. This review aims to provide information on coxiellosis (Q fever in humans) and brucellosis in goats concerning the characteristics of the causative agent, surveillance, and available prevention and control measures at a global level. Implications for Coxiella burnetii and Brucella spp. infections in domesticated goats in Southeast Asia are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebekah J.L. Burns
- Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Kim Khanh Le
- Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Jarunee Siengsanun-Lamont
- Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Stuart D. Blacksell
- Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Lao-Oxford-Mahosot Hospital-Wellcome Trust Research Unit (LOMWRU), Mahosot Hospital, Vientiane, Lao Democratic People’s Republic
- Centre for Tropical Medicine & Global Health, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
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16
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Ohlopkova OV, Yakovlev SA, Emmanuel K, Kabanov AA, Odnoshevsky DA, Kartashov MY, Moshkin AD, Tuchkov IV, Nosov NY, Kritsky AA, Agalakova MA, Davidyuk YN, Khaiboullina SF, Morzunov SP, N'Fally M, Bumbali S, Camara MF, Boiro MY, Agafonov AP, Gavrilova EV, Maksyutov RA. Epidemiology of Zoonotic Coxiella burnetii in The Republic of Guinea. Microorganisms 2023; 11:1433. [PMID: 37374935 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11061433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2023] [Revised: 05/25/2023] [Accepted: 05/26/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Q fever is a zoonotic infectious disease characterized by fever, malaise, chills, significant weakness, and muscle pain. In some cases, the disease can become chronic and affect the inner membranes of the heart, such as the valves, leading to endocarditis and a high risk of death. Coxiella burnetii (C. burnetii) is the primary causative agent of Q fever in humans. This study aims to monitor the presence of C. burnetii in ticks collected from small mammals and cattle in the Republic of Guinea (RG). METHODS Rodents were trapped in the Kindia region of RG during 2019-2020, and ticks were collected from cattle in six regions of RG. Total DNA was extracted using a commercial kit (RIBO-prep, InterLabService, Russia) following the manufacturer's instructions. Real-time PCR amplification was conducted using the kit (AmpliSens Coxiella burnetii-FL, InterLabService, Russia) to detect C. burnetii DNA. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS Bacterial DNA was detected in 11 out of 750 (1.4%) small mammals and 695 out of 9620 (7.2%) tick samples. The high number of infected ticks (7.2%) suggests that they are the main transmitters of C. burnetii in RG. The DNA was detected in the liver and spleen of a Guinea multimammate mouse, Mastomys erythroleucus. These findings demonstrate that C. burnetii is zoonotic in RG, and measures should be taken to monitor the bacteria's dynamics and tick prevalence in the rodent population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olesia V Ohlopkova
- State Research Center of Virology and Biotechnology «Vector» of Rospotrebnadzor, Koltsovo 630559, Russia
| | - Sergey A Yakovlev
- Russian Research Anti-Plague Institute «Microbe» of Rospotrebnadzor, Saratov 410005, Russia
| | - Kabwe Emmanuel
- OpenLab "Gene and Cell Technologies", Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan (Volga Region) Federal University, Kazan 420008, Russia
| | - Alexey A Kabanov
- State Research Center of Virology and Biotechnology «Vector» of Rospotrebnadzor, Koltsovo 630559, Russia
| | - Dmitry A Odnoshevsky
- State Research Center of Virology and Biotechnology «Vector» of Rospotrebnadzor, Koltsovo 630559, Russia
| | - Mikhail Yu Kartashov
- State Research Center of Virology and Biotechnology «Vector» of Rospotrebnadzor, Koltsovo 630559, Russia
| | - Alexey D Moshkin
- State Research Center of Virology and Biotechnology «Vector» of Rospotrebnadzor, Koltsovo 630559, Russia
| | - Igor V Tuchkov
- Russian Research Anti-Plague Institute «Microbe» of Rospotrebnadzor, Saratov 410005, Russia
| | - Nikita Yu Nosov
- Russian Research Anti-Plague Institute «Microbe» of Rospotrebnadzor, Saratov 410005, Russia
- State Research Center of Dermatovenerology and Cosmetology of Russian Ministry of Health, Moscow 107076, Russia
| | - Andrey A Kritsky
- Russian Research Anti-Plague Institute «Microbe» of Rospotrebnadzor, Saratov 410005, Russia
- Limited Liability Company, «Biotech Campus», Moscow 117437, Russia
| | - Milana A Agalakova
- Faculty of Preventive Medicine, Ural State Medical University, Yekaterinburg 620014, Russia
- Limited Liability Company, «Quality Med», Yekaterinburg 105318, Russia
| | - Yuriy N Davidyuk
- OpenLab "Gene and Cell Technologies", Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan (Volga Region) Federal University, Kazan 420008, Russia
| | - Svetlana F Khaiboullina
- OpenLab "Gene and Cell Technologies", Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan (Volga Region) Federal University, Kazan 420008, Russia
| | | | - Magasuba N'Fally
- Faculty of Medicine, Pharmacy and Dentistry, University Gamal Abdel Nasser, Conakry 001, Guinea
| | - Sanaba Bumbali
- Research Institute of Applied Biology of Guinea, Kindia 100, Guinea
| | | | | | - Alexander P Agafonov
- State Research Center of Virology and Biotechnology «Vector» of Rospotrebnadzor, Koltsovo 630559, Russia
| | - Elena V Gavrilova
- State Research Center of Virology and Biotechnology «Vector» of Rospotrebnadzor, Koltsovo 630559, Russia
| | - Rinat A Maksyutov
- State Research Center of Virology and Biotechnology «Vector» of Rospotrebnadzor, Koltsovo 630559, Russia
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17
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Yoo JR, Heo ST, Kim M, Kim M, Kang MJ, Kim ET, Kang SY, Lee KH. Coinfection of Severe Fever With Thrombocytopenia Syndrome Virus and Coxiella burnetii in Developmental Stage of Hard Ticks in Subtropical Region of Korea. J Korean Med Sci 2023; 38:e156. [PMID: 37218355 DOI: 10.3346/jkms.2023.38.e156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2022] [Accepted: 02/02/2023] [Indexed: 05/24/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus (SFTSV) is transmitted through tick bites. Ticks are potential vectors for the bacterium Coxiella burnetii that causes Query fever. Here, we analyzed SFTSV and C. burnetii co-infection rates in ticks in rural areas of Jeju Island, South Korea. METHODS Free ticks were collected from the natural environment of the island between 2016 and 2019, and SFTSV RNA was extracted. Additionally, ribosomal RNA gene sequencing was used to identify Coxiella species. RESULTS Haemaphysalis longicornis was the most common tick species followed by H. flava. Tick number gradually increased from April, peaked in August, and was lowest in March. Of all the collected ticks, 82.6% (2,851/3,458) were nymphs, 17.9% (639/3,458) adults, and 0.1% (4/3,458) larvae. SFTSV-infected ticks comprised 12.6% of all ticks; their numbers were the lowest in November-December, increased from January, and were mostly identified in the adult stage during June-August. C. burnetii infections were detected in 4.4% of the SFTSV-infected H. longicornis ticks. C. burnetii co-infection was mainly observed in the nymph stage of H. longicornis, with the highest infection rate in January, followed by December and November. CONCLUSION Our findings suggest that Jeju Island has a high SFTSV and potential C. burnetii infection in ticks. This study provides important insights regarding SFTS and Q fever risk to humans in South Korea.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeong Rae Yoo
- Department of Internal Medicine, Jeju National University, College of Medicine, Jeju, Korea
- Department of Internal Medicine, Jeju National University Hospital, Jeju, Korea
| | - Sang Taek Heo
- Department of Internal Medicine, Jeju National University, College of Medicine, Jeju, Korea
- Department of Internal Medicine, Jeju National University Hospital, Jeju, Korea
| | - Misun Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, Jeju National University Hospital, Jeju, Korea
| | - Miyeon Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, Jeju National University, College of Medicine, Jeju, Korea
- Department of Internal Medicine, Jeju National University Hospital, Jeju, Korea
| | - Myeong Jin Kang
- Department of Internal Medicine, Jeju National University Hospital, Jeju, Korea
| | - Eui Tae Kim
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Jeju National University, College of Medicine, Jeju, Korea
| | - Su Yeon Kang
- Department of Microbiology, Hanyang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Keun Hwa Lee
- Department of Microbiology, Hanyang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
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Waldman J, Klafke GM, Tirloni L, Logullo C, da Silva Vaz I. Putative target sites in synganglion for novel ixodid tick control strategies. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2023; 14:102123. [PMID: 36716581 PMCID: PMC10033424 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2023.102123] [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: 07/28/2022] [Revised: 12/23/2022] [Accepted: 01/07/2023] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Acaricide resistance is a global problem that has impacts worldwide. Tick populations with broad resistance to all commercially available acaricides have been reported. Since resistance selection in ticks and their role in pathogen transmission to animals and humans result in important economic and public health burden, it is essential to develop new strategies for their control (i.e., novel chemical compounds, vaccines, biological control). The synganglion is the tick central nervous system and it is responsible for synthesizing and releasing signaling molecules with different physiological functions. Synganglion proteins are the targets of the majority of available acaricides. In this review we provide an overview of the mode-of-action and resistance mechanisms against neurotoxic acaricides in ticks, as well as putative target sites in synganglion, as a supporting tool to identify new target proteins and to develop new strategies for tick control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jéssica Waldman
- Centro de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Guilherme Marcondes Klafke
- Instituto de Pesquisas Veterinárias Desidério Finamor - Centro de Pesquisa em Saúde Animal, Secretaria da Agricultura, Pecuária e Desenvolvimento Rural, Eldorado do Sul, RS, Brazil; Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia - Entomologia Molecular, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Lucas Tirloni
- Laboratory of Bacteriology, Tick-Pathogen Transmission Unit, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Hamilton, MT, USA
| | - Carlos Logullo
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia - Entomologia Molecular, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil; Laboratório de Bioquímica de Artrópodes Hematófagos, IBqM, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Itabajara da Silva Vaz
- Centro de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil; Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia - Entomologia Molecular, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil; Faculdade de Veterinária, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
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Neare K, Tummeleht L, Lassen B, Viltrop A. Coxiella burnetii Seroprevalence and Associated Risk Factors in Cattle, Sheep, and Goats in Estonia. Microorganisms 2023; 11:microorganisms11040819. [PMID: 37110243 PMCID: PMC10142450 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11040819] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2023] [Revised: 03/16/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Q fever, a disease caused by Coxiella burnetii (CB), is an emerging zoonotic health problem. The prevalence data from potential sources are valuable for assessing the risk to human and animal health. To estimate the prevalence of CB antibodies in Estonian ruminants, pooled milk and serum samples from cattle (Bos taurus) and pooled serum samples from sheep (Ovis aries) and goats (Capra hircus) were analyzed. Additionally, bulk tank milk samples (BTM; n = 72) were analyzed for the presence of CB DNA. Questionnaires and herd-level datasets were used to identify the risk factors for exposure using binary logistic regression analysis. The prevalence of CB-positive dairy cattle herds (27.16%) was significantly higher than that in beef cattle herds (6.67%) and sheep flocks (2.35%). No CB antibodies were detected in the goat flocks. CB DNA was found in 11.36% of the BTM samples. The odds of seropositivity were higher in dairy cattle herds, with an increasing number of cattle in the herd, and with location in southwestern, northeastern and northwestern Estonia. Dairy cattle herds had higher odds of testing positive for CB in BTM if the dairy cows were kept loose and lower odds if the herd was located in northwestern Estonia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kädi Neare
- Chair of Veterinary Biomedicine and Food Hygiene, Institute of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Estonian University of Life Sciences, 51006 Tartu, Estonia
| | - Lea Tummeleht
- Chair of Veterinary Biomedicine and Food Hygiene, Institute of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Estonian University of Life Sciences, 51006 Tartu, Estonia
| | - Brian Lassen
- Research Group for Foodborne Pathogens and Epidemiology, National Food Institute, Technical University of Denmark, 2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Arvo Viltrop
- Chair of Veterinary Biomedicine and Food Hygiene, Institute of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Estonian University of Life Sciences, 51006 Tartu, Estonia
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20
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Wang D, Zhang L, Cai Z, Liu Y. Diagnosis of Acute Q Fever in a Patient by Using Metagenomic Next-Generation Sequencing: A Case Report. Infect Drug Resist 2023; 16:1923-1930. [PMID: 37025192 PMCID: PMC10072143 DOI: 10.2147/idr.s405697] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2023] [Accepted: 03/23/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Q fever is a zoonotic disease caused by Coxiella burnetii infection, with domestic ruminants as the main source of infection and tick bites as one of the transmission vectors. The clinical manifestations of Q fever are varied and atypical. For the reason that C. burnetii is a strictly intracellular pathogen, it is difficult to be diagnosed by traditional culture methods. Additionally, serological and molecular diagnostic methods to assist in the diagnosis of Q fever are not routinely performed in most clinical laboratories. Therefore, early and rapid diagnosis of Q fever is a challenge. Case Presentation In the present study, a 34-year-old male patient presented with an acute onset and symptoms such as high fever, lethargy, pulmonary infection, and liver damage. In addition, he had a history of tick bites. Despite conducting relevant laboratory and radiological examinations, the etiology remained unknown. Subsequently, we detected the sequence reads of C. burnetii in a venous blood sample using metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS), and the symptoms of patients were significantly improved after timely treatment with the special drug tetracycline. To our knowledge, this is the first report of Q fever associated with C. burnetii detected directly from venous blood sample in Wuhan, China. Conclusion Metagenomic next-generation sequencing is a new diagnostic technology that provides rapid and accurate detection of unexplained infections, including Q fever. Its application plays a crucial role in clinical diagnosis for identifying elusive pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dong Wang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Wuhan Asia General Hospital, Wuhan Asia General Hospital Affiliated to Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei Province, 430056, People’s Republic of China
| | - Litao Zhang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Wuhan Asia General Hospital, Wuhan Asia General Hospital Affiliated to Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei Province, 430056, People’s Republic of China
| | - Zhifang Cai
- Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Hankou Hospital of Wuhan, Hankou Hospital Affiliated to Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei Province, 430012, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yumei Liu
- Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Hankou Hospital of Wuhan, Hankou Hospital Affiliated to Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei Province, 430012, People’s Republic of China
- Correspondence: Yumei Liu, Email
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21
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Seroprevalence of Q Fever and Risk Factors Affecting Transmission of Coxiella burnetii in Industrial Slaughterhouse; A Survey from Northeastern Iran. HEALTH SCOPE 2023. [DOI: 10.5812/jhealthscope-132858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/11/2023]
Abstract
Background: Q fever is a generally neglected infection caused by Coxiella burnetii. Slaughterhouse workers exposed to livestock are among occupationally at-risk people. Objectives: This study was conducted to investigate the seroprevalence of anti-Coxiella burnetii (Q fever) IgG antibody among industrial slaughterhouse workers and factors affecting the risk of infection. Methods: In this cross-sectional study serum samples were taken from 91 individuals working at the central industrial abattoir in Mashhad, Iran using a convenient sampling method. Sera were kept at -80°C until assayed for specific anti-Coxiella burnetii IgG antibodies (phase 1) using the commercial ELISA kit. The participants filled out a checklist addressing potential risk factors of acquiring the infection. SPSS 11.5 was used for data analysis considering a significance level of P < 0.05. Results: The participants’ mean age was 38.7 ± 8 years. Fifty-six percent of the studied individuals (51 out of 91) were found positive for anti-Coxiella burnetii antibodies. The most prevalent cases were sheep (29, 57%) and cow (18, 35%) butchers. The odds of Q fever infection increased among those with a history of accidental hand cuts of more than five times during the previous years (OR = 2.56, CI95% = 1.02 - 6.33, P-value = 0.04) and those dealing with sheep as the primary livestock (OR = 2.9, CI95% = 1.09 - 7.66, P = 0.02). Conclusions: The high seropositivity rate of anti-Coxiella burnetii IgG reflects high exposure rate of workers to this potentially serious pathogen in slaughtherhouses; therefore, careful education, follow-up, and revision of decontamination policies and improved occupational care and environmental hygiene should be strictly implemented in slaughterhouses to reduce the risk.
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22
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Lee JS, Chung SY. The Threat of Climate Change on Tick-Borne Infections: Rising Trend of Infections and Geographic Distribution of Climate Risk Factors Associated With Ticks. J Infect Dis 2023; 227:295-303. [PMID: 35861295 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiac300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2022] [Revised: 07/11/2022] [Accepted: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Ticks transmit a wide range of pathogens. The spread of tick-borne infections is an emerging, yet often overlooked, threat in the context of climate change. The infections have rapidly increased over the past few years in South Korea despite no significant changes in socioeconomic circumstances. We investigated the impact of climate change on the surge of tick-borne infections and identified potential disease hot spots at a resolution of 5 km by 5 km. A composite index was constructed based on multiple climate and environmental indicators and compared with the observed tick-borne infections. The surge of tick-borne episodes corresponded to the rising trend of the index over time. High-risk areas identified by the index can be used to prioritize locations for disease prevention activities. Monitoring climate risk factors may provide an opportunity to predict the spread of the infections in advance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jung-Seok Lee
- Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom.,International Vaccine Institute, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Suh-Yong Chung
- Division of International Studies, Korea University, Seoul, South Korea
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23
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Celina SS, Cerný J. Coxiella burnetii in ticks, livestock, pets and wildlife: A mini-review. Front Vet Sci 2022; 9:1068129. [PMID: 36439350 PMCID: PMC9691889 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2022.1068129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2022] [Accepted: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 07/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Coxiella burnetii is a zoonotic bacterium with an obligatory intracellular lifestyle and has a worldwide distribution. Coxiella burnetii is the causative agent of Q fever in humans and coxiellosis in animals. Since its discovery in 1935, it has been shown to infect a wide range of animal species including mammals, birds, reptiles, and arthropods. Coxiella burnetii infection is of public and veterinary health and economic concern due to its potential for rapid spread and highly infectious nature. Livestock are the primary source of C. burnetii infection in most Q fever outbreaks which occurs mainly through inhalation of contaminated particles. Aside from livestock, many cases of Q fever linked to exposure to wildlife. Changes in the dynamics of human-wildlife interactions may lead to an increased potential risk of interspecies transmission and contribute to the emergence/re-emergence of Q fever. Although C. burnetii transmission is mainly airborne, ticks may act as vectors and play an important role in the natural cycle of transmission of coxiellosis among wild vertebrates and livestock. In this review, we aim to compile available information on vectors, domestic, and wild hosts of C. burnetii, and to highlight their potential role as bacterial reservoirs in the transmission of C. burnetii.
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24
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Muema J, Nyamai M, Wheelhouse N, Njuguna J, Jost C, Oyugi J, Bukania Z, Oboge H, Ogoti B, Makori A, Fernandez MDP, Omulo S, Thumbi S. Endemicity of Coxiella burnetii infection among people and their livestock in pastoral communities in northern Kenya. Heliyon 2022; 8:e11133. [PMID: 36303929 PMCID: PMC9593183 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e11133] [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: 01/26/2022] [Revised: 07/26/2022] [Accepted: 10/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Coxiella burnetti can be transmitted to humans primarily through inhaling contaminated droplets released from infected animals or consumption of contaminated dairy products. Despite its zoonotic nature and the close association pastoralist communities have with their livestock, studies reporting simultaneous assessment of C. burnetti exposure and risk-factors among people and their livestock are scarce. Objective This study therefore estimated the seroprevalence of Q-fever and associated risk factors of exposure in people and their livestock. Materials and methods We conducted a cross-sectional study in pastoralist communities in Marsabit County in northern Kenya. A total of 1,074 women and 225 children were enrolled and provided blood samples for Q-fever testing. Additionally, 1,876 goats, 322 sheep and 189 camels from the same households were sampled. A structured questionnaire was administered to collect individual- and household/herd-level data. Indirect IgG ELISA kits were used to test the samples. Results Household-level seropositivity was 13.2% [95% CI: 11.2–15.3]; differences in seropositivity levels among women and children were statistically insignificant (p = 0.8531). Lactating women had higher odds of exposure, odds ratio (OR) = 2.4 [1.3–5.3], while the odds of exposure among children increased with age OR = 1.1 [1.0–1.1]. Herd-level seroprevalence was 83.7% [81.7–85.6]. Seropositivity among goats was 74.7% [72.7–76.7], while that among sheep and camels was 56.8% [51.2–62.3] and 38.6% [31.6–45.9], respectively. Goats and sheep had a higher risk of exposure OR = 5.4 [3.7–7.3] and 2.6 [1.8–3.4], respectively relative to camels. There was no statistically significant association between Q-fever seropositivity and nutrition status in women, p = 0.900 and children, p = 1.000. We found no significant association between exposure in people and their livestock at household level (p = 0.724) despite high animal exposure levels, suggesting that Q-fever exposure in humans may be occurring at a scale larger than households. Conclusion The one health approach used in this study revealed that Q-fever is endemic in this setting. Longitudinal studies of Q-fever burden and risk factors simultaneously assessed in human and animal populations as well as the socioeconomic impacts of the disease and further explore the role of environmental factors in Q-fever epidemiology are required. Such evidence may form the basis for designing Q-fever prevention and control strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josphat Muema
- Institute of Tropical and Infectious Diseases, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya,Washington State University Global Health Program – Kenya, Nairobi, Kenya,Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Animal Health, Washington State University, USA,Corresponding author.
| | - Mutono Nyamai
- Washington State University Global Health Program – Kenya, Nairobi, Kenya,Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Animal Health, Washington State University, USA,Center for Epidemiological Modelling and Analysis, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
| | | | - Joseph Njuguna
- Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Christine Jost
- United States Agency for International Development's Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (USAID/BHA), Washington, DC, USA,Global Health Support Initiative III, Social Solutions International, Washington DC, USA
| | - Julius Oyugi
- Institute of Tropical and Infectious Diseases, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Zipporah Bukania
- Center for Public Health Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Harriet Oboge
- Washington State University Global Health Program – Kenya, Nairobi, Kenya,Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Animal Health, Washington State University, USA
| | - Brian Ogoti
- Washington State University Global Health Program – Kenya, Nairobi, Kenya,Center for Epidemiological Modelling and Analysis, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Anita Makori
- Washington State University Global Health Program – Kenya, Nairobi, Kenya,Center for Epidemiological Modelling and Analysis, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
| | | | - Sylvia Omulo
- Institute of Tropical and Infectious Diseases, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya,Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Animal Health, Washington State University, USA,Paul G. Allen School for Global Health, Washington State University, Pullman, USA
| | - S.M. Thumbi
- Institute of Tropical and Infectious Diseases, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya,Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Animal Health, Washington State University, USA,Center for Epidemiological Modelling and Analysis, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya,Paul G. Allen School for Global Health, Washington State University, Pullman, USA,South African Center for Epidemiological Modelling Analysis, South Africa,Institute of Immunology and Infection Research, University of Edinburgh, UK
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25
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First serological evidence of Q fever in large ruminants and its associated risk factors in Punjab, Pakistan. Sci Rep 2022; 12:17278. [PMID: 36241681 PMCID: PMC9568511 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-21405-y] [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: 06/09/2022] [Accepted: 09/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Coxiellosis, also known as Q fever, is a zoonotic disease caused by Coxiella burnetii, a gram-negative bacterium that exerts a significant deleterious impact on the productive and reproductive capabilities of livestock, severely effecting the economics of this sector. In this study, 448 sera samples from cattle (n = 224) and buffalo (n = 224) were collected from 112 farms in Pakistan and examined for antibodies against C. burnetii using an indirect ELISA. Ticks were also collected from these animals. Serological analysis revealed a 23.66% and 27.23% seroprevalence of Q fever in cattle and buffalo, respectively. Odds ratio (OR) analysis of the factors associated with C. burnetii seropositivity was performed, and a multivariable logistic model identified five main variables associated with the seropositivity for coxiellosis. These were: (i) the absence of acaricide use (OR 5.61; 95% CI 2.97-10.94); (ii) the presence of ticks (OR 3.23; 95% CI 1.87-5.69); (iii) the abortion history during the preceding year on the farm (OR 14.96; 95% CI 8.09-29.34); (iv) the presence of sheep and goats (OR 2.47; 95% CI 1.20-5.35); and (v) the absence of a separate parturition area (OR 3.17; 95% CI 1.76-5.86). This study provides new insights into the seroprevalence of Q fever in large ruminants across seven studied districts of Punjab, Pakistan, also providing baseline data to inform improved herd management and on-farm practices for the prevention and control of Q fever in large ruminants in the region. Results of this work suggest that further molecular investigation of coxiellosis is warranted to provide a more thorough evaluation of C. burnetii epidemiology in Pakistan.
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Ngnindji-Youdje Y, Diarra AZ, Lontsi-Demano M, Tchuinkam T, Parola P. Detection of Tick-Borne Pathogens in Ticks from Cattle in Western Highlands of Cameroon. Microorganisms 2022; 10:microorganisms10101957. [PMID: 36296233 PMCID: PMC9609823 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10101957] [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: 08/12/2022] [Revised: 09/22/2022] [Accepted: 09/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
This study aimed to detect and identify microorganisms in ticks collected in the Western Highlands of Cameroon. Quantitative real-time and standard PCR assays, coupled with sequencing, were used. A total of 944 ticks collected from cattle in five distinct sites in Cameroon were selected for the analyses. They belonged to five genera (Amblyomma, Hyalomma, Rhipicephalus, Haemaphysalis, and Ixodes) and twelve species. Real-time PCR revealed that 23% (n = 218) of the ticks were positive for Rickettsia spp., 15% (n = 141) for bacteria of the Anaplasmataceae family, 3% (n = 29) for Piroplasmida, 0.5% (n = 5) for Coxiella burnetii, 0.4% (n = 4) for Borrelia spp., and 0.2% (n = 2) for Bartonella spp. The co-infection rate (3.4%, n = 32) involved mainly Rickettsia spp. and Anaplasmataceae. Of the Rickettsia spp. positive ticks, the targeted PCR and sequencing yielded Rickettsia africae (78.9%), Rickettsia aeschlimannii (6.4%), Rickettsia massiliae (7.8%), Candidatus Rickettsia barbariae (0.9%), and Rickettsia sp. (0.9%). Anaplasmataceae included Anaplasma marginale (4.3%), Anaplasma platys (1.4%), Anaplasma centrale (0.7%), Ehrlichia ruminantium (0.7%), Wolbachia sp., Candidatus Ehrlichia rustica (13.5%), Candidatus Ehrlichia urmitei (7%), and an uncultured Ehrlichia sp. (4.2%). Borrelia theileri was identified in one Rhipicephalus microplus tick. Unfortunately, Piroplasmida could not be identified to the species level. This study demonstrates that in Cameroon, ticks harbour a wide variety of microorganisms and present a risk of zoonotic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yannick Ngnindji-Youdje
- Aix Marseille Univ, IRD, AP-HM, SSA, VITROME, 13005 Marseille, France
- IHU-Méditerranée Infection, 19-21 Boulevard Jean Moulin, 13005 Marseille, France
- Vector-Borne Diseases Laboratory of the Applied Biology and Ecology Research Unit (VBID-URBEA), Department of Animal Biology, Faculty of Science of the University of Dschang, Dschang P.O. Box 067, Cameroon
| | - Adama Zan Diarra
- Aix Marseille Univ, IRD, AP-HM, SSA, VITROME, 13005 Marseille, France
- IHU-Méditerranée Infection, 19-21 Boulevard Jean Moulin, 13005 Marseille, France
| | - Michel Lontsi-Demano
- Vector-Borne Diseases Laboratory of the Applied Biology and Ecology Research Unit (VBID-URBEA), Department of Animal Biology, Faculty of Science of the University of Dschang, Dschang P.O. Box 067, Cameroon
| | - Timoléon Tchuinkam
- Vector-Borne Diseases Laboratory of the Applied Biology and Ecology Research Unit (VBID-URBEA), Department of Animal Biology, Faculty of Science of the University of Dschang, Dschang P.O. Box 067, Cameroon
| | - Philippe Parola
- Aix Marseille Univ, IRD, AP-HM, SSA, VITROME, 13005 Marseille, France
- IHU-Méditerranée Infection, 19-21 Boulevard Jean Moulin, 13005 Marseille, France
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +33-(0)-4-13-73-24-01; Fax: +33-(0)-4-13-73-24-02
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Souza EARD, André MR, Labruna MB, Horta MC. Q fever and coxiellosis in Brazil: an underestimated disease? A brief review. REVISTA BRASILEIRA DE PARASITOLOGIA VETERINARIA = BRAZILIAN JOURNAL OF VETERINARY PARASITOLOGY : ORGAO OFICIAL DO COLEGIO BRASILEIRO DE PARASITOLOGIA VETERINARIA 2022; 31:e009822. [PMID: 36169506 DOI: 10.1590/s1984-29612022051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Accepted: 08/30/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Q fever, caused by the γ-proteobacterium Coxiella burnetii, is a zoonosis of great importance and global impact. This agent has high transmissibility and can spread over long distances via wind, in which a small number of aerosolized particles are needed to infect susceptible hosts. The clinical diagnosis of Q fever is difficult owing to the variety of clinical signs shared with other diseases. In Brazil, studies related to C. burnetii are constantly being conducted, and this review aims to increase the number of approaches already studied, leading to the following question: is Q fever an unknown, neglected disease, or does it have a focal occurrence in certain areas (exotic/rare) in the country?
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Affiliation(s)
- Eline Almeida Rodrigues de Souza
- Laboratório de Doenças Parasitárias, Universidade Federal do Vale do São Francisco - UNIVASF, Petrolina, PE, Brasil
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Biociência Animal, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco - UFRPE, Recife, PE, Brasil
| | - Marcos Rogério André
- Laboratório de Imunoparasitologia, Departamento de Patologia, Reprodução e Saúde Única, Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias - FCA, Universidade Estadual Paulista - UNESP, Jaboticabal, SP, Brasil
| | - Marcelo Bahia Labruna
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia - FMVZ, Universidade de São Paulo - USP, São Paulo, SP, Brasil
| | - Mauricio Claudio Horta
- Laboratório de Doenças Parasitárias, Universidade Federal do Vale do São Francisco - UNIVASF, Petrolina, PE, Brasil
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Biociência Animal, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco - UFRPE, Recife, PE, Brasil
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Grostieta E, Zazueta-Islas HM, Cruz-Valdez T, Ballados-González GG, Álvarez-Castillo L, García-Esparza SM, Cruz-Romero A, Romero-Salas D, Aguilar-Domínguez M, Becker I, Sánchez-Montes S. Molecular detection of Coxiella-like endosymbionts and absence of Coxiella burnetii in Amblyomma mixtum from Veracruz, Mexico. EXPERIMENTAL & APPLIED ACAROLOGY 2022; 88:113-125. [PMID: 36244047 DOI: 10.1007/s10493-022-00748-1] [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: 04/23/2022] [Accepted: 10/03/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Ticks are obligate ectoparasites associated with a wide range of vertebrate hosts, including domestic animals. Moreover, ticks are capable of transmitting many pathogens such as Coxiella. To date, Coxiella burnetii, the etiological agent of coxiellosis or Q fever, is the only valid species of the genera. Nevertheless, a wide range of agents denominated Coxiella-like have been detected in recent studies, mainly associated with ticks. The pathogenicity of these Coxiella-like agents is controversial as some of them can infect both birds and humans. In Mexico, knowledge about Q fever is scarce and limited to historical serological records, and there is an overall lack of molecular proof of any agent of the genus Coxiella circulating in the country. Therefore, the aim of this study was to detect the presence of Coxiella in ticks associated with cattle in all 10 regions of Veracruz, Mexico. To accomplish this objective, first, we identified ticks collected from cattle and horses in Veracruz. Then, for Coxiella detection, DNA extraction from ticks and PCR amplification of the 16S-rDNA of Coxiella was performed. Finally, we performed a phylogenetic reconstruction to determine the Coxiella lineages detected. From the 10 regions sampled we collected 888 ticks grouped in 180 pools, and only five Amblyomma mixtum from the locality of Castán, and one from Los Angeles from Tuxpan were found positive, which represents a frequency of 20% for each locality. This study represents the first attempt at molecular detection of Coxiella in ticks associated with cattle in the state of Veracruz, the major livestock producer in the country. The findings of the present study are relevant as they establish a precedent regarding the circulation of Coxiella-like agents, as well as the absence in three municipalities of the state of Veracruz of C. burnetii, an abortive agent of livestock importance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Estefanía Grostieta
- Centro de Medicina Tropical, Facultad de Medicina, Unidad de Investigación en Medicina Experimental, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Dr. Balmis 148, Ciudad de Mexico, C.P. 06726, México
| | - Héctor M Zazueta-Islas
- Centro de Medicina Tropical, Facultad de Medicina, Unidad de Investigación en Medicina Experimental, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Dr. Balmis 148, Ciudad de Mexico, C.P. 06726, México
| | - Timoteo Cruz-Valdez
- Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas y Agropecuarias Región Tuxpan, Universidad Veracruzana, Veracruz, México
| | - Gerardo G Ballados-González
- Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Veracruzana, Circunvalación s/n, Veracruz, 91710, México
| | - Lucía Álvarez-Castillo
- Posgrado en Ciencias del Mar y Limnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de Mexico, México
| | - Sandra M García-Esparza
- Centro de Medicina Tropical, Facultad de Medicina, Unidad de Investigación en Medicina Experimental, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Dr. Balmis 148, Ciudad de Mexico, C.P. 06726, México
| | - Anabel Cruz-Romero
- Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Veracruzana, Circunvalación s/n, Veracruz, 91710, México
| | - Dora Romero-Salas
- Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Veracruzana, Circunvalación s/n, Veracruz, 91710, México
| | - Mariel Aguilar-Domínguez
- Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Veracruzana, Circunvalación s/n, Veracruz, 91710, México.
| | - Ingeborg Becker
- Centro de Medicina Tropical, Facultad de Medicina, Unidad de Investigación en Medicina Experimental, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Dr. Balmis 148, Ciudad de Mexico, C.P. 06726, México.
| | - Sokani Sánchez-Montes
- Centro de Medicina Tropical, Facultad de Medicina, Unidad de Investigación en Medicina Experimental, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Dr. Balmis 148, Ciudad de Mexico, C.P. 06726, México
- Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas y Agropecuarias Región Tuxpan, Universidad Veracruzana, Veracruz, México
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Ullah Q, Jamil T, Saqib M, Iqbal M, Neubauer H. Q Fever—A Neglected Zoonosis. Microorganisms 2022; 10:microorganisms10081530. [PMID: 36013948 PMCID: PMC9416428 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10081530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2022] [Revised: 07/11/2022] [Accepted: 07/15/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Q fever remains a neglected zoonosis in many developing countries including Pakistan. The causing agent Coxiella (C.) burnetii is resistant to environmental factors (such as drying, heat and many disinfectants), resulting in a long-lasting infection risk for both human and animals. As the infection is usually asymptomatic, it mostly remains undiagnosed in animals until and unless adverse pregnancy outcomes occur in a herd. In humans, the infection leads to severe endocarditis and vascular infection in chronic cases. Limited data are available on molecular epidemiology and evolution of this pathogen, especially in ruminants. Genomic studies will help speculating outbreak relationships in this scenario. Likewise, pathogenesis of C. burnetii needs to be explored by molecular studies. Awareness programs and ensuring pasteurization of the dairy milk before human consumption would help preventing Q fever zoonosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qudrat Ullah
- Faculty of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, The University of Agriculture, Dera Ismail Khan 29111, Pakistan
- Correspondence: (Q.U.); (T.J.); (M.S.)
| | - Tariq Jamil
- Institute of Bacterial Infections and Zoonoses, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, 07743 Jena, Germany;
- Correspondence: (Q.U.); (T.J.); (M.S.)
| | - Muhammad Saqib
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Agriculture Faisalabad, Faisalabad 38000, Pakistan
- Correspondence: (Q.U.); (T.J.); (M.S.)
| | - Mudassar Iqbal
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur 63100, Pakistan;
| | - Heinrich Neubauer
- Institute of Bacterial Infections and Zoonoses, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, 07743 Jena, Germany;
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30
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Stufano A, Iatta R, Sgroi G, Jahantigh HR, Cagnazzo F, Flöel A, Lucchese G, Loconsole D, Centrone F, Mendoza-Roldan JA, Chironna M, Otranto D, Lovreglio P. Seroprevalence of vector-borne pathogens in outdoor workers from southern Italy and associated occupational risk factors. Parasit Vectors 2022; 15:264. [PMID: 35879782 PMCID: PMC9310498 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-022-05385-6] [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: 05/11/2022] [Accepted: 06/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Vector-borne diseases (VBDs) represent an emerging global threat to public health due to the geographical expansion of arthropod vectors. The study aims to assess the seroprevalence of selected vector-borne pathogens (VBPs) in different groups of outdoor workers and the occupational risk factors for exposure to arthropod bites. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted on 170 workers recruited in two different regions of southern Italy, including farmers, forestry workers, veterinarians, geologists/agronomists and administrative employees, and tested for IgG antibodies against Bartonella henselae, Borrelia spp. Coxiella burnetii and Rickettsia conorii, using a chemiluminescent immunoassay (CLIA). The relationship among job characteristics, tick exposure and the prevalence of seropositive subjects for each pathogen was investigated by applying categorical principal component analysis (CATPCA). Results A high seroprevalence for C. burnetii (30.0%) and R. conorii (15.3%) was reported, mainly in farmers (67.7% and 54.8%, respectively) and forestry workers (29.0% and 16.1%, respectively), while a low prevalence was observed for B. henselae and Borrelia spp. (8.8% and 4.1%, respectively). The regression equation by CATPCA was significant for C. burnetii and R. conorii (P < 0.001), showing a positive association with job, tick bite exposure, working area and contact with animals. Conclusions These findings highlight the need of activating an appropriate occupational health response for minimizing the risk of arthropod vector exposure in workplaces, considering specific preventive measures in particular in high-risk job categories. Graphical Abstract ![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela Stufano
- Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Roberta Iatta
- Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, University of Bari, Bari, Italy.
| | - Giovanni Sgroi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, Valenzano, Italy
| | | | - Francesco Cagnazzo
- Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Agnes Flöel
- Department of Neurology, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany.,German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases Rostock-Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Guglielmo Lucchese
- Department of Neurology, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Daniela Loconsole
- Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Francesca Centrone
- Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | | | - Maria Chironna
- Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Domenico Otranto
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, Valenzano, Italy.,Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamedan, Iran
| | - Piero Lovreglio
- Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
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Hussain S, Saqib M, El-Adawy H, Hussain MH, Jamil T, Sajid MS, Alvi MA, Ghafoor M, Tayyab MH, Abbas Z, Mertens-Scholz K, Neubauer H, Khan I, Khalid Mansoor M, Muhammad G. Seroprevalence and Molecular Evidence of Coxiella burnetii in Dromedary Camels of Pakistan. Front Vet Sci 2022; 9:908479. [PMID: 35782546 PMCID: PMC9244431 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2022.908479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2022] [Accepted: 05/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Coxiellosis is a zoonosis in animals caused by Coxiella burnetii. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 920 (591 female and 329 male) randomly selected camels (Camelus dromedarius) of different age groups from 13 districts representative of the three different ecological zones in the Province Punjab, Pakistan to determine the prevalence and associated risk factors of coxiellosis. The blood samples were collected and tested for anti-C. burnetti antibodies using indirect multispecies ELISA. Real-time PCR was used for the detection of C. burnetii DNA to determine the prevalence in heparinized blood pools. Out of 920 investigated camels, anti-C. burnetii antibodies were detected in 288 samples (31.3%) (95% CI: 28.3–34.4%). The highest (78.6%) and lowest (1.8%) seroprevalence were detected in Rahimyar Khan (southern Punjab) and in Jhang (central Punjab), respectively. Potential risk factors associated with seropositivity of the Q fever in camels included desert area (42.5%; OR = 2.78, 95% CI 1.12–3.21) summer season (35.7%; OR = 2.3, 95% CI: 1.31–3.2), sex (female) (39.1; OR = 2.35, 95% CI: 1.34–2.98), tick infestation (51.3%;OR = 2.81, 95% CI: 1.34–3.02), age (>10 years; 46.4%; OR = 1.56, 95% CI: 0.33–2.05) and herd size (38.5%; OR = 1.21, 95% CI: 0.76–1.54). Coxiella burnetii DNA was amplified in 12 (20%) and 1 (10%) of 60 ELISA-negative and 10 suspected camels, respectively. DNA could not be detected in ELISA positive blood pools. This study emphasizes the seroprevalence and associated risk factors of coxiellosis as well as its potential to spill over to animals and humans in contact with these camel herds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shujaat Hussain
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Saqib
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan
- Muhammad Saqib
| | - Hosny El-Adawy
- Institute of Bacterial Infections and Zoonoses, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Jena, Germany
- Faculty Medicine of Veterinary, Kafrelsheikh University, Kafr El-Sheikh, Egypt
- *Correspondence: Hosny El-Adawy
| | - Muhammad Hammad Hussain
- Faculty of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur, Pakistan
| | - Tariq Jamil
- Institute of Bacterial Infections and Zoonoses, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Jena, Germany
| | - Muhammad Sohail Sajid
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan
| | - Mughees Aizaz Alvi
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan
| | - Muzafar Ghafoor
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Haleem Tayyab
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan
| | - Zaeem Abbas
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan
| | - Katja Mertens-Scholz
- Institute of Bacterial Infections and Zoonoses, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Jena, Germany
| | - Heinrich Neubauer
- Institute of Bacterial Infections and Zoonoses, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Jena, Germany
| | - Iahtasham Khan
- Department of Clinical Sciences, University of Veterinary & Animal Sciences, Lahore Sub Campus Jhang, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Khalid Mansoor
- Faculty of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur, Pakistan
| | - Ghulam Muhammad
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan
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32
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Fu M, He P, OuYang X, Yu Y, Wen B, Zhou D, Xiong X, Yuan Q, Jiao J. Novel genotypes of Coxiella burnetii circulating in rats in Yunnan Province, China. BMC Vet Res 2022; 18:204. [PMID: 35624449 PMCID: PMC9137106 DOI: 10.1186/s12917-022-03310-8] [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: 01/24/2022] [Accepted: 05/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Coxiella burnetii (Cb) is the causative agent of the zoonotic disease Q fever which is distributed worldwide. Molecular typing of Cb strains is essential to find out the infectious source and prevent Q fever outbreaks, but there has been a lack of typing data for Cb strains in China. The aim of this study was to investigate the genotypes of Cb strains in wild rats in Yunnan Province, China. RESULTS Eighty-six wild rats (Rattus flavipectus) were collected in Yunnan Province and 8 of the 86 liver samples from the wild rats were positive in Cb-specific quantitative PCR (qPCR). The Cb strains from the 8 rats were then typed into 3 genotypes using 10-spacer multispacer sequence typing (MST), and 2 of the 3 genotypes were recognized as novel ones. Moreover, the Cb strains in the wild rats were all identified as genotype 1 using 6-loci multilocus variable number of tandem repeat analysis (MLVA). CONCLUSIONS This is the first report of genotypic diversity of Cb strains from wild rats in China. Further studies are needed to explore the presence of more genotypes and to associate the genotypes circulating in the wildlife-livestock interaction with those causing human disease to further expand on the epidemiological aspects of the pathogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengjiao Fu
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Peisheng He
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, People's Republic of China.,Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, People's Republic of China
| | - Xuan OuYang
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Yonghui Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Bohai Wen
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Dongsheng Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaolu Xiong
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Qinghong Yuan
- Yunnan Institute of Endemic Diseases Control and Prevention, Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory of Natural Focal Disease Control and Prevention, Yunnan, People's Republic of China.
| | - Jun Jiao
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, People's Republic of China.
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Serological Prevalence of and Risk Factors for Coxiella burnetti Infection in Women of Punjab Province, Pakistan. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19084576. [PMID: 35457443 PMCID: PMC9027314 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19084576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2022] [Revised: 04/01/2022] [Accepted: 04/07/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Background: Coxiella burnetii, the etiological agent of Q (query) fever, provokes abortions in ruminants and is suspected to cause adverse pregnancy outcomes in women. Infection of pregnant women is linked with high mortality and morbidity of the fetus and the mother is at high risk to acquire chronic Q fever. This research was conducted to evaluate the prevalence of Q fever in women and to detect associated risk factors in four districts of Punjab Province, Pakistan. Methods: A total of 297 blood samples were obtained from 147 pregnant and 150 non-pregnant women of the districts Okara, Jhang, Chiniot and Faisalabad of Punjab, Pakistan. Data related to risk factors and demographic parameters were collected using a questionnaire. Serum samples were screened for phase I and phase II specific IgG antibodies for antigens of phase I and phase II using ELISA tests. Univariate and binary regression were used to analyze important risk factors of Q fever. Results: Twenty-five serum samples (8.4%) were found seropositive for Q fever. Seventeen women were positive for Phase-I and twenty-one were positive for phase-II antibodies. Highest and statistically significant (p < 0.05) seroprevalence of 17.1% was observed in Faisalabad. Age, urbanicity, living status, pregnancy status, abortion history, occupation, and consumption of tap water were positively correlated (p < 0.05) with Q fever, while being aged, urbanity, low income, contact with animals and consumption of tap water was identified as potential risk factors. Conclusions: Q fever is prevalent in women of Pakistan. There is a need for an awareness program about the importance of C. burnetii infections and prevention strategies in women during pregnancy to minimize adverse pregnancy outcomes.
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Usananan P, Kaenkan W, Sudsangiem R, Baimai V, Trinachartvanit W, Ahantarig A. Phylogenetic Studies of Coxiella-Like Bacteria and Spotted Fever Group Rickettsiae in Ticks Collected From Vegetation in Chaiyaphum Province, Thailand. Front Vet Sci 2022; 9:849893. [PMID: 35464383 PMCID: PMC9020810 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2022.849893] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2022] [Accepted: 02/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Ticks can transmit a wide variety of pathogens, including bacteria. Here, we report the detection of tick-associated bacteria in Chaiyaphum Province, northeastern Thailand. There have been few reports of tick-borne bacterial pathogens in the study areas, which are evergreen forests dominated by plateaus at elevations of approximately 1,000 m. In total, 94 ticks were collected from vegetation. They were screened for the presence of Coxiella, Francisella, Rickettsia, and Borrelia bacteria using PCR assays. In this study, we found ticks from two genera, Haemaphysalis and Amblyomma, that were positive for Coxiella-like bacteria (CLB) and Rickettsia. Francisella and Borrelia spp. were not detected in these two tick genera. The results revealed the evolutionary relationships of CLB in Amblyomma testudinarium, Haemaphysalis lagrangei, and Haemaphysalis obesa ticks using the 16S rRNA and rpoB markers, which clustered together with known isolates of ticks from the same genera. In contrast, the groEL marker showed different results. On the basis of the groEL phylogenetic analysis and BLAST results, three groups of CLB were found: (1) CLB from A. testudinarium grouped as a sister clade to CLB from Ixodes ricinus; (2) CLB from Haemaphysalis lagrangei was distantly related to CLB from Haemaphysalis wellingtoni; and (3) CLB from A. testudinarium grouped as sister clade to CLB from Amblyomma from French Guiana and Brazil. For Rickettsia studies, phylogenetic trees of the gltA, ompB, and sca4 genes revealed two groups of Spotted Fever Group (SFG) Rickettsiae: (1) SFG Rickettsiae that formed a sister clade with Rickettsia tamurae AT-1 (belong to the Rickettsia helvetica subgroup) in A. testudinarium and (2) SFG Rickettsiae that formed a distantly related group to Rickettsia rhipicephali 3-7-female6-CWPP (belong to the Rickettsia massiliae subgroup) in A. testudinarium. This study expanded our knowledge of the diversity of tick-borne Coxiella and Rickettsia bacteria. The pathogenic roles of these bacteria also need to be investigated further.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pawiga Usananan
- Biodiversity Research Cluster, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Warissara Kaenkan
- Biodiversity Research Cluster, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Ronnayuth Sudsangiem
- Biodiversity Research Cluster, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Visut Baimai
- Biodiversity Research Cluster, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | | | - Arunee Ahantarig
- Biodiversity Research Cluster, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Center of Excellence for Vectors and Vector-Borne Diseases, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand
- *Correspondence: Arunee Ahantarig
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Molecular identification of tick-borne pathogens (Rickettsia spp., Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, Coxiella burnetii and piroplasms) in questing and feeding hard ticks from North-Western Spain. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2022; 13:101961. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2022.101961] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2021] [Revised: 04/18/2022] [Accepted: 04/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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Patra G, Ghosh S, Polley S, Borthakur SK, Choudhary OP, Arya RS. Molecular detection and genetic characterization of Coxiella-like endosymbionts in dogs and ticks infesting dogs in Northeast India. EXPERIMENTAL & APPLIED ACAROLOGY 2022; 86:549-566. [PMID: 35445372 DOI: 10.1007/s10493-022-00711-0] [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: 11/15/2020] [Accepted: 03/31/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
An epidemiological study was performed to determine the role of dogs and ticks infesting dogs in the transmission of Q fever in humans and animals from April 2019 to March 2020 in the northeastern hill states of India. In total, 245 pet and stray dogs irrespective of age or sex were sampled, without specific inclusion or exclusion criteria. In total, 478 ticks belonging to three species were detected, namely Rhipicephalus sanguineus, Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus and Hyalomma anatolicum anatolicum. The DNA extracted from blood and tick samples was assayed for molecular characterization of Coxiella burnetii targeting the 16S rRNA and superoxide dismutase (SOD) genes. Amplified PCR products were purified, cloned and custom sequenced. PCR assay showed 3.3% (8/245) of the dogs were positive for Coxiella-like bacteria. Coxiella-like bacterial DNA was detected in adult fully engorged females of R. sanguineus (7.7%, 13/168), R. (B.) microplus (3.3%, 4/123) and H. anatolicum (1.9%, 1/54). Coxiella-like bacterial DNA lacked in adult male or nymphal stage. The infection rate did not vary significantly between seasons, nor according to sex or age of the host. Six nucleotide sequences of 16S rRNA and SOD genes are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gautam Patra
- Department of Veterinary Parasitology, College of Veterinary Sciences and Animal Husbandry, Central Agricultural University (I), 796015, Selesih, Aizawl, Mizoram, India.
| | - Subhamoy Ghosh
- Department of Veterinary Parasitology, College of Veterinary Sciences and Animal Husbandry, Central Agricultural University (I), 796015, Selesih, Aizawl, Mizoram, India
| | - Shamik Polley
- Department of Veterinary Biochemistry, Faculty of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, West Bengal University of Animal and Fishery Sciences, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
| | - Sonjoy Kumar Borthakur
- Department of Veterinary Parasitology, College of Veterinary Sciences and Animal Husbandry, Central Agricultural University (I), 796015, Selesih, Aizawl, Mizoram, India
| | - Om Prakash Choudhary
- Department of Veterinary Anatomy and Histology, College of Veterinary Sciences and Animal Husbandry, Central Agricultural University (I), Selesih, Aizawl, Mizoram, India
| | - Rahul Singh Arya
- Department of Veterinary Pathology, College of Veterinary Sciences and Animal Husbandry, Central Agricultural University (I), Selesih, Aizawl, Mizoram, India
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Huang HHH, Power RI, Mathews KO, Ma GC, Bosward KL, Šlapeta J. Cat fleas ( Ctenocephalides felis clade 'Sydney') are dominant fleas on dogs and cats in New South Wales, Australia: Presence of flea-borne Rickettsia felis, Bartonella spp. but absence of Coxiella burnetii DNA. CURRENT RESEARCH IN PARASITOLOGY & VECTOR-BORNE DISEASES 2022; 1:100045. [PMID: 35284882 PMCID: PMC8906117 DOI: 10.1016/j.crpvbd.2021.100045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2021] [Revised: 07/23/2021] [Accepted: 07/25/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
The cat flea (Ctenocephalides felis) is the most common flea species parasitising both domestic cats and dogs globally. Fleas are known vectors of zoonotic pathogens such as vector-borne Rickettsia spp. and Bartonella spp. and could theoretically transmit Coxiella burnetii, the causative agent of Q fever. A total of 107 fleas were collected from 21 cats and 14 dogs in veterinary clinics, a feline rescue organisation and a grooming salon in New South Wales, Australia, to undergo PCR detection of Bartonella spp., Rickettsia spp. and C. burnetii DNA. Morphological identification confirmed that the cat flea (C. felis) is the most common flea in New South Wales, Australia, with only a single stick fast flea, Echidnophaga gallinacea recorded. The examined fleas (n = 35) at the cox1 locus revealed five closely related C. felis haplotypes (inter-haplotype distance < 0.5%). Multiplex TaqMan qPCR targeting the gltA (Rickettsia spp.) and ssrA (Bartonella spp.) genes was positive in 22.9% (95% CI: 11.8–39.3%) and 11.4% (95% CI: 3.9–26.6%) of samples, respectively. None of the DNA isolated from fleas was positive on TaqMan qPCRs targeting the C. burnetii IS1111, Com1 and htpAB genes. Co-infection of C. felis with Bartonella henselae and Bartonella clarridgeiae was demonstrated using gltA and ssrA Illumina next-generation amplicon sequencing. These findings reinforce the importance of flea control on domestic dogs and cats to effectively control the transmission of Rickettsia felis and Bartonella spp. The flea, however, is unlikely to be a vector of C. burnetii between companion animals and humans. The cat flea (Ctenocephalides felis) is the flea species on cats and dogs in New South Wales Australia. Absence of Coxiella burnetii DNA in flea extract, but presence of Rickettsia felis. Detection of Bartonella DNA using gltA and ssrA Illumina next-generation amplicon sequencing.
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Mwololo D, Nthiwa D, Kitala P, Abuom T, Wainaina M, Kairu-Wanyoike S, Lindahl JF, Ontiri E, Bukachi S, Njeru I, Karanja J, Sang R, Grace D, Bett B. Sero-epidemiological survey of Coxiella burnetii in livestock and humans in Tana River and Garissa counties in Kenya. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2022; 16:e0010214. [PMID: 35239658 PMCID: PMC8923444 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0010214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2021] [Revised: 03/15/2022] [Accepted: 01/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Coxiella burnetii is a widely distributed pathogen, but data on its epidemiology in livestock, and human populations remain scanty, especially in developing countries such as Kenya. We used the One Health approach to estimate the seroprevalance of C. burnetii in cattle, sheep, goats and human populations in Tana River county, and in humans in Garissa county, Kenya. We also identified potential determinants of exposure among these hosts. Methods Data were collected through a cross-sectional study. Serum samples were taken from 2,727 animals (466 cattle, 1,333 goats, and 928 sheep) and 974 humans and screened for Phase I/II IgG antibodies against C. burnetii using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Data on potential factors associated with animal and human exposure were collected using a structured questionnaire. Multivariable analyses were performed with households as a random effect to adjust for the within-household correlation of C. burnetii exposure among animals and humans, respectively. Results The overall apparent seroprevalence estimates of C. burnetii in livestock and humans were 12.80% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 11.57–14.11) and 24.44% (95% CI: 21.77–27.26), respectively. In livestock, the seroprevalence differed significantly by species (p < 0.01). The highest seroprevalence estimates were observed in goats (15.22%, 95% CI: 13.34-17.27) and sheep (14.22%, 95% CI: 12.04–16.64) while cattle (3.00%, 95% CI: 1.65–4.99) had the lowest seroprevalence. Herd-level seropositivity of C. burnetii in livestock was not positively associated with human exposure. Multivariable results showed that female animals had higher odds of seropositivity for C. burnetii than males, while for animal age groups, adult animals had higher odds of seropositivity than calves, kids or lambs. For livestock species, both sheep and goats had significantly higher odds of seropositivity than cattle. In human populations, men had a significantly higher odds of testing positive for C. burnetii than women. Conclusions This study provides evidence of livestock and human exposure to C. burnetii which could have serious economic implications on livestock production and impact on human health. These results also highlight the need to establish active surveillance in the study area to reduce the disease burden associated with this pathogen. Q fever caused by Coxiella burnetii is a significant zoonotic disease that affects wildlife, domestic animals and humans. This study determined the prevalence of antibodies to C. burnetii in livestock (cattle, sheep, and goats) and human populations in arid and semi-arid areas of Kenya between December 2013 and February 2014. We also identified potential factors that were associated with exposure among the above-targeted hosts. Results from this study showed considerable exposure in both livestock and human populations. However, human exposure to this pathogen at the household level was not correlated with herd-level seropositivity. Further studies are needed to elucidate the transmission routes of this pathogen among humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Damaris Mwololo
- Directorate of Veterinary Services, Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Cooperatives, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Daniel Nthiwa
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Embu, Embu, Kenya
- International Livestock Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
- * E-mail:
| | - Philip Kitala
- Department of Public Health, Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Tequiero Abuom
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
| | | | - Salome Kairu-Wanyoike
- Department of Veterinary Services, Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Johanna F. Lindahl
- International Livestock Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Enoch Ontiri
- International Livestock Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Salome Bukachi
- Institute of Anthropology, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Ian Njeru
- Division of Disease Surveillance and Response, Ministry of Public Health and Sanitation, Kenyatta National Hospital, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Joan Karanja
- Division of Disease Surveillance and Response, Ministry of Public Health and Sanitation, Kenyatta National Hospital, Nairobi, Kenya
| | | | - Delia Grace
- International Livestock Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
- Natural Resources Institute, University of Greenwich, Kent, United Kingdom
| | - Bernard Bett
- International Livestock Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
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Research Trends and Hotspots of Q Fever Research: A Bibliometric Analysis 1990-2019. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2022; 2022:9324471. [PMID: 35075431 PMCID: PMC8783702 DOI: 10.1155/2022/9324471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2021] [Accepted: 12/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Q fever is a worldwide distributed zoonosis caused by Coxiella burnetii, a Gram-negative bacterium. Despite existence of large amount of research data on the developments related to Q fever, no bibliometric analysis of this subject is available to our knowledge. Bibliometric studies are an essential resource to track scholarly trends and research output in a subject. This study is aimed at reporting a bibliometric analysis of publications related to Q fever (2,840 articles published in the period 1990-2019) retrieved from Science Citation Index Expanded, an online database of Clarivate Analytics Web of Science Core Collection. Data was retrieved using keywords “Q fever” or “Coxiella burnetii” in title, abstract, and author keywords to describe important research indicators such as the kind and language of articles, the most important publications, research journals and categories, authors, institutions, and the countries having the most significant contribution to this subject. Finally, the emerging areas in field of diagnosis, host range, and clinical presentation were identified. Word cluster analysis of research related to Q fever revealed that major focus of research has been on zoonosis, seroprevalence, laboratory diagnosis (mainly using ELISA and PCR), clinical manifestations (abortion and endocarditis), vectors (ticks), and hosts (sheep, goat, and cattle). This bibliometric study is intended to visualize the existing research landscape and future trends in Q fever to assist in future knowledge exchange and research collaborations.
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Seasonality of Coxiella burnetii among Wild Rabbits ( Oryctolagus cuniculus) and the Hyalomma lusitanicum (Acari: Ixodidae) in a Meso-Mediterranean Ecosystem. Pathogens 2021; 11:pathogens11010036. [PMID: 35055984 PMCID: PMC8781871 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11010036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2021] [Revised: 12/23/2021] [Accepted: 12/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
(1) Background: Q fever is a worldwide zoonosis caused by Coxiella burnetii that have cases reported in humans and animals almost everywhere. The aim of this study was to describe the seasonality of Coxiella burnetii in the wild rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) and the tick Hyalomma lusitanicum in a meso-Mediterranean ecosystem. (2) Methods: two populations of wild rabbits that differ in whether or not they share habitat with ungulates, mainly red deer (Cervus elaphus) were sampled for a year to collect ticks, blood and vaginal or anal swabs. Presence of C. burnetii DNA in swabs and the tick H. lusitanicum was determined by PCR and serum antibodies by ELISA. (3) Results: C. burnetii DNA was detected in 47.2% of 583 rabbits, in 65.5% of sera, and in more than half of the H. lusitanicum. There were small variations according to sex and age of the rabbits but significant according to the habitat (4) Conclusions: The results indicate that C. burnetii circulates freely between wild rabbits and H. lusitanicum and the sylvatic cycle in meso-Mediterranean environments relies in the presence of wild rabbits and H. lusitanicum above all if sharing habitat with red deer.
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Duan DY, Liu YK, Liu L, Liu GH, Cheng TY. Microbiome analysis of the midguts of different developmental stages of Argas persicus in China. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2021; 13:101868. [PMID: 34800866 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2021.101868] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2020] [Revised: 09/25/2021] [Accepted: 10/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Argas persicus is an ectoparasite of poultry. The bacterial community structure and the pathogenic bacteria associated with different developmental stages of A. persicus have implications for control. Argas persicus were collected from chickens in the city of Jiuquan in Gansu, China. Bacterial DNA was extracted from the midgut contents of blood engorged larvae, nymphs and adult females. The V3-V4 hypervariable regions of 16S rRNA genes were sequenced using the IonS5™XL platform. Identification of Rickettsia spp. and detection of Coxiella burnetii were performed using PCR on target genes. The bacterial diversity within larvae was the highest and the bacterial diversity within nymphs was greater than that of adults. At different classification levels, seven bacterial phyla were common phyla, 27 genera were common genera, and 18 species were common species in the three samples. At the phylum level, Proteobacteria showed a marked predominance in all samples. Rickettsia, Stenotrophomonas, Spiroplasma, and Coxiella were the dominant bacteria at the genus level. The Rickettsia species in A. persicus was identified as Rickettsia hoogstraalii and the Coxiella species was identified as a Coxiella-like endosymbiont. Additionally, some bacterial species such as Pseudomonas geniculata, Sphingomonas koreensis, and Acinetobacter haemolyticus were reported here for the first time in A. persicus.
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Affiliation(s)
- De-Yong Duan
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, Hunan Province 410128, China
| | - Yu-Ke Liu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, Hunan Province 410128, China
| | - Lei Liu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, Hunan Province 410128, China
| | - Guo-Hua Liu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, Hunan Province 410128, China.
| | - Tian-Yin Cheng
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, Hunan Province 410128, China.
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Abstract
Coxiella burnetii, the causative agent of query (Q) fever in humans, is an obligate intracellular bacterium. C. burnetii can naturally infect a broad range of host organisms (e.g., mammals and arthropods) and cell types. This amphotropic nature of C. burnetii, in combination with its ability to utilize both glycolytic and gluconeogenic carbon sources, suggests that the pathogen relies on metabolic plasticity to replicate in nutritionally diverse intracellular environments. To test the significance of metabolic plasticity in C. burnetii host cell colonization, C. burnetii intracellular replication in seven distinct cell lines was compared between a metabolically competent parental strain and a mutant, CbΔpckA, unable to undergo gluconeogenesis. Both the parental strain and CbΔpckA mutant exhibited host cell-dependent infection phenotypes, which were influenced by alterations to host glycolytic or gluconeogenic substrate availability. Because the nutritional environment directly impacts host cell physiology, our analysis was extended to investigate the response of C. burnetii replication in mammalian host cells cultivated in a novel physiological medium based on the nutrient composition of mammalian interstitial fluid, interstitial fluid-modeled medium (IFmM). An infection model based on IFmM resulted in exacerbation of a replication defect exhibited by the CbΔpckA mutant in specific cell lines. The CbΔpckA mutant was also attenuated during infection of an animal host. Overall, the study underscores that gluconeogenic capacity aids C. burnetii amphotropism and that the amphotropic nature of C. burnetii should be considered when resolving virulence mechanisms in this pathogen.
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Drážovská M, Prokeš M, Vojtek B, Mojžišová J, Ondrejková A, Korytár Ľ. First serological record of Coxiella burnetii infection in the equine population of Slovakia. Biologia (Bratisl) 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s11756-021-00898-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
AbstractCoxiella burnetii is a worldwide zoonotic pathogen causing Q fever in various animal species and humans. In Slovakia, cases of C. burnetii infection in both animals and humans are confirmed every year. The role of horses in the epidemiology of this neglected disease is still unclear. In our study, we focused on a serosurvey of C. burnetii in the equine population in Slovakia by the ELISA method. Subsequently, a nested PCR was performed to detect the 16S rRNA fragment of the genus Coxiella. Among 184 horse sera, the presence of specific antibodies to C. burnetii was detected in four samples, representing a 2.17% seropositivity. All the positive horses were mares; two originated from Central Slovakia and two from Eastern Slovakia. Although the number of positive samples was too small for a determination of statistical significance, our results provide the first confirmation of antibodies to C. burnetii in horses from Slovakia. Although no positive PCR result was obtained, these serological findings may help to clarify the circulation of the pathogen in the environment.
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Yoo JR, Kim MS, Heo ST, Oh HJ, Oh JH, Ko SY, Kang JH, Lee SK, Jeong WS, Seong GM, Lee HJ, Kang CH, Moon JH, Lee KH, Song SW. Seroreactivity to Coxiella burnetii in an Agricultural Population and Prevalence of Coxiella burnetii Infection in Ticks of a Non-Endemic Region for Q Fever in South Korea. Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10101337. [PMID: 34684286 PMCID: PMC8538241 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10101337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2021] [Revised: 09/25/2021] [Accepted: 10/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Coxiella burnetii infects humans and wild and domesticated animals. Although reported cases on Jeju Island, off the coast of South Korea, are rare, the region is considered to have a high potential for Q fever. We investigated the seroprevalence of antibodies to C. burnetii in 230 farmers living in ten rural areas on Jeju Island between January 2015 and December 2019. Blood samples were collected and examined for C. burnetii Phase I/II IgM and IgG antibodies. Trained researchers collected ticks from rural areas. Clone XCP-1 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing was performed to identify Coxiella species from the collected ticks. The overall seroprevalence of antibodies to C. burnetii in farmers was 35.7%. The seroprevalence was significantly higher in fruit farmers. Of the collected ticks, 5.4% (19/351) of the Haemaphysalis longicornis ticks harbored C. burnetti. A high seroprevalence of antibodies to C. burnetii was observed in this region of Jeju Island, confirming that C. burnetti is endemic. Physicians should thus consider Q fever in the differential diagnosis of patients that present with acute fever after participating in outdoor activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeong-Rae Yoo
- Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Jeju National University, Jeju 63241, Korea; (J.-R.Y.); (S.-T.H.); (W.-S.J.); (G.-M.S.)
- Center for Farmers’ Safety and Health, Jeju National University Hospital, Jeju 63241, Korea; (J.-H.O.); (S.-Y.K.); (J.-H.K.); (S.-K.L.); (H.-J.L.); (C.-H.K.); (J.-H.M.)
| | - Mi-Sun Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, Jeju National University Hospital, Jeju 63241, Korea; (M.-S.K.); (H.-J.O.)
| | - Sang-Taek Heo
- Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Jeju National University, Jeju 63241, Korea; (J.-R.Y.); (S.-T.H.); (W.-S.J.); (G.-M.S.)
- Center for Farmers’ Safety and Health, Jeju National University Hospital, Jeju 63241, Korea; (J.-H.O.); (S.-Y.K.); (J.-H.K.); (S.-K.L.); (H.-J.L.); (C.-H.K.); (J.-H.M.)
| | - Hyun-Joo Oh
- Department of Internal Medicine, Jeju National University Hospital, Jeju 63241, Korea; (M.-S.K.); (H.-J.O.)
| | - Jung-Hwan Oh
- Center for Farmers’ Safety and Health, Jeju National University Hospital, Jeju 63241, Korea; (J.-H.O.); (S.-Y.K.); (J.-H.K.); (S.-K.L.); (H.-J.L.); (C.-H.K.); (J.-H.M.)
- Department of Neurology, College of Medicine, Jeju National University, Jeju 63241, Korea
| | - Seo-Young Ko
- Center for Farmers’ Safety and Health, Jeju National University Hospital, Jeju 63241, Korea; (J.-H.O.); (S.-Y.K.); (J.-H.K.); (S.-K.L.); (H.-J.L.); (C.-H.K.); (J.-H.M.)
- Department of Emergency Medicine, College of Medicine, Jeju National University, Jeju 63241, Korea
| | - Jeong-Ho Kang
- Center for Farmers’ Safety and Health, Jeju National University Hospital, Jeju 63241, Korea; (J.-H.O.); (S.-Y.K.); (J.-H.K.); (S.-K.L.); (H.-J.L.); (C.-H.K.); (J.-H.M.)
- Department of Emergency Medicine, College of Medicine, Jeju National University, Jeju 63241, Korea
| | - Sung-Kgun Lee
- Center for Farmers’ Safety and Health, Jeju National University Hospital, Jeju 63241, Korea; (J.-H.O.); (S.-Y.K.); (J.-H.K.); (S.-K.L.); (H.-J.L.); (C.-H.K.); (J.-H.M.)
- Department of Emergency Medicine, College of Medicine, Jeju National University, Jeju 63241, Korea
| | - Woo-Seong Jeong
- Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Jeju National University, Jeju 63241, Korea; (J.-R.Y.); (S.-T.H.); (W.-S.J.); (G.-M.S.)
- Center for Farmers’ Safety and Health, Jeju National University Hospital, Jeju 63241, Korea; (J.-H.O.); (S.-Y.K.); (J.-H.K.); (S.-K.L.); (H.-J.L.); (C.-H.K.); (J.-H.M.)
| | - Gil-Myeong Seong
- Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Jeju National University, Jeju 63241, Korea; (J.-R.Y.); (S.-T.H.); (W.-S.J.); (G.-M.S.)
- Center for Farmers’ Safety and Health, Jeju National University Hospital, Jeju 63241, Korea; (J.-H.O.); (S.-Y.K.); (J.-H.K.); (S.-K.L.); (H.-J.L.); (C.-H.K.); (J.-H.M.)
| | - Hyun-Jung Lee
- Center for Farmers’ Safety and Health, Jeju National University Hospital, Jeju 63241, Korea; (J.-H.O.); (S.-Y.K.); (J.-H.K.); (S.-K.L.); (H.-J.L.); (C.-H.K.); (J.-H.M.)
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Jeju National University Hospital, Jeju 63241, Korea
| | - Chul-Hoo Kang
- Center for Farmers’ Safety and Health, Jeju National University Hospital, Jeju 63241, Korea; (J.-H.O.); (S.-Y.K.); (J.-H.K.); (S.-K.L.); (H.-J.L.); (C.-H.K.); (J.-H.M.)
- Department of Neurology, Jeju National University Hospital, Jeju 63241, Korea
| | - Ji-Hyun Moon
- Center for Farmers’ Safety and Health, Jeju National University Hospital, Jeju 63241, Korea; (J.-H.O.); (S.-Y.K.); (J.-H.K.); (S.-K.L.); (H.-J.L.); (C.-H.K.); (J.-H.M.)
- Department of Family Medicine, College of Medicine, Jeju National University, Jeju 63241, Korea
| | - Keun-Hwa Lee
- Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, Hanyang University, Seoul 04763, Korea;
| | - Sung-Wook Song
- Center for Farmers’ Safety and Health, Jeju National University Hospital, Jeju 63241, Korea; (J.-H.O.); (S.-Y.K.); (J.-H.K.); (S.-K.L.); (H.-J.L.); (C.-H.K.); (J.-H.M.)
- Department of Emergency Medicine, College of Medicine, Jeju National University, Jeju 63241, Korea
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +82-64-717-2833
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Diouf FS, Ndiaye EHI, Hammoud A, Diamanka A, Bassene H, Ndiaye M, Mediannikov O, Parola P, Raoult D, Sokhna C, Diatta G. Detection of Coxiella burnetii and Borrelia spp. DNA in Cutaneous Samples and in Household Dust in Rural Areas, Senegal. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2021; 21:659-666. [PMID: 34534024 DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2020.2723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Q fever and tick-borne borreliosis are two zoonotic diseases rarely diagnosed in Senegalese health facilities, particularly in rural areas. Our study aims to better understand the circulation of Coxiella burnetii and Borrelia spp. DNA on human skin and the domestic environment in rural areas. Cutaneous swabs were taken from febrile patients being treated for borreliosis and/or Q fever, the members of patients' households and control households in the Niakhar area. Dust samples were also collected from 90 households where 54 cases of borreliosis and Q fever were reported as well as from the households of members of control populations in Dielmo, Ndiop, and Niakhar. C. burnetii and Borrelia spp. DNA were detected by quantitative PCR in cutaneous swabs and dust samples targeting spacers IS1111_IS30A and Bor 16S gene. Of 1365 persons tested, 76 were shown to carry C. burnetii, 13 Borrelia spp., and 6 were identified as carrying both C. burnetii and Borrelia spp. The prevalence of Borrelia spp. DNA in households was 16.7% in Dielmo, 6.7% in Ndiop, and 23.3% in all other villages in the Niakhar area, and the presence of C. burnetii in the same localities was 10%, 13.3% and 66.7%, respectively. Furthermore, C. burnetii genotyping identified the presence of Multispacer Sequence Typing group 6. These results revealed for the first time the carriage on the skin of C. burnetii and Borrelia spp. DNA in humans and its wide distribution across households. Our findings suggest that many populations are exposed to these diseases, with frequent contaminating cases of infectious origin arising from the domestic environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatou Samba Diouf
- Unité Mixe de Recherche Vecteurs-Infections Tropicales et Méditerranéennes (VITROME), Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD), Campus International de Recherche IRD-UCAD Hann, Dakar, Senegal
| | - El Hadji Ibrahima Ndiaye
- Unité Mixe de Recherche Vecteurs-Infections Tropicales et Méditerranéennes (VITROME), Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD), Campus International de Recherche IRD-UCAD Hann, Dakar, Senegal
| | - Alissa Hammoud
- Aix-Marseille Université, IRD, APHM, MEPHI, Marseille, France.,IHU Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
| | - Arfang Diamanka
- Laboratoire de Parasitologie Générale, Département de Biologie Animale, Faculté des Sciences et Techniques (FST), Université Cheikh Anta Diop (UCAD) de Dakar, Dakar, Senegal
| | - Hubert Bassene
- Unité Mixe de Recherche Vecteurs-Infections Tropicales et Méditerranéennes (VITROME), Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD), Campus International de Recherche IRD-UCAD Hann, Dakar, Senegal
| | - Mady Ndiaye
- Laboratoire d'Entomologie, Bactériologie, Rickettsiologie, Virologie, Département de Biologie Animale, FST, UCAD de Dakar, Dakar, Senegal
| | - Oleg Mediannikov
- Aix-Marseille Université, IRD, APHM, MEPHI, Marseille, France.,IHU Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
| | - Philippe Parola
- IHU Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France.,Aix-Marseille Université, IRD, APHM, SSA, VITROME, Marseille, France
| | - Didier Raoult
- Aix-Marseille Université, IRD, APHM, MEPHI, Marseille, France.,IHU Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
| | - Cheikh Sokhna
- IHU Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France.,Aix-Marseille Université, IRD, APHM, SSA, VITROME, Marseille, France
| | - Georges Diatta
- Unité Mixe de Recherche Vecteurs-Infections Tropicales et Méditerranéennes (VITROME), Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD), Campus International de Recherche IRD-UCAD Hann, Dakar, Senegal.,Aix-Marseille Université, IRD, APHM, SSA, VITROME, Marseille, France
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Miller HK, Priestley RA, Kersh GJ. Q Fever: A troubling disease and a challenging diagnosis. CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY NEWSLETTER 2021; 43:109-118. [PMID: 37701818 PMCID: PMC10493821 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinmicnews.2021.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/14/2023]
Abstract
Q fever is a disease caused by the bacterial pathogen Coxiella burnetii. This hardy organism can easily spread long distances in the wind, and only a few infectious aerosolized particles are necessary to cause serious illness. Presentations of Q fever disease can be wide-ranging, allowing it to masquerade as other illnesses and highlight the importance of laboratory testing for diagnosis and treatment. This review summarizes Q fever's epidemiology and clinical presentations and presents classical laboratory diagnostic assays and novel approaches to detecting this troubling disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Halie K. Miller
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
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Castillo-Contreras R, Magen L, Birtles R, Varela-Castro L, Hall JL, Conejero C, Aguilar XF, Colom-Cadena A, Lavín S, Mentaberre G, López-Olvera JR. Ticks on wild boar in the metropolitan area of Barcelona (Spain) are infected with spotted fever group rickettsiae. Transbound Emerg Dis 2021; 69:e82-e95. [PMID: 34331835 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.14268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2020] [Accepted: 07/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Tick-borne pathogens (TBPs) constitute an emerging public health concern favoured by multidimensional global changes. Amongst these, increase and spread of wild boar (Sus scrofa) populations are of special concern since this species can act as a reservoir of zoonotic pathogens and promote tick abundance. Thus, we aimed to make a first assessment of the risk by TBPs resulting from wild boar and ticks in the vicinity of a highly populated area. Between 2014 and 2016, we collected spleen samples and 2256 ticks from 261 wild boars (out of 438 inspected) in the metropolitan area of Barcelona (MAB; northeast Spain). We morphologically identified four tick species: Hyalomma lusitanicum (infestation prevalence: 33.6%), Dermacentor marginatus (26.9%), Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato (18.9%) and R. bursa (0.2%). Ticks were pooled according to species and individual host. A total of 180 tick pools and 167 spleen samples were screened by real-time PCR and/or reverse line blot hybridization assay for Ehrlichia sp., Anaplasma sp., Babesia sp., Rickettsia sp., Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato and Coxiella burnetii. Seventy-two out of the 180 tick pools were positive to Rickettsia spp. (minimum prevalence of 8.7%), including Rickettsia massiliae, R. slovaca and R. raoultii. We did not detect Rickettsia spp. in wild boar spleens nor other TBPs in ticks or wild boars. Since the ticks identified can bite humans, and the recorded spotted fever group (SFG) rickettsiae are zoonotic pathogens, there is a risk of SFG rickettsiae transmission for MAB inhabitants. Our results suggest a broader distribution of H. lusitanicum, competent vector for the Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever virus than previously known. Wild boar is not a Rickettsia spp. reservoir according to the spleen negative results. However, its abundance could favour tick life cycle and abundance, and its proximity to humans could promote the infection risk by Rickettsia spp.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raquel Castillo-Contreras
- Wildlife Ecology & Health group and Servei d'Ecopatologia de Fauna Salvatge, Departament de Medicina i Cirurgia Animals, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Luis Magen
- Wildlife Ecology & Health group and Servei d'Ecopatologia de Fauna Salvatge, Departament de Medicina i Cirurgia Animals, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Richard Birtles
- University of Salford Tick Infections Group, School of Environment and Life Sciences, University of Salford, Salford, UK
| | - Lucía Varela-Castro
- Wildlife Ecology & Health group and Servei d'Ecopatologia de Fauna Salvatge, Departament de Medicina i Cirurgia Animals, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jessica L Hall
- University of Salford Tick Infections Group, School of Environment and Life Sciences, University of Salford, Salford, UK
| | - Carles Conejero
- Wildlife Ecology & Health group and Servei d'Ecopatologia de Fauna Salvatge, Departament de Medicina i Cirurgia Animals, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Xavier Fernandez Aguilar
- Wildlife Ecology & Health group and Servei d'Ecopatologia de Fauna Salvatge, Departament de Medicina i Cirurgia Animals, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Andreu Colom-Cadena
- Wildlife Ecology & Health group and Servei d'Ecopatologia de Fauna Salvatge, Departament de Medicina i Cirurgia Animals, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Santiago Lavín
- Wildlife Ecology & Health group and Servei d'Ecopatologia de Fauna Salvatge, Departament de Medicina i Cirurgia Animals, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Gregorio Mentaberre
- Wildlife Ecology & Health group and Servei d'Ecopatologia de Fauna Salvatge, Departament de Medicina i Cirurgia Animals, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain.,Wildlife Ecology & Health group and Departament de Ciència Animal, Escola Tècnica Superior d'Enginyeria Agraria, Universitat de Lleida, Lleida, Spain
| | - Jorge R López-Olvera
- Wildlife Ecology & Health group and Servei d'Ecopatologia de Fauna Salvatge, Departament de Medicina i Cirurgia Animals, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
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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: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [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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Špitalská E, Boldišová E, Palkovičová K, Sekeyová Z, Škultéty Ľ. Case studies of rickettsiosis, anaplasmosis and Q fever in Slovak population from 2011 to 2020. Biologia (Bratisl) 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s11756-021-00838-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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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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