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Zubriková D, Blaňarová L, Hrkľová G, Syrota Y, Macko J, Blahútová D, Blažeková V, Stanko M, Švirlochová K, Víchová B. The Impact of Altitude on Tick-Borne Pathogens at Two Mountain Ranges in Central Slovakia. Pathogens 2024; 13:586. [PMID: 39057813 PMCID: PMC11279755 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens13070586] [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: 06/19/2024] [Revised: 07/09/2024] [Accepted: 07/12/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Ticks are ectoparasites of a wide range of animals and are important vectors of numerous pathogens affecting humans, livestock, and pets. This study investigates possible correlations between selected factors, altitude, soil pH, and a factor called 'amount' (number of ticks examined in pooled samples) on the occurrence of I. ricinus ticks positive for selected tick-borne microorganisms. Questing I. ricinus ticks were collected in 2016 and 2017 across various altitudes, at two mountain ranges in central Slovakia. Tick pools were screened for the presence of Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (Bbsl), Babesia/Theileria spp., Rickettsia spp., and tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) using molecular methods. Regression analysis was employed to evaluate relationships between selected factors and the occurrence of vector-borne microorganisms. This study revealed a statistically significant influence of altitude on the occurrence of A. phagocytophilum; increasing altitude of the sampling site was associated with increased probability of pathogen occurrence. For Babesia/Theileria spp., neither altitude nor soil pH significantly affected pathogen occurrence. The occurrence of Bbsl was notably impacted by both altitude and soil pH; higher altitudes were associated with a decreased probability of pathogen presence, whereas higher soil pH increased the likelihood of pathogen occurrence. The presence of Rickettsia in a pooled sample was not affected by altitude and soil pH, but the 'amount' factor was a significant predictor, increasing the probability of pathogen detection. Neither altitude nor soil pH had a significant impact on TBEV occurrence. The regression models showed moderate goodness-of-fit levels to the data, underscoring their utility in examining the role of altitude and soil pH on pathogen occurrence. However, they explained only a small portion of the overall variance in pathogen occurrence, indicating the presence of other significant factors not covered in this study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dana Zubriková
- Institute of Parasitology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Hlinkova 3, 040 01 Košice, Slovakia (Y.S.)
| | - Lucia Blaňarová
- Institute of Parasitology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Hlinkova 3, 040 01 Košice, Slovakia (Y.S.)
| | - Gabriela Hrkľová
- Department of Biology and Ecology, Catholic University in Ružomberok, Hrabovská Cesta 1A, 034 01 Ružomberok, Slovakia
| | - Yaroslav Syrota
- Institute of Parasitology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Hlinkova 3, 040 01 Košice, Slovakia (Y.S.)
- I. I. Schmalhausen Institute of Zoology NAS of Ukraine, Bogdan Khmelnytsky Street, 15, 01054 Kyiv, Ukraine
| | - Jozef Macko
- Department of Biology and Ecology, Catholic University in Ružomberok, Hrabovská Cesta 1A, 034 01 Ružomberok, Slovakia
| | - Dana Blahútová
- Department of Biology and Ecology, Catholic University in Ružomberok, Hrabovská Cesta 1A, 034 01 Ružomberok, Slovakia
| | - Veronika Blažeková
- Institute of Parasitology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Hlinkova 3, 040 01 Košice, Slovakia (Y.S.)
- Department of Epizootiology, Parasitology and Protection of One Health, University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy in Košice, Komenského 73, 041 81 Košice, Slovakia
| | - Michal Stanko
- Institute of Parasitology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Hlinkova 3, 040 01 Košice, Slovakia (Y.S.)
- Institute of Zoology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dúbravská Cesta 9, 845 06 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Klaudia Švirlochová
- Institute of Parasitology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Hlinkova 3, 040 01 Košice, Slovakia (Y.S.)
| | - Bronislava Víchová
- Institute of Parasitology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Hlinkova 3, 040 01 Košice, Slovakia (Y.S.)
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Fernandes NNU, Jorge FR, Costa VMD, Rodrigues AKPP, Magalhães MML, Junior RSL, Braz GF, Cavalcante FRA, de Azevedo Serpa MC, Martins TF, Muñoz-Leal S, Labruna MB, Teixeira BM. Evaluating the circulation of Ehrlichia canis and Rickettsia spp. in domestic dogs from a semiarid region in Brazil. Vet Parasitol Reg Stud Reports 2024; 52:101041. [PMID: 38880564 DOI: 10.1016/j.vprsr.2024.101041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2023] [Revised: 05/03/2024] [Accepted: 05/17/2024] [Indexed: 06/18/2024]
Abstract
Tick-borne diseases are important for animal and human health, because they can cause death if not diagnosed and treated early. Canine monocytic ehrlichiosis (CME) can cause high morbidity in dog populations. Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF) is among the most virulent infectious in humans; dogs are also susceptible to infection. The aims of this study were to evaluate the presence of Ehrlichia canis and Rickettsia spp. infections in domestic dogs, and to identify tick species parasitizing dogs among urban areas of two municipalities (Sobral and Alcântaras) in the Ceará State, Northeastern Brazil. A total of 208 domiciled dogs was sampled. After clinical evaluation, blood samples and ticks were collected and submitted to Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) targeting E. canis DNA. Serum samples were screened by Indirect Immunofluorescence Assays (IFA) for antibodies against different strains of Rickettsia spp. previously recognized in Brazil. The results of this study indicate the molecular detection of E. canis in the state of Ceará, Brazil, where the proportion of canine infection in Sobral (9.9%) was higher than in Alcântaras (5.6%). Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato was the prevalent tick species infesting the dogs in both municipalities (43.5 and 53.3%, respectively). Our serological results indicate that dogs of the study area were at low risk of exposure to these tick-borne Rickettsia spp. of the spotted fever group. Our study offers epidemiological data of these diseases to better understanding Rickettsiales epidemic and enzootic cycles in the Brazilian semiarid region, improving prevention and control measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naiani Nara Uchôa Fernandes
- Núcleo de Estudo e Pesquisa em Animais Silvestres - NEPAS, Mestrado em Biotecnologia - Centro Universitário INTA - UNINTA, Rua José Lopes Ponte, 359 - Dom Expedito, Sobral, Ceará, CEP: 60.050-100, Brazil
| | - Felipe Rodrigues Jorge
- Núcleo de Estudo e Pesquisa em Animais Silvestres - NEPAS, Mestrado em Biotecnologia - Centro Universitário INTA - UNINTA, Rua José Lopes Ponte, 359 - Dom Expedito, Sobral, Ceará, CEP: 60.050-100, Brazil
| | - Viviane Maria Dias Costa
- Núcleo de Estudo e Pesquisa em Animais Silvestres - NEPAS, Mestrado em Biotecnologia - Centro Universitário INTA - UNINTA, Rua José Lopes Ponte, 359 - Dom Expedito, Sobral, Ceará, CEP: 60.050-100, Brazil
| | - Ana Kétylla Ponte Prado Rodrigues
- Núcleo de Estudo e Pesquisa em Animais Silvestres - NEPAS, Mestrado em Biotecnologia - Centro Universitário INTA - UNINTA, Rua José Lopes Ponte, 359 - Dom Expedito, Sobral, Ceará, CEP: 60.050-100, Brazil
| | - Meylling Mayara Linhares Magalhães
- Núcleo de Estudo e Pesquisa em Animais Silvestres - NEPAS, Mestrado em Biotecnologia - Centro Universitário INTA - UNINTA, Rua José Lopes Ponte, 359 - Dom Expedito, Sobral, Ceará, CEP: 60.050-100, Brazil
| | - Romilson Silva Lopes Junior
- Núcleo de Estudo e Pesquisa em Animais Silvestres - NEPAS, Mestrado em Biotecnologia - Centro Universitário INTA - UNINTA, Rua José Lopes Ponte, 359 - Dom Expedito, Sobral, Ceará, CEP: 60.050-100, Brazil
| | - Gissandra Farias Braz
- Núcleo de Estudo e Pesquisa em Animais Silvestres - NEPAS, Mestrado em Biotecnologia - Centro Universitário INTA - UNINTA, Rua José Lopes Ponte, 359 - Dom Expedito, Sobral, Ceará, CEP: 60.050-100, Brazil
| | - Francisco Roger Aguiar Cavalcante
- Núcleo de Estudo e Pesquisa em Animais Silvestres - NEPAS, Mestrado em Biotecnologia - Centro Universitário INTA - UNINTA, Rua José Lopes Ponte, 359 - Dom Expedito, Sobral, Ceará, CEP: 60.050-100, Brazil
| | - Maria Carolina de Azevedo Serpa
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Prof. Orlando Marques de Paiva, 87, Cidade Universitária, São Paulo, SP, CEP: 05508-270, Brazil
| | - Thiago Fernandes Martins
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Prof. Orlando Marques de Paiva, 87, Cidade Universitária, São Paulo, SP, CEP: 05508-270, Brazil
| | - Sebastian Muñoz-Leal
- Departamento de Ciencia Animal, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad de Concepción, Av. Vicente Méndez 595, Casilla 537, Chillán, Ñuble, Chile
| | - Marcelo Bahia Labruna
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Prof. Orlando Marques de Paiva, 87, Cidade Universitária, São Paulo, SP, CEP: 05508-270, Brazil
| | - Bruno Marques Teixeira
- Núcleo de Estudo e Pesquisa em Animais Silvestres - NEPAS, Mestrado em Biotecnologia - Centro Universitário INTA - UNINTA, Rua José Lopes Ponte, 359 - Dom Expedito, Sobral, Ceará, CEP: 60.050-100, Brazil.
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Martins-Filho PR, Góes MADO, Sá SLCS, Teles RDCCC, Cavalcante TF, Carneiro MSDS, Bezerra GVB, Sena LOC, Moura KD, Teixeira DCP, Santos VS, Dos Santos CA. First autochthonous case of spotted fever in Sergipe State, Northeast Brazil. Travel Med Infect Dis 2023; 55:102640. [PMID: 37673130 DOI: 10.1016/j.tmaid.2023.102640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 09/03/2023] [Indexed: 09/08/2023]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Marco Aurélio de Oliveira Góes
- Epidemiological Surveillance, State Health Department, Government of Sergipe State, Aracaju, SE, Brazil; Department of Medicine, Federal University of Sergipe, Lagarto, SE, Brazil
| | | | | | - Taise Ferreira Cavalcante
- Investigative Pathology Laboratory, Federal University of Sergipe, Aracaju, SE, Brazil; Epidemiological Surveillance, Municipal Health Department, Aracaju, SE, Brazil
| | | | | | | | - Karine Dantas Moura
- Central Laboratory of Public Health (LACEN/SE), Government of Sergipe State, Aracaju, SE, Brazil
| | | | | | - Cliomar Alves Dos Santos
- Central Laboratory of Public Health (LACEN/SE), Government of Sergipe State, Aracaju, SE, Brazil
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Stanko M, Derdáková M, Špitalská E, Kazimírová M. Ticks and their epidemiological role in Slovakia: from the past till present. Biologia (Bratisl) 2021; 77:1575-1610. [PMID: 34548672 PMCID: PMC8446484 DOI: 10.1007/s11756-021-00845-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2021] [Accepted: 07/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
In Slovakia, 22 tick species have been found to occur to date. Among them, Ixodes ricinus, Dermacentor reticulatus, D. marginatus and marginally Haemaphysalis concinna, H. inermis and H. punctata have been identified as the species of public health relevance. Ticks in Slovakia were found to harbour and transmit zoonotic and/or potentially zoonotic agents such as tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV), spirochaetes of the Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (s.l.) complex, the relapsing fever sprirochaete Borrelia miyamotoi, bacteria belonging to the orders Rickettsiales (Rickettsia spp., Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Neoehrlichia mikurensis), Legionellales (Coxiella burnetii), and Thiotrichales (Francisella tularensis), and Babesia spp. parasites (order Piroplasmida). Ixodes ricinus is the principal vector of the largest variety of microorganisms including viruses, bacteria and piroplasms. TBEV, B. burgdorferi s.l., rickettsiae of the spotted fever group, C. burnetii and F. tularensis have been found to cause serious diseases in humans, whereas B. miyamotoi, A. phagocytophilum, N. mikurensis, Babesia microti, and B. venatorum pose lower or potential risk to humans. Distribution of TBEV has a focal character. During the last few decades, new tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) foci and their spread to new areas have been registered and TBE incidence rates have increased. Moreover, Slovakia reports the highest rates of alimentary TBE infections among the European countries. Lyme borreliosis (LB) spirochaetes are spread throughout the distribution range of I. ricinus. Incidence rates of LB have shown a slightly increasing trend since 2010. Only a few sporadic cases of human rickettsiosis, anaplasmosis and babesiosis have been confirmed thus far in Slovakia. The latest large outbreaks of Q fever and tularaemia were recorded in 1993 and 1967, respectively. Since then, a few human cases of Q fever have been reported almost each year. Changes in the epidemiological characteristics and clinical forms of tularaemia have been observed during the last few decades. Global changes and development of modern molecular tools led to the discovery and identification of emerging or new tick-borne microorganisms and symbionts with unknown zoonotic potential. In this review, we provide a historical overview of research on ticks and tick-borne pathogens in Slovakia with the most important milestones and recent findings, and outline future directions in the investigation of ticks as ectoparasites and vectors of zoonotic agents and in the study of tick-borne diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michal Stanko
- Institute of Parasitology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Košice, Slovakia
- Institute of Zoology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dúbravská cesta 9, 845 06 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Markéta Derdáková
- Institute of Zoology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dúbravská cesta 9, 845 06 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Eva Špitalská
- Institute of Virology, Biomedical Research Center, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Mária Kazimírová
- Institute of Zoology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dúbravská cesta 9, 845 06 Bratislava, Slovakia
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Sekeyová Z, Danchenko M, Filipčík P, Fournier PE. Rickettsial infections of the central nervous system. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2019; 13:e0007469. [PMID: 31465452 PMCID: PMC6715168 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0007469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
As a result of migrations and globalization, people may face a possible increase in the incidence of central nervous system rickettsial infections (CNS R). These diseases, caused by Rickettsia species and transmitted to humans by arthropod bites, are putatively lethal. However, the diagnosis of CNS R is challenging and often delayed due to their nonspecific clinical presentation and the strict intracellular nature of rickettsiae. Furthermore, transfer of rickettsiae to the brain parenchyma is not yet understood. The aim of this review is to analyze and summarize the features and correlated findings of CNS R in order to focus attention on these intriguing but frequently neglected illnesses. We also incorporated data on CNS infections caused by Rickettsia-related microorganisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zuzana Sekeyová
- Institute of Virology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dubravska cesta, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Monika Danchenko
- Institute of Virology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dubravska cesta, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Peter Filipčík
- Institute of Neuroimmunology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dubravska cesta, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Pierre Edouard Fournier
- Aix-Marseille Univ, IRD, AP-HM, SSA, VITROME, IHU Mediterranée-Infection, Marseille, France
- Centre National de Référence des Rickettsia, Coxiella et Bartonella, IHU Mediterranée-Infection, Marseille, France
- * E-mail:
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