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Chao LL, Chen TH, Shih CM. First zootiological survey of Amblyomma geoemydae ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) infesting a wild turtle (Cuora flavomarginata) in northern Taiwan. EXPERIMENTAL & APPLIED ACAROLOGY 2022; 88:349-359. [PMID: 36308607 DOI: 10.1007/s10493-022-00758-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2022] [Accepted: 10/18/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The prevalence of Amblyomma geoemydae infesting yellow-margined box turtle (Cuora flavomarginata) was determined for the first time in northern Taiwan. In total, 352 ticks (140 adults, 61 nymphs and 151 larvae) were collected from 56 yellow-margined box turtles. The overall infestation was observed with an average density of 6.3 ticks per turtle and the highest seasonal prevalence was observed on March with an average tick density of 14.3 ticks per turtle. The higher seasonal prevalence was observed on April, May, July and October with an average density of 4.8, 8.3, 5.7 and 8.5 ticks per turtle, respectively. The seasonal activity of these turtles may contribute to the variation in the number of collected ticks. The genetic identity was determined by comparing the sequences of ITS2 genes obtained from seven Taiwan species of A. geoemydae and nine other species representing eight Amblyomma species and Ixodes persulcatus as outgroup. Our results provide the first zootiological survey of A. geoemydae infesting wild turtles in northern Taiwan and highlight the importance of this tick species in the study of parasite dynamics on testudines in Taiwan. Further study focused on the seasonality pattern of turtle ticks will help reveal the ecology of this host-parasite system and its impact on animal/human health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li-Lian Chao
- M.Sc. Program in Tropical Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, 807, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Tien-Hsi Chen
- Institute of Wildlife Conservation, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Chien-Ming Shih
- M.Sc. Program in Tropical Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, 807, Taiwan, ROC.
- Department of Medical Research, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, ROC.
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2
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Mohamed WMA, Moustafa MAM, Thu MJ, Kakisaka K, Chatanga E, Ogata S, Hayashi N, Taya Y, Ohari Y, Naguib D, Qiu Y, Matsuno K, Bawm S, Htun LL, Barker SC, Katakura K, Ito K, Nonaka N, Nakao R. Comparative mitogenomics elucidates the population genetic structure of Amblyomma testudinarium in Japan and a closely related Amblyomma species in Myanmar. Evol Appl 2022; 15:1062-1078. [PMID: 35899249 PMCID: PMC9309438 DOI: 10.1111/eva.13426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2022] [Revised: 04/27/2022] [Accepted: 05/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Ticks are the second most important vector capable of transmitting diseases affecting the health of both humans and animals. Amblyomma testudinarium Koch 1844 (Acari: Ixodidae), is a hard tick species having a wide geographic distribution in Asia. In this study, we analyzed the composition of A. testudinarium whole mitogenomes from various geographical regions in Japan and investigated the population structure, demographic patterns, and phylogeographic relationship with other ixodid species. In addition, we characterized a potentially novel tick species closely related to A. testudinarium from Myanmar. Phylogeographic inference and evolutionary dynamics based on the 15 mitochondrial coding genes supported that A. testudinarium population in Japan is resolved into a star-like haplogroup and suggested a distinct population structure of A. testudinarium from Amami island in Kyushu region. Correlation analysis using Mantel test statistics showed that no significant correlation was observed between the genetic and geographic distances calculated between the A. testudinarium population from different localities in Japan. Finally, demographic analyses, including mismatch analysis and Tajima's D test, suggested a possibility of recent population expansion occurred within Japanese haplogroup after a bottleneck event. Although A. testudinarium has been considered widespread and common in East and Southeast Asia, the current study suggested that potentially several cryptic Amblyomma spp. closely related to A. testudinarium are present in Asia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wessam Mohamed Ahmed Mohamed
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Department of Disease Control, Faculty of Veterinary MedicineHokkaido UniversitySapporoJapan
- Division of Bioinformatics, International Institute for Zoonosis ControlHokkaido UniversitySapporoJapan
| | - Mohamed Abdallah Mohamed Moustafa
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Department of Disease Control, Faculty of Veterinary MedicineHokkaido UniversitySapporoJapan
- Department of Animal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary MedicineSouth Valley UniversityQenaEgypt
| | - May June Thu
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Department of Disease Control, Faculty of Veterinary MedicineHokkaido UniversitySapporoJapan
- Department of Food and Drug AdministrationMinistry of HealthNay Pyi TawMyanmar
| | - Keita Kakisaka
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Department of Disease Control, Faculty of Veterinary MedicineHokkaido UniversitySapporoJapan
| | - Elisha Chatanga
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Department of Disease Control, Faculty of Veterinary MedicineHokkaido UniversitySapporoJapan
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary MedicineLilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural ResourcesLilongweMalawi
| | - Shohei Ogata
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Department of Disease Control, Faculty of Veterinary MedicineHokkaido UniversitySapporoJapan
| | - Naoki Hayashi
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Department of Disease Control, Faculty of Veterinary MedicineHokkaido UniversitySapporoJapan
| | - Yurie Taya
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Department of Disease Control, Faculty of Veterinary MedicineHokkaido UniversitySapporoJapan
| | - Yuma Ohari
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Department of Disease Control, Faculty of Veterinary MedicineHokkaido UniversitySapporoJapan
| | - Doaa Naguib
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Department of Disease Control, Faculty of Veterinary MedicineHokkaido UniversitySapporoJapan
- Department of Hygiene and Zoonoses, Faculty of Veterinary MedicineMansoura UniversityMansouraEgypt
| | - Yongjin Qiu
- Division of International Research Promotion, International Institute for Zoonosis ControlHokkaido UniversitySapporoJapan
| | - Keita Matsuno
- Division of Risk Analysis and Management, International Institute for Zoonosis ControlHokkaido UniversitySapporoJapan
- International Collaboration Unit, International Institute for Zoonosis ControlHokkaido UniversitySapporoJapan
- One Health Research CenterHokkaido UniversitySapporoJapan
| | - Saw Bawm
- Department of International Relations and Information TechnologyUniversity of Veterinary ScienceNay Pyi TawMyanmar
- Department of Pharmacology and ParasitologyUniversity of Veterinary ScienceNay Pyi TawMyanmar
| | - Lat Lat Htun
- Department of Pharmacology and ParasitologyUniversity of Veterinary ScienceNay Pyi TawMyanmar
| | - Stephen C. Barker
- Department of Parasitology, School of Chemistry and Molecular BiosciencesThe University of QueenslandBrisbaneQueenslandAustralia
| | - Ken Katakura
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Department of Disease Control, Faculty of Veterinary MedicineHokkaido UniversitySapporoJapan
| | - Kimihito Ito
- Division of Bioinformatics, International Institute for Zoonosis ControlHokkaido UniversitySapporoJapan
| | - Nariaki Nonaka
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Department of Disease Control, Faculty of Veterinary MedicineHokkaido UniversitySapporoJapan
| | - Ryo Nakao
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Department of Disease Control, Faculty of Veterinary MedicineHokkaido UniversitySapporoJapan
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3
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Amarga AKS, Supsup CE, Tseng HY, Kwak ML, Lin SM. The Asian turtle tick Amblyomma geoemydae Cantor, 1847 (Acari: Ixodidae) in the Philippines: first confirmed local host and locality with a complete host index. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2022; 13:101958. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2022.101958] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2021] [Revised: 04/07/2022] [Accepted: 04/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Chao LL, Chen TH, Lien WC, Erazo E, Shih CM. Molecular and morphological identification of a reptile-associated tick, Amblyomma geoemydae (Acari: Ixodidae), infesting wild yellow-margined box turtles (Cuora flavomarginata) in northern Taiwan. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2022; 13:101901. [PMID: 35033814 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2022.101901] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2021] [Revised: 12/10/2021] [Accepted: 01/07/2022] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
The genetic identity and morphological features of a reptile-associated tick, Amblyomma geoemydae, were examined for the first time in Taiwan. The key morphological characters of male and female Am. geoemydae were photographed using a stereo microscope. The genetic identity was analyzed by comparing the 16S mitochondrial DNA gene sequences obtained from 11 Taiwan Am. geoemydae ticks with other Amblyomma species and three Ixodes species as outgroups. All the Taiwan specimens were genetically affiliated to a monophyletic group of Am. geoemydae and could be discriminated from other Amblyomma species. Our results provide the first distinguished colour figures and first genetic identification of adult Am. geoemydae ticks infesting turtles in Taiwan. The host range and vectorial capacity of Am. geoemydae for various tick-borne pathogens need to be further clarified in Taiwan.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li-Lian Chao
- M.Sc. Program in Tropical Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, R.O.C
| | - Tien-Hsi Chen
- Institute of Wildlife Conservation, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung, Taiwan, R.O.C
| | - Wei-Chih Lien
- Institute of Wildlife Conservation, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung, Taiwan, R.O.C
| | - Esmeralda Erazo
- M.Sc. Program in Tropical Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, R.O.C
| | - Chien-Ming Shih
- M.Sc. Program in Tropical Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, R.O.C.; Department of Medical Research, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, R.O.C..
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5
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Nakao R, Kasama K, Boldbaatar B, Ogura Y, Kawabata H, Toyoda A, Hayashi T, Takano A, Maeda K. The evolution of hard tick-borne relapsing fever borreliae is correlated with vector species rather than geographical distance. BMC Ecol Evol 2021; 21:105. [PMID: 34058972 PMCID: PMC8166147 DOI: 10.1186/s12862-021-01838-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2020] [Accepted: 05/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Relapsing fever (RF) borreliae are arthropod-borne spirochetes and some of them cause human diseases, which are characterized by relapsing or recurring episodes of fever. Recently, it has been classified into two groups: soft tick-borne RF (STRF) borreliae and hard tick-borne RF (HTRF) borreliae. STRF borreliae include classical RF agents and HTRF borreliae, the latter of which include B. miyamotoi, a human pathogen recently identified in Eurasia and North America. Results In this study, we determined the genome sequences of 16 HTRF borreliae strains: 15 B. miyamotoi strains (9 from Hokkaido Island, Japan, 3 from Honshu Island, Japan, and 3 from Mongolia) and a Borrelia sp. tHM16w. Chromosomal gene synteny was highly conserved among the HTRF strains sequenced in this study, even though they were isolated from different geographic regions and different tick species. Phylogenetic analysis based on core gene sequences revealed that HTRF and STRF borreliae are clearly distinguishable, with each forming a monophyletic group in the RF borreliae lineage. Moreover, the evolutionary relationships of RF borreliae are consistent with the biological and ecological features of each RF borreliae sublineage and can explain the unique characteristics of Borrelia anserina. In addition, the pairwise genetic distances between HTRF borreliae strains were well correlated with those of vector species rather than with the geographical distances between strain isolation sites. This result suggests that the genetic diversification of HTRF borreliae is attributed to the speciation of vector ticks and that this relationship might be required for efficient transmission of HTRF borreliae within vector ticks. Conclusions The results of the present study, together with those from previous investigations, support the hypothesis that the common ancestor of borreliae was transmitted by hard-bodied ticks and that only STRF borreliae switched to using soft-bodied ticks as a vector, which was followed by the emergence of Borrelia recurrentis, lice-borne RF borreliae. Our study clarifies the phylogenetic relationships between RF borreliae, and the data obtained will contribute to a better understanding of the evolutionary history of RF borreliae. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12862-021-01838-1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ranna Nakao
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Yamaguchi University, 1677-1 Yoshida, Yamaguchi City, Yamaguchi, 753-8515, Japan
| | - Kentaro Kasama
- Department of Bacteriology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka City, Fukuoka, 812-8582, Japan
| | - Bazartseren Boldbaatar
- Laboratory of Virology, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Mongolian University of Life Sciences, Zaisan, 17024, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
| | - Yoshitoshi Ogura
- Division of Microbiology, Department of Infectious Medicine, Kurume University School of Medicine, 67 Asahi-machi, Kurume City, Fukuoka, 830-0011, Japan
| | - Hiroki Kawabata
- Department of Bacteriology-I, National Institute of Infectious Disease, 1-23-1 Toyama, Shinjyuku-ku, Tokyo, 162-8640, Japan
| | - Atsushi Toyoda
- Department of Genomics and Evolutionary Biology, National Institute of Genetics, 1111 Yata, Mishima City, Shizuoka, 411-8540, Japan
| | - Tetsuya Hayashi
- Department of Bacteriology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka City, Fukuoka, 812-8582, Japan
| | - Ai Takano
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Yamaguchi University, 1677-1 Yoshida, Yamaguchi City, Yamaguchi, 753-8515, Japan. .,Joint Graduate School of Veterinary Medicine, Yamaguchi University, 1677-1 Yoshida, Yamaguchi, 753-8515, Japan.
| | - Ken Maeda
- Joint Graduate School of Veterinary Medicine, Yamaguchi University, 1677-1 Yoshida, Yamaguchi, 753-8515, Japan.,Department of Veterinary Science, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, 1-23-1 Toyama, Shinjyuku-ku, Tokyo, 162-8640, Japan
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6
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Kaenkan W, Nooma W, Chelong IA, Baimai V, Trinachartvanit W, Ahantarig A. Reptile-associated Borrelia spp. In Amblyomma ticks, Thailand. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2020; 11:101315. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2019.101315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2019] [Revised: 09/27/2019] [Accepted: 10/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
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7
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Remesar S, Díaz P, Venzal JM, Prieto A, Estrada-Peña A, López CM, Panadero R, Fernández G, Díez-Baños P, Morrondo P. Longitudinal Study of Infection with Borrelia spp. in Questing Ticks from North-Western Spain. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2019; 19:785-792. [DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2019.2442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Susana Remesar
- Departamento de Patología Animal (Grupo INVESAGA), Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Lugo, Spain
| | - Pablo Díaz
- Departamento de Patología Animal (Grupo INVESAGA), Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Lugo, Spain
| | - Jose Manuel Venzal
- Laboratorio de Vectores y Enfermedades Transmitidas, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de la República, CENUR Litoral Norte, Salto, Uruguay
| | - Alberto Prieto
- Departamento de Patología Animal (Grupo INVESAGA), Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Lugo, Spain
| | - Agustín Estrada-Peña
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Ceferino Manuel López
- Departamento de Patología Animal (Grupo INVESAGA), Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Lugo, Spain
| | - Rosario Panadero
- Departamento de Patología Animal (Grupo INVESAGA), Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Lugo, Spain
| | - Gonzalo Fernández
- Departamento de Patología Animal (Grupo INVESAGA), Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Lugo, Spain
| | - Pablo Díez-Baños
- Departamento de Patología Animal (Grupo INVESAGA), Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Lugo, Spain
| | - Patrocinio Morrondo
- Departamento de Patología Animal (Grupo INVESAGA), Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Lugo, Spain
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8
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Bilbija B, Auer M, Široký P. Long term persistence of introduced Amblyomma geoemydae tick population under indoor conditions in Austria. MEDICAL AND VETERINARY ENTOMOLOGY 2019; 33:317-321. [PMID: 30746727 DOI: 10.1111/mve.12361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2018] [Revised: 12/03/2018] [Accepted: 12/18/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
An indoor terrarium population of Amblyomma geoemydae was established subsequent to the import of a single yellow-marginated box turtle Cuora flavomarginata. This indoor tick population revealed an unexpected resistance against de-ticking trials, with persistence between 2010 and 2015, when the ticks were successfully eliminated. Ticks were collected from the bodies and shells of turtles, as well as from terraria soil. Species diagnosis of ticks was carried out according to distinguishable morphological characters and supported by molecular analysis using DNA-barcoding. Introduced exotic ticks are potential vectors of pathogens and can have an impact on wildlife, domestic animals and the human population. This case emphasizes the need for sharp surveillance and control measures on imported reptiles.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Bilbija
- Faculty of Veterinary Hygiene and Ecology, Department of Biology and Wildlife Diseases, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences Brno, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - M Auer
- Senckenberg Natural History Collections Dresden, Museum of Zoology, Dresden, Germany
| | - P Široký
- Faculty of Veterinary Hygiene and Ecology, Department of Biology and Wildlife Diseases, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences Brno, Brno, Czech Republic
- CEITEC-Central European Institute of Technology, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences Brno, Brno, Czech Republic
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9
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Lynn GE, Breuner NE, Eisen L, Hojgaard A, Replogle AJ, Eisen RJ. An immunocompromised mouse model to infect Ixodes scapularis ticks with the relapsing fever spirochete, Borrelia miyamotoi. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2019; 10:352-359. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2018.11.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2018] [Revised: 11/17/2018] [Accepted: 11/26/2018] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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10
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Bourret TJ, Boyle WK, Zalud AK, Valenzuela JG, Oliveira F, Lopez JE. The relapsing fever spirochete Borrelia turicatae persists in the highly oxidative environment of its soft-bodied tick vector. Cell Microbiol 2019; 21:e12987. [PMID: 30489694 PMCID: PMC6454574 DOI: 10.1111/cmi.12987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2018] [Revised: 11/20/2018] [Accepted: 11/25/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The relapsing fever spirochete Borrelia turicatae possesses a complex life cycle in its soft-bodied tick vector, Ornithodoros turicata. Spirochetes enter the tick midgut during a blood meal, and, during the following weeks, spirochetes disseminate throughout O. turicata. A population persists in the salivary glands allowing for rapid transmission to the mammalian hosts during tick feeding. Little is known about the physiological environment within the salivary glands acini in which B. turicatae persists. In this study, we examined the salivary gland transcriptome of O. turicata ticks and detected the expression of 57 genes involved in oxidant metabolism or antioxidant defences. We confirmed the expression of five of the most highly expressed genes, including glutathione peroxidase (gpx), thioredoxin peroxidase (tpx), manganese superoxide dismutase (sod-1), copper-zinc superoxide dismutase (sod-2), and catalase (cat) by reverse-transcriptase droplet digital polymerase chain reaction (RT-ddPCR). We also found distinct differences in the expression of these genes when comparing the salivary glands and midguts of unfed O. turicata ticks. Our results indicate that the salivary glands of unfed O. turicata nymphs are highly oxidative environments where reactive oxygen species (ROS) predominate, whereas midgut tissues comprise a primarily nitrosative environment where nitric oxide synthase is highly expressed. Additionally, B. turicatae was found to be hyperresistant to ROS compared with the Lyme disease spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi, suggesting it is uniquely adapted to the highly oxidative environment of O. turicata salivary gland acini.
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Affiliation(s)
- Travis J Bourret
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Creighton University, Omaha, Nebraska
| | - William K Boyle
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Creighton University, Omaha, Nebraska
| | - Amanda K Zalud
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Creighton University, Omaha, Nebraska
| | - Jesus G Valenzuela
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland
| | - Fabiano Oliveira
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland
| | - Job E Lopez
- Departments of Pediatrics and Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
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11
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Gofton AW, Margos G, Fingerle V, Hepner S, Loh SM, Ryan U, Irwin P, Oskam CL. Genome-wide analysis of Borrelia turcica and 'Candidatus Borrelia tachyglossi' shows relapsing fever-like genomes with unique genomic links to Lyme disease Borrelia. INFECTION GENETICS AND EVOLUTION 2018; 66:72-81. [PMID: 30240834 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2018.09.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2018] [Revised: 09/16/2018] [Accepted: 09/16/2018] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Borrelia are tick-borne bacteria that in humans are the aetiological agents of Lyme disease and relapsing fever. Here we present the first genomes of B. turcica and B. tachyglossi, members of a recently described and rapidly expanding Borrelia clade associated with reptile (B. turcica) or echidna (B. tachyglossi) hosts, transmitted by hard ticks, and of unknown pathogenicity. Borrelia tachyglossi and B. turcica genomes are similar to those of relapsing fever Borrelia species, containing a linear ~ 900 kb chromosome, a single long (> 70 kb) linear plasmid, and numerous short (< 40 kb) linear and circular plasmids, as well as a suite of housekeeping and macronutrient biosynthesis genes which are not found in Lyme disease Borrelia. Additionally, both B. tachyglossi and B. turcica contain paralogous vsp and vlp proteins homologous to those used in the multiphasic antigen-switching system used by relapsing fever Borrelia to evade vertebrate immune responses, although their number was greatly reduced compared to human-infectious species. However, B. tachyglossi and B. turcica chromosomes also contain numerous genes orthologous to Lyme disease Borrelia-specific genes, demonstrating a unique evolutionary, and potentially phenotypic link between these groups. Borrelia tachyglossi and B. turcica genomes also have unique genetic features, including degraded and deleted tRNA modification genes, and an expanded range of macronutrient salvage and biosynthesis genes compared to relapsing fever and Lyme disease Borrelia. These genomes and genomic comparisons provide an insight into the biology and evolutionary origin of these Borrelia, and provide a valuable resource for future work.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander W Gofton
- The Vector and Water-Borne Pathogen Research Group, The School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, Perth 6150, Australia; Present address: Australian National Insect Collection, CSIRO, Black Mountain, Canberra 2601, Australia.
| | - Gabriele Margos
- German National Reference Centre for Borrelia, Bavarian Health and Food Safety Authority, Veterinärstr. 2, Oberschleissheim, 85764, Germany
| | - Volker Fingerle
- German National Reference Centre for Borrelia, Bavarian Health and Food Safety Authority, Veterinärstr. 2, Oberschleissheim, 85764, Germany
| | - Sabrina Hepner
- German National Reference Centre for Borrelia, Bavarian Health and Food Safety Authority, Veterinärstr. 2, Oberschleissheim, 85764, Germany
| | - Siew-May Loh
- The Vector and Water-Borne Pathogen Research Group, The School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, Perth 6150, Australia
| | - Una Ryan
- The Vector and Water-Borne Pathogen Research Group, The School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, Perth 6150, Australia
| | - Peter Irwin
- The Vector and Water-Borne Pathogen Research Group, The School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, Perth 6150, Australia
| | - Charlotte L Oskam
- The Vector and Water-Borne Pathogen Research Group, The School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, Perth 6150, Australia
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12
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Estrada-Peña A, Álvarez-Jarreta J, Cabezas-Cruz A. Reservoir and vector evolutionary pressures shaped the adaptation of Borrelia. INFECTION GENETICS AND EVOLUTION 2018; 66:308-318. [PMID: 29654924 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2018.03.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2017] [Revised: 03/23/2018] [Accepted: 03/24/2018] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
The life cycle of spirochetes of the genus Borrelia includes complex networks of vertebrates and ticks. The tripartite association of Borrelia-vertebrate-tick has proved ecologically successful for these bacteria, which have become some of the most prominent tick-borne pathogens in the northern hemisphere. To keep evolutionary pace with its double-host life history, Borrelia must adapt to the evolutionary pressures exerted by both sets of hosts. In this review, we attempt to reconcile functional, phylogenetic, and ecological perspectives to propose a coherent scenario of Borrelia evolution. Available empirical information supports that the association of Borrelia with ticks is very old. The major split between the tick families Argasidae-Ixodidae (dated some 230-290 Mya) resulted in most relapsing fever (Rf) species being restricted to Argasidae and few associated with Ixodidae. A further key event produced the diversification of the Lyme borreliosis (Lb) species: the radiation of ticks of the genus Ixodes from the primitive stock of Ixodidae (around 217 Mya). The ecological interactions of Borrelia demonstrate that Argasidae-transmitted Rf species remain restricted to small niches of one tick species and few vertebrates. The evolutionary pressures on this group are consequently low, and speciation processes seem to be driven by geographical isolation. In contrast to Rf, Lb species circulate in nested networks of dozens of tick species and hundreds of vertebrate species. This greater variety confers a remarkably variable pool of evolutionary pressures, resulting in large speciation of the Lb group, where different species adapt to circulate through different groups of vertebrates. Available data, based on ospA and multilocus sequence typing (including eight concatenated in-house genes) phylogenetic trees, suggest that ticks could constitute a secondary bottleneck that contributes to Lb specialization. Both sets of adaptive pressures contribute to the resilience of highly adaptable meta-populations of bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jorge Álvarez-Jarreta
- Institute of Infection and Immunity, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, CF14 4XN, UK
| | - Alejandro Cabezas-Cruz
- UMR BIPAR, INRA, ANSES, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, Université Paris-Est, Maisons-Alfort 94700, France; Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, 37005 České Budějovice, Czech Republic; Institute of Parasitology, Biology Center, Czech Academy of Sciences, 37005 České Budějovice, Czech Republic
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13
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Talagrand-Reboul E, Boyer PH, Bergström S, Vial L, Boulanger N. Relapsing Fevers: Neglected Tick-Borne Diseases. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2018; 8:98. [PMID: 29670860 PMCID: PMC5893795 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2018.00098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 102] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2017] [Accepted: 03/16/2018] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Relapsing fever still remains a neglected disease and little is known on its reservoir, tick vector and physiopathology in the vertebrate host. The disease occurs in temperate as well as tropical countries. Relapsing fever borreliae are spirochaetes, members of the Borreliaceae family which also contain Lyme disease spirochaetes. They are mainly transmitted by Ornithodoros soft ticks, but some species are vectored by ixodid ticks. Traditionally a Borrelia species is associated with a specific vector in a particular geographical area. However, new species are regularly described, and taxonomical uncertainties deserve further investigations to better understand Borrelia vector/host adaptation. The medical importance of Borrelia miyamotoi, transmitted by Ixodes spp., has recently spawned new interest in this bacterial group. In this review, recent data on tick-host-pathogen interactions for tick-borne relapsing fevers is presented, with special focus on B. miyamotoi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emilie Talagrand-Reboul
- Early Bacterial Virulence: Borrelia Group, Université de Strasbourg, Facultés de Médecine et de Pharmacie, CHRU Strasbourg, Fédération de Médecine Translationnelle de Strasbourg, VBB EA 7290, Strasbourg, France
| | - Pierre H. Boyer
- Early Bacterial Virulence: Borrelia Group, Université de Strasbourg, Facultés de Médecine et de Pharmacie, CHRU Strasbourg, Fédération de Médecine Translationnelle de Strasbourg, VBB EA 7290, Strasbourg, France
| | - Sven Bergström
- Department of Molecular Biology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
- Laboratory for Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Laurence Vial
- CIRAD BIOS, UMR15 CIRAD/Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique “Contrôle des Maladies Animales Exotiques et Emergentes,” Equipe “Vecteurs,” Campus International de Baillarguet, Montpellier, France
| | - Nathalie Boulanger
- Early Bacterial Virulence: Borrelia Group, Université de Strasbourg, Facultés de Médecine et de Pharmacie, CHRU Strasbourg, Fédération de Médecine Translationnelle de Strasbourg, VBB EA 7290, Strasbourg, France
- Centre National de Référence Borrelia, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire, Strasbourg, France
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Greay TL, Gofton AW, Paparini A, Ryan UM, Oskam CL, Irwin PJ. Recent insights into the tick microbiome gained through next-generation sequencing. Parasit Vectors 2018; 11:12. [PMID: 29301588 PMCID: PMC5755153 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-017-2550-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 105] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2017] [Accepted: 11/21/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The tick microbiome comprises communities of microorganisms, including viruses, bacteria and eukaryotes, and is being elucidated through modern molecular techniques. The advent of next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies has enabled the genes and genomes within these microbial communities to be explored in a rapid and cost-effective manner. The advantages of using NGS to investigate microbiomes surpass the traditional non-molecular methods that are limited in their sensitivity, and conventional molecular approaches that are limited in their scalability. In recent years the number of studies using NGS to investigate the microbial diversity and composition of ticks has expanded. Here, we provide a review of NGS strategies for tick microbiome studies and discuss the recent findings from tick NGS investigations, including the bacterial diversity and composition, influential factors, and implications of the tick microbiome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Telleasha L Greay
- Vector and Waterborne Pathogens Research Group, School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, Perth, WA, Australia.
| | - Alexander W Gofton
- Vector and Waterborne Pathogens Research Group, School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Andrea Paparini
- Vector and Waterborne Pathogens Research Group, School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Una M Ryan
- Vector and Waterborne Pathogens Research Group, School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Charlotte L Oskam
- Vector and Waterborne Pathogens Research Group, School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Peter J Irwin
- Vector and Waterborne Pathogens Research Group, School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, Perth, WA, Australia
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Furuno K, Lee K, Itoh Y, Suzuki K, Yonemitsu K, Kuwata R, Shimoda H, Watarai M, Maeda K, Takano A. Epidemiological study of relapsing fever borreliae detected in Haemaphysalis ticks and wild animals in the western part of Japan. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0174727. [PMID: 28362864 PMCID: PMC5375152 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0174727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2016] [Accepted: 03/14/2017] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The genus Borrelia comprises arthropod-borne bacteria, which are infectious agents in vertebrates. They are mainly transmitted by ixodid or argasid ticks. In Hokkaido, Japan, Borrelia spp. were found in deer and Haemaphysalis ticks between 2011 and 2013; however, the study was limited to a particular area. Therefore, in the present study, we conducted large-scale surveillance of ticks and wild animals in the western part of the main island of Japan. We collected 6,407 host-seeking ticks from two regions and 1,598 larvae obtained from 32 engorged female ticks and examined them to elucidate transovarial transmission. In addition, we examined whole blood samples from 190 wild boars and 276 sika deer, as well as sera from 120 wild raccoons. We detected Borrelia spp. in Haemaphysalis flava, Haemaphysalis megaspinosa, Haemaphysalis kitaokai, Haemaphysalis longicornis, and Haemaphysalis formosensis. In addition, we isolated a strain from H. megaspinosa using Barbour-Stoenner-Kelly medium. The minimum infection rate of ticks was less than 5%. Transovarial transmission was observed in H. kitaokai. Phylogenetic analysis of the isolated strain and DNA fragments amplified from ticks identified at least four bacterial genotypes, which corresponded to the tick species detected. Bacteria were detected in 8.4%, 15%, and 0.8% of wild boars, sika deer, and raccoons, respectively. In this study, we found seasonal differences in the prevalence of bacterial genotypes in sika deer during the winter and summer. The tick activity season corresponds to the season with a high prevalence of animals. The present study suggests that a particular bacterial genotype detected in this study are defined by a particular tick species in which they are present.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kiwa Furuno
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Yamaguchi University, Yamaguchi, Yamaguchi, Japan
| | - Kyunglee Lee
- Cetacean research institute, National Institute of Fisheries Science, Nam-gu, Ulsan, Republic of Korea
| | - Yukie Itoh
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Yamaguchi University, Yamaguchi, Yamaguchi, Japan
| | | | - Kenzo Yonemitsu
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Yamaguchi University, Yamaguchi, Yamaguchi, Japan
| | - Ryusei Kuwata
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Yamaguchi University, Yamaguchi, Yamaguchi, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Shimoda
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Yamaguchi University, Yamaguchi, Yamaguchi, Japan
| | - Masahisa Watarai
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Yamaguchi University, Yamaguchi, Yamaguchi, Japan
- The United Graduate School of Veterinary Science, Yamaguchi University, Yamaguchi, Yamaguchi, Japan
| | - Ken Maeda
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Yamaguchi University, Yamaguchi, Yamaguchi, Japan
| | - Ai Takano
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Yamaguchi University, Yamaguchi, Yamaguchi, Japan
- The United Graduate School of Veterinary Science, Yamaguchi University, Yamaguchi, Yamaguchi, Japan
- * E-mail:
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Cutler SJ, Ruzic-Sabljic E, Potkonjak A. Emerging borreliae - Expanding beyond Lyme borreliosis. Mol Cell Probes 2016; 31:22-27. [PMID: 27523487 DOI: 10.1016/j.mcp.2016.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2016] [Revised: 08/10/2016] [Accepted: 08/10/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Lyme borreliosis (or Lyme disease) has become a virtual household term to the exclusion of other forgotten, emerging or re-emerging borreliae. We review current knowledge regarding these other borreliae, exploring their ecology, epidemiology and pathological potential, for example, for the newly described B. mayonii. These bacteria range from tick-borne, relapsing fever-inducing strains detected in some soft ticks, such as B. mvumii, to those from bat ticks resembling B. turicatae. Some of these emerging pathogens remain unnamed, such as the borrelial strains found in South African penguins and some African cattle ticks. Others, such as B. microti and unnamed Iranian strains, have not been recognised through a lack of discriminatory diagnostic methods. Technical improvements in phylogenetic methods have allowed the differentiation of B. merionesi from other borrelial species that co-circulate in the same region. Furthermore, we discuss members that challenge the existing dogma that Lyme disease-inducing strains are transmitted by hard ticks, whilst the relapsing fever-inducing spirochaetes are transmitted by soft ticks. Controversially, the genus has now been split with Lyme disease-associated members being transferred to Borreliella, whilst the relapsing fever species retain the Borrelia genus name. It took some 60 years for the correlation with clinical presentations now known as Lyme borreliosis to be attributed to their spirochaetal cause. Many of the borreliae discussed here are currently considered exotic curiosities, whilst others, such as B. miyamotoi, are emerging as significant causes of morbidity. To elucidate their role as potential pathogenic agents, we first need to recognise their presence through suitable diagnostic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Eva Ruzic-Sabljic
- University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Aleksandar Potkonjak
- University of Novi Sad, Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Novi Sad, Serbia
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17
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Molecular identification of Borrelia genus in questing hard ticks from Portugal: Phylogenetic characterization of two novel Relapsing Fever-like Borrelia sp. INFECTION GENETICS AND EVOLUTION 2016; 40:266-274. [PMID: 26976475 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2016.03.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2015] [Revised: 02/25/2016] [Accepted: 03/01/2016] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
In the last decades, several studies have reported pathogenic species of Borrelia related to those that cause Tick-borne Relapsing Fever (RF), but unexpectedly suggesting their transmission by hard ticks, known vectors of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (B. burgdorferi s.l.) species, rather than by soft ticks. This study was designed to update the presence of B. burgdorferi s.l. species in ticks from several districts of mainland Portugal, where Ixodes ricinus had been previously described. Ticks (a total of 2915 specimens) were collected in seven districts throughout the country, and analyzed using molecular methods. Three nested-PCR protocols, targeting the flagellin gene (flaB), the intergenic spacer region (IGS) located between 5S and 23S rRNA, and the glpQ gene, and a conventional PCR targeting the 16S rRNA, were used for Borrelia DNA detection. Borrelia DNA was detected in 3% of the ticks from Braga, Vila Real, Lisboa, Setúbal, Évora and Faro districts. The obtained amplicons were sequenced and analyzed by BLASTn, and 15/63 (24%) matched with homologous sequences from Borrelia lusitaniae and 15/63 (24%) with B. garinii, being these the most prevalent species. DNA from B. burgdorferi sensu stricto (s.s.), B. valaisiana and B. afzelii were detected in 7/63 (11%), 6/63 (10%), and 2/63 (3%) of the specimens, respectively. Unexpectedly, DNA sequence (flaB) analysis from eight (13%) samples, two from Rhipicephalus sanguineus and six from Haemaphysalis punctata tick species, revealed high homology with RF-like Borrelia. Phylogenetic analyses obtained from three genetic markers (16S rRNA, flaB, and glpQ) confirmed their congruent inclusion in a strongly supported RF cluster, where they segregated in two subgroups which differ from the other Relapsing Fever species. Therefore, the results confirm the circulation of multiple species of B. burgdorferi s.l. over a wide geographic range, covering most of the Portuguese mainland territory. Surprisingly, the obtained data also revealed two putative Relapsing Fever-like Borrelia species in different species of hard ticks, possibly disclosing the circulation of novel RF-like Borrelia species with different associated tick vectors.
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18
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Abstract
Relapsing fever borreliae were notorious and feared infectious agents that earned their place in history through their devastating impact as causes of both epidemic and endemic infection. They are now considered more as an oddity, and their burden of infection is largely overshadowed by other infections such as malaria, which presents in a similar clinical way. Despite this, they remain the most common bacterial infection in some developing countries. Transmitted by soft ticks or lice, these fascinating spirochetes have evolved a myriad of mechanisms to survive within their diverse environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sally J Cutler
- School of Health, Sport and Bioscience, University of East London, London E15 4LZ, UK.
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19
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Transstadial transmission of Borrelia turcica in Hyalomma aegyptium ticks. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0115520. [PMID: 25695663 PMCID: PMC4335052 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0115520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2014] [Accepted: 11/25/2014] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Borrelia turcica comprises the third major group of arthropod-transmitted borreliae and is phylogenetically divergent from other Borrelia groups. The novel group of Borrelia was initially isolated from Hyalomma aegyptium ticks in Turkey and it was recently found in blood and multiple organs of tortoises exported from Jordan to Japan. However, the ecology of these spirochetes and their development in ticks or the vertebrate hosts were not investigated in detail; our aims were to isolate the pathogen and to evaluate the possibility of transstadial transmission of Borrelia turcica by H. aegyptium ticks. Ticks were collected from Testudo graeca tortoises during the summer of 2013 from southeastern Romania. Engorged nymphs were successfully molted to the adult stage. Alive B. turcica was isolated from molted ticks by using Barbour-Stoenner-Kelly (BSK) II medium. Four pure cultures of spirochetes were obtained and analyzed by PCR and sequencing. Sequence analysis of glpQ, gyrB and flaB revealed 98%–100% similarities with B. turcica. H. aegyptium ticks collected from T. graeca tortoises were able to pass the infection with B. turcica via transstadial route, suggesting its vectorial capacity.
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Yu Z, Wang H, Wang T, Sun W, Yang X, Liu J. Tick-borne pathogens and the vector potential of ticks in China. Parasit Vectors 2015; 8:24. [PMID: 25586007 PMCID: PMC4300027 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-014-0628-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 103] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2014] [Accepted: 12/29/2014] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Ticks, as obligate blood-sucking ectoparasites, attack a broad range of vertebrates and transmit a great diversity of pathogenic microorganisms. They are considered second only to mosquitoes as vectors of human disease, and the most important vector of pathogens of domestic and wild animals. Of the 117 described species in the Chinese tick fauna, 60 are known to transmit one or more diseases: 36 species isolated within China and 24 species isolated outside China. Moreover, 38 of these species carry multiple pathogens, indicating the potentially vast role of these vectors in transmitting pathogens. Spotted fever is the most common tick-borne disease, and is carried by at least 27 tick species, with Lyme disease and human granulocytic anaplasmosis ranked as the second and third most widespread tick-borne diseases, carried by 13 and 10 species, respectively. Such knowledge provides us with clues for the identification of tick-associated pathogens and suggests ideas for the control of tick-borne diseases in China. However, the numbers of tick-associated pathogens and tick-borne diseases in China are probably underestimated because of the complex distribution and great diversity of tick species in this country.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhijun Yu
- Key Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of Hebei Province, College of Life Sciences, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang, 050024, China.
| | - Hui Wang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of Hebei Province, College of Life Sciences, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang, 050024, China.
| | - Tianhong Wang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of Hebei Province, College of Life Sciences, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang, 050024, China.
| | - Wenying Sun
- Key Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of Hebei Province, College of Life Sciences, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang, 050024, China.
| | - Xiaolong Yang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of Hebei Province, College of Life Sciences, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang, 050024, China.
| | - Jingze Liu
- Key Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of Hebei Province, College of Life Sciences, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang, 050024, China.
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Takano A, Toyomane K, Konnai S, Ohashi K, Nakao M, Ito T, Andoh M, Maeda K, Watarai M, Sato K, Kawabata H. Tick surveillance for relapsing fever spirochete Borrelia miyamotoi in Hokkaido, Japan. PLoS One 2014; 9:e104532. [PMID: 25111141 PMCID: PMC4128717 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0104532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2014] [Accepted: 07/09/2014] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
During 2012–2013, a total of 4325 host-seeking adult ticks belonging to the genus Ixodes were collected from various localities of Hokkaido, the northernmost island of Japan. Tick lysates were subjected to real-time PCR assay to detect borrelial infection. The assay was designed for specific detection of the Relapsing fever spirochete Borrelia miyamotoi and for unspecific detection of Lyme disease-related spirochetes. Overall prevalence of B. miyamotoi was 2% (71/3532) in Ixodes persulcatus, 4.3% (5/117) in Ixodes pavlovskyi and 0.1% (1/676) in Ixodes ovatus. The prevalence in I. persulcatus and I. pavlovskyi ticks were significantly higher than in I. ovatus. Co-infections with Lyme disease-related spirochetes were found in all of the tick species. During this investigation, we obtained 6 isolates of B. miyamotoi from I. persulcatus and I. pavlovskyi by culture in BSK-M medium. Phylogenetic trees of B. miyamotoi inferred from each of 3 housekeeping genes (glpQ, 16S rDNA, and flaB) demonstrated that the Hokkaido isolates were clustered with Russian B. miyamotoi, but were distinguishable from North American and European B. miyamotoi. A multilocus sequence analysis using 8 genes (clpA, clpX, nifS, pepX, pyrG, recG, rplB, and uvrA) suggested that all Japanese B. miyamotoi isolates, including past isolates, were genetically clonal, although these were isolated from different tick and vertebrate sources. From these results, B. miyamotoi-infected ticks are widely distributed throughout Hokkaido. Female I. persulcatus are responsible for most human tick-bites, thereby I. persulcatus is likely the most important vector of indigenous relapsing fever from tick bites in Hokkaido.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ai Takano
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Yamaguchi University, Yamaguchi, Yamaguchi, Japan
- The United Graduate School of Veterinary Science, Yamaguchi University, Yamaguchi, Yamaguchi, Japan
- * E-mail:
| | - Kochi Toyomane
- Department of Disease Control, Graduate School of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Satoru Konnai
- Department of Disease Control, Graduate School of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Kazuhiko Ohashi
- Department of Disease Control, Graduate School of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Minoru Nakao
- Department of Parasitology, Asahikawa Medical College, Asahikawa, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Takuya Ito
- Department of Infectious Disease, Hokkaido Institute of Public Health. Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Masako Andoh
- Laboratory of Veterinary Public Health, Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima, Kagoshima, Japan
| | - Ken Maeda
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Yamaguchi University, Yamaguchi, Yamaguchi, Japan
- The United Graduate School of Veterinary Science, Yamaguchi University, Yamaguchi, Yamaguchi, Japan
| | - Masahisa Watarai
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Yamaguchi University, Yamaguchi, Yamaguchi, Japan
- The United Graduate School of Veterinary Science, Yamaguchi University, Yamaguchi, Yamaguchi, Japan
| | - Kozue Sato
- Department of Bacteriology-I, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hiroki Kawabata
- Department of Bacteriology-I, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, Japan
- United Graduate School of Agricultural Science & Veterinary Science, Gifu University, Gifu, Gifu, Japan
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22
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Lee K, Takano A, Taylor K, Sashika M, Shimozuru M, Konnai S, Kawabata H, Tsubota T. A relapsing fever group Borrelia sp. similar to Borrelia lonestari found among wild sika deer (Cervus nippon yesoensis) and Haemaphysalis spp. ticks in Hokkaido, Japan. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2014; 5:841-7. [PMID: 25108784 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2014.06.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2014] [Revised: 05/30/2014] [Accepted: 06/28/2014] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
A relapsing fever Borrelia sp. similar to Borrelia lonestari (herein referred to as B. lonestari-like) was detected from wild sika deer (Cervus nippon yesoensis) and Haemaphysalis ticks in the eastern part of Hokkaido, Japan. The total prevalence of this Borrelia sp. in tested deer blood samples was 10.6% using conventional PCR and real-time PCR. The prevalence was significantly higher in deer fawns compared to adults (21.9% and 9.4%, respectively). Additionally, there was significant regional difference between our two sampling areas, Shiretoko and Shibetsu with 17% and 2.8% prevalence, respectively. Regional differences were also found in tick species collected from field and on deer. In the Shiretoko region, Haemaphysalis spp. were more abundant than Ixodes spp., while in Shibetsu, Ixodes spp. were more abundant. Using real-time PCR analysis, B. lonestari-like was detected from 2 out of 290 adult Haemaphysalis spp. ticks and 4 out of 76 pools of nymphs. This is the first report of a B. lonestari-like organism in Haemaphysalis spp. ticks, and the first phylogenetic analysis of this B. lonestari-like organism in Asia. Based on our results, Haemaphysalis spp. are the most likely candidates to act as a vector for B. lonestari-like; furthermore, regional variation of B. lonestari-like prevalence in sika deer may be dependent on the population distribution of these ticks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyunglee Lee
- Laboratory of Wildlife Biology and Medicine, Graduate School of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Ai Takano
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Yamaguchi University, Yamaguchi, Japan
| | - Kyle Taylor
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, FL, USA
| | - Mariko Sashika
- Laboratory of Wildlife Biology and Medicine, Graduate School of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Michito Shimozuru
- Laboratory of Wildlife Biology and Medicine, Graduate School of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Satoru Konnai
- Laboratory of Infectious Disease, Graduate School of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Hiroki Kawabata
- Department of Bacteriology-1, National Institute of Infectious Disease, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Toshio Tsubota
- Laboratory of Wildlife Biology and Medicine, Graduate School of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan.
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Phylogeny of a relapsing fever Borrelia species transmitted by the hard tick Ixodes scapularis. INFECTION GENETICS AND EVOLUTION 2014; 27:551-8. [PMID: 24813576 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2014.04.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2014] [Revised: 03/26/2014] [Accepted: 04/28/2014] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The discovery of Borrelia species that were related to the agents of relapsing fever but were transmitted by hard ticks rather than soft ticks challenged previous taxonomies based largely on microbe-host specificities and geographic considerations. One of these newly-identified organisms is the Borrelia miyamotoi sensu lato strain LB-2001 from North America and transmitted by Ixodes scapularis. This or related strains have been identified as the cause of human disease, but comparatively little is known about their biology or genetics. Using recently acquired chromosome sequence of LB-2001 together with database sequences and additional sequences determined here, I carried out comparisons of the several species of Borrelia, including those in the two major clades: the relapsing fever group of species and the Lyme disease group of species. Phylogenetic inference at the species level was based on four data sets: whole chromosomes of ∼1Mb each, and concatenated sequences of 19 ribosomal protein genes, 3 conserved nucleic acid enzymes (rpoC, recC, and dnaE), and 4 contiguous genes for nucleotide salvage on a large plasmid. Analyses using neighbor-joining, maximum likelihood, and Bayesian methods were largely concordant for each of the trees. They showed that LB-2001 and related hard tick-associated organisms, like Borrelia lonestari, are deeply positioned within the RF group of species and that these organisms did not, as some earlier estimations had suggested, constitute a paraphyletic group. The analyses also provided further evidence that major changes in host ranges and life cycles, such as hard to soft ticks or vice versa, may not correlate well with overall sequence differences. The genetic differences between LB-2001 and B. miyamotoi sensu stricto justify provisional use of the "sensu lato" designation for LB-2001.
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