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Barolin J, Antoniazzi LR, Colombo VC, Beldomenico PM, Monje LD. Sigmodontinae rodents as potential reservoirs for Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato in the Delta and Paraná Islands ecoregion, Argentina. MEDICAL AND VETERINARY ENTOMOLOGY 2024. [PMID: 39369449 DOI: 10.1111/mve.12766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2024] [Accepted: 09/24/2024] [Indexed: 10/08/2024]
Abstract
The Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (s.l.) complex includes a group of spirochete bacteria that are involved in transmission cycles with vertebrates and the ticks associated with them. Rodents play an essential role in the ecoepidemiology of Borrelia, acting as reservoirs for the bacteria and hosts for ticks. To identify potential reservoir vertebrate hosts of Borrelia spirochetes in Argentina, we conducted molecular analyses on tissues obtained from a population of Sigmodontinae rodents inhabiting the Delta and Parana Islands ecoregion. We report the presence of B. burgdorferi s.l. complex genotypes infecting Akodon azarae and Oxymycterus rufus in this ecoregion. Phylogenetic analysis revealed at least three flaB haplotypes related to 'Candidatus Borrelia paulista' and Borrelia sp. strain Pampa from Brazil and to several Borrelia haplotypes from Uruguay. Additionally, we identified different alleles of the plasmid-borne gene ospC in B. burgdorferi s.l. infecting A. azarae and Ox. rufus. The ospC allele present in Borrelia from Ox. rufus was also detected in Borrelia from Oligoryzomys mattogrossae, indicating the ability of Borrelia harbouring this ospC allele to infect multiple Sigmodontinae species, whereas the ospC allele from Borrelia infecting A. azarae represents a novel variant. Further research is needed to determine host specificity of ospC alleles present in South America.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johann Barolin
- Laboratorio de Ecología de Enfermedades, Instituto de Ciencias Veterinarias del Litoral (ICIVET-Litoral), Universidad Nacional del Litoral (UNL) / Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Esperanza, Argentina
- Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, UNL, Esperanza, Argentina
| | - Leandro Raul Antoniazzi
- Instituto de Bio y Geociencias del NOA (IBIGEO), Universidad Nacional de Salta - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas Y Técnicas (UNSa-CONICET), Salta, Argentina
| | - Valeria Carolina Colombo
- Laboratorio de Ecología de Enfermedades, Instituto de Ciencias Veterinarias del Litoral (ICIVET-Litoral), Universidad Nacional del Litoral (UNL) / Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Esperanza, Argentina
| | - Pablo Martin Beldomenico
- Laboratorio de Ecología de Enfermedades, Instituto de Ciencias Veterinarias del Litoral (ICIVET-Litoral), Universidad Nacional del Litoral (UNL) / Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Esperanza, Argentina
- Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, UNL, Esperanza, Argentina
| | - Lucas Daniel Monje
- Laboratorio de Ecología de Enfermedades, Instituto de Ciencias Veterinarias del Litoral (ICIVET-Litoral), Universidad Nacional del Litoral (UNL) / Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Esperanza, Argentina
- Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, UNL, Santa Fe, Argentina
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Dos Santos JC, Garcia MV, Duarte PO, Oshiro LM, Martins FI, de Oliveira Souza Higa L, de Lima ÁA, Andreotti R. Babesia bigemina (smith and Kilbourne, 1893) detection in Amblyomma sculptum (Berlese, 1888) ticks in the Mato Grosso do Sul state, Brazil. Parasitol Int 2024; 102:102912. [PMID: 38852768 DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2024.102912] [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: 03/01/2024] [Revised: 05/23/2024] [Accepted: 06/06/2024] [Indexed: 06/11/2024]
Abstract
Ticks parasitize various hosts, including humans, and are known to transmit pathogens that can be harmful not only to animals but also to humans. To evaluate the possible presence of pathogens in ticks, we aimed to collect and identify tick fauna specimens in Lagoa Comprida Municipal Natural Park, an anthropogenic urban area located in Aquidauana, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. A total of 1216 ticks, of which 51.2% were Amblyomma sculptum, 1.2% were Amblyomma dubitatum, and 41% were Amblyomma spp. were collected. These results show that the prevalence of A. sculptum is significantly higher than that of A. dubitatum across all four seasons. Molecular analyses revealed positive samples for the genus Babesia, including the confirmation of Babesia bigemina in an A. sculptum specimen, marking the first record of this relationship. This unexpected finding demands greater attention and deeper analysis in the context of the epidemiology of tick-borne diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joelly Corrêa Dos Santos
- The Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul, - UFMS, Campo Grande, MS, Brazil; Tick Biology Laboratory, Embrapa Gado de Corte, Campo Grande, MS, Brazil
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Álvaro Aragão de Lima
- The Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul, - UFMS, Campo Grande, MS, Brazil; Institute of Biosciences, Federal University of Mato Grosso Sul - UFMS, Campo Grande, MS, Brazil
| | - Renato Andreotti
- The Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul, - UFMS, Campo Grande, MS, Brazil; Tick Biology Laboratory, Embrapa Gado de Corte, Campo Grande, MS, Brazil.
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Copa GN, Flores FS, Tarragona EL, Lamattina D, Sebastian PS, Gil JF, Mangold AJ, Venzal JM, Nava S. Analysis of the tick communities associated to domestic mammals in rural areas of the Yungas montane forest from Argentina. Vet Parasitol Reg Stud Reports 2023; 39:100850. [PMID: 36878633 DOI: 10.1016/j.vprsr.2023.100850] [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: 12/20/2022] [Revised: 02/11/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this work was to describe the tick community associated to domestic mammals in rural areas from the Yungas lower montane forest of Argentina. The circulation of tick-borne pathogens was also analyzed. Samples of ticks parasitizing cattle, horses, sheep and dogs were carried out in different seasons, and questing ticks were collected from vegetation and analyzed to detect the presence of Rickettsia, Ehrlichia, Borrelia and Babesia by a battery of different PCRs. The structure of the tick communities was analyzed through the Chao1 species richness estimator, the Shannon-Wiener index and the Horn index of community similarity. Eight tick species were collected in the study area: Amblyomma sculptum, Rhipicephalus microplus, Amblyomma hadanii, Dermacentor nitens, Amblyomma ovale, Haemaphysalis juxtakochi, Ixodes pararicinus and Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu stricto. However, A. sculptum was by far the dominant species in the tick assemblages analyzed, and this was reflected in the low diversity values obtained. Dermacentor nitens, A. sculptum and R. microplus were the three species associated to horses. The predominance of A. sculptum was also observed in the tick samples obtained from dogs, even on two tick species, namely A. ovale and R. sanguineus s.s., which have dogs as the principal domestic host. Rhipicephalus microplus and A. sculptum were the most abundant ticks on cattle, while few specimens of I. pararicinus, A. hadanii and D. nitens were found on bovines. Dermacentor nitens ticks were found to be infected with B. caballi, which indicate the circulation of this pathogen of horses in the Yungas area. The detection of a strain of Borrelia sp. belonging to the B. burgdorferi s.l. complex in I. pararicinus is consistent with previous findings made in Argentina, but the public health relevance of this vector-microorganism association is far from being similar to that occurs in the northern hemisphere because there are practically no records of these tick species parasitizing humans in South America. The tick community of rural areas of the Yungas lower montane forest is composed by species which are potential vectors of pathogenic microorganism with veterinary and public health importance, circulating in a human-wildlife-livestock interface.
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Affiliation(s)
- Griselda N Copa
- Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Salta, Salta, Argentina
| | - Fernando S Flores
- Centro de Investigaciones Entomológicas de Córdoba (CIEC) - Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Evelina L Tarragona
- Instituto de Investigación de la Cadena Láctea (IDICAL, INTA-CONICET), Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria, Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Rafaela, CC 22, CP 2300 Rafaela, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Daniela Lamattina
- Instituto Nacional de Medicina Tropical (INMeT), Administración Nacional de Laboratorios e Institutos de Salud "Dr. Carlos G. Malbrán", Ministerio de Salud de la Nación, Puerto Iguazú, Misiones, Argentina
| | - Patrick S Sebastian
- Instituto de Investigación de la Cadena Láctea (IDICAL, INTA-CONICET), Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria, Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Rafaela, CC 22, CP 2300 Rafaela, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Josè F Gil
- Instituto de Investigaciones de Enfermedades Tropicales, Sede Regional Orán, Universidad Nacional de Salta, Orán, Argentina
| | - Atilio J Mangold
- Instituto de Investigación de la Cadena Láctea (IDICAL, INTA-CONICET), Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria, Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Rafaela, CC 22, CP 2300 Rafaela, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - José M Venzal
- Laboratorio de Vectores y Enfermedades Transmitidas, Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, CENUR Litoral Norte, Universidad de la República, Rivera 1350, CP 50000, Salto, Uruguay
| | - Santiago Nava
- Instituto de Investigación de la Cadena Láctea (IDICAL, INTA-CONICET), Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria, Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Rafaela, CC 22, CP 2300 Rafaela, Santa Fe, Argentina.
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Abstract
Lyme disease is the most common vector-borne illness in North America and Europe. The etiologic agent, Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, is transmitted to humans by certain species of Ixodes ticks, which are found widely in temperate regions of the Northern hemisphere. Clinical features are diverse but death is rare. The risk of human infection is determined by the distribution and abundance of vector ticks, ecologic factors influencing tick infection rates, and human behaviors that promote tick bite. Rates of infection are highest among children aged 5 to 15 years and adults aged more than 50 years. In the northeastern United States where disease is most common, exposure occurs primarily in areas immediately around the home. Knowledge of disease epidemiology is important for patient management and proper diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul Mead
- Bacterial Diseases Branch, Division of Vector-borne Diseases, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 3156 Rampart Road, Ft Collins, CO 80521, USA.
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Weck BC, Serpa MCA, Labruna MB, Muñoz-Leal S. A Novel Genospecies of Borrelia burgdorferi Sensu Lato Associated with Cricetid Rodents in Brazil. Microorganisms 2022; 10:microorganisms10020204. [PMID: 35208659 PMCID: PMC8878456 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10020204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2021] [Revised: 01/17/2022] [Accepted: 01/17/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (Bbsl) spirochetes thrive in sylvatic transmission cycles infecting vertebrates and their ticks. Rodents and ticks of the genus Ixodes are important hosts of these spirochetes globally. Although evidence suggests that Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto does not exist in South America, genospecies of the group (Bbsl) can be found in this region but have been poorly characterized from a genetic viewpoint, and data on their ecoepidemiology are still incipient. Aiming to detect the natural foci of Borrelia in Brazil, we targeted small mammals inhabiting seven forests fragments during a period of three years (2015–2018). Organs (lung) from two Oligoryzomys rodents over a total of 382 sampled mammals were positive, and we performed a molecular characterization of 10 borrelial genes to achieve a robust analysis. Phylogenetic trees inferred from 16S rRNA, flaB, ospC, and seven MLST loci (clpA, nifS, pepX, pyrG, recG, rlpB, and uvrA) support the characterization of a novel genospecies of Bbsl that we herein name “Candidatus Borrelia paulista” Rp42. Remarkably, “Ca. B. paulista” is phylogenetically related to Borrelia carolinensis, a genospecies that infects Ixodes ticks and cricetid rodents in North America. A previous study performed in the same area identified Ixodes schulzei feeding on Oligoryzomys rodents. Although this tick species could be considered a probable host for this novel Borrelia sp., further research is needed to confirm this hypothesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bárbara C. Weck
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-270, Brazil; (B.C.W.); (M.C.A.S.); (M.B.L.)
| | - Maria Carolina A. Serpa
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-270, Brazil; (B.C.W.); (M.C.A.S.); (M.B.L.)
| | - Marcelo B. Labruna
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-270, Brazil; (B.C.W.); (M.C.A.S.); (M.B.L.)
| | - Sebastián Muñoz-Leal
- Departamento de Ciencia Animal, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad de Concepción, Av. Vicente Méndez 595, Casilla 537, Chillán 3780000, Chile
- Correspondence:
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Trevisan G, Cinco M, Trevisini S, di Meo N, Chersi K, Ruscio M, Forgione P, Bonin S. Borreliae Part 1: Borrelia Lyme Group and Echidna-Reptile Group. BIOLOGY 2021; 10:biology10101036. [PMID: 34681134 PMCID: PMC8533607 DOI: 10.3390/biology10101036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2021] [Revised: 10/06/2021] [Accepted: 10/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Simple Summary Borreliae are spirochaetes, which represent a heterogeneous phylum within bacteria. Spirochaetes are indeed distinguished from other bacteria for their spiral shape, which also characterizes Borreliae. This review describes briefly the organization of the phylum Spirocheteales with a digression about its pathogenicity and historical information about bacteria isolation and characterization. Among spirochaetes, Borrelia genus is here divided into three groups, namely the Lyme group (LG), the Echidna-Reptile group (REPG) and the Relapsing Fever group (RFG). Borreliae Part 1 deals with Lyme group and Echidna-Reptile group Borreliae, while the subject of Borreliae Part 2 is Relapsing Fever group and unclassified Borreliae. Lyme group Borreliae is organized here in sections describing ecology, namely tick vectors and animal hosts, epidemiology, microbiology, and Borrelia genome organization and antigen characterization. Furthermore, the main clinical manifestations in Lyme borreliosis are also described. Although included in the Lyme group due to their particular clinical features, Borrelia causing Baggio Yoshinari syndrome and Borrelia mayonii are described in dedicated paragraphs. The Borrelia Echidna-Reptile group has been recently characterized including spirochaetes that apparently are not pathogenic to humans, but infect reptiles and amphibians. The paragraph dedicated to this group of Borreliae describes their vectors, hosts, geographical distribution and their characteristics. Abstract Borreliae are divided into three groups, namely the Lyme group (LG), the Echidna-Reptile group (REPG) and the Relapsing Fever group (RFG). Currently, only Borrelia of the Lyme and RF groups (not all) cause infection in humans. Borreliae of the Echidna-Reptile group represent a new monophyletic group of spirochaetes, which infect amphibians and reptiles. In addition to a general description of the phylum Spirochaetales, including a brief historical digression on spirochaetosis, in the present review Borreliae of Lyme and Echidna-Reptile groups are described, discussing the ecology with vectors and hosts as well as microbiological features and molecular characterization. Furthermore, differences between LG and RFG are discussed with respect to the clinical manifestations. In humans, LG Borreliae are organotropic and cause erythema migrans in the early phase of the disease, while RFG Borreliae give high spirochaetemia with fever, without the development of erythema migrans. With respect of LG Borreliae, recently Borrelia mayonii, with intermediate characteristics between LG and RFG, has been identified. As part of the LG, it gives erythema migrans but also high spirochaetemia with fever. Hard ticks are vectors for both LG and REPG groups, but in LG they are mostly Ixodes sp. ticks, while in REPG vectors do not belong to that genus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giusto Trevisan
- DSM—Department of Medical Sciences, University of Trieste, 34149 Trieste, Italy; (G.T.); (N.d.M.)
| | - Marina Cinco
- DSV—Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy;
| | - Sara Trevisini
- ASUGI—Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Giuliano Isontina, 34129 Trieste, Italy; (S.T.); (K.C.); (M.R.)
| | - Nicola di Meo
- DSM—Department of Medical Sciences, University of Trieste, 34149 Trieste, Italy; (G.T.); (N.d.M.)
- ASUGI—Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Giuliano Isontina, 34129 Trieste, Italy; (S.T.); (K.C.); (M.R.)
| | - Karin Chersi
- ASUGI—Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Giuliano Isontina, 34129 Trieste, Italy; (S.T.); (K.C.); (M.R.)
| | - Maurizio Ruscio
- ASUGI—Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Giuliano Isontina, 34129 Trieste, Italy; (S.T.); (K.C.); (M.R.)
| | - Patrizia Forgione
- UOSD Dermatologia, Centro Rif. Regionale Malattia di Hansen e Lyme, P.O. dei Pellegrini, ASL Napoli 1 Centro, 80145 Naples, Italy;
| | - Serena Bonin
- DSM—Department of Medical Sciences, University of Trieste, 34149 Trieste, Italy; (G.T.); (N.d.M.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-040-3993266
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Molecular screening for tick-borne bacteria and hematozoa in Ixodes cf. boliviensis and Ixodes tapirus (Ixodida: Ixodidae) from western highlands of Panama. CURRENT RESEARCH IN PARASITOLOGY & VECTOR-BORNE DISEASES 2021; 1:100034. [PMID: 35284894 PMCID: PMC8906142 DOI: 10.1016/j.crpvbd.2021.100034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2021] [Revised: 05/17/2021] [Accepted: 05/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
The first molecular screening for Rickettsia, Anaplasma, Ehrlichia, Borrelia, Babesia and Hepatozoon was carried out in questing Ixodes cf. boliviensis and Ixodes tapirus from Talamanca Mountains, Panama, using specific primers, sequencing and phylogeny. Phylogenetic analyses for the microorganisms in Ixodes cf. boliviensis confirmed the presence of Rickettsia sp. strain IbR/CRC endosymbiont (26/27 ticks), three genotypes of the Borrelia burgdorferi (sensu lato) complex (4/27 ticks), Babesia odocoilei (1/27 ticks), and Hepatozoon sp. (2/27 ticks), tentatively designated Hepatozoon sp. strain Chiriquensis. Phylogenetic analyses for the microorganisms in I. tapirus revealed an undescribed Rickettsia sp., tentatively designated Rickettsia sp. strain Itapirus LQ (6/6 ticks), and Anaplasma phagocytophilum (2/6 ticks). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of B. burgdorferi (s.l.) complex, A. phagocytophilum, B. odocoilei, and Hepatozoon sp. in Ixodes ticks from Central America, and also the first detection of Rickettsia spp. in Ixodes species in Panama. In light of the importance of these findings, further studies are needed focusing on the role of I. tapirus and I. cf. boliviensis as vectors, and the vertebrates acting as reservoirs. Free-living adult Ixodes ticks collected in Talamanca Mountains, Panama, were PCR-screened for tick-borne pathogens. Ixodes tapirus and Ixodes cf. boliviensis identified morphologically and molecularly. Genetic differences between Ixodes boliviensis from South America and I. cf. boliviensis from Panama. First molecular data for B. burgdorferi (s.l.), Hepatozoon and Babesia odocoilei in I. cf. boliviensis from Central America. First molecular data for Anaplasma phagocytophilum and spotted fever group Rickettsia in I. tapirus from Central America.
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Mendoza-Roldan JA, Ribeiro SR, Castilho-Onofrio V, Marcili A, Simonato BB, Latrofa MS, Benelli G, Otranto D, Barros-Battesti DM. Molecular detection of vector-borne agents in ectoparasites and reptiles from Brazil. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2020; 12:101585. [PMID: 33113476 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2020.101585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2020] [Revised: 09/22/2020] [Accepted: 09/29/2020] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Trombidiformes and Mesostigmata mites, as well as Ixodida ticks, infest ectothermic tetrapods worldwide, potentially acting as vectors of bacteria, viruses and protozoa. The relationship among ectoparasites, transmitted pathogenic agents (e.g., Borrelia spp., Coxiella spp., Hepatozoon spp., and Rickettsia spp.) and ectothermic hosts has been scarcely investigated. This research focuses on a large collection of Brazilian herpetofauna screened for the presence of arthropod ectoparasites and vector-borne microbial agents. Reptiles (n = 121) and amphibians (n = 49) from various locations were infested by ectoparasites. Following genomic extraction, microbial agents were detected in 81 % of the Acari (i.e. n = 113 mites and n = 26 ticks). None of the mites, ticks and tissues from amphibians yielded positive results for any of the screened agents. Blood was collected from reptiles and processed through blood cytology and molecular analyses (n = 48). Of those, six snakes (12.5 %) showed intraerythrocytic alterations compatible with Hepatozoon spp. gamonts and Iridovirus inclusions. Hepatozoon spp. similar to Hepatozoon ayorgbor and Hepatozoon musa were molecularly identified from seven hosts, two mite and two tick species. Rickettsia spp. (e.g., Rickettsia amblyommatis, Rickettsia bellii-like, Rickettsia sp.) were detected molecularly from four mite species and Amblyomma rotundatum ticks. Phylogenetic analyses confirmed the molecular identification of the above-mentioned microbial agents of mites and ticks related to snakes and lizards. Overall, our findings highlighted that the Brazilian herpetofauna and its ectoparasites harbour potentially pathogenic agents, particularly from the northern and south-eastern regions. The detection of several species of spotted fever group Rickettsia pointed out the potential role of ectothermic hosts and related arthropod ectoparasites in the epidemiological cycle of these bacteria in Brazil.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jairo Alfonso Mendoza-Roldan
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, Valenzano, Bari, Italy; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, 05508-270, Brazil; Zoological Collections Laboratory, Butantan Institute, São Paulo, 05503-900, Brazil.
| | - Stephany Rocha Ribeiro
- Zoological Collections Laboratory, Butantan Institute, São Paulo, 05503-900, Brazil; Master's Program in Veterinary Medicine and Animal Welfare, and Doctoral Program in One Health, Santo Amaro University, São Paulo, 04829-300, Brazil
| | - Valeria Castilho-Onofrio
- Zoological Collections Laboratory, Butantan Institute, São Paulo, 05503-900, Brazil; Master's Program in Veterinary Medicine and Animal Welfare, and Doctoral Program in One Health, Santo Amaro University, São Paulo, 04829-300, Brazil
| | - Arlei Marcili
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, 05508-270, Brazil; Master's Program in Veterinary Medicine and Animal Welfare, and Doctoral Program in One Health, Santo Amaro University, São Paulo, 04829-300, Brazil
| | - Bruna Borghi Simonato
- Deparment of Veterinary Medicine, Anhembi Morumbi University Vila Tramontano, São Paulo, SP, 05650-000, Brazil
| | | | - Giovanni Benelli
- Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Pisa, via Del Borghetto 80, 56124, Pisa, Italy
| | - Domenico Otranto
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, Valenzano, Bari, Italy; Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Bu-Ali Sina University, Felestin Sq., Hamedan, Iran
| | - Darci Moraes Barros-Battesti
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, 05508-270, Brazil; Department of Veterinary Pathology, Universidade Estadual Paulista Julio De Mesquita Filho (UNESP), Jaboticabal, 14884-900, Brazil
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Muñoz-Leal S, Ramirez DG, Luz HR, Faccini JLH, Labruna MB. "Candidatus Borrelia ibitipoquensis," a Borrelia valaisiana-Related Genospecies Characterized from Ixodes paranaensis in Brazil. MICROBIAL ECOLOGY 2020; 80:682-689. [PMID: 32367214 DOI: 10.1007/s00248-020-01512-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2020] [Accepted: 03/30/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (Bbsl) spirochetes include the agents of Lyme borreliosis in temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere, and merge their transmission cycles mainly with ticks of the Ixodes ricinus complex. Twenty genospecies compose Bbsl currently, and with the exception of Borrelia chilensis, and Borrelia garinii, all have been described only for North America, Europe, North Africa, and Asia. Here, we collected specimens of Ixodes paranaensis, a tick associated with swifts in a Brazilian natural park from the state of Minas Gerais, and performed a molecular characterization of 11 borrelial genes. Based on comparisons of inter and intraspecific genetic divergences, and Bayesian phylogenetic trees inferred for 16S rRNA, flaB, p66, and concatenated clpA, clpX, pepX, pyrG, recG, nifS rlpB, and uvrA genes, we demonstrate the occurrence of a new genospecies of Bbsl. "Candidatus Borrelia ibitipoquensis" Ip37 is closely related to Borrelia sp. Am501, and Borrelia valaisiana, a spirochete transmitted by ticks of the I. ricinus complex in Eurasia that uses birds as reservoirs. In a similar ecological scenario involving ticks and avian hosts, the migratory swift Streptoprocne biscutata is the sole-documented bird associated with I. paranaensis, and, although not assessed in this study, could correspond to the vertebrate reservoir of this newly described genospecies in Brazil. Pathogenic roles of "Ca. B. ibitipoquensis" are still unknown. However, its possible vector I. paranaensis is not an anthropophilic tick, so human infections would be unlikely to occur. Our finding enhances the knowledge on Bbsl in South America, highlights the occurrence of ecologically and genetically related genospecies with vastly separated geographical distributions, and calls for the attention to explore a barely known diversity of spirochetes of this group in the region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastián Muñoz-Leal
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
| | - Diego G Ramirez
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
- Departamento de Parasitologia Animal, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, Seropédica, RJ, Brazil
| | - Hermes R Luz
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
- Departamento de Patologia, Programa de Pós Graduação em Biotecnologia do RENORBIO, Ponto Focal Maranhão, Universidade Federal do Maranhão, São Luis, MA, Brazil
| | - João L H Faccini
- Departamento de Parasitologia Animal, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, Seropédica, RJ, Brazil
| | - Marcelo B Labruna
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
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10
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Flores FS, Saracho-Bottero MN, Sebastian PS, Venzal JM, Mangold AJ, Nava S. Borrelia genospecies in Ixodes sp. cf. Ixodes affinis (Acari: Ixodidae) from Argentina. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2020; 11:101546. [PMID: 32993952 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2020.101546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2019] [Revised: 07/24/2020] [Accepted: 08/17/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this work was to evaluate the presence of Borrelia infection in Ixodes sp. cf. Ixodes affinis ticks from Argentina. Specimens of Ixodes sp. cf. I. affinis were collected on vegetation and birds in five locations belonging the most humid part of the Chaco Biogeographic Province. Specimens were tested for Borrelia infection by nested-PCR targeting the flaB gene and the rrfA-rrlB intergenic spacer region (IGS), sequenced and phylogenetically analyzed. A total of 48 Ixodes sp. cf. I. affinis (12 questing adults from vegetation and 20 nymphs and 16 larvae on nine bird species: Arremon flavirostris, Basileuterus culicivorus, Campylorhamphus trochilirostris, Myiothlypis leucoblephara, Tachyphonus rufus, Thlypopsis sordida, Turdus amaurochalinus, Turdus rufiventris and Troglodytes aedon) were collected. Twelve adults, 14 nymphs and 11 larvae (3 individually and 8 in 3 pools) were analyzed. Partial sequences were detected in 6 adults, 11 nymphs and 4 larvae (2 individual and 2 pools). Phylogenetically, the Borrelia found in Ixodes sp. cf. I. affinis belongs to the B. burgdorferi sensu lato (s. l.) complex. The partial sequences obtained from the borrelian gene flaB and IGS were associated to two groups formed by sequences previously detected in Ixodes fuscipes, Ixodes longiscutatus and Ixodes pararicinus from the Southern Cone of America in northern Argentina, southern Brazil and Uruguay. The results of this work suggest that the haplotypes of B. burgdorferi s. l. complex detected in the three species of the I. ricinus complex distributed in the Southern Cone of America are related and widely distributed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernando S Flores
- Laboratorio de Ecología de Enfermedades, Instituto de Ciencias Veterinarias del Litoral (ICiVet-Litoral), Universidad Nacional del Litoral / Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Esperanza, Santa Fe, Argentina.
| | - María N Saracho-Bottero
- Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA), Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Rafaela, and Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Rafaela, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Patrick S Sebastian
- Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA), Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Rafaela, and Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Rafaela, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - José M Venzal
- Laboratorio de Vectores y enfermedades transmitidas, Facultad de Veterinaria, CENUR Litoral Norte - Salto, Universidad de la República, Rivera 1350, CP 50000 Salto, Uruguay
| | - Atilio J Mangold
- Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA), Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Rafaela, and Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Rafaela, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Santiago Nava
- Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA), Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Rafaela, and Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Rafaela, Santa Fe, Argentina
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11
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Santos CAD, Suzin A, Vogliotti A, Nunes PH, Barbieri ARM, Labruna MB, Szabó MPJ, Yokosawa J. Molecular detection of a Borrelia sp. in nymphs of Amblyomma brasiliense ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) from Iguaçu National Park, Brazil, genetically related to Borrelia from Ethiopia and Côte d'Ivoire. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2020; 11:101519. [PMID: 32993939 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2020.101519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2020] [Revised: 07/08/2020] [Accepted: 07/22/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Gram-negative spirochetes of the genus Borrelia are transmitted to vertebrate hosts through the tick bite during blood intake. Pathogenic Borrelia species may cause relapsing fever or Lyme borreliosis in humans. Our study aimed to molecularly detect and characterize bacteria of this genus in ticks collected in the Iguaçu National Park, located in southern Brazil. Ticks were collected from the environment (free living) and from hosts from May 2015 to July 2017. In total, 829 ticks were tested, being 741 from the environment and 88 from hosts; 128 ticks were larvae, 523 were nymphs, and 178 were adults (80 males and 98 females). The species identified were: Amblyomma brasiliense (42.9 %), Amblyomma coelebs (16.8 %), Amblyomma sp. (15.0 %), Amblyomma incisum (10.3 %), Amblyomma ovale (8.7 %), Haemaphysalis juxtakochi (5.5 %), Rhipicephalus microplus (0.5 %), Amblyomma longirostre (0.2 %), and Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato (0.1 %). DNA extraction was performed with pools of larvae or nymphs, or individually with adults, for a total of 394 samples. The PCR technique used to detect Borrelia DNA was performed with two rounds of amplification reactions targeting a segment of the flagellin B gene (flaB). Amplification occurred in only one DNA sample, which was obtained from nymphs of A. brasiliense collected from the vegetation of a trail. The nucleotide sequence analysis revealed 90.8 % identity to a sequence of Borrelia sp. from Côte d'Ivoire, and 89.1 % identity to a sequence from Ethiopia. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the Borrelia sequence from A. brasiliense was distinct from the Borrelia species of the groups belonging to Lyme borreliosis, relapsing fever and the one associated with reptile and echidna as hosts. The sequence is likely from a putative new species of Borrelia and was detected for the first time in A. brasiliense ticks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camila Alves Dos Santos
- Laboratory of Microorganisms of Cerrado (Savannah), Department of Microbiology, Instituto De Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal De Uberlândia (UFU), Uberlândia, Brazil
| | - Adriane Suzin
- Laboratory of Ixodology, Faculdade De Medicina Veterinária, UFU, Brazil; Programa De Pós-Graduação Em Ecologia e Conservação De Recursos Naturais, Instituto De Biologia, UFU, Brazil
| | - Alexandre Vogliotti
- Latin American Institute of Life and Nature Sciences, Universidade Federal Da Integração Latino-Americana (UNILA), Foz Do Iguaçu, Brazil
| | - Pablo Henrique Nunes
- Latin American Institute of Life and Nature Sciences, Universidade Federal Da Integração Latino-Americana (UNILA), Foz Do Iguaçu, Brazil
| | - Amália Regina Mar Barbieri
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine and Animal Health, Universidade De São Paulo (USP), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Marcelo B Labruna
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine and Animal Health, Universidade De São Paulo (USP), São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Jonny Yokosawa
- Laboratory of Microorganisms of Cerrado (Savannah), Department of Microbiology, Instituto De Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal De Uberlândia (UFU), Uberlândia, Brazil.
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12
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Higa LDOS, Csordas BG, Garcia MV, Oshiro LM, Duarte PO, Barros JC, Andreotti R. Spotted fever group Rickettsia and Borrelia sp. cooccurrence in Amblyomma sculptum in the Midwest region of Brazil. EXPERIMENTAL & APPLIED ACAROLOGY 2020; 81:441-455. [PMID: 32572671 DOI: 10.1007/s10493-020-00513-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2019] [Accepted: 06/16/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
More than 70 tick species are found in Brazil, distributed over five genera and including main vectors of infectious disease agents affecting both animals and humans. The genus Amblyomma is the most relevant for public health in Brazil, wherein Amblyomma aureolatum, Amblyomma ovale and Amblyomma sculptum have been incriminated as vectors of Rickettsia and Borrelia pathogens. The objective of this study was to investigate the presence of Rickettsia spp. and Borrelia spp. in ticks in the Brazilian mid-western savannah. DNA extraction, PCR for Borrelia spp. (flgE gene) and Rickettsia spp. (ompA and gltA genes) and subsequent sequencing were performed. A total of 1875 ticks were collected and identified as A. sculptum except for two Amblyomma coelebs ticks. Molecular evidence for Borrelia spp. and Rickettsia parkeri was found in A. sculptum. This is the first molecular evidence for R. parkeri in A. sculptum ticks in the Midwest region and Borrelia spp. circulating in a tick of the Amblyomma genus in Brazil.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leandro de Oliveira Souza Higa
- Pós-Graduação em Doenças Infecciosas e Parasitárias-Faculdade de Medicina, UFMS - Univ. Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, Laboratório de Biologia do carrapato, Embrapa Gado de Corte, Campo Grande, MS, Brazil
| | - Bárbara Guimarães Csordas
- Laboratório de Biologia do Carrapato, Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuária, Embrapa Gado de Corte, Bolsista FUNDAPAM, Campo Grande, MS, Brazil
| | - Marcos Valério Garcia
- Laboratório de Biologia do Carrapato, Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuária, Embrapa Gado de Corte, Bolsista FUNDAPAM, Campo Grande, MS, Brazil
| | - Leandra Marla Oshiro
- Laboratório de Biologia do Carrapato, Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuária, Embrapa Gado de Corte, Bolsista FUNDAPAM, Campo Grande, MS, Brazil
| | - Pâmella Oliveira Duarte
- Pós-Graduação em Doenças Infecciosas e Parasitárias-Faculdade de Medicina, UFMS - Univ. Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, Laboratório de Biologia do carrapato, Embrapa Gado de Corte, Campo Grande, MS, Brazil
| | | | - Renato Andreotti
- Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuária, Embrapa Gado de Corte, Campo Grande, MS, Brazil.
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13
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Carvalho LA, Maya L, Armua-Fernandez MT, Félix ML, Bazzano V, Barbieri AM, González EM, Lado P, Colina R, Díaz P, Labruna MB, Nava S, Venzal JM. Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato infecting Ixodes auritulus ticks in Uruguay. EXPERIMENTAL & APPLIED ACAROLOGY 2020; 80:109-125. [PMID: 31807933 DOI: 10.1007/s10493-019-00435-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2019] [Accepted: 10/30/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
In the southern cone of South America different haplotypes of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (Bbsl) have been detected in Ixodes spp. from Argentina, southern Brazil, Chile, and Uruguay. So far, Lyme borreliosis has not been diagnosed in Uruguay and the medical relevance of the genus Ixodes in South America is uncertain. However, the growing number of new genospecies of Bbsl in the southern cone region and the scarce information about its pathogenicity, reservoirs and vectors, highlights the importance of further studies about spirochetes present in Uruguay and the region. The aim of this study was to determine the presence of Bbsl in Ixodes auritulus ticks collected from birds and vegetation in two localities of southeastern Uruguay. In total 306 I. auritulus were collected from 392 passerine birds sampled and 1110 ticks were collected by flagging in vegetation. Nymphs and females were analyzed for Borrelia spp. by PCR targeting the flagellin (fla) gene and the rrfA-rrlB intergenic spacer region (IGS). The phylogenetic analysis of Borrelia spp. positive samples from passerine birds and vegetation revealed the presence of four fla haplotypes that form a clade within the Bbsl complex. They were closely related to isolates of Borrelia sp. detected in I. auritulus from Argentina and Canada.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis A Carvalho
- Laboratorio de Vectores y Enfermedades Transmitidas, Facultad de Veterinaria, CENUR Litoral Norte - Salto, Universidad de la República, Rivera 1350, CP 50000, Salto, Uruguay.
| | - Leticia Maya
- Laboratorio de Virología, CENUR Litoral Norte - Salto, Universidad de la República, Rivera 1350, CP 50000, Salto, Uruguay
| | - María T Armua-Fernandez
- Laboratorio de Vectores y Enfermedades Transmitidas, Facultad de Veterinaria, CENUR Litoral Norte - Salto, Universidad de la República, Rivera 1350, CP 50000, Salto, Uruguay
| | - María L Félix
- Laboratorio de Vectores y Enfermedades Transmitidas, Facultad de Veterinaria, CENUR Litoral Norte - Salto, Universidad de la República, Rivera 1350, CP 50000, Salto, Uruguay
| | - Valentin Bazzano
- Laboratorio de Vectores y Enfermedades Transmitidas, Facultad de Veterinaria, CENUR Litoral Norte - Salto, Universidad de la República, Rivera 1350, CP 50000, Salto, Uruguay
| | - Amalia M Barbieri
- Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Prof. Orlando M. de Paiva 87, São Paulo, 05508-900, Brazil
| | - Enrique M González
- Museo Nacional de Historia Natural, Casilla de Correos 399, 11.000, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Paula Lado
- Department of Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43212, USA
| | - Rodney Colina
- Laboratorio de Virología, CENUR Litoral Norte - Salto, Universidad de la República, Rivera 1350, CP 50000, Salto, Uruguay
| | - Pablo Díaz
- Departamento de Patología Animal (Grupo INVESAGA), Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Lugo, Spain
| | - Marcelo B Labruna
- Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Prof. Orlando M. de Paiva 87, São Paulo, 05508-900, Brazil
| | - Santiago Nava
- Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria, Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Rafaela, and Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, CC 22, CP 2300, Rafaela, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - José M Venzal
- Laboratorio de Vectores y Enfermedades Transmitidas, Facultad de Veterinaria, CENUR Litoral Norte - Salto, Universidad de la República, Rivera 1350, CP 50000, Salto, Uruguay
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14
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Cicuttin GL, De Salvo MN, Venzal JM, Nava S. Borrelia spp. in ticks and birds from a protected urban area in Buenos Aires city, Argentina. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2019; 10:101282. [PMID: 31492630 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2019.101282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2019] [Revised: 08/16/2019] [Accepted: 08/23/2019] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
This study was aimed to know epidemiological aspects of Borrelia spp. in a protected urban area of Buenos Aires city, Argentina, where thousands of people visit this area for recreational purposes. Ticks were collected from vegetation, birds and dogs. Three hundred and forty birds belonging to 43 species, 41 genera, 18 families and six orders were captured (90.3% corresponded to the order Passeriformes). One hundred and twenty ticks were collected from 47 birds (13.8%) belonging to 10 species (23.2%), all of them from to the order Passeriformes (Emberizidae, Furnariidae, Parulidae, Thraupidae, Troglodytidae, Turdidae). Ticks were identified as Ixodes auritulus (56 larvae, 44 nymphs and 8 females) and Amblyomma aureolatum (1 larva and 11 nymphs). One thousand and ninety-one ticks collected from vegetation, 100 ticks collected from birds, and 89 ticks from dogs were tested for Borrelia infection by PCR trials targeting the flagellin (fla) and 16S rRNA genes. In addition, 101 blood and 168 tissue samples from birds were analyzed. Nine nymphs of A. aureolatum (2.1%) and four nymphs of I. auritulus (0.7%) collected from vegetation were positive. Five nymphs of A. aureolatum (45.4%), and five pools of larvae (minimum infection rate 13.5%), 18 nymphs (40.9%) and one female (14.3%) of I. auritulus collected on birds were also positive. The remaining samples were negative. The phylogenetic tree generated with fla sequences shows that seven of the eight different haplotypes of Borrelia detected in I. auritulus conform an independent lineage within the Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato complex together with sequences of Borrelia sp. detected in I. auritulus from Canada and Uruguay. The fla sequences of Borrelia obtained from A. aureolatum and one sequence of a single specimen of I. auritulus conform a phylogenetic group with Borrelia turcica, Borrelia sp. isolated from a tortoise in Zambia, Borrelia spp. detected in Amblyomma maculatum from USA and Amblyomma longirostre from Brazil. The epidemiological risk that implies the infection with Borrelia genospecies associated with I. auritulus seems to be low because this tick is not aggressive to humans, but it helps to maintain borrelial spirochetes in the enzootic transmission cycles. The pathogenicity to humans of the Borrelia found in A. aureolatum is unknown; however, adults of this tick species are known to bite humans. This is the first report of the presence of Borrelia in A. aureolatum. Further investigations are necessary to know the risk of transmission of borreliosis by hard ticks in the study area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriel L Cicuttin
- Instituto de Zoonosis Luis Pasteur, Av. Díaz Vélez 4821, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| | - María N De Salvo
- Instituto de Zoonosis Luis Pasteur, Av. Díaz Vélez 4821, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - José M Venzal
- Laboratorio de Vectores y Enfermedades Transmitidas, Facultad de Veterinaria, CENUR Litoral Norte, Universidad de la República, Rivera 1350, CP 50000, Salto, Uruguay
| | - Santiago Nava
- Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria, Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Rafaela, and Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, CC 22, CP 2300, Rafaela, Santa Fe, Argentina
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15
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Gruhn KD, Ogrzewalska M, Rozental T, Farikoski IO, Blanco C, de Souza Freitas L, de Lemos ERS, Ribeiro VMF. Evaluation of rickettsial infection in free-range capybaras (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris Linnaeus, 1766) (Rodentia: Caviidae) and ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) in the Western Amazon, Brazil. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2019; 10:981-986. [PMID: 31109835 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2019.04.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2018] [Revised: 03/21/2019] [Accepted: 04/10/2019] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Capybaras (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris Linnaeus, 1766) (Rodentia: Caviidae) are important hosts of Amblyomma ticks (Acari: Ixodidae), which in turn can transmit rickettsiae to humans and animals. However, there is a scarcity of studies about the tick fauna and rickettsial infection in the Amazon region. The present study evaluated rickettsial infection in capybaras and ticks in different areas of the municipality of Rio Branco, state of Acre, in the Western Brazilian Amazon, where rickettsiosis has never been reported. Blood sera from 43 capybaras from four localities in Rio Branco were tested by indirect immunofluorescence assay using Rickettsia rickettsii antigens. Ticks were collected from capybaras and from vegetation as well. Ticks were taxonomically identified to the species level and some of them were tested by PCR, targeting a fragment of the rickettsial gltA gene. Additionally, ticks were tested for bacteria from the genus Borrelia and family Anaplasmatacae. All capybaras submitted to the serological examination were considered non-reactive to R. rickettsii. A total of 410 ticks were collected directly from the capybaras. Amblyomma dubitatum Neumann, 1899 was the most abundant species (82.4%), followed by Amblyomma naponense (Packard, 1869) (14.3%), Amblyomma humerale Koch, 1844 (0.7%), Amblyomma pacae Aragão, 1911 (0.4%), Amblyomma rotundatum Koch 1844 (0.2%) and Amblyomma sp. (1.7%). From the environment 262 ticks were collected: Rhipicephalus microplus (Canestrini, 1888) (88.9%), Dermacentor nitens Neumann, 1897 (9.9%), Amblyomma varium Koch, 1844 (0.7%) and A. rotundatum (0.3%). With the exception of A. humerale, A. rotundatum and R. microplus, all other species are reported here for the first time in the state. Some of the ticks sampled (N = 317) were tested by molecular methods for infection by Rickettsia spp. Rickettsia bellii was identified infecting A. dubitatum and A. rotundatum, while Rickettsia amblyommatis only was found infecting A. humerale and Rickettsia sp. strain Tapirapé was found in A. naponense. This is the first detection of R. bellii and Rickettsia sp. strain Tapirapé in Acre. No Borrelia or Anaplasmataceae were found in the tested ticks. These results add relevant knowledge about the Rickettsia spp. and the acarological fauna in the region of the Western Amazon, and are essential for the maintenance of vigilance about possible pathogens that occur in the state and determination of the risks that they pose to humans and animals that inhabit the region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karla Dayane Gruhn
- Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Natureza, Universidade Federal do Acre, Rio Branco, AC, Brazil.
| | - Maria Ogrzewalska
- Laboratório de Hantaviroses e Rickettsioses, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Tatiana Rozental
- Laboratório de Hantaviroses e Rickettsioses, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Itacir Olivio Farikoski
- Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Natureza, Universidade Federal do Acre, Rio Branco, AC, Brazil
| | - Carolina Blanco
- Laboratório de Hantaviroses e Rickettsioses, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Lucas de Souza Freitas
- Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Natureza, Universidade Federal do Acre, Rio Branco, AC, Brazil
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16
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Ogrzewalska M, Machado C, Rozental T, Forneas D, Cunha LE, de Lemos ERS. Microorganisms in the ticks Amblyomma dissimile Koch 1844 and Amblyomma rotundatum Koch 1844 collected from snakes in Brazil. MEDICAL AND VETERINARY ENTOMOLOGY 2019; 33:154-161. [PMID: 30484879 DOI: 10.1111/mve.12341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2018] [Revised: 08/09/2018] [Accepted: 09/17/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Knowledge about ticks (Acari) and screening of ticks parasitizing various hosts are necessary to understand the epidemiology of tick-borne pathogens. The objective of this study was to investigate tick infestations on snakes (Reptilia: Squamata: Serpentes) arriving at the serpentarium at the Institute Vital Brazil, Rio de Janeiro. Some of the identified ticks were individually tested for the presence of bacteria of the genera Rickettsia (Rickettsiales: Rickettsiaceae), Borrelia (Spirochaetales: Spirochaetaceae), Coxiella (Legionellales: Coxiellaceae), Bartonella (Rhizobiales: Bartonellaceae), Ehrlichia (Rickettsiales: Anaplasmataceae), Anaplasma (Rickettsiales: Anaplasmataceae), and Apicomplexa protozoa of the genera Babesia (Piroplasmida: Babesiidae) and Hepatozoon (Eucoccidiorida: Hepatozoidae). A total of 115 hard ticks (Ixodida: Ixodidae) were collected from 17 host individuals obtained from four Brazilian states. Two species of tick were identified: Amblyomma dissimile Koch 1844 (four larvae, 16 nymphs, 40 adults), and Amblyomma rotundatum Koch 1844 (12 nymphs, 43 adults). Rickettsia bellii was found in A. rotundatum and A. dissimile ticks and Rickettsia sp. strain Colombianensi, Anaplasma-like and Hepatozoon sp. in A. dissimile ticks. Among the tested ticks, no DNA of Borrelia, Bartonella, Coxiella or Babesia was found. The present findings extend the geographic range of Rickettsia sp. strain Colombianensi in Brazil and provide novel tick-host associations.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Ogrzewalska
- Laboratório de Hantaviroses e Rickettsioses, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - C Machado
- Instituto Vital Brasil, Niterói, RJ, Brazil
| | - T Rozental
- Laboratório de Hantaviroses e Rickettsioses, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - D Forneas
- Laboratório de Hantaviroses e Rickettsioses, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - L E Cunha
- Instituto Vital Brasil, Niterói, RJ, Brazil
| | - E R S de Lemos
- Laboratório de Hantaviroses e Rickettsioses, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
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17
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Kannangara DW, Patel P. Report of Non-Lyme, Erythema Migrans Rashes from New Jersey with a Review of Possible Role of Tick Salivary Toxins. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2018; 18:641-652. [PMID: 30129909 DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2018.2278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Erythema migrans (EM) rashes once considered pathognomonic of Lyme disease (LD) have been reported following bites of arthropods that do not transmit LD and in areas with no LD. Also, EM rashes have been reported in association with organisms other than members of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato complex. Arthropod saliva has chemicals that have effects on the host and pathogen transmission. Tick saliva has protein families similar to spiders and scorpions and even substances homologous to those found in snakes and other venomous animals. Ticks "invertebrate pharmacologists" have a sophisticated arsenal of chemicals that assist in blood feeding, pathogen transmission, and suppressing host defenses. No organisms have been isolated from many EM rashes. We propose that tick salivary toxins may play a role in the causation of rashes and laboratory abnormalities in tick-borne diseases. The role of tick salivary toxins needs further exploration. Cases of Lyme-like EM rashes referred to as STARI (Southern Tick-Associated Rash Illness) following bites of the lone star tick, Amblyomma americanum, in the United States have been reported predominantly in Southeastern Missouri and a few in South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia, and one case each in Mississippi and Long Island, New York. Although there is one report of Borrelia lonestari in a patient with a rash, biopsies of 31 cases of STARI, with cultures and PCR, failed to show a relationship. Distribution of A. americanum, whose bites are associated with STARI, now extends along the East Coast of the United States, including New Jersey, up to the Canadian border. As far as we are aware, there have been no prior reports of Lyme-like rashes in New Jersey. In this study, we present case examples of 2 Lyme-like rashes, variations of EM rashes, and a brief review of studies that suggest a role of tick salivary toxins in tick-borne diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Pritiben Patel
- St Luke's Health NetWork , Warren Campus, Phillipsburg, New Jersey
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Labruna MB. Comparative survival of the engorged stages of Amblyomma cajennense sensu stricto and Amblyomma sculptum under different laboratory conditions. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2018; 9:996-1001. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2018.03.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2017] [Revised: 02/12/2018] [Accepted: 03/19/2018] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
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Gianizella SL, Martins TF, Onofrio VC, Aguiar NO, Gravena W, do Nascimento CAR, Neto LC, Faria DL, Lima NAS, Solorio MR, Maranhão L, Lima IJ, Cobra IVD, Santos T, Lopes GP, Ramalho EE, Luz HR, Labruna MB. Ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) of the state of Amazonas, Brazil. EXPERIMENTAL & APPLIED ACAROLOGY 2018; 74:177-183. [PMID: 29383533 DOI: 10.1007/s10493-018-0221-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2017] [Accepted: 01/20/2018] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
The tick fauna of Brazil is currently composed by 72 species. The state of Amazonas is the largest of Brazil, with an area of ≈ 19% of the Brazilian land. Besides its vast geographic area, only 19 tick species have been reported for Amazonas. Herein, lots containing ticks from the state of Amazonas were examined in three major tick collections from Brazil. A total of 5933 tick specimens were examined and recorded, comprising 2693 males, 1247 females, 1509 nymphs, and 484 larvae. These ticks were identified into the following 22 species: Amblyomma cajennense sensu lato, Amblyomma calcaratum, Amblyomma coelebs, Amblyomma dissimile, Amblyomma dubitatum, Amblyomma geayi, Amblyomma goeldii, Amblyomma humerale, Amblyomma latepunctatun, Amblyomma longirostre, Amblyomma naponense, Amblyomma oblongoguttatum, Amblyomma ovale, Amblyomma rotundatum, Amblyomma scalpturatum, Amblyomma varium, Dermacentor nitens, Haemaphysalis juxtakochi, Ixodes cf. Ixodes fuscipes, Ixodes luciae, Rhipicephalus microplus, Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato. Ticks were collected from 17 (27.4%) out of the 62 municipalities that currently compose the state of Amazonas. The following four species are reported for the first time in the state of Amazonas: A. coelebs, A. dubitatum, H. juxtakochi, and Ixodes cf. I. fuscipes. The only tick species previously reported for Amazonas and not found in the present study is Amblyomma parvum. This study provides a great expansion of geographical and host records of ticks for the state of Amazonas, which is now considered to have a tick fauna composed by 23 species. It is noteworthy that we report 1391 Amblyomma nymphs that were identified to 13 different species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergio L Gianizella
- Laboratório de Zoologia, Departamento de Biologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Amazonas, Manaus, AM, Brazil
| | - Thiago F Martins
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine and Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of São Paulo, Av. Prof. Orlando Marques de Paiva 87, Cidade Universitária, São Paulo, SP, 05508-270, Brazil
| | - Valeria C Onofrio
- Laboratório Especial de Coleções Zoológicas, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
- Universidade Santo Amaro, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Nair O Aguiar
- Laboratório de Zoologia, Departamento de Biologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Amazonas, Manaus, AM, Brazil
| | - Waleska Gravena
- Laboratório de Mamíferos Aquáticos, Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia, Manaus, AM, Brazil
- Instituto de Saúde e Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Amazonas, Coari, AM, Brazil
| | - Carlos A R do Nascimento
- Laboratório de Biologia Celular e Helmintologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, Pará, Brazil
| | - Laérzio C Neto
- Refúgio de Vida Selvagem Sauim Castanheira, Secretaria Municipal do Meio Ambiente e Sustentabilidade, Manaus, AM, Brazil
| | - Diogo L Faria
- Centro Nacional de Pesquisa e Conservação da Biodiversidade Amazônica, Instituto Chico Mendes de Conservação da Biodiversidade, Manaus, AM, Brazil
| | - Natália A S Lima
- Instituto Brasileiro do Meio Ambiente e dos Recursos Naturais Renováveis, Manaus, AM, Brazil
| | - Monica R Solorio
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine and Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of São Paulo, Av. Prof. Orlando Marques de Paiva 87, Cidade Universitária, São Paulo, SP, 05508-270, Brazil
| | - Louise Maranhão
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine and Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of São Paulo, Av. Prof. Orlando Marques de Paiva 87, Cidade Universitária, São Paulo, SP, 05508-270, Brazil
- Instituto de Desenvolvimento Sustentável Mamirauá, Tefé, AM, Brazil
| | - Ivan J Lima
- Instituto de Desenvolvimento Sustentável Mamirauá, Tefé, AM, Brazil
- Programa de pós-graduação em Genética, Conservação e Biologia Evolutiva, Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia, Manaus, AM, Brazil
| | - Iury V D Cobra
- Instituto de Desenvolvimento Sustentável Mamirauá, Tefé, AM, Brazil
- Departamento de Mudanças Climáticas e Gestão de Unidades de Conservação, Secretaria de Meio Ambiente do Estado do Amazonas, Manaus, AM, Brazil
| | - Tamily Santos
- Instituto de Desenvolvimento Sustentável Mamirauá, Tefé, AM, Brazil
| | - Gerson P Lopes
- Instituto de Desenvolvimento Sustentável Mamirauá, Tefé, AM, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Zoologia, Universidade Federal do Amazonas, Manaus, AM, Brazil
| | | | - Hermes R Luz
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine and Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of São Paulo, Av. Prof. Orlando Marques de Paiva 87, Cidade Universitária, São Paulo, SP, 05508-270, Brazil
| | - Marcelo B Labruna
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine and Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of São Paulo, Av. Prof. Orlando Marques de Paiva 87, Cidade Universitária, São Paulo, SP, 05508-270, Brazil.
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