1
|
Chaorattanakawee S, Tachavarong W, Hananantachai H, Bunsermyos W, Chanarat N, Promsathaporn S, Tippayachai B, Sakolvaree J, Pitaksajjakul P, Benjathummarak S, Srinoppawan K, Saunders D, Lindroth EJ, Takhampunya R. Seasonal pattern of questing ticks and prevalence of pathogenic Rickettsia and Anaplasmataceae in Khao Yai national park, Thailand. Travel Med Infect Dis 2024; 58:102696. [PMID: 38360157 DOI: 10.1016/j.tmaid.2024.102696] [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: 10/12/2023] [Revised: 01/08/2024] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 02/17/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Tick-borne diseases (TBD) are considered neglected diseases in Thailand with disease burden likely underestimated. To assess risk for emerging TBD in Thailand, the seasonality of questing tick and pathogen prevalence were studied in Khao Yai National Park, a top tourist destination. METHODS During 2019, questing ticks around tourist attractions were systematically collected bimonthly and analyzed for Rickettsia and Anaplasmataceae bacterial species by polymerase chain reaction and DNA sequencing. RESULTS Larvae and nymphs of questing ticks peaked in Khao Yai National Park during the late rainy-winter season, though no specific trends were observed in adult ticks. Winter (November to February) was the highest risk for human tick-bites due to higher numbers of both ticks and visitors. Of the total 5916 ticks analyzed (651 pools), Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Neoehrlichia mikurensis, Ehrlichia ewingii, and Ehrlichia chaffeensis were detected at low rates (≤0.05%). There was a higher prevalence of human rickettsioses (0.2-7%) in ticks surveyed with Rickettsia tamurae, Rickettsia raoultii, and Rickettsia montana the major species. Amblyomma ticks had the highest prevalence of Rickettsia (85%, 35/44 Amblyomma adults), in which only R. tamurae and R. raoultii were found in Amblyomma with mixed species infections common. We report the first detection of R. africae-like and N. mikurensis in Ixodes granulatus adults in Thailand, suggesting I. granulatus as a potential vector for these pathogens. CONCLUSION This study demonstrated the risk of emerging TBD in Thailand and underscores the need for tick-bite prevention among tourists in Thailand.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Suwanna Chaorattanakawee
- Department of Parasitology and Entomology, Faculty of Public Health, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
| | - Wirunya Tachavarong
- Department of Parasitology and Entomology, Faculty of Public Health, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Hathairad Hananantachai
- Department of Parasitology and Entomology, Faculty of Public Health, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Watanyu Bunsermyos
- Department of Parasitology and Entomology, Faculty of Public Health, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Nitima Chanarat
- Department of Entomology, Armed Forces Research Institute of Medical Sciences-United States Army Medical Directorate, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Sommai Promsathaporn
- Department of Entomology, Armed Forces Research Institute of Medical Sciences-United States Army Medical Directorate, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Bousaraporn Tippayachai
- Department of Entomology, Armed Forces Research Institute of Medical Sciences-United States Army Medical Directorate, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Jira Sakolvaree
- Department of Entomology, Armed Forces Research Institute of Medical Sciences-United States Army Medical Directorate, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Pannamthip Pitaksajjakul
- Department of Social and Environmental Medicine, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand; Center of Excellence for Antibody Research, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Surachet Benjathummarak
- Center of Excellence for Antibody Research, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Kanchit Srinoppawan
- Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - David Saunders
- Uniformed Services University School of Medicine, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Erica J Lindroth
- Department of Entomology, Armed Forces Research Institute of Medical Sciences-United States Army Medical Directorate, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Ratree Takhampunya
- Department of Entomology, Armed Forces Research Institute of Medical Sciences-United States Army Medical Directorate, Bangkok, Thailand
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
de Paula LGF, do Nascimento RM, Franco ADO, Szabó MPJ, Labruna MB, Monteiro C, Krawczak FDS. Seasonal dynamics of Amblyomma sculptum: a review. Parasit Vectors 2022; 15:193. [PMID: 35668507 PMCID: PMC9169286 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-022-05311-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2022] [Accepted: 05/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Amblyomma sculptum is a hard tick that is associated with domestic animals and the transmission of Brazilian spotted fever. This association has motivated several field studies on this ixodid tick within its distribution area in South America. Thorough knowledge of the seasonal dynamics of A. sculptum in different ecological scenarios is required in order to better understand the biological characteristics of this tick and develop techniques for the control and prevention of diseases transmitted by this vector. In this article, we systematically review the seasonal dynamics of A. sculptum and tick collection methodology. METHODS A systematic search of the Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed and Scielo databases was carried out for articles (including dissertations and theses) on the population dynamics of A. sculptum. The inclusion criterion was the report of seasonal dynamic studies on A. sculptum through surveys carried out for at least 1 year with, as methodology, tick collection in the environment and/or tick count/collection on A. sculptum primary hosts (horses or capybaras). Studies carried out before the reclassification of Amblyomma cajennense sensu lato in 2014, which referred to Amblyomma cajennense in areas where it is currently known that only A. sculptum occurs, were also included. Articles meeting the inclusion criterion, but not available in online databases, were also added based on the authors' experience on the subject. Sixteen articles and one thesis were selected for inclusion in this systematic review. RESULTS Most of the studies were carried out in the southeastern region of Brazil, with a few also carried out in the northeast, center-west and south of Brazil and northwest of Argentina. Five techniques/methods were applied across these studies: CO2 traps, dragging, flagging, visual searches and tick counting on animals, used alone or in combination. CONCLUSION Seasonal dynamics of A. sculptum was found to be similar in almost all of the areas studied, with larvae predominating during the autumn, nymphs in the winter and adults in the spring and summer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Luiza Gabriella Ferreira de Paula
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciência Animal, Universidade Federal de Goiás (UFG), Avenida Esperança, s/n, Campus Samambaia, Goiânia, Goiás, 74690-900, Brazil
| | - Rafael Moreira do Nascimento
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Veterinárias, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, Seropédica, Rio de Janeiro, 23890-000, Brazil
| | - Artur de Oliveira Franco
- Instituto de Patologia Tropical e Saúde Pública, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, Goiás, 74.605-050, Brazil
| | - Matias Pablo Juan Szabó
- Laboratório de Ixodologia, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil
| | - Marcelo Bahia Labruna
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Caio Monteiro
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciência Animal, Universidade Federal de Goiás (UFG), Avenida Esperança, s/n, Campus Samambaia, Goiânia, Goiás, 74690-900, Brazil.,Instituto de Patologia Tropical e Saúde Pública, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, Goiás, 74.605-050, Brazil
| | - Felipe da Silva Krawczak
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciência Animal, Universidade Federal de Goiás (UFG), Avenida Esperança, s/n, Campus Samambaia, Goiânia, Goiás, 74690-900, Brazil. .,Escola de Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Avenida Esperança, s/n, Campus Samambaia, Goiânia, Goiás, 74.690-900, Brazil.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Yang SGNDS, Souza DDSE, Santiago ACDS, Silva RBS, Melo MAD, Souza EARD, Labruna MB, Horta MC, Oliveira JBD. Rickettsial infection in free-ranging capybaras (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris) and their ticks (Acari, Ixodidae) in the Caatinga and Atlantic forest biomes, Northeastern Brazil. Vet Parasitol Reg Stud Reports 2021; 26:100649. [PMID: 34879960 DOI: 10.1016/j.vprsr.2021.100649] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2021] [Revised: 08/12/2021] [Accepted: 09/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Caatinga and Atlantic Forest are Brazilian biomes threatened by anthropogenic disturbances, which are a serious threat to biodiversity and favor the emergence of zoonotic pathogens. Capybara populations are increasingly present in urban and rural areas due to the loss of their natural habitats. There are no studies on the rickettsial infection in these rodents in Northeastern Brazil, although there are case records of Brazilian Spotted Fever (BSF) in this region. In this context, we evaluated rickettsial infection in capybaras and their ticks in four areas of the Atlantic Forest and Caatinga biomes in Northeastern Brazil. Blood sera from 21 capybaras were tested by indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) using Rickettsia rickettsii, R. parkeri, and R. amblyommatis antigens. Blood samples and ticks (Amblyomma sp., Amblyomma dubitatum and Amblyomma sculptum) were tested by PCR, targeting a fragment of the rickettsial gltA gene and R. bellii primers. Overall, 15 out of 21 capybaras (71.4%) reacted positively (titer ≥64) to at least one of the three Rickettsia antigens tested, with final titers ranging from 64 to 1024. No rickettsial DNA was found in capybara blood samples. Rickettsial DNA was detected in 22 of 31 adult tick pools using gltA gene, being all nine pools of A. sculptum and 16 of the 19 of A. dubitatum, but all samples were negative to R. bellii specific primers. All attempts to sequence the amplicon were unsuccessful, indicating a possible low rickettsial load in the tick samples. The present study reports for the first time the serological evidence of Rickettsia spp. infection in free-ranging capybaras and suggest the rickettsial infection in A. sculptum and A. dubitatum in the Caatinga and Atlantic Forest biomes in Northeastern Brazil.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Dênisson da Silva E Souza
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biociência Animal, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Pernambuco, Brazil
| | - Ana Cláudia da Silva Santiago
- Laboratório de Parasitologia, Departamento de Biologia, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Pernambuco, Brazil
| | - Raizza Barros Sousa Silva
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular do Semiárido, Centro de Saúde e Tecnologia Rural, Universidade Federal de Campina Grande (UFCG), Paraíba, Brazil
| | - Márcia Almeida de Melo
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular do Semiárido, Centro de Saúde e Tecnologia Rural, Universidade Federal de Campina Grande (UFCG), Paraíba, Brazil
| | - Eline Almeida Rodrigues de Souza
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biociência Animal, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Pernambuco, Brazil; Laboratório de Doenças Parasitárias, Universidade Federal do Vale do São Francisco, Pernambuco, Brazil
| | - Marcelo Bahia Labruna
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Mauricio Claudio Horta
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biociência Animal, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Pernambuco, Brazil; Laboratório de Doenças Parasitárias, Universidade Federal do Vale do São Francisco, Pernambuco, Brazil
| | - Jaqueline Bianque de Oliveira
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biociência Animal, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Pernambuco, Brazil; Laboratório de Parasitologia, Departamento de Biologia, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Pernambuco, Brazil; Programa de Educação Tutorial do Bacharelado em Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Pernambuco, Brazil.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Dantas-Torres F, Melo MF, Sales KGDS, Sousa-Paula LCD, da Silva FJ, Figueredo LA, Labruna MB. Seasonal dynamics and rickettsial infection in free-living Amblyomma dubitatum in the Atlantic forest biome in north-eastern Brazil. Acta Trop 2021; 217:105854. [PMID: 33561429 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2021.105854] [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: 10/31/2020] [Revised: 01/30/2021] [Accepted: 02/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
The genus Amblyomma is the most representative tick genus in Brazil and some species act as vectors of pathogenic organisms to animals and humans. Information on the seasonal dynamics of Amblyomma spp. as well as on rickettsial organisms infecting these ticks in some regions in Brazil is still fragmentary. Herein, we investigated the seasonal dynamics and rickettsial infections in Amblyomma dubitatum ticks collected in the Atlantic forest biome in north-eastern Brazil. Using carbon dioxide traps, ticks were collected monthly for two consecutive years. In total, 15,789 ticks were collected: 69 females (0.4%), 116 males (0.7%), 1,067 nymphs (6.8%), and 14,537 larvae (92.1%). All nymphs, females and males were identified as A. dubitatum, whereas larvae were identified as Amblyomma spp. Larvae were more frequent in summer (77% of the larvae collected), whereas nymphs were collected with similar frequency in summer (32.8%), autumn (30.0%) and spring (28.4%). Adults were more frequent in spring (47.6%). A total of 648 ticks (485 nymphs, 60 females, and 103 males) were tested by PCR for the gltA gene of Rickettsia spp. and 87 (13.4%; 95% CI: 10.9-16.3%) were positive. A consensus sequence (size, 350 bp) of 66 gltA gene sequences indicate that the organism detected herein is similar to Rickettsia tamurae, Rickettsia monacencis and Rickettsia sp. strain Pampulha. One of these positive samples was also positive for the ompA gene of spotted fever group rickettsiae, but attempts to sequence the amplicon were not successful. We also tested this sample by a PCR targeting the rickettsial htrA gene, but no amplification product could be detected. This study indicates that A. dubitatum may be a common tick in areas where capybaras are present in north-eastern Brazil, occurring during the whole year. It also suggests the circulation of a spotted fever group rickettsia in this A. dubitatum population, whose identity has yet to be determined.
Collapse
|
5
|
de Paula LGF, Zeringóta V, Sampaio ALN, Bezerra GP, Barreto ALG, Dos Santos AA, Miranda VC, Paula WVDF, Neves LC, Secchis MV, Alves SDGA, Sevá ADP, Borges LMF, Monteiro C, Dantas-Torres F, Krawczak FDS. Seasonal dynamics of Amblyomma sculptum in two areas of the Cerrado biome midwestern Brazil, where human cases of rickettsiosis have been reported. EXPERIMENTAL & APPLIED ACAROLOGY 2021; 84:215-225. [PMID: 33860867 DOI: 10.1007/s10493-021-00615-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2021] [Accepted: 04/08/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Amblyomma sculptum is a common human-biting tick in Brazil, where it plays an important role as a vector of Rickettsia rickettsii, the agent of the Brazilian spotted fever. Herein, we studied the seasonal dynamics of A. sculptum in an urban area of the Cerrado biome in midwestern Brazil, where human rickettsiosis is endemic. Ticks were collected in two sites located within the campus of Federal University of Goiás. The collections were done by dragging, flagging and visual search. In total, 117,685 ticks were collected, including 100,627 Amblyomma spp. larvae, 10,055 nymphs and 6977 adults of A. sculptum, and one nymph and 25 adults of Amblyomma dubitatum. The highest peak of larvae occurred in June 2018 and in July 2019, whereas nymphs peaked in July 2018 and September 2019. Adults reached their highest numbers in March 2018 and November 2019. These data suggest that A. sculptum develops one generation per year in this urban area of the Cerrado biome in midwestern Brazil. Interestingly, the peak of nymphs occurred during the same period of all confirmed cases of rickettsiosis in Goiás, suggesting a possible relationship between the seasonal dynamics of this tick stage and rickettsiosis transmission in this state.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Luiza Gabriella Ferreira de Paula
- Post-graduation Program in Animal Science, Federal University of Goiás (UFG), Avenida Esperança, s/n, Campus Samambaia74.690-900, Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil
| | - Viviane Zeringóta
- Post-graduation Program in Animal Science, Federal University of Goiás (UFG), Avenida Esperança, s/n, Campus Samambaia74.690-900, Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil
| | - Aparecida Lorrany Nunes Sampaio
- Undergraduation in Veterinary Medicine at Federal, University of Goiás, Avenida Esperança, s/n, Campus Samambaia74.690-900, Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil
| | - Giovana Pereira Bezerra
- Undergraduation in Biological Science at Federal University of Goiás, Avenida Esperança, s/n, Campus Samambaia, Goiânia, Goiás, 74.690-900, Brazil
| | - Ana Laura Gonçalves Barreto
- Undergraduation in Veterinary Medicine at Federal, University of Goiás, Avenida Esperança, s/n, Campus Samambaia74.690-900, Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil
| | - Andreza Alves Dos Santos
- Undergraduation in Veterinary Medicine at Federal, University of Goiás, Avenida Esperança, s/n, Campus Samambaia74.690-900, Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil
| | - Vanessa Carvalho Miranda
- Undergraduation in Veterinary Medicine at Federal, University of Goiás, Avenida Esperança, s/n, Campus Samambaia74.690-900, Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil
| | - Warley Vieira de Freitas Paula
- Post-graduation Program in Animal Science, Federal University of Goiás (UFG), Avenida Esperança, s/n, Campus Samambaia74.690-900, Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil
| | - Lucianne Cardoso Neves
- Post-graduation Program in Animal Science, Federal University of Goiás (UFG), Avenida Esperança, s/n, Campus Samambaia74.690-900, Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil
| | - Mirna Vieira Secchis
- Post-graduation Program in Animal Science, Federal University of Goiás (UFG), Avenida Esperança, s/n, Campus Samambaia74.690-900, Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil
| | - Susy das Graças Alecrim Alves
- Undergraduation in Veterinary Medicine at Federal, University of Goiás, Avenida Esperança, s/n, Campus Samambaia74.690-900, Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil
| | - Anaiá da Paixão Sevá
- Department of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Santa Cruz State University (UESC), Rodovia Jorge Amado, km1645.662-900, Ilhéus, Bahia, Salobrinho, Brasil
| | - Lígia Miranda Ferreira Borges
- Post-graduation Program in Animal Science, Federal University of Goiás (UFG), Avenida Esperança, s/n, Campus Samambaia74.690-900, Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil
- Institute of Tropical Pathology and Public Health, Federal University of Goiás, Setor Universitário, Rua 235, s/n, Goiânia, Goiás, 74605-050, Brazil
| | - Caio Monteiro
- Post-graduation Program in Animal Science, Federal University of Goiás (UFG), Avenida Esperança, s/n, Campus Samambaia74.690-900, Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil
- Institute of Tropical Pathology and Public Health, Federal University of Goiás, Setor Universitário, Rua 235, s/n, Goiânia, Goiás, 74605-050, Brazil
| | - Filipe Dantas-Torres
- Department of Immunology, Aggeu Magalhães Institute - IAM, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (Fiocruz), Recife, PE, Brazil
| | - Felipe da Silva Krawczak
- Post-graduation Program in Animal Science, Federal University of Goiás (UFG), Avenida Esperança, s/n, Campus Samambaia74.690-900, Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil.
- Veterinary and Animal Science School at the Federal University of Goiás, Avenida Esperança, s/n, Campus Samambaia74.690-900, Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil.
| |
Collapse
|