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Qorbani A, Khalili M, Nourollahifard S, Mostafavi E, Farrokhnia M, Esmaeili S. Diversity of Rickettsia species in collected ticks from Southeast Iran. BMC Vet Res 2024; 20:279. [PMID: 38937767 PMCID: PMC11210027 DOI: 10.1186/s12917-024-04142-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2023] [Accepted: 06/18/2024] [Indexed: 06/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Rickettsia occurs worldwide and rickettsiosis is recognized as an emerging infection in several parts of the world. Ticks are reservoir hosts for pathogenic Rickettsia species in humans and domestic animals. Most pathogenic Rickettsia species belong to the spotted Fever Group (SFG). This study aimed to identify and diagnose tick fauna and investigate the prevalence of Rickettsia spp. in ticks collected from domestic animals and dogs in the rural regions of Kerman Province, Southeast Iran. In this study, tick species (fauna) were identified and 2100 ticks (350 pooled samples) from two genera and species including Rhipicephalus linnaei (1128) and Hyalomma deteritum (972) were tested to detect Rickettsia genus using Real-time PCR. The presence of the Rickettsia genus was observed in 24.9% (95%CI 20.28-29.52) of the pooled samples. Sequencing and phylogenetic analyses revealed the presence of Rickettsia aeschlimannii (48.98%), Rickettsia conorii israelensis (28.57%), Rickettsia sibirica (20.41%), and Rickettsia helvetica (2.04%) in the positive samples. The results showed a significant association between county variables and the following variables: tick spp. (p < 0.001), Rickettsia genus infection in ticks (p < 0.001) and Rickettsia spp. (p < 0.001). In addition, there was a significant association between tick species and host animals (dogs and domestic animals) (p < 0.001), Rickettsia spp infection in ticks (p < 0.001), and Rickettsia spp. (p < 0.001). This study indicates a high prevalence of Rickettsia spp. (SFG) in ticks of domestic animals and dogs in rural areas of Kerman Province. The health system should be informed of the possibility of rickettsiosis and the circulating species of Rickettsia in these areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Qorbani
- Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Kerman, Iran
| | - Mohammad Khalili
- Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Kerman, Iran.
| | - Saeidreza Nourollahifard
- Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Kerman, Iran
| | - Ehsan Mostafavi
- National Reference Laboratory for Plague, Tularemia and Q fever, Research Centre for Emerging and Reemerging infectious diseases, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Akanlu, Hamadan, Kabudar Ahang, Iran
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Research Centre for Emerging and Reemerging infectious diseases, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mehrdad Farrokhnia
- Department of internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Saber Esmaeili
- National Reference Laboratory for Plague, Tularemia and Q fever, Research Centre for Emerging and Reemerging infectious diseases, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Akanlu, Hamadan, Kabudar Ahang, Iran
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Research Centre for Emerging and Reemerging infectious diseases, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
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Seidi S, Omidi AH, Esmaeili S. Distribution of different Rickettsia species in countries of the WHO Eastern Mediterranean (WHO-EMRO) region: An overview. Travel Med Infect Dis 2024; 58:102695. [PMID: 38360158 DOI: 10.1016/j.tmaid.2024.102695] [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: 12/13/2023] [Revised: 01/23/2024] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 02/17/2024]
Abstract
SUBJECT Rickettsia is a zoonotic bacterial pathogen transmitted by vectors and has extensive reservoirs in animal and human populations. Rickettsiosis is a public health problem all over the world. However, comprehensive information on the geographical distribution of different Rickettsia species, infection status of reservoirs, vectors, and human cases is lacking in most parts of the world. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the geographical distribution of different Rickettsia species and their vectors in countries of the WHO-EMRO region. METHODS In this review study, a search was conducted for reports and published studies on Rickettsia species from WHO-EMRO region countries in various databases from 1995 to 2022. Finally, the reported status of human cases, reservoirs, and vectors associated with each species in different countries was documented. RESULTS Reports of infections related to the detection of Rickettsia species were only available for 15 out of 22 WHO-EMRO member countries. A total of twenty-four Rickettsia species, including R. sibrica, R. lusitaniae, R. africae, R. prowazekii, R. felis, R. typhi, R. rickettsii, R. aeschlimannii, R. conorii, R. massiliae, R. helvetica, R. monacensis, R. rhipicephali, R. bellii, R. asembonensis, R. hoogstraalii, R. andeanae, R. raoultii, R. asiatica, R. slovaca, R. australis, R. barbariae, Candidatus R. amblyommii, and Candidatus R. goldwasserii, were reported from WHO-EMRO member countries. Furthermore, human cases infected with six different Rickettsia species, including R. sibrica, R. prowazekii, R. felis, R. typhi, R. rickettsii, R. aeschlimannii, R. conorii, R. massiliae, and R. helvetica, were reported from these countries. CONCLUSION The vast diversity of Rickettsia vectors has contributed to the ongoing discovery of new Rickettsia species. Therefore, further research on the reservoir hosts of Rickettsia infections in the understudied WHO-EMRO region is crucial. This research sheds light on Rickettsia disease's epidemiology and transmission dynamics in this region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shahin Seidi
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatics, Research Centre for Emerging and Reemerging Infectious Diseases, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran; National Reference Laboratory for Plague, Tularemia and Q Fever, Research Centre for Emerging and Reemerging Infectious Diseases, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Akanlu, KabudarAhang, Hamadan, Iran
| | - Amir Hossein Omidi
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatics, Research Centre for Emerging and Reemerging Infectious Diseases, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran; National Reference Laboratory for Plague, Tularemia and Q Fever, Research Centre for Emerging and Reemerging Infectious Diseases, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Akanlu, KabudarAhang, Hamadan, Iran
| | - Saber Esmaeili
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatics, Research Centre for Emerging and Reemerging Infectious Diseases, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran; National Reference Laboratory for Plague, Tularemia and Q Fever, Research Centre for Emerging and Reemerging Infectious Diseases, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Akanlu, KabudarAhang, Hamadan, Iran.
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Akhtardanesh B, Khedri J, Tokasi M, Tazerji SS, Shokrollahi N, Sadeghi B, Poursina M, Malik YS, Hajipour P. Survey of Common Infectious Diseases in Urban Foxes (Vulpes spp.) in Southeastern Iran. J Wildl Dis 2024; 60:77-85. [PMID: 37924237 DOI: 10.7589/jwd-d-23-00028] [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: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 11/06/2023]
Abstract
The red fox (Vulpes vulpes) is one of the most common species of wild Canidae and is relatively abundant in Iran. Foxes (Vulpes spp.) transmit many zoonotic diseases, the most important of which are visceral leishmaniasis, rabies, hydatidosis, toxocariasis, and trichinellosis. In this study, visceral leishmaniasis, rabies, ectoparasites, canine gastrointestinal helminths, dermatophytosis, distemper, parvovirus infection, and heartworm infections were evaluated among live-trapped and rescued foxes injured by traffic road accidents referred to the teaching hospital of Kerman, Iran, veterinary faculty. Skin scraping and direct microscopic examination were used to detect ectoparasites and dermatophytosis. Immunochromatography rapid kits were used to detect dirofilariasis, parvovirus infection, and distemper. Necropsy was used to check for gastrointestinal parasites. Rabies and visceral leishmaniosis were screened for with direct fluorescent antibody test and ELISA methods, respectively. Gastrointestinal helminth infections, including Toxocara canis, Taenia taeniaeformis, Dipylidium caninum, Joyeuxiella echinorhyncoids, Toxascaris leonina, Taenia hydatigena, Echinococcus granulosus, Rictolaria spp., Oxynema spp., Macracanthorhynchus hirudinaceus, and Physaloptera spp., were detected. Skin scrapings showed dermatophytosis and various ectoparasites, including Rhipicephalus sanguineus, Ctenocephalides canis and Ctenocephalides felis, and Sarcoptes scabiei, in foxes with dermal lesions. Distemper and parvovirus infection (26.66%) were the common viral diseases, and rabies infection rate was quite high (16.66%). Dirofilariasis and leishmaniasis were detected in 10% of the population. This study showed that urban foxes which often cohabit with humans and domestic animals are carriers of many different pathogens. This interaction may facilitate indirect cross-species transmission of zoonotic disease. Periodic health monitoring and multidisciplinary cooperation for the diagnosis, control, and prevention of these zoonoses is highly recommended.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baharak Akhtardanesh
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Kerman, 7616914111, Iran
| | - Javad Khedri
- Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, 9177948974, Iran
| | - Mahya Tokasi
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Kerman, 7616914111, Iran
| | - Sina Salajegheh Tazerji
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, 1477893855, Iran
| | - Nasim Shokrollahi
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Kerman, 7616914111, Iran
| | - Balal Sadeghi
- Food Hygiene and Public Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Kerman, 7616914111, Iran
| | - Mansour Poursina
- Environmental Protection Organization of Kerman Province, Department of Wildlife Protection and Management, Kerman, 7618114735, Iran
| | - Yashpal Singh Malik
- Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Ludhiana 141004, Punjab, India
| | - Pouneh Hajipour
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Kerman, 7616914111, Iran
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Shehla S, Ullah F, Alouffi A, Almutairi MM, Khan Z, Tanaka T, Labruna MB, Tsai KH, Ali A. Association of SFG Rickettsia massiliae and Candidatus Rickettsia shennongii with Different Hard Ticks Infesting Livestock Hosts. Pathogens 2023; 12:1080. [PMID: 37764888 PMCID: PMC10536372 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12091080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2023] [Revised: 08/04/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Ixodid ticks are responsible for the transmission of various intracellular bacteria, such as the Rickettsia species. Little Information is available about the genetic characterization and epidemiology of Rickettsia spp. The current study was designed to assess the tick species infesting various livestock hosts and the associated Rickettsia spp. in Pakistan. Ticks were collected from different livestock hosts (equids, cattle, buffaloes, sheep, goats, and camels); morphologically identified; and screened for the genetic characterization of Rickettsia spp. by the amplification of partial fragments of the gltA, ompA and ompB genes. Altogether, 707 ticks were collected from 373 infested hosts out of 575 observed hosts. The infested hosts comprised 105 cattle, 71 buffaloes, 70 sheep, 60 goats, 34 camels, and 33 equids. The overall occurrence of Rickettsia spp. was 7.6% (25/330) in the tested ticks. Rickettsia DNA was detected in Rhipicephalus haemaphysaloides (9/50, 18.0%), followed by Rhipicephalus turanicus (13/99, 13.1%), Haemaphysalis cornupunctata (1/18, 5.5%), and Rhipicephalus microplus (2/49, 4.1%); however, no rickettsial DNA was detected in Hyalomma anatolicum (71), Hyalomma dromedarii (35), and Haemaphysalis sulcata (8). Two Rickettsia agents were identified based on partial gltA, ompA, and ompB DNA sequences. The Rickettsia species detected in Rh. haemaphysaloides, Rh. turanicus, and Rh. microplus showed 99-100% identity with Rickettsia sp. and Candidatus Rickettsia shennongii, and in the phylogenetic trees clustered with the corresponding Rickettsia spp. The Rickettsia species detected in Rh. haemaphysaloides, Rh. turanicus, Rh. microplus, and Ha. cornupunctata showed 100% identity with R. massiliae, and in the phylogenetic trees it was clustered with the same species. Candidatus R. shennongii was characterized for the first time in Rh. haemaphysaloides, Rh. turanicus, and Rh. microplus. The presence of SFG Rickettsia spp., including the human pathogen R. massiliae, indicates a zoonotic risk in the study region, thus stressing the need for regular surveillance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shehla Shehla
- Department of Zoology, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, Mardan 23200, Pakistan; (S.S.); (Z.K.)
| | - Farman Ullah
- Department of Zoology, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, Mardan 23200, Pakistan; (S.S.); (Z.K.)
| | - Abdulaziz Alouffi
- King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology, Riyadh 12354, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mashal M. Almutairi
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Zaibullah Khan
- Department of Zoology, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, Mardan 23200, Pakistan; (S.S.); (Z.K.)
| | - Tetsuya Tanaka
- Laboratory of Infectious Diseases, Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima 890-0065, Japan;
| | - Marcelo B. Labruna
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine and Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-060, Brazil;
| | - Kun-Hsien Tsai
- Institute of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, Department of Public Health, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, Taipei 100025, Taiwan
| | - Abid Ali
- Department of Zoology, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, Mardan 23200, Pakistan; (S.S.); (Z.K.)
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Qorbani A, Khalili M, Nourollahifard S, Mostafavi E, Farrokhnia M, Esmaeili S. An update on spotted fever group serology in Kerman Province, Iran. Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis 2022; 88:101862. [PMID: 35878512 DOI: 10.1016/j.cimid.2022.101862] [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: 02/15/2022] [Revised: 07/11/2022] [Accepted: 07/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Rickettsia conorii is the causative agent of Mediterranean spotted fever (MSF) and reports of its geographical distribution are spreading every day. Recently, some cases of the MSF have been reported from Iran. However, little information is available about the MSF epidemiology in Iran. The aim of the current study was to investigate anti-R. conorii IgG seroprevalence among farmers living in the rural regions of Kerman province (in southeastern Iran). In this study, 281 blood samples were collected from farmers in Zarand and Jiroft counties and tested for detection of anti-R. conorii IgG antibodies using the ELISA method. Among the 281 samples, 14 farmers (4.98%, CI 95%; 2.45-7.55%) had anti-R. conorii IgG antibodies. Seroprevalence of MSF in Zarand and Jiroft counties were 4.58% and 5.33%, respectively. The serological evidence of this study indicates the seroprevalence of R. conorii in rural areas of the Kerman province of Iran. So, it is recommended that the Iranian health care system pay attention to the MSF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Qorbani
- Department of Bacteriology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Kerman, Iran
| | - Mohammad Khalili
- Department of Bacteriology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Kerman, Iran
| | - Saeidreza Nourollahifard
- Department of Bacteriology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Kerman, Iran
| | - Ehsan Mostafavi
- National Reference Laboratory for Plague, Tularemia and Q fever, Research Centre for Emerging and Reemerging Infectious Diseases, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Akanlu, Kabudar Ahang, Hamadan, Iran; Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Research Centre for Emerging and Reemerging Infectious Diseases, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mehrdad Farrokhnia
- Department of internal Medicine, School of Medicine Research Center for Hydatid Disease Afzalipour Hospital Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Iran
| | - Saber Esmaeili
- National Reference Laboratory for Plague, Tularemia and Q fever, Research Centre for Emerging and Reemerging Infectious Diseases, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Akanlu, Kabudar Ahang, Hamadan, Iran; Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Research Centre for Emerging and Reemerging Infectious Diseases, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
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Khovand H, Nourollahi Fard SR, Khalili M, Jajarmi M, Hormozzaie HS. Detection of Ehrlichia spp. in ticks collected from stray dogs in Central and Southeastern Iran. BULGARIAN JOURNAL OF VETERINARY MEDICINE 2022. [DOI: 10.15547/bjvm.2020-0128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Ehrlichia is an etiologic agent of ehrlichiosis in humans and some animals. Rhipicephalus sanguineus is the main vector of the Ehrlichia canis and dogs, red foxes and yellow jackals are reservoirs of the bacterium. This tick has a worldwide distribution and is regarded as one of the commonest species of ticks in Iran. This research aimed to detect Ehrlichia spp. in R. sanguineus isolated from stray dogs in Central and Southeast Iran (Isfahan and Zabol), by using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and to evaluate the prevalence of the microorganism in these two areas. Tick samples were collected from stray dogs in Isfahan and Zabol between April and June of 2018. The DNA extraction was performed with commercial kits. PCR was done to determine the 336 bp fragment related to Ehrlichia spp. Overall, 15.21% of pools in both areas were positive for Ehrlichia, 21.42% and 10% of pools were from Isfahan and Zabol respectively. The results confirmed the presence of Ehrlichia spp. in R. sanguineus in stray dogs revealing that dogs and their ticks may have a significant role in the epidemiology of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- H. Khovand
- Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Kerman, Iran
| | - S. R. Nourollahi Fard
- Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Kerman, Iran
| | - M. Khalili
- Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Kerman, Iran
| | - M. Jajarmi
- Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Kerman, Iran
| | - H. S. Hormozzaie
- Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Kerman, Iran
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