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Ferrara G, Flores-Ramirez G, Palkovicova K, Ferrucci F, Pagnini U, Iovane G, Montagnaro S. Serological and molecular survey of Q fever in the dog population of the Campania region, southern Italy. Acta Trop 2024; 257:107299. [PMID: 38955320 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2024.107299] [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: 03/28/2024] [Revised: 05/20/2024] [Accepted: 06/21/2024] [Indexed: 07/04/2024]
Abstract
Q fever is a re-emerging zoonosis whose epidemiological cycle in ruminants is well defined, while the role of other species (including pets) is still debated. In this study, the serological and molecular prevalence of Coxiella burnetii in a sample of dogs in the Campania region, southern Italy was evaluated. A seroprevalence of 5.97 % (16/268) was observed using a commercial multispecies ELISA, compared to only 2.7 % (5/197) at the molecular level. No risk factors correlated with higher levels of exposure except for the size of the animal (small dogs showed significantly higher seroprevalence). Positive samples were further evaluated for reactivity to phase I and II antigens using IFA and phase-specific ELISAs (for specific IgG detection). Two animals showed antibodies against both phases of infection, suggesting that Coxiella burnetii seroconversion in dogs follows similar dynamics to those observed in ruminants. One of the five samples that showed positive results in real-time PCR was confirmed at the PCR endpoint and showed similarity with other Coxiella spp. strains detected in tick and dog samples when sequenced. In this study, we demonstrated exposure to Coxiella burnetii for different categories of dogs in southern Italy, including pet dogs living indoors. Since reports of transmission of infection from pets to humans have been described in both rural and urban areas, careful surveillance of these species is also necessary. In the lack of additional information, comprehending the risk to humans requires monitoring of wild and domestic animal populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Ferrara
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples Federico II, Via Federico Delpino n.1, 80137 Naples, Italy.
| | - G Flores-Ramirez
- Institute of Virology, Biomedical Research Center, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - K Palkovicova
- Institute of Virology, Biomedical Research Center, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - F Ferrucci
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples Federico II, Via Federico Delpino n.1, 80137 Naples, Italy
| | - U Pagnini
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples Federico II, Via Federico Delpino n.1, 80137 Naples, Italy
| | - G Iovane
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples Federico II, Via Federico Delpino n.1, 80137 Naples, Italy
| | - S Montagnaro
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples Federico II, Via Federico Delpino n.1, 80137 Naples, Italy
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2
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Brophy M, Walker KR, Adamson JE, Ravenscraft A. Tropical and Temperate Lineages of Rhipicephalus sanguineus s.l. Ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) Host Different Strains of Coxiella-like Endosymbionts. JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY 2022; 59:2022-2029. [PMID: 36124671 DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjac132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Nonpathogenic bacteria likely play important roles in the biology and vector competence of ticks and other arthropods. Coxiella, a gram-negative gammaproteobacterium, is one of the most commonly reported maternally inherited endosymbionts in ticks and has been associated with over 40 tick species. Species-specific Coxiella-like endosymbionts (CLEs) have been reported in the brown dog tick, Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato (Acari: Ixodidae), throughout the world, while recent research suggests low Coxiella diversity among tick species. We investigated CLE diversity among R. sanguineus s.l. ticks across Arizona. We detected 37 recurrent sequence variants (SVs) of the symbiont, indicating greater diversity in these symbiotic bacteria than previously reported. However, two SVs accounted for the vast majority of 16S rRNA amplicon reads. These two dominant CLEs were both closely related to Candidatus C. mudrowiae, an identified symbiont of Rhipicephalus turanicus ticks. One strain strongly associated with the tropical lineage of R. sanguineus s.l. while the other was found almost exclusively in the temperate lineage, supporting the conclusion that CLEs are primarily vertically transmitted. However, occasional mismatches between tick lineage and symbiont SV indicate that horizontal symbiont transfer may occur, perhaps via cofeeding of ticks from different lineages on the same dog. This study advances our understanding of CLE diversity in Rh. sanguineus s.l.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maureen Brophy
- Department of Entomology, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
| | - Kathleen R Walker
- Department of Entomology, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
| | - Johnathan E Adamson
- Department of Biology, The University of Texas Arlington, Arlington, TX 76019, USA
| | - Alison Ravenscraft
- Department of Biology, The University of Texas Arlington, Arlington, TX 76019, USA
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3
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Greay TL, Evasco KL, Evans ML, Oskam CL, Magni PA, Ryan UM, Irwin PJ. Illuminating the bacterial microbiome of Australian ticks with 16S and Rickettsia-specific next-generation sequencing. CURRENT RESEARCH IN PARASITOLOGY & VECTOR-BORNE DISEASES 2022; 1:100037. [PMID: 35284883 PMCID: PMC8906098 DOI: 10.1016/j.crpvbd.2021.100037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2021] [Revised: 04/20/2021] [Accepted: 06/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Next-generation sequencing (NGS) studies show that mosquito and tick microbiomes influence the transmission of pathogens, opening new avenues for vector-borne pathogen control. Recent microbiological studies of Australian ticks highlight fundamental knowledge gaps of tick-borne agents. This investigation explored the composition, diversity and prevalence of bacteria in Australian ticks (n = 655) from companion animals (dogs, cats and horses). Bacterial 16S NGS was used to identify most bacterial taxa and a Rickettsia-specific NGS assay was developed to identify Rickettsia species that were indistinguishable at the V1-2 regions of 16S. Sanger sequencing of near full-length 16S was used to confirm whether species detected by 16S NGS were novel. The haemotropic bacterial pathogens Anaplasma platys, Bartonella clarridgeiae, “Candidatus Mycoplasma haematoparvum” and Coxiella burnetii were identified in Rhipicephalus sanguineus (s.l.) from Queensland (QLD), Western Australia, the Northern Territory (NT), and South Australia, Ixodes holocyclus from QLD, Rh. sanguineus (s.l.) from the NT, and I. holocyclus from QLD, respectively. Analysis of the control data showed that cross-talk compromises the detection of rare species as filtering thresholds for less abundant sequences had to be applied to mitigate false positives. A comparison of the taxonomic assignments made with 16S sequence databases revealed inconsistencies. The Rickettsia-specific citrate synthase gene NGS assay enabled the identification of Rickettsia co-infections with potentially novel species and genotypes most similar (97.9–99.1%) to Rickettsia raoultii and Rickettsia gravesii. “Candidatus Rickettsia jingxinensis” was identified for the first time in Australia. Phylogenetic analysis of near full-length 16S sequences confirmed a novel Coxiellaceae genus and species, two novel Francisella species, and two novel Francisella genotypes. Cross-talk raises concerns for the MiSeq platform as a diagnostic tool for clinical samples. This study provides recommendations for adjustments to Illuminaʼs 16S metagenomic sequencing protocol that help track and reduce cross-talk from cross-contamination during library preparation. The inconsistencies in taxonomic assignment emphasise the need for curated and quality-checked sequence databases. Bacterial pathogens identified in ticks from companion animals with 16S NGS. Sanger sequencing confirmed novel Coxiellaceae gen. sp. and Francisella. “Candidatus Rickettsia jingxinensis” was identified with Rickettsia-specific NGS. Comparison of taxonomic assignments in 16S sequence databases revealed errors. Modifications to the 16S metagenomic library protocol (Illumina) are provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Telleasha L Greay
- College of Science, Health, Engineering and Education, Murdoch University, 90 South Street, Murdoch, Western Australia, 6150, Australia.,Western Australian State Agricultural Biotechnology Centre, Murdoch University, 90 South Street, Murdoch, Western Australia 6150, Australia.,Executive Consultant, EpiSeq, PO Box 357, Kwinana, Western Australia, 6966, Australia
| | - Kimberly L Evasco
- College of Science, Health, Engineering and Education, Murdoch University, 90 South Street, Murdoch, Western Australia, 6150, Australia.,Western Australian State Agricultural Biotechnology Centre, Murdoch University, 90 South Street, Murdoch, Western Australia 6150, Australia.,A/Senior Scientific Officer, Medical Entomology Unit, Department of Health, 1A Brockway Road, Mount Claremont, Western Australia, 6010, Australia
| | - Megan L Evans
- College of Science, Health, Engineering and Education, Murdoch University, 90 South Street, Murdoch, Western Australia, 6150, Australia.,Western Australian State Agricultural Biotechnology Centre, Murdoch University, 90 South Street, Murdoch, Western Australia 6150, Australia.,Cardio Respiratory Sleep, Level 1, 52-54 Monash Avenue, Nedlands, Western Australia, 6009, Australia
| | - Charlotte L Oskam
- College of Science, Health, Engineering and Education, Murdoch University, 90 South Street, Murdoch, Western Australia, 6150, Australia.,Centre for Biosecurity and One Health, Harry Butler Institute, Murdoch University, 90 South Street, Murdoch, Western Australia 6150, Australia
| | - Paola A Magni
- College of Science, Health, Engineering and Education, Murdoch University, 90 South Street, Murdoch, Western Australia, 6150, Australia.,Murdoch University Singapore, King's Centre, 390 Havelock Road, Singapore, 169662, Republic of Singapore
| | - Una M Ryan
- College of Science, Health, Engineering and Education, Murdoch University, 90 South Street, Murdoch, Western Australia, 6150, Australia
| | - Peter J Irwin
- College of Science, Health, Engineering and Education, Murdoch University, 90 South Street, Murdoch, Western Australia, 6150, Australia
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Novel phlebovirus-like-AYUT and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia bacterial co-infection in a Rhipicephalus sanguineus s.l. tick. Vet Res Commun 2021; 46:277-282. [PMID: 34725749 PMCID: PMC8560361 DOI: 10.1007/s11259-021-09855-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2021] [Accepted: 10/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Tick-borne viruses and bacteria that can cause diseases of animals and humans have high impact and are of concern as significant threats to human health worldwide. In this research, we screened microorganisms related to those pathogens in ticks from dogs, a cat, and a cow. The techniques used were PCR, DNA sequencing and phylogenetic analysis to detect and classify the microorganisms [Flavivirus, severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus (SFTSV), Phlebovirus, Coronavirus, Canine Parvovirus, eubacteria, Coxiella and Rickettsia]. A novel virus named Phlebovirus-like-AYUT and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia bacteria were found in one individual tick (Rhipicephalus sanguineus s.l.) from a dog. All tick samples were negative for Rickettsia, while 9/21 (42.9 %) were positive for Coxiella bacteria. The novel virus “Phlebovirus-like-AYUT” (the name derives from Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Province in Thailand) was resolved by phylogenetic analysis of the partial L segment by maximum likelihood (ML) method using MEGA X. The phylogenetic tree also indicated that the virus was related to Phlebovirus in brown dog ticks reported in Trinidad and Tobago. In contrast, Phlebovirus-like-AYUT was in a distinct clade from Lihan tick Phlebovirus-Thailand (LTPV), which was previously found in cow ticks, Rhipicephalus microplus, in Nan Province, Thailand. This study reports the Stenotrophomonas maltophilia bacterium with a novel Phlebovirus-like-AYUT in a brown dog tick. The roles of this bacterium in a virus-positive tick or in viral transmission from animal host requires further investigation.
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5
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Luzzi MDC, Carvalho LALD, Pinheiro DG, Lima-Duarte L, Camargo JV, Kishi LT, Fernandes CC, Machado RZ, Soares JF, André MR, Barros-Battesti DM. Analysis on the prokaryotic microbiome in females and embryonic cell cultures of Rhipicephalus sanguineus tropical and temperate lineages from two specific localities in Brazil. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2021; 30:e005721. [PMID: 34378769 DOI: 10.1590/s1984-29612021066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2021] [Accepted: 06/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Two lineages of Rhipicephalus sanguineus are known in Brazil: the temperate or southern and the tropical or northern populations. The distribution patterns of both lineages of R. sanguineus have epidemiological implications that can affect vectorial competence concerning Ehrlichia canis, the agent of canine monocytic ehrlichiosis. Intending to identify the microbiomes of both lineages and compare microorganisms in R. sanguineus, we used the 16S rRNA (V4-V5 region) gene-based metataxonomic approach, through NGS sequencing on the MiSeq Illumina platform. We selected specimens of females from the environment and samples of primary embryonic cell cultures, from both lineages, and this was the first study to investigate the prokaryotic microbiome in tick cell cultures. The results showed that many bacterial taxa detected in the samples were typical members of the host environment. A significant diversity of microorganisms in R. sanguineus females and in embryonic cell cultures from both lineages was found, with emphasis on the presence of Coxiella in all samples, albeit in different proportions. The Coxiella species present in the two lineages of ticks may be different and may have co-evolved with them, thus driving different patterns of interactions between ticks and the pathogens that they can harbor or transmit to vertebrate hosts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mayara de Cassia Luzzi
- Departamento de Patologia, Reprodução e Saúde Única, Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias - FCAV, Universidade Estadual Paulista Júlio de Mesquita Filho - UNESP, Jaboticabal, SP, Brasil
| | - Lucas Amoroso Lopes de Carvalho
- Departamento de Tecnologia, Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias - FCAV, Universidade Estadual Paulista Júlio de Mesquita Filho - UNESP, Jaboticabal, SP, Brasil
| | - Daniel Guariz Pinheiro
- Departamento de Tecnologia, Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias - FCAV, Universidade Estadual Paulista Júlio de Mesquita Filho - UNESP, Jaboticabal, SP, Brasil
| | - Leidiane Lima-Duarte
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo - USP, SP, Brasil
| | - Jaqueline Valéria Camargo
- Departamento de Patologia, Reprodução e Saúde Única, Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias - FCAV, Universidade Estadual Paulista Júlio de Mesquita Filho - UNESP, Jaboticabal, SP, Brasil
| | - Luciano Takeshi Kishi
- Laboratório Multiusuário Centralizado para Sequenciamento de DNA em Larga Escala e Análise de Expressão Gênica - LMSeq, Departamento de Tecnologia, Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias - FCAV, Universidade Estadual Paulista Júlio de Mesquita Filho - UNESP, Jaboticabal, SP, Brasil
| | - Camila Cesário Fernandes
- Laboratório Multiusuário Centralizado para Sequenciamento de DNA em Larga Escala e Análise de Expressão Gênica - LMSeq, Departamento de Tecnologia, Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias - FCAV, Universidade Estadual Paulista Júlio de Mesquita Filho - UNESP, Jaboticabal, SP, Brasil
| | - Rosangela Zacarias Machado
- Departamento de Patologia, Reprodução e Saúde Única, Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias - FCAV, Universidade Estadual Paulista Júlio de Mesquita Filho - UNESP, Jaboticabal, SP, Brasil
| | - João Fábio Soares
- Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul - UFRGS, Porto Alegre, RS, Brasil
| | - Marcos Rogério André
- Departamento de Patologia, Reprodução e Saúde Única, Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias - FCAV, Universidade Estadual Paulista Júlio de Mesquita Filho - UNESP, Jaboticabal, SP, Brasil
| | - Darci Moraes Barros-Battesti
- Departamento de Patologia, Reprodução e Saúde Única, Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias - FCAV, Universidade Estadual Paulista Júlio de Mesquita Filho - UNESP, Jaboticabal, SP, Brasil.,Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo - USP, SP, Brasil
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6
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Modeling the Life Cycle of the Intramitochondrial Bacterium " Candidatus Midichloria mitochondrii" Using Electron Microscopy Data. mBio 2021; 12:e0057421. [PMID: 34154402 PMCID: PMC8262999 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.00574-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
“Candidatus Midichloria mitochondrii” is a Gram-negative bacterium that lives in strict intracellular symbiosis with the hard tick Ixodes ricinus, forming one of the most intriguing endosymbiosis described to date. The bacterium is capable of durably colonizing the host mitochondria, a peculiar tropism that makes “Ca. Midichloria mitochondrii” a very interesting tool to study the physiology of these cellular organelles. The interaction between the symbiont and the organelle has, however, been difficult to characterize. A parallelism with the predatory bacterium Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus has been drawn, suggesting the hypothesis that “Ca. Midichloria mitochondrii” could prey on mitochondria and consume them to multiply. We studied the life cycle of the bacterium within the host oocytes using a multidisciplinary approach, including electron microscopy, molecular biology, statistics, and systems biology. Our results were not coherent with a predatory-like behavior by “Ca. Midichloria mitochondrii” leading us to propose a novel hypothesis for its life cycle. Based on our results, we here present a novel model called the “mitochondrion-to-mitochondrion hypothesis.” Under this model, the bacterium would be able to move from mitochondrion to mitochondrion, possibly within a mitochondrial network. We show that this model presents a good fit with quantitative electron microscopy data.
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7
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Cruz-Bacab LE, Perez-De la Cruz MC, Zaragoza-Vera CV, Zaragoza-Vera M, Arjona-Jimenez G, Lesher-Gordillo JM, Baak-Baak CM, Cigarroa-Toledo N, Machain-Williams CI, Garcia-Rejon JE, Gonzalez-Garduño R, Torres-Chable OM. Prevalence and Factors Associated with Ectoparasite Infestations in Dogs from the State of Tabasco, Mexico. J Parasitol 2021; 107:29-38. [PMID: 33535232 DOI: 10.1645/20-71] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
This study was carried out to identify the ectoparasites that infest owned dogs in the state of Tabasco, Mexico. In total, 1,302 dogs were sampled in the 5 ecological regions of Tabasco. The dog owners were surveyed to identify the factors associated with infestations. Ectoparasites were identified using taxonomic keys. Eleven species of ectoparasites were observed. General prevalence was 26.65%. Rhipicephalus sanguineus and Ctenocephalides felis were the most prevalent and abundant ectoparasites. The most important factors associated with ectoparasite infestations in the studied dogs were living outdoors, being a non-purebred, having short hair, being dark-haired, and having a body condition <3. Ectoparasite studies such as the one presented herein generate important information to create control programs focused on decreasing infestations in companion animals and thus the likelihood of zoonotic transmission of pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis Eliezer Cruz-Bacab
- Laboratorio de Enfermedades Tropicales y Transmitidas por Vectores, División Académica de Ciencias Agropecuarias, Universidad Juárez Autónoma de Tabasco, Villahermosa, Tabasco, México ZC 86040
| | - Martha-Carolina Perez-De la Cruz
- Laboratorio de Enfermedades Tropicales y Transmitidas por Vectores, División Académica de Ciencias Agropecuarias, Universidad Juárez Autónoma de Tabasco, Villahermosa, Tabasco, México ZC 86040
| | - Claudia V Zaragoza-Vera
- Laboratorio de Enfermedades Tropicales y Transmitidas por Vectores, División Académica de Ciencias Agropecuarias, Universidad Juárez Autónoma de Tabasco, Villahermosa, Tabasco, México ZC 86040
| | - Maritza Zaragoza-Vera
- Laboratorio de Enfermedades Tropicales y Transmitidas por Vectores, División Académica de Ciencias Agropecuarias, Universidad Juárez Autónoma de Tabasco, Villahermosa, Tabasco, México ZC 86040
| | - Guadalupe Arjona-Jimenez
- Laboratorio de Enfermedades Tropicales y Transmitidas por Vectores, División Académica de Ciencias Agropecuarias, Universidad Juárez Autónoma de Tabasco, Villahermosa, Tabasco, México ZC 86040
| | - Julia Maria Lesher-Gordillo
- Laboratorio de Genómica, División Académica de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Juárez Autónoma de Tabasco, Villahermosa, Tabasco, México ZC 86150
| | - Carlos M Baak-Baak
- Laboratorio de Arbovirología, Centro de Investigaciones Regionales Dr. Hideyo Noguchi, Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Mérida, Yucatán, México ZC 97225
| | - Nohemi Cigarroa-Toledo
- Laboratorio de Arbovirología, Centro de Investigaciones Regionales Dr. Hideyo Noguchi, Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Mérida, Yucatán, México ZC 97225
| | - Carlos I Machain-Williams
- Laboratorio de Arbovirología, Centro de Investigaciones Regionales Dr. Hideyo Noguchi, Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Mérida, Yucatán, México ZC 97225
| | - Julian E Garcia-Rejon
- Laboratorio de Arbovirología, Centro de Investigaciones Regionales Dr. Hideyo Noguchi, Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Mérida, Yucatán, México ZC 97225
| | - Roberto Gonzalez-Garduño
- Unidad Regional Universitaria Sursureste, Universidad Autónoma Chapingo, Km 7.5 Carr, Teapa-Vicente Guerrero, Teapa, Tabasco, México ZP 86807
| | - Oswaldo M Torres-Chable
- Laboratorio de Enfermedades Tropicales y Transmitidas por Vectores, División Académica de Ciencias Agropecuarias, Universidad Juárez Autónoma de Tabasco, Villahermosa, Tabasco, México ZC 86040
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8
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Coimbra-Dores MJ, Jaarsma RI, Carmo AO, Maia-Silva M, Fonville M, da Costa DFF, Brandão RML, Azevedo F, Casero M, Oliveira AC, Afonso SMDS, Sprong H, Rosa F, Dias D. Mitochondrial sequences of Rhipicephalus and Coxiella endosymbiont reveal evidence of lineages co-cladogenesis. FEMS Microbiol Ecol 2020; 96:5824628. [PMID: 32329790 DOI: 10.1093/femsec/fiaa072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2019] [Accepted: 04/21/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Rhipicephalus ticks are competent vectors of several pathogens, such as Spotted Fever Group Rickettsiae (SFGR) and many Babesia species. Within this genus, different R. sanguineus s.l. lineages show an unequal vector competence and resistance regarding some pathogenic strains. Current literature supports that tick endosymbionts may play an essential role in the transmission ability of a vector. Indeed, the microbial community of Rhipicephalus seems to be dominated by Coxiella-like endosymbionts (CLE). Still, their co-evolutionary associations with the complicated phylogeny of Rhipicephalus lineages and their transmissible pathogens remain unclear. We performed a phylogenetic congruence analysis to address whether divergent R. sanguineus s.l. lineages had a different symbiont composition. For that, we applied a PCR based approach to screen part of the microbial community present in 279 Rhipicephalus ticks from the Iberian Peninsula and Africa. Our analyses detected several qPCR-positive signals for both SFGR and Babesia species, of which we suggest R. sanguineus-tropical lineage as a natural vector of Babesia vogeli and R. sanguineus-temperate lineage of SFGR. The acquisition of 190 CLE sequences allowed to evaluate co-phylogenetic associations between the tick and the symbiont. With this data, we observed a strong but incomplete co-cladogenesis between CLE strains and their Rhipicephalus tick lineages hosts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria João Coimbra-Dores
- Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies (CESAM), Departamento de Biologia Animal, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, 1749-016 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Ryanne Isolde Jaarsma
- Centre for Infectious Disease Control (CIb), National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), 3720 BA Bilthoven, The Netherlands
| | - Anderson Oliveira Carmo
- Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies (CESAM), Departamento de Biologia Animal, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, 1749-016 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Mariana Maia-Silva
- Departamento de Biologia Animal, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, 1749-016 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Manoj Fonville
- Centre for Infectious Disease Control (CIb), National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), 3720 BA Bilthoven, The Netherlands
| | | | - Ricardo Manuel Lemos Brandão
- Wild Animal Ecology, Rehabilitation and Surveillance Center (CERVAS), Serra da Estrela Natural Park, 6290-909 Gouveia, Portugal
| | - Fábia Azevedo
- Wildlife Rehabilitation and Investigation Center (RIAS), Ria Formosa Natural Park, 8700-225 Olhão, Portugal
| | - María Casero
- Wildlife Rehabilitation and Investigation Center (RIAS), Ria Formosa Natural Park, 8700-225 Olhão, Portugal
| | - Ana Cristina Oliveira
- Casa dos Animais Veterinary Clinic, Travessa Quinta da Rosa Linda, Morro Bento, Luanda, Angola
| | | | - Hein Sprong
- Centre for Infectious Disease Control (CIb), National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), 3720 BA Bilthoven, The Netherlands
| | - Fernanda Rosa
- Instituto Superior de Agronomia (ISA), Universidade de Lisboa, Tapada da Ajuda, 1349-017 Lisboa, Portugal.,Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies (CESAM), Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, 1749-016 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Deodália Dias
- Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies (CESAM), Departamento de Biologia Animal, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, 1749-016 Lisboa, Portugal
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9
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Ma GC, Norris JM, Mathews KO, Chandra S, Šlapeta J, Bosward KL, Ward MP. New insights on the epidemiology of Coxiella burnetii in pet dogs and cats from New South Wales, Australia. Acta Trop 2020; 205:105416. [PMID: 32105667 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2020.105416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2019] [Revised: 02/03/2020] [Accepted: 02/20/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Q fever is considered one of the most important zoonoses in Australia. Whilst ruminants are the primary reservoirs for Coxiella burnetii, and the major source of human infection, human cases have also been reported following contact with pet dogs and cats. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of seropositivity to, and bacterial shedding of, C. burnetii by pet dogs and cats in a region with a high human Q fever incidence and explore risk factors for C. burnetii exposure. Samples (serum, whole blood, reproductive tissue, reproductive swabs) and questionnaires (completed by the pet's owner) were collected from dogs and cats from eight communities across remote New South Wales (NSW), Australia. Overall 86/330 dogs (26.1%, 95% CI 21.3-30.8%) and 19/145 cats (13.1%, 95% CI 7.6-18.6%) were seropositive to C. burnetii. Seroprevalence varied significantly between communities and was highest in communities within 150 km of a 2015 human Q fever outbreak. Feeding raw kangaroo was identified as a risk factor for seropositivity (adjusted OR 3.37, 95% CI 1.21-9.43). Coxiella burnetii DNA was not detected from any dog or cat whole blood, reproductive tissue or vaginal/preputial swab using qPCR targeting the IS1111 and com1 genes. Our findings suggest that companion animals are frequently exposed to C. burnetii in western NSW. Geographical variation in C. burnetii seroprevalence amongst companion animals - which corresponds with a human Q fever outbreak - suggests a shared environmental source of infection is likely with important consequences for public and animal health. The lack of detection of C. burnetii DNA from healthy companion animals suggests that pet dogs and cats are not an important reservoir for human Q fever infection outside a narrow periparturient window.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gemma C Ma
- Sydney School of Veterinary Science, Faculty of Science, the University of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
| | - Jacqueline M Norris
- Sydney School of Veterinary Science, Faculty of Science, the University of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Karen O Mathews
- Sydney School of Veterinary Science, Faculty of Science, the University of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Shona Chandra
- Sydney School of Veterinary Science, Faculty of Science, the University of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Jan Šlapeta
- Sydney School of Veterinary Science, Faculty of Science, the University of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Katrina L Bosward
- Sydney School of Veterinary Science, Faculty of Science, the University of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Michael P Ward
- Sydney School of Veterinary Science, Faculty of Science, the University of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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10
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Bacterial community profiling highlights complex diversity and novel organisms in wildlife ticks. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2020; 11:101407. [PMID: 32051105 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2020.101407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2019] [Revised: 01/24/2020] [Accepted: 02/04/2020] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Ticks Acari:Ixodida transmit a greater variety of pathogens than any other blood-feeding group of arthropods. While numerous microbes have been identified inhabiting Australian Ixodidae, some of which are related to globally important tick-borne pathogens, little is known about the bacterial communities within ticks collected from Australian wildlife. In this study, 1,019 ticks were identified on 221 hosts spanning 27 wildlife species. Next-generation sequencing was used to amplify the V1-2 hypervariable region of the bacterial 16S rRNA gene from 238 ticks; Amblyomma triguttatum (n = 6), Bothriocroton auruginans (n = 11), Bothriocroton concolor (n = 20), Haemaphysalis bancrofti (n = 10), Haemaphysalis bremneri (n = 4), Haemaphysalis humerosa (n = 13), Haemaphysalis longicornis (n = 4), Ixodes antechini (n = 29), Ixodes australiensis (n = 26), Ixodes fecialis (n = 13), Ixodes holocyclus (n = 37), Ixodes myrmecobii (n = 1), Ixodes ornithorhynchi (n = 10), Ixodes tasmani (n = 51) and Ixodes trichosuri (n = 3). After bioinformatic analyses, over 14 million assigned bacterial sequences revealed the presence of recently described bacteria 'Candidatus Borrelia tachyglossi', 'Candidatus Neoehrlichia australis', 'Candidatus Neoehrlichia arcana' and 'Candidatus Ehrlichia ornithorhynchi'. Furthermore, three novel Anaplasmataceae species were identified in the present study including; a Neoehrlichia sp. in I. australiensis and I. fecialis collected from quenda (Isoodon fusciventer) (Western Australia), an Anaplasma sp. from one B. concolor from echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatus) (New South Wales), and an Ehrlichia sp. from a single I. fecialis parasitising a quenda (WA). This study highlights the diversity of bacterial genera harboured within wildlife ticks, which may prove to be of medical and/or veterinary importance in the future.
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Chalada MJ, Stenos J, Vincent G, Barker D, Bradbury RS. A Molecular Survey of Tick-Borne Pathogens from Ticks Collected in Central Queensland, Australia. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2018; 18:151-163. [PMID: 29336689 DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2017.2182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Central Queensland (CQ) is a large and isolated, low population density, remote tropical region of Australia with a varied environment. The region has a diverse fauna and several species of ticks that feed upon that fauna. This study examined 518 individual ticks: 177 Rhipicephalus sanguineus (brown dog tick), 123 Haemaphysalis bancrofti (wallaby tick), 102 Rhipicephalus australis (Australian cattle tick), 47 Amblyomma triguttatum (ornate kangaroo tick), 57 Ixodes holocyclus (paralysis tick), 9 Bothriocroton tachyglossi (CQ short-beaked echidna tick), and 3 Ornithodoros capensis (seabird soft tick). Tick midguts were pooled by common host or environment and screened for four genera of tick-borne zoonoses by PCR and sequencing. The study examined a total of 157 midgut pools of which 3 contained DNA of Coxiella burnetii, 13 Rickettsia gravesii, 1 Rickettsia felis, and 4 other Rickettsia spp. No Borrelia spp. or Babesia spp. DNA were recovered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa Judith Chalada
- 1 School of Health, Medical and Applied Sciences, Central Queensland University , North Rockhampton, Queensland, Australia
| | - John Stenos
- 2 Australian Rickettsial Reference Laboratory , Barwon Health, Geelong, Victoria, Australia
| | - Gemma Vincent
- 2 Australian Rickettsial Reference Laboratory , Barwon Health, Geelong, Victoria, Australia
| | - Dayana Barker
- 3 School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, University of Queensland , Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Richard Stewart Bradbury
- 1 School of Health, Medical and Applied Sciences, Central Queensland University , North Rockhampton, Queensland, Australia
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Oskam C, Owens J, Codello A, Gofton A, Greay T. Rethinking Coxiella infections in Australia. MICROBIOLOGY AUSTRALIA 2018. [DOI: 10.1071/ma18069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Coxiellaburnetii is the causative agent of coxiellosis in animals and Q fever in humans. Despite being a vaccine preventable disease, Q fever remains a frequently reported zoonotic infection in Australia. Recently, a Coxiella species was identified in brown dog ticks (Rhipicephalus sanguineus) in urban and rural regions of Australia. Further molecular characterisation revealed that it is genetically identical to ‘Candidatus Coxiella massiliensis’ (KM079627) described in R. sanguineus ticks removed from humans with eschars in France and serologic cross-reactivity among ‘Ca. Coxiella massiliensis’ and C.burnetii may occur. This report highlights the need for molecular testing of seropositive companion animals and humans to determine which species of Coxiella they are infected with, in order to further assess Coxiella species associated with Coxiella infections in Australia.
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13
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Moon KL, Chown SL, Loh SM, Oskam CL, Fraser CI. Australian penguin ticks screened for novel Borrelia species. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2017; 9:410-414. [PMID: 29275874 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2017.12.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2017] [Revised: 12/07/2017] [Accepted: 12/08/2017] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Lyme borreliosis (or Lyme Disease) is an emerging threat to human health in the Northern Hemisphere caused by tick-borne bacteria from the Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (Bbsl) complex. Seabirds are important reservoir hosts of some members of the Bbsl complex in the Northern Hemisphere, and some evidence suggests this may be true of penguins in the Southern Hemisphere. While the Bbsl complex has not been detected in Australia, a novel Borrelia species ('Candidatus Borrelia tachyglossi') was recently sequenced from native ticks (Ixodes holocyclus and Bothriocroton concolor) parasitising echidnas (Tachyglossus aculeatus), suggesting unidentified borreliae may be circulating amongst native wildlife and their ticks. In the present study, we investigated whether ticks parasitising little penguins (Eudyptula novaehollandiae) harbour native or introduced Borrelia bacteria. We chose this penguin species because it is heavily exploited by ticks during the breeding season, lives in close proximity to other potential reservoir hosts (including native wildlife and migratory seabirds), and is known to be infected with other tick-borne pathogens (Babesia). We screened over 230 penguin ticks (Ixodes spp.) from colonies in south-eastern Australia, and found no evidence of Borrelia DNA. The apparent absence or rarity of the bacterium in south-eastern Australia has important implications for identifying potential tick-borne pathogens in an understudied region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine L Moon
- Fenner School of Environment and Society, Australian National University, Acton, ACT 2601, Australia; School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia.
| | - Steven L Chown
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Siew-May Loh
- Vector & Waterborne Pathogens Research Group, School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA 6150, Australia
| | - Charlotte L Oskam
- Vector & Waterborne Pathogens Research Group, School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA 6150, Australia
| | - Ceridwen I Fraser
- Fenner School of Environment and Society, Australian National University, Acton, ACT 2601, Australia
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