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Lilak AA, Pecor DB, Matulis G, Potter AM, Wofford RN, Kearney MF, Mitchell S, Jaradat F, Kano A, Zimmerman DM, Hassell JM, Kumsa B, Kamau M, Linton YM, von Fricken ME. Data release: targeted systematic literature search for tick and tick-borne pathogen distributions in six countries in sub-Saharan Africa from 1901 to 2020. Parasit Vectors 2024; 17:84. [PMID: 38389097 PMCID: PMC10885379 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-023-06086-4] [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: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 12/07/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Surveillance data documenting tick and tick-borne disease (TBD) prevalence is needed to develop risk assessments and implement control strategies. Despite extensive research in Africa, there is no standardized, comprehensive review. METHODS Here we tackle this knowledge gap, by producing a comprehensive review of research articles on ticks and TBD between 1901 and 2020 in Chad, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. Over 8356 English language articles were recovered. Our search strategy included 19 related MeSH terms. Articles were reviewed, and 331 met inclusion criteria. Articles containing mappable data were compiled into a standardized data schema, georeferenced, and uploaded to VectorMap. RESULTS Tick and pathogen matrixes were created, providing information on vector distributions and tick-pathogen associations within the six selected African countries. CONCLUSIONS These results provide a digital, mappable database of current and historical tick and TBD distributions across six countries in Africa, which can inform specific risk modeling, determine surveillance gaps, and guide future surveillance priorities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abigail A Lilak
- One Health Center of Excellence, Emerging Pathogens Institute, University of Florida, 2055 Mowry Road, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA
- Department of Environmental & Global Health, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - David B Pecor
- Walter Reed Biosystematics Unit (WRBU), Smithsonian Museum Support Center, Suitland, MD, USA
- Department of Entomology, Smithsonian Institution-National Museum of Natural History, Washington, DC, USA
- One Health Branch, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (WRAIR), Silver Spring, Maryland, USA
| | - Graham Matulis
- One Health Center of Excellence, Emerging Pathogens Institute, University of Florida, 2055 Mowry Road, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA
- Department of Environmental & Global Health, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Alexander M Potter
- Walter Reed Biosystematics Unit (WRBU), Smithsonian Museum Support Center, Suitland, MD, USA
- Department of Entomology, Smithsonian Institution-National Museum of Natural History, Washington, DC, USA
- One Health Branch, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (WRAIR), Silver Spring, Maryland, USA
| | | | | | - Stephanie Mitchell
- Walter Reed Biosystematics Unit (WRBU), Smithsonian Museum Support Center, Suitland, MD, USA
| | | | - Arisa Kano
- George Mason University, Fairfax, VA, USA
| | - Dawn M Zimmerman
- Department of Entomology, Smithsonian Institution-National Museum of Natural History, Washington, DC, USA
- Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - James M Hassell
- Department of Entomology, Smithsonian Institution-National Museum of Natural History, Washington, DC, USA
- Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Bersissa Kumsa
- Department of Pathology & Parasitology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Agriculture, Addis Ababa University, Bishoftu, Ethiopia
| | - Maureen Kamau
- Walter Reed Biosystematics Unit (WRBU), Smithsonian Museum Support Center, Suitland, MD, USA
- Mpala Research Center, Nanyuki, Kenya
| | - Yvonne-Marie Linton
- Walter Reed Biosystematics Unit (WRBU), Smithsonian Museum Support Center, Suitland, MD, USA
- Department of Entomology, Smithsonian Institution-National Museum of Natural History, Washington, DC, USA
- One Health Branch, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (WRAIR), Silver Spring, Maryland, USA
| | - Michael E von Fricken
- One Health Center of Excellence, Emerging Pathogens Institute, University of Florida, 2055 Mowry Road, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA.
- Department of Environmental & Global Health, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.
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Csicsay F, Flores-Ramirez G, Zuñiga-Navarrete F, Bartošová M, Fučíková A, Pajer P, Dresler J, Škultéty Ľ, Quevedo-Diaz M. Proteomic analysis of Rickettsia akari proposes a 44 kDa-OMP as a potential biomarker for Rickettsialpox diagnosis. BMC Microbiol 2020; 20:200. [PMID: 32640994 PMCID: PMC7341715 DOI: 10.1186/s12866-020-01877-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2020] [Accepted: 06/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Rickettsialpox is a febrile illness caused by the mite-borne pathogen Rickettsia akari. Several cases of this disease are reported worldwide annually. Nevertheless, the relationship between the immunogenicity of R. akari and disease development is still poorly understood. Thus, misdiagnosis is frequent. Our study is aiming to identify immunogenic proteins that may improve disease recognition and enhance subsequent treatment. To achieve this goal, two proteomics methodologies were applied, followed by immunoblot confirmation. Results Three hundred and sixteen unique proteins were identified in the whole-cell extract of R. akari. The most represented protein groups were found to be those involved in translation, post-translational modifications, energy production, and cell wall development. A significant number of proteins belonged to amino acid transport and intracellular trafficking. Also, some proteins affecting the virulence were detected. In silico analysis of membrane enriched proteins revealed 25 putative outer membrane proteins containing beta-barrel structure and 11 proteins having a secretion signal peptide sequence. Using rabbit and human sera, various immunoreactive proteins were identified from which the 44 kDa uncharacterized protein (A8GP63) has demonstrated a unique detection capability. It positively distinguished the sera of patients with Rickettsialpox from other rickettsiae positive human sera. Conclusion Our proteomic analysis certainly contributed to the lack of knowledge of R. akari pathogenesis. The result obtained may also serve as a guideline for a more accurate diagnosis of rickettsial diseases. The identified 44 kDa uncharacterized protein can be certainly used as a unique marker of rickettsialpox or as a target molecule for the development of more effective treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- František Csicsay
- Institute of Virology, Biomedical Research Center of the Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dúbravská cesta 9, 845 05, Bratislava, Slovak Republic
| | - Gabriela Flores-Ramirez
- Institute of Virology, Biomedical Research Center of the Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dúbravská cesta 9, 845 05, Bratislava, Slovak Republic
| | - Fernando Zuñiga-Navarrete
- Institute of Virology, Biomedical Research Center of the Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dúbravská cesta 9, 845 05, Bratislava, Slovak Republic
| | - Mária Bartošová
- Institute of Virology, Biomedical Research Center of the Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dúbravská cesta 9, 845 05, Bratislava, Slovak Republic
| | - Alena Fučíková
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Hradec Kralove, Hradecká 1285, 500 03, Hradec Králové, Czech Republic
| | - Petr Pajer
- Military Health Institute, Military Medical Agency, Tychonova 1, CZ-160 00, Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Jiří Dresler
- Military Health Institute, Military Medical Agency, Tychonova 1, CZ-160 00, Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Ľudovít Škultéty
- Institute of Virology, Biomedical Research Center of the Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dúbravská cesta 9, 845 05, Bratislava, Slovak Republic. .,Institute of Microbiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Videnska 1083, 142 20, Prague 4, Czech Republic.
| | - Marco Quevedo-Diaz
- Institute of Virology, Biomedical Research Center of the Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dúbravská cesta 9, 845 05, Bratislava, Slovak Republic.
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Dhawan S, Robinson MT, Stenos J, Graves SR, Wangrangsimakul T, Newton PN, Day NPJ, Blacksell SD. Selection of Diagnostic Cutoffs for Murine Typhus IgM and IgG Immunofluorescence Assay: A Systematic Review. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2020; 103:55-63. [PMID: 32274984 PMCID: PMC7356422 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.19-0818] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2019] [Accepted: 02/18/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Murine typhus is a neglected but widespread infectious disease that results in acute fever. The immunofluorescence assay (IFA) is the "gold standard" to identify IgM or IgG antibodies, although there is a lack of standardization in methodologies. The objective of this review is to summarize 1) the differences in published methodologies, 2) the diagnostic cutoff titers, and 3) the justification of diagnostic cutoffs. Searches were performed by combining the following search terms: "murine typhus," "rickettsia typhi," "immunofluorescence," "IFA," and "serologic" with restrictions (i.e., "rickettsia typhi" or "murine typhus," and "IFA" or "immunofluorescence," or "serologic*"). The search identified 78 studies that used IFA or immunoperoxidase assay (IIP) antibody cutoffs to diagnose murine typhus, 39 of which were case series. Overall, 45 studies (57.7%) provided little to no rationale as to how the cutoff was derived. Variation was seen locally in the cutoff titers used, but a 4-fold or greater increase was often applied. The cutoffs varied depending on the antibody target. No consensus was observed in establishing a cutoff, or for a single-value diagnostic cutoff. In conclusion, there is a lack of consensus in the establishment of a single-value cutoff. Further studies will need to be executed at each distinct geographic location to identify region-specific cutoffs, while also considering background antibody levels to distinguish between healthy and infected patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandhya Dhawan
- Mahidol Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Matthew T. Robinson
- Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- Lao-Oxford-Mahosot Hospital-Wellcome Trust Research Unit (LOMWRU), Mahosot Hospital, Vientiane, Lao People’s Democratic Republic
| | - John Stenos
- Australian Rickettsial Reference Laboratory, University Hospital Geelong, Geelong, Australia
| | - Stephen R. Graves
- Australian Rickettsial Reference Laboratory, University Hospital Geelong, Geelong, Australia
| | - Tri Wangrangsimakul
- Mahidol Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Paul N. Newton
- Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- Lao-Oxford-Mahosot Hospital-Wellcome Trust Research Unit (LOMWRU), Mahosot Hospital, Vientiane, Lao People’s Democratic Republic
| | - Nicholas P. J. Day
- Mahidol Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Stuart D. Blacksell
- Mahidol Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- Lao-Oxford-Mahosot Hospital-Wellcome Trust Research Unit (LOMWRU), Mahosot Hospital, Vientiane, Lao People’s Democratic Republic
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Suspected and Confirmed Vector-Borne Rickettsioses of North America Associated with Human Diseases. Trop Med Infect Dis 2018; 3:tropicalmed3010002. [PMID: 30274401 PMCID: PMC6136625 DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed3010002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2017] [Revised: 12/18/2017] [Accepted: 12/19/2017] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The identification of pathogenic rickettsial agents has expanded over the last two decades. In North America, the majority of human cases are caused by tick-borne rickettsioses but rickettsiae transmitted by lice, fleas, mites and other arthropods are also responsible for clinical disease. Symptoms are generally nonspecific or mimic other infectious diseases; therefore, diagnosis and treatment may be delayed. While infection with most rickettsioses is relatively mild, delayed diagnosis and treatment may lead to increased morbidity and mortality. This review will discuss the ecology, epidemiology and public health importance of suspected and confirmed vector-transmitted Rickettsia species of North America associated with human diseases.
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Rydkina E, Sahni A, Silverman DJ, Sahni SK. Comparative analysis of host-cell signalling mechanisms activated in response to infection with Rickettsia conorii and Rickettsia typhi. J Med Microbiol 2007; 56:896-906. [PMID: 17577053 DOI: 10.1099/jmm.0.47050-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The Gram-negative intracellular bacteria Rickettsia conorii and Rickettsia typhi are the aetiological agents of Mediterranean spotted fever and endemic typhus, respectively, in humans. Infection of endothelial cells (ECs) lining vessel walls, and the resultant vascular inflammation and haemostatic alterations are salient pathogenetic features of both of these rickettsial diseases. An important consideration, however, is that dramatic differences in the intracellular motility and accumulation patterns for spotted fever versus typhus group rickettsiae have been documented, suggesting the possibility of unique and potentially different interactions with host cells. This study characterized and compared R. conorii- and R. typhi-mediated effects on cultured human ECs. The DNA-binding activity of nuclear transcription factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) and the phosphorylation status of stress-activated p38 kinase were determined as indicators of NF-kappaB and p38 activation. R. conorii infection resulted in a biphasic activation of NF-kappaB, with an early increase in DNA-binding activity at 3 h, followed by a later peak at 24 h. The activated NF-kappaB species were composed mainly of RelA p65-p50 heterodimers and p50 homodimers. R. typhi infection of ECs resulted in only early activation of NF-kappaB at 3 h, composed primarily of p65-p50 heterodimers. Whilst R. conorii infection induced increased phosphorylation of p38 kinase (threefold mean induction) with the maximal response at 3 h, a considerably less-intense response peaking at about 6 h post-infection was found with R. typhi. Furthermore, mRNA expression of the chemokines interleukin (IL)-8 and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 in ECs infected with either Rickettsia species was higher than the corresponding controls, but there were distinct differences in the secretion patterns for IL-8, suggesting the possibility of involvement of post-transcriptional control mechanisms or differences in the release from intracellular storage sites. Thus, the intensity and kinetics of host-cell responses triggered by spotted fever and typhus species exhibit distinct variations that could subsequently lead to differences in the extent of endothelial activation and inflammation and serve as important determinants of pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Rydkina
- Hematology-Oncology Unit, Department of Medicine, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
| | - Abha Sahni
- Hematology-Oncology Unit, Department of Medicine, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
| | - David J Silverman
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Sanjeev K Sahni
- Hematology-Oncology Unit, Department of Medicine, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
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Abstract
In recent years, a bewildering array of emerging rickettsial pathogens have been described throughout the world, including in the tropics. Here we present an updated overview of scrub typhus, murine typhus, and epidemic typhus. We also present an update on the emerging spotted fever group rickettsioses described in the tropics through 2005, focusing on epidemiologic and clinical data and management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philippe Parola
- Unité des Rickettsies CNRS UMR 6020, IFR48, WHO Collaborative Center for Rickettsial Reference and Research, Medicine School of Marseille, France
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Abstract
Serum specimens from patients at 4 sites in Peru were tested for evidence of spotted fever group rickettsial infection. Results showed that 30 (18%) of 170 patients had spotted fever group rickettsial infections, which likely caused their illnesses. These findings document laboratory-confirmed spotted fever from diverse areas of Peru.
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Affiliation(s)
- George B. Schoeler
- U.S. Navy Disease Vector Ecology and Control Center, Silverdale, Washington, USA
| | | | - Allen Richards
- U.S. Naval Medical Research Center, Silver Spring, Maryland, USA
| | | | - James G. Olson
- U.S. Naval Medical Research Center Detachment, Lima, Peru
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Abstract
Rickettsialpox is a rare mite-borne rickettsiosis that is encountered in urban populations in the eastern United States and throughout the world. It is characterized clinically by an eschar, fever, and a papulovesicular eruption. Both of these cutaneous manifestations may be mimicked by infectious diseases that have been designated as bioterrorist agents by the United States Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention: the former by anthrax, and the latter by smallpox. It is thus important for clinicians to be familiar with rickettsialpox. We report 3 cases and review the epidemiology, clinical and laboratory findings, differential diagnosis, and management of this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ritu Saini
- Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery, University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA
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Sanders S, Di Costanzo D, Leach J, Levy H, Srinivasan K, Zaki SR, Comer JA, Paddock CD. Rickettsialpox in a patient with HIV infection. J Am Acad Dermatol 2003; 48:286-9. [PMID: 12582406 DOI: 10.1067/mjd.2003.65] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
We describe the first case of rickettsialpox in a patient infected with HIV. Immunohistochemical staining of biopsied lesions showed a relatively large number of rickettsiae within the papulovesicular rash. Rickettsialpox is easily treated and may resemble more serious cutaneous eruptions in patients infected with HIV. This diagnosis should be considered in immunocompromised city-dwellers, with fever and a papulovesicular rash.
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Affiliation(s)
- Scott Sanders
- Department of Dermatology, Cornell University Weill Medical Center and Lincoln Hospital, Bronx, NY, USA
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Affiliation(s)
- C Anthony Hart
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Liverpool, United Kingdom.
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Comer JA, Vargas MC, Poshni I, Childs JE. Serologic evidence of Rickettsia akari infection among dogs in a metropolitan city. J Am Vet Med Assoc 2001; 218:1780-2. [PMID: 11394829 DOI: 10.2460/javma.2001.218.1780] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To determine whether dogs in New York, NY are naturally infected with Rickettsia akari, the causative agent of rickettsialpox in humans. DESIGN Serologic survey. ANIMALS 311 dogs. PROCEDURE Serum samples were obtained from dogs as a part of a study on Rocky Mountain spotted fever and borreliosis or when dogs were examined at area veterinary clinics for routine care. Dog owners were asked to complete a questionnaire inquiring about possible risk factors at the time serum samples were obtained. Samples were tested for reactivity to spotted fever group rickettsiae by use of an enzyme immunoassay (EIA). Twenty-two samples for which results were positive were tested by use of an indirect immunofluorescence antibody (IFA) assay followed by confirmatory cross-absorption testing. RESULTS Results of the EIA were positive for 24 (7.7%) dogs. A history of tick infestation and increasing age were significantly associated with whether dogs were seropositive. Distribution of seropositive dogs was focal. Seventeen of the 22 samples submitted for IFA testing had titers to R rickettsii and R akari; for 11 of these, titers to R akari were higher than titers to R rickettsii. Cross-absorption testing indicated that in 6 of 7 samples, infection was caused by R akari. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Results suggest that dogs can be naturally infected with R akari. Further studies are needed to determine the incidence of R akari infection in dogs, whether infection is associated with clinical illness, and whether dogs can serve as sentinels for human disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- J A Comer
- Viral and Rickettsial Zoonoses Branch, National Center for Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA
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Rickettsial Diseases. Dermatology 2000. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-642-97931-6_3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
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