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Moore CO, Lashnits E, Lappin M, Hawley J, Breitschwerdt EB. A case of mistaken identity: a systematic review, meta-analysis, and reinvestigation of hemotropic Mycoplasma spp. infection in Ctenocephalides felis (cat flea). Parasit Vectors 2024; 17:209. [PMID: 38720359 PMCID: PMC11078739 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-024-06292-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2024] [Accepted: 04/21/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Feline-associated hemotropic Mycoplasma (hemoplasmas) are believed to be transmitted by two primary mechanisms: (1) direct transmission via fighting and (2) vector-borne transmission by the cat flea (Ctenocephalides felis). While the efficiency of transmission by C. felis appears low, most manuscripts focus on the prevalence of hemoplasmas in wild-caught fleas and report either a very low (< 3%) or a high (> 26%) prevalence. Therefore, we aimed to assess the influence of sample processing and PCR methods on C. felis hemoplasma infection prevalence. METHODS A systemic review of PubMed articles identified 13 manuscripts (1,531 fleas/flea pools) that met the inclusion criteria (performed PCR for >1 hemoplasma on C. felis collected from cats). Risk of bias was assessed utilizing the ROBINS-E tool. Meta-analysis performed in R of these manuscripts found that not washing samples and a common set of 16S rRNA primers first published in Jensen et al. 2001 were associated with increased hemoplasma prevalence. To evaluate the influence of washing on newly collected fleas, we assessed the hemoplasma status of 20 pools of 5 C. felis each, half of which were washed and half not washed. RESULTS Flea washing did not influence the detection of hemoplasma but instead amplified Spiroplasma. To assess non-specific amplification with the Jensen et al. 2001 primers, 67 C. felis samples (34% previously reported hemoplasma infected) were subject to PCR and sequencing. By this method, hemoplasma was detected in only 3% of samples. In the remaining "hemoplasma infected" fleas, PCR amplified Spiroplasma or other bacteria. CONCLUSIONS Therefore, we concluded that hemoplasma infection in C. felis is rare, and future flea prevalence studies should sequence all positive amplicons to validate PCR specificity. Further investigation of alternative methods of feline-associated hemoplasma transmission and the ability of C. felis to maintain hemoplasma infection is necessary.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte O Moore
- Department of Clinical Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - Erin Lashnits
- Department of Comparative Biomedical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Michael Lappin
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - Jennifer Hawley
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
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Moore CO, André MR, Šlapeta J, Breitschwerdt EB. Vector biology of the cat flea Ctenocephalides felis. Trends Parasitol 2024; 40:324-337. [PMID: 38458883 PMCID: PMC11168582 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2024.02.006] [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: 11/28/2023] [Revised: 02/12/2024] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/10/2024]
Abstract
Ctenocephalides felis, the cat flea, is among the most prevalent and widely dispersed vectors worldwide. Unfortunately, research on C. felis and associated pathogens (Bartonella and Rickettsia spp.) lags behind that of other vectors and vector-borne pathogens. Therefore, we aimed to review fundamental aspects of C. felis as a vector (behavior, epidemiology, phylogenetics, immunology, and microbiome composition) with an emphasis on key techniques and research avenues employed in other vector species. Future laboratory C. felis experimental infections with Bartonella, Rickettsia, and Wolbachia species/strains should examine the vector-pathogen interface utilizing contemporary visualization, transcriptomic, and gene-editing techniques. Further environmental sampling will inform the range and prevalence of C. felis and associated pathogens, improving the accuracy of vector and pathogen modeling to improve infection/infestation risk assessment and diagnostic recommendations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte O Moore
- Intracellular Pathogens Research Laboratory, Department of Clinical Science, North Carolina State University, NC, USA
| | - Marcos Rogério André
- Vector-Borne Bioagents Laboratory (VBBL), Department of Pathology, Reproduction, and One Health, Faculty of Agrarian and Veterinary Sciences, São Paulo State University (FCAV/UNESP), Jaboticabal, SP 14884-900, Brazil
| | - Jan Šlapeta
- Sydney School of Veterinary Science, Faculty of Science, The University of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Edward B Breitschwerdt
- Intracellular Pathogens Research Laboratory, Department of Clinical Science, North Carolina State University, NC, USA.
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Tahmasebi Ashtiani Z, Ahmadinezhad M, Bagheri Amiri F, Esmaeili S. Geographical distribution of Bartonella spp in the countries of the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region (WHO-EMRO). J Infect Public Health 2024; 17:612-618. [PMID: 38417187 DOI: 10.1016/j.jiph.2024.02.009] [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: 08/08/2023] [Revised: 02/07/2024] [Accepted: 02/11/2024] [Indexed: 03/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Bartonellosis is a vector-borne and zoonotic diseases in humans, especially in immunocompromised individuals. However, there is no complete data about the geographical distribution of different species of Bartonella, as well as the status of its reservoirs, vectors, and human cases in most parts of the world. In this study, published reports related to Bartonella species from WHO-EMRO region countries were searched in different databases until October 2023. The eighteens different species of Bartonella were reported in WHO-EMRO countries including Bartonella henselae, Bartonella quintana, Bartonella elizabethae, Bartonella bovis, Bartonella clarridgeiae, Bartonella vinsonii, Bartonella doshiae, Bartonella taylorii, Bartonella rochalimae, Bartonella tribocorum, Bartonella rattimassiliensis, candidatus Bartonella merieuxii, candidatus Bartonella dromedarii, Bartonella acomydis, Bartonella jaculi, Bartonella coopersplainsensis and Bartonella koehlerae. Also, only human cases of B. henselae and B. quintana infections were reported from WHO-EMRO countries. The infections of Bartonella are important in the WHO-EMRO region, but they have been neglected by clinicians and healthcare systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zahra Tahmasebi Ashtiani
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Research Centre for Emerging and Reemerging Infectious Diseases, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran; National Reference Laboratory of Plague, Tularemia and Q Fever, Research Centre for Emerging and Reemerging Infectious Diseases, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Akanlu, Kabudar Ahang, Hamadan, Iran
| | - Mozhgan Ahmadinezhad
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Research Centre for Emerging and Reemerging Infectious Diseases, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fahimeh Bagheri Amiri
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Research Centre for Emerging and Reemerging Infectious Diseases, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Saber Esmaeili
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Research Centre for Emerging and Reemerging Infectious Diseases, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran; National Reference Laboratory of Plague, Tularemia and Q Fever, Research Centre for Emerging and Reemerging Infectious Diseases, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Akanlu, Kabudar Ahang, Hamadan, Iran.
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Sepúlveda-García P, Alabi A, Álvarez K, Rojas L, Mella A, Gonçalves LR, André MR, Machado RZ, Müller A, Monti G. Bartonella spp. in households with cats: Risk factors for infection in cats and human exposure. One Health 2023; 16:100545. [PMID: 37363214 PMCID: PMC10288095 DOI: 10.1016/j.onehlt.2023.100545] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2022] [Revised: 04/14/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The aim of this study was to estimate the occurrence of Bartonella spp. per household in cats and the risk factors for Bartonella spp. positivity in cats and their owners from Valdivia, Chile. A total of 464 cats (distributed within 324 households) and 326 humans (control group [n = 112] and cat owner [n = 214]) distributed in 262 households were sampled. From the cat owners (n = 214), 128 humans were in households where the cat was also sampled, totaling 84 households with dual sampling. Real-time PCR (qPCR) was used for Bartonella spp. detection in blood from cats and humans, and immunofluorescent immunoassay (IFA) anti-Bartonella henselae was performed in human serum samples. Out of the total of 324 households, 20.43% presented at least one Bartonella positive cat. From the households with dual sampling, 29.7% (25/84) presented at least one qPCR-Bartonella spp. positive cat. However, Bartonella DNA was not amplified in humans, and in 7.3% (6/82) of the households was found at least one of the cat's owners exposed to B. henselae. Cats younger than one year (Odds Ratio (OR) = 5.3), non-neutered (OR 3.46), sampled at home (OR 5.82), and with improper application of tick/flea control products (OR 3.13) showed a higher risk for Bartonella spp. presence. Humans with occupational exposure involving animal contact, were more likely to exhibit B. henselae seropositivity (OR 7.5). Bartonella spp. was present in the cats a moderate number of households, but Bartonella DNA was not detected in owners' blood, inferring that there is a low risk of recent human infection in the studied population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paulina Sepúlveda-García
- Escuela de Graduados, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile
- Instituto de Medicina Preventiva Veterinaria, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile
| | - Amir Alabi
- Department of Pathology, Reproduction and One Health, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Jaboticabal, Brazil
- Instituto de Ciencias Clínicas Veterinaria, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia 5090000, Chile
| | - Karla Álvarez
- Instituto de Ciencias Clínicas Veterinaria, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia 5090000, Chile
| | - Lisbeth Rojas
- Instituto de Ciencias Clínicas Veterinaria, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia 5090000, Chile
| | - Armin Mella
- Instituto de Bioquímica y Microbiología, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia 5090000, Chile
| | - Luiz Ricardo Gonçalves
- Department of Pathology, Reproduction and One Health, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Jaboticabal, Brazil
| | - Marcos Rogerio André
- Department of Pathology, Reproduction and One Health, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Jaboticabal, Brazil
| | - Rosangela Zacarias Machado
- Department of Pathology, Reproduction and One Health, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Jaboticabal, Brazil
| | - Ananda Müller
- Instituto de Ciencias Clínicas Veterinaria, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia 5090000, Chile
- One Health Center for Zoonoses and Tropical Veterinary Medicine, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, Basseterre, Saint Kitts and Nevis
| | - Gustavo Monti
- Quantitative Veterinary Epidemiology, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen 6702 PB, the Netherlands
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Köseoğlu AE, Can H, Güvendi M, Karakavuk M, Manyatsi P, Erkunt Alak S, Değirmenci Döşkaya A, Gül A, Döşkaya M, Gürüz AY, Ün C. Molecular prevalence and genetic diversity of Bartonella spp. in stray cats of İzmir, Turkey. Parasit Vectors 2022; 15:305. [PMID: 36038877 PMCID: PMC9422166 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-022-05431-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2022] [Accepted: 08/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Bartonella spp. are vector-borne pathogens that cause zoonotic infections in humans. One of the most well-known of these is cat-scratch disease caused by Bartonella henselae and Bartonella clarridgeiae, with cats being the major reservoir for these two bacteria. Izmir, Turkey is home to many stray cats, but their potential role as a reservoir for the transmission of Bartonella to humans has not been investigated yet. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of Bartonella species and their genetic diversity in stray cats living in Izmir. METHODS Molecular prevalence of Bartonella spp. in stray cats (n = 1012) was investigated using a PCR method targeting the 16S-23S internal transcribed spacer gene (ITS), species identification was performed by sequencing and genetic diversity was evaluated by haplotype analysis. RESULTS Analysis of the DNA extracted from 1012 blood samples collected from stray cats revealed that 122 samples were Bartonella-positive, which is a molecular prevalence of 12.05% (122/1012; 95% confidence interval [CI] 10.1-14.2%). Among the Bartonella-positive specimens, 100 (100/122; 81.96%) were successfully sequenced, and B. henselae (45/100; 45%), B. clarridgeiae (29/100; 29%) and Bartonella koehlerae (26/100; 26%) were identified by BLAST and phylogenetic analyses. High genetic diversity was detected in B. clarridgeiae with 19 haplotypes, followed by B. henselae (14 haplotypes) and B. koehlerae (8 haplotypes). CONCLUSIONS This comprehensive study analyzing a large number of samples collected from stray cats showed that Bartonella species are an important source of infection to humans living in Izmir. In addition, high genetic diversity was detected within each Bartonella species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmet Efe Köseoğlu
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Biruni University, Istanbul, Turkey
- Department of Biology Molecular Biology Section, Faculty of Science, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Hüseyin Can
- Department of Biology Molecular Biology Section, Faculty of Science, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Mervenur Güvendi
- Department of Biology Molecular Biology Section, Faculty of Science, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey
| | | | - Pumla Manyatsi
- Department of Biology Molecular Biology Section, Faculty of Science, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Sedef Erkunt Alak
- Department of Biology Molecular Biology Section, Faculty of Science, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey
| | | | - Aytül Gül
- Department of Bioengineering, Faculty of Engineering, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Mert Döşkaya
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Adnan Yüksel Gürüz
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Cemal Ün
- Department of Biology Molecular Biology Section, Faculty of Science, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey
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Wechtaisong W, Bonnet SI, Chomel BB, Lien YY, Chuang ST, Tsai YL. Investigation of Transovarial Transmission of Bartonella henselae in Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato Ticks Using Artificial Feeding. Microorganisms 2021; 9:microorganisms9122501. [PMID: 34946103 PMCID: PMC8705908 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9122501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2021] [Revised: 11/25/2021] [Accepted: 11/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Bartonella henselae is a slow-growing, Gram-negative bacterium that causes cat scratch disease in humans. A transstadial transmission of the bacteria from larvae to nymphs of Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato (s.l.) ticks, suspected to be a potential vector of the bacteria, has been previously demonstrated. The present study aims to investigate transovarial transmission of B. henselae from R. sanguineus s.l. adults to their instars. Adult ticks (25 males and 25 females) were fed through an artificial feeding system on B. henselae-infected goat blood for 14 days, and 300 larvae derived from the experimentally B. henselae-infected females were fed on noninfected goat blood for 7 days. Nested PCR and culture were used to detect and isolate B. henselae in ticks and blood samples. Bartonella henselae DNA was detected in midguts, salivary glands, and carcasses of the semi-engorged adults and pooled tick feces (during feeding and post-feeding periods). After the oviposition period, B. henselae DNA was detected in salivary glands of females (33.3%), but not in pooled eggs or larvae derived from the infected females. However, B. henselae DNA was detected by nested PCR from the blood sample during larval feeding, while no viable B. henselae was isolated by culture. According to our findings, following infected blood meal, B. henselae could remain in the tick midguts, move to other tissues including salivary glands, and then be shed through tick feces with limited persistency. The presence of bacterial DNA in the blood during larval feeding shows the possibility of transovarial transmission of B. henselae in R. sanguineus s.l. ticks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wittawat Wechtaisong
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung 912, Taiwan; (W.W.); (Y.-Y.L.)
| | - Sarah I. Bonnet
- Animal Health Department, INRAE, 37380 Nouzilly, France;
- Functional Genetics of Infectious Diseases Unit, Institut Pasteur, CNRS UMR 2000, Université de Paris, 75015 Paris, France
| | - Bruno B. Chomel
- Department of Population Health and Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA;
| | - Yi-Yang Lien
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung 912, Taiwan; (W.W.); (Y.-Y.L.)
| | - Shih-Te Chuang
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, School of Veterinary Medicine, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 402, Taiwan;
| | - Yi-Lun Tsai
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung 912, Taiwan; (W.W.); (Y.-Y.L.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +886-8-774-0226
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ZHANG Y, ZHANG Z, LOU Y, YU Y. Prevalence of hemoplasmas and Bartonella species in client-owned cats in Beijing and Shanghai, China. J Vet Med Sci 2021; 83:793-797. [PMID: 33731498 PMCID: PMC8182318 DOI: 10.1292/jvms.20-0681] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2020] [Accepted: 02/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
A year-round molecular epidemiological survey (2017 to 2018) was conducted on three hemoplasmas and two Bartonella species with zoonotic potential in client-owned cats in Beijing and Shanghai. Among 668 specimens, the overall hemoplasma-positive rate was 4.9% (3.4% for Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum, 0.9% for Mycoplasma haemofelis and 1.2% for Candidatus Mycoplasma turicensis). The overall Bartonella-positive rate was 8.5% (4.8% for B. henselae and 4.3% for B. clarridgeiae). Age, breed, ectoparasiticide use and stray history, but not city, season and gender, were significantly associated with the positive rates of one or more pathogens. This is also the first report on the prevalence of Candidatus Mycoplasma turicensis in cats in China.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingxin ZHANG
- College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Zhixuan ZHANG
- College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Yinying LOU
- College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Yonglan YU
- College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
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Fukuda K, Mizobuchi T, Kishimoto T, Miura Y, Nishiuchi T, Yoshida K, Fukushima A. Clinical profile and visual outcome of intraocular inflammation associated with cat-scratch disease in Japanese patients. Jpn J Ophthalmol 2021; 65:506-514. [PMID: 33797675 DOI: 10.1007/s10384-021-00835-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2020] [Accepted: 01/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To evaluate intraocular inflammation in Japanese patients with cat-scratch disease (CSD). STUDY DESIGN Retrospective clinical chart review. PATIENTS AND METHODS The cases of 15 consecutive patients (19 affected eyes) in Kochi Prefecture, Japan who were serologically positive for Bartonella henselae or Bartonella quintana infection in association with intraocular inflammation were reviewed. The clinical manifestations, ocular complications, and treatment modalities were recorded. The clinical charts and photographic records were also reviewed for evidence of optic disc lesions, macular star, foci of chorioretinitis, and other findings. RESULTS Thirteen patients reported fever before or at the time of the initial presentation. Ten of 11 patients with decreased visual acuity manifested neuroretinitis, and the remaining patient showed retinochoroiditis with macular involvement. One patient with a visual field defect manifested branch retinal artery occlusion. Three patients without visual disturbance presented with fever of unknown cause. Discrete white retinal or retinochoroidal lesions were the most common findings (84% of eyes, 87% of patients), followed by retinal hemorrhage (63% of eyes, 80% of patients), optic disc lesions (63% of eyes, 73% of patients), serous retinal detachment (53% of eyes, 67% of patients), and macular star (47% of eyes, 60% of patients). CONCLUSION White retinal or retinochoroidal foci were the most common ocular posterior segment manifestations of CSD in this patient population. A diagnosis of CSD should be suspected in patients with fever and chorioretinal white spots, and the absence of neuroretinitis or macular star does not exclude the possibility of intraocular inflammation in CSD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ken Fukuda
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Kochi Medical School, Kochi University, Kohasu, Oko-cho, Nankoku City, Kochi, 783-8505, Japan.
| | - Tomoka Mizobuchi
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Kochi Medical School, Kochi University, Kohasu, Oko-cho, Nankoku City, Kochi, 783-8505, Japan
| | - Tatsuma Kishimoto
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Kochi Medical School, Kochi University, Kohasu, Oko-cho, Nankoku City, Kochi, 783-8505, Japan
| | - Yusaku Miura
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Kochi Medical School, Kochi University, Kohasu, Oko-cho, Nankoku City, Kochi, 783-8505, Japan
| | - Takashi Nishiuchi
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Kochi Medical School, Kochi University, Kohasu, Oko-cho, Nankoku City, Kochi, 783-8505, Japan
| | | | - Atsuki Fukushima
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Kochi Medical School, Kochi University, Kohasu, Oko-cho, Nankoku City, Kochi, 783-8505, Japan
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Wechtaisong W, Bonnet SI, Lien YY, Chuang ST, Tsai YL. Transmission of Bartonella henselae within Rhipicephalus sanguineus: Data on the Potential Vector Role of the Tick. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2020; 14:e0008664. [PMID: 33001978 PMCID: PMC7553266 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0008664] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2020] [Revised: 10/13/2020] [Accepted: 08/01/2020] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Bartonella henselae is a fastidious intraerythrocytic, gram-negative bacteria that causes cat scratch disease in humans. Ixodes ricinus has been confirmed to be a competent vector of B. henselae, and some indirect evidences from clinical cases and epidemiological studies also suggested that some other tick species, including Rhipicephalus sanguineus, may transmit the bacteria. B. henselae has been detected in R. sanguineus but no experimental investigations have been performed to evaluate the vector competency of this tick species regarding B. henselae transmission. To this end, this work aimed to assess the transstadial transmission of B. henselae between larvae and nymphs of R. sanguineus as well as transmission by nymphs infected at the larval stage. Four hundred B. henselae negative larvae were fed with B. henselae-infected blood by using an artificial membrane feeding system. After five days of feeding, B. henselae was detected by PCR in 57.1% (8/14) of engorged larval pools, 66.7% (4/6) of semi-engorged larval pools, and 66.7% (2/3) of larval feces pools. After molting, B. henselae DNA was also detected in 10% (1/10) of nymph pools, but not in tick feces. After a pre-fed step of nymphs infected at the larval stage on non-infected blood meal, B. henselae was detected by PCR in blood sample from the feeder, but no Bartonella colonies could be obtained from culture. These findings showed that B. henselae could be transstadial transmitted from R. sanguineus larvae to nymphs, and also suggest that these nymphs may retransmitted the bacteria through the saliva during their blood meal. This is the first study that validated the artificial membrane feeding system for maintaining R. sanguineus tick colony. It shows the possibility of transstadial transmission of B. henselae from R. sanguineus larvae to nymphs. B. henselae is gram-negative bacteria that infects red blood cells of humans and companion animals and causes cat scratch disease in humans. Ticks were considered to be potential vectors of B. henselae for a long time until it was finally experimentally demonstrated for Ixodes ricinus. Since then, no evidence on B. henselae transmission by other tick species was reported. This study was performed 1) to validate the use of artificial membrane system to feed and infect R. sanguineus ticks and 2) to determine the possibility of B. henselae transmission by R. sanguineus, a world-widely distributed ticks. Our results show that the artificial membrane feeding system can be used to maintain R. sanguineus colony in the laboratory, and that B. henselae can be acquired by R. sanguineus during a blood meal on artificial membrane feeding system and can be transmitted from larvae to nymphs that were able to inject bacterial DNA to blood during a new blood meal. However, further investigations are still needed to confirm the viability of bacteria transmitted to blood by nymphs infected at the larval stage in order to validate B. henselae transmission by R. sanguineus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wittawat Wechtaisong
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung, Taiwan
| | - Sarah I. Bonnet
- UMR BIPAR, INRAE, Ecole Vétérinaire d’Alfort, ANSES, Université Paris-Est, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Yi-Yang Lien
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung, Taiwan
| | - Shih-Te Chuang
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, School of Veterinary Medicine, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Lun Tsai
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung, Taiwan
- * E-mail:
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Zhang XL, Li XW, Li WF, Huang SJ, Shao JW. Molecular detection and characterization of Bartonella spp. in pet cats and dogs in Shenzhen, China. Acta Trop 2019; 197:105056. [PMID: 31175861 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2019.105056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2019] [Revised: 06/03/2019] [Accepted: 06/04/2019] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Bartonella spp. are emerging vector-borne pathogens distributed worldwide that can infect humans and a wide range of mammals including small companion animals (cats and dogs). An increasing number of studies from the worldwide have reported cat and dog Bartonella infections in recently years. Cats and dogs are the primary reservoir or accidental hosts for Bartonella henselae, the main causal agent of human cat scratch disease. Since pet cat and dog sharing human living environment and have the direct and intimate contact with humans, pet cats and dogs may represent excellent epidemiological sentinels for Bartonella infection in humans. In this study, 475 blood samples were collected from pet cats and dogs in local animal hospitals located at five districts of Shenzhen City, and detected the presence of Bartonella. Bartonella DNA was detected in eight samples collected from pet cats, no positive sample was detected from pet dog samples. Sequence comparison and phylogenetic analysis revealed that the eight sequences of Bartonella identified here shared the highest identity with B. henselae. Given the intimate contact between pet animals and humans, many attentions should be paid to prevent the Bartonella infections originate from pet cats or dogs, although the Bartonella infection rate in pet cats and dogs might be rather low.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xue-Lian Zhang
- Key Laboratory for Preventive Research of Emerging Animal Diseases, Foshan University, Foshan 528231, Guangdong, China; College of Life Science and Engineering, Foshan University, Foshan 528231, Guangdong, China
| | - Xiao-Wen Li
- College of Life Science and Engineering, Foshan University, Foshan 528231, Guangdong, China
| | - Wen-Feng Li
- College of Life Science and Engineering, Foshan University, Foshan 528231, Guangdong, China
| | - Shu-Jian Huang
- Key Laboratory for Preventive Research of Emerging Animal Diseases, Foshan University, Foshan 528231, Guangdong, China; College of Life Science and Engineering, Foshan University, Foshan 528231, Guangdong, China
| | - Jian-Wei Shao
- College of Life Science and Engineering, Foshan University, Foshan 528231, Guangdong, China; Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310058, Zhejiang, China.
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11
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Álvarez-Fernández A, Breitschwerdt EB, Solano-Gallego L. Bartonella infections in cats and dogs including zoonotic aspects. Parasit Vectors 2018; 11:624. [PMID: 30514361 PMCID: PMC6280416 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-018-3152-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2018] [Accepted: 10/14/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Bartonellosis is a vector-borne zoonotic disease with worldwide distribution that can infect humans and a large number of mammals including small companion animals (cats and dogs). In recent years, an increasing number of studies from around the world have reported Bartonella infections, although publications have predominantly focused on the North American perspective. Currently, clinico-pathological data from Europe are more limited, suggesting that bartonellosis may be an infrequent or underdiagnosed infectious disease in cats and dogs. Research is needed to confirm or exclude Bartonella infection as a cause of a spectrum of feline and canine diseases. Bartonella spp. can cause acute or chronic infections in cats, dogs and humans. On a comparative medical basis, different clinical manifestations, such as periods of intermittent fever, granulomatous inflammation involving the heart, liver, lymph nodes and other tissues, endocarditis, bacillary angiomatosis, peliosis hepatis, uveitis and vasoproliferative tumors have been reported in cats, dogs and humans. The purpose of this review is to provide an update and European perspective on Bartonella infections in cats and dogs, including clinical, diagnostic, epidemiological, pathological, treatment and zoonotic aspects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandra Álvarez-Fernández
- Departament de Medicina i Cirurgia Animals, Facultat de Veterinària, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Edward B. Breitschwerdt
- Department of Clinical Sciences and the Comparative Medicine Institute, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, 1060 William Moore Dr, Raleigh, NC 27607 USA
| | - Laia Solano-Gallego
- Departament de Medicina i Cirurgia Animals, Facultat de Veterinària, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
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