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Lyu B, Li J, Niemeyer B, Anderson D, Beerntsen B, Song Q. Identification, structural modeling, gene expression analysis and RNAi effect of putative phospholipase A 2 in the lone star tick Amblyomma americanum. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2024; 15:102256. [PMID: 37734164 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2023.102256] [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: 05/04/2023] [Revised: 08/15/2023] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 09/23/2023]
Abstract
Amblyomma americanum, also known as the lone star tick, is a small arachnid that feeds on blood and can spread disease to humans and other animals. Despite the overlapped ecological niche, geographic distribution, and host selection, there is no proof that A. americanum transmits the pathogen Borrelia burgdorferi that causes Lyme disease. Studies have shown that phospholipase A2 (PLA2) may act as a tool to eliminate B. burgdorferi, but particular PLA2 genes in A. americanum have not been identified and functionally characterized. Using the de novo sequencing method, we identified 42 putative A. americanum PLA2 (pAaPLA2) homologs in the present study, of which three pAaPLA2 had calcium binding sites and canonical histidine catalytic sites. Then, we determined phylogenetic relationships, sequence alignments, and conserved protein motifs of these pAaPLA2s. Protein structural analysis demonstrated that pAaPLA2s primarily consisted of α-helices, β-sheets, and random coils. These genes were predicted to be engaged in the phospholipid metabolic process, arachidonic acid secretion, and PLA2 activity by functional annotation analysis. A transcriptional factor (Bgb) was discovered that interacted with pAaPLA2 proteins that may have unrecognized roles in regulating neuronal development. Based on the RNA-seq data, we surveyed expression profiles of key pAaPLA2-related genes to reveal putative modulatory networks of these genes. RNAi knockdown of pAaPLA2_1, a dominant isoform in A. americanum, led to decreased bacterial inhibition ability, suggesting pAaPLA2 may play an important role in mediating immune responses. Collectively, this study provides essential evidence of the identification, gene structure, phylogeny, and expression analysis of pAaPLA2 genes in A. americanum, and offers a deeper understanding of the putative borreliacidal roles in the lone star tick.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Lyu
- Division of Plant Science and Technology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Jingjing Li
- Division of Plant Science and Technology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Brigid Niemeyer
- Division of Plant Science and Technology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Deborah Anderson
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Brenda Beerntsen
- Division of Plant Science and Technology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA; Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Qisheng Song
- Division of Plant Science and Technology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA.
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Volkow P, Grostieta E, Salceda-Sánchez B, Huerta-Jiménez H, Alcántara-Rodríguez V, Becker I, Sánchez-Montes S. A story of a lone star tick: an imported case of Amblyomma americanum (Linnaeus, 1758) infected with Rickettsia amblyommatis that parasitized a US traveler returning to Mexico. Rev Inst Med Trop Sao Paulo 2023; 65:e37. [PMID: 37283412 DOI: 10.1590/s1678-9946202365037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2022] [Accepted: 01/18/2023] [Indexed: 06/08/2023] Open
Abstract
In this study, we report the presence of a female Amblyomma americanum tick attached to a former resident of the East Coast of the United States who moved to Mexico city. The amplification and sequencing of gene fragments of the 16S-rDNA and cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 corroborated the identification of the species of the tick. Additionally, the presence of DNA of Rickettsia amblyommatis was confirmed. This work is the first report of an exotic tick of the genus Amblyomma in a traveler from the US to Mexico and represents the second record of an imported tick attached to humans in Mexico.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia Volkow
- Instituto Nacional de Cancerología, Departamento de Infectología, Ciudad de México, México
| | - Estefania Grostieta
- Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Facultad de Medicina, Centro de Medicina Tropical, Ciudad de México, México
| | - Beatriz Salceda-Sánchez
- Secretaría de Salud, Instituto de Diagnóstico y Referencia Epidemiológicos, Laboratorio de Entomología, Ciudad de México, México
| | - Herón Huerta-Jiménez
- Secretaría de Salud, Instituto de Diagnóstico y Referencia Epidemiológicos, Laboratorio de Entomología, Ciudad de México, México
| | | | - Ingeborg Becker
- Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Facultad de Medicina, Centro de Medicina Tropical, Ciudad de México, México
| | - Sokani Sánchez-Montes
- Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Facultad de Medicina, Centro de Medicina Tropical, Ciudad de México, México
- Universidad Veracruzana, región Poza Rica-Tuxpan, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas y Agropecuarias, Laboratorio de Diagnóstico, Tuxpan de Rodríguez Cano, Veracruz, México
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3
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Socarras KM, Haslund-Gourley BS, Cramer NA, Comunale MA, Marconi RT, Ehrlich GD. Large-Scale Sequencing of Borreliaceae for the Construction of Pan-Genomic-Based Diagnostics. Genes (Basel) 2022; 13:1604. [PMID: 36140772 PMCID: PMC9498496 DOI: 10.3390/genes13091604] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2022] [Revised: 09/03/2022] [Accepted: 09/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The acceleration of climate change has been associated with an alarming increase in the prevalence and geographic range of tick-borne diseases (TBD), many of which have severe and long-lasting effects-particularly when treatment is delayed principally due to inadequate diagnostics and lack of physician suspicion. Moreover, there is a paucity of treatment options for many TBDs that are complicated by diagnostic limitations for correctly identifying the offending pathogens. This review will focus on the biology, disease pathology, and detection methodologies used for the Borreliaceae family which includes the Lyme disease agent Borreliella burgdorferi. Previous work revealed that Borreliaceae genomes differ from most bacteria in that they are composed of large numbers of replicons, both linear and circular, with the main chromosome being the linear with telomeric-like termini. While these findings are novel, additional gene-specific analyses of each class of these multiple replicons are needed to better understand their respective roles in metabolism and pathogenesis of these enigmatic spirochetes. Historically, such studies were challenging due to a dearth of both analytic tools and a sufficient number of high-fidelity genomes among the various taxa within this family as a whole to provide for discriminative and functional genomic studies. Recent advances in long-read whole-genome sequencing, comparative genomics, and machine-learning have provided the tools to better understand the fundamental biology and phylogeny of these genomically-complex pathogens while also providing the data for the development of improved diagnostics and therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kayla M. Socarras
- Center for Advanced Microbial Processing, Institute for Molecular Medicine and Infectious Disease, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19102, USA
- Center for Genomic Sciences, Institute for Molecular Medicine and Infectious Disease, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19102, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19102, USA
| | - Benjamin S. Haslund-Gourley
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19102, USA
| | - Nicholas A. Cramer
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center, 1112 East Clay Street, Room 101 Health Sciences Research Building, Richmond, VA 23298, USA
- Department of Oral and Craniofacial Molecular Biology, Philips Institute for Oral Health Research, School of Dentistry, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298, USA
| | - Mary Ann Comunale
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19102, USA
| | - Richard T. Marconi
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center, 1112 East Clay Street, Room 101 Health Sciences Research Building, Richmond, VA 23298, USA
- Department of Oral and Craniofacial Molecular Biology, Philips Institute for Oral Health Research, School of Dentistry, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298, USA
| | - Garth D. Ehrlich
- Center for Advanced Microbial Processing, Institute for Molecular Medicine and Infectious Disease, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19102, USA
- Center for Genomic Sciences, Institute for Molecular Medicine and Infectious Disease, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19102, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19102, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center, 1112 East Clay Street, Room 101 Health Sciences Research Building, Richmond, VA 23298, USA
- Center for Surgical Infections and Biofilms, Institute for Molecular Medicine and Infectious Disease, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19102, USA
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Ma D, Lun X, Li C, Zhou R, Zhao Z, Wang J, Zhang Q, Liu Q. Predicting the Potential Global Distribution of Amblyomma americanum (Acari: Ixodidae) under Near Current and Future Climatic Conditions, Using the Maximum Entropy Model. BIOLOGY 2021; 10:1057. [PMID: 34681156 PMCID: PMC8533137 DOI: 10.3390/biology10101057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2021] [Revised: 10/11/2021] [Accepted: 10/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Amblyomma americanum (the lone star tick) is a pathogen vector, mainly from eastern North America, that bites humans. With global integration and climate change, some ticks that are currently confined to a certain place may begin to spread out; some reports have shown that they are undergoing rapid range expansion. The difference in the potential geographic distribution of A. americanum under current and future climatic conditions is dependent on environment variables such as temperature and precipitation, which can affect their survival. In this study, we used a maximum entropy (MaxEnt) model to predict the potential geographic distribution of A. americanum. The MaxEnt model was calibrated at the native range of A. americanum using occurrence data and the current climatic conditions. Seven WorldClim climatic variables were selected by the jackknife method and tested in MaxEnt using different combinations of model feature class functions and regularization multiplier values. The best model was chosen based on the omission rate and the lowest Akaike information criterion. The resulting model was then projected onto the global scale using the current and future climate conditions modeled under four greenhouse gas emission scenarios.
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Affiliation(s)
- Delong Ma
- School of Public Health and Health Management, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan 250117, China; (D.M.); (C.L.)
- State Key Laboratory of Infectious Diseases Prevention and Control, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 102206, China; (X.L.); (R.Z.); (Z.Z.); (J.W.)
| | - Xinchang Lun
- State Key Laboratory of Infectious Diseases Prevention and Control, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 102206, China; (X.L.); (R.Z.); (Z.Z.); (J.W.)
| | - Chao Li
- School of Public Health and Health Management, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan 250117, China; (D.M.); (C.L.)
- State Key Laboratory of Infectious Diseases Prevention and Control, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 102206, China; (X.L.); (R.Z.); (Z.Z.); (J.W.)
| | - Ruobing Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Infectious Diseases Prevention and Control, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 102206, China; (X.L.); (R.Z.); (Z.Z.); (J.W.)
| | - Zhe Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Infectious Diseases Prevention and Control, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 102206, China; (X.L.); (R.Z.); (Z.Z.); (J.W.)
- Shandong University Climate Change and Health Center, School of Public Health, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
| | - Jun Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Infectious Diseases Prevention and Control, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 102206, China; (X.L.); (R.Z.); (Z.Z.); (J.W.)
| | - Qinfeng Zhang
- School of Public Health and Health Management, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan 250117, China; (D.M.); (C.L.)
| | - Qiyong Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Infectious Diseases Prevention and Control, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 102206, China; (X.L.); (R.Z.); (Z.Z.); (J.W.)
- Shandong University Climate Change and Health Center, School of Public Health, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
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Abstract
Public health messaging in the eastern United States has historically underemphasized the risks posed by lone star ticks (Amblyomma americanum), focusing instead on blacklegged ticks (Ixodes scapularis). This gap persists despite mounting evidence that lone star ticks also play an important role in disease ecology as confirmed vectors for a wide variety of tick-borne pathogens. These pathogens include several distinct bacterial agents that cause ehrlichiosis and tularensis in humans and dogs, a protozoal agent that causes cytauxzoonosis in cats, and emerging viruses such as Heartland, Bourbon, and Tacaribe. Lone star ticks are additionally linked to Rocky Mountain spotted fever, southern tick-associated rash illness, and alpha-gal syndrome, a condition marked by immune reactions to ingestion of mammalian meat. Moreover, their distribution in North America is expanding due to changing climatic factors and land use patterns. Lone star ticks are the most commonly encountered tick in Delaware, especially in Sussex and Kent Counties, and make up the vast majority of ticks collected in the first two years of the state’s tick surveillance program. Given the magnitude of lone star ticks’ medical and veterinary import, it is vital for healthcare professionals and health educators to devote more attention to this emerging threat.
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Prullage J, Baker C, Mansour A, McCall S, Young D, Tielemans E. Efficacy of a novel topical combination of esafoxolaner, eprinomectin and praziquantel against Amblyomma americanum in cats. Parasite 2021; 28:25. [PMID: 33812457 PMCID: PMC8019551 DOI: 10.1051/parasite/2021021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2020] [Accepted: 03/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Esafoxolaner, a purified enantiomer of afoxolaner with insecticidal and acaricidal properties, is combined with eprinomectin and praziquantel in NexGard® Combo, a novel topical endectoparasiticide product for cats. The efficacy of this novel formulation was assessed in two experimental studies against induced infestations with Amblyomma americanum, a tick species of major importance, highly prevalent in a large southeastern quarter of the United States. In each study, 10 cats were randomly allocated to a placebo control group and 10 cats to a novel formulation treated group. Infested cats were treated topically once at the minimum recommended dose. Both studies were designed to test curative efficacy on existing infestation, 72 h after treatment, and to test preventive efficacy, 72 h after subsequent weekly (Study #1) or fortnightly (Study #2) infestations for one month. For each infestation, all cats were infested with 50 unfed adult A. americanum. At each tick count, in both studies, at least 8 in 10 placebo control cats were infested with 13 (26%) or more live ticks, demonstrating adequate infestation throughout the studies. Curative efficacy of the novel formulation was 99% in both studies; preventive efficacy was 92% and 100% for at least one month.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joe Prullage
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Boehringer-Ingelheim Animal Health, Missouri Research Center 6498 Jade Rd. Fulton MO
65251 USA
| | - Christine Baker
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Boehringer-Ingelheim Animal Health 1730 Olympic Drive Athens GA
30601 USA
| | | | - Scott McCall
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TRS Labs Inc. 215 Paradise Blvd Athens GA
30607-1151 USA
| | - David Young
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Young Veterinary Research Services 7243 East Avenue Turlock CA
95380-9124 USA
| | - Eric Tielemans
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Boehringer-Ingelheim Animal Health 29 avenue Tony Garnier 69007
Lyon France
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7
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Kopsco HL, Duhaime RJ, Mather TN. Assessing Public Tick Identification Ability and Tick Bite Riskiness Using Passive Photograph-Based Crowdsourced Tick Surveillance. JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY 2021; 58:837-846. [PMID: 33146378 DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjaa196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Tick identification is critical for assessing disease risk from a tick bite and for determining requisite treatment. Data from the University of Rhode Island's TickEncounter Resource Center's photo-based surveillance system, TickSpotters, indicate that users incorrectly identified their submitted specimen 83% of the time. Of the top four most commonly submitted tick species, western blacklegged ticks (Ixodes pacificus Cooley & Kohls [Ixodida: Ixodidae]) had the largest proportion of unidentified or misidentified submissions (87.7% incorrectly identified to species), followed by lone star ticks (Amblyomma americanum Linneaus [Ixodida: Ixodidae]; 86.8% incorrect), American dog ticks (Dermacentor variabilis Say [Ixodida: Ixodidae]; 80.7% incorrect), and blacklegged ticks (Ixodes scapularis Say [Ixodida: Ixodidae]; 77.1% incorrect). More than one quarter of participants (26.3%) submitted photographs of ticks that had been feeding for at least 2.5 d, suggesting heightened risk. Logistic regression generalized linear models suggested that participants were significantly more likely to misidentify nymph-stage ticks than adult ticks (odds ratio [OR] = 0.40, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.23, 0.68, P < 0.001). Ticks reported on pets were more likely to be identified correctly than those found on humans (OR = 1.07, 95% CI: 1.01-2.04, P < 0.001), and ticks feeding for 2.5 d or longer were more likely to be misidentified than those having fed for one day or less (OR = 0.43, 95% CI: 0.29-0.65, P < 0.001). State and region of residence and season of submission did not contribute significantly to the optimal model. These findings provide targets for future educational efforts and underscore the value of photograph-based tick surveillance to elucidate these knowledge gaps.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heather L Kopsco
- Department of Plant Sciences and Entomology, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI
- URI TickEncounter Resource Center, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI
| | - Roland J Duhaime
- URI TickEncounter Resource Center, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI
- Environmental Data Center, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI
| | - Thomas N Mather
- Department of Plant Sciences and Entomology, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI
- URI TickEncounter Resource Center, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI
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Kopsco HL, Xu G, Luo CY, Rich SM, Mather TN. Crowdsourced Photographs as an Effective Method for Large-Scale Passive Tick Surveillance. JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY 2020; 57:1955-1963. [PMID: 32812635 DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjaa140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
As tick vector ranges expand and the number of tickborne disease cases rise, physicians, veterinarians, and the public are faced with diagnostic, treatment, and prevention challenges. Traditional methods of active surveillance (e.g., flagging) can be time-consuming, spatially limited, and costly, while passive surveillance can broadly monitor tick distributions and infection rates. However, laboratory testing can require service fees in addition to mailing and processing time, which can put a tick-bite victim outside the window of potential prophylactic options or under unnecessary antibiotic administration. We performed a retrospective analysis of a national photograph-based crowdsourced tick surveillance system to determine the accuracy of identifying ticks by photograph when compared to those same ticks identified by microscopy and molecular methods at a tick testing laboratory. Ticks identified by photograph were correct to species with an overall accuracy of 96.7% (CI: 0.9522, 0.9781; P < 0.001), while identification accuracy for Ixodes scapularis Say (Ixodida: Ixodidae), Amblyomma americanum Linnaeus (Ixodida: Ixodidae), and Dermacentor variabilis Say (Ixodida: Ixodidae), three ticks of medical importance, was 98.2% (Cohen's kappa [κ] = 0.9575; 95% CI: 0.9698, 0.9897), 98.8% (κ = 0.9466, 95% CI: 0.9776, 0.9941), and 98.8% (κ = 0.9515, 95% CI: 0.9776, 0.9941), respectively. Fitted generalized linear models revealed that tick species and stage were the most significant predictive factors that contributed to correct photograph-based tick identifications. Neither engorgement, season, nor location of submission affected identification ability. These results provide strong support for the utility of photograph-based tick surveillance as a tool for risk assessment and monitoring among commonly encountered ticks of medical concern.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heather L Kopsco
- Department of Plant Sciences and Entomology, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI
- TickEncounter Resource Center, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI
| | - Guang Xu
- Department of Microbiology, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA
| | - Chu-Yuan Luo
- Department of Microbiology, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA
| | - Stephen M Rich
- Department of Microbiology, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA
| | - Thomas N Mather
- Department of Plant Sciences and Entomology, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI
- TickEncounter Resource Center, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI
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Raghavan RK, Heath ACG, Lawrence KE, Ganta RR, Peterson AT, Pomroy WE. Predicting the potential distribution of Amblyomma americanum (Acari: Ixodidae) infestation in New Zealand, using maximum entropy-based ecological niche modelling. EXPERIMENTAL & APPLIED ACAROLOGY 2020; 80:227-245. [PMID: 31965414 PMCID: PMC8153196 DOI: 10.1007/s10493-019-00460-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2019] [Accepted: 12/24/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Although currently exotic to New Zealand, the potential geographic distribution of Amblyomma americanum (L.), the lone star tick, was modelled using maximum entropy (MaxEnt). The MaxEnt model was calibrated across the native range of A. americanum in North America using present-day climatic conditions and occurrence data from museum collections. The resulting model was then projected onto New Zealand using both present-day and future climates modelled under two greenhouse gas emission scenarios, representative concentration pathways (RCP) 4.5 (low) and RCP 8.5 (high). Three sets of WorldClim bioclimatic variables were chosen using the jackknife method and tested in MaxEnt using different combinations of model feature class functions and regularization multiplier values. The preferred model was selected based on partial receiver operating characteristic tests, the omission rate and the lowest Akaike information criterion. The final model had four bioclimatic variables, Annual Mean Temperature (BIO1), Annual Precipitation (BIO12), Precipitation Seasonality (BIO15) and Precipitation of Driest Quarter (BIO17), and the projected New Zealand distribution was broadly similar to that of Haemaphysalis longicornis Neumann, New Zealand's only livestock tick, but with a more extensive predicted suitability. The climate change predictions for the year 2050 under both low and high RCP scenarios projected only moderate increases in habitat suitability along the mountain valleys in the South Island. In conclusion, this analysis shows that given the opportunity and license A. americanum could and would successfully establish in New Zealand and could provide another vector for theileriosis organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- R K Raghavan
- Department of Diagnostic Medicine/Pathobiology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, USA
| | - A C G Heath
- Agresearch Ltd., C/O Hopkirk Research Institute, Private Bag 11008, Palmerston North, 4442, New Zealand
| | - K E Lawrence
- School of Veterinary Science, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand.
| | - R R Ganta
- Department of Diagnostic Medicine/Pathobiology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, USA
| | - A T Peterson
- Department of Ecology, The University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, USA
| | - W E Pomroy
- School of Veterinary Science, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
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Presence of diverse Rickettsia spp. and absence of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato in ticks in an East Texas forest with reduced tick density associated with controlled burns. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2019; 11:101310. [PMID: 31704208 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2019.101310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2019] [Revised: 10/07/2019] [Accepted: 10/09/2019] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
As tick-borne diseases continue to emerge across the United States, there is need for a better understanding of the tick and pathogen communities in the southern states and of habitat features that influence transmission risk. We surveyed questing and on-host ticks in pine-dominated forests with various fire management regimes in the Sam Houston National Forest, a popular recreation area near Houston, Texas. Four linear transects were established- two with a history of controlled burns, and two unburned. Systematic drag sampling yielded 112 ticks from two species, Ixodes scapularis (n=73) and Amblyomma americanum (n=39), with an additional 106 questing ticks collected opportunistically from drag cloth operators. There was a significant difference in systematically-collected questing tick density between unburned (15 and 18 ticks/1000 m2) and burned (2 and 4 ticks/1000 m2) transects. We captured 106 rodents and found 74 ticks on the rodents, predominantly Dermacentor variabilis. One unburned transect had significantly more ticks per mammal than any of the other three transects. DNA of Rickettsia species was detected in 146/292 on and off-host ticks, including the 'Rickettsial endosymbiont of I. scapularis' and Rickettsia amblyommatis, which are of uncertain pathogenicity to humans. Borrelia lonestari was detected in one A. americanum, while Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto, the agent of Lyme disease, was not detected in any tick samples. Neither Borrelia nor Rickettsia spp. were detected in any of the mammal ear biopsies (n=64) or blood samples (n=100) tested via PCR. This study documents a high prevalence in ticks of Rickettsia spp. thought to be endosymbionts, a low prevalence of relapsing fever group Borrelia in ticks, and a lack of detection of Lyme disease-group Borrelia in both ticks and mammals in an east Texas forested recreation area. Additionally, we observed low questing tick density in areas with a history of controlled burns. These results expand knowledge of tick-borne disease ecology in east Texas which can aid in directing future investigative, modeling, and management efforts.
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Sanchez-Vicente S, Tagliafierro T, Coleman JL, Benach JL, Tokarz R. Polymicrobial Nature of Tick-Borne Diseases. mBio 2019; 10:e02055-19. [PMID: 31506314 PMCID: PMC6737246 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.02055-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2019] [Accepted: 08/07/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Tick-borne diseases have doubled in the last 12 years, and their geographic distribution has spread as well. The clinical spectrum of tick-borne diseases can range from asymptomatic to fatal infections, with a disproportionate incidence in children and the elderly. In the last few years, new agents have been discovered, and genetic changes have helped in the spread of pathogens and ticks. Polymicrobial infections, mostly in Ixodes scapularis, can complicate diagnostics and augment disease severity. Amblyomma americanum ticks have expanded their range, resulting in a dynamic and complex situation, possibly fueled by climate change. To document these changes, using molecular biology strategies for pathogen detection, an assessment of 12 microbes (9 pathogens and 3 symbionts) in three species of ticks was done in Suffolk County, New York. At least one agent was detected in 63% of I. scapularis ticksBorrelia burgdorferi was the most prevalent pathogen (57% in adults; 27% in nymphs), followed by Babesia microti (14% in adults; 15% in nymphs), Anaplasma phagocytophilum (14% in adults; 2% in nymphs), Borrelia miyamotoi (3% in adults), and Powassan virus (2% in adults). Polymicrobial infections were detected in 22% of I. scapularis ticks, with coinfections of B. burgdorferi and B. microti (9%) and of B. burgdorferi and A. phagocytophilum (7%). Three Ehrlichia species were detected in 4% of A. americanum ticks. The rickettsiae constituted the largest prokaryotic biomass of all the ticks tested and included Rickettsia amblyommatis, Rickettsia buchneri, and Rickettsia montanensis The high rates of polymicrobial infection in ticks present an opportunity to study the biological interrelationships of pathogens and their vectors.IMPORTANCE Tick-borne diseases have increased in prevalence in the United States and abroad. The reasons for these increases are multifactorial, but climate change is likely to be a major factor. One of the main features of the increase is the geographic expansion of tick vectors, notably Amblyomma americanum, which has brought new pathogens to new areas. The clinical spectrum of tick-borne diseases can range from asymptomatic to fatal infections, with a disproportionate incidence in children and the elderly. In addition, new pathogens that are cotransmitted by Ixodes scapularis have been discovered and have led to difficult diagnoses and to disease severity. Of these, Borrelia burgdorferi, the agent of Lyme disease, continues to be the most frequently transmitted pathogen. However, Babesia microti, Borrelia miyamotoi (another spirochete), Anaplasma phagocytophilum, and Powassan virus are frequent cotransmitted agents. Polymicrobial infection has important consequences for the diagnosis and management of tick-borne diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Santiago Sanchez-Vicente
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology and Center for Infectious Diseases, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA
| | - Teresa Tagliafierro
- Center for Infection and Immunity, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA
| | - James L Coleman
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology and Center for Infectious Diseases, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA
| | - Jorge L Benach
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology and Center for Infectious Diseases, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA
| | - Rafal Tokarz
- Center for Infection and Immunity, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA
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Pascoe EL, Marcantonio M, Caminade C, Foley JE. Modeling Potential Habitat for Amblyomma Tick Species in California. INSECTS 2019; 10:insects10070201. [PMID: 31288467 PMCID: PMC6681388 DOI: 10.3390/insects10070201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2019] [Revised: 06/21/2019] [Accepted: 07/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
The Amblyomma genus of ticks comprises species that are aggressive human biters and vectors of pathogens. Numerous species in the genus are undergoing rapid range expansion. Amblyomma ticks have occasionally been introduced into California, but as yet, no established populations have been reported in the state. Because California has high ecological diversity and is a transport hub for potentially parasitized humans and animals, the risk of future Amblyomma establishment may be high. We used ecological niche modeling to predict areas in California suitable for four tick species that pose high risk to humans: Amblyomma americanum, Amblyomma maculatum, Amblyomma cajennense and Amblyomma mixtum. We collected presence data in the Americas for each species from the published literature and online databases. Twenty-three climatic and ecological variables were used in a MaxEnt algorithm to predict the distribution of each species. The minimum temperature of the coldest month was an important predictor for all four species due to high mortality of Amblyomma at low temperatures. Areas in California appear to be ecologically suitable for A. americanum, A. maculatum, and A. cajennense, but not A. mixtum. These findings could inform targeted surveillance prior to an invasion event, to allow mitigation actions to be quickly implemented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily L Pascoe
- Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
| | - Matteo Marcantonio
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Cyril Caminade
- Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Institute of Infection and Global Health, University of Liverpool, Liverpool CH64 7TE, UK
- Health Protection Research Unit in Emerging and Zoonotic Infections, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 3GL, UK
| | - Janet E Foley
- Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
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13
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Edwards MJ, Russell JC, Davidson EN, Yanushefski TJ, Fleischman BL, Heist RO, Leep-Lazar JG, Stuppi SL, Esposito RA, Suppan LM. A 4-Yr Survey of the Range of Ticks and Tick-Borne Pathogens in the Lehigh Valley Region of Eastern Pennsylvania. JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY 2019; 56:1122-1134. [PMID: 31009533 PMCID: PMC6595528 DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjz043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2019] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Questing ticks were surveyed by dragging in forested habitats within the Lehigh Valley region of eastern Pennsylvania for four consecutive summers (2015-2018). A high level of inter-annual variation was found in the density of blacklegged tick nymphs, Ixodes scapularis Say, with a high density of host-seeking nymphs (DON) in summer 2015 and 2017 and a relatively low DON in summer 2016 and 2018. Very few American dog ticks (Dermacentor variabilis Say) and Ixodes cookei Packard were collected. Lone star ticks (Amblyomma americanum L.) and longhorned ticks (Haemaphysalis longicornis Neumann) were not represented among the 6,398 ticks collected. For tick-borne pathogen surveillance, DNA samples from 1,721 I. scapularis nymphs were prepared from specimens collected in summers 2015-2017 and screened using qPCR, high resolution melting analysis, and DNA sequencing when necessary. The overall 3-yr nymphal infection prevalence of Borrelia burgdorferi was 24.8%, Borrelia miyamotoi was 0.3%, Anaplasma phagocytophilum variant-ha was 0.8%, and Babesia microti was 2.8%. Prevalence of coinfection with B. burgdorferi and B. microti as well as B. burgdorferi and A. phagocytophilum variant-ha were significantly higher than would be expected by independent infection. B. burgdorferi nymphal infection prevalence is similar to what other studies have found in the Hudson Valley region of New York, but levels of B. microti and A. phagocytophilum variant-ha nymphal infection prevalence are relatively lower. This study reinforces the urgent need for continued tick and pathogen surveillance in the Lehigh Valley region.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - James C Russell
- Mathematics and Computer Science Department, Muhlenberg College, Allentown, PA
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14
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Stafford KC, Molaei G, Little EAH, Paddock CD, Karpathy SE, Labonte AM. Distribution and Establishment of the Lone Star Tick in Connecticut and Implications for Range Expansion and Public Health. JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY 2018; 55:1561-1568. [PMID: 30053108 DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjy115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
In the United States, the lone star tick, Amblyomma americanum (L.) (Acari: Ixodidae), is an aggressive southeastern species whose range has reportedly been steadily expanding northward. The number of A. americanum specimens submitted to the Tick Testing Laboratory (TTL) at the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station (CAES) increased by 58% from the period of 1996-2006 (n = 488) to 2007-2017 (n = 773), mainly from Fairfield County in the southwestern corner of the state. The greatest numbers of A. americanum submissions to the CAES-TTL were from the City of Norwalk and a few adjacent municipalities. We also report the discovery of a large infestation of adult and nymphal lone star ticks detected on a dead male white-tailed deer, Odocoileus virginianus (Zimmerman) (Artiodactyla: Cervidae), on Manresa Island, Norwalk, in June 2017, indicating a long established, undetected population along the southwestern coast. A sample of nymphal and adult host-seeking A. americanum collected July 2017 from Manresa Island were tested and a proportion were positive for Ehrlichia chaffeensis, Ehrlichia ewingii, and Anaplasma phagocytophilum. The A. americanum tick and its associated disease pathogens are expected to become an increasing public health concern in southern New England.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kirby C Stafford
- Center for Vector Biology and Zoonotic Diseases, The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, New Haven, CT
| | - Goudarz Molaei
- Center for Vector Biology and Zoonotic Diseases, The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, New Haven, CT
- Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT
| | - Eliza A H Little
- Center for Vector Biology and Zoonotic Diseases, The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, New Haven, CT
| | - Christopher D Paddock
- Rickettsial Zoonosis Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA
| | - Sandor E Karpathy
- Rickettsial Zoonosis Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA
| | - Andrew M Labonte
- Wildlife Division, Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, North Franklin, CT
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Nieto NC, Porter WT, Wachara JC, Lowrey TJ, Martin L, Motyka PJ, Salkeld DJ. Using citizen science to describe the prevalence and distribution of tick bite and exposure to tick-borne diseases in the United States. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0199644. [PMID: 30001350 PMCID: PMC6042714 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0199644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2018] [Accepted: 06/11/2018] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Tick-borne pathogens are increasing their range and incidence in North America as a consequence of numerous factors including improvements in diagnostics and diagnosis, range expansion of primary vectors, changes in human behavior, and an increasing understanding of the diversity of species of pathogens that cause human disease. Public health agencies have access to human incidence data on notifiable diseases e.g., Borrelia burgdorferi, the causative agent of Lyme disease, and often local pathogen prevalence in vector populations. However, data on exposure to vectors and pathogens can be difficult to determine e.g., if disease does not occur. We report on an investigation of exposure to ticks and tick-borne bacteria, conducted at a national scale, using citizen science participation. 16,080 ticks were submitted between January 2016 and August 2017, and screened for B. burgdorferi, B. miyamotoi, Anaplasma phagocytophilum, and Babesia microti. These data corroborate entomologic investigations of tick distributions in North America, but also identify patterns of local disease risk and tick contact with humans throughout the year in numerous species of ticks and associated pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathan C. Nieto
- Department of Biological Sciences, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ, United States of America
| | - W. Tanner Porter
- Department of Biological Sciences, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ, United States of America
| | - Julie C. Wachara
- Department of Biological Sciences, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ, United States of America
| | - Thomas J. Lowrey
- Department of Biological Sciences, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ, United States of America
| | - Luke Martin
- Department of Biology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, United States of America
| | - Peter J. Motyka
- Department of Biological Sciences, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ, United States of America
| | - Daniel J. Salkeld
- Department of Biology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, United States of America
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Hudman DA, Sargentini NJ. Prevalence of Tick-Borne Pathogens in Northeast Missouri. MISSOURI MEDICINE 2018; 115:162-168. [PMID: 30228710 PMCID: PMC6139867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
We evaluated Amblyomma americanum (lone star tick) and Dermacentor variabilis (American dog tick) in northeast Missouri for the presence of Borrelia, Ehrlichia, and Rickettsia bacteria and Heartland virus. We screened 436 individual adult lone star ticks (86% of all ticks collected) and infection rates were 6% for B. lonestari, 19% for E. chaffeensis, 3% for E. ewingii, 36% for R. amblyommatis, and 1% for R. montanensis. In the 189 individual American dog ticks, infection rates were 19% for E. chaffeensis, 15% for E. ewingii, 4% for R. amblyommatis, and 5% for R. montanensis. In addition, we screened 20 pools of adults and 30 pools of nymphs for the Heartland virus which was not detected. Understanding the presence and epidemiology of these causative (E. chaffeensis and E. ewingii) and suspected (B. lonestari, R. amblyommatis, and R. montanensis) agents in Missouri should increase awareness of potential tick-borne disease in the medical community.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deborah A Hudman
- Deborah A. Hudman, MS, and Neil J. Sargentini, PhD, are in the Department of Microbiology/Immunology, A.T. Still University Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine
| | - Neil J Sargentini
- Deborah A. Hudman, MS, and Neil J. Sargentini, PhD, are in the Department of Microbiology/Immunology, A.T. Still University Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine
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