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Bamunuarachchi G, Najera F, Aziati ID, Palmer JL, Biro EG, Wang D, Deem SL, Boon ACM, Adalsteinsson SA. Serosurveillance and the first detection of Bourbon virus RNA in a wildlife host. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.06.04.597417. [PMID: 38895490 PMCID: PMC11185598 DOI: 10.1101/2024.06.04.597417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/21/2024]
Abstract
Bourbon virus (BRBV) is an emerging pathogen that can cause severe and fatal disease in humans. BRBV is vectored by Amblyomma americanum (lone star ticks), which are widely distributed across the central, southern, and eastern United States. Wildlife species are potentially important for the maintenance and transmission of BRBV, but little is known about which species are involved, and what other factors play a role in the exposure to BRBV. To assess the exposure risk to BRBV among wildlife in the St. Louis area, we collected sera from 98 individuals, representing 6 different mammalian species from two locations in St. Louis County: Tyson Research Center (TRC) and WildCare Park (WCP) from fall 2021 to spring 2023. The sera were used in a BRBV neutralization assay to detect neutralizing antibodies and RT-qPCR for viral RNA analysis. We also sampled and compared the abundance of A. americanum ticks at the two locations and modeled which factors influenced BRBV seropositivity across species. In TRC, we observed a high rate of seropositivity in raccoons (Procyon lotor, 23/25), and white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus, 18/27), but a low rate in opossums (Didelphis virginiana, 1/18). Neutralizing antibodies were also detected in sampled TRC bobcats (Lynx rufus, 4/4), coyotes (Canis latrans, 3/3), and a red fox (Vulpes vulpes, 1/1). The virological analysis identified BRBV RNA in one of the coyote serum samples. In contrast to TRC, all sera screened from WCP were negative for BRBV-specific neutralizing antibodies, and significantly fewer ticks were collected at WCP (31) compared to TRC (2,316). Collectively, these findings suggest that BRBV circulates in multiple wildlife species in the St. Louis area and that tick density and host community composition may be important factors in BRBV ecology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gayan Bamunuarachchi
- Department of Medicine, at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. USA
| | | | - Ishmael D. Aziati
- Department of Medicine, at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. USA
| | | | | | - Dave Wang
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. USA
| | - Sharon L. Deem
- Institute for Conservation Medicine, Saint Louis Zoo. USA
| | - Adrianus C. M. Boon
- Department of Medicine, at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. USA
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. USA
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. USA
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Ailsworth SM, Susi A, Workman LJ, Ji YS, Patel J, Nelson MR, Platts-Mills TAE, Nylund CM, Wilson JM. Alpha-Gal IgE Prevalence Patterns in the United States: An Investigation of 3,000 Military Recruits. THE JOURNAL OF ALLERGY AND CLINICAL IMMUNOLOGY. IN PRACTICE 2024; 12:175-184.e5. [PMID: 37918651 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaip.2023.10.046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2023] [Revised: 10/25/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND IgE to the oligosaccharide galactose-alpha-1,3-galactose (alpha-gal) is an important cause of allergic reactions to mammalian meat. The "alpha-gal syndrome" is strongly associated with a preceding history of tick bites and in the United States is most commonly reported in parts of the southeast, but there has been limited investigation into national alpha-gal sensitization patterns and the relevance of other risk factors. OBJECTIVE To systematically investigate alpha-gal IgE prevalence, regional patterns, and risk factors. METHODS Alpha-gal IgE was measured by ImmunoCAP in biobanked serum samples collected from 3000 service members who presented for intake to 1 of 10 military bases in the central/eastern United States. Alpha-gal IgE sensitization (cutoff 0.1 international units/mL) was related to home of record at enlistment. RESULTS Of the cohort, 2456 (81.9%) subjects were male, median age was 19 years (interquartile range: 18-22 years), and alpha-gal IgE was detected in 179 (6.0%). Home of record spanned all 50 states, with a median of 36 recruits per state (range: 3-261). The highest prevalence rates were in Arkansas (39%), Oklahoma (35%), and Missouri (29%), with several other southeastern states >10%. Granular mapping revealed sensitization patterns that closely mimicked county-level Amblyomma americanum reports and Ehrlichia chaffeensis infections. Sensitization was associated with male sex, rural residence, and White race in univariate and multivariable models. CONCLUSIONS In this systematic survey, the prevalence of alpha-gal IgE among incoming military personnel was 6.0%. There were significant regional differences, with an overall pattern consistent with the known range of the lone star tick (A. americanum) and highest frequency in an area including Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Missouri.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel M Ailsworth
- Division of Allergy and Immunology, Department of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Va
| | - Apryl Susi
- Department of Pediatrics, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Md
| | - Lisa J Workman
- Division of Allergy and Immunology, Department of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Va
| | - Yun-Seong Ji
- Department of Pediatrics, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Md
| | - Jaimin Patel
- Division of Allergy and Immunology, Department of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Va
| | - Michael R Nelson
- Division of Allergy and Immunology, Department of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Va
| | - Thomas A E Platts-Mills
- Division of Allergy and Immunology, Department of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Va
| | - Cade M Nylund
- Department of Pediatrics, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Md.
| | - Jeffrey M Wilson
- Division of Allergy and Immunology, Department of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Va.
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Aziati ID, Jnr DM, Antia A, Joshi A, Aviles-Gamboa A, Lee P, Harastani H, Wang D, Adalsteinsson SA, Boon ACM. Prevalence of Bourbon and Heartland viruses in field collected ticks at an environmental field station in St. Louis County, Missouri, USA. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2023; 14:102080. [PMID: 36375268 PMCID: PMC9729426 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2022.102080] [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: 03/30/2022] [Revised: 10/20/2022] [Accepted: 10/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Heartland and Bourbon viruses are pathogenic tick-borne viruses putatively transmitted by Amblyomma americanum, an abundant tick species in Missouri. To assess the prevalence of these viruses in ticks, we collected 2778 ticks from eight sampling sites at Tyson Research Center, an environmental field station within St. Louis County and close to the City of St. Louis, from May - July in 2019 and 2021. Ticks were pooled according to life stage and sex, grouped by year and sampling site to create 355 pools and screened by RT-qPCR for Bourbon and Heartland viruses. Overall, 14 (3.9%) and 27 (7.6%) of the pools were positive for Bourbon virus and Heartland virus respectively. In 2019, 11 and 23 pools were positive for Bourbon and Heartland viruses respectively. These positives pools were of males, females and nymphs. In 2021, there were 4 virus positive pools out of which 3 were positive for both viruses and were comprised of females and nymphs. Five out of the 8 sampling sites were positive for at least one virus. This included a site that was positive for both viruses in both years. Detection of these viruses in an area close to a relatively large metropolis presents a greater public health threat than previously thought.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Avan Antia
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University in St. Louis, USA
| | - Astha Joshi
- Department of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, USA
| | | | - Preston Lee
- Department of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, USA
| | - Houda Harastani
- Department of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, USA
| | - David Wang
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University in St. Louis, USA; Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University in St. Louis, USA
| | | | - Adrianus C M Boon
- Department of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, USA; Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University in St. Louis, USA; Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University in St. Louis, USA.
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McCullough C, Angelella G, O’Rourke M. Conservation Wildflower Plantings Do Not Enhance On-Farm Abundance of Amblyomma americanum (Ixodida: Ixodidae). INSECTS 2020; 11:insects11090617. [PMID: 32917048 PMCID: PMC7563295 DOI: 10.3390/insects11090617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2020] [Revised: 09/04/2020] [Accepted: 09/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
Simple Summary Planting wildflowers is a commonly used tool to conserve pollinators. However, it is possible that wildflower plantings may inadvertently aid tick species, complicating both vector control and pollinator conservation programs. In this study, we tested whether conservation wildflower plantings enhanced the on-farm abundance of the lone star tick, Amblyomma americanum (L.). Over two years, A. americanum were sampled using dry ice traps in wildflower plots, weedy field margins, and forested areas. We found no more A. americanum in wildflower plots than in weedy field margins. Forested areas harbored the greatest number of A. americanum sampled. Overall, wildflower plots do not pose an increased risk of exposure to A. americanum on farms. Abstract Planting wildflowers is a commonly suggested measure to conserve pollinators. While beneficial for pollinators, plots of wildflowers may be inadvertently performing an ecosystem disservice by providing a suitable habitat for arthropod disease vectors like ticks. The lone star tick, Amblyomma americanum (L.), is a medically important tick species that might be able to utilize wildflower plantings as a suitable habitat. In this two-year study, ticks were sampled using dry ice baited traps from wildflower plots, weedy field margins, and forested areas to determine if wildflower plantings were increasing the on-farm abundance of A. americanum. Abiotic and biotic environmental variables were also measured to better understand which factors affect A. americanum abundance. We found no more A. americanum in wildflower plots than in weedy field margins. Forested areas harbored the greatest number of A. americanum sampled. The height of the vegetation in the sampled habitats was a significant factor in determining A. americanum abundance. Depending on the sampled habitat and life stage, this relationship can be positive or negative. The relationship with vegetation height may be related to the behavior of the white-tailed deer and the questing success of A. americanum. Overall, wildflower plots do not pose an increased risk of exposure to A. americanum on farms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher McCullough
- School of Plant and Environmental Sciences, 306 Saunders Hall, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA; (G.A.); (M.O.)
- Department of Entomology, 216 Price Hall, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-(540)-231-6341
| | - Gina Angelella
- School of Plant and Environmental Sciences, 306 Saunders Hall, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA; (G.A.); (M.O.)
- Agricultural Research Service, Temperate Tree Fruit and Vegetable Research: USDA Unit, 5320 Konnowac Pass Road, Wapato, WA 98951, USA
| | - Megan O’Rourke
- School of Plant and Environmental Sciences, 306 Saunders Hall, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA; (G.A.); (M.O.)
- National Institute of Food and Agriculture: USDA, Kansas City, MO 64133, USA
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Sharma A, Pooraiiouby R, Guzman B, Vu P, Gulia-Nuss M, Nuss AB. Dynamics of Insulin Signaling in the Black-Legged Tick, Ixodes scapularis. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2019; 10:292. [PMID: 31164865 PMCID: PMC6536706 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2019.00292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2018] [Accepted: 04/23/2019] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Insulin-like peptides (ILPs) have been identified in several invertebrates, particularly insects, and work on these ILPs has revealed many roles including regulation of energy homeostasis, growth, development, and lifespan to name a few. However, information on arthropod ILPs outside of insects is sparse. Studies of Ixodid tick ILPs are particularly scarce, despite their importance as vectors of infectious agents, most notably Lyme disease. The recent publication of the genome of the black-legged tick, Ixodes scapularis, has advanced opportunities to study this organism from a molecular standpoint, a resource sorely needed for an organism with challenging life history requirements for study in the laboratory, such as a long life cycle and obligate, prolonged, blood-feeding at each life stage. Through bioinformatics searches of the tick genome and other available I. scapularis databases, we identified four putative ILP sequences. Full-length sequences of these ILP transcripts were confirmed, and quantitative RT-PCR was used to examine expression levels of these ILPs in different life stages, feeding states, and adult tissues. This work serves as an initial characterization of ILP expression in ticks and provides the foundation for further exploration of the roles of ILPs in these important arthropod vectors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arvind Sharma
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nevada, Reno, NV, United States
| | - Rana Pooraiiouby
- Department of Agriculture, Veterinary, and Rangeland Sciences, University of Nevada, Reno, NV, United States
| | - Blanca Guzman
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nevada, Reno, NV, United States
| | - Preston Vu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nevada, Reno, NV, United States
| | - Monika Gulia-Nuss
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nevada, Reno, NV, United States
| | - Andrew B. Nuss
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nevada, Reno, NV, United States
- Department of Agriculture, Veterinary, and Rangeland Sciences, University of Nevada, Reno, NV, United States
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