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Mangkalamanee O, Rotcheewaphan S, Phuensan P, Ponpinit T, Hemachudha T, Torvorapanit P. The first human case report of molecularly confirmed co-infection of Brucella melitensis and Coxiella burnetii: A case report. Heliyon 2024; 10:e29685. [PMID: 38681594 PMCID: PMC11053185 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e29685] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2023] [Revised: 04/10/2024] [Accepted: 04/12/2024] [Indexed: 05/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Co-infection with Brucella melitensis and Coxiella burnetii has been rarely reported. To date, there are only two co-infection case reports from Croatia and China which diagnosed the infections mainly through the use of serological tests. In this report, we present the first case of molecularly confirmed B. melitensis bacteremia and C. burnetii spondylodiscitis co-infection in a goat dairy farmer who presented with lumbosacral spondylodiscitis and bilateral psoas abscesses. From the blood culture, B. melitensis was identified by using 16S rRNA gene sequencing and specific PCR. Lumbar bone tissue was found to be positive for C. burnetii using multiplex real-time PCR and was confirmed with a positive result from conventional PCR which detected the infection through the identification of the IS1111 gene. The patient's condition improved after decompressive laminectomy was performed and administration of antibiotics regimen: intravenous gentamicin, oral rifampicin, and oral doxycycline. From our case, it is important to raise awareness of this underreported co-infection with multiple zoonotic diseases, especially Q fever and brucellosis, which share the same exposure risk. Moreover, we also emphasize the use of advanced molecular techniques to improve the diagnostic efficiency and reduce the use of time-consuming procedures among patients who are continuously exposed to such risk factors in areas with high seroprevalence of these zoonotic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Onjira Mangkalamanee
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, And King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Thai Red Cross Society, 1873, Rama IV Road, Pathum Wan, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand
| | - Suwatchareeporn Rotcheewaphan
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, 1873, Rama IV Road, Pathum Wan, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand
- Center of Excellence of Antimicrobial Stewardship, Chulalongkorn University, 1873, Rama IV Road, Pathum Wan, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand
| | - Pawat Phuensan
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, And King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Thai Red Cross Society, 1873, Rama IV Road, Pathum Wan, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand
- Division of Hospital and Ambulatory Medicine, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, And King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Thai Red Cross Society, 1873, Rama IV Road, Pathum Wan, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand
| | - Teerada Ponpinit
- Thai Red Cross Emerging Infectious Diseases Health Science Centre, World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Research and Training on Viral Zoonoses, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital-The Thai Red Cross Society, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
| | - Thiravat Hemachudha
- Thai Red Cross Emerging Infectious Diseases Health Science Centre, World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Research and Training on Viral Zoonoses, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital-The Thai Red Cross Society, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
- Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
| | - Pattama Torvorapanit
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, And King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Thai Red Cross Society, 1873, Rama IV Road, Pathum Wan, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand
- Emerging Infectious Diseases Clinical Center, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Thai Red Cross Society, 1873, Rama IV Road, Pathum Wan, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand
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Ghanem-Zoubi N, Mustafa-Hellou M, Zahran M, Gazit L, Shalaginov R, Dabaja-Younis H, Szwarcwort M. The integration of Coxiella burnetii PCR testing in serum into the diagnostic algorithm of suspected acute Q fever in an endemic setting. J Clin Microbiol 2024; 62:e0170323. [PMID: 38470022 PMCID: PMC11005359 DOI: 10.1128/jcm.01703-23] [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: 12/16/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 03/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Serum polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the detection of Coxiella burnetii DNA has been suggested for rapid Q fever diagnosis. We evaluated the role of PCR testing in serum in the diagnosis of acute Q fever in an endemic setting. We examined patients suspected of acute Q fever tested for C. burnetii-specific serum real-time PCR in a tertiary hospital between January 2019 toand December 2022. In the first half, PCR orders were consultation-based by infectious diseases specialists, while in the second half, they were guided by serology, positive IgM2, and negative IgG1 and IgG2, indicating early acute infection. Logistic regression analyzed independent predictors for positive PCR. PCR positivity rates were calculated using various clinical criteria in the diagnostic algorithm. Out of 272 patients, 13 (4.8%) tested positive and 130 exhibited serologically suspected early infection. Presentation during April-July and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) > 3× upper normal limit (UNL) were independently associated with positive PCR with an odds ratio (OR) = 15.03 [95% confidence interval (CI), 1.58-142.46], P = 0.018 and OR = 55.44 [95% CI, 6.16-498.69], P < 0.001, respectively. PCR positivity rate was 8.5% in serologically suspected early infection vs 1.4% in other serology, yielding OR = 6.4 [95% CI, 1.4-29.7], P = 0.009. Adding AST > 3× UNL increased OR to 49.5 [95% CI, 5.9-408.7], P ≤ 0.001 reducing required PCR tests for a single acute Q fever case from 11.8 to 3. Elevated AST in serologically suspected early Q fever is proposed to be used in a diagnostic stewardship algorithm integrating PCR in serum in an endemic setting. IMPORTANCE Our study suggests in a diagnostic stewardship approach the integration of molecular testing (Coxiella burnetii targeted PCR) for the diagnosis of acute Q fever in a reliable time in the endemic setting. Integrating PCR detecting Coxiella burnetii in serum in routine testing of suspected early acute Q fever based on serology result increased the PCR positivity rate significantly. Adding increased transaminases optimizes PCR utility which is highly requested particularly in endemic areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nesrin Ghanem-Zoubi
- Infectious Diseases Institute, Rambam Health Care Campus, Haifa, Israel
- The Ruth and Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion, Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| | | | - Maram Zahran
- Department of Medicine A, Rambam Health Care Campus, Haifa, Israel
| | - Liat Gazit
- Microbiology Laboratory, Rambam Health Care Campus, Haifa, Israel
| | - Raya Shalaginov
- Microbiology Laboratory, Rambam Health Care Campus, Haifa, Israel
| | - Halima Dabaja-Younis
- The Ruth and Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion, Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
- Pediatric Infectious Diseases Unit, Rambam Health Care Campus, Haifa, Israel
| | - Moran Szwarcwort
- Microbiology Laboratory, Rambam Health Care Campus, Haifa, Israel
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Vega-García E, Palacios G, Pérez JA, Vélez-Tobarias M, Torres-Vega AM, Ascaso-Terrén C, Carmelo E. A molecular toolbox for fast and convenient diagnosis of emerging and reemerging bacterial pathogens causing fever of intermediate duration. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis 2024; 43:649-657. [PMID: 38270806 DOI: 10.1007/s10096-024-04760-8] [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: 12/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 01/26/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE Fever of intermediate duration (FID) is defined as a fever in the community without a specific origin or focus, with a duration between 7 and 28 days. FID is often caused by pathogens associated with animal contact or their arthropods parasites, such as ticks, fleas, or lice. The purpose of this work is to design a collection of molecular tools to promptly and accurately detect common bacterial pathogens causing FID, including bacteria belonging to genera Rickettsia, Bartonella, Anaplasma, and Ehrlichia, as well as Coxiella burnetii. METHODS Reference DNA sequences from a collection of Rickettsia, Bartonella, Anaplasma, and Ehrlichia species were used to design genus-specific primers and FRET probes targeted to conserved genomic regions. For C. burnetii, primers previously described were used, in combination with a newly designed specific probe. Real-time PCR assays were optimized using reference bacterial genomic DNA in a background of human genomic DNA. RESULTS The four real-time PCR assays can detect as few as ten copies of target DNA from those five genera of FDI-causing bacteria in a background of 300 ng of human genomic DNA, mimicking the low microbial load generally found in patient's blood. CONCLUSION These assays constitute a fast and convenient "toolbox" that can be easily implemented in diagnostic laboratories to provide timely and accurate detection of bacterial pathogens that are typical etiological causes of febrile syndromes such as FID in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elva Vega-García
- Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de Canarias (IUESTPC), Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), Avenida Astrofísico Francisco Sánchez S/N, 38200, La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain
- Departamento de Obstetricia y Ginecología, Pediatría, Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Toxicología, Medicina Legal y Forense y Parasitología, Universidad de La Laguna, La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain
| | - Génesis Palacios
- Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de Canarias (IUESTPC), Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), Avenida Astrofísico Francisco Sánchez S/N, 38200, La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain
| | - José A Pérez
- Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de Canarias (IUESTPC), Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), Avenida Astrofísico Francisco Sánchez S/N, 38200, La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain.
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Microbiología, Biología Celular y Genética, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de La Laguna, La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain.
| | - Mónica Vélez-Tobarias
- Servicio de Medicina Interna, Hospital Universitario de La Palma (HULP), Breña Alta, La Palma, Spain
| | - Ana María Torres-Vega
- Servicio de Medicina Interna, Hospital Insular Ntra. Sra. de los Reyes (HINSR), Valverde, El Hierro, Spain
| | | | - Emma Carmelo
- Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de Canarias (IUESTPC), Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), Avenida Astrofísico Francisco Sánchez S/N, 38200, La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain.
- Departamento de Obstetricia y Ginecología, Pediatría, Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Toxicología, Medicina Legal y Forense y Parasitología, Universidad de La Laguna, La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain.
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Bae M, Lee HJ, Park JH, Bae S, Jung J, Kim MJ, Lee SO, Choi SH, Kim YS, Shin Y, Kim SH. Molecular diagnosis of Coxiella burnetii in culture negative endocarditis and vascular infection in South Korea. Ann Med 2021; 53:2256-2265. [PMID: 34809520 PMCID: PMC8805875 DOI: 10.1080/07853890.2021.2005821] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Q fever endocarditis is a major cause of culture-negative endocarditis. The role of Coxellia burnetii is underestimated because it is difficult to diagnose. We investigated the significance of C. burnetii as the cause of culture-negative endocarditis and vascular infection by examining blood and tissue specimens using serological testing and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). METHODS All patients with infective endocarditis or large vessel vasculitis were prospectively enrolled at a tertiary-care hospital from May 2016 through September 2020. Q fever endocarditis and vascular infection were diagnosed based on: (1) positive PCR for a cardiac valve or vascular tissue, (2) positive PCR for blood or phase I immunoglobulin G (IgG) ≥ 6400, or (3) phase I IgG ≥ 800 and < 6400 with morphologic abnormality. PCR targeted C. burnetii transposase gene insertion element IS1111a. RESULTS Of the 163 patients, 40 (25%) had culture-negative endocarditis (n = 35) or vascular infection (n = 5). Of the 40 patients, 24 (60%) were enrolled. Eight (33%) were diagnosed with Q fever endocarditis or vascular infection. Of these 8 patients, 6 had suspected acute Q fever endocarditis or vascular infection with negative phase I IgG. Six patients were not treated for C. burnetii, 4 were stable after surgery. One patient died due to surgical site infection after 5 months post-operatively and one died due to worsening underlying disease. CONCLUSIONS Approximately one-third of patients with culture-negative endocarditis and vascular infection was diagnosed as Q fever. Q fever endocarditis and vascular infection may be underestimated in routine clinical practice in South Korea.KEY MESSAGEQ fever endocarditis and vascular infection may be underestimated in routine clinical practice, thus, try to find evidence of C. burnetti infection in suspected patients by all available diagnostic tests including PCR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moonsuk Bae
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Asan Medical Institute of Convergence Science and Technology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.,Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital, Yangsan, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyo Joo Lee
- Department of Convergence Medicine, Asan Medical Institute of Convergence Science and Technology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.,Department of Biotechnology, Yonsei University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Joung Ha Park
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Asan Medical Institute of Convergence Science and Technology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Seongman Bae
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Asan Medical Institute of Convergence Science and Technology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jiwon Jung
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Asan Medical Institute of Convergence Science and Technology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Min Jae Kim
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Asan Medical Institute of Convergence Science and Technology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Sang-Oh Lee
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Asan Medical Institute of Convergence Science and Technology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Sang-Ho Choi
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Asan Medical Institute of Convergence Science and Technology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Yang Soo Kim
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Asan Medical Institute of Convergence Science and Technology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Yong Shin
- Department of Convergence Medicine, Asan Medical Institute of Convergence Science and Technology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.,Department of Biotechnology, Yonsei University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Sung-Han Kim
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Asan Medical Institute of Convergence Science and Technology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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Uribe Pulido N, Escorcia García C, Cabrera Orrego R, Gutiérrez LA, Agudelo CA. Acute Q Fever With Dermatologic Manifestations, Molecular Diagnosis, and No Seroconversion. Open Forum Infect Dis 2021; 8:ofab458. [PMID: 34692888 PMCID: PMC8530256 DOI: 10.1093/ofid/ofab458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2021] [Accepted: 09/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
We herein described a case of acute infection by Coxiella burnetii (acute Q fever) that started with a short incubation period and showed prominent dermatological manifestations and unusual serological behavior. The infection was confirmed by molecular detection through real-time polymerase chain reaction using genomic DNA collected from peripheral blood.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Ruth Cabrera Orrego
- Grupo Biología de Sistemas, Escuela de Ciencias de la Salud, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Lina Andrea Gutiérrez
- Grupo Biología de Sistemas, Escuela de Ciencias de la Salud, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Carlos Andrés Agudelo
- Clínica Universitaria Bolivariana, Medellín, Colombia
- Escuela de Ciencias de la Salud, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana, Medellín, Colombia
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Rabaza A, Giannitti F, Fraga M, Macías-Rioseco M, Corbellini LG, Riet-Correa F, Hirigoyen D, Turner KME, Eisler MC. Serological Evidence of Human Infection with Coxiella burnetii after Occupational Exposure to Aborting Cattle. Vet Sci 2021; 8:196. [PMID: 34564590 PMCID: PMC8473284 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci8090196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2021] [Revised: 08/30/2021] [Accepted: 09/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Cattle are broadly deemed a source of Coxiella burnetii; however, evidence reinforcing their role in human infection is scarce. Most published human Q fever outbreaks relate to exposure to small ruminants, notably goats. Anti-phase II C. burnetii IgG and IgM were measured by indirect fluorescent antibody tests in 27 farm and veterinary diagnostic laboratory workers to ascertain whether occupational exposure to cattle aborting due to C. burnetii was the probable source of exposure. Four serological profiles were identified on the basis of anti-phase II IgG and IgM titres. Profile 1, characterised by high IgM levels and concurrent, lower IgG titres (3/27; 11.1%); Profile 2, with both isotypes with IgG titres higher than IgM (2/27; 7.4%); Profile 3 with only IgG phase II (5/27; 18.5%); and Profile 4, in which neither IgM nor IgG were detected (17/27; 63.0%). Profiles 1 and 2 are suggestive of recent C. burnetii exposure, most likely 2.5-4.5 months before testing and, hence, during the window of exposure to the bovine abortions. Profile 3 suggested C. burnetii exposure that most likely predated the window of exposure to aborting cattle, while Profile 4 represented seronegative individuals and, hence, likely uninfected. This study formally linked human Q fever to exposure to C. burnetii infected cattle as a specific occupational hazard for farm and laboratory workers handling bovine aborted material.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Rabaza
- Instituto Nacional de Investigación Agropecuaria, Plataforma de Investigación en Salud Animal, Estación Experimental La Estanzuela, Colonia 70000, Uruguay; (A.R.); (F.G.); (M.F.); (M.M.-R.); (L.G.C.); (F.R.-C.); (D.H.)
- Bristol Veterinary School, University of Bristol, Langford House, Langford, Bristol BS40 5DU, UK;
| | - Federico Giannitti
- Instituto Nacional de Investigación Agropecuaria, Plataforma de Investigación en Salud Animal, Estación Experimental La Estanzuela, Colonia 70000, Uruguay; (A.R.); (F.G.); (M.F.); (M.M.-R.); (L.G.C.); (F.R.-C.); (D.H.)
| | - Martín Fraga
- Instituto Nacional de Investigación Agropecuaria, Plataforma de Investigación en Salud Animal, Estación Experimental La Estanzuela, Colonia 70000, Uruguay; (A.R.); (F.G.); (M.F.); (M.M.-R.); (L.G.C.); (F.R.-C.); (D.H.)
| | - Melissa Macías-Rioseco
- Instituto Nacional de Investigación Agropecuaria, Plataforma de Investigación en Salud Animal, Estación Experimental La Estanzuela, Colonia 70000, Uruguay; (A.R.); (F.G.); (M.F.); (M.M.-R.); (L.G.C.); (F.R.-C.); (D.H.)
- California Animal Health & Food Safety Laboratory System, University of California-Davis, Tulare, CA 95616, USA
| | - Luis G. Corbellini
- Instituto Nacional de Investigación Agropecuaria, Plataforma de Investigación en Salud Animal, Estación Experimental La Estanzuela, Colonia 70000, Uruguay; (A.R.); (F.G.); (M.F.); (M.M.-R.); (L.G.C.); (F.R.-C.); (D.H.)
| | - Franklin Riet-Correa
- Instituto Nacional de Investigación Agropecuaria, Plataforma de Investigación en Salud Animal, Estación Experimental La Estanzuela, Colonia 70000, Uruguay; (A.R.); (F.G.); (M.F.); (M.M.-R.); (L.G.C.); (F.R.-C.); (D.H.)
- Programa de Pós Graduação em Ciência Animal nos Trópicos, Faculdade de Veterinária, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Ondina, Salvador 40170-290, Brazil
| | - Darío Hirigoyen
- Instituto Nacional de Investigación Agropecuaria, Plataforma de Investigación en Salud Animal, Estación Experimental La Estanzuela, Colonia 70000, Uruguay; (A.R.); (F.G.); (M.F.); (M.M.-R.); (L.G.C.); (F.R.-C.); (D.H.)
| | - Katy M. E. Turner
- Bristol Veterinary School, University of Bristol, Langford House, Langford, Bristol BS40 5DU, UK;
| | - Mark C. Eisler
- Bristol Veterinary School, University of Bristol, Langford House, Langford, Bristol BS40 5DU, UK;
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Truong AT, Yun BR, Lim J, Min S, Yoo MS, Yoon SS, Yun YM, Kim JT, Cho YS. Real-time PCR biochip for on-site detection of Coxiella burnetii in ticks. Parasit Vectors 2021; 14:239. [PMID: 33957987 PMCID: PMC8101159 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-021-04744-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2021] [Accepted: 04/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Q fever, a zoonosis caused by Coxiella burnetii, has adverse effects on public health. Ticks are vectors of C. burnetii and they contribute to the transmission of the pathogen. A tool for rapid, sensitive, and accurate detection of C. burnetii from ticks is important for the prevention of Q fever. METHODS Ultra-rapid real-time PCR (UR-qPCR) as a chip-based real-time PCR system was developed for the detection of C. burnetii from ticks. The UR-qPCR system was established and evaluated for the rapidity, sensitivity, and specificity of C. burnetii detection. RESULTS C. burnetii was detected using UR-qPCR from 5644 larval, nymphal, and adult ticks from 408 pools collected from livestock and epidemiologically linked environments in two provinces, Gangwon and Jeju, in Korea. Ticks from three species were identified; Haemaphysalis longicornis accounted for the highest number, present in 333 of 408 pools (81.62%), followed by Haemaphysalis flava in 62 pools (15.19%) and Ixodes nipponensis in 13 pools (3.19%). The rapidity and sensitivity of PCR detection was demonstrated with the sufficient amplification and detection of approximately 56 copies of C. burnetii DNA with only 20 min of PCR amplification. The kappa value for the diagnostic agreement between UR-qPCR and stationary qPCR was in perfect agreement (κ = 1). PCR detection and sequencing indicated that C. burnetii was present in 5 of the 408 pools (1.23%), in which four pools contained H. longicornis and one pool contained H. flava. The infection rates of C. burnetii in the tick pools collected from Gangwon and Jeju Provinces were 1.70% and 0.58%, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis indicated a close relationship between the detected C. burnetii and those originating from goats, humans, and ticks in different countries, such as the USA, France, Germany, and Serbia. CONCLUSIONS The methods described in this study could be important for the prevention and control of Q fever in the two provinces. The UR-qPCR, with its features of mobility, sensitivity, and rapidity, is helpful for constructing early alert systems in the field for C. burnetii in ticks and could help alleviate the transmission of and economic damage due to Q fever.
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Affiliation(s)
- A-Tai Truong
- Parasitic and Honeybee Disease Laboratory, Bacterial and Parasitic Disease Division, Department of Animal & Plant Health Research, Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency, Gimcheon, 39660, Republic of Korea.,Faculty of Biotechnology, Thai Nguyen University of Sciences, Thai Nguyen, 250000, Vietnam
| | - Bo-Ram Yun
- Parasitic and Honeybee Disease Laboratory, Bacterial and Parasitic Disease Division, Department of Animal & Plant Health Research, Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency, Gimcheon, 39660, Republic of Korea
| | - Jiyeon Lim
- Parasitic and Honeybee Disease Laboratory, Bacterial and Parasitic Disease Division, Department of Animal & Plant Health Research, Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency, Gimcheon, 39660, Republic of Korea
| | - Subin Min
- Parasitic and Honeybee Disease Laboratory, Bacterial and Parasitic Disease Division, Department of Animal & Plant Health Research, Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency, Gimcheon, 39660, Republic of Korea
| | - Mi-Sun Yoo
- Parasitic and Honeybee Disease Laboratory, Bacterial and Parasitic Disease Division, Department of Animal & Plant Health Research, Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency, Gimcheon, 39660, Republic of Korea
| | - Soon-Seek Yoon
- Parasitic and Honeybee Disease Laboratory, Bacterial and Parasitic Disease Division, Department of Animal & Plant Health Research, Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency, Gimcheon, 39660, Republic of Korea
| | - Young-Min Yun
- Department of Veterinary Internal Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jeju National University, Jeju, 63243, Republic of Korea
| | - Jong-Taek Kim
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Gangwon National University, Chuncheon, 24341, Republic of Korea
| | - Yun Sang Cho
- Parasitic and Honeybee Disease Laboratory, Bacterial and Parasitic Disease Division, Department of Animal & Plant Health Research, Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency, Gimcheon, 39660, Republic of Korea.
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Rapid Molecular Diagnostic Sensor Based on Ball-Lensed Optical Fibers. BIOSENSORS-BASEL 2021; 11:bios11040125. [PMID: 33921114 PMCID: PMC8071528 DOI: 10.3390/bios11040125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2021] [Revised: 03/31/2021] [Accepted: 04/13/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Given the fatal health conditions caused by emerging infectious pathogens, such as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, their rapid diagnosis is required for preventing secondary infections and guiding correct treatments. Although various molecular diagnostic methods based on nucleic acid amplification have been suggested as gold standards for identifying different species, these methods are not suitable for the rapid diagnosis of pathogens owing to their long result acquisition times and complexity. In this study, we developed a rapid bio-optical sensor that uses a ball-lensed optical fiber (BLOF) probe and an automatic analysis platform to precisely diagnose infectious pathogens. The BLOF probe is easy to align and has a high optical sensing sensitivity (1.5-fold) and a large detection range (1.2-fold) for an automatic optical sensing system. Automatic signal processing of up to 250 copies/reaction of DNA of Q-fever-causing Coxiella burnetii was achieved within 8 min. The clinical utility of this system was demonstrated with 18 clinical specimens (9 Q-fever and 9 other febrile disease samples) by measuring the resonant wavelength shift of positive or negative samples for Coxiella burnetii DNA. The results from the system revealed the stable and automatic optical signal measurement of DNA with 100% accuracy. We envision that this BLOF probe-based sensor would be a practical tool for the rapid, simple, and sensitive diagnosis of emerging infectious pathogens.
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Nelson M, Salguero FJ, Hunter L, Atkins TP. A Novel Marmoset ( Callithrix jacchus) Model of Human Inhalational Q Fever. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2021; 10:621635. [PMID: 33585288 PMCID: PMC7876459 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2020.621635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2020] [Accepted: 12/11/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus) were shown to be susceptible to inhalational infection with Coxiella burnetii, in a dose-dependent manner, producing a disease similar to human Q fever, characterized by a resolving febrile response. Illness was also associated with weight loss, liver enzyme dysfunction, characteristic cellular activation, circulating INF-γ and bacteraemia. Viable C. burnetii was recovered from various tissues during disease and from 75% of the animal's lungs on 28 days post challenge, when there were no overt clinical features of disease but there was histological evidence of macrophage and lymphocyte infiltration into the lung resulting in granulomatous alveolitis. Taken together, these features of disease progression, physiology and bacterial spread appear to be consistent with human disease and therefore the common marmoset can be considered as a suitable model for studies on the pathogenesis or the development of medical counter measures of inhalational Q fever.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle Nelson
- CBR Division, Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl), Salisbury, United Kingdom
| | | | - Laura Hunter
- Public Health England, Salisbury, United Kingdom
| | - Timothy P Atkins
- CBR Division, Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl), Salisbury, United Kingdom
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Zhang P, Jiao J, Zhao Y, Fu M, Wang J, Song Y, Zhou D, Wang Y, Wen B, Yang R, Xiong X. Development and evaluation of an up-converting phosphor technology-based lateral flow assay for rapid and quantitative detection of Coxiella burnetii phase I strains. BMC Microbiol 2020; 20:251. [PMID: 32787788 PMCID: PMC7425161 DOI: 10.1186/s12866-020-01934-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2020] [Accepted: 08/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Coxiella burnetii is an obligate intracellular Gram-negative bacterium that causes a zoonotic disease commonly called Q fever globally. In this study, an up-converting phosphor technology-based lateral flow (UPT-LF) assay was established for the rapid and specific detection of phase I strains of C. burnetii. Results Specific monoclonal antibodies (10B5 and 10G7) against C. burnetii phase I strains were prepared and selected for use in the UPT-LF assay by the double-antibody-sandwich method. The detection sensitivity of the Coxiella-UPT-LF was 5 × 104 GE/ml for a purified C. burnetii phase I strain and 10 ng/ml for LPS of C. burnetii Nine Mile phase I (NMI). Good linearity was observed for C. burnetii phase I and NMI LPS quantification (R2 ≥ 0.989). The UPT-LF assay also exhibited a high specificity to C. burnetii, without false-positive results even at 108 GE/ml of non-specific bacteria, and good inclusivity for detecting different phase I strains of C. burnetii. Moreover, the performance of the Coxiella-UPT-LF assay was further confirmed using experimentally and naturally infected samples. Conclusions Our results indicate that Coxiella-UPT-LF is a sensitive and reliable method for rapid screening of C. burnetii, suitable for on-site detection in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pingping Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, P. R. China.,Beijing Key Laboratory of POCT for Bio-emergency and Clinic (No.BZ0329), Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Jun Jiao
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, P. R. China.,Beijing Key Laboratory of POCT for Bio-emergency and Clinic (No.BZ0329), Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Yong Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, P. R. China.,Beijing Key Laboratory of POCT for Bio-emergency and Clinic (No.BZ0329), Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Mengjiao Fu
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, P. R. China.,Beijing Key Laboratory of POCT for Bio-emergency and Clinic (No.BZ0329), Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Jin Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, P. R. China.,Beijing Key Laboratory of POCT for Bio-emergency and Clinic (No.BZ0329), Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Yajun Song
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, P. R. China.,Beijing Key Laboratory of POCT for Bio-emergency and Clinic (No.BZ0329), Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Dongsheng Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, P. R. China.,Beijing Key Laboratory of POCT for Bio-emergency and Clinic (No.BZ0329), Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Yongqiang Wang
- Preventive Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Bohai Wen
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, P. R. China.,Beijing Key Laboratory of POCT for Bio-emergency and Clinic (No.BZ0329), Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Ruifu Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, P. R. China. .,Beijing Key Laboratory of POCT for Bio-emergency and Clinic (No.BZ0329), Beijing, P. R. China.
| | - Xiaolu Xiong
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, P. R. China. .,Beijing Key Laboratory of POCT for Bio-emergency and Clinic (No.BZ0329), Beijing, P. R. China.
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Detection of Coxiella burnetii Using Silicon Microring Resonator in Patient Blood Plasma. MICROMACHINES 2019; 10:mi10070427. [PMID: 31252533 PMCID: PMC6680664 DOI: 10.3390/mi10070427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2019] [Revised: 06/21/2019] [Accepted: 06/25/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Blood plasma from patients is a powerful resource for diagnosing infectious disease due to it having many genetic materials as well as being relatively easy to obtain. Thus, various biosensors have been investigated for diagnosing diseases in blood plasma. However, there are no optimized and validated sensors for clinical use due to the low sensitivity, complexity, and difficulties of removing the inhibitors from plasma samples. In this study, we described a silicon microring resonator sensor used to detect Coxiella burnetii from the blood plasma of Q-fever patients in a label-free, real-time manner. Q-fever is an infectious disease caused by Coxiella burnetii via direct contact or inhalation aerosols. We validated this biosensor in the blood plasma of 35 clinical samples (including 16 Q fever samples infected with Coxiella burnetii and 19 samples infected with other febrile diseases. The biosensors are capable of rapid (10 min), highly sensitive (87.5%), and specific (89.5%) detection in plasma samples compared to the use of the conventional method.
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