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Zhou P, Zhu Y, Cai Q, Li Z, Yu Y, Zhu Y, Guan L. Case report: Multiple organ failure caused by Japanese spotted fever. Heliyon 2024; 10:e32647. [PMID: 38912444 PMCID: PMC11193004 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e32647] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2023] [Revised: 06/06/2024] [Accepted: 06/06/2024] [Indexed: 06/25/2024] Open
Abstract
A 71-year-old male had disseminated multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS). Following treatment with cefotaxime and piperacillin-tazobactam, his symptoms have worsened instead. Multiple organ failure caused by Japanese Spotted Fever (JSF) was diagnosed based on metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS), we rapidly treated the patient with doxycycline. Thereafter, his symptoms gradually improved. In this report, we emphasized the importance of rapid microbial diagnostic tools and the early use of tetracyclines for the treatment of JSF.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Qian Cai
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, The Third Hospital of Changsha, Hunan, 410015, China
| | - Zhe Li
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, The Third Hospital of Changsha, Hunan, 410015, China
| | - Yuyang Yu
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, The Third Hospital of Changsha, Hunan, 410015, China
| | - Yingqun Zhu
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, The Third Hospital of Changsha, Hunan, 410015, China
| | - Lan Guan
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, The Third Hospital of Changsha, Hunan, 410015, China
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Kosak L, Satz N, Jutzi M, Dobec M, Schlagenhauf P. Spotted fever group rickettsiae and Anaplasma phagocytophilum in Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato seropositive individuals with or without Lyme disease: A retrospective analysis. New Microbes New Infect 2023; 53:101139. [PMID: 37168237 PMCID: PMC10165448 DOI: 10.1016/j.nmni.2023.101139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2022] [Revised: 03/13/2023] [Accepted: 03/26/2023] [Indexed: 05/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The Ixodes ricinus tick is the main vector of Borrelia burgdorferi and tick-borne encephalitis virus in Switzerland. Spotted fever group Rickettsiae (SFG) and Anaplasma phagocytophilum have been detected in Swiss ticks, however, information about the extent and clinical presentation of these infections in humans is scant. Methods Indirect fluorescent antibody tests for SFG rickettsiae and Anaplasma phagocytophilum were performed on serum samples of 121 Borrelia burgdorferi seropositive patients with and without Lyme disease and 43 negative controls. Results Out of 121 Borrelia burgdorferi seropositive individuals, 65 (53.7%) were seropositive for IgG and 15 (12.4%) for IgM antibodies to SFG rickettsiae. IgM antibodies were detected more frequently in early-than in late-stage of Lyme disease (12 out of 51 and 2 out of 49; respectively; p = 0.0078). Significantly higher IgG antibody titers against SFG rickettsiae were found in patients with late-stage compared to patients with early-stage Lyme disease (mean titer 1:261 and 1:129, respectively; p = 0.038). This difference was even more pronounced in patients with acrodermatitis chronica atrophicans compared to patients with early stage of Lyme disease (mean titer 1:337 and 1:129, respectively; p = 0.009).In patients presenting with fatigue, headache and myalgia, the prevalence of IgG antibodies against SFG rickettsiae was significantly higher (7 out of 11; 63.6%) than in Borrelia burgdorferi seropositive individuals without clinical illness (1 out of 10; 10%; p = 0.024). IgG antibodies to Anaplasma phagocytophilum were detected in 12 out of 121 individuals (9.9%), no IgM antibodies were found. Conclusion Infections with SFG rickettsiae and Anaplasma phagocytophilum are underdiagnosed and should be ruled out after a tick bite. Further studies are needed to elucidate the possible causative role of SFG rickettsiae for myalgia, headache and long-lasting fatigue after a tick bite and to determine the necessity for an antibiotic treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonie Kosak
- University of Zürich, Institute for Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Prevention, Zürich, Switzerland
- Corresponding author.
| | | | - Markus Jutzi
- Analytica Medizinische Laboratorien AG, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Marinko Dobec
- Analytica Medizinische Laboratorien AG, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Patricia Schlagenhauf
- University of Zürich, Institute for Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Prevention, WHO Collaborating Centre for Travellers' Health, Department of Global and Public Health, MilMedBiol Competence Centre, Zürich, Switzerland
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Otsuki H, Kondo Y, Tademoto S, Ito D. Phylogenetic Analysis of Spotted Fever Group Rickettsia Gene from Ticks and Human Patients in Tottori Prefecture, Japan. Yonago Acta Med 2023; 66:246-256. [PMID: 37229380 PMCID: PMC10203642 DOI: 10.33160/yam.2023.05.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2023] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Background Japanese spotted fever (JSF) is a tick-borne bacterial febrile disease caused by Rickettsia japonica characterized by fever, rash, and occasional death. The number of patients in Japan and the Tottori Prefecture has been increasing over the past 20 years. Most cases were found in Eastern Tottori; however, the distribution of patients has expanded to the Central and Western regions. Ticks carried by wild animals may be the cause, but the prevalence of R. japonica in ticks has not yet been analyzed. Methods Ticks were collected by flagging-dragging from 16 sites in Tottori, Japan. The ticks were morphologically classified and DNA was extracted. The 17-kDa antigen gene was amplified using nested PCR. PCR amplicons from ticks and JSF patients were sequenced and phylogenetically compared. Results In total, 177 ticks were collected and identified as Haemahysalis, Ixodes, Amblyomma, and Dermcentor. The Spotted Fever Group Rickettsia (SFGR) was detected in Haemahysalis and Amblyomma spp. using PCR, with positivity rates of 36.8% and 33.3%, respectively. DNA sequencing and phylogenetic analysis revealed that positive ticks harbored R. japonica, P. raoultii, and other Rickettsiae species; however, the patient's samples were restricted to R. japonica. Similar to the incidence of JSF, the rate of R. japonica-positive ticks was higher in the Eastern region; however, R. japonica-positive ticks were also detected in the Western region. Conclusion R. japonica sequences had been found in ticks collected in Tottori Prefecture. Ticks harboring R. japonica were found in the Eastern and Western parts of Tottori Prefecture and the sequences were identical to the human cases. Only the R. japonica sequence has been detected in patients with spotted fever symptoms, even though ticks were harboring various SFGRs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hitoshi Otsuki
- Division of Medical Zoology, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Tottori University, Yonago 683-8503, Japan
| | - Yoko Kondo
- Division of Medical Zoology, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Tottori University, Yonago 683-8503, Japan
| | - Sayuri Tademoto
- Technical Department, Tottori University, Yonago 683-8503, Japan
| | - Daisuke Ito
- Division of Medical Zoology, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Tottori University, Yonago 683-8503, Japan
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Hu H, Liu Z, Fu R, Liu Y, Ma H, Zheng W. Detection and phylogenetic analysis of tick-borne bacterial and protozoan pathogens in a forest province of eastern China. Acta Trop 2022; 235:106634. [PMID: 35932842 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2022.106634] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2022] [Revised: 07/19/2022] [Accepted: 08/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Abstract
Ticks, as obligate blood-sucking ectoparasites, feed on a broad range of vertebrates and transmit a great diversity of pathogenic microorganisms. Some tick-borne pathogens (TBPs) are endemic in China, whereas epidemiological studies are limited in Jiangxi, a forest province located in eastern China. Here, we have determined the positivity rates of TBPs in humans, rodents, dogs, goats and ticks, and performed the molecular characterization of TBPs in Jiangxi province. We found a high positivity rate of TBPs in the collected samples, demonstrating 23 (12.92%) samples positive for more than one TBPs. Of those, 11 (6.18%) samples were positive for Rickettsia spp., six (3.37%) Ehrlichia spp./Anaplasma spp., one (0.56%) Bartonella spp., two (1.12%) Borrelia spp., and five (2.81%) Babesia spp. The positivity rates of TBPs varied among ticks, animals, and humans as follow: goats (14/37, 37.84%), ticks (8/35, 22.86%), and dogs (1/11, 9.09%). Humans and rodents were negative for TBP presence. Phylogenetic analyses of these TBP sequences revealed the presence of Rickettsia japonica, Ehrlichia minasensis, and an unclassified Babesia spp. in goats, and Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Borrelia valaisiana, and an unclassified Bartonella spp. in ticks. Furthermore, R. japonica infection was exclusively found in goats with the positivity rate of 29.73%. Our study is the first report of R. japonica in goats around the world. These findings suggest high TBP positivity rates among goats, ticks, and dogs, and diverse TBPs in goats and ticks in the studied sites. Therefore, our results underscore the urgent need to assess TBP-tick-vertebrate-environment interactions and the risk of tick borne disease exposure in humans in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haijun Hu
- The Collaboration Unit for Field Epidemiology of State Key Laboratory for Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, Jiangxi Provincial key Laboratory of Animal-origin and Vector-borne Diseases, Nanchang Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Honggutan District, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330038, China
| | - Zhanbin Liu
- Nanchang Police Dog Base of the Ministry of Public Security, Xinjian Dsitrict, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330100, China
| | - Renlong Fu
- The Collaboration Unit for Field Epidemiology of State Key Laboratory for Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, Jiangxi Provincial key Laboratory of Animal-origin and Vector-borne Diseases, Nanchang Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Honggutan District, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330038, China
| | - Yangqing Liu
- The Collaboration Unit for Field Epidemiology of State Key Laboratory for Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, Jiangxi Provincial key Laboratory of Animal-origin and Vector-borne Diseases, Nanchang Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Honggutan District, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330038, China
| | - Hongmei Ma
- The Collaboration Unit for Field Epidemiology of State Key Laboratory for Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, Jiangxi Provincial key Laboratory of Animal-origin and Vector-borne Diseases, Nanchang Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Honggutan District, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330038, China
| | - Weiqing Zheng
- The Collaboration Unit for Field Epidemiology of State Key Laboratory for Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, Jiangxi Provincial key Laboratory of Animal-origin and Vector-borne Diseases, Nanchang Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Honggutan District, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330038, China.
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Detection of Tick-Borne Bacterial and Protozoan Pathogens in Ticks from the Zambia–Angola Border. Pathogens 2022; 11:pathogens11050566. [PMID: 35631087 PMCID: PMC9144998 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11050566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2022] [Revised: 04/30/2022] [Accepted: 05/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Tick-borne diseases (TBDs), including emerging and re-emerging zoonoses, are of public health importance worldwide; however, TBDs tend to be overlooked, especially in countries with fewer resources, such as Zambia and Angola. Here, we investigated Rickettsia, Anaplasmataceae, and Apicomplexan pathogens in 59 and 96 adult ticks collected from dogs and cattle, respectively, in Shangombo, a town at the Zambia–Angola border. We detected Richkettsia africae and Rickettsia aeschilimannii in 15.6% of Amblyomma variegatum and 41.7% of Hyalomma truncatum ticks, respectively. Ehrlichia minasensis was detected in 18.8% of H. truncatum, and Candidatus Midichloria mitochondrii was determined in Hyalomma marginatum. We also detected Babesia caballi and Theileria velifera in A. variegatum ticks with a 4.4% and 6.7% prevalence, respectively. In addition, Hepatozoon canis was detected in 6.5% of Rhipicephalus lunulatus and 4.3% of Rhipicephalus sanguineus. Coinfection of R. aeshilimannii and E. minasensis were observed in 4.2% of H. truncatum. This is the first report of Ca. M. mitochondrii and E. minasensis, and the second report of B. caballi, in the country. Rickettsia africae and R. aeschlimannii are pathogenic to humans, and E. minasensis, B. caballi, T. velifera, and H. canis are pathogenic to animals. Therefore, individuals, clinicians, veterinarians, and pet owners should be aware of the distribution of these pathogens in the area.
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Kirino Y, Yamamoto S, Nomachi T, Mai TN, Sato Y, Sudaryatma PE, Norimine J, Fujii Y, Ando S, Okabayashi T. Serological and molecular survey of tick-borne zoonotic pathogens including severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus in wild boars in Miyazaki Prefecture, Japan. Vet Med Sci 2021; 8:877-885. [PMID: 34953052 PMCID: PMC8959263 DOI: 10.1002/vms3.696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Miyazaki Prefecture is one of the hotspots of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) cases and related deaths in Japan since 2013 and other pathogens of tick‐borne diseases (TBDs). Japanese spotted fever and scrub typhus are also endemic in this region. Objectives A total of 105 wild boars, hunted in 2009, were serologically examined as sentinels for TBDs to indirectly demonstrate the potential hazard of ticks transmitting pathogens to humans in the studied area. Methods The collected blood and spleens of the wild boars underwent serological and molecular tests for SFTSV, Rickettsia japonica (Rj) [antibody to spotted fever group rickettsiae (SFGR) were tested by using species‐common antigen], and Orientia tsutsugamushi (Ot). Results Seroprevalences of SFTSV, SFGR, and Ot were 41.9%, 29.5%, and 33.3%, respectively. SFTS viral RNA was identified in 7.6% of the sera, whereas DNA of Rj or Ot was not detected in any sample. In total, 43.8% of the boars possessed an infection history with SFTSV (viral gene and/or antibody). Of these, 23.8% had multiple‐infection history with SFGR and/or Ot. Conclusions The high prevalence of SFTSV in wild boars might reflect the high risk of exposure to the virus in the studied areas. In addition, SFTSV infection was significantly correlated with Ot infection, and so were SFGR infection and Ot infection, indicating that these pathogens have common factors for infection or transmission. These data caution of the higher risk of SFTSV infection in areas with reported cases of other TBDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yumi Kirino
- Department of Veterinary Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Miyazaki, Miyazaki, Japan.,Center for Animal Disease Control, University of Miyazaki, Miyazaki, Japan
| | - Seigo Yamamoto
- Department of Microbiology, Miyazaki Prefectural Institute for Public Health and Environment, Miyazaki, Japan
| | - Taro Nomachi
- Department of Microbiology, Miyazaki Prefectural Institute for Public Health and Environment, Miyazaki, Japan
| | - Thi Ngan Mai
- Department of Veterinary Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Miyazaki, Miyazaki, Japan.,Graduate School of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine, University of Miyazaki, Miyazaki, Japan
| | - Yukiko Sato
- Department of Veterinary Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Miyazaki, Miyazaki, Japan
| | - Putu Eka Sudaryatma
- Department of Veterinary Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Miyazaki, Miyazaki, Japan.,Graduate School of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine, University of Miyazaki, Miyazaki, Japan
| | - Junzo Norimine
- Department of Veterinary Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Miyazaki, Miyazaki, Japan.,Center for Animal Disease Control, University of Miyazaki, Miyazaki, Japan.,Graduate School of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine, University of Miyazaki, Miyazaki, Japan
| | - Yoshinori Fujii
- Center for Animal Disease Control, University of Miyazaki, Miyazaki, Japan.,Faculty of Education, University of Miyazaki, Miyazaki, Japan
| | - Shuji Ando
- Department of Virology I, National Institute of Infectious Diseases (NIID), Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tamaki Okabayashi
- Department of Veterinary Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Miyazaki, Miyazaki, Japan.,Center for Animal Disease Control, University of Miyazaki, Miyazaki, Japan.,Graduate School of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine, University of Miyazaki, Miyazaki, Japan
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Shih CM, Chao LL. First detection and genetic identification of Rickettsia infection in Rhipicephalus sanguineus (Acari: Ixodidae) ticks collected from Southern Taiwan. EXPERIMENTAL & APPLIED ACAROLOGY 2021; 85:291-304. [PMID: 34708287 DOI: 10.1007/s10493-021-00669-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2021] [Accepted: 10/19/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The prevalence and genetic identity of Rickettsia infection in Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato (s.l.) ticks were determined in Taiwan. In total 1153 ticks were examined for Rickettsia infection by PCR assay targeting the citrate synthase gene (gltA) of Rickettsia. The prevalence of Rickettsia infection in R. sanguineus s.l. ticks with a general infection rate of 2.2%, and was detected in nymph, male and female stages of R. sanguineus s.l. ticks with an infection rate of 3.1, 2.0 and 1.1%, respectively. Phylogenetic relationships were analyzed by comparing the gltA sequences obtained from four Taiwan strains and 16 other strains representing 13 genospecies of Rickettsia. Phylogenetic analyses reveal that one Taiwan strain was genetically affiliated with the Japan isolate (GRA-1 strain) which belongs to the spotted fever group (R. parkeri/R. honei) and three Taiwan strains were genetically affiliated with the transitional group of Rickettsia (R. felis). Intra- and inter-species analysis also indicated the genetic distance (GD) of the Taiwan strains with a lower level of GD < 0.011, 0.023 and 0.003 as compared with the type strains of R. parkeri, R. honei and R. felis, respectively. Our findings reveal the first detection of Rickettsia infections (R. parkeri/R. honei and R. felis) in R. sanguineus s.l. ticks of Taiwan. These results also highlight the epidemiological significance of diverse Rickettsia species existed in R. sanguineus s.l. ticks and the potential threat for the geographical transmission of Rickettsia infection in Taiwan.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chien-Ming Shih
- M.Sc. Program in Tropical Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, 807, Taiwan, Republic of China
- Graduate Institute of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, Republic of China
- Department of Medical Research, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, Republic of China
| | - Li-Lian Chao
- M.Sc. Program in Tropical Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, 807, Taiwan, Republic of China.
- Graduate Institute of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, Republic of China.
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Molecular Detection and Genetic Identification of Rickettsia Infection in Ixodes granulatus Ticks, an Incriminated Vector for Geographical Transmission in Taiwan. Microorganisms 2021; 9:microorganisms9061309. [PMID: 34208514 PMCID: PMC8233880 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9061309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2021] [Revised: 06/11/2021] [Accepted: 06/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Tick-borne Rickettsia pathogens have become an emerging source of zoonotic infections and have a major impact on human health worldwide. In this study, the prevalence and genetic identity of Rickettsia infections in Ixodes granulatus ticks was firstly determined in Kinmen Island of Taiwan. A total of 247 I. granulatus ticks were examined for Rickettsia infection by nested-PCR assay targeting the citrate synthase (gltA) gene of Rickettsia. The Rickettsia infection was detected with a general infection rate of 4.86%, and was detected in nymph, male and female stages with an infection rate of 3.81%, 0% and 6.84%, respectively. Phylogenetic relationships were analyzed by comparing the gltA sequences obtained from four Taiwan strains and 19 other strains representing 13 genospecies of Rickettsia. Phylogenetic analyses reveal that all Taiwan strains were genetically affiliated to the genospecies of spotted fever (R. parkeri) and transitional (R. felis) groups of Rickettsia. Our findings reveal the first detection of R. parkeri-like and R. felis in I. granulatus ticks from Kinmen Island. As a tourist island between Taiwan and mainland China, these results demonstrate the epidemiological significance of diverse Rickettsia species existed in I. granulatus ticks and highlight the potential threat of geographical transmission among humans in the Taiwan area.
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Hoseini Z, Alipour H, Azizi K, Soltani A. Molecular-based Survey of Rickettsia spp. and Coxiella burnetii in Mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) from Fars Province, Southern Iran, during 2017-18. Open Microbiol J 2020. [DOI: 10.2174/1874434602014010281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives:
Since there have not been any studies on the roles of the Iranian mosquitoes in the transmission of Rickettsia spp. and Coxiella burneti, the present study investigates the roles of mosquitoes in the transmission of the pathogens using the PCR techniques for the first time in Iran.
Methods:
The present study was conducted in Fars province during the activity seasons of mosquitoes in 2017-18. The primer design was done to investigate the probability of mosquito’s contamination with Rickettsia spp. and Coxiella burnetii. The conventional PCR was used after the extraction of DNA from mosquitoes to study the contamination.
Results:
A total of 1103 adult mosquitoes were collected and identified. Among them, 3 genera and 11 species were identified, including Anopheles (25.74%), Culex (51.84%) and Culiseta (22.39%) genera. All tested mosquitoes were negative in terms of contamination to Rickettsia spp. and Coxiella burnetii.
Conclusion:
Based on the results, mosquitoes are not considered as vectors of Rickettsia spp. and Coxiella burnetii in this part of the country currently. Further studies on a larger scale are needed to examine the exact role of mosquitoes (as a possible vector with high abundance and mobility) in the transmission of these pathogens in tropical areas of Iran.
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Paris DH, Kelly DJ, Fuerst PA, Day NPJ, Richards AL. A Brief History of the Major Rickettsioses in the Asia-Australia-Pacific Region: A Capstone Review for the Special Issue of TMID. Trop Med Infect Dis 2020; 5:tropicalmed5040165. [PMID: 33121158 PMCID: PMC7709643 DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed5040165] [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: 09/12/2020] [Revised: 10/15/2020] [Accepted: 10/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The rickettsioses of the "Far East" or Asia-Australia-Pacific region include but are not limited to endemic typhus, scrub typhus, and more recently, tick typhus or spotted fever. These diseases embody the diversity of rickettsial disease worldwide and allow us to interconnect the various contributions to this special issue of Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease. The impact of rickettsial diseases-particularly of scrub typhus-was substantial during the wars and "police actions" of the last 80 years. However, the post-World War II arrival of effective antibiotics reduced their impact, when recognized and adequately treated (chloramphenicol and tetracyclines). Presently, however, scrub typhus appears to be emerging and spreading into regions not previously reported. Better diagnostics, or higher population mobility, change in antimicrobial policies, even global warming, have been proposed as possible culprits of this phenomenon. Further, sporadic reports of possible antibiotic resistance have received the attention of clinicians and epidemiologists, raising interest in developing and testing novel diagnostics to facilitate medical diagnosis. We present a brief history of rickettsial diseases, their relative importance within the region, focusing on the so-called "tsutsugamushi triangle", the past and present impact of these diseases within the region, and indicate how historically, these often-confused diseases were ingeniously distinguished from each another. Moreover, we will discuss the importance of DNA-sequencing efforts for Orientia tsutsugamushi, obtained from patient blood, vector chiggers, and rodent reservoirs, particularly for the dominant 56-kD type-specific antigen gene (tsa56), and whole-genome sequences, which are increasing our knowledge of the diversity of this unique agent. We explore and discuss the potential of sequencing and other effective tools to geographically trace rickettsial disease agents, and develop control strategies to better mitigate the rickettsioses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel H. Paris
- Department of Medicine, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, 4051 Basel, Switzerland
- Department of Clinical Research, University of Basel, 4051 Basel, Switzerland
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +41-61-284-8111
| | - Daryl J. Kelly
- Department of Evolution, Ecology and Organismal Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA; (D.J.K.); (P.A.F.)
| | - Paul A. Fuerst
- Department of Evolution, Ecology and Organismal Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA; (D.J.K.); (P.A.F.)
| | - Nicholas P. J. Day
- Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Programme, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, 420/6 Rajvithee Road, Bangkok 10400, Thailand;
- Center for Tropical Medicine, Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, Churchill Hospital, Old Road, Headington, Oxford OX3 7LJ, UK
| | - Allen L. Richards
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Biostatistics, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA;
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Hördt A, López MG, Meier-Kolthoff JP, Schleuning M, Weinhold LM, Tindall BJ, Gronow S, Kyrpides NC, Woyke T, Göker M. Analysis of 1,000+ Type-Strain Genomes Substantially Improves Taxonomic Classification of Alphaproteobacteria. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:468. [PMID: 32373076 PMCID: PMC7179689 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.00468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 259] [Impact Index Per Article: 64.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2019] [Accepted: 03/04/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The class Alphaproteobacteria is comprised of a diverse assemblage of Gram-negative bacteria that includes organisms of varying morphologies, physiologies and habitat preferences many of which are of clinical and ecological importance. Alphaproteobacteria classification has proved to be difficult, not least when taxonomic decisions rested heavily on a limited number of phenotypic features and interpretation of poorly resolved 16S rRNA gene trees. Despite progress in recent years regarding the classification of bacteria assigned to the class, there remains a need to further clarify taxonomic relationships. Here, draft genome sequences of a collection of genomes of more than 1000 Alphaproteobacteria and outgroup type strains were used to infer phylogenetic trees from genome-scale data using the principles drawn from phylogenetic systematics. The majority of taxa were found to be monophyletic but several orders, families and genera, including taxa recognized as problematic long ago but also quite recent taxa, as well as a few species were shown to be in need of revision. According proposals are made for the recognition of new orders, families and genera, as well as the transfer of a variety of species to other genera and of a variety of genera to other families. In addition, emended descriptions are given for many species mainly involving information on DNA G+C content and (approximate) genome size, both of which are confirmed as valuable taxonomic markers. Similarly, analysis of the gene content was shown to provide valuable taxonomic insights in the class. Significant incongruities between 16S rRNA gene and whole genome trees were not found in the class. The incongruities that became obvious when comparing the results of the present study with existing classifications appeared to be caused mainly by insufficiently resolved 16S rRNA gene trees or incomplete taxon sampling. Another probable cause of misclassifications in the past is the partially low overall fit of phenotypic characters to the sequence-based tree. Even though a significant degree of phylogenetic conservation was detected in all characters investigated, the overall fit to the tree varied considerably.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anton Hördt
- Department of Bioinformatics, Leibniz Institute DSMZ – German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Cultures, Brunswick, Germany
| | - Marina García López
- Department of Bioinformatics, Leibniz Institute DSMZ – German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Cultures, Brunswick, Germany
| | - Jan P. Meier-Kolthoff
- Department of Bioinformatics, Leibniz Institute DSMZ – German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Cultures, Brunswick, Germany
| | - Marcel Schleuning
- Department of Bioinformatics, Leibniz Institute DSMZ – German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Cultures, Brunswick, Germany
| | - Lisa-Maria Weinhold
- Department of Bioinformatics, Leibniz Institute DSMZ – German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Cultures, Brunswick, Germany
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czechia
| | - Brian J. Tindall
- Department of Microorganisms, Leibniz Institute DSMZ – German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Cultures, Brunswick, Germany
| | - Sabine Gronow
- Department of Microorganisms, Leibniz Institute DSMZ – German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Cultures, Brunswick, Germany
| | - Nikos C. Kyrpides
- Department of Energy, Joint Genome Institute, Berkeley, CA, United States
| | - Tanja Woyke
- Department of Energy, Joint Genome Institute, Berkeley, CA, United States
| | - Markus Göker
- Department of Bioinformatics, Leibniz Institute DSMZ – German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Cultures, Brunswick, Germany
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12
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Li H, Zhang PH, Du J, Yang ZD, Cui N, Xing B, Zhang XA, Liu W. Rickettsia japonica Infections in Humans, Xinyang, China, 2014-2017. Emerg Infect Dis 2020; 25:1719-1722. [PMID: 31441748 PMCID: PMC6711240 DOI: 10.3201/eid2509.171421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
During 2014–2017, we screened for Rickettsia japonica infection in Xinyang, China, and identified 20 cases. The major clinical manifestations of monoinfection were fever, asthenia, myalgia, rash, and anorexia; laboratory findings included thrombocytopenia and elevated hepatic aminotransferase concentrations. Physicians in China should consider R. japonica infection in at-risk patients.
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13
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Satoh M, Kato H, Takayama-Ito M, Ogawa M, Ando S, Saijo M. In vitro evaluation of minimum inhibitory concentration of several antibacterial agents against Rickettsia japonica using a plaque reduction assay system. J Infect Chemother 2019; 25:917-919. [PMID: 31186196 DOI: 10.1016/j.jiac.2019.05.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2019] [Revised: 05/14/2019] [Accepted: 05/18/2019] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
The study was conducted to determine the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of several antibacterial agents against Rickettsia japonica, which causes Japanese spotted fever. A plaque reduction assay as an in vitro culture method was conducted to determine the MICs of antibacterial agents (4 types of tetracyclines: tetracycline, doxycycline, minocycline, and tigecycline; 3 types of quinolones: ciprofloxacin, ofloxacin, and levofloxacin; and 2 types of macrolides: azithromycin and clarythromycin) against R. japonica. R. japonica was sensitive to the antibacterial agents tested with MICs similar to those against other spotted fever rickettsia determined in previously described plaque reduction assays.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masaaki Satoh
- Department of Virology I, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Japan
| | - Hirofumi Kato
- Department of Virology I, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Japan
| | | | - Motohiko Ogawa
- Department of Virology I, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Japan
| | - Shuji Ando
- Department of Virology I, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Japan
| | - Masayuki Saijo
- Department of Virology I, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Japan.
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14
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Lu Q, Yu J, Yu L, Zhang Y, Chen Y, Lin M, Fang X. Rickettsia japonica Infections in Humans, Zhejiang Province, China, 2015. Emerg Infect Dis 2019; 24:2077-2079. [PMID: 30334710 PMCID: PMC6200003 DOI: 10.3201/eid2411.170044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
We investigated 16 Japanese spotted fever cases that occurred in southeastern China during September–October 2015. Patients had fever, rash, eschar, and lymphadenopathy. We confirmed 9 diagnoses and obtained 2 isolates with high identity to Rickettsiajaponica strain YH. R. japonica infection should be considered for febrile patients in China.
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15
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Jiang J, Choi YJ, Kim J, Kim HC, Klein TA, Chong ST, Richards AL, Park HJ, Shin SH, Song D, Park KH, Jang WJ. Distribution of Rickettsia spp. in Ticks from Northwestern and Southwestern Provinces, Republic of Korea. THE KOREAN JOURNAL OF PARASITOLOGY 2019; 57:161-166. [PMID: 31104408 PMCID: PMC6526208 DOI: 10.3347/kjp.2019.57.2.161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2018] [Accepted: 12/23/2018] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
This study was done to characterize distribution of Rickettsia spp. in ticks in the northwestern and southwestern provinces in the Republic of Korea. A total of 2,814 ticks were collected between May and September 2009. After pooling, 284 tick DNA samples were screened for a gene of Rickettsia-specific 17-kDa protein using nested PCR (nPCR), and produced 88 nPCR positive samples. Of these positives, 75% contained 190-kDa outer membrane protein gene (ompA), 50% 120-kDa outer membrane protein gene (ompB), and 64.7% gene D (sca4). The nPCR products of ompA, ompB, and sca4 genes revealed close relatedness to Rickettsia japonica, R. heilongjiangensis, and R. monacensis. Most Rickettsia species were detected in Haemaphysalis longicornis. This tick was found a dominant vector of rickettsiae in the study regions in the Republic of Korea.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ju Jiang
- Viral and Rickettsial Diseases Department, Naval Medical Research Center, Silver Spring, MD 20910-7500, USA
| | - Yeon-Joo Choi
- Department of Microbiology, Konkuk University School of Medicine, Seoul 05029, Korea.,Research Institute of Medical Science, Konkuk University School of Medicine, Seoul 05029, Korea
| | - Jeoungyeon Kim
- Department of Microbiology, Konkuk University School of Medicine, Seoul 05029, Korea.,Research Institute of Medical Science, Konkuk University School of Medicine, Seoul 05029, Korea
| | - Heung-Chul Kim
- Force Health Protection and Preventive Medicine, Medical Department Activity-Korea/65th Medical Brigade, Unit 15281, APO AP 96271-5281, USA
| | - Terry A Klein
- Force Health Protection and Preventive Medicine, Medical Department Activity-Korea/65th Medical Brigade, Unit 15281, APO AP 96271-5281, USA
| | - Sung-Tae Chong
- Force Health Protection and Preventive Medicine, Medical Department Activity-Korea/65th Medical Brigade, Unit 15281, APO AP 96271-5281, USA
| | - Allen L Richards
- Viral and Rickettsial Diseases Department, Naval Medical Research Center, Silver Spring, MD 20910-7500, USA
| | - Hye-Jin Park
- Department of Microbiology, Konkuk University School of Medicine, Seoul 05029, Korea.,Research Institute of Medical Science, Konkuk University School of Medicine, Seoul 05029, Korea
| | - Sun-Hye Shin
- Department of Microbiology, Konkuk University School of Medicine, Seoul 05029, Korea.,Research Institute of Medical Science, Konkuk University School of Medicine, Seoul 05029, Korea
| | - Dayoung Song
- Department of Microbiology, Konkuk University School of Medicine, Seoul 05029, Korea.,Research Institute of Medical Science, Konkuk University School of Medicine, Seoul 05029, Korea
| | - Kyung-Hee Park
- Department of Microbiology, Konkuk University School of Medicine, Seoul 05029, Korea.,Research Institute of Medical Science, Konkuk University School of Medicine, Seoul 05029, Korea
| | - Won-Jong Jang
- Department of Microbiology, Konkuk University School of Medicine, Seoul 05029, Korea.,Research Institute of Medical Science, Konkuk University School of Medicine, Seoul 05029, Korea
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16
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Thu MJ, Qiu Y, Kataoka-Nakamura C, Sugimoto C, Katakura K, Isoda N, Nakao R. Isolation of Rickettsia, Rickettsiella, and Spiroplasma from Questing Ticks in Japan Using Arthropod Cells. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2019; 19:474-485. [PMID: 30779681 DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2018.2373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Ticks are blood-sucking ectoparasites that transmit zoonotic pathogens to humans and animals. Ticks harbor not only pathogenic microorganisms but also endosymbionts. Although some tick endosymbionts are known to be essential for the survival of ticks, their roles in ticks remain poorly understood. The main aim of this study was to isolate and characterize tick-borne microorganisms from field-collected ticks using two arthropod cell lines derived from Ixodes scapularis embryos (ISE6) and Aedes albopictus larvae (C6/36). A total of 170 tick homogenates originating from 15 different tick species collected in Japan were inoculated into each cell line. Bacterial growth was confirmed by PCR amplification of 16S ribosomal DNA (rDNA) of eubacteria. During the 8-week observation period, bacterial isolation was confirmed in 14 and 4 samples using ISE6 and C6/36 cells, respectively. The sequencing analysis of the 16S rDNA PCR products indicated that they were previously known tick-borne pathogens/endosymbionts in three different genera: Rickettsia, Rickettsiella, and Spiroplasma. These included four previously validated rickettsial species namely Rickettsia asiatica (n = 2), Rickettsia helvetica (n = 3), Rickettsia monacensis (n = 2), and Rickettsia tamurae (n = 3) and one uncharacterized genotype Rickettsia sp. LON (n = 2). Four isolates of Spiroplasma had the highest similarity with previously reported Spiroplasma isolates: Spiroplasma ixodetis obtained from ticks in North America and Spiroplasma sp. Bratislava 1 obtained from Ixodes ricinus in Europe, while two isolates of Rickettsiella showed 100% identity with Rickettsiella sp. detected from Ixodes uriae at Grimsey Island in Iceland. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on successful isolation of Rickettsiella from ticks. The isolates obtained in this study can be further analyzed to evaluate their pathogenic potential in animals and their roles as symbionts in ticks.
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Affiliation(s)
- May June Thu
- 1 Laboratory of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Graduate School of Infectious Diseases, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan.,2 Unit of Risk Analysis and Management, Hokkaido University Research Center for Zoonosis Control, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Yongjin Qiu
- 3 Hokudai Center for Zoonosis Control in Zambia, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Chikako Kataoka-Nakamura
- 2 Unit of Risk Analysis and Management, Hokkaido University Research Center for Zoonosis Control, Sapporo, Japan.,4 Surveillance Section, Biomedical Science Center, Seto Center, Kanonji Institute, The Research Foundation for Microbial Diseases of Osaka University, Kagawa, Japan
| | - Chihiro Sugimoto
- 5 Division of Collaboration and Education, Hokkaido University Research Center for Zoonosis Control, Sapporo, Japan.,6 Global Station for Zoonosis Control, Global Institution for Collaborative Research and Education (GI-CoRE), Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Ken Katakura
- 1 Laboratory of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Graduate School of Infectious Diseases, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Norikazu Isoda
- 2 Unit of Risk Analysis and Management, Hokkaido University Research Center for Zoonosis Control, Sapporo, Japan.,6 Global Station for Zoonosis Control, Global Institution for Collaborative Research and Education (GI-CoRE), Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Ryo Nakao
- 1 Laboratory of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Graduate School of Infectious Diseases, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
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17
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Distribution of tick-borne diseases in Japan: Past patterns and implications for the future. J Infect Chemother 2018; 24:499-504. [PMID: 29685854 DOI: 10.1016/j.jiac.2018.03.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2018] [Accepted: 03/23/2018] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
The rapid geographical spread of tick-borne diseases (TBDs) worldwide has recently provoked significant concerns amongst public health authorities. Tick-borne pathogens are maintained in enzootic cycles involving ticks and wild animal hosts, with epizootic spread to other mammals, including livestock and humans. Despite the increasing public health concern, current TBD diagnostic tests and treatments are inadequate, and predictive models of future risks posed by TBDs are limited by the heterogeneity of environmental, vector, and host factors, even in neighboring regions. In recent years, infections resulting in severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS), Japanese spotted fever, and the scrub typhus pathogens have been reported frequently in addition to traditional TBDs in Japan. The Japanese archipelago is extremely elongated from north to south and its climate varies considerably, creating remarkable regional differences in tick species. The importance of continuous surveillance of TBDs has been growing in terms of geopathology - studies dealing with the relationships between geographic factors and the causes of specific diseases - in Japan and neighboring areas among eastern Asian countries, including China and Korea. In this review, we summarize detailed information regarding the history and epidemic status of human TBDs in Japan.
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18
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Khamesipour F, Dida GO, Anyona DN, Razavi SM, Rakhshandehroo E. Tick-borne zoonoses in the Order Rickettsiales and Legionellales in Iran: A systematic review. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2018; 12:e0006722. [PMID: 30204754 PMCID: PMC6181433 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0006722] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2017] [Revised: 10/11/2018] [Accepted: 07/27/2018] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Tick-borne zoonoses in the Order Rickettsiales and Legionellales cause infections that often manifest as undifferentiated fevers that are not easy to distinguish from other causes of acute febrile illnesses clinically. This is partly attributed to difficulty in laboratory confirmation since convalescent sera, specific diagnostic reagents, and the required expertise may not be readily available. As a result, a number of tick-borne zoonoses are underappreciated resulting in unnecessary morbidity, mortality and huge economic loses. In Iran, a significant proportion of human infectious diseases are tick-borne, with anecdotal evidence suggesting that tick-borne zoonoses are widespread but underreported in the country. Epidemiological review is therefore necessary to aid in the effective control and prevention of tick-borne zonooses in Iran. The aim of this review is to provide an in-depth and comprehensive overview of anaplasmosis, ehrlichiosis, spotted fever group rickettsioses and coxiellosis in Iran. METHODS Using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, all relevant publications on tick-borne zoonoses in the Order Rickettsiales and Legionellales in Iran were searched using a number of search terms. The search was confined to authentic resources from repositories of popular data bases among them PubMed, Web of Science, Google Scholar, Science Direct, SpringerLink and SCOPUS. The search items included peer reviewed journals, books and book chapters published between 1996 and 2017. RESULTS A total of 1 205 scientific publications and reports were sourced, of which 63 met the search criteria and were reviewed. Of the 63 articles reviewed, 36 (57.1%) reported on coxiellosis, 15 (23.8%) on anaplasmosis, 11 (17.5%) on ehrlichiosis and 1(1.6%) on spotted fever group rickettsiae in a large scale study involving four countries, among them Iran. The existence of tick-borne pathogens in the Order Rickettsiales and Legionellales was confirmed by molecular, serological and microscopic techniques conducted on samples obtained from sheep, cattle, goats, camels, poultry, animal products (milk and eggs), dogs, ticks and even human subjects in different parts of the country; pointing to a countrywide distribution. DISCUSSION Based on the review, coxiellosis, anaplasmosis, ehrlichiosis, and SFG rickettsiae can be categorized as emerging tick-borne zoonotic diseases in Iran given the presence of their causiative agents (C. burnetii, A. phagocytophilum, A. marginale, A. bovis, A. ovis, A. central, E. canis, E. ewingii, E. chaffeensis and R. conorii) collectively reported in a variety of domestic animals, animal products, arthropods and human beings drawn from 22 provinces in Iran. CONCLUSION Given the asymptomatic nature of some of these zoonoses, there is a high likelihood of silent transmission to humans in many parts of the country, which should be considered a public health concern. Presently, information on the transmission intensity of tick-borne zoonoses caused by pathogens in the Order Rickettsiales and Legionellales to humans and its public health impact in Iran is scanty.
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Affiliation(s)
- Faham Khamesipour
- Cellular and Molecular Research Centre, Sabzevar University of Medical Sciences, Sabzevar, Iran
- Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Gabriel O. Dida
- School of Public Health and Community Development, Maseno University, Maseno, Kenya
- Department of Community and Public Health, Technical University of Kenya, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Douglas N. Anyona
- School of Environment and Earth Sciences, Maseno University, Maseno, Kenya
| | - S. Mostafa Razavi
- Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Ehsan Rakhshandehroo
- Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran
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19
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Izzard L, Chung M, Dunning Hotopp J, Vincent G, Paris D, Graves S, Stenos J. Isolation of a divergent strain of Rickettsia japonica from Dew's Australian bat Argasid ticks (Argas (Carios) dewae) in Victoria, Australia. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2018; 9:1484-1488. [PMID: 30025798 PMCID: PMC6135670 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2018.07.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2018] [Revised: 07/08/2018] [Accepted: 07/10/2018] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
A divergent strain of Rickettsia japonica was isolated from a Dew's Australian bat argasid tick, Argas (Carios) dewae, collected in southern Victoria, Australia and a full-genome analysis along with sequencing of 5 core gene fragments was undertaken. This isolate was designated Rickettsia japonica str. argasii (ATCC VR-1665, CSUR R179).
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonard Izzard
- Australian Rickettsial Reference Laboratory, Geelong, Victoria, Australia
| | - Matthew Chung
- University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | | | - Gemma Vincent
- Australian Rickettsial Reference Laboratory, Geelong, Victoria, Australia
| | - Daniel Paris
- Department of Medicine, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Stephen Graves
- Australian Rickettsial Reference Laboratory, Geelong, Victoria, Australia
| | - John Stenos
- Australian Rickettsial Reference Laboratory, Geelong, Victoria, Australia.
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20
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Akter A, Ooka T, Gotoh Y, Yamamoto S, Fujita H, Terasoma F, Kida K, Taira M, Nakadouzono F, Gokuden M, Hirano M, Miyashiro M, Inari K, Shimazu Y, Tabara K, Toyoda A, Yoshimura D, Itoh T, Kitano T, Sato MP, Katsura K, Mondal SI, Ogura Y, Ando S, Hayashi T. Extremely Low Genomic Diversity of Rickettsia japonica Distributed in Japan. Genome Biol Evol 2017; 9:124-133. [PMID: 28057731 PMCID: PMC5381555 DOI: 10.1093/gbe/evw304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/27/2016] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Rickettsiae are obligate intracellular bacteria that have small genomes as a result of reductive evolution. Many Rickettsia species of the spotted fever group (SFG) cause tick-borne diseases known as “spotted fevers”. The life cycle of SFG rickettsiae is closely associated with that of the tick, which is generally thought to act as a bacterial vector and reservoir that maintains the bacterium through transstadial and transovarial transmission. Each SFG member is thought to have adapted to a specific tick species, thus restricting the bacterial distribution to a relatively limited geographic region. These unique features of SFG rickettsiae allow investigation of how the genomes of such biologically and ecologically specialized bacteria evolve after genome reduction and the types of population structures that are generated. Here, we performed a nationwide, high-resolution phylogenetic analysis of Rickettsia japonica, an etiological agent of Japanese spotted fever that is distributed in Japan and Korea. The comparison of complete or nearly complete sequences obtained from 31 R. japonica strains isolated from various sources in Japan over the past 30 years demonstrated an extremely low level of genomic diversity. In particular, only 34 single nucleotide polymorphisms were identified among the 27 strains of the major lineage containing all clinical isolates and tick isolates from the three tick species. Our data provide novel insights into the biology and genome evolution of R. japonica, including the possibilities of recent clonal expansion and a long generation time in nature due to the long dormant phase associated with tick life cycles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arzuba Akter
- Division of Microbiology, Department of Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, University of Miyazaki, Miyazaki, Japan
| | - Tadasuke Ooka
- Department of Microbiology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima, Japan
| | - Yasuhiro Gotoh
- Department of Bacteriology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Seigo Yamamoto
- Frontier Science Research Center, University of Miyazaki, Miyazaki, Japan
| | - Hiromi Fujita
- Mahara Institute of Medical Acarology, Tokushima, Japan
| | - Fumio Terasoma
- Wakayama Prefectural Research Center of Environment and Public Health, Wakayama, Japan
| | - Kouji Kida
- Okayama Prefectural Institute for Environmental Science and Public Health, Okayama, Japan
| | | | - Fumiko Nakadouzono
- Kagoshima Prefectural Institute for Environmental Research and Public Health, Kagoshima, Japan
| | - Mutsuyo Gokuden
- Kagoshima Prefectural Institute for Environmental Research and Public Health, Kagoshima, Japan
| | - Manabu Hirano
- Seihi Public Health Center of Nagasaki Prefecture, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Mamoru Miyashiro
- Fukuoka City Institute for Health and Environment, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Kouichi Inari
- Mahara Institute of Medical Acarology, Tokushima, Japan
| | - Yukie Shimazu
- Hiroshima Prefectural Technology Research Institute, Public Health and Environment Center, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Kenji Tabara
- Department of Health and Welfare, Shimane Prefectural Government, Shimane, Japan
| | - Atsushi Toyoda
- Comparative Genomics Laboratory, National Institute of Genetics, Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Dai Yoshimura
- School of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takehiko Itoh
- School of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tomokazu Kitano
- Division of Microbiology, Department of Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, University of Miyazaki, Miyazaki, Japan
| | - Mitsuhiko P Sato
- Department of Bacteriology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Keisuke Katsura
- Frontier Science Research Center, University of Miyazaki, Miyazaki, Japan
| | - Shakhinur Islam Mondal
- Division of Microbiology, Department of Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, University of Miyazaki, Miyazaki, Japan
| | - Yoshitoshi Ogura
- Department of Bacteriology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Shuji Ando
- Department of Virology-1, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tetsuya Hayashi
- Department of Bacteriology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
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21
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Abstract
With advances in molecular genetics, more pathogenic rickettsial species have been identified. Pathogenic rickettsiae are transmitted by vectors, such as arthropods, into the patient's skin and then spread into the microvascular endothelial cells. Clinical manifestations are characterized by fever with headache and myalgias, followed by rash 3 to 5 days later. The undifferentiated nature of clinical symptoms, knowledge of the epidemiology, and the patient's history of travel and exposure to arthropod vectors are critical to the empiric administration of antimicrobial therapy. Doxycycline is currently the most effective antibiotic for treatment of all spotted fever group and typhus group rickettsioses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rong Fang
- Department of Pathology, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, 301 University Boulevard, Galveston, TX 77555-0609, USA
| | - Lucas S Blanton
- Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, 301 University Boulevard, Galveston, TX 77555-0435, USA
| | - David H Walker
- Department of Pathology, Center for Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Diseases, The University of Texas Medical Branch, 301 University Boulevard, Keiller Building, Galveston, TX 77555-0609, USA.
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22
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Noh Y, Lee YS, Kim HC, Chong ST, Klein TA, Jiang J, Richards AL, Lee HK, Kim SY. Molecular detection of Rickettsia species in ticks collected from the southwestern provinces of the Republic of Korea. Parasit Vectors 2017; 10:20. [PMID: 28069059 PMCID: PMC5223493 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-016-1955-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2016] [Accepted: 12/23/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Rickettsiae constitute a group of arthropod-borne, Gram-negative, obligate intracellular bacteria that are the causative agents of diseases ranging from mild to life threatening that impact on medical and veterinary health worldwide. Methods A total of 6,484 ticks were collected by tick drag from June-October 2013 in the southwestern provinces of the Republic of Korea (ROK) (Jeollanam, n = 3,995; Jeollabuk, n = 680; Chungcheongnam, n = 1,478; and Chungcheongbuk, n = 331). Ticks were sorted into 311 pools according to species, collection site, and stage of development. DNA preparations of tick pools were assayed for rickettsiae by 17 kDa antigen gene and ompA nested PCR (nPCR) assays and the resulting amplicons sequenced to determine the identity and prevalence of spotted fever group rickettsiae (SFGR). Results Haemaphysalis longicornis (4,471; 52 adults, 123 nymphs and 4,296 larvae) were the most commonly collected ticks, followed by Haemaphysalis flava (1,582; 28 adults, 263 nymphs and 1,291 larvae), and Ixodes nipponensis (431; 25 adults, 5 nymphs and 401 larvae). The minimum field infection rate/100 ticks (assuming 1 positive tick/pool) was 0.93% for the 17 kDa antigen gene and 0.82% for the ompA nPCR assays. The partial 17 kDa antigen and ompA gene sequences from positive pools of H. longicornis were similar to: Rickettsia sp. HI550 (99.4–100%), Rickettsia sp. FUJ98 (99.3–100%), Rickettsia sp. HIR/D91 (99.3–100%), and R. japonica (99.7%). One sequence of the partial 17 kDa antigen gene for H. flava was similar to Rickettsia sp. 17kd-005 (99.7%), while seven sequences of the 17 kDa antigen gene obtained from I. nipponensis ticks were similar to R. monacensis IrR/Munich (98.7–100%) and Rickettsia sp. IRS3 (98.9%). Conclusions SFG rickettsiae were detected in three species of ixodid ticks collected in the southwestern provinces of the ROK during 2013. A number of rickettsiae have been recently reported from ticks in Korea, some of which were identified as medically important. Results from this study and previous reports demonstrate the need to conduct longitudinal investigations to identify tick-borne rickettsiae and better understand their geographical distributions and potential impact on medical and veterinary health, in addition to risk communication and development of rickettsial disease prevention strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoontae Noh
- Division of Zoonoses, National Institute of Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Cheongju-si, Chungcheongbuk-do, 28159, Republic of Korea
| | - Yeong Seon Lee
- Division of Zoonoses, National Institute of Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Cheongju-si, Chungcheongbuk-do, 28159, Republic of Korea
| | - Heung-Chul Kim
- 5th Medical Detachment, 168th Multifunctional Medical Battalion, 65th Medical Brigade, Unit 15247, Yongsan US Army Garrison, Seoul, APO AP 96205-5247, Republic of Korea
| | - Sung-Tae Chong
- 5th Medical Detachment, 168th Multifunctional Medical Battalion, 65th Medical Brigade, Unit 15247, Yongsan US Army Garrison, Seoul, APO AP 96205-5247, Republic of Korea
| | - Terry A Klein
- Public Health Command District-Korea, 65th Medical Brigade, Unit 15281, Yongsan US Army Garrison, Seoul, APO AP 96205-5281, Republic of Korea
| | - Ju Jiang
- Viral and Rickettsial Diseases Department, Naval Medical Research Center, Silver Spring, MD, 20910, USA
| | - Allen L Richards
- Viral and Rickettsial Diseases Department, Naval Medical Research Center, Silver Spring, MD, 20910, USA
| | - Hae Kyeong Lee
- Division of Zoonoses, National Institute of Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Cheongju-si, Chungcheongbuk-do, 28159, Republic of Korea
| | - Su Yeon Kim
- Division of Zoonoses, National Institute of Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Cheongju-si, Chungcheongbuk-do, 28159, Republic of Korea.
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Sun J, Lin J, Gong Z, Chang Y, Ye X, Gu S, Pang W, Wang C, Zheng X, Hou J, Ling F, Shi X, Jiang J, Chen Z, Lv H, Chai C. Detection of spotted fever group Rickettsiae in ticks from Zhejiang Province, China. EXPERIMENTAL & APPLIED ACAROLOGY 2015; 65:403-11. [PMID: 25633265 PMCID: PMC4322220 DOI: 10.1007/s10493-015-9880-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2014] [Accepted: 12/30/2014] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Tick species distribution and prevalence of spotted fever group Rickettsiae (SFGR) in ticks were investigated in Zhejiang Province, China in 2010 and 2011. PCR was used to detect SFGR and positive amplicons were sequenced, compared to published sequences and phylogenic analysis was performed using MEGA 4.0. A total of 292 adult ticks of ten species were captured and 7.5 % (22/292) of the ticks were PCR-positive for SFG Rickettsia. The PCR-positive rates were 5.5 % (6/110) for Haemaphysalis longicornis, 3.6 % (1/28) for Amblyomma testudinarium and 16 % (15/94) for Ixodes sinensis, respectively. Phylogenetic analyses of gltA genes detected in ticks indicated that there are two dominating groups of SFGR. Sequences of group one were closely related to Rickettsia monacensis, whereas sequences of group two were closest related to Rickettsia heilongjiangensis and Rickettsia japonica, which are human pathogens. Our findings underline the importance of these ticks in public health surveillance in Zhejiang Province, China.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jimin Sun
- Zhejiang Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Hangzhou, China
| | - Junfen Lin
- Zhejiang Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Hangzhou, China
| | - Zhenyu Gong
- Zhejiang Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yue Chang
- Taizhou Municipal Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Taizhou, China
| | - Xiaodong Ye
- Jindong Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Jindong, China
| | - Shiping Gu
- Anji Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Anji, China
| | - Weilong Pang
- Tiantai Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Taizhou, China
| | - Chengwei Wang
- Daishan Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Daishan, China
| | - Xiaohua Zheng
- Xianju Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Xianju, China
| | - Juan Hou
- Zhejiang Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Hangzhou, China
| | - Feng Ling
- Zhejiang Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xuguang Shi
- Zhejiang Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jianmin Jiang
- Zhejiang Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Hangzhou, China
| | - Zhiping Chen
- Zhejiang Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Hangzhou, China
| | - Huakun Lv
- Zhejiang Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Hangzhou, China
| | - Chengliang Chai
- Zhejiang Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Hangzhou, China
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Lai CH, Chang LL, Lin JN, Tsai KH, Hung YC, Kuo LL, Lin HH, Chen YH. Human spotted fever group rickettsioses are underappreciated in southern Taiwan, particularly for the species closely-related to Rickettsia felis. PLoS One 2014; 9:e95810. [PMID: 24755560 PMCID: PMC3995941 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0095810] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2014] [Accepted: 03/31/2014] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Despite increased identification of spotted fever group rickettsioses (SFGR) in animals and arthropods, human SFGR are poorly characterized in Taiwan. Methods Patients with suspected Q fever, scrub typhus, murine typhus, leptospirosis, and dengue fever from April 2004 to December 2009 were retrospectively investigated for SFGR antibodies (Abs). Sera were screened for Rickettsia rickettsii Abs by indirect immunofluorescence antibody assay (IFA), and those with positive results were further examined for Abs against R. rickettsii, R. typhi, R. felis, R. conorii, and R. japonica using micro-immunofluorescence (MIF) tests. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for detection of SFGR DNA was applied in those indicated acute infections. Case geographic distribution was made by the geographic information system software. Results A total of 413 cases with paired serum, including 90 cases of Q fever, 47 cases of scrub typhus, 12 cases of murine typhus, 6 cases of leptospirosis, 3 cases of dengue fever, and 255 cases of unknown febrile diseases were investigated. Using IFA tests, a total of 49 cases with 47 (11.4%) and 4 (1.0%) cases had sera potentially positive for R. rickettsii IgG and IgM, respectively. In the 49 cases screened from IFA, MIF tests revealed that there were 5 cases of acute infections (3 possible R. felis and 2 undetermined SFGR) and 13 cases of past infections (3 possible R. felis and 10 undetermined SFGR). None of the 5 cases of acute infection had detectable SFGR DNA in the blood specimen by PCR. Possible acute infection of R. felis was identified in both one case of Q fever and scrub typhus. The geographic distribution of SFGR cases is similar with that of scrub typhus. Conclusions Human SFGR exist and are neglected diseases in southern Taiwan, particularly for the species closely-related to R. felis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chung-Hsu Lai
- Graduate Institute of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, E-Da Hospital/I-Shou University, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan
- Division of Infection Control Laboratory, E-Da Hospital/I-Shou University, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan
| | - Lin-Li Chang
- Graduate Institute of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan
| | - Jiun-Nong Lin
- Graduate Institute of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, E-Da Hospital/I-Shou University, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan
| | - Kun-Hsien Tsai
- Institute of Environmental Health, College of Public, Health, National Taiwan University, Taipei City, Taiwan
- Infectious Diseases Research and Education Center, Ministry of Health and Welfare and National Taiwan University, Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Ya-Chien Hung
- Division of Infection Control Laboratory, E-Da Hospital/I-Shou University, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan
| | - Li-Li Kuo
- Graduate Institute of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan
- Research and Diagnostic Center, Centers for Disease Control, Department of Health, Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Hsi-Hsun Lin
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, E-Da Hospital/I-Shou University, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Yen-Hsu Chen
- Graduate Institute of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan
- School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan
- * E-mail:
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Jang WJ, Choi YJ, Kim JH, Jung KD, Ryu JS, Lee SH, Yoo CK, Paik HS, Choi MS, Park KH, Kim IS. Seroepidemiology of Spotted Fever Group and Typhus Group Rickettsioses in Humans, South Korea. Microbiol Immunol 2013; 49:17-24. [PMID: 15665449 DOI: 10.1111/j.1348-0421.2005.tb03635.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The prevalence of spotted fever group (SFG) and typhus group (TG) rickettsioses was investigated in 3,362 sera by immunofluorescence assay. The serum samples were obtained from patients with acute febrile episodes in South Korea from December 1992 to November 1993. The number of polyvalent positive sera against SFG rickettsial agents at the level of 1: 40 dilution was 269 (8%) in Rickettsia sibirica, 482 (14.34%) in R. conorii, and 546 (16.24%) in R. akari. Many of the positive sera contained immunoglobulin (Ig) M antibodies rather than IgG antibodies. These results strongly suggest that SFG rickettsioses are prevalent in Korea. For TG rickettsial agents, the number of positive sera was 1,096 (32.60%) in R. typhi and 951 (28.29%) in R. prowazekii. Only a few epidemic typhus positive sera contained IgM antibodies. The result suggests that recent and/or primary infections of epidemic typhus were very rare in Korea during the said period. Among seven patients who had high titers (1:5,120) of IgG antibody to R. prowazekii, six were over 50 years old. The result suggests that Brill-Zinsser disease was prevalent in Korea.
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Affiliation(s)
- Won-Jong Jang
- Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, Kon-Kuk University, Choongju-si, Choongbuk, Republic of Korea
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Ishikura M, Ando S, Shinagawa Y, Matsuura K, Hasegawa S, Nakayama T, Fujita H, Watanabe M. Phylogenetic Analysis of Spotted Fever Group Rickettsiae Based on gltA, 17-kDa, and rOmpA Genes Amplified by Nested PCR from Ticks in Japan. Microbiol Immunol 2013; 47:823-32. [PMID: 14638993 DOI: 10.1111/j.1348-0421.2003.tb03448.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 91] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
In order to understand the natural situation of rickettsiae in the ticks in Japan, the rickettsial genes, gltA gene, rOmpA gene, and 17-kDa gene, were amplified from the ticks by nested PCR. The prevalences of rickettsial gltA genes among Haemaphysalis formosensis, H. longicornis, H. megaspinosa, Ixodes ovatus, H. flava, H. kitaokai, and I. persulcatus were 62, 57, 24, 24, 19, 13, and 10%, respectively; 26% (186/722) being the average. The gltA genes amplified from the ticks were classified into 9 genotypes (I to IX) by the difference in nucleotide sequences. Genotype I was detected from 7 species of ticks. Genotype II mainly was detected from H. longicornis and H. formosensis. Genotypes III and VII mainly were detected from H. flava and I. ovatus. The polarization in the distribution of genotypes among regions where the ticks were collected was not clear. Based on the phylogenetic analysis of the three genes presented here, genotypes I, III, and IV (detected from H. formosensis, H. hystricia, and I. ovatus ) are genetically close with each other, but rickettsiae of the same property still have not been isolated from ticks anywhere in the world. These genotypes should be considered as new species among SFG rickettsiae. Genotype II was identical with strain FUJ-98, genetically close to R. japonica which has been isolated from ticks in China. Genotype V was identical with R. felis and strain California 2 isolated from the cat flea. This is the first report on the detection of R. felis from ticks. Genotype VI detected from Ixodes sp. did not seem to belong to genus Rickettsia. Based on the previous antigenic data and the phylogenetic analysis presented here, Genotype VII should be considered a variant of R. helvetica and genotype VIII detected from I. ovatus and I. persulcatus were identical with R. helvetica. Genotype IX detected from I. nipponensis was genetically close to the strains IRS3, IRS4, and IrR/Munich isolated from I. ricinus in Slovakia and German.
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Abstract
We herein present the case of a 28-day-old female with Japanese spotted fever, who is the youngest reported patient so far. Tick-borne diseases, including Japanese spotted fever, should be included in the differential diagnosis of eruptive fever even in neonates because a treatment delay can lead to a fatal outcome.
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28
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Complete genomic DNA sequence of the East Asian spotted fever disease agent Rickettsia japonica. PLoS One 2013; 8:e71861. [PMID: 24039725 PMCID: PMC3767692 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0071861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2013] [Accepted: 07/05/2013] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Rickettsia japonica is an obligate intracellular alphaproteobacteria that causes tick-borne Japanese spotted fever, which has spread throughout East Asia. We determined the complete genomic DNA sequence of R. japonica type strain YH (VR-1363), which consists of 1,283,087 base pairs (bp) and 971 protein-coding genes. Comparison of the genomic DNA sequence of R. japonica with other rickettsiae in the public databases showed that 2 regions (4,323 and 216 bp) were conserved in a very narrow range of Rickettsia species, and the shorter one was inserted in, and disrupted, a preexisting open reading frame (ORF). While it is unknown how the DNA sequences were acquired in R. japonica genomes, it may be a useful signature for the diagnosis of Rickettsia species. Instead of the species-specific inserted DNA sequences, rickettsial genomes contain Rickettsia-specific palindromic elements (RPEs), which are also capable of locating in preexisting ORFs. Precise alignments of protein and DNA sequences involving RPEs showed that when a gene contains an inserted DNA sequence, each rickettsial ortholog carried an inserted DNA sequence at the same locus. The sequence, ATGAC, was shown to be highly frequent and thus characteristic in certain RPEs (RPE-4, RPE-6, and RPE-7). This finding implies that RPE-4, RPE-6, and RPE-7 were derived from a common inserted DNA sequence.
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29
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Abstract
Rickettsia japonica strain YH, isolated in 1984 in Japan, is the type strain of R. japonica, the tick-borne agent of Japanese spotted fever. Here, we report the 1.33-Mb genome of this rickettsial species.
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30
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Walker DH. Rickettsial diseases in travelers. Travel Med Infect Dis 2012; 1:35-40. [PMID: 17291879 DOI: 10.1016/s1477-8939(03)00025-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2003] [Accepted: 03/11/2003] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Often undiagnosed in travelers with acute nonspecific febrile illness, gastrointestinal, abdominal, pulmonary, neurologic, or cutaneous signs and symptoms, rickettsial diseases are transmitted in particular geographic and ecologic settings by ticks, fleas, chiggers, and lice. Recognition of an eschar at the vector inoculation site can be a key diagnostic clue for scrub typhus, African tick bite fever, and other tick-borne spotted fevers. Although laboratory confirmation is necessary, usually during convalescence, for an accurate diagnosis, a clinical diagnosis and empiric treatment with doxycycline are the standard practical approach. Knowledge of potential exposure, the natural history of the infection, and incubation periods of each rickettsiosis assist in considering particular rickettsioses.
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Affiliation(s)
- David H Walker
- Department of Pathology, Center for Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, 301 University Boulevard, Rm 1.116, Keiller Building, Galveston, TX 77555-0609, USA
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Abstract
Rickettsiae are obligate intracellular parasitic bacteria that cause febrile exanthematous illnesses such as Rocky Mountain spotted fever, Mediterranean spotted fever, epidemic, and murine typhus, etc. Although the vector ranges of each Rickettsia species are rather restricted; i.e., ticks belonging to Arachnida and lice and fleas belonging to Insecta usually act as vectors for spotted fever group (SFG) and typhus group (TG) rickettsiae, respectively, it would be interesting to elucidate the mechanisms controlling the vector tropism of rickettsiae. This review discusses the factors determining the vector tropism of rickettsiae. In brief, the vector tropism of rickettsiae species is basically consistent with their tropism toward cultured tick and insect cells. The mechanisms responsible for rickettsiae pathogenicity are also described. Recently, genomic analyses of rickettsiae have revealed that they possess several genes that are homologous to those affecting the pathogenicity of other bacteria. Analyses comparing the genomes of pathogenic and non-pathogenic strains of rickettsiae have detected many factors that are related to rickettsial pathogenicity. It is also known that a reduction in the rickettsial genome has occurred during the course of its evolution. Interestingly, Rickettsia species with small genomes, such as Rickettsia prowazekii, are more pathogenic to humans than those with larger genomes. This review also examines the growth kinetics of pathogenic and non-pathogenic species of SFG rickettsiae (SFGR) in mammalian cells. The growth of non-pathogenic species is restricted in these cells, which is mediated, at least in part, by autophagy. The superinfection of non-pathogenic rickettsiae-infected cells with pathogenic rickettsiae results in an elevated yield of the non-pathogenic rickettsiae and the growth of the pathogenic rickettsiae. Autophagy is restricted in these cells. These results are discussed in this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tsuneo Uchiyama
- Department of Microbiology, Institute of Health Biosciences, The University of Tokushima Graduate School Tokushima, Japan
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Uchiyama T, Kishi M, Ogawa M. Restriction of the growth of a nonpathogenic spotted fever group rickettsia. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2012; 64:42-7. [PMID: 22066520 DOI: 10.1111/j.1574-695x.2011.00879.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
The growth kinetics of pathogenic and nonpathogenic rickettsiae were compared to elucidate the mechanism responsible for the pathogenicity of rickettsiae. Vero and HeLa cells derived from mammals were inoculated with a nonpathogenic species of spotted fever group rickettsia, Rickettsia montanensis, before being infected with the pathogenic species Rickettsia japonica. The mammalian cells became persistently infected with R. montanensis and produced low levels of rickettsiae. On the other hand, superinfection of the R. montanensis-infected cells with R. japonica resulted in increased yields of R. montanensis accompanied by R. japonica growth. Both rickettsiae also grew well in the R. japonica-infected cells subjected to superinfection with R. montanensis. Western blotting with an antibody to the autophagy-related protein LC3B found that autophagy was induced in the cells infected with R. montanensis alone. On the contrary, autophagy was restricted in the cells that were co-infected with R. japonica. Electron microscopy of the cells infected with R. montanensis alone demonstrated rickettsia particles being digested in intracytoplasmic vacuoles. Conversely, many freely growing rickettsiae were detected in the co-infected cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tsuneo Uchiyama
- Department of Microbiology, Institute of Health Biosciences, The University of Tokushima Graduate School, Tokushima, Japan.
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33
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Luce-Fedrow A, Wright C, Gaff HD, Sonenshine DE, Hynes WL, Richards AL. In vitropropagation ofCandidatusRickettsia andeanae isolated fromAmblyomma maculatum. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2012; 64:74-81. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1574-695x.2011.00905.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2011] [Revised: 11/02/2011] [Accepted: 11/04/2011] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Duan C, Meng Y, Wang X, Xiong X, Wen B. Exploratory study on pathogenesis of far-eastern spotted fever. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2011; 85:504-9. [PMID: 21896812 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.2011.10-0660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Far-eastern spotted fever is an emerging disease caused by Rickettsia heilongjiangensis, a tick-borne obligate intracellular bacterium. In this study, R. heilongjiangensis was used to infect BALB/c mice by inoculation of retro-orbital venous plexus to imitate a blood infection caused by tick biting. We found that R. heilongjiangensis rapidly entered the circulation for systemic dissemination and the pathogen existed in liver, spleen, lungs, and brain of the mice at least 9 days post-infection (p.i.). Severe pathological lesions were observed in liver, lungs, and brain at Day 6 p.i. In addition, the elevated levels of inflammatory cytokines, including interferon-γ, tumor necrosis factor, and CC chemokine, were detected in the infected organs at Day 3 p.i. Our results reveal that R. heilongjiangensis may cause an infection in BALB/c mice and the pathological lesions in the infected mice are associated with host inflammatory response induced by R. heilongjiangensis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Changsong Duan
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogens and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, China
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35
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Graham RI, Mainwaring MC, Du Feu R. Detection of spotted fever group Rickettsia spp. from bird ticks in the U.K. MEDICAL AND VETERINARY ENTOMOLOGY 2010; 24:340-343. [PMID: 20546129 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2915.2010.00886.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
Migratory birds are known to play a role in the long-distance transportation of microorganisms. To investigate whether this is true for rickettsial agents, we undertook a study to characterize tick infestation in populations of the migratory passerine bird Riparia riparia (Passeriformes: Hirundinidae), the sand martin. A total of 194 birds were sampled and ticks removed from infested birds. The ticks were identified as female Ixodes lividus (Acari: Ixodidae) using standard morphological and molecular techniques. Tick DNA was assayed to detect Rickettsia spp. using polymerase chain reaction and DNA was sequenced for species identification. A single Rickettsia spp. was detected in 100% of the ticks and was designated Rickettsia sp. IXLI1. Partial sequences of 17-kDa and ompA genes showed greatest similarity to Rickettsia sp. TCM1, an aetiological agent of Japanese spotted fever-like illness, previously described in Thailand. Phylogenetic analysis showed that Rickettsia sp. IXLI1 fitted neatly into a group containing strains Rickettsia japonica, Rickettsia sp. strain Davousti and Rickettsia heilongjiangensis. In conclusion, this research shows that U.K. migratory passerine birds host ticks infected with Rickettsia species and contribute to the geographic distribution of spotted fever rickettsial agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- R I Graham
- Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University, Lancaster, UK.
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36
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Merhej V, Raoult D. Rickettsial evolution in the light of comparative genomics. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2010; 86:379-405. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1469-185x.2010.00151.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 183] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Kondo M, Nishii M, Gabazza EC, Kurokawa I, Akachi S. Nine cases of Japan spotted fever diagnosed at our hospital in 2008. Int J Dermatol 2010; 49:430-4. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-4632.2010.04359.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Isolation of Rickettsia parkeri and identification of a novel spotted fever group Rickettsia sp. from Gulf Coast ticks (Amblyomma maculatum) in the United States. Appl Environ Microbiol 2010; 76:2689-96. [PMID: 20208020 DOI: 10.1128/aem.02737-09] [Citation(s) in RCA: 91] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Until recently, Amblyomma maculatum (the Gulf Coast tick) had garnered little attention compared to other species of human-biting ticks in the United States. A. maculatum is now recognized as the principal vector of Rickettsia parkeri, a pathogenic spotted fever group rickettsia (SFGR) that causes an eschar-associated illness in humans that resembles Rocky Mountain spotted fever. A novel SFGR, distinct from other recognized Rickettsia spp., has also been detected recently in A. maculatum specimens collected in several regions of the southeastern United States. In this study, 198 questing adult Gulf Coast ticks were collected at 4 locations in Florida and Mississippi; 28% of these ticks were infected with R. parkeri, and 2% of these were infected with a novel SFGR. Seventeen isolates of R. parkeri from individual specimens of A. maculatum were cultivated in Vero E6 cells; however, all attempts to isolate the novel SFGR were unsuccessful. Partial genetic characterization of the novel SFGR revealed identity with several recently described, incompletely characterized, and noncultivated SFGR, including "Candidatus Rickettsia andeanae" and Rickettsia sp. Argentina detected in several species of Neotropical ticks from Argentina and Peru. These findings suggest that each of these "novel" rickettsiae represent the same species. This study considerably expanded the number of low-passage, A. maculatum-derived isolates of R. parkeri and characterized a second, sympatric Rickettsia sp. found in Gulf Coast ticks.
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Hanaoka N, Matsutani M, Kawabata H, Yamamoto S, Fujita H, Sakata A, Azuma Y, Ogawa M, Takano A, Watanabe H, Kishimoto T, Shirai M, Kurane I, Ando S. Diagnostic assay for Rickettsia japonica. Emerg Infect Dis 2010; 15:1994-7. [PMID: 19961684 PMCID: PMC3044520 DOI: 10.3201/eid1512.090252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
We developed a specific and rapid detection system for Rickettsia japonica and R. heilongjiangensis, the causative agents of spotted fever, using a TaqMan minor groove binder probe for a particular open reading frame (ORF) identified by the R. japonica genome project. The target ORF was present only in R. japonica–related strains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nozomu Hanaoka
- National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo 162-8640, Japan
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40
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Fournier PE, Raoult D. Current Knowledge on Phylogeny and Taxonomy of Rickettsia spp. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2009; 1166:1-11. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1749-6632.2009.04528.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 90] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Bechah Y, Capo C, Mege JL, Raoult D. Rickettsial diseases: from Rickettsia-arthropod relationships to pathophysiology and animal models. Future Microbiol 2008; 3:223-36. [PMID: 18366341 DOI: 10.2217/17460913.3.2.223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Rickettsiae cause spotted fevers and typhus-related diseases in humans. Some of these diseases occur worldwide and are life-threatening, for example, epidemic typhus is still a major health problem despite the apparent efficiency of antibiotic treatment. In addition, Rickettsia prowazekii, the agent of epidemic typhus, and R. rickettsii, the agent of Rocky Mountain spotted fever, are microorganisms that could potentially be used as bioweapons to induce panic in the population. Rickettsiae are obligate intracellular bacteria in both vertebrate and invertebrate hosts, but rickettsial species differ in terms of association with arthropods, behavior of the vector to infection, pathophysiology and outcome of the disease. Understanding the pathogenic steps of rickettsioses is essential to develop protective strategies against these bacteriological threats. Unfortunately, the mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of many rickettsioses are poorly characterized, and protective immunity is incompletely understood, in part because accurate animal models that mimic human diseases are lacking. In the past, murine models have been of limited value because infection of mice was without effect or resulted in erratic mortality. Recent studies have reported that rickettsial infection can be established in mice, depending on the genetic background of mice, the type of rickettsial species and the route of inoculation. These models may be useful for analyzing the pathogenesis of rickettsioses, especially epidemic typhus, evaluating new therapeutic molecules and vaccine candidates, and preventing future outbreaks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yassina Bechah
- Unité des Rickettsies, CNRS UMR 6020, Université de la Méditerranée, Faculté de Médecine, 27 Bld. Jean Moulin, 13385 Marseille Cedex 05, France.
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Emerging and re-emerging rickettsioses: endothelial cell infection and early disease events. Nat Rev Microbiol 2008; 6:375-86. [PMID: 18414502 DOI: 10.1038/nrmicro1866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 183] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
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Fournier PE, Raoult D. Identification of rickettsial isolates at the species level using multi-spacer typing. BMC Microbiol 2007; 7:72. [PMID: 17662158 PMCID: PMC1950309 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2180-7-72] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2006] [Accepted: 07/30/2007] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Background In order to estimate whether multi-spacer typing (MST), based on the sequencing of variable intergenic spacers, could serve for the identification of Rickettsia at the species level, we applied it to 108 rickettsial isolates or arthropod amplicons that include representatives of 23 valid Rickettsia species. Results MST combining the dksA-xerC, mppA-purC, and rpmE-tRNAfMet spacer sequences identified 61 genotypes, allowing the differentiation of each species by at least one distinct genotype. In addition, MST was discriminatory at the strain level in six species for which several isolates or arthropod amplicons were available. Conclusion MST proved to be a reproducible and high-resolution genotyping method allowing clear identification of rickettsial isolates at the species level and further additional differentiation of strains within some species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pierre-Edouard Fournier
- Unité des rickettsies, IFR 48, CNRS UMR 6020, Faculté de médecine, Université de la Méditerranée, 27 Boulevard Jean Moulin, 13385 Marseille cedex 05, France
| | - Didier Raoult
- Unité des rickettsies, IFR 48, CNRS UMR 6020, Faculté de médecine, Université de la Méditerranée, 27 Boulevard Jean Moulin, 13385 Marseille cedex 05, France
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Abstract
Three rickettsial diseases are known to exist in Japan currently: Japanese spotted fever (JSF), Tsutsugamushi disease (TD; scrub typhus), and Q fever. Since April 1999, the system for infection control and prevention in Japan has changed drastically. JSF, Q fever, and TD, as emerging infectious diseases, are designated as national notifiable diseases.The geographic distribution of JSF patients is along the coast of central and southwestern Japan, whereas TD and Q fever occur almost all over the country. The number of JSF patients reported was 216 cases during 1984-1998 and 268 cases, under the revised law, in 1999-2004. About 300-1000 cases of TD occur every year, and 7-46 cases of Q fever in 1999-2004. The number of cases of JSF and its endemic area are gradually increasing. There was only one fatality due to JSF until 2003, whereas two patients died of JSF in 2004, so JSF is still a life-threatening disease in Japan. Treatment of fulminant JSF consists of prompt administration of a combination of tetracycline and quinolone. Recent tick surveys revealed that the most probable vectors of JSF are Haemophysalis flava and Haemophysalis hystericis. In addition to R. japonica, two serotypes or species of spotted fever group rickettsiae have been isolated from ticks in Japan; one is closely related to R. helvetica and the other is a new genotype of unknown genotype AT, which is closely related to a Slovakian genotype. These serotypes are of uncertain clinical significance. Epidemiology of rickettsioses in the Far East is mentioned briefly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fumihiko Mahara
- Mahara Hospital, 6-1, Aratano, Anan-city, Tokushima, 779-1510, Japan.
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Fujita H, Fournier PE, Takada N, Saito T, Raoult D. Rickettsia asiatica sp. nov., isolated in Japan. Int J Syst Evol Microbiol 2006; 56:2365-2368. [PMID: 17012563 DOI: 10.1099/ijs.0.64177-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The characterization of a novel Rickettsia species, first isolated from Ixodes ovatus ticks in Japan in 1993, is described for which the name Rickettsia asiatica sp. nov. is proposed. Using multilocus sequence comparison, five rickettsial isolates from I. ovatus collected at various locations in Japan were found to be identical but belonged to a novel species. Serotyping also demonstrated this rickettsia to be distinct from previously described Rickettsia species. The type strain of Rickettsia asiatica sp. nov. is IO-1(T) (=CSUR R2(T)). Following discussions held at the meeting of the International Committee on Systematics of Prokaryotes (ICSP) and its Judicial Commission (JC) in San Francisco, 2005, and in anticipation of the published minutes of the JC and ICSP, a committee consisting of the chairman of the ICSP, the chairman of the Judicial Commission of the ICSP and the Editor of the IJSEM has granted an exception in this case to the Rule governing the deposit of type material in two different collections in two different countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiromi Fujita
- Ohara Research Laboratory, Ohara General Hospital, Fukushima 960-0195, Japan
| | - Pierre-Edouard Fournier
- Unité des rickettsies, IFR 48, CNRS UMR 6020, Faculté de médecine, Université de la Méditerranée, 27 Boulevard Jean Moulin, 13385 Marseille cedex 05, France
| | - Nobuhiro Takada
- Department of Pathological Sciences, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Fukui, Matsuoka, Fukui 910-1193, Japan
| | | | - Didier Raoult
- Unité des rickettsies, IFR 48, CNRS UMR 6020, Faculté de médecine, Université de la Méditerranée, 27 Boulevard Jean Moulin, 13385 Marseille cedex 05, France
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Fournier PE, Takada N, Fujita H, Raoult D. Rickettsia tamurae sp. nov., isolated from Amblyomma testudinarium ticks. Int J Syst Evol Microbiol 2006; 56:1673-1675. [PMID: 16825648 DOI: 10.1099/ijs.0.64134-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Rickettsia sp. strain AT-1(T) was isolated from Amblyomma testudinarium ticks in Japan in 1993. Comparative analysis of sequences obtained from 16S rRNA, gltA, ompA, ompB and sca4 gene fragments demonstrated those from AT-1(T) to be markedly different from those of other members of the spotted fever group. Using mouse serotyping, it was also observed that Rickettsia sp. strain AT-1(T) was different from other Rickettsia species with validly published names. Such genotypic and phenotypic characteristics warrant its classification as a representative of a novel species, for which the name Rickettsia tamurae sp. nov. is proposed, with the type strain AT-1(T) (=CSUR R1(T)).
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MESH Headings
- Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins/genetics
- Bacterial Proteins/genetics
- DNA, Bacterial/chemistry
- DNA, Bacterial/genetics
- DNA, Ribosomal/chemistry
- DNA, Ribosomal/genetics
- Genes, rRNA
- Ixodidae/microbiology
- Japan
- Molecular Sequence Data
- Phylogeny
- RNA, Bacterial/genetics
- RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics
- Rickettsia/classification
- Rickettsia/genetics
- Rickettsia/isolation & purification
- Sequence Analysis, DNA
- Sequence Homology, Nucleic Acid
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Affiliation(s)
- Pierre-Edouard Fournier
- Unité des rickettsies, IFR 48, CNRS UMR 6020, Faculté de médecine, Université de la Méditerranée, 27 Boulevard Jean Moulin, 13385 Marseille cedex 05, France
| | - Nobuhiro Takada
- Department of Pathological Sciences, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Fukui, Matsuoka, Fukui 910-1193, Japan
| | - Hiromi Fujita
- Ohara Research Laboratory, Ohara General Hospital, Fukushima 960-0195, Japan
| | - Didier Raoult
- Unité des rickettsies, IFR 48, CNRS UMR 6020, Faculté de médecine, Université de la Méditerranée, 27 Boulevard Jean Moulin, 13385 Marseille cedex 05, France
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Uchiyama T, Kawano H, Kusuhara Y. The major outer membrane protein rOmpB of spotted fever group rickettsiae functions in the rickettsial adherence to and invasion of Vero cells. Microbes Infect 2006; 8:801-9. [PMID: 16500128 DOI: 10.1016/j.micinf.2005.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2005] [Revised: 10/03/2005] [Accepted: 10/03/2005] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
The role of one of the major outer membrane proteins, rOmpB, of spotted fever group rickettsiae was examined. Antibodies generated against native rOmpB inhibited plaque formation by Rickettsia japonica in Vero cells when applied at the time of inoculation of the rickettsiae. However, antibodies to heat-denatured rOmpB did not. Moreover, the soluble recombinant rOmpB also inhibited plaque formation to some extent. Thus it seems that rOmpB functions at least in the adherence of rickettsiae to host cells. To obtain direct evidence of its function in the adherence to and invasion of Vero cells, we generated Escherichia coli transformed by the vector pET-22b(+) inserted with the ompB open reading frame of R. japonica. The recombinant bacteria expressed a 165-kDa protein consistent with the precursor of rOmpB. The protein reacted with monoclonal antibodies to heat-labile epitopes of rOmpB. Immunofluorescence of the recombinant bacteria demonstrated surface expression of the protein. It was shown by light microscopy and transmission and scanning electron microscopy that the bacteria adhered to and invaded Vero cells. Thus, although the recombinant precursor rOmpB was not processed on the outer membrane of E. coli, it functions during these steps. The manner of entry was similar to that of rickettsiae although at a slower rate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tsuneo Uchiyama
- Department of Virology, Institute of Health Biosciences, The University of Tokushima Graduate School, 3-18-15 Kuramoto-cho, Tokushima-shi, Tokushima 770-8503, Japan.
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Wu JJ, Huang DB, Pang KR, Tyring SK. Rickettsial infections around the world, part 1: pathophysiology and the spotted fever group. J Cutan Med Surg 2006; 9:54-62. [PMID: 16392014 DOI: 10.1007/s10227-005-0133-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The rickettsial diseases are an important group of infectious agents that have dermatological manifestations. These diseases are important to consider in endemic areas, but in certain suspicious cases, possible acts of bioterrorism should warrant prompt notification of the appropriate authorities. OBJECTIVE In this two part review article, we review these diverse diseases by examining established and up-to-date information about the pathophysiology, epidemiology, clinical manifestations, and treatment of the ricksettsiae. METHODS Using PubMed to search for relevant articles, we browsed over 500 articles to compose a clinically based review article. RESULTS Part one focuses on pathophysiology of the rickettsial diseases and the clinical aspects of the spotted fever group. CONCLUSIONS At the completion of part one of this learning activity, participants should be able to discuss all of the clinical manifestations and treatments of the sported fever group. Participants should also be familiar with the pathophysiology of the rickettsial diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jashin J Wu
- Department of Dermatology, University of California, Irvine, California, USA
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Parola P, Paddock CD, Raoult D. Tick-borne rickettsioses around the world: emerging diseases challenging old concepts. Clin Microbiol Rev 2005; 18:719-56. [PMID: 16223955 PMCID: PMC1265907 DOI: 10.1128/cmr.18.4.719-756.2005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 727] [Impact Index Per Article: 38.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
During most of the 20th century, the epidemiology of tick-borne rickettsioses could be summarized as the occurrence of a single pathogenic rickettsia on each continent. An element of this paradigm suggested that the many other characterized and noncharacterized rickettsiae isolated from ticks were not pathogenic to humans. In this context, it was considered that relatively few tick-borne rickettsiae caused human disease. This concept was modified extensively from 1984 through 2005 by the identification of at least 11 additional rickettsial species or subspecies that cause tick-borne rickettsioses around the world. Of these agents, seven were initially isolated from ticks, often years or decades before a definitive association with human disease was established. We present here the tick-borne rickettsioses described through 2005 and focus on the epidemiological circumstances that have played a role in the emergence of the newly recognized diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philippe Parola
- Unité des Rickettsies, CNRS UMR 6020, IFR 48, Université de la Méditerranée, Faculté de Médecine, 13385 Marseille Cedex 5, France
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Wu JJ, Huang DB, Pang KR, Tyring SK. Rickettsial Infections around the World, Part 1: Pathophysiology and the Spotted Fever Group. J Cutan Med Surg 2005. [DOI: 10.1177/120347540500900203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Background: The rickettsial diseases are an important group of infectious agents that have dermatological manifestations. These diseases are important to consider in endemic areas, but in certain suspicious cases, possible acts of bioterrorism should warrant prompt notification of the appropriate authorities. Objective: In this two part review article, we review these diverse diseases by examining established and up-to-date information about the pathophysiology, epidemiology, clinical manifestations, and treatment of the ricksettsiae. Methods: Using PubMed to search for relevant articles, we browsed over 500 articles to compose a clinically based review article. Results: Part one focuses on pathophysiology of the rickettsial diseases and the clinical aspects of the spotted fever group. Conclusions: At the completion of part one of this learning activity, participants should be able to discuss all of the clinical manifestations and treatments of the sported fever group. Participants should also be familiar with the pathophysiology of the rickettsial diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jashin J. Wu
- Department of Dermatology, University of California, Irvine, California, USA
| | - David B. Huang
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Katie R. Pang
- Department of Dermatology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan, Texas, USA
| | - Stephen K. Tyring
- Department of Dermatology, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houstan, Texas, USA
- Center for Clinical Studies, Houston, Texas, USA
- Center for Clinical Studies, 2060 Space Park Drive, Suite 200, Houston, TX, 77058, USA
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