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Tian J, Liu J, Liu J, Lu M, Chen X, Li K. Survey of Rickettsia species in hematophagous arthropods from endemic areas for Japanese spotted fever in China. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2024; 14:1384284. [PMID: 38725451 PMCID: PMC11079133 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2024.1384284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2024] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Japanese spotted fever (JSF) is caused by Rickettsia japonica, mainly vectored by hard ticks. However, whether R. japonica can be transmitted by other arthropods remains unknown. Moreover, it is of interest to investigate whether other Rickettsia species cause spotted fever in endemic areas. In this study, a survey of Rickettsia species was performed in hematophagous arthropods (mosquitoes, tabanids, and ticks) from endemic areas for JSF in Hubei Province, central China. The results showed that the diversity and prevalence of Rickettsia species in mosquitoes are low, suggesting that mosquitoes may not be the vector of zoonotic Rickettsia species. A novel Rickettsia species showed a high prevalence (16.31%, 23/141) in tabanids and was named "Candidatus Rickettsia tabanidii." It is closely related to Rickettsia from fleas and mosquitoes; however, its pathogenicity in humans needs further investigation. Five Rickettsia species were identified in ticks. Rickettsia japonica, the agent of JSF, was detected only in Haemaphysalis longicornis and Haemaphysalis hystricis, suggesting that they may be the major vectors of R. japonica. Notably, two novel species were identified in H. hystricis ticks, one belonging to the spotted fever group and the other potentially belonging to the ancestral group. The latter one named "Candidatus Rickettsia hubeiensis" may provide valuable insight into the evolutionary history of Rickettsia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junhua Tian
- Affiliation of Disinfection and Vector Control, Wuhan Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Jing Liu
- Affiliation of Disinfection and Vector Control, Wuhan Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Jin Liu
- Clinical Laboratory, Jiangxia Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Miao Lu
- National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaomin Chen
- Affiliation of Disinfection and Vector Control, Wuhan Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Kun Li
- National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
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Duan L, Zhang L, Hou X, Bao Z, Zeng Y, He L, Liu Z, Zhou H, Hao Q, Dong A. Surveillance of tick-borne bacteria infection in ticks and forestry populations in Inner Mongolia, China. Front Public Health 2024; 12:1302133. [PMID: 38487180 PMCID: PMC10938913 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1302133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2023] [Accepted: 02/09/2024] [Indexed: 03/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Ticks are one of the most important vectors that can transmit pathogens to animals and human beings. This study investigated the dominant tick-borne bacteria carried by ticks and tick-borne infections in forestry populations in Arxan, Inner Mongolia, China. Ticks were collected by flagging from May 2020 to May 2021, and blood samples were collected from individuals at high risk of acquiring tick-borne diseases from March 2022 to August 2023. The pooled DNA samples of ticks were analyzed to reveal the presence of tick-borne bacteria using high-throughput sequencing of the 16S rDNA V3-V4 region, and species-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) related to sequencing was performed to confirm the presence of pathogenic bacteria in individual ticks and human blood samples. All sera samples were examined for anti-SFGR using ELISA and anti-B. burgdorferi using IFA and WB. A total of 295 ticks (282 Ixodes persulcatus and 13 Dermacentor silvarum) and 245 human blood samples were collected. Rickettsia, Anaplasma, Borrelia miyamotoi, and Coxiella endosymbiont were identified in I. persulcatus by high-throughput sequencing, while Candidatus R. tarasevichiae (89.00%, 89/100), B. garinii (17.00%, 17/100), B. afzelii (7.00%, 7/100), and B. miyamotoi (7.00%, 7/100) were detected in I. persulcatus, as well the dual co-infection with Candidatus R. tarasevichiae and B. garinii were detected in 13.00% (13/100) of I. persulcatus. Of the 245 individuals, B. garinii (4.90%, 12/245), R. slovaca (0.82%, 2/245), and C. burnetii (0.41%, 1/245) were detected by PCR, and the sequences of the target genes of B. garinii detected in humans were identical to those detected in I. persulcatus. The seroprevalence of anti-SFGR and anti-B. burgdorferi was 5.71% and 13.47%, respectively. This study demonstrated that Candidatus R. tarasevichiae and B. garinii were the dominant tick-borne bacteria in I. persulcatus from Arxan, and that dual co-infection with Candidatus R. tarasevichiae and B. garinii was frequent. This is the first time that B. miyamotoi has been identified in ticks from Arxan and R. solvaca has been detected in humans from Inner Mongolia. More importantly, this study demonstrated the transmission of B. garinii from ticks to humans in Arxan, suggesting that long-term monitoring of tick-borne pathogens in ticks and humans is important for the prevention and control of tick-borne diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Like Duan
- National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, National Key Laboratory of Intelligent Tracking and Forecasting for Infectious Diseases, Beijing, China
| | - Lin Zhang
- National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, National Key Laboratory of Intelligent Tracking and Forecasting for Infectious Diseases, Beijing, China
| | - Xuexia Hou
- National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, National Key Laboratory of Intelligent Tracking and Forecasting for Infectious Diseases, Beijing, China
| | - Zihao Bao
- National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, National Key Laboratory of Intelligent Tracking and Forecasting for Infectious Diseases, Beijing, China
| | - Yu Zeng
- National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, National Key Laboratory of Intelligent Tracking and Forecasting for Infectious Diseases, Beijing, China
| | - Lijuan He
- National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, National Key Laboratory of Intelligent Tracking and Forecasting for Infectious Diseases, Beijing, China
| | - Zeliang Liu
- Affiliated Hospital of North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan, China
| | - Haijian Zhou
- National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, National Key Laboratory of Intelligent Tracking and Forecasting for Infectious Diseases, Beijing, China
| | - Qin Hao
- National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, National Key Laboratory of Intelligent Tracking and Forecasting for Infectious Diseases, Beijing, China
| | - Aiying Dong
- Affiliated Hospital of North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan, China
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Zhang X, Lv W, Teng Z, Zhao N, Zhou Y, Ma D, Ma L, Cheng Y, Wei J, He J, Ma W, Liu D, Qin T. Molecular detection of Rickettsiales and a potential novel Ehrlichia species closely related to Ehrlichia chaffeensis in ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) from Shaanxi Province, China, in 2022 to 2023. Front Microbiol 2024; 14:1331434. [PMID: 38274750 PMCID: PMC10808515 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1331434] [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: 11/01/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Important tick-borne diseases include spotted fever group Rickettsia (SFGR), Anaplasma, and Ehrlichia, which cause harm to animal and human health. Ixodidae are the primary vectors of these pathogens. We aimed to analyze the prevalence and genetic diversity of SFGR, Anaplasma, and Ehrlichia species in the Ixodidae in Shaanxi Province, China. Herein, 1,113 adult Ixodidae ticks were collected from domestic cattle and goats, and detected using nested PCR. A total of four Ixodidae species were collected and Ca. R. jingxinensis (20.58%, 229/1113), A. bovis (3.05%, 34/1113), A. capra (3.32%, 37/1113), A. marginale (0.18%, 2/1113), E. sp. Yonaguni138 (0.18%, 2/1113), and a potent novel Ehrlichia species named E. sp. Baoji96 (0.09%, 1/1113) were detected. A. marginale was detected for the first time in Rhipicephalus microplus. E. sp. Baoji96 was closely related to E. chaffeensis and was first identified in Haemaphysalis longicornis. In addition, co-infection with two Rickettsiales pathogens within an individual tick was detected in 10 (1.54%) ticks. This study provides a reference for the formulation of biological control strategies for ticks and tick-borne diseases in Shaanxi Province, and could lead to an improved control effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xue Zhang
- National Key Laboratory of Intelligent Tracking and Forecasting for Infectious Diseases, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Wen Lv
- Shaanxi Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Xi'an, China
| | - Zhongqiu Teng
- National Key Laboratory of Intelligent Tracking and Forecasting for Infectious Diseases, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Na Zhao
- National Key Laboratory of Intelligent Tracking and Forecasting for Infectious Diseases, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Yue Zhou
- Long County Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Baoji, China
| | - Di Ma
- Mei County Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Baoji, China
| | - Lin Ma
- Shaanxi Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Xi'an, China
| | - Yuqing Cheng
- National Key Laboratory of Intelligent Tracking and Forecasting for Infectious Diseases, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Jianjun Wei
- HanZhong Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Hanzhong, China
| | - Jia He
- National Key Laboratory of Intelligent Tracking and Forecasting for Infectious Diseases, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Wenke Ma
- Zhenba County Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Hanzhong, China
| | - Dongli Liu
- Shaanxi Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Xi'an, China
| | - Tian Qin
- National Key Laboratory of Intelligent Tracking and Forecasting for Infectious Diseases, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
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He M, Zhang L, Hu H, Liu X, Zhang C, Xin Y, Liu B, Chen Z, Xu K, Liu Y. Complete genome sequencing and comparative genomic analyses of a new spotted-fever Rickettsia heilongjiangensis strain B8. Emerg Microbes Infect 2023; 12:2153085. [PMID: 36440590 PMCID: PMC9930820 DOI: 10.1080/22221751.2022.2153085] [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] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Rickettsia heilongjiangensis, a tick-borne obligate intracellular bacterium and causative agent of spotted fever in China, has attracted increasing concern regarding its capability in causing human rickettsiosis. Here, we conducted a genomic analysis of a new R. heilongjiangensis strain B8 (B8) isolated from the serum of a patient who had been bitten by a Haemaphysalis longicornis tick in Anhui Province, China. The present study sought to identify exclusive genes that might be associated with the pathogenicity of B8 using comparative genomics. Specifically, the sequences of B8 were assembled into one circular chromosome of 1,275,081 bp and predicted to contain 1447 genes. Comparative genome analyses were performed based on the genome of B8 and 28 spotted fever group (SFG) rickettsial genomes deposited in NCBI. Phylogenomic analyses indicated the B8 strain was clustered within the R. heilongjiangensis species; however, a sum of 112 and 119 B8-unique genes was identified when compared with R. heilongjiangensis and R. japonica strains, respectively. Functional annotation analyses revealed that these B8-unique genes were mainly annotated to defence mechanisms, lipid transport and metabolism, cell wall/membrane/envelope biogenesis. These data indicate B8 rather represents a previously undescribed human-pathogenic SFG rickettsia lineage, which may be an intermediate lineage of R. heilongjiangensis and R. japonica. Overall, this study isolated a new strain of R. heilongjiangensis in East-Central China for the first time, and provided potential B8-unique genetic loci that could be used for the discrimination of B8 from other R. heilongjiangensis and closely related SFG Rickettsial strains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maozhang He
- Department of Microbiology, School of Basic Medical; The Key Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology of Anhui Province, The Key Laboratory of Zoonoses of High Institutions in Anhui, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, People’s Republic of China
| | - Lifeng Zhang
- Department of Microbiology, School of Basic Medical; The Key Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology of Anhui Province, The Key Laboratory of Zoonoses of High Institutions in Anhui, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, People’s Republic of China
| | - Haoran Hu
- Department of Microbiology, School of Basic Medical; The Key Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology of Anhui Province, The Key Laboratory of Zoonoses of High Institutions in Anhui, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xiaohan Liu
- Department of Microbiology, School of Basic Medical; The Key Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology of Anhui Province, The Key Laboratory of Zoonoses of High Institutions in Anhui, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, People’s Republic of China
| | - Cong Zhang
- Department of Microbiology, School of Basic Medical; The Key Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology of Anhui Province, The Key Laboratory of Zoonoses of High Institutions in Anhui, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yu Xin
- Department of Microbiology, School of Basic Medical; The Key Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology of Anhui Province, The Key Laboratory of Zoonoses of High Institutions in Anhui, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, People’s Republic of China
| | - Boyu Liu
- Department of Microbiology, School of Basic Medical; The Key Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology of Anhui Province, The Key Laboratory of Zoonoses of High Institutions in Anhui, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, People’s Republic of China
| | - Zhen Chen
- Department of Microbiology, School of Basic Medical; The Key Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology of Anhui Province, The Key Laboratory of Zoonoses of High Institutions in Anhui, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, People’s Republic of China
| | - Kehan Xu
- Department of Microbiology, School of Basic Medical; The Key Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology of Anhui Province, The Key Laboratory of Zoonoses of High Institutions in Anhui, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, People’s Republic of China,Kehan Xu Department of Microbiology, School of Basic Medical, The Key Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology of Anhui Province, The Key Laboratory of Zoonoses of High Institutions in Anhui, Anhui Medical University, No. 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, Anhui230032, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yan Liu
- Department of Microbiology, School of Basic Medical; The Key Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology of Anhui Province, The Key Laboratory of Zoonoses of High Institutions in Anhui, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, People’s Republic of China, Yan Liu
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Ma H, Ai J, Kang M, Li J, Sun Y. The life cycle of Dermacentor nuttalli from the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau under laboratory conditions and detection of spotted fever group Rickettsia spp. Front Vet Sci 2023; 10:1126266. [PMID: 36908514 PMCID: PMC9998488 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1126266] [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: 12/17/2022] [Accepted: 02/08/2023] [Indexed: 03/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Dermacentor nuttalli has been a focus of study because tick-borne pathogens have been widely identified in this tick from northern and southwestern China. The aim of this study was to characterize the life cycle of D. nuttalli under laboratory conditions and to detect spotted fever group (SFG) Rickettsia in the midgut and salivary glands of both field-collected and first laboratory generation adults. D. nuttalli ticks were collected in the field on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau from March to April 2021 and their life cycle was studied under laboratory conditions. Tick identify was molecularly confirmed, and SFG Rickettsia were detected in the midgut and salivary glands of males and females by PCR targeting different rickettsial genes. The results showed that the life cycle of D. nuttalli under laboratory conditions was completed in an average of 86.1 days. High positivity of Rickettsia spp. was detected in the midgut and salivary glands of both males (92.0%) and females (93.0%) of field-collected D. nuttalli ticks. However, a relatively lower positivity (4.0-6.0%) was detected in first laboratory generation adults. Furthermore, sequencing analysis showed that the Rickettsia sequences obtained in this study shared 98.6 to 100% nucleotide identity with Rickettsia slovaca and Rickettsia raoultii isolated from Dermacentor spp. in China. Phylogenetic analysis of Rickettsia spp. based on the gltA, ompA, ompB and sca4 genes revealed that the Rickettsia sequences obtained could be classified as belonging to R. slovaca and R. raoultii clades. This study described for the first time the life cycle of D. nuttalli from the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau under laboratory conditions. Two species of SFG Rickettsia were detected in the midgut and salivary glands of males and females in both field-collected and first laboratory-generation adults of D. nuttalli. Our study provides new insights into pathogen detection in ticks in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, and the relationships among hosts, ticks, and pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hejia Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Plateau Ecology and Agriculture, Qinghai University, Xining, China.,College of Agriculture and Animal Husbandry, Qinghai University, Xining, China
| | - Jingkai Ai
- State Key Laboratory of Plateau Ecology and Agriculture, Qinghai University, Xining, China.,College of Agriculture and Animal Husbandry, Qinghai University, Xining, China
| | - Ming Kang
- State Key Laboratory of Plateau Ecology and Agriculture, Qinghai University, Xining, China.,College of Agriculture and Animal Husbandry, Qinghai University, Xining, China
| | - Jixu Li
- State Key Laboratory of Plateau Ecology and Agriculture, Qinghai University, Xining, China.,College of Agriculture and Animal Husbandry, Qinghai University, Xining, China.,Qinghai Provincial Key Laboratory of Pathogen Diagnosis for Animal Diseases and Green Technical Research for Prevention and Control, Qinghai University, Xining, China
| | - Yali Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Plateau Ecology and Agriculture, Qinghai University, Xining, China.,College of Agriculture and Animal Husbandry, Qinghai University, Xining, China.,Qinghai Provincial Key Laboratory of Pathogen Diagnosis for Animal Diseases and Green Technical Research for Prevention and Control, Qinghai University, Xining, China
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Lu M, Meng C, Zhang B, Wang X, Tian J, Tang G, Wang W, Li N, Li M, Xu X, Sun Y, Duan C, Qin X, Li K. Prevalence of Spotted Fever Group Rickettsia and Candidatus Lariskella in Multiple Tick Species from Guizhou Province, China. Biomolecules 2022; 12:1701. [PMID: 36421715 PMCID: PMC9688252 DOI: 10.3390/biom12111701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2022] [Revised: 11/13/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Rickettsiales (Rickettsia spp., Ehrlichia spp., and Anaplasma spp., etc.) are generally recognized as potentially emerging tick-borne pathogens. However, some bacteria and areas in China remain uninvestigated. In this study, we collected 113 ticks from mammals in Guizhou Province, Southwest China, and screened for the Rickettsiales bacteria. Subsequently, two spotted fever group Rickettsia species and one Candidatus Lariskella sp. were detected and characterized. "Candidatus Rickettsia jingxinensis" was detected in Rhipicephalus microplus (1/1), Haemaphysalis flava (1/3, 33.33%), Haemaphysalis kitaokai (1/3), and Ixodes sinensis (4/101, 3.96%), whereas Rickettsia monacensis was positive in H. flava (1/3), H. kitaokai (2/3), and I. sinensis ticks (74/101, 73.27%). At least two variants/sub-genotypes were identified in the R. monacensis isolates, and the strikingly high prevalence of R. monacensis may suggest a risk of human infection. Unexpectedly, a Candidatus Lariskella sp. belonging to the family Candidatus Midichloriaceae was detected from Ixodes ovatus (1/4) and I. sinensis (10/101, 9.90%). The gltA and groEL gene sequences were successfully obtained, and they show the highest (74.63-74.89% and 73.31%) similarities to "Candidatus Midichloria mitochondrii", respectively. Herein, we name the species "Candidatus Lariskella guizhouensis". These may be the first recovered gltA and groEL sequences of the genus Candidatus Lariskella.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miao Lu
- National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Changping District, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Chao Meng
- College of Life Sciences, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Tai’an 271016, China
| | - Bing Zhang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi 830011, China
| | - Xiao Wang
- The Military General Hospital of Xinjiang PLA, Urumqi 830000, China
| | - Junhua Tian
- Wuhan Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Wuhan 430024, China
| | - Guangpeng Tang
- Guizhou Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Guiyang 550004, China
| | - Wen Wang
- National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Changping District, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Na Li
- College of Life Sciences, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Tai’an 271016, China
| | - Mengyao Li
- College of Life Sciences, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Tai’an 271016, China
| | - Xiaoyu Xu
- College of Life Sciences, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Tai’an 271016, China
| | - Yue Sun
- College of Life Sciences, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Tai’an 271016, China
| | - Chengyu Duan
- College of Life Sciences, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Tai’an 271016, China
| | - Xincheng Qin
- National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Changping District, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Kun Li
- National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Changping District, Beijing 102206, China
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Food and Biotechnology, Tianjin University of Commerce, Beichen District, Tianjin 300134, China
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Zhao L, Ma YM, Yang B, Han WX, Zhao WH, Chai HL, Zhang ZS, Zhan YJ, Wang LF, Xing Y, Yu LF, Wang JL, Ding YL, Liu YH. Comparative analysis of microbial communities in different growth stages of Dermacentor nuttalli. Front Vet Sci 2022; 9:1021426. [PMID: 36311671 PMCID: PMC9614212 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2022.1021426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2022] [Accepted: 09/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Ticks were identified as arthropods that are pathogenic vectors. Dermacentor nuttalli is one of the dominant tick species in Inner Mongolia, and it carries and transmits a wide range of pathogenic microorganisms. However, at present, only the detection of D. nuttalli adult ticks and D. nuttalli different developmental stages carrying one specific pathogen, or the next-generation sequencing of D. nuttalli adult ticks were available. In this study, we investigated the microbial community structures of D. nuttalli in different growth stages under laboratory artificial feeding conditions. Total DNA was extracted from seven growth stages (female adult ticks, eggs, larval ticks, engorged larval ticks, nymphal ticks, engorged nymphal ticks, and second-generation adult ticks) obtained from laboratory artificial feeding of engorged D. nuttalli female ticks in Inner Mongolia. Then, the 16S rDNA V3-V4 hypervariable region was amplified to construct an Illumina PE250 library. Finally, 16S rRNA sequencing was performed on Illumina Novaseq 6000 platform. The sequencing data were analyzed using molecular biology software and platforms. The Illumina PE250 sequencing results showed that the egg stage had the highest diversity and number of species (28.74%, 98/341), while the engorged nymph stage had the lowest diversity and number of species (9.72%, 21/216). A total of 387 genera of 22 phyla were annotated in D. nuttalli, with 9 phyla and 57 genera found throughout all 7 growth stages. The dominant phylum was Proteobacteria; the dominant genera were Arsenophonus and Rickettsia; and the genera with the highest relative abundance in the 7 growth stages were Pseudomonas, Paenalcaligenes, Arsenophonus, Arsenophonus, Pseudomonas, Arsenophonus, and Rickettsia, respectively. Among the 23 exact species annotated, Brucella melitensis exhibits pathogeny that poses a serious threat to humans and animals. In this study, the microbial community composition at different growth stages of D. nuttalli was comprehensively analyzed for the first time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Zhao
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, China,Key Laboratory of Clinical Diagnosis and Treatment Technology in Animal Disease, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Hohhot, China
| | - Yi-Min Ma
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, China
| | - Bo Yang
- Animal Disease Control Center of Ordos, Ordos City, China
| | - Wen-Xiong Han
- Inner Mongolia Saikexing Reproductive Biotechnology (Group) Co., Ltd., Hohhot, China
| | - Wei-Hong Zhao
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, China
| | - Hai-Liang Chai
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, China
| | - Zhan-Sheng Zhang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, China
| | - Yong-Jie Zhan
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, China
| | - Li-Feng Wang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, China
| | - Yu Xing
- Shanghai Origingene Bio-pharm Technology Co. Ltd., Shanghai, China
| | - Lu-Fei Yu
- Shanghai Origingene Bio-pharm Technology Co. Ltd., Shanghai, China
| | - Jin-Ling Wang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, China,Key Laboratory of Clinical Diagnosis and Treatment Technology in Animal Disease, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Hohhot, China
| | - Yu-Lin Ding
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, China,Key Laboratory of Clinical Diagnosis and Treatment Technology in Animal Disease, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Hohhot, China
| | - Yong-Hong Liu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, China,Key Laboratory of Clinical Diagnosis and Treatment Technology in Animal Disease, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Hohhot, China,*Correspondence: Yong-Hong Liu
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Lu M, Tian J, Wang W, Zhao H, Jiang H, Han J, Guo W, Li K. High diversity of Rickettsia spp., Anaplasma spp., and Ehrlichia spp. in ticks from Yunnan Province, Southwest China. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:1008110. [PMID: 36312964 PMCID: PMC9606716 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.1008110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2022] [Accepted: 09/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Rickettsia, Anaplasma, and Ehrlichia belonging to the order Rickettsiales are causative agents of tick-borne diseases in humans. During 2021, 434 ticks including Rhipicephalus microplus and R. haemaphysaloides were collected from three sampling sites in Yunnan Province, Southwest China, and analyzed for the presence of these bacteria. Nine bacterial species were identified, including two Rickettsia spp., three Anaplasma spp., and four Ehrlichia spp., some of which are potential human pathogens. Genetic and phylogenetic analysis on 16S rRNA, gltA, groEL, ompA, ompB, and sca4 genes indicated the presence of a novel spotted fever group Rickettsia (SFGR) named “Candidatus Rickettsia shennongii” in six of the 38 R. haemaphysaloides ticks from two locations, Dehong Autonomous Prefecture and Honghe City. Another SFGR species, Candidatus Rickettsia jingxinensis was detected in ticks from all three sites, with an overall positive rate of 62.67%. Three other human pathogenic species, Anaplasma ovis (1.38%, 6/434), Ehrlichia canis (16.36%, 71/434), and E. chaffeensis (0.23%, 1/434) were detected in these ticks and characterized. Moreover, Ehrlichia sp. (4.84%, 21/434), E. minasensis (7.37%, 32/434), A. marginale (6.91%, 30/434), and Cadidatus Anaplasma boleense (1.15%, 5/434) were detected in R. microplus ticks, for which pathogenicity to humans remains to be determined. The results reveal the remarkable diversity of Rickettsiales bacteria in ticks from Yunnan Province, Southwest China. The high infection rate of some human pathogenic bacteria in ticks may indicate potential infection risk in humans, and it highlights the need for surveillance in local populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miao Lu
- Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Junhua Tian
- Wuhan Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Wen Wang
- Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Hongqing Zhao
- Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Hai Jiang
- Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Jizhou Han
- Dehong Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Dehong Dai and Jingpo Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan, China
| | - Wenping Guo
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, College of Basic Medicine, Chengde Medical University, Chengde, Hebei, China
| | - Kun Li
- Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Food and Biotechnology, Tianjin University of Commerce, Tianjin, China
- *Correspondence: Kun Li,
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9
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Lu M, Meng C, Gao X, Sun Y, Zhang J, Tang G, Li Y, Li M, Zhou G, Wang W, Li K. Diversity of Rickettsiales in Rhipicephalus microplus Ticks Collected in Domestic Ruminants in Guizhou Province, China. Pathogens 2022; 11:pathogens11101108. [PMID: 36297165 PMCID: PMC9607482 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11101108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2022] [Revised: 09/19/2022] [Accepted: 09/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Rhipicephalus microplus ticks are vectors for multiple pathogens infecting animals and humans. Although the medical importance of R. microplus has been well-recognized and studied in most areas of China, the occurrence of tick-borne Rickettsiales has seldom been investigated in Guizhou Province, Southwest China. In this study, we collected 276 R. microplus ticks from cattle (209 ticks) and goats (67 ticks) in three locations of Guizhou Province. The Rickettsia, Anaplasma, and Ehrlichia were detected by targeting the 16S rRNA gene and were further characterized by amplifying the key genes. One Rickettsia (Ca. Rickettsia jingxinensis), three Ehrlichia (E. canis, E. minasensis, Ehrlichia sp.), and four Anaplasma (A. capra, A. ovis, A. marginale, Ca. Anaplasma boleense) species were detected, and their gltA and groEL genes were recovered. Candidatus Rickettsia jingxinensis, a spotted fever group of Rickettsia, was detected in a high proportion of the tested ticks (88.89%, 100%, and 100% in ticks from the three locations, respectively), suggesting the possibility that animals may be exposed to this type of Rickettsia. All the 16S, gltA, groEL, and ompA sequences of these strains are 100% identical to strains reported in Ngawa, Sichuan Province. E. minasensis, A. marginale, and Candidatus Anaplasma boleense are known to infect livestock such as cattle. The potential effects on local husbandry should be considered. Notably, E. canis, A. ovis, and A. capra have been reported to infect humans. The relatively high positive rates in Qianxinan (20.99%, 9.88%, and 4.94%, respectively) may indicate the potential risk to local populations. Furthermore, the genetic analysis indicated that the E. minasensis strains in this study may represent a variant or recombinant. Our results indicated the extensive diversity of Rickettsiales in R. microplus ticks from Guizhou Province. The possible occurrence of rickettsiosis, ehrlichiosis, and anaplasmosis in humans and domestic animals in this area should be further considered and investigated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miao Lu
- National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Changping District, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Chao Meng
- College of Life Sciences, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Taian 271016, China
| | - Xiang Gao
- Tongzhou Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Tongzhou District, Beijing 101100, China
| | - Yue Sun
- College of Life Sciences, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Taian 271016, China
| | - Jun Zhang
- Guizhou Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Guiyang 550004, China
| | - Guangpeng Tang
- Liuzhi Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Liupanshui 553400, China
| | - Yilin Li
- College of Life Sciences, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Taian 271016, China
| | - Mengyao Li
- College of Life Sciences, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Taian 271016, China
| | - Guangyi Zhou
- College of Life Sciences, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Taian 271016, China
| | - Wen Wang
- College of Life Sciences, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Taian 271016, China
| | - Kun Li
- National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Changping District, Beijing 102206, China
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Food and Biotechnology, Tianjin University of Commerce, Beichen District, Tianjin 300134, China
- Correspondence:
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Qi Y, Ai L, Jiao J, Wang J, Wu D, Wang P, Zhang G, Qin Y, Hu C, Lv R, Lu N, Zhu C, Mao Y, Qi R, Li Y, Tan W. High prevalence of Rickettsia spp. in ticks from wild hedgehogs rather than domestic bovine in Jiangsu province, Eastern China. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:954785. [PMID: 35959365 PMCID: PMC9360493 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.954785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2022] [Accepted: 06/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BackgroundSpotted fever group Rickettsia (SFGR), containing various pathogenic Rickettsia spp., poses remarkable negative influences to public health by causing various severe or mild diseases. Information regarding prevalence of SFGR in ticks in Jiangsu province, Eastern China, is still limited and needs urgent investigations.MethodsHedgehog- and bovine-attached ticks were collected from Jiangsu province, Eastern China. DNA of individual ticks was extracted for nested polymerase chain reaction amplifications targeting gltA, 16S ribosomal RNA (rrs), ompA, ompB, and sca4 genes following with sequencing. SFGR-specific IgG antibodies in sera of local donators were evaluated using ELISA.ResultsOverall, 144 (83.2%) of the 173 ticks from hedgehogs and 2 (1.2%) of the 168 ticks from bovine were positive for one of the three identified Rickettsia spp., with significant difference between the two groups (P = 3.6e-52). Candidatus Rickettsia principis (9; 5.2%) and R. heilongjiangensis (135; 78.0%) were detected in Haemaphysalis flava rather than in H. longicornis ticks from hedgehogs. R. heilongjiangensis (1; 0.6%) and Candidatus R. jingxinensis (or Candidatus R. longicornii) (1; 0.6%) were identified in H. longicornis and Rhipicephalus microplus ticks from bovine, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis indicated Candidatus R. jingxinensis belonged to R. japonica subgroup, whereas Candidatus R. principis belonged to a novel subgroup. Higher serological prevalence of spotted fever and SFGR-specific IgG antibody level in humans were observed around the investigated area than in urban areas, without significant difference.ConclusionCandidatus R. principis and Candidatus R. jingxinensis were identified in Jiangsu province, Eastern China, and fully genetically characterized for the first time. The higher prevalence of SFGR in hedgehog-attached ticks as well as the higher SFGR-specific IgG antibody level and seropositive rate in humans around the investigated area suggested that more attention should be paid to SFGR. This pathogen is usually transmitted or harbored by wild animals and ticks. This study provides important epidemiological data for both physicians and public health officers in developing early prevention and control strategies against potential Rickettsia infections and in the preparation of suitable testing and treatment needs for rickettsiosis in the endemic areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong Qi
- Huadong Research Institute for Medicine and Biotechniques, Nanjing, China
- Nanjing Bioengineering (Gene) Technology Center for Medicines, Nanjing, China
| | - Lele Ai
- Huadong Research Institute for Medicine and Biotechniques, Nanjing, China
- Nanjing Bioengineering (Gene) Technology Center for Medicines, Nanjing, China
| | - Jun Jiao
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, China
| | - Junhu Wang
- Huadong Research Institute for Medicine and Biotechniques, Nanjing, China
- Nanjing Bioengineering (Gene) Technology Center for Medicines, Nanjing, China
| | - Deping Wu
- Huaian Medical District of Jinling Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Huaian, China
| | | | - Guoyu Zhang
- Xuyi County Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Huaian, China
| | - Yong Qin
- Xuyi County Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Huaian, China
| | - Cheng Hu
- The 907Hospital of Chinese PLA, Nanping, China
| | - Ruichen Lv
- Huadong Research Institute for Medicine and Biotechniques, Nanjing, China
- Nanjing Bioengineering (Gene) Technology Center for Medicines, Nanjing, China
| | - Nianhong Lu
- Huadong Research Institute for Medicine and Biotechniques, Nanjing, China
- Nanjing Bioengineering (Gene) Technology Center for Medicines, Nanjing, China
| | - Changqiang Zhu
- Huadong Research Institute for Medicine and Biotechniques, Nanjing, China
- Nanjing Bioengineering (Gene) Technology Center for Medicines, Nanjing, China
| | - Yingqing Mao
- Huadong Research Institute for Medicine and Biotechniques, Nanjing, China
- Nanjing Bioengineering (Gene) Technology Center for Medicines, Nanjing, China
| | - Rui Qi
- Army Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Yuexi Li
- Huadong Research Institute for Medicine and Biotechniques, Nanjing, China
- Nanjing Bioengineering (Gene) Technology Center for Medicines, Nanjing, China
- *Correspondence: Yuexi Li, ; Weilong Tan,
| | - Weilong Tan
- Huadong Research Institute for Medicine and Biotechniques, Nanjing, China
- Nanjing Bioengineering (Gene) Technology Center for Medicines, Nanjing, China
- *Correspondence: Yuexi Li, ; Weilong Tan,
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11
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Molecular Survey of Vector-Borne Pathogens in Ticks, Sheep Keds, and Domestic Animals from Ngawa, Southwest China. Pathogens 2022; 11:pathogens11050606. [PMID: 35631127 PMCID: PMC9143929 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11050606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2022] [Revised: 05/13/2022] [Accepted: 05/17/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Vector-borne pathogens are mainly transmitted by blood-feeding arthropods such as ticks, mosquitoes, fleas, lice, mites, etc. They pose a significant threat to animal and human health due to their worldwide distribution. Although much work has been performed on these pathogens, some neglected areas and undiscovered pathogens are still to be further researched. In this study, ticks (Haemaphysalis qinghaiensis), sheep keds (Melophagus ovinus), and blood samples from yaks and goats were collected in Ngawa Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture located on the eastern edge of the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau, Southwest China. Several vector-borne bacterial pathogens were screened and studied. Anaplasma bovis strains representing novel genotypes were detected in ticks (8.83%, 37/419), yak blood samples (45.71%, 64/140), and goat blood samples (58.93%, 33/56). Two spotted fever group (SFG) Rickettsiae, Candidatus Rickettsia jingxinensis, and a novel Rickettsia species named Candidatus Rickettsia hongyuanensis were identified in ticks. Another Rickettsia species closely related to the Rickettsia endosymbiont of Polydesmus complanatus was also detected in ticks. Furthermore, a Coxiella species was detected in ticks (3.34%, 14/419), keds (1.89%, 2/106), and yak blood (0.71%, 1/140). Interestingly, another Coxiella species and a Coxiella-like bacterium were detected in a tick and a goat blood sample, respectively. These results indicate the remarkable diversity of vector-borne pathogens circulating in this area. Further investigations on their pathogenicity to humans and domestic animals are still needed.
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12
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Usananan P, Kaenkan W, Sudsangiem R, Baimai V, Trinachartvanit W, Ahantarig A. Phylogenetic Studies of Coxiella-Like Bacteria and Spotted Fever Group Rickettsiae in Ticks Collected From Vegetation in Chaiyaphum Province, Thailand. Front Vet Sci 2022; 9:849893. [PMID: 35464383 PMCID: PMC9020810 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2022.849893] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2022] [Accepted: 02/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Ticks can transmit a wide variety of pathogens, including bacteria. Here, we report the detection of tick-associated bacteria in Chaiyaphum Province, northeastern Thailand. There have been few reports of tick-borne bacterial pathogens in the study areas, which are evergreen forests dominated by plateaus at elevations of approximately 1,000 m. In total, 94 ticks were collected from vegetation. They were screened for the presence of Coxiella, Francisella, Rickettsia, and Borrelia bacteria using PCR assays. In this study, we found ticks from two genera, Haemaphysalis and Amblyomma, that were positive for Coxiella-like bacteria (CLB) and Rickettsia. Francisella and Borrelia spp. were not detected in these two tick genera. The results revealed the evolutionary relationships of CLB in Amblyomma testudinarium, Haemaphysalis lagrangei, and Haemaphysalis obesa ticks using the 16S rRNA and rpoB markers, which clustered together with known isolates of ticks from the same genera. In contrast, the groEL marker showed different results. On the basis of the groEL phylogenetic analysis and BLAST results, three groups of CLB were found: (1) CLB from A. testudinarium grouped as a sister clade to CLB from Ixodes ricinus; (2) CLB from Haemaphysalis lagrangei was distantly related to CLB from Haemaphysalis wellingtoni; and (3) CLB from A. testudinarium grouped as sister clade to CLB from Amblyomma from French Guiana and Brazil. For Rickettsia studies, phylogenetic trees of the gltA, ompB, and sca4 genes revealed two groups of Spotted Fever Group (SFG) Rickettsiae: (1) SFG Rickettsiae that formed a sister clade with Rickettsia tamurae AT-1 (belong to the Rickettsia helvetica subgroup) in A. testudinarium and (2) SFG Rickettsiae that formed a distantly related group to Rickettsia rhipicephali 3-7-female6-CWPP (belong to the Rickettsia massiliae subgroup) in A. testudinarium. This study expanded our knowledge of the diversity of tick-borne Coxiella and Rickettsia bacteria. The pathogenic roles of these bacteria also need to be investigated further.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pawiga Usananan
- Biodiversity Research Cluster, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Warissara Kaenkan
- Biodiversity Research Cluster, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Ronnayuth Sudsangiem
- Biodiversity Research Cluster, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Visut Baimai
- Biodiversity Research Cluster, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | | | - Arunee Ahantarig
- Biodiversity Research Cluster, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Center of Excellence for Vectors and Vector-Borne Diseases, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand
- *Correspondence: Arunee Ahantarig
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13
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He YC, Li JX, Sun YL, Kang M, He HX, Guo YH, Ma P, Wei YP, Li RS, Chen WK, Chen ZH, Li J, Qi TS, Yang JF, Zhang QX, Wang Y, Cai JS, Zhao QB, Hu GW, Chen JY, Li Y. Spotted Fever Group Rickettsia Infecting Ticks (Acari: Ixodidae), Yak (Bos grunniens), and Tibetan Sheep (Ovis aries) in the Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau Area, China. Front Vet Sci 2022; 8:779387. [PMID: 35211533 PMCID: PMC8861378 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2021.779387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2021] [Accepted: 12/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The Qinghai–Tibet Plateau Area (QTPA) has a complex natural ecosystem, causing a greatly increased risk of spreading various tick-borne diseases including rickettsial infections, which are regarded as one of the oldest known vector-borne zoonoses. However, the information of one of its pathogen, spotted fever group Rickettsia (SFG Rickettsia), is limited in tick vectors and animals in this area. Therefore, this study focused on the investigation of SFG Rickettsia in tick vectors, yaks (Bos grunniens), and Tibetan sheep (Ovis aries) in the QTPA. A total of 1,000 samples were collected from nine sampling sites, including 425 of yaks, 309 of Tibetan sheep, 266 of ticks. By morphological examination, PCR, and sequencing, we confirmed the species of all collected ticks. All tick samples, all yak and Tibetan sheep blood samples were detected based on SFG Rickettsia ompA and sca4 gene. The results showed that all tick samples were identified to be Haemaphysalis qinghaiensis, and the positive rates of SFG Rickettsia were 5.9% (25/425), 0.3% (1/309), and 54.1% (144/266) in yaks, Tibetan sheep, and ticks, respectively. All positive samples were sequenced, and BLASTn analysis of the ompA gene sequences of SFG Rickettsia showed that all positive samples from animals and ticks had 99.04–100% identity with yak and horse isolates from Qinghai Province, China. BLASTn analysis of the sca4 gene sequences of SFG Rickettsia showed that all positive samples had 97.60–98.72% identity with tick isolates from Ukraine. In addition, the phylogenetic analysis showed that all the SFG Rickettsia ompA and sca4 sequences obtained from this study belong to the same clade as Rickettsia raoultii isolated from livestock and ticks from China and other countries. Molecularly, this study detected and characterized SFG Rickettsia both in the tick vectors and animals, suggesting that the relationship between SFG Rickettsia, tick species and animal hosts should be explored to understand their interrelationships, which provide a theoretical basis for preventing control of this pathogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong-Cai He
- State Key Laboratory of Plateau Ecology and Agriculture, Qinghai University, Xining, China
- College of Agriculture and Animal Husbandry, Qinghai University, Xining, China
| | - Ji-Xu Li
- State Key Laboratory of Plateau Ecology and Agriculture, Qinghai University, Xining, China
- College of Agriculture and Animal Husbandry, Qinghai University, Xining, China
| | - Ya-Li Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Plateau Ecology and Agriculture, Qinghai University, Xining, China
- College of Agriculture and Animal Husbandry, Qinghai University, Xining, China
| | - Ming Kang
- State Key Laboratory of Plateau Ecology and Agriculture, Qinghai University, Xining, China
- College of Agriculture and Animal Husbandry, Qinghai University, Xining, China
| | - Hong-Xuan He
- National Research Center for Wildlife-Born Diseases, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yun-Hai Guo
- National Institute of Parasitic Diseases Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shanghai, China
| | - Ping Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Plateau Ecology and Agriculture, Qinghai University, Xining, China
- College of Agriculture and Animal Husbandry, Qinghai University, Xining, China
| | - Yao-Ping Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Plateau Ecology and Agriculture, Qinghai University, Xining, China
- College of Agriculture and Animal Husbandry, Qinghai University, Xining, China
| | - Rui-Shan Li
- State Key Laboratory of Plateau Ecology and Agriculture, Qinghai University, Xining, China
- College of Agriculture and Animal Husbandry, Qinghai University, Xining, China
| | - Wang-Kai Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Plateau Ecology and Agriculture, Qinghai University, Xining, China
- College of Agriculture and Animal Husbandry, Qinghai University, Xining, China
| | - Zhi-Hong Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Plateau Ecology and Agriculture, Qinghai University, Xining, China
- College of Agriculture and Animal Husbandry, Qinghai University, Xining, China
| | - Jing Li
- Qinghai Provincial Center for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Xining, China
| | - Tong-Sheng Qi
- State Key Laboratory of Plateau Ecology and Agriculture, Qinghai University, Xining, China
- College of Agriculture and Animal Husbandry, Qinghai University, Xining, China
| | - Jin-Fang Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Plateau Ecology and Agriculture, Qinghai University, Xining, China
- College of Agriculture and Animal Husbandry, Qinghai University, Xining, China
| | - Qing-Xun Zhang
- National Research Center for Wildlife-Born Diseases, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Ye Wang
- National Research Center for Wildlife-Born Diseases, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jin-Shan Cai
- Qinghai Provincial Center for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Xining, China
| | - Quan-Bang Zhao
- Qinghai Provincial Center for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Xining, China
| | - Guang-Wei Hu
- Qinghai Provincial Center for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Xining, China
| | - Ji-Yong Chen
- Animal Disease Prevention and Control Center of Yushu, Yushu, China
| | - Ying Li
- State Key Laboratory of Plateau Ecology and Agriculture, Qinghai University, Xining, China
- College of Agriculture and Animal Husbandry, Qinghai University, Xining, China
- *Correspondence: Ying Li
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Jiao J, Zhang J, He P, OuYang X, Yu Y, Wen B, Sun Y, Yuan Q, Xiong X. Identification of Tick-Borne Pathogens and Genotyping of Coxiella burnetii in Rhipicephalus microplus in Yunnan Province, China. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:736484. [PMID: 34621258 PMCID: PMC8491607 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.736484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2021] [Accepted: 08/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Rhipicephalus microplus, a vector that can transmit many pathogens to humans and domestic animals, is widely distributed in Yunnan province, China. However, few reports on the prevalence of tick-borne pathogens (TBPs) in Rh. microplus in Yunnan are available. The aim of this study was to detect TBPs in Rh. microplus in Yunnan and to analyze the phylogenetic characterization of TBPs detected in these ticks. The adult Rh. microplus (n = 516) feeding on cattle were collected. The pooled DNA samples of these ticks were evaluated using metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) and then TBPs in individual ticks were identified using genus- or group-specific nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) combined with DNA sequencing assay. As a result, Candidatus Rickettsia jingxinensis (24.61%, 127/516), Anaplasma marginale (13.18%, 68/516), Coxiella burnetii (3.10%, 16/516), and Coxiella-like endosymbiont (CLE) (8.33%, 43/516) were detected. The dual coinfection with Ca. R. jingxinensis and A. marginale and the triple coinfection with Ca. R. jingxinensis, A. marginale, and CLE were most frequent and detected in 3.68% (19/516) and 3.10% (16/516) of these ticks, respectively. The results provide insight into the diversity of TBPs and their coinfections in Rh. microplus in Yunnan province of China, reporting for the first time that C. burnetii had been found in Rh. microplus in China. Multilocus variable number tandem repeat analysis with 6 loci (MLVA-6) discriminated the C. burnetii detected in Rh. microplus in Yunnan into MLVA genotype 1, which is closely related to previously described genotypes found primarily in tick and human samples from different regions of the globe, indicating a potential public health threat posed by C. burnetii in Rh. microplus in Yunnan.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Jiao
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, China
| | - Jianing Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, China
| | - Peisheng He
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, China
| | - Xuan OuYang
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, China
| | - Yonghui Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, China
| | - Bohai Wen
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, China
| | - Yi Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, China
| | - Qinghong Yuan
- Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory of Natural Focal Disease Control and Prevention, Yunnan Institute of Endemic Diseases Control and Prevention, Dali, China
| | - Xiaolu Xiong
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, China
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15
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Zhao B, Hou H, Gao R, Tian B, Deng B. Mononucleosis-like illnesses due to co-infection with severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus and spotted fever group rickettsia:a case report. BMC Infect Dis 2021; 21:829. [PMID: 34407756 PMCID: PMC8371423 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-021-06434-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2021] [Accepted: 07/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background We report a mononucleosis-like illnesses case due to co-infection with severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus (SFTSV) and spotted fever group rickettsia (SFGR), which to the best of our knowledge, has never been reported . Case presentation A 64-year-old male with an 11-day history of fever, sore throat, malaise, nausea, and non-pruritic rash was admitted to our emergency department. Prior to admission, he was bitten by ticks. Laboratory tests revealed a white blood cell count of 24,460 cells/μL with 25% atypical lymphocytes and 20% mononucleosis, thrombocytopenia. Test results were positive for SFTSV RNA, SFTSV-specific IgM antibody, and SFGR-specific IgM antibody. He was diagnosed with mononucleosis-like illnesses due to co-infection with SFTSV and SFGR. After administration of doxycycline, he recovered completely. Conclusions The clinical presentation may be atypical in co-infection with SFTSV and SFGR. This finding highlighted the importance of considering SFGR infection, as well as a SFSTV and SFGR co-infection for the differential diagnosis of patients bitten by ticks in SFTSV-endemic areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bin Zhao
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, No. 155 Nanjing North Street, Shenyang, 110001, Liaoning Province, China.,Department of Infectious Diseases, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, 110000, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Haohua Hou
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, No. 155 Nanjing North Street, Shenyang, 110001, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Ran Gao
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, 110001, Liaoning, China
| | - Bing Tian
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, No. 155 Nanjing North Street, Shenyang, 110001, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Baocheng Deng
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, No. 155 Nanjing North Street, Shenyang, 110001, Liaoning Province, China.
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16
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Kim JY, Yi MH, Mahdi AAS, Yong TS. iSeq 100 for metagenomic pathogen screening in ticks. Parasit Vectors 2021; 14:346. [PMID: 34187542 PMCID: PMC8244152 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-021-04852-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2021] [Accepted: 06/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ticks are blood-sucking ectoparasites that play a pivotal role in the transmission of various pathogens to humans and animals. In Korea, Haemaphysalis longicornis is the predominant tick species and is recognized as the vector of pathogens causing various diseases such as babesiosis, borreliosis, rickettsiosis, and severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome. METHODS In this study, the targeted high-throughput sequencing of the 16S rRNA V4 region was performed using the state-of-the-art sequencing instrument, iSeq 100, to screen bacterial pathogens in H. longicornis, and the findings were compared with those using conventional PCR with specific primers. Microbiome analyses were performed with EzBioCloud, a commercially available ChunLab bioinformatics cloud platform. ANOVA-Like Differential Expression tool (ALDEx2) was used for differential abundance analysis. RESULTS Rickettsia spp. were detected in 16 out of 37 samples using iSeq 100, and this was confirmed using a PCR assay. In the phylogenetic analysis using gltA and ompA sequences of the detected Rickettsia, the highest sequence similarity was found with 'Candidatus Rickettsia jingxinensis' isolate Xian-Hl-79, 'Ca. R. jingxinensis' isolate F18, and 'Ca. R. longicornii' isolate ROK-HL727. In the microbiome study, Coxiella AB001519, a known tick symbiont, was detected in all 37 tick samples. Actinomycetospora chiangmaiensis was more abundant in Rickettsia-positive samples than in Rickettsia-negative samples. CONCLUSIONS In this study, iSeq 100 was used to investigate the microbiome of H. longicornis, and the potentially pathogenic Rickettsia strain was detected in 16 out of 37 ticks. We believe that this approach will aid in large-scale pathogen screening of arthropods to be used in vector-borne disease control programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ju Yeong Kim
- Department of Environmental Medical Biology, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Arthropods of Medical Importance Resource Bank, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Yonsei-ro 50-1, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, 03722, South Korea
| | - Myung-Hee Yi
- Department of Environmental Medical Biology, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Arthropods of Medical Importance Resource Bank, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Yonsei-ro 50-1, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, 03722, South Korea
| | - Alghurabi Areej Sabri Mahdi
- Department of Global Health Security, Graduate School of Public Health, Yonsei University, Seoul, 03722, South Korea
| | - Tai-Soon Yong
- Department of Environmental Medical Biology, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Arthropods of Medical Importance Resource Bank, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Yonsei-ro 50-1, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, 03722, South Korea.
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17
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Seo MG, Kwon OD, Kwak D. Diversity and genotypic analysis of tick-borne pathogens carried by ticks infesting horses in Korea. MEDICAL AND VETERINARY ENTOMOLOGY 2021; 35:213-218. [PMID: 32989737 DOI: 10.1111/mve.12483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2020] [Revised: 08/30/2020] [Accepted: 09/11/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Ticks account for an extensive range of health and welfare issues in horses. In addition, tick-borne pathogens (TBPs) limit global animal trading and equine sporting events. Here, we assess the prevalence, co-infectivity and risk factors of TBPs in horse ticks in Korea. A total of 245 hard ticks, including 103 male and 142 female adults, were obtained from horses on Jeju Island during the spring to autumn seasons of 2013-2019. All collected ticks were identified as adult Haemaphysalis longicornis. We screened and analyzed each tick for the presence of several TBPs by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis. Among the 245 ticks, we detected genes for three TBPs, Candidatus Rickettsia longicornii (22.9%), Ehrlichia canis (0.4%) and Theileria luwenshuni (0.4%), while Anaplasma spp. was not detected. TBPs were most prevalent in ticks harvested during the autumn season, and more abundant in the female than male adults. This is the first report of the genera Ehrlichia, Rickettsia and Theileria in horse ticks in Korea. TBPs in horse ticks are likely a reservoir for zoonotic transmission to other animals, including humans. Our findings demonstrate the need for further understanding of the prevalence and epidemiology of TBPs in wild and domestic animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- M-G Seo
- Veterinary Drugs and Biologics Division, Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency, Gimcheon, South Korea
| | - O-D Kwon
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, South Korea
| | - D Kwak
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, South Korea
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, South Korea
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18
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Shao JW, Yao XY, Song XD, Li WJ, Huang HL, Huang SJ, Zhang XL. Molecular detection and genetic diversity of Rickettsia spp. in pet dogs and their infesting ticks in Harbin, northeastern China. BMC Vet Res 2021; 17:113. [PMID: 33678176 PMCID: PMC7938463 DOI: 10.1186/s12917-021-02823-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2020] [Accepted: 02/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Pet dogs are important companion animals that share the environment within households, and play an important role in local community life. In addition, pet dogs also are reservoirs of zoonotic agents, including Rickettsia spp., thus increasing the risk of rickettsial infections in humans. It’s meaningful to investigate the epidemiology of rickettsial agents in pet dogs, and make contribute to the surveillance of rickettsioses in human in China. Results In this study, a total of 496 pet dogs’ blood samples and 343 ticks infested in pet dogs were collected, and the presence and prevalence of Rickettsia were determined by amplifying the partial gltA and 17-kDa genes, with an overall positive rate of 8.1 % in blood samples and 14.0 % in tick samples. In addition, the rrs, gltA, groEL, and ompA genes of rickettsial were also recovered to determine the species of Rickettsia detected furtherly. Sequencing blast and phylogenetic analyses revealed the presence of three human pathogenic Rickettsia species (Rickettsia raoultii, Candidatus Rickettsia tarasevichiae and Rickettsia felis) in samples associated with pet dogs. Moreover, all the sequences of Rickettsia that we obtained presented close relationship with others available in GenBank, and Rickettsia raoultii was the most predominant Rickettsia species infected in pet dogs’ blood samples or in tick samples. Conclusions This study provides the molecular epidemiology data about the Rickettsia spp. infection associated with pet dogs in urban areas of Harbin city. Three rickettisae species pathogenic to humans were identified from pet dogs’ blood and the infested ticks in urban areas of Harbin city. Considering the intimate relationship between human and pets, these results indicate the potential transmission risk of human rickettisal infections from pet dogs through ectoparasites, and also highlighting that more attention should be paid to rickettsial infection in pet dogs and the infested ticks from the “One health” perspective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian-Wei Shao
- Key Laboratory for Preventive Research of Emerging Animal Diseases, Foshan University, 528231, Foshan, Guangdong, China.,College of Life Science and Engineering, Foshan University, 528231, Foshan, Guangdong, China
| | - Xin-Yan Yao
- College of Life Science and Engineering, Foshan University, 528231, Foshan, Guangdong, China
| | - Xu-Dong Song
- Dr.Song's Clinic, 150086, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Wen-Jun Li
- College of Life Science and Engineering, Foshan University, 528231, Foshan, Guangdong, China
| | - Hui-Lan Huang
- College of Life Science and Engineering, Foshan University, 528231, Foshan, Guangdong, China
| | - Shu-Jian Huang
- Key Laboratory for Preventive Research of Emerging Animal Diseases, Foshan University, 528231, Foshan, Guangdong, China.,College of Life Science and Engineering, Foshan University, 528231, Foshan, Guangdong, China
| | - Xue-Lian Zhang
- Key Laboratory for Preventive Research of Emerging Animal Diseases, Foshan University, 528231, Foshan, Guangdong, China. .,College of Life Science and Engineering, Foshan University, 528231, Foshan, Guangdong, China.
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19
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Distribution and molecular characterization of rickettsiae in ticks in Harbin area of Northeastern China. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2020; 14:e0008342. [PMID: 32497120 PMCID: PMC7272007 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0008342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2019] [Accepted: 05/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Tick-borne rickettsioses are world-spreading infectious zoonoses. Ticks serve as reservoirs and vectors for Rickettsia and play a key role in transmission of rickettsioses. Most of the Chinese rickettsiosis patients are reported from Northeastern China but the distribution of tick and tick-borne Rickettsia species in Northeastern China remain poorly studied. In this study, a total of 1,286 ticks were captured from the seven counties of Harbin, an area in Northeastern China, and the tick-borne Rickettsia species were identified by PCR and sequencing of rrs, gltA, groEL, ompA and 17-kDa antigen-encoding genes. Of the 5 identified tick species, Haemaphysalis longicornis and Ixodes persulcatus were the predominant tick species in the livestock and vegetation, respectively. Rickettsia raoultii and “Candidatus Rickettsia tarasevichiae” were the two detectable Rickettsia species in the ticks with a 28.8% positive rate but no rickettsiae were found in ticks of Haemaphysalis concinna. R. raoultii detected in 37.6% of the Dermacentor nuttalli, Dermacentor silvarum and H. longicornis ticks while “Ca. R. tarasevichiae” was only present in 22.8% of the I. persulcatus ticks. In particular, the positive rate of both R. raoultii and “Ca. R. tarasevichiae” in ticks from the livestock (40.7%) was significantly higher than that from the vegetation (19.5%). The results indicate that the tick and tick-borne Rickettsia species are diverse in different regions of Harbin due to geographic difference and the ticks from livestock may play a more important role in transmission of rickettsioses to human. Rickettsiosis is a tick-borne infectious disease of global importance. The disease has been prevailing in Northeastern China but the distribution of tick and tick-borne Rickettsia species from different areas of Northeastern China remain poorly studied. We collected a total of 1,286 ticks in the seven counties with different geographic environments of Harbin, an area of Northeastern China, and all the ticks were classified as Dermacentor nuttalli, Dermacentor silvarum, Haemaphysalis concinna, Haemaphysalis longicornis or Ixodes persulcatus. A total of 28.8% of the ticks tested positive for either Rickettsia raoultii or “Candidatus Rickettsia tarasevichiae”, in which 37.6% of the D. nuttalli, D. silvarum and H. longicornis ticks were positive for R. raoultii while 22.8% of the I. persulcatus ticks were positive for “Ca. R. tarasevichiae”. The positive rate of both R. raoultii and “Ca. R. tarasevichiae” in ticks from the livestock (40.7%) was significantly higher than that from the vegetation (19.5%). All the data indicate that ticks in the Harbin area have a high infection rate with Rickettsia species and domestic animals may have a tick-livestock rickettsial circulation that may play an important role in transmission of rickettsioses.
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20
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Human Spotted Fever Group Rickettsia Infecting Yaks ( Bos grunniens) in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau Area. Pathogens 2020; 9:pathogens9040249. [PMID: 32231020 PMCID: PMC7238049 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens9040249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2020] [Revised: 03/23/2020] [Accepted: 03/26/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau Area (QTPA) is a plateau with the highest average altitude, located in Northwestern China. There is a risk for interspecies disease transmission, such as spotted fever rickettsioses. However, information on the molecular characteristics of the spotted fever group (SFG) Rickettsia spp. in the area is limited. This study performed screenings, and detected the DNA of human pathogen, SFG Rickettsia spp., with 11.3% (25/222) infection rates in yaks (Bosgrunniens). BLASTn analysis revealed that the Rickettsia sequences obtained shared 94.3–100% identity with isolates of Rickettsia spp. from ticks in China. One Rickettsia sequence (MN536161) had 100% nucleotide identity to two R. raoultii isolates from Chinese Homo sapiens, and one isolate from Qinghai Dermacentorsilvarum. Meanwhile, another Rickettsia sequence (MN536157) shared 99.1–99.5% identity to one isolate from Dermacentor spp. in China. Furthermore, the phylogenetic analysis of SFG Rickettsia spp. ompA gene revealed that these two sequences obtained from yaks in the present study grouped with the R. slovaca and R. raoultii clades with isolates identified from Dermacentor spp. and Homo sapiens. Our findings showed the first evidence of human pathogen DNA, SFG Rickettsia spp., from animals, in the QTPA.
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21
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Liu H, Liang X, Wang H, Sun X, Bai X, Hu B, Shi N, Wang N, Zhang X, Huang L, Liao J, Huang F, Zhang H, Si X, Huang S, Jin N, Liu Q, Li L. Molecular evidence of the spotted fever group Rickettsiae in ticks from Yunnan Province, Southwest China. EXPERIMENTAL & APPLIED ACAROLOGY 2020; 80:339-348. [PMID: 31925589 DOI: 10.1007/s10493-020-00467-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2019] [Accepted: 01/03/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Ixodid ticks transmit many obligate intracellular Rickettsial species. Several previous studies have identified Rickettsia species in the northeastern and southern part of China, but few reports on the prevalence of infection of spotted fever group Rickettsiae (SFGR) in ticks in southwest China are available. Here, we investigated SFGR in 394 adult ticks of five species including Dermacentor nuttalli, Dermacentor silvarum, Haemaphysalis longicornis, Ixodes sinensis and Ixodes persulcatus, collected in the border region between China and Burma in Yunnan Province. PCR was used to detect the presence of the citrate synthase (gltA) gene of Rickettsia species. SFGR was found in 12.1% (15/124) of I. persulcatus ticks, which was significantly higher than the 7.2% (7/97) positive D. nuttalli, 5.4% (3/56) D. silvarum, 5.6% (4/72) H. longicornis and 4.4 (2/45) I. sinensis. A portion of the gltA and ompA gene data subjected to phylogenetic analysis revealed that the detected SFGR clustered into two species, Rickettsia raoultii and the new Rickettsia species Candidatus Rickettsia jingxinensis. Detection of both Rickettsia spp. in this region indicates a potential public health threat posed by SFGR infection in Yunnan Province.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Liu
- School of Life Sciences and Engineering, Foshan University, Foshan, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Xiaotong Liang
- School of Life Sciences and Engineering, Foshan University, Foshan, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Haijun Wang
- Jilin Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Center, Forestry Department of Jilin Province, Changchun, China
| | - Xiutao Sun
- Honghe Animal Disease Prevention and Control Center, Mengzi, Yunnan Province, China
| | - Xue Bai
- Institute of Special Economic Animal and Plant Sciences, Key Laboratory of Special Animal Epidemic Disease, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Ministry of Agriculture, Changchun, Jilin Province, China
| | - Bo Hu
- Institute of Special Economic Animal and Plant Sciences, Key Laboratory of Special Animal Epidemic Disease, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Ministry of Agriculture, Changchun, Jilin Province, China
| | - Ning Shi
- School of Life Sciences and Engineering, Foshan University, Foshan, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Nina Wang
- School of Life Sciences and Engineering, Foshan University, Foshan, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Xuelian Zhang
- School of Life Sciences and Engineering, Foshan University, Foshan, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Liangzhong Huang
- School of Life Sciences and Engineering, Foshan University, Foshan, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Jiedan Liao
- School of Life Sciences and Engineering, Foshan University, Foshan, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Fuqiang Huang
- School of Life Sciences and Engineering, Foshan University, Foshan, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Haoji Zhang
- School of Life Sciences and Engineering, Foshan University, Foshan, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Xingkui Si
- School of Life Sciences and Engineering, Foshan University, Foshan, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Shujian Huang
- School of Life Sciences and Engineering, Foshan University, Foshan, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Ningyi Jin
- Military Veterinary Institute, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Changchun, Jilin Province, China
| | - Quan Liu
- School of Life Sciences and Engineering, Foshan University, Foshan, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Lixia Li
- School of Life Sciences and Engineering, Foshan University, Foshan, Guangdong Province, China.
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22
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Molecular and Phylogenetic Analysis of Tick-Borne Pathogens in Ticks Parasitizing Native Korean Goats ( Capra hircus coreanae) in South Korea. Pathogens 2020; 9:pathogens9020071. [PMID: 31973172 PMCID: PMC7168648 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens9020071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2019] [Revised: 01/16/2020] [Accepted: 01/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Tick-borne pathogens (TBPs) are considered zoonotic re-emerging pathogens, with ticks playing important roles in their transmission and ecology. Previous studies in South Korea have examined TBPs residing in ticks; however, there is no phylogenetic information on TBPs in ticks parasitizing native Korean goat (NKG; Capra hircus coreanae). The present study assessed the prevalence, risk factors, and co-infectivity of TBPs in ticks parasitizing NKGs. In total, 107 hard ticks, including Haemaphysalis longicornis, Ixodes nipponensis, and Haemaphysalis flava, were obtained from NKGs in South Korea between 2016 and 2019. In 40 tested tick pools, genes for four TBPs, namely Coxiella-like endosymbiont (CLE, 5.0%), Candidatus Rickettsia longicornii (45.0%), Anaplasma bovis (2.5%), and Theileria luwenshuni (5.0%) were detected. Ehrlichia, Bartonella spp., and severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus were not detected. To our knowledge, this is the first study to report CLE and T. luwenshuni in H. flava ticks in South Korea. Considering the high prevalence of Candidatus R. longicornii in ticks parasitizing NKGs, there is a possibility of its transmission from ticks to animals and humans. NKG ticks might be maintenance hosts for TBPs, and we recommend evaluation of the potential public health threat posed by TBP-infected ticks.
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23
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Barradas PF, Mesquita JR, Lima C, Cardoso L, Alho AM, Ferreira P, Amorim I, de Sousa R, Gärtner F. Pathogenic Rickettsia in ticks of spur-thighed tortoise (Testudo graeca) sold in a Qatar live animal market. Transbound Emerg Dis 2019; 67:461-465. [PMID: 31574580 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.13375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2019] [Revised: 09/18/2019] [Accepted: 09/20/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The dissemination of vector arthropods harbouring zoonotic pathogens through the uncontrolled transboundary trade of exotic and pet animals poses an important threat to Public Health. In the present report, we describe the introduction of pathogenic Rickettsia africae and R. aeschlimanni in ticks removed from imported tortoises in Qatar. A total of 21 ticks were collected from pet spur-thighed tortoises (Testudo graeca) from Doha, May 2018, and studied for species identification and characterization of Rickettsia spp. Morphological and molecular analysis of ticks allowed their identification as Hyalomma aegyptium. Molecular analysis of partial ompA and gltA genes showed that Rickettsia sequences found on these ticks clustered with sequences classified as R. aeschilimanii and R. africae. Since pre-adult stages of H. aegyptium also feed on humans, this tick species may play a role in the transmission of R. aeschilimanii and R. africae. We alert for the introduction of non-native pets as vehicles for tick importation, known vectors for animal and human pathogenic agents. Importation of exotic species into non-autochthonous countries deserves strict control to enforce robust surveillance and mitigate potential exotic diseases epidemics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrícia F Barradas
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar (ICBAS), University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - João R Mesquita
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar (ICBAS), University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.,Epidemiology Research Unit (EPIUnit), Instituto de Saúde Pública da Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Clara Lima
- Department of Biological Sciences, Microbiology Laboratory, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Luís Cardoso
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, and Animal and Veterinary Research Centre (CECAV), University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, Vila Real, Portugal
| | - Ana M Alho
- Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, CIISA, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Paula Ferreira
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar (ICBAS), University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Irina Amorim
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar (ICBAS), University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.,Institute for Research and Innovation in Health (i3S), University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.,Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology of the University of Porto (IPATIMUP), Porto, Portugal
| | - Rita de Sousa
- National Institute of Health Dr. Ricardo Jorge, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Fátima Gärtner
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar (ICBAS), University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.,Institute for Research and Innovation in Health (i3S), University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.,Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology of the University of Porto (IPATIMUP), Porto, Portugal
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