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Choi KS, Hwang S, Kim MC, Cho HC, Park YJ, Ji MJ, Han SW, Chae JS. Molecular surveillance of zoonotic pathogens from wild rodents in the Republic of Korea. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2024; 18:e0012306. [PMID: 38976750 PMCID: PMC11257403 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0012306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2023] [Revised: 07/18/2024] [Accepted: 06/21/2024] [Indexed: 07/10/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Rodents are recognized as major reservoirs of numerous zoonotic pathogens and are involved in the transmission and maintenance of infectious diseases. Furthermore, despite their importance, diseases transmitted by rodents have been neglected. To date, there have been limited epidemiological studies on rodents, and information regarding their involvement in infectious diseases in the Republic of Korea (ROK) is still scarce. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS We investigated rodent-borne pathogens using nested PCR/RT-PCR from 156 rodents including 151 Apodemus agrarius and 5 Rattus norvegicus from 27 regions in eight provinces across the ROK between March 2019 and November 2020. Spleen, kidney, and blood samples were used to detect Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Bartonella spp., Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato group, Coxiella burnetii, Leptospira interrogans, and severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus (SFTSV). Of the 156 rodents, 73 (46.8%) were infected with Bartonella spp., 25 (16.0%) with C. burnetii, 24 (15.4%) with L. interrogans, 21 (13.5%) with A. phagocytophilum, 9 (5.8%) with SFTSV, and 5 (3.2%) with Borrelia afzelii. Co-infections with two and three pathogens were detected in 33 (21.1%) and 11 rodents (7.1%), respectively. A. phagocytophilum was detected in all regions, showing a widespread occurrence in the ROK. The infection rates of Bartonella spp. were 83.3% for B. grahamii and 16.7% for B. taylorii. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of C. burnetii and SFTSV infections in rodents in the ROK. This study also provides the first description of various rodent-borne pathogens through an extensive epidemiological survey in the ROK. These results suggest that rodents harbor various pathogens that pose a potential threat to public health in the ROK. Our findings provide useful information on the occurrence and distribution of zoonotic pathogens disseminated among rodents and emphasize the urgent need for rapid diagnosis, prevention, and control strategies for these zoonotic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyoung-Seong Choi
- Department of Animal Science and Biotechnology, College of Ecology and Environmental Science, Kyungpook National University, Sangju, Republic of Korea
| | - Sunwoo Hwang
- Department of Animal Science and Biotechnology, College of Ecology and Environmental Science, Kyungpook National University, Sangju, Republic of Korea
| | - Myung Cheol Kim
- Department of Ecological Science, College of Ecology and Environmental Science, Kyungpook National University, Sangju, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyung-Chul Cho
- Department of Animal Science and Biotechnology, College of Ecology and Environmental Science, Kyungpook National University, Sangju, Republic of Korea
| | - Yu-Jin Park
- Department of Animal Science and Biotechnology, College of Ecology and Environmental Science, Kyungpook National University, Sangju, Republic of Korea
| | - Min-Jeong Ji
- Department of Animal Science and Biotechnology, College of Ecology and Environmental Science, Kyungpook National University, Sangju, Republic of Korea
| | - Sun-Woo Han
- Laboratory of Veterinary Internal Medicine, BK21 FOUR Future Veterinary Medicine Leading Education and Research Centre, Research Institute for Veterinary Science and College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Joon-Seok Chae
- Laboratory of Veterinary Internal Medicine, BK21 FOUR Future Veterinary Medicine Leading Education and Research Centre, Research Institute for Veterinary Science and College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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Kim KG, Hwang DJ, Park JW, Ryu MG, Kim Y, Yang SJ, Lee JE, Lee GS, Lee JH, Park JS, Seo JM, Kim SH. Distribution and pathogen prevalence of field-collected ticks from south-western Korea: a study from 2019 to 2022. Sci Rep 2024; 14:12336. [PMID: 38811622 PMCID: PMC11136998 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-61126-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2023] [Accepted: 05/02/2024] [Indexed: 05/31/2024] Open
Abstract
Hard ticks are known vectors of various pathogens, including the severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus, Rickettsia spp., Coxiella burnetii, Borrelia spp., Anaplasma phagocytophilum, and Ehrlichia spp. This study aims to investigate the distribution and prevalence of tick-borne pathogens in southwestern Korea from 2019 to 2022. A total of 13,280 ticks were collected during the study period, with H. longicornis accounting for 86.1% of the collected ticks. H. flava, I. nipponensis and A. testudinarium comprised 9.4%, 3.6%, and 0.8% of the ticks, respectively. Among 983 pools tested, Rickettsia spp. (216 pools, 1.6% MIR) were the most prevalent pathogens across all tick species, with R. japonica and R. monacensis frequently detected in I. nipponensis and Haemaphysalis spp., respectively. Borrelia spp. (28 pools, 0.2% MIR) were predominantly detected in I. nipponensis (27 pools, 13.8% MIR, P < 0.001). Co-infections, mainly involving Rickettsia monacensis and Borrelia afzelii, were detected in I. nipponensis. Notably, this study identified R. monacensis for the first time in A. testudinarium in South Korea. These findings offer valuable insights into the tick population and associated pathogens in the region, underscoring the importance of tick-borne disease surveillance and prevention measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kwang Gon Kim
- Division of Infectious Disease Investigation, Health and Environment Research Institute of Gwangju, 584 Mugindae-ro, Seo-gu, Gwangju, 61954, Republic of Korea.
| | - Da Jeong Hwang
- Division of Infectious Disease Investigation, Health and Environment Research Institute of Gwangju, 584 Mugindae-ro, Seo-gu, Gwangju, 61954, Republic of Korea
| | - Jung Wook Park
- Division of Infectious Disease Investigation, Health and Environment Research Institute of Gwangju, 584 Mugindae-ro, Seo-gu, Gwangju, 61954, Republic of Korea
| | - Mi Geum Ryu
- Division of Infectious Disease Investigation, Health and Environment Research Institute of Gwangju, 584 Mugindae-ro, Seo-gu, Gwangju, 61954, Republic of Korea
| | - Yujin Kim
- Division of Infectious Disease Investigation, Health and Environment Research Institute of Gwangju, 584 Mugindae-ro, Seo-gu, Gwangju, 61954, Republic of Korea
| | - So-Jin Yang
- Division of Infectious Disease Investigation, Health and Environment Research Institute of Gwangju, 584 Mugindae-ro, Seo-gu, Gwangju, 61954, Republic of Korea
| | - Ji-Eun Lee
- Division of Infectious Disease Investigation, Health and Environment Research Institute of Gwangju, 584 Mugindae-ro, Seo-gu, Gwangju, 61954, Republic of Korea
| | - Gi Seong Lee
- Division of Infectious Disease Investigation, Health and Environment Research Institute of Gwangju, 584 Mugindae-ro, Seo-gu, Gwangju, 61954, Republic of Korea
| | - Ju Hye Lee
- Division of Infectious Disease Investigation, Health and Environment Research Institute of Gwangju, 584 Mugindae-ro, Seo-gu, Gwangju, 61954, Republic of Korea
| | - Ji Sun Park
- Division of Infectious Disease Investigation, Health and Environment Research Institute of Gwangju, 584 Mugindae-ro, Seo-gu, Gwangju, 61954, Republic of Korea
| | - Jung Mi Seo
- Division of Infectious Disease Investigation, Health and Environment Research Institute of Gwangju, 584 Mugindae-ro, Seo-gu, Gwangju, 61954, Republic of Korea
| | - Sun-Hee Kim
- Division of Infectious Disease Investigation, Health and Environment Research Institute of Gwangju, 584 Mugindae-ro, Seo-gu, Gwangju, 61954, Republic of Korea.
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3
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Wu Y, Zhou T, Yang S, Yin B, Wu R, Wei W. Distinct Gut Microbial Enterotypes and Functional Dynamics in Wild Striped Field Mice ( Apodemus agrarius) across Diverse Populations. Microorganisms 2024; 12:671. [PMID: 38674615 PMCID: PMC11052172 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12040671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2024] [Revised: 03/22/2024] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Rodents, including the striped field mouse (Apodemus agrarius), play vital roles in ecosystem functioning, with their gut microbiota contributing significantly to various ecological processes. Here, we investigated the structure and function of 94 wild A. agrarius individuals from 7 geographic populations (45°57' N, 126°48' E; 45°87' N, 126°37' E; 45°50' N, 125°31' E; 45°59' N, 124°37' E; 46°01' N, 124°88' E; 46°01' N, 124°88' E; 46°01' N, 124°88' E), revealing two distinct enterotypes (Type1 and Type2) for the first time. Each enterotype showed unique microbial diversity, functions, and assembly processes. Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes dominated, with a significant presence of Lactobacillus and Muribaculaceae. Functional analysis highlighted metabolic differences, with Type1 emphasizing nutrient processing and Type2 showing higher energy production capacity. The analysis of the neutral model and the null model revealed a mix of stochastic (drift and homogenizing dispersal) and deterministic processes (homogenous selection) that shape the assembly of the microbiota, with subtle differences in the assembly processes between the two enterotypes. Correlation analysis showed that elevation and BMI were associated with the phylogenetic turnover of microbial communities, suggesting that variations in these factors may influence the composition and diversity of the gut microbiota in A. agrarius. Our study sheds light on gut microbial dynamics in wild A. agrarius populations, highlighting the importance of considering ecological and physiological factors in understanding host-microbiota interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Wanhong Wei
- College of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China; (Y.W.); (T.Z.); (S.Y.); (B.Y.); (R.W.)
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Seo J, Kim G, Lim JA, Song S, Yoo DS, Cho HS, Oh Y. Tick Diversity and Pathogen Transmission in Daejeon, Korea: Implications from Companion Animals and Walking Trails. Vet Sci 2024; 11:90. [PMID: 38393108 PMCID: PMC10892892 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci11020090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2023] [Revised: 02/04/2024] [Accepted: 02/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
With the ongoing global warming-induced climate change, there has been a surge in vector-borne diseases, particularly tick-borne diseases (TBDs). As the population of companion animals grows, there is growing concern from a One Health perspective about the potential for these animals to spread TBDs. In this study, ticks were collected from companion animals and the surrounding environment in Daejeon Metropolitan City, Korea, using flagging and dragging, and CO2 trap methods. These ticks were then subjected to conventional (nested) PCR for severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus (SFTSV), Anaplasma spp., Ehrlichia spp., and Borrelia spp. We identified a total of 29,176 ticks, consisting of three genera and four species: H. longicornis, H. flava, I. nipponensis, and A. testudinarium. Notably, H. longicornis was the predominant species. The presence of A. testudinarium suggested that the species traditionally found in southern regions are migrating northward, likely as a result of climate change. Our PCR results confirmed the presence of all four pathogens in both companion animals and the surrounding environment, underscoring the potential for the indirect transmission of tick-borne pathogens to humans through companion animals. These findings emphasize the importance of the ongoing surveillance of companion animals in the management and control of TBDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinwoo Seo
- Division of Animal Health, Daejeon Institute of Health and Environment, Daejeon 34142, Republic of Korea; (J.S.); (J.-a.L.); (S.S.)
| | - Gyurae Kim
- College of Veterinary Medicine and Institute of Veterinary Science, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon 24341, Republic of Korea;
| | - Jeong-ah Lim
- Division of Animal Health, Daejeon Institute of Health and Environment, Daejeon 34142, Republic of Korea; (J.S.); (J.-a.L.); (S.S.)
| | - Seungho Song
- Division of Animal Health, Daejeon Institute of Health and Environment, Daejeon 34142, Republic of Korea; (J.S.); (J.-a.L.); (S.S.)
| | - Dae-Sung Yoo
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Chonnam National University, Gwangju 61186, Republic of Korea;
| | - Ho-Seong Cho
- College of Veterinary Medicine and Bio-Safety Research Institute, Jeonbuk National University, Iksan 54596, Republic of Korea;
| | - Yeonsu Oh
- College of Veterinary Medicine and Institute of Veterinary Science, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon 24341, Republic of Korea;
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Seo JY, Kim YJ, Kim SY, Lee HI. Molecular Detection of Anaplasma, Ehrlichia and Rickettsia Pathogens in Ticks Collected from Humans in the Republic of Korea, 2021. Pathogens 2023; 12:802. [PMID: 37375492 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12060802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2023] [Revised: 06/02/2023] [Accepted: 06/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Tick-borne pathogens (TBPs), transmitted by the bites of ticks, are of great medical and veterinary importance. They include bacteria, viruses, and protozoan parasites. To provide fundamental data on the risk of tick contact and public health strategies, we aimed to perform a molecular investigation on four tick-borne bacterial pathogens in ticks collected from humans across the Republic of Korea (ROK) in 2021. In total, 117 ticks were collected, including Haemaphysalis longicornis (56.4%), Amblyomma testudinarium (26.5%), Ixodes nipponensis (8.5%), H. flava (5.1%), and I. persulcatus (0.9%). Among the ticks, 20.5% (24/117) contained tick-borne bacterial pathogens, with infection rates of 17.9% for Rickettsia (Candidatus Rickettsia jingxinensis, R. tamurae, R. monacensis, and Candidatus Rickettsia tarasevichiae), 2.5% for Anaplasma (A. phagocytophilum, A. capra, and A. bovis), and 0.9% for Ehrlichia (Ehrlichia sp.). Additionally, the co-detection rate for R. monacensis and A. phagocytophilum was 0.9%. To our knowledge, this is the first report of A. capra and A. bovis detection in ticks collected from humans in the ROK. This study contributes to the understanding of the potential risk of tick contact and provides fundamental data for establishing a public health strategy for tick-borne disease management in the ROK.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ji-Ye Seo
- Division of Vectors and Parasitic Diseases, Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, 187 Osongsaengmyeong 2-ro, Osong-eup, Heungdeok-gu, Cheongju 28159, Republic of Korea
| | - Yu-Jung Kim
- Division of Vectors and Parasitic Diseases, Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, 187 Osongsaengmyeong 2-ro, Osong-eup, Heungdeok-gu, Cheongju 28159, Republic of Korea
| | - Seong-Yoon Kim
- Division of Vectors and Parasitic Diseases, Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, 187 Osongsaengmyeong 2-ro, Osong-eup, Heungdeok-gu, Cheongju 28159, Republic of Korea
| | - Hee-Il Lee
- Division of Vectors and Parasitic Diseases, Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, 187 Osongsaengmyeong 2-ro, Osong-eup, Heungdeok-gu, Cheongju 28159, Republic of Korea
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6
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Won EJ, Kim SH, Byeon KH, Jeon CH, Kang SJ, Park JH, Kee SJ, Choi HW. Under-diagnosis of vector-borne diseases among individuals suspected of having Scrub Typhus in South Korea. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0286631. [PMID: 37267407 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0286631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 05/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Due to environmental and ecological changes and suitable habitats, the occurrence of vector-borne diseases is increasing. We investigated the seroprevalence of four major vector-borne pathogens in human patients with febrile illness who were clinically suspected of having Scrub Typhus (ST) caused by Orientia tsutsugamushi. A total of 187 samples (182 patient whole blood and sera samples, including 5 follow-up) were collected. Antibodies to Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Ehrlichia chaffeensis, Borrelia burgdorferi, and Bartonella henselae were tested by using indirect immunofluorescence assays. Molecular diagnoses were performed using real-time PCR. Of the 182 cases, 37 (20.3%) cases were designated as confirmed cases of ST, and the remaining 145 (79.7%) cases as other febrile diseases (OFDs). The seroprevalence of A. phagocytophilum, E. chaffeensis, B. burgdorferi, and B. henselae was 51.4% (19/37), 10.8% (4/37), 86.5% (32/37), and 10.8% (4/37) among the ST group, and 42.8% (62/145), 10.4% (19/145), 57.7% (105/145), and 15.9% (29/145) among the OFD group, respectively. There were no significant differences in the seroprevalence between the ST and the OFD groups. Considering the co-occurrence, 89.0% (162/182) had at least one antibody to tick-borne pathogens, 37.0% (60/162) were positive for two pathogens, 17.3% (28/162) for three pathogens, and 6.2% (10/162) for four pathogens. In real-time PCR, O. tsutsugamushi was positive in 16 cases [15 (40.5%) in ST group and 1 (2.2%) in OFD group], and the four other pathogens were negative in all cases except one confirmed as anaplasmosis. In evaluating the five follow-up samples, the appearance of new antibodies or an increase in the pre-existing antibody titers was detected. Our data highlighted that acute febrile illness and manifestations suggestive of a vector-borne infection must be recognized and further considered for coinfections in clinical practice and the laboratory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eun Jeong Won
- Departments of Parasitology and Tropical Medicine, Chonnam National University Medical School, Hwasun, South Korea
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Seong Hoon Kim
- Departments of Parasitology and Tropical Medicine, Chonnam National University Medical School, Hwasun, South Korea
| | - Kyeong Hwan Byeon
- Departments of Parasitology and Tropical Medicine, Chonnam National University Medical School, Hwasun, South Korea
| | - Chae-Hyeon Jeon
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Chonnam National University Hospital, Gwangju, South Korea
| | - Seung-Ji Kang
- Department of Infectious Disease, Chonnam National University Bitgoeul Hospital, Gwangju, South Korea
| | - Joo-Heon Park
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Chonnam National University Hospital, Gwangju, South Korea
| | - Seung-Jung Kee
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Chonnam National University Hospital, Gwangju, South Korea
| | - Hyun-Woo Choi
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Chonnam National University Bitgoeul Hospital, Gwangju, South Korea
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Siegel EL, Lavoie N, Xu G, Brown CM, Ledizet M, Rich SM. Human-Biting Ixodes scapularis Submissions to a Crowd-Funded Tick Testing Program Correlate with the Incidence of Rare Tick-Borne Disease: A Seven-Year Retrospective Study of Anaplasmosis and Babesiosis in Massachusetts. Microorganisms 2023; 11:1418. [PMID: 37374922 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11061418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2023] [Revised: 05/19/2023] [Accepted: 05/25/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Tick-borne zoonoses pose a serious burden to global public health. To understand the distribution and determinants of these diseases, the many entangled environment-vector-host interactions which influence risk must be considered. Previous studies have evaluated how passive tick testing surveillance measures connect with the incidence of human Lyme disease. The present study sought to extend this to babesiosis and anaplasmosis, two rare tick-borne diseases. Human cases reported to the Massachusetts Department of Health and submissions to TickReport tick testing services between 2015 and 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. Moderate-to-strong town-level correlations using Spearman's Rho (ρ) were established between Ixodes scapularis submissions (total, infected, adult, and nymphal) and human disease. Aggregated ρ values ranged from 0.708 to 0.830 for anaplasmosis and 0.552 to 0.684 for babesiosis. Point observations maintained similar patterns but were slightly weaker, with mild year-to-year variation. The seasonality of tick submissions and demographics of bite victims also correlated well with reported disease. Future studies should assess how this information may best complement human disease reporting and entomological surveys as proxies for Lyme disease incidence in intervention studies, and how it may be used to better understand the dynamics of human-tick encounters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric L Siegel
- Laboratory of Medical Zoology, Department of Microbiology, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, USA
| | - Nathalie Lavoie
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Tufts University, Boston, MA 02111, USA
| | - Guang Xu
- Laboratory of Medical Zoology, Department of Microbiology, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, USA
| | | | | | - Stephen M Rich
- Laboratory of Medical Zoology, Department of Microbiology, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, USA
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Seo MG, Lee H, Alkathiri B, Ahn K, Lee SH, Shin S, Bae S, Kim KT, Jang M, Lee SK, Cho YS, Eo KY, Kwon OD, Kwak D. Tick Populations and Molecular Analysis of Anaplasma Species in Ticks from the Republic of Korea. Microorganisms 2023; 11:microorganisms11040820. [PMID: 37110242 PMCID: PMC10146869 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11040820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2023] [Revised: 03/13/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The present study was performed to survey the dominant tick populations and molecularly determine the pathogenic agents of anaplasmosis in ticks from Gyeongsang, Republic of Korea. A total of 3825 questing ticks were collected by the flagging method from 12 sites near animal farms in Gyeongsang from March to October 2021. A molecular genomic study was performed with ticks stored in 70% ethanol to detect Anaplasma genes by the previously described method. The monthly incidence of ticks varied by developmental stages, i.e., nymphs, adults, and larvae, and each of their populations peaked in May, March, and October, respectively. The predominant tick species were Haemaphysalis longicornis, Haemaphysalis sp., Haemaphysalis flava, Ixodes nipponensis, and Amblyomma testudinarium in order. To determine the Anaplasma infection rate, collected ticks were pooled into 395 groups. The minimum infection rate (MIR) of Anaplasma was 0.7% (27 pools). That of A. phagocytophilum was highest (23 pools, MIR 0.6%), followed by A. phagocytophilum-like Anaplasma spp. clade B (2 pools, MIR 0.1%), A. bovis (1 pool, MIR 0.1%), and A. capra (1 pool, MIR 0.1%), respectively. In this study, five species of ticks, including unidentified Haemaphysalis species, were collected in 12 survey sites in Gyeongsang, but their prevalence was somewhat different according to the tick species and survey sites. Further, the incidence rate (6.8%) of 4 Anaplasma spp. was not as high in tick pools. However, the results of this study may offer a basis for future epidemiological research and risk assessment of tick-borne diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min-Goo Seo
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Republic of Korea
| | - Haeseung Lee
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Republic of Korea
- Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency, Gimcheon 39660, Republic of Korea
| | - Badriah Alkathiri
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju 28644, Republic of Korea
| | - KyuSung Ahn
- Department of Parasitology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Chonnam National University, Gwangju 61186, Republic of Korea
| | - Seung-Hun Lee
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju 28644, Republic of Korea
| | - SungShik Shin
- Department of Parasitology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Chonnam National University, Gwangju 61186, Republic of Korea
| | - Seulgi Bae
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyoo-Tae Kim
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Republic of Korea
| | - Min Jang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Republic of Korea
| | - Sang-Kwon Lee
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Republic of Korea
| | - Yun Sang Cho
- Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency, Gimcheon 39660, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyung-Yeon Eo
- Department of Animal Health and Welfare, College of Healthcare and Biotechnology, Semyung University, Jecheon 27136, Republic of Korea
| | - Oh-Deog Kwon
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Republic of Korea
| | - Dongmi Kwak
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Republic of Korea
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Molecular Detection of Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Ehrlichia Species in Ticks Removed from Humans in the Republic of Korea. Microorganisms 2022; 10:microorganisms10061224. [PMID: 35744742 PMCID: PMC9227426 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10061224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2022] [Revised: 06/09/2022] [Accepted: 06/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Human granulocytic anaplasmosis (HGA) and human monocytic ehrlichiosis (HME) are zoonotic tick-borne diseases transmitted via tick bites. To determine the state of human Anaplasma and Ehrlichia infections caused by tick bites in the Republic of Korea (ROK), we conducted a nationwide investigation of human cases of tick bites in 2020. A total of 180 ticks were obtained, comprising Haemaphysalis longicornis (70.0%), Amblyomma testudinarium (17.8%), Ixodes nipponensis (6.1%), H. flava (4.4%), and I. persulcatus (1.7%). In three cases (1.7%; 95% CI: 0.3-4.9), A. phagocytophilum was detected in Ixodes ticks using primers for Anaplasma-specific genes (16s rRNA, ankA, and msp4). Conversely, Ehrlichia sp. was only detected in H. longicornis, in two cases (1.1%; 95% CI: 0.1-4.0). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first record of Ehrlichia sp. in ticks parasitizing humans in the ROK. As concerns remain about the possibility of HGA and HME transmission, continuous monitoring and management of the pathogens and vectors are necessary.
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Galán AP, Hamer SA, Folmar HA, Campbell TA, Light JE. Baseline Biodiversity Assessment of South Texas Small Mammals and Host-Associated Hard Ticks with No Detection of Selected Tick-Borne Pathogens. WEST N AM NATURALIST 2022. [DOI: 10.3398/064.082.0204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Aleyda P. Galán
- Department of Ecology and Conservation Biology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843
| | - Sarah A. Hamer
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843
| | - Hunter A. Folmar
- Department of Ecology and Conservation Biology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843
| | | | - Jessica E. Light
- Department of Ecology and Conservation Biology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843
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Kim TY, Kim SY, Kim TK, Lee HI, Cho SH, Lee WG, Kim H. Molecular evidence of zoonotic Babesia species, other than B. microti, in ixodid ticks collected from small mammals in the Republic of Korea. Vet Med Sci 2021; 7:2427-2433. [PMID: 34492740 PMCID: PMC8604135 DOI: 10.1002/vms3.581] [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] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The occurrence of tick‐borne infectious diseases, including zoonotic babesiosis, has become a serious concern in recent years. In this study, we detected Babesia spp. using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of the 18S rRNA of the parasites isolated from ixodid ticks collected from small mammals in the Republic of Korea (ROK). Sequence analysis of the PCR amplicon revealed the presence of B. duncani, B. venatorum, B. capreoli/divergens, and, the most prevalent, B. microti in the ticks. The molecular phylogenetic analysis showed that the four species‐specific18S rRNA sequences clustered in four distinct clades. This is the first study to provide molecular evidence for the presence of zoonotic Babesia spp. other than B. microti in ticks in the ROK.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tae Yun Kim
- Division of Vectors and Parasitic Disease, Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, Cheongju-Si, Chungcheongbuk-Do, the Republic of Korea
| | - Seong Yoon Kim
- Division of Vectors and Parasitic Disease, Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, Cheongju-Si, Chungcheongbuk-Do, the Republic of Korea
| | - Tae-Kyu Kim
- Division of Vectors and Parasitic Disease, Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, Cheongju-Si, Chungcheongbuk-Do, the Republic of Korea
| | - Hee Il Lee
- Division of Vectors and Parasitic Disease, Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, Cheongju-Si, Chungcheongbuk-Do, the Republic of Korea
| | - Shin-Hyeong Cho
- Division of Vectors and Parasitic Disease, Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, Cheongju-Si, Chungcheongbuk-Do, the Republic of Korea
| | - Wook-Gyo Lee
- Division of Vectors and Parasitic Disease, Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, Cheongju-Si, Chungcheongbuk-Do, the Republic of Korea
| | - Hyunwoo Kim
- Division of Vectors and Parasitic Disease, Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, Cheongju-Si, Chungcheongbuk-Do, the Republic of Korea
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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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13
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Li H, Li XM, Du J, Zhang XA, Cui N, Yang ZD, Xue XJ, Zhang PH, Cao WC, Liu W. Candidatus Rickettsia xinyangensis as Cause of Spotted Fever Group Rickettsiosis, Xinyang, China, 2015. Emerg Infect Dis 2021; 26:985-988. [PMID: 32310072 PMCID: PMC7181907 DOI: 10.3201/eid2605.170294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
In 2015, we evaluated 221 patients with undifferentiated fever and tick bite or animal exposure in Xinyang, China, for Rickettsia infection. Three with mild disease were infected with Candidatus R. xinyangensis, which clustered with R. fournieri and R. vini in phylogenetic analyses. Field investigations suggest Haemaphysalis longicornis ticks might be involved in transmission.
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14
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Bang MS, Kim CM, Pyun SH, Kim DM, Yun NR. Molecular investigation of tick-borne pathogens in ticks removed from tick-bitten humans in the southwestern region of the Republic of Korea. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0252992. [PMID: 34129613 PMCID: PMC8205137 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0252992] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2020] [Accepted: 05/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
In this study, we investigated the presence of tick-borne pathogens in ticks removed from tick-bitten humans in the southwestern provinces of the Republic of Korea (ROK). We identified 33 ticks from three tick species, namely Amblyomma testudinarium (60.6%), Haemaphysalis longicornis (27.3%), and Ixodes nipponensis (12.1%) in order of occurrence via morphology and 16S rDNA-targeting polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Tick-borne pathogens were detected in 16 ticks using pathogen-specific PCR. From the results, 12 ticks (36.4%) tested positive for spotted fever group (SFG) Rickettsia: Rickettsia monacensis (1/12), R. tamurae (8/12), and Candidatus Rickettsia jingxinensis (3/12). Three ticks (9.1%) were positive for Anaplasma phagocytophilum. In addition, three ticks (9.1%) tested positive for Babesia gibsoni (1/3) and B. microti (2/3). In conclusion, we identified three tick species; the most common species was A. testudinarium, followed by H. longicornis and I. nipponensis. SFG Rickettsia, A. phagocytophilum, and Babesia spp. were the most frequently detected pathogens in ticks removed from tick-bitten humans. To our knowledge, this is the first report of R. tamurae and Ca. R. jingxinensis detection in Korea. The present results will contribute to the understanding of tick-borne infections in animals and humans in the ROK.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mi Seon Bang
- Department of Medical Science, College of Medicine, Chosun University, Gwangju, Republic of Korea
| | - Choon-Mee Kim
- Premedical Science, College of Medicine, Chosun University, Gwangju, Republic of Korea
| | - Sang-Hyun Pyun
- Graduate School of Chosun University, Gwangju, Republic of Korea
| | - Dong-Min Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Chosun University, Gwangju, Republic of Korea
- * E-mail:
| | - Na Ra Yun
- Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Chosun University, Gwangju, Republic of Korea
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15
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Chitanga S, Chibesa K, Sichibalo K, Mubemba B, Nalubamba KS, Muleya W, Changula K, Simulundu E. Molecular Detection and Characterization of Rickettsia Species in Ixodid Ticks Collected From Cattle in Southern Zambia. Front Vet Sci 2021; 8:684487. [PMID: 34164457 PMCID: PMC8215536 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2021.684487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2021] [Accepted: 04/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Tick-borne zoonotic pathogens are increasingly becoming important across the world. In sub-Saharan Africa, tick-borne pathogens identified include viruses, bacteria and protozoa, with Rickettsia being the most frequently reported. This study was conducted to screen and identify Rickettsia species in ticks (Family Ixodidae) infesting livestock in selected districts of southern Zambia. A total of 236 ticks from three different genera (Amblyomma, Hyalomma, and Rhipicephalus) were collected over 14 months (May 2018-July 2019) and were subsequently screened for the presence of Rickettsia pathogens based on PCR amplification targeting the outer membrane protein B (ompB). An overall Rickettsia prevalence of 18.6% (44/236) was recorded. Multi-locus sequencing and phylogenetic characterization based on the ompB, ompA, 16S rRNA and citrate synthase (gltA) genes revealed the presence of Rickettsia africae (R. africae), R. aeschlimannii-like species and unidentified Rickettsia species. While R. aeschlimannii-like species are being reported for the first time in Zambia, R. africae has been reported previously, with our results showing a wider distribution of the bacteria in the country. Our study reveals the potential risk of human infection by zoonotic Rickettsia species and highlights the need for increased awareness of these infections in Zambia's public health systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simbarashe Chitanga
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Health Sciences, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
- Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Namibia, Windhoek, Namibia
- School of Life Sciences, College of Agriculture, Engineering and Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Kennedy Chibesa
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Health Sciences, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
- Centre for Infectious Diseases Research in Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Karen Sichibalo
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Health Sciences, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Benjamin Mubemba
- Department of Wildlife Sciences, School of Natural Resources, Copperbelt University, Kitwe, Zambia
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, Copperbelt University, Ndola, Zambia
| | - King S. Nalubamba
- Department of Clinical Studies, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Walter Muleya
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Katendi Changula
- Department of Paraclinical Studies, School of Veterinary Sciences, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Edgar Simulundu
- Department of Disease Control, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
- Macha Research Trust, Choma, Zambia
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16
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Kim HC, Jiang J, Hang J, Kim SY, Yun SM, Park CU, Kim M, Chong ST, Farris CM, Richards AL, Klein TA. Detection of Rickettsia lusitaniae Among Ornithodoros sawaii Soft Ticks Collected From Japanese Murrelet Seabird Nest Material From Gugul Island, Republic of Korea. JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY 2021; 58:1376-1383. [PMID: 33615347 DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjab005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
In a follow-up to the investigations of soft ticks identified from seabird nest soil and litter collected from coastal islands of the Republic of Korea (ROK), Ornithodoros sawaii and Ornithodoros capensis were assessed for the presence and identification of rickettsiae. Ticks collected from samples of 50-100 g of nest litter and soil from seabird nests were identified individually by morphological techniques, and species confirmed by sequencing of the mt-rrs gene. Subsequently, tick DNA preparations were screened for the presence of rickettsiae using a genus-specific nested PCR (nPCR) assay targeting the 17 kDa antigen gene. The amplicons from the 17 kDa assay and two additional nPCR assays targeting the gltA and ompB gene fragments were sequenced and used to identify the rickettsiae. A total of 134 soft ticks belonging to two species, O. sawaii Kitaoka & Suzuki 1973 (n = 125) and O. capensis Neumann 1901 (n = 9), were collected. Rickettsia lusitaniae DNA was detected and identified among O. sawaii ticks (n = 11, 8.8%) collected from nest litter and soil of the Japanese murrelet (Synthliboramphus wumizusume Temminck 1836) at Gugul Island along the western coastal area of the ROK. This study confirmed for the first time the presence of R. lusitaniae associated with O. sawaii collected from migratory seabird nests in the ROK.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heung-Chul Kim
- Force Health Protection & Preventive Medicine, US Army Medical Activity-Korea, Unit #15281, APO AP, USA
| | - Ju Jiang
- Viral and Rickettsial Diseases Department, Naval Medical Research Center, Silver Spring, MD, USA
- The Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Inc., Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Jun Hang
- Viral Diseases Branch, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, 503 Robert Grant Avenue, Silver Spring, MD, USA
| | - Su Yeon Kim
- Pathogen Resource Management TF, National Research Institute of Health, Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Cheongju-si, Chungbuk Province, Republic of Korea
| | - Seok-Min Yun
- Division of Arboviruses, National Institute of Health, Korea Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention, Cheongju-si, Chungbuk Province, Republic of Korea
| | - Chang-Uk Park
- Migratory Birds Research Center, Korea National Park Research Institute, Korea National Park Service, Shinan-gun, Jeonnam Province, Republic of Korea
| | - Miran Kim
- Migratory Birds Research Center, Korea National Park Research Institute, Korea National Park Service, Shinan-gun, Jeonnam Province, Republic of Korea
| | - Sung-Tae Chong
- Force Health Protection & Preventive Medicine, US Army Medical Activity-Korea, Unit #15281, APO AP, USA
| | - Christina M Farris
- Viral and Rickettsial Diseases Department, Naval Medical Research Center, Silver Spring, MD, USA
| | - Allen L Richards
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Biostatistics, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA
| | - Terry A Klein
- Force Health Protection & Preventive Medicine, US Army Medical Activity-Korea, Unit #15281, APO AP, USA
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Rar V, Tkachev S, Tikunova N. Genetic diversity of Anaplasma bacteria: Twenty years later. INFECTION GENETICS AND EVOLUTION 2021; 91:104833. [PMID: 33794351 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2021.104833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2020] [Revised: 03/26/2021] [Accepted: 03/28/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
The genus Anaplasma (family Anaplasmataceae, order Rickettsiales) includes obligate intracellular alphaproteobacteria that multiply within membrane-bound vacuoles and are transmitted by Ixodidae ticks to vertebrate hosts. Since the last reclassification of Anaplasmataceae twenty years ago, two new Anaplasma species have been identified. To date, the genus includes eight Anaplasma species (A. phagocytophilum, A. marginale, A. centrale, A. ovis, A. bovis, A. platys, A. odocoilei, and A. capra) and a large number of unclassified genovariants that cannot be assigned to known species. Members of the genus can cause infection in humans and a wide range of domestic animals with different degrees of severity. Long-term persistence which, in some cases, is manifested as cyclic bacteremia has been demonstrated for several Anaplasma species. Zoonotic potential has been shown for A. phagocytophilum, the agent of human granulocytic anaplasmosis, and for some other Anaplasma spp. that suggests a broader medical relevance of this genus. Genetic diversity of Anaplasma spp. has been intensively studied in recent years, and it has been shown that some Anaplasma spp. can be considered as a complex of genetically distinct lineages differing by geography, vectors, and host tropism. The aim of this review was to summarize the current knowledge concerning the natural history, pathogenic properties, and genetic diversity of Anaplasma spp. and some unclassified genovariants with particular attention to their genetic characteristics. The high genetic variability of Anaplasma spp. prompted us to conduct a detailed phylogenetic analysis for different Anaplasma species and unclassified genovariants, which were included in this review. The genotyping of unclassified genovariants has led to the identification of at least four distinct clades that might be considered in future as new candidate species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vera Rar
- Institute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine, SB RAS, Novosibirsk, Russian Federation.
| | - Sergey Tkachev
- Institute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine, SB RAS, Novosibirsk, Russian Federation
| | - Nina Tikunova
- Institute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine, SB RAS, Novosibirsk, Russian Federation
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18
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Sacchi ABV, André MR, Calchi AC, de Santi M, Guimarães A, Pires JR, Baldani CD, Werther K, Machado RZ. Molecular and serological detection of arthropod-borne pathogens in carnivorous birds from Brazil. VETERINARY PARASITOLOGY- REGIONAL STUDIES AND REPORTS 2021; 23:100539. [PMID: 33678392 DOI: 10.1016/j.vprsr.2021.100539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2020] [Revised: 01/15/2021] [Accepted: 01/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Rickettsiales, Haemosporida and Rhizobiales agents can cause diseases that affect various animal species, including humans. Due to predation behaviour, carnivorous birds may play an important role in spreading these etiological agentes across geographically distant areas, specially if they are migratory. The aim of this study was to investigate the occurrence and to access the phylogenetic relations among Anaplasmataceae (Ehrlichia, Anaplasma, Neorickettsia), Bartonellaceae (Bartonella spp.), and Haemosporida (Plasmodium, Haemoproteus and Leucocytozoon) agents in blood samples from 121 carnivorous birds sampled in the states of São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Inclusions resembling hemoparasites were not observed in Giemsa-stained preparations. While three animals were seropositive for E. chaffeensis (3.41% [3/88]; 95% CI:1.17-9.55%), five showed antibodies to A. phagocytophilum (5.68% [5/88]; 95% CI: 2.45-12.62%). Despite the detection of rrs gene fragments closely related to E. chaffeensis (4.13% [5/121]; 95% CI: 1.78-9.31%), no positivity was observed in the qPCR based on the genes vlpt for the organism. Similarly, 12 (9.91% [12/121]; 95% CI: 5.76-16.74%) samples were positive in the qPCR for Anaplasma spp. based on groEL gene, but negative in the qPCR for A. phagocytophilum based on msp-2 gene. Three samples were positive in the nPCR for E. canis based on rrs gene. Three samples were positive for Haemoproteus spp. and one for Plasmodium spp. in the nPCR based on cytB gene. Four birds (3.3% [4/121]; 95% CI: 1.29-8.19%) presented co-positivity by Ehrlichia sp. and Anaplasma sp. in molecular assays. One (0.82% [1/121]; 95% CI:0.15-4.53%) bird showed to be seropositive for E. chaffeensis and and positive in PCR for Haemoproteus sp. All birds were negative in the qPCR assay for Bartonella spp. (nuoG). The present work showed the occurrence of Anaplasmataceae agents and hemosporidians in carnivorous birds from southeastern Brazil. The role of these animals in the dispersion of Anaplasmataceae agents should be further investigated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Beatriz Vieira Sacchi
- Laboratório de Imunoparasitologia, Departamento de Patologia, Reproducao e Saude Unica, Veterinária, Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias/Universidade Estadual Paulista, UNESP, Jaboticabal, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Marcos Rogério André
- Laboratório de Imunoparasitologia, Departamento de Patologia, Reproducao e Saude Unica, Veterinária, Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias/Universidade Estadual Paulista, UNESP, Jaboticabal, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Ana Cláudia Calchi
- Laboratório de Imunoparasitologia, Departamento de Patologia, Reproducao e Saude Unica, Veterinária, Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias/Universidade Estadual Paulista, UNESP, Jaboticabal, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Mariele de Santi
- Laboratório de Imunoparasitologia, Departamento de Patologia, Reproducao e Saude Unica, Veterinária, Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias/Universidade Estadual Paulista, UNESP, Jaboticabal, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Andresa Guimarães
- Laboratório de Patologia Clínica - Diagnóstico Animal, Departamento de Medicina e Cirurgia Veterinária, Instituto de Veterinária, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro (UFRRJ), Seropédica, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Jeferson Rocha Pires
- Centro de Recuperação de Animais Silvestres (CRAS), Universidade Estácio de Sá - UNESA, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Cristiane Divan Baldani
- Laboratório de Patologia Clínica - Diagnóstico Animal, Departamento de Medicina e Cirurgia Veterinária, Instituto de Veterinária, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro (UFRRJ), Seropédica, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Karin Werther
- Laboratório de Imunoparasitologia, Departamento de Patologia, Reproducao e Saude Unica, Veterinária, Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias/Universidade Estadual Paulista, UNESP, Jaboticabal, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Rosangela Zacarias Machado
- Laboratório de Imunoparasitologia, Departamento de Patologia, Reproducao e Saude Unica, Veterinária, Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias/Universidade Estadual Paulista, UNESP, Jaboticabal, São Paulo, Brazil.
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Tick-borne rickettsiae in Midwestern region of Republic of Korea. Acta Trop 2021; 215:105794. [PMID: 33310079 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2020.105794] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2020] [Revised: 12/03/2020] [Accepted: 12/04/2020] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
To identify spotted fever group (SFG) rickettsiae among ticks collected by dragging at eight sites in three provinces of the midwestern region of the Republic of Korea (ROK), genus- and species-specific quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) assays and sequencing were performed. DNA was extracted from a total of 2,312 ticks that were assayed individually (n=140) or in pools (n=444), resulting in a total of 584 individual and pooled tick samples. The 584 tick samples were screened with the genus-specific qPCR assay (Rick17b) and produced 265 (45.38%) positive reactions [individual (n=64) and pooled (n=101) samples]. Of these genus-specific positive samples, 57 (21.51%) were identified as Candidatus Rickettsia longicornii and 48 (18.11%) were identified as R. monacensis by species-specific qPCR assays. Subsequently, nested PCR (nPCR) was performed with 120 samples, which tested positive samples for genus-specific, but not species-specific, qPCR assays. The sequences of ompA and ompB genes showed how many close relatedness to Ca. R. longicornii and Ca. R. jingxinensis isolate Xian Hl-79, uncultured Rickettsia sp. Y27-1, Ca. R. tasmanensis strain T152, R. endosymbiont of H. longicornis tick 47, and R. koreansis strain CNH17-7. In conclusion, we successfully detected specific rickettsial agents using qPCR and a sequence-based analysis approach that demonstrated the prevalence of various tick-borne Rickettsia spp. in midwestern ROK.
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St John HK, Masuoka P, Jiang J, Takhampunya R, Klein TA, Kim HC, Chong ST, Song JW, Kim YJ, Farris CM, Richards AL. Geographic distribution and modeling of ticks in the Republic of Korea and the application of tick models towards understanding the distribution of associated pathogenic agents. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2021; 12:101686. [PMID: 33667830 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2021.101686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2020] [Revised: 01/11/2021] [Accepted: 02/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Encounters with ticks harboring pathogenic agents have demonstrated increasing public health implications. Tick surveillance in the Republic of Korea (ROK) is essential for determining tick distributions and the potential regions where tick-borne pathogens may be found. Extensive tick collections (tick drags and tick flagging) were previously performed by Force Health Protection & Preventive Medicine (FHP&PM), Medical Activity-Korea (MEDDAC-K)/65th Medical Brigade (MED BDE) personnel, in collaboration with the Public Health Activity-Korea in the ROK. A total of 144,131 ticks were collected from 2,019 locations during 2004 to 2016. The associated location data (GPS coordinates) for each of the collection sites were incorporated into distribution maps using ArcGIS and combined with environmental data in the Maxent ecological niche modeling program (n = 733 geographical unique locations from 1,429 presence records/collection locations) to produce estimates of tick distributions for each species. The predominant tick species found and modeled were, in order of prevalence: Haemaphysalis longicornis, H. flava, Ixodes nipponensis, H. phasiana, I. turdus, Amblyomma testudinarium, H. japonica, and I. persulcatus. Haemaphysalis longicornis, H. flava, and I. nipponensis were the most widely distributed and most commonly collected species of ticks. The maps and models of suitable habitat regions produced in this study provide a better understanding of where there are potential risks of encountering a particular tick species, and which, as demonstrated herein with rickettsiae, can be used to study tick-pathogen dynamics of diseases. Knowledge of the distribution of ticks is important in the ROK because of the presence of tick-borne diseases, such as severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome, tick-borne encephalitis, rickettsioses, and borrelioses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heidi K St John
- Viral and Rickettsial Diseases Department, Naval Medical Research Center, Silver Spring, MD, 20910, USA; Henry Jackson Foundation, Bethesda, MD, 20817, USA.
| | - Penny Masuoka
- Henry Jackson Foundation, Bethesda, MD, 20817, USA; Preventive Medicine and Biostatistics Department, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, 20814, USA
| | - Ju Jiang
- Viral and Rickettsial Diseases Department, Naval Medical Research Center, Silver Spring, MD, 20910, USA; Henry Jackson Foundation, Bethesda, MD, 20817, USA
| | - Ratree Takhampunya
- Department of Entomology, United States Army Medical Directorate-Armed Forces Research Institute of Medical Sciences, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand
| | - Terry A Klein
- Force Health Protection & Preventive Medicine, MEDDAC-K/65(th) Medical Brigade, Unit 15281, APO AP 96271-5281, USA
| | - Heung-Chul Kim
- Force Health Protection & Preventive Medicine, MEDDAC-K/65(th) Medical Brigade, Unit 15281, APO AP 96271-5281, USA
| | - Sung-Tae Chong
- Force Health Protection & Preventive Medicine, MEDDAC-K/65(th) Medical Brigade, Unit 15281, APO AP 96271-5281, USA
| | - Jin-Won Song
- Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul, 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Yu-Jin Kim
- Armed Forces Medical Command, Seongnam, 13590, Republic of Korea
| | - Christina M Farris
- 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; Preventive Medicine and Biostatistics Department, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, 20814, USA
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Kim J, Lee D, Yoon E, Bae H, Chun D, Kang JG, Jung DI, Yu DH. Clinical Case of a Transfusion-Associated Canine Mycoplasma haemocanis Infection in the Republic of Korea: A Case Report. THE KOREAN JOURNAL OF PARASITOLOGY 2020; 58:565-569. [PMID: 33202509 PMCID: PMC7672241 DOI: 10.3347/kjp.2020.58.5.565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2020] [Accepted: 08/12/2020] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
This report describes the first clinical case of a transfusion-associated Mycoplasma haemocanis infection in a dog in Korea. A 6-year-old male Maltese underwent a red blood cell transfusion for idiopathic immune-mediated hemolytic anemia. Eighteen days after the blood transfusion, the recipient's packed cell volume decreased and basophilic organisms were found on erythrocytes. A polymerase chain reaction and sequential analysis showed that both the donor dog and recipient dog had M. haemocanis. Six weeks after doxycycline administration, no organisms were detected and the recipient's anemia had improved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jihu Kim
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 52828, Korea
| | - Donghwan Lee
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 52828, Korea
| | - Eunchae Yoon
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 52828, Korea
| | - Hyeona Bae
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 52828, Korea
| | - Daseul Chun
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 52828, Korea
| | - Jun-Gu Kang
- Korea Zoonosis Research Institute, Jeonbuk National University, Iksan 54531, Korea
| | - Dong-In Jung
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 52828, Korea
| | - Do-Hyeon Yu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 52828, Korea
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22
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Sipin Q, Mustaffa Kamal F, Watanabe M, Megat Abdul Rani PA, Low VL, Abdul Aziz NA. Molecular detection of tick-borne haemopathogens in shelter dogs and Rhipicephalus sanguineus (sensu lato) ticks from Peninsular Malaysia. Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis 2020; 73:101563. [PMID: 33120297 DOI: 10.1016/j.cimid.2020.101563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2020] [Revised: 10/01/2020] [Accepted: 10/07/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Ticks are important vectors in transmitting various pathogens and they could jeopardize the health and welfare of humans and animals worldwide. The present study aimed to investigate the presence of important tick-borne haemopathogens (TBH) in dogs and ticks via polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays. A total of 220 blood samples and 140 ticks were collected from 10 animal shelters in Peninsular Malaysia. Of 220 blood samples, 77 (35 %) were positive to TBH, of which 20 % were E. canis, 12 % were A. platys, 7 % were B. gibsoni and 7 % were B. vogeli. All ticks were identified as Rhipicephalus sanguineus with five samples (3.57 %) positive with TBH. Co-infections of TBH (0.45-9.55 %) in dogs were also observed in this study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Quincie Sipin
- Department of Veterinary Pathology & Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang, Malaysia
| | - Farina Mustaffa Kamal
- Department of Veterinary Pathology & Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang, Malaysia
| | - Malaika Watanabe
- Department of Companion Animal Medicine & Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang, Malaysia
| | - Puteri Azaziah Megat Abdul Rani
- Department of Companion Animal Medicine & Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang, Malaysia
| | - Van Lun Low
- Tropical Infectious Diseases Research and Education Centre (TIDREC), Universiti Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Nor Azlina Abdul Aziz
- Department of Companion Animal Medicine & Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang, Malaysia.
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Ronai I, Tufts DM, Diuk-Wasser MA. Aversion of the invasive Asian longhorned tick to the white-footed mouse, the dominant reservoir of tick-borne pathogens in the U.S.A. MEDICAL AND VETERINARY ENTOMOLOGY 2020; 34:369-373. [PMID: 32249973 DOI: 10.1111/mve.12441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2019] [Revised: 02/29/2020] [Accepted: 03/10/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The Asian longhorned tick (Haemaphysalis longicornis) was reported for the first time in the U.S.A. in 2017 and has now spread across 12 states. The potential of this invasive tick vector to transmit pathogens will be determined through its association to hosts, such as the white-footed mouse (Peromyscus leucopus), which is the primary reservoir for the causative agent of Lyme disease (Borrelia burgdorferi) and other zoonotic pathogens. Larval H. longicornis were placed on P. leucopus; 65% of the larvae (n = 40) moved off the host within a short period of time, and none engorged. By contrast, larval blacklegged ticks (Ixodes scapularis) did not move from where they were placed in the ear of the mouse. A laboratory behavioural assay was then conducted to assess the interaction of H. longicornis with the hair of potential mammalian host species in the U.S.A. H. longicornis larvae were significantly less likely to enter the hair zone of P. leucopus and humans compared to the hair of domestic cats, domestic dogs and white-tailed deer. This study identifies a tick-host interaction behaviour, which can be quantified in a laboratory assay to predict tick-host associations and provides insights into how ticks select a host.
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Affiliation(s)
- I Ronai
- Department of Ecology, Evolution, & Environmental Biology, Columbia University, New York, NY, U.S.A
| | - D M Tufts
- Department of Ecology, Evolution, & Environmental Biology, Columbia University, New York, NY, U.S.A
| | - M A Diuk-Wasser
- Department of Ecology, Evolution, & Environmental Biology, Columbia University, New York, NY, U.S.A
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24
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Park JW, Lee SH, Lee GS, Seo JJ, Chung JK. Epidemiological Characteristics of Field Tick-Borne Pathogens in Gwang-ju Metropolitan Area, South Korea, from 2014 to 2018. Osong Public Health Res Perspect 2020; 11:177-184. [PMID: 32864308 PMCID: PMC7442441 DOI: 10.24171/j.phrp.2020.11.4.06] [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] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives The importance of tick-borne diseases is increasing because of climate change, with a lack of long-term studies on tick-borne pathogens in South Korea. To understand the epidemiological characteristics of tick-borne diseases, the monthly distribution of field ticks throughout the year was studied in South Korea between May 2014 and April 2018 in a cross sectional study. Methods The presence of various tick-borne pathogens (Rickettsia species, Borrelia species, Anaplasma phagocytophilum) was confirmed by using polymerase chain reaction, to provide information for a prevention strategy against tick-borne pathogenic infections, through increased understanding of the relationship between seasonal variation and risk of infection with Rickettsia species. This was performed using logistic regression analysis (SPSS 20, IBM, USA) of the data obtained from the study. Results During the study period there were 11,717 ticks collected and 4 species identified. Haemapysalis longicornis was the most common species (n = 10,904, 93.1%), followed by Haemapysalis flava (n = 656, 5.6%), Ixodes nipponensis (n = 151, 1.3%), and Amblyomma testudinarium (n = 6, 0.05%) The results of this cross-sectional study showed that Haemapysalis flava carried a higher risk of transmission of Rickettsia species than other tick species (p < 0.05). Conclusion In conclusion, due attention should be paid to preventing tick-borne infections in humans whilst engaged in outdoor activities in Spring and Autumn, particularly in places where there is a high prevalence of ticks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jung Wook Park
- Division of Infectious Disease Investigation, Health and Environment Research Institute of Gwangju, Gwangju, Korea
| | - Seung Hun Lee
- Division of Bacterial Disease Research, Center for Infectious Disease Research, Korea National Institute of Health, Cheongju, Korea.,Yeosu National Quarantine Station, Korea Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, Yeosu, Korea
| | - Gi Seong Lee
- Division of Infectious Disease Investigation, Health and Environment Research Institute of Gwangju, Gwangju, Korea
| | - Jin Jong Seo
- Division of Infectious Disease Investigation, Health and Environment Research Institute of Gwangju, Gwangju, Korea
| | - Jae Keun Chung
- Division of Infectious Disease Investigation, Health and Environment Research Institute of Gwangju, Gwangju, Korea
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25
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Yoo J, Chung JH, Kim CM, Yun NR, Kim DM. Asymptomatic-anaplasmosis confirmation using genetic and serological tests and possible coinfection with spotted fever group Rickettsia: a case report. BMC Infect Dis 2020; 20:458. [PMID: 32605544 PMCID: PMC7325360 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-020-05170-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2020] [Accepted: 06/17/2020] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Anaplasmosis is an emerging acute febrile disease that is caused by a bite of an Anaplasma phagocytophilum–infected hard tick. As for healthy patients, reports on asymptomatic anaplasmosis resulting from such tick bites are rare. Case presentation A 55-year-old female patient visited the hospital with a tick bite in the right infraclavicular region. The tick was suspected to have been on the patient for more than 10 days. PCR and an indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) were performed to identify tick-borne infectious diseases. The blood sample collected at admission yielded a positive result in nested PCR targeting Ehrlichia- or Anaplasma-specific genes groEL and ankA. Subsequent sequencing confirmed the presence of A. phagocytophilum, and seroconversion was confirmed by the IFA involving an A. phagocytophilum antigen slide. PCR detected no Rickettsia-specific genes [outer membrane protein A (ompA) or surface cell antigen 1 (sca1)], but seroconversion of spotted fever group (SFG) rickettsiosis was confirmed by an IFA. Conclusions This study genetically and serologically confirmed an asymptomatic A. phagocytophilum infection. Although SFG rickettsiosis was not detected genetically, it was detected serologically. These findings indicate the possibility of an asymptomatic coinfection: anaplasmosis plus SFG rickettsiosis. It is, therefore, crucial for clinicians to be aware of potential asymptomatic anaplasmosis following a tick bite.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiyeon Yoo
- College of Medicine, Chosun University, Gwangju, South Korea
| | - Jong-Hoon Chung
- Departments of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Chosun University, 588 Seosuk-dong, Dong-gu, Gwangju, 61453, Republic of Korea
| | - Choon-Mee Kim
- Premedical Science, College of Medicine, Chosun University, Gwangju, Republic of Korea
| | - Na Ra Yun
- Departments of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Chosun University, 588 Seosuk-dong, Dong-gu, Gwangju, 61453, Republic of Korea
| | - Dong-Min Kim
- Departments of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Chosun University, 588 Seosuk-dong, Dong-gu, Gwangju, 61453, Republic of Korea.
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Seo MG, Kwon OD, Kwak D. Genotypic Analysis of Piroplasms and Associated Pathogens from Ticks Infesting Cattle in Korea. Microorganisms 2020; 8:microorganisms8050728. [PMID: 32414173 PMCID: PMC7284522 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms8050728] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2020] [Revised: 05/03/2020] [Accepted: 05/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Tick-borne pathogens (TBPs) impose an important limitation to livestock production worldwide, especially in subtropical and tropical areas. Earlier studies in Korea have examined TBPs residing in ticks and animals; however, information on multiple TBPs in ticks infesting cattle is lacking. This study assessed the prevalence of TBPs in ticks parasitizing cattle. A total of 576 ticks, including 340 adults and 236 nymphs, were collected from cattle in Korea between 2014 and 2018. All ticks collected were identified as Haemaphysalis longicornis based on their morphological and molecular characteristics. Among piroplasms and other tick-associated pathogens, seven TBP genes, namely Theileria orientalis (5.0%), Anaplasma bovis (2.3%), Anaplasma capra (4.7%), Anaplasma phagocytophilum-like Anaplasma spp. (APL) clades A (1.9%) and B (0.5%), Ehrlichia canis (1.6%), and Candidatus Rickettsia longicornii (17.5%), were detected. Bartonella spp. and severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus were not found. To our knowledge, this is the first study to report the presence of the pathogens T. orientalis major piroplasm surface protein genotypes 3 and 7, A. capra, and APL in ticks from Korea. Cattle ticks may be maintenance hosts for many TBPs, and veterinary and medical clinicians should be aware of their high probability of infection and clinical complexity in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min-Goo Seo
- Veterinary Drugs and Biologics Division, Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency, 177 Hyeoksin 8-ro, Gimcheon, Gyeongbuk 39660, Korea;
| | - Oh-Deog Kwon
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kyungpook National University, 80 Daehak-ro, Buk-gu, Daegu 41566, Korea;
| | - Dongmi Kwak
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kyungpook National University, 80 Daehak-ro, Buk-gu, Daegu 41566, Korea;
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, Kyungpook National University, 680 Gukchaebosang-ro, Jung-gu, Daegu 41944, Korea
- Correspondence:
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Panferova YA, Vaganova AN, Freylikhman OA, Tretyakov KA, Medvedev SG, Shapar’ AO, Tokarevich NK. Prevalence of <i>Borrelia burgdorferi sensu</i> lato genetic markers in blood-sucking ticks in suburban park zones in Saint Petersburg. RUSSIAN JOURNAL OF INFECTION AND IMMUNITY 2020. [DOI: 10.15789/2220-7619-pob-806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Tick-borne bacterial and viral infections are widespread in middle latitudes of the Northern hemisphere. Natural foci of such infections coincide with geographic areas inhabited by ixodid ticks. Ixodid tick-borne borreliosis is a pressing issue for some territories of Russia, especially for the North-Western Federal District and St. Petersburg megalopolis as well as adjacent areas of the Leningrad District, where people may become infected after tick bite in recreational zones in suburban park areas. Currently, very few publications regarding prevalence of tick-borne pathogens in St. Petersburg area are available. In our study, questing ticks flagged in park zone (northern coast of Finnish Gulf, Kurortny District) were examined with PCR for carriage of pathogenic B. burgdorferi sensu lato complex. In addition, samples positive for Borrelia DNA signal were further genotyped with species-specific primers against rpoBgene fragment. It was found that Ixodes persulcatus dominated in this area. Prevalence of Borrelia burgdorferi s.l. complex comprised 9.33%. Genospecies B. afzelii and less frequently B. garinii were detected. A mixt-infection with two Borel-lia species was detected in one sample. Interestingly, all Borrelia-infected ticks belonged to I. persulcatus suggesting a closer association for certain species in «pathogen-vector» system. Our findings are essential in investigating distribution of ixodid borreliosis foci in St. Petersburg and suburbs, obtaining new data regarding epidemiology, diagnostics, treatment and prevention of this infection. It is noteworthy than prevalence of pathogenic Borrelia spp. vs. tick-borne encephalitis virus in vectors was higher thereby accounting for its higher morbidity. Comparing our data with those published elsewhere by European researchers allows to note that prevalence of pathogenic Borrelia spp. in ticks varies broadly in diverse geographic regions. It is necessary to take into consideration that prevalence of Borrelia markers achieves ~10% in ticks given frequent attendance of park areas near St. Petersburg that point at risk of developing bor-reliosis in recreational zones.
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Rodents as Hosts of Pathogens and Related Zoonotic Disease Risk. Pathogens 2020; 9:pathogens9030202. [PMID: 32164206 PMCID: PMC7157691 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens9030202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2020] [Revised: 03/06/2020] [Accepted: 03/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Rodents are known to be reservoir hosts for at least 60 zoonotic diseases and are known to play an important role in their transmission and spread in different ways. We sampled different rodent communities within and around human settlements in Northern Senegal, an area subjected to major environmental transformations associated with global changes. Herein, we conducted an epidemiological study on their bacterial communities. One hundred and seventy-one (171) invasive and native rodents were captured, 50 from outdoor trapping sites and 121 rodents from indoor habitats, consisting of five species. The DNA of thirteen pathogens was successfully screened on the rodents' spleens. We found: 2.3% of spleens positive to Piroplasmida and amplified one which gave a potentially new species Candidatus "Theileria senegalensis"; 9.35% of Bartonella spp. and amplified 10, giving three genotypes; 3.5% of filariasis species; 18.12% of Anaplasmataceae species and amplified only 5, giving a new potential species Candidatus "Ehrlichia senegalensis"; 2.33% of Hepatozoon spp.; 3.5% of Kinetoplastidae spp.; and 15.2% of Borrelia spp. and amplified 8 belonging all to Borrelia crocidurae. Some of the species of pathogens carried by the rodents of our studied area may be unknown because most of those we have identified are new species. In one bacterial taxon, Anaplasma, a positive correlation between host body mass and infection was found. Overall, male and invasive rodents appeared less infected than female and native ones, respectively.
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Oda K, Yonetake W, Fujii T, Hodge A, Six RH, Maeder S, Rugg D. Efficacy of sarolaner (Simparica ®) against induced infestations of Haemaphysalis longicornis on dogs. Parasit Vectors 2019; 12:509. [PMID: 31666109 PMCID: PMC6822344 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-019-3765-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2019] [Accepted: 10/23/2019] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Haemaphysalis longicornis is the major tick affecting dogs in most of the East Asia/Pacific region and has recently been detected in a number of areas of the USA. This tick is a vector for a number of pathogens of dogs, other mammals and humans. In this study, the efficacy of a single oral administration of sarolaner (Simparica®, Zoetis) at the minimum label dosage (2 mg/kg) was evaluated against an existing infestation of H. longicornis and subsequent weekly reinfestations for 5 weeks after treatment. METHODS Sixteen dogs were ranked on pretreatment tick counts and randomly allocated to treatment on Day 0 with sarolaner at 2 mg/kg or a placebo. The dogs were infested with H. longicornis nymphs on Days - 2, 5, 12, 19, 26 and 33. Efficacy was determined at 48 hours after treatment and subsequent re-infestations based on live tick counts relative to placebo-treated dogs. RESULTS There were no adverse reactions to treatment. A single dose of sarolaner provided 100% efficacy on Days 2, 7, 14 and 21; and ≥ 97.4% efficacy on Days 28 and 35. Considering only attached, live ticks, efficacy was 100% for the entire 35 days of the study. Geometric mean live tick counts for sarolaner were significantly lower than those for placebo on all days (11.62 ≤ t(df) ≤ 59.99, where 13.0 ≤ df ≤ 14.1, P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS In this study, a single oral administration of sarolaner at 2 mg/kg provided 100% efficacy against an existing infestation of H. longicornis nymphs and ≥ 97.4% efficacy (100% against attached ticks) against weekly reinfestation for at least 35 days after treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenji Oda
- Research Institute for Animal Science in Biochemistry and Toxicology, 3-7-11, Hashimotodai, Midori-ku, Sagamihara-shi, Kanagawa, 252-0132, Japan
| | - Wakako Yonetake
- Zoetis Japan KK, 3-22-7, Yoyogi, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, 151-0053, Japan
| | - Takeshi Fujii
- Zoetis Japan KK, 3-22-7, Yoyogi, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, 151-0053, Japan
| | - Andrew Hodge
- Zoetis Australia Research and Manufacturing, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Robert H Six
- Zoetis, Veterinary Medicine Research and Development, 333 Portage St., Kalamazoo, MI, 49007, USA
| | - Steven Maeder
- Zoetis, Veterinary Medicine Research and Development, 333 Portage St., Kalamazoo, MI, 49007, USA.
| | - Douglas Rugg
- Zoetis, Veterinary Medicine Research and Development, 333 Portage St., Kalamazoo, MI, 49007, USA
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30
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Kim JH, Lee CS, Moon C, Kwak YG, Kim BN, Kim ES, Kang JM, Park WB, Oh MD, Park SW. Co-Infection of Scrub Typhus and Human Granulocytic Anaplasmosis in Korea, 2006. J Korean Med Sci 2019; 34:e257. [PMID: 31602827 PMCID: PMC6786965 DOI: 10.3346/jkms.2019.34.e257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2019] [Accepted: 08/22/2019] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Scrub typhus, severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) and human granulocytic anaplasmosis (HGA) are important arthropod-borne infectious diseases in Korea and share a common point that they are transmitted by arthropod bites mostly during outdoor activities and there are considerable overlaps of epidemiologic and clinical features at presentation. We investigated the co-infection of these infections. METHODS The study subjects were patients with laboratory-confirmed scrub typhus who were enrolled retrospectively in 2006. SFTS virus (SFTSV) infection was confirmed by a reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to amplify partial L segment of SFTSV for molecular diagnosis. HGA was confirmed by a nested PCR to amplify 16S rRNA gene of Anaplasma phagocytophilum. Direct sequencing of the positive PCR products was performed. Clinical features of co-infected subjects were described. RESULTS One-hundred sixty-seven patients with scrub typhus were included in the analysis. Co-infection of A. phagocytophilum was identified in 4.2% of scrub typhus patients (7/167). The route of co-infection was uncertain. The co-infected patients had not different clinical manifestations compared to the patients with scrub typhus only. All the study subjects were negative for SFTSV. CONCLUSION We found retrospective molecular evidence of the co-infection of scrub typhus and HGA in Korea. HGA may be more prevalent than expected and need to be considered as an important differential diagnosis of febrile patients in Korea.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeong Han Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul Metropolitan Government-Seoul National University Boramae Medical Center, Seoul, Korea
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Chang Seop Lee
- Department of Internal Medicine, Chonbuk National University Medical School, Jeonju, Korea
| | - Chisook Moon
- Department of Internal Medicine, Inje University College of Medicine, Busan, Korea
| | - Yee Gyung Kwak
- Department of Internal Medicine, Inje University College of Medicine, Busan, Korea
| | - Baek Nam Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, Inje University College of Medicine, Busan, Korea
| | - Eu Suk Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, Korea
| | - Jae Myung Kang
- Department of Internal Medicine, Pohang St. Mary's Hospital, Pohang, Korea
| | - Wan Beom Park
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Myoung Don Oh
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Sang Won Park
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul Metropolitan Government-Seoul National University Boramae Medical Center, Seoul, Korea
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
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Hong SH, Kim SY, Song BG, Rho JR, Cho CR, Kim CN, Um TH, Kwak YG, Cho SH, Lee SE. Detection and characterization of an emerging type of Babesia sp. similar to Babesia motasi for the first case of human babesiosis and ticks in Korea. Emerg Microbes Infect 2019; 8:869-878. [PMID: 31179860 PMCID: PMC6566668 DOI: 10.1080/22221751.2019.1622997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Babesiosis is a tick-transmitted intraerythrocytic zoonosis. In Korea, the first mortalities were reported in 2005 due to Babesia sp. detection in sheep; herein we report epidemiological and genetic characteristics of a second case of babesiosis. Microscopic analysis of patient blood revealed polymorphic merozoites. To detect Babesia spp., PCR was performed using Babesia specific primers for β-tubulin, 18S rDNA, COB, and COX3 gene fragments. 18S rDNA analysis for Babesia sp., showed 98% homology with ovine Babesia sp. and with Babesia infections in Korea in 2005. Moreover, phylogenetic analysis of 18S rDNA, COB, and COX3 revealed close associations with B. motasi. For identifying the infectious agent, Haemaphysalis longicornis (296) and Haemaphysalis flava (301) were collected around the previous residence of the babesiosis patient. Babesia genes were identified in three H. longicornis: one sample was identified as B. microti and two samples were 98% homologous to B. motasi. Our study is the first direct confirmation of the infectious agent for human babesiosis. This case most likely resulted from tick bites from ticks near the patient house of the babesiosis patient. H. longicornis has been implicated as a vector of B. microti and other Babesia sp. infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sung-Hee Hong
- a Division of Vectors and Parasitic Diseases , Korea Center for Disease Control and Prevention , Cheongju , Korea
| | - Seong-Yoon Kim
- a Division of Vectors and Parasitic Diseases , Korea Center for Disease Control and Prevention , Cheongju , Korea
| | - Bong Goo Song
- a Division of Vectors and Parasitic Diseases , Korea Center for Disease Control and Prevention , Cheongju , Korea
| | - Jong-Rul Rho
- a Division of Vectors and Parasitic Diseases , Korea Center for Disease Control and Prevention , Cheongju , Korea
| | - Chong Rae Cho
- b Department of Laboratory Medicine , Inje University Ilsan Paik Hospital , Goyang , Korea
| | - Chul-Nam Kim
- c Department of Surgery , Inje University Ilsan Paik Hospital , Goyang , Korea
| | - Tae-Hyun Um
- b Department of Laboratory Medicine , Inje University Ilsan Paik Hospital , Goyang , Korea
| | - Yee Gyung Kwak
- d Department of Internal Medicine , Inje University Ilsan Paik Hospital , Goyang , Korea
| | - Shin-Hyeong Cho
- a Division of Vectors and Parasitic Diseases , Korea Center for Disease Control and Prevention , Cheongju , Korea
| | - Sang-Eun Lee
- a Division of Vectors and Parasitic Diseases , Korea Center for Disease Control and Prevention , Cheongju , Korea
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Chae JB, Cho YS, Cho YK, Kang JG, Shin NS, Chae JS. Epidemiological Investigation of Tick Species from Near Domestic Animal Farms and Cattle, Goat, and Wild Boar in Korea. THE KOREAN JOURNAL OF PARASITOLOGY 2019; 57:319-324. [PMID: 31284358 PMCID: PMC6616163 DOI: 10.3347/kjp.2019.57.3.319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2018] [Accepted: 04/09/2019] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
This study aimed to investigate the tick species and give background for tick-borne investigations in Korea. Ticks were collected from the area within 2 km radius of the 4 domestic animal farms, where they were located in mountainous areas and raising animals on pasture, and from animal bodies in 2014 and 2015. In total, 7,973 nymphal and adult ticks were collected from the farms - 7,758 Haemaphysalis longicornis, 198 Haemaphysalis flava, and 17 Ixodes nipponensis, and 1,763 were collected from animals - 729 H. longicornis from cattle; 569 H. longicornis from goats; and 297 H. longicornis, 118 H. flava, 1 I. nipponensis, and 49 Amblyomma testudinarium from wild boars. As more species of ticks were collected from wild boars than domesticated animals and their habitats, various animal hosts should be considered while investigating tick species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeong-Byoung Chae
- Laboratory of Veterinary Internal Medicine, BK21 PLUS Program for Creative Veterinary Science Research, Research Institute for Veterinary Science and College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea
| | - Young-Sun Cho
- Laboratory of Veterinary Internal Medicine, BK21 PLUS Program for Creative Veterinary Science Research, Research Institute for Veterinary Science and College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea
| | - Yoon-Kyoung Cho
- Laboratory of Veterinary Internal Medicine, BK21 PLUS Program for Creative Veterinary Science Research, Research Institute for Veterinary Science and College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea
| | - Jun-Gu Kang
- Laboratory of Veterinary Internal Medicine, BK21 PLUS Program for Creative Veterinary Science Research, Research Institute for Veterinary Science and College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea
| | - Nam-Shik Shin
- Laboratory of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea
| | - Joon-Seok Chae
- Laboratory of Veterinary Internal Medicine, BK21 PLUS Program for Creative Veterinary Science Research, Research Institute for Veterinary Science and College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea
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Guo WP, Wang YH, Lu Q, Xu G, Luo Y, Ni X, Zhou EM. Molecular detection of spotted fever group rickettsiae in hard ticks, northern China. Transbound Emerg Dis 2019; 66:1587-1596. [PMID: 30920159 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.13184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2018] [Revised: 03/20/2019] [Accepted: 03/22/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Spotted fever group (SFG) rickettsiae are important causative agents of (re)emerging tick-borne infectious diseases in humans, and ticks play a key role in their maintenance and transmission. In this study, hard ticks were collected from five sampling sites in North China in 2017 and 2018. Of them, Haemaphysalis longicornis, Rhipicephalus microplus and Dermacentor nuttalli were collected from livestock (sheep and goats) and the vegetation, Hyalomma asiaticum from sheep, goats and camels, and Hyalomma marginatum from sheep and goats. The SFG rickettsiae were identified in these ticks by amplifying the partial rrs and complete 17-kDa genes, with an overall infection rate of 52.9%. In addition, the nearly full-length rrs and gltA and partial ompA genes were recovered to classify the species of SFG rickettsiae further. Phylogenetic analysis revealed the presence of three human pathogenic species in Hy. asiaticum, Hy. marginatum, Ha. longicornis and De. nuttalli, including two cultured ones (Rickettsia raoultii and Rickettsia aeschlimannii) and one uncultured (Candidatus R. jingxinensis). Furthermore, partial groEL gene was also obtained, and phylogenetic trees were also reconstructed to better understand the genetic relationship with known sequences in each SFG rickettsiae species detected in the current study. Notably, the R. aeschlimannii sequences described in this study were closely related to those from abroad rather than from another part of China, indicating their different origin. However, the R. raoultii and Ca. R. jingxinensis sequences presented close relationship with variants from other parts of China. In sum, our data revealed SFG rickettsiae species in northern China, highlighting the need for surveillance of their infection in local humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen-Ping Guo
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China.,Scientific Observing and Experimental Station of Veterinary Pharmacology and Diagnostic Technology, Ministry of Agriculture, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
| | - Yi-Han Wang
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China.,Scientific Observing and Experimental Station of Veterinary Pharmacology and Diagnostic Technology, Ministry of Agriculture, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
| | - Qizhong Lu
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China.,Scientific Observing and Experimental Station of Veterinary Pharmacology and Diagnostic Technology, Ministry of Agriculture, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
| | - Gang Xu
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China.,Scientific Observing and Experimental Station of Veterinary Pharmacology and Diagnostic Technology, Ministry of Agriculture, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
| | - Yuhang Luo
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China.,Scientific Observing and Experimental Station of Veterinary Pharmacology and Diagnostic Technology, Ministry of Agriculture, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
| | - Xuebing Ni
- State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Disease, School of Public Health, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - En-Min Zhou
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China.,Scientific Observing and Experimental Station of Veterinary Pharmacology and Diagnostic Technology, Ministry of Agriculture, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
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High Incidence of a Novel Rickettsia Genotype in Parasitic Haemaphysalis longicornis from China-North Korea Border. Sci Rep 2019; 9:5373. [PMID: 30926896 PMCID: PMC6440996 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-41879-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2018] [Accepted: 03/20/2019] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Ticks are notorious vectors for various pathogens that cause infections in animals and humans worldwide. Rickettsia spp., a zoonotic tick-borne pathogen that could be used as a weapon agent, is widely spread in China. In the present study, ticks were collected for species identification and Rickettsia screening. PCR amplification targeting the tick 18s rRNA gene was first conducted for species validation, and then, amplification was conducted for the Rickettsia housekeeping gene for the infection rate and phylogenetic analysis. The collected ticks were identified as Haemaphysalis longicornis, 7.36% of which were Rickettsia-positive. The phylogenetic analysis showed that the Rickettsia in the parasitic ticks belonged to a novel genotype, whose closest genetic relationship was with Rickettsia heilongjiangenesis. The samples were collected in Dandong, a city on the border between China and North Korea. Considering the geographical and biological situations of the sampling sites, more extensive surveillance and risk evaluation of the tick species and tick-borne diseases are required.
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Maggi RG, Krämer F. A review on the occurrence of companion vector-borne diseases in pet animals in Latin America. Parasit Vectors 2019; 12:145. [PMID: 30917860 PMCID: PMC6438007 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-019-3407-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2019] [Accepted: 03/21/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Companion vector-borne diseases (CVBDs) are an important threat for pet life, but may also have an impact on human health, due to their often zoonotic character. The importance and awareness of CVBDs continuously increased during the last years. However, information on their occurrence is often limited in several parts of the world, which are often especially affected. Latin America (LATAM), a region with large biodiversity, is one of these regions, where information on CVBDs for pet owners, veterinarians, medical doctors and health workers is often obsolete, limited or non-existent. In the present review, a comprehensive literature search for CVBDs in companion animals (dogs and cats) was performed for several countries in Central America (Belize, Caribbean Islands, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Puerto Rico) as well as in South America (Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana (British Guyana), Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay, Venezuela) regarding the occurrence of the following parasitic and bacterial diseases: babesiosis, heartworm disease, subcutaneous dirofilariosis, hepatozoonosis, leishmaniosis, trypanosomosis, anaplasmosis, bartonellosis, borreliosis, ehrlichiosis, mycoplasmosis and rickettsiosis. An overview on the specific diseases, followed by a short summary on their occurrence per country is given. Additionally, a tabular listing on positive or non-reported occurrence is presented. None of the countries is completely free from CVBDs. The data presented in the review confirm a wide distribution of the CVBDs in focus in LATAM. This wide occurrence and the fact that most of the CVBDs can have a quite severe clinical outcome and their diagnostic as well as therapeutic options in the region are often difficult to access and to afford, demands a strong call for the prevention of pathogen transmission by the use of ectoparasiticidal and anti-feeding products as well as by performing behavioural changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ricardo G. Maggi
- Department of Clinical Sciences and the Intracellular Pathogens Research Laboratory, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC USA
| | - Friederike Krämer
- Institute of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
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Yonetake W, Fujii T, Naito M, Hodge A, Maeder S, Rugg D. Efficacy of a new topical formulation of selamectin plus sarolaner for the control of fleas and ticks infesting cats in Japan. Vet Parasitol 2019; 270 Suppl 1:S12-S18. [PMID: 30914264 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2019.01.008] [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: 09/27/2018] [Revised: 01/29/2019] [Accepted: 01/29/2019] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
The efficacy of a single application of a new topical formulation containing selamectin plus sarolaner (Revolution® Plus / Stronghold® Plus, Zoetis) was evaluated against fleas and ticks infesting cats enrolled as veterinary patients in two field studies conducted in Japan and against Haemaphysalis longicornis ticks on cats in a laboratory study. In the laboratory study, sixteen cats were ranked based on pre-treatment tick counts and allocated randomly to treatment on Day 0 with either selamectin plus sarolaner or placebo. Cats were infested with adult H. longicornis on Days -2, 5, 12, 19, 26 and 33. Efficacy relative to placebo was based on live attached tick counts conducted 48 h after treatment and subsequent re-infestations. Selamectin plus sarolaner reduced live, attached H. longicornis counts by 96.4% within 48 h of treatment, and by ≥91.7% within 48 h of weekly re-infestation for 35 days, based on arithmetic means. In the field studies, 67 client-owned cats harboring six or more live fleas and 63 cats harboring four or more live attached ticks were enrolled to evaluate selamectin plus sarolaner for efficacy and safety compared with a registered product. Cats were allocated randomly to treatment with selamectin plus sarolaner or fipronil plus (S)-methoprene based on order of presentation. Treatment was administered once on Day 0 and efficacy was assessed by parasite counts conducted on Days 14 and 30 compared to the pre-treatment count. In the flea field study, live flea counts on Days 14 and 30 were reduced by 99.5% and 99.9% in the selamectin plus sarolaner group, and by 97.6% and 98.6% in the fipronil plus (S)-methoprene group, based on least squares mean percentage reductions. Clinical signs typically associated with flea allergy dermatitis improved following treatment. In the tick field study, live tick counts on Days 14 and 30 were reduced by 97.5% and 97.7% in the selamectin plus sarolaner group, and by 91.5% and 93.4% in the fipronil plus (S)-methoprene group, based on least squares mean percentage reductions. Selamectin plus sarolaner was determined to be non-inferior to fipronil plus (S)-methoprene in both field studies. There were no treatment-related adverse events in any study. A single topical dose of Revolution® Plus / Stronghold® Plus providing a minimum dosage of 6.0 mg/kg selamectin and 1.0 mg/kg sarolaner was confirmed to be effective against H. longicornis ticks on cats for one month and safe and effective in the treatment of fleas and ticks on cats enrolled as veterinary patients in Japan.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wakako Yonetake
- Zoetis Japan Inc., 3-22-7, Yoyogi, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, 151-0053, Japan.
| | - Takeshi Fujii
- Zoetis Japan Inc., 3-22-7, Yoyogi, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, 151-0053, Japan
| | - Masaya Naito
- Shokukanken Inc., 561-21 Arakuchi-machi, Maebashi-shi, Gunma, Japan
| | - Andrew Hodge
- Zoetis Australia Research and Manufacturing, 5 Rider Boulevard, Rhodes, NSW, 2138, Australia
| | - Steven Maeder
- Zoetis, Veterinary Medicine Research and Development, 333 Portage St., Kalamazoo, MI, 49007, USA
| | - Douglas Rugg
- Zoetis, Veterinary Medicine Research and Development, 333 Portage St., Kalamazoo, MI, 49007, USA
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André MR. Diversity of Anaplasma and Ehrlichia/Neoehrlichia Agents in Terrestrial Wild Carnivores Worldwide: Implications for Human and Domestic Animal Health and Wildlife Conservation. Front Vet Sci 2018; 5:293. [PMID: 30533417 PMCID: PMC6265506 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2018.00293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2018] [Accepted: 11/01/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Recently, the incidence and awareness of tick-borne diseases in humans and animals have increased due to several factors, which in association favor the chances of contact among wild animals and their ectoparasites, domestic animals and humans. Wild and domestic carnivores are considered the primary source of tick-borne zoonotic agents to humans. Among emergent tick-borne pathogens, agents belonging to family Anaplasmataceae (Order Rickettsiales) agents stand out due their worldwide distribution and zoonotic potential. In this review we aimed to review the genetic diversity of the tick-transmitted genera Ehrlichia, Anaplasma and "Candidatus Neoehrlichia sp." in wild carnivores Caniformia (Canidae, Mustelidae and Ursidae) and Feliformia (Felidae, Hyanidae, Procyonidae and Viverridae) worldwide, discussing the implications for human and domestic animal health and wildlife conservation. Red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) have been identified as hosts for Anaplasma spp. (A. phagocytophilum, Anaplasma ovis, A. platys), Ehrlichia canis and "Candidatus Neoehrlichia sp." (FU98 strain) and may contribute to the maintaenance of A. phagocytophilum in Europe. Raccoons (Procyon lotor) have been reported as hosts for E. canis, A. bovis, "Candidatus Neoehrlichia lotoris" and A. phagocytophilum, and play a role in the maintenance of A. phagocytophilum in the USA. Raccoon dogs (Nyctereutes procyonoides) may play a role as hosts for A. bovis and A. phagocytophilum. New Ehrlichia and/or Anaplasma genotypes circulate in wild canids and felids from South America and Africa. While Ehrlichia sp. closely related to E. canis has been reported in wild felids from Brazil and Japan, Anaplasma sp. closely related to A. phagocytophilum has been detected in wild felids from Brazil and Africa. Red foxes and mustelids (otters) are exposed to E. canis in countries located in the Mediaterranean basin, probably as a consequence of spillover from domestic dogs. Similarly, E. canis occurs in procyonids in North (raccoons in USA, Spain) and South (Nasua nasua in Brazil) Hemispheres, in areas where E. canis is frequent in dogs. While "Candidatus Neoehrlichia lotoris" seems to be a common and specific agent of raccoons in the USA, "Candidatus Neoehrlichia sp." (FU98 strain) seems to show a broader range of hosts, since it has been detected in red fox, golden jackal (Canis aureus) and badger (Meles meles) in Europe so far. Brown (Ursus arctos) and black (Ursus americanus) bears seem to play a role as hosts for A. phagocytophilum in the North Hemisphere. Anaplasma bovis has been detected in wild Procyonidae, Canidae and Felidae in Asia and Brazil. In order to assess the real identity of the involved agents, future works should benefit from the application of MLST (Multi Locus Sequence Typing), WGS (Whole Genome Sequencing) and NGS (Next Generation Sequencing) technologies aiming at shedding some light on the role of wild carnivores in the epidemiology of Anaplasmataceae agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcos Rogério André
- Laboratório de Imunoparasitologia, Departamento de Patologia Veterinária, Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias, Universidade Estadual Paulista (FCAV/UNESP), Jaboticabal, Brazil
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Im JH, Baek J, Durey A, Kwon HY, Chung MH, Lee JS. Current Status of Tick-Borne Diseases in South Korea. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2018; 19:225-233. [PMID: 30328790 DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2018.2298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Bites with tick-borne pathogens can cause various bacterial, viral, or parasitic diseases in humans. Tick-transmitted diseases are known as contributing factors to the increasing incidence and burden of diseases. The present article investigated the epidemiology of tick-borne diseases in South Korea. METHODS The incidence and distribution of common tick-borne diseases in Korea (Lyme disease, Q fever, and severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome [SFTS]) were investigated and analyzed, using data from the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) infectious disease reporting system. A literature review was compiled on the current status of uncommon tick-borne diseases (Rickettsia, anaplasmosis, ehrlichiosis, bartonellosis, tularemia, tick-borne encephalitis, and babesiosis). RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS In South Korea, SFTS is an emerging disease, showing a rapid increase in reports since 2012, with high mortality. Likewise, reports of Lyme disease and Q fever cases have also been rapidly increasing during 2012-2017, although caution should be taken when interpreting these results, considering the likely influence of increased physician awareness and reporting of these diseases. Other tick-borne diseases reported in South Korea included spotted fever group rickettsiae, anaplasmosis, ehrlichiosis, tularemia, Bartonella, and babesiosis. Evidences on human infection with tick-borne encephalitis virus and Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever were recently unavailable, but both need constant monitoring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jae Hyoung Im
- 1 Department of Internal Medicine and Inha University School of Medicine, Incheon, Republic of Korea
| | - JiHyeon Baek
- 1 Department of Internal Medicine and Inha University School of Medicine, Incheon, Republic of Korea
| | - Areum Durey
- 2 Department of Emergency Medicine, Inha University School of Medicine, Incheon, Republic of Korea
| | - Hea Yoon Kwon
- 1 Department of Internal Medicine and Inha University School of Medicine, Incheon, Republic of Korea
| | - Moon-Hyun Chung
- 3 Department of Internal Medicine, Jeju University Hospital, Jeju, Republic of Korea
| | - Jin-Soo Lee
- 1 Department of Internal Medicine and Inha University School of Medicine, Incheon, Republic of Korea
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Panferova YA, Suvorova MA, Shapar AO, Tokarevich NK. BACTERIAL AND VIRAL PATHOGENS IN IXODES SP. TICKS IN ST. PETERSBURG AND LENINGRAD DISTRICT. RUSSIAN JOURNAL OF INFECTION AND IMMUNITY 2018. [DOI: 10.15789/2220-7619-2018-2-219-222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Tick-borne infections are the most common group of zooanthroponotic diseases in the Northern Hemisphere. For the Baltic Sea region and Fennoscandia, the dominant infectious pathologies transmitted by ticks are tick-borne borreliosis and tick- borne encephalitis. The presence of vast forested areas, actively visited by people in St. Petersburg and the Leningrad region, contributes to a rather high level of encroachment on the flares and intelligence of the borreliosis and tick-borne encephalitis among the population of these regions. The relatively dangerous pathogens that can be transmitted with the tick bite are also of particular danger: Anaplasma sp., Ehrlichia sp., Coxiella burnetii, Rickettsia sp. In this work, detection was performed using molecular genetic methods of TBE virus, B. burgdorferi sensu lato and Rickettsia sp. in engorged ticksple, as well as questing ticks collected from vegetation. The established levels of infection of TBE on infected ticks, levels of infection by pathogenic Borrelia of questing and engorgeded ticks were approximately equal. Rickettsia was not found in the ticks. The conducted analysis of the pathogens prevalence in comparison with the data of russian and foreign authors. Monitoring the prevalence of tick-borne pathogens is an important issue in the prevention of tick- borne infections in the North-Western Russia.
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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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Jiang J, An H, Lee JS, O’Guinn ML, Kim HC, Chong ST, Zhang Y, Song D, Burrus RG, Bao Y, Klein TA, Richards AL. Molecular characterization of Haemaphysalis longicornis-borne rickettsiae, Republic of Korea and China. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2018; 9:1606-1613. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2018.07.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2018] [Revised: 06/07/2018] [Accepted: 07/28/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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Moore TC, Pulscher LA, Caddell L, von Fricken ME, Anderson BD, Gonchigoo B, Gray GC. Evidence for transovarial transmission of tick-borne rickettsiae circulating in Northern Mongolia. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2018; 12:e0006696. [PMID: 30148847 PMCID: PMC6128658 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0006696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2017] [Revised: 09/07/2018] [Accepted: 07/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Transstadial transmission of tick-borne rickettsiae has been well documented. Few studies, however, have evaluated the role of transovarial transmission of tick-borne rickettsiae, particularly in nature within the host-vector ecosystem. This cross-sectional study aimed to understand the role of transovarial transmission of tick-borne rickettsiae among feeding ticks at different life stages. Tick eggs laid by engorged wild-caught adult female ticks were pooled and tested for Rickettsia spp. and Anaplasma/Ehrlichia spp. using molecular techniques, while adult fed ticks were tested individually. Additionally, larval and nymphal ticks were collected in the wild from small mammals, pooled and tested for Rickettsia spp. and Anaplasma/Ehrlichia spp. There were 38 fed adult and 618 larvae/nymphs (60 pools total) Dermacentor spp. ticks collected from livestock and rodents. All individual adult ticks and tick pools were positive for Rickettsia spp. While none of the larvae/nymphs were positive for Anaplasma/Ehrlichia spp., two adult fed ticks were positive. Rickettsia spp. DNA was detected in 91% (30/33) of the pooled eggs tested, and one pool of eggs tested positive for Anaplasma/Ehrlichia spp. Sequencing data revealed Rickettsia spp. shared ≥99% identity with R. raoultii ompA. Anaplasma/Ehrlichia spp. shared ≥89% identity with A. ovis 16S ribosomal RNA. This study identified potential transovarial transmission of Rickettsia spp. and Anaplasma spp. among D. nuttalli ticks. Additional studies are needed to further assess the proportion of transovarial transmission occurring in nature to better understand the burden and disease ecology of tick-borne rickettsiae in Mongolia. In this study, we evaluate the probability or likelihood that tick-borne rickettsiae might be transmitted vertically from wild engorged adult female ticks collected throughout the Northern region of Mongolia during the summer of 2016. While significant effort has been directed to study tick-borne rickettsiae, this public health challenge is complicated by the limited knowledge and understanding of tick and tick-borne rickettsiae ecology within Mongolia. Tick-borne rickettsiae of concern to humans and animals in this region of the world are Rickettsia spp., Anaplasma spp., and Ehrlichia spp. Using molecular techniques, we detected rickettsiae among all Dermacentor spp. tick life stages and demonstrated potential vertical transmission of Rickettsia spp., and Anaplasma spp. among wild engorged adult female Dermacentor nuttalli ticks. We believe our findings provide important information regarding the ecology of key rickettsiae associated with tick-borne disease in Mongolia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas C. Moore
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Laura A. Pulscher
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Luke Caddell
- Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, Florida, United States of America
| | - Michael E. von Fricken
- Department of Global and Community Health, George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia, United States of America
| | - Benjamin D. Anderson
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
| | | | - Gregory C. Gray
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
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Kuo CC, Huang JL, Chien CH, Shih HC, Wang HC. First molecular detection of Anaplasma phagocytophilum in the hard tick Rhipicephalus haemaphysaloides in Taiwan. EXPERIMENTAL & APPLIED ACAROLOGY 2018; 75:437-443. [PMID: 30116923 DOI: 10.1007/s10493-018-0283-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2018] [Accepted: 08/13/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Anaplasma phagocytophilum is transmitted mainly by hard ticks and can cause potentially fatal granulocytic anaplasmosis in humans, but its occurrence in ticks in Taiwan has never been investigated although this pathogen has been detected in Taiwanese rodents before. Ticks collected from small mammals in Hualien, eastern Taiwan, were assayed for Anaplasma infections; infections of Rickettsia and Apicomplexa protozoans were also studied. Of the 270 individually assayed Rhipicephalus haemaphysaloides ticks, A. phagocytophilum was identified in a nymphal tick. Parasites most similar to Anaplasma bovis, Rickettsia rickettsii, Rickettsia sp. TwKM01, and at least seven apicomplexan species (including genera Cryptosporidium, Hepatozoon, and Theileria) were also identified. This study shows that A. phagocytophilum does occur in the hard tick in Taiwan, although whether R. haemaphysaloides can vector this pathogen remains to be determined. This work also reveals a high diversity of tick-borne bacteria and protozoans circulating in a small region and calls for further research on their potential risks for human health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chi-Chien Kuo
- Department of Life Science, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Center for Diagnostics and Vaccine Development, Centers for Disease Control, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Wildlife, Fish, and Conservation Biology, University of California, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA, 95616, USA
| | - Jing-Lun Huang
- Center for Diagnostics and Vaccine Development, Centers for Disease Control, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Taipei, Taiwan
- Biological Sciences, Institute for Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Chia-Hao Chien
- Center for Diagnostics and Vaccine Development, Centers for Disease Control, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Han-Chun Shih
- Center for Diagnostics and Vaccine Development, Centers for Disease Control, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Hsi-Chieh Wang
- Center for Diagnostics and Vaccine Development, Centers for Disease Control, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Taipei, Taiwan.
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Kang JG, Cho YK, Jo YS, Chae JB, Oh SS, Kim KH, Ko MK, Yi J, Choi KS, Yu DH, Kim HC, Park J, Park BK, Choi CY, Jung YH, Chae JS. Prevalence of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus in black goats (Capra hircus coreanae) in the Republic of Korea. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2018; 9:1153-1157. [PMID: 29724620 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2018.04.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2017] [Revised: 04/24/2018] [Accepted: 04/25/2018] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus (SFTSV) is an emerging tick-borne pathogen in China, Japan, and the Republic of Korea (ROK). The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of SFTSV antigens and anti-SFTSV antibodies in black goats (Capra hircus coreanae) throughout the ROK. Sera were collected from 737 black goats in nine provinces in the ROK. Eighteen of 737 (2.4%) goat sera were positive for SFTSV on one-step reverse transcription nested polymerase chain reaction. The amplified 346-bp S segments of SFTSV sequences were classified into three genotypes (BG1, BG2, and BG3), and were included in the Japanese clade rather than the Chinese clade, based on phylogenetic analysis. Forty-three of 624 (6.9%) serum samples were seropositive for anti-SFTSV antibodies on enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay analysis. This study is the first to examine the molecular prevalence of SFTSV in goats and the first to perform serological detection of anti-SFTSV antibodies in livestock in the ROK. Moreover, the results indicate that SFTSV is widely distributed in goats and that additional monitoring for SFTSV is needed in livestock in the ROK.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun-Gu Kang
- Laboratory of Veterinary Internal Medicine, BK21 Plus Program for Creative for Veterinary Science Research, Research Institute of Veterinary Science and College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Yoon-Kyoung Cho
- Laboratory of Veterinary Internal Medicine, BK21 Plus Program for Creative for Veterinary Science Research, Research Institute of Veterinary Science and College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Yong-Sun Jo
- Laboratory of Veterinary Internal Medicine, BK21 Plus Program for Creative for Veterinary Science Research, Research Institute of Veterinary Science and College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Jeong-Byoung Chae
- Laboratory of Veterinary Internal Medicine, BK21 Plus Program for Creative for Veterinary Science Research, Research Institute of Veterinary Science and College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Sung-Suck Oh
- Laboratory of Veterinary Internal Medicine, BK21 Plus Program for Creative for Veterinary Science Research, Research Institute of Veterinary Science and College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Kye-Hyung Kim
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Pusan National University School of Medicine, Busan 49241, Republic of Korea
| | - Mee-Kyung Ko
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Pusan National University School of Medicine, Busan 49241, Republic of Korea
| | - Jongyoun Yi
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Pusan National University School of Medicine, Busan 49241, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyoung-Seong Choi
- College of Ecology and Environmental Science, Kyungpook National University, Sangju 37224, Republic of Korea
| | - Do-Hyeon Yu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 52828, Korea
| | - Hyeon-Cheol Kim
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Kwangwon National University, Chuncheon, Gangwon 24341, Republic of Korea
| | - Jinho Park
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Chonbuk National University, Iksan 54596, Republic of Korea
| | - Bae-Keun Park
- Research Institute of Veterinary Medicine and College of Veterinary Medicine, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Republic of Korea
| | - Chang-Yong Choi
- National Institute of Animal Science, RDA, Jeonju 55365, Republic of Korea
| | - Young-Hun Jung
- National Institute of Animal Science, RDA, Jeonju 55365, Republic of Korea
| | - Joon-Seok Chae
- Laboratory of Veterinary Internal Medicine, BK21 Plus Program for Creative for Veterinary Science Research, Research Institute of Veterinary Science and College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea.
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Kang JG, Chae JB, Cho YK, Jo YS, Shin NS, Lee H, Choi KS, Yu DH, Park J, Park BK, Chae JS. Molecular Detection of Anaplasma, Bartonella, and Borrelia theileri in Raccoon Dogs ( Nyctereutes procyonoides) in Korea. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2018; 98:1061-1068. [PMID: 29436346 PMCID: PMC5928811 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.17-0380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2017] [Accepted: 01/11/2018] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Anaplasmosis, cat-scratch disease, and Lyme disease are emerging vector-borne infectious diseases in Korea. Although the prevalence of vector-borne pathogens (VBPs) in domestic animals and vector arthropods has been documented, there is limited information on the presence of VBPs in wild animals. The raccoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides), a wild canid found in East Asia and Europe, represents a potential wildlife reservoir for zoonotic diseases. To investigate the prevalence of VBPs in raccoon dogs, 142 carcasses and 51 blood samples from captured raccoon dogs were collected from 2003 to 2010 and from 2008 to 2009, respectively, in Korea. In addition, 105 Haemaphysalis flava (14 larvae, 43 nymphs, 32 males, and 16 females) and nine Haemaphysalis longicornis (all female) were collected from three raccoon dogs. Samples of the spleen and blood were tested for the presence of VBPs by using nested polymerase chain reaction. Among the samples collected from 193 raccoon dogs and 114 ticks, two samples were positive for Anaplasma phagocytophilum, four for Anaplasma bovis, two for Borrelia theileri, and two for Bartonella henselae. To the best of our knowledge, this study is the largest survey of raccoon dogs aimed at the analysis of VBPs in this species. Moreover, the present study represents the first identification of A. phagocytophilum, B. henselae, and B. theileri in raccoon dogs in their native habitat (East Asia).
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun-Gu Kang
- Laboratory of Veterinary Internal Medicine, Research Institute BK21 Program for Veterinary Science and College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jeong-Byoung Chae
- Laboratory of Veterinary Internal Medicine, Research Institute BK21 Program for Veterinary Science and College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Yoon-Kyoung Cho
- Laboratory of Veterinary Internal Medicine, Research Institute BK21 Program for Veterinary Science and College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Young-Sun Jo
- Laboratory of Veterinary Internal Medicine, Research Institute BK21 Program for Veterinary Science and College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Nam-Shik Shin
- Laboratory of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine, Research Institute and BK21 Program for Veterinary Science and College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Hang Lee
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Kyoung-Seong Choi
- College of Ecology and Environmental Science, Kyungpook National University, Sangju, Korea
| | - Do-Hyeon Yu
- Institute of Animal Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, Korea
| | - Jinho Park
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Chonbuk National University, Iksan, Korea
| | - Bae-Keun Park
- Research Institute of Veterinary Medicine and College of Veterinary Medicine, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, Korea
| | - Joon-Seok Chae
- Laboratory of Veterinary Internal Medicine, Research Institute BK21 Program for Veterinary Science and College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea
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Park J, Han DG, Ryu JH, Chae JB, Chae JS, Yu DH, Park BK, Kim HC, Choi KS. Molecular detection of Anaplasma bovis in Holstein cattle in the Republic of Korea. Acta Vet Scand 2018. [PMID: 29530058 PMCID: PMC5848521 DOI: 10.1186/s13028-018-0370-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Anaplasmosis is a tick-borne infectious disease that affects both human and animal health. This study was performed to characterize and investigate the prevalence of infection with Anaplasma bovis in Holstein cattle originating from two regions in the Republic of Korea (ROK). Blood samples (n = 151; 80 from Namwon and 71 from Jeju Island) were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction, and the prevalence of A. bovis infection was compared before and after grazing. In Namwon, A. bovis infection was not detected, while in the Jeju Island, A. bovis infection was detected in three of 13 animals after grazing. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the A. bovis isolates had homology (97.1–99.7%) with a Korean spotted deer (Cervus nippon) isolate and Haemaphysalis longicornis tick isolates identified in the ROK. A. bovis infection has not previously been diagnosed in cattle in the ROK. This study shows that A. bovis infection in the Jeju Island is closely related to grazing.
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Wattanamethanont J, Kaewthamasorn M, Tiawsirisup S. Natural infection of questing ixodid ticks with protozoa and bacteria in Chonburi Province, Thailand. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2018. [PMID: 29519772 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2018.02.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Ixodid ticks are important vectors of tick-borne disease agents affecting humans and animals, with wildlife often serving as important reservoirs. This study examined protozoal and bacterial infection in questing ticks in forest habitats in Chonburi Province, Thailand in 2015, using PCR and DNA sequencing techniques. A total of 12,184 ticks were morphologically identified to species and a subset of ticks were confirmed by PCR, targeting the tick mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene. Tick species collected included Haemaphysalis lagrangei (92.8%), H. wellingtoni (0.1%), and Rhipicephalus microplus (7.0%). In total, 419 tick pools [ELM(1] [ST2] were examined by PCR amplification of a fragment of the 18S rRNA gene of Babesia and Theileria species, and the 16S rRNA gene of bacteria in the family Anaplasmataceae. Results revealed a tick infection rate for the tick pools of 57.0% (239/419) including four pathogens and one bacterial symbiont. The highest infection rate in H. lagrangei, H. wellingtoni, and R. microplus pools was recorded for Anaplasma spp. at 55.6% (233/419) including three Anaplasma species genotype groups Anaplasma spp. closely related to A. bovis, A. platys, and unidentified Anaplasma spp. Theileria spp. showed a lower infection rate in H. lagrangei at 4.3% (18/419) with three Theileria species genotypes closely related to T. cervi, T. capreoli, and unidentified Theileria spp. Only 0.2% (1/419) of H. lagrangei pools contained Babesia spp., Ehrlichia spp., or Wolbachia spp. [ELM(3] [ST4] These findings provided information on tick species in wildlife habitats and detected protozoa and bacteria in the ticks. The results suggest that these tick species are possible vectors for transmitting tick-borne disease agents in Thailand wildlife habitats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juntra Wattanamethanont
- Veterinary Pathobiology Program, The Veterinary Parasitology Unit, Department of Veterinary Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand; Animal Vector-Borne Disease Research Group, The Veterinary Parasitology Unit, Department of Veterinary Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
| | - Morakot Kaewthamasorn
- Animal Vector-Borne Disease Research Group, The Veterinary Parasitology Unit, Department of Veterinary Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand; Veterinary Parasitology Research Group, The Veterinary Parasitology Unit, Department of Veterinary Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330 Thailand
| | - Sonthaya Tiawsirisup
- Animal Vector-Borne Disease Research Group, The Veterinary Parasitology Unit, Department of Veterinary Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand.
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Braga MDSCDO, Pereira JG, Fernandes SDJ, Marques ICL, Jesus RPD, Ferreira GS, Xavier DR, Benevenute JL, Machado RZ, André MR. Molecular detection of Anaplasmataceae agents in Dasyprocta azarae in northeastern Brazil. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2018; 27:99-105. [PMID: 29641788 DOI: 10.1590/s1984-29612017071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2017] [Accepted: 11/13/2017] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Recently, the importance of wild-living rodents for maintenance of pathogens of the family Anaplasmataceae in the environment was investigated. These mammals play a role as reservoirs for these pathogens and act as hosts for the immature stages of tick vectors. The aim of the present study was to investigate the prevalence of Ehrlichia sp. and Anaplasma sp. in 24 specimens of Azara's agouti (Dasyprocta azarae) that had been trapped in the Itapiracó Environmental Reserve, in São Luís, Maranhão, northeastern Brazil, using molecular methods. Four animals (16.7%) were positive for Ehrlichia spp. in nested PCR assays based on the 16S rRNA gene. In a phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene, using the maximum likelihood method and the GTRGAMMA+I evolutionary model, Ehrlichia sp. genotypes detected in Azara's agoutis were found to be closely related to E. canis and to genotypes relating to E. canis that had previously been detected in free-living animals in Brazil. The present work showed the first molecular detection of Ehrlichia sp. in Azara's agoutis in Brazil.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Simone de Jesus Fernandes
- Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias, Universidade Estadual Paulista - UNESP, Jaboticabal, SP, Brasil
| | | | | | | | | | - Jyan Lucas Benevenute
- Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias, Universidade Estadual Paulista - UNESP, Jaboticabal, SP, Brasil
| | - Rosangela Zacarias Machado
- Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias, Universidade Estadual Paulista - UNESP, Jaboticabal, SP, Brasil
| | - Marcos Rogério André
- Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias, Universidade Estadual Paulista - UNESP, Jaboticabal, SP, Brasil
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Kwon SJ, Kim YH, Oh HH, Choi US. First Case of Canine Infection with Hepatozoon canis (Apicomplexa: Haemogregarinidae) in the Republic of Korea. THE KOREAN JOURNAL OF PARASITOLOGY 2017; 55:561-564. [PMID: 29103272 PMCID: PMC5678469 DOI: 10.3347/kjp.2017.55.5.561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2016] [Revised: 10/24/2016] [Accepted: 11/11/2016] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
This report describes a dog infected with Hepatozoon canis, the first canine infection in the Republic of Korea. A 2-year-old intact male Maltese dog presented with anorexia and depression. Physical examinations revealed mild dehydration and hyperthermia (39.8°C), and blood analysis showed pancytopenia. Diff-Quik staining of blood smear specimens showed the presence of ellipsoidal shaped structures (gamonts of H. canis) within a small number of neutrophils. Real-time PCR analysis using whole blood confirmed infection by H. canis. The clinical condition of the dog improved after symptomatic treatment and administration of doxycycline. Although a molecular epidemiologic survey in Korea showed H. canis infection of dogs, to our knowledge this is the first report of a dog infection in Korea molecularly shown to be H. canis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seung-Joo Kwon
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Chonbuk National University, Iksan 54596, Korea
| | - Yoon-Hee Kim
- Western Animal Medical Center, Seoul 04103, Korea
| | - Hyun-Hee Oh
- Kwangjin Animal Medical Center, Seoul 04975, Korea
| | - Ul-Soo Choi
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Chonbuk National University, Iksan 54596, Korea
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Kamani J, Baneth G, Gutiérrez R, Nachum-Biala Y, Mumcuoglu KY, Harrus S. Coxiella burnetii and Rickettsia conorii: Two zoonotic pathogens in peridomestic rodents and their ectoparasites in Nigeria. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2017; 9:86-92. [PMID: 29042240 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2017.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2017] [Revised: 09/22/2017] [Accepted: 10/02/2017] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Rodents are hosts of numerous pathogenic agents of public health importance globally. Their ability to harbor these pathogens without showing overt clinical signs of disease has epidemiologic consequences. In some rural settings in Nigeria, humans and rodents do not only share feeds and abode, but the latter may end up on the table of the former as a source of protein, thereby increasing the risks of disease transmission. Molecular assays were used to detect and characterize two agents of zoonotic importance, Coxiella burnetii and Rickettsia spp. in 194 peridomestic rodents captured in a peri-urban setting in Nigeria, and 32 pools of ectoparasites removed from them, to determine their possible role in the epidemiology of these diseases in this country. Targeting and characterizing the insertion sequence IS1111, C. burnetii DNA was detected in 4 out of 194 (2.1%) rodents comprising 3 out of 121 (2.5%) Rattus norvegicus and 1 out of 48 (2.1%) Rattus rattus screened in this study. Rickettsia spp. DNA was detected in two Rhipicephalus sanginueus sensu lato pools (i.e. RT1 and RT4) using the citrate synthase (gltA) gene and further characterized by amplification and sequence analysis of six genes to determine their identity. The RT1 sample consistently gave 98-100% identity to Rickettsia conorii str. Malish 7 for the various genes and loci studied. However, the identity of RT4 could not be definitively determined due to variable identities to different Rickettsia spp. according to the gene or loci under consideration. Further isolation study to determine if the RT4 characterized is a new variant or a mixture of sequences of different rickettsiae within the pool will be worthwhile.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua Kamani
- Parasitology Division, National Veterinary Research Institute (NVRI), PMB 01 Vom, Plateau State, Nigeria.
| | - Gad Baneth
- Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel.
| | - Ricardo Gutiérrez
- Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel.
| | - Yaarit Nachum-Biala
- Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel.
| | - Kosta Y Mumcuoglu
- Parasitology Unit, Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, The Kuvin Center for the Study of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, Hebrew University Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem, Israel.
| | - Shimon Harrus
- Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel.
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