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Kang T, Choi YJ, Kim J, Park HJ, Jang WJ. Whole genome sequence and comparative genomic analysis of novel Rickettsia koreansis strain CNH17-7 isolated from human. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis 2024; 43:1909-1918. [PMID: 39031268 DOI: 10.1007/s10096-024-04876-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2024] [Accepted: 06/15/2024] [Indexed: 07/22/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE To determine the genomic feature of novel spotted fever-causing Rickettsia koreansis strain CNH17-7, which is different from R. japonica that is a causative agent for Japanese spotted fever (JSF), and to perform its comparative genomic analysis. METHODS Whole genome sequencing (WGS) was performed on R. koreansis strain CNH17-7 by using the Illumina Miseq system. After WGS, assembly and annotation were done by SPAdes. Then, its genomic features were compared with 19 different Rickettsia species. Based on the average nucleotide identity (ANI) value, an unweighted pair group method with an arithmetic mean (UPGMA) dendrogram was generated. Following the dendrogram analysis, pan-and core-genome analysis was performed. Then additional comparative analyses with two genetically closest Rickettsia species were conducted based on gene repertoire. RESULTS R. koreansis strain CNH17-7 has a chromosome consisting of 1,392,633 bp with GC content of 32.4%. The ANI-derived UPGMA showed that R. koreansis strain CNH17-7 is genetically close to R. japonica YH and R. heilongjiangensis 054 but is distinctively differentiated. The ANI value of R. koreansis strain CNH17-7 to R. japonica YH and R. heilongjiangensis 054 are 98.14% and 98.04% respectively, indicating R. koreansis strain CNH17-7 is sufficient to be classified as a new species. Other than ANI, R. koreansis strain CNH17-7 also contains novel CDS and its COG functional category proportion which is distinct compared to R. japonica YH and R. heilongjiangensis 054. CONCLUSION We have revealed genomic features of the novel R. koreansis strain CNH17-7. Hence, we propose R. koreansis strain CNH17-7 as new Rickettsia species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taeuk Kang
- Department of Microbiology, Konkuk University School of Medicine, College of Medicine, 120 Neungdong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, 05029, Republic of Korea
- Research Institute of Medical Science, Konkuk University School of Medicine, 120 Neungdong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, 05029, Republic of Korea
| | - Yeon-Joo Choi
- Department of Microbiology, Konkuk University School of Medicine, College of Medicine, 120 Neungdong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, 05029, Republic of Korea
- Research Institute of Medical Science, Konkuk University School of Medicine, 120 Neungdong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, 05029, Republic of Korea
| | - Jeoungyeon Kim
- Department of Microbiology, Konkuk University School of Medicine, College of Medicine, 120 Neungdong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, 05029, Republic of Korea
- Research Institute of Medical Science, Konkuk University School of Medicine, 120 Neungdong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, 05029, Republic of Korea
| | - Hye-Jin Park
- Department of Microbiology, Konkuk University School of Medicine, College of Medicine, 120 Neungdong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, 05029, Republic of Korea
- Research Institute of Medical Science, Konkuk University School of Medicine, 120 Neungdong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, 05029, Republic of Korea
| | - Won-Jong Jang
- Department of Microbiology, Konkuk University School of Medicine, College of Medicine, 120 Neungdong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, 05029, Republic of Korea.
- Research Institute of Medical Science, Konkuk University School of Medicine, 120 Neungdong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, 05029, Republic of Korea.
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Seo JY, Park JS, Lee HI, Ju JW. Molecular Identification of Spotted Fever Group Rickettsiae in Ticks in the Republic of Korea. Pathogens 2024; 13:575. [PMID: 39057802 PMCID: PMC11280320 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens13070575] [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: 06/14/2024] [Revised: 07/03/2024] [Accepted: 07/08/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The Rickettsia species transmitted by ticks are mostly classified within the spotted fever group rickettsiae (SFGR), which causes tick-borne rickettsiosis. Although efforts have been made to investigate their prevalence in the Republic of Korea (ROK), research has been limited to certain areas. Furthermore, the pooling method for ticks does not fully reflect the exact infection rate. Therefore, we aimed to perform molecular identification of SFGR in ticks to elucidate the current prevalence of tick-borne rickettsiosis in the ROK. The SFGR of ticks was identified using polymerase chain reaction targeting the 17 kDa antigen, ompA, and gltA, followed by sequencing for species identification and phylogenetic analysis. In total, 302 ticks belonging to four species (Haemaphysalis flava, H. longicornis, Ixodes nipponensis, and Amblyomma testudinarium) were collected between April and November 2022. The overall SFGR infection rate was 26.8% (81/302 patients). Both adult and nymphal ticks and the SFGR infection rate increased during April-May, reaching their peaks in June, followed by a marked decline in August and July, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis revealed three species (R. monacensis, R. heilongjiangensis, and Candidatus R. jingxinensis) of SFGR. Thus, our results emphasize the importance of tick surveys for the prevention and management of tick-borne rickettsiosis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Jung-Won Ju
- Division of Vectors and Parasitic Diseases, Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, 187 Osongsaengmyeong 2-ro, Osong-eup, Heungdeok-gu, Cheongju 28159, Chungbuk, Republic of Korea
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Tasak N, Apidechkul T, Law ACK, Abdad MY, Srichan P, Perrone C, Tanganuchitcharnchai A, Wongsantichon J, Blacksell SD. Prevalence of and factors associated with scrub typhus exposure among the hill tribe population living in high incidence areas in Thailand: a cross-sectional study. BMC Public Health 2023; 23:2394. [PMID: 38041104 PMCID: PMC10693027 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-023-17313-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2023] [Accepted: 11/23/2023] [Indexed: 12/03/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Scrub typhus is a significant tropical disease, occurring in rural settings and therefore usually afflicting remote agricultural populations who have lower socioeconomic status and limited access to medical care. A large proportion of the hill tribe people in Thailand are financially poor, have limited education, and do not have adequate health care access. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of and determine factors associated with scrub typhus exposure among the hill tribe population living in high-incidence areas in northern Thailand. METHODS A cross-sectional study design was used to gather information from hill tribe people aged 18 years and over living in ten hill tribe villages in Mae Fah Luang, Chiang Rai Province, Thailand. Participants who met the inclusion criteria were invited to participate in the study. A validated questionnaire was used as the research instrument, and 5 mL blood samples were taken. Orientia tsutsugamushi IgM and IgG antibodies were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and then confirmed by immunofluorescence assay (IFA). Logistic regression was used to detect associations between variables at a significance level of α = 0.05. RESULTS A total of 485 hill tribe people participated in the study; 57.1% were female, 29.9% were over 60 years of age, 46.4% were from the Akha tribe, and 74.2% had never attended school. The overall prevalence of scrub typhus exposure was 48.0%. In the multivariate model, five variables were found to be associated with scrub typhus exposure. Participants aged over 60 years had a 4.31-fold increased risk (95% CI = 1.73-10.72) of scrub typhus exposure compared to those who were younger than 30 years. Those who were illiterate had a 3.46-fold increased risk (95% CI = 1.93-6.21) of scrub typhus exposure than those who had at least a primary education level. Participants from the Akha tribe had a 2.20-fold increased risk (95% CI = 1.31-3.72) of scrub typhus exposure than those from the Lahu tribe. Subjects who had a history of cutting grass had a 1.85-fold increased risk (95% CI = 1.20-2.84) of scrub typhus exposure. Those who never wore gloves for farming had a 2.12-fold increased risk (95% CI = 1.28-3.49) of scrub typhus exposure than those who wore gloves daily. CONCLUSIONS There is a high prevalence of scrub typhus exposure among the hill tribe in Thailand. Effective public health interventions to promote scrub typhus awareness and prevention are urgently needed in these populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nidanuch Tasak
- School of Health Science, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai, Thailand
- Mahidol Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Tawatchai Apidechkul
- School of Health Science, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai, Thailand.
- Center of Excellence, The Hill Tribe Health Research, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai, Thailand.
| | - Andrew C K Law
- Department of Psychiatry, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland & University College Dublin, (Malaysia Campus), Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
| | - Mohammad Yazid Abdad
- Mahidol Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Bangkok, Thailand
- Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Peeradone Srichan
- School of Health Science, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai, Thailand
- Center of Excellence, The Hill Tribe Health Research, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai, Thailand
| | - Carlo Perrone
- Mahidol Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Bangkok, Thailand
- Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | | | | | - Stuart D Blacksell
- Mahidol Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Bangkok, Thailand
- Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
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Lee SH, Chong ST, Kim HC, Klein TA, Park K, Lee J, Kim JA, Kim WK, Song JW. Surveillance and Molecular Identification of Borrelia Species in Ticks Collected at U.S. Army Garrison Humphreys, Republic of Korea, 2018-2019. JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY 2022; 59:363-371. [PMID: 34642760 DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjab170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Tick-borne pathogens are contributing factors for the increased incidence of vector-borne diseases throughout the world, including Lyme borreliosis, one of the most prevalent spirochetes belonging to the Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato group. The present study focused on the detection of Borrelia species from hard ticks collected at U.S. Army Garrison Humphreys, Republic of Korea (ROK), using molecular and genotypic analyses. Tick-borne disease surveillance was conducted from January to December, 2018-2019. A total of 24,281 ticks (2 genera and 5 species) were collected from road-killed Korean Water deer (KWD) and by tick drag. Haemaphysalis longicornis (92.0%) was the most commonly collected species, followed by Haemaphysalis flava (4.9%), Ixodes nipponensis (3.1%), Haemaphysalis phasiana (0.07%), and Haemaphysalis japonica (<0.01%). The ospA gene sequences of Borrelia afzelii were detected in 12/529 pools of I. nipponensis. Three and one pools were positive for B. afzelii and Borrelia miyamotoi, respectively, using the 16s rRNA gene. None of the pools of Haemaphysalis ticks collected from KWD or by tick drag were positive for Borrelia species. I. nipponensis was collected throughout the year from KWD and from February to November by tick drag, suggesting that they were active throughout the year, and expanding the risk period for acquiring Lyme borreliosis and Borrelia relapsing fever in the ROK. This study assessed disease risk factors associated with the prevalence of Lyme disease in ticks collected from KWD and by tick drag using molecular analysis. These results provide an understanding and awareness into the prevalence and molecular characteristics of Borrelia species in the ROK.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seung-Ho Lee
- Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Sung-Tae Chong
- Force Health Protection and Preventive Medicine, Medical Department Activity-Korea/65th Medical Brigade, Unit 15281 (Pyeongtaek, Republic of Korea), APO, AP, USA
| | - Heung-Chul Kim
- Force Health Protection and Preventive Medicine, Medical Department Activity-Korea/65th Medical Brigade, Unit 15281 (Pyeongtaek, Republic of Korea), APO, AP, USA
| | - Terry A Klein
- Force Health Protection and Preventive Medicine, Medical Department Activity-Korea/65th Medical Brigade, Unit 15281 (Pyeongtaek, Republic of Korea), APO, AP, USA
| | - Kyungmin Park
- Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- BK21 Graduate Program, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jingyeong Lee
- Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jeong-Ah Kim
- Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Division of High-risk Pathogens, Bureau of Infectious Diseases Diagnosis Control, Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, Cheongju, Republic of Korea
| | - Won-Keun Kim
- Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, Hallym University, Chuncheon, Republic of Korea
- Institute of Medical Science, College of Medicine, Hallym University, Chuncheon, Republic of Korea
| | - Jin-Won Song
- Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- BK21 Graduate Program, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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Yen TY, Wang HC, Chang YC, Su CL, Chang SF, Shu PY, Tsai KH. Seroepidemiological Study of Spotted Fever Group Rickettsiae and Identification of a Putative New Species, Rickesttsia sp. Da-1, in Gongliao, Northeast Taiwan. Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10111434. [PMID: 34832589 PMCID: PMC8617620 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10111434] [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: 08/24/2021] [Revised: 10/29/2021] [Accepted: 11/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Tick-borne spotted fever group (SFG) rickettsioses were neglected in Taiwan. The study reported a seroepidemiological survey of SFG rickettsiae in residents in Gongliao District, Northeast Taiwan. Blood samples were examined for antibodies against SFG rickettsiae by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and immunofluorescence assay. Risk factors were assessed using logistic regression. Ticks parasitizing dogs were collected within a 2 km radius from the houses of seropositive participants, and PCR was performed to detect possible tick-borne pathogens. Of 1108 participants, 75 (6.8%) had antibodies against SFG rickettsiae. Residents were more likely to be seropositive if they were older than 65 years, recruited by Dr. Enjoy’s Clinic, or resided in Jilin village. A total of 184 ticks including 5 species (Rhipicephalus sanguineus, Rhipicephalus haemaphysaloides, Dermacentor auratus, Haemaphysalis hystricis, Haemaphysalis ornithophila) were collected. Rickettsia spp. were detected in 6.5% (12/184) of ticks. Rickettsia sp. TwKM01 was found in 6 R. sanguineus and 4 R. haemaphysaloides; while Rickettsia sp. TwKM03 was identified in 1 R. sanguineus. Moreover, gene-based pairwise analysis indicated identification of a putative new species, Rickettsia sp. Da-1, in D. auratus. These findings provided evidence of SFG rickettsiae infection in ticks and suggested SFG rickettsiae exposure in the residents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tsai-Ying Yen
- Institute of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, Taipei 100025, Taiwan; (T.-Y.Y.); (H.-C.W.)
| | - Hsi-Chieh Wang
- Institute of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, Taipei 100025, Taiwan; (T.-Y.Y.); (H.-C.W.)
| | - Yin-Chao Chang
- Dr. Enjoy’s Clinic, Gong-Liao District, New Taipei City 228003, Taiwan;
| | - Chien-Ling Su
- Center for Diagnostics and Vaccine Development, Centers for Disease Control, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Taipei 115210, Taiwan; (C.-L.S.); (S.-F.C.)
| | - Shu-Fen Chang
- Center for Diagnostics and Vaccine Development, Centers for Disease Control, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Taipei 115210, Taiwan; (C.-L.S.); (S.-F.C.)
| | - Pei-Yun Shu
- Center for Diagnostics and Vaccine Development, Centers for Disease Control, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Taipei 115210, Taiwan; (C.-L.S.); (S.-F.C.)
- Correspondence: (P.-Y.S.); (K.-H.T.); Tel.: +886-2-26531372 (P.-Y.S.); +886-2-33668103 (K.-H.T.)
| | - Kun-Hsien Tsai
- Institute of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, Taipei 100025, Taiwan; (T.-Y.Y.); (H.-C.W.)
- Department of Public Health, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, Taipei 100025, Taiwan
- Correspondence: (P.-Y.S.); (K.-H.T.); Tel.: +886-2-26531372 (P.-Y.S.); +886-2-33668103 (K.-H.T.)
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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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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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Um J, Nam Y, Lim JN, Kim M, An Y, Hwang SH, Park JS. Seroprevalence of scrub typhus, murine typhus and spotted fever groups in North Korean refugees. Int J Infect Dis 2021; 106:23-28. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijid.2021.02.111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2021] [Revised: 02/24/2021] [Accepted: 02/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
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Gaba S, Gupta M, Gaba R, Lehl SS. Scrub Typhus: an Update*. CURRENT TROPICAL MEDICINE REPORTS 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s40475-021-00234-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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Im JH, Chung MH, Park YK, Kwon HY, Baek JH, Lee SY, Lee JS. Antinuclear antibodies in infectious diseases. Infect Dis (Lond) 2019; 52:177-185. [PMID: 31718355 DOI: 10.1080/23744235.2019.1690676] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Antinuclear antibody (ANA) tests are widely used for the diagnosis of autoimmune diseases, but ANAs are also commonly found in patients with various infections. This retrospective study aimed to investigate the relationship between infections and ANA status.Methods: Patients that visited the Department of Infectious Diseases at Inha University Hospital between January 2007 and July 2018 were investigated. We analysed their ANA test results and reviewed rheumatic and infectious diagnoses of patients with positive ANA findings.Results: Of the 9,320 patients during the study period, 1,111 underwent ANA testing and 110 tested positive. Seven of the 110 patients were previously diagnosed with ANA-positive disease, and 21 were diagnosed with autoimmune disease during the present study. Of the remaining 82 patients, 43 were confirmed with infectious disease. The most common pathogen was Mycobacterium tuberculosis (n = 10), followed by Treponema pallidum (n = 5), Orientia tsutsugamushi (n = 5), Escherichia coli (n = 5), Bartonella henselae (n = 3), and human immunodeficiency virus (n = 3). Of the 39 patients without a confirmed pathogen, 7 were seropositive for O. tsutsugamushi, B. henselae, or Rickettsia spp. Patients were observed at an average of 24 weeks in our hospital. One patient developed systemic lupus erythematosus after being diagnosed with Epstein-Barr virus-induced infectious mononucleosis, and another patient developed adult-onset Still's disease after being diagnosed with scrub typhus.Conclusion: This study showed that various relationships exist between infections and rheumatic diseases. In particular, several patients with a positive ANA test result were found to have intracellular infections such as mycobacterial infections, syphilis, or scrub typhus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jae Hyoung Im
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Inha University School of Medicine, Incheon, Republic of Korea
| | - Moon-Hyun Chung
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seigui-po Medical Center, Jeju-Do, Republic of Korea
| | - Young Kyoung Park
- Translation Research Center, Inha University School of Medicine, Incheon, Republic of Korea
| | - Hea Yoon Kwon
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Inha University School of Medicine, Incheon, Republic of Korea
| | - Ji Hyeon Baek
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Inha University School of Medicine, Incheon, Republic of Korea
| | - Seung Yun Lee
- Department of Rheumatology, Inha University Hospital, Incheon, Republic of Korea
| | - Jin-Soo Lee
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Inha University School of Medicine, Incheon, Republic of Korea
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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: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [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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12
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Noguchi M, Oshita S, Yamazoe N, Miyazaki M, Takemura YC. Important Clinical Features of Japanese Spotted Fever. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2018; 99:466-469. [PMID: 29968555 PMCID: PMC6090369 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.17-0576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Japanese spotted fever (JSF) is a zoonosis transmitted by ticks carrying the pathogen Rickettsia japonica. The classic triad of JSF symptoms is high fever, erythema, and tick bite eschar. About 200 people in Japan develop the disease every year. Japanese spotted fever is also a potentially fatal disease. At Minami-Ise Municipal Hospital in Japan, 55 patients were diagnosed with JSF from 2007 to 2015, which was equivalent to 4.3% of the total JSF cases in Japan. In this retrospective study, we examined the medical records of these 55 JSF cases. Fever, erythema, eschar, and elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) are characteristic clinical features of the disease. We confirmed four of these in the reviewed cases; however, eschar was not present in occasional cases. We confirmed that eosinopenia appeared in nearly all cases. Using fever, erythema, elevated CRP, and eosinopenia in diagnostic screening, our positivity rate was 90.9%. In our clinical practice, including eosinopenia improves the initial diagnosis of JSF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masamitsu Noguchi
- Department of Family Medicine, Mie University Graduate School of Medicine, Mie, Japan.,Department of Internal Medicine, Minami-Ise Municipal Hospital, Mie, Japan
| | - Shizuka Oshita
- Department of Medical Technology, Minami-Ise Municipal Hospital, Mie, Japan
| | - Naohisa Yamazoe
- Department of Internal Medicine, Minami-Ise Municipal Hospital, Mie, Japan
| | - Mitsukazu Miyazaki
- Department of Internal Medicine, Minami-Ise Municipal Hospital, Mie, Japan
| | - Yousuke C Takemura
- Department of Family Medicine, Mie University School of Medicine and Graduate School of Medicine, Mie, Japan
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13
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Maina AN, Klein TA, Kim HC, Chong ST, Yang Y, Mullins K, Jiang J, St. John H, Jarman RG, Hang J, Richards AL. Molecular characterization of novel mosquito-borne Rickettsia spp. from mosquitoes collected at the Demilitarized Zone of the Republic of Korea. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0188327. [PMID: 29155880 PMCID: PMC5695765 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0188327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2017] [Accepted: 11/03/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Rickettsiae are associated with a diverse range of invertebrate hosts. Of these, mosquitoes could emerge as one of the most important vectors because of their ability to transmit significant numbers of pathogens and parasites throughout the world. Recent studies have implicated Anopheles gambiae as a potential vector of Rickettsia felis. Herein we report that a metagenome sequencing study identified rickettsial sequence reads in culicine mosquitoes from the Republic of Korea. The detected rickettsiae were characterized by a genus-specific quantitative real-time PCR assay and sequencing of rrs, gltA, 17kDa, ompB, and sca4 genes. Three novel rickettsial genotypes were detected (Rickettsia sp. A12.2646, Rickettsia sp. A12.2638 and Rickettsia sp. A12.3271), from Mansonia uniformis, Culex pipiens, and Aedes esoensis, respectively. The results underscore the need to determine the Rickettsia species diversity associated with mosquitoes, their evolution, distribution and pathogenic potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice N. Maina
- Viral and Rickettsial Diseases Department, Naval Medical Research Center, Silver Spring, Maryland, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Terry A. Klein
- 65 Medical Brigade, Medical Department Activity-Korea, Unit 15281, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Heung-Chul Kim
- 65 Medical Brigade, Medical Department Activity-Korea, Unit 15247, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Sung-Tae Chong
- 65 Medical Brigade, Medical Department Activity-Korea, Unit 15247, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Yu Yang
- Viral Diseases Branch, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Kristin Mullins
- Viral and Rickettsial Diseases Department, Naval Medical Research Center, Silver Spring, Maryland, United States of America
- University of Maryland, School of Medicine, Department of Pathology, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Ju Jiang
- Viral and Rickettsial Diseases Department, Naval Medical Research Center, Silver Spring, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Heidi St. John
- Viral and Rickettsial Diseases Department, Naval Medical Research Center, Silver Spring, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Richard G. Jarman
- Viral Diseases Branch, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Jun Hang
- Viral Diseases Branch, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Allen L. Richards
- Viral and Rickettsial Diseases Department, Naval Medical Research Center, Silver Spring, Maryland, United States of America
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14
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Takhampunya R, Kim HC, Chong ST, Korkusol A, Tippayachai B, Davidson SA, Petersen JM, Klein TA. Francisella-Like Endosymbiont Detected in Haemaphysalis Ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) From the Republic of Korea. JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY 2017; 54:1735-1742. [PMID: 28981682 DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjx123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
A total of 6,255 ticks belonging to three genera and six species (Haemaphysalis flava Neumann, Haemaphysalis longicornis Neumann, Haemaphysalis phasiana Saito, Ixodes nipponensis Kitaoka & Saito, Ixodes persulcatus Schulze, and Amblyomma testudinarium Koch) collected from May-August, 2013, at four southwestern provinces in the Republic of Korea (ROK) were submitted to the Armed Forces Research Institute of Medical Sciences and assayed for selected tick-borne pathogens. One pool each of H. flava and H. phasiana was positive by PCR and sequencing for a Francisella-like endosymbiont, while all pools were negative for Francisella tularensis, the causative agent of tularemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ratree Takhampunya
- Diagnostic and Reemerging Disease Section, Department of Entomology, Armed Forces Research Institute of Medical Sciences, 315/6 Rajvithi Rd., Bangkok 10400, Thailand
| | - Heung-Chul Kim
- 5th Medical Detachment/Medical Department Activity-Korea, 65th Medical Brigade, Unit 15247, APO AP 96205-5247, USA
| | - Sung-Tae Chong
- 5th Medical Detachment/Medical Department Activity-Korea, 65th Medical Brigade, Unit 15247, APO AP 96205-5247, USA
| | - Achareeya Korkusol
- Diagnostic and Reemerging Disease Section, Department of Entomology, Armed Forces Research Institute of Medical Sciences, 315/6 Rajvithi Rd., Bangkok 10400, Thailand
| | - Bousaraporn Tippayachai
- Diagnostic and Reemerging Disease Section, Department of Entomology, Armed Forces Research Institute of Medical Sciences, 315/6 Rajvithi Rd., Bangkok 10400, Thailand
| | - Silas A Davidson
- Diagnostic and Reemerging Disease Section, Department of Entomology, Armed Forces Research Institute of Medical Sciences, 315/6 Rajvithi Rd., Bangkok 10400, Thailand
| | - Jeannine M Petersen
- Diagnostic and Reference Laboratory, Bacterial Diseases Branch, Division of Vector Borne Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Fort Collins, CO 80521
| | - Terry A Klein
- Medical Department Activity-Korea, 65th Medical Brigade, Unit 15281, APO AP 96205-5281, USA
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15
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Xu G, Walker DH, Jupiter D, Melby PC, Arcari CM. A review of the global epidemiology of scrub typhus. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2017; 11:e0006062. [PMID: 29099844 PMCID: PMC5687757 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0006062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 259] [Impact Index Per Article: 37.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2017] [Revised: 11/15/2017] [Accepted: 10/21/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Scrub typhus is a serious public health problem in the Asia-Pacific area. It threatens one billion people globally, and causes illness in one million people each year. Caused by Orientia tsutsugamushi, scrub typhus can result in severe multiorgan failure with a case fatality rate up to 70% without appropriate treatment. The antigenic heterogeneity of O. tsutsugamushi precludes generic immunity and allows reinfection. As a neglected disease, there is still a large gap in our knowledge of the disease, as evidenced by the sporadic epidemiologic data and other related public health information regarding scrub typhus in its endemic areas. Our objective is to provide a systematic analysis of current epidemiology, prevention and control of scrub typhus in its long-standing endemic areas and recently recognized foci of infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guang Xu
- Department of Pathology, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, United States of America
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Community Health, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, United States of America
| | - David H. Walker
- Department of Pathology, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Daniel Jupiter
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Community Health, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Peter C. Melby
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Christine M. Arcari
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Community Health, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, United States of America
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16
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Kim YS, Choi YJ, Lee KM, Ahn KJ, Kim HC, Klein T, Jiang J, Richards A, Park KH, Jang WJ. First isolation of Rickettsia monacensis from a patient in South Korea. Microbiol Immunol 2017; 61:258-263. [PMID: 28593634 DOI: 10.1111/1348-0421.12496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2016] [Revised: 05/20/2017] [Accepted: 06/01/2017] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
A Rickettsia sp. was isolated from the blood of a patient with an acute febrile illness using the shell vial technique; the isolate was named CN45Kr and was identified by molecular assay as Rickettsia monacensis, which was first recognized as a pathogen in Spain. Sequencing analysis showed that the gltA sequence of the isolate was identical to that of Rickettsia sp. IRS3. The ompA-5mp fragment sequence showed 100% identity to those of R. monacensis and Rickettsia sp. In56 and ompA-3pA In56 and 100% identity to that of Rickettsia sp. IRS3. The ompB sequence was found to have 99.9% similarity to that of R. monacensis IrR/Munich. This study confirms the pathogenicity of this agent and provides additional information about its geographic distribution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yeon-Sook Kim
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Chungnam National University School of Medicine, Munhwa-ro 282, Jung-gu, Daejeon 35015
| | - Yeon-Joo Choi
- Department of Microbiology, Konkuk University College of Medicine, Institute of Biomedical Science Building. Neungdong-ro 120, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul 05029
| | - Kyung-Min Lee
- Department of Microbiology, Konkuk University College of Medicine, Institute of Biomedical Science Building. Neungdong-ro 120, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul 05029.,International Vaccine Institute, SNU Research Park, Gwanak-ro 1, Gwanak-gu, Seoul, 151742
| | - Kyu-Joong Ahn
- Department of Dermatology, Konkuk University College of Medicine, Neungdong-ro 120-1, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, 05029, South Korea
| | - Heung-Chul Kim
- Fifth Medical Detachment, 168th Multifunctional Medical Battalion, 65th Medical Brigade, Unit 15247, APO AP 96205-5247
| | - Terry Klein
- Force Health Protection and Preventive Medicine, 65th Medical Brigate/USAMEDDAC-K, Unit 15281, APO AP 96205-528
| | - Ju Jiang
- Department of Viral and Rickettsial Diseases, Naval Medical Research Center, Silver Spring, MD 20910, USA
| | - Allen Richards
- Department of Viral and Rickettsial Diseases, Naval Medical Research Center, Silver Spring, MD 20910, USA
| | - Kyung-Hee Park
- Department of Microbiology, Konkuk University College of Medicine, Institute of Biomedical Science Building. Neungdong-ro 120, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul 05029
| | - Won-Jong Jang
- Department of Microbiology, Konkuk University College of Medicine, Institute of Biomedical Science Building. Neungdong-ro 120, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul 05029
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17
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Noh Y, Lee YS, Kim HC, Chong ST, Klein TA, Jiang J, Richards AL, Lee HK, Kim SY. Molecular detection of Rickettsia species in ticks collected from the southwestern provinces of the Republic of Korea. Parasit Vectors 2017; 10:20. [PMID: 28069059 PMCID: PMC5223493 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-016-1955-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2016] [Accepted: 12/23/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Rickettsiae constitute a group of arthropod-borne, Gram-negative, obligate intracellular bacteria that are the causative agents of diseases ranging from mild to life threatening that impact on medical and veterinary health worldwide. Methods A total of 6,484 ticks were collected by tick drag from June-October 2013 in the southwestern provinces of the Republic of Korea (ROK) (Jeollanam, n = 3,995; Jeollabuk, n = 680; Chungcheongnam, n = 1,478; and Chungcheongbuk, n = 331). Ticks were sorted into 311 pools according to species, collection site, and stage of development. DNA preparations of tick pools were assayed for rickettsiae by 17 kDa antigen gene and ompA nested PCR (nPCR) assays and the resulting amplicons sequenced to determine the identity and prevalence of spotted fever group rickettsiae (SFGR). Results Haemaphysalis longicornis (4,471; 52 adults, 123 nymphs and 4,296 larvae) were the most commonly collected ticks, followed by Haemaphysalis flava (1,582; 28 adults, 263 nymphs and 1,291 larvae), and Ixodes nipponensis (431; 25 adults, 5 nymphs and 401 larvae). The minimum field infection rate/100 ticks (assuming 1 positive tick/pool) was 0.93% for the 17 kDa antigen gene and 0.82% for the ompA nPCR assays. The partial 17 kDa antigen and ompA gene sequences from positive pools of H. longicornis were similar to: Rickettsia sp. HI550 (99.4–100%), Rickettsia sp. FUJ98 (99.3–100%), Rickettsia sp. HIR/D91 (99.3–100%), and R. japonica (99.7%). One sequence of the partial 17 kDa antigen gene for H. flava was similar to Rickettsia sp. 17kd-005 (99.7%), while seven sequences of the 17 kDa antigen gene obtained from I. nipponensis ticks were similar to R. monacensis IrR/Munich (98.7–100%) and Rickettsia sp. IRS3 (98.9%). Conclusions SFG rickettsiae were detected in three species of ixodid ticks collected in the southwestern provinces of the ROK during 2013. A number of rickettsiae have been recently reported from ticks in Korea, some of which were identified as medically important. Results from this study and previous reports demonstrate the need to conduct longitudinal investigations to identify tick-borne rickettsiae and better understand their geographical distributions and potential impact on medical and veterinary health, in addition to risk communication and development of rickettsial disease prevention strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoontae Noh
- Division of Zoonoses, National Institute of Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Cheongju-si, Chungcheongbuk-do, 28159, Republic of Korea
| | - Yeong Seon Lee
- Division of Zoonoses, National Institute of Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Cheongju-si, Chungcheongbuk-do, 28159, Republic of Korea
| | - Heung-Chul Kim
- 5th Medical Detachment, 168th Multifunctional Medical Battalion, 65th Medical Brigade, Unit 15247, Yongsan US Army Garrison, Seoul, APO AP 96205-5247, Republic of Korea
| | - Sung-Tae Chong
- 5th Medical Detachment, 168th Multifunctional Medical Battalion, 65th Medical Brigade, Unit 15247, Yongsan US Army Garrison, Seoul, APO AP 96205-5247, Republic of Korea
| | - Terry A Klein
- Public Health Command District-Korea, 65th Medical Brigade, Unit 15281, Yongsan US Army Garrison, Seoul, APO AP 96205-5281, Republic of Korea
| | - Ju Jiang
- Viral and Rickettsial Diseases Department, Naval Medical Research Center, Silver Spring, MD, 20910, USA
| | - Allen L Richards
- Viral and Rickettsial Diseases Department, Naval Medical Research Center, Silver Spring, MD, 20910, USA
| | - Hae Kyeong Lee
- Division of Zoonoses, National Institute of Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Cheongju-si, Chungcheongbuk-do, 28159, Republic of Korea
| | - Su Yeon Kim
- Division of Zoonoses, National Institute of Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Cheongju-si, Chungcheongbuk-do, 28159, Republic of Korea.
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18
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Suh JH, Kim HC, Yun SM, Lim JW, Kim JH, Chong ST, Kim DH, Kim HT, Kim H, Klein TA, Johnson JL, Lee WJ. Detection of SFTS Virus in Ixodes nipponensis and Amblyomma testudinarium (Ixodida: Ixodidae) Collected From Reptiles in the Republic of Korea. JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY 2016; 53:584-590. [PMID: 26957392 DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjw007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2015] [Accepted: 01/15/2016] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
A survey of reptile-associated ticks and their infection status with severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) virus was conducted to determine the relative abundance and distribution among lizards, skinks, and snakes in the Republic of Korea (ROK). In total, 132 reptiles, including 49 lizards (two species), 15 skinks (one species), and 68 snakes (eight species) were collected. In total, 84 ixodid ticks belonging to two genera (Ixodes and Amblyomma) were collected from 28/132 (21.2%) lizards, skinks, and snakes. Ixodes nipponensis Kitaoka & Saito was only collected from lizards and skinks, while Amblyomma testudinarium Koch was only collected from snakes. Takydromus wolteri had the highest tick index (0.7; total number ticks/total number collected hosts) among lizards and skinks, while Rhabdophis tigrinus had the highest tick index (2.2) among the snakes. Ixodes nipponensis larvae and nymphs accounted for 11.1% and 88.9%, respectively, of all ticks collected from lizards and skinks, while only A. testudinarium nymphs were collected from snakes. Nymphs of both species of ticks were collected from lizards and skinks from April to October, while I. nipponensis larvae were collected only from September to October. Ixodes nipponensis larvae and nymphs were preferentially attached to the lateral trunk (83.3%) and the foreleg axillae (16.7%) of lizards and skinks. SFTS virus was detected in both I. nipponensis and A. testudinarium collected from lizards and snakes. Phylogenetic analysis of SFTS viruses of ticks collected from two lizards and one snake demonstrated close relationships with SFTS virus strains observed from humans and ticks in the ROK, China, and Japan. These results implicate lizards and snakes as potential hosts of SFTS virus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jae-Hwa Suh
- Animal Research Division, National Institute of Biological Resources, Gyoungseo-dong, Seo-gu, Inchoen 404-708, Republic of Korea (; ; )
| | - Heung-Chul Kim
- 5th Medical Detachment, 168th Multifunctional Medical Battalion, 65th Medical Brigade, Unit 15247, APO AP 96205-5247, USA (; ; )
| | - Seok-Min Yun
- Division of Arboviruses, Center for Immunology and Pathology, National Institute of Health, Korea Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention, Cheongju-si, Republic of Korea (; )
| | - Jae-Won Lim
- Animal Research Division, National Institute of Biological Resources, Gyoungseo-dong, Seo-gu, Inchoen 404-708, Republic of Korea (; ; )
| | - Jin-Han Kim
- Animal Research Division, National Institute of Biological Resources, Gyoungseo-dong, Seo-gu, Inchoen 404-708, Republic of Korea (; ; )
| | - Sung-Tae Chong
- 5th Medical Detachment, 168th Multifunctional Medical Battalion, 65th Medical Brigade, Unit 15247, APO AP 96205-5247, USA (; ; )
| | - Dae-Ho Kim
- Wildlife Institute of Korea, Gandong-myeon, Hwacheon-gun, Gangwon Province, 869-136, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyun-Tae Kim
- Seosan High School, Haemi-myeon, Seosan-si, Chungcheongnam Province, 31960 Republic of Korea
| | - Hyun Kim
- Department of Environment, Jeongeup City Hall, Chungjeong-ro, Jeongup-si, Jeollabuk Province, 56180, Republic of Korea
| | - Terry A Klein
- Public Health Command District-Korea (Provisional); Address: 65th Medical Brigade, Unit 15281, APO AP 96205-5281, USA , and
| | - Jaree L Johnson
- 5th Medical Detachment, 168th Multifunctional Medical Battalion, 65th Medical Brigade, Unit 15247, APO AP 96205-5247, USA (; ; )
| | - Won-Ja Lee
- Division of Arboviruses, Center for Immunology and Pathology, National Institute of Health, Korea Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention, Cheongju-si, Republic of Korea (; ),
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19
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Abdad MY, Cook A, Dyer J, Stenos J, Fenwick SG. Seroepidemiological study of outdoor recreationists' exposure to spotted fever group Rickettsia in Western Australia. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2014; 91:584-8. [PMID: 24935947 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.14-0102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Bushland activity has previously been linked to rickettsial exposure in eastern and central regions of Australia, whereas little is known about the risks in Western Australia. The isolation of Rickettsia gravesii sp. nov. from Amblyomma triguttatum ticks and anecdotal reports of low-grade illness among bush recreationists raised the possibility of rickettsial transmission in the State. This study investigated rickettsial seroprevalence and potential risk of exposure to the spotted fever group rickettsiae in rogainers. Our results showed that rogainers active in the bush had a significantly higher risk of seropositivity (immunofluorescence total antibody titer ≥ 128) for the spotted fever group Rickettsia (odds ratio [OR] = 14.02, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.38-142.07) compared with a reference population, the overall seroprevalence in the rogainer group being 23.1%.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Y Abdad
- Australian Rickettsial Reference Laboratory, Geelong, Victoria, Australia; School of Population Health, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia; Fremantle Hospital, Fremantle, Western Australia, Australia; School of Veterinary and Biomedical Science, Murdoch University, Murdoch, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Angus Cook
- Australian Rickettsial Reference Laboratory, Geelong, Victoria, Australia; School of Population Health, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia; Fremantle Hospital, Fremantle, Western Australia, Australia; School of Veterinary and Biomedical Science, Murdoch University, Murdoch, Western Australia, Australia
| | - John Dyer
- Australian Rickettsial Reference Laboratory, Geelong, Victoria, Australia; School of Population Health, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia; Fremantle Hospital, Fremantle, Western Australia, Australia; School of Veterinary and Biomedical Science, Murdoch University, Murdoch, Western Australia, Australia
| | - John Stenos
- Australian Rickettsial Reference Laboratory, Geelong, Victoria, Australia; School of Population Health, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia; Fremantle Hospital, Fremantle, Western Australia, Australia; School of Veterinary and Biomedical Science, Murdoch University, Murdoch, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Stanley G Fenwick
- Australian Rickettsial Reference Laboratory, Geelong, Victoria, Australia; School of Population Health, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia; Fremantle Hospital, Fremantle, Western Australia, Australia; School of Veterinary and Biomedical Science, Murdoch University, Murdoch, Western Australia, Australia
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20
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Kim DY, Park HS, Han DJ, Kang HC, Lee JH, Jang WJ, Gil HW, Yang JO, Lee EY, Hong SY. A case of scrub typhus requiring maintenance hemodialysis. Kidney Res Clin Pract 2013; 32:190-3. [PMID: 26877941 PMCID: PMC4714168 DOI: 10.1016/j.krcp.2013.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2013] [Revised: 07/28/2013] [Accepted: 08/15/2013] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Renal failure caused by scrub typhus is known to be reversible. In most cases, renal function is almost fully restored after appropriate antibiotic treatment. A 71-year-old man was diagnosed with scrub typhus complicated by renal failure. A renal biopsy revealed histopathologic findings consistent with acute tubulointerstitial nephritis. Renal function did not improve 18 months after discharge and the patient required continuous hemodialysis. Although severe renal failure requiring dialysis is a rare complication of scrub typhus, we describe a case of scrub typhus requiring maintenance hemodialysis. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first such report.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dae-Yeon Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, Soonchunhyang University Cheonan Hospital, Cheonan, Korea
| | - Hee-Soon Park
- Department of Internal Medicine, Soonchunhyang University Cheonan Hospital, Cheonan, Korea
| | - Dong-Jae Han
- Department of Internal Medicine, Soonchunhyang University Cheonan Hospital, Cheonan, Korea
| | - Hyo-Chul Kang
- Department of Internal Medicine, Soonchunhyang University Cheonan Hospital, Cheonan, Korea
| | - Ji-Hye Lee
- Department of Pathology, Soonchunhyang University Cheonan Hospital, Cheonan, Korea
| | - Won-Jong Jang
- Institute of Glocal Disease Control and Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, Konkuk University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Hyo-Wook Gil
- Department of Internal Medicine, Soonchunhyang University Cheonan Hospital, Cheonan, Korea
| | - Jong-Oh Yang
- Department of Internal Medicine, Soonchunhyang University Cheonan Hospital, Cheonan, Korea
| | - Eun-Young Lee
- Department of Internal Medicine, Soonchunhyang University Cheonan Hospital, Cheonan, Korea
| | - Sae-Yong Hong
- Department of Internal Medicine, Soonchunhyang University Cheonan Hospital, Cheonan, Korea
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Jang WJ, Choi YJ, Kim JH, Jung KD, Ryu JS, Lee SH, Yoo CK, Paik HS, Choi MS, Park KH, Kim IS. Seroepidemiology of Spotted Fever Group and Typhus Group Rickettsioses in Humans, South Korea. Microbiol Immunol 2013; 49:17-24. [PMID: 15665449 DOI: 10.1111/j.1348-0421.2005.tb03635.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The prevalence of spotted fever group (SFG) and typhus group (TG) rickettsioses was investigated in 3,362 sera by immunofluorescence assay. The serum samples were obtained from patients with acute febrile episodes in South Korea from December 1992 to November 1993. The number of polyvalent positive sera against SFG rickettsial agents at the level of 1: 40 dilution was 269 (8%) in Rickettsia sibirica, 482 (14.34%) in R. conorii, and 546 (16.24%) in R. akari. Many of the positive sera contained immunoglobulin (Ig) M antibodies rather than IgG antibodies. These results strongly suggest that SFG rickettsioses are prevalent in Korea. For TG rickettsial agents, the number of positive sera was 1,096 (32.60%) in R. typhi and 951 (28.29%) in R. prowazekii. Only a few epidemic typhus positive sera contained IgM antibodies. The result suggests that recent and/or primary infections of epidemic typhus were very rare in Korea during the said period. Among seven patients who had high titers (1:5,120) of IgG antibody to R. prowazekii, six were over 50 years old. The result suggests that Brill-Zinsser disease was prevalent in Korea.
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Affiliation(s)
- Won-Jong Jang
- Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, Kon-Kuk University, Choongju-si, Choongbuk, Republic of Korea
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22
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Shin SH, Seo HJ, Choi YJ, Choi MK, Kim HC, Klein TA, Chong ST, Richards AL, Park KH, Jang WJ. Detection of Rickettsia monacensis from Ixodes nipponensis collected from rodents in Gyeonggi and Gangwon Provinces, Republic of Korea. EXPERIMENTAL & APPLIED ACAROLOGY 2013; 61:337-347. [PMID: 23624621 DOI: 10.1007/s10493-013-9699-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2012] [Accepted: 04/17/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
A total of 1,305 ticks were collected from wild rodents captured monthly, except July and August, during 2008 at three US-ROK operated military training sites and three US military installations in Gyeonggi and Gangwon Provinces, the Republic of Korea (ROK). Ixodes nipponensis was the most frequently collected tick (n = 1,299, 99.5 %), followed by Ixodes pomerantzevi (n = 6, 0.5 %). The ticks were pooled (1-15/sample) and tested by nested polymerase chain reaction (nPCR) for spotted fever group (SFG) rickettsiae with primer sets targeting the outer membrane protein B (ompB), citrate synthase (gltA), and 17-kDa antigen gene loci. A total of 115/197 (58.4 %) pools were positive by nPCR for the outer membrane protein ompB. Nucleotide sequence analysis of 105/115 (91.3 %) ompB targeted nPCR positive products showed a high degree of similarity to Rickettsia monacensis (99.3-100 %, n = 87) and R. japonica (99.5-100 %, n = 18). From the 87 positive samples demonstrating a high degree of similarity to R. monacensis, 15 were selected and analyzed by nPCR for gltA and the 17-kDa genes. A total of 12/15 pooled samples were positive for by nPCR for gltA, with amplicons demonstrating a high degree of similarity to R. monacensis (99.3-99.7 %). A total of 13/15 pooled samples were positive by nPCR for the 17-kDa gene, with amplicons demonstrating a high degree of similarity to R. monacensis (99.4-100 %). These findings demonstrate that R. monacensis is distributed throughout Gyeonggi and Gangwon Provinces in the ROK. Furthermore, data suggest a relative high prevalence of R. monacensis in the tick, I. nipponensis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sun-Hye Shin
- Institute of Glocal Disease Control, Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, Konkuk University, 120 Neungdong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, 143-701, Republic of Korea
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23
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Chong ST, Kim HC, Lee IY, Kollars TM, Sancho AR, Sames WJ, Klein TA. Comparison of dragging and sweeping methods for collecting ticks and determining their seasonal distributions for various habitats, Gyeonggi Province, Republic of Korea. JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY 2013; 50:611-618. [PMID: 23802457 DOI: 10.1603/me12032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
As part of the 65th Medical Brigade tick-borne disease surveillance program to determine the abundance, geographical and seasonal distributions, and tick-borne pathogens present in the Republic of Korea, dragging and sweeping methods were compared to determine their efficiency for collecting ticks in grass and deciduous, conifer, and mixed forest habitats at military training sites and privately owned lands in northern Gyeonggi Province near the demilitarized zone from April-October, 2004-2005. Three species of Ixodid ticks, Haemaphysalis longicornis, Haemaphysalis flava, and Ixodes nipponensis, were collected. Overall, H. longicornis adults and nymphs were most frequently collected from grass and deciduous forest habitats, accounting for 98.2 and 66.2%, respectively, of all ticks collected. H. flava adults and nymphs were most frequently collected from conifer and mixed forests, accounting for 81.6, and 77.8%, respectively, of all ticks collected. I. nipponensis adults and nymphs accounted for 9.3% of all ticks collected from mixed forests, were less commonly collected from deciduous (4.1%) and conifer (4.1%) forests, and infrequently collected from grass habitats (0.9%). Overall, there were no significant differences between dragging and sweeping methods for the three species when the areas sampled were similar (sweeping = 2 x the area over the same transect). Adults and nymphs of H. longicornis were most commonly collected from April-August, while those of H. flava and I. nipponensis were most commonly collected during April-July and again during October. Larvae of all three species were most frequently observed from July-September.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sung Tae Chong
- 5th Medical Detachment, 168th Multifunctional Medical Battalion, 65th Medical Brigade, Unit #15247, APO AP 96205-5247, USA
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24
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Kang SW, Doan HTT, Choe SE, Noh JH, Yoo MS, Reddy KE, Kim YH, Kweon CH, Jung SC, Chang KY. Molecular investigation of tick-borne pathogens in ticks from grazing cattle in Korea. Parasitol Int 2013; 62:276-82. [PMID: 23501057 DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2013.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2012] [Revised: 01/15/2013] [Accepted: 02/15/2013] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
This study was carried out to identify the tick species that infest grazing cattle and to determine the presence of tick-borne pathogens transmitted by these ticks in Korea. A total of 903 ticks (categorized into 566 tick pools) were collected from five provinces during 2010-2011. The most prevalent tick species was Haemaphysalis longicornis, followed by three Ixodes spp. ticks. The collected ticks were infected with both rickettsial and protozoan pathogens. In all, 469 (82.9%) tick pools tested positive for the Anaplasma/Ehrlichia 16S rRNA gene, whereas 67 (11.8%) were positive for the Babesia/Theileria 18S rRNA gene. Among the rickettsial pathogens, E. canis was detected with the highest rate (22.3%), followed by A. platys (20%), E. chaffeensis (19.4%), E. ewingii (19.3%), Rickettsia sp. (12.4%), A. phagocytophilum (5.5%) and E. muris (0.5%). Among the protozoan pathogens, T. equi was detected with the highest rate (7.2%), followed by T. sergenti/T. buffeli (3.7%) and B. caballi (0.35%). Simultaneous infections with up to seven pathogens were also identified. In particular, ticks infected with rickettsial pathogens were also infected with protozoan pathogens (22 samples). All five provinces investigated infected with tick-borne pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seung Won Kang
- Parasitology and Insect Disease Research Laboratory, Animal, Plant and Fisheries, Quarantine and Inspection Agency, 480 Anyang 6 dong, Anyang City, Republic of Korea.
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25
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Bell DR, Berghaus RD, Patel S, Beavers S, Fernandez I, Sanchez S. Seroprevalence of tick-borne infections in military working dogs in the Republic of Korea. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2012; 12:1023-30. [PMID: 23167501 DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2011.0864] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
In this study we endeavored to determine the seroprevalence of tick-borne infections in the military working dog (MWD) population in the Republic of Korea (ROK). Our sample population consisted of 182 serum samples from MWDs for 3 different years (1996, 2002, and 2007). In addition, 63 whole blood samples from 2007 were available for polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Serum samples were evaluated by a commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and immunofluorescence assay (IFA) for Ehrlichia canis and Anaplasma phagocytophilum, and by ELISA only for Borrelia burgdorferi. PCR amplification of DNA was performed to screen for Ehrlichia canis, E. chaffeensis, E. ewingii, Anaplasma phagocytophilum, A. platys, Borrelia burgdorferi, and Rickettsia rickettsii, as well as Babesia and Theileria species using previously published primers and probes. A total of 56 (30.8%) MWDs were positive by at least one serologic test. Seroprevalences for Anaplasma and Ehrlichia were 4.4% and 0.6% based on the ELISA, and 24.7% and 22.5% based on the IFA, respectively. ELISA testing for Borrelia yielded 2 (1.1%) positive results. In parallel testing using both the ELISA and IFA tests, the percentages of dogs with one or more positive results were 34.1%, 25.9%, and 28.4%, for 1996, 2002, and 2007, respectively. There was no significant differences in seroprevalence based on location, year, breed, or sex of the MWD. There was poor agreement between IFA and ELISA test results. No MWD sample had a positive PCR result. MWDs stationed in Korea had serologic evidence of exposure to several tick-borne pathogens, but PCR testing did not identify any active infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dennis R Bell
- Department of Small Animal Medicine, University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine , University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA.
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26
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Wood H, Artsob H. Spotted Fever Group Rickettsiae: A Brief Review and a Canadian Perspective. Zoonoses Public Health 2012; 59 Suppl 2:65-79. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1863-2378.2012.01472.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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27
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Galanakis E, Bitsori M. Rickettsioses in children: a clinical approach. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2012; 719:145-62. [PMID: 22125042 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4614-0204-6_13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/09/2022]
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28
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Kim HC, Han SH, Chong ST, Klein TA, Choi CY, Nam HY, Chae HY, Lee H, Ko S, Kang JG, Chae JS. Ticks collected from selected mammalian hosts surveyed in the Republic of Korea during 2008-2009. THE KOREAN JOURNAL OF PARASITOLOGY 2011; 49:331-5. [PMID: 22072840 PMCID: PMC3210857 DOI: 10.3347/kjp.2011.49.3.331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2011] [Revised: 05/03/2011] [Accepted: 06/07/2011] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
A tick survey was conducted to determine the relative abundance and distribution of ticks associated with selected mammals in the Republic of Korea (ROK) during 2008-2009. A total of 918 ticks were collected from 76 mammals (6 families, 9 species) captured at 6 provinces and 3 Metropolitan Cities in ROK. Haemaphysalis longicornis (54.4%) was the most frequently collected tick, followed by Haemaphysalis flava (28.5%), Ixodes nipponensis (7.6%), Ixodes pomerantzevi (4.8%), Ixodes persulcatus (4.6%), and Haemaphysalis japonica (0.1%). Adults (57.0%) and nymphs (28.7%) of Ixodes and Haemaphysalis spp. were collected most frequently from medium or large mammals in this survey, while few larvae (14.3%) were collected. Hydropotes inermis was the most frequently captured mammal (52.6%), with a 16.4 tick index and 5 of 6 species of ticks collected during this survey. H. longicornis (69.7%) was the predominant tick collected from H. inermis, followed by H. flava (22.2%), I. persulcatus (6.1%), I. nipponensis (1.8%), and H. japonica (0.2%).
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Affiliation(s)
- Heung Chul Kim
- 5th Medical Detachment, 168th Multifunctional Medical Battalion, 65th Medical Brigade, Unit 15247, APO AP 96205-5247, USA
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29
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Ko S, Kim HC, Yang YC, Chong ST, Richards AL, Sames WJ, Klein TA, Kang JG, Chae JS. Detection of Rickettsia felis and Rickettsia typhi and seasonal prevalence of fleas collected from small mammals at Gyeonggi Province in the Republic of Korea. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2011; 11:1243-51. [PMID: 21612536 DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2010.0261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Fleas were collected from live-captured small mammals to identify flea-borne pathogens, host associations, and seasonal prevalence of flea species, as part of the 65th Medical Brigade rodent-borne disease surveillance program at 20 military installations and training sites, Gyeonggi Province, Republic of Korea, 2005-2007. A total of 1251 fleas were recovered from 2833 small mammals. Apodemus agrarius, the striped field mouse, accounted for 93.1% (2,637/2,833) of all small mammals captured, followed by Crocidura lasiura (3.1%), Mus musculus (1.3%), Microtus fortis (0.7%), Myodes regulus (0.7%), Micromys minutus (0.5%), Rattus norvegicus (0.4%), Tscherskia triton (0.1%), Apodemus peninsulae (< 0.1%), Rattus rattus (< 0.1%), and Mogera robusta (< 0.1%). A total of 6/11 species of mammals captured were infested with fleas with infestation rates ranging from a high of 26.3% (A. agrarius and M. regulus) to a low of 5.3% (M. fortis). Flea indices among infested mammals were highest for R. norvegicus (2.50), followed by C. lasiura (2.20), A. agrarius (1.71), M. regulus (1.20), M. musculus (1.0), and M. fortis (1.0). The predominant flea species collected were Stenoponia sidimi (56.5%), followed by Ctenophthalmus congeneroides (38.3%) and Rhadinopsylla insolita (3.9%). The minimum field infection rates [number of positive pools/total number of fleas (600)] for Rickettsia typhi and for Rickettsia felis were 1.7% and 1.0%, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sungjin Ko
- Department of Veterinary Internal Medicine, Research Institute and BK21 Program for Veterinary Science, College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea
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30
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O'Guinn ML, Klein TA, Lee JS, Richards AL, Kim HC, Ha SJ, Shim SH, Baek LJ, Song KJ, Chong ST, Turell MJ, Burkett DA, Schuster A, Lee IY, Yi SH, Sames WJ, Song JW. Serological surveillance of scrub typhus, murine typhus, and leptospirosis in small mammals captured at firing points 10 and 60, Gyeonggi province, Republic of Korea, 2001-2005. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2010; 10:125-33. [PMID: 19402761 DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2008.0123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Soldiers from the Republic of Korea and the United States conducting peacetime military operations at various training sites and multiple range complexes located near the demilitarized zone separating North and South Korea are exposed to rodents and their potentially disease-carrying ectoparasites. These diseases include scrub typhus, murine typhus, and leptospirosis. Many of the training sites are rural or semi-rural, surrounded or co-located with various forms of agriculture, and are infested with rodents and insectivores (as well as their ectoparasites), which are commonly found in association with unmanaged tall grasses, scrub, and crawling vegetation habitats. For 5 years, rodents and insectivores were collected seasonally (spring, summer, fall, and winter) at firing points 10 and 60 near the demilitarized zone and serologically tested for the presence of scrub typhus, murine typhus, and leptospirosis antibodies. Of the nine species of small mammals collected, Apodemus agrarius, the common striped field mouse and known reservoir of scrub typhus, was the most frequently collected (90.6%). Only four of the nine species captured, A. agrarius (60.9%), Micromys minutus (100%), Mus musculus (55.6%), and Rattus norvegicus (46.7%), were positive for scrub typhus. Of all the small mammals captured, only A. agrarius was positive for murine typhus (0.3%) and leptospirosis (1.3%). Seasonal and annual prevalence rates based on weight and sex are presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monica L O'Guinn
- Virology Division, U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Fort Detrick, Maryland, USA
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31
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Do EJ, Kim JE, Park JM, Lee KM, Jung MY, Lee HJ, Cho HW, Choi YJ, Lee SH, Park KH, Jang WJ. Development of recombinant OmpA and OmpB proteins as diagnostic antigens for rickettsial disease. Microbiol Immunol 2009; 53:368-74. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1348-0421.2009.00142.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
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32
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Moon BC, Jeong JH, Choi YJ, Kim JE, Seo HJ, Shin EH, Song BG, Lee HI, Lee SH, Park KH, Jang WJ. Detection and Identification of the Spotted Fever Group Rickettsial Agents from Haemaphysalis Ticks in Jeju Island, Korea. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2009. [DOI: 10.4167/jbv.2009.39.4.317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Bong-Chun Moon
- Institute of Environmental Resource Research of Jeju Special Self-Governing Province, Jeju, Korea
| | - Jae-Hee Jeong
- Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, Konkuk University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Yeon-Joo Choi
- Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, Konkuk University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jung-Eun Kim
- Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, Konkuk University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Hyun-Ji Seo
- Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, Konkuk University, Seoul, Korea
| | - E-Hyun Shin
- Department of Medical Entomology, Korea Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Seoul, Korea
| | - Bong-Gu Song
- Department of Medical Entomology, Korea Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Seoul, Korea
| | - Hee Il Lee
- Division of Biosafety Evaluation and Control, Korea Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Seoul, Korea
| | - Seung-Hyun Lee
- Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, Konkuk University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Kyung-Hee Park
- Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, Konkuk University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Won-Jong Jang
- Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, Konkuk University, Seoul, Korea
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Chae JS, Yu DH, Shringi S, Klein TA, Kim HC, Chong ST, Lee IY, Foley J. Microbial pathogens in ticks, rodents and a shrew in northern Gyeonggi-do near the DMZ, Korea. J Vet Sci 2008; 9:285-93. [PMID: 18716449 PMCID: PMC2811841 DOI: 10.4142/jvs.2008.9.3.285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
A total of 1,618 ticks [420 individual (adults) and pooled (larvae and nymphs) samples], 369 rodents (Apodemus agrarius, Rattus norvegicus, Tscherskia triton, Mus musculus, and Myodes regulus), and 34 shrews (Crocidura lasiura) that were collected in northern Gyeonggi-do near the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) of Korea during 2004-2005, were assayed by PCR for selected zoonotic pathogens. From a total of 420 individual and pooled tick DNA samples, Anaplasma (A.) phagocytophilum (16), A. platys (16), Ehrlichia (E.) chaffeensis (63), Borrelia burgdorferi (16), and Rickettsia spp. (198) were detected using species-specific PCR assays. Out of 403 spleens from rodents and shrews, A. phagocytophilum (20), A. platys (34), E. chaffeensis (127), and Bartonella spp. (24) were detected with species-specific PCR assays. These results suggest that fevers of unknown causes in humans and animals in Korea should be evaluated for infections by these vector-borne microbial pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joon Seok Chae
- Department of Internal Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul 151-742, Korea.
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34
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Detection of spotted fever and typhus group rickettsial infection in wild raccoon dogs (Nyctereutes procyonoides koreensis) in Chonbuk Province, Korea. J Zoo Wildl Med 2008; 39:145-7. [PMID: 18634203 DOI: 10.1638/06-0010.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Both the spotted fever and the typhus group rickettsioses are potential emerging arthropod-borne infectious disease complexes in Korea. Wild raccoon dogs (Nyctereutes procyonoides koreensis) sheltered at the Korean Society for the Protection of Wild Animals, Chonbuk Branch, Korea, were sampled for the presence of spotted fever and typhus group rickettsial pathogens. Thirty-six serum samples of wild raccoon dogs were examined by an indirect fluorescent antibody test using type-specific YH strain Rickettsia japonica (spotted fever group rickettsia) and Wilmington strain Rickettsia typhi (typhus group rickettsia). The prevalence of sera that were seropositive was 30.5% (11/36) for the spotted fever group and 41.6% (15/36) for the typhus group. Five samples were seropositive for both antigens. This study is first to demonstrate rickettsial antibodies in wild raccoon dogs, and it provides seroepidemiologic evidence of the endemic presence of rickettsial agents in Korea.
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35
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Kim CM, Yi YH, Yu DH, Lee MJ, Cho MR, Desai AR, Shringi S, Klein TA, Kim HC, Song JW, Baek LJ, Chong ST, O'guinn ML, Lee JS, Lee IY, Park JH, Foley J, Chae JS. Tick-borne rickettsial pathogens in ticks and small mammals in Korea. Appl Environ Microbiol 2006; 72:5766-76. [PMID: 16957192 PMCID: PMC1563606 DOI: 10.1128/aem.00431-06] [Citation(s) in RCA: 117] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
In order to investigate the prevalence of tick-borne infectious agents among ticks, ticks comprising five species from two genera (Hemaphysalis spp. and Ixodes spp.) were screened using molecular techniques. Ticks (3,135) were collected from small wild-caught mammals or by dragging/flagging in the Republic of Korea (ROK) and were pooled into a total of 1,638 samples (1 to 27 ticks per pool). From the 1,638 tick samples, species-specific fragments of Anaplasma phagocytophilum (1 sample), Anaplasma platys (52 samples), Ehrlichia chaffeensis (29 samples), Ehrlichia ewingii (2 samples), Ehrlichia canis (18 samples), and Rickettsia rickettsii (28 samples) were amplified by PCR assay. Twenty-one pooled and individual tick samples had mixed infections of two (15 samples) or three (6 samples) pathogens. In addition, 424 spleen samples from small captured mammals (389 rodents, 33 insectivores, and 2 weasels) were screened for selected zoonotic pathogens. Species-specific DNA fragments of A. phagocytophilum (110 samples), A. platys (68 samples), E. chaffeensis (8 samples), E. ewingii (26 samples), E. canis (51 samples), and Rickettsia sp. (22 samples) were amplified by PCR assay. One hundred thirty small mammals had single infections, while 4, 14, and 21 striped field mice (Apodemus agrarius) had mixed infections of four, three, and two pathogens, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis based on nucleotide sequence comparison also revealed that Korean strains of E. chaffeensis clustered closely with those from China and the United States, while the Rickettsia (rOmpA) sequences clustered within a clade together with a Chinese strain. These results suggest that these agents should be considered in differential diagnosis while examining cases of acute febrile illnesses in humans as well as animals in the ROK.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chul-Min Kim
- Bio-Safety Research Institute and College of Veterinary Medicine, Chonbuk National University, Jeonju 561-756, Korea
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36
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Chung MH, Lee SH, Kim MJ, Lee JH, Kim ES, Lee JS, Kim MK, Park MY, Kang JS. Japanese spotted fever, South Korea. Emerg Infect Dis 2006; 12:1122-1124. [PMID: 16836831 PMCID: PMC3291047 DOI: 10.3201/eid1207.051372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
We describe the first case of Japanese spotted fever and the first isolate of spotted fever group rickettsia from a patient in South Korea. The isolated rickettsia from the patient was identified as Rickettsia japonica by analysis of the nucleotide sequences of 16S rRNA, gltA, ompA, ompB, and sca4 genes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Seung-Hyun Lee
- Konkuk University College of Medicine, Chungju; South Korea
| | - Mi-Jeong Kim
- Inha University College of Medicine, Incheon, South Korea
| | - Jung-Hee Lee
- Konkuk University College of Medicine, Chungju; South Korea
| | - Eun-Sil Kim
- Inha University College of Medicine, Incheon, South Korea
| | - Jin-Soo Lee
- Inha University College of Medicine, Incheon, South Korea
| | - Mee-Kyung Kim
- Inha University College of Medicine, Incheon, South Korea
| | | | - Jae-Seung Kang
- Inha University College of Medicine, Incheon, South Korea
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Choi YJ, Lee SH, Park KH, Koh YS, Lee KH, Baik HS, Choi MS, Kim IS, Jang WJ. Evaluation of PCR-based assay for diagnosis of spotted fever group rickettsiosis in human serum samples. CLINICAL AND DIAGNOSTIC LABORATORY IMMUNOLOGY 2006; 12:759-63. [PMID: 15939751 PMCID: PMC1151970 DOI: 10.1128/cdli.12.6.759-763.2005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
A nested PCR assay was developed for the detection of spotted fever group (SFG) rickettsiae in serum samples. The assay was based on specific primers derived from the rickettsial outer membrane protein B gene (rompB) of Rickettsia conorii. An SFG rickettsia-specific signal is obtained from R. akari, R. japonica, R. sibirica, and R. conorii. Other bacterial species tested did not generate any signal, attesting to the specificity of the assay. As few as seven copies of the rompB gene of R. conorii could be detected in 200 microl of serum sample. The assay was evaluated with a panel of sera obtained from patients with acute-phase febrile disease tested by immunofluorescent antibody assay (IFA). The SFG rickettsia-specific DNA fragment was detected in 71 out of 100 sera, which were proven to have immunoglobulin M antibodies against SFG rickettsial antigen by IFA. The results were further confirmed by restriction fragment length polymorphism and sequencing analysis of the DNA fragments. The results indicated that this PCR assay is suitable for the diagnosis of spotted fever group rickettsiosis in Korea.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yeon-Joo Choi
- Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, Konkuk University, Choongu-shi, Choongbuk 380-701, Republic of Korea
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38
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Seki M, Ikari N, Yamamoto S, Yamagata Y, Kosai K, Yanagihara K, Kakugawa T, Kurihara S, Izumikawa K, Miyazaki Y, Higashiyama Y, Hirakata Y, Tashiro T, Kohno S. Severe Japanese spotted fever successfully treated with fluoroquinolone. Intern Med 2006; 45:1323-6. [PMID: 17170509 DOI: 10.2169/internalmedicine.45.1831] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
A 77 years old woman who had a bite with eschar on her left arm, was admitted to emergency ward in our hospital, because of high fever, severe malaise, skin eruption, and consciousness disturbance beginning 5 days previously. She was diagnosed as Japanese spotted fever by seropositive of Rickettsia japonica (R. japonica) antibody, and successfully treated with fluoroquinolone, after minocycline hydrochloride had been proven ineffective. R. japonica-specific DNA was detected by PCR from the tick: Haemaphysalis hystricis larvae collected from a mountainous location in Fukuoka, Japan where the patient had been bitten.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masafumi Seki
- Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, the Second Department of Internal Medicine, Nagasaki University School of Medicine, Nagasaki, Japan
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39
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Ma JS. Japanese Spotted Fever in Korea. J Clin Microbiol 2005; 43:4306; author reply 4306-7. [PMID: 16082011 PMCID: PMC1233918 DOI: 10.1128/jcm.43.8.4306-4307.2005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
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40
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Choi YJ, Jang WJ, Kim JH, Ryu JS, Lee SH, Park KH, Paik HS, Koh YS, Choi MS, Kim IS. Spotted fever group and typhus group rickettsioses in humans, South Korea. Emerg Infect Dis 2005; 11:237-244. [PMID: 15752441 PMCID: PMC3320442 DOI: 10.3201/eid1102.040603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 152] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Multiplex-nested PCR and sequencing analysis indicated rickettsialike agents in serum specimens from febrile patients. The presence of the nucleic acid of the spotted fever group (SPG) and typhus group (TG) rickettsiae was investigated in 200 serum specimens seropositive for SFG rickettsiae by multiplex-nested polymerase chain reaction with primers derived from the rickettsial outer membrane protein B gene. The DNA of SFG, TG, or both rickettsiae was amplified in the 24 serum specimens, and sequence analysis showed Rickettsia conorii, R. japonica, and R. felis in the specimens. R. conorii and R. typhi were found in 7 serum specimens, which indicated the possibility of dual infection in these patients. These findings suggest that several kinds of rickettsial diseases, including boutonneuse fever, rickettsialpox, R. felis infection, and Japanese spotted fever, as well as scrub typhus and murine typhus, are occurring in Korea.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Ji-Sun Ryu
- Konkuk University, Choongbuk, Republic of Korea
| | | | | | | | - Young-Sang Koh
- Cheju National University College of Medicine, Jeju, Republic of Korea
| | - Myung-Sik Choi
- Seoul National University College of Medicine and Institute of Endemic Disease, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Ik-Sang Kim
- Seoul National University College of Medicine and Institute of Endemic Disease, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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