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Ouarti B, Fonkou DMM, Houhamdi L, Mediannikov O, Parola P. Lice and lice-borne diseases in humans in Africa: a narrative review. Acta Trop 2022; 237:106709. [PMID: 36198330 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2022.106709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2022] [Revised: 09/30/2022] [Accepted: 10/01/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Lice are host-specific insects. Human lice include Pediculus humanus humanus (body lice) which are known to be vectors of serious human bacterial infectious diseases including epidemic typhus, relapsing fever, trench fever and plague; Pediculus humanus capitis (head lice) that frequently affect children; and Pthirus pubis, commonly known as crab lice. In Africa, human infections transmitted by lice remained poorly known and therefore, underestimated, perhaps due to the lack of diagnostic tools and professional knowledge. In this paper we review current knowledge of the microorganisms identified in human lice in the continent of Africa, in order to alert health professionals to the importance of recognising the risk of lice-related diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Basma Ouarti
- Aix Marseille Univ, IRD, AP-HM, SSA, VITROME, Marseille, France; IHU-Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France.
| | | | - Linda Houhamdi
- Aix Marseille Univ, IRD, AP-HM, SSA, VITROME, Marseille, France; IHU-Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France.
| | - Oleg Mediannikov
- IHU-Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France; IRD, AP-HM, MEPHI, Aix Marseille University, Marseille, France.
| | - Philippe Parola
- Aix Marseille Univ, IRD, AP-HM, SSA, VITROME, Marseille, France; IHU-Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France.
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Wainaina M, Vey da Silva DA, Dohoo I, Mayer-Scholl A, Roesel K, Hofreuter D, Roesler U, Lindahl J, Bett B, Al Dahouk S. A systematic review and meta-analysis of the aetiological agents of non-malarial febrile illnesses in Africa. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2022; 16:e0010144. [PMID: 35073309 PMCID: PMC8812962 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0010144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2021] [Revised: 02/03/2022] [Accepted: 01/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The awareness of non-malarial febrile illnesses (NMFIs) has been on the rise over the last decades. Therefore, we undertook a systematic literature review and meta-analysis of causative agents of non-malarial fevers on the African continent. Methodology We searched for literature in African Journals Online, EMBASE, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases to identify aetiologic agents that had been reported and to determine summary estimates of the proportional morbidity rates (PMr) associated with these pathogens among fever patients. Findings A total of 133 studies comprising 391,835 patients from 25 of the 54 African countries were eligible. A wide array of aetiologic agents were described with considerable regional differences among the leading agents. Overall, bacterial pathogens tested from blood samples accounted for the largest proportion. The summary estimates from the meta-analysis were low for most of the agents. This may have resulted from a true low prevalence of the agents, the failure to test for many agents or the low sensitivity of the diagnostic methods applied. Our meta-regression analysis of study and population variables showed that diagnostic methods determined the PMr estimates of typhoidal Salmonella and Dengue virus. An increase in the PMr of Klebsiella spp. infections was observed over time. Furthermore, the status of patients as either inpatient or outpatient predicted the PMr of Haemophilus spp. infections. Conclusion The small number of epidemiological studies and the variety of NMFI agents on the African continent emphasizes the need for harmonized studies with larger sample sizes. In particular, diagnostic procedures for NMFIs should be standardized to facilitate comparability of study results and to improve future meta-analyses. Reliable NMFI burden estimates will inform regional public health strategies. Previous systematic reviews have highlighted the research priorities of causative agents for non-malarial febrile illnesses by counting the number of publications attributed to an agent. However, proportional morbidity rates are calculated by dividing the number of cases with a specific disease (numerator) by the total number of diagnosed fever cases (denominator) and are better indicators of the relative importance of aetiological agents in a population. Therefore, we present the leading causes of non-malarial febrile illnesses in African patients in both healthcare and community settings. Preference is given to HIV-negative patients when data could be found. We also determined summary estimates of Brucella spp., Chikungunya virus, Dengue virus, Haemophilus spp., Klebsiella spp., Leptospira spp., non-typhoidal Salmonella spp., typhoidal Salmonella spp., Staphylococcus spp., and Streptococcus spp. The wide array of aetiological agents causing febrile illnesses on the African continent does not only complicate malaria control programs but may also hamper response to epidemic and pandemic illnesses such as Ebola and COVID-19. The harmonisation of diagnostics and study designs will reduce between-study differences, which may result in better estimates of disease burden on the continent and in the different African regions. This information is important for Pan-African surveillance and control efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Wainaina
- Department of Biological Safety, German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Berlin, Germany
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- International Livestock Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
- * E-mail:
| | - David Attuy Vey da Silva
- Department of Biological Safety, German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Berlin, Germany
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Ian Dohoo
- University of Prince Edward Island, Charlottetown, Canada
| | - Anne Mayer-Scholl
- Department of Biological Safety, German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Berlin, Germany
| | - Kristina Roesel
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- International Livestock Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Dirk Hofreuter
- Department of Biological Safety, German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Berlin, Germany
| | - Uwe Roesler
- Institute for Animal Hygiene and Environmental Health, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Johanna Lindahl
- International Livestock Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Bernard Bett
- International Livestock Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Sascha Al Dahouk
- Department of Biological Safety, German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Berlin, Germany
- Department of Internal Medicine, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, Aachen, Germany
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Adelabu OA, Iweriebor BC, Okoh AI, Obi LC. Phylogenetic profiling for zoonotic Ehrlichia spp. from ixodid ticks in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. Transbound Emerg Dis 2019; 67:1247-1256. [PMID: 31880098 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.13460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2019] [Revised: 12/19/2019] [Accepted: 12/19/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Ticks are obligate hematophagous parasite of vertebrate that transmit a range of pathogenic microorganisms that can cause diseases in livestock and humans. The range of tick-borne disease causative agents infecting domestic animals and humans has recently increased. Several significant zoonotic tick-borne diseases such as ehrlichiosis among others are on the increase worldwide. This study was designed to investigate the occurrence of zoonotic Ehrlichia spp. from samples collected from livestock in selected communities in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. Tick samples were manually collected from domesticated animals in selected homesteads. The ticks were morphologically identified to species and tested for Ehrlichia infection via polymerase chain reaction (PCR), using genus-specific disulphide bond formation protein (dsbA) gene primers. This was followed by sequence analysis of amplicons and phylogeny. Of the 1,200 ticks collected, Amblyomma hebraeum was most prevalent (n = 335; 27.9%), followed by Rhipicephalus appendiculatus (n = 274; 22.8%), Rhipicephalus decoloratus; (n = 224; 18.7%) and Rhipicephalus eversti eversti (n = 200, 16.7%). Ehrlichia DNA was detected in 19/1,200 (1.6%) of the screened DNA samples. A homology search of the generated sequences revealed a high percentage of identity between 95% and 98% with other homologous dsbA gene sequences of other Ehrlichia species in GenBank. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the obtained sequences clustered unambiguously with other Ehrlichia sequences from different geographical regions of the world. We concluded that Ehrlichial pathogens are vectored by the ticks collected from domesticated animals in the study areas, thus suggesting concern for public health, as some of the recovered pathogens are zoonotic in nature and could pose serious public health risk through human exposure to tick bites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olusesan Adeyemi Adelabu
- SAMRC Microbial Water Quality Monitoring Centre, University of Fort Hare, Alice, South Africa.,Applied and Environmental Microbiology Research Group (AEMREG), Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Fort Hare, Alice, South Africa
| | | | - Anthony Ifeanyi Okoh
- SAMRC Microbial Water Quality Monitoring Centre, University of Fort Hare, Alice, South Africa.,Applied and Environmental Microbiology Research Group (AEMREG), Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Fort Hare, Alice, South Africa
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Khamesipour F, Dida GO, Anyona DN, Razavi SM, Rakhshandehroo E. Tick-borne zoonoses in the Order Rickettsiales and Legionellales in Iran: A systematic review. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2018; 12:e0006722. [PMID: 30204754 PMCID: PMC6181433 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0006722] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2017] [Revised: 10/11/2018] [Accepted: 07/27/2018] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Tick-borne zoonoses in the Order Rickettsiales and Legionellales cause infections that often manifest as undifferentiated fevers that are not easy to distinguish from other causes of acute febrile illnesses clinically. This is partly attributed to difficulty in laboratory confirmation since convalescent sera, specific diagnostic reagents, and the required expertise may not be readily available. As a result, a number of tick-borne zoonoses are underappreciated resulting in unnecessary morbidity, mortality and huge economic loses. In Iran, a significant proportion of human infectious diseases are tick-borne, with anecdotal evidence suggesting that tick-borne zoonoses are widespread but underreported in the country. Epidemiological review is therefore necessary to aid in the effective control and prevention of tick-borne zonooses in Iran. The aim of this review is to provide an in-depth and comprehensive overview of anaplasmosis, ehrlichiosis, spotted fever group rickettsioses and coxiellosis in Iran. METHODS Using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, all relevant publications on tick-borne zoonoses in the Order Rickettsiales and Legionellales in Iran were searched using a number of search terms. The search was confined to authentic resources from repositories of popular data bases among them PubMed, Web of Science, Google Scholar, Science Direct, SpringerLink and SCOPUS. The search items included peer reviewed journals, books and book chapters published between 1996 and 2017. RESULTS A total of 1 205 scientific publications and reports were sourced, of which 63 met the search criteria and were reviewed. Of the 63 articles reviewed, 36 (57.1%) reported on coxiellosis, 15 (23.8%) on anaplasmosis, 11 (17.5%) on ehrlichiosis and 1(1.6%) on spotted fever group rickettsiae in a large scale study involving four countries, among them Iran. The existence of tick-borne pathogens in the Order Rickettsiales and Legionellales was confirmed by molecular, serological and microscopic techniques conducted on samples obtained from sheep, cattle, goats, camels, poultry, animal products (milk and eggs), dogs, ticks and even human subjects in different parts of the country; pointing to a countrywide distribution. DISCUSSION Based on the review, coxiellosis, anaplasmosis, ehrlichiosis, and SFG rickettsiae can be categorized as emerging tick-borne zoonotic diseases in Iran given the presence of their causiative agents (C. burnetii, A. phagocytophilum, A. marginale, A. bovis, A. ovis, A. central, E. canis, E. ewingii, E. chaffeensis and R. conorii) collectively reported in a variety of domestic animals, animal products, arthropods and human beings drawn from 22 provinces in Iran. CONCLUSION Given the asymptomatic nature of some of these zoonoses, there is a high likelihood of silent transmission to humans in many parts of the country, which should be considered a public health concern. Presently, information on the transmission intensity of tick-borne zoonoses caused by pathogens in the Order Rickettsiales and Legionellales to humans and its public health impact in Iran is scanty.
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Affiliation(s)
- Faham Khamesipour
- Cellular and Molecular Research Centre, Sabzevar University of Medical Sciences, Sabzevar, Iran
- Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Gabriel O. Dida
- School of Public Health and Community Development, Maseno University, Maseno, Kenya
- Department of Community and Public Health, Technical University of Kenya, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Douglas N. Anyona
- School of Environment and Earth Sciences, Maseno University, Maseno, Kenya
| | - S. Mostafa Razavi
- Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Ehsan Rakhshandehroo
- Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran
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Amanzougaghene N, Fenollar F, Sangaré AK, Sissoko MS, Doumbo OK, Raoult D, Mediannikov O. Detection of bacterial pathogens including potential new species in human head lice from Mali. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0184621. [PMID: 28931077 PMCID: PMC5606924 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0184621] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2017] [Accepted: 08/28/2017] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
In poor African countries, where no medical and biological facilities are available, the identification of potential emerging pathogens of concern at an early stage is challenging. Head lice, Pediculus humanus capitis, have a short life, feed only on human blood and do not transmit pathogens to their progeny. They are, therefore, a perfect tool for the xenodiagnosis of current or recent human infection. This study assessed the occurrence of bacterial pathogens from head lice collected in two rural villages from Mali, where a high frequency of head lice infestation had previously been reported, using molecular methods. Results show that all 600 head lice, collected from 117 individuals, belonged to clade E, specific to West Africa. Bartonella quintana, the causative agent of trench fever, was identified in three of the 600 (0.5%) head lice studied. Our study also shows, for the first time, the presence of the DNA of two pathogenic bacteria, namely Coxiella burnetii (5.1%) and Rickettsia aeschlimannii (0.6%), detected in human head lice, as well as the DNA of potential new species from the Anaplasma and Ehrlichia genera of unknown pathogenicity. The finding of several Malian head lice infected with B. quintana, C. burnetii, R. aeschlimannii, Anaplasma and Ehrlichia is alarming and highlights the need for active survey programs to define the public health consequences of the detection of these emerging bacterial pathogens in human head lice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadia Amanzougaghene
- Aix Marseille Univ, CNRS, IRD, INSERM, AP-HM, URMITE, IHU - Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
| | - Florence Fenollar
- Aix Marseille Univ, CNRS, IRD, INSERM, AP-HM, URMITE, IHU - Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
| | - Abdoul Karim Sangaré
- University of Bamako, Epidemiology Department of Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Medicine and Odonto-Stomatology, Faculty of Pharmacy (MRTC/DEAP/FMOS-FAPH), Bamako, Mali
| | - Mahamadou S. Sissoko
- University of Bamako, Epidemiology Department of Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Medicine and Odonto-Stomatology, Faculty of Pharmacy (MRTC/DEAP/FMOS-FAPH), Bamako, Mali
| | - Ogobara K. Doumbo
- University of Bamako, Epidemiology Department of Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Medicine and Odonto-Stomatology, Faculty of Pharmacy (MRTC/DEAP/FMOS-FAPH), Bamako, Mali
| | - Didier Raoult
- Aix Marseille Univ, CNRS, IRD, INSERM, AP-HM, URMITE, IHU - Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
- Campus International UCAD-IRD, Dakar, Senegal
- * E-mail: (OM); (DR)
| | - Oleg Mediannikov
- Aix Marseille Univ, CNRS, IRD, INSERM, AP-HM, URMITE, IHU - Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
- Campus International UCAD-IRD, Dakar, Senegal
- * E-mail: (OM); (DR)
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Ehounoud C, Fenollar F, Dahmani M, N’Guessan J, Raoult D, Mediannikov O. Bacterial arthropod-borne diseases in West Africa. Acta Trop 2017; 171:124-137. [PMID: 28365316 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2017.03.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2016] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Arthropods such as ticks, lice, fleas and mites are excellent vectors for many pathogenic agents including bacteria, protozoa and viruses to animals. Moreover, many of these pathogens can also be accidentally transmitted to humans throughout the world. Bacterial vector-borne diseases seem to be numerous and very important in human pathology, however, they are often ignored and are not well known. Yet they are in a phase of geographic expansion and play an important role in the etiology of febrile episodes in regions of Africa. Since the introduction of molecular techniques, the presence of these pathogens has been confirmed in various samples from arthropods and animals, and more rarely from human samples in West Africa. In this review, the aim is to summarize the latest information about vector-borne bacteria, focusing on West Africa from 2000 until today in order to better understand the epidemiological risks associated with these arthropods. This will allow health and veterinary authorities to develop a strategy for surveillance of arthropods and bacterial disease in order to protect people and animals.
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Burchard GD, Grobusch MP. Central Africa. Infect Dis (Lond) 2017. [DOI: 10.1002/9781119085751.ch7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | - Martin P. Grobusch
- Center of Tropical Medicine and Travel Medicine, Department of Infectious Diseases, Division of Internal Medicine, Academic Medical Center; University of Amsterdam; Amsterdam The Netherlands
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Galan M, Razzauti M, Bard E, Bernard M, Brouat C, Charbonnel N, Dehne-Garcia A, Loiseau A, Tatard C, Tamisier L, Vayssier-Taussat M, Vignes H, Cosson JF. 16S rRNA Amplicon Sequencing for Epidemiological Surveys of Bacteria in Wildlife. mSystems 2016; 1:e00032-16. [PMID: 27822541 PMCID: PMC5069956 DOI: 10.1128/msystems.00032-16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2016] [Accepted: 06/17/2016] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The human impact on natural habitats is increasing the complexity of human-wildlife interactions and leading to the emergence of infectious diseases worldwide. Highly successful synanthropic wildlife species, such as rodents, will undoubtedly play an increasingly important role in transmitting zoonotic diseases. We investigated the potential for recent developments in 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing to facilitate the multiplexing of the large numbers of samples needed to improve our understanding of the risk of zoonotic disease transmission posed by urban rodents in West Africa. In addition to listing pathogenic bacteria in wild populations, as in other high-throughput sequencing (HTS) studies, our approach can estimate essential parameters for studies of zoonotic risk, such as prevalence and patterns of coinfection within individual hosts. However, the estimation of these parameters requires cleaning of the raw data to mitigate the biases generated by HTS methods. We present here an extensive review of these biases and of their consequences, and we propose a comprehensive trimming strategy for managing these biases. We demonstrated the application of this strategy using 711 commensal rodents, including 208 Mus musculus domesticus, 189 Rattus rattus, 93 Mastomys natalensis, and 221 Mastomys erythroleucus, collected from 24 villages in Senegal. Seven major genera of pathogenic bacteria were detected in their spleens: Borrelia, Bartonella, Mycoplasma, Ehrlichia, Rickettsia, Streptobacillus, and Orientia. Mycoplasma, Ehrlichia, Rickettsia, Streptobacillus, and Orientia have never before been detected in West African rodents. Bacterial prevalence ranged from 0% to 90% of individuals per site, depending on the bacterial taxon, rodent species, and site considered, and 26% of rodents displayed coinfection. The 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing strategy presented here has the advantage over other molecular surveillance tools of dealing with a large spectrum of bacterial pathogens without requiring assumptions about their presence in the samples. This approach is therefore particularly suitable to continuous pathogen surveillance in the context of disease-monitoring programs. IMPORTANCE Several recent public health crises have shown that the surveillance of zoonotic agents in wildlife is important to prevent pandemic risks. High-throughput sequencing (HTS) technologies are potentially useful for this surveillance, but rigorous experimental processes are required for the use of these effective tools in such epidemiological contexts. In particular, HTS introduces biases into the raw data set that might lead to incorrect interpretations. We describe here a procedure for cleaning data before estimating reliable biological parameters, such as positivity, prevalence, and coinfection, using 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing on an Illumina MiSeq platform. This procedure, applied to 711 rodents collected in West Africa, detected several zoonotic bacterial species, including some at high prevalence, despite their never before having been reported for West Africa. In the future, this approach could be adapted for the monitoring of other microbes such as protists, fungi, and even viruses.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Maria Bernard
- INRA, Sigenae, France
- INRA, GABI, AgroParisTech, Université Paris-Saclay, Jouy-en-Josas, France
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Luo L, Sun J, Yan J, Wang C, Zhang Z, Zhao L, Han H, Tong Z, Liu M, Wu Y, Wen H, Zhang R, Xue Z, Sun X, Li K, Ma D, Liu J, Huang Y, Ye L, Li W, Jiang J, Yu XJ. Detection of a Novel Ehrlichia Species in Haemaphysalis longicornis Tick from China. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2016; 16:363-7. [PMID: 27135624 DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2015.1898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
We collected 2460 Haemaphysalis longicornis ticks from vegetation in Jiaonan County, Shandong Province, in June of 2013 and Daishan County, Zhejiang Province, China, in May of 2015. The tick DNA was subsequently amplified with nested polymerase chain reaction using Ehrlichia common 16S rRNA gene primers and Ehrlichia ewingii species-specific groEL and gltA primers. We found 0.4% (3/780) of the ticks from Zhejiang Province contained Ehrlichia DNA that was different from all known Ehrlichia species, but most closely related to E. ewingii. We concluded that a novel Ehrlichia species exists in H. longicornis ticks in China.
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Affiliation(s)
- Limei Luo
- 1 School of Public Health, Shandong University , Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Jimin Sun
- 2 Zhejiang Province Center for Disease Control and Prevention , Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jianbo Yan
- 3 Zhoushan City Center for Disease Control and Prevention , Zhoushan, Zhejiang, China
| | - Chengwei Wang
- 4 Daishan County Center for Disease Control and Prevention , Daishan, Zhejiang, China
| | - Zhentang Zhang
- 5 Huangdao District Center for Disease Control and Prevention , Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Li Zhao
- 1 School of Public Health, Shandong University , Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Huiju Han
- 1 School of Public Health, Shandong University , Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Zhendong Tong
- 3 Zhoushan City Center for Disease Control and Prevention , Zhoushan, Zhejiang, China
| | - Miaomiao Liu
- 1 School of Public Health, Shandong University , Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Yuyan Wu
- 2 Zhejiang Province Center for Disease Control and Prevention , Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Hongling Wen
- 1 School of Public Health, Shandong University , Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Rong Zhang
- 2 Zhejiang Province Center for Disease Control and Prevention , Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Zaifeng Xue
- 5 Huangdao District Center for Disease Control and Prevention , Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Xifeng Sun
- 1 School of Public Health, Shandong University , Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Kefeng Li
- 3 Zhoushan City Center for Disease Control and Prevention , Zhoushan, Zhejiang, China
| | - Dongqiang Ma
- 5 Huangdao District Center for Disease Control and Prevention , Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Jianwei Liu
- 1 School of Public Health, Shandong University , Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Yuting Huang
- 1 School of Public Health, Shandong University , Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Ling Ye
- 4 Daishan County Center for Disease Control and Prevention , Daishan, Zhejiang, China
| | - Wenqian Li
- 1 School of Public Health, Shandong University , Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Jianmin Jiang
- 2 Zhejiang Province Center for Disease Control and Prevention , Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xue-Jie Yu
- 1 School of Public Health, Shandong University , Jinan, Shandong, China .,6 Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch , Galveston, Texas
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Affiliation(s)
- David H. Walker
- *Address correspondence to David H. Walker, University of Texas Medical Branch, 301 University Boulevard, Galveston, TX 77555-0609. E-mail:
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Vieira RFDC, Vieira TSWJ, Nascimento DDAG, Martins TF, Krawczak FS, Labruna MB, Chandrashekar R, Marcondes M, Biondo AW, Vidotto O. Serological survey of Ehrlichia species in dogs, horses and humans: zoonotic scenery in a rural settlement from southern Brazil. Rev Inst Med Trop Sao Paulo 2014; 55:335-40. [PMID: 24037288 PMCID: PMC4105071 DOI: 10.1590/s0036-46652013000500007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2012] [Accepted: 01/29/2013] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The aims of this study were to determine the seroprevalence of Ehrlichia spp. and risk factors for exposure in a restricted population of dogs, horses, and humans highly exposed to tick bites in a Brazilian rural settlement using a commercial ELISA rapid test and two indirect immunofluorescent assays (IFA) with E. canis and E. chaffeensis crude antigens. Serum samples from 132 dogs, 16 horses and 100 humans were used. Fifty-six out of 132 (42.4%) dogs were seropositive for E. canis. Dogs > one year were more likely to be seropositive for E. canis than dogs ≤ one year (p = 0.0051). Ten/16 (62.5%) and 8/16 (50%) horses were seropositive by the commercial ELISA and IFA, respectively. Five out of 100 (5%) humans were seropositive for E. canis and E. chaffeensis. Rhipicephalus sanguineus (n = 291, 97.98%) on dogs and Amblyomma cajennense (n = 25, 96.15%) on horses were the most common ticks found. In conclusion, anti-Ehrlichia spp. antibodies were found in horses; however, the lack of a molecular characterization precludes any conclusion regarding the agent involved. Additionally, the higher seroprevalence of E. canis in dogs and the evidence of anti-Ehrlichia spp. antibodies in humans suggest that human cases of ehrlichiosis in Brazil might be caused by E. canis, or other closely related species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafael Felipe da Costa Vieira
- Departmento de Ciências Veterinárias, Centro de Ciências Agrárias, Universidade Federal da Paraíba, 58397-000AreiaParaíba, Brazil
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Davoust B, Parzy D, Demoncheaux JP, Tine R, Diarra M, Marié JL, Mediannikov O. Usefulness of a rapid immuno-migration test for the detection of canine monocytic ehrlichiosis in Africa. Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis 2013; 37:31-7. [PMID: 24252768 DOI: 10.1016/j.cimid.2013.10.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2013] [Revised: 10/14/2013] [Accepted: 10/21/2013] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
A rapid immuno-migration test for the serological detection of canine monocytic ehrlichiosis, Witness® Ehrlichia (WE) (Zoetis, France), was evaluated in 528 serum samples from dogs living in endemic areas of West and East Africa: Senegal (N=208), Ivory Coast (N=7), Sudan (N=27), and Djibouti (N=286). Of these dogs, 200 were French military working dogs (MWD) temporarily residing in Africa. The WE test results were compared with those obtained by indirect immunofluorescence (IFA). The sensitivity of WE was 97% [94.2, 98.7] with a specificity of 100% [98.6, 100]. In MWD, the seroprevalence (IFA) was 7%; in native dogs, it reached 77.1%. This significant difference can be explained by prophylactic measures from which MWD benefit. The WE test represents a simple, fast and reliable test for the detection of anti-Ehrlichia canis antibodies. Its implementation for the diagnosis of clinical cases has been validated in the field, and its use allows easy detection of asymptomatic dogs that may be carriers of E. canis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bernard Davoust
- Research Unit of Emerging Infectious and Tropical Diseases (URMITE), UMR CNRS 7278 IRD 198, Aix-Marseille-Université, Marseille, France; Animal Epidemiology Working Group of the Military Health Service, Toulon, France.
| | - Daniel Parzy
- UMR - MD3, Faculté de pharmacie, Aix-Marseille-Université, Marseille, France; Institut de recherche biomédicale des armées, Brétigny, France
| | | | - Raphaël Tine
- Veterinary Services of the National Gendarmerie, Dakar, Senegal
| | - Mamadou Diarra
- Veterinary Services of the National Gendarmerie, Dakar, Senegal
| | - Jean-Lou Marié
- Animal Epidemiology Working Group of the Military Health Service, Toulon, France
| | - Oleg Mediannikov
- Research Unit of Emerging Infectious and Tropical Diseases (URMITE), UMR CNRS 7278 IRD 198, Institute of Research for the Development, Dakar, Senegal
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Abstract
In recent years, quantitative real-time PCR tests have been extensively developed in clinical microbiology laboratories for routine diagnosis of infectious diseases, particularly bacterial diseases. This molecular tool is well-suited for the rapid detection of bacteria directly in clinical specimens, allowing early, sensitive and specific laboratory confirmation of related diseases. It is particularly suitable for the diagnosis of infections caused by fastidious growth species, and the number of these pathogens has increased recently. This method also allows a rapid assessment of the presence of antibiotic resistance genes or gene mutations. Although this genetic approach is not always predictive of phenotypic resistances, in specific situations it may help to optimize the therapeutic management of patients. Finally, an approach combining the detection of pathogens, their mechanisms of antibiotic resistance, their virulence factors and bacterial load in clinical samples could lead to profound changes in the care of these infected patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Max Maurin
- Laboratoire de Bactériologie, Département des Agents Infectieux, Institut de Biologie et Pathologie, CHU de Grenoble, Université Joseph Fourier Grenoble 1, France.
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Neglected tropical diseases of Namibia: unsolved mysteries. Acta Trop 2013; 125:1-17. [PMID: 23006744 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2012.09.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2012] [Revised: 09/10/2012] [Accepted: 09/12/2012] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) are diseases most commonly found in settings of poverty and are responsible for the morbidity and/or mortality of millions each year. As an upper-middle income country, Namibia is not normally considered to have many NTDs but published reports indicate the possible presence of over 30. Because much of the data is buried in historical studies published before Independence in 1990, there is a risk of losing valuable information on which to build current and future integrated public health strategies. The purpose of this review, therefore, is to bring together these significant fragments to identify existing knowledge gaps which need to be addressed to build effective control, prevention, and even elimination strategies. The review focuses on intestinal helminthes, schistosomes/snail 'vectors', viruses (Rift Valley Fever, Crimean Congo Hemorrhagic Fever, rabies), protozoa (Leishmania, Toxoplasma, Amoeba, Giardia), bacteria (Rickettsia, Ehrlichia, Leptospira, Coxiella, Brucella, and Borrelia), fungi (Pneumocystis) and myiasis. Each NTD speaks to the possible need for surveillance and the creation of integrated disease risk maps, linking prevalence of related NTDs with environmental and ecological factors to assist control and prevention efforts. The predominance of zoonotic disease suggests a need to integrate veterinary and public health components as the national public health surveillance system is established.
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Pathogen prevalence in ticks collected from the vegetation and livestock in Nigeria. Appl Environ Microbiol 2012; 78:2562-8. [PMID: 22327584 DOI: 10.1128/aem.06686-11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Ticks are important disease vectors that can cause considerable economic losses by affecting animal health and productivity, especially in tropical and subtropical regions. In this study, we investigated the prevalence and diversity of bacterial and protozoan tick-borne pathogens in ticks collected from the vegetation and cattle in Nigeria by PCR. The infection rates of questing ticks were 3.1% for Rickettsia species, 0.1% for Coxiella burnetii and 0.4% for Borrelia species. Other pathogens, such as Babesia, Theileria, Anaplasma, and Ehrlichia species, were not detected in ticks from the vegetation. Feeding ticks collected from cattle displayed infection rates of 12.5% for Rickettsia species, 14% for Coxiella burnetii, 5.9% for Anaplasma species, 5.1% for Ehrlichia species, and 2.9% for Theileria mutans. Babesia and Borrelia species were not detected in ticks collected from cattle. Mixed infections were found only in feeding ticks and mainly Rickettsia species and Coxiella burnetii were involved. The diversity of tick-borne pathogens in Nigeria was higher in feeding than in questing ticks, suggesting that cattle serve as reservoirs for at least some of the pathogens studied, in particular C. burnetii. The total estimated herd infection rates of 20.6% for a Rickettsia africae-like species, 27% for Coxiella burnetii, and 8.5% for Anaplasma marginale/centrale suggest that these pathogens may have considerable implications for human and animal health.
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Rar V, Golovljova I. Anaplasma, Ehrlichia, and “Candidatus Neoehrlichia” bacteria: Pathogenicity, biodiversity, and molecular genetic characteristics, a review. INFECTION GENETICS AND EVOLUTION 2011; 11:1842-61. [DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2011.09.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 182] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2011] [Revised: 09/23/2011] [Accepted: 09/23/2011] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
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Vieira RFDC, Biondo AW, Guimarães AMS, Dos Santos AP, Dos Santos RP, Dutra LH, Diniz PPVDP, de Morais HA, Messick JB, Labruna MB, Vidotto O. Ehrlichiosis in Brazil. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2011; 20:1-12. [PMID: 21439224 DOI: 10.1590/s1984-29612011000100002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2010] [Accepted: 11/03/2010] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Ehrlichiosis is a disease caused by rickettsial organisms belonging to the genus Ehrlichia. In Brazil, molecular and serological studies have evaluated the occurrence of Ehrlichia species in dogs, cats, wild animals and humans. Ehrlichia canis is the main species found in dogs in Brazil, although E. ewingii infection has been recently suspected in five dogs. Ehrlichia chaffeensis DNA has been detected and characterized in mash deer, whereas E. muris and E. ruminantium have not yet been identified in Brazil. Canine monocytic ehrlichiosis caused by E. canis appears to be highly endemic in several regions of Brazil, however prevalence data are not available for several regions. Ehrlichia canis DNA also has been detected and molecularly characterized in three domestic cats, and antibodies against E. canis were detected in free-ranging Neotropical felids. There is serological evidence suggesting the occurrence of human ehrlichiosis in Brazil but its etiologic agent has not yet been established. Improved molecular diagnostic resources for laboratory testing will allow better identification and characterization of ehrlichial organisms associated with human ehrlichiosis in Brazil.
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Esemu SN, Ndip LM, Ndip RN. Ehrlichia species, probable emerging human pathogens in sub-Saharan Africa: environmental exacerbation. REVIEWS ON ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH 2011; 26:269-279. [PMID: 22435325 DOI: 10.1515/reveh.2011.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Ehrlichiae are obligate intracellular Gram-negative tick-borne bacteria that are responsible for life-threatening emerging human zoonoses and diseases of veterinary importance worldwide, collectively called ehrlichioses. The genus Ehrlichia consists of five recognized species, including E. canis, E. chaffeensis, E. ewingii, E. muris, and E. ruminantium. The recent discoveries of Ehrlichia species in new areas and of tick species that were previously thought to be uninfected by these agents have suggested that these agents may have wider distribution than originally thought. Environmental factors like temperature, migration, control failure, and host population have been known to exacerbate the spread of Ehrlichia species. Human cases of moderate to severe disease caused by E. chaffeensis have been reported mainly in North America. In this article, we present an overview of ehrlichiae as emerging pathogens in sub-Saharan Africa, where E. ruminantium, the causative agent of heartwater, a disease of domestic and wild ruminants, is most established. Molecular evidence indicates that E. ruminantium may be an emerging pathogen of a life-threatening human disease. Ehrlichia ruminantium is considered an agricultural biothreat, with several strains reported throughout sub-Saharan Africa, where the infection is considered endemic. Understanding the diversity of E. ruminantium and other Ehrlichia species from all geographically distinct areas of sub-Saharan Africa may enhance our knowledge of the pathogenesis and epidemiology of these pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seraphine N Esemu
- Laboratory for Emerging Infectious Diseases, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon
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