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Myczka AW, Steiner-Bogdaszewska Ż, Oloś G, Bajer A, Laskowski Z. Diversity of Anaplasma phagocytophilum Strains from Roe Deer ( Capreolus capreolus) and Red Deer ( Cervus elaphus) in Poland. Animals (Basel) 2024; 14:637. [PMID: 38396605 PMCID: PMC10886081 DOI: 10.3390/ani14040637] [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: 01/11/2024] [Revised: 02/13/2024] [Accepted: 02/15/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Gram-negative bacterium Anaplasma phagocytophilum is an intracellular pathogen and an etiological agent of human and animal anaplasmosis. Its natural reservoir comprises free-ranging ungulates, including roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) and red deer (Cervus elaphus). These two species of deer also constitute the largest group of game animals in Poland. The aim of the study was to genotype and perform a phylogenetic analysis of A. phagocytophilum strains from roe deer and red deer. METHODS Samples were subjected to PCR amplification, sequencing, and phylogenetic analysis of strain-specific genetic markers (groEL, ankA). RESULTS Five haplotypes of the groEL gene from A. phagocytophilum and seven haplotypes of ankA were obtained. The phylogenetic analysis classified the groEL into ecotypes I and II. Sequences of the ankA gene were classified into clusters I, II, and III. CONCLUSIONS Strains of A. phagocytophilum from red deer were in the same ecotype and cluster as strains isolated from humans. Strains of A. phagocytophilum from roe deer represented ecotypes (I, II) and clusters (II, III) that were different from those isolated from red deer, and these strains did not show similarity to bacteria from humans. However, roe deer can harbor nonspecific strains of A. phagocytophilum more characteristic to red deer. It appears that the genetic variants from red deer can be pathogenic to humans, but the significance of the variants from roe deer requires more study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna W. Myczka
- Department of Eco-Epidemiology of Parasitic Diseases, Institute of Developmental Biology and Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, Ilji Miecznikowa 1, 02-096 Warsaw, Poland;
- Witold Stefański Institute of Parasitology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Twarda 51/55, 00-818 Warsaw, Poland; (Ż.S.-B.); (Z.L.)
| | - Żaneta Steiner-Bogdaszewska
- Witold Stefański Institute of Parasitology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Twarda 51/55, 00-818 Warsaw, Poland; (Ż.S.-B.); (Z.L.)
| | - Grzegorz Oloś
- Institute of Environmental and Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Opole, Kardynała B. Kominka 6, 6a, 45-032 Opole, Poland;
| | - Anna Bajer
- Department of Eco-Epidemiology of Parasitic Diseases, Institute of Developmental Biology and Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, Ilji Miecznikowa 1, 02-096 Warsaw, Poland;
| | - Zdzisław Laskowski
- Witold Stefański Institute of Parasitology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Twarda 51/55, 00-818 Warsaw, Poland; (Ż.S.-B.); (Z.L.)
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Karbowiak G, Stanko M, Smahol K, Werszko J, Rychlik L. Parasitic Arthropods of Soricinae Shrews in North-Eastern Poland. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:2960. [PMID: 37760360 PMCID: PMC10525224 DOI: 10.3390/ani13182960] [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: 07/07/2023] [Revised: 09/06/2023] [Accepted: 09/09/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The study of the ectoparasite fauna of the insectivores-Sorex araneus, Sorex minutus, Neomys fodiens, and Neomys anomalus (subfamily Soricinae)-was carried out in three locations in Poland: Białowieża National Park, Kosewo Górne in the Masurian Lake District, and in vicinity of Warsaw. Three species of Ixodidae ticks, eleven species of fleas, and four species of mites from the order Mesostigmata were noted. The most numerous ectoparasites are ticks Ixodes ricinus (larvae), Dermacentor reticulatus (nymphs), and fleas Palaeopsylla soricis, Megabothris walkeri, and Hystrichopsylla orientalis. These species show the highest prevalence and show the highest dominance index. The parasitofauna of S. araneus is much richer in species than other shrew species. The structure and dominance of parasite assemblages differ between locations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grzegorz Karbowiak
- W. Stefański Institute of Parasitology, Polish Academy of Sciences, 00-818 Warsaw, Poland; (K.S.); (J.W.)
- Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Social and Medical Sciences in Warsaw, 04-367 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Michal Stanko
- Institute of Parasitology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, 040 01 Kosice, Slovakia;
| | - Katerina Smahol
- W. Stefański Institute of Parasitology, Polish Academy of Sciences, 00-818 Warsaw, Poland; (K.S.); (J.W.)
- Museum and Institute of Zoology, Polish Academy of Sciences, 00-679 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Joanna Werszko
- W. Stefański Institute of Parasitology, Polish Academy of Sciences, 00-818 Warsaw, Poland; (K.S.); (J.W.)
- Department of General Biology and Parasitology, Medical University of Warsaw, 02-004 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Leszek Rychlik
- Department of Systematic Zoology, Institute of Environmental Biology, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, 61-614 Poznań, Poland;
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Fröhlich J, Fischer S, Bauer B, Hamel D, Kohn B, Ahlers M, Obiegala A, Overzier E, Pfeffer M, Pfister K, Răileanu C, Rehbein S, Skuballa J, Silaghi C. Host-pathogen associations revealed by genotyping of European strains of Anaplasma phagocytophilum to describe natural endemic cycles. Parasit Vectors 2023; 16:289. [PMID: 37587504 PMCID: PMC10433637 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-023-05900-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2023] [Accepted: 07/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/18/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The zoonotic intracellular alpha-proteobacterium Anaplasma phagocytophilum is a tick-transmitted pathogen. The associations between vertebrate reservoirs and vectors are described as wide-ranging, and it was previously shown that the pathogenicity of A. phagocytophilum differs depending on the combination of pathogen variant and infected host species. This leads to the question of whether there are variations in particular gene loci associated with different virulence. Therefore, this study aims at clarifying existing host-variant combinations and detecting possible reservoir hosts. To understand these interactions, a complex toolset for molecular epidemiology, phylogeny and network theory was applied. METHODS Sequences of up to four gene loci (msp4, msp2, groEL and 16S rRNA) were evaluated for different isolates from variable host species, including, for example, dogs, cattle and deer. Variant typing was conducted for each gene locus individually, and combinations of different gene loci were analysed to gain more detailed information about the genetic plasticity of A. phagocytophilum. Results were displayed as minimum spanning nets and correlation nets. RESULTS The highest diversity of variants for all gene loci was observed in roe deer. In cattle, a reduced number of variants for 16S rRNA [only 16S-20(W) and 16S-22(Y)] but multiple variants of msp4 and groEL were found. For dogs, two msp4 variants [m4-20 and m4-2(B/C)] were found to be linked to different variants of the other three gene loci, creating two main combinations of gene loci variants. Cattle are placed centrally in the minimum spanning net analyses, indicating a crucial role in the transmission cycles by possibly bridging the vector-wildlife cycle to infections of humans and domestic animals. The minimum spanning nets confirmed previously described epidemiological cycles of the bacterium in Europe, showing separation of variants originating from wildlife animals only and a set of variants shared by wild and domestic animals. CONCLUSIONS In this comprehensive study of 1280 sequences, we found a high number of gene variants only occurring in specific hosts. Additionally, different hosts show unique but also shared variant combinations. The use of our four gene loci expand the knowledge of host-pathogen interactions and may be a starting point to predict future spread and infection risks of A. phagocytophilum in Europe.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Fröhlich
- Comparative Tropical Medicine and Parasitology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Leopoldstrasse 5, 80802 Munich, Germany
| | - Susanne Fischer
- Institute of Infectology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Südufer 10, 17943 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Benjamin Bauer
- Clinic for Swine and Small Ruminants, Forensic Medicine and Ambulatory Service, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Bischofsholer Damm 15, 30173 Hannover, Germany
| | - Dietmar Hamel
- Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica GmbH, Kathrinenhof Research Center, Walchenseestr. 8-12, 83101 Rohrdorf, Germany
| | - Barbara Kohn
- Clinic for Small Animals, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Oertzenweg 19B, 14163 Berlin, Germany
| | - Marion Ahlers
- agro prax GmbH, Werner-von-Siemens-Str. 2, 49577 Ankum, Germany
| | - Anna Obiegala
- Institute of Animal Hygiene and Veterinary Public Health, University of Leipzig, An den Tierkliniken 1, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Evelyn Overzier
- Comparative Tropical Medicine and Parasitology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Leopoldstrasse 5, 80802 Munich, Germany
| | - Martin Pfeffer
- Institute of Animal Hygiene and Veterinary Public Health, University of Leipzig, An den Tierkliniken 1, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Kurt Pfister
- Comparative Tropical Medicine and Parasitology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Leopoldstrasse 5, 80802 Munich, Germany
| | - Cristian Răileanu
- Institute of Infectology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Südufer 10, 17943 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Steffen Rehbein
- Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica GmbH, Kathrinenhof Research Center, Walchenseestr. 8-12, 83101 Rohrdorf, Germany
| | - Jasmin Skuballa
- Chemical and Veterinary Investigations Office Karlsruhe (CVUA Karlsruhe), Weissenburger Str. 3, 76187 Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Cornelia Silaghi
- Institute of Infectology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Südufer 10, 17943 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
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Hoffman T, Olsen B, Lundkvist Å. The Biological and Ecological Features of Northbound Migratory Birds, Ticks, and Tick-Borne Microorganisms in the African-Western Palearctic. Microorganisms 2023; 11:microorganisms11010158. [PMID: 36677450 PMCID: PMC9866947 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11010158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2022] [Revised: 12/22/2022] [Accepted: 01/03/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Identifying the species that act as hosts, vectors, and vehicles of vector-borne pathogens is vital for revealing the transmission cycles, dispersal mechanisms, and establishment of vector-borne pathogens in nature. Ticks are common vectors for pathogens causing human and animal diseases, and they transmit a greater variety of pathogenic agents than any other arthropod vector group. Ticks depend on the movements by their vertebrate hosts for their dispersal, and tick species with long feeding periods are more likely to be transported over long distances. Wild birds are commonly parasitized by ticks, and their migration patterns enable the long-distance range expansion of ticks. The African-Palearctic migration system is one of the world's largest migrations systems. African-Western Palearctic birds create natural links between the African, European, and Asian continents when they migrate biannually between breeding grounds in the Palearctic and wintering grounds in Africa and thereby connect different biomes. Climate is an important geographical determinant of ticks, and with global warming, the distribution range and abundance of ticks in the Western Palearctic may increase. The introduction of exotic ticks and their microorganisms into the Western Palearctic via avian vehicles might therefore pose a greater risk for the public and animal health in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tove Hoffman
- Zoonosis Science Center, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, Uppsala University, 751 23 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Björn Olsen
- Zoonosis Science Center, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, Uppsala University, 751 23 Uppsala, Sweden
- Zoonosis Science Center, Department of Medical Sciences, Uppsala University, 751 85 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Åke Lundkvist
- Zoonosis Science Center, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, Uppsala University, 751 23 Uppsala, Sweden
- Correspondence:
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Prevalence and Genotyping of Anaplasma phagocytophilum Strains from Wild Animals, European Bison (Bison bonasus) and Eurasian Moose (Alces alces) in Poland. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12091222. [PMID: 35565648 PMCID: PMC9105415 DOI: 10.3390/ani12091222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2022] [Revised: 05/06/2022] [Accepted: 05/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The populations of bison and moose, the largest wild ruminants in Poland, are growing every year. These animals return to Polish forests after many years of risk of extinction or, as in the case of European bison, are reintroduced step by step. Unfortunately, they are still rare and require close health surveillance and monitoring. One serious threat to their health and life is the bacterial parasite Anaplasma phagocytophilum. Moose and bison can also be sources of pathogenic bacteria for humans, which can be transferred through tick bites. In line with the World Health Organization (WHO) “OneHealth” program, indicating that animal health affects human health and vice versa, the following study examines the occurrence of Anaplasma phagocytophilum bacteria in European bison and Eurasian moose populations using molecular biology tools. Our results provide useful data regarding Anaplasma phagocytophilum that could be used in future strategies for the diagnosis and treatment of people and animals. Abstract Wild large ungulates, like European bison (Bison bonasus) and Eurasian moose (Alces alces), form an important part of the circulation of Anaplasma phagocytophilum, a Gram-negative, intracellular, tick-transmitted bacterium, in the natural environment. Bison and moose tissue samples were subjected to 16S rDNA, groEL and ankA partial gene marker amplification with specific primers using various variants of PCR. Out of 42 examined individuals, Anaplasma sp. were detected in 4/13 Eurasian moose (31%) and 7/29 European bison (24%). In addition, 12 groEL and 5 ankA partial gene positive samples were obtained from the examined animals. The phylogenetic analysis of the groEL partial gene classified samples from European bison to ecotype I, and samples from Eurasian moose to ecotype I and II; the analysis of the ankA partial gene assigned the samples to clusters I and IV. This study extends knowledge about A. phagocytophilum in wild large ungulates in Poland. This is the first report about the occurrence of Anaplasma sp. in one of the largest populations of free living European bison in the world. Our findings confirm that strains of A. phagocytophilum from Bison bonasus and Alces alces may constitute a natural reservoir of pathogenic HGA Anaplasma strains.
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Rar V, Tkachev S, Tikunova N. Genetic diversity of Anaplasma bacteria: Twenty years later. INFECTION GENETICS AND EVOLUTION 2021; 91:104833. [PMID: 33794351 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2021.104833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2020] [Revised: 03/26/2021] [Accepted: 03/28/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
The genus Anaplasma (family Anaplasmataceae, order Rickettsiales) includes obligate intracellular alphaproteobacteria that multiply within membrane-bound vacuoles and are transmitted by Ixodidae ticks to vertebrate hosts. Since the last reclassification of Anaplasmataceae twenty years ago, two new Anaplasma species have been identified. To date, the genus includes eight Anaplasma species (A. phagocytophilum, A. marginale, A. centrale, A. ovis, A. bovis, A. platys, A. odocoilei, and A. capra) and a large number of unclassified genovariants that cannot be assigned to known species. Members of the genus can cause infection in humans and a wide range of domestic animals with different degrees of severity. Long-term persistence which, in some cases, is manifested as cyclic bacteremia has been demonstrated for several Anaplasma species. Zoonotic potential has been shown for A. phagocytophilum, the agent of human granulocytic anaplasmosis, and for some other Anaplasma spp. that suggests a broader medical relevance of this genus. Genetic diversity of Anaplasma spp. has been intensively studied in recent years, and it has been shown that some Anaplasma spp. can be considered as a complex of genetically distinct lineages differing by geography, vectors, and host tropism. The aim of this review was to summarize the current knowledge concerning the natural history, pathogenic properties, and genetic diversity of Anaplasma spp. and some unclassified genovariants with particular attention to their genetic characteristics. The high genetic variability of Anaplasma spp. prompted us to conduct a detailed phylogenetic analysis for different Anaplasma species and unclassified genovariants, which were included in this review. The genotyping of unclassified genovariants has led to the identification of at least four distinct clades that might be considered in future as new candidate species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vera Rar
- Institute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine, SB RAS, Novosibirsk, Russian Federation.
| | - Sergey Tkachev
- Institute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine, SB RAS, Novosibirsk, Russian Federation
| | - Nina Tikunova
- Institute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine, SB RAS, Novosibirsk, Russian Federation
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Cutler SJ, Vayssier-Taussat M, Estrada-Peña A, Potkonjak A, Mihalca AD, Zeller H. Tick-borne diseases and co-infection: Current considerations. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2020; 12:101607. [PMID: 33220628 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2020.101607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2018] [Revised: 10/10/2020] [Accepted: 11/05/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Over recent years, a multitude of pathogens have been reported to be tick-borne. Given this, it is unsurprising that these might co-exist within the same tick, however our understanding of the interactions of these agents both within the tick and vertebrate host remains poorly defined. Despite the rich diversity of ticks, relatively few regularly feed on humans, 12 belonging to argasid and 20 ixodid species, and literature on co-infection is only available for a few of these species. The interplay of various pathogen combinations upon the vertebrate host and tick vector represents a current knowledge gap. The impact of co-infection in humans further extends into diagnostic challenges arising when multiple pathogens are encountered and we have little current data upon which to make therapeutic recommendations for those with multiple infections. Despite these short-comings, there is now increasing recognition of co-infections and current research efforts are providing valuable insights into dynamics of pathogen interactions whether they facilitate or antagonise each other. Much of this existing data is focussed upon simultaneous infection, however the consequences of sequential infection also need to be addressed. To this end, it is timely to review current understanding and highlight those areas still to address.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sally J Cutler
- School of Health, Sport & Bioscience, University of East London, London, E15 4LZ, UK.
| | | | - Agustín Estrada-Peña
- Department of Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Aleksandar Potkonjak
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Andrei D Mihalca
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Hervé Zeller
- European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, Solna, Sweden
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Rar V, Yakimenko V, Tikunov A, Makenov M, Epikhina T, Tancev A, Tikunova N. Genetic variability of Anaplasmataceae circulating in small mammals and ticks in an Ixodes persulcatus/Ixodes trianguliceps sympatric area in Russian Siberia. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2020; 11:101499. [PMID: 32631790 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2020.101499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2020] [Revised: 06/10/2020] [Accepted: 06/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
A total of 705 rodents from Myodes, Microtus, and Apodemus genera, 396 adult questing Ixodes persulcatus, and 115 Ixodes larvae and nymphs taken from rodents (and then molted under laboratory conditions to nymphs and adults) were collected in 2013-2018 in Omsk province, Russian Siberia, and examined for the presence of Anaplasmataceae. DNA of Anaplasma phagocytophilum was detected in 29.5 % rodents, 3.8 % questing I. persulcatus, two molted adult I. persulcatus, and one molted adult Ixodes trianguliceps. Ehrlichia muris DNA was found in specimens from 12.1 % rodents, 3.0 % questing I. persulcatus, 14 % molted adult I. persulcatus, and one molted adult I. trianguliceps. Neoehrlichia mikurensis DNA was found in 0.6 % blood samples. It was suggested that in the studied area A. phagocytophilum and E. muris are mainly transmitted to small rodents by I. trianguliceps and I. persulcatus, respectively. Based on groEL gene sequence analysis, three phylogenetic clusters of A. phagocytophilum (clusters 4, 5, 6, according to Jaarsma et al., 2019) were identified. Most of genotyped A. phagocytophilum isolates obtained from rodents (87.6 %) and a single isolate found in a molted adult I. trianguliceps belonged to cluster 5. Cluster 6 contained 11.8 % genotyped specimens from rodents, and one questing and two molted adult I. persulcatus, while cluster 4 included specimens from 93 % genotyped questing I. persulcatus and one vole. The finding of A. phagocytophilum from clusters 5 and 6 in voles from the same sampling area indicated that clusters 5 and 6 segregate according to the tick-carriers, but not the geography. Most of the genotyped specimens of E. muris and N. mikurensis corresponded to typical genotypes detected in Asian Russia previously. In addition, new genetic variants of E. muris and N. mikurensis, which significantly differed from other known isolates and formed separate branches on phylogenetic trees, were identified in several voles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vera Rar
- Institute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine, Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Science, Novosibirsk, Russia.
| | | | - Artem Tikunov
- Institute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine, Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Science, Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Marat Makenov
- Omsk Research Institute of Natural Focal Infections, Omsk, Russia
| | - Tamara Epikhina
- Institute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine, Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Science, Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Aleksey Tancev
- Omsk Research Institute of Natural Focal Infections, Omsk, Russia
| | - Nina Tikunova
- Institute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine, Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Science, Novosibirsk, Russia.
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Shin SU, Park YJ, Ryu JH, Jang DH, Hwang S, Cho HC, Park J, Han JI, Choi KS. Identification of Zoonotic Tick-Borne Pathogens from Korean Water Deer ( Hydropotes inermis argyropus). Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2020; 20:745-754. [PMID: 32598238 DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2019.2609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Korean water deer (Hydropotes inermis argyropus) are widespread in the Republic of Korea (ROK). Mostly, Korean water deer are essential hosts for maintaining ticks and tick-borne diseases (TBDs). Here, we investigated the prevalence of tick-borne pathogens (TBPs) among rescued Korean water deer. Anaplasma phagocytophilum (21.4%, 6/28), Anaplasma capra (14.3%, 4/28), Babesia capreoli (3.6%, 1/28), and Coxiella burnetii (3.6%, 1/28) were detected, but Borrelia burgdorferi, Ehrlichia, Rickettsia, and Theileria infections were not found. A. phagocytophilum was the most commonly detected pathogen, and co-infection with A. capra and B. capreoli was also noted in one Korean water deer. To our knowledge, this is the first article of B. capreoli infection in Korean water deer in the ROK. The infecting isolate of A. phagocytophilum was genetically characterized by 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene and ankyrin-related protein (ankA) gene. Although the 16S rRNA gene alone may not be informative enough to delineate distinct host species, ankA-based phylogeny revealed a high identity of Korean water deer sequences with those of the causative agent of human granulocytic anaplasmosis. A. capra was detected by using citrate synthase gene (gltA), heat-shock protein (groEL), and major surface protein 4 (msp4) genes. Phylogenetic tree based on these gene markers revealed that there were at least two distinct variants within A. capra circulating in the ROK. One variant originated from different hosts including humans, ticks, goats, and sheep, whereas the other variant was reported recently in Korean water deer in the ROK. Consequently, these sequences were identified to belong to a zoonotic species. Sequencing analysis of the 18S rRNA gene revealed that our isolate belonged to B. capreoli and was distinct from Babesia divergens and Babesia venatorum. Moreover, our isolate showed 92.2% homology with B. capreoli sequences, indicating that these differences may be attributed to the different tick species that transmit B. capreoli or to different host species. Genotyping and phylogenetic analysis of C. burnetii based on 16S rRNA and IS1111 genes revealed that our isolate was grouped with several strains of C. burnetii and was genetically distant from Coxiella-like bacteria isolates. The present results highlight that Korean water deer act as potential reservoir hosts for zoonotic TBPs, and thus play an important role in the transmission of TBDs in humans, animals, and livestock.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seung-Uk Shin
- Department of Animal Science and Biotechnology, College of Ecology and Environmental Science, Kyungpook National University, Sangju, Republic of Korea
| | - Yu-Jin Park
- Department of Horse/Companion and Wild Animals, College of Ecology and Environmental Science, Kyungpook National University, Sangju, Republic of Korea
| | - Ji-Hyoung Ryu
- Department of Animal Science and Biotechnology, College of Ecology and Environmental Science, Kyungpook National University, Sangju, Republic of Korea
| | - Dong-Hun Jang
- Department of Horse/Companion and Wild Animals, College of Ecology and Environmental Science, Kyungpook National University, Sangju, Republic of Korea
| | - Sunwoo Hwang
- Department of Horse/Companion and Wild Animals, College of Ecology and Environmental Science, Kyungpook National University, Sangju, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyung-Chul Cho
- Department of Animal Science and Biotechnology, College of Ecology and Environmental Science, Kyungpook National University, Sangju, Republic of Korea
| | - Jinho Park
- Department of Veterinary Internal Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jeonbuk National University, Iksan, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae-Ik Han
- Laboratory of Wild Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jeonbuk National University, Iksan, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyoung-Seong Choi
- Department of Animal Science and Biotechnology, College of Ecology and Environmental Science, Kyungpook National University, Sangju, Republic of Korea.,Department of Horse/Companion and Wild Animals, College of Ecology and Environmental Science, Kyungpook National University, Sangju, Republic of Korea
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10
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Langenwalder DB, Schmidt S, Silaghi C, Skuballa J, Pantchev N, Matei IA, Mihalca AD, Gilli U, Zajkowska J, Ganter M, Hoffman T, Salaneck E, Petrovec M, von Loewenich FD. The absence of the drhm gene is not a marker for human-pathogenicity in European Anaplasma phagocytophilum strains. Parasit Vectors 2020; 13:238. [PMID: 32381072 PMCID: PMC7206706 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-020-04116-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2020] [Accepted: 04/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Anaplasma phagocytophilum is a Gram-negative obligate intracellular bacterium that replicates in neutrophil granulocytes. It is transmitted by ticks of the Ixodes ricinus complex and causes febrile illness in humans and animals. The geographical distribution of A. phagocytophilum spans the Americas, Europe, Africa and Asia. However, human disease predominantly occurs in North America but is infrequently reported from Europe and Asia. In North American strains, the absence of the drhm gene has been proposed as marker for pathogenicity in humans whereas no information on the presence or absence of the drhm gene was available for A. phagocytophilum strains circulating in Europe. Therefore, we tested 511 European and 21 North American strains for the presence of drhm and compared the results to two other typing methods: multilocus sequence typing (MLST) and ankA-based typing. RESULTS Altogether, 99% (478/484) of the analyzable European and 19% (4/21) of the North American samples from different hosts were drhm-positive. Regarding the strains from human granulocytic anaplasmosis cases, 100% (35/35) of European origin were drhm-positive and 100% (14/14) of North American origin were drhm-negative. Human strains from North America and Europe were both part of MLST cluster 1. North American strains from humans belonged to ankA gene clusters 11 and 12 whereas European strains from humans were found in ankA gene cluster 1. However, the North American ankA gene clusters 11 and 12 were highly identical at the nucleotide level to the European cluster 1 with 97.4% and 95.2% of identity, respectively. CONCLUSIONS The absence of the drhm gene in A. phagocytophilum does not seem to be associated with pathogenicity for humans per se, because all 35 European strains of human origin were drhm-positive. The epidemiological differences between North America and Europe concerning the incidence of human A. phagocytophilum infection are not explained by strain divergence based on MLST and ankA gene-based typing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Denis B Langenwalder
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Obere Zahlbacherstrasse 67, 55131, Mainz, Germany
| | - Sabine Schmidt
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Obere Zahlbacherstrasse 67, 55131, Mainz, Germany
| | - Cornelia Silaghi
- Institute of Infectology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Südufer 10, 17493, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Jasmin Skuballa
- Chemical and Veterinary Investigations Office Karlsruhe (CVUA Karlsruhe), Weissenburgerstrasse 3, 76187, Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Nikola Pantchev
- IDEXX Laboratories, Mörikestrasse 28/3, 71636, Ludwigsburg, Germany
| | - Ioana A Matei
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-Napoca, Calea Manastur 3-5, 400372, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Andrei D Mihalca
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-Napoca, Calea Manastur 3-5, 400372, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Urs Gilli
- IDEXX Diavet AG, Schlyffistrasse 10, 8806, Bäch, Switzerland
| | - Joanna Zajkowska
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Neuroinfections, Medical University of Białystok, ul.Żurawia 14, 15-345, Białystok, Poland
| | - Martin Ganter
- Clinic for Swine and Small Ruminants, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Bischofsholer Damm 15, 30173, Hannover, Germany
| | - Tove Hoffman
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology (IMBIM), Zoonosis Science Center, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Erik Salaneck
- Department of Medical Sciences, Zoonosis Science Center, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Miroslav Petrovec
- Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Zaloška 4, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Friederike D von Loewenich
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Obere Zahlbacherstrasse 67, 55131, Mainz, Germany.
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11
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Langenwalder DB, Silaghi C, Nieder M, Pfeffer M, von Loewenich FD. Co-infection, reinfection and superinfection with Anaplasma phagocytophilum strains in a cattle herd based on ankA gene and multilocus sequence typing. Parasit Vectors 2020; 13:157. [PMID: 32228658 PMCID: PMC7106686 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-020-04032-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2019] [Accepted: 03/24/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Anaplasma phagocytophilum is a Gram-negative obligate intracellular bacterium that replicates in neutrophil granulocytes. It is transmitted by ticks of the Ixodes ricinus complex and causes febrile illness in humans and animals. We used multilocus sequence typing (MLST) and ankA gene-based typing to study the molecular epidemiology of the A. phagocytophilum strains circulating in a German cattle herd over one pasture season. The aim was to investigate whether co-infection with two distinct variants, reinfection with the same and/or superinfection by a different strain occurred during one pasture season. Eight genetic loci were sequenced in 47 PCR-positive samples from 15 animals. RESULTS Five different sequence types (ST) and four ankA alleles were detected in the cattle herd. Three different ST caused clinically overt tick-borne fever in primary infected animals. The concordance between ST and ankA allele was 100%. Therefore, the housekeeping genes used for MLST and the highly variable ankA gene were concatenated to increase resolution. Co-infection could be proven because samples of chronologically close collection dates were included. Co-infecting A. phagocytophilum strains differed by 14 to 18 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Most superinfecting variants varied by 14 SNPs from the previous strain and appeared in median after a free interval of 31 days. Thus, it is unlikely that superinfecting strains arose by in-animal evolution. Immunity against re- or superinfection was assumed because the cattle developed clinical signs only during primary infection. CONCLUSIONS The tick-pathogen-vertebrate host interaction is probably much more complex than previously thought taking into account the frequently occurring events of co-infection, reinfection and superinfection. This complex situation could not be easily simulated in an experimental infection and underlines the value of field studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Denis B. Langenwalder
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, University of Mainz, Obere Zahlbacherstrasse 67, 55131 Mainz, Germany
| | - Cornelia Silaghi
- Institute of Infectology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Südufer 10, 17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Marion Nieder
- Institute for Animal Hygiene and Veterinary Public Health, University of Leipzig, An den Tierkliniken 1, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Martin Pfeffer
- Institute for Animal Hygiene and Veterinary Public Health, University of Leipzig, An den Tierkliniken 1, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Friederike D. von Loewenich
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, University of Mainz, Obere Zahlbacherstrasse 67, 55131 Mainz, Germany
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12
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Hoffman T, Wilhelmsson P, Barboutis C, Fransson T, Jaenson TGT, Lindgren PE, Von Loewenich FD, Lundkvist Å, Olsen B, Salaneck E. A divergent Anaplasma phagocytophilum variant in an Ixodes tick from a migratory bird; Mediterranean basin. Infect Ecol Epidemiol 2020; 10:1729653. [PMID: 32284823 PMCID: PMC7144310 DOI: 10.1080/20008686.2020.1729653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2019] [Accepted: 12/11/2019] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Anaplasma phagocytophilum (AP) has vast geographical and host ranges and causes disease in humans and domesticated animals. We investigated the role of northward migratory birds in the dispersal of tick-borne AP in the African-Western Palearctic. Ticks were collected from northward migratory birds trapped during spring migration of 2010 at two localities in the central Mediterranean Sea. AP DNA was detected by PCR (gltA and 16S rRNA) and variant determination was performed using ankA sequences. In total, 358 ticks were collected. One of 19 ticks determined as Ixodes was confirmed positive for AP DNA. The tick was collected from a woodchat shrike (Lanius senator senator) trapped in Greece, and molecularly determined to belong to the I. ricinus complex and sharing highest (95%) 16S RNA sequence identity to I. gibbosus. The ankA AP sequence exhibited highest similarity to sequences from rodents and shrews (82%) and ruminants (80%). Phylogenetic analyses placed it convincingly outside other clades, suggesting that it represents a novel AP variant. The divergent Ixodes species harboring a novel AP variant could either indicate an enzootic cycle involving co-evolution with birds, or dissemination from other regions by avian migration. None of the 331 Hyalomma marginatum sensu lato ticks, all immature stages, were positive for AP DNA, lending no evidence for the involvement of Hyalomma ticks transported by birds in the ecology of AP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tove Hoffman
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology (IMBIM), Zoonosis Science Center, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Peter Wilhelmsson
- Division of Inflammation and Infection, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden.,Department of Clinical Microbiology, County Hospital Ryhov, Jönköping, Sweden.,Division of Medical Microbiology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Christos Barboutis
- Antikythira Bird Observatory, Hellenic Ornithological Society/Birdlife Greece, Athens, Greece
| | - Thord Fransson
- Department of Environmental Research and Monitoring, Swedish Museum of Natural History, Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | - Per-Eric Lindgren
- Division of Inflammation and Infection, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden.,Department of Clinical Microbiology, County Hospital Ryhov, Jönköping, Sweden.,Division of Medical Microbiology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | | | - Åke Lundkvist
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology (IMBIM), Zoonosis Science Center, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Björn Olsen
- Department of Medical Sciences, Zoonosis Science Center, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Erik Salaneck
- Department of Medical Sciences, Zoonosis Science Center, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
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13
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Alanazi AD, Nguyen VL, Alyousif MS, Manoj RRS, Alouffi AS, Donato R, Sazmand A, Mendoza-Roldan JA, Dantas-Torres F, Otranto D. Ticks and associated pathogens in camels (Camelus dromedarius) from Riyadh Province, Saudi Arabia. Parasit Vectors 2020; 13:110. [PMID: 32111251 PMCID: PMC7048137 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-020-3973-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2019] [Accepted: 02/17/2020] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Camel production in Saudi Arabia is severely affected by various diseases and by inadequate veterinary services. Ticks and tick-borne pathogens (TBPs) affect the health and wellbeing of camels consequently diminishing their productivity and performances. In addition, camels may act as hosts for TBPs (e.g. Anaplasma phagocytophilum) causing diseases in humans. The current study aimed to determine the prevalence of ixodid ticks and molecularly investigate the associated pathogens in camels from Saudi Arabia. METHODS Blood and tick samples were collected from camels (n = 170) in Riyad Province of Saudi Arabia. Ticks were morphologically identified, and blood of camels were molecularly screened for apicomplexan (i.e. Babesia spp., Theileria spp., Hepatozoon spp.) and rickettsial parasites (i.e. Ehrlichia spp. and Anaplasma spp.). RESULTS Of the 170 camels examined, 116 (68.2%; 95% CI: 60.9-75.1%) were infested by ticks with a mean intensity of 2.53 (95% CI: 2.4-2.6). In total of 296 ticks collected, Hyalomma dromedarii was the most prevalent (76.4%), followed by Hyalomma impeltatum (23.3%) and Hyalomma excavatum (0.3%). Of the tested animals, 13 (7.6%; 95% CI: 4.3-12.8%) scored positive to at least one TBP, with Anaplasma platys (5.3%; 95% CI: 2.7-9.9%) being the most prevalent species, followed by Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Anaplasma sp., Ehrlichia canis and Hepatozoon canis (0.6% each; 95% CI: 0.04-3.4%). None of the camels were found to be co-infected with more than one pathogen. All samples tested negative for Babesia spp. and Theileria spp. CONCLUSIONS The present study reveals the occurrence of different tick species and TBPs in camels from Saudi Arabia. Importantly, these camels may carry A. phagocytophilum and A. platys, representing a potential risk to humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdullah D Alanazi
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science and Humanities, Shaqra University, Ad-Dawadimi, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Viet Linh Nguyen
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Mohamed S Alyousif
- Department of Zoology, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ranju R S Manoj
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Abdulaziz S Alouffi
- Life Science and Environment Sector, King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ridolfi Donato
- Istituto Zooprofilattico della Puglia e della Basilicata, Bari, Italy
| | - Alireza Sazmand
- Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamedan, Iran
| | | | - Filipe Dantas-Torres
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Bari, Bari, Italy.,Department of Immunology, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Aggeu Magalhães Institute, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil
| | - Domenico Otranto
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Bari, Bari, Italy. .,Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamedan, Iran.
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14
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Matei IA, Estrada-Peña A, Cutler SJ, Vayssier-Taussat M, Varela-Castro L, Potkonjak A, Zeller H, Mihalca AD. A review on the eco-epidemiology and clinical management of human granulocytic anaplasmosis and its agent in Europe. Parasit Vectors 2019; 12:599. [PMID: 31864403 PMCID: PMC6925858 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-019-3852-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2019] [Accepted: 12/13/2019] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Anaplasma phagocytophilum is the agent of tick-borne fever, equine, canine and human granulocytic anaplasmosis. The common route of A. phagocytophilum transmission is through a tick bite, the main vector in Europe being Ixodes ricinus. Despite the apparently ubiquitous presence of the pathogen A. phagocytophilum in ticks and various wild and domestic animals from Europe, up to date published clinical cases of human granulocytic anaplasmosis (HGA) remain rare compared to the worldwide status. It is unclear if this reflects the epidemiological dynamics of the human infection in Europe or if the disease is underdiagnosed or underreported. Epidemiologic studies in Europe have suggested an increased occupational risk of infection for forestry workers, hunters, veterinarians, and farmers with a tick-bite history and living in endemic areas. Although the overall genetic diversity of A. phagocytophilum in Europe is higher than in the USA, the strains responsible for the human infections are related on both continents. However, the study of the genetic variability and assessment of the difference of pathogenicity and infectivity between strains to various hosts has been insufficiently explored to date. Most of the European HGA cases presented as a mild infection, common clinical signs being pyrexia, headache, myalgia and arthralgia. The diagnosis of HGA in the USA was recommended to be based on clinical signs and the patient’s history and later confirmed using specialized laboratory tests. However, in Europe since the majority of cases are presenting as mild infection, laboratory tests may be performed before the treatment in order to avoid antibiotic overuse. The drug of choice for HGA is doxycycline and because of potential for serious complication the treatment should be instituted on clinical suspicion alone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ioana A Matei
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Science and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Agustín Estrada-Peña
- Department of Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Sally J Cutler
- School of Health, Sport & Bioscience, University of East London, London, UK.
| | - Muriel Vayssier-Taussat
- Department of Animal Health, French National Institute for Agricultural Research, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Lucía Varela-Castro
- Department of Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain.,Animal Health Department, NEIKER-Instituto Vasco de Investigación y Desarrollo Agrario, Bizkaia Science and Technology Park, Derio, Bizkaia, Spain
| | - Aleksandar Potkonjak
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Herve Zeller
- Emerging and Vector-borne Diseases Programme, European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, Solna, Sweden
| | - Andrei D Mihalca
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Science and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
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15
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Hamšíková Z, Silaghi C, Takumi K, Rudolf I, Gunár K, Sprong H, Kazimírová M. Presence of Roe Deer Affects the Occurrence of Anaplasma phagocytophilum Ecotypes in Questing Ixodes ricinus in Different Habitat Types of Central Europe. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2019; 16:ijerph16234725. [PMID: 31783486 PMCID: PMC6926711 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph16234725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2019] [Revised: 11/22/2019] [Accepted: 11/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
The way in which European genetic variants of Anaplasma phagocytophilum circulate in their natural foci and which variants cause disease in humans or livestock remains thus far unclear. Red deer and roe deer are suggested to be reservoirs for some European A. phagocytophilum strains, and Ixodes ricinus is their principal vector. Based on groEL gene sequences, five A. phagocytophilum ecotypes have been identified. Ecotype I is associated with the broadest host range, including strains that cause disease in domestic animals and humans. Ecotype II is associated with roe deer and does not include zoonotic strains. In the present study, questing I. ricinus were collected in urban, pasture, and natural habitats in the Czech Republic, Germany, and Slovakia. A fragment of the msp2 gene of A. phagocytophilum was amplified by real-time PCR in DNA isolated from ticks. Positive samples were further analyzed by nested PCRs targeting fragments of the 16S rRNA and groEL genes, followed by sequencing. Samples were stratified according to the presence/absence of roe deer at the sampling sites. Geographic origin, habitat, and tick stage were also considered. The probability that A. phagocytophilum is a particular ecotype was estimated by a generalized linear model. Anaplasma phagocytophilum was identified by genetic typing in 274 I. ricinus ticks. The majority belonged to ecotype I (63.9%), 28.5% were ecotype II, and both ecotypes were identified in 7.7% of ticks. Ecotype II was more frequently identified in ticks originating from a site with presence of roe deer, whereas ecotype I was more frequent in adult ticks than in nymphs. Models taking into account the country-specific, site-specific, and habitat-specific aspects did not improve the goodness of the fit. Thus, roe deer presence in a certain site and the tick developmental stage are suggested to be the two factors consistently influencing the occurrence of a particular A. phagocytophilum ecotype in a positive I. ricinus tick.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zuzana Hamšíková
- Institute of Zoology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dúbravská cesta 9, 84506 Bratislava, Slovakia;
| | - Cornelia Silaghi
- Institute of Infectology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institute, Südufer 10, 17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany;
| | - Katsuhisa Takumi
- Laboratory for Zoonoses and Environmental Microbiology, National Institute for Public Health and Environment, Antonie van Leeuwenhoeklaan 9, P.O. Box 1, 3720 BA Bilthoven, The Netherlands; (K.T.); (H.S.)
| | - Ivo Rudolf
- Institute of Vertebrate Biology, The Czech Academy of Sciences, Klášterní 2, 69142 Valtice, Czech Republic;
| | - Kristyna Gunár
- Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, The Czech Academy of Sciences, Heyrovského nám. 1888/2, 16200 Prague 6, Czech Republic;
| | - Hein Sprong
- Laboratory for Zoonoses and Environmental Microbiology, National Institute for Public Health and Environment, Antonie van Leeuwenhoeklaan 9, P.O. Box 1, 3720 BA Bilthoven, The Netherlands; (K.T.); (H.S.)
| | - Mária Kazimírová
- Institute of Zoology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dúbravská cesta 9, 84506 Bratislava, Slovakia;
- Correspondence:
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16
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FIRST MOLECULAR DETECTION OF ANAPLASMA PHAGOCYTOPHILUM IN DROMEDARIES ( CAMELUS DROMEDARIUS). J Zoo Wildl Med 2019; 49:844-848. [PMID: 30592905 DOI: 10.1638/2017-0165.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Anaplasma phagocytophilum infects a wide variety of wild and domestic animals and causes an emerging zoonotic tick-borne disease. There are no available data regarding the presence of A. phagocytophilum in camels ( Camelus dromedarius). Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate the prevalence of A. pagocytophilum in Iranian camels. Whole blood of 207 camels from five geographical regions of Iran was tested for A. phagocytophilum using polymerase chain reaction (PCR), nested PCR, and specific nested PCR based on 16S rRNA. The overall prevalence of infection in tested animals was 34.2% (71/207). Sex was not identified as a risk factor for A. phagocytophilum infection, but analysis revealed significant differences in age and region. In conclusion, Iranian camels can be potential reservoirs for A. phagocytophilum, and Iran must be considered an enzootic area for this infection as indicated by the high subclinical infection rate in camels.
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17
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Langenwalder DB, Schmidt S, Gilli U, Pantchev N, Ganter M, Silaghi C, Aardema ML, von Loewenich FD. Genetic characterization of Anaplasma phagocytophilum strains from goats (Capra aegagrus hircus) and water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) by 16S rRNA gene, ankA gene and multilocus sequence typing. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2019; 10:101267. [PMID: 31444126 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2019.101267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2019] [Revised: 07/15/2019] [Accepted: 08/12/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Anaplasma phagocytophilum is a Gram-negative obligate intracellular bacterium that replicates in neutrophil granulocytes. It is transmitted by ticks and causes tick-borne fever in domestic ruminants such as sheep, cattle and goats. However, in contrast to sheep and cattle little is known about the clinical course of infection in goats. We report here on three cases of symptomatic infection with A. phagocytophilum in two goats (Capra aegagrus hircus) and one water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis). The animals showed symptoms and laboratory findings similar to sheep and cattle. To our knowledge, this is the first report on the symptomatic infection of water buffalos with A. phagocytophilum. The infecting strains were genetically characterized by 16S rRNA gene, ankA gene and multilocus sequence typing (MLST). Four other strains from asymptomatically infected goats were also included. The ankA sequences from five goats were part of the formerly described ankA gene clusters I and IV that are known to contain A. phagocytophilum strains from sheep and cattle. However, the sequences from one goat and from the water buffalo belonged to ankA gene cluster II that was formerly described to be restricted to roe deer. A similar observation was made for MLST as three goats clustered with sequences from sheep and cattle, whereas three other goats and the water buffalo were found to be part of the roe deer cluster. However, since most of the strains from sheep and cattle were distinct from the roe deer strains, roe deer might not represent major reservoir hosts for tick-borne fever in domestic ruminants. When differing parts of the 16S rRNA gene were used for typing the results were conflicting. This shows that the use of a standardized typing method such as MLST is highly desirable to generate easily comparable results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Denis B Langenwalder
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, University of Mainz, Obere Zahlbacherstrasse 67, D-55131 Mainz, Germany.
| | - Sabine Schmidt
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, University of Mainz, Obere Zahlbacherstrasse 67, D-55131 Mainz, Germany.
| | - Urs Gilli
- IDEXX Diavet, Schlyffistrasse 10, CH-8806 Bäch, Switzerland.
| | - Nikola Pantchev
- IDEXX Laboratories, Mörikestrasse 28/3, D-71636 Ludwigsburg, Germany.
| | - Martin Ganter
- Clinic for Swine and Small Ruminants, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Bischofsholer Damm 15, D-30173 Hannover, Germany.
| | - Cornelia Silaghi
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Südufer 10, D-17493 Greifswald - Insel Riems, Germany.
| | - Matthew L Aardema
- Department of Biology, Montclair State University, 1 Normal Ave., Montclair, NJ, 07043, USA; Sackler Institute for Comparative Genomics, The American Museum of Natural History, Central Park West and 79th Street, New York, NY, 10024, USA.
| | - Friederike D von Loewenich
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, University of Mainz, Obere Zahlbacherstrasse 67, D-55131 Mainz, Germany.
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18
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Simultaneous infection of cattle with different Anaplasma phagocytophilum variants. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2019; 10:1051-1056. [PMID: 31171465 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2019.05.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2019] [Revised: 04/09/2019] [Accepted: 05/28/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Anaplasma phagocytophilum is a tick-transmitted Gram-negative obligate intracellular bacterium that replicates in neutrophil granulocytes. It causes tick-borne fever in cattle and sheep. We report here the case of a 5-year-old cow from Germany with clinically overt granulocytic anaplasmosis presenting with fever, lower limb oedema and drop in milk-yield. The herd encompassed 10 animals, 8 other animals showed subclinical infection. The strains from the 9 A. phagocytophilum positive cows were molecularly characterized using ankA gene-based and multilocus sequence typing (MLST). Seven of 9 (78%) animals were infected simultaneously with different ankA variants belonging to ankA clusters I and IV. MLST analysis also revealed the presence of multiple strain types. This could be due to co-transmission or superinfection. Hosts harboring diverse A. phagocytophilum strains might enable the emergence of new ankA variants and/or MLST sequence types via bacterial recombination.
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Werszko J, Szewczyk T, Steiner-Bogdaszewska Ż, Laskowski Z, Karbowiak G. Molecular Detection of Anaplasma phagocytophilum in Blood-Sucking Flies (Diptera: Tabanidae) in Poland. JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY 2019; 56:822-827. [PMID: 30615168 DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjy217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Anaplasma phagocytophilum is a pathogen of veterinary and medical importance. It is the causative agent of tick-borne fever (TBF) in ruminants (also known as bovine or ovine granulocytic anaplasmosis), and of human granulocytic anaplasmosis (HGA) in humans. In Europe, A. phagocytophilum is transmitted by Ixodes ricinus (Linnaeus 1758) ticks. The aim of this study was to confirm the presence of A. phagocytophilum DNA in blood-sucking flies belonging to the Tabanidae family using molecular methods. It represents the first detection of this pathogen in Haematopota pluvialis (Linnaeus 1758), Tabanus bromius (Linnaeus 1758), and Tabanus distinguendus (Verrall 1909) in Europe.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna Werszko
- Witold Stefański Institute of Parasitology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Twarda, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Tomasz Szewczyk
- Witold Stefański Institute of Parasitology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Twarda, Warsaw, Poland
| | | | - Zdzisław Laskowski
- Witold Stefański Institute of Parasitology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Twarda, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Grzegorz Karbowiak
- Witold Stefański Institute of Parasitology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Twarda, Warsaw, Poland
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Oliva Chávez AS, Herron MJ, Nelson CM, Felsheim RF, Oliver JD, Burkhardt NY, Kurtti TJ, Munderloh UG. Mutational analysis of gene function in the Anaplasmataceae: Challenges and perspectives. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2018; 10:482-494. [PMID: 30466964 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2018.11.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2018] [Revised: 08/13/2018] [Accepted: 11/09/2018] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Mutational analysis is an efficient approach to identifying microbial gene function. Until recently, lack of an effective tool for Anaplasmataceae yielding reproducible results has created an obstacle to functional genomics, because surrogate systems, e.g., ectopic gene expression and analysis in E. coli, may not provide accurate answers. We chose to focus on a method for high-throughput generation of mutants via random mutagenesis as opposed to targeted gene inactivation. In our search for a suitable mutagenesis tool, we considered attributes of the Himar1 transposase system, i.e., random insertion into AT dinucleotide sites, which are abundant in Anaplasmataceae, and lack of requirement for specific host factors. We chose the Anaplasma marginale tr promoter, and the clinically irrelevant antibiotic spectinomycin for selection, and in addition successfully implemented non-antibiotic selection using an herbicide resistance gene. These constructs function reasonably well in Anaplasma phagocytophilum harvested from human promyelocyte HL-60 cells or Ixodes scapularis tick cells. We describe protocols developed in our laboratory, and discuss what likely makes them successful. What makes Anaplasmataceae electroporation competent is unknown and manipulating electroporation conditions has not improved mutational efficiency. A concerted effort is needed to resolve remaining problems that are inherent to the obligate intracellular bacteria. Finally, using this approach, we describe the discovery and characterization of a putative secreted effector necessary for Ap survival in HL-60 cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adela S Oliva Chávez
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
| | - Michael J Herron
- Department of Entomology, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN, USA
| | - Curtis M Nelson
- Department of Entomology, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN, USA
| | | | - Jonathan D Oliver
- School of Public Health, Division of Environmental Health Sciences, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | | | - Timothy J Kurtti
- Department of Entomology, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN, USA
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Trost CN, Lindsay LR, Dibernardo A, Chilton NB. Three genetically distinct clades of Anaplasma phagocytophilum in Ixodes scapularis. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2018; 9:1518-1527. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2018.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2018] [Revised: 07/02/2018] [Accepted: 07/02/2018] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
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22
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Matei IA, D'Amico G, Ionică AM, Kalmár Z, Corduneanu A, Sándor AD, Fiţ N, Bogdan L, Gherman CM, Mihalca AD. New records for Anaplasma phagocytophilum infection in small mammal species. Parasit Vectors 2018; 11:193. [PMID: 29558990 PMCID: PMC5859413 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-018-2791-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2018] [Accepted: 03/08/2018] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Tick-borne diseases pose a major threat in public health. The epidemiological dynamics of these diseases depends on the tick vector species and their hosts, as well as the geographical distribution and ecology of both. Among many possible hosts for ticks, small mammals have a major role in the development of immature stages of several tick species. Small mammals are also important reservoir hosts for several pathogenic agents and possible reservoirs for Anaplasma phagocytophilum. In this context, the aim of our study was to evaluate the prevalence of A. phagocytophilum in small mammal species in Romania. Results A total of 791 small mammals of 31 species were tested by PCR, targeting the rrs gene for detection of A. phagocytophilum DNA. Positive results were obtained in 20 small mammals: five Apodemus flavicollis (6.49%), three Sorex araneus (9.09%), three A. uralensis (4.84%), two A. sylvaticus (3.92%), and one of each Spermophilus cittelus (7.14%), Microtus agrestis (3.85%), Sorex minutus (3.85%), Muscardinus avellanarius (3.13%), Crocidura suaveolens (2.44%), Mus spicilegus (2%) and M. arvalis (1.75%). Conclusions Eleven small mammal species were found to be carriers of A. phagocytophilum, suggesting a possible involvement of these species in its epidemiology. To our knowledge, this is the first report of A. phagocytophilum in S. minutus, C. suaveolens, M. spicilegus, M. avellanarius and S. citellus. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13071-018-2791-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ioana Adriana Matei
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Cluj-Napoca, Romania. .,Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Epidemiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
| | - Gianluca D'Amico
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Angela Monica Ionică
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Zsuzsa Kalmár
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Alexandra Corduneanu
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Attila D Sándor
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Nicodim Fiţ
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Epidemiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Liviu Bogdan
- Department of Reproduction, Obstetrics and Pathology of Animal Reproduction, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Călin M Gherman
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Andrei Daniel Mihalca
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
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23
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Jouglin M, Chagneau S, Faille F, Verheyden H, Bastian S, Malandrin L. Detecting and characterizing mixed infections with genetic variants of Anaplasma phagocytophilum in roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) by developing an ankA cluster-specific nested PCR. Parasit Vectors 2017; 10:377. [PMID: 28784148 PMCID: PMC5547487 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-017-2316-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2017] [Accepted: 07/28/2017] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Anaplasma phagocytophilum is a tick-transmitted Gram-negative obligate intracellular bacterium able to infect a wide variety of wild and domestic animals worldwide. Based on the genetic diversity observed with different molecular markers, several host-specific lineages have been identified. Roe deer is one of the most important reservoirs of this bacterium and hosts different genetic groups sometimes found on domestic animals. We therefore developed an ankA cluster-specific nested PCR (nPCR) to evaluate the prevalence of the three different ankA genetic groups described in roe deer (clusters II, III and IV) at three locations in France and the level of co-infections. Results The specificity of the three nPCRs was assessed by partially sequencing 35 amplicons of ankA genes obtained from the different nested PCRs. All three genetic lineages were detected in roe deer from all three geographical locations. Of the infected deer population, 60.7% were co-infected by two or three different genetic variants. Co-infections varied from 42.9 to 70.6% of the infected population depending on the local infection prevalences (from 33.3 to 73.9%). All types of mixed infections occurred, suggesting the absence of a strict variant exclusion by another variant. Conclusions Mixed infections by two or three genetic variants of A. phagocytopilum are a common feature in roe deer. Genetic variants (cluster IV) also found in domestic ruminants (cattle and sheep) were present in all the roe deer populations analyzed, suggesting a shared epidemiological cycle. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13071-017-2316-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maggy Jouglin
- INRA, UMR1300 Biology, Epidemiology and Risk Analysis in Animal Health, CS 40706, F-44307, Nantes, France.,Bretagne-Loire University, Oniris, UMR BioEpAR, F-44307, Nantes, France
| | - Sophie Chagneau
- INRA, UMR1300 Biology, Epidemiology and Risk Analysis in Animal Health, CS 40706, F-44307, Nantes, France.,Bretagne-Loire University, Oniris, UMR BioEpAR, F-44307, Nantes, France
| | - Frédéric Faille
- INRA, UMR1300 Biology, Epidemiology and Risk Analysis in Animal Health, CS 40706, F-44307, Nantes, France.,Bretagne-Loire University, Oniris, UMR BioEpAR, F-44307, Nantes, France
| | | | - Suzanne Bastian
- INRA, UMR1300 Biology, Epidemiology and Risk Analysis in Animal Health, CS 40706, F-44307, Nantes, France.,Bretagne-Loire University, Oniris, UMR BioEpAR, F-44307, Nantes, France
| | - Laurence Malandrin
- INRA, UMR1300 Biology, Epidemiology and Risk Analysis in Animal Health, CS 40706, F-44307, Nantes, France. .,Bretagne-Loire University, Oniris, UMR BioEpAR, F-44307, Nantes, France.
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24
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Cull B, Vaux AGC, Ottowell LJ, Gillingham EL, Medlock JM. Tick infestation of small mammals in an English woodland. JOURNAL OF VECTOR ECOLOGY : JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY FOR VECTOR ECOLOGY 2017; 42:74-83. [PMID: 28504447 DOI: 10.1111/jvec.12241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2016] [Accepted: 11/17/2016] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Tick infestations on small mammals were studied from April to November, 2010, in deciduous woodland in southern England in order to determine whether co-infestations with tick stages occurred on small mammals, a key requirement for endemic transmission of tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV). A total of 217 small mammals was trapped over 1,760 trap nights. Yellow-necked mice (Apodemus flavicollis) made up the majority (52.5%) of animals, followed by wood mice (A. sylvaticus) 35.5% and bank voles (Myodes glareolus) 12%. A total of 970 ticks was collected from 169 infested animals; 96% of ticks were Ixodes ricinus and 3% I. trianguliceps. Over 98% of ticks were larval stages. Mean infestation intensities of I. ricinus were significantly higher on A. flavicollis (6.53 ± 0.67) than on A. sylvaticus (4.96 ± 0.92) and M. glareolus (3.25 ± 0.53). Infestations with I. ricinus were significantly higher in August than in any other month. Co-infestations with I. ricinus nymphs and larvae were observed on six (3.6%) infested individuals, and fifteen small mammals (8.9%) supported I. ricinus - I. trianguliceps co-infestations. This work contributes further to our understanding of European small mammal hosts that maintain tick populations and their associated pathogens, and indicates that co-infestation of larvae and nymph ticks does occur in lowland UK. The possible implications for transmission of tick-borne encephalitis virus between UK ticks and small mammals are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Cull
- Medical Entomology and Zoonoses Ecology, Emergency Response Department, Public Health England, Porton Down, Salisbury
| | - Alexander G C Vaux
- Medical Entomology and Zoonoses Ecology, Emergency Response Department, Public Health England, Porton Down, Salisbury
| | - Lisa J Ottowell
- Medical Entomology and Zoonoses Ecology, Emergency Response Department, Public Health England, Porton Down, Salisbury
| | - Emma L Gillingham
- Medical Entomology and Zoonoses Ecology, Emergency Response Department, Public Health England, Porton Down, Salisbury
| | - Jolyon M Medlock
- Medical Entomology and Zoonoses Ecology, Emergency Response Department, Public Health England, Porton Down, Salisbury
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25
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Koskela KA, Kalin-Mänttäri L, Hemmilä H, Smura T, Kinnunen PM, Niemimaa J, Henttonen H, Nikkari S. Metagenomic Evaluation of Bacteria from Voles. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2017; 17:123-133. [DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2016.1969] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Teemu Smura
- Department of Virology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Paula M. Kinnunen
- Centre for Military Medicine, Helsinki, Finland
- Defence Command Finland, Plans and Policy Division, Helsinki, Finland
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26
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Battilani M, De Arcangeli S, Balboni A, Dondi F. Genetic diversity and molecular epidemiology of Anaplasma. INFECTION GENETICS AND EVOLUTION 2017; 49:195-211. [PMID: 28122249 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2017.01.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 126] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2016] [Revised: 01/18/2017] [Accepted: 01/19/2017] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Anaplasma are obligate intracellular bacteria of cells of haematopoietic origin and are aetiological agents of tick-borne diseases of both veterinary and medical interest common in both tropical and temperate regions. The recent disclosure of their zoonotic potential has greatly increased interest in the study of these bacteria, leading to the recent reorganisation of Rickettsia taxonomy and to the possible discovery of new species belonging to the genus Anaplasma. This review is particularly focused on the common and unique characteristics of Anaplasma marginale and Anaplasma phagocytophilum, with an emphasis on genetic diversity and evolution, and the main distinguishing features of the diseases caused by the different Anaplasma spp. are described as well.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mara Battilani
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Via Tolara di Sopra, 50, 40064 Ozzano Emilia, Bo, Italy.
| | - Stefano De Arcangeli
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Via Tolara di Sopra, 50, 40064 Ozzano Emilia, Bo, Italy
| | - Andrea Balboni
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Via Tolara di Sopra, 50, 40064 Ozzano Emilia, Bo, Italy
| | - Francesco Dondi
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Via Tolara di Sopra, 50, 40064 Ozzano Emilia, Bo, Italy
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27
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Dugat T, Zanella G, Véran L, Lesage C, Girault G, Durand B, Lagrée AC, Boulouis HJ, Haddad N. Multiple-locus variable-number tandem repeat analysis potentially reveals the existence of two groups of Anaplasma phagocytophilum circulating in cattle in France with different wild reservoirs. Parasit Vectors 2016; 9:596. [PMID: 27876073 PMCID: PMC5120488 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-016-1888-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2016] [Accepted: 11/14/2016] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Anaplasma phagocytophilum is the causative agent of tick-borne fever, a disease with high economic impact for domestic ruminants in Europe. Epidemiological cycles of this species are complex, and involve different ecotypes circulating in various host species. To date, these epidemiological cycles are poorly understood, especially in Europe, as European reservoir hosts (i.e. vertebrate hosts enabling long-term maintenance of the bacterium in the ecosystem), of the bacterium have not yet been clearly identified. In this study, our objective was to explore the presence, the prevalence, and the genetic diversity of A. phagocytophilum in wild animals, in order to better understand their implications as reservoir hosts of this pathogen. Methods The spleens of 101 wild animals were collected from central France and tested for the presence of A. phagocytophilum DNA by msp2 qPCR. Positive samples were then typed by multi-locus variable-number tandem repeat (VNTR) analysis (MLVA), and compared to 179 previously typed A. phagocytophilum samples. Results Anaplasma phagocytophilum DNA was detected in 82/101 (81.2%) animals including 48/49 red deer (98%), 20/21 roe deer (95.2%), 13/29 wild boars (44.8%), and 1/1 red fox. MLVA enabled the discrimination of two A. phagocytophilum groups: group A contained the majority of A. phagocytophilum from red deer and two thirds of those from cattle, while group B included a human strain and variants from diverse animal species, i.e. sheep, dogs, a horse, the majority of variants from roe deer, and the remaining variants from cattle and red deer. Conclusions Our results suggest that red deer and roe deer are promising A. phagocytophilum reservoir host candidates. Moreover, we also showed that A. phagocytophilum potentially circulates in at least two epidemiological cycles in French cattle. The first cycle may involve red deer as reservoir hosts and cattle as accidental hosts for Group A strains, whereas the second cycle could involve roe deer as reservoir hosts and at least domestic ruminants, dogs, horses, and humans as accidental hosts for Group B strains. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13071-016-1888-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thibaud Dugat
- Agence nationale de sécurité sanitaire de l'alimentation, de l'environnement et du travail, Laboratoire de Santé Animale, UMR BIPAR, Université Paris-Est, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Gina Zanella
- Agence nationale de sécurité sanitaire de l'alimentation, de l'environnement et du travail, Laboratoire de Santé Animale, Unité d'Epidémiologie, Université Paris-Est, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Luc Véran
- Fédération des chasseurs du Loiret, Orléans, France
| | | | - Guillaume Girault
- Agence nationale de sécurité sanitaire de l'alimentation, de l'environnement et du travail, Laboratoire de Santé Animale, Unité des Zoonoses Bactériennes, Université Paris-Est, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Benoît Durand
- Agence nationale de sécurité sanitaire de l'alimentation, de l'environnement et du travail, Laboratoire de Santé Animale, Unité d'Epidémiologie, Université Paris-Est, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Anne-Claire Lagrée
- Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, UMR BIPAR, Université Paris-Est, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Henri-Jean Boulouis
- Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, UMR BIPAR, Université Paris-Est, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Nadia Haddad
- Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, UMR BIPAR, Université Paris-Est, Maisons-Alfort, France.
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Chastagner A, Moinet M, Perez G, Roy E, McCoy KD, Plantard O, Agoulon A, Bastian S, Butet A, Rantier Y, Verheyden H, Cèbe N, Leblond A, Vourc'h G. Prevalence of Anaplasma phagocytophilum in small rodents in France. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2016; 7:988-991. [PMID: 27270190 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2016.05.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2015] [Revised: 05/13/2016] [Accepted: 05/13/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Anaplasma phagocytophilum is an emerging zoonotic tick-borne pathogen affecting a wide range of mammals. Rodents are suspected to be natural reservoirs for this bacterium, but their role in the epidemiologic cycles affecting domestic animals and wild ungulates has not been demonstrated. This study aimed to improve our knowledge on A. phagocytophilum prevalence in Apodemus sylvaticus, A. flavicollis and Myodes glareolus using data collected in 2010 in one area in eastern France and in 2012-2013 in two others areas in western France. Rodents were captured in each site and infection was tested using qualitative real-time PCR assays on either blood or spleen samples. Prevalence showed high variability among sites. The highest prevalence was observed in the most eastern site (with an average infection rate of 22.8% across all species), whereas no rodent was found to be PCR positive in the south-west site and only 6.6% were positive in the north-west of France. Finally, a significant increase in prevalence was observed in autumn samples compared to spring samples in the north-west, but no change was found in the other two sites.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Chastagner
- INRA, UR0346 Epidémiologie Animale, F-63122 Saint Genès Champanelle, France.
| | - M Moinet
- Anses, Nancy laboratory for rabies and wildlife, Wildlife Surveillance and Ecoepidemiology Unit (SEEpiAS), F-54220 Malzéville, France
| | - G Perez
- INRA, UMR1300 Biologie, Epidémiologie et Analyse de Risque en santé animale, CS 40706, F-44307 Nantes, France; CNRS, UMR 6553 ECOBIO, Université de Rennes 1, F-35042 Rennes, France
| | - E Roy
- INRA, UR0346 Epidémiologie Animale, F-63122 Saint Genès Champanelle, France
| | - K D McCoy
- UMR 5290 MIVEGEC CNRS-IRD-UM, Centre IRD, F-34394 Montpellier, France
| | - O Plantard
- INRA, UMR1300 Biologie, Epidémiologie et Analyse de Risque en santé animale, CS 40706, F-44307 Nantes, France; LUNAM Université, Oniris, Ecole nationale vétérinaire, agroalimentaire et de l'alimentation Nantes-Atlantique, UMR BioEpAR, F-44307 Nantes, France
| | - A Agoulon
- INRA, UMR1300 Biologie, Epidémiologie et Analyse de Risque en santé animale, CS 40706, F-44307 Nantes, France; LUNAM Université, Oniris, Ecole nationale vétérinaire, agroalimentaire et de l'alimentation Nantes-Atlantique, UMR BioEpAR, F-44307 Nantes, France
| | - S Bastian
- INRA, UMR1300 Biologie, Epidémiologie et Analyse de Risque en santé animale, CS 40706, F-44307 Nantes, France; LUNAM Université, Oniris, Ecole nationale vétérinaire, agroalimentaire et de l'alimentation Nantes-Atlantique, UMR BioEpAR, F-44307 Nantes, France
| | - A Butet
- CNRS, UMR 6553 ECOBIO, Université de Rennes 1, F-35042 Rennes, France
| | - Y Rantier
- CNRS, UMR 6553 ECOBIO, Université de Rennes 1, F-35042 Rennes, France
| | - H Verheyden
- CEFS, Université de Toulouse, INRA, F-31326 Castanet Tolosan, France
| | - N Cèbe
- CEFS, Université de Toulouse, INRA, F-31326 Castanet Tolosan, France
| | - A Leblond
- INRA, UR0346 Epidémiologie Animale, F-63122 Saint Genès Champanelle, France; Département Hippique, VetAgroSup, F-69280 Marcy L'Etoile, France
| | - G Vourc'h
- INRA, UR0346 Epidémiologie Animale, F-63122 Saint Genès Champanelle, France
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Dugat T, Lagrée AC, Maillard R, Boulouis HJ, Haddad N. Opening the black box of Anaplasma phagocytophilum diversity: current situation and future perspectives. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2015; 5:61. [PMID: 26322277 PMCID: PMC4536383 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2015.00061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 110] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2015] [Accepted: 07/31/2015] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Anaplasma phagocytophilum is a zoonotic obligate intracellular bacterium known to be transmitted by ticks belonging to the Ixodes persulcatus complex. This bacterium can infect several mammalian species, and is known to cause diseases with variable symptoms in many domestic animals. Specifically, it is the causative agent of tick-borne fever (TBF), a disease of important economic impact in European domestic ruminants, and human granulocytic anaplasmosis (HGA), an emerging zoonotic disease in Asia, USA and Europe. A. phagocytophilum epidemiological cycles are complex and involve different ecotypes, vectors, and mammalian host species. Moreover, the epidemiology of A. phagocytophilum infection differs greatly between Europe and the USA. These different epidemiological contexts are associated with considerable variations in bacterial strains. Until recently, few A. phagocytophilum molecular typing tools were available, generating difficulties in completely elucidating the epidemiological cycles of this bacterium. Over the last few years, many A. phagocytophilum typing techniques have been developed, permitting in-depth epidemiological exploration. Here, we review the current knowledge and future perspectives regarding A. phagocytophilum epidemiology and phylogeny, and then focus on the molecular typing tools available for studying A. phagocytophilum genetic diversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thibaud Dugat
- Laboratoire de Santé Animale, UMR Biologie Moléculaire et Immunologie Parasitaires, Agence Nationale de Sécurité Sanitaire de L'alimentation, de L'environnement et du Travail, Université Paris-Est Paris, France
| | - Anne-Claire Lagrée
- UMR Biologie Moléculaire et Immunologie Parasitaires, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, Université Paris-Est Paris, France
| | - Renaud Maillard
- UMR Biologie Moléculaire et Immunologie Parasitaires, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, Université Paris-Est Paris, France ; Unité Pathologie des Ruminants, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire de Toulouse Toulouse, France
| | - Henri-Jean Boulouis
- UMR Biologie Moléculaire et Immunologie Parasitaires, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, Université Paris-Est Paris, France
| | - Nadia Haddad
- UMR Biologie Moléculaire et Immunologie Parasitaires, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, Université Paris-Est Paris, France
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Chastagner A, Dugat T, Vourc'h G, Verheyden H, Legrand L, Bachy V, Chabanne L, Joncour G, Maillard R, Boulouis HJ, Haddad N, Bailly X, Leblond A. Multilocus sequence analysis of Anaplasma phagocytophilum reveals three distinct lineages with different host ranges in clinically ill French cattle. Vet Res 2014; 45:114. [PMID: 25487348 PMCID: PMC4334609 DOI: 10.1186/s13567-014-0114-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2014] [Accepted: 10/21/2014] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Molecular epidemiology represents a powerful approach to elucidate the complex epidemiological cycles of multi-host pathogens, such as Anaplasma phagocytophilum. A. phagocytophilum is a tick-borne bacterium that affects a wide range of wild and domesticated animals. Here, we characterized its genetic diversity in populations of French cattle; we then compared the observed genotypes with those found in horses, dogs, and roe deer to determine whether genotypes of A. phagocytophilum are shared among different hosts. We sampled 120 domesticated animals (104 cattle, 13 horses, and 3 dogs) and 40 wild animals (roe deer) and used multilocus sequence analysis on nine loci (ankA, msp4, groESL, typA, pled, gyrA, recG, polA, and an intergenic region) to characterize the genotypes of A. phagocytophilum present. Phylogenic analysis revealed three genetic clusters of bacterial variants in domesticated animals. The two principal clusters included 98% of the bacterial genotypes found in cattle, which were only distantly related to those in roe deer. One cluster comprised only cattle genotypes, while the second contained genotypes from cattle, horses, and dogs. The third contained all roe deer genotypes and three cattle genotypes. Geographical factors could not explain this clustering pattern. These results suggest that roe deer do not contribute to the spread of A. phagocytophilum in cattle in France. Further studies should explore if these different clusters are associated with differing disease severity in domesticated hosts. Additionally, it remains to be seen if the three clusters of A. phagocytophilum genotypes in cattle correspond to distinct epidemiological cycles, potentially involving different reservoir hosts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amélie Chastagner
- INRA, UR346 Epidémiologie Animale, F-63122, Saint Genès Champanelle, France.
| | - Thibaud Dugat
- Université Paris-Est, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, UMR BIPAR, 23 avenue du Général de Gaulle, 94706, Maisons-Alfort, France.
| | - Gwenaël Vourc'h
- INRA, UR346 Epidémiologie Animale, F-63122, Saint Genès Champanelle, France.
| | - Hélène Verheyden
- INRA, CEFS, UR035, 24 chemin de Borde Rouge - Auzeville, CS 52627, F-31326, Castanet Tolosan, France.
| | - Loïc Legrand
- LABÉO - Frank Duncombe, Unite Risques Microbiens (U2RM), Normandie Universite, EA 4655, Caen, Normandy, France.
| | - Véronique Bachy
- Laboratoire Vétérinaire Départemental du Rhône, Campus vétérinaire VetAgro Sup, 1 avenue Bourgelat, 69280, Marcy l'Etoile, France.
| | - Luc Chabanne
- Université de Lyon, VetAgro Sup, Jeune Equipe Hémopathogènes Vectorisés, F-69280, Marcy l'Etoile, France.
| | - Guy Joncour
- Groupe Vétérinaire de Callac, 26 rue du Cleumeur, 22160, Callac, France.
| | - Renaud Maillard
- Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire de Toulouse, Unité pathologie des ruminants, 23 Chemin des Capelles, 31076, Toulouse, France.
| | - Henri-Jean Boulouis
- Université Paris-Est, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, UMR BIPAR, 23 avenue du Général de Gaulle, 94706, Maisons-Alfort, France.
| | - Nadia Haddad
- Université Paris-Est, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, UMR BIPAR, 23 avenue du Général de Gaulle, 94706, Maisons-Alfort, France.
| | - Xavier Bailly
- INRA, UR346 Epidémiologie Animale, F-63122, Saint Genès Champanelle, France.
| | - Agnès Leblond
- INRA, UR346 Epidémiologie Animale, F-63122, Saint Genès Champanelle, France. .,Département Hippique, VetAgroSup, F-69280, Marcy L'Etoile, France.
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31
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Rar VA, Epikhina TI, Yakimenko VV, Malkova MG, Tancev AK, Bondarenko EI, Ivanov MK, Tikunova NV. Genetic variability of Anaplasma phagocytophilum in ticks and voles from Ixodes persulcatus/Ixodes trianguliceps sympatric areas from Western Siberia, Russia. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2014; 5:854-63. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2014.07.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2013] [Revised: 06/27/2014] [Accepted: 07/03/2014] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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Jahfari S, Coipan EC, Fonville M, van Leeuwen AD, Hengeveld P, Heylen D, Heyman P, van Maanen C, Butler CM, Földvári G, Szekeres S, van Duijvendijk G, Tack W, Rijks JM, van der Giessen J, Takken W, van Wieren SE, Takumi K, Sprong H. Circulation of four Anaplasma phagocytophilum ecotypes in Europe. Parasit Vectors 2014; 7:365. [PMID: 25127547 PMCID: PMC4153903 DOI: 10.1186/1756-3305-7-365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 196] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2014] [Accepted: 07/27/2014] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Anaplasma phagocytophilum is the etiological agent of granulocytic anaplasmosis in humans and animals. Wild animals and ticks play key roles in the enzootic cycles of the pathogen. Potential ecotypes of A. phagocytophilum have been characterized genetically, but their host range, zoonotic potential and transmission dynamics has only incompletely been resolved. METHODS The presence of A. phagocytophilum DNA was determined in more than 6000 ixodid ticks collected from the vegetation and wildlife, in 289 tissue samples from wild and domestic animals, and 69 keds collected from deer, originating from various geographic locations in The Netherlands and Belgium. From the qPCR-positive lysates, a fragment of the groEL-gene was amplified and sequenced. Additional groEL sequences from ticks and animals from Europe were obtained from GenBank, and sequences from human cases were obtained through literature searches. Statistical analyses were performed to identify A. phagocytophilum ecotypes, to assess their host range and their zoonotic potential. The population dynamics of A. phagocytophilum ecotypes was investigated using population genetic analyses. RESULTS DNA of A. phagocytophilum was present in all stages of questing and feeding Ixodes ricinus, feeding I. hexagonus, I. frontalis, I. trianguliceps, and deer keds, but was absent in questing I. arboricola and Dermacentor reticulatus. DNA of A. phagocytophilum was present in feeding ticks and tissues from many vertebrates, including roe deer, mouflon, red foxes, wild boar, sheep and hedgehogs but was rarely found in rodents and birds and was absent in badgers and lizards. Four geographically dispersed A. phagocytophilum ecotypes were identified, that had significantly different host ranges. All sequences from human cases belonged to only one of these ecotypes. Based on population genetic parameters, the potentially zoonotic ecotype showed significant expansion. CONCLUSION Four ecotypes of A. phagocytophilum with differential enzootic cycles were identified. So far, all human cases clustered in only one of these ecotypes. The zoonotic ecotype has the broadest range of wildlife hosts. The expansion of the zoonotic A. phagocytophilum ecotype indicates a recent increase of the acarological risk of exposure of humans and animals.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Hein Sprong
- Laboratory for Zoonoses and Environmental Microbiology, National Institute for Public Health and Environment (RIVM), Antonie van Leeuwenhoeklaan 9, P,O, Box 1, Bilthoven, The Netherlands.
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Blaňarová L, Stanko M, Carpi G, Miklisová D, Víchová B, Mošanský L, Bona M, Derdáková M. Distinct Anaplasma phagocytophilum genotypes associated with Ixodes trianguliceps ticks and rodents in Central Europe. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2014; 5:928-38. [PMID: 25129860 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2014.07.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2014] [Revised: 07/01/2014] [Accepted: 07/15/2014] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Rodents are important reservoir hosts of tick-borne pathogens. Anaplasma phagocytophilum is the causative agent of granulocytic anaplasmosis of both medical and veterinary importance. In Europe, this pathogen is primarily transmitted by the Ixodes ricinus tick among a wide range of vertebrate hosts. However, to what degree A. phagocytophilum exhibits host specificity and vector association is poorly understood. To assess the extent of vector association of this pathogen and to clarify its ecology in Central Europe we have analyzed and compared the genetic variability of A. phagocytophilum strains from questing and feeding I. ricinus and Ixodes trianguliceps ticks, as well as from rodent' tissue samples. Tick collection and rodent trapping were performed during a 2-year study (2011-2012) in ecologically contrasting setting at four sites in Eastern Slovakia. Genetic variability of this pathogen was studied from the collected samples by DNA amplification and sequencing of four loci followed by Bayesian phylogenetic analyses. A. phagocytophilum was detected in questing I. ricinus ticks (0.7%) from all studied sites and in host feeding I. trianguliceps ticks (15.2%), as well as in rodent biopsies (ear - 1.6%, spleen - 2.2%), whereas A. phagocytophilum was not detected in rodents from those sites where I. trianguliceps ticks were absent. Moreover, Bayesian phylogenetic analyses have shown the presence of two distinct clades, and tree topologies were concordant for all four investigated loci. Importantly, the first clade contained A. phagocytophilum genotypes from questing I. ricinus and feeding I. ricinus from a broad array of hosts (i.e.,: humans, ungulates, birds and dogs). The second clade comprised solely genotypes found in rodents and feeding I. trianguliceps. In this study we have confirmed that A. phagocytophilum strains display specific host and vector associations also in Central Europe similarly to A. phagocytophilum' molecular ecology in United Kingdom. This study suggests that A. phagocytophilum genotypes associated with rodents are probably transmitted solely by I. trianguliceps ticks, thus implying that rodent-associated A. phagocytophilum strains may not pose a risk for humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucia Blaňarová
- Institute of Parasitology SAS, Hlinkova 3, 040 01 Košice, Slovakia.
| | - Michal Stanko
- Institute of Parasitology SAS, Hlinkova 3, 040 01 Košice, Slovakia; Institute of Zoology SAS, Dúbravská cesta 9, 845 06 Bratislava, Slovakia.
| | - Giovanna Carpi
- Fondazione Edmund Mach, Trento, Italy; Yale School of Public Health, Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, 60 College Street, New Haven, USA.
| | - Dana Miklisová
- Institute of Parasitology SAS, Hlinkova 3, 040 01 Košice, Slovakia.
| | | | | | - Martin Bona
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine UPJS, Šrobárová 2, 041 80 Košice, Slovakia.
| | - Markéta Derdáková
- Institute of Parasitology SAS, Hlinkova 3, 040 01 Košice, Slovakia; Institute of Zoology SAS, Dúbravská cesta 9, 845 06 Bratislava, Slovakia.
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Huhn C, Winter C, Wolfsperger T, Wüppenhorst N, Strašek Smrdel K, Skuballa J, Pfäffle M, Petney T, Silaghi C, Dyachenko V, Pantchev N, Straubinger RK, Schaarschmidt-Kiener D, Ganter M, Aardema ML, von Loewenich FD. Analysis of the population structure of Anaplasma phagocytophilum using multilocus sequence typing. PLoS One 2014; 9:e93725. [PMID: 24699849 PMCID: PMC3974813 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0093725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2013] [Accepted: 03/07/2014] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Anaplasma phagocytophilum is a Gram-negative obligate intracellular bacterium that replicates in neutrophils. It is transmitted via tick-bite and causes febrile disease in humans and animals. Human granulocytic anaplasmosis is regarded as an emerging infectious disease in North America, Europe and Asia. However, although increasingly detected, it is still rare in Europe. Clinically apparent A. phagocytophilum infections in animals are mainly found in horses, dogs, cats, sheep and cattle. Evidence from cross-infection experiments that A. phagocytophilum isolates of distinct host origin are not uniformly infectious for heterologous hosts has led to several approaches of molecular strain characterization. Unfortunately, the results of these studies are not always easily comparable, because different gene regions and fragment lengths were investigated. Multilocus sequence typing is a widely accepted method for molecular characterization of bacteria. We here provide for the first time a universal typing method that is easily transferable between different laboratories. We validated our approach on an unprecedented large data set of almost 400 A. phagocytophilum strains from humans and animals mostly from Europe. The typability was 74% (284/383). One major clonal complex containing 177 strains was detected. However, 54% (49/90) of the sequence types were not part of a clonal complex indicating that the population structure of A. phagocytophilum is probably semiclonal. All strains from humans, dogs and horses from Europe belonged to the same clonal complex. As canine and equine granulocytic anaplasmosis occurs frequently in Europe, human granulocytic anaplasmosis is likely to be underdiagnosed in Europe. Further, wild boars and hedgehogs may serve as reservoir hosts of the disease in humans and domestic animals in Europe, because their strains belonged to the same clonal complex. In contrast, as they were only distantly related, roe deer, voles and shrews are unlikely to harbor A. phagocytophilum strains infectious for humans, domestic or farm animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Huhn
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Christina Winter
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Timo Wolfsperger
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Nicole Wüppenhorst
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Katja Strašek Smrdel
- Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Jasmin Skuballa
- Department of Ecology and Parasitology, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Miriam Pfäffle
- Department of Ecology and Parasitology, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Trevor Petney
- Department of Ecology and Parasitology, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Cornelia Silaghi
- Comparative Tropical Medicine and Parasitology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Viktor Dyachenko
- Institute for Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | | | - Reinhard K. Straubinger
- Institute for Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | | | - Martin Ganter
- Clinic for Swine and Small Ruminants, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Germany
| | - Matthew L. Aardema
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey, United States of America
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