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Zhang EY, Kalmath P, Abernathy HA, Giandomenico DA, Nolan MS, Reiskind MH, Boyce RM. Rickettsia africae infections in sub-Saharan Africa: A systematic literature review of epidemiological studies and summary of case reports. Trop Med Int Health 2024; 29:541-583. [PMID: 38813598 PMCID: PMC11216893 DOI: 10.1111/tmi.14002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2024]
Abstract
Rickettsia africae is a tick-borne bacteria known to cause African tick bite fever (ATBF). While the disease was first described more than 100 years ago, knowledge of transmission risk factors and disease burden remain poorly described. To better understand the burden of R. africae, this article reviewed and summarized the published literature related to ATBF epidemiology and clinical management. Using a systematic approach, consistent with the PRISMA guidelines, we identified more than 100 eligible articles, including 65 epidemiological studies and 41 case reports. Most reports described R. africae in ticks and livestock, while human studies were less common. Human disease case reports were exclusively among returning travellers from non-endemic areas, which limits our disease knowledge among at-risk populations: people living in endemic regions. Substantial efforts to elucidate the ATBF risk factors and clinical manifestations among local populations are needed to develop effective preventative strategies and facilitate appropriate and timely diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth Y. Zhang
- College of Arts and Sciences, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 27599, USA
| | - Prarthana Kalmath
- College of Arts and Sciences, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 27599, USA
| | - Haley A. Abernathy
- Institute for Global Health and Infectious Diseases, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 27599, USA
| | - Dana A. Giandomenico
- Institute for Global Health and Infectious Diseases, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 27599, USA
| | - Melissa S. Nolan
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, South Carolina, 29208, USA
| | - Michael H. Reiskind
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, 27695, USA
| | - Ross M. Boyce
- Institute for Global Health and Infectious Diseases, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 27599, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 27599, USA
- Carolina Population Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 27599, USA
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Chakraborty S, Gao S, Allan BF, Smith RL. Effects of cattle on vector-borne disease risk to humans: A systematic review. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2023; 17:e0011152. [PMID: 38113279 PMCID: PMC10763968 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0011152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2023] [Revised: 01/03/2024] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Vector-borne pathogens (VBPs) causing vector-borne diseases (VBDs) can circulate among humans, domestic animals, and wildlife, with cattle in particular serving as an important source of exposure risk to humans. The close associations between humans and cattle can facilitate the transmission of numerous VBPs, impacting public health and economic security. Published studies demonstrate that cattle can influence human exposure risk positively, negatively, or have no effect. There is a critical need to synthesize the information in the scientific literature on this subject, in order to illuminate the various ecological mechanisms that can affect VBP exposure risk in humans. Therefore, the aim of this systematic review was to review the scientific literature, provide a synthesis of the possible effects of cattle on VBP risk to humans, and propose future directions for research. This study was performed according to the PRISMA 2020 extension guidelines for systematic review. After screening 470 peer-reviewed articles published between 1999-2019 using the databases Web of Science Core Collection, PubMed Central, CABI Global Health, and Google Scholar, and utilizing forward and backward search techniques, we identified 127 papers that met inclusion criteria. Results of the systematic review indicate that cattle can be beneficial or harmful to human health with respect to VBDs depending on vector and pathogen ecology and livestock management practices. Cattle can increase risk of exposure to infections spread by tsetse flies and ticks, followed by sandflies and mosquitoes, through a variety of mechanisms. However, cattle can have a protective effect when the vector prefers to feed on cattle instead of humans and when chemical control measures (e.g., acaricides/insecticides), semio-chemicals, and other integrated vector control measures are utilized in the community. We highlight that further research is needed to determine ways in which these mechanisms may be exploited to reduce VBD risk in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sulagna Chakraborty
- Program in Ecology, Evolution & Conservation Biology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign; Urbana, Illinois, United Sates of America
| | - Siyu Gao
- School of Social Work, The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, Minnesota, United Sates of America
| | - Brian. F. Allan
- Program in Ecology, Evolution & Conservation Biology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign; Urbana, Illinois, United Sates of America
- Department of Entomology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, United Sates of America
| | - Rebecca Lee Smith
- Program in Ecology, Evolution & Conservation Biology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign; Urbana, Illinois, United Sates of America
- Department of Pathobiology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, United Sates of America
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Eleftheriou A, Swisher S, Arruda A, Berrian A, Pesapane R. Describing the experience of livestock producers from Ohio, USA with ticks and associated diseases. ONE HEALTH OUTLOOK 2023; 5:15. [PMID: 37986116 PMCID: PMC10662443 DOI: 10.1186/s42522-023-00091-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2023] [Accepted: 10/20/2023] [Indexed: 11/22/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND As tick ranges expand across North America, the risk of tick bites and tick-borne diseases (TBDs, i.e. diseases or syndromes associated with ticks) rises for humans and animals, making prevention critical. Several U.S. studies have examined knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding ticks and TBDs for various cohorts of people. However, among occupational groups with high exposure risk from ticks and TBDs are livestock producers, of which we know little about. To help address this gap, an electronic questionnaire was distributed to livestock producers in Ohio, U.S, a state with a robust agricultural sector. METHODS We generated descriptive statistics and conducted a multiple correspondence analysis followed by hierarchical clustering on principal components to identify producers with similar response profiles. RESULTS Responses from 57 producers showed that most (52.6%) think the American dog tick (Dermacentor variabilis) is found in Ohio but are unsure about other species. Although several TBDs are present in Ohio, most (> 50%) producers were unsure or unaware of their presence. Interestingly, most (54.4%) thought ticks pose major health risks for their livestock but fewer (49.1%) thought the same for humans. Regardless, most producers did employ at least one prevention method for themselves (96.5%) and their animals (82.5%). Cluster analysis (n = 48) identified three groups: the largest (n = 21) was considered "aware and cautious" consisting primarily of farm owners. The others generally practiced less prevention and consisted primarily of farm employees. CONCLUSIONS Our findings indicate that producers in Ohio practice prevention for themselves and their livestock, but demonstrate gaps in knowledge (e.g., TBD occurrence) and attitudes (e.g., health risks) that could be addressed via educational formats we found producers preferred (e.g., extension materials), to encourage informed prevention. This is especially important for farm employees that may practice less prevention because of lower awareness. Our study can guide others in regions faced with similar tick and TBD risks to protect occupational and livestock health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Eleftheriou
- Department of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University, 1920 Coffey Rd, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
| | - Samantha Swisher
- Department of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University, 1920 Coffey Rd, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
| | - Andréia Arruda
- Department of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University, 1920 Coffey Rd, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
| | - Amanda Berrian
- Department of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University, 1920 Coffey Rd, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
| | - Risa Pesapane
- Department of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University, 1920 Coffey Rd, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA.
- School of Environment and Natural Resources, College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences, The Ohio State University, 2021 Coffey Rd, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA.
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Pillay A, Nyangiwe N, Mukaratirwa S. Low genetic diversity and population structuring of Amblyomma hebraeum and Rickettsia africae from coastal and inland regions in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. MEDICAL AND VETERINARY ENTOMOLOGY 2023; 37:275-285. [PMID: 36468449 PMCID: PMC10191886 DOI: 10.1111/mve.12629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2022] [Accepted: 11/16/2022] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
Amblyomma hebraeum is the main vector of Rickettsia africae, the causative agent of African tick bite fever in southern Africa. Because pathogen dispersal is known to be influenced by tick adaptations to climate or host species, this study aimed to analyse the genetic diversity of A. hebraeum and R. africae infection of ticks collected from cattle in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. DNA was extracted, amplified, and sequenced for the COI and ITS2 markers from A. hebraeum samples and the 17 kDa and ompA genes for rickettsial detection. Between six and ten haplotypes were identified from 40 COI and 31 ITS2 sequences; however, no population structuring was observed among sites (ΦST = 0.22, p < 0.05). All A. hebraeum isolates clustered with southern Africa GenBank isolates. Rickettsia africae was detected in 46.92% (95% CI = 41%-53%, n = 260) of ticks. All R. africae isolates clustered with strain PELE and Chucks, which were reported previously from South Africa. These results confirm that A. hebraeum populations are undergoing a recent population expansion driven by cattle movement, facilitating local and long dispersal events across the Eastern Cape province.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alicia Pillay
- School of Life Sciences, Biological Sciences, College of Agriculture, Engineering and Science, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville Campus, Durban, South Africa
| | - Nkululeko Nyangiwe
- Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform, Animal Science, Döhne Agricultural Development Institute, Stutterheim, South Africa
- Department of Agriculture and Animal Health, University of South Africa, Florida, South Africa
| | - Samson Mukaratirwa
- School of Life Sciences, Biological Sciences, College of Agriculture, Engineering and Science, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville Campus, Durban, South Africa
- One Health Center for Zoonoses and Tropical Veterinary Medicine, Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, Basseterre, St. Kitts, West Indies
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Ngoshe YB, Etter E, Gomez-Vazquez JP, Thompson PN. Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices of Communal Livestock Farmers regarding Animal Health and Zoonoses in Far Northern KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 20:511. [PMID: 36612830 PMCID: PMC9819478 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20010511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2022] [Revised: 12/21/2022] [Accepted: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
The presence of zoonotic diseases adversely affects livestock production and farmers' livelihood in communal areas. A lack of awareness about zoonotic diseases among rural farmers results in economic losses and health risks. The far north-eastern corner of KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) province, South Africa, is home to large numbers of communal livestock farmers who live adjacent to wildlife reserves and international borders. There have been reports of zoonotic and trade-sensitive diseases in the area, but farmers' knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) in this regard are poorly understood. This study investigated the KAPs of communal livestock farmers in far northern KZN regarding livestock and zoonotic diseases found in the livestock-wildlife interface and determined the constraints and challenges faced by communal livestock farmers. A cross-sectional questionnaire survey was conducted among 504 livestock farmers at 45 dip tanks between August and November 2020, using a closed-ended questionnaire. Although the overall level of knowledge regarding animal disease transmission was fairly good (score: 53.2%), 25.4% and 21.4% of farmers had moderate and poor knowledge, respectively, about zoonotic disease transmission and prevention. Over 40% of the farmers were not aware of the zoonotic nature of wildlife and livestock diseases. Older farmers, despite their lower level of education, were more knowledgeable on animal diseases and had better practices in regard to zoonotic disease prevention and management compared to younger ones. The majority of farmers cited the lack of water, insufficient grazing land, stock theft, the restriction of animal movement, and animal diseases as the most significant challenges they faced regarding animal production. The results indicate the need for extension programs that target educating livestock farmers to improve their knowledge of these diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yusuf Bitrus Ngoshe
- Epidemiology Section, Department of Production Animal Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X04, Onderstepoort 0110, South Africa
| | - Eric Etter
- Epidemiology Section, Department of Production Animal Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X04, Onderstepoort 0110, South Africa
- ASTRE, University of Montpellier, CIRAD, INRA, F-34000 Montpellier, France
- CIRAD, UMR Animal, Santé, Territoires, Risque et Ecosystèmes (ASTRE), F-97170 Petit-Bourg, France
| | - Jose Pablo Gomez-Vazquez
- Center for Disease Modelling and Surveillance (CADMS), University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Peter N. Thompson
- Epidemiology Section, Department of Production Animal Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X04, Onderstepoort 0110, South Africa
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Pillay A, Manyangadze T, Mukaratirwa S. Prevalence of Rickettsia africae in tick vectors collected from mammalian hosts in sub-Saharan Africa: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2022; 13:101960. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2022.101960] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2021] [Revised: 04/08/2022] [Accepted: 04/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Silva-Ramos CR, Faccini-Martínez ÁA. Clinical, epidemiological, and laboratory features of Rickettsia africae infection, African tick-bite fever: A systematic review. LE INFEZIONI IN MEDICINA 2022; 29:366-377. [PMID: 35146341 DOI: 10.53854/liim-2903-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2021] [Accepted: 07/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
African tick-bite fever (ATBF), caused by Rickettsia africae, is the main tick-borne rickettsiosis and the second most frequent cause of fever after malaria in travelers returning from sub-Saharan Africa. General descriptions on ATBF were made in the first two decades after recognized as a new infectious entity, and since then, many authors have contributed to the knowledge of the disease by reporting clinical cases in scientific literature. We developed a systematic review that evaluated all available evidence in the literature regarding clinical, epidemiological, and laboratory features of confirmed R. africae rickettsiosis cases. We followed the recommendations made by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guide. A total of 48 scientific publications (108 confirmed cases) were analyzed in order to extract data for developing this review. Overall, our results show that R. africae rickettsiosis is more frequent in males in the age group of 18-64 years, more than 80% of the cases occurred in European travelers, South Africa was the country where most infections were acquired, and almost 40% of cases occurred in clusters. Clinically, more than 80% of the cases had fever and eschar (55% developed multiple eschars), rash was present in less than the half of cases, and lymphangitis was not a common sign (11%). Headache, myalgia and regional lymphadenopathy were predominant nonspecific clinical manifestation (mean of 60%, 49% and 51%, respectively). Our results show that at least 70% of R. africae cases had altered laboratory parameters, most often showing an increase in transaminases and C-reactive protein. Tetracycline-class antibiotics, as monotherapy, were used in most (>90%) of the patients. Overall, only 4% of cases had complications, 12% required hospitalization, and there was a 100% rate of clinical recovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Ramiro Silva-Ramos
- Grupo de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Departamento de Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Álvaro A Faccini-Martínez
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA.,Committee of Tropical Medicine, Zoonoses and Travel Medicine, Asociación Colombiana de Infectología, Bogotá, Colombia
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Lorusso V. Parasitology and One Health-Perspectives on Africa and Beyond. Pathogens 2021; 10:1437. [PMID: 34832594 PMCID: PMC8620987 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10111437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Revised: 10/29/2021] [Accepted: 10/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
This concept paper reviews issues pertaining to parasitic and vector-borne infections, of humans, animals, or both, of topical relevance to the African continent as well as to neighbouring and interconnected geographies. This analysis is carried out through the "One Health" lens, being mindful of the central role of agriculture and livestock keeping in Africa's sustainable development. The possible agricultural transformation that the continent may undergo to fulfil the rising demand for animal protein of its growing population, coupled with the ongoing climate changes, may lead to potentially enhanced interactions among humans, domesticated and wild animals, in a fast-changing environment. In this view, tackling parasitic conditions of livestock can prove being multidimensionally beneficial by improving animal health as well as communities' food security, livelihood and public health. Accordingly, the value of applying the One Health approach to drug discovery and development in the fight against parasitic neglected tropical diseases and zoonoses, is also underscored. Overall, this article upholds the adoption of a holistic, global, interdisciplinary, multisectoral, harmonised and forward-looking outlook, encompassing both life and social sciences, when dealing with parasitic conditions of humans and animals, in Africa and beyond, in COVID-19 times and further.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincenzo Lorusso
- Global Research & Intellectual Property, Vetoquinol, 37 Rue de la Victoire, 75009 Paris, France; or
- University of Salford Tick Infections (USALTI)-Afrique, School of Science, Engineering & Environment, University of Salford, Greater Manchester, Salford M5 4WT, UK
- African Institute of One Health Research and Diagnostics (AIOHRD), University of Abuja, km 23 Airport Road, Abuja 900110, Nigeria
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Seroprevalence of Spotted Fever Group Rickettsiae in extensively managed sheep and goats in Nigeria, West Africa. Trop Anim Health Prod 2021; 53:425. [PMID: 34338946 DOI: 10.1007/s11250-021-02868-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2021] [Accepted: 07/23/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Sheep and goats raised extensively are frequently infested by Ixodid ticks that may act as vectors or reservoirs of Spotted Fever Group Rickettsiae (SFGR). A study to determine the seroprevalence of SFGR infection in 300 sheep and goats in Plateau State, Nigeria was conducted from September to November, 2018 using the Indirect Fluorescence Antibody Test (IFAT). Overall, 85 out of 300 animals (28.3%) were seropositive to SFGR. Relatively higher seroprevalence was recorded in sheep than goats (28.8% vs 28.0%) but the difference was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). Furthermore, seropositivity was not affected by age, sex or location of the animals screened in this study. This is the first serological study to report the prevalence of SFGR in sheep and goats using IFAT in this study area. The presence of SFGR antibodies in domestic ruminants is of public health concern considering the close association between farmers and their animals occasioned by the management system practiced in the study area. This finding calls for further studies to evaluate the level of human exposure to this group of pathogen.
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