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Lacroux C, Bonnet S, Pouydebat E, Buysse M, Rahola N, Rakotobe S, Okimat JP, Koual R, Asalu E, Krief S, Duron O. Survey of ticks and tick-borne pathogens in wild chimpanzee habitat in Western Uganda. Parasit Vectors 2023; 16:22. [PMID: 36683083 PMCID: PMC9869571 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-022-05632-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2022] [Accepted: 12/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ticks and tick-borne pathogens significantly impact both human and animal health and therefore are of major concern to the scientific community. Knowledge of tick-borne pathogens is crucial for prescription of mitigation measures. In Africa, much research on ticks has focused on domestic animals. Little is known about ticks and their pathogens in wild habitats and wild animals like the endangered chimpanzee, our closest relative. METHODS In this study, we collected ticks in the forested habitat of a community of 100 chimpanzees living in Kibale National Park, Western Uganda, and assessed how their presence and abundance are influenced by environmental factors. We used non-invasive methods of flagging the vegetation and visual search of ticks both on human team members and in chimpanzee nests. We identified adult and nymph ticks through morphological features. Molecular techniques were used to detect and identify tick-borne piroplasmids and bacterial pathogens. RESULTS A total of 470 ticks were collected, which led to the identification of seven tick species: Haemaphysalis parmata (68.77%), Amblyomma tholloni (20.70%), Ixodes rasus sensu lato (7.37%), Rhipicephalus dux (1.40%), Haemaphysalis punctaleachi (0.70%), Ixodes muniensis (0.70%) and Amblyomma paulopunctatum (0.35%). The presence of ticks, irrespective of species, was influenced by temperature and type of vegetation but not by relative humidity. Molecular detection revealed the presence of at least six genera of tick-borne pathogens (Babesia, Theileria, Borrelia, Cryptoplasma, Ehrlichia and Rickettsia). The Afrotopical tick Amblyomma tholloni found in one chimpanzee nest was infected by Rickettsia sp. CONCLUSIONS In conclusion, this study presented ticks and tick-borne pathogens in a Ugandan wildlife habitat whose potential effects on animal health remain to be elucidated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camille Lacroux
- grid.511721.10000 0004 0370 736XUMR 7206 CNRS/MNHN/P7, Eco-anthropologie, Museum National d’Histoire Naturelle, Musée de l’Homme, 17 Place du Trocadéro, 75116 Paris, France ,Sebitoli Chimpanzee Project, Great Ape Conservation Project, Kibale National Park, Fort Portal, Uganda ,grid.410350.30000 0001 2174 9334UMR 7179 CNRS/MNHN, Mécanismes Adaptatifs et Evolution, Museum National d’Histoire Naturelle, 57 Rue Cuvier, 75231 Paris, France ,La Phocéenne de Cosmétique, ZA Les Roquassiers, 174 Rue de la Forge, 13300 Salon-de-Provence, France
| | - Sarah Bonnet
- grid.508487.60000 0004 7885 7602UMR 2000, Ecology and Emergence of Arthropod-Borne Pathogens, Institut Pasteur/CNRS/Université Paris-Cité, 75015 Paris, France ,grid.507621.7Animal Health Department, INRAE, 37380 Nouzilly, France
| | - Emmanuelle Pouydebat
- grid.410350.30000 0001 2174 9334UMR 7179 CNRS/MNHN, Mécanismes Adaptatifs et Evolution, Museum National d’Histoire Naturelle, 57 Rue Cuvier, 75231 Paris, France
| | - Marie Buysse
- grid.121334.60000 0001 2097 0141UMR 5290 MIVEGEC (Maladies Infectieuses et Vecteurs : Ecologie, Génétique, Evolution et Contrôle), CNRS/IRD/Université de Montpellier, 911 Avenue Agropolis, 34394 Montpellier, France ,MEEDiN (Montpellier Ecology and Evolution of Disease Network), Montpellier, France
| | - Nil Rahola
- grid.121334.60000 0001 2097 0141UMR 5290 MIVEGEC (Maladies Infectieuses et Vecteurs : Ecologie, Génétique, Evolution et Contrôle), CNRS/IRD/Université de Montpellier, 911 Avenue Agropolis, 34394 Montpellier, France
| | - Sabine Rakotobe
- grid.15540.350000 0001 0584 7022UMR BIPAR ANSES-INRAE-EnvA, Laboratoire Santé Animale, 94701 Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - John-Paul Okimat
- Sebitoli Chimpanzee Project, Great Ape Conservation Project, Kibale National Park, Fort Portal, Uganda
| | - Rachid Koual
- grid.121334.60000 0001 2097 0141UMR 5290 MIVEGEC (Maladies Infectieuses et Vecteurs : Ecologie, Génétique, Evolution et Contrôle), CNRS/IRD/Université de Montpellier, 911 Avenue Agropolis, 34394 Montpellier, France
| | - Edward Asalu
- grid.463699.7Uganda Wildlife Authority, Plot 7 Kira Road, Kamwokya, Kampala City, Uganda
| | - Sabrina Krief
- grid.511721.10000 0004 0370 736XUMR 7206 CNRS/MNHN/P7, Eco-anthropologie, Museum National d’Histoire Naturelle, Musée de l’Homme, 17 Place du Trocadéro, 75116 Paris, France ,Sebitoli Chimpanzee Project, Great Ape Conservation Project, Kibale National Park, Fort Portal, Uganda
| | - Olivier Duron
- grid.121334.60000 0001 2097 0141UMR 5290 MIVEGEC (Maladies Infectieuses et Vecteurs : Ecologie, Génétique, Evolution et Contrôle), CNRS/IRD/Université de Montpellier, 911 Avenue Agropolis, 34394 Montpellier, France
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Expression of Concern: Molecular Evidence for the Presence of Rickettsia Felis in the Feces of Wild-living African Apes. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0278003. [PMID: 36512562 PMCID: PMC9746937 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0278003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
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3
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A Review of Non-Invasive Sampling in Wildlife Disease and Health Research: What’s New? Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12131719. [PMID: 35804619 PMCID: PMC9265025 DOI: 10.3390/ani12131719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2022] [Revised: 06/28/2022] [Accepted: 06/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The interest in wildlife research has increased in the last decades as more scientists work within a One Health framework that regards human, livestock and wildlife health as connected entities. To minimise the impact of research on wildlife, collecting samples with as little disturbance of the animals as possible is important. In our review, we assess the use of so-called non-invasive sampling and summarise which samples can be used successfully when carrying out research on wildlife diseases and health status. Our results show that interest in minimally invasive sampling has steadily increased since the 2010s. Topics able to employ these methods include disease research, but also stress and other hormone assessments, pollution studies, and dietary studies. At the moment, such methods are mainly used to collect samples from land mammals, however, they can also be used in a wide range of other animals. Ever more capable analytical methods will allow for an even wider use of such “animal-friendly” sampling methods. Abstract In the last decades, wildlife diseases and the health status of animal populations have gained increasing attention from the scientific community as part of a One Health framework. Furthermore, the need for non-invasive sampling methods with a minimal impact on wildlife has become paramount in complying with modern ethical standards and regulations, and to collect high-quality and unbiased data. We analysed the publication trends on non-invasive sampling in wildlife health and disease research and offer a comprehensive review on the different samples that can be collected non-invasively. We retrieved 272 articles spanning from 1998 to 2021, with a rapid increase in number from 2010. Thirty-nine percent of the papers were focussed on diseases, 58% on other health-related topics, and 3% on both. Stress and other physiological parameters were the most addressed research topics, followed by viruses, helminths, and bacterial infections. Terrestrial mammals accounted for 75% of all publications, and faeces were the most widely used sample. Our review of the sampling materials and collection methods highlights that, although the use of some types of samples for specific applications is now consolidated, others are perhaps still underutilised and new technologies may offer future opportunities for an even wider use of non-invasively collected samples.
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Zurita A, Benkacimi L, El Karkouri K, Cutillas C, Parola P, Laroche M. New records of bacteria in different species of fleas from France and Spain. Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis 2021; 76:101648. [PMID: 33895462 DOI: 10.1016/j.cimid.2021.101648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2021] [Revised: 03/24/2021] [Accepted: 03/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
In this study, we assessed the presence of vector-borne microorganisms in different species of fleas collected from different hosts in diverse areas of South-Western Europe by molecular methods. A total of 319 fleas belonging to eight different species was tested for the presence of eight microorganisms. Wolbachia spp. endosymbionts were detected in Ctenocephalides felis, Pulex irritans, Archaeopsylla erinacei and Ctenophthalmus baeticus boisseauorum specimens. Rickettsia felis, an emerging pathogen, was detected in C. felis, A. erinacei and Ct. b. boisseauorum. Rickettsia typhi, the agent of murine typhus was detected for the first time in A. erinacei and Mycobacterium spp. were detected for the first time in fleas (C. felis, P. irritans and A. erinacei). Lastly, five different species of Bartonella were detected in fleas' DNA in this study, including a possible new bacterium belonging to this genus. With this study, we updated the knowledge of the flea-borne bacteria present in the South-West of Europe reinforcing the idea about the necessity to expand and increase the current knowledge on flea-borne pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Zurita
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Seville, Professor García González 2, 41012, Seville, Spain
| | - Linda Benkacimi
- IHU-Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France; Aix Marseille Univ, IRD, AP-HM, SSA, VITROME, Marseille, France
| | - Khalid El Karkouri
- IHU-Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France; Aix Marseille Univ, IRD, AP-HM, SSA, VITROME, Marseille, France
| | - Cristina Cutillas
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Seville, Professor García González 2, 41012, Seville, Spain
| | - Philippe Parola
- IHU-Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France; Aix Marseille Univ, IRD, AP-HM, SSA, VITROME, Marseille, France
| | - Maureen Laroche
- IHU-Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France; Aix Marseille Univ, IRD, AP-HM, SSA, VITROME, Marseille, France.
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Hoseini Z, Alipour H, Azizi K, Soltani A. Molecular-based Survey of Rickettsia spp. and Coxiella burnetii in Mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) from Fars Province, Southern Iran, during 2017-18. Open Microbiol J 2020. [DOI: 10.2174/1874434602014010281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives:
Since there have not been any studies on the roles of the Iranian mosquitoes in the transmission of Rickettsia spp. and Coxiella burneti, the present study investigates the roles of mosquitoes in the transmission of the pathogens using the PCR techniques for the first time in Iran.
Methods:
The present study was conducted in Fars province during the activity seasons of mosquitoes in 2017-18. The primer design was done to investigate the probability of mosquito’s contamination with Rickettsia spp. and Coxiella burnetii. The conventional PCR was used after the extraction of DNA from mosquitoes to study the contamination.
Results:
A total of 1103 adult mosquitoes were collected and identified. Among them, 3 genera and 11 species were identified, including Anopheles (25.74%), Culex (51.84%) and Culiseta (22.39%) genera. All tested mosquitoes were negative in terms of contamination to Rickettsia spp. and Coxiella burnetii.
Conclusion:
Based on the results, mosquitoes are not considered as vectors of Rickettsia spp. and Coxiella burnetii in this part of the country currently. Further studies on a larger scale are needed to examine the exact role of mosquitoes (as a possible vector with high abundance and mobility) in the transmission of these pathogens in tropical areas of Iran.
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Abanda B, Paguem A, Abdoulmoumini M, Kingsley MT, Renz A, Eisenbarth A. Molecular identification and prevalence of tick-borne pathogens in zebu and taurine cattle in North Cameroon. Parasit Vectors 2019; 12:448. [PMID: 31511038 PMCID: PMC6737592 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-019-3699-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2019] [Accepted: 09/03/2019] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Public interest for tick-borne pathogens in cattle livestock is rising due to their veterinary and zoonotic importance. Consequently, correct identification of these potential pathogens is crucial to estimate the level of exposition, the risk and the detrimental impact on livestock and the human population. Results Conventional PCR with generic primers was used to identify groups of tick-borne pathogens in cattle breeds from northern Cameroon. The overall prevalence in 1260 blood samples was 89.1%, with 993 (78.8%) positive for Theileria/Babesia spp., 959 (76.1%) for Anaplasma/Ehrlichia spp., 225 (17.9%) for Borrelia spp., and 180 (14.3%) for Rickettsia spp. Sanger sequencing of a subset of positively-tested samples revealed the presence of Theileria mutans (92.2%, 130/141), T. velifera (16.3%, 23/141), Anaplasma centrale (10.9%, 15/137), A. marginale (30.7%, 42/137), A. platys (51.1%, 70/137), Anaplasma sp. ‘Hadesa’ (10.9%, 15/137), Ehrlichia ruminantium (0.7%, 1/137), E. canis (0.7%, 1/137), Borrelia theileri (91.3%, 42/46), Rickettsia africae (59.4%, 19/32) and R. felis (12.5%, 4/32). A high level of both intra- and inter-generic co-infections (76.0%) was observed. To the best of our knowledge, B. theileri, T. mutans, T. velifera, A. platys, Anaplasma sp. ‘Hadesa’, R. felis and E. canis are reported for the first time in cattle from Cameroon, and for R. felis it is the first discovery in the cattle host. Babesia spp. were not detected by sequencing. The highest number of still identifiable species co-infections was up to four pathogens per genus group. Multifactorial analyses revealed a significant association of infection with Borrelia theileri and anemia. Whereas animals of older age had a higher risk of infection, the Gudali cattle had a lower risk compared to the other local breeds. Conclusion Co-infections of tick-borne pathogens with an overall high prevalence were found in all five study sites, and were more likely to occur than single infections. Fulani, Namchi and Kapsiki were the most infected breed in general; however, with regions as significant risk factor. A better-adapted approach for tick-borne pathogen identification in co-infected samples is a requirement for epidemiological investigations and tailored control measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Babette Abanda
- Institute of Evolution and Ecology, Department of Comparative Zoology, University of Tübingen, Auf der Morgenstelle 28, 72076, Tübingen, Germany. .,Programme Onchocercoses field station of the University of Tübingen, P.O. Box 65, Ngaoundéré, Cameroon. .,Department of Biological Sciences, University of Ngaoundéré, P.O. Box 454, Ngaoundéré, Cameroon.
| | - Archile Paguem
- Institute of Evolution and Ecology, Department of Comparative Zoology, University of Tübingen, Auf der Morgenstelle 28, 72076, Tübingen, Germany.,Programme Onchocercoses field station of the University of Tübingen, P.O. Box 65, Ngaoundéré, Cameroon
| | - Mamoudou Abdoulmoumini
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Sciences, Department of Parasitology and Parasitological Diseases, University of Ngaoundéré, Ngaoundéré, Cameroon
| | - Manchang Tanyi Kingsley
- Institute of Agricultural Research for Development (IRAD), Wakwa Regional Centre, P.O. Box 65, Ngaoundéré, Cameroon
| | - Alfons Renz
- Institute of Evolution and Ecology, Department of Comparative Zoology, University of Tübingen, Auf der Morgenstelle 28, 72076, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Albert Eisenbarth
- Institute of Evolution and Ecology, Department of Comparative Zoology, University of Tübingen, Auf der Morgenstelle 28, 72076, Tübingen, Germany.,Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Südufer 10, 17493, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
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Nziza J, Tumushime JC, Cranfield M, Ntwari AE, Modrý D, Mudakikwa A, Gilardi K, Šlapeta J. Fleas from domestic dogs and rodents in Rwanda carry Rickettsia asembonensis and Bartonella tribocorum. MEDICAL AND VETERINARY ENTOMOLOGY 2019; 33:177-184. [PMID: 30390316 DOI: 10.1111/mve.12340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2018] [Revised: 08/24/2018] [Accepted: 09/17/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Fleas (Siphonaptera) are ubiquitous blood-sucking parasites that transmit a range of vector-borne pathogens. The present study examined rodents (n = 29) and domestic dogs (n = 7) living in the vicinity of the Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda, for fleas, identified flea species from these hosts, and detected Bartonella (Rhizobiales: Bartonellaceae) and Rickettsia (Rickettsiales: Rickettsiaceae) DNA. The most frequently encountered flea on rodents was Xenopsylla brasiliensis (Siphonaptera: Pulicidae). In addition, Ctenophthalmus (Ethioctenophthalmus) calceatus cabirus (Siphonaptera: Hystrichopsyllidae) and Ctenocephalides felis strongylus (Siphonaptera: Pulicidae) were determined using morphology and sequencing of the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I and cytochrome c oxidase subunit II genes (cox1 and cox2, respectively). Bartonella tribocorum DNA was detected in X. brasiliensis and Rickettsia asembonensis DNA (a Rickettsia felis-like organism) was detected in C. felis strongylus. The present work complements studies that clarify the distributions of flea-borne pathogens and potential role of fleas in disease transmission in sub-Saharan Africa. In the context of high-density housing in central sub-Saharan Africa, the detection of B. tribocorum and R. asembonensis highlights the need for surveillance in both rural and urban areas to identify likely reservoirs.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Nziza
- Mountain Gorilla Veterinary Project Regional Headquarters, Musanze, Rwanda
| | - J C Tumushime
- Mountain Gorilla Veterinary Project Regional Headquarters, Musanze, Rwanda
| | - M Cranfield
- Mountain Gorilla Veterinary Project Regional Headquarters, Musanze, Rwanda
| | - A E Ntwari
- Mountain Gorilla Veterinary Project Regional Headquarters, Musanze, Rwanda
| | - D Modrý
- Department of Pathology and Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences Brno, Brno, Czech Republic
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
- Central European Institute of Technology (CEITEC), University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences Brno, Brno, Czech Republic
| | | | - K Gilardi
- One Health Institute and Karen C. Drayer Wildlife Health Center, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California Davis, Davis, CA, U.S.A
| | - J Šlapeta
- Sydney School of Veterinary Science, Faculty of Science, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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Davoust B, Levasseur A, Mediannikov O. Studies of nonhuman primates: key sources of data on zoonoses and microbiota. New Microbes New Infect 2018; 26:S104-S108. [PMID: 30402252 PMCID: PMC6205567 DOI: 10.1016/j.nmni.2018.08.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2018] [Revised: 08/21/2018] [Accepted: 08/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The genetic and morphologic similarities between primates and humans means that much information obtained from primates may be applied to humans, and vice versa. However, habitat loss, hunting and the continued presence of humans have a negative effect on the biology and behaviour of almost all nonhuman primates. Noninvasive methods such as stool collection are among the safest alternative ways to study the multiple aspects of the biology of primates. Many epidemiologic issues (e.g. pathogen detection, microbiota studies) may be easily studied using stool samples from primates. Primates are undoubtedly among the first candidates suspected of becoming the source of one of the next emerging epidemic of zoonotic origin, as has already been observed with HIV, malaria and monkeypox. The Institut Hospitalo-Universitaire Méditerranée Infection in Marseille actively participates in the study, mostly epidemiologic, of nonhuman primates, using mostly stool samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Davoust
- Microbes, Evolution, Phylogeny and Infection (MEФI), UMR Aix-Marseille Université, IRD, APHM, IHU Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
| | - A Levasseur
- Microbes, Evolution, Phylogeny and Infection (MEФI), UMR Aix-Marseille Université, IRD, APHM, IHU Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
| | - O Mediannikov
- Microbes, Evolution, Phylogeny and Infection (MEФI), UMR Aix-Marseille Université, IRD, APHM, IHU Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
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Assessing bat droppings and predatory bird pellets for vector-borne bacteria: molecular evidence of bat-associated Neorickettsia sp. in Europe. Antonie van Leeuwenhoek 2018; 111:1707-1717. [PMID: 29492770 DOI: 10.1007/s10482-018-1043-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2017] [Accepted: 02/06/2018] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
In Europe, several species of bats, owls and kestrels exemplify highly urbanised, flying vertebrates, which may get close to humans or domestic animals. Bat droppings and bird pellets may have epidemiological, as well as diagnostic significance from the point of view of pathogens. In this work 221 bat faecal and 118 bird pellet samples were screened for a broad range of vector-borne bacteria using PCR-based methods. Rickettsia DNA was detected in 13 bat faecal DNA extracts, including the sequence of a rickettsial insect endosymbiont, a novel Rickettsia genotype and Rickettsia helvetica. Faecal samples of the pond bat (Myotis dasycneme) were positive for a Neorickettsia sp. and for haemoplasmas of the haemofelis group. In addition, two bird pellets (collected from a Long-eared Owl, Asio otus, and from a Common Kestrel, Falco tinnunculus) contained the DNA of a Rickettsia sp. and Anaplasma phagocytophilum, respectively. In both of these bird pellets the bones of Microtus arvalis were identified. All samples were negative for Borrelia burgdorferi s.l., Francisella tularensis, Coxiella burnetii and Chlamydiales. In conclusion, bats were shown to pass rickettsia and haemoplasma DNA in their faeces. Molecular evidence is provided for the presence of Neorickettsia sp. in bat faeces in Europe. In the evaluated regions bat faeces and owl/kestrel pellets do not appear to pose epidemiological risk from the point of view of F. tularensis, C. burnetii and Chlamydiales. Testing of bird pellets may provide an alternative approach to trapping for assessing the local occurrence of vector-borne bacteria in small mammals.
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Rickettsia felis: A Review of Transmission Mechanisms of an Emerging Pathogen. Trop Med Infect Dis 2017; 2:tropicalmed2040064. [PMID: 30270921 PMCID: PMC6082062 DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed2040064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2017] [Revised: 12/11/2017] [Accepted: 12/12/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Rickettsia felis is an emerging pathogen of the transitional group of Rickettsia species and an important cause of febrile illness in Africa. Since the organism’s original discovery in the early 1990s, much research has been directed towards elucidating transmission mechanisms within the primary host and reservoir, the cat flea (Ctenocephalides felis). Several mechanisms for vertical and horizontal transmission within this vector have been thoroughly described, as well as transmission to other arthropod vectors, including other species of fleas. However, while a growing number of human cases of flea-borne spotted fever are being reported throughout the world, a definitive transmission mechanism from arthropod host to vertebrate host resulting in disease has not been found. Several possible mechanisms, including bite of infected arthropods and association with infectious arthropod feces, are currently being investigated.
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Blanton LS, Walker DH. Flea-Borne Rickettsioses and Rickettsiae. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2016; 96:53-56. [PMID: 27799640 PMCID: PMC5239709 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.16-0537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2016] [Accepted: 09/20/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Rickettsia typhi and Rickettsia felis are flea-borne rickettsiae that are distributed throughout the world. This mini-review outlines the ecology and epidemiology of flea-borne rickettsioses; highlights important clinical, diagnostic, and therapeutic considerations; and discusses areas of uncertainty regarding Rickettsia felis and other rickettsiae harbored by fleas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucas S Blanton
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas
| | - David H Walker
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas
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Abstract
The paleomicrobiology of coprolites, which are fossilized fecal materials, has already yielded data about various organisms, including micro-eukaryotes, bacteria, and archaea, thus expanding our comprehension of ancient human dietary habits, gut microbiota, and intestinal and systemic infections. This mini-review briefly describes previous works and summarizes the main techniques used in handling coprolites and the findings obtained about ancient gut microbiota. Past intestinal and systemic infections are outlined.
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Mourembou G, Lekana-Douki JB, Mediannikov O, Nzondo SM, Kouna LC, Essone JCBB, Fenollar F, Raoult D. Possible Role of Rickettsia felis in Acute Febrile Illness among Children in Gabon. Emerg Infect Dis 2016; 21:1808-15. [PMID: 26402580 PMCID: PMC4593428 DOI: 10.3201/eid2110.141825] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Infection is widespread but most prevalent among young, rural residents with fever. Rickettsia felis has been reported to be a cause of fever in sub-Saharan Africa, but this association has been poorly evaluated in Gabon. We assessed the prevalence of this bacterium among children <15 years of age in 4 areas of Gabon; the locations were in urban, semiurban, and rural areas. DNA samples from 410 febrile children and 60 afebrile children were analyzed by quantitative PCR. Overall, the prevalence of R. felis among febrile and afebrile children was 10.2% (42/410 children) and 3.3% (2/60 children), respectively. Prevalence differed among febrile children living in areas that are urban (Franceville, 1.3% [1/77]), semiurban (Koulamoutou, 2.1% [3/141]), and rural (Lastourville, 11.2% [15/134]; Fougamou, 39.7% [23/58]). Furthermore, in a rural area (Fougamou), R. felis was significantly more prevalent in febrile (39.7% [23/58]) than afebrile children (5.0% [1/20]). Additional studies are needed to better understand the pathogenic role of R. felis in this part of the world.
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Abstract
Rickettsia felis is an emerging insect-borne rickettsial pathogen and the causative agent of flea-borne spotted fever. First described as a human pathogen from the USA in 1991, R. felis is now identified throughout the world and considered a common cause of fever in Africa. The cosmopolitan distribution of this pathogen is credited to the equally widespread occurrence of cat fleas (Ctenocephalides felis), the primary vector and reservoir of R. felis. Although R. felis is a relatively new member of the pathogenic Rickettsia, limited knowledge of basic R. felis biology continues to hinder research progression of this unique bacterium. This is a comprehensive review examining what is known and unknown relative to R. felis transmission biology, epidemiology of the disease, and genetics, with an insight into areas of needed investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa D. Brown
- Department of Pathobiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, Skip Bertman Drive, SVM-3213, Baton Rouge, LA 70803 USA
| | - Kevin R. Macaluso
- Department of Pathobiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, Skip Bertman Drive, SVM-3213, Baton Rouge, LA 70803 USA
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15
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Leulmi H, Aouadi A, Bitam I, Bessas A, Benakhla A, Raoult D, Parola P. Detection of Bartonella tamiae, Coxiella burnetii and rickettsiae in arthropods and tissues from wild and domestic animals in northeastern Algeria. Parasit Vectors 2016; 9:27. [PMID: 26791781 PMCID: PMC4721140 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-016-1316-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2015] [Accepted: 01/15/2016] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background In recent years, the scope and importance of emergent vector-borne diseases has increased dramatically. In Algeria, only limited information is currently available concerning the presence and prevalence of these zoonotic diseases. For this reason, we conducted a survey of hematophagous ectoparasites of domestic mammals and/or spleens of wild animals in El Tarf and Souk Ahras, Algeria. Methods Using real-time PCR, standard PCR and sequencing, the presence of Bartonella spp., Rickettsia spp., Borrelia spp. and Coxiella burnetii was evaluated in 268/1626 ticks, 136 fleas, 11 Nycteribiidae flies and 16 spleens of domestic and/or wild animals from the El Tarf and Souk Ahras areas. Results For the first time in Algeria, Bartonella tamiae was detected in 12/19 (63.2 %) Ixodes vespertilionis ticks, 8/11 (72.7 %) Nycteribiidae spp. flies and in 6/10 (60 %) bat spleens (Chiroptera spp.). DNA from Coxiella burnetii, the agent of Q fever, was also identified in 3/19 (15.8 %) I. vespertilionis from bats. Rickettsia slovaca, the agent of tick-borne lymphadenopathy, was detected in 1/1 (100 %) Haemaphysalis punctata and 2/3 (66.7 %) Dermacentor marginatus ticks collected from two boars (Sus scrofa algira) respectively. Ri. massiliae, an agent of spotted fever, was detected in 38/94 (40.4 %) Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato collected from cattle, sheep, dogs, boars and jackals. DNA of Ri. aeschlimannii was detected in 6/20 (30 %) Hyalomma anatolicum excavatum and 6/20 (30 %) Hy. scupense from cattle. Finally, Ri. felis, an emerging rickettsial pathogen, was detected in 80/110 (72.7 %) Archaeopsylla erinacei and 2/2 (100 %) Ctenocephalides felis of hedgehogs (Atelerix algirus). Conclusion In this study, we expanded knowledge about the repertoire of ticks and flea-borne bacteria present in ectoparasites and/or tissues of domestic and wild animals in Algeria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hamza Leulmi
- Aix Marseille Université, Unité de Recherche en Maladies Infectieuses et Tropicales Emergentes (URMITE), UM63, CNRS 7278, IRD 198 (Dakar), Inserm 1095, Faculté de Médecine, 27 bd Jean Moulin, 13385, Marseille, Cedex 5, France. .,Ecole Nationale Supérieure Vétérinaire d'Alger. El Aliya Alger, Algiers, 16000, Algeria.
| | - Atef Aouadi
- Département des Sciences Vétérinaires, Université Cherif Messaadia, Souk Ahras, 41000, Algeria. .,Département des Sciences Vétérinaires, Université Chadli Bendjdid, El Tarf, 36000, Algeria.
| | - Idir Bitam
- Aix Marseille Université, Unité de Recherche en Maladies Infectieuses et Tropicales Emergentes (URMITE), UM63, CNRS 7278, IRD 198 (Dakar), Inserm 1095, Faculté de Médecine, 27 bd Jean Moulin, 13385, Marseille, Cedex 5, France. .,Ecole Nationale Supérieure Vétérinaire d'Alger. El Aliya Alger, Algiers, 16000, Algeria. .,Laboratoire d'Ecologie et Environnement: Interaction, Génome, Université de Bab Ezzouar, Bab Ezzouar, 16000, Algeria.
| | - Amina Bessas
- Ecole Nationale Supérieure Vétérinaire d'Alger. El Aliya Alger, Algiers, 16000, Algeria.
| | - Ahmed Benakhla
- Département des Sciences Vétérinaires, Université Cherif Messaadia, Souk Ahras, 41000, Algeria.
| | - Didier Raoult
- Aix Marseille Université, Unité de Recherche en Maladies Infectieuses et Tropicales Emergentes (URMITE), UM63, CNRS 7278, IRD 198 (Dakar), Inserm 1095, Faculté de Médecine, 27 bd Jean Moulin, 13385, Marseille, Cedex 5, France.
| | - Philippe Parola
- Aix Marseille Université, Unité de Recherche en Maladies Infectieuses et Tropicales Emergentes (URMITE), UM63, CNRS 7278, IRD 198 (Dakar), Inserm 1095, Faculté de Médecine, 27 bd Jean Moulin, 13385, Marseille, Cedex 5, France.
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16
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Luce-Fedrow A, Mullins K, Kostik AP, St John HK, Jiang J, Richards AL. Strategies for detecting rickettsiae and diagnosing rickettsial diseases. Future Microbiol 2016; 10:537-64. [PMID: 25865193 DOI: 10.2217/fmb.14.141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Rickettsial diseases and scrub typhus constitute a group of the oldest known vector-borne diseases. The cosmopolitan distribution of the vectors that transmit rickettsiae and orientiae leads to a worldwide prevalence of these diseases. Despite their significant historical status, detection and diagnosis of these diseases are still evolving today. Serological methods remain among the most prevalent techniques used for the detection/diagnosis of rickettsial diseases and scrub typhus. Molecular techniques have been instrumental in increasing the sensitivity/specificity of diagnosis, identifying new Rickettsia and Orientia species and have enhanced epidemiological capabilities when used in combination with serological methods. In this review, we discuss these techniques and their associated pros and cons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alison Luce-Fedrow
- Naval Medical Research Center, 503 Robert Grant Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20910, USA
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17
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Ionita M, Silaghi C, Mitrea IL, Edouard S, Parola P, Pfister K. Molecular detection of Rickettsia conorii and other zoonotic spotted fever group rickettsiae in ticks, Romania. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2015; 7:150-153. [PMID: 26507182 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2015.10.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2015] [Revised: 09/05/2015] [Accepted: 10/12/2015] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
The diverse tick fauna as well as the abundance of tick populations in Romania represent potential risks for both human and animal health. Spotted fever group (SFG) rickettsiae are recognized as important agents of emerging human tick-borne diseases worldwide. However, the epidemiology of rickettsial diseases has been poorly investigated in Romania. In urban habitats, companion animals which are frequently exposed to tick infestation, play a role in maintenance of tick populations and as reservoirs of tick-borne pathogens. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the occurrence of SFG rickettsiae in ticks infesting dogs in a greater urban area in South-eastern Romania. Adult ixodid ticks (n=205), including Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato (n=120), Dermacentor reticulatus (n=76) and Ixodes ricinus (n=9) were collected from naturally infested dogs and were screened for SFG rickettsiae using conventional PCR followed by sequencing. Additionally, ticks were screened for DNA of Babesia spp., Hepatozoon spp., Ehrlichia canis, and Anaplasma platys. Four zoonotic SFG rickettsiae were identified: Rickettsia raoultii (16%) and Rickettsia slovaca (3%) in D. reticulatus, Rickettsia monacensis (11%) in I. ricinus, and Rickettsia conorii (0.8%) in Rh. sanguineus s.l. Moreover, pathogens of veterinary importance, such as B. canis (21%) in D. reticulatus and E. canis (7.5%) in Rh. sanguineus s.l. were identified. The findings expand the knowledge on distribution of SFG rickettsiae as well as canine pathogens in Romania. Additionally, this is the first report describing the molecular detection of R. conorii in ticks from Romania.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana Ionita
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agronomical Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Bucharest, Spl. Independentei 105, 050097 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Cornelia Silaghi
- Comparative Tropical Medicine and Parasitology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Germany
| | - Ioan Liviu Mitrea
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agronomical Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Bucharest, Spl. Independentei 105, 050097 Bucharest, Romania.
| | - Sophie Edouard
- Aix Marseille Université, Unité de Recherche sur les Maladies Infectieuses Transmissibles et Emergentes (URMITE), UM63, CNRS 7278, IRD 198, Inserm 1095, WHO Collaborative Center for Rickettsioses and Other Arthropod Borne Bacterial Diseases, Faculté de Médecine, Marseille, France
| | - Philippe Parola
- Aix Marseille Université, Unité de Recherche sur les Maladies Infectieuses Transmissibles et Emergentes (URMITE), UM63, CNRS 7278, IRD 198, Inserm 1095, WHO Collaborative Center for Rickettsioses and Other Arthropod Borne Bacterial Diseases, Faculté de Médecine, Marseille, France
| | - Kurt Pfister
- Comparative Tropical Medicine and Parasitology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Germany
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18
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De Nys HM, Madinda NF, Merkel K, Robbins M, Boesch C, Leendertz FH, Calvignac-Spencer S. A cautionary note on fecal sampling and molecular epidemiology in predatory wild great apes. Am J Primatol 2015; 77:833-40. [PMID: 26031302 DOI: 10.1002/ajp.22418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2015] [Revised: 03/18/2015] [Accepted: 03/22/2015] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Fecal samples are an important source of information on parasites (viruses, prokaryotes, or eukaryotes) infecting wild great apes. Molecular analysis of fecal samples has already been used for deciphering the origins of major human pathogens such as HIV-1 or Plasmodium falciparum. However, for apes that hunt (chimpanzees and bonobos), detection of parasite nucleic acids may reflect either true infection of the host of interest or ingestion of an infected prey, for example, another non-human primate. To determine the potential magnitude of this issue, we estimated the prevalence of prey DNA in fecal samples obtained from two wild chimpanzee communities. We observed values >15%, which are higher than or close to the fecal detection rates of many great ape parasites. Contamination of fecal samples with parasite DNA from dietary origin may therefore occasionally impact non-invasive epidemiological studies. This problem can be addressed (at least partially) by monitoring the presence of prey DNA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hélène Marie De Nys
- Epidemiology of Highly Pathogenic Microorganisms, Robert Koch-Institute, Nordufer, Berlin, Germany.,Department of Primatology, Max-Planck-Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Deutscher Platz, Leipzig, Germany.,Laboratory of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Nadège Freda Madinda
- Epidemiology of Highly Pathogenic Microorganisms, Robert Koch-Institute, Nordufer, Berlin, Germany.,Department of Primatology, Max-Planck-Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Deutscher Platz, Leipzig, Germany.,Institut de Recherches en Ecologie Tropicale, Libreville, Gabon
| | - Kevin Merkel
- Epidemiology of Highly Pathogenic Microorganisms, Robert Koch-Institute, Nordufer, Berlin, Germany
| | - Martha Robbins
- Department of Primatology, Max-Planck-Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Deutscher Platz, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Christophe Boesch
- Department of Primatology, Max-Planck-Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Deutscher Platz, Leipzig, Germany
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Keita AK, Fenollar F, Socolovschi C, Ratmanov P, Bassene H, Sokhna C, Tall A, Mediannikov O, Raoult D. The detection of vector-borne-disease-related DNA in human stool paves the way to large epidemiological studies. Eur J Epidemiol 2015; 30:1021-6. [PMID: 25796396 DOI: 10.1007/s10654-015-0022-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2014] [Accepted: 03/14/2015] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The detection of Plasmodium spp. by the molecular analysis of human feces was reported to be comparable to detection in the blood. We believe that for epidemiological studies using molecular tools, it would be simpler to use feces, which are easier to obtain and require no training for their collection. Our aim was to evaluate the usefulness of feces for the detection of these pathogens towards developing a new tool for their surveillance. Between 2008 and 2010, 451 human fecal samples were collected in two Senegalese villages in which malaria and rickettsioses are endemic. Rickettsia and Plasmodium DNA were detected using quantitative PCR targeting Rickettsia of the spotted fever group, R. felis and Plasmodium spp. Two different sequences were systematically targeted for each pathogen. Twenty of the 451 fecal samples (4.4 %) were positive for Rickettsia spp., including 8 for R. felis. Inhabitants of Dielmo were more affected (18/230, 7.8 %; p = 0.0008) compared to those of Ndiop (2/221, 0.9 %). Children under 15 years of age were more often positive (19/285, 6.7 %) than were older children (1/166, 0.6 %; p = 0.005, odds ratio = 11.79). Only one sample was positive for Plasmodium spp. This prevalence is similar to that found in the blood of the Senegalese population reported previously. This preliminary report provides a proof of concept for the use of feces for detecting human pathogens, including microorganisms that do not cause gastroenteritis, in epidemiological studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alpha Kabinet Keita
- Unité de Recherche sur les Maladies Infectieuses et Tropicales Emergentes (URMITE) UM63, UMR CNRS 7278, IRD 198, INSERM U1095 Faculté de Médecine, Aix-Marseille Université, 27 Bd Jean Moulin, 13385, Marseille Cedex 5, France
| | - Florence Fenollar
- Unité de Recherche sur les Maladies Infectieuses et Tropicales Emergentes (URMITE) UM63, UMR CNRS 7278, IRD 198, INSERM U1095 Faculté de Médecine, Aix-Marseille Université, 27 Bd Jean Moulin, 13385, Marseille Cedex 5, France
| | - Cristina Socolovschi
- Unité de Recherche sur les Maladies Infectieuses et Tropicales Emergentes (URMITE) UM63, UMR CNRS 7278, IRD 198, INSERM U1095 Faculté de Médecine, Aix-Marseille Université, 27 Bd Jean Moulin, 13385, Marseille Cedex 5, France
| | - Pavel Ratmanov
- Department of Public Health and Health Services Management, Far Eastern State Medical University, Khabarovsk, Russia
| | - Hubert Bassene
- Unité de Recherche sur les Maladies Infectieuses et Tropicales Emergentes (URMITE) UM63, UMR CNRS 7278, IRD 198, INSERM U1095 Faculté de Médecine, Aix-Marseille Université, 27 Bd Jean Moulin, 13385, Marseille Cedex 5, France
| | - Cheikh Sokhna
- Unité de Recherche sur les Maladies Infectieuses et Tropicales Emergentes (URMITE) UM63, UMR CNRS 7278, IRD 198, INSERM U1095 Faculté de Médecine, Aix-Marseille Université, 27 Bd Jean Moulin, 13385, Marseille Cedex 5, France
| | - Adama Tall
- Unité d'Epidémiologie, Institut Pasteur de Dakar, BP 220, Dakar, Sénégal
| | - Oleg Mediannikov
- Unité de Recherche sur les Maladies Infectieuses et Tropicales Emergentes (URMITE) UM63, UMR CNRS 7278, IRD 198, INSERM U1095 Faculté de Médecine, Aix-Marseille Université, 27 Bd Jean Moulin, 13385, Marseille Cedex 5, France
| | - Didier Raoult
- Unité de Recherche sur les Maladies Infectieuses et Tropicales Emergentes (URMITE) UM63, UMR CNRS 7278, IRD 198, INSERM U1095 Faculté de Médecine, Aix-Marseille Université, 27 Bd Jean Moulin, 13385, Marseille Cedex 5, France. .,Campus International de Hann, IRD, BP 1386, 18524, Dakar, Sénégal.
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20
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Hamad I, Forestier CL, Greub G, Jaton K, Raoult D, Bittar F. Reply to Bastien et al. J Infect Dis 2015; 212:506-8. [PMID: 25737561 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiv130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2015] [Accepted: 02/05/2015] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Ibrahim Hamad
- Aix Marseille Université, URMITE, UM63, CNRS 7278, IRD 198, Inserm 1095, France
| | | | - Gilbert Greub
- Institute of Microbiology, University of Lausanne and University Hospital Center, Switzerland
| | - Katia Jaton
- Institute of Microbiology, University of Lausanne and University Hospital Center, Switzerland
| | - Didier Raoult
- Aix Marseille Université, URMITE, UM63, CNRS 7278, IRD 198, Inserm 1095, France
| | - Fadi Bittar
- Aix Marseille Université, URMITE, UM63, CNRS 7278, IRD 198, Inserm 1095, France
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21
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Zhang J, Lu G, Kelly P, Zhang Z, Wei L, Yu D, Kayizha S, Wang C. First report of Rickettsia felis in China. BMC Infect Dis 2014; 14:682. [PMID: 25510419 PMCID: PMC4297373 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-014-0682-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2014] [Accepted: 12/03/2014] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Rickettsia felis is a recently described flea-borne spotted fever group Rickettsia that is an emerging human pathogen. Although there is information on the organism from around the world, there is no information on the organism in China. Methods We used a commercial ELISA to detect antibodies reactive against R. felis in blood samples and developed a PCR to detect the gltA of the organism in blood samples and external parasites. Results We found reactive antibodies in people (16%; 28/180), dogs (47%; 128/271) and cats (21%; 19/90) and positive PCRs with DNA from people (0.1%; 1/822), dogs (0.8%; 8/1,059), mice (10%; 1/10), ticks (Rhipicephalus sanguineus; 10%; 15/146), lice (Linognathus setosus; 16%; 6/37), fleas (Ctenocephalides felis felis; 95%; 57/60) and mosquitoes (Anopheles sinensis, Culex pipiens pallens; 6%; 25/428), but not from cats (0/135) or canine fecal swabs (0/43). Conclusions This is the first report of R. felis in China where there is serological and/ or PCR evidence of the organism in previously reported [people, dogs, cats, ticks (Rhipicephalus sanguineus), fleas (Ctenocephalides felis felis) and mosquitoes (Anopheles sinensis, Culex pipiens pallens)] and novel species [mice and lice (Linognathus setosus)]. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12879-014-0682-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jilei Zhang
- Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for the Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou University College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China.
| | - Guangwu Lu
- Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for the Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou University College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China.
| | - Patrick Kelly
- Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, Basseterre, St. Kitts and Nevis.
| | | | - Lanjing Wei
- Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for the Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou University College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China.
| | - Duonan Yu
- Yangzhou University School of Medicine, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China.
| | - Shayilan Kayizha
- Institute of Veterinary Science, Xinjiang Academy of Animal Science, Urumqi, 830000, China.
| | - Chengming Wang
- Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for the Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou University College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China.
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22
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Bittar F, Keita MB, Lagier JC, Peeters M, Delaporte E, Raoult D. Gorilla gorilla gorilla gut: a potential reservoir of pathogenic bacteria as revealed using culturomics and molecular tools. Sci Rep 2014; 4:7174. [PMID: 25417711 PMCID: PMC4241516 DOI: 10.1038/srep07174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2014] [Accepted: 10/31/2014] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Wild apes are considered to be the most serious reservoir and source of zoonoses. However, little data are available about the gut microbiota and pathogenic bacteria in gorillas. For this propose, a total of 48 fecal samples obtained from 21 Gorilla gorilla gorilla individuals (as revealed via microsatellite analysis) were screened for human bacterial pathogens using culturomics and molecular techniques. By applying culturomics to one index gorilla and using specific media supplemented by plants, we tested 12,800 colonies and identified 147 different bacterial species, including 5 new species. Many opportunistic pathogens were isolated, including 8 frequently associated with human diseases; Mycobacterium bolletii, Proteus mirabilis, Acinetobacter baumannii, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Serratia marcescens, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Clostridium botulinum. The genus Treponema accounted for 27.4% of the total reads identified at the genus level via 454 pyrosequencing. Using specific real-time PCR on 48 gorilla fecal samples, in addition to classical human pathogens, we also observed the fastidious bacteria Bartonella spp. Borrelia spp., Coxiella burnetii and Tropheryma whipplei in the gorilla population. We estimated that the prevalence of these pathogens vary between 4.76% and 85.7%. Therefore, gorillas share many bacterial pathogens with humans suggesting that they could be a reservoir for their emergence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fadi Bittar
- Aix Marseille Université, URMITE, UM63, CNRS 7278, IRD 198, Inserm 1095, 13005 Marseille, France
| | - Mamadou B Keita
- Aix Marseille Université, URMITE, UM63, CNRS 7278, IRD 198, Inserm 1095, 13005 Marseille, France
| | - Jean-Christophe Lagier
- Aix Marseille Université, URMITE, UM63, CNRS 7278, IRD 198, Inserm 1095, 13005 Marseille, France
| | - Martine Peeters
- Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, University Montpellier 1, UMI 233, Montpellier, France
| | - Eric Delaporte
- Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, University Montpellier 1, UMI 233, Montpellier, France
| | - Didier Raoult
- Aix Marseille Université, URMITE, UM63, CNRS 7278, IRD 198, Inserm 1095, 13005 Marseille, France
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23
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Detection of Rickettsia felis, Rickettsia typhi, Bartonella Species and Yersinia pestis in Fleas (Siphonaptera) from Africa. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2014; 8:e3152. [PMID: 25299702 PMCID: PMC4191943 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0003152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2014] [Accepted: 07/29/2014] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
UNLABELLED Little is known about the presence/absence and prevalence of Rickettsia spp, Bartonella spp. and Yersinia pestis in domestic and urban flea populations in tropical and subtropical African countries. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS Fleas collected in Benin, the United Republic of Tanzania and the Democratic Republic of the Congo were investigated for the presence and identity of Rickettsia spp., Bartonella spp. and Yersinia pestis using two qPCR systems or qPCR and standard PCR. In Xenopsylla cheopis fleas collected from Cotonou (Benin), Rickettsia typhi was detected in 1% (2/199), and an uncultured Bartonella sp. was detected in 34.7% (69/199). In the Lushoto district (United Republic of Tanzania), R. typhi DNA was detected in 10% (2/20) of Xenopsylla brasiliensis, and Rickettsia felis was detected in 65% (13/20) of Ctenocephalides felis strongylus, 71.4% (5/7) of Ctenocephalides canis and 25% (5/20) of Ctenophthalmus calceatus calceatus. In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, R. felis was detected in 56.5% (13/23) of Ct. f. felis from Kinshasa, in 26.3% (10/38) of Ct. f. felis and 9% (1/11) of Leptopsylla aethiopica aethiopica from Ituri district and in 19.2% (5/26) of Ct. f. strongylus and 4.7% (1/21) of Echidnophaga gallinacea. Bartonella sp. was also detected in 36.3% (4/11) of L. a. aethiopica. Finally, in Ituri, Y. pestis DNA was detected in 3.8% (1/26) of Ct. f. strongylus and 10% (3/30) of Pulex irritans from the villages of Wanyale and Zaa. CONCLUSION Most flea-borne infections are neglected diseases which should be monitored systematically in domestic rural and urban human populations to assess their epidemiological and clinical relevance. Finally, the presence of Y. pestis DNA in fleas captured in households was unexpected and raises a series of questions regarding the role of free fleas in the transmission of plague in rural Africa, especially in remote areas where the flea density in houses is high.
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Faccini-Martínez ÁA, García-Álvarez L, Hidalgo M, Oteo JA. Syndromic classification of rickettsioses: an approach for clinical practice. Int J Infect Dis 2014; 28:126-39. [PMID: 25242696 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijid.2014.05.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2014] [Revised: 04/23/2014] [Accepted: 05/24/2014] [Indexed: 10/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Rickettsioses share common clinical manifestations, such as fever, malaise, exanthema, the presence or absence of an inoculation eschar, and lymphadenopathy. Some of these manifestations can be suggestive of certain species of Rickettsia infection. Nevertheless none of these manifestations are pathognomonic, and direct diagnostic methods to confirm the involved species are always required. A syndrome is a set of signs and symptoms that characterizes a disease with many etiologies or causes. This situation is applicable to rickettsioses, where different species can cause similar clinical presentations. We propose a syndromic classification for these diseases: exanthematic rickettsiosis syndrome with a low probability of inoculation eschar and rickettsiosis syndrome with a probability of inoculation eschar and their variants. In doing so, we take into account the clinical manifestations, the geographic origin, and the possible vector involved, in order to provide a guide for physicians of the most probable etiological agent.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Lara García-Álvarez
- Infectious Diseases Department, Center of Rickettsioses and Vector-borne Diseases, Hospital San Pedro-CIBIR, Logroño, Spain
| | - Marylin Hidalgo
- Microbiology Department, Faculty of Sciences, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - José A Oteo
- Infectious Diseases Department, Center of Rickettsioses and Vector-borne Diseases, Hospital San Pedro-CIBIR, Logroño, Spain.
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Keita MB, Hamad I, Bittar F. Looking in apes as a source of human pathogens. Microb Pathog 2014; 77:149-54. [PMID: 25220240 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2014.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2014] [Accepted: 09/05/2014] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Because of the close genetic relatedness between apes and humans, apes are susceptible to many human infectious agents and can serve as carriers of these pathogens. Consequently, they present a serious health hazard to humans. Moreover, many emerging infectious diseases originate in wildlife and continue to threaten human populations, especially vector-borne diseases described in great apes, such as malaria and rickettsiosis. These wild primates may be permanent reservoirs and important sources of human pathogens. In this special issue, we report that apes, including chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes), bonobos (Pan paniscus), gorillas (Gorilla gorilla and Gorilla beringei), orangutans (Pongo pygmaeus and Pongo abelii), gibbons (Hylobates spp., Hoolock spp. and Nomascus spp) and siamangs (Symphalangus syndactylus syndactylus and Symphalangus continentis), have many bacterial, viral, fungal and parasitic species that are capable of infecting humans. Serious measures should be adopted in tropical forests and sub-tropical areas where habitat overlaps are frequent to survey and prevent infectious diseases from spreading from apes to people.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mamadou B Keita
- Aix Marseille Université, URMITE, UM63, CNRS 7278, IRD 198, Inserm 1095, 13005 Marseille, France
| | - Ibrahim Hamad
- Aix Marseille Université, URMITE, UM63, CNRS 7278, IRD 198, Inserm 1095, 13005 Marseille, France
| | - Fadi Bittar
- Aix Marseille Université, URMITE, UM63, CNRS 7278, IRD 198, Inserm 1095, 13005 Marseille, France.
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Hamad I, Forestier CL, Peeters M, Delaporte E, Raoult D, Bittar F. Wild gorillas as a potential reservoir of Leishmania major. J Infect Dis 2014; 211:267-73. [PMID: 25001460 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiu380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Vector-borne parasites of the genus Leishmania are responsible for severe human diseases. Cutaneous leishmaniasis, a common form of the disease, is most often caused by the transmission of Leishmania major to humans by female phlebotomine sand flies. Apes are increasingly being seen as a source of zoonotic diseases, including malaria and rickettsiosis. To examine whether gorillas harbor Leishmania species, we screened fecal samples from wild western lowland gorillas (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) in Cameroon for the presence of these pathogens. Of 91 wild gorilla fecal samples, 12 contained Leishmania parasites, and 4 contained phlebotomine sand fly vectors. The molecular identity was determined by running 3 different polymerase chain reaction tests for detection of L. major. Next, fluorescence in situ hybridization was performed to visualize L. major parasites in fecal samples from the gorillas. Both promastigote and amastigote forms of the parasite were found. This work strongly suggests that wild gorillas carry pathogenic Leishmania parasites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ibrahim Hamad
- Aix Marseille Université, URMITE, UM63, CNRS 7278, IRD 198, Inserm 1095, Marseille
| | | | - Martine Peeters
- Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, University Montpellier 1, UMI 233, France
| | - Eric Delaporte
- Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, University Montpellier 1, UMI 233, France
| | - Didier Raoult
- Aix Marseille Université, URMITE, UM63, CNRS 7278, IRD 198, Inserm 1095, Marseille
| | - Fadi Bittar
- Aix Marseille Université, URMITE, UM63, CNRS 7278, IRD 198, Inserm 1095, Marseille
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Odhiambo AM, Maina AN, Taylor ML, Jiang J, Richards AL. Development and validation of a quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction assay specific for the detection of Rickettsia felis and not Rickettsia felis-like organisms. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2014; 14:476-81. [PMID: 24918658 DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2013.1518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Human infections with Rickettsia felis have been reported worldwide. Recent studies have revealed the presence of many closely related but unique rickettsiae, referred to as Rickettsia felis-like organisms (RFLO), identified in various arthropods. Due to the recent discovery of the lack of specificity of earlier R. felis-specific assays, there has become a need to develop a new generation of R. felis-specific molecular assays that will differentiate R. felis not only from other rickettsiae but more importantly from other members of the R. felis genogroup that may not be pathogenic to humans. This new generation of assays is essential for determining the true risk for flea-borne spotted fever (FBSF) by surveying arthropod vectors/hosts. Because of the lack of specificity of previous assays developed to detect R. felis infections, prior surveys may have overestimated the prevalence of R. felis in arthropod vectors and thus the perceived risk of FBSF. We have developed a specific quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) assay to detect R. felis (RfelB). Specificity of the assay was determined by testing it with a panel of 17 related Rickettsia species and 12 nonrickettsial bacterial DNA preparations. The RfelB qPCR assay was positive for R. felis DNA and negative for all of the 17 related Rickettsia species and 12 nonrickettsia bacterial DNA preparations. The limit of detection of the RfelB qPCR assay was determined to be two copies (two genoequivalents) per microliter of R. felis target ompB fragment-containing plasmid. Validation of the RfelB qPCR assay was accomplished by testing 83 previously sequence-confirmed R. felis and RFLOs containing DNA preparations from human and flea samples collected from different geographical locations around the world. This assay will be useful for rapid detection, identification, and enumeration of R. felis, an emerging human pathogen of worldwide importance, from both clinical and environmental samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antony M Odhiambo
- Viral and Rickettsial Diseases Department, Naval Medical Research Center , Silver Spring, Maryland
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Hamad I, Delaporte E, Raoult D, Bittar F. Detection of termites and other insects consumed by African great apes using molecular fecal analysis. Sci Rep 2014; 4:4478. [PMID: 24675424 PMCID: PMC3967517 DOI: 10.1038/srep04478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2013] [Accepted: 03/11/2014] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The consumption of insects by apes has previously been reported based on direct observations and/or trail signs in feces. However, DNA-based diet analyses may have the potential to reveal trophic links for these wild species. Herein, we analyzed the insect-diet diversity of 9 feces obtained from three species of African great apes, gorilla (Gorilla gorilla gorilla), chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) and bonobo (Pan paniscus), using two mitochondrial amplifications for arthropods. A total of 1056 clones were sequenced for Cyt-b and COI gene libraries, which contained 50 and 56 operational taxonomic units (OTUs), respectively. BLAST research revealed that the OTUs belonged to 32 families from 5 orders (Diptera, Isoptera, Lepidoptera, Coleoptera, and Orthoptera). While ants were not detected by this method, the consumption of flies, beetles, moths, mosquitoes and termites was evident in these samples. Our findings indicate that molecular techniques can be used to analyze insect food items in wild animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ibrahim Hamad
- Aix-Marseille Université, URMITE, UM63, CNRS 7278, IRD 198, Inserm 1095, 13005 Marseille, France
| | - Eric Delaporte
- Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, University Montpellier 1, UMI 233, Montpellier, France
| | - Didier Raoult
- Aix-Marseille Université, URMITE, UM63, CNRS 7278, IRD 198, Inserm 1095, 13005 Marseille, France
| | - Fadi Bittar
- Aix-Marseille Université, URMITE, UM63, CNRS 7278, IRD 198, Inserm 1095, 13005 Marseille, France
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Appelt S, Armougom F, Le Bailly M, Robert C, Drancourt M. Polyphasic analysis of a middle ages coprolite microbiota, Belgium. PLoS One 2014; 9:e88376. [PMID: 24586319 PMCID: PMC3938422 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0088376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2013] [Accepted: 01/06/2014] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Paleomicrobiological investigations of a 14(th)-century coprolite found inside a barrel in Namur, Belgium were done using microscopy, a culture-dependent approach and metagenomics. Results were confirmed by ad hoc PCR--sequencing. Investigations yielded evidence for flora from ancient environment preserved inside the coprolite, indicated by microscopic observation of amoebal cysts, plant fibers, seeds, pollens and mold remains. Seventeen different bacterial species were cultured from the coprolite, mixing organisms known to originate from the environment and organisms known to be gut inhabitants. Metagenomic analyses yielded 107,470 reads, of which known sequences (31.9%) comprised 98.98% bacterial, 0.52% eukaryotic, 0.44% archaeal and 0.06% viral assigned reads. Most abundant bacterial phyla were Proteobacteria, Gemmatimonadetes, Actinobacteria and Bacteroidetes. The 16 S rRNA gene dataset yielded 132,000 trimmed reads and 673 Operational Taxonomic Units. Most abundant bacterial phyla observed in the 16 S rRNA gene dataset belonged to Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, Actinobacteria and Chlamydia. The Namur coprolite yielded typical gut microbiota inhabitants, intestinal parasites Trichuris and Ascaris and systemic pathogens Bartonella and Bordetella. This study adds knowledge to gut microbiota in medieval times.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Appelt
- Unité de Recherche sur les Maladies Infectieuses Tropicales Emergentes, UM63, Centre national de la recherche scientifique 7278, IRD 198, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale 1095, Aix Marseille Université, Marseille, France
| | - Fabrice Armougom
- Unité de Recherche sur les Maladies Infectieuses Tropicales Emergentes, UM63, Centre national de la recherche scientifique 7278, IRD 198, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale 1095, Aix Marseille Université, Marseille, France
| | - Matthieu Le Bailly
- Centre national de la recherche scientifique UMR 6249 Chrono-Environnement, Franche-Comté Université, Besançon, France
| | - Catherine Robert
- Unité de Recherche sur les Maladies Infectieuses Tropicales Emergentes, UM63, Centre national de la recherche scientifique 7278, IRD 198, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale 1095, Aix Marseille Université, Marseille, France
| | - Michel Drancourt
- Unité de Recherche sur les Maladies Infectieuses Tropicales Emergentes, UM63, Centre national de la recherche scientifique 7278, IRD 198, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale 1095, Aix Marseille Université, Marseille, France
- * E-mail:
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Mediannikov O, Socolovschi C, Edouard S, Fenollar F, Mouffok N, Bassene H, Diatta G, Tall A, Niangaly H, Doumbo O, Lekana-Douki JB, Znazen A, Sarih M, Ratmanov P, Richet H, Ndiath MO, Sokhna C, Parola P, Raoult D. Common epidemiology of Rickettsia felis infection and malaria, Africa. Emerg Infect Dis 2013; 19:1775-83. [PMID: 24188709 PMCID: PMC3837673 DOI: 10.3201/eid1911.130361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 91] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
This study aimed to compare the epidemiology of Rickettsia felis infection and malaria in France, North Africa, and sub-Saharan Africa and to identify a common vector. Blood specimens from 3,122 febrile patients and from 500 nonfebrile persons were analyzed for R. felis and Plasmodium spp. We observed a significant linear trend (p<0.0001) of increasing risk for R. felis infection. The risks were lowest in France, Tunisia, and Algeria (1%), and highest in rural Senegal (15%). Co-infections with R. felis and Plasmodium spp. and occurrences of R. felis relapses or reinfections were identified. This study demonstrates a correlation between malaria and R. felis infection regarding geographic distribution, seasonality, asymptomatic infections, and a potential vector. R. felis infection should be suspected in these geographical areas where malaria is endemic. Doxycycline chemoprophylaxis against malaria in travelers to sub-Saharan Africa also protects against rickettsioses; thus, empirical treatment strategies for febrile illness for travelers and residents in sub-Saharan Africa may require reevaluation.
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