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Santos HF, Flausino W, Martins TF, Silito IS, Luz HR, Serpa MCDA, Labruna MB, Faccini JLH. Ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) and tick-borne agents associated with domestic dogs in an environmental protection area in Brazil, with molecular evidence of Rhipicephalus linnaei (Audouin, 1826). REVISTA BRASILEIRA DE PARASITOLOGIA VETERINARIA = BRAZILIAN JOURNAL OF VETERINARY PARASITOLOGY : ORGAO OFICIAL DO COLEGIO BRASILEIRO DE PARASITOLOGIA VETERINARIA 2024; 33:e008224. [PMID: 39383386 DOI: 10.1590/s1984-29612024045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2024] [Accepted: 06/05/2024] [Indexed: 10/11/2024]
Abstract
Wild animals and domestic dogs living in human dwellings near forested areas can share ectoparasites, including ticks. In this study, we surveyed ticks associated with dogs which tutors living in the Palmares Environmental Protection Area (EPA Palmares). Dogs were classified into three categories, domiciled, semi-domiciled and wandering dogs according to dog care/ type of dwelling. Ticks were collected monthly from January to December, 2020. Overall, 60 (33.9%) out of 177 examined dogs were infested by ticks. Six species of ticks were identified: Rhipicephalus linnaei, Amblyomma aureolatum, Amblyomma sculptum, Amblyomma ovale, Amblyomma dubitatum and Rhipicephalus microplus. The overall prevalence and presence in semi-domicilied+wandering dogs was higher for A. aureolatum than for R. linnaei by the Chi-square statistic tests. A random sample of 50 ticks, collected from 22 different dogs, were processed through molecular analyses. Ticks were submitted to DNA extraction and also by PCR, using specific primers in order to pathogens monitoring. Four males of A. aureolatum yielded DNA sequences (350 bp) that were 100% identical to the type strain of Rickettsia bellii in GenBank (CP000087).
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Affiliation(s)
- Hélio Freitas Santos
- Departamento de Parasitologia Animal, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro - UFRRJ, Seropérica, RJ, Brasil
| | - Walter Flausino
- Departamento de Parasitologia Animal, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro - UFRRJ, Seropérica, RJ, Brasil
| | - Thiago Fernandes Martins
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventina e Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Ciência Animal, Universidade de São Paulo - USP, São Paulo, SP, Brasil
| | - Igor Silva Silito
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventina e Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Ciência Animal, Universidade de São Paulo - USP, São Paulo, SP, Brasil
| | - Hermes Ribeiro Luz
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências da Saúde, Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Rede Nordeste de Biotecnologia - RENORBIO, Universidade Federal do Maranhão - UFMA, São Luís, MA, Brasil
| | - Maria Carolina de Azevedo Serpa
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventina e Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Ciência Animal, Universidade de São Paulo - USP, São Paulo, SP, Brasil
| | - Marcelo Bahia Labruna
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventina e Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Ciência Animal, Universidade de São Paulo - USP, São Paulo, SP, Brasil
| | - João Luiz Horacio Faccini
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências da Saúde, Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Rede Nordeste de Biotecnologia - RENORBIO, Universidade Federal do Maranhão - UFMA, São Luís, MA, Brasil
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López Berrizbeitia MF, Acosta DB, Sanchez JP. Wild rodent fleas carrying Bartonella and Rickettsia in an area endemic for vector-borne diseases from Argentina. Sci Rep 2024; 14:23269. [PMID: 39370417 PMCID: PMC11456593 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-74786-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2024] [Accepted: 09/30/2024] [Indexed: 10/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Vector-borne diseases account for nearly 20% of all globally recognised infectious diseases. Within the spectrum of flea-borne pathogens, Bartonella and Rickettsia bacteria are prominent, contributing to the emergence and resurgence of diseases on a global scale. This study investigates the presence of species of Bartonella and Rickettsia harboured by fleas collected from wild rodents in northwestern Argentina (NWA). A total of 28 fleas from three genera and seven species were assessed. DNA of Bartonella and Rickettsia spp. was found in 12 fleas (42.8%). Phylogenetic analysis of concatenated sequences of gltA and rpoB genes showed the presence of Bartonella quintana in eight fleas of two species, Craneopsylla minerva minerva and Polygenis acodontis. Phylogenetic analysis of concatenated sequences of gltA, ompA and ompB genes identified Rickettsia felis in ten fleas of five species, C. m. minerva, P. acodontis, Polygenis bohlsi bohlsi, Polygenis byturus and Tiamastus palpalis. These bacterial species mark the first report in all flea species studied. This study represents the first survey of flea-borne bacteria for NWA. The results provide information to address strategies for the control and prevention of bartonellosis and rickettsiosis that could have an impact on public health in one of the geographical areas of Argentina with the highest incidence of infections transmitted to humans by ectoparasites.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Fernanda López Berrizbeitia
- Instituto de Investigaciones de Biodiversidad Argentina (PIDBA) and Programa de Conservación de los Murciélagos de Argentina (PCMA), Facultad de Ciencias Naturales e Instituto Miguel Lillo, UNT, Miguel Lillo 205, San Miguel de Tucumán, CP 4000, Argentina.
- Fundación Miguel Lillo, San Miguel de Tucumán, Tucumán, Argentina.
- CCT NOA Sur, CONICET, San Miguel de Tucumán, Tucumán, Argentina.
| | - Diana B Acosta
- Centro de Bioinvestigaciones (CeBio). Centro de Investigaciones y Transferencia del noroeste de la provincia de Buenos Aires (CITNOBA-CONICET-UNNOBA), Pergamino, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Juliana P Sanchez
- Centro de Bioinvestigaciones (CeBio). Centro de Investigaciones y Transferencia del noroeste de la provincia de Buenos Aires (CITNOBA-CONICET-UNNOBA), Pergamino, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Rymaszewska A, Piotrowski M. Rickettsia Species: Genetic Variability, Vectors, and Rickettsiosis-A Review. Pathogens 2024; 13:661. [PMID: 39204262 PMCID: PMC11357061 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens13080661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2024] [Revised: 08/02/2024] [Accepted: 08/02/2024] [Indexed: 09/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Rickettsiae are an interesting group of bacteria comprising a large number of obligate intracellular species. The circulation of these bacteria in the environment depends on the presence of vectors (blood-sucking invertebrates) and their hosts. On the basis of phylogenetic analyses in 2022, a division into five groups of Rickettsia has been proposed: I belli group, II canadensis group, III typhus group, and IV and V spotted group fever (respectively II, phylogenetically older, and I). The genus Rickettsia includes species that are both pathogenic and nonpathogenic to humans and domestic and wild animals. Some Rickettsia species are invertebrate symbionts. Currently, rickettsiae, which are transmitted mainly by ticks, are spreading worldwide. This has been promoted by climate change, environmental changes caused by humans, and the synanthropisation of plants and animals. Therefore, it is extremely important to monitor the natural and urban environments. The study of potential vectors and reservoirs of bacteria in the genus Rickettsia should be a permanent part of the analysis of the modern human environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Rymaszewska
- Department of Genetics and Genomics, Institute of Biology, University of Szczecin, ul. Felczaka 3C, 71-412 Szczecin, Poland;
| | - Mariusz Piotrowski
- Department of Genetics and Genomics, Institute of Biology, University of Szczecin, ul. Felczaka 3C, 71-412 Szczecin, Poland;
- BIOSPACE Foundation, ul. Karpia 31, 61-619 Poznań, Poland
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4
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de Lima NJ, Pádua GT, Cardoso ERN, Bittencourt RBM, Tavares MA, Paula WVDF, Neves LC, Segovia CD, dos Santos GC, Serpa MCDA, Toledo DC, Pascoal LM, Labruna MB, Biondo AW, Krawczak FDS. Serological and Molecular Survey of Rickettsial Agents in Wild Boars ( Sus scrofa) from Midwestern Brazil. Animals (Basel) 2024; 14:2224. [PMID: 39123749 PMCID: PMC11311017 DOI: 10.3390/ani14152224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2024] [Revised: 07/27/2024] [Accepted: 07/27/2024] [Indexed: 08/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Wild boars (Sus scrofa L.) are considered among the most harmful invasive species worldwide, causing irreversible ecosystem damage, acting as zoonotic spreaders and reservoirs, threatening human and animal health, and having an important economic impact. Accordingly, the present study has assessed the rickettsial exposure, tick infestation of wild boars, and rickettsial DNA presence in ticks from infested animals from the Cerrado biome in midwestern Brazil. Anti-Rickettsia spp. antibodies were detected in serum samples of wild boars by immunofluorescence assay. Overall, 106/285 (37.2%) wild boar serum samples from 13 to 18 (72.2%) municipalities showed seroreactivity to at least one of the four Rickettsia spp. antigens tested, the largest number of wild boars serologically tested to Rickettsia spp. in this type of study. Among the 106 seroreactive animals, 34 showed possible homologous reactions between R. parkeri, R. amblyommatis, and R. bellii, with endpoint titers between 128 and 512. A sample of 45 ticks collected from four culled wild boars was identified as Amblyomma sculptum, and all tested negative for rickettsial DNA presence. In conclusion, this study has provided a reliable sampling seroprevalence and indicated high exposure of wild boars to rickettsial agents, with a potential interaction with Rickettsia spp. from the spotted fever group within the Cerrado biome from midwestern Brazil.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolas Jalowitzki de Lima
- Veterinary and Animal Science School, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia 74605-220, Brazil; (N.J.d.L.); (W.V.d.F.P.); (L.C.N.); (L.M.P.)
| | - Gracielle Teles Pádua
- Veterinary and Animal Science School, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia 74605-220, Brazil; (N.J.d.L.); (W.V.d.F.P.); (L.C.N.); (L.M.P.)
| | - Ennya Rafaella Neves Cardoso
- Veterinary and Animal Science School, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia 74605-220, Brazil; (N.J.d.L.); (W.V.d.F.P.); (L.C.N.); (L.M.P.)
| | - Raphaela Bueno Mendes Bittencourt
- Veterinary and Animal Science School, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia 74605-220, Brazil; (N.J.d.L.); (W.V.d.F.P.); (L.C.N.); (L.M.P.)
| | - Mariana Avelar Tavares
- Veterinary and Animal Science School, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia 74605-220, Brazil; (N.J.d.L.); (W.V.d.F.P.); (L.C.N.); (L.M.P.)
| | - Warley Vieira de Freitas Paula
- Veterinary and Animal Science School, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia 74605-220, Brazil; (N.J.d.L.); (W.V.d.F.P.); (L.C.N.); (L.M.P.)
| | - Lucianne Cardoso Neves
- Veterinary and Animal Science School, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia 74605-220, Brazil; (N.J.d.L.); (W.V.d.F.P.); (L.C.N.); (L.M.P.)
| | - Carlos Damian Segovia
- Veterinary and Animal Science School, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia 74605-220, Brazil; (N.J.d.L.); (W.V.d.F.P.); (L.C.N.); (L.M.P.)
| | - Gabriel Cândido dos Santos
- Veterinary and Animal Science School, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia 74605-220, Brazil; (N.J.d.L.); (W.V.d.F.P.); (L.C.N.); (L.M.P.)
| | - Maria Carolina de Azevedo Serpa
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine and Animal Health, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo—USP, São Paulo 05508-270, Brazil (M.B.L.)
| | - Denise Caroline Toledo
- Veterinary and Animal Science School, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia 74605-220, Brazil; (N.J.d.L.); (W.V.d.F.P.); (L.C.N.); (L.M.P.)
| | - Lívia Mendonça Pascoal
- Veterinary and Animal Science School, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia 74605-220, Brazil; (N.J.d.L.); (W.V.d.F.P.); (L.C.N.); (L.M.P.)
| | - Marcelo Bahia Labruna
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine and Animal Health, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo—USP, São Paulo 05508-270, Brazil (M.B.L.)
| | - Alexander Welker Biondo
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Paraná—UFPR, Curitiba 81531-970, Brazil;
| | - Felipe da Silva Krawczak
- Veterinary and Animal Science School, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia 74605-220, Brazil; (N.J.d.L.); (W.V.d.F.P.); (L.C.N.); (L.M.P.)
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Schott D, Ribeiro FL, Santos FN, Carvalho RWD. Fleas (Siphonaptera, Latreille, 1825) from Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil: Species Diversity, Hosts, and One Health Approach. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2024; 24:308-320. [PMID: 38232706 DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2023.0065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Background: Fleas are ectoparasitic insects with holometabolous development. It has a hematophagous habit with mouthparts adapted to sting and suck its hosts. There are about 3000 species in the world, ∼61 in Brazil, and 19 in Rio Grande do Sul state. The objective of the research is to catalog the diversity of fleas recorded in the state, their respective hosts, and endosymbionts. Materials and Methods: To this end, a search was carried out in the scientific literature, from articles, books, to abstracts submitted to congresses. Results: The 19 species of fleas occurring in Rio Grande do Sul are divided into 7 families and 10 genera. These ectoparasites, in addition to being found in the environment, were associated with 10 different families of hosts in Rio Grande do Sul, and on the endosymbiont, agents found associated with fleas, there were 7 different species. The main agents researched in the state are Rickettsia spp. and Bartonella spp. The relationships between parasites, hosts, environment, and etiological agents present different scenarios, whether anthropized or conserved, but unknown. Sometimes, this overlap, a factor that aggravates the possibility of spillovers, either from cosmopolitan fleas in these conserved areas, or from their endosymbionts. Conclusion: Thus, it is important to characterize the environment so that the complexities of each location are known for the adoption of environmental and public health policies in each case. The challenges are extensive, but necessary in view of the One Health perspective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diogo Schott
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Saúde Pública e Meio Ambiente, Escola Nacional de Saúde Pública Sergio Arouca, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (ENSP/Fiocruz), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Fernanda Laís Ribeiro
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Terapia Ocupacional, Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCar), São Carlos, Brazil
| | - Fernanda Nunes Santos
- Instituto Nacional de Infectologia Evandro Chagas, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (INI/Fiocruz), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Raimundo Wilson de Carvalho
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Saúde Pública e Meio Ambiente, Escola Nacional de Saúde Pública Sergio Arouca, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (ENSP/Fiocruz), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Professor de Medicina e Comitê de Ética em Pesquisa, Universidade Castelo Branco, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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Caixeta BT, Tolesano-Pascoli GV, Mundim FL, Pascoal JDO, Rodrigues VDS, Martins MM, Ramos VDN, Torga K, Costa LF, Miranda VC, Benfatti LR, Silva LM, Limongi JE, Szabó MPJ, Yokosawa J. Survey of Rickettsia spp. in ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) infesting opossums (Didelphis albiventris) and capybaras (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris) from an urban park in southeastern Brazil. EXPERIMENTAL & APPLIED ACAROLOGY 2024; 92:463-477. [PMID: 38361037 DOI: 10.1007/s10493-023-00885-1] [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: 05/15/2023] [Accepted: 12/29/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2024]
Abstract
Ticks are hematophagous arthropods and, during feeding, may transmit pathogens to vertebrate hosts, including humans. This study aimed to investigate the presence of Rickettsia spp. in ticks collected between 2010 and 2013 from free-ranging capybaras (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris) and opossums (Didelphis albiventris) that inhabit Sabiá Park in Uberlândia, Brazil. Overall, 1,860 ticks were collected: 1,272 (68.4%) from capybaras (487 of the species Amblyomma sculptum, 475 adults and 12 nymphs; 778 Amblyomma dubitatum, 727 adults and 51 nymphs; and seven larva clusters of the genus Amblyomma); and 588 (31.6%) from opossums (21 A. sculptum, one adult and 20 nymphs; 79 A. dubitatum, all nymphs; 15 Ixodes loricatus, 12 adults and three nymphs; 457 Amblyomma sp. larva clusters; 15 Ixodes sp. larva clusters; and one Argasidae larva cluster). Out of 201 DNA samples tested for the presence of Rickettsia spp. DNA using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) 12 showed amplification of a gtlA gene segment that was specific to Rickettsia bellii, a bacterium non-pathogenic to humans. As there has been a report showing serological evidence of infections caused by Rickettsia species of the spotted fever group (SFG) in capybaras and opossums in the park, including Rickettsia rickettsii, the etiological agent of Brazilian spotted fever, and considering the presence of A. sculptum ticks, which are aggressive to humans, as well as these vertebrate hosts, which are amplifiers of R. rickettsii, it is important to monitor the presence of SFG rickettsiae in the Sabiá Park, which is visited daily by thousands of people.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruno Tolentino Caixeta
- Laboratory of Microorganisms of Cerrado (Brazilian Savannah), Department of Microbiology, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, UFU, Uberlândia, Brazil.
| | | | - Flávia Lúcio Mundim
- Laboratory of Microorganisms of Cerrado (Brazilian Savannah), Department of Microbiology, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, UFU, Uberlândia, Brazil
| | - Jamile de Oliveira Pascoal
- Laboratory of Ixodology, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia (UFU), Uberlândia, Brazil
| | - Vinícius da Silva Rodrigues
- Laboratory of Ixodology, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia (UFU), Uberlândia, Brazil
| | - Maria Marlene Martins
- Laboratory of Ixodology, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia (UFU), Uberlândia, Brazil
| | - Vanessa do Nascimento Ramos
- Laboratory of Ixodology, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia (UFU), Uberlândia, Brazil
| | - Khelma Torga
- Laboratory of Ixodology, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia (UFU), Uberlândia, Brazil
| | - Lourenço Faria Costa
- Instituto Acadêmico de Ciências da Saúde e Biológicas, Universidade Estadual de Goiás, Quirinópolis, Brazil
| | - Vinícius Campos Miranda
- Laboratory of Microorganisms of Cerrado (Brazilian Savannah), Department of Microbiology, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, UFU, Uberlândia, Brazil
| | - Luisa Rodrigues Benfatti
- Laboratory of Microorganisms of Cerrado (Brazilian Savannah), Department of Microbiology, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, UFU, Uberlândia, Brazil
| | - Leticia Maria Silva
- Laboratory of Microorganisms of Cerrado (Brazilian Savannah), Department of Microbiology, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, UFU, Uberlândia, Brazil
| | | | - Matias Pablo Juan Szabó
- Laboratory of Ixodology, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia (UFU), Uberlândia, Brazil.
| | - Jonny Yokosawa
- Laboratory of Microorganisms of Cerrado (Brazilian Savannah), Department of Microbiology, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, UFU, Uberlândia, Brazil.
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Farias IF, de Oliveira GMB, Lima EVM, Labruna MB, Horta MC. Parasitism on domestic cats by Amblyomma auricularium and serological evidence of exposure to Rickettsia amblyommatis. REVISTA BRASILEIRA DE PARASITOLOGIA VETERINARIA = BRAZILIAN JOURNAL OF VETERINARY PARASITOLOGY : ORGAO OFICIAL DO COLEGIO BRASILEIRO DE PARASITOLOGIA VETERINARIA 2024; 33:e018123. [PMID: 38511817 PMCID: PMC10954250 DOI: 10.1590/s1984-29612024015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024]
Abstract
The domestic cat is not considered a primary host for any specific tick species; however, it can be affected by some Ixodidae species, such as Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato and Amblyomma spp. The study reports parasitism by Amblyomma auricularium and the detection of anti-Rickettsia spp. antibodies in domestic cats from a rural property in the Afrânio municipality, Pernambuco, Brazil. Amblyomma auricularium (24 nymphs, six females, and four males) and Amblyomma sp. (42 larvae) parasitized three cats, and 73 free-living ticks were captured in armadillo burrows: A. auricularium (36 nymphs, six females, five males) and Amblyomma sp. (26 larvae). Blood samples from cats were collected and the obtained plasma were subjected to indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) to detect antibodies against Rickettsia antigens. Thus, anti-Rickettsia spp. antibodies were determined (titers ranging from 128 to 512) and showed a predominant antibody response to Rickettsia amblyommatis or a very closely related genotype. This study reports the first infestation of nymphs and adults of A. auricularium on cats in a new area of occurrence in the semi-arid region of Northeastern Brazil and reports for the first time the presence of anti-Ricketsia antibodies in cats in the region, with R. amblyommatis as the probable infectious agent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ila Ferreira Farias
- Laboratório de Doenças Parasitárias, Universidade Federal do Vale do São Francisco - UNIVASF, Petrolina, PE, Brasil
- Pós-graduação em Ciências Veterinárias no Semiárido, Universidade Federal do Vale do São Francisco - UNIVASF, Petrolina, PE, Brasil
| | - Glauber Meneses Barboza de Oliveira
- Laboratório de Doenças Parasitárias, Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo - USP, São Paulo, SP, Brasil
| | - Erisson Victor Macedo Lima
- Laboratório de Doenças Parasitárias, Universidade Federal do Vale do São Francisco - UNIVASF, Petrolina, PE, Brasil
| | - Marcelo Bahia Labruna
- Laboratório de Doenças Parasitárias, Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo - USP, São Paulo, SP, Brasil
| | - Mauricio Claudio Horta
- Laboratório de Doenças Parasitárias, Universidade Federal do Vale do São Francisco - UNIVASF, Petrolina, PE, Brasil
- Pós-graduação em Ciências Veterinárias no Semiárido, Universidade Federal do Vale do São Francisco - UNIVASF, Petrolina, PE, Brasil
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8
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Paludo RLDR, Paula WVDF, Neves LC, de Paula LGF, de Lima NJ, da Silva BBF, Pereira BG, Pádua GT, Dantas-Torres F, Labruna MB, Martins TF, Sponchiado J, de Sousa-Paula LC, Hannibal W, Krawczak FDS. Rickettsial Infection in Ticks from a National Park in the Cerrado Biome, Midwestern Brazil. Pathogens 2023; 13:13. [PMID: 38251322 PMCID: PMC10818336 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens13010013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2023] [Revised: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
This study was carried out from February 2020 to September 2021 in Parque Nacional das Emas (PNE), a national park located in the Cerrado biome, midwestern Brazil, as well as in surrounding rural properties. Serum and tick samples were collected from dogs, terrestrial small mammals, and humans. Ticks were also collected from the environment. Dogs were infested with Rhipicephalus linnaei adults, whereas small mammals were infested by immature stages of Amblyomma spp., Amblyomma triste, Amblyomma dubitatum, and Amblyomma coelebs. Ticks collected from vegetation belonged to several species of the genus Amblyomma, including A. coelebs, A. dubitatum, Amblyomma naponense, Amblyomma sculptum, and A. triste. Two Rickettsia species were molecularly detected in ticks: Rickettsia parkeri in A. triste from the vegetation and a Rickettsia sp. (designated Rickettsia sp. strain PNE) in A. sculptum and A. triste collected from lowland tapirs (Tapirus terrestris). Based on short gltA gene fragments, this rickettsial organism showed 99.7-100% to Rickettsia tillamookensis. Seroreactivity to Rickettsia antigens was detected in 21.9% of dogs, 15.4% of small mammals, and 23.5% of humans. The present study reveals the richness of ticks and demonstrates the circulation of rickettsial agents in one of the largest conservation units in the Cerrado biome in Brazil. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a rickettsial phylogenetically related to R. tillamookensis in Brazil.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raquel Loren dos Reis Paludo
- Setor de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva, Departamento de Medicina Veterinária, Escola de Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade Federal de Goiás—UFG, Goiânia 74690-900, Brazil; (R.L.d.R.P.); (W.V.d.F.P.); (L.C.N.); (L.G.F.d.P.); (N.J.d.L.); (B.B.F.d.S.); (B.G.P.); (G.T.P.)
- Centro Universitário de Mineiros—UNIFIMES, Mineiros 75833-130, Brazil
| | - Warley Vieira de Freitas Paula
- Setor de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva, Departamento de Medicina Veterinária, Escola de Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade Federal de Goiás—UFG, Goiânia 74690-900, Brazil; (R.L.d.R.P.); (W.V.d.F.P.); (L.C.N.); (L.G.F.d.P.); (N.J.d.L.); (B.B.F.d.S.); (B.G.P.); (G.T.P.)
| | - Lucianne Cardoso Neves
- Setor de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva, Departamento de Medicina Veterinária, Escola de Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade Federal de Goiás—UFG, Goiânia 74690-900, Brazil; (R.L.d.R.P.); (W.V.d.F.P.); (L.C.N.); (L.G.F.d.P.); (N.J.d.L.); (B.B.F.d.S.); (B.G.P.); (G.T.P.)
| | - Luiza Gabriella Ferreira de Paula
- Setor de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva, Departamento de Medicina Veterinária, Escola de Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade Federal de Goiás—UFG, Goiânia 74690-900, Brazil; (R.L.d.R.P.); (W.V.d.F.P.); (L.C.N.); (L.G.F.d.P.); (N.J.d.L.); (B.B.F.d.S.); (B.G.P.); (G.T.P.)
| | - Nicolas Jalowitzki de Lima
- Setor de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva, Departamento de Medicina Veterinária, Escola de Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade Federal de Goiás—UFG, Goiânia 74690-900, Brazil; (R.L.d.R.P.); (W.V.d.F.P.); (L.C.N.); (L.G.F.d.P.); (N.J.d.L.); (B.B.F.d.S.); (B.G.P.); (G.T.P.)
| | - Bianca Barbara Fonseca da Silva
- Setor de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva, Departamento de Medicina Veterinária, Escola de Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade Federal de Goiás—UFG, Goiânia 74690-900, Brazil; (R.L.d.R.P.); (W.V.d.F.P.); (L.C.N.); (L.G.F.d.P.); (N.J.d.L.); (B.B.F.d.S.); (B.G.P.); (G.T.P.)
| | - Brenda Gomes Pereira
- Setor de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva, Departamento de Medicina Veterinária, Escola de Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade Federal de Goiás—UFG, Goiânia 74690-900, Brazil; (R.L.d.R.P.); (W.V.d.F.P.); (L.C.N.); (L.G.F.d.P.); (N.J.d.L.); (B.B.F.d.S.); (B.G.P.); (G.T.P.)
| | - Gracielle Teles Pádua
- Setor de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva, Departamento de Medicina Veterinária, Escola de Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade Federal de Goiás—UFG, Goiânia 74690-900, Brazil; (R.L.d.R.P.); (W.V.d.F.P.); (L.C.N.); (L.G.F.d.P.); (N.J.d.L.); (B.B.F.d.S.); (B.G.P.); (G.T.P.)
| | - Filipe Dantas-Torres
- Departamento de Imunologia, Instituto Ageu Magalhães—IAM, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (Fiocruz), Recife 50740-465, Brazil;
| | - Marcelo B. Labruna
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo—USP, São Paulo 05508-270, Brazil; (M.B.L.); (T.F.M.)
| | - Thiago Fernandes Martins
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo—USP, São Paulo 05508-270, Brazil; (M.B.L.); (T.F.M.)
- Instituto Pasteur, Área Técnica de Doenças Vinculadas a Vetores e Hospedeiros Intermediários, Secretaria de Estado da Saúde de São Paulo, São Paulo 01027-000, Brazil
| | - Jonas Sponchiado
- Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia Farroupilha, Campus Alegrete, Alegrete 97541-000, Brazil;
| | - Lucas Christian de Sousa-Paula
- Tick-Pathogen Transmission Unit, Laboratory of Bacteriology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Hamilton, MT 59840, USA;
| | - Wellington Hannibal
- Laboratório de Ecologia e Biogeografia de Mamíferos, Universidade Estadual de Goiás—UEG, Quirinópolis 75860-000, Brazil;
| | - Felipe da Silva Krawczak
- Setor de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva, Departamento de Medicina Veterinária, Escola de Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade Federal de Goiás—UFG, Goiânia 74690-900, Brazil; (R.L.d.R.P.); (W.V.d.F.P.); (L.C.N.); (L.G.F.d.P.); (N.J.d.L.); (B.B.F.d.S.); (B.G.P.); (G.T.P.)
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9
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Krawczak FDS, Calchi AC, Neves LC, Dias SA, da Silva BBF, Paula WVDF, de Paula LGF, Tavares MA, Pádua GT, de Lima NJ, Cardoso ERN, Graziani D, Dantas-Torres F, André MR. Phylogenetic Inferences Based on Distinct Molecular Markers Confirm a Novel Babesia Species ( Babesia goianiaensis nov. sp.) in Capybaras ( Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris) and Associated Ticks. Microorganisms 2023; 11:2022. [PMID: 37630582 PMCID: PMC10459827 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11082022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2023] [Revised: 08/02/2023] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Piroplasmids (order Piroplasmida) are a diverse group of tick-borne protozoa that may cause disease in animals and occasionally in humans. Novel Piroplasmida clades and species have been found in wild animals from Brazil based on the phylogenetic assessment of near-complete 18S rRNA, mitochondrial and heat-shock protein genes. For instance, a putative novel Babesia species has been detected in capybaras and Amblyomma ticks in three Brazilian states. The present work aimed to describe, using phylogenetic assessments based on distinct molecular markers, this novel Babesia species in capybaras and associated ticks (Amblyomma sculptum and Amblyomma dubitatum) sampled in Goiânia city, Goiás state, midwestern Brazil. While the phylogenetic analysis based on both near-complete 18S rRNA and hsp-70 genes positioned the sequences obtained from capybara blood samples into a new clade sister to the Babesia sensu stricto clade, the phylogenetic inference based on the COX-3 amino acid positioned the obtained sequences from capybara blood samples and A. sculptum ticks also into a clade sister to the Theileria sensu stricto clade, highlighting the inappropriateness of this marker inferring evolutionary relationships among piroplasmids. Pairwise distance analysis demonstrated that the divergence rates between the 18S rRNA sequences detected in capybaras and other Piroplasmida already described were very high and ranged from 9.4 to 12.9%. Genotype analysis based on the near-full 18S rRNA sequences of the Piroplasmida detected in capybaras and associated ticks demonstrated the occurrence of high genotype diversity at an intra-species level. In conclusion, phylogenetic analyses based on distinct molecular markers supported the description of Babesia goianiaensis nov. sp. in capybaras and associated Amblyomma ticks. Additionally, a novel phylogenetic clade, apart from the previously described ones, was described in the present study and contributed to untangling the complex evolutionary history of the Piroplasmida.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felipe da Silva Krawczak
- Veterinary and Animal Science School, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia 74605-220, Brazil; (F.d.S.K.); (L.C.N.); (S.A.D.); (B.B.F.d.S.); (L.G.F.d.P.); (M.A.T.); (G.T.P.); (N.J.d.L.); (E.R.N.C.); (D.G.)
| | - Ana Cláudia Calchi
- Vector-Borne Bioagents Laboratory (VBBL), Department of Pathology, Reproduction and One Health, School of Agricultural and Veterinarian Sciences (FCAV), São Paulo State University (UNESP), Jaboticabal 14884-900, Brazil
| | - Lucianne Cardoso Neves
- Veterinary and Animal Science School, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia 74605-220, Brazil; (F.d.S.K.); (L.C.N.); (S.A.D.); (B.B.F.d.S.); (L.G.F.d.P.); (M.A.T.); (G.T.P.); (N.J.d.L.); (E.R.N.C.); (D.G.)
| | - Sarah Alves Dias
- Veterinary and Animal Science School, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia 74605-220, Brazil; (F.d.S.K.); (L.C.N.); (S.A.D.); (B.B.F.d.S.); (L.G.F.d.P.); (M.A.T.); (G.T.P.); (N.J.d.L.); (E.R.N.C.); (D.G.)
| | - Bianca Barbara Fonseca da Silva
- Veterinary and Animal Science School, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia 74605-220, Brazil; (F.d.S.K.); (L.C.N.); (S.A.D.); (B.B.F.d.S.); (L.G.F.d.P.); (M.A.T.); (G.T.P.); (N.J.d.L.); (E.R.N.C.); (D.G.)
| | - Warley Vieira de Freitas Paula
- Veterinary and Animal Science School, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia 74605-220, Brazil; (F.d.S.K.); (L.C.N.); (S.A.D.); (B.B.F.d.S.); (L.G.F.d.P.); (M.A.T.); (G.T.P.); (N.J.d.L.); (E.R.N.C.); (D.G.)
| | - Luiza Gabriella Ferreira de Paula
- Veterinary and Animal Science School, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia 74605-220, Brazil; (F.d.S.K.); (L.C.N.); (S.A.D.); (B.B.F.d.S.); (L.G.F.d.P.); (M.A.T.); (G.T.P.); (N.J.d.L.); (E.R.N.C.); (D.G.)
| | - Mariana Avelar Tavares
- Veterinary and Animal Science School, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia 74605-220, Brazil; (F.d.S.K.); (L.C.N.); (S.A.D.); (B.B.F.d.S.); (L.G.F.d.P.); (M.A.T.); (G.T.P.); (N.J.d.L.); (E.R.N.C.); (D.G.)
| | - Gracielle Teles Pádua
- Veterinary and Animal Science School, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia 74605-220, Brazil; (F.d.S.K.); (L.C.N.); (S.A.D.); (B.B.F.d.S.); (L.G.F.d.P.); (M.A.T.); (G.T.P.); (N.J.d.L.); (E.R.N.C.); (D.G.)
| | - Nicolas Jalowitzki de Lima
- Veterinary and Animal Science School, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia 74605-220, Brazil; (F.d.S.K.); (L.C.N.); (S.A.D.); (B.B.F.d.S.); (L.G.F.d.P.); (M.A.T.); (G.T.P.); (N.J.d.L.); (E.R.N.C.); (D.G.)
| | - Ennya Rafaella Neves Cardoso
- Veterinary and Animal Science School, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia 74605-220, Brazil; (F.d.S.K.); (L.C.N.); (S.A.D.); (B.B.F.d.S.); (L.G.F.d.P.); (M.A.T.); (G.T.P.); (N.J.d.L.); (E.R.N.C.); (D.G.)
| | - Daniel Graziani
- Veterinary and Animal Science School, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia 74605-220, Brazil; (F.d.S.K.); (L.C.N.); (S.A.D.); (B.B.F.d.S.); (L.G.F.d.P.); (M.A.T.); (G.T.P.); (N.J.d.L.); (E.R.N.C.); (D.G.)
| | - Filipe Dantas-Torres
- Laboratory of Immunoparasitology, Department of Immunology, Aggeu Magalhães Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), Recife 50740-465, Brazil;
| | - Marcos Rogério André
- Vector-Borne Bioagents Laboratory (VBBL), Department of Pathology, Reproduction and One Health, School of Agricultural and Veterinarian Sciences (FCAV), São Paulo State University (UNESP), Jaboticabal 14884-900, Brazil
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10
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Neves LC, Paula WVDF, de Paula LGF, da Silva BBF, Dias SA, Pereira BG, Silva BSA, Sevá ADP, Dantas-Torres F, Labruna MB, Krawczak FDS. Detection of Rickettsia spp. in Animals and Ticks in Midwestern Brazil, Where Human Cases of Rickettsiosis Were Reported. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:1288. [PMID: 37106851 PMCID: PMC10135036 DOI: 10.3390/ani13081288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2023] [Revised: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 04/04/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Brazilian spotted fever (BSF) is the most important tick-borne diseases affecting humans in Brazil. Cases of BSF have recently been reported in the Goiás state, midwestern Brazil. All cases have been confirmed by reference laboratories by seroconversion to Rickettsia rickettsii antigens. Because serological cross-reactions among different rickettsial species that belong to the spotted fever group (SFG) are common, the agent responsible for BSF cases in Goiás remains unknown. From March 2020 to April 2022, ticks and plasma were collected from dogs, horses and capybaras (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris), and from the vegetation in an area where BSF cases have been reported and two areas under epidemiological surveillance in Goiás. Horses were infested by Amblyomma sculptum, Dermacentor nitens and Rhipicephalus microplus; dogs by Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato (s.l.), Amblyomma ovale and A. sculptum, and capybaras by A. sculptum and Amblyomma dubitatum. Adults of A. sculptum, A. dubitatum, Amblyomma rotundatum and immature stages of A. sculptum and A. dubitatum, and Amblyomma spp. were collected from the vegetation. DNA of Rickettsia that did not belong to the SFG was detected in A. dubitatum, which was identified by DNA sequencing as Rickettsia bellii. Seroreactivity to SFG and Rickettsia bellii antigens was detected in 25.4% (42/165) of dogs, 22.7% (10/44) of horses and 41.2% (7/17) of capybaras, with higher titers for R. bellii in dogs and capybaras. The seropositivity of animals to SFG Rickettsia spp. antigens demonstrates the circulation of SFG rickettsiae in the region. Further research is needed to fully determine the agent responsible for rickettsiosis cases in this area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucianne Cardoso Neves
- Veterinary and Animal Science School, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia 74605-220, Brazil
| | | | | | | | - Sarah Alves Dias
- Veterinary and Animal Science School, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia 74605-220, Brazil
| | - Brenda Gomes Pereira
- Veterinary and Animal Science School, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia 74605-220, Brazil
| | - Bruno Sérgio Alves Silva
- Directorate of Surveillance in Zoonoses, Superintendence of Health Surveillance, Municipal Health Department, Goiânia 74891-135, Brazil
| | - Anaiá da Paixão Sevá
- Department of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Santa Cruz State University, Ilhéus 45662-900, Brazil
| | - Filipe Dantas-Torres
- Laboratory of Immunoparasitology, Department of Immunology, Aggeu Magalhães Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), Recife 50740-465, Brazil
| | - Marcelo B. Labruna
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine and Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-270, Brazil
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Krawczak FS, Binder LC, Gregori F, Martins TF, Pádua GT, Sponchiado J, Melo GL, Polo G, Labruna MB. ‘Candidatus Rickettsia andeanae’ and Probable Exclusion of Rickettsia parkeri in Ticks from Dogs in a Natural Area of the Pampa Biome in Brazil. Pathogens 2023; 12:pathogens12030446. [PMID: 36986368 PMCID: PMC10054268 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12030446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2023] [Revised: 03/06/2023] [Accepted: 03/09/2023] [Indexed: 03/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Spotted fever illness caused by the tick-borne pathogen Rickettsia parkeri has emerged in the Pampa biome in southern Brazil, where the tick Amblyomma tigrinum is implicated as the main vector. Because domestic dogs are commonly parasitized by A. tigrinum, this canid is also a suitable sentinel for R. parkeri-associated spotted fever. Herein, we investigate rickettsial infection in ticks, domestic dogs and small mammals in a natural reserve of the Pampa biome in southern Brazil. The ticks A. tigrinum, Amblyomma aureolatum and Rhipicephalus sanguineus were collected from dogs. Molecular analyses of ticks did not detect R. parkeri; however, at least 34% (21/61) of the A. tigrinum ticks were infected by the non-pathogenic agent ‘Candidatus Rickettsia andeanae’. Serological analyses revealed that only 14% and 3% of 36 dogs and 34 small mammals, respectively, were exposed to rickettsial antigens. These results indicate that the study area is not endemic for R. parkeri rickettsiosis. We tabulated 10 studies that reported rickettsial infection in A. tigrinum populations from South America. There was a strong negative correlation between the infection rates by R. parkeri and ‘Candidatus R. andeanae’ in A. tigrinum populations. We propose that high infection rates by ‘Candidatus R. andeanae’ might promote the exclusion of R. parkeri from A. tigrinum populations. The mechanisms for such exclusion are yet to be elucidated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felipe S. Krawczak
- Setor de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva, Departamento de Medicina Veterinária, Escola de Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Rod. Goiânia—Nova Veneza, km 8, Campus Samambaia, Goiânia 74690-900, GO, Brazil
- Correspondence: (F.S.K.); (M.B.L.)
| | - Lina C. Binder
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Prof. Orlando Marques de Paiva, 87, Cidade Universitária, São Paulo 05508-270, SP, Brazil
| | - Fábio Gregori
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Prof. Orlando Marques de Paiva, 87, Cidade Universitária, São Paulo 05508-270, SP, Brazil
| | - Thiago F. Martins
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Prof. Orlando Marques de Paiva, 87, Cidade Universitária, São Paulo 05508-270, SP, Brazil
| | - Gracielle T. Pádua
- Setor de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva, Departamento de Medicina Veterinária, Escola de Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Rod. Goiânia—Nova Veneza, km 8, Campus Samambaia, Goiânia 74690-900, GO, Brazil
| | - Jonas Sponchiado
- Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia Farroupilha, Campus Alegrete, Alegrete 97541-000, RS, Brazil
| | - Geruza L. Melo
- Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia Farroupilha, Campus Alegrete, Alegrete 97541-000, RS, Brazil
| | - Gina Polo
- Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Fundación Universitaria San Martin, Bogotá 110110, DC, Colombia
| | - Marcelo B. Labruna
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Prof. Orlando Marques de Paiva, 87, Cidade Universitária, São Paulo 05508-270, SP, Brazil
- Correspondence: (F.S.K.); (M.B.L.)
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12
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New Insights into the Taxonomy of Malacopsylloidea Superfamily (Siphonaptera) Based on Morphological, Molecular and Phylogenetic Characterization of Phthiropsylla agenoris (Malacopsyllidae) and Polygenis (Polygenis) rimatus (Rhopalopsyllidae). DIVERSITY 2023. [DOI: 10.3390/d15020308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/25/2023]
Abstract
From a phylogenetic point of view, the Malacopsyllidae family and the Rhopalopsillidae family (comprising Parapsyllinae and Rhopalopsyllinae subfamilies) have been traditionally classified within the Malacopsylloidea superfamily, mostly restricted to South America. The phylogenetic relationships and taxonomic status of Malacopsyllidae and Rhopalopsillidae have never been assessed since no molecular loci of Malacopsyllidae have been sequenced by any authors, and the phylogeny provided so far was not based on any sort of formal quantitative analysis of flea morphology. Based on these precedents, the objective of this study was to carry out a comparative phylogenetic, molecular and morphological study of two different species belonging to each family, Phthiropsylla agenoris (Malacopsylla) and Polygenis (Polygenis) rimatus (Rhopalopsyllidae, Rhopalopsyllinae). In this study, we demonstrated the usefulness of several morphological features as diagnostic characters to differentiate between P. (P.) rimatus and P. agenoris. Using molecular and phylogenetic data, we easily discriminated between the two taxa (P. agenoris and P. (P.) rimatus) by comparing both nuclear and mitochondrial markers. This fact proves the usefulness of ITS2, EF1−α, cox1, cytb and cox2 as molecular diagnostic markers to characterize and identify different Siphonaptera taxa. Additionally, the phylogenetic results confirm, for the first time, the monophyly of the Malacopsyllidae family and suggest a clear paraphyletic position of the Paraspsyllinae subfamily and, consequently, the Rhopalopsyllidae family.
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Neves LC, de Sousa-Paula LC, Dias SA, da Silva BBF, Paula WVDF, de Paula LGF, Pereira BG, Pádua GT, Borsanelli AC, Cardoso ERN, Krawczak FDS, Dantas-Torres F. Detection of an Undescribed Babesia sp. in Capybaras and Amblyomma Ticks in Central-Western Brazil. Animals (Basel) 2022; 13:ani13010094. [PMID: 36611703 PMCID: PMC9817508 DOI: 10.3390/ani13010094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2022] [Revised: 12/19/2022] [Accepted: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Capybaras (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris) are the largest rodents on Earth. While capybaras are hosts for various tick species, there is limited information regarding the tick-borne pathogens they can carry. We investigated the presence of piroplasmids and Ehrlichia spp. in capybaras and their associated ticks in two peri-urban areas in Goiás state, central-western Brazil. Blood samples collected from 23 capybaras were used to investigate the presence of piroplasmids and Ehrlichia spp. in stained-blood smears and by PCR. Ticks collected from the capybaras were identified morphologically and also tested using PCR for the same pathogens. A total of 955 ticks were collected, including 822 (86.1%) Amblyomma sculptum, 132 (13.8%) Amblyomma dubitatum, and one (0.1%) unidentified larva of Amblyomma sp. Neither the capybaras nor ticks were positive for Ehrlichia spp. However, a stained-blood smear examination revealed the presence of ring-stage and pyriform-shaped merozoites in the erythrocytes of one (4.4%) capybara. In the same way, 47.8% (11/23) and 19.9% (36/181) of blood samples and ticks, respectively, were positive for piroplasmids in the PCR. We successfully sequenced a partial 18S rRNA gene fragment of four samples (two capybaras, one A. sculptum, and one A. dubitatum), and the phylogenetic reconstruction disclosed that the organism reported in the present study clusters within the genus Babesia. Further research is required for a formal delineation of this species (designated as Babesia sp. strain Capybara) and to investigate the hypothesis of A. dubitatum and A. sculptum ticks being vectors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucianne Cardoso Neves
- Veterinary and Animal Science School, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia 74605-220, Brazil
| | - Lucas Christian de Sousa-Paula
- Laboratory of Immunoparasitology, Department of Immunology, Aggeu Magalhães Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), Recife 50740-465, Brazil
- Tick-Pathogen Transmission Unit, Laboratory of Bacteriology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Hamilton, MT 59840, USA
| | - Sarah Alves Dias
- Veterinary and Animal Science School, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia 74605-220, Brazil
| | | | | | | | - Brenda Gomes Pereira
- Veterinary and Animal Science School, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia 74605-220, Brazil
| | - Gracielle Teles Pádua
- Veterinary and Animal Science School, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia 74605-220, Brazil
| | - Ana Carolina Borsanelli
- Veterinary and Animal Science School, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia 74605-220, Brazil
| | | | | | - Filipe Dantas-Torres
- Laboratory of Immunoparasitology, Department of Immunology, Aggeu Magalhães Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), Recife 50740-465, Brazil
- Correspondence:
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Krawczak FDS, Binder LC, Sobotyk C, Costa FB, Gregori F, Martins TF, Pádua GT, Sponchiado J, Melo GL, Polo G, Labruna MB. Rickettsial infection in ticks from a natural area of Atlantic Forest biome in southern Brazil. EXPERIMENTAL & APPLIED ACAROLOGY 2022; 88:371-386. [PMID: 36344862 DOI: 10.1007/s10493-022-00754-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2022] [Accepted: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
From June 2013 to January 2014, blood sera samples and ticks were collected from domestic dogs and wild small mammals, and ticks from the vegetation in a preservation area of the Atlantic Forest biome (Turvo State Park), and the rural area surrounding the Park in Derrubadas municipality, state of Rio Grande do Sul, southern Brazil. Dogs were infested by Amblyomma ovale and Amblyomma aureolatum adult ticks, whereas small mammals were infested by immature stages of A. ovale, Amblyomma yucumense, Amblyomma brasiliense, Ixodes loricatus, and adults of I. loricatus. Ticks collected on vegetation were A. brasiliense, A. ovale, A. yucumense, Amblyomma incisum, and Haemaphysalis juxtakochi. Three Rickettsia species were molecularly detected in ticks: Rickettsia bellii in I. loricatus (also isolated through cell culture inoculation), Rickettsia amblyommatis in A. brasiliense, and Rickettsia rhipicephali in A. yucumense. The latter two are tick-rickettsia associations reported for the first time. Seroreactivity to Rickettsia antigens were detected in 33.5% (55/164) small mammals and 8.3% (3/36) canine sera. The present study reveals a richness of ticks and associated-rickettsiae in the largest Atlantic Forest Reserve of the state of Rio Grande do Sul, which is characterized by a rich fauna of wild mammals, typical of more preserved areas of this biome. Noteworthy, none of the detected Rickettsia species have been associated to human or animal diseases. This result contrasts to other areas of this biome in Brazil, which are endemic for tick-borne spotted fever caused by Rickettsia rickettsii or Rickettsia parkeri.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felipe da Silva Krawczak
- Setor de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva, Departamento de Medicina Veterinária, Escola de Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Rod. Goiânia - Nova Veneza, km8, Campus Samambaia, 74690-900, Goiânia, GO, Brazil.
| | - Lina C Binder
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Prof. Orlando Marques de Paiva, 87, Cidade Universitária, 05508-270, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Caroline Sobotyk
- Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 19104, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Francisco B Costa
- Departamento de Patologia, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Estadual do Maranhão, São Luís, MA, Brazil
| | - Fábio Gregori
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Prof. Orlando Marques de Paiva, 87, Cidade Universitária, 05508-270, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Thiago F Martins
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Prof. Orlando Marques de Paiva, 87, Cidade Universitária, 05508-270, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Gracielle T Pádua
- Setor de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva, Departamento de Medicina Veterinária, Escola de Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Rod. Goiânia - Nova Veneza, km8, Campus Samambaia, 74690-900, Goiânia, GO, Brazil
| | - Jonas Sponchiado
- Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia Farroupilha, Campus Alegrete, Alegrete, RS, Brazil
| | - Geruza L Melo
- Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia Farroupilha, Campus Alegrete, Alegrete, RS, Brazil
| | - Gina Polo
- Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia. Fundación Universitaria San Martin, Bogotá DC, Colombia
| | - Marcelo B Labruna
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Prof. Orlando Marques de Paiva, 87, Cidade Universitária, 05508-270, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
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15
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André MR, Calchi AC, Perles L, Gonçalves LR, Uccella L, Lemes JRB, Nantes WAG, Santos FM, Porfírio GEDO, Barros-Battesti DM, Herrera HM, Machado RZ. Novel Ehrlichia and Hepatozoon genotypes in white-eared opossums (Didelphis albiventris) and associated ticks from Brazil. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2022; 13:102022. [PMID: 35973262 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2022.102022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2021] [Revised: 07/21/2022] [Accepted: 08/05/2022] [Indexed: 10/31/2022]
Abstract
White-eared opossums (Didelphis albiventris) are well adapted to anthropized areas. The increased contact with domestic animals and humans mediates the transmission of arthropod-borne pathogens. Despite the worldwide occurrence of tick-borne Anaplasmataceae and Hepatozoidae species in a variety of vertebrates, few studies reported serological evidence or molecular detection of theses agentes in marsupials. Up to now, while Ehrlichia/Anaplasma spp. have only been detected in marsupials from Brazil, Hepatozoon spp. have been reported in marsupials from Chile, Australia and Brazil. The present work aimed to investigate, using molecular techniques and blood smear analysis, the presence of Ehrlichia spp., Anaplasma spp., and Hepatozoon sp. in the blood and ticks collected from D. albiventris in urban forest fragments from midwestern Brazil. Between May and December 2017, 43 D. albiventris (27 males and 16 females) were captured for blood and tick collection in the city of Campo Grande, state of Mato Grosso do Sul, midwestern Brazil. Ticks (46 Amblyomma dubitatum nymphs and 24 Amblyomma spp. larvae) were collected from 14 out 43 (32.5%) of the white-eared opossums. Panoptic-stained blood smears were performed using peripheral blood (tail tip) of the captured opossums. DNA extracted from blood and tick samples were subjected to PCR/qPCR assays for Anaplasmataceae agents (rrs, gltA, groEL, sodB, and dsb genes, and 23S-5S intergenic region) and Hepatozoon spp. (18S rRNA gene), followed by Sanger sequencing, BLASTn and phylogenetic analyses. An inclusion resembling Ehrlichia morulae was found in a white-eared opossum's monocyte from a blood smear stained with Panoptic. Five (11.63% [5/43]) white-eared opossums' blood samples and 7 (25% [7/28]) tick samples (2 pools of Amblyomma spp. larvae and 5 pools of A. dubitatum nymphs) were positive for Anaplasmataceae via a PCR assay targeting the conserved rrs gene. Phylogenetic analysis based on the rrs gene positioned three sequences obtained from opossums and ticks together as a subclade within the Ehrlichia canis clade. However, all samples were negative in a qPCR assay specific for E. canis based on the dsb gene. Phylogenetic analyses positioned the gltA and 23S-5S ITS sequences obtained from opossums' blood samples in a separate clade from the other validated Ehrlichia species. One (2.3% [1/43]) opossum blood sample was positive for the 18S rRNA gene of Hepatozoon sp. The phylogenetic analysis positioned the Hepatozoon sp. sequence obtained from a D. albiventris specimen in a clade with a sequence previously detected in a black storm petrel (Oceanodroma melania) from Mexico. All the other sequences of Hepatozoon sp. previously detected in marsupials from Brazil were positioned in a separated clade. The present work showed the occurrence of putative novel genotypes of Ehrlichia sp. and Hepatozoon sp. in white-eared opossums and associated A. dubitatum ticks from midwestern Brazil.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcos Rogério André
- Laboratório de Imunoparasitologia, Departamento de Patologia, Reprodução e Saúde Única, Universidade Estadual Paulista "Júlio de Mesquita Filho", Jaboticabal, São Paulo, Brazil.
| | - Ana Cláudia Calchi
- Laboratório de Imunoparasitologia, Departamento de Patologia, Reprodução e Saúde Única, Universidade Estadual Paulista "Júlio de Mesquita Filho", Jaboticabal, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Livia Perles
- Laboratório de Imunoparasitologia, Departamento de Patologia, Reprodução e Saúde Única, Universidade Estadual Paulista "Júlio de Mesquita Filho", Jaboticabal, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Luiz Ricardo Gonçalves
- Laboratório de Imunoparasitologia, Departamento de Patologia, Reprodução e Saúde Única, Universidade Estadual Paulista "Júlio de Mesquita Filho", Jaboticabal, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Lucas Uccella
- Laboratório de Imunoparasitologia, Departamento de Patologia, Reprodução e Saúde Única, Universidade Estadual Paulista "Júlio de Mesquita Filho", Jaboticabal, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Jhessye Rafaela Batista Lemes
- Laboratório de Imunoparasitologia, Departamento de Patologia, Reprodução e Saúde Única, Universidade Estadual Paulista "Júlio de Mesquita Filho", Jaboticabal, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Wesley Arruda Gimenes Nantes
- Laboratório de Biologia Parasitária, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Ambientais e Sustentabilidade Agropecuária, Universidade Católica Dom Bosco, Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
| | - Filipe Martins Santos
- Laboratório de Biologia Parasitária, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Ambientais e Sustentabilidade Agropecuária, Universidade Católica Dom Bosco, Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
| | - Grasiela Edith de Oliveira Porfírio
- Laboratório de Biologia Parasitária, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Ambientais e Sustentabilidade Agropecuária, Universidade Católica Dom Bosco, Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
| | - Darci Moraes Barros-Battesti
- Laboratório de Imunoparasitologia, Departamento de Patologia, Reprodução e Saúde Única, Universidade Estadual Paulista "Júlio de Mesquita Filho", Jaboticabal, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Heitor Miraglia Herrera
- Laboratório de Biologia Parasitária, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Ambientais e Sustentabilidade Agropecuária, Universidade Católica Dom Bosco, Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
| | - Rosangela Zacarias Machado
- Laboratório de Imunoparasitologia, Departamento de Patologia, Reprodução e Saúde Única, Universidade Estadual Paulista "Júlio de Mesquita Filho", Jaboticabal, São Paulo, Brazil
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Antibody Prevalence and Risk Factors Associated with Rickettsia spp. in a Pediatric Cohort: SFGR Remains Underdiagnosed and Underreported in El Salvador. Pathogens 2022; 11:pathogens11111241. [DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11111241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2022] [Revised: 10/24/2022] [Accepted: 10/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Spotted fever group rickettsioses (SFGR) are caused by a group of tick-borne pathogens that are increasing in incidence globally. These diseases are typically underreported and undiagnosed in low- and middle-income countries, and thus, have been classified as neglected bacterial pathogens. Countries with high poverty, low human development index score, and limited health infrastructure—like El Salvador in Central America—lack necessary surveillance for SFGR and other tick-borne pathogens. This paucity of baseline SFGR infection prevalence leaves vulnerable populations at risk of misdiagnosis. Further, tick-borne disease burdens in El Salvador are severely limited. To lay the foundation for tick-borne disease epidemiology in El Salvador, our team conducted two different enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) on banked human sera samples from a cohort of approximately 1000 pediatric participants from a high-risk vector-borne disease population. Eleven percent of all tested banked pediatric sera were positive for at least one ELISA assay at the time of enrollment: 10.7% were positive for only IgM antibodies (acute SFGR infection), and 2.5% were positive for IgG antibodies (a past SFGR infection). Older, male, children enrolled during the wet season, with a household history of infectious disease and higher maternal education level had higher odds of SFGR antibodies. Additionally, children from households with domestic poultry birds and previous knowledge of other vector-borne diseases had significantly reduced odds of SFGR antibodies. The large percentage of acute SFGR infections indicates that it continues to remain an underreported and undiagnosed issue in El Salvador and the Central American region. Much is still unknown regarding the complexity of the tick, animal host, and human host ecology transmission cycle of SFGR in El Salvador.
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Orozco AMO, Bento LD, Souto PC, Girardi FM, Nogueira BCF, Yamatogi RS, Campos AK, Cray C, Montiani-Ferreira F, Collere FCM, Vieira TSWJ, Vieira RFDC, da Fonseca LA. ' Candidatus Mycoplasma Haemoalbiventris' and Tick-Borne Pathogens in Black-Eared Opossum ( Didelphis aurita) from Southeastern Brazil. Microorganisms 2022; 10:microorganisms10101955. [PMID: 36296231 PMCID: PMC9611284 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10101955] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2022] [Revised: 09/26/2022] [Accepted: 09/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
The black-eared opossum (Didelphis aurita) is a South American synanthropic marsupial. The presence of opossums in domestic spaces is relevant in the One-Health context since they are hosts of pathogens and ectoparasites that may affect the health of domestic animals and humans. In this study, we aim to determine the occurrence of hemoplasmas and selected tick-borne pathogens in free-ranging black-eared opossums, along with their molecular characterization, hematological and biochemical evaluation and factors associated with infection, in the municipality of Viçosa, State of Minas Gerais, southeastern Brazil. Thirty black-eared opossums were trapped between March 2021 and June 2022. Ectoparasites were collected. Hematological and biochemical analyses were performed. DNA from EDTA-blood samples were analyzed by PCR and qPCR assays. By molecular analyses, 'Candidatus Mycoplasma haemoalbiventris' was the most prevalent hemoparasite (73.3%), followed by Hepatozoon sp. (22.2%). Significant differences were observed in the number of platelets, and in the concentration of protein and globulins in the animals infected by 'Ca. M. haemoalbiventris' when compared with the negative group. This is the first report of 'Ca. M. haemoalbiventris' infection in D. aurita.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Lucas Drumond Bento
- Veterinary Departament, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa 36570-900, Brazil
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Carolyn Cray
- Division of Comparative Pathology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | | | - Flávia Carolina Meira Collere
- Vector-Borne Diseases Laboratory, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Universidade Federal do Paraná, Curitiba 80035-050, Brazil
| | | | - Rafael Felipe da Costa Vieira
- Vector-Borne Diseases Laboratory, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Universidade Federal do Paraná, Curitiba 80035-050, Brazil
- Global One Health initiative (GOHi), The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
- Correspondence: (R.F.d.C.V.); (L.A.d.F.)
| | - Leandro Abreu da Fonseca
- Veterinary Departament, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa 36570-900, Brazil
- Correspondence: (R.F.d.C.V.); (L.A.d.F.)
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18
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Rocha JM, de Oliveira PB, da Costa-Neto SF, Ogrzewalska MH, Martins TF, Faccini JLH, Alvarez MRDV, Luz HR, Albuquerque GR. Molecular Detection of Rickettsia parkeri Strain Atlantic Rainforest in Ticks Parasitizing Small Mammals in Northeastern Brazil. Acta Parasitol 2022; 67:1657-1666. [PMID: 36125653 DOI: 10.1007/s11686-022-00617-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2022] [Accepted: 09/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Small mammals are important reservoirs of ticks and their pathogens in nature. However, studies reporting these associations are still rare in Brazil. In the present study, we investigated the presence of Rickettsia DNA in ticks parasitizing rodents and marsupials captured in different areas throughout the Atlantic rainforest biome, Bahia, Northeastern (NE), Brazil. METHODS The study was conducted in five municipalities within of the Atlantic Forest biome, Bahia state, in NE Brazil. Two campaigns were done in each municipality. For host captures Sherman and Tomahawk traps were used, and pitfall traps. After being captured, the hosts were anesthetized and their entire body examined for ticks. When ticks were detected, they were manually removed and stored in eppendorf tubes (1.5 ml) containing absolute PA ethanol for future laboratory analysis (identification of ticks and detection of Rickettsia spp.). RESULTS A total of 609 mammals were captured. Overall, 208 ticks of the genus Amblyomma and Ixodes were collected: A. ovale, I. loricatus and A. varium. Rickettsia DNA was detected in A. ovale and it was 99-100% of identity to the sequence deposited in GenBank as Rickettsia parkeri strain Atlantica rainforest. CONCLUSION These results suggest that R. parkeri strain Atlantic rainforest occurs in the region, and A. ovale is likely the vector.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josiane M Rocha
- Postgraduate Program in Animal Science. State University of Santa Cruz, UESC, Ilhéus, BA, Brazil
| | - Philipe B de Oliveira
- Department of Animal Parasitology, Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro, UFRRJ, Seropédica, RJ, Brazil
| | | | | | - Thiago F Martins
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine and Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - João L H Faccini
- Department of Animal Parasitology, Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro, UFRRJ, Seropédica, RJ, Brazil
| | - Martin R D V Alvarez
- Department of Biological Sciences (DCB), Mammal Collection (CMARF), State University of Santa Curz (UESC), Ilhéus, Bahia, Brazil
| | - Hermes R Luz
- Postgraduate Program in Health and Environment, and Biodiversity and Conservation, Federal University of Maranhão, São Luís, MA, Brazil.
| | - George R Albuquerque
- Postgraduate Program in Animal Science. State University of Santa Cruz, UESC, Ilhéus, BA, Brazil
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Gonçalves ES, Cordeiro MD, Dos Santos LMR, Araújo IM, da Fonseca AH, Labruna MB, Guedes E. Research of Rickettsia spp. and Borrelia spp. in dogs in Southeast Brazil. Vet Parasitol Reg Stud Reports 2022; 30:100706. [PMID: 35431064 DOI: 10.1016/j.vprsr.2022.100706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2021] [Revised: 12/01/2021] [Accepted: 02/12/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Dogs are important in the epidemiology of tick-borne diseases, playing a significant role mainly in endemic areas of rickettsiosis and borreliosis, and serving as sentinels in epidemiological surveys. We analyzed the distribution of Rickettsia and Borrelia spp. in dogs and their ticks in the municipalities of Guaxupé, Minas Gerais, and Tapiratiba, São Paulo, Brazil, two areas non-endemic for Baggio-Yoshinari Syndrome (BYS) and rickettsiosis. Serum from 242 dogs of different ages (>12 months) and breeds were tested by the Indirect Immunofluorescence Assay (IFA) using specific antigens for Rickettsia rickettsii, Rickettsia parkeri, Rickettsia amblyommatis, Rickettsia rhipicephali, and Rickettsia bellii, and by an indirect Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) for the detection of homologous IgG antibodies against Borrelia burgdorferi American strain G39/40. Ticks were collected from the animals and subjected to PCR and nested PCR for detection of Rickettsia spp. (synthase citrate gene) and Borrelia spp. (flagellin gene). Serological data showed that 7.85% (19/242) of the analyzed dogs were seropositive for at least one of the five Rickettsia antigens tested; one (0.41%) was considered seropositive for R. parkeri (1:64) and one (0.41%) for R. rickettsii (1:256). Nine (3.72%) were considered seropositive for R. bellii and one (0.41%) for R. amblyommatis; a seroprevalence of 13.64% (33/242) for IgG class immunoreactive antibodies against B. burgdorferi was observed. A total of 148 ticks were collected from the dogs; among these 3.40% were identified as larvae of the genus Rhipicephalus and 0.70% of the genus Amblyomma; 89.8% were identified as Rhipicephalus sanguineus, 4.70% Amblyomma sculptum and 1.40% Amblyomma ovale; all negative for PCR of Rickettsia spp. and nested PCR for Borrelia spp.. The serological findings of this study suggest the circulation of Rickettsiae associated with the spotted fever group and vector ticks, just like Borrelia spp. in a non-endemic Brazilian area, drawing attention to the possibility of a zoonotic cycle in the region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elaine Santana Gonçalves
- Postgraduate Program in Reproduction, Health and Animal Welfare of the José do Rosário Vellano University (UNIFENAS), Alfenas, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
| | - Matheus Dias Cordeiro
- Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases of the Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRRJ), Brazil
| | | | - Izabela Mesquita Araújo
- Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases of the Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRRJ), Brazil
| | | | - Marcelo Bahia Labruna
- Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Zootechny, University of São Paulo (USP), Brazil
| | - Elizângela Guedes
- Postgraduate Program in Reproduction, Health and Animal Welfare of the José do Rosário Vellano University (UNIFENAS), Alfenas, Minas Gerais, Brazil
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Urdapilleta M, Pech-May A, Lamattina D, Burgos EF, Balcazar DE, Ferrari WAO, Lareschi M, Salomón OD. Ecology of fleas and their hosts in the trifinio of north-east Argentina: first detection of Rickettsia asembonensis in Ctenocephalides felis felis in Argentina. MEDICAL AND VETERINARY ENTOMOLOGY 2022; 36:20-29. [PMID: 34455608 DOI: 10.1111/mve.12546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2021] [Revised: 07/02/2021] [Accepted: 08/10/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Fleas are important in public health due to their role as parasites and vectors of pathogens, including Rickettsia. The aim of this study was to evaluate the diversity, abundance and prevalence of fleas and the presence of Rickettsia in the trifinio of north-east Argentina. Fleas from household and synanthropic animals were obtained from urban and periurban areas. They were taxonomically identified and samples of 227 fleas in 86 pools were analysed by polymerase chain reaction targeting the gltA and ompB genes of Rickettsia spp. The study revealed that Ctenocephalides felis felis was dominant on dogs, cats and opossums, with higher prevalence in the periurban area. The Shannon-Wiener and Morisita-Horn indices expressed differences in the diversity and similarity values of the absolute abundances of the species between the areas compared. DNA amplifications revealed 30.8% C. f. felis pools positive for Rickettsia spp. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the haplotype obtained was identical to Rickettsia asembonensis from Peru and Brazil. This is the first detection in Argentina of R. asembonensis that infects C. f. felis, and we emphasize the importance of conducting research from a 'One Health' perspective on the role of opossums and rodents in the integration of the transmission cycles of rickettsial bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Urdapilleta
- Instituto Nacional de Medicina Tropical (INMeT-ANLIS) (Ministerio de Salud de la Nación), Puerto Iguazú, Misiones, Argentina
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Argentina
| | - A Pech-May
- Instituto Nacional de Medicina Tropical (INMeT-ANLIS) (Ministerio de Salud de la Nación), Puerto Iguazú, Misiones, Argentina
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Argentina
| | - D Lamattina
- Instituto Nacional de Medicina Tropical (INMeT-ANLIS) (Ministerio de Salud de la Nación), Puerto Iguazú, Misiones, Argentina
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Argentina
| | - E F Burgos
- Instituto Nacional de Medicina Tropical (INMeT-ANLIS) (Ministerio de Salud de la Nación), Puerto Iguazú, Misiones, Argentina
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Argentina
| | - D E Balcazar
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Argentina
- Centro de Estudios Parasitológicos y de Vectores (CEPAVE-CONICET-UNLP), La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - W A O Ferrari
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Argentina
- Instituto de Biotecnología Ambiental y Salud (INBIAS-CONICET-UNRC), Córdoba, Argentina
| | - M Lareschi
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Argentina
- Centro de Estudios Parasitológicos y de Vectores (CEPAVE-CONICET-UNLP), La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - O D Salomón
- Instituto Nacional de Medicina Tropical (INMeT-ANLIS) (Ministerio de Salud de la Nación), Puerto Iguazú, Misiones, Argentina
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Argentina
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Diversity and Seasonal Dynamics of Ticks on Ring-Tailed Coatis Nasua nasua (Carnivora: Procyonidae) in Two Urban Areas from Midwestern Brazil. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12030293. [PMID: 35158617 PMCID: PMC8833741 DOI: 10.3390/ani12030293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2021] [Revised: 01/18/2022] [Accepted: 01/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The knowledge of the dynamics of ticks in wild animals is essential for surveillance of tick-borne diseases. Coatis (Nasua nasua) are mammals that easily adapt to anthropized areas, favoring close contact with domestic animals and humans, favoring the exchange of ticks and tick-borne agents. The present study aimed to investigate the tick diversity on coatis from forest urban areas of midwestern Brazil, as well as the dynamics of ticks during the seasons of the year and the correlation between tick species and gender and age of the sampled coatis. Three tick species were identified parasitizing coatis from forested urban fragments, namely A. dubitatum nymphs, A. sculptum adults and nymphs, and A. ovale adults. After analyzing the obtained results, it is likely that coatis from anthropized areas present tick species diversity lower than those from natural landscapes. The mean intensity and prevalence of Amblyomma larvae and nymphs is similar among males and females as well as in immature and mature animals, which might reflect the gregarious behavior of coatis, since adult males live together with females and offspring outside and inside the mating season, forming large groups of individuals. Abstract Understanding the diversity and ecology of ectoparasites in wild animals is essential for surveillance of vector-borne diseases. Coatis (Nasua nasua) easily adapt to anthropized areas, favoring close contact with domestic animals and humans, with the possibility of exchange of ectoparasites and pathogens. The present study aimed to identify the diversity of ticks parasitizing coatis from forest urban areas of midwestern Brazil, to evaluate the seasonal dynamics of ticks during the seasons of the year, and to assess the correlation between tick species and gender and age of the sampled coatis. For this purpose, 103 coatis were captured in two Conservation areas, both located in Campo Grande city, Mato Grosso do Sul state, Midwestern Brazil. The animals’ entire body was inspected for the presence of ectoparasites, and ticks were removed for taxonomic identification. In total, 168 captures were performed in both areas during the observational study considering the first capture and recaptures. In total, 2242 ticks were collected: 838 Amblyomma larvae, 1241 A. sculptum nymphs, and 150 A. dubitatum nymphs. Thirteen adult ticks were identified as three males and five females of A. sculptum and two males and three females of A. ovale. While a quantity of Amblyomma larvae was observed in the first months of the year (January, April and May), Amblyomma nymphs showed a higher quantity during the months of July, August, October and November. No statistical difference was observed when comparing mean intensity and prevalence of Amblyomma larvae, nymphs of A. sculptum and A. dubitatum between the two sampled areas, males vs. females and immature vs. mature animals. In conclusion, three tick species were identified parasitizing coatis from forested urban fragments in midwestern Brazil, namely A. dubitatum nymphs, A. sculptum adults and nymphs, and A. ovale adults. Coatis from anthropized areas seem to present tick species diversity lower than those from natural areas. The lack of statistical difference regarding mean intensity and prevalence of Amblyomma larvae and nymphs between males vs. females and immature vs. mature animals might have reflected the gregarious behavior of coatis, since adult males live together with females and offspring outside and inside the mating season, forming large groups of individuals.
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Raimundo JM, Guimarães A, Amaro GM, Silva ATD, Rodrigues CJBC, Santos HA, Lemos ERSD, Favacho ARDM, Baldani CD. Prevalence of Bartonella species in shelter cats and their ectoparasites in southeastern Brazil. REVISTA BRASILEIRA DE PARASITOLOGIA VETERINARIA = BRAZILIAN JOURNAL OF VETERINARY PARASITOLOGY : ORGAO OFICIAL DO COLEGIO BRASILEIRO DE PARASITOLOGIA VETERINARIA 2022; 31:e014221. [PMID: 35195184 PMCID: PMC9901869 DOI: 10.1590/s1984-29612022006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2021] [Accepted: 12/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Feline Bartonella can be transmitted to humans through cat scratches or bites, and between cats, by the flea Ctenocephalides felis. The study was carried out in order to investigate the occurrence of Bartonella DNA in cats living in shelters and their ectoparasites and the relationship between the infection status of cats and ectoparasites they host. Bartonella DNA was detected in 47.8% of the cat blood samples, 18.3% of C. felis fleas, 13.3% of flea egg pools and 12.5% of lice pools. B. henselae and B. clarridgeiae DNA were detected in cat fleas, while B. henselae, B. clarridgeiae and B. koehlerae were found in blood samples from bacteremic cats. Cats infested by positive ectoparasites showed approximately twice the odds of being infected. Our results indicate that shelter cats have high prevalence of Bartonella species that are known to be human pathogens. This highlights the importance of controlling infestations by ectoparasites to avoid cat and human infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliana Macedo Raimundo
- Laboratório de Patologia Clínica Veterinária, Departamento de Medicina e Cirurgia Veterinária, Instituto de Veterinária, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro - UFRRJ, Seropédica, RJ, Brasil
| | - Andresa Guimarães
- Laboratório de Patologia Clínica Veterinária, Departamento de Medicina e Cirurgia Veterinária, Instituto de Veterinária, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro - UFRRJ, Seropédica, RJ, Brasil
| | - Gleice Marques Amaro
- Laboratório de Patologia Clínica Veterinária, Departamento de Medicina e Cirurgia Veterinária, Instituto de Veterinária, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro - UFRRJ, Seropédica, RJ, Brasil
| | - Aline Tonussi da Silva
- Laboratório de Patologia Clínica Veterinária, Departamento de Medicina e Cirurgia Veterinária, Instituto de Veterinária, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro - UFRRJ, Seropédica, RJ, Brasil
| | - Caio Junior Balduino Coutinho Rodrigues
- Laboratório de Controle Microbiano, Departamento de Parasitologia Animal, Instituto de Veterinária, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro - UFRRJ, Seropédica, RJ, Brasil
| | - Huarrisson Azevedo Santos
- Laboratório de Sanidade Avícola, Departamento de Epidemiologia e Saúde Pública, Instituto de Veterinária, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro - UFRRJ, Seropédica, RJ, Brasil
| | | | | | - Cristiane Divan Baldani
- Laboratório de Patologia Clínica Veterinária, Departamento de Medicina e Cirurgia Veterinária, Instituto de Veterinária, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro - UFRRJ, Seropédica, RJ, Brasil
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Yang SGNDS, Souza DDSE, Santiago ACDS, Silva RBS, Melo MAD, Souza EARD, Labruna MB, Horta MC, Oliveira JBD. Rickettsial infection in free-ranging capybaras (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris) and their ticks (Acari, Ixodidae) in the Caatinga and Atlantic forest biomes, Northeastern Brazil. Vet Parasitol Reg Stud Reports 2021; 26:100649. [PMID: 34879960 DOI: 10.1016/j.vprsr.2021.100649] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2021] [Revised: 08/12/2021] [Accepted: 09/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Caatinga and Atlantic Forest are Brazilian biomes threatened by anthropogenic disturbances, which are a serious threat to biodiversity and favor the emergence of zoonotic pathogens. Capybara populations are increasingly present in urban and rural areas due to the loss of their natural habitats. There are no studies on the rickettsial infection in these rodents in Northeastern Brazil, although there are case records of Brazilian Spotted Fever (BSF) in this region. In this context, we evaluated rickettsial infection in capybaras and their ticks in four areas of the Atlantic Forest and Caatinga biomes in Northeastern Brazil. Blood sera from 21 capybaras were tested by indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) using Rickettsia rickettsii, R. parkeri, and R. amblyommatis antigens. Blood samples and ticks (Amblyomma sp., Amblyomma dubitatum and Amblyomma sculptum) were tested by PCR, targeting a fragment of the rickettsial gltA gene and R. bellii primers. Overall, 15 out of 21 capybaras (71.4%) reacted positively (titer ≥64) to at least one of the three Rickettsia antigens tested, with final titers ranging from 64 to 1024. No rickettsial DNA was found in capybara blood samples. Rickettsial DNA was detected in 22 of 31 adult tick pools using gltA gene, being all nine pools of A. sculptum and 16 of the 19 of A. dubitatum, but all samples were negative to R. bellii specific primers. All attempts to sequence the amplicon were unsuccessful, indicating a possible low rickettsial load in the tick samples. The present study reports for the first time the serological evidence of Rickettsia spp. infection in free-ranging capybaras and suggest the rickettsial infection in A. sculptum and A. dubitatum in the Caatinga and Atlantic Forest biomes in Northeastern Brazil.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Dênisson da Silva E Souza
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biociência Animal, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Pernambuco, Brazil
| | - Ana Cláudia da Silva Santiago
- Laboratório de Parasitologia, Departamento de Biologia, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Pernambuco, Brazil
| | - Raizza Barros Sousa Silva
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular do Semiárido, Centro de Saúde e Tecnologia Rural, Universidade Federal de Campina Grande (UFCG), Paraíba, Brazil
| | - Márcia Almeida de Melo
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular do Semiárido, Centro de Saúde e Tecnologia Rural, Universidade Federal de Campina Grande (UFCG), Paraíba, Brazil
| | - Eline Almeida Rodrigues de Souza
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biociência Animal, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Pernambuco, Brazil; Laboratório de Doenças Parasitárias, Universidade Federal do Vale do São Francisco, Pernambuco, Brazil
| | - Marcelo Bahia Labruna
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Mauricio Claudio Horta
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biociência Animal, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Pernambuco, Brazil; Laboratório de Doenças Parasitárias, Universidade Federal do Vale do São Francisco, Pernambuco, Brazil
| | - Jaqueline Bianque de Oliveira
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biociência Animal, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Pernambuco, Brazil; Laboratório de Parasitologia, Departamento de Biologia, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Pernambuco, Brazil; Programa de Educação Tutorial do Bacharelado em Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Pernambuco, Brazil.
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Tick-borne zoonotic agents infecting horses from an urban area in Midwestern Brazil: epidemiological and hematological features. Trop Anim Health Prod 2021; 53:475. [PMID: 34553290 PMCID: PMC8457776 DOI: 10.1007/s11250-021-02887-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2021] [Accepted: 09/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
The emergence of tick-borne diseases has been reported as a serious problem in public health worldwide and many aspects of its epidemiology and effects on the health of its hosts are unclear. We aimed to perform an epidemiological study of tick-borne zoonotic Rickettsia, Borrelia, and Anaplasmataceae in horses from Midwestern Brazil. We also evaluated whether Borrelia spp. and Anaplasmataceae may be associated with hematological disorders in the sampled animals. Blood and serum samples as well as ticks were collected from 262 horses. Serum samples were used to perform serological tests, and hematological analyses were made using whole blood. Furthermore, DNA extracted from whole blood and ticks was used for molecular tests. Campo Grande is enzootic for tick-borne studied bacteria, since we found an overall exposure of 59.9% of the sampled horses, 28.7% of them presented co-exposure. Seropositivity rates of 20.6% for Borrelia spp., 25.6% for Rickettsia spp., and 31.6% for Anaplasmataceae were found in the sampled horses. Considering both molecular and serological tests for Borrelia spp., the infection rate was 48.0% (126/262). None of the tested horses showed molecular positivity for Anaplasma phagocytophilum. The horses sampled displayed 7.2% of parasitism by ixodid ticks in single and coinfestations. We did not find DNA of any studied bacteria in the sampled ticks. Positive horses for Borrelia spp. and Anaplasmataceae agents displayed leukopenia, monocytopenia, and lymphopenia. Together, our results suggest that horses may play a role as sentinel host for zoonotic bacteria and Borrelia spp. and Anaplasmataceae agents can impair the health of horses.
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Serpa MCDA, Luz HR, Costa FB, Weck BC, Benatti HR, Martins TF, Correa LS, Ramirez DG, Rocha V, Dias TC, Correa LR, Brasil J, Brites-Neto J, Nievas AM, Suzin A, Monticelli PF, Moro MEG, Lopes B, Pacheco RC, Aguiar DM, Piovezan U, Szabó MPJ, Ferraz KMPMB, Percequillo AR, Labruna MB, Ramos VN. Small mammals, ticks and rickettsiae in natural and human-modified landscapes: Diversity and occurrence of Brazilian spotted fever in Brazil. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2021; 12:101805. [PMID: 34411793 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2021.101805] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2020] [Revised: 07/15/2021] [Accepted: 08/05/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
We studied communities of small mammals and their ticks in endemic (E) and non-endemic (NE) areas for Brazilian spotted fever (BSF), aiming to infer if diversity parameters of parasites and hosts could be related to occurrence and prevalence of rickettsial infection, especially Rickettsia rickettsii. We compared E and NE areas in human-modified landscapes (HMLs) and natural areas (BIO) with no report of BSF cases. Composition and equitability were important components of diversity explaining differences among areas. The marsupial Didelphis albiventris was dominant in HMLs, but not in natural areas, and this opossum was the main host for the tick Amblyomma sculptum, principal vector of R. rickettsii, especially in E areas. Communities of ticks were dominated by A. sculptum, followed by Amblyomma dubitatum in E areas. In NE areas, this dominance was inverted, with more A. dubitatum than A. sculptum infesting small mammals, but the numbers of ticks were much lower than in E areas. Composition and abundance of ticks in natural areas were very dissimilar from HMLs, with the lowest tick burdens. Didelphis albiventris in E areas presented higher seroprevalence and endpoint titres against R. rickettsii than in other areas. At least three Rickettsia species, non-pathogenic to humans, were detected in natural areas (Rickettsia bellii, Rickettsia amblyommatis and 'Candidatus Rickettsia andeanae'), and only one non-pathogenic species in HMLs (R. bellii). Our results suggest that higher diversity of ticks, hosts and rickettsiae could be relevant factors in buffering the effect in BSF occurrence. Particularly for D. albiventris, its importance has to be quantified in further studies considering the epidemiological scenario of BSF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Carolina de A Serpa
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Hermes R Luz
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil; Departamento de Patologia, Programa de Pós Graduação em Biotecnologia do Renorbio, Ponto Focal Maranhão, Universidade Federal do Maranhão, São Luís, MA, Brazil
| | - Francisco B Costa
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil; Departamento de Patologia, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Estadual do Maranhão, São Luís, MA, Brazil
| | - Bárbara C Weck
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Hector R Benatti
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Thiago F Martins
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil; Departamento de Laboratórios Especializados, Superintendência de Controle de Endemias, Secretaria de Estado da Saúde de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Lidiani Silva Correa
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil; Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Escola Superior de Agricultura 'Luiz de Queiroz' Universidade de São Paulo, Piracicaba, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Diego G Ramirez
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil; Departamento de Parasitologia Animal, Instituto de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, Seropédica, RJ, Brazil
| | - Vlamir Rocha
- Centro de Ciências Agrárias, Universidade Federal de São Carlos, Araras, SP, Brazil
| | - Thiago C Dias
- Centro de Ciências Agrárias, Universidade Federal de São Carlos, Araras, SP, Brazil; Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia e Recursos Naturais, Universidade Federal de São Carlos, São Carlos, SP, Brazil
| | - Lucas Ribeiro Correa
- Centro de Ciências Agrárias, Universidade Federal de São Carlos, Araras, SP, Brazil
| | - Jardel Brasil
- Unidade de Vigilância em Saúde, Secretaria Municipal de Saúde, Americana, SP, Brazil
| | - José Brites-Neto
- Unidade de Vigilância em Saúde, Secretaria Municipal de Saúde, Americana, SP, Brazil
| | - Ana Maria Nievas
- Departamento de Psicologia, Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Adriane Suzin
- Laboratório de Ixodologia, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil; Programa de Pós Graduação em Ecologia e Conservação de Recursos Naturais, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil
| | - Patricia Ferreira Monticelli
- Departamento de Psicologia, Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Maria Estela G Moro
- Departamento de Zootecnia, Faculdade de Zootecnia e Engenharia de Alimentos, Universidade de São Paulo, Pirassununga, SP, Brazil
| | - Beatriz Lopes
- Departamento de Ciências Florestais, Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz, Universidade de São Paulo, Piracicaba, SP, Brazil
| | - Richard C Pacheco
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências Veterinárias, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso, Cuiabá, MT, Brazil
| | - Daniel M Aguiar
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências Veterinárias, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso, Cuiabá, MT, Brazil
| | - Ubiratan Piovezan
- Embrapa Pantanal, Corumbá, MS, Brazil; Embrapa Tabuleiros Costeiros, Aracaju, SE, Brazil
| | - Matias P J Szabó
- Laboratório de Ixodologia, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil
| | - Katia Maria P M B Ferraz
- Departamento de Ciências Florestais, Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz, Universidade de São Paulo, Piracicaba, SP, Brazil
| | - Alexandre R Percequillo
- Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Escola Superior de Agricultura 'Luiz de Queiroz' Universidade de São Paulo, Piracicaba, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Marcelo B Labruna
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Vanessa N Ramos
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil; Laboratório de Ixodologia, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil.
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Díaz-Sánchez AA, Chilton NB, Roblejo-Arias L, Fonseca-Rodríguez O, Marrero-Perera R, Diyes CP, Yunik MEM, Lobo-Rivero E, Corona-González B. Molecular detection and identification of spotted fever group rickettsiae in ticks collected from horses in Cuba. MEDICAL AND VETERINARY ENTOMOLOGY 2021; 35:207-212. [PMID: 32936461 DOI: 10.1111/mve.12480] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2020] [Revised: 08/21/2020] [Accepted: 08/25/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Spotted fever group (SFG) rickettsiae are obligatory intracellular bacteria that cause disease in humans and other animals. Ixodid ticks are the principal vectors of SFG rickettsiae. The present study aimed to determine the prevalence and species identity of SFG rickettsiae in ticks and horses from urban and rural areas of western Cuba using PCR assays. Tick samples, collected from 79 horses, consisted of 14 Amblyomma mixtum adults, 111 Dermacentor nitens adults and 19 pools of D. nitens nymphs (2-5 individuals/pool). The PCR results revealed the presence of Rickettsia spp. in 64% of the A. mixtum adults, 16% of the D. nitens adults, and 11% of the pooled samples of D. nitens nymphs. In contrast, Rickettsia spp. was not detected in any of the 200 horse blood samples included in this study. DNA sequence data of the rickettsial 17 kDa antigen gene showed that Rickettsia amblyommatis was present in A. mixtum; and Rickettsia felis in D. nitens. This is the first report of R. felis in D. nitens in Cuba. The present study extends our knowledge of the potential vector spectrum and distribution of SFG rickettsiae pathogens in western Cuba.
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Affiliation(s)
- A A Díaz-Sánchez
- Centro Nacional de Sanidad Agropecuaria (CENSA), Carretera de Tapaste y Autopista Nacional, Apartado postal 10, San José de las Lajas, Mayabeque, 32700, Cuba
- Department of Biology, University of Saskatchewan, 112 Science Place, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, S7N 5E2, Canada
| | - N B Chilton
- Department of Biology, University of Saskatchewan, 112 Science Place, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, S7N 5E2, Canada
| | - L Roblejo-Arias
- Centro Nacional de Sanidad Agropecuaria (CENSA), Carretera de Tapaste y Autopista Nacional, Apartado postal 10, San José de las Lajas, Mayabeque, 32700, Cuba
| | - O Fonseca-Rodríguez
- Department of Epidemiology and Global Health, Umeå University, Umeå, 901 87, Sweden
| | - R Marrero-Perera
- Centro Nacional de Sanidad Agropecuaria (CENSA), Carretera de Tapaste y Autopista Nacional, Apartado postal 10, San José de las Lajas, Mayabeque, 32700, Cuba
| | - C P Diyes
- Department of Biology, University of Saskatchewan, 112 Science Place, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, S7N 5E2, Canada
| | - M E M Yunik
- Department of Biology, University of Saskatchewan, 112 Science Place, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, S7N 5E2, Canada
| | - E Lobo-Rivero
- Centro Nacional de Sanidad Agropecuaria (CENSA), Carretera de Tapaste y Autopista Nacional, Apartado postal 10, San José de las Lajas, Mayabeque, 32700, Cuba
| | - B Corona-González
- Centro Nacional de Sanidad Agropecuaria (CENSA), Carretera de Tapaste y Autopista Nacional, Apartado postal 10, San José de las Lajas, Mayabeque, 32700, Cuba
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Quadros APND, Rêgo GMSD, Silva TFD, Carvalho ADM, Martins TF, Binder LDC, Castro MBD, Mattos PSRD, Labruna MB, Paludo GR. Capybara (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris) exposure to Rickettsia in the Federal District of Brazil, a non-endemic area for Brazilian spotted fever. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2021; 30:e028720. [PMID: 34076060 DOI: 10.1590/s1984-29612021035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2020] [Accepted: 03/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
In this study, whole blood samples and ticks were collected from 57 capybaras in recreational areas in the Federal District, Brazil, aiming to investigate the presence of Rickettsia spp. using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and indirect immunofluorescence (IFAT) assays. None of the capybara blood samples yielded rickettsial DNA by PCR. Among 55 capybara serum samples tested by IFAT, 53 (96.3%) reacted to Rickettsia spp. Among these, 21 (39.6%) identified the R. bellii antigen as the probable antigen involved in a homologous reaction (PAIHR), whereas 2 (3.8%) identified the R. parkeri antigen. Ticks collected from capybaras were identified as 173 Amblyomma sculptum and 410 A. dubitatum, in addition to nine Amblyomma spp. larvae. A sample of 231 ticks was subjected to DNA extraction and PCR for Rickettsia species. None of 122 A. sculptum yielded rickettsial DNA. Molecular evidence of R. bellii was found in 25/108 (23.1%) and of Rickettsia sp. strain Cooperi (R. parkeri-like agent) in 2/108 (1.9%) of the A. dubitatum samples. These results suggest a greater exposure to R. bellii in these capybara populations, in addition to a more significant number of A. dubitatum, which might characterize the Federal District region as not endemic for Brazilian spotted fever.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Paula Nunes de Quadros
- Laboratório de Patologia Clínica Veterinária, Faculdade de Agronomia e Veterinária - FAV, Universidade de Brasília - UnB, Brasília, DF, Brasil
| | - George Magno Sousa do Rêgo
- Laboratório de Patologia Clínica Veterinária, Faculdade de Agronomia e Veterinária - FAV, Universidade de Brasília - UnB, Brasília, DF, Brasil
| | - Thamiris Figueiredo da Silva
- Laboratório de Patologia Clínica Veterinária, Faculdade de Agronomia e Veterinária - FAV, Universidade de Brasília - UnB, Brasília, DF, Brasil
| | - Andréa de Moraes Carvalho
- Laboratório de Patologia Clínica Veterinária, Faculdade de Agronomia e Veterinária - FAV, Universidade de Brasília - UnB, Brasília, DF, Brasil
| | - Thiago Fernandes Martins
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo - USP, São Paulo, SP, Brasil
| | - Lina de Campos Binder
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo - USP, São Paulo, SP, Brasil
| | - Márcio Botelho de Castro
- Laboratório de Patologia Veterinária, Faculdade de Agronomia e Veterinária - FAV, Universidade de Brasília - UnB, Brasília, DF, Brasil
| | - Paulo Sérgio Ribeiro de Mattos
- Laboratório de Sanidade Animal, Centro Nacional de Recursos Genéticos e Biotecnologia, Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuária - EMBRAPA, Brasília, DF, Brasil
| | - Marcelo Bahia Labruna
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo - USP, São Paulo, SP, Brasil
| | - Giane Regina Paludo
- Laboratório de Patologia Clínica Veterinária, Faculdade de Agronomia e Veterinária - FAV, Universidade de Brasília - UnB, Brasília, DF, Brasil
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Dantas-Torres F, Melo MF, Sales KGDS, Sousa-Paula LCD, da Silva FJ, Figueredo LA, Labruna MB. Seasonal dynamics and rickettsial infection in free-living Amblyomma dubitatum in the Atlantic forest biome in north-eastern Brazil. Acta Trop 2021; 217:105854. [PMID: 33561429 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2021.105854] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2020] [Revised: 01/30/2021] [Accepted: 02/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
The genus Amblyomma is the most representative tick genus in Brazil and some species act as vectors of pathogenic organisms to animals and humans. Information on the seasonal dynamics of Amblyomma spp. as well as on rickettsial organisms infecting these ticks in some regions in Brazil is still fragmentary. Herein, we investigated the seasonal dynamics and rickettsial infections in Amblyomma dubitatum ticks collected in the Atlantic forest biome in north-eastern Brazil. Using carbon dioxide traps, ticks were collected monthly for two consecutive years. In total, 15,789 ticks were collected: 69 females (0.4%), 116 males (0.7%), 1,067 nymphs (6.8%), and 14,537 larvae (92.1%). All nymphs, females and males were identified as A. dubitatum, whereas larvae were identified as Amblyomma spp. Larvae were more frequent in summer (77% of the larvae collected), whereas nymphs were collected with similar frequency in summer (32.8%), autumn (30.0%) and spring (28.4%). Adults were more frequent in spring (47.6%). A total of 648 ticks (485 nymphs, 60 females, and 103 males) were tested by PCR for the gltA gene of Rickettsia spp. and 87 (13.4%; 95% CI: 10.9-16.3%) were positive. A consensus sequence (size, 350 bp) of 66 gltA gene sequences indicate that the organism detected herein is similar to Rickettsia tamurae, Rickettsia monacencis and Rickettsia sp. strain Pampulha. One of these positive samples was also positive for the ompA gene of spotted fever group rickettsiae, but attempts to sequence the amplicon were not successful. We also tested this sample by a PCR targeting the rickettsial htrA gene, but no amplification product could be detected. This study indicates that A. dubitatum may be a common tick in areas where capybaras are present in north-eastern Brazil, occurring during the whole year. It also suggests the circulation of a spotted fever group rickettsia in this A. dubitatum population, whose identity has yet to be determined.
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Farias IF, Souza EARD, Serpa MCDA, Palha FS, Oliveira GMBD, Labruna MB, Horta MC. Serological evidence of Rickettsia in horses from a semi-arid Brazilian region. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2021; 30:e026220. [PMID: 33825800 DOI: 10.1590/s1984-29612021011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2020] [Accepted: 01/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Brazilian spotted fever (BSF) is a common tick-borne disease caused by Rickettsia rickettsii. Horses are the primary hosts of the main vector, Amblyomma sculptum, and are considered efficient sentinels for circulation of Rickettsia. Therefore, the aim of this study was to detect antibodies reactive to R. rickettsii antigens in horses from a non-endemic area in the north-central region of Bahia state, Brazil. Blood samples and ticks were collected from 70 horses from the municipalities of Senhor do Bonfim, Antônio Gonçalves, Pindobaçu, and Campo Formoso. The sera obtained were tested by an indirect immunofluorescence assay to detect anti-Rickettsia antibodies. Overall, 5.7% (4/70) of the horses reacted to R. rickettsii antigens. Ticks were collected from 18.6% (13/70) of the horses and were identified as A. sculptum and Dermacentor nitens. Despite being a non-endemic area, seropositive animals were identified in our study, suggesting circulation of rickettsial agents in the region. This is the first serological survey of this agent in horses from the north-central region of Bahia, and further studies are needed to understand the epidemiology of BSF in these locations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ila Ferreira Farias
- Laboratório de Doenças Parasitárias, Universidade Federal do Vale do São Francisco - UNIVASF, Petrolina, PE, Brasil
| | - Eline Almeida Rodrigues de Souza
- Laboratório de Doenças Parasitárias, Universidade Federal do Vale do São Francisco - UNIVASF, Petrolina, PE, Brasil.,Programa de Pós-graduação em Biociência Animal, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco - UFRPE, Recife, PE, Brasil
| | - Maria Carolina de Azevedo Serpa
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo - USP, São Paulo, SP, Brasil
| | - Flávio Silva Palha
- Laboratório de Doenças Parasitárias, Universidade Federal do Vale do São Francisco - UNIVASF, Petrolina, PE, Brasil
| | - Glauber Meneses Barboza de Oliveira
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo - USP, São Paulo, SP, Brasil
| | - Marcelo Bahia Labruna
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo - USP, São Paulo, SP, Brasil
| | - Mauricio Claudio Horta
- Laboratório de Doenças Parasitárias, Universidade Federal do Vale do São Francisco - UNIVASF, Petrolina, PE, Brasil
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Didelphis spp. opossums and their parasites in the Americas: A One Health perspective. Parasitol Res 2021; 120:4091-4111. [PMID: 33788021 PMCID: PMC8599228 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-021-07072-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2020] [Accepted: 01/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Medium sized opossums (Didelphis spp.) are among the most fascinating mammals of the Americas, playing important ecological roles (e.g., dispersal of seeds and control of insect populations) in the environment they inhabit. Nevertheless, as synanthropic animals, they are well adapted to human dwellings, occupying shelters within the cities, peripheral areas, and rural settings. These marsupials can harbor numerous pathogens, which may affect people, pets, and livestock. Among those, some protozoa (e.g., Leishmania infantum, Trypanosoma cruzi, Toxoplasma gondii), helminths (e.g., Ancylostoma caninum, Trichinella spiralis, Alaria marcianae, Paragonimus spp.) and arthropods (e.g., ticks, fleas) present substantial public health and veterinary importance, due to their capacity to cause disease in humans, domestic animals, and wildlife. Here, we reviewed the role played by opossums on the spreading of zoonotic parasites, vectors, and vector-borne pathogens, highlighting the risks of pathogens transmission due to the direct and indirect interaction of humans and domestic animals with Didelphis spp. in the Americas.
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Lopes B, McEvoy JF, Morato RG, Luz HR, Costa FB, Benatti HR, Dias TDC, Rocha VJ, Ramos VDN, Piovezan U, Monticelli PF, Nievas AM, Pacheco RC, Moro MEG, Brasil J, Leimgruber P, Labruna MB, Ferraz KMPMDB. Human-modified landscapes alter home range and movement patterns of capybaras. J Mammal 2021. [DOI: 10.1093/jmammal/gyaa144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
The expansion of human activity forces species to co-exist with people in human-modified landscapes (HMLs). However, living in HMLs demands behavioral adaptations, and the proximity between wildlife and people heightens human–wildlife conflicts. Capybara (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris) is a thriving rodent species in HMLs in Brazil and as such, is involved in human–wildlife conflicts, such as vehicle collisions and transmission of Brazilian spotted fever (BSF). Despite their public importance, the effects of HMLs on capybara movement behavior have never been investigated. Our study aimed to investigate changes in home range, ranging pattern, and activity, for capybaras in six HMLs and two natural landscapes (NLs) by monitoring capybaras with GPS collars. We found home ranges 2.43 times greater in NLs than in HMLs and differences in ranging pattern in HMLs. Capybaras tended to be more nocturnal and move shorter distances across HMLs than NLs. Our results confirm the impacts of the HMLs altering capybara movement. The aggregation of capybaras in very small home ranges might imply on greater risks of tick infestations. In addition, capybara–vehicle collision may be increased during capybaras’ nocturnal activity. Therefore, we recommend that transportation agencies avoid the construction of transportation infrastructures (roads, railways, airstrips) in capybaras’ home ranges, which should be of restricted access to people in BSF endemic areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beatriz Lopes
- Departamento de Ciências Florestais, Escola Superior de Agricultura “Luiz de Queiroz”, Universidade de São Paulo, Piracicaba, SP, Brasil
| | - John F McEvoy
- Conservation Ecology Center, Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, Front Royal, VA, United State
| | - Ronaldo Gonçalves Morato
- Centro Nacional de Pesquisa e Conservação de Mamíferos Carnívoros, Instituto Chico Mendes de Conservação da Biodiversidade, Atibaia, SP, Brasil
| | - Hermes R Luz
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Biotecnologia/Renorbio, Ponto Focal Maranhão, Universidade Federal do Maranhão, São Luís, MA, Brasil
- Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brasil
| | - Francisco B Costa
- Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Estadual do Maranhão, São Luís, MA, Brasil
| | - Hector Ribeiro Benatti
- Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brasil
| | - Thiago da Costa Dias
- Departamento de Ciências da Natureza, Matemática e educação, Centro de Ciências Agrárias, Universidade Federal de São Carlos, Araras, SP, Brasil
| | - Vlamir José Rocha
- Departamento de Ciências da Natureza, Matemática e educação, Centro de Ciências Agrárias, Universidade Federal de São Carlos, Araras, SP, Brasil
| | | | | | - Patricia Ferreira Monticelli
- Departamento de Psicologia, Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brasil
| | - Ana Maria Nievas
- Departamento de Psicologia, Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brasil
| | - Richard Campos Pacheco
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências Veterinárias, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso, Cuiabá, MT, Brasil
| | - Maria Estela Gaglianone Moro
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária, Faculdade de Zootecnia e Engenharia de Alimentos, Universidade de São Paulo, Pirassununga, SP, Brasil
| | - Jardel Brasil
- Secretaria Municipal de Saúde de Americana, Prefeitura de Americana, Americana, SP, Brasil
| | - Peter Leimgruber
- Conservation Ecology Center, Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, Front Royal, VA, United State
| | - Marcelo B Labruna
- Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brasil
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Labruna MB, Martins TF, Acosta ICL, Serpa MCA, Soares HS, Teixeira RHF, Fernandes-Santos RC, Medici EP. Ticks and rickettsial exposure in lowland tapirs (Tapirus terrestris) of three Brazilian biomes. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2021; 12:101648. [PMID: 33508536 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2021.101648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2020] [Revised: 12/29/2020] [Accepted: 12/30/2020] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
This study evaluated ticks and rickettsial exposure in 220 free-ranging lowland tapirs, Tapirus terrestris, from 2006 to 2018 in selected areas of three major biomes of Brazil - Atlantic Forest, Pantanal, and Cerrado. Overall, a total of 5970 tick specimens representing the following nine species were collected from tapirs: Amblyomma brasiliense, Amblyomma coelebs, Amblyomma dubitatum, Amblyomma ovale, Amblyomma parvum, Amblyomma sculptum, Amblyomma triste, Haemaphysalis juxtakochi, and Rhipicephalus microplus. Amblyomma sculptum was the most prevalent and abundant tick species in all three biomes; however, mean intensity values for A. sculptum were significantly lower in Atlantic Forest than in the Pantanal or Cerrado, and at the same time, statistically similar among tapirs from Pantanal and Cerrado. Contrastingly, mean intensity values for A. coelebs were significantly higher in the Atlantic Forest than in the other biomes. The remaining tick species were collected in lower numbers, or were exclusive for one biome, e.g., A. brasiliense and H. juxtakochi only in the Atlantic Forest. A total of 177 blood sera (123 individuals plus 54 recaptures) were collected from tapirs and tested for the presence of reactive antibodies to six Rickettsia species by immunofluorescence assay. Overall, 69% (9/13), 49% (62/126), and 66% (25/38) tapir sera from Atlantic Forest, Pantanal and Cerrado, respectively, were seroreactive to at least one Rickettsia species, with no significant difference between the three areas. Although many tapir sera reacted simultaneously to ≥2 Rickettsia species, Rickettsia parkeri elicited highest % seroprevalence and endpoint titers, and was incriminated as the possible agent involved in a homologous reaction in tapirs from the three biomes, where A. ovale was previously found infected by R. parkeri. In fact, seroconversion to R. parkeri was demonstrated in five tapirs that were captured at least twice during the study. This study demonstrated that tapirs were found to be constantly infested by several tick species in the Atlantic Forest, Pantanal and Cerrado biomes; however, the richness of tick infestations was concordant to the tick species known to be established in each biome. Under natural conditions, lowland tapirs were shown to be exposed to tick-borne spotted fever group rickettsiae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcelo B Labruna
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
| | - Thiago F Martins
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Igor C L Acosta
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil; Programa de Monitoramento da Biodiversidade Aquática na Área Ambiental I Rede Rio Doce Mar/Projeto Albatroz, Instituto Albatroz, Santos, SP, Brazil
| | - Maria Carolina A Serpa
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Herbert Sousa Soares
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Medicina e Bem-Estar Animal e Saúde Única, Universidade Santo Amaro, R. Prof. Enéas de Siqueira Neto, 340 - Jardim das Imbuias, São Paulo, SP 04829-300, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo H F Teixeira
- Parque Zoológico Municipal "Quinzinho de Barros", Sorocaba, SP, Brazil; Universidade de Sorocaba - UNISO, Sorocaba, SP, Brazil
| | - Renata Carolina Fernandes-Santos
- International Union for Conservation of Nature, Species Survival Commission, Tapir Specialist Group, Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul 79046-150, Brazil
| | - Emília Patrícia Medici
- International Union for Conservation of Nature, Species Survival Commission, Tapir Specialist Group, Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul 79046-150, Brazil; Lowland Tapir Conservation Initiative, Institute for Ecological Research, Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul 79046-150, Brazil; School of Environmental Conservation and Sustainability, Nazaré Paulista, São Paulo 12960-000, Brazil
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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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Souza Z, Moraes B, Krawczak F, Zulzke L, Carvalho T, Sousa A, Agopian R, Marcili A, Labruna M, Moraes-Filho J. Detecção de anticorpos anti-Rickettsia rickettsii em cães residentes em área negligenciada no município de São Paulo, SP, Brasil. ARQ BRAS MED VET ZOO 2020. [DOI: 10.1590/1678-4162-11697] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
RESUMO A febre maculosa brasileira (FMB), descrita inicialmente nos Estados Unidos como febre maculosa das Montanhas Rochosas, é uma antropozoonose relatada apenas no continente americano e causada pela bactéria Rickettsia rickettsii. No Brasil a transmissão ocorre sobretudo pela picada de carrapatos do gênero Amblyomma spp. A doença foi inicialmente descrita como de transmissão em áreas rurais e silvestres, no entanto áreas periurbanas e urbanas vêm apresentando casos, principalmente relacionados com a presença de humanos residindo em pequenos fragmentos de mata ciliar. O presente estudo teve por objetivo elucidar a dispersão da FMB nas proximidades dos reservatórios Guarapiranga e Billings, na cidade de São Paulo, SP. Para tanto, a presença de anticorpos anti-R. rickettsii, Rickettsia parkeri e Rickettsia bellii foi avaliada em cães atendidos nas campanhas de esterilização cirúrgica e residentes ao redor dos reservatórios. Foram coletadas amostras de 393 cães, e as amostras de soro foram analisadas pela reação de imunofluorescência indireta (RIFI), com ponto de corte de 1:64. Os títulos para R. rickettsii variaram de 256 a 4096, com positividade de 3,3% (13/393); para R. bellii, de 128 a 1024 e 4,1% (16/393) de positivos, e um único animal (0,25%) foi soropositivo para R. parkeri, com título de 128. Os achados permitem concluir que a região de estudo apresenta condições de se tornar uma possível área com casos de FMB, pois comporta fragmentação de Mata Atlântica, condições essas ideais para a manutenção do vetor do gênero Amblyomma já descrito na região, bem como para a presença da Rickettsia rickettsii circulante entre os cães, confirmada pela existência de anticorpos. Condutas referentes à conscientização da população por meio de trabalhos educacionais devem ser implantadas para a prevenção da doença na população da área.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - B.V. Moraes
- Universidade Santo Amaro, Brazil; Universidade de São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | | | | | | | | | - A. Marcili
- Universidade Santo Amaro, Brazil; Universidade de São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - J. Moraes-Filho
- Universidade Santo Amaro, Brazil; Universidade de São Paulo, Brazil
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Schott D, Umeno K, Dall'Agnol B, Souza UA, Webster A, Michel T, Peters F, Christoff AU, André MR, Ott R, Jardim M, Reck J. Detection of Bartonella sp. and a novel spotted fever group Rickettsia sp. in Neotropical fleas of wild rodents (Cricetidae) from Southern Brazil. Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis 2020; 73:101568. [PMID: 33120299 DOI: 10.1016/j.cimid.2020.101568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2020] [Revised: 09/14/2020] [Accepted: 10/18/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
The Neotropical region shows a great diversity of fleas, comprising more than 50 genera. The importance of the study of fleas is linked to their potential role as disease vectors. The aim of this study is to investigate the presence of Rickettsia spp. and Bartonella spp. in Neotropical fleas collected from wild rodents in Southern Brazil. From 350 rodents captured, 30 were parasitized by fleas. A total of 61 fleas belonging to two genera and six different species were collected (Craneopsylla minerva minerva, Polygenis occidentalis occidentalis, Polygenis platensis, Polygenis pradoi, Polygenis rimatus, and Polygenis roberti roberti). In 13 % of fleas of three different species (C. minerva, P. platensis, and P. pradoi) Rickettsia sp. DNA was found. Phylogenetic analysis of concatenated sequences of gltA, htrA, and ompA genes showed that Rickettsia sp. found in rodent fleas (referred as strain Taim) grouped together with Spotted Fever Group Rickettsia. In reference to Bartonella spp., five genotypes were identified in seven fleas of two species (C. minerva and P. platensis) and in five rodent spleens. Also, 207 frozen samples of wild rodents were screened for these pathogens: while none was positive for Rickettsia spp.; five rodent spleens were PCR-positive for Bartonella spp.. Herein, we show the detection of potential novel variants of Bartonella sp. and Rickettsia sp. in fleas collected of wild rodents from Southern Brazil. Further studies are needed to fully characterize these microorganisms, as well as to improve the knowledge on the potential role of Neotropical flea species as diseases vectors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diogo Schott
- Centro de Pesquisa em Saúde Animal, Instituto de Pesquisas Veterinárias Desidério Finamor (IPVDF), Eldorado do Sul, RS, Brazil
| | - Karen Umeno
- Centro de Pesquisa em Saúde Animal, Instituto de Pesquisas Veterinárias Desidério Finamor (IPVDF), Eldorado do Sul, RS, Brazil
| | - Bruno Dall'Agnol
- Centro de Pesquisa em Saúde Animal, Instituto de Pesquisas Veterinárias Desidério Finamor (IPVDF), Eldorado do Sul, RS, Brazil
| | - Ugo Araújo Souza
- Centro de Pesquisa em Saúde Animal, Instituto de Pesquisas Veterinárias Desidério Finamor (IPVDF), Eldorado do Sul, RS, Brazil
| | - Anelise Webster
- Centro de Pesquisa em Saúde Animal, Instituto de Pesquisas Veterinárias Desidério Finamor (IPVDF), Eldorado do Sul, RS, Brazil
| | - Thais Michel
- Centro de Pesquisa em Saúde Animal, Instituto de Pesquisas Veterinárias Desidério Finamor (IPVDF), Eldorado do Sul, RS, Brazil
| | - Felipe Peters
- Área de Vida Assessoria e Consultoria em Biologia e Meio Ambiente, Canoas, RS, Brazil
| | | | - Marcos Rogério André
- Universidade Estadual Paulista Júlio de Mesquita Filho (UNESP), Jaboticabal, SP, Brazil
| | - Ricardo Ott
- Museu de Ciências Naturais (MCN), Fundação Zoobotânica do Rio Grande do Sul (FZB-RS), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Márcia Jardim
- Museu de Ciências Naturais (MCN), Fundação Zoobotânica do Rio Grande do Sul (FZB-RS), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - José Reck
- Centro de Pesquisa em Saúde Animal, Instituto de Pesquisas Veterinárias Desidério Finamor (IPVDF), Eldorado do Sul, RS, Brazil.
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Piotrowski M, Rymaszewska A. Expansion of Tick-Borne Rickettsioses in the World. Microorganisms 2020; 8:E1906. [PMID: 33266186 PMCID: PMC7760173 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms8121906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2020] [Revised: 10/30/2020] [Accepted: 11/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Tick-borne rickettsioses are caused by obligate intracellular bacteria belonging to the spotted fever group of the genus Rickettsia. These infections are among the oldest known diseases transmitted by vectors. In the last three decades there has been a rapid increase in the recognition of this disease complex. This unusual expansion of information was mainly caused by the development of molecular diagnostic techniques that have facilitated the identification of new and previously recognized rickettsiae. A lot of currently known bacteria of the genus Rickettsia have been considered nonpathogenic for years, and moreover, many new species have been identified with unknown pathogenicity. The genus Rickettsia is distributed all over the world. Many Rickettsia species are present on several continents. The geographical distribution of rickettsiae is related to their vectors. New cases of rickettsioses and new locations, where the presence of these bacteria is recognized, are still being identified. The variety and rapid evolution of the distribution and density of ticks and diseases which they transmit shows us the scale of the problem. This review article presents a comparison of the current understanding of the geographic distribution of pathogenic Rickettsia species to that of the beginning of the century.
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Ueno TEH, Cutolo AA, Martins TF, Moraes-Filho J, Azevedo SSD, Labruna MB. Rickettsial infection in equids, opossums and ticks in the municipality of Monte Mor, state of São Paulo, Brazil. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2020; 29:e015420. [PMID: 33237125 DOI: 10.1590/s1984-29612020073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2020] [Accepted: 07/09/2020] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate rickettsial infection in equids, opossums and ticks in the municipality of Monte Mor, a place where a Brazilian spotted fever case occurred in 2005. In addition, characteristics possibly associated with seropositivity in horses were analyzed. Serum samples from horses, mules and opossums (Didelphis albiventris) were subjected to indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) against Rickettsia rickettsii. The ticks collected from the animals were identified and Amblyomma sculptum ticks from the equids were tested using PCR for Rickettsia spp. Anti-R. rickettsii antibodies were detected in 22.6% (14/62) of the horses, none of the mules and 21.7% (5/23) of the opossums. Among the variables analyzed, only age > 12 years showed a statistically significant association with seropositivity among horses. All of the 166 A. sculptum ticks tested using PCR were negative. The results showed that rickettsiae of the spotted fever group was circulating in the municipality of Monte Mor when the samples were collected and indicate a need for surveillance of Brazilian spotted fever in this region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatiana Evelyn Hayama Ueno
- Polo Regional Alta Sorocabana, Agência Paulista de Tecnologia dos Agronegócios - APTA, Presidente Prudente, SP, Brasil
| | - André Antonio Cutolo
- Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade Estadual Paulista - UNESP, Botucatu, SP, Brasil
| | - Thiago Fernandes Martins
- Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo - USP, São Paulo, SP, Brasil
| | | | - Sérgio Santos de Azevedo
- Centro de Saúde e Tecnologia Rural, Universidade Federal de Campina Grande - UFCG, Patos, PB, Brasil
| | - Marcelo Bahia Labruna
- Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo - USP, São Paulo, SP, Brasil
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de Oliveira GMB, da Silva IWG, da Cruz Ferreira Evaristo AM, de Azevedo Serpa MC, Silva Campos AN, Dutra V, Nakazato L, de Aguiar DM, Bahia Labruna M, Horta MC. Tick-borne pathogens in dogs, wild small mammals and their ectoparasites in the semi-arid Caatinga biome, northeastern Brazil. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2020; 11:101409. [PMID: 32111546 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2020.101409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2019] [Revised: 01/30/2020] [Accepted: 02/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Caatinga is a biome exclusive to the semiarid zone of Brazil, where studies on ticks and tick-borne diseases are scarce. Herein, we investigated the occurrence of Rickettsia, Ehrlichia, and Coxiella in wild mammals, domestic dogs and their ectoparasites using molecular and serological techniques. During 2014-2016, blood samples and ectoparasites were collected from 70 small mammals (51 rodents, 18 marsupials, 1 wild canid) and 147 domestic dogs in three areas of the Caatinga. Through serological analyses of domestic dogs of the three areas, 8 to 11 % were seropositive for Rickettsia rickettsii, 9 to 37 % for Rickettsia amblyommatis, 61 to 75 % for Ehrlichia canis, and 0-5% for Coxiella burnetii. All wild mammals were seronegative for Rickettsia spp. and C. burnetii, except for one rodent (Wiedomys pyrrhorhinos) and one marsupial (Didelphis albiventris) that were seroreactive to C. burnetii, one wild canid (Cerdocyon thous) for R. amblyommatis, and two Rattus rattus for Rickettsia spp. Through PCR targeting DNA of Rickettsia, Ehrlichia or Coxiella, all blood samples were negative, except for the presence of Ehrlichia canis DNA in 8.8 % of the domestic dogs, and a recently reported novel agent, Ehrlichia sp. strain Natal, in one marsupial (Gracilinanus agilis). A total of 222 ticks, 84 fleas, and six lice were collected. Ticks were mostly Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato, some Ixodes loricatus, Ornithodoros rietcorreai, Haemaphysalis sp., and Amblyomma spp.; fleas were Ctenocephalides felis felis, Pulex sp. and Polygenis (Polygenis) bohlsi jordani; and lice were Polyplax sp. and Gyropus sp. Through molecular detection of microorganisms, 9% of C. felis felis contained Rickettsia felis, 20 % of A. auricularium contained R. amblyommatis and 13 % of A. parvum contained 'Candidatus Rickettsia andeanae', whereas Ehrlichia canis DNA was detected in at least 6% of the R. sanguineus s.l. from one area. We report a variety of ectoparasites infesting small mammals and domestic dogs in the Caatinga biome, where these ectoparasites probably act as vectors of rickettsiae, ehrlichial agents (E. canis and Ehrlichia sp. strain Natal) and C. burnetii. Our results highlight to the potential risks of human infection by these tick-borne agents in the Caatinga biome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Glauber Meneses Barboza de Oliveira
- Laboratório de Doenças Parasitárias, Campus de Ciências Agrárias, Universidade Federal do Vale do São Francisco, Univasf, Petrolina, PE, Brazil
| | - Ivo Wesley Gomes da Silva
- Laboratório de Doenças Parasitárias, Campus de Ciências Agrárias, Universidade Federal do Vale do São Francisco, Univasf, Petrolina, PE, Brazil
| | | | | | - Amanda Noeli Silva Campos
- Faculdade de Agronomia, Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso, Cuiabá, MT, Brazil
| | - Valeria Dutra
- Faculdade de Agronomia, Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso, Cuiabá, MT, Brazil
| | - Luciano Nakazato
- Faculdade de Agronomia, Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso, Cuiabá, MT, Brazil
| | - Daniel Moura de Aguiar
- Faculdade de Agronomia, Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso, Cuiabá, MT, Brazil
| | - Marcelo Bahia Labruna
- Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Mauricio Claudio Horta
- Laboratório de Doenças Parasitárias, Campus de Ciências Agrárias, Universidade Federal do Vale do São Francisco, Univasf, Petrolina, PE, Brazil.
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Melis M, Espinoza-Carniglia M, Savchenko E, Nava S, Lareschi M. Molecular detection and identification of Rickettsia felis in Polygenis (Siphonaptera, Rhopalopsyllidae, Rhopalopsyllinae) associated with cricetid rodents in a rural area from central Argentina. Vet Parasitol Reg Stud Reports 2020; 21:100445. [PMID: 32862894 DOI: 10.1016/j.vprsr.2020.100445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2020] [Revised: 07/27/2020] [Accepted: 08/03/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to detect and identify the presence of Rickettsia in fleas associated with cricetid rodents from northeastern Buenos Aires Province, Argentina. Sixteen fleas belonging to three species of Polygenis were collected from 56 cricetid rodents and analyzed for the presence of Rickettsia performing the conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique. Only one specimen of Polygenis (Polygenis) axius axius collected from Oxymycterus rufus was positive for Rickettsia felis using the gltA gene, and to ompA gene. This is the first report of R. felis in a Rhopalopsyllidae flea from Argentina, and the first detection of this bacterium in P. (P.) a. axius. Since both, O. rufus and P. (P.) a. axius, are common in areas close to humans, and enzootic cycle of R. felis is not fully understood, the results herein obtained might be of epidemiological importance. Further studies are needed in order to analyze the capacity of the species of Polygenis to transmit R. felis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mauricio Melis
- Centro de Estudios Parasitológicos y de Vectores (CEPAVE) (CONICET-UNLP), Bv. 120 s/n e/60 y 64, CP 1900 La Plata, Argentina.
| | - Mario Espinoza-Carniglia
- Centro de Estudios Parasitológicos y de Vectores (CEPAVE) (CONICET-UNLP), Bv. 120 s/n e/60 y 64, CP 1900 La Plata, Argentina
| | - Ekaterina Savchenko
- Centro de Estudios Parasitológicos y de Vectores (CEPAVE) (CONICET-UNLP), Bv. 120 s/n e/60 y 64, CP 1900 La Plata, Argentina
| | - Santiago Nava
- Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria, Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Rafaela, CC 22, CP 2300 Rafaela, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Marcela Lareschi
- Centro de Estudios Parasitológicos y de Vectores (CEPAVE) (CONICET-UNLP), Bv. 120 s/n e/60 y 64, CP 1900 La Plata, Argentina
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Bezerra-Santos MA, Nogueira BCF, Yamatogi RS, Ramos RAN, Galhardo JA, Campos AK. Ticks, fleas and endosymbionts in the ectoparasite fauna of the black-eared opossum Dipelphis aurita in Brazil. EXPERIMENTAL & APPLIED ACAROLOGY 2020; 80:329-338. [PMID: 31927646 DOI: 10.1007/s10493-020-00468-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2019] [Accepted: 01/03/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Ticks and fleas are essential vectors of pathogens that affect humans and animals, and among their hosts, synanthropic animals such as the black-eared opossum, Didelphis aurita, play a role in public health due to their ability to move between urban centers and forested areas in Brazil. This study aimed to assess the ectoparasite fauna of D. aurita, as well as the presence of pathogens and endosymbionts in ticks and fleas. Opossums (n = 58) captured in Tomahawk livetraps were examined for ectoparasites, and their blood sampled for further analysis. Additionally, spleen samples were collected in individuals found dead. Samples were PCR screened for Rickettsia spp., Borrelia spp., Anaplasmataceae, and Babesia spp. Two tick species were morphologically identified as Ixodes loricatus 24/58 (41.4%) and Amblyomma sculptum 1/58 (1.7%). For fleas, Ctenocephalides felis was detected in 60.3% (35/58) of the animals, and Xenopsylla cheopis in 5.2% (3/58). PCR analysis detected Anaplasmataceae DNA in 34% (16/47) of pooled samples of C. felis, and in 66.7% (2/3) pooled samples of X. cheopis. Sequence analysis revealed Wolbachia pipientis symbiont in all positive samples. Tick, blood and spleen samples were all negative for the microorganisms assessed. These findings suggest that these arthropods circulate among wildlife and urban environments, which may implicate in their participation in the cycle of zoonotic pathogens among opossums, humans and companion animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcos Antônio Bezerra-Santos
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Viçosa, Av. PH Rolfs, s/n, University Campus, Viçosa, MG, 36570-900, Brazil.
| | - Bárbara Cristina Félix Nogueira
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Viçosa, Av. PH Rolfs, s/n, University Campus, Viçosa, MG, 36570-900, Brazil
| | - Ricardo Seiti Yamatogi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Viçosa, Av. PH Rolfs, s/n, University Campus, Viçosa, MG, 36570-900, Brazil
| | - Rafael Antonio Nascimento Ramos
- Academic Unit of Garanhuns, Federal Rural University of Pernambuco, Av. Bom Pastor, s/n, Boa Vista, Garanhuns, PE, 55292-270, Brazil
| | - Juliana Arena Galhardo
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Federal University of Mato Grosso Do Sul, Av. Senador Filinto Müller, 2443, Jd. Ipiranga, Campo Grande, MS, 79074-460, Brazil
| | - Artur Kanadani Campos
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Viçosa, Av. PH Rolfs, s/n, University Campus, Viçosa, MG, 36570-900, Brazil
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Souza EARD, Araujo ADC, Pires LCSR, Freschi CR, Azevedo SS, Machado RZ, Horta MC. Serological detection and risk factors for equine piroplasmosis in the semiarid region of Pernambuco, Northeastern Brazil. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2020; 28:685-691. [PMID: 31691736 DOI: 10.1590/s1984-29612019088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2019] [Accepted: 09/26/2019] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Equine piroplasmosis, an economically important disease in horses, has so far not been reported in Pernambuco state, Brazil. This study aimed to evaluate the seroprevalence of anti-Babesia caballi and anti-Theileria equi antibodies based on the detection of these agents in equine blood and in ticks on horses in the municipality of Petrolina, Pernambuco, northeastern Brazil. Blood samples were drawn from 393 horses and sera were examined by ELISA. The presence of tick infestations was evaluated, and 101 ticks were subjected to DNA amplification for the detection of Babesia spp. by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). No parasites were detected in the blood smears. Anti-B. caballi and anti-T. equi antibodies were found in 27.2% (107/393) and 34.8% (137/393) horses, respectively. Infestation by Dermacentor nitens was detected in 4.3% (17/393) of the horses. There was no DNA amplification of the agents in ticks. The risk factors for the presence of anti-T. equi antibodies (P < 0.05) were: purebred (P < 0.001), animals older than 156 months (P = 0.014), and the presence of ticks (P = 0.001). No risk factors for B. caballi were identified. This study confirmed the circulation of agents of equine piroplasmosis in the municipality of Petrolina, state of Pernambuco, Brazil.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Carla Roberta Freschi
- Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias - FCAV, Universidade Estadual Paulista Júlio de Mesquita Filho - UNESP, Jaboticabal, SP, Brasil
| | - Sergio Santos Azevedo
- Unidade Acadêmica de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Campina Grande - UFCG, Patos, PB, Brasil
| | - Rosangela Zacarias Machado
- Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias - FCAV, Universidade Estadual Paulista Júlio de Mesquita Filho - UNESP, Jaboticabal, SP, Brasil
| | - Maurício Claudio Horta
- Laboratório de Doenças Parasitárias, Universidade Federal do Vale do São Francisco - UNIVASF, Petrolina, PE, Brasil
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Mendes JCR, Kmetiuk LB, Martins CM, Canavessi AMO, Jimenez T, Pellizzaro M, Martins TF, Morikawa VM, Santos APD, Labruna MB, Biondo AW. Serosurvey of Rickettsia spp. in cats from a Brazilian spotted fever-endemic area. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2020; 28:713-721. [PMID: 31721931 DOI: 10.1590/s1984-29612019092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2019] [Accepted: 10/11/2019] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Rickettsia spp. bacteria are responsible for tick-borne diseases worldwide, mostly maintained by rickettsial amplifiers capybaras in Brazilian endemic areas. The campus of the University of São Paulo, in southeastern Brazil, is an area endemic for Brazilian spotted fever (BSF), with high density of capybaras and Amblyomma spp., along with confirmed human cases. Besides capybaras, the university has also an in-campus high population of sheltered and free-roaming cats. Accordingly, the aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and characteristics associated with Rickettsia rickettsii, Rickettsia parkeri and Rickettsia felis exposure among cats in a BSF-endemic area. Out of 51 cats sampled, 23/35 shelter (65.7%) and 5/16 free-roaming (31.2%) were positive (titers ≥ 64) for at least one Rickettsia species. Ticks species were present in 3/16 free-roaming cats (18.8%), consisting of Amblyomma spp., nymphs of Amblyomma sculptum and adult Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato. Despite sharing the capybaras environment, the seropositivity among the free-roaming and shelter cats was lower than owned cats in other endemic areas. Whether equally or less exposed to rickettsial infection, compared with owned cats in endemic areas, free-roaming and shelter cats may be used as environmental sentinels for human exposure to rickettsiae in such areas.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Louise Bach Kmetiuk
- Departamento de Biologia Celular e Molecular, Universidade Federal do Paraná - UFPR, Curitiba, PR, Brasil
| | - Camila Marinelli Martins
- Departamento de Enfermagem e Saúde Pública, Universidade Estadual de Ponta Grossa - UEPG, Ponta Grossa, PR, Brasil
| | | | - Tatiana Jimenez
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Escola de Medicina Veterinária e Saúde Animal, Universidade de São Paulo - USP, São Paulo, SP, Brasil
| | - Maysa Pellizzaro
- Departamento de Higiene Veterinária e Saúde Pública, Escola de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Estadual Paulita - UNESP, Botucatu, SP, Brasil
| | - Thiago Fernandes Martins
- Departamento de Higiene Veterinária e Saúde Pública, Escola de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Estadual Paulita - UNESP, Botucatu, SP, Brasil
| | - Vivien Midori Morikawa
- Departamento de Saúde Coletiva, Universidade Federal do Paraná - UFPR, Curitiba, PR, Brasil
| | | | - Marcelo Bahia Labruna
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Escola de Medicina Veterinária e Saúde Animal, Universidade de São Paulo - USP, São Paulo, SP, Brasil
| | - Alexander Welker Biondo
- Departamento de Biologia Celular e Molecular, Universidade Federal do Paraná - UFPR, Curitiba, PR, Brasil
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Raimundo JM, Guimarães A, Amaro GM, da Silva AT, Botelho CFM, Massard CL, de Lemos ERS, Favacho ARM, Baldani CD. Molecular Survey of Bartonella Species in Shelter Cats in Rio De Janeiro: Clinical, Hematological, and Risk Factors. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2020; 100:1321-1327. [PMID: 31017080 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.18-0585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
The present study aimed to detect Bartonella DNA in cats belonging to shelters, and to evaluate risk factors, clinical signs, and hematological abnormalities associated with infection. Complete blood counts and screening for the presence of Bartonella DNA were performed on cats' ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid anticoagulant-blood samples. Eighty-three cats (39.9%) were positive for Bartonella species. Bartonella DNA was also detected in fleas and in the blood of cats infested by positive flea. Cats that had not been sterilized, had outdoor access, had histories of fights, and had concurrent flea infestation were more likely to be infected by Bartonella species (P < 0.05). Age and sex were not associated with infection. Fifty-one (38.6%) symptomatic cats were positive to Bartonella species (P > 0.05). Clinical conditions most commonly observed were signs of respiratory abnormality and Sporothrix species coinfection (P > 0.05). Regarding hematological changes, eosinophilia was associated with infection (P < 0.05). A high frequency of Bartonella species infection was found in shelter cats and highlights the importance of adequate flea-control programs to prevent infection in cats and consequently in adopters and other animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliana M Raimundo
- Departament of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery, Veterinary Institute, Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro, Seropédica, Brazil
| | - Andresa Guimarães
- Departament of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery, Veterinary Institute, Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro, Seropédica, Brazil
| | - Gleice M Amaro
- Departament of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery, Veterinary Institute, Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro, Seropédica, Brazil
| | - Aline T da Silva
- Departament of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery, Veterinary Institute, Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro, Seropédica, Brazil
| | - Camila F M Botelho
- Departament of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery, Veterinary Institute, Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro, Seropédica, Brazil
| | - Carlos L Massard
- Departament of Animal Parasitology, Veterinary Institute, Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro, Seropédica, Brazil
| | | | | | - Cristiane D Baldani
- Departament of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery, Veterinary Institute, Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro, Seropédica, Brazil
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Luz HR, Costa FB, Benatti HR, Ramos VN, de A Serpa MC, Martins TF, Acosta ICL, Ramirez DG, Muñoz-Leal S, Ramirez-Hernandez A, Binder LC, Carvalho MP, Rocha V, Dias TC, Simeoni CL, Brites-Neto J, Brasil J, Nievas AM, Monticelli PF, Moro MEG, Lopes B, Aguiar DM, Pacheco RC, Souza CE, Piovezan U, Juliano R, Ferraz KMPMB, Szabó MPJ, Labruna MB. Epidemiology of capybara-associated Brazilian spotted fever. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2019; 13:e0007734. [PMID: 31490924 PMCID: PMC6750615 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0007734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2019] [Revised: 09/18/2019] [Accepted: 08/26/2019] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Brazilian spotted fever (BSF), caused by the bacterium Rickettsia rickettsii, has been associated with the transmission by the tick Amblyomma sculptum, and one of its main hosts, the capybara (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris). Methods During 2015–2019, we captured capybaras and ticks in seven highly anthropic areas of São Paulo state (three endemic and four nonendemic for BSF) and in two natural areas of the Pantanal biome, all with established populations of capybaras. Results The BSF-endemic areas were characterized by much higher tick burdens on both capybaras and in the environment, when compared to the BSF-nonendemic areas. Only two tick species (A. sculptum and Amblyomma dubitatum) were found in the anthropic areas; however, with a great predominance of A. sculptum (≈90% of all ticks) in the endemic areas, in contrast to a slight predominance of A. dubitatum (≈60%) in the nonendemic areas. Tick species richness was higher in the natural areas, where six species were found, albeit with a predominance of A. sculptum (≈95% of all ticks) and environmental tick burdens much lower than in the anthropic areas. The BSF-endemic areas were characterized by overgrowth populations of A. sculptum that were sustained chiefly by capybaras, and decreased populations of A. dubitatum. In contrast, the BSF-nonendemic areas with landscape similar to the endemic areas differed by having lower tick burdens and a slight predominance of A. dubitatum over A.sculptum, both sustained chiefly by capybaras. While multiple medium- to large-sized mammals have been incriminated as important hosts for A. sculptum in the natural areas, the capybara was the only important host for this tick in the anthropic areas. Conclusions The uneven distribution of R. rickettsii infection among A. sculptum populations in highly anthropic areas of São Paulo state could be related to the tick population size and its proportion to sympatric A. dubitatum populations. Brazilian spotted fever (BSF), caused by the bacterium Rickettsia rickettsii, is the deadliest tick-borne disease of the New World. In southeastern Brazil, where 489 patients succumbed to the disease from 2001 to 2018, R. rickettsii is transmitted to humans mainly by the tick Amblyomma sculptum, which uses the capybara (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris) as its main host. During 2015–2019, we captured capybaras and ticks in seven highly anthropic areas of São Paulo state (three endemic and four nonendemic for BSF) and in two natural areas of the Pantanal biome. The BSF-endemic areas were characterized by much higher tick burdens on both capybaras and in the environment, with a predominance of Amblyomma sculptum. In the BSF-nonendemic areas, another tick species, Amblyomma dubitatum, outnumbered A. sculptum. In the natural areas, six tick species were found; however, with much lower numbers than in the anthropic areas. The BSF-endemic areas were characterized by overgrowth populations of A. sculptum that were sustained chiefly by capybaras, and decreased populations of A. dubitatum. Results of this study support the idea that any intervention resulting in a drastic reduction of the A. sculptum population shall eliminate the R. rickettsii infection from the tick population, and consequently, prevent new BSF cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hermes R Luz
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.,Departamento de Patologia, Programa de Pós Graduação em Biotecnologia do Renorbio, Ponto Focal Maranhão, Universidade Federal do Maranhão, São Luís, MA, Brazil
| | - Francisco B Costa
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.,Departamento de Patologia, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Estadual do Maranhão, São Luís, MA, Brazil
| | - Hector R Benatti
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Vanessa N Ramos
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.,Pós-Doutorado em Ciências Veterinárias, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil
| | - Maria Carolina de A Serpa
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Thiago F Martins
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Igor C L Acosta
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Diego G Ramirez
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.,Departamento de Parasitologia Animal, Instituto de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, Seropédica, RJ, Brazil
| | - Sebastián Muñoz-Leal
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Alejandro Ramirez-Hernandez
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Lina C Binder
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | | | - Vlamir Rocha
- Centro de Ciências Agrárias, Universidade Federal de São Carlos, Araras, SP, Brazil
| | - Thiago C Dias
- Centro de Ciências Agrárias, Universidade Federal de São Carlos, Araras, SP, Brazil.,Programa de Pós-graduação em Ecologia e Recursos Naturais, Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Universidade Federal de São Carlos, São Carlos, SP, Brazil
| | - Camila L Simeoni
- Centro de Ciências Agrárias, Universidade Federal de São Carlos, Araras, SP, Brazil
| | - José Brites-Neto
- Departamento de Vigilância Epidemiológica, Secretaria Municipal de Saúde, Americana, SP, Brazil
| | - Jardel Brasil
- Departamento de Vigilância Epidemiológica, Secretaria Municipal de Saúde, Americana, SP, Brazil
| | - Ana Maria Nievas
- Departamento de Psicologia, Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Patricia Ferreira Monticelli
- Departamento de Psicologia, Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Maria Estela G Moro
- Departamento de Zootecnia, Faculdade de Zootecnia e Engenharia de Alimentos, Universidade de São Paulo, Pirassununga, SP, Brazil
| | - Beatriz Lopes
- Departamento de Ciências Florestais, Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz, Universidade de São Paulo, Piracicaba, SP, Brazil
| | - Daniel M Aguiar
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências Veterinárias, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso, Cuiabá, MT, Brazil
| | - Richard C Pacheco
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências Veterinárias, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso, Cuiabá, MT, Brazil
| | - Celso Eduardo Souza
- Laboratório de Carrapatos, Superintendência de Controle de Endemias, Mogi Guaçu, SP, Brazil
| | - Ubiratan Piovezan
- Embrapa Pantanal, Corumbá, MS, Brazil.,Embrapa Tabuleiros Costeiros, Aracaju, SE, Brazil
| | | | - Katia Maria P M B Ferraz
- Departamento de Ciências Florestais, Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz, Universidade de São Paulo, Piracicaba, SP, Brazil
| | - Matias P J Szabó
- Laboratório de Ixodologia, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil
| | - Marcelo B Labruna
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
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Pacheco-Solano K, Barrantes-González A, Dolz G, Troyo A, Jiménez-Rocha AE, Romero-Zuñiga JJ, Taylor L. Exposure of dogs to Rickettsia spp. in Costa Rica: Risk factors for PCR-positive ectoparasites and seropositivity. Parasite Epidemiol Control 2019; 7:e00118. [PMID: 31489383 PMCID: PMC6717101 DOI: 10.1016/j.parepi.2019.e00118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2019] [Revised: 07/19/2019] [Accepted: 08/11/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Infection of dogs with Rickettsia spp. can result in inapparent, mild, or severe disease. Moreover, common dog ticks and fleas are able to transmit rickettsiae to nearby humans. In this study, the seroprevalence of spotted fever group (SFG) rickettsiae was determined in dogs of Costa Rica, as well as possible risk factors associated with exposure. An interview of owners and clinical examinations were performed in a country-wide sample of 441 dogs. IgG antibodies were determined in 399 dogs by indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) using antigens of Rickettsia rickettsii, R. amblyommatis, and R. felis. The presence of Rickettsia spp. gltA gene was evaluated by PCR in ticks and fleas. Poisson regression was performed to assess possible risk factors associated with seropositivity, as well as with having PCR-positive ticks and fleas. The overall seroprevalence to SFG rickettsiae was 10.0% (end titers 64 to 256). Rhipicephalus sanguineus s.l. (116/441; 26.3%) and Ctenocephalides felis (153/441; 34.7%) were the most common ectoparasites. Rickettsia DNA was detected in 30% (39/130) and 32.3% (56/173) of tick and flea pools, respectively. Seropositivity was significantly associated with mean age of 2 to 7 years, scrotal edema, walking problems, large size, and tick and flea infestation. Being a purebred dog was a possible protective factor. The presence of Rickettsia PCR-positive ticks was associated with being a purebred dog, while flea treatment was protective. Having PCR-positive fleas was associated with being purebred and the number of people in the dog's environment; protective factors were free roaming and being an outdoor dog. Results confirm that dogs in Costa Rica are exposed to different species of SFG rickettsiae. This may represent a risk to human health and underscores the need for accurate diagnosis in dogs and humans. Surveillance of rickettsial infection in canines may provide useful indicators to understand the epidemiology of these zoonoses. 10% of dogs were exposed to different species of SFG rickettsiae in Costa Rica. Risk factors included age, large size, and tick and flea infestation. Rickettsiae were detected in approximately 30% of flea and tick pools. Flea treatment and free roaming were protective against infected ticks and fleas. Surveillance and accurate diagnosis are required in dogs and humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine Pacheco-Solano
- Centro de Investigación en Enfermedades Tropicales, Facultad de Microbiología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica
| | - Alexander Barrantes-González
- Programa de Investigación en Medicina Poblacional, Escuela de Medicina Veterinaria, Universidad Nacional, Heredia, Costa Rica
| | - Gaby Dolz
- Programa de Investigación en Medicina Poblacional, Escuela de Medicina Veterinaria, Universidad Nacional, Heredia, Costa Rica
| | - Adriana Troyo
- Centro de Investigación en Enfermedades Tropicales, Facultad de Microbiología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica
- Corresponding author at: Centro de Investigación en Enfermedades Tropicales, Departamento de Parasitología, Facultad de Microbiología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica.
| | - Ana E. Jiménez-Rocha
- Laboratorio de Parasitología, Escuela de Medicina Veterinaria, Universidad Nacional, Heredia, Costa Rica
| | - Juan José Romero-Zuñiga
- Programa de Investigación en Medicina Poblacional, Escuela de Medicina Veterinaria, Universidad Nacional, Heredia, Costa Rica
| | - Lizeth Taylor
- Centro de Investigación en Enfermedades Tropicales, Facultad de Microbiología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica
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Gerardi M, Ramírez-Hernández A, Binder LC, Krawczak FS, Gregori F, Labruna MB. Comparative Susceptibility of Different Populations of Amblyomma sculptum to Rickettsia rickettsii. Front Physiol 2019; 10:653. [PMID: 31191350 PMCID: PMC6546895 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2019.00653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2019] [Accepted: 05/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The bacterium Rickettsia rickettsii is the etiological agent of Brazilian spotted fever (BSF), which is transmitted in Brazil mainly by the tick Amblyomma sculptum. Herein, larvae and nymphs of six populations of A. sculptum were exposed to R. rickettsii by feeding on needle-inoculated guinea pigs, and thereafter reared on uninfected guinea pigs or rabbits. Two tick populations were exposed to autochthone R. rickettsii strains, whereas four tick populations were exposed to non-autochthone strains. The six geographically different populations of A. sculptum showed different susceptibilities to R. rickettsii, higher among the two tick populations that were exposed to their autochthone R. rickettsii strain. In addition, higher rates of transovarial transmission of R. rickettsii and vector competence success also included the two tick populations that were exposed to autochthone R. rickettsii strains. These results indicate that the susceptibility of A. sculptum to R. rickettsii varies among different tick populations, with a clear bias for higher susceptibility to an autochthone R. rickettsii strain that has already coevolved with a tick population for some time. Our results demonstrated that the R. rickettsii infection induces higher mortality of engorged larvae and nymphs, and tend to reduce the reproductive fitness of engorged females. All together, these results might explain the low R. rickettsii-infection rates of A. sculptum under natural conditions (usually <1%), and indicate that an A. sculptum population should not be able to sustain a R. rickettsii infection for successive tick generations without the creation of new cohorts of infected ticks via horizontal transmission on vertebrate rickettsemic hosts (amplifying hosts). Finally, despite of the ubiquitous distribution of A. sculptum in southeastern and central-western Brazil, most of the populations of this tick species are devoid of R. rickettsii infection. This scenario might be related to two major factors: (i) insufficient numbers of susceptible amplifying hosts; and (ii) lower susceptibilities of many tick populations. While the first factor has been demonstrated by mathematical models in previous studies, the second is highlighted by the results observed in the present study.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Marcelo B. Labruna
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine and Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
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Passos Nunes FB, da Silva SC, Cieto AD, Labruna MB. The Dynamics of Ticks and Capybaras in a Residential Park Area in Southeastern Brazil: Implications for the Risk of Rickettsia rickettsii Infection. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2019; 19:711-716. [PMID: 31135286 DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2019.2479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The bacterium Rickettsia rickettsii causes Brazilian spotted fever (BSF), a highly lethal disease that is transmitted by Amblyomma sculptum ticks in areas where capybaras (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris) are the tick's major hosts. In this study, we evaluated the expansion of a capybara population in a residential park in São Paulo state, and the implications of such expansion to the occurrence of ticks and BSF. The capybara population was quantified during 2004-2013. In 2012, there was a BSF human case in the area, culminating in the complete fencing of the residential park and the official culling of all capybaras. Quantification of ticks in the environment was performed by dry ice traps from 2005 to 2018. Domestic dogs in 2006-2011 and capybaras in 2012 were serologically tested for the presence of anti-R. rickettsii antibodies. Our results show that capybara numbers increased ≈5 times from 2004 (41 capybaras) to 2012 (230 capybaras). Dry ice traps collected A. sculptum and Amblyomma dubitatum. The number of A. dubitatum adult ticks was generally higher than A. sculptum adults during 2005-2006; however, during 2012-2013, A. sculptum outnumbered A. dubitatum by a large difference. During 2016-2018 (after capybara culling), the number of both species fell close to zero. The low numbers of A. sculptum adult ticks during 2005-2006 coincided with relatively low capybara numbers (<80). Thereafter, in 2012, we counted the highest numbers of both A. sculptum ticks and capybaras (230 animals). All 40 canine blood samples were seronegative to R. rickettsii, in contrast to the 48.3% seropositivity (83/172) among capybaras. Our results support that the emergence of BSF in the residential park was a consequence of the increase of the local capybara population, which in turn, provided the increment of the A. sculptum population. Culling the entire capybara population eliminated the risks of new BSF cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernanda B Passos Nunes
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.,A Z Nunes & Cia Ltda, Itu, Brazil
| | | | - Alex Deiws Cieto
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Marcelo B Labruna
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
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48
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Kmetiuk LB, Krawczak FS, Machado FP, Paploski IAD, Martins TF, Teider-Junior PI, Serpa MCA, Barbieri ARM, Bach RVW, Barros-Filho IR, Lipinski LC, P. dos Santos A, Labruna MB, Biondo AW. Ticks and serosurvey of anti-Rickettsia spp. antibodies in wild boars (Sus scrofa), hunting dogs and hunters of Brazil. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2019; 13:e0007405. [PMID: 31145746 PMCID: PMC6542515 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0007405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2018] [Accepted: 04/22/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Rickettsia bacteria are responsible for diseases in humans and animals around the world, however few details are available regarding its ecology and circulation among wild animals and human populations at high transmission risk in Brazil. The aim of this study was to investigate the occurrence of ticks and Rickettsia spp. in wild boars, corresponding hunting dogs and hunters. METHODS Serum samples and ticks were collected from 80 free-range wild boars, 170 hunting dogs and 34 hunters from southern and central-western Brazil, from the Atlantic Forest and Cerrado biomes, respectively, between 2016 and 2018. Serum samples were tested by indirect immunofluorescent-antibody assay (IFA) to detect IgG antibodies against Rickettsia rickettsii, Rickettsia parkeri, Rickettsia bellii, Rickettsia rhipicephali and Rickettsia amblyommatis. Tick species were identified by morphological taxonomic keys, as previously described. A total of 164 ticks including A. sculptum, A. brasiliense and A. aureolatum were tested in PCR assays for Spotted Fever Group (SFG) Rickettsia spp. RESULTS A total of 58/80 (72.5%) wild boars, 24/170 (14.1%) hunting dogs and 5/34 (14.7%) hunters were positive (titers ≥ 64) to at least one Rickettsia species. A total of 669/1,584 (42.2%) ticks from wild boars were identified as Amblyomma sculptum, 910/1,584 (57.4%) as Amblyomma brasiliense, 4/1,584(0.24%) larvae of Amblyomma spp. and 1/1,584 (0.06%) nymph as Amblyolmma dubitatum. All 9 ticks found on hunting dogs were identified as Amblyomma aureolatum and all 22 ticks on hunters as A. sculptum. No tested tick was positive by standard PCR to SFG Rickettsia spp. CONCLUSIONS The present study was the concomitant report of wild boar, hunting dog and hunter exposure to SFG rickettsiae agents, performed in two different Brazilian biomes. Wild boar hunting may increase the risk of human exposure and consequently tick-borne disease Wild boars may be carrying and spreading capybara ticks from their original habitats to other ecosystems. Further studies can be required to explore the ability of wild boars to infecting ticks and be part of transmission cycle of Rickettsia spp.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louise B. Kmetiuk
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Felipe S. Krawczak
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil
| | - Fernanda P. Machado
- Department of Veterinary Science, Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Igor A. D. Paploski
- Department of Veterinary Population Medicine, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minnesota, United States of America
| | - Thiago F. Martins
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine and Animal Health, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Pedro I. Teider-Junior
- Department of Veterinary Science, Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Maria C. A. Serpa
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine and Animal Health, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Amália R. M. Barbieri
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine and Animal Health, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Renato V. W. Bach
- Department of Medicine, State University of Ponta Grossa, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Ivan R. Barros-Filho
- Department of Veterinary Science, Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil
| | | | - Andrea P. dos Santos
- Assistant professor, Department of Comparative Pathobiology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, United States of America
| | - Marcelo B. Labruna
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine and Animal Health, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Alexander W. Biondo
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil
- Adjunct professor, Department of Comparative Pathobiology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, United States of America
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Gruhn KD, Ogrzewalska M, Rozental T, Farikoski IO, Blanco C, de Souza Freitas L, de Lemos ERS, Ribeiro VMF. Evaluation of rickettsial infection in free-range capybaras (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris Linnaeus, 1766) (Rodentia: Caviidae) and ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) in the Western Amazon, Brazil. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2019; 10:981-986. [PMID: 31109835 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2019.04.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2018] [Revised: 03/21/2019] [Accepted: 04/10/2019] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Capybaras (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris Linnaeus, 1766) (Rodentia: Caviidae) are important hosts of Amblyomma ticks (Acari: Ixodidae), which in turn can transmit rickettsiae to humans and animals. However, there is a scarcity of studies about the tick fauna and rickettsial infection in the Amazon region. The present study evaluated rickettsial infection in capybaras and ticks in different areas of the municipality of Rio Branco, state of Acre, in the Western Brazilian Amazon, where rickettsiosis has never been reported. Blood sera from 43 capybaras from four localities in Rio Branco were tested by indirect immunofluorescence assay using Rickettsia rickettsii antigens. Ticks were collected from capybaras and from vegetation as well. Ticks were taxonomically identified to the species level and some of them were tested by PCR, targeting a fragment of the rickettsial gltA gene. Additionally, ticks were tested for bacteria from the genus Borrelia and family Anaplasmatacae. All capybaras submitted to the serological examination were considered non-reactive to R. rickettsii. A total of 410 ticks were collected directly from the capybaras. Amblyomma dubitatum Neumann, 1899 was the most abundant species (82.4%), followed by Amblyomma naponense (Packard, 1869) (14.3%), Amblyomma humerale Koch, 1844 (0.7%), Amblyomma pacae Aragão, 1911 (0.4%), Amblyomma rotundatum Koch 1844 (0.2%) and Amblyomma sp. (1.7%). From the environment 262 ticks were collected: Rhipicephalus microplus (Canestrini, 1888) (88.9%), Dermacentor nitens Neumann, 1897 (9.9%), Amblyomma varium Koch, 1844 (0.7%) and A. rotundatum (0.3%). With the exception of A. humerale, A. rotundatum and R. microplus, all other species are reported here for the first time in the state. Some of the ticks sampled (N = 317) were tested by molecular methods for infection by Rickettsia spp. Rickettsia bellii was identified infecting A. dubitatum and A. rotundatum, while Rickettsia amblyommatis only was found infecting A. humerale and Rickettsia sp. strain Tapirapé was found in A. naponense. This is the first detection of R. bellii and Rickettsia sp. strain Tapirapé in Acre. No Borrelia or Anaplasmataceae were found in the tested ticks. These results add relevant knowledge about the Rickettsia spp. and the acarological fauna in the region of the Western Amazon, and are essential for the maintenance of vigilance about possible pathogens that occur in the state and determination of the risks that they pose to humans and animals that inhabit the region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karla Dayane Gruhn
- Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Natureza, Universidade Federal do Acre, Rio Branco, AC, Brazil.
| | - Maria Ogrzewalska
- Laboratório de Hantaviroses e Rickettsioses, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Tatiana Rozental
- Laboratório de Hantaviroses e Rickettsioses, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Itacir Olivio Farikoski
- Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Natureza, Universidade Federal do Acre, Rio Branco, AC, Brazil
| | - Carolina Blanco
- Laboratório de Hantaviroses e Rickettsioses, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Lucas de Souza Freitas
- Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Natureza, Universidade Federal do Acre, Rio Branco, AC, Brazil
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50
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Qi Y, Shao Y, Rao J, Shen W, Yin Q, Li X, Chen H, Li J, Zeng W, Zheng S, Liu S, Li Y. Development of a rapid and visual detection method for Rickettsia rickettsii combining recombinase polymerase assay with lateral flow test. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0207811. [PMID: 30475889 PMCID: PMC6257923 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0207811] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2018] [Accepted: 11/06/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives Rickettsia rickettsii is the causative agent of Rocky Mountain spotted fever, which is the most severe spotted fever group (SFG) rickettsiosis. Developing a simple and reliable detection method is required. Methods A detection method for R. rickettsii was established based on a recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA) assay and the lateral flow (LF) test. A specific target sequence was screened, and corresponding primers and probes were designed, synthesized, and screened for establishing an RPA assay with high amplification efficiency. Reagent concentrations, amplification time, and loading volume for strip development were optimized. The detection limit, analytic sensitivity and specificity were evaluated. Results A rapid, visual, sensitive and specific method for the detection of R. rickettsii based on RPA and the LF test was successfully established. The novel method had a limit of detection of 10 to 50 copies/reaction without recognizing other organisms. Analytical sensitivity and specificity were ≥90% and 100%, respectively, as evaluated by animal and simulative human samples. Conclusions Using the established method, detection could be completed in 30 min with visually detectable results by the naked eye, without requirement of any instrument except a constant temperature equipment. The technique shows superior detection performance and is promising for wide use in the field as well as resource-limited areas for R. rickettsii detection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong Qi
- Huadong Research Institute for Medicine and Biotechniques, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yinxiu Shao
- China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jixian Rao
- Huadong Research Institute for Medicine and Biotechniques, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Wanpeng Shen
- Huadong Research Institute for Medicine and Biotechniques, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Qiong Yin
- China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xiaoling Li
- China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Hongxia Chen
- Huadong Research Institute for Medicine and Biotechniques, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jiameng Li
- Huadong Research Institute for Medicine and Biotechniques, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Wenwen Zeng
- China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Shulong Zheng
- China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Suyun Liu
- China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yuexi Li
- Huadong Research Institute for Medicine and Biotechniques, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
- China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
- * E-mail:
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