1
|
Pesenato IP, Bassini-Silva R, Jacinavicius FDC. A review on trombiculiasis: An underreported parasitosis that affects humans and animals, including world distribution, clinical findings, associated pathogens, prophylaxis and identification methods. Acta Trop 2024; 260:107420. [PMID: 39366499 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2024.107420] [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: 08/13/2024] [Revised: 09/19/2024] [Accepted: 09/29/2024] [Indexed: 10/06/2024]
Abstract
Chigger mites comprise three families: Trombiculidae, Leeuwenhoekiidae and Walchiidae, with over 3,000 species worldwide. Their life cycle includes six stages, and the larvae are parasites, while the other stages are free-living predators. Once attached to a host, the larvae spend several days feeding on the host's epithelial tissue, forming the stylostome. An inflammatory reaction can be formed during larval feeding, known as trombiculiasis or trombiculosis. In this study, we provide a literature review using 123 scientific articles on the cases of trombiculiasis in animals and humans reported in different biogeographical regions, including 29 countries and 30 different chigger species, with all the information compiled in the Supplementary material. This review aims to increase the visibility of this disease and group of mites, so that physicians and veterinarians can become more aware of the disease and include the causative agent in differential diagnoses. We also offer knowledge on mounting and control methods in order to improve mite identification for future research. Lastly, the prophylaxis and control methods in cases of infestations and associated pathogens are mentioned.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Isabella Pereira Pesenato
- Departamento de Biologia Animal, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, SP, Brazil.
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
2
|
Chaisiri K, Linsuwanon P, Makepeace BL. The chigger microbiome: big questions in a tiny world. Trends Parasitol 2023; 39:696-707. [PMID: 37270375 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2023.05.002] [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: 07/16/2022] [Revised: 05/06/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
'Chiggers' (trombiculid mite larvae) are best known as vectors of rickettsial pathogens, Orientia spp., which cause a zoonosis, scrub typhus. However, several other pathogens (e.g., Hantaan orthohantavirus, Dabie bandavirus, Anaplasma spp., Bartonella spp., Borrelia spp., and Rickettsia spp.) and bacterial symbionts (e.g., Cardinium, Rickettsiella, and Wolbachia) are being reported from chiggers with increasing frequency. Here, we explore the surprisingly diverse chigger microbiota and potential interactions within this microcosm. Key conclusions include a possible role for chiggers as vectors of viral diseases; the dominance in some chigger populations of unidentified symbionts in several bacterial families; and increasing evidence for vertical transmission of potential pathogens and symbiotic bacteria in chiggers, suggesting intimate interactions and not simply incidental acquisition of bacteria from the environment or host.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kittipong Chaisiri
- Department of Helminthology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Ratchathewi, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
| | - Piyada Linsuwanon
- Department of Entomology, US Army Medical Component, Armed Forces Research Institute of Medical Sciences, Ratchathewi, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
| | - Benjamin L Makepeace
- Institute of Infection, Veterinary & Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L3 5RF, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Bassini-Silva R, de Castro Jacinavicius F, Muñoz-Leal S, Maturano R, Takatsu JC, Tolesano-Pascoli GV, Alquezar RD, Lugarini C, Ferreira A, Moreira-Lima L, Welbourn C, Ochoa R, Hingst-Zaher E, André MR, Labruna MB, Barros-Battesti DM. Bacterial pathogens' screening in Brazilian chigger mites (Trombidiformes: Trombiculidae), with the first report of 'Candidatus Rickettsia colombianensi'-like in avian-associated chiggers. Arch Microbiol 2023; 205:51. [PMID: 36598595 DOI: 10.1007/s00203-022-03393-9] [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: 09/27/2022] [Revised: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 12/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Chiggers are larval ectoparasites of the Trombiculidae that can transmit pathogens to their hosts. In this study, chiggers collected from birds in Brazil were morphologically identified as Blankaartia sinnamaryi, Eutrombicula batatas, Eutrombicula daemoni, Eutrombicula goeldii, Eutrombicula tinami, and Parasecia gilbertoi. For these specimens, a beginning attempt at molecular identification were also provided, as well as, were genetically screened to detect bacterial pathogens. The species B. sinnamaryi and E. tinami were positive for Rickettsia felis-like and 'Candidatus Rickettsia colombianensi'-like, respectively. For the other agents (Anaplasmataceae, Borrelia spp. and Orientia tsutsugamushi), the tests were negative. This is the first report of 'Ca. R. colombianensi'-like and the second record of R. felis-like in chigger collected on birds from Brazil.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ricardo Bassini-Silva
- Laboratório de Coleções Zoológicas, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, SP, Brazil. .,Departamento de Patologia, Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias-UNESP, Reprodução e Saúde Única, Jaboticabal, SP, Brazil.
| | | | - Sebastián Muñoz-Leal
- Departamento de Ciencia Animal, Facultad Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad de Concepción, Ñuble, Chile
| | - Ralph Maturano
- Departamento de Zoologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora, Juiz de Fora, MG, Brazil
| | | | - Graziela Virginia Tolesano-Pascoli
- Laboratório de Ixodologia, Labix, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil.,Pós-Graduação em Ecologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade de Brasília, Brasília, DF, Brazil
| | - Renata D Alquezar
- Pós-Graduação em Ecologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade de Brasília, Brasília, DF, Brazil
| | - Camile Lugarini
- Centro Nacional de Pesquisa e Conservação de Aves Silvestres (CEMAVE), Instituto Chico Mendes de Conservação da Biodiversidade (ICMBio), Cabedelo, PB, Brazil
| | - Ariane Ferreira
- Laboratório de Ornitologia e Bioacústica Catarinense, Departamento de Ecologia e Zoologia, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, SC, Brazil
| | | | - Cal Welbourn
- Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of Natural History, National Insect and Mite Collection, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Ronald Ochoa
- Systematic Entomology Laboratory, United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Beltsville, MD, USA
| | | | - Marcos Rogério André
- Departamento de Patologia, Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias-UNESP, Reprodução e Saúde Única, Jaboticabal, SP, Brazil
| | - Marcelo Bahia Labruna
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia da, Universidade de São Paulo-FMVZ-USP, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Darci Moraes Barros-Battesti
- Departamento de Patologia, Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias-UNESP, Reprodução e Saúde Única, Jaboticabal, SP, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Chen K, Roe RM, Ponnusamy L. Biology, Systematics, Microbiome, Pathogen Transmission and Control of Chiggers (Acari: Trombiculidae, Leeuwenhoekiidae) with Emphasis on the United States. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:15147. [PMID: 36429867 PMCID: PMC9690316 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192215147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2022] [Revised: 10/26/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Chiggers are the larval stage of Trombiculidae and Leeuwenhoekiidae mites of medical and veterinary importance. Some species in the genus Leptotrombidium and Herpetacarus vector Orientia species, the bacteria that causes scrub typhus disease in humans. Scrub typhus is a life-threatening, febrile disease. Chigger bites can also cause dermatitis. There were 248 chigger species reported from the US from almost every state. However, there are large gaps in our knowledge of the life history of other stages of development. North American wide morphological keys are needed for better species identification, and molecular sequence data for identification are minimal and not clearly matched with morphological data. The role of chiggers in disease transmission in the US is especially understudied, and the role of endosymbionts in Orientia infection are suggested in the scientific literature but not confirmed. The most common chiggers in the eastern United States were identified as Eutrombicula alfreddugesi but were likely misidentified and should be replaced with Eutrombicula cinnabaris. Scrub typhus was originally believed to be limited to the Tsutsugamushi Triangle and the chigger genus, Leptotrombidium, but there is increasing evidence this is not the case. The potential of Orientia species establishing in the US is high. In addition, several other recognized pathogens to infect humans, namely Hantavirus, Bartonella, Borrelia, and Rickettsia, were also detected in chiggers. The role that chiggers play in these disease transmissions in the US needs further investigation. It is possible some of the tick-borne diseases and red meat allergies are caused by chiggers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kaiying Chen
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA
| | - R. Michael Roe
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA
- Comparative Medicine Institute, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA
| | - Loganathan Ponnusamy
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA
- Comparative Medicine Institute, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Moniuszko H, Wojnarowski K, Cholewińska P. Not Only Leptotrombidium spp. an Annotated Checklist of Chigger Mites (Actinotrichida: Trombiculidae) Associated with Bacterial Pathogens. Pathogens 2022; 11:1084. [PMID: 36297141 PMCID: PMC9611227 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11101084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2022] [Revised: 09/19/2022] [Accepted: 09/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Mites of the family Trombiculidae are known for playing a role in maintaining and spreading the scrub typhus etiologic agent, an intracellular Gram-negative bacterium, Orientia tsutsugamushi. Species of the genus Leptotrombidium are investigated most thoroughly, particularly in SE Asia, and a few are proven vectors for the pathogen. The mentioned association, however, is not the only one among trombiculids. Here, we present a list of chiggers indicated in the literature as positive for bacterial pathogens, tested throughout almost 100 years of research. Taxonomic identities of trombiculids follow recent revisions and checklists. Results point at 100 species, from 28 genera, evidenced for association with 31 bacterial taxa. Pathogen-positive mites constitute around 3.3% of the total number of species comprising the family. Discussed arachnids inhabit six biogeographic realms and represent free-living instars as well as external and internal parasites of rodents, soricomorphs, scadents, lagomorphs, peramelemorphs, bats, passerine birds, reptiles and humans. A variety of so far detected bacteria, including novel species, along with the mites' vast geographical distribution and parasitism on differentiated hosts, indicate that revealing of more cases of Trombiculidae-pathogens association is highly probable, especially utilizing the newest techniques enabling a large-scale bacterial communities survey.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hanna Moniuszko
- Section of Basic Research in Horticulture, Department of Plant Protection, Institute of Horticultural Sciences, Warsaw University of Life Sciences—SGGW, 02-776 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Konrad Wojnarowski
- Chair for Fish Diseases and Fisheries Biology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich, 80539 Munich, Germany
| | - Paulina Cholewińska
- Institute of Animal Breeding, Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences, 51-630 Wroclaw, Poland
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Herrera-Mares A, Guzmán-Cornejo C, Ulloa-García A, Córdoba-Aguilar A, Silva-de la Fuente MC, Suzán G. Mites, rodents, and pathogens: A global review for a multi-species interaction in disease ecology. Acta Trop 2022; 232:106509. [PMID: 35569525 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2022.106509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2022] [Revised: 05/03/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
More than ever, there is a need to understand how pathogens, vectors and hosts occur temporally and spatially to predict the occurrence of zoonotic outbreaks. Related to this, mites of the Mesostigmata and Trombidiformes orders have the potential to transmit several diseases, yet their information of occurrence, distribution and zoonotic accompanying agents have not been systematically organized. We conducted a systematic review using a combination of words through the Sysrev platform, as well as literature searches in specialised databases to identify global patterns of infections, trends in mite-rodent-pathogen research and existing knowledge gaps. The inclusion criterion was the detection of pathogens in mites, either by molecular or serological techniques or by direct observation under the microscope, which rendered 125 papers. Most works have been carried out in Asia, mainly around the transmission of Orientia tsutsugamushi. Interestingly, co-infections, i.e., the presence of more than one pathogen in an individual, are common in other Acari groups such as ticks. Moreover, this is not the case for Trombidiformes and Mesostigmata as only 4.7 percent of the articles reviewed detected more than one pathogen in these mites. It is important to include a multi-host, multi-vector and multi-pathogen approaches to understand complex systems in disease ecology. A synergy between mite taxonomists, physicians and veterinarians, decision-makers, governmental organisations, and society is needed to address the emergence of mite-borne new or neglected diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Angel Herrera-Mares
- Departamento de Etología, Laboratorio de Ecología de Enfermedades y Una Salud, Fauna Silvestre y Animales de Laboratorio, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico; Posgrado en Ciencias Biológicas, Unidad de Posgrado, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico
| | - Carmen Guzmán-Cornejo
- Departamento de Biología Comparada, Facultad de Ciencias, Laboratorio de Acarología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, México
| | - Armando Ulloa-García
- Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Campus IV, Universidad Autónoma de Chiapas, Tapachula, Chiapas, Mexico
| | - Alex Córdoba-Aguilar
- Instituto de Ecología, Universidad, Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
| | | | - Gerardo Suzán
- Departamento de Etología, Laboratorio de Ecología de Enfermedades y Una Salud, Fauna Silvestre y Animales de Laboratorio, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Ponnusamy L, Garshong R, McLean BS, Wasserberg G, Durden LA, Crossley D, Apperson CS, Roe RM. Rickettsia felis and Other Rickettsia Species in Chigger Mites Collected from Wild Rodents in North Carolina, USA. Microorganisms 2022; 10:microorganisms10071342. [PMID: 35889061 PMCID: PMC9324336 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10071342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2022] [Revised: 06/30/2022] [Accepted: 07/01/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Chiggers are vectors of rickettsial pathogenic bacteria, Orientia spp., that cause the human disease, scrub typhus, in the Asian–Pacific area and northern Australia (known as the Tsutsugamushi Triangle). More recently, reports of scrub typhus in Africa, southern Chile, and the Middle East have reshaped our understanding of the epidemiology of this disease, indicating it has a broad geographical distribution. Despite the growing number of studies and discoveries of chigger-borne human disease outside of the Tsutsugamushi Triangle, rickettsial pathogens in chigger mites in the US are still undetermined. The aim of our study was to investigate possible Rickettsia DNA in chiggers collected from rodents in North Carolina, USA. Of 46 chiggers tested, 47.8% tested positive for amplicons of the 23S-5S gene, 36.9% tested positive for 17 kDa, and 15.2% tested positive for gltA. Nucleotide sequence analyses of the Rickettsia-specific 23S-5S intergenic spacer (IGS), 17 kDa, and gltA gene fragments indicated that the amplicons from these chiggers were closely related to those in R. felis, R. conorii, R. typhi, and unidentified Rickettsia species. In this study, we provide the first evidence of Rickettsia infection in chiggers collected from rodents within the continental USA. In North Carolina, a US state with the highest annual cases of spotted fever rickettsioses, these results suggest chigger bites could pose a risk to public health, warranting further study.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Loganathan Ponnusamy
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Comparative Medicine Institute, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA; (C.S.A.); (R.M.R.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Reuben Garshong
- Department of Biology, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, NC 27402, USA; (R.G.); (B.S.M.); (G.W.)
| | - Bryan S. McLean
- Department of Biology, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, NC 27402, USA; (R.G.); (B.S.M.); (G.W.)
| | - Gideon Wasserberg
- Department of Biology, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, NC 27402, USA; (R.G.); (B.S.M.); (G.W.)
| | - Lance A. Durden
- Department of Biology, Georgia Southern University, 4324 Old Register Road Statesboro, Statesboro, GA 30458, USA;
| | - Dac Crossley
- Georgia Museum of Natural History, Natural History Building, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA;
| | - Charles S. Apperson
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Comparative Medicine Institute, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA; (C.S.A.); (R.M.R.)
| | - R. Michael Roe
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Comparative Medicine Institute, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA; (C.S.A.); (R.M.R.)
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Linsuwanon P, Auysawasdi N, Wongwairot S, Leepitakrat S, Rodkhamtook W, Wanja E, Monkanna T, Wegner M, Davidson S, Poovorawan Y, Poole-Smith B, Limsuwon C, McCardle P. Assessing scrub typhus and rickettsioses transmission risks in the Chiang Rai province of northern Thailand. Travel Med Infect Dis 2021; 42:102086. [PMID: 34044127 DOI: 10.1016/j.tmaid.2021.102086] [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: 10/27/2020] [Revised: 05/19/2021] [Accepted: 05/20/2021] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Scrub typhus is an important disease in the Asia-Pacific countries with increasing relevance for public health worldwide. Entomological risk assessment for scrub typhus and rickettsial disease in Phu Chi Fah village-Chiang Rai was performed to determine areas at greatest risk for disease transmission in order to increase awareness of diseases to travelers and healthcare workers. METHODS From 2016 to 2018, rodents and chiggers were collected from 7 sites covering residential, grassland, and forest areas to determine the prevalence of pathogen of interest. The correlation between land type and vector-host-pathogen interaction system was investigated. RESULT High prevalence of O. tsutsugamushi-infected and Rickettsia-infected chiggers was observed especially in areas with grassland and forest ecotones. Chigger and rodent species composition were negatively associated with the level of human disturbance. Increased density of rodents was responsible for a higher abundance of chigger population and increased prevalence of O. tsutsugmaushi infection in chigger in the following year. CONCLUSION Communities in the study areas have an increased exposure risk to scrub typhus and potentially spotted fever group rickettsiosis. Travellers to this endemic area should pay more attention pathogen risks so as to avoid vector and disease exposure. Seasonal rodenticidal activity may help migitate the risk of pathogen transmission.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Piyada Linsuwanon
- Department of Entomology, US Medical Directorate-Armed Forces Research Institute of Medical Science, Bangkok, Thailand.
| | - Nutthanun Auysawasdi
- Department of Entomology, US Medical Directorate-Armed Forces Research Institute of Medical Science, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Sirima Wongwairot
- Department of Entomology, US Medical Directorate-Armed Forces Research Institute of Medical Science, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Surachai Leepitakrat
- Department of Entomology, US Medical Directorate-Armed Forces Research Institute of Medical Science, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Wuttikon Rodkhamtook
- Research Division, Royal Thai Army Component-Armed Forces Research Institute of Medical Science, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Elizabeth Wanja
- Department of Entomology, US Medical Directorate-Armed Forces Research Institute of Medical Science, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Taweesak Monkanna
- Department of Entomology, US Medical Directorate-Armed Forces Research Institute of Medical Science, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Matthew Wegner
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, US Medical Directorate-Armed Forces Research Institute of Medical Science, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Silas Davidson
- Department of Entomology, US Medical Directorate-Armed Forces Research Institute of Medical Science, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Yong Poovorawan
- Center of Excellence in Clinical Virology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Betty Poole-Smith
- Department of Entomology, US Medical Directorate-Armed Forces Research Institute of Medical Science, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Chawin Limsuwon
- Department of Entomology, US Medical Directorate-Armed Forces Research Institute of Medical Science, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Patrick McCardle
- Department of Entomology, US Medical Directorate-Armed Forces Research Institute of Medical Science, Bangkok, Thailand
| |
Collapse
|