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Kayaga EB, Wampande EM, Ekakoro JE, Okwasiimire R, Nassali A, Ochoa K, Hauser C, Ndoboli D, Havas KA. Detection of antibodies against Ornithodoros moubata salivary antigens and their association with detection of African swine fever virus in pigs slaughtered in central Uganda. Front Vet Sci 2024; 11:1328040. [PMID: 38605921 PMCID: PMC11007201 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2024.1328040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 03/14/2024] [Indexed: 04/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction African swine fever (ASF) is an important disease of pigs in sub-Saharan Africa and Uganda and is threatening the pig population and agricultural economy of other continents. ASF virus (ASFV) can be transmitted from wild suids to domestic pigs through soft ticks of the Ornithodoros species. The aim of this study was to understand the relationship between domestic pigs' O. moubata tick exposure and ASFV status. Methods Pigs were sampled from six abattoirs in the Kampala metropolitan area of Uganda from May 2021 through June 2022. Blood, serum, and tissue samples were collected. Serum was tested for antibodies against the rtTSGP1 salivary antigens of O. moubata ticks using an indirect ELISA assay. Blood and tissue samples from pigs were tested to detect ASFV using qPCR. Probability of tick exposure was categorized based on sample-to-positive ratio cut-off points. Results Out of 1,328 serum samples tested, there were 828 (62.3%) samples with a negligible probability; 369 (27.8%) with a medium probability; 90 (6.8%) with a high probability, and 41 (3.1%) with a very high probability of exposure to the O. moubata salivary antigen. There was a statistically significant association between the pigs' O. moubata exposure and ASFV status with a higher proportion of pigs having a very high probability of infection if they were ASFV positive by blood, tonsil, and lymph nodes. Discussion These results suggested that tick exposure was associated with ASFV transmission in Uganda. There were ASFV qPCR positive pigs that had no O. moubata exposure as well, which highlights that pig-to-pig and indirect contact transmission still play a significant role. This work highlights the need for further work in Uganda to investigate these transmission factors related to the O. moubata tick and ASFV transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edrine B. Kayaga
- Central Diagnostic Laboratory, College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources, and Biosecurity, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Eddie M. Wampande
- Central Diagnostic Laboratory, College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources, and Biosecurity, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - John E. Ekakoro
- Department of Public and Ecosystem Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, United States
| | - Rodney Okwasiimire
- Central Diagnostic Laboratory, College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources, and Biosecurity, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Aisha Nassali
- Central Diagnostic Laboratory, College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources, and Biosecurity, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Krista Ochoa
- Department of Public and Ecosystem Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, United States
| | - Cole Hauser
- Department of Public and Ecosystem Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, United States
| | - Dickson Ndoboli
- Central Diagnostic Laboratory, College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources, and Biosecurity, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Karyn A. Havas
- Department of Public and Ecosystem Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, United States
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Hibiya K, Shinzato A, Iwata H, Kinjo T, Tateyama M, Yamamoto K, Fujita J. Effect of voluntary human mobility restrictions on vector-borne diseases during the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan: A descriptive epidemiological study using a national database (2016 to 2021). PLoS One 2023; 18:e0285107. [PMID: 37228070 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0285107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Accepted: 04/15/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic not only encouraged people to practice good hygiene but also caused behavioral inhibitions and resulted reduction in both endemic and imported infectious diseases. However, the changing patterns of vector-borne diseases under human mobility restrictions remain unclear. Hence, we aimed to investigate the impact of transborder and local mobility restrictions on vector-borne diseases through a descriptive epidemiological study. The analysis was conducted using data from the National Epidemiological Surveillance of Infectious Diseases system in Japan. We defined the pre-pandemic period as the period between the 1st week of 2016 to the 52nd week of 2019 and defined the pandemic period as from the 1st week of 2020 to the 52nd week of 2021, with the assumption that human mobility was limited throughout the pandemic period. This study addressed 24 diseases among notifiable vector borne diseases. Datasets were obtained from weekly reports from the National Epidemiological Surveillance of Infectious Diseases, and the incidence of each vector-borne disease was examined. Interrupted time series analysis was conducted on the epidemic curves for the two periods. Between the pre- and post-pandemic periods, the incidence of dengue fever and malaria significantly decreased, which may be related to limited human transboundary mobility (p = 0.003/0.002). The incidence of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome, scrub typhus, and Japanese spotted fever did not show changes between the two periods or no association with human mobility. This study suggests that behavioral control may reduce the incidence of new mosquito-borne diseases from endemic areas but may not affect tick-borne disease epidemics within an endemic area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenji Hibiya
- Department of Infectious, Respiratory, and Digestive Medicine, University of the Ryukyus, Nishihsara, Japan
- Department of Pathological Diagnosis, University of the Ryukyus Hospital, Nishihara, Japan
| | - Akira Shinzato
- Department of Infectious, Respiratory, and Digestive Medicine, University of the Ryukyus, Nishihsara, Japan
| | - Hiroyoshi Iwata
- Center for Environmental and Health Sciences, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Takeshi Kinjo
- Department of Infectious, Respiratory, and Digestive Medicine, University of the Ryukyus, Nishihsara, Japan
| | - Masao Tateyama
- Ohama Dai-ichi Hospital, Omoto-kai Group, Naha City, Okinawa, Japan
| | - Kazuko Yamamoto
- Department of Infectious, Respiratory, and Digestive Medicine, University of the Ryukyus, Nishihsara, Japan
| | - Jiro Fujita
- Department of Infectious, Respiratory, and Digestive Medicine, University of the Ryukyus, Nishihsara, Japan
- Ohama Dai-ichi Hospital, Omoto-kai Group, Naha City, Okinawa, Japan
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Noll M, Wall R, Makepeace BL, Vineer HR. Distribution of ticks in the Western Palearctic: an updated systematic review (2015-2021). Parasit Vectors 2023; 16:141. [PMID: 37095583 PMCID: PMC10127368 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-023-05773-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2023] [Accepted: 04/12/2023] [Indexed: 04/26/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The distributions of ticks and tick-borne pathogens are thought to have changed rapidly over the last two decades, with their ranges expanding into new regions. This expansion has been driven by a range of environmental and socio-economic factors, including climate change. Spatial modelling is being increasingly used to track the current and future distributions of ticks and tick-borne pathogens and to assess the associated disease risk. However, such analysis is dependent on high-resolution occurrence data for each species. To facilitate such analysis, in this review we have compiled georeferenced tick locations in the Western Palearctic, with a resolution accuracy under 10 km, that were reported between 2015 and 2021 METHODS: The PubMed and Web of Science databases were searched for peer-reviewed papers documenting the distribution of ticks that were published between 2015 and 2021, using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. The papers were then screened and excluded in accordance with the PRISMA flow chart. Coordinate-referenced tick locations along with information on identification and collection methods were extracted from each eligible publication. Spatial analysis was conducted using R software (version 4.1.2). RESULTS From the 1491 papers identified during the initial search, 124 met the inclusion criteria, and from these, 2267 coordinate-referenced tick records from 33 tick species were included in the final dataset. Over 30% of articles did not record the tick location adequately to meet inclusion criteria, only providing a location name or general location. Among the tick records, Ixodes ricinus had the highest representation (55%), followed by Dermacentor reticulatus (22.1%) and Ixodes frontalis (4.8%). The majority of ticks were collected from vegetation, with only 19.1% collected from hosts. CONCLUSIONS The data presented provides a collection of recent high-resolution, coordinate-referenced tick locations for use in spatial analyses, which in turn can be used in combination with previously collated datasets to analyse the changes in tick distribution and research in the Western Palearctic. In the future it is recommended that, where data privacy rules allow, high-resolution methods are routinely used by researchers to geolocate tick samples and ensure their work can be used to its full potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madeleine Noll
- Institute of Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK.
| | - Richard Wall
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Benjamin L Makepeace
- Institute of Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Hannah Rose Vineer
- Institute of Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
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Villanueva-Saz S, Borobia M, Fernández A, Jiménez C, Yzuel A, Verde MT, Ramo MÁ, Figueras L, Ruíz H. Anaemia in Sheep Caused by Babesia and Theileria Haemoparasites. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12233341. [PMID: 36496866 PMCID: PMC9738125 DOI: 10.3390/ani12233341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2022] [Revised: 11/23/2022] [Accepted: 11/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Piroplasmoses in sheep are caused by vector-borne apicomplexan protozoa, Babesia and Theileria. Different species are responsible for the disease; some species are more pathogenic than others and have a worldwide distribution. In this sense, these causative agents can cause anaemia in flocks. In general, these vector-borne diseases infect small ruminants and cause host-mediated pathology. In the case of Babesia species, a combination of different mechanisms is involved: red blood cell lysis due to intracellular parasite multiplication, activation of biogenic amines and the coagulation system with the possibility of disseminated intravascular coagulation. By contrast, less information is available on the different immunopathogenic mechanisms involved in the development of anaemia in sheep with theileriosis. However, the mechanisms of pathogenic action in theileriosis are similar to those studied in babesiosis. Diagnosis is based on compatible clinical signs, laboratory findings, specific diagnostic tests and the presence of the tick vector. Some of these tests detect the causative agent itself, such as direct identification by light microscopy and molecular analysis. In contrast, other tests detect the sheep's immune response to the organism by serology. Both diseases pose a significant diagnostic challenge for veterinary practitioners around the world. This review presents the most frequent clinical signs, pathogenesis and clinicopathological findings, diagnosis.
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Direct and Indirect Role of Migratory Birds in Spreading CCHFV and WNV: A Multidisciplinary Study on Three Stop-Over Islands in Italy. Pathogens 2022; 11:pathogens11091056. [PMID: 36145488 PMCID: PMC9505975 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11091056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2022] [Revised: 09/12/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The annual movements of migratory birds can contribute to the spread of African ticks and tick-borne pathogens of potential public health concern across Europe. The aim of the study was to investigate their role in the possible introduction of African ticks and tick-borne pathogens into European countries during spring migration. A total of 2344 ticks were collected during three spring seasons from 1079 birds captured on three Italian stop-over islands during their northbound migration. Once identified, each tick was tested by RT-PCR for the presence of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHFV), West Nile (WNV), and Usutu (USUV) viruses. Moreover, carcasses of birds found dead were collected and tested for the possible presence of WNV and USUV. Results confirmed a higher contribution of trans-Saharan migrants compared to intra-Palearctic ones and the prevalence of African tick species in the sample. CCHFV was detected for the second time in Italy in a Hyalomma rufipes, and WNV was found in two ticks of the same genus, all carried by trans-Saharan birds. WNV lineage 1 was also found in the organs of a Garden warbler. These results confirm the role of migratory birds in carrying African ticks, as well as viruses of zoonotic importance, from Africa into Europe.
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van Wyk CL, Mtshali K, Taioe MO, Terera S, Bakkes D, Ramatla T, Xuan X, Thekisoe O. Detection of Ticks and Tick-Borne Pathogens of Urban Stray Dogs in South Africa. Pathogens 2022; 11:pathogens11080862. [PMID: 36014983 PMCID: PMC9416273 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11080862] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2022] [Revised: 07/14/2022] [Accepted: 07/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
This study aimed to identify ticks infesting dogs admitted to the Potchefstroom Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) and to detect tick-borne pathogens they are harbouring. A total of 592 ticks were collected from 61 stray dogs admitted to PAWS originating from several suburbs in and near Potchefstroom, South Africa. The dog ticks were identified as Haemaphysalis elliptica (39%) and Rhipicephalus sanguineus (61%) by both morphological and DNA analyses. Of these ticks, H. elliptica consisted of 67.5% (156/231) and 32.5% (75/231) female and male ticks, respectively, whilst R. sanguineus consisted of 48.5% (175/361) and 51.5% (186/361) female and male ticks, respectively. Microscopic examination of blood smears from engorged female ticks indicated overall occurrences of 0.5% (1/204) for Babesia spp. from R. sanguineus, 1% (2/204) of Anaplasma spp. from H. elliptica, and 22% (45/204) of Rickettsia spp. from both H. elliptica and R. sanguineus. Using pooled samples molecular detection of tick-borne pathogens indicated overall occurrences of 1% (1/104) for A. phagocytophilum in H. elliptica, 9.6% (10/104) of Rickettsia spp. in H. elliptica and R. sanguineus, 5.8% (6/104) of Ehrlichia canis in H. elliptica and R. sanguineus, and 13.5% (14/104) of Coxiella spp. in both H. elliptica and R. sanguineus. Additionally, PCR detected 6.5% (2/31) of Coxiella spp. DNA from H. elliptica eggs. Our data indicate that urban stray dogs admitted at PAWS are infested by H. elliptica and R. sanguineus ticks which are harbouring several pathogenic organisms known to cause tick-borne diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clara-Lee van Wyk
- Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, North-West University, Potchefstroom 2520, South Africa; (C.-L.v.W.); (M.O.T.); (T.R.); (O.T.)
| | - Khethiwe Mtshali
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Tshwane University of Technology, Arcadia Campus, Pretoria 0001, South Africa;
| | - Moeti O. Taioe
- Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, North-West University, Potchefstroom 2520, South Africa; (C.-L.v.W.); (M.O.T.); (T.R.); (O.T.)
- Epidemiology, Parasites and Vectors, Agricultural Research Council, Onderstepoort Veterinary Research, Onderstepoort 0110, South Africa
| | - Stallone Terera
- Potchefstroom Animal Welfare Society, Potchefstroom 2531, South Africa;
| | - Deon Bakkes
- Gertrud Theiler Tick Museum, Agricultural Research Council, Onderstepoort Veterinary Research, Onderstepoort 0110, South Africa;
| | - Tsepo Ramatla
- Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, North-West University, Potchefstroom 2520, South Africa; (C.-L.v.W.); (M.O.T.); (T.R.); (O.T.)
| | - Xuenan Xuan
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro 080-8555, Japan
- Correspondence:
| | - Oriel Thekisoe
- Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, North-West University, Potchefstroom 2520, South Africa; (C.-L.v.W.); (M.O.T.); (T.R.); (O.T.)
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Kniazeva V, Baysal O, Krasko A, Iwaniak W, Higgs S. The Prevalence and Genetic Characterization of Strains of Borrelia Isolated from Ixodes Tick Vectors in Belarus (2012-2019). Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2021; 21:566-572. [PMID: 34077696 DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2021.0006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (s.l.) is the most common pathogen of medical significance transmitted by ticks of the family Ixodidae in Belarus. Human infection with B. burgdorferi causes Lyme borreliosis, most commonly referred to as Lyme disease. Currently, 20 species of Lyme disease-associated Borrelia and more than 20 relapsing fever-associated Borrelia species have been identified. These etiologic agents belong to the genus Borrelia in the family Spirochaetaceae. Genetically characterized isolates with specific sequences have proven that these pathogens are endemically transmitted in many European and Asian countries. In addition, joinpoint regression analysis is often applied to characterize infection trends over time and to identify the time point(s) at which the trend significantly changes. In this epidemiological investigation, joinpoint analysis was applied to investigate the temporal trend of B. burgdorferi s.l. infections in 4070 ticks collected between April and October 2012-2019. Detection of Borrelia species in ticks is an important tool to determine temporal and geographic distribution and abundance, and to predict the risk of Lyme disease to people in different regions. Our data provide a basis for further studies to determine the distribution and abundance of B. burgdorferi s.l. species in Belarus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Volha Kniazeva
- Laboratory Biosafety with Pathogens Collection, Republican Research and Practical Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology, Minsk, Belarus
| | - Omur Baysal
- Molecular Microbiology Unit, Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Muğla Sıtkı Kocman University Faculty of Science, Muğla, Turkey
| | - Anatoli Krasko
- Laboratory Biosafety with Pathogens Collection, Republican Research and Practical Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology, Minsk, Belarus
| | | | - Stephen Higgs
- Biosecurity Research Institute (BRI), Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas, USA
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Díaz-Cao JM, Adaszek Ł, Dzięgiel B, Paniagua J, Caballero-Gómez J, Winiarczyk S, Winiarczyk D, Cano-Terriza D, García-Bocanegra I. Prevalence of selected tick-borne pathogens in wild ungulates and ticks in southern Spain. Transbound Emerg Dis 2021; 69:1084-1094. [PMID: 33686775 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.14065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2020] [Revised: 02/06/2021] [Accepted: 03/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
A survey study was carried out to assess the occurrence of selected tick-borne pathogens (TBP) in wild ungulates in Mediterranean ecosystems in southern Spain. Spleen samples were collected from 1,132 wild ungulates, including 578 red deer, 269 wild boar, 135 mouflon, 121 fallow deer and 29 roe deer, between 2009 and 2015. Eighty-nine ticks collected from TBP-positive animals were also analysed. Samples were tested by PCR and sequenced whenever possible. TBP DNA was detected in 127 of 863 wild ruminants (14.7%; 95% CI: 12.4-17.3) including the following: Anaplasma phagocytophilum (9.2%), Babesia divergens (2.9%), Theileria sp. OT3 (1.7%), Borrelia afzelii (0.7%) and Theileria capreoli (0.2%), but no positive samples were detected in wild boar (0/269). All the strains from mouflon were identified as Theileria sp. OT3, while B. divergens and T. capreoli were mainly found in red deer. Co-infection with A. phagocytophilum and B. divergens, and A. phagocytophilum and Theileria spp. was detected in red deer and mouflon, respectively. The risk factor analysis showed that the prevalences of A. phagocytophilum and piroplasms were species-related. Eighty-nine tick specimens collected from ungulates found to be infected with the selected TBP were identified as Hyalomma lusitanicum (95.5%) and Ixodes ricinus (4.5%). Thirty ticks were positive for Anaplasma/Ehrlichia spp. (33.7%), 25 for Babesia/Theileria (28.1%) and two for B. burgdorferi s.l. (2.3%). Eleven specimens showed co-infections with Anaplasma/Ehrlichia and Babesia/Theileria (10.1%) or Anaplasma/Ehrlichia and B. burgdorferi s.l. (2.3%). The estimated prevalences obtained in the present study suggest the possible contribution of wild ruminants to the maintenance of some selected TBP in Mediterranean ecosystems in southern Spain, while the role of wild boar in the epidemiology of these pathogens seems to be limited in this region.
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Affiliation(s)
- José Manuel Díaz-Cao
- Animal Health and Zoonosis Research Group (GISAZ), Department of Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cordoba, Cordoba, Spain
| | - Łukasz Adaszek
- Department of Epizootiology and Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Lublin, Poland
| | - Beata Dzięgiel
- Department of Epizootiology and Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Lublin, Poland
| | - Jorge Paniagua
- Animal Health and Zoonosis Research Group (GISAZ), Department of Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cordoba, Cordoba, Spain
| | - Javier Caballero-Gómez
- Animal Health and Zoonosis Research Group (GISAZ), Department of Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cordoba, Cordoba, Spain.,Infectious Diseases Unit, Clinical Virology and Zoonoses research group, Reina Sofia University Hospital, Maimonides Biomedical Research Insitute of Cordoba (IMIBIC), University of Cordoba, Cordoba, Spain
| | - Stanislaw Winiarczyk
- Department of Epizootiology and Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Lublin, Poland
| | - Dagmara Winiarczyk
- Department of Epizootiology and Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Lublin, Poland
| | - David Cano-Terriza
- Animal Health and Zoonosis Research Group (GISAZ), Department of Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cordoba, Cordoba, Spain
| | - Ignacio García-Bocanegra
- Animal Health and Zoonosis Research Group (GISAZ), Department of Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cordoba, Cordoba, Spain
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Chisu V, Loi F, Foxi C, Chessa G, Masu G, Rolesu S, Masala G. Coexistence of Tick-Borne Pathogens in Ticks Collected from their Hosts in Sardinia: an Update. Acta Parasitol 2020; 65:999-1004. [PMID: 32557083 DOI: 10.1007/s11686-020-00240-z] [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: 04/04/2020] [Accepted: 06/04/2020] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE In recent decades, the incidence and distribution of tick-borne diseases have increased worldwide, attracting the attention of both clinicians and veterinarians. In Sardinia, notifiable tick-borne diseases are spreading and Mediterranean spotted fever (MSF) rickettsiosis continues to be endemic with an incidence of 10/10,000 inhabitants per year. Furthermore, ticks can transfer more than one pathogen after a single blood meal from a coinfected host or after multiple feeding on different infected hosts. The aim of this study was to update information on ticks and tick-borne diseases, focusing also on the presence of coinfection in Sardinian ticks. METHODS The presence of protozoan (Theileria and Babesia species) and bacterial pathogens (Rickettsia spp., Anaplasma spp., Ehrlichia canis, Chlamydia spp., Bartonella spp., and Coxiella burnetii) was evaluated in 230 ticks collected from different hosts in Sardinia. RESULTS PCR and sequencing analyses highlighted that the 59% of ticks were infected with at least one pathogen while the 15% resulted in coinfection by double and triple pathogens. Among the double co-infections, those of E. canis/C. burnetii, Babesia sp. Anglona/Ch. psittaci and Babesia sp. Anglona/C. burnetii revealed a statistically significant index of coinfection. CONCLUSION This study identifies new pathogens in Sardinian ticks and updates the information about tick-borne diseases in the island. We also provide new results on the presence of coinfections in collected ticks. The knowledge about the diversity of ticks and tick-borne diseases circulating in Sardinia is a necessary step toward implementing effective tick-borne disease prevention and control programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Chisu
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale Della Sardegna "G. Pegreffi", Sassari, Italy.
| | - Federica Loi
- OEVR-Osservatorio Epidemiologico Veterinario Regionale Della Sardegna, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Cipriano Foxi
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale Della Sardegna "G. Pegreffi", Sassari, Italy
| | - Giovanna Chessa
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale Della Sardegna "G. Pegreffi", Sassari, Italy
| | - Gabriella Masu
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale Della Sardegna "G. Pegreffi", Sassari, Italy
| | - Sandro Rolesu
- OEVR-Osservatorio Epidemiologico Veterinario Regionale Della Sardegna, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Giovanna Masala
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale Della Sardegna "G. Pegreffi", Sassari, Italy
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Kniazeva V, Pogotskaya Y, Higgs S, Krasko A. The Prevalence of Different Human Pathogenic Microorganisms Transmitted by Ixodes Tick Vectors in Belarus. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2020; 21:6-10. [PMID: 33107810 DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2020.2675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Pathogens transmitted by ticks cause several important diseases in humans, including Lyme disease, the incidence of which has been increasing in Belarus. Between April and October 2017, a total of 504 questing Ixodid ticks (77% Ixodes ricinus and 23% Dermacentor reticulatus) were collected from six regions and city of Minsk, in Belarus. All ticks were analyzed by RT-PCR amplification for the presence of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV), Anaplasma phagocytophillum, Ehrlihia muris, and Borrelia miyamotoi. B. burgdorferi s.l. and Rickettsia spp. were the most commonly detected tick-borne pathogens, with prevalence rates of 31.08% and 33.7%, respectively. A. phagocytophillum was found in 104 (20.63%), and 107 (21.2%) ticks were positive for E. muris. TBEV was detected in 83 (16.47%). Circulation of Borrelia miyamotoi spirochete in I. ricinus ticks in Brest, Gomel, and Minsk region was detected for the first time. Our data provide a basis for further studies to determine the distribution and abundance of different tick species in Belarus and therefore a capacity to predict where cases of important tick-borne diseases may occur.
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Affiliation(s)
- Volha Kniazeva
- Laboratory Biosafety with Pathogens Collection, Republican Research and Practical Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology, Minsk, Belarus
| | - Yuliya Pogotskaya
- Laboratory Biosafety with Pathogens Collection, Republican Research and Practical Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology, Minsk, Belarus
| | - Stephen Higgs
- Biosecurity Research Institute (BRI), Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas, USA
| | - Anatoli Krasko
- Laboratory Biosafety with Pathogens Collection, Republican Research and Practical Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology, Minsk, Belarus
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Valcárcel F, González J, González MG, Sánchez M, Tercero JM, Elhachimi L, Carbonell JD, Olmeda AS. Comparative Ecology of Hyalomma lusitanicum and Hyalomma marginatum Koch, 1844 (Acarina: Ixodidae). INSECTS 2020; 11:insects11050303. [PMID: 32414220 PMCID: PMC7290797 DOI: 10.3390/insects11050303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2020] [Revised: 05/08/2020] [Accepted: 05/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
The genus Hyalomma belongs to the Ixodidae family and includes many tick species. Most species in this genus are African species, but two of them, Hyalomma lusitanicum and Hyalomma marginatum, are also found in Europe and, owing to their morphological similarity, it is very difficult to tell them apart. This is a major concern because their phenology and vector capacities are quite different. Moreover, they share many habitats and both are currently spreading to new areas, probably due to climate change and animal/human movements. In this study, we review the described ecology of the two species and provide further interesting data on H. lusitanicum based on the authors' experience, which could be useful in assessing the risk they pose to humans and animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Félix Valcárcel
- Grupo de Parasitología Animal, Animalario del Departamento de Reproducción Animal, INIA, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (M.G.G.); (M.S.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Julia González
- Villamagna S.A., Finca ‘‘La Garganta’’, 14440 Villanueva de Córdoba, Spain; (J.G.); (J.M.T.)
- Center for Vector Biology, Department of Entomology, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA
| | - Marta G. González
- Grupo de Parasitología Animal, Animalario del Departamento de Reproducción Animal, INIA, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (M.G.G.); (M.S.)
- Villamagna S.A., Finca ‘‘La Garganta’’, 14440 Villanueva de Córdoba, Spain; (J.G.); (J.M.T.)
| | - María Sánchez
- Grupo de Parasitología Animal, Animalario del Departamento de Reproducción Animal, INIA, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (M.G.G.); (M.S.)
- Villamagna S.A., Finca ‘‘La Garganta’’, 14440 Villanueva de Córdoba, Spain; (J.G.); (J.M.T.)
| | - José María Tercero
- Villamagna S.A., Finca ‘‘La Garganta’’, 14440 Villanueva de Córdoba, Spain; (J.G.); (J.M.T.)
| | - Latifa Elhachimi
- Département de Parasitologie et Santé Publique, Institut Agronomique et Vétérinaire Hassan II, Rabat-Instituts B.P. 6202, Morocco;
| | - Juan D. Carbonell
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, UCM, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (J.D.C.); (A.S.O.)
| | - A. Sonia Olmeda
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, UCM, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (J.D.C.); (A.S.O.)
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Comparison of Light Microscopy and Polymerase Chain Reaction for the Detection of Haemoparasites in Cattle in Nigeria. Acta Parasitol 2020; 65:44-56. [PMID: 31571143 DOI: 10.2478/s11686-019-00123-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2019] [Accepted: 09/14/2019] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Haemoparasitic diseases are among the important factors that threaten cattle health and productivity especially in the sub-Saharan region. In Nigeria, their detection using sensitive molecular techniques is scanty. This study was designed to investigate and to reevaluate the repertoire of haemoparasites of cattle in Ibadan, Nigeria with a comparative evaluation of light microscopy (LM) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methods. METHODS Blood samples from 100 cattle slaughtered at Ibadan abattoirs were examined using LM and PCR techniques for haemoparasite detection. The PCR reactions using three primer sets targeting the 16S rRNA genes for Hemoplasma spp. and Anaplasma/Ehrlichia spp. and 18S rRNA genes of Babesia/Theleiria spp. were done. A few randomly selected amplicons from each set were sequenced and analysed. RESULTS A total infection rate of 34% by LM including Hemoplasma spp. (17%), Anaplasma spp. (16%), microfilaria (5%) and Trypanosoma spp. (12%) was recorded. While, 86% positivity was recorded with PCR amplification as follows: Hemoplasma spp. (64%), Babesia/Theleiria spp. (46%) and Anaplasma/Ehrlichia spp. (5%). Comparison of LM and PCR findings showed that no LM Anaplasma spp.-positive samples and 7 out of the 17 LM hemoplasma-positive cattle were confirmed by PCR. In addition, LM led to misdiagnosis of 46 Babesia/Theleiria spp.-positive samples. Amplicon sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of Babesia/Theileria spp.-positive samples revealed Theileria velifera and Theileria annulata. In the Anaplasma/Ehrlichia spp.-positive samples, only Anaplasma marginale was characterized. Mycoplasma wenyonii, "Candidatus Mycoplasma haemobos" and Pseudomonas fluorescens like were characterized among the hemoplasma-infected cattle. CONCLUSIONS The first report of "Candidatus Mycoplasma haemobos" and Pseudomonas fluorescens like in Nigerian cattle is herewith documented. The alarming LM misdiagnosis of haemoparasites during this study confirms its limitations as it fails to identify many parasites and emphasizes the need for inclusion of molecular techniques to improve their detection. The study also shows for the first time the high prevalence of haemotropic mycoplasma in Nigerian cattle via molecular diagnostic methods, thus indicating a strong need for the investigation of their zoonotic implications.
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Romaní Vidal A, Fernández-Martínez B, Herrador Z, León Gómez I, Gómez Barroso D. Spatial and temporal trends of Mediterranean spotted fever in Spain, 2005-2015. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2019; 11:101353. [PMID: 31839472 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2019.101353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2019] [Revised: 11/20/2019] [Accepted: 12/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mediterranean spotted fever (MSF) is a zoonotic disease caused by Rickettsia conorii and transmitted by Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato. The aim of this study is to understand the epidemiology and trends regarding the disease in Spain, based on notifications to the Spanish National Epidemiology Surveillance Network (RENAVE) and the National Hospital Discharge Database (CMBD) between 2005 and 2015. METHODS We carried out a retrospective cross-sectional study of the cases and the outbreaks reported to the RENAVE and of those found in the CMBD between January 1st, 2005 and December 31st, 2015. We studied the characteristics of the cases and analyzed their spatio-temporal distribution. RESULTS 1603 cases notified to the RENAVE and 1789 cases registered in the CMBD were analyzed. The most affected group were men between 45 and 64. There were 8 MSF outbreaks during the study period. RENAVE registered lower rates until 2012, when it was decided that MSF in Spain would become a notifiable disease. Across the temporal series we saw that there was seasonality with an increase in cases in summer, and an overall upward trend according to the RENAVE data and descending according to the CMBD. The geographic distribution was heterogeneous throughout the territory, with maximum rates in La Rioja at 1.87 cases and 2.01 cases per 100,000 inhabitants according to the RENAVE and the CMBD, respectively. CONCLUSIONS It is of great importance to continue monitoring the disease since it appears to be endemic throughout Spain. There is a need for a common strategy on monitoring and reporting, which would facilitate a more accurate picture on the MSF epidemiological scenario. Entomological information will be of added value.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriana Romaní Vidal
- Public Health and Preventive Medicine Service, Ramón y Cajal University Hospital, Ctra. Colmenar Viejo, Km. 9, 100, 28034, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Beatriz Fernández-Martínez
- Consortium for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBER en Epidemiología y Salud Pública CIBERESP), Spain; National Centre for Epidemiology, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Calle De Melchor Fernández Almagro, 5, 28029, Madrid, Spain
| | - Zaida Herrador
- National Centre of Tropical Medicine, Instituto De Salud Carlos III, Calle De Monforte De Lemos Nº 5, 28019, Madrid, Spain; Network Biomedical Research on Tropical Diseases (RICET), Madrid, Spain
| | - Inmaculada León Gómez
- Consortium for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBER en Epidemiología y Salud Pública CIBERESP), Spain; National Centre for Epidemiology, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Calle De Melchor Fernández Almagro, 5, 28029, Madrid, Spain
| | - Diana Gómez Barroso
- Consortium for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBER en Epidemiología y Salud Pública CIBERESP), Spain; National Centre for Epidemiology, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Calle De Melchor Fernández Almagro, 5, 28029, Madrid, Spain
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Pascucci I, Di Domenico M, Capobianco Dondona G, Di Gennaro A, Polci A, Capobianco Dondona A, Mancuso E, Cammà C, Savini G, Cecere JG, Spina F, Monaco F. Assessing the role of migratory birds in the introduction of ticks and tick-borne pathogens from African countries: An Italian experience. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2019; 10:101272. [PMID: 31481344 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2019.101272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2018] [Revised: 07/29/2019] [Accepted: 08/15/2019] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
The continuous flow of billions of birds between Africa and Europe creates an "ecological bridge" between physically remote areas. Migratory birds fly south from their breeding grounds during late summer/fall and fly back in spring. These movements regulate the spread of internal and external parasites, as well as pathogens of potential public health concern. The aim of the present study was to investigate the possible introduction of exotic tick species and tick-borne pathogens into Europe via migratory birds. At the bird observatory of Ventotene island (Italy), 443 feeding ticks were collected from 249 birds captured and ringed during their northbound migration in spring 2013. Each tick was identified by morphological and molecular methods and then tested for bacterial and viral pathogens: Borrelia burgdorferi s.l., Rickettsia spp., Ehrlichia ruminantium and Coxiella burnetii, Crimean Congo haemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV) and Flavivirus. Morphological and molecular identification confirmed Hyalomma rufipes as the most abundant species among the collected arthropods (366/443; 82.6%) followed by Hyalomma marginatum (10/433; 2.3%). Rickettsia aeschlimannii was identified in 158 ticks, while one engorged Amblyomma variegatum nymph was infected with Rickettsia africae. The other bacteria were not detected in any specimen. Among viruses, RNA belonging to West Nile virus and other Flavivirus were detected whereas all ticks were negative for CCHFV RNA. These results confirm how migratory birds play a role in carrying Rickettsia-infected ticks, as well as viruses of zoonotic importance, from Africa into Europe. To what extent tick species are capable of establishing a permanent population once introduced in naïve areas, is far from defined and deserve further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilaria Pascucci
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Abruzzo e Molise "G. Caporale" Campo Boario, 64100, Teramo, Italy.
| | - Marco Di Domenico
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Abruzzo e Molise "G. Caporale" Campo Boario, 64100, Teramo, Italy
| | - Giulia Capobianco Dondona
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Abruzzo e Molise "G. Caporale" Campo Boario, 64100, Teramo, Italy
| | - Annapia Di Gennaro
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Abruzzo e Molise "G. Caporale" Campo Boario, 64100, Teramo, Italy
| | - Andrea Polci
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Abruzzo e Molise "G. Caporale" Campo Boario, 64100, Teramo, Italy
| | - Andrea Capobianco Dondona
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Abruzzo e Molise "G. Caporale" Campo Boario, 64100, Teramo, Italy
| | - Elisa Mancuso
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Abruzzo e Molise "G. Caporale" Campo Boario, 64100, Teramo, Italy
| | - Cesare Cammà
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Abruzzo e Molise "G. Caporale" Campo Boario, 64100, Teramo, Italy
| | - Giovanni Savini
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Abruzzo e Molise "G. Caporale" Campo Boario, 64100, Teramo, Italy
| | - Jacopo G Cecere
- Area Avifauna Migratrice, Istituto Superiore per la Protezione e la Ricerca Ambientale (ISPRA), via Ca' Fornacetta 9, I-40064, Ozzano Emilia, BO, Italy
| | - Fernando Spina
- Area Avifauna Migratrice, Istituto Superiore per la Protezione e la Ricerca Ambientale (ISPRA), via Ca' Fornacetta 9, I-40064, Ozzano Emilia, BO, Italy
| | - Federica Monaco
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Abruzzo e Molise "G. Caporale" Campo Boario, 64100, Teramo, Italy
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Dabaja MF, Greco G, Villari S, Vesco G, Bayan A, Bazzal BE, Ibrahim E, Gargano V, Sciacca C, Lelli R, Ezzedine M, Mortada H, Tempesta M, Mortada M. Occurrence and risk factors of Coxiella burnetii in domestic ruminants in Lebanon. Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis 2019; 64:109-116. [PMID: 31174685 DOI: 10.1016/j.cimid.2019.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2018] [Revised: 02/15/2019] [Accepted: 03/05/2019] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Coxiella burnetii causes diseases in humans (Q fever) and animals, domestic ruminants playing a major role in the epidemiology of the infection. Information on C. burnetii infection in Lebanon is scanty. In order to assess the prevalence of C. burnetii infection in ruminants, a cross-sectional study was undertaken in 2014. A total of 1633 sera from ruminants (865 cattle, 384 sheep and 384 goats) from 429 farms (173 cattle, 128 sheep and 128 goats), in seven provinces of Lebanon were randomly selected and assayed for the presence of antibodies. 39.86% of farms (95% CI: 35.23-44.56) resulted positive. The seroprevalence was 30.63% in Cattle-farms, 46.88% in sheep-farms and 45.31% in goat-farms. Milk samples collected from 282 seropositive animals (86 cows, 93 sheep and 103 goats) from 171 positive farms were tested by a high sensitive Real-Time PCR targeted to the IS1111 transposon of C. burnetii. The overall prevalence in farms was estimated to be 14.04%. Cattle-, sheep- and goat farm prevalence rates were 15.09%, 10% and 17.24%, respectively. The findings of the study show that C. burnetii prevalence in Lebanese domestic ruminants is related to animal species and farming practices. Indeed, the mixed herds with sheep (p < 0.01), the presence of common lambing/kidding areas (p < 0.001) in farms where the use of disinfectants was not a routine practice (p < 0.05) were identified as important risk factors. The results of the study provide baseline information for setting up herd management and public health measures for the prevention and control of Q fever in Lebanon.
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Affiliation(s)
- M F Dabaja
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Bari, Italy; Lebanese University, Doctoral School of sciences and Technology, Beirut, Lebanon; Lebanese Agricultural Research Institute, Lebanon.
| | - G Greco
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Bari, Italy.
| | - S Villari
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia "A. Mirri", Italy.
| | - G Vesco
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia "A. Mirri", Italy.
| | - A Bayan
- Lebanese University, Faculty of Science, Beirut, Lebanon.
| | - B El Bazzal
- Republic of Lebanon Ministry of Agriculture, Beirut, Lebanon.
| | - E Ibrahim
- Republic of Lebanon Ministry of Agriculture, Beirut, Lebanon.
| | - V Gargano
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia "A. Mirri", Italy.
| | - C Sciacca
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia "A. Mirri", Italy.
| | - R Lelli
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia "A. Mirri", Italy; Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Abruzzo e del Molise "G. Caporale", Teramo, Italy.
| | - M Ezzedine
- Lebanese University, Doctoral School of sciences and Technology, Beirut, Lebanon; Lebanese University, Faculty of Science, Beirut, Lebanon.
| | - H Mortada
- Lebanese University, Faculty of Agricultural, Beirut, Lebanon.
| | - M Tempesta
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Bari, Italy.
| | - M Mortada
- Lebanese University, Doctoral School of sciences and Technology, Beirut, Lebanon; Lebanese University, Faculty of Science, Beirut, Lebanon.
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Mangia C, Vismarra A, Genchi M, Epis S, Bandi C, Grandi G, Bell-Sakyi L, Otranto D, Passeri B, Kramer L. Exposure to amitraz, fipronil and permethrin affects cell viability and ABC transporter gene expression in an Ixodes ricinus cell line. Parasit Vectors 2018; 11:437. [PMID: 30064465 PMCID: PMC6069974 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-018-3020-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2018] [Accepted: 07/16/2018] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Over-expression of ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter proteins has been implicated in resistance of ticks to acaricides. Tick cell lines are useful for investigating resistance mechanisms, as development of an in vitro model for the study of acaricide resistance would contribute to improving knowledge of the molecular basis behind drug processing and exclusion in ticks. In the present study, cultures of the Ixodes ricinus-derived cell line IRE/CTVM19 were treated with the acaricides amitraz, permethrin or fipronil to determine modulation of ABC transporter gene expression. Cells were treated with different drug concentrations (25, 50, 100, 150 μM) and incubated for ten days. Cell morphology, viability, metabolic activity and relative expression of ABC (B1, B6, B8 and B10) genes were determined at day 10 post-treatment. RESULTS Cell morphology determined by light microscopy was altered following treatment with all drugs, but only at high concentrations, while total cell numbers decreased with increasing drug dose. Cell viability determined by trypan blue exclusion was not significantly different from untreated controls (P > 0.1) following treatment with amitraz and permethrin, but high concentrations of fipronil caused decrease (up to 37%, P < 0.01) in viability. At all drug concentrations, fipronil and permethrin induced dose-dependent reduction in cell metabolic activity measured by MTT assay (P < 0.01). Quantitative RT-PCR showed that the drugs significantly affected expression of ABC genes. In particular, fipronil treatment downregulated ABCB1 (P < 0.001) and upregulated ABCB6, ABCB8 and ABCB10 (P < 0.01); amitraz treatment down regulated ABCB1 (significant difference between 25 and 150 μM, P < 0.001) and upregulated ABCB8 and ABCB10 at lower concentrations (25 and 50 μM, P < 0.05); and permethrin upregulated ABCB6, ABCB8 and ABCB10 only at 150 μM (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS The adverse effects on cell viability and metabolic activity, and changes in expression of different ABC transporter genes, detected in IRE/CTVM19 cells following treatment with amitraz, permethrin and fipronil, support the proposed application of tick cell lines as in vitro models for the study of resistance to these acaricides in ticks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlo Mangia
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Parma, 43126, Parma, Italy.
| | - Alice Vismarra
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Parma, 43126, Parma, Italy
| | - Marco Genchi
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Parma, 43126, Parma, Italy
| | - Sara Epis
- Department of Veterinary Sciences and Public Health, University of Milan, 20133, Milan, Italy.,Pediatric Clinical Research Center Romeo and Enrica Invernizzi, Ospedale "Luigi Sacco", 20157, Milan, Italy
| | - Claudio Bandi
- Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, 20133, Milan, Italy.,Pediatric Clinical Research Center Romeo and Enrica Invernizzi, Ospedale "Luigi Sacco", 20157, Milan, Italy
| | - Giulio Grandi
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health (BVF), Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), SE-757 56, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Lesley Bell-Sakyi
- Department of Infection Biology, Institute of Infection and Global Health, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, L3 5RF, UK
| | - Domenico Otranto
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, 70010, Valenzano, Bari, Italy
| | - Benedetta Passeri
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Parma, 43126, Parma, Italy
| | - Laura Kramer
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Parma, 43126, Parma, Italy
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A comprehensive evaluation and first molecular report of Theileria ovis infection in small ruminants in Saudi Arabia. Trop Anim Health Prod 2018; 51:89-98. [DOI: 10.1007/s11250-018-1663-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2018] [Accepted: 07/05/2018] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
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Al-Fahdi A, Alqamashoui B, Al-Hamidhi S, Kose O, Tageldin MH, Bobade P, Johnson EH, Hussain AR, Karagenc T, Tait A, Shiels B, Bilgic HB, Babiker H. Molecular surveillance of Theileria parasites of livestock in Oman. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2017; 8:741-748. [PMID: 28558992 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2017.05.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2016] [Revised: 04/21/2017] [Accepted: 05/17/2017] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Theileriosis is one of the most prevalent infectious diseases of livestock in the Arabian Peninsula, and causes high rates of mortality and morbidity in sheep and cattle. However, there is a paucity of information on the distribution of Theileria spp. over the whole region and their impact on different hosts. The present study carried out a country-wide molecular survey for Theileria spp. of livestock in Oman across four governorates. The aim of the survey was to define the prevalence of Theileria spp. in cattle, sheep and goats, highlight risk factors for infection and identify the main tick species involved in parasite transmission. MATERIAL AND METHODS A total of 2020 animals were examined in the survey consisting of sheep [n=592], goats [n=981] and cattle [n=447]. All three species were raised and co-grazed on the same farms. Theileria parasites were detected using PCR-RFLP and RLB of the 18S rRNA gene. Cloning and sequencing of the 18S rRNA was carried out on 11 T. lestoquardi isolates from Ash-Sharqiyah, and Ad-Dhahira governorates, and phylogenetic relationships were inferred using additional sequences of T. lestoquardi, T. annulata and T. ovis available in GenBank. RESULTS Theileria spp. prevalence was 72.3%, 36.7% and 2.7% among cattle, sheep and goats, respectively. Strong similarity in results was obtained using RLB and PCR-RFLP for detection of Theileria spp. however, RLB detected a higher rate of mixed infection than PCR-RFPL (P<0.001). Theileria annulata was the only parasite detected in cattle, while sheep and goats carried T. ovis, T. lestoquardi and T. annulata as well as Theileria spp. OT1. Of the four Theileria spp. detected in small ruminants, overall T. ovis was most prevalent (sheep [33.4%], goats [2.0%]), whereas T. lestoquardi was less prevalent (sheep [22.0%], goats [0.5%]). A large proportion of infected sheep (19%) carried mixed infection of T. ovis and T. lestoquardi. However, single T. lestoquardi infections (3.0%) were less prevalent than T. ovis infections (14.5%). Risk of Theileria spp. infection was significantly higher for exotic breeds, relative to native breeds, of cattle (p=0.00002) and sheep (p=0.005). Phylogenetic analysis placed T. lestoquardi in Oman in the same clade as other T. lestoquardi strains isolated from the same regional area (Iraq and Iran). The main tick species, identified on the examined animals, Hyalomma anatolicum, was widely distributed and was found in all of the surveyed governorates. CONCLUSION Theileria spp. are widespread in Oman with variable prevalence detected in different regions. Two economically important hosts, cattle and sheep are at high risk from virulent T. annulata and T. lestoquardi, respectively. The survey indicates extensive exposure to ticks and transmission of infection that has a significant economic impact. The higher prevalence of T. lestoquardi as mixed rather than single infection requires further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amira Al-Fahdi
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, Oman
| | | | - Salama Al-Hamidhi
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, Oman
| | - Onur Kose
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Adnan Menderes University Isikli, Aydin, Turkey
| | - Mohammed H Tageldin
- Department of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, College of Agricultural and Marine Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, Oman
| | - Patrick Bobade
- Department of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, College of Agricultural and Marine Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, Oman
| | - Eugene H Johnson
- Department of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, College of Agricultural and Marine Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, Oman
| | | | - Tulin Karagenc
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Adnan Menderes University Isikli, Aydin, Turkey
| | - Andy Tait
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, UK
| | - Brian Shiels
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, UK
| | - Huseyin Bilgin Bilgic
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Adnan Menderes University Isikli, Aydin, Turkey
| | - Hamza Babiker
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, Oman.
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Mierzejewska EJ, Welc-Faleciak R, Karbowiak G, Kowalec M, Behnke JM, Bajer A. Dominance of Dermacentor reticulatus over Ixodes ricinus (Ixodidae) on livestock, companion animals and wild ruminants in eastern and central Poland. EXPERIMENTAL & APPLIED ACAROLOGY 2015; 66:83-101. [PMID: 25717007 PMCID: PMC4412838 DOI: 10.1007/s10493-015-9889-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2014] [Accepted: 02/17/2015] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
The most common tick species parasitizing animals in Poland are Ixodes ricinus and Dermacentor reticulatus. These tick species differ in their distribution, habitats, seasonal activity and host specificity. Ixodes ricinus is the most prevalent and widely distributed, whereas the range of D. reticulatus is limited to eastern and central parts of the country with several new foci in the middle-west and the west. However, as in many central European countries, the range of D. reticulatus is expanding, and some authors have correlated this expansion with an increasing number of available hosts. The aim of the present study was to determine the tick fauna on domestic and livestock animals in two areas endemic for I. ricinus and D. reticulatus and to compare the risk of infestation with different tick species in open and forest areas. Over a 14 month period, 732 ticks were collected from five host species including domestic animals (dogs and cats), livestock (cows and horses) and wildlife (European bison) in two areas, central and NE Poland, endemic for D. reticulatus. Three tick species were recorded: D. reticulatus (623 individuals; 85.1% of all collected ticks), I. ricinus (106 individuals; 14.5%) and three females of Ixodes hexagonus (0.4%) from a dog. Dermacentor reticulatus was the dominant tick species found on four host species and constituted 86, 81, 97 and 100% of all ticks from dogs, horses, cows and bison, respectively, and was collected from animals throughout the year, including during the winter. The common tick, I. ricinus, was the dominant tick collected from cats (94%). Fully-engorged, ready-for-reproduction females of D. reticulatus were collected from all host species. In May 2012, questing ticks were collected by dragging in forest or open habitats. The density of adult marsh ticks in open areas was around 2 ticks/100 m(2) in the majority of locations, with a maximum of 9.5 ticks/100 m(2). The density of adult I. ricinus was much lower in its typical habitat (forests: range 0.8-2.2 ticks/100 m(2)) between three and seven times lower than the density of D. reticulatus in its typical habitat. In regions endemic for marsh ticks, this tick species constitutes the main risk of tick infestation for livestock and dogs throughout the year. Livestock and companion animals are competent hosts for D. reticulatus, enabling the completion of the tick's life cycle. Anti-tick treatment should be adjusted to marsh tick seasonal activity and drug sensitivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ewa J. Mierzejewska
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Zoology, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, 1 Miecznikowa Street, 02-096 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Renata Welc-Faleciak
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Zoology, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, 1 Miecznikowa Street, 02-096 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Grzegorz Karbowiak
- W. Stefański Institute of Parasitology of the Polish Academy of Sciences, Twarda 51/55, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Maciej Kowalec
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Zoology, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, 1 Miecznikowa Street, 02-096 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Jerzy M. Behnke
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD UK
| | - Anna Bajer
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Zoology, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, 1 Miecznikowa Street, 02-096 Warsaw, Poland
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Díaz-Martín V, Manzano-Román R, Obolo-Mvoulouga P, Oleaga A, Pérez-Sánchez R. Development of vaccines against Ornithodoros soft ticks: An update. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2015; 6:211-20. [PMID: 25802033 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2015.03.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2015] [Revised: 03/04/2015] [Accepted: 03/05/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Ticks are parasites of great medical and veterinary importance since they are vectors of numerous pathogens that affect humans, livestock and pets. Among the argasids, several species of the genus Ornithodoros transmit serious diseases such as tick-borne human relapsing fever (TBRF) and African Swine Fever (ASF). In particular, Ornithodoros erraticus is the main vector of these two diseases in the Mediterranean while O. moubata is the main vector in Africa. The presence of these Ornithodoros ticks in domestic and peridomestic environments may greatly hinder the eradication of TBRF and ASF from endemic areas. In addition, there is a constant threat of reintroduction and spreading of ASF into countries from where it has been eradicated (Spain and Portugal) or where it was never present (the Caucasus, Russia and Eastern Europe). In these countries, the presence of Ornithodoros vectors could have a tremendous impact on ASF transmission and long-term maintenance. Therefore, elimination of these ticks from at least synanthropic environments would contribute heavily to the prevention and control of the diseases they transmit. Tick control is a difficult task and although several methods for such control have been used, none of them has been fully effective against all ticks and the problems they cause. Nevertheless, immunological control using anti-tick vaccines offers an attractive alternative to the traditional use of acaricides. The aim of the present paper is to offer a brief overview of the current status in control measure development for Ornithodoros soft ticks, paying special attention to the development of vaccines against O. erraticus and O. moubata. Thus, our contribution includes an analysis of the chief attributes that the ideal antigens for an anti-tick vaccine should have, an exhaustive compilation and analysis of the scant anti-soft tick vaccine trials carried out to date using both concealed and salivary antigens and, finally, a brief description of the new reverse vaccinology approaches currently used to identify new and more effective protective tick antigens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Verónica Díaz-Martín
- Parasitología Animal, Instituto de Recursos Naturales y Agrobiología de Salamanca (IRNASA, CSIC), Cordel de Merinas, 40-52, 37008 Salamanca, Spain.
| | - Raúl Manzano-Román
- Parasitología Animal, Instituto de Recursos Naturales y Agrobiología de Salamanca (IRNASA, CSIC), Cordel de Merinas, 40-52, 37008 Salamanca, Spain.
| | - Prosper Obolo-Mvoulouga
- Parasitología Animal, Instituto de Recursos Naturales y Agrobiología de Salamanca (IRNASA, CSIC), Cordel de Merinas, 40-52, 37008 Salamanca, Spain.
| | - Ana Oleaga
- Parasitología Animal, Instituto de Recursos Naturales y Agrobiología de Salamanca (IRNASA, CSIC), Cordel de Merinas, 40-52, 37008 Salamanca, Spain.
| | - Ricardo Pérez-Sánchez
- Parasitología Animal, Instituto de Recursos Naturales y Agrobiología de Salamanca (IRNASA, CSIC), Cordel de Merinas, 40-52, 37008 Salamanca, Spain.
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Herczeg T, Száz D, Blahó M, Barta A, Gyurkovszky M, Farkas R, Horváth G. The effect of weather variables on the flight activity of horseflies (Diptera: Tabanidae) in the continental climate of Hungary. Parasitol Res 2015; 114:1087-97. [PMID: 25563609 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-014-4280-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2014] [Accepted: 12/16/2014] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Although the tabanid species and populations occurring in eastern central Europe (Carpathian Basin) are thoroughly studied, there are only sporadic data about the influence of weather conditions on the abundance and activity of horseflies. To fill in this lack, in Hungary, we performed a 3-month summer survey of horsefly catches registering the weather parameters. Using common canopy traps and polarization liquid traps, we found the following: (i) rainfall, air temperature, and sunshine were the three most important factors influencing the trapping number of tabanids. (ii) The effect of relative air humidity H on tabanids was indirect through the air temperature T: H ≈ 35 % (corresponding to T ≈ 32 °C) was optimal for tabanid trapping, and tabanids were not captured for H ≥ 80 % (corresponding to T ≤ 18 °C). (iii) A fast decrease in the air pressure enhanced the trapping number of both water-seeking and host-seeking horseflies. (iv) Wind velocities larger than 10 km/h reduced drastically the number of trapped tabanids. Our data presented here may serve as a reference for further investigations of the effect of climate change on tabanids in Europe.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamás Herczeg
- Department of Biological Physics, Environmental Optics Laboratory, Physical Institute, Eötvös University, H-1117, Budapest, Pázmány sétány 1, Hungary,
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Pintore MD, Ceballos L, Iulini B, Tomassone L, Pautasso A, Corbellini D, Rizzo F, Mandola ML, Bardelli M, Peletto S, Acutis PL, Mannelli A, Casalone C. Detection of Invasive Borrelia burgdorferi Strains in North-Eastern Piedmont, Italy. Zoonoses Public Health 2014; 62:365-74. [PMID: 25220838 DOI: 10.1111/zph.12156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2014] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Following reports of human cases of Lyme borreliosis from the Ossola Valley, a mountainous area of Piemonte, north-western Italy, the abundance and altitudinal distribution of ticks, and infection of these vectors with Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato were evaluated. A total of 1662 host-seeking Ixodes ricinus were collected by dragging from April to September 2011 at locations between 400 and 1450 m above sea level. Additional 104 I. ricinus were collected from 35 hunted wild animals (4 chamois, 8 roe deer, 23 red deer). Tick density, expressed as the number of ticks per 100 m(2), resulted highly variable among different areas, ranging from 0 to 105 larvae and from 0 to 22 nymphs. A sample of 352 ticks (327 from dragging and 25 from wild animals) was screened by a PCR assay targeting a fragment of the 16S rRNA gene of B. burgdorferi s.l. Positive samples were confirmed with a PCR assay specific for the 5S-23S rRNA intergenic spacer region and sequenced. Four genospecies were found: B. afzelii (prevalence 4.0%), B. lusitaniae (4.0%), B. garinii (1.5%) and B. valaisiana (0.3%). Phylogenetic analysis based on the ospC gene showed that most of the Borrelia strains from pathogenic genospecies had the potential for human infection and for invasion of secondary body sites.
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Affiliation(s)
- M D Pintore
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale of Piemonte, Liguria and Valle d'Aosta, Turin, Italy
| | - L Ceballos
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - B Iulini
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale of Piemonte, Liguria and Valle d'Aosta, Turin, Italy
| | - L Tomassone
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - A Pautasso
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale of Piemonte, Liguria and Valle d'Aosta, Turin, Italy
| | - D Corbellini
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale of Piemonte, Liguria and Valle d'Aosta, Turin, Italy
| | - F Rizzo
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale of Piemonte, Liguria and Valle d'Aosta, Turin, Italy
| | - M L Mandola
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale of Piemonte, Liguria and Valle d'Aosta, Turin, Italy
| | - M Bardelli
- Azienda Sanitaria Locale of Omegna, Verbania, Italy
| | - S Peletto
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale of Piemonte, Liguria and Valle d'Aosta, Turin, Italy
| | - P L Acutis
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale of Piemonte, Liguria and Valle d'Aosta, Turin, Italy
| | - A Mannelli
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - C Casalone
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale of Piemonte, Liguria and Valle d'Aosta, Turin, Italy
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Obsomer V, Wirtgen M, Linden A, Claerebout E, Heyman P, Heylen D, Madder M, Maris J, Lebrun M, Tack W, Lempereur L, Hance T, Van Impe G. Spatial disaggregation of tick occurrence and ecology at a local scale as a preliminary step for spatial surveillance of tick-borne diseases: general framework and health implications in Belgium. Parasit Vectors 2013; 6:190. [PMID: 23800283 PMCID: PMC3726513 DOI: 10.1186/1756-3305-6-190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2013] [Accepted: 06/16/2013] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The incidence of tick-borne diseases is increasing in Europe. Sub national information on tick distribution, ecology and vector status is often lacking. However, precise location of infection risk can lead to better targeted prevention measures, surveillance and control. METHODS In this context, the current paper compiled geolocated tick occurrences in Belgium, a country where tick-borne disease has received little attention, in order to highlight the potential value of spatial approaches and draw some recommendations for future research priorities. RESULTS Mapping of 89,289 ticks over 654 sites revealed that ticks such as Ixodes ricinus and Ixodes hexagonus are largely present while Dermacentor reticulatus has a patchy distribution. Suspected hot spots of tick diversity might favor pathogen exchanges and suspected hot spots of I. ricinus abundance might increase human-vector contact locally. This underlines the necessity to map pathogens and ticks in detail. While I. ricinus is the main vector, I. hexagonus is a vector and reservoir of Borrelia burgdorferi s.l., which is active the whole year and is also found in urban settings. This and other nidiculous species bite humans less frequently, but seem to harbour pathogens. Their role in maintaining a pathogenic cycle within the wildlife merits investigation as they might facilitate transmission to humans if co-occurring with I. ricinus. Many micro-organisms are found abroad in tick species present in Belgium. Most have not been recorded locally but have not been searched for. Some are transmitted directly at the time of the bite, suggesting promotion of tick avoidance additionally to tick removal. CONCLUSION This countrywide approach to tick-borne diseases has helped delineate recommendations for future research priorities necessary to design public health policies aimed at spatially integrating the major components of the ecological cycle of tick-borne diseases. A systematic survey of tick species and associated pathogens is called for in Europe, as well as better characterisation of species interaction in the ecology of tick-borne diseases, those being all tick species, pathogens, hosts and other species which might play a role in tick-borne diseases complex ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valerie Obsomer
- Université Catholique de Louvain, Earth and Life Institute, Georges Lemaitre climate and earth research centre, place Louis Pasteur 3, 1348, Louvain la Neuve, Belgium
- Biodiversity department ELIB, Université Catholique de Louvain, Earth and Life Institute, 4 place Croix du sud, 1348, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
| | - Marc Wirtgen
- Department of infectious and parasitic diseases, health and pathology of the wildlife, University of Liège, boulevard de Colonster 20, 4000, Liège 1, Belgium
| | - Annick Linden
- Department of infectious and parasitic diseases, health and pathology of the wildlife, University of Liège, boulevard de Colonster 20, 4000, Liège 1, Belgium
| | - Edwin Claerebout
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133 9820, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Paul Heyman
- Reference Laboratory for Vector-Borne Diseases, Queen Astrid Military Hospital, Bruynstraat 1, 1120, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Dieter Heylen
- Evolutionary ecology group, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan, 171-2020, Antwerpen, Belgium
| | - Maxime Madder
- Institute for Tropical Medicine, 155 nationalestraat, B2000, Antwerpen, Belgium
- Department of Veterinary Tropical Diseases, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Jo Maris
- ARSIA, Allée des Artisans, 2 - 5590, Ciney, Belgium
| | - Maude Lebrun
- Dierenarts Gezondheidszorg Herkauwers Veepeiler, DGZ Vlaanderen, l Hagenbroeksesteenweg 167 l, 2500, Lier, Belgium
| | - Wesley Tack
- Laboratory of Forestry, Department of Forest and Water Management, Ghent University, Geraardsbergsesteenweg 267, 9090, Melle-Gontrode, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Laetitia Lempereur
- Laboratory of Parasitology and Pathology of Parasitic Diseases, Department of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Liège, Bd de Colonster 20 B43, 4000, Liège, Belgium
| | - Thierry Hance
- Biodiversity department ELIB, Université Catholique de Louvain, Earth and Life Institute, 4 place Croix du sud, 1348, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
| | - Georges Van Impe
- Biodiversity department ELIB, Université Catholique de Louvain, Earth and Life Institute, 4 place Croix du sud, 1348, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
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Hornok S, Fuente J, Horváth G, Fernández de Mera I, Wijnveld M, Tánczos B, Farkas R, Jongejan F. Molecular evidence of Ehrlichia canis and Rickettsia massiliae in ixodid ticks of carnivores from South Hungary. Acta Vet Hung 2013; 61:42-50. [PMID: 23439290 DOI: 10.1556/avet.2012.050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
To monitor the emergence of thermophilic, Mediterranean ixodid tick species and tick-borne pathogens in southern Hungary, 348 ticks were collected from shepherd dogs, red foxes and golden jackals during the summer of 2011. Golden jackals shared tick species with both the dog and the red fox in the region. Dermacentor nymphs were collected exclusively from dogs, and the sequence identification of these ticks indicated that dogs are preferred hosts of both D. reticulatus and D. marginatus nymphs, unlike previously reported. Subadults of three ixodid species were selected for reverse line blot hybridisation (RLB) analysis to screen their vector potential for 40 pathogens/groups. Results were negative for Anaplasma, Babesia and Theileria spp. Investigation of D. marginatus nymphs revealed the presence of Ehrlichia canis, Rickettsia massiliae and Borrelia afzelii for the first time in this tick species. These findings broaden the range of those tick-borne agents, which are typically transmitted by Rhipicephalus sanguineus, but may also have Dermacentor spp. as potential or alternative vectors. Ehrlichiacanis was also newly detected in Ixodes canisuga larvae from red foxes. In absence of transovarial transmission in ticks this implies that Eurasian red foxes may play a reservoir role in the epidemiology of canine ehrlichiosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sándor Hornok
- 1 Szent István University Department of Parasitology and Zoology, Faculty of Veterinary Science István u. 2 H-1078 Budapest Hungary
| | | | | | | | - Michiel Wijnveld
- 6 Utrecht University The Utrecht Centre for Tick-borne Diseases (UCTD), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Utrecht The Netherlands
| | - Balázs Tánczos
- 1 Szent István University Department of Parasitology and Zoology, Faculty of Veterinary Science István u. 2 H-1078 Budapest Hungary
| | - Róbert Farkas
- 1 Szent István University Department of Parasitology and Zoology, Faculty of Veterinary Science István u. 2 H-1078 Budapest Hungary
| | - Frans Jongejan
- 6 Utrecht University The Utrecht Centre for Tick-borne Diseases (UCTD), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Utrecht The Netherlands
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Estrada-Peña A, Farkas R, Jaenson TGT, Koenen F, Madder M, Pascucci I, Salman M, Tarrés-Call J, Jongejan F. Association of environmental traits with the geographic ranges of ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) of medical and veterinary importance in the western Palearctic. A digital data set. EXPERIMENTAL & APPLIED ACAROLOGY 2013; 59:351-66. [PMID: 22843316 PMCID: PMC3557372 DOI: 10.1007/s10493-012-9600-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2012] [Accepted: 07/16/2012] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
We compiled information on the distribution of ticks in the western Palearctic (11°W, 45°E; 29°N, 71°N), published during 1970-2010. The literature search was filtered by the tick's species name and an unambiguous reference to the point of capture. Records from some curated collections were included. We focused on tick species of importance to human and animal health, in particular: Ixodes ricinus, Dermacentor marginatus, D. reticulatus, Haemaphysalis punctata, H. sulcata, Hyalomma marginatum, Hy. lusitanicum, Rhipicephalus annulatus, R. bursa, and the R. sanguineus group. A few records of other species (I. canisuga, I. hexagonus, Hy. impeltatum, Hy. anatolicum, Hy. excavatum, Hy. scupense) were also included. A total of 10,280 records was included in the data set. Almost 42 % of published references are not adequately referenced (and not included in the data set), host is reported for only 61 % of records and a reference to time of collection is missed for 84 % of published records. Ixodes ricinus accounted for 44.3 % of total records, with H. marginatum and D. marginatus accounting for 7.1 and 8.1 % of records, respectively. The lack of homogeneity of the references and potential pitfalls in the compilation were addressed to create a digital data set of the records of the ticks. We attached to every record a coherent set of quantitative descriptors for the site of reporting, namely gridded interpolated monthly climate and remotely sensed data on vegetation (NDVI). We also attached categorical descriptors of the habitat: a standard classification of land biomes and an ad hoc classification of the target territory from remotely sensed temperature and NDVI data. A descriptive analysis of the data revealed that a principal components reduction of the environmental (temperature and NDVI) variables described the distribution of the species in the target territory. However, categorical descriptors of the habitat were less effective. We stressed the importance of building reliable collections of ticks with specific references as to collection point, host and date of capture. The data set is freely downloadable.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Estrada-Peña
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Miguel Servet, 177, 50013, Zaragoza, Spain.
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Hornok S, Horváth G. First report of adult Hyalomma marginatum rufipes (vector of Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever virus) on cattle under a continental climate in Hungary. Parasit Vectors 2012; 5:170. [PMID: 22889105 PMCID: PMC3436687 DOI: 10.1186/1756-3305-5-170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2012] [Accepted: 08/04/2012] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background South Hungary is being monitored for the northward spreading of thermophilic ixodid species, therefore ticks were collected from cattle and wild ruminants (red, fallow and roe deer) in the autumn of 2011. Findings Besides indigenous species (1185 Dermacentor reticulatus and 976 Ixodes ricinus), two Hyalomma marginatum rufipes males were found on two cows, in September eight days apart. Conclusions This is the northernmost autochthonous infestation of the type host (cattle) with H. m. rufipes, vector of Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever virus. The present findings are suggestive of the moulting success of this Afro-Mediterranean tick species in a continental climate in Central Europe.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sándor Hornok
- Department of Parasitology and Zoology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Szent István University, Budapest, Hungary.
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Ros-García A, García-Pérez AL, Verdera J, Juste RA, Hurtado A. Monitoring piroplasms infection in three cattle farms in Minorca (Balearic Islands, Spain) with previous history of clinical piroplamosis. Vet Parasitol 2012; 190:318-25. [PMID: 22884914 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2012.07.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2012] [Revised: 07/19/2012] [Accepted: 07/20/2012] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Bovine piroplasmosis are tick-borne protozoan diseases caused by parasites of the genera Theileria and Babesia. Three Friesian cattle farms (F1-F3) with previous history of clinical piroplamosis were selected in Minorca (Balearic Islands, Spain). Blood samples were collected from 8 to 11 animals every two months throughout a year and, a newly developed multiplex DNA bead-based suspension array based on the Luminex(®) xMAP technology was used to monitor for the presence of piroplasms. The assay incorporated probes for Babesia divergens, Babesia bovis, Babesia bigemina, Babesia major, Babesia occultans, Theileria annulata and Theileria buffeli, and a Catch-all Theileria and Babesia (TB) control probe. An internal amplification control that was detected with a Luminex probe was also included to monitor for inhibition. Infection was detected in 87.5% of the samples, 38.7% as single infections and 48.8% as mixed infections. T. annulata was widespread in Farm F1, with all animals positive over the whole study; albeit less frequently, T. annulata was also detected in Farms F2 and F3. T. buffeli was the overall most prevalent piroplasm, with a wide distribution in Farms F2 and F3 but only occasionally detected in F1. B. bigemina was the most frequent Babesia species, but was absent from Farm F1. B. bovis, previously reported in Minorca, was only sporadically detected in F2 and F3. A further 3 Babesia species not previously found in Minorca were also identified: B. major present in the 3 farms; B. divergens detected once in 2 animals in F2; and B. occultans found in 4 animals in F2 and in 1 Hyalomma marginatum female tick collected from a positive animal. Sequencing confirmed the identity of B. occultans thus extending the distribution of this species to Mediterranean Europe. This study confirmed the endemic situation for piroplasm infection in the region and detected the presence of a large number of chronic asymptomatic carriers. More importantly, 3 Babesia species not previously detected in the region were detected for the first time.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Ros-García
- Department of Animal Health, NEIKER - Instituto Vasco de Investigación y Desarrollo Agrario, Berreaga 1, 48160 Derio, Bizkaia, Spain
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Esemu SN, Ndip LM, Ndip RN. Ehrlichia species, probable emerging human pathogens in sub-Saharan Africa: environmental exacerbation. REVIEWS ON ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH 2011; 26:269-279. [PMID: 22435325 DOI: 10.1515/reveh.2011.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Ehrlichiae are obligate intracellular Gram-negative tick-borne bacteria that are responsible for life-threatening emerging human zoonoses and diseases of veterinary importance worldwide, collectively called ehrlichioses. The genus Ehrlichia consists of five recognized species, including E. canis, E. chaffeensis, E. ewingii, E. muris, and E. ruminantium. The recent discoveries of Ehrlichia species in new areas and of tick species that were previously thought to be uninfected by these agents have suggested that these agents may have wider distribution than originally thought. Environmental factors like temperature, migration, control failure, and host population have been known to exacerbate the spread of Ehrlichia species. Human cases of moderate to severe disease caused by E. chaffeensis have been reported mainly in North America. In this article, we present an overview of ehrlichiae as emerging pathogens in sub-Saharan Africa, where E. ruminantium, the causative agent of heartwater, a disease of domestic and wild ruminants, is most established. Molecular evidence indicates that E. ruminantium may be an emerging pathogen of a life-threatening human disease. Ehrlichia ruminantium is considered an agricultural biothreat, with several strains reported throughout sub-Saharan Africa, where the infection is considered endemic. Understanding the diversity of E. ruminantium and other Ehrlichia species from all geographically distinct areas of sub-Saharan Africa may enhance our knowledge of the pathogenesis and epidemiology of these pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seraphine N Esemu
- Laboratory for Emerging Infectious Diseases, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon
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