1
|
Lacroux C, Bonnet S, Pouydebat E, Buysse M, Rahola N, Rakotobe S, Okimat JP, Koual R, Asalu E, Krief S, Duron O. Survey of ticks and tick-borne pathogens in wild chimpanzee habitat in Western Uganda. Parasit Vectors 2023; 16:22. [PMID: 36683083 PMCID: PMC9869571 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-022-05632-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2022] [Accepted: 12/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ticks and tick-borne pathogens significantly impact both human and animal health and therefore are of major concern to the scientific community. Knowledge of tick-borne pathogens is crucial for prescription of mitigation measures. In Africa, much research on ticks has focused on domestic animals. Little is known about ticks and their pathogens in wild habitats and wild animals like the endangered chimpanzee, our closest relative. METHODS In this study, we collected ticks in the forested habitat of a community of 100 chimpanzees living in Kibale National Park, Western Uganda, and assessed how their presence and abundance are influenced by environmental factors. We used non-invasive methods of flagging the vegetation and visual search of ticks both on human team members and in chimpanzee nests. We identified adult and nymph ticks through morphological features. Molecular techniques were used to detect and identify tick-borne piroplasmids and bacterial pathogens. RESULTS A total of 470 ticks were collected, which led to the identification of seven tick species: Haemaphysalis parmata (68.77%), Amblyomma tholloni (20.70%), Ixodes rasus sensu lato (7.37%), Rhipicephalus dux (1.40%), Haemaphysalis punctaleachi (0.70%), Ixodes muniensis (0.70%) and Amblyomma paulopunctatum (0.35%). The presence of ticks, irrespective of species, was influenced by temperature and type of vegetation but not by relative humidity. Molecular detection revealed the presence of at least six genera of tick-borne pathogens (Babesia, Theileria, Borrelia, Cryptoplasma, Ehrlichia and Rickettsia). The Afrotopical tick Amblyomma tholloni found in one chimpanzee nest was infected by Rickettsia sp. CONCLUSIONS In conclusion, this study presented ticks and tick-borne pathogens in a Ugandan wildlife habitat whose potential effects on animal health remain to be elucidated.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Camille Lacroux
- grid.511721.10000 0004 0370 736XUMR 7206 CNRS/MNHN/P7, Eco-anthropologie, Museum National d’Histoire Naturelle, Musée de l’Homme, 17 Place du Trocadéro, 75116 Paris, France ,Sebitoli Chimpanzee Project, Great Ape Conservation Project, Kibale National Park, Fort Portal, Uganda ,grid.410350.30000 0001 2174 9334UMR 7179 CNRS/MNHN, Mécanismes Adaptatifs et Evolution, Museum National d’Histoire Naturelle, 57 Rue Cuvier, 75231 Paris, France ,La Phocéenne de Cosmétique, ZA Les Roquassiers, 174 Rue de la Forge, 13300 Salon-de-Provence, France
| | - Sarah Bonnet
- grid.508487.60000 0004 7885 7602UMR 2000, Ecology and Emergence of Arthropod-Borne Pathogens, Institut Pasteur/CNRS/Université Paris-Cité, 75015 Paris, France ,grid.507621.7Animal Health Department, INRAE, 37380 Nouzilly, France
| | - Emmanuelle Pouydebat
- grid.410350.30000 0001 2174 9334UMR 7179 CNRS/MNHN, Mécanismes Adaptatifs et Evolution, Museum National d’Histoire Naturelle, 57 Rue Cuvier, 75231 Paris, France
| | - Marie Buysse
- grid.121334.60000 0001 2097 0141UMR 5290 MIVEGEC (Maladies Infectieuses et Vecteurs : Ecologie, Génétique, Evolution et Contrôle), CNRS/IRD/Université de Montpellier, 911 Avenue Agropolis, 34394 Montpellier, France ,MEEDiN (Montpellier Ecology and Evolution of Disease Network), Montpellier, France
| | - Nil Rahola
- grid.121334.60000 0001 2097 0141UMR 5290 MIVEGEC (Maladies Infectieuses et Vecteurs : Ecologie, Génétique, Evolution et Contrôle), CNRS/IRD/Université de Montpellier, 911 Avenue Agropolis, 34394 Montpellier, France
| | - Sabine Rakotobe
- grid.15540.350000 0001 0584 7022UMR BIPAR ANSES-INRAE-EnvA, Laboratoire Santé Animale, 94701 Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - John-Paul Okimat
- Sebitoli Chimpanzee Project, Great Ape Conservation Project, Kibale National Park, Fort Portal, Uganda
| | - Rachid Koual
- grid.121334.60000 0001 2097 0141UMR 5290 MIVEGEC (Maladies Infectieuses et Vecteurs : Ecologie, Génétique, Evolution et Contrôle), CNRS/IRD/Université de Montpellier, 911 Avenue Agropolis, 34394 Montpellier, France
| | - Edward Asalu
- grid.463699.7Uganda Wildlife Authority, Plot 7 Kira Road, Kamwokya, Kampala City, Uganda
| | - Sabrina Krief
- grid.511721.10000 0004 0370 736XUMR 7206 CNRS/MNHN/P7, Eco-anthropologie, Museum National d’Histoire Naturelle, Musée de l’Homme, 17 Place du Trocadéro, 75116 Paris, France ,Sebitoli Chimpanzee Project, Great Ape Conservation Project, Kibale National Park, Fort Portal, Uganda
| | - Olivier Duron
- grid.121334.60000 0001 2097 0141UMR 5290 MIVEGEC (Maladies Infectieuses et Vecteurs : Ecologie, Génétique, Evolution et Contrôle), CNRS/IRD/Université de Montpellier, 911 Avenue Agropolis, 34394 Montpellier, France
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Onyiche TE, Labruna MB, Saito TB. Unraveling the epidemiological relationship between ticks and rickettsial infection in Africa. FRONTIERS IN TROPICAL DISEASES 2022. [DOI: 10.3389/fitd.2022.952024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Tick-borne rickettsioses are emerging and re-emerging diseases of public health concern caused by over 30 species of Rickettsia. Ticks are obligate hematophagous arthropods with over 700 species of Ixodid ticks known worldwide. The escalating geographical dispersal of tick vectors and concomitant increase in the incidences of tick-borne diseases have fueled interest in the ecology of tick-borne pathogens. This review focuses on aspects of the Rickettsia pathogen, including biology, taxonomy, phylogeny, genetic diversity, epidemiology of the disease, and the role of vertebrate host in the perpetuation of rickettsioses in Africa. Our review also highlights some of the species of Rickettsia that are responsible for disease, the role of tick vectors (both hard and soft ticks) and the species of Rickettsia associated with diverse tick species across the continent. Additionally, this article emphasizes the evolutionary perspective of rickettsiae perpetuation and the possible role of amplifying vertebrate host and other small mammals, domestic animals and wildlife in the epidemiology of Rickettsia species. We also specifically, discussed the role of avian population in the epidemiology of SFG rickettsiae. Furthermore, we highlighted tick-borne rickettsioses among travelers due to African tick-bite fever (ATBF) and the challenges to surveillance of rickettsial infection, and research on rickettsiology in Africa. Our review canvasses the need for more rickettsiologists of African origin based within the continent to further research towards understanding the biology, characterization, and species distribution, including the competent tick vectors involved in their transmission of rickettsiae across the continent in collaboration with established researchers in western countries. We further highlighted the need for proper funding to encourage research despite competing demands for resources across the various sectors. We finalize by discussing the similarities between rickettsial diseases around the world and which steps need to be taken to help foster our understanding on the eco-epidemiology of rickettsioses by bridging the gap between the growing epidemiological data and the molecular characterization of Rickettsia species.
Collapse
|
3
|
King'ori EM, Obanda V, Nyamota R, Remesar S, Chiyo PI, Soriguer R, Morrondo P. Population genetic structure of the elephant tick Amblyomma tholloni from different elephant populations in Kenya. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2022; 13:101935. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2022.101935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2021] [Revised: 02/10/2022] [Accepted: 03/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
|
4
|
Oundo JW, Villinger J, Jeneby M, Ong’amo G, Otiende MY, Makhulu EE, Musa AA, Ouso DO, Wambua L. Pathogens, endosymbionts, and blood-meal sources of host-seeking ticks in the fast-changing Maasai Mara wildlife ecosystem. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0228366. [PMID: 32866142 PMCID: PMC7458302 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0228366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2020] [Accepted: 07/27/2020] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The role of questing ticks in the epidemiology of tick-borne diseases in Kenya's Maasai Mara National Reserve (MMNR), an ecosystem with intensified human-wildlife-livestock interactions, remains poorly understood. We surveyed the diversity of questing ticks, their blood-meal hosts, and tick-borne pathogens to understand potential effects on human and livestock health. By flagging and hand-picking from vegetation in 25 localities, we collected 1,465 host-seeking ticks, mostly Rhipicephalus and Amblyomma species identified by morphology and molecular analysis. We used PCR with high-resolution melting (HRM) analysis and sequencing to identify Anaplasma, Babesia, Coxiella, Ehrlichia, Rickettsia, and Theileria pathogens and blood-meal remnants in 231 tick pools. We detected blood-meals from humans, wildebeest, and African buffalo in Rh. appendiculatus, goat in Rh. evertsi, sheep in Am. gemma, and cattle in Am. variegatum. Rickettsia africae was detected in Am. gemma (MIR = 3.10) that had fed on sheep and in Am. variegatum (MIR = 250) that had fed on cattle. We found Rickettsia spp. in Am. gemma (MIR = 9.29) and Rh. evertsi (MIR = 200), Anaplasma ovis in Rh. appendiculatus (MIR = 0.89) and Rh. evertsi (MIR = 200), Anaplasma bovis in Rh. appendiculatus (MIR = 0.89), and Theileria parva in Rh. appendiculatus (MIR = 24). No Babesia, Ehrlichia, or Coxiella pathogens were detected. Unexpectedly, species-specific Coxiella sp. endosymbionts were detected in all tick genera (174/231 pools), which may affect tick physiology and vector competence. These findings show that ticks from the MMNR are infected with zoonotic R. africae and unclassified Rickettsia spp., demonstrating risk of African tick-bite fever and other spotted-fever group rickettsioses to locals and visitors. The protozoan pathogens identified may also pose risk to livestock production. The diverse vertebrate blood-meals of questing ticks in this ecosystem including humans, wildlife, and domestic animals, may amplify transmission of tick-borne zoonoses and livestock diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Joseph Wang’ang’a Oundo
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe), Nairobi, Kenya
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Jandouwe Villinger
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe), Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Maamun Jeneby
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe), Nairobi, Kenya
- Institute of Primate Research, National Museums of Kenya, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - George Ong’amo
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
| | | | - Edward Edmond Makhulu
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe), Nairobi, Kenya
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Egerton University, Egerton, Kenya
| | - Ali Abdulahi Musa
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe), Nairobi, Kenya
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Kenyatta University, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Daniel Obado Ouso
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe), Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Lillian Wambua
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe), Nairobi, Kenya
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Ehlers J, Krüger A, Rakotondranary SJ, Ratovonamana RY, Poppert S, Ganzhorn JU, Tappe D. Molecular detection of Rickettsia spp., Borrelia spp., Bartonella spp. and Yersinia pestis in ectoparasites of endemic and domestic animals in southwest Madagascar. Acta Trop 2020; 205:105339. [PMID: 31935354 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2020.105339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2019] [Revised: 01/09/2020] [Accepted: 01/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Little is known about the presence of vector-borne bacteria in southwest Madagascar. Anthropogenic alteration of natural habitats represents an important driver for the emergence of new diseases. Especially the involvement of livestock and the involuntary maintaining of invasive synanthropic animals (particularly rats) facilitate disease transmission from wildlife to humans and associated animals and vice versa. The dissemination or acquisition of ectoparasites is most likely in regions where human/wildlife contact is increasing. Little is known about the presence of vector-borne bacteria in southwest Madagascar. In 2016 and 2017, ectoparasites were collected from various introduced (cattle and goats, cats, dogs and chicken, rats and mice) and native animal species (mouse lemurs [Microcebus griseorufus], Grandidier's mongooses [Galidictis grandidieri], bastard big-footed mice [Macrotarsomys bastardi], greater hedgehog tenrecs [Setifer setosus] and lesser hedgehog tenrecs [Echinops telfairi]) in the northern portion of Tsimanampetsotsa National Park and the adjacent littoral region. Thirteen species of blood-feeding ectoparasites (235 individuals of ticks [5 species], 414 lice [4 spp.] and 389 fleas [4 spp.]) were investigated for the presence and identity of rickettsiae, borreliae, bartonellae and Yersinia pestis using PCR techniques. Rickettsia spp. were detected in every single ectoparasite species (Amblyomma variegatum, A. chabaudi, Rhipicephalus microplus, Haemaphysalis simplex, Argas echinops, Ctenocephalides felis, Echidnophaga gallinacea, Pulex irritans, Xenopsylla cheopis, Haematopinus quadripertusus, Linognathus africanus, L. vituli, Lemurpediculus verruculosus). Lice and ticks were found harboring rickettsiae identified as Rickettsia africae, while Rickettsia felis-like bacteria were associated with fleas. Borrelia spp. were detected in 5% of H. simplex and 1% of R. microplus ticks. Bartonella spp. were detected in 40% of H. quadripertusus pools and in 5% of L. verruculosus pools. Y. pestis was detected in X. cheopis and E. gallinacea fleas collected from a rat. This study presents the detection of a broad spectrum of vector-borne bacteria including potential pathogens, and an unexpected finding of Y. pestis far off the known plague foci in Madagascar.
Collapse
|
6
|
Zhao S, Yang M, Jiang M, Yan B, Zhao S, Yuan W, Wang B, Hornok S, Wang Y. Rickettsia raoultii and Rickettsia sibirica in ticks from the long-tailed ground squirrel near the China-Kazakhstan border. EXPERIMENTAL & APPLIED ACAROLOGY 2019; 77:425-433. [PMID: 30805816 DOI: 10.1007/s10493-019-00349-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2018] [Accepted: 02/20/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Spotted fever group (SFG) rickettsiae cause infection in humans, domestic animals and wildlife. To date, no rickettsial agents have been reported in hard ticks from the long-tailed ground squirrel (Spermophilus undulatus). A total of 50 adult ticks and 48 nymphs were collected from S. undulatus in the border region of northwestern China. Tick species (identified according to morphological and molecular characteristics) included Dermacentor nuttalli, Dermacentor silvarum and Ixodes kaiseri. Based on the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) haplotype analysis, I. kaiseri from S. undulatus belongs to an ancestral. In addition, all tick samples were analyzed for the presence of rickettsiae by PCR amplification and sequencing of six genetic markers. Rickettsia raoultii and Rickettsia sibirica subsp. sibirica were shown to occur in adults and nymphs of D. nuttalli and D. silvarum. Rickettsia sibirica subsp. sibirica was also detected in an I. kaiseri adult. Dermacentor silvarum and I. kaiseri were found for the first time on S. undulatus. Rickettsia raoultii and R. sibirica subsp. sibirica were detected in two Dermacentor and one Ixodes species, respectively, suggesting that these rickettsiae circulate in the region of the China-Kazakhstan border by hard ticks infesting S. undulatus.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shuo Zhao
- Department of Basic Medicine, School of Medicine, Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xinjiang, China
| | - Meihua Yang
- Department of Forestry, College of Agriculture, Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xinjiang, China
| | - Mengmeng Jiang
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Animal and Science, Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xinjiang, China
| | - Bin Yan
- Department of Basic Medicine, School of Medicine, Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xinjiang, China
| | - Shanshan Zhao
- Department of Basic Medicine, School of Medicine, Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xinjiang, China
| | - Wumei Yuan
- Department of Basic Medicine, School of Medicine, Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xinjiang, China
| | - Baoju Wang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Union Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Sándor Hornok
- Department of Parasitology and Zoology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Yuanzhi Wang
- Department of Basic Medicine, School of Medicine, Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xinjiang, China.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Tomassone L, Portillo A, Nováková M, de Sousa R, Oteo JA. Neglected aspects of tick-borne rickettsioses. Parasit Vectors 2018; 11:263. [PMID: 29690900 PMCID: PMC5937841 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-018-2856-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2017] [Accepted: 04/18/2018] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Rickettsioses are among the oldest known infectious diseases. In spite of this, and of the extensive research carried out, many aspects of the biology and epidemiology of tick-borne rickettsiae are far from being completely understood. Their association with arthropod vectors, the importance of vertebrates as reservoirs, the rarity of clinical signs in animals, or the interactions of pathogenic species with rickettsial endosymbionts and with the host intracellular environment, are only some examples. Moreover, new rickettsiae are continuously being discovered. In this review, we focus on the ‘neglected’ aspects of tick-borne rickettsioses and on the gaps in knowledge, which could help to explain why these infections are still emerging and re-emerging threats worldwide.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Laura Tomassone
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, Largo Braccini 2, 10095, Grugliasco (Torino), Italy.
| | - Aránzazu Portillo
- Center of Rickettsiosis and Arthropod-Borne Diseases, Hospital San Pedro-CIBIR, C/ Piqueras 98, 26006, Logroño, Spain
| | - Markéta Nováková
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, 625 00, Brno, Czech Republic.,Department of Biology and Wildlife Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Hygiene and Ecology, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences Brno, Palackého 1946/1, 612 42, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Rita de Sousa
- National Institute of Health Dr. Ricardo Jorge, Av. da Liberdade 5, 2965-575, Aguas de Moura, Portugal
| | - José Antonio Oteo
- Center of Rickettsiosis and Arthropod-Borne Diseases, Hospital San Pedro-CIBIR, C/ Piqueras 98, 26006, Logroño, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Wei QQ, Guo LP, Wang AD, Mu LM, Zhang K, Chen CF, Zhang WJ, Wang YZ. The first detection of Rickettsia aeschlimannii and Rickettsia massiliae in Rhipicephalus turanicus ticks, in northwest China. Parasit Vectors 2015; 8:631. [PMID: 26652857 PMCID: PMC4675064 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-015-1242-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2015] [Accepted: 12/03/2015] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Rickettsia spp. belonging to the spotted fever group (SFG) cause infections in humans, domestic animals and wildlife. At least five SFG rickettsial species have been reported in China, but the occurrence of Rickettsia aeschlimannii and R. massiliae in ticks has not been characterized to date. Findings A total of 114 adult ticks were collected from sheep in Yining County, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, in northwest China. The ticks were identified from morphological and molecular characteristics. All samples were examined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and six genetic markers were used to determine the Rickettsia spp. in the ticks. The ticks collected were identified as Rhipicephalus turanicus. Three different lineages of Rh. turanicus from Yining County were discovered on phylogenetic analysis of 16S rDNA and cox1. Twenty-one of the 114 samples (18.42%) were positive for rickettsial agents. Phylogenetic analysis based on six genetic sequences showed that three rickettsial species were present, namely: R. aeschlimannii (19.05%, 4/21), R. massiliae (19.05%, 4/21) and R. sibirica variant (61.90%, 13/21), which is clustered in the clade of R. sibirica subsp. sibirica. Conclusions This is the first description of R. aeschlimannii and R. massiliae in China. R. massiliae, R. aeschlimannii and R. sibirica variant co-circulate in the region of the China-Kazakhstan border, in northwest China. Rickettsial agents in ticks of the genus Rhipicephalus from migrant birds, transported livestock, wildlife and human beings should be investigated further in the region of the China–Central Asian border. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13071-015-1242-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qing-Qing Wei
- School of Medicine, Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, 832000, People's Republic of China.
| | - Li-Ping Guo
- School of Medicine, Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, 832000, People's Republic of China.
| | - An-Dong Wang
- School of Animal Science and Technology, Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, 832000, People's Republic of China.
| | - Lu-Meng Mu
- School of Medicine, Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, 832000, People's Republic of China.
| | - Ke Zhang
- Pingdingshan University, Pingdingshan, Henan, 467000, People's Republic of China.
| | - Chuang-Fu Chen
- School of Animal Science and Technology, Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, 832000, People's Republic of China.
| | - Wan-Jiang Zhang
- School of Medicine, Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, 832000, People's Republic of China.
| | - Yuan-Zhi Wang
- School of Medicine, Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, 832000, People's Republic of China.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Portillo A, Oteo JA. New tools, new tick-borne diseases? World J Clin Infect Dis 2015; 5:51-54. [DOI: 10.5495/wjcid.v5.i3.51] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2015] [Revised: 03/17/2015] [Accepted: 08/03/2015] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Tick-borne diseases (TBDs) are a major public health concern that has increased in the past three decades. Nevertheless, emerging or reemerging TBDs may be still misdiagnosed. Molecular biology techniques for the screening of ticks, use of “Omics” approaches and the incorporation of analytical methods such as mass spectrometry or nuclear magnetic resonance, to the study of ticks and their associated pathogens or potential pathogens are promising tools for a more accurate differential diagnosis of TBDs. However, this huge amount of data needs to be carefully interpreted before being incorporated to the routine of clinical practice. In the meantime, a clinical approach and high level of suspicion keep being essential for the diagnosis and proper handling of TBDs.
Collapse
|