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Liu SN, Li W. Japanese spotted fever in an area endemic to SFTS virus: Case report and review of the literature. Medicine (Baltimore) 2024; 103:e39268. [PMID: 39121308 PMCID: PMC11315496 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000039268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2024] [Accepted: 07/22/2024] [Indexed: 08/11/2024] Open
Abstract
RATIONALE The geographic spread of Japanese spotted fever (JSF) in China is gradually expanding, particularly in regions where severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) is highly prevalent, with both diseases sharing similarities in epidemiology and clinical presentation. The microbiological diagnosis of JSF is challenging, compounded by low awareness among healthcare professionals in newly affected areas. Moreover, primary healthcare facilities without polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing capabilities for SFTS often misdiagnose JSF as SFTS. PATIENT CONCERNS All 3 patients had a history of working in the fields, with cold like symptoms in the early fever stages, but the fever did not improve after a few days. The accompanying symptoms were also very different. Physical examination revealed enlarged lymph nodes, different forms of rash, with or without eschar. Laboratory tests showed thrombocytopenia, eosinophilia, elevated lactate dehydrogenase, and transaminase, with 1 patient experiencing renal damage. It is worth noting that these 3 patients reside in an area where SFTS is endemic, and there have been no prior reports of JSF. They exhibited clinical symptoms and laboratory test results closely resembling those of SFTS. Therefore, they were initially misdiagnosed with SFTS in their local hospitals. DIAGNOSES The 3 patients who arrived at our hospital 7 days after symptom onset and were subsequently diagnosed with JSF by metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS). INTERVENTIONS Doxycycline treatment for 1 week. OUTCOMES The patients' symptoms quickly improved with no side effects, and the results of laboratory tests went back to normal. LESSONS By comparing the clinical characteristics of JSF patients and SFTS patients comprehensively, we found that APTT and procalcitonin levels may be valuable in assisting in the identification of SFTS and JSF. In all areas where tick-borne diseases are endemic, include SFTS-epidemic areas, we recommend using the Weil-Felix test to screen for potential rickettsiosis in patients presenting with fever and thrombocytopenia with or without rash in primary healthcare settings, as well as simultaneous testing for the SFTS virus and spotted fever group rickettsioses sequence. Additionally, mNGS sequencing should be used to confirm the diagnosis and provide information for epidemiological investigations in patients who are suspected of having spotted fever group rickettsiosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Su-nan Liu
- Department of Emergency, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Wei Li
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
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Zhang X, Lv W, Teng Z, Zhao N, Zhou Y, Ma D, Ma L, Cheng Y, Wei J, He J, Ma W, Liu D, Qin T. Molecular detection of Rickettsiales and a potential novel Ehrlichia species closely related to Ehrlichia chaffeensis in ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) from Shaanxi Province, China, in 2022 to 2023. Front Microbiol 2024; 14:1331434. [PMID: 38274750 PMCID: PMC10808515 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1331434] [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: 11/01/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Important tick-borne diseases include spotted fever group Rickettsia (SFGR), Anaplasma, and Ehrlichia, which cause harm to animal and human health. Ixodidae are the primary vectors of these pathogens. We aimed to analyze the prevalence and genetic diversity of SFGR, Anaplasma, and Ehrlichia species in the Ixodidae in Shaanxi Province, China. Herein, 1,113 adult Ixodidae ticks were collected from domestic cattle and goats, and detected using nested PCR. A total of four Ixodidae species were collected and Ca. R. jingxinensis (20.58%, 229/1113), A. bovis (3.05%, 34/1113), A. capra (3.32%, 37/1113), A. marginale (0.18%, 2/1113), E. sp. Yonaguni138 (0.18%, 2/1113), and a potent novel Ehrlichia species named E. sp. Baoji96 (0.09%, 1/1113) were detected. A. marginale was detected for the first time in Rhipicephalus microplus. E. sp. Baoji96 was closely related to E. chaffeensis and was first identified in Haemaphysalis longicornis. In addition, co-infection with two Rickettsiales pathogens within an individual tick was detected in 10 (1.54%) ticks. This study provides a reference for the formulation of biological control strategies for ticks and tick-borne diseases in Shaanxi Province, and could lead to an improved control effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xue Zhang
- National Key Laboratory of Intelligent Tracking and Forecasting for Infectious Diseases, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Wen Lv
- Shaanxi Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Xi'an, China
| | - Zhongqiu Teng
- National Key Laboratory of Intelligent Tracking and Forecasting for Infectious Diseases, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Na Zhao
- National Key Laboratory of Intelligent Tracking and Forecasting for Infectious Diseases, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Yue Zhou
- Long County Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Baoji, China
| | - Di Ma
- Mei County Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Baoji, China
| | - Lin Ma
- Shaanxi Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Xi'an, China
| | - Yuqing Cheng
- National Key Laboratory of Intelligent Tracking and Forecasting for Infectious Diseases, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Jianjun Wei
- HanZhong Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Hanzhong, China
| | - Jia He
- National Key Laboratory of Intelligent Tracking and Forecasting for Infectious Diseases, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Wenke Ma
- Zhenba County Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Hanzhong, China
| | - Dongli Liu
- Shaanxi Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Xi'an, China
| | - Tian Qin
- National Key Laboratory of Intelligent Tracking and Forecasting for Infectious Diseases, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
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He M, Zhang L, Hu H, Liu X, Zhang C, Xin Y, Liu B, Chen Z, Xu K, Liu Y. Complete genome sequencing and comparative genomic analyses of a new spotted-fever Rickettsia heilongjiangensis strain B8. Emerg Microbes Infect 2023; 12:2153085. [PMID: 36440590 PMCID: PMC9930820 DOI: 10.1080/22221751.2022.2153085] [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] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Rickettsia heilongjiangensis, a tick-borne obligate intracellular bacterium and causative agent of spotted fever in China, has attracted increasing concern regarding its capability in causing human rickettsiosis. Here, we conducted a genomic analysis of a new R. heilongjiangensis strain B8 (B8) isolated from the serum of a patient who had been bitten by a Haemaphysalis longicornis tick in Anhui Province, China. The present study sought to identify exclusive genes that might be associated with the pathogenicity of B8 using comparative genomics. Specifically, the sequences of B8 were assembled into one circular chromosome of 1,275,081 bp and predicted to contain 1447 genes. Comparative genome analyses were performed based on the genome of B8 and 28 spotted fever group (SFG) rickettsial genomes deposited in NCBI. Phylogenomic analyses indicated the B8 strain was clustered within the R. heilongjiangensis species; however, a sum of 112 and 119 B8-unique genes was identified when compared with R. heilongjiangensis and R. japonica strains, respectively. Functional annotation analyses revealed that these B8-unique genes were mainly annotated to defence mechanisms, lipid transport and metabolism, cell wall/membrane/envelope biogenesis. These data indicate B8 rather represents a previously undescribed human-pathogenic SFG rickettsia lineage, which may be an intermediate lineage of R. heilongjiangensis and R. japonica. Overall, this study isolated a new strain of R. heilongjiangensis in East-Central China for the first time, and provided potential B8-unique genetic loci that could be used for the discrimination of B8 from other R. heilongjiangensis and closely related SFG Rickettsial strains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maozhang He
- Department of Microbiology, School of Basic Medical; The Key Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology of Anhui Province, The Key Laboratory of Zoonoses of High Institutions in Anhui, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, People’s Republic of China
| | - Lifeng Zhang
- Department of Microbiology, School of Basic Medical; The Key Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology of Anhui Province, The Key Laboratory of Zoonoses of High Institutions in Anhui, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, People’s Republic of China
| | - Haoran Hu
- Department of Microbiology, School of Basic Medical; The Key Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology of Anhui Province, The Key Laboratory of Zoonoses of High Institutions in Anhui, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xiaohan Liu
- Department of Microbiology, School of Basic Medical; The Key Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology of Anhui Province, The Key Laboratory of Zoonoses of High Institutions in Anhui, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, People’s Republic of China
| | - Cong Zhang
- Department of Microbiology, School of Basic Medical; The Key Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology of Anhui Province, The Key Laboratory of Zoonoses of High Institutions in Anhui, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yu Xin
- Department of Microbiology, School of Basic Medical; The Key Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology of Anhui Province, The Key Laboratory of Zoonoses of High Institutions in Anhui, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, People’s Republic of China
| | - Boyu Liu
- Department of Microbiology, School of Basic Medical; The Key Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology of Anhui Province, The Key Laboratory of Zoonoses of High Institutions in Anhui, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, People’s Republic of China
| | - Zhen Chen
- Department of Microbiology, School of Basic Medical; The Key Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology of Anhui Province, The Key Laboratory of Zoonoses of High Institutions in Anhui, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, People’s Republic of China
| | - Kehan Xu
- Department of Microbiology, School of Basic Medical; The Key Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology of Anhui Province, The Key Laboratory of Zoonoses of High Institutions in Anhui, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, People’s Republic of China,Kehan Xu Department of Microbiology, School of Basic Medical, The Key Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology of Anhui Province, The Key Laboratory of Zoonoses of High Institutions in Anhui, Anhui Medical University, No. 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, Anhui230032, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yan Liu
- Department of Microbiology, School of Basic Medical; The Key Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology of Anhui Province, The Key Laboratory of Zoonoses of High Institutions in Anhui, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, People’s Republic of China, Yan Liu
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Xue J, Chen SS, Jian R, Chen GQ, Xie G, Du L, Guo WP. Molecular evidence of Rickettsia canadensis in ticks, Hebei, China. INFECTION, GENETICS AND EVOLUTION : JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR EPIDEMIOLOGY AND EVOLUTIONARY GENETICS IN INFECTIOUS DISEASES 2023; 115:105506. [PMID: 37742909 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2023.105506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2023] [Revised: 09/13/2023] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023]
Abstract
China was affected severely by tick-borne rickettsiosis, and more than 10 Rickettsia species pathogenic to humans have been identified. In recent years, several Rickettsia members, with unknown pathogenicity, firstly identified abroad have been found in China. In this study, parasitic and questing ticks were recovered from two sampling sites in Hebei, China. Specific primers targeting outer membrane protein B (ompB) gene were designed to test the presence of Rickettsia canadensis by nested Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). As a result, a total of 428 ticks, including 232 ticks (including 230 Haemaphysalis longicornis and two H. japonica) from Laiyuan County and 196 (H. longicornis) from Luanping County, were collected. Sequencing of PCR products with the expected size and subsequently BLAST showed that 38H. longicornis ticks tested positive for R. canadensis, with an overall positive rate of 8.8%. In addition, 800-bp ompB gene and nearly complete citrate synthase (gltA) gene were recovered from six randomly selected positive samples to better understand their genetic characteristics. Nucleotide identity and phylogenetic analyses showed that R. canadensis presented geographical clustering with evidence that variants identified in the current study presented closer genetic relationship with others identified in Asian than those found in North America. In addition, epidemiological data suggested that H. longicornis may be the competent vector, and more attention should be paid to R. canadensis due to its zoonotic potential. In sum, R. canadensis was confirmed to be present in Hebei Province, China, and its surveillance in ticks should be strengthened due to potential pathogenicity, higher positive rate in ticks and wide distribution of possible vector tick species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Xue
- College of Basic Medicine, Chengde Medical University, Chengde, Hebei, China
| | - Si-Si Chen
- College of Basic Medicine, Chengde Medical University, Chengde, Hebei, China
| | - Rui Jian
- College of Basic Medicine, Chengde Medical University, Chengde, Hebei, China
| | - Guo-Qing Chen
- Yancheng Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Yancheng, Jiangsu, China
| | - Guangcheng Xie
- College of Basic Medicine, Chengde Medical University, Chengde, Hebei, China
| | - Luanying Du
- College of Basic Medicine, Chengde Medical University, Chengde, Hebei, China
| | - Wen-Ping Guo
- College of Basic Medicine, Chengde Medical University, Chengde, Hebei, China.
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Zhang X, Chen H, Han D, Wu W. Clinical usefulness of metagenomic next-generation sequencing for Rickettsia and Coxiella burnetii diagnosis. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis 2023; 42:681-689. [PMID: 36997767 PMCID: PMC10172222 DOI: 10.1007/s10096-023-04586-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2022] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 04/01/2023]
Abstract
Rickettsia and Coxiella burnetii are zoonotic tick-borne pathogens that cause febrile illnesses in humans. Metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) is a new technology used to diagnose infectious diseases. However, clinical experience with applying the test to rickettsioses and Q fever is relatively limited. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the diagnostic performance of mNGS in detecting Rickettsia and C. burnetii. We retrospectively studied patients with rickettsioses or Q fever between August 2021 and July 2022. Peripheral blood mNGS and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were performed for all patients. Clinical data were retrieved for analysis. Thirteen patients were included in this study (eleven confirmed cases and two suspected cases). Signs and symptoms included fever (13, 100%), rash (7, 53.8%), muscle soreness (5, 38.5%), headache (4, 30.8%), skin eschar (3, 23.1%), and disturbance of consciousness (2, 15.4%). In addition, eight patients (61.6%) had thrombocytopenia, ten (76.9%) had liver function impairment, and two (15.4%) had renal function impairment. The results of mNGS revealed seven patients with R. japonica (53.8%), five with C. burneti (38.5%), two with R. heilongjiangensis (15.4%), and one with R. honei (7.7%). PCR results were positive in 11 patients (84.6%). After receiving doxycycline-based treatment, 12 (92.3%) patients returned to a normal temperature within 72 h. All patients were discharged in better health. Therefore, mNGS can help diagnose Rickettsia and C. burnetii and shorten the diagnosis time, especially for patients with atypical clinical manifestations and unclear epidemiologic evidence of a tick bite or exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, National Medical Center for Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310003, China
| | - Huixin Chen
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, National Medical Center for Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310003, China
| | - Dongsheng Han
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.
- Key Laboratory of Clinical In Vitro Diagnostic Techniques of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China.
- Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
| | - Wei Wu
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, National Medical Center for Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310003, China.
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Luan Y, Gou J, Zhong D, Ma L, Yin C, Shu M, Liu G, Lin Q. The Tick-Borne Pathogens: An Overview of China's Situation. Acta Parasitol 2023; 68:1-20. [PMID: 36642777 PMCID: PMC9841149 DOI: 10.1007/s11686-023-00658-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2022] [Accepted: 01/02/2023] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ticks are important medical arthropods that can transmit hundreds of pathogens, such as parasites, bacteria, and viruses, leading to serious public health burdens worldwide. Unexplained fever is the most common clinical manifestation of tick-borne diseases. Since the emergence of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the surge of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases led to the hospital overload and fewer laboratory tests for tick-borne diseases. Therefore, it is essential to review the tick-borne pathogens and further understand tick-borne diseases. PURPOSE The geographic distribution and population of ticks in the Northern hemisphere have expanded while emerging tick-borne pathogens have been introduced to China continuously. This paper focused on the tick-borne pathogens that are threatening public health in the world. Their medical significant tick vectors, as well as the epidemiology, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, treatment, prevention, and control measures, are emphasized in this document. METHODS In this study, all required data were collected from articles indexed in English databases, including Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, Science Direct, and Google Scholar. RESULTS Ticks presented a great threat to the economy and public health. Although both infections by tick-borne pathogens and SARS-CoV-2 have fever symptoms, the history of tick bite and its associated symptoms such as encephalitis or eschar could be helpful for the differential diagnosis. Additionally, as a carrier of vector ticks, migratory birds may play a potential role in the geographical expansion of ticks and tick-borne pathogens during seasonal migration. CONCLUSION China should assess the risk score of vector ticks and clarify the potential role of migratory birds in transmitting ticks. Additionally, the individual and collective protection, vector control, comprehensive surveillance, accurate diagnosis, and symptomatic treatment should be carried out, to meet the challenge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuxuan Luan
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, 712100, Shaanxi, People's Republic of China.,School of Basic Medical Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Jingmin Gou
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, 712100, Shaanxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Dongjie Zhong
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, Hubei, China
| | - Li Ma
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, 712100, Shaanxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Chuansong Yin
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, 712100, Shaanxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Minfeng Shu
- School of Basic Medical Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Guangyuan Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, 730046, Gansu, China
| | - Qing Lin
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, 712100, Shaanxi, People's Republic of China. .,State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, 730046, Gansu, China.
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Khan SM, Khan M, Alouffi A, Almutairi MM, Numan M, Ullah S, Obaid MK, Islam ZU, Ahmed H, Tanaka T, Ali A. Phylogenetic Position of Haemaphysalis kashmirensis and Haemaphysalis cornupunctata, with Notes on Rickettsia spp. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:genes14020360. [PMID: 36833287 PMCID: PMC9956137 DOI: 10.3390/genes14020360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2023] [Revised: 01/23/2023] [Accepted: 01/28/2023] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite high diversity in the Oriental region, ticks of the genus Haemaphysalis have been neglected regarding their genetic data and vector potential. This study aimed to genetically characterize three species of the genus Haemaphysalis: Haemaphysalis cornupunctata, Haemaphysalis kashmirensis, and Haemaphysalis montgomeryi infesting goats and sheep, and Rickettsia spp. associated with these tick species in the Hindu Kush Himalayan range of Pakistan. Altogether, 834 ticks were collected by examining 120 hosts including goats (64/120, 53.3%) and sheep (56/120, 46.6%), in which 86 (71.6%) hosts were found to be tick-infested. The morphologically identified ticks were subjected to DNA extraction and PCR for the amplification of partial 16S rDNA and cox fragments. Rickettsia spp. associated with the collected ticks were detected through the amplification of gltA, ompA and ompB partial fragments. The 16S rDNA of H. cornupunctata and H. montgomeryi showed a maximum identity of 100% with the sequences of the same species, whereas the 16S rDNA of H. kashmirensis showed the highest identity of 93-95% with Haemaphysalis sulcata. The cox sequence of H. montgomeryi displayed 100% identity with the same species. In comparison, the cox sequences of H. cornupunctata and H. kashmirensis showed maximum identities of 87.65-89.22% with Haemaphysalis punctata and 89.34% with H. sulcata, respectively. The gltA sequence of Rickettsia sp. from H. kashmirensis showed the highest identity of 97.89% with Rickettsia conorii subsp. raoultii, while the ompA and ompB fragments from the same DNA samples revealed 100% and 98.16% identity with Rickettsia sp. and "Candidatus Rickettsia longicornii", respectively. Another gltA sequence amplified from H. montgomeryi ticks showed 100% identity with Rickettsia hoogstraalii, while the attempts to amplify ompA and ompB for R. hoogstraalii were unsuccessful. In the phylogenetic tree, the 16S rDNA of H. cornupunctata clustered with the corresponding species while its cox clustered with H. punctata. Both 16S rDNA and cox sequences of H. kashmirensis clustered with H. sulcata. The gltA sequence of Rickettsia sp. was clustered individually in the spotted fever (SF) group of Rickettsia, while the gltA sequence of R. hoogstraalii was clustered with the same species in the transition group of Rickettsia. In the SF group, the rickettsial ompA and ompB sequence clustered with undetermined Rickettsia sp. and "Candidatus Rickettsia longicornii", respectively. This is the earliest study regarding the genetic characterization of H. kashmirensis. This study indicated that ticks belong to the genus Haemaphysalis have the potential of harboring and/or transmitting Rickettsia spp. in the region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shah Masood Khan
- Department of Zoology, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, Mardan 23200, Pakistan
| | - Mehran Khan
- Department of Zoology, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, Mardan 23200, Pakistan
| | - Abdulaziz Alouffi
- King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology, Riyadh 12354, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mashal M. Almutairi
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Muhmmad Numan
- Department of Zoology, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, Mardan 23200, Pakistan
| | - Shafi Ullah
- Department of Zoology, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, Mardan 23200, Pakistan
| | | | - Zia Ul Islam
- Department of Biotechnology, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, Mardan 23200, Pakistan
| | - Haroon Ahmed
- Department of Biosciences, COMSATS University Islamabad (CUI), Park Road, Chak Shahzad, Islamabad 45550, Pakistan
| | - Tetsuya Tanaka
- Laboratory of Infectious Diseases, Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima 890-0065, Japan
| | - Abid Ali
- Department of Zoology, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, Mardan 23200, Pakistan
- Correspondence:
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Gu XL, Wang R, Zhou CM, Cui JT, Li ZM, Jiang ZZ, Li B, Peng QM, Zhang WK, Han HJ, Yu XJ. Natural Mediterranean Spotted Fever Foci, Qingdao, China. Emerg Infect Dis 2022; 28:2524-2527. [PMID: 36417960 PMCID: PMC9707604 DOI: 10.3201/eid2812.221097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/09/2022] Open
Abstract
We sequenced DNA from spleens of rodents captured in rural areas of Qingdao, East China, during 2013-2015. We found 1 Apodemus agrarius mouse infected with Rickettsia conorii, indicating a natural Mediterranean spotted fever foci exists in East China and that the range of R. conorii could be expanding.
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Gao S, Li L, Zhou X, Dai X, Lu L, Chen Y, Han J, Huang X, Xiao Q, He H, Liu Q. Fatal Rickettsia Japonica Infection Complicating Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation in Yichang, China. Infect Drug Resist 2022; 15:6613-6623. [DOI: 10.2147/idr.s383917] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2022] [Accepted: 10/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
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Price KJ, Witmier BJ, Eckert RA, Boyer CN. Recovery of Partially Engorged Haemaphysalis longicornis (Acari: Ixodidae) Ticks from Active Surveillance. JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY 2022; 59:1842-1846. [PMID: 35851919 PMCID: PMC9473650 DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjac099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The invasive Asian longhorned tick, Haemaphysalis longicornis, has rapidly spread across the northeastern United States and is associated with pathogens of public health and veterinary concern. Despite its importance in pathogen dynamics, H. longicornis blood-feeding behavior in nature, specifically the likelihood of interrupted feeding, remains poorly documented. Here, we report the recovery of partially engorged, questing H. longicornis from active tick surveillance in Pennsylvania. Significantly more engorged H. longicornis nymphs (1.54%) and adults (3.07%) were recovered compared to Ixodes scapularis nymphs (0.22%) and adults (zero). Mean Scutal Index difference between unengorged and engorged nymph specimens was 0.65 and 0.42 for I. scapularis and H. longicornis, respectively, suggesting the questing, engorged H. longicornis also engorged to a comparatively lesser extent. These data are among the first to document recovery of engorged, host-seeking H. longicornis ticks and provide initial evidence for interrupted feeding and repeated successful questing events bearing implications for pathogen transmission and warranting consideration in vector dynamics models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keith J Price
- Division of Vector Management, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, Harrisburg, PA 17110, USA
| | | | - Rebecca A Eckert
- Department of Environmental Studies, Gettysburg College, Gettysburg, PA 17325, USA
| | - Christian N Boyer
- Division of Vector Management, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, Harrisburg, PA 17110, USA
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Gui Z, Cai H, Wu L, Miao Q, Yu JF, Cai T, Mao R. Visual closed dumbbell-mediated isothermal amplification (CDA) for on-site detection of Rickettsia raoultii. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2022; 16:e0010747. [PMID: 36084136 PMCID: PMC9491570 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0010747] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2022] [Revised: 09/21/2022] [Accepted: 08/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Spotted fever group (SFG) rickettsioses are important zoonoses, threatening human health seriously and gradually attracting more attention in the world. SFG rickettsiae are classified as neglected pathogens. If these pathogens are detected at all, they are usually recognized very late in the infection through indirect detection of specific antibodies. Previous studies have shown that Rickettsia raoultii (R. raoultii), a member of the SFG rickettsiae, occurs with increasing incidence in remote countries. Therefore, a rapid detection method for R. raoultii is in urgently need. In this study, a R. raoultii diagnosis method by closed dumbbell-mediated isothermal amplification (R-CDA) assay targeting a conserved sequence of the outer membrane protein A (OmpA) gene with high sensitivity and specificity was developed. This assay offered a rapid and simple method for on-site detection of R. raoultii. Firstly, four pairs of R-CDA primers were designed and the optimum primer set was selected to amplify target gene specifically and effectively. Then, a pair of outer primer was designed to accelerate the reaction based on the inner primers to establish the RO-CDA reaction. In addition, the results of real-time amplification curves, melting curves and end-point colorimetric judgements showed that the established visual RO-CDA reaction could accurately detect R. raoultii without cross-reaction with other closely related pathogens. Furthermore, the detection limit of visual RO-CDA assay was 10 copies/μL, which was feasible for on-site detection with merits of easy-operation, rapidity, high sensitivity, and specificity. In conclusion, the developed RO-CDA detection method could be helpful for pathogen screening and epidemic prevention at the point of care. Spotted fever group (SFG) rickettsioses are important neglected zoonoses throughout the world, with expanding known distribution, among which R. raoultii is an emerging member. As the clinical symptoms of R. raoultii is similar to other diseases, the accurate diagnosis of the pathogen based on the detection of genome plays a vital role in effective treatment and control at low infection levels. Due to the lack of on-site detection technology of Rickettsia raoultii in remote areas, the pathogen can only be treated in the late infection stage with specific clinical symptoms. Closed dumbbell-mediated isothermal amplification (CDA) is a method that rapidly amplifies nucleic acids under isothermal condition, which can help to resolve the problem of point of care detection for R. raoultii. The established R. raoultii detection approach based on CDA was feasible for on-site detection with merits of easy-operation, rapidity, high sensitivity, and specificity. At last, compared with PCR and LAMP, CDA method is simpler and more efficient to detect R. raoultii, which helps to improve the efficiency of detection and strengthen the prevention and control of this neglected but widely distributed disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zheng Gui
- Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment of Digestive System Tumors of Zhejiang Province, Hwa Mei Hospital, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ningbo, China
- Ningbo Institute of Life and Health Industry, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ningbo, China
| | - Hao Cai
- Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment of Digestive System Tumors of Zhejiang Province, Hwa Mei Hospital, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ningbo, China
- Ningbo Institute of Life and Health Industry, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ningbo, China
| | - Lin Wu
- Graduate School, Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, China
| | - Qing Miao
- Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment of Digestive System Tumors of Zhejiang Province, Hwa Mei Hospital, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ningbo, China
- Ningbo Institute of Life and Health Industry, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ningbo, China
| | - Jing feng Yu
- Department of Parasitology, Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, China
- * E-mail: (JY); (TC); (RM)
| | - Ting Cai
- Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment of Digestive System Tumors of Zhejiang Province, Hwa Mei Hospital, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ningbo, China
- Ningbo Institute of Life and Health Industry, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ningbo, China
- * E-mail: (JY); (TC); (RM)
| | - Rui Mao
- Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment of Digestive System Tumors of Zhejiang Province, Hwa Mei Hospital, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ningbo, China
- Ningbo Institute of Life and Health Industry, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ningbo, China
- * E-mail: (JY); (TC); (RM)
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Nakada N, Yamamoto K, Tanaka M, Ashizawa H, Yoshida M, Umemura A, Fukuda Y, Katoh S, Sumiyoshi M, Mihara S, Kobayashi T, Ito Y, Ashizawa N, Takeda K, Ide S, Iwanaga N, Takazono T, Tashiro M, Tanaka T, Nakamichi S, Morimoto K, Ariyoshi K, Morita K, Kurihara S, Yanagihara K, Furumoto A, Izumikawa K, Mukae H. Clinical Differentiation of Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome from Japanese Spotted Fever. Viruses 2022; 14:v14081807. [PMID: 36016429 PMCID: PMC9415593 DOI: 10.3390/v14081807] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Revised: 08/13/2022] [Accepted: 08/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) and Japanese spotted fever (JSF; a spotted fever group rickettsiosis) are tick-borne zoonoses that are becoming a significant public health threat in Japan and East Asia. Strategies for treatment and infection control differ between the two; therefore, initial differential diagnosis is important. We aimed to compare the clinical characteristics of SFTS and JSF based on symptomology, physical examination, laboratory data, and radiography findings at admission. This retrospective study included patients with SFTS and JSF treated at five hospitals in Nagasaki Prefecture, western Japan, between 2013 and 2020. Data from 23 patients with SFTS and 38 patients with JSF were examined for differentiating factors and were divided by 7:3 into a training cohort and a validation cohort. Decision tree analysis revealed leukopenia (white blood cell [WBC] < 4000/μL) and altered mental status as the best differentiating factors (AUC 1.000) with 100% sensitivity and 100% specificity. Using only physical examination factors, absence of skin rash and altered mental status resulted in the best differentiating factors with AUC 0.871, 71.4% sensitivity, and 90.0% specificity. When treating patients with suspected tick-borne infection, WBC < 4000/µL, absence of skin rash, and altered mental status are very useful to differentiate SFTS from JSF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nana Nakada
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Nagasaki University Hospital, Nagasaki 852-8102, Japan
- Health Center, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki 852-8521, Japan
| | - Kazuko Yamamoto
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Nagasaki University Hospital, Nagasaki 852-8102, Japan
- Correspondence:
| | - Moe Tanaka
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Nagasaki University Hospital, Nagasaki 852-8102, Japan
| | - Hiroki Ashizawa
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Nagasaki University Hospital, Nagasaki 852-8102, Japan
| | - Masataka Yoshida
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Sasebo City General Hospital, Sasebo 857-8511, Japan
| | - Asuka Umemura
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Sasebo City General Hospital, Sasebo 857-8511, Japan
| | - Yuichi Fukuda
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Sasebo City General Hospital, Sasebo 857-8511, Japan
| | - Shungo Katoh
- Department of General Internal Medicine, Nagasaki Rosai Hospital, Sasebo 857-0134, Japan
| | - Makoto Sumiyoshi
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Isahaya General Hospital, Isahaya 854-8501, Japan
| | - Satoshi Mihara
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Isahaya General Hospital, Isahaya 854-8501, Japan
| | - Tsutomu Kobayashi
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Sasebo Chuo Hospital, Sasebo 857-1195, Japan
| | - Yuya Ito
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Nagasaki University Hospital, Nagasaki 852-8102, Japan
| | - Nobuyuki Ashizawa
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Nagasaki University Hospital, Nagasaki 852-8102, Japan
- Department of Infection Control and Education Center, Nagasaki University Hospital, Nagasaki 852-8102, Japan
| | - Kazuaki Takeda
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Nagasaki University Hospital, Nagasaki 852-8102, Japan
| | - Shotaro Ide
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Sasebo Chuo Hospital, Sasebo 857-1195, Japan
- Infectious Disease Experts Training Center, Nagasaki University Hospital, Nagasaki 852-8102, Japan
| | - Naoki Iwanaga
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Nagasaki University Hospital, Nagasaki 852-8102, Japan
| | - Takahiro Takazono
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Nagasaki University Hospital, Nagasaki 852-8102, Japan
- Department of Infection Control and Education Center, Nagasaki University Hospital, Nagasaki 852-8102, Japan
| | - Masato Tashiro
- Department of Infection Control and Education Center, Nagasaki University Hospital, Nagasaki 852-8102, Japan
| | - Takeshi Tanaka
- Department of Infection Control and Education Center, Nagasaki University Hospital, Nagasaki 852-8102, Japan
| | - Seiko Nakamichi
- Health Center, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki 852-8521, Japan
| | - Konosuke Morimoto
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki 852-8523, Japan
| | - Koya Ariyoshi
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki 852-8523, Japan
| | - Kouichi Morita
- Department of Virology, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki 852-8523, Japan
| | - Shintaro Kurihara
- Department of Medical Safety, Nagasaki University Hospital, Nagasaki 852-8102, Japan
| | - Katsunori Yanagihara
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Nagasaki University Hospital, Nagasaki 852-8102, Japan
| | - Akitsugu Furumoto
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Isahaya General Hospital, Isahaya 854-8501, Japan
- Infectious Disease Experts Training Center, Nagasaki University Hospital, Nagasaki 852-8102, Japan
| | - Koichi Izumikawa
- Department of Infection Control and Education Center, Nagasaki University Hospital, Nagasaki 852-8102, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Mukae
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Nagasaki University Hospital, Nagasaki 852-8102, Japan
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Gui Z, Cai H, Qi DD, Zhang S, Fu SY, Yu JF, Si XY, Cai T, Mao R. Identification and genetic diversity analysis of Rickettsia in Dermacentor nuttalli within inner Mongolia, China. Parasit Vectors 2022; 15:286. [PMID: 35934699 PMCID: PMC9358909 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-022-05387-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2021] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
The genus Rickettsia contains the lineages spotted fever group (SFG), typhus group (TG), and transitional group (TRG). The spotted fever group Rickettsia (SFGR) is transmitted by ticks. The tick species Dermacentor nuttalli is considered the main vector carrying SFGR in Inner Mongolia. Studying the genetic diversity and population structure of Rickettsia is essential for developing effective control strategies and predicting evolutionary trends of Rickettsia.
Methods
In 2019 we collected 408 D. nuttalli in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, detected the percentage of Rickettsia-positive specimens, and characterized the haplotypes. From the Rickettsia-positive ticks, the gltA and ompA genes were extracted, amplified, and sequenced.
Results
Ten haplotypes of the gltA gene and 22 haplotypes of the ompA gene were obtained. The phylogenetic analysis showed that the haplotypes G1–G7 and G9 of the gltA gene cluster with Rickettsia raoultii, while G8 and G10 cluster with Rickettsia sibirica. Haplotypes O1–O15, O18 and O20–O22 of the ompA gene cluster with R. raoultii, while O16 and O19 cluster with R. sibirica. The average haplotype diversity was 0.3 for gltA and 0.7 for ompA. The average nucleotide diversity was greater than 0.05. Neutrality tests were nonsignificant for Tajima’s D results and Fu’s Fs results. The fixation index values (FST) showed that the degree of genetic differentiation between most sampled populations was small (FST < 0.05), whereas some populations showed a medium (FST > 0.05) or large (FST > 0.15) degree of differentiation. Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) revealed that the variation within populations was greater than that between populations. The mismatch analysis of Rickettsia showed double peaks.
Conclusions
We found two Rickettsia spp. (R. raoultii and R. sibirica). The high genetic disparity of Rickettsia allows for easy adaption to different environments. Genetic differentiation between populations is small, and Rickettsia populations do not show a geographically differentiated structure. The high rates of retention and infection of Rickettsia in D. nuttalli together with the animal husbandry exchange in Inner Mongolia gradually led to the harmonization of genetic characteristics of Rickettsia across various regions. Overall, the significant genetic diversity and geographical structure of Rickettsia in D. nuttalli are critical for SFGR control.
Graphical Abstract
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Hu H, Liu Z, Fu R, Liu Y, Ma H, Zheng W. Detection and phylogenetic analysis of tick-borne bacterial and protozoan pathogens in a forest province of eastern China. Acta Trop 2022; 235:106634. [PMID: 35932842 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2022.106634] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2022] [Revised: 07/19/2022] [Accepted: 08/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Abstract
Ticks, as obligate blood-sucking ectoparasites, feed on a broad range of vertebrates and transmit a great diversity of pathogenic microorganisms. Some tick-borne pathogens (TBPs) are endemic in China, whereas epidemiological studies are limited in Jiangxi, a forest province located in eastern China. Here, we have determined the positivity rates of TBPs in humans, rodents, dogs, goats and ticks, and performed the molecular characterization of TBPs in Jiangxi province. We found a high positivity rate of TBPs in the collected samples, demonstrating 23 (12.92%) samples positive for more than one TBPs. Of those, 11 (6.18%) samples were positive for Rickettsia spp., six (3.37%) Ehrlichia spp./Anaplasma spp., one (0.56%) Bartonella spp., two (1.12%) Borrelia spp., and five (2.81%) Babesia spp. The positivity rates of TBPs varied among ticks, animals, and humans as follow: goats (14/37, 37.84%), ticks (8/35, 22.86%), and dogs (1/11, 9.09%). Humans and rodents were negative for TBP presence. Phylogenetic analyses of these TBP sequences revealed the presence of Rickettsia japonica, Ehrlichia minasensis, and an unclassified Babesia spp. in goats, and Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Borrelia valaisiana, and an unclassified Bartonella spp. in ticks. Furthermore, R. japonica infection was exclusively found in goats with the positivity rate of 29.73%. Our study is the first report of R. japonica in goats around the world. These findings suggest high TBP positivity rates among goats, ticks, and dogs, and diverse TBPs in goats and ticks in the studied sites. Therefore, our results underscore the urgent need to assess TBP-tick-vertebrate-environment interactions and the risk of tick borne disease exposure in humans in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haijun Hu
- The Collaboration Unit for Field Epidemiology of State Key Laboratory for Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, Jiangxi Provincial key Laboratory of Animal-origin and Vector-borne Diseases, Nanchang Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Honggutan District, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330038, China
| | - Zhanbin Liu
- Nanchang Police Dog Base of the Ministry of Public Security, Xinjian Dsitrict, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330100, China
| | - Renlong Fu
- The Collaboration Unit for Field Epidemiology of State Key Laboratory for Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, Jiangxi Provincial key Laboratory of Animal-origin and Vector-borne Diseases, Nanchang Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Honggutan District, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330038, China
| | - Yangqing Liu
- The Collaboration Unit for Field Epidemiology of State Key Laboratory for Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, Jiangxi Provincial key Laboratory of Animal-origin and Vector-borne Diseases, Nanchang Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Honggutan District, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330038, China
| | - Hongmei Ma
- The Collaboration Unit for Field Epidemiology of State Key Laboratory for Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, Jiangxi Provincial key Laboratory of Animal-origin and Vector-borne Diseases, Nanchang Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Honggutan District, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330038, China
| | - Weiqing Zheng
- The Collaboration Unit for Field Epidemiology of State Key Laboratory for Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, Jiangxi Provincial key Laboratory of Animal-origin and Vector-borne Diseases, Nanchang Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Honggutan District, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330038, China.
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15
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Qi Y, Ai L, Jiao J, Wang J, Wu D, Wang P, Zhang G, Qin Y, Hu C, Lv R, Lu N, Zhu C, Mao Y, Qi R, Li Y, Tan W. High prevalence of Rickettsia spp. in ticks from wild hedgehogs rather than domestic bovine in Jiangsu province, Eastern China. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:954785. [PMID: 35959365 PMCID: PMC9360493 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.954785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2022] [Accepted: 06/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BackgroundSpotted fever group Rickettsia (SFGR), containing various pathogenic Rickettsia spp., poses remarkable negative influences to public health by causing various severe or mild diseases. Information regarding prevalence of SFGR in ticks in Jiangsu province, Eastern China, is still limited and needs urgent investigations.MethodsHedgehog- and bovine-attached ticks were collected from Jiangsu province, Eastern China. DNA of individual ticks was extracted for nested polymerase chain reaction amplifications targeting gltA, 16S ribosomal RNA (rrs), ompA, ompB, and sca4 genes following with sequencing. SFGR-specific IgG antibodies in sera of local donators were evaluated using ELISA.ResultsOverall, 144 (83.2%) of the 173 ticks from hedgehogs and 2 (1.2%) of the 168 ticks from bovine were positive for one of the three identified Rickettsia spp., with significant difference between the two groups (P = 3.6e-52). Candidatus Rickettsia principis (9; 5.2%) and R. heilongjiangensis (135; 78.0%) were detected in Haemaphysalis flava rather than in H. longicornis ticks from hedgehogs. R. heilongjiangensis (1; 0.6%) and Candidatus R. jingxinensis (or Candidatus R. longicornii) (1; 0.6%) were identified in H. longicornis and Rhipicephalus microplus ticks from bovine, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis indicated Candidatus R. jingxinensis belonged to R. japonica subgroup, whereas Candidatus R. principis belonged to a novel subgroup. Higher serological prevalence of spotted fever and SFGR-specific IgG antibody level in humans were observed around the investigated area than in urban areas, without significant difference.ConclusionCandidatus R. principis and Candidatus R. jingxinensis were identified in Jiangsu province, Eastern China, and fully genetically characterized for the first time. The higher prevalence of SFGR in hedgehog-attached ticks as well as the higher SFGR-specific IgG antibody level and seropositive rate in humans around the investigated area suggested that more attention should be paid to SFGR. This pathogen is usually transmitted or harbored by wild animals and ticks. This study provides important epidemiological data for both physicians and public health officers in developing early prevention and control strategies against potential Rickettsia infections and in the preparation of suitable testing and treatment needs for rickettsiosis in the endemic areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong Qi
- Huadong Research Institute for Medicine and Biotechniques, Nanjing, China
- Nanjing Bioengineering (Gene) Technology Center for Medicines, Nanjing, China
| | - Lele Ai
- Huadong Research Institute for Medicine and Biotechniques, Nanjing, China
- Nanjing Bioengineering (Gene) Technology Center for Medicines, Nanjing, China
| | - Jun Jiao
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, China
| | - Junhu Wang
- Huadong Research Institute for Medicine and Biotechniques, Nanjing, China
- Nanjing Bioengineering (Gene) Technology Center for Medicines, Nanjing, China
| | - Deping Wu
- Huaian Medical District of Jinling Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Huaian, China
| | | | - Guoyu Zhang
- Xuyi County Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Huaian, China
| | - Yong Qin
- Xuyi County Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Huaian, China
| | - Cheng Hu
- The 907Hospital of Chinese PLA, Nanping, China
| | - Ruichen Lv
- Huadong Research Institute for Medicine and Biotechniques, Nanjing, China
- Nanjing Bioengineering (Gene) Technology Center for Medicines, Nanjing, China
| | - Nianhong Lu
- Huadong Research Institute for Medicine and Biotechniques, Nanjing, China
- Nanjing Bioengineering (Gene) Technology Center for Medicines, Nanjing, China
| | - Changqiang Zhu
- Huadong Research Institute for Medicine and Biotechniques, Nanjing, China
- Nanjing Bioengineering (Gene) Technology Center for Medicines, Nanjing, China
| | - Yingqing Mao
- Huadong Research Institute for Medicine and Biotechniques, Nanjing, China
- Nanjing Bioengineering (Gene) Technology Center for Medicines, Nanjing, China
| | - Rui Qi
- Army Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Yuexi Li
- Huadong Research Institute for Medicine and Biotechniques, Nanjing, China
- Nanjing Bioengineering (Gene) Technology Center for Medicines, Nanjing, China
- *Correspondence: Yuexi Li, ; Weilong Tan,
| | - Weilong Tan
- Huadong Research Institute for Medicine and Biotechniques, Nanjing, China
- Nanjing Bioengineering (Gene) Technology Center for Medicines, Nanjing, China
- *Correspondence: Yuexi Li, ; Weilong Tan,
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Truong AT, Yun BR, Yoo MS, Lim J, Min S, Yoon SS, Yun YM, Kim JT, Cho YS. Utility of ultra-rapid real-time PCR for detection and prevalence of Rickettsia spp. in ticks. BMC Vet Res 2022; 18:199. [PMID: 35624477 PMCID: PMC9137179 DOI: 10.1186/s12917-022-03311-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2022] [Accepted: 05/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Rickettsia spp. are important tick-borne pathogens that cause various human and animal diseases worldwide. A tool for rapid and accurate detection of the pathogens from its vectors is necessary for prevention of Rickettsioses propagation in humans and animals, which are infested by ticks. Therefore, this study was conducted to evaluate a molecular tool, ultra-rapid real-time PCR (UR-qPCR), for rapid and accurate detection of Rickettsia spp. from 5644 ticks in 408 pools collected from livestock and their surrounding environments in Gangwon and Jeju province in South Korea. Results The UR-qPCR of Rickettsia DNA showed a limit of detection of 2.72 × 101 copies of Rickettsia DNA and no cross reaction with other tick-borne pathogens, namely Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Ehrlichia chaffeensis, E. canis, Toxoplasma gondii, and Borrelia burgdorferi. In addition, the PCR assay also showed possibility of various Rickettsia species detection including R. monacensis, “Candidatus R. longicornii”, R. japonica, R. roultii, and R. tamurae. The collected ticks were identified with major species belonged to Haemaphysalis longicornis (81.62%), followed by H. flava (15.19%), and Ixodes nipponensis (3.19%). Rickettsia detection from tick samples using the UR-qPCR showed that the minimum infection rate (MIR) of Rickettsia in collected ticks was 1.24‰ and that all positive pools contained H. longicornis, equal to the MIR of 1.39‰ of this species. Additionally, MIR of Rickettsia spp. detected in ticks collected in Gangwon and Jeju was 1.53‰ and 0.84‰, respectively. Furthermore, the sequencing results of the 17 kDa protein antigen gene and ompA gene showed that Rickettsia spp. sequences from all pools were related to “Candidatus R. longicornii” and “Candidatus R. jingxinensis”. Conclusions The UR-qPCR system was demonstrated to be useful tool for accurate and rapid detection of Rickettsia from its vector, ixodid ticks, within 20 min. The data on Rickettsia spp. in ticks detected in this study provide useful information on the distribution of Rickettsia in previously unstudied Korean provinces, which are important for the prevention and control of the spread of rickettsioses in both animals and humans in the country.
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Affiliation(s)
- A-Tai Truong
- Parasitic and Honeybee Disease Laboratory, Bacterial and Parasitic Disease Division, Department of Animal & Plant Health Research, Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency, Gimcheon, 39660, Republic of Korea.,Faculty of Biotechnology, Thai Nguyen University of Sciences, Thai Nguyen, Vietnam
| | - Bo-Ram Yun
- Parasitic and Honeybee Disease Laboratory, Bacterial and Parasitic Disease Division, Department of Animal & Plant Health Research, Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency, Gimcheon, 39660, Republic of Korea
| | - Mi-Sun Yoo
- Parasitic and Honeybee Disease Laboratory, Bacterial and Parasitic Disease Division, Department of Animal & Plant Health Research, Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency, Gimcheon, 39660, Republic of Korea
| | - Jiyeon Lim
- Parasitic and Honeybee Disease Laboratory, Bacterial and Parasitic Disease Division, Department of Animal & Plant Health Research, Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency, Gimcheon, 39660, Republic of Korea
| | - Subin Min
- Parasitic and Honeybee Disease Laboratory, Bacterial and Parasitic Disease Division, Department of Animal & Plant Health Research, Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency, Gimcheon, 39660, Republic of Korea
| | - Soon-Seek Yoon
- Parasitic and Honeybee Disease Laboratory, Bacterial and Parasitic Disease Division, Department of Animal & Plant Health Research, Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency, Gimcheon, 39660, Republic of Korea
| | - Young-Min Yun
- Department of Veterinary Internal Medicine, Wildlife Rescue Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jeju National University, Jeju, 63243, Republic of Korea
| | - Jong-Taek Kim
- Wildlife Rescue Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, 24341, Republic of Korea
| | - Yun Sang Cho
- Parasitic and Honeybee Disease Laboratory, Bacterial and Parasitic Disease Division, Department of Animal & Plant Health Research, Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency, Gimcheon, 39660, Republic of Korea.
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Rickettsia japonica infections in Huanggang, China, in 2021. IDCases 2021; 26:e01309. [PMID: 34712573 PMCID: PMC8529084 DOI: 10.1016/j.idcr.2021.e01309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2021] [Revised: 10/11/2021] [Accepted: 10/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Two patients from Huanggang, China, were diagnosed with spotted fever group (SFG) rickettsiosis—caused by spotted fever group rickettsiae (SFGR)—in 2021. This study aimed to investigate the clinical symptoms, laboratory examinations, epidemiological factors, and therapeutic responses in patients with SFG rickettsiosis—an emerging disease in this region. The patients showed a variety of clinical signs and symptoms, such as acute febrile illness with severe headache, myalgia, asthenia, anorexia, eschar, lymphadenopathy, and rash on the trunk and extremities. They exhibited increased neutrophil ratio, mild thrombocytopenia, liver dysfunction, and increased C-reactive protein and procalcitonin levels. Following treatment with doxycycline, the patients recovered completely. This is the first report of Rickettsia japonica infection in Huanggang City, Hubei Province, China. SFGR infection is a tick-borne disease, which can be effectively treated with doxycycline; however, it has a mortality rate of approximately 10% with delays in treatment. The Huanggang area is also a high-risk area for tick-borne severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS). Therefore, SFTS and SFG rickettsiosis should be carefully diagnosed in this area and clinicians should be alert with respect to the possibility of infections with both SFTS and SFG rickettsiosis. This is the first report on the prevalence of this tick-borne disease in Hubei. If spotted fever is misdiagnosed as SFTS, adverse outcomes may occur. In the early stages of epidemic, mNGS is used to detect those infected,which is rapid and sensitive.
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Xu N, Gai W, Zhang Y, Wang W, Wang G, Dasch GA, Eremeeva ME. Confirmation of Rickettsia conorii Subspecies indica Infection by Next-Generation Sequencing, Shandong, China. Emerg Infect Dis 2021; 27:2691-2694. [PMID: 34545782 PMCID: PMC8462315 DOI: 10.3201/eid2710.204764] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
We describe 3 similar cases of rickettsial disease that occurred after tick bites in a mountainous rural area of Shandong Province, China. Next-generation sequencing indicated the etiologic agent of 1 patient was Rickettsia conorii subspecies indica. This agent may be more widely distributed across China than previously thought.
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19
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Wang Q, Guo WB, Pan YS, Jiang BG, Du CH, Que TC, Zhan L, Wu JH, Yu MH, Cui XM, Zhao L, Xu DL, Xia LY, Ye RZ, Li J, Li LF, Wei W, Zhou YH, Jiang JF, Jia N, Cao WC. Detection of Novel Spotted Fever Group Rickettsiae (Rickettsiales: Rickettsiaceae) in Ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) in Southwestern China. JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY 2021; 58:1363-1369. [PMID: 33399212 DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjaa294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Spotted fever group rickettsiae, mainly maintained and transmitted by ticks, are important etiological agents of (re)emerging zoonotic diseases worldwide. It is of great significance to investigate spotted fever group rickettsiae in ticks in different areas for the prevention and control of rickettsioses. In this study, a total of 305 ticks were collected from wild and domestic animals in Chongqing, Guizhou, Yunnan, and Guangxi provinces of southwestern China during 2017-2019 and examined for the presence of spotted fever group rickettsiae by PCR with primers targeting the partial gltA, ompA, rrs, and htrA genes. Results showed that two spotted fever group rickettsiae species, including the pathogenic Candidatus Rickettsia jingxinensis (Rickettsiales: Rickettsiaceae) and a potential novel species Rickettsia sp. sw (Rickettsiales: Rickettsiaceae), were identified. The Ca. R. jingxinensis sequences were recovered from Rhipicephalus microplus (Ixodida: Ixodidae) and Haemaphysalis longicornis (Ixodida: Ixodidae) ticks and phylogenetically clustered with previous Ca. R. jingxinensis, Ca. R. longicornii (Rickettsiales: Rickettsiaceae), and Rickettsia sp. XY118 (Rickettsiales: Rickettsiaceae) strains. Rickettsia sp. sw was detected in Amblyomma geoemydae (Ixodida: Ixodidae) and Rh. microplus. Interestingly, as far as we know, this was the first report of Rickettsia (Rickettsiales: Rickettsiaceae) in A. geoemydae. Phylogenetic analyses indicated that this potential novel species was closely related to R. aeschlimannii (Rickettsiales: Rickettsiaceae) with gltA and ompA genes and grouped in a cluster composed of R. montanensis (Rickettsiales: Rickettsiaceae), R. raoultii (Rickettsiales: Rickettsiaceae), R. aeschlimannii, R. massiliae (Rickettsiales: Rickettsiaceae), and R. rhipicephali (Rickettsiales: Rickettsiaceae) with htrA, while formed a separate clade with rrs. The pathogenicity of Rickettsia sp. sw should be further confirmed. These results expand the knowledge of the geographical distribution and vector distribution of spotted fever group rickettsiae in China and are useful for assessing the potential public health risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Wang
- School of Public Health, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, P. R. China
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Wen-Bin Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Yu-Sheng Pan
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Bao-Gui Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Chun-Hong Du
- Yunnan Institute for Endemic Diseases Control and Prevention, Dali, Yunnan, P. R. China
| | - Teng-Cheng Que
- Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Terrestrial Wildlife Medical-Aid and Monitoring Epidemic Diseases Research Center, Nanning, Guangxi, P. R. China
| | - Lin Zhan
- Guizhou Provincial People's Hospital, Guiyang, Guizhou, P. R. China
| | - Jia-Hong Wu
- Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou, P. R. China
| | - Ming-Hui Yu
- Wulong County Animal Husbandry Bureau, Wulong, Chongqing, P. R. China
| | - Xiao-Ming Cui
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Lin Zhao
- School of Public Health, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, P. R. China
| | - Da-Li Xu
- School of Public Health, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, P. R. China
| | - Luo-Yuan Xia
- School of Public Health, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, P. R. China
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Run-Ze Ye
- School of Public Health, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, P. R. China
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Jie Li
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Lian-Feng Li
- Shanghai Institute for Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases, Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Shanghai, P. R. China
| | - Wei Wei
- Center for Medical Genetics and Genomics, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, P. R. China
| | - Yu-Hao Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Jia-Fu Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Na Jia
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Wu-Chun Cao
- School of Public Health, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, P. R. China
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, P. R. China
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20
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Oren A, Garrity GM. Candidatus List No. 2. Lists of names of prokaryotic Candidatus taxa. Int J Syst Evol Microbiol 2021; 71. [PMID: 33881984 DOI: 10.1099/ijsem.0.004671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Aharon Oren
- The Institute of Life Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, The Edmond J. Safra Campus, 9190401 Jerusalem, Israel
| | - George M Garrity
- Department of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics, Biomedical Physical Sciences, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824-4320, USA
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21
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Seo MG, Kwon OD, Kwak D. Molecular detection of Rickettsia raoultii, Rickettsia tamurae, and associated pathogens from ticks parasitizing water deer (Hydropotes inermis argyropus) in South Korea. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2021; 12:101712. [PMID: 33819743 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2021.101712] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2020] [Revised: 03/05/2021] [Accepted: 03/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Most defined Rickettsiales, which can be transmitted by ticks, are known to be important zoonotic pathogens. Some of these pathogens can cause severe diseases in humans, including anaplasmosis, rickettsioses, and ehrlichiosis. Previous studies in South Korea have investigated tick-borne pathogens (TBPs) residing in ticks found on grassy vegetation and animals. However, there is limited phylogenetic information on TBPs in ticks parasitizing Korean water deer (KWD; Hydropotes inermis argyropus). This study evaluated the prevalence, risk factors (regions, tick stages, and tick species), and coinfections of TBPs in ticks parasitizing KWD. Were collected a total of 283 hard ticks, including Haemaphysalis longicornis, Haemaphysalis flava, and Ixodes nipponensis from KWD in South Korea from 2013 to 2017. In 173 tested tick pools, genes for seven TBPs, namely Rickettsia raoultii (20 %), Rickettsia tamurae (1 %), Candidatus Rickettsia longicornii (31 %), Ehrlichia canis (3 %), Anaplasma capra (3 %), Anaplasma bovis (2 %), and Anaplasma sp. (1 %), were detected. The unidentified Anaplasma sp. isolates revealed a 98.4 %-99.3 % sequence identity with Anaplasma sp. in GenBank sequences obtained from ticks. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to report the presence of the emerging human pathogen R. tamurae in South Korea. These results should increase awareness about the need for continued development of epidemiological control measures, and medical and veterinary communities must be informed of their high infection potential and clinical complexity in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min-Goo Seo
- Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency, Gimcheon, Gyeongbuk, 39660, South Korea
| | - Oh-Deog Kwon
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Bukgu, Daegu, 41566, South Korea
| | - Dongmi Kwak
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Bukgu, Daegu, 41566, South Korea; Cardiovascular Research Institute, Kyungpook National University, Junggu, Daegu, 41944, South Korea.
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22
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Tick-borne rickettsiae in Midwestern region of Republic of Korea. Acta Trop 2021; 215:105794. [PMID: 33310079 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2020.105794] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2020] [Revised: 12/03/2020] [Accepted: 12/04/2020] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
To identify spotted fever group (SFG) rickettsiae among ticks collected by dragging at eight sites in three provinces of the midwestern region of the Republic of Korea (ROK), genus- and species-specific quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) assays and sequencing were performed. DNA was extracted from a total of 2,312 ticks that were assayed individually (n=140) or in pools (n=444), resulting in a total of 584 individual and pooled tick samples. The 584 tick samples were screened with the genus-specific qPCR assay (Rick17b) and produced 265 (45.38%) positive reactions [individual (n=64) and pooled (n=101) samples]. Of these genus-specific positive samples, 57 (21.51%) were identified as Candidatus Rickettsia longicornii and 48 (18.11%) were identified as R. monacensis by species-specific qPCR assays. Subsequently, nested PCR (nPCR) was performed with 120 samples, which tested positive samples for genus-specific, but not species-specific, qPCR assays. The sequences of ompA and ompB genes showed how many close relatedness to Ca. R. longicornii and Ca. R. jingxinensis isolate Xian Hl-79, uncultured Rickettsia sp. Y27-1, Ca. R. tasmanensis strain T152, R. endosymbiont of H. longicornis tick 47, and R. koreansis strain CNH17-7. In conclusion, we successfully detected specific rickettsial agents using qPCR and a sequence-based analysis approach that demonstrated the prevalence of various tick-borne Rickettsia spp. in midwestern ROK.
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23
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Yuan TT, Du CH, Xia LY, Que TC, von Fricken ME, Jiang BG, Wei W, Li LF, Liu HB, Wang Q, Zhao L, Li J, Cui XM, Sun Y, Jia N, Cao WC, Jiang JF. Molecular evidence of Candidatus Rickettsia longicornii and a novel Rickettsia strain from ticks in Southern China. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2021; 12:101679. [PMID: 33578256 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2021.101679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2020] [Revised: 01/14/2021] [Accepted: 01/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Ticks and tick-borne rickettsial diseases have been gaining greater attention in China over the past decade. However, most published studies to date have occurred in Northern China, with limited investigations occurring in China's southern provinces. As part of larger surveillance efforts, a cross-sectional survey was conducted in six sites at Guangdong, Guangxi and Yunnan investigating rickettsial infection in ticks. A total of 581 ticks were collected from hosts and screened via PCR, targeting rrs, gltA, ompB, sca4, and ompA gene fragments. Two of 12 Haemaphysalis formosensis ticks were infected with novel Rickettsia strain GD01, which was closest phylogenetically (97.3-98.9 % identity) to Rickettsia tamurae strain AT-1, but not within the same clade. Another detected strain (GD02) shared similar identity, 99-100 % across four gene targets, to recently detected Candidatus Rickettsia longicornii isolate ROK-HL727, with an overall prevalence of 12.5 % (71/569). The presence of such pathogens calls for increased public health attention and active surveillance in patients reporting recent tick bites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ting-Ting Yuan
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, China; Shanghai Institute for Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases, Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Shanghai, China
| | - Chun-Hong Du
- Yunnan Institute of Endemic Diseases Control and Prevention, Yunnan, China
| | - Luo-Yuan Xia
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, China
| | - Teng-Cheng Que
- Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Land Wildlife Rescue Research and Epidemic Disease Monitoring Center, Guangxi, China
| | | | - Bao-Gui Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, China
| | - Wei Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, China
| | - Lian-Feng Li
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, China
| | - Hong-Bo Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, China
| | - Qian Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, China
| | - Lin Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, China
| | - Jie Li
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, China
| | - Xiao-Ming Cui
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, China
| | - Yi Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, China
| | - Na Jia
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, China.
| | - Wu-Chun Cao
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, China.
| | - Jia-Fu Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, China.
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24
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Fang LZ, Lei SC, Yan ZJ, Xiao X, Liu JW, Gong XQ, Yu H, Yu XJ. Detection of Multiple Intracellular Bacterial Pathogens in Haemaphysalis flava Ticks Collected from Hedgehogs in Central China. Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10020115. [PMID: 33498714 PMCID: PMC7911675 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10020115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2020] [Revised: 01/03/2021] [Accepted: 01/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Tickborne intracellular bacterial pathogens including Anaplasma, Coxiella burnetti, Ehrlichia, and Rickettsia cause emerging infectious diseases worldwide. PCR was used to amplify the genes of these pathogens in Haemaphysalis flava ticks collected from hedgehogs in Central China. Among 125 samples including 20 egg batches, 24 engorged females, and 81 molted male and female adult ticks, the DNA sequences and phylogenetic analysis showed that the minimum infection rate of the ticks was 4% (5/125) for A. bovis, 3.2% (4/125) for C. burnetti, 9.6%, (12/125) for E. ewingii, and 5.6% for Rickettsia including R.japonica (3.2%, 4/125) and R. raoultii (2.4%, 3/125), respectively. The prevalence of these pathogens was significantly higher in dead engorged females (83.3%, 20/24) than in eggs (5%, 1/20) and molted ticks (8.6%, 7/81). Our study indicated that H. flava ticks could be infected with multiple species of tickborne pathogens including Anaplasma, C. burnetti, Ehrlichia, and Rickettsia in Central China, and the prevalence of these pathogens was reduced during transovarial and transstadial transmission in ticks, suggesting that ticks may not be real reservoirs but only vectors for these tickborne pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li-Zhu Fang
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, School of Health Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China; (L.-Z.F.); (S.-C.L.); (X.X.); (J.-W.L.); (X.-Q.G.); (H.Y.)
| | - Si-Cong Lei
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, School of Health Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China; (L.-Z.F.); (S.-C.L.); (X.X.); (J.-W.L.); (X.-Q.G.); (H.Y.)
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510000, China
| | | | - Xiao Xiao
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, School of Health Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China; (L.-Z.F.); (S.-C.L.); (X.X.); (J.-W.L.); (X.-Q.G.); (H.Y.)
- Lab Animal Research Center, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan 430000, China
| | - Jian-Wei Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, School of Health Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China; (L.-Z.F.); (S.-C.L.); (X.X.); (J.-W.L.); (X.-Q.G.); (H.Y.)
| | - Xiao-Qing Gong
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, School of Health Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China; (L.-Z.F.); (S.-C.L.); (X.X.); (J.-W.L.); (X.-Q.G.); (H.Y.)
| | - Hao Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, School of Health Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China; (L.-Z.F.); (S.-C.L.); (X.X.); (J.-W.L.); (X.-Q.G.); (H.Y.)
| | - Xue-Jie Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, School of Health Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China; (L.-Z.F.); (S.-C.L.); (X.X.); (J.-W.L.); (X.-Q.G.); (H.Y.)
- Correspondence:
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25
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Tai H, Su H, Takamoto N, Fujita H, Takano A, Oishi S, Abe F, Ando S, Ohashi N. Growth Characteristics of Rickettsia Species LON Strains Closely Related to Rickettsia japonica Isolated from Haemaphysalis longicornis Ticks in Mouse Derived L929 and Human-Derived THP-1 Host Cell Lines. Jpn J Infect Dis 2020; 74:102-109. [PMID: 32863353 DOI: 10.7883/yoken.jjid.2020.444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Non-pathogenic Rickettsia species LON strains closely related to an agent of Japanese spotted fever (JSF), R. japonica, were isolated in Japan from Haemaphysalis longicornis ticks in 2001. However, the biological properties of LONs in mammalian host cells are poorly understood. In this study, microscopic analysis showed that LONs in a mouse-derived L929 host cell line were rod shaped with sizes of 0.3-0.5 × 0.5-2.0 μm. Molecular analysis revealed the existence of a LON-specific disrupted open reading frame in R. japonica-related group-specific DNA regions. Growth kinetics of LON-2 and LON-13 strains analyzed by a quantitative real-time PCR showed 100-fold or more increment of LONs cultured in L929 host cells at 30°C and slightly less increment at 33°C, and 25-fold increment in human-derived THP-1 host cells at 35°C on day 7 (168 h) post infection. The generation times of the two LON strains cultured in L929 and THP-1 were estimated to be 9.4-12.9 h and 9.6-10.9 h, respectively. To our knowledge, this is the first report on the biological characteristics of Rickettsia sp. LON strains in mammalian cells, which may provide significant information for the experimental approaches for other rickettsiae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hitoshi Tai
- Graduate Program in Pharmaceutical and Nutritional Sciences, Graduate School of Integrated Pharmaceutical and Nutritional Sciences, University of Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Hongru Su
- Graduate Program in Pharmaceutical and Nutritional Sciences, Graduate School of Integrated Pharmaceutical and Nutritional Sciences, University of Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Naoya Takamoto
- Graduate Program in Pharmaceutical and Nutritional Sciences, Graduate School of Integrated Pharmaceutical and Nutritional Sciences, University of Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Hiromi Fujita
- Graduate Program in Pharmaceutical and Nutritional Sciences, Graduate School of Integrated Pharmaceutical and Nutritional Sciences, University of Shizuoka, Japan.,Mahara Institute of Medical Acarology, Japan
| | - Ai Takano
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Yamaguchi University, Japan
| | - Saori Oishi
- Department of Microbiology, Shizuoka Institute of Environment and Hygiene, Japan
| | - Fuyuki Abe
- Department of Microbiology, Shizuoka Institute of Environment and Hygiene, Japan
| | - Shuji Ando
- Department of Virology I, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Japan
| | - Norio Ohashi
- Graduate Program in Pharmaceutical and Nutritional Sciences, Graduate School of Integrated Pharmaceutical and Nutritional Sciences, University of Shizuoka, Japan
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26
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Li J, Kelly P, Guo W, Zhang J, Yang Y, Liu W, Wang C. Molecular detection of Rickettsia, Hepatozoon, Ehrlichia and SFTSV in goat ticks. VETERINARY PARASITOLOGY- REGIONAL STUDIES AND REPORTS 2020; 20:100407. [PMID: 32448525 DOI: 10.1016/j.vprsr.2020.100407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2020] [Revised: 02/28/2020] [Accepted: 04/02/2020] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Ticks are vectors of various pathogens to people, livestock, companion animals and wildlife. We describe here the ticks found on goats in Anhui province of China and the results of molecular studies on six tick-borne pathogens they might harbor. Among 125 ticks collected (119 Haemaphysalis longicornis, n = 119; Rhipicephalus microplus, n = 6), we detected four of the six tick-borne agents for which we tested. In total, 16.8% of the H. longicornis were positive for Candidatus Rickettsia longicornii (18/119), Rickettsia endosymbiont of Leptocybe invasa (1/119) and Rickettsia sibirica (1/119). Hepatozoon canis was positive for 41.6% of the ticks (H. longicornis 42.0%, 50/119; R. microplus 12.5%, 2/6). Only 5.6% of the ticks were positive for Ehrlichia (H. longicornis 5.0%, 6/119; R. microplus 16.7%, 1/6). The Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome Virus was only identified in one H. longicornis. Such data is important in developing effective, integrated and strategic control measures for ticks and the pathogens they transmit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Li
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Jiangsu, China
| | - Patrick Kelly
- Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, Basseterre, Saint Kitts and Nevis
| | - Weina Guo
- Anhui Science and Technology University, Anhui, China
| | - Jilei Zhang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yi Yang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Jiangsu, China
| | - Weiguo Liu
- Anhui Science and Technology University, Anhui, China
| | - Chengming Wang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Jiangsu, China; College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, AL, USA.
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