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Ramadan RM, Taha NM, Auda HM, Elsamman EM, El-Bahy MM, Salem MA. Molecular and immunological studies on Theileria equi and its vector in Egypt. EXPERIMENTAL & APPLIED ACAROLOGY 2024; 93:439-458. [PMID: 38967736 PMCID: PMC11269342 DOI: 10.1007/s10493-024-00933-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2023] [Accepted: 05/31/2024] [Indexed: 07/06/2024]
Abstract
Equine piroplasmosis is not fully understood regarding pathogenicity, prophylaxis, host immune response expression, and specific vectors. Accurately identifying the parasite vector is crucial for developing an effective control plan for a particular infection. This study focused on morphologically identifying two Hyalomma species (H. anatolicum and H. marginatum) and one Rhipicephalus annulatus (R. annulatus) at the species level. The identification process was followed by phylogenetic analysis using the neighbor-joining method based on the cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 (COXI) gene as a specific vector for Theileria equi (T. equi) in horses. T. equi was diagnosed morphologically and molecularly from infected blood samples and crushed tick species using conventional PCR. Subsequently, phylogenetic analysis based on the amplification of the 18 S rRNA gene was conducted. The obtained sequence data were evaluated and registered in GenBank under accession numbers OR064161, OR067911, OR187727, and OR068139, representing the three tick species and the isolated T. equi, respectively. The study demonstrated that T. equi infection leads to immune system suppression by significantly increasing the levels of oxidative stress markers (CAT, GPx, MDA, and SOD) (P ≤ 0.0001), with this elevation being directly proportional to parasitemia levels in infected blood cells. Furthermore, a correlation was observed between parasitemia levels and the expression of immune response infection genes (IFN-gamma, TGF-β1, and IL-1β cytokines) in infected horses compared to non-infected equine. Common macroscopic symptoms indicating T. equi infection in horses include intermittent fever, enlarged lymph nodes (LN), and tick infestation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reem M Ramadan
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University, Giza, 12211, Egypt.
| | - Noha Madbouly Taha
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt
| | - Hend M Auda
- Department of Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt
| | - Eslam M Elsamman
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University (Equine Veterinarian), Giza, 12211, Egypt
| | - Mohamed M El-Bahy
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University, Giza, 12211, Egypt
| | - Mai A Salem
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University, Giza, 12211, Egypt
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Du CH, Xiang R, Bie SS, Yang X, Yang JH, Yao MG, Zhang Y, He ZH, Shao ZT, Luo CF, Pu EN, Li YQ, Wang F, Luo Z, Du CB, Zhao J, Li M, Cao WC, Sun Y, Jiang JF. Genetic diversity and prevalence of emerging Rickettsiales in Yunnan Province: a large-scale study. Infect Dis Poverty 2024; 13:54. [PMID: 38982550 PMCID: PMC11234784 DOI: 10.1186/s40249-024-01213-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2024] [Accepted: 06/03/2024] [Indexed: 07/11/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Rickettsia and related diseases have been identified as significant global public health threats. This study involved comprehensive field and systematic investigations of various rickettsial organisms in Yunnan Province. METHODS Between May 18, 2011 and November 23, 2020, field investigations were conducted across 42 counties in Yunnan Province, China, encompassing small mammals, livestock, and ticks. Preliminary screenings for Rickettsiales involved amplifying the 16S rRNA genes, along with additional genus- or species-specific genes, which were subsequently confirmed through sequencing results. Sequence comparisons were carried out using the Basic Local Alignment Search Tool (BLAST). Phylogenetic relationships were analyzed using the default parameters in the Molecular Evolutionary Genetics Analysis (MEGA) program. The chi-squared test was used to assess the diversities and component ratios of rickettsial agents across various parameters. RESULTS A total of 7964 samples were collected from small mammals, livestock, and ticks through Yunnan Province and submitted for screening for rickettsial organisms. Sixteen rickettsial species from the genera Rickettsia, Anaplasma, Ehrlichia, Neoehrlichia, and Wolbachia were detected, with an overall prevalence of 14.72%. Among these, 11 species were identified as pathogens or potential pathogens to humans and livestock. Specifically, 10 rickettsial organisms were widely found in 42.11% (24 out of 57) of small mammal species. High prevalence was observed in Dremomys samples at 5.60%, in samples from regions with latitudes above 4000 m or alpine meadows, and in those obtained from Yuanmou County. Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Candidatus Neoehrlichia mikurensis were broadly infecting multiple genera of animal hosts. In contrast, the small mammal genera Neodon, Dremomys, Ochotona, Anourosorex, and Mus were carrying individually specific rickettsial agents, indicating host tropism. There were 13 rickettsial species detected in 57.14% (8 out of 14) of tick species, with the highest prevalence (37.07%) observed in the genus Rhipicephalus. Eight rickettsial species were identified in 2375 livestock samples. Notably, six new Rickettsiales variants/strains were discovered, and Candidatus Rickettsia longicornii was unambiguously identified. CONCLUSIONS This large-scale survey provided further insight into the high genetic diversity and overall prevalence of emerging Rickettsiales within endemic hotspots in Yunnan Province. The potential threats posed by these emerging tick-borne Rickettsiales to public health warrant attention, underscoring the need for effective strategies to guide the prevention and control of emerging zoonotic diseases in China.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chun-Hong Du
- Yunnan Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Control and Prevention, Yunnan Institute for Endemic Diseases Control and Prevention, Dali, 671000, PR China
| | - Rong Xiang
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100071, PR China
| | - Shuang-Shuang Bie
- Yunnan Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Control and Prevention, Yunnan Institute for Endemic Diseases Control and Prevention, Dali, 671000, PR China
| | - Xing Yang
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, School of Basic Medicine, Dali University, Dali, 671000, PR China
| | - Ji-Hu Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100071, PR China
| | - Ming-Guo Yao
- Yunnan Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Control and Prevention, Yunnan Institute for Endemic Diseases Control and Prevention, Dali, 671000, PR China
| | - Yun Zhang
- Yunnan Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Control and Prevention, Yunnan Institute for Endemic Diseases Control and Prevention, Dali, 671000, PR China
| | - Zhi-Hai He
- Yunnan Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Control and Prevention, Yunnan Institute for Endemic Diseases Control and Prevention, Dali, 671000, PR China
| | - Zong-Ti Shao
- Yunnan Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Control and Prevention, Yunnan Institute for Endemic Diseases Control and Prevention, Dali, 671000, PR China
| | - Chun-Feng Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100071, PR China
| | - En-Nian Pu
- Yunnan Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Control and Prevention, Yunnan Institute for Endemic Diseases Control and Prevention, Dali, 671000, PR China
| | - Yu-Qiong Li
- Yunnan Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Control and Prevention, Yunnan Institute for Endemic Diseases Control and Prevention, Dali, 671000, PR China
| | - Fan Wang
- Yunnan Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Control and Prevention, Yunnan Institute for Endemic Diseases Control and Prevention, Dali, 671000, PR China
| | - Zhi Luo
- Yunnan Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Control and Prevention, Yunnan Institute for Endemic Diseases Control and Prevention, Dali, 671000, PR China
| | - Chao-Bo Du
- Yunnan Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Control and Prevention, Yunnan Institute for Endemic Diseases Control and Prevention, Dali, 671000, PR China
| | - Jie Zhao
- Yunnan Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Control and Prevention, Yunnan Institute for Endemic Diseases Control and Prevention, Dali, 671000, PR China
| | - Miao Li
- Yunnan Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Control and Prevention, Yunnan Institute for Endemic Diseases Control and Prevention, Dali, 671000, PR China
| | - Wu-Chun Cao
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100071, PR China.
| | - Yi Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100071, PR China.
| | - Jia-Fu Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100071, PR China.
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Chung MH, Kang JS, Lee JS. Tick-Borne Rickettsiosis and Tsutsugamushi Disease Recorded in 313. Infect Chemother 2024; 56:159-170. [PMID: 38686644 PMCID: PMC11224035 DOI: 10.3947/ic.2023.0105] [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: 10/25/2023] [Accepted: 03/21/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Tsutsugamushi disease was first described in China by Hong Ge in 313. In his book Zhouhou Beiji Fang, three eschar-associated febrile diseases were described: Shashidu, Zhongxidu, and Shegongdu. Shashidu was identified as being identical to tsutsugamushi disease in Japan: it occurred in riverside areas, exhibited an eschar, and was transmitted by tiny red "sand lice". The nature of Zhongxidu remains unknown, but we propose that it is another type of Orientia tsutsugamushi infection: it occurred in mountainous areas, an eschar was observed, and the causative vector was not identified. Moreover, Zhongxidu would have predated Shashidu by five centuries; thus, the first documentation of tsutsugamushi disease would date back 2.2 millennia. O. tsutsugamushi infection without eschar has not been identified in ancient Chinese literature and may be included in Shanghan. Several ancient Chinese books describe that Shegongdu occurs following a Shegong bite. Shegong is described as a bug resembling a cockroach or cicada with a crossbow-like structure, possibly the hypostome and unfolded palps of tick, in its mouth. Thus, Shegong refers to an engorged tick and Shegongdu is a tick-borne rickettsiosis. However, due to a lack of entomological knowledge, these findings have not been recognized for the past 1.7 millennia.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jae-Seung Kang
- Department of Microbiology, Inha University School of Medicine, Incheon, Korea
| | - Jin-Soo Lee
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Inha University School of Medicine, Incheon, Korea.
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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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