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Habib J, Zenner L, Garel M, Mercier A, Poirel MT, Itty C, Appolinaire J, Amblard T, Benedetti P, Sanchis F, Benabed S, Abi Rizk G, Gibert P, Bourgoin G. Prevalence of tick-borne pathogens in ticks collected from the wild mountain ungulates mouflon and chamois in 4 regions of France. Parasite 2024; 31:21. [PMID: 38602373 PMCID: PMC11008225 DOI: 10.1051/parasite/2024011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2022] [Accepted: 02/09/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Ticks are major vectors of various pathogens of health importance, such as bacteria, viruses and parasites. The problems associated with ticks and vector-borne pathogens are increasing in mountain areas, particularly in connection with global climate change. We collected ticks (n = 2,081) from chamois and mouflon in 4 mountainous areas of France. We identified 6 tick species: Ixodes ricinus, Rhipicephalus bursa, Rh. sanguineus s.l., Haemaphysalis sulcata, H. punctata and Dermacentor marginatus. We observed a strong variation in tick species composition among the study sites, linked in particular to the climate of the sites. We then analysed 791 ticks for DNA of vector-borne pathogens: Babesia/Theileria spp., Borrelia burgdorferi s.l., Anaplasma phagocytophilum, A. marginale, A. ovis, and Rickettsia of the spotted fever group (SFG). Theileria ovis was detected only in Corsica in Rh. bursa. Babesia venatorum (2 sites), Borrelia burgdorferi s.l. (B. afzelii and B. garinii; 2 sites) and Anaplasma phagocytophilum (3 sites) were detected in I. ricinus. Anaplasma ovis was detected at one site in I. ricinus and Rh. sanguineus s.l. SFG Rickettsia were detected at all the study sites: R. monacensis and R. helvetica in I. ricinus at the 3 sites where this tick is present; R. massiliae in Rh. sanguineus s.l. (1 site); and R. hoogstraalii and Candidatus R. barbariae in Rh. bursa in Corsica. These results show that there is a risk of tick-borne diseases for humans and domestic and wild animals frequenting these mountain areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jad Habib
- Université de Lyon, VetAgro Sup – Campus Vétérinaire de Lyon, Laboratoire de Parasitologie Vétérinaire 1 avenue Bourgelat BP 83 69280 Marcy-l’Etoile France
- Université de Lyon, Université Lyon 1, CNRS, VetAgro Sup, UMR 5558, Laboratoire de Biométrie et Biologie Évolutive 43 bd du 11 novembre 1918 69622 Villeurbanne France
- Université Libanaise, Faculté d’Agronomie et de Médecine Vétérinaire, Département de Médecine Vétérinaire 3 rue de l'université Beyrouth Lebanon
| | - Lionel Zenner
- Université de Lyon, VetAgro Sup – Campus Vétérinaire de Lyon, Laboratoire de Parasitologie Vétérinaire 1 avenue Bourgelat BP 83 69280 Marcy-l’Etoile France
- Université de Lyon, Université Lyon 1, CNRS, VetAgro Sup, UMR 5558, Laboratoire de Biométrie et Biologie Évolutive 43 bd du 11 novembre 1918 69622 Villeurbanne France
| | - Mathieu Garel
- Office Français de la Biodiversité, Service Anthropisation et Fonctionnement des Écosystèmes Terrestres 5 allée de Bethléem, Z.I. Mayencin 38610 Gières France
| | - Antoine Mercier
- Université de Lyon, VetAgro Sup – Campus Vétérinaire de Lyon, Laboratoire de Parasitologie Vétérinaire 1 avenue Bourgelat BP 83 69280 Marcy-l’Etoile France
- Université de Lyon, Université Lyon 1, CNRS, VetAgro Sup, UMR 5558, Laboratoire de Biométrie et Biologie Évolutive 43 bd du 11 novembre 1918 69622 Villeurbanne France
| | - Marie-Thérèse Poirel
- Université de Lyon, VetAgro Sup – Campus Vétérinaire de Lyon, Laboratoire de Parasitologie Vétérinaire 1 avenue Bourgelat BP 83 69280 Marcy-l’Etoile France
- Université de Lyon, Université Lyon 1, CNRS, VetAgro Sup, UMR 5558, Laboratoire de Biométrie et Biologie Évolutive 43 bd du 11 novembre 1918 69622 Villeurbanne France
| | - Christian Itty
- Office Français de la Biodiversité, Service Appui aux Acteurs et Mobilisation des Territoires, Direction Régionale Occitanie 7 rue du Four, Fagairolles 34610 Castanet-le-Haut France
| | - Joël Appolinaire
- Office Français de la Biodiversité, Service Anthropisation et Fonctionnement des Écosystèmes Terrestres 5 allée de Bethléem, Z.I. Mayencin 38610 Gières France
| | - Thibaut Amblard
- Office Français de la Biodiversité, Service Anthropisation et Fonctionnement des Écosystèmes Terrestres 5 allée de Bethléem, Z.I. Mayencin 38610 Gières France
| | - Pierre Benedetti
- Office Français de la Biodiversité, Unité Espaces Naturels de Corse Funtanella 20218 Moltifao France
| | - Frédéric Sanchis
- Office Français de la Biodiversité, Unité Espaces Naturels de Corse Funtanella 20218 Moltifao France
| | - Slimania Benabed
- Université de Lyon, VetAgro Sup – Campus Vétérinaire de Lyon, Laboratoire de Parasitologie Vétérinaire 1 avenue Bourgelat BP 83 69280 Marcy-l’Etoile France
- Université de Lyon, Université Lyon 1, CNRS, VetAgro Sup, UMR 5558, Laboratoire de Biométrie et Biologie Évolutive 43 bd du 11 novembre 1918 69622 Villeurbanne France
| | - Georges Abi Rizk
- Université Libanaise, Faculté d’Agronomie et de Médecine Vétérinaire, Département de Médecine Vétérinaire 3 rue de l'université Beyrouth Lebanon
| | - Philippe Gibert
- Office Français de la Biodiversité, Service Anthropisation et Fonctionnement des Écosystèmes Terrestres 5 allée de Bethléem, Z.I. Mayencin 38610 Gières France
| | - Gilles Bourgoin
- Université de Lyon, VetAgro Sup – Campus Vétérinaire de Lyon, Laboratoire de Parasitologie Vétérinaire 1 avenue Bourgelat BP 83 69280 Marcy-l’Etoile France
- Université de Lyon, Université Lyon 1, CNRS, VetAgro Sup, UMR 5558, Laboratoire de Biométrie et Biologie Évolutive 43 bd du 11 novembre 1918 69622 Villeurbanne France
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Kitryt N, Baltrnait L. Ectoparasitic mites, ticks (Acari: Trombidiformes, Mesostigmata, Ixodida) and insects (Insecta: Psocodea, Siphonaptera) of ground-dwelling small mammals in the Baltic States. An annotated checklist. Zootaxa 2023; 5353:1-46. [PMID: 38221425 DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5353.1.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/16/2024]
Abstract
This paper presents an annotated checklist of 77 species of ectoparasitic mites, ticks (Acari: Trombidiformes, Mesostigmata, Ixodida) and insects (Insecta: Psocodea, Siphonaptera) found on ground-dwelling small mammals in the Baltic States (Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania). Eight species of five genera of chigger mites (Trombidiformes: Trombiculidae), 26 species of eight genera of laelapid mites (Mesostigmata: Laelapidae), six species of two genera of ixodid ticks (Ixodida: Ixodidae), 11 species of three genera of blood-sucking lice (Psocodea: Hoplopleuridae, Pediculidae, Polyplacidae) and 26 species of 15 genera of fleas (Siphonaptera: Ceratophyllidae, Ctenophthalmidae, Hystrichopsyllidae, Pulicidae) were recorded on ground-dwelling small mammals in the Baltic States. Neotrombicula japonica (Tanaka, Kaiwa, Teramura & Kagaya), Neotrombicula vulgaris (Schluger), Miyatrombicula muris (Oudemans), Hoplopleura edentula Fahrenholz and Polyplax hannswrangeli Eichler are recorded for the first time in the Baltic States.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neringa Kitryt
- Nature Research Centre; Akademijos Street 2; LT-08412 Vilnius; Lithuania.
| | - Laima Baltrnait
- Nature Research Centre; Akademijos Street 2; LT-08412 Vilnius; Lithuania.
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Aneela A, Almutairi MM, Alouffi A, Ahmed H, Tanaka T, da Silva Vaz I, Chang SC, Chen CC, Ali A. Molecular Detection of Rickettsia hoogstraalii in Hyalomma anatolicum and Haemaphysalis sulcata: Updated Knowledge on the Epidemiology of Tick-Borne Rickettsia hoogstraalii. Vet Sci 2023; 10:605. [PMID: 37888557 PMCID: PMC10611279 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci10100605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2023] [Revised: 09/23/2023] [Accepted: 10/01/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Ticks are hematophagous ectoparasites that transmit pathogens to animals and humans. Updated knowledge regarding the global epidemiology of tick-borne Rickettsia hoogstraalii is dispersed, and its molecular detection and genetic characterization are missing in Pakistan. The current study objectives were to molecularly detect and genetically characterize Rickettsia species, especially R. hoogstraalii, in hard ticks infesting livestock in Pakistan, and to provide updated knowledge regarding their global epidemiology. Ticks were collected from livestock, including goats, sheep, and cattle, in six districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Pakistan. Overall, 183 hosts were examined, of which 134 (73.2%), including goats (number = 39/54, 72.2%), sheep (23/40, 57.5%), and cattle (71/89, 80%) were infested by 823 ticks. The most prevalent tick species was Rhipicephalus microplus (number = 283, 34.3%), followed by Hyalomma anatolicum (223, 27.0%), Rhipicephalus turanicus (122, 14.8%), Haemaphysalis sulcata (104, 12.6%), Haemaphysalis montgomeryi (66, 8.0%), and Haemaphysalis bispinosa (25, 3.03%). A subset of 210 ticks was selected and screened for Rickettsia spp. using PCR-based amplification and subsequent sequencing of rickettsial gltA and ompB fragments. The overall occurrence rate of R. hoogstraalii was 4.3% (number = 9/210). The DNA of Rickettsia was detected in Hy. anatolicum (3/35, 8.5%) and Ha. sulcata (6/49, 12.2%). However, no rickettsial DNA was detected in Rh. microplus (35), Rh. turanicus (35), Ha. montgomeryi (42), and Ha. bispinosa (14). The gltA and ompB fragments showed 99-100% identity with R. hoogstraalii and clustered phylogenetically with the corresponding species from Pakistan, Italy, Georgia, and China. R. hoogstraalii was genetically characterized for the first time in Pakistan and Hy. anatolicum globally. Further studies should be encouraged to determine the role of ticks in the maintenance and transmission of R. hoogstraalii in different hosts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aneela Aneela
- Department of Zoology, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, Mardan 23200, Pakistan
| | - Mashal M. Almutairi
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Abdulaziz Alouffi
- King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology, Riyadh 12354, Saudi Arabia;
| | - 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;
| | - Itabajara da Silva Vaz
- Centro de Biotecnologia and Faculdade de Veterinária, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre 90050-170, RS, Brazil;
| | - Shun-Chung Chang
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Ditmanson Medical Foundation Chia-Yi Christian Hospital, Chiayi 60002, Taiwan
| | - Chien-Chin Chen
- Department of Pathology, Ditmanson Medical Foundation Chia-Yi Christian Hospital, Chiayi 60002, Taiwan;
- Department of Cosmetic Science, Chia Nan University of Pharmacy and Science, Tainan 71710, Taiwan
- Ph.D. Program in Translational Medicine, Rong Hsing Research Center for Translational Medicine, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 40227, Taiwan
- Department of Biotechnology and Bioindustry Sciences, College of Bioscience and Biotechnology, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 70101, Taiwan
| | - Abid Ali
- Department of Zoology, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, Mardan 23200, Pakistan
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Xiao Y, Beare PA, Best SM, Morens DM, Bloom ME, Taubenberger JK. Genetic sequencing of a 1944 Rocky Mountain spotted fever vaccine. Sci Rep 2023; 13:4687. [PMID: 36949107 PMCID: PMC10031714 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-31894-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2022] [Accepted: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 03/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF) is a rapidly progressive and often fatal tick-borne disease caused by Rickettsia rickettsii. Its discovery and characterization by Howard Ricketts has been hailed as a remarkable historical example of detection and control of an emerging infectious disease, and subsequently led to the establishment of the Rocky Mountain Laboratories (RML). Here, we examined an unopened bottle of a vaccine, labeled as containing RMSF inactivated by phenol-formalin of infected ticks, developed prior to 1944 at RML by DNA analysis using Illumina high throughput sequencing technology. We found that it contains DNA from the Rocky Mountain wood tick (Dermacentor andersoni), the vector of RMSF, the complete genome of Rickettsia rickettsii, the pathogen of RMSF, as well as the complete genome of Coxiella burnetii, the pathogen of Q-fever. In addition to genomic reads of Rickettsia rickettsii and Coxiella burnetii, smaller percentages of the reads are from Rickettsia rhipicephali and Arsenophonus nasoniae, suggesting that the infected ticks used to prepare the vaccine carried more than one pathogen. Together, these findings suggest that this early vaccine was likely a bivalent vaccine for RMSF and Q-fever. This study is the among the first molecular level examinations of an historically important vaccine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongli Xiao
- Viral Pathogenesis and Evolution Section, Laboratory of Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, 33 North Drive MSC 3203, Bethesda, MD, 20892-3203, USA.
| | - Paul A Beare
- Coxiella Pathogenesis Section, Laboratory of Bacteriology, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, MT, USA
| | - Sonja M Best
- Innate Immunity and Pathogenesis Section, Laboratory of Persistent Viral Diseases, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, MT, USA
| | - David M Morens
- Office of the Director, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Marshall E Bloom
- Biology of Vector-Borne Viruses Section, Laboratory of Virology, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, MT, USA
| | - Jeffery K Taubenberger
- Viral Pathogenesis and Evolution Section, Laboratory of Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, 33 North Drive MSC 3203, Bethesda, MD, 20892-3203, USA
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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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Emerging tick-borne spotted fever group rickettsioses in the Balkans. INFECTION, GENETICS AND EVOLUTION : JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR EPIDEMIOLOGY AND EVOLUTIONARY GENETICS IN INFECTIOUS DISEASES 2023; 107:105400. [PMID: 36586459 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2022.105400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2022] [Revised: 12/23/2022] [Accepted: 12/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
The impact of tick-borne pathogens (TBPs) on human health has increased in the last decades, since the incidence of emerging and re-emerging infectious and zoonotic tick-borne diseases has increased worldwide. Tick-borne rickettsiae of the Spotted Fever group (SFGR) are considered as emerging pathogens that can infect humans and cause a variety of non-specific clinical symptoms. Here, we report nine cases of atypical tick-borne diseases (9/460; 1.95%) that occurred over a period of four months (from 15 April 2021 to 16 August 2021) in Serbia, from which five cases were classified as confirmed SFGR infection, two cases as probable SFGR infection and two cases as suspected SFGR infection. Within cases of confirmed SFGR infection, R. helvetica was detected as the causative agent in two cases. The most common clinical finding was non-expanding persistent circular redness, followed by eschar and enlargement of regional lymph nodes, and pain at lesion site. Rickettsia outer membrane protein B (ompB) and citrate synthase (gltA) gene fragments were amplified from clinical samples and ticks attached to patients and IgG reacting with Rickettsia conorii antigen were detected in sera samples of patients, which are highly suggestive of exposure to SFGR. Surveillance and monitoring of rickettsial diseases in Serbia should continue and extended to new areas due to the increasing trend of clinical infections caused by SFGR in the country.
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Bonilla-Aldana DK, Castaño-Betancourt KJ, Ortega-Martínez JM, Ulloque-Badaracco JR, Hernandez-Bustamante EA, Benites-Zapata VA, Rodriguez-Morales AJ. Prevalence of zoonotic and non-zoonotic Rickettsia in horses: A systematic review and meta-analysis. New Microbes New Infect 2022; 51:101068. [PMID: 36632173 PMCID: PMC9827057 DOI: 10.1016/j.nmni.2022.101068] [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: 10/27/2022] [Revised: 12/11/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
In a broad sense, Rickettsiae are a group of microorganisms that can be transmitted mechanically or biologically to animals and humans. Rickettsioses are associated with hematic manifestations. Its prevalence in humans, dogs and other animals has been widely explored, but not in equine species. To determine the prevalence of Rickettsia infection in horses. A systematic review of the literature was carried out in five databases for the proportion of horses infected with Rickettsia, defined by molecular and immunological techniques. A meta-analysis was performed using a random-effects model to calculate the pooled prevalence and 95% confidence intervals (CI). The Cochran's Q test and the I2 statistic were used to assess the between-study-heterogeneity. The pooled prevalence of Rickettsia in equines was 37.0% (95% CI: 26.0%-47.0%), with significant heterogeneity among studies (I2 = 98.12%). In the subgroup analysis, the prevalence of Rickettsia in horses was found to be 24.0% (95%CI: 10.0%-41.0%) for IFI, 47.0% (95%CI: 30.0%-64.0%) for IFA, 14.0% (95%CI: 11.0%-17.0%) for IFAT and 39.0% (95%CI: 0.0%-95.0%) for PCR. There was a high prevalence of Rickettsia among horses, with some of the species being zoonotic, with their corresponding implications for humans, which increasingly are in close contact with equines, particularly horses and their ticks, posing a risk for spillover and transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- D. Katterine Bonilla-Aldana
- Research Unit, Universidad Continental, Huancayo, Peru,Red Colombiana de Enfermedades Transmitidas por Garrapatas en Pequeños Animales (RECEPA) - Colombian Network of Tick-Borne Diseases in Small Animals (RECEPA), Pereira, Risaralda, Colombia
| | - Karen Johana Castaño-Betancourt
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Fundación Universitaria Autónoma de Las Américas – Institución Universitaria Visión de Las Américas, Pereira, Risaralda, Colombia
| | - Juan Manuel Ortega-Martínez
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Fundación Universitaria Autónoma de Las Américas – Institución Universitaria Visión de Las Américas, Pereira, Risaralda, Colombia
| | | | - Enrique A. Hernandez-Bustamante
- Sociedad Científica de Estudiantes de Medicina de La Universidad Nacional de Trujillo, Trujillo, Peru,Grupo Peruano de Investigación Epidemiológica, Unidad de Investigación para La Generación y Síntesis de Evidencias en Salud, Universidad San Ignacio de Loyola, Lima, Peru
| | - Vicente A. Benites-Zapata
- Grupo Peruano de Investigación Epidemiológica, Unidad de Investigación para La Generación y Síntesis de Evidencias en Salud, Universidad San Ignacio de Loyola, Lima, Peru,Corresponding author.
| | - Alfonso J. Rodriguez-Morales
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidad Científica Del Sur, Lima, Peru,Grupo de Investigación Biomedicina, Faculty of Medicine, Fundación Universitaria Autónoma de Las Américas – Institución Universitaria Visión de Las Américas, Pereira, Risaralda, Colombia,Gilbert and Rose-Marie Chagoury School of Medicine, Lebanese American University, Beirut P.O. Box 36, Lebanon,Red Colombiana de Enfermedades Transmitidas por Garrapatas en Pequeños Animales (RECEPA) - Colombian Network of Tick-Borne Diseases in Small Animals (RECEPA), Pereira, Risaralda, Colombia
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Spotted Fever Group Rickettsia spp. Diversity in Ticks and the First Report of Rickettsia hoogstraalii in Romania. Vet Sci 2022; 9:vetsci9070343. [PMID: 35878360 PMCID: PMC9317755 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci9070343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2022] [Revised: 07/05/2022] [Accepted: 07/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Ticks are important parasites that feed on the blood of various host species, representing the most important arthropods transmitting diseases in Europe. Continuous changes in both tick distribution and abundance are related to multiple factors, including climate change. These changes have strong implications for both animal and human health; therefore, continuous surveillance of tickborne diseases is required for an appropriate evaluation of the potential risks faced by animals and humans in a given area. The spotted fever group Rickettsia comprises a large number of zoonotic agents with an increasing importance recognized in the last 30 years. The aim of this study was to evaluate these bacteria in ticks in Romania. Five Rickettsia species were identified in different tick species, with new pathogen–tick associations reported. Rickettsia hoogstraalii, one member of this group, was detected for the first time in Romania and in Rhipicephalus rossicus ticks. This species was first described in 2006 in Croatia, and its pathogenicity is not well known. In addition, the detection of R. raoultii and R. monacensis in unfed larvae of Haemaphysalis punctata reinforce the hypothesis of transmission of Rickettsia from female ticks to larvae; therefore the bite of larvae could pose a health risk. Abstract Tickborne bacterial pathogens have been described worldwide as risk factors for both animal and human health. Spotted fevers caused by Rickettsiae may cause non-specific symptoms, which make clinical diagnosis difficult. The aim of the current study was to evaluate and review the diversity of SFG Rickettsiae in ticks collected in 41 counties in Romania. A total of 2028 questing and engorged ticks collected in Romania belonging to five species were tested by PCR amplification of Rickettsia spp. gltA and 17-D gene fragments: Ixodes ricinus (n = 1128), Dermacentor marginatus (n = 507), D. reticulatus (n = 165), Rhipicephalus rossicus (n = 128) and Haemaphysalis punctata (n = 100). Five Rickettsia species were identified following DNA sequence analysis: R. helvetica, R. monacensis, R. slovaca, R. raoultii, and R. hoogstraalii. The most common species detected was R. monacensis. Moreover, R. hoogstraalii was detected for the first time in Romania and in R. rossicus ticks. The detection of R. raoultii and R. monacensis in questing larvae of Hae. punctata suggests the possible transovarial transmission of these Rickettsia species in ticks. The detection of R. hoogstraalii for the first time in Romania increases the reported SFG Rickettsia diversity in the country.
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Morganti G, Miglio A, Moretta I, Misia AL, Rigamonti G, Cremonini V, Antognoni MT, Veronesi F. Retrospective Longitudinal Survey on Canine Vector-Borne Pathogens: Trends and Challenges of 10 Years of Activities of a Veterinary Blood Bank. Vet Sci 2022; 9:vetsci9060274. [PMID: 35737326 PMCID: PMC9228790 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci9060274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2022] [Revised: 05/31/2022] [Accepted: 06/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Canine vector-borne pathogens (CVBPs) represent a challenge for veterinary transfusion medicine, since some can be transmitted by blood transfusion and are of zoonotic concern. Epidemiological data on CVBPs, obtained during 10 years of pre-donor screening (2012−2021) by a veterinary blood bank in central Italy, were used to conduct a retrospective epidemiological longitudinal survey. The results were obtained using the Immunofluorescent Antibody Test (IFAT) conducted on sera in order to assess IgG antibodies against Leishmania infantum, Ehrlichia canis, Anaplasma phagocythophilum, Babesia canis, and Rickettsia conorii; the modified Knott’s test and an ELISA kit were used to detect Dirofilaria immitis and Dirofilaria repens. In total, 324 out of the 1260 canine blood donors (25.71%) tested seropositive for at least one pathogen. The highest overall positive rate was detected for L. infantum (12.22%), followed by E. canis (2.30%), A. phagocytophilum (1.19%), D. repens (0.95%), D. immitis (0.32%), and B. canis (0.16%). From 2012 to 2014, a prevalence of 20.12% was recorded for R. conorii. Mixed infections were recorded in 21 dogs. For all the CVBPs investigated, significant differences (p < 0.05) were not observed over the period studied. The results evidenced a non-negligible prevalence of CVBPs in canine donors, which were selected based on strict criteria concerning regular endo- and ectoparasite controls. The results confirmed that the blood bank could be a reliable local epidemiological observatory. The need for implemented screening is discussed.
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