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Osman AM, Hassan-Kadle AA, Dias CM, Ibrahim AM, Collere FCM, Shair MA, Montiani-Ferreira F, André MR, Yusuf AA, Vieira TSWJ, Machado RZ, Vieira RFC. Bartonella species in dromedaries and ruminants from Lower Shabelle and Benadir regions, Somalia. Zoonoses Public Health 2024; 71:568-577. [PMID: 38816921 DOI: 10.1111/zph.13158] [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: 01/11/2024] [Revised: 05/11/2024] [Accepted: 05/16/2024] [Indexed: 06/01/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Bartonellosis, caused by bacteria of the genus Bartonella, is a zoonotic disease with several mammalian reservoir hosts. In Somalia, a country heavily reliant on livestock, zoonotic diseases pose significant public health and economic challenges. To the best of our knowledge, no study has been performed aiming to verify the occurrence of Bartonella spp. in Somalia. This study investigated the occurrence and molecular characterization of Bartonella in dromedary (Camelus dromedarius, Linnaeus, 1758), cattle, sheep, and goats from Somalia. MATERIALS AND METHODS 530 blood samples were collected from various animals (155 dromedary, 199 goat, 131 cattle, and 45 sheep) in Benadir and Lower Shabelle regions. DNA was extracted for molecular analysis, and a qPCR assay targeting the NADH dehydrogenase gamma subunit (nuoG) gene was used for Bartonella screening. Positive samples were also subjected to PCR assays targeting seven molecular markers including: nuoG, citrate synthase gene (gltA), RNA polymerase beta-subunit gene (rpoB), riboflavin synthase gene (ribC), 60 kDa heat-shock protein gene (groEL), cell division protein gene (ftsZ), and pap31 and qPCR targeting the 16-23S rRNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS) followed by Sanger sequencing, BLASTn and phylogenetic analysis. RESULTS Out of 530 tested animals, 5.1% were positive for Bartonella spp. by the nuoG qPCR assay. Goats showed the highest Bartonella occurrence (17/199, 8.5%), followed by sheep (6/44, 6.8%), cattle (4/131, 3.1%), and dromedary (1/155, 1.9%). Goats, sheep, and cattle had higher odds of infection compared to dromedary. Among nuoG qPCR-positive samples, 11.1%, 14.8%, 11.1%, and 25.9% were positive in PCR assays based on nuoG, gltA, and pap31 genes, and in the qPCR based on the ITS region, respectively. On the other hand, nuoG qPCR-positive samples were negative in the PCR assays targeting the ribC, rpoB, ftsZ, and groEL genes. While Bartonella bovis sequences were detected in cattle (nuoG and ITS) and goats (gltA), Bartonella henselae ITS sequences were detected in dromedary, goat, and sheep. Phylogenetic analysis placed gltA Bartonella sequence from a goat in the same clade of B. bovis. CONCLUSION The present study showed, for the first time, molecular evidence of Bartonella spp. in dromedary and ruminants from Somalia and B. henselae in sheep and goats globally. These findings contribute valuable insights into Bartonella spp. occurrence in Somali livestock, highlighting the need for comprehensive surveillance and control measures under the One Health approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aamir M Osman
- Graduate Program on Veterinary Sciences, Universidade Federal do Paraná, Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil
- Somali One Health Centre, Abrar University, Mogadishu, Somalia
- Department of Animal Health and Veterinary Services, Ministry of Livestock, Forestry, and Range, Mogadishu, Somalia
| | - Ahmed A Hassan-Kadle
- Somali One Health Centre, Abrar University, Mogadishu, Somalia
- Abrar Research and Training Centre, Abrar University, Mogadishu, Somalia
| | - Clara Morato Dias
- Vector-Borne Bioagents Laboratory (VBBL), Department of Pathology, Reproduction and One Health, Faculty of Agrarian and Veterinary Sciences, São Paulo State University (FCAV/UNESP), Jaboticabal, Brazil
| | - Abdalla M Ibrahim
- Graduate Program on Veterinary Sciences, Universidade Federal do Paraná, Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil
- Somali One Health Centre, Abrar University, Mogadishu, Somalia
- Abrar Research and Training Centre, Abrar University, Mogadishu, Somalia
| | - Flávia C M Collere
- Graduate Program on Veterinary Sciences, Universidade Federal do Paraná, Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Mohamed A Shair
- Abrar Research and Training Centre, Abrar University, Mogadishu, Somalia
| | - Fabiano Montiani-Ferreira
- Graduate Program on Veterinary Sciences, Universidade Federal do Paraná, Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Universidade Federal do Paraná, Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Marcos R André
- Vector-Borne Bioagents Laboratory (VBBL), Department of Pathology, Reproduction and One Health, Faculty of Agrarian and Veterinary Sciences, São Paulo State University (FCAV/UNESP), Jaboticabal, Brazil
| | - Abdulkarim A Yusuf
- Abrar Research and Training Centre, Abrar University, Mogadishu, Somalia
- Department of Slaughterhouses, Somali Meat Company, Mogadishu, Somalia
| | - Thállitha S W J Vieira
- Center for Computational Intelligence to Predict Health and Environmental Risks (CIPHER), The University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, North Carolina, USA
| | - Rosangela Z Machado
- Vector-Borne Bioagents Laboratory (VBBL), Department of Pathology, Reproduction and One Health, Faculty of Agrarian and Veterinary Sciences, São Paulo State University (FCAV/UNESP), Jaboticabal, Brazil
| | - Rafael F C Vieira
- Center for Computational Intelligence to Predict Health and Environmental Risks (CIPHER), The University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, North Carolina, USA
- Department of Epidemiology and Community Health, The University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, North Carolina, USA
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Alabí Córdova AS, Fecchio A, Calchi AC, Dias CM, Machado RZ, André MR. Molecular evidence of Bartonella spp. in tropical wild birds from the Brazilian Pantanal, the largest wetland in South America. Vet Res Commun 2024; 48:1631-1640. [PMID: 38443588 DOI: 10.1007/s11259-024-10341-z] [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: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024]
Abstract
Despite the worldwide occurrence of bartonellae in a broad range of mammal species, in which they usually cause a long-lasting erythrocytic bacteremia, few studies reported Bartonella spp. in avian hosts. The present work aimed to investigate the occurrence and molecular identity of Bartonella spp. infecting birds in the Pantanal wetland, central-western Brazil using a multigene approach. For this purpose, blood samples were collected from 517 individuals from 13 avian orders in the states of Mato Grosso and Mato Groso do Sul. DNA was extracted from avian blood and 500/517 (96.7%) samples were positive in a conventional PCR targeting the avian β-actin gene. Nineteen (3.8%) out of 500 avian blood samples were positive in a qPCR assay for Bartonella spp. based on the nuoG gene. Among 19 avian blood DNA samples positive in the qPCR for Bartonella spp., 12 were also positive in the qPCR for Bartonella based on the 16S-23S RNA Intergenic region (ITS). In the PCR assays performed for molecular characterization, one 16S rRNA, three ribC, and one nuoG sequences were obtained. Based on BLASTn results, while 1 nuoG, 2 ribC, and 2 ITS sequences showed high identity to Bartonella henselae, one 16S rRNA and 2 ITS showed high similarity to Bartonella machadoae in the sampled birds. Bartonella spp. related to B. henselae and B. machadoae were detected, for the first time, in wild birds from the Brazilian Pantanal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amir Salvador Alabí Córdova
- Vector-Borne Bioagents Laboratory (VBBL), Departamento de Patologia, Reprodução E Saúde Única, Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias E Veterinárias, Universidade Estadual "Júlio de Mesquita Filho", (FCAV/UNESP), Campus de Jaboticabal, Via de Acesso Prof. Paulo Donato Castellane, S/N, Zona Rural, São Paulo, Jaboticabal, CEP: 14884-900, Brazil
| | - Alan Fecchio
- Department of Ornithology, Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Ana Cláudia Calchi
- Vector-Borne Bioagents Laboratory (VBBL), Departamento de Patologia, Reprodução E Saúde Única, Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias E Veterinárias, Universidade Estadual "Júlio de Mesquita Filho", (FCAV/UNESP), Campus de Jaboticabal, Via de Acesso Prof. Paulo Donato Castellane, S/N, Zona Rural, São Paulo, Jaboticabal, CEP: 14884-900, Brazil
| | - Clara Morato Dias
- Vector-Borne Bioagents Laboratory (VBBL), Departamento de Patologia, Reprodução E Saúde Única, Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias E Veterinárias, Universidade Estadual "Júlio de Mesquita Filho", (FCAV/UNESP), Campus de Jaboticabal, Via de Acesso Prof. Paulo Donato Castellane, S/N, Zona Rural, São Paulo, Jaboticabal, CEP: 14884-900, Brazil
| | - Rosangela Zacarias Machado
- Vector-Borne Bioagents Laboratory (VBBL), Departamento de Patologia, Reprodução E Saúde Única, Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias E Veterinárias, Universidade Estadual "Júlio de Mesquita Filho", (FCAV/UNESP), Campus de Jaboticabal, Via de Acesso Prof. Paulo Donato Castellane, S/N, Zona Rural, São Paulo, Jaboticabal, CEP: 14884-900, Brazil
| | - Marcos Rogério André
- Vector-Borne Bioagents Laboratory (VBBL), Departamento de Patologia, Reprodução E Saúde Única, Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias E Veterinárias, Universidade Estadual "Júlio de Mesquita Filho", (FCAV/UNESP), Campus de Jaboticabal, Via de Acesso Prof. Paulo Donato Castellane, S/N, Zona Rural, São Paulo, Jaboticabal, CEP: 14884-900, Brazil.
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3
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Moore CO, André MR, Šlapeta J, Breitschwerdt EB. Vector biology of the cat flea Ctenocephalides felis. Trends Parasitol 2024; 40:324-337. [PMID: 38458883 PMCID: PMC11168582 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2024.02.006] [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: 11/28/2023] [Revised: 02/12/2024] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/10/2024]
Abstract
Ctenocephalides felis, the cat flea, is among the most prevalent and widely dispersed vectors worldwide. Unfortunately, research on C. felis and associated pathogens (Bartonella and Rickettsia spp.) lags behind that of other vectors and vector-borne pathogens. Therefore, we aimed to review fundamental aspects of C. felis as a vector (behavior, epidemiology, phylogenetics, immunology, and microbiome composition) with an emphasis on key techniques and research avenues employed in other vector species. Future laboratory C. felis experimental infections with Bartonella, Rickettsia, and Wolbachia species/strains should examine the vector-pathogen interface utilizing contemporary visualization, transcriptomic, and gene-editing techniques. Further environmental sampling will inform the range and prevalence of C. felis and associated pathogens, improving the accuracy of vector and pathogen modeling to improve infection/infestation risk assessment and diagnostic recommendations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte O Moore
- Intracellular Pathogens Research Laboratory, Department of Clinical Science, North Carolina State University, NC, USA
| | - Marcos Rogério André
- Vector-Borne Bioagents Laboratory (VBBL), Department of Pathology, Reproduction, and One Health, Faculty of Agrarian and Veterinary Sciences, São Paulo State University (FCAV/UNESP), Jaboticabal, SP 14884-900, Brazil
| | - Jan Šlapeta
- Sydney School of Veterinary Science, Faculty of Science, The University of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Edward B Breitschwerdt
- Intracellular Pathogens Research Laboratory, Department of Clinical Science, North Carolina State University, NC, USA.
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Olajiga OM, Jameson SB, Carter BH, Wesson DM, Mitzel D, Londono-Renteria B. Artificial Feeding Systems for Vector-Borne Disease Studies. BIOLOGY 2024; 13:188. [PMID: 38534457 DOI: 10.3390/biology13030188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2024] [Revised: 02/28/2024] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024]
Abstract
This review examines the advancements and methodologies of artificial feeding systems for the study of vector-borne diseases, offering a critical assessment of their development, advantages, and limitations relative to traditional live host models. It underscores the ethical considerations and practical benefits of such systems, including minimizing the use of live animals and enhancing experimental consistency. Various artificial feeding techniques are detailed, including membrane feeding, capillary feeding, and the utilization of engineered biocompatible materials, with their respective applications, efficacy, and the challenges encountered with their use also being outlined. This review also forecasts the integration of cutting-edge technologies like biomimicry, microfluidics, nanotechnology, and artificial intelligence to refine and expand the capabilities of artificial feeding systems. These innovations aim to more accurately simulate natural feeding conditions, thereby improving the reliability of studies on the transmission dynamics of vector-borne diseases. This comprehensive review serves as a foundational reference for researchers in the field, proposing a forward-looking perspective on the potential of artificial feeding systems to revolutionize vector-borne disease research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olayinka M Olajiga
- Department of Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
| | - Samuel B Jameson
- Department of Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
| | - Brendan H Carter
- Department of Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
| | - Dawn M Wesson
- Department of Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
| | - Dana Mitzel
- Animal Diseases Research Unit, National Bio- and Agro-Defense Facility, United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA
| | - Berlin Londono-Renteria
- Department of Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
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5
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Mongruel ACB, Medici EP, Canena ADC, Dias CM, Machado RZ, André MR. Molecular evidence of Bartonella spp. in wild lowland tapirs (Tapirus terrestris), the largest land mammals in Brazil. Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis 2023; 101:102042. [PMID: 37660454 DOI: 10.1016/j.cimid.2023.102042] [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: 06/20/2023] [Revised: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023]
Abstract
The genus Bartonella (Hyphomicrobiales: Bartonellaceae) encompasses facultative intracellular α-proteobacteria that parasite erythrocytes and endothelial cells from a wide range of vertebrate hosts and can cause disease in animals and humans. Considering the large diversity of vertebrate species that may act as reservoirs and arthropod species that may be associated with Bartonella transmission, the exposure of animals and humans to these microorganisms is likely underestimated. The present study aimed to investigate the occurrence of Bartonella sp. in wild tapirs (Tapirus terrestris; Perissodactyla: Tapiridae) from two biomes in Brazil: Pantanal and Cerrado. Ninety-nine GPS-monitored wild tapirs were sampled in Pantanal (n = 61/99) and Cerrado (n = 38/99). A qPCR (quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction) assay targeting the nuoG gene was used for the screening for Bartonella spp. DNA. Positive samples were additionally subjected to conventional PCR assays targeting five molecular markers (ribC, gltA, rpoB, groEL, ITS). Eight (8/99; 08,08%) animals were positive in the qPCR assay for Bartonella spp.: 7 from Cerrado (7/8; 87.5%) and 1 from Pantanal (1/8; 12.5%). The 5 Bartonella ribC sequences obtained from tapirs' blood samples grouped together with Bartonella henselae obtained from cats, humans, wild felids and Ctenocephalides felis (Siphonaptera: Pulicidae) fleas. To the best of author's knowledge, this is the first report of Bartonella sp. in Tapirus terrestris. This finding contributes to the understanding of the occurrence of B henselae in wild mammals from Brazil as well as expands the knowledge regarding the potential vector-borne pathogens that may affect wild tapis from Cerrado and Pantanal biomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Claudia Baumel Mongruel
- Vector-Borne Bioagents Laboratory (VBBL), Departamento de Patologia, Reprodução e Saúde Única - Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias, Universidade Estadual Paulista, UNESP, Jaboticabal 14884-900, SP, Brazil
| | - Emília Patrícia Medici
- Iniciativa Nacional para a Conservação da Anta Brasileira (INCAB), Instituto de Pesquisas Ecológicas (IPÊ), Campo Grande 79046-150, MS, Brazil; Escola Superior de Conservação Ambiental e Sustentabilidade (ESCAS/IPÊ), Nazaré Paulista 12960-000, SP, Brazil; IUCN SSC Tapir Specialist Group (TSG), Campo Grande 79046-150, MS, Brazil
| | - Ariel da Costa Canena
- Iniciativa Nacional para a Conservação da Anta Brasileira (INCAB), Instituto de Pesquisas Ecológicas (IPÊ), Campo Grande 79046-150, MS, Brazil
| | - Clara Morato Dias
- Vector-Borne Bioagents Laboratory (VBBL), Departamento de Patologia, Reprodução e Saúde Única - Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias, Universidade Estadual Paulista, UNESP, Jaboticabal 14884-900, SP, Brazil
| | - Rosangela Zacarias Machado
- Vector-Borne Bioagents Laboratory (VBBL), Departamento de Patologia, Reprodução e Saúde Única - Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias, Universidade Estadual Paulista, UNESP, Jaboticabal 14884-900, SP, Brazil
| | - Marcos Rogério André
- Vector-Borne Bioagents Laboratory (VBBL), Departamento de Patologia, Reprodução e Saúde Única - Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias, Universidade Estadual Paulista, UNESP, Jaboticabal 14884-900, SP, Brazil.
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6
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El-Alfy ES, Abbas I, Elseadawy R, Saleh S, Elmishmishy B, El-Sayed SAES, Rizk MA. Global prevalence and species diversity of tick-borne pathogens in buffaloes worldwide: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Parasit Vectors 2023; 16:115. [PMID: 36998029 PMCID: PMC10061416 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-023-05727-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2022] [Accepted: 03/03/2023] [Indexed: 04/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Buffaloes are important contributors to the livestock economy in many countries, particularly in Asia, and tick-borne pathogens (TBPs) commonly infect buffaloes, giving rise to serious pathologies other than their zoonotic potential. METHODS The present investigation focuses on the prevalence of TBPs infecting buffaloes worldwide. All published global data on TBPs in buffaloes were collected from different databases (e.g., PubMed, Scopus, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar) and subjected to various meta-analyses using OpenMeta[Analyst] software, and all analyses were conducted based on a 95% confidence interval. RESULTS Over 100 articles discussing the prevalence and species diversity of TBPs in buffaloes were retrieved. Most of these reports focused on water buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis), whereas a few reports on TBPs in African buffaloes (Syncerus caffer) had been published. The pooled global prevalence of the apicomplexan parasites Babesia and Theileria, as well as the bacterial pathogens Anaplasma, Coxiella burnetii, Borrelia, Bartonella, and Ehrlichia in addition to Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus, were all evaluated based on the detection methods and 95% confidence intervals. Interestingly, no Rickettsia spp. were detected in buffaloes with scarce data. TBPs of buffaloes displayed a fairly high species diversity, which underlines the high infection risk to other animals, especially cattle. Babesia bovis, B. bigemina, B. orientalis, B. occultans and B. naoakii, Theileria annulata, T. orientalis complex (orientalis/sergenti/buffeli), T. parva, T. mutans, T. sinensis, T. velifera, T. lestoquardi-like, T. taurotragi, T. sp. (buffalo) and T. ovis, and Anaplasma marginale, A. centrale, A. platys, A. platys-like and "Candidatus Anaplasma boleense" were all were identified from naturally infected buffaloes. CONCLUSIONS Several important aspects were highlighted for the status of TBPs, which have serious economic implications for the buffalo as well as cattle industries, particularly in Asian and African countries, which should aid in the development and implementation of prevention and control methods for veterinary care practitioners, and animal owners.
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Affiliation(s)
- El-Sayed El-Alfy
- grid.10251.370000000103426662Parasitology Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, 35516 Egypt
| | - Ibrahim Abbas
- grid.10251.370000000103426662Parasitology Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, 35516 Egypt
| | - Rana Elseadawy
- grid.10251.370000000103426662Parasitology Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, 35516 Egypt
| | - Somaya Saleh
- grid.10251.370000000103426662Parasitology Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, 35516 Egypt
| | - Bassem Elmishmishy
- grid.10251.370000000103426662Parasitology Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, 35516 Egypt
| | - Shimaa Abd El-Salam El-Sayed
- grid.10251.370000000103426662Department of Biochemistry and Chemistry of Nutrition, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, 35516 Egypt
| | - Mohamed Abdo Rizk
- grid.10251.370000000103426662Department of Internal Medicine, Infectious and Fish Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, 35516 Egypt
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Altantogtokh D, Lilak AA, Takhampunya R, Sakolvaree J, Chanarat N, Matulis G, Poole-Smith BK, Boldbaatar B, Davidson S, Hertz J, Bolorchimeg B, Tsogbadrakh N, Fiorenzano JM, Lindroth EJ, von Fricken ME. Metagenomic profiles of Dermacentor tick pathogens from across Mongolia, using next generation sequencing. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:946631. [PMID: 36033893 PMCID: PMC9399792 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.946631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2022] [Accepted: 06/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Tick-borne diseases are a major public health concern in Mongolia. Nomadic pastoralists, which make up ~ 26% of Mongolia’s population, are at an increased risk of both tick bite exposure and economic loss associated with clinical disease in herds. This study sought to further characterize tick-borne pathogens present in Dermacentor ticks (n = 1,773) sampled in 2019 from 15 of Mongolia’s 21 aimags (provinces). The ticks were morphologically identified and sorted into 377 pools which were then screened using Next-Generation Sequencing paired with confirmatory PCR and DNA sequence analysis. Rickettsia spp. were detected in 88.33% of pools, while Anaplasma spp. and Bartonella spp. were detected in 3.18 and 0.79% of pools, respectively. Khentii had the highest infection rate for Rickettsia spp. (76.61%; CI: 34.65–94.79%), while Arkhangai had the highest infection rate for Anaplasma spp. (7.79%; CI:4.04–13.72%). The exclusive detection of Anaplasma spp. in tick pools collected from livestock supports previous work in this area that suggests livestock play a significant role in disease maintenance. The detection of Anaplasma, Bartonella, and Rickettsia demonstrates a heightened risk for infection throughout Mongolia, with this study, to our knowledge, documenting the first detection of Bartonella melophagi in ticks collected in Mongolia. Further research deploying NGS methods is needed to characterize tick-borne pathogens in other endemic tick species found in Mongolia, including Hyalomma asiaticum and Ixodes persulcatus.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Abigail A. Lilak
- Department of Global and Community Health, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA, United States
| | - Ratree Takhampunya
- Department of Entomology, US Army Medical Directorate of the Armed Forces Research Institute of Medical Sciences (USAMD-AFRIMS), Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Jira Sakolvaree
- Department of Entomology, US Army Medical Directorate of the Armed Forces Research Institute of Medical Sciences (USAMD-AFRIMS), Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Nitima Chanarat
- Department of Entomology, US Army Medical Directorate of the Armed Forces Research Institute of Medical Sciences (USAMD-AFRIMS), Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Graham Matulis
- Department of Global and Community Health, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA, United States
| | - Betty Katherine Poole-Smith
- Department of Entomology, US Army Medical Directorate of the Armed Forces Research Institute of Medical Sciences (USAMD-AFRIMS), Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Bazartseren Boldbaatar
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Mongolian University of Life Sciences, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
| | - Silas Davidson
- Department of Entomology, US Army Medical Directorate of the Armed Forces Research Institute of Medical Sciences (USAMD-AFRIMS), Bangkok, Thailand
- Department of Chemistry and Life Science, US Military Academy, West Point, NY, United States
| | - Jeffrey Hertz
- Naval Medical Research Unit TWO (NAMRU-2), Sembawang, Singapore
| | | | | | | | - Erica J. Lindroth
- Department of Entomology, US Army Medical Directorate of the Armed Forces Research Institute of Medical Sciences (USAMD-AFRIMS), Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Michael E. von Fricken
- Department of Global and Community Health, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA, United States
- *Correspondence: Michael E. von Fricken,
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8
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Kress L, Potts R, Pietri JE. Examination of vertical transmission of Bartonella quintana in body lice following multiple infectious blood meals. Pathog Dis 2022; 80:6634238. [PMID: 35803580 DOI: 10.1093/femspd/ftac028] [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: 05/06/2022] [Revised: 07/03/2022] [Accepted: 07/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Bartonella quintana is a re-emerging louse-borne pathogen. Horizontal transmission from the body louse vector (Pediculus humanus humanus) to a human host occurs through contact with infectious louse feces containing a high concentration of the bacteria. However, questions have remained about whether vertical transmission from infected vectors to their progeny, which could significantly influence the dynamics of transmission to humans, occurs in body lice. To address this subject, we performed a series of controlled laboratory experiments that examined the presence of B. quintana on the surface of and within eggs produced by female body lice that were provisioned multiple infectious blood meals to recapitulate the natural pathogen acquisition process. Our results demonstrate that B. quintana DNA can be detected from the surface of eggs by qPCR due to vertical transfer of infectious feces to the egg sheath during or after oviposition. However, viable B. quintana could not be cultured from the hemolymph of adult female lice or from within eggs that were surface sterilized, indicating a lack of true transovarial transmission. Based on this evidence, vertical transfer of B. quintana from infected adult lice to their eggs probably has a limited impact on the dynamics of transmission to humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren Kress
- University of South Dakota, Sanford School of Medicine, Division of Basic Biomedical Sciences, Vermillion, SD, USA
| | - Rashaun Potts
- University of South Dakota, Sanford School of Medicine, Division of Basic Biomedical Sciences, Vermillion, SD, USA
| | - Jose E Pietri
- University of South Dakota, Sanford School of Medicine, Division of Basic Biomedical Sciences, Vermillion, SD, USA
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9
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Selmi R, Belkahia H, Sazmand A, Ben Said M, Messadi L. Epidemiology and genetic characteristics of tick-borne bacteria in dromedary camels of the world. Acta Trop 2022; 234:106599. [PMID: 35810831 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2022.106599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2022] [Revised: 07/04/2022] [Accepted: 07/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Abstract
This review presents updated knowledge on the main tick-borne bacteria infecting one-humped camels (Camelus dromedarius) around the world. Camels are increasingly the subject of several scientific investigations, showing that they are receptive and carriers of several zoonotic bacteria. An appraisal is also given of the relative public health importance of these bacterial infections according to One Health concept. Microscopic, serologic and molecular findings are appropriately generated in order to exploit epidemiological data, and phylogeographic specificities associated to each vector-borne bacterium. Indeed, camels and their ticks harbour similar species and genotypes of pathogenic bacteria commonly identified in other animals, e.g., Anaplasma spp.,Ehrlichia spp., Borrelia spp., Rickettsia spp., Coxiella burnetii, Bartonella spp. and hemotrophic mycoplasmas. This evidence suggests an epidemiological role of camels in the spread of these pathogens in their natural habitats. However, these infections are commonly asymptomatic in camels resulting in underestimation of the impact of these infections. Furthermore, camels have recently been proven to have their own specific unclassified strains, such as Candidatus Anaplasma camelii and Candidatus Bartonella camelii, implying that possible interactions may lead to the emergence of pathogenic and zoonotic bacteria. In camel-rearing areas of the world, spatial and temporal spread of these infections, due to climatic and ecological changes and human activities such as development projects and urbanization, is expected. Hence the data presented herein provides a basis for strategic frameworks for the research and the development of novel diagnosis and control strategies worldwide, which are needed to protect camels, other livestock, and people in contact with dromedaries from threats that arthropod-borne pathogens can pose.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachid Selmi
- Laboratory of Microbiology at the National School of Veterinary Medicine of Sidi Thabet, University of Manouba, Manouba 2010, Tunisia; Ministry of National Defense, General Directorate of Military Health, Military center of Veterinary Medicine, Tunis, Tunisia.
| | - Hanène Belkahia
- Laboratory of Microbiology at the National School of Veterinary Medicine of Sidi Thabet, University of Manouba, Manouba 2010, Tunisia
| | - Alireza Sazmand
- Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamedan 6517658978, Iran
| | - Mourad Ben Said
- Laboratory of Microbiology at the National School of Veterinary Medicine of Sidi Thabet, University of Manouba, Manouba 2010, Tunisia; Department of Basic Sciences, Higher Institute of Biotechnology of Sidi Thabet, University of Manouba, Manouba 2010, Tunisia
| | - Lilia Messadi
- Laboratory of Microbiology at the National School of Veterinary Medicine of Sidi Thabet, University of Manouba, Manouba 2010, Tunisia.
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Torrejón E, Sanches GS, Moerbeck L, Santos L, André MR, Domingos A, Antunes S. Molecular Survey of Bartonella Species in Stray Cats and Dogs, Humans, and Questing Ticks from Portugal. Pathogens 2022; 11:pathogens11070749. [PMID: 35889995 PMCID: PMC9323395 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11070749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Revised: 06/24/2022] [Accepted: 06/27/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Bartonella spp. comprises emergent and re-emergent fastidious Gram-negative bacteria with worldwide distribution. Cats are the main reservoir hosts for Bartonella henselae and dogs represent opportunistic hosts for the bacteria. Even though ticks may also play a role in transmission, their competence as vectors for Bartonella spp. has not been totally understood. Considering only a few studies had a focus on screening Bartonella in animals, humans and ectoparasites in Portugal, this study aimed to address the molecular occurrence of Bartonella sp. in 123 stray cats, 25 stray dogs, 30 humans from Lisbon and 236 questing ticks within the country. Using a qPCR targeting the nuoG gene, it was possible to detect Bartonella sp. DNA on 20.32% of cat samples (25/123). From these positive samples, 13 sequences were characterized as B. henselae, 11 as B. clarridgeiae and 1 presented co-infection with both species. The absolute quantification of nuoGBartonella DNA in sampled cats ranged from 2.78 × 10 to 1.03 × 105 copies/µL. The sampled dogs, humans and ticks were negative. These results showed that B. henselae and B. clarridgeiae are circulating in stray cats from Lisbon. Additional and more extended studies should be conducted to determine the impact of such infections on humans, particularly those in constant and direct contact with cats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Estefania Torrejón
- Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical, Universidade Nova de Lisboa (IHMT-UNL), Rua da Junqueira 100, 1349-008 Lisbon, Portugal; (E.T.); (G.S.S.); (L.M.); (L.S.); (S.A.)
| | - Gustavo Seron Sanches
- Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical, Universidade Nova de Lisboa (IHMT-UNL), Rua da Junqueira 100, 1349-008 Lisbon, Portugal; (E.T.); (G.S.S.); (L.M.); (L.S.); (S.A.)
- Escola de Ciências da Vida, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Paraná, Rua Imaculada Conceição 1155, Curitiba 80215-901, PR, Brazil
| | - Leonardo Moerbeck
- Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical, Universidade Nova de Lisboa (IHMT-UNL), Rua da Junqueira 100, 1349-008 Lisbon, Portugal; (E.T.); (G.S.S.); (L.M.); (L.S.); (S.A.)
- Global Health and Tropical Medicine, Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical, Universidade Nova de Lisboa (GHTM-IHMT-UNL), Rua da Junqueira 100, 1349-008 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Lenira Santos
- Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical, Universidade Nova de Lisboa (IHMT-UNL), Rua da Junqueira 100, 1349-008 Lisbon, Portugal; (E.T.); (G.S.S.); (L.M.); (L.S.); (S.A.)
| | - Marcos Rogério André
- Departamento de Patologia Veterinária, Universidade Estadual Paulista (FCAV-UNESP), Via de Acesso Paulo Donato Castellane, s/n, Jaboticabal 14884-900, SP, Brazil;
| | - Ana Domingos
- Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical, Universidade Nova de Lisboa (IHMT-UNL), Rua da Junqueira 100, 1349-008 Lisbon, Portugal; (E.T.); (G.S.S.); (L.M.); (L.S.); (S.A.)
- Global Health and Tropical Medicine, Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical, Universidade Nova de Lisboa (GHTM-IHMT-UNL), Rua da Junqueira 100, 1349-008 Lisbon, Portugal
- Correspondence:
| | - Sandra Antunes
- Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical, Universidade Nova de Lisboa (IHMT-UNL), Rua da Junqueira 100, 1349-008 Lisbon, Portugal; (E.T.); (G.S.S.); (L.M.); (L.S.); (S.A.)
- Global Health and Tropical Medicine, Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical, Universidade Nova de Lisboa (GHTM-IHMT-UNL), Rua da Junqueira 100, 1349-008 Lisbon, Portugal
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