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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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Rattanakomol P, Khongwichit S, Poovorawan Y. Flea-Borne Rickettsioses and Scrub Typhus in Patients with Suspected Arbovirus Infection in Bangkok, Thailand. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2024. [PMID: 38946645 DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2024.0030] [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: 07/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Background: In urban Thailand, arboviral infections dominate diagnoses of acute undifferentiated fevers (AUFs) owing to their well-defined epidemiology and characteristic clinical presentations. However, rickettsial diseases, also endemic in this setting, remain under-recognized owing to challenges in early detection. Objective: This study aimed to identify potential rickettsial infections among patients with AUF in Bangkok and vicinity utilizing leftover nucleic acid extracted from serum samples from patients initially suspected of but negative for arbovirus infections. Materials and Methods: A total of 609 nucleic acid samples were screened for rickettsial bacteria using real-time PCR, targeting the 17-kDa common antigen gene of Rickettsia spp. and the 47-kDa gene of Orientia tsutsugamushi. Results: Nine samples were positive for Rickettsia spp. and two were positive for O. tsutsugamushi. DNA sequence and phylogenetic analyses based on partial 17-kDa antigen and citrate synthase (gltA) genes identified the Rickettsia-positive samples as R. typhi in eight cases and R. felis in one case. Analysis of the 56-kDa type-specific antigen gene identified the two O. tsutsugamushi isolates as Gilliam-related genotypes. Although rickettsial diseases typically present with mild symptoms, two patients with R. typhi infection (murine typhus) developed respiratory distress syndrome, highlighting the potential for rare but serious complications. Conclusion: This study underscores the critical importance of differential diagnosis and prompt, effective intervention to prevent complications in suspected cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patthaya Rattanakomol
- Department of Pediatrics, Center of Excellence in Clinical Virology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Sarawut Khongwichit
- Department of Pediatrics, Center of Excellence in Clinical Virology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Yong Poovorawan
- Department of Pediatrics, Center of Excellence in Clinical Virology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
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Chua C, Humaidi M, Neves ES, Mailepessov D, Ng LC, Aik J. VKORC1 mutations in rodent populations of a tropical city-state as an indicator of anticoagulant rodenticide resistance. Sci Rep 2022; 12:4553. [PMID: 35296766 PMCID: PMC8927331 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-08653-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2021] [Accepted: 02/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Anticoagulant rodenticides are commonly used in rodent control because they are economical and have great deployment versatility. However, rodents with Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) mutations within the Vkorc1 gene are resistant to the effects of anticoagulant rodenticide use and this influences the effectiveness of control strategies that rely on such rodenticides. This study examined the prevalence of rat SNP mutations in Singapore to inform the effectiveness of anticoagulant rodenticide use. A total of 130 rat tail samples, comprising 83 Rattus norvegicus (63.8%) and 47 Rattus rattus complex (36.2%) were conveniently sampled from November 2016 to December 2019 from urban settings and sequenced at exon 3 of Vkorc1. Sequencing analysis revealed 4 synonymous and 1 non-synonymous mutations in Rattus rattus complex samples. A novel synonymous mutation of L108L was identified and not previously reported in other studies. Non-synonymous SNPs were not detected in the notable codons of 120, 128 and 139 in R. norvegicus, where these regions are internationally recognised to be associated with resistance from prior studies. Our findings suggest that the prevalence of anticoagulant rodenticide resistance in Singapore is low. Continued monitoring of rodenticide resistance is important for informing rodent control strategies aimed at reducing rodent-borne disease transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cliff Chua
- Environmental Health Institute, National Environment Agency, 40 Scotts Road, Environment Building, #13-00, Singapore, 228231, Singapore.
| | - Mahathir Humaidi
- Environmental Health Institute, National Environment Agency, 40 Scotts Road, Environment Building, #13-00, Singapore, 228231, Singapore
| | - Erica Sena Neves
- Environmental Health Institute, National Environment Agency, 40 Scotts Road, Environment Building, #13-00, Singapore, 228231, Singapore
| | - Diyar Mailepessov
- Environmental Health Institute, National Environment Agency, 40 Scotts Road, Environment Building, #13-00, Singapore, 228231, Singapore
| | - Lee Ching Ng
- Environmental Health Institute, National Environment Agency, 40 Scotts Road, Environment Building, #13-00, Singapore, 228231, Singapore
| | - Joel Aik
- Environmental Health Institute, National Environment Agency, 40 Scotts Road, Environment Building, #13-00, Singapore, 228231, Singapore
- Pre-Hospital and Emergency Research Centre, Duke-NUS Medical School, 8 College Road, Singapore, 169857, Singapore
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