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Richardson EA, Roe RM, Apperson CS, Ponnusamy L. Rickettsia amblyommatis in Ticks: A Review of Distribution, Pathogenicity, and Diversity. Microorganisms 2023; 11:microorganisms11020493. [PMID: 36838458 PMCID: PMC9960904 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11020493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2022] [Revised: 02/09/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2023] [Indexed: 02/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Rickettsia amblyommatis is a potentially pathogenic species of Rickettsia within the spotted fever group vectored by ticks. While many studies have been published on this species, there is debate over its pathogenicity and the inhibitory role it plays in diagnosing illnesses caused by other spotted fever group Rickettsia species. Many publications have recorded the high infection prevalence of R. amblyommatis in tick populations at a global scale. While this species is rather ubiquitous, questions remain over the epidemiological importance of this possible human pathogen. With tick-borne diseases on the rise, understanding the exact role that R. amblyommatis plays as a pathogen and inhibitor of infection relative to other tick-borne pathogens will help public health efforts. The goal of this review was to compile the known literature on R. amblyommatis, review what we know about its geographic distribution, tick vectors, and pathogenicity, assess relatedness between various international strains from ticks by phylogenetic analysis and draw conclusions regarding future research needed.
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Lineberry MW, Grant AN, Sundstrom KD, Little SE, Allen KE. Diversity and geographic distribution of rickettsial agents identified in brown dog ticks from across the United States. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2022; 13:102050. [PMID: 36194975 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2022.102050] [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: 07/14/2022] [Revised: 08/26/2022] [Accepted: 09/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato, or brown dog ticks, transmit a variety of pathogens of veterinary and public health importance globally. Pathogens vectored by brown dog ticks and identified in the United States include Babesia vogeli, Ehrlichia canis, and several spotted fever group Rickettsia spp. (SFGR). Due to the challenge of collecting canine blood samples nationwide to screen for exposure to these pathogens, we took an indirect approach and tested brown dog ticks for molecular evidence of infection. Brown dog ticks (616 adults and 65 nymphs) collected from dogs and cats across the nation were tested by separate PCR assays detecting Babesia spp., E. canis, and SFGR. While no Babesia sp. was found, we identified rickettsial agents in 3.5% (24/681; 95% CI 2.4-5.2%) of the ticks. Pathogens and related organisms detected in ticks included E. canis (n = 1), Rickettsia amblyommatis (n = 3), Rickettsia massiliae (n = 11), Rickettsia monacensis (n = 3), Rickettsia montanensis (n = 5), and an undefined Rickettsia species (n = 1). These data demonstrate a wider geographic distribution of R. massiliae than previously known, and to the authors' knowledge, reports R. monacensis in brown dog ticks for the first time. Due to the close association that brown dog ticks have with domestic dogs and humans, more research is needed to understand the full array of organisms, some of which are zoonotic, potentially transmitted by this widespread tick complex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan W Lineberry
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Oklahoma State University, 250 McElroy Hall, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA
| | - Amber N Grant
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Oklahoma State University, 250 McElroy Hall, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA
| | - Kellee D Sundstrom
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Oklahoma State University, 250 McElroy Hall, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA
| | - Susan E Little
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Oklahoma State University, 250 McElroy Hall, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA.
| | - Kelly E Allen
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Oklahoma State University, 250 McElroy Hall, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA
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Reifenberger GC, Thomas BA, Rhodes DVL. Comparison of DNA Extraction and Amplification Techniques for Use with Engorged Hard-Bodied Ticks. Microorganisms 2022; 10:microorganisms10061254. [PMID: 35744772 PMCID: PMC9228219 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10061254] [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: 05/12/2022] [Revised: 05/30/2022] [Accepted: 06/16/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Tick-borne infections are a serious threat to humans, livestock, and companion animals in many parts of the world, often leading to high morbidity and mortality rates, along with decreased production values and/or costly treatments. The prevalence of the microbes responsible for these infections is typically assessed by the molecular identification of pathogens within the tick vectors. Ticks sampled from animals are often engorged with animal blood, presenting difficulties in the amplification of nucleic acids due to the inhibitory effects of mammalian blood on the enzymes used in polymerase chain reactions (PCRs). This study tested two tick preparation methods, three methods of DNA extraction, and four commercially available DNA polymerases to determine the most reliable method of extracting and amplifying DNA from engorged ticks. Our study found that the phenol–chloroform extraction method yielded the highest concentration of DNA, yet DNA extracted by this method was amplified the least successfully. Thermo Scientific’s Phusion Plus PCR Master Mix was the best at amplifying the tick 16s rRNA gene, regardless of extraction method. Finally, our study identified that using the Qiagen DNeasy Blood & Tissues kit for DNA extraction coupled with either Phusion Plus PCR Master Mix or GoTaq DNA polymerase Master Mix is the best combination for the optimized amplification of DNA extracted from engorged ticks.
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Poh KC, Evans JR, Skvarla MJ, Machtinger ET. All for One Health and One Health for All: Considerations for Successful Citizen Science Projects Conducting Vector Surveillance from Animal Hosts. INSECTS 2022; 13:492. [PMID: 35735829 PMCID: PMC9225105 DOI: 10.3390/insects13060492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2022] [Revised: 05/18/2022] [Accepted: 05/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Many vector-borne diseases that affect humans are zoonotic, often involving some animal host amplifying the pathogen and infecting an arthropod vector, followed by pathogen spillover into the human population via the bite of the infected vector. As urbanization, globalization, travel, and trade continue to increase, so does the risk posed by vector-borne diseases and spillover events. With the introduction of new vectors and potential pathogens as well as range expansions of native vectors, it is vital to conduct vector and vector-borne disease surveillance. Traditional surveillance methods can be time-consuming and labor-intensive, especially when surveillance involves sampling from animals. In order to monitor for potential vector-borne disease threats, researchers have turned to the public to help with data collection. To address vector-borne disease and animal conservation needs, we conducted a literature review of studies from the United States and Canada utilizing citizen science efforts to collect arthropods of public health and veterinary interest from animals. We identified common stakeholder groups, the types of surveillance that are common with each group, and the literature gaps on understudied vectors and populations. From this review, we synthesized considerations for future research projects involving citizen scientist collection of arthropods that affect humans and animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen C. Poh
- Department of Entomology, Penn State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA; (J.R.E.); (M.J.S.); (E.T.M.)
- USDA-ARS Animal Disease Research Unit, Pullman, WA 99164, USA
| | - Jesse R. Evans
- Department of Entomology, Penn State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA; (J.R.E.); (M.J.S.); (E.T.M.)
| | - Michael J. Skvarla
- Department of Entomology, Penn State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA; (J.R.E.); (M.J.S.); (E.T.M.)
| | - Erika T. Machtinger
- Department of Entomology, Penn State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA; (J.R.E.); (M.J.S.); (E.T.M.)
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Culture Isolate of Rickettsia felis from a Tick. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19074321. [PMID: 35410003 PMCID: PMC8998211 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19074321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2022] [Revised: 03/28/2022] [Accepted: 03/31/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Although the cat flea, Ctenocephalides felis, has been identified as the primary vector of Rickettsia felis, additional flea, tick, mite, and louse species have also been associated with this bacterium by molecular means; however, the role of these arthropods in the transmission of R. felis has not been clarified. Here, we succeeded in culture isolation of R. felis from a host-seeking castor bean tick, Ixodes ricinus, the most common tick in Slovakia. The bacterial isolation was performed on XTC-2 cells at 28 °C using the shell-vial technique. An evaluation of the growth properties was performed for both the XTC-2 and Vero cell lines. We observed R. felis in the infected host cells microscopically by Gimenez staining and immunofluorescence assay. The R. felis isolate was purified by gradient ultracentrifugation and visualized by electron microscopy. Fragments of the genes gltA, ompA, ompB, htrA, rpoB, sca4, rffE, and rrs were amplified and compared with the corresponding sequences of the type strain URRWXCal2 and other R. felis culture -isolated strains. We did not detect any nucleotide polymorphisms; however, plasmid pRFδ, characteristic of the standard strain, was absent in our isolate. Herein, we describe the first successful isolation and characterization of a tick-derived R. felis strain “Danube”, obtained from an I. ricinus nymph.
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Muz MN, Erat S, Mumcuoglu KY. Protozoan and Microbial Pathogens of House Cats in the Province of Tekirdag in Western Turkey. Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10091114. [PMID: 34578146 PMCID: PMC8466416 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10091114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2021] [Revised: 08/27/2021] [Accepted: 08/27/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Domestic felines’ re-emerging infectious and neglected zoonotic diseases are a significant focus of global “One Health” efforts. This study aimed to rapidly diagnose 14 pathogens, including zoonoses by using PCR primers in 167 client-owned symptomatic cats, routinely accepted to the Veterinary Clinics of Tekirdag. The prevalence of pathogens investigated were as follows: Babesia canis canis (24%), Babesia microti (2.4%), Hepatozoon felis (10.8%), Cytauxzoon felis (6.6%), Bartonella henselae (40.1%), Anaplasma platys (30.5%), Anaplasma phagocytophilum (7.2%), Rickettsia felis (26.3%), Borrelia burgdorferi (21%), and hemotropic Mycoplasma sp. (11.4%). There was a significant difference between the prevalence of the pathogens (χ2 = 152.26, df = 9, p < 0.001). There was also a statistical difference between the gender of the cats in terms of the prevalence of all pathogens considered together (χ2 = 4.80, df = 1, p = 0.028), where the female cats showed a higher prevalence. This was not the case for the different age groups (χ2 = 2.92, df = 1, p = 0.088). The lowest infection was observed for B. microti (p < 0.001), while the highest infection was observed for B. henselae (p < 0.01). Leishmania donovani, Plasmodium spp., Ehrlichia chaffeensis, and Neoehrlichia mikurensis PCR test results were negative in all samples. In conclusion, house cats of Tekirdag are apparently highly susceptible to some neglected zoonoses important for “One Health”, and their prevalence in the region is most probably underestimated. Hence, applying PCR tests to assist fast clinic diagnosis in routine, may be an efficient option to protect the public as well as the cats from severe diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mustafa Necati Muz
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Namik Kemal, Tekirdag 59000, Turkey
- Correspondence:
| | - Serkan Erat
- Department of Animal Breeding and Husbandry, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kirikkale University, Kirikkale 71450, Turkey;
| | - Kosta Y. Mumcuoglu
- Parasitology Unit, Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, The Kuvin Center for the Study of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, Hadassah Medical School, The Hebrew University, Jerusalem 91120, Israel;
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