Detection of Tick-Borne Pathogens in Ticks from Dogs and Cats in the Yamagata Prefecture of Japan in 2018

Summer collection of multiple southern species of ticks in a remote northern island in Japan and literature review of the distribution and avian hosts of ticks

Expansion of ticks and tick-borne diseases is of increasing concern worldwide. To decrease the risk of ticks and tick-borne diseases to public health, understanding the mechanisms of their current distribution and future expansion is needed. Although tick distribution has been studied globally on continents and large islands that are inhabited by large mammals, less attention has been paid to remote islands. However, small islands are often important stopover sites for migratory birds that may contribute to long-distance dispersal of ticks. Therefore, islands would be a suitable system to rule out potential effects of mammals and to evaluate the contribution of birds to the expansion of ticks and tick-borne diseases. We collected questing ticks by dragging cloths over vegetation on Tobishima Island, northern Japan, in summer 2021, and conducted a literature search of the distribution and avian hosts of hard tick. We found several southern species of ticks (Haemaphysalis hystricis, H. formosensis, H. cornigera, Amblyomma testudinarium, and Dermacentor bellulus) on the island. These species have rarely or never been reported from the mainland of Japan at similar latitudes or higher, where large mammals are found. They are known vectors of tick-borne diseases, such as severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome. The present study suggests that migratory birds may contribute to the expansion of ticks and tick-borne diseases, and a remote island may function as a front line and/or a hub for their expansion. Evaluating tick fauna on remote islands used by migratory birds might be useful to monitor the expansion.

An Update on Novel Taxa and Revised Taxonomic Status of Bacteria Isolated from Domestic Animals Described in 2018 to 2021

Novel bacterial taxonomy and nomenclature revisions can have significant impacts on clinical practice, disease epidemiology, and veterinary microbiology laboratory operations. Expansion of research on the microbiota of humans, animals, and insects has significant potential impacts on the taxonomy of organisms of clinical interest. Implications of taxonomic changes may be especially important when considering zoonotic diseases. Here, we address novel taxonomy and nomenclature revisions of veterinary significance. Noteworthy discussion centers around descriptions of novel mastitis pathogens in Streptococcaceae, Staphylococcaceae, and Actinomycetaceae; bovine reproductive tract pathogens in Corynebacteriaceae; novel members of Mannheimia spp., Leptospira spp., and Mycobacterium spp.; the transfer of Ochrobactrum spp. to Brucella spp.; and revisions to the genus Mycoplasma.

Update on Novel Taxa and Revised Taxonomic Status of Bacteria Isolated from Nondomestic Animals Described in 2018 to 2021

Revisions and new additions to bacterial taxonomy can have a significant widespread impact on clinical practice, infectious disease epidemiology, veterinary microbiology laboratory operations, and wildlife conservation efforts. The expansion of genome sequencing technologies has revolutionized our knowledge of the microbiota of humans, animals, and insects. Here, we address novel taxonomy and nomenclature revisions of veterinary significance that impact bacteria isolated from nondomestic wildlife, with emphasis being placed on bacteria that are associated with disease in their hosts or were isolated from host animal species that are culturally significant, are a target of conservation efforts, or serve as reservoirs for human pathogens.

Borrelia miyamotoi: A Comprehensive Review

Borrelia miyamotoi is an emerging tick-borne pathogen in the Northern Hemisphere and is the causative agent of Borrelia miyamotoi disease (BMD). Borrelia miyamotoi is vectored by the same hard-bodied ticks as Lyme disease Borrelia, yet phylogenetically groups with relapsing fever Borrelia, and thus, has been uniquely labeled a hard tick-borne relapsing fever Borrelia. Burgeoning research has uncovered new aspects of B. miyamotoi in human patients, nature, and the lab. Of particular interest are novel findings on disease pathology, prevalence, diagnostic methods, ecological maintenance, transmission, and genetic characteristics. Herein, we review recent literature on B. miyamotoi, discuss how findings adapt to current Borrelia doctrines, and briefly consider what remains unknown about B. miyamotoi.

Clinical features and epidemiology of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome in dogs in the Republic of Korea: an observational study (2019-2020)

Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) is a zoonotic disease with a high mortality rate for humans and cats. The clinical course and prognosis of SFTS in dogs remains unclear. In the present study, we investigated the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of SFTS virus (SFTSV) infection in dogs. All evaluated dogs exhibited an acute course and symptoms including fever (57.1%), anorexia (57.1%), depression (42.9%), and vomiting (35.7%). Thrombocytopenia was present in 45.5% of dogs, while jaundice was not observed. C-reactive protein, alanine transaminase, and alkaline phosphatase were elevated in some cases. Viral clearance occurred within 6 to 26 days. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the SFTSV sequences were consistent with viruses circulating in the Republic of Korea. As dogs often live in close contact with humans, awareness of the clinical and epidemiological features of SFTS in dogs is crucial. Further large-scale studies are necessary to investigate SFTSV infection in dogs.