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Acosta IDCL, Garcia IR, Luz HR, Serpa MCDA, Martins TF, Vanstreels RET, Labruna MB. New tick records with notes on rickettsial infection from the wildlife of the state of Espírito Santo, southeastern Brazil. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2024; 15:102294. [PMID: 38086247 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2023.102294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2023] [Revised: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 12/07/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2024]
Abstract
This work aimed to report ticks infesting the wildlife among 15 municipalities of the state of Espírito Santo between 2016 and 2021, within the Atlantic Forest biome of southeastern Brazil. A total of 576 tick specimens (187 males, 56 females, 149 nymphs, and 184 larvae) was collected from 41 species of wild vertebrates (two reptiles, nine mammals, and 30 birds). Ticks were identified by morphological or molecular methods into 18 species, being 12, four, one and one of the genera Amblyomma, Ixodes, Rhipicephalus and Ornithodoros, respectively. Amblyomma rotundatum was the only species collected from reptiles. Ticks collected from mammals were identified as Amblyomma brasiliense, Amblyomma calcaratum, Amblyomma dubitatum, Amblyomma longirostre, Amblyomma nodosum, Amblyomma pacae, Amblyomma sculptum, Amblyomma varium and Rhipicephalus microplus. Amblyomma sculptum was the species found on the widest variety of hosts, collected from four mammal orders and five bird orders. Passeriformes birds were infested by Amblyomma fuscum, A. longirostre (also found on non- passerine birds), A. nodosum, Amblyomma parkeri, Amblyomma romarioi, A. varium and Ixodes loricatus. An adult female of Ixodes rio was collected from a Piciformes bird. Seabirds of the order Procellariiformes were infested by Ixodes percavatus sensu lato and Ixodes uriae. The argasid Ornithodoros capensis was collected from an offshore metallic platform that was used by Suliformes seabirds. Rickettsial agents of the spotted fever group, Rickettsia amblyommatis and Rickettsia sp. strain Pampulha, were detected in the ticks A. longirostre [from the Paraguayan hairy dwarf porcupine (Coendou spinosus)] and A. dubitatum [from the capybara (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris)], respectively. The following nine tick species are reported for the first time in Espírito Santo state: A. calcaratum, A. fuscum, A. pacae, A. parkeri, A. romarioi, I. loricatus, I. rio, I. uriae, and O. capensis. Although it is also the first report of I. uriae in Brazil, we do not consider it established in the country. Multiple new tick-host associations are reported in the present study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Igor da Cunha Lima Acosta
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil; Programa de Monitoramento da Biodiversidade Aquática na Área Ambiental I Rede Rio Doce Mar, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande - FURG, Rio Grande, RS, Brazil; Projeto Albatroz - Instituto Albatroz, Rua Marechal Hermes, 35, Boqueirão, Santos, SP, Brazil
| | - Isaias Roveri Garcia
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Hermes Ribeiro Luz
- Post-Graduation Program in Health and Environment, Biodiversity and Conservation, Northeast Biotechnology Network (RENORBIO) from the Center of Biological and Health Sciences, Federal University of Maranhão, São Luís, MA, Brazil
| | - Maria Carolina de Azevedo Serpa
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Thiago Fernandes Martins
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil; Instituto Pasteur, Area Técnica de Doenças Vinculadas a Vetores e Hospedeiros Intermediários, Secretaria de Estado da Saúde de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | | | - Marcelo B Labruna
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
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Charles RA, Pow-Brown P, Gordon-Dillon A, Blake L, Nicholls S, Brown-Jordan A, Caruth J, Sant C, Pargass I, Basu A, Albina E, Oura C, Georges K. Completing the Puzzle: A Cluster of Hunting Dogs with Tick-Borne Illness from a Fishing Community in Tobago, West Indies. Pathogens 2024; 13:161. [PMID: 38392899 PMCID: PMC10891510 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens13020161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2023] [Revised: 02/07/2024] [Accepted: 02/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Eight hunting dogs were visited by a state veterinarian on the island of Tobago, Trinidad and Tobago, West Indies, as owners reported anorexia and paralysis in five of their dogs. The veterinarian observed a combination of clinical signs consistent with tick-borne illness, including fever, anorexia, anaemia, lethargy and paralysis. Blood and ticks were collected from each dog and submitted to a diagnostic laboratory for analysis. Microscopic analysis revealed a mixed infection of intracytoplasmic organisms consistent with Babesia spp. (erythrocyte) and Ehrlichia spp. (monocyte), respectively, from one dog, while a complete blood count indicated a regenerative anaemia (n = 1; 12.5%), non-regenerative anaemia (n = 4; 50%), neutrophilia (n = 3; 37.5%), lymphocytosis (n = 2; 25%), thrombocytopaenia (n = 3; 37.5%) and pancytopaenia (n = 1; 12.5%). DNA isolated from the eight blood samples and 20 ticks (16 Rhipicephalus sanguineus and 4 Amblyomma ovale) were subjected to conventional PCR and next-generation sequencing of the 16S rRNA and 18S rRNA gene for Anaplasma/Ehrlichia and Babesia/Theileria/Hepatozoon, respectively. The DNA of Ehrlichia spp., closely related to Ehrlichia canis, was detected in the blood of three dogs (37.5%), Anaplasma spp., closely related to Anaplasma marginale, in two (25%), Babesia vogeli in one dog (12.5%) and seven ticks (35%) and Hepatozoon canis and Anaplasma spp., in one tick (5%), respectively. These findings highlight the need to test both the vector and host for the presence of tick-borne pathogens when undertaking diagnostic investigations. Further studies are also warranted to elucidate the susceptibility of canids to Anaplasma marginale.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roxanne A. Charles
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago; (P.P.-B.); (L.B.); (C.S.); (I.P.); (A.B.); (C.O.); (K.G.)
| | - Patricia Pow-Brown
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago; (P.P.-B.); (L.B.); (C.S.); (I.P.); (A.B.); (C.O.); (K.G.)
| | - Annika Gordon-Dillon
- Animal Health Unit, Division of Food Security, Natural Resources, The Environment and Sustainable Development, Tobago House of Assembly, Milshirv Administrative Complex, Corner Milford & Shirvan Road, Tobago, Trinidad and Tobago; (A.G.-D.); (J.C.)
| | - Lemar Blake
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago; (P.P.-B.); (L.B.); (C.S.); (I.P.); (A.B.); (C.O.); (K.G.)
| | - Soren Nicholls
- Department of Preclinical Sciences, Faculty of Medical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago; (S.N.); (A.B.-J.)
| | - Arianne Brown-Jordan
- Department of Preclinical Sciences, Faculty of Medical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago; (S.N.); (A.B.-J.)
| | - Joanne Caruth
- Animal Health Unit, Division of Food Security, Natural Resources, The Environment and Sustainable Development, Tobago House of Assembly, Milshirv Administrative Complex, Corner Milford & Shirvan Road, Tobago, Trinidad and Tobago; (A.G.-D.); (J.C.)
| | - Candice Sant
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago; (P.P.-B.); (L.B.); (C.S.); (I.P.); (A.B.); (C.O.); (K.G.)
| | - Indira Pargass
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago; (P.P.-B.); (L.B.); (C.S.); (I.P.); (A.B.); (C.O.); (K.G.)
| | - Asoke Basu
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago; (P.P.-B.); (L.B.); (C.S.); (I.P.); (A.B.); (C.O.); (K.G.)
| | - Emmanuel Albina
- Centre de coopération internationale en recherche agronomique pour le développement (CIRAD), DGDRS, 34000 Montpellier, France;
| | - Christopher Oura
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago; (P.P.-B.); (L.B.); (C.S.); (I.P.); (A.B.); (C.O.); (K.G.)
| | - Karla Georges
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago; (P.P.-B.); (L.B.); (C.S.); (I.P.); (A.B.); (C.O.); (K.G.)
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Molina-Garza ZJ, Cuesy-León M, Baylón-Pacheco L, Rosales-Encina JL, Galaviz-Silva L. Diversity of midgut microbiota in ticks collected from white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) from northern Mexico. Parasites Hosts Dis 2024; 62:117-130. [PMID: 38443775 PMCID: PMC10915265 DOI: 10.3347/phd.23006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/08/2023] [Indexed: 03/07/2024]
Abstract
Ticks host different pathogens as endosymbiont and nonpathogenic microorganisms and play an important role in reproductive fitness and nutrient provision. However, the bacterial microbiomes of white-tailed deer ticks have received minimal attention. This study aimed to examine the bacterial microbiome of ticks collected from Odocoileus virginianus on the Mexico-United States border to assess differences in microbiome diversity in ticks of different species, sexes, and localities. Five different tick species were collected: Rhipicephalus microplus, Dermacentor nitens, Otobius megnini, Amblyomma cajennense, and A. maculatum. The tick microbiomes were analyzed using next-generation sequencing. Among all tick species, the most predominant phylum was Proteobacteria, followed by Actinobacteria and Firmicutes. The ticks from Tamaulipas and Nuevo León presented the highest bacterial species diversity. Acinetobacter johnsonii and A. lwoffii were the common bacterial species in the microbiome of all ticks, Coxiella were present in R. microplus, and Dermacentor nitens also exhibited a Francisella-like endosymbiont. The microbiome of most females in D. nitens was less diverse than that of males, whereas R. microplus occurs in females, suggesting that microbiome diversity is influenced by sex. In the bacterial communities of A. maculatum and O. megnini, Candidatus Midichloria massiliensis, and Candidatus Endoecteinascidia fumentensis were the most predominant endosymbionts. These results constitute the initial report on these bacteria, and this is also the first study to characterize the microbiome of O. megnini.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zinnia Judith Molina-Garza
- Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Laboratorio de Patología Molecular y Experimental, Ciudad Universitaria, San Nicolas de los Garza, Nuevo León, Mexico. C.P. 66455
| | - Mariana Cuesy-León
- Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Laboratorio de Patología Molecular y Experimental, Ciudad Universitaria, San Nicolas de los Garza, Nuevo León, Mexico. C.P. 66455
| | - Lidia Baylón-Pacheco
- Departamento de Infectómica y Patogénesis Molecular, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados de IPN. Av. IPN No. 2508, Col. San Pedro Zacatenco, Del. Gustavo A. Madero, Ciudad de México, C.P. 07360
| | - José Luis Rosales-Encina
- Departamento de Infectómica y Patogénesis Molecular, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados de IPN. Av. IPN No. 2508, Col. San Pedro Zacatenco, Del. Gustavo A. Madero, Ciudad de México, C.P. 07360
| | - Lucio Galaviz-Silva
- Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Laboratorio de Patología Molecular y Experimental, Ciudad Universitaria, San Nicolas de los Garza, Nuevo León, Mexico. C.P. 66455
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Flores FS, Sebastian PS, Nava S. Molecular detection of Candidatus Ehrlichia pampeana (Rickettsiales: Anaplasmataceae) in Haemaphysalis juxtakochi (Acari: Ixodidae) from central Argentina. Vet Res Commun 2024; 48:585-589. [PMID: 37718328 DOI: 10.1007/s11259-023-10219-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2023] [Accepted: 09/09/2023] [Indexed: 09/19/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to report the first detection of Candidatus Ehrlichia pampeana in Haemaphysalis juxtakochi from Argentina. Free-living ticks were collected from vegetation by drag-flag method on five sample sites in Entre Ríos Province, central Argentina, belonging to the Espinal Phytogeographic Province. Molecular detection of order Rickettsiales agents was performed using gltA (Rickettsia spp.), 16 S rRNA and groEL (Anaplasmataceae) genes as targets. A total of 67 ticks of Amblyomma aureolatum (20 nymphs and 4 adults), Amblyomma dubitatum (15 nymphs) and Haemaphysalis juxtakochi (24 nymphs and 4 adults) were collected. While all tested ticks were negative for Rickettsia spp., and Anaplasmataceae agents could neither be detected in A. aureolatum nor in A. dubitatum, Candidatus Ehrlichia pampeana was detected in one male of H. juxtakochi. DNA sequences of this microorganism (16 S rDNA and groEL) are related to sequences of Ehrlichia ewingii. The findings of the current study represent the first report of this Ehrlichia strain for Argentina.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernando S Flores
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas y Tecnológicas (IIByT), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina.
- Centro de Investigaciones Entomológicas de Córdoba (CIEC), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina.
| | - Patrick S Sebastian
- Instituto de Investigación de la Cadena Láctea (IDICAL, INTA - CONICET), Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria, E.E.A. Rafaela, Rafaela, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Santiago Nava
- Instituto de Investigación de la Cadena Láctea (IDICAL, INTA - CONICET), Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria, E.E.A. Rafaela, Rafaela, Santa Fe, Argentina
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Baggio-Souza V, Adenilson May-Junior J, Fagundes-Moreira R, Reis AO, de Almeida BA, Fragoso CE, Rampim LE, Sartorelo LR, Haberfeld MB, Martins TF, Labruna MB, Soares JF. A long-term study on free-ranging jaguar-tick interactions, featuring a novel report of Amblyomma incisum adult infestation. Vet Res Commun 2024:10.1007/s11259-024-10305-3. [PMID: 38231369 DOI: 10.1007/s11259-024-10305-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 01/18/2024]
Abstract
Over nearly 12 years, we collected ticks from free-ranging jaguars (Panthera onca) and performed statistical analyses to comprehend the vector-host relationship throughout the seasons. We evaluated the presence and number of ticks, as well as their association with weight, age, and gender of captured jaguars in the Pantanal and Amazon biomes. Out of 100 captured jaguars (comprising 72 initial captures and 28 recaptures, with 41 females and 31 males), 77 were found to be infested by different tick species. We gathered a total of 1,002 ticks, categorized by the following species in descending order of abundance: Amblyomma sculptum, Amblyomma ovale, Rhipicephalus microplus, Amblyomma triste, Amblyomma cajennense sensu stricto, Amblyomma incisum, and Amblyomma spp. larvae. Apart from weight, statistical analysis indicated that age, gender and seasonality does not significantly affect the presence of different tick species in free ranging jaguars. Notably, A. sculptum adults were more abundant in the first semester, while A. sculptum nymphs and Amblyomma spp. larvae were mainly found during dry months, aligning with their expected life cycle stages. This is the first long-term study in jaguars to correlate seasonality and host factors and also the first time an adult of A. incisum is reported infesting a jaguar.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vinícius Baggio-Souza
- Laboratory of Protozoology and Vector-Borne Rickettsiosis, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Avenida Bento Gonçalves 9090, Porto Alegre, 91540-000, Brazil
| | - Joares Adenilson May-Junior
- Laboratory of Protozoology and Vector-Borne Rickettsiosis, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Avenida Bento Gonçalves 9090, Porto Alegre, 91540-000, Brazil
- Onçafari Association, São Paulo, SP, Brasil
- Panthera Corporation, New York, NY, USA
| | - Renata Fagundes-Moreira
- Laboratory of Protozoology and Vector-Borne Rickettsiosis, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Avenida Bento Gonçalves 9090, Porto Alegre, 91540-000, Brazil
| | - Adeyldes Oliveira Reis
- Laboratory of Protozoology and Vector-Borne Rickettsiosis, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Avenida Bento Gonçalves 9090, Porto Alegre, 91540-000, Brazil
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Thiago Fernandes Martins
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine and Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
- Pasteur Institute, São Paulo State Department of Health, São Paulo, SP, Brasil
| | - Marcelo Bahia Labruna
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine and Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - João Fabio Soares
- Laboratory of Protozoology and Vector-Borne Rickettsiosis, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Avenida Bento Gonçalves 9090, Porto Alegre, 91540-000, Brazil.
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Rodríguez-Rojas JJ, Hernández-Mariscal TL, Sánchez-Montes S, Fernández-Salas I, Sánchez-Casas RM, Hernández-Escareño JJ. Molecular Evidence of Ehrlichia canis (Rickettsiales: Anaplasmataceae) in Ticks (Ixodida: Ixodidae) Associated with Dogs (Carnivora: Canidae) from Nuevo Leon, Mexico. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2024; 24:10-16. [PMID: 38060712 DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2023.0020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Background: Ehrlichia canis is transmitted by ticks causing Canine monocytic ehrlichiosis, which is considered one of the most critical tickborne pathogens. Materials and Methods: This study aimed to identify by PCR technique E. canis in ticks associated with dogs from urban and rural homes in Nuevo Leon, Mexico. The study was conducted at 13 localities in eight municipalities from 2012 to 2021. Results: A total of 1873 ticks of three species were captured: Amblyomma tenellum, Dermacentor variabilis, and Rhipicephalus sanguineus s.l. The overall infection rate of E. canis in ticks was 59.12% (149/252). Of the 15 sequences, three haplotypes were identified. Conclusion: The urban transmission cycle of canine ehrlichiosis is demonstrated, where the potential vector is the tick R. sanguineus s.l.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorge Jesús Rodríguez-Rojas
- Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Ciencias de la Salud, Unidad de Patógenos y Vectores, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Monterrey, México
| | | | - Sokani Sánchez-Montes
- Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas y Agropecuarias región Tuxpan, Universidad Veracruzana, Veracruz, México
- Centro de Medicina Tropical, Facultad de Medicina, Unidad de Investigación en Medicina Experimental, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, México
| | - Ildefonso Fernández-Salas
- Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Ciencias de la Salud, Unidad de Patógenos y Vectores, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Monterrey, México
- Laboratorio de Entomología Médica, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Monterrey, México
| | - Rosa María Sánchez-Casas
- Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Ciencias de la Salud, Unidad de Patógenos y Vectores, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Monterrey, México
- Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, General Escobedo, México
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Smit A, Mulandane FC, Wojcik SH, Horak IG, Makepeace BL, Morar-Leather D, Neves L. Sympatry of Amblyomma eburneum and Amblyomma variegatum on African buffaloes and prevalence of pathogens in ticks. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2023; 14:102247. [PMID: 37651847 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2023.102247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2023] [Revised: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 09/02/2023]
Abstract
The Amblyomma genus is represented on the African continent by 24 species, out of which 17 are known to occur in different ecological niches of southern Africa. Amblyomma, known for their aggressive hunting behaviour and aptitude as pathogen vectors, are of main concern to travellers, mainly in rural and conservation areas of Africa. In this study, we highlight the overlapping distribution of Amblyomma eburneum and Amblyomma variegatum found on African buffaloes (Syncerus caffer) at Coutada 11, Central Mozambique. In total, 1,039 Amblyomma ticks were collected and morphologically identified using taxonomic keys, and genomic DNA was extracted. They were subjected to reverse line blotting for pathogen identification followed by molecular analysis (COI sequencing) of both tick species. Pathogens such as Ehrlichia ruminantium, Anaplasma centrale, Theileria sp., Babesia sp. and Rickettsia africae were detected, of which R. africae is zoonotic. Ehrlichia ruminantium, R. africae, Theileria mutans and Theileria velifera are well-established pathogens transmitted by Amblyomma ticks; however, Anaplasma spp. and Babesia spp. are not, suggesting residual parasite DNA in the bloodmeal. Little is mentioned in the literature about A. eburneum, including its role as a vector and reservoir for pathogens. In Mozambique A. eburneum is currently restricted to wildlife but the spread of the tick may be observed given the climate change that is occurring. The infection rates for the pathogens in both Amblyomma tick species were lower than expected, but this may be due to the low host density in the forest niche and the innate immunity of these hosts. With the propensity of ticks of the Amblyomma genus to form parapatric distributions, the mechanisms that allows for the overlapping distribution of these two Amblyomma species while maintaining tick species identity is of great interest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andeliza Smit
- Tick Research Group, Department of Veterinary Tropical Diseases, University of Pretoria, Onderstepoort, 0110, South Africa.
| | - Fernando C Mulandane
- Biotechnology Center, Eduardo Mondlane University, Av. Moçambique Km 1.5, Maputo, Mozambique
| | - Stephané H Wojcik
- Tick Research Group, Department of Veterinary Tropical Diseases, University of Pretoria, Onderstepoort, 0110, South Africa
| | - Ivan G Horak
- Tick Research Group, Department of Veterinary Tropical Diseases, University of Pretoria, Onderstepoort, 0110, South Africa
| | - Benjamin L Makepeace
- Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, 146 Brownlow Hill, Liverpool L3 5RF, United Kingdom
| | - Darshana Morar-Leather
- Tick Research Group, Department of Veterinary Tropical Diseases, University of Pretoria, Onderstepoort, 0110, South Africa
| | - Luis Neves
- Tick Research Group, Department of Veterinary Tropical Diseases, University of Pretoria, Onderstepoort, 0110, South Africa; Biotechnology Center, Eduardo Mondlane University, Av. Moçambique Km 1.5, Maputo, Mozambique
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Luz HR, Labruna MB, Pacheco RC, Gianizella SL, Nunes PH, Szabó MPJ, Gerardi M, Teixeira RHF, da Silva SC, Kmetiuk LB, Pesenato IP, Marcili A, Faccini JLH, Martins TF. Morphological anomalies in hard ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) from Brazil. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2023; 14:102219. [PMID: 37399629 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2023.102219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2023] [Revised: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 06/16/2023] [Indexed: 07/05/2023]
Abstract
Tick abnormalities have been unusual in nature, and they can be divided into local and general. In the present study, external morphological anomalies were described in 31 individual adult ticks of 15 different species of Ixodidae, which were collected on wild hosts (20 ticks), domestic hosts (7 ticks), and in the environment (4 ticks) in 11 states of Brazil from 1998 to 2022. Among the 31 tick specimens, 14 (45%) were categorized as local anomalies, and 17 (55%) as general anomalies. The ticks were taxonomically identified into 14 species of Amblyomma, and one species of Rhipicephalus. Local anomalies included malformations of scutum/alloscutum, ectromely, leg atrophy, and a third ectopic spiracular plate. General anomalies included opisthosoma duplication, no expansion of dorsal alloscutum in engorged females, and gynandromorphism; the latter is described for 13 tick specimens. Morphological anomalies in Amblyomma aureolatum, Amblyomma brasiliense, Amblyomma humerale and Amblyomma longirostre are reported for the first time. Although the results herein expand the list of anomalous tick species in the Neotropics, future studies should be conducted to clarify the origin of these anomalies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hermes R Luz
- Post-Graduation Program in Health and Environment, Biodiversity and Conservation, Northeast Biotechnology Network (RENORBIO) from the Center of Biological and Health Sciences, Federal University of Maranhão, São Luís, MA, Brazil.
| | - Marcelo B Labruna
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine and Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Richard C Pacheco
- Post-Graduation Program in Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Mato Grosso, Cuiabá, MT, Brazil
| | - Sergio L Gianizella
- Laboratory of Zoology, Department of Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Amazonas, Manaus, AM, Brazil
| | - Pablo H Nunes
- Latin American Institute of Life and Nature Sciences, Federal University of Latin American Integration, Foz do Iguaçu, PR, Brazil
| | - Matias P J Szabó
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil
| | - Monize Gerardi
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine and Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo H F Teixeira
- Municipal Zoological Park "Quinzinho de Barros", Sorocaba, SP, Brazil; University of Sorocaba (UNISO), Sorocaba, SP, Brazil; Post-Graduation Program in Wild Animals, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science (FMVZ) of the São Paulo State University "Júlio de Mesquita Filho" (UNESP), Botucatu, SP, Brazil
| | - Silvio C da Silva
- Pasteur Institute, São Paulo State Department of Health, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Louise B Kmetiuk
- Carlos Chagas Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Curitiba, PR, Brazil
| | - Isabella P Pesenato
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine and Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Arlei Marcili
- Post-Graduation in Medicine and Animal Welfare, Doctorate in Single Health, Santo Amaro University, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - João L H Faccini
- Post-Graduation Program in Health Sciences from the Center of Biological and Health Sciences, Federal University of Maranhão, São Luís, MA, Brazil
| | - Thiago F Martins
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine and Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil; Pasteur Institute, São Paulo State Department of Health, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
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9
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Thomas R, Santodomingo A, Parragué-Migone C, Portillo E, Barrios M, Venzal JM, Muñoz-Leal S. A novel Babesia sp. of the "Western Babesia group", detected in opossums from Guatemala. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2023; 14:102248. [PMID: 37660526 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2023.102248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2022] [Revised: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 08/23/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023]
Abstract
Babesia spp. are tick-borne protozoans that involve birds and mammals in their transmission cycles and cause babesiosis, a severe hemolytic malaria-like disease. Opossums of the genus Didelphis are recognized hosts of tick-borne pathogens. Therefore, exploring tick-borne agents in Didelphis species is important to understand the circulation of pathogens in areas where opossums occur. In this study, we targeted Anaplasmataceae, Babesia, Borrelia and Hepatozoon DNA in ticks, blood and organ samples collected from three hunted Didelphis marsupialis specimens in eastern Guatemala. While the samples were negative for Hepatozoon and bacterial DNA, sequences of Babesia 18S rDNA, cox1 and cytb genes were retrieved from two opossums. Ticks collected on the animals included Amblyomma parvum and an undetermined Ornithodoros sp. The Babesia sp. detected in this study (Babesia sp. THB1-2) clusters phylogenetically within the "Western Babesia group", which includes pathogenic species such as Babesia conradae, Babesia duncani, and Babesia negevi. Our results represent the first record of a Babesia sp. in Guatemala and highlight the importance of D. marsupialis as potential spreaders of ticks and pathogens in Central America.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard Thomas
- Departamento de Ciencia Animal, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad de Concepción, Chillán, Chile
| | - Adriana Santodomingo
- Departamento de Ciencia Animal, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad de Concepción, Chillán, Chile
| | - Catalina Parragué-Migone
- Departamento de Ciencia Animal, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad de Concepción, Chillán, Chile
| | - Emerio Portillo
- Facultad de Ciencias Ambientales y Agrícolas, Universidad Rafael Landívar, Zacapa, Guatemala
| | - Manuel Barrios
- Instituto de Investigaciones, Centro Universitario de Zacapa, Universidad de San Carlos de Guatemala, Zacapa, Guatemala
| | - José M Venzal
- Laboratorio de Vectores y enfermedades transmitidas, CENUR Litoral Norte, Universidad de la República, Salto, Uruguay
| | - Sebastián Muñoz-Leal
- Departamento de Ciencia Animal, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad de Concepción, Chillán, Chile.
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10
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Romero LE, Binder LC, Marcili A, Labruna MB. Ticks and tick-borne rickettsiae from dogs in El Salvador, with report of the human pathogen Rickettsia parkeri. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2023; 14:102206. [PMID: 37245252 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2023.102206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2023] [Revised: 05/09/2023] [Accepted: 05/14/2023] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
Twelve tick species have been reported in El Salvador; however, information regarding ticks infesting domestic dogs is lacking, and pathogenic tick-borne Rickettsia species have never been reported in El Salvador. This work evaluated ticks infesting 230 dogs from ten municipalities in El Salvador from July 2019 to August 2020. A total of 1,264 ticks were collected and identified into five species: Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato (s.l.), Rhipicephalus microplus, Amblyomma mixtum, Amblyomma ovale, and Amblyoma cf. parvum. The tick R. sanguineus s.l. was the most frequent species in all localities (81.3% of sampled dogs), followed by Amblyomma mixtum (13.0%), Amblyomma ovale (10.9%) and Amblyomma cf. parvum (10.4%). The overall mean intensity of tick infestation was 5.5 ticks/dog. The highest specific mean intensity value was for R. sanguineus s.l. (4.8 ticks/dog), varying from 1.6 to 2.7 ticks/dog for the three Amblyomma species. From a random sample of 288 tick specimens tested molecularly for the presence of rickettsial agents, three spotted fever group Rickettsia were detected: Rickettsia amblyommatis in 90% (36/40) A. mixtum, 46% (11/24) A. cf. parvum, 4% (7/186) R. sanguineus s.l., and 17% Amblyomma spp.; Rickettsia parkeri strain Atlantic rainforest in 4% (1/25) A. ovale; and an unnamed rickettsia agent, designated as 'Rickettsia sp. ES-A.cf.parvum', in 4% (1/24) A. cf. parvum. Our finding of R. parkeri strain Atlantic rainforest in A. ovale is highly relevant because this agent has been associated to spotted fever illness in other Latin American countries, where A. ovale is implicated as its main vector. These findings suggest that spotted fever cases caused by R. parkeri strain Atlantic rainforest could be occurring in El Salvador.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis E Romero
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinaria, Facultad de Ciencias Agronómicas, Universidad de El Salvador, San Salvador, El Salvador; Escuela de Posgrado y Educación Continua, Facultad de Ciencias Agronómicas, Universidad de El Salvador, San Salvador, El Salvador.
| | - Lina C Binder
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Arlei Marcili
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil; Programa de Pós-Graduação em Medicina Veterinária e Saúde Única, Universidade Santo Amaro, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Marcelo B Labruna
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
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11
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Krawczak FDS, Calchi AC, Neves LC, Dias SA, da Silva BBF, Paula WVDF, de Paula LGF, Tavares MA, Pádua GT, de Lima NJ, Cardoso ERN, Graziani D, Dantas-Torres F, André MR. Phylogenetic Inferences Based on Distinct Molecular Markers Confirm a Novel Babesia Species ( Babesia goianiaensis nov. sp.) in Capybaras ( Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris) and Associated Ticks. Microorganisms 2023; 11:2022. [PMID: 37630582 PMCID: PMC10459827 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11082022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2023] [Revised: 08/02/2023] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Piroplasmids (order Piroplasmida) are a diverse group of tick-borne protozoa that may cause disease in animals and occasionally in humans. Novel Piroplasmida clades and species have been found in wild animals from Brazil based on the phylogenetic assessment of near-complete 18S rRNA, mitochondrial and heat-shock protein genes. For instance, a putative novel Babesia species has been detected in capybaras and Amblyomma ticks in three Brazilian states. The present work aimed to describe, using phylogenetic assessments based on distinct molecular markers, this novel Babesia species in capybaras and associated ticks (Amblyomma sculptum and Amblyomma dubitatum) sampled in Goiânia city, Goiás state, midwestern Brazil. While the phylogenetic analysis based on both near-complete 18S rRNA and hsp-70 genes positioned the sequences obtained from capybara blood samples into a new clade sister to the Babesia sensu stricto clade, the phylogenetic inference based on the COX-3 amino acid positioned the obtained sequences from capybara blood samples and A. sculptum ticks also into a clade sister to the Theileria sensu stricto clade, highlighting the inappropriateness of this marker inferring evolutionary relationships among piroplasmids. Pairwise distance analysis demonstrated that the divergence rates between the 18S rRNA sequences detected in capybaras and other Piroplasmida already described were very high and ranged from 9.4 to 12.9%. Genotype analysis based on the near-full 18S rRNA sequences of the Piroplasmida detected in capybaras and associated ticks demonstrated the occurrence of high genotype diversity at an intra-species level. In conclusion, phylogenetic analyses based on distinct molecular markers supported the description of Babesia goianiaensis nov. sp. in capybaras and associated Amblyomma ticks. Additionally, a novel phylogenetic clade, apart from the previously described ones, was described in the present study and contributed to untangling the complex evolutionary history of the Piroplasmida.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felipe da Silva Krawczak
- Veterinary and Animal Science School, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia 74605-220, Brazil; (F.d.S.K.); (L.C.N.); (S.A.D.); (B.B.F.d.S.); (L.G.F.d.P.); (M.A.T.); (G.T.P.); (N.J.d.L.); (E.R.N.C.); (D.G.)
| | - Ana Cláudia Calchi
- Vector-Borne Bioagents Laboratory (VBBL), Department of Pathology, Reproduction and One Health, School of Agricultural and Veterinarian Sciences (FCAV), São Paulo State University (UNESP), Jaboticabal 14884-900, Brazil
| | - Lucianne Cardoso Neves
- Veterinary and Animal Science School, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia 74605-220, Brazil; (F.d.S.K.); (L.C.N.); (S.A.D.); (B.B.F.d.S.); (L.G.F.d.P.); (M.A.T.); (G.T.P.); (N.J.d.L.); (E.R.N.C.); (D.G.)
| | - Sarah Alves Dias
- Veterinary and Animal Science School, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia 74605-220, Brazil; (F.d.S.K.); (L.C.N.); (S.A.D.); (B.B.F.d.S.); (L.G.F.d.P.); (M.A.T.); (G.T.P.); (N.J.d.L.); (E.R.N.C.); (D.G.)
| | - Bianca Barbara Fonseca da Silva
- Veterinary and Animal Science School, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia 74605-220, Brazil; (F.d.S.K.); (L.C.N.); (S.A.D.); (B.B.F.d.S.); (L.G.F.d.P.); (M.A.T.); (G.T.P.); (N.J.d.L.); (E.R.N.C.); (D.G.)
| | - Warley Vieira de Freitas Paula
- Veterinary and Animal Science School, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia 74605-220, Brazil; (F.d.S.K.); (L.C.N.); (S.A.D.); (B.B.F.d.S.); (L.G.F.d.P.); (M.A.T.); (G.T.P.); (N.J.d.L.); (E.R.N.C.); (D.G.)
| | - Luiza Gabriella Ferreira de Paula
- Veterinary and Animal Science School, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia 74605-220, Brazil; (F.d.S.K.); (L.C.N.); (S.A.D.); (B.B.F.d.S.); (L.G.F.d.P.); (M.A.T.); (G.T.P.); (N.J.d.L.); (E.R.N.C.); (D.G.)
| | - Mariana Avelar Tavares
- Veterinary and Animal Science School, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia 74605-220, Brazil; (F.d.S.K.); (L.C.N.); (S.A.D.); (B.B.F.d.S.); (L.G.F.d.P.); (M.A.T.); (G.T.P.); (N.J.d.L.); (E.R.N.C.); (D.G.)
| | - Gracielle Teles Pádua
- Veterinary and Animal Science School, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia 74605-220, Brazil; (F.d.S.K.); (L.C.N.); (S.A.D.); (B.B.F.d.S.); (L.G.F.d.P.); (M.A.T.); (G.T.P.); (N.J.d.L.); (E.R.N.C.); (D.G.)
| | - Nicolas Jalowitzki de Lima
- Veterinary and Animal Science School, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia 74605-220, Brazil; (F.d.S.K.); (L.C.N.); (S.A.D.); (B.B.F.d.S.); (L.G.F.d.P.); (M.A.T.); (G.T.P.); (N.J.d.L.); (E.R.N.C.); (D.G.)
| | - Ennya Rafaella Neves Cardoso
- Veterinary and Animal Science School, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia 74605-220, Brazil; (F.d.S.K.); (L.C.N.); (S.A.D.); (B.B.F.d.S.); (L.G.F.d.P.); (M.A.T.); (G.T.P.); (N.J.d.L.); (E.R.N.C.); (D.G.)
| | - Daniel Graziani
- Veterinary and Animal Science School, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia 74605-220, Brazil; (F.d.S.K.); (L.C.N.); (S.A.D.); (B.B.F.d.S.); (L.G.F.d.P.); (M.A.T.); (G.T.P.); (N.J.d.L.); (E.R.N.C.); (D.G.)
| | - Filipe Dantas-Torres
- Laboratory of Immunoparasitology, Department of Immunology, Aggeu Magalhães Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), Recife 50740-465, Brazil;
| | - Marcos Rogério André
- Vector-Borne Bioagents Laboratory (VBBL), Department of Pathology, Reproduction and One Health, School of Agricultural and Veterinarian Sciences (FCAV), São Paulo State University (UNESP), Jaboticabal 14884-900, Brazil
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12
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Vázquez-Guerrero E, Reyes-Solís GC, Cano-Ravell AE, Machain-Williams C, Leyva-Gastélum M, Estrada-de Los Santos P, Álvarez-Hernández G, Ibarra JA. Detection of Rickettsia amblyommatis and Rickettsia bellii in ticks collected from pet dogs in peri-urban and rural areas in Yucatan, Mexico. Exp Appl Acarol 2023:10.1007/s10493-023-00825-z. [PMID: 37498401 DOI: 10.1007/s10493-023-00825-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 07/28/2023]
Abstract
Rickettsia species are bacteria that may cause multiple diseases in animals and humans, via transmission through multiple arthropod vectors. Routine surveillance of Rickettsia spp. within vectors is critical to determine their presence and risk to mammalian hosts within human populations. Therefore, to better characterize the circulating Rickettsia species in an understudied region we targeted pet dogs to survey. Ticks were collected from pet dogs in three populations of the Yucatan where we tested for the presence of Rickettsia spp. by PCR in metagenomic DNA. In these ticks removed from pet dogs we detected Rickettsia amblyommatis and Rickettsia bellii in Amblyomma auriculatum, Amblyomma ovale and Amblyomma mixtum ticks obtained in a rural community in the Mexican state of Yucatan. This is the first report detecting both species for this state in Mexico, underpinning the importance of more routine surveillance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edwin Vázquez-Guerrero
- Laboratorio de Genética Microbiana, Departamento de Microbiología, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Guadalupe C Reyes-Solís
- Centro de Investigaciones Regionales Dr. Hideyo Noguchi, Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Mérida, Mexico.
| | - Alan E Cano-Ravell
- Centro de Investigaciones Regionales Dr. Hideyo Noguchi, Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Mérida, Mexico
| | - Carlos Machain-Williams
- Centro de Investigaciones Regionales Dr. Hideyo Noguchi, Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Mérida, Mexico
| | - Marcia Leyva-Gastélum
- Departamento de Medicina y Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de Sonora, Sonora, Mexico
| | - Paulina Estrada-de Los Santos
- Laboratorio de Genética Microbiana, Departamento de Microbiología, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | | | - J Antonio Ibarra
- Laboratorio de Genética Microbiana, Departamento de Microbiología, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Ciudad de México, Mexico.
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13
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Binetruy F, Duron O. Molecular detection of Cercopithifilaria, Cruorifilaria and Dipetalonema-like filarial nematodes in ticks of French Guiana. Parasite 2023; 30:24. [PMID: 37404115 DOI: 10.1051/parasite/2023027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 06/09/2023] [Indexed: 07/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Filarial nematodes of the Dipetalonema lineage are widespread parasites and include some species that are transmitted by ticks. In this study, we conducted a large molecular survey of ticks in French Guiana, South America, to understand the overall diversity of tick-borne filarioids in this remote region largely covered by dense tropical forests. Out of 682 ticks belonging to 22 species and 6 genera, 21 ticks (3.1%) of the species Amblyomma cajennense, A. oblongoguttatum, A. romitii, Ixodes luciae and Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato were positive for infection by filarioids. Molecular typing and phylogenetic analysis identified all these filarioids as members of the Dipetalonema lineage. While the filarioid of R. sanguineus sensu lato is a previously described species, the canine worm Cercopithifilaria bainae Almeida & Vicente, 1984, all other filarioids detected in this study are related but distinct to already known species in the genera Cercopithifilaria, Cruorifilaria and Dipetalonema. Their vertebrate host range may include a wide variety of mammals present in French Guiana, but dogs, capybaras, and opossums are the best candidate hosts for some of these filarioids. Although the detection of members of the Dipetalonema lineage in ticks of significant medical or veterinary interest is of concern, the risk of contracting a tick-borne filarial infection is still largely unknown. The pathogenicity of these filarioids, their epidemiology, developmental cycles, and mechanisms of transmission by South American tick species now require further study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florian Binetruy
- MIVEGEC, University of Montpellier (UM), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Institut pour la Recherche de la Développement (IRD), 34394 Montpellier, France
| | - Olivier Duron
- MIVEGEC, University of Montpellier (UM), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Institut pour la Recherche de la Développement (IRD), 34394 Montpellier, France
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14
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de Souza VL, Costa FB, Martins TF, de Oliveira PR, Lima J, Guimarães DP, Dos Santos EA, de Moura-Martiniano NO, Sato TP, Borsoi ABP, Bitencourth K, Souza JRLD, Gazeta GS, Guilherme E, Santos FGDA. Detection of Rickettsia tamurae-like and other spotted fever group rickettsiae in ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) associated with wild birds in the Western Amazon, Brazil. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2023; 14:102182. [PMID: 37100028 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2023.102182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2021] [Revised: 04/05/2023] [Accepted: 04/08/2023] [Indexed: 04/28/2023]
Abstract
Ticks are vectors for several pathogens, including bacteria belonging to the Rickettsia genus, such as Rickettsia rickettsii and Rickettsia parkeri, the causative agents of spotted fever. The aim of the present study was to investigate the tick species richness and rickettsial agents associated with wild birds captured in the Humaita Forest Reserve, Acre, in the Western Amazon region. Wild birds were captured with ornithological nets for visual inspection with the purpose of collecting ticks, which were identified through morphological analyses and molecular tests for several genes (12S rDNA, 16S rDNA, gltA, ompA, and sca4). A total of 607 wild birds were captured, 12% of which were parasitized by 268 ticks of the Amblyomma genus, with new host-parasite associations reported for Amblyomma calcaratum, Amblyomma geayi, Amblyomma longirostre, Amblyomma naponense, Amblyomma nodosum, and Amblyomma varium. Of the total ticks collected, 113 were tested for the presence of rickettsial DNA fragments, with 19 testing positive for R. parkeri in A. geayi, Rickettsia tamurae-like in Amblyomma sp., and Rickettsia amblyommatis in A. geayi, A. longirostre, and Amblyomma sp. We detected R. tamurae-like in Amblyomma larvae for the first time in the Western Brazilian Amazon biome, and registered spotted fever group rickettsiae, although the relevance of the detected species in a public health context should be further explored in South America, as well as new host-parasite interactions in this underexplored region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa Lima de Souza
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Sanidade e Produção Animal Sustentável na Amazônia Ocidental, Universidade Federal do Acre, Rio Branco, AC, Brazil; Laboratório de Ornitologia, Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Natureza, Universidade Federal do Acre, Rio Branco, AC, Brazil.
| | - Francisco Borges Costa
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciência Animal, Universidade Estadual do Maranhão, São Luís, MA, Brazil
| | - Thiago Fernandes Martins
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil; Departamento de Laboratórios Especializados, Superintendência de Controle de Endemias, Secretaria de Estado da Saúde de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Patricia Rosa de Oliveira
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Química, Centro de Ciências Exatas e Tecnologia, Universidade Federal do Maranhão, São Luís, MA, Brazil; Programa de Pós-graduação em Biociências, Instituto Multidisciplinar em Saúde, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Vitória da Conquista, BA, Brazil
| | - Jonatas Lima
- Laboratório de Ornitologia, Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Natureza, Universidade Federal do Acre, Rio Branco, AC, Brazil
| | - David Pedroza Guimarães
- Laboratório de Ornitologia, Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Natureza, Universidade Federal do Acre, Rio Branco, AC, Brazil
| | - Ednaira Alencar Dos Santos
- Laboratório de Ornitologia, Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Natureza, Universidade Federal do Acre, Rio Branco, AC, Brazil
| | - Nicole Oliveira de Moura-Martiniano
- Laboratório de Carrapatos e outros Artrópodes Ápteros - Referência Nacional em Vetores das Rickettsioses, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz/Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Tayra Pereira Sato
- Laboratório de Carrapatos e outros Artrópodes Ápteros - Referência Nacional em Vetores das Rickettsioses, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz/Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Ana Beatriz Pais Borsoi
- Laboratório de Carrapatos e outros Artrópodes Ápteros - Referência Nacional em Vetores das Rickettsioses, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz/Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Karla Bitencourth
- Laboratório de Carrapatos e outros Artrópodes Ápteros - Referência Nacional em Vetores das Rickettsioses, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz/Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | | | - Gilberto Salles Gazeta
- Laboratório de Carrapatos e outros Artrópodes Ápteros - Referência Nacional em Vetores das Rickettsioses, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz/Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Edson Guilherme
- Laboratório de Ornitologia, Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Natureza, Universidade Federal do Acre, Rio Branco, AC, Brazil; Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Natureza, Universidade Federal do Acre, Rio Branco, AC, Brazil
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15
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Jumpertz M, Sevestre J, Luciani L, Houhamdi L, Fournier PE, Parola P. Bacterial Agents Detected in 418 Ticks Removed from Humans during 2014-2021, France. Emerg Infect Dis 2023; 29:701-710. [PMID: 36957992 PMCID: PMC10045685 DOI: 10.3201/eid2904.221572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Monitoring of tickborne diseases is critical for prevention and management. We analyzed 418 ticks removed from 359 patients during 2014-2021 in Marseille, France, for identification and bacteria detection. Using morphology, molecular methods, or matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry, we identified 197 (47%) Ixodes, 136 (33%) Dermacentor, 67 (16%) Rhipicephalus, 8 (2%) Hyalomma, 6 (1%) Amblyomma, 2 (0.5%) Argas, and 2 (0.5%) Haemaphysalis tick species. We also detected bacterial DNA in 241 (58%) ticks. The most frequent bacterial pathogens were Rickettsia raoultii (17%) and R. slovaca (13%) in Dermacentor ticks, Borrelia spp. (9%) in Ixodes ticks, and R. massiliae (16%) in Rhipicephalus ticks. Among patients who were bitten, 107 had symptoms, and tickborne diseases were diagnosed in 26, including scalp eschar and neck lymphadenopathy after tick bite and Lyme borrelioses. Rapid tick and bacteria identification using a combination of methods can substantially contribute to clinical diagnosis, treatment, and surveillance of tickborne diseases.
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16
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González J, Fonseca DM, Toledo A. Seasonal Dynamics of Tick Species in the Ecotone of Parks and Recreational Areas in Middlesex County (New Jersey, USA). Insects 2023; 14:258. [PMID: 36975943 PMCID: PMC10057079 DOI: 10.3390/insects14030258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2023] [Revised: 03/01/2023] [Accepted: 03/03/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
People often use parks and other forested areas for outdoor activities such as hiking and walking their dogs. Areas of primary use are paths or grassy meadows on the edges of the forests that constitute transitional areas between different plant communities (aka ecotones). In this study, we monitored the seasonal dynamics of questing ticks in forest/meadow and forest/path ecotones in five areas in Middlesex County, New Jersey (NJ). We found anthropophilic species such as Ixodes scapularis, Amblyomma americanum, and Dermacentor variabilis coexisting with Haemaphysalis longicornis, an invasive tick species first detected in NJ in 2017. Surveillance was conducted weekly from March to November 2020, and collected ticks were identified. The most abundant tick species was H. longicornis (83%), followed by A. americanum (9%), I. scapularis (7%), and D. variabilis (<1%). The seasonal dynamics of A. americanum and I. scapularis in the ecotone were similar to previous surveys in forest habitats. The presence of anthropophilic ticks, particularly I. scapularis, suggests the need for specific control approaches to target these habitats. In addition, the extraordinarily high numbers of H. longicornis collected in ecotones (1.70 ticks/m2) and frequent reports of this species on dogs highlight the importance of monitoring its expansion due to its potential as a vector of animal and human diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Dina M. Fonseca
- Center for Vector Biology, Department of Entomology, Rutgers University, 180 Jones Ave, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA
| | - Alvaro Toledo
- Center for Vector Biology, Department of Entomology, Rutgers University, 180 Jones Ave, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA
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17
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Fecchio A, Martins TF, Dias RI, Bell JA, Pinho JB, Silva VLDB, Pacheco RDC. Immature hard ticks infected with Rickettsia amblyommatis on breeding birds from Pantanal. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2023; 14:102121. [PMID: 36682198 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2023.102121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2022] [Revised: 01/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/07/2023] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Immature hard ticks from the genus Amblyomma feed on blood from a wide range of Neotropical avian hosts. They serve as vectors for pathogens of medical and veterinary importance, such as Rickettsia agents of the spotted fever group (SFG). Hence, determining ecological factors that increase encounter rates between immature ticks and their avian hosts may contribute to the understanding of tick-borne diseases transmission. Here, we used 720 individual birds from 96 species surveyed in the Brazilian Pantanal to test whether host breeding season influenced tick infestation probabilities. Additionally, collected ticks were screened for Rickettsia agents to describe new avian-tick-bacteria associations. Our models revealed that the probability of an individual bird being infested with immature ticks was similar during the breeding and pre-breeding season, but higher loads of immature tick stages were found during the breeding season. Host sex did not predict infestation probability, but Rickettsia agents recovered from ticks were more prevalent during the pre-breeding season. The new records of host usage by larvae and nymphs of Amblyomma in Pantanal and the growing body of tick surveys in Neotropical avian communities, suggest that immature ticks may benefit from avian blood sources during their annual cycle. The low number of infected ticks with Rickettsia agents on Pantanal birds suggest that this vertebrate group are likely not acting as reservoirs for these microorganisms. However, long-term surveys at the same site are imperative to determine which tick species are acting as reservoirs for Rickettsia agents in Pantanal and determine whether birds are playing a role in dispersing ticks and tick-borne pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alan Fecchio
- Centro de Investigación Esquel de Montaña y Estepa Patagónica (CIEMEP), CONICET - Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia San Juan Bosco, Esquel, Chubut, Argentina; Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia e Conservação da Biodiversidade, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso, Cuiabá, MT, Brazil.
| | - Thiago Fernandes Martins
- Departamento de Laboratórios Especializados, Superintendência de Controle de Endemias, Secretaria de Estado da Saúde de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil; Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Raphael I Dias
- Faculdade de Ciências da Educação e Saúde, Centro Universitário de Brasília, Brasília, DF, Brazil
| | - Jeffrey A Bell
- Department of Biology, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, ND 58201, USA
| | - João B Pinho
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia e Conservação da Biodiversidade, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso, Cuiabá, MT, Brazil
| | - Victoria Luiza de Barros Silva
- Laboratório de Parasitologia Veterinária e Doenças Parasitárias dos Animais Domésticos e Silvestres, Hospital Veterinário - HOVET, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária - FAVET, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso - UFMT, Cuiabá, MT, Brazil
| | - Richard de Campos Pacheco
- Laboratório de Parasitologia Veterinária e Doenças Parasitárias dos Animais Domésticos e Silvestres, Hospital Veterinário - HOVET, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária - FAVET, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso - UFMT, Cuiabá, MT, Brazil
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18
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Lacroux C, Bonnet S, Pouydebat E, Buysse M, Rahola N, Rakotobe S, Okimat JP, Koual R, Asalu E, Krief S, Duron O. Survey of ticks and tick-borne pathogens in wild chimpanzee habitat in Western Uganda. Parasit Vectors 2023; 16:22. [PMID: 36683083 PMCID: PMC9869571 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-022-05632-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2022] [Accepted: 12/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ticks and tick-borne pathogens significantly impact both human and animal health and therefore are of major concern to the scientific community. Knowledge of tick-borne pathogens is crucial for prescription of mitigation measures. In Africa, much research on ticks has focused on domestic animals. Little is known about ticks and their pathogens in wild habitats and wild animals like the endangered chimpanzee, our closest relative. METHODS In this study, we collected ticks in the forested habitat of a community of 100 chimpanzees living in Kibale National Park, Western Uganda, and assessed how their presence and abundance are influenced by environmental factors. We used non-invasive methods of flagging the vegetation and visual search of ticks both on human team members and in chimpanzee nests. We identified adult and nymph ticks through morphological features. Molecular techniques were used to detect and identify tick-borne piroplasmids and bacterial pathogens. RESULTS A total of 470 ticks were collected, which led to the identification of seven tick species: Haemaphysalis parmata (68.77%), Amblyomma tholloni (20.70%), Ixodes rasus sensu lato (7.37%), Rhipicephalus dux (1.40%), Haemaphysalis punctaleachi (0.70%), Ixodes muniensis (0.70%) and Amblyomma paulopunctatum (0.35%). The presence of ticks, irrespective of species, was influenced by temperature and type of vegetation but not by relative humidity. Molecular detection revealed the presence of at least six genera of tick-borne pathogens (Babesia, Theileria, Borrelia, Cryptoplasma, Ehrlichia and Rickettsia). The Afrotopical tick Amblyomma tholloni found in one chimpanzee nest was infected by Rickettsia sp. CONCLUSIONS In conclusion, this study presented ticks and tick-borne pathogens in a Ugandan wildlife habitat whose potential effects on animal health remain to be elucidated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camille Lacroux
- grid.511721.10000 0004 0370 736XUMR 7206 CNRS/MNHN/P7, Eco-anthropologie, Museum National d’Histoire Naturelle, Musée de l’Homme, 17 Place du Trocadéro, 75116 Paris, France ,Sebitoli Chimpanzee Project, Great Ape Conservation Project, Kibale National Park, Fort Portal, Uganda ,grid.410350.30000 0001 2174 9334UMR 7179 CNRS/MNHN, Mécanismes Adaptatifs et Evolution, Museum National d’Histoire Naturelle, 57 Rue Cuvier, 75231 Paris, France ,La Phocéenne de Cosmétique, ZA Les Roquassiers, 174 Rue de la Forge, 13300 Salon-de-Provence, France
| | - Sarah Bonnet
- grid.508487.60000 0004 7885 7602UMR 2000, Ecology and Emergence of Arthropod-Borne Pathogens, Institut Pasteur/CNRS/Université Paris-Cité, 75015 Paris, France ,grid.507621.7Animal Health Department, INRAE, 37380 Nouzilly, France
| | - Emmanuelle Pouydebat
- grid.410350.30000 0001 2174 9334UMR 7179 CNRS/MNHN, Mécanismes Adaptatifs et Evolution, Museum National d’Histoire Naturelle, 57 Rue Cuvier, 75231 Paris, France
| | - Marie Buysse
- grid.121334.60000 0001 2097 0141UMR 5290 MIVEGEC (Maladies Infectieuses et Vecteurs : Ecologie, Génétique, Evolution et Contrôle), CNRS/IRD/Université de Montpellier, 911 Avenue Agropolis, 34394 Montpellier, France ,MEEDiN (Montpellier Ecology and Evolution of Disease Network), Montpellier, France
| | - Nil Rahola
- grid.121334.60000 0001 2097 0141UMR 5290 MIVEGEC (Maladies Infectieuses et Vecteurs : Ecologie, Génétique, Evolution et Contrôle), CNRS/IRD/Université de Montpellier, 911 Avenue Agropolis, 34394 Montpellier, France
| | - Sabine Rakotobe
- grid.15540.350000 0001 0584 7022UMR BIPAR ANSES-INRAE-EnvA, Laboratoire Santé Animale, 94701 Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - John-Paul Okimat
- Sebitoli Chimpanzee Project, Great Ape Conservation Project, Kibale National Park, Fort Portal, Uganda
| | - Rachid Koual
- grid.121334.60000 0001 2097 0141UMR 5290 MIVEGEC (Maladies Infectieuses et Vecteurs : Ecologie, Génétique, Evolution et Contrôle), CNRS/IRD/Université de Montpellier, 911 Avenue Agropolis, 34394 Montpellier, France
| | - Edward Asalu
- grid.463699.7Uganda Wildlife Authority, Plot 7 Kira Road, Kamwokya, Kampala City, Uganda
| | - Sabrina Krief
- grid.511721.10000 0004 0370 736XUMR 7206 CNRS/MNHN/P7, Eco-anthropologie, Museum National d’Histoire Naturelle, Musée de l’Homme, 17 Place du Trocadéro, 75116 Paris, France ,Sebitoli Chimpanzee Project, Great Ape Conservation Project, Kibale National Park, Fort Portal, Uganda
| | - Olivier Duron
- grid.121334.60000 0001 2097 0141UMR 5290 MIVEGEC (Maladies Infectieuses et Vecteurs : Ecologie, Génétique, Evolution et Contrôle), CNRS/IRD/Université de Montpellier, 911 Avenue Agropolis, 34394 Montpellier, France
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19
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Koual R, Buysse M, Grillet J, Binetruy F, Ouass S, Sprong H, Duhayon M, Boulanger N, Jourdain F, Alafaci A, Verdon J, Verheyden H, Rispe C, Plantard O, Duron O. Phylogenetic evidence for a clade of tick-associated trypanosomes. Parasit Vectors 2023; 16:3. [PMID: 36604731 PMCID: PMC9817367 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-022-05622-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 12/17/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Trypanosomes are protozoan parasites of vertebrates that are of medical and veterinary concern. A variety of blood-feeding invertebrates have been identified as vectors, but the role of ticks in trypanosome transmission remains unclear. METHODS In this study, we undertook extensive molecular screening for the presence and genetic diversity of trypanosomes in field ticks. RESULTS Examination of 1089 specimens belonging to 28 tick species from Europe and South America led to the identification of two new trypanosome strains. The prevalence may be as high as 4% in tick species such as the castor bean tick Ixodes ricinus, but we found no evidence of transovarial transmission. Further phylogenetic analyses based on 18S rRNA, EF1-α, hsp60 and hsp85 gene sequences revealed that different tick species, originating from different continents, often harbour phylogenetically related trypanosome strains and species. Most tick-associated trypanosomes cluster in a monophyletic clade, the Trypanosoma pestanai clade, distinct from clades of trypanosomes associated with transmission by other blood-feeding invertebrates. CONCLUSIONS These observations suggest that ticks may be specific arthropod hosts for trypanosomes of the T. pestanai clade. Phylogenetic analyses provide further evidence that ticks may transmit these trypanosomes to a diversity of mammal species (including placental and marsupial species) on most continents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachid Koual
- grid.121334.60000 0001 2097 0141MIVEGEC, CNRS, IRD, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Marie Buysse
- grid.121334.60000 0001 2097 0141MIVEGEC, CNRS, IRD, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Justine Grillet
- grid.121334.60000 0001 2097 0141MIVEGEC, CNRS, IRD, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Florian Binetruy
- grid.121334.60000 0001 2097 0141MIVEGEC, CNRS, IRD, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Sofian Ouass
- grid.121334.60000 0001 2097 0141MIVEGEC, CNRS, IRD, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Hein Sprong
- grid.31147.300000 0001 2208 0118Laboratory for Zoonoses and Environmental Microbiology (Z&O), Centre for Infectious Disease Control (CIb), National Institute of Public Health and Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, The Netherlands
| | - Maxime Duhayon
- grid.121334.60000 0001 2097 0141ASTRE, CIRAD, INRAE, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Nathalie Boulanger
- grid.11843.3f0000 0001 2157 9291UR7290: VBP: Borrelia Group, Hôpitaux Universitaires de Strasbourg, University of Strasbourg and French National Reference Center for Borrelia, Strasbourg, France
| | - Frédéric Jourdain
- grid.121334.60000 0001 2097 0141MIVEGEC, CNRS, IRD, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Aurélien Alafaci
- grid.11166.310000 0001 2160 6368UMR CNRS 7267, EBI, University of Poitiers, Poitiers, France
| | - Julien Verdon
- grid.11166.310000 0001 2160 6368UMR CNRS 7267, EBI, University of Poitiers, Poitiers, France
| | - Hélène Verheyden
- grid.508721.9INRAE, CEFS, Université de Toulouse, Castanet Tolosan Cedex, France ,LTSER ZA PYRénées GARonne, Auzeville-Tolosane, France
| | - Claude Rispe
- grid.418682.10000 0001 2175 3974Oniris, INRAE, BIOEPAR, Nantes, France
| | - Olivier Plantard
- grid.418682.10000 0001 2175 3974Oniris, INRAE, BIOEPAR, Nantes, France
| | - Olivier Duron
- grid.121334.60000 0001 2097 0141MIVEGEC, CNRS, IRD, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
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20
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Rocha JM, de Oliveira PB, da Costa-Neto SF, Ogrzewalska MH, Martins TF, Faccini JLH, Alvarez MRDV, Luz HR, Albuquerque GR. Molecular Detection of Rickettsia parkeri Strain Atlantic Rainforest in Ticks Parasitizing Small Mammals in Northeastern Brazil. Acta Parasitol 2022; 67:1657-1666. [PMID: 36125653 DOI: 10.1007/s11686-022-00617-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2022] [Accepted: 09/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Small mammals are important reservoirs of ticks and their pathogens in nature. However, studies reporting these associations are still rare in Brazil. In the present study, we investigated the presence of Rickettsia DNA in ticks parasitizing rodents and marsupials captured in different areas throughout the Atlantic rainforest biome, Bahia, Northeastern (NE), Brazil. METHODS The study was conducted in five municipalities within of the Atlantic Forest biome, Bahia state, in NE Brazil. Two campaigns were done in each municipality. For host captures Sherman and Tomahawk traps were used, and pitfall traps. After being captured, the hosts were anesthetized and their entire body examined for ticks. When ticks were detected, they were manually removed and stored in eppendorf tubes (1.5 ml) containing absolute PA ethanol for future laboratory analysis (identification of ticks and detection of Rickettsia spp.). RESULTS A total of 609 mammals were captured. Overall, 208 ticks of the genus Amblyomma and Ixodes were collected: A. ovale, I. loricatus and A. varium. Rickettsia DNA was detected in A. ovale and it was 99-100% of identity to the sequence deposited in GenBank as Rickettsia parkeri strain Atlantica rainforest. CONCLUSION These results suggest that R. parkeri strain Atlantic rainforest occurs in the region, and A. ovale is likely the vector.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josiane M Rocha
- Postgraduate Program in Animal Science. State University of Santa Cruz, UESC, Ilhéus, BA, Brazil
| | - Philipe B de Oliveira
- Department of Animal Parasitology, Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro, UFRRJ, Seropédica, RJ, Brazil
| | | | | | - Thiago F Martins
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine and Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - João L H Faccini
- Department of Animal Parasitology, Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro, UFRRJ, Seropédica, RJ, Brazil
| | - Martin R D V Alvarez
- Department of Biological Sciences (DCB), Mammal Collection (CMARF), State University of Santa Curz (UESC), Ilhéus, Bahia, Brazil
| | - Hermes R Luz
- Postgraduate Program in Health and Environment, and Biodiversity and Conservation, Federal University of Maranhão, São Luís, MA, Brazil.
| | - George R Albuquerque
- Postgraduate Program in Animal Science. State University of Santa Cruz, UESC, Ilhéus, BA, Brazil
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21
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Madder M, Day M, Schunack B, Fourie J, Labuschange M, van der Westhuizen W, Johnson S, Githigia SM, Akande FA, Nzalawahe JS, Tayebwa DS, Aschenborn O, Marcondes M, Heylen D. A community approach for pathogens and their arthropod vectors (ticks and fleas) in cats of sub-Saharan Africa. Parasit Vectors 2022; 15:321. [PMID: 36085039 PMCID: PMC9461260 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-022-05436-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Accepted: 08/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Arthropod-borne pathogens and their vectors are present throughout Africa. They have been well studied in livestock of sub-Saharan Africa, but poorly studied in companion animals. Given their socioeconomic importance, the African Small Companion Animal Network (AFSCAN), as part of the WSAVA Foundation, initiated a standardized multi-country surveillance study. Methods In six countries (Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Tanzania, Uganda, and Namibia) in both rural and urban settings, 160 infested cats were sampled to assess their ectoparasite community (ticks and fleas), as well as the micro-parasite prevalence within those ectoparasites (60 and 118 pools of ticks and fleas, respectively) and blood (276 cats, including 116 non-infested). Results Almost two thirds of all infested cats originated from Tanzania and Kenya. Despite the large macro-geographical variation, no consistent difference was found in ectoparasite diversity and numbers between East and West Africa. Far more flea-infested than tick-infested cats were found. The most dominant ectoparasite was Ctenocephalides felis. Among the ticks, the exophilic Haemaphysalis spp. were the commonest, including species that are not typically linked with companion animals (Haemaphysalis spinulosa and Haemaphysalis elliptica). The most prevalent pathogens found in the blood and fleas were Bartonella henselae and Mycoplasma haemofelis. In the ticks, the dog-associated Hepatozoon canis was most commonly found. A high degree of co-parasitism was found in all countries and habitats. Conclusions Our continent-wide standardized field study highlights the cat’s potential to serve as a reservoir of pathogens that can be transmitted to humans or livestock, especially when cats are expected to become more commonly kept in African villages and towns. Graphical Abstract ![]()
Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13071-022-05436-y.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Michael Day
- School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA, Australia
| | | | | | | | | | - Sherry Johnson
- School of Veterinary Medicine, CBAS, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Samuel Maina Githigia
- Department of Veterinary Pathology, Microbiology & Parasitology, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Foluke Adedayo Akande
- Department of Veterinary Parasitology and Entomology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria
| | | | - Dickson Stuart Tayebwa
- Research Center for Tropical Diseases and Vector Control, College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Ortwin Aschenborn
- School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Namibia, Ondekaremba, Namibia
| | | | - Dieter Heylen
- Eco-Epidemiology Group, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium.,Interuniversity Institute for Biostatistics and Statistical Bioinformatics, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium.,Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA
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22
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Nogueira BCF, Cassiano LA, Martins TF, Yamatogi RS, Ribon R, Campos AK. Ixodid diversity and detection of spotted fever group Rickettsia spp. in ticks collected on birds in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest. Acta Trop 2022;:106673. [PMID: 36041496 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2022.106673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2022] [Revised: 08/22/2022] [Accepted: 08/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The Brazilian Atlantic Forest helds one of the most diverse and unique avifauna in the world. Many vertebrate species are reservoirs of tick-borne pathogens, and birds are an important group among them due to their mobility which facilitates the dispersion of ticks and the infectious agents they carry. This study brings data on the tick diversity parasitizing birds and the molecular detection of Rickettsia spp. in these arthropods. Birds (n = 773) were captured, identified, and banded at Mata do Paraíso Research, Training, and Environmental Education Center located in Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Birds were checked for the presence of ticks, which were individually collected, identified, and molecularly processed through Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) for the detection of Rickettsia spp. A total of 130 individuals were infested by ticks, and 479 tick specimens were collected, showing a seasonal distribution of the life stages throughout the year. Ticks were identified as Amblyomma longirostre (59/479); Amblyomma calcaratum (20/479); Amblyomma varium (3/479); Amblyomma sculptum (2/479) and Amblyomma spp. larvae (395/479). Seasonal distribution of the life stages of ticks was observed along the year and significant negative correlations were found between temperature and collected ticks and temperature and infested birds. From the evaluated samples of ticks, 25.44% (n= 43/169) scored positive for Rickettsia spp., and sequence analysis indicated high nucleotide identity with Rickettsia rhipicephali, R. massiliae, R. africae and R. honei marmionii. The potential for dispersal of ticks by birds added to the aggressiveness of species of the genus Amblyomma and the zoonotic potential of some species of Rickettsia are quite worrying when we consider that the study area is widely attended by students, researchers, people from the city and neighboring municipalities.
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23
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Gregory N, Fernandez MP, Diuk-Wasser M. Risk of tick-borne pathogen spillover into urban yards in New York City. Parasit Vectors 2022; 15:288. [PMID: 35948911 PMCID: PMC9365221 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-022-05416-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2022] [Accepted: 07/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The incidence of tick-borne disease has increased dramatically in recent decades, with urban areas increasingly recognized as high-risk environments for exposure to infected ticks. Green spaces may play a key role in facilitating the invasion of ticks, hosts and pathogens into residential areas, particularly where they connect residential yards with larger natural areas (e.g. parks). However, the factors mediating tick distribution across heterogeneous urban landscapes remain poorly characterized. METHODS Using generalized linear models in a multimodel inference framework, we determined the residential yard- and local landscape-level features associated with the presence of three tick species of current and growing public health importance in residential yards across Staten Island, a borough of New York City, in the state of New York, USA. RESULTS The amount and configuration of canopy cover immediately surrounding residential yards was found to strongly predict the presence of Ixodes scapularis and Amblyomma americanum, but not that of Haemaphysalis longicornis. Within yards, we found a protective effect of fencing against I. scapularis and A. americanum, but not against H. longicornis. For all species, the presence of log and brush piles strongly increased the odds of finding ticks in yards. CONCLUSIONS The results highlight a considerable risk of tick exposure in residential yards in Staten Island and identify both yard- and landscape-level features associated with their distribution. In particular, the significance of log and brush piles for all three species supports recommendations for yard management as a means of reducing contact with ticks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nichar Gregory
- Department of Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Biology, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Maria P Fernandez
- Department of Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Biology, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA.,Earth Institute, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA.,Paul G. Allen School for Global Health, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, USA
| | - Maria Diuk-Wasser
- Department of Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Biology, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
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24
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Nogueira BCF, Campos AK, Muñoz-Leal S, Pinter A, Martins TF. Soft and hard ticks (Parasitiformes: Ixodida) on humans: A review of Brazilian biomes and the impact of environmental change. Acta Trop 2022; 234:106598. [PMID: 35841953 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2022.106598] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2022] [Revised: 07/05/2022] [Accepted: 07/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Records of accidental parasitism by ticks in humans from Brazil are scarce, with most being reported by researchers who are parasitized during their research and by professionals who work with animals. In order to compile these records, an extensive literature review was carried out. Our revision includes studies published between 1909 and 2022, including nine species of the Argasidae family and 32 species of the Ixodidae family that were reported biting humans in the six biomes of the Brazilian territory. The species with the highest number of records of human parasitism was Amblyomma sculptum, followed by Amblyomma coelebs, Amblyomma cajennense sensu stricto, and Amblyomma brasiliense. The Atlantic Forest was the most frequent biome where human parasitism occurred, probably due to the greater number of inhabitants, universities, and researchers in the region; however, this does not mean that this biome is more conducive to the development of ticks and their parasitism in humans. In addition to Amblyomma ovale, a vector of Rickettsia parkeri in the country, two of the main species that act as vectors of Rickettsia rickettsii, A. sculptum, and Amblyomma aureolatum, have been reported, which is quite worrying considering that the wide distribution of the species and life stages most frequently mentioned in parasitism (i.e., nymphs and adults) are the ones that favour pathogen transmission. This research provides a significant contribution to the knowledge of tick species associated with human parasitism in Brazil; however, due to environmental change potentiated by deforestation and fires, it is expected that there will be a geographic expansion of some tick species and the pathogens that use them as a vector and an increase in human parasitism.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Artur Kanadani Campos
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brasil
| | - Sebastián Muñoz-Leal
- Departamento de Ciencia Animal, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad de Concepción, Chillán, Chile
| | - Adriano Pinter
- Departamento de Laboratórios Especializados, Superintendência de Controle de Endemias, Secretaria de Estado da Saúde de São Paulo, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brasil
| | - Thiago Fernandes Martins
- Departamento de Laboratórios Especializados, Superintendência de Controle de Endemias, Secretaria de Estado da Saúde de São Paulo, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brasil; Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brasil.
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25
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Maldonado-Ruiz LP, Urban J, Davis BN, Park JJ, Zurek L, Park Y. Dermal secretion physiology and thermoregulation in the lone star tick, Amblyomma americanum. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2022; 13:101962. [PMID: 35525214 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2022.101962] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2021] [Revised: 03/21/2022] [Accepted: 04/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Ticks are hematophagous ectoparasites that transmit a wide range of pathogens. The lone star tick, Amblyomma americanum, is one of the most widely distributed ticks in the Midwest and Eastern United States. Lone star ticks, as other three-host ixodid ticks, can survive in harsh environments for extended periods without a blood meal. Physiological mechanisms that allow them to survive during hot and dry seasons include thermal tolerance and water homeostasis. Dermal fluid secretions have been described in metastriate ticks including A. americanum. We hypothesized that tick dermal secretion in the unfed tick plays a role in thermoregulation, as described in other hematophagous arthropods during blood feeding. In this study, we found that physical contact with a heat probe at 45 °C or high environmental temperature at ∼50 °C can trigger dermal secretion in A. americanum and other metastriate ticks in the off-host period. We demonstrated that dermal secretion plays a role in evaporative cooling when ticks are exposed to high temperatures. We find that type II dermal glands, having paired two cells and forming large glandular structures, are the source of dermal secretion. The secretion was triggered by an injection of serotonin, and the serotonin-mediated secretion was suppressed by a pretreatment with ouabain, a Na/K-ATPase blocker, implying that the secretion is controlled by serotonin and the downstream Na/K-ATPase.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Joshua Urban
- Department of Entomology, Kansas State University, Manhattan KS66506, USA
| | - Brianna N Davis
- Department of Entomology, Kansas State University, Manhattan KS66506, USA
| | - Jessica J Park
- Department of Entomology, Kansas State University, Manhattan KS66506, USA
| | - Ludek Zurek
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Mendel University, Brno, Czech Republic; Department of Microbiology, Nutrition and Dietetics, Czech Agricultural University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Yoonseong Park
- Department of Entomology, Kansas State University, Manhattan KS66506, USA.
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26
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Rathinam B, Sidhik S. Species distribution and ecological suitability analysis for potential tick vectors of Kyasanur forest disease in the Western Ghats of Kerala. Med Vet Entomol 2022; 36:38-42. [PMID: 34558682 DOI: 10.1111/mve.12549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2021] [Revised: 08/25/2021] [Accepted: 09/05/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Kyasanur forest disease (KFD) is a tick-borne zoonotic viral disease with an estimated case fatality rate of 3% to 5% in humans. The KFD virus is transmitted to both humans and animals by infected ticks, primarily the Haemaphysalis species. Our study was undertaken following reports of five confirmed cases and three deaths due to KFD in Malappuram district of Kerala in 2014 to determine the diversity of Ixodidae ticks on vegetation and their possible infection with the KFD virus. Overall, 3502 hard ticks belonging to three genera and eight species were collected from two forest divisions. Haemaphysalis was the predominant tick species (92.72%). Tick positivity for the KFD virus was 4 (5.33%) of 75 pools of ticks tested. Kyasanur forest disease viral RNA was detected from the genera Haemaphysalis and Amblyomma. The KFD virus was detected in 2 of 35 pools (5.71%) of Haemaphysalis spinigera, 1 of 30 pools (3.33%) of Haemaphysalis turturis, and 1 of 3 pools (3.33%) of Amblyomma integrum from the south forest division. The ticks reached their peak density between December and February and then decreased from the end of May. The temperature in the area ranges from 28°C to 30°C, which is suitable for tick survival.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sahina Sidhik
- National Institute of Virology - Kerala unit, Alappuzha, Kerala, India
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27
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Dantas-Torres F, Picelli AM, Sales KGDS, Sousa-Paula LCD, Mejia P, Kaefer IL, Viana LA, Pessoa FAC. Ticks on reptiles and amphibians in Central Amazonia, with notes on rickettsial infections. Exp Appl Acarol 2022; 86:129-144. [PMID: 34914021 DOI: 10.1007/s10493-021-00682-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2021] [Accepted: 11/26/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Reptiles and amphibians are exceptional hosts for different ectoparasites, including mites and ticks. In this study, we investigated tick infestations on reptiles and amphibians trapped in Central Amazonia, and also assessed the presence of rickettsial infections in the collected ticks. From September 2016 to September 2019, 385 reptiles (350 lizards, 20 snakes, 12 tortoises, and three caimans) and 120 amphibians (119 anurans and one caecilian) were captured and examined for ectoparasites. Overall, 35 (10%) lizards, three (25%) tortoises and one (0.8%) toad were parasitized by ticks (124 larvae, 32 nymphs, and 22 adults). In lizards, tick infestation varied significantly according to landscape category and age group. Based on combined morphological and molecular analyses, these ticks were identified as Amblyomma humerale (14 larvae, 12 nymphs, 19 males, and one female), Amblyomma nodosum (three larvae, one nymph, and one female), and Amblyomma rotundatum (four larvae, three nymphs, and one female), and Amblyomma spp. (103 larvae and 16 nymphs). Our study presents the first records of A. nodosum in the Amazonas state and suggests that teiid lizards are important hosts for larvae and nymphs of A. humerale in Central Amazonia. Moreover, a nymph of A. humerale collected from a common tegu (Tupinambis teguixin) was found positive for Rickettsia amblyommatis, which agrees with previous reports, suggesting that the A. humerale-R. amblyommatis relationship may be more common than currently recognized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Filipe Dantas-Torres
- Laboratório de Imunoparasitologia, Instituto Aggeu Magalhães, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Recife, PE, Brazil.
| | - Amanda Maria Picelli
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz - Fiocruz Rondônia, Porto Velho, RO, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Experimental, Fundação Universidade Federal de Rondônia, Porto Velho, RO, Brazil
| | | | | | - Paulo Mejia
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biodiversidade Tropical, Universidade Federal do Amapá, Macapá, AP, Brazil
| | - Igor Luis Kaefer
- Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Amazonas, Manaus, AM, Brazil
| | - Lucio André Viana
- Laboratório de Estudos Morfofisiológicos e Parasitários, Departamento de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Amapá, Macapá, AP, Brazil
| | - Felipe Arley Costa Pessoa
- Laboratório de Ecologia de Doenças Transmissíveis na Amazônia, Instituto Leônidas e Maria Deane, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Manaus, AM, Brazil
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28
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Bernardes FCS, Martins TF, Ferreira SS, Rosa BF, Ruiz-Miranda CR, Giné GAF, Soffiati FL, Miranda FR. Sloth's giant tick ( Amblyomma varium) parasitizing free-ranging maned sloth ( Bradypus torquatus) in the Atlantic Forest biome, Brazil. Braz J Vet Med 2022; 44:e004021. [PMID: 35749074 PMCID: PMC9179184 DOI: 10.29374/2527-2179.bjvm004021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2021] [Accepted: 01/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Amblyomma varium is a neotropical tick popularly known as the sloth's giant tick, during the adult stage is found almost exclusively on mammals of the Bradypodidae and Megalonychidae families of the superorder Xenarthra. The maned sloth (Bradypus torquatus) is the only sloth species in danger of extinction in Brazil. This species is arboreal and descends to the ground only to perform defecation behavior. This behavior can be the determining factor for infestation and infection by different parasitic agents, including A. varium. This study reported the occurrence of A. varium found parasitizing free-living maned sloths (B. torquatus) in the Atlantic Forest biome of Northeast and Southeast Brazil. A total of 36 individuals were evaluated and more than 50% of the individuals were parasitized by ticks of the species A. varium. This study confirmed the importance of B. torquatus as a host for adults and nymphs of A. varium and reported the variation in length of the spurs on coxa IV of A. varium males.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernanda Coelho Simas Bernardes
- Veterinarian, Laboratório de Biodiversidade e Saúde, Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz (UESC), Ilhéus, BA, Brazil.
- Correspondence Fernanda Coelho Simas Bernardes Laboratório de Biodiversidade e Saúde, Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz - UESC Rodovia Jorge Amado, km 16, Salobrinho CEP 45662-900 - Ilhéus (BA), Brasil E-mail:
| | - Thiago Fernandes Martins
- Veterinarian, DSc., Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo (USP), São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
- Veterinarian, DSc., Departamento de Laboratórios Especializados, Superintendência de Controle de Endemias, Secretaria de Estado da Saúde de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
| | - Suelen Sanches Ferreira
- Veterinarian, MSc., Instituto Tamanduá, Parnaíba, PI, Brazil.
- Veterinarian, MSc., Fundação Norte Fluminense de Desenvolvimento Regional. Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, Brazil.
| | | | - Carlos Ramón Ruiz-Miranda
- Ethologist, DSc., Laboratório de Ciências Ambientais, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense “Darcy Ribeiro” (UENF). Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, Brazil.
| | | | - Flávio Landim Soffiati
- Veterinarian, Fundação Norte Fluminense de Desenvolvimento Regional. Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, Brazil.
| | - Flávia Regina Miranda
- Veterinarian, MSc., Instituto Tamanduá, Parnaíba, PI, Brazil.
- Veterinarian, DSc., Laboratório de Biodiversidade e Saúde, UESC, Ilhéus, BA, Brazil
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29
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Murgia MV, Kaur J, Widder L, Hill CA. Efficacy of the transfluthrin-based personal insect repellent kit (PIRK) against the ixodid ticks Ixode s scapularis, Amblyomma americanum and Dermacentor variabilis. Curr Res Parasitol Vector Borne Dis 2021; 2:100070. [PMID: 36589864 PMCID: PMC9795340 DOI: 10.1016/j.crpvbd.2021.100070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2021] [Revised: 12/13/2021] [Accepted: 12/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
An assay series was performed to assess the contact and spatial efficacy of the Personal Insect Repellent Kit (PIRK) against three species of ixodid ticks. The PIRK, a portable, passive device comprised of an inert physical substrate incorporated with the active ingredient (AI) transfluthrin (TF), has demonstrated spatial efficacy against flying insects, including three species of mosquitoes, sand flies and stable flies. The device is the only TF end-use product registered with the EPA. Here we report the first studies to explore potential of the PIRK to control Ixodes scapularis, Amblyomma americanum and Dermacentor variabilis. Dose-response assays confirmed toxicity of TF to larvae of all species in the μg/ml range following a 30-min exposure period. Nymphs and adults exhibited irritancy and avoidance behaviors on contact with the PIRK. Greater than 90% knockdown (KD) of I. scapularis nymphs and adults was observed after a 10-s exposure, and of A. americanum nymphs and adults after 10-s and 120-s exposure, respectively. Additionally, greater than 90% mortality was observed in I. scapularis nymphs and adults after 10-s and 40-s exposure, respectively. In spatial assays, the PIRK caused KD and post-exposure mortality of adult female I. scapularis exposed at a range of 5-28 cm. These results suggest both contact and spatial capacity of the PIRK, with greatest potency to nymphs versus adults and the prostriate tick I. scapularis versus the metastriate species A. americanum and D. variabilis. Future studies will explore spatial activity at a range of distances and exposure times, in the presence and absence of host cues and under semi-field conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria V. Murgia
- Purdue University, Department of Entomology, West Lafayette, IN 47907-2089, USA
| | - Jasleen Kaur
- Purdue University, Department of Entomology, West Lafayette, IN 47907-2089, USA
| | | | - Catherine A. Hill
- Purdue University, Department of Entomology, West Lafayette, IN 47907-2089, USA,Purdue Institute for Inflammation, Immunology and Infectious Disease, West Lafayette, IN 47907-2089, USA,Corresponding author. Purdue University, Department of Entomology, West Lafayette, IN 47907-2089, USA.
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30
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Dantas-Torres F, Braz ARDS, Sales KGDS, Sousa-Paula LCD, Diniz GTN, Correia JMS. Tick infestation on birds in an urban Atlantic Forest fragment in north-eastern Brazil. Exp Appl Acarol 2021; 85:305-318. [PMID: 34668142 DOI: 10.1007/s10493-021-00660-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2021] [Accepted: 09/15/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Birds are important hosts for various tick species, playing a significant role in their biological life cycle and dispersion. In this study, we investigated tick infestations on birds trapped in an urban remnant of Atlantic Forest in Pernambuco state, Brazil. From February 2015 to March 2017, 541 birds belonging to 52 species were trapped with mist nets and examined for ectoparasites. Birds trapped in the late successional forest were significantly more infested than birds trapped in the early successional forest. In the same way, ectoparasite infestation varied significantly according to bird weight and collection plot. Overall, 198 birds (36.6%) belonging to 27 species were parasitized by ectoparasites (i.e., ticks, lice and/or mites). Ectoparasites were effectively collected from 111 birds, of which 99 belonging to 20 species were infested by ticks (n = 261), namely, Amblyomma longirostre (13 nymphs), Amblyomma nodosum (21 nymphs), Amblyomma varium (one nymph), and Amblyomma spp. (five nymphs and 221 larvae). Most of the ticks (> 90%) were collected from Passeriformes. This study provides the second record of A. varium in Pernambuco state and confirms that birds, especially Passeriformes, are important hosts for larvae and nymphs of Amblyomma spp. in the Atlantic Forest biome of Pernambuco.
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Affiliation(s)
- Filipe Dantas-Torres
- Laboratório de Imunoparasitologia, Department of Immunology, Aggeu Magalhães Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), Recife, PE, Brazil.
| | - Anderson Rafael Dos Santos Braz
- Laboratório Interdisciplinar de Anfíbios e Répteis, Department of Biology, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Recife, PE, Brazil
| | - Kamila Gaudêncio da Silva Sales
- Laboratório de Imunoparasitologia, Department of Immunology, Aggeu Magalhães Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), Recife, PE, Brazil
| | - Lucas Christian de Sousa-Paula
- Laboratório de Imunoparasitologia, Department of Immunology, Aggeu Magalhães Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), Recife, PE, Brazil
| | - George Tadeu Nunes Diniz
- Laboratório de Imunoparasitologia, Department of Immunology, Aggeu Magalhães Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), Recife, PE, Brazil
| | - Jozelia Maria Sousa Correia
- Laboratório Interdisciplinar de Anfíbios e Répteis, Department of Biology, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Recife, PE, Brazil
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31
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Mofokeng LS, Smit NJ, Cook CA. Molecular screening of ticks of the genus Amblyomma (Acari: Ixodidae) infesting South African reptiles with comments on their potential to act as vectors for Hepatozoon fitzsimonsi (Dias, 1953) (Adeleorina: Hepatozoidae). Int J Parasitol Parasites Wildl 2021; 16:163-167. [PMID: 34584839 PMCID: PMC8455905 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2021.09.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2021] [Revised: 09/09/2021] [Accepted: 09/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Abstract
In South Africa, the role of reptilian ticks in the transmission of haemoparasites is lacking, in part, due to limited information on tick diversity and their associated haemoparasites. The aim of this research was to identify tick species parasitizing reptiles and to molecularly screen these ectoparasites for species of the blood apicomplexan genus Hepatozoon. Samples were collected from Ndumo Game Reserve, KwaZulu-Natal, and the Cape Columbine region, Western Cape. Reptiles collected included 2 snakes, 2 monitor lizards of a single species respectively, as well as 17 tortoises of four species. Ticks collected from these were morphologically identified as Amblyomma latum (n = 2) and Amblyomma marmoreum (n = 98), this identification was molecularly confirmed using 16S rRNA and CO1 genes. Screening for Hepatozoon was done by amplifying the 18S rRNA gene. A species of Hepatozoon, Hepatozoon fitzsimonsi, was identified from A. marmoreum ticks, with an overall prevalence of 10%. This Hepatozoon species, has been described parasitizing tortoises from southern Africa, and has been reported from ticks infesting tortoises from Kenya, East Africa. Even though ticks have been suggested to be the likely vector of this Hepatozoon species, with this supported by the findings of Hepatozoon-like developmental stages in ticks collected off of infected tortoises, a recent systematic revision placed this species in a newly erected genus Bartazoon, a genus vectorised by biting insects. The present study thus provides further support for ticks acting as the potential vectors of H. fitzsimonsi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lehlohonolo S. Mofokeng
- Water Research Group, Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, North - West University, Potchefstroom, 2531, South Africa
| | - Nico J. Smit
- Water Research Group, Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, North - West University, Potchefstroom, 2531, South Africa
| | - Courtney A. Cook
- Water Research Group, Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, North - West University, Potchefstroom, 2531, South Africa
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32
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Fecchio A, Lugarini C, Ferreira A, Weckstein JD, Kuabara KMD, De La Torre GM, Ogrzewalska M, Martins TF, de Angeli Dutra D. Migration and season explain tick prevalence in Brazilian birds. Med Vet Entomol 2021; 35:547-555. [PMID: 34018221 DOI: 10.1111/mve.12532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2021] [Revised: 05/06/2021] [Accepted: 05/10/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Neotropical birds are mostly parasitized by immature ticks and act as reservoir hosts of tick-borne pathogens of medical and veterinary interest. Hence, determining the factors that enable ticks to encounter these highly mobile hosts and increase the potential for tick dispersal throughout migratory flyways are important for understanding tick-borne disease transmission. We used 9682 individual birds from 572 species surveyed across Brazil and Bayesian models to disentangle possible avian host traits and climatic drivers of infestation probabilities, accounting for avian host phylogenetic relationships and spatiotemporal factors that may influence tick prevalence. Our models revealed that the probability of an individual bird being infested with tick larvae and nymphs was lower in partial migrant hosts and during the wet season. Notably, infestation probability increased in areas with a higher proportion of partial migrant birds. Other avian ecological traits known to influence tick prevalence (foraging habitat and body mass) and environmental condition that might constrain tick abundance (annual precipitation and minimum temperature) did not explain infestation probability. Our findings suggest that migratory flyways harbouring a greater abundance of migrant bird hosts also harbour a higher prevalence of immature ticks with potential to enhance the local transmission of tick-borne pathogens and spread across regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Fecchio
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Ecologia e Conservação da Biodiversidade, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso, Cuiabá, Brazil
| | - C Lugarini
- Centro Nacional de Pesquisa e Conservação de Aves Silvestres, Instituto Chico Mendes de Conservação da Biodiversidade, Florianópolis, Brazil
| | - A Ferreira
- Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Brazil
| | - J D Weckstein
- Department of Ornithology, Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, U.S.A
- Department of Biodiversity, Earth, and Environmental Sciences, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, U.S.A
| | - K M D Kuabara
- Department of Ornithology, Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, U.S.A
- Department of Biodiversity, Earth, and Environmental Sciences, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, U.S.A
| | - G M De La Torre
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Ecologia e Conservação, Universidade Federal do Paraná, Curitiba, Brazil
| | - M Ogrzewalska
- Laboratório de Vírus Respiratórios e Sarampo, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz-IOC, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - T F Martins
- Departamento de Laboratórios Especializados, Superintendência de Controle de Endemias-SUCEN, Secretaria de Estado da Saúde de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
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Egan SL, Lettoof DC, Oskam CL. First record of the stump-tailed lizard tick, Amblyomma albolimbatum (Ixodida, Ixodidae) parasitising a human. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2021; 13:101873. [PMID: 34823211 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2021.101873] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2021] [Revised: 11/01/2021] [Accepted: 11/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Ticks are haematophagous arthropods that parasitise a wide range of vertebrate hosts. In Australia, there are currently 74 tick species described; 22 tick species have been reported parasitising humans. The stump-tailed lizard tick, Amblyomma albolimbatum, feeds on reptiles, most commonly lizards and snakes; however, we report the first case of A. albolimbatum parasitising a human. The nymphal tick was removed while conducting fieldwork on western tiger snakes (Notechis scutatus occidentalis) in an urban city environment near Perth, Western Australia. The tick was identified using morphological descriptions, which was further supported by the abundance of all parasitic stages of A. albolimbatum on the tiger snakes sampled. The number of tick species recorded from humans in Australia is now revised to 23 species. With the increasing incidence of tick-borne illnesses in Australia, this study highlights the need to report cases of new or atypical hosts, particularly humans, and especially when the ticks have been associated with zoonotic pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siobhon L Egan
- Centre for Biosecurity and One Health, Harry Butler Institute, Murdoch University, Murdoch 6150, Western Australia, Australia.
| | - Damian C Lettoof
- Behavioural Ecology Lab, School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University, Bentley 6102, Western Australia, Australia.
| | - Charlotte L Oskam
- Centre for Biosecurity and One Health, Harry Butler Institute, Murdoch University, Murdoch 6150, Western Australia, Australia.
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Heylen D, Day M, Schunack B, Fourie J, Labuschange M, Johnson S, Githigia SM, Akande FA, Nzalawahe JS, Tayebwa DS, Aschenborn O, Marcondes M, Madder M. A community approach of pathogens and their arthropod vectors (ticks and fleas) in dogs of African Sub-Sahara. Parasit Vectors 2021; 14:576. [PMID: 34784947 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-021-05014-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2021] [Accepted: 09/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Arthropod-borne pathogens and their vectors are present throughout Africa. They have been well-studied in livestock of sub-Saharan Africa, but poorly in companion animals. Given the socio-economic importance of companion animals, the African Small Companion Animal Network (AFSCAN), as part of the WSAVA Foundation, initiated a standardized multi-country surveillance study. METHODS Macro-geographic variation in ectoparasite (ticks and fleas) and pathogen communities in dogs was assessed through molecular screening of approximately 100 infested dogs in each of six countries (Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Tanzania, Uganda and Namibia), both in rural and urban settings. The most important intrinsic and extrinsic risk factors within the subpopulation of infested dogs were evaluated. RESULTS Despite the large macro-geographic variation in the dogs screened, there was no consistent difference between East and West Africa in terms of the diversity and numbers of ticks. The highest and lowest numbers of ticks were found in Nigeria and Namibia, respectively. Most often, there was a higher diversity of ticks in rural habitats than in urban habitats, although the highest diversity was observed in an urban Uganda setting. With the exception of Namibia, more fleas were collected in rural areas. We identified tick species (including Haemaphysalis spinulosa) as well as zoonotic pathogens (Coxiella burnetti, Trypanosoma spp.) that are not classically associated with companion animals. Rhipicephalus sanguineus was the most abundant tick, with a preference for urban areas. Exophilic ticks, such as Haemaphysalis spp., were more often found in rural areas. Several multi-host ticks occurred in urban areas. For R. sanguineus, housing conditions and additional pets were relevant factors in terms of infestation, while for a rural tick species (Haemaphysalis elliptica), free-roaming dogs were more often infested. Tick occurrence was associated to the use of endoparasiticide, but not to the use of ectoparasiticide. The most prevalent tick-borne pathogen was Hepatozoon canis followed by Ehrlichia canis. High levels of co-parasitism were observed in all countries and habitats. CONCLUSIONS As dogs share a common environment with people, they have the potential to extend the network of pathogen transmission to humans. Our study will help epidemiologists to provide recommendations for surveillance and prevention of pathogens in dogs and humans.
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Allerdice MEJ, Paddock CD, Hecht JA, Goddard J, Karpathy SE. Phylogenetic Differentiation of Rickettsia parkeri Reveals Broad Dispersal and Distinct Clustering within North American Strains. Microbiol Spectr 2021; 9:e0141721. [PMID: 34643451 DOI: 10.1128/Spectrum.01417-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The tick-borne pathogen Rickettsia parkeri causes a mild rickettsiosis, with cases reported from several countries to its known distribution in the Americas. Molecular analyses have identified a clear distinction between strains of R. parkeri sensu stricto (s. s.) and R. parkeri sensu lato (s. l.) as well as separation between North American and South American R. parkeri s. s. strains. To expand on this previous work, we developed a multilocus sequence typing analysis with two aims: first, to investigate the genetic diversity within strains of North American R. parkeri s. s., and second, to further the understanding of the genetic relationships between R. parkeri s. s. and R. parkeri s. l. Sixty-four R. parkeri isolates and 12 R. parkeri-positive tick lysates were analyzed using a novel typing scheme consisting of four coding regions and two intergenic regions. A concatenated Bayesian phylogeny that identified eight clades was constructed: three represent the R. parkeri s. l. strains, and five represent the R. parkeri s. s. strains. The clades appear to be generally phylogeographically organized and associated with specific tick vectors. However, while one of the four R. parkeri s. s. North American clades appears to be limited to the southwestern United States, the other North American clades exhibit broad dispersal, most notably seen in the largest group, which includes representative samples extending from northern Mexico to Delaware. This work highlights the increasingly recognized geographic range of R. parkeri in the Americas and suggests a potential public health risk for these areas. IMPORTANCE Since 1937, when Rickettsia parkeri was originally identified in Amblyomma maculatum group ticks, the recognized range and associated vectors for this pathogen have expanded significantly. In recent years, R. parkeri has been identified in 12 tick species from seven countries in the Americas. Herein, we provide evidence that the greatest genetic diversity within R. parkeri exists in North America, where one R. parkeri sensu lato and four R. parkeri sensu stricto genotypes are present. While one distinct R. parkeri sensu stricto genotype exists only in the southwestern United States, three genotypes are broadly distributed in the eastern United States, with the largest of these found across the known range of R. parkeri in North America. In contrast, the South American R. parkeri sensu stricto samples represent a single genotype and are completely clonal at the loci analyzed, irrespective of their country of origin.
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Colosimo G, Jackson AC, Benton A, Varela-Stokes A, Iverson J, Knapp CR, Welch M. Correlated population genetic structure in a three-tiered host-parasite system. The potential for coevolution and adaptive divergence. J Hered 2021; 112:590-601. [PMID: 34612500 DOI: 10.1093/jhered/esab058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2021] [Accepted: 09/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Three subspecies of Northern Bahamian Rock Iguanas, Cyclura cychlura, are currently recognized: C. c. cychlura, restricted to Andros Island, and C. c. figginsi and C. c. inornata, native to the Exuma Island chain. Populations on Andros are genetically distinct from Exuma Island populations, yet genetic divergence among populations in the Exumas is inconsistent with the two currently recognized subspecies from those islands. The potential consequences of this discrepancy might include the recognition of a single subspecies throughout the Exumas rather than two. That inference also ignores evidence that populations of C. cychlura are potentially adaptively divergent. We compared patterns of population relatedness in a three-tiered host-parasite system: C. cychlura iguanas, their ticks (genus Amblyomma, preferentially parasitizing these reptiles), and Rickettsia spp. endosymbionts (within tick ectoparasites). Our results indicate that while C. c. cychlura on Andros is consistently supported as a separate clade, patterns of relatedness among populations of C. c. figginsi and C. c. inornata within the Exuma Island chain are more complex. The distribution of the hosts, different tick species, and Rickettsia spp., supports the evolutionary independence of C. c. inornata. Further, these patterns are also consistent with two independent evolutionarily significant units within C. c. figginsi. Our findings suggest coevolutionary relationships between the reptile hosts, their ectoparasites, and rickettsial organisms, suggesting local adaptation. This work also speaks to the limitations of using neutral molecular markers from a single focal taxon as the sole currency for recognizing evolutionary novelty in populations of endangered species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuliano Colosimo
- Department of Biological Sciences, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, Mississippi, USA.,San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, Escondido, California, USA
| | - Anna C Jackson
- Department of Biological Sciences, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, Mississippi, USA
| | - Amanda Benton
- Department of Biological Sciences, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, Mississippi, USA
| | - Andrea Varela-Stokes
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, Mississippi, USA
| | - John Iverson
- Department of Biology, Earlham College, Richmond, Indiana, USA
| | - Charles R Knapp
- Daniel P. Haerter Center for Conservation and Research, John G. Shedd Aquarium, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Mark Welch
- Department of Biological Sciences, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, Mississippi, USA
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Sundstrom KD, Lineberry MW, Grant AN, Duncan KT, Ientile MM, Little SE. Equine attachment site preferences and seasonality of common North American ticks: Amblyomma americanum, Dermacentor albipictus, and Ixodes scapularis. Parasit Vectors 2021; 14:404. [PMID: 34391460 PMCID: PMC8364019 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-021-04927-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2021] [Accepted: 08/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Ticks are common on horses, but recent publications characterizing equine tick infestations in North America are lacking. Methods To further understand attachment site preferences of common ticks of horses, and to document the seasonality of equine tick infestation in northeastern Oklahoma, horses from eight farms were evaluated twice a month over a 1-year period. Each horse was systematically inspected beginning at the head and moving caudally to the tail. Attachment sites of ticks were recorded and all ticks collected were identified to species and stage. Results Horses (26 males and 62 females) enrolled in the study ranged in age from 1 to 23 years (mean = 12, 95% CI 11–13). A total of 2731 ticks were collected; 84.1% (74/88) of the horses were infested (median = 3 ticks) at one or more examinations. Five tick species were identified, including Amblyomma americanum (78.2%; 2136/2731), Ixodes scapularis (18.2%; 497/2731), Dermacentor albipictus brown variant (2.6%; 71/2731), Dermacentor variabilis (0.7%; 20/2731), and Amblyomma maculatum (0.3%; 7/231). Most ticks were adults (83.6%; 2282/2731), but immature A. americanum (436/2136; 20.4%), D. albipictus (12/71; 16.9%), and A. maculatum (n = 1) were occasionally recovered. Amblyomma americanum were most often attached to the inguinal area, and I. scapularis and D. albipictus were most commonly found on the chest and axillary region (P < 0.0001). Ticks were found on horses in every month of the year. The largest number of ticks (638/2731; 23.4%) were collected in May (P < 0.0001). Amblyomma americanum, primarily immature, was the only tick recovered in September, I. scapularis and D. albipictus predominated October through February, and both A. americanum and I. scapularis were common in March. In the warmer months, April through August, A. americanum was the most common tick, followed by D. variabilis and A. maculatum. Conclusions This research confirms that ticks common on horses in North America have attachment site preferences and that ticks infest horses in Oklahoma throughout the year, including during the winter. Additional research is warranted to fully understand the risk these infestations pose to equine health. Graphical abstract ![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Kellee D Sundstrom
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, USA
| | - Megan W Lineberry
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, USA
| | - Amber N Grant
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, USA
| | - Kathryn T Duncan
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, USA
| | - Michelle M Ientile
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, USA
| | - Susan E Little
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, USA.
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Noden BH, Tanner EP, Polo JA, Fuhlendorf SD. Invasive woody plants as foci of tick-borne pathogens: eastern redcedar in the southern Great Plains. J Vector Ecol 2021; 46:12-18. [PMID: 35229576 DOI: 10.52707/1081-1710-46.1.12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2020] [Accepted: 10/05/2020] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Habitat preference and usage by disease vectors are directly correlated with landscapes often undergoing anthropogenic environmental change. A predominant type of land use change occurring in the United States is the expansion of native and non-native woody plant species in grasslands, but little is known regarding the impact of this expansion on regional vector-borne disease transmission. In this study, we focused on the impact of expanding eastern redcedar (Juniperus virginiana; ERC) and tested two hypotheses involving relationships between habitat preferences of adult tick species in rural habitats in central Oklahoma. Using CO2 traps, we collected ticks from two densities of ERC and grassland and screened adult ticks for the presence of pathogen DNA. We found support for our first hypothesis with significantly more Amblyomma americanum (Linnaeus) and Dermacentor variabilis (Say) collected in ERC habitats than in grassland. Our second hypothesis was also supported, as Ehrlichia- and Rickettsia-infected A. americanum were significantly more likely to be collected from ERC habitats than grassland. As the first evidence that links woody plant encroachment with important tick-borne pathogens in the continental United States, these results have important ramifications involving human and companion animal risk for encountering pathogen-infected ticks in the southern Great Plains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruce H Noden
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078, U.S.A.
| | - Evan P Tanner
- Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute, Texas A&M University-Kingsville, Kingsville, TX 78363, U.S.A
- Department of Natural Resource and Ecology Management, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078, U.S.A
| | - John A Polo
- Department of Natural Resource and Ecology Management, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078, U.S.A
| | - Sam D Fuhlendorf
- Department of Natural Resource and Ecology Management, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078, U.S.A
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de Paula LGF, Zeringóta V, Sampaio ALN, Bezerra GP, Barreto ALG, Dos Santos AA, Miranda VC, Paula WVDF, Neves LC, Secchis MV, Alves SDGA, Sevá ADP, Borges LMF, Monteiro C, Dantas-Torres F, Krawczak FDS. Seasonal dynamics of Amblyomma sculptum in two areas of the Cerrado biome midwestern Brazil, where human cases of rickettsiosis have been reported. Exp Appl Acarol 2021; 84:215-225. [PMID: 33860867 DOI: 10.1007/s10493-021-00615-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2021] [Accepted: 04/08/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Amblyomma sculptum is a common human-biting tick in Brazil, where it plays an important role as a vector of Rickettsia rickettsii, the agent of the Brazilian spotted fever. Herein, we studied the seasonal dynamics of A. sculptum in an urban area of the Cerrado biome in midwestern Brazil, where human rickettsiosis is endemic. Ticks were collected in two sites located within the campus of Federal University of Goiás. The collections were done by dragging, flagging and visual search. In total, 117,685 ticks were collected, including 100,627 Amblyomma spp. larvae, 10,055 nymphs and 6977 adults of A. sculptum, and one nymph and 25 adults of Amblyomma dubitatum. The highest peak of larvae occurred in June 2018 and in July 2019, whereas nymphs peaked in July 2018 and September 2019. Adults reached their highest numbers in March 2018 and November 2019. These data suggest that A. sculptum develops one generation per year in this urban area of the Cerrado biome in midwestern Brazil. Interestingly, the peak of nymphs occurred during the same period of all confirmed cases of rickettsiosis in Goiás, suggesting a possible relationship between the seasonal dynamics of this tick stage and rickettsiosis transmission in this state.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luiza Gabriella Ferreira de Paula
- Post-graduation Program in Animal Science, Federal University of Goiás (UFG), Avenida Esperança, s/n, Campus Samambaia74.690-900, Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil
| | - Viviane Zeringóta
- Post-graduation Program in Animal Science, Federal University of Goiás (UFG), Avenida Esperança, s/n, Campus Samambaia74.690-900, Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil
| | - Aparecida Lorrany Nunes Sampaio
- Undergraduation in Veterinary Medicine at Federal, University of Goiás, Avenida Esperança, s/n, Campus Samambaia74.690-900, Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil
| | - Giovana Pereira Bezerra
- Undergraduation in Biological Science at Federal University of Goiás, Avenida Esperança, s/n, Campus Samambaia, Goiânia, Goiás, 74.690-900, Brazil
| | - Ana Laura Gonçalves Barreto
- Undergraduation in Veterinary Medicine at Federal, University of Goiás, Avenida Esperança, s/n, Campus Samambaia74.690-900, Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil
| | - Andreza Alves Dos Santos
- Undergraduation in Veterinary Medicine at Federal, University of Goiás, Avenida Esperança, s/n, Campus Samambaia74.690-900, Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil
| | - Vanessa Carvalho Miranda
- Undergraduation in Veterinary Medicine at Federal, University of Goiás, Avenida Esperança, s/n, Campus Samambaia74.690-900, Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil
| | - Warley Vieira de Freitas Paula
- Post-graduation Program in Animal Science, Federal University of Goiás (UFG), Avenida Esperança, s/n, Campus Samambaia74.690-900, Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil
| | - Lucianne Cardoso Neves
- Post-graduation Program in Animal Science, Federal University of Goiás (UFG), Avenida Esperança, s/n, Campus Samambaia74.690-900, Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil
| | - Mirna Vieira Secchis
- Post-graduation Program in Animal Science, Federal University of Goiás (UFG), Avenida Esperança, s/n, Campus Samambaia74.690-900, Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil
| | - Susy das Graças Alecrim Alves
- Undergraduation in Veterinary Medicine at Federal, University of Goiás, Avenida Esperança, s/n, Campus Samambaia74.690-900, Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil
| | - Anaiá da Paixão Sevá
- Department of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Santa Cruz State University (UESC), Rodovia Jorge Amado, km1645.662-900, Ilhéus, Bahia, Salobrinho, Brasil
| | - Lígia Miranda Ferreira Borges
- Post-graduation Program in Animal Science, Federal University of Goiás (UFG), Avenida Esperança, s/n, Campus Samambaia74.690-900, Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil
- Institute of Tropical Pathology and Public Health, Federal University of Goiás, Setor Universitário, Rua 235, s/n, Goiânia, Goiás, 74605-050, Brazil
| | - Caio Monteiro
- Post-graduation Program in Animal Science, Federal University of Goiás (UFG), Avenida Esperança, s/n, Campus Samambaia74.690-900, Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil
- Institute of Tropical Pathology and Public Health, Federal University of Goiás, Setor Universitário, Rua 235, s/n, Goiânia, Goiás, 74605-050, Brazil
| | - Filipe Dantas-Torres
- Department of Immunology, Aggeu Magalhães Institute - IAM, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (Fiocruz), Recife, PE, Brazil
| | - Felipe da Silva Krawczak
- Post-graduation Program in Animal Science, Federal University of Goiás (UFG), Avenida Esperança, s/n, Campus Samambaia74.690-900, Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil.
- Veterinary and Animal Science School at the Federal University of Goiás, Avenida Esperança, s/n, Campus Samambaia74.690-900, Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil.
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Kassiri H, Nasirian H. New insights about human tick infestation features: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int 2021; 28:17000-17028. [PMID: 33641105 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-021-13102-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2020] [Accepted: 02/18/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
There are many studies that provide information regarding ticks infesting humans. However, there is no a meta-analysis about the global ranks of tick infestation rates and records, global monthly tick bites and annually and periodically trends of tick infestation rates, and the global tick infestation rates among years, mounts, regions, and countries. The study provides new insights about the above objectives in a global context and therefore performed. After a preliminary review of the 610 papers representing objective areas, 241 were selected for detailed meta-analysis. In general, the global ranks of tick species were, respectively, between 0.01-85.4% and 1-53 for human infestation rates and records. Twenty-six and sixteen tick species have more than 10% and 10 records of human tick infestation rates and records, respectively. It seems these tick species tend to be more blood-feeding on humans and as a result can be more dangerous to humans. The outcome of study demonstrated that there is no difference between seasonal human tick infestation patterns in the northern and southern hemispheres. The most global monthly mean tick bites in humans were observed in June then followed in July, August, May, and September. The global annually and periodically trends of tick infestation rates in humans exhibited decreasing trends over the past decades suggesting the preventive measure to prohibit human tick infestation have been successful. It seems that the ranks of tick infestation rates and records in humans may be as two indexes to illustrate the degree of importance of tick infesting humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hamid Kassiri
- Department of Medical Entomology, School of Public Health, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Hassan Nasirian
- Department of Medical Entomology and Vector Control, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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Saleh MN, Allen KE, Lineberry MW, Little SE, Reichard MV. Ticks infesting dogs and cats in North America: Biology, geographic distribution, and pathogen transmission. Vet Parasitol 2021; 294:109392. [PMID: 33971481 PMCID: PMC9235321 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2021.109392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2020] [Revised: 01/20/2021] [Accepted: 02/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
A diverse array of ixodid and argasid ticks infest dogs and cats in North America, resulting in skin lesions, blood loss, and disease. The ticks most commonly found on pets in this region are hard ticks of the genera Amblyomma, Dermacentor, Ixodes, and Rhipicephalus, as well as the more recently established Haemaphysalis longicornis. Soft tick genera, especially Otobius and Ornithodoros, are also reported from pets in some regions. In this review, we provide a summary of the complex and diverse life histories, distinct morphologies, and questing and feeding behaviors of the more common ticks of dogs and cats in North America with a focus on recent changes in geographic distribution. We also review pathogens of dogs and cats associated with the different tick species, some of which can cause serious, potentially fatal disease, and describe the zoonotic risk posed by ticks of pets. Understanding the natural history of ticks and the maintenance cycles responsible for providing an ongoing source of tick-borne infections is critical to effectively combatting the challenges ticks pose to the health of pets and people.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meriam N Saleh
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma, 74078, United States
| | - Kelly E Allen
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma, 74078, United States.
| | - Megan W Lineberry
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma, 74078, United States
| | - Susan E Little
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma, 74078, United States
| | - Mason V Reichard
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma, 74078, United States
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Lippi CA, Gaff HD, White AL, Ryan SJ. Scoping review of distribution models for selected Amblyomma ticks and rickettsial group pathogens. PeerJ 2021; 9:e10596. [PMID: 33643699 PMCID: PMC7896504 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.10596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2020] [Accepted: 11/26/2020] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
The rising prevalence of tick-borne diseases in humans in recent decades has called attention to the need for more information on geographic risk for public health planning. Species distribution models (SDMs) are an increasingly utilized method of constructing potential geographic ranges. There are many knowledge gaps in our understanding of risk of exposure to tick-borne pathogens, particularly for those in the rickettsial group. Here, we conducted a systematic scoping review of the SDM literature for rickettsial pathogens and tick vectors in the genus Amblyomma. Of the 174 reviewed articles, only 24 studies used SDMs to estimate the potential extent of vector and/or pathogen ranges. The majority of studies (79%) estimated only tick distributions using vector presence as a proxy for pathogen exposure. Studies were conducted at different scales and across multiple continents. Few studies undertook original data collection, and SDMs were mostly built with presence-only datasets from public database or surveillance sources. The reliance on existing data sources, using ticks as a proxy for disease risk, may simply reflect a lag in new data acquisition and a thorough understanding of the tick-pathogen ecology involved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine A. Lippi
- Department of Geography, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
- Emerging Pathogens Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Holly D. Gaff
- Department of Biology, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA, USA
- School of Mathematics, Statistics and Computer Science, University of Kwa-Zulu Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Alexis L. White
- Department of Geography, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
- Emerging Pathogens Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Sadie J. Ryan
- Department of Geography, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
- Emerging Pathogens Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
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Ayana M, Gelaye A, Fesseha H, Mathewos M. Study on the distribution of ixodid ticks of cattle in pastoral areas of Yabello district, Borana zone, Oromia, Ethiopia. Parasite Epidemiol Control 2021; 12:e00200. [PMID: 33537469 PMCID: PMC7840475 DOI: 10.1016/j.parepi.2021.e00200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2020] [Revised: 01/04/2021] [Accepted: 01/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ticks and tick-borne diseases cause major losses in the livestock economy. From both human and veterinary viewpoints, ticks are very important vectors. METHODS AND RESULTS This cross-sectional research was conducted to study the prevalence, tick distribution, and related risk factors in the Borana pastoral region of the Yabello district, Oromia regional state, Ethiopia. A total of 445 cattle were examined for the presence of tick infestation collected from different body parts of the cattle and 89.89% (400/445) of indigenous cattle harbor a total of 7,778 adult ticks belonging to four different genera of ticks namely Rhipicephalus (78.31%), Amblyomma (13.46%), Boophilus (7.01%), and Hyalomma (1.22%). Besides, Rhipicephalus pulchellus (73.17%) and Amblyomma varigatum (7.57%) were among the most prevalent tick species identified whereas Hyalomma dromedari (0.08%) was found to be the least one. In this study, high proportions of ticks were collected from the head and ear (34.57%) followed by anus and vulva (29.47%), scrotum/udder (19.18%), dewlap and neck (8.77%), brisket (7.16%) and belly and back (0.85%). Moreover, a high proportion of Amblyomma species were collected from scrotum/udder (47.76%) and brisket (38.01%); Rhipicephalus species from head and ear (41.14%), anus and vulva (33.64%); Hyalomma species from scrotum/udder (41.05%), anus and vulva (28.42%) and dewlap and neck (20%) whereas most Boophilus species were collected from anus and vulva region (32.48%) and head and ear (31.19%). A statistically significant difference (P < 0.05) was observed among potential risk factors like age group being higher in adult animals and different kebeles such as Dharito kebele and Dida Tuyoura ranch. CONCLUSION The result of this survey indicates that economically important ticks are widespread throughout the study areas and their presence in abundance is alerting. To minimize losses attributed to ticks and tick-borne disease cost-effective control strategy should be designed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minwyelet Ayana
- Guagusa shikudad District Veterinary Clinic, Awi zone, Amhara region, Ethiopia
| | - Abaynew Gelaye
- Guangua District Veterinary Clinic, Awi Zone, Amhara Region, Ethiopia
| | - Haben Fesseha
- Wolaita Sodo University, School of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinary Surgery and Diagnostic Imaging, P.O. Box 138, Wolaita Sodo, Ethiopia
| | - Mesfin Mathewos
- Wolaita Sodo University, School of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinary Pathology, P.O. Box 138, Wolaita Sodo, Ethiopia
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Alugubelly N, Stokes JV, Cross CE, Ross AML, Crawford AE, Fiihr GF, Varela-Stokes AS. Beyond the IFA: Revisiting the ELISA as a More Sensitive, Objective, and Quantitative Evaluation of Spotted Fever Group Rickettsia Exposure. Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10020088. [PMID: 33498380 PMCID: PMC7909427 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10020088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2020] [Revised: 01/18/2021] [Accepted: 01/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Based on limited serological studies, at least 10% of the US population has been exposed to spotted fever group Rickettsia (SFGR) species. The immunofluorescence antibody assay (IFA) has been the gold standard for the serodiagnosis of rickettsial infections such as spotted fever rickettsiosis (SFR). However, the IFA is semi-quantitative and subjective, requiring a high level of expertise to interpret it correctly. Here, we developed an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the serodiagnosis of Rickettsia parkeri infection in the guinea pig. Our ELISA is an objective, quantitative, and high-throughput assay that shows greater sensitivity and resolution in observed titers than the IFA. We methodically optimized relevant parameters in sequence for optimal signal-to-noise ratio and low coefficient of variation% values. We used a guinea pig model as it is a part of our overall research efforts to understand the immunological and clinical response to SFGR species after tick transmission. Guinea pigs are a useful model to study SFR and show clinical signs of SFR, such as fever and eschars. We anticipate that this assay will be easily adapted to other hosts, including humans and other SFGR species.
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Labruna MB, Martins TF, Acosta ICL, Serpa MCA, Soares HS, Teixeira RHF, Fernandes-Santos RC, Medici EP. Ticks and rickettsial exposure in lowland tapirs (Tapirus terrestris) of three Brazilian biomes. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2021; 12:101648. [PMID: 33508536 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2021.101648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2020] [Revised: 12/29/2020] [Accepted: 12/30/2020] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
This study evaluated ticks and rickettsial exposure in 220 free-ranging lowland tapirs, Tapirus terrestris, from 2006 to 2018 in selected areas of three major biomes of Brazil - Atlantic Forest, Pantanal, and Cerrado. Overall, a total of 5970 tick specimens representing the following nine species were collected from tapirs: Amblyomma brasiliense, Amblyomma coelebs, Amblyomma dubitatum, Amblyomma ovale, Amblyomma parvum, Amblyomma sculptum, Amblyomma triste, Haemaphysalis juxtakochi, and Rhipicephalus microplus. Amblyomma sculptum was the most prevalent and abundant tick species in all three biomes; however, mean intensity values for A. sculptum were significantly lower in Atlantic Forest than in the Pantanal or Cerrado, and at the same time, statistically similar among tapirs from Pantanal and Cerrado. Contrastingly, mean intensity values for A. coelebs were significantly higher in the Atlantic Forest than in the other biomes. The remaining tick species were collected in lower numbers, or were exclusive for one biome, e.g., A. brasiliense and H. juxtakochi only in the Atlantic Forest. A total of 177 blood sera (123 individuals plus 54 recaptures) were collected from tapirs and tested for the presence of reactive antibodies to six Rickettsia species by immunofluorescence assay. Overall, 69% (9/13), 49% (62/126), and 66% (25/38) tapir sera from Atlantic Forest, Pantanal and Cerrado, respectively, were seroreactive to at least one Rickettsia species, with no significant difference between the three areas. Although many tapir sera reacted simultaneously to ≥2 Rickettsia species, Rickettsia parkeri elicited highest % seroprevalence and endpoint titers, and was incriminated as the possible agent involved in a homologous reaction in tapirs from the three biomes, where A. ovale was previously found infected by R. parkeri. In fact, seroconversion to R. parkeri was demonstrated in five tapirs that were captured at least twice during the study. This study demonstrated that tapirs were found to be constantly infested by several tick species in the Atlantic Forest, Pantanal and Cerrado biomes; however, the richness of tick infestations was concordant to the tick species known to be established in each biome. Under natural conditions, lowland tapirs were shown to be exposed to tick-borne spotted fever group rickettsiae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcelo B Labruna
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
| | - Thiago F Martins
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Igor C L Acosta
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil; Programa de Monitoramento da Biodiversidade Aquática na Área Ambiental I Rede Rio Doce Mar/Projeto Albatroz, Instituto Albatroz, Santos, SP, Brazil
| | - Maria Carolina A Serpa
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Herbert Sousa Soares
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Medicina e Bem-Estar Animal e Saúde Única, Universidade Santo Amaro, R. Prof. Enéas de Siqueira Neto, 340 - Jardim das Imbuias, São Paulo, SP 04829-300, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo H F Teixeira
- Parque Zoológico Municipal "Quinzinho de Barros", Sorocaba, SP, Brazil; Universidade de Sorocaba - UNISO, Sorocaba, SP, Brazil
| | - Renata Carolina Fernandes-Santos
- International Union for Conservation of Nature, Species Survival Commission, Tapir Specialist Group, Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul 79046-150, Brazil
| | - Emília Patrícia Medici
- International Union for Conservation of Nature, Species Survival Commission, Tapir Specialist Group, Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul 79046-150, Brazil; Lowland Tapir Conservation Initiative, Institute for Ecological Research, Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul 79046-150, Brazil; School of Environmental Conservation and Sustainability, Nazaré Paulista, São Paulo 12960-000, Brazil
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Martínez-Sánchez ET, Cardona-Romero M, Ortiz-Giraldo M, Tobón-Escobar WD, Moreno-López D, Ossa-López PA, Pérez-Cárdenas JE, Labruna MB, Martins TF, Castaño-Villa GJ, Rivera-Páez FA. Rickettsia spp. in ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) from wild birds in Caldas, Colombia. Acta Trop 2021; 213:105733. [PMID: 33159903 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2020.105733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2020] [Revised: 10/04/2020] [Accepted: 10/06/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Several bacteria belonging to the genus Rickettsia are recognized as causal agents of diseases in domestic and wild animals and humans. These bacteria are considered emerging or reemerging and are transmitted by ticks, fleas, and lice vectors. In recent decades, there have been reports of rickettsias in ticks of the genus Amblyomma, Ixodes, and Haemaphysalis collected from wild birds. Accordingly, birds play a plausible role in the transport and spread of ticks infected by Rickettsia spp. In this study, we performed molecular detection of Rickettsia species in ticks collected from wild birds in the department of Caldas, Colombia. We detected and identified Rickettsia amblyommatis, 'Candidatus Rickettsia colombianensi' and a Rickettsia sp. closely related to 'Candidatus Rickettsia tarasevichiae' and Rickettsia canadensis. This study contributes to the knowledge on infection by Rickettsia in ticks collected from wild birds in Colombia. We also provide the first reports of infection by R. amblyommatis in the genus Ixodes collected from wild birds in South America and the presence of Rickettsia at elevations above 3000 m a.s.l.
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Arrais RC, Paula RC, Martins TF, Nieri-Bastos FA, Marcili A, Labruna MB. Survey of ticks and tick-borne agents in maned wolves (Chrysocyon brachyurus) from a natural landscape in Brazil. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2020; 12:101639. [PMID: 33360385 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2020.101639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2020] [Revised: 10/31/2020] [Accepted: 12/07/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
This study evaluated ticks and tick-borne agents in 104 captures of the maned wolf Chrysocyon brachyurus (50 different individuals and 54 recaptures) in the Serra da Canastra National Park (SCNP), a Cerrado preserved area in southeastern Brazil, from 2005 to 2012. From the 104 capture events, a total of 1,206 ticks were collected on 94 occasions (90.4 %), and identified into five species: Amblyomma tigrinum (77.3 % of all collected ticks), Amblyomma sculptum (16.6 %), Amblyomma ovale (0.1 %), Amblyomma brasiliense (0.1 %), Rhipicephalus microplus (0.1 %), and Amblyomma spp. larvae (5.8 %). Molecular analyses of A. tigrinum adult ticks revealed the presence of 'Candidatus Rickettsia andeanae', Rickettsia parkeri sensu stricto, two different haplotypes of 'Ca. Midichloria sp.', and a Hepatozoon canis haplotype. Molecular analyses of maned wolf blood samples revealed two distinct haplotypes of Hepatozoon spp., one identical to the H. canis genotype that was detected in the A. tigrinum ticks, and a Hepatozoon americanum-like haplotype. None tick or blood samples yielded amplicons through PCR assays targeting the genera Ehrlichia, Anaplasma, Babesia, Rangelia, Cytauxzoon, and Theileria. Maned wolf serum samples were tested by immunofluorescence assay against antigens of five Rickettsia species (R. parkeri, R. rickettsii, R. amblyommatis, R. rhipicephali, and R. bellii) and Ehrlichia canis. Among 78 serum samples (45 captures plus 33 recaptures), 74 (95 %) were reactive to at least one Rickettsia species, with R. parkeri eliciting the highest endpoint titers. Some maned wolves that were recaptured during the study were shown to seroconvert to R. parkeri. Serum-reactiveness to E. canis was detected in 36 % (16/45) maned wolves. During the study, general clinical signs of tick-borne diseases were not found in any of the captured animals, indicating that they were under a good health status in the SCNP, despite of been exposed to ticks (mostly A. tigrinum) and some tick-borne agents (Rickettsia, Hepatozoon, Ehrlichia). The results of the present study might represent baseline data for the conservation of the maned wolf in its natural habitat, which should be used to interpret further studies about ticks and tick-borne diseases in maned wolves within human-modified landscapes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ricardo C Arrais
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Rogério C Paula
- Centro Nacional de Pesquisa e Conservação de Mamíferos Carnívoros, Instituto Chico Mendes de Conservação da Biodiversidade, Ministério do Meio Ambiente, Atibaia, SP, Brazil
| | - Thiago F Martins
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil; Departamento de Laboratórios Especializados, Superintendência de Controle de Endemias, Secretaria de Estado da Saúde de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Fernanda A Nieri-Bastos
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Arlei Marcili
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Medicina e Bem-Estar Animal e Saúde Única, Universidade Santo Amaro, R. Prof. Enéas de Siqueira Neto, 340 - Jardim das Imbuias, São Paulo, SP, 04829-300, Brazil
| | - Marcelo B Labruna
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
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Springer A, Shuaib YA, Isaa MH, Ezz-Eldin MIE, Osman AY, Yagoub IA, Abdalla MA, Bakiet AO, Mohmed-Noor SET, Schaper S, Rieß R, Dobler G, Strube C, Bakkes DK, Chitimia-Dobler L. Tick Fauna and Associated Rickettsia, Theileria, and Babesia spp. in Domestic Animals in Sudan (North Kordofan and Kassala States). Microorganisms 2020; 8:E1969. [PMID: 33322349 PMCID: PMC7763929 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms8121969] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2020] [Revised: 12/02/2020] [Accepted: 12/09/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Ticks and tick-borne diseases (TBDs) have a major economic impact on animal production worldwide. In the present study, 2410 ticks were collected from January to August 2017 from livestock and other domestic animals in North Kordofan and Kassala, Sudan, for species identification and investigation of Rickettsia spp. and piroplasms, either individually or as pools containing up to 10 ticks by molecular methods. In total, 13 tick species were identified by morphology and 16S rDNA sequencing. The most frequent tick species were Hyalomma impeltatum (24.90%), Rhipicephalus evertsi evertsi (18.84%), Amblyomma lepidum (16.06%), and Rhipicephalus camicasi (12.49%). A pan-Rickettsia real-time PCR revealed an overall minimum infection rate (MIR) with Rickettsia spp. of 5.64% (136 positive tick pools/2410 total ticks). Rickettsia africae and Rickettsia aeschlimannii were the most frequently identified species by sequencing. Furthermore, the following highly pathogenic livestock parasites were detected: Theileria annulata, Theileria lestoquardi, Theileria equi, and Babesia caballi. The present study documented Rhipicephalus afranicus as well as Rickettsia conorii israelensis, Rickettsia massiliae, and Babesia pecorum for the first time in Sudan. These findings are significant for the animal production sector as well as in terms of One Health, as the detected Rickettsia spp. can cause serious illness in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Springer
- Institute for Parasitology, Centre for Infection Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Buenteweg 17, 30559 Hanover, Germany;
| | - Yassir Adam Shuaib
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Sudan University of Science and Technology, Hilat Kuku, Khartoum North 13321, Sudan; (Y.A.S.); (M.A.A.); (A.O.B.)
| | - Makarim Habib Isaa
- Veterinary Research Institute, Soba, Khartoum 11121, Sudan; (M.H.I.); (I.A.Y.)
| | | | - Abdinasir Yusuf Osman
- The Royal Veterinary College, University of London, Hawkshead Lane, North Mymms, Hatfield AL9 7TA, Hertfordshire, UK;
| | - Idris Ahmed Yagoub
- Veterinary Research Institute, Soba, Khartoum 11121, Sudan; (M.H.I.); (I.A.Y.)
| | - Mohamed Abdalsalam Abdalla
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Sudan University of Science and Technology, Hilat Kuku, Khartoum North 13321, Sudan; (Y.A.S.); (M.A.A.); (A.O.B.)
| | - Amel Omer Bakiet
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Sudan University of Science and Technology, Hilat Kuku, Khartoum North 13321, Sudan; (Y.A.S.); (M.A.A.); (A.O.B.)
| | | | - Sabine Schaper
- Bundeswehr Institute of Microbiology, 80937 Munich, Germany; (S.S.); (R.R.); (G.D.); (L.C.-D.)
| | - Ramona Rieß
- Bundeswehr Institute of Microbiology, 80937 Munich, Germany; (S.S.); (R.R.); (G.D.); (L.C.-D.)
| | - Gerhard Dobler
- Bundeswehr Institute of Microbiology, 80937 Munich, Germany; (S.S.); (R.R.); (G.D.); (L.C.-D.)
- Department of Parasitology, University of Hohenheim, 70599 Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Christina Strube
- Institute for Parasitology, Centre for Infection Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Buenteweg 17, 30559 Hanover, Germany;
| | - Deon K. Bakkes
- Gertrud Theiler Tick Museum, Onderstepoort Veterinary Research, Pretoria 0001, South Africa;
- Evolutionary Genomics Group, Department of Botany and Zoology, Stellenbosch University, Matieland, 7602 Stellenbosch, South Africa
| | - Lidia Chitimia-Dobler
- Bundeswehr Institute of Microbiology, 80937 Munich, Germany; (S.S.); (R.R.); (G.D.); (L.C.-D.)
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Hussain-Yusuf H, Stenos J, Vincent G, Shima A, Abell S, Preece ND, Tadepalli M, Hii SF, Bowie N, Mitram K, Graves S. Screening for Rickettsia, Coxiella and Borrelia Species in Ticks from Queensland, Australia. Pathogens 2020; 9:E1016. [PMID: 33276564 PMCID: PMC7761571 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens9121016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2020] [Revised: 11/19/2020] [Accepted: 11/19/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Tick bites in Australia are linked to the transmission of a variety of infectious diseases in humans, livestock and wildlife. Despite this recognition, little is currently known about the variety of potential pathogens that are carried and transmitted by Australian ticks. In this study, we attempted to expand knowledge of Australian tick-borne bacterial pathogens by analyzing various tick species from the state of Queensland for potential human pathogens belonging to the Rickettsia, Coxiella and Borrelia genera. A total of 203 ticks, comprising of four genera and nine different tick species, were screened by specific qPCR assays. An overall Rickettsia qPCR positivity of 6.4% (13/203) was detected with rickettsial DNA found in four tick species (Ixodes holocyclus, I. tasmani, Amblyommatriguttatum, and Haemaphysalis longicornis). Amplification and analysis of several rickettsial genes from rickettsial qPCR positive samples identified sequences closely related to but genetically distinct from several previously described cultured and uncultured rickettsial species in the Rickettsia spotted fever subgroup. No ticks were positive for either Coxiella or Borrelia DNA. This work suggests that a further diversity of rickettsiae remain to be described in Australian ticks with the full importance of these bacteria to human and animal health yet to be elucidated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hazizul Hussain-Yusuf
- Australian Rickettsial Reference Laboratory, Geelong University Hospital, Geelong 3216, Victoria, Australia; (H.H.-Y.); (G.V.); (M.T.); (S.F.H.); (S.G.)
| | - John Stenos
- Australian Rickettsial Reference Laboratory, Geelong University Hospital, Geelong 3216, Victoria, Australia; (H.H.-Y.); (G.V.); (M.T.); (S.F.H.); (S.G.)
| | - Gemma Vincent
- Australian Rickettsial Reference Laboratory, Geelong University Hospital, Geelong 3216, Victoria, Australia; (H.H.-Y.); (G.V.); (M.T.); (S.F.H.); (S.G.)
| | - Amy Shima
- Centre for Tropical Environmental and Sustainability Science, James Cook University, Townsville 4611, Queensland, Australia; (A.S.); (N.D.P.)
| | - Sandra Abell
- Centre for Tropical Biodiversity and Climate Change, James Cook University, Townsville 4611, Queensland, Australia; (S.A.); (N.B.); (K.M.)
| | - Noel D. Preece
- Centre for Tropical Environmental and Sustainability Science, James Cook University, Townsville 4611, Queensland, Australia; (A.S.); (N.D.P.)
- Research Institute for Environment and Livelihoods, Charles Darwin University, Darwin 0815, Northern Territory, Australia
| | - Mythili Tadepalli
- Australian Rickettsial Reference Laboratory, Geelong University Hospital, Geelong 3216, Victoria, Australia; (H.H.-Y.); (G.V.); (M.T.); (S.F.H.); (S.G.)
| | - Sze Fui Hii
- Australian Rickettsial Reference Laboratory, Geelong University Hospital, Geelong 3216, Victoria, Australia; (H.H.-Y.); (G.V.); (M.T.); (S.F.H.); (S.G.)
| | - Naomi Bowie
- Centre for Tropical Biodiversity and Climate Change, James Cook University, Townsville 4611, Queensland, Australia; (S.A.); (N.B.); (K.M.)
| | - Kate Mitram
- Centre for Tropical Biodiversity and Climate Change, James Cook University, Townsville 4611, Queensland, Australia; (S.A.); (N.B.); (K.M.)
| | - Stephen Graves
- Australian Rickettsial Reference Laboratory, Geelong University Hospital, Geelong 3216, Victoria, Australia; (H.H.-Y.); (G.V.); (M.T.); (S.F.H.); (S.G.)
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Nepean Hospital, NSW Health Pathology, Penrith 2747, New South Wales, Australia
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Gillingham EL, Cull B, Pietzsch ME, Phipps LP, Medlock JM, Hansford K. The Unexpected Holiday Souvenir: The Public Health Risk to UK Travellers from Ticks Acquired Overseas. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2020; 17:E7957. [PMID: 33138220 PMCID: PMC7663673 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17217957] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2020] [Revised: 10/23/2020] [Accepted: 10/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Overseas travel to regions where ticks are found can increase travellers' exposure to ticks and pathogens that may be unfamiliar to medical professionals in their home countries. Previous studies have detailed non-native tick species removed from recently returned travellers, occasionally leading to travel-associated human cases of exotic tick-borne disease. There are 20 species of tick endemic to the UK, yet UK travellers can be exposed to many other non-native species whilst overseas. Here, we report ticks received by Public Health England's Tick Surveillance Scheme from humans with recent travel history between January 2006 and December 2018. Altogether, 16 tick species were received from people who had recently travelled overseas. Confirmed imports (acquired outside of the UK) were received from people who recently travelled to 22 countries. Possible imports (acquired abroad or within the UK) were received from people who had recently travelled to eight European countries. Species-specific literature reviews highlighted nine of the sixteen tick species are known to vector at least one tick-borne pathogen to humans in the country of acquisition, suggesting travellers exposed to ticks may be at risk of being bitten by a species that is a known vector, with implications for novel tick-borne disease transmission to travellers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma L. Gillingham
- Medical Entomology and Zoonoses Ecology, Emergency Response Department, Public Health England, Porton Down, Salisbury SP4 0JG, UK; (B.C.); (M.E.P.); (J.M.M.); (K.H.)
| | - Benjamin Cull
- Medical Entomology and Zoonoses Ecology, Emergency Response Department, Public Health England, Porton Down, Salisbury SP4 0JG, UK; (B.C.); (M.E.P.); (J.M.M.); (K.H.)
| | - Maaike E. Pietzsch
- Medical Entomology and Zoonoses Ecology, Emergency Response Department, Public Health England, Porton Down, Salisbury SP4 0JG, UK; (B.C.); (M.E.P.); (J.M.M.); (K.H.)
| | - L. Paul Phipps
- Wildlife Zoonoses and Vector-Borne Research Group, Department of Virology, Animal and Plant Health Agency, Addlestone, Surrey KT15 3NB, UK;
| | - Jolyon M. Medlock
- Medical Entomology and Zoonoses Ecology, Emergency Response Department, Public Health England, Porton Down, Salisbury SP4 0JG, UK; (B.C.); (M.E.P.); (J.M.M.); (K.H.)
| | - Kayleigh Hansford
- Medical Entomology and Zoonoses Ecology, Emergency Response Department, Public Health England, Porton Down, Salisbury SP4 0JG, UK; (B.C.); (M.E.P.); (J.M.M.); (K.H.)
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