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Ghodrati S, Lesiczka PM, Zurek L, Szekely F, Modrý D. Rhipicephalus sanguineus from Hungarian dogs: Tick identification and detection of tick-borne pathogens. Vet Parasitol Reg Stud Reports 2024; 50:101007. [PMID: 38644036 DOI: 10.1016/j.vprsr.2024.101007] [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: 09/08/2023] [Revised: 02/16/2024] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 04/23/2024]
Abstract
The brown dog tick, Rhipicephalus sanguineus is a complex of tick species with an unsettled species concept. In Europe, R. sanguineus is considered mainly a Mediterranean tick with sporadic findings in central and northern Europe. R. sanguineus is known as a vector of a range of pathogens of medical and veterinary importance, most of which not yet reported as autochthonous in Hungary. A total of 1839 ticks collected by veterinarians from dogs and cats were obtained in Hungary. The study aims at precise determination of ticks identified as R. sanguineus and detection of pathogens in collected ticks. All ticks were morphologically determined and 169 individuals were identified as R. sanguineus. A subset of 15 ticks was selected for molecular analysis (16S rDNA, 12S rDNA, COI). Phylogenetic analyses invariably placed sequences of all three markers into a single haplotype identified as R. sanguineus sensu stricto. All 169 brown dog ticks were tested for the presence of A. platys, E. canis, R. conorii, B. vogeli and H. canis. None of the investigated ticks was positive for the screened pathogens, though A. phagocytophilum sequence was detected in a single tick.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sajjad Ghodrati
- Department of Botany and Zoology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kotlářská 2, Brno, Czech Republic; Biology Centre, Institute of Parasitology, Czech Academy of Sciences, Branišovská 31, České Budějovice, Czech Republic.
| | - Paulina Maria Lesiczka
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcka 129, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Ludek Zurek
- CEITEC, University of Veterinary Sciences, Palackého třída 1946/1, Brno, Czech Republic; Department of Microbiology, Nutrition and Dietetics/CINeZ, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129, Prague, Czech Republic
| | | | - David Modrý
- Department of Botany and Zoology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kotlářská 2, Brno, Czech Republic; Biology Centre, Institute of Parasitology, Czech Academy of Sciences, Branišovská 31, České Budějovice, Czech Republic; Department of Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcka 129, Prague, Czech Republic
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Khogali R, Bastos A, Bargul JL, Getange D, Kabii J, Masiga D, Villinger J. Tissue-specific localization of tick-borne pathogens in ticks collected from camels in Kenya: insights into vector competence. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2024; 14:1382228. [PMID: 38698904 PMCID: PMC11063324 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2024.1382228] [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] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2024] [Accepted: 03/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Tick-borne pathogen (TBP) surveillance studies often use whole-tick homogenates when inferring tick-pathogen associations. However, localized TBP infections within tick tissues (saliva, hemolymph, salivary glands, and midgut) can inform pathogen transmission mechanisms and are key to disentangling pathogen detection from vector competence. Methods We screened 278 camel blood samples and 504 tick tissue samples derived from 126 camel ticks sampled in two Kenyan counties (Laikipia and Marsabit) for Anaplasma, Ehrlichia, Coxiella, Rickettsia, Theileria, and Babesia by PCR-HRM analysis. Results Candidatus Anaplasma camelii infections were common in camels (91%), but absent in all samples from Rhipicephalus pulchellus, Amblyomma gemma, Hyalomma dromedarii, and Hyalomma rufipes ticks. We detected Ehrlichia ruminantium in all tissues of the four tick species, but Rickettsia aeschlimannii was only found in Hy. rufipes (all tissues). Rickettsia africae was highest in Am. gemma (62.5%), mainly in the hemolymph (45%) and less frequently in the midgut (27.5%) and lowest in Rh. pulchellus (29.4%), where midgut and hemolymph detection rates were 17.6% and 11.8%, respectively. Similarly, in Hy. dromedarii, R. africae was mainly detected in the midgut (41.7%) but was absent in the hemolymph. Rickettsia africae was not detected in Hy. rufipes. No Coxiella, Theileria, or Babesia spp. were detected in this study. Conclusions The tissue-specific localization of R. africae, found mainly in the hemolymph of Am. gemma, is congruent with the role of this tick species as its transmission vector. Thus, occurrence of TBPs in the hemolymph could serve as a predictor of vector competence of TBP transmission, especially in comparison to detection rates in the midgut, from which they must cross tissue barriers to effectively replicate and disseminate across tick tissues. Further studies should focus on exploring the distribution of TBPs within tick tissues to enhance knowledge of TBP epidemiology and to distinguish competent vectors from dead-end hosts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rua Khogali
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe), Nairobi, Kenya
- Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Khartoum, Khartoum North, Sudan
| | - Armanda Bastos
- Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
- Department of Veterinary Tropical Diseases, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Joel L. Bargul
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe), Nairobi, Kenya
- Department of Biochemistry, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Dennis Getange
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe), Nairobi, Kenya
- School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - James Kabii
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe), Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Daniel Masiga
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe), Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Jandouwe Villinger
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe), Nairobi, Kenya
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Fathi A, Nabavi R, Noaman V, Sarani A, Saadati D, Ben Said M, Ghafar A, Jabbar A, Sazmand A. Molecular identification, risk factor assessment, and phylogenetic analysis of tick-borne pathogens in symptomatic and asymptomatic cattle from South-Eastern Iran. Exp Appl Acarol 2024; 92:479-506. [PMID: 38457048 DOI: 10.1007/s10493-023-00886-0] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2023] [Accepted: 12/29/2023] [Indexed: 03/09/2024]
Abstract
Tick-borne pathogens (TBPs) represent a substantial threat to cattle globally, exerting adverse impacts on production, health, and economic viability. This study delves into the prevalence and implications of TTBPs in cattle sourced from resource-limited smallholder livestock farms situated in southeastern Iran, proximate to Afghanistan and Pakistan. Blood and tick specimens were systematically collected from a cohort of 230 cattle, comprising 150 asymptomatic and 80 symptomatic individuals. Genomic DNA isolated from blood samples underwent rigorous examination for the presence of key TBPs, including Anaplasma marginale, A. phagocytophilum, A. bovis, A. centrale, Babesia bigemina, and Theileria annulata, utilizing multiple genetic markers. Nucleotide sequence analysis facilitated the reconstruction of phylogenetic relationships. The study also evaluated various potential risk factors, such as clinical status, gender, age, breed, tick infestation, and management practices, to elucidate their associations with TTBPs. Among the cattle cohort, a staggering 87.8% (202/230) tested positive for at least one pathogen. Prevalence statistics encompassed A. marginale (72.2%), T. annulata (68.3%), A. phagocytophilum/A. platys-like complex (66.1%), A. centrale (16.7%), B. bigemina (10.0%), and A. bovis (6.1%). Remarkably, mixed infections involving two, three, and four pathogens were detected in 23%, 52.1%, and 2.2% of animals, respectively. Notably, all asymptomatic cattle were positive for at least one TBP. Tick infestation was observed in 62.2% (143/230) of cattle, predominantly caused by Hyalomma anatolicum (82.5%), Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) annulatus (13.1%), and R. sanguineus sensu lato (4.4%). Risk factors linked to TBPs encompassed tick infestation, older age, and crossbred animals. Clinical presentations among symptomatic cattle encompassed fever, anemia, weight loss, anorexia, jaundice, and enlarged superficial lymph nodes. This study underscores the pivotal role of asymptomatic carriers in the propagation of TTBPs within endemic regions. Furthermore, it emphasizes the potential for the implementation of molecular diagnostics to unmask subclinical infections, thereby affording the opportunity for targeted interventions aimed at ameliorating the burden of TTBPs in resource-constrained smallholder dairy farms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atefeh Fathi
- Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zabol, Zabol, Iran
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro, Japan
| | - Reza Nabavi
- Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamedan, 6517658978, Iran.
| | - Vahid Noaman
- Department of Parasitic Disease Research, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Razi Vaccine and Serum Research Institute, Karaj, Iran
| | - Ali Sarani
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zabol, Bonjar Road, Zabol, 9861335856, Iran
| | - Dariush Saadati
- Department of Food Hygiene, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zabol, Bonjar Road, Zabol, 9861335856, Iran
| | - Mourad Ben Said
- Department of Basic Sciences, Higher Institute of Biotechnology of Sidi Thabet, University of Manouba, 2010, Manouba, Tunisia
- Laboratory of Microbiology, National School of Veterinary Medicine of Sidi Thabet, University of Manouba, 2010, Manouba, Tunisia
| | - Abdul Ghafar
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Science, The University of Melbourne, Werribee, VIC, 3030, Australia
| | - Abdul Jabbar
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Science, The University of Melbourne, Werribee, VIC, 3030, Australia
| | - Alireza Sazmand
- Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamedan, 6517658978, Iran
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Zhao HX, Zan XQ, Tao JZ, Dan XG. Molecular Characterization of Tick-borne Pathogens in Bactrian Camels and Ticks from Gansu Province, China. Acta Parasitol 2024; 69:343-350. [PMID: 38087038 DOI: 10.1007/s11686-023-00752-4] [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: 02/16/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 05/01/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE Ticks are dangerous ectoparasites for humans and other animals, and tick-borne pathogens of Bactrian camels have been epidemiologically surveyed in Gansu Province, China. We aimed to determine the current distribution of tick-borne pathogens among Bactrian camels in Gansu during August 2013 using molecular tools. METHODS All ticks underwent morphological identification. We extracted DNA from the blood samples and ticks, screened them for Theileria, Babesia, Anaplasma, and Ehrlichia using standard or nested PCR with specific primers. RESULTS All ticks collected from the skin were identified as Hyalomma asiaticum. The blood and tick samples harbored similar pathogens, including the Theileria species, T. annulata, T. luwenshuni, T. uilenbergi, and T. capreoli, the Anaplasma species A. bovis and uncultured Anaplasma, the Ehrlichia species E. canis and uncultured Ehrlichia, and a new haplotype of Babesia species. CONCLUSION Our findings of anaplasmataceae and piroplasmida in Bactrian camels in Gansu provide a theoretical basis for deeper investigation into the epidemiology of tick-borne pathogens in these camels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong-Xi Zhao
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Ningxia University, Yinchuan, 750021, People's Republic of China.
| | - Xiao-Qing Zan
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Ningxia University, Yinchuan, 750021, People's Republic of China
| | - Jin-Zhong Tao
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Ningxia University, Yinchuan, 750021, People's Republic of China
| | - Xin-Gang Dan
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Ningxia University, Yinchuan, 750021, People's Republic of China
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Heylen DJA, Kumsa B, Kimbita E, Frank MN, Muhanguzi D, Jongejan F, Adehan SB, Toure A, Aboagye-Antwi F, Ogo NI, Juleff N, Fourie J, Evans A, Byaruhanga J, Madder M. Tick communities of cattle in smallholder rural livestock production systems in sub-Saharan Africa. Parasit Vectors 2023; 16:206. [PMID: 37337296 PMCID: PMC10280850 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-023-05801-5] [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: 03/16/2023] [Accepted: 05/04/2023] [Indexed: 06/21/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The majority of the African population lives in rural areas and depends on agriculture for their livelihoods. To increase the productivity and sustainability of their farms, they need access to affordable yield-enhancing inputs of which parasite control is of paramount importance. We therefore determined the status of current tick species with the highest economic impact on cattle by sampling representative numbers of animals in each of seven sub-Saharan countries. METHODS Data included tick species' half-body counts from approximately 120 cattle at each of two districts per country, collected four times in approximately 1 year (to include seasonality). Study sites were chosen in each country to include high cattle density and tick burden. RESULTS East Africa (Ethiopia, Uganda and Tanzania) showed overall a higher diversity and prevalence in tick infestations compared to West African countries (Benin, Burkina Faso, Ghana and Nigeria). In East Africa, Amblyomma variegatum (vector of Ehrlichia ruminantium), Rhipicephalus microplus (Babesia bovis, B. bigemina, Anaplasma marginale), R. evertsi evertsi (A. marginale) and R. appendiculatus (Theileria parva) were the most prevalent tick species of economic importance. While the latter species was absent in West Africa, here both A. variegatum and R. microplus occurred in high numbers. Rhipicephalus microplus had spread to Uganda, infesting half of the cattle sampled. Rhipicephalus appendiculatus is known for its invasive behaviour and displacement of other blue tick species, as observed in other East and West African countries. Individual cattle with higher body weights, as well as males, were more likely to be infested. For six tick species, we found reduced infestation levels when hosts were treated with anti-parasiticides. CONCLUSIONS These baseline data allow the determination of possible changes in presence and prevalence of ticks in each of the countries targeted, which is of importance in the light of human-caused climate and habitat alterations or anthropogenic activities. As many of the ticks in this study are vectors of important pathogens, but also, as cattle may act as end hosts for ticks of importance to human health, our study will help a wide range of stakeholders to provide recommendations for tick infestation surveillance and prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dieter J A Heylen
- Evolutionary Ecology Group, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium.
- Interuniversity Institute for Biostatistics and Statistical Bioinformatics, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium.
| | - Bersissa Kumsa
- Department of Parasitology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Agriculture, Addis Ababa University, Bishoftu, Ethiopia
| | - Elikira Kimbita
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Parasitology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Sokoine University of Agriculture, 3019, Morogoro, Tanzania
| | - Mwiine Nobert Frank
- Department of Bio-molecular Resources and Bio-Laboratory Sciences (BBS), College of Veterinary Medicine, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Dennis Muhanguzi
- Department of Bio-molecular Resources and Bio-Laboratory Sciences (BBS), College of Veterinary Medicine, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Frans Jongejan
- Department of Veterinary Tropical Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Onderstepoort, South Africa
| | - Safiou Bienvenu Adehan
- National Institute of Agricultural Research (INRAB), Zootechnical, Veterinary and Halieutic Research Laboratory (LRZVH), 01 BP 884, Cotonou, Benin
| | - Alassane Toure
- Université Nangui Abrogoua, UFR Sciences de la Nature, 02 Bp 801, Abidjan 02, Côte d'Ivoire
| | - Fred Aboagye-Antwi
- Department of Animal Biology and Conservation Science, School of Biological Sciences, College of Basic and Applied Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon-Accra, Ghana
| | - Ndudim Isaac Ogo
- National Veterinary Research Institute, Vom, Plateau State, Nigeria
| | - Nick Juleff
- Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Josephus Fourie
- Clinvet International Pty (Ltd), 1479 Talmadge Hill South, Waverly, NY, 14892, USA
| | - Alec Evans
- Clinglobal, B03/04, The Tamarin Commercial Hub, Jacaranda Avenue, Tamarin, 90903, Mauritius
| | - Joseph Byaruhanga
- Research Center for Tropical Diseases and Vector Control (RTC), Department of Veterinary Pharmacy, Clinics and Comparative Medicine, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Resources, College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Maxime Madder
- Clinglobal, B03/04, The Tamarin Commercial Hub, Jacaranda Avenue, Tamarin, 90903, Mauritius
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Ravindran R, Hembram PK, Kumar GS, Kumar KGA, Deepa CK, Varghese A. Transovarial transmission of pathogenic protozoa and rickettsial organisms in ticks. Parasitol Res 2023; 122:691-704. [PMID: 36797442 PMCID: PMC9936132 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-023-07792-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [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: 07/09/2022] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 02/18/2023]
Abstract
Transovarial transmission (TOT) is an efficient vertical transmission of pathogens that is observed in many arthropod vectors. This method seems to be an evolutionarily unique development observed only in Babesia sensu stricto (clade VI) and Rickettsia spp., whereas transstadial transmission is the common/default way of transmission. Transovarial transmission does not necessarily contribute to the amplification of tick-borne pathogens but does contribute to the maintenance of disease in the environment. This review aims to provide an updated summary of previous reports on TOT of tick-borne pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reghu Ravindran
- Department of Veterinary Parasitology, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Pookode, Wayanad, Kerala, 673 576, India.
| | - Prabodh Kumar Hembram
- Department of Veterinary Parasitology, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Pookode, Wayanad, Kerala, 673 576, India
| | - Gatchanda Shravan Kumar
- Department of Veterinary Parasitology, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Pookode, Wayanad, Kerala, 673 576, India
| | | | - Chundayil Kalarickal Deepa
- Department of Veterinary Parasitology, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Pookode, Wayanad, Kerala, 673 576, India
| | - Anju Varghese
- Department of Veterinary Parasitology, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Pookode, Wayanad, Kerala, 673 576, India
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Chen K, Hu Z, Li J, Wang J, Liu D, Qi T, Guo W, Du C, Wang X. Prevalence and molecular epidemiology of equine piroplasmosis in China: a neglected tick-borne disease. Sci China Life Sci 2022; 65:445-447. [PMID: 34939161 DOI: 10.1007/s11427-021-2021-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2021] [Accepted: 10/27/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Kewei Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, Harbin Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Harbin, 150069, China
| | - Zhe Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, Harbin Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Harbin, 150069, China
| | - Jingkun Li
- Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150081, China
| | - Jingfei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, Harbin Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Harbin, 150069, China
| | - Diqiu Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, Harbin Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Harbin, 150069, China
| | - Ting Qi
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, Harbin Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Harbin, 150069, China
| | - Wei Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, Harbin Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Harbin, 150069, China
| | - Cheng Du
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, Harbin Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Harbin, 150069, China.
| | - Xiaojun Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, Harbin Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Harbin, 150069, China.
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Abstract
Tick-borne diseases are a growing problem in many parts of the world, and their surveillance and control touch on challenging issues in medical entomology, agricultural health, veterinary medicine, and biosecurity. Spatial approaches can be used to synthesize the data generated by integrative One Health surveillance systems, and help stakeholders, managers, and medical geographers understand the current and future distribution of risk. Here, we performed a systematic review of over 8,000 studies and identified a total of 303 scientific publications that map tick-borne diseases using data on vectors, pathogens, and hosts (including wildlife, livestock, and human cases). We find that the field is growing rapidly, with the major Ixodes-borne diseases (Lyme disease and tick-borne encephalitis in particular) giving way to monitoring efforts that encompass a broader range of threats. We find a tremendous diversity of methods used to map tick-borne disease, but also find major gaps: data on the enzootic cycle of tick-borne pathogens is severely underutilized, and mapping efforts are mostly limited to Europe and North America. We suggest that future work can readily apply available methods to track the distributions of tick-borne diseases in Africa and Asia, following a One Health approach that combines medical and veterinary surveillance for maximum impact.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine A Lippi
- Quantitative Disease Ecology and Conservation (QDEC) Lab, Department of Geography, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
- Emerging Pathogens Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
- Corresponding author, e-mail:
| | - Sadie J Ryan
- Quantitative Disease Ecology and Conservation (QDEC) Lab, Department of Geography, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
- Emerging Pathogens Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
- College of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Alexis L White
- Quantitative Disease Ecology and Conservation (QDEC) Lab, 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
| | - Colin J Carlson
- Center for Global Health Science and Security, Georgetown University Medical Center, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Georgetown University Medical Center, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, USA
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He L, Bastos RG, Sun Y, Hua G, Guan G, Zhao J, Suarez CE. Babesiosis as a potential threat for bovine production in China. Parasit Vectors 2021; 14:460. [PMID: 34493328 PMCID: PMC8425137 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-021-04948-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2021] [Accepted: 08/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Babesiosis is a tick-borne disease with global impact caused by parasites of the phylum Apicomplexa, genus Babesia. Typically, acute bovine babesiosis (BB) is characterized by fever, anemia, hemoglobinuria, and high mortality. Surviving animals remain persistently infected and become reservoirs for parasite transmission. Bovids in China can be infected by one or more Babesia species endemic to the country, including B. bovis, B. bigemina, B. orientalis, B. ovata, B. major, B. motasi, B. U sp. Kashi and B. venatorum. The latter may pose a zoonotic risk. Occurrence of this wide diversity of Babesia species in China may be due to a combination of favorable ecological factors, such as the presence of multiple tick vectors, including Rhipicephalus and Hyalomma, the coexistence of susceptible bovid species, such as domestic cattle, yaks, and water buffalo, and the lack of efficient measures of tick control. BB is currently widespread in several regions of the country and a limiting factor for cattle production. While some areas appear to have enzootic stability, others have considerable cattle mortality. Research is needed to devise solutions to the challenges posed by uncontrolled BB. Critical research gaps include risk assessment for cattle residing in endemic areas, understanding factors involved in endemic stability, evaluation of parasite diversity and pathogenicity of regional Babesia species, and estimation of whether and how BB should be controlled in China. Research should allow the design of comprehensive interventions to improve cattle production, diminish the risk of human infections, and increase the availability of affordable animal protein for human consumption in China and worldwide. In this review, we describe the current state of BB with reference to the diversity of hosts, vectors, and parasite species in China. We also discuss the unique risks and knowledge gaps that should be taken into consideration for future Babesia research and control strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lan He
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070 Hubei China
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164 USA
| | - Reginaldo G. Bastos
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164 USA
| | - Yali Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Plateau Ecology and Agriculture, College of Agriculture and Animal Husbandry, Qinghai University, Xining, 810016 People’s Republic of China
| | - Guohua Hua
- Key Lab of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Education, International Joint Research Centre for Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, College of Animal Science & Technology, Huazhong Agriculture University, Wuhan, Hubei China
| | - Guiquan Guan
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Xujiaping, Lanzhou, 730046 China
| | - Junlong Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070 Hubei China
| | - Carlos E. Suarez
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164 USA
- Animal Disease Research Unit, United States Department of Agricultural - Agricultural Research Service, Pullman, WA 99164 USA
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Sevestre J, Diarra AZ, Oumarou HA, Durant J, Delaunay P, Parola P. Detection of emerging tick-borne disease agents in the Alpes-Maritimes region, southeastern France. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2021; 12:101800. [PMID: 34352531 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2021.101800] [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] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2021] [Revised: 07/13/2021] [Accepted: 07/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Lyme borreliosis is a zoonotic tick-borne infection representing the most frequent vector-borne disease in the northern hemisphere. The Mediterranean rim is generally described as unsuitable for the European vector, Ixodes ricinus. We conducted an epidemiological study to assess whether I. ricinus was present and study its infection status for tick-borne bacteria. Ticks originating from southeastern France were obtained from flagging sampling and removed from animals and tick-bitten patients. Species level identification used morphological keys and MALDI-TOF MS. Quantitative PCR and sequencing assays were used to detect and identify tick-associated bacteria (Borrelia, Rickettsia, Anaplasmataceae, Bartonella, Coxiella burnetii) in each specimen. A total of 1232 ticks were collected in several localities. Among these, 863 were identified as I. ricinus (70%). Bacterial screening allowed identification of Lyme group Borrelia among I. ricinus ticks originating from various regional areas. Other emerging tick-borne pathogens like Borrelia miyamotoi and Rickettsia species were also detected. The Alpes-Maritimes region, part of the French Riviera, harbours I. ricinus ticks infected with Lyme group Borrelia and several other tick-borne bacterial agents. Clinicians and outdoor activity participants should be aware of the local Lyme borreliosis transmission risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacques Sevestre
- Service de Parasitologie, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nice, Nice, France; Institut Hospitalo-Universitaire Méditerranée Infection, 19-21 Boulevard Jean Moulin, Marseille 13385 Cedex 05, France; Aix-Marseille Univ, IRD, AP-HM, SSA, VITROME, Marseille, France
| | - Adama Zan Diarra
- Institut Hospitalo-Universitaire Méditerranée Infection, 19-21 Boulevard Jean Moulin, Marseille 13385 Cedex 05, France; Aix-Marseille Univ, IRD, AP-HM, SSA, VITROME, Marseille, France
| | | | - Jacques Durant
- Service d'Infectiologie, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nice, Nice, France
| | - Pascal Delaunay
- Service de Parasitologie, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nice, Nice, France; MIVEGEC, Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Philippe Parola
- Institut Hospitalo-Universitaire Méditerranée Infection, 19-21 Boulevard Jean Moulin, Marseille 13385 Cedex 05, France; Aix-Marseille Univ, IRD, AP-HM, SSA, VITROME, Marseille, France.
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11
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Bang MS, Kim CM, Pyun SH, Kim DM, Yun NR. Molecular investigation of tick-borne pathogens in ticks removed from tick-bitten humans in the southwestern region of the Republic of Korea. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0252992. [PMID: 34129613 PMCID: PMC8205137 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0252992] [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] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2020] [Accepted: 05/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
In this study, we investigated the presence of tick-borne pathogens in ticks removed from tick-bitten humans in the southwestern provinces of the Republic of Korea (ROK). We identified 33 ticks from three tick species, namely Amblyomma testudinarium (60.6%), Haemaphysalis longicornis (27.3%), and Ixodes nipponensis (12.1%) in order of occurrence via morphology and 16S rDNA-targeting polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Tick-borne pathogens were detected in 16 ticks using pathogen-specific PCR. From the results, 12 ticks (36.4%) tested positive for spotted fever group (SFG) Rickettsia: Rickettsia monacensis (1/12), R. tamurae (8/12), and Candidatus Rickettsia jingxinensis (3/12). Three ticks (9.1%) were positive for Anaplasma phagocytophilum. In addition, three ticks (9.1%) tested positive for Babesia gibsoni (1/3) and B. microti (2/3). In conclusion, we identified three tick species; the most common species was A. testudinarium, followed by H. longicornis and I. nipponensis. SFG Rickettsia, A. phagocytophilum, and Babesia spp. were the most frequently detected pathogens in ticks removed from tick-bitten humans. To our knowledge, this is the first report of R. tamurae and Ca. R. jingxinensis detection in Korea. The present results will contribute to the understanding of tick-borne infections in animals and humans in the ROK.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mi Seon Bang
- Department of Medical Science, College of Medicine, Chosun University, Gwangju, Republic of Korea
| | - Choon-Mee Kim
- Premedical Science, College of Medicine, Chosun University, Gwangju, Republic of Korea
| | - Sang-Hyun Pyun
- Graduate School of Chosun University, Gwangju, Republic of Korea
| | - Dong-Min Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Chosun University, Gwangju, Republic of Korea
- * E-mail:
| | - Na Ra Yun
- Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Chosun University, Gwangju, Republic of Korea
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12
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Tucker NSG, Weeks ENI, Beati L, Kaufman PE. Prevalence and distribution of pathogen infection and permethrin resistance in tropical and temperate populations of Rhipicephalus sanguineus s.l. collected worldwide. Med Vet Entomol 2021; 35:147-157. [PMID: 32918501 DOI: 10.1111/mve.12479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [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: 02/02/2020] [Revised: 08/08/2020] [Accepted: 08/15/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The brown dog tick, Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato (s.l.) Latreille (Acari: Ixodidae), is a peridomestic, cosmopolitan parasite of dogs known to vector numerous pathogens of veterinary and medical importance. Recent phylogenetic analyses separate this tick into temperate and tropical lineages. Populations of Rh. sanguineus s.l. have been reported to exhibit sodium channel target site insensitivity to permethrin and etofenprox, which is likely due to the prolonged use of pyrethroids against many pests in and around the home. In this study, populations collected in the Caribbean, Africa, Asia, Europe and North America, were tested to identify the distribution of a known resistance mechanism, pathogen-vector interactions and phylogeny in relation to latitude. Using molecular assays, populations from 29 distinct locations were simultaneously geographically typed and screened for bacterial infection by Rickettsia, Ehrlichia, Babesia and Hepatozoon species, and for the presence of a sodium channel single nucleotide polymorphism known to confer permethrin resistance. Implications of these results on Rh. sanguineus s.l. management in association with geographical distribution will be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- N S G Tucker
- Entomology and Nematology Department, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, U.S.A
| | - E N I Weeks
- Entomology and Nematology Department, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, U.S.A
| | - L Beati
- U.S. National Tick Collection, Institute for Coastal Plain Science, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA, U.S.A
| | - P E Kaufman
- Entomology and Nematology Department, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, U.S.A
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13
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López-Pérez AM, Plourde B, Smith K, Rubino F, Pascoe E, Smith O, Foley J. Impacts of Timber Harvest on Communities of Small Mammals, Ticks, and Tick-Borne Pathogens in a High-Risk Landscape in Northern California. J Med Entomol 2021; 58:1171-1187. [PMID: 33459790 DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjaa297] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Timber harvest may impact tick-borne disease by affecting small mammal and tick community structures. We assessed tick and small mammal populations in older second-growth redwood (Sequoia sempervirens (D. Don) Endl) habitat at two harvested sites in Santa Cruz County, California, where local risk of tick-borne disease is high and determined the prevalence of tick-borne pathogens in ticks. After single-tree removal harvest in 2014, there was a modest reduction in canopy, primarily toward the end of the study. Harvested sites showed strong reductions in California mouse (Peromyscus californicus, (Gambel)) captures 2-yr after harvest, resolving such that treatments and controls were comparable by the end of the study. Following harvest, treated sites experienced a transient decreased tick infestation while control plots experienced an increase. Ixodes angustus (Neumann) infestation probability on harvested plots decreased immediately after harvest, increasing with time but remaining lower than control plots, whereas I. pacificus (Cooley and Kohls) prevalence was higher shortly after the harvest on harvested plots, and continued to increase. Mean abundance of ticks on vegetation increased on control plots. We detected Borrelia burgdorferi ((Johnson et al.) Baranton) and Anaplasma phagocytophilum ((Foggie 1949) Dumler) in 3.8 and 3.1% of ticks on rodents, but no differences were associated with harvest. Impacts of forest harvest on tick-borne disease depend on removal practice and intensity, whether or not hosts are habitat specialists, and whether or not ticks are host specialists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andres M López-Pérez
- Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA
| | - Benjamin Plourde
- Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA
| | | | - Francesca Rubino
- Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA
| | - Emily Pascoe
- Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA
| | - Olivia Smith
- Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA
| | - Janet Foley
- Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA
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14
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Zhao GP, Wang YX, Fan ZW, Ji Y, Liu MJ, Zhang WH, Li XL, Zhou SX, Li H, Liang S, Liu W, Yang Y, Fang LQ. Mapping ticks and tick-borne pathogens in China. Nat Commun 2021; 12:1075. [PMID: 33597544 PMCID: PMC7889899 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-21375-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2020] [Accepted: 01/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Understanding ecological niches of major tick species and prevalent tick-borne pathogens is crucial for efficient surveillance and control of tick-borne diseases. Here we provide an up-to-date review on the spatial distributions of ticks and tick-borne pathogens in China. We map at the county level 124 tick species, 103 tick-borne agents, and human cases infected with 29 species (subspecies) of tick-borne pathogens that were reported in China during 1950-2018. Haemaphysalis longicornis is found to harbor the highest variety of tick-borne agents, followed by Ixodes persulcatus, Dermacentor nutalli and Rhipicephalus microplus. Using a machine learning algorithm, we assess ecoclimatic and socioenvironmental drivers for the distributions of 19 predominant vector ticks and two tick-borne pathogens associated with the highest disease burden. The model-predicted suitable habitats for the 19 tick species are 14‒476% larger in size than the geographic areas where these species were detected, indicating severe under-detection. Tick species harboring pathogens of imminent threats to public health should be prioritized for more active field surveillance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guo-Ping Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, P.R. China
- Logistics College of Chinese People's Armed Police Forces, Tianjin, P.R. China
| | - Yi-Xing Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, P.R. China
| | - Zheng-Wei Fan
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, P.R. China
| | - Yang Ji
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, P.R. China
| | - Ming-Jin Liu
- College of Public Health and Health Professions and Emerging Pathogens Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Wen-Hui Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, P.R. China
| | - Xin-Lou Li
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, P.R. China
| | - Shi-Xia Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, P.R. China
| | - Hao Li
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, P.R. China
| | - Song Liang
- College of Public Health and Health Professions and Emerging Pathogens Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Wei Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, P.R. China.
| | - Yang Yang
- College of Public Health and Health Professions and Emerging Pathogens Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.
| | - Li-Qun Fang
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, P.R. China.
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15
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Yawa M, Nyangiwe N, Jaja IF, Kadzere CT, Marufu MC. Prevalence of serum antibodies of tick-borne diseases and the presence of Rhipicephalus microplus in communal grazing cattle in the north-eastern region of the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. Parasitol Res 2021; 120:1183-1191. [PMID: 33409632 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-020-07024-4] [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] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2020] [Accepted: 12/15/2020] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
A survey to determine the prevalence of tick-borne diseases (TBDs) and ticks infesting cattle was conducted in the communal areas of the north-eastern region of the Eastern Cape Province (ECP) between January 2019 and October 2019. Tick counts, packed cell volume (PCV), body condition scores (BCS), and serological test for TBDs were seasonally conducted in communally grazed cattle (n = 240) in Joe Gqabi district in two local municipalities (Elundini and Senqu). A standard indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT) was used to determine antibodies to Babesia bigemina, Babesia bovis, and Ehrlichia ruminantium and indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was employed for antibodies to Anaplasma marginale detection. The highest tick loads were observed on cattle during the hot-wet and post-rainy seasons and lowest during the cool-dry season. The E. ruminantium prevalence in Elundini was 16% and 14% in post-rainy and hot-dry seasons respectively and 15% at Senqu during the post-rainy season. B. bigemina prevalence was highest at Elundini (18%) and Senqu (16%) during the post-rainy season and hot-wet season respectively. Cattle BCS was negatively correlated with E. ruminantium (P < 0.01; r = - 0.203), B. bovis (P < 0.01; r = - 0.125), and A. marginale (P < 0.01; r = - 0.122) seroprevalence. The PCV was negatively correlated with B. bigemina (P < 0.01; r = - 0.138) seroprevalence. On the other hand, E. ruminantium was positively correlated with Amblyomma hebraeum (P < 0.05; r = 0.112) infestation, while B. bovis (P < 0.05; r = 0.134) and B. bigemina (P < 0.05; r = 0.188) were positively correlated with Rhipicephalus microplus infestation, and B. bigemina (P < 0.05; r = 0.077) was positively correlated with Rhipicephalus decoloratus infestation. Our study reports for the first time the presence of R. microplus in the study area. Further research is, however, needed to better understand seroprevalence and the transmission mode of TBDs to cattle so that effective disease control measures can be developed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mandla Yawa
- Department of Livestock and Pasture Science, University of Fort Hare, P. Bag X1314, Alice, 5700, South Africa
| | - Nkululeko Nyangiwe
- Dohne Agricultural Development Institute, Private Bag X15, Stutterheim, 4930, South Africa.
| | - Ishmael Festus Jaja
- Department of Livestock and Pasture Science, University of Fort Hare, P. Bag X1314, Alice, 5700, South Africa
| | - Charles T Kadzere
- Dohne Agricultural Development Institute, Private Bag X15, Stutterheim, 4930, South Africa
| | - Munyaradzi Christopher Marufu
- Department of Veterinary Tropical Diseases, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X4, Onderstepoort, 0110, South Africa
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16
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Chatanga E, Kainga H, Razemba T, Ssuna R, Swennen L, Hayashida K, Sugimoto C, Katakura K, Nonaka N, Nakao R. Molecular detection and characterization of tick-borne hemoparasites and Anaplasmataceae in dogs in major cities of Malawi. Parasitol Res 2020; 120:267-276. [PMID: 33225402 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-020-06967-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2020] [Accepted: 11/03/2020] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Tick-borne pathogens (TBPs) in dogs have attracted much attention over the last decade since some are now known to be zoonotic and pose a threat to both animal and human health sectors. Despite the increase in the number of studies on canine TBPs worldwide, only a few studies have been conducted in resource-limited countries where research priority is given to food animals than companion animals. In the present study, the occurrence of TBPs of the genera Babesia, Hepatozoon, Anaplasma, and Ehrlichia was investigated in 209 owned and stray dogs in three major cities in Malawi through molecular techniques. Among the examined dogs, 93 (44.5%) were infected with at least one TBP. The detection rates were 23.1% for Babesia rossi, 2.9% for B. vogeli, 19.1% for Hepatozoon canis, 2.4% for Anaplasma platys, and 3.8% for Ehrlichia canis. This is the first molecular study that has provided evidence that dogs in Malawi are infected with TBPs. Sensitization is required for veterinary practitioners, dog handlers, and pet owners as the detected pathogens affect the animals' wellbeing. Further studies focusing on rural areas with limited or no access to veterinary care are required to ascertain the extent of the TBP infection in dogs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisha Chatanga
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Graduate School of Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Kita-18 Nishi-9, Sapporo, Hokkaido, 060-0818, Japan
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources, P.O. Box 219, Lilongwe, Malawi
| | - Henson Kainga
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources, P.O. Box 219, Lilongwe, Malawi
| | - Tinotenda Razemba
- Lilongwe Society for the Protection and Care of Animals (LSPCA), Private Bag 30383, Kanengo, Lilongwe, Malawi
| | - Richard Ssuna
- All Creatures Animal Welfare League, 18 Acacia Road, P.O. Box 30962, Capital City, Lilongwe 3, Malawi
| | - Lieza Swennen
- Lilongwe Society for the Protection and Care of Animals (LSPCA), Private Bag 30383, Kanengo, Lilongwe, Malawi
| | - Kyoko Hayashida
- Division of Collaboration and Education, Research Centre for Zoonosis Control, Hokkaido University, Kita-20 Nishi-10, Sapporo, Hokkaido, 001-0020, Japan
| | - Chihiro Sugimoto
- Division of Collaboration and Education, Research Centre for Zoonosis Control, Hokkaido University, Kita-20 Nishi-10, Sapporo, Hokkaido, 001-0020, Japan
| | - Ken Katakura
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Graduate School of Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Kita-18 Nishi-9, Sapporo, Hokkaido, 060-0818, Japan
| | - Nariaki Nonaka
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Graduate School of Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Kita-18 Nishi-9, Sapporo, Hokkaido, 060-0818, Japan
| | - Ryo Nakao
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Graduate School of Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Kita-18 Nishi-9, Sapporo, Hokkaido, 060-0818, Japan.
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17
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Sharifah N, Heo CC, Ehlers J, Houssaini J, Tappe D. Ticks and tick-borne pathogens in animals and humans in the island nations of Southeast Asia: A review. Acta Trop 2020; 209:105527. [PMID: 32447029 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2020.105527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [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: 12/05/2019] [Revised: 05/04/2020] [Accepted: 05/04/2020] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Ticks are blood-feeding ectoparasites and major vectors of pathogens that cause infectious diseases in humans and animals worldwide including mammals, birds and reptiles. Despite the growing scientific effort in the 20th century, there is still limited information on ticks and tick-borne pathogens in Southeast Asia, especially concerning medical, veterinary, socioeconomic and agricultural aspects in the island nations. This review provides an overview of the current state of knowledge of ticks and their pathogens in the island nations of Southeast Asia and peninsular Malaysia. We aim to stimulate further research studies on ticks and tick-borne pathogens of human and veterinary importance in this geographical region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadiah Sharifah
- Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Sungai Buloh Campus, Jalan Hospital, 47000 Sungai Buloh, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Chong Chin Heo
- Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Sungai Buloh Campus, Jalan Hospital, 47000 Sungai Buloh, Selangor, Malaysia; Institute of Pathology, Laboratory and Forensic Medicine (I-PPerForM), Universiti Teknologi MARA, Sungai Buloh Campus, Jalan Hospital, 47000 Sungai Buloh, Selangor, Malaysia.
| | - Julian Ehlers
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Jamal Houssaini
- Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Sungai Buloh Campus, Jalan Hospital, 47000 Sungai Buloh, Selangor, Malaysia; Institute of Pathology, Laboratory and Forensic Medicine (I-PPerForM), Universiti Teknologi MARA, Sungai Buloh Campus, Jalan Hospital, 47000 Sungai Buloh, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Dennis Tappe
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
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18
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Zanet S, Ferroglio E, Battisti E, Tizzani P. Ecological niche modeling of Babesia sp infection in wildlife experimentally evaluated in questing Ixodes ricinus. Geospat Health 2020; 15. [PMID: 32575961 DOI: 10.4081/gh.2020.843] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2019] [Accepted: 02/04/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Tick-borne diseases and especially protozoa of the genus Babesia, are gaining increasing attention as emerging zoonotic pathogens. Zoonotic species like B. venatorum and B. microti have wild animals as main reservoir hosts. We propose a habitat suitability model for Babesia spp., as tool for institutions and policy makes to better understand the entity of Babesia presence, to improve diagnostic awareness and to optimize screening and preventive actions. The probability of presence of Babesia spp. was estimated using as presence data, wild ruminants positive by PCR to Babesia spp. which were correlated to environmental factors that can favor or limit vector and host availability. We developed three separate models to discriminate the different roles of Red deer and Roe deer and Alpine chamois in Babesia spp. epidemiology. A comprehensive model using all presence data from all ungulates species was also developed. The overall suitable area for Babesia spp. in this simulation is of 3723 km2, which correspond to 15.51% of the background regional territory. The model developed was empirically validated assessing tick abundance in randomly chosen areas classified by the model as moderately or highly suitable for Babesia spp. Collected ticks were tested by PCR for Babesia spp. to confirm model predictions as infection prevalence with Babesia spp. was significantly higher in areas predicted as highly suitable compared to those classified by the model as moderately suitable for Babesia spp. (X2=5.05 p<0.05, Odds Ratio OR= 2.12 CI95% 1.1-4.1).
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefania Zanet
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, Università degli Studi di Torino, Grugliasco (TO).
| | - Ezio Ferroglio
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, Università degli Studi di Torino, Grugliasco (TO).
| | - Elena Battisti
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, Università degli Studi di Torino, Grugliasco (TO).
| | - Paolo Tizzani
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, Università degli Studi di Torino, Grugliasco (TO).
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19
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Abstract
Ticks are the most important vectors of human pathogens, leading to increased public health burdens worldwide. Tick-borne pathogens include viruses (e.g. tick-borne encephalitis and Powassan); bacteria, such as the causative agents of Lyme disease, spotted fever rickettsiosis and human anaplasmosis; and malaria-like protozoan parasites causing babesiosis. Tick-borne diseases are emerging due to the geographical expansion of their tick vectors, especially in the northern hemisphere. Two examples of this phenomenon are Ixodes scapularis and Amblyomma americanum, which have expanded their ranges in the USA in recent decades and are responsible for the continuous emergence of Lyme disease and human ehrlichiosis, respectively. This phenomenon is also occurring worldwide and is reflected by the increasing number of tick-borne encephalitis and haemorrhagic fever cases in Europe and Asia. In this review, we provide a concise synopsis of the most medically important tick-borne pathogen worldwide, with a particular emphasis on emerging public health threats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilia Rochlin
- Center for Vector Biology, Rutgers University, 180 Jones Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA
| | - Alvaro Toledo
- Department of Entomology, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
- Center for Vector Biology, Rutgers University, 180 Jones Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA
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20
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Wormser GP, McKenna D, Scavarda C, Cooper D, El Khoury MY, Nowakowski J, Sudhindra P, Ladenheim A, Wang G, Karmen CL, Demarest V, Dupuis AP, Wong SJ. Co-infections in Persons with Early Lyme Disease, New York, USA. Emerg Infect Dis 2019; 25:748-752. [PMID: 30882316 PMCID: PMC6433014 DOI: 10.3201/eid2504.181509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
In certain regions of New York state, USA, Ixodes scapularis ticks can potentially transmit 4 pathogens in addition to Borrelia burgdorferi: Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Babesia microti, Borrelia miyamotoi, and the deer tick virus subtype of Powassan virus. In a prospective study, we systematically evaluated 52 adult patients with erythema migrans, the most common clinical manifestation of B. burgdorferi infection (Lyme disease), who had not received treatment for Lyme disease. We used serologic testing to evaluate these patients for evidence of co-infection with any of the 4 other tickborne pathogens. Evidence of co-infection was found for B. microti only; 4–6 patients were co-infected with Babesia microti. Nearly 90% of the patients evaluated had no evidence of co-infection. Our finding of B. microti co-infection documents the increasing clinical relevance of this emerging infection.
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Buczek A, Bartosik K, Buczek AM, Buczek W, Stanko M. Conspecific hyperparasitism in the Hyalomma excavatum tick and considerations on the biological and epidemiological implications of this phenomenon. Ann Agric Environ Med 2019; 26:548-554. [PMID: 31885227 DOI: 10.26444/aaem/110128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION This study presents for the first time a case of Hyalomma excavatum hyperparasitism and an analysis of this phenomenon in terms of its potential role in the biology of ticks and epidemiology of tick-borne diseases. MATERIAL AND METHODS Two partially engorged H. excavatum females, one fully engorged female, and 5 males were collected from a naïve rabbit and placed together in a rearing chamber at a temperature of 25°C and 75% humidity. RESULTS 3-4 days after tick detachment from the host's skin, one partially engorged H. excavatum female was observed attached to the idiosoma of the fully engorged conspecific female. CONCLUSIONS This study and observations of other authors confirm that partially engorged ixodid ticks can re-infest the host, and even co-feeding fully engorged ticks in order to collect the blood meal that is indispensable for important physiological processes. However, inefficient feeding of a partially engorged female on another conspecific female may reduce its reproductive performance and disturb the development of eggs and larvae. It seems that parasitism of a tick on another conspecific specimen, when at least one of them is infected by a microorganism, may be a yet poorly explored route of transmission of pathogens or symbionts between the ticks. Initiation of feeding by a hungry or partially engorged tick on a fully engorged specimen is an attempt to obtain food in the drastic conditions of the absence of a target host. Tick hyperparasitism with concurrent pathogen transmission can contribute to the genospecific diversity of pathogens in vectors and hosts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alicja Buczek
- Chair and Department of Biology and Parasitology, Medical University, Lublin, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Bartosik
- Chair and Department of Biology and Parasitology, Medical University, Lublin, Poland
| | | | - Weronika Buczek
- Chair and Department of Biology and Parasitology, Medical University, Lublin, Poland
| | - Michał Stanko
- Institute of Parasitology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Slovak Republic
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Medkour H, Laidoudi Y, Lafri I, Davoust B, Mekroud A, Bitam I, Mediannikov O. Canine vector-borne protozoa: Molecular and serological investigation for Leishmania spp., Trypanosoma spp., Babesia spp., and Hepatozoon spp. in dogs from Northern Algeria. Vet Parasitol Reg Stud Reports 2019; 19:100353. [PMID: 32057382 DOI: 10.1016/j.vprsr.2019.100353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2019] [Revised: 11/16/2019] [Accepted: 11/16/2019] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Dogs are competent reservoirs/hosts of several protozoan pathogens transmitted by blood-feeding arthropods. Throughout their long history of domestication, they have served as a link for the exchange of parasites among livestock, wildlife, and humans and therefore remain an important source of emerging and re-emerging diseases. In Algeria, while canine leishmaniosis (CanL) is well known to be endemic, no data are available on other vector-borne protozoans. Here, we investigate the occurrence and diversity of trypanosomes, piroplasms and Hepatozoon spp. and update the epidemiological status of CanL in dogs from Kabylia, northern Algeria. A total of 227 dogs from three regions of Kabylia were enrolled, including 77 dogs with clinical signs. Dogs were clinically examined and were tested for L. infantum antibodies using a Rapid Immuno-Migration (RIM™) and a quantitative indirect Immunofluorescence Antibody Test (IFAT). PCR screening and sequencing were performed for vector-borne protozoa. Sixty two percent (141/227) of dogs presented at least one infection, whereas 26% (59/227) were co-infected. L. infantum antibodies were detected in 35.7% (81/227) of dogs including 88.7% (68/77) of sick dogs. Molecular investigation revealed prevalence of: 6.6% (15/227), 13.2% (30/227), 41% (93/227) for Trypanosoma spp., B. vogeli and H. canis, respectively. T. evansi (3.1%) and potential new subspecies of T. congolense had been identified. Dog''s clinical status correlates positively with L. infantum antibody titers and the presence of co-infections. Susceptibility to CanL varied according to the dog's aptitude and guard dogs were more infected (51%) (P-value = .001). B. vogeli infection was more frequent in juveniles than adults (32% vs 9%, P-value < .001) and in females than males (21% vs 10%, P-value = .02). To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report on vector-borne protozoa infected dogs in Algeria. Current results are important not only for animal health, but also to avoid serious public health and livestock problems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hacène Medkour
- IHU Méditerranée Infection - Microbes, Evolution, Phylogeny and Infection (MEФI), France; UMR Aix-Marseille Université, IRD, APHM -19-21, Bd Jean Moulin, 13385 Marseille Cedex 05, France; PADESCA Laboratory, Veterinary Science Institute, University Constantine 1, 25100, El Khroub, Algeria
| | - Younes Laidoudi
- IHU Méditerranée Infection - Microbes, Evolution, Phylogeny and Infection (MEФI), France; UMR Aix-Marseille Université, IRD, APHM -19-21, Bd Jean Moulin, 13385 Marseille Cedex 05, France
| | - Ismail Lafri
- IHU Méditerranée Infection - Vectors-Tropical and Mediterranean Infections (VITROME), UMR Aix-Marseille Université, IRD, SSA, APHM -19-21, Bd Jean Moulin, 13385 Marseille Cedex 05, France; Institute of Veterinary Sciences, University of Blida 1, Algeria
| | - Bernard Davoust
- IHU Méditerranée Infection - Microbes, Evolution, Phylogeny and Infection (MEФI), France
| | - Abdeslam Mekroud
- PADESCA Laboratory, Veterinary Science Institute, University Constantine 1, 25100, El Khroub, Algeria
| | - Idir Bitam
- IHU Méditerranée Infection - Vectors-Tropical and Mediterranean Infections (VITROME), UMR Aix-Marseille Université, IRD, SSA, APHM -19-21, Bd Jean Moulin, 13385 Marseille Cedex 05, France; Superior School of Food Sciences and Food Industries of Algiers, Algeria
| | - Oleg Mediannikov
- IHU Méditerranée Infection - Microbes, Evolution, Phylogeny and Infection (MEФI), France.
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Ledger KJ, Keenan RM, Sayler KA, Wisely SM. Multi-scale patterns of tick occupancy and abundance across an agricultural landscape in southern Africa. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0222879. [PMID: 31539412 PMCID: PMC6754170 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0222879] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2019] [Accepted: 09/09/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Land use influences the prevalence and distribution of ticks due to the intimate relationship of ticks with their environment. This relationship occurs because land use alters two essential tick requirements: vertebrate hosts for blood meals and a suitable microclimate when off-host. Given the risks to human and animal health associated with pathogens transmitted by ticks, there is an ongoing need to understand the impact of environmental drivers on tick distributions. Here, we assessed how landscape features, neighborhood effects, and edges influenced tick occupancy and abundance across an agricultural landscape in southern Africa. We found that Rhipicephalus appendiculatus and Rhipicephalus simus increased in abundance closer to protected savanna, while Haemaphysalis elliptica increased in abundance closer to human habitation. The composition of the landscape surrounding savanna patches also differentially influenced the occupancy of each tick species; H. elliptica was more likely to be found in savanna patches surrounded by subsistence agriculture while R. appendiculatus and R. simus were more likely to be found in savanna surrounded by sugarcane monocultures. At the local scale we found that R. appendiculatus and R. simus avoided savanna edges. The availability of hosts and variation in vegetation structure between commercial agriculture, subsistence agriculture, and savanna likely drove the distribution of ticks at the landscape scale. Understanding how anthropogenic land use influences where ticks occur is useful for land use planning and for assessing public and animal health risks associated with ticks and tick-borne diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kimberly J. Ledger
- Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, United States of America
| | - Ryan M. Keenan
- Department of Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minnesota, United States of America
| | - Katherine A. Sayler
- Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, United States of America
| | - Samantha M. Wisely
- Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Salim B, Alanazi AD, Omori R, Alyousif MS, Alanazi IO, Katakura K, Nakao R. Potential role of dogs as sentinels and reservoirs for piroplasms infecting equine and cattle in Riyadh City, Saudi Arabia. Acta Trop 2019; 193:78-83. [PMID: 30831114 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2019.02.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [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: 12/25/2018] [Revised: 02/22/2019] [Accepted: 02/27/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Canine tick-borne diseases have been considered emerging and re-emerging threats, given their increasing global prevalence. In this molecular survey, we aimed to detect and identify common tick-borne pathogens in dogs from Riyadh city in Saudi Arabia. Initially, the study included 36 dogs visiting private veterinary clinics. PCRs targeting the 18S ribosomal RNA gene (rDNA) of haemoparasites (Babesia, Theileria and Hepatozoon) and the 16S rDNA of Anaplasmataceae were performed. The results showed that 26 (72.2%) dogs were infected by some of the haemoparasites under investigation. The sequencing analysis of the amplicons confirmed the infections due to two parasite species Theileria equi and Theileria velifera. Further examination of guard dogs kept in the horse stables of the Riyadh Municipality revealed that the majority of the tested dogs (65.2%: 30 out of 46) were infected with either of the parasites. In addition, the genotypes of all the parasites in these dogs were identical to those of the parasites in the dogs from the veterinary clinics. Thus, it can be concluded that dogs are infected with these haemoparasites and serve as a reservoir for both T. equi and T. velifera in the study area; however, the clinical implication of this finding is to be studied.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bashir Salim
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Khartoum, P.O Box 32, Khartoum-North, Sudan; Laboratory of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Graduate School of Infectious Diseases, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan.
| | - Abdullah D Alanazi
- Department of Biological Science, Faculty of Science and Humanities, Shaqra University, P.O. Box 1040, Ad-Dawadimi, 11911, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Ryosuke Omori
- Division of Bioinformatics, Research Center for Zoonosis Control, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan.
| | - Mohamed S Alyousif
- Department of Zoology, College of Science, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2455, Riyadh, 11451, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Ibrahim O Alanazi
- National Centre for Biotechnology, King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology, P.O. Box 6086, Riyadh, 11442, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Ken Katakura
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Graduate School of Infectious Diseases, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan.
| | - Ryo Nakao
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Graduate School of Infectious Diseases, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan.
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Galon EMS, Adjou Moumouni PF, Ybañez RHD, Ringo AE, Efstratiou A, Lee SH, Liu M, Guo H, Gao Y, Li J, Salces CB, Maurillo BCA, Boldbaatar D, Ybañez AP, Xuan X. First molecular detection and characterization of tick-borne pathogens in water buffaloes in Bohol, Philippines. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2019; 10:815-821. [PMID: 30952580 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2019.03.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [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: 07/16/2018] [Revised: 03/08/2019] [Accepted: 03/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The water buffalo industry is a vital part of the Philippine livestock economy and is an essential contributor to the developing local dairy industry. Although relatively less susceptible to diseases, water buffaloes can still be infected and can act as reservoirs of tick-borne pathogens (TBPs). However, limited information is available regarding the prevalence of tick-borne infections in water buffaloes in the Philippines. This study was conducted to identify TBPs harbored by water buffaloes and to characterize these pathogens molecularly. One hundred water buffalo blood samples collected from three areas in Bohol, Visayas region, Philippines were screened for various TBPs using pathogen-specific PCR assays. TBPs were detected in 46% of the samples (39% singly infected, 7% coinfected). The pathogens detected were Anaplasma marginale (29%), Babesia bovis (21%), and B. bigemina (3%). None of the blood samples were positive for Theileria annulata, T. orientalis, and B. ovata. A. marginale infection rates were significantly higher (37.5%) among water buffaloes aged ≤6 years (P = 0.046) than those >6 years old (18.2%) and was detected only in Bulgarian Murrah (36.1%) and US Murrah (25.9%) breeds. Phylogenetic analyses revealed that groEL sequences of A. marginale were 100% identical with isolates from the Philippines (Batangas and Cebu) and China. Two B. bigemina RAP-1a gene sequences were identical to each other and were homologous with previous isolates from Thailand, Indonesia, Uruguay, and the Philippines. Moreover, four B. bovis SBP-2 partial sequences obtained in this study had 92.4-99.7% identities. This study is the first molecular detection and characterization of A. marginale, B. bigemina and B. bovis in water buffaloes in the Visayas region, and the first molecular confirmation of B. bovis infection in water buffaloes in the country. The findings presented in this study may serve as baseline data for crafting effective tick-borne disease surveillance and prevention programs in Bohol and in the Philippines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eloiza May S Galon
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro, 080-8555, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Paul Franck Adjou Moumouni
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro, 080-8555, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Rochelle Haidee D Ybañez
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro, 080-8555, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Aaron E Ringo
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro, 080-8555, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Artemis Efstratiou
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro, 080-8555, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Seung-Hun Lee
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro, 080-8555, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Mingming Liu
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro, 080-8555, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Huanping Guo
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro, 080-8555, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Yang Gao
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro, 080-8555, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Jixu Li
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro, 080-8555, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Caro B Salces
- Philippine Carabao Center at Ubay Stock Farm, Ubay, 6315, Bohol, Philippines
| | | | | | - Adrian P Ybañez
- Institute of Molecular Parasitology and Vector-borne Diseases at Main Campus and College of Veterinary Medicine at Barili Campus, Cebu Technological University, Cor. M.J. Cuenco and R. Palma St., Cebu City, 6000, Cebu, Philippines; Regional Center for Molecular Diagnostics and Research and College of Science, University of the Philippines Cebu, Lahug, Cebu City, 6000, Cebu, Philippines.
| | - Xuenan Xuan
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro, 080-8555, Hokkaido, Japan.
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Hodo CL, Rodriguez JY, Curtis‐Robles R, Zecca IB, Snowden KF, Cummings KJ, Hamer SA. Repeated cross-sectional study of Trypanosoma cruzi in shelter dogs in Texas, in the context of Dirofilaria immitis and tick-borne pathogen prevalence. J Vet Intern Med 2019; 33:158-166. [PMID: 30499189 PMCID: PMC6335532 DOI: 10.1111/jvim.15352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2018] [Accepted: 10/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Vector-borne diseases have an adverse impact on health of dogs, and infected dogs can be sentinels for human infection. Infection with Trypanosoma cruzi, an agent of Chagas disease, causes fatal heart disease in dogs across the southern United States but has been neglected from wide-scale prevalence studies. OBJECTIVES To determine the prevalence of exposure to T. cruzi, Ehrlichia spp., Anaplasma spp., Borrelia burgdorferi, and infection with Dirofilaria immitis among dogs in shelters across Texas and to identify risk factors for T. cruzi seropositivity. ANIMALS Six hundred and eight dogs. METHODS This repeated cross-sectional study was performed by collecting blood from ~30 dogs during each of the 3 visits to 7 shelters. We tested serum for antibodies to T. cruzi using 2 tests in series and for antibodies to Ehrlichia spp., Anaplasma spp., and B. burgdorferi and D. immitis antigen using the IDEXX SNAP 4DX Plus point-of-care test. DNA was extracted from blood clots and tested for T. cruzi DNA and strain type via quantitative polymerase chain reactions (qPCR). We used logistic regression to assess risk factors. RESULTS One hundred ten (18.1%) of 608 dogs were seropositive for T. cruzi. Prevalence of exposure to the other vector-borne agents was: Ehrlichia spp. 3.6%; Anaplasma spp. 6.9%; B. burgdorferi 0.2%; and D. immitis infection 16.0%. Six of 559 (1.1%) dogs were qPCR-positive for T. cruzi. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE T. cruzi seroprevalence was comparable to D. immitis prevalence and higher than seroprevalence of the tick-borne pathogens. T. cruzi is an underrecognized health threat to dogs across Texas and possibly other southern states where triatomine vectors are endemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolyn L. Hodo
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical SciencesTexas A&M UniversityCollege StationTexas
| | - Jessica Y. Rodriguez
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical SciencesTexas A&M UniversityCollege StationTexas
- Zoetis, US Companion Animal Specialty OperationsParsippanyNew Jersey
| | - Rachel Curtis‐Robles
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical SciencesTexas A&M UniversityCollege StationTexas
| | - Italo B. Zecca
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical SciencesTexas A&M UniversityCollege StationTexas
| | - Karen F. Snowden
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical SciencesTexas A&M UniversityCollege StationTexas
| | - Kevin J. Cummings
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical SciencesTexas A&M UniversityCollege StationTexas
- Department of Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences, College of Veterinary MedicineCornell UniversityIthacaNew York
| | - Sarah A. Hamer
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical SciencesTexas A&M UniversityCollege StationTexas
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Adjou Moumouni PF, Guo H, Gao Y, Liu M, Ringo AE, Galon EM, Vudriko P, Umemiya-Shirafuji R, Inoue N, Suzuki H, Xuan X. Identification and genetic characterization of Piroplasmida and Anaplasmataceae agents in feeding Amblyomma variegatum ticks from Benin. Vet Parasitol Reg Stud Reports 2018; 14:137-143. [PMID: 31014719 DOI: 10.1016/j.vprsr.2018.10.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [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: 02/06/2018] [Revised: 10/15/2018] [Accepted: 10/26/2018] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
In many African countries including Benin, the reluctance of some livestock owners to blood collection from their cattle makes epidemiological surveys cumbersome and prevents regular monitoring of tick-borne diseases. In the present study, Amblyomma variegatum ticks were used to find out more about bovine tick-borne pathogens. DNA extracts from 910 adult ticks collected off cattle in North East Benin were examined for Babesia bigemina, B. bovis, Theileria taurotragi, T. annulata, T. orientalis, T. parva, T. mutans, Anaplasma marginale and Ehrlichia ruminantium using pathogen-specific PCR assays and sequence analyses. Altogether, 21.6% of the ticks carried at least one pathogen. A. marginale (142/910) was the most frequent pathogen, followed by E. ruminantium (57/910), B. bovis (10/910), T. mutans (3/910) and B. bigemina (1/910). Theileria taurotragi, T. annulata, T. orientalis, T. parva were not detected in the samples. Babesia bigemina, B. bovis and T. mutans were present in only one location whereas A. marginale and E. ruminantium were found in ticks from 7/8 locations surveyed. Coinfections occurred in 7.1% of all positive ticks. The analyses of partial sequences of B. bovis spherical body protein 4, B. bigemina rhoptry-associated protein-1a, T. mutans 18S rRNA and A. marginale major surface protein 5 showed high sequence conservation and homologies between Benin isolates and those from other African countries. However, E. ruminantium pCS20 partial sequences were different from published West African isolates and presented similar genetic variation with South and East African isolates. These results provide information on the pathogens circulating in North East Benin and suggest that Am. variegatum, one of the most abundant ticks in Africa, may play a role in the transmission of A. marginale.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul Franck Adjou Moumouni
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro, Hokkaido 080-855, Japan; Research Center for Global Agromedicine, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro, Hokkaido 080-855, Japan
| | - Huanping Guo
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro, Hokkaido 080-855, Japan
| | - Yang Gao
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro, Hokkaido 080-855, Japan
| | - Mingming Liu
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro, Hokkaido 080-855, Japan
| | - Aaron Edmond Ringo
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro, Hokkaido 080-855, Japan
| | - Eloiza May Galon
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro, Hokkaido 080-855, Japan
| | - Patrick Vudriko
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro, Hokkaido 080-855, Japan; Research Center for Global Agromedicine, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro, Hokkaido 080-855, Japan
| | - Rika Umemiya-Shirafuji
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro, Hokkaido 080-855, Japan; Research Center for Global Agromedicine, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro, Hokkaido 080-855, Japan
| | - Noboru Inoue
- Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido 080-855, Obihiro, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Suzuki
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro, Hokkaido 080-855, Japan; Research Center for Global Agromedicine, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro, Hokkaido 080-855, Japan
| | - Xuenan Xuan
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro, Hokkaido 080-855, Japan; Research Center for Global Agromedicine, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro, Hokkaido 080-855, Japan.
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Campos SDE, Toma HK, Machado CDSC, Assad RQ, Almosny NRP. Novel record of a tick Amblyomma sculptum with detection of piroplasm Rangelia vitalii DNA. Vet Parasitol Reg Stud Reports 2018; 13:228-229. [PMID: 31014880 DOI: 10.1016/j.vprsr.2018.07.007] [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: 04/18/2018] [Revised: 07/17/2018] [Accepted: 07/17/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Rangelia vitalii is the protozoan responsible for a febrile tick-borne disease known as "Nambiuvú" or "bleeding plague." The only competent vector of this protozoan recognized in Brazil is the tick Amblyomma aureolatum. The aim of this study was to identify R. vitalii using molecular biology in ticks parasitizing Cerdocyon thous from Tijuca and Serra dos Órgãos National Parks, which are areas of the Atlantic Rainforest biome in the municipality of Rio de Janeiro. After taxonomic identification, ticks were crushed and DNA was extracted and examined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to verify amplification of a fragment of the 18S rRNA gene of piroplasms. Samples identified as positive in the PCR analysis were subjected to sequencing, which revealed high identity with sequences of R. vitalii. This is the first report of parasitizing nymphs of A. sculptum infected by R. vitalii under natural conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Helena Keiko Toma
- Laboratório de Diagnóstico Molecular e Hematologia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | | | - Renata Quintela Assad
- Departamento de Patologia e Clínica Veterinária, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, RJ, Brazil
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Žákovská A, Janeček J, Nejezchlebová H, Kučerová HL. Pilot study of Ixodes ricinus ticks preference for human ABO blood groups using a simple in vitro method. Ann Agric Environ Med 2018; 25:326-328. [PMID: 29936803 DOI: 10.26444/aaem/85167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES The existence of a blood group preference for ticks is a problem widely discussed among the lay public but often neglected by the scientific community. The Ixodes ricinus tick transmits serious zoonotic diseases such as Lyme borreliosis, tick encephalitis, or anaplasmosis. The preventive strategies include vaccination (if available) and individual measures including the use of repellents and avoidance of risk areas. MATERIAL AND METHODS Since this topic is relatively neglected in the scientific literature, a simple in vitro method was used. Ticks used in this study were collected in the suburban region of Ruda in Brno, Czech Republic. One hundred active nymphs of the collected ticks were tested for preferences for blood groups, using Petri dishes and blood samples from volunteers. To demonstrate the threat of ticks and the diseases they transmit, the positivity of one of the most abundant zoonosis, Lyme borreliosis, was tested using dark-field microscopy. RESULTS The results obtained showed that the examined ticks were attracted most by blood group A, whereas the least preferred was group B, which was proved statistically (p <0.05). The mean positivity of collected ticks for the presence of spirochaetes was 9.35%. CONCLUSIONS The results indicate that the host selection of ticks may be influenced by the physiological or biochemical profile of an individual, such as their blood group. This means that a blood group of an individual can be one of the factors that increase the risk of tick bite and the transmission of dangerous diseases and thus must not be underestimated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alena Žákovská
- Department of Animal Physiology and Immunology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic.
| | - Jan Janeček
- Department of Animal Physiology and Immunology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic.
| | - Helena Nejezchlebová
- Department of Animal Physiology and Immunology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic.
| | - Hana Lya Kučerová
- Department of Animal Physiology and Immunology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic.
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França RT, Pillat MM, da Silva CB, Schafer AS, Dornelles GL, Costa MM, Chaves RO, de Andrade CM, Erhardt MM, Antoziazzi AQ, Ulrich H, da Silva AS, Lopes STDA. Surface immunoglobulins of erythrocytes and platelets in dogs naturally infected by Rangelia vitalii. Microb Pathog 2018; 121:245-251. [PMID: 29800698 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2018.05.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [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: 08/26/2017] [Revised: 05/20/2018] [Accepted: 05/22/2018] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Rangelia vitalii is a protozoan of the Babesiidae family that parasitizes domestic and wild dogs in South American countries. The main laboratory findings in blood samples from animals infected by R. vitalii are anemia and thrombocytopenia. The aim of this study was to detect IgM and IgG immunoglobulins on the surface of red blood cells and platelets, as well as to determine the percentage of reticulated platelets and reticulocytes in dogs naturally infected by R. vitalii. Blood samples from twenty dogs seen at the Veterinary Hospital of the Federal University of Santa Maria (UFSM) were divided into two groups: the diseased group consisted of blood samples from 10 animals with the diagnosis of rangeliosis, and the healthy group (control) consisted of samples from 10 healthy animals. All diseased dogs showed normocytic normochromic anemia but showed no differences (p > 0.05) in reticulocyte counts compared to healthy dogs. Moreover, IgM and IgG immunoglobulins were detected on the surface of the plasma membrane of red blood cells from both groups, but the amounts did not differ between groups (p > 0.05). Thrombocytopenia in infected animals was classified as severe. The percentage of reticulated platelets was higher (p < 0.001) in diseased dogs than in healthy animals. Diseased animals showed more IgM immunoglobulins bound to the surface of platelets than did the healthy group (p < 0.001). However, the amount of IgG bound to the surface of platelets was not different between groups. In conclusion, we showed that R. vitalii caused immune-mediated thrombocytopenia since IgM immunoglobulins were found on the surface of platelets of diseased dogs. We suggest that the binding of immunoglobulins on platelet surfaces contributes to early destruction of these cells and, consequently, alterations in hemostasis. An increase in reticulated platelets was noted in response to thrombocytopenia, indicating active thrombopoiesis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Micheli Mainardi Pillat
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Chemistry, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | | | | | | | - Márcio Machado Costa
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Universidade de Passo Fundo, Passo Fundo, RS, Brazil
| | | | | | | | | | - Henning Ulrich
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Chemistry, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
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Karasartova D, Gureser AS, Gokce T, Celebi B, Yapar D, Keskin A, Celik S, Ece Y, Erenler AK, Usluca S, Mumcuoglu KY, Taylan-Ozkan A. Bacterial and protozoal pathogens found in ticks collected from humans in Corum province of Turkey. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2018; 12:e0006395. [PMID: 29649265 PMCID: PMC5916866 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0006395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2017] [Revised: 04/24/2018] [Accepted: 03/21/2018] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Tick-borne diseases are increasing all over the word, including Turkey. The aim of this study was to determine the bacterial and protozoan vector-borne pathogens in ticks infesting humans in the Corum province of Turkey. Methodology/Principal findings From March to November 2014 a total of 322 ticks were collected from patients who attended the local hospitals with tick bites. Ticks were screened by real time-PCR and PCR, and obtained amplicons were sequenced. The dedected tick was belonging to the genus Hyalomma, Haemaphysalis, Rhipicephalus, Dermacentor and Ixodes. A total of 17 microorganism species were identified in ticks. The most prevalent Rickettsia spp. were: R. aeschlimannii (19.5%), R. slovaca (4.5%), R. raoultii (2.2%), R. hoogstraalii (1.9%), R. sibirica subsp. mongolitimonae (1.2%), R. monacensis (0.31%), and Rickettsia spp. (1.2%). In addition, the following pathogens were identified: Borrelia afzelii (0.31%), Anaplasma spp. (0.31%), Ehrlichia spp. (0.93%), Babesia microti (0.93%), Babesia ovis (0.31%), Babesia occultans (3.4%), Theileria spp. (1.6%), Hepatozoon felis (0.31%), Hepatozoon canis (0.31%), and Hemolivia mauritanica (2.1%). All samples were negative for Francisella tularensis, Coxiella burnetii, Bartonella spp., Toxoplasma gondii and Leishmania spp. Conclusions/Significance Ticks in Corum carry a large variety of human and zoonotic pathogens that were detected not only in known vectors, but showed a wider vector diversity. There is an increase in the prevalence of ticks infected with the spotted fever group and lymphangitis-associated rickettsiosis, while Ehrlichia spp. and Anaplasma spp. were reported for the first time from this region. B. microti was detected for the first time in Hyalomma marginatum infesting humans. The detection of B. occultans, B. ovis, Hepatozoon spp., Theileria spp. and Hemolivia mauritanica indicate the importance of these ticks as vectors of pathogens of veterinary importance, therefore patients with a tick infestation should be followed for a variety of pathogens with medical importance. Ticks are important vectors for different kind of pathogens, both of medical and veterinary importance, while tick-borne diseases (TBDs) are increasing all over the world. In Turkey, many important human and zoonotic TBDs such as, Lyme borreliosis, rickettsiosis, anaplasmosis, ehrlichiosis, tularemia, bartonellosis, babesiosis, theileriosis, and hepatozoonosis have been reported. Nonetheless, there is lack of research-based information concerning the epidemiology, ecology, and vector diversity of these tick-borne pathogens. In this study, we aimed to investigate broad-range bacterial and protozoan vector-borne pathogens by PCR/RT-PCR and sequencing, those ticks infesting humans in the Corum province. Spotted fever group rickettsiae and lymphangitis-associated rickettsiae, Borrelia afzelii, Anaplasma spp., Ehrlichia spp. were detected. Babesia microti was detected in Hyalomma marginatum infesting humans. Interestingly zoonotic pathogens like Babesia ovis, Babesia occultans, Theileria spp, Hepatozoon felis, Hepatozoon canis, and Hemolivia mauritanica were also detected, showing the role of ticks for diseases also of veterinary importance. This study provides important data for understanding the epidemiology of tick-borne pathogens and it is hoped that these results will challenge clinicians and veterinarians to unify their efforts in the management of TBDs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Tuncay Gokce
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Arts and Science, Hitit University, Corum, Turkey
| | - Bekir Celebi
- National High Risk Pathogens Reference Laboratory, Public Health Institution of Turkey, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Derya Yapar
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Hitit University, Corum, Turkey
| | - Adem Keskin
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science and Arts, Gaziosmanpasa University, Tokat, Turkey
| | - Selim Celik
- Emergency Medicine, Hitit University Corum Training and Research Hospital, Corum, Turkey
| | - Yasemin Ece
- Emergency Medicine, Hitit University Corum Training and Research Hospital, Corum, Turkey
| | - Ali Kemal Erenler
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Faculty of Medicine; Hitit University, Corum, Turkey
| | - Selma Usluca
- National Parasitology Reference Laboratory, Public Health Institution of Turkey, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Kosta Y. Mumcuoglu
- Parasitology Unit, Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, The Kuvin Center for the Study of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, The Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Aysegul Taylan-Ozkan
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Hitit University, Corum, Turkey
- Department of Medical and Clinical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Near East University, Nicosia, Northern Cyprus
- * E-mail:
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Eisen RJ, Eisen L. The Blacklegged Tick, Ixodes scapularis: An Increasing Public Health Concern. Trends Parasitol 2018; 34:295-309. [PMID: 29336985 PMCID: PMC5879012 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2017.12.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 218] [Impact Index Per Article: 36.3] [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: 11/21/2017] [Revised: 12/13/2017] [Accepted: 12/15/2017] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
In the United States, the blacklegged tick, Ixodes scapularis, is a vector of seven human pathogens, including those causing Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, babesiosis, Borrelia miyamotoi disease, Powassan virus disease, and ehrlichiosis associated with Ehrlichia muris eauclarensis. In addition to an accelerated rate of discovery of I. scapularis-borne pathogens over the past two decades, the geographic range of the tick, and incidence and range of I. scapularis-borne disease cases, have increased. Despite knowledge of when and where humans are most at risk of exposure to infected ticks, control of I. scapularis-borne diseases remains a challenge. Human vaccines are not available, and we lack solid evidence for other prevention and control methods to reduce human disease. The way forward is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca J Eisen
- Division of Vector-Borne Diseases, National Center for Emerging Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Fort Collins, CO, USA.
| | - Lars Eisen
- Division of Vector-Borne Diseases, National Center for Emerging Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Fort Collins, CO, USA
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Greay TL, Zahedi A, Krige AS, Owens JM, Rees RL, Ryan UM, Oskam CL, Irwin PJ. Endemic, exotic and novel apicomplexan parasites detected during a national study of ticks from companion animals in Australia. Parasit Vectors 2018; 11:197. [PMID: 29558984 PMCID: PMC5859549 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-018-2775-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2017] [Accepted: 03/06/2018] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Apicomplexan tick-borne pathogens that cause disease in companion animals include species of Babesia Starcovici, 1893, Cytauxzoon Neitz & Thomas, 1948, Hepatozoon Miller, 1908 and Theileria Bettencourt, Franca & Borges, 1907. The only apicomplexan tick-borne disease of companion animals that is known to occur in Australia is babesiosis, caused by Babesia canis vogeli Reichenow, 1937 and Babesia gibsoni Patton, 1910. However, no molecular investigations have widely investigated members of Apicomplexa Levine, 1980 in Australian ticks that parasitise dogs, cats or horses, until this present investigation. RESULTS Ticks (n = 711) removed from dogs (n = 498), cats (n = 139) and horses (n = 74) throughout Australia were screened for piroplasms and Hepatozoon spp. using conventional PCR and Sanger sequencing. The tick-borne pathogen B. vogeli was identified in two Rhipicephalus sanguineus Latreille ticks from dogs residing in the Northern Territory and Queensland (QLD). Theileria orientalis Yakimov & Sudachenkov, 1931 genotype Ikeda was detected in three Haemaphysalis longicornis Neumann ticks from dogs in New South Wales. Unexpectedly, the exotic tick-borne pathogen Hepatozoon canis James, 1905 was identified in an Ixodes holocyclus Neumann tick from a dog in QLD. Eight novel piroplasm and Hepatozoon species were identified and described in native ticks and named as follows: Babesia lohae n. sp., Babesia mackerrasorum n. sp., Hepatozoon banethi n. sp., Hepatozoon ewingi n. sp., Theileria apogeana n. sp., Theileria palmeri n. sp., Theileria paparinii n. sp. and Theileria worthingtonorum n. sp. Additionally, a novel cf. Sarcocystidae sp. sequence was obtained from Ixodes tasmani Neumann but could not be confidently identified at the genus level. CONCLUSIONS Novel species of parasites in ticks represent an unknown threat to the health of companion animals that are bitten by these native tick species. The vector potential of Australian ticks for the newly discovered apicomplexans needs to be assessed, and further clinical and molecular investigations of these parasites, particularly in blood samples from dogs, cats and horses, is required to determine their potential for pathogenicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Telleasha L. Greay
- Vector and Waterborne Pathogens Research Group, School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, Perth, Western Australia Australia
- Western Australian State Agricultural Biotechnology Centre, Murdoch University, Perth, Western Australia Australia
| | - Alireza Zahedi
- Vector and Waterborne Pathogens Research Group, School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, Perth, Western Australia Australia
| | - Anna-Sheree Krige
- Vector and Waterborne Pathogens Research Group, School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, Perth, Western Australia Australia
| | - Jadyn M. Owens
- Vector and Waterborne Pathogens Research Group, School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, Perth, Western Australia Australia
| | - Robert L. Rees
- Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria Australia
| | - Una M. Ryan
- Vector and Waterborne Pathogens Research Group, School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, Perth, Western Australia Australia
| | - Charlotte L. Oskam
- Vector and Waterborne Pathogens Research Group, School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, Perth, Western Australia Australia
| | - Peter J. Irwin
- Vector and Waterborne Pathogens Research Group, School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, Perth, Western Australia Australia
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Wang J, Zhang J, Kelly P, Zheng X, Li M, You J, Huang K, Qiu H, Wang Y, Zhang R, Li J, Dong J, Feng Y, Zhou J, Wang C. First description of the pathogenicity of Babesia vogeli in experimentally infected dogs. Vet Parasitol 2018; 253:1-7. [PMID: 29604992 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2018.02.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [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: 12/13/2017] [Revised: 02/07/2018] [Accepted: 02/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Babesiosis is a tick-borne disease that occurs worldwide with the most recognized Babesia species that infect dogs being Babesia canis, B. vogeli, B. rossi and B. gibsoni. While B. vogeli is reported in dogs worldwide, clinical and laboratory data on infections is based on reports of naturally infected dogs. To provide reliable data on the clinical and laboratory abnormalities associated with acute and more chronic infections in healthy dogs free of other tick-borne diseases, we experimentally infected dogs with a Chinese strain of B. vogeli. All of the six infected Beagles, three of which were splenectomized, became infected with B. vogeli detected in blood smears taken the day following infection and the organism detected by FRET-qPCRs in most blood samples (77/86; 90%) collected about every 4 days until the end of the experiment on day 95. All the infected dogs showed fever, partial anorexia and malaise that was more severe in the splenectomized dogs that did not gain weight for three weeks in the period after initial infection. Regenerative anemia, thrombocytopenia and decreased white blood cell counts were seen in all dogs but were more severe in the splenectomized dogs, of which two had life threatening infections and had to be removed from the study for treatment. Following re-infection on day 66, none of the dogs showed clinical signs and copy numbers did not change significantly although all the dogs were negative by FRET-qPCR on at least some of the subsequent sampling days. Laboratory values in the non-splenectomized dogs were relatively unchanged while in the splenectomized dog there was a temporary small increase in the platelet and white blood cell counts and a temporary slight worsening of the anemia. In summary, our study shows dogs experimentally infected with a B. vogeli strain from China develop only mild clinical signs that are followed by asymptomatic infections that can last for least 95 days. In splenectomized dogs, however, severe life threatening signs may develop.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiawei Wang
- Yangzhou University College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, 225009, PR China
| | - Jilei Zhang
- Yangzhou University College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, 225009, PR China
| | - Patrick Kelly
- Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, Basseterre, St. Kitts and Nevis, West Indies
| | - Xiaofeng Zheng
- Jiangsu Agri-animal Husbandry Vocational College, Taizhou, Jiangsu, PR China
| | - Min Li
- Yangzhou University College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, 225009, PR China
| | - Jinfeng You
- Yangzhou University College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, 225009, PR China
| | - Ke Huang
- Yangzhou University College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, 225009, PR China
| | - Haixiang Qiu
- Yangzhou University College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, 225009, PR China
| | - Yaoyao Wang
- Yangzhou University College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, 225009, PR China
| | - Rong Zhang
- Yangzhou University College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, 225009, PR China
| | - Jianji Li
- Yangzhou University College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, 225009, PR China
| | - Junsheng Dong
- Yangzhou University College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, 225009, PR China
| | - Yi Feng
- Yangzhou University College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, 225009, PR China
| | - Jinlin Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Animal Parasitology of Ministry of Agriculture, Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai, PR China
| | - Chengming Wang
- Yangzhou University College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, 225009, PR China; College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, USA.
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Adalsteinsson SA, Shriver WG, Hojgaard A, Bowman JL, Brisson D, D’Amico V, Buler JJ. Multiflora rose invasion amplifies prevalence of Lyme disease pathogen, but not necessarily Lyme disease risk. Parasit Vectors 2018; 11:54. [PMID: 29361971 PMCID: PMC5781316 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-018-2623-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2017] [Accepted: 01/05/2018] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Forests in urban landscapes differ from their rural counterparts in ways that may alter vector-borne disease dynamics. In urban forest fragments, tick-borne pathogen prevalence is not well characterized; mitigating disease risk in densely-populated urban landscapes requires understanding ecological factors that affect pathogen prevalence. We trapped blacklegged tick (Ixodes scapularis) nymphs in urban forest fragments on the East Coast of the United States and used multiplex real-time PCR assays to quantify the prevalence of four zoonotic, tick-borne pathogens. We used Bayesian logistic regression and WAIC model selection to understand how vegetation, habitat, and landscape features of urban forests relate to the prevalence of B. burgdorferi (the causative agent of Lyme disease) among blacklegged ticks. RESULTS In the 258 nymphs tested, we detected Borrelia burgdorferi (11.2% of ticks), Borrelia miyamotoi (0.8%) and Anaplasma phagocytophilum (1.9%), but we did not find Babesia microti (0%). Ticks collected from forests invaded by non-native multiflora rose (Rosa multiflora) had greater B. burgdorferi infection rates (mean = 15.9%) than ticks collected from uninvaded forests (mean = 7.9%). Overall, B. burgdorferi prevalence among ticks was positively related to habitat features (e.g. coarse woody debris and total understory cover) favorable for competent reservoir host species. CONCLUSIONS Understory structure provided by non-native, invasive shrubs appears to aggregate ticks and reservoir hosts, increasing opportunities for pathogen transmission. However, when we consider pathogen prevalence among nymphs in context with relative abundance of questing nymphs, invasive plants do not necessarily increase disease risk. Although pathogen prevalence is greater among ticks in invaded forests, the probability of encountering an infected tick remains greater in uninvaded forests characterized by thick litter layers, sparse understories, and relatively greater questing tick abundance in urban landscapes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Solny A. Adalsteinsson
- Department of Entomology and Wildlife Ecology, University of Delaware, Newark, DE USA
- Tyson Research Center, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO USA
| | - W. Gregory Shriver
- Department of Entomology and Wildlife Ecology, University of Delaware, Newark, DE USA
| | - Andrias Hojgaard
- Division of Vector-Borne Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Fort Collins, CO USA
| | - Jacob L. Bowman
- Department of Entomology and Wildlife Ecology, University of Delaware, Newark, DE USA
| | - Dustin Brisson
- Department of Biology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA USA
| | - Vincent D’Amico
- Northern Research Station, USDA Forest Service, Newark, DE USA
| | - Jeffrey J. Buler
- Department of Entomology and Wildlife Ecology, University of Delaware, Newark, DE USA
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Oliveira SVD, Romero-Alvarez D, Martins TF, Santos JPD, Labruna MB, Gazeta GS, Escobar LE, Gurgel-Gonçalves R. Amblyomma ticks and future climate: Range contraction due to climate warming. Acta Trop 2017; 176:340-348. [PMID: 28865899 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2017.07.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [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: 06/15/2017] [Revised: 07/26/2017] [Accepted: 07/27/2017] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Ticks of the Amblyomma cajennense species complex are important vectors of spotted fever in Latin America. Environmental conditions determine the geographic distribution of ticks, such that climate change could influence the distribution of tick-borne diseases. This study aimed to analyze the potential geographic distribution of A. cajennense complex ticks in a Brazil region under present-day and future climate models, assuming dispersal limitations and non-evolutionary adaptation of these tick populations to climate warming. Records of A. cajennense sensu stricto (s.s.) and Amblyomma sculptum were analyzed. Niche models were calibrated using Maxent considering climate variables for 1950-2000 and projecting models to conditions anticipated for 2050 and 2070 under two models of future climate (CCSM4 and HadGEM2-AO). Broad suitable areas for A. cajennense s.s. and A. sculptum were found in present-day climate models, but suitability was reduced when models were projected to future conditions. Our exploration of future climates showed that broad areas had novel climates not existing currently in the study region, including novel extremely high temperatures. Indeed, predicted suitability in these novel conditions would lead to biologically unrealistic results and therefore incorrect forecasts of future tick-distribution. Previous studies anticipating expansions of vectors populations due to climate change should be considered with caution as they assume that model extrapolation anticipates that species would evolve rapidly for adaptation to novel climatic conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan Vilges de Oliveira
- Programa de Pós Graduação em Medicina Tropical da Universidade de Brasília, Campus Universitário Darcy Ribeiro, Asa Norte, CEP: 70910-900, Brasília, Brazil; Secretaria de Vigilância em Saúde do Ministério da Saúde do Brasil, Setor de Rádio TV Norte - 701 - Via W5 Norte, Edifício PO 0700, CEP: 70719-040, Brasília, Brazil; Laboratório de Referência Nacional em Vetores das Riquetsioses da Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Av. Brasil 4365, Manguinhos, CEP: 21040-360, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
| | - Daniel Romero-Alvarez
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, 66045, USA
| | - Thiago Fernandes Martins
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Prof. Orlando Marques de Paiva, Cidade Universitária, CEP: 05508-270, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Janduhy Pereira Dos Santos
- Departamento de Geografia da Universidade de Brasília, Campus Universitário Darcy Ribeiro, Asa Norte, CEP: 70910-900, Brasília, Brazil
| | - Marcelo B Labruna
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Prof. Orlando Marques de Paiva, Cidade Universitária, CEP: 05508-270, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Gilberto Salles Gazeta
- Laboratório de Referência Nacional em Vetores das Riquetsioses da Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Av. Brasil 4365, Manguinhos, CEP: 21040-360, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Luis E Escobar
- Department of Fish and Wildlife Conservation, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VAN, 24061, USA
| | - Rodrigo Gurgel-Gonçalves
- Laboratório de Parasitologia Médica e Biologia de Vetores da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Brasília, Campus Universitário Darcy Ribeiro, Asa Norte, CEP: 70910-900, Brasília, Brazil
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Gondard M, Cabezas-Cruz A, Charles RA, Vayssier-Taussat M, Albina E, Moutailler S. Ticks and Tick-Borne Pathogens of the Caribbean: Current Understanding and Future Directions for More Comprehensive Surveillance. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2017; 7:490. [PMID: 29238699 PMCID: PMC5713125 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2017.00490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2017] [Accepted: 11/14/2017] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Ticks are obligate hematophagous arthropods of significant importance to human and veterinary medicine. They transmit a vast array of pathogens, including bacteria, viruses, protozoa, and helminths. Most epidemiological data on ticks and tick-borne pathogens (TBPs) in the West Indies are limited to common livestock pathogens such as Ehrlichia ruminantium, Babesia spp. (i.e., B. bovis and B. bigemina), and Anaplasma marginale, and less information is available on companion animal pathogens. Of note, human tick-borne diseases (TBDs) remain almost completely uncharacterized in the West Indies. Information on TBP presence in wildlife is also missing. Herein, we provide a comprehensive review of the ticks and TBPs affecting human and animal health in the Caribbean, and introduce the challenges associated with understanding TBD epidemiology and implementing successful TBD management in this region. In particular, we stress the need for innovative and versatile surveillance tools using high-throughput pathogen detection (e.g., high-throughput real-time microfluidic PCR). The use of such tools in large epidemiological surveys will likely improve TBD prevention and control programs in the Caribbean.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathilde Gondard
- UMR BIPAR, Animal Health Laboratory, ANSES, INRA, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, Université Paris-Est, Maisons-Alfort, France
- CIRAD, UMR ASTRE, Petit-Bourg, France
| | - Alejandro Cabezas-Cruz
- UMR BIPAR, Animal Health Laboratory, ANSES, INRA, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, Université Paris-Est, Maisons-Alfort, France
- Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Ceské Budejovice, Czechia
- Biology Center, Institute of Parasitology, Czech Academy of Sciences, Ceské Budejovice, Czechia
| | - Roxanne A. Charles
- Faculty of Medical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of the West Indies, Mt. Hope, Trinidad and Tobago
| | - Muriel Vayssier-Taussat
- UMR BIPAR, Animal Health Laboratory, ANSES, INRA, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, Université Paris-Est, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Emmanuel Albina
- CIRAD, UMR ASTRE, Petit-Bourg, France
- INRA, UMR 1319 ASTRE, Montpellier, France
| | - Sara Moutailler
- UMR BIPAR, Animal Health Laboratory, ANSES, INRA, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, Université Paris-Est, Maisons-Alfort, France
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Matsimbe AM, Magaia V, Sanches GS, Neves L, Noormahomed E, Antunes S, Domingos A. Molecular detection of pathogens in ticks infesting cattle in Nampula province, Mozambique. Exp Appl Acarol 2017; 73:91-102. [PMID: 28856544 PMCID: PMC5705812 DOI: 10.1007/s10493-017-0155-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [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: 03/22/2017] [Accepted: 07/17/2017] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Ticks are ectoparasites that can act as vectors of a large number of pathogens in wild and domestic animals, pets, and occasionally humans. The global threat of emerging or re-emerging tick-borne diseases supports the need for research focused in the zoonotic transmission, especially in countries like Mozambique where rural populations are in close contact with domestic animals. The present study aims to: (1) identify tick species infesting cattle from Monapo and Nacala Porto, districts of Nampula province, Mozambique; and (2) investigate the presence of pathogens in the collected ticks. A total of 646 ticks were collected from cattle and morphologically identified as Amblyomma variegatum, Rhipicephalus microplus, and R. evertsi evertsi. For convenience, 72 A. variegatum and 15 R. microplus from Monapo, and 30 A. variegatum from Nacala Porto were screened for the presence of the selected pathogens: Rickettsia spp. (A. variegatum), and Babesia/Theileria spp. and Anaplasma/Ehrlichia spp. (R. microplus). Rickettsia africae was detected in four of the 72 A. variegatum collected in Monapo (5.6%). Additionally, one R. microplus tick (6.7%) was positive for Theileria velifera, one positive for Colpodella spp., one positive for Candidatus Midichloria mitochondrii, and another one positive for Anaplasma ovis. Using the present approach, no microorganisms were detected in tick samples from Nacala Porto. These findings expand our knowledge about the repertoire of tick-borne microorganisms in ticks in Nampula province, Mozambique.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Marcília Matsimbe
- Centro de Estudos de Pós-Graduação e Extensão, Universidade Lúrio, Bairro de Marrere, Rua 4250, Km 2,3, Caixa Postal 360, Nampula, Mozambique
| | - Vlademiro Magaia
- Centro de Biotecnologia, Universidade Eduardo Mondlane, Av. de Moçambique, Km 1.5, C.P 257, Maputo, Mozambique
| | - Gustavo Seron Sanches
- Global Health and Tropical Medicine, Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Rua da Junqueira, 100, 1349-008, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Luís Neves
- Centro de Biotecnologia, Universidade Eduardo Mondlane, Av. de Moçambique, Km 1.5, C.P 257, Maputo, Mozambique
- Department of Veterinary Tropical Diseases, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X04, Onderstepoort, 0110, South Africa
| | - Emília Noormahomed
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Universidade Eduardo Mondlane, Av, Salvador Allende, 702, Maputo, Mozambique
- Department of Medicine, Infectious Disease Division, University of California, San Diego, CA, USA
- Mozambique Institute for Health Education and Research (MIHER), Av. Salvador Allende 745, Maputo, Mozambique
| | - Sandra Antunes
- Global Health and Tropical Medicine, Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Rua da Junqueira, 100, 1349-008, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Ana Domingos
- Global Health and Tropical Medicine, Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Rua da Junqueira, 100, 1349-008, Lisbon, Portugal.
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Baráková I, Derdáková M, Selyemová D, Chvostáč M, Špitalská E, Rosso F, Collini M, Rosà R, Tagliapietra V, Girardi M, Ramponi C, Hauffe HC, Rizzoli A. Tick-borne pathogens and their reservoir hosts in northern Italy. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2017; 9:164-170. [PMID: 28890111 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2017.08.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [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: 01/23/2017] [Revised: 06/30/2017] [Accepted: 08/24/2017] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to determine the occurrence of Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Rickettsia spp., Babesia spp., and Candidatus Neoehrlichia mikurensis in Ixodes spp. ticks removed from wildlife, domestic animals and humans in the Province of Trento (northern Italy) in order to better understand their ecology and provide public health professionals with an updated list of pathogens which should be considered during their diagnostic procedures after a tick bite. During 2011-2012, 848 feeding ticks at all life stages (adults, nymphs and larvae) from various hosts (wild ungulates, birds and rodents; domestic sheep, dogs and humans) were collected. The highest prevalences of A. phagocytophilum and Rickettsia spp. were detected in adult and nymphal tick stages feeding on wild ungulates (11.4% prevalence for both pathogens), while the Babesia spp. prevailed in nymphal and larval ticks feeding on wild birds (7.7%). A wide spectrum of tick-borne agents was present in larval ticks: those detached from wild ungulates were positive for A. phagocytophilum, B. venatorum, R. helvetica, R. monacensis and R. raoultii, while those removed from wild rodents were positive for B. venatorum, R. helvetica, R. monacensis and Ca. N. mikurensis, and ticks from wild birds carried A. phagocytophilum, B. venatorum, B. capreoli and R. helvetica. This study provides evidence of circulation of five tick-borne pathogens not reported in this region before, specifically R. raoultii, R. monacensis, B. venatorum, B. capreoli and B. microti. Furthermore, it discusses the epidemiological role of the animal species from which the ticks were collected highlighting the needs for more experimental studies especially for those pathogens where transovarial transmission in ticks has been demonstrated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivana Baráková
- Department of Biodiversity and Molecular Ecology, Research and Innovation Centre, Fondazione Edmund Mach, San Michele all´Adige, Trento, Italy; Institute of Zoology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovak Republic
| | - Markéta Derdáková
- Institute of Zoology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovak Republic
| | - Diana Selyemová
- Institute of Zoology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovak Republic
| | - Michal Chvostáč
- Institute of Zoology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovak Republic
| | - Eva Špitalská
- Biomedical Research Center, Institute of Virology Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovak Republic
| | - Fausta Rosso
- Department of Biodiversity and Molecular Ecology, Research and Innovation Centre, Fondazione Edmund Mach, San Michele all´Adige, Trento, Italy
| | - Margherita Collini
- Department of Biodiversity and Molecular Ecology, Research and Innovation Centre, Fondazione Edmund Mach, San Michele all´Adige, Trento, Italy
| | - Roberto Rosà
- Department of Biodiversity and Molecular Ecology, Research and Innovation Centre, Fondazione Edmund Mach, San Michele all´Adige, Trento, Italy
| | - Valentina Tagliapietra
- Department of Biodiversity and Molecular Ecology, Research and Innovation Centre, Fondazione Edmund Mach, San Michele all´Adige, Trento, Italy
| | - Matteo Girardi
- Department of Biodiversity and Molecular Ecology, Research and Innovation Centre, Fondazione Edmund Mach, San Michele all´Adige, Trento, Italy
| | - Claudio Ramponi
- Azienda Provinciale per i Servizi Sanitari, Ospedale Santa Chiara, Trento, Italy
| | - Heidi C Hauffe
- Department of Biodiversity and Molecular Ecology, Research and Innovation Centre, Fondazione Edmund Mach, San Michele all´Adige, Trento, Italy
| | - Annapaola Rizzoli
- Department of Biodiversity and Molecular Ecology, Research and Innovation Centre, Fondazione Edmund Mach, San Michele all´Adige, Trento, Italy.
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Abstract
Vector-borne diseases are responsible for significant health problems in humans, as well as in companion and farm animals. Killing the vectors with ectoparasitic drugs before they have the opportunity to pass on their pathogens could be the ideal way to prevent vector borne diseases. Blocking of transmission might work when transmission is delayed during blood meal, as often happens in ticks. The recently described systemic isoxazolines have been shown to successfully prevent disease transmission under conditions of delayed pathogen transfer. However, if the pathogen is transmitted immediately at bite as it is the case with most insects, blocking transmission becomes only possible if ectoparasiticides prevent the vector from landing on or, at least, from biting the host. Chemical entities exhibiting repellent activity in addition to fast killing, like pyrethroids, could prevent pathogen transmission even in cases of immediate transfer. Successful blocking depends on effective action in the context of the extremely diverse life-cycles of vectors and vector-borne pathogens of medical and veterinary importance which are summarized in this review. This complexity leads to important parameters to consider for ectoparasiticide research and when considering the ideal drug profile for preventing disease transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sandra Noack
- Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health GmbH, Binger Str. 173, 55216 Ingelheim, Germany.
| | - Paul M Selzer
- Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health GmbH, Binger Str. 173, 55216 Ingelheim, Germany.
| | - Ronald Kaminsky
- ParaC Consulting for Parasitology and Drug Discovery, Altenstein 13, 79685 Haeg-Ehrsberg, Germany.
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Horak IG, Heyne H, Halajian A, Booysen S, Smit WJ. Parasites of domestic and wild animals in South Africa. L. Ixodid ticks infesting horses and donkeys. Onderstepoort J Vet Res 2017; 84:e1-e6. [PMID: 28281774 PMCID: PMC6238695 DOI: 10.4102/ojvr.v84i1.1302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2016] [Revised: 08/22/2016] [Accepted: 08/23/2016] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of the study was to determine the species spectrum of ixodid ticks that infest horses and donkeys in South Africa and to identify those species that act as vectors of disease to domestic livestock. Ticks were collected opportunistically from 391 horses countrywide by their owners or grooms, or by veterinary students and staff at the Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria. Ticks were also collected from 76 donkeys in Limpopo Province, 2 in Gauteng Province and 1 in North West province. All the ticks were identified by means of a stereoscopic microscope. Horses were infested with 17 tick species, 72.1% with Rhipicephalus evertsi evertsi, 19.4% with Amblyomma hebraeum and 15.6% with Rhipicephalus decoloratus. Rhipicephalus evertsi evertsi was recovered from horses in all nine provinces of South Africa and R. decoloratus in eight provinces. Donkeys were infested with eight tick species, and 81.6% were infested with R. evertsi evertsi, 23.7% with A. hebraeum and 10.5% with R. decoloratus. Several tick species collected from the horses and donkeys are the vectors of economically important diseases of livestock. Rhipicephalus evertsi evertsi is the vector of Theileria equi, the causative organism of equine piroplasmosis. It also transmits Anaplasma marginale, the causative organism of anaplasmosis in cattle. Amblyomma hebraeum is the vector of Ehrlichia ruminantium, the causative organism of heartwater in cattle, sheep and goats, whereas R. decoloratus transmits Babesia bigemina, the causative organism of babesiosis in cattle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivan G Horak
- Department of Veterinary Tropical Diseases, University of Pretoria.
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Licari E, Takács N, Solymosi N, Farkas R. First detection of tick-borne pathogens of dogs from Malta. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2017; 8:396-399. [PMID: 28143697 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2017.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [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: 11/14/2016] [Revised: 12/12/2016] [Accepted: 01/08/2017] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The knowledge about the vector-borne infections in domestic dogs has been increasing worldwide. However no studies have been done on hard tick infestation and tick-borne pathogens (TBPs) of dogs present in Malta. Therefore, a total of 99 dogs was selected and inspected between March and July 2013 in 18 urban and 17 rural areas on the islands of Malta and Gozo. All ticks were removed from the dogs and identified. Blood samples were taken and tested for protozoa (Babesia spp. and Hepatozoon spp.) and bacteria (Anaplasma spp., Ehrlichia spp., Rickettsia spp.) by conventional PCR. All of the ticks collected from 34 (34.3%; 95% CI: 26-44) dogs belong to the species Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato. Tick infestation on the farm dogs was significantly higher than that of dogs kept outdoors as pets (OR: 15.19, 95% CI: 2.72-118.92, p<0.001) or in a sanctuary (OR: 35.11, 95% CI: 3.20-1986.67, p<0.001). Altogether 22 animals were infected with one or two TBPs, most of them with Hepatozoon canis (16/22; 72.7%). Anaplasma platys and Babesia vogeli were detected in 5 and 4 dogs, respectively. Three dogs had co-infections caused by H. canis and A. platys. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on tick infestation and TBPs of dogs in Malta.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elaine Licari
- The Veterinary Clinic' Triq Frangisk Xerri, Birkirkara, BKR1020, 27692277, Malta.
| | - Nóra Takács
- Department of Parasitology and Zoology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Budapest, Hungary H-1078 Budapest István u 2., Hungary.
| | - Norbert Solymosi
- Biometeorology Research Group, University of Veterinary Medicine, Budapest, Hungary H-1078 Budapest István u 2., Hungary.
| | - Róbert Farkas
- Department of Parasitology and Zoology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Budapest, Hungary H-1078 Budapest István u 2., Hungary.
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Miller MJ, Esser HJ, Loaiza JR, Herre EA, Aguilar C, Quintero D, Alvarez E, Bermingham E. Molecular Ecological Insights into Neotropical Bird-Tick Interactions. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0155989. [PMID: 27203693 PMCID: PMC4874597 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0155989] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2016] [Accepted: 05/06/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
In the tropics, ticks parasitize many classes of vertebrate hosts. However, because many tropical tick species are only identifiable in the adult stage, and these adults usually parasitize mammals, most attention on the ecology of tick-host interactions has focused on mammalian hosts. In contrast, immature Neotropical ticks are often found on wild birds, yet difficulties in identifying immatures hinder studies of birds' role in tropical tick ecology and tick-borne disease transmission. In Panama, we found immature ticks on 227 out of 3,498 individually-sampled birds representing 93 host species (24% of the bird species sampled, and 13% of the Panamanian land bird fauna). Tick parasitism rates did not vary with rainfall or temperature, but did vary significantly with several host ecological traits. Likewise, Neotropical-Nearctic migratory birds were significantly less likely to be infested than resident species. Using a molecular library developed from morphologically-identified adult ticks specifically for this study, we identified eleven tick species parasitizing birds, indicating that a substantial portion of the Panamanian avian species pool is parasitized by a diversity of tick species. Tick species that most commonly parasitized birds had the widest diversity of avian hosts, suggesting that immature tick species are opportunistic bird parasites. Although certain avian ecological traits are positively associated with parasitism, we found no evidence that individual tick species show specificity to particular avian host ecological traits. Finally, our data suggest that the four principal vectors of Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever in the Neotropics rarely, if ever, parasitize Panamanian birds. However, other tick species that harbor newly-discovered rickettsial parasites of unknown pathogenicity are frequently found on these birds. Given our discovery of broad interaction between Panamanian tick and avian biodiversity, future work on tick ecology and the dynamics of emerging tropical tick-borne pathogens should explicitly consider wild bird as hosts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew J. Miller
- Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Panama City, Republic of Panama
- Department of Biology, Villanova University, Villanova, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Helen J. Esser
- Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Panama City, Republic of Panama
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Wageningen University, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Jose R. Loaiza
- Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Panama City, Republic of Panama
- Centro de Biodiversidad y Descubrimiento de Drogas, Instituto de Investigaciones Científicas y Servicios de Alta Tecnología (INDICASAT-AIP), Panama City, Republic of Panama
- Centralamerican Master’s Program in Entomology, University of Panama, Panama City, Republic of Panama
| | - Edward Allen Herre
- Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Panama City, Republic of Panama
| | - Celestino Aguilar
- Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Panama City, Republic of Panama
- Centro de Biodiversidad y Descubrimiento de Drogas, Instituto de Investigaciones Científicas y Servicios de Alta Tecnología (INDICASAT-AIP), Panama City, Republic of Panama
| | - Diomedes Quintero
- G. B. Fairchild Invertebrate Museum, University of Panama, Panama City, Republic of Panama
| | - Eric Alvarez
- Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Panama City, Republic of Panama
- Centralamerican Master’s Program in Entomology, University of Panama, Panama City, Republic of Panama
| | - Eldredge Bermingham
- Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Panama City, Republic of Panama
- Patricia and Phillip Frost Museum of Science, Miami, Florida, United States of America
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Nelder MP, Russell CB, Sheehan NJ, Sander B, Moore S, Li Y, Johnson S, Patel SN, Sider D. Human pathogens associated with the blacklegged tick Ixodes scapularis: a systematic review. Parasit Vectors 2016; 9:265. [PMID: 27151067 PMCID: PMC4857413 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-016-1529-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2016] [Accepted: 04/21/2016] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The blacklegged tick Ixodes scapularis transmits Borrelia burgdorferi (sensu stricto) in eastern North America; however, the agent of Lyme disease is not the sole pathogen harbored by the blacklegged tick. The blacklegged tick is expanding its range into areas of southern Canada such as Ontario, an area where exposure to blacklegged tick bites and tick-borne pathogens is increasing. We performed a systematic review to evaluate the public health risks posed by expanding blacklegged tick populations and their associated pathogens. METHODS We followed PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines for conducting our systematic review. We searched Ovid MEDLINE, Embase, BIOSIS, Scopus and Environment Complete databases for studies published from 2000 through 2015, using subject headings and keywords that included "Ixodes scapularis", "Rickettsia", "Borrelia", "Anaplasma", "Babesia" and "pathogen." Two reviewers screened titles and abstracts against eligibility criteria (i.e. studies that included field-collected blacklegged ticks and studies that did not focus solely on B. burgdorferi) and performed quality assessments on eligible studies. RESULTS Seventy-eight studies were included in the final review, 72 were from the US and eight were from Canada (two studies included blacklegged ticks from both countries). Sixty-four (82%) studies met ≥ 75% of the quality assessment criteria. Blacklegged ticks harbored 91 distinct taxa, 16 of these are tick-transmitted human pathogens, including species of Anaplasma, Babesia, Bartonella, Borrelia, Ehrlichia, Rickettsia, Theileria and Flavivirus. Organism richness was highest in the Northeast (Connecticut, New York) and Upper Midwest US (Wisconsin); however, organism richness was dependent on sampling effort. The primary tick-borne pathogens of public health concern in Ontario, due to the geographic proximity or historical detection in Ontario, are Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Babesia microti, B. burgdorferi, Borrelia miyamotoi, deer tick virus and Ehrlichia muris-like sp. Aside from B. burgdorferi and to a much lesser concern A. phagocytophilum, these pathogens are not immediate concerns to public health in Ontario; rather they represent future threats as the distribution of vectors and pathogens continue to proliferate. CONCLUSIONS Our review is the first systematic assessment of the literature on the human pathogens associated with the blacklegged tick. As Lyme disease awareness continues to increase, it is an opportune time to document the full spectrum of human pathogens transmittable by blacklegged ticks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark P Nelder
- Enteric, Zoonotic and Vector-borne Diseases; Communicable Diseases, Emergency Preparedness and Response; Public Health Ontario, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
| | - Curtis B Russell
- Enteric, Zoonotic and Vector-borne Diseases; Communicable Diseases, Emergency Preparedness and Response; Public Health Ontario, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Nina Jain Sheehan
- Enteric, Zoonotic and Vector-borne Diseases; Communicable Diseases, Emergency Preparedness and Response; Public Health Ontario, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Beate Sander
- Enteric, Zoonotic and Vector-borne Diseases; Communicable Diseases, Emergency Preparedness and Response; Public Health Ontario, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Stephen Moore
- Enteric, Zoonotic and Vector-borne Diseases; Communicable Diseases, Emergency Preparedness and Response; Public Health Ontario, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ye Li
- Analytic Services, Knowledge Services, Public Health Ontario, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Steven Johnson
- Analytic Services, Knowledge Services, Public Health Ontario, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Samir N Patel
- Public Health Ontario Laboratories, Public Health Ontario, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Doug Sider
- Enteric, Zoonotic and Vector-borne Diseases; Communicable Diseases, Emergency Preparedness and Response; Public Health Ontario, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
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Starkey LA, Newton K, Brunker J, Crowdis K, Edourad EJP, Meneus P, Little SE. Prevalence of vector-borne pathogens in dogs from Haiti. Vet Parasitol 2016; 224:7-12. [PMID: 27270383 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2016.04.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [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: 08/14/2015] [Revised: 02/10/2016] [Accepted: 04/18/2016] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Canine vector-borne pathogens are common on some Caribbean islands, but survey data in Haiti are lacking. To determine the prevalence of selected vector-borne pathogens in dogs from Haiti, we tested blood samples collected from 210 owned dogs, 28 (13.3%) of which were infested with Rhipicephalus sanguineus ticks at the time of blood collection. No other tick species were identified on these dogs. A commercially available ELISA identified antibodies to Ehrlichia spp. in 69 (32.9%), antibodies to Anaplasma spp. in 37 (17.6%), and antigen of Dirofilaria immitis in 55 (26.2%); antibodies to Borrelia burgdorferi were not detected in any sample. Molecular assays of whole blood from 207 of the dogs confirmed infection with Ehrlichia canis (15; 7.2%), Anaplasma platys (13; 6.3%), D. immitis (46; 22.2%), Wolbachia spp. (45; 21.7%), Babesia vogeli (16; 7.7%), and Hepatozoon canis (40; 19.3%), but Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Babesia canis, Babesia rossi, Babesia gibsoni, Ehrlichia chaffeensis, Ehrlichia ewingii, or Hepatozoon americanum were not detected. Co-infection with two or more vector-borne pathogens was detected by serology in 42 (20.0%) dogs and by molecular assays in 22 (10.6%) dogs; one dog was co-infected with B. vogeli and E. canis as detected by PCR with D. immitis detected by serology (antigen). Overall, evidence of past or current infection with at least one vector-borne pathogen was identified in 142/210 (67.6%) dogs in this study, underscoring the common nature of these pathogens, some of which are zoonotic, in Haiti.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lindsay A Starkey
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Center for Veterinary Health Sciences, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, United States.
| | - Kassie Newton
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Center for Veterinary Health Sciences, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, United States
| | - Jill Brunker
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Center for Veterinary Health Sciences, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, United States
| | | | - Emile Jean Pierre Edourad
- Ministère de l'Agriculture des Ressources Naturelles et du Dèveloppment Rural, Port Au Prince, Haiti
| | - Pedro Meneus
- Ministère de l'Agriculture des Ressources Naturelles et du Dèveloppment Rural, Cap-Haitien, Haiti
| | - Susan E Little
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Center for Veterinary Health Sciences, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, United States
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Lorusso V, Wijnveld M, Majekodunmi AO, Dongkum C, Fajinmi A, Dogo AG, Thrusfield M, Mugenyi A, Vaumourin E, Igweh AC, Jongejan F, Welburn SC, Picozzi K. Tick-borne pathogens of zoonotic and veterinary importance in Nigerian cattle. Parasit Vectors 2016; 9:217. [PMID: 27090756 PMCID: PMC4836144 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-016-1504-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2016] [Accepted: 04/11/2016] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ticks and tick-borne diseases undermine cattle fitness and productivity in the whole of sub-Saharan Africa, including Nigeria. In this West African country, cattle are challenged by numerous tick species, especially during the wet season. Consequently, several TBDs are known to be endemic in Nigerian cattle, including anaplasmosis, babesiosis, cowdriosis and theilerioris (by Theileria mutans and Theileria velifera). To date, all investigations on cattle TBDs in Nigeria have been based on cytological examinations and/or on serological methods. This study aimed to ascertain the occurrence of tick-borne pathogens of veterinary and zoonotic importance in cattle in Nigeria using molecular approaches. METHODS In October 2008, 704 whole blood samples were collected from indigenous cattle in the Plateau State, Nigeria. Analysis for tick-borne pathogens was conducted by means of PCR-based reverse line blotting (RLB) and sequencing targeting a panel of five genera of microorganisms (i.e. Babesia, Theileria, Anaplasma, Ehrlichia and Rickettsia spp.). RESULTS In total, 561/704 (82.6%) animals were found infected, with 465 (69.6%) of them being infected by two or more microorganisms, with up to 77 possible combinations of pathogens detected. Theileria mutans was the most prevalent microorganism (66.3%), followed by Theileria velifera (52.4%), Theileria taurotragi (39.5%), Anaplasma marginale (39.1%), Anaplasma sp. (Omatjenne) (34.7%), Babesia bigemina (7.9%), Anaplasma centrale (6.3%), Anaplasma platys (3.9%), Rickettsia massiliae (3.5%), Babesia bovis (2.0%) and Ehrlichia ruminantium (1.1%). Calves were found significantly less infected than juvenile and adult cattle. CONCLUSIONS This study provides updated, molecular-based information on cattle TBDs in Nigeria. The molecular approach employed allowed the diagnosis of numerous positive cases including carrier statuses, multiple infections and novel pathogen detections within the indigenous cattle population. Moreover, the RLB method here described enabled the detection of veterinary agents not only pertaining to bovine health, including also those of zoonotic importance. The high prevalence recorded for T. mutans, T. velifera, A. marginale, T. taurotragi and Anaplasma sp. (Omatjenne), suggests they may be endemically established in Nigeria, whereas the lower prevalence recorded for other microorganisms (i.e. A. centrale and B. bovis) highlights a less stable epidemiological scenario, requiring further investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincenzo Lorusso
- />Division of Infection and Pathway Medicine, School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Michiel Wijnveld
- />Utrecht Centre for Tick-borne Diseases, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Ayodele O. Majekodunmi
- />Division of Infection and Pathway Medicine, School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Charles Dongkum
- />Nigerian Institute for Trypanosomiasis Research, VOM, Jos, Plateau Nigeria
| | - Akinyemi Fajinmi
- />Nigerian Institute for Trypanosomiasis Research, VOM, Jos, Plateau Nigeria
| | - Abraham G. Dogo
- />National Veterinary Research Institute, VOM, Jos, Plateau Nigeria
| | - Michael Thrusfield
- />Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, The University of Edinburgh, Midlothian, EH25 9RG, UK
| | - Albert Mugenyi
- />Division of Infection and Pathway Medicine, School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Elise Vaumourin
- />Unité d’Épidémiologie Animale, Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique, Centre de recherche de Clermont-Ferrand-Theix, France
| | - Augustine C. Igweh
- />Nigerian Institute for Trypanosomiasis Research, VOM, Jos, Plateau Nigeria
| | - Frans Jongejan
- />Utrecht Centre for Tick-borne Diseases, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- />Department of Veterinary Tropical Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pretoria, Onderstepoort 0110, Pretoria, Republic of South Africa
| | - Susan C. Welburn
- />Division of Infection and Pathway Medicine, School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Kim Picozzi
- />Division of Infection and Pathway Medicine, School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
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Hajduskova E, Literak I, Papousek I, Costa FB, Novakova M, Labruna MB, Zdrazilova-Dubska L. 'Candidatus Rickettsia mendelii', a novel basal group rickettsia detected in Ixodes ricinus ticks in the Czech Republic. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2016; 7:482-6. [PMID: 26873811 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2016.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [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: 07/18/2014] [Revised: 01/10/2016] [Accepted: 02/03/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
A novel rickettsial sequence in the citrate synthase gltA gene indicating a novel Rickettsia species has been detected in 7 out of 4524 Ixodes ricinus ticks examined within several surveys performed in the Czech Republic from 2005 to 2009. This new Candidatus Rickettsia sp. sequence has been found in 2 nymphs feeding on wild birds (Luscinia megarhynchos and Erithacus rubecula), in a male tick from vegetation, and 4 ticks feeding on a dog (3 males, 1 female tick). Portions of the ompA, ompB, sca4, and htrA genes were not amplifiable in these samples. A maximum likelihood tree of rickettsiae based on comparisons of partial amino acid sequences of citrate synthase and nucleotide sequences of 16S rDNA genes and phylogenetic analysis revealed a basal position of the novel species in the proximity of R. bellii and R. canadensis. The novel species has been named 'Candidatus Rickettsia mendelii' after the founder of genetics, Gregor Mendel.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Hajduskova
- Department of Biology and Wildlife Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Hygiene and Ecology, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences Brno, Palackeho tr. 1/3, 612 42 Brno, Czech Republic; Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, ASCR v.v.i., Branisovska 31, 370 05, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
| | - Ivan Literak
- Department of Biology and Wildlife Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Hygiene and Ecology, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences Brno, Palackeho tr. 1/3, 612 42 Brno, Czech Republic; CEITEC VFU, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences Brno, Palackeho tr. 1946/1, 614 42 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Ivo Papousek
- Department of Biology and Wildlife Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Hygiene and Ecology, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences Brno, Palackeho tr. 1/3, 612 42 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Francisco B Costa
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine and Animal Health, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Husbandry, University of São Paulo, Avenue Orlando Marques de Paiva, 87 São Paulo, 05508-270, Brazil
| | - Marketa Novakova
- Department of Biology and Wildlife Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Hygiene and Ecology, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences Brno, Palackeho tr. 1/3, 612 42 Brno, Czech Republic; CEITEC VFU, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences Brno, Palackeho tr. 1946/1, 614 42 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Marcelo B Labruna
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine and Animal Health, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Husbandry, University of São Paulo, Avenue Orlando Marques de Paiva, 87 São Paulo, 05508-270, Brazil
| | - Lenka Zdrazilova-Dubska
- Department of Biology and Wildlife Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Hygiene and Ecology, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences Brno, Palackeho tr. 1/3, 612 42 Brno, Czech Republic; Department of Laboratory Medicine, Masaryk Memorial Cancer Institute, Zluty kopec 7, 656 53 Brno, Czech Republic; Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Kamenice 753/5, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic.
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48
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Peniche-Lara G, Jimenez-Delgadillo B, Dzul-Rosado K. Rickettsia rickettsii and Rickettsia felis infection in Rhipicephalus sanguineus ticks and Ctenocephalides felis fleas co-existing in a small city in Yucatan, Mexico. J Vector Ecol 2015; 40:422-424. [PMID: 26611982 DOI: 10.1111/jvec.12185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Gaspar Peniche-Lara
- Facultad de Medicina, Unidad Interinstitucional de Investigación Clínica y Epidemiológica, Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Mérida Yucatán, México.
| | - Bertha Jimenez-Delgadillo
- Facultad de Medicina, Unidad Interinstitucional de Investigación Clínica y Epidemiológica, Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Mérida Yucatán, México
| | - Karla Dzul-Rosado
- Centro de Investigaciones Regionales Dr. Hideyo Noguchi, Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, México, Avenida Itzaés # 490 × Calle 59 Colonia Centro C.P, 97000 Mérida, Yucatán, México
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49
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Hamer SA, Weghorst AC, Auckland LD, Roark EB, Strey OF, Teel PD, Hamer GL. Comparison of DNA and Carbon and Nitrogen Stable Isotope-based Techniques for Identification of Prior Vertebrate Hosts of Ticks. J Med Entomol 2015; 52:1043-1049. [PMID: 26336205 DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjv063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2014] [Accepted: 05/08/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Identification of the vertebrate hosts upon which hematophagous arthropods feed provides key information for understanding the ecology and transmission of vector-borne diseases. Bloodmeal analysis of ticks presents unique challenges relative to other vectors, given the long interval between bloodmeal acquisition and host-seeking, during which DNA degradation occurs. This study evaluates DNA-based and stable isotope-based bloodmeal analysis methodologies for the lone star tick, Amblyomma americanum (Linneaus, 1758), in an experimental study with chicken as the known host. We subjected ticks of different ages and environmental rearing conditions to three DNA-based approaches and a stable isotopic analysis, which relies on the natural variation of nitrogen ((15)N/(14)N) and carbon ((13)C/(12)C) isotopes. While all three DNA-based approaches were successful in identifying the bloodmeal host of the engorged nymphs, only the probe-based RT-PCR was able to detect host DNA in aged ticks, the success of which was low and inconsistent across age and rearing treatments. In contrast, the stable isotope analysis showed utility in determining the host across all ages of ticks when isotopic values of ticks were compared with a panel of candidate vertebrate species. There was a positive shift in both δ(13)C and δ(15)N in adult A. americanum until 34 wk postnymphal bloodmeal. Through analyzing the isotopic signatures of eight potential vertebrate host species, we determined that the magnitude of this isotopic shift that occurred with tick age was minor compared with the heterogeneity in the δ(15)N and δ(13)C signatures among species. These results suggest that stable isotopes are a useful tool for understanding tick-host interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah A Hamer
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX.
| | | | - Lisa D Auckland
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX
| | - E Brendan Roark
- Department of Geography, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX
| | - Otto F Strey
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M AgriLife Research, College Station, TX
| | - Pete D Teel
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M AgriLife Research, College Station, TX
| | - Gabriel L Hamer
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M AgriLife Research, College Station, TX
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50
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André MR, Herrera HM, Fernandes SDJ, de Sousa KCM, Gonçalves LR, Domingos IH, de Macedo GC, Machado RZ. Tick-borne agents in domesticated and stray cats from the city of Campo Grande, state of Mato Grosso do Sul, midwestern Brazil. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2015; 6:779-86. [PMID: 26187416 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2015.07.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [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: 02/23/2015] [Revised: 07/03/2015] [Accepted: 07/04/2015] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Anaplasmataceae agents, piroplasmids and Hepatozoon spp. have emerged as important pathogens among domestic and wild felines. The present work aimed to detect the presence of species belonging to the Anaplasmataceae family, piroplasmas and Hepatozoon spp. DNA in blood samples of domesticated and stray cats in the city of Campo Grande, state of Mato Grosso do Sul, midwestern Brazil. Between January and April 2013, whole blood samples were collected from 151 cats (54 males, 95 females and two without gender registration) in the city of Campo Grande, state of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. DNA extracted from cat blood samples was submitted to conventional PCR assays for Theileria/Babesia/Cytauxzoon spp. (18S rRNA, ITS-1), Ehrlichia spp. (16S rRNA, dsb, groESL), Anaplasma spp. (16S rRNA, groESL) and Hepatozoon spp. (18S rRNA) followed by phylogenetic reconstructions. Out of 151 sampled cats, 13 (8.5%) were positive for Ehrlichia spp. closely related to Ehrlichia canis, 1 (0.66%) for Hepatozoon spp. closely related to Hepatozoon americanum and Hepatozoon spp. isolate from a wild felid, 1 (0.66%) for Cytauxzoon sp. closely related do Cytauxzoon felis, and 18 (11.9%) for Babesia/Theileria (one sequence was closely related to Babesia bigemina, eight for Babesia vogeli, five to Theileria spp. from ruminants [Theileria ovis, Theileria lestoquardi] and four to Theileria sp. recently detected in a cat). The present study showed that Ehrlichia spp., piroplasmids (B. vogeli, Theileria spp. and Cytauxzoon spp.) and, more rarely, Hepatozoon spp. circulate among stray and domesticated cats in the city of Campo Grande, state of Mato Grosso do Sul, midwestern Brazil.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcos Rogério André
- Laboratório de Imunoparasitologia, Departamento de Patologia Veterinária, Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias/Universidade Estadual Paulista (FCAV/UNESP), Jaboticabal, SP, Brazil.
| | | | - Simone de Jesus Fernandes
- Laboratório de Imunoparasitologia, Departamento de Patologia Veterinária, Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias/Universidade Estadual Paulista (FCAV/UNESP), Jaboticabal, SP, Brazil
| | - Keyla Cartens Marques de Sousa
- Laboratório de Imunoparasitologia, Departamento de Patologia Veterinária, Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias/Universidade Estadual Paulista (FCAV/UNESP), Jaboticabal, SP, Brazil
| | - Luiz Ricardo Gonçalves
- Laboratório de Imunoparasitologia, Departamento de Patologia Veterinária, Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias/Universidade Estadual Paulista (FCAV/UNESP), Jaboticabal, SP, Brazil
| | | | | | - Rosangela Zacarias Machado
- Laboratório de Imunoparasitologia, Departamento de Patologia Veterinária, Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias/Universidade Estadual Paulista (FCAV/UNESP), Jaboticabal, SP, Brazil
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