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Nooma W, Kaenkan W, Trinachartvanit W, Baimai V, Ahantarig A. Molecular prevalence of Coxiella like endosymbionts and the first record of Coxiella burnetii in hard ticks from Southern Thailand. Sci Rep 2025; 15:10129. [PMID: 40128584 PMCID: PMC11933354 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-025-94605-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2024] [Accepted: 03/14/2025] [Indexed: 03/26/2025] Open
Abstract
Eight hard tick species were identified among a total of 466 samples collected from vegetation in southern Thailand: Dermacentor compactus (n = 150), D. steini (n = 100), D. auratus (n = 85), D. tricuspis (n = 41), Haemaphysalis hystricis (n = 69), H. semermis (n = 3), H. shimoga (n = 2) and Amblyomma testudinarium (n = 16). In 93 ticks from these 8 species, Coxiella bacteria were detected via 16 S rRNA, groEL (60-kDa chaperone heat shock protein B) and rpoB (β subunit of bacterial RNA polymerase) genes. Interestingly, Coxiella burnetii was detected for the first time in H. hystricis and D. steini in Songkhla Province. Coxiella-like endosymbionts (CLEs) were also found in 84 ticks from 7 species, namely, D. compactus, D. auratus, D. tricuspis, H. hystricis, H. semermis, H. shimoga and A. testudinarium. Among these, CLEs associated with D. compactus and H. semermis were reported for the first time in Thailand. Phylogenetic analysis and generation of a haplotype network clearly revealed 2 distinct groups of Coxiella bacteria, namely, C. burnetii and CLEs. The nucleotide alignment of Coxiella 16 S rRNA revealed differences in bases at 3 positions between C. burnetii and CLEs. Thus, these differences could be used as liable molecular markers for discriminating these 2 groups in hard ticks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wanwipa Nooma
- Biodiversity Research Cluster, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand
| | - Warissara Kaenkan
- Biodiversity Research Cluster, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand
| | - Wachareeporn Trinachartvanit
- Biodiversity Research Cluster, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand
| | - Visut Baimai
- Biodiversity Research Cluster, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand
| | - Arunee Ahantarig
- Biodiversity Research Cluster, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand.
- Center of Excellence for Vectors and Vector-Borne Diseases, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom, 73170, Thailand.
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Rialch A, Sankar M, Silamparasan M, Madhusoodan AP, Kharayat NS, Gautam S, Gurav AR, Thankappan S. Molecular detection of Coxiella-like endosymbionts in Rhipicephalus microplus from north India. Vet Parasitol Reg Stud Reports 2022; 36:100803. [PMID: 36436891 DOI: 10.1016/j.vprsr.2022.100803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2022] [Revised: 10/21/2022] [Accepted: 10/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Apart from the tick-borne pathogens affecting human and animal health, ticks also harbor various non-pathogenic endosymbionts with dynamic ecological interactions. These endosymbionts are unexplored from the Indian ticks; hence this pilot study was conducted. Seventy-nine ticks were collected from Nainital district of Uttarakhand state of north India and were identified as Rhipicephalus microplus morphologically and by molecular analysis. PCR and sequence analysis were carried out to detect the presence of Rickettsia-like, Coxiella-like and Francisella-like endosymbionts in these ticks. Based on the partial 16S rRNA gene sequence, Coxiella-like endosymbiont (CLE) was detected in the adult and other life-cycle stages of ticks with 96.6-97.7% nucleotide sequence identity with the published CLE sequences from GenBank. The phylogenetic analysis revealed that the CLE from R. microplus were clustered with the CLE from other Rhipicephalus species. All these CLE formed distinct clades from the pathogenic Coxiella burnetii. None of the tick samples was found positive for Rickettsia-like and Francisella-like endosymbionts in the present study. We also demonstrated the vertical transmission of CLE from surface sterilized and laboratory reared fully engorged adult females to the eggs and the larvae. However, large scale studies are to be conducted to detect various endosymbionts and endosymbiont-tick associations in the Indian tick species and to explore these associations for tick and tick-borne disease control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ajayta Rialch
- Division of Temperate Animal Husbandry, ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Mukteswar Campus, Nainital, Uttrakhand 263138, India.
| | - M Sankar
- Division of Temperate Animal Husbandry, ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Mukteswar Campus, Nainital, Uttrakhand 263138, India
| | - M Silamparasan
- Division of Temperate Animal Husbandry, ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Mukteswar Campus, Nainital, Uttrakhand 263138, India
| | - A P Madhusoodan
- Division of Temperate Animal Husbandry, ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Mukteswar Campus, Nainital, Uttrakhand 263138, India
| | - Nitish Singh Kharayat
- Division of Temperate Animal Husbandry, ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Mukteswar Campus, Nainital, Uttrakhand 263138, India
| | - Siddharth Gautam
- Division of Temperate Animal Husbandry, ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Mukteswar Campus, Nainital, Uttrakhand 263138, India
| | - Amol Ramdas Gurav
- Division of Temperate Animal Husbandry, ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Mukteswar Campus, Nainital, Uttrakhand 263138, India
| | - Sabrinath Thankappan
- Division of Temperate Animal Husbandry, ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Mukteswar Campus, Nainital, Uttrakhand 263138, India
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Mofokeng LS, Smit NJ, Cook CA. Molecular Detection of Tick-Borne Bacteria from Amblyomma (Acari: Ixodidae) Ticks Collected from Reptiles in South Africa. Microorganisms 2022; 10:microorganisms10101923. [PMID: 36296199 PMCID: PMC9607068 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10101923] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2022] [Revised: 09/19/2022] [Accepted: 09/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Reptiles are hosts for various tick species and tick-associated organisms, many of which are zoonotic. However, little is known about the presence and diversity of tick-borne bacteria infecting reptiles and their ticks in South Africa. Amblyomma ticks (n = 253) collected from reptiles were screened for the presence of Coxiella, Anaplasma, Rickettsia, and Borrelia species by amplification, sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA, 23S rRNA, gltA, OmpA, and Flagellin genes, respectively. This study recorded the presence of reptile associated Borrelia species and Coxiella-like endosymbiont in South Africa for the first time. Furthermore, a spotted fever group Rickettsia species was observed in 7 Amblyomma marmoreum and 14 Amblyomma sylvaticum from tortoises of genera Kinixys and Chersina. Francisella-like endosymbiont was observed from 2 Amblyomma latum collected from the Mozambique spitting cobra, Naja mossambica. Coxiella burnetii and Anaplasma spp., were not detected from the current samples. Although the direct evidence that reptiles can act as reservoir hosts remains to be determined, observations from this study provide indications that reptilian ticks may play a role in the transmission of pathogenic bacteria to homothermic animals. Furthermore, the absence of Anaplasma spp., and C. burnetii does not mean that these pathogens should be completely neglected.
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Usananan P, Kaenkan W, Sudsangiem R, Baimai V, Trinachartvanit W, Ahantarig A. Phylogenetic Studies of Coxiella-Like Bacteria and Spotted Fever Group Rickettsiae in Ticks Collected From Vegetation in Chaiyaphum Province, Thailand. Front Vet Sci 2022; 9:849893. [PMID: 35464383 PMCID: PMC9020810 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2022.849893] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2022] [Accepted: 02/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Ticks can transmit a wide variety of pathogens, including bacteria. Here, we report the detection of tick-associated bacteria in Chaiyaphum Province, northeastern Thailand. There have been few reports of tick-borne bacterial pathogens in the study areas, which are evergreen forests dominated by plateaus at elevations of approximately 1,000 m. In total, 94 ticks were collected from vegetation. They were screened for the presence of Coxiella, Francisella, Rickettsia, and Borrelia bacteria using PCR assays. In this study, we found ticks from two genera, Haemaphysalis and Amblyomma, that were positive for Coxiella-like bacteria (CLB) and Rickettsia. Francisella and Borrelia spp. were not detected in these two tick genera. The results revealed the evolutionary relationships of CLB in Amblyomma testudinarium, Haemaphysalis lagrangei, and Haemaphysalis obesa ticks using the 16S rRNA and rpoB markers, which clustered together with known isolates of ticks from the same genera. In contrast, the groEL marker showed different results. On the basis of the groEL phylogenetic analysis and BLAST results, three groups of CLB were found: (1) CLB from A. testudinarium grouped as a sister clade to CLB from Ixodes ricinus; (2) CLB from Haemaphysalis lagrangei was distantly related to CLB from Haemaphysalis wellingtoni; and (3) CLB from A. testudinarium grouped as sister clade to CLB from Amblyomma from French Guiana and Brazil. For Rickettsia studies, phylogenetic trees of the gltA, ompB, and sca4 genes revealed two groups of Spotted Fever Group (SFG) Rickettsiae: (1) SFG Rickettsiae that formed a sister clade with Rickettsia tamurae AT-1 (belong to the Rickettsia helvetica subgroup) in A. testudinarium and (2) SFG Rickettsiae that formed a distantly related group to Rickettsia rhipicephali 3-7-female6-CWPP (belong to the Rickettsia massiliae subgroup) in A. testudinarium. This study expanded our knowledge of the diversity of tick-borne Coxiella and Rickettsia bacteria. The pathogenic roles of these bacteria also need to be investigated further.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pawiga Usananan
- Biodiversity Research Cluster, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Warissara Kaenkan
- Biodiversity Research Cluster, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Ronnayuth Sudsangiem
- Biodiversity Research Cluster, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Visut Baimai
- Biodiversity Research Cluster, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | | | - Arunee Ahantarig
- Biodiversity Research Cluster, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Center of Excellence for Vectors and Vector-Borne Diseases, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand
- *Correspondence: Arunee Ahantarig
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Hussain S, Perveen N, Hussain A, Song B, Aziz MU, Zeb J, Li J, George D, Cabezas-Cruz A, Sparagano O. The Symbiotic Continuum Within Ticks: Opportunities for Disease Control. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:854803. [PMID: 35369485 PMCID: PMC8969565 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.854803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2022] [Accepted: 02/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Among blood-sucking arthropods, ticks are recognized as being of prime global importance because of their role as vectors of pathogens affecting human and animal health. Ticks carry a variety of pathogenic, commensal, and symbiotic microorganisms. For the latter, studies are available concerning the detection of endosymbionts, but their role in the physiology and ecology of ticks remains largely unexplored. This review paper focuses on tick endosymbionts of the genera Coxiella, Rickettsia, Francisella, Midichloria, and Wolbachia, and their impact on ticks and tick-pathogen interactions that drive disease risk. Tick endosymbionts can affect tick physiology by influencing nutritional adaptation, fitness, and immunity. Further, symbionts may influence disease ecology, as they interact with tick-borne pathogens and can facilitate or compete with pathogen development within the vector tissues. Rickettsial symbionts are frequently found in ticks of the genera of Ixodes, Amblyomma, and Dermacentor with relatively lower occurrence in Rhipicephalus, Haemaphysalis, and Hyalomma ticks, while Coxiella-like endosymbionts (CLEs) were reported infecting almost all tick species tested. Francisella-like endosymbionts (FLEs) have been identified in tick genera such as Dermacentor, Amblyomma, Ornithodoros, Ixodes, and Hyalomma, whereas Wolbachia sp. has been detected in Ixodes, Amblyomma, Hyalomma, and Rhipicephalus tick genera. Notably, CLEs and FLEs are obligate endosymbionts essential for tick survival and development through the life cycle. American dog ticks showed greater motility when infected with Rickettsia, indirectly influencing infection risk, providing evidence of a relationship between tick endosymbionts and tick-vectored pathogens. The widespread occurrence of endosymbionts across the tick phylogeny and evidence of their functional roles in ticks and interference with tick-borne pathogens suggests a significant contribution to tick evolution and/or vector competence. We currently understand relatively little on how these endosymbionts influence tick parasitism, vector capacity, pathogen transmission and colonization, and ultimately on how they influence tick-borne disease dynamics. Filling this knowledge gap represents a major challenge for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabir Hussain
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Public Health, Jockey Club College of Veterinary Medicine and Life Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Nighat Perveen
- Department of Biology, College of Science, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
| | - Abrar Hussain
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Baolin Song
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Public Health, Jockey Club College of Veterinary Medicine and Life Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Muhammad Umair Aziz
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Public Health, Jockey Club College of Veterinary Medicine and Life Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Jehan Zeb
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Public Health, Jockey Club College of Veterinary Medicine and Life Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Jun Li
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Public Health, Jockey Club College of Veterinary Medicine and Life Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - David George
- School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Alejandro Cabezas-Cruz
- Anses, INRAE, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d’Alfort, UMR BIPAR, Laboratoire de Santé Animale, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Olivier Sparagano
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Public Health, Jockey Club College of Veterinary Medicine and Life Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
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Hirunkanokpun S, Ahantarig A, Baimai V, Pramual P, Rakthong P, Trinachartvanit W. Spotted fever group Rickettsia, Anaplasma and Coxiella-like endosymbiont in Haemaphysalis ticks from mammals in Thailand. Vet Res Commun 2022; 46:1209-1219. [PMID: 35945408 PMCID: PMC9684344 DOI: 10.1007/s11259-022-09980-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2022] [Accepted: 07/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Ticks are ectoparasites of vertebrates and vectors of various pathogenic microorganisms. In this study, the presence of bacteria and protozoa was evaluated by PCR and DNA sequencing in 233 mammal ticks collected from 8 provinces in Thailand. Sequence and phylogenetic analyses of partial rickettsial ompA, ompB, sca4 and partial Coxiella 16S rRNA, GroEL, rpoB genes clearly revealed, for the first time, a co-infection of SFG Rickettsia belonging to R. massiliae subgroup and Coxiella-like endosymbiont (CLE), Cox-hein, in a male of Haemaphysalis heinrichi tick infesting Burmese ferret-badger in Loei province. Moreover, a male of H. hystricis tick infesting the same host was infected with another CLE, Cox-hys. Based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence, Anaplasma sp., closely related to Anaplasma bovis was also detected in a male of H. heinrichi infesting the same Burmese ferret-badger. In addition, the third CLE, Cox-asia, found in H. asiatica collected from Asian palm civet in Chiang Rai province, was different from both Cox-hein and Cox-hys. This study provided important data and broadened our knowledge on tick-borne pathogens and endosymbionts in Thailand and Southeast Asia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Supanee Hirunkanokpun
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Ramkhamhaeng University, Bangkok, 10240, Thailand
| | - Arunee Ahantarig
- Biodiversity Research Cluster, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand
| | - Visut Baimai
- Biodiversity Research Cluster, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand
| | - Pairot Pramual
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Mahasarakham University, Maha Sarakham, 44150, Thailand
| | - Pakavadee Rakthong
- Faculty of Science and Technology, Rajabhat Suratthani University, Surat Thani, 84100, Thailand
| | - Wachareeporn Trinachartvanit
- Biodiversity Research Cluster, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand.
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Chisu V, Mura L, Foxi C, Masala G. Coxiellaceae in Ticks from Human, Domestic and Wild Hosts from Sardinia, Italy: High Diversity of Coxiella-like Endosymbionts. Acta Parasitol 2021; 66:654-663. [PMID: 33492605 DOI: 10.1007/s11686-020-00324-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2020] [Accepted: 12/02/2020] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Coxiella burnetii is known for its potential as veterinary and human bacterial pathogen. The bacteria have been described in ticks, but their role in transmission of Q fever in humans is considered low. Coxiella endosymbionts closely related to C. burnetii have been also isolated from an extensive range of tick species and evidence is growing that these endosymbionts could be linked to human bacteremia. The aim of this study was to get new information on the presence of Coxiella species in ticks infesting wild and domestic hosts in Sardinia, Italy. METHODS Here, 138 ticks collected from the study area were analyzed for the presence of C. burnetii and Coxiella-like bacteria by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), sequencing and philogenetic analyses using a set of primers targeting the 16S rRNA gene. RESULTS DNA of Coxiella species was detected in 69% of the total ticks examined. Based on phylogenetic analysis, the 16S rRNA Coxiella genotypes identified in this study grouped in strongly supported monophyletic clades with identified reference sequences of CLEs detected from Rhipicephalus, Dermacentor, Haemaphysalis and Ornithodoros species and with Coxiella burnetii strains isolated worldwide. CONCLUSION This study reports the molecular detection of a high diversity of Coxiella-like bacteria in Sardinian ticks and confirms also the presence of C. burnetii in tick species previously identified in the island. The role that Coxiella-like endosymbionts play in Sardinian ticks and in their vertebrate hosts needs to be explored further.
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Nooroong P, Trinachartvanit W, Baimai V, Anuracpreeda P, Ahantarig A. Partial DnaK protein expression from Coxiella-like endosymbiont of Rhipicephalus annulatus tick. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0249354. [PMID: 33793664 PMCID: PMC8016282 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0249354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2020] [Accepted: 03/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Q fever is one of the most important zoonotic diseases caused by the obligate intracellular bacteria, Coxiella burnetii. This bacterial infection has been frequently reported in both humans and animals, especially ruminants. Ticks are important ectoparasite and serve as reservoir hosts of Coxiella-like endosymbionts (CLEs). In this study, we have attempted to express chaperone-coding genes from CLEs of Rhipicephalus annulatus ticks collected fromcow path. The partial DnaK coding sequence has been amplified and expressed by Escherichia coli. Amino acid sequences have been analyzed by MS-MS spectrometry and the UniProt database. Despites nucleotide sequences indicating high nucleotide variation and diversity, many nucleotide substitutions are synonymous. In addition, amino acid substitutions compensate for the physicochemical properties of the original amino acids. Immune Epitope Database and Analysis Resource (IEDB-AR) was employed to indicate the antigenicity of the partial DnaK protein and predict the epitopes of B-and T-cells. Interestingly, some predicted HLA-A and B alleles of the MHC-I and HLA-DR alleles belonging to MHC-II were similar to T-cell responses to C. burnetii in Q fever patients. Therefore, the partial DnaK protein of CLE from R. annulatus could be considered a vaccine candidate and immunogenic marker with future prospects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pornpiroon Nooroong
- Department of Biology, Biodiversity Research Cluster, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | | | - Visut Baimai
- Department of Biology, Biodiversity Research Cluster, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Panat Anuracpreeda
- Institute of Molecular Biosciences, Mahidol University, Salaya, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand
| | - Arunee Ahantarig
- Department of Biology, Biodiversity Research Cluster, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Center of Excellence for Vectors and Vector-Borne Diseases, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Salaya, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand
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Gillingham EL, Cull B, Pietzsch ME, Phipps LP, Medlock JM, Hansford K. The Unexpected Holiday Souvenir: The Public Health Risk to UK Travellers from Ticks Acquired Overseas. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 17:E7957. [PMID: 33138220 PMCID: PMC7663673 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17217957] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2020] [Revised: 10/23/2020] [Accepted: 10/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Overseas travel to regions where ticks are found can increase travellers' exposure to ticks and pathogens that may be unfamiliar to medical professionals in their home countries. Previous studies have detailed non-native tick species removed from recently returned travellers, occasionally leading to travel-associated human cases of exotic tick-borne disease. There are 20 species of tick endemic to the UK, yet UK travellers can be exposed to many other non-native species whilst overseas. Here, we report ticks received by Public Health England's Tick Surveillance Scheme from humans with recent travel history between January 2006 and December 2018. Altogether, 16 tick species were received from people who had recently travelled overseas. Confirmed imports (acquired outside of the UK) were received from people who recently travelled to 22 countries. Possible imports (acquired abroad or within the UK) were received from people who had recently travelled to eight European countries. Species-specific literature reviews highlighted nine of the sixteen tick species are known to vector at least one tick-borne pathogen to humans in the country of acquisition, suggesting travellers exposed to ticks may be at risk of being bitten by a species that is a known vector, with implications for novel tick-borne disease transmission to travellers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma L. Gillingham
- Medical Entomology and Zoonoses Ecology, Emergency Response Department, Public Health England, Porton Down, Salisbury SP4 0JG, UK; (B.C.); (M.E.P.); (J.M.M.); (K.H.)
| | - Benjamin Cull
- Medical Entomology and Zoonoses Ecology, Emergency Response Department, Public Health England, Porton Down, Salisbury SP4 0JG, UK; (B.C.); (M.E.P.); (J.M.M.); (K.H.)
| | - Maaike E. Pietzsch
- Medical Entomology and Zoonoses Ecology, Emergency Response Department, Public Health England, Porton Down, Salisbury SP4 0JG, UK; (B.C.); (M.E.P.); (J.M.M.); (K.H.)
| | - L. Paul Phipps
- Wildlife Zoonoses and Vector-Borne Research Group, Department of Virology, Animal and Plant Health Agency, Addlestone, Surrey KT15 3NB, UK;
| | - Jolyon M. Medlock
- Medical Entomology and Zoonoses Ecology, Emergency Response Department, Public Health England, Porton Down, Salisbury SP4 0JG, UK; (B.C.); (M.E.P.); (J.M.M.); (K.H.)
| | - Kayleigh Hansford
- Medical Entomology and Zoonoses Ecology, Emergency Response Department, Public Health England, Porton Down, Salisbury SP4 0JG, UK; (B.C.); (M.E.P.); (J.M.M.); (K.H.)
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Sahu R, Rawool DB, Vinod VK, Malik SVS, Barbuddhe SB. Current approaches for the detection of Coxiella burnetii infection in humans and animals. J Microbiol Methods 2020; 179:106087. [PMID: 33086105 DOI: 10.1016/j.mimet.2020.106087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2020] [Revised: 10/14/2020] [Accepted: 10/14/2020] [Indexed: 02/09/2023]
Abstract
Q fever (coxiellosis), caused by Coxiella burnetii, is an emerging or re-emerging zoonotic disease of public health significance and with worldwide distribution. As a causal agent of the one among the 13 global priority zoonoses, having the infectious dose as low as one bacterium, C. burnetii has been regarded as an obligate intracellular bacterial pathogen. The agent has been classified as a Group B bioterrorism agent by the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the disease is included in the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) list of notifiable diseases. It is mainly transmitted through airborne route in humans and animals. Isolation of C. burnetii, using standard routine laboratory culture techniques was impossible until formulation of axenic-based medium. However, it is still to be included among routinely isolated laboratory pathogen, accounting prolonged incubation period (~7 days) and requirement of specific oxygen concentration (2.5% O2). Therefore, indirect diagnostic tools have been mainly used for its diagnosis. So far serology has been mostly used for testing for C. burnetii infection. The detection of C. burnetii DNA by PCR in various clinical samples have also been widely used. The disease has remained largely under-reported, underdiagnosed and as a masked zoonosis; and therefore, needs to be explored through well-planned scientific studies for knowing its true status and likely it impact in humans and animals by employing state-of-the-art diagnostics, identifying its diverse and new host range, as well as risk factors involved in different geo-climatic, behavioural and social settings as well as risk groups. Here, we reviewed the current approaches used for the detection of C. burnetii infection in humans and animals at the population and individual level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Radhakrishna Sahu
- Division of Veterinary Public Health, ICAR- Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar 243 122, India
| | - Deepak B Rawool
- ICAR- National Research Centre on Meat, Hyderabad 500 092, India
| | - Valil Kunjukunju Vinod
- Division of Veterinary Public Health, ICAR- Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar 243 122, India
| | - S V S Malik
- Division of Veterinary Public Health, ICAR- Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar 243 122, India
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Lim FS, Khoo JJ, Tan KK, Zainal N, Loong SK, Khor CS, AbuBakar S. Bacterial communities in Haemaphysalis, Dermacentor and Amblyomma ticks collected from wild boar of an Orang Asli Community in Malaysia. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2019; 11:101352. [PMID: 31866439 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2019.101352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2019] [Revised: 11/08/2019] [Accepted: 12/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Ticks are hematophagous vectors of arthropod-borne disease agents globally. In Malaysia, despite seroprevalence studies indicating the presence of tick-borne diseases among the indigenous people, the etiological agents of these diseases are still unclear. These indigenous people, also known as the Orang Asli, still live in forested areas with frequent contact with wildlife. Wild boar are ubiquitously found in the forested areas where the Orang Asli communities are located and are commonly hunted as a food supplement. In this study, we aim to determine the tick species parasitizing wild boar from an Orang Asli community, and explore the tick-associated bacterial communities using 16 s rRNA amplicon sequencing on the Ion Torrent PGM™ platform. A total of 72 ticks were collected from three wild boar and were morphologically identified as Haemaphysalis hystricis (n = 32), Dermacentor compactus (n = 15), Amblyomma testudinarium (n = 13), Dermacentor steini (n = 10) and Dermacentor atrosignatus (n = 2). Across all tick samples, 910 bacterial taxa were identified. Although the bacterial communities were not significantly distinct between tick species in beta-diversity analyses, Coxiella, Rickettsia and Francisella were detected at high relative abundance in H. hystricis, D. compactus and D. steini respectively. Many other bacterial genera, including those that have been described in many different tick species, were also identified, including Pseudomonas, Acinetobacter, Staphylococcus and Corynebacterium. Beta-diversity analyses also showed that the bacterial communities were separated based on the animal host from which the ticks were collected from, suggesting that the bacterial communities here may be influenced by the animal skin microflora, host blood or the environment. PCR screening confirmed the presence of Rickettsia sp. related to spotted fever group Rickettsia in some of the ticks. This study provides baseline knowledge of the microbiome of H. hystricis, D. atrosignatus, D. compactus, D. steini and A. testudinarium parasitizing wild boar in this region. The information gained in this study provides the basis to target our efforts in H. hystricis, D. compactus and D. steini for the future investigation of vector competence and the zoonotic potential for the Coxiella, Rickettsia and Francisella detected here, as well as their implications for the risks of tick-borne diseases among the Orang Asli communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fang Shiang Lim
- Tick Cell Biobank Asia Outpost, Tropical Infectious Diseases Research and Education Centre (TIDREC), Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, 50603 Malaysia; Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, 50603 Malaysia
| | - Jing Jing Khoo
- Tick Cell Biobank Asia Outpost, Tropical Infectious Diseases Research and Education Centre (TIDREC), Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, 50603 Malaysia.
| | - Kim Kee Tan
- Tick Cell Biobank Asia Outpost, Tropical Infectious Diseases Research and Education Centre (TIDREC), Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, 50603 Malaysia
| | - Nurhafiza Zainal
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, 50603 Malaysia
| | - Shih Keng Loong
- Tick Cell Biobank Asia Outpost, Tropical Infectious Diseases Research and Education Centre (TIDREC), Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, 50603 Malaysia
| | - Chee Sieng Khor
- Tick Cell Biobank Asia Outpost, Tropical Infectious Diseases Research and Education Centre (TIDREC), Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, 50603 Malaysia
| | - Sazaly AbuBakar
- Tick Cell Biobank Asia Outpost, Tropical Infectious Diseases Research and Education Centre (TIDREC), Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, 50603 Malaysia; Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, 50603 Malaysia.
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Ravi A, Ereqat S, Al-Jawabreh A, Abdeen Z, Abu Shamma O, Hall H, Pallen MJ, Nasereddin A. Metagenomic profiling of ticks: Identification of novel rickettsial genomes and detection of tick-borne canine parvovirus. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2019; 13:e0006805. [PMID: 30640905 PMCID: PMC6347332 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0006805] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2018] [Revised: 01/25/2019] [Accepted: 11/29/2018] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Across the world, ticks act as vectors of human and animal pathogens. Ticks rely on bacterial endosymbionts, which often share close and complex evolutionary links with tick-borne pathogens. As the prevalence, diversity and virulence potential of tick-borne agents remain poorly understood, there is a pressing need for microbial surveillance of ticks as potential disease vectors. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS We developed a two-stage protocol that includes 16S-amplicon screening of pooled samples of hard ticks collected from dogs, sheep and camels in Palestine, followed by shotgun metagenomics on individual ticks to detect and characterise tick-borne pathogens and endosymbionts. Two ticks isolated from sheep yielded an abundance of reads from the genus Rickettsia, which were assembled into draft genomes. One of the resulting genomes was highly similar to Rickettsia massiliae strain MTU5. Analysis of signature genes showed that the other represents the first genome sequence of the potential pathogen Candidatus Rickettsia barbariae. Ticks from a dog and a sheep yielded draft genome sequences of Coxiella strains. A sheep tick yielded sequences from the sheep pathogen Anaplasma ovis, while Hyalomma ticks from camels yielded sequences belonging to Francisella-like endosymbionts. From the metagenome of a dog tick from Jericho, we generated a genome sequence of a canine parvovirus. SIGNIFICANCE Here, we have shown how a cost-effective two-stage protocol can be used to detect and characterise tick-borne pathogens and endosymbionts. In recovering genome sequences from an unexpected pathogen (canine parvovirus) and a previously unsequenced pathogen (Candidatus Rickettsia barbariae), we demonstrate the open-ended nature of metagenomics. We also provide evidence that ticks can carry canine parvovirus, raising the possibility that ticks might contribute to the spread of this troublesome virus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anuradha Ravi
- Quadram Institute, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, Norfolk, United Kingdom
| | - Suheir Ereqat
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Al-Quds University, Abu Deis, East Jerusalem, Palestine
- Al-Quds Nutrition and Health Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine, Al-Quds University Abu Deis, East Jerusalem, Palestine and Al-Quds Public Health Society, Abu Deis, East Jerusalem, Palestine
| | - Amer Al-Jawabreh
- Al-Quds Nutrition and Health Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine, Al-Quds University Abu Deis, East Jerusalem, Palestine and Al-Quds Public Health Society, Abu Deis, East Jerusalem, Palestine
- Faculty of Allied Medical Sciences, Arab American University Palestine, Jenin, Palestine
| | - Ziad Abdeen
- Al-Quds Nutrition and Health Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine, Al-Quds University Abu Deis, East Jerusalem, Palestine and Al-Quds Public Health Society, Abu Deis, East Jerusalem, Palestine
| | - Omar Abu Shamma
- Al-Quds Nutrition and Health Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine, Al-Quds University Abu Deis, East Jerusalem, Palestine and Al-Quds Public Health Society, Abu Deis, East Jerusalem, Palestine
| | - Holly Hall
- Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry, United Kingdom
| | - Mark J. Pallen
- Quadram Institute, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, Norfolk, United Kingdom
| | - Abedelmajeed Nasereddin
- Al-Quds Nutrition and Health Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine, Al-Quds University Abu Deis, East Jerusalem, Palestine and Al-Quds Public Health Society, Abu Deis, East Jerusalem, Palestine
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13
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Trinachartvanit W, Maneewong S, Kaenkan W, Usananan P, Baimai V, Ahantarig A. Coxiella-like bacteria in fowl ticks from Thailand. Parasit Vectors 2018; 11:670. [PMID: 30587229 PMCID: PMC6307260 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-018-3259-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2018] [Accepted: 12/05/2018] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Coxiella bacteria were identified from various tick species across the world. Q fever is a zoonotic disease caused by the bacteria Coxiella burnetii that most commonly infects a variety of mammals. Non-mammalian hosts, such as birds, have also been reported to be infected with the pathogenic form of "Candidatus Coxiella avium". This research increases the list of tick species that have been found with Coxiella-like bacteria in Thailand. METHODS A total of 69 ticks were collected from 27 domestic fowl (Gallus gallus domesticus), 2 jungle fowl (Gallus gallus) and 3 Siamese firebacks (Lophura diardi) at 10 locations (provinces) in Thailand. Ticks were identified and PCR was used to amplify Coxiella bacteria 16S rRNA, groEL and rpoB genes from the extracted tick DNA. MEGA6 was used to construct phylogenetic trees via a Maximum Likelihood method. RESULTS The phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene showed that the Coxiella sequences detected in this study grouped in the same clade with Coxiella sequences from the same tick genus (or species) reported previously. In contrast, rpoB gene of the Coxiella bacteria detected in this study did not cluster together with the same tick genus reported previously. Instead, they clustered by geographical distribution (Thai cluster and Malaysian cluster). In addition, phylogenetic analysis of the groEL gene (the chaperonin family) showed that all Coxiella bacteria found in this study were grouped in the same clade (three sister groups). CONCLUSIONS To our knowledge, we found for the first time rpoB genes of Coxiella-like bacteria in Haemaphysalis wellingtoni ticks forming two distinct clades by phylogenetic analysis. This may be indicative of a horizontal gene transfer event.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wachareeporn Trinachartvanit
- Biodiversity Research Cluster, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Rama 6 Road, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand
| | - Simaporn Maneewong
- Biodiversity Research Cluster, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Rama 6 Road, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand
| | - Warissara Kaenkan
- Biodiversity Research Cluster, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Rama 6 Road, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand
| | - Pawiga Usananan
- Biodiversity Research Cluster, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Rama 6 Road, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand
| | - Visut Baimai
- Biodiversity Research Cluster, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Rama 6 Road, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand.,Center of Excellence for Vectors and Vector-Borne Diseases, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University at Salaya, Phutthamonthon 4 Road, Nakhon Pathom, 73170, Thailand
| | - Arunee Ahantarig
- Biodiversity Research Cluster, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Rama 6 Road, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand. .,Center of Excellence for Vectors and Vector-Borne Diseases, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University at Salaya, Phutthamonthon 4 Road, Nakhon Pathom, 73170, Thailand.
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14
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The microbiome of Haemaphysalis lemuris (Acari: Ixodidae), a possible vector of pathogens of endangered lemur species in Madagascar. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2018; 9:1252-1260. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2018.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2018] [Revised: 04/30/2018] [Accepted: 05/01/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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15
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Nooroong P, Trinachartvanit W, Baimai V, Ahantarig A. Phylogenetic studies of bacteria (Rickettsia, Coxiella, and Anaplasma) in Amblyomma and Dermacentor ticks in Thailand and their co-infection. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2018; 9:963-971. [PMID: 29610046 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2018.03.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2017] [Revised: 03/23/2018] [Accepted: 03/23/2018] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
In this study, we attempted to detect Rickettsia, Coxiella and Anaplasma bacteria in one hundred and fourteen-Dermacentor and thirty three-Amblyomma unfed adult ticks that were collected from under leaves along animal trails at different places across Thailand. PCR amplification was used to identify bacterial infection with general conserved sequences of bacteria. The results revealed single infection in Amblyomma testudinarium ticks with Rickettsia (24%) and Coxiella (6%). Anaplasma bacteria were often detected in Dermacentor auratus ticks (32%). Coxiella spp. were detected in Dermacentor atrosignatus (6%) and D. auratus ticks (3%) in this study. Moreover, we found co-infection by Coxiella and Rickettsia bacteria (39%) in Am. testudinarium. In contrast, D. atrosignatus ticks were co-infected with Coxiella and Anaplasma bacteria (3%) and Dermacentor compactus ticks were co-infected with Rickettsia and Anaplasma spp. (25%). Interestingly, Am. testudinarium ticks (12%) were found for the first time to exhibit triple infection by these three bacteria. Phylogenetic studies showed the rickettsiae from ticks causing both single and multiple infections had sequence similarity with spotted fever group rickettsial strains, including Rickettsia massilliae, R. raoultii and R. tamurae. In addition, the phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene of Coxiella bacteria showed that they were closely grouped with Coxiella endosymbionts in both Dermacentor and Amblyomma. Moreover, the Anaplasma identified in a D. auratus tick was grouped in the same clade with the pathogenic bacterium Anaplasma phagocytophilum. Bacterial co-infections in Dermacentor and Amblyomma ticks may cause co-transmission of some tick-borne microorganisms (pathogen and endosymbiont, whether enhance or reduce) in humans and animals and they could affect medical and veterinary health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pornpiroon Nooroong
- Biodiversity Research Cluster, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Rama 6 Road, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Wachareeporn Trinachartvanit
- Biodiversity Research Cluster, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Rama 6 Road, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Visut Baimai
- Biodiversity Research Cluster, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Rama 6 Road, Bangkok, Thailand; Center of Excellence for Vectors and Vector-Borne Diseases, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University at Salaya, Phutthamonthon 4 Road, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand
| | - Arunee Ahantarig
- Biodiversity Research Cluster, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Rama 6 Road, Bangkok, Thailand; Center of Excellence for Vectors and Vector-Borne Diseases, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University at Salaya, Phutthamonthon 4 Road, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand.
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16
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Wang R, Li N, Liu J, Li T, Liu M, Yu Z, Liu J. Symbiont dynamics of the Tibetan tick Haemaphysalis tibetensis (Acari: Ixodidae). Parasit Vectors 2017; 10:259. [PMID: 28545568 PMCID: PMC5445347 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-017-2199-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2017] [Accepted: 05/15/2017] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Characterization of the microbial diversity and symbiont dynamics of ticks may help to understand the development of ticks and reveal new strategies to control tick-transmitted pathogens, which has not yet been explored in the Tibetan tick Haemaphysalis tibetensis. This tick species is widely distributed in the Tibetan Plateau, and is recognized as one of the primary parasites affecting domestic and wild animals. Methods In the present study, the endosymbionts of H. tibetensis were characterized using diagnostic polymerase chain reaction (diagnostic PCR), and further evaluated for tissue distribution and population dynamics at each developmental stage of ticks and in tissues at different reproductive statuses by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Results Two symbionts were found in H. tibetensis, and named as CLS-Ht (Coxiella-like symbiont in H. tibetensis) and RLS-Ht (Rickettsia-like symbiont in H. tibetensis). They showed 100% infection rate in both females and males of H. tibetensis. CLS-Ht and RLS-Ht can be observed within eggs, larvae, nymphs and adults, which indicates vertical transmission in H. tibetensis. CLS-Ht was specifically distributed in the female ovaries and Malpighian tubules, whereas RLS-Ht was detected within ovaries, Malpighian tubules, salivary glands and midguts of the ticks. Real-time qPCR suggested that adult ticks carried the largest amount of CLS-Ht and RLS-Ht with CLS-Ht having a significantly higher presence in females than in males (P < 0.05), whereas the presence of RLS-Ht showed no significant differences between sexes. In the ovaries, CLS-Ht distribution reached a peak at one day post-engorgement, and then gradually declined to a lower level, whereas no change was observed in RLS-Ht. In Malpighian tubules, the amount of both symbionts displayed an increasing trend with time post-engorgement. In midguts and salivary glands, the amount of RLS-Ht showed no significant differences. Conclusion Two novel endosymbionts (CLS-Ht and RLS-Ht) were characterized in H. tibetensis both showing a high prevalence and stable vertical transmission. The described tissue distribution and population dynamics might imply the important functions of these symbionts during the development and reproduction of ticks. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13071-017-2199-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rongrong Wang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of Hebei Province, College of Life Sciences, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang, 050024, China
| | - Ningxin Li
- Key Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of Hebei Province, College of Life Sciences, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang, 050024, China
| | - Jiannan Liu
- Key Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of Hebei Province, College of Life Sciences, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang, 050024, China
| | - Tuo Li
- Key Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of Hebei Province, College of Life Sciences, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang, 050024, China
| | - Ming Liu
- Key Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of Hebei Province, College of Life Sciences, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang, 050024, China
| | - Zhijun Yu
- Key Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of Hebei Province, College of Life Sciences, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang, 050024, China. .,Institute of Biochemistry, Department of Biology, Carleton University, 1125 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, ON, K1S 5B6, Canada.
| | - Jingze Liu
- Key Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of Hebei Province, College of Life Sciences, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang, 050024, China.
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Ernieenor FCL, Ernna G, Mariana A. Phenotypic and genotypic identification of hard ticks of the genus Haemaphysalis (Acari: Ixodidae) in Peninsular Malaysia. EXPERIMENTAL & APPLIED ACAROLOGY 2017; 71:387-400. [PMID: 28409404 PMCID: PMC5437174 DOI: 10.1007/s10493-017-0120-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2016] [Accepted: 04/02/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Morphotaxonomy based on phenotypic traits of immature hard ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) is a skill challenge and has prompted many inexperienced acarologists to adopt DNA-based methods for identifying and discriminating the species. The aim of this study is therefore to utilize COI gene for verifying the morphological status of Haemaphysalis ticks in Peninsular Malaysia. A total of 19 on-host ticks collected from four localities were first identified using specific illustrated taxonomic keys that lead to the genus of Haemaphysalis. Genotypic traits of tick species were then verified molecularly based on cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) gene using polymerase chain reaction and direct sequencing. Clustering analysis was carried out by constructing a phylogenetic tree to determine the genetic variation and diversity of local Haemaphysalis ticks. Based on external morphological characterizations, all immature ticks were successfully identified down to the genus level only. Molecular analysis of the genotypic using COI gene revealed 16 individuals (84%) as Haemaphysalis hystricis, and three individuals as H. humerosa with sequence homology of 97-99 and 86-87%, respectively. Haemaphysalis hystricis were clustered in their respective monophyletic group in the phylogeny trees with a bootstrap of 100%. Furthermore, a low intraspecific variation (<0.3%) was observed among Malaysian H. hystricis but high interspecific value (>15%) recorded. This study morphologically and molecularly confirms the presence of H. hystricis in Malaysia and the findings will add value to the existing knowledge in identification of ticks in this country.
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Affiliation(s)
- F C L Ernieenor
- Acarology Unit, Infectious Diseases Research Centre, Institute for Medical Research, Jalan Pahang, 50588, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
| | - G Ernna
- Acarology Unit, Infectious Diseases Research Centre, Institute for Medical Research, Jalan Pahang, 50588, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - A Mariana
- Acarology Unit, Infectious Diseases Research Centre, Institute for Medical Research, Jalan Pahang, 50588, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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18
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Khoo JJ, Lim FS, Chen F, Phoon WH, Khor CS, Pike BL, Chang LY, AbuBakar S. Coxiella Detection in Ticks from Wildlife and Livestock in Malaysia. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2016; 16:744-751. [PMID: 27763821 PMCID: PMC5144871 DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2016.1959] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent studies have shown that ticks harbor Coxiella-like bacteria, which are potentially tick-specific endosymbionts. We recently described the detection of Coxiella-like bacteria and possibly Coxiella burnetii in ticks found from rural areas in Malaysia. In the present study, we collected ticks, including Haemaphysalis bispinosa, Haemaphysalis hystricis, Dermacentor compactus, Dermacentor steini, and Amblyomma sp. from wildlife and domesticated goats from four different locations in Malaysia. Coxiella 16s rRNA genomic sequences were detected by PCR in 89% of ticks tested. Similarity analysis and phylogenetic analyses of the 16s rRNA and rpoB partial sequences were performed for 10 representative samples selected based on the tick species, sex, and location. The findings here suggested the presence of C. burnetii in two samples, each from D. steini and H. hystricis. The sequences of both samples clustered with published C. burnetii sequences. The remaining eight tick samples were shown to harbor 16s rRNA sequences of Coxiella-like bacteria, which clustered phylogenetically according to the respective tick host species. The findings presented here added to the growing evidence of the association between Coxiella-like bacteria and ticks across species and geographical boundaries. The importance of C. burnetii found in ticks in Malaysia warrants further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing-Jing Khoo
- Tropical Infectious Diseases Research and Education Centre (TIDREC), University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Fang-Shiang Lim
- Tropical Infectious Diseases Research and Education Centre (TIDREC), University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Fezshin Chen
- Tropical Infectious Diseases Research and Education Centre (TIDREC), University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Wai-Hong Phoon
- Tropical Infectious Diseases Research and Education Centre (TIDREC), University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Chee-Sieng Khor
- Tropical Infectious Diseases Research and Education Centre (TIDREC), University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Brian L. Pike
- Naval Medical Research Center-Asia (NMRC-A), Singapore, Singapore
| | - Li-Yen Chang
- Tropical Infectious Diseases Research and Education Centre (TIDREC), University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Sazaly AbuBakar
- Tropical Infectious Diseases Research and Education Centre (TIDREC), University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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19
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Seo MG, Lee SH, Ouh IO, Lee GH, Goo YK, Kim S, Kwon OD, Kwak D. Molecular Detection and Genotyping of Coxiella-Like Endosymbionts in Ticks that Infest Horses in South Korea. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0165784. [PMID: 27792764 PMCID: PMC5085090 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0165784] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2016] [Accepted: 10/18/2016] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Members of the genus Coxiella can be transmitted from ticks to humans during contact with animals; Coxiella may thus spread from the infected horses or ticks to humans. In this study, the presence of Coxiella burnetii and Coxiella-like endosymbionts (CLE) in ticks found on infested horses was determined using PCR and genotyping. A total of 213 ticks were randomly collected from 51 horses (4–5 ticks per horse) raised on Jeju Island, Korea, between 2009 and 2013. All ticks were morphologically identified as adult Haemaphysalis longicornis, a predominant tick species widespread in Korea. Based on the results of nested PCR and 16S rRNA sequencing, CLE were detected in 121 (52.4%, 95% CI: 45.9–58.8) ticks. CLE 16S rRNA sequences from 9 randomly selected ticks were 100% identical. Phylogenetic analysis showed that these 9 sequences were highly similar (97.9–100%) to the sequences of clade B species, like the CLE previously described to be found in Haemaphysalis spp. This study showed that CLE are prevalent in ticks that infest horses reared on Jeju Island, and this is, to the best of our knowledge, the first study to describe CLE occurrence in ticks infesting animals reared in Korea. Because of the high prevalence of CLE in ticks found on horses, CLE transmission from ticks to other animals and humans remains a possibility. This warrants a detailed study of other hosts and regions. Considering the zoonotic potential of Coxiella, further strategic surveillance of Coxiella transmission is necessary.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min-Goo Seo
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, South Korea
- Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency, Gimcheon, South Korea
| | - Seung-Hun Lee
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, South Korea
| | - In-Ohk Ouh
- Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency, Gimcheon, South Korea
| | | | - Youn-Kyoung Goo
- Department of Parasitology and Tropical Medicine, Kyungpook National University School of Medicine, Daegu, South Korea
| | - Seungjoon Kim
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, South Korea
| | - Oh-Deog Kwon
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, South Korea
| | - Dongmi Kwak
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, South Korea
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, South Korea
- * E-mail:
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Khoo JJ, Chen F, Kho KL, Ahmad Shanizza AI, Lim FS, Tan KK, Chang LY, AbuBakar S. Bacterial community in Haemaphysalis ticks of domesticated animals from the Orang Asli communities in Malaysia. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2016; 7:929-937. [PMID: 27132518 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2016.04.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2016] [Revised: 04/08/2016] [Accepted: 04/20/2016] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Ticks are vectors in the transmission of many important infectious diseases in human and animals. Ticks can be readily found in the semi-forested areas such as the settlements of the indigenous people in Malaysia, the Orang Asli. There is still minimal information available on the bacterial agents associated with ticks found in Malaysia. We performed a survey of the bacterial communities associated with ticks collected from domestic animals found in two Orang Asli villages in Malaysia. We collected 62 ticks, microscopically and molecularly identified as related to Haemaphysalis wellingtoni, Haemaphysalis hystricis and Haemaphysalis bispinosa. Bacterial 16s rRNA hypervariable region (V6) amplicon libraries prepared from the tick samples were sequenced on the Ion Torrent PGM platform. We detected a total of 392 possible bacterial genera after pooling and sequencing 20 samples, indicating a diverse bacterial community profile. Dominant taxa include the potential tick endosymbiont, Coxiella. Other dominant taxa include the tick-associated pathogen, Rickettsia, and environmental bacteria such as Bacillus, Mycobacterium, Sphingomonas and Pseudomonas. Other known tick-associated bacteria were also detected, including Anaplasma, Ehrlichia, Rickettsiella and Wolbachia, albeit at very low abundance. Specific PCR was performed on selected samples to identify Rickettsia and Coxiella. Sequence of Rickettsia felis, which causes spotted fever in human and cats, was identified in one sample. Coxiella endosymbionts were detected in three samples. This study provides the baseline knowledge of the microbiome of ticks in Malaysia, focusing on tick-associated bacteria affecting the Orang Asli communities. The role of the herein found Coxiella and Rickettsia in tick physiology or disease transmission merits further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing-Jing Khoo
- Tropical Infectious Diseases Research and Education Centre (TIDREC), Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia; Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia.
| | - Fezshin Chen
- Tropical Infectious Diseases Research and Education Centre (TIDREC), Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia; Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia.
| | - Kai Ling Kho
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia.
| | - Azzy Iyzati Ahmad Shanizza
- Tropical Infectious Diseases Research and Education Centre (TIDREC), Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia; Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia.
| | - Fang-Shiang Lim
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia.
| | - Kim-Kee Tan
- Tropical Infectious Diseases Research and Education Centre (TIDREC), Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia; Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia.
| | - Li-Yen Chang
- Tropical Infectious Diseases Research and Education Centre (TIDREC), Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia; Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia.
| | - Sazaly AbuBakar
- Tropical Infectious Diseases Research and Education Centre (TIDREC), Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia; Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia.
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Sumrandee C, Baimai V, Trinachartvanit W, Ahantarig A. Molecular detection of Rickettsia, Anaplasma, Coxiella and Francisella bacteria in ticks collected from Artiodactyla in Thailand. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2016; 7:678-689. [PMID: 26934997 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2016.02.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2015] [Revised: 01/12/2016] [Accepted: 02/19/2016] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
A total of 79 ticks collected from Sambar deer (Cervus unicolor), Barking deer (Muntiacus muntjak) and Wild boar (Sus scrofa) were examined by PCR for the presence of Rickettsia, Anaplasma, Coxiella, and Francisella bacteria. Of the 79 ticks, 13% tested positive for Rickettsia, 15% tested positive for Anaplasma, 4% tested positive for Coxiella, and 3% tested positive for Francisella. Interestingly, triple infection with Anaplasma, Rickettsia and Francisella was determined in a Dermacentor auratus tick. Moreover, another triple infection with Rickettsia, Anaplasma, and Coxiella was found in a Haemaphysalis lagrangei tick. Double infection of Rickettsia with Coxiella was also detected in another H. lagrangei tick. From the phylogenetic analyses, we found a Rickettsia sp. with a close evolutionary relationship to Rickettsia bellii in the H. lagrangei tick. We also found the first evidence of a Rickettsia sp. that is closely related to Rickettsia tamurae in Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus ticks from Thailand. H. lagrangei and Haemaphysalis obesa ticks collected from Sambar deer tested positive for Anaplasma species form the same clade with Anaplasma bovis. In contrast, other H. lagrangei ticks collected from Sambar deer and D. auratus ticks collected from Wild boar were also reported for the first time to be infected with an Anaplasma species that is closely related to Anaplasma platys. The phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene of Coxiella bacteria revealed that Coxiella symbionts from H. lagrangei formed a distinctly different lineage from Coxiella burnetii (a human pathogen). Additionally, Francisella bacteria identified in D. auratus ticks were found to be distantly related to a group of pathogenic Francisella species. The identification of these bacteria in several feeding ticks suggests the risk of various emerging tick-borne diseases and endosymbionts in humans, wildlife, and domestic animals in Thailand.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chalao Sumrandee
- Biodiversity Research Cluster, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Rama 6 Road, Bangkok 10400, Thailand; Department of Fundamental Science, Faculty of Science and Technology, Surindra Rajabhat University, Muang District, Surin 32000, Thailand
| | - Visut Baimai
- Biodiversity Research Cluster, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Rama 6 Road, Bangkok 10400, Thailand; Center of Excellence for Vectors and Vector-Borne Diseases, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University at Salaya, Phutthamonthon 4 Road, Nakhon Pathom 73170, Thailand; Department of Fundamental Science, Faculty of Science and Technology, Surindra Rajabhat University, Muang District, Surin 32000, Thailand
| | - Wachareeporn Trinachartvanit
- Biodiversity Research Cluster, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Rama 6 Road, Bangkok 10400, Thailand; Department of Fundamental Science, Faculty of Science and Technology, Surindra Rajabhat University, Muang District, Surin 32000, Thailand
| | - Arunee Ahantarig
- Biodiversity Research Cluster, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Rama 6 Road, Bangkok 10400, Thailand; Center of Excellence for Vectors and Vector-Borne Diseases, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University at Salaya, Phutthamonthon 4 Road, Nakhon Pathom 73170, Thailand; Department of Fundamental Science, Faculty of Science and Technology, Surindra Rajabhat University, Muang District, Surin 32000, Thailand.
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Duron O, Sidi-Boumedine K, Rousset E, Moutailler S, Jourdain E. The Importance of Ticks in Q Fever Transmission: What Has (and Has Not) Been Demonstrated? Trends Parasitol 2015; 31:536-552. [PMID: 26458781 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2015.06.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 145] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2015] [Revised: 06/22/2015] [Accepted: 06/24/2015] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Q fever is a widespread zoonotic disease caused by Coxiella burnetii, a ubiquitous intracellular bacterium infecting humans and a variety of animals. Transmission is primarily but not exclusively airborne, and ticks are usually thought to act as vectors. We argue that, although ticks may readily transmit C. burnetii in experimental systems, they only occasionally transmit the pathogen in the field. Furthermore, we underscore that many Coxiella-like bacteria are widespread in ticks and may have been misidentified as C. burnetii. Our recommendation is to improve the methods currently used to detect and characterize C. burnetii, and we propose that further knowledge of Coxiella-like bacteria will yield new insights into Q fever evolutionary ecology and C. burnetii virulence factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivier Duron
- Laboratoire MIVEGEC (Maladies Infectieuses et Vecteurs: Ecologie, Génétique, Evolution et Contrôle), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) Unité Mixte de Recherche UMR 5290, Université Montpellier 1 - Université Montpellier 2 - Institut pour la Recherche et le Développement, Unité de Recherche UR 224, Montpellier, France
| | - Karim Sidi-Boumedine
- Anses, Sophia-Antipolis Laboratory, Animal Q fever Unit, Sophia-Antipolis, France
| | - Elodie Rousset
- Anses, Sophia-Antipolis Laboratory, Animal Q fever Unit, Sophia-Antipolis, France
| | - Sara Moutailler
- UMR Biologie Moléculaire et Immunologie Parasitaires et Fongiques (BIPAR), Laboratoire Santé Animale, ANSES, Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique (INRA), Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort (ENVA), Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Elsa Jourdain
- Unité d'Epidémiologie Animale, UR 0346 INRA, Saint Genès Champanelle, France.
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