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Du CH, Xiang R, Bie SS, Yang X, Yang JH, Yao MG, Zhang Y, He ZH, Shao ZT, Luo CF, Pu EN, Li YQ, Wang F, Luo Z, Du CB, Zhao J, Li M, Cao WC, Sun Y, Jiang JF. Genetic diversity and prevalence of emerging Rickettsiales in Yunnan Province: a large-scale study. Infect Dis Poverty 2024; 13:54. [PMID: 38982550 PMCID: PMC11234784 DOI: 10.1186/s40249-024-01213-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2024] [Accepted: 06/03/2024] [Indexed: 07/11/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Rickettsia and related diseases have been identified as significant global public health threats. This study involved comprehensive field and systematic investigations of various rickettsial organisms in Yunnan Province. METHODS Between May 18, 2011 and November 23, 2020, field investigations were conducted across 42 counties in Yunnan Province, China, encompassing small mammals, livestock, and ticks. Preliminary screenings for Rickettsiales involved amplifying the 16S rRNA genes, along with additional genus- or species-specific genes, which were subsequently confirmed through sequencing results. Sequence comparisons were carried out using the Basic Local Alignment Search Tool (BLAST). Phylogenetic relationships were analyzed using the default parameters in the Molecular Evolutionary Genetics Analysis (MEGA) program. The chi-squared test was used to assess the diversities and component ratios of rickettsial agents across various parameters. RESULTS A total of 7964 samples were collected from small mammals, livestock, and ticks through Yunnan Province and submitted for screening for rickettsial organisms. Sixteen rickettsial species from the genera Rickettsia, Anaplasma, Ehrlichia, Neoehrlichia, and Wolbachia were detected, with an overall prevalence of 14.72%. Among these, 11 species were identified as pathogens or potential pathogens to humans and livestock. Specifically, 10 rickettsial organisms were widely found in 42.11% (24 out of 57) of small mammal species. High prevalence was observed in Dremomys samples at 5.60%, in samples from regions with latitudes above 4000 m or alpine meadows, and in those obtained from Yuanmou County. Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Candidatus Neoehrlichia mikurensis were broadly infecting multiple genera of animal hosts. In contrast, the small mammal genera Neodon, Dremomys, Ochotona, Anourosorex, and Mus were carrying individually specific rickettsial agents, indicating host tropism. There were 13 rickettsial species detected in 57.14% (8 out of 14) of tick species, with the highest prevalence (37.07%) observed in the genus Rhipicephalus. Eight rickettsial species were identified in 2375 livestock samples. Notably, six new Rickettsiales variants/strains were discovered, and Candidatus Rickettsia longicornii was unambiguously identified. CONCLUSIONS This large-scale survey provided further insight into the high genetic diversity and overall prevalence of emerging Rickettsiales within endemic hotspots in Yunnan Province. The potential threats posed by these emerging tick-borne Rickettsiales to public health warrant attention, underscoring the need for effective strategies to guide the prevention and control of emerging zoonotic diseases in China.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chun-Hong Du
- Yunnan Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Control and Prevention, Yunnan Institute for Endemic Diseases Control and Prevention, Dali, 671000, PR China
| | - Rong Xiang
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100071, PR China
| | - Shuang-Shuang Bie
- Yunnan Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Control and Prevention, Yunnan Institute for Endemic Diseases Control and Prevention, Dali, 671000, PR China
| | - Xing Yang
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, School of Basic Medicine, Dali University, Dali, 671000, PR China
| | - Ji-Hu Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100071, PR China
| | - Ming-Guo Yao
- Yunnan Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Control and Prevention, Yunnan Institute for Endemic Diseases Control and Prevention, Dali, 671000, PR China
| | - Yun Zhang
- Yunnan Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Control and Prevention, Yunnan Institute for Endemic Diseases Control and Prevention, Dali, 671000, PR China
| | - Zhi-Hai He
- Yunnan Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Control and Prevention, Yunnan Institute for Endemic Diseases Control and Prevention, Dali, 671000, PR China
| | - Zong-Ti Shao
- Yunnan Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Control and Prevention, Yunnan Institute for Endemic Diseases Control and Prevention, Dali, 671000, PR China
| | - Chun-Feng Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100071, PR China
| | - En-Nian Pu
- Yunnan Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Control and Prevention, Yunnan Institute for Endemic Diseases Control and Prevention, Dali, 671000, PR China
| | - Yu-Qiong Li
- Yunnan Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Control and Prevention, Yunnan Institute for Endemic Diseases Control and Prevention, Dali, 671000, PR China
| | - Fan Wang
- Yunnan Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Control and Prevention, Yunnan Institute for Endemic Diseases Control and Prevention, Dali, 671000, PR China
| | - Zhi Luo
- Yunnan Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Control and Prevention, Yunnan Institute for Endemic Diseases Control and Prevention, Dali, 671000, PR China
| | - Chao-Bo Du
- Yunnan Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Control and Prevention, Yunnan Institute for Endemic Diseases Control and Prevention, Dali, 671000, PR China
| | - Jie Zhao
- Yunnan Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Control and Prevention, Yunnan Institute for Endemic Diseases Control and Prevention, Dali, 671000, PR China
| | - Miao Li
- Yunnan Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Control and Prevention, Yunnan Institute for Endemic Diseases Control and Prevention, Dali, 671000, PR China
| | - Wu-Chun Cao
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100071, PR China.
| | - Yi Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100071, PR China.
| | - Jia-Fu Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100071, PR China.
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Xue J, Chen SS, Xu ZY, Wang FN, Wang J, Diao D, Du L, Xie GC, Guo WP. Anaplasma, Bartonella, and Rickettsia infections in Daurian ground squirrels ( Spermophilus dauricus), Hebei, China. Front Microbiol 2024; 15:1359797. [PMID: 38605713 PMCID: PMC11007220 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1359797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Rodents have been confirmed as hosts of various vector-borne zoonotic pathogens and are important for the maintenance of these microbes in nature. However, surveillance for zoonotic pathogens is limited for many wild rodent species in China, so our knowledge of pathogen ecology, genetic diversity, and the risk of cross-species transmission to humans is limited. In this study, 165 spleen samples of Daurian ground squirrels (Spermophilus dauricus) were collected from Weichang Manchu and the Mongolian Autonomous County of Hebei Province, China, and Rickettsia, Bartonella, and Anaplasma were identified by DNA detection using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Sequence analysis identified eight bacterial pathogens: R. raoultii, R. sibirica, Candidatus R. longicornii, B. washoensis, B. grahamii, B. jaculi, A. capra, and Candidatus Anaplasma cinensis. Co-infection of B. grahamii and R. raoultii in one sample was observed. Our results demonstrated the genetic diversity of bacteria in Daurian ground squirrels and contributed to the distribution of these pathogens. Six species, A. capra, R. raoultii, R. sibirica, Candidatus R. longicornii, B. washoensis, and B. grahamii, are known to be pathogenic to humans, indicating a potential public health risk to the local human population, especially to herders who frequently have close contact with Daurian ground squirrels and are thus exposed to their ectoparasites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Xue
- College of Basic Medicine, Chengde Medical University, Chengde, China
| | - Si-Si Chen
- College of Basic Medicine, Chengde Medical University, Chengde, China
| | - Ze-Yun Xu
- College of Basic Medicine, Chengde Medical University, Chengde, China
| | - Fang-Ni Wang
- College of Basic Medicine, Chengde Medical University, Chengde, China
| | - Jiangli Wang
- Chengde Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Chengde, China
| | - Danhong Diao
- Chengde Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Chengde, China
| | - Luanying Du
- College of Basic Medicine, Chengde Medical University, Chengde, China
| | - Guang-Cheng Xie
- College of Basic Medicine, Chengde Medical University, Chengde, China
| | - Wen-Ping Guo
- College of Basic Medicine, Chengde Medical University, Chengde, China
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Zhao J, Pang B, Liu C, Wang X, Chen S, Feng H, Kou Z, Wu T, Xu C, Yang L. Infections and Influencing Factors of Pathogens in Rattus norvegicus along the Zengjiang River in Guangzhou, China. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2024; 24:46-54. [PMID: 38193886 DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2023.0045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Background: Rattus norvegicus can carry and transmit various zoonotic pathogens. Some studies were conducted to investigate a few zoonotic pathogens in Guangzhou, China, but no coinfections were investigated or specifically mentioned. Studies on the infections and the influencing factors of various zoonotic pathogens in R. norvegicus along the Zengjiang River in Guangzhou have not been carried out. Materials and Methods: In this study, R. norvegicus was captured in November 2020 and September 2021 along the Zengjiang River, and was tested for Bartonella spp., Leptospira spp., Orientia tsutsugamushi, Borrelia burgdorferi, Hantavirus (HV), Ehrlichia spp., and severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus (SFTSV) by the RT-PCR. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine the impact of habitat and demographic factors on the infections and coinfections of the surveyed pathogens. Results: In 119 R. norvegicus, the detection rates of Bartonella spp., Leptospira spp., O. tsutsugamushi, B. burgdorferi, and HV were 46.2%, 31.9%, 5%, 0.8%, and 18.5%, respectively. Ehrlichia spp. and SFTSV were negative. The triple coinfection rate of Bartonella spp., Leptospira spp., and HV was 11.8%. In addition, the coinfection of Bartonella spp., Leptospira spp., and B. burgdorferi was 0.8%. Dual coinfection of Bartonella spp. and Leptospira spp., Leptospira spp. and HV, Bartonella spp. and O. tsutsugamushi, Leptospira spp. and O. tsutsugamushi, and HV and O. tsutsugamushi was 9.2%, 3.4%, 1.7%, 1.7%, and 0.8%, respectively. Infections of these pathogens in R. norvegicus were found in habitats of banana plantation, grassland, and bush. Weight affected the infection of Bartonella spp., Leptospira spp., or HV in R. norvegicus. Conclusions: R. norvegicus along the Zengjiang River not only carried various potentially zoonotic pathogens but also had a variety of coinfections. Surveillance of the density and pathogens in R. norvegicus should be strengthened to reduce the incidence of relevant zoonotic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaqi Zhao
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Bo Pang
- Shandong Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Jinan, China
| | - Chao Liu
- Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Jinan, China
| | - Xiaodong Wang
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Shouyi Chen
- Guangzhou Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Guangzhou, China
| | - Haiyan Feng
- Zengcheng District Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zengqiang Kou
- Shandong Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Jinan, China
| | - Taoyu Wu
- Shandong Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Jinan, China
| | - Conghui Xu
- Guangzhou Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Guangzhou, China
| | - Liping Yang
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
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Ali A, Ullah S, Numan M, Almutairi MM, Alouffi A, Tanaka T. First report on tick-borne pathogens detected in ticks infesting stray dogs near butcher shops. Front Vet Sci 2023; 10:1246871. [PMID: 37799410 PMCID: PMC10548827 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1246871] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2023] [Accepted: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 10/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Public health is a major concern for several developing countries due to infectious agents transmitted by hematophagous arthropods such as ticks. Health risks due to infectious agents transmitted by ticks infesting butcher-associated stray dogs (BASDs) in urban and peri-urban regions have been neglected in several developing countries. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first study assessing public health risks due to ticks infesting BASDs in Pakistan's urban and peri-urban areas. A total of 575 ticks (390 from symptomatic and 183 from asymptomatic BASDs) were collected from 117 BASDs (63 symptomatic and 54 asymptomatic); the ticks belonged to 4 hard tick species. A subset of each tick species' extracted DNA was subjected to polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to amplify the 16S rDNA and cox1 sequences of the reported tick species, as well as bacterial and protozoal agents. The ticks' 16S rDNA and cox1 sequences showed 99-100% identities, and they were clustered with the sequence of corresponding species from Pakistan and other countries in phylogenetic trees. Among the screened 271 ticks' DNA samples, Anaplasma spp. was detected in 54/271 (19.92%) samples, followed by Ehrlichia spp. (n = 40/271, 14.76%), Rickettsia spp. (n = 33/271, 12.17%), Coxiella spp. (n = 23/271, 4.48%), and Hepatozoon canis (n = 9/271, 3.32%). The obtained sequences and phylogenetic analyzes revealed that the pathogens detected in ticks were Ehrlichia minasensis, Ehrlichia sp., Hepatozoon canis, Coxiella burnetii, Coxiella sp., Anaplasma capra, Anaplasma platys, Anaplasma sp., Rickettsia massiliae, "Candidatus Rickettsia shennongii" and Rickettsia aeschlimannii. Tick-borne pathogens such as E. minasensis, H. canis, A. capra, A. platys, and R. aeschlimannii, were detected based on the DNA for the first time in Pakistan. This is the first report on public health risks due to ticks infesting BASDs. These results not only provided insights into the occurrence of novel tick-borne pathogens in the region but also revealed initial evidence of zoonotic threats to both public health and domestic life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abid Ali
- Department of Zoology, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, Mardan, Pakistan
| | - Shafi Ullah
- Department of Zoology, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, Mardan, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Numan
- Department of Zoology, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, Mardan, Pakistan
| | - Mashal M. Almutairi
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdulaziz Alouffi
- King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Tetsuya Tanaka
- Laboratory of Infectious Diseases, Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima, Japan
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