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Moravedji M, Latifian M, Rahravani M, Mostafavi E, Seyfi H, Mohammadi M, Mozoun MM, Stenos J, Esmaeili S. Detection of Various Rickettsial Species in Ticks Collected from Small Ruminants in Western Iran. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2024. [PMID: 38856658 DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2024.0014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Background: Most of the rickettsioses are transmitted by ticks, and often overlooked by the medical profession, but are clinically important as they cause major human diseases. Recent studies have shown the existence of some rickettsial species in Iran, but very little information is available about the status of rickettsial epidemiology and ecology. This study investigated the presence of Rickettsia spp. in ticks and ruminants in western of Iran by molecular methods. Materials and Methods: 250 blood samples were collected from sheep and goats, as well as 244 ticks were collected opportunistically from ruminants in the Kurdistan province. The collected samples were tested using a real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) assay targeting the Rickettsia 16SrRNA gene. Rickettsia spp. positive by the qPCR were further amplified by conventional PCR of the gltA and OmpA genes. These ampliqons were further analyzed by sequencing. Results: The ticks species collected in this study included Rhipicephalus sanguineus, Rh. turanicus, Haemaphysalis concinna, and Dermacentor marginatus. In total, DNA of Rickettsia spp. was detected in 131 collected ticks (53.7%). Of the positives, Rickettsia slovaca (59.2%) and Ri. hoogstraalii (16.3%) were the most common species identified followed by Ri. raoultii, Ri. massiliae, Ri. sibirica, and Ri. conorii subsp. israelensis. In contrast, there were no positives observed in the blood samples collected from ruminants. Conclusion: The results indicate the presence of rickettsial species in ticks. The detection of these pathogens is significant because they cause clinical disease in humans. The results support the notion that the Iranian public health system needs to be more aware of these diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meysam Moravedji
- Department of Veterinary, Sanandaj Branch, Islamic Azad University, Sanandaj, Iran
| | - Mina Latifian
- National Reference Laboratory for Plague, Tularemia and Q fever, Research Centre for Emerging and Reemerging Infectious Diseases, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Akanlu, Kabudar Ahang, Hamadan, Iran
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatics, Research Centre for Emerging and Reemerging Infectious Diseases, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Maryam Rahravani
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Razi University, Kermanshah, Iran
| | - Ehsan Mostafavi
- National Reference Laboratory for Plague, Tularemia and Q fever, Research Centre for Emerging and Reemerging Infectious Diseases, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Akanlu, Kabudar Ahang, Hamadan, Iran
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatics, Research Centre for Emerging and Reemerging Infectious Diseases, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hamid Seyfi
- Department of Veterinary, Sanandaj Branch, Islamic Azad University, Sanandaj, Iran
| | - Mehrdad Mohammadi
- Department of Veterinary, Sanandaj Branch, Islamic Azad University, Sanandaj, Iran
| | | | - John Stenos
- Australian Rickettsial Reference Laboratory, University Hospital Geelong, Geelong 3220, VIC, Australia
| | - Saber Esmaeili
- National Reference Laboratory for Plague, Tularemia and Q fever, Research Centre for Emerging and Reemerging Infectious Diseases, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Akanlu, Kabudar Ahang, Hamadan, Iran
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatics, Research Centre for Emerging and Reemerging Infectious Diseases, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
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Buysse M, Koual R, Binetruy F, de Thoisy B, Baudrimont X, Garnier S, Douine M, Chevillon C, Delsuc F, Catzeflis F, Bouchon D, Duron O. Detection of Anaplasma and Ehrlichia bacteria in humans, wildlife, and ticks in the Amazon rainforest. Nat Commun 2024; 15:3988. [PMID: 38734682 PMCID: PMC11088697 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-48459-y] [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: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Tick-borne bacteria of the genera Ehrlichia and Anaplasma cause several emerging human infectious diseases worldwide. In this study, we conduct an extensive survey for Ehrlichia and Anaplasma infections in the rainforests of the Amazon biome of French Guiana. Through molecular genetics and metagenomics reconstruction, we observe a high indigenous biodiversity of infections circulating among humans, wildlife, and ticks inhabiting these ecosystems. Molecular typing identifies these infections as highly endemic, with a majority of new strains and putative species specific to French Guiana. They are detected in unusual rainforest wild animals, suggesting they have distinctive sylvatic transmission cycles. They also present potential health hazards, as revealed by the detection of Candidatus Anaplasma sparouinense in human red blood cells and that of a new close relative of the human pathogen Ehrlichia ewingii, Candidatus Ehrlichia cajennense, in the tick species that most frequently bite humans in South America. The genome assembly of three new putative species obtained from human, sloth, and tick metagenomes further reveals the presence of major homologs of Ehrlichia and Anaplasma virulence factors. These observations converge to classify health hazards associated with Ehrlichia and Anaplasma infections in the Amazon biome as distinct from those in the Northern Hemisphere.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie Buysse
- MIVEGEC, University of Montpellier, CNRS, IRD, Montpellier, France
| | - Rachid Koual
- MIVEGEC, University of Montpellier, CNRS, IRD, Montpellier, France
| | - Florian Binetruy
- MIVEGEC, University of Montpellier, CNRS, IRD, Montpellier, France
| | - Benoit de Thoisy
- Laboratoire des Interactions Virus-Hôtes, Institut Pasteur de Guyane, Cayenne, France
- Association Kwata 'Study and Conservation of Guianan Wildlife', Cayenne, France
| | - Xavier Baudrimont
- Direction Générale des Territoires et de la Mer (DGTM) - Direction de l'environnement, de l'agriculture, de l'alimentation et de la forêt (DEAAF), Cayenne, France
| | - Stéphane Garnier
- Biogéosciences, UMR 6282 uB/CNRS/EPHE, Université Bourgogne Franche-Comté, Dijon, France
| | - Maylis Douine
- Centre d'Investigation Clinique Antilles-Guyane, INSERM 1424, Centre Hospitalier de Cayenne, Cayenne, France
| | | | - Frédéric Delsuc
- Institut des Sciences de l'Evolution de Montpellier (ISEM), CNRS, IRD, EPHE, Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - François Catzeflis
- Institut des Sciences de l'Evolution de Montpellier (ISEM), CNRS, IRD, EPHE, Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Didier Bouchon
- EBI, University of Poitiers, UMR CNRS 7267, Poitiers, France
| | - Olivier Duron
- MIVEGEC, University of Montpellier, CNRS, IRD, Montpellier, France.
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3
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Velut G, de Laval F, Berry M, Dufour Gaume F, André N, Epelboin L, Lavergne A, Enfissi A, Djossou F, Rousset D, Briolant S. Etiology of Acute Febrile Illnesses in Adults in the Defense Community in French Guiana. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2024; 110:819-825. [PMID: 38377600 PMCID: PMC10993844 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.22-0638] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2022] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2024] Open
Abstract
In tropical countries, acute febrile illnesses represent a complex clinical problem for general practitioners. We describe the prevalence of different etiologies of acute febrile illnesses occurring among French service members and their families, excluding children, in general practice in French Guiana. From June 2017 to March 2020, patients with a fever ≥37.8°C with a duration of less than 15 days who sought medical care at the army medical centers in Cayenne and Kourou were prospectively enrolled. Based on clinical presentation, blood, urine, nasopharyngeal, and stool samples were collected for diagnostic testing for viruses, bacteria, and parasites (by direct examination, microscopic examination of blood smears, culture, serology, or polymerase chain reaction), and standardized biological tests were systematically performed. Among 175 patients retained for analysis, fever with nonspecific symptoms was predominant (46.9%), with 10 Plasmodium vivax malaria cases, 8 dengue infections, and 6 cases of Q fever. The second most frequent cause of acute febrile illness was upper respiratory tract infections (32.0%) due to influenza virus (n = 18) or human rhinovirus (n = 10). Among the causes of acute febrile illness in French Guiana, clinicians should first consider arboviruses and malaria, as well as Q fever in cases of elevated C-reactive protein with nonspecific symptoms and influenza in cases of signs and symptoms associated with upper respiratory tract infections. Despite an expanded microbiological search, the etiology of 51.4% of acute febrile illnesses remain unknown. Further investigations will be necessary to identify the etiology of acute febrile illnesses, including new pathogens, in French Guiana.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guillaume Velut
- Centre d’Epidémiologie et de Santé Publique des Armées, Marseille, France
| | - Franck de Laval
- Centre d’Epidémiologie et de Santé Publique des Armées, Marseille, France
- Aix-Marseille Université, INSERM, Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, Economic and Social Sciences, Health Systems, and Medical Informatics, Marseille, France
| | - Morgane Berry
- Centre Médical Interarmées de Cayenne, Cayenne, French Guiana
| | | | - Nathalie André
- Direction Interarmées du Service de Santé des Forces Armées en Guyane, Cayenne, French Guiana
| | - Loïc Epelboin
- Service des Maladies Infectieuses et Tropicales, et Centre d’investigation Clinique (CIC INSERM 1424), Centre Hospitalier de Cayenne, Cayenne, French Guiana
| | - Anne Lavergne
- Laboratoire des Interactions Virus-Hôtes, Institut Pasteur de la Guyane, Cayenne Cedex, French Guiana
| | - Antoine Enfissi
- Laboratoire de Virologie, Institut Pasteur de la Guyane, Cayenne Cedex, French Guiana
| | - Felix Djossou
- Service des Maladies Infectieuses et Tropicales, et Centre d’investigation Clinique (CIC INSERM 1424), Centre Hospitalier de Cayenne, Cayenne, French Guiana
| | - Dominique Rousset
- Laboratoire de Virologie, Institut Pasteur de la Guyane, Cayenne Cedex, French Guiana
| | - Sébastien Briolant
- Aix Marseille Université, Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Marseille, Service de Santé des Armées, Vecteurs – Infections Tropicales et Méditerranéennes, Marseille, France
- Institut Hospitalo-Universitaire – Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
- Unité de Parasitologie Entomologie, Département de Microbiologie et Maladies Infectieuses, Institut de Recherche Biomédicale des Armées, Marseille, France
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Shehla S, Ullah F, Alouffi A, Almutairi MM, Khan Z, Tanaka T, Labruna MB, Tsai KH, Ali A. Association of SFG Rickettsia massiliae and Candidatus Rickettsia shennongii with Different Hard Ticks Infesting Livestock Hosts. Pathogens 2023; 12:1080. [PMID: 37764888 PMCID: PMC10536372 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12091080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2023] [Revised: 08/04/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Ixodid ticks are responsible for the transmission of various intracellular bacteria, such as the Rickettsia species. Little Information is available about the genetic characterization and epidemiology of Rickettsia spp. The current study was designed to assess the tick species infesting various livestock hosts and the associated Rickettsia spp. in Pakistan. Ticks were collected from different livestock hosts (equids, cattle, buffaloes, sheep, goats, and camels); morphologically identified; and screened for the genetic characterization of Rickettsia spp. by the amplification of partial fragments of the gltA, ompA and ompB genes. Altogether, 707 ticks were collected from 373 infested hosts out of 575 observed hosts. The infested hosts comprised 105 cattle, 71 buffaloes, 70 sheep, 60 goats, 34 camels, and 33 equids. The overall occurrence of Rickettsia spp. was 7.6% (25/330) in the tested ticks. Rickettsia DNA was detected in Rhipicephalus haemaphysaloides (9/50, 18.0%), followed by Rhipicephalus turanicus (13/99, 13.1%), Haemaphysalis cornupunctata (1/18, 5.5%), and Rhipicephalus microplus (2/49, 4.1%); however, no rickettsial DNA was detected in Hyalomma anatolicum (71), Hyalomma dromedarii (35), and Haemaphysalis sulcata (8). Two Rickettsia agents were identified based on partial gltA, ompA, and ompB DNA sequences. The Rickettsia species detected in Rh. haemaphysaloides, Rh. turanicus, and Rh. microplus showed 99-100% identity with Rickettsia sp. and Candidatus Rickettsia shennongii, and in the phylogenetic trees clustered with the corresponding Rickettsia spp. The Rickettsia species detected in Rh. haemaphysaloides, Rh. turanicus, Rh. microplus, and Ha. cornupunctata showed 100% identity with R. massiliae, and in the phylogenetic trees it was clustered with the same species. Candidatus R. shennongii was characterized for the first time in Rh. haemaphysaloides, Rh. turanicus, and Rh. microplus. The presence of SFG Rickettsia spp., including the human pathogen R. massiliae, indicates a zoonotic risk in the study region, thus stressing the need for regular surveillance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shehla Shehla
- Department of Zoology, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, Mardan 23200, Pakistan; (S.S.); (Z.K.)
| | - Farman Ullah
- Department of Zoology, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, Mardan 23200, Pakistan; (S.S.); (Z.K.)
| | - Abdulaziz Alouffi
- King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology, Riyadh 12354, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mashal M. Almutairi
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Zaibullah Khan
- Department of Zoology, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, Mardan 23200, Pakistan; (S.S.); (Z.K.)
| | - Tetsuya Tanaka
- Laboratory of Infectious Diseases, Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima 890-0065, Japan;
| | - Marcelo B. Labruna
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine and Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-060, Brazil;
| | - Kun-Hsien Tsai
- Institute of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, Department of Public Health, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, Taipei 100025, Taiwan
| | - Abid Ali
- Department of Zoology, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, Mardan 23200, Pakistan; (S.S.); (Z.K.)
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5
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Richardson EA, Roe RM, Apperson CS, Ponnusamy L. Rickettsia amblyommatis in Ticks: A Review of Distribution, Pathogenicity, and Diversity. Microorganisms 2023; 11:microorganisms11020493. [PMID: 36838458 PMCID: PMC9960904 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11020493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2022] [Revised: 02/09/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2023] [Indexed: 02/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Rickettsia amblyommatis is a potentially pathogenic species of Rickettsia within the spotted fever group vectored by ticks. While many studies have been published on this species, there is debate over its pathogenicity and the inhibitory role it plays in diagnosing illnesses caused by other spotted fever group Rickettsia species. Many publications have recorded the high infection prevalence of R. amblyommatis in tick populations at a global scale. While this species is rather ubiquitous, questions remain over the epidemiological importance of this possible human pathogen. With tick-borne diseases on the rise, understanding the exact role that R. amblyommatis plays as a pathogen and inhibitor of infection relative to other tick-borne pathogens will help public health efforts. The goal of this review was to compile the known literature on R. amblyommatis, review what we know about its geographic distribution, tick vectors, and pathogenicity, assess relatedness between various international strains from ticks by phylogenetic analysis and draw conclusions regarding future research needed.
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Lacroux C, Bonnet S, Pouydebat E, Buysse M, Rahola N, Rakotobe S, Okimat JP, Koual R, Asalu E, Krief S, Duron O. Survey of ticks and tick-borne pathogens in wild chimpanzee habitat in Western Uganda. Parasit Vectors 2023; 16:22. [PMID: 36683083 PMCID: PMC9869571 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-022-05632-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2022] [Accepted: 12/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ticks and tick-borne pathogens significantly impact both human and animal health and therefore are of major concern to the scientific community. Knowledge of tick-borne pathogens is crucial for prescription of mitigation measures. In Africa, much research on ticks has focused on domestic animals. Little is known about ticks and their pathogens in wild habitats and wild animals like the endangered chimpanzee, our closest relative. METHODS In this study, we collected ticks in the forested habitat of a community of 100 chimpanzees living in Kibale National Park, Western Uganda, and assessed how their presence and abundance are influenced by environmental factors. We used non-invasive methods of flagging the vegetation and visual search of ticks both on human team members and in chimpanzee nests. We identified adult and nymph ticks through morphological features. Molecular techniques were used to detect and identify tick-borne piroplasmids and bacterial pathogens. RESULTS A total of 470 ticks were collected, which led to the identification of seven tick species: Haemaphysalis parmata (68.77%), Amblyomma tholloni (20.70%), Ixodes rasus sensu lato (7.37%), Rhipicephalus dux (1.40%), Haemaphysalis punctaleachi (0.70%), Ixodes muniensis (0.70%) and Amblyomma paulopunctatum (0.35%). The presence of ticks, irrespective of species, was influenced by temperature and type of vegetation but not by relative humidity. Molecular detection revealed the presence of at least six genera of tick-borne pathogens (Babesia, Theileria, Borrelia, Cryptoplasma, Ehrlichia and Rickettsia). The Afrotopical tick Amblyomma tholloni found in one chimpanzee nest was infected by Rickettsia sp. CONCLUSIONS In conclusion, this study presented ticks and tick-borne pathogens in a Ugandan wildlife habitat whose potential effects on animal health remain to be elucidated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camille Lacroux
- grid.511721.10000 0004 0370 736XUMR 7206 CNRS/MNHN/P7, Eco-anthropologie, Museum National d’Histoire Naturelle, Musée de l’Homme, 17 Place du Trocadéro, 75116 Paris, France ,Sebitoli Chimpanzee Project, Great Ape Conservation Project, Kibale National Park, Fort Portal, Uganda ,grid.410350.30000 0001 2174 9334UMR 7179 CNRS/MNHN, Mécanismes Adaptatifs et Evolution, Museum National d’Histoire Naturelle, 57 Rue Cuvier, 75231 Paris, France ,La Phocéenne de Cosmétique, ZA Les Roquassiers, 174 Rue de la Forge, 13300 Salon-de-Provence, France
| | - Sarah Bonnet
- grid.508487.60000 0004 7885 7602UMR 2000, Ecology and Emergence of Arthropod-Borne Pathogens, Institut Pasteur/CNRS/Université Paris-Cité, 75015 Paris, France ,grid.507621.7Animal Health Department, INRAE, 37380 Nouzilly, France
| | - Emmanuelle Pouydebat
- grid.410350.30000 0001 2174 9334UMR 7179 CNRS/MNHN, Mécanismes Adaptatifs et Evolution, Museum National d’Histoire Naturelle, 57 Rue Cuvier, 75231 Paris, France
| | - Marie Buysse
- grid.121334.60000 0001 2097 0141UMR 5290 MIVEGEC (Maladies Infectieuses et Vecteurs : Ecologie, Génétique, Evolution et Contrôle), CNRS/IRD/Université de Montpellier, 911 Avenue Agropolis, 34394 Montpellier, France ,MEEDiN (Montpellier Ecology and Evolution of Disease Network), Montpellier, France
| | - Nil Rahola
- grid.121334.60000 0001 2097 0141UMR 5290 MIVEGEC (Maladies Infectieuses et Vecteurs : Ecologie, Génétique, Evolution et Contrôle), CNRS/IRD/Université de Montpellier, 911 Avenue Agropolis, 34394 Montpellier, France
| | - Sabine Rakotobe
- grid.15540.350000 0001 0584 7022UMR BIPAR ANSES-INRAE-EnvA, Laboratoire Santé Animale, 94701 Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - John-Paul Okimat
- Sebitoli Chimpanzee Project, Great Ape Conservation Project, Kibale National Park, Fort Portal, Uganda
| | - Rachid Koual
- grid.121334.60000 0001 2097 0141UMR 5290 MIVEGEC (Maladies Infectieuses et Vecteurs : Ecologie, Génétique, Evolution et Contrôle), CNRS/IRD/Université de Montpellier, 911 Avenue Agropolis, 34394 Montpellier, France
| | - Edward Asalu
- grid.463699.7Uganda Wildlife Authority, Plot 7 Kira Road, Kamwokya, Kampala City, Uganda
| | - Sabrina Krief
- grid.511721.10000 0004 0370 736XUMR 7206 CNRS/MNHN/P7, Eco-anthropologie, Museum National d’Histoire Naturelle, Musée de l’Homme, 17 Place du Trocadéro, 75116 Paris, France ,Sebitoli Chimpanzee Project, Great Ape Conservation Project, Kibale National Park, Fort Portal, Uganda
| | - Olivier Duron
- grid.121334.60000 0001 2097 0141UMR 5290 MIVEGEC (Maladies Infectieuses et Vecteurs : Ecologie, Génétique, Evolution et Contrôle), CNRS/IRD/Université de Montpellier, 911 Avenue Agropolis, 34394 Montpellier, France
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Krawczak FDS, Binder LC, Sobotyk C, Costa FB, Gregori F, Martins TF, Pádua GT, Sponchiado J, Melo GL, Polo G, Labruna MB. Rickettsial infection in ticks from a natural area of Atlantic Forest biome in southern Brazil. EXPERIMENTAL & APPLIED ACAROLOGY 2022; 88:371-386. [PMID: 36344862 DOI: 10.1007/s10493-022-00754-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2022] [Accepted: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
From June 2013 to January 2014, blood sera samples and ticks were collected from domestic dogs and wild small mammals, and ticks from the vegetation in a preservation area of the Atlantic Forest biome (Turvo State Park), and the rural area surrounding the Park in Derrubadas municipality, state of Rio Grande do Sul, southern Brazil. Dogs were infested by Amblyomma ovale and Amblyomma aureolatum adult ticks, whereas small mammals were infested by immature stages of A. ovale, Amblyomma yucumense, Amblyomma brasiliense, Ixodes loricatus, and adults of I. loricatus. Ticks collected on vegetation were A. brasiliense, A. ovale, A. yucumense, Amblyomma incisum, and Haemaphysalis juxtakochi. Three Rickettsia species were molecularly detected in ticks: Rickettsia bellii in I. loricatus (also isolated through cell culture inoculation), Rickettsia amblyommatis in A. brasiliense, and Rickettsia rhipicephali in A. yucumense. The latter two are tick-rickettsia associations reported for the first time. Seroreactivity to Rickettsia antigens were detected in 33.5% (55/164) small mammals and 8.3% (3/36) canine sera. The present study reveals a richness of ticks and associated-rickettsiae in the largest Atlantic Forest Reserve of the state of Rio Grande do Sul, which is characterized by a rich fauna of wild mammals, typical of more preserved areas of this biome. Noteworthy, none of the detected Rickettsia species have been associated to human or animal diseases. This result contrasts to other areas of this biome in Brazil, which are endemic for tick-borne spotted fever caused by Rickettsia rickettsii or Rickettsia parkeri.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felipe da Silva Krawczak
- Setor de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva, Departamento de Medicina Veterinária, Escola de Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Rod. Goiânia - Nova Veneza, km8, Campus Samambaia, 74690-900, Goiânia, GO, Brazil.
| | - Lina C Binder
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Prof. Orlando Marques de Paiva, 87, Cidade Universitária, 05508-270, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Caroline Sobotyk
- Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 19104, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Francisco B Costa
- Departamento de Patologia, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Estadual do Maranhão, São Luís, MA, Brazil
| | - Fábio Gregori
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Prof. Orlando Marques de Paiva, 87, Cidade Universitária, 05508-270, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Thiago F Martins
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Prof. Orlando Marques de Paiva, 87, Cidade Universitária, 05508-270, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Gracielle T Pádua
- Setor de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva, Departamento de Medicina Veterinária, Escola de Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Rod. Goiânia - Nova Veneza, km8, Campus Samambaia, 74690-900, Goiânia, GO, Brazil
| | - Jonas Sponchiado
- Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia Farroupilha, Campus Alegrete, Alegrete, RS, Brazil
| | - Geruza L Melo
- Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia Farroupilha, Campus Alegrete, Alegrete, RS, Brazil
| | - Gina Polo
- Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia. Fundación Universitaria San Martin, Bogotá DC, Colombia
| | - 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, 87, Cidade Universitária, 05508-270, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
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8
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Duron O, Koual R, Musset L, Buysse M, Lambert Y, Jaulhac B, Blanchet D, Alsibai KD, Lazrek Y, Epelboin L, Deshuillers P, Michaud C, Douine M. Novel Chronic Anaplasmosis in Splenectomized Patient, Amazon Rainforest. Emerg Infect Dis 2022; 28:1673-1676. [PMID: 35876693 PMCID: PMC9328922 DOI: 10.3201/eid2808.212425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
We report a case of unusual human anaplasmosis in the Amazon rainforest of French Guiana. Molecular typing demonstrated that the pathogen is a novel Anaplasma species, distinct to all known species, and more genetically related to recently described Anaplasma spp. causing infections in rainforest wild fauna of Brazil.
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Epelboin L, Roche F, Dueymes M, Guillot G, Duron O, Nacher M, Djossou F, Soria A. Allergy to Mammalian Meat Linked to Alpha-Gal Syndrome Potentially After Tick Bite in the Amazon: A Case Series. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2021; 105:1396-1403. [PMID: 34544046 PMCID: PMC8592224 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.20-1630] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2020] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The past decade has seen the emergence of a new type of food allergy occurring after ingestion of mammalian meat. This allergy is related to immunoglobulin (Ig)E specific for galactose-alpha-1,3 galactose (α-Gal). Originally described in the United States in 2009, other cases have subsequently been described in Australia and in Europe, but still very few in Latin America. The purpose of this study was to show the existence of this pathology in French Guiana and to describe the historical, clinical, and biological characteristics of these patients. Patients reporting an allergy to mammalian meat were included between September 2017 and August 2019. Eleven patients were included, nine of whom exhibited digestive symptoms; four, urticaria reactions; three, respiratory reactions; and five angioedema. The time between ingestion of red meat and reaction varied between 1.5 and 6 hours. The implicated meats were most often beef and pork. All patients had been regularly exposed to tick bites before the appearance of symptoms. All the samples (n = 7) were positive for anti-α-Gal anti-mammalian meats IgE. All the patients were Caucasian French expatriates. This study confirms the presence of this new entity in French Guiana and is the largest reported in Latin America. Our results do not clearly allow us to state that tick bites are the cause of this allergy, but all patients reported being exposed regularly to these arthropods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Loïc Epelboin
- Infectious and Tropical Diseases Department, Centre Hospitalier Andrée Rosemon, Cayenne, French Guiana.,Equipe EA 3593, Ecosystèmes Amazoniens et Pathologie Tropicale, Université de la Guyane, Cayenne, French Guiana.,Centre d'Investigation Clinique, INSERM 1424, Centre Hospitalier Andrée Rosemon, Cayenne, French Guiana
| | - Florent Roche
- Université des Antilles et de la Guyane, Faculté de Médecine Hyacinthe Basturaud, Pointe-à-Pitre, France
| | - Maryvonne Dueymes
- Equipe EA 3593, Ecosystèmes Amazoniens et Pathologie Tropicale, Université de la Guyane, Cayenne, French Guiana.,Laboratory of Medical Biology, Centre Hospitalier Andrée Rosemon, Cayenne, French Guiana
| | - Geneviève Guillot
- Department of Pneumology and Gastroenterology, Centre Hospitalier Andrée Rosemon, Cayenne, French Guiana
| | - Olivier Duron
- Maladies Infectieuses et Vecteurs: Écologie, Génétique, Évolution et Contrôle, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Institut pour la Recherche et le Développement, Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Mathieu Nacher
- Centre d'Investigation Clinique, INSERM 1424, Centre Hospitalier Andrée Rosemon, Cayenne, French Guiana
| | - Félix Djossou
- Infectious and Tropical Diseases Department, Centre Hospitalier Andrée Rosemon, Cayenne, French Guiana.,Equipe EA 3593, Ecosystèmes Amazoniens et Pathologie Tropicale, Université de la Guyane, Cayenne, French Guiana
| | - Angèle Soria
- Tenon Hospital, Dermatology-Allergology Department, Sorbonne University, Paris, France
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Tojal SD, Meneguetti DUDO, Martins TF, Labruna MB, Aguirre ADAR, Siebra EAM, Cruz KSD, Camargo LMA. First report of Amblyomma latepunctatum and the second record of Ixodes luciae in the state of Acre, Brazil. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2021; 30:e007221. [PMID: 34259742 DOI: 10.1590/s1984-29612021063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2021] [Accepted: 06/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The state of Acre is in the western part of the Brazilian Amazon region and few studies involving ticks are available. The aim of the present study was to provide the first report of occurrence of Amblyomma latepunctatum and the second record of Ixodes luciae in Acre. Ticks were collected in October 2020 inside an open forested area in the municipality of Rio Branco, the state capital of Acre. Ixodid ticks were identified according to their external morphological characteristics. Three specimens were found on the vegetation by means of a visual search and were identified as Amblyomma scalpturatum (one male and one female) and Amblyomma latepunctatum (one male). Another specimen was found parasitizing a Didelphis marsupialis female that was caught using a Tomahawk trap; this was identified as Ixodes luciae (one male). This first report of A. latepunctatum in the state of Acre increases the number of species recorded here to 22. In addition, presence of I. luciae is confirmed in this state (second record), in the western Brazilian Amazon region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone Delgado Tojal
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal São João del-Rei - UFSJ, Divinópolis, MG, Brasil.,Colégio de Aplicação, Universidade Federal do Acre - UFAC, Rio Branco, AC, Brasil
| | - Dionatas Ulises de Oliveira Meneguetti
- Colégio de Aplicação, Universidade Federal do Acre - UFAC, Rio Branco, AC, Brasil.,Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências da Saúde na Amazônia Ocidental, Universidade Federal do Acre - UFAC, Rio Branco, AC, Brasil
| | - Thiago Fernandes Martins
- Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia - FMVZ, Universidade de São Paulo - USP, São Paulo, SP, Brasil
| | - Marcelo Bahia Labruna
- Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia - FMVZ, Universidade de São Paulo - USP, São Paulo, SP, Brasil
| | | | | | - Karoline Silva da Cruz
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências da Saúde na Amazônia Ocidental, Universidade Federal do Acre - UFAC, Rio Branco, AC, Brasil
| | - Luís Marcelo Aranha Camargo
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências da Saúde na Amazônia Ocidental, Universidade Federal do Acre - UFAC, Rio Branco, AC, Brasil.,Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas - ICB5, Universidade de São Paulo - USP, Monte Negro, RO, Brasil.,Instituto Nacional de Epidemiologia da Amazônia Ocidental - INCT-EpiAmO, Porto Velho, RO, Brasil.,Centro de Pesquisas em Medicina Tropical - CEPEM, Porto Velho, RO, Brasil.,Departamento de Medicina, Centro Universitário São Lucas - UniSL, Porto Velho, RO, Brasil
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11
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de Thoisy B, Duron O, Epelboin L, Musset L, Quénel P, Roche B, Binetruy F, Briolant S, Carvalho L, Chavy A, Couppié P, Demar M, Douine M, Dusfour I, Epelboin Y, Flamand C, Franc A, Ginouvès M, Gourbière S, Houël E, Kocher A, Lavergne A, Le Turnier P, Mathieu L, Murienne J, Nacher M, Pelleau S, Prévot G, Rousset D, Roux E, Schaub R, Talaga S, Thill P, Tirera S, Guégan JF. Ecology, evolution, and epidemiology of zoonotic and vector-borne infectious diseases in French Guiana: Transdisciplinarity does matter to tackle new emerging threats. INFECTION GENETICS AND EVOLUTION 2021; 93:104916. [PMID: 34004361 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2021.104916] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2021] [Revised: 05/09/2021] [Accepted: 05/12/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
French Guiana is a European ultraperipheric region located on the northern Atlantic coast of South America. It constitutes an important forested region for biological conservation in the Neotropics. Although very sparsely populated, with its inhabitants mainly concentrated on the Atlantic coastal strip and along the two main rivers, it is marked by the presence and development of old and new epidemic disease outbreaks, both research and health priorities. In this review paper, we synthetize 15 years of multidisciplinary and integrative research at the interface between wildlife, ecosystem modification, human activities and sociodemographic development, and human health. This study reveals a complex epidemiological landscape marked by important transitional changes, facilitated by increased interconnections between wildlife, land-use change and human occupation and activity, human and trade transportation, demography with substantial immigration, and identified vector and parasite pharmacological resistance. Among other French Guianese characteristics, we demonstrate herein the existence of more complex multi-host disease life cycles than previously described for several disease systems in Central and South America, which clearly indicates that today the greater promiscuity between wildlife and humans due to demographic and economic pressures may offer novel settings for microbes and their hosts to circulate and spread. French Guiana is a microcosm that crystallizes all the current global environmental, demographic and socioeconomic change conditions, which may favor the development of ancient and future infectious diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benoît de Thoisy
- Laboratoire des Interactions Virus-Hôtes, Institut Pasteur de la Guyane, Cayenne Cedex, French Guiana.
| | - Olivier Duron
- UMR MIVEGEC, IRD, CNRS, Université de Montpellier, Centre IRD de Montpellier, Montpellier, France; Centre de Recherche en Écologie et Évolution de la Santé, Montpellier, France
| | - Loïc Epelboin
- Infectious Diseases Department, Centre Hospitalier de Cayenne, Cayenne, French Guiana
| | - Lise Musset
- Laboratoire de Parasitologie, Centre Collaborateur OMS Pour La Surveillance Des Résistances Aux Antipaludiques, Centre National de Référence du Paludisme, Pôle zones Endémiques, Institut Pasteur de la Guyane, Cayenne, French Guiana
| | - Philippe Quénel
- Université de Rennes, Inserm, EHESP, Irset (Institut de recherche en santé, environnement et travail), UMR-S 1085 Rennes, France
| | - Benjamin Roche
- UMR MIVEGEC, IRD, CNRS, Université de Montpellier, Centre IRD de Montpellier, Montpellier, France; Centre de Recherche en Écologie et Évolution de la Santé, Montpellier, France
| | - Florian Binetruy
- UMR MIVEGEC, IRD, CNRS, Université de Montpellier, Centre IRD de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Sébastien Briolant
- Unité Parasitologie et Entomologie, Département Microbiologie et Maladies Infectieuses, Institut de Recherche Biomédicale des Armées, Marseille, France; Aix Marseille Université, IRD, SSA, AP-HM, UMR Vecteurs - Infections Tropicales et Méditerranéennes (VITROME), France; IHU Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
| | | | - Agathe Chavy
- Laboratoire des Interactions Virus-Hôtes, Institut Pasteur de la Guyane, Cayenne Cedex, French Guiana
| | - Pierre Couppié
- Dermatology Department, Centre Hospitalier de Cayenne, Cayenne, French Guiana
| | - Magalie Demar
- TBIP, Université de Guyane, Cayenne, French Guiana; Université de Lille, CNRS, Inserm, Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1019-UMR 9017-CIIL Centre d'Infection et d'Immunité de Lille, Lille, France
| | - Maylis Douine
- Centre d'Investigation Clinique Antilles-Guyane, Inserm 1424, Centre Hospitalier de Cayenne, Cayenne, French Guiana
| | - Isabelle Dusfour
- Département de Santé Globale, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France; Institut Pasteur de la Guyane, Vectopôle Amazonien Emile Abonnenc, Cayenne, French Guiana
| | - Yanouk Epelboin
- Institut Pasteur de la Guyane, Vectopôle Amazonien Emile Abonnenc, Cayenne, French Guiana
| | - Claude Flamand
- Epidemiology Unit, Institut Pasteur de la Guyane, Cayenne, French Guiana; Mathematical Modelling of Infectious Diseases Unit, Institut Pasteur, UMR 2000, CNRS, Paris, France
| | - Alain Franc
- UMR BIOGECO, INRAE, Université de Bordeaux, Cestas, France; Pleiade, EPC INRIA-INRAE-CNRS, Université de Bordeaux Talence, France
| | - Marine Ginouvès
- TBIP, Université de Guyane, Cayenne, French Guiana; Université de Lille, CNRS, Inserm, Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1019-UMR 9017-CIIL Centre d'Infection et d'Immunité de Lille, Lille, France
| | - Sébastien Gourbière
- UMR 5096 Laboratoire Génome et Développement des Plantes, Université de Perpignan Via Domitia, Perpignan, France
| | - Emeline Houël
- CNRS, UMR EcoFoG, AgroParisTech, Cirad, INRAE, Université des Antilles, Université de Guyane, Cayenne, France
| | - Arthur Kocher
- Transmission, Infection, Diversification & Evolution Group, Max-Planck Institute for the Science of Human History, Kahlaische Str. 10, 07745 Jena, Germany; Laboratoire Evolution et Diversité Biologique (UMR 5174), Université de Toulouse, CNRS, IRD, UPS, Toulouse, France
| | - Anne Lavergne
- Laboratoire des Interactions Virus-Hôtes, Institut Pasteur de la Guyane, Cayenne Cedex, French Guiana
| | - Paul Le Turnier
- Service de Maladies Infectieuses et Tropicales, Hôtel Dieu - INSERM CIC 1413, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nantes, Nantes, France
| | - Luana Mathieu
- Université de Rennes, Inserm, EHESP, Irset (Institut de recherche en santé, environnement et travail), UMR-S 1085 Rennes, France
| | - Jérôme Murienne
- Laboratoire Evolution et Diversité Biologique (UMR 5174), Université de Toulouse, CNRS, IRD, UPS, Toulouse, France
| | - Mathieu Nacher
- Centre d'Investigation Clinique Antilles-Guyane, Inserm 1424, Centre Hospitalier de Cayenne, Cayenne, French Guiana
| | - Stéphane Pelleau
- Université de Rennes, Inserm, EHESP, Irset (Institut de recherche en santé, environnement et travail), UMR-S 1085 Rennes, France; Malaria: Parasites and Hosts, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
| | - Ghislaine Prévot
- TBIP, Université de Guyane, Cayenne, French Guiana; Université de Lille, CNRS, Inserm, Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1019-UMR 9017-CIIL Centre d'Infection et d'Immunité de Lille, Lille, France
| | - Dominique Rousset
- Laboratoire de Virologie, Institut Pasteur de la Guyane, Cayenne Cedex, French Guiana
| | - Emmanuel Roux
- ESPACE-DEV (Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, Université de la Réunion, Université des Antilles, Université de Guyane, Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France; International Joint Laboratory "Sentinela" Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Universidade de Brasília, Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, Rio de Janeiro RJ-21040-900, Brazil
| | - Roxane Schaub
- TBIP, Université de Guyane, Cayenne, French Guiana; Université de Lille, CNRS, Inserm, Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1019-UMR 9017-CIIL Centre d'Infection et d'Immunité de Lille, Lille, France; Centre d'Investigation Clinique Antilles-Guyane, Inserm 1424, Centre Hospitalier de Cayenne, Cayenne, French Guiana
| | - Stanislas Talaga
- UMR MIVEGEC, IRD, CNRS, Université de Montpellier, Centre IRD de Montpellier, Montpellier, France; Institut Pasteur de la Guyane, Vectopôle Amazonien Emile Abonnenc, Cayenne, French Guiana
| | - Pauline Thill
- Service Universitaire des Maladies Infectieuses et du Voyageur, Centre Hospitalier Dron, Tourcoing, France
| | - Sourakhata Tirera
- Laboratoire des Interactions Virus-Hôtes, Institut Pasteur de la Guyane, Cayenne Cedex, French Guiana
| | - Jean-François Guégan
- UMR MIVEGEC, IRD, CNRS, Université de Montpellier, Centre IRD de Montpellier, Montpellier, France; UMR ASTRE, INRAE, CIRAD, Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France.
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12
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Romero L, Costa FB, Labruna MB. Ticks and tick-borne Rickettsia in El Salvador. EXPERIMENTAL & APPLIED ACAROLOGY 2021; 83:545-554. [PMID: 33778915 DOI: 10.1007/s10493-021-00610-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2020] [Accepted: 03/19/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
From May to November 2013, ticks were collected from wild and domestic hosts that were sampled by convenience in different localities of El Salvador. Among 48 localities, in total 1181 ticks were collected from 200 vertebrate animals, comprising 13 species of wild hosts (amphibian, reptiles, mammals) and five species of domestic mammals, plus four samples from humans and four samples from the environment. Through morphological analysis (corroborated by molecular analyses in a few cases), the following ten tick species were identified: Amblyomma dissimile, Amblyomma mixtum, Amblyomma ovale, Amblyomma cf. parvum, Amblyomma sabanerae, Amblyomma scutatum, Dermacentor dissimilis, Dermacentor nitens, Rhipicephalus microplus, and Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato. Among a sample of 211 tick specimens tested for rickettsial infection by molecular methods, we identified: 'Candidatus Rickettsia colombianensi' in 10% of the A. dissimile ticks and 11% of the A. scutatum ticks; Rickettsia amblyommatis in 77% of the A. mixtum ticks, 50% of the A. cf. parvum ticks, 8% of the D. nitens ticks, and 11% of the Amblyomma spp. nymphs; and Rickettsia bellii in 3% of the A. dissimile ticks and 17% of the A. ovale ticks. The tick fauna of El Salvador is currently represented by 12 reported species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis Romero
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, University of El Salvador, San Salvador, El Salvador
| | - Francisco B Costa
- Departamento de Patologia, Curso de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Estadual do Maranhão, São Luís, MA, Brazil
| | - Marcelo B Labruna
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine and Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of São Paulo, Av. Prof. Orlando Marques de Paiva 87, Cidade Universitária, São Paulo, SP, 05508-270, Brazil.
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13
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Detection of Rickettsia sp. strain Itinguçú in Ornithodoros faccinii (Acari: Argasidae) parasitizing the toad Rhinella ornata (Anura: Bufonidae) in Brazil. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2021; 12:101680. [PMID: 33545505 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2021.101680] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2020] [Revised: 01/18/2021] [Accepted: 01/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The pivotal role of amphibians in food webs and their value as indicators of disequilibrium in ecosystem health have long been recognized by wildlife biologists. However, massive pathogen-induced declines in global amphibian populations reported during the last 30 years served to alert the scientific community that knowledge of amphibian disease ecology, including parasitic and vector-borne conditions, was and remains incipient. Herein, we report the detection of a Rickettsia bacterium infecting larvae of the argasid tick Ornithodoros faccinii, collected from the toad Rhinella ornata, in Southeastern Brazil. Fragments of the genes 16S rDNA, gltA, htrA, sca1, sca4, and ompB were amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), but the sequence encoding the ompA antigen was not detected. Nucleotide sequencing and multi-locus (gltA, htrA, sca1, and sca4) phylogenetic analyses characterized the bacterium, designated Rickettsia sp. strain Itinguçú, as a novel member of the spotted fever group (SFG) of the Rickettsia, closely related to the Rickettsia massiliae and to a lesser extent the Rickettsia helvetica subgroups. The apparent absence of the ompA protein together with limited levels of nucleotide (90.5 %) and amino acid (82-83 %) sequence identity, relative to the ompB gene of other species in the R. massiliae subgroup, were unusual features that may reflect adaptation to selective pressures exerted by the tick and/or amphibian immune systems. The ompB sequence was exploited to develop a low-cost method for differential identification of Rickettsia sp. strain Itinguçú, based on restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis of amplicons (PCR-RFLP). The characterization of this novel bacterium provided an unprecedented record of infection by an SFG Rickettsia in a member of the family Argasidae infesting a cold-blooded animal and raised the number of tick-associated Rickettsia reported in Brazil to sixteen. Moreover, it highlighted the value of and the requirement for continued and extended surveillance of wildlife as potential sources of emerging tick-borne pathogens.
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14
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Park E, Poulin R. Widespread Torix Rickettsia in New Zealand amphipods and the use of blocking primers to rescue host COI sequences. Sci Rep 2020; 10:16842. [PMID: 33033309 PMCID: PMC7546637 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-73986-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2020] [Accepted: 09/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Endosymbionts and intracellular parasites are common in arthropod hosts. As a consequence, (co)amplification of untargeted bacterial sequences has been occasionally reported as a common problem in DNA barcoding. While identifying amphipod species with universal COI primers, we unexpectedly detected rickettsial endosymbionts belonging to the Torix group. To map the distribution and diversity of Rickettsia species among amphipod hosts, we conducted a nationwide molecular screening of seven families of New Zealand freshwater amphipods. In addition to uncovering a diversity of Torix Rickettsia species across multiple amphipod populations from three different families, our research indicates that: (1) detecting Torix Rickettsia with universal primers is not uncommon, (2) obtaining 'Rickettsia COI sequences' from many host individuals is highly likely when a population is infected, and (3) obtaining 'host COI' may not be possible with a conventional PCR if an individual is infected. Because Rickettsia COI is highly conserved across diverse host taxa, we were able to design blocking primers that can be used in a wide range of host species infected with Torix Rickettsia. We propose the use of blocking primers to circumvent problems caused by unwanted amplification of Rickettsia and to obtain targeted host COI sequences for DNA barcoding, population genetics, and phylogeographic studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eunji Park
- Department of Zoology, University of Otago, 340 Great King Street, Dunedin, 9016, New Zealand.
| | - Robert Poulin
- Department of Zoology, University of Otago, 340 Great King Street, Dunedin, 9016, New Zealand
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