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Gual-Gonzalez L, Cantillo-Barraza O, Torres ME, Quintero-Vélez JC, Medina M, Self SCW, Nolan MS. Antibody Seroprevalence to Spotted Fever Group Rickettsiae in Miraflores, Colombia: A Cross-Sectional Study in Humans and Dogs. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2024; 110:1245-1252. [PMID: 38593790 PMCID: PMC11154037 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.23-0593] [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: 08/28/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Tick-borne disease burdens are increasing globally, impacting mostly rural and vulnerable communities. Among the most important emerging tick-borne pathogens are the Rickettsia species within the spotted fever group (SFGR) because of their genetic diversity and high lethality rate. Colombia is highly affected by SFGR despite not being reportable diseases; thus, research and clinical management are neglected. Although some departments have demonstrated high seroprevalence rates, in others, such as Boyacá Department, seroprevalence is unknown. Rickettsioses have not been described in Boyacá since 1943, and conversations with local physicians raised suspicions of recent undiagnosed disease compatible with rickettsiosis in some rural areas of the department, warranting epidemiological investigation. Using biobanked human and canine samples from a previous 2021 vector-borne disease study in Miraflores municipality, Boyacá, we had an opportunity to unearth SFGR's exposure in the region. Samples were evaluated using IgG indirect fluorescent assays against SFGR and complemented by survey questionnaires evaluating associated factors. Findings yielded first-time SFGR serological evidence in Boyacá with a 26.5% seroprevalence among dogs and a 20.4% among humans. Human and dog seroprevalences were positively associated, suggesting the presence of domestic transmission. Owning a greater number of domestic animals (prevalence ratio adjusted for all measured factors [aPR], 1.52) and living near crop fields (aPR, 7.77) were associated with an increased likelihood of household seropositivity. Our findings are consistent with the literature in Colombia, uncovering a suspected region where the disease is endemic. Future studies are warranted to continue defining high-risk areas to determine public health intervention plans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lídia Gual-Gonzalez
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina
| | - Omar Cantillo-Barraza
- Grupo Biología y Control Enfermedades Infecciosas, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Myriam E. Torres
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina
| | | | - Manuel Medina
- Unidad de Control de Enfermedades Transmitidas por Vectores, Secretaría de Salud de Boyacá, Tunja, Colombia
| | - Stella C. W. Self
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina
| | - Melissa S. Nolan
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina
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Oakley R, Kann S, Concha G, Plag M, Poppert S, Graves S, Paris DH, Dreyfus A. Seroprevalence of Rickettsia Spp. and Orientia tsutsugamushi in Indigenous Populations from the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, Colombia. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2024. [PMID: 38742967 DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2023.0077] [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: 05/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Background: Rickettsia spp. are vector-borne zoonotic pathogens that cause febrile illness in humans. Rickettsioses is not included in the Colombian national surveillance system and is subsequently expected to be underreported. This cross-sectional study aimed to determine the seroprevalence of Rickettsia spp. and the closely related Orientia tsutsugamushi in two indigenous populations residing in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, Colombia. Materials and Methods: Serum samples (n = 539) were collected from the Wiwa and Koguis people between 2021 and 2022. Serum samples were screened for spotted fever group (SFG) and typhus group (TG) Rickettsia spp. using the Fuller laboratories Rickettsia IgG IFA kit and for O. tsutsugamushi with the Scrub Typhus Detect™ IgG ELISA. Results: We observed an overall seroprevalence of 26.2% (95% confidence interval [CI] 22.5-30.1] for Rickettsia spp. of the SFG, 5.4% (95% CI 3.6-7.6) for Rickettsia spp. of the TG and 4.3% (95% CI 2.7-6.3) for O. tsutsugamushi. Common risk factors for zoonotic disease infections were assessed for 147 of the Wiwa participants. Increased odds of seropositivity for SFG Rickettsia spp. were observed for Wiwa participants who cared for livestock, including assisting with the birth of cattle (odds ratio [OR] = 8.85; 95% CI 1.54-50.90; p = 0.015) and goats (OR = 7.60; 95% CI 1.70-33.90; p = 0.008). Conclusions: These results highlight a notable exposure to Rickettsia spp., especially the SFG, in rural Colombia. Together with recent reports of high mortality for Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever in nearby regions of South America, more detailed investigations focusing on improving knowledge and awareness as well as "One Health" and "causes-of-fever" studies are needed. The characterization of Rickettsia spp. infections in humans, livestock, and tick vectors with their potential transmission routes could make a high impact on these easily treatable diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Regina Oakley
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Allschwil, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | | | - Gustavo Concha
- Organización Wiwa Yugumaiun Bunkuanarua Tairona, Valledupar, Colombia
| | - Michèle Plag
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Allschwil, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Sven Poppert
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Allschwil, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Stephen Graves
- Australian Rickettsial Reference Laboratory, Geelong, Australia
| | - Daniel H Paris
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Allschwil, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Anou Dreyfus
- Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
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Silva-Ramos CR, Gil-Mora J, Serna-Rivera CC, Martínez Díaz HC, Restrepo-López N, Agudelo-Flórez P, Arboleda M, Díaz FJ, Faccini-Martínez ÁA, Hidalgo M, Melby PC, Aguilar PV, Cabada MM, Tobón-Castaño A, Rodas JD. Etiological characterization of acute undifferentiated febrile illness in Apartadó and Villeta municipalities, Colombia, during COVID-19 pandemic. LE INFEZIONI IN MEDICINA 2023; 31:517-532. [PMID: 38075419 PMCID: PMC10705856 DOI: 10.53854/liim-3104-11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2023] [Accepted: 11/02/2023] [Indexed: 03/28/2024]
Abstract
Background Acute undifferentiated febrile illness (AUFI) is one of the leading causes of illness in tropical regions. Although malaria is the most important cause, other pathogens such as Dengue (DENV), Leptospira and recently, Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) have gained importance. In Colombia, few studies aimed to identify the etiology of AUFI. Most of them performed in Apartadó and Villeta municipalities, identifying the active circulation of several pathogens. Thus, we conducted a cross-sectional study in these municipalities to characterize the etiologies of AUFI during COVID-19 pandemic. Methods An active surveillance was conducted between September and December 2021 in local hospitals of Apartadó and Villeta municipalities. Febrile patients were enrolled after voluntarily agreeing to participate in the study. Ten different etiologies were evaluated through direct, serological, molecular and rapid diagnostic methods. Results In Apartadó a confirmed etiology was found in 60% of subjects, DENV (25%) being the most frequent, followed by leptospirosis (16.7%), malaria (10%), COVID-19 (8.3%), spotted fever group (SFG) rickettsiosis (6.7%) and Chikungunya (1.7%). In Villeta, a specific etiology was confirmed in 55.4% of patients, of which SFG rickettsiosis (39.3%) was the most frequent, followed by leptospirosis (21.4%), DENV (3.6%) and malaria (1.8%). No cases due to Mayaro, Yellow Fever, Oropouche and Venezuelan Equine Encephalitis viruses were detected. Conclusion We confirm the relevance of dengue fever, leptospirosis, SFG rickettsiosis, COVID-19 and malaria as causes of AUFI in the municipality of Apartadó, and highlight the great importance of SFG rickettsiosis as the main cause of AUFI in the municipality of Villeta.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Ramiro Silva-Ramos
- Grupo de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Departamento de Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Juliana Gil-Mora
- Grupo de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Departamento de Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Cristian C. Serna-Rivera
- Grupo de Investigación en Ciencias Veterinarias Centauro, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Heidy-C. Martínez Díaz
- Grupo de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Departamento de Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Nicaela Restrepo-López
- Grupo de Investigación en Ciencias Veterinarias Centauro, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Piedad Agudelo-Flórez
- Grupo de Investigación en Ciencias Básicas, Escuela de Graduados, Universidad CES, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Margarita Arboleda
- Instituto Colombiano de Medicina Tropical, Universidad CES, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Francisco J. Díaz
- Grupo de Inmunovirología, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellin,Colombia
| | - Álvaro A. Faccini-Martínez
- Servicio de Infectología, Hospital Militar Central, Bogotá, Colombia
- Servicios y Asesorías en Infectología - SAI, Bogotá, Colombia
- Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Militar Nueva Granada, Bogotà, Colombia
| | - Marylin Hidalgo
- Grupo de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Departamento de Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Peter C. Melby
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
- Center for Tropical Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
| | - Patricia V. Aguilar
- Center for Tropical Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
| | - Miguel M. Cabada
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
- Center for Tropical Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
| | | | - Juan David Rodas
- Grupo de Investigación en Ciencias Veterinarias Centauro, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
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Quintero-Vélez JC, Rodas JD, Rojas CA, Ko AI, Wunder EA. Leptospira Infection in Rural Areas of Urabá Region, Colombia: A Prospective Study. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2022; 107:1267-1277. [PMID: 36375452 PMCID: PMC9768283 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.21-1103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2021] [Accepted: 07/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The objective of this study was to analyze the eco-epidemiological aspects of Leptospira seroprevalence and seroincidence and its associated factors in two municipalities of northwest Colombia. A prospective study was performed in rural areas of Urabá, Antioquia, Colombia. The study enrolled 597 people between November 2015 and January 2016, of which 274 were followed up 1 year later. Serologic testing was performed by a microscopic agglutination. The outcomes were seroprevalent and seroincident cases, and the primary exposure was an outdoor occupation. A binary and mixed-effect multinomial logistic regression model was used to estimate factors associated with seroprevalent or seroincident cases of Leptospira infection. The overall Leptospira seroprevalence was 27.81% (95% confidence interval: 23.62-32.49), and the overall cumulative seroincidence for Leptospira was 14.60% (95% confidence interval: 10.33-20.23). Multivariable analysis showed that factors associated with L. interrogans serogroups seropositivity were outdoor occupation, male gender, older age, the presence of dirt floor in the household, and the presence of piglets and opossums. It also showed that factors associated with other Leptospira species serogroups were the presence of pit latrines and of turkeys. In addition, the multivariable model of seroincident cases of L. interrogans serogroups evidenced outdoor occupations, the presence of rats, and corn cultivation as risk factors. Likewise, the multivariable model for seroincident cases of other Leptospira species showed that the presence of hunting canines and cassava cultivation were risk factors. We found specific factors associated with the transmission of Leptospira serogroups contribute to the understanding of the epidemiology of Leptospira infection in rural areas of Urabá, Colombia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan C. Quintero-Vélez
- Grupo de Investigación Ciencias Veterinarias Centauro, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
- Grupo de Investigación Microbiología Básica y Aplicada, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
- Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut
- Grupo de Epidemiología, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Juan D. Rodas
- Grupo de Investigación Ciencias Veterinarias Centauro, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Carlos A. Rojas
- Grupo de Epidemiología, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Albert I. Ko
- Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut
- Gonçalo Moniz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Brazilian Ministry of Health, Salvador, Brazil
| | - Elsio A. Wunder
- Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut
- Gonçalo Moniz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Brazilian Ministry of Health, Salvador, Brazil
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Quintero-Vélez JC, Cienfuegos-Gallet AV, Quintero LO, Úsuga AF, Cifuentes S, Solari S, Rodas JD, Diaz FJ, Rojas CA. Epidemiology of Rickettsial Infection in the Municipality of Uramita, Colombia. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2021; 105:1013-1023. [PMID: 34370699 PMCID: PMC8592147 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.20-0104] [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: 02/07/2020] [Accepted: 05/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
This study aimed to analyze epidemiological indicators related to seroprevalent and seroincident cases of spotted fever group rickettsiae (SFGR) and to identify housing conditions related to tick infestation. A prospective study (2016-2018) was conducted to examine rickettsial seropositivity in humans, domestic animals, and wild mammals in the municipality of Uramita, Antioquia, Colombia, where a previous Rickettsia rickettsii outbreak was reported from 2014 to 2015. The seroprevalence and its associated factors were estimated at baseline, and the seroincidence and its risk factors for humans were estimated 20 months later. A cross-sectional analysis was performed to evaluate the housing conditions linked to tick infestation. The SFGR seroprevalence was 26.70% (95% confidence interval [CI], 20.79-31.37), and the factors associated with SFGR seropositivity were male sex (adjusted prevalence ratio [PRa], 1.67; 95% CI, 1.19-2.32), age (evaluated in 5-year increments) (PRa, 1.05; 95% CI, 1.01-1.09), and household proximity (PRascattered vs. very near=3.87; 95% CI, 1.12-8.66). The overall seroincidence was 7.40% (95% CI, 4.71-11.06), and the factors associated with SFGR seroincident cases were the presence of wild animals (adjusted relative risk [RRa], 2.46; 95% CI, 1.06-4.72) and the presence of trees in the peri-domiciliary area (RRa, 0.47; 95% CI, 0.23-0.94). The prevalence of house tick infestation was 27.81% (95% CI, 21.93-34.80), and the factors associated with infestation were dirt floors (PRa, 5.88; 95% CI, 2.28-10.31), fiber cement roofs (PRa, 1.76; 95% CI, 1.07-2.83), and the presence of canines in peri-domiciliary or intra-domiciliary areas (PRa, 5.05; 95% CI, 3.31-7.19). Seropositivity rates for canines and opossums were 35.62% (26/73) and 100% (6/6), respectively. Identification of these factors will help to implement efficient surveillance programs in Colombia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan C. Quintero-Vélez
- Grupo de Investigación Ciencias Veterinarias Centauro, Universidad de Antioquia, Antioquia, Colombia
- Grupo de Investigación Microbiología Básica y Aplicada, Universidad de Antioquia, Antioquia, Colombia
| | | | | | - Andrés F. Úsuga
- Grupo de Investigación Ciencias Veterinarias Centauro, Universidad de Antioquia, Antioquia, Colombia
| | | | | | - Juan D. Rodas
- Grupo de Investigación Ciencias Veterinarias Centauro, Universidad de Antioquia, Antioquia, Colombia
| | - Francisco J. Diaz
- Grupo de Investigación Inmunovirología, Universidad de Antioquia, Antioquia, Colombia
| | - Carlos A. Rojas
- Grupo de Epidemiología, Universidad de Antioquia, Antioquia, Colombia
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Bragagnollo GR, de Camargo RAA, Guimarães MDN, dos Santos TS, Monteiro ELM, Ferreira BR. Development and validation of an interactive educational technology on spotted fever. Rev Lat Am Enfermagem 2020; 28:e3375. [PMID: 33027405 PMCID: PMC7529451 DOI: 10.1590/1518-8345.3678.3375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2019] [Accepted: 06/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE to develop and validate an interactive educational technology on spotted fever, to offer an innovative teaching method. METHOD a methodological study that covered the following stages: analysis and diagnosis; instructional planning, didactic design, review, and validation and production of technology. RESULTS the analysis and diagnosis were obtained from experiences in education and health activities for spotted fever. In the instructional planning, it was defined that the technology would be presented in the form of an Interactive Laboratory, with learning stations. The production of the Laboratory was carried out by a multidisciplinary team made up of a carpenter, an electrician, and a plastic artist, among others. The review and validation process was subdivided into two stages: appearance and content validation by professionals in the fields of biology, and education and semantic validation by students of the Nursing and Pedagogy courses. The results of the appearance and content validation showed a content validity index over 0.8 for the vast majority of the variables. In the semantic validation, the Laboratory was evaluated positively by the students. CONCLUSION the trajectory followed for the construction of the Interactive Laboratory on spotted fever gave academic and scientific support to the product, offering an innovative educational resource with pedagogical potential that values significant learning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriela Rodrigues Bragagnollo
- Universidade de São Paulo, Escola de Enfermagem de Ribeirão Preto,
PAHO/WHO Collaborating Centre for Nursing Research Development, Ribeirão Preto, SP,
Brazil
- Scholarship holder at the Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de
São Paulo (FAPESP), Brazil
| | - Rosangela Andrade Aukar de Camargo
- Universidade de São Paulo, Escola de Enfermagem de Ribeirão Preto,
PAHO/WHO Collaborating Centre for Nursing Research Development, Ribeirão Preto, SP,
Brazil
| | | | | | | | - Beatriz Rossetti Ferreira
- Universidade de São Paulo, Escola de Enfermagem de Ribeirão Preto,
PAHO/WHO Collaborating Centre for Nursing Research Development, Ribeirão Preto, SP,
Brazil
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Weber N, Trujillo-Trujillo J, Krücken J, Michl C, Hidalgo ME, Appráez-Ippolito G, Castillo F, Feldmeier H, Sunderkötter C. Tickbite-associated chronic pruritic lesions in an Afro-descendant population in the Cauca Department, Colombia. I. Clinical features and impact on health. Int J Dermatol 2020; 59:1491-1501. [PMID: 32975315 DOI: 10.1111/ijd.15184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2020] [Revised: 08/17/2020] [Accepted: 08/26/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND During a health survey in a remote area in southwest Colombia, it became apparent that a high percentage of the population suffered from chronic pruritus in association with high numbers of ticks and tickbites. OBJECTIVE To determine the clinical features and severity of tickbite-associated pruritus. METHOD At twotime points - 8 weeks apart to account for seasonal effects - a cross-sectional study was conducted encompassing physical examination of the population, histological analysis of skin biopsies, and determining serum for antibodies against spotted fever (SFG) rickettsiae and typhus group (TG) rickettsiae. Ticks were identified using morphological criteria, and infection by rickettsiae was determined by PCR. RESULTS About 94.5% of the population (95% CI 92-97%) showed clinical signs of a pruritic arthropod reaction and of chronic pruritus with lichenoid papules and hyper- and hypopigmented nodules on otherwise noninflamed skin. Pruritus markedly impaired the quality of life in terms of sleeping disturbances. No signs for other diseases were observed. Chronic pruritus appeared to be because of repeated tickbites and scratching, but not because of other dermatological or medical conditions. Antibodies against SFG and TG-rickettsiae were detected at 79.0% (95% CI 73-86) and 3.6% (95% CI 0.7-6), respectively. Ticks were identified as Amblyomma cajennense. CONCLUSION Remarkably high exposure to tick bites caused an unusually high rate of acute and chronic pruritus and markedly impaired quality of life of the investigated rural community. This underlines the necessity of public health measures and surveillance of rickettsial disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niklas Weber
- Department of Dermatology and Venereology, University Hospital Halle, Halle, Germany
| | | | - Jürgen Krücken
- Institute for Parasitology and Tropical Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Christiane Michl
- Department of Dermatology and Venereology, University Hospital Halle, Halle, Germany
| | - Maryln E Hidalgo
- Grupo de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Departamento de Microbiología, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia
| | | | | | - Hermann Feldmeier
- Institute of Microbiology and Hygiene, Charite-Universitätsmedizin, Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Cord Sunderkötter
- Department of Dermatology and Venereology, University Hospital Halle, Halle, Germany.,Department of Translational Dermatoinfectiology, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
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Novel PCR exclusion assay to detect spotted fever group rickettsiae in the lone star tick (Amblyomma americanum). Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2020; 11:101453. [PMID: 32439385 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2020.101453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2019] [Revised: 04/10/2020] [Accepted: 04/19/2020] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
The lone star tick (Amblyomma americanum) is the most common and abundant human-biting tick in the southeastern United States where spotted fever rickettsioses frequently occur. However, the role of this tick in transmitting and maintaining pathogenic and non-pathogenic spotted fever group rickettsiae (SFGR) remains poorly defined. This is partially due to the high prevalence and abundance of Rickettsia amblyommatis in most populations of A. americanum. Many molecular assays commonly employed to detect rickettsiae use PCR primers that target highly conserved regions in the SFGR so low abundance rickettsia may not be detected when R. amblyommatis is present. It is costly and inefficient to test for low abundance rickettsial agents with multiple individual specific assays even when they are multiplexed, as most samples will be negative. Real time PCR assays may also be hampered by inadequate limits of detection (LODs) for low abundance agents. We exploited the absence of an otherwise relatively SFGR-conserved genome region in R. amblyommatis to design a hemi-nested PCR-assay which has a sensitivity of 10 copies in detecting the presence of most SFGR, but not R. amblyommatis in DNA of infected lone star ticks. This deletion is conserved in 21 isolates of R. amblyommatis obtained from multiple states. We demonstrated the assay's utility by detecting a pathogenic SFGR, Rickettsia parkeri, in 15/50 (30 %) of field collected A. americanum ticks that were previously screened with conventional assays and found to be positive for R. amblyommatis. These co-infected ticks included 1 questing female, 6 questing nymphs, and 8 attached males. The high prevalence of R. parkeri among host-attached ticks may be due to several variables and does not necessarily reflect the risk of disease transmission from attached ticks to vertebrate hosts. This novel assay can provide accurate estimates of the prevalence of less common SFGR in A. americanum and thus improve our understanding of the role of this tick in the maintenance and transmission of the SFGR commonly responsible for human rickettsioses.
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Villar D, Schaeffer DJ. Disarmament is the New War, Gold is the New Opium, and Ecohealth is the Historic Victim. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH INSIGHTS 2019; 13:1178630219862241. [PMID: 31320800 PMCID: PMC6630075 DOI: 10.1177/1178630219862241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2019] [Accepted: 06/13/2019] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
In Colombia, the convergence of drug trafficking, illegal armed groups, and gold production and trade threatens peace and stability in the post-FARC (Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia) era, as had the narcotics trade previously. Armed groups and criminal organizations have increased and consolidated their influence over illegal mining and may be diverting US$5 billion from Colombia's annual economy. As of 2014, 46% of the total area (78 939 ha) exploited for alluvial gold was in the Afro-Colombian Pacific States, in which unregulated mining was the main driver of deforestation. The informal job market represents 49% of the workforce and absent other economic alternatives, this workforce of ex-guerrillas, organized crime groups and corrupt officials will sustain the black markets that permeate gold mining. Human health consequences of unregulated gold mining are largely unrecognized, but include the spread of malaria and other insect-borne diseases, and we suggest diseases such as babesiosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Villar
- Grupo de Investigación CIBAV, Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellin, Colombia
| | - David J Schaeffer
- College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
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Quintero Vélez JC, Faccini-Martínez ÁA, Rodas González JD, Díaz FJ, Ramírez García R, Somoyar Ordosgoitia P, Parra Saad EA, Osorio Quintero L, Rojas Arbeláez C. Fatal Rickettsia rickettsii infection in a child, Northwestern Colombia, 2017. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2019; 10:995-996. [PMID: 31151921 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2019.05.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2019] [Revised: 04/06/2019] [Accepted: 05/22/2019] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
This report describes a new lethal case of Rickettsia rickettsii infection in a child from Northwestern Colombia, after ten years of the last outbreaks in the same region. Colombian public-health authorities should consider to include this severe rickettsiosis in the compulsory-reporting diseases, with the aim of knowing its burden in the country.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan C Quintero Vélez
- Grupo de Investigación Ciencias Veterinarias Centauro, Sede de Investigación Universitaria, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia.
| | - Álvaro A Faccini-Martínez
- Postgraduate Program in Infectious Diseases, Health Science Center, Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, Vitória, ES, Brazil; Committee of Tropical Medicine, Zoonoses and Travel Medicine, Asociación Colombiana de Infectología, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Juan David Rodas González
- Grupo de Investigación Ciencias Veterinarias Centauro, Sede de Investigación Universitaria, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Francisco J Díaz
- Grupo de Investigación Inmunovirología, Sede de Investigación Universitaria, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
| | | | | | | | - Lisardo Osorio Quintero
- Grupo Salud y Ambiente, Facultad Nacional de Salud Pública, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Carlos Rojas Arbeláez
- Grupo Epidemiología, Facultad Nacional de Salud Pública, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
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