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Mbiri P, Matomola OC, Muleya W, Mhuulu L, Diegaardt A, Noden BH, Changula K, Chimwamurombe P, Matos C, Weiss S, Nepolo E, Chitanga S. Molecular Detection and Characterization of Rickettsia Species in Ixodid Ticks from Selected Regions of Namibia. Microorganisms 2024; 12:912. [PMID: 38792739 PMCID: PMC11124484 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12050912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2024] [Revised: 04/22/2024] [Accepted: 04/25/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Rickettsial pathogens are among the emerging and re-emerging vector-borne zoonoses of public health importance. Reports indicate human exposure to Rickettsial pathogens in Namibia through serological surveys, but there is a lack of data on infection rates in tick vectors, hindering the assessment of the relative risk to humans. Our study sought to screen Ixodid ticks collected from livestock for the presence of Rickettsia species in order to determine infection rates in ticks and to determine the Rickettsia species circulating in the country. We collected and pooled Hyalomma and Rhipicephalus ticks from two adjacent regions of Namibia (Khomas and Otjozondjupa) and observed an overall minimum Rickettsia infection rate of 8.6% (26/304), with an estimated overall pooled prevalence of 9.94% (95% CI: 6.5-14.3). There were no statistically significant differences in the estimated pooled prevalence between the two regions or tick genera. Based on the nucleotide sequence similarity and phylogenetic analysis of the outer membrane protein A (n = 9) and citrate synthase (n = 12) genes, BLAST analysis revealed similarity between Rickettsia africae (n = 2) and Rickettsia aeschlimannii (n = 11), with sequence identities ranging from 98.46 to 100%. Our initial study in Namibia indicates that both zoonotic R. africae and R. aeschlimannii are in circulation in the country, with R. aeschlimannii being the predominant species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pricilla Mbiri
- Department of Production Animal Studies, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Namibia, Private Bag 13301, Windhoek 10005, Namibia;
| | - Ophelia Chuma Matomola
- Department of Preclinical Studies, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Namibia, Private Bag 13301, Windhoek 10005, Namibia;
| | - Walter Muleya
- Department of Preclinical Studies, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zambia, P.O. Box 32379, Lusaka 10101, Zambia;
| | - Lusia Mhuulu
- Department of Human Biology and Translational Medicine, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Namibia, Private Bag 13301, Windhoek 10005, Namibia; (L.M.); (A.D.); (E.N.)
| | - Azaria Diegaardt
- Department of Human Biology and Translational Medicine, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Namibia, Private Bag 13301, Windhoek 10005, Namibia; (L.M.); (A.D.); (E.N.)
| | - Bruce Howard Noden
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA;
| | - Katendi Changula
- Department of Paraclinical Studies, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zambia, P.O. Box 32379, Lusaka 10101, Zambia;
| | - Percy Chimwamurombe
- Department of Natural and Applied Sciences, Namibia University of Science & Technology, Windhoek 10005, Namibia;
| | - Carolina Matos
- Centre for International Health Protection, Robert Koch Institute, 13353 Berlin, Germany; (C.M.); (S.W.)
| | - Sabrina Weiss
- Centre for International Health Protection, Robert Koch Institute, 13353 Berlin, Germany; (C.M.); (S.W.)
| | - Emmanuel Nepolo
- Department of Human Biology and Translational Medicine, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Namibia, Private Bag 13301, Windhoek 10005, Namibia; (L.M.); (A.D.); (E.N.)
| | - Simbarashe Chitanga
- Department of Preclinical Studies, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Namibia, Private Bag 13301, Windhoek 10005, Namibia;
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Health Sciences, University of Zambia, P.O. Box 50110, Lusaka 10101, Zambia
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Majid A, Almutairi MM, Alouffi A, Tanaka T, Yen TY, Tsai KH, Ali A. First report of spotted fever group Rickettsia aeschlimannii in Hyalomma turanicum, Haemaphysalis bispinosa, and Haemaphysalis montgomeryi infesting domestic animals: updates on the epidemiology of tick-borne Rickettsia aeschlimannii. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1283814. [PMID: 38163073 PMCID: PMC10756324 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1283814] [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: 08/27/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Tick-borne Rickettsia spp. have long been known as causative agents for zoonotic diseases. We have previously characterized Rickettsia spp. in different ticks infesting a broad range of hosts in Pakistan; however, knowledge regarding Rickettsia aeschlimannii in Haemaphysalis and Hyalomma ticks is missing. This study aimed to obtain a better understanding about R. aeschlimannii in Pakistan and update the knowledge about its worldwide epidemiology. Among 369 examined domestic animals, 247 (66%) were infested by 872 ticks. Collected ticks were morphologically delineated into three genera, namely, Rhipicephalus, Hyalomma, and Haemaphysalis. Adult females were the most prevalent (number ₌ 376, 43.1%), followed by nymphs (303, 34.74%) and males (193, 22.13%). Overall, genomic DNA samples of 223 tick were isolated and screened for Rickettsia spp. by the amplification of rickettsial gltA, ompA, and ompB partial genes using conventional PCR. Rickettsial DNA was detected in 8 of 223 (3.58%) ticks including nymphs (5 of 122, 4.0%) and adult females (3 of 86, 3.48%). The rickettsial gltA, ompA, and ompB sequences were detected in Hyalomma turanicum (2 nymphs and 1 adult female), Haemaphysalis bispinosa (1 nymph and 1 adult female), and Haemaphysalis montgomeryi (2 nymphs and 1 adult female). These rickettsial sequences showed 99.71-100% identity with R. aeschlimannii and phylogenetically clustered with the same species. None of the tested Rhipicephalus microplus, Hyalomma isaaci, Hyalomma scupense, Rhipicephalus turanicus, Hyalomma anatolicum, Rhipicephalus haemaphysaloides, Rhipicephalus sanguineus, Haemaphysalis cornupunctata, and Haemaphysalis sulcata ticks were found positive for rickettsial DNA. Comprehensive surveillance studies should be adopted to update the knowledge regarding tick-borne zoonotic Rickettsia species, evaluate their risks to humans and livestock, and investigate the unexamined cases of illness after tick bite among livestock holders in the country.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdul Majid
- 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
| | - Tsai-Ying Yen
- Department of Public Health, Institute of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Kun-Hsien Tsai
- Department of Public Health, Institute of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Abid Ali
- Department of Zoology, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, Mardan, Pakistan
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Perfilyeva YV, Berdygulova ZA, Mashzhan AS, Zhigailov AV, Ostapchuk YO, Naizabayeva DA, Cherusheva AS, Bissenbay AO, Kuatbekova SA, Abdolla N, Nizkorodova AS, Kulemin MV, Shapiyeva ZZ, Sayakova ZZ, Perfilyeva AV, Akhmetollayev IA, Maltseva ER, Skiba YA, Mamadaliyev SM, Dmitrovskiy AM. Molecular and seroepidemiological investigation of Сoxiella burnetii and spotted fever group rickettsiae in the southern region of Kazakhstan. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2023; 14:102240. [PMID: 37647811 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2023.102240] [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] [Received: 02/09/2023] [Revised: 07/25/2023] [Accepted: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023]
Abstract
Ticks are involved in the circulation of a number of human pathogens, including spotted fever group (SFG) Rickettsia spp. and Coxiella burnetii. Little is known about the occurrence of these microorganisms in the southern region of Kazakhstan. In 2018-2022, a total of 726 ticks were collected from bitten humans, livestock, and vegetation in four oblasts of the southern region of Kazakhstan and subjected to DNA extraction. The overall infection rate of Coxiella spp. and Rickettsia spp. in the ticks was 3.3% (24/726) and 69.9% (300/429), respectively. Phylogenetic analysis of ompA and gltA genes revealed the presence of three pathogenic SFG rickettsiae: Candidatus R. tarasevichiae, R. aeschlimannii and R. raoultii in ticks collected from bitten humans. In addition, Candidatus R. barbariae was detected in six Rhipicephalus turanicus ticks for the first time in Kazakhstan. To determine the seroprevalence of C. burnetii infection, we performed a serological analysis of samples collected from 656 domestic ruminants (cattle, sheep, and goats) in the region. Overall, 23.5% (154/656) of the animals tested were positive for IgG against C. burnetii. Seroprevalence at the herd level was 54% (28/52). Goats (43%; 12/28; odds ratio (OD) = 28.9, p < 0.05) and sheep (31.9%; 137/430; OD = 18.1, p < 0.05) had higher seroprevalence than cattle (2.5%; 5/198). Among the risk factors considered in this study, age (p = 0.003) and the oblast in which the animals were sampled (p = 0.049) were statistically associated with seropostivity for Q fever in sheep, according to the results of multivariate logistic regression analysis. Seroprevalence ranged from 0% to 55.5% in animals in different districts of the southern region of Kazakhstan. Active C. burnetii bacteremia was detected in four of 154 (2.6%) seropositive animals. The data obtained provide strong evidence of the presence of pathogenic rickettsiae and C. burnetii in the southern region of Kazakhstan and emphasize the need to improve epidemiological surveillance in the region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuliya V Perfilyeva
- Almaty Branch of the National Center for Biotechnology, Central Reference Laboratory, 14 Zhahanger St., Almaty 050054, Kazakhstan; M.A. Aitkhozhin Institute of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, 86 Dosmukhamedov St., Almaty 050012, Kazakhstan
| | - Zhanna A Berdygulova
- Almaty Branch of the National Center for Biotechnology, Central Reference Laboratory, 14 Zhahanger St., Almaty 050054, Kazakhstan; Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, 71 Al-Farabi Avenue, Almaty 050040, Kazakhstan.
| | - Akzhigit S Mashzhan
- Almaty Branch of the National Center for Biotechnology, Central Reference Laboratory, 14 Zhahanger St., Almaty 050054, Kazakhstan; Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, 71 Al-Farabi Avenue, Almaty 050040, Kazakhstan.
| | - Andrey V Zhigailov
- Almaty Branch of the National Center for Biotechnology, Central Reference Laboratory, 14 Zhahanger St., Almaty 050054, Kazakhstan; M.A. Aitkhozhin Institute of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, 86 Dosmukhamedov St., Almaty 050012, Kazakhstan
| | - Yekaterina O Ostapchuk
- Almaty Branch of the National Center for Biotechnology, Central Reference Laboratory, 14 Zhahanger St., Almaty 050054, Kazakhstan; M.A. Aitkhozhin Institute of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, 86 Dosmukhamedov St., Almaty 050012, Kazakhstan
| | - Dinara A Naizabayeva
- Almaty Branch of the National Center for Biotechnology, Central Reference Laboratory, 14 Zhahanger St., Almaty 050054, Kazakhstan; Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, 71 Al-Farabi Avenue, Almaty 050040, Kazakhstan
| | - Alena S Cherusheva
- Almaty Branch of the National Center for Biotechnology, Central Reference Laboratory, 14 Zhahanger St., Almaty 050054, Kazakhstan
| | - Akerke O Bissenbay
- Almaty Branch of the National Center for Biotechnology, Central Reference Laboratory, 14 Zhahanger St., Almaty 050054, Kazakhstan; Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, 71 Al-Farabi Avenue, Almaty 050040, Kazakhstan
| | - Saltanat A Kuatbekova
- Almaty Branch of the National Center for Biotechnology, Central Reference Laboratory, 14 Zhahanger St., Almaty 050054, Kazakhstan
| | - Nurshat Abdolla
- Almaty Branch of the National Center for Biotechnology, Central Reference Laboratory, 14 Zhahanger St., Almaty 050054, Kazakhstan; M.A. Aitkhozhin Institute of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, 86 Dosmukhamedov St., Almaty 050012, Kazakhstan
| | - Anna S Nizkorodova
- Almaty Branch of the National Center for Biotechnology, Central Reference Laboratory, 14 Zhahanger St., Almaty 050054, Kazakhstan; M.A. Aitkhozhin Institute of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, 86 Dosmukhamedov St., Almaty 050012, Kazakhstan
| | - Maxim V Kulemin
- Anti-Plague Station, 114 Dulati St., Shymkent 160013, Kazakhstan
| | - Zhanna Zh Shapiyeva
- Scientific Practical Center of Sanitary-Epidemiological Expertise and Monitoring, 84 Auezov St., Almaty 050008, Kazakhstan
| | - Zaure Z Sayakova
- Almaty Branch of the National Center for Biotechnology, Central Reference Laboratory, 14 Zhahanger St., Almaty 050054, Kazakhstan; M. Aikimbayev National Scientific Center for Especially Dangerous Infections, 14 Zhahanger St., Almaty 050054, Kazakhstan
| | | | | | - Elina R Maltseva
- Almaty Branch of the National Center for Biotechnology, Central Reference Laboratory, 14 Zhahanger St., Almaty 050054, Kazakhstan; M.A. Aitkhozhin Institute of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, 86 Dosmukhamedov St., Almaty 050012, Kazakhstan; Tethys Scientific Society, 9 Microdisctrict 1/72, Almaty 050036, Kazakhstan
| | - Yuriy A Skiba
- Almaty Branch of the National Center for Biotechnology, Central Reference Laboratory, 14 Zhahanger St., Almaty 050054, Kazakhstan; M.A. Aitkhozhin Institute of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, 86 Dosmukhamedov St., Almaty 050012, Kazakhstan; Tethys Scientific Society, 9 Microdisctrict 1/72, Almaty 050036, Kazakhstan
| | - Seidigapbar M Mamadaliyev
- Almaty Branch of the National Center for Biotechnology, Central Reference Laboratory, 14 Zhahanger St., Almaty 050054, Kazakhstan
| | - Andrey M Dmitrovskiy
- Almaty Branch of the National Center for Biotechnology, Central Reference Laboratory, 14 Zhahanger St., Almaty 050054, Kazakhstan; M. Aikimbayev National Scientific Center for Especially Dangerous Infections, 14 Zhahanger St., Almaty 050054, Kazakhstan
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Raele DA, Cafiero MA. Rickettsial Infection in the COVID-19 Era: The Correlation between the Detection of Rickettsia aeschlimannii in Ticks and Storytelling Photography of a Presumable Human Rickettsiosis Case. Microorganisms 2023; 11:2645. [PMID: 38004657 PMCID: PMC10673559 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11112645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2023] [Revised: 10/19/2023] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Rickettsia aeschlimannii infection is an emerging human tick-borne disease with only a few recorded cases. We reported a presumable autochthonous case of rickettsiosis in an Italian cattle breeder associated with a Hyalomma marginatum bite. Rickettsia aeschlimannii DNA was detected in both the tick specimen from the patient and the grazing cattle close to his farm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donato Antonio Raele
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Puglia e della Basilicata, 71121 Foggia, Italy;
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Aneela A, Almutairi MM, Alouffi A, Ahmed H, Tanaka T, da Silva Vaz I, Chang SC, Chen CC, Ali A. Molecular Detection of Rickettsia hoogstraalii in Hyalomma anatolicum and Haemaphysalis sulcata: Updated Knowledge on the Epidemiology of Tick-Borne Rickettsia hoogstraalii. Vet Sci 2023; 10:605. [PMID: 37888557 PMCID: PMC10611279 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci10100605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2023] [Revised: 09/23/2023] [Accepted: 10/01/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Ticks are hematophagous ectoparasites that transmit pathogens to animals and humans. Updated knowledge regarding the global epidemiology of tick-borne Rickettsia hoogstraalii is dispersed, and its molecular detection and genetic characterization are missing in Pakistan. The current study objectives were to molecularly detect and genetically characterize Rickettsia species, especially R. hoogstraalii, in hard ticks infesting livestock in Pakistan, and to provide updated knowledge regarding their global epidemiology. Ticks were collected from livestock, including goats, sheep, and cattle, in six districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Pakistan. Overall, 183 hosts were examined, of which 134 (73.2%), including goats (number = 39/54, 72.2%), sheep (23/40, 57.5%), and cattle (71/89, 80%) were infested by 823 ticks. The most prevalent tick species was Rhipicephalus microplus (number = 283, 34.3%), followed by Hyalomma anatolicum (223, 27.0%), Rhipicephalus turanicus (122, 14.8%), Haemaphysalis sulcata (104, 12.6%), Haemaphysalis montgomeryi (66, 8.0%), and Haemaphysalis bispinosa (25, 3.03%). A subset of 210 ticks was selected and screened for Rickettsia spp. using PCR-based amplification and subsequent sequencing of rickettsial gltA and ompB fragments. The overall occurrence rate of R. hoogstraalii was 4.3% (number = 9/210). The DNA of Rickettsia was detected in Hy. anatolicum (3/35, 8.5%) and Ha. sulcata (6/49, 12.2%). However, no rickettsial DNA was detected in Rh. microplus (35), Rh. turanicus (35), Ha. montgomeryi (42), and Ha. bispinosa (14). The gltA and ompB fragments showed 99-100% identity with R. hoogstraalii and clustered phylogenetically with the corresponding species from Pakistan, Italy, Georgia, and China. R. hoogstraalii was genetically characterized for the first time in Pakistan and Hy. anatolicum globally. Further studies should be encouraged to determine the role of ticks in the maintenance and transmission of R. hoogstraalii in different hosts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aneela Aneela
- Department of Zoology, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, Mardan 23200, Pakistan
| | - Mashal M. Almutairi
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Abdulaziz Alouffi
- King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology, Riyadh 12354, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Haroon Ahmed
- Department of Biosciences, COMSATS University Islamabad (CUI), Park Road, Chak Shahzad, Islamabad 45550, Pakistan;
| | - Tetsuya Tanaka
- Laboratory of Infectious Diseases, Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima 890-0065, Japan;
| | - Itabajara da Silva Vaz
- Centro de Biotecnologia and Faculdade de Veterinária, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre 90050-170, RS, Brazil;
| | - Shun-Chung Chang
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Ditmanson Medical Foundation Chia-Yi Christian Hospital, Chiayi 60002, Taiwan
| | - Chien-Chin Chen
- Department of Pathology, Ditmanson Medical Foundation Chia-Yi Christian Hospital, Chiayi 60002, Taiwan;
- Department of Cosmetic Science, Chia Nan University of Pharmacy and Science, Tainan 71710, Taiwan
- Ph.D. Program in Translational Medicine, Rong Hsing Research Center for Translational Medicine, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 40227, Taiwan
- Department of Biotechnology and Bioindustry Sciences, College of Bioscience and Biotechnology, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 70101, Taiwan
| | - Abid Ali
- Department of Zoology, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, Mardan 23200, Pakistan
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Deng YP, Fu YT, Yao C, Shao R, Zhang XL, Duan DY, Liu GH. Emerging bacterial infectious diseases/pathogens vectored by human lice. Travel Med Infect Dis 2023; 55:102630. [PMID: 37567429 DOI: 10.1016/j.tmaid.2023.102630] [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] [Received: 05/12/2023] [Revised: 07/02/2023] [Accepted: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023]
Abstract
Human lice have always been a major public health concern due to their vector capacity for louse-borne infectious diseases, like trench fever, louse-borne relapsing fever, and epidemic fever, which are caused by Bartonella quintana, Borrelia recurrentis, and Rickettsia prowazekii, respectively. Those diseases are currently re-emerging in the regions of poor hygiene, social poverty, or wars with life-threatening consequences. These louse-borne diseases have also caused outbreaks among populations in jails and refugee camps. In addition, antibodies and DNAs to those pathogens have been steadily detected in homeless populations. Importantly, more bacterial pathogens have been detected in human lice, and some have been transmitted by human lice in laboratories. Here, we provide a comprehensive review and update on louse-borne infectious diseases/bacterial pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan-Ping Deng
- Research Center for Parasites & Vectors, College of Veterinary Medicine, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Yi-Tian Fu
- Research Center for Parasites & Vectors, College of Veterinary Medicine, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, Hunan, China; Department of Parasitology, Xiangya School of Basic Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Chaoqun Yao
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and One Health Center for Zoonoses and Tropical Veterinary Medicine, Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, Basseterre, Saint Kitts and Nevis.
| | - Renfu Shao
- Centre for Bioinnovation, School of Science, Technology and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, Australia
| | - Xue-Ling Zhang
- Research Center for Parasites & Vectors, College of Veterinary Medicine, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - De-Yong Duan
- Research Center for Parasites & Vectors, College of Veterinary Medicine, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Guo-Hua Liu
- Research Center for Parasites & Vectors, College of Veterinary Medicine, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, Hunan, China.
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7
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Ruiling Z, Wenjuan L, Kexin Z, Xuejun W, Zhong Z. Developmental transcriptomics throughout the embryonic developmental process of Rhipicephalus turanicus reveals stage-specific gene expression profiles. Parasit Vectors 2022; 15:89. [PMID: 35292089 PMCID: PMC8922761 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-022-05214-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2021] [Accepted: 02/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Ticks are important vectors and transmit diverse pathogens, including protozoa, viruses, and bacteria. Tick-borne diseases can cause damage to both human health and the livestock industries. The control and prevention of ticks and tick-borne diseases has relied heavily on acaricides. Methods In the present study, using a high-throughput RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) technique, we performed a comprehensive time-series transcriptomic analysis throughout the embryogenesis period of Rhipicephalus turanicus. Results Altogether, 127,157 unigenes were assembled and clustered. Gene expression differences among the embryonic stages demonstrated that the most differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were observed in the comparisons of early embryonic stages (RTE5 vs. RTE10, 9726 genes), and there were far fewer DEGs in later stages (RTE25 vs. RTE30, 2751 genes). Furthermore, 16 distinct gene modules were identified according to weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA), and genes in different modules displayed stage-specific characteristics. Gene Ontology (GO) annotations and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment suggested that some genes involved in organ and tissue formation were significantly upregulated in the early embryonic developmental stages, whereas metabolism-related pathways were more enriched in the later embryonic developmental stages. Conclusions These transcriptome studies revealed gene expression profiles at different stages of embryonic development, which would be useful for interrupting the embryonic development of ticks and disrupting the transmission of tick-borne diseases. Graphical Abstract ![]()
Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13071-022-05214-w.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhang Ruiling
- Collaborative Innovation Center for the Origin and Control of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Shandong First Medical University (Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences), Tai'an, China. .,School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shandong First Medical University (Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences), Tai'an, China.
| | - Liu Wenjuan
- Collaborative Innovation Center for the Origin and Control of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Shandong First Medical University (Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences), Tai'an, China.,School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shandong First Medical University (Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences), Tai'an, China
| | - Zhang Kexin
- Collaborative Innovation Center for the Origin and Control of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Shandong First Medical University (Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences), Tai'an, China.,School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shandong First Medical University (Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences), Tai'an, China
| | - Wang Xuejun
- Collaborative Innovation Center for the Origin and Control of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Shandong First Medical University (Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences), Tai'an, China. .,Shandong Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Jinan, China.
| | - Zhang Zhong
- Collaborative Innovation Center for the Origin and Control of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Shandong First Medical University (Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences), Tai'an, China. .,School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shandong First Medical University (Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences), Tai'an, China.
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Igolkina Y, Rar V, Krasnova E, Filimonova E, Tikunov A, Epikhina T, Tikunova N. Occurrence and clinical manifestations of tick-borne rickettsioses in Western Siberia: First Russian cases of Rickettsia aeschlimannii and Rickettsia slovaca infections. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2022; 13:101927. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2022.101927] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2021] [Revised: 01/27/2022] [Accepted: 01/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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9
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Efstratiou A, Karanis G, Karanis P. Tick-Borne Pathogens and Diseases in Greece. Microorganisms 2021; 9:microorganisms9081732. [PMID: 34442811 PMCID: PMC8399993 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9081732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2021] [Revised: 08/06/2021] [Accepted: 08/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Tick-borne diseases (TBDs) are recognized as a serious and growing public health epidemic in Europe, and are a cause of major losses in livestock production worldwide. This review is an attempt to present a summary of results from studies conducted over the last century until the end of the year 2020 regarding ticks, tick-borne pathogens, and tick-borne diseases in Greece. We provide an overview of the tick species found in Greece, as well as the most important tick-borne pathogens (viruses, bacteria, protozoa) and corresponding diseases in circulation. We also consider prevalence data, as well as geographic and climatic conditions. Knowledge of past and current situations of TBDs, as well as an awareness of (risk) factors affecting future developments will help to find approaches to integrated tick management as part of the ‘One Health Concept’; it will assist in avoiding the possibility of hotspot disease emergencies and intra- and intercontinental transmission. Increased surveillance in Greece is required to ensure clear and effective policies for TBD control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Artemis Efstratiou
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro 080-8555, Japan;
| | - Gabriele Karanis
- Orthopädische Rehabilitationsklinik, Eisenmoorbad Bad Schmiedeberg Kur GmbH, 06905 Bad Schmiedeberg, Germany;
| | - Panagiotis Karanis
- Medical Faculty and University Hospital, The University of Cologne, 50923 Cologne, Germany
- Department of Basic and Clinical Sciences, University of Nicosia Medical School, 21 Ilia Papakyriakou, 2414 Engomi. P.O. Box 24005, Nicosia CY-1700, Cyprus
- Correspondence:
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10
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Belkahia H, Selmi R, Zamiti S, Daaloul-Jedidi M, Messadi L, Ben Said M. Zoonotic Rickettsia Species in Small Ruminant Ticks From Tunisia. Front Vet Sci 2021; 8:676896. [PMID: 34124229 PMCID: PMC8187766 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2021.676896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2021] [Accepted: 04/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Tick-borne rickettsioses present a significant public health threat among emerging tick-borne diseases. In Tunisia, little is known about tick-borne Rickettsia pathogens. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the presence of Rickettsia species in small ruminant ticks from Tunisia. Adult ticks (n = 694) were collected from goats and sheep in northern Tunisia. Obtained ticks were identified as Rhipicephalus turanicus (n = 434) and Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato (n = 260). Selected ticks (n = 666) were screened for the presence of Rickettsia spp. by PCR targeting a partial sequence of the ompB gene followed by sequence analysis. Rickettsial DNA was detected in 122 (18.3%) tested tick samples. The infection rates in Rh. turanicus and Rh. sanguineus s.l. ticks were 23.4 and 9.5%, respectively. The overall prevalence of rickettsial DNA was markedly higher in ticks collected from goats (23.2%) compared to those infesting sheep (7.9%). The detection of rickettsial DNA was significantly higher in ticks from the governorate of Beja (39.0%) than those from the governorate of Bizerte (13.9%). Two additional genes, the outer membrane protein A gene (ompA) and the citrate synthase gene (gltA), were also targeted for further characterization of the detected Rickettsia species. Genotyping and phylogenetic analysis based on partial sequences (n = 106) of the three different genes revealed that positive ticks are infected with different isolates of two Spotted Fever Group (SFG) Rickettsia, namely, Rickettsia massiliae and Rickettsia monacensis, closely related to those infecting camels and associated ticks from Tunisia, and humans and small ruminant ticks from neighboring countries like Italy, France, and Spain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanène Belkahia
- Service de Microbiologie et Immunologie, Ecole Nationale de Médecine Vétérinaire, University of Manouba, Sidi Thabet, Tunisia
| | - Rachid Selmi
- Service de Microbiologie et Immunologie, Ecole Nationale de Médecine Vétérinaire, University of Manouba, Sidi Thabet, Tunisia.,Ministère de la Défense Nationale, Direction Générale de la Santé Militaire, Service Vétérinaire, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Sayed Zamiti
- Service de Microbiologie et Immunologie, Ecole Nationale de Médecine Vétérinaire, University of Manouba, Sidi Thabet, Tunisia
| | - Monia Daaloul-Jedidi
- Service de Microbiologie et Immunologie, Ecole Nationale de Médecine Vétérinaire, University of Manouba, Sidi Thabet, Tunisia
| | - Lilia Messadi
- Service de Microbiologie et Immunologie, Ecole Nationale de Médecine Vétérinaire, University of Manouba, Sidi Thabet, Tunisia
| | - Mourad Ben Said
- Service de Microbiologie et Immunologie, Ecole Nationale de Médecine Vétérinaire, University of Manouba, Sidi Thabet, Tunisia.,Département des Sciences Fondamentales, Institut Supérieur de Biotechnologie de Sidi Thabet, University of Manouba, Sidi Thabet, Tunisia
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11
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Wang Q, Guo WB, Pan YS, Jiang BG, Du CH, Que TC, Zhan L, Wu JH, Yu MH, Cui XM, Zhao L, Xu DL, Xia LY, Ye RZ, Li J, Li LF, Wei W, Zhou YH, Jiang JF, Jia N, Cao WC. Detection of Novel Spotted Fever Group Rickettsiae (Rickettsiales: Rickettsiaceae) in Ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) in Southwestern China. JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY 2021; 58:1363-1369. [PMID: 33399212 DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjaa294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Spotted fever group rickettsiae, mainly maintained and transmitted by ticks, are important etiological agents of (re)emerging zoonotic diseases worldwide. It is of great significance to investigate spotted fever group rickettsiae in ticks in different areas for the prevention and control of rickettsioses. In this study, a total of 305 ticks were collected from wild and domestic animals in Chongqing, Guizhou, Yunnan, and Guangxi provinces of southwestern China during 2017-2019 and examined for the presence of spotted fever group rickettsiae by PCR with primers targeting the partial gltA, ompA, rrs, and htrA genes. Results showed that two spotted fever group rickettsiae species, including the pathogenic Candidatus Rickettsia jingxinensis (Rickettsiales: Rickettsiaceae) and a potential novel species Rickettsia sp. sw (Rickettsiales: Rickettsiaceae), were identified. The Ca. R. jingxinensis sequences were recovered from Rhipicephalus microplus (Ixodida: Ixodidae) and Haemaphysalis longicornis (Ixodida: Ixodidae) ticks and phylogenetically clustered with previous Ca. R. jingxinensis, Ca. R. longicornii (Rickettsiales: Rickettsiaceae), and Rickettsia sp. XY118 (Rickettsiales: Rickettsiaceae) strains. Rickettsia sp. sw was detected in Amblyomma geoemydae (Ixodida: Ixodidae) and Rh. microplus. Interestingly, as far as we know, this was the first report of Rickettsia (Rickettsiales: Rickettsiaceae) in A. geoemydae. Phylogenetic analyses indicated that this potential novel species was closely related to R. aeschlimannii (Rickettsiales: Rickettsiaceae) with gltA and ompA genes and grouped in a cluster composed of R. montanensis (Rickettsiales: Rickettsiaceae), R. raoultii (Rickettsiales: Rickettsiaceae), R. aeschlimannii, R. massiliae (Rickettsiales: Rickettsiaceae), and R. rhipicephali (Rickettsiales: Rickettsiaceae) with htrA, while formed a separate clade with rrs. The pathogenicity of Rickettsia sp. sw should be further confirmed. These results expand the knowledge of the geographical distribution and vector distribution of spotted fever group rickettsiae in China and are useful for assessing the potential public health risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Wang
- School of Public Health, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, P. R. China
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Wen-Bin Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Yu-Sheng Pan
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Bao-Gui Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Chun-Hong Du
- Yunnan Institute for Endemic Diseases Control and Prevention, Dali, Yunnan, P. R. China
| | - Teng-Cheng Que
- Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Terrestrial Wildlife Medical-Aid and Monitoring Epidemic Diseases Research Center, Nanning, Guangxi, P. R. China
| | - Lin Zhan
- Guizhou Provincial People's Hospital, Guiyang, Guizhou, P. R. China
| | - Jia-Hong Wu
- Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou, P. R. China
| | - Ming-Hui Yu
- Wulong County Animal Husbandry Bureau, Wulong, Chongqing, P. R. China
| | - Xiao-Ming Cui
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Lin Zhao
- School of Public Health, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, P. R. China
| | - Da-Li Xu
- School of Public Health, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, P. R. China
| | - Luo-Yuan Xia
- School of Public Health, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, P. R. China
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Run-Ze Ye
- School of Public Health, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, P. R. China
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Jie Li
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Lian-Feng Li
- Shanghai Institute for Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases, Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Shanghai, P. R. China
| | - Wei Wei
- Center for Medical Genetics and Genomics, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, P. R. China
| | - Yu-Hao Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Jia-Fu Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Na Jia
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Wu-Chun Cao
- School of Public Health, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, P. R. China
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, P. R. China
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High-Throughput Microfluidic Real-Time PCR for the Detection of Multiple Microorganisms in Ixodid Cattle Ticks in Northeast Algeria. Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10030362. [PMID: 33803682 PMCID: PMC8002991 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10030362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2021] [Revised: 03/16/2021] [Accepted: 03/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Ixodid ticks are hematophagous arthropods considered to be prominent ectoparasite vectors that have a negative impact on cattle, either through direct injury or via the transmission of several pathogens. In this study, we investigated the molecular infection rates of numerous tick-borne pathogens in ticks sampled on cattle from the Kabylia region, northeastern Algeria, using a high-throughput microfluidic real-time PCR system. A total of 235 ticks belonging to seven species of the genera Rhipicephalus, Hyalomma, and Ixodes were sampled on cattle and then screened for the presence of 36 different species of bacteria and protozoans. The most prevalent tick-borne microorganisms were Rickettsia spp. at 79.1%, followed by Francisella-like endosymbionts (62.9%), Theileria spp. (17.8%), Anaplasma spp. (14.4%), Bartonella spp. (6.8%), Borrelia spp. (6.8%), and Babesia spp. (2.5%). Among the 80.4% of ticks bearing microorganisms, 20%, 36.6%, 21.7%, and 2.1% were positive for one, two, three, and four different microorganisms, respectively. Rickettsia aeschlimannii was detected in Hyalomma marginatum, Hyalomma detritum, and Rhipicephalus bursa ticks. Rickettsia massiliae was found in Rhipicephalus sanguineus, and Rickettsiamonacensis and Rickettsia helvetica were detected in Ixodesricinus. Anaplasma marginale was found in all identified tick genera, but Anaplasma centrale was detected exclusively in Rhipicephalus spp. ticks. The DNA of Borrelia spp. and Bartonella spp. was identified in several tick species. Theileria orientalis was found in R. bursa, R. sanguineus, H. detritum, H. marginatum, and I. ricinus and Babesia bigemina was found in Rhipicephalus annulatus and R. sanguineus. Our study highlights the importance of tick-borne pathogens in cattle in Algeria.
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13
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Ticks infesting humans and associated pathogens: a cross-sectional study in a 3-year period (2017-2019) in northwest Italy. Parasit Vectors 2021; 14:136. [PMID: 33673864 PMCID: PMC7934501 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-021-04603-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2020] [Accepted: 01/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Tick-borne diseases are common throughout Europe. Ticks transmit pathogens to the host while feeding and together with mosquitoes, they are major vectors of infectious agents worldwide. In recent years, there has been a marked increase in the incidence of tick-bite events and tick-borne disease in northwest Italy, but information on the prevalence of tick-borne pathogens in ticks removed from humans remains scarce. To fill this gap, we report here the prevalence of tick bites and tick-borne pathogens documented for humans in Piedmont, northwest Italy, in the 3-year period 2017-2019. METHODS Ticks attached to humans during 2017-2019 were collected from residents of urban and rural area by physicians and veterinarians working with local veterinary agencies. All ticks (n = 1290) were morphologically identified to the species level. A subset of ticks removed from children (age 0-18 years) and the elderly (> 70 years), both age groups considered to be at-risk populations, was screened by biomolecular analysis to detect pathogens (e.g. Rickettsia spp., Borrelia spp., Anaplasma spp.). Pathogen identity was confirmed by Sanger sequencing. RESULTS Ticks were taxonomically assigned to ten species of six genera (Amblyomma, Dermacentor, Haemaphysalis, Hyalomma, Ixodes and Rhipicephalus). Most belonged to the genus Ixodes: 1009 ticks (78.22%) were classified as Ixodes ricinus. A subset of 500 ticks collected from the two at-risk populations were subjected to PCR assay to determine the presence of Rickettsia spp., Borrelia spp., and Anaplasma spp. The overall prevalence of infection was 22.8% (n = 114; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 19.19-26.73%), meaning that at least one pathogen was detected: Rickettsia spp. (prevalence 15%, n = 76; 95% CI 12.17-18.65%); Borrelia spp. (prevalence 6.4%, n = 32; 95% CI 4.42-8.92%); and Anaplasma spp. (prevalence 1.2%, n = 6; 95% CI 0.44-2.6%). CONCLUSIONS Our data underline the importance of surveillance in the epidemiology of tick-borne diseases and the implementation of strategies to control tick infestation and associated pathogens.
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Abstract
There is no updated information on the spread of Rickettsiales in Italy. The purpose of our study is to take stock of the situation on Rickettsiales in Italy by focusing attention on the species identified by molecular methods in humans, in bloodsucking arthropods that could potentially attack humans, and in animals, possible hosts of these Rickettsiales. A computerized search without language restriction was conducted using PubMed updated as of December 31, 2020. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) methodology was followed. Overall, 36 species of microorganisms belonging to Rickettsiales were found. The only species identified in human tissues were Anaplasma phagocytophilum,Rickettsia conorii, R. conorii subsp. israelensis, R. monacensis, R. massiliae, and R. slovaca. Microorganisms transmissible by bloodsucking arthropods could cause humans pathologies not yet well characterized. It should become routine to study the pathogens present in ticks that have bitten a man and at the same time that molecular studies for the search for Rickettsiales can be performed routinely in people who have suffered bites from bloodsucking arthropods.
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Battisti E, Urach K, Hodžić A, Fusani L, Hufnagl P, Felsberger G, Ferroglio E, Duscher GG. Zoonotic Pathogens in Ticks from Migratory Birds, Italy. Emerg Infect Dis 2020; 26:2986-2988. [PMID: 33219656 PMCID: PMC7706978 DOI: 10.3201/eid2612.181686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Migratory birds can transport infected ticks across continents. We evaluated pathogens in ticks collected from migratory birds in Italy. We found DNA from Rickettsia aeschlimannii, R. africae, and R. raoultii bacteria, all of which can cause disease in humans. Bird migrations might facilitate the spread of these pathogens into new areas.
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16
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Demir S, Erkunt Alak S, Köseoğlu AE, Ün C, Nalçacı M, Can H. Molecular investigation of Rickettsia spp. and Francisella tularensis in ticks from three provinces of Turkey. EXPERIMENTAL & APPLIED ACAROLOGY 2020; 81:239-253. [PMID: 32394036 DOI: 10.1007/s10493-020-00498-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2019] [Accepted: 05/05/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Ticks are obligate hematophagous ectoparasites as well as mechanical and biological vectors of a wide variety of microbial pathogens. To date, 19 tick-borne diseases have been reported from Turkey. In this study, ticks collected from Aydın, İzmir and Şanlıurfa provinces of Turkey were identified using morphological and molecular methods. After the presence of bacterial DNA was checked, Rickettsia spp. and Francisella tularensis were investigated in bacterial DNA-positive tick specimens by PCR. Furthermore, amplicons belonging to tick specimens and positive bacterial samples were sequenced and processed for BLAST, alignment and phylogenetic analysis. As a result, seven tick species were identified: Rhipicephalus sanguineus, Rh. bursa, Rh. turanicus, Hyalomma marginatum, Hy. aegyptium, Hy. anatolicum and Haemaphysalis erinacei. Fifty-five tick specimens tested positive for bacterial DNA and among them, rickettsial DNA was found in five ticks (infection rate = 9.1%) belonging to Hy. marginatum, Hy. aegyptium, Rh. bursa and Rh. turanicus. Of the five Rickettsia-positive ticks, three contained Rickettsia aeschlimannii, one Ri. massiliae and one an unidentified Rickettsia sp. No Francisella tularensis DNA was detected. Sequence analysis of the ompB gene indicated two novel single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in two different Ri. aeschlimannii strains and two novel SNPs as well as a novel insertion (GACGGT) were found in Rickettsia sp. This study indicated the presence of polymorphic Rickettsia species in ticks from Turkey.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samiye Demir
- Zoology Section, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Ege University, Bornova, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Sedef Erkunt Alak
- Molecular Biology Section, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Ege University, Bornova, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Ahmet Efe Köseoğlu
- Molecular Biology Section, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Ege University, Bornova, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Cemal Ün
- Molecular Biology Section, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Ege University, Bornova, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Muhammed Nalçacı
- Zoology Section, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Ege University, Bornova, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Hüseyin Can
- Molecular Biology Section, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Ege University, Bornova, İzmir, Turkey.
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17
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Grech-Angelini S, Stachurski F, Vayssier-Taussat M, Devillers E, Casabianca F, Lancelot R, Uilenberg G, Moutailler S. Tick-borne pathogens in ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) collected from various domestic and wild hosts in Corsica (France), a Mediterranean island environment. Transbound Emerg Dis 2019; 67:745-757. [PMID: 31630482 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.13393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2019] [Revised: 10/02/2019] [Accepted: 10/14/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Corsica is a mountainous French island in the north-west of the Mediterranean Sea presenting a large diversity of natural environments where many interactions between humans, domestic animals and wild fauna occur. Despite this favourable context, tick-borne pathogens (TBPs) have not systematically been investigated. In this study, a large number of TBPs were screened in ticks collected over a period of one year from domestic and wild hosts in Corsica. More than 1,500 ticks belonging to nine species and five genera (Rhipicephalus, Hyalomma, Dermacentor, Ixodes and Haemaphysalis) were analysed individually or pooled (by species, gender, host and locality). A real-time microfluidic PCR was used for high-throughput screening of TBP DNA. This advanced methodology enabled the simultaneous detection of 29 bacterial and 12 parasitic species (including Borrelia, Anaplasma, Ehrlichia, Rickettsia, Bartonella, Candidatus Neoehrlichia, Coxiella, Francisella, Babesia and Theileria). The Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF) virus was investigated individually in tick species known to be vectors or carriers of this virus. In almost half of the tick pools (48%), DNA from at least one pathogen was detected and eleven species of TBPs from six genera were reported. TBPs were found in ticks from all collected hosts and were present in more than 80% of the investigated area. The detection of DNA of certain species confirmed the previous identification of these pathogens in Corsica, such as Rickettsia aeschlimannii (23% of pools), Rickettsia slovaca (5%), Anaplasma marginale (4%) and Theileria equi (0.4%), but most TBP DNA identified had not previously been reported in Corsican ticks. This included Anaplasma phagocytophilum (16%), Rickettsia helvetica (1%), Borrelia afzelii (0.7%), Borrelia miyamotoi (1%), Bartonella henselae (2%), Babesia bigemina (2%) and Babesia ovis (0.5%). The high tick infection rate and the diversity of TBPs reported in this study highlight the probable role of animals as reservoir hosts of zoonotic pathogens and human exposure to TBPs in Corsica.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Frédéric Stachurski
- CIRAD, UMR ASTRE, Montpellier, France.,ASTRE, CIRAD, INRA, Univ. Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Muriel Vayssier-Taussat
- UMR BIPAR, Animal Health Laboratory, ANSES, INRA, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, Université Paris-Est, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Elodie Devillers
- UMR BIPAR, Animal Health Laboratory, ANSES, INRA, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, Université Paris-Est, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - François Casabianca
- INRA, UR045 Laboratoire de Recherches sur le Développement de l'élevage, Corte, France
| | - Renaud Lancelot
- CIRAD, UMR ASTRE, Montpellier, France.,ASTRE, CIRAD, INRA, Univ. Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | | | - Sara Moutailler
- UMR BIPAR, Animal Health Laboratory, ANSES, INRA, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, Université Paris-Est, Maisons-Alfort, France
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18
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Barradas PF, Mesquita JR, Lima C, Cardoso L, Alho AM, Ferreira P, Amorim I, de Sousa R, Gärtner F. Pathogenic Rickettsia in ticks of spur-thighed tortoise (Testudo graeca) sold in a Qatar live animal market. Transbound Emerg Dis 2019; 67:461-465. [PMID: 31574580 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.13375] [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: 06/14/2019] [Revised: 09/18/2019] [Accepted: 09/20/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The dissemination of vector arthropods harbouring zoonotic pathogens through the uncontrolled transboundary trade of exotic and pet animals poses an important threat to Public Health. In the present report, we describe the introduction of pathogenic Rickettsia africae and R. aeschlimanni in ticks removed from imported tortoises in Qatar. A total of 21 ticks were collected from pet spur-thighed tortoises (Testudo graeca) from Doha, May 2018, and studied for species identification and characterization of Rickettsia spp. Morphological and molecular analysis of ticks allowed their identification as Hyalomma aegyptium. Molecular analysis of partial ompA and gltA genes showed that Rickettsia sequences found on these ticks clustered with sequences classified as R. aeschilimanii and R. africae. Since pre-adult stages of H. aegyptium also feed on humans, this tick species may play a role in the transmission of R. aeschilimanii and R. africae. We alert for the introduction of non-native pets as vehicles for tick importation, known vectors for animal and human pathogenic agents. Importation of exotic species into non-autochthonous countries deserves strict control to enforce robust surveillance and mitigate potential exotic diseases epidemics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrícia F Barradas
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar (ICBAS), University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - João R Mesquita
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar (ICBAS), University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.,Epidemiology Research Unit (EPIUnit), Instituto de Saúde Pública da Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Clara Lima
- Department of Biological Sciences, Microbiology Laboratory, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Luís Cardoso
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, and Animal and Veterinary Research Centre (CECAV), University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, Vila Real, Portugal
| | - Ana M Alho
- Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, CIISA, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Paula Ferreira
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar (ICBAS), University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Irina Amorim
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar (ICBAS), University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.,Institute for Research and Innovation in Health (i3S), University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.,Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology of the University of Porto (IPATIMUP), Porto, Portugal
| | - Rita de Sousa
- National Institute of Health Dr. Ricardo Jorge, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Fátima Gärtner
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar (ICBAS), University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.,Institute for Research and Innovation in Health (i3S), University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.,Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology of the University of Porto (IPATIMUP), Porto, Portugal
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Moraga-Fernández A, Chaligiannis Ι, Cabezas-Cruz A, Papa A, Sotiraki S, de la Fuente J, G Fernández de Mera I. Molecular identification of spotted fever group Rickettsia in ticks collected from dogs and small ruminants in Greece. EXPERIMENTAL & APPLIED ACAROLOGY 2019; 78:421-430. [PMID: 31175472 DOI: 10.1007/s10493-019-00392-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2019] [Accepted: 05/31/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Spotted fever group (SFG) Rickettsia are zoonotic and emerging pathogens with considerable impact in public and animal health. Greece is an endemic country of diseases caused by SFG Rickettsia. This work aims to evaluate the prevalence of SFG Rickettsia in ticks collected from domestic hosts including sheep, goats and dogs. Several genetic markers for bacterial genes, such as 16S rRNA, ompA, ompB, atpA, gltA, recA, dnaA and dnaK, were amplified and sequenced to accurately classified the rickettsial pathogens in the ticks. Taxonomy and species classification of the Rickettsia was achieved by combining phylogenetic and in silico digestion analysis of the gene sequences obtained. A total of 187 ticks were collected and classified at the species level as Ixodes gibosus, Dermacentor marginatus, Haemaphysalis parva, H. sulcata, H. punctata, Hyalomma scavatum, Rhipicephalus sanguineus, R. bursa and Rhipicephalus sp. The results showed that 7.5% of ticks were infected with at least one SFG Rickettsia including R. massiliae (n = 3), R. slovaca (n = 5), R. raoultii (n = 1) and R. hoogstraalii (n = 5), collected from sheep (n = 4), goats (n = 5) and dogs (n = 3). Molecular analysis revealed the presence of novel genetic variants of R. hoogstraalii (in H. sulcata and H. parva from goat and sheep) and R. raoultii (in D. marginatus from goat). These results proof the presence of SFG Rickettsia in domestic hosts in Greece, and support the need for continued monitoring, surveillance and further analyses of other hosts and study areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alberto Moraga-Fernández
- SaBio, Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos, IREC (CSIC-UCLM-JCCM), Ronda de Toledo, 12, 13005, Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Ιlias Chaligiannis
- Veterinary Research Institute, Hellenic Agricultural Organization Demeter, Thermi, 57001, Thessaloniki, Greece
- Department of Microbiology, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Alejandro Cabezas-Cruz
- UMR BIPAR, INRA, ANSES, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, Université Paris-Est, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Anna Papa
- Department of Microbiology, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Smaragda Sotiraki
- Veterinary Research Institute, Hellenic Agricultural Organization Demeter, Thermi, 57001, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - José de la Fuente
- SaBio, Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos, IREC (CSIC-UCLM-JCCM), Ronda de Toledo, 12, 13005, Ciudad Real, Spain
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Center for Veterinary Health Sciences, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, 74078, USA
| | - Isabel G Fernández de Mera
- SaBio, Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos, IREC (CSIC-UCLM-JCCM), Ronda de Toledo, 12, 13005, Ciudad Real, Spain.
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20
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Zanzani SA, Pintore E, Olivieri E, Columbano N, Scanu A, Melosu V, Sanna Passino E, Careddu G, Gazzonis AL, Manfredi MT, Garippa G. Ixodid ticks on wild donkeys in a Mediterranean nature reserve (Asinara National Park): diversity and risk factors. MEDICAL AND VETERINARY ENTOMOLOGY 2019; 33:238-246. [PMID: 30569463 DOI: 10.1111/mve.12355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2018] [Revised: 10/13/2018] [Accepted: 11/05/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
The Sardinian coloured donkey Equus asinus (Perissodactyla: Equidae) and its albino colour morph represent the wildlife species most typical of the island of Asinara. This Mediterranean island represents a favourable context for ticks and tick-borne diseases; however, knowledge of the tick fauna on Asinara is scarce. A total of 106 Sardinian donkeys were inspected for tick infestation from June to November 2015. All ticks found were collected, classified by stage and sex, and identified to species level. The level of infestation of each donkey was determined; both the overall tick infestation and infestations of each detected species were classified on a scale of 1-3 to give an infestation score (IS). Overall, 256 hard ticks were collected from 60 of 106 donkeys (56.6%). Rhipicephalus bursa, Haemaphysalis punctata and Hyalomma marginatum (all: Ixodida: Ixodidae) infested 26.4%, 28.3% and 6.6% of donkeys, respectively. Different variables affected the IS. With reference to overall tick infestation, a higher IS was observed in donkeys grazing on grassland and Mediterranean shrubland and in albino donkeys compared with coloured donkeys. The collected ticks included species involved in the transmission of pathogens to humans, which highlights the risks for public health in a tourist destination such as Asinara National Park.
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Affiliation(s)
- S A Zanzani
- Department of Veterinary Medicine (DIMEVET), Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - E Pintore
- Department of Veterinary Medicine (DIMEVET), Università di Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - E Olivieri
- Department of Veterinary Medicine (DIMEVET), Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - N Columbano
- Department of Veterinary Medicine (DIMEVET), Università di Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - A Scanu
- Department of Veterinary Medicine (DIMEVET), Università di Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - V Melosu
- Department of Veterinary Medicine (DIMEVET), Università di Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - E Sanna Passino
- Department of Veterinary Medicine (DIMEVET), Università di Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - G Careddu
- Parco Nazionale dell'Asinara, Sassari, Italy
| | - A L Gazzonis
- Department of Veterinary Medicine (DIMEVET), Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - M T Manfredi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine (DIMEVET), Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - G Garippa
- Department of Veterinary Medicine (DIMEVET), Università di Sassari, Sassari, Italy
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21
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Guo WP, Wang YH, Lu Q, Xu G, Luo Y, Ni X, Zhou EM. Molecular detection of spotted fever group rickettsiae in hard ticks, northern China. Transbound Emerg Dis 2019; 66:1587-1596. [PMID: 30920159 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.13184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2018] [Revised: 03/20/2019] [Accepted: 03/22/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Spotted fever group (SFG) rickettsiae are important causative agents of (re)emerging tick-borne infectious diseases in humans, and ticks play a key role in their maintenance and transmission. In this study, hard ticks were collected from five sampling sites in North China in 2017 and 2018. Of them, Haemaphysalis longicornis, Rhipicephalus microplus and Dermacentor nuttalli were collected from livestock (sheep and goats) and the vegetation, Hyalomma asiaticum from sheep, goats and camels, and Hyalomma marginatum from sheep and goats. The SFG rickettsiae were identified in these ticks by amplifying the partial rrs and complete 17-kDa genes, with an overall infection rate of 52.9%. In addition, the nearly full-length rrs and gltA and partial ompA genes were recovered to classify the species of SFG rickettsiae further. Phylogenetic analysis revealed the presence of three human pathogenic species in Hy. asiaticum, Hy. marginatum, Ha. longicornis and De. nuttalli, including two cultured ones (Rickettsia raoultii and Rickettsia aeschlimannii) and one uncultured (Candidatus R. jingxinensis). Furthermore, partial groEL gene was also obtained, and phylogenetic trees were also reconstructed to better understand the genetic relationship with known sequences in each SFG rickettsiae species detected in the current study. Notably, the R. aeschlimannii sequences described in this study were closely related to those from abroad rather than from another part of China, indicating their different origin. However, the R. raoultii and Ca. R. jingxinensis sequences presented close relationship with variants from other parts of China. In sum, our data revealed SFG rickettsiae species in northern China, highlighting the need for surveillance of their infection in local humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen-Ping Guo
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China.,Scientific Observing and Experimental Station of Veterinary Pharmacology and Diagnostic Technology, Ministry of Agriculture, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
| | - Yi-Han Wang
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China.,Scientific Observing and Experimental Station of Veterinary Pharmacology and Diagnostic Technology, Ministry of Agriculture, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
| | - Qizhong Lu
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China.,Scientific Observing and Experimental Station of Veterinary Pharmacology and Diagnostic Technology, Ministry of Agriculture, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
| | - Gang Xu
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China.,Scientific Observing and Experimental Station of Veterinary Pharmacology and Diagnostic Technology, Ministry of Agriculture, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
| | - Yuhang Luo
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China.,Scientific Observing and Experimental Station of Veterinary Pharmacology and Diagnostic Technology, Ministry of Agriculture, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
| | - Xuebing Ni
- State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Disease, School of Public Health, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - En-Min Zhou
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China.,Scientific Observing and Experimental Station of Veterinary Pharmacology and Diagnostic Technology, Ministry of Agriculture, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
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22
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Hansford KM, Carter D, Gillingham EL, Hernandez-Triana LM, Chamberlain J, Cull B, McGinley L, Paul Phipps L, Medlock JM. Hyalomma rufipes on an untraveled horse: Is this the first evidence of Hyalomma nymphs successfully moulting in the United Kingdom? Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2019; 10:704-708. [PMID: 30876825 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2019.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2019] [Revised: 03/05/2019] [Accepted: 03/08/2019] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
During September 2018, a tick was submitted to Public Health England's Tick Surveillance Scheme for identification. The tick was sent from a veterinarian who removed it from a horse in Dorset, England, with no history of overseas travel. The tick was identified as a male Hyalomma rufipes using morphological and molecular methods and then tested for a range of tick-borne pathogens including; Alkhurma virus, Anaplasma, Babesia, Bhanja virus, Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic fever virus, Rickettsia and Theileria. The tick tested positive for Rickettsia aeschlimannii, a spotted fever group rickettsia linked to a number of human cases in Africa and Europe. This is the first time H. rufipes has been reported in the United Kingdom (UK), and the lack of travel by the horse (or any in-contact horses) suggests that this could also be the first evidence of successful moulting of a Hyalomma nymph in the UK. It is postulated that the tick was imported into the UK on a migratory bird as an engorged nymph which was able to complete its moult to the adult stage and find a host. This highlights that passive tick surveillance remains an important method for the detection of unusual species that may present a threat to public health in the UK. Horses are important hosts of Hyalomma sp. adults in their native range, therefore, further surveillance studies should be conducted to check horses for ticks in the months following spring bird migration; when imported nymphs may have had time to drop off their avian host and moult to adults. The potential human and animal health risks of such events occurring more regularly are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kayleigh M Hansford
- Medical Entomology and Zoonoses Ecology Group, Emergency Response Department, Public Health England, Porton Down, Salisbury, SP4 0JG, UK; NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Environmental Change and Health, UK.
| | - Daniel Carter
- Diagnostic and Genomic Technologies, National Infection Service, Public Health England, Porton Down, Salisbury, SP4 0JG, UK; NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Emerging and Zoonotic Infections, UK
| | - Emma L Gillingham
- Medical Entomology and Zoonoses Ecology Group, Emergency Response Department, Public Health England, Porton Down, Salisbury, SP4 0JG, UK; NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Environmental Change and Health, UK
| | - Luis M Hernandez-Triana
- Wildlife Zoonoses and Vector-Borne Diseases Research Group, Animal and Plant Health Agency, Addlestone, UK
| | - John Chamberlain
- Virology & Pathogenesis, National Infection Service, Public Health England, Porton Down, Salisbury, SP4 0JG, UK
| | - Benjamin Cull
- Medical Entomology and Zoonoses Ecology Group, Emergency Response Department, Public Health England, Porton Down, Salisbury, SP4 0JG, UK
| | - Liz McGinley
- Medical Entomology and Zoonoses Ecology Group, Emergency Response Department, Public Health England, Porton Down, Salisbury, SP4 0JG, UK
| | - L Paul Phipps
- Wildlife Zoonoses and Vector-Borne Diseases Research Group, Animal and Plant Health Agency, Addlestone, UK
| | - Jolyon M Medlock
- Medical Entomology and Zoonoses Ecology Group, Emergency Response Department, Public Health England, Porton Down, Salisbury, SP4 0JG, UK; NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Environmental Change and Health, UK; Virology & Pathogenesis, National Infection Service, Public Health England, Porton Down, Salisbury, SP4 0JG, UK
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23
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First molecular detection of the human pathogen Rickettsia raoultii and other spotted fever group rickettsiae in Ixodid ticks from wild and domestic mammals. Parasitol Res 2018; 117:3421-3429. [PMID: 30078071 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-018-6036-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2018] [Accepted: 07/30/2018] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
Tick-borne rickettsioses are recognized as emerging vector-borne infections capable of infecting both human and animal hosts worldwide. This study focuses on the detection and molecular identification of species belonging to the genus Rickettsia in ticks sampled from human, vegetation, and domestic and wild vertebrates in Sardinia. Ticks were tested by PCR targeting gltA, ompA, and ompB genes, followed by sequencing analysis. The results provide evidences of a great variety of Rickettsia species of the Spotted fever group in Ixodid ticks and allow establishing for the first time the presence of R. raoultii in Rhipicephalus sanguineus s.l. and Dermacentor marginatus ticks in Sardinia island. Rickettsia massiliae was detected on R. sanguineus s.l. and R. aeschlimannii in Hyalomma marginatum and Hy. lusitanicum ticks. In addition, eight D. marginatus ticks were positive for R. slovaca. This study provides further evidence that different Rickettsia species are widespread in Sardinian ticks and that detailed investigations are required to understand the role these tick species play on spotted fever group rickettsiae circulation. More studies will provide new background on molecular epidemiology of zoonotic rickettsiae, the geographical distribution of tick-transmitted rickettsial pathogens, and the involvement of vertebrate hosts in propagation and maintenance of these bacteria in nature.
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24
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Igolkina Y, Rar V, Vysochina N, Ivanov L, Tikunov A, Pukhovskaya N, Epikhina T, Golovljova I, Tikunova N. Genetic variability of Rickettsia spp. in Dermacentor and Haemaphysalis ticks from the Russian Far East. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2018; 9:1594-1603. [PMID: 30121164 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2018.07.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2018] [Revised: 07/11/2018] [Accepted: 07/31/2018] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
The Russian Far East is an endemic region for tick-borne rickettsioses. However, the prevalence and genetic variability of Rickettsia species in this region have not been extensively investigated. In this study, 188 Dermacentor silvarum, 439 Haemaphysalis concinna, and 374 Haemaphysalis japonica adult ticks were collected from four locations in Khabarovsk Province and three locations in Amur Province in the Russian Far East. These ticks were examined for the presence of Rickettsia spp. by amplifying a fragment of the gltA gene. Identified rickettsiae were genotyped by sequencing of the gltA, 16S rRNA, ompA, ompB, and sca4 genes. In the examined ticks, Rickettsia heilongjiangensis, the causative agent of Far-Eastern tick-borne rickettsiosis, was found in 10.5% of H. concinna and in 1.9% of H. japonica ticks, while Rickettsia sibirica, the agent of Siberian tick typhus, was detected in only one H. concinna tick. In addition, Rickettsia raoultii was found predominantly in D. silvarum (>70%) and significantly less frequently in Haemaphysalis ticks (<3%). "Candidatus Rickettsia tarasevichiae" was found in all examined tick species (1.6-5.3% in different species). Notably, this study is the first observation of "Candidatus R. tarasevichiae" in D. silvarum ticks. Moreover, DNA of Rickettsia canadensis was found for the first time in a H. japonica tick; DNA of Rickettsia aeschlimannii was revealed for the first time in H. concinna and H. japonica ticks. "Candidatus Rickettsia principis" and "Candidatus Rickettsia rara" were found in Haemaphysalis spp. ticks. "Candidatus R. principis" was associated with H. japonica and identified in 5.6% of the examined ticks, while "Candidatus R. rara" was found more frequently in H. concinna (3.0%) compared to H. japonica ticks (1.1%). In this study, "Candidatus R. principis" and "Candidatus R. rara" were characterized for the first time by the 16S rRNA, ompA, ompB, and sca4 genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yana Igolkina
- Institute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine, SB RAS, Novosibirsk, Russian Federation.
| | - Vera Rar
- Institute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine, SB RAS, Novosibirsk, Russian Federation
| | - Nelya Vysochina
- Khabarovsk Antiplague Station, Khabarovsk, Russian Federation
| | - Leonid Ivanov
- Khabarovsk Antiplague Station, Khabarovsk, Russian Federation
| | - Artem Tikunov
- Institute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine, SB RAS, Novosibirsk, Russian Federation
| | | | - Tamara Epikhina
- Institute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine, SB RAS, Novosibirsk, Russian Federation
| | - Irina Golovljova
- Institute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine, SB RAS, Novosibirsk, Russian Federation; Department of Virology, National Institute for Health Development, Estonia
| | - Nina Tikunova
- Institute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine, SB RAS, Novosibirsk, Russian Federation
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25
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Chochlakis D, Germanakis A, Chaliotis G, Kapetanaki S, Kalogeraki L, Gkika E, Partalis N, Polymili G, Tselentis Y, Psaroulaki A. Potential exposure of humans to Rickettsia felis in Greece. Acta Trop 2018; 178:40-45. [PMID: 29079185 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2017.10.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2017] [Revised: 10/23/2017] [Accepted: 10/23/2017] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Rickettsia felis is a flea-transmitted pathogen however, in Greece, much work has been done on another flea-borne pathogen, R. typhi; human cases have been described and high-risk areas have been characterized. Nevertheless, little is known about human infections caused by R. felis in the country since human cases are not routinely tested for antibodies against this pathogen. During the past seven years, we have set up a protocol at the National Reference Centre in order to improve the testing of tick-borne diseases in Greece. Based on this protocol, R. conorii, R. typhi R. slovaca, R. felis, and R. mongolotimonae have been added into the routine analysis; during these last years, eight (8) cases of potential exposure to R. felis were identified by serology. On an environmental investigation carried out at the residences of the patients, the pathogen was detected in C. felis only. The demonstration of R. felis potential presence highlights the need for better testing and surveillance of the pathogen.
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26
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Papa A, Xanthopoulou K, Kotriotsiou T, Papaioakim M, Sotiraki S, Chaligiannis I, Maltezos E. Rickettsia species in human-parasitizing ticks in Greece. Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg 2017; 110:299-304. [PMID: 27198214 DOI: 10.1093/trstmh/trw022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2016] [Accepted: 03/14/2016] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ticks serve as vectors and reservoirs for a variety of bacterial, viral and protozoan pathogens affecting humans and animals. Unusual increased tick aggressiveness was observed in 2008-2009 in northeastern Greece. The aim of the study was to check ticks removed from persons during 2009 for infection with Rickettsia species. METHODS A total of 159 ticks were removed from 147 persons who sought medical advice in a hospital. Tick identification was performed morphologically using taxonomic keys. DNA was extracted from each individual tick and a PCR assay targeting the rickettsial outer membrane protein A gene of Rickettsia spp. was applied. RESULTS Most of the adult ticks (132/153, 86.3%) were Rhipicephalus sanguineus. Rickettsiae were detected in 23 of the 153 (15.0%) adult ticks. Five Rickettsiae species were identified: R. aeschlimannii, R. africae (n=6), R. massilae (4), R. monacensis (1), and Candidatus R. barbariae (1). To our knowledge, this is the first report of R. africae, R. monacensis, and Candidatus R. barbariae in Greece. CONCLUSIONS Several Rickettsia species were identified in ticks removed from humans in Greece, including those that are prevalent in northern and southern latitudes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Papa
- Department of Microbiology, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Kyriaki Xanthopoulou
- Department of Microbiology, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Tzimoula Kotriotsiou
- Department of Microbiology, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Miltiadis Papaioakim
- Emergency Department, University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Alexandroupolis, Greece
| | - Smaragda Sotiraki
- Veterinary Research Institute, Hellenic Agricultural Organisation-Demeter, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Ilias Chaligiannis
- Department of Microbiology, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124, Thessaloniki, Greece Veterinary Research Institute, Hellenic Agricultural Organisation-Demeter, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Efstratios Maltezos
- 2nd Department of Internal Medicine & Unit of Infectious Diseases, Medical Department, Democritus University of Thrace, Greece
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27
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Li HY, Zhao SS, Hornok S, Farkas R, Guo LP, Chen CF, Shao RF, Lv JZ, Wang YZ. Morphological and molecular divergence of Rhipicephalus turanicus tick from Albania and China. EXPERIMENTAL & APPLIED ACAROLOGY 2017; 73:493-499. [PMID: 29181674 PMCID: PMC5727151 DOI: 10.1007/s10493-017-0189-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2017] [Accepted: 11/01/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Rhipicephalus turanicus is an important tick species potentially carrying tick-borne pathogens. Several tick species have obvious subspecies divergence. However few studies aimed to examine the existence of divergence within R. turanicus. Therefore, a detailed morphological and molecular analysis was conducted for comparing R. turanicus from the Mediterranean Basin (represented by Albania) and Central Asia (Northwestern China). Altogether 315 adult ticks of R. turanicus (103 from Albania and 212 from China) were morphologically and molecularly analysed. DNA samples were used for mitochondrial 16S rRNA and cox1 gene sequences analysis. In addition, as potentially genetic markers, three fragments including partial nad1-16S rRNA, nad2-cox1, cox1-tRNA-Lys, were designed and then phylogenetically analyzed. Based on detailed morphological observations, only basis capituli length:width ratio (females), the length, the width and the length:width ratio of the scutum (males) had differences between R. turanicus from China and Albania. Gene divergences of 16S rRNA, cox1, partial nad1-16S rRNA, nad2-cox1 and cox1-tRNA-Lys from China and Albania ticks were 3.53-4.84, 3.57-4.92, 3.57-4.07, 3.57-4.39 and 3.18-4.69%, respectively. The evaluated five genetic markers revealed two phylogenetic branches in R. turanicus. Obvious differences exist within R. turanicus based on morphological and genetic analysis. Three newly designed genetic markers (partial nad1-16S rRNA, nad2-cox1 and cox1-tRNA-Lys) in this study may be suitable genetic tools for identification and analysis in R. turanicus. Subspecies analysis of R. turanicus from other regions of the world should be initiated in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong-Yu Li
- School of Medicine, Shihezi University, Shihezi, 832002, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, People's Republic of China
| | - Shan-Shan Zhao
- School of Medicine, Shihezi University, Shihezi, 832002, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, People's Republic of China
| | - Sándor Hornok
- Department of Parasitology and Zoology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Róbert Farkas
- Department of Parasitology and Zoology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Li-Ping Guo
- School of Medicine, Shihezi University, Shihezi, 832002, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, People's Republic of China
| | - Chuang-Fu Chen
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Shihezi University, Shihezi, 832002, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, People's Republic of China
| | - Ren-Fu Shao
- Gene Cology Research Centre, Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore DC, QLD, 4556, Australia
| | - Ji-Zhou Lv
- Institute of Animal Quarantine, Chinese Academy of Inspection and Quarantine, Beijing, 100029, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuan-Zhi Wang
- School of Medicine, Shihezi University, Shihezi, 832002, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, People's Republic of China.
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28
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Fernández de Mera IG, Blanda V, Torina A, Dabaja MF, El Romeh A, Cabezas-Cruz A, de la Fuente J. Identification and molecular characterization of spotted fever group rickettsiae in ticks collected from farm ruminants in Lebanon. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2017; 9:104-108. [PMID: 29054546 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2017.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2017] [Revised: 09/18/2017] [Accepted: 10/02/2017] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Tick-borne diseases have become a world health concern, emerging with increasing incidence in recent decades. Spotted fever group (SFG) rickettsiae are tick-borne pathogens recognized as important agents of human tick-borne diseases worldwide. In this study, 88 adult ticks from the species Hyalomma anatolicum, Rhipicephalus annulatus, Rh. bursa, Rh. sanguineus sensu lato, and Rh. turanicus, were collected from farm ruminants in Lebanon, and SFG rickettsiae were molecularly identified and characterized in these ticks. The screening showed a prevalence of 68% for Rickettsia spp., including the species R. aeschlimannii, R. africae, R. massiliae and Candidatus R. barbariae, the latter considered an emerging member of the SFG rickettsiae. These findings contribute to a better knowledge of the distribution of these pathogens and demonstrate that SFG rickettsiae with public health relevance are found in ticks collected in Lebanon, where the widespread distribution of tick vectors and possible livestock animal hosts in contact with humans may favor transmission to humans. Few reports exist for some of the tick species identified here as being infected with SFG Rickettsia. Some of these tick species are proven vectors of the hosted rickettsiae, although this information is unknown for other of these species. Therefore, these results suggested further investigation on the vector competence of the tick species with unknown role in transmission of some of the pathogens identified in this study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabel G Fernández de Mera
- SaBio. Instituto de Investigación de Recursos Cinegéticos, IREC-CSIC-UCLM-JCCM, 13005 Ciudad Real, Spain.
| | - Valeria Blanda
- Intituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia, Via G. Marinuzzi n°3, 90129 Palermo, Sicily, Italy
| | - Alessandra Torina
- Intituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia, Via G. Marinuzzi n°3, 90129 Palermo, Sicily, Italy
| | | | - Ali El Romeh
- Republic of Lebanon, Ministry of Agriculture, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Alejandro Cabezas-Cruz
- Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Parasitology, Branišovská 31, 37005 Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic; Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Branišovská 31, 37005 České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - José de la Fuente
- SaBio. Instituto de Investigación de Recursos Cinegéticos, IREC-CSIC-UCLM-JCCM, 13005 Ciudad Real, Spain; Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Center for Veterinary Health Sciences, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA.
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Pereira A, Parreira R, Cotão AJ, Nunes M, Vieira ML, Azevedo F, Campino L, Maia C. Tick-borne bacteria and protozoa detected in ticks collected from domestic animals and wildlife in central and southern Portugal. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2017; 9:225-234. [PMID: 28958791 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2017.09.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2017] [Revised: 09/15/2017] [Accepted: 09/15/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Ticks are vectors of many human and animal pathogens. The aim of this study was to screen bacteria and protozoa from ticks infesting domestic animals and wildlife collected in central and southern Portugal. A total of 593 ticks, comprising 465 (78.4%) adults, 122 (20.6%) nymphs, and six (1.0%) larvae, were collected from 283 hosts of 25 different species (4 domestic and 21 wild). Overall, the analysis of DNA extracts prepared from ticks collected from hosts of 11 different species in the districts of Castelo Branco, Portalegre, Lisboa, Setúbal, Beja and Faro, revealed the presence of genomic sequences from Anaplasma sp., A. ovis, Babesia sp., relapsing fever-like Borrelia sp., Ehrlichia spp., Rickettsia aeschlimannii, Ri. helvetica, Ri. massiliae, Ri. raoultii, Ri. slovaca, Candidatus Ri. barbariae, Theileria annulata and T. ovis, in specimens of Dermacentor marginatus, Hyalomma lusitanicum, Hy. marginatum, Rhipicephalus bursa and Rh. sanguineus sensu lato. The obtained results suggest the circulation of a wide variety of infectious agents, some of zoonotic concern, in hard ticks from Portugal. Further studies should be conducted to better characterize (both genetically and phenotypically) the putative novel microorganisms detected, both in what regards their potential pathogenity towards vertebrates, and to assist the implementation of effective control strategies for the management of ticks and human and animal tick-borne pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- André Pereira
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universidade Lusófona de Humanidades e Tecnologias, Lisboa, Portugal; Global Health and Tropical Medicine (GHTM), Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical (IHMT), Universidade Nova de Lisboa (UNL), Lisboa, Portugal; Medical Parasitology Unit, IHMT, UNL, Portugal
| | - Ricardo Parreira
- Global Health and Tropical Medicine (GHTM), Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical (IHMT), Universidade Nova de Lisboa (UNL), Lisboa, Portugal; Medical Microbiology Unit, IHMT, UNL, Portugal
| | | | - Mónica Nunes
- Global Health and Tropical Medicine (GHTM), Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical (IHMT), Universidade Nova de Lisboa (UNL), Lisboa, Portugal; Medical Microbiology Unit, IHMT, UNL, Portugal
| | - Maria Luísa Vieira
- Global Health and Tropical Medicine (GHTM), Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical (IHMT), Universidade Nova de Lisboa (UNL), Lisboa, Portugal; Medical Microbiology Unit, IHMT, UNL, Portugal
| | | | - Lenea Campino
- Global Health and Tropical Medicine (GHTM), Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical (IHMT), Universidade Nova de Lisboa (UNL), Lisboa, Portugal; Medical Parasitology Unit, IHMT, UNL, Portugal
| | - Carla Maia
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universidade Lusófona de Humanidades e Tecnologias, Lisboa, Portugal; Global Health and Tropical Medicine (GHTM), Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical (IHMT), Universidade Nova de Lisboa (UNL), Lisboa, Portugal; Medical Parasitology Unit, IHMT, UNL, Portugal.
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Abstract
A vast number of novel tick-related microorganisms and tick-borne disease agents have been identified in the past 20 years, and more are being described due to several factors, from the curiosity of clinicians faced with unusual clinical syndromes to new tools used by microbiologists and entomologists. Borrelioses, ehrlichioses, anaplasmosis, and tick-borne rickettsial diseases are some of the emerging diseases that have been described throughout the world in recent years. In this article, we focus on the bacterial agents and diseases that have been recognized in the past 3 years and refer to major recent reviews of other recognized infections.
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31
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Blanda V, Torina A, La Russa F, D'Agostino R, Randazzo K, Scimeca S, Giudice E, Caracappa S, Cascio A, de la Fuente J. A retrospective study of the characterization of Rickettsia species in ticks collected from humans. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2017; 8:610-614. [PMID: 28457821 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2017.04.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2016] [Revised: 04/10/2017] [Accepted: 04/10/2017] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Rickettsiae (family Rickettsiaceae, order Rickettsiales) are obligate intracellular bacteria transmitted by arthropod vectors. Several Rickettsia species causing vector-borne rickettsioses belong to the spotted fever group (SFG). Traditionally, Rickettsia conorii has been considered as the main etiologic agent of Mediterranean spotted fever. However, the molecular characterization of rickettsiae allowed identifying other species involved in spotted fever in the Mediterranean region. In this study, 42 ticks collected from humans were subjected to morphological identification and molecular characterization of Rickettsia species potentially involved in human rickettsiosis in Sicily. Fourteen ticks positive to at least two Rickettsia spp. molecular markers were used in the study. Identified Rickettsia spp. included R. conorii, found in Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato and Rhipicephalus turanicus, Rickettsia aeschlimannii found in Hyalomma marginatum, Hyalomma lusitanicum, Dermacentor marginatus and Ixodes ricinus, Rickettsia massiliae found in R. turanicus and R. sanguineus s.l., and Rickettsia slovaca found in D. marginatus and R. sanguineus s.l. Our results showed a great variety of zoonotic Rickettsia spp. in ticks collected from humans in Sicily. The Rickettsia spp. reported in this study were identified in previously recognized or new potential tick vectors in Europe, highlighting the risk of infection by different Rickettsia spp. for humans bitten by ticks in Sicily.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valeria Blanda
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia, Via Gino Marinuzzi 3, 90129 Palermo, Italy.
| | - Alessandra Torina
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia, Via Gino Marinuzzi 3, 90129 Palermo, Italy.
| | - Francesco La Russa
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia, Via Gino Marinuzzi 3, 90129 Palermo, Italy.
| | - Rosalia D'Agostino
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia, Via Gino Marinuzzi 3, 90129 Palermo, Italy.
| | - Kety Randazzo
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia, Via Gino Marinuzzi 3, 90129 Palermo, Italy.
| | - Salvatore Scimeca
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia, Via Gino Marinuzzi 3, 90129 Palermo, Italy.
| | - Elisabetta Giudice
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Ferdinando Stagno d'Alcontres 31, 98166 S. Agata-Messina, Italy.
| | - Santo Caracappa
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia, Via Gino Marinuzzi 3, 90129 Palermo, Italy.
| | - Antonio Cascio
- Department of Health Promotion Sciences and Mother and Child Care "G. D'Alessandro", University of Palermo, Via del Vespro, 129 - 90127 Palermo, Italy.
| | - José de la Fuente
- SaBio. Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos, IREC (CSIC, UCLM, JCCM), Ronda de Toledo s/n, 13005 Ciudad Real, Spain; Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Center for Veterinary Health Sciences, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA.
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Abstract
To further characterize human infections caused by Rickettsia sibirica mongolitimonae, we tested skin biopsy and swab samples and analyzed clinical, epidemiologic, and diagnostic characteristics of patients with a rickettsiosis. The most common (38%) indigenous species was R. sibirica mongolitimonae. Significantly more cases of R. sibirica mongolitimonae infection occurred during spring and summer.
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Chochlakis D, Mantadakis E, Thomaidis S, Tselentis Y, Chatzimichael A, Psaroulaki A. Retraction: First human case of Rickettsia sibirica mongolotimonae infection in Northern Greece in a teenager from Thrace. Jpn J Infect Dis 2016. [PMID: 27795477 DOI: 10.7883/yoken.jjid.2016.302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
This article has been retracted by the authors under the agreement between the Editor-in-Chief, Masayuki Saijo and authors.
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Papa A, Tsioka K, Kontana A, Papadopoulos C, Giadinis N. Bacterial pathogens and endosymbionts in ticks. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2016; 8:31-35. [PMID: 27686386 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2016.09.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2016] [Revised: 09/20/2016] [Accepted: 09/22/2016] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Ticks collected from goats in northern Greece were tested for the presence of tick-borne bacteria. Among adult ticks, 37 (57.8%) were Rhipicephalus bursa, 11 (17.2%) Dermacentor marginatus, 10 (15.6%) Ixodes ricinus, 3 (4.7%) Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato and 2 (3.1%) Haemaphysalis parva; one (1.6%) Rhipicephalus spp. tick was nymph. Rickettsia monacensis, Rickettsia massilae, Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Anaplasma platys were detected in I. ricinus and Rh. bursa ticks. A variety of Coxiella-like endosymbionts were detected in all tick genera tested, forming distinct clades from Coxiella burnetii in the phylogenetic tree based on the 16S rRNA gene. An additional endosymbiont, Candidatus Midichloria mitochondrii, was detected in most of the I. ricinus ticks. Surveillance for human pathogens in ticks provides knowledge helpful for the public health, while further studies are needed to determine the role of endosymbionts in tick physiology, vector competence and probably in public health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Papa
- Department of Microbiology, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece.
| | - Katerina Tsioka
- Department of Microbiology, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Anastasia Kontana
- Department of Microbiology, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece
| | | | - Nektarios Giadinis
- Clinic of Farm Animals, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece
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35
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Scarpulla M, Barlozzari G, Marcario A, Salvato L, Blanda V, De Liberato C, D'Agostini C, Torina A, Macrì G. Molecular detection and characterization of spotted fever group rickettsiae in ticks from Central Italy. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2016; 7:1052-1056. [PMID: 27365155 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2016.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2016] [Revised: 06/06/2016] [Accepted: 06/13/2016] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of rickettsial pathogens in ticks from Central Italy. A total of 113 ticks hailed from Latium and Tuscany regions were identified and tested by PCR to detect gltA, ompA, ompB genes of Rickettsia. Positive amplicons were sequenced and identified at species level. Ticks were analyzed individually or in pools. The percentage of positivity for SFG rickettsiae was 12.4%, expressed as minimum infection rate (MIR) assuming that one tick was positive in each positive pool. Rickettsia aeschlimannii was detected in Hyalomma marginatum, Rickettsia monacensis in Ixodes ricinus and Rickettsia massiliae and Rickettsia conorii in Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato. These findings confirm the circulation of pathogenic rickettsiae in Latium and Tuscany regions. To our knowledge this is the first report of R. massiliae in Latium region.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Scarpulla
- Zooprophylaxis and Research Institute of Latium and Tuscany "M. Aleandri'', Via Appia Nuova 1411, 00178 Rome, Italy
| | - G Barlozzari
- Zooprophylaxis and Research Institute of Latium and Tuscany "M. Aleandri'', Via Appia Nuova 1411, 00178 Rome, Italy.
| | - A Marcario
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Surgery, University of Rome "Tor Vergata'', Via Montpellier 1, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - L Salvato
- Zooprophylaxis and Research Institute of Latium and Tuscany "M. Aleandri'', Via Appia Nuova 1411, 00178 Rome, Italy
| | - V Blanda
- C.R.A.Ba.R.T. Zooprophylaxis and Research Institute of Sicily, Via Gino Marinuzzi 3, 90129 Palermo, Italy
| | - C De Liberato
- Zooprophylaxis and Research Institute of Latium and Tuscany "M. Aleandri'', Via Appia Nuova 1411, 00178 Rome, Italy
| | - C D'Agostini
- Laboratory of Clinical Microbiology and Virology, Polyclinic "Tor Vergata" Foundation, Viale Oxford 81, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - A Torina
- C.R.A.Ba.R.T. Zooprophylaxis and Research Institute of Sicily, Via Gino Marinuzzi 3, 90129 Palermo, Italy
| | - G Macrì
- Zooprophylaxis and Research Institute of Latium and Tuscany "M. Aleandri'', Via Appia Nuova 1411, 00178 Rome, Italy
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36
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Molecular detection and groEL typing of Rickettsia aeschlimannii in Sardinian ticks. Parasitol Res 2016; 115:3323-8. [PMID: 27130322 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-016-5091-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2016] [Accepted: 04/21/2016] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Rickettsia aeschlimannii is an emerging tick-borne pathogen of the spotted fever group Rickettsiae with considerable impact on both human and animal health. This study reports the molecular detection and groEL characterization of R. aeschlimannii in ticks collected from birds and ruminants in a typical Mediterranean environment. Phylogeny of R. aeschlimannii and species representative of the spotted fever and typhus groups based on the groEL gene is reconstructed for the first time. Results expand the knowledge on distribution and typing of emerging human tick-borne diseases in Sardinia and pave the way for future molecular epidemiology studies of zoonotic Rickettsiae.
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Diakou A, Norte AC, Lopes de Carvalho I, Núncio S, Nováková M, Kautman M, Alivizatos H, Kazantzidis S, Sychra O, Literák I. Ticks and tick-borne pathogens in wild birds in Greece. Parasitol Res 2016; 115:2011-6. [PMID: 26847630 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-016-4943-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2015] [Accepted: 01/26/2016] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Wild birds are common hosts of ticks and can transport them for long distances, contributing to the spreading of tick-borne pathogens. The information about ticks on birds and tick-borne pathogens in Greece is limited. The present study aimed to evaluate the prevalence and species of ticks infesting wild resident birds (mostly small passerines) in Greece, and to assess Borrelia and Rickettsia infection in the collected ticks. Detection of Borrelia burgdorferi s.l. was performed by nested PCR targeting the flaB gene. Rickettsia spp. were detected by PCR targeting the gltA and ompA genes. Seven (2 %) out of 403 birds examined in northern Greece in 2013 were infested with 15 ticks, identified as Ixodes frontalis, Ixodes acuminatus, Hyalomma marginatum, Hyalomma aegyptium and Hyalomma sp. All ticks were negative for Borrelia spp. while four of them were positive for rickettsiae (Rickettsia aeschlimannii in H. aegyptium and Rickettsia sp. in I. frontalis, H. aegyptium and H. marginatum). Ixodes acuminatus is reported for the first time in Greece and Sylvia borin is reported as a new host record for I. acuminatus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anastasia Diakou
- Laboratory of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece.
| | - Ana Cláudia Norte
- MARE-Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, Department of Life Sciences Largo Marquês de Pombal, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,Centre for Vector and Infectious Diseases Research, National Institute of Health Doutor Ricardo Jorge, Aguas de Moura, Portugal
| | - Isabel Lopes de Carvalho
- Centre for Vector and Infectious Diseases Research, National Institute of Health Doutor Ricardo Jorge, Aguas de Moura, Portugal.,Emergence Response and Biopreparadness Unit, National Institute of Health Doutor Ricardo Jorge, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Sofia Núncio
- Centre for Vector and Infectious Diseases Research, National Institute of Health Doutor Ricardo Jorge, Aguas de Moura, Portugal
| | - Markéta Nováková
- Department of Biology and Wildlife Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Hygiene and Ecology, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences Brno, Brno, Czech Republic.,CEITEC VFU, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences Brno, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Matej Kautman
- Department of Biology and Wildlife Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Hygiene and Ecology, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences Brno, Brno, Czech Republic
| | | | - Savas Kazantzidis
- Hellenic Agricultural Organisation "Demeter", Forest Research Institute, Vassilika, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Oldřich Sychra
- Department of Biology and Wildlife Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Hygiene and Ecology, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences Brno, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Ivan Literák
- Department of Biology and Wildlife Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Hygiene and Ecology, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences Brno, Brno, Czech Republic.,CEITEC VFU, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences Brno, Brno, Czech Republic
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38
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Chochlakis D, Bongiorni C, Partalis N, Tselentis Y, Psaroulaki A. Possible Rickettsia massiliae Infection in Greece: an Imported Case. Jpn J Infect Dis 2016; 69:328-30. [DOI: 10.7883/yoken.jjid.2015.195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Dimosthenis Chochlakis
- Regional Laboratory of Public Health of Crete School of Medicine
- Laboratory of Clinical Bacteriology, Parasitology, Zoonoses and Geographical Medicine, Medical School, University of Crete
| | | | | | - Yannis Tselentis
- Laboratory of Clinical Bacteriology, Parasitology, Zoonoses and Geographical Medicine, Medical School, University of Crete
| | - Anna Psaroulaki
- Regional Laboratory of Public Health of Crete School of Medicine
- Laboratory of Clinical Bacteriology, Parasitology, Zoonoses and Geographical Medicine, Medical School, University of Crete
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39
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Wei QQ, Guo LP, Wang AD, Mu LM, Zhang K, Chen CF, Zhang WJ, Wang YZ. The first detection of Rickettsia aeschlimannii and Rickettsia massiliae in Rhipicephalus turanicus ticks, in northwest China. Parasit Vectors 2015; 8:631. [PMID: 26652857 PMCID: PMC4675064 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-015-1242-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2015] [Accepted: 12/03/2015] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Rickettsia spp. belonging to the spotted fever group (SFG) cause infections in humans, domestic animals and wildlife. At least five SFG rickettsial species have been reported in China, but the occurrence of Rickettsia aeschlimannii and R. massiliae in ticks has not been characterized to date. Findings A total of 114 adult ticks were collected from sheep in Yining County, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, in northwest China. The ticks were identified from morphological and molecular characteristics. All samples were examined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and six genetic markers were used to determine the Rickettsia spp. in the ticks. The ticks collected were identified as Rhipicephalus turanicus. Three different lineages of Rh. turanicus from Yining County were discovered on phylogenetic analysis of 16S rDNA and cox1. Twenty-one of the 114 samples (18.42%) were positive for rickettsial agents. Phylogenetic analysis based on six genetic sequences showed that three rickettsial species were present, namely: R. aeschlimannii (19.05%, 4/21), R. massiliae (19.05%, 4/21) and R. sibirica variant (61.90%, 13/21), which is clustered in the clade of R. sibirica subsp. sibirica. Conclusions This is the first description of R. aeschlimannii and R. massiliae in China. R. massiliae, R. aeschlimannii and R. sibirica variant co-circulate in the region of the China-Kazakhstan border, in northwest China. Rickettsial agents in ticks of the genus Rhipicephalus from migrant birds, transported livestock, wildlife and human beings should be investigated further in the region of the China–Central Asian border. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13071-015-1242-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing-Qing Wei
- School of Medicine, Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, 832000, People's Republic of China.
| | - Li-Ping Guo
- School of Medicine, Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, 832000, People's Republic of China.
| | - An-Dong Wang
- School of Animal Science and Technology, Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, 832000, People's Republic of China.
| | - Lu-Meng Mu
- School of Medicine, Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, 832000, People's Republic of China.
| | - Ke Zhang
- Pingdingshan University, Pingdingshan, Henan, 467000, People's Republic of China.
| | - Chuang-Fu Chen
- School of Animal Science and Technology, Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, 832000, People's Republic of China.
| | - Wan-Jiang Zhang
- School of Medicine, Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, 832000, People's Republic of China.
| | - Yuan-Zhi Wang
- School of Medicine, Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, 832000, People's Republic of China.
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40
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Police dogs from Albania as indicators of exposure risk to Toxoplasma gondii, Neospora caninum and vector-borne pathogens of zoonotic and veterinary concern. Vet Parasitol Reg Stud Reports 2015; 1-2:35-46. [DOI: 10.1016/j.vprsr.2016.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2015] [Revised: 03/03/2016] [Accepted: 03/18/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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41
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Portillo A, Santibáñez S, García-Álvarez L, Palomar AM, Oteo JA. Rickettsioses in Europe. Microbes Infect 2015; 17:834-8. [PMID: 26384814 DOI: 10.1016/j.micinf.2015.09.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 120] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2015] [Revised: 09/08/2015] [Accepted: 09/08/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Bacteria of the genera Rickettsia and Orientia (family rickettsiaceae, order rickettsiales) cause rickettsioses worldwide, and are transmitted by lice, fleas, ticks and mites. In Europe, only Rickettsia spp. cause rickettsioses. With improvement of hygiene, the risk of louse-borne rickettsiosis (epidemic typhus) is low in Europe. Nevertheless, recrudescent form of Rickettsia prowazekii infection persists. There could be an epidemic typhus outbreak if a body lice epidemic occurs under unfavorable sanitary conditions. In Europe, endemic typhus or Rickettsia typhi infection, transmitted by rats and fleas, causes febrile illness. At the beginning of this century, flea-borne spotted fever cases caused by Rickettsia felis were diagnosed. Flea-borne rickettsiosis should be suspected after flea bites if fever, with or without rash, is developed. Tick-borne rickettsioses are the main source of rickettsia infections in Europe. Apart from Rickettsia conorii, the Mediterranean Spotted Fever (MSF) agent, other Rickettsia spp. cause MSF-like: Rickettsia helvetica, Rickettsia monacensis, Rickettsia massiliae or Rickettsia aeschlimannii. In the 1990s, two 'new' rickettsioses were diagnosed: Lymphangitis Associated Rickettsiosis (LAR) caused by Rickettsia sibirica mongolitimonae, and Tick-Borne Lymphadenopathy/Dermacentor-Borne-Necrosis-Erythema-Lymphadenopathy/Scalp Eschar Neck Lymphadenopathy (TIBOLA/DEBONEL/SENLAT), caused by Rickettsia slovaca, Candidatus Rickettsia rioja and Rickettsia raoultii. Lastly, European reports about mite-borne rickettsiosis are scarce.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aránzazu Portillo
- Infectious Diseases Department, Hospital San Pedro-CIBIR, Logroño, Spain
| | - Sonia Santibáñez
- Infectious Diseases Department, Hospital San Pedro-CIBIR, Logroño, Spain
| | | | - Ana M Palomar
- Infectious Diseases Department, Hospital San Pedro-CIBIR, Logroño, Spain
| | - José A Oteo
- Infectious Diseases Department, Hospital San Pedro-CIBIR, Logroño, Spain.
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Faccini-Martínez ÁA, García-Álvarez L, Hidalgo M, Oteo JA. Syndromic classification of rickettsioses: an approach for clinical practice. Int J Infect Dis 2014; 28:126-39. [PMID: 25242696 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijid.2014.05.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2014] [Revised: 04/23/2014] [Accepted: 05/24/2014] [Indexed: 10/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Rickettsioses share common clinical manifestations, such as fever, malaise, exanthema, the presence or absence of an inoculation eschar, and lymphadenopathy. Some of these manifestations can be suggestive of certain species of Rickettsia infection. Nevertheless none of these manifestations are pathognomonic, and direct diagnostic methods to confirm the involved species are always required. A syndrome is a set of signs and symptoms that characterizes a disease with many etiologies or causes. This situation is applicable to rickettsioses, where different species can cause similar clinical presentations. We propose a syndromic classification for these diseases: exanthematic rickettsiosis syndrome with a low probability of inoculation eschar and rickettsiosis syndrome with a probability of inoculation eschar and their variants. In doing so, we take into account the clinical manifestations, the geographic origin, and the possible vector involved, in order to provide a guide for physicians of the most probable etiological agent.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Lara García-Álvarez
- Infectious Diseases Department, Center of Rickettsioses and Vector-borne Diseases, Hospital San Pedro-CIBIR, Logroño, Spain
| | - Marylin Hidalgo
- Microbiology Department, Faculty of Sciences, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - José A Oteo
- Infectious Diseases Department, Center of Rickettsioses and Vector-borne Diseases, Hospital San Pedro-CIBIR, Logroño, Spain.
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Draft Genome Sequence of Rickettsia aeschlimannii, Associated with Hyalomma marginatum Ticks. GENOME ANNOUNCEMENTS 2014; 2:2/4/e00666-14. [PMID: 25059861 PMCID: PMC4110219 DOI: 10.1128/genomea.00666-14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Rickettsia aeschlimannii is a tick-associated human pathogen. We report here the draft genome of R. aeschlimannii strain MC16, isolated from Hyalomma marginatum marginatum ticks collected in Morocco.
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Ticks infesting humans in Italy and associated pathogens. Parasit Vectors 2014; 7:328. [PMID: 25023709 PMCID: PMC4223688 DOI: 10.1186/1756-3305-7-328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 114] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2014] [Accepted: 06/29/2014] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Ticks may transmit a large variety of pathogens, which cause illnesses in animals and humans, commonly referred to as to tick-borne diseases (TBDs). The incidence of human TBDs in Italy is underestimated because of poor surveillance and the scant amount of studies available. Methods Samples (n = 561) were collected from humans in four main geographical areas of Italy (i.e., northwestern, northeastern, southern Italy, and Sicily), which represent a variety of environments. After being morphologically identified, ticks were molecularly tested with selected protocols for the presence of pathogens of the genera Rickettsia, Babesia, Theileria, Candidatus Neoehrlichia mikurensis, Borrelia and Anaplasma. Results Ticks belonged to 16 species of the genera Argas, Dermacentor, Haemaphysalis, Hyalomma, Ixodes and Rhipicephalus, with Ixodes ricinus (59.5%) being the species most frequently retrieved, followed by Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato (21.4%). Nymphs were the life stage most frequently retrieved (41%), followed by adult females (34.6%). The overall positivity to any pathogen detected was 18%. Detected microorganisms were Rickettsia spp. (17.0%), Anaplasma phagocytophilum (0.8%), Borrelia afzelii (0.5%), Borrelia valaisiana (0.3%), C. N. mikurensis (0.5%) and Babesia venatorum (0.6%). Conclusions Results indicate that people living in the Italian peninsula are at risk of being bitten by different tick species, which may transmit a plethora of TBD causing pathogens and that co-infections may also occur.
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Germanakis A, Chochlakis D, Angelakis E, Tselentis Y, Psaroulaki A. Skin Lesions and Inoculation Eschars at the Tick Bite Site in Spotted Fever Group Rickettsioses: Experience from a Patient Series in Eastern Crete, Greece. Dermatology 2014; 228:332-7. [DOI: 10.1159/000360525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2013] [Accepted: 02/09/2014] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
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