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Purushothaman S, Azhahianambi P, Dharman M, Gokula Kannan R, Tirumurugaan KG, Soundararajan C, Aravindh Babu RP, Devaraju P, Prakash JAJ. A cross sectional study on molecular prevalence of Orientia tsutsugamushi in household rat population of South India. Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis 2024; 111:102212. [PMID: 38880051 DOI: 10.1016/j.cimid.2024.102212] [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: 03/18/2024] [Revised: 06/08/2024] [Accepted: 06/13/2024] [Indexed: 06/18/2024]
Abstract
This study aimed to assess the molecular prevalence of mite-borne zoonotic pathogen O. tsutsugamushi in household rats of South India through nested polymerase chain reaction amplification of O. tsutsugamushi 47-kDa htrA gene and to determine the most suitable sample type for screening of O. tsutsugamushi in rats. Out of 85 rats trapped in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Puducherry regions, 47 rats were found positive for the O. tsutsugamushi genome with prevalence of 55.29 %. Among different sample types screened, faecal samples exhibited the highest positivity rate, followed by liver, spleen, kidney, and blood samples. Agreement between faecal and spleen samples of rats for the presence of O. tsutsugamushi was the highest. Principal component analysis revealed a positive correlation between the spleen, liver, and faeces and a negative correlation between blood and faeces for the presence of O. tsutsugamushi genome. These findings underscore the varied distribution of O. tsutsugamushi among different samples and indicate that the faecal and liver samples of rats are an ideal choice of samples for epidemiological studies. This is the first study to report a high level of presence of O. tsutsugamushi in faecal samples of rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Purushothaman
- Translational Research Platform for Veterinary Biologicals, Centre for Animal Health Studies, Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600051, India
| | - P Azhahianambi
- Translational Research Platform for Veterinary Biologicals, Centre for Animal Health Studies, Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600051, India.
| | - M Dharman
- Translational Research Platform for Veterinary Biologicals, Centre for Animal Health Studies, Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600051, India
| | - R Gokula Kannan
- Translational Research Platform for Veterinary Biologicals, Centre for Animal Health Studies, Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600051, India
| | - K G Tirumurugaan
- Translational Research Platform for Veterinary Biologicals, Centre for Animal Health Studies, Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600051, India
| | - C Soundararajan
- Centre for Animal Health Studies, Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600051, India
| | - R P Aravindh Babu
- Translational Research Platform for Veterinary Biologicals, Centre for Animal Health Studies, Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600051, India
| | | | - John A J Prakash
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Christian Medical College, Vellore 632004, India
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Orientia tsutsugamushi Infection in Wild Small Mammals in Western Yunnan Province, China. Pathogens 2023; 12:pathogens12010128. [PMID: 36678476 PMCID: PMC9862787 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12010128] [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: 11/14/2022] [Revised: 01/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Small mammals can transmit and serve as a reservoir for Orientia tsutsugamushi (Ot) in nature by carrying infected mites. In Yunnan, one of China's main foci of scrub typhus, etiological evidence and genetic diversity for Ot is limited. A total of 2538 small mammals were captured seasonally from 2015 to 2016 in the three counties of Yunnan, and the spleen or liver tissue was examined for Ot based on 56 kDa nPCR. The overall prevalence of Ot was 1.77%, ranging from 0.26 to 9.09% across different species. The Gilliam strain was found in 35.6% (16/45) of the wild small mammals, followed by the Karp 11.1% (5/45) and TA763 (1/45) strains, the last of which was discovered in western Yunnan for the first time. In Lianghe, Ot infection rates in wild small mammals were higher than in the other two counties. The infection rates of Eothenomys miletus with Ot were highest in the three dominant species. Ot infection rates in wild small mammals were higher in Lianghe (1200-1400 m) and Yulong (2800-3000 m). These findings could provide research clues for further confirmation of scrub typhus foci in western Yunnan or other similar natural environments.
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Prakash JAJ, Kamarasu K, Samuel PP, Govindarajan R, Govindasamy P, Johnson LA, Ramalingam P, Nirmalson J, Seran KC. Detection of Orientia tsutsugamushi in Novel Trombiculid Mite Species in Northern Tamil Nadu, India: Use of Targeting the Multicopy traD Gene. JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY 2022; 59:693-699. [PMID: 34850037 DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjab180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Detection of Orientia tsutsugamushi DNA in a trombiculid mite chigger species suggests that it might be a potential vector of scrub typhus in an endemic area. Over a period of 20 mo, 85 rats were trapped, 57 had chiggers that were identified by standard morphometric techniques. The chigger pools were assessed by performing PCR assays targeting fragments of the single-copy genes 56 kDa type-specific antigen gene (TSA56) by nested PCR and the 47 kDa (htrA) quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR). The novel traD SYBR green assay that detects a multicopy gene was also performed. In total, 27 chigger pools were positive by traD qPCR, of which only 7 were positive by 47 kDa qPCR and in 3 of these, 56 kDa gene was amplified by nested PCR. Orientia tsutsugamushi-specific DNA was detected in Ascoschoengastia spp., Schoengastiella ligula, Leptotrombidium rajasthanense, Leptotrombidium deliense, and Leptotrombidium jayawickremei chigger pools. Therefore, they could be potential vectors of scrub typhus in Southern India. The three 56 kDa sequences belonged to TA716 genotype and Kato genogroup. Further studies are needed to confirm these chigger species as scrub typhus vectors in Northern Tamil Nadu.
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Affiliation(s)
- John Antony Jude Prakash
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Christian Medical College, Ida Scudder Road, Vellore, Tamil Nadu 632004, India
| | - Kannan Kamarasu
- Institute of Vector Control and Zoonoses, 150 Titan Jewellery Road, SIPCOT Phase I, Hosur Tamil Nadu 635126, India
| | - P Philip Samuel
- ICMR-Vector Control Research Centre Field Station, 4, Sarojini St, Chinna Chokikulam, Madurai Tamil Nadu 625002, India
| | - Renu Govindarajan
- ICMR-Vector Control Research Centre Field Station, 4, Sarojini St, Chinna Chokikulam, Madurai Tamil Nadu 625002, India
| | - Punitha Govindasamy
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Christian Medical College, Ida Scudder Road, Vellore, Tamil Nadu 632004, India
| | - Liji Anna Johnson
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Christian Medical College, Ida Scudder Road, Vellore, Tamil Nadu 632004, India
| | - P Ramalingam
- Institute of Vector Control and Zoonoses, 150 Titan Jewellery Road, SIPCOT Phase I, Hosur Tamil Nadu 635126, India
| | - J Nirmalson
- Institute of Vector Control and Zoonoses, 150 Titan Jewellery Road, SIPCOT Phase I, Hosur Tamil Nadu 635126, India
| | - K C Seran
- Department of Community Medicine, Madras Medical College, Near Park Town Station, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600003, India
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Chung MH, Lee JS, Kang JS. Buerger’s Disease May be a Chronic Rickettsial Infection with Superimposed Thrombosis: Literature Review and Efficacy of Doxycycline in Three Patients. Infect Chemother 2022; 54:20-58. [PMID: 35384418 PMCID: PMC8987189 DOI: 10.3947/ic.2021.0146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2021] [Accepted: 02/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Buerger’s disease (BD) is a chronic inflammatory vasculitis of unknown etiology. The infectious etiology of BD was proposed by Buerger in 1914. Furthermore, there are scattered reports insisting that BD may be related to rickettsial infection, first asserted by Goodman since 1916, followed by Giroud and other French investigators from the 1940s through the 1960s, Nicolau in the 1960s, Bartolo (1980s), and Fazeli (2010s). However, their causal relationship has hardly been accepted because rickettsial infections are known to be acute febrile, vector-borne illnesses, whereas BD is a chronic afebrile illness. In this article we review the relevant literature on the chronic nature of Rickettsia and Orientia infections and on the rickettsial etiology of BD. Excellent initial responses to doxycycline in three patients with BD are briefly described. Based on these findings, we hypothesize that BD patients acquired a rickettsial infection far before the onset of BD. Over years, the infected area expands to become a segment of the infected vessel. Subsequently, thrombus develops on the luminal surface of the infected endothelial cells, which produces the vascular obstructive manifestations of BD. Collectively, it is postulated that BD is a chronic infection with a member of the family Rickettsiaceae with superimposed thrombosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moon-Hyun Chung
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Seogwipo Medical Center, Jeju, Korea
| | - Jin-Soo Lee
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine; Inha University, Incheon, Korea
| | - Jae-Seung Kang
- Department of Microbiology, Inha University, Incheon, Korea
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Lee IY, Lim JW, Seo JH, Kim HC, Lee KJ, Yong TS, Lee WJ, Yu JR, Sim S. Geographical Distribution and Epidemiologic Factors of Chigger Mites on Apodemus agrarius during Autumn in Korea. THE KOREAN JOURNAL OF PARASITOLOGY 2021; 59:473-479. [PMID: 34724766 PMCID: PMC8561048 DOI: 10.3347/kjp.2021.59.5.473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2021] [Accepted: 09/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
A nationwide survey of chigger mites causing scrub typhus and an investigation of epidemiologic factors for chigger mites was conducted at 16 localities in 8 provinces in Korea during autumn 2009, 2012, and 2013. A total of 233 Apodemus agrarius were captured, and all were infested with chigger mites. The chigger index was highest in Chungcheongbuk-do in 2009 (358.3) and 2012 (290.1) and Chungcheongnam-do in 2013 (294.4). The predominant chigger mite species was Leptotrombidium pallidum in the northern and central parts and L. scutellare in the southern and western parts, Korea. L. pallidum was not found in Jellanam-do and Gyeongsangnam-do and the distribution of L. scutellare had been expanded in the northern parts of Korea. The chigger index of L. pallidum was positively correlated with temperature and negatively correlated with humidity. The incidence of scrub typhus is dependent on L. scutellare index. These findings could be helpful to monitor the distribution of chigger mites and to develop a preventive measures for scrub typhus in Korea.
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Affiliation(s)
- In Yong Lee
- Department of Environmental Medical Biology and Institute of Tropical Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Korea
| | - Jae-Won Lim
- Biological Resources Research Department, National Institute of Biological Resources, Inchoen 22689, Korea
| | - Jang Hoon Seo
- Department of Biomedical Laboratory Science, Shinhan University, Uijeongbu 11644, Korea
| | - Heung Chul Kim
- 5th Medical Detachment, 168th Multifunctional Medical Battalion, 65th Medical Brigade, Unit 15247, APO 96205-5247, USA
| | - Ku Jae Lee
- Department of Environmental Medical Biology, Wonju Yonsei University College of Medicine, Wonju 26426, Korea
| | - Tai-Soon Yong
- Department of Environmental Medical Biology and Institute of Tropical Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Korea
| | - Won-Ja Lee
- Department of Environmental Medical Biology and Institute of Tropical Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Korea
| | - Jae-Ran Yu
- KU Open Innovation Center, Department of Environmental and Tropical Medicine, School of Medicine, Konkuk University, Chungju 27478, Korea
| | - Seobo Sim
- KU Open Innovation Center, Department of Environmental and Tropical Medicine, School of Medicine, Konkuk University, Chungju 27478, Korea
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Nationwide Incidence of Chigger Mite Populations and Molecular Detection of Orientia tsutsugamushi in the Republic of Korea, 2020. Microorganisms 2021; 9:microorganisms9081563. [PMID: 34442642 PMCID: PMC8400602 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9081563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2021] [Revised: 07/02/2021] [Accepted: 07/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency has established regional centers at 16 locations to monitor vectors and pathogens. We investigated the geographical and temporal distribution of chigger mite populations to understand tsutsugamushi disease epidemiology in 2020. To monitor weekly chigger mite populations, 3637 chigger mites were collected from sticky chigger mite traps in autumn. Chigger mites appeared from the first week of October to the third week of December, peaking in the fourth week of October. The predominant species were Leptotrombidium scutellare, Leptotrombidium palpale, Neotrombicula kwangneungensis, Neotrombicula tamiyai, and Leptotrombidium pallidum. To monitor Orientia tsutsugamushi infection in chigger mites, 50,153 chigger mites were collected from 499 trapped wild rodents in spring and autumn, with a chigger index of 100.5. Approximately 50% of chigger mites were pooled into 998 pools, and the minimum infection rate (MIR) of O. tsutsugamushi was 0.1%. Jeongeup had the highest MIR for O. tsutsugamushi (0.7%). The Kato-related genotype was the most common (52.2%), followed by the Karp-related (17.4%), Boryong (13.0%), JG-related (8.7%), Shimokoshi (4.3%), and Kawasaki (4.3%) genotypes. Ecological and geographical studies focusing on the basic ecology and pathology of mites will improve our understanding of tsutsugamushi disease risks in the Republic of Korea.
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