scholarly journals Molecular Detection and Genetic Identification of Rickettsia Infection in Ixodes granulatus Ticks, an Incriminated Vector for Geographical Transmission in Taiwan

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 1309
Author(s):  
Chien-Ming Shih ◽  
Pei-Wen Yang ◽  
Li-Lian Chao
Keyword(s):  
Infection Rate ◽  
Citrate Synthase ◽  
Phylogenetic Analyses ◽  
Spotted Fever ◽  
Genetic Identification ◽  
Potential Threat ◽  
Rickettsia Species ◽  
Zoonotic Infections ◽  
Glta Gene ◽  
Ixodes Granulatus

Tick-borne Rickettsia pathogens have become an emerging source of zoonotic infections and have a major impact on human health worldwide. In this study, the prevalence and genetic identity of Rickettsia infections in Ixodes granulatus ticks was firstly determined in Kinmen Island of Taiwan. A total of 247 I. granulatus ticks were examined for Rickettsia infection by nested-PCR assay targeting the citrate synthase (gltA) gene of Rickettsia. The Rickettsia infection was detected with a general infection rate of 4.86%, and was detected in nymph, male and female stages with an infection rate of 3.81%, 0% and 6.84%, respectively. Phylogenetic relationships were analyzed by comparing the gltA sequences obtained from four Taiwan strains and 19 other strains representing 13 genospecies of Rickettsia. Phylogenetic analyses reveal that all Taiwan strains were genetically affiliated to the genospecies of spotted fever (R. parkeri) and transitional (R. felis) groups of Rickettsia. Our findings reveal the first detection of R. parkeri-like and R. felis in I. granulatus ticks from Kinmen Island. As a tourist island between Taiwan and mainland China, these results demonstrate the epidemiological significance of diverse Rickettsia species existed in I. granulatus ticks and highlight the potential threat of geographical transmission among humans in the Taiwan area.

scholarly journals Molecular surveillance of spotted fever group rickettsioses in wildlife and detection of Rickettsia sibirica in a Topi (Damaliscus lunatus ssp. jimela) in Kenya

2017 ◽  
Vol 84 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
David Ndeereh ◽  
Andrew Thaiyah ◽  
Gerald Muchemi ◽  
Antoinette A. Miyunga
Keyword(s):  
Citrate Synthase ◽  
Spotted Fever ◽  
Intergenic Spacer ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Spotted Fever Group ◽  
Wild Animals ◽  
Rickettsia Species ◽  
Glta Gene ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Rickettsia Sibirica

Spotted fever group rickettsioses are a group of tick-borne zoonotic diseases caused by intracellular bacteria of the genus Rickettsia. The diseases are widely reported amongst international travellers returning from most sub-Saharan Africa with fever, yet their importance in local populations largely remains unknown. Although this has started to change and recently there have been increasing reports of the diseases in livestock, ticks and humans in Kenya, they have not been investigated in wildlife. We examined the presence, prevalence and species of Rickettsia present in wildlife in two regions of Kenya with a unique human–wildlife–livestock interface. For this purpose, 79 wild animals in Laikipia County and 73 in Maasai Mara National Reserve were sampled. DNA extracted from blood was tested using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to amplify the intergenic spacer rpmE-tRNAfMet and the citrate synthase-encoding gene gltA. Rickettsial DNA was detected in 2 of the 79 (2.5%) animals in Laikipia and 4 of the 73 (5.5%) in Maasai Mara. The PCR-positive amplicons of the gltA gene were sequenced to determine the detected Rickettsia species. This revealed Rickettsia sibirica in a Topi (Damaliscus lunatus ssp. jimela). This is the first report of spotted fever group rickettsioses in wildlife and the first to report R. sibirica in Kenya. The finding demonstrates the potential role of wild animals in the circulation of the diseases.

scholarly journals RECENT STUDIES OF TICK-BORNE INFECTIONS IN MONGOLIA

2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 152-154
Author(s):  
D. Anu ◽  
H. Sung-Hee ◽  
L. Sang-Eun ◽  
L. Won-Ja ◽  
D. Abmed ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
16S Rrna ◽  
Dna Sequencing ◽  
Infection Rate ◽  
18S Rrna ◽  
Gene Sequencing ◽  
Babesia Microti ◽  
Rrna Gene ◽  
Ixodes Persulcatus ◽  
Rickettsia Species ◽  
Glta Gene

We have aimed to detect both Rickettsiae species and Babesia microti in adult ticks of Dermacentor nutalli in Tuv province; and  looked for only Rickettsiae species in Ixodes persulcatus in Selenge  province. Using the PCR and DNA sequencing techniques, we  amplified and sequenced the 16S rRNA, gltA, rOmpA genes of  Rickettsia and 18S rRNA gene of B. microti and Rickettsia species  were identified. Infection rate for Rickettsiae spp. was 82.7 %  (115/139 samples) by 16S rRNA sequencing results and among  them the highest prevalence rate was that for R. raoultii strain –  71.4 % (80/111 samples) by gltA gene sequencing and 100 %  (81/81 samples) by rOmpA gene sequencing. Canditatus Rickettsia tarasevichiae strain was detected in 27.9 % (31/11  samples) by gltA gene sequencing. Infection rate for Rickettsiae spp. in D. nutalli ticks was 84.3 % (81/96 samples) and R. raoultii  strain comprised 96.2–98.7 % among them. Adult ticks of I.  persulcatus were infected with Rickettsiae spp. with 78 % and 93.75  % of them were R. raoultii strain. Seventeen out of 97 ticks (17.5  %) were found to be infected with B. microti. Nucleotide DNA  sequencing of partial 18S rRNA and gltA genes supported the PCR  results. We have identified that the same species of ticks commonly  distributed in Mongolia have been infected with R. sibirica, R. raoultii  and B. microti. It might be the strength of our study as B.  microti have not been detected in D. nuttalli ticks yet. We are  considering to detect the tick-borne infections in humans.

scholarly journals Study of infection by Rickettsiae of the spotted fever group in humans and ticks in an urban park located in the City of Londrina, State of Paraná, Brazil

2011 ◽  
Vol 44 (3) ◽  
pp. 313-317 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roberta Santos Toledo ◽  
Katia Tamekuni ◽  
Mauro de Freitas Silva Filho ◽  
Valeska Bender Haydu ◽  
Richard Campos Pacheco ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Citrate Synthase ◽  
Spotted Fever ◽  
Immunofluorescence Assay ◽  
Etiologic Agent ◽  
Spotted Fever Group ◽  
Rickettsia Species ◽  
Rickettsia Rickettsii ◽  
Serological Studies ◽  
Human Sera ◽  
Brazilian Spotted Fever

INTRODUCTION: Spotted fevers are emerging zoonoses caused by Rickettsia species in the spotted fever group (SFG). Rickettsia rickettsii is the main etiologic agent of Brazilian spotted fever (BSF) and it is transmitted by Amblyomma spp. ticks. METHODS: The study aimed to investigate SFG rickettsiae in the Arthur Thomas Municipal Park in Londrina, PR, by collecting free-living ticks and ticks from capybaras and blood samples from personnel working in these areas. Samples from A. dubitatum and A. cajennense were submitted for PCR in pools to analyze the Rickettsia spp. gltA (citrate synthase gene). RESULTS: All the pools analyzed were negative. Human sera were tested by indirect immunofluorescence assay with R. rickettsii and R. parkeri as antigens. Among the 34 sera analyzed, seven (20.6%) were reactive for R. rickettsii: four of these had endpoint titers equal to 64, 2 titers were 128 and 1 titer was 256. None of the samples were reactive for R. parkeri. An epidemiological questionnaire was applied to the park staff, but no statistically significant associations were identified. CONCLUSIONS: The serological studies suggest the presence of Rickettsiae related to SFG that could be infecting the human population studied; however, analysis of the ticks collected was unable to determine which species may be involved in transmission to humans.

scholarly journals One Health Approach to Rickettsiosis: A Five-Year Study on Spotted Fever Group Rickettsiae in Ticks Collected from Humans, Animals and Environment

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 35
Author(s):  
Ilaria Pascucci ◽  
Elisa Antognini ◽  
Cristina Canonico ◽  
Marco Giuseppe Montalbano ◽  
Alessandro Necci ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spotted Fever ◽  
Rhipicephalus Sanguineus ◽  
Geographic Area ◽  
Molecular Diagnostic ◽  
Spotted Fever Group ◽  
Rickettsia Species ◽  
Glta Gene ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Pcr Products ◽  
Sfg Rickettsia

The spotted fever group of Rickettsiae is a heterogeneous group of Rickettsiae transmitted by ticks, causing similar diseases in humans (spotted fever). Until recently, it was supposed that a single pathogenic tick-borne SFG Rickettsia circulated in each different geographic area and that R. conorii subsp. conorii was the SFG Rickettsiae circulating in Italy, but in the last decade, thanks to molecular diagnostic, several different Rickettsia species, previously not considered pathogenic for decades, have been isolated from ticks and definitively associated to human disease, also in Italy. The present survey was carried out with the aim of investigating the presence of different SFG Rickettsia species in a geographic area where no information was available. Ticks collected from animals submitted to necropsy, removed from humans in local hospitals and collected from the environment were identified and tested by PCR for Rickettsia spp. based on the gltA gene, and positive PCR products were sequenced. A total of 3286 ticks were collected. Fifteen tick species were recognized, the most represented (79.52%) species in the collection was Ixodes ricinus, followed by Rhipicephalus sanguineus (9.13%). The overall prevalence of Rickettsia infection was 7.58%. Eight species of Rickettsia were identified, the most frequent was R. monacensis (56%), followed by R. helvetica (25.50%). Noteworthy, is the detection in the present study of Rrhipicephali, detected only twice in Italy. These are the first data available on SFG Rickettsiae circulation in the study area and they can be considered as starting point to assess the possible risk for humans.

First Molecular Detection of Human Pathogen Rickettsia Raoultii in Ticks from Republic of Korea

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Misbah Tariq ◽  
Jun-Won Seo ◽  
Da Young Kim ◽  
Na Ra Yun ◽  
You Mi Lee ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dna Sequences ◽  
Citrate Synthase ◽  
Phylogenetic Analyses ◽  
Spotted Fever ◽  
Republic Of Korea ◽  
Spotted Fever Group ◽  
Sequencing Data ◽  
Chain Reactions ◽  
Rickettsia Raoultii ◽  
Tick Vectors

Abstract Background: Rickettsial diseases, associated with the spotted fever group (SFG), constitute a growing number of newly identified rickettsia pathogens and their tick vectors, in various parts of the world. At least 15 distinct tick species owing to six genera have shown the presence of Rickettsia raoultii. Here, we report the detection of R. raoultii in ticks from the Republic of Korea (ROK).Methods: A total of 35 ticks, collected from patients of tick bites in Gwangju Metropolitan City, Jeollanam Province, ROK. The ticks were were identified through their molecular, morphological, and taxonomic characteristics. All samples were screened by nested polymerase chain reactions of their outer membrane protein (ompA) and citrate synthase (gltA) genes. The amplified products were sequenced and their phylogenetic analyses were carried out.Results: Sequencing data showed that the DNA sequences of R. raoultii found in the three H. longicornis ticks. All 3 tick samples were 99.4-100% analogous to the previously reported partial sequences of ompA of R. raoultii strains CP019435 and MF002523, forming a single clade with the reference strains.Conclusions: Present study provides the first description and molecular identification of R. raoultii detected in H. longicornis ticks in ROK. This observation extends the geographical distribution of R. raoultii. Screening of human samples for this pathogen will provide information about the prevalence of rickettsial infection in this region.

scholarly journals First report of the molecular detection of human pathogen Rickettsia raoultii in ticks from the Republic of Korea

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Misbah Tariq ◽  
Jun-Won Seo ◽  
Da Young Kim ◽  
Merlin Jayalal Lawrence Panchali ◽  
Na Ra Yun ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dna Sequences ◽  
Citrate Synthase ◽  
Phylogenetic Analyses ◽  
Spotted Fever ◽  
Republic Of Korea ◽  
Spotted Fever Group ◽  
Haemaphysalis Longicornis ◽  
Rickettsia Raoultii ◽  
Rickettsial Infections ◽  
The Republic

Abstract Background Rickettsial diseases associated with the spotted fever group constitute a growing number of newly identified Rickettsia pathogens and their tick vectors in various parts of the world. At least 15 distinct tick species belonging to six genera have shown the presence of Rickettsia raoultii. Herein, we report the detection of R. raoultii in ticks from the Republic of Korea (ROK). Methods Thirty-five ticks were collected from 29 patients with tick bites in Gwangju Metropolitan City, Jeollanam Province, ROK. The ticks were identified using molecular, morphological, and taxonomic characteristics. All samples were screened for presence of Rickettsia species using nested polymerase chain reactions of their outer membrane protein (ompA) and citrate synthase (gltA) genes. The amplified products were sequenced for subsequent phylogenetic analyses. Results Sequencing data showed the DNA sequences of R. raoultii in three Haemaphysalis longicornis ticks. All three tick samples were 99.4–100% similar to previously reported partial sequences of ompA of R. raoultii strains CP019435 and MF002523, which formed a single clade with the reference strains. Conclusions We provide the first description and molecular identification of R. raoultii detected in H. longicornis ticks in the ROK. This observation extends the geographical distribution of R. raoultii. Screening of human samples for this pathogen will provide information about the prevalence of rickettsial infections in this region.

scholarly journals Amplicon-Based Next Generation Sequencing for Rapid Identification of Rickettsia and Ectoparasite Species from Entomological Surveillance in Thailand

Pathogens ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 215
Author(s):  
Suwanna Chaorattanakawee ◽  
Achareeya Korkusol ◽  
Bousaraporn Tippayachai ◽  
Sommai Promsathaporn ◽  
Betty K. Poole-Smith ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Next Generation Sequencing ◽  
Citrate Synthase ◽  
Spotted Fever ◽  
Domestic Animals ◽  
Spotted Fever Group ◽  
Next Generation ◽  
Entomological Surveillance ◽  
Rickettsia Species ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Generation Sequencing

Background: Next generation sequencing (NGS) technology has been used for a wide range of epidemiological and surveillance studies. Here, we used amplicon-based NGS to species identify Rickettsia and their arthropod hosts from entomological surveillance. Methods: During 2015–2016, we screened 1825 samples of rodents and ectoparasites collected from rodents and domestic mammals (dog, cat, and cattle) across Thailand for Rickettsia. The citrate synthase gene was amplified to identify Rickettsia to species, while the Cytochrome Oxidase subunit I (COI) and subunit II (COII) genes were used as target genes for ectoparasite identification. All target gene amplicons were pooled for library preparation and sequenced with Illumina MiSeq platform. Result: The highest percentage of Rickettsia DNA was observed in fleas collected from domestic animals (56%) predominantly dogs. Only a few samples of ticks from domestic animals, rodent fleas, and rodent tissue were positive for Rickettisia DNA. NGS based characterization of Rickettsia by host identified Rickettsia asembonensis as the most common bacteria in positive fleas collected from dogs (83.2%) while “Candidatus Rickettsia senegalensis” was detected in only 16.8% of Rickettsia positive dog fleas. Sequence analysis of COI and COII revealed that almost all fleas collected from dogs were Ctenocephalides felis orientis. Other Rickettsia species were detected by NGS including Rickettsia heilongjiangensis from two Haemaphysalis hystricis ticks, and Rickettsia typhi in two rodent tissue samples. Conclusion: This study demonstrates the utility of NGS for high-throughput sequencing in the species characterization/identification of bacteria and ectoparasite for entomological surveillance of rickettsiae. A high percentage of C. f. orientis are positive for R. asembonensis. In addition, our findings indicate there is a risk of tick-borne Spotted Fever Group rickettsiosis, and flea-borne murine typhus transmission in Tak and Phangnga provinces of Thailand.

scholarly journals A Novel Rickettsia Species Detected in Vole Ticks (Ixodes angustus) from Western Canada

2013 ◽  
Vol 79 (24) ◽  
pp. 7583-7589 ◽  
Author(s):  
Clare A. Anstead ◽  
Neil B. Chilton
Keyword(s):  
Dna Sequences ◽  
Genomic Dna ◽  
Sequence Data ◽  
Phylogenetic Analyses ◽  
Spotted Fever ◽  
Ixodid Ticks ◽  
Western Canada ◽  
Rickettsia Species ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Putative Species

ABSTRACTThe genomic DNA of ixodid ticks from western Canada was tested by PCR for the presence ofRickettsia. No rickettsiae were detected inIxodes sculptus, whereas 18% of theI. angustusand 42% of theDermacentor andersoniorganisms examined were PCR positive forRickettsia. The rickettsiae from each tick species were characterized genetically using multiple genes. Rickettsiae within theD. andersoniorganisms had sequences at four genes that matched those ofR. peacockii. In contrast, theRickettsiapresent within the larvae, nymphs, and adults ofI. angustushad novel DNA sequences at four of the genes characterized compared to the sequences available from GenBank for all recognized species ofRickettsiaand all other putative species within the genus. Phylogenetic analyses of the sequence data revealed that the rickettsiae inI. angustusdo not belong to the spotted fever, transitional, or typhus groups of rickettsiae but are most closely related to “CandidatusRickettsia kingi” and belong to a clade that also includesR. canadensis, “CandidatusRickettsia tarasevichiae,” and “CandidatusRickettsia monteiroi.”

scholarly journals Zoonotic Rickettsia Species in Small Ruminant Ticks From Tunisia

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hanène Belkahia ◽  
Rachid Selmi ◽  
Sayed Zamiti ◽  
Monia Daaloul-Jedidi ◽  
Lilia Messadi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Small Ruminant ◽  
Citrate Synthase ◽  
Spotted Fever ◽  
Protein A ◽  
Rhipicephalus Sanguineus ◽  
Spotted Fever Group ◽  
Rickettsia Species ◽  
Rickettsia Monacensis ◽  
Significant Public Health ◽  
Pcr Targeting

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.

scholarly journals Identification and Molecular Analysis of Ixodid Ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) Infesting Domestic Animals and Tick-Borne Pathogens at the Tarim Basin of Southern Xinjiang, China

2020 ◽  
Vol 58 (1) ◽  
pp. 37-46
Author(s):  
Li Zhao ◽  
Jizhou Lv ◽  
Fei Li ◽  
Kairui Li ◽  
Bo He ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tarim Basin ◽  
Dna Sequences ◽  
Phylogenetic Analyses ◽  
Spotted Fever ◽  
Domestic Animals ◽  
Ixodid Ticks ◽  
12S Rrna ◽  
Spotted Fever Group ◽  
Potential Threat ◽  
Xinjiang Autonomous Region

Livestock husbandry is vital to economy of the Tarim Basin, Xinjiang Autonomous Region, China. However, there have been few surveys of the distribution of ixodid ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) and tick-borne pathogens affecting domestic animals at these locations. In this study, 3,916 adult ixodid ticks infesting domestic animals were collected from 23 sampling sites during 2012-2016. Ticks were identified to species based on morphology, and the identification was confirmed based on mitochondrial 16S and 12S rRNA sequences. Ten tick species belonging to 4 genera were identified, including <i>Rhipicephalus turanicus</i>, <i>Hyalomma anatolicum</i>, <i>Rh. bursa</i>, <i>H. asiaticum asiaticum</i>, and <i>Rh. sanguineus</i>. DNA sequences of <i>Rickettsia</i> spp. (spotted fever group) and <i>Anaplasma</i> spp. were detected in these ticks. Phylogenetic analyses revealed possible existence of undescribed <i>Babesia</i> spp. and <i>Borrelia</i> spp. This study illustrates potential threat to domestic animals and humans from tick-borne pathogens.

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