scholarly journals Nationwide Temporal and Geographical Distribution of Tick Populations and Phylogenetic Analysis of Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome Virus in Ticks in Korea, 2020

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (8) ◽  
pp. 1630
Author(s):  
Min-Goo Seo ◽  
Byung-Eon Noh ◽  
Hak Seon Lee ◽  
Tae-Kyu Kim ◽  
Bong-Goo Song ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tick Species ◽  
Temporal Distribution ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Haemaphysalis Longicornis ◽  
Geographical Regions ◽  
Control And Prevention ◽  
Amblyomma Testudinarium ◽  
High Degree ◽  
Severe Fever ◽  
Minimum Infection Rate

Since 2010, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency has established centers at 16 locations to monitor disease vectors and pathogens. Here, we examined tick populations to understand the geographical and temporal distribution of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus (SFTSV) vectors in 2020. From April to November, 63,376 ticks were collected from traps to monitor tick populations, with a trap index of 41.3. Tick incidence varied from April to October, with population peaks observed for nymphs in May, adults in July, and larvae in September. The predominant tick species were Haemaphysalis longicornis, Haemaphysalis spp., H. flava, Ixodes spp., Amblyomma testudinarium, and Ixodes nipponensis. Approximately 50% of the collected ticks were pooled into 2973 groups to detect the rate of SFTSV infection in ticks. The minimum infection rate (MIR) of SFTSV was 0.2%, and Andong had the highest MIR for SFTSV (4.0%). The B3 genotype was the most prevalent (52.2%) followed by B2 (28.6%), B5 (15.9%), B4 (1.6%), and B6 (1.6%). We identified widely distributed tick species and a high degree of diversity in SFTSV strains in ticks from different geographical regions. The results may provide a basis for future epidemiological studies and risk assessments for tick-borne diseases.

scholarly journals Classification of Tick Species and Detection of Tick-borne Pathogens in Yanbian, China

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jixu Li ◽  
Shuang Zhang ◽  
Wanfeng Liang ◽  
Shaowei Zhao ◽  
Hao Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Polymerase Chain Reaction ◽  
North Korea ◽  
Tick Species ◽  
Spotted Fever ◽  
Ixodes Persulcatus ◽  
Spotted Fever Group ◽  
Haemaphysalis Longicornis ◽  
Chain Reaction ◽  
Polymerase Chain ◽  
Severe Fever

Abstract BackgroundYanbian is located at the junction between China, Russia, and North Korea. We aimed to determine the species distribution and pathogens carried by ticks in Yanbian.MethodsA total of 2673 unattached ticks were collected from eight counties and cities in Yanbian and classified morphologically. Candidatus Rickettsia tarasevichiae (CRT), spotted fever group Rickettsia (SFGR), severe fever thrombocytopenia syndrome virus (SFTSV), Theileria, and other pathogens were detected using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction followed by phylogenetic and genotypic analyses.ResultsAccording to the morphological classification, the main tick species in Yanbian were Haemaphysalis longicornis, Ixodes persulcatus, Dermacentor silvarum, Haemaphysalis japonica, and Haemaphysalis concinna. Candidatus Rickettsia tarasevichiae, spotted fever group Rickettsia, severe fever thrombocytopenia syndrome virus, and Theileria orientalis were detected in H. longicornis, Candidatus Rickettsia tarasevichiae, spotted fever group Rickettsia, and severe fever thrombocytopenia syndrome virus were detected in I. persulcatus, H. japonica, and D. silvarum, but only severe fever thrombocytopenia syndrome virus was detected in H. concinna. Mixed infection with Candidatus Rickettsia tarasevichiae and severe fever thrombocytopenia syndrome virus was found in I. persulcatus and H. japonica. The gene sequences of all tested pathogens exhibited 95.7%–100% homology with sequences registered in GenBank. Phylogenetic analysis showed that different spotted fever group Rickettsia and severe fever thrombocytopenia syndrome virus genotypes were closely related to the Korean strains. We provide the first evidence for the presence of the spotted fever group Rickettsia genotypes of Candidatus Rickettsia longicornii, ompA, ompB, sca4, and rrs, in Haemaphysalis longicornis in Yanbian. ConclusionsThese results provide epidemiological data to support the prevention and control of ticks and tick-borne diseases in the border areas of China, North Korea, and Russia.

scholarly journals Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome: the disease, caused by the novel phlebovirus

2017 ◽  
Vol 62 (2) ◽  
pp. 60-65
Author(s):  
T. E. Sizikova ◽  
V. N. Lebedev ◽  
V. B. Pantukhov ◽  
S. V. Borisevich
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Symptoms ◽  
Gastrointestinal Symptoms ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Domestic Animals ◽  
Human Infection ◽  
Haemaphysalis Longicornis ◽  
Bleeding Tendency ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Bunyaviridae Family ◽  
Severe Fever

Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) is an emerging infectious disease caused by a new virus (SFTS virus) reported to be endemic to central and northeastern parts of China. SFTS virus, which is classified into the genus Phlebovirus (the Bunyaviridae family), is suspected to be a tick-borne virus owing to evidence in two species of ticks: Haemaphysalis longicornis and Rhipicephalus microplus. SFTS virus is detected among many species of domestic animals in China. The clinical symptoms of SFTS include fever, thrombocytopenia, leucocytopenia, gastrointestinal symptoms, neural symptoms, bleeding tendency. The fatality rate of SFTS is 6-30%. Person-to-person transmission of SFTS virus is possible through blood contact. Clinical and epidemiological studies of SFTS, the cases of SFTS outside China, person-to-person transmission of SFTS virus, evolutionary and molecular analysis of the emergent SFTS virus, and risk assessment of human infection with a novel phlebovirus are considered in this review.

scholarly journals Geographic Discrimination of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis Strains by Randomly Amplified Polymorphic DNA Analysis

1998 ◽  
Vol 36 (6) ◽  
pp. 1733-1736 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana María Calcagno ◽  
Gustavo Niño-Vega ◽  
Felipe San-Blas ◽  
Gioconda San-Blas
Keyword(s):  
Dna Analysis ◽  
Paracoccidioides Brasiliensis ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Randomly Amplified Polymorphic Dna ◽  
Group V ◽  
Group Iii ◽  
Group I ◽  
Geographical Regions ◽  
High Degree ◽  
Discriminatory Index

Randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis of 33Paracoccidioides brasiliensis strains from Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Peru, and Venezuela produced reproducible amplification products which were sufficiently polymorphic to allow differentiation of the strains. Types generated with five primers (OPG 03, OPG 05, OPG 14, OPG 16, and OPG 18) resulted in a high discriminatory index (0.956). The discriminatory index was slightly reduced (0.940) when only two primers (OPG 3 and OPG 14) were used. A dendrogram based on these results showed a high degree of similarity among the strains, and genetic differences were expressed in clusters related to geographical regions but not to pathological features of the disease. With a few exceptions, strains were sorted into five groups by geographical origin as follows: group I, Venezuelan strains; group II, Brazilian strains; group III, Peruvian strains; group IV, Colombian strains; and group V, Argentinian strains. The group containing the most disparate strains was group V (discriminatory index, 0.633); the discriminatory index for the other four groups was 0.824. The use of primer OPG 18 by itself was sufficient to discriminate species specificity, and the use of primer OPG 14 by itself was sufficient to discriminate among the geographical locations of the strains in the sample. This method may be helpful for epidemiological studies ofP. brasiliensis.

scholarly journals Clinical Update of Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome

Viruses ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (7) ◽  
pp. 1213
Author(s):  
Jun-Won Seo ◽  
Dayoung Kim ◽  
Nara Yun ◽  
Dong-Min Kim
Keyword(s):  
Antiviral Agents ◽  
Clinical Manifestations ◽  
Gastrointestinal Symptoms ◽  
Febrile Illness ◽  
Laboratory Diagnosis ◽  
Multiple Organ ◽  
Haemaphysalis Longicornis ◽  
Number Of Patients ◽  
Amblyomma Testudinarium ◽  
Severe Fever

Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) is an acute febrile illness characterized by fever, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, and gastrointestinal symptoms such as diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting resulting from infection with the SFTS virus (SFTSV). The SFTSV is transmitted to humans by tick bites, primarily from Haemaphysalis longicornis, Amblyomma testudinarium, Ixodes nipponensis, and Rhipicephalus microplus. Human-to-human transmission has also been reported. Since the first report of an SFTS patient in China, the number of patients has also been increasing. The mortality rate of patients with SFTS remains high because the disease can quickly lead to death through multiple organ failure. In particular, an average fatality rate of approximately 20% has been reported for SFTS patients, and no treatment strategy has been established. Therefore, effective antiviral agents and vaccines are required. Here, we aim to review the epidemiology, clinical manifestations, laboratory diagnosis, and various specific treatments (i.e., antiviral agents, steroids, intravenous immunoglobulin, and plasma exchange) that have been tested to help to cope with the disease.

scholarly journals A New Variant among Newcastle Disease Viruses Isolated in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in 2018 and 2019

Viruses ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 151
Author(s):  
Augustin T. Twabela ◽  
Lam Thanh Nguyen ◽  
Justin Masumu ◽  
Patrick Mpoyo ◽  
Serge Mpiana ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Newcastle Disease ◽  
Democratic Republic ◽  
Control Strategies ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Comprehensive Knowledge ◽  
Current Vaccine ◽  
New Variant ◽  
Control And Prevention ◽  
Republic Of The Congo

Newcastle disease (ND) is a highly transmissible and devastating disease that affects poultry and wild birds worldwide. Comprehensive knowledge regarding the characteristics and epidemiological factors of the ND virus (NDV) is critical for the control and prevention of ND. Effective vaccinations can prevent and control the spread of the NDV in poultry populations. For decades, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has reported the impacts of ND on commercial and traditional poultry farming systems. The reports were preliminary clinical observations, and few cases were confirmed in the laboratory. However, data on the phylogenetic, genetic, and virological characteristics of NDVs circulating in the DRC are not available. In this study, the whole-genome sequences of three NDV isolates obtained using the next-generation sequencing method revealed two isolates that were a new variant of NDV, and one isolate that was clustered in the subgenotype VII.2. All DRC isolates were velogenic and were antigenically closely related to the vaccine strains. Our findings reveal that despite the circulation of the new variant, ND can be controlled in the DRC using the current vaccine. However, epidemiological studies should be conducted to elucidate the endemicity of the disease so that better control strategies can be implemented.

First Hemispheric Report of Invasive Tick Species Haemaphysalis Punctata Canestrini Et Fanzago, 1878, First State Report of Haemaphysalis Longicornis Neumann, and Range Expansion of Native Tick Species in Rhode Island, USA

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Danielle M Tufts ◽  
Maria A Diuk-Wasser
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Rhode Island ◽  
Range Expansion ◽  
Tick Species ◽  
The United States ◽  
Western Hemisphere ◽  
Avian Host ◽  
Haemaphysalis Longicornis ◽  
New Locations ◽  
Block Island

Abstract Invasive arthropod vectors and the range expansions of native vectors can lead to public and veterinary health concerns, as these vectors may introduce novel pathogens or spread endemic pathogens to new locations. Recent tick invasions and range expansion in the United States has been attributed to climate and land use change, an increase in global travel, and importations of exotic animals. A 10 year surveillance study was conducted on Block Island, Rhode Island from 2010–2020 including sampling ticks from small mammal and avian hosts. We report the discovery and establishment of the red sheep tick for the first time in the western hemisphere and in the United States. This invasive species was first collected in 2010 on Block Island, was collected continuously throughout the study, and was collected from an avian host. We document the first report of the invasive Asian longhorned tick in the state of Rhode Island, first observed at our sites in 2018. Finally, we present data on the range expansion and establishment of two native tick species, the lone star tick and the rabbit tick on Block Island. This study emphasized the importance of long-term surveillance to detect changes in tick host communities, including invasive and expanding native vectors of potential significance to humans and wildlife.

Molecular analyses of conjugative, gentamicin-resistance plasmids from staphylococcal clinical isolates

1988 ◽  
Vol 34 (9) ◽  
pp. 1050-1057 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ioannis Zorbas ◽  
Robert T. Hall ◽  
Sue L. Hall ◽  
William G. Barnes ◽  
Marvin Rogolsky
Keyword(s):  
Restriction Endonuclease ◽  
Clinical Isolates ◽  
Genetic Determinants ◽  
Conjugative Plasmids ◽  
Molecular Weights ◽  
Geographical Regions ◽  
Gentamicin Resistance ◽  
Ecori Restriction ◽  
High Degree ◽  
Endonuclease Digestion

Gentamicin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis strains which were isolated from infants with staphylococcal bacteremia were analyzed for the presence of self-transmissible gentamicin-resistance (Gmr) plasmids. Conjugative GMr plasmids of approximately 43.8–63 kilobases (kb) were found in all S. aureus strains. Inter- and intra-species transfer of Gmr plasmids by conjugation was observed from S. aureus to S. aureus and to S. epidermidis recipient strains. However, neither inter- nor intra-species transfer of gentamicin resistance by conjugation was observed with nine out of nine S. epidermidis donor strains which were mated with either S. epidermidis or S. aureus recipient strains. These conjugative Gmr plasmids were unable to comobilize a smaller (15-kb) plasmid present in all but two S. aureus clinical isolates. Many of the conjugative Gmr plasmids also carried genetic determinants for kanamycin, tobramycin, neomycin, and ethidium bromide resistance, and for β-lactamase synthesis. EcoRI restriction endonuclease digests of the S. aureus Gmr conjugative plasmids revealed three different digestion patterns. Four EcoRI restriction endonuclease digestion fragments of 15, 11.4, 6.3, and 4.6 kb in size were common to all plasmids. These plasmids and conjugative Gmr staphylococcal plasmids from other geographical regions shared restriction digestion fragments of similar molecular weights. DNA hybridization with biotinylated S. aureus plasmid pIZ7814 DNA revealed a high degree of homology among these plasmids. A 50.9-kb plasmid from one of the nonconjugative S. epidermidis clinical isolates showed homology with the probe DNA but lacked a portion of a 6.3-kb fragment which was present in all conjugative plasmids and believed to carry much genetic information for conjugation.

scholarly journals Molecular characterization of Anaplasma phagocytophilum infection in the cervids and feeding ticks from Lithuania

Biologija ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 66 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jana Radzijevskaja ◽  
Justina Snegiriovaitė ◽  
Artūras Kibiša ◽  
Irma Ražanskė ◽  
Algimantas Paulauskas
Keyword(s):  
Sequence Analysis ◽  
Anaplasma Phagocytophilum ◽  
Red Deer ◽  
Roe Deer ◽  
Bacterial Pathogen ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Msp4 Gene ◽  
Ixodes Ticks ◽  
High Degree ◽  
Sequence Types

Anaplasma phagocytophilum is a bacterial pathogen, which is a major cause of zoonotic disease, anaplasmosis. The main vectors of A. phagocytophilum are ticks of the Ixodes ricinus complex. A. phagocytophilum has a broad geographic distribution and a high degree of biological and clinical diversity. Epidemiological studies in multiple countries have shown that the prevalence of A. phagocytophilum highly depends on the density of ticks and their potential hosts such as the cervids, which are one of the main sources of nutrition for Ixodes ticks. In Lithuania, the cervids are important game animals but their contribution as reservoirs for A. phagocytophilum remains unknown. The objectives of the study were to investigate the prevalence of A. phagocytophilum infections in the cervids and feeding ticks and to characterize the A. phagocytophilum strains obtained from the cervids and ticks based on sequence analysis of msp4 gene. A total of 187 ticks were collected from 44 cervids (roe deer, red deer, and moose) harvested by professional hunters during the hunting seasons of 2010–2013 and 2016–2017 in Lithuania. Blood and spleen samples were collected from 29 animals (27 roe deer and two red deer). A. phagocytophilum DNA was identified in ten (37.04%) of the 27 roe deer. The overall prevalence of A. phagocytophilum in I. ricinus and D. reticulatus ticks was 39.3% (70/178) and 22.2% (2/9) respectively. The sequence analysis of the msp4 gene of A. phagocytophilum revealed nine different sequence types: five msp4 sequence types were detected in ticks and seven in roe deer.

scholarly journals An assessment of mosquito collection techniques for xenomonitoring of anopheline-transmitted Lymphatic Filariasis in Ghana

Parasitology ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 145 (13) ◽  
pp. 1783-1791 ◽  
Author(s):  
Millicent Opoku ◽  
Corrado Minetti ◽  
Worlasi D. Kartey-Attipoe ◽  
Sampson Otoo ◽  
Joseph Otchere ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lymphatic Filariasis ◽  
Close Contact ◽  
Wuchereria Bancrofti ◽  
Northern Region ◽  
Trapping Efficiency ◽  
Mosquito Collection ◽  
Control And Prevention ◽  
Specific Species ◽  
High Degree ◽  
Collection Methods

AbstractMonitoring vectors is relevant to ascertain transmission of lymphatic filariasis (LF). This may require the best sampling method that can capture high numbers of specific species to give indication of transmission. Gravid anophelines are good indicators for assessing transmission due to close contact with humans through blood meals. This study compared the efficiency of an Anopheles gravid trap (AGT) with other mosquito collection methods including the box and the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention gravid, light, exit and BioGent-sentinel traps, indoor resting collection (IRC) and pyrethrum spray catches across two endemic regions of Ghana. The AGT showed high trapping efficiency by collecting the highest mean number of anophelines per night in the Western (4.6) and Northern (7.3) regions compared with the outdoor collection methods. Additionally, IRC was similarly efficient in the Northern region (8.9) where vectors exhibit a high degree of endophily. AGT also showed good trapping potential for collecting Anopheles melas which is usually difficult to catch with existing methods. Screening of mosquitoes for infection showed a 0.80–3.01% Wuchereria bancrofti and 2.15–3.27% Plasmodium spp. in Anopheles gambiae. The AGT has shown to be appropriate for surveying Anopheles populations and can be useful for xenomonitoring for both LF and malaria.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document