scholarly journals Serological Evidence of Exposure to Spotted Fever Group and Typhus Group Rickettsiae in Australian Wildlife Rehabilitators

Pathogens ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 745
Author(s):  
Karen O. Mathews ◽  
David Phalen ◽  
Jacqueline M. Norris ◽  
John Stenos ◽  
Jenny-Ann Toribio ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Whole Blood ◽  
Spotted Fever ◽  
Immunofluorescence Assay ◽  
Spotted Fever Group ◽  
Glta Gene ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Animal Contact ◽  
Antibody Titres ◽  
Pcr Targeting

Rickettsioses are arthropod-borne zoonotic diseases, several of which occur in Australia. This study aimed to assess the exposure levels and risk factors for Rickettsia spp. among Australian wildlife rehabilitators (AWRs) using serology, PCR and a questionnaire. Antibody titres against Spotted Fever Group (SFG), Typhus Group (TG) and Scrub Typhus Group (STG) antigens were determined using an immunofluorescence assay. PCR targeting the gltA gene was performed on DNA extracts from whole blood and serum. Logistic regression was used to identify risk factors associated with seropositivity. Of the 27 (22.1%; 27/122) seropositive participants all were seropositive for SFG, with 5/27 (4.1%) also positive for TG. Of the 27 positive sera, 14.8% (4/27) were further classified as exposure to R. australis, 3.7% (1/27) to R. honei, 3.7% (1/27) to R. felis and 77.8% (21/27) were classified as ‘indeterminate’—most of which (85.7%; 18/21) were indeterminate R. australis/R. honei exposures. Rickettsia DNA was not detected in whole blood or serum. Rehabilitators were more likely to be seropositive if more than one household member rehabilitated wildlife, were older than 50 years or had occupational animal contact. These findings suggest that AWRs are at increased risk of contracting Rickettsia-related illnesses, however the source of the increased seropositivity remains unclear.

scholarly journals Spotted fever group rickettsial infection in dogs and their ticks from domestic–wildlife interface areas in southeastern Brazil

2020 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sabrina Destri Emmerick Campos ◽  
Nathalie Costa da Cunha ◽  
Camila de Souza Cerqueira Machado ◽  
Niara Vanat Nadal ◽  
Eloy Silva Seabra Junior ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Natural Infection ◽  
Spotted Fever ◽  
Rhipicephalus Sanguineus ◽  
Southeastern Brazil ◽  
Spotted Fever Group ◽  
Forest Fragments ◽  
Rickettsia Parkeri ◽  
Chain Reactions ◽  
Glta Gene ◽  
Pcr Targeting

Abstract Rickettsia rickettsii is the causative agent of Brazilian spotted fever (BSF), for which humans and dogs are both susceptible. Dogs are sentinels in serological surveys, however, canine disease is rarely reported. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate natural infection by spotted fever group (SFG) Rickettsia spp. in dogs and ticks collected from domiciles close to forest fragments, featuring domestic–wildlife interface areas. Samples from 115 dogs and 135 ixodids were assessed by polymerase chain reactions (PCR) targeting the gltA gene for Rickettsia spp. and the ompA gene for the SFG rickettsial species. One dog (0.87%; 1/115) was positive for R. rickettsii. This dog presented nonspecific laboratory and clinical abnormalities (thrombocytopenia, hyperproteinemia, lymph node enlargement, emaciation, anorexia, and lethargy). Rickettsia parkeri was identified in 2.96% (4/135) of the ticks (Amblyomma sculptum, A. aureolatum, and Rhipicephalus sanguineus). This study confirmed the presence of SFG bacteria in non-endemic and preserved locations, where domestic and wild populations interact. We reinforce the fact that the dog is susceptible to natural R. rickettsii infection. Although this is a rare finding, preventive measures should be taken against BSF in the studied areas. Finally, R. parkeri infection is possibly being demonstrated in A. sculptum for the first time.

scholarly journals Seroepidemiological Study of Spotted Fever Group Rickettsiae and Identification of a Putative New Species, Rickesttsia sp. Da-1, in Gongliao, Northeast Taiwan

Pathogens ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 1434
Author(s):  
Tsai-Ying Yen ◽  
Hsi-Chieh Wang ◽  
Yin-Chao Chang ◽  
Chien-Ling Su ◽  
Shu-Fen Chang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Logistic Regression ◽  
New Species ◽  
Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
Spotted Fever ◽  
Rhipicephalus Sanguineus ◽  
Immunofluorescence Assay ◽  
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
Spotted Fever Group ◽  
Blood Samples

Tick-borne spotted fever group (SFG) rickettsioses were neglected in Taiwan. The study reported a seroepidemiological survey of SFG rickettsiae in residents in Gongliao District, Northeast Taiwan. Blood samples were examined for antibodies against SFG rickettsiae by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and immunofluorescence assay. Risk factors were assessed using logistic regression. Ticks parasitizing dogs were collected within a 2 km radius from the houses of seropositive participants, and PCR was performed to detect possible tick-borne pathogens. Of 1108 participants, 75 (6.8%) had antibodies against SFG rickettsiae. Residents were more likely to be seropositive if they were older than 65 years, recruited by Dr. Enjoy’s Clinic, or resided in Jilin village. A total of 184 ticks including 5 species (Rhipicephalus sanguineus, Rhipicephalus haemaphysaloides, Dermacentor auratus, Haemaphysalis hystricis, Haemaphysalis ornithophila) were collected. Rickettsia spp. were detected in 6.5% (12/184) of ticks. Rickettsia sp. TwKM01 was found in 6 R. sanguineus and 4 R. haemaphysaloides; while Rickettsia sp. TwKM03 was identified in 1 R. sanguineus. Moreover, gene-based pairwise analysis indicated identification of a putative new species, Rickettsia sp. Da-1, in D. auratus. These findings provided evidence of SFG rickettsiae infection in ticks and suggested SFG rickettsiae exposure in the residents.

scholarly journals Occurrence of Ehrlichia canis and Hepatozoon canis and probable exposure to Rickettsia amblyommatis in dogs and cats in Natal, RN

2019 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 151-156 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcos Gomes Lopes ◽  
Felipe da Silva Krawczak ◽  
Julia Teresa Ribeiro de Lima ◽  
Gislene Fatima da Silva Rocha Fournier ◽  
Igor da Cunha Lima Acosta ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spotted Fever ◽  
Immunofluorescence Assay ◽  
Ehrlichia Canis ◽  
Hepatozoon Canis ◽  
Spotted Fever Group ◽  
Accession Number ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Control Center ◽  
Related Genotype ◽  
Babesia Spp

Abstract Occurrence of infection or exposure to Ehrlichia canis, Hepatozoon canis and Rickettsia spp. was detected in feral cats living in two fragments from Atlantic rainforest, in Natal, RN, Brazil, and in dogs living around the parks. While serum samples were collected from 155 animals (53 cats living in the parks; 29 dogs living in human homes around the parks; and 73 dogs living at an animal control center - ACC), spleen samples were collected from 20 dogs that were euthanized at ACC. Serum samples were analyzed to Rickettsia spp. and E. canis antibodies using the indirect immunofluorescence assay. Seventeen of the 102 dogs (17%) had E. canis antibodies and 13% (20/155) of all dogs and cats (i.e. 3% (3/102) of the dogs and 32% (17/53) of the cats) were seropositive for Rickettsia spp. antigens. The animals were therefore been exposed to R. amblyommatis or by a very closely related genotype. Among the 20 dog spleen samples analyzed, eight were PCR positive for E. canis and two for H. canis (GenBank accession number MG772657 and MG772658, respectively). In none of the spleen samples were obtained amplicons for Babesia spp. through PCR. This study provided the first evidence that Rickettsia of the spotted fever group is circulating among dogs and cats in Natal.

scholarly journals A spatial and temporal analysis of risk factors associated with sporadic Shiga toxin-producingEscherichia coliO157 infection in England between 2009 and 2015

2018 ◽  
Vol 146 (15) ◽  
pp. 1928-1939 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard Elson ◽  
Katherine Grace ◽  
Roberto Vivancos ◽  
Claire Jenkins ◽  
Goutam K. Adak ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Temporal Analysis ◽  
Water Supplies ◽  
Residential Proximity ◽  
Source Of Infection ◽  
Spatial And Temporal Analysis ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Animal Contact ◽  
Travel Abroad

AbstractInfection with STEC O157 is relatively rare but has potentially serious sequelae, particularly for children. Large outbreaks have prompted considerable efforts designed to reduce transmission primarily from food and direct animal contact. Despite these interventions, numbers of infections have remained constant for many years and the mechanisms leading to many sporadic infections remain unclear.Here, we show that two-thirds of all cases reported in England between 2009 and 2015 were sporadic. Crude rates of infection differed geographically and were highest in rural areas during the summer months. Living in rural areas with high densities of cattle, sheep or pigs and those served by private water supplies were associated with increased risk. Living in an area of lower deprivation contributed to increased risk but this appeared to be associated with reported travel abroad. Fresh water coverage and residential proximity to the coast were not risk factors.To reduce the overall burden of infection in England, interventions designed to reduce the number of sporadic infections with STEC should focus on the residents of rural areas with high densities of livestock and the effective management of non-municipal water supplies. The role of sheep as a reservoir and potential source of infection in humans should not be overlooked.

scholarly journals Diagnosis of spotted fever group Rickettsia infections: the Asian perspective

2019 ◽  
Vol 147 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew T. Robinson ◽  
Jaruwan Satjanadumrong ◽  
Tom Hughes ◽  
John Stenos ◽  
Stuart D. Blacksell
Keyword(s):  
Positive Result ◽  
Diagnostic Tests ◽  
Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction ◽  
Spotted Fever ◽  
Emerging Infectious Diseases ◽  
Immunofluorescence Assay ◽  
Diagnostic Methods ◽  
Spotted Fever Group ◽  
Sample Collection ◽  
Rickettsial Infections

Abstract Spotted fever group rickettsiae (SFG) are a neglected group of bacteria, belonging to the genus Rickettsia, that represent a large number of new and emerging infectious diseases with a worldwide distribution. The diseases are zoonotic and are transmitted by arthropod vectors, mainly ticks, fleas and mites, to hosts such as wild animals. Domesticated animals and humans are accidental hosts. In Asia, local people in endemic areas as well as travellers to these regions are at high risk of infection. In this review we compare SFG molecular and serological diagnostic methods and discuss their limitations. While there is a large range of molecular diagnostics and serological assays, both approaches have limitations and a positive result is dependent on the timing of sample collection. There is an increasing need for less expensive and easy-to-use diagnostic tests. However, despite many tests being available, their lack of suitability for use in resource-limited regions is of concern, as many require technical expertise, expensive equipment and reagents. In addition, many existing diagnostic tests still require rigorous validation in the regions and populations where these tests may be used, in particular to establish coherent and worthwhile cut-offs. It is likely that the best strategy is to use a real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and immunofluorescence assay in tandem. If the specimen is collected early enough in the infection there will be no antibodies but there will be a greater chance of a PCR positive result. Conversely, when there are detectable antibodies it is less likely that there will be a positive PCR result. It is therefore extremely important that a complete medical history is provided especially the number of days of fever prior to sample collection. More effort is required to develop and validate SFG diagnostics and those of other rickettsial infections.

scholarly journals Exposure and Risk Factors to Coxiella burnetii, Spotted Fever Group and Typhus Group Rickettsiae, and Bartonella henselae among Volunteer Blood Donors in Namibia

PLoS ONE ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 9 (9) ◽  
pp. e108674 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bruce H. Noden ◽  
Filippus I. Tshavuka ◽  
Berta E. van der Colf ◽  
Israel Chipare ◽  
Rob Wilkinson
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Coxiella Burnetii ◽  
Blood Donors ◽  
Bartonella Henselae ◽  
Spotted Fever ◽  
Spotted Fever Group

scholarly journals Serosurvey of Rickettsia spp. in small mammals from Mato Grosso do Sul state, Brazil

2017 ◽  
Vol 47 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lina de Campos Binder ◽  
Felipe da Silva Krawczak ◽  
Jonas Sponchiado ◽  
Geruza Leal Melo ◽  
Jonas Moraes-Filho ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Small Mammals ◽  
Indirect Immunofluorescence ◽  
Spotted Fever ◽  
Immunofluorescence Assay ◽  
Spotted Fever Group ◽  
Small Rodents ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Rickettsia Species ◽  
Mato Grosso ◽  
Mato Grosso Do Sul

ABSTRACT: This study aimed to evaluate exposure of wild small mammals to spotted fever group (SFG) rickettsiae in Mato Grosso do Sul State, central-western Brazil. Serum samples of 68 small mammals were analyzed by indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) against six Rickettsia species from Brazil. Overall, 37.5% (9/24) marsupials and 6.8% (3/44) small rodents were seroreactive to at least one of the Rickettsia species, with end point titres ranging from 64 to 512. These results suggested that wild small mammals were infected by SFG rickettsiae, and could participate in the ecology of rickettsiae in Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil.

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 Seroprevalence and risk factors for toxoplasmosis and neosporosis in the dog population of Ibiúna, São Paulo, Brazil

2015 ◽  
Vol 36 (6) ◽  
pp. 3777 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roberta Mascolli ◽  
Francisco Rafael Martins Soto ◽  
Fernanda Bernardi ◽  
Fumio Honma Ito ◽  
Sônia Regina Pinheiro ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Sexual Activity ◽  
Neospora Caninum ◽  
Sao Paulo ◽  
Immunofluorescence Assay ◽  
São Paulo ◽  
Rodent Control ◽  
Raw Meat ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
The City

This study aimed to determine the prevalence of dogs seropositive for Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum (Apicomplexa) and the risk factors associated with seropositivity in the dog population of Ibiúna, São Paulo, Brazil. A total of 570 animals were examined in the 48 neighborhoods of the city from September 2007 to March 2008. Serological diagnosis of T. gondii and N. caninum infections was performed using indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA), with endpoint titers of 1:64 for T. gondii and 1:50 for N. caninum. Of the 570 animals examined, 314 (55.1%; 95% CI = 50.9?59.2%) were seropositive for T. gondii and 40 (7.02%; 95% CI = 5.1?9.4%) for N. caninum. The variables presence of rodents (OR = 2.05), ingestion of raw meat (OR= 2.47), and prior sexual activity (OR = 1.79) were identified as risk factors for toxoplasmosis, whereas only prior sexual activity (OR = 3.29) was associated with an increased risk for neosporosis. Both T. gondii and N. caninum infections were detected by IFA in the dog population of Ibiúna. Rodent control and not feeding raw meat to dogs are important to reduce the risk of infection by T. gondii and N. caninum in the region.

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