Pub Date : 2024-11-01DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2024.102411
Rachel C Smith, Sarah Myers, Kellee D Sundstrom, Ragan Wilson, Ruth C Scimeca, Lindsay A Starkey, Susan E Little
Anaplasma bovis is primarily an infectious agent of ruminants, and has most commonly been reported in Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. Although the primary cause of human anaplasmosis is Anaplasma phagocytophilum, humans may rarely be infected by other Anaplasma spp. Human disease attributed to A. bovis has been occasionally reported, including an A. bovis-like agent in the United States. DNA of an A. bovis-like agent has been amplified from humans and the tick Dermacentor variabilis in the central region of the U.S., but larger prevalence studies among potential vectors or reservoir hosts in the U.S. have not been reported. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of A. bovis-like agent among D. variabilis and cattle in the Southcentral U.S. Previously extracted DNA from adult D. variabilis collected from Oklahoma (n = 38) and Kansas (n = 93), and blood of cattle from Oklahoma (n = 140) were tested by conventional PCR. Overall prevalence of A. bovis-like DNA within ticks was determined to be 3.1% (4/131), and all positive ticks originated from Oklahoma. Overall prevalence in bovine blood was determined to be 0% (0/140). These findings confirm the presence of an A. bovis-like agent, a potentially zoonotic pathogen, among ticks in the Southcentral U.S.; this agent is likely underrecognized and has been detected in parts of the U.S. that lie outside of the established geographic range for A. phagocytophilum. Further investigation and surveillance are necessary to elucidate possible reservoirs of A. bovis in the U.S., further evaluate the burden of human infection, and fully characterize genetic differences between the A. bovis-like agent detected in the U.S. and A. bovis in other regions of the world.
弓形虫主要是反刍动物的传染源，最常见于亚洲、中东和非洲。虽然人类无形体病的主要病原体是噬细胞嗜血无形体，但人类也可能极少受到其他无形体属的感染，偶尔也有因牛无形体引起人类疾病的报道，其中包括美国的牛无形体样病原体。在美国中部地区，已从人类和蜱虫 Dermacentor variabilis 中扩增出了牛海绵状疟原虫样病原体的 DNA，但在美国的潜在传播媒介或贮存宿主中进行的更大规模的流行研究尚未见报道。本研究的目的是评估美国中南部变种蜱和牛中牛海绵状疟原虫样病原体的流行情况。先前从俄克拉荷马州（n = 38）和堪萨斯州（n = 93）采集的变种蜱成虫中提取的 DNA 和俄克拉荷马州的牛（n = 140）的血液都通过常规 PCR 进行了检测。经测定，蜱体内类牛蜱 DNA 的总体流行率为 3.1%（4/131），所有阳性蜱均来自俄克拉荷马州。牛血中的总体流行率为 0%（0/140）。这些发现证实了美国中南部地区的蜱虫中存在一种类似牛蜱的病原体，这是一种潜在的人畜共患病原体；这种病原体很可能未被充分认识到，而且在美国的一些地区也检测到了这种病原体，而这些地区并不在噬菌体的既定地理范围内。有必要开展进一步的调查和监测，以查明美国可能存在的噬菌体贮存库，进一步评估人类感染的负担，并充分描述在美国检测到的噬菌体样病原体与世界其他地区的噬菌体之间的遗传差异。
{"title":"Detection of Anaplasma bovis-like agent in the Southcentral United States","authors":"Rachel C Smith, Sarah Myers, Kellee D Sundstrom, Ragan Wilson, Ruth C Scimeca, Lindsay A Starkey, Susan E Little","doi":"10.1016/j.ttbdis.2024.102411","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ttbdis.2024.102411","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Anaplasma bovis</em> is primarily an infectious agent of ruminants, and has most commonly been reported in Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. Although the primary cause of human anaplasmosis is <em>Anaplasma phagocytophilum</em>, humans may rarely be infected by other <em>Anaplasma</em> spp. Human disease attributed to <em>A. bovis</em> has been occasionally reported, including an <em>A. bovis</em>-like agent in the United States. DNA of an <em>A. bovis</em>-like agent has been amplified from humans and the tick <em>Dermacentor variabilis</em> in the central region of the U.S., but larger prevalence studies among potential vectors or reservoir hosts in the U.S. have not been reported. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of <em>A. bovis</em>-like agent among <em>D. variabilis</em> and cattle in the Southcentral U.S. Previously extracted DNA from adult <em>D. variabilis</em> collected from Oklahoma (<em>n</em> = 38) and Kansas (<em>n</em> = 93), and blood of cattle from Oklahoma (<em>n</em> = 140) were tested by conventional PCR. Overall prevalence of <em>A. bovis</em>-like DNA within ticks was determined to be 3.1% (4/131), and all positive ticks originated from Oklahoma. Overall prevalence in bovine blood was determined to be 0% (0/140). These findings confirm the presence of an <em>A. bovis</em>-like agent, a potentially zoonotic pathogen, among ticks in the Southcentral U.S.; this agent is likely underrecognized and has been detected in parts of the U.S. that lie outside of the established geographic range for <em>A. phagocytophilum</em>. Further investigation and surveillance are necessary to elucidate possible reservoirs of <em>A. bovis</em> in the U.S., further evaluate the burden of human infection, and fully characterize genetic differences between the <em>A. bovis</em>-like agent detected in the U.S. and <em>A. bovis</em> in other regions of the world.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49320,"journal":{"name":"Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases","volume":"15 6","pages":"Article 102411"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2024-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142649469","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Q fever, caused by Coxiella burnetii, is an important zoonotic and public health concern worldwide. Kangaroos are thought to be a likely wildlife reservoir for C. burnetii in Australia and the kangaroo tick (Amblyomma triguttatum) has often been considered a vector. In this descriptive study of ticks collected from a population of eastern grey kangaroos (Macropus giganteus) with a high serological (84 %) and molecular (65 %) prevalence of C. burnetii in northern New South Wales, a total of 72 A. triguttatum ticks were tested by PCRs targeting the IS1111, htpAB, and com1 genes of the Coxiella genome. Despite the remarkably high prevalence of coxiellosis in the host population, none of the ticks were positive for Coxiella. This finding suggests that the kangaroo tick may not play a significant role in the transmission dynamics of C. burnetii in this particular host population.
{"title":"Absence of Coxiella burnetii in kangaroo ticks (Amblyomma triguttatum) from a high seroprevalence population of eastern grey kangaroos","authors":"Anita Tolpinrud , Ornella Romeo , Anne-Lise Chaber","doi":"10.1016/j.ttbdis.2024.102406","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ttbdis.2024.102406","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Q fever, caused by <em>Coxiella burnetii</em>, is an important zoonotic and public health concern worldwide. Kangaroos are thought to be a likely wildlife reservoir for <em>C. burnetii</em> in Australia and the kangaroo tick (<em>Amblyomma triguttatum</em>) has often been considered a vector. In this descriptive study of ticks collected from a population of eastern grey kangaroos (<em>Macropus giganteus</em>) with a high serological (84 %) and molecular (65 %) prevalence of <em>C. burnetii</em> in northern New South Wales, a total of 72 <em>A. triguttatum</em> ticks were tested by PCRs targeting the IS<em>1111, htpAB</em>, and <em>com1</em> genes of the <em>Coxiella</em> genome. Despite the remarkably high prevalence of coxiellosis in the host population, none of the ticks were positive for <em>Coxiella.</em> This finding suggests that the kangaroo tick may not play a significant role in the transmission dynamics of <em>C. burnetii</em> in this particular host population.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49320,"journal":{"name":"Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases","volume":"15 6","pages":"Article 102406"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2024-10-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142511465","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-10-19DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2024.102405
Stephanie Osip , Morgan Friedman , Ellen Haynes , Sarah M. Coker , John A. Bryan II , Metinou Sidouin , Philip Tchindebet Ouakou , Bongo Nare Richard Ngandolo , Christopher A. Cleveland , Michael J. Yabsley
Tick-borne pathogens in the genus Rickettsia are the causative agents of severe and potentially fatal spotted fever group (SFG) and typhus group diseases in dogs and humans. Climate, habitat, and land-use changes are impacting vector ranges, with expansions potentially resulting in novel pathogens being introduced into naïve locations. Despite the public health importance of SFG Rickettsia, there are relatively few data on the prevalence and diversity of rickettsial pathogens in sub-Saharan Africa. The aim of this study was to characterize the SFG Rickettsia prevalence and diversity in ixodid ticks (104 Amblyomma spp., 160 Rhipicephalus spp., and one Hyalomma truncatum) collected from domestic dogs in Chad, Africa. Ticks were screened for Rickettsia spp. using a nested PCR targeting the 17-kDa gene. Species identification was through bidirectional Sanger sequencing of the 17-kDa, ompA, ompB, and/or gltA gene targets. A total of 43.3 % (115/265) ticks were positive for Rickettsia spp. and six Rickettsia species were identified: R. africae, R. massiliae, R. conorii, R. felis, R. monacensis and Candidatus Rickettsia muridii. Seven additional samples were positive for Rickettsia of undetermined species. Rickettsia africae, an important zoonotic pathogen, was found in 81 % (79/97) of A. variegatum and 29 % (2/7) of an A. marmoreum complex species, a group that infests a wide range of birds and mammals, including humans. Finally, we detected a high diversity of Rickettsia spp., most of which were zoonotic, in Rh. muhsamae. Collectively these data indicate there is a risk of rickettsiosis in Chad and further studies on ticks and rickettsial pathogens in this region are warranted.
{"title":"Prevalence and diversity of spotted fever group Rickettsia species in ixodid ticks from domestic dogs in Chad, Africa","authors":"Stephanie Osip , Morgan Friedman , Ellen Haynes , Sarah M. Coker , John A. Bryan II , Metinou Sidouin , Philip Tchindebet Ouakou , Bongo Nare Richard Ngandolo , Christopher A. Cleveland , Michael J. Yabsley","doi":"10.1016/j.ttbdis.2024.102405","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ttbdis.2024.102405","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Tick-borne pathogens in the genus <em>Rickettsia</em> are the causative agents of severe and potentially fatal spotted fever group (SFG) and typhus group diseases in dogs and humans. Climate, habitat, and land-use changes are impacting vector ranges, with expansions potentially resulting in novel pathogens being introduced into naïve locations. Despite the public health importance of SFG <em>Rickettsia</em>, there are relatively few data on the prevalence and diversity of rickettsial pathogens in sub-Saharan Africa. The aim of this study was to characterize the SFG <em>Rickettsia</em> prevalence and diversity in ixodid ticks (104 <em>Amblyomma</em> spp.<em>,</em> 160 <em>Rhipicephalus</em> spp<em>.,</em> and one <em>Hyalomma truncatum</em>) collected from domestic dogs in Chad, Africa. Ticks were screened for <em>Rickettsia</em> spp. using a nested PCR targeting the 17-kDa gene. Species identification was through bidirectional Sanger sequencing of the 17-kDa, <em>ompA, ompB</em>, and/or <em>gltA</em> gene targets. A total of 43.3 % (115/265) ticks were positive for <em>Rickettsia</em> spp. and six <em>Rickettsia</em> species were identified: <em>R. africae, R. massiliae, R. conorii, R. felis, R. monacensis</em> and <em>Candidatus</em> Rickettsia muridii. Seven additional samples were positive for <em>Rickettsia</em> of undetermined species. <em>Rickettsia africae</em>, an important zoonotic pathogen, was found in 81 % (79/97) of <em>A. variegatum</em> and 29 % (2/7) of an <em>A. marmoreum</em> complex species, a group that infests a wide range of birds and mammals, including humans. Finally, we detected a high diversity of <em>Rickettsia</em> spp., most of which were zoonotic, in <em>Rh. muhsamae</em>. Collectively these data indicate there is a risk of rickettsiosis in Chad and further studies on ticks and rickettsial pathogens in this region are warranted.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49320,"journal":{"name":"Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases","volume":"15 6","pages":"Article 102405"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2024-10-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142478909","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-10-19DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2024.102403
Luísa N. Domingues , Kylie G. Bendele , Deanna M. Bodine , Lénaïg Halos , Andre A. Cutolo , Martin Liebstein , Justin Widener , Monica Figueiredo , Yovany Moreno , Christian Epe , Alvimar Jose da Costa , Lucas Vinícius Costa Gomes , Felix D. Guerrero
The cattle tick, Rhipicephalus microplus, causes significant economic losses to the cattle industry. Tick control is predominately achieved via pesticide applications. However, alternative control methods such as vaccines are needed due to the tick's capacity to quickly develop pesticide resistance and to combat tick-borne diseases. We used an in silico reverse vaccinology approach to evaluate and rank open reading frames (ORFs) from the tick's transcriptome for their potential use as anti-R. microplus vaccine antigens. We manually annotated the 200 highest ranked antigens and selected 10 transcript ORFs as vaccine antigen candidates for expression in Pichia pastoris or insect cells. Six of the ten candidate antigens could be successfully expressed and purified in vitro as recombinant proteins with > 1 mg quantity. RT-PCR confirmed the expression of all six transcripts in tick RNA. However, only three of the six transcripts' corresponding ORFs could be confirmed as present in tick tissue protein extracts. Only four of the six vaccine candidate antigens were successfully expressed and purified in sufficient quantity (> 10 mg) for immunogenicity and efficacy trials in cattle. These four were designated BI-TS002, BI-TS004, BI-TS008, and BI-TS009 and sufficient annotation existed that showed sequence similarity to serine‑rich adhesin for platelets, glycine-rich cell wall structural membrane protein, SWM-1 tick serine protease inhibitor, and venom-like dermonecrotic toxins from ticks and spiders, respectively. Cattle immunized with BI-TS004, BI-TS008 and BI-TS009 yielded a statistically significant difference in antibody response post-immunization. This difference was noted on Days 42, 56, 70, and 84 post-immunization for BI-TS008 and BI-TS009, but only on Day 56 for BI-TS004. BI-TS008 and BI-TS009, were formulated with adjuvant and cattle stall tests conducted over a 175 day period to evaluate efficacy against R. microplus infestations. Both an adjuvant only negative control group and a positive control group using the commercially available GAVAC anti-tick vaccine were used. Efficacy was determined by comparing number of engorged adult female ticks, total egg mass weight, and egg hatchability produced from the immunized group to corresponding data from the adjuvant only negative control group. Thus, effects on engorged adult tick number, reproductive capacity, and fertility were measured. Both initial (designated Phase 1 and calculated from tick collections of Days 60–94 days post-first immunization) and long-term (designated Phase 2 and calculated from tick collections of Days 152–175 post-first immunization) efficacies were determined. The overall Phase 1 trial efficacies of BI-TS008, BI-TS009, and GAVAC were 68.3 %, 48.5 %, and 70.7 %, respectively. The overall Phase 2 trial efficacies of BI-TS008, BI-TS009, and GAVAC were 64.4 %, -30.1 %, and 45.1 %, respectively.
{"title":"A reverse vaccinology approach identified novel recombinant tick proteins with protective efficacy against Rhipicephalus microplus infestation","authors":"Luísa N. Domingues , Kylie G. Bendele , Deanna M. Bodine , Lénaïg Halos , Andre A. Cutolo , Martin Liebstein , Justin Widener , Monica Figueiredo , Yovany Moreno , Christian Epe , Alvimar Jose da Costa , Lucas Vinícius Costa Gomes , Felix D. Guerrero","doi":"10.1016/j.ttbdis.2024.102403","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ttbdis.2024.102403","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The cattle tick, <em>Rhipicephalus microplus</em>, causes significant economic losses to the cattle industry. Tick control is predominately achieved via pesticide applications. However, alternative control methods such as vaccines are needed due to the tick's capacity to quickly develop pesticide resistance and to combat tick-borne diseases. We used an <em>in silico</em> reverse vaccinology approach to evaluate and rank open reading frames (ORFs) from the tick's transcriptome for their potential use as anti-<em>R. microplus</em> vaccine antigens. We manually annotated the 200 highest ranked antigens and selected 10 transcript ORFs as vaccine antigen candidates for expression in <em>Pichia pastoris</em> or insect cells. Six of the ten candidate antigens could be successfully expressed and purified <em>in vitro</em> as recombinant proteins with > 1 mg quantity. RT-PCR confirmed the expression of all six transcripts in tick RNA. However, only three of the six transcripts' corresponding ORFs could be confirmed as present in tick tissue protein extracts. Only four of the six vaccine candidate antigens were successfully expressed and purified in sufficient quantity (> 10 mg) for immunogenicity and efficacy trials in cattle. These four were designated BI-TS002, BI-TS004, BI-TS008, and BI-TS009 and sufficient annotation existed that showed sequence similarity to serine‑rich adhesin for platelets, glycine-rich cell wall structural membrane protein, SWM-1 tick serine protease inhibitor, and venom-like dermonecrotic toxins from ticks and spiders, respectively. Cattle immunized with BI-TS004, BI-TS008 and BI-TS009 yielded a statistically significant difference in antibody response post-immunization. This difference was noted on Days 42, 56, 70, and 84 post-immunization for BI-TS008 and BI-TS009, but only on Day 56 for BI-TS004. BI-TS008 and BI-TS009, were formulated with adjuvant and cattle stall tests conducted over a 175 day period to evaluate efficacy against <em>R. microplus</em> infestations. Both an adjuvant only negative control group and a positive control group using the commercially available GAVAC anti-tick vaccine were used. Efficacy was determined by comparing number of engorged adult female ticks, total egg mass weight, and egg hatchability produced from the immunized group to corresponding data from the adjuvant only negative control group. Thus, effects on engorged adult tick number, reproductive capacity, and fertility were measured. Both initial (designated Phase 1 and calculated from tick collections of Days 60–94 days post-first immunization) and long-term (designated Phase 2 and calculated from tick collections of Days 152–175 post-first immunization) efficacies were determined. The overall Phase 1 trial efficacies of BI-TS008, BI-TS009, and GAVAC were 68.3 %, 48.5 %, and 70.7 %, respectively. The overall Phase 2 trial efficacies of BI-TS008, BI-TS009, and GAVAC were 64.4 %, -30.1 %, and 45.1 %, respectively.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49320,"journal":{"name":"Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases","volume":"15 6","pages":"Article 102403"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2024-10-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142478908","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
The control and prevention of ticks and tick-borne diseases rely on chemical insecticides and repellents. Plant-derived compounds potentially represent new and safer repellents. Cinnamaldehyde, a component of cinnamon oil, exhibits antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, acaricidal, and repellent activity against ticks. Here we studied the molecular mechanism of the repellent effect of cinnamaldehyde on Haemaphysalis longicornis. A 2 % cinnamaldehyde treatment resulted in >90 % nymph repellency within 6 h. Nymphs were exposed to cinnamaldehyde for 30 min, and subsequent transcriptome and metabolome analyses revealed the involvement of H. longicornis Acetylcholinesterases (HL-AchEs) in the response process. HL-AchEs was transcribed in all tick developmental stages and tissues. Following cinnamaldehyde treatment, the transcript and specific activity of the enzyme of AchE were significantly altered. Following RNAi, electroantennography (EAG) tests demonstrated a significant decrease in response to various repellents as well as a significant decrease in repellency. Our findings have revealed that HL-AchEs mediates cinnamaldehyde-induced tick repellency, and the results provide insights into the mechanism of plant-derived tick repellents.
{"title":"Parthenogenetic Haemaphysalis longicornis acetylcholinesterases are triggered by the repellent effect of cinnamaldehyde, a primary compound found in cinnamon oil","authors":"Ceyan kuang, Jie Cao, Yongzhi Zhou, Houshuang Zhang, Yanan Wang, Jinlin Zhou","doi":"10.1016/j.ttbdis.2024.102404","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ttbdis.2024.102404","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The control and prevention of ticks and tick-borne diseases rely on chemical insecticides and repellents. Plant-derived compounds potentially represent new and safer repellents. Cinnamaldehyde, a component of cinnamon oil, exhibits antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, acaricidal, and repellent activity against ticks. Here we studied the molecular mechanism of the repellent effect of cinnamaldehyde on <em>Haemaphysalis longicornis</em>. A 2 % cinnamaldehyde treatment resulted in >90 % nymph repellency within 6 h. Nymphs were exposed to cinnamaldehyde for 30 min, and subsequent transcriptome and metabolome analyses revealed the involvement of <em>H. longicornis</em> Acetylcholinesterases (HL-AchEs) in the response process. HL-AchEs was transcribed in all tick developmental stages and tissues. Following cinnamaldehyde treatment, the transcript and specific activity of the enzyme of AchE were significantly altered. Following RNAi, electroantennography (EAG) tests demonstrated a significant decrease in response to various repellents as well as a significant decrease in repellency. Our findings have revealed that HL-AchEs mediates cinnamaldehyde-induced tick repellency, and the results provide insights into the mechanism of plant-derived tick repellents.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49320,"journal":{"name":"Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases","volume":"15 6","pages":"Article 102404"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2024-10-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142433515","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-10-08DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2024.102401
Karen L Mansfield , Estela González , Stuart McKay , Ternenge Apaa , Alexander J Kent , Paul Cropper , Naomi Berry , Luis M Hernández-Triana , Nicholas Johnson
Red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) are found throughout the United Kingdom (UK), and can reach high population densities in urban areas. They are often infested with ticks which may carry tick-borne pathogens, leading to a risk of transmission to domestic animals and humans. This study investigated the prevalence of tick-borne pathogens in ticks sourced from red fox carcasses across Great Britain between 2018 and 2022. Tick species were identified using morphological keys and molecular barcoding, followed by specific pathogen testing using PCR. In total, 227 ticks were collected from 93 foxes. Pooling (n = 2) was undertaken for unengorged nymphs from the same tick species and fox host, with 203 homogenates tested in total (24 pools and 179 individual ticks). Ixodes hexagonus was the most abundant tick species sampled (73 %), of which 59 % were nymphs and 41 % were females. Less common were Ixodes ricinus (12 %) and Ixodes canisuga (15 %), the majority of which were females (73 % and 91 %, respectively). One Ixodes sp. larva was identified. Babesia DNA was identified in seven individual ticks and once in pooled ticks (n = 2); seven detections were in I. hexagonus and one in I. canisuga, with an overall detection rate of 7 % (95 % CI: 6 − 8 %). Sequence analysis confirmed that all Babesia detections in I. hexagonus were Babesia vulpes, with detection of Babesia Badger Type A in I. canisuga. Screening for Anaplasma phagocytophilum DNA through amplification of the msp2 gene yielded an overall detection rate of 4 % (detected in I. hexagonus only). Louping ill virus was not detected by qRT-PCR in any tick RNA tested. The majority of pathogen detections were in ticks from red foxes in rural areas of the UK, although a small number of Babesia detections were in ticks collected from semi-rural or urban red foxes. Additionally, B. vulpes was detected in GB red fox tissues, suggesting a potential role as a reservoir host. This study confirms the detection of tick-borne pathogens in ticks infesting UK red foxes and highlights the involvement of GB tick species in animal or human disease transmission.
{"title":"Short Communication: Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Babesia spp. in ixodid ticks infesting red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) in Great Britain","authors":"Karen L Mansfield , Estela González , Stuart McKay , Ternenge Apaa , Alexander J Kent , Paul Cropper , Naomi Berry , Luis M Hernández-Triana , Nicholas Johnson","doi":"10.1016/j.ttbdis.2024.102401","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ttbdis.2024.102401","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Red foxes (<em>Vulpes vulpes</em>) are found throughout the United Kingdom (UK), and can reach high population densities in urban areas. They are often infested with ticks which may carry tick-borne pathogens, leading to a risk of transmission to domestic animals and humans. This study investigated the prevalence of tick-borne pathogens in ticks sourced from red fox carcasses across Great Britain between 2018 and 2022. Tick species were identified using morphological keys and molecular barcoding, followed by specific pathogen testing using PCR. In total, 227 ticks were collected from 93 foxes. Pooling (<em>n</em> = 2) was undertaken for unengorged nymphs from the same tick species and fox host, with 203 homogenates tested in total (24 pools and 179 individual ticks). <em>Ixodes hexagonus</em> was the most abundant tick species sampled (73 %), of which 59 % were nymphs and 41 % were females. Less common were <em>Ixodes ricinus</em> (12 %) and <em>Ixodes canisuga</em> (15 %), the majority of which were females (73 % and 91 %, respectively). One <em>Ixodes</em> sp. larva was identified. <em>Babesia</em> DNA was identified in seven individual ticks and once in pooled ticks (<em>n</em> = 2); seven detections were in <em>I. hexagonus</em> and one in <em>I. canisuga</em>, with an overall detection rate of 7 % (95 % CI: 6 − 8 %). Sequence analysis confirmed that all <em>Babesia</em> detections in <em>I. hexagonus</em> were <em>Babesia vulpes</em>, with detection of <em>Babesia</em> Badger Type A in <em>I. canisuga</em>. Screening for <em>Anaplasma phagocytophilum</em> DNA through amplification of the <em>msp2</em> gene yielded an overall detection rate of 4 % (detected in <em>I. hexagonus</em> only). Louping ill virus was not detected by qRT-PCR in any tick RNA tested. The majority of pathogen detections were in ticks from red foxes in rural areas of the UK, although a small number of <em>Babesia</em> detections were in ticks collected from semi-rural or urban red foxes. Additionally, <em>B. vulpes</em> was detected in GB red fox tissues, suggesting a potential role as a reservoir host. This study confirms the detection of tick-borne pathogens in ticks infesting UK red foxes and highlights the involvement of GB tick species in animal or human disease transmission.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49320,"journal":{"name":"Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases","volume":"15 6","pages":"Article 102401"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2024-10-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142394668","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-10-04DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2024.102402
Jeremy Gray , Olaf Kahl , Annetta Zintl
Ixodes ricinus is the most important tick vector in central and western Europe and one of the most researched parasites. However, in the published literature on the tick and the pathogens it transmits, conjecture about specific transmission cycles and the clinical significance of certain microbes is not always clearly separated from confirmed facts. This article aims to present up-to-date, evidence-based information about the well-researched human pathogens tick-borne encephalitis virus, louping-ill virus, Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato and several Babesia species, with a focus on their development in the tick, transmission dynamics and the reservoir hosts that support their circulation in the environment. Borrelia miyamotoi, Neoehrlichia mikurensis, Rickettsia helvetica and Rickettsia monacensis, which are much less common causes of disease but may affect immunocompromised patients, are also briefly discussed. Finally, the possible role of I. ricinus in the transmission of Coxiella burnetii, Francisella tularensis, Bartonella spp. and Spiroplasma ixodetis is reviewed.
{"title":"Pathogens transmitted by Ixodes ricinus","authors":"Jeremy Gray , Olaf Kahl , Annetta Zintl","doi":"10.1016/j.ttbdis.2024.102402","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ttbdis.2024.102402","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Ixodes ricinus</em> is the most important tick vector in central and western Europe and one of the most researched parasites. However, in the published literature on the tick and the pathogens it transmits, conjecture about specific transmission cycles and the clinical significance of certain microbes is not always clearly separated from confirmed facts. This article aims to present up-to-date, evidence-based information about the well-researched human pathogens tick-borne encephalitis virus, louping-ill virus, <em>Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Borrelia burgdorferi</em> sensu lato and several <em>Babesia</em> species, with a focus on their development in the tick, transmission dynamics and the reservoir hosts that support their circulation in the environment. <em>Borrelia miyamotoi, Neoehrlichia mikurensis, Rickettsia helvetica</em> and <em>Rickettsia monacensis,</em> which are much less common causes of disease but may affect immunocompromised patients, are also briefly discussed. Finally, the possible role of <em>I. ricinus</em> in the transmission of <em>Coxiella burnetii, Francisella tularensis, Bartonella</em> spp. and <em>Spiroplasma ixodetis</em> is reviewed.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49320,"journal":{"name":"Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases","volume":"15 6","pages":"Article 102402"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2024-10-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142378472","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-09-26DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2024.102400
Mateusz Markowicz , Anna-Margarita Schötta , Peter Hufnagl , Annette Nigsch , Alexander Indra , Georg G. Duscher
Hyalomma marginatum is an invasive tick species capable of transmitting pathogens that cause severe diseases such as Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever. In Austria, H. marginatum occurs sporadically, and migratory birds are believed to bring H. marginatum from distant regions. We report several incidents of H. marginatum imported by travelers in private cars from Croatia to Austria. One tick was positive for Rickettsia aeschlimannii. Tourist traffic may play a significant role in the northward expansion of this tick species aside from introduction by birds.
{"title":"Hyalomma marginatum - A silent stowaway after vacation at the Adriatic Sea","authors":"Mateusz Markowicz , Anna-Margarita Schötta , Peter Hufnagl , Annette Nigsch , Alexander Indra , Georg G. Duscher","doi":"10.1016/j.ttbdis.2024.102400","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ttbdis.2024.102400","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Hyalomma marginatum</em> is an invasive tick species capable of transmitting pathogens that cause severe diseases such as Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever. In Austria, <em>H. marginatum</em> occurs sporadically, and migratory birds are believed to bring <em>H. marginatum</em> from distant regions. We report several incidents of <em>H. marginatum</em> imported by travelers in private cars from Croatia to Austria. One tick was positive for <em>Rickettsia aeschlimannii</em>. Tourist traffic may play a significant role in the northward expansion of this tick species aside from introduction by birds.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49320,"journal":{"name":"Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases","volume":"15 6","pages":"Article 102400"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2024-09-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142322363","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-09-26DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2024.102398
Yekaterina O. Ostapchuk , Akerke O. Bissenbay , Artyom V. Kuligin , Andrey V. Zhigailov , Yuliya V. Perfilyeva , Sofiya A. Kan , Anzhelika V. Lushova , Olga A. Stukolova , Zaure Z. Sayakova , Nurshat Abdolla , Andrey M. Dmitrovskiy , Akzhigit S. Mashzhan , Saltanat A. Kuatbekova , Zhaniya Dosmagambet , Zhanna Zh. Shapiyeva , Dinara A. Naizabayeva , Nailya K. Ospanbekova , Aidyn Yeszhanov , Ilyas A. Akhmetollayev , Yuriy A. Skiba
Tick-borne relapsing fever group borreliae (TBRFGB) are spirochetes that cause disease in humans and animals. Little is known about the prevalence of TBRFGB infections in ticks and humans in Kazakhstan. A total of 846 ticks belonging to ten species of the family Ixodidae and three species of the family Argasidae were collected from the vegetation, poultry shelters, domestic ruminants, bitten humans, pigeons, dogs and house walls in four oblasts of the southern and southeastern regions of Kazakhstan. The ticks were subjected to DNA extraction and identification of TBRFGB by conventional PCR using primers targeting flagella subunit B (flaB), glycerophosphodiester phosphodiesterase (glpQ) and P66 porin (P66) genes. The overall infection rate of TBRFGB in the ticks was 6.2 % (46/846). TBRFGB DNA was identified in Ixodes persulcatus (5.5 %; 26/477), Ornithodoros tartakovskyi (6 %; 2/36) and Argas persicus (13.4 %; 18/134) ticks. Partial sequencing of flaB, glpQ and P66 genes identified Borrelia miyamotoi in I. persulcatus and Borrelia anserina in A. persicus. To detect the presence of B. miyamotoi infection in people in the study region, we performed serological analysis of samples collected from 42 patients admitted to hospital with fever of unknown etiology or with a history of a tick bite. The analysis revealed IgM and IgG antibodies against one or several B. miyamotoi antigens in 10 % and 5 % of patients, respectively. The data obtained provide strong evidence of the presence of B. miyamotoi and B. anserina in the southern and southeastern regions of Kazakhstan, underscoring the need for increased awareness of potential infections caused by these borreliae in these regions.
{"title":"Survey of tick-borne relapsing fever borreliae in southern and southeastern Kazakhstan","authors":"Yekaterina O. Ostapchuk , Akerke O. Bissenbay , Artyom V. Kuligin , Andrey V. Zhigailov , Yuliya V. Perfilyeva , Sofiya A. Kan , Anzhelika V. Lushova , Olga A. Stukolova , Zaure Z. Sayakova , Nurshat Abdolla , Andrey M. Dmitrovskiy , Akzhigit S. Mashzhan , Saltanat A. Kuatbekova , Zhaniya Dosmagambet , Zhanna Zh. Shapiyeva , Dinara A. Naizabayeva , Nailya K. Ospanbekova , Aidyn Yeszhanov , Ilyas A. Akhmetollayev , Yuriy A. Skiba","doi":"10.1016/j.ttbdis.2024.102398","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ttbdis.2024.102398","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Tick-borne relapsing fever group borreliae (TBRFGB) are spirochetes that cause disease in humans and animals. Little is known about the prevalence of TBRFGB infections in ticks and humans in Kazakhstan. A total of 846 ticks belonging to ten species of the family Ixodidae and three species of the family Argasidae were collected from the vegetation, poultry shelters, domestic ruminants, bitten humans, pigeons, dogs and house walls in four oblasts of the southern and southeastern regions of Kazakhstan. The ticks were subjected to DNA extraction and identification of TBRFGB by conventional PCR using primers targeting flagella subunit B (<em>flaB</em>), glycerophosphodiester phosphodiesterase (<em>glpQ</em>) and P66 porin (<em>P66</em>) genes. The overall infection rate of TBRFGB in the ticks was 6.2 % (46/846). TBRFGB DNA was identified in <em>Ixodes persulcatus</em> (5.5 %; 26/477), <em>Ornithodoros tartakovskyi</em> (6 %; 2/36) and <em>Argas persicus</em> (13.4 %; 18/134) ticks. Partial sequencing of <em>flaB, glpQ</em> and <em>P66</em> genes identified <em>Borrelia miyamotoi</em> in <em>I. persulcatus</em> and <em>Borrelia anserina</em> in <em>A. persicus</em>. To detect the presence of <em>B. miyamotoi</em> infection in people in the study region, we performed serological analysis of samples collected from 42 patients admitted to hospital with fever of unknown etiology or with a history of a tick bite. The analysis revealed IgM and IgG antibodies against one or several <em>B. miyamotoi</em> antigens in 10 % and 5 % of patients, respectively. The data obtained provide strong evidence of the presence of <em>B. miyamotoi</em> and <em>B. anserina</em> in the southern and southeastern regions of Kazakhstan, underscoring the need for increased awareness of potential infections caused by these borreliae in these regions.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49320,"journal":{"name":"Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases","volume":"15 6","pages":"Article 102398"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2024-09-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142322105","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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