Rickettsia slovaca and Rickettsia raoultii in Dermacentor marginatus and Dermacentor reticulatus ticks from Slovak Republic

We investigated the distribution of Dermacentor spp. and their infection by zoonotic bacteria causing SENLAT (scalp eschar neck lymphadenopathy) in Turin province, northwestern Italy. We collected ticks in a mountain and in a periurban park, from vegetation and different animal sources, and we sampled tissues from wild boar. Dermacentor marginatus (n = 121) was collected in both study areas, on vegetation, humans, and animals, while D. reticulatus (n = 13) was exclusively collected on wild boar from the periurban area. Rickettsia slovaca and Candidatus Rickettsia rioja infected 53.1% of the ticks, and R. slovaca was also identified in 11.3% of wild boar tissues. Bartonella spp. and Francisella tularensis were not detected, however, Francisella-like endosymbionts infected both tick species (9.2%). Our findings provide new insights on the current distribution of Dermacentor spp. and their infection with a spotted-fever group rickettsiae in the Alps region. Wild boar seem to play a major role in their eco-epidemiology and dispersion in the study area. Although further studies are needed to assess the burden of rickettsial diseases, our results highlight the risk of contracting SENLAT infection through Dermacentor spp. bites in the region.

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Detection of Rickettsia raoultii in Dermacentor reticulatus and Haemaphysalis inermis ticks in Slovakia

Biologia ◽

10.1007/s11756-021-00789-8 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Basma Ouarti ◽

Basma El Hamzaoui ◽

Michal Stanko ◽

Maureen Laroche ◽

Oleg Mediannikov ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Potential Role ◽

Animal Health ◽

Molecular Study ◽

Dermacentor Reticulatus ◽

Experimental Models ◽

Molecular Tools ◽

Future Studies ◽

Rickettsia Raoultii ◽

Pathogenic Agents ◽

Transmission Models

AbstractTicks are vector arthropods responsible for the transmission of several pathogenic agents that affect both human and animal health worldwide. In this study our objective was to analyse, using molecular tools, the bacterial community of Dermacentor reticulatus and Haemaphysalis inermis ticks collected in south-eastern Slovakia. Using real-time PCR, we identified the presence of Rickettsia spp. DNA at levels of 14/59 (23.72 %) and 29/173 (16.76 %) in D. reticulatus and H. inermis, respectively. In addition, using standard PCR and sequencing, we identified the presence of Rickettsia raoultii DNA in 13 ticks belonging to the two investigated species. Rickettsia raoultii blast results revealed an average identification percentage of 99.62 %. Following the results of this molecular study there is a possibility that D. reticulatus and H. inermis play a potential role in the transmission of R. raoultii. To prove the possibility of validity of this hypothesis, we suggest performing experimental models in future studies. Our results can serve as preliminary data for future transmission models.

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Tick species and tick-borne infections identified in population from a rural area of Spain

Epidemiology and Infection ◽

10.1017/s0950268805004061 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 133 (5) ◽

pp. 943-949 ◽

Cited By ~ 19

Author(s):

FRANCISCO JESÚS MERINO ◽

TERESA NEBREDA ◽

JOSE LUIS SERRANO ◽

PEDRO FERNÁNDEZ-SOTO ◽

ANTONIO ENCINAS ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Borrelia Burgdorferi ◽

Anaplasma Phagocytophilum ◽

Tick Species ◽

Medical Advice ◽

Borrelia Burgdorferi Sensu Lato ◽

Dermacentor Marginatus ◽

Rickettsia Slovaca ◽

Rickettsia Massiliae ◽

Rhipicephalus Bursa

To determine the tick species that bite humans in the province of Soria (Spain) and ascertain the tick-borne pathogens that threaten people's health in that province, 185 tick specimens were collected from 179 patients who sought medical advice at health-care centres. The ticks were identified, and their DNA examined by PCR for pathogens. Most ticks were collected in autumn and spring (59 and 57 respectively). Nine species of ticks were identified, the most frequent being Dermacentor marginatus (55·7%), Ixodes ricinus (12·4%) and Rhipicephalus bursa (11·9%). Ninety-seven females, 66 males, 21 nymphs and one larva were identified. Twenty-six ticks carried DNA from Rickettsia spp. (11 Rickettsia slovaca, 6 Rickettsia spp. RpA4/DnS14, 1 Rickettsia massiliae/Bar29, and 8 unidentified); two ticks carried DNA from Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato and seven ticks harboured DNA from Anaplasma phagocytophilum.

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