Tick species from cattle in the Adama Region of Ethiopia and pathogens detected

AbstractTicks will diminish productivity among farm animals and transmit zoonotic diseases. We conducted a study to identify tick species infesting slaughter bulls from Adama City and to screen them for tick-borne pathogens. In 2016, 291 ticks were collected from 37 bulls in Adama, which were ready for slaughter. Ticks were identified morphologically. Total genomic DNA was extracted from ticks and used to test for Rickettsia spp. with real-time PCR. Species identification was done by phylogenetic analysis using sequencing that targeted the 23S-5S intergenic spacer region and ompA genes. Four tick species from two genera, Amblyomma and Rhipicephalus, were identified. Amblyomma cohaerens was the dominant species (n = 241, 82.8%), followed by Amblyomma variegatum (n = 22, 7.5%), Rhipicephalus pulchellus (n = 19, 6.5%), and Rhipicephalus decoloratus (n = 9, 3.0%). Among all ticks, 32 (11%) were positive for Rickettsia spp. and 15 (5.2%) of these were identified as R. africae comprising at least two genetic clades, occurring in A. variegatum (n = 10) and A. cohaerens (n = 5). The remainder of Rickettsia-positive samples could not be amplified due to low DNA yield. Furthermore, another 15 (5.2%) samples carried other pathogenic bacteria: Ehrlichia ruminantium (n = 9; 3.1%) in A. cohaerens, Ehrlichia sp. (n = 3; 1%) in Rh. pulchellus and A. cohaerens, Anaplasma sp. (n = 1; 0.5%) in A. cohaerens, and Neoehrlichia mikurensis (n = 2; 0.7%) in A. cohaerens. All ticks were negative for Bartonella spp., Babesia spp., Theileria spp., and Hepatozoon spp. We reported for the first time E. ruminatium, N. mikurensis, Ehrlichia sp., and Anaplasma sp. in A. cohaerens. Medically and veterinarily important pathogens were mostly detected from A. variegatum and A. cohaerens. These data are relevant for a One-health approach for monitoring and prevention of tick-borne disease transmission.

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Molecular Identification of Borrelia spp. from Ticks in Pastures nearby Livestock Farms in Korea

Insects ◽

10.3390/insects12111011 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 (11) ◽

pp. 1011

Author(s):

Haeseung Lee ◽

Seung-Hun Lee ◽

SungShik Shin ◽

Dongmi Kwak

Keyword(s):

Tick Species ◽

Pathogenic Bacteria ◽

Intergenic Spacer ◽

23S Rrna ◽

Haemaphysalis Longicornis ◽

Intergenic Spacer Region ◽

Close Relationship ◽

Haemaphysalis Flava ◽

Ixodes Ticks ◽

Pcr Targeting

Ticks are vectors that spread pathogenic bacteria, viruses, and protozoa. As the number of ticks increases due to climate change, the importance of the study of tick-borne pathogens has also increased. This study was conducted to investigate the distribution of the major tick species causing Lyme borreliosis and regional differences in the prevalence of Borrelia spp. by tick species. Borrelia infection was confirmed not only in Ixodes ticks, which are the major vectors of Borrelia spp., but also in Haemaphysalis and Amblyomma ticks. PCR targeting the 5S-23S rRNA intergenic spacer region (rrf-rrl) was performed to confirm Borrelia positivity. A total of 6102 ticks (736 pools) were tested, and the proportion was Haemaphysalis longicornis nymphs and adults at 69.2%, Haemaphysalis flava nymphs and adults at 13.9%, Haemaphysalis spp. larva at 14.3%, Ixodes nipponensis at 0.8%, and Amblyomma testudinarium at 1.9%. Ixodes nipponensis showed the highest minimum infection rate (MIR: 34.00; 17 pools/50 ticks) for Borrelia spp., followed by A. testudinarium (MIR: 0.88), and H. longicornis (MIR: 0.05). In particular, to our knowledge Borrelia infection was first confirmed in A. testudinarium in Korea. As a result of phylogenetic analysis, all sequences were grouped with Borreliaafzelii isolates and showed a close relationship with high identity. Considering that B. afzelii causes infectious zoonotic diseases, continuous monitoring and attention are needed, although it has a low prevalence in this study.

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The Unexpected Holiday Souvenir: The Public Health Risk to UK Travellers from Ticks Acquired Overseas

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph17217957 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 17 (21) ◽

pp. 7957

Author(s):

Emma L. Gillingham ◽

Benjamin Cull ◽

Maaike E. Pietzsch ◽

L. Paul Phipps ◽

Jolyon M. Medlock ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Disease Transmission ◽

Tick Species ◽

Native Species ◽

Travel History ◽

The Public ◽

Overseas Travel ◽

Tick Borne Disease ◽

Species Specific ◽

The Uk

Overseas travel to regions where ticks are found can increase travellers’ exposure to ticks and pathogens that may be unfamiliar to medical professionals in their home countries. Previous studies have detailed non-native tick species removed from recently returned travellers, occasionally leading to travel-associated human cases of exotic tick-borne disease. There are 20 species of tick endemic to the UK, yet UK travellers can be exposed to many other non-native species whilst overseas. Here, we report ticks received by Public Health England’s Tick Surveillance Scheme from humans with recent travel history between January 2006 and December 2018. Altogether, 16 tick species were received from people who had recently travelled overseas. Confirmed imports (acquired outside of the UK) were received from people who recently travelled to 22 countries. Possible imports (acquired abroad or within the UK) were received from people who had recently travelled to eight European countries. Species-specific literature reviews highlighted nine of the sixteen tick species are known to vector at least one tick-borne pathogen to humans in the country of acquisition, suggesting travellers exposed to ticks may be at risk of being bitten by a species that is a known vector, with implications for novel tick-borne disease transmission to travellers.

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Diversity of Salmonella Strains Isolated from the Aquatic Environment as Determined by Serotyping and Amplification of the Ribosomal DNA Spacer Regions

Applied and Environmental Microbiology ◽

10.1128/aem.66.4.1544-1552.2000 ◽

2000 ◽

Vol 66 (4) ◽

pp. 1544-1552 ◽

Cited By ~ 117

Author(s):

Julia Baudart ◽

Karine Lemarchand ◽

Anne Brisabois ◽

Philippe Lebaron

Keyword(s):

Pathogenic Bacteria ◽

Natural Waters ◽

Pcr Amplification ◽

Intergenic Spacer ◽

Rrna Genes ◽

23S Rrna ◽

Natural Environments ◽

Storm Events ◽

Intergenic Spacer Region ◽

Coastal Watershed

ABSTRACT Salmonella species are pathogenic bacteria often detected in sewage, freshwater, marine coastal water, and groundwater.Salmonella spp. can survive for long periods in natural waters, and the persistence of specific and epidemic strains is of great concern in public health. However, the diversity of species found in the natural environment remains unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the diversity of Salmonellastrains isolated from different natural aquatic systems within a Mediterranean coastal watershed (river, wastewater, and marine coastal areas). A total of 574 strains isolated from these natural environments were identified by both conventional serotyping and the ribosomal spacer-heteroduplex polymorphism (RS-HP) method (M. A. Jensen and N. Straus, PCR Methods Appl. 3:186–194, 1993). More than 40 different serotypes were found, and some serotypes probably mobilized from widespread animal-rearing activities were detected only during storm events. These serotypes may be good indicators of specific contamination sources. Furthermore, the RS-HP method based on the PCR amplification of the intergenic spacer region between the 16S and 23S rRNA genes can produce amplicon profiles allowing the discrimination of species at both serotype and intraserotype levels. This method represents a powerful tool that could be used for rapid typing of Salmonella isolates.

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Spatial clustering of fourteen tick species across districts of Zimbabwe

BMC Veterinary Research ◽

10.1186/s12917-021-02792-2 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 17 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Munyaradzi Davis Shekede ◽

Silvester Maravanyika Chikerema ◽

Moregood Spargo ◽

Isaiah Gwitira ◽

Samuel Kusangaya ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Spatial Distribution ◽

Disease Management ◽

Disease Transmission ◽

Tick Species ◽

Common Species ◽

Geographic Region ◽

High Morbidity ◽

Amblyomma Hebraeum ◽

Hotspot Analysis ◽

Tick Borne Disease

Abstract Background Ticks transmit several diseases that result in high morbidity and mortality in livestock. Tick-borne diseases are an economic burden that negatively affect livestock production, cost countries billions of dollars through vaccine procurement and other disease management efforts. Thus, understanding the spatial distribution of tick hotspots is critical for identifying potential areas of high tick-borne disease transmission and setting up priority areas for targeted tick disease management. In this study, optimised hotspot analysis was applied to detect hotspots and coldspots of 14 common tick species in Zimbabwe. Data on the spatial distribution of tick species were obtained from the Epidemiology Unit of the Division of Veterinary Field Services of Zimbabwe. Results A total of 55,133 ticks were collected with Rhipicephalus decoloratus being the most common species (28.7%), followed by Amblyomma hebraeum (20.6%), and Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato (0.06%) being the least common species. Results also showed that tick hotspots are species-specific with particular tick species occupying defined localities in the country. For instance, Amblyomma variegatum, Rhipicephalus appendiculatus, Rhipicephalus decoloratus, Rhipicephalus compostus, Rhipicephalus microplus, Rhipicephalus pravus, and Rhipicephalus simus were concentrated in the north and north eastern districts of the country. In contrast, Amblyomma hebraeum, Hyalomma rufipes, Hyalomma trancatum and Rhipicephalus evertsi evertsi were prevalent in the southern districts of Zimbabwe. Conclusion The occurrence of broadly similar hotspots of several tick species in different districts suggests presence of spatial overlaps in the niche of the tick species. As ticks are vectors of several tick-borne diseases, there is high likelihood of multiple disease transmission in the same geographic region. This study is the first in Zimbabwe to demonstrate unique spatial patterns in the distribution of several tick species across the country. The results of this study provide an important opportunity for the development of spatially-targeted tick-borne disease management strategies.

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Heterogeneity in the Intergenic Spacer Region (IGS) of the Ribosomal RNA Gene Cluster Among Syrian Pyrenophora graminea Isolates

Cereal Research Communications ◽

10.1007/bf03543335 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 32 (4) ◽

pp. 459-464 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

M. Jawhar ◽

B. Tóth ◽

M. I. E. Arabi

Keyword(s):

Gene Cluster ◽

Ribosomal Rna ◽

Intergenic Spacer ◽

Ribosomal Rna Gene ◽

Intergenic Spacer Region ◽

Pyrenophora Graminea

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Characterization of Fusarium spp. isolates by PCR-RFLP analysis of the intergenic spacer region of the rRNA gene (rDNA)

International Journal of Food Microbiology ◽

10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2005.09.005 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 106 (3) ◽

pp. 297-306 ◽

Cited By ~ 36

Author(s):

A. Llorens ◽

M.J. Hinojo ◽

R. Mateo ◽

M.T. González-Jaén ◽

F.M. Valle-Algarra ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Intergenic Spacer ◽

Rflp Analysis ◽

Rrna Gene ◽

Fusarium Spp ◽

Intergenic Spacer Region ◽

Pcr Rflp

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The Western Progression of Lyme Disease: Infectious and NonclonalBorrelia burgdorferi Sensu LatoPopulations in Grand Forks County, North Dakota

Applied and Environmental Microbiology ◽

10.1128/aem.02422-14 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 81 (1) ◽

pp. 48-58 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

Brandee L. Stone ◽

Nathan M. Russart ◽

Robert A. Gaultney ◽

Angela M. Floden ◽

Jefferson A. Vaughan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Lyme Disease ◽

16S Rrna ◽

16S Rrna Gene ◽

North Dakota ◽

Intergenic Spacer ◽

Rrna Gene ◽

Content Type ◽

Intergenic Spacer Region ◽

Grand Forks ◽

The 16S Rrna Gene

ABSTRACTScant attention has been paid to Lyme disease,Borrelia burgdorferi,Ixodes scapularis, or reservoirs in eastern North Dakota despite the fact that it borders high-risk counties in Minnesota. Recent reports ofB. burgdorferiandI. scapularisin North Dakota, however, prompted a more detailed examination. Spirochetes cultured from the hearts of five rodents trapped in Grand Forks County, ND, were identified asB. burgdorferi sensu latothrough sequence analyses of the 16S rRNA gene, the 16S rRNA gene-ileTintergenic spacer region,flaB,ospA,ospC, andp66. OspC typing revealed the presence of groups A, B, E, F, L, and I. Two rodents were concurrently carrying multiple OspC types. Multilocus sequence typing suggested the eastern North Dakota strains are most closely related to those found in neighboring regions of the upper Midwest and Canada. BALB/c mice were infected withB. burgdorferiisolate M3 (OspC group B) by needle inoculation or tick bite. Tibiotarsal joints and ear pinnae were culture positive, andB. burgdorferiM3 was detected by quantitative PCR (qPCR) in the tibiotarsal joints, hearts, and ear pinnae of infected mice. Uninfected larvalI. scapularisticks were able to acquireB. burgdorferiM3 from infected mice; M3 was maintained inI. scapularisduring the molt from larva to nymph; and further, M3 was transmitted from infectedI. scapularisnymphs to naive mice, as evidenced by cultures and qPCR analyses. These results demonstrate that isolate M3 is capable of disseminated infection by both artificial and natural routes of infection. This study confirms the presence of unique (nonclonal) and infectiousB. burgdorferipopulations in eastern North Dakota.

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Genomic fingerprinting ofFrankiamicrosymbionts fromCeanothuscopopulations using repetitive sequences and polymerase chain reactions

Canadian Journal of Botany ◽

10.1139/b99-069 ◽

1999 ◽

Vol 77 (9) ◽

pp. 1220-1230 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Soon-Chun Jeong ◽

David D Myrold

Keyword(s):

Dna Sequencing ◽

Dna Analysis ◽

Repetitive Sequences ◽

Intergenic Spacer ◽

Rrna Genes ◽

23S Rrna ◽

Genomic Fingerprinting ◽

Chain Reactions ◽

Intergenic Spacer Region ◽

Polymerase Chain

Specificity between Ceanothus species and their microsymbionts, Frankia, were investigated with nodules collected from three geographically separated copopulations of Ceanothus species. Nodules were analyzed using DNA sequencing and repetitive sequence polymerase chain reaction (rep-PCR) techniques. DNA sequencing of the intergenic spacer region between 16S and 23S rRNA genes suggested that Ceanothus-microsymbiotic Frankia are closely related at the intraspecific level. Diversity of the microsymbionts was further analyzed by genomic fingerprinting using repetitive sequences and PCR. A newly designed direct repeat (DR) sequence and a BOX sequence were used as PCR primers after justification that these primers can generate Frankia-specific fingerprints from nodule DNA. Analysis of the nodules using BOX- and DR-PCR showed that Ceanothus-microsymbiotic Frankia exhibited less diversity within each copopulation than among copopulations. These data suggested that geographic separation plays a more important role for divergence of Ceanothus-microsymbiotic Frankia than host plant.Key words: Frankia, Ceanothus, rep-PCR, diversity.

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