scholarly journals Surveillance for Amblyomma maculatum (Acari: Ixodidae) and Rickettsia parkeri (Rickettsiales: Rickettsiaceae) in the State of Delaware, and Their Public Health Implications

2020 ◽  
Vol 57 (3) ◽  
pp. 979-983 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lauren P Maestas ◽  
Sean R Reeser ◽  
Patrick J McGay ◽  
Michael H Buoni
Keyword(s):  
Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction ◽  
Spotted Fever ◽  
Etiologic Agent ◽  
The State ◽  
Amblyomma Maculatum ◽  
Rickettsia Parkeri ◽  
The Public ◽  
Kent County ◽  
Primary Vector ◽  
Polymerase Chain

Abstract Amblyomma maculatum Koch is the primary vector of Rickettsia parkeri, the etiologic agent of tidewater spotted fever, and can also carry and transmit a variety of other pathogens. This tick historically has been a costly nuisance to livestock owners in the southeastern United States. Over the past 6 yr, A. maculatum has been collected in numbers sufficient to demonstrate their establishment in Kent County, Delaware, and the presence of R. parkeri has been documented. Our goals were to determine the geographic distribution of A. maculatum and R. parkeri in Delaware, and to equate this to relative risk to the public of encountering R. parkeri-infected ticks. We surveyed for ticks in four locations throughout the state from May to August 2019, and found established A. maculatum populations in all three counties. Laboratory analysis of collected specimens by quantitative polymerase chain reaction detected R. parkeri in A. maculatum populations across the state. These results indicate that A. maculatum could present a health risk to inhabitants of the state, and they also historically have posed a risk to the livestock industry, making them an important consideration in the development and implementation of continued tick surveillance efforts and future policies regarding tick management.

scholarly journals No Clinical Symptom Experienced after Consumption of Berry Fruits with Positive RT-qPCR Signals of Human Norovirus

Pathogens ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 846
Author(s):  
Mohamad Eshaghi Gorji ◽  
Malcolm Turk Hsern Tan ◽  
Mitchie Y. Zhao ◽  
Dan Li
Keyword(s):  
Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction ◽  
Food Sources ◽  
Blood Group Antigens ◽  
Limit Of Quantification ◽  
The Public ◽  
Volunteer Study ◽  
Positive Rate ◽  
Polymerase Chain ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Berry Fruits

Human noroviruses (hNoVs) are the most important foodborne viruses, and soft berries are one of the most common food sources of hNoV outbreaks and contamination. This paper presents a human volunteer study in order to investigate the correlation between molecular detection results of hNoV in berries with the public health risks. The participants with diverse histo-blood group antigens (HBGAs) phenotypes were required to consume self-purchased berries and meanwhile submit aliquots of the products for reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) detection. As a result, none of the 20 participants reported any hNoV infection-like symptoms after six independent consumptions (120 consumptions in total). In contrast, within the 68 berry samples with >1% virus recoveries, 28 samples were detected to be positive for hNoV GI and/or GII (the positive rate at 41%). All of the positive signals were below the limit of quantification (<120 genome copies/g) except one fresh strawberry sample at 252 genome copies/g. It is expected that this study would contribute to the definition of quantitative standards for risk assessment purposes in the future.

scholarly journals Serosurvey on rickettsiae of the spotted fever group and Rickettsia bellii among dogs in the state of Goiás, Brazil

2020 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lucianne Cardoso Neves ◽  
Ana Laura Gonçalves Barreto ◽  
Mariana Xavier de Souza ◽  
Danieli Brolo Martins ◽  
Amália Regina Mar Barbieri ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spotted Fever ◽  
First Record ◽  
Immunofluorescence Assay ◽  
The State ◽  
Spotted Fever Group ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Rickettsia Parkeri ◽  
Serological Tests ◽  
Rickettsia Rickettsii ◽  
Rickettsia Bellii

Abstract The purpose of this study was to do a serological survey on three rickettsial species: Rickettsia rickettsii and Rickettsia parkeri, two species of the spotted fever group (SFG) that are considered to be great importance for public health; and Rickettsia bellii, a species of unknown pathogenicity that infects a variety of human-biting ticks. Serum samples from 273 dogs were tested using the indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA). A total of 52 samples (19.04%) were seropositive for at least one of the three Rickettsia spp. antigens. Thirty-eight (73.07%), twelve (23.07%) and one (1.92%) of these dogs showed homologous reactions to R. bellii, R. rickettsii and R. parkeri, respectively. Our results showed that the seroprevalence of Rickettsia spp. was relatively low. However, the positive serological tests indicated that these dogs had become infected by these agents at some point in their lives. Lastly, our study adds to the previous knowledge on the epidemiology of rickettsiosis in the state of Goiás by doing the first record of detection of anti-R. rickettsii, R. parkeri and R. bellii antibodies by IFA among dogs, thus indicating that these agents may be circulating in the dog population analyzed.

scholarly journals Avian Migrants Facilitate Invasions of Neotropical Ticks and Tick-Borne Pathogens into the United States

2015 ◽  
Vol 81 (24) ◽  
pp. 8366-8378 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emily B. Cohen ◽  
Lisa D. Auckland ◽  
Peter P. Marra ◽  
Sarah A. Hamer
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Migratory Birds ◽  
Spotted Fever ◽  
Animal Health ◽  
The United States ◽  
Etiologic Agent ◽  
Rickettsia Parkeri ◽  
Blood Samples ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Amblyomma Triste

ABSTRACTMigratory birds have the potential to transport exotic vectors and pathogens of human and animal health importance across vast distances. We systematically examined birds that recently migrated to the United States from the Neotropics for ticks. We screened both ticks and birds for tick-borne pathogens, includingRickettsiaspecies andBorrelia burgdorferi. Over two spring seasons (2013 and 2014), 3.56% of birds (n= 3,844) representing 42.35% of the species examined (n= 85) were infested by ticks. Ground-foraging birds with reduced fuel stores were most commonly infested. Eight tick species were identified, including seven in the genusAmblyomma, of which onlyAmblyomma maculatum/Amblyomma tristeis known to be established in the United States. Most ticks on birds (67%) were neotropical species with ranges in Central and South America. Additionally, a singleIxodesgenus tick was detected. A total of 29% of the ticks (n= 137) and no avian blood samples (n= 100) were positive for infection withRickettsiaspecies, includingRickettsia parkeri, an emerging cause of spotted fever in humans in the southern United States, a species in the group ofRickettsiamonacensis, and uncharacterized species and endosymbionts of unknown pathogenicity. No avian tick or blood samples tested positive forB. burgdorferi, the etiologic agent of Lyme disease. An extrapolation of our findings suggests that anywhere from 4 to 39 million exotic neotropical ticks are transported to the United States annually on migratory songbirds, with uncertain consequences for human and animal health if the current barriers to their establishment and spread are overcome.

scholarly journals Detection of Brazilian spotted fever infection by polymerase chain reaction in a patient from the state of São Paulo

2005 ◽  
Vol 100 (3) ◽  
pp. 277-279 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elvira Maria Mendes Nascimento ◽  
Flávia de Sousa Gehrke ◽  
Rosa Amélia Maldonado ◽  
Silvia Colombo ◽  
Luiz Jacintho da Silva ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Polymerase Chain Reaction ◽  
Spotted Fever ◽  
Sao Paulo ◽  
The State ◽  
São Paulo ◽  
Chain Reaction ◽  
Brazilian Spotted Fever ◽  
Polymerase Chain

scholarly journals The Gulf Coast tick, Amblyomma maculatum (Ixodida: Ixodidae) and spotted fever group Rickettsia in the highly urbanized northeastern US

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Waheed I. Bajwa ◽  
Leonid Tsynman ◽  
Andrea M Egizi ◽  
Rafal Tokarz ◽  
Lauren P. Maestas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
New York ◽  
Migratory Birds ◽  
Gulf Coast ◽  
Spotted Fever ◽  
Spotted Fever Group ◽  
Human Pathogens ◽  
Amblyomma Maculatum ◽  
Rickettsia Parkeri ◽  
Staten Island ◽  
Gulf Coast Tick

We report the multi-year collection of the Gulf Coast tick, Amblyomma maculatum Koch (Acaridae: Ixodida: Ixodidae) in Staten Island, New York City (NYC) as well as their detection in Brooklyn, NYC, and in Atlantic and Cumberland counties in southern NJ, USA. The first detections on all sites were of adults but in Freshkills Park on Staten Island larvae were collected in a following year. Based on known observations on birds of this tick species, it is likely A. maculatum are expanding north on migratory birds, which are now often seen in Freshkills Park. The presence of larvae indicates that adults are being successful at finding hosts in Staten Island. We describe the landscape features of the area in Staten Island where populations were highest and larvae were detected, which could have facilitated the establishment of A. maculatum. Notably, we also report the presence of human pathogens Rickettsia parkeri in 5/10 (50%) of adults tested and R. felis in 1/24 (4.17%) of larvae tested. In addition to established populations in Staten Island we found evidence of A. maculatum in NJ and other NYC boroughs, suggesting current or future establishment is possible. The failure thus far to detect established populations in these areas may be due to inherent difficulties in detecting low density, spatially heterogeneous incipient populations, which could require targeted surveillance efforts for this species. We discuss the consequences to public health of the establishment of A. maculatum and detection of two additional rickettsial pathogens in the densely populated Northeastern US.

scholarly journals Rickettsia felis (Rickettsiales: Rickettsiaceae) in Ctenocephalides felis felis (Siphonaptera: Pulicidae) in the State of São Paulo, Brazil

2005 ◽  
Vol 57 (3) ◽  
pp. 321-325 ◽  
Author(s):  
M.C. Horta ◽  
A. Pinter ◽  
A. Cortez ◽  
R.M. Soares ◽  
S.M. Gennari ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spotted Fever ◽  
Sao Paulo ◽  
The State ◽  
Ctenocephalides Felis ◽  
Spotted Fever Group ◽  
São Paulo ◽  
Chain Reaction ◽  
Rickettsia Felis ◽  
Ctenocephalides Felis Felis ◽  
Polymerase Chain

Samples of 10 and 14 Ctenocephalides felis felis fleas were collected on dogs from Pedreira and Mogi das Cruzes municipalities, respectively, in the State of São Paulo, Brazil, for detection of Rickettsia spp. Individual fleas were submitted to Polymerase Chain Reaction targeting the 17-kDa and the 190-kDa (OmpA) genes of Rickettsiae. This later gene is specific for spotted fever group. Nine fleas from Pedreira (90%) and four fleas from Mogi das Cruzes (28%) were positive for the 17-kDa gene, and eight fleas from Pedreira (80%) and four from Mogi das Cruzes (28%) were positive for 190-kDa gene. The nucleotide sequence of the 190-kDa products of one flea from Pedreira and one flea from Mogi das Cruzes were 100% identical to each other, and when compared to the GenBank Data, they were 100% identical to the 190-kDa sequence of R. felis. This was the first report of its occurrence in the State of São Paulo.

scholarly journals Biodiversity of Potential Vectors of Rickettsiae and Epidemiological Mosaic of Spotted Fever in the State of Paraná, Brazil

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Liliane Silva Durães ◽  
Karla Bitencourth ◽  
Frederico Rodrigues Ramalho ◽  
Mário Círio Nogueira ◽  
Emília de Carvalho Nunes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Forest Cover ◽  
Environmental Changes ◽  
Forest Type ◽  
Spotted Fever ◽  
Family Health ◽  
Rhipicephalus Sanguineus ◽  
The State ◽  
Rickettsia Parkeri ◽  
Rickettsia Felis ◽  
Unified Health System

Spotted Fever Rickettsioses (SFR) are diseases caused by bacteria of the genus Rickettsia, and are transmitted mainly by ticks. Its eco-epidemiological scenarios vary spatially, and may also vary over time due to environmental changes. It is the main disease transmitted by ticks to humans in Brazil, with the state of Paraná (PR) having the sixth highest number of notified incidences in the country. However, information is lacking regarding the SFR disease cycles at likely infection sites within PR. During case investigations or environmental surveillance in PR for SFR, 28,517 arthropods were collected, including species known or potentially involved in the SFR cycles, such as Amblyomma sculptum, Amblyomma aureolatum, Amblyomma ovale, Amblyomma dubitatum, Amblyomma parkeri, Ctenocephalides felis felis, and Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato. From these Rickettsia asembonensis, Rickettsia bellii, Rickettsia felis, Rickettsia parkeri strain Atlantic Rainforest and Candidatus Rickettsia paranaensis were detected. Ectoparasite abundance was found to be related with specific hosts and collection environments. Rickettsiae circulation was observed for 48 municipalities, encompassing 16 Health Regions (HR). As for socio-demographic and assistance indicators, circulation occurred largely in the most urbanized HR, with a higher per capita Gross Domestic Product, lower Family Health Strategy coverage, and with a higher ratio of beds in the Unified Health System per thousand inhabitants. For environmental variables, circulation occurred predominantly in HR with a climatic classified as “subtropical with hot summers” (Cfa), and with forest type phytogeographic formations. In terms of land use, circulation was commonest in areas with agriculture, pasture and fields and forest cover. Rickettsiae were circulating in almost all hydrographic basins of PR state. The results of this study provide the first descriptive recognition of SFR in PR, as well as outlining its eco-epidemiological dynamics. These proved to be quite heterogeneous, and analyzed scenarios showed characteristics strongly-associated with the outbreaks, with cases presenting clinical variation in space, so illustrating the complexity of scenarios in PR state. Due to the diversity of the circumstances surrounding SFR infections in PR, public health initiatives are necessary to foster a better understanding of the dynamics and factors effecting vulnerability to SFR in this Brazilian state.

scholarly journals Isolation of Rickettsia parkeri and Identification of a Novel Spotted Fever Group Rickettsia sp. from Gulf Coast Ticks (Amblyomma maculatum) in the United States

2010 ◽  
Vol 76 (9) ◽  
pp. 2689-2696 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher D. Paddock ◽  
Pierre-Edouard Fournier ◽  
John W. Sumner ◽  
Jerome Goddard ◽  
Yasmin Elshenawy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Gulf Coast ◽  
Spotted Fever ◽  
The United States ◽  
Spotted Fever Group ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Amblyomma Maculatum ◽  
Rickettsia Parkeri ◽  
Gulf Coast Ticks ◽  
Spotted Fever Group Rickettsia

ABSTRACT Until recently, Amblyomma maculatum (the Gulf Coast tick) had garnered little attention compared to other species of human-biting ticks in the United States. A. maculatum is now recognized as the principal vector of Rickettsia parkeri, a pathogenic spotted fever group rickettsia (SFGR) that causes an eschar-associated illness in humans that resembles Rocky Mountain spotted fever. A novel SFGR, distinct from other recognized Rickettsia spp., has also been detected recently in A. maculatum specimens collected in several regions of the southeastern United States. In this study, 198 questing adult Gulf Coast ticks were collected at 4 locations in Florida and Mississippi; 28% of these ticks were infected with R. parkeri, and 2% of these were infected with a novel SFGR. Seventeen isolates of R. parkeri from individual specimens of A. maculatum were cultivated in Vero E6 cells; however, all attempts to isolate the novel SFGR were unsuccessful. Partial genetic characterization of the novel SFGR revealed identity with several recently described, incompletely characterized, and noncultivated SFGR, including “Candidatus Rickettsia andeanae” and Rickettsia sp. Argentina detected in several species of Neotropical ticks from Argentina and Peru. These findings suggest that each of these “novel” rickettsiae represent the same species. This study considerably expanded the number of low-passage, A. maculatum-derived isolates of R. parkeri and characterized a second, sympatric Rickettsia sp. found in Gulf Coast ticks.

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