scholarly journals Human Granulocytic Ehrlichiosis Agent Infection in a Pony Vaccinated with a Borrelia burgdorferi Recombinant OspA Vaccine and Challenged by Exposure to Naturally Infected Ticks

2000 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 68-71 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yung-Fu Chang ◽  
Sean P. McDonough ◽  
Chao-Fu Chang ◽  
Kwang-Soon Shin ◽  
William Yen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Borrelia Burgdorferi ◽  
Inclusion Bodies ◽  
Ixodes Scapularis ◽  
Clinical Signs ◽  
Buffy Coat ◽  
The Body ◽  
Granulocytic Ehrlichiosis ◽  
Flunixin Meglumine ◽  
Human Granulocytic Ehrlichiosis ◽  
Vector Dna

ABSTRACT A pony was vaccinated with recombinant OspA vaccine (rOspA) and then exposed 3 months later to Borrelia burgdorferi-infected ticks (Ixodes scapularis) collected in Westchester County, N.Y. At 2 weeks after tick exposure, the pony developed a high fever (105°F). Buffy coat smears showed that 20% of neutrophils contained ehrlichial inclusion bodies (morulae). Flunixin Meglumine (1 g daily) was given for 2 days, and the body temperature returned to normal. PCR for ehrlichial DNA was performed on blood samples for 10 consecutive days beginning when the pony was first febrile. This pony was monitored for another 3.5 months but developed no further clinical signs. The 44-kDa immunodominant human granulocytic ehrlichiosis antigen gene was amplified by PCR and cloned into a pCR2.1 vector. DNA sequence analysis of this gene showed it was only 8 bp different (99% identity) from the results reported by others (J.W. Ijdo et al., Infect. Immun. 66:3264–3269, 1998). Western blot analysis, growth inhibition assays, and repeated attempts to isolate B. burgdorferi all demonstrated the pony was protected against B. burgdorferi infection. These results highlight the potential for ticks to harbor and transmit several pathogens simultaneously, which further complicates the diagnosis and vaccination of these emerging tick-borne diseases.

scholarly journals Acquisition of Coinfection and Simultaneous Transmission of Borrelia burgdorferi and Ehrlichia phagocytophila by Ixodes scapularis Ticks

2000 ◽  
Vol 68 (4) ◽  
pp. 2183-2186 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael L. Levin ◽  
Durland Fish
Keyword(s):  
Lyme Disease ◽  
Borrelia Burgdorferi ◽  
Ixodes Scapularis ◽  
The Other ◽  
Infection Status ◽  
Granulocytic Ehrlichiosis ◽  
Ehrlichia Phagocytophila ◽  
Human Granulocytic Ehrlichiosis ◽  
Previous Infection ◽  
Prior Infection

ABSTRACT The agents of Lyme disease (Borrelia burgdorferi) and human granulocytic ehrlichiosis (Ehrlichia phagocytophila) are both transmitted by the tick Ixodes scapularis. In nature, ticks are often infected with both agents simultaneously. We studied whether previous infection with either Borrelia orEhrlichia in ticks would affect acquisition and transmission of a second pathogen. Ehrlichia-infectedI. scapularis nymphs were fed uponBorrelia-infected mice, and Borrelia-infectedI. scapularis nymphs were fed uponEhrlichia-infected mice. The efficiency with which previously infected nymphal ticks acquired a second pathogen from infected hosts was compared to that of uninfected ticks. An average of 51% ± 15% of ticks acquired Ehrlichia from infected mice regardless of their prior infection status with Borrelia. An average of 85% ± 10% of ticks acquired Borrelia from infected mice regardless of their prior infection status withEhrlichia. Also, we assessed the efficiency with which individual nymphs could transmit either agent alone, or both agents simultaneously, to individual susceptible hosts. An average of 76% ± 9% of Borrelia-infected ticks and 84% ± 10% ofEhrlichia-infected ticks transmitted these agents to mice regardless of the presence of the other pathogen. There was no evidence of interaction between the agents of Lyme disease and human granulocytic ehrlichiosis in I. scapularis ticks. The presence of either agent in the ticks did not affect acquisition of the other agent from an infected host. Transmission of the agents of Lyme disease and human granulocytic ehrlichiosis by individual ticks was equally efficient and independent. Dually infected ticks transmitted each pathogen to susceptible hosts as efficiently as ticks infected with only one pathogen.

scholarly journals Identification of a Granulocytic Ehrlichia Strain Isolated from a Horse in Switzerland and Comparison with Other Rickettsiae of the Ehrlichia phagocytophilaGenogroup

1998 ◽  
Vol 36 (7) ◽  
pp. 2035-2037 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicola Pusterla ◽  
Jon B. Huder ◽  
Karsten Feige ◽  
Hans Lutz
Keyword(s):  
Case Report ◽  
Nucleotide Sequence ◽  
16S Rrna ◽  
Clinical Signs ◽  
Buffy Coat ◽  
Rrna Gene ◽  
Granulocytic Ehrlichiosis ◽  
Ehrlichia Phagocytophila ◽  
Human Granulocytic Ehrlichiosis ◽  
Limb Edema

This case report describes a 12-year-old Arabian mare with granulocytic ehrlichiosis. Clinical signs included fever, apathy, anorexia, icterus, limb edema, and reluctance to move. Examination of buffy coat smears revealed Ehrlichia organisms in neutrophils and eosinophils. A band of 1,428 bp was amplified from DNA of leukocytes via nested PCR and was identified as part of theEhrlichia 16S rRNA gene. It differed from the gene sequences of Ehrlichia phagocytophila and E. equi at two and three positions, respectively. Interestingly, the nucleotide sequence of the 16S rRNA was 100% identical to that of the agent of human granulocytic ehrlichiosis.

scholarly journals Detection of Human Granulocytic Ehrlichiosis Agent and Borrelia Burgdorferi in Ticks by Polymerase Chain Reaction

1998 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 56-59 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yung-Fu Chang ◽  
Vesna Novosel ◽  
Chao-Fu Chang ◽  
Jong Bae Kim ◽  
Sang J. Shin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
New York ◽  
Polymerase Chain Reaction ◽  
Borrelia Burgdorferi ◽  
Laboratory Diagnosis ◽  
Etiologic Agent ◽  
Ixodid Ticks ◽  
Chain Reaction ◽  
Granulocytic Ehrlichiosis ◽  
Human Granulocytic Ehrlichiosis ◽  
Polymerase Chain

Adult ixodid ticks were collected from Westchester County, New York, and Ipswich, Massachusetts, to determine the presence of infection with a human granulocytic ehrlichiosis (HGE) agent by using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The presence of Borrelia burgdorferi in ticks collected from New York was also determined by PCR. Of the 229 ticks from New York and 47 ticks from Massachusetts, 9% (22/229) and 25% (12/47) of ticks contained HGE agent, respectively. Fifty-four percent (123/229) of the ticks collected from New York were B. burgdorferi positive; 4% (9/229) of these ticks contained both HGE agent and B. burgdorferi. This finding indicates that animals with Lyme borreliosis may be also exposed to the etiologic agent of HGE. More extensive laboratory diagnosis may be necessary when multiple tick-borne diseases are suspected in animals.

scholarly journals Studi Kasus: Babesiosis (Piroplasmosis) disertai Infestasi Caplak yang Berat pada Anjing Gembala Jerman

2020 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 30-35
Author(s):  
Amar Wira ◽  
I Wayan Batan ◽  
Sri Kayati Widyastuti ◽  
Hendro Sukoco
Keyword(s):  
Inclusion Bodies ◽  
Clinical Signs ◽  
Microcytic Anemia ◽  
The Body ◽  
Parasitic Disease ◽  
Ringer Lactate ◽  
German Shepherd ◽  
Capillary Refill ◽  
Protozoan Infection ◽  
Tick Vectors

Babesiosis is a parasitic disease in red blood cells due to protozoan infection of the genus Babesia which is transmitted through tick vectors. A 5-years-old male German shepherd had decreased appetite, weakness, and infestation of ticks throughout his body. Clinical examination showed Capillary Refill Time (CRT) <2 seconds, pale mouth mucosa, erythema throughout the body, philtrum was dry and slow skin turgor.  The results of a complete blood examination of the dog had hyperchromic microcytic anemia and lymphocytopenia, while the results of blood smear showed the existence of intraerythrocyte inclusion bodies. The dog was diagnosed with Babesiosis and treated with Ringer Lactate fluid therapy, administration of Clindamycin (25mg/kg BW; PO), Oxytetracycline (15mg/kg BW; PO), Anti-inflammatory Dexamethasone (0.5-1mg/kg BW; PO) and Hematodine (1ml/5kg BB; IV) given for seven days.  After treatment, the dog has increased appetite and after 14 days shows improvement in clinical signs.

scholarly journals Heat Shock Protein 70 of the Agent of Human Granulocytic Ehrlichiosis Binds to Borrelia burgdorferi Antibodies

1998 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 118-120 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacob W. Ijdo ◽  
Yan Zhang ◽  
Matthew L. Anderson ◽  
David Goldberg ◽  
Erol Fikrig
Keyword(s):  
Heat Shock ◽  
Lyme Disease ◽  
Borrelia Burgdorferi ◽  
Heat Shock Protein ◽  
Immunoblot Analysis ◽  
Test Results ◽  
Hsp 70 ◽  
Granulocytic Ehrlichiosis ◽  
Amino Terminal ◽  
Human Granulocytic Ehrlichiosis

ABSTRACT We describe a patient with human granulocytic ehrlichiosis (HGE), a diagnosis confirmed by PCR and immunoblot analysis. Unexpectedly, immunoglobulin G (IgG) directed towards an 80-kDa ehrlichial antigen (without detectable IgM) was present in the patient’s serum in the first week of illness. Lyme disease immunoblots were reactive for IgG (but not IgM), a result indicative of prior exposure to the Lyme disease spirochete. Amino-terminal sequencing revealed that the 80-kDa ehrlichial antigen was an HSP-70 homolog similar to Borrelia burgdorferi HSP-70. We conclude that antibodies against B. burgdorferi HSP-70 may cross-react with the ehrlichial heat shock protein and that this possibility must be considered when serologic test results for HGE and Lyme disease are interpreted.

Immunological anomalies and thrombocytopenia in 117 dogs and cats diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (cfs)

2003 ◽  
Vol 51 (1) ◽  
pp. 61-72 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. Tarello
Keyword(s):  
Inclusion Bodies ◽  
Central Italy ◽  
Clinical Signs ◽  
Chronic Fatigue ◽  
Granulocytic Ehrlichiosis ◽  
Protein Levels ◽  
Fatigue Syndrome ◽  
Imidocarb Dipropionate ◽  
Canine Population ◽  
Associated Symptoms

Medical records of thirty-five consecutive cases of canine granulocytic ehrlichiosis (CGE) diagnosed cytologically in Central Italy in 1995-2000 were analysed retrospectively. Tick exposure was reported in 16 dogs (45.7%) and concurrent babesiosis in 19 dogs (54.3%). Ehrlichia-like inclusion bodies were found in neutrophils in a percentage varying from 0.5% to 11%. Frequently recorded clinical signs included anorexia (71.4%), lethargy (45.7%), conjunctivitis (31.4%), fever (25.7%), lameness (20%) and ataxia (20%). Among the 16 representative dogs in which protein electrophoresis was performed, 10 (62.5%) showed high globulin levels and 6 (37.5%) had concurrent high total protein levels. During treatment with doxycycline, all associated symptoms, including those unusually described, such as pyoderma intertrigo, erythema, apparent blindness and oral papillomatosis, progressively disappeared in 31 (89%) out of 35 dogs. The efficacy of treatment was marked in dogs simultaneously treated twice with imidocarb dipropionate: among the 14 dogs in which a fast recovery was noted, 11 (80%) were concurrently affected by babesiosis and consequently treated with the specific medicament leading to excellent outcomes. The main conclusion is that CGE is present among dogs from Central Italy and should be included in the differential diagnosis of possible zoonotic agents affecting the canine population.

scholarly journals Coinfection with Borrelia burgdorferi and the Agent of Human Granulocytic Ehrlichiosis Alters Murine Immune Responses, Pathogen Burden, and Severity of Lyme Arthritis

2001 ◽  
Vol 69 (5) ◽  
pp. 3359-3371 ◽  
Author(s):  
Venetta Thomas ◽  
Juan Anguita ◽  
Stephen W. Barthold ◽  
Erol Fikrig
Keyword(s):  
Borrelia Burgdorferi ◽  
Immune Responses ◽  
Dual Infection ◽  
Pathogen Transmission ◽  
Receptor Expression ◽  
Lyme Arthritis ◽  
Bacterial Burden ◽  
Granulocytic Ehrlichiosis ◽  
Human Granulocytic Ehrlichiosis ◽  
Ifn Γ

ABSTRACT Lyme disease and human granulocytic ehrlichiosis (HGE) are tick-borne illnesses caused by Borrelia burgdorferi and the agent of HGE, respectively. We investigated the influence of dual infection with B. burgdorferi and the HGE agent on the course of murine Lyme arthritis and granulocytic ehrlichiosis. Coinfection resulted in increased levels of both pathogens and more severe Lyme arthritis compared with those in mice infected withB. burgdorferi alone. The increase in bacterial burden during dual infection was associated with enhanced acquisition of both organisms by larval ticks that were allowed to engorge upon infected mice. Coinfection also resulted in diminished interleukin-12 (IL-12), gamma interferon (IFN-γ), and tumor necrosis factor alpha levels and elevated IL-6 levels in murine sera. During dual infection, IFN-γ receptor expression on macrophages was also reduced, implying a decrease in phagocyte activation. These results suggest that coinfection of mice with B. burgdorferi and the HGE agent modulates host immune responses, resulting in increased bacterial burden, Lyme arthritis, and pathogen transmission to the vector.

scholarly journals Molecular Cloning and Sequencing of Three Granulocytic Ehrlichia Genes Encoding High-Molecular-Weight Immunoreactive Proteins

1998 ◽  
Vol 66 (4) ◽  
pp. 1356-1363 ◽  
Author(s):  
James R. Storey ◽  
Linda A. Doros-Richert ◽  
Cindy Gingrich-Baker ◽  
Kenneth Munroe ◽  
Thomas N. Mather ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Genomic Library ◽  
Ixodes Scapularis ◽  
Pcr Primers ◽  
16S Rdna Sequence ◽  
Granulocytic Ehrlichiosis ◽  
Human Granulocytic Ehrlichiosis ◽  
Vaccine Antigens ◽  
Genes Encoding ◽  
Molecular Masses

ABSTRACT Granulocytic Ehrlichia was isolated from canine blood obtained from animals challenged with field-collected Ixodes scapularis and propagated in HL60 cells. PCR primers specific for the 16S ribosomal DNA (rDNA) of the Ehrlichia genogroup comprising E. equi, E. phagocytophila, and the agent of human granulocytic ehrlichiosis (HGE) amplified DNA from extracts of these cells. Sequence analysis of this amplified DNA revealed that it is identical to the 16S rDNA sequence of the HGE agent. A genomic library was constructed with DNA from granulocyticEhrlichia and screened with pooled sera from tick-challenged, granulocytic Ehrlichia-infected dogs. Several clones were isolated and sequenced. Three complete genes encoding proteins with apparent molecular masses of 100, 130, and 160 kDa were found. The recombinant proteins reacted with convalescent-phase sera from dogs and human patients recovering from HGE. This approach will be useful for identifying candidate diagnostic and vaccine antigens for granulocytic ehrlichiosis and aid in the classification of genogroup members.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document