scholarly journals Spotted fever Rickettsia species in Hyalomma and Ixodes ticks infesting migratory birds in the European Mediterranean area

2014 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 318 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katarina Wallménius ◽  
Christos Barboutis ◽  
Thord Fransson ◽  
Thomas GT Jaenson ◽  
Per-Eric Lindgren ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Migratory Birds ◽  
Spotted Fever ◽  
Mediterranean Area ◽  
Rickettsia Species ◽  
Ixodes Ticks ◽  
Spotted Fever Rickettsia

scholarly journals Francisella-Like Endosymbionts and Rickettsia Species in Local and Imported Hyalomma Ticks

2017 ◽  
Vol 83 (18) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tal Azagi ◽  
Eyal Klement ◽  
Gidon Perlman ◽  
Yaniv Lustig ◽  
Kosta Y. Mumcuoglu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Migratory Birds ◽  
Control Strategies ◽  
Spotted Fever ◽  
Hemorrhagic Fever ◽  
Integrative Taxonomy ◽  
Malpighian Tubules ◽  
Spotted Fever Group ◽  
Rickettsia Species ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Larval Stages

ABSTRACT Hyalomma ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) are hosts for Francisella-like endosymbionts (FLE) and may serve as vectors of zoonotic disease agents. This study aimed to provide an initial characterization of the interaction between Hyalomma and FLE and to determine the prevalence of pathogenic Rickettsia in these ticks. Hyalomma marginatum, Hyalomma rufipes, Hyalomma dromedarii, Hyalomma aegyptium, and Hyalomma excavatum ticks, identified morphologically and molecularly, were collected from different hosts and locations representing the distribution of the genus Hyalomma in Israel, as well as from migratory birds. A high prevalence of FLE was found in all Hyalomma species (90.6%), as well as efficient maternal transmission of FLE (91.8%), and the localization of FLE in Malpighian tubules, ovaries, and salivary glands in H. marginatum. Furthermore, we demonstrated strong cophylogeny between FLE and their host species. Contrary to FLE, the prevalence of Rickettsia ranged from 2.4% to 81.3% and was significantly different between Hyalomma species, with a higher prevalence in ticks collected from migratory birds. Using ompA gene sequences, most of the Rickettsia spp. were similar to Rickettsia aeschlimannii, while a few were similar to Rickettsia africae of the spotted fever group (SFG). Given their zoonotic importance, 249 ticks were tested for Crimean Congo hemorrhagic fever virus infection, and all were negative. The results imply that Hyalomma and FLE have obligatory symbiotic interactions, indicating a potential SFG Rickettsia zoonosis risk. A further understanding of the possible influence of FLE on Hyalomma development, as well as on its infection with Rickettsia pathogens, may lead to novel ways to control tick-borne zoonoses. IMPORTANCE This study shows that Francisella-like endosymbionts were ubiquitous in Hyalomma, were maternally transmitted, and cospeciated with their hosts. These findings imply that the interaction between FLE and Hyalomma is of an obligatory nature. It provides an example of an integrative taxonomy approach to simply differentiate among species infesting the same host and to identify nymphal and larval stages to be used in further studies. In addition, it shows the potential of imported Hyalomma ticks to serve as a vector for spotted fever group rickettsiae. The information gathered in this study can be further implemented in the development of symbiont-based disease control strategies for the benefit of human health.

scholarly journals Significant Growth by Rickettsia Species within Human Macrophage-Like Cells Is a Phenotype Correlated with the Ability to Cause Disease in Mammals

Pathogens ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 228
Author(s):  
M. Nathan Kristof ◽  
Paige E. Allen ◽  
Lane D. Yutzy ◽  
Brandon Thibodaux ◽  
Christopher D. Paddock ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Endothelial Cells ◽  
Spotted Fever ◽  
Growth Characteristic ◽  
Human Macrophage ◽  
Rickettsia Conorii ◽  
Spotted Fever Group ◽  
Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever ◽  
Phagocytic Cells ◽  
Pathogenic Potential ◽  
Rickettsia Species

Rickettsia are significant sources of tick-borne diseases in humans worldwide. In North America, two species in the spotted fever group of Rickettsia have been conclusively associated with disease of humans: Rickettsia rickettsii, the causative agent of Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and Rickettsia parkeri, the cause of R. parkeri rickettsiosis. Previous work in our lab demonstrated non-endothelial parasitism by another pathogenic SFG Rickettsia species, Rickettsia conorii, within THP-1-derived macrophages, and we have hypothesized that this growth characteristic may be an underappreciated aspect of rickettsial pathogenesis in mammalian hosts. In this work, we demonstrated that multiple other recognized human pathogenic species of Rickettsia, including R. rickettsii, R. parkeri, Rickettsia africae, and Rickettsiaakari can grow within target endothelial cells as well as within PMA-differentiated THP-1 cells. In contrast, Rickettsia bellii, a Rickettsia species not associated with disease of humans, and R. rickettsii strain Iowa, an avirulent derivative of pathogenic R. rickettsii, could invade both cell types but proliferate only within endothelial cells. Further analysis revealed that similar to previous studies on R. conorii, other recognized pathogenic Rickettsia species could grow within the cytosol of THP-1-derived macrophages and avoided localization with two different markers of lysosomal compartments; LAMP-2 and cathepsin D. R. bellii, on the other hand, demonstrated significant co-localization with lysosomal compartments. Collectively, these findings suggest that the ability of pathogenic rickettsial species to establish a niche within macrophage-like cells could be an important factor in their ability to cause disease in mammals. These findings also suggest that analysis of growth within mammalian phagocytic cells may be useful to predict the pathogenic potential of newly isolated and identified Rickettsia species.

scholarly journals Rickettsia spp. in rodent-attached ticks and first evidence of Spotted fever Group Rickettsia species Candidatus Rickettsia uralica in Europe.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Vikentjeva ◽  
Julia Geller ◽  
Jaanus Remm ◽  
Irina Golovljova
Keyword(s):  
Spotted Fever ◽  
Ixodid Ticks ◽  
Distribution Area ◽  
Myodes Glareolus ◽  
Ixodes Persulcatus ◽  
Spotted Fever Group ◽  
Human Pathogens ◽  
Rickettsia Species ◽  
Questing Ticks ◽  
Spotted Fever Group Rickettsia

Abstract BACKGROUND Rickettsia spp. are human pathogens that cause a number of diseases and are transmitted by arthropods, including ixodid ticks. Estonia contributes a region, where the distribution area of two exophilic tick species of known medical importance, Ixodes persulcatus and I. ricinus, overlap. The presence of the nidicolous rodent-associated I. trianguliceps has recently been shown for Estonia. Although there is no Estonian data available on human disease caused by tick-borne Rickettsia spp., the presence of three Rickettsia species in non-nidicolous ticks, albiet at very dissimilar rates, was also previously reported. The aim of this studywas to screen, identify and characterize Rickettsia species in nidicolous and non-nidicolous ticks attached to rodents. RESULTS Nymphs and larvae of I. ricinus ( n = 1004), I . persulcatus ( n = 75) and I. trianguliceps ( n = 117) attached to rodents and shrews caught in different parts of Estonia were studied for the presence of Rickettsia spp. by nested PCR. Ticks were removed from 314 small animals of 5 species (bank voles Myodes glareolus , yellow necked mice Apodemus flavicollis , striped field mice A. agrarius, pine voles M. subterranius and common shrews S. araneus) . Rickettsial DNA was detected in 8,7% (103/1186) studied ticks. In addition to R. helvetica, previously found in questing ticks, this study reports the first identification of the recently described I. trianguliceps- associated Candidatus R. uralica in west of the Ural.

scholarly journals EPIDEMIOLOGY, CLINICAL ASPECTES,LABORATORY DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF RICKESIAL DISEASES IN THE MEDITERRANEAN AREA DURIN COVID-19 PANDEMIC:A REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. e2020056
Author(s):  
Andrea De Vito ◽  
Nicholas Geremia ◽  
Maria Sabrina Mameli ◽  
Pier Andrea Serra ◽  
Vito Fiore ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Wide Spectrum ◽  
Mediterranean Area ◽  
Laboratory Diagnosis ◽  
Diagnostic Tools ◽  
Nucleotide Sequencing ◽  
Human Pathogens ◽  
Rickettsia Species ◽  
Rickettsial Infections ◽  
The Mediterranean ◽  
Correct Understanding

The purpose of the present review is to give an update regarding the classification, the epidemiology, the clinical manifestation, the diagnoses, and the treatment of the Rickettsiae species present in the Mediterranean area. We performed a comprehensive search, through electronic databases (Pubmed – MEDLINE) and search engines (Google Scholar), of peer-reviewed publications (articles, reviews, and books). The availability of new diagnostic tools, including Polymerase Chain Reaction and nucleotide sequencing has significantly modified the classification of intracellular bacteria, including the order Rickettsiales with more and more new Rickettsia species recognized as human pathogens. Furthermore, emerging Rickettsia species have been found in several countries and are often associated with unique clinical pictures that may challenge the physician in the early detection of the diseases. Rickettsial infections include a wide spectrum of clinical presentations ranging from a benign to a potentially life treating disease that requires prompt recognition and proper management. Recently, due to the spread of SARS-CoV-2 infection, the differential diagnosis with COVID-19 is of crucial importance. The correct understanding of the clinical features, diagnostic tools, and proper treatment can assist clinicians in the management of Rickettsioses in the Mediterranean area.

scholarly journals Molecular Characterization of Mediterranean Spotted Fever Rickettsia Isolated From a European Traveler in the State of São Paulo, Brazil

2013 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 54-56 ◽  
Author(s):  
Flávia S. Gehrke ◽  
Rodrigo N. Angerami ◽  
Mauro T. Marrelli ◽  
Eliana R. de Souza ◽  
Elvira M.M. do Nascimento ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Characterization ◽  
Spotted Fever ◽  
Sao Paulo ◽  
The State ◽  
Mediterranean Spotted Fever ◽  
São Paulo ◽  
Spotted Fever Rickettsia

scholarly journals Dissemination of Spotted Fever Rickettsia Agents in Europe by Migrating Birds

PLoS ONE ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. e8572 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karin Elfving ◽  
Björn Olsen ◽  
Sven Bergström ◽  
Jonas Waldenström ◽  
Åke Lundkvist ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spotted Fever ◽  
Migrating Birds ◽  
Spotted Fever Rickettsia

scholarly journals Serosurvey of Rickettsia spp. in small mammals from Mato Grosso do Sul state, Brazil

2017 ◽  
Vol 47 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lina de Campos Binder ◽  
Felipe da Silva Krawczak ◽  
Jonas Sponchiado ◽  
Geruza Leal Melo ◽  
Jonas Moraes-Filho ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Small Mammals ◽  
Indirect Immunofluorescence ◽  
Spotted Fever ◽  
Immunofluorescence Assay ◽  
Spotted Fever Group ◽  
Small Rodents ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Rickettsia Species ◽  
Mato Grosso ◽  
Mato Grosso Do Sul

ABSTRACT: This study aimed to evaluate exposure of wild small mammals to spotted fever group (SFG) rickettsiae in Mato Grosso do Sul State, central-western Brazil. Serum samples of 68 small mammals were analyzed by indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) against six Rickettsia species from Brazil. Overall, 37.5% (9/24) marsupials and 6.8% (3/44) small rodents were seroreactive to at least one of the Rickettsia species, with end point titres ranging from 64 to 512. These results suggested that wild small mammals were infected by SFG rickettsiae, and could participate in the ecology of rickettsiae in Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil.

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