scholarly journals Rickettsia species infecting Amblyomma ticks from an area endemic for Brazilian spotted fever in Brazil

2011 ◽  
Vol 20 (4) ◽  
pp. 308-311 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizângela Guedes ◽  
Romário Cerqueira Leite ◽  
Richard Campos Pacheco ◽  
Iara Silveira ◽  
Marcelo Bahia Labruna
Keyword(s):  
Dna Sequences ◽  
Spotted Fever ◽  
Rickettsial Infection ◽  
Free Living ◽  
Rickettsia Species ◽  
Rickettsia Rickettsii ◽  
New Genotype ◽  
Pcr Products ◽  
Brazilian Spotted Fever ◽  
First Time

This study reports rickettsial infection in Amblyomma cajennense and Amblyomma dubitatum ticks collected in an area of the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil, where Brazilian spotted fever is considered endemic. For this purpose, 400 adults of A. cajenennse and 200 adults of A. dubitatum, plus 2,000 larvae and 2,000 nymphs of Amblyomma spp. were collected from horses and from the vegetation. The ticks were tested for rickettsial infection through polymerase chain reaction (PCR) protocols targeting portions of three rickettsial genes (gltA, ompA, and ompB). Only two free-living A. cajennense adult ticks, and four pools of free-living Amblyomma spp. nymphs were shown to contain rickettsial DNA. PCR products from the two A. cajennense adult ticks were shown to be identical to corresponding sequences of the Rickettsia rickettsii strain Sheila Smith. DNA sequences of gltA-PCR products of the four nymph pools of Amblyomma spp. revealed a new genotype, which was shown to be closest (99.4%) to the corresponding sequence of Rickettsia tamurae. Our findings of two R. rickettsii-infected A. cajennense ticks corroborate the endemic status of the study area, where human cases of BSF were reported recently. In addition, we report for the first time a new Rickettsia genotype in Brazil.

scholarly journals Environmental infestation and rickettsial infection in ticks in an area endemic for Brazilian spotted fever

2013 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 367-372 ◽  
Author(s):  
José Brites-Neto ◽  
Fernanda Aparecida Nieri-Bastos ◽  
Jardel Brasil ◽  
Keila Maria Roncato Duarte ◽  
Thiago Fernandes Martins ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tick Species ◽  
Spotted Fever ◽  
Southeastern Brazil ◽  
Similar Distribution ◽  
Immature Stages ◽  
Rickettsial Infection ◽  
Free Living ◽  
Rickettsia Rickettsii ◽  
Brazilian Spotted Fever ◽  
Environmental Burdens

Brazilian spotted fever (BSF), caused by Rickettsia rickettsii, is endemic in the municipality of Americana, southeastern Brazil, where the disease is transmitted by the tickAmblyomma cajennense. This study evaluated the tick fauna and rickettsial infection in free-living ticks that were captured monthly using dry ice traps in areas endemic for BSF in Americana, from July 2009 to June 2010. Two tick species were captured: A. cajennense (6,122 larvae; 4,265 nymphs; 2,355 adults) and Amblyomma dubitatum(7,814 larvae; 3,364 nymphs; 1,193 adults). The immature stages of A. cajennense and A. dubitatum had similar distribution through the 12-month period, with larvae of both species collected in highest numbers between April and July, and nymphs between June and October. The highest numbers of A. cajennense adults were collected between October and December, whereas A. dubitatum adults were collected in relatively similar numbers throughout the 12-month period. Rickettsial infection was evaluated by means of PCR in 1,157 A. cajennense and 1,040 A. dubitatum ticks; only 41 (3.9%) A. dubitatum were found to be infected byRickettsia bellii. The present study showed that the areas of Americana that are endemic for BSF are characterized by high environmental burdens of A. cajennense and A. dubitatum.

scholarly journals Study of infection by Rickettsiae of the spotted fever group in humans and ticks in an urban park located in the City of Londrina, State of Paraná, Brazil

2011 ◽  
Vol 44 (3) ◽  
pp. 313-317 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roberta Santos Toledo ◽  
Katia Tamekuni ◽  
Mauro de Freitas Silva Filho ◽  
Valeska Bender Haydu ◽  
Richard Campos Pacheco ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Citrate Synthase ◽  
Spotted Fever ◽  
Immunofluorescence Assay ◽  
Etiologic Agent ◽  
Spotted Fever Group ◽  
Rickettsia Species ◽  
Rickettsia Rickettsii ◽  
Serological Studies ◽  
Human Sera ◽  
Brazilian Spotted Fever

INTRODUCTION: Spotted fevers are emerging zoonoses caused by Rickettsia species in the spotted fever group (SFG). Rickettsia rickettsii is the main etiologic agent of Brazilian spotted fever (BSF) and it is transmitted by Amblyomma spp. ticks. METHODS: The study aimed to investigate SFG rickettsiae in the Arthur Thomas Municipal Park in Londrina, PR, by collecting free-living ticks and ticks from capybaras and blood samples from personnel working in these areas. Samples from A. dubitatum and A. cajennense were submitted for PCR in pools to analyze the Rickettsia spp. gltA (citrate synthase gene). RESULTS: All the pools analyzed were negative. Human sera were tested by indirect immunofluorescence assay with R. rickettsii and R. parkeri as antigens. Among the 34 sera analyzed, seven (20.6%) were reactive for R. rickettsii: four of these had endpoint titers equal to 64, 2 titers were 128 and 1 titer was 256. None of the samples were reactive for R. parkeri. An epidemiological questionnaire was applied to the park staff, but no statistically significant associations were identified. CONCLUSIONS: The serological studies suggest the presence of Rickettsiae related to SFG that could be infecting the human population studied; however, analysis of the ticks collected was unable to determine which species may be involved in transmission to humans.

scholarly journals Rickettsial spotted fever in capoeirão Village, Itabira, Minas Gerais, Brazil

2008 ◽  
Vol 50 (5) ◽  
pp. 297-301 ◽  
Author(s):  
Manoella Campostrini Barreto Vianna ◽  
Maurício Claudio Horta ◽  
Luis Antônio Sangioni ◽  
Adriana Cortez ◽  
Rodrigo Martins Soares ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spotted Fever ◽  
Minas Gerais ◽  
Immunofluorescence Assay ◽  
Tick Population ◽  
Rickettsial Infection ◽  
Rickettsia Rickettsii ◽  
Minas Gerais State ◽  
Brazilian Spotted Fever ◽  
Polymerase Chain ◽  
Sfg Rickettsia

The present study investigated the infection by spotted fever rickettsia in an endemic area for Brazilian spotted fever (BSF; caused by Rickettsia rickettsii) in Minas Gerais State, Brazil. Human, canine and equine sera samples, and Amblyomma cajennense adult ticks collected in a rural area of Itabira City, Minas Gerais State were tested for rickettsial infection. Through Immunofluorescence Assay (IFA) we demonstrated the presence of antibodies anti-R. rickettsii in 8.2%, 81.3% and 100% of the human, canine and equine sera, respectively. None of the 356 tick specimens analyzed were positive for Rickettsia by the hemolymph test or Polymerase Chain Reaction technique (PCR) for the htrA and the gltA genes. Our serological results on horses and dogs (sentinels for BSF) appoint for the circulation of a SFG Rickettsia in the study area, however in a very low infection rate among the A. cajennense tick population.

scholarly journals Probability of occurrence of the Brazilian spotted fever in northeast of Paraná state, Brazil

2016 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 394-400 ◽  
Author(s):  
Flávio Haragushiku Otomura ◽  
Jessé Henrique Truppel ◽  
Jonas Moraes Filho ◽  
Marcelo Bahia Labruna ◽  
Diogo Francisco Rossoni ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
At Risk ◽  
Spotted Fever ◽  
Immunofluorescence Assay ◽  
Geostatistical Analysis ◽  
Environmental Aspects ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Rickettsia Species ◽  
Seropositivity Rate ◽  
Rickettsia Rickettsii ◽  
Brazilian Spotted Fever

Abstract Brazilian spotted fever (BSF) is a fatal zoonosis because of the difficulties in its early diagnosis and treatment. Occurrences of BSF in the northeast of the state of Paraná prompted investigation of areas at risk of this rickettsiosis in the municipalities of Japira, Jaboti, Pinhalão and Tomazina. To determine the areas at risk, 592 serum samples from dogs and 230 from equids were analyzed by means of the indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) for Rickettsia rickettsii and R. parkeri . In addition, risk probability maps were drawn up using the kriging indicator technique. Among the samples tested, 5.3% (43/822) indicated presence of antibodies reactive to at least one of the two Rickettsia species tested: 7.8% of the equids (18/230) and 4.2% of the dogs (25/592) were positive. Geostatistical analysis showed that the average seropositivity rate was 5 to 6%. Although the average seropositivity rates observed among these dogs and equids were lower than those reported from endemic areas of Brazil, the biotic components (etiological agent, vector and reservoirs) and environmental aspects of BSF epidemiology were present in these municipalities.

scholarly journals Rickettsial infection in equids, opossums and ticks in the municipality of Monte Mor, state of São Paulo, Brazil

2020 ◽  
Vol 29 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tatiana Evelyn Hayama Ueno ◽  
André Antonio Cutolo ◽  
Thiago Fernandes Martins ◽  
Jonas Moraes-Filho ◽  
Sérgio Santos de Azevedo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Indirect Immunofluorescence ◽  
Spotted Fever ◽  
Immunofluorescence Assay ◽  
Spotted Fever Group ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Rickettsial Infection ◽  
Fever Case ◽  
Rickettsia Rickettsii ◽  
Brazilian Spotted Fever ◽  
Didelphis Albiventris

Abstract The aim of this study was to investigate rickettsial infection in equids, opossums and ticks in the municipality of Monte Mor, a place where a Brazilian spotted fever case occurred in 2005. In addition, characteristics possibly associated with seropositivity in horses were analyzed. Serum samples from horses, mules and opossums (Didelphis albiventris) were subjected to indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) against Rickettsia rickettsii. The ticks collected from the animals were identified and Amblyomma sculptum ticks from the equids were tested using PCR for Rickettsia spp. Anti-R. rickettsii antibodies were detected in 22.6% (14/62) of the horses, none of the mules and 21.7% (5/23) of the opossums. Among the variables analyzed, only age > 12 years showed a statistically significant association with seropositivity among horses. All of the 166 A. sculptum ticks tested using PCR were negative. The results showed that rickettsiae of the spotted fever group was circulating in the municipality of Monte Mor when the samples were collected and indicate a need for surveillance of Brazilian spotted fever in this region.

scholarly journals First identification of natural infection of Rickettsia rickettsii in the Rhipicephalus sanguineus tick, in the State of Rio de Janeiro

2009 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 105-108 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nathalie C. Cunha ◽  
Adivaldo H. Fonseca ◽  
Jania Rezende ◽  
Tatiana Rozental ◽  
Alexsandra R.M. Favacho ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rio De Janeiro ◽  
Natural Infection ◽  
Spotted Fever ◽  
Pcr Amplification ◽  
Rhipicephalus Sanguineus ◽  
Rickettsia Rickettsii ◽  
Protein Encoding ◽  
Pcr Products ◽  
Brazilian Spotted Fever

The Brazilian Spotted Fever (BSF) is a zoonotic disease caused by Rickettsia rickettsii and transmitted by ticks of the genus Amblyomma, more frequently, Amblyomma cajennense. The aim of this paper was to report the first molecular detection of R. rickettsii on R. sanguineus naturally infected in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Ticks were collected from dogs in a rural region of Resende municipality, Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil (22º30'9.46"S, 44º42'44.29"WO), where occurred five human cases of BSF in 2006. The ticks were identified under a stereoscopic microscope and separated in pools by stages, species and sex. DNA extraction was carried out using QIAamp DNA Mini Kit (QIAGEN®). The DNA was submitted to PCR amplification using 04 set of primers: Rr190.70p/Rr190.602n (OmpA, 532bp), BG1-21/BG2-20 (OmpB, 650bp), Tz15/Tz16 (17 kDa protein-encoding gene, 246bp) and RpCS.877p/RpCS.1258n (gltA, 381bp). PCR products were separated by electrophoresis on 1% agarose gels and visualized under ultraviolet light with ethidium bromide. PCR products of the expected sizes were purified by QIAquick® and sequenced by ABI PRISM®. The generated nucleotide sequences were edited with using Bioedit® software and compared with the corresponding homologous sequences available through GenBank, using Discontiguous Mega Blast (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov). It was confirmed R. rickettsii by sequencing of the material (GenBank FJ356230). The molecular characterization of R. rickettsii in the tick R. sanguineus emphasizes the role of dogs as carriers of ticks from the environment to home. Moreover, this result suggests that there is a considerable chance for active participation of R. sanguineus as one of tick species in the transmission of R. ricketsii to human being in the Brazilian territory.

scholarly journals Anti-Rickettsia spp. antibodies in free-ranging and captive capybaras from southern Brazil

2011 ◽  
Vol 31 (11) ◽  
pp. 1014-1018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fernanda S. Fortes ◽  
Leonilda C. Santos ◽  
Zalmir S. Cubas ◽  
Ivan R. Barros-Filho ◽  
Alexander W. Biondo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spotted Fever ◽  
Immunofluorescence Assay ◽  
Human Beings ◽  
Southern Brazil ◽  
Rickettsia Species ◽  
Rickettsia Rickettsii ◽  
Brazilian Spotted Fever ◽  
Free Ranging ◽  
Zoological Park

Capybaras (Hydrochaeris hydrochaeris) are among the main hosts of Amblyomma spp. ticks, which is able to transmit Rickettsia species to human beings and animals. Since they are often infested with potential vector ticks, capybaras may be used as sentinels for rickettsiosis, such as the Brazilian Spotted Fever. The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence of antibodies against Rickettsia spp. using the indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) in 21 free-ranging and 10 captive animals from the Zoological Park of the 'Bela Vista Biological Sanctuary' (BVBS), Itaipu Binational, Foz do Iguaçu, Southern Brazil. Antigens of six rickettsial species already identified in Brazil (Rickettsia rickettsii, R. parkeri, R. bellii, R. rhipicephali, R. amblyommii and R. felis) were used for IFA. Ticks from each capybara were collected for posterior taxonomic identification. A total of 19 (61.3%) samples reacted to at least one of tested species. Seropositivity was found in 14 (45.2%), 12 (38.7%), 5 (16.1%), 4 (12.9%), 3 (9.7%) and 3 (9.7%) animals for R. rickettsii, R. bellii, R. parkeri, R. amblyommii, R. felis and R. rhipicephali, respectively. Two captive capybaras presented suggestive titers of R. rickettsii infection and one sample showed homologous reaction to R. parkeri. Only one free-ranging capybara presented evidence R. bellii infection. Ticks collected on capybaras were identified as Amblyomma dubitatum e Amblyomma sp. Results evidenced the rickettsial circulation in the area, suggesting a potential role of capybaras on bacterial life cycle.

scholarly journals Rickettsial infection in Amblyomma cajennense ticks and capybaras (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris) in a Brazilian spotted fever-endemic area

2014 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Felipe S Krawczak ◽  
Fernanda A Nieri-Bastos ◽  
Fernanda P Nunes ◽  
João F Soares ◽  
Jonas Moraes-Filho ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Endemic Area ◽  
Spotted Fever ◽  
Amblyomma Cajennense ◽  
Rickettsial Infection ◽  
Hydrochoerus Hydrochaeris ◽  
Brazilian Spotted Fever

scholarly journals Serological survey of Rickettsia in equids from Vale do Paraíba, São Paulo, Brazil, and their tick identification and molecular investigation of Rickettsia

2019 ◽  
Vol 56 (4) ◽  
pp. e158159
Author(s):  
Claudia Iorio Budweg ◽  
Amanda Oliveira de Sousa ◽  
Tânia Regina Vieira de Carvalho ◽  
Zahi Êni Santos Souza ◽  
Maria Carolina de Azevedo Serpa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Real Time ◽  
Real Time Pcr ◽  
Spotted Fever ◽  
Sao Paulo ◽  
Serological Response ◽  
São Paulo ◽  
Serological Survey ◽  
Blood Samples ◽  
Rickettsia Rickettsii ◽  
Brazilian Spotted Fever

Brazilian spotted fever is a serious and lethal illness for humans and is caused by the Rickettsia rickettsii bacteria. In the state of São Paulo/SP (Brazil), the etiological agent of this disease is transmitted by the Amblyomma sculptum tick. It was already shown that horses infected with this bacteria produce a strong immune response and could be important sentinels for the detection of the disease in a proper region. The present investigation performed a serological survey in horses from five farms of Vale do Paraíba, São Paulo state, Brazil, searching for antibodies against, Rickettsia rickettsii, Rickettsia parkeri, Rickettsia amblyommatis, Rickettsia rhipicephali, and Rickettsia bellii. In each farm, ticks were also collected that were taxonomically identified and examined by real-time PCR for Rickettsia spp DNA. Blood samples were collected from 206 horses, and 334 ticks were picked up from these animals from January to December 2017. Eighty ticks wereA. sculptum and 254 Dermacentor nitens. Of the blood samples, 7.3% seroconverted to Rickettsia spp. Of these, 0.97% had a positive serological response to R. bellii. None of the 80 A. sculptum ticks were positive through real-time PCR for Rickettsia spp. Although there was no detection of ticks infected by Rickettsia spp in five farms of Paraíba Valley, the horses presented serological positive reactions against this agent. Thus, further large studies should be conducted in the area targeting hosts and vectors to generate data for control measures of the transmission of Brazilian spotted fever. 

scholarly journals Rickettsial infection in ticks infesting wild birds from two eco-regions of Argentina

2016 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 378-382 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fernando Sebastián Flores ◽  
Francisco Borges Costa ◽  
Santiago Nava ◽  
Luiz Adrián Diaz ◽  
Marcelo Bahia Labruna
Keyword(s):  
Passerine Birds ◽  
Human Pathogens ◽  
Rickettsial Infection ◽  
Rickettsia Parkeri ◽  
Rickettsia Species ◽  
Potential Vector ◽  
Zonotrichia Capensis ◽  
Polymerase Chain ◽  
First Time ◽  
Amblyomma Tigrinum

Abstract Several tick-borne Rickettsia species are recognized human pathogens in Argentina. Here we evaluated rickettsial infection in ticks collected on passerine birds during 2011-2012 in two eco-regions of Argentina. The ticks were processed by molecular analysis through polymerase chain reaction (PCR) detection and DNA sequencing of fragments of two rickettsial genes, gltA and ompA. A total of 594 tick specimens (532 larvae and 62 nymphs), representing at least 4 species (Amblyomma tigrinum, Ixodes pararicinus, Haemaphysalis juxtakochi, Haemaphysalis leporispalustris), were evaluated. At least one A. tigrinum larva, collected on Coryphospingus cucullatus in Chaco Seco, was infected with Rickettsia parkeri, whereas at least 12 larvae and 1 nymph of I. pararicinus, collected from Troglodytes aedon, Turdus amaurochalinus, Turdus rufiventris, C. cucullatus and Zonotrichia capensis, were infected with an undescribed Rickettsia agent, genetically related to several rickettsial endosymbionts of ticks of the Ixodes ricinus complex. R. parkeri is a recognized human pathogen in several American countries including Argentina, where a recent study incriminated A. tigrinum as the potential vector of R. parkeri to humans. Birds could play an important role in dispersing R. parkeri-infected A. tigrinum ticks. Additionally, we report for the first time a rickettsial agent infecting I. pararicinus ticks.

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