scholarly journals Coxiella burnetii is widespread in ticks (Ixodidae) in the Xinjiang border areas of China

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jun Ni ◽  
Hanliang Lin ◽  
Xiaofeng Xu ◽  
Qiaoyun Ren ◽  
Malike Aizezi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Infection Rate ◽  
Coxiella Burnetii ◽  
Tick Species ◽  
Q Fever ◽  
Rhipicephalus Sanguineus ◽  
Domestic Animals ◽  
High Infection ◽  
Haemaphysalis Punctata ◽  
Border Areas ◽  
Hyalomma Rufipes

Abstract Background The gram-negative Coxiella burnetii bacterium is the pathogen that causes Q fever. The bacterium is transmitted to animals via ticks and can cause infection in domestic animals, wild animals, and humans. As the provincial-level administrative region with the largest land area in China, Xinjiang has many endemic tick species; however, the distribution of C. burnetii in ticks in Xinjiang border areas has not been studied in detail.Results For the current study, 1507 ticks were collected from livestock at 22 sampling sites in ten border regions of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous region from 2018 to 2019. C. burnetii was detected in 205/348 (58.91%) Dermacentor nuttalli ; in 110/146 (75.34%) Dermacentor pavlovskyi ; in 66/80 (82.50%) Dermacentor silvarum ; in 15/32 (46.90%) Dermacentor niveus ; in 28/132 (21.21%) Hyalomma rufipes ; in 24/25 (96.00%) Hyalomma anatolicum ; in 219/312 (70.19%) Hyalomma asiaticum ; in 252/338 (74.56%) Rhipicephalus sanguineus ; and in 54/92 (58.70%) Haemaphysalis punctata . Among these samples, C. burnetii was detected in D. pavlovskyi for the first time. The infection rate of R. sanguineus was 74.56% (252/338), which was the highest among the four tick genera sampled, whereas the infection rate of H. anatolicum was 96% (24/25), which was the highest among the nine tick species sampled. A sequence analysis indicated that 63 16S rRNA sequences could be found in four newly established genotypes: CXJ-1 (n = 18), CXJ-2 (n = 33), CXJ-3 (n = 6), and CXJ-4 (n = 6).Conclusions This study indicates that CXJ-2 might represent the main C. burnetii genotype in the ticks in Xinjiang because it was detected in eight of the tick species studied. The high infection rate of C. burnetii detected in the ticks found in domestic animals may indicate a high likelihood of Q fever infection in both domestic animals and humans.

scholarly journals Molecular Detection of Coxiella burnetii, Rickettsia africae and Anaplasma Species in Ticks from Domestic Animals in Lesotho

Pathogens ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. 1186
Author(s):  
Sibonginhlanhla I. C. Mahlobo-Shwabede ◽  
Oliver T. Zishiri ◽  
Oriel M. M. Thekisoe ◽  
Mabusetsa J. R. Makalo
Keyword(s):  
Infection Rate ◽  
Coxiella Burnetii ◽  
Q Fever ◽  
Domestic Animals ◽  
Molecular Techniques ◽  
Pcr Screening ◽  
Zoonotic Pathogens ◽  
Otobius Megnini ◽  
Rickettsia Africae ◽  
Hyalomma Rufipes

Tick-borne diseases (TBDs) hamper the growth of the livestock sector and impose major constraints for the health and management of domestic animals in the tropic and subtropical regions globally. Currently, there is no scientific report on the presence of zoonotic pathogens transmitted by tick species in Lesotho. This study aimed to identify zoonotic tick-borne pathogens of economic importance from ticks infesting domestic animals in Lesotho using molecular techniques. A total of 322 tick DNA pools were subjected to PCR screening for the presence of zoonotic pathogens and sequenced. The overall prevalence of Anaplasma spp. was 35% (113/322), with a 100% infection rate in Rhipicephalus microplus, followed by R. evertsi evertsi (92%), Hyalomma rufipes and Otobius megnini sharing 50% and the lowest infection rate was observed in R. decoloratus with 40%. The prevalence of Coxiella burnetii, a gram-negative pleomorphic etiological agent of Query fever (Q fever), was 1% (2/322) for all screened samples, with 20% of R. decoloratus and 1% of R. e. evertsi infected. Rickettsia africae was detected from Hyalomma rufipes with a 70% prevalence. This study provides a baseline knowledge of tick-borne pathogens of medical and veterinary importance in Lesotho and raises awareness of the prevalence of such diseases within the tourism sector as they are mostly affected.

scholarly journals The prevalence of Coxiella burnetii in ticks and animals in Slovenia

2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nataša Knap ◽  
Diana Žele ◽  
Urška Glinšek Biškup ◽  
Tatjana Avšič-Županc ◽  
Gorazd Vengušt
Keyword(s):  
Coxiella Burnetii ◽  
Q Fever ◽  
Primary Source ◽  
Domestic Animals ◽  
Animal Blood ◽  
Blood Samples ◽  
Specific Antibodies ◽  
Source Of Infection ◽  
History Of ◽  
Pathogen Dna

Abstract Background The obligate intracellular bacterium Coxiella burnetii causes globally distributed zoonotic Q fever. Ruminant livestock are common reservoirs of C. burnetii. Coxiella burnetii are shed in large numbers in the waste of infected animals and are transmitted by inhalation of contaminated aerosols. This study was conducted to evaluate the prevalence of C. burnetii infection in domestic animals and ticks in areas of Slovenia associated with a history of Q fever outbreaks. Results A total of 701 ticks were collected and identified from vegetation, domestic animals and wild animals. C. burnetii DNA was detected in 17 out of 701 (2.4%) ticks. No C. burnetii DNA was found in male ticks. Ticks that tested positive in the PCR-based assay were most commonly sampled from wild deer (5.09%), followed by ticks collected from domestic animals (1.16%) and ticks collected by flagging vegetation (0.79%). Additionally, 150 animal blood samples were investigated for the presence of C. burnetii-specific antibodies and pathogen DNA. The presence of pathogen DNA was confirmed in 14 out of 150 (9.3%) blood samples, while specific antibodies were detected in sera from 60 out of 150 (40.4%) animals. Conclusions Our results indicate that ticks, although not the primary source of the bacteria, are infected with C. burnetii and may represent a potential source of infection for humans and animals. Ticks collected from animals were most likely found to harbor C. burnetii DNA, and the infection was not lost during molting. The persistence and distribution of pathogens in cattle and sheep indicates that C. burnetii is constantly present in Slovenia.

scholarly journals The Prevalence of Coxiella burnetii in Hard Ticks in Europe and Their Role in Q Fever Transmission Revisited—A Systematic Review

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sophia Körner ◽  
Gustavo R. Makert ◽  
Sebastian Ulbert ◽  
Martin Pfeffer ◽  
Katja Mertens-Scholz
Keyword(s):  
Coxiella Burnetii ◽  
Tick Species ◽  
Q Fever ◽  
Vector Competence ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
European Countries ◽  
Detection Methods ◽  
Similar Proportion ◽  
Prevalence Studies ◽  
Significant Difference

The zoonosis Q fever is caused by the obligate intracellular bacterium Coxiella burnetii. Besides the main transmission route via inhalation of contaminated aerosols, ticks are discussed as vectors since the first isolation of the pathogen from a Dermacentor andersonii tick. The rare detection of C. burnetii in ticks and the difficult differentiation of C. burnetii from Coxiella-like endosymbionts (CLEs) are questioning the relevance of ticks in the epidemiology of Q fever. In this review, literature databases were systematically searched for recent prevalence studies concerning C. burnetii in ticks in Europe and experimental studies evaluating the vector competence of tick species. A total of 72 prevalence studies were included and evaluated regarding DNA detection methods and collection methods, country, and tested tick species. Specimens of more than 25 different tick species were collected in 23 European countries. Overall, an average prevalence of 4.8% was determined. However, in half of the studies, no Coxiella-DNA was detected. In Southern European countries, a significantly higher prevalence was observed, possibly related to the abundance of different tick species here, namely Hyalomma spp. and Rhipicephalus spp. In comparison, a similar proportion of studies used ticks sampled by flagging and dragging or tick collection from animals, under 30% of the total tick samples derived from the latter. There was no significant difference in the various target genes used for the molecular test. In most of the studies, no distinction was made between C. burnetii and CLEs. The application of specific detection methods and the confirmation of positive results are crucial to determine the role of ticks in Q fever transmission. Only two studies were available, which assessed the vector competence of ticks for C. burnetii in the last 20 years, demonstrating the need for further research.

Q fever in China: a systematic review, 1989–2013

2014 ◽  
Vol 143 (4) ◽  
pp. 673-681 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. S. EL-MAHALLAWY ◽  
G. LU ◽  
P. KELLY ◽  
D. XU ◽  
Y. LI ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Coxiella Burnetii ◽  
Q Fever ◽  
Domestic Animals ◽  
Copy Numbers ◽  
Northern Areas

SUMMARYQ fever, first described in 1937, is a worldwide zoonosis caused byCoxiella burnetiithat has long been considered an under-reported and under-diagnosed illness. In China, the disease was initially reported in 1950 and in the last 25 years (1989–2013) there have been 29 reports on Q fever in China, nearly half of which were in the last 5 years. These publications have largely been in Chinese and in this review we summarize their findings to enable a better understanding of Q fever in China. The overall prevalence ofC. burnetiiinfections in the reports is 10% (1139/11 209) in people, 15% (288/1918) in cattle and 12% (176/1440) in goats. These infections occurred widely in China with positive people and/or animals reported in 64 cities/municipalities from 19 provinces, particularly those in the eastern, western and northern areas. Cattle and goats had the highest seroprevalences of all the domestic animals studied and a wide variety of ticks were found to be infected. Mice were also commonly infected and had high copy numbers ofC. burnetiiDNA, suggesting they might be important in the epidemiology of Q fever in China.

scholarly journals Studies on the Vertical Distribution of Ticks of Domestic Animals and Their Public Health Importance in Nilgiri Hills and Adjoining Areas of Tamil Nadu State (India)

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kaushal Kumar ◽  
N. Balakrishnan ◽  
Abhay Kumar Sharma
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Tick Species ◽  
Tamil Nadu ◽  
Rhipicephalus Sanguineus ◽  
Domestic Animals ◽  
Boophilus Microplus ◽  
Public Health Importance ◽  
Tamil Nadu State ◽  
The Nilgiris ◽  
Almost All

The Nilgiri hills and adjoining downhill areas provide favourable ecological conditions for the propagation of haematophagous arthropods owing to richness in vegetation and animal activities. A study has been undertaken during 2008–2010 on the distribution and abundance of ticks of domestic animals in seven different biotopes. A total of 3,008 domestic animals were examined in areas ranging from an altitude of 300 to 2200 meters above mean sea level (MSL) of which 1,335 (44.5%) animals were having tick infestation. A total of 6,012 adult and immature ticks belonging to 12 species (11 ixodid and one argasid) were collected. Eleven tick species were collected from Kallar area situated downhill eastern slopes of the Nilgiris followed by Burliar area (7 species) located at higher altitudes. From Masinagudi area near to dense forests and scrub jungles, five species were recorded. However, at higher elevations on the hills, Udhagamandalam area, only one species was recorded. Among various tick species recorded in the study,Boophilus micropluswas distributed in almost all areas surveyed followed byHaemaphysalis spinigeraandRhipicephalus sanguineus. The factors governing their distribution and epidemiological significance in the transmission of various tick-borne diseases of public health importance are discussed.

scholarly journals Abundance of Ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) and Presence of Rickettsia and Anaplasma in Ticks Infesting Domestic Animals From Northern India

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brij Ranjan Misra ◽  
Niraj Kumar ◽  
Rajni Kant ◽  
Hirawati Deval ◽  
Rajeev Singh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rural Areas ◽  
Tick Species ◽  
Rhipicephalus Sanguineus ◽  
Ixodid Tick ◽  
Domestic Animals ◽  
Boophilus Microplus ◽  
Ixodid Ticks ◽  
Northern India ◽  
Obligate Intracellular Bacteria ◽  
Hematophagous Arthropods

Abstract Rickettsia and Anaplasma are bacteria that can be transmitted by hematophagous arthropods such as ticks infesting animals in close proximity to humans. The main objective of the present study was to investigate abundance of common tick species infesting domestic animals and presence of Rickettsia and Anaplasma in tick populations. Adult ticks were collected from domestic animals in rural areas and screened by molecular detection of bacterial DNA for these two genera of bacteria. A total of 1,778 adult ixodid tick specimens were collected from 200 cattle, 200 buffaloes, 200 goats, and 40 dogs. The collection consisted of four species of ixodid ticks, Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus (Canestrini) (83.8%), Hyalomma kumari (Sharif) (7.1%), Rhipicephalus sanguineus (Latreille) (6.4%), and Dermacentor auratus (Supino) (2.7%) infesting the domestic animals. The prevalence of all the collected tick species was highest in the month of October. Anaplasma spp. was the most frequently identified bacteria (3.3%) in tested ticks. Of 17 positive tick pools for Anaplasma spp., 14 pools were from ticks infesting cattle, 2 pools of ticks collected from buffalo, and the remaining pool were ticks infesting a goat at the time of collection. Although 1.6% tick pools of R. microplus collected from cattle tested positive for Rickettsia spp., present investigation provides evidence of the most prevalent ixodid ticks infesting domestic animals and the presence of obligate intracellular bacteria, Rickettsia and Anaplasma, in these ticks collected in the Gorakhpur division of Northern India.

scholarly journals C. burnetii Shedding Study In Domestic Animals in Georgia

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Marine Nikolaishvili
Keyword(s):  
Coxiella Burnetii ◽  
Milk Sample ◽  
Q Fever ◽  
Small Ruminants ◽  
Domestic Animals ◽  
Epidemiological Surveillance ◽  
Bacterial Disease ◽  
Animal Blood ◽  
The Third ◽  
Seropositive Animal

ObjectiveQ fever is poorly understood in Georgia and its prevalence is largely underestimated in both humans and animals.One of the main goal of the project was shedding study in domestic animals – isolation of C. burnetii from suspected seropositive animal blood, milk samples.IntroductionQ fever is a zoonotic bacterial disease resulting from infection by Coxiella burnetii. Domestic ruminants (cattle, sheep, and goats) are considered the main reservoir for the pathogen, which can also infect humans. Q fever is poorly understood in Georgia and its prevalence is largely underestimated in both humans and animals.In Georgia Q fever laboratory diagnostic was started and implemented at the Laboratory of the Ministry of Georgia (LMA) within GG20 ,,Prevalence, Epidemiological Surveillance, and Laboratory Analysis of Coxiella burnetii in Georgia’’.MethodsLMA conducted Coxiella burnetii shedding evaluation in three specific farms from Kvemo Kartli (Tsalka, Dmanisi) and Mtskheta-Mtianeti (Dusheti). Seropositive cattle and small ruminants were sampled per week. Sampling lasted 7 weeks and totally 581 samples samples (blood, milk and swab) were tested. Testing were conducted in a BSL3 laboratory under BSL3 working conditions. ACCM medium was used (2XACCm-2 acidified Citrate Cysteine Medium PH-4.75G N NaOH). The samples were incubated at 37°C using CO2.ResultsAs a result of the study, one culture was bacteriologically isolated from seropositive cattle milk sample ( the sample was taken on the third week of the study in Beshtasheni farm, Tslka, Kvemo Kartli) and confirmed by Molecular biology (PCR).ConclusionsThe study confirmed Q fever existence in Georgia. Traditionally considered an obligate intracellular agent, the requirement to be grown in tissue culture cells, embryonated eggs, or animal hosts has made it difficult to isolate C. Burnetii strains. Within the study one culture was isolated from the seropositive animal milk sample that was collected in the third week of the study. shedding of Coxiella burnetii in milk by infected cows appeared to be the most frequent positive sample for the bacterium. 

scholarly journals Tick Fauna of Small Ruminants in South Part of Serbia, with Emphasis to North Kosovo

2020 ◽  
Vol 77 (1) ◽  
pp. 38
Author(s):  
Ivan PAVLOVIĆ ◽  
Valentina MILANOVIĆ ◽  
Bisa RADOVIĆ ◽  
Snežana IVANOVIĆ ◽  
Milan P. PETROVIĆ ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ixodes Ricinus ◽  
Tick Species ◽  
Small Ruminant ◽  
Small Ruminants ◽  
Rhipicephalus Sanguineus ◽  
The South ◽  
Dermacentor Marginatus ◽  
Haemaphysalis Punctata

The study regarding tick fauna and season distribution of ticks of small ruminant in the south part of Serbia, with emphasis on north Kosovo was performed during 2017. During the study we examined a total of 114 flocks of goats and sheep from Zvečan and Leposavić districts (villages Ceranja, Majdevo, Zemanica, Mure, Rudine, Žitkovac, Oraovica, Mošnica, Donji Krnjin, Belo brdo, Mioliće, Drenova and Beliće). Infections occurred at and on 56.14% of examined sheep and 31.42% of examined goats. The most abudant tick species were Ixodes ricinus, followed by Dermacentor marginatus, Rhipicephalus sanguineus, R.bursa, Haemaphysalis punctata and D.recticulatus.

scholarly journals Transstadial Transmission from Nymph to Adult of Coxiella burnetii by Naturally Infected Hyalomma lusitanicum

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julia González ◽  
Marta G. González ◽  
Félix Valcárcel ◽  
María Sánchez ◽  
Raquel Martín-Hernández ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Coxiella Burnetii ◽  
Tick Species ◽  
Red Deer ◽  
Q Fever ◽  
Blood Samples ◽  
Source Of Infection ◽  
Close Relationship ◽  
Transstadial Transmission ◽  
Silicone Membranes

Coxiella burnetii (Derrick) Philip, the causative agent of Q fever, is mainly transmitted by aerosols, but ticks can also be a source of infection. Transstadial and transovarical transmission of C. burnetii by Hyalomma lusitanicum (Koch) has been suggested. There is a close relationship between this tick species, wild animals and C. burnetii but the transmission in a natural environment has not been demonstrated. In this study, we collected 80 engorged nymphs of H. lusitanicum from red deer and wild rabbits. They molt to adults under laboratory conditions and we feed them artificially through silicone membranes after a preconditioning period. C. burnetii DNA was tested in ticks, blood and feces samples using real-time PCR. The pathogen was found in 36.25% of fed adults demonstrating that transstadial transmission from nymph to adult occurs in nature. The presence of DNA in the 60% of blood samples confirms that adults transmit the bacteria during feeding. Further studied are needed about co-feeding and other possible transmission routes to define the role of this tick species in the cycle of C. burnetii.

Q fever

2011 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas J. Marrie
Keyword(s):  
Coxiella Burnetii ◽  
Q Fever ◽  
Febrile Illness ◽  
Domestic Animals ◽  
Domestic Animal ◽  
Susceptible Animal ◽  
Animal Models Of Disease ◽  
High Concentrations ◽  
Models Of Disease ◽  
In Pregnancy

Q fever is a wide spread illness affecting wild and domestic animals and man. The etiological agent Coxiella burnetii, has both a wild life and domestic animal cycle. In mammals, infection localizes to the endometrium and the mammary glands. The organism is reactivated during pregnancy reaching high concentrations in the placenta. At the time of parturition the organism is aerosolized. Inhalation of Coxiella burnetii by a susceptible animal results in Q fever. In man, Q fever may be acute (self limited febrile illness, pneumonia, hepatitis) or chronic (mostly endocarditis, but also osteomyelitis, endovascular infection, hepatitis [can be both acute and chronic] and Q fever in pregnancy). Abortion and stillbirth are manifestations of Q fever in domestic animals and in animal models of disease (such as a mouse model of Q fever in pregnancy ). A vaccine is available for abattoir workers, veterinarians and others at high risk for acquiring Q fever.

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