scholarly journals Molecular detection of Rickettsia in fleas from micromammals in Chile

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lucila Moreno Salas ◽  
Mario Espinoza Carniglia ◽  
Nicol Lizama Schmeisser ◽  
Luis Gonzalo Torres Fuentes ◽  
María Carolina Silva de la Fuente ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Human Population ◽  
Spotted Fever ◽  
Emerging Diseases ◽  
Flea Species ◽  
Spotted Fever Group ◽  
Natural Areas ◽  
Population Densities ◽  
Dispersal Capacity ◽  
Standard Polymerase Chain Reaction ◽  
Semi Arid Region

Abstract Background: Rickettsial diseases are considered important in public health due to their dispersal capacity determined by the particular characteristics of their reservoirs and/or vectors. Among the latter, fleas play an important role, since the vast majority of species parasitize wild and invasive rodents, so their detection is relevant to be able to monitor potential emerging diseases. The aim of this study was to detect, characterize, and compare Rickettsia spp. from the fleas of micromammals in areas with different human population densities in Chile. Methods: The presence of Rickettsia spp. was evaluated by standard polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequencing in 1315 fleas collected from 1512 micromammals in 29 locations, with different human population densities in Chile. A generalized linear model (GLM) was used to identify the variables that may explain Rickettsia prevalence in fleas. Results: DNA of Rickettsia spp. was identified in 13.2% (174 of 1315) of fleas tested. Fifteen flea species were found to be Rickettsia-positive. The prevalence of Rickettsia spp. was higher in winter, semi-arid region and natural areas, and the infection levels in fleas varied between species of flea. The prevalence of Rickettsia among flea species ranged between 0–35.1%. Areas of lower human density showed the highest prevalence of Rickettsia. The phylogenetic tree showed two well-differentiated clades with Rickettsia bellii positioned as basal in one clade. The second clade was subdivided into two subclades of species related to Rickettsia of the spotted fever group. Conclusions: To our knowledge, this is the first report of the occurrence and molecular characterization of Rickettsia spp. in 15 flea species of micromammals in Chile. In this study, fleas were detected carrying Rickettsia DNA with zoonotic potential, mainly in villages and natural areas of Chile. Considering that there are differences in the prevalence of Rickettsia in fleas associated with different factors, more investigations are needed to further understand the ecology of Rickettsia in fleas and their implications for human health.

scholarly journals Molecular detection of Rickettsia in fleas from micromammals in Chile

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lucila Moreno-Salas ◽  
Mario Espinoza-Carniglia ◽  
Nicol Lizama-Schmeisser ◽  
Luis Gonzalo Torres-Fuentes ◽  
María Carolina Silva-de La Fuente ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Human Population ◽  
Spotted Fever ◽  
Emerging Diseases ◽  
Flea Species ◽  
Spotted Fever Group ◽  
Natural Areas ◽  
Population Densities ◽  
Dispersal Capacity ◽  
Standard Polymerase Chain Reaction ◽  
Semi Arid Region

Abstract Background Rickettsial diseases are considered important in public health due to their dispersal capacity determined by the particular characteristics of their reservoirs and/or vectors. Among the latter, fleas play an important role, since the vast majority of species parasitize wild and invasive rodents, so their detection is relevant to be able to monitor potential emerging diseases. The aim of this study was to detect, characterize, and compare Rickettsia spp. from the fleas of micromammals in areas with different human population densities in Chile. Methods The presence of Rickettsia spp. was evaluated by standard polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequencing in 1315 fleas collected from 1512 micromammals in 29 locations, with different human population densities in Chile. A generalized linear model (GLM) was used to identify the variables that may explain Rickettsia prevalence in fleas. Results DNA of Rickettsia spp. was identified in 13.2% (174 of 1315) of fleas tested. Fifteen flea species were found to be Rickettsia-positive. The prevalence of Rickettsia spp. was higher in winter, semi-arid region and natural areas, and the infection levels in fleas varied between species of flea. The prevalence of Rickettsia among flea species ranged between 0–35.1%. Areas of lower human density showed the highest prevalence of Rickettsia. The phylogenetic tree showed two well-differentiated clades with Rickettsia bellii positioned as basal in one clade. The second clade was subdivided into two subclades of species related to Rickettsia of the spotted fever group. Conclusions To our knowledge, this is the first report of the occurrence and molecular characterization of Rickettsia spp. in 15 flea species of micromammals in Chile. In this study, fleas were detected carrying Rickettsia DNA with zoonotic potential, mainly in villages and natural areas of Chile. Considering that there are differences in the prevalence of Rickettsia in fleas associated with different factors, more investigations are needed to further understand the ecology of Rickettsia in fleas and their implications for human health.

scholarly journals Molecular detection of Rickettsia in fleas from micromammals in Chile

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lucila Moreno Salas ◽  
Mario Espinoza Carniglia ◽  
Nicol Lizama Schmeisser ◽  
Luis Gonzalo Torres Fuentes ◽  
María Carolina Silva de la Fuente ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Human Population ◽  
Linear Models ◽  
Spotted Fever ◽  
Emerging Diseases ◽  
Flea Species ◽  
Spotted Fever Group ◽  
Natural Areas ◽  
Population Densities ◽  
Dispersal Capacity ◽  
Standard Polymerase Chain Reaction

Abstract Background: Rickettsial diseases are considered important in public health due to their dispersal capacity determined by the particular characteristics of their reservoirs and / or vectors. Among the latter, fleas play an important role, since the vast majority of species parasitize wild and invasive rodents, so their detection is relevant to be able to monitor potential emerging diseases. The aim of this study was to detect, characterize, and compare Rickettsia spp. from the fleas of micromammals in areas with different human population densities in Chile.Methods: The presence of Rickettsia spp. was evaluated by standard polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequencing in 1,315 fleas collected from 1,512 micromammals in 29 locations, with different human population densities in Chile. A generalized linear models (GLM) was used to identify the variables that may explain Rickettsia prevalence in fleas. Results: DNA of Rickettsia spp. was identified in 13.2% (174 of 1,315) of fleas tested. Fifteen flea species were found to be Rickettsia-positive. The prevalence of Rickettsia spp. was higher in winter, semi-arid region and natural areas, and the infections in fleas varied between species of fleas. The prevalence of Rickettsia among flea species ranged from 0%–35.1%. Areas of lower human density have the highest prevalence of Rickettsia. The phylogenetic tree shows two well-differentiated clades. Rickettsia bellii is positioned as basal in a clade. Another clade is subdivided into two subclades, and are related to Rickettsia of spotted fever group.Conclusions: To our knowledge, this is the first report of the occurrence and molecular characterization of Rickettsia spp. in 15 species of fleas of micromammals in Chile. In this study, fleas were detected carrying Rickettsia DNA with zoonotic potential, mainly in villages and natural areas of Chile. Considering that there are differences in the prevalence of Rickettsia in fleas associated with different factors, more investigations are needed to further understand the ecology of Rickettsia in fleas and their implications for human health.

scholarly journals Molecular detection of Rickettsia in fleas from micromammals in Chile

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lucila Moreno Salas ◽  
Mario Espinoza Carniglia ◽  
Nicol Lizama Schmeisser ◽  
Luis Gonzalo Torres Fuentes ◽  
María Carolina Silva de la Fuente ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Human Population ◽  
Linear Models ◽  
Emerging Diseases ◽  
Flea Species ◽  
Natural Areas ◽  
Population Densities ◽  
Dispersal Capacity ◽  
Standard Polymerase Chain Reaction ◽  
Well Differentiated ◽  
Semi Arid Region

Abstract BackgroundRickettsial diseases are considered important in public health due to their dispersal capacity determined by the particular characteristics of their reservoirs and / or vectors. Among the latter, fleas play an important role, since the vast majority of species parasitize wild and invasive rodents, so their detection is relevant to be able to monitor potential emerging diseases. The aim of this study was to detect, characterize, and compare Rickettsia spp. from the fleas of micromammals in areas with different human population densities in Chile.MethodsThe presence of Rickettsia spp. was evaluated by standard polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequencing in 1,315 fleas collected from 1,512 micromammals in 29 locations, with different human population densities in Chile. A generalized linear models (GLM) was used to identify the variables that may explain Rickettsia prevalence in fleas.ResultsDNA of Rickettsia spp. was identified in 13.2% (174 of 1,315) of fleas tested. Fifteen flea species were found to be Rickettsia-positive. The prevalence of Rickettsia spp. was higher in winter, semi-arid region and natural areas, and the infections in fleas varied between species of fleas. The prevalence of Rickettsia among flea species ranged from 0%–35.1%. Areas of lower human density have the highest prevalence of Rickettsia. The phylogenetic tree shows two well-differentiated clades. Rickettsia belli is positioned as basal in a clade. Another clade is subdivided into two subclades, and are related to Rickettsia of typhus group.ConclusionsTo our knowledge, this is the first report of the occurrence and molecular characterization of Rickettsia spp. in 15 species of fleas of micromammals in Chile. In this study, fleas were detected carrying Rickettsia DNA with zoonotic potential, mainly in villages and natural areas of Chile. Considering that there are differences in the prevalence of Rickettsia in fleas associated with different factors, more investigations are needed to further understand the ecology of Rickettsia in fleas and their implications for human health.

scholarly journals Rickettsial pathogens circulating in urban districts of Rio de Janeiro, without report of human Brazilian Spotted Fever

2020 ◽  
Vol 29 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sabrina Destri Emmerick Campos ◽  
Nathalie Costa da Cunha ◽  
Camila de Souza Cerqueira Machado ◽  
Erich Loza Telleria ◽  
Matheus Dias Cordeiro ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rural Areas ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Rio De Janeiro ◽  
Spotted Fever ◽  
Rhipicephalus Sanguineus ◽  
Emerging Diseases ◽  
Immunofluorescence Assay ◽  
Spotted Fever Group ◽  
Indoor Environments ◽  
Rhipicephalus Sanguineus Sensu Lato

Abstract Spotted fever group rickettsioses are emerging diseases. In some of these diseases, domestic dogs act as sentinels. Canine serological studies have demonstrated that rickettsial dispersion is concentrated in rural areas, seroprevalence being higher where human rickettsioses are endemic. In Rio de Janeiro, the Atlantic forest vegetation has been devastated by urbanization. In this context, we aimed to detect Rickettsia spp. in urban areas of the West Zone of Rio de Janeiro. Sera from 130 dogs were tested by Indirect Immunofluorescence Assay, and ticks collected from these dogs were tested by polymerase chain reaction. We found the rate of serological reactions against R. rickettsii and R. parkeri in our study area to exceed those of rural and non-endemic areas, highlighting the importance of dogs as urban sentinels. The possibility of contact with opossums and capybaras increased the chances of exposure to Rickettsia spp., reinforcing the hypothetical link between the landscape and the rickettsial wild cycle. Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato was the tick most frequently observed. PCR-positive samples showed similarity with R. rickettsii and R. felis, an emerging pathogen rarely reported from ticks. We observed that rickettsiae circulate in urban places and ticks from indoor environments, which may be involved in bacterial epidemiology.

scholarly journals Occurrence of Anti-Rickettsia spp. Antibodies in Hospitalized Patients with Undifferentiated Febrile Illness in the Southern Region of Kazakhstan

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nurkeldi Turebekov ◽  
Karlygash Abdiyeva ◽  
Ravilya Yegemberdiyeva ◽  
Andrey Kuznetsov ◽  
Andrey Dmitrovskiy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spotted Fever ◽  
Acute Infection ◽  
Febrile Illness ◽  
Medical Problem ◽  
Emerging Diseases ◽  
Southern Region ◽  
Spotted Fever Group ◽  
Igg Antibodies ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Past Infection

Undifferentiated febrile illness still represents a demanding medical problem all over the world, but primarily in low- and middle-income countries. Scientific and clinical investigations related to undifferentiated febrile illness and rickettsial diseases in Kazakhstan are lacking. This study reflects the investigation of antibodies against spotted fever group (SFG) and typhus group (TG) rickettsiae in patients with undifferentiated febrile illness in the southern region of Kazakhstan (Almaty and Kyzylorda oblasts). Paired serum samples were gathered from 13 hospitals in these two oblasts and explored for the presence of IgM and IgG antibodies against typhus group and IgG antibodies against spotted fever group rickettsiae using ELISA. Patient’s questionnaires were statistically analyzed. In total, 802 inpatients from Almaty (N = 9) and Kyzylorda (N = 4) hospitals were included in this research. Based on ELISA results, 250 patients out of 802 (31.2%) from both oblasts had IgG antibodies against SFG rickettsiae. Results from 11 (1.4%) patients indicated acute infection with tick-borne rickettsiosis. Regarding TG rickettsiae (R. typhi), a past infection was detected in 248 (30.9%) febrile patients and acute infection in 22 (2.7%) patients in the two selected oblasts. The data indicated that SFG and TG rickettsioses are present in Kazakhstan. Kazakh physicians should be aware of these emerging diseases in both investigated oblasts because the occurrence of these diseases is not suspected during day-to-day clinical practice. The identification of rickettsial pathogens and implementation of modern laboratory methods for the diagnostics of rickettsioses are in need throughout Kazakhstan.

scholarly journals Molecular Detection of Rickettsia in Fleas from Micromammals in Chile with Potential Public Health Implications

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lucila Moreno Salas ◽  
Mario Espinoza Carniglia ◽  
Nicol Lizama Schmeisser ◽  
Luis Gonzalo Torres Fuentes ◽  
María Carolina Silva de la Fuente ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Human Population ◽  
Pathogenic Bacteria ◽  
Pcr Amplification ◽  
Urban Environments ◽  
Flea Species ◽  
Population Densities ◽  
Rural And Urban ◽  
Polymerase Chain ◽  
Well Differentiated

Abstract BackgroundFleas are important vectors of pathogenic bacteria that pose public health concerns worldwide, including Rickettsia. Micromammals, and especially rodents, are the main flea hosts, therefore they play a fundamental role in the spread of flea-borne diseases and various species of rodent fleas can also parasitize humans. In addition to this, many rodent species are capable of inhabiting wild environments and adapting to rural and urban environments, which could favor a continuous gradient of transmission between domestic and wild species. The aim of this study was to detect, characterize, and compare Rickettsia spp. from the fleas of micromammals in areas with different human population densities in Chile.MethodsTo determine Rickettsia in fleas of micromammals, we analyzed 1,315 fleas obtained from 1,512 micromammals, which were captured in 29 locations with different human population densities in Chile. We used polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of the gltA, rpoB, and ompB genes to detect Rickettsia in fleas.ResultsThe prevalence of Rickettsia among flea species ranged from 0%–35.1%. Fifteen flea species were found to be Rickettsia-positive. Areas of lower human density have the highest prevalence of Rickettsia. The phylogenetic tree shows two well-differentiated clades. Rickettsia belli is positioned as basal in a clade. Another clade is subdivided into two subclades, and are related to Rickettsia of typhus group.ConclusionsConsidering that fleas are generalist parasites, and that they are frequently found and abundant in rodents, which are closely related to humans, the detection of potential emerging zoonotic pathogens in rodent fleas highlights the risk of infection to humans.

scholarly journals Two Cases of Spotted Fever Group Rickettsiosis Contracted in Southern Parts of Africa

1998 ◽  
Vol 72 (12) ◽  
pp. 1311-1316 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mikio KIMURA ◽  
Tatsuya FUJII ◽  
Aikichi IWAMOTO
Keyword(s):  
Spotted Fever ◽  
Spotted Fever Group

scholarly journals Surveillance of Ticks and Tick-Borne Pathogens in Suburban Natural Habitats of Central Maryland

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew T Milholland ◽  
Lars Eisen ◽  
Robyn M Nadolny ◽  
Andrias Hojgaard ◽  
Erika T Machtinger ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lyme Disease ◽  
Borrelia Burgdorferi ◽  
Spotted Fever ◽  
Babesia Microti ◽  
Borrelia Burgdorferi Sensu Lato ◽  
Spotted Fever Group ◽  
Borrelia Miyamotoi ◽  
Natural Habitats ◽  
Questing Ticks ◽  
Tick Vectors

Abstract Lyme and other tick-borne diseases are increasing in the eastern United States and there is a lack of research on integrated strategies to control tick vectors. Here we present results of a study on tick-borne pathogens detected from tick vectors and rodent reservoirs from an ongoing 5-yr tick suppression study in the Lyme disease-endemic state of Maryland, where human-biting tick species, including Ixodes scapularis Say (Acari: Ixodidae) (the primary vector of Lyme disease spirochetes), are abundant. During the 2017 tick season, we collected 207 questing ticks and 602 ticks recovered from 327 mice (Peromyscus spp. (Rodentia: Cricetidae)), together with blood and ear tissue from the mice, at seven suburban parks in Howard County. Ticks were selectively tested for the presence of the causative agents of Lyme disease (Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato [s.l.]), anaplasmosis (Anaplasma phagocytophilum), babesiosis (Babesia microti), ehrlichiosis (Ehrlichia ewingii, Ehrlichia chaffeensis, and ‘Panola Mountain’ Ehrlichia) and spotted fever group rickettsiosis (Rickettsia spp.). Peromyscus ear tissue and blood samples were tested for Bo. burgdorferi sensu stricto (s.s), A. phagocytophilum, Ba. microti, and Borrelia miyamotoi. We found 13.6% (15/110) of questing I. scapularis nymphs to be Bo. burgdorferi s.l. positive and 1.8% (2/110) were A. phagocytophilum positive among all sites. Borrelia burgdorferi s.s. was found in 71.1% (54/76) of I. scapularis nymphs removed from mice and 58.8% (194/330) of captured mice. Results from study on tick abundance and pathogen infection status in questing ticks, rodent reservoirs, and ticks feeding on Peromyscus spp. will aid efficacy evaluation of the integrated tick management measures being implemented.

scholarly journals Isolation of spotted fever group rickettsiae from Ixodes persulcatus ticks in the central part of Hokkaido, Japan

2000 ◽  
Vol 51 (1) ◽  
pp. 55-58 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hiromi FUJITA ◽  
Nobuhiro TAKADA ◽  
Emiko ISOGAI ◽  
Yuriko WATANABE ◽  
Takuya ITO
Keyword(s):  
Spotted Fever ◽  
Ixodes Persulcatus ◽  
Spotted Fever Group ◽  
Spotted Fever Group Rickettsiae

scholarly journals Quantitative Analyses of Variations in the Injury of Endothelial Cells Elicited by 11 Isolates of Rickettsia rickettsii

2001 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 788-796 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marina E. Eremeeva ◽  
Gregory A. Dasch ◽  
David J. Silverman
Keyword(s):  
North Carolina ◽  
Endothelial Cells ◽  
Reduced Glutathione ◽  
Spotted Fever ◽  
Ixodid Ticks ◽  
Spotted Fever Group ◽  
Cellular Injury ◽  
Rickettsia Rickettsii ◽  
Cytopathic Effects ◽  
Group I

ABSTRACT Eleven isolates of spotted fever group rickettsiae from the blood of patients or ixodid ticks from North and South America were characterized. All isolates were identified as Rickettsia rickettsii using restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis of a 532-bp rOmpA gene fragment obtained by PCR. The ability of the R. rickettsii isolates to elicit cytopathic effects and parameters of oxidative injury were examined in cultured human EA.hy 926 endothelial cells. Cytopathic effects were determined by direct observation of infected cultures, by measuring the release of cytoplasmic lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and by determination of intracellular pools of peroxide and reduced glutathione. Four biotypes of R. rickettsii were defined. Group I included two highly cytopathic isolates from Montana, Bitterroot and Sheila Smith, and three isolates from Maryland, North Carolina, and Brazil. These isolates rapidly damaged cells, released large amounts of cytoplasmic LDH, caused accumulation of intracellular peroxide, and depleted intracellular pools of reduced glutathione. Group II contained three isolates, two from Montana, Hlp#2 and Lost Horse Canyon, and an isolate from Colombia, which were similar to group I but caused either lower responses in LDH release or smaller changes in intracellular peroxide levels. The group III isolates, Sawtooth from Montana and 84JG from North Carolina, caused lower cellular injury by all measures. Group IV isolate Price T from Montana was the least cytopathic and caused minimal alterations of all parameters measured. Understanding the molecular basis for the varied cellular injury caused by different isolates of R. rickettsii may contribute to improved treatment of Rocky Mountain spotted fever and to the rapid identification of those isolates which are more likely to cause fulminant disease.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document