scholarly journals Ecotyping of Anaplasma phagocytophilum from Wild Ungulates and Ticks Shows Circulation of Zoonotic Strains in Northeastern Italy

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 310
Author(s):  
Laura Grassi ◽  
Giovanni Franzo ◽  
Marco Martini ◽  
Alessandra Mondin ◽  
Rudi Cassini ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Phylogenetic Analysis ◽  
Anaplasma Phagocytophilum ◽  
Human Infection ◽  
Wild Ungulates ◽  
Blood Samples ◽  
Wild Boars ◽  
Wild Ruminants ◽  
Granulocytic Anaplasmosis ◽  
Northeastern Italy ◽  
Alpine Chamois

Anaplasma phagocytophilum (A. phagocytophilum) is a tick-borne pathogen causing disease in both humans and animals. Human granulocytic anaplasmosis (HGA) is an emerging disease, but despite the remarkable prevalence in European ticks and wild animals, human infection appears underdiagnosed. Several genetic variants are circulating in Europe, including the zoonotic ecotype I. This study investigated A. phagocytophilum occurrence in wild ungulates and their ectoparasites in an area where HGA has been reported. Blood samples from wild ungulates and ectoparasites were screened by biomolecular methods targeting the mps2 gene. The groEL gene was amplified and sequenced to perform genetic characterization and phylogenetic analysis. A total of 188 blood samples were collected from different wild ungulates species showing an overall prevalence of 63.8% (88.7% in wild ruminants and 3.6% in wild boars). The prevalence of A. phagocytophilum DNA in ticks (manly Ixodes ricinus), and keds collected from wild ruminants was high, reflecting the high infection rates obtained in their hosts. Among ticks collected from wild boars (Hyalomma marginatum and Dermacentor marginatus) no DNA was detected. Phylogenetic analysis demonstrated the presence of ecotype I and II. To date, this is the first Italian report of ecotype I in alpine chamois, mouflon, and wild boar species. These findings suggest their role in HGA epidemiology, and the high prevalence detected in this study highlights that this human tick-borne disease deserves further attention.

scholarly journals Tick-Borne Pathogens in Ticks Collected from Wild Ungulates in North-Eastern Poland

Pathogens ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 587
Author(s):  
Mirosław M. Michalski ◽  
Katarzyna Kubiak ◽  
Magdalena Szczotko ◽  
Małgorzata Dmitryjuk
Keyword(s):  
Ixodes Ricinus ◽  
Anaplasma Phagocytophilum ◽  
Tick Species ◽  
Dermacentor Reticulatus ◽  
Infection Frequency ◽  
Wild Ungulates ◽  
Wild Boars ◽  
Potential Source ◽  
North Eastern

This study was carried out in north-eastern Poland during two hunting seasons between 2018 and 2020. Ticks (Ixodes ricinus and Dermacentor reticulatus) were removed from wild cervids and boars and examined for the presence of Borrelia spirochetes and Rickettsiales members: Rickettsia spp. and Anaplasma phagocytophilum. The present study contributes to the knowledge of even-toed ungulates, which are an important reservoir of the above-mentioned pathogens and a potential source of infections for humans through ticks as vectors. Almost 40% of the collected ticks (191 out of 484) were infected with the following pathogens: 3.3% with Borrelia spp., 19.2% with A. phagocytophilum and 26.9% with Rickettsia spp. Only the ticks collected from cervids carried Borrelia. Typing of the species DNA confirmed the presence of B. afzelii, B. garinii, B. lusitaniae and B. miyamotoi. An analysis of Rickettsia spp. sequences using the GenBank data revealed the presence of R. helvetica, R. raoultii and R. monacensis. Monoinfections (79.1%) dominated over co-infections (20.9%). Among co-infections, the most frequent was A. phagocytophilum/Rickettsia spp. (70%), however co-infections, including B. afzelii/A. phagocytophilum, B. afzelii/Rickettsia spp., B. miyamotoi/A. phagocytophilum and B. afzelii/B. garinii/B. lusitaniae, were also noted. Significant differences were observed in the affinity of some pathogens to their vectors. Thus, Borrelia spp. and A. phagocytophilum were more frequently detected in I. ricinus (5.3% and 23.1%) than in D. reticulatus (1.2% and 15.3%). Infection frequency with Rickettsia spp. was similar (approximately 25–29%) in both tick species. The prevalence of A. phagocytophilum and Rickettsia spp. in ticks removed from cervids was 19.8% and 27.1%, and in ticks from wild boars it was 13.3% and 24.4%, respectively.

scholarly journals Seroprevalence of antibodies against Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Borrelia burgdorferi in horses (Equus caballus) from northern Algeria

2020 ◽  
Vol 64 (3) ◽  
pp. 413-419
Author(s):  
Abdelouahab Laamari ◽  
Naouelle Azzag ◽  
Safia Tennah ◽  
Salima-Yamina Derdour ◽  
Bernard China ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Borrelia Burgdorferi ◽  
Anaplasma Phagocytophilum ◽  
Bacterial Species ◽  
Antibody Test ◽  
Equus Caballus ◽  
Igg Antibodies ◽  
Blood Samples ◽  
Granulocytic Anaplasmosis ◽  
Immunofluorescence Antibody Test ◽  
Immunofluorescence Antibody

AbstractIntroductionHorses (Equus caballus) are susceptible to tick-borne diseases. Two of them, Lyme borreliosis due to Borrelia burgdorferi and granulocytic anaplasmosis due to Anaplasma phagocytophilum were investigated in Algerian horses. The diseases have been less extensively studied in horses and results pertinent to Algeria have not been published.Material and MethodsBlood samples were obtained from 128 horses. IgG antibodies directed against Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Borrelia burgdorferi were detected by an indirect immunofluorescence antibody test (IFAT) and ELISA. The potential effects of age, gender, breed, and health status on seropositivity were also evaluated.ResultsUsing IFAT, 28 (21.8%) and 25 (19.5%) animals were positive for B. burgdorferi and A. phagocytophilum, respectively. Using ELISA, 19 (14.8%) and 33 (25.9%) animals were positive for these bacteria.ConclusionThe study shows that horses in Algeria are exposed or co-exposed to tick-transmitted zoonotic bacterial species.

scholarly journals The Occurrence of Zoonotic Anaplasma phagocytophilum Strains, in the Spleen and Liver of Wild Boars from North-West and Central Parts of Poland

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna W. Myczka ◽  
T. Szewczyk ◽  
Z. Laskowski
Keyword(s):  
16S Rrna ◽  
Blood Cells ◽  
Anaplasma Phagocytophilum ◽  
Rrna Gene ◽  
Negative Bacterium ◽  
Wild Boars ◽  
North West ◽  
Natural Reservoir ◽  
Granulocytic Anaplasmosis ◽  
Reservoir Hosts

Abstract Purpose The Anaplasma genus includes a Gram-negative bacterium infecting the blood cells of wild and domestic mammals, causing tick-borne fever. Infection with pathogenic Anaplasma phagocytophilum strains may cause Human Granulocytic Anaplasmosis. Wild boars (Sus scrofa) may act as natural wild reservoir hosts for potentially zoonotic A. phagocytophilum strains; however, there is still little data to confirm this statement. The aim of this study was to verify whether wild boars can be classified as natural reservoirs of Anaplasma spp. and to compare the suitability of spleen and liver samples for such analysis. Methods Liver and spleen samples were collected from 59 wild boars (2017–2019). The organs were tested for Anaplasma phagocytophilum using short (partial) fragments of three markers: 16S rRNA, groEL, ankA. Results Anaplasma spp. DNA was detected in 12 out of 59 samples, with a prevalence of 20.34%. The presence of A. phagocytophilum was confirmed by sequencing of the partial 16S rRNA gene. Positive individuals were tested for the characteristic markers: groEL and ankA. The analysis of the nucleotide sequences of 16S rRNA, groEL and ankA, indicated that the strains of A. phagocytophilum detected in these studies are potentially zoonotic for humans. Conclusion Wild boars from Poland can be classified as a natural reservoir of the zoonotic strain of Anaplasma phagocytophilum. Both the spleen and the liver tissues were found to be suitable materials for the detection of A. phagocytophilum.

scholarly journals Granulocytic anaplasmosis in captive ring-tailed lemur (Lemur catta) in Poland

2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Łukasz Adaszek ◽  
Anna Wilczyńska ◽  
Jerzy Ziętek ◽  
Marcin Kalinowski ◽  
Oliwier Teodorowski ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Anaplasma Phagocytophilum ◽  
Polymerase Chain Reaction Test ◽  
Anaplasma Ovis ◽  
Case Presentation ◽  
Granulocytic Anaplasmosis ◽  
Pcr Product ◽  
Polymerase Chain ◽  
Obligate Intracellular Bacteria ◽  
Chain Reaction Test ◽  
Anaplasma Bovis

Abstract Background Anaplasma are obligate intracellular bacteria and aetiological agents of tick-borne diseases of both veterinary and medical interest. The genus Anaplasma comprises six species: Anaplasma marginale, Anaplasma centrale, Anaplasma ovis, Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Anaplasma bovis and Anaplasma platys. They can infect humans, carnivores, ruminants, rodents, insectivores, birds and reptiles. The aim of this study was to present the first clinical case of granulocytic anaplasmosis in a captive ring-tailed lemur in Poland. Case presentation A 4-year-old female lemur presented anorexia, epistaxis and tick infestation. The microscopic examination of a blood smear revealed morulae in neutrophils. Polymerase chain reaction test and sequencing of obtained PCR product confirmed infection by the GU183908 Anaplasma phagocytophilum strain. Therapeutic protocol included doxycycline (2.5 mg/kg p.o., b.i.d.) for 3 weeks and the lemur recovered within 24 h. Conclusions This is the first report on granulocytic anaplasmosis in a ring-tailed lemur in Europe, indicating that A. phagocytophilum infection must also be considered in differential diagnosis in this animal species, especially in individuals with thrombocytopenia associated with Ixodes ricinus parasitism.

scholarly journals Neospora caninum and/or Toxoplasma gondii Seroprevalence: Vaccination against PCV2 and Muscle Enzyme Activity in Seropositive and Seronegative Pigs

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 1097
Author(s):  
Labrini V. Athanasiou ◽  
Vasileios G. Papatsiros ◽  
Victoria M. Spanou ◽  
Eleni G. Katsogiannou ◽  
Anna Dedousi
Keyword(s):  
Enzyme Activity ◽  
Toxoplasma Gondii ◽  
Neospora Caninum ◽  
Human Infection ◽  
Porcine Circovirus ◽  
Muscle Enzyme ◽  
Blood Samples ◽  
Zoonotic Pathogen ◽  
Muscle Enzyme Activity ◽  
Immunofluorescence Antibody

Neospora caninum and Toxoplasma gondii affect both humans and animals worldwide. To investigate their seroprevalence and differences in seropositivity between pigs vaccinated and unvaccinated against porcine circovirus 2 (PCV2), as well as differences in muscle enzyme activity between seropositive and seronegative pigs, blood samples were collected from 380 sows. Antibodies against T. gondii and N. caninum were detected by an indirect immunofluorescence antibody (IFA) assay, while the activities of creatine kinase (CK) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were biochemically assessed. Out of the 364 sows finally included in the study, 4.4%, 3.5%, and 0.5% were seropositive to T. gondii, N. caninum, or both. A significantly higher percentage of seropositivity against T. gondii and/or N. caninum in PCV2 unvaccinated pigs compared with vaccinated pigs was observed. Increased serum activities of CK and AST were detected in 71.43% and 100% of only against T. gondii (T+) and 63.64% and 90.91% of only against N. caninum (N+) seropositive sows, respectively, and were significantly higher compared to seronegative animals. T. gondii and N. caninum seropositivity, especially in presumed immunocompromised pigs, and the evidence of muscle damage highlight their importance as a zoonotic pathogen and animal model of human infection, respectively.

scholarly journals CXCR2 Blockade Influences Anaplasma phagocytophilum Propagation but Not Histopathology in the Mouse Model of Human Granulocytic Anaplasmosis

2004 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 963-968 ◽  
Author(s):  
Diana G. Scorpio ◽  
Mustafa Akkoyunlu ◽  
Erol Fikrig ◽  
J. Stephen Dumler
Keyword(s):  
Anaplasma Phagocytophilum ◽  
Tissue Injury ◽  
Treated Group ◽  
Obligate Intracellular Bacterium ◽  
Human Granulocytic Anaplasmosis ◽  
Obligate Intracellular ◽  
Liver Histopathology ◽  
Granulocytic Anaplasmosis ◽  
Infected Cells ◽  
And Control

ABSTRACT Anaplasma phagocytophilum is an obligate intracellular bacterium that infects neutrophils and causes human granulocytic anaplasmosis. Infection induces neutrophil secretion of interleukin-8 or murine homologs and perpetuates infection by recruiting susceptible neutrophils. We hypothesized that antibody blockade of CXCR2 would decrease A. phagocytophilum tissue load by interrupting neutrophil recruitment but would not influence murine hepatic pathology. C3H-scid mice were treated with CXCR2 antiserum or control prior to or on day 14 after infection. Quantitative PCR and immunohistochemistry for A. phagocytophilum were performed and severity of liver histopathology was ranked. Control mice had more infected cells in tissues than the anti-CXCR2-treated group. The histopathological rank was not different between treated and control animals. Infected cells of control mice clustered in tissue more than in treated mice. The results support the hypothesis of bacterial propagation through chemokine induction and confirm that tissue injury is unrelated to A. phagocytophilum tissue load.

scholarly journals Seroprevalence of Hepatitis E Virus Infection among Blood Donors in Bulgaria

Viruses ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 492
Author(s):  
Magdalena Baymakova ◽  
Krasimira Terzieva ◽  
Rumen Popov ◽  
Elisaveta Grancharova ◽  
Todor Kundurzhiev ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Virus Infection ◽  
Hepatitis E Virus ◽  
Blood Donors ◽  
Hepatitis E ◽  
Elisa Test ◽  
Blood Samples ◽  
Wild Boars ◽  
Domestic Pigs ◽  
Specific Questionnaire ◽  
Positive Results

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection is widespread among domestic pigs, industrial swine, and wild boars in Bulgaria. The aim of the current research was to present the HEV seroprevalence among blood donors in Bulgaria. In the present study, 555 blood donors (479 males and 76 females) were enrolled from five districts in the country (Shumen, Pleven, Stara Zagora, Plovdiv, and Sofia districts). All blood samples were tested for anti-HEV IgG using the recomWell HEV IgG ELISA test (Mikrogen GmbH, Neuried, Germany). Each participating donor completed a short, structured, and specific questionnaire to document data on the current study. Anti-HEV IgG positive results were detected in 144 (25.9%) blood donors, including 129 (26.9%) males and 15 (19.7%) females. The established HEV seropositivity was 28.8% (23/80) in Shumen district, 23.2% (22/95) in Pleven district, 27.1% (38/140) in Stara Zagora district, 27.5% (44/160) in Plovdiv district, and 21.3% (17/80) in Sofia district. A high HEV seroprevalence was found for persons who declared that they were general hunters (48.7%; 19/39; p = 0.001) and hunters of wild boars (51.6%; 16/31; p = 0.001). We present the first seroprevalence rates of HEV infection in blood donors from Bulgaria. The results of our research showed high HEV seropositivity among blood donors.

scholarly journals Phylogenetic Analysis of Kobuvirus and Astrovirus From Korean Wild Boars: 2016-2018

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jihye Shin ◽  
SeEun Choe ◽  
Bang-Hun Hyun ◽  
Dong-Jun An
Keyword(s):  
Phylogenetic Analysis ◽  
Phylogenetic Tree ◽  
Porcine Kobuvirus ◽  
Phylogenetic Tree Analysis ◽  
Tree Analysis ◽  
Wild Boars ◽  
Porcine Astrovirus ◽  
The One

Abstract The prevalence of porcine kobuvirus (PKoV) and porcine astrovirus (PAstV) in 845 Korean wild boars (KWB) during 2016-2018 were 28.0% and 10.6%, respectively, and co-infection of two viruses showed 5.1%. Phylogenetic tree analysis also revealed that 236 PKoVs from KWB were divided to diverse lineages within Aichivirus C group but the one strain (WKoV16CN-8627) was included the same cluster with bovine kobuvirus (Achivirus B). Eighty-nine PAstVs from KWB was belonged predominantly to lineage PAstV4 and only one strain (WAst17JN-10931) included novel to lineage PAstV2. Two viruses are epidemic more in young (≤ 12 months) than in old pigs (> 12 months).

scholarly journals Epidemiologic and phylogenetic analysis of the 2018 West Nile virus (WNV) outbreak in Israel demonstrates human infection of WNV lineage I

2019 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yaniv Lustig ◽  
Ruslan Gosinov ◽  
Neta Zuckerman ◽  
Yael Glazer ◽  
Laor Orshan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Phylogenetic Analysis ◽  
West Nile Virus ◽  
Human Infection ◽  
European Countries ◽  
West Nile

As at 12 November 2018, an outbreak of West Nile virus (WNV) was responsible for 139 WNV infection cases in Israel. Here, we characterise the epidemiology of the outbreak and demonstrate that only WNV lineage I was circulating in mosquitoes and responsible for WNV infection in humans. This suggests that the concurrence of the outbreak in Israel with WNV outbreaks in several European countries is not due to a common, more virulent WNV genotype.

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