scholarly journals Molecular Identification of Borrelia afzelii from Ticks Parasitizing Domestic and Wild Animals in South Korea

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (5) ◽  
pp. 649
Author(s):  
Min-Goo Seo ◽  
Oh-Deog Kwon ◽  
Dongmi Kwak
Keyword(s):  
South Korea ◽  
Wild Boar ◽  
Lyme Borreliosis ◽  
Zoonotic Diseases ◽  
Borrelia Burgdorferi Sensu Lato ◽  
Haemaphysalis Longicornis ◽  
Wild Animals ◽  
Continuous Evaluation ◽  
Korean Water Deer ◽  
Potential Public Health

Lyme borreliosis is one of the most prevalent tick-borne infectious zoonotic diseases caused by spirochetes of the Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato group. The present study assessed the risk factors and prevalence of Lyme borreliosis in ticks parasitizing domestic and wild animals. A total of 589 ticks (329 tick pools) collected from animals were identified as Haemaphysalis longicornis, (85.7%), H. flava (10.0%), and Ixodes nipponensis (4.3%) using morphological and molecular methods in South Korea. In this study, the 5S–23S gene sequences of B. afzelii (6/329, 1.8%) were detected in ticks taken from mammals, including ticks from horses (2/147 pools, 1.4%), wild boar (1/19 pools, 5.3%), native Korean goats (NKG, 2/34 pools, 5.9%), and Korean water deer (1/129 pools, 0.8%). Unfortunately, ospA, pyrG, and flagellin genes were not able to be amplified in the present study. To our knowledge, our results are the first inclusive data available for B. afzelii circulation in several tick species taken from NKG, horses, and wild boar in South Korea. We believe that the current findings extend our knowledge of the distribution and possible vector spectrum of Borrelia spp. We recommend continuous evaluation of the potential public health threat posed by Borrelia infected ticks.

scholarly journals Molecular and Phylogenetic Analysis of Tick-Borne Pathogens in Ticks Parasitizing Native Korean Goats (Capra hircus coreanae) in South Korea

Pathogens ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 71 ◽  
Author(s):  
Min-Goo Seo ◽  
Oh-Deog Kwon ◽  
Dongmi Kwak
Keyword(s):  
South Korea ◽  
Capra Hircus ◽  
Haemaphysalis Longicornis ◽  
Emerging Pathogens ◽  
High Prevalence ◽  
Theileria Luwenshuni ◽  
Haemaphysalis Flava ◽  
Anaplasma Bovis ◽  
Severe Fever ◽  
Potential Public Health

Tick-borne pathogens (TBPs) are considered zoonotic re-emerging pathogens, with ticks playing important roles in their transmission and ecology. Previous studies in South Korea have examined TBPs residing in ticks; however, there is no phylogenetic information on TBPs in ticks parasitizing native Korean goat (NKG; Capra hircus coreanae). The present study assessed the prevalence, risk factors, and co-infectivity of TBPs in ticks parasitizing NKGs. In total, 107 hard ticks, including Haemaphysalis longicornis, Ixodes nipponensis, and Haemaphysalis flava, were obtained from NKGs in South Korea between 2016 and 2019. In 40 tested tick pools, genes for four TBPs, namely Coxiella-like endosymbiont (CLE, 5.0%), Candidatus Rickettsia longicornii (45.0%), Anaplasma bovis (2.5%), and Theileria luwenshuni (5.0%) were detected. Ehrlichia, Bartonella spp., and severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus were not detected. To our knowledge, this is the first study to report CLE and T. luwenshuni in H. flava ticks in South Korea. Considering the high prevalence of Candidatus R. longicornii in ticks parasitizing NKGs, there is a possibility of its transmission from ticks to animals and humans. NKG ticks might be maintenance hosts for TBPs, and we recommend evaluation of the potential public health threat posed by TBP-infected ticks.

Surveillance and Molecular Identification of Borrelia Species in Ticks Collected at U.S. Army Garrison Humphreys, Republic of Korea, 2018–2019

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Seung-Ho Lee ◽  
Sung-Tae Chong ◽  
Heung-Chul Kim ◽  
Terry A Klein ◽  
Kyungmin Park ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lyme Borreliosis ◽  
Disease Surveillance ◽  
Disease Risk ◽  
Republic Of Korea ◽  
Borrelia Burgdorferi Sensu Lato ◽  
Molecular Characteristics ◽  
Rrna Gene ◽  
Haemaphysalis Longicornis ◽  
Borrelia Miyamotoi ◽  
Contributing Factors

Abstract Tick-borne pathogens are contributing factors for the increased incidence of vector-borne diseases throughout the world, including Lyme borreliosis, one of the most prevalent spirochetes belonging to the Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato group. The present study focused on the detection of Borrelia species from hard ticks collected at U.S. Army Garrison Humphreys, Republic of Korea (ROK), using molecular and genotypic analyses. Tick-borne disease surveillance was conducted from January to December, 2018–2019. A total of 24,281 ticks (2 genera and 5 species) were collected from road-killed Korean Water deer (KWD) and by tick drag. Haemaphysalis longicornis (92.0%) was the most commonly collected species, followed by Haemaphysalis flava (4.9%), Ixodes nipponensis (3.1%), Haemaphysalis phasiana (0.07%), and Haemaphysalis japonica (<0.01%). The ospA gene sequences of Borrelia afzelii were detected in 12/529 pools of I. nipponensis. Three and one pools were positive for B. afzelii and Borrelia miyamotoi, respectively, using the 16s rRNA gene. None of the pools of Haemaphysalis ticks collected from KWD or by tick drag were positive for Borrelia species. I. nipponensis was collected throughout the year from KWD and from February to November by tick drag, suggesting that they were active throughout the year, and expanding the risk period for acquiring Lyme borreliosis and Borrelia relapsing fever in the ROK. This study assessed disease risk factors associated with the prevalence of Lyme disease in ticks collected from KWD and by tick drag using molecular analysis. These results provide an understanding and awareness into the prevalence and molecular characteristics of Borrelia species in the ROK.

scholarly journals Hepatitis E Virus RNA Presence in Wild Boar Carcasses at Slaughterhouses in Italy

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 1624
Author(s):  
Mario Forzan ◽  
Maria Irene Pacini ◽  
Marcello Periccioli ◽  
Maurizio Mazzei
Keyword(s):  
Wild Boar ◽  
Hepatitis E Virus ◽  
Foodborne Pathogen ◽  
Hepatitis E ◽  
Cross Contamination ◽  
Wild Animals ◽  
Prevalence Rates ◽  
Virus Rna ◽  
The World ◽  
Undercooked Meat

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a waterborne and foodborne pathogen largely spread around the world. HEV is responsible for acute hepatitis in humans and it is also diffused in domestic and wild animals. In particular, domestic pigs represent the main reservoir of the infection and particular attention should be paid to the consumption of raw and undercooked meat as a possible zoonotic vehicle of the pathogen. Several studies have reported the presence of HEV in wild boar circulating in European countries with similar prevalence rates. In this study, we evaluated the occurrence of HEV in wild boar hunted in specific areas of Tuscany. Sampling was performed by collecting liver samples and also by swabbing the carcasses at the slaughterhouses following hunting activities. Our data indicated that 8/67 (12%) of liver samples and 4/67 (6%) of swabs were positive for HEV RNA. The presence of HEV genome on swabs indicates the possible cross-contamination of carcass surfaces during slaughtering procedures. Altogether, our data indicated that it is essential to promote health education programmes for hunters and consumers to limit the diffusion of the pathogen to humans.

scholarly journals Modelling the Spatial Distribution of ASF-Positive Wild Boar Carcasses in South Korea Using 2019–2020 National Surveillance Data

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 1208
Author(s):  
Jun-Sik Lim ◽  
Timothée Vergne ◽  
Son-Il Pak ◽  
Eutteum Kim
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Distribution ◽  
Risk Factor ◽  
South Korea ◽  
Wild Boar ◽  
African Swine Fever Virus ◽  
Significant Risk ◽  
African Swine Fever ◽  
Credible Interval ◽  
Imperfect Detection ◽  
Wild Boars

In September 2019, African swine fever (ASF) was reported in South Korea for the first time. Since then, more than 651 ASF cases in wild boars and 14 farm outbreaks have been notified in the country. Despite the efforts to eradicate ASF among wild boar populations, the number of reported ASF-positive wild boar carcasses have increased recently. The purpose of this study was to characterize the spatial distribution of ASF-positive wild boar carcasses to identify the risk factors associated with the presence and number of ASF-positive wild boar carcasses in the affected areas. Because surveillance efforts have substantially increased in early 2020, we divided the study into two periods (2 October 2019 to 19 January 2020, and 19 January to 28 April 2020) based on the number of reported cases and aggregated the number of reported ASF-positive carcasses into a regular grid of hexagons of 3-km diameter. To account for imperfect detection of positive carcasses, we adjusted spatial zero-inflated Poisson regression models to the number of ASF-positive wild boar carcasses per hexagon. During the first study period, proximity to North Korea was identified as the major risk factor for the presence of African swine fever virus. In addition, there were more positive carcasses reported in affected hexagons with high habitat suitability for wild boars, low heat load index (HLI), and high human density. During the second study period, proximity to an ASF-positive carcass reported during the first period was the only significant risk factor for the presence of ASF-positive carcasses. Additionally, low HLI and elevation were associated with an increased number of ASF-positive carcasses reported in the affected hexagons. Although the proportion of ASF-affected hexagons increased from 0.06 (95% credible interval (CrI): 0.05–0.07) to 0.09 (95% CrI: 0.08–0.10), the probability of reporting at least one positive carcass in ASF-affected hexagons increased from 0.49 (95% CrI: 0.41–0.57) to 0.73 (95% CrI: 0.66–0.81) between the two study periods. These results can be used to further advance risk-based surveillance strategies in the Republic of Korea.

9. Monitoring zoonotic diseases in the wild boar (Sus scrofa) population of the Emilia-Romagna Region (Northern Italy)

2014 ◽  
pp. 145-150
Author(s):  
Gianluca Rugna ◽  
Paolo Bonilauri ◽  
Chiara Garbarino ◽  
Elio Licata ◽  
Marco Tamba ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Wild Boar ◽  
Sus Scrofa ◽  
Northern Italy ◽  
Zoonotic Diseases ◽  
Emilia Romagna Region ◽  
In The Wild

scholarly journals Co-feeding transmission in Lyme disease pathogens

Parasitology ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 142 (2) ◽  
pp. 290-302 ◽  
Author(s):  
MAARTEN J. VOORDOUW
Keyword(s):  
Lyme Borreliosis ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Ecological Factors ◽  
Borrelia Burgdorferi Sensu Lato ◽  
Fitness Advantage ◽  
Modest Contribution ◽  
Causative Agents ◽  
Tick Ecology ◽  
Mode Of Transmission ◽  
Recent Experimental Work

SUMMARYThis review examines the phenomenon of co-feeding transmission in tick-borne pathogens. This mode of transmission is critical for the epidemiology of several tick-borne viruses but its importance forBorrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, the causative agents of Lyme borreliosis, is still controversial. The molecular mechanisms and ecological factors that facilitate co-feeding transmission are therefore examined with particular emphasis onBorreliapathogens. Comparison of climate, tick ecology and experimental infection work suggests that co-feeding transmission is more important in European than North American systems of Lyme borreliosis, which potentially explains why this topic has gained more traction in the former continent than the latter. While new theory shows that co-feeding transmission makes a modest contribution toBorreliafitness, recent experimental work has revealed new ecological contexts where natural selection might favour co-feeding transmission. In particular, co-feeding transmission might confer a fitness advantage in the Darwinian competition among strains in mixed infections. Future studies should investigate the ecological conditions that favour the evolution of this fascinating mode of transmission in tick-borne pathogens.

scholarly journals Draft Genome Sequence of Mycobacterium bovis Strain D-10-02315 Isolated from Wild Boar

2016 ◽  
Vol 4 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Maxime Branger ◽  
Amandine Hauer ◽  
Lorraine Michelet ◽  
Claudine Karoui ◽  
Thierry Cochard ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Infectious Disease ◽  
Wild Boar ◽  
Mycobacterium Bovis ◽  
Genome Sequence ◽  
Bovine Tuberculosis ◽  
Draft Genome ◽  
Etiologic Agent ◽  
Draft Genome Sequence ◽  
Wild Animals

Mycobacterium bovis is the etiologic agent of bovine tuberculosis, a chronic infectious disease, affecting livestock, wild animals, and sometimes humans. We report the draft genome sequence of a Mycobacterium bovis strain isolated from wild boar of spoligotype SB0120 (or BCG-like) also present in wildlife-livestock multi-host systems.

scholarly journals Lyme borreliosis in Europe

2011 ◽  
Vol 16 (27) ◽  
Author(s):  
A Rizzoli ◽  
H C Hauffe ◽  
G Carpi ◽  
G I Vourc’h ◽  
M Neteler ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lyme Borreliosis ◽  
Prediction Models ◽  
Preventive Measure ◽  
Biodiversity Loss ◽  
Borrelia Burgdorferi Sensu Lato ◽  
Climate Change Scenarios ◽  
Economic Changes ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Ecosystem Changes ◽  
And Control

Despite improvements in prevention, diagnosis and treatment, Lyme borreliosis (LB) is still the most common arthropod-borne disease in temperate regions of the northern hemisphere, with risk of infection associated with occupation (e.g. forestry work) and certain outdoor recreational activities (e.g. mushroom collecting). In Europe, LB is caused by infection with one or more pathogenic European genospecies of the spirochaete Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, mainly transmitted by the tick Ixodes ricinus. Recent surveys show that the overall prevalence of LB may be stabilising, but its geographical distribution is increasing. In addition, much remains to be discovered about the factors affecting genospecific prevalence, transmission and virulence, although avoidance of tick bite still appears to be the most efficient preventive measure. Uniform, European-wide surveillance programmes (particularly on a local scale) and standardisation of diagnostic tests and treatments are still urgently needed, especially in the light of climate change scenarios and land-use and socio-economic changes. Improved epidemiological knowledge will also aid development of more accurate risk prediction models for LB. Studies on the effects of biodiversity loss and ecosystem changes on LB emergence may identify new paradigms for the prevention and control of LB and other tick-borne diseases.

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