scholarly journals Rickettsia lusitaniae in Ornithodoros Porcinus Ticks, Zambia

Pathogens ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. 1306
Author(s):  
Simbarashe Chitanga ◽  
Herman M. Chambaro ◽  
Lavel C. Moonga ◽  
Kyoko Hayashida ◽  
Junya Yamagishi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Phylogenetic Analysis ◽  
National Parks ◽  
Citrate Synthase ◽  
Sequence Similarity ◽  
Ixodid Ticks ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Public Health Importance ◽  
Rickettsia Species ◽  
Ornithodoros Moubata

Rickettsial pathogens are amongst the emerging and re-emerging vector-borne zoonoses of public health importance. Though traditionally considered to be transmitted by ixodid ticks, the role of argasid ticks as vectors of these pathogens is increasingly being recognized. While bat-feeding (Ornithodoros faini) and chicken-feeding (Argas walkerae) argasid ticks have been shown to harbor Rickettsia pathogens in Zambia, there are currently no reports of Rickettsia infection in southern Africa from warthog-feeding (Phacochoerus africanus) soft ticks, particularly Ornithodoros moubata and Ornithodoros porcinus. Our study sought to expand on the existing knowledge on the role of soft ticks in the epidemiology of Rickettsia species through screening for Rickettsia pathogens in warthog burrow-dwelling soft ticks from two national parks in Zambia. The tick species from which Rickettsia were detected in this study were identified as Ornithodoros porcinus, and an overall minimal Rickettsia infection rate of 19.8% (32/162) was observed. All of the sequenced Rickettsia were identified as Rickettsia lusitaniae based on nucleotide sequence similarity and phylogenetic analysis of the citrate synthase (gltA) and 17kDa common antigen (htrA) genes. Utilizing all of the gltA (n = 10) and htrA (n = 12) nucleotide sequences obtained in this study, BLAST analysis showed 100% nucleotide similarity to Rickettsia lusitaniae. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that all of the Zambian gltA and htrA gene sequences could be grouped with those of Rickettsia lusitaniae obtained in various parts of the world. Our data suggest that Rickettsia lusitaniae has a wider geographic and vector range, enhancing to our understanding of Rickettsia lusitaniae epidemiology in sub-Saharan Africa.

scholarly journals Molecular Detection and Characterization of Rickettsia Species in Ixodid Ticks Collected From Cattle in Southern Zambia

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simbarashe Chitanga ◽  
Kennedy Chibesa ◽  
Karen Sichibalo ◽  
Benjamin Mubemba ◽  
King S. Nalubamba ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Citrate Synthase ◽  
Pcr Amplification ◽  
Human Infection ◽  
Ixodid Ticks ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Rickettsia Species ◽  
Phylogenetic Characterization ◽  
Rickettsia Africae ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
First Time

Tick-borne zoonotic pathogens are increasingly becoming important across the world. In sub-Saharan Africa, tick-borne pathogens identified include viruses, bacteria and protozoa, with Rickettsia being the most frequently reported. This study was conducted to screen and identify Rickettsia species in ticks (Family Ixodidae) infesting livestock in selected districts of southern Zambia. A total of 236 ticks from three different genera (Amblyomma, Hyalomma, and Rhipicephalus) were collected over 14 months (May 2018–July 2019) and were subsequently screened for the presence of Rickettsia pathogens based on PCR amplification targeting the outer membrane protein B (ompB). An overall Rickettsia prevalence of 18.6% (44/236) was recorded. Multi-locus sequencing and phylogenetic characterization based on the ompB, ompA, 16S rRNA and citrate synthase (gltA) genes revealed the presence of Rickettsia africae (R. africae), R. aeschlimannii-like species and unidentified Rickettsia species. While R. aeschlimannii-like species are being reported for the first time in Zambia, R. africae has been reported previously, with our results showing a wider distribution of the bacteria in the country. Our study reveals the potential risk of human infection by zoonotic Rickettsia species and highlights the need for increased awareness of these infections in Zambia's public health systems.

scholarly journals Diversity of Ascomycetes Mushroom in Para Rubber Plantation, Thailand

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Saowapha Surawut ◽  
Sorasak Nak-aim ◽  
Chutapa Kunsook ◽  
Laddawan Kamhaengkul ◽  
Pornpimon Kanjanavas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Phylogenetic Analysis ◽  
Internal Transcribed Spacer ◽  
Genetic Relatedness ◽  
Sequence Similarity ◽  
Its Region ◽  
Bioactive Compound ◽  
Rubber Plantation ◽  
Mushroom Species ◽  
Reference Strains

Abstract Ascomycetes mushrooms are fungi that produce ascospores in asci and some with perithecia. Not only they have a role of decomposer in ecology but also produced some bioactive compound, anti-microbial activity, and cytotoxicity. This study aims to explore the diversity of ascomycetes mushroom species in para rubber plantations and to identify them by morphological and sequence analysis of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region. The results found ascomycetes mushroom consist of Trichoderma pezizoides (RP1, % identity 98.79, DQ835513.1), Daldinia eschscholtzii (RP2, % identity 100, MN310384.1), Cookeina sulcipes (RP3, % identity 98.44, KY094620.1), Cookeina garethjonesii (RP4, % identity 99.06, KY094622.1), Cookeina tricholoma (RP5, % identity 100, KY094619.1) and Xylaria terricola (RP6, % identity 88.42, MF577038.1). Most of the ascomycetes in this study have previously been described in Thailand except Xylaria terricola. Additionally, phylogenetic analysis of ascomycetes mushroom showed high genetic relatedness with reference strains. Therefore, the sequence similarity and phylogenetic analysis confirmed the identity of six ascomycetes mushroom species, and further study of bioactive compound from these mushrooms may be investigated for other applications.

scholarly journals Genetic diversity of trypanosome species in tsetse flies (Glossina spp.) in Nigeria

2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Judith Sophie Weber ◽  
Sen Claudine Henriette Ngomtcho ◽  
Stephen Saikiu Shaida ◽  
Gloria Dada Chechet ◽  
Thaddeus Terlumun Gbem ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Diversity ◽  
Protected Areas ◽  
National Parks ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Tsetse Flies ◽  
Insect Vector ◽  
Limited Information ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Dynamic Populations

Abstract Background Trypanosomes cause disease in humans and livestock in sub-Saharan Africa and rely on tsetse flies as their main insect vector. Nigeria is the most populous country in Africa; however, only limited information about the occurrence and diversity of trypanosomes circulating in the country is available. Methods Tsetse flies were collected from five different locations in or adjacent to protected areas, i.e. national parks and game reserves, in Nigeria. Proboscis and gut samples were analysed for trypanosome DNA by molecular amplification of the internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1) region and part of the trypanosome specific glycosomal glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (gGAPDH) gene. Results The most abundant Trypanosoma species found in the tsetse gut was T. grayi, a trypanosome infecting crocodiles. It was ubiquitously distributed throughout the country, accounting for over 90% of all cases involving trypanosomes. Trypanosoma congolense was detected in gut samples from all locations except Cross River National Park, but not in the proboscis, while T. brucei (sensu lato) was not detected at all. In proboscis samples, T. vivax was the most prominent. The sequence diversity of gGAPDH suggests that T. vivax and T. grayi represent genetically diverse species clusters. This implies that they are highly dynamic populations. Conclusions The prevalence of animal pathogenic trypanosomes throughout Nigeria emphasises the role of protected areas as reservoirs for livestock trypanosomes. The genetic diversity observed within T. vivax and T. grayi populations might be an indication for changing pathogenicity or host range and the origin and consequences of this diversity has to be further investigated.

scholarly journals MOLECULAR DIAGNOSIS OF RICKETTSIAE INFECTING CAMELS AND IXODID TICKS IN EGYPT

2019 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 10
Author(s):  
Hend H.A.M. Abdullah ◽  
Amal El-Molla ◽  
Fayez A. Salib ◽  
Alaa A. Ghazy ◽  
Nesreen A.T. Allam ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Phylogenetic Analysis ◽  
Phylogenetic Analyses ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Macrocytic Anemia ◽  
Staining Technique ◽  
Ixodid Ticks ◽  
Morphological Identification ◽  
Rickettsia Species ◽  
Intergenic Spacers ◽  
Rickettsia Africae

Rickettsioses including their pathogens, vectors, and hosts have an epidemiological importance and zoonotic importance. The objective of the present article was to define the prevalence and genotypic properties of Rickettsia in camels and their ticks in Egypt. Sixty one blood samples and 99 adult ticks were taken from camel hosts from Cairo, Giza and Sinai, during a period extending from 2013 to 2014. Based on the morphological identification of both male and female tick specimens, 91.9 % of the collected ticks were Hyalomma dromedarii. The prevalence of Rickettsia in camels using Gimenez staining technique and PCR was 0 and 41 %, respectively. The rickettsiae infection in ticks recorded 10.1 and 1.01 %, by Gimenez stain and PCR, respectively. Further, the phylogenetic analysis was conducted based on the sequences of OmpA and gltAgenes and three intergenic spacers (mppA, dksA and rpmE) of Rickettsia species. The phylogenetic analyses revealed a novel strain of Rickettsia africae in Hyalomma marginatum that was collected from camel in Sinai province. In addition, the phylogenetic analysis based on Clustal omega suggested that Rickettsia sequences which detected in camels were R. africae. Moreover, the highest Rickettsial infection rate was recorded in age groups of 17 to 19 years (80.0 %), Abady camel breeds (56.8 %) and ticks-infested camels (42.8 %). Concerning hematological changes, macrocytic anemia and leucopenia were recorded in camels with rickettsioses. The molecular characterization of Rickettsia detected in camels and their tick vectors will help in a better understanding of the epidemiological approach of rickettsioses in Egypt.

scholarly journals Detection of Rickettsial DNA in Ticksin Irkutsk Region

2015 ◽  
Vol 14 (6) ◽  
pp. 43-46 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. . Yakovchitc ◽  
E. . Bondarenko ◽  
R. . Adelshin ◽  
O. . Melnikova ◽  
E. . Vershinin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Phylogenetic Analysis ◽  
Citrate Synthase ◽  
Nucleotide Sequences ◽  
Surface Proteins ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
Rickettsia Species ◽  
Test Systems ◽  
Haemaphysalis Concinna ◽  
Irkutsk Region ◽  
Pcr Test

Individually 470 Dermacentor nuttalli and 46 Haemaphysalis concinna ticks collected in Irkutsk Region were analyzed using RT-PCR test systems. Rickettsia contamination of D. nuttalli was 82,3% including 1,3% of the ticks with R. sibirica DNA. H. concinna ticks were infected by rickettsia to 8,7% and the detected DNA in 6,5% of cases belonged to R. heilongjiangensis. PCR results were confirmed by phylogenetic analysis of the nucleotide sequences of three gene fragments: citrate synthase (gltA) and ompA and ompB surface proteins. Thus, circulation of two Rickettsia species pathogenic to humans was determined at the examined area.

scholarly journals First Report of Rickettsia Asembonensis in Small Ruminants

2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Van Lun Low ◽  
Siti Sarah Azhar ◽  
Tiong Kai Tan ◽  
Premaalatha Bathmanaban ◽  
Sazaly AbuBakar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Citrate Synthase ◽  
Sequence Similarity ◽  
Small Ruminants ◽  
Farm Workers ◽  
Farm Animals ◽  
Limited Information ◽  
Public Health Importance ◽  
Animal Blood ◽  
Local Populace ◽  
First Time

Abstract Rickettsioses is an emerging infectious disease in Southeast Asia caused by different organisms in the Rickettsiae bacterial tribe, a gram-negative obligate intracellular bacterium. There is limited information regarding the vertebrate hosts of Rickettsia spp. This study aims to detect and identify Rickettsia agents present in wildlife and domesticated animals in Malaysia using Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and sequencing approach with phylogenetic analysis. Rickettsia sp. was detected in 2 (0.67%) of 300 animal blood samples. The positive samples were derived from a goat (5.56% of 18) and a sheep (2.22% of 45). Based on the analysis of the Rickettsia citrate synthase gene (gltA), both sequences demonstrated 99.64% sequence similarity to Rickettsia asembonensis, a species that is known to infect humans and macaques. This study reported for the first time the detection of R. asembonensis in sheep and goats in Malaysian farms, suggesting this species may be adapting in a wider range of animals, specifically farm animals, therefore, poses a zoonotic threat to the local populace particularly to the farm workers or animal handlers. The low infection rate of this pathogen yet is of public health importance highlighted the needs of continuous surveillance of emerging and reemerging pathogens among animal reservoirs.

scholarly journals Molecular surveillance of spotted fever group rickettsioses in wildlife and detection of Rickettsia sibirica in a Topi (Damaliscus lunatus ssp. jimela) in Kenya

2017 ◽  
Vol 84 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
David Ndeereh ◽  
Andrew Thaiyah ◽  
Gerald Muchemi ◽  
Antoinette A. Miyunga
Keyword(s):  
Citrate Synthase ◽  
Spotted Fever ◽  
Intergenic Spacer ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Spotted Fever Group ◽  
Wild Animals ◽  
Rickettsia Species ◽  
Glta Gene ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Rickettsia Sibirica

Spotted fever group rickettsioses are a group of tick-borne zoonotic diseases caused by intracellular bacteria of the genus Rickettsia. The diseases are widely reported amongst international travellers returning from most sub-Saharan Africa with fever, yet their importance in local populations largely remains unknown. Although this has started to change and recently there have been increasing reports of the diseases in livestock, ticks and humans in Kenya, they have not been investigated in wildlife. We examined the presence, prevalence and species of Rickettsia present in wildlife in two regions of Kenya with a unique human–wildlife–livestock interface. For this purpose, 79 wild animals in Laikipia County and 73 in Maasai Mara National Reserve were sampled. DNA extracted from blood was tested using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to amplify the intergenic spacer rpmE-tRNAfMet and the citrate synthase-encoding gene gltA. Rickettsial DNA was detected in 2 of the 79 (2.5%) animals in Laikipia and 4 of the 73 (5.5%) in Maasai Mara. The PCR-positive amplicons of the gltA gene were sequenced to determine the detected Rickettsia species. This revealed Rickettsia sibirica in a Topi (Damaliscus lunatus ssp. jimela). This is the first report of spotted fever group rickettsioses in wildlife and the first to report R. sibirica in Kenya. The finding demonstrates the potential role of wild animals in the circulation of the diseases.

Role of Quercetin in Mitigation of Lindane Induced Toxicity in Terms of Oxidative Responses and Metabolic Status in Mice Brain

2020 ◽  
Vol 16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anupama Sharma ◽  
Renu Bist ◽  
Hemant Pareek
Keyword(s):  
Citrate Synthase ◽  
Thiobarbituric Acid ◽  
Tca Cycle ◽  
Treated Group ◽  
Protein Carbonyl ◽  
Protein Carbonyl Content ◽  
Mice Brain ◽  
The Brain ◽  
Oxidative Responses

Background:: Current study evaluated the protective potential of quercetin against lindane induced toxicity in mice brain. For investigation, mice were allocated into four groups; First group was control. Second group was administered with oral dose of lindane (25 mg/kg bw) for 4 consecutive days. Third group was exposed to quercetin (40 mg/kg bw) and in fourth group, quercetin was administered 1 hour prior to the exposure of lindane. Objective:: Two major objectives were decided for study. First was to create lesions in the brain by lindane and; second was to evaluate the neuroprotective potential of quercetin. Methods:: To study oxidative responses, level of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), protein carbonyl content (PCC), reduced glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), Catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) were measured in brain homogenates. Three key step regulating enzymes of tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle viz citrate synthase (CS), pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH) and fumarase were also assayed. Results:: Lindane treatment significantly enhanced the levels of TBARS (P<0.001),PCC (P<0.001), GPx (P<0.001), SOD (P<0.05), PDH (P<0.05) and fumarase (P<0.001) in brains of mice compared to control. Meanwhile, it alleviated GSH, CAT and CS (P<0.05) activity. Conclusion:: Pretreatment with quercetin in lindane treated group not only restored, previously altered biochemical parameters after lindane treatment and also significantly improved them too which suggests that quercetin is not only invulnerable rather neuroprotective against lindane intoxication.

Financing Energy Access in Africa

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Kayode Oniemola ◽  
Jane Ezirigwe
Keyword(s):  
Oil And Gas ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Capital Investments ◽  
Energy Access ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Sustainable Technologies ◽  
Energy Technologies ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Diesel Motors

To achieve universal energy access will attract huge capital investments. If sub-Saharan Africa is to realize anything close to the ambitious goals set for its energy access, then new actors, innovative funding mechanisms and sustainable technologies will have to be attracted. Finance is needed for activities such as rural electrification, clean cooking facilities, diesel motors and generators, other renewable energy technologies, oil and gas infrastructures, etc. Finance is also needed in research and development of suitable technologies and funding options as well as investment in the capacity to formulate and implement sound energy policies. This chapter examines the varied financing options for energy access in sub-Saharan Africa. It argues that with appropriate laws in place and effective mechanism for implementation, African countries can significantly engage private sector financing, international financial institutions and foreign donors. The role of the law here will be in creating an enabling environment for financing.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document