scholarly journals Seroepidemiological Study of Spotted Fever Group Rickettsiae and Identification of a Putative New Species, Rickesttsia sp. Da-1, in Gongliao, Northeast Taiwan

Pathogens ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 1434
Author(s):  
Tsai-Ying Yen ◽  
Hsi-Chieh Wang ◽  
Yin-Chao Chang ◽  
Chien-Ling Su ◽  
Shu-Fen Chang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Logistic Regression ◽  
New Species ◽  
Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
Spotted Fever ◽  
Rhipicephalus Sanguineus ◽  
Immunofluorescence Assay ◽  
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
Spotted Fever Group ◽  
Blood Samples

Tick-borne spotted fever group (SFG) rickettsioses were neglected in Taiwan. The study reported a seroepidemiological survey of SFG rickettsiae in residents in Gongliao District, Northeast Taiwan. Blood samples were examined for antibodies against SFG rickettsiae by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and immunofluorescence assay. Risk factors were assessed using logistic regression. Ticks parasitizing dogs were collected within a 2 km radius from the houses of seropositive participants, and PCR was performed to detect possible tick-borne pathogens. Of 1108 participants, 75 (6.8%) had antibodies against SFG rickettsiae. Residents were more likely to be seropositive if they were older than 65 years, recruited by Dr. Enjoy’s Clinic, or resided in Jilin village. A total of 184 ticks including 5 species (Rhipicephalus sanguineus, Rhipicephalus haemaphysaloides, Dermacentor auratus, Haemaphysalis hystricis, Haemaphysalis ornithophila) were collected. Rickettsia spp. were detected in 6.5% (12/184) of ticks. Rickettsia sp. TwKM01 was found in 6 R. sanguineus and 4 R. haemaphysaloides; while Rickettsia sp. TwKM03 was identified in 1 R. sanguineus. Moreover, gene-based pairwise analysis indicated identification of a putative new species, Rickettsia sp. Da-1, in D. auratus. These findings provided evidence of SFG rickettsiae infection in ticks and suggested SFG rickettsiae exposure in the residents.

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 Serological Evidence of Exposure to Spotted Fever Group and Typhus Group Rickettsiae in Australian Wildlife Rehabilitators

Pathogens ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 745
Author(s):  
Karen O. Mathews ◽  
David Phalen ◽  
Jacqueline M. Norris ◽  
John Stenos ◽  
Jenny-Ann Toribio ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Whole Blood ◽  
Spotted Fever ◽  
Immunofluorescence Assay ◽  
Spotted Fever Group ◽  
Glta Gene ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Animal Contact ◽  
Antibody Titres ◽  
Pcr Targeting

Rickettsioses are arthropod-borne zoonotic diseases, several of which occur in Australia. This study aimed to assess the exposure levels and risk factors for Rickettsia spp. among Australian wildlife rehabilitators (AWRs) using serology, PCR and a questionnaire. Antibody titres against Spotted Fever Group (SFG), Typhus Group (TG) and Scrub Typhus Group (STG) antigens were determined using an immunofluorescence assay. PCR targeting the gltA gene was performed on DNA extracts from whole blood and serum. Logistic regression was used to identify risk factors associated with seropositivity. Of the 27 (22.1%; 27/122) seropositive participants all were seropositive for SFG, with 5/27 (4.1%) also positive for TG. Of the 27 positive sera, 14.8% (4/27) were further classified as exposure to R. australis, 3.7% (1/27) to R. honei, 3.7% (1/27) to R. felis and 77.8% (21/27) were classified as ‘indeterminate’—most of which (85.7%; 18/21) were indeterminate R. australis/R. honei exposures. Rickettsia DNA was not detected in whole blood or serum. Rehabilitators were more likely to be seropositive if more than one household member rehabilitated wildlife, were older than 50 years or had occupational animal contact. These findings suggest that AWRs are at increased risk of contracting Rickettsia-related illnesses, however the source of the increased seropositivity remains unclear.

scholarly journals Presence of anti-Toxoplasma antibodies in humans and their cats in the urban zone of Guadalajara

1999 ◽  
Vol 32 (5) ◽  
pp. 483-488 ◽  
Author(s):  
María de la Luz Galván Ramírez ◽  
Guillermo Sánchez Vargas ◽  
Marcos Vielma Sandoval ◽  
Juan Luis Soto Mancilla
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Toxoplasma Gondii ◽  
Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
Toxoplasma Infection ◽  
Urban Zone ◽  
Lack Of Control ◽  
Iga Antibodies

Cats are the definitive hosts of Toxoplasma gondii. Infected cats excrete oocysts in their feces, infecting humans and other animals. The objective of the present study was to determine the presence of anti-Toxoplasma antibodies in cat owners and their pets, and determine if there was a relationship between Toxoplasma infection and humans who live with infected cats. IgG anti-Toxoplasma antibodies in sera of 59 cat owners were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), in 24 sera from their cats, IgG, IgM, and IgA antibodies were found using Burney's ELISA. Thirty-eight (64%) of 59 cat owners were positive to IgG anti-Toxoplasma. Seropositivity for cats was 70.8% IgG, 8.3% IgM, and 62.5% IgA. Cohabitation with cats infected by T. gondii, feeding with leftovers or raw viscera, and lack of control over how their feces were handled are risk factors conducive for humans to become infected by T. gondii.

scholarly journals Epidemiological aspects of the Brazilian spotted fever: serological survey of dogs and horses in an endemic area in the State of São Paulo, Brazil

1996 ◽  
Vol 38 (6) ◽  
pp. 427-430 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elba R.S. de Lemos ◽  
Raimundo D. Machado ◽  
José R. Coura ◽  
Maria A.A.M. Guimarães ◽  
Nelson Chagas
Keyword(s):  
Endemic Area ◽  
Spotted Fever ◽  
Domestic Animals ◽  
Sao Paulo ◽  
Spotted Fever Group ◽  
São Paulo ◽  
Serological Survey ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Blood Samples ◽  
Brazilian Spotted Fever

In order to obtain information on Brazilian spotted fever, a study in domestic animals was performed in the County of Pedreira, State of São Paulo, Brazil, where 17 human cases had been notified. Serum samples obtained from animals were tested by indirect immunofluorescence for detectable antibodies to spotted fever-group rickettsiae. Seropositivity was revealed in 12 (36.4%) of 33 dogs and seven (77.8%) of nine horses from the endemic area. For comparison, blood samples from dogs and horses from non endemic area were tested and four (12.9%) of 31 dogs and three (27.3%) of 11 horses were positive. The highest titers of antibodies by IFA (IgG > 1:1024) were found only in three dogs and six horses from endemic area. The results suggest that dogs as horses may serve as environmental sentinels for estabilishing the prevalence of foci of spotted fever in Brazil.

scholarly journals Epidemiological survey on gastro-intestinal and blood-borne helminths of dogs in north-east Gabon : research communication

2008 ◽  
Vol 75 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
B. Davoust ◽  
T. Normand ◽  
O. Bourry ◽  
H. Dang ◽  
E. Leroy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
Epidemiological Survey ◽  
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
Helminth Parasites ◽  
Intestinal Helminths ◽  
Spirocerca Lupi ◽  
Faecal Examination ◽  
Blood Samples ◽  
North East ◽  
Trichuris Vulpis

A survey of helminth parasites was carried out on 198 dogs living in almost complete liberty in villages in the northeast of Gabon. Faeces and blood samples were collected and analysed. Dirofilariaimmitis antigen was detected in 13.6 % of dogs using the SNAP 3Dx® test, a commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Faecal examination revealed that 91.4 % of dogs were infected by intestinal helminths. Ascarids were found in 58.5 % of the samples. Trichuris vulpis was observed in 49.5 % of cases, and Uncinaria spp. and Ancylostoma spp. in 34.8 %, Spirocerca lupi in 25.3 % and Capillaria spp. in 10.6 %. Cestode embryophores were found in 8.6 % of the samples.

Measles antibodies and response to vaccination in children aged less than 14 months: implications for age of vaccination

2011 ◽  
Vol 140 (9) ◽  
pp. 1599-1606 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. BORRÀS ◽  
L. URBIZTONDO ◽  
J. COSTA ◽  
J. BATALLA ◽  
N. TORNER ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
Maternal Antibodies ◽  
Passive Immunity ◽  
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
Igg Antibodies ◽  
Blood Samples ◽  
Measles Outbreak ◽  
Measles Antibodies ◽  
Measles Vaccination

SUMMARYPassive immunity against measles decreases during the first months of life. The objective of this study was to determine titres of measles antibodies in children aged 9–14 months and their mothers before vaccination, and the children's response to vaccination. Blood samples were collected by capillary puncture before and 28 days after vaccination. Samples were obtained between February and June 2007 during an ongoing measles outbreak. Titres of specific measles IgG antibodies were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Seroconversion was defined as the presence of antibodies after vaccination in subjects without antibodies before vaccination. Maternal antibodies were present in 37·7% of all 69 children included and in 45·1% of children aged 9 months. Of the 51 children in whom a second sample was obtained, 31 (60·8%) were seronegative before vaccination and 61·3% seroconverted. Interference of maternal antibodies was 30%. Advancing the first dose of measles vaccination from 15 to 12 months is a correct strategy, given the increase in the time of susceptibility of infants to measles.

scholarly journals Isolation and Identification of Rickettsia massiliae from Rhipicephalus sanguineus Ticks Collected in Arizona

2006 ◽  
Vol 72 (8) ◽  
pp. 5569-5577 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marina E. Eremeeva ◽  
Elizabeth A. Bosserman ◽  
Linda J. Demma ◽  
Maria L. Zambrano ◽  
Dianna M. Blau ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spotted Fever ◽  
Rhipicephalus Sanguineus ◽  
Vero Cells ◽  
The United States ◽  
Spotted Fever Group ◽  
Pcr Assay ◽  
Isolation And Identification ◽  
Cytotoxic Effects ◽  
Rickettsia Massiliae ◽  
Genotypic Characteristics

ABSTRACT Twenty Rhipicephalus sanguineus ticks collected in eastern Arizona were tested by PCR assay to establish their infection rate with spotted fever group rickettsiae. With a nested PCR assay which detects a fragment of the Rickettsia genus-specific 17-kDa antigen gene (htrA), five ticks (25%) were found to contain rickettsial DNA. One rickettsial isolate was obtained from these ticks by inoculating a suspension of a triturated tick into monolayers of Vero E6 monkey kidney cells and XTC-2 clawed toad cells, and its cell culture and genotypic characteristics were determined. Fragments of the 16S rRNA, GltA, rOmpA, rOmpB, and Sca4 genes had 100%, 100%, 99%, 99%, and 99%, respectively, nucleotide similarity to Rickettsia massiliae strain Bar29, previously isolated from R. sanguineus in Catalonia, Spain (L. Beati et al., J. Clin. Microbiol. 34:2688-2694, 1996). The new isolate, AZT80, does not elicit cytotoxic effects in Vero cells and causes a persistent infection in XTC-2 cells. The AZT80 strain is susceptible to doxycycline but resistant to rifampin and erythromycin. Whether R. massiliae AZT80 is pathogenic or infectious for dogs and humans or can cause seroconversion to spotted fever group antigens in the United States is unknown.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document