Bacterial and protozoal pathogens found in ticks collected from humans in Corum province of Turkey

Abstract

BackgroundTick-borne diseases are increasing all over the word, including Turkey. The aim of this study was to determine the bacterial and protozoan vector-borne pathogens in ticks infesting humans in the Corum province of Turkey.Methodology/Principal findingsFrom March to November 2014 a total of 322 ticks were collected from patients who attended the local hospitals with tick bites. Ticks were screened by real time-PCR and PCR, and obtained amplicons were sequenced. The dedected tick was belonging to the genus Hyalomma, Haemaphysalis, Rhipicephalus, Dermacentor and Ixodes. A total of 17 microorganism species were identified in ticks. The most prevalent Rickettsia spp. were: R. aeschlimannii (19.5%), R. slovaca (4.5%), R. raoultii (2.2%), R. hoogstraalii (1.9%), R. sibirica subsp. mongolitimonae (1.2%), R. monacensis (0.31%), and Rickettsia spp. (1.2%). In addition, the following pathogens were identified: Borrelia afzelii (0.31%), Anaplasma spp. (0.31%), Ehrlichia spp. (0.93%), Babesia microti (0.93%), Babesia ovis (0.31%), Babesia occultans (3.4%), Theileria spp. (1.6%), Hepatozoon felis (0.31%), Hepatozoon canis (0.31%), and Hemolivia mauritanica (2.1%). All samples were negative for Francisella tularensis, Coxiella burnetii, Bartonella spp., Toxoplasma gondii and Leishmania spp.Conclusions/SignificanceTicks in Corum carry a large variety of human and zoonotic pathogens that were detected not only in known vectors, but showed a wider vector diversity. There is an increase in the prevalence of ticks infected with the spotted fever group and lymphangitis-associated rickettsiosis, while Ehrlichia spp. and Anaplasma spp. were reported for the first time from this region. B. microti was detected for the first time in Hyalomma marginatum infesting humans. The detection of B. occultans, B. ovis, Hepatozoon spp., Theileria spp. and Hemolivia mauritanica indicate the importance of these ticks as vectors of pathogens of veterinary importance, therefore patients with a tick infestation should be followed for a variety of pathogens with medical importance.

An Australian dog diagnosed with an exotic tick-borne infection: should Australia still be considered free from Hepatozoon canis?

“…Hepatozoon canis has been detected in several other tick species, including Amblyomma sculptum (Demoner et al, 2013;Melo et al, 2016), Dermacentor marginatus, (Hornok et al, 2013;Aktas, 2014;Karasartova et al, 2018), Dermacentor reticulatus (Hornok et al, 2013;Najm et al, 2014), Haemaphysalis concinna (Hornok et al, 2013;Andersson et al, 2017), Haemaphysalis parva (Orkun and Nalbantoğlu, 2018), Haemaphysalis punctata (Andersson et al, 2017), Haemaphysalis sulcata (Aktas, 2014), Ixodes canisuga, Ixodes hexagonus (Najm et al, 2014) and Ixodes ricinus (Gabrielli et al, 2010;Reye et al, 2010;Aktas, 2014;Najm et al, 2014;Hamsikova et al, 2016;Andersson et al, 2017). The vector competence of these species for H. canis is unknown, with many collected from H. canis-infected animals.…”

Molecular detection of Rickettsia in fleas from micromammals in Chile

“…Our analysis showed a close relationship with R. hoogstrali, a widely distributed bacterium that is still unknown for its pathogenicity in humans. This bacterium has been detected in hard ticks (Haemaphysalis punctata, Haemaphysalis sulcate, and Haemaphysalis parva), and soft ticks (Ornithodoros moubata, Carios capensis, C. sawaii, and Argas persicus) present in domestic animals, bird nests, vegetation, and human dwellings [3,[45][46][47]. A similar situation occurs with R. asemboensis.…”

Tick transmission of toxoplasmosis

“…Although some studies were not successful in isolating T. gondii from ticks collected in natural habitats or in experimental transmission [43,[59][60][61][62]., the differences might be explained with a better understanding of the ecology of ticks and their association with hosts in the different environments, including changes in tick abundance according to climatic conditions, host factors, socio-demographic factors, and agricultural and wildlife management [63]. More information is needed on how T. gondii survives in natural settings.…”