Detection of Francisella tularensis in ticks and identification of their genotypes using multiple-locus variable-number tandem repeat analysis

Zhang, Fang; Liu, Wei; Wu, Xiaoming; Xin, Zhong-Tao; Zhao, Qin; Yang, Hong; Cao, Wu‐Chun

doi:10.1186/1471-2180-8-152

Cited by 24 publications

(16 citation statements)

References 20 publications

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“…Third, multiple Francisella isolates, some identified as F. noatunensis, have been obtained from farmed and wild marine fish (reviewed in references 34, 45, and 46). Finally, Wolbachia persica endosymbionts and other Francisella-related organisms have been detected in ticks (47)(48)(49)(50)(51)(52)(53)(54). The distribution of these isolates is global, suggesting a worldwide distribution of Francisella organisms that inhabit fish, tick, and a variety of other environmental sources.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Whole-Genome Relationships among Francisella Bacteria of Diverse Origins Define New Species and Provide Specific Regions for Detection

Challacombe

Petersen

Gallegos‐Graves

et al. 2017

Appl Environ Microbiol

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Francisella tularensis is a highly virulent zoonotic pathogen that causes tularemia and, because of weaponization efforts in past world wars, is considered a tier 1 biothreat agent. Detection and surveillance of F. tularensis may be confounded by the presence of uncharacterized, closely related organisms. Through DNA-based diagnostics and environmental surveys, novel clinical and environmental Francisella isolates have been obtained in recent years. Here we present 7 new Francisella genomes and a comparison of their characteristics to each other and to 24 publicly available genomes as well as a comparative analysis of 16S rRNA and sdhA genes from over 90 Francisella strains. Delineation of new species in bacteria is challenging, especially when isolates having very close genomic characteristics exhibit different physiological features-for example, when some are virulent pathogens in humans and animals while others are nonpathogenic or are opportunistic pathogens. Species resolution within Francisella varies with analyses of single genes, multiple gene or protein sets, or whole-genome comparisons of nucleic acid and amino acid sequences. Analyses focusing on single genes (16S rRNA, sdhA), multiple gene sets (virulence genes, lipopolysaccharide [LPS] biosynthesis genes, pathogenicity island), and whole-genome comparisons (nucleotide and protein) gave congruent results, but with different levels of discrimination confidence. We designate four new species within the genus; Francisella opportunistica sp. nov. (MA06-7296), Francisella salina sp. nov. (TX07-7308), Francisella uliginis sp. nov. (TX07-7310), and Francisella frigiditurris sp. nov. (CA97-1460). This study provides a robust comparative framework to discern species and virulence features of newly detected Francisella bacteria.IMPORTANCE DNA-based detection and sequencing methods have identified thousands of new bacteria in the human body and the environment. In most cases, there are no cultured isolates that correspond to these sequences. While DNA-based approaches are highly sensitive, accurately assigning species is difficult without known near relatives for comparison. This ambiguity poses challenges for clinical cases, disease epidemics, and environmental surveillance, for which response times must be short. Many new Francisella isolates have been identified globally. However, their species designations and potential for causing human disease remain ambiguous. Through detailed genome comparisons, we identified features that differentiate F. tularensis from clinical and environmental Francisella isolates and provide a knowledge base for future comparison of Francisella organisms identified in clinical samples or environmental surveys.

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mentioning

confidence: 99%

Whole-Genome Relationships among Francisella Bacteria of Diverse Origins Define New Species and Provide Specific Regions for Detection

Challacombe

Petersen

Gallegos‐Graves

et al. 2017

Appl Environ Microbiol

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“…holarctica and MLVA disclosed genetic diversity. The study concluded that D. silvarum and I. persulatus might have a role in tularemia existence in China (Fang Zhang et al, 2008).…”

Section: Tularemiamentioning

confidence: 92%

Scientific Opinion on Geographic Distribution of Tick-borne Infections and their Vectors in Europe and the other Regions of the Mediterranean Basin

2010

EFSA Journal

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This report is the second of a series of two technical assessments of the role of ticks in transmission of animal diseases and zoonoses in Eurasia. A previous published scientific opinion (EFSA Journal 2010; (8)8, 1703) focused on two diseases- Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever and African swine fever in Eurasia. The aim of this report is to provide an overview of the geographic distribution of tick species which have proven involvement in the transmission of pathogens causing animal diseases and zoonoses in Eurasia. The report provides maps of the region that display the occurrences of ticks and tick-borne pathogens. Systematic literature review of available publications for the last 10 years and other available literature from the experts were used in the retrieval of the geographical reported cases for the presence of ticks and tick borne pathogens. The report includes a description of the factors that influence the dynamics of the relevant tick species and identify possible high-risk areas in the EU for introduction, considering the biological and ecological characteristics of the ticks and their ability to adapt to new areas. Findings from this review have provided evidence of the extent of ticks and tick-borne diseases (TBDs) in geographical ranges and the existing risk areas that should be considered as baseline information to assess potential risk of these diseases. The report indicates the validity of using available literature to support the presence of ticks and TBDs without further predication using weather and other environmental factors associated with the ticks‟ survival. The report concluded that animal and human movement play more impact on the spread of the ticks and TBDs. Climate changes and flight pattern of migratory birds can influence the presence and spread of the ticks and TBDs, but have not been determined to be responsible for the widespread distribution of ticks

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“…Later, natural foci were reported to exist in Tibet, Xinjiang, and Gansu [12]. Tularemia cases have mainly been reported in 7 provinces/municipalities of Beijing, Heilongjiang, Inner Mongolia, Qinghai, Shandong, Tibet, and Xinjiang [10,12,13] (Table 1). In 1986, 31 cases of human infection were reported in a meat processing plant in Shandong province; since then, no further cases have been reported in China [12].…”

Section: Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Holarctica ) in the natural environment, indicating these two tick species might have a role in tularemia existence in China [10]. Rodents and wild animals are its main source of infection, and infection generally occurs in spring and early summer.…”

Section: Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

Distribution of tick-borne diseases in China

et al. 2013

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As an important contributor to vector-borne diseases in China, in recent years, tick-borne diseases have attracted much attention because of their increasing incidence and consequent significant harm to livestock and human health. The most commonly observed human tick-borne diseases in China include Lyme borreliosis (known as Lyme disease in China), tick-borne encephalitis (known as Forest encephalitis in China), Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (known as Xinjiang hemorrhagic fever in China), Q-fever, tularemia and North-Asia tick-borne spotted fever. In recent years, some emerging tick-borne diseases, such as human monocytic ehrlichiosis, human granulocytic anaplasmosis, and a novel bunyavirus infection, have been reported frequently in China. Other tick-borne diseases that are not as frequently reported in China include Colorado fever, oriental spotted fever and piroplasmosis. Detailed information regarding the history, characteristics, and current epidemic status of these human tick-borne diseases in China will be reviewed in this paper. It is clear that greater efforts in government management and research are required for the prevention, control, diagnosis, and treatment of tick-borne diseases, as well as for the control of ticks, in order to decrease the tick-borne disease burden in China.

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Detection of Francisella tularensis in ticks and identification of their genotypes using multiple-locus variable-number tandem repeat analysis

Cited by 24 publications

References 20 publications

Whole-Genome Relationships among Francisella Bacteria of Diverse Origins Define New Species and Provide Specific Regions for Detection

Whole-Genome Relationships among Francisella Bacteria of Diverse Origins Define New Species and Provide Specific Regions for Detection

Scientific Opinion on Geographic Distribution of Tick-borne Infections and their Vectors in Europe and the other Regions of the Mediterranean Basin

Distribution of tick-borne diseases in China

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