Detection of Rickettsia and Anaplasma from hard ticks in Thailand

Abstract

We collected a total of 169 adult hard ticks and 120 nymphs from under the leaves of plants located along tourist nature trails in ten localities. The results present data examining the vector competence of ticks of different genera and the presence of Rickettsia and Anaplasma species. The ticks belonged to three genera, Amblyomma, Dermacentor, and Haemaphysalis, comprising 11 species. Rickettsia bacteria were detected at three collection sites, while Anaplasma bacteria were detected at only one site. Phylogenetic analysis revealed new rickettsia genotypes from Thailand that were closely related to Rickettsia tamurae, Rickettsia monacensis, and Rickettsia montana. This study was also the first to show that Anaplasma bacteria are found in Haemaphysalis shimoga ticks and are closely related evolutionarily to Anaplasma bovis. These results provide additional information for the geographical distribution of tick species and tick-borne bacteria in Thailand and can therefore be applied for ecotourism management. Journal of Vector Ecology 40 (2): 262-268. 2015.

Detection of Anaplasma spp. and Bartonella spp. from wild‐caught rodents and their ectoparasites in Nakhon Ratchasima Province, Thailand

“…Anaplasma bovis, a leukocytotropic agent of bovine anaplasmosis, causes fever, anemia, drowsiness, convulsions, weight loss, and enlargement of lymph nodes in ruminants (Harrison et al 2013). In Thailand, this pathogen has been isolated in sambar bear, deer, and in ticks collected from under the leaves of plants (Malaisri et al 2015, Sumrandee et al 2016. This result demonstrated that rodents are not only recognized as a reservoir host for many human zoonotic pathogens but are also significant reservoir hosts for a wide range of emerging zoonotic diseases in domestic animals and livestock.…”

“…Anaplasma bovis , a leukocytotropic agent of bovine anaplasmosis, causes fever, anemia, drowsiness, convulsions, weight loss, and enlargement of lymph nodes in ruminants (Harrison et al 2013). In Thailand, this pathogen has been isolated in sambar bear, deer, and in ticks collected from under the leaves of plants (Malaisri et al 2015, Sumrandee et al 2016). Recently, a report by Takhampunya et al (2019) revealed the detection of A. bovis in Rattus and Bandicota rats in northern Thailand.…”

Tick-borne pathogens in ticks collected from birds in Taiwan

“…This species is widespread in Europe and can cause disease in humans [ 105 ]. Rickettsiae closely related to R. monacensis were later identified from ticks in East and Southeast Asia, including China [ 109 , 110 ], Korea [ 111 ] and Thailand [ 112 ]. Rickettsia monacensis has also been detected in bird tissue [ 94 ].…”

Redescription of Amblyomma integrum adults and immature stages

“…Cited record of this species from Malaysia (Mariana et al ., ) is most probably based on the erroneous identification. A collection of A. integrum in Thailand (Malaisri et al ., ) is also questionable and require confirmation.…”

“…Amblyomma integrum is also known to act as a vector of infectious agents. Questing ticks collected on vegetation were found carrying rickettsial infections in Thailand (Malaisri et al, ). As indicated above the presence of this species in Thailand is questionable.…”