Detection of Tick-Borne Bacterial and Protozoan Pathogens in Ticks from the Zambia–Angola Border

Qiu, Yongjin; Simuunza, Martin; Kajihara, Masahiro; Ndebe, Joseph; Saasa, Ngonda; Kapila, Penjani; Furumoto, Hayato; Lau, Alice Ching Ching; Takada, Ayato; Sawa, Hirofumi

doi:10.3390/pathogens11050566

Cited by 8 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 66 publications

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“…Within sub-Saharan Africa, Rickettsia species have been reported in Amblyomma, Hyalomma, and Rhipicephalus tick species, with Amblyomma and Hyalomma considered the principal vectors [13]. In our study, the overall MIR was 8.6%, which is within the prevalence range (3-77%) reported in other studies on ticks conducted in countries bordering Namibia [25][26][27][36][37][38][39][40], with the variability hypothesized to be due to factors such as ecological differences (biotic and abiotic) in different locations [41]. The detection of Rickettsia species in ticks from our study, coupled with the serological evidence of exposure to SFGR in humans [28] and molecular reports of the pathogen in hyenas [42], indicates the existence of transmission cycles of Rickettsia species in the country.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 81%

“…Despite reports of human infective Rickettsia species in ticks within the southern African region [24][25][26][27], and serological reports of human infections caused by Rickettsial pathogens in Namibia [28], there have been no molecular reports of Rickettsia circulation in the country. A previous study [29] conducted on small mammals in two regions of the country did not report the presence of Rickettsia species in this group of animals.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Molecular Detection and Characterization of Rickettsia Species in Ixodid Ticks from Selected Regions of Namibia

Mbiri,

Matomola,

Muleya

et al. 2024

Microorganisms

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Rickettsial pathogens are among the emerging and re-emerging vector-borne zoonoses of public health importance. Reports indicate human exposure to Rickettsial pathogens in Namibia through serological surveys, but there is a lack of data on infection rates in tick vectors, hindering the assessment of the relative risk to humans. Our study sought to screen Ixodid ticks collected from livestock for the presence of Rickettsia species in order to determine infection rates in ticks and to determine the Rickettsia species circulating in the country. We collected and pooled Hyalomma and Rhipicephalus ticks from two adjacent regions of Namibia (Khomas and Otjozondjupa) and observed an overall minimum Rickettsia infection rate of 8.6% (26/304), with an estimated overall pooled prevalence of 9.94% (95% CI: 6.5–14.3). There were no statistically significant differences in the estimated pooled prevalence between the two regions or tick genera. Based on the nucleotide sequence similarity and phylogenetic analysis of the outer membrane protein A (n = 9) and citrate synthase (n = 12) genes, BLAST analysis revealed similarity between Rickettsia africae (n = 2) and Rickettsia aeschlimannii (n = 11), with sequence identities ranging from 98.46 to 100%. Our initial study in Namibia indicates that both zoonotic R. africae and R. aeschlimannii are in circulation in the country, with R. aeschlimannii being the predominant species.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 81%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Molecular Detection and Characterization of Rickettsia Species in Ixodid Ticks from Selected Regions of Namibia

Mbiri,

Matomola,

Muleya

et al. 2024

Microorganisms

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“…Some species within this genus are symbionts of the common tick, residing in the ovary cells of female ticks [ 41 ]. In terrestrial environments, RLOs have been associated with diseases in vertebrates, and their primary vectors are typically arthropods, such as ticks [ 42 ]. In aquatic environments, RLOs have been linked to diseases in invertebrates, including oysters, white shrimp, and red abalone and vertebrates, including horse mackerel, carp, and sea bass, with limited information on associated vectors [ 43 , 44 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Skin Microbial Community Associated to Strawberry Disease in Farmed Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss Walbaum, 1792)

Pardo,

Villasante,

Romero

2024

Microorganisms

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Aquaculture plays a crucial role in addressing the growing global demand for food. However, diseases associated with intensive aquaculture practices, especially those affecting the skin, can present significant challenges to both fish health and the industry as a whole. Strawberry disease (SD), also known as red-mark syndrome, is a persistent and non-lethal skin condition observed in Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) in the United States and various European countries. SD is a nonlethal skin condition of an unclear etiology that affects rainbow trout reared in freshwater close to the harvest period. We used a RNA-based approach to examine active microbiota in the SD skin lesions and compared to non-injured skin. Our results, based on using 16S rRNA gene next-generation sequencing, showed that the skin microbiota was dominated by the phyla Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, and Actinobacteria. The comparisons of the skin microbiota between injured and non-injured samples showed differences in the alpha diversity (Fisher index) and beta diversity metrics (ANOSIM). At the genus level, both Pseudomonas and Candidatus Midichloria were highlighted as the most abundant taxa detected in samples obtained from fish affected with strawberry diseases. In contrast, the most abundant taxa in non-injured skin were Escherichia-Shigella, Streptococcus, and Pseudoalteromonas. In conclusion, our study on SD revealed distinct differences in the microbiota composition between skin lesions and non-injured skin. This is the first description of microbiota associated with SD-injured skin samples using an RNA approach.

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“…turanicus s.s., were found positive for a maximum of V/TBP species and indicative of the high-level risk of pathogen transmission to humans and animals upon exposure to co-infected tick bite/infestation. A plethora of previously published data on vector or host-microbiome characterization revealed the co-occurrence of V/TBP and endosymbiont in ticks and canids [ 52 , 73 , 98 , 99 ]. However, the composition and pattern (double/triple and so on) of co-infection varies regarding pathogen, host and vector species involved in time and space and is influenced by climatic factors, in particular landscape/agroecological zone.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Genetic diversity of vector-borne pathogens in ixodid ticks infesting dogs from Pakistan with notes on Ehrlichia canis, Rickettsia raoultii and Dirofilaria immitis detection

Zeb,

Song,

Khan

et al. 2023

Parasites Vectors

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Background Vector-/tick-borne pathogens (V/TBPs) pose a potential threat to human and animal health globally. Information regarding canine V/TBPs is scarce and no specific study has been conducted so far to explore the microbial diversity within ticks infesting dogs from Pakistan. Herein, this knowledge gap is addressed by assessing the genetic diversity and prevalence pattern of V/TBPs in ixodid ticks with special implications for public and canine health. Methods A total of 1150 hard ticks were collected from 300 dogs across central Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Pakistan. After morpho-molecular identification, 120 tick samples were screened for the presence of V/TBPs by amplifying 16S rRNA/gltA (Rickettsia/Ehrlichia and Wolbachia sp.), 18S rRNA (Theileria sp.) and cox1 (Dirofilaria sp.) genes through PCR followed by sequencing and phylogenetic study. Results In toto, 50 ixodid ticks (50/120, 41.7%) were found positive for V/TBPs DNA. The detected V/TBPs were categorized into five genera and eight species, viz. Ehrlichia (E. canis and Ehrlichia sp.), Rickettsia (R. massiliae, R. raoultii and Rickettsia sp.), Theileria (T. annulata), Dirofilaria (D. immitis) and Wolbachia (Wolbachia sp.). The pathogen prevalence patterns showed that R. massiliae was the most prevalent zoonotic V/TBP (19.5%), followed by E. canis (10.8%), Rickettsia sp. (7.5%), R. raoultii (6.7%), T. annulata (5.8%), D. immitis (5.8%), Wolbachia sp. (4.2%) and Ehrlichia sp. (3.3%), respectively. Among the screened tick species, most Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato samples were found positive for V/TBP DNA (20/20,100%) followed by Rh. turanicus sensu stricto (13/20, 65%), Hyalomma dromedarii (8/20, 40%), Rh. haemaphysaloides (6/20, 30%), Hy. excavatum (2/20, 10%) and Rh. microplus (1/20, 5%). Co-occurrence of V/TBP was also detected in tick specimens (single V/TBP infection: 32 ticks; double and triple: 13 and 5 tick samples). The detected pathogens shared a phylogenetic relationship with similar isolates published in NCBI GenBank from Old and New World countries. Conclusion Ixodid ticks infesting dogs harbor a diverse array of V/TBPs including zoonotic agents from Pakistan. Furthermore, the presence of D. immitis in ticks that infest dogs raises the possibility that this parasite has either attained its dead-end host (i.e. the tick) while feeding on dogs or has expanded its range of intermediate/paratenic hosts. Further research work is needed to investigate the epidemiology and confirm the vector competence of screened tick species for these pathogens from Pakistan. Graphical Abstract

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Detection of Tick-Borne Bacterial and Protozoan Pathogens in Ticks from the Zambia–Angola Border

Cited by 8 publications

References 66 publications

Molecular Detection and Characterization of Rickettsia Species in Ixodid Ticks from Selected Regions of Namibia

Molecular Detection and Characterization of Rickettsia Species in Ixodid Ticks from Selected Regions of Namibia

Skin Microbial Community Associated to Strawberry Disease in Farmed Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss Walbaum, 1792)

Genetic diversity of vector-borne pathogens in ixodid ticks infesting dogs from Pakistan with notes on Ehrlichia canis, Rickettsia raoultii and Dirofilaria immitis detection

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