Lipoptena fortisetosa as a vector of Bartonella bacteria in Japanese sika deer (Cervus nippon)

Abstract

Background Two species of deer ked (Lipoptena cervi and L. mazamae) have been identified as vectors of Bartonella bacteria in cervids in Europe and the USA. In an earlier study we showed that Japanese sika deer (Cervus nippon) harbor three Bartonella species, namely B. capreoli (lineage A) and two novel Bartonella species (lineages B and C); however, there is currently no information on the vector of Bartonella bacteria in sika deer. The aim of this study was to clarify potential vectors of Bartonella in Japanese sika deer. Methods Thirty-eight wingless deer keds (L. fortisetosa) and 36 ticks (Haemaphysalis and Ixodes species) were collected from sika deer. The prevalence of Bartonella in the arthropods was evaluated by real-time PCR targeting the 16S−23S internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and by culture of the organisms. The total number of Bartonella bacteria were quantified using real-time PCR. The distribution of Bartonella bacteria in deer ked organs was examined by immunofluorescence analysis. The relationship of Bartonella strains isolated from sika deer and arthropods were examined by a phylogenetic analysis based on concatenated sequences of the gltA, rpoB, ftsZ, and ribC genes, followed by a BLAST search for gltA and rpoB. Results Bartonella prevalence in deer keds was 87.9% by real-time PCR and 51.5% in culture and that in the ticks was 8.3% by real-time PCR and 2.8% in culture. The mean number of Bartonella bacteria per ked was calculated to be 9.2 × 105 cells. Bartonella aggregates were localized in the midgut of the keds. The phylogenetic analysis and BLAST search showed that both the host deer and the keds harbored two Bartonella species (lineages B and C), while B. capreoli (lineage A) was not detected in the keds. Two novel Bartonella species (lineages D and E) were isolated from one ked. Conclusions Lipoptena fortisetosa likely serves as a vector of at least two Bartonella species (lineages B and C), whereas ticks do not seem to play a significant role in the transmission of Bartonella between sika deer based on the lower detection rates of Bartonella in ticks compared to keds. Bartonella species in lineages D and E appear to be L. fortisetosa-specific strains.

Two New Haplotypes of Bartonella sp. Isolated from Lipoptena fortisetosa (Diptera: Hippoboscidae) in SE Poland

“…In turn, the Bartonella sp. infection rate in L. fortisetosa collected in Japan was estimated at 87.9% by real-time PCR and 51.5% in culture [ 40 ].…”

“…These include, e.g., Anaplasma ovis [ 32 ], Anaplasma phagocytophilum [ 23 , 33 ], Bartonella sp. [ 23 , 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 ], Borrelia burgdorferi [ 33 ], Rickettsia spp. [ 23 , 32 ], Trypanosoma spp.…”

Colour Preference of the Deer Ked Lipoptena fortisetosa (Diptera: Hippoboscidae)

“…Lipoptena fortisetosa has never been studied for its host location process although it is currently receiving renewed attention, especially given its medical and veterinary importance. In fact, as ascertained in other hippoboscid species, L. fortisetosa may be a potential vector of pathogens that are harmful for animals and humans [22][23][24][25][26]. Since this parasite lives on just a few host species, completes its life cycle while dwelling permanently on a single subject, and is not able to frequently switch victims, we believe it has developed efficient mechanisms to locate a host after emergence.…”

“…L. fortisetosa is an obligate, permanent ectoparasite which, apart from its original host, sika deer, thrives on a limited range of closely related mammalian species, especially cervids [6][7][8][9]. Before settling on the so called "definitive host", this fly may occasionally bite other species for food, including humans [10,11].…”

Distribution of Deer Keds (Diptera: Hippoboscidae) in Free-Living Cervids of the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines, Central Italy, and Establishment of the Allochthonous Ectoparasite Lipoptena fortisetosa

“…Usually, hippoboscids infest animal hosts, but they can also bite humans, creating a consequent health risk, which needs to be verified with further studies, that these insects may transmit some zoonotic pathogens [24][25][26][27][28][29][30]; however, no overt form of these diseases has yet been detected in deer hosts. Moreover, the bites of deer keds on humans can result in persisting and itching papules, in addition to dermatitis [31][32][33][34].…”