Molecular Detection and Genotyping of Coxiella-Like Endosymbionts in Ticks that Infest Horses in South Korea

Abstract

Members of the genus Coxiella can be transmitted from ticks to humans during contact with animals; Coxiella may thus spread from the infected horses or ticks to humans. In this study, the presence of Coxiella burnetii and Coxiella-like endosymbionts (CLE) in ticks found on infested horses was determined using PCR and genotyping. A total of 213 ticks were randomly collected from 51 horses (4–5 ticks per horse) raised on Jeju Island, Korea, between 2009 and 2013. All ticks were morphologically identified as adult Haemaphysalis longicornis, a predominant tick species widespread in Korea. Based on the results of nested PCR and 16S rRNA sequencing, CLE were detected in 121 (52.4%, 95% CI: 45.9–58.8) ticks. CLE 16S rRNA sequences from 9 randomly selected ticks were 100% identical. Phylogenetic analysis showed that these 9 sequences were highly similar (97.9–100%) to the sequences of clade B species, like the CLE previously described to be found in Haemaphysalis spp. This study showed that CLE are prevalent in ticks that infest horses reared on Jeju Island, and this is, to the best of our knowledge, the first study to describe CLE occurrence in ticks infesting animals reared in Korea. Because of the high prevalence of CLE in ticks found on horses, CLE transmission from ticks to other animals and humans remains a possibility. This warrants a detailed study of other hosts and regions. Considering the zoonotic potential of Coxiella, further strategic surveillance of Coxiella transmission is necessary.

Coxiella burnetii is widespread in ticks (Ixodidae) in the Xinjiang border areas of China

“…I. persulcatus, D. nuttalli, H. asiaticum, D. marginatus, and D. niveus are the dominant tick species in Xinjiang [38], and their wide distribution has a significant impact on the development of animal husbandry and public health. rufipes, H. anatolicum, or H. punctata, the findings lead us to suspect that C. burnetii has these relationships in these ticks, particularly because some reports have shown that C. burnetii has a high infection rate and vertical transmission relationship among some ticks [41][42][43][44]. Confirmation of our hypothesis requires more literature support and research to prove; here we are merely stating the supposition.…”

Molecular and serological surveillance of equine piroplasmosis in the Republic of Korea between 2016 and 2017

“…And there are 14 T. equi-transmissible tick species, which are 4 Dermacentor spp., 4 Hyalomma spp., 5Rhipicephalus spp., and Amblyomma cajennense (Wise et al, 2013). In Korea, the predominant horse tick species isHaemaphysalis longicornis (Seo et al, 2016). To date, EP-transmissible tick species have not been found in ROK (Jiang et al, 2019;Yun et al, 2014).…”

Coxiella burnetii is widespread in ticks (Ixodidae) in the Xinjiang areas of China

“…The high infection rate of C. burnetii in D. silvarum, H. asiaticum, and R. sanguineus seems to be related to the symbiosis and vertical transmission between them [41,42]. Although there is no related article reporting the existence of symbiotic and vertical anatolicum, or H. punctata, the findings lead us to suspect that C. burnetii has these relationships to these ticks, particularly because some reports have shown that C. burnetii has a high infection rate and vertical transmission relationship among some ticks [43][44][45][46]. Confirmation of our hypothesis requires more literature support and research to prove; here we are merely stating the supposition.…”