Molecular detection of Rickettsia bellii in Amblyomma rotundatum from imported red-footed tortoise (Chelonoides carbonaria)

Erster, Oran; Roth, Asael; Avni, Zvi; King, Rony; Shkap, Varda

doi:10.1016/j.ttbdis.2015.03.015

Cited by 15 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 31 publications

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“…Ticks are both vectors and reservoirs for several rickettsial agents and studies have reported the importation of tick‐infested animals, which were later found to be carrying rickettsiae, many of which are pathogenic to humans (Erster, Roth, Avni, King, & Shkap, ; Ojeda‐Chi et al, ; Parola et al, ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…in ticks found in tortoises (Ehlers et al, ; Paștiu et al, ). Interestingly, a recent study has highlighted the introduction of R. bellii in Amblyomma rotundatum ticks infesting red‐footed tortoise ( Chelonoides carbonaria ) (Erster et al, ). The infested tortoises were shipped to Ben Gurion Airport, Israel, having been legally imported from a pet trader in Florida, USA.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Pathogenic Rickettsia in ticks of spur‐thighed tortoise ( Testudo graeca ) sold in a Qatar live animal market

Barradas

Mesquita

Lima

et al. 2019

Transbound Emerg Dis

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The dissemination of vector arthropods harbouring zoonotic pathogens through the uncontrolled transboundary trade of exotic and pet animals poses an important threat to Public Health. In the present report, we describe the introduction of pathogenic Rickettsia africae and R. aeschlimanni in ticks removed from imported tortoises in Qatar. A total of 21 ticks were collected from pet spur‐thighed tortoises (Testudo graeca) from Doha, May 2018, and studied for species identification and characterization of Rickettsia spp. Morphological and molecular analysis of ticks allowed their identification as Hyalomma aegyptium. Molecular analysis of partial ompA and gltA genes showed that Rickettsia sequences found on these ticks clustered with sequences classified as R. aeschilimanii and R. africae. Since pre‐adult stages of H. aegyptium also feed on humans, this tick species may play a role in the transmission of R. aeschilimanii and R. africae. We alert for the introduction of non‐native pets as vehicles for tick importation, known vectors for animal and human pathogenic agents. Importation of exotic species into non‐autochthonous countries deserves strict control to enforce robust surveillance and mitigate potential exotic diseases epidemics.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Pathogenic Rickettsia in ticks of spur‐thighed tortoise ( Testudo graeca ) sold in a Qatar live animal market

Barradas

Mesquita

Lima

et al. 2019

Transbound Emerg Dis

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“…In Malaysia [ 33 ], among the same ticks ( A. helvolum and A. varanense ) collected from captured snakes, two new Rickettsiae , Candidatus Rickettsia sepangensis, similar to Rickettsia tamurae , and Candidatus Rickettsia johorensis, which is very close to Rickettsia raoultii . Rickettsia bellii has been described from A. rotundatum ticks collected from turtles ( Chelonoidis carbonaria) that are illegally traded between Israel and the United States [ 34 ]. R. bellii has also been reported in A. rotundatum collected from amphibians ( Rhinella jimi ) from the arid regions of Brazil [ 35 ], and in Colombia, it has been described from a group of A. dissimile larvae collected from the lizard Basiliscus basiliscus and the toad R. horribilis in the Department of Magdalena, Colombia [ 22 , 23 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Candidatus Rickettsia colombianensi in ticks from reptiles in Córdoba, Colombia

et al. 2020

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Background and Aim: Wildlife animals are reservoirs of a large number of microorganisms pathogenic to humans, and ticks could be responsible for the transmission of these pathogens. Rickettsia spp. are the most prevalent pathogens found in ticks. This study was conducted to detect Rickettsia spp. in ticks collected from free-living and illegally trafficked reptiles from the Department of Córdoba, Colombia. Materials and Methods: During the period from October 2011 to July 2014, ticks belonging to the family Ixodidae were collected, preserved in 96% ethanol, identified using taxonomic keys, and pooled (between 1 and 14 ticks) according to sex, stage, host, and collected place for subsequent DNA extraction. Rickettsia detection was performed using real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), followed by conventional PCR to amplify a larger fragment of the gltA and 16S rRNA genes. The amplicons were sequenced using the Sanger method, and the nucleotide sequences were subjected to BLAST analysis to identify homologous sequences in GenBank, after which phylogenetic analysis was performed using the MEGA X software. Results: In total, 21 specimens of nine species of reptiles were sampled, from which 805 Amblyomma dissimile ticks were collected, but only 180 ticks were selected to create 34 groups. The DNA of Rickettsia spp. was detected in 30/34 (88%) groups. The sequences of the gene gltA and 16S rRNA revealed a 100% identity with Candidatus Rickettsia colombianensi (GenBank: KF905456 and GenBank: KF691750). Conclusion: A. dissimile was the only tick found in all the sampled reptiles. The presence of Candidatus Rickettsia colombianensi in reptile ticks could represent a public health problem due to the risk of transmission to humans and the introduction of microorganisms to other geographical areas.

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“…Similarly, Rickettsia honei was found in 29 out of 46 examined ticks B. hydrosauri ; however, none of associated reptile hosts ( Austrelaps superbus , Notechis scutatus and Tiliqua nigrolutea ) were infected (Stenos et al ., ). Rickettsia bellii was detected in Amblyomma rotundatum imported into Israel from Florida along with the 20 South American red‐footed tortoises ( Chelonoidis carbonaria ) (Erster et al ., ). Nieto et al .…”

Section: Chelonian Hosts Reported Up To Now For Amblyomma Geoemydaementioning

confidence: 99%

Long term persistence of introduced Amblyomma geoemydae tick population under indoor conditions in Austria

Bilbija

Auer

Široký

2019

Medical Vet Entomology

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An indoor terrarium population of Amblyomma geoemydae was established subsequent to the import of a single yellow-marginated box turtle Cuora flavomarginata. This indoor tick population revealed an unexpected resistance against de-ticking trials, with persistence between 2010 and 2015, when the ticks were successfully eliminated. Ticks were collected from the bodies and shells of turtles, as well as from terraria soil. Species diagnosis of ticks was carried out according to distinguishable morphological characters and supported by molecular analysis using DNA-barcoding. Introduced exotic ticks are potential vectors of pathogens and can have an impact on wildlife, domestic animals and the human population. This case emphasizes the need for sharp surveillance and control measures on imported reptiles.

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Molecular detection of Rickettsia bellii in Amblyomma rotundatum from imported red-footed tortoise (Chelonoides carbonaria)

Cited by 15 publications

References 31 publications

Pathogenic Rickettsia in ticks of spur‐thighed tortoise ( Testudo graeca ) sold in a Qatar live animal market

Pathogenic Rickettsia in ticks of spur‐thighed tortoise ( Testudo graeca ) sold in a Qatar live animal market

Candidatus Rickettsia colombianensi in ticks from reptiles in Córdoba, Colombia

Long term persistence of introduced Amblyomma geoemydae tick population under indoor conditions in Austria

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