Ticks and prevalence of tick-borne pathogens from domestic animals in Ghana

Nimo-Paintsil, Shirley C.; Mosore, Mba; Addo, Seth Offei; Lura, Taylor; Tagoe, Janice; Ladzekpo, Danielle; Addae, Charlotte Adwoa; Bentil, Ronald Essah; Behene, Eric; Dafeamekpor, Courage; Asoala, Victor; Fox, Anne A.; Watters, Chaselynn; Koehler, Jeffrey W.; Schoepp, Randy J.; Arimoto, Hanayo; Dadzie, Samuel; Letizia, Andrew G.; Diclaro, Joseph W.

doi:10.1186/s13071-022-05208-8

Cited by 22 publications

(17 citation statements)

References 49 publications

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“…DNA of Rickettsia spp. was reported in H. elliptica and R. sanguineus ticks from dogs in South Africa [ 8 ], in Ghana [ 65 ] and in Algeria [ 56 ], and in the blood of dogs in Nigeria [ 14 ] and in Angola [ 66 ]. Rickettsia monacensis causes MSF-like illness and is an emerging human pathogen.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Epidemiological Survey on Tick-Borne Pathogens with Zoonotic Potential in Dog Populations of Southern Ethiopia

et al. 2023

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Dogs are known to host several tick-borne pathogens with zoonotic potential; however, scant information is available on the epidemiology of these pathogens in low-income tropical countries and in particular in sub-Saharan Africa. With the aim of investigating a wide range of tick-borne pathogens (i.e., Rickettsia spp., Anaplasma spp., Erhlichia spp., Borrelia spp., Hepatozoon spp. and Babesia spp.), 273 blood samples were collected from dogs in selected districts of Ethiopia and analyzed by real-time and/or end-point PCR. The results of the study showed that Hepatozoon canis was the most prevalent pathogen (53.8%), followed by Anaplasma phagocythophilum (7.0%), Babesia canis rossi (3.3%), Ehrlichia canis (2.6%) and Anaplasma platys (2.2%). Furthermore, five samples tested positive for Borrelia spp., identified as Borrelia afzelii (n = 3) and Borrelia burgdorferi (n = 2), and two samples for Rickettsia spp., identified as Rickettsia conorii (n = 1) and Rickettsia monacensis (n = 1). The finding of Anaplasma phagocythophilum and different species of the genera Borrelia and Rickettsia with zoonotic potential was unexpected and alarming, and calls for further investigation on the roles of dogs and on the tick, species acting as vector in this specific context. Other pathogens (Hepatozoon canis, Babaesia canis rossi, Anaplasma platys, Ehrlichia canis) are already known to have an important impact on the dogs’ health but have minor zoonotic potential as they were rarely or never reported in humans. Dogs from rural areas were found to be at higher risk for different pathogens, probably due to the presence of other wild canids in the same environment. The findings of the present study contribute to a better knowledge of the epidemiology of tick-borne pathogens, which is relevant to human and animal health.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Epidemiological Survey on Tick-Borne Pathogens with Zoonotic Potential in Dog Populations of Southern Ethiopia

et al. 2023

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“…All these viruses were investigated in the Greater Accra region, and detection was confirmed via RT-PCR. Recently, tick-borne pathogens from domestic animals (cattle, goats, and dogs) were also investigated in Ghana [ 47 ]. The morphologically identified ticks were analyzed for pathogens such as CCHFV and Alkhurma hemorrhagic fever virus (AHFV).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The morphologically identified ticks were analyzed for pathogens such as CCHFV and Alkhurma hemorrhagic fever virus (AHFV). Interestingly, no RNA of CCHFV or AHFV was detected [ 47 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Arbovirus Epidemiology: The Mystery of Unnoticed Epidemics in Ghana, West Africa

et al. 2022

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It is evident that all the countries surrounding Ghana have experienced epidemics of key arboviruses of medical importance, such as the recent dengue fever epidemic in Burkina Faso. Therefore, Ghana is considered a ripe zone for epidemics of arboviruses, mainly dengue. Surprisingly, Ghana never experienced the propounded deadly dengue epidemic. Indeed, it is mysterious because the mosquito vectors capable of transmitting the dengue virus, such as Aedes aegypti, were identified in Ghana through entomological investigations. Additionally, cases may be missed, as the diagnostic and surveillance capacities of the country are weak. Therefore, we review the arbovirus situation and outline probable reasons for the epidemic mystery in the country. Most of the recorded cases of arbovirus infections were usually investigated via serology by detecting IgM and IgG immunoglobulins in clinical samples, which is indicative of prior exposure but not an active case. This led to the identification of yellow fever virus and dengue virus as the main circulating arboviruses among the Ghanaian population. However, major yellow fever epidemics were reported for over a decade. It is important to note that the reviewed arboviruses were not frequently detected in the vectors. The data highlight the necessity of strengthening the diagnostics and the need for continuous arbovirus and vector surveillance to provide an early warning system for future arbovirus epidemics.

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“…Plasma samples were run in duplicate with a Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus real-time RT-PCR assay targeting the NP gene using previously described methods 13–15 but replaced after transition of the Global Fever panel from off-site to on-site use after the first 237 participants. Extracted nucleic acid (5 μl) from plasma samples from the first 237 participants were run with a Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus real-time RT-PCR assay targeting the NP gene in duplicate using the using SuperScript One-Step RT-PCR Kit (ThermoFisher Scientific) using previously described methods 13–15 . Primers (CCHFV-S-F649 5’GGAVTGGTGVAGGGARTTTG and CCHFV-S-R705 5’-CADGGTGGRTTGAARGC) were at 5 μM concentrations, and the probe (CCHFV-S-p670 FAM-CAARGGCAARTACATMAT-MGBNFQ) was at 0.1 μM M. Cycling conditions were 50°C for 15 min; 95°C for 5 min; and 45 cycles at 94 °C for 1 s, 55 °C for 20 s, and 68 °C for 5 s. Fluorescence was measured after each extension step, and a sample was considered negative if the quantification cycle (Cq) was greater than 40 cycles.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Long-term Mortality Among Hospitalized Adults with Sepsis in Uganda: a Prospective Cohort Study

Blair,

Okello,

Wailagala

et al. 2023

Preprint

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BackgroundTwelve-month mortality in sepsis survivors has not been previously characterized in sub-Saharan Africa.MethodsHospitalized adults with ≥ 2 modified systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) criteria (temperature < 36°C or > 38°C, heart rate ≥ 90 beats per minute, or respiratory rate ≥ 20 breaths per minute) were enrolled at a tertiary care centre from October 2017 to August 2022. Multiple clinical blood and respiratory molecular and antigen assays were used to identify infectious etiologies. Baseline demographics were evaluated for risk of death by 1 month and 12 months using Cox proportional hazards regression.ResultsAmong 435 participants, the median age was 45.0 years (interquartile range [IQR]: 28.0, 60.0) years, 57.6% were female, and 31.7% were living with HIV. Malaria (17.7%) followed by tuberculosis (4.7%), and bacteremia (4.6%) were the most common detected causes of illness. Overall, 49 (11.3%) participants died, and 24 participants died between one month and one year (49.0% of deaths and 5.5% of the cohort). Female participants had a decreased risk of death by 12-months (unadjusted hazard ratio [HR]: 0.37; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.21 to 0.66).ConclusionsThe burden of sepsis may be underestimated in sub-Saharan Africa due to limited long-term follow-up.

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Ticks and prevalence of tick-borne pathogens from domestic animals in Ghana

Cited by 22 publications

References 49 publications

Epidemiological Survey on Tick-Borne Pathogens with Zoonotic Potential in Dog Populations of Southern Ethiopia

Epidemiological Survey on Tick-Borne Pathogens with Zoonotic Potential in Dog Populations of Southern Ethiopia

Arbovirus Epidemiology: The Mystery of Unnoticed Epidemics in Ghana, West Africa

Long-term Mortality Among Hospitalized Adults with Sepsis in Uganda: a Prospective Cohort Study

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