First detection and identification of Candidatus Neoehrlichia mikurensis in South Korea

Abstract

Candidatus Neoehrlichia mikurensis (Ca. N. mikurensis; family Anaplasmataceae) is an emerging tick-borne pathogen that causes a systemic inflammatory syndrome with thrombotic complications. We report here the first identification of Ca. N. mikurensis in organ samples from small mammals captured in southwest South Korea. Nested PCR of groEL and 16S rRNA genes was used to confirm the identity of the bacteria present, and successfully amplified fragments were sequenced. All captured animals were identified as striped field mice (Apodemus agrarius), approximately 28.6% (4/14) and 21.4% (3/14) of which were found to be PCR-positive for Ca. N. mikurensis and Anaplasma phagocytophilum, respectively. The detection of Ca. N. mikurensis in these animals represents the first evidence of this pathogen in South Korea. Carriage of this bacterium by rodents highlights the need for more detailed investigation of their role in its transmission to humans.

Co-infection of Anaplasma and Ehrlichia in Hedgehogs from China.

“…Neoehrlichia DNA and did not test the Ca. Neoehrlichia primers with positive control in our laboratory although the primers has been repeatedly demonstrated to work well by other investigators [24] . Therefore, we do not know the hedgehogs were truly negative or not to Ca.…”

“…For detection of Rickettsia, nested PCR amplifications of Rickettsiarrs, gltA, and outer membrane protein B gene (ompB) were performed [23]. For Ca.Neoehrlichia detection, 16S rRNA were targeted [24] . DNA isolated from A.bovis, E. chaffeensis and R. japonica was served as positive controls.…”

Co-infection of Anaplasma and Ehrlichia in Hedgehogs from China.

“…Neoehrlichia DNA and did not test the Ca. Neoehrlichia primers with positive control in our laboratory although the primers has been repeatedly demonstrated to work well by other investigators [20] . Therefore, we do not know the hedgehogs were truly negative or not to Ca.…”

“…For detection of Rickettsia, nested PCR ampli cations of Rickettsiarrs, gltA, and outer membrane protein B gene (ompB) were performed [36]. For Ca.Neoehrlichia detection, 16S rRNA were targeted [20] . DNA isolated from A.bovis, E. chaffeensis and R. japonica was served as positive controls.…”

Candidatus Neoehrlichia mikurensis – distribution and evaluation of potential risk exposure for human health

“…Częstość wykrywania w Europie Candidatus N. mikurensis w gryzoniach wynosi od 1,8% (Francja) do 52,7% (Niemcy) [30,39,47,[49][50][51]. Zakażone bakteriami Candidatus N. mikurensis gryzonie odławiano także w Japonii (11,3%), Korei Południowej (28,6%) oraz Chinach (4%), były to głównie osobniki z gatunku R. norvegicus oraz należące do rodzaju Apodemus [52,53,54]. Pojedyncze infekcje patogenem obserwowano również u innych gatunków ssaków: dzików, niedźwiedzi, borsuków, kozic, muflonów oraz jeży [55,56].…”