Human Granulocytic Anaplasmosis in Northeastern Italy

Beltrame, Anna; Ruscio, Maurizio; Arzese, Alessandra; Rorato, Giada; Negri, Camilla; Londero, Angela; Crapis, Massimo; Scudeller, Luigia; Viale, Pierluigi

doi:10.1196/annals.1374.015

Cited by 22 publications

(18 citation statements)

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“…Sporadic cases of human granulocytic anaplasmosis (HGA) have also been reported in North-eastern Italy (Beltrame et al 2006) and A. phagocytophilum has frequently been detected in ticks and domestic animals (Carpi et al 2009), but the infection is probably more frequent than assumed. Roe deer, European brown hare and wild boar are among the most important game species in Italy and other European countries.…”

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confidence: 97%

Ethiological agents of rickettsiosis and anaplasmosis in ticks collected in Emilia-Romagna region (Italy) during 2008 and 2009

et al. 2012

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Ticks are the main vectors of rickettsiae of the spotted fever group, as well as of a variety of other Rickettsiales, including bacteria of the genus Anaplasma, that might cause diseases in humans and animals. Here we present the result of a survey for ticks and for tick-associated Rickettsiales in the Emilia Romagna region (Northern Italy). The study was focused on ticks collected from wild-hunted animals. Out of 392 ticks collected from these animals, 282 (72%) were identified as Ixodes ricinus, 110 (28%) as Dermacentor marginatus. The former was found on four vertebrate species, whereas the latter appeared more specific for wild boar. The presence of rickettsiae was demonstrated in 22.5% of I. ricinus (57/253) and in 29% of D. marginatus (32/110). Five ticks of the species I. ricinus were also positive for Anaplasma phagocytophilum (2%). In addition, we collected ticks by dragging in a natural park of the same region. All of the ticks captured by dragging were identified as I. ricinus. Thirty-six out of 200 analyzed ticks proved positive for Rickettsia monacensis and R. helvetica (16.5 and 1.5%, respectively). Our results highlight that that ticks present in wild areas, widely exploited for recreation and hunting in Emilia-Romagna, represent a risk for the transmission of spotted fevers and anaplasmosis to humans.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Ethiological agents of rickettsiosis and anaplasmosis in ticks collected in Emilia-Romagna region (Italy) during 2008 and 2009

et al. 2012

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“…These areas represent the optimal I. ricinus biotope, consisting of microhabitats characterized by humidity above 85% and a well conserved biocenosis of wild animals (including small and large mammals, birds, and reptiles). The north-eastern region of Italy accounts for the majority of human cases of LB and TBE [6]; the first cases of Human Granulocytic Anaplasmosis (HGA) by Anaplasma phagocytophilum have also been reported in the same area [7,8]. …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Occurrence and identification of risk areas of Ixodes ricinus-borne pathogens: a cost-effectiveness analysis in north-eastern Italy

et al. 2012

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Background Ixodes ricinus , a competent vector of several pathogens, is the tick species most frequently reported to bite humans in Europe. The majority of human cases of Lyme borreliosis (LB) and tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) occur in the north-eastern region of Italy. The aims of this study were to detect the occurrence of endemic and emergent pathogens in north-eastern Italy using adult tick screening, and to identify areas at risk of pathogen transmission. Based on our results, different strategies for tick collection and pathogen screening and their relative costs were evaluated and discussed. Methods From 2006 to 2008 adult ticks were collected in 31 sites and molecularly screened for the detection of pathogens previously reported in the same area (i.e., LB agents, TBE virus, Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Rickettsia spp., Babesia spp., " Candidatus Neoehrlichia mikurensis "). Based on the results of this survey, three sampling strategies were evaluated a - posteriori , and the impact of each strategy on the final results and the overall cost reductions were analyzed. The strategies were as follows: tick collection throughout the year and testing of female ticks only (strategy A); collection from April to June and testing of all adult ticks (strategy B); collection from April to June and testing of female ticks only (strategy C). Results Eleven pathogens were detected in 77 out of 193 ticks collected in 14 sites. The most common microorganisms detected were Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (17.6%), Rickettsia helvetica (13.1%), and " Ca. N. mikurensis " (10.5%). Within the B. burgdorferi complex, four genotypes (i.e., B. valaisiana, B. garinii, B. afzelii , and B. burgdorferi sensu stricto) were found. Less prevalent pathogens included R. monacensis (3.7%), TBE virus (2.1%), A. phagocytophilum (1.5%), Bartonella spp. (1%), and Babesia EU1 (0.5%). Co-infections by more than one pathogen were diagnosed in 22% of infected ticks. The prevalences of infection assessed using the three alternative strategies were in accordance with the initial results, with 13, 11, and 10 out of 14 sites showing occurrence of at least one pathogen, respectively. The strategies A, B, and C proposed herein would allow to reduce the original costs of sampling and laboratory analyses by one third, half, and two thirds, respectively. Strategy B was demonstrated to represent the most cost-effective choice, offering a substantial reduction of costs, as well as reliable results. Conclusions Monitoring of tick-borne diseases is e...

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“…From 1994 to 2005, ≈3,000 cases of human granulocytic anaplasmosis were diagnosed in the United States ( 1 ), and in more recent years, sporadic and clustered cases have been reported in Europe and the People’s Republic of China ( 2 – 5 ). Human are usually infected by tick bites, although perinatal transmission or transmission through contact with infected animal blood has been reported ( 1 ).…”

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confidence: 99%