Human Rickettsia felis infections in Mainland China

Teng, Zhongqiu; Zhao, Naiqin; Ren, Rui; Zhang, Xue; Du, Zhenshan; Wang, Pengfei; Qin, Tian

doi:10.3389/fcimb.2022.997315

Cited by 9 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 32 publications

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“…Ticks are small, blood-sucking arachnids that are found throughout the world [ 1 ]. They feed on the blood of mammals, birds, reptiles, and other hosts, and in the process, can transmit various pathogens that cause disease in humans and animals [ 2 , 3 , 4 ]. There are approximately 124 species of tick found in China.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In mainland China, at least 18 species of Candidatus species of SFGR have been referred to as human pathogens, and 8 of them have been confirmed: including R. heilongjiangensis , R. japonica , R. raoultii , R. sibirica , R. monacensis , Candidatus R. tarasevichiae, R. XY99 , and Ca . R. xinyangensis [ 3 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 ]. In the genus Anaplasma and the genus Ehrlichia, which belong to Anaplasmatacae, A. phagocytophilum and E. chaffeensis were the causative agents of well-known tick-borne diseases: human granulocytic anaplasmosis (HGA), and human monocytic ehrlichiosis (HME), respectively.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Molecular Detection of Tick-Borne Bacterial and Protozoan Pathogens in Haemaphysalis longicornis (Acari: Ixodidae) Ticks from Free-Ranging Domestic Sheep in Hebei Province, China

et al. 2023

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Ticks and tick-borne pathogens significantly threaten human and animal health worldwide. Haemaphysalis longicornis is one of the dominant tick species in East Asia, including China. In the present study, 646 Ha. longicornis ticks were collected from free-ranging domestic sheep in the southern region of Hebei Province, China. Tick-borne pathogens of zoonotic and veterinary importance (i.e., Rickettsia, Anaplasma, Ehrlichia, Borrelia, Theileria, and Hepatozoon spp.) were detected in the ticks using PCR assays and sequence analysis. The prevalence rates of these pathogens were 5.1% (33/646), 15.9% (103/646), 1.2% (8/646), 17.0% (110/646), 0.15% (1/646), and 0.15% (1/646), respectively. For Rickettsia spp., R. japonica (n = 13), R. raoultii (n = 6), and Candidatus R. jingxinensis (n = 14) were detected for the first time in the province, while several Anaplasma spp. were also detected in the ticks, including A. bovis (n = 52), A. ovis (n = 31), A. phagocytophilum (n = 10), and A. capra (n = 10). A putative novel Ehrlichia spp. was also found with a prevalence of 1.2% in the area. The present study provides important data for effectively controlling ticks and tick-borne diseases in the Hebei Province region of China.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Molecular Detection of Tick-Borne Bacterial and Protozoan Pathogens in Haemaphysalis longicornis (Acari: Ixodidae) Ticks from Free-Ranging Domestic Sheep in Hebei Province, China

et al. 2023

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“…Given that R. felis is an acknowledged zoonotic pathogen [ 37 , 38 , 39 ], future recommendations should be developed for successful chemoprophylaxis, regular examinations of domestic animals, and efficient ectoparasite control strategies. Furthermore, the characterization of these zoonotic pathogens from companion animals and humans living in the same household or shared environment is necessary to determine the human–animal transmission.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Companion Vector-Borne Pathogens and Associated Risk Factors in Apparently Healthy Pet Animals (Dogs and Cats) in Khukhot City Municipality, Pathum Thani Province, Thailand

et al. 2023

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Pet animals (dogs and cats) can be infected with several companion vector-borne pathogens (CVBPs). Morbidity and mortality have been reported in pet animals due to CVBP infections. Pet animals living in close proximity to humans are able to transmit zoonotic pathogens. This study used molecular techniques to investigate the prevalence of CVBPs in apparently healthy pet animals (dogs and cats) from Khukhot City Municipality, Pathum Thani province, Thailand. In total, 210 blood samples were randomly collected from 95 dogs and 115 cats for the detection of seven companion vector-borne pathogens (Anaplasma, Babesia, Bartonella, Ehrlichia, Hepatozoon, Mycoplasma, and Rickettsia) using polymerase chain reaction. The results showed that 10.5% (22/210) of apparently healthy pet animals were infected with at least one pathogen, comprising 6 dogs (6.3% of all dogs tested) and 16 cats (13.9% of all cats tested). Ehrlichia (6.3%) was present only in dogs; furthermore, 1.1% of the dogs were positive for Anaplasma. There was one dog case co-infected with two pathogens (1.1%). In cats, Mycoplasma (9.6%) was the predominant CVBP, followed by Rickettsia (4.4%). The DNA sequences of all positive animals were 97–99% homologous to those found in the GenBank™ database for all CVBPs identified, namely Ehrlichia canis, Anaplasma platys, Rickettsia felis, Mycoplasma haemofelis, and Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum. Additionally, the risk of infection with CVBPs in pets was significantly associated with age, with young dogs more likely to be infected with CVBPs than adult dogs (OR 8.5, 95% CI 1.4–50.1, p = 0.006), while adult cats were more likely to be infected with CVBPs than young cats (OR 3.8, 95% CI 1.0–14.0, p = 0.038). The detection of CVBPs demonstrated the potential risk of infection that may occur in apparently healthy pet animals in Pathum Thani province. These results confirmed that apparently healthy pet animals may still be at risk of vector-borne infections and could maintain the infection cycle in pet populations. Furthermore, sampling a greater number of apparently healthy pet animals may disclose predictors of CVBP positivity in domesticated animals in this area.

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“…To date, no human-pathogenic Babesia species have been identified in cats or dogs. More importantly, human cases caused by R. felis ( 24 ), R. raoultii ( 25 ), Candidatus R. tarasevichiae ( 26 ), Bar. henselae ( 27 ), A. phagocytophilum ( 28 ), and A. capra ( 29 ) have been found in China.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Genetic diversity of vector-borne zoonotic pathogens in companion dogs and cats, Tianjin, China

Jian,

Xue,

et al. 2024

Front. Vet. Sci.

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BackgroundDogs and cats are the hosts of many vector-borne human pathogens that can be transmitted to humans. Given their direct and intimate contact with humans, companion dogs and cats are considered direct sentinels of vector-borne human pathogens. However, limited information is currently available regarding canine and feline zoonotic pathogens in China. This study detected canine and feline vector-borne human pathogens to better understand the potential risk to humans.MethodsBlood samples were collected from 275 domestic companion animals (117 dogs and 158 cats) living in Tianjin city, China, and the presence of DNA from Anaplasma, Babesia, Bartonella, and Rickettsia was detected by semi-nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The PCR products of the expected size were sequenced, and these newly generated sequences were subjected to BLASTN, nucleotide identity, and phylogenetic analyses.ResultsA total of 24 blood samples tested positive for vector-borne pathogens in companion dogs and cats in Tianjin city, China, with a relatively low positive rate of 8.7%. Specifically, seven human pathogens, including Rickettsia raoultii, Candidatus Rickettsia jingxinensis, Rickettsia sibirica, Rickettsia felis, Babesia venatorum, Bartonella tribocorum, and Bartonella Henselae, were identified. In addition, Anaplasma ovis with zoonotic potential and Candidatus A. cinensis were detected.ConclusionOur results indicate substantial genetic diversity in the vector-borne human pathogens circulating in companion dogs and cats. Interventions based on “One Health” should be taken to reduce the potential risks of contracting infection from companion dogs and cats in Tianjin, China.

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Human Rickettsia felis infections in Mainland China

Cited by 9 publications

References 32 publications

Molecular Detection of Tick-Borne Bacterial and Protozoan Pathogens in Haemaphysalis longicornis (Acari: Ixodidae) Ticks from Free-Ranging Domestic Sheep in Hebei Province, China

Molecular Detection of Tick-Borne Bacterial and Protozoan Pathogens in Haemaphysalis longicornis (Acari: Ixodidae) Ticks from Free-Ranging Domestic Sheep in Hebei Province, China

Companion Vector-Borne Pathogens and Associated Risk Factors in Apparently Healthy Pet Animals (Dogs and Cats) in Khukhot City Municipality, Pathum Thani Province, Thailand

Genetic diversity of vector-borne zoonotic pathogens in companion dogs and cats, Tianjin, China

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