Identification of Amblyomma javanense and detection of tick-borne Ehrlichia spp. in confiscated Malayan Pangolins

Abstract

Due to habitat destruction and illegal hunting and trade, the number of pangolins has been sharply reduced. To protect pangolins from extinction, relevant departments are combined and active action have been taken. A total of 21 confiscated Malayan pangolins were rescued in 2019, but died continuously for unknown reasons. This study aimed to investigate the reasons for the death of these pangolin and rescue them. 19 of the 21 confiscated pangolins had ticks on their body integument. A total of 303 ticks were collected and identified as Amblyomma javanense ( A. javanense ) according to their morphology and the sequences of 16S rRNA and internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2). There were multi-organ damages in the dead pangolins, especially congestion and hemorrhage in lung, heart and kidney and inflammation of which were observed using HE staining. Pathogens' nucleic acid detection showed ticks were only positive for Ehrlichia spp, with 56.7% positive rate of collected ticks (127/224), which was further confirmed in tissues from dead pangolins. Our findings confirm that ehrlichiosis caused by Ehrlichia spp. from A. javanense might accelerate the confiscated pangolin's death. More attention should be payed to tick-elimination work and the diagnoses and treatment of tick-borne diseases in the follow-up rescue operation.

Isolation, genome analysis and comparison of a novel parainfluenza virus 5 from a Siberian tiger (Panthera tigris)

“…To separate the indicated DNA fragments, the prepared PCR products were added to a 1% agarose gel with Golden View™ (TaKaRa) and electrophoresed with DL2000 DNA marker (TaKaRa) at 120 V for approximately 25 min, as we reported ( 20 ). PCR band products were visualized using a Gel Doc™ EZ imaging system (Bio-Rad, CA).…”

Forensic parasitology: a new frontier in criminalistics

“…For example, the co-dependent pangolin tick ( Amblyomma javanense ) ( Figure 2A ) is commonly found on trafficked Asian pangolins ( Manis spp. ) [ 20 ] and genetic analysis of these ticks in conjunction with host genetics may assist investigators to more precisely determine the origin of smuggled pangolins.…”

Virus diversity, wildlife-domestic animal circulation and potential zoonotic viruses of small mammals, pangolins and zoo animals

“…Until the emergence of COVID-19, pangolins were largely neglected as potential hosts for viruses, although they have been identified as carrying a number of SARS-CoV-2-related and MERS-CoV-related viruses 10 – 13 . Since this time, many additional pathogens, such as human parainfluenza 3, human respiratory syncytial virus, and murine respirovirus have been identified in these endangered animals 14 – 18 . Similarly, zoo animals are kept at very high densities and in close contact with humans and domestic animals, providing opportunities for both zoonosis and reverse-zoonosis 19 .…”