Novel relapsing fever Borrelia detected in African penguins (Spheniscus demersus) admitted to two rehabilitation centers in South Africa

Yabsley, Michael J.; Parsons, Nola J.; Horne, Elizabeth C.; Shock, Barbara C.; Purdee, Michaelle

doi:10.1007/s00436-011-2602-2

Cited by 36 publications

(50 citation statements)

References 31 publications

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“…K67, a bacterium of the relapsing fever group previously isolated from a seabird tick in Japan, Ornithodoros sawaii, and known to be pathogenic for humans (Takano et al, 2009). This same strain seems to be present in penguins of South Africa (Yabsley et al, 2012), highlighting the ability of seabirds to spread infectious agents at broad spatial scales.…”

Section: Bacteriamentioning

confidence: 73%

The role of seabirds of the Iles Eparses as reservoirs and disseminators of parasites and pathogens

et al. 2016

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The role of birds as reservoirs and disseminators of parasites and pathogens has received much attention over the past several years due their high vagility. Seabirds are particularly interesting hosts in this respect. In addition to incredible long-distance movements during migration, foraging and prospecting, these birds are long-lived, site faithful and breed in dense aggregations in specific colony locations. These different characteristics can favor both the local maintenance and large-scale transmission of parasites and pathogens. The Iles Eparses provide breeding and feeding grounds for a large portion of seabird biodiversity, with over 3 million breeding pairs of at least 13 species. Breeding colonies on these islands are relatively undisturbed by human activities and represent natural metapopulations in which seabird population dynamics, movement and dispersal can be studied in relation to that of circulating parasites and pathogens. In this review, we summarize previous knowledge and recently-acquired data on the parasites and pathogens found in association with seabirds of the Iles Eparses. These studies have revealed the presence of a rich diversity of infectious agents (viruses, bacteria and parasites) carried by the birds and/or their local ectoparasites (ticks and louse flies). Many of these agents are widespread and found in other ecosystems confirming a role for seabirds in their large scale dissemination and maintenance. The heterogeneous distribution of parasites and infectious agents among islands and seabird species suggest that relatively independent metacommunities of interacting species may exist within the western Indian Ocean. In this context, we discuss how the patterns and determinants of seabird movements may alter parasite and pathogen circulation. We conclude by outlining key aspects for future research given the baseline data now available and current concerns in eco-epidemiology and biodiversity conservation.

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Section: Bacteriamentioning

confidence: 73%

The role of seabirds of the Iles Eparses as reservoirs and disseminators of parasites and pathogens

et al. 2016

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“…The flaB gene sequencing of spirochetes observed in the blood of two penguins (Spheniscus demersus) revealed the presence of a novel relapsing fever Borrelia. 45 Indeed, this 327-bp flaB gene sequence shared 99% sequence similarity with that of Borrelia sp. K64, which was previously detected in Carios sawaii ticks removed from seabirds in Japan.…”

Section: Clinical Featuresmentioning

confidence: 88%

“…[26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36][37][38][39] Conventional PCR with or without sequencing and real-time PCR targeting these genomic regions have been used to document borreliae in reservoirs, ectoparasites, and clinical specimens. [43][44][45][46] Relapsing fever borreliae with cultured representatives in Africa. Borrelia crocidurae flagellin sequences have been detected in patients in Senegal and Mauritania.…”

Section: Clinical Featuresmentioning

confidence: 99%

Relapsing Fever Borreliae in Africa

Elbir¹,

Raoult²,

Drancourt³

2013

The American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene

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Abstract. The study of relapsing fever borreliae in Africa has long suffered from the use of non-specific laboratory tools for the direct detection of these spirochetes in clinical and vector specimens. Accordingly, Borrelia hispanica, Borrelia crocidurae, Borrelia duttonii, and Borrelia recurrentis have traditionally been distinguished on the basis of geography and vector and the unproven hypothesis that each species was exclusive to one vector. The recent sequencing of three relapsing fever Borrelia genomes in our laboratory prompted the development of more specific tools and a reappraisal of the epidemiology in Africa. Five additional potential species still need to be cultured from clinical and vector sources in East Africa to further assess their uniqueness. Here, we review the molecular evidence of relapsing fever borreliae in hosts and ectoparasites in Africa and explore the diversity, geographical distribution, and vector association of these pathogens for Africans and travelers to Africa.

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“…A relapsing fever Borrelia was also isolated from the endangered African penguin, Spheniscus demersus. In that study, one bird was believed to have died of borreliosis based on gross, microscopic lesions and analysis of partial flaB gene sequenceswhich is specific to relapsing fever Borrelia (Yabsley et al 2012).…”

Section: Tick-borne Relapsing Fever In Wildlifementioning

confidence: 99%

Tick‐borne relapsing fever as a potential veterinary medical problem

Elelu

2018

Veterinary Medicine & Sci

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Tick‐borne relapsing fever (TBRF) caused by the bacteria Borrelia, is poorly documented in veterinary medicine. Given the widespread presence of the soft tick vectors – Ornithodoros and the recently discovered hard tick vectors, as well as their close association with animal hosts, it is highly likely that infection occurs, but is rarely reported to be of veterinary importance. Sporadic reports of canine infection, some being fatal through to probable cause of abortion in horses have been published. Some of these pathogens exist in regions where there are limited diagnostic facilities, hence, they are likely to be missed and their impact on productivity may be unquantified. Here we review available literatures on cases of TBRF in domestic and wild animals in order to show their potential veterinary medical impact. Future efforts using field and laboratory surveys are needed to determine pathogenesis, vector competence and distribution in animals, their impact on animal health and productivity as well as to prevent further spill to the human population, where it is already a public health problem in some parts of the world.

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Novel relapsing fever Borrelia detected in African penguins (Spheniscus demersus) admitted to two rehabilitation centers in South Africa

Cited by 36 publications

References 31 publications

The role of seabirds of the Iles Eparses as reservoirs and disseminators of parasites and pathogens

The role of seabirds of the Iles Eparses as reservoirs and disseminators of parasites and pathogens

Relapsing Fever Borreliae in Africa

Tick‐borne relapsing fever as a potential veterinary medical problem

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