Rickettsia species in human-parasitizing ticks in Greece

Papa, Anna; Xanthopoulou, Kyriaki; Kotriotsiou, Tzimoula; Papaioakim, Miltiadis; Sotiraki, Smaragda; Chaligiannis, Ιlias; Maltezos, Efstratios

doi:10.1093/trstmh/trw022

Cited by 19 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 33 publications

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“…in Portugal, Italy, France, Algeria, Cyprus, Israel, Cameroon, Lebanon [12,15,16,17,18,19], and in Hyalomma ticks in the West Bank [20]. The pathogenic role of Candidatus R. barbariae remains unknown for humans and animals, although it has been identified in an R. bursa tick removed from a woman in Greece [21].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Molecular Detection of Spotted-Fever Group Rickettsiae in Ticks Collected from Domestic and Wild Animals in Corsica, France

et al. 2019

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To obtain a better understanding of the current magnitude of tick-borne rickettsioses in Corsica, we used molecular methods to characterize the occurrence of Rickettsia spp. in ixodid ticks collected from domestic and wild animals. The presence of Rickettsia spp. was evaluated using real-time polymerase chain reaction targeting the gltA gene and by sequencing of gltA and ompA partial genes for species identification and phylogenetic analysis. Infection rates were calculated as the maximum-likelihood estimation (MLE) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). In total, 1117 ticks belonging to four genera (Rhipicephalus, Hyalomma, Ixodes, and Dermacentor) were collected from cattle, sheep, wild boars, and companion animals during July–August 2017 and July 2018–January 2019. Overall, Rickettsia DNA was detected in 208 of 349 pools of ticks (MLE = 25.6%, 95% CI: 22.6–28.8%). The molecular analysis revealed five different rickettsial species of the spotted-fever group (SFG). We highlighted the exclusive detection of Candidatus Ri. barbariae in R. bursa and of Ri. aeschlimanii in H. marginatum. Rickettsia slovaca was detected in D. marginatus collected from wild boars. This study provides the first evidence of the presence of Ri. monacensis in I. ricinus ticks isolated from a dog in Corsica. In conclusion, our data revealed wide dispersal of SFG Rickettsiae and their arthropod hosts in Corsica, highlighting the need for surveillance of the risk of infection for people living and/or working close to infected or infested animals.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Molecular Detection of Spotted-Fever Group Rickettsiae in Ticks Collected from Domestic and Wild Animals in Corsica, France

et al. 2019

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“…Candidatus R. barbariae belongs to the spotted-fever group of rickettsiae [67], but has yet to be associated with human infection. However, it has been found in human-parasitising ticks [68] and may well be pathogenic for humans. This candidate species has been detected previously in ticks from Palestine, from Israel and from Lebanon [24,29,32,69].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Metagenomic profiling of ticks: Identification of novel rickettsial genomes and detection of tick-borne canine parvovirus

et al. 2019

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BackgroundAcross the world, ticks act as vectors of human and animal pathogens. Ticks rely on bacterial endosymbionts, which often share close and complex evolutionary links with tick-borne pathogens. As the prevalence, diversity and virulence potential of tick-borne agents remain poorly understood, there is a pressing need for microbial surveillance of ticks as potential disease vectors.Methodology/Principal FindingsWe developed a two-stage protocol that includes 16S-amplicon screening of pooled samples of hard ticks collected from dogs, sheep and camels in Palestine, followed by shotgun metagenomics on individual ticks to detect and characterise tick-borne pathogens and endosymbionts. Two ticks isolated from sheep yielded an abundance of reads from the genus Rickettsia, which were assembled into draft genomes. One of the resulting genomes was highly similar to Rickettsia massiliae strain MTU5. Analysis of signature genes showed that the other represents the first genome sequence of the potential pathogen Candidatus Rickettsia barbariae. Ticks from a dog and a sheep yielded draft genome sequences of Coxiella strains. A sheep tick yielded sequences from the sheep pathogen Anaplasma ovis, while Hyalomma ticks from camels yielded sequences belonging to Francisella-like endosymbionts. From the metagenome of a dog tick from Jericho, we generated a genome sequence of a canine parvovirus.SignificanceHere, we have shown how a cost-effective two-stage protocol can be used to detect and characterise tick-borne pathogens and endosymbionts. In recovering genome sequences from an unexpected pathogen (canine parvovirus) and a previously unsequenced pathogen (Candidatus Rickettsia barbariae), we demonstrate the open-ended nature of metagenomics. We also provide evidence that ticks can carry canine parvovirus, raising the possibility that ticks might contribute to the spread of this troublesome virus.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Metagenomic profiling of ticks: identification of novel rickettsial genomes and detection of tick borne canine parvovirus

Ray

Ereqat²,

Al-Jawabreh

et al. 2018

Preprint

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48recovering genome sequences from an unexpected pathogen (canine parvovirus) 49 and a previously unsequenced pathogen (Candidatus Rickettsia barbariae), we50 demonstrate the open-ended nature of metagenomics. We also provide evidence Page 3 of 31 51 that ticks can carry canine parvovirus, raising the possibility that ticks might 52 contribute to the spread of this troublesome virus. 53 Author Summary 54 We have shown how DNA sequencing can be used to detect and characterise 55 potentially pathogenic microorganisms carried by ticks. We surveyed hard ticks 56 collected from domesticated animals across the West Bank territory of Palestine. All 57 the ticks came from species that are also capable of feeding on humans. We 58 detected several important pathogens, including two species of Rickettsia, the sheep 59 pathogen Anaplasma ovis and canine parvovirus. These findings highlight the 60 importance of hard ticks and the hazards they present for human and animal health 61 in Palestine and the opportunities presented by high-throughput sequencing and 62 bioinformatics analyses of DNA sequences in this setting. 63 64

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Rickettsia species in human-parasitizing ticks in Greece

Cited by 19 publications

References 33 publications

Molecular Detection of Spotted-Fever Group Rickettsiae in Ticks Collected from Domestic and Wild Animals in Corsica, France

Molecular Detection of Spotted-Fever Group Rickettsiae in Ticks Collected from Domestic and Wild Animals in Corsica, France

Metagenomic profiling of ticks: Identification of novel rickettsial genomes and detection of tick-borne canine parvovirus

Metagenomic profiling of ticks: identification of novel rickettsial genomes and detection of tick borne canine parvovirus

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