Role of Migratory Birds in Spreading Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever, Turkey

Leblebicioğlu, Hakan; Eroğlu, Cafer; Erciyas-Yavuz, Kiraz; Hökelek, Murat; Açıcı, Mustafa; Yılmaz, Hava

doi:10.3201/eid2008.131547

Cited by 67 publications

(38 citation statements)

References 12 publications

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“…These two species were considered part of the Hyalomma (Euhyalomma) marginatum Koch complex until recent years (2), and perhaps the low divergence reflects recent species separation. The RFLP analysis was also useful for the identification of immature stages of Hyalomma ticks, which is a limiting factor for the identification of ticks collected from migratory birds (3,4,27,44). The main species found on migratory birds were H. rufipes and H. marginatum.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Ticks of this genus infest a wide range of vertebrate hosts and are prevalent on migratory birds, which can be important in the dissemination of emerging Hyalomma-borne zoonoses, such as spotted fever group rickettsiae (SFGR) and Crimean Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV) (3)(4)(5)(6)(7).…”

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confidence: 99%

“…Despite the existence of Hyalomma ticks in Israel, human and animal infections were never demonstrated in the country. CCHFV has been isolated from H. marginatum and other Hyalomma ticks collected from migratory birds in Morocco and Turkey (3,4), and the ability of H. rufipes ticks to become infected from birds inoculated with the virus has been experimentally proven (24). Since Israel is situated at one of the largest migration routes in the world, where about 4% of the estimated 5 billion birds migrating from Africa to the Western Palearctic fly through every spring (25), it is suitable to identify which Hyalomma species are introduced into the country and determine their infection status, as was performed in other countries where yearly migratory events occur (26)(27)(28).…”

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confidence: 99%

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Francisella-Like Endosymbionts and Rickettsia Species in Local and Imported Hyalomma Ticks

Azagi

Klement

Perlman

et al. 2017

Appl Environ Microbiol

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Hyalomma ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) are hosts for Francisella-like endosymbionts (FLE) and may serve as vectors of zoonotic disease agents. This study aimed to provide an initial characterization of the interaction between Hyalomma and FLE and to determine the prevalence of pathogenic Rickettsia in these ticks. Hyalomma marginatum, Hyalomma rufipes, Hyalomma dromedarii, Hyalomma aegyptium, and Hyalomma excavatum ticks, identified morphologically and molecularly, were collected from different hosts and locations representing the distribution of the genus Hyalomma in Israel, as well as from migratory birds. A high prevalence of FLE was found in all Hyalomma species (90.6%), as well as efficient maternal transmission of FLE (91.8%), and the localization of FLE in Malpighian tubules, ovaries, and salivary glands in H. marginatum. Furthermore, we demonstrated strong cophylogeny between FLE and their host species. Contrary to FLE, the prevalence of Rickettsia ranged from 2.4% to 81.3% and was significantly different between Hyalomma species, with a higher prevalence in ticks collected from migratory birds. Using ompA gene sequences, most of the Rickettsia spp. were similar to Rickettsia aeschlimannii, while a few were similar to Rickettsia africae of the spotted fever group (SFG). Given their zoonotic importance, 249 ticks were tested for Crimean Congo hemorrhagic fever virus infection, and all were negative. The results imply that Hyalomma and FLE have obligatory symbiotic interactions, indicating a potential SFG Rickettsia zoonosis risk. A further understanding of the possible influence of FLE on Hyalomma development, as well as on its infection with Rickettsia pathogens, may lead to novel ways to control tick-borne zoonoses.IMPORTANCE This study shows that Francisella-like endosymbionts were ubiquitous in Hyalomma, were maternally transmitted, and cospeciated with their hosts. These findings imply that the interaction between FLE and Hyalomma is of an obligatory nature. It provides an example of an integrative taxonomy approach to simply differentiate among species infesting the same host and to identify nymphal and larval stages to be used in further studies. In addition, it shows the potential of imported Hyalomma ticks to serve as a vector for spotted fever group rickettsiae. The information gathered in this study can be further implemented in the development of symbiont-based disease control strategies for the benefit of human health.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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confidence: 99%

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confidence: 99%

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Francisella-Like Endosymbionts and Rickettsia Species in Local and Imported Hyalomma Ticks

Azagi

Klement

Perlman

et al. 2017

Appl Environ Microbiol

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“…Minor changes in genomes are often sufficient to recapitulate transmission chains and migration of the virus without relying exclusively on epidemiological and classical laboratory testing [14 ● ]. In addition, large scale evolution studies of complete CCHFV genomes from historical and circulating strains could provide information on the trajectory of the expansion [15], the identification of long distance migration [16] and documentation of genome reassortment events over time [17]. …”

Section: Defining Endemic Regions Of Cchfvmentioning

confidence: 99%

Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever and expansion from endemic regions

Spengler

Bergeron

Spiropoulou

2019

Current Opinion in Virology

108

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Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is a virus-mediated hemorrhagic disease that occurs over a wide geographic region. In recent years, a variety of active and passive surveillance networks have improved our knowledge of areas with existing circulation of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV), the etiologic agent of CCHF. These investigations aid in better defining the distribution of the virus. Expansion of a virus into new areas can occur through a variety of means, including introduction of infected humans, vectors, or animals. Here, these potential contributors to expansion of CCHFV into neighboring countries and geographically distant locations are reviewed, and the likelihood and possible implications of these events, based on known characteristics of the virus and its natural maintenance and transmission cycles are explored. Furthermore, this report discusses limitations in the currently described distribution of CCHFV, and the challenges in assessing viral circulation identified in a new region as geographic expansion of the virus.

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“…In a study examining 188 ticks collected from migratory birds in Turkey, the CCHFV genome was detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in only 2 ticks of Hyalomma and Ixodes spp. It should be kept in mind that future epidemics may occur in other areas along the migration routes of migratory birds [22] .…”

Section: Virus Featuresmentioning

confidence: 99%