Seroprevalence of Rickettsia typhi and Rickettsia conorii infections in the Canary Islands (Spain)

Bolaños-Rivero, Margarita; Santana-Rodriguez, Évora; Ángel-Moreno, Alfonso; Hernández-Cabrera, Michele; Limiñana-Canal, José-María; Carranza-Rodríguez, Cristina; Martı́n-Sánchez, Antonio Manuel; Pérez-Arellano, José-Luis

doi:10.1016/j.ijid.2011.03.019

Cited by 27 publications

(20 citation statements)

References 21 publications

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“…Seroepidemiological studies have demonstrated the presence of R . typhi infection in human populations from many Spanish regions [12–15]. However, while Southern Spain is considered as an endemic area [5,7,8], few clinical cases have been reported in other regions, most of them in the Canary Islands [9–11].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Molecular Detection of Rickettsia typhi in Cats and Fleas

et al. 2013

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Background Rickettsia typhi is the etiological agent of murine typhus (MT), a disease transmitted by two cycles: rat-flea-rat, and peridomestic cycle. Murine typhus is often misdiagnosed and underreported. A correct diagnosis is important because MT can cause severe illness and death. Our previous seroprevalence results pointed to presence of human R . typhi infection in our region; however, no clinical case has been reported. Although cats have been related to MT, no naturally infected cat has been described. The aim of the study is to confirm the existence of R . typhi in our location analyzing its presence in cats and fleas.Methodology/Principal Findings221 cats and 80 fleas were collected from Veterinary clinics, shelters, and the street (2001-2009). Variables surveyed were: date of collection, age, sex, municipality, living place, outdoor activities, demographic area, healthy status, contact with animals, and ectoparasite infestation. IgG against R . typhi were evaluated by indirect immunofluorescence assay. Molecular detection in cats and fleas was performed by real-time PCR. Cultures were performed in those cats with positive molecular detection. Statistical analysis was carried out using SPSS. A p < 0.05 was considered significant.Thirty-five (15.8%) cats were seropositive. There were no significant associations among seropositivity and any variables. R . typhi was detected in 5 blood and 2 cultures. High titres and molecular detection were observed in stray cats and pets, as well as in spring and winter. All fleas were Ctenocephalides felis. R . typhi was detected in 44 fleas (55%), from shelters and pets. Co-infection with R . felis was observed.ConclusionsAlthough no clinical case has been described in this area, the presence of R . typhi in cats and fleas is demonstrated. Moreover, a considerable percentage of those animals lived in households. To our knowledge, this is the first time R . typhi is detected in naturally infected cats.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, sero-epidemiological studies have demonstrated the presence of R . typhi infection throughout the country [12–15]. For instance, even though no clinical cases have been described in our region, the seroprevalence of R .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Molecular Detection of Rickettsia typhi in Cats and Fleas

et al. 2013

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“…Cross-reactivity of antibodies against different Rickettsia species -particularly but not exclusively -inside the SFG is well known (Anacker et al, 1987;Hechemy et al, 1989;Bolaños-Rivero et al, 2011) and probably based on common LPS-like epitopes (Xu and Raoult, 1998). The aim of our study was to investigate whether the Tyrolean population has immunoreactive contact with Rickettsia by immunofluorescence screening of local sera with two phylogenetically distinct Rickettsia of the SFG and to demonstrate the occurrence of Rickettsia in local ticks by PCR.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Spotted Fever Group – Rickettsiae in the Tyrols: Evidence by Seroepidemiology and PCR

Sonnleitner

Simeoni²,

Lang

et al. 2012

Zoonoses and Public Health

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The aim of our study was to assess the occurrence of Rickettsia in the inner-alpine valleys of the Eastern Alps and to determine the amount of seroreaction among the local human population. Ticks were investigated by PCR and the percentage of seropositives was determined among local blood donors by an in-house immunofluorescence assay. The local cut-off titre for screening of IgG was set at 1 : 128 with a well-characterised low-risk collective according to WHO-guidelines. Positive sera were confirmed by independent re-testing. Rickettsia is present in ticks north and south of the continental divide. Of 259 ticks investigated, 12.4% are positive for Rickettsia. Of over 1200 blood donors tested so far, 7.7% bear IgG at a titre of 1 : 128 or higher against R. helvetica. R. helvetica is present in the study area, causes immunoreaction among local residents and is associated with anamnestic erythema. Furthermore, screening with a second Spotted Fever Group Rickettsia indicates that significant parts of the Tyrolean population are exposed to a Rickettsia other than R. helvetica.

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“…Rising case numbers are reported from the US (Hawaii [27] and Texas [28, 29]) as well as from Southern Europe (e.g. Cyprus [30, 31], Greece [32], Spain [33–36] including Canary Islands [37, 38]) and Portugal [39, 40]. Especially homeless people are at enhanced risk to acquire the infection.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

CD4+ T Cells Are as Protective as CD8+ T Cells against Rickettsia typhi Infection by Activating Macrophage Bactericidal Activity

et al. 2016

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Rickettsia typhi is an intracellular bacterium that causes endemic typhus, a febrile disease that can be fatal due to complications including pneumonia, hepatitis and meningoencephalitis, the latter being a regular outcome in T and B cell-deficient C57BL/6 RAG1-/- mice upon Rickettsia typhi infection. Here, we show that CD4+ TH1 cells that are generated in C57BL/6 mice upon R. typhi infection are as protective as cytotoxic CD8+ T cells. CD4+- as well as CD8+-deficient C57BL/6 survived the infection without showing symptoms of disease at any point in time. Moreover, adoptively transferred CD8+ and CD4+ immune T cells entered the CNS of C57BL/6 RAG1-/- mice with advanced infection and both eradicated the bacteria. However, immune CD4+ T cells protected only approximately 60% of the animals from death. They induced the expression of iNOS in infiltrating macrophages as well as in resident microglia in the CNS which can contribute to bacterial killing but also accelerate pathology. In vitro immune CD4+ T cells inhibited bacterial growth in infected macrophages which was in part mediated by the release of IFNγ. Collectively, our data demonstrate that CD4+ T cells are as protective as CD8+ T cells against R. typhi, provided that CD4+ TH1 effector cells are present in time to support bactericidal activity of phagocytes via the release of IFNγ and other factors. With regard to vaccination against TG Rickettsiae, our findings suggest that the induction of CD4+ TH1 effector cells is sufficient for protection.

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Seroprevalence of Rickettsia typhi and Rickettsia conorii infections in the Canary Islands (Spain)

Abstract: Our results confirm the presence of antibodies against the causative agents of murine typhus and Mediterranean spotted fever in the Canary Islands. Indirect data suggest that the detection of antibodies to R. conorii might be due to a cross-reaction between these species.

Cited by 27 publications

References 21 publications

Molecular Detection of Rickettsia typhi in Cats and Fleas

Molecular Detection of Rickettsia typhi in Cats and Fleas

Spotted Fever Group – Rickettsiae in the Tyrols: Evidence by Seroepidemiology and PCR

CD4+ T Cells Are as Protective as CD8+ T Cells against Rickettsia typhi Infection by Activating Macrophage Bactericidal Activity

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