Search Results (32)

This study aimed to assess the emergence and/or re-emergence of Tick-borne Diseases (TBD) in Portugal by linking the hemoparasite burden in companion animals to vector-borne disease dynamics through a One Health approach. Between 2015 and 2024, 1169 clinically suspected animals with hemoparasite infections, treated at the Hospital Veterinário de Santarém (HVS), underwent serological confirmation for Rickettsia conorii, Babesia canis, Ehrlichia spp., and Haemobartonella spp. A total of 3791 serological tests (3.2 tests per animal) were performed and 437 animals tested positive for at least one of the four hemoparasites under investigation. From 2020 to 2024, tests nearly tripled from 894 to 2883, raising positive cases and prevalence from 29.5% to 39.9%, especially for rickettsiosis and hemobartonellosis, indicating an increased circulation of their vectors. A national vector surveillance initiative identified Hyalomma spp., Rhipicephalus sanguineus, Ixodes ricinus, and Dermacentor sp. as primary tick vectors in Portugal for the hemoparasites mentioned above and for other agents like arbovirus, such as Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever Virus (CCHFV) and tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV). This study found that the vectors responsible for transmitting hemoparasitosis, given the high number of serologically positive cases detected in the HVS, represent an increasing risk for TBD. These findings highlight the relevance of companion animal monitoring as an early-warning component within a One Health surveillance approach. Full article

Cyclopes, the smallest of all known anteaters, has an insectivorous diet and is arboreal, rarely descending to the ground. There are scarce reports on diseases and pathogenic agents affecting this taxon. Hemopathogens are pathogenic agents that inhabit the blood of various vertebrate species. Protozoa such as Trypanosoma spp., Leishmania spp., Hepatozoon spp., and members of the order Piroplasmida, as well as hemoplasmas and Rickettsial bacteria of the genera Anaplasma and Ehrlichia, are among the most important in this group. The transmission of these pathogens generally occurs through arthropod vectors, which act as intermediate hosts. In addition, infections caused by hemopathogens can have adverse effects on host health, contributing to population declines in susceptible species. This study investigated infection by protozoa and hemotropic bacteria in blood samples from free-ranging silky anteaters from Brazil, Peru, and Colombia using molecular detection methods. Sixteen samples were obtained during expeditions conducted in these countries. DNA was extracted from blood samples, and PCR assays were performed to detect parasites from the order Piroplasmida, Hepatozoon spp., trypanosomatid agents including Leishmania spp., Trypanosoma evansi, T. cruzi, and T. vivax, as well as hemotropic bacteria of the genera Ehrlichia, Anaplasma, and Mycoplasma sp. Nucleotide sequencing was performed on positive samples. Of the total samples analyzed, 62.5% (10/16) tested positive for hemotropic Mycoplasma, 50% (8/16) for T. evansi, and 6.2% (1/16) for T. cruzi. There is a significant gap in knowledge regarding the diversity of hemopathogens affecting the genus Cyclopes, and future studies are needed to understand how these infections may impact the health of individuals. Full article

Bats are considered reservoirs of several emerging zoonotic pathogens. Previous studies on blood parasites such as Anaplasmataceae, hemoplasmas, piroplasmids, and Hepatozoon spp. in South American bats have revealed high genetic diversity. This study investigated the molecular occurrence of these agents in 278 bats of 32 species captured in the state of Acre in the Western Brazilian Amazon. Spleen DNA samples were screened by PCR for different pathogens and tested negative for Anaplasma spp., Ehrlichia spp., Neorickettsia spp., piroplasmids, and Hepatozoon spp. However, 84 of the 208 samples (40.4%) were positive for hemoplasmas based on the 16S rRNA gene, and 15 out of the 84 (17.85%) were positive for the 23S rRNA gene. Seventeen 16S rRNA sequences, corresponding to 12 genotypes, were grouped with hemotropic Mycoplasma sp. previously detected in bats from Brazil, Peru, and Belize. Three 23S rRNA sequences represent three distinct genotypes clustered with hemotropic Mycoplasma sp., previously detected in Desmodus rotundus. This is the first molecular report of hemoplasmas in six bat species, namely Dermanura cinereus, Lophostoma silviculum, Phyllostomus elongatus, Phyllostomus hastatus, Rhinophylla fischerae, and Sturnira tildae. Full article

To validate the prevalence and biodiversity of ticks and tick-borne pathogens in Chongqing, a total of 601 ticks were collected from dogs, cattle, and goats within the Ta-pa Mountain range in Chongqing, China. Five distinct tick species were identified, including Ixodes ovatus (1.66%, 10/601), I. acutitarsus (0.50%, 3/601), Haemaphysalis flava (10.32%, 62/601), Ha. hystricis (9.82%, 59/601), and Ha. longicornis (77.70%, 467/601). A suit of semi-nest PCR and nest PCR primers were custom-synthesized for the detection of tick-borne pathogens. The analysis yielded positive results for 7.15% Rickettsia (Candidatus R. principis, R. japonica, and R. raoultii), 3.49% Anaplasma (A. bovis and A. capra), 1.16% Ehrlichia, 1.83% Coxiella burnetii, and 3.49% protozoa (Theileria. capreoli, T. orientalis, T. luwenshuni, and Babesia sp.) in ticks. Notably, Ca. R. principis was identified for the first time in I. ovatus and Ha. longicornis. These findings underscore the significant prevalence and diversity of ticks and their associated pathogens within the Chongqing Ta-pa Mountain region. This study accordingly provides an extensive dataset that contributes to the epidemiological understanding and disease prevention strategies for tick-borne illnesses in the local area. Full article

Canine vector-borne diseases (CVBDs) comprise a group of infectious diseases caused by a wide range of pathogens transmitted by arthropod vectors. Clinical signs commonly involve symptoms such as fever, anorexia, weight loss, blood disorders, hepatosplenomegaly, and others that can lead to death in dogs with comorbidities. Some pathogens responsible for CVBDs constitute a serious threat to human health due to their zoonotic transmission. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of zoonotic vector-borne diseases (Rickettsia rickettsii, Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Ehrlichia canis, Bartonella henselae, and Leishmania infantum) in domestic Sardinian dogs with and without clinical signs of these pathogens. Blood serum samples were collected from 142 dogs and examined through serological analysis. Clinical signs suggestive of these pathogens were also evaluated. The results obtained showed that 33 (33/140; 23.6%), 22 (22/134; 16.4%), 14 (14/142; 9.9%), 20 (20/66; 30.3%), and 26 (26/108; 24.1%) dogs were seropositive for Rickettsia sp., Anaplasma sp., Ehrlichia sp., Bartonella sp., and Leishmania sp. antibodies, respectively. Among these dogs, 12 dogs presented with at least one clinical sign (8.5%), while 18 (12.7%) showed more than two symptoms at the same time. Furthermore, among the asymptomatic dogs (93/142; 65.5%), 13% (n = 12) tested positive for A. phagocytophilum, 12% (n = 11) tested positive for B. henselae, 9% (n = 8) tested positive for E. canis, 12% (n = 11) tested positive for L. infantum, and 19% (n = 18) tested positive for R. rickettsii. This survey represents the first study assessing different canine vector-borne pathogens in dogs from North Sardinia. Since the pathogens detected here represent emerging zoonotic diseases, these results highlight the need to undertake further studies to increase the knowledge of these under-reported vector-borne pathogens in Sardinia. Full article

Despite numerous reports of Anaplasmataceae agents in mammals worldwide, few studies have investigated their occurrence in birds. The present study aimed to investigate the occurrence and molecular identity of Anaplasmataceae agents in birds from the Pantanal wetland, Brazil. Blood samples were collected from 93 different species. After DNA extraction, samples positive for the avian β-actin gene were subjected to both a multiplex quantitative real-time (q)PCR for Anaplasma and Ehrlichia targeting the groEL gene and to a conventional PCR for Anaplasmataceae agents targeting the 16S rRNA gene. As a result, 37 (7.4%) birds were positive for Anaplasma spp. and 4 (0.8%) for Ehrlichia spp. in the qPCR assay; additionally, 13 (2.6%) were positive for Anaplasmataceae agents in the PCR targeting the 16S rRNA gene. The Ehrlichia 16S rRNA sequences detected in Arundinicola leucocephala, Ramphocelus carbo, and Elaenia albiceps were positioned closely to Ehrlichia sp. Magellanica. Ehrlichia dsb sequences detected in Agelasticus cyanopus and Basileuterus flaveolus grouped with Ehrlichia minasensis. The 16S rRNA genotypes detected in Crax fasciolata, Pitangus sulphuratus and Furnarius leucopus grouped with Candidatus Allocryptoplasma. The 23S-5S genotypes detected in C. fasciolata, Basileuterus flaveolus, and Saltator coerulescens were related to Anaplasma phagocytophilum. In conclusion, novel genotypes of Anaplasma, Ehrlichia, and Candidatus Allocryptoplasma were detected in birds from the Pantanal wetland. Full article

Tick-borne pathogens (TBPs) pose a significant threat to livestock, including bovine species. This study aimed to investigate TBPs in cattle and ticks across four sampling points, utilizing real-time microfluidic PCR. The results revealed that Rhipicephalus microplus ticks were found infesting all animals. Among the detected TBPs in cattle, Anaplasma marginale was the most frequently identified, often as a single infection, although mixed infections involving Rickettsia felis, uncharacterized Rickettsia sp., and Anaplasma sp. were also observed. In ticks, A. marginale was predominant, along with R. felis, Rickettsia sp., and Ehrlichia sp. It is noteworthy that although A. marginale consistently infected all cattle during various sampling times, this pathogen was not detected in all ticks. This suggests a complex dynamic of pathogen acquisition by ticks. A phylogenetic analysis focused on the identification of Anaplasma species using amplified 16S rDNA gene fragments revealed the presence of A. marginale and Anaplasma platys strains in bovines. These findings underscore the presence of multiple TBPs in both cattle and ticks, with A. marginale being the most prevalent. Understanding the dynamics and phylogenetics of TBPs is crucial for developing effective control strategies to mitigate tick-borne diseases in livestock. Full article

Tick-borne pathogens (TBPs), transmitted by the bites of ticks, are of great medical and veterinary importance. They include bacteria, viruses, and protozoan parasites. To provide fundamental data on the risk of tick contact and public health strategies, we aimed to perform a molecular investigation on four tick-borne bacterial pathogens in ticks collected from humans across the Republic of Korea (ROK) in 2021. In total, 117 ticks were collected, including Haemaphysalis longicornis (56.4%), Amblyomma testudinarium (26.5%), Ixodes nipponensis (8.5%), H. flava (5.1%), and I. persulcatus (0.9%). Among the ticks, 20.5% (24/117) contained tick-borne bacterial pathogens, with infection rates of 17.9% for Rickettsia (Candidatus Rickettsia jingxinensis, R. tamurae, R. monacensis, and Candidatus Rickettsia tarasevichiae), 2.5% for Anaplasma (A. phagocytophilum, A. capra, and A. bovis), and 0.9% for Ehrlichia (Ehrlichia sp.). Additionally, the co-detection rate for R. monacensis and A. phagocytophilum was 0.9%. To our knowledge, this is the first report of A. capra and A. bovis detection in ticks collected from humans in the ROK. This study contributes to the understanding of the potential risk of tick contact and provides fundamental data for establishing a public health strategy for tick-borne disease management in the ROK. Full article

Canine vector-borne diseases are widely distributed around the world. They are transmitted by arthropods, and many seriously threaten the health of animals and humans. In China, our knowledge of Ehrlichia, Hepatozoon, and Mycoplasma species circulating in dogs is still poorly understood. Therefore, the aim of this study was to understand the prevalence and genetic characteristics of canine Ehrlichia spp., Hepatozoon spp., and Mycoplasma spp. in Chongqing (southwest), Fujian (southeast), Shandong (southeast), and Hubei (central) Provinces of China. Blood samples from healthy pet dogs were processed to detect Ehrlichia, Hepatozoon, and Mycoplasma DNA with PCR. Haplotype and phylogenetic analyses were performed on 18S rRNA sequences. Among 306 dogs, no Ehrlichia spp. or Mycoplasma spp. were detected, whereas one Hepatozoon sp. was detected in 10 (3.27%) of the animals. Only Hepatozoon canis was identified and was endemic to Chongqing (2.46%) and Hubei (8.77%). A haplotype analysis identified eight haplotypes among the H. canis isolates. A phylogenetic analysis showed that the H. canis isolates in this study clustered into four clades, together with isolates from different countries and hosts, forming a large group that was clearly separate from other Hepatozoon species. These findings provided new information on the epidemiological characteristics of canine vector-borne diseases in China and will be helpful in the development of efficient measures to safeguard the health and well-being of companion animals and their owners. Full article

Birds are one of the most species-diverse vertebrate groups and are susceptible to numerous hematophagous ectoparasites. Migratory birds likely contribute to the circulation of these ectoparasites and their associated pathogens. One of the many migration paths crosses the Mediterranean islands including Corsica and its wetlands, which are migration stopovers. In our study, we collected blood samples and hematophagous ectoparasites in migratory and sedentary bird populations in two coastal lagoons: Biguglia and Gradugine. A total of 1377 birds were captured from which 762 blood samples, 37 louse flies, and 44 ticks were collected. All the louse flies were identified as Ornithomya biloba and all the ticks were from the Ixodes genus: Ixodes sp. (8.5%), I. accuminatus/ventalloi (2.9%), I. arboricola/lividus (14.3%), I. frontalis (5.7%) and I. ricinus (68.6%). Five pathogens were detected: Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Erhlichia chaffeensis, and Rickettsia helvetica in ticks, and Trypanosoma sp. in louse flies. Ehrlichia chaffeensis and the West Nile virus were both detected in bird blood samples in Corsica. This is the first report of these tick, louse fly and pathogen species isolated on the bird population in Corsica. Our finding highlights the importance of bird populations in the presence of arthropod-borne pathogens in Corsican wetlands. Full article

Ticks and tick-borne pathogens pose a significant threat to the health and welfare of humans and animals. Our knowledge about pathogens carried by ticks of Australian wildlife is limited. This study aimed to characterise ticks and tick-borne microorganisms from a range of wildlife species across six sites in Victoria, Australia. Following morphological and molecular characterisation (targeting 16S rRNA and cytochrome c oxidase I), tick DNA extracts (n = 140) were subjected to microfluidic real-time PCR-based screening for the detection of microorganisms and Rickettsia-specific real-time qPCRs. Five species of ixodid ticks were identified, including Aponomma auruginans, Ixodes (I.) antechini, I. kohlsi, I. tasmani and I. trichosuri. Phylogenetic analyses of 16S rRNA sequences of I. tasmani revealed two subclades, indicating a potential cryptic species. The microfluidic real-time PCR detected seven different microorganisms as a single (in 13/45 ticks) or multiple infections (27/45). The most common microorganisms detected were Apicomplexa (84.4%, 38/45) followed by Rickettsia sp. (55.6%, 25/45), Theileria sp. (22.2% 10/45), Bartonella sp. (17.8%, 8/45), Coxiella-like sp. (6.7%, 3/45), Hepatozoon sp. (2.2%, 1/45), and Ehrlichia sp. (2.2%, 1/45). Phylogenetic analyses of four Rickettsia loci showed that the Rickettsia isolates detected herein potentially belonged to a novel species of Rickettsia. This study demonstrated that ticks of Australian wildlife carry a diverse array of microorganisms. Given the direct and indirect human–wildlife–livestock interactions, there is a need to adopt a One Health approach for continuous surveillance of tick-associated pathogens/microorganisms to minimise the associated threats to animal and human health. Full article

Capybaras (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris) are the largest rodents on Earth. While capybaras are hosts for various tick species, there is limited information regarding the tick-borne pathogens they can carry. We investigated the presence of piroplasmids and Ehrlichia spp. in capybaras and their associated ticks in two peri-urban areas in Goiás state, central-western Brazil. Blood samples collected from 23 capybaras were used to investigate the presence of piroplasmids and Ehrlichia spp. in stained-blood smears and by PCR. Ticks collected from the capybaras were identified morphologically and also tested using PCR for the same pathogens. A total of 955 ticks were collected, including 822 (86.1%) Amblyomma sculptum, 132 (13.8%) Amblyomma dubitatum, and one (0.1%) unidentified larva of Amblyomma sp. Neither the capybaras nor ticks were positive for Ehrlichia spp. However, a stained-blood smear examination revealed the presence of ring-stage and pyriform-shaped merozoites in the erythrocytes of one (4.4%) capybara. In the same way, 47.8% (11/23) and 19.9% (36/181) of blood samples and ticks, respectively, were positive for piroplasmids in the PCR. We successfully sequenced a partial 18S rRNA gene fragment of four samples (two capybaras, one A. sculptum, and one A. dubitatum), and the phylogenetic reconstruction disclosed that the organism reported in the present study clusters within the genus Babesia. Further research is required for a formal delineation of this species (designated as Babesia sp. strain Capybara) and to investigate the hypothesis of A. dubitatum and A. sculptum ticks being vectors. Full article

The Anaplasmataceae family encompasses obligate intracellular α-proteobacteria of human and veterinary medicine importance. This study performed multi-locus sequencing to characterize Ehrlichia and Anaplasma in coati’s blood samples in Midwestern Brazil. Twenty-five samples (25/165—15.1%) were positive in the screening PCR based on the dsb gene of Ehrlichia spp. and were characterized using 16S rRNA, sodB, groEL, and gltA genes and the 23S-5S intergenic space region (ITS). Phylogenetic analyses based on all six molecular markers positioned the sequences into a new clade, with a common origin of Ehrlichia ruminantium. Haplotype analyses of 16S RNA sequences revealed the presence of two distinct Ehrlichia genotypes. Six samples (6/165, 3.6%) were positive in the screening nPCR for the 16S rRNA gene of Anaplasma spp. and were submitted to an additional PCR targeting the ITS for molecular characterization. Phylogenetic analyses based on both 16S rRNA gene and ITS positioned the Anaplasma sp. detected in the present study in a large clade with other Anaplasma sp. previously detected in ticks and wild animals and in a clade with ‘Candidatus Anaplasma brasiliensis’, respectively. Based on distinct molecular markers, the present work described a putative novel Anaplasmataceae agent, namely ‘Candidatus Ehrlichia dumleri’, and Anaplasma sp. closely related to the previously described ‘Candidatus Anaplasma brasiliensis’. Full article

The bacteria of the families Rickettsiaceae and Anaplasmataceae, harbored by arthropod vectors, may cause disease in animals and humans. The aim of this study was to screen ectoparasites collected from cats and dogs in Attica, Greece for the bacteria of the Rickettsiales group, by molecular methods. The ectoparasites examined were Ctenocephalides felis fleas and Rhipicephalus sanguineus s.l., Rhipicephalus sp., and Ixodes sp. ticks. Rickettsia felis was detected in 4.8% of C. felis fleas, and Rickettsia conorii was detected in 7.3% of R. sanguineus s.l. ticks. Ehrlichia canis was found in one R. sanguineus s.l. tick, and Wolbachia pipientis was detected in the majority of fleas. Another endosymbiont, Cancidatus Midichloria mitochondrii (Cancidatus Midichloriaceae), was detected in one Ixodes sp.. This is the first report of R. conorii and E. canis in R. sanguineus s.l. ticks in this study area. Given the fact that Greece is considered endemic for spotted fever group rickettsioses, further investigation of these rickettsial pathogens’ distribution in their vectors and hosts could enhance our knowledge of their epidemiology, in order to assess their potential implications for public health in this metropolitan area. Full article

Ornithodoros sonrai (O. sonrai) ticks are the only known vectors of Borrelia crocidurae, an agent of tick-borne relapsing fever (TBRF) borreliosis. Rodents serve as principal natural reservoirs for Borrelia. Our research objective was to detect TBRF Borrelia and other zoonotic bacterial infections in ticks and in house mice Mus musculus domesticus, an invasive species currently expanding in rural northern Senegal. Real-time and conventional PCR were utilized for detecting Borrelia and other bacterial taxa. The analyses were performed on 253 specimens of O. sonrai and 150 samples of brain and spleen tissue from rodents. Borrelia crocidurae was found in one O. sonrai tick and 18 Mus musculus domesticus samples, with prevalences of 0.39 percent and 12 percent, respectively, as well as Ehrlichia sp. in one Mus musculus domesticus. Further, we were able to detect the presence of a potentially infectious novel species belonging to the Anaplasmataceae family for the first time in O. sonrai ticks. More attention should be paid to the house mouse and O. sonrai ticks, as they can be potential hosts for novel species of pathogenic bacteria in humans. Full article