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Home / Equine Research Bank / PLoS One / Molecular Detection and Genotyping of Coxiella-Like Endosymb...
PloS one2016; 11(10); e0165784; doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0165784

Molecular Detection and Genotyping of Coxiella-Like Endosymbionts in Ticks that Infest Horses in South Korea.

Abstract: Members of the genus Coxiella can be transmitted from ticks to humans during contact with animals; Coxiella may thus spread from the infected horses or ticks to humans. In this study, the presence of Coxiella burnetii and Coxiella-like endosymbionts (CLE) in ticks found on infested horses was determined using PCR and genotyping. A total of 213 ticks were randomly collected from 51 horses (4-5 ticks per horse) raised on Jeju Island, Korea, between 2009 and 2013. All ticks were morphologically identified as adult Haemaphysalis longicornis, a predominant tick species widespread in Korea. Based on the results of nested PCR and 16S rRNA sequencing, CLE were detected in 121 (52.4%, 95% CI: 45.9-58.8) ticks. CLE 16S rRNA sequences from 9 randomly selected ticks were 100% identical. Phylogenetic analysis showed that these 9 sequences were highly similar (97.9-100%) to the sequences of clade B species, like the CLE previously described to be found in Haemaphysalis spp. This study showed that CLE are prevalent in ticks that infest horses reared on Jeju Island, and this is, to the best of our knowledge, the first study to describe CLE occurrence in ticks infesting animals reared in Korea. Because of the high prevalence of CLE in ticks found on horses, CLE transmission from ticks to other animals and humans remains a possibility. This warrants a detailed study of other hosts and regions. Considering the zoonotic potential of Coxiella, further strategic surveillance of Coxiella transmission is necessary.
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Publication Date: 2016-10-28 PubMed ID: 27792764PubMed Central: PMC5085090DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0165784Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research article investigates the presence of a bacterium called Coxiella in ticks that infest horses in South Korea. The findings suggest a high prevalence and hint at implications for possible transmission to other animals and humans.

Introduction

The study focuses on Coxiella, a genus of bacteria, that can be transferred from ticks to humans during interactions with animals, potentially through infected horses. Specifically, the researchers are interested in understanding the concentration of Coxiella burnetii and Coxiella-like endosymbionts (CLE) in ticks that are found on horses.

Methodology

  • The study was conducted on Jeju Island, located in South Korea, from 2009-2013.
  • A total of 213 ticks were randomly gathered from 51 different horses, averaging between 4-5 ticks per horse.
  • All ticks were morphologically identified as adult Haemaphysalis longicornis, a common tick species in Korea.
  • To detect the presence of CLE, the researchers performed nested Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and sequencing of 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA), a component of the bacterial ribosome used often for species identification.

Findings

  • Out of the 213 ticks analyzed, 121 (or 52.4%) were identified to carry CLE, indicating a high prevalence.
  • A further analysis of CLE 16S rRNA sequences from a small subset of ticks revealed that they were identical.
  • Phylogenetic analysis, which is used to study the evolutionary relationships among species, demonstrated that these sequences had extremely close matches (97.9-100%) to the sequences of clade B species. These species are similar to CLE that have previously been reported in members of the Haemaphysalis genus.

Conclusion and Implications

  • This is reportedly the first study to exhibit CLE occurrence in ticks on animals in Korea.
  • The high prevalence of CLE signifies that there might be a possibility of CLE transmission from ticks to other animals and humans.
  • The research suggests that a comprehensive study of other hosts and regions is justified.
  • Due to the potential zoonotic threats of Coxiella (those diseases which can be transferred from animals to humans), further strategic surveillance of Coxiella transmission is crucial.

Cite This Article

APA
Seo MG, Lee SH, Ouh IO, Lee GH, Goo YK, Kim S, Kwon OD, Kwak D. (2016). Molecular Detection and Genotyping of Coxiella-Like Endosymbionts in Ticks that Infest Horses in South Korea. PLoS One, 11(10), e0165784. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0165784

Publication

PloS one
ISSN: 1932-6203
NlmUniqueID: 101285081
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 11
Issue: 10
Pages: e0165784
PII: e0165784

Researcher Affiliations

Seo, Min-Goo
  • College of Veterinary Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, South Korea.
  • Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency, Gimcheon, South Korea.
Lee, Seung-Hun
  • College of Veterinary Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, South Korea.
Ouh, In-Ohk
  • Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency, Gimcheon, South Korea.
Lee, Gwang Hyeop
  • Seowon Equine Clinic, Jeju, South Korea.
Goo, Youn-Kyoung
  • Department of Parasitology and Tropical Medicine, Kyungpook National University School of Medicine, Daegu, South Korea.
Kim, Seungjoon
  • College of Veterinary Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, South Korea.
Kwon, Oh-Deog
  • College of Veterinary Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, South Korea.
Kwak, Dongmi
  • College of Veterinary Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, South Korea.
  • Cardiovascular Research Institute, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, South Korea.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Coxiella / classification
  • Coxiella / genetics
  • Coxiella / physiology
  • Genotyping Techniques
  • Horses / microbiology
  • Phylogeny
  • Republic of Korea
  • Sequence Analysis, DNA
  • Symbiosis
  • Ticks / physiology

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist. Author GHL is employed by the Seowon Equine Clinic, which has links with commercial sponsors, however this does not alter the authors' adherence to PLOS ONE policies on sharing data and materials.

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This article has been cited 14 times.
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