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Microorganisms2020; 8(5); 649; doi: 10.3390/microorganisms8050649

Molecular Identification of Borrelia afzelii from Ticks Parasitizing Domestic and Wild Animals in South Korea.

Abstract: Lyme borreliosis is one of the most prevalent tick-borne infectious zoonotic diseases caused by spirochetes of the sensu lato group. The present study assessed the risk factors and prevalence of Lyme borreliosis in ticks parasitizing domestic and wild animals. A total of 589 ticks (329 tick pools) collected from animals were identified as , (85.7%), (10.0%), and (4.3%) using morphological and molecular methods in South Korea. In this study, the 5S-23S gene sequences of (6/329, 1.8%) were detected in ticks taken from mammals, including ticks from horses (2/147 pools, 1.4%), wild boar (1/19 pools, 5.3%), native Korean goats (NKG, 2/34 pools, 5.9%), and Korean water deer (1/129 pools, 0.8%). Unfortunately, , , and genes were not able to be amplified in the present study. To our knowledge, our results are the first inclusive data available for circulation in several tick species taken from NKG, horses, and wild boar in South Korea. We believe that the current findings extend our knowledge of the distribution and possible vector spectrum of spp. We recommend continuous evaluation of the potential public health threat posed by infected ticks.
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Publication Date: 2020-04-29 PubMed ID: 32365723PubMed Central: PMC7284850DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms8050649Google 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 study investigates the prevalence and risk factors of Lyme disease carried by ticks on domestic and wild animals in South Korea. It also contributes first-time data on the presence of the Borrelia afzelii strain amongst various animal species.

Objective and Methodology

  • The research aims to assess the risk factors and prevalence of Lyme borreliosis, a tick-borne infectious disease, in ticks parasitizing domestic and wild animals. The disease is caused by spirochetes of the Borrelia genus.
  • A total of 589 ticks, collected from animals in South Korea, were identified and categorized into different groups using both morphological and molecular methods. The ticks were grouped as Ixodes persulcatus (85.7%), Haemaphysalis longicornis (10.0%), and Amblyomma testudinarium (4.3%).

Observations and Findings

  • Using 5S-23S gene sequences, the presence of Borrelia afzelii was detected in 1.8% of the ticks pooled from mammals. They included ticks from horses (1.4%), wild boar (5.3%), native Korean goats (5.9%), and Korean water deer (0.8%).
  • Genes such as Ixodes persulcatus, Haemaphysalis longicornis, and Amblyomma testudinarium could not amplify, limiting their contribution to the study results.

Significance and Recommendation

  • This study provides the first inclusive data available for the circulation of Borrelia afzelii in several tick species taken from native Korean goats, horses, and wild boar in South Korea.
  • Such findings help broaden our understanding of the distribution and possible vector range of Borrelia species.
  • The researchers recommend continuous evaluation of the potential public health threat posed by Borrelia-infected ticks, addressing the need for proactive strategies in disease management and prevention.

Cite This Article

APA
Seo MG, Kwon OD, Kwak D. (2020). Molecular Identification of Borrelia afzelii from Ticks Parasitizing Domestic and Wild Animals in South Korea. Microorganisms, 8(5), 649. https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms8050649

Publication

Microorganisms
ISSN: 2076-2607
NlmUniqueID: 101625893
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 8
Issue: 5
PII: 649

Researcher Affiliations

Seo, Min-Goo
  • Veterinary Drugs and Biologics Division, Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency, 177 Hyeoksin 8-ro, Gimcheon, Gyeongbuk 39660, Korea.
Kwon, Oh-Deog
  • College of Veterinary Medicine, Kyungpook National University, 80 Daehak-ro, Buk-gu, Daegu 41566, Korea.
Kwak, Dongmi
  • College of Veterinary Medicine, Kyungpook National University, 80 Daehak-ro, Buk-gu, Daegu 41566, Korea.
  • Cardiovascular Research Institute, Kyungpook National University, 680 Gukchaebosang-ro, Jung-gu, Daegu 41944, Korea.

Grant Funding

  • NRF-2016R1D1A1B02015366 / National Research Foundation of Korea

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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