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Journal of medical entomology2014; 51(6); 1242-1247; doi: 10.1603/ME14042

Seroprevalence of Rickettsia spp. in Equids and Molecular Detection of ‘Candidatus Rickettsia amblyommii’ in Amblyomma cajennense Sensu Lato Ticks From the Pantanal Region of Mato Grosso, Brazil.

Abstract: The aim of the study was to evaluate exposure of equids to rickettsial agents (Rickettsia rickettsii, Rickettsia parkeri, 'Candidatus Rickettsia amblyommii', Rickettsia rhipicephali, and Rickettsia bellii) and rickettsial infection in ticks of a Pantanal region of Brazil. Sera of 547 equids (500 horses and 47 donkeys) were evaluated by indirect immunofluorescence assay. In total, 665 adults and 106 nymphal pools of Amblyomma cajennense F. sensu lato, 10 Dermacentor nitens Neumann ticks, and 88 larval pools of Amblyomma sp. were tested by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Overall, 337 (61.6%) equids were reactive (titer ≥64) to at least one antigen of Rickettsia spp. The prevalence values for Rickettsia were 66%, and the highest endpoint titers were observed for 'Ca. R. amblyommii'. By PCR 3 (0.45%) A. cajennense s.l. females were positive for 'Ca. R. amblyommii'. Minimum infection rates of 0.75% for nymphs and 0.34% for larvae were calculated. Positive samples of ticks have had a fragment of the 16S mitochondrial rRNA gene sequenced and sequences showed 99% identity to Amblyomma sculptum Berlese. This study reports a wide exposure of equids to Rickettsia agents, and PCR evidence of infection with 'Ca. R. amblyommii', for the first time, in A. sculptum.
© 2014 Entomological Society of America.
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Publication Date: 2014-11-01 PubMed ID: 26309313DOI: 10.1603/ME14042Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article

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 project investigates the exposure of horses and donkeys to five different rickettsial agents and examines the prevalence of such infections in specific tick populations within the Pantanal region of Brazil. Analysis also concluded that this is the first evidence of ‘Candidatus Rickettsia amblyommii’ infection in Amblyomma sculptum ticks.

Objective of the Research

  • The main goal of the study was to investigate the exposure of equids (horses and donkeys) to a group of rickettsial agents within a specific region of Brazil, as well as detecting the presence of these pathogens in specific species of ticks inhabiting the area.

Methodology

  • The investigation involved critically analyzing the sera of 547 equids (comprising of 500 horses and 47 donkeys) using the indirect immunofluorescence assay method.
  • In addition, the research also involved performing a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) on different types of ticks collected from these animals: 665 adult and 106 nymphal pools of Amblyomma cajennense F. broad-sense ticks, 10 Dermacentor nitens Neumann ticks, and 88 larval pools of an unspecified Amblyomma species.

Findings

  • The study revealed that 61.6% of examined equids (337 individuals) had been exposed to at least one type of Rickettsia spp.
  • ‘Candidatus Rickettsia amblyommii’ was found to be the most prevalent with 66%.
  • The PCR screening also detected ‘Candidatus Rickettsia amblyommii’ in 0.45% of A. cajennense s.l. female ticks.
  • Researchers calculated minimum infection rates of 0.75% for nymphs and 0.34% for larvae in tick populations.
  • Positive samples of ticks had a fragment of the 16S mitochondrial rRNA gene sequenced and it showed a 99% identity to Amblyomma sculptum Berlese.
  • The research documented for the first time, the presence of ‘Candidatus Rickettsia amblyommii’ in A. sculptum, confirming a wide exposure of equids to Rickettsia agents in the region.

Importance of the Study

  • The results of this research provide important insights into the exposure rate and prevalence of various forms of Rickettsia in equids and ticks in the Pantanal region of Brazil. It further extends to highlighting risks associated with tick-borne diseases, which are vital for effective disease management and control measures in the region.

Cite This Article

APA
Alves Ada S, Melo AL, Amorim MV, Borges AM, Gaíva E Silva L, Martins TF, Labruna MB, Aguiar DM, Pacheco RC. (2014). Seroprevalence of Rickettsia spp. in Equids and Molecular Detection of ‘Candidatus Rickettsia amblyommii’ in Amblyomma cajennense Sensu Lato Ticks From the Pantanal Region of Mato Grosso, Brazil. J Med Entomol, 51(6), 1242-1247. https://doi.org/10.1603/ME14042

Publication

Journal of medical entomology
ISSN: 0022-2585
NlmUniqueID: 0375400
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 51
Issue: 6
Pages: 1242-1247

Researcher Affiliations

Alves, Alvair Da S
  • Programa de Pós Graduação em Ciências Veterinárias, Faculdade de Agronomia, Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso, Cuiabá, MT, Brazil. Av. Fernando Corrêa da Costa, 2367, Boa Esperança. 78060-900, Cuiabá, MT, Brazil.
Melo, Andréia L T
  • Programa de Pós Graduação em Ciências Veterinárias, Faculdade de Agronomia, Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso, Cuiabá, MT, Brazil. Av. Fernando Corrêa da Costa, 2367, Boa Esperança. 78060-900, Cuiabá, MT, Brazil.
Amorim, Marcus V
  • Programa de Pós Graduação em Ciências Veterinárias, Faculdade de Agronomia, Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso, Cuiabá, MT, Brazil. Av. Fernando Corrêa da Costa, 2367, Boa Esperança. 78060-900, Cuiabá, MT, Brazil.
Borges, Alice M C M
  • Programa de Pós Graduação em Ciências Veterinárias, Faculdade de Agronomia, Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso, Cuiabá, MT, Brazil. Av. Fernando Corrêa da Costa, 2367, Boa Esperança. 78060-900, Cuiabá, MT, Brazil.
Gaíva E Silva, Lucas
  • Programa de Pós Graduação em Ciências Veterinárias, Faculdade de Agronomia, Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso, Cuiabá, MT, Brazil. Av. Fernando Corrêa da Costa, 2367, Boa Esperança. 78060-900, Cuiabá, MT, Brazil.
Martins, Thiago F
  • Department of Preventive Veterinary and Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of São Paulo, Av. Prof. Dr. Orlando Marques de Paiva, 87, Butantan. 05508-270, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
Labruna, Marcelo B
  • Department of Preventive Veterinary and Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of São Paulo, Av. Prof. Dr. Orlando Marques de Paiva, 87, Butantan. 05508-270, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
Aguiar, Daniel M
  • Programa de Pós Graduação em Ciências Veterinárias, Faculdade de Agronomia, Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso, Cuiabá, MT, Brazil. Av. Fernando Corrêa da Costa, 2367, Boa Esperança. 78060-900, Cuiabá, MT, Brazil.
Pacheco, Richard C
  • Programa de Pós Graduação em Ciências Veterinárias, Faculdade de Agronomia, Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso, Cuiabá, MT, Brazil. Av. Fernando Corrêa da Costa, 2367, Boa Esperança. 78060-900, Cuiabá, MT, Brazil. richard@ufmt.br.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Brazil / epidemiology
  • Female
  • Horses / blood
  • Horses / immunology
  • Horses / parasitology
  • Male
  • Rickettsia / immunology
  • Rickettsia Infections / epidemiology
  • Rickettsia Infections / veterinary
  • Seroepidemiologic Studies

Citations

This article has been cited 11 times.
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