Molecular Detection and Genetic Identification of <i>Rickettsia</i> Infection in <i>Ixodes granulatus</i> Ticks, an Incriminated Vector for Geographical Transmission in Taiwan
Tick-borne <i>Rickettsia</i> pathogens have become an emerging source of zoonotic infections and have a major impact on human health worldwide. In this study, the prevalence and genetic identity of <i>Rickettsia</i> infections in <i>Ixodes granulatus</i> ticks was...
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MDPI AG
2021-06-01
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| Series: | Microorganisms |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/9/6/1309 |
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| author | Chien-Ming Shih Pei-Wen Yang Li-Lian Chao |
| author_facet | Chien-Ming Shih Pei-Wen Yang Li-Lian Chao |
| author_sort | Chien-Ming Shih |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Tick-borne <i>Rickettsia</i> pathogens have become an emerging source of zoonotic infections and have a major impact on human health worldwide. In this study, the prevalence and genetic identity of <i>Rickettsia</i> infections in <i>Ixodes granulatus</i> ticks was firstly determined in Kinmen Island of Taiwan. A total of 247 <i>I. granulatus</i> ticks were examined for <i>Rickettsia</i> infection by nested-PCR assay targeting the citrate synthase (gltA) gene of <i>Rickettsia</i>. The <i>Rickettsia</i> infection was detected with a general infection rate of 4.86%, and was detected in nymph, male and female stages with an infection rate of 3.81%, 0% and 6.84%, respectively. Phylogenetic relationships were analyzed by comparing the gltA sequences obtained from four Taiwan strains and 19 other strains representing 13 genospecies of <i>Rickettsia</i>. Phylogenetic analyses reveal that all Taiwan strains were genetically affiliated to the genospecies of spotted fever (<i>R. parkeri</i>) and transitional (<i>R. felis</i>) groups of <i>Rickettsia</i>. Our findings reveal the first detection of <i>R. parkeri</i>-like and <i>R. felis</i> in <i>I. granulatus</i> ticks from Kinmen Island. As a tourist island between Taiwan and mainland China, these results demonstrate the epidemiological significance of diverse <i>Rickettsia</i> species existed in <i>I. granulatus</i> ticks and highlight the potential threat of geographical transmission among humans in the Taiwan area. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T10:22:46Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-b7feaafd664149aea2bc9b2b71389fd8 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2076-2607 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T10:22:46Z |
| publishDate | 2021-06-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Microorganisms |
| spelling | doaj.art-b7feaafd664149aea2bc9b2b71389fd82023-11-22T00:19:28ZengMDPI AGMicroorganisms2076-26072021-06-0196130910.3390/microorganisms9061309Molecular Detection and Genetic Identification of <i>Rickettsia</i> Infection in <i>Ixodes granulatus</i> Ticks, an Incriminated Vector for Geographical Transmission in TaiwanChien-Ming Shih0Pei-Wen Yang1Li-Lian Chao2M.Sc. Program in Tropical Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, TaiwanNational Defense Medical Center, Graduate Institute of Pathology and Parasitology, Taipei 114, TaiwanM.Sc. Program in Tropical Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, TaiwanTick-borne <i>Rickettsia</i> pathogens have become an emerging source of zoonotic infections and have a major impact on human health worldwide. In this study, the prevalence and genetic identity of <i>Rickettsia</i> infections in <i>Ixodes granulatus</i> ticks was firstly determined in Kinmen Island of Taiwan. A total of 247 <i>I. granulatus</i> ticks were examined for <i>Rickettsia</i> infection by nested-PCR assay targeting the citrate synthase (gltA) gene of <i>Rickettsia</i>. The <i>Rickettsia</i> infection was detected with a general infection rate of 4.86%, and was detected in nymph, male and female stages with an infection rate of 3.81%, 0% and 6.84%, respectively. Phylogenetic relationships were analyzed by comparing the gltA sequences obtained from four Taiwan strains and 19 other strains representing 13 genospecies of <i>Rickettsia</i>. Phylogenetic analyses reveal that all Taiwan strains were genetically affiliated to the genospecies of spotted fever (<i>R. parkeri</i>) and transitional (<i>R. felis</i>) groups of <i>Rickettsia</i>. Our findings reveal the first detection of <i>R. parkeri</i>-like and <i>R. felis</i> in <i>I. granulatus</i> ticks from Kinmen Island. As a tourist island between Taiwan and mainland China, these results demonstrate the epidemiological significance of diverse <i>Rickettsia</i> species existed in <i>I. granulatus</i> ticks and highlight the potential threat of geographical transmission among humans in the Taiwan area.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/9/6/1309<i>Rickettsia</i><i>Ixodes granulatus</i>tickgenetic identityTaiwan |
| spellingShingle | Chien-Ming Shih Pei-Wen Yang Li-Lian Chao Molecular Detection and Genetic Identification of <i>Rickettsia</i> Infection in <i>Ixodes granulatus</i> Ticks, an Incriminated Vector for Geographical Transmission in Taiwan Microorganisms <i>Rickettsia</i> <i>Ixodes granulatus</i> tick genetic identity Taiwan |
| title | Molecular Detection and Genetic Identification of <i>Rickettsia</i> Infection in <i>Ixodes granulatus</i> Ticks, an Incriminated Vector for Geographical Transmission in Taiwan |
| title_full | Molecular Detection and Genetic Identification of <i>Rickettsia</i> Infection in <i>Ixodes granulatus</i> Ticks, an Incriminated Vector for Geographical Transmission in Taiwan |
| title_fullStr | Molecular Detection and Genetic Identification of <i>Rickettsia</i> Infection in <i>Ixodes granulatus</i> Ticks, an Incriminated Vector for Geographical Transmission in Taiwan |
| title_full_unstemmed | Molecular Detection and Genetic Identification of <i>Rickettsia</i> Infection in <i>Ixodes granulatus</i> Ticks, an Incriminated Vector for Geographical Transmission in Taiwan |
| title_short | Molecular Detection and Genetic Identification of <i>Rickettsia</i> Infection in <i>Ixodes granulatus</i> Ticks, an Incriminated Vector for Geographical Transmission in Taiwan |
| title_sort | molecular detection and genetic identification of i rickettsia i infection in i ixodes granulatus i ticks an incriminated vector for geographical transmission in taiwan |
| topic | <i>Rickettsia</i> <i>Ixodes granulatus</i> tick genetic identity Taiwan |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/9/6/1309 |
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