Identification of Rickettsia species in ticks from ruminants in Lebanon

Rickettsia are tick-borne emerging pathogens recognized as important agents of human tick-borne diseases worldwide. Aim of this study was the identification and characterization of Spotted Fever Group (SFG) rickettsiae in ticks from ruminants in Lebanon. The study concerned 88 ticks collected in June 2014 from 30 Lebanese farms of ruminants and identified according morphological keys. Total DNA was extracted and used to identify and characterize Rickettsia spp. DNA through PCR and sequencing of fragments of 17 kDa protein, ompA, ompB, gltA, atpA, dnaK, dnaA, recA and 16S rRNA. Five different tick species were found: Hyalomma anatolicum (n=6), Rhipicephalus annulatus (n=56), Rhipicephalus bursa (n=1), Rhipicephalus sanguineus (n=6) and Rhipicephalus turanicus (n=19). A prevalence of 68.2% was found at the first screening performed amplyfing Rickettsia spp. 16S rRNA. Among these Rickettsia positive samples, 17 were identified at the species level and 43 as SFG rickettsiae based on the multigene genotyping strategy. ‘Candidatus Rickettsia barbariae’, an emerging member of the rickettsial SFG, was identified in 9 samples. R. massiliae, R. aeschlimannii and R. africae were identified in four, three and one tick, respectively, confirming the presence of SFG Rickettsia spp. involved in human diseases. SFG rickettsiae with public health relevance were found in ticks collected in Lebanon, where the widespread distribution of tick vectors and possible livestock animal hosts in contact with humans may favor transmission to humans. Funded by IZSSI 02/13, IZSSI 10/14, COMPARE, Grant 643476 and by UCLM Own Research Program. Thanks to Pippo Bono for technical support

Identification and molecular characterization of spotted fever group rickettsiae in ticks collected from farm ruminants in Lebanon

Tick-borne diseases have become a world health concern, emerging with increasing incidence in recent decades. Spotted fever group (SFG) rickettsiae are tick-borne pathogens recognized as important agents of human tick-borne diseases worldwide. In this study, 88 adult ticks from the species Hyalomma anatolicum, Rhipicephalus annulatus, Rh. bursa, Rh. sanguineus sensu lato, and Rh. turanicus, were collected from farm ruminants in Lebanon, and SFG rickettsiae were molecularly identified and characterized in these ticks. The screening showed a prevalence of 68% for Rickettsia spp., including the species R. aeschlimannii, R. africae, R. massiliae and Candidatus R. barbariae, the latter considered an emerging member of the SFG rickettsiae. These findings contribute to a better knowledge of the distribution of these pathogens and demonstrate that SFG rickettsiae with public health relevance are found in ticks collected in Lebanon, where the widespread distribution of tick vectors and possible livestock animal hosts in contact with humans may favor transmission to humans. Few reports exist for some of the tick species identified here as being infected with SFG Rickettsia. Some of these tick species are proven vectors of the hosted rickettsiae, although this information is unknown for other of these species. Therefore, these results suggested further investigation on the vector competence of the tick species with unknown role in transmission of some of the pathogens identified in this study.This study was funded in part by the Collaborative Management Platform for detection and Analyses of (Re-) emerging and foodborne outbreaks in Europe (COMPARE) Grant 643476. IGFM is funded by the Research Plan of the UCLM, Spain.Peer Reviewe

Spotted fever group rickettsiae in ticks from Lebanon

Presentado a la 9th Tick and Tick-borne Pathogen Conference & 1st Asia Pacific Rickettsia Conference, celebradas en Cairns (Australia) del 27 de agosto al 1 de septiembre de 2017.Peer reviewe