Ixodes tropicalis (Acari: Ixodidae) infesting a human and molecular detection of Rickettsia bellii, Colombia / Infestación de Ixodes tropicalis (Acari: Ixodidae) en un humano y detección molecular de Rickettsia bellii, Colombia

Abstract | Introduction: Ixodes tropicalis is a little-known tick species reported parasitizing wild rodents only in Colombia and Perú. Objective: To report a case of I. tropicalis infesting a human in the south of the metropolitan area of the Valle de Aburrá, Antioquia, Colombia, and to report the molecular detection of Rickettsia bellii in this species. Materials and methods: The tick was identified using a morphological key and sequencing of tick mitochondrial 16S rRNA. Additionally, bacterial and protozoa pathogens were evaluated using PCR for the detection of Rickettsia spp., family Anaplasmataceae, Borrelia spp., and piroplasmid. Results: We identified the tick as an I. tropicalis female according to Kohls, 1956, description and to partial 16S rRNA sequences showing a minimum of 5% divergencies compAred to Ixodes sequences. We also detected the gltA gene of R. bellii in the tick with 99.87% of identity. Conclusion: This is the first report in Colombia of a species of the Ixodes genus parasitizing a human and the first report of the detection of R. bellii in this tick species.

Resumen | Introducción. Ixodes tropicalis es una especie de garrapata poco conocida que se había reportado parasitando únicamente roedores silvestres en Colombia y Perú. Objetivo. Reportar un caso de infestación por I. tropicalis en un ser humano del sur del área metropolitana del Valle de Aburrá (Antioquia) y reportar la detección molecular de Rickettsia bellii en esta especie. Materiales y métodos. La garrapata se identificó usando claves morfológicas y mediante la secuenciación de su gen 16S ARNr mitocondrial. Además, se evaluó la presencia de agentes patógenos bacterianos y protozoos usando PCR para la detección de Rickettsia spp., la familia Anaplasmataceae, Borrelia spp. y piroplásmidos. Resultados. La garrapata se identificó como una hembra de I. tropicalis, según la descripción de Kohls, 1956, y la secuencia parcial del gen 16S ARNr, la cual mostró una divergencia de mínimo 5 % en la compAración con las secuencias de Ixodes. Además, se detectó el gen gltA de R. bellii en esta garrapata con una similitud del 99,87 %. Conclusión. Este es el primer reporte en Colombia de una especie del género Ixodes parasitando a un humano y el primer reporte de la detección de R. bellii en esta especie de garrapata.

Prediction of suitable habitats of Ixodes persulcatus in China / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

Objective To evaluate the effects of environmental factors the distribution of Ixodes persulcatus, and to predict the future suitable habitats of I. persulcatus in China. Methods The known distribution sites of I. persulcatus in China were captured from national and international published literatures. The effects of 14 environmental factors on the distribution of I. persulcatus were examined using the Jackknife test, including mean annual temperature, mean monthly temperature range, isothermality, temperature seasonality, maximum temperature of the warmest month, minimum temperature of the coldest month, temperature annual range, mean temperature of the wettest quarter, mean temperature of the driest quarter, mean temperature of the wet-test quarter, mean temperature of the coldest quarter, annual mean precipitation, precipitation of the wettest month, precipitation of the driest month, precipitation seasonality, precipitation of the wettest quarter, precipitation of the driest quarter, precipitation of the warmest quarter, precipitation of the coldest quarter, elevation, slope, aspect and vegetation. The suitable habitats of I. persulcatus were predicted in China using the maximum entropy model and ArcGIS 10.7 software with the environmental factors. Results Currently, the highly suitable habitats of I. persulcatus covered an area of 886 600 km2 in China, which were predominantly located in northeastern China. The environmental factors that contributed more than 10% to the distribution of the suitable habitats of I. persulcatus in China included annual temperature variation range (39.1%), the coldest quarterly precipitation (23.2%), and the annual mean precipitation (11.9%). Based on the maximum entropy model, the suitable habitats of I. persulcatus were predicted to show a shrinking tendency towards northeastern China in 2070. Conclusions The suitable habitat of I. persulcatus strongly correlates with temperature and precipitation, and climate and environmental changes may lead to shrinking of the future suitable habitat of I. persulcatus in China.

Effects of environmental factors on the distribution of suitable habitats of Ixodes ovatus in China / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

Objective To identify the environmental factors affecting the distribution of suitable habitats of Ixodes ovatus, and to examine the effects of environmental changes on the distribution of suitable habitats of I. ovatus. Methods Data pertaining to the distribution of I. ovatus in China were captured by literature review. The distribution of suitable habitats of I. ovatus in China was simulated using the maximum entropy model with the environmental variable data and the I. ovatus distribution data. In addition, the potential distribution of suitable habitats of I. ovatus was predicted based on the 2050 and 2070 environmental data. Results The current suitable habitats of I. ovatus cover 3.11 million km2, accounting for 32.28% of the total land area of China, and they are mainly concentrated in southwestern and northwestern China. Among the screened 16 environmental factors, the standard deviation of seasonal variation of temperature, average annual precipitation and altitude were predominant environmental factors affecting the distribution of suitable habitats of I. ovatus, and these three variables contributed 76.5% to the distribution of suitable habitats of I. ovatus in China. The suitable habitats of I. ovatus were predicted to showing a tendency towards expansion to northwestern and northeastern China in 2050 and 2070, and the proportion of highly suitable habitats of I. ovatus was predicted to increase. Conclusions Moderate climate, adequate precipitation and high altitude are favorable for the survival of I. ovatus. Future climate changes may cause expansion of suitable habitats of I. ovatus in China.

Panuveítis asociada a la enfermedad de Lyme en un paciente colombiano. Reporte de caso / Panuveitis due to Lyme disease in a Colombian patient: Case report

RESUMEN La enfermedad de Lyme es una zoonosis transmitida por la picadura de garrapatas del género Ixodes sp. Ha sido descrita con más frecuencia en zonas endémicas de países meridionales. Sus manifestaciones clínicas son muy variables y se presentan de acuerdo con el estadio clínico de la enfermedad, teniendo así el compromiso ocular un espectro clínico muy variado que incluye manifestaciones desde la superficie ocular hasta la inflamación del segmento posterior. Se presenta el caso de un paciente de 72 años con un viaje reciente a los Estados Unidos (EE. UU.), atendido en la consulta particular por un oftalmólogo supraespecialista en uveítis de la ciudad de Medellín. El paciente hacía un mes refería una disminución de la agudeza visual (AV) en su ojo izquierdo y al examen oftalmológico presentó signos clínicos de panuveítis no granulomatosa asociada a un edema macular y vasculitis retinal. Se confirmó la enfermedad de Lyme en fase tardía por la presencia de anticuerpos en sangre por Western blot. Se realizó tratamiento exitoso con antibióticos (doxiciclina), con recuperación de la AV y la mejoría completa de los signos inflamatorios intraoculares.

SUMMARY Lyme Disease is a zoonosis transmitted by arthropods that has been described with more frequency in endemic zones of meridional countries. Its clinical manifestations vary according to the clinical stage of the disease. The eye can be affected in many forms including the involvement of the ocular surface and the posterior segment, with more severe inflammation of the retina and the choroid. We present a case of a 72-year male with a recent trip to EEUU who complained of decreasing vision in his left eye had clinical signs of non-granulomatous panuveitis with macular edema and retinal vasculitis. Lyme disease was confirmed with positive antibodies in blood and Western blot test, and the patient was successfully treated using oral Doxycycline. His visual acuity improved and had a resolution of the intraocular inflammation after the specific treatment.

Ticks parasitizing wild mammals in Atlantic Forest areas in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil / Carrapatos parasitando mamíferos silvestres em áreas da Floresta Atlântica no estado do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil

Abstract Mammals captured in the Serra dos Órgãos National Park (PARNASO) and the Pedra Branca State Park (PBSP) between 2012 and 2015 were examined for the presence of ticks. In total, 140 mammals were examined, and 34 specimens were found to be parasitized by ticks. Didelphis aurita, Akodon montensis and Oligoryzomys nigripes were the species most parasitized. From these specimens, 146 ticks were collected, including 10 larvae. The ticks belonged to eight species: one in the genus Ixodes and seven in the genus Amblyomma. This study reports new associations of ticks and wild mammals in Brazil.

Resumo Mamíferos capturados no Parque Nacional da Serra dos Órgãos (PARNASO) e no Parque Estadual Pedra Branca (PBSP) entre 2012 e 2015 foram examinados quanto à presença de carrapatos. No total, 140 mamíferos foram examinados, e 34 espécimes foram parasitados por carrapatos. Didelphis aurita, Akodon montensis e Oligoryzomys nigripes foram as espécies mais parasitadas. A partir desses espécimes, 146 carrapatos foram coletados, incluindo 10 larvas. Os carrapatos pertenciam a oito espécies: uma no gênero Ixodes e sete no gênero Amblyomma. Este estudo relata novas associações de carrapatos e mamíferos silvestres no Brasil.

Detección de Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato en perros y sus garrapatas en comunidades rurales de Yucatán, México / Detection of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato in dogs and its ticks in rural communities of Yucatán, Mexico

Resumen Actualmente, el estudio de la borreliosis canina adquiere mayor relevancia, ya que el perro es considerado como un importante centinela del complejo Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, el cual podría desempeñar un papel clave en la dispersión de garrapatas de las áreas selváticas al ambiente doméstico. En México, la distribución y presencia de genoespecies patógenas de B. burgdorferi en perros y sus garrapatas aún no ha sido investigada. Por tal motivo, la presente investigación tiene como objetivo detectar y estimar la prevalencia de B burgdorferi s.l. en perros y sus garrapatas en dos comunidades rurales de Yucatán, México. En cada comunidad se visitaron 50 viviendas donde se estudiaron 144 muestras de sangre de perros por punción de la vena safena, así como la colecta de sus garrapatas. Se colectaron un total de 846 garrapatas de las especies Ixodes affinis (33 / 846), Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato (786 / 846) y Amblyomma mixtum (27 / 846). Para detectar la presencia de B. burgdorferi s.l. en dichas muestras, se amplificó el gen conservado flaB y las lipoproteínas de membrana externa, ospC y p66, mediante el uso de la reacción en cadena de la polimerasa. La prevalencia obtenida en sangre de perros fue de 17.3 % (25 / 144) para flaB, 12.50 % (18 / 144) para el gen p66 y 1.38 % (2 / 144) para el gen ospC. De las garrapatas analizadas, R. sanguineus s.l. tuvo una prevalencia de infección de 0.89 %, A. mixtum de 5.88 % e I. affinis de 15.15 %, siendo esta última especie la que presentó mayor prevalencia. Dos perros y sus garrapatas I. affinis fueron positivos al gen flaB. Solamente una garrapata R. sanguineus s.l. fue positiva al gen p66 y ninguna especie de garrapata fue positiva al gen ospC. Este estudio confirma la existencia de B. burgdorferi s.l. en perros y sus garrapatas en comunidades rurales de Yucatán, México. La detección de Borrelia en perros podría ser un criterio importante para la evaluación del riesgo de borreliosis en humanos, ya que el perro puede emplearse como indicador epidemiológico para la identificación de nuevos focos de esta enfermedad.

Abstract In Mexico, the distribution and the presence of pathogenic genospecies of B. burgdorferi in dogs and their ticks has not been extensively investigated. The study of canine borreliosis is acquiring greater relevance, since the dog is considered to be an important sentinel for pathogens pertaining to the complex Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato; in addition, dogs could be playing a key role in the spread of ticks from forested areas into the domestic environment. This study aimed to detect and estimate the prevalence of B. burgdorferi s.l. in dogs and their ticks in two rural communities of Yucatán, Mexico. In each community, 50 houses were visited, where 144 blood samples from dogs were studied by puncture of the saphenous vein, as well as the collection of their ticks. To detect the presence of B. burgdorferi s.l. in these samples, the conserved gene flaB, p66 and ospC were PCR amplified. A total of 144 dog blood samples, and 846 of ticks were obtained from the examined animals. Considering tick species, Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato (786 / 846) was common, while Ixodes affinis (33 / 846), and Amblyomma mixtum (27 / 846) resulted less frequent. As per gene conservation, the prevalence of B. burgdorferi in canine blood was 17.3 % (25 / 144) to flaB, 12.50 % (18 / 144) for p66 and 1.38 % (2 / 144) for the ospC gene. Within the analyzed ticks, R. sanguineus s.l. had a prevalence of 0.89 %, A. mixtum 5.88 % and I. affinis 15.15 %, being this last species the one that presented higher prevalence. Two dogs and their ticks I. affinis were positive to the flaB gene. Only a tick R. sanguineus s.l. was positive to the gene p66 and no tick species was positive the ospC gene. This study confirmed the existence of B. burgdorferi s.l. in dogs and their ticks in rural communities of Yucatán, Mexico. The detection of Borrelia in dogs may be an important criterion for the evaluation of the risk of borreliosis in humans, since the dog can be used as an epidemiological indicator for the identification of new outbreaks of this disease. Rev. Biol. Trop. 66(1): 428-437. Epub 2018 March 01.

Horses as a Potential Reservoir of Lyme Borreliosis in Jeju-do, Korea / 예방의학회지

Lyme borreliosis (LB) is the most common tick-borne infectious disease in North America, and it was designated as a national notifiable infectious disease in Korea in December 2010. While no cases in Jeju-do were recorded from 2012 to 2016, a recent survey reported that the seroprevalence of Borrelia burgdorferi using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays in horses in Jeju-do was 19.0% (95% confidence interval, 12.0 to 28.3%). This fact suggests that horses may be a potential reservoir of LB in Jeju-do and that individuals in close contact with horses may be a high-risk group. Thus, a serological study in this high-risk group is urgently needed.

Enfermedad de Lyme: a propósito de un caso clínico importado / Lyme disease: about an imported case report

Resumen Presentamos el caso clínico de una mujer norteamericana que consultó en nuestro país por un eritema migrans múltiple, diagnosticándose una enfermedad de Lyme. Este cuadro infeccioso es causado por espiroquetas del complejo Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (Bbsl) y es transmitido por la mordedura de garrapatas. Tradicionalmente Bbsl había sido detectada en garrapatas sólo en el hemisferio norte. Sin embargo, desde el 2013 ha habido reportes en Sudamérica. En Chile, recientemente se describió Borrelia chilensis, la cual no tiene una enfermedad asociada en humanos. Se discuten aspectos del agente infeccioso, su epidemiología, sus vectores y nuevos hallazgos en Sudamérica. Además, se plantean los criterios diagnósticos clínicos, de laboratorio y tratamiento, de acuerdo a la etapa en su historia natural.

This is a case report of an american woman who consulted in our country for multiple erythema migrans, from which a Lyme disease was diagnosed. This infectious disease is caused by spirochetes from the Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato complex (Bbsl) and is transmitted by the bite of ticks. Traditionally Bbsl had been detected in ticks only in the Northern Hemisphere. However, since 2013 there have been reports in South America. In Chile, Borrelia chilensis was recently described, which does not have an associated disease in humans. Aspects of the infectious agent, its epidemiology, its vectors and new findings in South America are discussed. Likewise, the clinical diagnostic criteria, laboratory and appropriate treatment are proposed, according to the stage in their natural history.

Diversity of ticks in the wildlife screening center of São Paulo city, Brazil / Diversidade de carrapatos no centro de triagem de animais silvestres na cidade de São Paulo, Brasil

ABSTRACT: The Wildlife Screening Center (CETAS) of the Tietê Ecological Park (PET), situated at the municipality of São Paulo, receives, treats and rehabilitates wild animals that have been dislodged from their natural environment due to different reasons. This study analyzed the ixodid fauna, and the rickettsial infection in these ticks, collected on wild animals received at the PET’s CETAS. During the period from March 2003 to November 2016, 936 ticks were collected from 96 wild animals (16 bird and 18 mammal species) that were sent to CETAS. The following 12 ixodid species were identified: Amblyomma aureolatum, Amblyomma brasiliense, Amblyomma calcaratum, Amblyomma dubitatum, Amblyomma longirostre, Amblyomma ovale, Amblyomma parkeri, Amblyomma sculptum, Amblyomma varium, Haemaphysalis juxtakochi, Ixodes loricatus and Rhipicephalus microplus. From 67 tick specimens tested by the Real Time PCR for rickettsiae, none were positive. The present research records for the first time in Brazil the following association between the tick stages and hosts that have never been reported before: Amblyomma sculptum nymphs on Caprimulgus parvulus, Asio clamator, Buteo brachyurus, Coragyps atratus, Amazona aestiva and Aramus guarauna, Amblyomma dubitatum nymphs on Alouatta guariba and Sphiggurus villosus, Amblyomma aureolatum adults on Bradypus variegatus, Amblyomma longirostre larvae and nymphs on A. clamator, and nymphs on Megascops choliba and Pyroderus scutatus, besides Amblyomma parkeri nymphs on Penelope obscura and Callicebus nigrifrons, and adult on Nasua nasua.

RESUMO: O Centro de Triagem de Animais Silvestres (CETAS) do Parque Ecológico do Tietê (PET), localizado no município de São Paulo, recebe, atende e reabilita animais silvestres que vem sendo retirados do seu ambiente natural por diversas razões. Este estudo relata a diversidade de carrapatos coletados em animais silvestres recebidos no PET, assim como a pesquisa de riquétsias nestes ectoparasitas. Durante os meses de março de 2003 a novembro de 2016, foram coletados e identificados 936 carrapatos de 96 animais silvestres (16 espécies de aves e 18 de mamíferos) atendidos no CETAS. Foram identificadas 12 espécies de ixodídeos: Amblyomma aureolatum, Amblyomma brasiliense, Amblyomma calcaratum, Amblyomma dubitatum, Amblyomma longirostre, Amblyomma ovale, Amblyomma parkeri, Amblyomma sculptum, Amblyomma varium, Haemaphysalis juxtakochi, Ixodes loricatus e Rhipicephalus microplus. De 67 carrapatos testados por PCR em tempo real para riquétsias, nenhum foi positivo. O presente trabalho registra pela primeira vez no Brasil as seguintes associações dos estágios de carrapatos e hospedeiros que nunca foram relatadas anteriormente: ninfas de Amblyomma sculptum em Caprimulgus parvulus, Asio clamator, Buteo brachyurus, Coragyps atratus, Amazona aestiva e Aramus guarauna, ninfas de Amblyomma dubitatum em Alouatta guariba e Sphiggurus villosus, adultos de Amblyomma aureolatum em Bradypus variegatus, larvas e ninfa de Amblyomma longirostre em A. clamator e ninfas em Megascops choliba e Pyroderus scutatus, além de ninfas de Amblyomma parkeri em Penelope obscura e Callicebus nigrifrons e adulto em Nasua nasua.

Ixodes ovatus found in Huainan area in Anhui Province / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

Objective To study the morphological characteristics of Ixodes ovatus in order to provide the evidence for future research. Methods A group of goats were randomly selected and checked one by one,and the ticks were collected. Results A hard tick was found on the surface of a goat,and it was identified as Ixodes ovatus. Conclusions Ixodes ovatus has been found in Huainan area in Anhui Province,confirming that Huainan area is a new breeding place of Ixodes ovatus. This finding may contribute to the epidemiological research of tick-borne diseases.

Identification of Tick Species Collected from Wild Boars and Habitats of Wild Boars and Domestic Pigs in the Republic of Korea

Tick is one of the most important arthropods in the transmission of vector-borne diseases. In this study, we investigated the abundance and species of ticks associated with swine and their habitats to assess the risk of spread of tick-borne diseases in host species, such as wild boars. Ticks were collected from 24 grazing or traditionally reared domestic pig farms and 8 habitats of wild boars in 8 provinces and 1 city in the Republic of Korea, by using the dragging and flagging methods. Ticks were also collected directly from 49 wild boars by using fine forceps. A total of 9,846 hard ticks were collected, including 4,977 Haemaphysalis longicornis, 4,313 Haemaphysalis flava, 508 Ixodes nipponensis, 1 Ixodes turdus, and 47 Amblyomma testudinarium. A total of 240 hard ticks were collected from 49 wild boars, including 109 H. flava, 84 H. longicornis, and 47 A. testudinarium. A total of 578 hard ticks were collected from areas around domestic pig farms. Only 2 hard tick species, 546 H. longicornis and 32 H. flava, were collected from these areas. A total of 9,028 hard ticks were collected from wild boars of 8 habitats, including 4,347 H. longicornis, 4,172 H. flava, 508 I. nipponensis, and 1 I. turdus. A. testudinarium was collected only from wild boars, and I. nipponensis and I. turdus were collected only from the habitats of wild boars.

Rickettsial infection in ticks infesting wild birds from two eco-regions of Argentina / Infecção por riquétsias em carrapatos de aves silvestres em duas ecorregiões da Argentina

Abstract Several tick-borne Rickettsia species are recognized human pathogens in Argentina. Here we evaluated rickettsial infection in ticks collected on passerine birds during 2011-2012 in two eco-regions of Argentina. The ticks were processed by molecular analysis through polymerase chain reaction (PCR) detection and DNA sequencing of fragments of two rickettsial genes, gltA and ompA. A total of 594 tick specimens (532 larvae and 62 nymphs), representing at least 4 species (Amblyomma tigrinum, Ixodes pararicinus, Haemaphysalis juxtakochi, Haemaphysalis leporispalustris), were evaluated. At least one A. tigrinum larva, collected on Coryphospingus cucullatus in Chaco Seco, was infected with Rickettsia parkeri, whereas at least 12 larvae and 1 nymph of I. pararicinus, collected from Troglodytes aedon, Turdus amaurochalinus, Turdus rufiventris, C. cucullatus and Zonotrichia capensis, were infected with an undescribed Rickettsia agent, genetically related to several rickettsial endosymbionts of ticks of the Ixodes ricinus complex. R. parkeri is a recognized human pathogen in several American countries including Argentina, where a recent study incriminated A. tigrinum as the potential vector of R. parkeri to humans. Birds could play an important role in dispersing R. parkeri-infected A. tigrinum ticks. Additionally, we report for the first time a rickettsial agent infecting I. pararicinus ticks.

Resumo Algumas espécies de Rickettsia transmitidas por carrapatos são reconhecidos como patógenos humanos na Argentina. Este presente trabalho avaliou a infecção por Rickettsia em carrapatos coletados em aves passeriformes, durante 2011-2012, em duas ecorregiões da Argentina. Os carrapatos foram processados pela reação em cadeia da polimerase (PCR) e sequenciamento de DNA de dois genes de Rickettsia: gltA e ompA. Ao todo, 594 amostras de carrapatos (532 larvas e 62 ninfas), representando pelo menos 4 espécies (Amblyomma tigrinum, Ixodes pararicinus, Haemaphysalis juxtakochi, Haemaphysalis leporispalustris), foram avaliadas. Pelo menos uma larva de A. tigrinum, coletada de Coryphospingus cucullatus no Chaco Seco, estava infectada com Rickettsia parkeri, enquanto pelo menos 12 larvas e 1 ninfa de I. pararicinus, coletadas de Troglodytes aedon, Turdus amaurochalinus, Turdus rufiventris, C. cucullatus e Zonotrichia capensis estavam infectadas com Rickettsia sp., geneticamente relacionada a vários endossimbiontes riquetsiais de carrapatos do complexo Ixodes ricinus. R. parkeri é reconhecidamente um patógeno humano em alguns países americanos, incluindo a Argentina, onde um estudo recente incriminou A. tigrinum como um provável vetor. Aves poderiam desempenhar um papel importante na dispersão de carrapatos A. tigrinum infectados por R. parkeri. Em adição, relata-se pela primeira vez a infecção por Rickettsia em I. pararicinus.

Ticks infesting wild small rodents in three areas of the state of São Paulo, Brazil / Carrapatos infestando pequenos roedores silvestres em três municípios do estado de São Paulo, Brasil

ABSTRACT: From May to September 2011, a total of 138 wild rodents of the Cricetidae family were collected in the cities of Anhembi, Bofete and Torre de Pedra, in São Paulo State. All animals were examined for the presence of ticks, which were collected and identified at species level in the laboratory by morphological examination (for adults, nymphs and larvae) and molecular biology, by sequencing of a fragment of the 16S mitochondrial rDNA (for larvae). A total of 47 ticks (21 larvae and 26 nymphs) were collected from rodents, identified as 21 larvae and 23 nymphs of Amblyomma ovale (collected on Oligoryzomys nigripes, Oligoryzomys flavescens, Sooretamys agouya and Nectomys squamipes), two nymphs of Ixodes schulzei (O. nigripes and O. flavescens) and an Amblyomma sculptum nymph in S. agouya. The overall prevalence of parasitism by A. ovale was 4.3% for larvae, and 10.1% for nymphs. The mean intensity of parasitism was 3.5 larvae/parasitized animal, and 1.6 nymphs/parasitized animal. One O. nigripes was found parasitized by both larva and nymph of A. ovale, and another O. nigripes was parasitized simultaneously by an I. schulzei nymph and five A. ovale nymphs. This research reports the following unpublished records: A. ovale on O. flavescens, O. nigripes and S. agouya; A. sculptum on S. agouya; and I. schulzei on O. flavescens and O. nigripes.

RESUMO: De maio a setembro de 2011, um total de 138 roedores silvestres da família Cricetidae foram coletados nos municípios de Anhembi, Bofete e Torre de Pedra, no estado de São Paulo. Todos os animais foram examinados quanto à presença de carrapatos, os quais foram coletados e identificados ao nível de espécie em laboratório, através de análises morfológicas (para adultos, ninfas e larvas) e por biologia molecular para confirmar estas análises, através do sequenciamento de um fragmento do gene 16S rDNA mitocondrial (para uma parte das larvas). Um total de 47 carrapatos (21 larvas e 26 ninfas) foi coletado dos roedores, sendo identificados como 21 larvas e 23 ninfas de Amblyomma ovale (coletados sobre Oligoryzomys nigripes, Oligoryzomys flavescens, Sooretamys agouya e Nectomys squamipes), duas ninfas de Ixodes schulzei (em O. nigripes e O. flavescens) e uma ninfa de Amblyomma sculptum em S. agouya. A prevalência geral de parasitismo por A. ovale foi de 4,3% e de 10,1% para larvas e ninfas, respectivamente. As intensidades médias de parasitismo foram de 3,5 larvas/animal parasitado e de 1,6 ninfas/animal parasitado. Um O. nigripes foi encontrado parasitado simultaneamente por larva e ninfa de A. ovale, e outro O. nigripes estava parasitado simultaneamente por uma ninfa de I. schulzei e cinco ninfas de A. ovale. O presente trabalho reporta os seguintes registros inéditos: A. ovale em O. flavescens, O. nigripes e S. agouya; A. sculptum em S. agouya; e I. schulzei em O. flavescens e O. nigripes.

Precise identification of different stages of a tick, Ixodes granulatus Supino, 1897 (Acari: Ixodidae)

Objective To identify different stages of Ixodes granulatus (I. granulatus) based on morphological characters prior to molecular identification which is significant for confirming and identifying the nymphal stages of I. granulatus. Methods A total of 14 individuals of adult, engorged and nymphal ticks collected from three different localities were examined morphologically using taxonomic keys, followed by PCR using cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI). Clustering analysis based on COI sequences was carried out by constructing neighbor-joining and maximum parsimony tree to clarify the genetic variation and diversity of local I. granulatus. Results Based on external morphological characterizations, nine individuals (64.3%) were successfully identified as I. granulatus, while five individuals were recognized only as Ixodes sp. due to lack of morphological characters visible and development during that stage. Molecular analysis of local I. granulatus using COI gene revealed 93%–94% sequence homology from available sequence in GenBank and was in concordance with the morphological identification. Furthermore, a low intraspecific variation was observed among the species of I. granulatus collected from different localities (0%–3.7%). Conclusions These findings demonstrated for the first time the establishment of COI gene for identifying I. granulatus nymphal tick which is of paramount importance to the control of potential tick-borne infections in Malaysia. Moreover, this study provides evidence that a combination of morphology and molecular data was corroborated as an accurate tool for tick identification.

Precise identification of different stages of a tick, Ixodes granulatus Supino, 1897 (Acari:Ixodidae)

Objective: To identify different stages of Ixodes granulatus (I. granulatus) based on morphological characters prior to molecular identification which is significant for con-firming and identifying the nymphal stages of I. granulatus. Methods: A total of 14 individuals of adult, engorged and nymphal ticks collected from three different localities were examined morphologically using taxonomic keys, followed by PCR using cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI). Clustering analysis based on COI sequences was carried out by constructing neighbor-joining and maximum parsimony tree to clarify the genetic variation and diversity of local I. granulatus. Results: Based on external morphological characterizations, nine individuals (64.3%) were successfully identified as I. granulatus, while five individuals were recognized only as Ixodes sp. due to lack of morphological characters visible and development during that stage. Molecular analysis of local I. granulatus using COI gene revealed 93%–94%sequence homology from available sequence in GenBank and was in concordance with the morphological identification. Furthermore, a low intraspecific variation was observed among the species of I. granulatus collected from different localities (0%–3.7%). Conclusions: These findings demonstrated for the first time the establishment of COI gene for identifying I. granulatus nymphal tick which is of paramount importance to the control of potential tick-borne infections in Malaysia. Moreover, this study provides evidence that a combination of morphology and molecular data was corroborated as an accurate tool for tick identification.

Study on co-infection of tick-borne pathogens in Ixodes persulcatus in Charles Hilary, Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region / 中华流行病学杂志

Objective To study the co-infection of tick-borne pathogens in Ixodes persulcatus collected in Charles Hilary,Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region (Xinjiang).Methods Ticks were collected by flagging in grassy areas in Charles Hilary,Xinjiang from June 2012 to June 2013.The 5S-23S rRNA intergenic region from Borrelia (B.) burgdorferi,16S rRNA gene from Anaplasma,ompA gene from spotted fever group Rickettsia,comI gene from Coxiella (C.) burneti and Nss-rRNA gene from Babesia were amplified with nested polymerase chain reaction (nested PCR),respectively.Results Among 204 lxodes persulcatus,104 were positive for tick-borne pathogens with the positive rate of 50.98％,and among them the positive rates of B.burgdorferi,spotted fever group Rickettsia and Anaplasma phagocytophilum were 34.31％ (n =70),28.92％ (n =59),9.31％ (n =19),respectively.And no C.burnetii and Babesia were detected.The overall co-infection rate was 19.12％ (39/204),the co-infection rate was 16.18％(33/204) for B.garinii and spotted fever group Rickettsia,4.90％ (10/204) for B.burgdorferi and Anaplasma phagocytophilum,2.94％(6/204) for spotted fever group Rickettsia and Anaplasma phagocytophilum and 2.45％ (5/204) for B.burgdorferi,Anaplasma phagocytophilum and spotted fever group Rickettsia.Conclusion The results indicated that the natural co-infections of B.garinii,B.afzelii,Anaplasma phagocytophilum and spotted fever group Rickettsia existed in Charles Hilary Ixodes persulcatus collected in Xinjiang.

Nested-PCR and LAMP in detection of B .burgdor f eri in ticks / 中国人兽共患病学报

ABSTRACT:Nested‐PCR and loop‐mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) were applied to identify the Borrelia burg‐dor f eri (B .burgdor f eri) in ticks in this study .A total of 112 adult ixodes were collected from vegetation in a forest area and farm animals in Xunhua County ,Qinghai Province and Xinbin County ,Liaoning Province .The ticks were examined for the presence of B .burgdorferi by nested‐PCR and LAMP .Results showed that 12 in 51 samples were found positive in Xunhua County (23 .53% ) .While positive rate in Xinbin County was 29 .51% with 18 samples positive in 61 samples .In total of 112 tick samples ,the PCR‐positive rate was 17 .86% with 20 positive samples identified ,whereas 15 positive samples were con‐firmed with positive rate of 13 .39 % by LAMP assay .There was no significant difference between the two assays (Х2 =0 .85 , P>0 .05) .Results suggest that both nested‐PCR and LAMP could be used in identifying B .burgdorferi in ticks .Combina‐tion of these two assays could improve the testing results .This is the first report of B .burgdorferi in ticks in Xunhua and Xinbin counties ,and helps to complete the database of the infection rate of B .burgdor f eri in ticks in the widely‐forested area of China .

Diagnóstico de hepatozoon spp. en perros (Canis familiaris) y sus vectores en áreas rurales de los Estados Lara y Yaracuy-Venezuela / Diagnosis of hepatozoon spp. in dogs (Canis familiaris) and its vectors from rural areas of Lara and Yaracuy States, Venezuela

El objetivo de este trabajo fue diagnosticar Hepatozoon spp. en perros de áreas rurales en algunos municipios de los estados Lara y Yaracuy, así como su relación con los potenciales artrópodos vectores involucrados en su transmisión. Babesia canis vogeli, Ehrlichia canis y en menor frecuencia Hepatozoon canis son los agentes parasitarios más importantes en caninos teniendo todos ellos como vector a Rhipicephalus sanguineus. Estos hemotrópicos infectan frecuentemente a los animales sin causarles sintomatología clínica y en otros casos les causan enfermedad de gravedad variable. La asociación de estos agentes es muy común, lo que favorece la gravedad de los síntomas clínicos. Además de R. sanguineus, otros géneros de garrapatas pueden ser encontradas parasitando perros, como Amblyomma e Ixodes. Durante el estudio se realizaron frotis sanguíneos de sangre periférica de la oreja de 300 perros y se colectaron 604 garrapatas por medio de extracción manual. Estos ixódidos fueron identificados taxonómicamente en el Laboratorio de Parasitología con la ayuda de claves dicotómicas y luego fueron sometidas a disección en busca de fases evolutivas de Hepatozoon spp. Los resultados fueron analizados a través de estadísticas no paramétricas indicando la presencia o ausencia de Hepatozoon spp. y la identificación de los vectores involucrados. Se observó Hepatozoon spp. en las muestras de sangre periférica de 11 de los perros estudiados, correspondiendo a tres perros del estado Lara y ocho al estado Yaracuy. En relación a los vectores, se identificaron en el estado Lara, 557 Rhipicephalus sanguineus, 11 Amblyomma ovale y 10 Ixodes spp. y en el estado Yaracuy solamente se diagnosticaron 26 especímenes de Amblyomma ovale. Es importante destacar la presencia de Hepatozoon spp. en áreas rurales donde no se identificó R. sanguineus.

The purpose of this research was to diagnose Hepatozoon spp. in dogs from rural areas in some municipalities of the States of Lara and Yaracuy, Venezuela, and its relationship with potential arthropods vectors involved in its transmission. Babesia canis vogeli, Ehrlichia canis, and less frequently, Hepatozoon canis, are the most important hemoparasites of dogs, all having as a common vector Rhipicephalus sanguineus. These hemoparasites frequently infest both domestic and rural animals without overt clinical symptoms; in other cases, they cause diseases of varied severity. Coinfections by hemoparasites are very common, which favors the severity of clinical symptoms. Besides R. sanguineus, other tick genera like Amblyomma and Ixodes, can be found infesting dogs. To carry out this study, thin blood smears from peripheral ear veins of 300 dogs were performed; and 604 ticks were collected by manual extraction. These ixodids were taxonomically identified at the Parasitology Laboratory, with the help of dichotomous taxonomic keys. Then, they were subjected to dissections looking for evolutionary stages of Hepatozoon spp. Results obtained were analyzed through non-parametric statistics, showing the presence or absence of Hepatozoon spp. and the identification of the involved vectors. Hepatozoon spp. was found in samples of peripheral blood in 11 of the dogs studied, three from the State of Lara and eight from the State of Yaracuy. Regarding vectors, 557 Rhipicephalus sanguineus, 11 Amblyomma ovale and 10 Ixodes spp. were identified in Lara, whereas only 26 specimens of Amblyomma ovale were identified in Yaracuy. It is important to underscore the presence of Hepatozoon spp. in rural areas where R. sanguineus was not identified.

Noteworthy records of Ixodes schulzei (Acari: Ixodidae) on rodents from the State of Parana, southern Brazil / Relatos de Ixodes schulzei (Acari: Ixodidae) em roedores do estado do Paraná, sul do Brasil

Ixodes schulzei Aragão & Fonseca is an endemic tick to Brazil and has already been reported in the northern (State of Rondonia), southeastern (States of Minas Gerais, Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo) and southern (State of Santa Catarina) regions, always found in association with the water rat Nectomys squamipes (Brandt). This communication records the first occurrence of this tick species in the State of Parana, southern region of Brazil, and it constitutes its first report on Akodon montensis (Thomas) and Oryzomys russatus (Wagner) hosts.

Ixodes schulzei Aragão & Fonseca é um carrapato endêmico do Brasil e já foi relatado nas regiões Norte (estado de Rondônia), Sudeste (estados de Minas Gerais, Rio de Janeiro e São Paulo) e Sul (estado de Santa Catarina), tendo sido encontrado sempre em associação com o rato d'água Nectomys squamipes (Brandt). Esta comunicação registra a primeira ocorrência dessa espécie de carrapato no estado do Paraná, região Sul do Brasil e constitui o primeiro relato de Akodon montensis (Thomas) e Oryzomys russatus (Wagner) como hospedeiros.

Seasonal Distribution of Ticks in Four Habitats near the Demilitarized Zone, Gyeonggi-do (Province), Republic of Korea

This study describes the seasonal distribution of larvae, nymph, and adult life stages for 3 species of ixodid ticks collected by tick drag and sweep methods from various habitats in the Republic of Korea (ROK). Grasses less than 0.5 m in height, including herbaceous and crawling vegetation, and deciduous, conifer, and mixed forests with abundant leaf/needle litter were surveyed at United States (US) and ROK operated military training sites and privately owned lands near the demilitarized zone from April-October, 2004 and 2005. Haemaphysalis longicornis Neumann adults and nymphs were more frequently collected from April-August, while those of Haemaphysalis flava Neumann and Ixodes nipponensis Kitaoka and Saito were collected more frequently from April-July and again during October. H. longicornis was the most frequently collected tick in grass habitats (98.9%), while H. flava was more frequently collected in deciduous (60.2%) and conifer (57.4%) forest habitats. While more H. flava (54.1%) were collected in mixed forest habitats than H. longicornis (35.2%), the differences were not significant. I. nipponensis was more frequently collected from conifer (mean 8.8) compared to deciduous (3.2) and mixed (2.4) forests.