Molecular detection of Rickettsia genus in chigger mites (Trombidiformes: Trombiculidae) collected on small mammals in southeastern brazilian / Detecção molecular do gênero Rickettsia em ácaros trombiculídeos (Trombidiformes: Trombiculidae) coletados em pequenos mamíferos do sudeste brasileiro

Abstract Chiggers are ectoparasites of vertebrates and may cause trombiculiasis or transmit pathogens to their hosts. Specimens collected from rodents and marsupials were morphologically identified as Herpetacarus hertigi, Eutrombicula tinami, Kymocta sp., Quadraseta brasiliensis, Quadraseta falconensis, Quadraseta flochi, Quadraseta mackenziei, Quadraseta pazca, Quadraseta trapezoides, Quadraseta sp., Serratacarus sp., and Trombewingia bakeri. These mites were submitted individually to molecular analyses for the detection of bacteria of the genus Coxiella, Hepatozoon and Rickettsia. Samples were positive to Rickettsia only. Obtained sequences for the gltA (350 pb) and ompA (488 pb) genes were identical to "Candidatus Rickettsia colombianensi", a species previously detected in ticks. In addition, molecular identification of mites based on 18S rDNA sequences are provided for H. hertigi, Kymocta sp., Q. brasiliensis, Q. pazca, Q. trapezoides, Quadraseta sp., and T. bakeri for the first time. This is the first report of the detection of a Rickettsia sp. in chigger mites collected on rodents in Brazil.

Resumo Os trombiculídeos são ectoparasitas de vertebrados e podem causar trombiculíase ou transmitir patógenos ao hospedeiro. Exemplares coletados em roedores e marsupiais foram identificados morfologicamente como Herpetacarus hertigi, Eutrombicula tinami, Kymocta sp., Quadraseta brasiliensis, Quadraseta falconensis, Quadraseta flochi, Quadraseta mackenziei, Quadraseta pazca, Quadraseta trapezoides, Quadraseta sp., Serratacarus sp. e Trombewingia bakeri. Estes ácaros foram submetidos individualmente à análise molecular para detecção de bactérias dos gêneros Coxiella, Hepatozoon e Rickettsia. Amostras foram positivas somente para Rickettsia. Sequências obtidas para os genes gltA (350 pb) e ompA (488 pb) foram idênticas à "Candidatus Rickettsia colombianensi", uma espécie anteriormente detectada em carrapatos. Além disso, foram fornecidas sequências de DNA 18S para identificação molecular de H. hertigi, Kymocta sp., Q. brasiliensis, Q. pazca, Q. trapezoides, Quadraseta sp. e T. bakeri. Este é o primeiro registro da detecção de Rickettsia em ácaros trombiculídeos coletados em roedores do Brasil.

Clinical profile of scrub typhus patients in a tertiary care centre in Himachal Pradesh, India

Background: Scrub typhus a zoonotic disease caused by gram negative bacteria O. tsutsugamushi, is endemic in Himachal Pradesh. This illness occurs mainly in monsoon and post monsoon season. study design of  this study was conducted in a tertiary care centre in Himachal Pradesh between July 2015 and June 2016. All the indoor patients with age above 18 years with a diagnosis of scrub typhus were included in this study.Results: Out of total 180 patients, 130 were female patients. Most patients were in the age group 21-30 (23.3%). All the patients presented with history of fever, but 54 patients presented with high grade fever. Other Most common symptom was chills and rigours (81%), followed by vomiting and headache each 32%, cough 31%. On examination 21% patients had eschar,14% patients had lymphadenopathy. Most number of patients presented in the month of September (51.6%), followed by August (33.3%).Conclusion: Scrub typhus being an important differential of acute undifferentiated fever in this region, should not be missed by primary care physicians, as once multi organ dysfunction sets in, mortality rate starts rising. So, there is a high need of sensitization of doctors and people about this illness so that early diagnosis and early treatment can be ensured.

Blankaartia sinnamaryi (Trombidiformes: Trombiculidae) parasitizing birds in southeastern Brazil, with notes on Rickettsia detection / Blankaartia sinnamaryi (Trombidiformes: Trombiculidae) parasitando aves no sudeste do Brasil, e notas sobre a detecção de Rickettsia

Abstract The larvae of the family Trombiculidae are ectoparasites of vertebrates, including birds. The bite of some species can cause deep lesions and severe skin reactions in the host, these can lead to dermatitis, popularly known as trombiculiasis. A morphological study of chiggers collected on birds from the state of Minas Gerais in Southeastern Brazil discovered Blankaartia sinnamaryi-infestation on Passeriformes birds. Molecular studies of the disclosed the 18S rDNA sequences of the mite, and the detection of a Rickettsia sp. in this chigger mite species.

Resumo As larvas da família Trombiculidae são ectoparasitas de vertebrados, incluindo aves. A picada de algumas espécies pode causam lesões profundas e reações cutâneas graves no hospedeiro, estas podem levar a dermatites, popularmente conhecidas como trombiculíases. Por meio de um estudo morfológico dos espécimes coletados parasitando aves do estado de Minas Gerais, Sudeste do Brasil relatou a infestação por Blankaartia sinnamaryi em aves Passeriformes. Além disso, nós fornecemos sequências de rDNA 18S desses ácaros e a detecção de uma espécie de Rickettsia sp. nesta espécie de trombiculídeo.

Trombiculiasis in domestic goats and humans in the state of Maranhão, Brazil / Trombiculíase em caprinos domésticos e humanos no Estado do Maranhão, Brasil

Abstract Trombiculiasis is an infestation caused by larval mites (chiggers) of the family Trombiculidae. Here, we provide the first report on parasitism by the chigger species Eutrombicula alfreddugesi (Oudemans) and Eutrombicula batatas (Linnaeus) in goats and humans on farms in the state of Maranhão, northeastern Brazil. Severe itching and dermatitis caused by the chiggers' bites were seen. From a total of 779 examined goats, 214 of them showed clinical signs of infestation, as well as family members of three farms of the region. Most of the cases occurred during the rainy season, from March to September.

Resumo Trombiculíase é uma infestação causada por larvas de ácaros da família Trombiculidae. Nós reportamos pela primeira vez parasitismo por ácaros das espécies Eutrombicula alfreddugesi (Oudemans) and Eutrombicula batatas (Linnaeus) em cabras e humanos em fazendas no estado do Maranhão, nordeste do Brasil. Foram observadas dermatite e coceiras severas causadas pelas picadas de trombiculídeos. De um total de 779 cabras examinadas, 214 delas apresentaram sinais clínicos de infestações, assim como membros de três famílias de fazendeiros da região. A maioria dos casos ocorreu durante a estação chuvosa, de março a setembro.