ABSTRACT
Ticks are obligate hematophagous ectoparasites of vertebrates and are relevant worldwide due to the number of bacterial and other pathogens they can transmit. To date, the knowledge about the microorganisms that ticks harbor and transmit to their hosts is incipient. In this study, 24 samples of mammals belonging to four taxonomic orders and ticks of the genera Amblyomma and Rhipicephalus from the Orinoco region of Colombia were analyzed to described and compare the bacterial microbiome. Genetic extraction was performed, and the V3-V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene was amplified by PCR. Libraries were created, and those samples with adequate quality indices were sequenced using Illumina MiSeq technology. Bacterial taxonomic assignment analyses were conducted through Amplicon Sequence Variants (ASVs) and Operational Taxonomic Units (OTUs). The results correspond to 16 samples that passed the quality filters, with 3218 OTUs (415 families). Although a considerable number of unknown bacteria was found, Enterobacteriaceae, Beijerinckiaceae, Moraxellaceae, and Burkholderiaceae are the most prevalent families, and the presence of the genera Coxiella, Escherichia-Shigella, Enterobacter, which can harbor pathogenic species was confirmed. In individuals of Amblyomma mixtum found actively feeding on Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris, bacteria of the genera Escherichia-Shigella and Enterobacter were documented. Similarly, Rhipicephalus microplus found actively feeding on Odocoileus virginianus cariacou shared Escherichia-Shigella. Ralstonia was shared among the blood samples of H. hydrochaeris, while Anaplasma and Eubacterium were shared in blood and liver samples of O. v. cariacou. Shared bacteria between A. mixtum and R. microplus included Bacillus, Coxiella, and Escherichia-Shigella. The results highlight the need of additional studies in other natural regions of Colombia and other American countries where tick-borne diseases have been detected. Likewise, the recorded data are the first at the level of bacterial communities in ticks of the family Ixodidae and provide valuable knowledge for the understanding host-tick and pathogen interactions.
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Rickettsioses are zoonotic diseases caused by pathogenic bacteria of the genus Rickettsia and transmitted to man by means of arthropod vectors such as ticks, fleas, mites and lice. Historically, Caldas Department has reported a significant number of cases of murine typhus to the Colombian national health surveillance system, and consequent studies of flea-borne rickettsiosis identified the circulation of Rickettsia typhi and Rickettsia felis in multiple municipalities. Our aim was to genotype species of Rickettsia detected in fleas collected from domestic and wild mammals in Caldas. METHODOLOGY: Flea samples were taken by convenience sampling from dogs, cats and wild mammals (rodents and marsupials) in 26 municipalities. Specimens were classified by current taxonomic keys and pooled for DNA extraction and molecular screening for Rickettsia spp. by PCR amplification of gltA, htrA and sca5 genes. Positive samples were genotyped by enzyme digestion (htrA) and sequencing. RESULTS: A total of 1388 flea samples were collected. Rickettsia DNA was amplified in 818 (gltA), 883 (htrA) and 424 (sca5) flea pools. Alignment analysis with available Rickettsia DNA sequences showed greater similarity with R. asembonensis (gltA) and with R. felis (sca5 and htrA). Restriction pattern was compatible with R. felis. R. typhi was not identified. CONCLUSION: The present study confirms the presence and high prevalence of R. asembonensis and R. felis in fleas from domestic and wild animals in different municipalities from Caldas Department.
Subject(s)
Flea Infestations/veterinary , Genotype , Rickettsia Infections/veterinary , Rickettsia/genetics , Siphonaptera/microbiology , Animals , Animals, Domestic/microbiology , Animals, Wild/microbiology , Cats , Colombia , Dogs , Mammals , Rickettsia/classification , Rickettsia/isolation & purification , Rickettsia Infections/microbiology , Rodentia , Zoonoses/microbiology , Zoonoses/transmissionABSTRACT
La parte baja de la cuenca del río La Miel está ubicada al nororiente del departamento de Caldas y alberga cinco de las especies de tortugas continentales registradas para Colombia. Durante mayo a septiembre de 2014 se recopiló información mediante la aplicación de un cuestionario semiestructurado a 101 residentes de la cuenca hidrográfica, acerca del conocimiento y uso de las tortugas (alimento, comercio y mascota) en la zona. La encuesta incluyó información personal de acuerdo con el sexo, ocupación principal (ama de casa, pescador/lanchero, agricultor/jornalero, mayordomo), tipo de habitante (nativos, extranjeros) y conocimiento y uso de las tortugas. Los resultados sugieren que las tortugas de agua dulce en la zona de estudio, se han reducido debido a una aparente larga historia de utilización por el hombre; principalmente para alimento, uso como mascotas y ocasionalmente por el comercio. Sin embargo, estos datos también sugieren que a pesar del impacto humano el río La Miel podría concentrar un número alto de tortugas a lo largo de la cuenca, lo que resalta la importancia de este sistema acuático como uno de los hábitats más importantes para la conservación de las tortugas de agua dulce en el país. Asimismo, los resultados muestran algunas relaciones relevantes hombre-fauna silvestre, que pueden ser utilizadas para avanzar en nuevos esfuerzos hacia la gestión de la conservación de las tortugas de agua dulce bajo un contexto local y nacional.
The lower part of La Miel River, located at the north-east of the Department of Caldas, hosts five Colombian inland turtle species. Information about knowledge and turtles' use (for food, trade, or pets) was recorded using a semi-structured questionnaire applied to 101 watershed residents, from May to September 2014. The survey included personal, knowledge, and use information accordingly to sex, principal work (housewife, fisherman/boatman, farmer/laborer, steward) and inhabitant type (native, foreign). Our results suggest that freshwater turtles in the study area have declined due an apparent long history of human consumption; mainly for food, pet, and occasionally for trade. However, these data also suggest that despite human impact, La Miel River could support a large number of turtles along the basin, underscoring the importance of this aquatic system as one of the most important habitats for the conservation of freshwater turtles in the country. In addition, our results illustrate some relevant human-wildlife relationships, which can be used to advance new efforts toward freshwater turtle management under local and national context.
