Anna Papa1, Kyriaki Xanthopoulou2, Tzimoula Kotriotsiou2, Miltiadis Papaioakim3, Smaragda Sotiraki4, Ilias Chaligiannis5, Efstratios Maltezos6. 1. Department of Microbiology, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124, Thessaloniki, Greece annap@med.auth.gr. 2. Department of Microbiology, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124, Thessaloniki, Greece. 3. Emergency Department, University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Alexandroupolis, Greece. 4. Veterinary Research Institute, Hellenic Agricultural Organisation-Demeter, Thessaloniki, Greece. 5. Department of Microbiology, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124, Thessaloniki, Greece Veterinary Research Institute, Hellenic Agricultural Organisation-Demeter, Thessaloniki, Greece. 6. 2nd Department of Internal Medicine & Unit of Infectious Diseases, Medical Department, Democritus University of Thrace, Greece.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Ticks serve as vectors and reservoirs for a variety of bacterial, viral and protozoan pathogens affecting humans and animals. Unusual increased tick aggressiveness was observed in 2008-2009 in northeastern Greece. The aim of the study was to check ticks removed from persons during 2009 for infection with Rickettsia species. METHODS: A total of 159 ticks were removed from 147 persons who sought medical advice in a hospital. Tick identification was performed morphologically using taxonomic keys. DNA was extracted from each individual tick and a PCR assay targeting the rickettsial outer membrane protein A gene of Rickettsia spp. was applied. RESULTS: Most of the adult ticks (132/153, 86.3%) were Rhipicephalus sanguineus. Rickettsiae were detected in 23 of the 153 (15.0%) adult ticks. Five Rickettsiae species were identified: R. aeschlimannii, R. africae (n=6), R. massilae (4), R. monacensis (1), and Candidatus R. barbariae (1). To our knowledge, this is the first report of R. africae, R. monacensis, and Candidatus R. barbariae in Greece. CONCLUSIONS: Several Rickettsia species were identified in ticks removed from humans in Greece, including those that are prevalent in northern and southern latitudes.
BACKGROUND: Ticks serve as vectors and reservoirs for a variety of bacterial, viral and protozoan pathogens affecting humans and animals. Unusual increased tick aggressiveness was observed in 2008-2009 in northeastern Greece. The aim of the study was to check ticks removed from persons during 2009 for infection with Rickettsia species. METHODS: A total of 159 ticks were removed from 147 persons who sought medical advice in a hospital. Tick identification was performed morphologically using taxonomic keys. DNA was extracted from each individual tick and a PCR assay targeting the rickettsial outer membrane protein A gene of Rickettsia spp. was applied. RESULTS: Most of the adult ticks (132/153, 86.3%) were Rhipicephalus sanguineus. Rickettsiae were detected in 23 of the 153 (15.0%) adult ticks. Five Rickettsiae species were identified: R. aeschlimannii, R. africae (n=6), R. massilae (4), R. monacensis (1), and Candidatus R. barbariae (1). To our knowledge, this is the first report of R. africae, R. monacensis, and Candidatus R. barbariae in Greece. CONCLUSIONS: Several Rickettsia species were identified in ticks removed from humans in Greece, including those that are prevalent in northern and southern latitudes.
Authors: Katarina Wallménius; Christos Barboutis; Thord Fransson; Thomas G T Jaenson; Per-Eric Lindgren; Fredrik Nyström; Björn Olsen; Erik Salaneck; Kenneth Nilsson Journal: Parasit Vectors Date: 2014-07-10 Impact factor: 3.876
Authors: Alberto Moraga-Fernández; Ιlias Chaligiannis; Alejandro Cabezas-Cruz; Anna Papa; Smaragda Sotiraki; José de la Fuente; Isabel G Fernández de Mera Journal: Exp Appl Acarol Date: 2019-06-07 Impact factor: 2.132
Authors: Ιlias Chaligiannis; Isabel G Fernández de Mera; Anna Papa; Smaragda Sotiraki; José de la Fuente Journal: Exp Appl Acarol Date: 2018-03-07 Impact factor: 2.132