Yongjin Qiu1, Ryo Nakao2, Bernard Mudenda Hang'ombe3, Kozue Sato4, Masahiro Kajihara5, Sharon Kanchela6, Katendi Changula3, Yoshiki Eto5, Joseph Ndebe7, Michihito Sasaki8, May June Thu9, Ayato Takada5,7,10, Hirohumi Sawa7,8,10,11, Chihiro Sugimoto7,10,12, Hiroki Kawabata4. 1. Hokudai Center for Zoonosis Control in Zambia, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zambia, Lusaka. 2. Laboratory of Parasitology, Graduate School of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan. 3. Department of Paraclinical Studies, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zambia, Lusaka. 4. Department of Bacteriology I, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo. 5. Division of Global Epidemiology, Hokkaido University Research Center for Zoonosis Control, Sapporo, Japan. 6. University of Zambia Clinic, Lusaka. 7. Department of Disease Control, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zambia, Lusaka. 8. Division of Molecular Pathobiology, Hokkaido University Research Center for Zoonosis Control. 9. Unit of Risk Analysis and Management, Hokkaido University Research Center for Zoonosis Control. 10. Global Institution for Collaborative Research and Education, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan. 11. Global Virus Network, Baltimore, Maryland. 12. Division of Collaboration and Education, Hokkaido University Research Center for Zoonosis Control, Sapporo, Japan.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Relapsing fever is an infectious disease previously neglected in Africa, which imposes a large public health burden in the country. We aimed to investigate and report on a case of relapsing fever borreliosis in Zambia. METHODS: A previously unknown Borrelia species was isolated from the blood of a febrile patient. Investigations of the presumptive vector ticks and natural hosts for the Borrelia species were conducted by culture isolation and/or DNA detection by Borrelia-specific polymerase chain reaction. Using culture isolates from the patient and bat specimens, genetic characterization was performed by multilocus sequence analysis based on the draft genome sequences. RESULTS: The febrile patient was diagnosed with relapsing fever. The isolated Borrelia species was frequently detected in Ornithodoros faini (n = 20/50 [40%]) and bats (n = 64/237 [27%]). Multilocus sequence analysis based on a draft genome sequence revealed that the Borrelia species isolates from the patient and presumptive reservoir host (bats) formed a monophyletic lineage that clustered with relapsing fever borreliae found in the United States. CONCLUSIONS: A febrile illness caused by a Borrelia species that was treatable with erythromycin was identified in Zambia. This is the first study to report on relapsing fever Borrelia in Zambia and suggesting the likely natural reservoir hosts of the isolated Borrelia species. Interestingly, the isolated Borrelia species was more closely related to New World relapsing fever borreliae, despite being detected in the Afrotropic ecozone.
BACKGROUND: Relapsing fever is an infectious disease previously neglected in Africa, which imposes a large public health burden in the country. We aimed to investigate and report on a case of relapsing fever borreliosis in Zambia. METHODS: A previously unknown Borrelia species was isolated from the blood of a febrile patient. Investigations of the presumptive vector ticks and natural hosts for the Borrelia species were conducted by culture isolation and/or DNA detection by Borrelia-specific polymerase chain reaction. Using culture isolates from the patient and bat specimens, genetic characterization was performed by multilocus sequence analysis based on the draft genome sequences. RESULTS: The febrile patient was diagnosed with relapsing fever. The isolated Borrelia species was frequently detected in Ornithodoros faini (n = 20/50 [40%]) and bats (n = 64/237 [27%]). Multilocus sequence analysis based on a draft genome sequence revealed that the Borrelia species isolates from the patient and presumptive reservoir host (bats) formed a monophyletic lineage that clustered with relapsing fever borreliae found in the United States. CONCLUSIONS:A febrile illness caused by a Borrelia species that was treatable with erythromycin was identified in Zambia. This is the first study to report on relapsing fever Borrelia in Zambia and suggesting the likely natural reservoir hosts of the isolated Borrelia species. Interestingly, the isolated Borrelia species was more closely related to New World relapsing fever borreliae, despite being detected in the Afrotropic ecozone.
Authors: Yongjin Qiu; Martin Simuunza; Masahiro Kajihara; Joseph Ndebe; Ngonda Saasa; Penjani Kapila; Hayato Furumoto; Alice C C Lau; Ryo Nakao; Ayato Takada; Hirofumi Sawa Journal: Pathogens Date: 2022-05-10
Authors: Amy J Schuh; Brian R Amman; Ketan Patel; Tara K Sealy; Robert Swanepoel; Jonathan S Towner Journal: Emerg Infect Dis Date: 2020-12 Impact factor: 6.883