Transmission of Coxiella burnetii to cage mates using murine animal model.

Aerosols from the products of abortions of infected animals with Coxiella burnetii were known to be the main source of infection in humans with this bacterium. However, little is known about the excretion of C. burnetii in the feces and urine of infected mice, or the dynamic of transmission between infected and healthy mice.

Standardization of sample homogenization for mosquito identification using an innovative proteomic tool based on protein profiling.

The rapid spread of vector-borne diseases demands the development of an innovative strategy for arthropod monitoring. The emergence of MALDI-TOF MS as a rapid, low-cost, and accurate tool for arthropod identification is revolutionizing medical entomology. However, as MS spectra from an arthropod can vary according to the body part selected, the sample homogenization method used and the mode and duration of sample storage, standardization of protocols is indispensable prior to the creation and sharing of an MS reference spectra database.

Molecular detection of Rickettsia conorii and other zoonotic spotted fever group rickettsiae in ticks, Romania.

The diverse tick fauna as well as the abundance of tick populations in Romania represent potential risks for both human and animal health. Spotted fever group (SFG) rickettsiae are recognized as important agents of emerging human tick-borne diseases worldwide. However, the epidemiology of rickettsial diseases has been poorly investigated in Romania.

Phenology and host preferences Phlebotomus perniciosus (Diptera: Phlebotominae) in a focus of Toscana virus (TOSV) in South of France.

This paper reports on an entomological survey performed over the period 2009-2011 in endemic focus of peri-urban TOSV in South of France located from 24km east of Marseille. Sand flies were captured using CDC light traps set in sand fly resting places overnight, and temperature, relative humidity and wind were recorded to establish possible relations between meteorological factors and vector densities. The most common species, of 5,432 specimens collected and identified, was Phlebotomus perniciosus (74%), followed by Sergentomyia minuta (6%) and Phlebotomus ariasi (1%).

A High-Performance Vacuum Cleaner for Bed Bug Sampling: A Useful Tool for Medical Entomology.

Arthropods can be captured by two modes: a passive mode using traps or an active mode mainly based on the use of mouth or powered aspirators. These apparatuses are useful tools for collecting large numbers of crawling, flying, resting, or jumping arthropod specimens, particularly small specimens, such as mosquitoes or sandflies, for laboratory experiments or breeding. Different aspirator models are used to collect various arthropod specimens.

Identification of tick species and disseminate pathogen using hemolymph by MALDI-TOF MS.

Background: Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) is increasingly emerging tool for identification of arthropods including tick vectors using whole or body part of specimens. The challenges of the present study were to assess MALDI-TOF MS profiling for the both identification of tick species and Rickettsia spp. in infected ticks using hemolymph as protein mixture.

Competence of Cimex lectularius Bed Bugs for the Transmission of Bartonella quintana, the Agent of Trench Fever.

Background: Bartonella quintana, the etiologic agent of trench fever and other human diseases, is transmitted by the feces of body lice. Recently, this bacterium has been detected in other arthropod families such as bed bugs, which begs the question of their involvement in B. quintana transmission.

Detection of Rickettsia spp in ticks by MALDI-TOF MS.

Background: Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) has been shown to be an effective tool for the rapid identification of arthropods, including tick vectors of human diseases.

Methodology/principal Findings: The objective of the present study was to evaluate the use of MALDI-TOF MS to identify tick species, and to determine the presence of rickettsia pathogens in the infected Ticks. Rhipicephalus sanguineus and Dermacentor marginatus Ticks infected or not by R.

Accurate identification of Culicidae at aquatic developmental stages by MALDI-TOF MS profiling.

Background: The identification of mosquito vectors is generally based on morphological criteria, but for aquatic stages, morphological characteristics may be missing, leading to incomplete or incorrect identification. The high cost of molecular biology techniques requires the development of an alternative strategy. In the last decade, matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) profiling has proved to be efficient for arthropod identification at the species level.

Rickettsioses and Q fever in travelers (2004-2013).

Rickettsioses (also called typhus) are associated with arthropods, including ticks, mites, fleas, and lice, although Q fever is more frequently acquired through the inhalation of contaminated aerosols or the consumption of milk. These zoonoses first emerged in the field of travel medicine 20 years ago. Here, we review rickettsioses and Q fever in travelers, highlighting cases reported in the past decade.

First molecular detection of Rickettsia africae in ticks from the Union of the Comoros.

Background: Rickettsia africae is the agent of African tick bite fever, a disease transmitted by ticks in sub-Saharan Africa. In Union of the Comoros, a recent study reported the presence of a Rickettsia africae vector but no information has been provided on the circulation of the pathogenic agent in this country.

Methods: To evaluate the possible circulation of Rickettsia spp.

Monitoring human tick-borne disease risk and tick bite exposure in Europe: available tools and promising future methods.

Ticks are the main vector for infectious disease pathogens in both humans and animals, and tick-borne diseases are currently spreading throughout Europe. Various surveillance methods have been developed to estimate the burden and risk of tick-borne diseases and host exposure to tick bites. The ultimate aims of these approaches are to determine the risk level of a tick-borne disease in a given area, determine its health priority, identify the at-risk population and propose specific countermeasures or complementary studies as needed.

Identification of flea species using MALDI-TOF/MS.

In the present study, a molecular proteomics (MALDI-TOF/MS) approach was used as a tool for identifying flea vectors. We measured the MS spectra from 38 flea specimens of 5 species including Ctenocephalides felis, Ctenocephalides canis, Archaeopsylla erinacei, Xenopsylla cheopis and Stenoponia tripectinata. A blind test performed with 24 specimens from species included in a library spectral database confirmed that MALDI-TOF/MS is an effective tool for discriminating flea species.

Rickettsia conorii israelensis in Rhipicephalus sanguineus ticks, Sardinia, Italy.

The presence of tick-borne Rickettsia spp. was examined by PCR using DNA samples extracted from 254 ticks collected from mammals originating from northern and eastern Sardinia, Italy. The spotted fever group rickettsial agent Rickettsia conorii israelensis was detected in 3 Rhipicephalus sanguineus ticks from a dog for the first time in this geographical area.

Identification of European mosquito species by MALDI-TOF MS.

MALDI-TOF MS profiling has proved to be efficient for arthropod identification at the species level. However, prior to entomological monitoring, the reference spectra database should cover relevant species. Here, 74 specimens were field-collected from 11 mosquito species captured in two distinct European areas and used either to increment our database or for blind tests.

Hepatocyte pathway alterations in response to in vitro Crimean Congo hemorrhagic fever virus infection.

Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV) is a tick-borne virus responsible for hemorrhagic manifestations and multiple organ failure, with a high mortality rate. In infected humans, damage to endothelial cells and vascular leakage may be a direct result of virus infection or an immune response-mediated indirect effect. The main target cells are mononuclear phagocytes, endothelial cells and hepatocytes; the liver being a key target for the virus, which was described as susceptible to interferon host response and to induce apoptosis.

Update on tick-borne rickettsioses around the world: a geographic approach.

Tick-borne rickettsioses are caused by obligate intracellular bacteria belonging to the spotted fever group of the genus Rickettsia. These zoonoses are among the oldest known vector-borne diseases. However, in the past 25 years, the scope and importance of the recognized tick-associated rickettsial pathogens have increased dramatically, making this complex of diseases an ideal paradigm for the understanding of emerging and reemerging infections.

Immunoproteomic identification of antigenic salivary biomarkers detected by Ixodes ricinus-exposed rabbit sera.

Ixodes ricinus, the primary vector of tick-borne disease in Europe, is currently expanding its distribution area and its activity in many countries. Antibody responses to tick salivary antigens have been proposed as an alternative marker of exposure to tick bites. However, the identification of the I.

Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry for rapid identification of tick vectors.

A method for rapid species identification of ticks may help clinicians predict the disease outcomes of patients with tick bites and may inform the decision as to whether to administer postexposure prophylactic antibiotic treatment. We aimed to establish a matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) spectrum database based on the analysis of the legs of six tick vectors: Amblyomma variegatum, Rhipicephalus sanguineus, Hyalomma marginatum rufipes, Ixodes ricinus, Dermacentor marginatus, and Dermacentor reticulatus. A blind test was performed on a trial set of ticks to identify specimens of each species.

Multiple tick-associated bacteria in Ixodes ricinus from Slovakia.

Eighty Ixodes ricinus ticks collected in the Rovinka forest in Slovakia were tested by real-time and routine single-step PCR for the presence of different pathogenic and endosymbiotic bacteria. No evidence of Coxiella burnetii, Diplorickettsia massiliensis, or Bartonella spp. was found.

Emergence of human granulocytic anaplasmosis in France.

In France, only one case of tick-borne human granulocytic anaplasmosis has been described in the literature (in 2003). Here, we report 5 new human cases of Anaplasma phagocytophilum infection from north-eastern France diagnosed in our laboratory in south-eastern France by serology and molecular biology. This increase is directly related to more physician interest in this disease and the implementation of a new PCR tool.

Isolation of Arsenophonus nasoniae from Ixodes ricinus ticks in Slovakia.

The tick Ixodes ricinus is the most prevalent and widely distributed tick species in Central Europe, commonly found in woodlands, heaths, and forests and particularly abundant in the Alpine region. This tick readily bites humans and transmits a number of bacterial and viral pathogens. We collected 10 live nymphs of I.

Ehrlichia canis in Rhipicephalus sanguineus ticks in the Ivory Coast.

Canine monocytic ehrlichiosis caused by Ehrlichia canis is distributed globally, but its prevalence in Africa is poorly known. In the study reported herein, 27% of Rhipicephalus sanguineus ticks collected from watchdogs in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, were positive for E. canis using quantitative real-time PCR.

Rickettsiae of spotted fever group, Borrelia valaisiana, and Coxiella burnetii in ticks on passerine birds and mammals from the Camargue in the south of France.

Ticks are obligate hematophagous arthropods that have a limited mobility, but can be transported over large geographical distances by wild and domestic mammals and birds. In this study, we analyze the presence of emerging zoonotic bacteria in ticks collected from passerine birds and mammals present in the Camargue, in the south of France, which is a major rallying point for birds migrating from Eurasia and Africa. The presence of Coxiella burnetii, Rickettsia, Borrelia, and Bartonella was examined by real-time PCR on DNA samples extracted from 118 ticks.

The use of eschar swabs for the diagnosis of African tick-bite fever.

African tick-bite fever (ATBF) caused by Rickettsia africae is a frequent cause of fever in returned travelers. Here, we used eschar swabs and/or eschar crust samples for the molecular diagnosis of ATBF in returned travelers. In 4 of 5 patients returning from South Africa, including 3 with negative serology, R.