University Library
  • Login
A gateway to Melbourne's research publications
Minerva Access is the University's Institutional Repository. It aims to collect, preserve, and showcase the intellectual output of staff and students of the University of Melbourne for a global audience.
View Item 
  • Minerva Access
  • Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences
  • Melbourne Veterinary School
  • Veterinary Biosciences
  • Veterinary Biosciences - Research Publications
  • View Item
  • Minerva Access
  • Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences
  • Melbourne Veterinary School
  • Veterinary Biosciences
  • Veterinary Biosciences - Research Publications
  • View Item
JavaScript is disabled for your browser. Some features of this site may not work without it.

    Low genetic diversity of Ehrlichia canis associated with high co-infection rates in Rhipicephalus sanguineus (s.l.)

    Thumbnail
    Download
    Published version (2.377Mb)

    Citations
    Scopus
    Web of Science
    Altmetric
    4
    4
    Author
    Cabezas-Cruz, A; Allain, E; Ahmad, AS; Saeed, MA; Rashid, I; Ashraf, K; Yousfi, L; Shehzad, W; Indjein, L; Rodriguez-Valle, M; ...
    Date
    2019-01-07
    Source Title
    Parasites and Vectors
    Publisher
    BMC
    University of Melbourne Author/s
    Jabbar, Abdul; Saeed, Muhammad
    Affiliation
    Veterinary Biosciences
    Metadata
    Show full item record
    Document Type
    Journal Article
    Citations
    Cabezas-Cruz, A., Allain, E., Ahmad, A. S., Saeed, M. A., Rashid, I., Ashraf, K., Yousfi, L., Shehzad, W., Indjein, L., Rodriguez-Valle, M., Estrada-Pena, A., Obregon, D., Jabbar, A. & Moutailler, S. (2019). Low genetic diversity of Ehrlichia canis associated with high co-infection rates in Rhipicephalus sanguineus (s.l.). PARASITES & VECTORS, 12 (1), https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-018-3194-9.
    Access Status
    Open Access
    URI
    http://hdl.handle.net/11343/253566
    DOI
    10.1186/s13071-018-3194-9
    Abstract
    BACKGROUND: Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato (s.l.) is the most widely distributed ixodid tick and is a vector of major canine and human pathogens. High-throughput technologies have revealed that individual ticks carry a high diversity of pathogens, including bacteria, protozoa and viruses. Currently, it is accepted that co-infections (multiple pathogen species within an individual) are very common in ticks and influence pathogen acquisition and transmission as well as host infection risk. However, little is known on the impact of the genetic diversity of pathogens on the incidence of co-infections. Herein, we studied the frequency of co-infections in R. sanguineus (s.l.) and their association with the genetic diversity of Ehrlichia canis. METHODS: Rhipicephalus sanguineus (s.l.) female ticks (n = 235) were collected from healthy farm dogs in three districts of Pakistan. Microfluidic real-time PCR, a powerful nanotechnology for high-throughput molecular detection of pathogens, was used to test the presence of 25 bacterial and seven parasitic species in individual ticks. The genetic diversity of E. canis was evaluated by characterizing the trp36 gene. RESULTS: A total of 204 ticks were infected with at least one pathogen and 109 co-infected with two (80%) or three (20%) pathogens. Rickettsia massiliae (human pathogen) and E. canis (zoonotic dog pathogen) were the most common pathogens co-infecting (30.4%) ticks. Furthermore, all identified co-infections included R. massiliae and/or E. canis. Multiple correspondence analysis (MCA) revealed that single infections did not show clear regional association whereas some co-infections were restricted to certain geographical regions. The sequence analysis of trp36 in representative samples allowed the identification of three E. canis strains with low genetic diversity, and the strain found in Muzaffargarh district appeared to be more adapted to co-infection with R. massiliae. CONCLUSIONS: Rhipicephalus sanguineus (s.l.) harbors multiple co-infections with human and dog pathogens of zoonotic potential. Findings of this study suggest that genetic diversity of E. canis may favor co-infections with different pathogens.

    Export Reference in RIS Format     

    Endnote

    • Click on "Export Reference in RIS Format" and choose "open with... Endnote".

    Refworks

    • Click on "Export Reference in RIS Format". Login to Refworks, go to References => Import References


    Collections
    • Minerva Elements Records [53039]
    • Veterinary Biosciences - Research Publications [629]
    Minerva AccessDepositing Your Work (for University of Melbourne Staff and Students)NewsFAQs

    BrowseCommunities & CollectionsBy Issue DateAuthorsTitlesSubjectsThis CollectionBy Issue DateAuthorsTitlesSubjects
    My AccountLoginRegister
    StatisticsMost Popular ItemsStatistics by CountryMost Popular Authors