Transmission of 'Candidatus Anaplasma camelii' to mice and rabbits by camel-specific keds, Hippobosca camelina.

Autor: Bargul JL; International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe), Nairobi, Kenya.; Department of Biochemistry, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), Nairobi, Kenya., Kidambasi KO; International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe), Nairobi, Kenya.; Department of Biochemistry, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), Nairobi, Kenya., Getahun MN; International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe), Nairobi, Kenya., Villinger J; International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe), Nairobi, Kenya., Copeland RS; International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe), Nairobi, Kenya., Muema JM; International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe), Nairobi, Kenya.; Department of Biochemistry, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), Nairobi, Kenya., Carrington M; Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge, United Kingdom., Masiga DK; International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe), Nairobi, Kenya.
Jazyk: angličtina
Zdroj: PLoS neglected tropical diseases [PLoS Negl Trop Dis] 2021 Aug 16; Vol. 15 (8), pp. e0009671. Date of Electronic Publication: 2021 Aug 16 (Print Publication: 2021).
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0009671
Abstrakt: Anaplasmosis, caused by infection with bacteria of the genus Anaplasma, is an important veterinary and zoonotic disease. Transmission by ticks has been characterized but little is known about non-tick vectors of livestock anaplasmosis. This study investigated the presence of Anaplasma spp. in camels in northern Kenya and whether the hematophagous camel ked, Hippobosca camelina, acts as a vector. Camels (n = 976) and > 10,000 keds were sampled over a three-year study period and the presence of Anaplasma species was determined by PCR-based assays targeting the Anaplasmataceae 16S rRNA gene. Camels were infected by a single species of Anaplasma, 'Candidatus Anaplasma camelii', with infection rates ranging from 63-78% during the dry (September 2017), wet (June-July 2018), and late wet seasons (July-August 2019). 10-29% of camel keds harbored 'Ca. Anaplasma camelii' acquired from infected camels during blood feeding. We determined that Anaplasma-positive camel keds could transmit 'Ca. Anaplasma camelii' to mice and rabbits via blood-feeding. We show competence in pathogen transmission and subsequent infection in mice and rabbits by microscopic observation in blood smears and by PCR. Transmission of 'Ca. Anaplasma camelii' to mice (8-47%) and rabbits (25%) occurred readily after ked bites. Hence, we demonstrate, for the first time, the potential of H. camelina as a vector of anaplasmosis. This key finding provides the rationale for establishing ked control programmes for improvement of livestock and human health.
Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.
Databáze: MEDLINE
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