Seasonal pattern of questing ticks and prevalence of pathogenic Rickettsia and Anaplasmataceae in Khao Yai national park, Thailand

Autor: Suwanna Chaorattanakawee, Wirunya Tachavarong, Hathairad Hananantachai, Watanyu Bunsermyos, Nitima Chanarat, Sommai Promsathaporn, Bousaraporn Tippayachai, Jira Sakolvaree, Pannamthip Pitaksajjakul, Surachet Benjathummarak, Kanchit Srinoppawan, David Saunders, Erica J. Lindroth, Ratree Takhampunya
Jazyk: angličtina
Rok vydání: 2024
Předmět:
Zdroj: Travel Medicine and Infectious Disease, Vol 58, Iss , Pp 102696- (2024)
Druh dokumentu: article
ISSN: 1873-0442
14737884
DOI: 10.1016/j.tmaid.2024.102696
Popis: Background: Tick-borne diseases (TBD) are considered neglected diseases in Thailand with disease burden likely underestimated. To assess risk for emerging TBD in Thailand, the seasonality of questing tick and pathogen prevalence were studied in Khao Yai National Park, a top tourist destination. Methods: During 2019, questing ticks around tourist attractions were systematically collected bimonthly and analyzed for Rickettsia and Anaplasmataceae bacterial species by polymerase chain reaction and DNA sequencing. Results: Larvae and nymphs of questing ticks peaked in Khao Yai National Park during the late rainy-winter season, though no specific trends were observed in adult ticks. Winter (November to February) was the highest risk for human tick-bites due to higher numbers of both ticks and visitors. Of the total 5916 ticks analyzed (651 pools), Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Neoehrlichia mikurensis, Ehrlichia ewingii, and Ehrlichia chaffeensis were detected at low rates (≤0.05%). There was a higher prevalence of human rickettsioses (0.2–7%) in ticks surveyed with Rickettsia tamurae, Rickettsia raoultii, and Rickettsia montana the major species. Amblyomma ticks had the highest prevalence of Rickettsia (85%, 35/44 Amblyomma adults), in which only R. tamurae and R. raoultii were found in Amblyomma with mixed species infections common. We report the first detection of R. africae-like and N. mikurensis in Ixodes granulatus adults in Thailand, suggesting I. granulatus as a potential vector for these pathogens. Conclusion: This study demonstrated the risk of emerging TBD in Thailand and underscores the need for tick-bite prevention among tourists in Thailand.
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