Rhipicephalus capensis (Acari: Ixodidae), A geographically restricted South African tick,returning with a human traveler to the United States

Accelerated frequency of recreational travel, globalization of business, and legal and illegal plant and animal trades have contributed to enduring introductions of exotic ticks into the United States. We herein report a new incursion of a female Rhipicephalus capensis on a human traveler returning to Connecticut from South Africa. Natural distribution of R. capensis is restricted to the Western Cape Province and southwestern portion of the Northern Cape Province of South Africa, an area called the Fynbos Biome, and adults of this species primarily parasitize large, wild ungulate hosts. Only one previous international introduction of this tick is documented on imported South African plant material into the United States in 1985. The specimen described here was identified initially by morphological means and subsequently, a partial DNA sequence for the mitochondrial ribosomal RNA gene was generated in a PCR assay, which showed 94.86% identity to an R. capensis sequence in GenBank. We also provide information on several other previously unreported or under-reported incursions by South African ticks into the United States in association with imported Fynbos floricultural materials and speckled Cape tortoises, Chersobius signatus. Documentation of these additional exotic tick species incursions highlights ongoing challenges of the international movement of humans, animals, and other goods carrying ticks of human and veterinary importance.     

Prevalence of Coxiella-infections in ticks - review and meta-analysis

Q fever is a global zoonotic infection caused by the intracellular Gram-negative bacterium Coxiella burnetii. Historically, it is considered a vector-borne disease, but the role of ticks in transmission has not fully been elucidated yet. Excretion of C. burnetii in tick feces and saliva is well documented but the role of these findings or the epidemiological context is discussed controversially. Thus, the aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of C. burnetii DNA in ticks to clarify the potential role of tick species for maintenance of C. burnetii infection. A literature review was performed using Google scholar, Agora, Science Direct, PubMed and Scopus to identify original studies on C. burnetii DNA presence in ticks. The search was limited to literature published from 2009 to 2020 in English and French and focused on data obtained by molecular detection of C. burnetii DNA in ticks. Overall, the prevalence of C. burnetii in ticks collected in Africa varied from 2.91% to 13.97%, in Europe from 2.46% to 10.52% and the Middle East from 4.76% to 12.53%. Ticks collected from animals showed a prevalence of 8% (95% CI: 6%–10%), followed by ticks collected from the environment and animals of 7% (95% CI: 5%–10%). C. burnetii DNA has been found in samples of many tick species with the highest prevalence in Rhipicephalus evertsi and Amblyomma variegatum. However, most of these studies did not include a differentiation between C. burnetii and Coxiella-like endosymbionts making it finally difficult to estimate the potential role that ticks play in the epidemiology of Q fever. Therefore, it is necessary to analyze the vector competence of different tick species to transmit C. burnetii. Knowledge of the vector and reservoir competence of ticks is important for taking adequate preventive measures to limit infection risks.     

The prevalence and distribution of Anaplasma phagocytophilum genotypes in Ixodes ricinus nymphs collected from farm- and woodland sites in Ireland

Despite the economic importance of grass-based livestock production in Ireland and the fact that many veterinarians and farmers regard tickborne fever (TBF) as an increasingly important disease, especially in sheep, little is currently known about the prevalence and genetic diversity of its causative agent, Anaplasma phagocytophilum. In the present study, 1376 nymphal Ixodes ricinus ticks collected from woodland, farmland, bog and limestone pavement habitats were screened for A. phagocytophilum using TaqMan PCR. Positive samples were further analysed by conventional nested PCR targeting the 16S rRNA, msp4 and groEL loci.Overall 4.5% I. ricinus nymphs were found to be infected. The genetic heterogeneity was comparable to that reported elsewhere in Europe, with greater genetic diversity of 16S variants in ticks collected from farmland than from woodland. All isolates belonged to groEL ecotype I indicating that rodents and birds do not contribute to the epidemiology of tickborne fever in Ireland. In the 16S and groEL loci, a number of the Irish isolates matched European sequences from humans, horses and dogs. The 16S sequences that were identical to human isolates from Europe also matched Ap-ha, the most common human pathogenic strain in the USA. Three isolates also matched published sequences from horses in the msp4 locus. No isolate matched human, equine and canine sequences in all 3 loci. Our results represent the first molecular characterization of Irish A. phagocytophilum isolates.     

Use of an exclusion assay to detect novel rickettsiae in field collected Amblyomma americanum

In the south-central United States, several tick-borne diseases (TbDs) occur at or near their highest levels of incidence of anywhere in the U.S. The diversity of Rickettsia species found in Amblyomma americanum continues to be under-characterized in this region and throughout the U.S. and Canada where this tick species is expanding. One reason for this lack of knowledge about Rickettsia diversity is the high prevalence of the endosymbiont Rickettsia amblyommatis that obscures detection of other bacteria in this genus. Focusing on unknown rickettsial agents, we used a recently described R. amblyommatis exclusion assay to screen 1909 A. americanum collected in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, which resulted in eight ticks that had unique rickettsial sequences. Through the process of characterizing primary and secondary rickettsiae, we identified ticks primarily infected with Rickettsia rhipicephali and a Rickettsia species (2019-CO-FNY) previously linked with a canine rickettsiosis case in Tulsa, Oklahoma. We also identified a Rickettsia agent that was 97% identical with an endosymbiont of Amblyomma tonelliae and which aligned with archaic rickettsial species. Through this study, we further demonstrate the usefulness of this exclusion assay for rapid screening in large cohort A. americanum studies to identify a small number of ticks that contain poorly described and previously undocumented rickettsiae.     

Rickettsia spp. in Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato ticks collected from stray dogs in Kerman city,Iran

Rickettsial diseases are recognized as one of the most important vector-borne infectious diseases for humans all over the world. Dogs and their ticks are considered the most important reservoirs for Rickettsia spp., especially in spotted fever group rickettsioses. The aim of the study was to investigate Rickettsia infections in ticks collected from stray dogs in southeastern Iran. In this study, 50 stray dogs in Kerman city were randomly selected, of 68% and 52% of which were above 8 months age and male, respectively. Ticks were collected from the dog skins. After identification of collected ticks, genomic DNA of all ticks was extracted. DNA samples were tested using real-time PCR for Rickettsia spp. infections. The species of Rickettsia in positive samples were determined using gltA gene amplification and sequencing. A total of 250 ticks were collected from 50 stray dogs and all of them belonged to Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato. Totally, 10 pooled of 50 pooled ticks were positive for Rickettsia spp. in real-time PCR and the minimal Rickettsial infection rate was 4% in this study. The identified Rickettsia spp. included R. massiliae (n = 5), R. rhipicephali (n = 1), and R. sibirica (n = 1). In this study, molecular evidence of Rickettsia spp. infection was observed in collected ticks from stray dogs in southeast Iran. More sensitivity to human and animal health care systems in southeastern Iran is essential to the diagnosis of suspected clinical cases that are related to rickettsiosis.     

Microencapsulation of human spermatozoa increases membrane stability and DNA longevity

The microencapsulation of spermatozoa offers potential benefits for maintaining sperm survival in vitro. The technique has also resulted in the production of offspring in several domestic animal species, but as yet, it has not been successfully applied in human reproductive medicine. This study examined the effect of alginic acid microencapsulation on human sperm membrane integrity (viability) and sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF) following storage for 24 hr at 37°C. The cumulative sperm viability (Log-rank, Mantel–Cox; Chi-square = 114.95, p = .000) and cumulative sperm DNA fragmentation (Log-rank, Mantel–Cox; Chi-square = 187.86, p = .000) of encapsulated spermatozoa were substantially improved when compared to control spermatozoa. Significant differences in the dynamic behaviour of different individuals were only apparent for sperm viability in microencapsulated samples (p = .021) while no significant differences were observed in control spermatozoa (p = .245); the equivalent comparison for SDF showed no differences (control p = .320; microencapsulated p = .432). We present potential scenarios for the use of microencapsulated human spermatozoa in reproductive medicine.     

Antifungal azoles trigger a xenobiotic detoxification pathway and chitin synthesis in Neurospora crassa

The presence of antifungal drugs is prompting the fungal microorganisms to react by mechanisms broader than the resistance. The fungi evolved mechanisms, by which they respond to various stress conditions, including the presence of antifungal compounds. In this work, we studied the response of model filamentous fungus Neurospora crassa to azole antifungals in the broader context of the adaptation mechanisms. We demonstrated the increase in expression of filamentous fungi-specific genes encoding cytochrome enzymes of CYP65 clan and plasma membrane-localized ABCC transporters. Azoles appear not to conjugate with glutathione. Surprisingly, the azoles caused changes in the hyphae organization and the amount of chitin in cell wall by the same manner that was thought to be echinocandin-specific. The response to individual azoles appeared to be influenced by the structure of azole compound (prochloraz – main outlier). Taken together, these findings demonstrate the importance of study of stress response mechanisms, specifically in filamentous fungi. Many aspects of the reaction within azoles seem to be similar, though specificities are occurring.     

Heavy metals in agricultural soils and crops and their health risks in Swat District,northern Pakistan

This study assessed the concentrations of heavy metals such as cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), nickel (Ni) and zinc (Zn) in agricultural soils and crops (fruits, grains and vegetable) and their possible human health risk in Swat District, northern Pakistan. Cd concentration was found higher than the limit (0.05 mg/kg) set by world health organization in 95% fruit and 100% vegetable samples. Moreover, the concentrations of Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni and Zn in the soils were shown significant correlations with those in the crops. The metal transfer factor (MTF) was found highest for Cd followed by Cr > Ni > Zn > Cu > Mn, while the health risk assessment revealed that there was no health risk for most of the heavy metals except Cd, which showed a high level of health risk index (HRI ⩾ 10E-1) that would pose a potential health risk to the consumers.     

A systematic review of the efficacy and safety of Rosa damascena Mill. with an overview on its phytopharmacological properties

Rosa damascena Mill. is one of the most famous ornamental plants cultivated all over the world mostly for perfumery industries. Traditionally it has been used as an astringent, analgesic, cardiac and intestinal tonic.The paucity ofauthoritative monographs urged usto summarize its clinical effectiveness and safety with acomprehensive review of the literature.“PUBMED”, “SCOPUS”, “WEBOF SCIENCE” were searched up to April 30, 2017 with search terms:(“Rosa damascena” OR “Damask Rose”). All human studies with any mono-preparation were included. In vitro and animal studies from “PUBMED”were also reviewed and outlined.Of “1000” identified publications, twelveeligibleclinical trials were retrieved. Antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anticancer, protective neuronal, cardiac, gastrointestinal and hepatic effectsin 30 in vitro and 21 animal studies were also shown. there are promising evidences for the effectiveness and safety of Rosa damascena Mill in pain relief, but confirmatory studies withstandardized products is suggested.