@article {96517, title = {Secondary structure construction and molecular identification of rRNA 18S V4 region E23-5{\textendash}E23-6 of parasitic lice of Hominidae}, journal = {Acta Tropica}, volume = {238}, year = {2023}, month = {Feb-01-2023}, abstract = {

The parasitic lice of Hominidae are a class of blood-sucking insects, having a large fragment expansion region in ribosome 18S V4 region. In this study, the value of the E23-5-E23-6 stem-loop structure in the insertion region for molecular identification of lice were explored through motif analysis and secondary structure construction. Five pubic lice samples from China were morphologically identified, and primers for the rRNA 18S V4 region were designed for molecular identification. The V4 sequence of the parasitic lice of Hominidae was retrieved from GenBank for sequence analysis. The five samples were identified as pubic lice based on V4 region, which were of the same specie but geographically different from Australian strains in Genbank, with the identity of 99.06-99.46\%. Compared with the human lice, both the chimpanzee lice and pubic lice had large indel fragments in the V4 region. Comparison results showed that Muscle and MAFFT had better alignment and phylogeny results than Clustal. The large expansion region, comprising E23-5 and E23-6, was located between E23-4 and E23-7. The V4 secondary structure showed that the stem-loop structures of the lice parasitizing on pubic area, human, and chimpanzee were different in the E23-5 and E23-6, which could effectively distinguish the three parasitic lice and divide the human lice into five genotypes. This is suitable not only for the identification of three lice species in higher taxonomic ranks but also for genotype identification of human lice in lower taxonomic ranks. The difference between the stem-loop structure is more intuitive than that between the primary sequences

}, keywords = {E23-5{\textendash}E23-6, molecular identification, Parasitic lice of Hominidae, RNA secondary structure, rRNA 18S V4 region}, issn = {0001-706X}, doi = {10.1016/j.actatropica.2022.106772}, url = {https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0001706X22004636}, author = {Wanyu Zhang and Haoruo Li and Yae Zhao and Chenglin Guan and Rong Chai and Chenxi Yang and Li Hu} } @article {96422, title = {Lice and lice-borne diseases in humans in Africa: A narrative review}, journal = {Acta Tropica}, volume = {237}, year = {2023}, month = {Jan-01-2023}, abstract = {

Lice are host-specific insects. Human lice include Pediculus humanus (body lice) which are known to be vectors of serious human bacterial infectious diseases including epidemic typhus, relapsing fever, trench fever and plague; Pediculus humanus capitis (head lice) that frequently affect children; and Pthirus pubis, commonly known as crab lice. In Africa, human infections transmitted by lice remained poorly known and therefore, underestimated, perhaps due to the lack of diagnostic tools and professional knowledge. In this paper we review current knowledge of the microorganisms identified in human lice in the continent of Africa, in order to alert health professionals to the importance of recognizing the risk of lice-related diseases.

}, keywords = {Africa, Bartonella, Borrelia, lice, Rickettsia, Yersinia}, issn = {0001-706X}, doi = {10.1016/j.actatropica.2022.106709}, url = {https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0001706X22004016}, author = {Basma Ouarti and Descartes Maxime Mbogning-Fonkou and Houhamdi,Linda and Oleg Mediannikov and Parola,Phillipe} } @article {95655, title = {Head louse infestations before and during the COVID-19 epidemic in Israel}, journal = {Acta Tropica}, volume = {232}, year = {2022}, month = {Aug-01-2022}, pages = {3 pp}, abstract = {

Head louse infestations caused by Pediculus humanus capitis (Phthiraptera: Pediculidae) are a public health problem in developing and developed countries worldwide. Head to head contact is by far the most common mode of lice transmission. In March 2020, WHO declared the COVID-19 outbreak as a pandemic. Starting from March 2020, the Israeli government established mandatory isolation for extensive periods including closure of school systems for very long time. The aim of the project was to compare the pediculicide sale numbers before the COVID-19 epidemic with those starting of the epidemic in 2020, as a possible marker for changing epidemiology of head lice during the COVID pandemic. Data were collected from a large pharmacy chain in Israel, which provided the actual sales of pediculicides during the years 2010\–2020. During the period 2010\–2019 a significant increase of pediculicide sales from 281,986 \– 498,107 was observed, the highest number being from 2019. In 2020, this number dropped to 294,477, a significant drop compared to previous years and to 2019. The results of this study suggest that head louse infestations are increasing in the last years, while the extended isolation of children due to COVID-19 influenced significantly the infestation rate of children with head lice.

}, keywords = {Head louse, Israel, Pediculicides, Pediculosis}, issn = {0001-706X}, doi = {10.1016/j.actatropica.2022.106503}, url = {https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0001706X22001954}, author = {Kosta Y. Mumcuoglu and Tomer Hoffman and Eli Schwartz} } @article {95524, title = {Detection of permethrin resistance and phylogenetic clustering of turkish head lice (Pediculus humanus capitis; De Geer, 1767 populations}, journal = {Acta Tropica}, volume = {204}, year = {2020}, month = {Apr-01-2020}, pages = {105362}, abstract = {

Head lice infestation caused by Pediculus humanus capitis De Geer, 1767 is one of the most common public health problems. The relationship between humans and head lice dates back millions of years ago that differentiated into different phylogenetic clades. Treatment of head lice infestation usually based on insecticide-based products, which promotes the resistance in the head lice populations. In the present study, we aimed to screen the presence of permethrin resistance among collected P. h. capitis specimens in Turkey.

Three mutation sites (T917I, L920F, and M815I) were screened using real-time PCR and resistance was identified by melt analysis. Of the studied specimens, resistance allele frequency (RAF) was found 0.98 for T917I, 0.99 for L920F, and 1.00 for M815I. The phylogenetic study revealed that Clade A and Clade B are present and overlap in Turkey.

The present study is first to screen the resistance among Turkish head lice specimens. To not stimulate the pyrethroids resistance in head lice populations, early detection of resistance is crucial and will help the health professionals to choose suitable formula in the treatment. We suggest that the resistance status needs to be screened in randomly selected populations before any treatment application is given.

}, keywords = {head lice, pyrethroids, resistance, Turkey}, issn = {0001-706X}, doi = {10.1016/j.actatropica.2020.105362}, url = {https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0001706X20300036?via\%3Dihub}, author = {Karaku{\c s}, Mehmet and Tu{\u g}{\c c}e At{\i}c{\i} and {\c S}emsi Nur Karabela and Orhan Baylan and Limoncu, M. Emin and Balc{\i}o{\u g}lu, I. C{\"u}neyt} } @article {95510, title = {Low occurrence of Bartonella in synanthropic mammals and associated ectoparasites in peri-urban areas from Central-Western and Southern Brazil}, journal = {Acta Tropica}, volume = {207}, year = {2020}, month = {Jul-2020}, pages = {7 pp}, abstract = {

Worldwide, Bartonella species are known to infect a wide range of mammalian and arthropod hosts, including humans. The current study aimed to investigate the prevalence of Bartonella spp. in synanthropic mammals captured in peri-urban areas from Central-Western and Southern Brazil and their ectoparasites. For this aim, 160 mammals belonging to four species, and 218 associated arthropods were sampled. DNA was extracted and subjected to different Bartonella screening assays. Additionally, blood samples from 48 small rodents were submitted to liquid BAPGM culture followed by qPCR assay and solid culture. Two out of 55 Rattus rattus captured in Santa Catarina state were PCR-positive for Bartonella when targeting the nuoG, 16S, and ITS loci. Sequences showed high homology with Bartonella coopersplainsensis. Conversely, all 48 small rodents, 14 capybaras and 43 opossum DNA samples from animals trapped in Mato Grosso do Sul were Bartonella negative in the HRM real time PCR assays targeting the ITS locus and gltA gene. Additionally, all mammal-associated ectoparasites showed negativity results based on HRM real time PCR assays. The present study showed, for the first time, the occurrence of B. coopersplainsensis in Brazil, shedding some light on the distribution of rats-related Bartonella in South America. In addition, the majority of rodents and marsupials were negative for Bartonella spp. Since B. coopersplainsensis reservoirs - Rattus spp. - are widely dispersed around the globe, its zoonotic potential should be further investigated.

}, keywords = {BAPGM, Bartonella coopersplainsensis, capybara, culture, lice, opossums, rodents, s fleas, ticks}, issn = {0001-706X}, doi = {10.1016/j.actatropica.2020.105513}, url = {https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0001706X20305143$\#$!}, author = {Gon{\c c}alves, Luiz Ricardo and Harrus, Shimon and Herrera, Heitor Miraglia and Ricardo Gutierrez and Daniela Pedrassani and Nantes, Wesley Arruda Gimenes and Santos, Filipe Martins and Porf{\'\i}rio, Grasiela Edith de Oliveira and Barreto, Wanessa Teixeira Gomes and de Macedo, Gabriel Carvalho and Assis, Willian de Oliveira and Campos, Jo{\~a}o Bosco Vilela and da Silva, Thiago Merighi Vieira and Juliano Biolchi and de Sousa, Keyla Carstens Marques and Yaarit Nachum-Biala and Darci Moraes Barros-Battesti and Machado, Rosangela Zacarias and Andr{\'e}, Marcos Rog{\'e}rio} } @article {95509, title = {Genetic diversity and lack of molecular evidence for hemoplasma cross-species transmission between wild and synanthropic mammals from Central-Western Brazil}, journal = {Acta Tropica}, volume = {203}, year = {2020}, month = {Mar-2020}, pages = {8 pp}, abstract = {

Globally, hemotropic mycoplasmas (hemoplasmas) comprise an emerging or remerging bacteria group that attaches to red blood cells of several mammal\&$\#$39;s species and in some cases, causing hemolytic anemia. Herein, we assessed the occurrence, genetic diversity, the factors coupled to mammals infection, and the phylogeographic distribution of hemoplasmas in sylvatic and synanthropic mammals and their associated ectoparasites from Brazil. We collected spleen and/or blood samples from synanthropic rodents (Rattus rattus [N=39] and Mus musculus [N=9]), sylvatic rodents (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris [N=14]) and opossums (Didelphis albiventris [N=43]). In addition, ticks (Amblyomma spp. [N=270] and lice (Polyplax spinulosa [N=6]) specimens were also sampled. Using a PCR targeting the 16S rRNA region, out of 48 small rodents, 14 capybaras and 43 opossums DNA samples, hemoplasma DNA was found in 25\%, 50\%, and 32.5\% animals, respectively. Besides, we reported hemoplasma DNA in Amblyomma sp. (22.2\% [2/9]) and lice (100\% [2/2]) pools samples from rats, and one female A. sculptum DNA sample (3\% [1/33]) obtained from a capybara. Additionally, and in agreement with ML analysis, the network analyses showed a clear phylogenetic separation among the hemoplasmas genotypes found in the different host species sampled, thus, suggesting the absence of cross-species hemoplasmas transmission between the mammals trapped. Finally, using the NTC network analysis, we reported the same 16S rRNA Mycoplasma genotype circulating in Rattus sampled in Brazil, Hungary, and Japan.

}, keywords = {and Ticks, Capybaras, Hemotropic mycoplasmas, Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris, lice, Opossum, Phylogenetic analysis}, issn = {0001-706X}, doi = {10.1016/j.actatropica.2019.105303}, url = {https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0001706X19316122$\#$!}, author = {Gon{\c c}alves, Luiz Ricardo and Herrera, Heitor Miraglia and Nantes, Wesley Arruda Gimenes and Santos, Filipe Martins and Porf{\'\i}rio, Grasiela Edith de Oliveira and Barreto, Wanessa Teixeira Gomes and de Macedo, Gabriel Carvalho and Assis, Willian de Oliveira and Campos, Jo{\~a}o Bosco Vilela and da Silva, Thiago Merighi Vieira and Mariano, Leticia Colovatti and Darci Moraes Barros-Battesti and Machado, Rosangela Zacarias and Andr{\'e}, Marcos Rog{\'e}rio} } @article {95476, title = {Molecular detection of Rickettsia spp., Borrelia spp., Bartonella spp. and Yersinia pestis in ectoparasites of endemic and domestic animals in southwest Madagascar}, journal = {Acta Tropica}, volume = {205}, year = {2020}, month = {5-2020}, pages = {10}, type = {Open Access}, abstract = {

Little is known about the presence of vector-borne bacteria in southwest Madagascar. Anthropogenic alteration of natural habitats represents an important driver for the emergence of new diseases. Especially the involvement of livestock and the involuntary maintaining of invasive synanthropic animals (particularly rats) facilitate disease transmission from wildlife to humans and associated animals and vice versa. The dissemination or acquisition of ectoparasites is most likely in regions where human/wildlife contact is increasing. Little is known about the presence of vector-borne bacteria in southwest Madagascar. In 2016 and 2017, ectoparasites were collected from various introduced (cattle and goats, cats, dogs and chicken, rats and mice) and native animal species (mouse lemurs [Microcebus griseorufus], Grandidier\&$\#$39;s mongooses [Galidictis grandidieri], bastard big-footed mice [Macrotarsomys bastardi], greater hedgehog tenrecs [Setifer setosus] and lesser hedgehog tenrecs [Echinops telfairi]) in the northern portion of Tsimanampetsotsa National Park and the adjacent littoral region. Thirteen species of blood-feeding ectoparasites (235 individuals of ticks [5 species], 414 lice [4 spp.] and 389 fleas [4 spp.]) were investigated for the presence and identity of rickettsiae, borreliae, bartonellae and Yersinia pestis using PCR techniques. Rickettsia spp. were detected in every single ectoparasite species (Amblyomma variegatum, A. chabaudi, Rhipicephalus microplus, Haemaphysalis simplex, Argas echinops, Ctenocephalides felis, Echidnophaga gallinacea, Pulex irritans, Xenopsylla cheopis, Haematopinus quadripertusus, Linognathus africanus, L. vituli, Lemurpediculus verruculosus). Lice and ticks were found harboring rickettsiae identified as Rickettsia africae, while Rickettsia felis-like bacteria were associated with fleas. Borrelia spp. were detected in 5\% of H. simplex and 1\% of R. microplus ticks. Bartonella spp. were detected in 40\% of H. quadripertusus pools and in 5\% of L. verruculosus pools. Yersinia pestis was detected in X. cheopis and E. gallinacea fleas collected from a rat. This study presents the detection of a broad spectrum of vector-borne bacteria including potential pathogens, and an unexpected finding of Y. pestis far off the known plague foci in Madagascar.

}, doi = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actatropica.2020.105339}, url = {https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0001706X19315700$\#$!}, author = {Julian Ehlers and Andreas Kr{\"u}ger and Solofomalala Jacques Rakotondranary and Rakotomalala Yedidya Ratovonamana and Sven Poppert and J{\"o}rg Ulrich Ganzhorn and Dennis Tappe} } @article {95209, title = {Ectoparasites of endemic and domestic animals in southwest Madagascar}, journal = {Acta Tropica}, volume = {196}, year = {2019}, month = {08-2019}, pages = {83 - 92}, abstract = {

Human encroachment of natural habitats bears the threat of disease transmission between native and introduced species that had not come into contact before, thus promoting the spread of new diseases in both directions. This is a matter of concern especially in areas where human-wildlife contact has not been intense in the recent past. In southwest Madagascar, we collected ectoparasites from various mammalian hosts and chicken, and examined their host preferences and their prevalence in relation to season and habitat degradation. Field-work took place in the northern portion of Tsimanampetsotsa National Park and the adjacent coastal strip (littoral) in the dry and in the rainy season of 2016/2017. Endemic mammals were trapped with live traps placed in habitats of different degrees of degradation: 1) relatively pristine forest, 2) degraded forest, 3) cultivated and shrub land. Rats and mice were also trapped in 4) villages. We identified 17 species of ectoparasites (296 individuals of ticks [5 species], 535 lice [7 spp.], 389 fleas [4 spp.] and 13 mites [1 sp.]) collected from 15 host species. There was no indication for seasonal or habitat effects on parasite infection. A large portion of the parasites was host-specific. Some ectoparasite species were shared either by several endemic or by several introduced species, but apart from the introduced flea species Echidnophaga gallinacea (collected from six different hosts including the endemic carnivore Galidictis grandidieri) no other ectoparasite species was shared between endemic and introduced host species.

}, keywords = {ectoparasites, Habitat disturbance, Lemurs, Livestock, Madagascar, Microcebus, Small mammals.}, issn = {0001706X}, doi = {10.1016/j.actatropica.2019.05.008}, url = {https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0001706X19301731}, author = {Julian Ehlers and Sven Poppert and Rakotomalala Yedidya Ratovonamana and J{\"o}rg Ulrich Ganzhorn and Dennis Tappe and Andreas Kr{\"u}ger} } @article {95156, title = {First molecular detection of Mycoplasma suis in the pig louse Haematopinus suis (Phthiraptera: Anoplura) from Argentina}, journal = {Acta Tropica}, volume = {194}, year = {2019}, month = {06-2019}, pages = {165 - 168}, abstract = {

Porcine haemoplasmosis caused by Mycoplasma suis affects the global pig industry with significant economic losses. The main transmission route of M. suis is through the blood and some haematophagous arthropods, like flies and mosquitoes, could be the vectors to this pathogen. However, the presence of M. suis in pig haematophagous ectoparasites in natural conditions has not yet been studied. The most frequent ectoparasite in pigs is the blood-sucking louse Haematopinus suis, an obligate and permanent parasite. Therefore, this work aims to study the occurrence of M. suis in H. suis samples from both domestic and wild pig populations from Argentina; using the 16S rRNA gene. A total of 98 sucking lice, collected from domestic and wild pigs from Buenos Aires Province in central Argentina, were examined. We found M. suis DNA in 15 H. suis samples (15.30\%). Positive lice were detected from all studied populations. This is the first report of M. suis presence in H. suis, being also the first detection in a pig ectoparasite species. We conclude that H. suis could serve as a mechanical vector for M. suis. This information not only extends the knowledge about the pathogen spectrum potentially transmitted by H. suis, but may be also useful in epidemiological studies about Mycoplasma.

}, keywords = {16S rRNA gene, Mycoplasma suis, Porcine haemoplasmosis, Swine production}, issn = {0001706X}, doi = {10.1016/j.actatropica.2019.04.007}, url = {https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0001706X18315146}, author = {Diana Bel{\'e}n Acosta and Melanie Ruiz and Juliana P. Sanchez} } @article {95148, title = {Norway rat (Rattus norvegicus) ectoparasites in livestock production systems from central Argentina: Influencing factors on parasitism}, journal = {Acta Tropica}, volume = {203}, year = {2020}, month = {Jan-03-2020}, pages = {9pp}, type = {105299 }, abstract = {

Haematophagous ectoparasites are worldwide vectors of many zoonotic bacterial diseases, both emerging andre-emerging, whose incidences are rising. Livestock development alters different environmental characteristicssuch as the microclimate of a site, changing the availability, density and susceptibility of the hosts to pathogensand vectors, indirectly influencing the spread and persistence of a disease within an ecosystem. The Norway rat(Rattus norvegicus), the most abundant vertebrate pest species found on livestock farms from Argentina, is areservoir for several important zoonotic bacteria and may harbor ectoparasite species, which act as their vectors.Even though the Norway rat is widely known for its role as an ectoparasite host, the ecological characteristics oftheir ectoparasite communities and the related factors with parasitism on livestock farms have never been de-scribed. In the present study, we describe the ectoparasite community in Norway rats from central Argentinalivestock farms, while also depicting the influencing factors on both ectoparasite occurrence and abundance.Ectoparasites were collected from rats captured in 20 sites from Buenos Aires province, between the winter of2016 and the summer of 2018. A total of 1441 ectoparasite individuals were collected from 159 Norway ratindividuals\  [Total\  ectoparasite\  prevalence\  =\  69.2\%;\  Mean\  ectoparasite\  specimen\  abundance( \± CI)\  =\  9.06 \± 2.32\  ectoparasite\  individuals\  per\  rat;\  Mean\  ectoparasite\  specimen\  intensity( \± CI) = 13.10 \± 3.08 ectoparasite individuals per infested rat found]. Ectoparasite assemblage consisted offour cosmopolitan species, recognized for their sanitary relevance: mites (Laelapidae:Laelaps nuttalliandLaelapsechidninus), lice (Polyplacidae:Polyplax spinulosa) andfleas (Pulicidae:Xenopsylla cheopis). We observed higherNorway rat abundance in sites related to higher ectoparasite occurrence and abundance frequencies on the rats.Additionally, ectoparasites were more abundant on rats in warm seasons and on male individuals, over femalerats. Moreover, the geographical location of the studied sites influenced the ectoparasite assemblage structureobserved on the rats. This study broadens the knowledge on the role of Norway rats as zoonotic ectoparasiteshosts and analyzes the drivers influencing ectoparasite occurrence and abundance on the most populated regionof Argentina, which is also the region with the most intensive livestock farming. Therefore, this survey may assistin evaluating potential risks for humans and generate effective sanitary control strategies for ectoparasite-borneinfectious diseases

}, keywords = {Ectoparasite abundance drivers, ectoparasites, Livestock farms}, issn = {0001706X}, doi = {10.1016/j.actatropica.2019.105299}, url = {https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0001706X19311180}, author = {Rodrigo Alonso and Melanie Ruiz and Rosario Lovera and Daniela Paula Montes de Oca and Regino Cavia and Juliana P. Sanchez} } @article {94630, title = {The epidemic typhus and trench fever are risk for public health due to increased migration in southeast of Turkey}, journal = {Acta Tropica}, volume = {178}, year = {2018}, month = {Feb 2018}, pages = {115 - 118}, abstract = {

Pediculus humanus capitis is a small ectoparasitic insect that has lived and feds on human beings for thousands of years. Molecular techniques have been used for Pediculus species identification and evolutionary, phylogenic, and ecological studies. A total of 23 adults of P. h. capitis were collected in Gaziantep, located in southeast Turkey, and DNA was isolated from all P. h. capitis using DNA extraction kit. All DNA samples were screened for investigate of Ricettsia prowazekii, Bartonella quintana and Borrelia recurrentis with real-time polymerase chain reaction. In addition, we investigated genetic variation in DNA samples of Pediculus humanus capitis using the cytochrome oxidase I genetic DNA sequence. We found 4 (17.4\%) Ricettsia prowazekii and 3 (13.1\%) Bartonella quintana in DNA samples of Pediculus humanus capitis, while we did not find any Bartonella recurrentis in any of the DNA samples. We demonstrated 1.8\% genetic variations in DNA samples of Pediculus humanus capitis with Bartonella quintana. The phylogenetic tree based on the cytochrome oxidase I gene revealed that P. h. capitis in southeast Turkey are classified into two clades (clade A, clade B) and Bartonella quintana was found in only clade B. However, we did not find any genetic variations in other DNA samples in this region. The genetic variations may be related to P. h.capitis vector of Bartonella quintana has found in this study. In addition, this study was shown that P. h. capitis do transmit Rickettsia prowazekii and Bartonella quintana to people, epidemic typhus and trench fever may emergence in Gaziantep southeast of Turkey in the future.

}, keywords = {bartonella quintana, DNA sequencing, rickettsia prowazekii}, issn = {0001706X}, doi = {10.1016/j.actatropica.2017.11.003}, url = {https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0001706X17305338?via\%3Dihub}, author = {Nilg{\"u}n Ulutasdemir and Fadime Eroglu and Mustafa Tanr{\i}verdi and Eda Icbay Dagli and Ismail Soner Koltas} } @article {41948, title = {Eine neue Antilopenlaus, Linognathus geigyi n.sp.}, journal = {Acta Tropica}, volume = {6}, year = {1949}, note = {465}, month = {1949}, pages = {158 - 160}, keywords = {Africa, Artiodactyla, geigyi, Linognathus, Madoqua, n.sp., saltiana, Tanganjika, Troester}, url = {https://phthiraptera.myspecies.info/sites/phthiraptera.info/files/5119.pdf}, author = {B{\"u}ttiker,Wilhelm W. G.} }