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(Reference retrieved automatically from Web of Science through information on FAPESP grant and its corresponding number as mentioned in the publication by the authors.)

Capybaras (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris) as amplifying hosts of Rickettsia rickettsii to Amblyomma sculptum ticks: Evaluation during primary and subsequent exposures to R. rickettsii infection

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Author(s):
Ramirez-Hernandez, Alejandro [1, 2] ; Uchoa, Francisco [3] ; Serpa, Maria Carolina de Azevedo [1] ; Binder, Lina C. [1] ; Souza, Celso Eduardo [3] ; Labruna, Marcelo B. [1]
Total Authors: 6
Affiliation:
[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Fac Vet Med, Dept Prevent Vet Med & Anim Hlth, Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil
[2] Univ Texas Med Branch, Dept Pathol, Rickettsial & Ehrlichial Dis Res, Galveston, TX 77555 - USA
[3] Superintendence Control Endem Dis, Reference Rickettsial Dis Lab, Sao Paulo - Brazil
Total Affiliations: 3
Document type: Journal article
Source: TICKS AND TICK-BORNE DISEASES; v. 11, n. 5 SEP 2020.
Web of Science Citations: 0
Abstract

Rickettsia rickettsii is the agent of Brazilian spotted fever (BSF), the most lethal tick-borne disease in the western hemisphere. Amblyomma sculptum is the main vector of R. rickettsii in southeastern Brazil. Capybaras act as primary hosts for this tick species, and as amplifying hosts for R. rickettsii, creating new infected lineages of A. sculptum in BSF-endemic areas. In a recent study, we demonstrated that capybaras successively exposed to R. rickettsii-infected A. sculptum ticks developed a mean rickettsemic period of 9.2 days during primary infection, but no rickettsemia during subsequent expositions, when capybaras were immune to R. rickettsii. During the primary and subsequent infections, capybaras were also infested with uninfected A. sculptum ticks. These in-festations compose the present study, which aimed to evaluate: (i) if either rickettsemic or non-rickettsemic capybaras could serve as infection sources of R. rickettsii for A. sculptum larvae and nymphs; (ii) the vector competence of the subsequent nymphs and adults (molted from the engorged ticks collected from capybaras); and (iii) if there were R. rickettsii-acquisition by uninfected ticks co-feeding with infected ticks on immune capybaras (without rickettsemia). Through experimental infection of capybaras with R. rickettsii via tick feeding, simulating a natural condition, we demonstrated that primarily infected capybaras developed rickettsemia that resulted in successful acquisition feeding of larvae and nymphs of A. sculptum, since part of these ticks main-tained R. rickettsii transstadially, and the resultant molted ticks (either nymphs or adults) successfully trans-mitted the bacterium by feeding on susceptible rabbits. Contrastingly, all rabbit infestations with ticks derived from acquisition feeding on R. rickettsii-immune capybaras (including when acquisition ticks fed in direct contact with donor ticks) evidenced absence of R. rickettsii transmission due to lack of clinical signs and antibody re-sponse in those rabbits. Our results indicate that capybaras could serve as R. rickettsii-amplifying hosts for A. sculptum ticks only during the capybara's primary infection, but not during subsequent infections on immune capybaras. Finally, the probable co-feeding nonsystemic transmission of R. rickettsii seems to be irrelevant in the context of BSF epidemiology, in areas where capybaras are incriminated as main amplifying hosts of R. rickettsii for A. sculptum ticks. (AU)

FAPESP's process: 13/18046-7 - Capybaras, ticks, and spotted fever
Grantee:Marcelo Bahia Labruna
Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants