Bacterial pathogens' screening in Brazilian chigger mites (Trombidiformes: Trombiculidae), with the first report of 'Candidatus Rickettsia colombianensi'-like in avian-associated chiggers

Author(s):Show less -

Bassini-Silva, Ricardo ; Jacinavicius, Fernando de Castro ; Munoz-Leal, Sebastian ; Maturano, Ralph ; Takatsu, Julia Carvalho ; Tolesano-Pascoli, Graziela Virginia ; Alquezar, Renata D. ; Lugarini, Camile ; Ferreira, Ariane ; Moreira-Lima, Luciano ; Welbourn, Cal ; Ochoa, Ronald ; Hingst-Zaher, Erika ; Andre, Marcos Rogerio ; Labruna, Marcelo Bahia ; Barros-Battesti, Darci Moraes

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Archives of Microbiology; v. 205, n. 1, p. 8-pg., 2023-01-01.

Abstract

Chiggers are larval ectoparasites of the Trombiculidae that can transmit pathogens to their hosts. In this study, chiggers collected from birds in Brazil were morphologically identified as Blankaartia sinnamaryi, Eutrombicula batatas, Eutrombicula daemoni, Eutrombicula goeldii, Eutrombicula tinami, and Parasecia gilbertoi. For these specimens, a beginning attempt at molecular identification were also provided, as well as, were genetically screened to detect bacterial pathogens. The species B. sinnamaryi and E. tinami were positive for Rickettsia felis-like and 'Candidatus Rickettsia colombianensi'-like, respectively. For the other agents (Anaplasmataceae, Borrelia spp. and Orientia tsutsugamushi), the tests were negative. This is the first report of 'Ca. R. colombianensi'-like and the second record of R. felis-like in chigger collected on birds from Brazil. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 17/01416-7 - Chigger mites from Brazilian birds: morphological studies and investigation of the presence of pathogens
• Grantee: Ricardo Bassini Silva
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 21/02295-4 - Catalog of mites associated with birds housed in the Acarological Collection of the Butantan Institute (IBSP)
• Grantee: Júlia Carvalho Takatsu
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• FAPESP's process: 19/19853-0 - Chigger mites (Acari: Trombiculidae and Leeuwenhoekiidae) parasites of vertebrates: morphological studies and investigation of the presence of Rickettsia spp
• Grantee: Fernando de Castro Jacinavicius
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 18/24667-8 - Catalogue of types of the family Trombiculidae sensu lato (Acari: Trombidiformes) deposited in the national Chigger collection of the USNM and use of LT-SEM technique for a better interpretation of the morphological characters
• Grantee: Ricardo Bassini Silva
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 20/11755-6 - Taxonomy and microbiome of mites that parasitize bats in Brazil: study of the presence of pathogens and symbiotic commensal communities in these ectoparasites
• Grantee: Ricardo Bassini Silva
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral