Seroprevalence and detection of Rickettsia spp. in wild birds of Arauca, Orinoquia region, Colombia

Wild birds have an important role as hosts of ticks infected by rickettsiae. However, the role of birds as reservoirs of tick-borne rickettsiae is unknown and poorly understood. This is particularly relevant in several tropical and subtropical areas, where migration influences the global spread of e...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Veterinary parasitology (Amsterdam) 2022-05, Vol.30, p.100720-100720, Article 100720
Main Authors: Cardona-Romero, Marelid, Martínez-Sánchez, Estefani T., Alvarez-Londoño, Johnathan, Pérez-Cárdenas, Jorge E., Ossa-López, Paula A., Castaño-Villa, Gabriel J., Binder, Lina C., Faccini-Martínez, Álvaro A., Rivera-Páez, Fredy A.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Animals, Wild
Antibody
Antigen
Bacteremia
Birds
Colombia - epidemiology
Immune
Reservoir
Rickettsia - genetics
Rickettsia Infections - epidemiology
Rickettsia Infections - veterinary
Seroepidemiologic Studies
Ticks
Ticks - microbiology
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Summary:Wild birds have an important role as hosts of ticks infected by rickettsiae. However, the role of birds as reservoirs of tick-borne rickettsiae is unknown and poorly understood. This is particularly relevant in several tropical and subtropical areas, where migration influences the global spread of ectoparasites and pathogens of public health importance. This research aimed to detect and evaluate the exposure to spotted fever group rickettsiae in wild birds that could represent reservoirs in the Department of Arauca in the Colombian Orinoquia region. Sampling was conducted in three municipalities of the Department of Arauca (Colombia). Blood samples were collected from 255 birds and processed to obtain serum (n = 155) and DNA (n = 255) samples. The serum samples were processed for indirect immunofluorescence assays (IFA) for the detection of antibodies to Rickettsia rickettsii, Rickettsia parkeri, Rickettsia amblyommatis, Rickettsia rhipicephali, and Rickettsia bellii. Additionally, we investigated rickettsiae DNA in blood samples by amplification of the citrate synthase gene (gltA). The IFA results revealed seropositivity in 97 samples from 54 species of resident and migratory birds. No sample was positive for rickettsial DNA. The presence of antibodies in 62.5% of the sera indicates previous exposure of these birds to rickettsiae. The null detection of rickettsiae in the blood of seropositive birds is possibly due to a short period of bacteremia. Experimental studies are required to improve our understanding of the role of wild birds as sources of rickettsial infections in ticks. [Display omitted] •The Colombian Orinoquia is an important region for the study of species of the genus Rickettsia.•The presence of antibodies against rickettsiae, is a possible indication of a previous exposure these birds to rickttsiae.•Future studies should aim to conduct research to understand the role of birds as potential reservoirs of rickettsiae.
ISSN:2405-9390
2405-9390
DOI:10.1016/j.vprsr.2022.100720