Synanthropic Mammals as Potential Hosts of Tick-Borne Pathogens in Panama.

Sergio E Bermúdez,Santiago Montilla,Job E Lopez,Diorene Smith,Marielena López,Nicole Gottdenker,Carlos M Caballero,Milixa Perea,Azael Saldaña,Chystrie Rigg,Kadir González,Hannah K Wilder,Amy Fox,Aparna Krishnvajhala,José E Calzada,Brian Stevenson

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0169047

Abstract

Synanthropic wild mammals can be important hosts for many vector-borne zoonotic pathogens. The aim of this study was determine the exposure of synanthropic mammals to two types of tick-borne pathogens in Panama, spotted fever group Rickettsia (SFGR) and Borrelia relapsing fever (RF) spirochetes. One hundred and thirty-one wild mammals were evaluated, including two gray foxes, two crab-eating foxes (from zoos), four coyotes, 62 opossum and 63 spiny rats captured close to rural towns. To evaluate exposure to SFGR, serum samples from the animals were tested by indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) using Rickettsia rickettsii and Candidatus Rickettsia amblyommii antigen. Immunoblotting was performed using Borrelia turicatae protein lysates and rGlpQ, to assess infection caused by RF spirochetes. One coyote (25%) and 27 (43%) opossums showed seroreactivity to SFGR. Of these opossums, 11 were seroreactive to C. R. amblyommii. Serological reactivity was not detected to B. turicatae in mammal samples. These findings may reflect a potential role of both mammals in the ecology of tick-borne pathogens in Panama.

Highlights

Synanthropic mammals are a diverse group of wild animals that prosper in areas where humans are present, both in rural and urban conditions [1]
One male of Rhipicephalus sanguineus s.l. and 101 Amblyomma cf. oblongoguttatum were collected from coyote No 4, while ticks were not identified on the remaining canids (Table 1)
We evaluated serological responses to spotted fever group Rickettsia (SFGR) and relapsing fever (RF) spirochetes in mammals that have been overlooked as putative hosts in Panama

Summary

Introduction

Synanthropic mammals are a diverse group of wild animals that prosper in areas where humans are present, both in rural and urban conditions [1]. Opossum, and mid-sized wild carnivores inhabit or migrate throughout ecotones that contain forest, pasture, and human dwellings, and may be important components of the transmission ecology of different pathogenic microorganisms [2, 3]. Blood-feeding ectoparasites such as ticks add a dimension of complexity to the ecology of infectious diseases. In North America and Europe, there is evidence of tick-borne pathogens (TBP) are associated with wild mammals close to PLOS ONE | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0169047. Synanthropic Mammals as Potential Hosts of Tick-Borne Pathogens in Panama In North America and Europe, there is evidence of tick-borne pathogens (TBP) are associated with wild mammals close to PLOS ONE | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0169047 January 6, 2017

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