{"title":"Evaluating the vector potential of deer keds Lipoptena fortisetosa for selected pathogens in Hokkaido sika deer (Cervus nippon yesoensis)","authors":"Kotaro Shimizu , Michito Shimozuru , Masami Yamanaka , Genta Ito , Ryo Nakao , Toshio Tsubota","doi":"10.1016/j.parint.2025.103053","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Deer keds (<em>Lipoptena fortisetosa</em>) are hematophagous insects that parasitize various ungulates, including Hokkaido sika deer (<em>Cervus nippon yesoensis</em>). Although deer keds are potential vectors for several pathogens, their role in disease transmission in Japan remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the potential of L. <em>fortisetosa</em> as a vector for selected pathogens in sika deer. Blood samples were collected from 32 sika deer and 149 deer keds (64 from deer and 85 from the environment) from the Rusha area of the Shiretoko Peninsula, Hokkaido, Japan. Nested PCRs and sequencing were performed to detect 18S rRNA gene of <em>Theileria</em> sp. Thrivae, 16S rRNA gene of <em>Anaplasma</em> sp. AP-sd (AP-sd), and flagellin B gene of <em>Borrelia</em> sp. in deer and deer keds. In sika deer, the infection rate was 84 % for <em>Theileria</em> sp. Thrivae, 75 % of AP-sd, and 3 % of <em>Borrelia</em> sp. The prevalence in deer keds collected from deer was 62 % for <em>Theileria</em> sp. Thrivae, 2 % AP-sd, and 1 % <em>Borrelia</em> sp. No pathogens were detected in nonparasitic deer keds captured from the environment. Notably, <em>Theileria</em> sp. Thrivae and AP-sd were detected in deer keds collected from PCR-negative sika deer, suggesting that deer keds acquired pathogens from a previously infested host. The absence of pathogens in non-parasitized deer keds suggests that they do not play as a biological vector for the tested pathogens. This study suggests a potential role for L. <em>fortisetosa</em> as a mechanical vector, emphasizing the need for additional experiments, including infection studies.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":19983,"journal":{"name":"Parasitology International","volume":"107 ","pages":"Article 103053"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5000,"publicationDate":"2025-02-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Parasitology International","FirstCategoryId":"3","ListUrlMain":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1383576925000261","RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q3","JCRName":"PARASITOLOGY","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Deer keds (Lipoptena fortisetosa) are hematophagous insects that parasitize various ungulates, including Hokkaido sika deer (Cervus nippon yesoensis). Although deer keds are potential vectors for several pathogens, their role in disease transmission in Japan remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the potential of L. fortisetosa as a vector for selected pathogens in sika deer. Blood samples were collected from 32 sika deer and 149 deer keds (64 from deer and 85 from the environment) from the Rusha area of the Shiretoko Peninsula, Hokkaido, Japan. Nested PCRs and sequencing were performed to detect 18S rRNA gene of Theileria sp. Thrivae, 16S rRNA gene of Anaplasma sp. AP-sd (AP-sd), and flagellin B gene of Borrelia sp. in deer and deer keds. In sika deer, the infection rate was 84 % for Theileria sp. Thrivae, 75 % of AP-sd, and 3 % of Borrelia sp. The prevalence in deer keds collected from deer was 62 % for Theileria sp. Thrivae, 2 % AP-sd, and 1 % Borrelia sp. No pathogens were detected in nonparasitic deer keds captured from the environment. Notably, Theileria sp. Thrivae and AP-sd were detected in deer keds collected from PCR-negative sika deer, suggesting that deer keds acquired pathogens from a previously infested host. The absence of pathogens in non-parasitized deer keds suggests that they do not play as a biological vector for the tested pathogens. This study suggests a potential role for L. fortisetosa as a mechanical vector, emphasizing the need for additional experiments, including infection studies.
期刊介绍:
Parasitology International provides a medium for rapid, carefully reviewed publications in the field of human and animal parasitology. Original papers, rapid communications, and original case reports from all geographical areas and covering all parasitological disciplines, including structure, immunology, cell biology, biochemistry, molecular biology, and systematics, may be submitted. Reviews on recent developments are invited regularly, but suggestions in this respect are welcome. Letters to the Editor commenting on any aspect of the Journal are also welcome.