Infection Genetics and Evolution最新文献

{"title":"An insight into the characterization of L2 Beijing multi-drug resistant tuberculosis: Description of resistance-associated-variants and discovery of Modern 7 L2 sublineage","authors":"Marianne Antar Soutou ,&nbsp;Camille Allam ,&nbsp;Marianne Abi Fadel ,&nbsp;Josette Najjar ,&nbsp;Christophe Guyeux ,&nbsp;Emmanuelle Cambau ,&nbsp;Christophe Sola","doi":"10.1016/j.meegid.2025.105797","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.meegid.2025.105797","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Drug-resistant tuberculosis (TB) complicates global efforts toward TB elimination. However, the introduction of new and repurposed drugs— particularly the all-oral BPaL regimen (bedaquiline, pretomanid, and linezolid)—has raised hopes due to its favorable treatment outcomes for multidrug-resistant (MDR) and extensively drug-resistant (XDR) TB. Susceptibility to these new drugs may vary depending on the lineage of the <em>Mycobacterium tuberculosis</em> (MTB) strain. Within the framework of a research project investigating the association between potential resistance-associated nucleotide variants and MTB lineages, we used the proprietary pipeline <em>TB-Annotator</em> to analyze 125,000 publicly available Short Read Archive datasets from NCBI.</div><div>We identified 65 mutations across 65 clonal complexes of the lineage 2 (L2), that share at least one SNP within a list of 14 genes potentially involved in drug resistance to BPaL. During this large-scale genomic screening, we identified a previously uncharacterized clonal complex of 49 SRAs that did not belong to any previously described ancient or modern L2-sublineages (modern 1 to modern 6). We therefore performed a comparative genomic analysis on a representative set of L2 isolates to fully characterize this group. These 49 SRAs are found in an independent branch of the L2 phylogenetic tree. They share 4 SNPs, including an Ile-to-Leu substitution in the product of <em>fbiD</em>, and are organized into two subclusters, with an intra-sublineage SNP distance of around 150 ± 50 SNPs. We named this novel sublineage L2.2-M7. Further functional validation—through phenotypic drug susceptibility testing and gene replacement—is needed to determine whether this <em>fbiD</em> mutation confers resistance to pretomanid. Global genomic surveillance of this emerging sublineage is warranted to monitor its spread and clinical relevance in the era of new TB treatment regimens.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":54986,"journal":{"name":"Infection Genetics and Evolution","volume":"134 ","pages":"Article 105797"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2025-07-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144661098","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Multifaceted epidemic preparedness against cholera outbreak by One Health approach and genomic surveillance","authors":"Idris Nasir Abdullahi PhD ,&nbsp;Amos Dangana MSc ,&nbsp;Muhammad Sani Usman ,&nbsp;Nanpon Miri ,&nbsp;Yusuf Mohammed M.B.B.S, Ph.D. ,&nbsp;James Christopher Avong MPH ,&nbsp;Mangpin Leviticus Dansura ,&nbsp;Bwede Eugene Samuel MSc ,&nbsp;Villeng Felix Gagari ,&nbsp;Nyiri Miriam Gyang BMLS ,&nbsp;Ogarega Usiegbodi Daudu ,&nbsp;Helen Daniel Nanbol MSc ,&nbsp;Olorundare Idowu Ajao ,&nbsp;Zacchaeus Adeniran Adejuyigbe ,&nbsp;Chinwe Ndidi Ugwu MSc ,&nbsp;Adesuyi Ayodeji Omoare PhD","doi":"10.1016/j.meegid.2025.105798","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.meegid.2025.105798","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Many developing countries in Africa and Asia are hotspots and endemic for cholera. Over the past five years, these countries have had steady rises in the incidence of cholera, with case fatality ratios continuously exceeding the WHO recommendation of 1 %. Despite this, there aren't many non-outbreak investigations that try to check for <em>Vibrio cholerae</em> in asymptomatic individuals who could act as reservoirs and vectors of transmission. We address the fundamental causes of global cholera transmission following a systematic review of available literature with a focus on the ecological and epidemiological drivers in developing countries. Apart from the established risk for cholera outbreaks, we postulated that the detection of <em>V. cholerae</em> in terrestrial animals could serve as an additional pathway (zoonosis) for cholera transmission. Based on the well-documented detection of <em>V. cholerae</em> in environmental and human samples as well as animal samples, we recommend that epidemic preparedness for cholera should be based on an integrated “One Health” approach following genomic surveillance. Thus, we strongly recommend that long-term, multisectoral, multidisciplinary methods be employed to develop evidence-based, context-specific, and innovative strategies for preventing cholera outbreaks.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":54986,"journal":{"name":"Infection Genetics and Evolution","volume":"133 ","pages":"Article 105798"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2025-07-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144654207","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A case report of Paragonimus infection diagnosed by medicine thoracoscopy","authors":"Xia Wu,&nbsp;Zhengfu Li,&nbsp;Dan Yang,&nbsp;Zhangli Peng,&nbsp;Nana Li,&nbsp;Yuanbo Lan,&nbsp;Ling Chen","doi":"10.1016/j.meegid.2025.105791","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.meegid.2025.105791","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This is a case report of a 38-year-old woman with recurrent pleural effusion. The patient was hospitalized twice within a six-month period. During the initial admission for pleural effusion, serological testing by ELISA revealed positive antibodies against <em>Schistosoma japonicum and</em> sparganum. Parasitic infection was suspected, prompting initiation of praziquantel therapy. The patient was admitted to our department again one month prior with recurrent pleural effusion. Medical thoracoscopy was performed to establish etiology, and parasite moving in a peristaltic manner were observed in the right posterior pleura near the costal angle. The parasite was identified under a microscope as <em>Paragonimus</em>, and <em>Paragonimus</em> was also detected by mNGS of pleural effusion, confirming paragonimiasis. The patient underwent repeat praziquantel therapy, with no pleural effusion recurrence observed during a four-month follow-up period. This case highlights the importance of a definitive diagnosis, with thoracoscopy and mNGS can be used as a new diagnostic idea and method to help diagnose paragonimiasis with pleural lesions.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":54986,"journal":{"name":"Infection Genetics and Evolution","volume":"134 ","pages":"Article 105791"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2025-07-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144621148","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Plasmid diversity in Klebsiella pneumoniae ST307 co-producing KPC plus NDM recovered during the COVID-19 pandemic","authors":"Sonia Alejandra Gomez ,&nbsp;Florencia Martino ,&nbsp;María Belén Sanz ,&nbsp;Jenny Escalante ,&nbsp;Juan Manuel de Mendieta ,&nbsp;Celeste Lucero ,&nbsp;Paola Ceriana ,&nbsp;Fernando Pasteran ,&nbsp;Alejandra Corso ,&nbsp;María Soledad Ramirez ,&nbsp;Diego Faccone","doi":"10.1016/j.meegid.2025.105795","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.meegid.2025.105795","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The prevalence of carbapenemase-producing <em>Klebsiella pneumoniae</em> increased significantly during COVID-19 in Argentina, rising from 20 % in 2019 to 30 % in 2021. Additionally, there was a notable increase of <em>K. pneumoniae</em> ST307 co-producing KPC and NDM. We aimed to reveal the genetic structure of the plasmids harbored in six isolates of <em>K. pneumoniae</em> ST307 co-producing KPC and NDM and to expression levels of both carbapenemases in a cell. The isolates were collected between November 2020 and September 2021 and were selected according to: (i) diversity of allelic variant combinations: <em>bla</em>_KPC-2 plus <em>bla</em>_NDM-1 (<em>n</em> = 2), <em>bla</em>_KPC-2 plus <em>bla</em>_NDM-5 (n = 2), <em>bla</em>_KPC-3 plus <em>bla</em>_NDM-1 (n = 2); (ii) different hospitals and jurisdictions; and (iii) differences in pulsotype by Xba-I-PFGE. The isolates were studied by whole genome sequencing (Illumina NextSeq 550 and with GridION) and with a transcriptional analysis using quantitative real time-PCR. The isolates carried between two and four plasmids with sizes from 3.7 to 250 Kb. Twenty plasmids with nine replicons were identified including three distinct hybrid replicon combinations. <em>bla</em>_KPC-2 was found in three plasmid backbones [IncM1, IncFIB(pQil)/IncFII(K), and IncFIB/H1B] while the rest were associated with a single plasmid type: <em>bla</em>_NDM-1 (IncC), <em>bla</em>_NDM-5 (IncFIB/H1B) and <em>bla</em>_KPC-3 (IncR). The basal expression level of KPC-2 was statistically higher than that of NDM-1/5. Our results show that the dissemination of NDM and KPC in <em>K. pneumoniae</em> ST307 was driven through diverse plasmids, highlighting the capacity of this high-risk clone to acquire, maintain and spread multiple carbapenemases.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":54986,"journal":{"name":"Infection Genetics and Evolution","volume":"133 ","pages":"Article 105795"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2025-07-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144597545","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Characterization and taxonomic clarification of a non-emetic, radiation-resistant Bacillus cereus strain mrbd isolated from a 60Co irradiator pool","authors":"A.Y.K.M. Masud Rana ,&nbsp;Safaiatul Islam ,&nbsp;Abu Hena Mostofa Kamal ,&nbsp;Issay Narumi","doi":"10.1016/j.meegid.2025.105796","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.meegid.2025.105796","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study isolated a radiation-resistant <em>Bacillus</em> species from the pool water of a ⁶⁰Co gamma irradiator. The bacterium was motile, a spore-former, rod-shaped, Gram-positive, and capable of withstanding 5 kGy of gamma radiation. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing, MLST, and <em>gyrB</em> gene phylogeny, the isolate was classified within the <em>B. cereus</em> group. Comparative whole-genome analysis demonstrated a high level nucleotide identity with <em>B. cereus</em> AH820 (99.49 %), <em>B. anthracis</em> (98.59–98.81 %), and <em>B. cereus</em> type strain ATCC 14579 (91.70 %). Despite the chromosomal similarity to <em>B. cereus</em> AH820, the isolate lacked the emetic toxin-producing plasmid (PER_AH820) and phenotypic traits of <em>B. anthracis</em>, such as enterotoxin production and penicillin resistance. In silico DNA-DNA hybridization (DDH) assays showed 88.4 % genome similarity to <em>B. anthracis</em>, while showing a lower similarity (44.7 %) to <em>B. cereus</em>. Detection of non-<em>B. anthracis</em> ancestral “G” allele in the <em>plcR</em> gene further excluded its identification as <em>B. anthracis</em>. Whole-genome phylogenetic analysis clustered the isolate with <em>B. cereus</em> strains previously identified from the International Space Station (ISS) and pathogenic variants of <em>B. cereus</em>. The isolate was designated as <em>B. cereus</em> strain mrbd.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":54986,"journal":{"name":"Infection Genetics and Evolution","volume":"133 ","pages":"Article 105796"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2025-07-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144610342","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Comparative study of rapid influenza antigen tests versus PCR in an influenza-like illness population: A real-world multicenter study in China","authors":"Tongyan Zhang ,&nbsp;Jinghui Du ,&nbsp;Ying Cao ,&nbsp;Hongyan Han ,&nbsp;Yajun Du ,&nbsp;Yazhu Hou ,&nbsp;Qian Du ,&nbsp;Juan Song ,&nbsp;Weidong Su ,&nbsp;Jihong Feng","doi":"10.1016/j.meegid.2025.105794","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.meegid.2025.105794","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study aimed to explore the differences in detection between polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and rapid influenza antigen test (RIAT) in a population with influenza-like illness (ILI). A retrospective real-world study was conducted at 4 medical centers in China. The study included patients of all age groups who were suspected of having influenza and who underwent either RIAT or PCR testing. The positive detection rates of the two testing methods were compared during different epidemic periods, among patients with different disease durations, and between pediatric and adult patients. A total of 43,402 patients with ILI were tested, and 17,397 had positive results. The overall positive rate of PCR was higher than that of RIAT (68.3 % vs 33.8 %); however, there was no difference between the two methods during the start and end of the influenza season. The positive rate of RIAT in children (37.9 %) was higher than that in adults (27.2 %), whereas the positive rate of PCR in adults (72.8 %) was higher than that in children (59.5 %). The positive rate of RIAT was greater in the early stage (≤2 days) than in the later stage, whereas the positive rate of PCR was greater at 1–3 days than at other times.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":54986,"journal":{"name":"Infection Genetics and Evolution","volume":"133 ","pages":"Article 105794"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2025-07-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144588556","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Mitochondrial COI barcoding of Pulicidae fleas and ultrastructural differentiation of the cat flea by scanning electron microscopy","authors":"Kruawan Chotelersak ,&nbsp;Ryuichiro Machida ,&nbsp;Apisit Thipaksorn ,&nbsp;Yudthana Samung ,&nbsp;Jiraporn Ruangsittichai","doi":"10.1016/j.meegid.2025.105793","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.meegid.2025.105793","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Fleas are widespread ectoparasites found across the globe—even in polar regions—and exhibit low host specificity, allowing them to infest both humans and animals, including birds. They feed on the blood of their hosts and serve as vectors for various infectious diseases, particularly in tropical and subtropical regions. In this study, the COI barcodes and ultrastructural characteristics using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were performed to confirm classical morphological identification of cat flea taxonomic levels. Four species of medically important Pulicidae fleas were collected from hosts in various provinces of Thailand and identified based on their distinctive morphological characteristics: <em>Xenopsylla cheopis</em>, <em>Echidnophaga gallinacea, Ctenocephalides felis</em> and <em>Ctenocephalides orientis</em>. Phylogenetic analyses and calculated sequence distance based on mitochondrial COI barcodes were performed. The four species clearly formed monophyletic groups with low intraspecific distance (0 % -0.24 %) and high interspecific distance (4.60 % -21.26 %). <em>Ctenocephalides felis</em> and <em>C. orientis</em> were separated at the closely related level and separated into distinct clusters, with a sequence distance of 8.42 %. and <em>C. orientis</em> has shown closely genetic relationship with <em>C. canis</em> (4.60 %). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed ultrastructural characteristics that clearly differentiate <em>C. felis</em> and <em>C. orientis,</em> including differences in head shape and minute bristles on the dorsal end of the antennal fossa. Specifically, <em>C. felis</em> frons are elongated and pointed anteriorly, whereas <em>C. orientis</em> frons are short and rounded anteriorly. Additionally, the <em>C. orientis</em> female has 3–4-minute bristles at the dorsal end of the antennal fossa, while this structure is absent in the <em>C. felis</em> female but present and numerous (with 13–18 bristles) in all males of the genus <em>Ctenocephalides</em>. Fleas were identified, and their sex or ambiguous structures were determined using a stereoscope or low-power binocular microscope. DNA barcoding and ultrastructural analysis using SEM for differentiation of structures of taxonomic significance are useful for subspecies/species identification.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":54986,"journal":{"name":"Infection Genetics and Evolution","volume":"133 ","pages":"Article 105793"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2025-07-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144585708","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Genomic evidence for interserovar transfer and evolution of blaCTX-M-15 carrying plasmid in multidrug-resistant Salmonella Enteritidis and Salmonella Virchow isolated in South Korea","authors":"Tae-Min La,&nbsp;Sang-Won Lee,&nbsp;Ji-Yeon Hyeon","doi":"10.1016/j.meegid.2025.105792","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.meegid.2025.105792","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Multidrug-resistant (MDR) <em>Salmonella enterica</em> serotype Enteritidis (SE) carrying <em>bla</em>_CTX-M-15 has emerged in South Korea; however, the genetic characteristics and evolutionary dynamics of the plasmids remain understudied. This study aimed to characterize the structure, diversity, and evolution of <em>bla</em>_CTX-M-15-carrying plasmids in SE strains from human and animal sources in South Korea. Plasmid structures of <em>bla</em>_CTX-M-15-positive SE strains from South Korea were analyzed using incompatibility groups typing and genome alignment tools. Genetic relationships and the time to most recent common ancestor (tMRCA) for the strains were determined using whole-genome SNP analysis and BEAST phylodynamic analysis. The plasmids were classified into three types (Type I–III) based on antimicrobial resistance gene profiles and incompatibility groups. Comparative genomic analysis revealed that these plasmids were cointegrates, resulting from the fusion of the SE virulence plasmid (pSENV) and pIntAMR. The pIntAMR region was identified as a chromosomally integrated form in <em>Salmonella</em> Virchow (SV) acquired through IS26-mediated transposition. This region contained multiple antimicrobial resistance genes and conjugative transfer elements. The tMRCA for <em>bla</em>_CTX-M-15-carrying SE strains was estimated as June 2007, with Type III plasmids emerging around 2015, suggesting an evolutionary shift driven by selective pressure. This study demonstrates interserovar plasmid transfer between SV and SE, mediated by IS26 transposition, contributing to plasmid evolution and MDR in SE. Understanding these mechanisms is crucial for developing strategies for mitigating the spread of MDR <em>Salmonella</em>.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":54986,"journal":{"name":"Infection Genetics and Evolution","volume":"133 ","pages":"Article 105792"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2025-06-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144555883","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Full-length sequence determination and isolation of infectious particles of an atypical porcine pestivirus from wild boars in Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan","authors":"Mai Shiokawa ,&nbsp;Yuka Okuwa-Yamauchi ,&nbsp;Megumi Ohashi-Kawai ,&nbsp;Makoto Nagai ,&nbsp;Hiroshi Aoki","doi":"10.1016/j.meegid.2025.105790","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.meegid.2025.105790","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Atypical porcine pestivirus (APPV), the causative agent of congenital tremor (CT) type A-II, is a single-stranded (+) RNA virus classified in the genus <em>Pestivirus</em> of the family <em>Flaviviridae</em> that infects domestic pigs and wild boars. While surveys and studies on APPV infection in pigs are ongoing, information on APPV in wild boars is lacking. In Japan, there have been no reports of APPV infection in wild boars. We therefore screened serum samples from 333 wild boars to determine the prevalence of APPV in Ishikawa Prefecture. APPV-RNA was detected in two samples, and the complete viral genome was sequenced from one of these samples. Infectious particles were isolated from the same serum sample. Phylogenetic analysis classified the APPV detected in wild boars as genotype 3, which is consistent with the genotype previously reported in Japanese domestic pigs. Replication kinetics assays showed that wild boar-derived APPV exhibited lower replication efficiency than pig-derived APPV, although this efficiency improved with successive passaging of infected cells. The complete APPV sequence and infectious particles obtained from wild boar-derived serum for the first time in Japan are considered useful for future research on APPV.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":54986,"journal":{"name":"Infection Genetics and Evolution","volume":"133 ","pages":"Article 105790"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2025-06-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144481566","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Molecular detection of Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Rickettsia monacensis in trombiculid mite pools collected from wild rodents in Korea: Implications for potential mite-borne transmission","authors":"Dong-Jae Yu ,&nbsp;Dong-Min Kim ,&nbsp;Choon-Mee Kim ,&nbsp;Hyeon Je Song ,&nbsp;Jeong-Chi Lee","doi":"10.1016/j.meegid.2025.105789","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.meegid.2025.105789","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Mite-borne diseases have been extensively studied; however, limited research has focused on the detection of <em>Rickettsia</em> species other than <em>Orientia tsutsugamushi</em> in Korean mites.</div><div>Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays were performed using mites collected from rodents.</div><div>Nested PCR (N-PCR) targeting the <em>56 kDa</em> gene of <em>O. tsutsugamushi</em> showed a 0.29 % positivity rate (11/3855) and a 0.1 % minimum infection rate (MIR). The <em>sca1</em> gene-targeted N-PCR for <em>Rickettsia</em> showed a 1.27 % positivity rate (49/3855) and a 0.005 % MIR, revealing the presence of <em>Rickettsia monacensis.</em> For <em>Anaplasma phagocytophilum</em> detection, N-PCR targeting <em>ankA</em> gene showed a 4.31 % positivity rate (166/3855) and a 0.16 % MIR, while N-PCR targeting the <em>16S rRNA</em> gene showed a 0.78 % positivity rate (30/3855) and a 0.03 % MIR. Our findings confirm the presence of <em>A. phagocytophilum</em>, <em>R. monacensis</em>, and <em>O. tsutsugamushi</em> DNA in trombiculid mites collected from wild rodents in Korea. Although these pathogens are recognized as human disease agents, the detection of DNA alone does not provide evidence of vector competence. Consequently, further experimental studies are warranted to clarify the potential role of trombiculid mites in the transmission cycles of <em>A. phagocytophilum</em> and <em>R. monacensis</em>.</div></div><div><h3>Keypoints</h3><div><em>Anaplasma phagocytophilum</em> and <em>Rickettsia monacensis</em> were detected in trombiculid mites collected from wild rodents captured in Korea, suggesting the need for further research on the role of parasitic mites in the human transmission of <em>A. phagocytophilum</em> and <em>R. monacensis</em>.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":54986,"journal":{"name":"Infection Genetics and Evolution","volume":"133 ","pages":"Article 105789"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2025-06-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144369598","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}