English (United Kingdom)

https://curated-unify.zendy.io/wp-json/zendy-region/v1/featured_content/oa?rat=en

https://curated-unify.zendy.io/wp-json/zendy-region/v1/highlighted_journal/

Global: Zendy Plus annual

Presents the access of premium content as premium feature

Premium Content

Presents the keyphrase highlighting as premium feature

Keyphrase Highlighting

Presents the summarisation as premium feature

Summarisation

Insights

Presents the pdf analysis as premium feature

PDF Analysis

Presents the zaia usage as premium feature

ZAIA

Global: Zendy Tools annual

Global: Zendy Free Plan

Global: Zendy Tools monthly

Global: Zendy Plus monthly

Background  Rickettsioses are important remerging vector born infections. In Tunisia, many species have been described in humans and vectors. Genotyping is important for tracking pathogen movement between hosts and vectors. In this study, we characterized  Rickettsia  species detected in patients and vectors using multispacer typing (MST), proposed by Founier  et al.  and based on three intergenic spacers (dksA-xerC, rmpE- tRNA fMet , mppA-pruC) sequencing.    Methods  Our study included 25 patients hospitalized during 2009. Ticks and fleas were collected in the vicinity of confirmed cases. Serology was performed on serum samples by microimmunofluorescence using  Rickettsia conorii  and  Rickettsia typhi  antigens. To detect and identify  Rickettsia  species, PCR targeting  ompA ,  ompB  and  gltA  genes followed by sequencing was performed on 18 obtained skin biopsies and on all collected vectors.  Rickettsia  positive samples were further characterized using primers targeting three intergenic spacers (dksA-xerC, rmpE- tRNA fMet  and mppA-purC).    Results  A rickettsial infection was confirmed in 15 cases (60%). Serology was positive in 13 cases (52%). PCR detected  Rickettsia  DNA in four biopsies (16%) allowing the identification of  R. conorii  subsp  israelensis  in three cases and  R. conorii  subsp  conorii  in one case. Among 380 collected ticks, nine presented positive PCR (2.4%) allowing the identification of six  R. conorii  subsp  israelensis , two  R. massiliae  and one  R. conorii  subsp  conorii . Among 322 collected fleas, only one was positive for  R. felis. R. conorii  subsp  israelensis  strains detected in humans and vectors clustered together and showed a new MST genotype. Similarly,  R. conorii  subsp  conorii  strains detected in a skin biopsy and a tick were genetically related and presented a new MST genotype.    Conclusions  New  Rickettsia  spotted fever strain genotypes were found in Tunisia. Isolates detected in humans and vectors were genetically homogenous despite location differences in their original isolation suggesting epidemiologic circulation of these strains.

Multispacer typing of Rickettsia isolates from humans and ticks in Tunisia revealing new genotypes