Molecular identification of head lice collected in Franceville (Gabon) and their associated bacteria

2020

Article référencé dans le Web of Science WOS:000561540700001

Boumbanda-Koyo C. S., Mediannikov Oleg, Amanzougaghene N., Oyegue-Liabagui S. L., Imboumi-Limoukou R. K., Raoult D., Lekana-Douki J. B., Fenollar F.

Parasites and Vectors, 2020, 13 (1), p. 410 [8 p.] ISSN 1756-3305

Background: Pediculus humanus, which includes two ecotypes (body and head lice), is an obligate bloodsucking parasite that co-evolved with their human hosts over thousands of years, thus providing a valuable source of information to reconstruct the human migration. Pediculosis due to head lice occurred each year throughout the world and several pathogenic bacteria, which are usually associated with body lice, are increasingly detected in them. In Gabon, where this pediculosis is still widespread, there is a lack of data on genetic diversity of head lice and their associated bacteria. Methods: This study aimed to investigate the phylogeny of head lice collected in Gabon and their associated bacteria, using molecular tools. Between 26 March and 11 April 2018, 691 head lice were collected from 86 women in Franceville. We studied the genetic diversity of these lice based on the cytochromebgene, then we screened them for DNA of Bartonella quintana, Borreliaspp., Acinetobacterspp.,Yersinia pestis, Rickettsiaspp., R. prowazekii, Anaplasmaspp. and C. burnetii, using real time or standard PCR and sequencing. Results: Overall 74.6% of studied lice belonged to Clade A, 25.3% to Clade C and 0.1% to Clade E. The phylogenetic analysis of 344 head lice yielded 45 variable positions defining 13 different haplotypes from which 8 were novel. Bacterial screening revealed the presence of Borreliaspp. DNA in 3 (0.4%) of 691 head lice belonging to Clade A and infesting one individual. This Borreliais close to B. theileri(GenBank: MN621894).Acinetobacterspp. DNA has been detected in 39 (25%) of the 156 screened lice; of these 13 (8.3%) corresponded toA. baumannii. Acinetobacter nosocomialis(n = 2) andA. pittii(n = 1) were also recorded. Conclusions: To of our knowledge, this study is the first to investigate the genetic diversity of head lice from Gabon. It appears that Clade C is the second most important clade in Gabon, after Clade A which is known to have a global distribution. The detection ofBorreliaspp. DNA in these lice highlight the potential circulation of these bacteria in Gabon.

Entomologie médicale / Parasitologie / Virologie [052] ; Biotechnologies [084]

GABON ; FRANCEVILLE

Fonds IRD [F B010079545]

fdi:010079545