@article{fdi:010081005,
  title = {{R}ole of reptiles and associated arthropods in the epidemiology of rickettsioses : a one health paradigm},
  author = {{M}endoza-{R}oldan, {J}. {A}. and {M}anoj, {R}. {R}. {S}. and {L}atrofa, {M}. {S}. and {I}atta, {R}. and {A}nnoscia, {G}. and {L}ovreglio, {P}. and {S}tufano, {A}. and {D}antas-{T}orres, {F}. and {D}avoust, {B}. and {L}aidoudi, {Y}. and {M}ediannikov, {O}leg and {O}tranto, {D}.},
  editor = {},
  language = {{ENG}},
  abstract = {{A}uthor summary {Z}oonotic pathogens such as {R}ickettsia spp., {C}oxiella burnetii and {A}naplasma phagocytophilum are associated with ticks, lice, fleas and mites and may infect a wide range of vertebrate species. {T}here are still many knowledge gaps concerning the arthropod vectors and amplifying hosts of these pathogens. {R}eptiles are known to host infected ticks with these zoonotic pathogens and eventually become infected themselves by these bacteria. {H}ence to address this question from a broad {O}ne-{H}ealth perspective, we assessed the molecular prevalence of {R}ickettsia spp., {C}. burnetii and {A}. phagocytophilum in reptiles, ticks and mites from both hosts and environment and seroprevalence in humans living or working near the same area. {R}ickettsia {DNA} was detected in lizards' tails, {I}xodes ricinus ticks and in {N}eotrombicula autumnalis mites collected from them and in questing ticks. {A}lthough {DNA} of {C}. burnetii and {A}. phagocytophilum was not detected in lizards and their ectoparasites, sera samples of human subjects tested positive for the antibodies against these zoonotic pathogens. {T}hese findings indicate the epidemiological role of lizards in spreading {SFG} rickettsiae as well as {I}. ricinus, and hence representing a potential public health concern in geographical areas where lizards, ticks and humans share the same environment. {W}e assessed the presence of {R}ickettsia spp., {C}oxiella burnetii and {A}naplasma phagocytophilum in reptiles, their ectoparasites and in questing ticks collected in a nature preserve park in southern {I}taly, as well as in a peri-urban area in another region. {W}e also investigated the exposure to these pathogens in forestry workers, farmers and livestock breeders living or working in the nature preserve park given the report of anecdotal cases of spotted fever rickettsioses. {R}ickettsia spp. were molecularly detected in {P}odarcis muralis and {P}odarcis siculus lizards (i.e., 3.1%), in {I}xodes ricinus (up to 87.5%) and in {N}eotrombicula autumnalis (up to 8.3%) collected from them as well as in {I}. ricinus collected from the environment (up to 28.4%). {R}ickettsia monacensis was the most prevalent species followed by {R}ickettsia helvetica. {A}n undescribed member of the family {A}naplasmataceae was detected in 2.4% and 0.8% of the reptiles and ectoparasites, respectively. {S}era from human subjects (n = 50) were serologically screened and antibodies to {R}ickettsia spp. (n = 4; 8%), {C}. burnetti (n = 8; 16%) and {A}. phagocytophilum (n = 11; 22%) were detected. {T}wo ticks collected from two forestry workers were positive for spotted fever group ({SFG}) rickettsiae. {I}xodes ricinus is involved in the transmission of {SFG} rickettsiae ({R}. monacensis and {R}. helvetica) in southern {E}urope and lizards could play a role in the sylvatic cycle of {R}. monacensis, as amplifying hosts. {M}eanwhile, {N}. autumnalis could be involved in the enzootic cycle of some {SFG} rickettsiae among these animals. {P}eople living or working in the southern {I}talian nature preserve park investigated are exposed to {SFG} rickettsiae, {C}. burnetii and {A}. phagocytophilum.},
  keywords = {},
  booktitle = {},
  journal = {{PL}o{S} {N}eglected {T}ropical {D}iseases},
  volume = {15},
  numero = {2},
  pages = {e0009090 [17 p.]},
  ISSN = {1935-2735},
  year = {2021},
  DOI = {10.1371/journal.pntd.0009090},
  URL = {https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010081005},
}