title: Serologic and molecular characterization of tickborne pathogens in lions (Panthera leo) from the Fasano Safari Park, Italy.
abstract: Lions (Panthera leo) are an endangered species threatened by illegal hunting, habitat loss, and infectious diseases. Little is known about the tick-borne pathogens that infect lions and could contribute to population declines. The objective of this study was to characterize Rickettsia spp., Anaplasma phagocytophilum, and Coxiella burnetii infections in 10 lions from the Fasano Safari Park in Italy by serology, polymerase chain reaction, and sequence analysis. Although animals did not show clinical signs of tick-borne diseases, evidence of infection with C. burnetii, spotted fever group Rickettsia sp., and A. phagocytophilum were found in 50%, 20%, and 10% of the lions, respectively. One of the lions tested positive for all three pathogens. This study is the first report of molecular evidence of infection with C. burnetii, Rickettsia sp., and A. phagocytophilum in lions and provides evidence that these felids become infected and serve as hosts for tick-transmitted bacteria.
authors.affiliation: Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia, Sicily, Italy.
authors.forename: Alessandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Torina
authors.forename: Victoria
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Naranjo
authors.forename: Maria Grazia
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Pennisi
authors.forename: Tatiana
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Patania
authors.forename: Fabrizio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Vitale
authors.forename: Pietro
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Laricchiuta
authors.forename: Angelina
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Alongi
authors.forename: Salvatore
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Scimeca
authors.forename: Katherine M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Kocan
authors.forename: José
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: de la Fuente
mesh_terms: D000709:Anaplasma / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification; D000818:Animals; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000097:blood*; D001096:Arachnid Vectors / Q000382:microbiology; D003381:Coxiella / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification; D005260:Female; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008045:Lions / Q000097:blood; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000662:veterinary; D012281:Rickettsia / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D012698:Serologic Tests / Q000662:veterinary; D017282:Tick-Borne Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D013987:Ticks / Q000382:microbiology
chemical_list: D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial