Inter-regional study of transmission, adaptation and pathogenesis of viruses with pandemic potential in Southeast Asia and West/Central Africa

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PROJECT SUMMARY Background: In Cambodia, ticks and tick-borne diseases are neglected and data are still lacking. Objectives: In the present proposal, we aim to identify tick species and associated pathogens including virus and bacteria circulating in rural Cambodia. Additionally, we plan to investigate transmission risk of a number of selected tick- borne pathogens known to circulate in the region in human by assessing seroprevalence (IgG) and tick bite biomarkers in people living in the communities where ticks are captured. Methods: Our study will be nestled in a study, namely “Study of dengue-like illness in Kampong Thom Province, Cambodia” (DENTHOM) which is part of a NIH/NIAID-funded project, namely “Inter-regional study of transmission, adaptation and pathogenesis of viruses with pandemic potential in Southeast Asia and West/Central Africa” (U01 AI151758-01). Tick collections will be planned according to the parent study (DENTHOM). In terms of human samples, the present study involves only biospecimen collected in the framework of the DENTHOM study. No collection of human biological specimens will be specifically performed for the present proposal. The collected tick specimens will be first identified morphologically and confirmed using Maldi-TOF MS. Once identified, the specimen will be killed and kept at -80°C. Ticks samples will be tested for known viruses and bacteria using molecular assays and for novel pathogens using metagenomics sequencing. Human samples will be used for seroprevalence study of commonly known tick-borne viruses and bacteria circulating in Asia and for tick bite biomarkers. Expected outcomes: Our study will provide current state of knowledge of ticks and potential risks of tick-associated pathogens circulating in Cambodia. The findings of our study would be useful for assessment of host/vector interaction and instruct diagnosis of tick-borne pathogens.