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Dantas-Torres F, Bezerra-Santos MA, Mendoza-Roldan JA, Lia RP, Perles L, Barrera JP, Fagundes-Moreira R, Carbonara M, Varcasia A, Brianti E, Deak G, Rojas A, Miró G, Volf P, Baneth G, Otranto D. ParSCo: celebrating 10 years of a unique parasitology summer course. Parasit Vectors 2024; 17:89. [PMID: 38409043 PMCID: PMC10895767 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-024-06174-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2024] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/28/2024] Open
Abstract
ParSCo (Parasitology Summer Course) is an intense, 1-week-long summer course organized by the Parasitology Unit of the Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, Italy, with the support of the World Association for the Advancement of Veterinary Parasitology (WAAVP), the European Veterinary Parasitology College (EVPC) and Parasites and Vectors. The course, which is conducted in southern Italy, is planned for parasitologists and post-graduate students working in the field of parasitology. The course consists of theoretical and practical lessons, which include the collection, identification and diagnosis of parasites of pets, livestock and wildlife. The participants in ParSCo are afforded the opportunity to be involved in clinical examination and sample collection for the diagnosis of parasitic diseases (e.g. leishmaniosis, thelaziosis and many tick-borne diseases) present in the Mediterranean Basin. The course is conducted at Casa di Caccia, a hunting lodge situated in the Gallipoli Cognato Forest near the Basento River in the Basilicata region in southern Italy. In addition to the training purpose, ParSCo is a great opportunity for sharing knowledge and expertise while becoming part of the parasitology community in a pleasant environment. In this editorial, we share some information and celebrate 10 years of ParSCo, looking forward to forthcoming sessions of this unique parasitology summer course.
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Affiliation(s)
- Filipe Dantas-Torres
- Aggeu Magalhães Institute, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (Fiocruz), Recife, Brazil.
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Valenzano, Italy.
| | | | | | - Riccardo Paolo Lia
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Valenzano, Italy
| | - Livia Perles
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Valenzano, Italy
| | - Juan Pedro Barrera
- Animal Health Department, Veterinary Faculty, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Mariaelisa Carbonara
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Valenzano, Italy
| | - Antonio Varcasia
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Emanuele Brianti
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Georgiana Deak
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-Napoca, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Alicia Rojas
- Laboratory of Helminthology, Faculty of Microbiology, University of Costa Rica, San Jose, Costa Rica
| | - Guadalupe Miró
- Animal Health Department, Veterinary Faculty, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Petr Volf
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Gad Baneth
- Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Domenico Otranto
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Valenzano, Italy.
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong.
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Sgroi G, D’Alessio N, Auriemma C, Salant H, Gallo A, Riccardi MG, Alfano F, Rea S, Scarcelli S, Ottaviano M, De Martinis C, Fusco G, Lucibelli MG, Veneziano V. First molecular detection of Babesia vulpes and Babesia capreoli in wild boars from southern Italy. Front Vet Sci 2023; 10:1201476. [PMID: 37609054 PMCID: PMC10442169 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1201476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 08/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Following the increase of wild boar (Sus scrofa) populations in Europe, a potential risk of emerging infections by vector-borne pathogens may occur. Despite this, the circulation of piroplasmid species in these ungulates is still a neglected topic, particularly in the Mediterranean basin. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the presence of Babesia/Theileria spp. in wild boars from southern Italy to assess the epidemiological role of these ungulates in the circulation of piroplasmids. Methods By using a citizen science approach among hunters and veterinarians, wild boar spleen samples were collected in the Campania region (southern Italy) between 2016 and 2022. A combined semi-nested PCR/sequencing analysis targeting the V4 hyper-variable region of 18S rRNA was run to detect Babesia/Theileria spp. DNA. Results Out of 243 boars, 15 (i.e., 6.2, 95% CI: 3.4-9.9) tested positive to Babesia/Theileria spp., Babesia vulpes (n = 13, 5.3, 95% CI: 3.1-8.9) the most prevalent, followed by Babesia capreoli (n = 2, 0.8, 95% CI: 0.2-2.9). Three different B. vulpes sequence types were identified (i.e., ST1, ST2, ST3), with the most representative as ST1 (60%), and a single B. capreoli sequence type. No statistically significant difference (p > 0.05) were found between the presence of the pathogens and boar age, sex, province and sample collection year. Discussion Data demonstrate for the first time the occurrence of B. vulpes and B. capreoli in wild boars, which may play a role in the biological cycle of piroplasmids. We emphasize the importance of monitoring these ungulates to prevent potential foci of infection. The engagement of hunters in epidemiological scientifically based surveys can constitute a technically sound control strategy of piroplasmids in a One Health perspective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni Sgroi
- Department of Animal Health, Experimental Zooprophylactic Institute of Southern Italy, Portici, Italy
| | - Nicola D’Alessio
- Department of Animal Health, Experimental Zooprophylactic Institute of Southern Italy, Portici, Italy
- Osservatorio Faunistico Venatorio—Campania Region, Naples, Italy
| | - Clementina Auriemma
- Department of Animal Health, Experimental Zooprophylactic Institute of Southern Italy, Portici, Italy
| | - Harold Salant
- Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Amalia Gallo
- Department of Animal Health, Experimental Zooprophylactic Institute of Southern Italy, Portici, Italy
| | - Marita Georgia Riccardi
- Department of Animal Health, Experimental Zooprophylactic Institute of Southern Italy, Portici, Italy
| | - Flora Alfano
- Department of Animal Health, Experimental Zooprophylactic Institute of Southern Italy, Portici, Italy
| | - Simona Rea
- Department of Animal Health, Experimental Zooprophylactic Institute of Southern Italy, Portici, Italy
| | - Stefano Scarcelli
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Productions, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Martina Ottaviano
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Productions, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Claudio De Martinis
- Department of Animal Health, Experimental Zooprophylactic Institute of Southern Italy, Portici, Italy
| | - Giovanna Fusco
- Department of Animal Health, Experimental Zooprophylactic Institute of Southern Italy, Portici, Italy
| | - Maria Gabriella Lucibelli
- Department of Animal Health, Experimental Zooprophylactic Institute of Southern Italy, Portici, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Veneziano
- Osservatorio Faunistico Venatorio—Campania Region, Naples, Italy
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Productions, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
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Gago H, Ruiz-Fons F, Drechsler RM, Alambiaga I, Monrós JS. Patterns of adult tick parasitization of coexisting European (Erinaceus europaeus) and Algerian (Atelerix algirus) hedgehog populations in eastern Iberia. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2022; 13:102048. [PMID: 36183586 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2022.102048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2022] [Revised: 09/21/2022] [Accepted: 09/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The availability of data regarding population abundance and dynamics of ticks in wild vertebrate populations is crucial to understand the host-tick relationship and to assess the risk for domestic animals and humans from possible zoonotic diseases. In this study we analyse several host-intrinsic and environmental factors affecting the tick population of two sympatric hedgehog species (the European and the Algerian hedgehog) in two differently anthropized habitats in eastern Spain. We captured 215 hedgehogs and sampled 356 adult ticks of four different species (Rhipicephalus sanguineus, R. turanicus, R. bursa and R. pusillus). We analysed by General Linear Mixed Models how the hosts' species, sex, capture month and site and their interactions affected tick presence and tick load. Further, we carried out Spearman correlation tests to analyse how environmental temperature and precipitation affect tick presence and load on hedgehogs. We found that, in general, male hedgehogs were more infested than females. However, the effects of the different factors depended on the tick species, especially related to their endophilic or exophilic character. High values of general tick infestation can be explained by the coincidence of tick activity peaks and higher male host activity levels, especially within areas with higher habitat diversity and species richness. We also discuss how the potential immunosuppressive effect of testosterone could be affecting our results. Our results show that in highly anthropized environments hedgehogs potentially act as important mixing vessels for tick-borne zoonotic pathogens and that monitoring ticks in periurban wildlife is important to assess potential health risks for pets and humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Héctor Gago
- Cavanilles Institute of Biodiversity and Evolutionary Biology, University of Valencia, c/Catedrático José Beltrán Martínez 2, 46980 Paterna, Valencia, Spain.
| | - Francisco Ruiz-Fons
- Health and Biotechnology (SaBio) group, Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos IREC (CSIC-UCLM-JCCM), Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Robby M Drechsler
- Cavanilles Institute of Biodiversity and Evolutionary Biology, University of Valencia, c/Catedrático José Beltrán Martínez 2, 46980 Paterna, Valencia, Spain
| | - Iván Alambiaga
- Cavanilles Institute of Biodiversity and Evolutionary Biology, University of Valencia, c/Catedrático José Beltrán Martínez 2, 46980 Paterna, Valencia, Spain
| | - Juan S Monrós
- Cavanilles Institute of Biodiversity and Evolutionary Biology, University of Valencia, c/Catedrático José Beltrán Martínez 2, 46980 Paterna, Valencia, Spain
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Stufano A, Iatta R, Sgroi G, Jahantigh HR, Cagnazzo F, Flöel A, Lucchese G, Loconsole D, Centrone F, Mendoza-Roldan JA, Chironna M, Otranto D, Lovreglio P. Seroprevalence of vector-borne pathogens in outdoor workers from southern Italy and associated occupational risk factors. Parasit Vectors 2022; 15:264. [PMID: 35879782 PMCID: PMC9310498 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-022-05385-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2022] [Accepted: 06/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Vector-borne diseases (VBDs) represent an emerging global threat to public health due to the geographical expansion of arthropod vectors. The study aims to assess the seroprevalence of selected vector-borne pathogens (VBPs) in different groups of outdoor workers and the occupational risk factors for exposure to arthropod bites. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted on 170 workers recruited in two different regions of southern Italy, including farmers, forestry workers, veterinarians, geologists/agronomists and administrative employees, and tested for IgG antibodies against Bartonella henselae, Borrelia spp. Coxiella burnetii and Rickettsia conorii, using a chemiluminescent immunoassay (CLIA). The relationship among job characteristics, tick exposure and the prevalence of seropositive subjects for each pathogen was investigated by applying categorical principal component analysis (CATPCA). Results A high seroprevalence for C. burnetii (30.0%) and R. conorii (15.3%) was reported, mainly in farmers (67.7% and 54.8%, respectively) and forestry workers (29.0% and 16.1%, respectively), while a low prevalence was observed for B. henselae and Borrelia spp. (8.8% and 4.1%, respectively). The regression equation by CATPCA was significant for C. burnetii and R. conorii (P < 0.001), showing a positive association with job, tick bite exposure, working area and contact with animals. Conclusions These findings highlight the need of activating an appropriate occupational health response for minimizing the risk of arthropod vector exposure in workplaces, considering specific preventive measures in particular in high-risk job categories. Graphical Abstract ![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela Stufano
- Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Roberta Iatta
- Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, University of Bari, Bari, Italy.
| | - Giovanni Sgroi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, Valenzano, Italy
| | | | - Francesco Cagnazzo
- Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Agnes Flöel
- Department of Neurology, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany.,German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases Rostock-Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Guglielmo Lucchese
- Department of Neurology, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Daniela Loconsole
- Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Francesca Centrone
- Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | | | - Maria Chironna
- Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Domenico Otranto
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, Valenzano, Italy.,Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamedan, Iran
| | - Piero Lovreglio
- Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
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Occhibove F, Kenobi K, Swain M, Risley C. An eco-epidemiological modeling approach to investigate dilution effect in two different tick-borne pathosystems. ECOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS : A PUBLICATION OF THE ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2022; 32:e2550. [PMID: 35092122 PMCID: PMC9286340 DOI: 10.1002/eap.2550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2021] [Revised: 10/20/2021] [Accepted: 10/27/2021] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Disease (re)emergence appears to be driven by biodiversity decline and environmental change. As a result, it is increasingly important to study host-pathogen interactions within the context of their ecology and evolution. The dilution effect is the concept that higher biodiversity decreases pathogen transmission. It has been observed especially in zoonotic vector-borne pathosystems, yet evidence against it has been found. In particular, it is still debated how the community (dis)assembly assumptions and the degree of generalism of vectors and pathogens affect the direction of the biodiversity-pathogen transmission relationship. The aim of this study was to use empirical data and mechanistic models to investigate dilution mechanisms in two rodent-tick-pathogen systems differing in their vector degree of generalism. A community was assembled to include ecological interactions that expand from purely additive to purely substitutive. Such systems are excellent candidates to analyze the link between vector ecology, community (dis)assembly dynamics, and pathogen transmission. To base our mechanistic models on empirical data, rodent live-trapping, including tick sampling, was conducted in Wales across two seasons for three consecutive years. We have developed a deterministic single-vector, multi-host compartmental model that includes ecological relationships with non-host species, uniquely integrating theoretical and observational approaches. To describe pathogen transmission across a gradient of community diversity, the model was populated with parameters describing five different scenarios differing in ecological complexity; each based around one of the pathosystems: Ixodes ricinus (generalist tick)-Borrelia burgdorferi and I. trianguliceps (small mammals specialist tick)-Babesia microti. The results suggested that community composition and interspecific dynamics affected pathogen transmission with different dilution outcomes depending on the vector degree of generalism. The model provides evidence that dilution and amplification effects are not mutually exclusive in the same community but depend on vector ecology and the epidemiological output considered (i.e., the "risk" of interest). In our scenarios, more functionally diverse communities resulted in fewer infectious rodents, supporting the dilution effect. In the pathosystem with generalist vector we identified a hump shaped relationship between diversity and infections in hosts, while for that characterized by specialist tick, this relationship was more complex and more dependent upon specific parameter values.
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Affiliation(s)
- Flavia Occhibove
- IBERS, Aberystwyth UniversityAberystwythUK
- UK Centre for Ecology & HydrologyWallingfordUK
| | - Kim Kenobi
- Department of MathematicsAberystwyth UniversityAberystwythUK
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Hard Ticks (Ixodidae) from Wildlife in Liguria, Northwest Italy: Tick Species Diversity and Tick-Host Associations. INSECTS 2022; 13:insects13020199. [PMID: 35206772 PMCID: PMC8880679 DOI: 10.3390/insects13020199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2021] [Revised: 01/28/2022] [Accepted: 02/10/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Hard ticks’ geographical distribution and abundance are influenced by wildlife population. This work presents the results of the identification of ticks retrieved from wild animals in the framework of a Regional Plan of Monitoring and Surveillance of Wildlife health. The frequency of distribution of ticks in different hosts and their geographical patterns were also investigated. Ticks were collected from game animals (Sus scrofa, Capreolus capreolus, Dama dama, and Rupicapra rupicapra) during two hunting seasons (2018–2019 and 2019–2020) in the four provinces of the Liguria region in northwest Italy. In the same period, ticks were also collected from carcasses of Vulpes vulpes, Canis lupus, Meles meles, and Asio otus received for necropsy. Tick species were identified according to taxonomic keys. A total of 819 ticks, removed from 259 animals, were found and identified. Overall, Ixodes ricinus was the dominant species (62.6%), followed by Dermacentor marginatus (24.5%), Rhipicephalus sanguineus s.l. (12.5%), Haemaphysalis punctata (0.2%), and Ixodes hexagonus (0.1%). I. ricinus was also the prevalent species in roe deer and in fallow deer and the only species collected from the three wolf carcasses examined. In contrast, D. marginatus was the dominant species in S. scrofa. This last tick species was also more frequent in one province (Imperia), whereas Ixodes spp. were more common in another one (Savona). Wild animals proved to be useful for characterizing and monitoring tick population.
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Role of reptiles and associated arthropods in the epidemiology of rickettsioses: A one health paradigm. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2021; 15:e0009090. [PMID: 33596200 PMCID: PMC7888606 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0009090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2020] [Accepted: 12/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
We assessed the presence of Rickettsia spp., Coxiella burnetii and Anaplasma phagocytophilum in reptiles, their ectoparasites and in questing ticks collected in a nature preserve park in southern Italy, as well as in a peri-urban area in another region. We 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. Rickettsia spp. were molecularly detected in Podarcis muralis and Podarcis siculus lizards (i.e., 3.1%), in Ixodes ricinus (up to 87.5%) and in Neotrombicula autumnalis (up to 8.3%) collected from them as well as in I. ricinus collected from the environment (up to 28.4%). Rickettsia monacensis was the most prevalent species followed by Rickettsia helvetica. An undescribed member of the family Anaplasmataceae was detected in 2.4% and 0.8% of the reptiles and ectoparasites, respectively. Sera from human subjects (n = 50) were serologically screened and antibodies to Rickettsia spp. (n = 4; 8%), C. burnetti (n = 8; 16%) and A. phagocytophilum (n = 11; 22%) were detected. Two ticks collected from two forestry workers were positive for spotted fever group (SFG) rickettsiae. Ixodes ricinus is involved in the transmission of SFG rickettsiae (R. monacensis and R. helvetica) in southern Europe and lizards could play a role in the sylvatic cycle of R. monacensis, as amplifying hosts. Meanwhile, N. autumnalis could be involved in the enzootic cycle of some SFG rickettsiae among these animals. People living or working in the southern Italian nature preserve park investigated are exposed to SFG rickettsiae, C. burnetii and A. phagocytophilum. Zoonotic pathogens such as Rickettsia spp., Coxiella burnetii and Anaplasma phagocytophilum are associated with ticks, lice, fleas and mites and may infect a wide range of vertebrate species. There are still many knowledge gaps concerning the arthropod vectors and amplifying hosts of these pathogens. Reptiles are known to host infected ticks with these zoonotic pathogens and eventually become infected themselves by these bacteria. Hence to address this question from a broad One-Health perspective, we assessed the molecular prevalence of Rickettsia 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. Rickettsia DNA was detected in lizards’ tails, Ixodes ricinus ticks and in Neotrombicula autumnalis mites collected from them and in questing ticks. Although 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. These 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.
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Sgroi G, Iatta R, Veneziano V, Bezerra-Santos MA, Lesiczka P, Hrazdilová K, Annoscia G, D'Alessio N, Golovchenko M, Rudenko N, Modrý D, Otranto D. Molecular survey on tick-borne pathogens and Leishmania infantum in red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) from southern Italy. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2021; 12:101669. [PMID: 33578255 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2021.101669] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2020] [Revised: 12/09/2020] [Accepted: 01/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) have been recognised to harbour and transmit a wide range of tick-borne pathogens (TBPs) including those of zoonotic concern. To investigate the prevalence and the distribution of TBPs and of Leishmania infantum in foxes (n = 244), spleen samples were collected within the frame of a multi-regional wildlife health surveillance program in Italy. A combined PCR/sequencing approach was performed for the detection of Anaplasma spp., Babesia spp., Borrelia spp., Ehrlichia spp., Hepatozoon spp. and L. infantum DNA. Overall, 146 foxes (59.8 %, 95 % CI: 53.6-65.8) tested positive for at least one pathogen with Hepatozoon canis being the most prevalent (i.e., n = 124; 50.8 %, 95 % CI: 44.6-57.0), followed by Babesia vulpes (n = 20; 8.2 %, 95 % CI: 5.4-12.3), different spirochete species from Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato complex (n = 9; 3.7 %, 95 % CI: 1.9-6.9), Ehrlichia canis and L. infantum (n = 7; 2.9 % each, 95 % CI: 1.4-5.8), Anaplasma platys (n = 4; 1.6 %, 95 % CI: 0.6-4.1), Anaplasma phagocytophilum ecotype I and Candidatus Neoehrlichia sp. (n = 3; 1.2 % each, 95 % CI: 0.4-3.5). All samples scored negative for Babesia canis and Borrelia miyamotoi. This study revealed the presence of spirochetes from B. burgdorferi s.l. complex, Ca. Neoehrlichia sp., A. platys and A. phagocytophilum ecotype I in red fox population from Italy, underling the necessity to monitoring these carnivores, mainly because they live in contact with dogs and humans. Data on the tick fauna circulating on wildlife species will complement information herein obtained, instrumentally to establish preventive strategies for minimizing the risk of infection for animals and humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni Sgroi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Roberta Iatta
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Veneziano
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Productions, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy; Osservatorio Faunistico Venatorio, Campania Region, Naples, Italy
| | | | - Paulina Lesiczka
- CEITEC - Central European Institute of Technology, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Brno, Brno, Czech Republic; Department of Pathology and Parasitology, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Kristýna Hrazdilová
- CEITEC - Central European Institute of Technology, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Brno, Brno, Czech Republic; Faculty of Medicine in Pilsen, Biomedical Center, Charles University, alej Svobody 1655/76, 32300, Plzeň, Czech Republic
| | - Giada Annoscia
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Nicola D'Alessio
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, 80055, Portici, Italy
| | - Maryna Golovchenko
- Biology Centre Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Parasitology, Branisovska 31, 37005, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
| | - Natalie Rudenko
- Biology Centre Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Parasitology, Branisovska 31, 37005, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
| | - David Modrý
- CEITEC - Central European Institute of Technology, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Brno, Brno, Czech Republic; Department of Pathology and Parasitology, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Brno, Czech Republic; Biology Centre Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Parasitology, Branisovska 31, 37005, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic; Department of Botany and Zoology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Domenico Otranto
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, Bari, Italy; Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamedan, Iran.
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Eisen L, Eisen RJ. Benefits and Drawbacks of Citizen Science to Complement Traditional Data Gathering Approaches for Medically Important Hard Ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) in the United States. JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY 2021; 58:1-9. [PMID: 32772108 PMCID: PMC8056287 DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjaa165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2020] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
Tick-borne diseases are increasing in North America. Knowledge of which tick species and associated human pathogens are present locally can inform the public and medical community about the acarological risk for tick bites and tick-borne infections. Citizen science (also called community-based monitoring, volunteer monitoring, or participatory science) is emerging as a potential approach to complement traditional tick record data gathering where all aspects of the work is done by researchers or public health professionals. One key question is how citizen science can best be used to generate high-quality data to fill knowledge gaps that are difficult to address using traditional data gathering approaches. Citizen science is particularly useful to generate information on human-tick encounters and may also contribute to geographical tick records to help define species distributions across large areas. Previous citizen science projects have utilized three distinct tick record data gathering methods including submission of: 1) physical tick specimens for identification by professional entomologists, 2) digital images of ticks for identification by professional entomologists, and 3) data where the tick species and life stage were identified by the citizen scientist. We explore the benefits and drawbacks of citizen science, relative to the traditional scientific approach, to generate data on tick records, with special emphasis on data quality for species identification and tick encounter locations. We recognize the value of citizen science to tick research but caution that the generated information must be interpreted cautiously with data quality limitations firmly in mind to avoid misleading conclusions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lars Eisen
- Division of Vector-Borne Diseases, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 3156 Rampart Road, Fort Collins, CO 80521
| | - Rebecca J. Eisen
- Division of Vector-Borne Diseases, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 3156 Rampart Road, Fort Collins, CO 80521
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10
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Panayotova-Pencheva MS, Vichova B, Dakova VI, Salkova DS. Ticks and associated tick-borne pathogens from dogs and red foxes from Bulgaria. BULGARIAN JOURNAL OF VETERINARY MEDICINE 2021. [DOI: 10.15547/bjvm.2310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Climate changes in recent years led to a sharp rise in the tick population and an increase in the number of animals and people with tick-borne infections. The domestic and wild carnivores, especially the dogs, have a huge role for the distribution of ticks in certain areas. In this study 60 ixodid ticks collected from domestic dogs and red foxes from Bulgaria have been investigated for infection with Ehrlichia canis, Hepatozoon canis, Babesia spp., and Rickettsia spp. The results showed that the dogs were infected with two tick species - Rhipicephalus sanguineus (72%) and Ixodes ricinus (28%). The red foxes were infected with only one species - I. ricinus. Out of all R. sanguineus ticks, 43.6% were female and 56.4% male. The opposite was observed for I. ricinus - female specimens (86.7%) were significantly more prevalent than males (13.3%). Similar trend was found out for I. ricinus collected from red foxes - 66.7% of the ticks were female and 33.3% male. Infectious agents were found in 31.7% of the investigated ticks. Ehrlichia spp. was established in 79% and Rickettsia spp. in 21% of the infected ticks. Ehrlichia spp. was found only in ticks collected from dogs. The majority of the ticks infected with Ehrlichia spp. were Rh. sanguineus (93.3%) and only one tick was I. ricinus (6.7%). Four ticks were positive for Rickettsia spp., two were Rh. sanguineus and two - I. ricinus, one of the latter was found on a fox. This is the first report about detection of Ehrlichia spp. in Rh. sanguineus ticks from Bulgaria as well as Rickettsia spp. in I. ricinus ticks collected from red foxes from this country.
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Affiliation(s)
- M. S. Panayotova-Pencheva
- Institute of Experimental Morphology, Pathology and Anthropology with Museum, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - B. Vichova
- Institute of Parasitology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Košice, Slovakia
| | - V. I. Dakova
- Institute of Experimental Morphology, Pathology and Anthropology with Museum, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - D. S. Salkova
- Institute of Experimental Morphology, Pathology and Anthropology with Museum, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia, Bulgaria
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11
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Haut M, Girl P, Oswald B, Romig T, Obiegala A, Dobler G, Pfeffer M. The Red Fox ( Vulpes vulpes) as Sentinel for Tick-Borne Encephalitis Virus in Endemic and Non-Endemic Areas. Microorganisms 2020; 8:microorganisms8111817. [PMID: 33218052 PMCID: PMC7698811 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms8111817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2020] [Revised: 11/13/2020] [Accepted: 11/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) is one of the most important viral zoonosis caused by a neurotropic arbovirus (TBEV). In Germany, TBE is classified as a notifiable disease with an average of 350 autochthonous human cases annually. The incidence-based risk assessment in Germany came under criticism because every year, a number of autochthonous human TBE cases have been detected outside of the official risk areas. Therefore, it is necessary to find additional parameters to strengthen TBEV surveillance. The aim of this study was to examine red foxes as sentinels for TBE. Thus far, there are no published data about the sensitivity and specificity for serological methods testing fox samples. Hence, we aimed to define a system for the screening of TBEV-specific antibodies in red foxes. A total of 1233 fox sera were collected and examined by ELISA and IIFA and confirmed by micro-NT. The overall seroprevalence of antibodies against TBEV in red foxes from Germany confirmed by micro-NT was 21.1%. The seroprevalence differed significantly between risk (30.5%) and non-risk areas (13.1%), with good correlations to local TBE incidence in humans. In conclusion, serological monitoring of red foxes represents a promising surrogate marker system and may even determine unexpected TBEV foci in regions currently regarded as non-risk areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maja Haut
- Institute of Animal Hygiene and Veterinary Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Leipzig, 04103 Leipzig, Germany; (M.H.); (A.O.)
| | - Philipp Girl
- German National Consultant Laboratory for TBEV, Bundeswehr Institute of Microbiology, 80937 Munich, Germany; (P.G.); (B.O.); (G.D.)
| | - Beate Oswald
- German National Consultant Laboratory for TBEV, Bundeswehr Institute of Microbiology, 80937 Munich, Germany; (P.G.); (B.O.); (G.D.)
| | - Thomas Romig
- Parasitology Unit, Institute of Zoology, University of Hohenheim, 70599 Stuttgart, Germany;
| | - Anna Obiegala
- Institute of Animal Hygiene and Veterinary Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Leipzig, 04103 Leipzig, Germany; (M.H.); (A.O.)
| | - Gerhard Dobler
- German National Consultant Laboratory for TBEV, Bundeswehr Institute of Microbiology, 80937 Munich, Germany; (P.G.); (B.O.); (G.D.)
- Parasitology Unit, Institute of Zoology, University of Hohenheim, 70599 Stuttgart, Germany;
| | - Martin Pfeffer
- Institute of Animal Hygiene and Veterinary Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Leipzig, 04103 Leipzig, Germany; (M.H.); (A.O.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-341-9738152
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12
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Sgroi G, Iatta R, Lia RP, D'Alessio N, Manoj RRS, Veneziano V, Otranto D. Spotted fever group rickettsiae in Dermacentor marginatus from wild boars in Italy. Transbound Emerg Dis 2020; 68:2111-2120. [PMID: 32986912 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.13859] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2020] [Revised: 09/18/2020] [Accepted: 09/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Following the increase in wild boar population recorded in urban and peri-urban areas throughout Europe, the present survey aimed to assess the occurrence of zoonotic tick-borne pathogens (TBPs) in wild boars living in southern Italy and in their ticks for evaluating the potential risk of infection for animals and humans. From October to December 2019, a total of 176 ticks collected from 93 wild boars andtheir spleen samples were molecularly screened for selected TBPs. Overall, all the wild boars were infested by ticks (mean intensity, 1.9) with Dermacentor marginatus and Ixodes ricinus being identified in 99.4% and 0.6%, respectively. Out of 93 wild boars, 17 (18.3%) were infested by ticks which scored positive to spotted fever group (SFG) Rickettsia species. Rickettsia slovaca and Rickettsia raoultii were identified in 16 (9%) and 1 (0.6%) D. marginatus, respectively, whereas a single I. ricinus (0.6%) was infected by R. slovaca. A single wild boar (1.1%) tested positive to R. slovaca. All ticks and wild boars scored negative to Babesia/Theileria spp., Ehrlichia spp., Anaplasma spp., Candidatus Neoehrlichia spp., Coxiella burnetii and Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato complex. Data herein obtained suggest that wild boars are involved in the maintenance of D. marginatus in the environment as in peri-urban areas herein investigated. An integrated management approach is advocated for wild boar population control and in preventing the potential risk of TBPs infection in animals and humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni Sgroi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, Valenzano, Italy
| | - Roberta Iatta
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, Valenzano, Italy
| | | | - Nicola D'Alessio
- Dipartimento di Sanità Animale, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Portici, Italy
| | | | - Vincenzo Veneziano
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Productions, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy.,Osservatorio Faunistico Venatorio - Campania Region, Naples, Italy
| | - Domenico Otranto
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, Valenzano, Italy.,Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamedan, Iran
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13
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Haut M, Król N, Obiegala A, Seeger J, Pfeffer M. Under the skin: Ixodes ticks in the subcutaneous tissue of red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) from Germany. Parasit Vectors 2020; 13:189. [PMID: 32312296 PMCID: PMC7171784 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-020-04061-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2019] [Accepted: 04/01/2020] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ixodes spp. are vectors of zoonotic pathogens. All three active life stages (larvae, nymphs, adults) need to feed on a host in order to develop. Usually ticks parasitize attached to the external surface of their hosts' skin. Interestingly, in some cases ticks can also be found in the subcutaneous tissue in a variety of hosts, such as red foxes (Vulpes vulpes), raccoon dogs (Nyctereutes procyonoides) and dogs. METHODS The visceral side of 126 red fox-furs from Germany was examined visually searching for ticks. The localization of ticks was recorded and assigned to ten specific body parts. Morphological identification of ticks was performed according to standardized taxonomic protocols. Ticks which could not be further identified were examined genetically via conventional PCR targeting the 16S rRNA and cox1 gene. Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining was used for histopathological examination. RESULTS In 111 out of 126 (88.1%) examined coats, at least one tick was found in the subcutaneous tissue. A total of 1203 ticks were removed from the subcutaneous tissue. Well-preserved ticks could be identified based on morphological criteria, but most ticks were in a progressed state of decomposition. Here, morphological species identification was not successful. Also, PCR methods did not lead to a successful species identification. The following species and development stages were found by morphological identification: Ixodes ricinus (female, n = 289; male, n = 8; nymph, n = 1), I. hexagonus (female, n = 2), I. canisuga (female, n = 1). Male I. ricinus were found individually or copulating in pairs with females. Subcutaneous ticks were localized at three predominant affected body parts: ears, axillar and inguinal region. Histological examination of subcutaneous ticks revealed a granulomatous panniculitis. CONCLUSIONS To the authors' knowledge, this is the first finding of highly prevalent subcutaneous ticks in red foxes from Germany. Subcutaneous location of ticks seems to be very common in red foxes and the rule rather than the exception. Deep embedment of longirostra and long feeding times of females seem to put the subcutaneous location in favor. Most foxes were infested in the inguinal area, where the skin is thin and less hairy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maja Haut
- Institute of Animal Hygiene and Veterinary Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Leipzig, An den Tierkliniken 1, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Nina Król
- Institute of Animal Hygiene and Veterinary Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Leipzig, An den Tierkliniken 1, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Anna Obiegala
- Institute of Animal Hygiene and Veterinary Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Leipzig, An den Tierkliniken 1, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Johannes Seeger
- Institute of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Leipzig, An den Tierkliniken 43, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Martin Pfeffer
- Institute of Animal Hygiene and Veterinary Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Leipzig, An den Tierkliniken 1, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
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14
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Gillingham EL, Hansford KM, Meadows S, Henney J, Wieckowski F, Hernández-Triana LM, Muscat I, Muscat J, Beckert C, Nikolova NI, Cull B, Medlock JM. Ticks on the Channel Islands and implications for public health. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2020; 11:101405. [PMID: 32046929 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2020.101405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2019] [Revised: 01/27/2020] [Accepted: 02/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The Channel Islands are British Crown dependencies located in the English Channel to the west of the Normandy coast in northern France. Whilst there have been studies investigating tick occurrence and distribution in different habitats on the mainland of the UK and in France, the Channel Islands have been relatively understudied. As such, little is known about whether the sheep tick, Ixodes ricinus, is present, and whether there is a potential risk of Lyme borreliosis on the Channel Islands. To ascertain the presence of I. ricinus on the three largest islands in the archipelago: Jersey, Guernsey and Alderney, surveys of ticks questing in the vegetation and ticks feeding on hosts were undertaken during April and May 2016. Across all three islands, the highest numbers of ticks were found in woodland habitats. Ixodes ricinus was the predominant questing tick species found on Jersey, and Ixodes ventalloi the most common questing tick species on Alderney and Guernsey, with little or no evidence of questing I. ricinus on either island. During field studies on small mammals, I. ricinus was the predominant tick species feeding on Jersey bank voles (Myodes glareolus caesarius), with Ixodes hexagonus the most common species infesting hedgehogs on Guernsey. We propose that the greater diversity of small mammals on Jersey may be important in supporting immature stages of I. ricinus, in contrast to Guernsey and Alderney. Morphological identification of tick species was confirmed by PCR sequencing based on amplification of the cytochrome c oxidase subunit one (cox1) gene (COI DNA barcoding). To date, there have been few records of human tick bites in the Channel Islands, suggesting that the current risk from tick-borne disease may be low, but continued reporting of any human tick bites, along with reporting of cases of Lyme borreliosis will be important for continued assessment of the impact of tick-borne diseases in the Channel Islands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma L Gillingham
- Medical Entomology and Zoonoses Ecology, Emergency Response Department, Public Health England, Porton Down, Salisbury, SP4 0JG, UK; NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Environmental Change and Health, UK.
| | - Kayleigh M Hansford
- Medical Entomology and Zoonoses Ecology, Emergency Response Department, Public Health England, Porton Down, Salisbury, SP4 0JG, UK; NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Environmental Change and Health, UK
| | - Scott Meadows
- Howard Davis Farm, la Route de la Trinité, Trinity, JE3 5JP, Jersey
| | - Julia Henney
- Environment Guernsey Ltd, The Old Tobacco Factory, Route De La Ramee, St. Peter Port, GY1 2ET, Guernsey
| | - Filip Wieckowski
- Alderney Wildlife Trust, 51 Victoria Street, St Anne, Alderney, GY93TA, Guernsey
| | - Luis M Hernández-Triana
- Wildlife Zoonoses and Vector-Borne Research Group, Department of Virology, Animal and Plant Health Agency, Addlestone, Surrey, KT15 3NB, UK
| | - Ivan Muscat
- Jersey General Hospital, The Parade, St Helier, JE1 3QS, Jersey
| | - Joseph Muscat
- Charles University, Opletalova 38, 110 00, Staré Město, Czechia
| | - Clara Beckert
- Charles University, Opletalova 38, 110 00, Staré Město, Czechia
| | - Nadya I Nikolova
- Biodiversity Institute of Ontario, University of Guelph, Ontario, N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Ben Cull
- Medical Entomology and Zoonoses Ecology, Emergency Response Department, Public Health England, Porton Down, Salisbury, SP4 0JG, UK
| | - Jolyon M Medlock
- Medical Entomology and Zoonoses Ecology, Emergency Response Department, Public Health England, Porton Down, Salisbury, SP4 0JG, UK; NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Environmental Change and Health, UK; NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Emerging and Zoonotic Infections, UK
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15
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Candidatus Neoehrlichia sp. (FU98) and Borrelia burgdorferi Sensu Lato in Red Foxes (Vulpes vulpes) from Serbia. ACTA VET-BEOGRAD 2019. [DOI: 10.2478/acve-2019-0026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Human activities such as deforestation, urbanization, and environmental pollution lead to a reduction in the spatial boundary between wild animals, domestic animals and humans. These activities increase the risk for the emergence of pathogens from the sylvatic cycle in the population of domestic animals and humans. Foxes are recognized as potential reservoirs for a number of bacterial pathogens of medical and public health concern. The aim of the present study was to investigate the prevalence and spatial distribution of bacterial tick-borne pathogens from the Anaplasmataceae family, Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (s.l.), Rickettsia spp., Coxiella burnetii, Francisella tularensis, Bartonella spp., in the red fox population from Serbia and to discuss the obtained results from the epidemiological point of view. Legally hunted red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) from 14 localities in Serbia were included in the study and spleen samples from 129 animals were tested with conventional PCR assays for the presence of bacterial tick-borne pathogens. DNA of Candidatus Neoehrlichia sp. (FU98), Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto, Borrelia lusitaniae, and Borrelia garinii was detected in 6 (4.7%), 1 (0.8%), 2 (1.6%) and 1 (0.8%) animals, respectively. Co-infection by Candidatus Neoehrlichia sp. (FU98) and B. garinii was detected in one animal. All samples were negative for other tested bacterial tick-borne pathogens. The results of the present study indicate the potential role of foxes in natural cycles of Candidatus Neoehrlichia sp. (FU98) and causative agents of Lyme borreliosis in the investigated areas. Further research is required to elucidate the role of foxes in the epidemiology of these and other tick-borne zoonotic pathogens in the Republic of Serbia.
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16
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Krčmar S. Diversity, ecology, and seasonality of hard ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) in eastern Croatia. JOURNAL OF VECTOR ECOLOGY : JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY FOR VECTOR ECOLOGY 2019; 44:18-29. [PMID: 31124224 DOI: 10.1111/jvec.12325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2018] [Accepted: 10/31/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
The diversity of hard tick fauna was studied in different forest communities in 48 localities of eastern Croatia using the dragging-flagging method and by hand from ten different vertebrate hosts. A total of 2,225 specimens comprising seven species in three genera were identified. Ixodes ricinus, the most abundant species (72.8% of all collected specimens) was recorded in 44 localities, followed by Dermacentor reticulatus in 19 localities, while the other five species (D. marginatus, H. concinna, H. inermis, I. canisuga, and I. hexagonus) were recorded in fewer localities. The highest ratio (67% of collected ticks) was in the adult stage with the predominance of females. The numbers of collected females, males, and nymphs of I. ricinus and H. concinna differed significantly. Ten new tick-host associations in Croatia were recorded. Fifty-three animals were infested with one tick species. Single species infestation with I. ricinus was found in 45.8% of animals, followed by D. reticulatus with 25.4%, D. marginatus with 10.2%, H. inermis and I. hexagonus with 3.4%, and I. canisuga with 1.7%. Coinfestation with two species of ticks were recorded in six animals. Ixodes ricinus, H. inermis, and D. reticulatus showed bimodal seasonal activity; for other species unimodal activity patterns were recorded.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stjepan Krčmar
- Department of Biology, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Cara Hadrijana 8/A, HR-31000 Osijek, Croatia
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17
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Hofmeester TR, Krawczyk AI, van Leeuwen AD, Fonville M, Montizaan MGE, van den Berge K, Gouwy J, Ruyts SC, Verheyen K, Sprong H. Role of mustelids in the life-cycle of ixodid ticks and transmission cycles of four tick-borne pathogens. Parasit Vectors 2018; 11:600. [PMID: 30458847 PMCID: PMC6245527 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-018-3126-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2018] [Accepted: 09/28/2018] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Elucidating which wildlife species significantly contribute to the maintenance of Ixodes ricinus populations and the enzootic cycles of the pathogens they transmit is imperative in understanding the driving forces behind the emergence of tick-borne diseases. Here, we aimed to quantify the relative contribution of four mustelid species in the life-cycles of I. ricinus and Borrelia burgdorferi (sensu lato) in forested areas and to investigate their role in the transmission of other tick-borne pathogens. Road-killed badgers, pine martens, stone martens and polecats were collected in Belgium and the Netherlands. Their organs and feeding ticks were tested for the presence of tick-borne pathogens. RESULTS Ixodes hexagonus and I. ricinus were found on half of the screened animals (n = 637). Pine martens had the highest I. ricinus burden, whereas polecats had the highest I. hexagonus burden. We detected DNA from B. burgdorferi (s.l.) and Anaplasma phagocytophilum in organs of all four mustelid species (n = 789), and Neoehrlichia mikurensis DNA was detected in all species, except badgers. DNA from B. miyamotoi was not detected in any of the investigated mustelids. From the 15 larvae of I. ricinus feeding on pine martens (n = 44), only one was positive for B. miyamotoi DNA, and all tested negative for B. burgdorferi (s.l.), N. mikurensis and A. phagocytophilum. The two feeding larvae from the investigated polecats (n = 364) and stone martens (n = 39) were negative for all four pathogens. The infection rate of N. mikurensis was higher in feeding nymphs collected from mustelids compared to questing nymphs, but not for B. burgdorferi (s.l.), B. miyamotoi or A. phagocytophilum. CONCLUSIONS Although all stages of I. ricinus can be found on badgers, polecats, pine and stone martens, their relative contribution to the life-cycle of I. ricinus in forested areas is less than 1%. Consequently, the relative contribution of mustelids to the enzootic cycles of I. ricinus-borne pathogens is negligible, despite the presence of these pathogens in organs and feeding ticks. Interestingly, all four mustelid species carried all stages of I. hexagonus, potentially maintaining enzootic cycles of this tick species apart from the cycle involving hedgehogs as main host species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tim R Hofmeester
- Resource Ecology Group, Wageningen University, Wageningen, the Netherlands. .,Present address: Department of Wildlife, Fish, and Environmental Studies, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Skogsmarksgränd 17, 907 36, Umeå, Sweden.
| | - Aleksandra I Krawczyk
- Centre for Zoonoses and Environmental Microbiology, Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, the Netherlands
| | - Arieke Docters van Leeuwen
- Centre for Zoonoses and Environmental Microbiology, Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, the Netherlands
| | - Manoj Fonville
- Centre for Zoonoses and Environmental Microbiology, Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, the Netherlands
| | | | - Koen van den Berge
- Research Institute for Nature and Forest (INBO), Geraardsbergen, Belgium
| | - Jan Gouwy
- Research Institute for Nature and Forest (INBO), Geraardsbergen, Belgium
| | - Sanne C Ruyts
- Forest and Nature Lab, Department of Environment, Ghent University, Geraardsbergsesteenweg 267, 9090, Gontrode, Melle, Belgium
| | - Kris Verheyen
- Forest and Nature Lab, Department of Environment, Ghent University, Geraardsbergsesteenweg 267, 9090, Gontrode, Melle, Belgium
| | - Hein Sprong
- Centre for Zoonoses and Environmental Microbiology, Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, the Netherlands.
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18
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Hofmeester TR, Jansen PA, Wijnen HJ, Coipan EC, Fonville M, Prins HHT, Sprong H, van Wieren SE. Cascading effects of predator activity on tick-borne disease risk. Proc Biol Sci 2018; 284:rspb.2017.0453. [PMID: 28724731 PMCID: PMC5543215 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2017.0453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2017] [Accepted: 06/16/2017] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Predators and competitors of vertebrates can in theory reduce the density of infected nymphs (DIN)—an often-used measure of tick-borne disease risk—by lowering the density of reservoir-competent hosts and/or the tick burden on reservoir-competent hosts. We investigated this possible indirect effect of predators by comparing data from 20 forest plots across the Netherlands that varied in predator abundance. In each plot, we measured the density of questing Ixodes ricinus nymphs (DON), DIN for three pathogens, rodent density, the tick burden on rodents and the activity of mammalian predators. We analysed whether rodent density and tick burden on rodents were correlated with predator activity, and how rodent density and tick burden predicted DON and DIN for the three pathogens. We found that larval burden on two rodent species decreased with activity of two predator species, while DON and DIN for all three pathogens increased with larval burden on rodents, as predicted. Path analyses supported an indirect negative correlation of activity of both predator species with DON and DIN. Our results suggest that predators can indeed lower the number of ticks feeding on reservoir-competent hosts, which implies that changes in predator abundance may have cascading effects on tick-borne disease risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tim R Hofmeester
- Resource Ecology Group, Wageningen University and Research, Droevendaalsesteeg 3a, 6708 PB Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Patrick A Jansen
- Resource Ecology Group, Wageningen University and Research, Droevendaalsesteeg 3a, 6708 PB Wageningen, The Netherlands.,Center for Tropical Forest Science, Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Balboa, Ancon, Republic of Panamá
| | - Hendrikus J Wijnen
- Resource Ecology Group, Wageningen University and Research, Droevendaalsesteeg 3a, 6708 PB Wageningen, The Netherlands.,Adaptation Physiology Group, Wageningen University and Research, De Elst 1, 6708 WD Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Elena C Coipan
- Centre for Infectious Disease Control Netherlands, National Institute for Public Health and Environment, Antonie van Leeuwenhoeklaan 9, 3721 MA Bilthoven, The Netherlands
| | - Manoj Fonville
- Centre for Infectious Disease Control Netherlands, National Institute for Public Health and Environment, Antonie van Leeuwenhoeklaan 9, 3721 MA Bilthoven, The Netherlands
| | - Herbert H T Prins
- Resource Ecology Group, Wageningen University and Research, Droevendaalsesteeg 3a, 6708 PB Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Hein Sprong
- Centre for Infectious Disease Control Netherlands, National Institute for Public Health and Environment, Antonie van Leeuwenhoeklaan 9, 3721 MA Bilthoven, The Netherlands
| | - Sipke E van Wieren
- Resource Ecology Group, Wageningen University and Research, Droevendaalsesteeg 3a, 6708 PB Wageningen, The Netherlands
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19
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Uspensky IV. Blood-sucking ticks (Acarina, Ixodoidea) as an essential component of the urban environment. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2017. [DOI: 10.1134/s0013873817070107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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Delgado JD, Abreu-Yanes E, Abreu-Acosta N, Flor MD, Foronda P. Vertebrate Ticks Distribution and Their Role as Vectors in Relation to Road Edges and Underpasses. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2017; 17:376-383. [PMID: 28402742 DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2016.2073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Roads fragment vertebrate populations and affect the dynamics and dispersal patterns of vertebrate parasites. We evaluated how vertebrate ticks distribute near roads and road underpasses in human-caused road-fragmented landscapes in Seville, SW Spain. We sampled 49 stations with 93 individualized sampling points and assessed tick abundance. We explored the relationship between tick presence and abundance and distance to the nearest road and underpass (drainage culverts and other passages used by vertebrates), and landscape features through categorical regression and nonparametric statistics. The presence of the tick-borne pathogens Borrelia sp. and Bartonella sp. was also analyzed by PCR. We found preliminary evidence of high relative tick abundance next to roads and in the vicinity of road underpasses. Plant cover type was related to tick presence in this road context. Implications of road permeability and edge effect in patterns of vertebrate-tick relationships in road fragmentation contexts are discussed. Both Borrelia sp. and Bartonella sp. were detected in the ticks analyzed. This is the first report of these bacteria in ticks from Seville. The results confirm the potential risk of acquiring Lyme disease and bartonellosis in this area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan D Delgado
- 1 Área de Ecología, Departamento Sistemas Físicos, Químicos y Naturales, Universidad Pablo de Olavide , Sevilla, Spain
| | - Estefanía Abreu-Yanes
- 2 Infulab S.L. , La Laguna, Spain .,3 Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de Canarias , Universidad de La Laguna, La Laguna, Spain
| | | | | | - Pilar Foronda
- 3 Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de Canarias , Universidad de La Laguna, La Laguna, Spain
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Sándor AD, D'Amico G, Gherman CM, Dumitrache MO, Domșa C, Mihalca AD. Mesocarnivores and macroparasites: altitude and land use predict the ticks occurring on red foxes (Vulpes vulpes). Parasit Vectors 2017; 10:173. [PMID: 28381228 PMCID: PMC5382496 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-017-2113-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2017] [Accepted: 03/24/2017] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The red fox Vulpes vulpes is the most common mesocarnivore in Europe and with a wide geographical distribution and a high density in most terrestrial habitats of the continent. It is fast urbanising species, which can harbor high numbers of different tick species, depending on the region. Here we present the results of a large-scale study, trying to disentangle the intricate relationship between environmental factors and the species composition of ectoparasites in red foxes. The samples were collected in Transylvania (Romania), a region with a diverse geography and high biodiversity. The dead foxes (collected primarily through the National Surveillance Rabies Program) were examined carefully for the presence of ticks. Results Ticks (n = 4578) were found on 158 foxes (out of 293 examined; 53.9%). Four species were identified: Dermacentor marginatus, Ixodes canisuga, I. hexagonus and I. ricinus. The most common tick species was I. hexagonus (mean prevalence 37.5%, mean intensity 32.2), followed by I. ricinus (15.0%; 4.86), I. canisuga (4.8%; 7.71) and D. marginatus (3.7%; 3.45). Co-occurrence of two or more tick species on the same host was relatively common (12.6%), the most common co-occurrence being I. hexagonus - I. ricinus. For D. marginatus and I. canisuga the highest prevalence was recorded in lowlands, for I. hexagonus in hilly areas, while for I. ricinus in mountains. Conclusions Altitude influenced the intensity of parasitism, with highest intensity observed for all Ixodes species in hilly areas. Dermacentor marginatus occurred only in lowlands, I. canisuga in lowlands and hilly areas while the other two species occurred in all of the regions studied. Foxes from lower altitudes had the most tick species associated, with most incidences of co-parasitism also recorded here. Land use affected tick-species composition, with the presence of D. marginatus strongly associated with the extension of arable areas and lack of forests. The presence of I. hexagonus was determined only by the extent of arable lands. As foxes are frontrunners of wildlife urbanization process, with a continuous increase of their numbers in urban areas, the knowledge of their ticks’ ecology (and the pathogens vectored by these) is of utmost importance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Attila D Sándor
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Calea Mănăştur 3-5, Cluj Napoca, Romania.
| | - Gianluca D'Amico
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Calea Mănăştur 3-5, Cluj Napoca, Romania
| | - Călin M Gherman
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Calea Mănăştur 3-5, Cluj Napoca, Romania
| | - Mirabela O Dumitrache
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Calea Mănăştur 3-5, Cluj Napoca, Romania
| | - Cristian Domșa
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Calea Mănăştur 3-5, Cluj Napoca, Romania
| | - Andrei Daniel Mihalca
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Calea Mănăştur 3-5, Cluj Napoca, Romania
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D'Amico G, Dumitrache MO, Matei IA, Ionică AM, Gherman CM, Sándor AD, Modrý D, Mihalca AD. Ixodid ticks parasitizing wild carnivores in Romania. EXPERIMENTAL & APPLIED ACAROLOGY 2017; 71:139-149. [PMID: 28124749 DOI: 10.1007/s10493-017-0108-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2016] [Accepted: 01/15/2017] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
In Romania, data regarding hard-tick diversity and tick-host associations in wild carnivores are scarce. We aimed to identify tick species in wild carnivores and to establish reliable data on tick-host associations. The study was conducted in various Romanian localities from all five ecoregions found in the country. Fourteen species of wild carnivores were examined. Immature and adult ticks were collected and identified using the morphological keys. The frequency and mean intensity of tick infestation, overall and differentiated by species, developmental stage and host were calculated. Of 202 wild carnivores, 68 were parasitized by seven tick species (predominantly Ixodes ricinus, I. hexagonus and Dermacentor reticulatus). The mean intensity of tick infestation was similar in males (6.97, BCa 95% CI 5.15-9.88) and females (5.76, BCa 95% CI 4.15-9.17). The highest prevalence of infested animals was recorded in the pannonian and steppic ecoregions, 66.7 and 52.7%, respectively. In the continental ecoregion the prevalence was 26.7%, whereas in the pontic ecoregion it was 28%. The lowest value, 16.7% was recorded in the alpine ecoregion. In total 430 ticks were collected, and 24.8% (n = 50) of the animals were infested with more than one tick species. Fourteen new tick-host associations were recorded. Our results suggest that anthropogenic changes of the environment lead to the diminishing of the boundaries, between wild and domestic animals, increasing the exposure for both animals and humans, to infective agents, including tick-borne pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gianluca D'Amico
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Cluj-Napoca, Calea Mănăştur 3-5, 400372, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Mirabela Oana Dumitrache
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Cluj-Napoca, Calea Mănăştur 3-5, 400372, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Ioana Adriana Matei
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Cluj-Napoca, Calea Mănăştur 3-5, 400372, Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
| | - Angela Monica Ionică
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Cluj-Napoca, Calea Mănăştur 3-5, 400372, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Călin Mircea Gherman
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Cluj-Napoca, Calea Mănăştur 3-5, 400372, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Attila David Sándor
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Cluj-Napoca, Calea Mănăştur 3-5, 400372, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - David Modrý
- Department of Pathology and Parasitology, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Palackého tř. 1/3, 612 42, Brno, Czech Republic
- CEITEC-VFU, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Palackého tř. 1/3, 612 42, Brno, Czech Republic
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, v.v.i., České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Andrei Daniel Mihalca
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Cluj-Napoca, Calea Mănăştur 3-5, 400372, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
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Occurrence of ticks in the subcutaneous tissue of red foxes, Vulpes vulpes in Czech Republic and Romania. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2017; 8:309-312. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2016.12.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2016] [Revised: 12/08/2016] [Accepted: 12/08/2016] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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Szekeres S, Majláthová V, Majláth I, Földvári G. 8. Neglected hosts: the role of lacertid lizards and medium-sized mammals in the ecoepidemiology of Lyme borreliosis. ECOLOGY AND CONTROL OF VECTOR-BORNE DISEASES 2016. [DOI: 10.3920/978-90-8686-838-4_8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sándor Szekeres
- Department of Parasitology and Zoology, University of Veterinary Medicine, 2 István str. 1078 Budapest, Hungary
| | | | - Igor Majláth
- University of P.J. Šafárik, Faculty of Science, Institute of Biology and Ecology, Šrobárova 2, 041 54 Košice, Slovakia
| | - Gábor Földvári
- Department of Parasitology and Zoology, University of Veterinary Medicine, 2 István str. 1078 Budapest, Hungary
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Molecular survey of Ehrlichia canis and Coxiella burnetii infections in wild mammals of southern Italy. Parasitol Res 2016; 115:4427-4431. [DOI: 10.1007/s00436-016-5213-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2016] [Accepted: 07/26/2016] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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Geographical distribution of Dermacentor marginatus and Dermacentor reticulatus in Europe. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2015; 7:224-233. [PMID: 26552893 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2015.10.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 144] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2015] [Revised: 10/19/2015] [Accepted: 10/20/2015] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The goal of this paper is to present up-to-date maps depicting the geographical distribution of Dermacentor species in Europe based on georeferenced sampling sites. Therefore, a dataset was compiled, resulting in 1286 D. marginatus (Sulzer, 1776) and 1209 D. reticulatus (Fabricius, 1794) locations. Special emphasis is given to the region of the European Alps depicting a presumable climate barrier of the mountains and to overlaps in the distribution of both species as well as on the situation in eastern European countries. For the latter newly described Dermacentor findings comprise 59 locations in Romania and 62 locations in Ukraine. The geographical distributions of both species in Europe range from Portugal to Ukraine (and continue to the east of Kazakhstan). Although it is well known that D. marginatus is adapted to a warmer and drier climate at more southern latitudes and D. reticulatus to a moderately moist climate at more northern latitudes, the distribution limits of both species were not well known. Here, the northern and southern distribution limits for both species in Europe, as determined from the georeferenced database, were specified for D. marginatus by the belt of 33-51° N latitude and for D. reticulatus by the belt of 41-57° N latitude. Thus, overlapping species distributions were found between 41° N and 51° N.
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Guo LP, Mu LM, Xu J, Jiang SH, Wang AD, Chen CF, Guo G, Zhang WJ, Wang YZ. Rickettsia raoultii in Haemaphysalis erinacei from marbled polecats, China-Kazakhstan border. Parasit Vectors 2015; 8:461. [PMID: 26383238 PMCID: PMC4573940 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-015-1065-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2015] [Accepted: 09/01/2015] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
We found Rickettsia raoultii DNA in 2 out of 32 (6.25 %) Haemaphysalis erinacei ticks. Result showed that the sequences of five genes (17-kDa, gltA, ompA, rrs, and ompB) were 100 % identity with that of R. Raoultii in GenBank. This study is the first report on the presence of R. raoultii in H. erinacei from wild marbled polecat, Vormela peregusna. Our findings suggest that H. erinacei parasitizing wild marbled polecat may serve as reservoir and carriers for R. raoultii in areas around the China-Kazakhstan border. The transmission of tick-borne diseases originated from wildlife should not be underestimated in border region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li-Ping Guo
- School of Medicine, Shihezi University, Shihezi, 832000, China.
| | - Lu-Meng Mu
- School of Medicine, Shihezi University, Shihezi, 832000, China.
| | - Jun Xu
- Xinjiang Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau, Urumqi, 830063, China.
| | - Su-Hua Jiang
- School of Medicine, Shihezi University, Shihezi, 832000, China.
| | - An-Dong Wang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Shihezi University, Shihezi, 832000, China.
| | - Chuang-Fu Chen
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Shihezi University, Shihezi, 832000, China.
| | - Gang Guo
- Xinjiang Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau, Urumqi, 830063, China.
| | - Wan-Jiang Zhang
- School of Medicine, Shihezi University, Shihezi, 832000, China.
| | - Yuan-Zhi Wang
- School of Medicine, Shihezi University, Shihezi, 832000, China.
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Otranto D, Cantacessi C, Dantas-Torres F, Brianti E, Pfeffer M, Genchi C, Guberti V, Capelli G, Deplazes P. The role of wild canids and felids in spreading parasites to dogs and cats in Europe. Part II: Helminths and arthropods. Vet Parasitol 2015; 213:24-37. [PMID: 26049678 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2015.04.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 123] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2015] [Accepted: 04/22/2015] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Over the last few decades, ecological factors, combined with everchanging landscapes mainly linked to human activities (e.g. encroachment and tourism) have contributed to modifications in the transmission of parasitic diseases from domestic to wildlife carnivores and vice versa. In the first of this two-part review article, we have provided an account of diseases caused by protozoan parasites characterised by a two-way transmission route between domestic and wild carnivore species. In this second and final part, we focus our attention on parasitic diseases caused by helminth and arthropod parasites shared between domestic and wild canids and felids in Europe. While a complete understanding of the biology, ecology and epidemiology of these parasites is particularly challenging to achieve, especially given the complexity of the environments in which these diseases perpetuate, advancements in current knowledge of transmission routes is crucial to provide policy-makers with clear indications on strategies to reduce the impact of these diseases on changing ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Domenico Otranto
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Universita' degli Studi di Bari, 70010 Valenzano, Italy.
| | - Cinzia Cantacessi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, CB3 0ES Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Filipe Dantas-Torres
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Universita' degli Studi di Bari, 70010 Valenzano, Italy; Departamento de Imunologia, Centro de Pesquisas Aggeu Magalhães, Fiocruz-PE, Recife, Brazil
| | - Emanuele Brianti
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Universita' degli Studi di Messina, 98168 Messina, Italy
| | - Martin Pfeffer
- Institute of Animal Hygiene & Veterinary Public Health, University of Leipzig, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Claudio Genchi
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie e Sanita' Pubblica, Universita' degli Studi di Milano, 20133 Milano, Italy
| | - Vittorio Guberti
- Istituto Superiore per la Protezione e la Ricerca Ambientale, 40064 Ozzano dell'Emilia, Italy
| | - Gioia Capelli
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, 35020 Legnaro, Italy
| | - Peter Deplazes
- Institute of Parasitology, University of Zürich, 8057 Zürich, Switzerland
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Giannelli A, Baldassarre V, Ramos RAN, Lia RP, Furlanello T, Trotta M, Dantas-Torres F, Baneth G, Otranto D. Spirocerca lupi infection in a dog from southern Italy: an "old fashioned" disease? Parasitol Res 2014; 113:2391-4. [PMID: 24781025 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-014-3912-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2014] [Accepted: 04/09/2014] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Canine spirocercosis caused by Spirocerca lupi is a life-threatening helminthic disease featured by severe clinical signs and potential development of oesophageal neoplasia. This infection is considered fairly frequent in Europe but almost unknown in Italy, from where only few reports have been published in local journals at the beginning of the XXI century. In the present study, an autochthonous case of canine spirocercosis in a 2-year-old dog from southern Italy is described. The animal was admitted to a private veterinary clinic in the municipality of Potenza (Basilicata region) due to persistent dyspnoea, vomiting, and regurgitation. At the abdominal ultrasound, a mass (1.3 × 2 cm) was observed and, thereafter, surgically removed from the apical part of the stomach. A female specimen of S. lupi was morphologically identified during the histological examination of the nodule and its eggs were detected in the faeces. In addition, the morphological identification was confirmed by molecular amplification and sequencing of partial cox2 gene sequence of S. lupi. Veterinarians should be aware of the potential risks derived from infection with this spirurid, which requires specific diagnostic and preventive measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessio Giannelli
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, Valenzano, Bari, Italy
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Dantas-Torres F, Lia RP, Capelli G, Otranto D. Efficiency of flagging and dragging for tick collection. EXPERIMENTAL & APPLIED ACAROLOGY 2013; 61:119-127. [PMID: 23417703 DOI: 10.1007/s10493-013-9671-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2012] [Accepted: 02/01/2013] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
It is acknowledged that data from field studies on tick ecology might be biased by collection methods, but actually comparative studies are still limited. Herein we assessed whether the efficiency of flagging and dragging varies according to tick developmental stage, species, season and habitat. Ticks were collected in three sites bordered by an oak forest. The abundance of ticks collected by each collection method varied according to tick species, developmental stage, season, and habitat. Flagging was in general more efficient in collecting adult ticks, especially in spring and winter. Females were more frequently collected by flagging in the meadow and grassland habitats and males in the man-made trail. Flagging collected significantly more adults of Dermacentor marginatus, Hyalomma marginatum, Haemaphysalis inermis and Ixodes ricinus. Flagging was more efficient in collecting D. marginatus and I. ricinus in spring, and H. inermis and I. ricinus females in both spring and winter. In summer and autumn tick abundances were generally similar, with the exception of D. marginatus female in autumn. Flagging was more efficient in collecting D. marginatus adults in the meadow habitat and in the man-made trail, and I. ricinus adults in the meadow and grassland habitats. Dragging was more efficient in grassland for R. turanicus. Our results suggest that variations in terms of collection method performance are associated to factors linked to tick behaviour, habitat characteristics, and climate. Field studies employing these collection methods should take this into account to avoid misleading conclusions about tick population dynamics and tick-borne pathogen transmission risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Filipe Dantas-Torres
- Departamento de Imunologia, Centro de Pesquisas Aggeu Magalhães, 50670-420 Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil.
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Dantas-Torres F, Otranto D. Species diversity and abundance of ticks in three habitats in southern Italy. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2013; 4:251-5. [PMID: 23403153 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2012.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2012] [Revised: 11/07/2012] [Accepted: 11/07/2012] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
A 2-year study was conducted from March 2010 to March 2012 in a forested area in southern Italy to evaluate the species diversity and abundance of free-living ticks in 3 different habitats: (i) a meadow habitat within an enclosure inhabited by roe deer (Capreolus capreolus); (ii) a man-made trail located in a high-altitude, forested area; and (iii) a grassland near a house inhabited by 3 people. In total, 10,795 ticks were collected. Ixodes ricinus was the most abundant species (69.0%), followed by Haemaphysalis inermis (19.1%), Rhipicephalus turanicus (6.7%), Dermacentor marginatus (3.2%), and Hyalomma marginatum (1.0%). The least frequently collected species were Rhipicephalus bursa, Haemaphysalis parva, Haemaphysalis sulcata, and Haemaphysalis concinna, representing together less than 1% of the collections. Immature ticks predominated over adult ticks. In particular, immature stages of Ix. ricinus (i.e., 3246 larvae and 3554 nymphs) represented 63% of the total number of ticks collected. High levels of species diversity and abundance of ticks were recorded in all habitats and the daily number of ticks collected was negatively correlated with daily mean temperature, evapotranspiration, and saturation deficit. This study indicates that the southern Italian climate is suitable for different tick species, which may find a preferred 'climate niche' during a specific season, when a combination of factors (e.g., suitable meteorological and environmental conditions) associated with the presence of suitable hosts will facilitate their development and reproduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Filipe Dantas-Torres
- Departamento de Imunologia, Centro de Pesquisas Aggeu Magalhães, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Av. Prof. Moraes Rego s/n, 50670-420 Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil.
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Dantas-Torres F, Otranto D. Seasonal dynamics of Ixodes ricinus on ground level and higher vegetation in a preserved wooded area in southern Europe. Vet Parasitol 2013; 192:253-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2012.09.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2012] [Revised: 09/21/2012] [Accepted: 09/27/2012] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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Falchi A, Dantas-Torres F, Lorusso V, Malia E, Lia RP, Otranto D. Autochthonous and migratory birds as a dispersion source for Ixodes ricinus in southern Italy. EXPERIMENTAL & APPLIED ACAROLOGY 2012; 58:167-174. [PMID: 22610454 DOI: 10.1007/s10493-012-9571-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2012] [Accepted: 05/02/2012] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
The present study was carried out in a protected wooded area, which is part of the Parco Regionale Gallipoli Cognato Piccole Dolomiti Lucane, one of the most important ecological reserves in southern Italy. From April 2010 to April 2011, 212 birds, comprising 22 species from 12 families, were captured and examined for ticks. A total of 75 (35.4 %) birds were found infested by ticks, with 451 ticks being collected. All ticks were identified as Ixodes ricinus, of which 241 (53.4 %) were larvae and 210 nymphs (46.6 %). The highest intensity of infestation was found in April 2010, when 117 ticks were retrieved on 25 birds. No ticks were found on birds (n = 5) netted in December 2010. High infestation rates were recorded on blackbirds (Turdus merula) (90 %; 29 birds examined) and on mistle thrushes (Turdus viscivorus) (100 %; 2 birds examined). The highest intensity of infestation by larvae was found on wrens (5.6 larvae/bird) and by nymphs on mistle thrushes (11.5 nymphs/bird). Temperature and number of hours of light showed to influence the activity of larvae and nymphs. These data support the notion that birds may be responsible for the heterogeneous distribution of I. ricinus in Europe, thus playing a role in the epidemiology of certain tick-borne pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Falchi
- Dipartimento di Sanità Pubblica e Zootecnia, Università degli Studi di Bari, 70010 Valenzano, Bari, Italy.
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Mihalca AD, Dumitrache MO, Magdaş C, Gherman CM, Domşa C, Mircean V, Ghira IV, Pocora V, Ionescu DT, Sikó Barabási S, Cozma V, Sándor AD. Synopsis of the hard ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) of Romania with update on host associations and geographical distribution. EXPERIMENTAL & APPLIED ACAROLOGY 2012; 58:183-206. [PMID: 22544174 DOI: 10.1007/s10493-012-9566-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2011] [Accepted: 04/12/2012] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
The current paper is a synoptic review of the distribution and host associations of the 25 species of hard tick fauna (family Ixodidae) in Romania. In addition to a full literature survey, original data is presented, based on eight years of occasional or targeted sample collection. The literature data on geographical distribution was transposed digitally to the decimal degree coordinate system. For each species, an updated distribution map is given together with all historical data and new host associations. Overall, our paper records 58 new tick-host associations for Romania: 20 for Ixodes ricinus, 1 for I. apronophorus, 6 for I. arboricola, 2 for I. hexagonus, 9 for I. redikorzevi, 1 for I. trianguliceps, 2 for I. vespertilionis, 2 for Haemaphysalis punctata, 1 for H. sulcata, 2 for H. concinna, 1 for D. marginatus, 4 for Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato, 1 for R. bursa and 6 for Hyalomma marginatum.
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Affiliation(s)
- A D Mihalca
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, Calea Mănăştur 3-5, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
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Gherman CM, Sándor AD, Kalmár Z, Marinov M, Mihalca AD. First report of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato in two threatened carnivores: the marbled polecat, Vormela peregusna and the European mink, Mustela lutreola (Mammalia: Mustelidae). BMC Vet Res 2012; 8:137. [PMID: 22901862 PMCID: PMC3514366 DOI: 10.1186/1746-6148-8-137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2012] [Accepted: 08/13/2012] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Lyme disease is a widespread cosmopolitan zoonosis caused by species belonging to the genus Borrelia. It is transmitted from animal reservoir hosts to humans through hard - ticks of genus Ixodes which are vectors of the disease. Case presentation Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato infection was identified in a marbled polecat, Vormela peregusna, and two European minks, Mustela lutreola, from Romania, by PCR. RFLP revealed the presence of a single genospecies, Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto. Conclusions This is the first report of the Lyme disease spirochetes in the two mentioned hosts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Călin M Gherman
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Calea Mănăștur 3-5, Cluj-Napoca, 400372, Romania
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