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Du CH, Yang JH, Yao MG, Jiang BG, Zhang Y, He ZH, Xiang R, Shao ZT, Luo CF, Pu EN, Huang L, Li YQ, Wang F, Bie SS, Luo Z, Du CB, Zhao J, Li M, Sun Y, Jiang JF. Systematic investigation of the Borrelia miyamotoi spirochetes in ticks, wildlife and domestic animal hosts in Yunnan province, Southwest China. One Health 2024; 18:100735. [PMID: 38711479 PMCID: PMC11070625 DOI: 10.1016/j.onehlt.2024.100735] [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: 12/12/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 05/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Borrelia miyamotoi is a spirochete species transmitted via hard ticks. Following its discovery in Japan, this pathogen has been detected around the world, and is increasingly confirmed as a human pathogen causing febrile disease, namely relapsing fever. Its presence has been confirmed in the Northeast China. However, there is little information regarding the presence of B. miyamotoi and other hard-tick-borne relapsing fever spirochetes in southern China including Yunnan province, where tick and animal species are abundant and many people both inhabit and visit for recreation. Methods For the present study, we collected samples of ticks, wildlife, and domestic animal hosts from different counties in Yunnan province. Nucleic acids from samples were extracted, and the presence of B. miyamotoi and other relapsing fever spirochetes was confirmed using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the 16S rRNA specific target gene fragment. The positive samples were then amplified for partial genome of the flaB and glpQ genes. Statistical differences in its distribution were analyzed by SPSS 20 software. Sequence of partial 16S rRNA, flaB and glpQ genome were analyzed and phylogenetic trees were constructed. Results A total of 8260 samples including 2304 ticks, 4120 small mammals and 1836 blood of domestic animal hosts were collected for screening for infection of B. miyamotoi and other relapsing fever spirochetes. Cattle and sheep act as the main hosts and Rhipicephalus microplus, Haemaphysalis nepalensis, H. kolonini and Ixodes ovatus were identified as the important vector host with high prevalence or wide distribution. Only one Mus caroli (mouse) and one Sorex alpinus (shrew) were confirmed positive for relapsing fever spirochetes. Evidence of vertical transmission in ticks was also confirmed. Two known strains of B. miyamotoi and one novel relapsing fever spirochetes, B. theileri-like agent, were confirmed and described with their host adaptation, mutation, and potential risk of spreading and spillover for human beings. Conclusions Our results provide new evidence of relapsing fever spirochetes in vector and animal hosts in Yunnan province based on large sample sizes, and offer guidance on further investigation, surveillance and monitoring of this pathogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chun-Hong Du
- Yunnan Institute for Endemic Diseases Control and Prevention, Yunnan Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Control and Prevention, Dali 671000, PR China
| | - Ji-Hu Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Beijing 100071, PR China
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, PR China
| | - Ming-Guo Yao
- Yunnan Institute for Endemic Diseases Control and Prevention, Yunnan Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Control and Prevention, Dali 671000, PR China
| | - Bao-Gui Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Beijing 100071, PR China
| | - Yun Zhang
- Yunnan Institute for Endemic Diseases Control and Prevention, Yunnan Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Control and Prevention, Dali 671000, PR China
| | - Zhi-Hai He
- Yunnan Institute for Endemic Diseases Control and Prevention, Yunnan Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Control and Prevention, Dali 671000, PR China
| | - Rong Xiang
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Beijing 100071, PR China
| | - Zong-Ti Shao
- Yunnan Institute for Endemic Diseases Control and Prevention, Yunnan Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Control and Prevention, Dali 671000, PR China
| | - Chun-Feng Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Beijing 100071, PR China
| | - En-Nian Pu
- Yunnan Institute for Endemic Diseases Control and Prevention, Yunnan Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Control and Prevention, Dali 671000, PR China
| | - Lin Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Beijing 100071, PR China
| | - Yu-Qiong Li
- Yunnan Institute for Endemic Diseases Control and Prevention, Yunnan Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Control and Prevention, Dali 671000, PR China
| | - Fan Wang
- Yunnan Institute for Endemic Diseases Control and Prevention, Yunnan Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Control and Prevention, Dali 671000, PR China
| | - Shuang-Shuang Bie
- Yunnan Institute for Endemic Diseases Control and Prevention, Yunnan Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Control and Prevention, Dali 671000, PR China
| | - Zhi Luo
- Yunnan Institute for Endemic Diseases Control and Prevention, Yunnan Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Control and Prevention, Dali 671000, PR China
| | - Chao-Bo Du
- Yunnan Institute for Endemic Diseases Control and Prevention, Yunnan Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Control and Prevention, Dali 671000, PR China
| | - Jie Zhao
- Yunnan Institute for Endemic Diseases Control and Prevention, Yunnan Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Control and Prevention, Dali 671000, PR China
| | - Miao Li
- Yunnan Institute for Endemic Diseases Control and Prevention, Yunnan Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Control and Prevention, Dali 671000, PR China
| | - Yi Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Beijing 100071, PR China
| | - Jia-Fu Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Beijing 100071, PR China
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Foo CPZ, Sutcliffe CG, Dibernardo A, Lindsay LR. Geographic range and minimum infection rate of Borrelia burgdorferi, Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Babesia microti, and Borrelia miyamotoi in Ixodes scapularis (Acari: Ixodidae) ticks in Manitoba, Canada from 1995 to 2017. Zoonoses Public Health 2024. [PMID: 38807283 DOI: 10.1111/zph.13159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2023] [Revised: 05/03/2024] [Accepted: 05/20/2024] [Indexed: 05/30/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The expanding geographical range of blacklegged ticks (BLTs), Ixodes scapularis, and its ability to transmit Borrelia burgdorferi, Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Babesia microti, and Borrelia miyamotoi poses an emerging public health risk. Our study determined the geographic distribution and the minimum infection rate (MIR) of B. burgdorferi-, A. phagocytophilum-, Ba. microti-, and B. miyamotoi-infected BLTs in Manitoba submitted to the Public Health Agency of Canada's passive tick surveillance programme from 1995 to 2017. METHODS Regression models were used to test the association of the MIR by year for each pathogen. Ticks were tested using PCR for B. burgdorferi since 1995, A. phagocytophilum since 2006, and Ba. microti and B. miyamotoi since 2013. The global positioning system coordinates of infected and uninfected ticks submitted during the surveillance period were plotted on a map of Manitoba using ArcGIS Pro version 3.1.2 to detect changes in the geographic distribution of ticks over time. RESULTS The overall MIR for B. burgdorferi was 139.7 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 129.0-150.5) per 1000 BLTs; however, it varied over time. After remaining stable from 1995 to 2005, the MIR increased by 12.1 per 1000 BLTs per year from 2005 to 2017 (95% CI: 7.0%-17.2%, p-value <0.01). The geographic distribution of B. burgdorferi-infected BLTs was centred around Winnipeg, Manitoba, and spread outward from this locality. The MIRs of A. phagocytophilum, Ba. microti, and B. miyamotoi were 44.8 per 1000 BLTs (95% CI: 38.1-51.6), 10.8 (95% CI: 6.6-15.0), and 5.2 (95% CI: 2.3-8.1) per 1000 BLTs, respectively, and showed no significant change over time. CONCLUSION Passive surveillance revealed the presence of A. phagocytophilum-, Ba. microti-, and B. miyamotoi-infected BLTs in southern Manitoba and revealed an increased risk of exposure to B. burgdorferi-infected BLTs due to the increasing geographic range and MIR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheryl Pei Zhen Foo
- Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador, St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada
| | | | - Antonia Dibernardo
- National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Leslie Robbin Lindsay
- National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
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Brandt KS, Armstrong BA, Goodrich I, Gilmore RD. Borrelia miyamotoi BipA-like protein, BipM, is a candidate serodiagnostic antigen distinguishing between Lyme disease and relapsing fever Borrelia infections. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2024; 15:102324. [PMID: 38367587 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2024.102324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2024] [Revised: 02/12/2024] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 02/19/2024]
Abstract
A Borrelia miyamotoi gene with partial homology to bipA of relapsing fever spirochetes Borrelia hermsii and Borrelia turicatae was identified by a GenBank basic alignment search analysis. We hypothesized that this gene product may be an immunogenic antigen as described for other relapsing fever Borrelia (RFB) and could serve as a serological marker for B. miyamotoi infections. The B. miyamotoi gene was a truncated version about half the size of the B. hermsii and B. turicatae bipA with a coding sequence of 894 base pairs. The gene product had a calculated molecular size of 32.7 kDa (including the signal peptide). Amino acid alignments with B. hermsii and B. turicatae BipA proteins and with other B. miyamotoi isolates showed conservation at the carboxyl end. We cloned the B. miyamotoi bipA-like gene (herein named bipM) and generated recombinant protein for serological characterization and for antiserum production. Protease protection analysis demonstrated that BipM was surface exposed. Serologic analyses using anti-B. miyamotoi serum samples from tick bite-infected and needle inoculated mice showed 94 % positivity against BipM. The 4 BipM negative serum samples were blotted against another B. miyamotoi antigen, BmaA, and two of them were seropositive resulting in 97 % positivity with both antigens. Serum samples from B. burgdorferi sensu stricto (s.s.)-infected mice were non-reactive against rBipM by immunoblot. Serum samples from Lyme disease patients were also serologically negative against BipM except for 1 sample which may have indicated a possible co-infection. A recently published study demonstrated that B. miyamotoi BipM was non-reactive against serum samples from B. hermsii, Borrelia parkeri, and B. turicatae infected animals. These results show that BipM has potential for a B. miyamotoi-infection specific and sensitive serodiagnostic to differentiate between Lyme disease and various RFB infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin S Brandt
- Bacterial Diseases Branch, Division of Vector-Borne Diseases, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - Brittany A Armstrong
- Bacterial Diseases Branch, Division of Vector-Borne Diseases, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - Irina Goodrich
- Bacterial Diseases Branch, Division of Vector-Borne Diseases, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - Robert D Gilmore
- Bacterial Diseases Branch, Division of Vector-Borne Diseases, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Fort Collins, CO, USA.
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Jaenson TGT, Gray JS, Lindgren PE, Wilhelmsson P. Coinfection of Babesia and Borrelia in the Tick Ixodes ricinus-A Neglected Public Health Issue in Europe? Pathogens 2024; 13:81. [PMID: 38251388 PMCID: PMC10818971 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens13010081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2023] [Revised: 01/09/2024] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Ixodes ricinus nymphs and adults removed from humans, and larvae and nymphs from birds, have been analysed for infection with Babesia species and Borrelia species previously in separately published studies. Here, we use the same data set to explore the coinfection pattern of Babesia and Borrelia species in the ticks. We also provide an overview of the ecology and potential public health importance in Sweden of I. ricinus infected both with zoonotic Babesia and Borrelia species. Among 1952 nymphs and adult ticks removed from humans, 3.1% were PCR-positive for Babesia spp. Of these Babesia-positive ticks, 43% were simultaneously Borrelia-positive. Among 1046 immatures of I. ricinus removed from birds, 2.5% were Babesia-positive, of which 38% were coinfected with Borrelia species. This study shows that in I. ricinus infesting humans or birds in Sweden, potentially zoonotic Babesia protozoa sometimes co-occur with human-pathogenic Borrelia spp. Diagnostic tests for Babesia spp. infection are rarely performed in Europe, and the medical significance of this pathogen in Europe could be underestimated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas G. T. Jaenson
- Evolutionary Biology Centre, Department of Organismal Biology, Uppsala University, Norbyvägen 18d, SE-752 36 Uppsala, Sweden;
| | - Jeremy S. Gray
- UCD School of Biology and Environmental Science, University College Dublin, D04 N2E5 Dublin, Ireland;
| | - Per-Eric Lindgren
- Division of Inflammation and Infection, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, SE-581 83 Linköping, Sweden;
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Region Jönköping County, SE-551 11 Jönköping, Sweden
| | - Peter Wilhelmsson
- Division of Inflammation and Infection, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, SE-581 83 Linköping, Sweden;
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Region Jönköping County, SE-551 11 Jönköping, Sweden
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Siegel EL, Xu G, Li AY, Pearson P, D’hers S, Elman N, Mather TN, Rich SM. Ixodes scapularis Is the Most Susceptible of the Three Canonical Human-Biting Tick Species of North America to Repellent and Acaricidal Effects of the Natural Sesquiterpene, (+)-Nootkatone. INSECTS 2023; 15:8. [PMID: 38249014 PMCID: PMC10816182 DOI: 10.3390/insects15010008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2023] [Revised: 12/18/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024]
Abstract
Ticks are vectors of many human and animal zoonotic disease-causing agents causing significant global health and economic strain. Repellents and acaricides are integral to the human capacity for personal protection from tick bites. Nootkatone, a naturally occurring sesquiterpene found in the Alaskan cedar tree, grapefruit, and other sources, has been documented to be a potent acaricide. Research has also noted repellent effects against some tick species. In this study, our aim was to investigate the effect of synthetic, high-purity (+)-nootkatone on adult Ixodes scapularis, Dermacentor variabilis, and Amblyomma americanum ticks in an in vitro, vertical filter paper bioassay. (+)-nootkatone showed compelling tick repellency, but median effective concentrations (EC50) significantly differed among species. Ixodes scapularis were repelled at very low concentrations (EC50 = 0.87 ± 0.05 µg/cm2). Higher concentrations were required to repel D. variabilis (EC50 = 252 ± 12 µg/cm2) and A. americanum (EC50 = 2313 ± 179 µg/cm2). Significant post-exposure mortality, assessed 24 h after repellency trials, was also observed in I. scapularis but was absent entirely in D. variabilis and A. americanum. These tests demonstrate that nootkatone has a promising dual-action personal protection capacity against adult I. scapularis ticks, warranting further investigation in more natural environments and in the presence of host cues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric L. Siegel
- Laboratory of Medical Zoology, Department of Microbiology, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, USA; (E.L.S.); (P.P.)
| | - Guang Xu
- Laboratory of Medical Zoology, Department of Microbiology, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, USA; (E.L.S.); (P.P.)
| | - Andrew Y. Li
- United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Invasive Insect Biocontrol and Behavior Laboratory, Beltsville, MD 20704, USA;
| | - Patrick Pearson
- Laboratory of Medical Zoology, Department of Microbiology, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, USA; (E.L.S.); (P.P.)
| | - Sebastián D’hers
- Computational Mechanics Center, Instituto Tecnológico de Buenos Aires (ITBA), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires C1106ACD, Argentina;
| | - Noel Elman
- GearJump Technologies, Limited Liability Company, Brookline, MA 02446, USA;
| | - Thomas N. Mather
- Center for Vector-Borne Disease, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI 02881, USA;
| | - Stephen M. Rich
- Laboratory of Medical Zoology, Department of Microbiology, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, USA; (E.L.S.); (P.P.)
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Narasimhan S, Fish D, Pedra JHF, Pal U, Fikrig E. A ticking time bomb hidden in plain sight. Sci Transl Med 2023; 15:eadi7829. [PMID: 37851823 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.adi7829] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2023]
Abstract
The deer tick transmits nearly half of the known tick-borne pathogens in the United States, and its expanding geographic range increases the risk of human infection. To decrease the abundance of and infection risk from deer ticks, approaches that include vaccines for human use and for animal hosts are desired.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sukanya Narasimhan
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Durland Fish
- Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT 06420, USA
- American Lyme Disease Foundation, Inc., New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Joao H F Pedra
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Utpal Pal
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA
| | - Erol Fikrig
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
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Rich SM, Siegel EL, Xu G. What a Tick Can Tell a Doctor: Using the Human-Biting Tick in the Clinical Management of Tick-Borne Disease. J Clin Med 2023; 12:6522. [PMID: 37892661 PMCID: PMC10607280 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12206522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2023] [Revised: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 10/13/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
With expanding concern about ticks, there is a general sense of uncertainty about the diagnosis and treatment of tick-borne diseases. The diagnosis process is often based on clinical judgment in conjunction with laboratory testing and can be pathogen specific. Treatments may require disease-dependent approaches, and co-infections complicate or increase the severity of the clinical picture. Measuring exposure indices in the tick has become popular among providers and their patients, though this practice is not universally understood, and certain public health agencies have voiced concerns regarding interpretation and rigor of testing. As many providers subscribe to or recommend these services to aid in pretest risk and exposure assessments, this work sought to clarify the role of pathogen testing human-biting ticks as a complement to the diagnostic pipeline and raises points that must be addressed through future research and interdisciplinary conversation. Future work is needed to develop quality control oversight for tick testing laboratories. Studies on the integration of tick testing with human cases to see how these services affect health outcomes are also needed. Alongside these, improvements in the quality and availability of diagnostics are of critical importance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen M. Rich
- Laboratory of Medical Zoology, Department of Microbiology, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01002, USA; (E.L.S.); (G.X.)
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Shah JS, Burrascano JJ, Ramasamy R. Recombinant protein immunoblots for differential diagnosis of tick-borne relapsing fever and Lyme disease. J Vector Borne Dis 2023; 60:353-364. [PMID: 38174512 DOI: 10.4103/0972-9062.383641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Lyme disease (LD) is caused by a group of tick-borne bacteria of the genus Borrelia termed Lyme disease Borreliae (LDB). The detection of serum antibodies to specific LDB antigens is widely used to support diagnosis of LD. Recent findings highlight a need for serological tests that can differentiate LD from tick-borne relapsing fever (TBRF) caused by a separate group of Borrelia species termed relapsing fever Borreliae. This is because LD and TBRF share some clinical symptoms and can occur in overlapping locations. The development of serological tests for TBRF is at an early stage compared with LD. This article reviews the application of line immunoblots (IBs), where recombinant proteins applied as lines on nitrocellulose membrane strips are used to detect antibodies in patient sera, for the diagnosis and differentiation of LD and TBRF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jyotsna S Shah
- IGeneX Inc. Milpitas; ID-FISH Technology Inc., California, USA
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9
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Cardenas-Cadena SA, Castañeda-Lopez ME, Mollinedo-Montaño FE, Vazquez-Reyes S, Lara-Arias J, Marino-Martinez IA, Rodriguez-Sanchez IP, Garza-Veloz I, Martinez-Fierro ML. Tick-Borne Pathogens Screening Using a Multiplex Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction-Based Method. Acta Parasitol 2023; 68:705-710. [PMID: 37531009 PMCID: PMC10462521 DOI: 10.1007/s11686-023-00702-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2022] [Accepted: 07/20/2023] [Indexed: 08/03/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE This study aims to develop and evaluate a cost-effective, user-friendly multiplex quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) method for detecting multiple tick-borne pathogens associated with human and veterinary diseases. METHODS In silico PCR was performed to design and evaluate primer sequences reported for amplifying Rickettsia spp., Borrelia spp., and Ehrlichia spp. Single and multiplex qPCR assays were then standardized to detect individual pathogens and multiple pathogens in a single reaction. Positive controls were generated to determine the dynamic range of the methods. In the validation phase, a total of 800 samples were screened for the presence of tick-borne pathogens. RESULTS Identification in a single qPCR reaction (multiplex) of Ehrlichia spp., and Borrelia spp. with a limit of detection of 10 copies and Rickettsia spp. with 100 copies, a PCR efficiency (E) of 90-100% and a coefficient of correlation (R2) of 0.998-0.996 for all pathogens. CONCLUSION The ability to detect three significant pathogens (Ehrlichia spp., Rickettsia spp., and Borrelia spp.) in a single qPCR reaction offers a significant advantage in the field of molecular diagnostics for tick-borne diseases. This advancement has a profound impact on public health as it facilitates the selection of appropriate treatment protocols, thereby reducing complications associated with disease progression. The streamlined approach provided by this method simplifies the diagnostic process and enables timely intervention, ultimately improving patient outcomes and mitigating the potential risks associated with untreated or misdiagnosed tick-borne infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergio Andres Cardenas-Cadena
- Molecular Medicine Laboratory, Unidad Académica de Medicina Humana y Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Autónoma de Zacatecas, Zacatecas, 98160, México
| | - Maria Eugenia Castañeda-Lopez
- Molecular Medicine Laboratory, Unidad Académica de Medicina Humana y Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Autónoma de Zacatecas, Zacatecas, 98160, México
| | - Fabiana Esther Mollinedo-Montaño
- Molecular Medicine Laboratory, Unidad Académica de Medicina Humana y Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Autónoma de Zacatecas, Zacatecas, 98160, México
| | - Sodel Vazquez-Reyes
- Molecular Medicine Laboratory, Unidad Académica de Medicina Humana y Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Autónoma de Zacatecas, Zacatecas, 98160, México
| | - Jorge Lara-Arias
- Orthopedics and Traumatology Service, Facultad de Medicina y Hospital Universitario 'Dr. José E. González', Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Monterrey, Nuevo León, 64460, México
| | - Ivan Alberto Marino-Martinez
- Experimental Therapies Unit, Center for Research and Development in Health Sciences, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Monterrey, Nuevo León, 64460, México
| | - Iram Pablo Rodriguez-Sanchez
- Laboratory of Molecular and Structural Physiology, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Monterrey, Nuevo León, 66455, México
| | - Idalia Garza-Veloz
- Molecular Medicine Laboratory, Unidad Académica de Medicina Humana y Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Autónoma de Zacatecas, Zacatecas, 98160, México
| | - Margarita L Martinez-Fierro
- Molecular Medicine Laboratory, Unidad Académica de Medicina Humana y Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Autónoma de Zacatecas, Zacatecas, 98160, México.
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Foley N, O’Connor C, Falco RC, Vinci V, Oliver J, Haight J, Sporn LA, Harrington L, Mader E, Wroblewski D, Backenson PB, Prusinski MA. Spatiotemporal distribution of Borrelia miyamotoi (Spirochaetales: Spirochaetaceae) and coinfection with other tick-borne pathogens in host-seeking Ixodes scapularis (Acari: Ixodidae) from New York State, USA. JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY 2023; 60:808-821. [PMID: 37156099 PMCID: PMC10653143 DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjad054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2022] [Revised: 04/06/2023] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
Blacklegged ticks (Ixodes scapularis Say, Acari: Ixodidae) were collected from 432 locations across New York State (NYS) during the summer and autumn of 2015-2020 to determine the prevalence and geographic distribution of Borrelia miyamotoi (Spirochaetales: Spirochaetaceae) and coinfections with other tick-borne pathogens. A total of 48,386 I. scapularis were individually analyzed using a multiplex real-time polymerase chain reaction assay to simultaneously detect the presence of Bo. miyamotoi, Borrelia burgdorferi (Spirochaetales: Spirochaetaceae), Anaplasma phagocytophilum (Rickettsiales: Anaplasmataceae), and Babesia microti (Piroplasmida: Babesiidae). Overall prevalence of Bo. miyamotoi in host-seeking nymphs and adults varied geographically and temporally at the regional level. The rate of polymicrobial infection in Bo. miyamotoi-infected ticks varied by developmental stage, with certain co-infections occurring more frequently than expected by chance. Entomological risk of exposure to Bo. miyamotoi-infected nymphal and adult ticks (entomological risk index [ERI]) across NYS regions in relation to human cases of Bo. miyamotoi disease identified during the study period demonstrated spatial and temporal variation. The relationship between select environmental factors and Bo. miyamotoi ERI was explored using generalized linear mixed effects models, resulting in different factors significantly impacting ERI for nymphs and adult ticks. These results can inform estimates of Bo. miyamotoi disease risk and further our understanding of Bo. miyamotoi ecological dynamics in regions where this pathogen is known to occur.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole Foley
- Department of Entomology, Cornell University, 3138/2130 Comstock Hall, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Collin O’Connor
- New York State Department of Health, Bureau of Communicable Disease Control, Western New York Regional Office, 584 Delaware Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14202, USA
- Department of Geography, University at Buffalo, Suite 105, Buffalo, NY, 14261, USA
| | - Richard C Falco
- New York State Department of Health, Fordham University, Vector Ecology Laboratory, Louis Calder Center, 53 Whippoorwill Road, Armonk, NY 10504, USA
| | - Vanessa Vinci
- New York State Department of Health, Fordham University, Vector Ecology Laboratory, Louis Calder Center, 53 Whippoorwill Road, Armonk, NY 10504, USA
| | - JoAnne Oliver
- New York State Department of Health, Bureau of Communicable Disease Control, Central New York Regional Office, 217 South Salina Street, 3rd Floor, Syracuse, NY 13202, USA
| | - Jamie Haight
- New York State Department of Health, Bureau of Communicable Disease Control, Chautauqua County DPF Offices, 454 North Work Street, Room B-05, Falconer, NY 14733, USA
| | - Lee Ann Sporn
- Paul Smith’s College, State Routes 30 and 86, Paul Smiths, NY 12970, USA
| | - Laura Harrington
- Department of Entomology, Cornell University, 3138/2130 Comstock Hall, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Emily Mader
- Department of Entomology, Cornell University, 3138/2130 Comstock Hall, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Danielle Wroblewski
- Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Bacteriology Laboratory, David Axelrod Institute, 120 New Scotland Avenue, Albany, NY 12208, USA
| | - P Bryon Backenson
- New York State Department of Health, Bureau of Communicable Disease Control, Communicable Disease Investigations and Vector Surveillance Unit, Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY 12237, USA
| | - Melissa A Prusinski
- New York State Department of Health, Bureau of Communicable Disease Control, Vector Ecology Laboratory, Wadsworth Center Biggs Laboratory C-456, Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY 12237, USA
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11
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Rubio LA, Kjemtrup AM, Marx GE, Cronan S, Kilonzo C, Saunders MEM, Choat JL, Dietrich EA, Liebman KA, Park SY. Borrelia miyamotoi Infection in Immunocompromised Man, California, USA, 2021. Emerg Infect Dis 2023; 29:1011-1014. [PMID: 37081591 PMCID: PMC10124667 DOI: 10.3201/eid2905.221638] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Infection with Borrelia miyamotoi in California, USA, has been suggested by serologic studies. We diagnosed B. miyamotoi infection in an immunocompromised man in California. Diagnosis was aided by plasma microbial cell-free DNA sequencing. We conclude that the infection was acquired in California.
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12
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Quarsten H, Henningsson A, Krogfelt K, Strube C, Wennerås C, Mavin S. Tick-borne diseases under the radar in the North Sea Region. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2023; 14:102185. [PMID: 37116420 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2023.102185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2023] [Revised: 04/18/2023] [Accepted: 04/18/2023] [Indexed: 04/30/2023]
Abstract
The impact of tick-borne diseases caused by pathogens such as Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Neoehrlichia mikurensis, Borrelia miyamotoi, Rickettsia helvetica and Babesia species on public health is largely unknown. Data on the prevalence of these pathogens in Ixodes ricinus ticks from seven countries within the North Sea Region in Europe as well as the types and availability of diagnostic tests and the main clinical features of their corresponding diseases is reported and discussed. Raised awareness is needed to discover cases of these under-recognized types of tick-borne disease, which should provide valuable insights into these diseases and their clinical significance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanne Quarsten
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Sørlandet Hospital, Kristiansand 4615, Norway.
| | - Anna Henningsson
- Department of Clinical Microbiology in Jönköping, County Hospital Ryhov, Jönköping 55185, Sweden; Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Linköping University, Linköping 58183, Sweden
| | - Karen Krogfelt
- Department of Science and Environment, University of Roskilde, Roskilde 4000, Denmark
| | - Christina Strube
- Institute for Parasitology, Centre for Infection Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hanover 30559, Germany
| | - Christine Wennerås
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg 413 46, Sweden
| | - Sally Mavin
- Scottish Lyme Disease and Tick-Borne Infections Reference Laboratory, Raigmore Hospital, Inverness IV2 3BW, United Kingdom
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13
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Shan J, Jia Y, Hickenbotham P, Teulières L, Clokie MRJ. Combining citizen science and molecular diagnostic methods to investigate the prevalence of Borrelia burgdorferi s.l. and Borrelia miyamotoi in tick pools across Great Britain. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1126498. [PMID: 37180256 PMCID: PMC10169747 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1126498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2022] [Accepted: 03/31/2023] [Indexed: 05/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Lyme disease is the most common tick-borne disease and is caused by a group of bacteria known as Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (s.l.) complex. Sharing the same genus as B. burgdorferi, Borrelia miyamotoi is a distinct genotype that causes relapsing fever disease. This emerging tick-borne disease is increasingly becoming a concern in public health. To investigate the prevalence of B. burgdorferi s.l. and B. miyamotoi in ticks first, we developed a PCR (Bmer-qPCR) that targets the phage terminase large subunit (terL) gene carried by B. miyamotoi. A similar approach had been used successfully in developing Ter-qPCR for detecting B. burgdorferi s.l. The terL protein functions as an enzyme in packaging phage DNA. Analytical validation of the Bmer-qPCR confirmed its specificity, efficiency and sensitivity. Second, we designed a citizen science-based approach to detect 838 ticks collected from numerous sites across Great Britain. Finally, we applied Bmer-qPCR and Ter-qPCR to 153 tick pools and revealed that the prevalence of B. burgdorferi s.l. and B. miyamotoi was dependent on their geographical locations, i.e. Scotland showed a higher rate of B. burgdorferi s.l. and lower rate of B. miyamotoi carriage as compared to those of the England data. A pattern of diminishing rate of B. miyamotoi carriage from southern England to northern Scotland was visible. Together, the citizen science-based approach provided an estimation of the carriage rate of B. burgdorferi s.l. and B. miyamotoi in tick pools and a potential spreading pattern of B. miyamotoi from the south to the north of Great Britain. Our findings underscore the power of combining citizen science with the molecular diagnostic method to reveal hidden pattern of pathogen-host-environment interplay. Our approach can provide a powerful tool to elucidate the ecology of tick-borne diseases and may offer guidance for pathogen control initiatives. In an era of limited resources, monitoring pathogens requires both field and laboratory support. Citizen science approaches provide a method to empower the public for sample collection. Coupling citizen science approaches with laboratory diagnostic tests can make real-time monitoring of pathogen distribution and prevalence possible.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinyu Shan
- Department of Genetics and Genome Biology, University of Leicester, Leicester, United Kingdom
| | - Ying Jia
- Department of Genetics and Genome Biology, University of Leicester, Leicester, United Kingdom
| | - Peter Hickenbotham
- Department of Genetics and Genome Biology, University of Leicester, Leicester, United Kingdom
| | | | - Martha R. J. Clokie
- Department of Genetics and Genome Biology, University of Leicester, Leicester, United Kingdom
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14
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Wodecka B, Kolomiiets V. Genetic Diversity of Borreliaceae Species Detected in Natural Populations of Ixodes ricinus Ticks in Northern Poland. Life (Basel) 2023; 13:life13040972. [PMID: 37109501 PMCID: PMC10143352 DOI: 10.3390/life13040972] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2023] [Revised: 03/30/2023] [Accepted: 04/06/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
In Europe, Ixodes ricinus tick is the vector of Lyme disease spirochetes and their relatives (Borreliella genus) and Borrelia miyamotoi. However, a newly described tick I. inopinatus with similar biological features and separated from I. ricinus may act as a vector for different Borrelia species. To date, eleven Borreliella species were detected in the natural populations of I. ricinus. Recently, two North American species have been detected in ticks parasitizing bats and red foxes in Europe, i.e., B. lanei and B. californiensis pointing to the necessity for searching for them in natural tick populations. In this study, using the coxI molecular marker only I. ricinus was identified in field-collected ticks with the exception of individual specimens of Haemaphysalis concinna. Using the flaB gene and mag-trnI intergenic spacer as molecular markers 14 Borreliaceae species have been detected with various frequencies in different parts of northern Poland. Among infected ticks, the most frequent were Borreliella (Bl.) afzelii (29.4%) and Bl. garinii (20.0%), followed by Bl. spielmanii, Bl. valaisiana, Bl. lanei, Bl. californiensis, B. miyamotoi, Bl. burgdorferi, Bl. carolinensis, Bl. americana, B. turcica, Bl. lusitaniae, Bl. bissettiae and Bl. finlandensis. Three of the above-mentioned species, i.e., Bl. lanei, Bl. californiensis and B. turcica were detected in this study for the first time in the natural ixodid tick population in Europe. The existence of the newly detected spirochetes increases their total diversity in Europe and points to the necessity of careful identification and establishment of the actual distribution of all Borreliaceae species transmitted by I. ricinus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beata Wodecka
- Department of Genetics and Genomics, Institute of Biology, Szczecin University, 71-415 Szczecin, Poland
| | - Valentyna Kolomiiets
- Department of Genetics and Genomics, Institute of Biology, Szczecin University, 71-415 Szczecin, Poland
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15
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Burde J, Bloch EM, Kelly JR, Krause PJ. Human Borrelia miyamotoi Infection in North America. Pathogens 2023; 12:553. [PMID: 37111439 PMCID: PMC10145171 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12040553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Revised: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/29/2023] [Indexed: 04/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Borrelia miyamotoi is an emerging pathogen that causes a febrile illness and is transmitted by the same hard-bodied (ixodid) ticks that transmit several other pathogens, including Borrelia species that cause Lyme disease. B. miyamotoi was discovered in 1994 in Ixodes persulcatus ticks in Japan. It was first reported in humans in 2011 in Russia. It has subsequently been reported in North America, Europe, and Asia. B. miyamotoi infection is widespread in Ixodes ticks in the northeastern, northern Midwestern, and far western United States and in Canada. In endemic areas, human B. miyamotoi seroprevalence averages from 1 to 3% of the population, compared with 15 to 20% for B. burgdorferi. The most common clinical manifestations of B. miyamotoi infection are fever, fatigue, headache, chills, myalgia, arthralgia, and nausea. Complications include relapsing fever and rarely, meningoencephalitis. Because clinical manifestations are nonspecific, diagnosis requires laboratory confirmation by PCR or blood smear examination. Antibiotics are effective in clearing infection and are the same as those used for Lyme disease, including doxycycline, tetracycline, erythromycin, penicillin, and ceftriaxone. Preventive measures include avoiding areas where B. miyamotoi-infected ticks are found, landscape management, and personal protective strategies such as protective clothing, use of acaricides, and tick checks with rapid removal of embedded ticks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jed Burde
- Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Evan M. Bloch
- Division of Transfusion Medicine, Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21217, USA
| | - Jill R. Kelly
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Peter J. Krause
- Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
- Department of Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
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16
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The Surveillance of Borrelia Species in Camelus dromedarius and Associated Ticks: The First Detection of Borrelia miyamotoi in Egypt. Vet Sci 2023; 10:vetsci10020141. [PMID: 36851446 PMCID: PMC9961693 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci10020141] [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: 12/19/2022] [Revised: 01/30/2023] [Accepted: 02/08/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Tick-borne diseases (TBDs) are emerging and re-emerging infections that have a worldwide impact on human and animal health. Lyme borreliosis (LB) is a severe zoonotic disease caused by the spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (s.l.) transmitted to humans by the bite of infected Ixodes ticks. Borrelia miyamotoi is a spirochete that causes relapsing fever (RF) and is genetically related to Borrelia burgdorferi s.l. However, there have been no reports of B. miyamotoi in Egypt, and the data on LB in camels is scarce. Thus, the present study was conducted to screen and genetically identify Borrelia spp. and B. miyamotoi in Egyptian camels and associated ticks using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). METHODS A total of 133 blood samples and 1596 adult hard ticks were collected from Camelus dromedaries at Cairo and Giza slaughterhouses in Egypt. Tick species were identified by examining their morphology and sequencing the cytochrome C oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) gene. Borrelia spp. was detected using nested PCR on the IGS (16S-23S) gene, and positive samples were genotyped using 16S rRNA and glpQ spp. genes specific for Borrelia burgdorferi and Borrelia miyamotoi, respectively. The positive PCR products were sequenced and analyzed by phylogenetic tree. RESULTS Analysis of the cox1 gene sequence revealed that the adult ticks belonged to three genera; Hyalomma (H), Amblyomma (Am), and Rhipicephalus (R), as well as 12 species, including H. dromedarii, H. marginatum, H. excavatum, H. anatolicum, R. annulatus, R. pulchellus, Am. testudinarium, Am. hebraeum, Am. lipidium, Am. variegatum, Am. cohaerens and Am. gemma. Borrelia spp. was found in 8.3% (11/133) of the camel blood samples and 1.3% (21/1596) of the ticks, respectively. Sequencing of the IGS (16S-23S) gene found that B. afzelii, detected from H. dromedarii and H. marginatum, and B. crocidurae, which belongs to the RF group, was detected from one blood sample. B. burgdorferi and B. miyamotoi were discovered in the blood samples and tick species. Phylogenetic analysis of the glpQ gene showed that the B. miyamotoi in this study was of the Asian and European types. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that the camels can be infected by Lyme borrelia and other Borrelia bacteria species. This study also provides the first insight into the presence of Borrelia miyamotoi and B. afzelii DNA in camels and associated ticks in Egypt.
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17
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Cleveland DW, Anderson CC, Brissette CA. Borrelia miyamotoi: A Comprehensive Review. Pathogens 2023; 12:267. [PMID: 36839539 PMCID: PMC9967256 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12020267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2022] [Revised: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 02/02/2023] [Indexed: 02/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Borrelia miyamotoi is an emerging tick-borne pathogen in the Northern Hemisphere and is the causative agent of Borrelia miyamotoi disease (BMD). Borrelia miyamotoi is vectored by the same hard-bodied ticks as Lyme disease Borrelia, yet phylogenetically groups with relapsing fever Borrelia, and thus, has been uniquely labeled a hard tick-borne relapsing fever Borrelia. Burgeoning research has uncovered new aspects of B. miyamotoi in human patients, nature, and the lab. Of particular interest are novel findings on disease pathology, prevalence, diagnostic methods, ecological maintenance, transmission, and genetic characteristics. Herein, we review recent literature on B. miyamotoi, discuss how findings adapt to current Borrelia doctrines, and briefly consider what remains unknown about B. miyamotoi.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Catherine A. Brissette
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, ND 58202, USA
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18
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Hodosi R, Kazimirova M, Soltys K. What do we know about the microbiome of I. ricinus? Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:990889. [PMID: 36467722 PMCID: PMC9709289 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.990889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2022] [Accepted: 10/17/2022] [Indexed: 10/07/2023] Open
Abstract
I. ricinus is an obligate hematophagous parasitic arthropod that is responsible for the transmission of a wide range of zoonotic pathogens including spirochetes of the genus Borrelia, Rickettsia spp., C. burnetii, Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Francisella tularensis, which are part the tick´s microbiome. Most of the studies focus on "pathogens" and only very few elucidate the role of "non-pathogenic" symbiotic microorganisms in I. ricinus. While most of the members of the microbiome are leading an intracellular lifestyle, they are able to complement tick´s nutrition and stress response having a great impact on tick´s survival and transmission of pathogens. The composition of the tick´s microbiome is not consistent and can be tied to the environment, tick species, developmental stage, or specific organ or tissue. Ovarian tissue harbors a stable microbiome consisting mainly but not exclusively of endosymbiotic bacteria, while the microbiome of the digestive system is rather unstable, and together with salivary glands, is mostly comprised of pathogens. The most prevalent endosymbionts found in ticks are Rickettsia spp., Ricketsiella spp., Coxiella-like and Francisella-like endosymbionts, Spiroplasma spp. and Candidatus Midichloria spp. Since microorganisms can modify ticks' behavior, such as mobility, feeding or saliva production, which results in increased survival rates, we aimed to elucidate the potential, tight relationship, and interaction between bacteria of the I. ricinus microbiome. Here we show that endosymbionts including Coxiella-like spp., can provide I. ricinus with different types of vitamin B (B2, B6, B7, B9) essential for eukaryotic organisms. Furthermore, we hypothesize that survival of Wolbachia spp., or the bacterial pathogen A. phagocytophilum can be supported by the tick itself since coinfection with symbiotic Spiroplasma ixodetis provides I. ricinus with complete metabolic pathway of folate biosynthesis necessary for DNA synthesis and cell division. Manipulation of tick´s endosymbiotic microbiome could present a perspective way of I. ricinus control and regulation of spread of emerging bacterial pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard Hodosi
- Department of Microbiology and Virology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University in Bratislava, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Maria Kazimirova
- Institute of Zoology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Katarina Soltys
- Department of Microbiology and Virology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University in Bratislava, Bratislava, Slovakia
- Comenius University Science Park, Comenius University in Bratislava, Bratislava, Slovakia
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19
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Bubanová D, Fučíková AM, Majláth I, Pajer P, Bjelková K, Majláthová V. The first detection of relapsing fever spirochete Borrelia miyamotoi in Ixodes ricinus ticks from the northeast Czech Republic. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2022; 13:102042. [PMID: 36126494 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2022.102042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2022] [Revised: 09/06/2022] [Accepted: 09/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Borrelia miyamotoi, a relapsing fever spirochete, is considered a human pathogen. Knowledge of this borrelia is currently limited. Data about its potential impact on public health, circulation in nature, or its occurrence in natural environments are insufficient. For our study, a total of 505 questing Ixodes ricinus ticks (337 nymphs, 85 females and 83 males) from Hradec Králové Region in the Czech Republic were collected. Additionally, 160 winged Lipoptena deer keds from Hradec Králové Region, from Pardubice Region, Czech Republic, and from one location in western Slovakia were collected. The presence of B. miyamotoi in ticks and deer keds was determined using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting a gene encoding glycerophosphodiester phosphodiesterase (glpQ), antigenic protein specific to the relapsing fever spirochetes. Borrelia miyamotoi was identified in six nymphs and four females of I. ricinus ticks. The overall prevalence was 2%. None of the examined Lipoptena specimens were found to be infected. Although no human case of infection with B. miyamotoi has been reported in the Czech Republic yet, this spirochete is widespread in ticks, and therefore the risk of human infection exists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dominika Bubanová
- Institute of Biology and Ecology, Pavol Jozef Šafárik University in Košice, Šrobárova 2, Košice 041 80, Slovak Republic
| | - Alena Myslivcová Fučíková
- Department of Biology, University of Hradec Králové, Hradecká 1285, Hradec Králové 500 03, Czech Republic
| | - Igor Majláth
- Institute of Biology and Ecology, Pavol Jozef Šafárik University in Košice, Šrobárova 2, Košice 041 80, Slovak Republic.
| | - Petr Pajer
- Institute of Molecular Genetics, Czech Academy of Sciences, Vídeňská 1083, Prague 142 20, Czech Republic
| | - Karolína Bjelková
- Department of Biology, University of Hradec Králové, Hradecká 1285, Hradec Králové 500 03, Czech Republic
| | - Viktória Majláthová
- Institute of Biology and Ecology, Pavol Jozef Šafárik University in Košice, Šrobárova 2, Košice 041 80, Slovak Republic
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20
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Arora G, Lynn GE, Tang X, Rosen CE, Hoornstra D, Sajid A, Hovius JW, Palm NW, Ring AM, Fikrig E. CD55 Facilitates Immune Evasion by Borrelia crocidurae, an Agent of Relapsing Fever. mBio 2022; 13:e0116122. [PMID: 36036625 PMCID: PMC9600505 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.01161-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2022] [Accepted: 07/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Relapsing fever, caused by diverse Borrelia spirochetes, is prevalent in many parts of the world and causes significant morbidity and mortality. To investigate the pathoetiology of relapsing fever, we performed a high-throughput screen of Borrelia-binding host factors using a library of human extracellular and secretory proteins and identified CD55 as a novel host binding partner of Borrelia crocidurae and Borrelia persica, two agents of relapsing fever in Africa and Eurasia. CD55 is present on the surface of erythrocytes, carries the Cromer blood group antigens, and protects cells from complement-mediated lysis. Using flow cytometry, we confirmed that both human and murine CD55 bound to B. crocidurae and B. persica. Given the expression of CD55 on erythrocytes, we investigated the role of CD55 in pathological B. crocidurae-induced erythrocyte aggregation (rosettes), which enables spirochete immune evasion. We showed that rosette formation was partially dependent on host cell CD55 expression. Pharmacologically, soluble recombinant CD55 inhibited erythrocyte rosette formation. Finally, CD55-deficient mice infected with B. crocidurae had a lower pathogen load and elevated proinflammatory cytokine and complement factor C5a levels. In summary, our results indicate that CD55 is a host factor that is manipulated by the causative agents of relapsing fever for immune evasion. IMPORTANCE Borrelia species are causative agents of Lyme disease and relapsing fever infections in humans. B. crocidurae causes one of the most prevalent relapsing fever infections in parts of West Africa. In the endemic regions, B. crocidurae is present in ~17% of the ticks and ~11% of the rodents that serve as reservoirs. In Senegal, ~7% of patients with acute febrile illness were found to be infected with B. crocidurae. There is little information on host-pathogen interactions and how B. crocidurae manipulates host immunity. In this study, we used a high-throughput screen to identify host proteins that interact with relapsing fever-causing Borrelia species. We identified CD55 as one of the host proteins that bind to B. crocidurae and B. persica, the two causes of relapsing fever in Africa and Eurasia. We show that the interaction of B. crocidurae with CD55, present on the surface of erythrocytes, is key to immune evasion and successful infection in vivo. Our study further shows the role of CD55 in complement regulation, regulation of inflammatory cytokine levels, and innate immunity during relapsing fever infection. Overall, this study sheds light on host-pathogen interactions during relapsing fever infection in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gunjan Arora
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Geoffrey E. Lynn
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Xiaotian Tang
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Connor E. Rosen
- Department of Immunobiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Dieuwertje Hoornstra
- Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine, Amsterdam Infection and Immunity, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Andaleeb Sajid
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Joppe W. Hovius
- Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine, Amsterdam Infection and Immunity, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Noah W. Palm
- Department of Immunobiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Aaron M. Ring
- Department of Immunobiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Erol Fikrig
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
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21
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Krawczyk AI, Röttjers S, Coimbra-Dores MJ, Heylen D, Fonville M, Takken W, Faust K, Sprong H. Tick microbial associations at the crossroad of horizontal and vertical transmission pathways. Parasit Vectors 2022; 15:380. [PMID: 36271430 PMCID: PMC9585727 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-022-05519-w] [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: 07/29/2022] [Accepted: 09/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Microbial communities can affect disease risk by interfering with the transmission or maintenance of pathogens in blood-feeding arthropods. Here, we investigated whether bacterial communities vary between Ixodes ricinus nymphs which were or were not infected with horizontally transmitted human pathogens. METHODS Ticks from eight forest sites were tested for the presence of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, Babesia spp., Anaplasma phagocytophilum, and Neoehrlichia mikurensis by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), and their microbiomes were determined by 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing. Tick bacterial communities clustered poorly by pathogen infection status but better by geography. As a second approach, we analysed variation in tick microorganism community structure (in terms of species co-infection) across space using hierarchical modelling of species communities. For that, we analysed almost 14,000 nymphs, which were tested for the presence of horizontally transmitted pathogens B. burgdorferi s.l., A. phagocytophilum, and N. mikurensis, and the vertically transmitted tick symbionts Rickettsia helvetica, Rickettsiella spp., Spiroplasma ixodetis, and Candidatus Midichloria mitochondrii. RESULTS With the exception of Rickettsiella spp., all microorganisms had either significant negative (R. helvetica and A. phagocytophilum) or positive (S. ixodetis, N. mikurensis, and B. burgdorferi s.l.) associations with M. mitochondrii. Two tick symbionts, R. helvetica and S. ixodetis, were negatively associated with each other. As expected, both B. burgdorferi s.l. and N. mikurensis had a significant positive association with each other and a negative association with A. phagocytophilum. Although these few specific associations do not appear to have a large effect on the entire microbiome composition, they can still be relevant for tick-borne pathogen dynamics. CONCLUSIONS Based on our results, we propose that M. mitochondrii alters the propensity of ticks to acquire or maintain horizontally acquired pathogens. The underlying mechanisms for some of these remarkable interactions are discussed herein and merit further investigation. Positive and negative associations between and within horizontally and vertically transmitted symbionts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleksandra Iwona Krawczyk
- Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Antonie van Leeuwenhoeklaan 9, 3720 MA, Bilthoven, The Netherlands. .,Laboratory of Entomology, Wageningen University & Research, 6708PB, Wageningen, The Netherlands.
| | - Sam Röttjers
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Laboratory of Molecular Bacteriology, KU Leuven, Rega Institute for Medical Research, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Maria João Coimbra-Dores
- Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies (CESAM), Departamento de Biologia Animal, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Dieter Heylen
- Interuniversity Institute for Biostatistics and Statistical Bioinformatics, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium.,Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Princeton University, 106A Guyot Ln, Princeton, NJ, 08544, USA
| | - Manoj Fonville
- Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Antonie van Leeuwenhoeklaan 9, 3720 MA, Bilthoven, The Netherlands
| | - Willem Takken
- Laboratory of Entomology, Wageningen University & Research, 6708PB, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Karoline Faust
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Laboratory of Molecular Bacteriology, KU Leuven, Rega Institute for Medical Research, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Hein Sprong
- Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Antonie van Leeuwenhoeklaan 9, 3720 MA, Bilthoven, The Netherlands.
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22
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Hoornstra D, Azagi T, van Eck JA, Wagemakers A, Koetsveld J, Spijker R, Platonov AE, Sprong H, Hovius JW. Prevalence and clinical manifestation of Borrelia miyamotoi in Ixodes ticks and humans in the northern hemisphere: a systematic review and meta-analysis. THE LANCET. MICROBE 2022; 3:e772-e786. [PMID: 36113496 DOI: 10.1016/s2666-5247(22)00157-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2022] [Revised: 04/30/2022] [Accepted: 05/31/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Various studies have evaluated the infection of Ixodes ticks and humans with the relapsing fever spirochaete Borrelia miyamotoi. However, to our knowledge, the prevalence of infection and disease has not been assessed systematically. We aimed to examine the prevalence of B miyamotoi in Ixodes ticks and humans, and the disease it can cause, in the northern hemisphere. METHODS For this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched PubMed and Web of Science up to March 1, 2021. Studies assessing Ixodes tick infection published since Jan 1, 2011 were eligible, whereas no time limitation was placed on reports of human infection and disease. We extracted B miyamotoi test positivity ratios and used a random-effects model to calculate estimated proportions of infected ticks, infected humans, and human disease with 95% CI. This study was registered with PROSPERO, CRD42021268996. FINDINGS We identified 730 studies through database searches and 316 additional studies that referenced two seminal articles on B miyamotoi. Of these 1046 studies, 157 were included in the review, reporting on 165 637 questing ticks, 45 608 unique individuals, and 504 well described cases of B miyamotoi disease in humans. In ticks, the highest prevalence of B miyamotoi was observed in Ixodes persulcatus (2·8%, 95% CI 2·4-3·1) and the lowest in Ixodes pacificus (0·7%, 0·6-0·8). The overall seroprevalence in humans was 4·4% (2·8-6·3), with significantly (p<0·0001) higher seroprevalences in the high-risk group (4·6%, 2·6-7·1), participants with confirmed or suspected Lyme borreliosis (4·8%, 1·8-8·8), and individuals suspected of having a different tick-borne disease (11·9%, 5·6-19·9) than in healthy controls (1·3%, 0·4-2·8). Participants suspected of having a different tick-borne disease tested positive for B miyamotoi by PCR significantly more often than did the high-risk group (p=0·025), with individuals in Asia more likely to test positive than those in the USA (odds ratio 14·63 [95% CI 2·80-76·41]). INTERPRETATION B miyamotoi disease should be considered an emerging infectious disease, especially in North America and Asia. Prospective studies and increased awareness are required to obtain further insights into the burden of disease. FUNDING ZonMW and the European Regional Development Fund (Interreg).
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Affiliation(s)
- Dieuwertje Hoornstra
- Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Tal Azagi
- Centre for Infectious Diseases Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, Netherlands
| | - Jacqueline A van Eck
- Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Alex Wagemakers
- Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Joris Koetsveld
- Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - René Spijker
- Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | | | - Hein Sprong
- Centre for Infectious Diseases Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, Netherlands
| | - Joppe W Hovius
- Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Amsterdam, Netherlands; Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunity, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Amsterdam, Netherlands.
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23
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Rodino KG, Pritt BS. When to Think About Other Borreliae:: Hard Tick Relapsing Fever (Borrelia miyamotoi), Borrelia mayonii, and Beyond. Infect Dis Clin North Am 2022; 36:689-701. [PMID: 36116843 DOI: 10.1016/j.idc.2022.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
In North America, several hard tick-transmitted Borrelia species other than Borrelia burgdorferi cause human disease, including Borrelia miyamotoi, Borrelia mayonii, and possibly Borrelia bissettii. Due to overlapping clinical syndromes, nonspecific tickborne disease (TBD) testing strategies, and shared treatment approaches, infections with these lesser known Borrelia are likely under-reported. In this article, we describe the epidemiology, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and treatment of these less common Borrelia pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyle G Rodino
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 3400 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Bobbi S Pritt
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Division of Clinical Microbiology, Mayo Clinic, 200 1st Street Southwest, Rochester, MN 55905, USA.
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24
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Lynn GE, Breuner NE, Hojgaard A, Oliver J, Eisen L, Eisen RJ. A comparison of horizontal and transovarial transmission efficiency of Borrelia miyamotoi by Ixodes scapularis. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2022; 13:102003. [PMID: 35858517 PMCID: PMC10880489 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2022.102003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2022] [Revised: 07/01/2022] [Accepted: 07/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Borrelia miyamotoi is a relapsing fever spirochete carried by Ixodes spp. ticks throughout the northern hemisphere. The pathogen is acquired either transovarially (vertically) or horizontally through blood-feeding and passed transtadially across life stages. Despite these complementary modes of transmission, infection prevalence of ticks with B. miyamotoi is typically low (<5%) in natural settings and the relative contributions of the two transmission modes have not been studied extensively. Horizontal transmission of B. miyamotoi (strain CT13-2396 or wild type strain) was initiated using infected Ixodes scapularis larvae or nymphs to expose rodents, which included both the immunocompetent CD-1 laboratory mouse (Mus musculus) and a natural reservoir host, the white-footed mouse (Peromyscus. leucopus), to simulate natural enzootic transmission. Transovarial transmission was evaluated using I. scapularis exposed to B. miyamotoi as either larvae or nymphs feeding on immunocompromised SCID mice (M. musculus) and subsequently fed as females on New Zealand white rabbits. Larvae from infected females were qPCR-tested individually to assess transovarial transmission rates. Tissue tropism of B. miyamotoi in infected ticks was demonstrated using in situ hybridization. Between 1 and 12% of ticks were positive (post-molt) for B. miyamotoi after feeding on groups of CD-1 mice or P. leucopus with evidence of infection, indicating that horizontal transmission was inefficient, regardless of whether infected larvae or nymphs were used to challenge the mice. Transovarial transmission occurred in 7 of 10 egg clutches from infected females. Filial infection prevalence in larvae ranged from 3 to 100% (median 71%). Both larval infection prevalence and spirochete load were highly correlated with maternal spirochete load. Spirochetes were disseminated throughout the tissues of all three stages of unfed ticks, including the salivary glands and female ovarian tissue. The results indicate that while multiple transmission routes contribute to enzootic maintenance of B. miyamotoi, transovarial transmission is likely to be the primary source of infected ticks and therefore risk assessment and tick control strategies should target adult female ticks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geoffrey E Lynn
- 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, United States; AgriLife Texas A&M University, 1619 Garner Field Road, Uvalde, TX 78801, United States.
| | - Nicole E Breuner
- 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, United States; Current address: College of Public Health and Human Sciences, Oregon State University, 160 SW 26th St. Corvallis, OR 97331, United States
| | - Andrias Hojgaard
- 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, United States
| | - Jonathan Oliver
- School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - 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, United States
| | - 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, United States
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25
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van Duijvendijk G, Krijger I, van Schaijk M, Fonville M, Gort G, Sprong H, Takken W. Seasonal dynamics of tick burden and associated Borrelia burgdorferi s.l. and Borrelia miyamotoi infections in rodents in a Dutch forest ecosystem. EXPERIMENTAL & APPLIED ACAROLOGY 2022; 87:235-251. [PMID: 35840866 PMCID: PMC9424142 DOI: 10.1007/s10493-022-00720-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2021] [Accepted: 05/11/2022] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Ixodes ricinus ticks transmit Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (s.l.) as well as Borrelia miyamotoi. Larvae become infected when feeding on infected rodents, with horizontal transmission of B. burgdorferi and horizontal and vertical transmission of B. miyamotoi. We studied seasonal dynamics of infection rates of I. ricinus and their rodent hosts, and hence transmission risk of these two distinctly different Borrelia species. Rodents were live-trapped and inspected for ticks from May to November in 2013 and 2014 in a forest in The Netherlands. Trapped rodents were temporarily housed in the laboratory and detached ticks were collected. Borrelia infections were determined from the trapped rodents and collected ticks. Borrelia burgdorferi s.l. and B. miyamotoi were found in ticks as well as in rodents. Rodent density was higher in 2014, whereas tick burden as well as the Borrelia infection rates in rodents were higher in 2013. The density of B. miyamotoi-infected nymphs did not differ between the years. Tick burdens were higher on Apodemus sylvaticus than on Myodes glareolus, and higher on males than on females. Borrelia-infection rate of rodents varied strongly seasonally, peaking in summer. As the larval tick burden also peaked in summer, the generation of infected nymphs was highest in summer. We conclude that the heterogeneity of environmental and host-specific factors affects the seasonal transmission of Borrelia spp., and that these effects act more strongly on horizontally transmitted B. burgdorferi spp. than on the vertically transmitted B. miyamotoi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gilian van Duijvendijk
- Laboratory of Entomology, Wageningen University, PO box 16, 6700 AA, Wageningen, The Netherlands
- Wageningen Environmental Research, Wageningen University and Research, PO box 47, 6700 AA, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Inge Krijger
- Laboratory of Entomology, Wageningen University, PO box 16, 6700 AA, Wageningen, The Netherlands
- Stichting Kennis- en Adviescentrum Dierplagen (KAD), Nudepark 145, 6702 DZ, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Marloes van Schaijk
- Laboratory of Entomology, Wageningen University, PO box 16, 6700 AA, Wageningen, The Netherlands
- Koppert Biological Systems, Industrieweg 14, 2651 BE, Berkel en Rodenrijs, The Netherlands
| | - Manoj Fonville
- Laboratory for Zoonosis and Environmental Microbiology, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), P.O. Box 1, 3720 BA, Bilthoven, The Netherlands
| | - Gerrit Gort
- Mathematical and Statistical Methods, Wageningen University, PO box 16, 6700 AA, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Hein Sprong
- Laboratory of Entomology, Wageningen University, PO box 16, 6700 AA, Wageningen, The Netherlands
- Laboratory for Zoonosis and Environmental Microbiology, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), P.O. Box 1, 3720 BA, Bilthoven, The Netherlands
| | - Willem Takken
- Laboratory of Entomology, Wageningen University, PO box 16, 6700 AA, Wageningen, The Netherlands.
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26
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Gandhi S, Narasimhan S, Workineh A, Mamula M, Yoon J, Krause PJ, Farhadian SF. Borrelia miyamotoi Meningoencephalitis in an Immunocompetent Patient. Open Forum Infect Dis 2022; 9:ofac295. [PMID: 35873293 PMCID: PMC9301576 DOI: 10.1093/ofid/ofac295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2022] [Accepted: 06/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Borrelia miyamotoi is an underdiagnosed cause of tick-borne illness in endemic regions and, in rare cases, causes neurological disease in immunocompetent patients. Here, we present a case of serologically confirmed Borrelia miyamotoi meningoencephalitis in an otherwise healthy patient who rapidly improved following initiation of antibiotic therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiv Gandhi
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Sukanya Narasimhan
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Aster Workineh
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Mark Mamula
- Section of Rheumatology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Jennifer Yoon
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Peter J Krause
- Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health and Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Shelli F Farhadian
- Correspondence: Shelli Farhadian, 135 College St, New Haven, CT 06510 ()
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27
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Schötta AM, Stelzer T, Stanek G, Stockinger H, Wijnveld M. Bacteria and protozoa with pathogenic potential in Ixodes ricinus ticks in Viennese recreational areas. Wien Klin Wochenschr 2022; 135:177-184. [PMID: 35689113 PMCID: PMC9187151 DOI: 10.1007/s00508-022-02046-7] [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: 04/01/2022] [Accepted: 05/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Ixodes ricinus is the most relevant vector for tick-borne diseases in Austria and responsible for the transmission of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (s. l.), which causes Lyme borreliosis in humans; however, also other bacteria and protozoa can be found in ticks and have the potential of infecting people and animals. In this study we collected ticks in popular recreational areas in the city of Vienna in the years 2019 and 2020 and analyzed them for the presence of such putative pathogenic microorganisms. By using reverse line blot (RLB) hybridization we detected DNA of B. burgdorferi s. l., Rickettsia spp., Babesia spp., Candidatus Neoehrlichia mikurensis (CNM) and Anaplasma phagocytophilum. Moreover, we also screened them for the relapsing fever spirochete Borrelia miyamotoi employing real-time PCR. The most frequently detected pathogens were B. burgdorferi s. l. in 28.6% of the ticks in 2019 and 21.3% of the ticks in 2020. The genus Rickettsia was detected in 13.8% of the ticks from 2019 and only in 4.6% from 2020. Babesia spp. were detected in 5.7% in 2019 and 4.2% in 2020. Furthermore, we detected CNM in 4.0% (2019) and 5.6% (2020), A. phagocytophilum in 0.5% (2019) and 1.3% (2020) and finally B. miyamotoi in 3.3% (2019) and 1.7% (2020). Collectively, we show that various microorganisms are prevalent in ticks collected in Vienna and identify hotspots for B. miyamotoi, which we have detected for the first time in the city.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna-Margarita Schötta
- Institute for Hygiene and Applied Immunology, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Kinderspitalgasse 15, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Theresa Stelzer
- Institute for Hygiene and Applied Immunology, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Kinderspitalgasse 15, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Gerold Stanek
- Institute for Hygiene and Applied Immunology, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Kinderspitalgasse 15, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Hannes Stockinger
- Institute for Hygiene and Applied Immunology, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Kinderspitalgasse 15, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Michiel Wijnveld
- Institute for Hygiene and Applied Immunology, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Kinderspitalgasse 15, 1090, Vienna, Austria.
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28
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Galán AP, Hamer SA, Folmar HA, Campbell TA, Light JE. Baseline Biodiversity Assessment of South Texas Small Mammals and Host-Associated Hard Ticks with No Detection of Selected Tick-Borne Pathogens. WEST N AM NATURALIST 2022. [DOI: 10.3398/064.082.0204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Aleyda P. Galán
- Department of Ecology and Conservation Biology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843
| | - Sarah A. Hamer
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843
| | - Hunter A. Folmar
- Department of Ecology and Conservation Biology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843
| | | | - Jessica E. Light
- Department of Ecology and Conservation Biology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843
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29
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Morozov A, Tischenkov A, Silaghi C, Proka A, Toderas I, Movila A, Frickmann H, Poppert S. Prevalence of Bacterial and Protozoan Pathogens in Ticks Collected from Birds in the Republic of Moldova. Microorganisms 2022; 10:microorganisms10061111. [PMID: 35744630 PMCID: PMC9227923 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10061111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2022] [Revised: 05/20/2022] [Accepted: 05/24/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Epidemiological knowledge on pathogens in ticks feeding on birds in Moldova is scarce. To reduce this gap of information, a total of 640 migrating and native birds of 40 species were caught from 2012 to 2015 and examined for the presence of ticks in the Republic of Moldova. Altogether, 262 ticks belonging to five tick species (Ixodes ricunus n = 245, Ixodes frontalis n = 12, Haemaphysalis punctata n = 2, Hyalomma marginatum n = 2 (only males), Dermacentor marginatus n = 1) were collected from 93 birds. Of these ticks, 250 (96%) were at the stage of a nymph and 9 at the stage of a larva (3%). One imago of I. frontalis and two imagoes of Hy. marginatum were found. Generally, ticks infested 14.1% of the assessed birds belonging to 12 species. DNA was extracted from individual ticks with subsequent PCR targeting Rickettsia spp., Borrelia spp. in general, as well as relapsing fever-associated Borrelia spp., in particular, Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Neoehrlichia mikurensis, Babesia spp. and Coxiella burnetii. The bird species Turdus merula showed the heaviest infestation with ticks and the highest incidence of infected ticks. Altogether, 32.8% of the assessed ticks (n = 86) were positive for one of the pathogens. DNA of Borrelia spp. was found in 15.2% (40/262) of the investigated ticks; in 7.6% of ticks (20/262), DNA of rickettsiae was detected; 6.9% (18/262) of the ticks were positive for A. phagocytophilum DNA; in 1.5% of the ticks (4/262), DNA of Neoehrlichia mikurensis was detected, followed by 1.5% (4/262) Babesia microti and 1.5% (4/262) Borrelia miyamotoi. Within the B. burgdorferi complex, B. garinii (n = 36) was largely predominant, followed by B. valaisiana (n = 2) and B. lusitaniae (n = 2). Among the detected Rickettsia spp., R. monacensis (n = 16), R. helvetica (n = 2) and R. slovaca (n = 1) were identified. In conclusion, the study provided some new information on the prevalence of ticks on birds in Moldova, as well as the presence of DNA of pathogens in the ticks. By doing so, it provided an additional piece in the puzzle of the global epidemiology of tick-transmitted infectious diseases from a geographic side from where respective surveillance data are scarce.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandr Morozov
- Center of Research of Biological Invasions, Institute of Zoology, MD-2012 Chisinau, Moldova; (A.P.); (I.T.); (A.M.)
- Correspondence: (A.M.); (S.P.)
| | - Alexei Tischenkov
- Natural Geography Department, Shevchenko Transnistria State University, MD-3300 Tiraspol, Moldova;
| | - Cornelia Silaghi
- Comparative Tropical Medicine and Parasitology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 80802 Munich, Germany;
- Institute of Infectology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institute, 17493 Greifswald, Germany
| | - Andrei Proka
- Center of Research of Biological Invasions, Institute of Zoology, MD-2012 Chisinau, Moldova; (A.P.); (I.T.); (A.M.)
| | - Ion Toderas
- Center of Research of Biological Invasions, Institute of Zoology, MD-2012 Chisinau, Moldova; (A.P.); (I.T.); (A.M.)
| | - Alexandru Movila
- Center of Research of Biological Invasions, Institute of Zoology, MD-2012 Chisinau, Moldova; (A.P.); (I.T.); (A.M.)
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Comprehensive Care, Indiana University School of Dentistry, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Hagen Frickmann
- Department of Microbiology and Hospital Hygiene, Bundeswehr Hospital Hamburg, 20359 Hamburg, Germany;
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Virology and Hygiene, University Medicine Rostock, 18057 Rostock, Germany
| | - Sven Poppert
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine Hamburg, 20359 Hamburg, Germany
- Correspondence: (A.M.); (S.P.)
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30
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Transmission patterns of tick-borne pathogens among birds and rodents in a forested park in southeastern Canada. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0266527. [PMID: 35390092 PMCID: PMC8989207 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0266527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2021] [Accepted: 03/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Ixodes scapularis ticks are expanding their range in parts of northeastern North America, bringing with them pathogens of public health concern. While rodents like the white-footed mouse, Peromyscus leucopus, are considered the primary reservoir of many emerging tick-borne pathogens, the contribution of birds, as alternative hosts and reservoirs, to local transmission cycles has not yet been firmly established. From 2016 to 2018, we collected host-seeking ticks and examined rodent and bird hosts for ticks at 48 sites in a park where blacklegged ticks are established in Quebec, Canada, in order to characterize the distribution of pathogens in ticks and mammalian and avian hosts. We found nearly one third of captured birds (n = 849) and 70% of small mammals (n = 694) were infested with I. scapularis. Five bird and three mammal species transmitted Borrelia burgdorferi to feeding larvae (n larvae tested = 2257) and we estimated that about one fifth of the B. burgdorferi-infected questing nymphs in the park acquired their infection from birds, the remaining being attributable to mice. Ground-foraging bird species were more parasitized than other birds, and species that inhabited open habitat were more frequently infested and were more likely to transmit B. burgdorferi to larval ticks feeding upon them. Female birds were more likely to transmit infection than males, without age differentiation, whereas in mice, adult males were more likely to transmit infection than juveniles and females. We also detected Borrelia miyamotoi in larvae collected from birds, and Anaplasma phagocytophilum from a larva collected from a white-footed mouse. This study highlights the importance of characterising the reservoir potential of alternative reservoir hosts and to quantify their contribution to transmission dynamics in different species assemblages. This information is key to identifying the most effective host-targeted risk mitigation actions.
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Sajiki Y, Konnai S, Okagawa T, Maekawa N, Isezaki M, Yamada S, Ito T, Sato K, Kawabata H, Logullo C, Jr IDSV, Murata S, Ohashi K. Suppressive effects of Ixodes persulcatus sialostatin L2 against Borrelia miyamotoi-stimulated immunity. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2022; 13:101963. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2022.101963] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2022] [Revised: 03/21/2022] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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Johnston D, Kelly JR, Ledizet M, Lavoie N, Smith RP, Parsonnet J, Schwab J, Stratidis J, Espich S, Lee G, Maciejewski KR, Deng Y, Majam V, Zheng H, Bonkoungou SN, Stevens J, Kumar S, Krause PJ. Frequency and Geographic Distribution of Borrelia miyamotoi, Borrelia burgdorferi, and Babesia microti Infections in New England Residents. Clin Infect Dis 2022:ciac107. [PMID: 35325084 DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciac107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Borrelia miyamotoi is a relapsing fever spirochete that relatively recently has been reported to infect humans. It causes an acute undifferentiated febrile illness that can include meningoencephalitis and relapsing fever. Like Borrelia burgdorferi, it is transmitted by Ixodes scapularis ticks in the northeastern United States and by Ixodes pacificus ticks in the western United States. Despite reports of clinical cases from North America, Europe, and Asia, the prevalence, geographic range, and pattern of expansion of human B. miyamotoi infection are uncertain. To better understand these characteristics of B. miyamotoi in relation to other tickborne infections, we carried out a cross-sectional seroprevalence study across New England that surveyed B. miyamotoi, B. burgdorferi, and Babesia microti infections. METHODS We measured specific antibodies against B. miyamotoi, B. burgdorferi, and B. microti among individuals living in 5 New England states in 2018. RESULTS Analysis of 1153 serum samples collected at 11 catchment sites showed that the average seroprevalence for B. miyamotoi was 2.8% (range, 0.6%-5.2%), which was less than that of B. burgdorferi (11.0%; range, 6.8%-15.6%) and B. microti (10.0%; range, 6.5%-13.6%). Antibody screening within county residence in New England showed varying levels of seroprevalence for these pathogens but did not reveal a vectoral geographical pattern of distribution. CONCLUSIONS Human infections caused by B. miyamotoi, B. burgdorferi, and B. microti are widespread with varying prevalence throughout New England.
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Affiliation(s)
- Demerise Johnston
- Yale School of Public Health, Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases and Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
- US Food and Drug Administration, Laboratory of Emerging Pathogens, Silver Spring, Maryland, USA
| | - Jill R Kelly
- Yale School of Public Health, Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases and Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | | | | | | | | | - Jonathan Schwab
- Northampton Area Pediatrics, Northampton, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | - Scott Espich
- Yale School of Public Health, Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases and Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Giyoung Lee
- Yale School of Public Health, Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases and Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Kaitlin R Maciejewski
- Yale School of Public Health, Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases and Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Yanhong Deng
- Yale School of Public Health, Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases and Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Victoria Majam
- US Food and Drug Administration, Laboratory of Emerging Pathogens, Silver Spring, Maryland, USA
| | - Hong Zheng
- US Food and Drug Administration, Laboratory of Emerging Pathogens, Silver Spring, Maryland, USA
| | - Sougr-Nooma Bonkoungou
- US Food and Drug Administration, Laboratory of Emerging Pathogens, Silver Spring, Maryland, USA
| | - June Stevens
- Yale New Haven Hospital, Department of Laboratory Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Sanjai Kumar
- US Food and Drug Administration, Laboratory of Emerging Pathogens, Silver Spring, Maryland, USA
| | - Peter J Krause
- Yale School of Public Health, Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases and Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
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Abstract
Disasters such as the magnitude-9 Great East Japan Earthquake occur periodically. We considered this experience while developing measures against a predicted earthquake in the Nankai Trough. This report includes a summary of 10 disastrous infectious diseases for which a countermeasures seminar was held. Thirty-five speakers from twenty-one organizations performed the lectures. Besides infectious diseases, conference topics also included disaster prevention and mitigation methods. In addition, the development of point-of-care tests, biomarkers for diagnosis, and severity assessments for infectious diseases were introduced, along with epidemics of infectious diseases affected by climate. Of the 28 pathogens that became a hot topic, 17 are viruses, and 14 out of these 17 (82%) are RNA viruses. Of the 10 seminars, the last 2 targeted only COVID-19. It was emphasized that COVID-19 is not just a disaster-related infection but a disaster itself. The first seminar on COVID-19 provided immunological and epidemiological knowledge and commentary on clinical practices. During the second COVID-19 seminar, vaccine development, virological characteristics, treatment of respiratory failure, biomarkers, and human genetic susceptibility for infectious diseases were discussed. Conducting continuous seminars is important for general infectious controls.
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Răileanu C, Tauchmann O, Silaghi C. Sympatric occurrence of Ixodes ricinus with Dermacentor reticulatus and Haemaphysalis concinna and the associated tick-borne pathogens near the German Baltic coast. Parasit Vectors 2022; 15:65. [PMID: 35193661 PMCID: PMC8862291 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-022-05173-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2021] [Accepted: 01/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Ixodid ticks from the Northern Hemisphere have registered a northward expansion in recent years, and Dermacentor reticulatus is such an example in Europe, its expansion being considered a result of climate change alongside other factors. The aim of this study was to identify the composition of questing tick species and the associated pathogens at different sites near the German Baltic coast. Methods Questing ticks were collected monthly at four sites (May–November, 2020), mainly grasslands, and in October and November 2020 at a fifth site. Molecular screening of ticks for pathogens included RT-qPCR for the tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV), qPCR for Anaplasma phagocytophilum, PCR for Babesia species and Rickettsia species, and nested PCR for Borrelia species. Results Altogether 1174 questing ticks were collected: 760 Ixodes ricinus, 326 D. reticulatus and 88 Haemaphysalis concinna. The highest activity peak of I. ricinus and D. reticulatus was in May, in June for H. concinna while a second peak was observed only for I. ricinus and D. reticulatus in September and October, respectively. All samples tested negative for TBEV. For A. phagocytophilum, 1.5% of I. ricinus adults tested positive while the minimum infection rate (MIR) in nymphs was 1.3%. This pathogen was found in 0.6% of D. reticulatus. Babesia spp. were detected in I. ricinus (18.2% adults, 2.1% MIR in nymphs) and H. concinna (13.3% adults, 9.7% MIR in nymphs). Borrelia spp. were present only in I. ricinus (49.1% adults, 11.9% MIR in nymphs), while Rickettsia spp. were detected in I. ricinus (14% adults, 8.9% MIR in nymphs) and D. reticulatus (82%). Co-detection of pathogens was observed in 26.6% and 54.8% of positive I. ricinus adults and nymph pools, respectively, while one D. reticulatus tested positive for A. phagocytophilum and Rickettsia spp. The most common co-infection in I. ricinus adults was Babesia microti and Borrelia afzelii (12.3% of positive ticks). Conclusions The results of this study confirm the northern expansion of D. reticulatus and H. concinna in Germany. The detailed data of the infection levels at each location could be useful in assessing the risk of pathogen acquisition following a tick bite. Graphical Abstract ![]()
Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13071-022-05173-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristian Răileanu
- Institute of Infectology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Suedufer 10, 17493, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Oliver Tauchmann
- Institute of Infectology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Suedufer 10, 17493, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Cornelia Silaghi
- Institute of Infectology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Suedufer 10, 17493, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany. .,Department of Biology, University of Greifswald, Domstraße 11, 17489, Greifswald, Germany.
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Bubanová D, Majláth I, Vargová B, Pipová N, Szekeres S, Majláthová V. Prevalence of relapsing fever spirochete
Borrelia miyamotoi
in
Ixodes ricinus
ticks from eastern Slovakia. Zoonoses Public Health 2022; 69:242-247. [DOI: 10.1111/zph.12914] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2021] [Revised: 12/06/2021] [Accepted: 12/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Igor Majláth
- Pavol Jozef Šafárik University in Košice Košice Slovak Republic
| | - Blažena Vargová
- Applied Research Center University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy in Kosice Kosice Slovak Republic
| | - Natália Pipová
- Pavol Jozef Šafárik University in Košice Košice Slovak Republic
| | - Sándor Szekeres
- Department of Parasitology and Zoology University of Veterinary Medicine Budapest Hungary
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Cañadas P, García-Gonzalez M, Cañones-Zafra R, Teus MA. Corneal Confocal Microscopy Findings in Neuro Lyme Disease: A Case Report. Diagnostics (Basel) 2022; 12:diagnostics12020343. [PMID: 35204434 PMCID: PMC8870814 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics12020343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2021] [Revised: 01/18/2022] [Accepted: 01/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuro Lyme disease is caused by several bacteriae of the Borreliaceae family, such as Borrelia Miyamotoi. In late stages of illness, patients with Lyme disease may develop chronic neurologic symptoms such as cognitive disturbances or small fiber peripheral neuropathy. Confocal microscopy is a non-invasive method designed to evaluate the human cornea in vivo. Thus, all the corneal layers, including the cells and the sub-basal nerve plexus, can be easily visualized and analyzed. This is the first report of the morphology of small-fiber peripheral neuropathy analyzed by confocal microscopy in a patient diagnosed of neuro Lyme disease. The decrease in the number of unmyelinated sub-basal nerve fibers with abundant presence of dendritic cells (DC) in comparison with healthy corneas strongly supports the diagnosis of small fiber peripheral neuropathy in a case of neuroborreliosis disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pilar Cañadas
- Department of Optometry and Vision, School of Optics and Optometry, Complutense University of Madrid, 28037 Madrid, Spain
- Correspondence:
| | - Montserrat García-Gonzalez
- Clínica Novovisión, P.° de la Castellana, 54, 28046 Madrid, Spain; (M.G.-G.); (R.C.-Z.); (M.A.T.)
- Clínica Rementería, Calle Almagro, 36, 28010 Madrid, Spain
| | - Rafael Cañones-Zafra
- Clínica Novovisión, P.° de la Castellana, 54, 28046 Madrid, Spain; (M.G.-G.); (R.C.-Z.); (M.A.T.)
| | - Miguel A. Teus
- Clínica Novovisión, P.° de la Castellana, 54, 28046 Madrid, Spain; (M.G.-G.); (R.C.-Z.); (M.A.T.)
- Hospital Universitario “Príncipe de Asturias”, University of Alcalá, 28801 Alcala de Henares, Spain
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Zinck CB, Lloyd VK. Borrelia burgdorferi and Borrelia miyamotoi in Atlantic Canadian wildlife. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0262229. [PMID: 35061805 PMCID: PMC8782396 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0262229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2021] [Accepted: 12/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Borrelia burgdorferi and Borrelia miyamotoi are tick-vectored zoonotic pathogens maintained in wildlife species. Tick populations are establishing in new areas globally in response to climate change and other factors. New Brunswick is a Canadian maritime province at the advancing front of tick population establishment and has seen increasing numbers of ticks carrying B. burgdorferi, and more recently B. miyamotoi. Further, it is part of a region of Atlantic Canada with wildlife species composition differing from much of continental North America and little information exists as to the presence and frequency of infection of Borrelia spp. in wildlife in this region. We used a citizen science approach to collect a wide range of animals including migratory birds, medium-sized mammals, and small mammals. In total we tested 339 animals representing 20 species for the presence of B. burgdorferi and B. miyamotoi. We have developed new nested PCR primers and a protocol with excellent specificity for detecting both of these Borrelia species, both single and double infections, in tissues and organs of various wildlife species. The positive animals were primarily small non-migratory mammals, approximately twice as many were infected with B. burgdorferi than B. miyamotoi and one animal was found infected with both. In addition to established reservoir species, the jumping mouse (Napaeozapus insignis) was found frequently infected; this species had the highest infection prevalence for both B. burgdorferi and B. miyamotoi and has not previously been identified as an important carrier for either Borrelia species. Comprehensive testing of tissues found that all instances of B. burgdorferi infection were limited to one tissue within the host, whereas two of the five B. miyamotoi infections were diffuse and found in multiple systems. In the one coinfected specimen, two fetuses were also recovered and found infected with B. miyamotoi. This presumptive transplacental transmission suggests that vertical transmission in mammals is possible. This finding implies that B. miyamotoi could rapidly spread into wildlife populations, as well as having potential human health implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher B. Zinck
- Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatchewan, Canada
| | - Vett K. Lloyd
- Department of Biology, Mount Allison University, Sackville, New Brunswick, Canada
- * E-mail:
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Bobojama SB, Bae JY, McLeod GX, Hussein KI. Human Borrelia miyamotoi infection: A cause of persistent fever and severe hyperthermia in New England. IDCases 2022; 30:e01614. [PMID: 36110291 PMCID: PMC9468412 DOI: 10.1016/j.idcr.2022.e01614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2022] [Revised: 08/30/2022] [Accepted: 09/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
An adult male presented to a hospital in southwestern Connecticut with tachypnea, generalized weakness, altered mental status, and relapsing fever with maximum recorded temperature of 106 °F. He required active cooling, antipyretic therapy, broad spectrum antibiotics, and intubation for airway protection after an episode of emesis. Initial laboratory and imaging workup were remarkable for elevated inflammatory markers, acute kidney injury, and bilateral lower lobe infiltrates. Further workup with lumbar puncture and electroencephalography were unrevealing. Extensive testing for causes of relapsing fever including tickborne diseases revealed that the patient was seropositive for Borrelia miyamotoi. Notably, he had no rash, and workup found no evidence of coinfection by other Borrelia, Ehrlichia or Anaplasma species. This case illustrates the need for clinicians to test for tick-borne diseases when evaluating for cases of relapsing fever in New England and is among the first case reports to demonstrate Borrelia miyamotoi as a cause of severe pyrexia.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Khalil I. Hussein
- Correspondence to: Yale-New Haven Health Greenwich Hospital, Medical Education Department, 5 Perryridge Road, Greenwich, CT 06830, United States.
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Xu G, Luo CY, Ribbe F, Pearson P, Ledizet M, Rich SM. Borrelia miyamotoi in Human-Biting Ticks, United States, 2013-2019. Emerg Infect Dis 2021; 27:3193-3195. [PMID: 34808077 PMCID: PMC8632181 DOI: 10.3201/eid2712.204646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
During 2013–2019, Borrelia miyamotoi infection was detected in 19 US states. Infection rate was 0.5%–3.2%; of B. miyamotoi–positive ticks, 59.09% had concurrent infections. B. miyamotoi is homogeneous with 1 genotype from Ixodes scapularis ticks in northeastern and midwestern states and 1 from I. pacificus in western states.
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Qiu Y, Squarre D, Nakamura Y, Lau ACC, Moonga LC, Kawai N, Ohnuma A, Hayashida K, Nakao R, Yamagishi J, Sawa H, Namangala B, Kawabata H. Evidence of Borrelia theileri in Wild and Domestic Animals in the Kafue Ecosystem of Zambia. Microorganisms 2021; 9:2405. [PMID: 34835531 PMCID: PMC8624021 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9112405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2021] [Revised: 11/17/2021] [Accepted: 11/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Members of the genus Borrelia are arthropod-borne spirochetes that are human and animal pathogens. Vertebrate hosts, including wild animals, are pivotal to the circulation and maintenance of Borrelia spirochetes. However, information on Borrelia spirochetes in vertebrate hosts in Zambia is limited. Thus, we aimed to investigate the presence of Borrelia spirochetes in wild animals and cattle in Zambia. A total of 140 wild animals of four species and 488 cattle DNA samples from /near the Kafue National Park were collected for real-time PCR screening, followed by characterization using three different genes with positive samples. Five impalas and 20 cattle tested positive using real-time PCR, and sequence analysis revealed that the detected Borrelia were identified to be Borrelia theileri, a causative agent of bovine borreliosis. This is the first evidence of Borrelia theileri in African wildlife and cattle in Zambia. Our results suggest that clinical differentiation between bovine borreliosis and other bovine diseases endemic in Zambia is required for better treatment and control measures. As this study only included wild and domestic animals in the Kafue ecosystem, further investigations in other areas and with more wildlife and livestock species are needed to clarify a comprehensive epidemiological status of Borrelia theileri in Zambia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongjin Qiu
- Division of International Research Promotion, International Institute for Zoonosis Control, Hokkaido University, N 20 W 10, Kita-ku, Sapporo 001-0020, Japan;
| | - David Squarre
- Wildlife Diseases Unit, Department of Veterinary Services, Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, Lusaka P.O. Box 50060, Zambia;
- Division of Collaboration and Education, International Institute for Zoonosis Control, Hokkaido University, N 20 W 10, Kita-ku, Sapporo 001-0020, Japan; (Y.N.); (L.C.M.); (N.K.); (K.H.); (J.Y.)
| | - Yukiko Nakamura
- Division of Collaboration and Education, International Institute for Zoonosis Control, Hokkaido University, N 20 W 10, Kita-ku, Sapporo 001-0020, Japan; (Y.N.); (L.C.M.); (N.K.); (K.H.); (J.Y.)
| | - Alice C. C. Lau
- Laboratory of Wildlife Biology and Medicine, Department of Environmental Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, N 18 W 9, Kita-ku, Sapporo 060-0818, Japan;
| | - Lavel Chinyama Moonga
- Division of Collaboration and Education, International Institute for Zoonosis Control, Hokkaido University, N 20 W 10, Kita-ku, Sapporo 001-0020, Japan; (Y.N.); (L.C.M.); (N.K.); (K.H.); (J.Y.)
| | - Naoko Kawai
- Division of Collaboration and Education, International Institute for Zoonosis Control, Hokkaido University, N 20 W 10, Kita-ku, Sapporo 001-0020, Japan; (Y.N.); (L.C.M.); (N.K.); (K.H.); (J.Y.)
| | - Aiko Ohnuma
- Technical Office, International Institute for Zoonosis Control, Hokkaido University, N 20 W 10, Kita-ku, Sapporo 001-0020, Japan;
| | - Kyoko Hayashida
- Division of Collaboration and Education, International Institute for Zoonosis Control, Hokkaido University, N 20 W 10, Kita-ku, Sapporo 001-0020, Japan; (Y.N.); (L.C.M.); (N.K.); (K.H.); (J.Y.)
- International Collaboration Unit, International Institute for Zoonosis Control, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 001-0020, Japan
| | - Ryo Nakao
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Department of Disease Control, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, N 18 W 9, Kita-ku, Sapporo 060-0818, Japan;
| | - Junya Yamagishi
- Division of Collaboration and Education, International Institute for Zoonosis Control, Hokkaido University, N 20 W 10, Kita-ku, Sapporo 001-0020, Japan; (Y.N.); (L.C.M.); (N.K.); (K.H.); (J.Y.)
- International Collaboration Unit, International Institute for Zoonosis Control, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 001-0020, Japan
| | - Hirofumi Sawa
- Division of International Research Promotion, International Institute for Zoonosis Control, Hokkaido University, N 20 W 10, Kita-ku, Sapporo 001-0020, Japan;
- International Collaboration Unit, International Institute for Zoonosis Control, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 001-0020, Japan
- Division of Molecular Pathobiology, International Institute for Zoonosis Control, Hokkaido University, N 20 W 10, Kita-ku, Sapporo 001-0020, Japan
- One Health Research Center, Hokkaido University, N 20 W 10, Kita-ku, Sapporo 001-0020, Japan
| | - Boniface Namangala
- Department of Paraclinical Studies, School of Veterinary Medicine, The University of Zambia, Lusaka 10101, Zambia;
| | - Hiroki Kawabata
- Laboratory of Systemic Infection, Department of Bacteriology I, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Toyama 1-23-1, Shinjuku, Tokyo 162-8640, Japan;
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Lager M, Wilhelmsson P, Matussek A, Lindgren PE, Henningsson AJ. Molecular Detection of Borrelia Bacteria in Cerebrospinal Fluid-Optimisation of Pre-Analytical Sample Handling for Increased Analytical Sensitivity. Diagnostics (Basel) 2021; 11:diagnostics11112088. [PMID: 34829435 PMCID: PMC8623531 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics11112088] [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: 10/08/2021] [Revised: 11/02/2021] [Accepted: 11/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The main tools for clinical diagnostics of Lyme neuroborreliosis (LNB) are based on serology, i.e., detection of antibodies in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). In some cases, PCR may be used as a supplement, e.g., on CSF from patients with early LNB. Standardisation of the molecular methods and systematic evaluation of the pre-analytical handling is lacking. To increase the analytical sensitivity for detection of Borrelia bacteria in CSF by PCR targeting the 16S rRNA gene, parameters were systematically evaluated on CSF samples spiked with a known amount of cultured Borrelia bacteria. The results showed that the parameters such as centrifugation time and speed, the use of complementary DNA as a template (in combination with primers and a probe aiming at target gene 16S rRNA), and the absence of inhibitors (e.g., erythrocytes) had the highest impact on the analytical sensitivity. Based on these results, a protocol for optimised handling of CSF samples before molecular analysis was proposed. However, no clinical evaluation of the proposed protocol has been done so far, and further investigations of the diagnostic sensitivity need to be performed on well-characterised clinical samples from patients with LNB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Malin Lager
- Division of Clinical Microbiology, Laboratory Medicine (Region Jönköping County, 553 05 Jönköping, Sweden), Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, 581 83 Linköping, Sweden; (P.W.); (A.M.); (P.-E.L.); (A.J.H.)
- Division of Inflammation and Infection, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, 581 83 Linköping, Sweden
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +46-(0)10-2425238
| | - Peter Wilhelmsson
- Division of Clinical Microbiology, Laboratory Medicine (Region Jönköping County, 553 05 Jönköping, Sweden), Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, 581 83 Linköping, Sweden; (P.W.); (A.M.); (P.-E.L.); (A.J.H.)
- Division of Inflammation and Infection, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, 581 83 Linköping, Sweden
| | - Andreas Matussek
- Division of Clinical Microbiology, Laboratory Medicine (Region Jönköping County, 553 05 Jönköping, Sweden), Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, 581 83 Linköping, Sweden; (P.W.); (A.M.); (P.-E.L.); (A.J.H.)
- Division of Laboratory Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, 0450 Oslo, Norway
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, 0316 Oslo, Norway
| | - Per-Eric Lindgren
- Division of Clinical Microbiology, Laboratory Medicine (Region Jönköping County, 553 05 Jönköping, Sweden), Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, 581 83 Linköping, Sweden; (P.W.); (A.M.); (P.-E.L.); (A.J.H.)
- Division of Inflammation and Infection, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, 581 83 Linköping, Sweden
| | - Anna J. Henningsson
- Division of Clinical Microbiology, Laboratory Medicine (Region Jönköping County, 553 05 Jönköping, Sweden), Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, 581 83 Linköping, Sweden; (P.W.); (A.M.); (P.-E.L.); (A.J.H.)
- Division of Inflammation and Infection, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, 581 83 Linköping, Sweden
- Division of Clinical Microbiology, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, 581 83 Linköping, Sweden
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Trevisan G, Cinco M, Trevisini S, di Meo N, Ruscio M, Forgione P, Bonin S. Borreliae Part 2: Borrelia Relapsing Fever Group and Unclassified Borrelia. BIOLOGY 2021; 10:1117. [PMID: 34827110 PMCID: PMC8615063 DOI: 10.3390/biology10111117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Revised: 10/21/2021] [Accepted: 10/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Borreliae of the relapsing fever group (RFG) are heterogenous and can be divided mainly into three groups according to vectors, namely the soft-tick-borne relapsing fever (STBRF) Borreliae, the hard-tick-borne relapsing fever (HTBRF) Borreliae, the louse-borne relapsing fever (LBRF) Borreliae, and the avian relapsing fever ones. With respect to the geographical distribution, the STBRF Borreliae are further subdivided into Old World and New World strains. Except for the Avian relapsing fever group Borreliae, which cause avian spirochetosis, all the others share infectivity in humans. They are indeed the etiological agent of both endemic and epidemic forms of relapsing fever, causing high spirochaetemia and fever. Vectors are primarily soft ticks of Ornithodoros spp. in the STBRF group; hard ticks, notably Ixodes sp., Amblyomma sp., Dermacentor sp., and Rhipicephalus sp., in the HTBRF group; and the louse pediculus humanus humanus in the TBRF one. A recent hypothesis was supported for a common ancestor of RFG Borreliae, transmitted at the beginning by hard-body ticks. Accordingly, STBRF Borreliae switched to use soft-bodied ticks as a vector, which was followed by the use of lice by Borrelia recurrentis. There are also new candidate species of Borreliae, at present unclassified, which are also described in this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giusto Trevisan
- DSM-Department of Medical Sciences, University of Trieste, 34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - Marina Cinco
- DSV-Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, 34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - Sara Trevisini
- ASUGI-Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Giuliano Isontina, 34129 Trieste, Italy
| | - Nicola di Meo
- DSM-Department of Medical Sciences, University of Trieste, 34149 Trieste, Italy
- ASUGI-Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Giuliano Isontina, 34129 Trieste, Italy
| | - Maurizio Ruscio
- ASUGI-Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Giuliano Isontina, 34129 Trieste, Italy
| | - Patrizia Forgione
- UOSD Dermatologia, Centro Rif. Regionale Malattia di Hansen e Lyme, P.O. dei Pellegrini, ASL Napoli 1 Centro, 80145 Naples, Italy
| | - Serena Bonin
- DSM-Department of Medical Sciences, University of Trieste, 34149 Trieste, Italy
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Citizen Science Provides an Efficient Method for Broad-Scale Tick-Borne Pathogen Surveillance of Ixodes pacificus and Ixodes scapularis across the United States. mSphere 2021; 6:e0068221. [PMID: 34585963 PMCID: PMC8550138 DOI: 10.1128/msphere.00682-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Tick-borne diseases have expanded over the last 2 decades as a result of shifts in tick and pathogen distributions. These shifts have significantly increased the need for accurate portrayal of real-time pathogen distributions and prevalence in hopes of stemming increases in human morbidity. Traditionally, pathogen distribution and prevalence have been monitored through case reports or scientific collections of ticks or reservoir hosts, both of which have challenges that impact the extent, availability, and accuracy of these data. Citizen science tick collections and testing campaigns supplement these data and provide timely estimates of pathogen prevalence and distributions to help characterize and understand tick-borne disease threats to communities. We utilized our national citizen science tick collection and testing program to describe the distribution and prevalence of four Ixodes-borne pathogens, Borrelia burgdorferisensu lato, Borrelia miyamotoi, Anaplasma phagocytophilum, and Babesia microti, across the continental United States. IMPORTANCE In the 21st century, zoonotic pathogens continue to emerge, while previously discovered pathogens continue to have changes within their distribution and prevalence. Monitoring these pathogens is resource intensive, requiring both field and laboratory support; thus, data sets are often limited within their spatial and temporal extents. Citizen science collections provide a method to harness the general public to collect samples, enabling real-time monitoring of pathogen distribution and prevalence.
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Kjær LJ, Jensen LM, Chriél M, Bødker R, Petersen HH. The raccoon dog ( Nyctereutes procyonoides) as a reservoir of zoonotic diseases in Denmark. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR PARASITOLOGY-PARASITES AND WILDLIFE 2021; 16:175-182. [PMID: 34660192 PMCID: PMC8502833 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2021.09.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2021] [Revised: 09/28/2021] [Accepted: 09/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Raccoon dogs have successfully invaded Europe, including Denmark. Raccoon dogs are potential vectors and reservoir hosts of several zoonotic pathogens and thus have the potential for posing a threat to both human and animal health. This study includes analysis of four zoonotic parasites, 16 tick-borne pathogens and two pathogen groups from 292 raccoon dogs collected from January 2018 to December 2018. The raccoon dogs were received as a part of the Danish national wildlife surveillance program and were hunted, found dead or road killed. The raccoon dogs were screened for Alaria alata and Echinococcus multilocularis eggs in faeces by microscopy and PCR, respectively, Trichinella spp. larvae in muscles by digestion, antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii by ELISA and screening of ticks for pathogens by fluidigm real-time PCR. All raccoon dogs tested negative for E. multilocularis and Trichinella spp., while 32.9% excreted A. alata eggs and 42.7% were T. gondii sero-positive. Five tick-borne pathogens were identified in ticks collected from 15 raccoon dogs, namely Anaplasma phagocytophilum (20.0%), Babesia venatorum (6.7%), Borrelia miyamotoi (6.7%), Neoehrlichia mikurensis (6.7%) and Rickettsia helvetica (60.0%). We identified raccoon dogs from Denmark as an important reservoir of T. gondii and A. alata infection to other hosts, including humans, while raccoon dogs appear as a negligible reservoir of E. multilocularis and Trichinella spp. infections. Our results suggest that raccoon dogs may be a reservoir of A. phagocytophilum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lene Jung Kjær
- Animal Welfare and Disease Control, Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - Laura Mark Jensen
- Animal Welfare and Disease Control, Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - Marian Chriél
- Centre for Diagnostics, Department of Health Technology, Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby, Denmark
| | - René Bødker
- Animal Welfare and Disease Control, Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - Heidi Huus Petersen
- Centre for Diagnostics, Department of Health Technology, Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby, Denmark
- Corresponding author. Tel.: +45 93 51 16 45.
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Gilmore RD, Kneubehl AR, Lopez JE, Armstrong BA, Brandt KS, Van Gundy TJ. Modification of the multiplex plasmid PCR assay for Borrelia miyamotoi strain LB-2001 based on the complete genome sequence reflecting genomic rearrangements differing from strain CT13-2396. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2021; 13:101843. [PMID: 34656944 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2021.101843] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2021] [Revised: 08/31/2021] [Accepted: 09/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The genome of Borrelia spp. consists of an approximate 1 megabase chromosome and multiple linear and circular plasmids. We previously described a multiplex PCR assay to detect plasmids in the North American Borrelia miyamotoi strains LB-2001 and CT13-2396. The primer pair sets specific for each plasmid were derived from the genome sequence for B. miyamotoi strain CT13-2396, because the LB-2001 complete sequence had not been generated. The recent completion of the LB-2001 genome sequence revealed a distinct number of plasmids (n = 12) that differed from CT13-2396 (n = 14). Notable was a 97-kilobase plasmid in LB-2001, not present in CT13-2396, that appeared to be a rearrangement of the circular plasmids of strain CT13-2396. Strain LB-2001 contained two plasmids, cp30-2 and cp24, that were not annotated for strain CT13-2396. Therefore, we re-evaluated the original CT13-2396-derived multiplex PCR primer pairs and determined their location in the LB-2001 plasmids. We modified the original multiplex plasmid PCR assay for strain LB-2001 to include cp30-2 and cp24. We also determined which LB-2001 plasmids corresponded to the amplicons generated from the original CT13-2396 primer sets. These observations provide a more precise plasmid profile based on the multiplex PCR assay and reflect the complexity of gene rearrangements that occur in B. miyamotoi strains isolated from the same geographic region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert D Gilmore
- Bacterial Diseases Branch, Division of Vector Borne Diseases, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Fort Collins, CO United States.
| | - Alexander R Kneubehl
- Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States; Department of Pediatrics, National School of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Job E Lopez
- Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States; Department of Pediatrics, National School of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Brittany A Armstrong
- Bacterial Diseases Branch, Division of Vector Borne Diseases, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Fort Collins, CO United States
| | - Kevin S Brandt
- Bacterial Diseases Branch, Division of Vector Borne Diseases, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Fort Collins, CO United States
| | - Taylor J Van Gundy
- Bacterial Diseases Branch, Division of Vector Borne Diseases, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Fort Collins, CO United States
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Sosa JP, Ferreira Caceres MM, Agadi K, Pandav K, Mehendale M, Mehta JM, Go CC, Matos WF, Guntipalli P, Belizaire MPE. Diseases Transmitted by the Black-Legged Ticks in the United States: A Comprehensive Review of the Literature. Cureus 2021; 13:e17526. [PMID: 34471586 PMCID: PMC8403000 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.17526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
The black-legged tick is endemic to the midwestern, northeastern, western, south-eastern, and southern regions of the United States. There has been an increased burden of black-legged ticks in humans in recent years. COVID-19 pandemic has further heightened this burden. We thereby reviewed the literature to discuss the seasonality, infections, and clinical spectrum of diseases transmitted by the black-legged ticks. We also discuss the reported delay in the diagnosis of these diseases during the pandemic situation, the alpha-gal syndrome, the importance of prompt diagnosis, and early medical intervention with an aim to increase awareness of the black-legged tick-borne diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan P Sosa
- Division of Research & Academic Affairs, Larkin Community Hospital, South Miami, USA
| | | | - Kuchalambal Agadi
- Division of Research & Academic Affairs, Larkin Community Hospital, South Miami, USA
| | - Krunal Pandav
- Division of Research & Academic Affairs, Larkin Community Hospital, South Miami, USA
| | - Meghana Mehendale
- Division of Research & Academic Affairs, Larkin Community Hospital, South Miami, USA
| | - Jayati M Mehta
- Division of Research & Academic Affairs, Larkin Community Hospital, South Miami, USA
| | | | | | - Prathima Guntipalli
- Division of Research & Academic Affairs, Larkin Community Hospital, South Miami, USA
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Narasimhan S, Swei A, Abouneameh S, Pal U, Pedra JHF, Fikrig E. Grappling with the tick microbiome. Trends Parasitol 2021; 37:722-733. [PMID: 33962878 PMCID: PMC8282638 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2021.04.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2020] [Revised: 04/04/2021] [Accepted: 04/10/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Ixodes scapularis and Ixodes pacificus are the predominant vectors of multiple human pathogens, including Borrelia burgdorferi, one of the causative agents of Lyme disease in North America. Differences in the habitats and host preferences of these closely related tick species present an opportunity to examine key aspects of the tick microbiome. While advances in sequencing technologies have accelerated a descriptive understanding of the tick microbiome, molecular and mechanistic insights into the tick microbiome are only beginning to emerge. Progress is stymied by technical difficulties in manipulating the microbiome and by biological variables related to the life cycle of Ixodid ticks. This review highlights these challenges and examines avenues to understand the significance of the tick microbiome in tick biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sukanya Narasimhan
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06420, USA.
| | - Andrea Swei
- Department of Biology, San Francisco State University, San Francisco, CA 94132, USA
| | - Selma Abouneameh
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06420, USA
| | - Utpal Pal
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, College Park, MD 20472, USA
| | - Joao H F Pedra
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 20472, USA
| | - Erol Fikrig
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06420, USA
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Borreliosi di Lyme e neuroborreliosi. Neurologia 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/s1634-7072(21)45319-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
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Sevestre J, Diarra AZ, Oumarou HA, Durant J, Delaunay P, Parola P. Detection of emerging tick-borne disease agents in the Alpes-Maritimes region, southeastern France. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2021; 12:101800. [PMID: 34352531 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2021.101800] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2021] [Revised: 07/13/2021] [Accepted: 07/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Lyme borreliosis is a zoonotic tick-borne infection representing the most frequent vector-borne disease in the northern hemisphere. The Mediterranean rim is generally described as unsuitable for the European vector, Ixodes ricinus. We conducted an epidemiological study to assess whether I. ricinus was present and study its infection status for tick-borne bacteria. Ticks originating from southeastern France were obtained from flagging sampling and removed from animals and tick-bitten patients. Species level identification used morphological keys and MALDI-TOF MS. Quantitative PCR and sequencing assays were used to detect and identify tick-associated bacteria (Borrelia, Rickettsia, Anaplasmataceae, Bartonella, Coxiella burnetii) in each specimen. A total of 1232 ticks were collected in several localities. Among these, 863 were identified as I. ricinus (70%). Bacterial screening allowed identification of Lyme group Borrelia among I. ricinus ticks originating from various regional areas. Other emerging tick-borne pathogens like Borrelia miyamotoi and Rickettsia species were also detected. The Alpes-Maritimes region, part of the French Riviera, harbours I. ricinus ticks infected with Lyme group Borrelia and several other tick-borne bacterial agents. Clinicians and outdoor activity participants should be aware of the local Lyme borreliosis transmission risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacques Sevestre
- Service de Parasitologie, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nice, Nice, France; Institut Hospitalo-Universitaire Méditerranée Infection, 19-21 Boulevard Jean Moulin, Marseille 13385 Cedex 05, France; Aix-Marseille Univ, IRD, AP-HM, SSA, VITROME, Marseille, France
| | - Adama Zan Diarra
- Institut Hospitalo-Universitaire Méditerranée Infection, 19-21 Boulevard Jean Moulin, Marseille 13385 Cedex 05, France; Aix-Marseille Univ, IRD, AP-HM, SSA, VITROME, Marseille, France
| | | | - Jacques Durant
- Service d'Infectiologie, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nice, Nice, France
| | - Pascal Delaunay
- Service de Parasitologie, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nice, Nice, France; MIVEGEC, Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Philippe Parola
- Institut Hospitalo-Universitaire Méditerranée Infection, 19-21 Boulevard Jean Moulin, Marseille 13385 Cedex 05, France; Aix-Marseille Univ, IRD, AP-HM, SSA, VITROME, Marseille, France.
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50
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Gaowa, Wulantuya, Sato K, Liu D, Cui Y, Yin X, Zhang L, Li H, Wang T, Liu R, Wu L, Lu S, Gao T, Zhang Z, Cao M, Wang G, Li C, Yan D, Ohashi N, Ando S, Kawabata H. Surveillance of Borrelia miyamotoi-carrying ticks and genomic analysis of isolates in Inner Mongolia, China. Parasit Vectors 2021; 14:368. [PMID: 34274015 PMCID: PMC8285808 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-021-04809-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2021] [Accepted: 05/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Borrelia miyamotoi is a newly described relapsing fever spirochete transmitted by ixodid tick species. Little is known about the prevalence of B. miyamotoi infections in humans and ticks in Inner Mongolia, China. Therefore, we investigated the prevalence of B. miyamotoi in Ixodes persulcatus ticks, and we aimed to isolateB. miyamotoi from I. persulcatus from four regions of Greater Khingan, Inner Mongolia, China. Methods From May to June each year during the period 2016–2019, host-seeking adult I. persulcatus ticks were collected from vegetation. Genomic DNA was prepared from half of each tick body for PCR template, and the remaining half was used to cultivate B. miyamotoi in BSK-M medium. We employed quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) to detect Borrelia DNA in the ticks and to calculate the prevalence of B. miyamotoi and infections with other borreliae. For characterization of the isolated B. miyamotoi, we performed draft genome sequencing and multilocus sequencing analysis (MLSA). Results A total of 2656 adult I. persulcatus ticks were collected. The overall prevalence of relapsing fever (RF) borreliae in ticks was 5.0% (134/2656) and that of Lyme disease (LD) borreliae was 43.8% (1164/2656). Co-infection with RF and LD borreliae was observed in 63 ticks (2.4%). Ticks that were positive for RF borreliae by qPCR were subjected to glycerophosphodiester diester phosphodiesterase gene (glpQ) PCR amplification and sequencing, through which we identified the RF borrelia specimens as B. miyamotoi. Furthermore, the B. miyamotoi strain Hetao-1 was isolated from I. persulcatus, and a draft genome sequence was obtained from the isolate. Sequencing determined the strain Hetao-1 genome to be approximately 906.1 kbp in length (28.9% average GC content), and MLSA identified the strain as ST633, which has previously been reported in Japan and Mongolia. Conclusion We detected B. miyamotoi from I. persulcatus ticks collected in Inner Mongolia, and successfully isolated a B. miyamotoi strain. To our knowledge, this is the first study to culture a B. miyamotoi isolate from China. The data on the prevalence of B. miyamotoi and other borreliae in I. persulcatus ticks will be fundamental for future epidemiological studies of B. miyamotoi disease in Inner Mongolia. ![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Gaowa
- Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Tick-Borne Zoonotic Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, College of Hetao, Bayan Nur, 015000, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China.
| | - Wulantuya
- Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Tick-Borne Zoonotic Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, College of Hetao, Bayan Nur, 015000, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China
| | - Kozue Sato
- Department of Bacteriology-I, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Toyama 1-23-1, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 162-8640, Japan
| | - Dan Liu
- Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Tick-Borne Zoonotic Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, College of Hetao, Bayan Nur, 015000, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China
| | - Yunhong Cui
- Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Tick-Borne Zoonotic Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, College of Hetao, Bayan Nur, 015000, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China
| | - Xuhong Yin
- Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Tick-Borne Zoonotic Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, College of Hetao, Bayan Nur, 015000, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China
| | - Lihua Zhang
- Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Tick-Borne Zoonotic Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, College of Hetao, Bayan Nur, 015000, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China
| | - Hong Li
- Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Tick-Borne Zoonotic Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, College of Hetao, Bayan Nur, 015000, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China
| | - Tingfu Wang
- Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Tick-Borne Zoonotic Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, College of Hetao, Bayan Nur, 015000, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China
| | - Rongxin Liu
- Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Tick-Borne Zoonotic Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, College of Hetao, Bayan Nur, 015000, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China
| | - Lijing Wu
- Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Tick-Borne Zoonotic Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, College of Hetao, Bayan Nur, 015000, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China
| | - Saixia Lu
- Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Tick-Borne Zoonotic Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, College of Hetao, Bayan Nur, 015000, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China
| | - Ting Gao
- Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Tick-Borne Zoonotic Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, College of Hetao, Bayan Nur, 015000, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China
| | - Zitong Zhang
- Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Tick-Borne Zoonotic Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, College of Hetao, Bayan Nur, 015000, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China
| | - Minzhi Cao
- Bayan Nur Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Bayan Nur, 015000, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China
| | - Guodong Wang
- Hulunbuir Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Hulunbuir, 021000, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China
| | - Chunpu Li
- Hulunbuir Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Hulunbuir, 021000, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China
| | - Dacheng Yan
- Hulunbuir Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Hulunbuir, 021000, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China
| | - Norio Ohashi
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Department of Food and Nutritional Sciences, University of Shizuoka, Shizuoka, Shizuoka, 422-8526, Japan
| | - Shuji Ando
- Department of Virology, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 162-8640, Japan
| | - Hiroki Kawabata
- Department of Bacteriology-I, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Toyama 1-23-1, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 162-8640, Japan.
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