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Kelly PH, Zhang P, Dobler G, Halsby K, Angulo FJ, Pilz A, Madhava H, Moïsi JC. Global Seroprevalence of Tick-Borne Encephalitis Antibodies in Humans, 1956-2022: A Literature Review and Meta-Analysis. Vaccines (Basel) 2024; 12:854. [PMID: 39203981 PMCID: PMC11360530 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines12080854] [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: 05/16/2024] [Revised: 07/12/2024] [Accepted: 07/15/2024] [Indexed: 09/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Despite the availability of tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) vaccines, the incidence of TBE is increasing. To understand the historical patterns of infection, we conducted a global meta-analysis of studies before December 2023 reporting human antibody prevalence against TBEV (TBE virus) among general or high-risk population groups stratified by country, collection year, serological method, and vaccination status. Pooled data were compared within groups over time by random-effects modeling. In total, 2403 articles were retrieved; 130 articles published since 1959 were included. Data were extracted from 96 general populations (117,620 participants) and 71 high-risk populations (53,986 participants) across 33 countries. Germany had the most population groups (21), and Poland had the most participants (44,688). Seven serological methods were used; conventional IgG/IgM ELISAs were the most common (44%). Four studies (1.7%) used NS1-ELISA serology. Between 1956-1991 and 1992-2022, anti-TBEV seroprevalence remained at ~2.75% across all population groups from "high-risk" areas (p = 0.458) but decreased within general populations (1.7% to 1%; p = 0.001) and high-risk populations (5.1% to 1.3%; p < 0.001), possibly due to differences in the study methodologies between periods. This global summary explores how serological methods can be used to assess TBE vaccination coverage and potential exposure to TBEV or measure TBE burden and highlights the need for standardized methodology when conducting TBE seroprevalence studies to compare across populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick H. Kelly
- Vaccines and Antivirals Medical Affairs, Pfizer US Commercial Division, New York, NY 10001-2192, USA;
| | - Pingping Zhang
- Medical Affairs Evidence Generation Statistics, Pfizer Global Product Development Group, Collegeville, PA 19426-3982, USA;
| | - Gerhard Dobler
- Bundeswehr Institute for Microbiology, National TBEV Consultant Laboratory, 80937 Munchen, Germany;
| | - Kate Halsby
- Vaccines and Antivirals Medical Affairs, Pfizer Biopharma Group, Tadworth KT20 7NS, UK; (K.H.); (H.M.)
| | - Frederick J. Angulo
- Vaccines and Antivirals Medical Affairs, Pfizer US Commercial Division, New York, NY 10001-2192, USA;
| | - Andreas Pilz
- Vaccines and Antivirals Medical Affairs, Pfizer Biopharma Group, 1210 Vienna, Austria;
| | - Harish Madhava
- Vaccines and Antivirals Medical Affairs, Pfizer Biopharma Group, Tadworth KT20 7NS, UK; (K.H.); (H.M.)
| | - Jennifer C. Moïsi
- Vaccines and Antivirals Medical Affairs, Pfizer Biopharma Group, 75014 Paris, France;
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Simkute E, Pautienius A, Grigas J, Urbute P, Stankevicius A. The Prevalence, Seroprevalence, and Risk Factors of Tick-Borne Encephalitis Virus in Dogs in Lithuania, a Highly Endemic State. Viruses 2023; 15:2265. [PMID: 38005941 PMCID: PMC10674385 DOI: 10.3390/v15112265] [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: 10/03/2023] [Revised: 11/03/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The rising awareness and increasing number of case reports of tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) in dogs indicate that the virus might be an important tick-borne pathogen in dogs, especially in endemic areas. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the prevalence rate of TBEV RNA and TBEV-specific antibodies in clinical samples of dogs living in a highly endemic region of Lithuania and to evaluate the main risk factors for severe disease course and death. The blood samples (n = 473) of dogs were collected in two veterinary clinics in central Lithuania. Tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) RNA was detected in 18.6% (88/473; CI 95% 15.2-22.4) and TBEV-specific antibodies were found in 21.6% (102/473; CI 95% 17.9-25.6) of dog blood serum samples after confirmation with a virus neutralization test. The death/euthanasia rate was 18.2% (16/88; CI 95% 10.8-27.8) in PCR-positive dogs. Male dogs were more likely to develop neurological symptoms (p = 0.008). Older dogs (p = 0.003), dogs with the presence of neurological symptoms (p = 0.003), and dogs with the presence of TBEV-specific antibodies (p = 0.024) were more likely to experience worse outcomes of the disease. The results of the present study demonstrate that TBEV is a common and clinically important pathogen in dogs in such endemic countries as Lithuania.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evelina Simkute
- Laboratory of Immunology, Department of Anatomy and Physiology, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Tilzes Str. 18, LT-47181 Kaunas, (J.G.)
| | - Arnoldas Pautienius
- Laboratory of Immunology, Department of Anatomy and Physiology, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Tilzes Str. 18, LT-47181 Kaunas, (J.G.)
- Institute of Microbiology and Virology, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, LT-47181 Kaunas, Lithuania
| | - Juozas Grigas
- Laboratory of Immunology, Department of Anatomy and Physiology, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Tilzes Str. 18, LT-47181 Kaunas, (J.G.)
- Institute of Microbiology and Virology, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, LT-47181 Kaunas, Lithuania
| | - Paulina Urbute
- Laboratory of Immunology, Department of Anatomy and Physiology, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Tilzes Str. 18, LT-47181 Kaunas, (J.G.)
| | - Arunas Stankevicius
- Laboratory of Immunology, Department of Anatomy and Physiology, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Tilzes Str. 18, LT-47181 Kaunas, (J.G.)
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Veje M, Griška V, Pakalnienė J, Mickienė A, Bremell D, Zetterberg H, Blennow K, Lindquist L, Studahl M. Serum and cerebrospinal fluid brain damage markers neurofilament light and glial fibrillary acidic protein correlate with tick-borne encephalitis disease severity-a multicentre study on Lithuanian and Swedish patients. Eur J Neurol 2023; 30:3182-3189. [PMID: 37431060 DOI: 10.1111/ene.15978] [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: 03/08/2023] [Revised: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 07/04/2023] [Indexed: 07/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Our aim was to examine the correlation between biomarkers of neuronal and glial cell damage and severity of disease in patients with tick-borne encephalitis. METHODS One hundred and fifteen patients with tick-borne encephalitis diagnosed in Lithuania and Sweden were prospectively included, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serum samples were obtained shortly after hospitalization. Using pre-defined criteria, cases were classified as mild, moderate or severe tick-borne encephalitis. Additionally, the presence of spinal nerve paralysis (myelitis) and/or cranial nerve affection were noted. Concentrations of the brain cell biomarkers glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), YKL-40, S100B, neurogranin, neurofilament light (NfL) and tau were analysed in CSF and, in addition, NfL, GFAP and S100B levels were measured in serum. The Jonckheere-Terpstra test was used for group comparisons of continuous variables and Spearman's partial correlation test was used to adjust for age. RESULTS Cerebrospinal fluid and serum concentrations of GFAP and NfL correlated with disease severity, independent of age, and with the presence of nerve paralysis. The markers neurogranin, YKL-40, tau and S100B in CSF and S100B in serum were detected, but their concentrations did not correlate with disease severity. CONCLUSIONS Neuronal cell damage and astroglial cell activation with increased NfL and GFAP in CSF and serum were associated with a more severe disease, independent of age. Increased GFAP and NfL concentrations in CSF and NfL in serum were also indicative of spinal and/or cranial nerve damage. NfL and GFAP are promising prognostic biomarkers in tick-borne encephalitis, and future studies should focus on determining the association between these biomarkers and long-term sequelae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Malin Veje
- Institute of Biomedicine, Department of Infectious Diseases, Sahlgrenska Academy at the Gothenburg University, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Region Västra Götaland, Department of Infectious Diseases, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Vytautas Griška
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Kaunas, Lithuania
| | - Jolita Pakalnienė
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Kaunas, Lithuania
| | - Auksė Mickienė
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Kaunas, Lithuania
| | - Daniel Bremell
- Institute of Biomedicine, Department of Infectious Diseases, Sahlgrenska Academy at the Gothenburg University, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Region Västra Götaland, Department of Infectious Diseases, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Henrik Zetterberg
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Mölndal, Sweden
- Clinical Neurochemistry Laboratory, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Mölndal, Sweden
- Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, UCL Institute of Neurology, London, UK
- UK Dementia Research Institute at UCL, London, UK
- Hong Kong Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Hong Kong, China
- Wisconsin Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Kaj Blennow
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Mölndal, Sweden
- Clinical Neurochemistry Laboratory, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Mölndal, Sweden
| | - Lars Lindquist
- Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Marie Studahl
- Institute of Biomedicine, Department of Infectious Diseases, Sahlgrenska Academy at the Gothenburg University, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Region Västra Götaland, Department of Infectious Diseases, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
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Human pathogens in ticks removed from humans in Hebei, China. Heliyon 2023; 9:e13859. [PMID: 36873472 PMCID: PMC9982027 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e13859] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2022] [Revised: 02/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2023] [Indexed: 02/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Ticks are the hosts or vectors of many human pathogens, including viruses, bacteria and protozoa, and can transmit these causative agents to humans when feeding on human bodies. In this study, 26 ticks removed from humans in Hebei, China were tested for the presence of human-pathogenic microorganisms by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) or Reversed Transcript PCR (RT-PCR). As a result, 11 ticks tested positive for at least one human pathogen. Specifically, four validated human pathogens, including Rickettsia raoultii, Candidatus Rickettsia tarasevichiae, Babesia venatorum, and Borrelia garinii, as well as Anaplasma ovis with zoonotic potential, were identified in Ixodes persulcatus, Dermacentor silvarum and Haemaphysalis concinna. Importantly, this is the first report of Anaplasma and Babesia species pathogenic to humans in Hebei province. Moreover, the co-infections, including double infection and quadruple infection were observed. In addition, Candidatus R. principis with unknown pathogenicity was identified in one tick, which may be the same species as Candidatus R. hongyuanensis based on the nucleotide identity and phylogenetic analysis. Concluding, four validated tick-borne pathogens and one with zoonotic potential were identified in ticks parasitizing humans, suggesting the potential high public health risk in the local human population.
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Jensen PM, Danielsen F, Skarphedinsson S. Monitoring Temporal Trends in Internet Searches for “Ticks” across Europe by Google Trends: Tick–Human Interaction or General Interest? INSECTS 2022; 13:insects13020176. [PMID: 35206749 PMCID: PMC8877544 DOI: 10.3390/insects13020176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2022] [Revised: 02/03/2022] [Accepted: 02/04/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Simple Summary It is notoriously difficult to track the spread of vector-borne diseases, and to determine the underlying causes of change in disease occurrence. Importantly, public health representatives have limited access to information, which permit them to assess trends and changes in vector–human contact. Exposed individuals may, however, seek information on the Internet and thereby deliver input to a search record for the given vector. The variation in search-frequencies may reflect the variation in contact rates, but varying general interest could also influence the data. We here investigated records for search terms synonymous with “tick(s)”, and found that the records reflect the seasonal variation, which one would expect when these result from tick encounters. Albeit, variable use of search terminology suggest that these records should not be used to make comparisons between years. Abstract Monitoring vector–human interaction is pivotal for assessing potential transmission rates of vector borne diseases and their associated public health impact. People often seek information following an insect bite in order to identify hematophagous arthropods, which in recent years often is done using Internet resources. Through this activity, a record of net searches is generated, which include information that reflect local human–arthropod interaction, e.g., for the common tick (Ixodes ricinus) in European countries. Such records could in principle provide low cost real-time monitoring data, if indeed Internet search activities adequately reflect tick–human interaction. We here explore Google Trends records for within-year and between-year trends, for four different Danish search terms for “tick(s)”. We further assess the relationship between monthly search-frequencies and local weather conditions (temperatures and precipitation from 2007 to 2016) in nine European countries. Our findings point to significant limitations in the records due to changes in search-term preferences over the given years. However, the seasonal dynamics are comparable among search-terms. Moreover, the seasonal pattern in search terms vary across Europe in tune with changes in temperature and precipitation. We conclude that, the within-year variation for given search-terms provide credible information, which systematically vary with local weather patterns. We are not convinced that these records merely reflect general interest. It will, however, require a more in-depth analysis by researchers that have specific insight into local language practices to fully assess the strength and weaknesses of this approach
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Affiliation(s)
- Per M. Jensen
- Department of Plants and Environmental Science, University of Copenhagen, Thorvaldsensvej 40, 1871 Frederiksberg, Denmark
- Correspondence:
| | - Finn Danielsen
- Nordic Foundation for Development and Ecology (NORDECO), Skindergade 23, 3rd Floor, 1159 Copenhagen, Denmark;
| | - Sigurdur Skarphedinsson
- Clinical Center for Emerging and Vector-borne Infections, Department of Infectious Diseases, Odense University Hospital, Winsloews vej 4, 5000 Odense, Denmark;
- Research Unit of Infectious Diseases, Department of Clinical Research, Faculty of Health Science, University of Southern Denmark, Campusvej 55, 5230 Odense, Denmark
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Geebelen L, Lernout T, Tersago K, Terryn S, Hovius JW, Docters van Leeuwen A, Van Gucht S, Speybroeck N, Sprong H. No molecular detection of tick-borne pathogens in the blood of patients with erythema migrans in Belgium. Parasit Vectors 2022; 15:27. [PMID: 35057826 PMCID: PMC8772185 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-021-05139-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2021] [Accepted: 12/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
A number of tick-borne pathogens circulate in the Belgian tick population in addition to the causative agent of Lyme borreliosis. However, so far, only a few patients with tick-borne diseases other than Lyme borreliosis have been reported in Belgium. The aim of this study was to investigate the occurrence of other human tick-borne infections in Belgium and their possible clinical manifestation.
Methods
Patients with fever (> 37.5 °C) after a tick bite or those with erythema migrans (EM) were included in the study. EDTA-blood samples were screened for the presence of DNA from Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, Borrelia miyamotoi, Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Neoehrlichia mikurensis, spotted fever group rickettsiae (genus Rickettsia), Babesia spp., Bartonella spp., Spiroplasma ixodetis and tick-borne encephalitis virus, using multiplex PCR methods. A questionnaire on, among others, demographics and clinical symptoms, was also filled in.
Results
Over a period of 3 years, 119 patients with EM and 14 patients with fever after a recent tick bite were enrolled in the study. Three samples initially tested positive for N. mikurensis by quantitative PCR (qPCR), but the results could not be confirmed by other PCR methods, and repetition of the DNA extraction procedure and qPCR test was not successful. The qPCR test results for the other tick-borne pathogens were negative.
Conclusions
In general, only a few patients with fever after a tick bite could be identified. Although no tick-borne pathogens were detected, their occurrence cannot be excluded based on the limited number of patients and the limitations inherent to current methodologies. This study underscores the possibility of false-positive PCR results and the necessity for the development of multiple independent tools for the sensitive and specific detection of emerging tick-borne pathogens.
Graphical Abstract
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Clinical Presentation and Laboratory Diagnostic Work-Up of a Horse with Tick-Borne Encephalitis in Switzerland. Viruses 2021; 13:v13081474. [PMID: 34452340 PMCID: PMC8402657 DOI: 10.3390/v13081474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2021] [Revised: 07/16/2021] [Accepted: 07/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Tick-borne encephalitis is an important viral tick-borne zoonosis in Europe and Asia. The disease is induced by tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV). This report describes a 16-year-old Warmblood gelding presenting with sudden onset of lethargy, ataxia, and muscle fasciculations on the nostrils, the lips, and the eye lids as the most important clinical findings. The horse further had a mild facial nerve paralysis with drooping of the right upper and lower lip. Diagnosis was based on paired serum samples using TBEV-ELISAs revealing high serum IgM in the first sample with normal IgM in the second sample and an increase in serum IgG and neutralizing antibodies, indicating acute and recent infection. TBEV was confirmed by a virus-neutralization test, revealing a fivefold increase in antibodies 32 days after of the onset of clinical signs. Although the specific PCR on cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) was negative, TBEV-specific IgG and IgM were identified in the CSF of the horse. Treatment consisted of anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative treatment and the horse recovered with a mild drooping of the right nostril as the only remaining clinical sign. TBEV infection is a potential differential diagnosis of neurological disease in horses living in endemic areas and this is the first report to describe the diagnostic criteria in a horse as recommended in humans with suspected TBEV infection.
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Are other tick-borne infections overlooked in patients investigated for Lyme neuroborreliosis? A large retrospective study from South-eastern Sweden. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2021; 12:101759. [PMID: 34161869 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2021.101759] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2020] [Revised: 05/12/2021] [Accepted: 05/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
In Europe, the hard tick Ixodes ricinus is considered the most important vector of human zoonotic diseases. Human pathogenic agents spread by I. ricinus in Sweden include Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (s.l.), Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Rickettsia helvetica, the recently described Neoehrlichia mikurensis, Borrelia miyamotoi, tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV), and Babesia spp. (Babesia microti, Babesia venatorum and Babesia divergens). Since these pathogens share the same vector, co-infections with more than one tick-borne pathogen may occur and thus complicate the diagnosis and clinical management of the patient due to possibly altered symptomatology. Borrelia burgdorferi s.l., TBEV and B. miyamotoi are well-known to cause infections of the central nervous system (CNS), whereas the abilities of other tick-borne pathogens to invade the CNS are largely unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the presence and clinical impact of tick-borne pathogens other than B. burgdorferi s.l. in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serum samples of patients who were under investigation for Lyme neuroborreliosis (LNB) in a tick-endemic region of South-eastern Sweden. CSF and serum samples from 600 patients, recruited from the Regions of Östergötland County, Jönköping County and Kalmar County in South-eastern Sweden and investigated for LNB during the period of 2009-2013, were retrospectively collected for analysis. The samples were analysed by real-time PCR for the presence of nucleic acid from B. burgdorferi s.l., B. miyamotoi, A. phagocytophilum, Rickettsia spp., N. mikurensis, TBEV and Babesia spp. Serological analyses were conducted in CSF and serum samples for all patients regarding B. burgdorferi s.l., and for the patients with CSF mononuclear pleocytosis, analyses of antibodies to B. miyamotoi, A. phagocytophilum, spotted fever group (SFG) rickettsiae, TBEV and B. microti in serum were performed. The medical charts of all the patients with CSF mononuclear pleocytosis and patients with positive PCR findings were reviewed. Of the 600 patients, 55 (9%) presented with CSF mononuclear pleocytosis, 13 (2%) of whom had Borrelia-specific antibodies in the CSF. One patient was PCR-positive for N. mikurensis, and another one was PCR-positive for Borrelia spp. in serum. No pathogens were detected by PCR in the CSF samples. Four patients had serum antibodies to B. miyamotoi, four patients to A. phagocytophilum, five patients to SFG rickettsiae, and six patients to TBEV. One patient, with antibodies to SFG rickettsiae, had both clinical and laboratory signs suggestive of a current infection. Nine patients had serum antibodies to more than one pathogen, although none of these was assessed as a current co-infection. We can conclude from this study that tick-borne co-infections are uncommon in patients who are being investigated for suspected LNB in South-eastern Sweden, an area endemic for borreliosis and TBE.
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Svensson J, Christiansen CB, Persson KEM. A Serosurvey of Tick-Borne Encephalitis Virus in Sweden: Different Populations and Geographical Locations. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2021; 21:614-619. [PMID: 34028305 DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2020.2763] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: New risk areas for tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) are emerging and the spread of disease and vaccine coverage is unclear in Sweden. We wanted to study the prevalence and levels of TBE-virus (TBEV) antibodies in southern Sweden, and to investigate whether there were individuals with undiagnosed TBE. Materials and Methods: Two cohorts of sera were collected: One group of anonymous individuals in rural areas (AIRA) in Skåne and one group of volunteers who often got tick-bites (tick-bitten individuals [TBI]). An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for TBEV IgM and IgG was performed, as well as a TBEV neutralization test (NT) in selected individuals. Results: In the AIRA group, there was an IgG seropositivity of 5.3%. There were individuals with high antibody levels both in areas previously considered as risk areas (Bromölla and Knislinge), as well as in another area (Tyringe). In the TBI group, 45% of the individuals were vaccinated according to the questionnaires and IgG seropositivity was 28%. A lower seroprevalence and levels of antibodies were seen in the middle-aged group (50-69 years) compared with younger or elderly study participants. A positive NT revealed several individuals with suspected undiagnosed episodes of TBE. Conclusion: Subclinical or misdiagnosed cases have probably occurred in Skåne. Middle-aged individuals had lower levels of IgG, which could indicate either less tick exposure or a lower vaccine response. Less than half of the TBI were vaccinated, an indication that more information about the disease and vaccine might be needed. We conclude that the study motivates an increased awareness of TBEV in the region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joel Svensson
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Lund University, Skåne University Hospital, Lund, Sweden
| | - Claus B Christiansen
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Lund University, Skåne University Hospital, Lund, Sweden
| | - Kristina E M Persson
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Lund University, Skåne University Hospital, Lund, Sweden
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Banović P, Obregón D, Mijatović D, Simin V, Stankov S, Budakov-Obradović Z, Bujandrić N, Grujić J, Sević S, Turkulov V, Díaz-Sánchez AA, Cabezas-Cruz A. Tick-Borne Encephalitis Virus Seropositivity among Tick Infested Individuals in Serbia. Pathogens 2021; 10:301. [PMID: 33807559 PMCID: PMC8001322 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10030301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2021] [Revised: 02/13/2021] [Accepted: 03/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE), caused by the TBE virus (TBEV), is a life-threatening disease with clinical symptoms ranging from non-specific to severe inflammation of the central nervous system. Despite TBE is a notifiable disease in Serbia since 2004, there is no active TBE surveillance program for the serologic or molecular screening of TBEV infection in humans in the country. This prospective cohort study aimed to assess the TBEV exposure among tick-infested individuals in Serbia during the year 2020. A total of 113 individuals exposed to tick bites were recruited for the study and screened for anti-TBEV antibodies using a commercial indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFA) test. Blood samples from 50 healthy donors not exposed to tick bites were included as a control group. Most of the enrolled patients reported infestations with one tick, being I. ricinus the most frequent tick found in the participants. The TBEV seroprevalence was higher (13.27%, 15 total 113) in tick-infested individuals than in healthy donors (4%, 2 total 50), although the difference was not significant. Notably, male individuals exposed to tick bites showed five times higher relative risk (RR) of being TBEV-seropositive than healthy donors of the same gender (RR= 5.1, CI = 1.6-19; p = 0.007). None of the seropositive individuals developed clinical manifestations of TBE, but the first clinical-stage of Lyme borreliosis (i.e., erythema migrans) was detected in seven of them. Potential TBEV foci were identified in rural areas, mostly in proximity or within the Fruška Gora mountain. We conclude that the Serbian population is at high risk of TBEV exposure. Further epidemiological studies should focus on potential TBEV foci identified in this study. The implementation of active surveillance for TBEV might contribute to evaluating the potential negative impact of TBE in Serbia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pavle Banović
- Ambulance for Lyme Borreliosis and Other Tick-Borne Diseases, Pasteur Institute Novi Sad, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia;
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Novi Sad, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia; (Z.B.-O.); (N.B.); (J.G.); (S.S.); (V.T.)
| | - Dasiel Obregón
- School of Environmental Sciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada;
- Center for Nuclear Energy in Agriculture, University of São Paulo, Piracicaba, SP 13400-970, Brazil
| | - Dragana Mijatović
- Ambulance for Lyme Borreliosis and Other Tick-Borne Diseases, Pasteur Institute Novi Sad, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia;
| | - Verica Simin
- Department of Microbiology, Pasteur Institute Novi Sad, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia; (V.S.); (S.S.)
| | - Srdjan Stankov
- Department of Microbiology, Pasteur Institute Novi Sad, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia; (V.S.); (S.S.)
| | - Zorana Budakov-Obradović
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Novi Sad, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia; (Z.B.-O.); (N.B.); (J.G.); (S.S.); (V.T.)
- Blood Transfusion Institute Vojvodina, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Nevenka Bujandrić
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Novi Sad, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia; (Z.B.-O.); (N.B.); (J.G.); (S.S.); (V.T.)
- Blood Transfusion Institute Vojvodina, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Jasmina Grujić
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Novi Sad, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia; (Z.B.-O.); (N.B.); (J.G.); (S.S.); (V.T.)
- Blood Transfusion Institute Vojvodina, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Siniša Sević
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Novi Sad, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia; (Z.B.-O.); (N.B.); (J.G.); (S.S.); (V.T.)
- Clinic for Infectious Diseases, Clinical Center of Vojvodina, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Vesna Turkulov
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Novi Sad, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia; (Z.B.-O.); (N.B.); (J.G.); (S.S.); (V.T.)
- Clinic for Infectious Diseases, Clinical Center of Vojvodina, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia
| | | | - Alejandro Cabezas-Cruz
- Anses, INRAE, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d’Alfort, UMR BIPAR, Laboratoire de Santé Animale, F-94700 Maisons-Alfort, France
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11
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Migratory birds as disseminators of ticks and the tick-borne pathogens Borrelia bacteria and tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) virus: a seasonal study at Ottenby Bird Observatory in South-eastern Sweden. Parasit Vectors 2020; 13:607. [PMID: 33272317 PMCID: PMC7713317 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-020-04493-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2020] [Accepted: 11/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Birds can act as reservoirs of tick-borne pathogens and can also disperse pathogen-containing ticks to both nearby and remote localities. The aims of this study were to estimate tick infestation patterns on migratory birds and the prevalence of different Borrelia species and tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) in ticks removed from birds in south-eastern Sweden. Methods Ticks were collected from resident and migratory birds captured at the Ottenby Bird Observatory, Öland, Sweden, from March to November 2009. Ticks were molecularly identified to species, and morphologically to developmental stage, and the presence of Borrelia bacteria and TBEV was determined by quantitative real-time PCR. Results A total of 1339 ticks in the genera Haemaphysalis, Hyalomma, and Ixodes was recorded of which I. ricinus was the most abundant species. Important tick hosts were the European robin (Erithacus rubecula), Blackbird (Turdus merula), Tree pipit (Anthus trivialis), Eurasian wren (Troglodytes troglodytes), Common redstart (Phoenicurus phoenicurus), Willow warbler (Phylloscopus trochilus), and Common whitethroat (Sylvia communis). Borrelia bacteria were detected in 25% (285/1,124) of the detached ticks available for analysis. Seven Borrelia species (B. afzelii, B. burgdorferi (s.s.), B. garinii, B. lusitaniae, B. turdi, B. valaisiana, and B. miyamotoi) were identified. B. turdi was recorded for the first time in ticks in Sweden. The number of Borrelia cells per tick ranged from 2.0 × 100 to 7.0 × 105. B. miyamotoi-containing ticks contained a significantly higher median number of Borrelia cells than B. burgdorferi (s.l.)-containing ticks. B. garinii and B. miyamotoi were the most prevalent Borrelia species in tick larvae. Larvae of I. ricinus with B. garinii were removed from seven bird species, particularly S. communis and A. trivialis, which may suggest that the larvae had contracted the Borrelia bacteria from or via these birds. Also, a high percentage of tick larvae containing B. miyamotoi was removed from E. rubecula. All ticks were negative for TBEV. Conclusions The results corroborate the view that the contributions of birds to human disease are substantial, particularly as blood hosts for ticks and for their short-, medium-, and long-distance dispersal. Moreover, several ground-foraging bird species appear to be important for the maintenance and dispersal of Borrelia species. The absence of TBEV in the ticks conforms to other similar studies.![]()
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12
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Tick populations from endemic and non-endemic areas in Germany show differential susceptibility to TBEV. Sci Rep 2020; 10:15478. [PMID: 32968088 PMCID: PMC7511395 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-71920-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2020] [Accepted: 08/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) is endemic in twenty-seven European countries, transmitted via the bite of an infected tick. TBEV is the causative agent of one of the most important viral diseases of the central nervous system (CNS). In Germany, 890 human cases were registered between the years 2018–2019. The castor bean tick, Ixodes ricinus, is the TBEV vector with the highest importance in Central Europe, including Germany. Despite the nationwide distribution of this tick species, risk areas of TBEV are largely located in Southern Germany. To increase our understanding of TBEV-tick interactions, we collected ticks from different areas within Germany (Haselmühl/Bavaria, Hanover/Lower Saxony) and infected them via an in vitro feeding system. A TBEV isolate was obtained from an endemic focus in Haselmühl. In two experimental series conducted in 2018 and 2019, ticks sampled in Haselmühl (TBEV focus) showed higher artificial feeding rates, as well as higher TBEV infections rates than ticks from the non-endemic area (Hanover). Other than the tick origin, year and month of the infection experiment as well as co-infection with Borrelia spp., had a significant impact on TBEV Haselmühl infection rates. Taken together, these findings suggest that a specific adaptation of the tick populations to their respective TBEV virus isolates or vice versa, leads to higher TBEV infection rates in those ticks. Furthermore, co-infection with other tick-borne pathogens such as Borrelia spp. can lower TBEV infection rates in specific populations.
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13
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Han S, Hickling GJ, Ogden NH, Ginsberg HS, Kobbekaduwa V, Rulison EL, Beati L, Tsao JI. Seasonality of acarological risk of exposure to Borrelia miyamotoi from questing life stages of Ixodes scapularis collected from Wisconsin and Massachusetts, USA. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2020; 12:101556. [PMID: 33035757 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2020.101556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2020] [Revised: 08/29/2020] [Accepted: 08/31/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Measures of acarological risk of exposure to Ixodes scapularis-borne disease agents typically focus on nymphs; however, the relapsing fever group spirochete Borrelia miyamotoi can be passed transovarially, and I. scapularis larvae are capable of transmitting B. miyamotoi to their hosts. To quantify the larval contribution to acarological risk, relative to nymphs and adults, we collected questing I. scapularis for 3 yr at Fort McCoy, Wisconsin (WI, n = 23,367 ticks), and Cape Cod, Massachusetts (MA, n = 4190) in the United States. Borrelia miyamotoi infection prevalence was estimated for I. scapularis larvae, nymphs, females, and males, respectively, as 0.88, 2.05, 0.63, and 1.22 % from the WI site and 0.33, 2.32, 2.83, and 2.11 % from the MA site. Densities of B. miyamotoi-infected ticks (DIT, per 1000 m2) were estimated for larvae, nymphs, females, and males, respectively, as 0.36, 0.14, 0.01, and 0.03 from the WI site and 0.05, 0.06, 0.03, and 0.02 from the MA site. Thus, although larval infection prevalence with B. miyamotoi was significantly lower than that of nymphs and similar to that of adults, because of their higher abundance, the larval contribution to the overall DIT was similar to that of nymphs and trended towards a greater contribution than adults. Assuming homogenous contact rates with humans, these results suggest that eco-epidemiological investigations of B. miyamotoi disease in North America should include larvae. A fuller appreciation of the epidemiological implications of these results, therefore, requires an examination of the heterogeneity in contact rates with humans among life stages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seungeun Han
- Comparative Medicine and Integrative Biology program, College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, United States.
| | - Graham J Hickling
- Center for Wildlife Health, University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture, Knoxville, TN 37996, United States.
| | - Nicholas H Ogden
- Public Health Risk Sciences Division, National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada, St-Hyacinthe, QC J2S 2M2, Canada.
| | - Howard S Ginsberg
- U.S. Geological Survey, Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, Kingston, RI 02881, United States.
| | - Vishvapali Kobbekaduwa
- Comparative Medicine and Integrative Biology program, College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, United States.
| | - Eric L Rulison
- California Department of Transportation, Redding, CA 96001, United States.
| | - Lorenza Beati
- Department of Biology, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA 30460, United States.
| | - Jean I Tsao
- Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48824, United States; Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48824, United States.
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14
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Wilhelmsson P, Lövmar M, Krogfelt KA, Nielsen HV, Forsberg P, Lindgren PE. Clinical/serological outcome in humans bitten by Babesia species positive Ixodes ricinus ticks in Sweden and on the Åland Islands. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2020; 11:101455. [PMID: 32386909 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2020.101455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2018] [Revised: 04/16/2020] [Accepted: 04/20/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
The risk of contracting babesiosis after a tick bite in Sweden and on the Åland Islands, Finland, is unknown. We investigated clinical and serological outcomes in people bitten by Ixodes ricinus ticks positive for Babesia species. Ticks, blood and questionnaires were obtained from study participants in Sweden and on the Åland Islands. Sixty-five of 2098 (3.1 %) ticks were positive by real-time PCR. Three Babesia species were detected, Babesia microti (n = 33), B. venatorum (n = 27) and B. capreoli (n = 5), the latter species not known to cause human infection. Half (46 %) of the Babesia PCR-positive ticks also contained Borrelia spp. Fifty-three participants bitten by a Babesia PCR-positive tick and a control group bitten by a Babesia PCR-negative tick were tested for B. microti IgG antibodies by IFA. The overall seroprevalence was 4.4 %, but there was no significant difference between the groups. None of the participants seroconverted and no participant with a Babesia PCR-positive tick sought medical care or reported symptoms suggestive of babesiosis. Given the prevalence of Babesia in I. ricinus ticks in southern Sweden and on the Åland Islands, babesiosis should be considered a possible diagnosis in symptomatic residents who seek medical care following tick exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Wilhelmsson
- Division of Inflammation and Infection, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden; Department of Clinical Microbiology, Region Jönköping County, Jönköping, Sweden.
| | - M Lövmar
- Division of Inflammation and Infection, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden.
| | - K A Krogfelt
- Department of Bacteria Parasites and Fungi, Statens Serum Institute, Copenhagen, Denmark; Department of Science and Environmental, Roskilde University, Denmark.
| | - H V Nielsen
- Department of Bacteria Parasites and Fungi, Statens Serum Institute, Copenhagen, Denmark.
| | - P Forsberg
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden.
| | - P E Lindgren
- Division of Inflammation and Infection, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden; Department of Clinical Microbiology, Region Jönköping County, Jönköping, Sweden.
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15
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Slunge D, Jore S, Krogfelt KA, Jepsen MT, Boman A. Who is afraid of ticks and tick-borne diseases? Results from a cross-sectional survey in Scandinavia. BMC Public Health 2019; 19:1666. [PMID: 31829150 PMCID: PMC6907266 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-019-7977-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2019] [Accepted: 11/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background In Scandinavia, the distribution of ticks is expanding and tick-borne diseases constitute growing health risks. While the probability of getting a tick-borne disease after a tick bite is low, the health impacts can be large. This, as well as other characteristics of these diseases make tick-related risks difficult for laypeople to assess and perceived risk may differ substantially from actual risk. Understanding risk perceptions is important since it is the perceived risk, rather than actual risk, that determine behaviour and even more so for new and emerging risks. The aim of this study is to investigate knowledge and risk perceptions related to tick bites and the tick-borne diseases Lyme borreliosis (LB) and tick-borne encephalitis (TBE). By analysing risk perceptions and knowledge, the study helps inform the development of public health strategies in response to the increasing incidence of these diseases in Scandinavia. Methods Two thousand, six hundred sixty-eight respondents in Denmark, Norway and Sweden answered an online questionnaire with 48 questions, including 7 questions on risk perceptions and 9 knowledge questions. Chi-squared tests were used to analyse statistical differences between country sub-samples, gender and age groups. A multivariate regression model was used to analyse factors associated with risk perceptions. Results Risk perceptions were on average high in comparison with scientific estimates, with respondents grossly overrating the probability of contracting LB or TBE if bitten by a tick. Also, the average perceived seriousness of a single tick bite and of getting LB or TBE was high. Knowledge on the other hand was low, especially among men and the youngest age group (18–29 years). Higher levels of knowledge about tick-borne diseases were associated with lower perceived seriousness of tick bites and LB and higher perceived seriousness of TBE. Also, having been diagnosed with LB was negatively associated with the perceived seriousness of LB. Conclusions Our results indicate that informing about ticks and tick-borne diseases would be a relevant public health strategy as it could make risk perceptions better aligned with actual risk. Should the TBE virus spread further in Denmark and Norway, increasing knowledge about TBE vaccination would be especially important.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Slunge
- Gothenburg Centre for Sustainable Development, GMV, University of Gothenburg, Box 170, 40530, Gothenburg, Sweden.
| | - Solveig Jore
- Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Karen Angeliki Krogfelt
- Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Department of Science and Environment, Roskilde University, Roskilde, Denmark
| | | | - Anders Boman
- Department of Economics, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
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16
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Jaenson TGT, Wilhelmsson P. First records of tick-borne pathogens in populations of the taiga tick Ixodes persulcatus in Sweden. Parasit Vectors 2019; 12:559. [PMID: 31775857 PMCID: PMC6882324 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-019-3813-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2019] [Accepted: 11/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The common tick Ixodes ricinus and the taiga tick I. persulcatus are the main tick vectors of Borrelia spirochaetes, TBE virus (TBEV) and of several other zoonotic pathogens in the western and eastern areas, respectively of the Palaearctic region. Recently, populations of the taiga tick were, for the first time, detected in northern Sweden. This prompted us to investigate if they harbour human pathogens. Methods A total of 276 I. persulcatus ticks (136 males, 126 females and 14 nymphs) and one I. ricinus nymph was collected by the cloth-dragging method in northern Sweden in July–August 2015 and May–July 2016. In addition, 8 males and 10 females of I. persulcatus were collected from two dogs (16 and 2 ticks, respectively) in two of the localities. All ticks were microscopically and molecularly identified to developmental stage and species and screened for B. burgdorferi (sensu lato), B. miyamotoi, Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Rickettsia spp., Neoehrlichia mikurensis, Babesia spp. and TBEV using real-time PCR followed by species identification by sequencing the PCR-products of conventional PCR assays. Results Of the ticks collected by the cloth-dragging method, 55% (152/277) were positive for Borrelia. There was no significant difference between the proportions of Borrelia-infected nymphs (33%, 5/15) and Borrelia-infected adult ticks (56%, 147/262), and no significant difference between the proportions of Borrelia-infected males (54%, 74/136) and Borrelia-infected females (58%, 73/126). Three different Borrelia species were identified. Borrelia afzelii was the predominant species and detected in 46% of all Borrelia-infected ticks followed by B. garinii, 35%, B. valaisiana, 1%, and mixed infections of different Borrelia species, 1%; 17% of all Borrelia-infections were untypeable. One I. persulcatus female contained Rickettsia helvetica, and one nymph contained Rickettsia sp. Of the 277 ticks analysed, all were negative for A. phagocytophilum, Babesia spp., Borrelia miyamotoi, N. mikurensis and TBEV. The ticks collected from the two dogs were negative for all pathogens examined except for Borrelia spp., that was detected in 5 out of 16 ticks removed from one of the dogs. Conclusions To our knowledge, this is the first time that I. persulcatus from Sweden has been analysed for the presence of tick-borne pathogens. The examined tick populations had a low diversity of tick-borne pathogens but a high prevalence of B. burgdorferi (s.l.).
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas G T Jaenson
- Medical Entomology Unit, Department of Organismal Biology, Evolutionary Biology Centre, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Peter Wilhelmsson
- Division of Medical Microbiology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden. .,Department of Clinical Microbiology, Region Jönköping County, Jönköping, Sweden.
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17
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Hofmeester TR, Bügel EJ, Hendrikx B, Maas M, Franssen FFJ, Sprong H, Matson KD. Parasite Load and Site-Specific Parasite Pressure as Determinants of Immune Indices in Two Sympatric Rodent Species. Animals (Basel) 2019; 9:ani9121015. [PMID: 31766647 PMCID: PMC6940963 DOI: 10.3390/ani9121015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2019] [Revised: 11/15/2019] [Accepted: 11/20/2019] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Wildlife is exposed to parasites from the environment. This parasite pressure, which differs among areas, likely shapes the immunological strategies of animals. Individuals differ in the number of parasites they encounter and host, and this parasite load also influences the immune system. The relative impact of parasite pressure vs. parasite load on different host species, particularly those implicated as important reservoirs of zoonotic pathogens, is poorly understood. We captured bank voles (Myodes glareolus) and wood mice (Apodemus sylvaticus) at four sites in the Netherlands. We sampled sub-adult males to quantify their immune function, infestation load for ecto- and gastrointestinal parasites, and infection status for vector-borne microparasites. We then used regression trees to test if variation in immune indices could be explained by among-site differences (parasite pressure), among-individual differences in infestation intensity and infection status (parasite load), or other intrinsic factors. Regression trees revealed splits among sites for haptoglobin, hemagglutination, and body-mass corrected spleen size. We also found splits based on infection/infestation for haptoglobin, hemolysis, and neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio. Furthermore, we found a split between species for hemolysis and splits based on body mass for haptoglobin, hemagglutination, hematocrit, and body-mass corrected spleen size. Our results suggest that both parasite pressure and parasite load influence the immune system of wild rodents. Additional studies linking disease ecology and ecological immunology are needed to understand better the complexities of host-parasite interactions and how these interactions shape zoonotic disease risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tim R. Hofmeester
- Resource Ecology Group, Wageningen University, Droevendaalsesteeg 3a, 6708PB Wageningen, The Netherlands; (T.R.H.); (E.J.B.); (B.H.)
| | - Esther J. Bügel
- Resource Ecology Group, Wageningen University, Droevendaalsesteeg 3a, 6708PB Wageningen, The Netherlands; (T.R.H.); (E.J.B.); (B.H.)
| | - Bob Hendrikx
- Resource Ecology Group, Wageningen University, Droevendaalsesteeg 3a, 6708PB Wageningen, The Netherlands; (T.R.H.); (E.J.B.); (B.H.)
| | - Miriam Maas
- Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Antonie van Leeuwenhoeklaan 9, 3721 MA Bilthoven, The Netherlands; (M.M.); (F.F.J.F.); (H.S.)
| | - Frits F. J. Franssen
- Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Antonie van Leeuwenhoeklaan 9, 3721 MA Bilthoven, The Netherlands; (M.M.); (F.F.J.F.); (H.S.)
| | - Hein Sprong
- Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Antonie van Leeuwenhoeklaan 9, 3721 MA Bilthoven, The Netherlands; (M.M.); (F.F.J.F.); (H.S.)
| | - Kevin D. Matson
- Resource Ecology Group, Wageningen University, Droevendaalsesteeg 3a, 6708PB Wageningen, The Netherlands; (T.R.H.); (E.J.B.); (B.H.)
- Correspondence:
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Lernout T, De Regge N, Tersago K, Fonville M, Suin V, Sprong H. Prevalence of pathogens in ticks collected from humans through citizen science in Belgium. Parasit Vectors 2019; 12:550. [PMID: 31752967 PMCID: PMC6873681 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-019-3806-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2019] [Accepted: 11/12/2019] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In order to evaluate the risk of human exposure to tick-borne pathogens in Belgium, a study on the prevalence of several pathogens was conducted on feeding ticks removed from humans in 2017. METHODS Using a citizen science approach based on an existing notification tool for tick bites, a sample of ticks was collected across the country. Collected ticks were screened by PCR for the presence of the following pathogens: Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Babesia spp., Borrelia burgdorferi (sensu lato), Borrelia miyamotoi, Neoehrlichia mikurensis, Rickettsia helvetica and tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV). RESULTS In total, 1599 ticks were included in the sample. The great majority of ticks belonged to Ixodes ricinus (99%); other tick species were identified as Ixodes hexagonus (0.7%) and Dermacentor reticulatus (0.3%). Borrelia burgdorferi (s.l.) was detected in 14% of nymphs and adult ticks. Adult ticks (20%) were more likely to be infected than nymphs (12%). The most common genospecies were B. afzelii (52%) and B. garinii (21%). Except for TBEV, the other tick-borne pathogens studied were all detected in the tick sample, although at a lower prevalence: 1.5% for Babesia spp.; 1.8% for A. phagocytophilum; 2.4% for B. miyamotoi; 2.8% for N. mikurensis; and 6.8% for R. helvetica. Rickettsia raoultii, the causative agent of tick-borne lymphadenopathy, was identified for the first time in Belgium, in two out of five D. reticulatus ticks. Co-infections were found in 3.9% of the examined ticks. The most common co-infection was B. burgdorferi (s.l.) + N. mikurensis. CONCLUSIONS Although for most of the tick-borne diseases in Belgium, other than Lyme borreliosis, no or few cases of human infection are reported, the pathogens causing these diseases were all (except for TBEV) detected in the tick study sample. Their confirmed presence can help raise awareness among citizens and health professionals in Belgium on possible diseases other than Lyme borreliosis in patients presenting fever or other non-characteristic symptoms after a tick bite.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tinne Lernout
- Sciensano, Belgian Institute for Health, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Nick De Regge
- Sciensano, Belgian Institute for Health, Brussels, Belgium
| | | | - Manoj Fonville
- Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, The Netherlands
| | - Vanessa Suin
- Sciensano, Belgian Institute for Health, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Hein Sprong
- Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, The Netherlands
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19
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Cronhjort S, Wilhelmsson P, Karlsson L, Thelaus J, Sjödin A, Forsberg P, Lindgren PE. The Tick-Borne Diseases STING study: Real-time PCR analysis of three emerging tick-borne pathogens in ticks that have bitten humans in different regions of Sweden and the Aland islands, Finland. Infect Ecol Epidemiol 2019; 9:1683935. [PMID: 31741721 PMCID: PMC6844441 DOI: 10.1080/20008686.2019.1683935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2019] [Accepted: 10/17/2019] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
A milder climate has during the last decade contributed to an increased density and spreading of ixodid ticks, thus enhancing their role as emerging vectors for pathogenic microorganisms in northern Europe. It remains unclear if they contribute to the occurrence of infections caused by the bacteria Bartonella spp., Francisella tularensis subspecies holarctica and the parasite Toxoplasma gondii in Sweden and on the Åland islands, Finland. In this study, we want to improve understanding of the tick-borne transmission of these pathogens. Volunteers were recruited at primary healthcare centers. Ticks and blood samples were acquired from participants recruited in 2008 and 2009. Health questionnaires were completed, and medical records were acquired where applicable. Feeding time was estimated and screening of pathogens in the ticks was performed through real-time PCR. Ticks (n = 1849) were of mixed developmental stages: 76 larvae, 1295 nymphs, 426 adults and 52 undetermined. All analyzed ticks were considered negative for these pathogens since the CT-values were all below the detection limit for Bartonella spp. (1663 ticks), Francisella spp. (1849 ticks) and Toxoplasma gondii (1813 ticks). We assume that infections with these pathogens are caused by other transmission pathways within these regions of Sweden and the Åland islands, Finland.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel Cronhjort
- Division of Medical Microbiology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Peter Wilhelmsson
- Division of Medical Microbiology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Jönköping, Region Jönköping County, and the Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Linda Karlsson
- Division of CBRN Defence and Security, Swedish Defence Research Agency, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Johanna Thelaus
- Division of CBRN Defence and Security, Swedish Defence Research Agency, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Andreas Sjödin
- Division of CBRN Defence and Security, Swedish Defence Research Agency, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Pia Forsberg
- Divison of Infectious Diseases, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Per-Eric Lindgren
- Division of Medical Microbiology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Jönköping, Region Jönköping County, and the Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
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20
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Kholodilov I, Belova O, Burenkova L, Korotkov Y, Romanova L, Morozova L, Kudriavtsev V, Gmyl L, Belyaletdinova I, Chumakov A, Chumakova N, Dargyn O, Galatsevich N, Gmyl A, Mikhailov M, Oorzhak N, Polienko A, Saryglar A, Volok V, Yakovlev A, Karganova G. Ixodid ticks and tick-borne encephalitis virus prevalence in the South Asian part of Russia (Republic of Tuva). Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2019; 10:959-969. [PMID: 31103456 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2019.04.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2018] [Revised: 04/03/2019] [Accepted: 04/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The most significant processes of arbovirus evolution can be expected to occur in the territories where ticks of different species cohabitate and at the boundaries of virus occurrence, where the probability of the appearance of new virus variants is high due to the possible shift in the main vectors and/or vertebrate hosts. One of the most interesting regions in this regard is the Republic of Tuva. Since most of its territory is covered by mountain ranges and intermountain basins, we were able to study the distribution of vectors and viruses in geographically isolated areas at different altitudes and in various landscapes. From 2008 to 2017, we conducted six expeditions to Tuva and collected 3,077 adult ticks and 24 nymphs. The distribution of tick species was confined to specific landscapes, as follows: Dermacentor nuttalli occurred in steppes, D. silvarum inhabited forest-steppe areas, and Ixodes persulcatus inhabited mixed forests. All three species of ticks were collected on plains and mountain slopes. The range of D. silvarum was shown to be lower than 1300 m above sea level (a.s.l.). Only D. nuttalli and I. persulcatus were collected at higher altitudes. According to our observations, single nymphs of D. nuttalli appear on animals one month before larvae appear. This finding confirms the hypothesis that the immature forms of D. nuttalli are able to overwinter under favourable conditions. We isolated 9 strains and 3 isolates of tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) from I. persulcatus, one strain from D. nuttalli and one strain from D. silvarum. The TBEV strain from D. nuttalli was isolated from the territory inhabited only by Dermacentor ticks. All isolated strains belong to the Siberian subtype of TBEV. TBEV was detected in ticks from all the investigated altitudes. There were no statistically significant differences in the virus prevalence between the Dermacentor and Ixodes ticks. The results of our work provide additional support for the hypothesis of the existence of TBEV foci in areas with an absolute dominance of D. nuttalli.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivan Kholodilov
- Chumakov Institute of Poliomyelitis and Viral Encephalitides (FSBSI "Chumakov FSC R&D IBP RAS), prem. 8, k.17, pos. Institut Poliomyelita, poselenie Moskovskiy, Moscow 108819, Russia.
| | - Oxana Belova
- Chumakov Institute of Poliomyelitis and Viral Encephalitides (FSBSI "Chumakov FSC R&D IBP RAS), prem. 8, k.17, pos. Institut Poliomyelita, poselenie Moskovskiy, Moscow 108819, Russia; Martsinovsky Institute of Medical Parasitology, Tropical and Vector Borne Diseases, Sechenov University, Malaya Pirogovskaya st., 20-1, Moscow 119435, Russia.
| | - Ludmila Burenkova
- Chumakov Institute of Poliomyelitis and Viral Encephalitides (FSBSI "Chumakov FSC R&D IBP RAS), prem. 8, k.17, pos. Institut Poliomyelita, poselenie Moskovskiy, Moscow 108819, Russia.
| | - Yuri Korotkov
- Chumakov Institute of Poliomyelitis and Viral Encephalitides (FSBSI "Chumakov FSC R&D IBP RAS), prem. 8, k.17, pos. Institut Poliomyelita, poselenie Moskovskiy, Moscow 108819, Russia.
| | - Lidiya Romanova
- Chumakov Institute of Poliomyelitis and Viral Encephalitides (FSBSI "Chumakov FSC R&D IBP RAS), prem. 8, k.17, pos. Institut Poliomyelita, poselenie Moskovskiy, Moscow 108819, Russia; I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation (Sechenov University), Trubetskaya st., 8-2, Moscow 119991, Russia.
| | - Lola Morozova
- Department of Tropical Medicine and Parasitic Diseases, Sechenov University, Trubetskaya st., 8-2, Moscow 119991, Russia.
| | - Vitalii Kudriavtsev
- Chumakov Institute of Poliomyelitis and Viral Encephalitides (FSBSI "Chumakov FSC R&D IBP RAS), prem. 8, k.17, pos. Institut Poliomyelita, poselenie Moskovskiy, Moscow 108819, Russia.
| | - Larissa Gmyl
- Chumakov Institute of Poliomyelitis and Viral Encephalitides (FSBSI "Chumakov FSC R&D IBP RAS), prem. 8, k.17, pos. Institut Poliomyelita, poselenie Moskovskiy, Moscow 108819, Russia.
| | - Ilmira Belyaletdinova
- Chumakov Institute of Poliomyelitis and Viral Encephalitides (FSBSI "Chumakov FSC R&D IBP RAS), prem. 8, k.17, pos. Institut Poliomyelita, poselenie Moskovskiy, Moscow 108819, Russia.
| | - Alexander Chumakov
- Tuvinian Antiplague Station of Rospotrebnadzor, Moskovskaya st., 13, Kyzyl 667010, Russia.
| | - Natalia Chumakova
- Tuvinian Antiplague Station of Rospotrebnadzor, Moskovskaya st., 13, Kyzyl 667010, Russia.
| | - Oyumaa Dargyn
- Tuva Republican Center for Disease Prevention and Control of AIDS and Infectious disease, Oyuna Kursedi st., 159A, Kyzyl 667003, Russia.
| | - Nina Galatsevich
- Tuvinian Antiplague Station of Rospotrebnadzor, Moskovskaya st., 13, Kyzyl 667010, Russia.
| | - Anatoly Gmyl
- Chumakov Institute of Poliomyelitis and Viral Encephalitides (FSBSI "Chumakov FSC R&D IBP RAS), prem. 8, k.17, pos. Institut Poliomyelita, poselenie Moskovskiy, Moscow 108819, Russia.
| | - Mikhail Mikhailov
- I. Mechnikov Research Institute of Vaccines and Sera of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences, Malyy Kazennyy pereulok, 5a, Moscow 105064, Russia.
| | - Natalia Oorzhak
- Infectious disease hospital, Chekhova st., 65, Kyzyl 667003, Russia.
| | - Alexandra Polienko
- Chumakov Institute of Poliomyelitis and Viral Encephalitides (FSBSI "Chumakov FSC R&D IBP RAS), prem. 8, k.17, pos. Institut Poliomyelita, poselenie Moskovskiy, Moscow 108819, Russia.
| | - Anna Saryglar
- Infectious disease hospital, Chekhova st., 65, Kyzyl 667003, Russia.
| | - Viktor Volok
- Chumakov Institute of Poliomyelitis and Viral Encephalitides (FSBSI "Chumakov FSC R&D IBP RAS), prem. 8, k.17, pos. Institut Poliomyelita, poselenie Moskovskiy, Moscow 108819, Russia; Peoples' Friendship University of Russia (RUDN University), Miklukho-Maklaya st., 6, Moscow 105064, Russia.
| | - Alexander Yakovlev
- Chumakov Institute of Poliomyelitis and Viral Encephalitides (FSBSI "Chumakov FSC R&D IBP RAS), prem. 8, k.17, pos. Institut Poliomyelita, poselenie Moskovskiy, Moscow 108819, Russia.
| | - Galina Karganova
- Chumakov Institute of Poliomyelitis and Viral Encephalitides (FSBSI "Chumakov FSC R&D IBP RAS), prem. 8, k.17, pos. Institut Poliomyelita, poselenie Moskovskiy, Moscow 108819, Russia; I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation (Sechenov University), Trubetskaya st., 8-2, Moscow 119991, Russia.
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Garg K, Meriläinen L, Franz O, Pirttinen H, Quevedo-Diaz M, Croucher S, Gilbert L. Evaluating polymicrobial immune responses in patients suffering from tick-borne diseases. Sci Rep 2018; 8:15932. [PMID: 30374055 PMCID: PMC6206025 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-34393-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2018] [Accepted: 10/15/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
There is insufficient evidence to support screening of various tick-borne diseases (TBD) related microbes alongside Borrelia in patients suffering from TBD. To evaluate the involvement of multiple microbial immune responses in patients experiencing TBD we utilized enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Four hundred and thirty-two human serum samples organized into seven categories followed Centers for Disease Control and Prevention two-tier Lyme disease (LD) diagnosis guidelines and Infectious Disease Society of America guidelines for post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome. All patient categories were tested for their immunoglobulin M (IgM) and G (IgG) responses against 20 microbes associated with TBD. Our findings recognize that microbial infections in patients suffering from TBDs do not follow the one microbe, one disease Germ Theory as 65% of the TBD patients produce immune responses to various microbes. We have established a causal association between TBD patients and TBD associated co-infections and essential opportunistic microbes following Bradford Hill's criteria. This study indicated an 85% probability that a randomly selected TBD patient will respond to Borrelia and other related TBD microbes rather than to Borrelia alone. A paradigm shift is required in current healthcare policies to diagnose TBD so that patients can get tested and treated even for opportunistic infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kunal Garg
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, NanoScience Center, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland
- Te?ted Ltd, Mattilaniemi 6-8, Jyväskylä, Finland
| | - Leena Meriläinen
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, NanoScience Center, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland
| | - Ole Franz
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, NanoScience Center, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland
| | - Heidi Pirttinen
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, NanoScience Center, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland
| | - Marco Quevedo-Diaz
- Institute of Virology, Biomedical Research Center, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovak Republic
| | - Stephen Croucher
- School of Communication, Journalism, and Marketing, Massey University, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Leona Gilbert
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, NanoScience Center, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland.
- Te?ted Ltd, Mattilaniemi 6-8, Jyväskylä, Finland.
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Vector competence of Haemaphysalis longicornis ticks for a Japanese isolate of the Thogoto virus. Sci Rep 2018; 8:9300. [PMID: 29915199 PMCID: PMC6006283 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-27483-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2018] [Accepted: 06/04/2018] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Thogoto virus (THOV), a tick-borne arbovirus not previously reported in East Asia, was recently isolated from Haemaphysalis longicornis in Kyoto, Japan. In this study, we investigated the vector competence of H. longicornis ticks for a Japanese isolate of the Thogoto virus using anal pore microinjection and experimental virus acquisition. Our results showed that anal pore microinjection can readily infect adult ticks, and THOV-infected ticks can successfully transmit the virus to mice. Blood feeding was also critical in the distribution of the virus in tick organs, most especially in the salivary glands. Furthermore, co-feeding between an infected adult and naïve nymphs can also produce infected molted adults that can horizontally transmit THOV to mice. Altogether, our results suggest that H. longicornis is a competent vector for the Japanese THOV isolate and could be the primary tick vector of the virus in Japan.
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Daniel M, Danielová V, Fialová A, Malý M, Kříž B, Nuttall PA. Increased Relative Risk of Tick-Borne Encephalitis in Warmer Weather. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2018; 8:90. [PMID: 29623261 PMCID: PMC5874492 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2018.00090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2017] [Accepted: 03/07/2018] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) is a serious acute neuroinfection of humans caused by a tick-borne flavivirus. The disease is typically seasonal, linked to the host-seeking activity of Ixodes ricinus (predominantly nymphs), the principal European tick vector species. To address the need for accurate risk predictions of contracting TBE, data on 4,044 TBE cases reported in the Czech Republic during 2001-2006 were compared with questing activity of I. ricinus nymphs monitored weekly at a defined location for the same 6-year period. A time shift of 21 days between infected tick bite and recorded disease onset provided the optimal model for comparing the number of cases of TBE with numbers of questing nymphs. Mean annual distribution of TBE cases and tick counts showed a similar bimodal distribution. Significantly, the ratio of TBE cases to questing nymphs was highest in the summer-autumn period even though the number of questing nymphs peaked in the spring-summer period. However, this pattern changed during a period of extreme meteorological events of flooding and abnormally high temperatures, indicating that changes in climate affect the incidence of TBE. Previous studies failed to link human behavior with changes in incidence of TBE but showed extrinsic temperature impacts arbovirus replication. Hence, we hypothesize the apparent discrepancy between peak nymphal tick activity and greatest risk of contracting TBE is due to the effect of temperature on virus replication in the tick vector. Relative proportions of questing nymphs and the numbers of weeks in which they were found were greater in summer-autumn compared with spring-summer at near-ground temperatures >5°C and at standard day and weekly average temperatures of >15°C. Thus, during the summer-autumn period, the virus dose in infected tick bites is likely greater owing to increased virus replication at higher microclimatic temperatures, consequently increasing the relative risk of contracting TBE per summer-autumn tick bite. The data support the use of weather-based forecasts of tick attack risk (based on daytime ambient temperature) supplemented with weekly average temperature (as a proxy for virus replication) to provide much-needed real-time forecasts of TBE risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milan Daniel
- Centre for Epidemiology and Microbiology, National Institute of Public Health, Prague, Czechia
| | - Vlasta Danielová
- Centre for Epidemiology and Microbiology, National Institute of Public Health, Prague, Czechia
| | - Alena Fialová
- Department of Biostatistics, National Institute of Public Health, Prague, Czechia
| | - Marek Malý
- Department of Biostatistics, National Institute of Public Health, Prague, Czechia
| | - Bohumír Kříž
- Centre for Epidemiology and Microbiology, National Institute of Public Health, Prague, Czechia.,Third Medical Faculty, Charles University, Prague, Czechia
| | - Patricia A Nuttall
- Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom.,Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Wallingford, United Kingdom
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Ravagnan S, Tomassone L, Montarsi F, Krawczyk AI, Mastrorilli E, Sprong H, Milani A, Rossi L, Capelli G. First detection of Borrelia miyamotoi in Ixodes ricinus ticks from northern Italy. Parasit Vectors 2018; 11:130. [PMID: 29554975 PMCID: PMC5859684 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-018-2713-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2017] [Accepted: 02/15/2018] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Borrelia miyamotoi is a spirochete transmitted by several ixodid tick species. It causes a relapsing fever in humans and is currently considered as an emerging pathogen. In Europe, B. miyamotoi seems to occur at low prevalence in Ixodes ricinus ticks but has a wide distribution. Here we report the first detection of B. miyamotoi in Ixodes ricinus ticks collected in two independent studies conducted in 2016 in the north-eastern and north-western Alps, Italy. RESULTS Three out of 405 nymphs (0.74%) tested positive for Borrelia miyamotoi. In particular, B. miyamotoi was found in 2/365 nymphs in the western and in 1/40 nymphs in the eastern alpine area. These are the first findings of B. miyamotoi in Italy. CONCLUSIONS Exposure to B. miyamotoi and risk of human infection may occur through tick bites in northern Italy. Relapsing fever caused by Borrelia miyamotoi has not yet been reported in Italy, but misdiagnoses with tick-borne encephalitis, human granulocytic anaplasmosis or other relapsing fever can occur. Our findings suggest that B. miyamotoi should be considered in the differential diagnosis of febrile patients originating from Lyme borreliosis endemic regions. The distribution of this pathogen and its relevance to public health need further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Ravagnan
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, Legnaro, Italy
| | - Laura Tomassone
- Dipartimento Scienze Veterinarie, Università degli Studi di Torino, Grugliasco, Italy
| | | | | | | | - Hein Sprong
- National Institute of Public Health and Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, The Netherlands
| | - Adelaide Milani
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, Legnaro, Italy
| | - Luca Rossi
- Dipartimento Scienze Veterinarie, Università degli Studi di Torino, Grugliasco, Italy
| | - Gioia Capelli
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, Legnaro, Italy.
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Henningsson AJ, Lindqvist R, Norberg P, Lindblom P, Roth A, Forsberg P, Bergström T, Överby AK, Lindgren PE. Human Tick-Borne Encephalitis and Characterization of Virus from Biting Tick. Emerg Infect Dis 2018; 22:1485-7. [PMID: 27434395 PMCID: PMC4982194 DOI: 10.3201/eid2208.151962] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
We report a case of human tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) in which the TBE virus was isolated from the biting tick. Viral growth and sequence were characterized and compared with those of a reference strain. Virus isolation from ticks from patients with TBE may offer a new approach for studies of epidemiology and pathogenicity.
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Uspensky IV. Blood-sucking ticks (Acarina, Ixodoidea) as an essential component of the urban environment. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2017. [DOI: 10.1134/s0013873817070107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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Taba P, Schmutzhard E, Forsberg P, Lutsar I, Ljøstad U, Mygland Å, Levchenko I, Strle F, Steiner I. EAN consensus review on prevention, diagnosis and management of tick‐borne encephalitis. Eur J Neurol 2017; 24:1214-e61. [DOI: 10.1111/ene.13356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 99] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2016] [Accepted: 06/01/2017] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- P. Taba
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery University of Tartu Tartu Estonia
| | - E. Schmutzhard
- Department of Neurology Medical University Innsbruck Innsbruck Austria
| | - P. Forsberg
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine and Department of Infectious Diseases Linköping University Linköping Sweden
| | - I. Lutsar
- Department of Microbiology University of Tartu Tartu Estonia
| | - U. Ljøstad
- Department of Neurology Sørlandet Hospital Kristiansand Norway
- Department of Clinical Medicine University of Bergen Bergen Norway
| | - Å. Mygland
- Department of Neurology Sørlandet Hospital Kristiansand Norway
- Department of Clinical Medicine University of Bergen Bergen Norway
| | - I. Levchenko
- Institute of Neurology Psychiatry and Narcology of the National Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine Kharkiv Ukraine
| | - F. Strle
- Department of Infectious Diseases University Medical Centre Ljubljana Ljubljana Slovenia
| | - I. Steiner
- Department of Neurology Rabin Medical Center Petach Tikva Israel
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Talactac MR, Yoshii K, Hernandez EP, Kusakisako K, Galay RL, Fujisaki K, Mochizuki M, Tanaka T. Synchronous Langat Virus Infection of Haemaphysalis longicornis Using Anal Pore Microinjection. Viruses 2017; 9:v9070189. [PMID: 28714929 PMCID: PMC5537681 DOI: 10.3390/v9070189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2017] [Revised: 07/06/2017] [Accepted: 07/06/2017] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) serocomplex of flaviviruses consists of arboviruses that cause important diseases in animals and humans. The transmission of this group of viruses is commonly associated with tick species such as Ixodes spp., Dermacentor spp., and Hyalomma spp. In the case of Haemaphysalis longicornis, the detection and isolation of flaviviruses have been previously reported. However, studies showing survival dynamics of any tick-borne flavivirus in H. longicornis are still lacking. In this study, an anal pore microinjection method was used to infect adult H. longicornis with Langat virus (LGTV), a naturally attenuated member of the TBEV serocomplex. LGTV detection in ticks was done by real-time PCR, virus isolation, and indirect immunofluorescent antibody test. The maximum viral titer was recorded at 28 days post-inoculation, and midgut cells were shown to be the primary replication site. The tick can also harbor the virus for at least 120 days and can successfully transmit LGTV to susceptible mice as confirmed by detection of LGTV antibodies. However, no transovarial transmission was observed from the egg and larval samples. Taken together, our results highly suggest that anal pore microinjection can be an effective method in infecting adult H. longicornis, which can greatly assist in our efforts to study tick and virus interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melbourne Rio Talactac
- Laboratory of Infectious Diseases, Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kagoshima University, 1-21-24 Korimoto, Kagoshima 890-0065, Japan.
- Department of Pathological and Preventive Veterinary Science, The United Graduate School of Veterinary Science, Yamaguchi University, Yoshida, Yamaguchi 753-8515, Japan.
- Department of Clinical and Population Health, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Cavite State University, Cavite 4122, Philippines.
| | - Kentaro Yoshii
- Laboratory of Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Kita-ku Kita-18 Nishi-9, Sapporo, Hokkaido 060-0818, Japan.
| | - Emmanuel Pacia Hernandez
- Laboratory of Infectious Diseases, Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kagoshima University, 1-21-24 Korimoto, Kagoshima 890-0065, Japan.
- Department of Pathological and Preventive Veterinary Science, The United Graduate School of Veterinary Science, Yamaguchi University, Yoshida, Yamaguchi 753-8515, Japan.
| | - Kodai Kusakisako
- Laboratory of Infectious Diseases, Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kagoshima University, 1-21-24 Korimoto, Kagoshima 890-0065, Japan.
- Department of Pathological and Preventive Veterinary Science, The United Graduate School of Veterinary Science, Yamaguchi University, Yoshida, Yamaguchi 753-8515, Japan.
| | - Remil Linggatong Galay
- Department of Veterinary Paraclinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of the Philippines Los Baños, Los Baños, Laguna 4031, Philippines.
| | - Kozo Fujisaki
- National Agriculture and Food Research Organization, 3-1-5 Kannondai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-0856, Japan.
| | - Masami Mochizuki
- Laboratory of Infectious Diseases, Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kagoshima University, 1-21-24 Korimoto, Kagoshima 890-0065, Japan.
- Department of Pathological and Preventive Veterinary Science, The United Graduate School of Veterinary Science, Yamaguchi University, Yoshida, Yamaguchi 753-8515, Japan.
| | - Tetsuya Tanaka
- Laboratory of Infectious Diseases, Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kagoshima University, 1-21-24 Korimoto, Kagoshima 890-0065, Japan.
- Department of Pathological and Preventive Veterinary Science, The United Graduate School of Veterinary Science, Yamaguchi University, Yoshida, Yamaguchi 753-8515, Japan.
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Jahfari S, Hofhuis A, Fonville M, van der Giessen J, van Pelt W, Sprong H. Molecular Detection of Tick-Borne Pathogens in Humans with Tick Bites and Erythema Migrans, in the Netherlands. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2016; 10:e0005042. [PMID: 27706159 PMCID: PMC5051699 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0005042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2016] [Accepted: 09/14/2016] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Tick-borne diseases are the most prevalent vector-borne diseases in Europe. Knowledge on the incidence and clinical presentation of other tick-borne diseases than Lyme borreliosis and tick-borne encephalitis is minimal, despite the high human exposure to these pathogens through tick bites. Using molecular detection techniques, the frequency of tick-borne infections after exposure through tick bites was estimated. METHODS Ticks, blood samples and questionnaires on health status were collected from patients that visited their general practitioner with a tick bite or erythema migrans in 2007 and 2008. The presence of several tick-borne pathogens in 314 ticks and 626 blood samples of this cohort were analyzed using PCR-based methods. Using multivariate logistic regression, associations were explored between pathogens detected in blood and self-reported symptoms at enrolment and during a three-month follow-up period. RESULTS Half of the ticks removed from humans tested positive for Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Candidatus Neoehrlichia mikurensis, Rickettsia helvetica, Rickettsia monacensis, Borrelia miyamotoi and several Babesia species. Among 92 Borrelia burgdorferi s. l. positive ticks, 33% carried another pathogen from a different genus. In blood of sixteen out of 626 persons with tick bites or erythema migrans, DNA was detected from Candidatus Neoehrlichia mikurensis (n = 7), Anaplasma phagocytophilum (n = 5), Babesia divergens (n = 3), Borrelia miyamotoi (n = 1) and Borrelia burgdorferi s. l. (n = 1). None of these sixteen individuals reported any overt symptoms that would indicate a corresponding illness during the three-month follow-up period. No associations were found between the presence of pathogen DNA in blood and; self-reported symptoms, with pathogen DNA in the corresponding ticks (n = 8), reported tick attachment duration, tick engorgement, or antibiotic treatment at enrolment. CONCLUSIONS Based on molecular detection techniques, the probability of infection with a tick-borne pathogen other than Lyme spirochetes after a tick bite is roughly 2.4%, in the Netherlands. Similarly, among patients with erythema migrans, the probability of a co-infection with another tick-borne pathogen is approximately 2.7%. How often these infections cause disease symptoms or to what extend co-infections affect the course of Lyme borreliosis needs further investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Setareh Jahfari
- Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, the Netherlands
| | - Agnetha Hofhuis
- Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, the Netherlands
| | - Manoj Fonville
- Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, the Netherlands
| | - Joke van der Giessen
- Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, the Netherlands
| | - Wilfrid van Pelt
- Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, the Netherlands
| | - Hein Sprong
- Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, the Netherlands
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Tonteri E, Kurkela S, Timonen S, Manni T, Vuorinen T, Kuusi M, Vapalahti O. Surveillance of endemic foci of tick-borne encephalitis in Finland 1995-2013: evidence of emergence of new foci. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2016; 20:30020. [PMID: 26535471 DOI: 10.2807/1560-7917.es.2015.20.37.30020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2014] [Accepted: 04/23/2015] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
The geographical risk areas for tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) in Finland remained the same until the beginning of the 21st century, but a considerable geographical expansion has been observed in the past 10 years. In order to support public health measures, the present study describes the number of laboratory-confirmed TBE cases and laboratory tests conducted and the associated trends by hospital district, with a particular emphasis on the suspected geographical risk areas. An additional investigation was conducted on 1,957 clinical serum samples throughout the country taken from patients with neurological symptoms to screen for undiagnosed TBE cases. This study identified new TBE foci in Finland, reflecting the spread of the disease into new areas. Even in the most endemic municipalities, transmission of TBE to humans occurred in very specific and often small foci. The number of antibody tests for TBE virus more than doubled (an increase by 105%) between 2007 and 2013. Analysis of the number of tests also revealed areas in which the awareness of clinicians may be suboptimal at present. However, it appears that underdiagnosis of neuroinvasive TBE is not common.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elina Tonteri
- Departments of Virology and Veterinary Biosciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
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van Duijvendijk G, Coipan C, Wagemakers A, Fonville M, Ersöz J, Oei A, Földvári G, Hovius J, Takken W, Sprong H. Larvae of Ixodes ricinus transmit Borrelia afzelii and B. miyamotoi to vertebrate hosts. Parasit Vectors 2016; 9:97. [PMID: 26896940 PMCID: PMC4761128 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-016-1389-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2015] [Accepted: 02/17/2016] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Lyme borreliosis is the most common tick-borne human disease and is caused by Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (s.l.). Borrelia miyamotoi, a relapsing fever spirochaete, is transmitted transovarially, whereas this has not been shown for B. burgdorferi (s.l). Therefore, B. burgdorferi (s.l) is considered to cycle from nymphs to larvae through vertebrates. Larvae of Ixodes ricinus are occasionally B. burgdorferi (s.l) infected, but their vector competence has never been studied. Methods We challenged 20 laboratory mice with field-collected larvae of I. ricinus. A subset of these larvae was analysed for infections with B. burgdorferi (s.l) and B. miyamotoi. After three to four challenges, mice were sacrificed and skin and spleen samples were analysed for infection by PCR and culture. Results Field-collected larvae were naturally infected with B. burgdorferi (s.l) (0.62 %) and B. miyamotoi (2.0 %). Two mice acquired a B. afzelii infection and four mice acquired a B. miyamotoi infection during the larval challenges. Conclusion We showed that larvae of I. ricinus transmit B. afzelii and B. miyamotoi to rodents and calculated that rodents have a considerable chance of acquiring infections from larvae compared to nymphs. As a result, B. afzelii can cycle between larvae through rodents. Our findings further imply that larval bites on humans, which easily go unnoticed, can cause Lyme borreliosis and Borrelia miyamotoi disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gilian van Duijvendijk
- Laboratory of Entomology, Wageningen University, PO box 16, 6700, AA, Wageningen, The Netherlands.
| | - Claudia Coipan
- Laboratory for Zoonosis and Environmental Microbiology, National Institute for Public Health and Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, The Netherlands.
| | - Alex Wagemakers
- Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - Manoj Fonville
- Laboratory for Zoonosis and Environmental Microbiology, National Institute for Public Health and Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, The Netherlands.
| | - Jasmin Ersöz
- Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - Anneke Oei
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - Gábor Földvári
- Department of Parasitology and Zoology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, SzentIstvan University, Budapest, Hungary.
| | - Joppe Hovius
- Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - Willem Takken
- Laboratory of Entomology, Wageningen University, PO box 16, 6700, AA, Wageningen, The Netherlands.
| | - Hein Sprong
- Laboratory for Zoonosis and Environmental Microbiology, National Institute for Public Health and Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, The Netherlands.
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Daniel M, Malý M, Danielová V, Kříž B, Nuttall P. Abiotic predictors and annual seasonal dynamics of Ixodes ricinus, the major disease vector of Central Europe. Parasit Vectors 2015; 8:478. [PMID: 26385470 PMCID: PMC4575455 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-015-1092-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2015] [Accepted: 09/11/2015] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Abiotic conditions provide cues that drive tick questing activity. Defining these cues is critical in predicting biting risk, and in forecasting climate change impacts on tick populations. This is particularly important for Ixodes ricinus nymphs, the vector of numerous pathogens affecting humans. METHODS A 6-year study of the questing activity of I. ricinus was conducted in Central Bohemia, Czech Republic, from 2001 to 2006. Tick numbers were determined by weekly flagging the vegetation in a defined 600 m(2) field site. After capture, ticks were released back to where they were found. Concurrent temperature data and relative humidity were collected in the microhabitat and at a nearby meteorological station. Data were analysed by regression methods. RESULTS During 208 monitoring visits, a total of 21,623 ticks were recorded. Larvae, nymphs, and adults showed typical bimodal questing activity curves with major spring peaks and minor late summer or autumn peaks (mid-summer for males). Questing activity of nymphs and adults began with ~12 h of daylight and ceased at ~9 h daylight, at limiting temperatures close to freezing (in early spring and late autumn); questing occurred during ~70 % calendar year without cessation in summer. The co-occurrence of larvae and nymphs varied annually, ranging from 31 to 80 % of monitoring visits, and depended on the questing activity of larvae. Near-ground temperature, day length, and relative air humidity were all significant predictors of nymphal activity. For 70 % of records, near-ground temperatures measured in the microhabitat were 4-5 °C lower than those recorded by the nearby meteorological observatory, although they were strongly dependent. Inter-annual differences in seasonal numbers of nymphs reflected extreme weather events. CONCLUSIONS Weather predictions (particularly for temperature) combined with daylight length, are good predictors of the initiation and cessation of I. ricinus nymph questing activity, and hence of the risk period to humans, in Central Europe. Co-occurrence data for larvae and nymphs support the notion of intrastadial rather than interstadial co-feeding pathogen transmission. Annual questing tick numbers recover quickly from the impact of extreme weather events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milan Daniel
- National Institute of Public Health, Prague, Czech Republic.
| | - Marek Malý
- National Institute of Public Health, Prague, Czech Republic.
| | | | - Bohumír Kříž
- National Institute of Public Health, Prague, Czech Republic.
| | - Patricia Nuttall
- Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3PS, UK.
- NERC Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, Wallingford, Oxfordshire, UK.
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Henningsson AJ, Wilhelmsson P, Gyllemark P, Kozak M, Matussek A, Nyman D, Ekerfelt C, Lindgren PE, Forsberg P. Low risk of seroconversion or clinical disease in humans after a bite by an Anaplasma phagocytophilum-infected tick. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2015; 6:787-92. [PMID: 26187418 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2015.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2015] [Revised: 07/06/2015] [Accepted: 07/06/2015] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
The risk of contracting human granulocytic anaplasmosis (HGA) after a tick bite is mainly unknown. In this study we investigated the clinical and serological response in 30 humans bitten by ticks positive for Anaplasma phagocytophilum (Group A), 30 humans bitten by Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (s.l.)-positive ticks (Group B), and 30 humans bitten by ticks negative for both A. phagocytophilum and B. burgdorferi s.l. (Group C). Ticks, blood samples and questionnaires were collected from tick-bitten humans at 34 primary healthcare centres in Sweden and in the Åland Islands, Finland, at the time of the tick bite and after three months. A total of 2553 ticks detached from humans in 2007-2009 were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction, and 31 (1.2%) were positive for A. phagocytophilum, 556 (21.8%) were positive for B. burgdorferi s.l., and eight (0.3%) were co-infected by A. phagocytophilum and B. burgdorferi s.l. The overall prevalence of Anaplasma IgG antibodies in the included participants (n=90) was 17%, and there was no significant difference between the groups A-C. Only one of the participants (in Group C) showed a four-fold increase of IgG antibodies against A. phagocytophilum at the three-month follow-up, but reported no symptoms. The frequency of reported symptoms did not differ between groups A-C, and was unrelated to the findings of A. phagocytophilum and B. burgdorferi s.l. in the detached ticks. We conclude that the risk for HGA or asymptomatic seroconversion after a tick bite in Sweden or in the Åland Islands is low, even if the tick is infected by A. phagocytophilum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna J Henningsson
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Ryhov County Hospital, S-551 85 Jönköping, Sweden.
| | - Peter Wilhelmsson
- Division of Medical Microbiology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Linköping University, S-581 85 Linköping, Sweden
| | - Paula Gyllemark
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Ryhov County Hospital, S-551 85 Jönköping, Sweden
| | - Monika Kozak
- Division of Medical Microbiology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Linköping University, S-581 85 Linköping, Sweden
| | - Andreas Matussek
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Ryhov County Hospital, S-551 85 Jönköping, Sweden
| | - Dag Nyman
- The Åland Group for Borrelia Research, Bimelix Biomedical Laboratory, Torggatan 10, AX-22100 Mariehamn, Åland, Finland
| | - Christina Ekerfelt
- Division of Clinical Immunology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Linköping University, S-551 85 Jönköping, Sweden
| | - Per-Eric Lindgren
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Ryhov County Hospital, S-551 85 Jönköping, Sweden; Division of Medical Microbiology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Linköping University, S-581 85 Linköping, Sweden
| | - Pia Forsberg
- Clinic of Infectious Diseases, Linköping University Hospital, and Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Linköping University, S-551 85 Jönköping, Sweden
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Imhoff M, Hagedorn P, Schulze Y, Hellenbrand W, Pfeffer M, Niedrig M. Review: Sentinels of tick-borne encephalitis risk. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2015; 6:592-600. [PMID: 26005107 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2015.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2015] [Revised: 04/15/2015] [Accepted: 05/01/2015] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) is a viral zoonotic disease endemic in many regions of Eurasia. The definition of TBE risk areas is complicated by the focal nature of the TBE virus transmission. Furthermore, vaccination may reduce case numbers and thus mask infection risk to unvaccinated persons. Therefore, additional risk indicators are sought to complement the current risk assessment solely based on human incidence. We reviewed studies published over the past ten years investigating potential new sentinels of TBE risk to understand the advantages and disadvantages of the various sentinel animal surveys and surrogate indicator methods. Virus prevalence in questing ticks is an unsuitable indicator of TBE infection risk as viral RNA is rarely detected even in large sample sizes collected at known TBE endemic areas. Seroprevalence in domestic animals, on the other hand, showed good spatial correlation with TBE incidence in humans and might also uncover presently unknown TBEV foci.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maren Imhoff
- Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens: Highly Pathogenic Viruses (ZBS 1), Robert Koch Institute, Nordufer 20, 13353 Berlin, Germany.
| | - Peter Hagedorn
- Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens: Highly Pathogenic Viruses (ZBS 1), Robert Koch Institute, Nordufer 20, 13353 Berlin, Germany.
| | - Yesica Schulze
- Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens: Highly Pathogenic Viruses (ZBS 1), Robert Koch Institute, Nordufer 20, 13353 Berlin, Germany.
| | - Wiebke Hellenbrand
- Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens: Highly Pathogenic Viruses (ZBS 1), Robert Koch Institute, Nordufer 20, 13353 Berlin, Germany.
| | - Martin Pfeffer
- Institute of Animal Hygiene & Veterinary Public Health, Centre of Veterinary Public Health, University of Leipzig, An den Tierkliniken 1, 04103 Leipzig, Germany.
| | - Matthias Niedrig
- Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens: Highly Pathogenic Viruses (ZBS 1), Robert Koch Institute, Nordufer 20, 13353 Berlin, Germany.
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Slovák M, Kazimírová M, Siebenstichová M, Ustaníková K, Klempa B, Gritsun T, Gould EA, Nuttall PA. Survival dynamics of tick-borne encephalitis virus in Ixodes ricinus ticks. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2014; 5:962-9. [PMID: 25131151 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2014.07.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2014] [Revised: 07/18/2014] [Accepted: 07/22/2014] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Biotic factors contributing to the survival of tick-borne viruses in nature are poorly understood. Using tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) and its principal European vector, Ixodes ricinus, we examined the relative roles of salivary gland infection, co-feeding transmission, and moulting in virus survival. Virus titres in the salivary glands increased after blood-feeding in a time- and dose-dependent manner. This was observed in ticks infected by inoculation but not in ticks infected by the natural route of co-feeding. Amplification of infection prevalence occurred via co-feeding. However, when larvae or nymphs subsequently moulted, the infection prevalence dramatically declined although this was not observed when ticks were infected by inoculation. Trans-stadial survival is a hitherto overlooked parameter that may contribute to the low incidence of TBEV infection in field-collected I. ricinus ticks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mirko Slovák
- Institute of Zoology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Mária Kazimírová
- Institute of Zoology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | | | | | - Boris Klempa
- Institute of Virology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia; Institute of Virology, Charité Medical School, Berlin, Germany
| | - Tamara Gritsun
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Reading, Reading, United Kingdom
| | - Ernest A Gould
- Unité des Virus Emergents, Faculté de Médecine de Marseille, Aix-Marseille Universite, France; NERC Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, Wallingford, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom
| | - Patricia A Nuttall
- NERC Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, Wallingford, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom; Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, United Kingdom.
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Drelich A, Andreassen Å, Vainio K, Kruszyński P, Wąsik TJ. Prevalence of tick-borne encephalitis virus in a highly urbanized and low risk area in Southern Poland. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2014; 5:663-7. [PMID: 25108791 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2014.04.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2014] [Revised: 03/17/2014] [Accepted: 04/27/2014] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
The knowledge of the exact distribution of tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) endemic foci is crucial to plan and implement the optimal prevention of tick-borne encephalitis (TBE), including a vaccination program. In Poland, however, there is still no data on the local distribution of TBEV in many areas of the country. Silesian agglomeration area (Southern Poland) is a highly urbanized and industrialized region of the country, where TBE cases are only sporadically recorded. In this study, a total of 4350 adult Ixodes ricinus were collected between September 2010 and June 2012 at twelve locations. The screening using real-time PCR was carried out on 854 tick pools of five specimens, and the positive pools were verified by pyrosequencing. TBEV was identified in 13 pools (1.52%) at 4 sites, of which 9 pools were verified by pyrosequencing. An overall pool prevalence was estimated at 0.31% ranging from 0.19% to 1.11% for positive locations [95% CI 0.16-0.52], which is comparable with regions with high number of TBE cases reported annually.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleksandra Drelich
- Department and Institute of Microbiology and Virology, The School of Pharmacy and Division of Laboratory Medicine, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland
| | - Åshild Andreassen
- Division of Infectious Disease Control, Department of Virology, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Kirsti Vainio
- Division of Infectious Disease Control, Department of Virology, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Piotr Kruszyński
- Department and Institute of Microbiology and Virology, The School of Pharmacy and Division of Laboratory Medicine, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland
| | - Tomasz J Wąsik
- Department and Institute of Microbiology and Virology, The School of Pharmacy and Division of Laboratory Medicine, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland.
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Asghar N, Lindblom P, Melik W, Lindqvist R, Haglund M, Forsberg P, Överby AK, Andreassen Å, Lindgren PE, Johansson M. Tick-borne encephalitis virus sequenced directly from questing and blood-feeding ticks reveals quasispecies variance. PLoS One 2014; 9:e103264. [PMID: 25058476 PMCID: PMC4110009 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0103264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2014] [Accepted: 06/25/2014] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The increased distribution of the tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) in Scandinavia highlights the importance of characterizing novel sequences within the natural foci. In this study, two TBEV strains: the Norwegian Mandal 2009 (questing nymphs pool) and the Swedish Saringe 2009 (blood-fed nymph) were sequenced and phylogenetically characterized. Interestingly, the sequence of Mandal 2009 revealed the shorter form of the TBEV genome, similar to the highly virulent Hypr strain, within the 3′ non-coding region (3′NCR). A different genomic structure was found in the 3′NCR of Saringe 2009, as in-depth analysis demonstrated TBEV variants with different lengths within the poly(A) tract. This shows that TBEV quasispecies exists in nature and indicates a putative shift in the quasispecies pool when the virus switches between invertebrate and vertebrate environments. This prompted us to further sequence and analyze the 3′NCRs of additional Scandinavian TBEV strains and control strains, Hypr and Neudoerfl. Toro 2003 and Habo 2011 contained mainly a short (A)3C(A)6 poly(A) tract. A similar pattern was observed for the human TBEV isolates 1993/783 and 1991/4944; however, one clone of 1991/4944 contained an (A)3C(A)11 poly(A) sequence, demonstrating that quasispecies with longer poly(A) could be present in human isolates. Neudoerfl has previously been reported to contain a poly(A) region, but to our surprise the re-sequenced genome contained two major quasispecies variants, both lacking the poly(A) tract. We speculate that the observed differences are important factors for the understanding of virulence, spread, and control of the TBEV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naveed Asghar
- School of Natural Science, Technology & Environmental Studies, Södertörn University, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Pontus Lindblom
- Division of Medical Microbiology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Wessam Melik
- School of Natural Science, Technology & Environmental Studies, Södertörn University, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Richard Lindqvist
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Virology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Mats Haglund
- Department of Infectious Diseases, County Hospital, Kalmar, Sweden
| | - Pia Forsberg
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
- Clinic of Infectious Diseases, Linköping University Hospital, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Anna K. Överby
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Virology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Åshild Andreassen
- Division of Infectious Disease Control, Department of Virology, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Per-Eric Lindgren
- Division of Medical Microbiology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
- Division of Medical Services, Department of Microbiology, County Hospital Ryhov, Jönköping, Sweden
| | - Magnus Johansson
- School of Natural Science, Technology & Environmental Studies, Södertörn University, Huddinge, Sweden
- School of Medicine, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
- iRiSC - Inflammatory Response and Infection Susceptibility Centre, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
- * E-mail:
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Lindblom P, Wilhelmsson P, Fryland L, Matussek A, Haglund M, Sjöwall J, Vene S, Nyman D, Forsberg P, Lindgren PE. Factors determining immunological response to vaccination against tick-borne encephalitis virus in older individuals. PLoS One 2014; 9:e100860. [PMID: 24967619 PMCID: PMC4072701 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0100860] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2014] [Accepted: 05/30/2014] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
We performed a cross-sectional study including 533 individuals (median age 61) from the highly TBE endemic Åland Islands in the archipelago between Sweden and Finland. Blood samples, questionnaires and vaccination records were obtained from all study participants. The aim was to investigate if there was any association between TBEV antibody titer and 12 health-related factors. Measurement of TBEV IgG antibodies was performed using two commercial ELISA assays (Enzygnost and Immunozym), and a third in-house rapid fluorescent focus inhibition test was used to measure TBEV neutralizing antibodies. The age of the individual and the number of vaccine doses were the two most important factors determining the immunological response to vaccination. The response to each vaccine dose declined linearly with increased age. A 35 year age difference corresponds to a vaccine dose increment from 3 to 4 to achieve the same immunological response. Participants previously vaccinated against other flaviviruses had lower odds of being seropositive for neutralizing TBEV antibodies on average, while participants with self-reported asthma had higher odds of being seropositive. By comparing the 3 serological assays we show that the Enzygnost and Immunozym assay differ due to choice of cutoffs, but not in overall accuracy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pontus Lindblom
- Division of Medical Microbiology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
- * E-mail:
| | - Peter Wilhelmsson
- Division of Medical Microbiology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Linda Fryland
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Andreas Matussek
- Division of Medical Services, Department of Microbiology, County Hospital Ryhov, Jönköping, Sweden
| | - Mats Haglund
- Department of Infectious Diseases, County Hospital Kalmar, Kalmar, Sweden
| | - Johanna Sjöwall
- Clinic of Infectious Diseases, Linköping University Hospital, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Sirkka Vene
- Public Health Agency of Sweden, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Dag Nyman
- Åland Central Hospital, Mariehamn, Åland, Finland
| | - Pia Forsberg
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
- Clinic of Infectious Diseases, Linköping University Hospital, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Per-Eric Lindgren
- Division of Medical Microbiology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
- Division of Medical Services, Department of Microbiology, County Hospital Ryhov, Jönköping, Sweden
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Wilhelmsson P, Lindblom P, Fryland L, Nyman D, Jaenson TGT, Forsberg P, Lindgren PE. Ixodes ricinus ticks removed from humans in Northern Europe: seasonal pattern of infestation, attachment sites and duration of feeding. Parasit Vectors 2013; 6:362. [PMID: 24360096 PMCID: PMC3880168 DOI: 10.1186/1756-3305-6-362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2013] [Accepted: 12/16/2013] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The common tick Ixodes ricinus is the main vector in Europe of the tick-borne encephalitis virus and of several species of the Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato complex, which are the etiological agents of Lyme borreliosis. The risk to contract bites of I. ricinus is dependent on many factors including the behaviour of both ticks and people. The tick’s site of attachment on the human body and the duration of tick attachment may be of clinical importance. Data on I. ricinus ticks, which were found attached to the skin of people, were analysed regarding potentially stage-specific differences in location of attachment sites, duration of tick attachment (= feeding duration), seasonal and geographical distribution of tick infestation in relation to age and gender of the tick-infested hosts. Methods During 2008–2009, 1770 tick-bitten persons from Sweden and the Åland Islands removed 2110 I. ricinus ticks. Participants provided information about the date of tick detection and location on their body of each attached tick. Ticks were identified to species and developmental stage. The feeding duration of each nymph and adult female tick was microscopically estimated based on the scutal and the coxal index. Results In 2008, participants were tick-bitten from mid-May to mid-October and in 2009 from early April to early November. The infestation pattern of the nymphs was bimodal whereas that of the adult female ticks was unimodal with a peak in late summer. Tick attachment site on the human body was associated with stage of the tick and gender of the human host. Site of attachment seemed to influence the duration of tick feeding. Overall, 63% of nymphs and adult female ticks were detected and removed more than 24 hours after attachment. Older persons, compared to younger ones, and men, compared to women, removed “their” ticks after a longer period of tick attachment. Conclusions The infestation behaviour of the different tick stages concerning where on the host’s body the ticks generally will attach and when such ticks generally will be detected and removed in relation to host age and gender, should be of value for the development of prophylactic methods against tick infestation and to provide relevant advice to people on how to avoid or reduce the risk of tick infestation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Wilhelmsson
- Division of Medical Microbiology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden.
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