1
|
Kapo N, Zuber Bogdanović I, Gagović E, Žekić M, Veinović G, Sukara R, Mihaljica D, Adžić B, Kadriaj P, Cvetkovikj A, Djadjovski I, Potkonjak A, Velo E, Savić S, Tomanović S, Omeragić J, Beck R, Hodžić A. Ixodid ticks and zoonotic tick-borne pathogens of the Western Balkans. Parasit Vectors 2024; 17:45. [PMID: 38297327 PMCID: PMC10832161 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-023-06116-1] [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: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 12/27/2023] [Indexed: 02/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Ixodid ticks are distributed across all countries of the Western Balkans, with a high diversity of species. Many of these species serve as vectors of pathogens of veterinary and medical importance. Given the scattered data from Western Balkan countries, we have conducted a comprehensive review of available literature, including some historical data, with the aim to compile information about all recorded tick species and associated zoonotic pathogens in this region. Based on the collected data, the tick fauna of the Western Balkans encompasses 32 tick species belonging to five genera: Ixodes, Haemaphysalis, Dermacentor, Rhipicephalus and Hyalomma. A range of pathogens responsible for human diseases has also been documented, including viruses, bacteria and parasites. In this review, we emphasize the necessity for integrated surveillance and reporting, urging authorities to foster research by providing financial support. Additionally, international and interdisciplinary collaborations should be encouraged that include the exchange of expertise, experiences and resources. The present collaborative effort can effectively address gaps in our knowledge of ticks and tick-borne diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Naida Kapo
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sarajevo, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | | | - Ema Gagović
- Department for Bacteriology and Parasitology, Laboratory for Parasitology, Croatian Veterinary Institute, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Marina Žekić
- Scientific Veterinary Institute "Novi Sad", Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Gorana Veinović
- Institute for Medical Research, National Institute of Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Ratko Sukara
- Institute for Medical Research, National Institute of Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Darko Mihaljica
- Institute for Medical Research, National Institute of Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Bojan Adžić
- Diagnostic Veterinary Laboratory, Podgorica, Montenegro
| | - Përparim Kadriaj
- Vector Control Unit, Department of Epidemiology and Control of Infectious Diseases, Institute of Public Health, Tirana, Albania
| | - Aleksandar Cvetkovikj
- Veterinary Institute, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje, Skopje, North Macedonia
| | - Igor Djadjovski
- Veterinary Institute, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje, Skopje, North Macedonia
| | - Aleksandar Potkonjak
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Enkelejda Velo
- Vector Control Unit, Department of Epidemiology and Control of Infectious Diseases, Institute of Public Health, Tirana, Albania
| | - Sara Savić
- Scientific Veterinary Institute "Novi Sad", Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Snežana Tomanović
- Institute for Medical Research, National Institute of Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Jasmin Omeragić
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sarajevo, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Relja Beck
- Department for Bacteriology and Parasitology, Laboratory for Parasitology, Croatian Veterinary Institute, Zagreb, Croatia.
| | - Adnan Hodžić
- Department of Microbiology and Ecosystem Science, Centre for Microbiology and Environmental Systems Science (CMESS), University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Castelli F, Pavli A, Giorgetti PF. Southern Europe. Infect Dis (Lond) 2017. [DOI: 10.1002/9781119085751.ch19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Castelli
- University Department of Infectious and Tropical Diseaases; University of Brescia; Brescia Italy
| | - Androula Pavli
- Hellenic Center for Disease Control and Prevention; Athens Greece
| | - Pier Francesco Giorgetti
- University Department of Infectious and Tropical Diseaases; University of Brescia; Brescia Italy
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Svoboda P, Dobler G, Markotić A, Kurolt IC, Speck S, Habuš J, Vucelja M, Krajinović LC, Tadin A, Margaletić J, Essbauer S. Survey for hantaviruses, tick-borne encephalitis virus, and Rickettsia spp. in small rodents in Croatia. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2014; 14:523-30. [PMID: 24866325 PMCID: PMC4098074 DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2013.1457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
In Croatia, several rodent- and vector-borne agents are endemic and of medical importance. In this study, we investigated hantaviruses and, for the first time, tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) and Rickettsia spp. in small wild rodents from two different sites (mountainous and lowland region) in Croatia. In total, 194 transudate and tissue samples from 170 rodents (A. flavicollis, n=115; A. agrarius, n=2; Myodes glareolus, n=53) were tested for antibodies by indirect immunofluorescence assays (IIFT) and for nucleic acids by conventional (hantaviruses) and real-time RT-/PCRs (TBEV and Rickettsia spp.). A total of 25.5% (24/94) of the rodents from the mountainous area revealed specific antibodies against hantaviruses. In all, 21.3% (20/94) of the samples from the mountainous area and 29.0% (9/31) from the lowland area yielded positive results for either Puumala virus (PUUV) or Dobrava-Belgrade virus (DOBV) using a conventional RT-PCR. All processed samples (n=194) were negative for TBEV by IIFT or real-time RT-PCR. Serological evidence of rickettsial infection was detected in 4.3% (4/94) rodents from the mountainous region. Another 3.2% (3/94) rodents were positive for Rickettsia spp. by real-time PCR. None of the rodents (n=76) from the lowland area were positive for Rickettsia spp. by real-time PCR. Dual infection of PUUV and Rickettsia spp. was found in one M. glareolus from the mountainous area by RT-PCR and real-time PCR, respectively. To our knowledge, this is the first detection of Rickettsia spp. in small rodents from Croatia. Phylogenetic analyses of S- and M-segment sequences obtained from the two study sites revealed well-supported subgroups in Croatian PUUV and DOBV. Although somewhat limited, our data showed occurrence and prevalence of PUUV, DOBV, and rickettsiae in Croatia. Further studies are warranted to confirm these data and to determine the Rickettsia species present in rodents in these areas.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Petra Svoboda
- University Hospital for Infectious Diseases “Dr. Fran Mihaljević”, Research Department, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Gerhard Dobler
- Bundeswehr Institute of Microbiology, Department of Virology & Rickettsiology, Munich, Germany
| | - Alemka Markotić
- University Hospital for Infectious Diseases “Dr. Fran Mihaljević”, Research Department, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Ivan-Christian Kurolt
- University Hospital for Infectious Diseases “Dr. Fran Mihaljević”, Research Department, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Stephanie Speck
- Bundeswehr Institute of Microbiology, Department of Virology & Rickettsiology, Munich, Germany
| | - Josipa Habuš
- University of Zagreb, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases with Clinic, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Marko Vucelja
- University of Zagreb, Faculty of Forestry, Department of Forest Protection and Wildlife Management, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Lidija Cvetko Krajinović
- University Hospital for Infectious Diseases “Dr. Fran Mihaljević”, Research Department, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Ante Tadin
- University Hospital for Infectious Diseases “Dr. Fran Mihaljević”, Research Department, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Josip Margaletić
- University of Zagreb, Faculty of Forestry, Department of Forest Protection and Wildlife Management, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Sandra Essbauer
- Bundeswehr Institute of Microbiology, Department of Virology & Rickettsiology, Munich, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Lledó L, Domínguez-Peñafiel G, Giménez-Pardo C, Gegúndez I, González R, Saz JV. Molecular and serological study of rickettsial infection in humans, and in wild and farm animals, in the province of Burgos, Spain. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2014; 14:383-8. [PMID: 24866558 DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2013.1513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Limited information is available on the presence of rickettsial infection in humans and animal reservoirs in Spain. Exposure to spotted fever group rickettsia in healthy humans and in farm and wild animals in the Province of Burgos, Spain, was examined by serological methods. Rickettsial DNA was also sought by PCR in animal samples. Of 102 human serum samples examined by indirect immunofluorescence assays (IFA), 5.88% were positive for antibodies against Rickettsia conorii (titers 1/128-1/512). Significant differences were detected in human seroprevalence with respect to age. In further IFAs, 102 out of 375 (27.2%) serum samples from the wild animals reacted with R. conorii antigens (titers 1/64-1/1024); 32 out of 281 (11.38%) samples from farm animals were also positive for R. conorii (titers 1/64-1/2048). The prevalence detected among total wild animals was significantly higher than among total farm animals. No rickettsial DNA was found by PCR in any farm or wild animal sample.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lourdes Lledó
- 1 Departamento de Biomedicina y Biotecnología, Universidad de Alcalá , Alcalá de Henares, Spain
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
5
|
Lledó L, Gegúndez MI, Fernandes N, Sousa R, Vicente J, Alamo R, Fernández-Soto P, Pérez-Sánchez R, Bacellar F. The seroprevalence of human infection withRickettsia slovaca, in an area of northern Spain. ANNALS OF TROPICAL MEDICINE AND PARASITOLOGY 2013; 100:337-43. [PMID: 16762114 DOI: 10.1179/136485906x105570] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
An epidemiological survey was undertaken to explore human exposure to Rickettsia slovaca in two provinces of northern Spain. When IFAT were used to test 200 members of the general population for antibodies to rickettsiae of the spotted-fever group, six (3.3%) were found positive, presumably, since Dermacentor is one of the most common genera of human-biting tick in the study area, for antibodies to R. slovaca. Thirty-one (16.9%) of an additional 183 subjects who presented shortly after being bitten by ticks were also found seropositive. The difference in seroprevalence between the general and the tick-bitten populations was significant. Subject gender had no influence on seroprevalence in either population, although, in the tick-bitten group, age and occupation did have a significant influence on the prevalence recorded. Immunoblotting was used to confirm the presence of antibodies in the five subjects, all from the tick-bitten group, found to have acute infections. Three D. marginatus ticks obtained from three of these acute cases were found PCR-positive for R. slovaca DNA.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- L Lledó
- Departamento de Microbiología y Parasitología, Universidad de Alcalá, Carretera Madrid-Barcelona Km 33.6, 28871 Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|