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Ng’eno E, Alkishe A, Romero-Alvarez D, Sundstrom K, Cobos ME, Belgum H, Chitwood A, Grant A, Keck A, Kloxin J, Letterman B, Lineberry M, McClung K, Nippoldt S, Sharum S, Struble S, Thomas B, Ghosh A, Brennan R, Little S, Peterson AT. Phenology of five tick species in the central Great Plains. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0302689. [PMID: 38722854 PMCID: PMC11081307 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0302689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2023] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024] Open
Abstract
The states of Kansas and Oklahoma, in the central Great Plains, lie at the western periphery of the geographic distributions of several tick species. As the focus of most research on ticks and tick-borne diseases has been on Lyme disease which commonly occurs in areas to the north and east, the ticks of this region have seen little research attention. Here, we report on the phenology and activity patterns shown by tick species observed at 10 sites across the two states and explore factors associated with abundance of all and life specific individuals of the dominant species. Ticks were collected in 2020-2022 using dragging, flagging and carbon-dioxide trapping techniques, designed to detect questing ticks. The dominant species was A. americanum (24098, 97%) followed by Dermacentor variabilis (370, 2%), D. albipictus (271, 1%), Ixodes scapularis (91, <1%) and A. maculatum (38, <1%). Amblyomma americanum, A. maculatum and D. variabilis were active in Spring and Summer, while D. albipictus and I. scapularis were active in Fall and Winter. Factors associated with numbers of individuals of A. americanum included day of year, habitat, and latitude. Similar associations were observed when abundance was examined by life-stage. Overall, the picture is one of broadly distributed tick species that shows seasonal limitations in the timing of their questing activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric Ng’eno
- Biodiversity Institute, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas, United States of America
| | - Abdelghafar Alkishe
- Biodiversity Institute, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas, United States of America
| | - Daniel Romero-Alvarez
- Biodiversity Institute, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas, United States of America
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Emerging and Neglected Diseases, Ecoepidemiology and Biodiversity Research Group, Universidad Internacional SEK (UISEK), Quito, Ecuador
| | - Kellee Sundstrom
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma, United States of America
| | - Marlon E. Cobos
- Biodiversity Institute, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas, United States of America
| | - Hallee Belgum
- Department of Biology, Pittsburg State University, Pittsburg, Kansas, United States of America
| | - Abigail Chitwood
- Department of Biology, University of Central Oklahoma, Edmond, Oklahoma, United States of America
| | - Amber Grant
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma, United States of America
| | - Alex Keck
- Department of Biology, University of Central Oklahoma, Edmond, Oklahoma, United States of America
| | - Josiah Kloxin
- Department of Biology, University of Central Oklahoma, Edmond, Oklahoma, United States of America
| | - Brayden Letterman
- Department of Biology, Pittsburg State University, Pittsburg, Kansas, United States of America
| | - Megan Lineberry
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma, United States of America
| | - Kristin McClung
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma, United States of America
| | - Sydney Nippoldt
- Department of Biology, Pittsburg State University, Pittsburg, Kansas, United States of America
| | - Sophia Sharum
- Department of Biology, University of Central Oklahoma, Edmond, Oklahoma, United States of America
| | - Stefan Struble
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma, United States of America
| | - Breanne Thomas
- Department of Biology, University of Central Oklahoma, Edmond, Oklahoma, United States of America
| | - Anuradha Ghosh
- Department of Biology, Pittsburg State University, Pittsburg, Kansas, United States of America
| | - Robert Brennan
- Department of Biology, University of Central Oklahoma, Edmond, Oklahoma, United States of America
| | - Susan Little
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma, United States of America
| | - A. Townsend Peterson
- Biodiversity Institute, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas, United States of America
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Liberska J, Michalik JF, Olechnowicz J, Dabert M. Co-Occurrence of Borrelia burgdorferi Sensu Lato and Babesia spp. DNA in Ixodes ricinus Ticks Collected from Vegetation and Pets in the City of Poznań, Poland. Pathogens 2024; 13:307. [PMID: 38668262 PMCID: PMC11054194 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens13040307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2024] [Revised: 04/03/2024] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 04/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Here, we described the prevalence of Borrelia burgdorferi s.l. and Babesia species found in mono- and double infections among Ixodes ricinus ticks occurring in urban areas of the city of Poznań, Poland. We tested 1029 host-seeking ticks and 1268 engorged ticks removed from pet animals. Borrelia afzelii and B. garinii prevailed both in ticks from vegetation (3.7% and 3.7%, respectively) and from pets (3.7% and 0.6%, respectively). Babesia canis and Ba. microti were the most prevalent in host-seeking (2.6% and 1.4%, respectively) and feeding ticks (2.8% and 2.2%, respectively). Babesia microti sequences proved to be identical to the human pathogenic Ba. microti genotype "Jena/Germany". Sequences of the rarest piroplasm Ba. venatorum (0.7%) were identical with those isolated from European patients. About 1.0% of tested ticks yielded dual infections; in host-seeking ticks, Ba. canis prevailed in co-infections with B. afzelii and B. garinii, whereas Ba. microti and B. afzelii dominated in double-infected feeding ticks. Dual infections, even with a low prevalence, pose a challenge for differential diagnosis in patients with acute febrile disease after a tick bite. The finding of Ba. canis in both tick groups suggests that I. ricinus could be involved in the circulation of this piroplasm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justyna Liberska
- Molecular Biology Techniques Laboratory, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, 61-614 Poznan, Poland; (J.O.); (M.D.)
| | - Jerzy Franciszek Michalik
- Department of Animal Morphology, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, 61-614 Poznan, Poland;
| | - Julia Olechnowicz
- Molecular Biology Techniques Laboratory, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, 61-614 Poznan, Poland; (J.O.); (M.D.)
| | - Miroslawa Dabert
- Molecular Biology Techniques Laboratory, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, 61-614 Poznan, Poland; (J.O.); (M.D.)
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McClung KL, Sundstrom KD, Lineberry MW, Grant AN, Little SE. Seasonality of Amblyomma americanum (Acari: Ixodidae) Activity and Prevalence of Infection with Tick-Borne Disease Agents in North Central Oklahoma. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2023; 23:561-567. [PMID: 37668606 PMCID: PMC10654644 DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2023.0009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Amblyomma americanum is the most common tick infesting both animals and humans in the southern United States and transmits a variety of zoonotic agents. The rise in tick-borne diseases (TBD) globally imparts a need for more active surveillance of tick populations to accurately quantify prevalence and risk of tick-borne infectious organisms. To better understand TBD risk in north central Oklahoma, this study aimed to describe the current seasonal activity of A. americanum in this region and investigate the seasonality of tick-borne infectious agents. Materials and Methods: Tick collections were performed twice a month for a duration of 2 years at a field site in Payne County, Oklahoma. Total nucleic acid was extracted from a subset of adult A. americanum and tested for Rickettsia spp., Ehrlichia spp., and Borrelia spp. using established PCR protocols. Results: Peak activity times for each life stage were observed, with adults primarily active 1 month earlier than historical seasonal trends describe, and male A. americanum active earlier in the year than female A. americanum. Rickettsia spp., Ehrlichia chaffeensis, Ehrlichia ewingii, and Borrelia lonestari were found in 26.4%, 6.1%, 2.5%, and 1.1% of adult A. americanum, respectively. No seasonal trend in spotted fever group Rickettsia spp. (SFGR) was observed in peak activity months. Conclusions: This study found an apparently shifting phenology for A. americanum adults in Oklahoma. While these results did not show a trend in SFGR, further investigation is needed to better understand the potential seasonality of infection prevalence within A. americanum across the expanding range of this vector, especially considering the extended activity of males in winter months.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristin L. McClung
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma, USA
| | - Kellee D. Sundstrom
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma, USA
| | - Megan W. Lineberry
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma, USA
- Veterinary Medicine Research and Development, Zoetis, Kalamazoo, Michigan, USA
| | - Amber N. Grant
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma, USA
| | - Susan E. Little
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma, USA
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Zygner W, Gójska-Zygner O, Bartosik J, Górski P, Karabowicz J, Kotomski G, Norbury LJ. Canine Babesiosis Caused by Large Babesia Species: Global Prevalence and Risk Factors-A Review. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:2612. [PMID: 37627403 PMCID: PMC10451873 DOI: 10.3390/ani13162612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2023] [Revised: 07/19/2023] [Accepted: 08/11/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Canine babesiosis is a disease caused by protozoan pathogens belonging to the genus Babesia. Four species of large Babesia cause canine babesiosis (B. canis, B. rossi, B. vogeli, and the informally named B. coco). Although canine babesiosis has a worldwide distribution, different species occur in specific regions: B. rossi in sub-Saharan Africa, B. canis in Europe and Asia, and B. coco in the Eastern Atlantic United States, while B. vogeli occurs in Africa, southern parts of Europe and Asia, northern Australia, southern regions of North America, and in South America. B. vogeli is the most prevalent large Babesia species globally. This results from its wide range of monotropic vector species, the mild or subclinical nature of infections, and likely the longest evolutionary association with dogs. The most important risk factors for infection by large Babesia spp. include living in rural areas, kennels or animal shelters, or regions endemic for the infection, the season of the year (which is associated with increased tick activity), infestation with ticks, and lack of treatment with acaricides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wojciech Zygner
- Division of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Department of Preclinical Sciences, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences—SGGW, Ciszewskiego 8, 02-786 Warsaw, Poland; (J.B.); (P.G.); (J.K.)
| | - Olga Gójska-Zygner
- Labros Veterinary Clinic, Św. Bonifacego 92, 02-940 Warsaw, Poland; (O.G.-Z.); (G.K.)
| | - Justyna Bartosik
- Division of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Department of Preclinical Sciences, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences—SGGW, Ciszewskiego 8, 02-786 Warsaw, Poland; (J.B.); (P.G.); (J.K.)
| | - Paweł Górski
- Division of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Department of Preclinical Sciences, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences—SGGW, Ciszewskiego 8, 02-786 Warsaw, Poland; (J.B.); (P.G.); (J.K.)
| | - Justyna Karabowicz
- Division of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Department of Preclinical Sciences, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences—SGGW, Ciszewskiego 8, 02-786 Warsaw, Poland; (J.B.); (P.G.); (J.K.)
| | - Grzegorz Kotomski
- Labros Veterinary Clinic, Św. Bonifacego 92, 02-940 Warsaw, Poland; (O.G.-Z.); (G.K.)
| | - Luke J. Norbury
- Department of Biosciences and Food Technology, School of Science, STEM College, RMIT University, Bundoora, VIC 3083, Australia;
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Bhosale CR, Wilson KN, Ledger KJ, White ZS, Dorleans R, De Jesus CE, Wisely SM. Ticks and Tick-Borne Pathogens in Recreational Greenspaces in North Central Florida, USA. Microorganisms 2023; 11:756. [PMID: 36985329 PMCID: PMC10057063 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11030756] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2023] [Revised: 03/09/2023] [Accepted: 03/13/2023] [Indexed: 03/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Tick-borne infections are an increasing medical and veterinary concern in the southeastern United States, but there is limited understanding of how recreational greenspaces influence the hazard of pathogen transmission. This study aimed to estimate the potential human and companion animal encounter risk with different questing tick species, and the bacterial or protozoal agents they carry in recreational greenspaces. We collected ticks bimonthly along trails and designated recreational areas in 17 publicly accessible greenspaces, in and around Gainesville, Florida, USA. We collected Amblyomma americanum, Ixodes scapularis, Amblyomma maculatum, Dermacentor variabilis, Ixodes affinis, and Haemaphysalis leporispalustris. Across the six tick species collected, we detected 18 species of bacteria or protozoa within the Babesia, Borrelia, Cytauxzoon, Cryptoplasma (Allocryptoplasma), Ehrlichia, Hepatozoon, Rickettsia, and Theileria genera, including pathogens of medical or veterinary importance. While tick abundance and associated microorganism prevalence and richness were the greatest in natural habitats surrounded by forests, we found both ticks and pathogenic microorganisms in manicured groundcover. This relationship is important for public health and awareness, because it suggests that the probability of encountering an infected tick is measurable and substantial even on closely manicured turf or gravel, if the surrounding landcover is undeveloped. The presence of medically important ticks and pathogenic microorganisms in recreational greenspaces indicates that public education efforts regarding ticks and tick-borne diseases are warranted in this region of the United States.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chanakya R. Bhosale
- Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
- Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33328, USA
| | - Kristen N. Wilson
- Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
| | - Kimberly J. Ledger
- Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
| | - Zoe S. White
- Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
| | - Rayann Dorleans
- Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
| | - Carrie E. De Jesus
- Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
| | - Samantha M. Wisely
- Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
- Emerging Pathogens Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
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Slatculescu AM, Pugliese M, Sander B, Zinszer K, Nelder MP, Russell CB, Kulkarni MA. Rurality, Socioeconomic Status, and Residence in Environmental Risk Areas Associated with Increased Lyme Disease Incidence in Ontario, Canada: A Case-Control Study. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2022; 22:572-581. [PMID: 36378243 DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2022.0044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Lyme disease (LD) is the most common tick-borne illness in North America. LD is acquired through exposure to the tick vector, Ixodes scapularis, known as the blacklegged tick. In Canada, LD is rapidly emerging, with the establishment of I. scapularis in many newly endemic regions posing a growing risk to local communities. In the Canadian context, many environmental and socioeconomic risk factors for human LD infection are yet to be ascertained and the degree of risk associated with residential and community exposure to ticks is not well known. Methods: We conducted a matched case-control study in southeastern Ontario, using LD patient data from provincial laboratory databases and uninfected population controls from 2014 to 2018. We aimed to identify area-level risk factors for LD and associations with residence in environmental risk areas, defined as areas with high model-predicted probability of I. scapularis occurrence, using the neighborhood dissemination area as the unit of analysis. Results: Using multivariable conditional logistic regression analysis, we identified that patients with LD had higher odds (odds ratio, OR; 95% confidence interval, CI) of living in neighborhoods with high probability of tick occurrence in the environment (OR = 2.2; 95% CI: 2.0-2.5), low walkability (OR = 1.6; 95% CI: 1.2-2.1), low material deprivation (OR = 1.4; 95% CI: 1.2-1.7), and low ethnic concentration (OR = 8.1; 95% CI: 6.7-9.9). We also found that the odds of LD infection for individuals residing in environmental risk areas was highest for those living in public health units (PHUs) with <250,000 population (OR = 3.0; 95% CI: 2.4-3.9) compared to those living in PHUs with >1,000,000 population (OR = 1.5; 95% CI: 1.1-2.1). Conclusion: This study shows that odds of human LD infection in Ontario, Canada is higher in less urbanized areas with higher socioeconomic status and indicates that exposure to ticks around the home residence or neighborhood is linked to increased odds of LD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreea M Slatculescu
- Faculty of Medicine, School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada
| | - Michael Pugliese
- ICES uOttawa, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, The Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa, Canada
| | - Beate Sander
- Toronto Health Economics and Technology Assessment Collaborative, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada.,Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.,Public Health Ontario, Toronto, Canada.,ICES Central, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Canada
| | - Kate Zinszer
- École de Santé Publique, Département de Médecine Sociale et Préventive, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Canada
| | | | | | - Manisha A Kulkarni
- Faculty of Medicine, School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada
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Antibody Prevalence and Risk Factors Associated with Rickettsia spp. in a Pediatric Cohort: SFGR Remains Underdiagnosed and Underreported in El Salvador. Pathogens 2022; 11:pathogens11111241. [DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11111241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2022] [Revised: 10/24/2022] [Accepted: 10/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Spotted fever group rickettsioses (SFGR) are caused by a group of tick-borne pathogens that are increasing in incidence globally. These diseases are typically underreported and undiagnosed in low- and middle-income countries, and thus, have been classified as neglected bacterial pathogens. Countries with high poverty, low human development index score, and limited health infrastructure—like El Salvador in Central America—lack necessary surveillance for SFGR and other tick-borne pathogens. This paucity of baseline SFGR infection prevalence leaves vulnerable populations at risk of misdiagnosis. Further, tick-borne disease burdens in El Salvador are severely limited. To lay the foundation for tick-borne disease epidemiology in El Salvador, our team conducted two different enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) on banked human sera samples from a cohort of approximately 1000 pediatric participants from a high-risk vector-borne disease population. Eleven percent of all tested banked pediatric sera were positive for at least one ELISA assay at the time of enrollment: 10.7% were positive for only IgM antibodies (acute SFGR infection), and 2.5% were positive for IgG antibodies (a past SFGR infection). Older, male, children enrolled during the wet season, with a household history of infectious disease and higher maternal education level had higher odds of SFGR antibodies. Additionally, children from households with domestic poultry birds and previous knowledge of other vector-borne diseases had significantly reduced odds of SFGR antibodies. The large percentage of acute SFGR infections indicates that it continues to remain an underreported and undiagnosed issue in El Salvador and the Central American region. Much is still unknown regarding the complexity of the tick, animal host, and human host ecology transmission cycle of SFGR in El Salvador.
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Use of an exclusion assay to detect novel rickettsiae in field collected Amblyomma americanum. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2022; 13:101959. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2022.101959] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2021] [Revised: 04/08/2022] [Accepted: 04/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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