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Van Haecke H, Roels D, Nerinckx F, Schaballie H, Schelstraete P, Vandekerckhove L, Van Cleemput J, Van den Broeck W, Couck L, Hamerlinck H, Vandendriessche S, Boelens J, Joniau I. Spiroplasma infection as a cause of severe congenital keratouveitis, cataract and glaucoma. BMC Ophthalmol 2024; 24:217. [PMID: 38773506 PMCID: PMC11106900 DOI: 10.1186/s12886-024-03480-z] [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: 02/13/2024] [Accepted: 05/09/2024] [Indexed: 05/23/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Only seven cases of ocular Spiroplasma infection have been reported to date, all presenting as congenital cataracts with concomitant intraocular inflammation. We describe the first case of Spiroplasma infection initially presenting as a corneal infiltrate. CASE PRESENTATION A 1-month-old girl was referred for a corneal infiltrate in the left eye. She presented in our hospital with unilateral keratouveitis. Examination showed a stromal corneal infiltrate and dense white keratic precipitates in the left eye. Herpetic keratouveitis was suspected and intravenous acyclovir therapy was initiated. Two weeks later, the inflammation in the left eye persisted and was also noticed in the right eye. Acute angle-closure glaucoma and a cataract with dilated iris vessels extending onto the anterior lens capsule developed in the left eye. The inflammation resolved after treatment with azithromycin. Iridectomy, synechiolysis and lensectomy were performed. Bacterial metagenomic sequencing (16 S rRNA) and transmission electron microscopy revealed Spiroplasma ixodetis species in lens aspirates and biopsy. Consequently, a diagnosis of bilateral Spiroplasma uveitis was made. CONCLUSIONS In cases of congenital cataract with concomitant intraocular inflammation, Spiroplasma infection should be considered. The purpose of this case report is to raise awareness of congenital Spiroplasma infection as a cause of severe keratouveitis, cataract and angle-closure glaucoma in newborns. Performing molecular testing on lens aspirates is essential to confirm diagnosis. Systemic macrolides are suggested as the mainstay of treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helena Van Haecke
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ghent University Hospital, Corneel Heymanslaan 10, Ghent, 9000, Belgium
| | - Dimitri Roels
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ghent University Hospital, Corneel Heymanslaan 10, Ghent, 9000, Belgium
| | - Fanny Nerinckx
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ghent University Hospital, Corneel Heymanslaan 10, Ghent, 9000, Belgium
| | - Heidi Schaballie
- Department of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Petra Schelstraete
- Department of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Linos Vandekerckhove
- HIV Cure Research Center, Dpt of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Jolien Van Cleemput
- HIV Cure Research Center, Dpt of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Wim Van den Broeck
- Department of Morphology, Imaging, Orthopedics, Rehabilitation and Nutrition, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Liesbeth Couck
- Department of Morphology, Imaging, Orthopedics, Rehabilitation and Nutrition, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | | | | | - Jerina Boelens
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Inge Joniau
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ghent University Hospital, Corneel Heymanslaan 10, Ghent, 9000, Belgium.
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Eimer J, Fernström L, Rohlén L, Grankvist A, Loo K, Nyman E, Henningsson AJ, Haglund M, Hultqvist V, Sjöwall J, Wennerås C, Schön T. Spiroplasma ixodetis Infections in Immunocompetent and Immunosuppressed Patients after Tick Exposure, Sweden. Emerg Infect Dis 2022; 28:1681-1685. [PMID: 35876734 PMCID: PMC9328919 DOI: 10.3201/eid2808.212524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
We report 2 cases of Spiroplasma ixodetis infection in an immunocompetent patient and an immunocompromised patient who had frequent tick exposure. Fever, thrombocytopenia, and increased liver aminotransferase levels raised the suspicion of anaplasmosis, but 16S rRNA PCR and Sanger sequencing yielded a diagnosis of spiroplasmosis. Both patients recovered after doxycycline treatment.
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3
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da Silva NX, Dias TS, Vignoli JA, Dos Santos Machado L, Telleria EL, de Almeida Pereira VL, do Nascimento ER, da Cunha NC. First molecular detection of Spiroplasma spp. in ticks from horses in Brazil. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2022; 13:101896. [PMID: 35051893 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2022.101896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2021] [Revised: 12/07/2021] [Accepted: 12/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
The class Mollicutes comprises microorganisms that lack a cell wall, highly dependent on their host to survive. Within Mollicutes, the genus Spiroplasma comprises motile helical microorganisms associated with various insects and other arthropods. This study aimed to detect and characterize Mollicutes microorganisms in ticks of different species of veterinary importance, using molecular techniques. These ticks were collected from dogs, cats, cattle, and horses from Rio de Janeiro's metropolitan regions. They were morphologically classified and pooled according to their species for subsequent DNA extraction. These samples were tested by PCR using class Mollicutes-specific primers (16S rRNA) and positive amplicons were sequenced. The obtained DNA sequences were compared with other Mollicutes sequences deposited in GenBank. We found that four out of 745 (0.54%) of the tick pools were positive for members of the class Mollicutes, identified as Spiroplasma spp.; of the positive pools, one comprised Amblyomma sculptum adults and three comprised Dermacentor nitens nymphs. The present study describes Spiroplasma spp. in ticks in Brazil for the first time. Nevertheless, due to few reports on these microorganisms, further studies on epidemiology, virulence, and pathogenicity are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathalia Xavier da Silva
- Departamento de Saúde Coletiva Veterinária e Saúde Pública, Faculdade de Veterinária, Rua Vital Brasil Filho, 64 - Vital Brasil, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Thomas Salles Dias
- Departamento de Saúde Coletiva Veterinária e Saúde Pública, Faculdade de Veterinária, Rua Vital Brasil Filho, 64 - Vital Brasil, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Julia Alves Vignoli
- Departamento de Saúde Coletiva Veterinária e Saúde Pública, Faculdade de Veterinária, Rua Vital Brasil Filho, 64 - Vital Brasil, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Leandro Dos Santos Machado
- Departamento de Saúde Coletiva Veterinária e Saúde Pública, Faculdade de Veterinária, Rua Vital Brasil Filho, 64 - Vital Brasil, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Erich Loza Telleria
- Department of Parasitology - Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Virginia Léo de Almeida Pereira
- Departamento de Saúde Coletiva Veterinária e Saúde Pública, Faculdade de Veterinária, Rua Vital Brasil Filho, 64 - Vital Brasil, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Elmiro Rosendo do Nascimento
- Departamento de Saúde Coletiva Veterinária e Saúde Pública, Faculdade de Veterinária, Rua Vital Brasil Filho, 64 - Vital Brasil, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Nathalie Costa da Cunha
- Departamento de Saúde Coletiva Veterinária e Saúde Pública, Faculdade de Veterinária, Rua Vital Brasil Filho, 64 - Vital Brasil, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
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4
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Farassat N, Reich M, Serr A, Küchlin S, Erwemi M, Auw-Hädrich C, Krastel H, Lagrèze WA. Spiroplasma species as a rare cause of congenital cataract and uveitis: a case series. BMC Ophthalmol 2021; 21:434. [PMID: 34911476 PMCID: PMC8672502 DOI: 10.1186/s12886-021-02201-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2021] [Accepted: 12/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background To date, only four cases of ocular spiroplasma infection have been reported in the entire ophthalmic literature. We add two more cases to raise awareness of this sight-threatening congenital disease that manifests as cataract with ocular inflammation. Case presentation Both infants were referred for cataracts associated with ocular inflammation. Case 1, a 3-week-old neonate presented with unilateral cataract, ocular inflammation and elevated intraocular pressure. Case 2 was a 3-month-old infant with bilateral cataract and panuveitis. Lensectomies with or without vitrectomy and subsequent analyses of the specimens were performed. Transmission electron microscopy and multiplex polymerase chain reaction or 16 s rRNA gene polymerase chain reaction revealed spiroplasma species. Conclusions Spiroplasma as a very rare cause for congenital cataract might be underdiagnosed. We recommend performing polymerase chain reaction to probe for spiroplasma species in congenital cataracts with an inflammatory component. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12886-021-02201-0.
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Affiliation(s)
- Navid Farassat
- Eye Center, Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, Albert-Ludwig University Freiburg, Killianstraße 5, 79106, Freiburg, Germany.
| | - Michael Reich
- Eye Center, Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, Albert-Ludwig University Freiburg, Killianstraße 5, 79106, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Annerose Serr
- Institute for Microbiology and Hygiene, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Sebastian Küchlin
- Eye Center, Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, Albert-Ludwig University Freiburg, Killianstraße 5, 79106, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Marwa Erwemi
- Department of Ophthalmology, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Ruprecht-Karls-University Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Claudia Auw-Hädrich
- Eye Center, Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, Albert-Ludwig University Freiburg, Killianstraße 5, 79106, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Hermann Krastel
- Department of Ophthalmology, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Ruprecht-Karls-University Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Wolf Alexander Lagrèze
- Eye Center, Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, Albert-Ludwig University Freiburg, Killianstraße 5, 79106, Freiburg, Germany
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Wareham NE, Nielsen SD, Sørensen SS, Fischer BM. FDG PET/CT for Detection of Infectious Complications Following Solid Organ Transplantation. Semin Nucl Med 2021; 51:321-334. [PMID: 33397588 DOI: 10.1053/j.semnuclmed.2020.12.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Infectious complications after solid organ transplantation (SOT) are often more severe and remain a diagnostic challenge due to vague and atypical clinical presentations. Diagnostic performance of conventional diagnostic tools is frequently inadequate which may lead to delayed diagnosis with the risk of poorer outcomes. This literature review aimed to investigate the current evidence on the use of 18F-fluoro-deoxy-glucose (FDG) Positron Emission Tomography (PET)/computer tomography (CT) in infectious complications after SOT. Based on search in PubMed, Medline, and Cochrane databases, 13 articles and 46 case reports were included. For inclusion, articles were to include data on patients with infectious complications after SOT, and where FDG PET/CT was part of the work-up. Final searches were conducted on 02 September 2020. Overall, in the absence of initial diagnostic clues, FDG PET/CT should be considered as the imaging technique of choice as it may guide further investigations and eventually reveal the diagnosis in most of the patients. However, the available literature of the role of FDG PET/CT in SOT recipients with infectious complications is scarce and well-designed prospective studies including control groups are warranted to establish the role of FDG PET/C/ in SOT recipients. The main drawback of FDG PET/CT is the lack of ability to differentiate between cancer and infectious diseases which are both highly prevalent in this patient group. Accordingly, the main reasons for "false" results of FDG PET/CT is the misdiagnosis of cancer in benign inflammatory or infectious processes, information which nonetheless can be useful.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neval E Wareham
- Department of Infectious Diseases, University Hospital of Copenhagen, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark.
| | - Susanne Dam Nielsen
- Department of Infectious Diseases, University Hospital of Copenhagen, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Søren Schwartz Sørensen
- Department of Nephrology, University Hospital of Copenhagen, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Barbara Malene Fischer
- The PET Centre, Guy's & St Thomas Hospital, School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, Kings College London, St Thomas' Hospital, London
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Etienne N, Bret L, Le Brun C, Lecuyer H, Moraly J, Lanternier F, Hermine O, Ferroni A, Lecuit M, Pereyre S, Beven L, Lortholary O. Disseminated Spiroplasma apis Infection in Patient with Agammaglobulinemia, France. Emerg Infect Dis 2019; 24:2382-2386. [PMID: 30457541 PMCID: PMC6256403 DOI: 10.3201/eid2412.180567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
We report a disseminated infection caused by Spiroplasma apis, a honeybee pathogen, in a patient in France who had X-linked agammaglobulinemia. Identification was challenging because initial bacterial cultures and direct examination by Gram staining were negative. Unexplained sepsis in patients with agammaglobulinemia warrants specific investigation to identify fastidious bacteria such as Spiroplasma spp.
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Complete Genome Sequence of Spiroplasma phoeniceum Strain P40 T, a Plant Pathogen Isolated from Diseased Plants of Madagascar Periwinkle [ Catharanthus roseus (L.) G. Don]. Microbiol Resour Announc 2019; 8:8/12/e01612-18. [PMID: 30938707 PMCID: PMC6430324 DOI: 10.1128/mra.01612-18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The phytopathogen Spiroplasma phoeniceum was isolated from diseased plants of Madagascar periwinkle [Catharanthus roseus (L.) G. Don]. Here, we report the nucleotide sequence of the 1,791,576-bp circular chromosome and three plasmids of strain P40T This information serves as a resource for comparative analyses of spiroplasmal adaptations to diverse ecological niches.
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8
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Portillo A, Palomar AM, de Toro M, Santibáñez S, Santibáñez P, Oteo JA. Exploring the bacteriome in anthropophilic ticks: To investigate the vectors for diagnosis. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0213384. [PMID: 30889229 PMCID: PMC6424421 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0213384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2018] [Accepted: 02/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to characterize the bacterial microbiome of hard ticks with affinity to bite humans in La Rioja (North of Spain). METHODS A total of 88 adult ticks (22 Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato, 27 Haemaphysalis punctata, 30 Dermacentor marginatus and 9 Ixodes ricinus) and 120 I. ricinus nymphs (CRETAV collection, La Rioja, Spain), representing the main anthropophilic species in our environment, were subjected to a metagenomic analysis of the V3-V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene using an Illumina MiSeq platform. Data obtained with Greengenes database were refined with BLAST. Four groups of samples were defined, according to the four tick species. RESULTS Proteobacteria was the predominant phylum observed in all groups. Gammaproteobacteria was the most abundant class, followed by Alphaproteobacteria for R. sanguineus, H. punctata and D. marginatus but the relative abundance of reads for these classes was reversed for I. ricinus. This tick species showed more than 46% reads corresponding to 'not assigned' OTUs (Greengenes), and >97% of them corresponded to 'Candidatus Midichloriaceae' using BLAST. Within Rickettsiales, 'Candidatus Midichloria', Rickettsia, Ehrlichia, 'Candidatus Neoehrlichia' and Wolbachia were detected. I. ricinus was the most alpha-diverse species. Regarding beta-diversity, I. ricinus and H. punctata samples grouped according to their tick species but microbial communities of some R. sanguineus and D. marginatus specimens clustered together. CONCLUSIONS The metagenomics approach seems useful to discover the spectrum of tick-related bacteria. More studies are needed to identify and differentiate bacterial species, and to improve the knowledge of tick-borne diseases in Spain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aránzazu Portillo
- Center for Rickettsiosis and Arthropod-Borne Diseases, Infectious Diseases Department, Hospital Universitario San Pedro-Center for Biomedical Research from La Rioja (CIBIR), Logroño, Spain
| | - Ana M. Palomar
- Center for Rickettsiosis and Arthropod-Borne Diseases, Infectious Diseases Department, Hospital Universitario San Pedro-Center for Biomedical Research from La Rioja (CIBIR), Logroño, Spain
| | - María de Toro
- Genomics and Bioinformatics Core Facility, CIBIR, Logroño, Spain
| | - Sonia Santibáñez
- Center for Rickettsiosis and Arthropod-Borne Diseases, Infectious Diseases Department, Hospital Universitario San Pedro-Center for Biomedical Research from La Rioja (CIBIR), Logroño, Spain
| | - Paula Santibáñez
- Center for Rickettsiosis and Arthropod-Borne Diseases, Infectious Diseases Department, Hospital Universitario San Pedro-Center for Biomedical Research from La Rioja (CIBIR), Logroño, Spain
| | - José A. Oteo
- Center for Rickettsiosis and Arthropod-Borne Diseases, Infectious Diseases Department, Hospital Universitario San Pedro-Center for Biomedical Research from La Rioja (CIBIR), Logroño, Spain
- * E-mail:
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9
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Palomar AM, Premchand-Branker S, Alberdi P, Belova OA, Moniuszko-Malinowska A, Kahl O, Bell-Sakyi L. Isolation of known and potentially pathogenic tick-borne microorganisms from European ixodid ticks using tick cell lines. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2019; 10:628-638. [PMID: 30819609 PMCID: PMC6446187 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2019.02.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2018] [Revised: 02/07/2019] [Accepted: 02/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Ticks harbour and, in many cases transmit to their vertebrate hosts, a wide variety of pathogenic, apathogenic and endosymbiotic microorganisms. Recent molecular analyses have greatly increased the range of bacterial species potentially associated with ticks, but in most cases cannot distinguish between surface contaminants, microorganisms present in the remains of the previous blood meal and truly intracellular or tissue-associated bacteria. Here we demonstrate how tick cell lines, primary cell cultures and organ cultures can be used to isolate and propagate bacteria from within embryonic and adult Ixodes ricinus, Dermacentor marginatus and Dermacentor reticulatus ticks originating from different parts of Europe. We isolated and partially characterised four new strains of Spiroplasma from The Netherlands, Spain and Poland, two new strains of Rickettsia raoultii from Russia and Poland, one strain of Rickettsia slovaca from Spain and a species of Mycobacterium from the UK. Comparison with published sequences showed that the Spiroplasma strains were closely related to Spiroplasma ixodetis and the Mycobacterium isolate belonged to the Mycobacterium chelonae complex, while the R. raoultii and R. slovaca strains were similar to previously-validated species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana M Palomar
- Centre of Rickettsiosis and Arthropod-Borne Diseases, CIBIR, C/ Piqueras, 98, Logroño 26006, La Rioja, Spain; The Pirbright Institute, Ash Road, Pirbright, Woking, Surrey GU24 0NF, UK.
| | - Shonnette Premchand-Branker
- The Pirbright Institute, Ash Road, Pirbright, Woking, Surrey GU24 0NF, UK; Department of Biology, University of York, Wentworth Way, York YO10 5DD, UK.
| | - Pilar Alberdi
- The Roslin Institute and Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, Midlothian EH25 9RG, UK.
| | - Oxana A Belova
- Chumakov Institute of Poliomyelitis and Viral Encephalitides (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, 20-1 Malaya Pirogovskaya St., Moscow 119435, Russia.
| | - Anna Moniuszko-Malinowska
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Neuroinfections, Medical University in Białystok, Zurawia 14, 15-540 Białystok, Poland.
| | - Olaf Kahl
- Tick-radar GmbH, 10555 Berlin, Germany.
| | - Lesley Bell-Sakyi
- The Pirbright Institute, Ash Road, Pirbright, Woking, Surrey GU24 0NF, UK; The Roslin Institute and Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, Midlothian EH25 9RG, UK; Department of Infection Biology, Institute of Infection and Global Health, University of Liverpool, Liverpool Science Park IC2, 146 Brownlow Hill, Liverpool L3 5RF, UK.
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