1
|
Hekimoglu O, Elverici C, Kuyucu AC. Predicting climate-driven distribution shifts in Hyalomma marginatum (Ixodidae). Parasitology 2023; 150:883-893. [PMID: 37519234 PMCID: PMC10577666 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182023000689] [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: 04/09/2023] [Revised: 06/02/2023] [Accepted: 07/14/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023]
Abstract
Hyalomma marginatum is an important tick species which is the main vector of Crimean–Congo haemorrhagic fever and spotted fever. The species is predominantly distributed in parts of southern Europe, North Africa and West Asia. However, due to ongoing climate change and increasing reports of H. marginatum in central and northern Europe, the expansion of this range poses a potential future risk. In this study, an ecological niche modelling approach to model the current and future climatic suitability of H. marginatum was followed. Using high-resolution climatic variables from the Chelsa dataset and an updated list of locations for H. marginatum, ecological niche models were constructed under current environmental conditions using MaxEnt for both current conditions and future projections under the ssp370 and ssp585 scenarios. Models show that the climatically suitable region for H. marginatum matches the current distributional area in the Mediterranean basin and West Asia. When applied to future projections, the models suggest a considerable expansion of H. marginatum's range in the north in Europe as a result of rising temperatures. However, a decline in central Anatolia is also predicted, potentially due to the exacerbation of drought conditions in that region.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Can Elverici
- Biology Department, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey
- Biodiversity Institute, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
2
|
McBride SE, Lieberthal BA, Buttke DE, Cronk BD, De Urioste-Stone SM, Goodman LB, Guarnieri LD, Rounsville TF, Gardner AM. Patterns and Ecological Mechanisms of Tick-Borne Disease Exposure Risk in Acadia National Park, Mount Desert Island, Maine, United States. JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY 2023; 60:62-72. [PMID: 36271802 DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjac152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
National parks are unique and significant vector-borne pathogen transmission settings, engaging over 300 million people in outdoor recreation per year. In this study, we integrated vector surveys and ecological habitat feature data in spatial models to characterize tick-borne disease exposure risk in Acadia National Park (ANP), Maine. To determine the broad-scale patterns of blacklegged tick Ixodes scapularis Say (Acari: Ixodidae) densities in ANP, we conducted host-seeking tick collections at 114 sites across the park over two years. Using these tick survey data and geospatial landscape feature data (i.e., land cover, elevation, forest patch size, and aspect) we developed a random forest model of nymphal tick density. We found that host-seeking tick density varies significantly across the park and is particularly high in areas characterized by deciduous forest cover and relatively low elevation. To explore potential fine-scale ecological drivers of tick density spatial patterns, we quantified microclimate conditions, host activity, and vegetation characteristics at a subset of 19 sites. We identified significant differences in microclimate conditions but not host activity or vegetation metrics across broad-scale landscape feature classes. Mean temperature and mean humidity were correlated to nymphal densities and therefore may provide a mechanistic link between landscape features and blacklegged tick densities. Finally, we detected multiple tick-borne pathogens in both ticks and small mammals sampled in ANP, including Borrelia burgdorferi, Babesia microti, and Anaplasma phagocytophilum. Our findings demonstrate the value of using ecological metrics to estimate vector-borne disease exposure risk and provide insight into habitat characteristics that may drive tick-borne disease exposure risk.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sara E McBride
- School of Biology and Ecology, University of Maine, 5722 Deering Hall, Orono, ME 04469, USA
| | - Brandon A Lieberthal
- School of Biology and Ecology, University of Maine, 5722 Deering Hall, Orono, ME 04469, USA
| | - Danielle E Buttke
- National Park Service, 1201 Oakridge Drive, Fort Collins, CO 80525, USA
| | - Brittany D Cronk
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | | | - Laura B Goodman
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Lucy D Guarnieri
- School of Biology and Ecology, University of Maine, 5722 Deering Hall, Orono, ME 04469, USA
| | - Thomas F Rounsville
- Pest Management Unit, University of Maine Cooperative Extension Diagnostic and Research Laboratory, 17 Godfrey Drive, Orono, ME 04473, USA
| | - Allison M Gardner
- School of Biology and Ecology, University of Maine, 5722 Deering Hall, Orono, ME 04469, USA
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Kjær LJ, Klitgaard K, Soleng A, Edgar KS, Lindstedt HEH, Paulsen KM, Andreassen ÅK, Korslund L, Kjelland V, Slettan A, Stuen S, Kjellander P, Christensson M, Teräväinen M, Baum A, Jensen LM, Bødker R. Spatial data of Ixodes ricinus instar abundance and nymph pathogen prevalence, Scandinavia, 2016-2017. Sci Data 2020; 7:238. [PMID: 32678090 PMCID: PMC7366694 DOI: 10.1038/s41597-020-00579-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2020] [Accepted: 06/29/2020] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Ticks carry pathogens that can cause disease in both animals and humans, and there is a need to monitor the distribution and abundance of ticks and the pathogens they carry to pinpoint potential high risk areas for tick-borne disease transmission. In a joint Scandinavian study, we measured Ixodes ricinus instar abundance at 159 sites in southern Scandinavia in August-September, 2016, and collected 29,440 tick nymphs at 50 of these sites. We additionally measured abundance at 30 sites in August-September, 2017. We tested the 29,440 tick nymphs in pools of 10 in a Fluidigm real-time PCR chip to screen for 17 different tick-associated pathogens, 2 pathogen groups and 3 tick species. We present data on the geolocation, habitat type and instar abundance of the surveyed sites, as well as presence/absence of each pathogen in all analysed pools from the 50 collection sites and individual prevalence for each site. These data can be used alone or in combination with other data for predictive modelling and mapping of high-risk areas.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lene Jung Kjær
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark.
| | - Kirstine Klitgaard
- Department for Diagnostics and Scientific Advice, National Veterinary Institute, Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Arnulf Soleng
- Department of Pest Control, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | | | | | - Katrine M Paulsen
- Department of Virology, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Production Animal Clinical Sciences, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Oslo, Norway
| | | | - Lars Korslund
- Department of Natural Sciences, University of Agder, Kristiansand, Norway
| | - Vivian Kjelland
- Department of Natural Sciences, University of Agder, Kristiansand, Norway
- Sørlandet Hospital Health Enterprise, Research Unit, Kristiansand, Norway
| | - Audun Slettan
- Department of Natural Sciences, University of Agder, Kristiansand, Norway
| | - Snorre Stuen
- Department of Production Animal Clinical Sciences, Section of Small Ruminant Research, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Sandnes, Norway
| | - Petter Kjellander
- Department of Ecology, Grimsö Wildlife Research Station, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Riddarhyttan, Sweden
| | - Madeleine Christensson
- Department of Ecology, Grimsö Wildlife Research Station, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Riddarhyttan, Sweden
| | - Malin Teräväinen
- Department of Ecology, Grimsö Wildlife Research Station, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Riddarhyttan, Sweden
| | - Andreas Baum
- Department of Applied Mathematics and Computer Science, Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Laura Mark Jensen
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - René Bødker
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Jung Kjær L, Soleng A, Edgar KS, Lindstedt HEH, Paulsen KM, Andreassen ÅK, Korslund L, Kjelland V, Slettan A, Stuen S, Kjellander P, Christensson M, Teräväinen M, Baum A, Klitgaard K, Bødker R. Predicting the spatial abundance of Ixodes ricinus ticks in southern Scandinavia using environmental and climatic data. Sci Rep 2019; 9:18144. [PMID: 31792296 PMCID: PMC6889419 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-54496-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2019] [Accepted: 11/15/2019] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Recently, focus on tick-borne diseases has increased as ticks and their pathogens have become widespread and represent a health problem in Europe. Understanding the epidemiology of tick-borne infections requires the ability to predict and map tick abundance. We measured Ixodes ricinus abundance at 159 sites in southern Scandinavia from August-September, 2016. We used field data and environmental variables to develop predictive abundance models using machine learning algorithms, and also tested these models on 2017 data. Larva and nymph abundance models had relatively high predictive power (normalized RMSE from 0.65–0.69, R2 from 0.52–0.58) whereas adult tick models performed poorly (normalized RMSE from 0.94–0.96, R2 from 0.04–0.10). Testing the models on 2017 data produced good results with normalized RMSE values from 0.59–1.13 and R2 from 0.18–0.69. The resulting 2016 maps corresponded well with known tick abundance and distribution in Scandinavia. The models were highly influenced by temperature and vegetation, indicating that climate may be an important driver of I. ricinus distribution and abundance in Scandinavia. Despite varying results, the models predicted abundance in 2017 with high accuracy. The models are a first step towards environmentally driven tick abundance models that can assist in determining risk areas and interpreting human incidence data.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lene Jung Kjær
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark. .,Department for Diagnostics and Scientific Advice, National Veterinary Institute, Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby, Denmark.
| | - Arnulf Soleng
- Department of Pest Control, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | | | | | - Katrine Mørk Paulsen
- Department of Virology, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway.,Department of Production Animal Clinical Sciences, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Oslo, Norway
| | | | - Lars Korslund
- Department of Natural Sciences, University of Agder, Kristiansand, Norway
| | - Vivian Kjelland
- Department of Natural Sciences, University of Agder, Kristiansand, Norway.,Sørlandet Hospital Health Enterprise, Research Unit, Kristiansand, Norway
| | - Audun Slettan
- Department of Natural Sciences, University of Agder, Kristiansand, Norway
| | - Snorre Stuen
- Department of Production Animal Clinical Sciences, Section of Small Ruminant Research, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Sandnes, Norway
| | - Petter Kjellander
- Department of Ecology, Wildlife Ecology Unit, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Grimsö, Sweden
| | - Madeleine Christensson
- Department of Ecology, Wildlife Ecology Unit, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Grimsö, Sweden
| | - Malin Teräväinen
- Department of Ecology, Wildlife Ecology Unit, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Grimsö, Sweden
| | - Andreas Baum
- Department of Applied Mathematics and Computer Science, Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Kirstine Klitgaard
- Department for Diagnostics and Scientific Advice, National Veterinary Institute, Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby, Denmark
| | - René Bødker
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark.,Department for Diagnostics and Scientific Advice, National Veterinary Institute, Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby, Denmark
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Lerman SB, D’Amico V. Lawn mowing frequency in suburban areas has no detectable effect on Borrelia spp. vector Ixodes scapularis (Acari: Ixodidae). PLoS One 2019; 14:e0214615. [PMID: 30943238 PMCID: PMC6447176 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0214615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2018] [Accepted: 03/08/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Forests have become increasingly fragmented throughout the US, with residential development serving as the primary driver of these changes. These altered landscapes have provided suitable conditions for a broad range of wildlife, including blacklegged ticks and their hosts. Lawns dominate residential landscapes, and thus their management has the potential to reduce the likelihood of contact with ticks in residential yards. We tested the hypothesis that lawn mowing frequency influences tick occurrence in 16 suburban yards in Springfield, MA. We conducted 144 tick drags in lawns of various lawn mowing frequencies (mowed every week, every 2-weeks and every 3-weeks) and did not collect any ticks of any species. Promoting frequent mowing (i.e., shorter lawns) and the removal of grass clippings could have minimal impacts on tick microhabitats, but is consequential for beneficial wildlife and other ecosystem services associated with urban biodiversity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Susannah B. Lerman
- Northern Research Station, USDA Forest Service, Amherst, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Department of Environmental Conservation, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Vincent D’Amico
- Northern Research Station, USDA Forest Service, Newark, Delaware, United States of America
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Hönig V, Švec P, Marek L, Mrkvička T, Dana Z, Wittmann MV, Masař O, Szturcová D, Růžek D, Pfister K, Grubhoffer L. Model of Risk of Exposure to Lyme Borreliosis and Tick-Borne Encephalitis Virus-Infected Ticks in the Border Area of the Czech Republic (South Bohemia) and Germany (Lower Bavaria and Upper Palatinate). INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2019; 16:ijerph16071173. [PMID: 30986900 PMCID: PMC6479554 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph16071173] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2019] [Revised: 03/22/2019] [Accepted: 03/26/2019] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
In Europe, Lyme borreliosis (LB) and tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) are the two vector-borne diseases with the largest impact on human health. Based on data on the density of host-seeking Ixodes ricinus ticks and pathogen prevalence and using a variety of environmental data, we have created an acarological risk model for a region where both diseases are endemic (Czech Republic-South Bohemia and Germany-Lower Bavaria, Upper Palatinate). The data on tick density were acquired by flagging 50 sampling sites three times in a single season. Prevalence of the causative agents of LB and TBE was determined. Data on environmental variables (e.g., altitude, vegetation cover, NDVI, land surface temperature) were obtained from various sources and processed using geographical information systems. Generalized linear models were used to estimate tick density, probability of tick infection, and density of infected ticks for the whole area. A significantly higher incidence of human TBE cases was recorded in South Bohemia compared to Bavarian regions, which correlated with a lower tick density in Bavaria. However, the differences in pathogen prevalence rates were not significant. The model outputs were made available to the public in the form of risk maps, indicating the distribution of tick-borne disease risk in space.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Václav Hönig
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Academy of Sciences of Czech Republic, Branisovska 31, 370 05 Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic.
- Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Branisovska 31, 370 05 Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic.
- Veterinary Research Institute, Hudcova 296, 621 00 Brno, Czech Republic.
| | - Pavel Švec
- Department of Geoinformatics, VSB-Technical University of Ostrava, 17. listopadu 15, 708 00 Ostrava, Czech Republic.
| | - Lukáš Marek
- GeoHealth Laboratory, Geospatial Research Institute, University of Canterbury, Private Bag 4800, Christchurch 8140, New Zealand.
| | - Tomáš Mrkvička
- Faculty of Economics, University of South Bohemia, Studentska 13, 370 05 Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic.
| | - Zubriková Dana
- Institute of Comparative Tropical Medicine and Parasitology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Leopoldstr. 5, 80802 Munich, Germany.
- Institute of Parasitology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Hlinkova 3, 040 01 Kosice, Slovakia.
| | - Maria Vögerl Wittmann
- Institute of Comparative Tropical Medicine and Parasitology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Leopoldstr. 5, 80802 Munich, Germany.
| | - Ondřej Masař
- Department of Geoinformatics, VSB-Technical University of Ostrava, 17. listopadu 15, 708 00 Ostrava, Czech Republic.
| | - Daniela Szturcová
- Department of Geoinformatics, VSB-Technical University of Ostrava, 17. listopadu 15, 708 00 Ostrava, Czech Republic.
| | - Daniel Růžek
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Academy of Sciences of Czech Republic, Branisovska 31, 370 05 Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic.
- Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Branisovska 31, 370 05 Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic.
- Veterinary Research Institute, Hudcova 296, 621 00 Brno, Czech Republic.
| | - Kurt Pfister
- Institute of Comparative Tropical Medicine and Parasitology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Leopoldstr. 5, 80802 Munich, Germany.
| | - Libor Grubhoffer
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Academy of Sciences of Czech Republic, Branisovska 31, 370 05 Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic.
- Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Branisovska 31, 370 05 Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Gilliam ME, Rechkemmer WT, McCravy KW, Jenkins SE. The Influence of Prescribed Fire, Habitat, and Weather on Amblyomma americanum (Ixodida: Ixodidae) in West-Central Illinois, USA. INSECTS 2018; 9:insects9020036. [PMID: 29565805 PMCID: PMC6023455 DOI: 10.3390/insects9020036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2017] [Revised: 02/19/2018] [Accepted: 03/19/2018] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
The distribution of Amblyomma americanum (L.) is changing and reports of tick-borne disease transmitted by A. americanum are increasing in the USA. We used flagging to collect ticks, surveyed vegetation and collected weather data in 2015 and 2016. A. americanum dominated collections in both years (97%). Ticks did not differ among burn treatments; however, tick abundance differed between years among total, adult, and larval ticks. Habitat variables showed a weak negative correlation to total ticks in respect to: Shannon diversity index, percent bare ground, perennial cover, and coarse woody debris. Nymphal ticks showed a weak negative correlation to percent bare ground and fewer adults were collected in areas with more leaf litter and coarse woody debris. Conversely, we found larvae more often in areas with more total cover, biennials, vines, shrubs, and leaf litter, suggesting habitat is important for this life stage. We compared weather variables to tick presence and found, in 2015, temperature, precipitation, humidity, and sample period influenced tick collection and were life stage specific. In 2016, temperature, precipitation, humidity, wind, and sample period influenced tick collection and were also life stage specific. These results indicate that spring burns in an oak woodland do not reduce ticks; other variables such as habitat and weather are more influential on tick abundance or presence at different life stages.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mary E Gilliam
- Department of Biological Sciences, Western Illinois University, 1 University Circle, Macomb, IL 61455, USA.
- Illinois Natural History Survey, Prairie Research Institute, 1816 South Oak Street, Champaign, IL 61820, USA.
| | - Will T Rechkemmer
- Department of Biological Sciences, Western Illinois University, 1 University Circle, Macomb, IL 61455, USA.
| | - Kenneth W McCravy
- Department of Biological Sciences, Western Illinois University, 1 University Circle, Macomb, IL 61455, USA.
| | - Seán E Jenkins
- Department of Biological Sciences, Western Illinois University, 1 University Circle, Macomb, IL 61455, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Pistone D, Pajoro M, Novakova E, Vicari N, Gaiardelli C, Viganò R, Luzzago C, Montagna M, Lanfranchi P. Ticks and bacterial tick-borne pathogens in Piemonte region, Northwest Italy. EXPERIMENTAL & APPLIED ACAROLOGY 2017; 73:477-491. [PMID: 29189951 DOI: 10.1007/s10493-017-0202-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2017] [Accepted: 11/26/2017] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
A molecular screening for tick-borne pathogens was carried out in engorged and in questing ticks collected in Verbano Cusio Ossola county, Piemonte region, Italy. Engorged ticks were removed from wild and domestic animal hosts. The most abundant and common tick species in the area was Ixodes ricinus (192 adults, 907 nymphs). Few individuals of Ixodes hexagonus (15) and Rhipicephalus sanguineus (7) were found among the ticks removed from domestic animals (46 examined ticks). The presence of Rickettsia spp., Borrelia burgdorferi sensu latu, Francisella tularensis and Coxiella burnetii was evaluated by PCR and sequencing in 392 individuals of I. ricinus (adult and nymphal stages) and 22 individuals of the two other tick species. Five Borrelia species (i.e. B. burgdorferi sensu stricto, B. garinii, B. afzelii, B. valaisiana and B. lusitaniae), proved or suspected to cause clinical manifestations of Lyme disease in humans, showed 10.5 and 2.2% combined prevalence in questing and engorged I. ricinus, respectively. In addition, two species of rickettsiae (R. helvetica and R. monacensis) were identified and reported with 14.5 and 24.8% overall prevalence in questing and in engorged ticks. The prevalence of F. tularensis in the ticks collected on two wild ungulate species (Capreolus capreolus and Cervus elaphus) was 5.7%. This work provided further data and broadened our knowledge on bacterial pathogens present in ticks in Northwest Italy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dario Pistone
- Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia in Ceske Budejovice, Branisovska 31, 37005, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic.
- Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, Via Celoria, 26, 20133, Milan, Italy.
| | - Massimo Pajoro
- Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, Via Celoria, 26, 20133, Milan, Italy
- Pediatric Clinical Research Center Romeo and Enrica Invernizzi, Ospedale "Luigi Sacco", Via Giovanni Battista Grassi, 74, 20157, Milan, Italy
| | - Eva Novakova
- Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia in Ceske Budejovice, Branisovska 31, 37005, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
| | - Nadia Vicari
- Pavia Unit, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna "Bruno Ubertini", Strada Campeggi 59/61, 27100, Pavia, Italy
| | - Cesare Gaiardelli
- Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, Via Celoria, 26, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Roberto Viganò
- Studio Associato AlpVet, Piazza Venzaghi, 2, 21052, Busto Arsizio, VA, Italy
| | - Camilla Luzzago
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Milan, Via Celoria, 10, 20133, Milan, Italy
- Centro di Ricerca Coordinata Epidemiologia e Sorveglianza Molecolare delle Infezioni - EpiSoMI, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Matteo Montagna
- Dipartimento di Scienze Agrarie e Agroambientali, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria, 2, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Paolo Lanfranchi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Milan, Via Celoria, 10, 20133, Milan, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Goodenough AE, Harrell AN, Keating RL, Rolfe RN, Stubbs H, MacTavish L, Hart AG. Managing grassland for wildlife: the effects of rotational burning on tick presence and abundance in African savannah habitat. WILDLIFE BIOLOGY 2017. [DOI: 10.2981/wlb.00318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Anne E. Goodenough
- A. E. Goodenough , A. N. Harrell, R. L. Keating, R. N. Rolfe, H. Stubbs and A. G. Hart, Natural and Social Sciences, Univ. of Gloucestershire, Francis Close Hall, Cheltenham, GL50 4AZ, UK
| | - Alison N. Harrell
- A. E. Goodenough , A. N. Harrell, R. L. Keating, R. N. Rolfe, H. Stubbs and A. G. Hart, Natural and Social Sciences, Univ. of Gloucestershire, Francis Close Hall, Cheltenham, GL50 4AZ, UK
| | - Rachel L. Keating
- A. E. Goodenough , A. N. Harrell, R. L. Keating, R. N. Rolfe, H. Stubbs and A. G. Hart, Natural and Social Sciences, Univ. of Gloucestershire, Francis Close Hall, Cheltenham, GL50 4AZ, UK
| | - Richard N. Rolfe
- A. E. Goodenough , A. N. Harrell, R. L. Keating, R. N. Rolfe, H. Stubbs and A. G. Hart, Natural and Social Sciences, Univ. of Gloucestershire, Francis Close Hall, Cheltenham, GL50 4AZ, UK
| | - Hannah Stubbs
- A. E. Goodenough , A. N. Harrell, R. L. Keating, R. N. Rolfe, H. Stubbs and A. G. Hart, Natural and Social Sciences, Univ. of Gloucestershire, Francis Close Hall, Cheltenham, GL50 4AZ, UK
| | - Lynne MacTavish
- L. MacTavish, Mankwe Wildlife Reserve, Northwest Province, South Africa
| | - Adam G. Hart
- A. E. Goodenough , A. N. Harrell, R. L. Keating, R. N. Rolfe, H. Stubbs and A. G. Hart, Natural and Social Sciences, Univ. of Gloucestershire, Francis Close Hall, Cheltenham, GL50 4AZ, UK
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Predicting the potential environmental suitability for Theileria orientalis transmission in New Zealand cattle using maximum entropy niche modelling. Vet Parasitol 2016; 224:82-91. [PMID: 27270395 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2016.05.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2015] [Revised: 05/10/2016] [Accepted: 05/14/2016] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The tick-borne haemoparasite Theileria orientalis is the most important infectious cause of anaemia in New Zealand cattle. Since 2012 a previously unrecorded type, T. orientalis type 2 (Ikeda), has been associated with disease outbreaks of anaemia, lethargy, jaundice and deaths on over 1000 New Zealand cattle farms, with most of the affected farms found in the upper North Island. The aim of this study was to model the relative environmental suitability for T. orientalis transmission throughout New Zealand, to predict the proportion of cattle farms potentially suitable for active T. orientalis infection by region, island and the whole of New Zealand and to estimate the average relative environmental suitability per farm by region, island and the whole of New Zealand. The relative environmental suitability for T. orientalis transmission was estimated using the Maxent (maximum entropy) modelling program. The Maxent model predicted that 99% of North Island cattle farms (n=36,257), 64% South Island cattle farms (n=15,542) and 89% of New Zealand cattle farms overall (n=51,799) could potentially be suitable for T. orientalis transmission. The average relative environmental suitability of T. orientalis transmission at the farm level was 0.34 in the North Island, 0.02 in the South Island and 0.24 overall. The study showed that the potential spatial distribution of T. orientalis environmental suitability was much greater than presumed in the early part of the Theileria associated bovine anaemia (TABA) epidemic. Maximum entropy offers a computer efficient method of modelling the probability of habitat suitability for an arthropod vectored disease. This model could help estimate the boundaries of the endemically stable and endemically unstable areas for T. orientalis transmission within New Zealand and be of considerable value in informing practitioner and farmer biosecurity decisions in these respective areas.
Collapse
|
11
|
Perez G, Bastian S, Agoulon A, Bouju A, Durand A, Faille F, Lebert I, Rantier Y, Plantard O, Butet A. Effect of landscape features on the relationship between Ixodes ricinus ticks and their small mammal hosts. Parasit Vectors 2016; 9:20. [PMID: 26767788 PMCID: PMC4714450 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-016-1296-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2015] [Accepted: 01/05/2016] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The consequences of land use changes are among the most cited causes of emerging infectious diseases because they can modify the ecology and transmission of pathogens. This is particularly true for vector-borne diseases which depend on abiotic (e.g. climate) and biotic conditions (i.e. hosts and vectors). In this study, we investigated how landscape features affect the abundances of small mammals and Ixodes ricinus ticks, and how they influence their relationship. Methods From 2012 to 2014, small mammals and questing I. ricinus ticks were sampled in spring and autumn in 24 sites located in agricultural and forest landscapes in Brittany, France. We tested the effects of landscape features (composition and configuration) on the abundances of small mammal species and immature ticks and their relationship. Additionally, we quantified the larval tick burden of small mammals in 2012 to better describe this relationship. Results The nymph abundance was positively influenced by the larval occurrence and the wood mouse Apodemus sylvaticus abundance the previous spring because they hosted tenfold more larvae than the bank vole Myodes glareolus. The bank vole abundance in spring and autumn had a negative and positive effect, respectively, on the nymph abundance. In agricultural landscapes, wood mice were positively influenced by woodland cover and woodland/hedgerow-grassland ecotone, whereas bank voles showed the opposite or non-significant responses to these landscape variables. The woodland cover had a positive effect on immature ticks. Conclusion The landscape configuration, likely by affecting the landscape connectivity, influences the small mammal communities in permanent habitats. Our study showed that the wood mouse, due to its dominance and to its tolerance to ticks, feeds a substantial proportion of larvae. The acquired resistance to ticks in the bank vole can reduce its role as a trophic resource over time. The nymph abundance seems indirectly influenced by landscape features via their effects on the small mammal community. To enhance our understanding of the epidemiology of tick-borne diseases within landscapes, further studies will integrate data on pathogen prevalence and investigate explicitly the effect of landscape connectivity on host-vector-pathogen systems.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Grégoire Perez
- UMR 6553 Ecosystème, Biodiversité, Evolution, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique-Université de Rennes 1, Avenue du Général Leclerc, Rennes, 35042, France. .,UMR1300 Biologie, Epidémiologie et Analyse de Risque, Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique-LUNAM Université, Oniris, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire, Agroalimentaire et de l'Alimentation Nantes-Atlantique, Atlanpole, la Chantrerie, Nantes, 44307, France.
| | - Suzanne Bastian
- UMR1300 Biologie, Epidémiologie et Analyse de Risque, Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique-LUNAM Université, Oniris, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire, Agroalimentaire et de l'Alimentation Nantes-Atlantique, Atlanpole, la Chantrerie, Nantes, 44307, France.
| | - Albert Agoulon
- UMR1300 Biologie, Epidémiologie et Analyse de Risque, Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique-LUNAM Université, Oniris, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire, Agroalimentaire et de l'Alimentation Nantes-Atlantique, Atlanpole, la Chantrerie, Nantes, 44307, France.
| | - Agnès Bouju
- UMR1300 Biologie, Epidémiologie et Analyse de Risque, Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique-LUNAM Université, Oniris, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire, Agroalimentaire et de l'Alimentation Nantes-Atlantique, Atlanpole, la Chantrerie, Nantes, 44307, France.
| | - Axelle Durand
- UMR1300 Biologie, Epidémiologie et Analyse de Risque, Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique-LUNAM Université, Oniris, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire, Agroalimentaire et de l'Alimentation Nantes-Atlantique, Atlanpole, la Chantrerie, Nantes, 44307, France.
| | - Frédéric Faille
- UMR1300 Biologie, Epidémiologie et Analyse de Risque, Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique-LUNAM Université, Oniris, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire, Agroalimentaire et de l'Alimentation Nantes-Atlantique, Atlanpole, la Chantrerie, Nantes, 44307, France.
| | - Isabelle Lebert
- UR0346 Epidémiologie Animale, Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique, Route de Theix, Saint-Genès-Champanelle, 63122, France.
| | - Yann Rantier
- UMR 6553 Ecosystème, Biodiversité, Evolution, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique-Université de Rennes 1, Avenue du Général Leclerc, Rennes, 35042, France.
| | - Olivier Plantard
- UMR1300 Biologie, Epidémiologie et Analyse de Risque, Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique-LUNAM Université, Oniris, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire, Agroalimentaire et de l'Alimentation Nantes-Atlantique, Atlanpole, la Chantrerie, Nantes, 44307, France.
| | - Alain Butet
- UMR 6553 Ecosystème, Biodiversité, Evolution, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique-Université de Rennes 1, Avenue du Général Leclerc, Rennes, 35042, France.
| |
Collapse
|