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Sirén APK, Berube J, Clarfeld LA, Sullivan CF, Simpson B, Wilson TL. Accounting for missing ticks: Use (or lack thereof) of hierarchical models in tick ecology studies. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2024; 15:102342. [PMID: 38613901 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2024.102342] [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: 10/30/2023] [Revised: 03/20/2024] [Accepted: 04/01/2024] [Indexed: 04/15/2024]
Abstract
Ixodid (hard) ticks play important ecosystem roles and have significant impacts on animal and human health via tick-borne diseases and physiological stress from parasitism. Tick occurrence, abundance, activity, and key life-history traits are highly influenced by host availability, weather, microclimate, and landscape features. As such, changes in the environment can have profound impacts on ticks, their hosts, and the spread of diseases. Researchers recognize that spatial and temporal factors influence activity and abundance and attempt to account for both by conducting replicate sampling bouts spread over the tick questing period. However, common field methods notoriously underestimate abundance, and it is unclear how (or if) tick studies model the confounding effects of factors influencing activity and abundance. This step is critical as unaccounted variance in detection can lead to biased estimates of occurrence and abundance. We performed a descriptive review to evaluate the extent to which studies account for the detection process while modeling tick data. We also categorized the types of analyses that are commonly used to model tick data. We used hierarchical models (HMs) that account for imperfect detection to analyze simulated and empirical tick data, demonstrating that inference is muddled when detection probability is not accounted for in the modeling process. Our review indicates that only 5 of 412 (1 %) papers explicitly accounted for imperfect detection while modeling ticks. By comparing HMs with the most common approaches used for modeling tick data (e.g., ANOVA), we show that population estimates are biased low for simulated and empirical data when using non-HMs, and that confounding occurs due to not explicitly modeling factors that influenced both detection and abundance. Our review and analysis of simulated and empirical data shows that it is important to account for our ability to detect ticks using field methods with imperfect detection. Not doing so leads to biased estimates of occurrence and abundance which could complicate our understanding of parasite-host relationships and the spread of tick-borne diseases. We highlight the resources available for learning HM approaches and applying them to analyzing tick data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexej P K Sirén
- Department of Natural Resources and the Environment, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH, USA; Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, USA; Department of Environmental Conservation, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, USA.
| | - Juliana Berube
- Department of Environmental Conservation, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, USA
| | - Laurence A Clarfeld
- Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, USA
| | - Cheryl F Sullivan
- Entomology Research Laboratory, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, USA
| | - Benjamin Simpson
- Penobscot Nation Department of Natural Resources, Indian Island, ME, USA
| | - Tammy L Wilson
- U.S. Geological Survey, Massachusetts Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Department of Environmental Conservation, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, USA
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Jaenson TGT, Gray JS, Lindgren PE, Wilhelmsson P. Coinfection of Babesia and Borrelia in the Tick Ixodes ricinus-A Neglected Public Health Issue in Europe? Pathogens 2024; 13:81. [PMID: 38251388 PMCID: PMC10818971 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens13010081] [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: 10/31/2023] [Revised: 01/09/2024] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Ixodes ricinus nymphs and adults removed from humans, and larvae and nymphs from birds, have been analysed for infection with Babesia species and Borrelia species previously in separately published studies. Here, we use the same data set to explore the coinfection pattern of Babesia and Borrelia species in the ticks. We also provide an overview of the ecology and potential public health importance in Sweden of I. ricinus infected both with zoonotic Babesia and Borrelia species. Among 1952 nymphs and adult ticks removed from humans, 3.1% were PCR-positive for Babesia spp. Of these Babesia-positive ticks, 43% were simultaneously Borrelia-positive. Among 1046 immatures of I. ricinus removed from birds, 2.5% were Babesia-positive, of which 38% were coinfected with Borrelia species. This study shows that in I. ricinus infesting humans or birds in Sweden, potentially zoonotic Babesia protozoa sometimes co-occur with human-pathogenic Borrelia spp. Diagnostic tests for Babesia spp. infection are rarely performed in Europe, and the medical significance of this pathogen in Europe could be underestimated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas G. T. Jaenson
- Evolutionary Biology Centre, Department of Organismal Biology, Uppsala University, Norbyvägen 18d, SE-752 36 Uppsala, Sweden;
| | - Jeremy S. Gray
- UCD School of Biology and Environmental Science, University College Dublin, D04 N2E5 Dublin, Ireland;
| | - Per-Eric Lindgren
- Division of Inflammation and Infection, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, SE-581 83 Linköping, Sweden;
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Region Jönköping County, SE-551 11 Jönköping, Sweden
| | - Peter Wilhelmsson
- Division of Inflammation and Infection, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, SE-581 83 Linköping, Sweden;
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Region Jönköping County, SE-551 11 Jönköping, Sweden
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15-year Borrelia prevalence and species distribution monitoring in Ixodes ricinus/inopinatus populations in the city of Hanover, Germany. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2023; 14:102074. [PMID: 36335680 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2022.102074] [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: 05/27/2022] [Revised: 09/16/2022] [Accepted: 10/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Lyme borreliosis, caused by Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (s.l.) spirochaetes, is the most common tick-borne disease (TBD) in the Northern Hemisphere. Rising incidences indicate that its epidemiology may be affected by global changes. Therefore, the current study aimed to assess changes in tick infection rates with Borrelia spp. over a 15-year monitoring period in the city of Hanover, Germany, as a follow-up to previous prevalence studies (years 2005, 2010 and 2015). To assess the epidemiological risk, ticks of the Ixodes ricinus/inopinatus-complex were sampled from April to October 2020 by the flagging method at 10 frequently visited recreation areas in Hanover. Analysis by quantitative real-time PCR of 2100 individual ticks revealed an overall Borrelia prevalence of 25.5% (535/2100). Regarding different tick developmental stages, nymphs showed a significantly lower Borrelia prevalence (18.4% [193/1050]) than adult ticks (32.6% [342/1050]). Comparison with previous years revealed a stable total Borrelia prevalence along with consistent infection rates in the different developmental stages over the 15-year monitoring period. Borrelia species differentiation by Reverse Line Blot was successful in 67.3% of positive ticks collected in 2020, with B. afzelii being the dominating species (59.2% of the differentiated infections), besides B. burgdorferi sensu stricto (s.s.), B. garinii, B. valaisiana, B. spielmanii, B. bavariensis and B. bissettiae and the relapsing fever spirochaete B. miyamotoi. Additionally, the proportion of infections attributed to B. afzelii showed a significant increase in 2020 compared to 2005 and 2015 (59.2% vs. 37.6% and 32.0% of successfully differentiated infections, respectively). Coinfections with Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Rickettsia spp. stayed stable comparing 2020 with previous years. Therefore, although changes in the Borrelia prevalence in questing ticks were not observed throughout the 15-year monitoring period, shifts in Borrelia species distribution may alter the epidemiological risk.
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Ebani VV, Guardone L, Rocchigiani G, Bascherini A, Cagnoli G, Bertelloni F, Bongi P, Russo C, Riccioli F, Mancianti F. Molecular survey on the presence of arthropod-borne bacteria and protozoans in roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) and ticks from Central Italy. Acta Trop 2022; 233:106586. [PMID: 35787417 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2022.106586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2022] [Revised: 06/20/2022] [Accepted: 06/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Environmental changes, due to climatic emergency and to anthropogenic activities severely impact on the epidemiology of vector borne diseases, mostly when transmitted by ticks. The data about the distribution of microorganisms responsible for them in roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) population living in Italy are scanty and completely lacking in Tuscany, so a molecular survey was carried out to estimate the prevalence of some zoonotic tick-borne pathogens in roe deer, and ticks removed from them, living in areas of Central Italy with high risk of arthropod exposure. Spleen samples from 72 roe deer were tested by PCR for Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Borrelia burgdorferi s.l., Francisella tularensis and piroplasms. Moreover, 345 ticks were removed from 65 roe deer, morphologically or molecularly identified and grouped into 162 pools that were submitted to PCR for detecting the same pathogens. Forty-six (63.88%) roe deer were positive for at least one investigated pathogen: 43 (59.72%) for A. phagocytophilum, 2 (2.78%) for Babesia capreoli, 1 (1.39%) for B. burgdorferi, and 1 (1.39%) for Babesia sp.. No animals were PCR positive for F. tularensis. All ticks were identified as Ixodes ricinus. Seventy-six (46.91%) tick pools showed DNA of one or more pathogens: 66 (40.74%) were positive for A. phagocytophilum, 22 (13.58%) for B. burgodorferi s.l., 6 (3.70%) for B. venatorum and 3 (1.85%) for B. capreoli. No pools were positive for F. tularensis. Two or three pathogens were detected in 23 (14.19%) pools.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Virginia Ebani
- Department of Veterinary Sciences - University of Pisa - Viale delle Piagge 2, Pisa 56124, Italy; Centre for Climate Change Impact, University of Pisa, Via del Borghetto 80, Pisa 56124, Italy.
| | - Lisa Guardone
- Department of Veterinary Sciences - University of Pisa - Viale delle Piagge 2, Pisa 56124, Italy
| | - Guido Rocchigiani
- Department of Veterinary Anatomy, Physiology and Pathology, Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, Leahurst Campus, University of Liverpool, Chester High Road, Neston CH64 7TE, UK
| | - Alice Bascherini
- Department of Veterinary Sciences - University of Pisa - Viale delle Piagge 2, Pisa 56124, Italy
| | - Giulia Cagnoli
- Department of Veterinary Sciences - University of Pisa - Viale delle Piagge 2, Pisa 56124, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Bertelloni
- Department of Veterinary Sciences - University of Pisa - Viale delle Piagge 2, Pisa 56124, Italy
| | - Paolo Bongi
- Ambito Territoriale Caccia Massa (ATCMS), largo Bonfigli 3/5, Aulla (Massa) 54011, Italy
| | - Claudia Russo
- Department of Veterinary Sciences - University of Pisa - Viale delle Piagge 2, Pisa 56124, Italy
| | - Francesco Riccioli
- Department of Veterinary Sciences - University of Pisa - Viale delle Piagge 2, Pisa 56124, Italy
| | - Francesca Mancianti
- Department of Veterinary Sciences - University of Pisa - Viale delle Piagge 2, Pisa 56124, Italy
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Voyiatzaki C, Papailia SI, Venetikou MS, Pouris J, Tsoumani ME, Papageorgiou EG. Climate Changes Exacerbate the Spread of Ixodes ricinus and the Occurrence of Lyme Borreliosis and Tick-Borne Encephalitis in Europe-How Climate Models Are Used as a Risk Assessment Approach for Tick-Borne Diseases. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19116516. [PMID: 35682098 PMCID: PMC9180659 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19116516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2022] [Revised: 05/20/2022] [Accepted: 05/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Climate change has influenced the transmission of a wide range of vector-borne diseases in Europe, which is a pressing public health challenge for the coming decades. Numerous theories have been developed in order to explain how tick-borne diseases are associated with climate change. These theories include higher proliferation rates, extended transmission season, changes in ecological balances, and climate-related migration of vectors, reservoir hosts, or human populations. Changes of the epidemiological pattern have potentially catastrophic consequences, resulting in increasing prevalence of tick-borne diseases. Thus, investigation of the relationship between climate change and tick-borne diseases is critical. In this regard, climate models that predict the ticks’ geographical distribution changes can be used as a predicting tool. The aim of this review is to provide the current evidence regarding the contribution of the climatic changes to Lyme borreliosis (LB) disease and tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) and to present how computational models will advance our understanding of the relationship between climate change and tick-borne diseases in Europe.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chrysa Voyiatzaki
- Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology & Immunology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of West Attica, 12243 Athens, Greece; (S.I.P.); (J.P.); (M.E.T.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Sevastiani I. Papailia
- Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology & Immunology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of West Attica, 12243 Athens, Greece; (S.I.P.); (J.P.); (M.E.T.)
| | - Maria S. Venetikou
- Laboratory of Anatomy-Pathological Anatomy & Physiology Nutrition, Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Health and Care Sciences, University of West Attica, 12243 Athens, Greece;
| | - John Pouris
- Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology & Immunology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of West Attica, 12243 Athens, Greece; (S.I.P.); (J.P.); (M.E.T.)
| | - Maria E. Tsoumani
- Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology & Immunology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of West Attica, 12243 Athens, Greece; (S.I.P.); (J.P.); (M.E.T.)
| | - Effie G. Papageorgiou
- Laboratory of Reliability and Quality Control in Laboratory Hematology (HemQcR), Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Health and Care Sciences, University of West Attica, 12243 Athens, Greece;
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Wijburg SR, Fonville M, de Bruin A, van Rijn PA, Montizaan MGE, van den Broek J, Sprong H, Rijks JM. Prevalence and predictors of vector-borne pathogens in Dutch roe deer. Parasit Vectors 2022; 15:76. [PMID: 35248157 PMCID: PMC8898454 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-022-05195-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2021] [Accepted: 02/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The main objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of nine vector-borne pathogens or pathogen genera in roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) in the Netherlands, and to identify which host variables predict vector-borne pathogen presence in roe deer. The host variables examined were the four host factors 'age category', 'sex', 'nutritional condition' and 'health status', as well as 'roe deer density'. METHODS From December 2009 to September 2010, blood samples of 461 roe deer were collected and analysed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the presence of genetic material from Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Bartonella spp., Babesia spp., Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (s.l.), Borrelia miyamotoi, Neoehrlichia mikurensis, Rickettsia spp., and epizootic haemorrhagic disease virus (EHDV), and by commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for antibodies against bluetongue virus (BTV). The possible associations of host factors and density with pathogen prevalence and co-infection, and in the case of A. phagocytophilum with bacterial load, were assessed using generalized linear modelling. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION Analysis revealed the following prevalence in roe deer: A. phagocytophilum 77.9%, Bartonella spp. 77.7%, Babesia spp. 17.4%, Rickettsia spp. 3.3%, B. burgdorferi sensu lato 0.2%. Various co-infections were found, of which A. phagocytophilum and Bartonella spp. (49.7% of infected roe deer) and A. phagocytophilum, Bartonella spp. and Babesia spp. (12.2% of infected roe deer) were the most common. Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Babesia spp., and co-infection prevalence were significantly higher in calves than in adult roe deer, whereas the prevalence of Bartonella spp. was lower in roe deer in good nutritional condition than in deer in poor nutritional condition. Local roe deer density was not associated with pathogen presence. The high prevalence of A. phagocytophilum, Bartonella spp., and Babesia spp. is evidence for the role of roe deer as reservoirs for these pathogens. Additionally, the results suggest a supportive role of roe deer in the life-cycle of Rickettsia spp. in the Netherlands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara R. Wijburg
- Dutch Wildlife Health Centre, Department of Biomolecular Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, The Netherlands
| | - Manoj Fonville
- Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, The Netherlands
| | - Arnout de Bruin
- Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, The Netherlands
| | - Piet A. van Rijn
- Department of Virology, Wageningen Bioveterinary Research, Wageningen University and Research, Lelystad, The Netherlands
- Centre for Human Metabolomics, Department of Biochemistry, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa
| | - Margriet G. E. Montizaan
- Dutch Wildlife Health Centre, Department of Biomolecular Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Jan van den Broek
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Hein Sprong
- Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, The Netherlands
| | - Jolianne M. Rijks
- Dutch Wildlife Health Centre, Department of Biomolecular Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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Seasonal patterns and spatial variation of Borrelia burgdorferi (sensu lato) infections in Ixodes ricinus in the Netherlands. Parasit Vectors 2021; 14:121. [PMID: 33627166 PMCID: PMC7905678 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-021-04607-7] [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: 10/29/2020] [Accepted: 01/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The incidence of Lyme borreliosis varies over time and space through as yet incompletely understood mechanisms. In Europe, Lyme borreliosis is caused by infection with a Borrelia burgdorferi (s.l.) genospecies, which is primarily transmitted by a bite of Ixodes ricinus nymphs. The aim of this study was to investigate the spatial and temporal variation in nymphal infection prevalence of B. burgdorferi (s.l.) (NIP), density of questing nymphs (DON) and the resulting density of infected nymphs (DIN). METHODS We investigated the infection rates in I. ricinus nymphs that were collected monthly between 2009 and 2016 in 12 locations in the Netherlands. Using generalized linear mixed models, we explored how the NIP, DON and DIN varied during the seasons, between years and between locations. We also determined the genospecies of the Borrelia infections and investigated whether the genospecies composition differed between locations. RESULTS The overall NIP was 14.7%. A seasonal pattern in infection prevalence was observed, with higher estimated prevalences in the summer than in the spring and autumn. This, combined with higher nymphal densities in summer, resulted in a pronounced summer peak in the estimated DIN. Over the 7.5-year study period, a significant decrease in infection prevalence was found, as well as a significant increase in nymphal density. These two effects appear to cancel each other out; the density of infected nymphs, which is the product of NIP × DON, showed no significant trend over years. Mean infection prevalence (NIP, averaged over all years and all months) varied considerably between locations, ranging from 5 to 26%. Borrelia genospecies composition differed between locations: in some locations almost all infections consisted of B. afzelii, whereas other locations had more diverse genospecies compositions. CONCLUSION In the Netherlands, the summer peak in DIN is a result of peaks in both NIP and DON. No significant trend in DIN was observed over the years of the study, and variations in DIN between locations were mostly a result of the variation in DON. There were considerable differences in acarological risk between areas in terms of infection prevalence and densities of ticks as well as in Borrelia genospecies composition.
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Takumi K, Hofmeester TR, Sprong H. Red and fallow deer determine the density of Ixodes ricinus nymphs containing Anaplasma phagocytophilum. Parasit Vectors 2021; 14:59. [PMID: 33468215 PMCID: PMC7814456 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-020-04567-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2020] [Accepted: 12/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The density of Ixodes ricinus nymphs infected with Anaplasma phagocytophilum is one of the parameters that determines the risk for humans and domesticated animals to contract anaplasmosis. For this, I. ricinus larvae need to take a bloodmeal from free-ranging ungulates, which are competent hosts for A. phagocytophilum. Methods Here, we compared the contribution of four free-ranging ungulate species, red deer (Cervus elaphus), fallow deer (Dama dama), roe deer (Capreolus capreolus), and wild boar (Sus scrofa), to A. phagocytophilum infections in nymphs. We used a combination of camera and live trapping to quantify the relative availability of vertebrate hosts to questing ticks in 19 Dutch forest sites. Additionally, we collected questing I. ricinus nymphs and tested these for the presence of A. phagocytophilum. Furthermore, we explored two potential mechanisms that could explain differences between species: (i) differences in larval burden, which we based on data from published studies, and (ii) differences in associations with other, non-competent hosts. Results Principal component analysis indicated that the density of A. phagocytophilum-infected nymphs (DIN) was higher in forest sites with high availability of red and fallow deer, and to a lesser degree roe deer. Initial results suggest that these differences are not a result of differences in larval burden, but rather differences in associations with other species or other ecological factors. Conclusions These results indicate that the risk for contracting anaplasmosis in The Netherlands is likely highest in the few areas where red and fallow deer are present. Future studies are needed to explore the mechanisms behind this association. Graphical abstract ![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Katsuhisa Takumi
- Centre for Zoonoses and Environmental Microbiology Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, The Netherlands.
| | - Tim R Hofmeester
- Department of Wildlife Fish and Environmental Studies, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Skogsmarksgränd 7, 907 36, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Hein Sprong
- Centre for Zoonoses and Environmental Microbiology Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, The Netherlands
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Gillingham EL, Hall JL, Birtles RJ, Bown KJ, Medlock JM, Smith R, Hansford KM, Warner JC, Dryden M, Pietzsch ME. Study of general practitioner consultations for tick bites at high, medium and low incidence areas for Lyme borreliosis in England and Wales. Zoonoses Public Health 2020; 67:591-599. [PMID: 32159295 DOI: 10.1111/zph.12694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2019] [Revised: 02/05/2020] [Accepted: 02/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Lyme borreliosis (LB) is a tick-borne disease caused by Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato complex. In Europe, it is predominately transmitted by the sheep tick, Ixodes ricinus. Compared with other European countries, the United Kingdom (UK) is considered to have a low incidence of LB, although this varies regionally. To determine whether an association exists between tick bite consultations and LB incidence in the UK, retrospective questionnaires were sent to general practitioners (GPs) in high (Wiltshire), medium (Cumbria) and low (Wales) incidence areas. During 2011, the greatest incidence of consultations for tick bites was reported by GPs in Cumbria (204 consultations per 100,000 inhabitants), followed by Wiltshire (160 per 100,000 population) and Wales (54 per 100,000 population). In Wiltshire and Cumbria, GPs predominantly provided advice on tick removal, whilst Welsh GPs mostly advised patients on tick bite prevention. Focusing on Cumbria during 2011-2013, 72.5% of GPs removed ticks from patients (incidence of 101 consultations per 100,000 population), and more GPs diagnosed LB based on clinical features than laboratory-confirmed diagnoses. To date, this is the first study to investigate the incidence of tick bite consultations and LB in England and Wales.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma L Gillingham
- Medical Entomology and Zoonoses Ecology, Emergency Response Department, Public Health England, Salisbury, UK
| | - Jessica L Hall
- School of Environment and Life Sciences, University of Salford, Salford, UK
| | - Richard J Birtles
- School of Environment and Life Sciences, University of Salford, Salford, UK
| | - Kevin J Bown
- School of Environment and Life Sciences, University of Salford, Salford, UK
| | - Jolyon M Medlock
- Medical Entomology and Zoonoses Ecology, Emergency Response Department, Public Health England, Salisbury, UK.,NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Emerging and Zoonotic Infections, Liverpool, UK
| | | | - Kayleigh M Hansford
- Medical Entomology and Zoonoses Ecology, Emergency Response Department, Public Health England, Salisbury, UK
| | - Jenny C Warner
- NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Emerging and Zoonotic Infections, Liverpool, UK.,Rare and Imported Pathogens Laboratory, Public Health England, Salisbury, UK
| | - Matthew Dryden
- Rare and Imported Pathogens Laboratory, Public Health England, Salisbury, UK.,Department of Microbiology, Royal Hampshire County Hospital, Winchester, UK
| | - Maaike E Pietzsch
- Medical Entomology and Zoonoses Ecology, Emergency Response Department, Public Health England, Salisbury, UK
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10
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Krawczyk AI, van Duijvendijk GLA, Swart A, Heylen D, Jaarsma RI, Jacobs FHH, Fonville M, Sprong H, Takken W. Effect of rodent density on tick and tick-borne pathogen populations: consequences for infectious disease risk. Parasit Vectors 2020; 13:34. [PMID: 31959217 PMCID: PMC6971888 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-020-3902-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2019] [Accepted: 01/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Rodents are considered to contribute strongly to the risk of tick-borne diseases by feeding Ixodes ricinus larvae and by acting as amplifying hosts for pathogens. Here, we tested to what extent these two processes depend on rodent density, and for which pathogen species rodents synergistically contribute to the local disease risk, i.e. the density of infected nymphs (DIN). METHODS In a natural woodland, we manipulated rodent densities in plots of 2500 m2 by either supplementing a critical food source (acorns) or by removing rodents during two years. Untreated plots were used as controls. Collected nymphs and rodent ear biopsies were tested for the presence of seven tick-borne microorganisms. Linear models were used to capture associations between rodents, nymphs, and pathogens. RESULTS Investigation of data from all plots, irrespective of the treatment, revealed a strong positive association between rodent density and nymphal density, nymphal infection prevalence (NIP) with Borrelia afzelii and Neoehrlichia mikurensis, and hence DIN's of these pathogens in the following year. The NIP, but not the DIN, of the bird-associated Borrelia garinii, decreased with increasing rodent density. The NIPs of Borrelia miyamotoi and Rickettsia helvetica were independent of rodent density, and increasing rodent density moderately increased the DINs. In addition, NIPs of Babesia microti and Spiroplasma ixodetis decreased with increasing rodent density, which had a non-linear association with DINs of these microorganisms. CONCLUSIONS A positive density dependence for all rodent- and tick-associated tick-borne pathogens was found, despite the observation that some of them decreased in prevalence. The effects on the DINs were variable among microorganisms, more than likely due to contrasts in their biology (including transmission modes, host specificity and transmission efficiency). The strongest associations were found in rodent-associated pathogens that most heavily rely on horizontal transmission. Our results draw attention to the importance of considering transmission mode of a pathogen while developing preventative measures to successfully reduce the burden of disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleksandra I Krawczyk
- Laboratory of Entomology, Wageningen University and Research Centre, Wageningen, The Netherlands. .,Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Antonie van Leeuwenhoeklaan 9, 3721 MA, Bilthoven, The Netherlands.
| | | | - Arno Swart
- Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Antonie van Leeuwenhoeklaan 9, 3721 MA, Bilthoven, The Netherlands
| | - Dieter Heylen
- Interuniversity Institute for Biostatistics and statistical Bioinformatics, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium.,Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Princeton University, 106A Guyot Ln, Princeton, NJ, 08544, USA
| | - Ryanne I Jaarsma
- Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Antonie van Leeuwenhoeklaan 9, 3721 MA, Bilthoven, The Netherlands
| | - Frans H H Jacobs
- Laboratory of Entomology, Wageningen University and Research Centre, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Manoj Fonville
- Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Antonie van Leeuwenhoeklaan 9, 3721 MA, Bilthoven, The Netherlands
| | - Hein Sprong
- Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Antonie van Leeuwenhoeklaan 9, 3721 MA, Bilthoven, The Netherlands.
| | - Willem Takken
- Laboratory of Entomology, Wageningen University and Research Centre, Wageningen, The Netherlands
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11
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van Gorkom T, Voet W, Sankatsing SUC, Nijhuis CDM, Ter Haak E, Kremer K, Thijsen SFT. Prospective comparison of two enzyme-linked immunosorbent spot assays for the diagnosis of Lyme neuroborreliosis. Clin Exp Immunol 2020; 199:337-356. [PMID: 31665540 PMCID: PMC7008225 DOI: 10.1111/cei.13393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/28/2019] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Commercial cellular tests are used to diagnose Lyme borreliosis (LB), but studies on their clinical validation are lacking. This study evaluated the utility of an in‐house and a commercial enzyme‐linked immunosorbent spot (ELISpot) assay for the diagnosis of Lyme neuroborreliosis (LNB). Prospectively, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were isolated from patients and controls and analysed using an in‐house Borrelia ELISpot assay and the commercial LymeSpot assay. B. burgdorferi B31 whole cell lysate and a mixture of outer surface proteins were used to stimulate the PBMCs and the numbers of interferon‐gamma‐secreting T cells were measured. Results were evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. Eighteen active and 12 treated LNB patients, 10 healthy individuals treated for an early (mostly cutaneous) manifestation of LB in the past and 47 untreated healthy individuals were included. Both assays showed a poor diagnostic performance with sensitivities, specificities, positive and negative predictive values ranging from 44.4–66.7%, 42.0–72.5%, 21.8–33.3% and 80.5–87.0%, respectively. The LymeSpot assay performed equally poorly when the calculation method of the manufacturer was used. Both the in‐house and the LymeSpot assay are unable to diagnose active LNB or to monitor antibiotic treatment success.
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Affiliation(s)
- T van Gorkom
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Diakonessenhuis Hospital, Utrecht, the Netherlands.,Centre for Infectious Diseases Research, Diagnostics and Laboratory Surveillance, Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, the Netherlands
| | - W Voet
- Department of Neurology, Diakonessenhuis Hospital, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - S U C Sankatsing
- Department of Internal Medicine, Diakonessenhuis Hospital, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - C D M Nijhuis
- Centre for Infectious Diseases Research, Diagnostics and Laboratory Surveillance, Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, the Netherlands
| | - E Ter Haak
- Centre for Infectious Diseases Research, Diagnostics and Laboratory Surveillance, Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, the Netherlands
| | - K Kremer
- Centre for Infectious Diseases Research, Diagnostics and Laboratory Surveillance, Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, the Netherlands
| | - S F T Thijsen
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Diakonessenhuis Hospital, Utrecht, the Netherlands
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12
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Impact of vertebrate communities on Ixodes ricinus-borne disease risk in forest areas. Parasit Vectors 2019; 12:434. [PMID: 31492171 PMCID: PMC6731612 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-019-3700-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2019] [Accepted: 09/03/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The density of questing ticks infected with tick-borne pathogens is an important parameter that determines tick-borne disease risk. An important factor determining this density is the availability of different wildlife species as hosts for ticks and their pathogens. Here, we investigated how wildlife communities contribute to tick-borne disease risk. The density of Ixodes ricinus nymphs infected with Borrelia burgdorferi (sensu lato), Borrelia miyamotoi, Neoehrlichia mikurensis and Anaplasma phagocytophilum among 19 forest sites were correlated to the encounter probability of different vertebrate hosts, determined by encounter rates as measured by (camera) trapping and mathematical modeling. Result We found that the density of any tick life stage was proportional to the encounter probability of ungulates. Moreover, the density of nymphs decreased with the encounter probability of hare, rabbit and red fox. The density of nymphs infected with the transovarially-transmitted B. miyamotoi increased with the density of questing nymphs and the encounter probability of bank vole. The density of nymphs infected with all other pathogens increased with the encounter probability of competent hosts: bank vole for Borrelia afzelii and N. mikurensis, ungulates for A. phagocytophilum and blackbird for Borrelia garinii and Borrelia valaisiana. The negative relationship we found was a decrease in the density of nymphs infected with B. garinii and B. valaisiana with the encounter probability of wood mouse. Conclusions Only a few animal species drive the densities of infected nymphs in forested areas. There, foxes and leporids have negative effects on tick abundance, and consequently on the density of infected nymphs. The abundance of competent hosts generally drives the abundances of their tick-borne pathogen. A dilution effect was only observed for bird-associated Lyme spirochetes.![]()
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13
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Díaz P, Remesar S, Venzal JM, Vázquez-López ME, Fernández G, López C, Díez-Baños P, Morrondo P, Panadero R. Occurrence of Borrelia and Borreliella species in Ixodes ricinus collected from roe deer in northwestern Spain. MEDICAL AND VETERINARY ENTOMOLOGY 2019; 33:427-430. [PMID: 30730054 DOI: 10.1111/mve.12364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2018] [Revised: 12/11/2018] [Accepted: 12/19/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Ixodes ricinus, comprising the predominant tick species in Europe, can transmit important human pathogens, including Borreliella spp., the causal agent of Lyme borreliosis. One hundred and seventy five roe deer hunted in two areas (plateau and mountain) of Galicia (northwest Spain) were examined for the presence of ticks; all roe deer were infested by I. ricinus. Nymphs (n = 1000), males (n = 1449) and females (n = 1000) of I. ricinus were analysed in pools of up to 10 ticks to detect both Borreliella and Borrelia DNA. The average number of I. ricinus per roe deer was similar in both areas, regardless of the life stage; although the percentage of Borreliella and Borrelia positive pools was higher in ticks collected from roe deer hunted in the plateau area, no significant differences were detected. Sequence analysis at the flagellin gene allowed the identification of four Borreliella species (Borreliella afzelii, Borreliella garinii, Borreliella lusitaniae and Borreliella valaisiana) and Borrelia miyamotoi in adult males; only B. valaisiana and B. miyamotoi were detected in nymphs and all females were negative. All Borreliella and Borrelia species found in roe deer were previously identified in questing I. ricinus collected in the same study area, although the prevalence was lower in the present study. The analysis of male I. ricinus ticks collected from roe deer gives a good estimation of Borreliella diversity in questing ticks.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Díaz
- Facultad de Veterinaria, Departamento de Patología Animal (Grupo INVESAGA), Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Lugo, Spain
| | - S Remesar
- Facultad de Veterinaria, Departamento de Patología Animal (Grupo INVESAGA), Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Lugo, Spain
| | - J M Venzal
- Laboratorio de Vectores y enfermedades transmitidas, CENUR Litoral Norte, Universidad de la República, Salto, Uruguay
| | - M E Vázquez-López
- Servicio de Pediatría, Hospital Universitario Lucus Augusti, Lugo, Spain
| | - G Fernández
- Facultad de Veterinaria, Departamento de Patología Animal (Grupo INVESAGA), Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Lugo, Spain
| | - C López
- Facultad de Veterinaria, Departamento de Patología Animal (Grupo INVESAGA), Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Lugo, Spain
| | - P Díez-Baños
- Facultad de Veterinaria, Departamento de Patología Animal (Grupo INVESAGA), Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Lugo, Spain
| | - P Morrondo
- Facultad de Veterinaria, Departamento de Patología Animal (Grupo INVESAGA), Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Lugo, Spain
| | - R Panadero
- Facultad de Veterinaria, Departamento de Patología Animal (Grupo INVESAGA), Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Lugo, Spain
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14
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Da Porto A, Battellino M, Colussi G, Di Piazza V, Sechi L. Hiccups and Inappropriate ADH Secretion Syndrome as Presentations of Tick-Borne Disease. Eur J Case Rep Intern Med 2019; 6:001188. [PMID: 31508384 PMCID: PMC6726344 DOI: 10.12890/2019_001188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2019] [Accepted: 07/02/2019] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Tick-borne diseases (Lyme disease and tick-borne encephalitis) are becoming a major public health concern. Rapid and correct diagnosis is crucial for complicated cases but is often delayed because of low suspicion or unusual clinical presentation. In this paper the authors describe two atypical presentations of Lyme disease and tick-borne encephalitis in order to help clinicians resolve diagnostic challenges. LEARNING POINTS Tick -borne diseases canould have atypical presentations.In endemic areas, patients with unexplained and refractory hyponatremiaaemia, should be screened for Lyme disease even in the absence of elevatedion of inflammatory markers or other specific symptoms.Persistent hiccups could be an atypical clinical presentation of tick-borne encephalitis (TBE).
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Vito Di Piazza
- Internal Medicine Department, Tolmezzo Hospital, Tolmezzo, Italy
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15
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Septfons A, Goronflot T, Jaulhac B, Roussel V, De Martino S, Guerreiro S, Launay T, Fournier L, De Valk H, Figoni J, Blanchon T, Couturier E. Epidemiology of Lyme borreliosis through two surveillance systems: the national Sentinelles GP network and the national hospital discharge database, France, 2005 to 2016. Euro Surveill 2019; 24:1800134. [PMID: 30892181 PMCID: PMC6425552 DOI: 10.2807/1560-7917.es.2019.24.11.1800134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Lyme borreliosis (LB) is the most frequent vector-borne disease in France. Since 2009, surveillance of LB is conducted by a sentinel network of general practitioners (GPs). This system, in conjunction with the national hospitalisation database was used to estimate the incidence and describe the characteristics of LB in France. AIM To describe the estimated incidence and trends in GP consultations and hospital admissions for LB in France and identify risk groups and high-incidence regions. RESULTS From 2011 to 2016, the mean yearly incidence rate of LB cases was 53 per 100,000 inhabitants (95% CI: 41-65) ranging from 41 in 2011 to 84 per 100 000 in 2016. A mean of 799 cases per year were hospitalised with LB associated diagnoses 2005-16. The hospitalisation incidence rate (HIR) ranged from 1.1 cases per 100,000 inhabitants in 2005 to 1.5 in 2011 with no statistically significant trend. We observed seasonality with a peak during the summer, important inter-regional variations and a bimodal age distribution in LB incidence and HIR with higher incidence between 5 and 9 year olds and those aged 60 years. Erythema migrans affected 633/667 (95%) of the patients at primary care level. Among hospitalised cases, the most common manifestation was neuroborreliosis 4,906/9,594 (51%). CONCLUSION Public health strategies should focus on high-incidence age groups and regions during the months with the highest incidences and should emphasise prevention measures such as regular tick checks after exposure and prompt removal to avoid infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Septfons
- Santé publique France, Paris, France,European Programme for Intervention Epidemiology Training (EPIET), European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), Stockholm, Sweden
| | - T Goronflot
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, Institut Pierre Louis d’Epidémiologie et de Santé Publique IPLESP, AP-HP, Hôpital Saint Antoine, Paris, France
| | - B Jaulhac
- Early Bacterial Virulence: Lyme borreliosis Group, Université de Strasbourg, CHRU Strasbourg, Fédération de Médecine Translationnelle de Strasbourg, VBP EA 7290, Strasbourg, France,Centre National de Référence des Borrelia, Hôpitaux Universitaires de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - V Roussel
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, Institut Pierre Louis d’Epidémiologie et de Santé Publique IPLESP, AP-HP, Hôpital Saint Antoine, Paris, France
| | - S De Martino
- Early Bacterial Virulence: Lyme borreliosis Group, Université de Strasbourg, CHRU Strasbourg, Fédération de Médecine Translationnelle de Strasbourg, VBP EA 7290, Strasbourg, France,Centre National de Référence des Borrelia, Hôpitaux Universitaires de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - S Guerreiro
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, Institut Pierre Louis d’Epidémiologie et de Santé Publique IPLESP, AP-HP, Hôpital Saint Antoine, Paris, France
| | - T Launay
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, Institut Pierre Louis d’Epidémiologie et de Santé Publique IPLESP, AP-HP, Hôpital Saint Antoine, Paris, France
| | - L Fournier
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, Institut Pierre Louis d’Epidémiologie et de Santé Publique IPLESP, AP-HP, Hôpital Saint Antoine, Paris, France
| | - H De Valk
- Santé publique France, Paris, France
| | - J Figoni
- Santé publique France, Paris, France
| | - T Blanchon
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, Institut Pierre Louis d’Epidémiologie et de Santé Publique IPLESP, AP-HP, Hôpital Saint Antoine, Paris, France
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16
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Hartemink N, van Vliet A, Sprong H, Jacobs F, Garcia-Martí I, Zurita-Milla R, Takken W. Temporal-Spatial Variation in Questing Tick Activity in the Netherlands: The Effect of Climatic and Habitat Factors. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2019; 19:494-505. [PMID: 30810501 DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2018.2369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Longitudinal studies are fundamental in the assessment of the effect of environmental factors on tick population dynamics. In this study, we use data from a 10-year study in 11 different locations in the Netherlands to gauge the effects of climatic and habitat factors on the temporal and spatial variation in questing tick activity. Marked differences in the total number of ticks were found between locations and between years. We investigated which climatic and habitat factors might explain this variation. No effects of climatic factors on the total number of ticks per year were observed, but we found a clear effect of temperature on the onset of tick activity. In addition, we found positive associations between (1) humus layer thickness and densities of all three stages, (2) moss and blackberry abundance and larval densities, and (3) blueberry abundance and densities of larva and nymphs. We conclude that climatic variables do not have a straightforward association with tick density in the Netherlands, but that winter and spring temperatures influence the onset of tick activity. Habitats with apparently similar vegetation types can still differ in tick population densities, indicating that local composition of vegetation and especially of wildlife is likely to contribute considerably to the spatial variation in tick densities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nienke Hartemink
- 1 Biometris, Wageningen University and Research Centre, Wageningen, the Netherlands.,2 Laboratory of Entomology, Wageningen University and Research Centre, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Arnold van Vliet
- 3 Environmental Systems Analysis Group, Wageningen University and Research Centre, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Hein Sprong
- 2 Laboratory of Entomology, Wageningen University and Research Centre, Wageningen, the Netherlands.,4 Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, the Netherlands
| | - Frans Jacobs
- 2 Laboratory of Entomology, Wageningen University and Research Centre, Wageningen, the Netherlands.,5 Centre for Vector Surveillance, Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Irene Garcia-Martí
- 6 Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute, De Bilt, the Netherlands.,7 Faculty of Geo-Information Science and Earth Observation, University of Twente, Enschede, the Netherlands
| | - Raul Zurita-Milla
- 7 Faculty of Geo-Information Science and Earth Observation, University of Twente, Enschede, the Netherlands
| | - Willem Takken
- 2 Laboratory of Entomology, Wageningen University and Research Centre, Wageningen, the Netherlands
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17
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Hofmeester TR, Krawczyk AI, van Leeuwen AD, Fonville M, Montizaan MGE, van den Berge K, Gouwy J, Ruyts SC, Verheyen K, Sprong H. Role of mustelids in the life-cycle of ixodid ticks and transmission cycles of four tick-borne pathogens. Parasit Vectors 2018; 11:600. [PMID: 30458847 PMCID: PMC6245527 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-018-3126-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2018] [Accepted: 09/28/2018] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Elucidating which wildlife species significantly contribute to the maintenance of Ixodes ricinus populations and the enzootic cycles of the pathogens they transmit is imperative in understanding the driving forces behind the emergence of tick-borne diseases. Here, we aimed to quantify the relative contribution of four mustelid species in the life-cycles of I. ricinus and Borrelia burgdorferi (sensu lato) in forested areas and to investigate their role in the transmission of other tick-borne pathogens. Road-killed badgers, pine martens, stone martens and polecats were collected in Belgium and the Netherlands. Their organs and feeding ticks were tested for the presence of tick-borne pathogens. RESULTS Ixodes hexagonus and I. ricinus were found on half of the screened animals (n = 637). Pine martens had the highest I. ricinus burden, whereas polecats had the highest I. hexagonus burden. We detected DNA from B. burgdorferi (s.l.) and Anaplasma phagocytophilum in organs of all four mustelid species (n = 789), and Neoehrlichia mikurensis DNA was detected in all species, except badgers. DNA from B. miyamotoi was not detected in any of the investigated mustelids. From the 15 larvae of I. ricinus feeding on pine martens (n = 44), only one was positive for B. miyamotoi DNA, and all tested negative for B. burgdorferi (s.l.), N. mikurensis and A. phagocytophilum. The two feeding larvae from the investigated polecats (n = 364) and stone martens (n = 39) were negative for all four pathogens. The infection rate of N. mikurensis was higher in feeding nymphs collected from mustelids compared to questing nymphs, but not for B. burgdorferi (s.l.), B. miyamotoi or A. phagocytophilum. CONCLUSIONS Although all stages of I. ricinus can be found on badgers, polecats, pine and stone martens, their relative contribution to the life-cycle of I. ricinus in forested areas is less than 1%. Consequently, the relative contribution of mustelids to the enzootic cycles of I. ricinus-borne pathogens is negligible, despite the presence of these pathogens in organs and feeding ticks. Interestingly, all four mustelid species carried all stages of I. hexagonus, potentially maintaining enzootic cycles of this tick species apart from the cycle involving hedgehogs as main host species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tim R Hofmeester
- Resource Ecology Group, Wageningen University, Wageningen, the Netherlands. .,Present address: Department of Wildlife, Fish, and Environmental Studies, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Skogsmarksgränd 17, 907 36, Umeå, Sweden.
| | - Aleksandra I Krawczyk
- Centre for Zoonoses and Environmental Microbiology, Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, the Netherlands
| | - Arieke Docters van Leeuwen
- Centre for Zoonoses and Environmental Microbiology, Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, the Netherlands
| | - Manoj Fonville
- Centre for Zoonoses and Environmental Microbiology, Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, the Netherlands
| | | | - Koen van den Berge
- Research Institute for Nature and Forest (INBO), Geraardsbergen, Belgium
| | - Jan Gouwy
- Research Institute for Nature and Forest (INBO), Geraardsbergen, Belgium
| | - Sanne C Ruyts
- Forest and Nature Lab, Department of Environment, Ghent University, Geraardsbergsesteenweg 267, 9090, Gontrode, Melle, Belgium
| | - Kris Verheyen
- Forest and Nature Lab, Department of Environment, Ghent University, Geraardsbergsesteenweg 267, 9090, Gontrode, Melle, Belgium
| | - Hein Sprong
- Centre for Zoonoses and Environmental Microbiology, Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, the Netherlands.
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18
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Jaenson TGT, Petersson EH, Jaenson DGE, Kindberg J, Pettersson JHO, Hjertqvist M, Medlock JM, Bengtsson H. The importance of wildlife in the ecology and epidemiology of the TBE virus in Sweden: incidence of human TBE correlates with abundance of deer and hares. Parasit Vectors 2018; 11:477. [PMID: 30153856 PMCID: PMC6114827 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-018-3057-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2017] [Accepted: 08/10/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) is one tick-transmitted disease where the human incidence has increased in some European regions during the last two decades. We aim to find the most important factors causing the increasing incidence of human TBE in Sweden. Based on a review of published data we presume that certain temperature-related variables and the population densities of transmission hosts, i.e. small mammals, and of primary tick maintenance hosts, i.e. cervids and lagomorphs, of the TBE virus vector Ixodes ricinus, are among the potentially most important factors affecting the TBE incidence. Therefore, we compare hunting data of the major tick maintenance hosts and two of their important predators, and four climatic variables with the annual numbers of human cases of neuroinvasive TBE. Data for six Swedish regions where human TBE incidence is high or has recently increased are examined by a time-series analysis. Results from the six regions are combined using a meta-analytical method. Results With a one-year time lag, the roe deer (Capreolus capreolus), red deer (Cervus elaphus), mountain hare (Lepus timidus) and European hare (Lepus europaeus) showed positive covariance; the Eurasian elk (moose, Alces alces) and fallow deer (Dama dama) negative covariance; whereas the wild boar (Sus scrofa), lynx (Lynx lynx), red fox (Vulpes vulpes) and the four climate parameters showed no significant covariance with TBE incidence. All game species combined showed positive covariance. Conclusions The epidemiology of TBE varies with time and geography and depends on numerous factors, i.a. climate, virus genotypes, and densities of vectors, tick maintenance hosts and transmission hosts. This study suggests that the increased availability of deer to I. ricinus over large areas of potential tick habitats in southern Sweden increased the density and range of I. ricinus and created new TBEV foci, which resulted in increased incidence of human TBE. New foci may be established by TBE virus-infected birds, or by birds or migrating mammals infested with TBEV-infected ticks. Generally, persistence of TBE virus foci appears to require presence of transmission-competent small mammals, especially mice (Apodemus spp.) or bank voles (Myodes glareolus). Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13071-018-3057-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas G T Jaenson
- Department of Organismal Biology, Uppsala University, Norbyvägen 18d, SE-752 36, Uppsala, Sweden.
| | - Erik H Petersson
- Department of Aquatic Resources, Division of Freshwater Research, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Stångholmsvägen 2, SE-178 93, Drottningholm, Sweden
| | - David G E Jaenson
- Department of Automatic Control, Lund University, SE-221 00, Lund, Sweden
| | - Jonas Kindberg
- Department of Wildlife, Fish and Environmental Studies, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, SE-901 83, Umeå, Sweden
| | - John H-O Pettersson
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Modelling, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Lovisenberggata 8, N-0456, Oslo, Norway.,Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology (IMBIM), Zoonosis Science Center, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.,Marie Bashir Institute for Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, Charles Perkins Centre, School of Life and Environmental Sciences and Sydney Medical School, the University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, 2006, Australia.,Public Health Agency of Sweden, Nobels väg 18, SE-171 82, Solna, Sweden
| | - Marika Hjertqvist
- Public Health Agency of Sweden, Nobels väg 18, SE-171 82, Solna, Sweden
| | - Jolyon M Medlock
- Medical Entomology Group, Emergency Response Department, Public Health England, Porton Down, Salisbury, UK.,Health Protection Research Unit in Emerging Infections & Zoonoses, Porton Down, Salisbury, UK
| | - Hans Bengtsson
- Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute (SMHI), Gothenburg, Sweden
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Furness RW, Furness EN. Ixodes ricinus parasitism of birds increases at higher winter temperatures. JOURNAL OF VECTOR ECOLOGY : JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY FOR VECTOR ECOLOGY 2018; 43:59-62. [PMID: 29757511 DOI: 10.1111/jvec.12283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2017] [Accepted: 11/19/2017] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Increasing winter temperatures are expected to cause seasonal activity of Ixodes ricinus ticks to extend further into the winter. We caught birds during winter months (November to February) at a site in the west of Scotland over a period of 24 years (1993-1994 to 2016-2017) to quantify numbers of attached I. ricinus and to relate these to monthly mean temperature. No adult ticks were found on any of the 21,731 bird captures, but 946 larvae and nymphs were found, with ticks present in all winter months, on 16 different species of bird hosts. All ticks identified to species were I. ricinus. I. ricinus are now active throughout the year in this area providing temperature permits. No I. ricinus were present in seven out of eight months when the mean temperature was below 3.5º C. Numbers of I. ricinus attached to birds increased rapidly with mean monthly temperatures above 7º C. Winter temperatures in Scotland have been above the long-term average in most years in the last two decades, and this is likely to increase risk of tick-borne disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert W Furness
- College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK
| | - Euan N Furness
- Clare College, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1TL, UK
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Sprong H, Azagi T, Hoornstra D, Nijhof AM, Knorr S, Baarsma ME, Hovius JW. Control of Lyme borreliosis and other Ixodes ricinus-borne diseases. Parasit Vectors 2018; 11:145. [PMID: 29510749 PMCID: PMC5840726 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-018-2744-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2018] [Accepted: 02/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Lyme borreliosis (LB) and other Ixodes ricinus-borne diseases (TBDs) are diseases that emerge from interactions of humans and domestic animals with infected ticks in nature. Nature, environmental and health policies at (inter)national and local levels affect the risk, disease burden and costs of TBDs. Knowledge on ticks, their pathogens and the diseases they cause have been increasing, and resulted in the discovery of a diversity of control options, which often are not highly effective on their own. Control strategies involving concerted actions from human and animal health sectors as well as from nature managers have not been formulated, let alone implemented. Control of TBDs asks for a “health in all policies” approach, both at the (inter)national level, but also at local levels. For example, wildlife protection and creating urban green spaces are important for animal and human well-being, but may increase the risk of TBDs. In contrast, culling or fencing out deer decreases the risk for TBDs under specific conditions, but may have adverse effects on biodiversity or may be societally unacceptable. Therefore, in the end, nature and health workers together must carry out tailor-made control options for the control of TBDs for humans and animals, with minimal effects on the environment. In that regard, multidisciplinary approaches in environmental, but also medical settings are needed. To facilitate this, communication and collaboration between experts from different fields, which may include patient representatives, should be promoted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hein Sprong
- Centre for Zoonoses & Environmental Microbiology, Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, the Netherlands. .,Laboratory of Entomology, Wageningen University and Research Centre, Wageningen, the Netherlands.
| | - Tal Azagi
- Centre for Zoonoses & Environmental Microbiology, Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, the Netherlands
| | - Dieuwertje Hoornstra
- Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Ard M Nijhof
- Institute for Parasitology and Tropical Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Sarah Knorr
- Institute for Parasitology and Tropical Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - M Ewoud Baarsma
- Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Joppe W Hovius
- Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
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21
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Hall JL, Alpers K, Bown KJ, Martin SJ, Birtles RJ. Use of Mass-Participation Outdoor Events to Assess Human Exposure to Tickborne Pathogens. Emerg Infect Dis 2018; 23:463-467. [PMID: 28221107 PMCID: PMC5382723 DOI: 10.3201/eid2303.161397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Mapping the public health threat of tickborne pathogens requires quantification of not only the density of infected host-seeking ticks but also the rate of human exposure to these ticks. To efficiently sample a high number of persons in a short time, we used a mass-participation outdoor event. In June 2014, we sampled ≈500 persons competing in a 2-day mountain marathon run across predominantly tick-infested habitat in Scotland. From the number of tick bites recorded and prevalence of tick infection with Borrelia burgdoferi sensu lato and B. miyamotoi, we quantified the frequency of competitor exposure to the pathogens. Mass-participation outdoor events have the potential to serve as excellent windows for epidemiologic study of tickborne pathogens; their concerted use should improve spatial and temporal mapping of human exposure to infected ticks.
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22
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van der Heijden A, Mulder BC, Poortvliet PM, van Vliet AJH. Social-cognitive determinants of the tick check: a cross-sectional study on self-protective behavior in combatting Lyme disease. BMC Public Health 2017; 17:900. [PMID: 29178900 PMCID: PMC5702127 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-017-4908-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2017] [Accepted: 11/13/2017] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Performing a tick check after visiting nature is considered the most important preventive measure to avoid contracting Lyme disease. Checking the body for ticks after visiting nature is the only measure that can fully guarantee whether one has been bitten by a tick and provides the opportunity to remove the tick as soon as possible, thereby greatly reducing the chance of contracting Lyme disease. However, compliance to performing the tick check is low. In addition, most previous studies on determinants of preventive measures to avoid Lyme disease lack a clear definition and/or operationalization of the term “preventive measures”. Those that do distinguish multiple behaviors including the tick check, fail to describe the systematic steps that should be followed in order to perform the tick check effectively. Hence, the purpose of this study was to identify determinants of systematically performing the tick check, based on social cognitive theory. Methods A cross-sectional self-administered survey questionnaire was filled out online by 508 respondents (Mage = 51.7, SD = 16.0; 50.2% men; 86.4% daily or weekly nature visitors). Bivariate correlations and multivariate regression analyses were conducted to identify associations between socio-cognitive determinants (i.e. concepts related to humans’ intrinsic and extrinsic motivation to perform certain behavior), and the tick check, and between socio-cognitive determinants and proximal goal to do the tick check. Results The full regression model explained 28% of the variance in doing the tick check. Results showed that performing the tick check was associated with proximal goal (β = .23, p < 0.01), self-efficacy (β = .22, p < 0.01), self-evaluative outcome expectations (β = .21, p < 0.01), descriptive norm (β = .16, p < 0.01), and experience (β = .13, p < 0.01). Conclusions Our study is among the first to examine the determinants of systematic performance of the tick check, using an extended version of social cognitive theory to identify determinants. Based on the results, a number of practical recommendations can be made to promote the performance of the tick check. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12889-017-4908-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy van der Heijden
- Strategic Communication Group, Wageningen University, Hollandseweg 1, 6706, KN, Wageningen, The Netherlands. .,Strategic Communication Group, Wageningen University, P.O. Box 8130, 6708, PB, Wageningen, The Netherlands.
| | - Bob C Mulder
- Strategic Communication Group, Wageningen University, Hollandseweg 1, 6706, KN, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - P Marijn Poortvliet
- Strategic Communication Group, Wageningen University, Hollandseweg 1, 6706, KN, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Arnold J H van Vliet
- Environmental Systems Analysis Group, Wageningen University, Droevendaalsesteeg 3, 6708, PB, Wageningen, The Netherlands
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23
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Garcia-Martí I, Zurita-Milla R, van Vliet AJH, Takken W. Modelling and mapping tick dynamics using volunteered observations. Int J Health Geogr 2017; 16:41. [PMID: 29137670 PMCID: PMC5686904 DOI: 10.1186/s12942-017-0114-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2017] [Accepted: 11/01/2017] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Tick populations and tick-borne infections have steadily increased since the mid-1990s posing an ever-increasing risk to public health. Yet, modelling tick dynamics remains challenging because of the lack of data and knowledge on this complex phenomenon. Here we present an approach to model and map tick dynamics using volunteered data. This approach is illustrated with 9 years of data collected by a group of trained volunteers who sampled active questing ticks (AQT) on a monthly basis and for 15 locations in the Netherlands. We aimed at finding the main environmental drivers of AQT at multiple time-scales, and to devise daily AQT maps at the national level for 2014. METHOD Tick dynamics is a complex ecological problem driven by biotic (e.g. pathogens, wildlife, humans) and abiotic (e.g. weather, landscape) factors. We enriched the volunteered AQT collection with six types of weather variables (aggregated at 11 temporal scales), three types of satellite-derived vegetation indices, land cover, and mast years. Then, we applied a feature engineering process to derive a set of 101 features to characterize the conditions that yielded a particular count of AQT on a date and location. To devise models predicting the AQT, we use a time-aware Random Forest regression method, which is suitable to find non-linear relationships in complex ecological problems, and provides an estimation of the most important features to predict the AQT. RESULTS We trained a model capable of fitting AQT with reduced statistical metrics. The multi-temporal study on the feature importance indicates that variables linked to water levels in the atmosphere (i.e. evapotranspiration, relative humidity) consistently showed a higher explanatory power than previous works using temperature. As a product of this study, we are able of mapping daily tick dynamics at the national level. CONCLUSIONS This study paves the way towards the design of new applications in the fields of environmental research, nature management, and public health. It also illustrates how Citizen Science initiatives produce geospatial data collections that can support scientific analysis, thus enabling the monitoring of complex environmental phenomena.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene Garcia-Martí
- Department of Geo-Information Processing (GIP), Faculty of Geo-Information and Earth Observation (ITC), University of Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands
| | - Raúl Zurita-Milla
- Department of Geo-Information Processing (GIP), Faculty of Geo-Information and Earth Observation (ITC), University of Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands
| | - Arnold J. H. van Vliet
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Willem Takken
- Department of Plant Sciences, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands
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24
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Hofmeester TR, Sprong H, Jansen PA, Prins HHT, van Wieren SE. Deer presence rather than abundance determines the population density of the sheep tick, Ixodes ricinus, in Dutch forests. Parasit Vectors 2017; 10:433. [PMID: 28927432 PMCID: PMC5606071 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-017-2370-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2017] [Accepted: 09/08/2017] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Understanding which factors drive population densities of disease vectors is an important step in assessing disease risk. We tested the hypothesis that the density of ticks from the Ixodes ricinus complex, which are important vectors for tick-borne diseases, is determined by the density of deer, as adults of these ticks mainly feed on deer. METHODS We performed a cross-sectional study to investigate I. ricinus density across 20 forest plots in the Netherlands that ranged widely in deer availability to ticks, and performed a deer-exclosure experiment in four pairs of 1 ha forest plots in a separate site. RESULTS Ixodes ricinus from all stages were more abundant in plots with deer (n = 17) than in plots without deer (n = 3). Where deer were present, the density of ticks did not increase with the abundance of deer. Experimental exclosure of deer reduced nymph density by 66% and adult density by 32% within a timeframe of two years. CONCLUSIONS In this study, deer presence rather than abundance explained the density of I. ricinus. This is in contrast to previous studies and might be related to the relatively high host-species richness in Dutch forests. This means that reduction of the risk of acquiring a tick bite would require the complete elimination of deer in species rich forests. The fact that small exclosures (< 1 ha) substantially reduced I. ricinus densities suggests that fencing can be used to reduce tick-borne disease risk in areas with high recreational pressure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tim R. Hofmeester
- Resource Ecology Group, Wageningen University, Droevendaalsesteeg 3a, 6708PB Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Hein Sprong
- Centre for Infectious Disease Control Netherlands, National Institute for Public Health and Environment, Antonie van Leeuwenhoeklaan 9, 3721 MA Bilthoven, The Netherlands
| | - Patrick A. Jansen
- Resource Ecology Group, Wageningen University, Droevendaalsesteeg 3a, 6708PB Wageningen, The Netherlands
- Center for Tropical Forest Science, Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Balboa, Ancon, Republic of Panama
| | - Herbert H. T. Prins
- Resource Ecology Group, Wageningen University, Droevendaalsesteeg 3a, 6708PB Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Sipke E. van Wieren
- Resource Ecology Group, Wageningen University, Droevendaalsesteeg 3a, 6708PB Wageningen, The Netherlands
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25
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Bajer A, Rodo A, Alsarraf M, Dwużnik D, Behnke JM, Mierzejewska EJ. Abundance of the tick Dermacentor reticulatus in an ecosystem of abandoned meadows: Experimental intervention and the critical importance of mowing. Vet Parasitol 2017; 246:70-75. [PMID: 28969783 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2017.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2017] [Revised: 08/27/2017] [Accepted: 09/01/2017] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
The effect of agricultural activities on the environment has been falling in many areas of Europe in recent years and the associated abandonment of crop fields, meadows and pastures may enable an increase in tick densities. In the present study we assessed whether regular mowing would have a negative effect on Dermacentor reticulatus populations and whether the cessation of regular mowing would cause an increase in abundance of D. reticulatus ticks. Two field experiments were conducted during a five-year period (2012-2016) in the Mazowieckie (Mazovia) region of Central Poland. Experiment 1: The long-term effect of mowing on tick population was tested in the meadow ecosystem of Stoski, an old fallow land plot that was mowed three times a year. Experiment 2: Neglecting the cultivation by abandonment of arable land was evaluated in Kury village. Four areas (2 experimental 'fallow lands', 2 control meadows) were selected. The first fallow land plot was a fenced off area comprising mostly of a horse pasture and the second fallow land plot was designated in an old abandoned orchard. At each site, ticks were collected in consecutive springs and autumns by dragging at least twice during each season from experimental and control areas. Altogether 1452 D. reticulatus ticks were collected and their densities were compared by multifactorial ANOVA. In the end of the first experiment, a significant decrease (6 times) in tick abundance was observed in the mowed area in comparison to old fallow land. In the end of the second experiment, tick abundance was three times higher in the experimental fallow lands in comparison to the control meadows. In conclusion it was found that regular mowing significantly reduced the density of questing D. reticulatus ticks in open areas. Cessation of mowing may enhance the number of ticks and the associated risk of acquiring tick-borne diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Bajer
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Zoology, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, 1 Miecznikowa Street, 02-096, Warsaw, Poland.
| | - Anna Rodo
- Department of Pathology and Veterinary Diagnostics, Warsaw University of Life Sciences-SGGW, 159c Nowoursynowska Street, 02-766, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Mohammed Alsarraf
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Zoology, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, 1 Miecznikowa Street, 02-096, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Dorota Dwużnik
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Zoology, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, 1 Miecznikowa Street, 02-096, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Jerzy M Behnke
- School of Life Sciences, University Park, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK
| | - Ewa J Mierzejewska
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Zoology, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, 1 Miecznikowa Street, 02-096, Warsaw, Poland
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26
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Ruyts SC, Tack W, Ampoorter E, Coipan EC, Matthysen E, Heylen D, Sprong H, Verheyen K. Year-to-year variation in the density of Ixodes ricinus ticks and the prevalence of the rodent-associated human pathogens Borrelia afzelii and B. miyamotoi in different forest types. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2017; 9:141-145. [PMID: 28869190 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2017.08.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2017] [Revised: 08/16/2017] [Accepted: 08/18/2017] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The human pathogens Borrelia afzelii, which causes Lyme borreliosis and B. miyamotoi, which causes relapsing fever, both circulate between Ixodes ricinus ticks and rodents. The spatiotemporal dynamics in the prevalence of these pathogens have not yet been fully elucidated, but probably depend on the spatiotemporal population dynamics of small rodents. We aimed to evaluate the effect of different forest types on the density of infected nymphs in different years and to obtain more knowledge about the spatial and temporal patterns of ticks and tick-borne pathogens. We analysed unfed nymphal ticks from 22 stands of four different forest types in Belgium in 2009, 2010, 2013 and 2014 and found that the density of nymphs in general and the density of nymphs infected with B. afzelii and B. miyamotoi varied yearly, but without temporal variation in the infection prevalence. The yearly variation in density of infected nymphs in our study thus seems to be caused most by the variation in the density of nymphs, which makes it a good predictor of disease risk. The risk for rodent-associated tick-borne diseases also varied between forest types. We stress the need to elucidate the contribution of the host community composition to tick-borne disease risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanne C Ruyts
- Forest & Nature Lab, Department of Forest and Water Management, Ghent University, Geraardsbergsesteenweg 267, 9090, Melle-Gontrode, Belgium.
| | - Wesley Tack
- Avia-GIS NV, Risschotlei 33, 2980 Zoersel, Belgium.
| | - Evy Ampoorter
- Forest & Nature Lab, Department of Forest and Water Management, Ghent University, Geraardsbergsesteenweg 267, 9090, Melle-Gontrode, Belgium.
| | - Elena C Coipan
- Wageningen University and Research, Plant Sciences Group, Bio-interactions and Plant Health Business Unit, P.O. Box 16, 6700 AA Wageningen, The Netherlands.
| | - Erik Matthysen
- Evolutionary Ecology Group, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020 Antwerp, Belgium.
| | - Dieter Heylen
- Evolutionary Ecology Group, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020 Antwerp, Belgium.
| | - Hein Sprong
- Centre for Infectious Disease Control Netherlands, National Institute for Public Health and Environment, P.O. Box 1, 3720 BA, Bilthoven, The Netherlands.
| | - Kris Verheyen
- Forest & Nature Lab, Department of Forest and Water Management, Ghent University, Geraardsbergsesteenweg 267, 9090, Melle-Gontrode, Belgium.
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27
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Hansford KM, Fonville M, Gillingham EL, Coipan EC, Pietzsch ME, Krawczyk AI, Vaux AG, Cull B, Sprong H, Medlock JM. Ticks and Borrelia in urban and peri-urban green space habitats in a city in southern England. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2017; 8:353-361. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2016.12.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2016] [Revised: 12/16/2016] [Accepted: 12/18/2016] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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28
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Eisen L, Gray JS. 29. Lyme borreliosis prevention strategies: United States versus Europe. ECOLOGY AND CONTROL OF VECTOR-BORNE DISEASES 2016. [DOI: 10.3920/978-90-8686-838-4_29] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Lars Eisen
- Division of Vector-Borne Diseases, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 3156 Rampart Road, Fort Collins, CO 80521, USA
| | - Jeremy S. Gray
- UCD School of Biology and Environmental Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Republic of Ireland
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29
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Affiliation(s)
- Fedor Gassner
- Gassner Biological Risk Consultancy, Jachthoeve 22, 3992 NV Houten, the Netherlands
| | - Kayleigh M. Hansford
- Medical Entomology & Zoonoses Ecology, Emergency Response Department – Science & Technology, Health Protection Directorate, Public Health England, Porton Down, Salisbury, Wiltshire SP4 0JG, United Kingdom
- NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Environmental Change and Health, Porton Down, Salisbury, Wiltshire SP4 0JG, United Kingdom
| | - Jolyon M. Medlock
- Medical Entomology & Zoonoses Ecology, Emergency Response Department – Science & Technology, Health Protection Directorate, Public Health England, Porton Down, Salisbury, Wiltshire SP4 0JG, United Kingdom
- NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Environmental Change and Health, Porton Down, Salisbury, Wiltshire SP4 0JG, United Kingdom
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Ragagli C, Mannelli A, Ambrogi C, Bisanzio D, Ceballos LA, Grego E, Martello E, Selmi M, Tomassone L. Presence of host-seeking Ixodes ricinus and their infection with Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato in the Northern Apennines, Italy. EXPERIMENTAL & APPLIED ACAROLOGY 2016; 69:167-78. [PMID: 26964552 DOI: 10.1007/s10493-016-0030-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2015] [Accepted: 02/28/2016] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Host-seeking ticks were collected in the Northern Apennines, Italy, by dragging at 35 sites, at altitudes ranging from 680 and 1670 m above sea level (asl), from April to November, in 2010 and 2011. Ixodes ricinus (4431 larvae, 597 nymphs and 12 adults) and Haemaphysalis punctata (11,209 larvae, 313 nymphs, and 25 adults) were the most abundant species, followed by Haemaphysalis sulcata (20 larvae, five nymphs, and 13 adults), Dermacentor marginatus (42 larvae and two adults) and Ixodes hexagonus (one nymph). Greatest numbers of ticks were collected at locations characterised by southern exposure and limestone substratum, at altitudes <1400 m asl; I. ricinus was most abundant in Turkey oak (Quercus cerris) wood, whereas H. punctata was mostly collected in hop hornbeam (Ostrya carpinifolia) wood and on exposed rocks. Ixodes ricinus was also found up to 1670 m asl, in high stand beech (Fagus sylvatica) wood. The overall prevalence of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (sl) in 294 host-seeking I. ricinus nymphs was 8.5 %. Borrelia garinii was the most frequently identified genospecies (64.0 % of positive nymphs), followed by B. valaisiana, B. burgdorferi sensu stricto, B. afzelii, and B. lusitaniae. Based upon the comparison with the results of previous studies at the same location, these research findings suggest the recent invasion of the study area by the tick vector and the agents of Lyme borreliosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte Ragagli
- Ufficio Territoriale per la Biodiversità, Corpo Forestale dello Stato, Lucca, Italy
| | - Alessandro Mannelli
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Università degli Studi di Torino, Largo P. Braccini, 2, 10095, Grugliasco, Turin, Italy.
| | - Cecilia Ambrogi
- Ufficio Territoriale per la Biodiversità, Corpo Forestale dello Stato, Lucca, Italy
| | | | - Leonardo A Ceballos
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria e Val d'Aosta, Turin, Italy
| | - Elena Grego
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Università degli Studi di Torino, Largo P. Braccini, 2, 10095, Grugliasco, Turin, Italy
| | - Elisa Martello
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Università degli Studi di Torino, Largo P. Braccini, 2, 10095, Grugliasco, Turin, Italy
| | - Marco Selmi
- Osservatorio Permanente per Patologie a trasmissione Vettoriale, ASL2, Lucca, Italy
| | - Laura Tomassone
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Università degli Studi di Torino, Largo P. Braccini, 2, 10095, Grugliasco, Turin, Italy
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31
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Hofhuis A, Bennema S, Harms M, van Vliet AJH, Takken W, van den Wijngaard CC, van Pelt W. Decrease in tick bite consultations and stabilization of early Lyme borreliosis in the Netherlands in 2014 after 15 years of continuous increase. BMC Public Health 2016; 16:425. [PMID: 27216719 PMCID: PMC4877959 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-016-3105-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2015] [Accepted: 05/14/2016] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Nationwide surveys have shown a threefold increase in general practitioner (GP) consultations for tick bites and early Lyme borreliosis from 1994 to 2009 in the Netherlands. We now report an update on 2014, with identical methods as for the preceding GP surveys. METHODS To all GPs in the Netherlands, a postal questionnaire was sent inquiring about the number of consultations for tick bites and erythema migrans diagnoses (most common manifestation of early Lyme borreliosis) in 2014, and the size of their practice populations. RESULTS Contrasting to the previously rising incidence of consultations for tick bites between 1994 and 2009, the incidence decreased in 2014 to 488 consultations for tick bites per 100,000 inhabitants, i.e., 82,000 patients nationwide. This survey revealed a first sign of stabilization of the previously rising trend in GP diagnosed erythema migrans, with 140 diagnoses per 100,000 inhabitants of the Netherlands. This equals about 23,500 annual diagnoses of erythema migrans nationwide in 2014. CONCLUSIONS In contrast to the constantly rising incidence of GP consultations for tick bites and erythema migrans diagnoses in the Netherlands between 1994 and 2009, the current survey of 2014 showed a first sign of stabilization of erythema migrans diagnoses and a decreased incidence for tick bite consultations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agnetha Hofhuis
- Epidemiology and surveillance unit, Centre for Infectious Disease Control Netherlands, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, The Netherlands.
| | - Sita Bennema
- Epidemiology and surveillance unit, Centre for Infectious Disease Control Netherlands, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, The Netherlands
| | - Margriet Harms
- Epidemiology and surveillance unit, Centre for Infectious Disease Control Netherlands, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, The Netherlands
| | - Arnold J H van Vliet
- Environmental Systems Analysis Group, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Willem Takken
- Laboratory of Entomology, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Cees C van den Wijngaard
- Epidemiology and surveillance unit, Centre for Infectious Disease Control Netherlands, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, The Netherlands
| | - Wilfrid van Pelt
- Epidemiology and surveillance unit, Centre for Infectious Disease Control Netherlands, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, The Netherlands
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Hartemink N, Takken W. Trends in tick population dynamics and pathogen transmission in emerging tick-borne pathogens in Europe: an introduction. EXPERIMENTAL & APPLIED ACAROLOGY 2016; 68:269-78. [PMID: 26782278 DOI: 10.1007/s10493-015-0003-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/10/2015] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Nienke Hartemink
- Theoretical Ecology group, Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics, University of Amsterdam, 1098 XH, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - Willem Takken
- Laboratory of Entomology, Wageningen University and Research Centre, PO Box 8031, 6700 EH, Wageningen, The Netherlands
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Silaghi C, Beck R, Oteo JA, Pfeffer M, Sprong H. Neoehrlichiosis: an emerging tick-borne zoonosis caused by Candidatus Neoehrlichia mikurensis. EXPERIMENTAL & APPLIED ACAROLOGY 2016; 68:279-97. [PMID: 26081117 DOI: 10.1007/s10493-015-9935-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2015] [Accepted: 05/27/2015] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
Candidatus Neoehrlichia mikurensis is an emerging tick-borne pathogen causing a systemic inflammatory syndrome mostly in persons with underlying hematologic or autoimmune diseases. As it is neither well-known nor well-recognized, it might be misdiagnosed as recurrence of the underlying disease or as an unrelated arteriosclerotic vascular event. The pathogen is transmitted by hard ticks of the genus Ixodes and is closely associated with rodents in which transplacental transmission occurs. Transovarial transmission in ticks has not yet been shown. Infection rates vary greatly in ticks and rodents, but the causes for its spatiotemporal variations are largely unknown. This review summarizes the current state of knowledge on the geographical distribution and clinical importance of Ca. N. mikurensis. By elucidating the life history traits of this pathogen and determining more accurately its incidence in the human population, a better assessment of its public health relevance can be made. Most urgent research needs are the in vitro-cultivation of the pathogen, the development of specific serological tests, the determination of the full genomic sequence, the routine implementation of molecular diagnosis in diseased patients with a particular panel of underlying diseases, and promoting the knowledge about neoehrlichiosis among general practitioners, hospital physicians and the risk groups such as forest workers or immune-compromised people to raise awareness about this disease that can easily be treated when correctly diagnosed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cornelia Silaghi
- National Center for Vector Entomology, Institute of Parasitology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 266a, 8057, Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - Relja Beck
- Department for Bacteriology and Parasitology, Croatian Veterinary Institute, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - José A Oteo
- Center of Rickettsiosis and Arthropod-borne Diseases, Hospital San Pedro-Center of Biomedical Research of La Rioja, Logroño, Spain
| | - Martin Pfeffer
- Institute for Animal Hygiene and Veterinary Public Health, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Hein Sprong
- Laboratory for Zoonoses and Environmental Microbiology, National Institute of Public Health and Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, The Netherlands
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Bleyenheuft C, Lernout T, Berger N, Rebolledo J, Leroy M, Robert A, Quoilin S. Epidemiological situation of Lyme borreliosis in Belgium, 2003 to 2012. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2015; 73:33. [PMID: 26146553 PMCID: PMC4490618 DOI: 10.1186/s13690-015-0079-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2015] [Accepted: 05/05/2015] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Background Some studies show that the incidence of Lyme borreliosis is increasing in different European countries. In order to evaluate if this is also the case in Belgium, different data sources were consulted to describe the epidemiology of Lyme borreliosis in the country during the last decade. Methods Data from two databases were analyzed for the time period 2003–2010 and 2003–2012 for respectively: the registration of minimal clinical data from Belgian hospitals (principal and secondary diagnosis), and a sentinel laboratory network reporting positive laboratory results. Results The number of hospitalized cases per year remained stable between 2003 and 2010, ranging from 970 (in 2008) to 1453 (in 2006), with a median of 1132.5 cases per year. Between 2003 and 2012, yearly fluctuations in the number of positive tests were reported by the sentinel laboratory network (with a minimum of 996 positive tests in 2007 and a maximum of 1651 positive tests in 2005), but there is no increasing trend over the study period (median = 1200.5 positive tests per year). The highest incidence rates of hospitalization and the highest reported incidence of positive laboratory results are registered in the provinces of Luxemburg, Limburg, Flemish Brabant and Antwerp, with a typical seasonal pattern (peak in September). The age groups affected most are those from 5 to 14 years and 45 to 69. Conclusion Based on hospital records and laboratory results, no increasing trend in Lyme disease was observed over the 2003–2012 period in Belgium. These results are in line with the stable incidence of erythema migrans reported by a sentinel network of general practitionners between 2003 and 2009. Multi-source surveillance of vector-borne diseases should be further implemented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Corinne Bleyenheuft
- WIV-ISP (Scientific Institute of Public Health), Rue Juliette Wytsmanstraat, 14, 1050 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Tinne Lernout
- WIV-ISP (Scientific Institute of Public Health), Rue Juliette Wytsmanstraat, 14, 1050 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Nicolas Berger
- WIV-ISP (Scientific Institute of Public Health), Rue Juliette Wytsmanstraat, 14, 1050 Brussels, Belgium ; Department of Social and Environmental Health Research, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, 15-17 Tavistock Place, London, WC1H 9SH UK
| | - Javiera Rebolledo
- WIV-ISP (Scientific Institute of Public Health), Rue Juliette Wytsmanstraat, 14, 1050 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Mathias Leroy
- WIV-ISP (Scientific Institute of Public Health), Rue Juliette Wytsmanstraat, 14, 1050 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Annie Robert
- Université catholique de Louvain - Brussels Campus, Institut de recherche expérimentale et clinique, Pôle de recherche Épidémiologie et Biostatistique, Public Health School -IREC-EPID B1.30.13, Clos chapelle aux champs 30, 1200 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Sophie Quoilin
- WIV-ISP (Scientific Institute of Public Health), Rue Juliette Wytsmanstraat, 14, 1050 Brussels, Belgium
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Takumi K, Cacciò SM, van der Giessen J, Xiao L, Sprong H. Hypothesis: Cryptosporidium genetic diversity mirrors national disease notification rate. Parasit Vectors 2015; 8:308. [PMID: 26048280 PMCID: PMC4460647 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-015-0921-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2014] [Accepted: 05/28/2015] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Cryptosporidiosis is a gastrointestinal disease affecting many people worldwide. Disease incidence is often unknown and surveillance of human cryptosporidiosis is installed in only a handful of developed countries. A genetic marker that mirrors disease incidence is potentially a powerful tool for monitoring the two primary human infected species of Cryptosporidium. Methods We used the molecular epidemiological database with Cryptosporidium isolates from ZoopNet, which currently contains more than 1400 records with their sampling nations, and the names of the host species from which the isolates were obtained. Based on 296 C. hominis and 195 C. parvum GP60 sequences from human origin, the genetic diversities of Cryptosporidium was estimated for several nations. Notified cases of human cryptosporidiosis were collected from statistics databases for only four nations. Results Genetic diversities of C. hominis were estimated in 10 nations in 5 continents, and that of C. parvum of human origin were estimated in 15 nations. Correlation with reported incidence of human cryptosporidiosis in four nations (the Netherlands, United States, United Kingdom and Australia) was positive and significant. A linear model for testing the relationship between the genetic diversity and incidence produced a significantly positive estimate for the slope (P-value < 0.05). Conclusions The hypothesis that genetic diversity at GP60 locus mirrors notification rates of human cryptosporidiosis was not rejected based on the data presented. Genetic diversity of C. hominis and C. parvum may therefore be an independent and complementary measure for quantifying disease incidence, for which only a moderate number of stool samples from each nation are sufficient data input.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katsuhisa Takumi
- Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), P.O. Box 1, Bilthoven, 3720, The Netherlands.
| | - Simone M Cacciò
- Department of Infectious, Parasitic and Immunomediated Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy.
| | - Joke van der Giessen
- Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), P.O. Box 1, Bilthoven, 3720, The Netherlands.
| | - Lihua Xiao
- Division of Foodborne, Waterborne and Environmental Diseases, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, USA.
| | - Hein Sprong
- Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), P.O. Box 1, Bilthoven, 3720, The Netherlands.
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Abstract
Lyme disease/borreliosis (LD) is a well-known arthropod-transmitted entity in the northern hemisphere. The incidence of LD is reportedly rising throughout the world, although better diagnostic facilities may be contributory. The disease distribution is expanding in Europe, with its presence being now documented at higher altitudes and latitudes. Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato is the most important genospecies leading to LD, although newer ones continue to be discovered. The variations in clinical spectrum with genospecies involved are an interesting feature. The alteration in gene expression while the organism cycles between two very different hosts is intriguing and has been described. The disease presents in three stages-namely, the early localized, early disseminated, and late stage. Erythema chronicum migrans is the pathognomic early lesion, and its diagnosis is purely clinical; however, laboratory diagnosis is essential for later manifestations. Two-tier serologic testing using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) as the first tier and immunoglobulin M (IgM) and IgG immunoblot as the second, if ELISA is positive or equivocal, is the mainstay of diagnosis. Doxycycline is the cornerstone of treatment, whereas parenteral therapy, mainly with ceftriaxone, is indicated in a few specific scenarios.
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Affiliation(s)
- Virendra N Sehgal
- Dermato-Venereology (Skin/VD) Center, Sehgal Nursing Home, A/6 Panchwati, Delhi, 110 033, India.
| | - Ananta Khurana
- Department of Dermatology, 1 Dr RML Hospital and Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and research (PGIMER), New Delhi
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37
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Braks M, Medlock JM, Hubalek Z, Hjertqvist M, Perrin Y, Lancelot R, Duchyene E, Hendrickx G, Stroo A, Heyman P, Sprong H. Vector-borne disease intelligence: strategies to deal with disease burden and threats. Front Public Health 2014; 2:280. [PMID: 25566522 PMCID: PMC4273637 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2014.00280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2014] [Accepted: 12/01/2014] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Owing to the complex nature of vector-borne diseases (VBDs), whereby monitoring of human case patients does not suffice, public health authorities experience challenges in surveillance and control of VBDs. Knowledge on the presence and distribution of vectors and the pathogens that they transmit is vital to the risk assessment process to permit effective early warning, surveillance, and control of VBDs. Upon accepting this reality, public health authorities face an ever-increasing range of possible surveillance targets and an associated prioritization process. Here, we propose a comprehensive approach that integrates three surveillance strategies: population-based surveillance, disease-based surveillance, and context-based surveillance for EU member states to tailor the best surveillance strategy for control of VBDs in their geographic region. By classifying the surveillance structure into five different contexts, we hope to provide guidance in optimizing surveillance efforts. Contextual surveillance strategies for VBDs entail combining organization and data collection approaches that result in disease intelligence rather than a preset static structure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marieta Braks
- Centre for Zoonoses and Environmental Microbiology, Netherlands National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, Netherlands
| | - Jolyon M. Medlock
- Medical Entomology Group, MRA, Emergency Response Department, Public Health England, Salisbury, UK
| | - Zdenek Hubalek
- Medical Zoology Laboratory, Institute of Vertebrate Biology, Academy of Sciences, v.v.i., Brno, Czech Republic
- Faculty of Science, Department of Experimental Biology, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Marika Hjertqvist
- Public Health Agency of Sweden (Folkhälsomyndigheten), Solna, Sweden
| | - Yvon Perrin
- Centre National d’Expertise sur les Vecteurs, Centre IRD de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Renaud Lancelot
- CIRAD, UMR CMAEE, Montpellier, France
- INRA, UMR CMAEE 1309, Montpellier, France
| | | | | | - Arjan Stroo
- Centre for Monitoring of Vectors, Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NWVA), Wageningen, Netherlands
| | - Paul Heyman
- Research Laboratory for Vector-Borne Diseases, Queen Astrid Military Hospital, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Hein Sprong
- Centre for Zoonoses and Environmental Microbiology, Netherlands National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, Netherlands
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Swart A, Ibañez-Justicia A, Buijs J, van Wieren SE, Hofmeester TR, Sprong H, Takumi K. Predicting tick presence by environmental risk mapping. Front Public Health 2014; 2:238. [PMID: 25505781 PMCID: PMC4244977 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2014.00238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2014] [Accepted: 10/29/2014] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Public health statistics recorded an increasing trend in the incidence of tick bites and erythema migrans (EM) in the Netherlands. We investigated whether the disease incidence could be predicted by a spatially explicit categorization model, based on environmental factors and a training set of tick absence–presence data. Presence and absence of Ixodes ricinus were determined by the blanket-dragging method at numerous sites spread over the Netherlands. The probability of tick presence on a 1 km by 1 km square grid was estimated from the field data using a satellite-based methodology. Expert elicitation was conducted to provide a Bayesian prior per landscape type. We applied a linear model to test for a linear relationship between incidence of EM consultations by general practitioners in the Netherlands and the estimated probability of tick presence. Ticks were present at 252 distinct sampling coordinates and absent at 425. Tick presence was estimated for 54% of the total land cover. Our model has predictive power for tick presence in the Netherlands, tick-bite incidence per municipality correlated significantly with the average probability of tick presence per grid. The estimated intercept of the linear model was positive and significant. This indicates that a significant fraction of the tick-bite consultations could be attributed to the I. ricinus population outside the resident municipality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arno Swart
- Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment , Bilthoven , Netherlands
| | | | - Jan Buijs
- Public Health Service of Amsterdam , Amsterdam , Netherlands
| | - Sip E van Wieren
- Resource Ecology Group, Wageningen University and Research Centre , Wageningen , Netherlands
| | - Tim R Hofmeester
- Resource Ecology Group, Wageningen University and Research Centre , Wageningen , Netherlands
| | - Hein Sprong
- Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment , Bilthoven , Netherlands
| | - Katsuhisa Takumi
- Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment , Bilthoven , Netherlands
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Hofhuis A, Harms M, van den Wijngaard C, Sprong H, van Pelt W. Continuing increase of tick bites and Lyme disease between 1994 and 2009. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2014; 6:69-74. [PMID: 25448421 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2014.09.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2014] [Revised: 09/22/2014] [Accepted: 09/22/2014] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Nationwide cross-sectional retrospective studies have shown a continuous increase in general practitioner (GP) consultations for tick bites and diagnoses of erythema migrans between 1994 and 2005 in the Netherlands. In this paper, we report incidence estimates for GP consultations for tick bites and erythema migrans diagnoses in 2009, and we compare the observed increase in GP consultations to reports of tick bites in two retrospective cross-sectional surveys of the general population. METHODS All GPs in the Netherlands were asked to complete a postal questionnaire on the number of consultations for tick bites and erythema migrans diagnoses in 2009, and the size of their practice populations. To investigate how the incidence of GP consultation rates for tick bites and erythema migrans relate to the incidence of tick bites in the general population, questionnaire data on tick bites were analyzed from two large population surveys conducted to evaluate the national immunization program in 1995/1996 and 2006/2007. RESULTS The 2009 GP survey revealed a further increase, to 564 tick bite consultations per 100,000 inhabitants, and 134 erythema migrans diagnoses per 100,000 inhabitants of the Netherlands. The two population surveys from 1995/1996 and 2006/2007 exhibited an almost twofold increase of the incidence of tick bites in the general population from 4099 per 100,000 population in 1996, to 7198 per 100,000 population in 2007. People nationwide noticed approximately 1.1 million tick bites in 2007. CONCLUSIONS Our observation of increases in GP consultations for tick bites and erythema migrans diagnoses between 1994 and 2009 are confirmed by the parallel increase of tick bites reported by the general population, although consultation rates slightly increased. For every sixty tick bites in the general population in 2007, we observed one GP consult for erythema migrans. The increase in tick bites poses a progressive threat to public health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agnetha Hofhuis
- Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit, Centre for Infectious Disease Control Netherlands, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, The Netherlands.
| | - Margriet Harms
- Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit, Centre for Infectious Disease Control Netherlands, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, The Netherlands
| | - Cees van den Wijngaard
- Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit, Centre for Infectious Disease Control Netherlands, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, The Netherlands
| | - Hein Sprong
- Laboratory for Zoonoses and Environmental Microbiology, Centre for Infectious Disease Control Netherlands, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, The Netherlands
| | - Wilfrid van Pelt
- Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit, Centre for Infectious Disease Control Netherlands, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, The Netherlands
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Jahfari S, Coipan EC, Fonville M, van Leeuwen AD, Hengeveld P, Heylen D, Heyman P, van Maanen C, Butler CM, Földvári G, Szekeres S, van Duijvendijk G, Tack W, Rijks JM, van der Giessen J, Takken W, van Wieren SE, Takumi K, Sprong H. Circulation of four Anaplasma phagocytophilum ecotypes in Europe. Parasit Vectors 2014; 7:365. [PMID: 25127547 PMCID: PMC4153903 DOI: 10.1186/1756-3305-7-365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 191] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2014] [Accepted: 07/27/2014] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Anaplasma phagocytophilum is the etiological agent of granulocytic anaplasmosis in humans and animals. Wild animals and ticks play key roles in the enzootic cycles of the pathogen. Potential ecotypes of A. phagocytophilum have been characterized genetically, but their host range, zoonotic potential and transmission dynamics has only incompletely been resolved. METHODS The presence of A. phagocytophilum DNA was determined in more than 6000 ixodid ticks collected from the vegetation and wildlife, in 289 tissue samples from wild and domestic animals, and 69 keds collected from deer, originating from various geographic locations in The Netherlands and Belgium. From the qPCR-positive lysates, a fragment of the groEL-gene was amplified and sequenced. Additional groEL sequences from ticks and animals from Europe were obtained from GenBank, and sequences from human cases were obtained through literature searches. Statistical analyses were performed to identify A. phagocytophilum ecotypes, to assess their host range and their zoonotic potential. The population dynamics of A. phagocytophilum ecotypes was investigated using population genetic analyses. RESULTS DNA of A. phagocytophilum was present in all stages of questing and feeding Ixodes ricinus, feeding I. hexagonus, I. frontalis, I. trianguliceps, and deer keds, but was absent in questing I. arboricola and Dermacentor reticulatus. DNA of A. phagocytophilum was present in feeding ticks and tissues from many vertebrates, including roe deer, mouflon, red foxes, wild boar, sheep and hedgehogs but was rarely found in rodents and birds and was absent in badgers and lizards. Four geographically dispersed A. phagocytophilum ecotypes were identified, that had significantly different host ranges. All sequences from human cases belonged to only one of these ecotypes. Based on population genetic parameters, the potentially zoonotic ecotype showed significant expansion. CONCLUSION Four ecotypes of A. phagocytophilum with differential enzootic cycles were identified. So far, all human cases clustered in only one of these ecotypes. The zoonotic ecotype has the broadest range of wildlife hosts. The expansion of the zoonotic A. phagocytophilum ecotype indicates a recent increase of the acarological risk of exposure of humans and animals.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Hein Sprong
- Laboratory for Zoonoses and Environmental Microbiology, National Institute for Public Health and Environment (RIVM), Antonie van Leeuwenhoeklaan 9, P,O, Box 1, Bilthoven, The Netherlands.
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Michelet L, Delannoy S, Devillers E, Umhang G, Aspan A, Juremalm M, Chirico J, van der Wal FJ, Sprong H, Boye Pihl TP, Klitgaard K, Bødker R, Fach P, Moutailler S. High-throughput screening of tick-borne pathogens in Europe. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2014; 4:103. [PMID: 25120960 PMCID: PMC4114295 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2014.00103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 177] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2014] [Accepted: 07/10/2014] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Due to increased travel, climatic, and environmental changes, the incidence of tick-borne disease in both humans and animals is increasing throughout Europe. Therefore, extended surveillance tools are desirable. To accurately screen tick-borne pathogens (TBPs), a large scale epidemiological study was conducted on 7050 Ixodes ricinus nymphs collected from France, Denmark, and the Netherlands using a powerful new high-throughput approach. This advanced methodology permitted the simultaneous detection of 25 bacterial, and 12 parasitic species (including; Borrelia, Anaplasma, Ehrlichia, Rickettsia, Bartonella, Candidatus Neoehrlichia, Coxiella, Francisella, Babesia, and Theileria genus) across 94 samples. We successfully determined the prevalence of expected (Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Rickettsia helvetica, Candidatus Neoehrlichia mikurensis, Babesia divergens, Babesia venatorum), unexpected (Borrelia miyamotoi), and rare (Bartonella henselae) pathogens in the three European countries. Moreover we detected Borrelia spielmanii, Borrelia miyamotoi, Babesia divergens, and Babesia venatorum for the first time in Danish ticks. This surveillance method represents a major improvement in epidemiological studies, able to facilitate comprehensive testing of TBPs, and which can also be customized to monitor emerging diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sabine Delannoy
- IdentyPath Platform, Food Safety Laboratory, ANSES Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Elodie Devillers
- UMR BIPAR, Animal Health Laboratory, ANSES Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Gérald Umhang
- Nancy Laboratory for Rabies and Wildlife, Wildlife EcoEPIdemiology and Surveillance Unit, ANSES Malzéville, France
| | - Anna Aspan
- Department of Bacteriology, National Veterinary Institute (SVA) Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Mikael Juremalm
- Department of Virology, Immunobiology and Parasitology, National Veterinary Institute (SVA) Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Jan Chirico
- Department of Virology, Immunobiology and Parasitology, National Veterinary Institute (SVA) Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Fimme J van der Wal
- Department of Infection Biology, Central Veterinary Institute, Wageningen UR Lelystad, Netherlands
| | - Hein Sprong
- Laboratory for Zoonoses and Environmental Microbiology, National Institute for Public Health and Environment (RIVM) Bilthoven, Netherlands
| | | | | | - Rene Bødker
- National Veterinary Institute, DTU Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Patrick Fach
- IdentyPath Platform, Food Safety Laboratory, ANSES Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Sara Moutailler
- UMR BIPAR, Animal Health Laboratory, ANSES Maisons-Alfort, France
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Tijsse-Klasen E, Koopmans MPG, Sprong H. Tick-borne pathogen - reversed and conventional discovery of disease. Front Public Health 2014; 2:73. [PMID: 25072045 PMCID: PMC4083466 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2014.00073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2014] [Accepted: 06/24/2014] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Molecular methods have increased the number of known microorganisms associated with ticks significantly. Some of these newly identified microorganisms are readily linked to human disease while others are yet unknown to cause human disease. The face of tick-borne disease discovery has changed with more diseases now being discovered in a “reversed way,” detecting disease cases only years after the tick-borne microorganism was first discovered. Compared to the conventional discovery of infectious diseases, reverse order discovery presents researchers with new challenges. Estimating public health risks of such agents is especially challenging, as case definitions and diagnostic procedures may initially be missing. We discuss the advantages and shortcomings of molecular methods, serology, and epidemiological studies that might be used to study some fundamental questions regarding newly identified tick-borne diseases. With increased tick-exposure and improved detection methods, more tick-borne microorganisms will be added to the list of pathogens causing disease in humans in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ellen Tijsse-Klasen
- Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) , Bilthoven , Netherlands
| | - Marion P G Koopmans
- Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) , Bilthoven , Netherlands ; Erasmus Medical Center , Rotterdam , Netherlands
| | - Hein Sprong
- Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) , Bilthoven , Netherlands
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Sprong H, Trentelman J, Seemann I, Grubhoffer L, Rego ROM, Hajdušek O, Kopáček P, Šíma R, Nijhof AM, Anguita J, Winter P, Rotter B, Havlíková S, Klempa B, Schetters TP, Hovius JWR. ANTIDotE: anti-tick vaccines to prevent tick-borne diseases in Europe. Parasit Vectors 2014; 7:77. [PMID: 24559082 PMCID: PMC3933510 DOI: 10.1186/1756-3305-7-77] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2014] [Accepted: 02/19/2014] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Ixodes ricinus transmits bacterial, protozoal and viral pathogens, causing disease and forming an increasing health concern in Europe. ANTIDotE is an European Commission funded consortium of seven institutes, which aims to identify and characterize tick proteins involved in feeding and pathogen transmission. The knowledge gained will be used to develop and evaluate anti-tick vaccines that may prevent multiple human tick-borne diseases. Strategies encompassing anti-tick vaccines to prevent transmission of pathogens to humans, animals or wildlife will be developed with relevant stakeholders with the ultimate aim of reducing the incidence of tick-borne diseases in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hein Sprong
- The National Institute of Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, The Netherlands.
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44
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Sprong H, Docters van Leeuwen A, Fonville M, Harms M, van Vliet AJ, van Pelt W, Ferreira JA, van den Wijngaard CC. Sensitivity of a point of care tick-test for the development of Lyme borreliosis. Parasit Vectors 2013; 6:338. [PMID: 24304944 PMCID: PMC4235040 DOI: 10.1186/1756-3305-6-338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2013] [Accepted: 11/30/2013] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background A commercially available self-test for the detection of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato in ticks was evaluated for its ability to predict erythema migrans formation. Findings The self-test was performed on 127 Ixodes ricinus from 122 humans that reported tick bites at enrolment and occurrence of symptoms during follow-up. The self-test gave negative results on all the 122 individuals, 14 of whom reported erythema migrans (EM) at follow-up of which 10 were confirmed by their GP. The estimated sensitivity of the self-test for prediction of EM formation is 0% (95% CI: 0%-28%). Conclusions This self-test is not suitable for reducing the number needed to treat in a post-exposure prophylaxis setting as it already missed all the obvious early Lyme borreliosis cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hein Sprong
- Centre for Infectious Disease Control Netherlands, National Institute for Public Health and Environment, Antonie van Leeuwenhoeklaan 9 P,O, Box 1 3720 BA, Bilthoven, The Netherlands.
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Obsomer V, Wirtgen M, Linden A, Claerebout E, Heyman P, Heylen D, Madder M, Maris J, Lebrun M, Tack W, Lempereur L, Hance T, Van Impe G. Spatial disaggregation of tick occurrence and ecology at a local scale as a preliminary step for spatial surveillance of tick-borne diseases: general framework and health implications in Belgium. Parasit Vectors 2013; 6:190. [PMID: 23800283 PMCID: PMC3726513 DOI: 10.1186/1756-3305-6-190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2013] [Accepted: 06/16/2013] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The incidence of tick-borne diseases is increasing in Europe. Sub national information on tick distribution, ecology and vector status is often lacking. However, precise location of infection risk can lead to better targeted prevention measures, surveillance and control. METHODS In this context, the current paper compiled geolocated tick occurrences in Belgium, a country where tick-borne disease has received little attention, in order to highlight the potential value of spatial approaches and draw some recommendations for future research priorities. RESULTS Mapping of 89,289 ticks over 654 sites revealed that ticks such as Ixodes ricinus and Ixodes hexagonus are largely present while Dermacentor reticulatus has a patchy distribution. Suspected hot spots of tick diversity might favor pathogen exchanges and suspected hot spots of I. ricinus abundance might increase human-vector contact locally. This underlines the necessity to map pathogens and ticks in detail. While I. ricinus is the main vector, I. hexagonus is a vector and reservoir of Borrelia burgdorferi s.l., which is active the whole year and is also found in urban settings. This and other nidiculous species bite humans less frequently, but seem to harbour pathogens. Their role in maintaining a pathogenic cycle within the wildlife merits investigation as they might facilitate transmission to humans if co-occurring with I. ricinus. Many micro-organisms are found abroad in tick species present in Belgium. Most have not been recorded locally but have not been searched for. Some are transmitted directly at the time of the bite, suggesting promotion of tick avoidance additionally to tick removal. CONCLUSION This countrywide approach to tick-borne diseases has helped delineate recommendations for future research priorities necessary to design public health policies aimed at spatially integrating the major components of the ecological cycle of tick-borne diseases. A systematic survey of tick species and associated pathogens is called for in Europe, as well as better characterisation of species interaction in the ecology of tick-borne diseases, those being all tick species, pathogens, hosts and other species which might play a role in tick-borne diseases complex ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valerie Obsomer
- Université Catholique de Louvain, Earth and Life Institute, Georges Lemaitre climate and earth research centre, place Louis Pasteur 3, 1348, Louvain la Neuve, Belgium
- Biodiversity department ELIB, Université Catholique de Louvain, Earth and Life Institute, 4 place Croix du sud, 1348, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
| | - Marc Wirtgen
- Department of infectious and parasitic diseases, health and pathology of the wildlife, University of Liège, boulevard de Colonster 20, 4000, Liège 1, Belgium
| | - Annick Linden
- Department of infectious and parasitic diseases, health and pathology of the wildlife, University of Liège, boulevard de Colonster 20, 4000, Liège 1, Belgium
| | - Edwin Claerebout
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133 9820, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Paul Heyman
- Reference Laboratory for Vector-Borne Diseases, Queen Astrid Military Hospital, Bruynstraat 1, 1120, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Dieter Heylen
- Evolutionary ecology group, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan, 171-2020, Antwerpen, Belgium
| | - Maxime Madder
- Institute for Tropical Medicine, 155 nationalestraat, B2000, Antwerpen, Belgium
- Department of Veterinary Tropical Diseases, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Jo Maris
- ARSIA, Allée des Artisans, 2 - 5590, Ciney, Belgium
| | - Maude Lebrun
- Dierenarts Gezondheidszorg Herkauwers Veepeiler, DGZ Vlaanderen, l Hagenbroeksesteenweg 167 l, 2500, Lier, Belgium
| | - Wesley Tack
- Laboratory of Forestry, Department of Forest and Water Management, Ghent University, Geraardsbergsesteenweg 267, 9090, Melle-Gontrode, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Laetitia Lempereur
- Laboratory of Parasitology and Pathology of Parasitic Diseases, Department of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Liège, Bd de Colonster 20 B43, 4000, Liège, Belgium
| | - Thierry Hance
- Biodiversity department ELIB, Université Catholique de Louvain, Earth and Life Institute, 4 place Croix du sud, 1348, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
| | - Georges Van Impe
- Biodiversity department ELIB, Université Catholique de Louvain, Earth and Life Institute, 4 place Croix du sud, 1348, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
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Wu XB, Na RH, Wei SS, Zhu JS, Peng HJ. Distribution of tick-borne diseases in China. Parasit Vectors 2013; 6:119. [PMID: 23617899 PMCID: PMC3640964 DOI: 10.1186/1756-3305-6-119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 106] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2013] [Accepted: 04/08/2013] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
As an important contributor to vector-borne diseases in China, in recent years, tick-borne diseases have attracted much attention because of their increasing incidence and consequent significant harm to livestock and human health. The most commonly observed human tick-borne diseases in China include Lyme borreliosis (known as Lyme disease in China), tick-borne encephalitis (known as Forest encephalitis in China), Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (known as Xinjiang hemorrhagic fever in China), Q-fever, tularemia and North-Asia tick-borne spotted fever. In recent years, some emerging tick-borne diseases, such as human monocytic ehrlichiosis, human granulocytic anaplasmosis, and a novel bunyavirus infection, have been reported frequently in China. Other tick-borne diseases that are not as frequently reported in China include Colorado fever, oriental spotted fever and piroplasmosis. Detailed information regarding the history, characteristics, and current epidemic status of these human tick-borne diseases in China will be reviewed in this paper. It is clear that greater efforts in government management and research are required for the prevention, control, diagnosis, and treatment of tick-borne diseases, as well as for the control of ticks, in order to decrease the tick-borne disease burden in China.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xian-Bo Wu
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510515, China
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Seropositivity rates for agents of canine vector-borne diseases in Spain: a multicentre study. Parasit Vectors 2013; 6:117. [PMID: 23607428 PMCID: PMC3639099 DOI: 10.1186/1756-3305-6-117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2013] [Accepted: 04/10/2013] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Controlling canine vector-borne diseases (CVBD) is a major concern, since some of these diseases are serious zoonoses. This study was designed to determine seropositivity rates in Spain for agents causing the following five CVBD: leishmaniosis (Leishmania infantum: Li), heartworm (Dirofilaria immitis: Di), ehrlichiosis (Ehrlichia canis: Ec), anaplasmosis (Anaplasma phagocytophilum/Anaplasma platys: An) and Lyme disease (Borrelia burgdorferi: Bb). Methods Anti-An, -Bb, and -Ec antibodies and the Di antigen were determined using the 4DX SNAP® Test (IDEXX Laboratories) and anti-L. infantum (Li) antibodies using the Leishmania SNAP® Test (IDEXX Laboratories) in blood and/or serum samples. Results Among 1100 dogs examined, overall seropositivity rates were: Li (15.7%), Ec (5%), An (3.1%), Di (1.25%) and Bb (0.4%). While seropositivity towards Bb and Di was similar in all geographic regions, rates were significantly higher in the east of Spain (8.3%) for An, significantly higher in the north (20%) for Ec, and significantly higher in the Southeast (46.6%) and South (27.4%), and significantly lower in the north (0%) for Li. No statistical associations were observed between sex and the CVBD analyzed (p ≥ 0.05) while the following associations with other variables were detected: a higher seropositivity to Ec (40%) and Bb (6.7%) in dogs under one year of age compared with adults (p < 0.05); and a higher seropositivity to An and Li in dogs that lived outdoors versus indoors (p = 0.01; p < 0.001, respectively). Seropositivity rates of 2.1%, 0%, 1.7%, 0.5% and 4.2% were recorded respectively for An, Bb, Ec, Di and Li in dogs with no clinical signs (n = 556) versus 3.8%, 0.6%, 7.5%, 1.8% and 25.9% for those with signs (n = 507) suggestive of a CVBD. Conclusion The data obtained indicate a risk for dogs in Spain of acquiring any of the five CVBD examined. Veterinarians in the different regions should include these diseases in their differential diagnoses and recommend the use of repellents and other prophylactic measures to prevent disease transmission by arthropod vectors. Public health authorities also need to become more involved in the problem, since some of the CVBD examined here also affect humans.
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