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Rouxel C, Etienne A, Arné P, Le Barzic C, Girault G, Boulouis HJ, Haddad N, Lagrée AC, Deshuillers PL. Anaplasma phagocytophilum in urban and peri-urban passerine birds in Ile-de-France. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2024; 15:102350. [PMID: 38723399 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2024.102350] [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: 10/05/2023] [Revised: 04/09/2024] [Accepted: 05/04/2024] [Indexed: 05/20/2024]
Abstract
Wild animals in general, birds in particular, play a key role in transporting ticks and propagating tick-borne pathogens. Several studies have confirmed the infection of birds with Anaplasma phagocytophilum, with overall prevalence varying widely from country to country and/or study to study. This zoonotic bacterium, transmitted mainly by ticks of the genus Ixodes, is responsible for granulocytic anaplasmosis in humans (HGA) and domestic animals (cats, dogs, horses). The disease is also called tick-borne fever (TBF) in ruminants. Extremely rare in the USA, TBF is very common in Europe, where it causes economic losses in livestock. Conversely, HGA is well established in the USA whereas only a few less severe cases have been observed in Europe. Current typing techniques support the existence of multiple variants with differences in virulence/pathogenicity and tropism for certain tick and host species. However, epidemiological cycles remain difficult to characterize in Europe. Several studies describe a cycle apparently involving only birds in Europe, but no such study has been conducted in mainland France. Our objectives were to search for A. phagocytophilum in passerine birds in the Ile-de-France region and to explore their diversity using groEL and ankA gene typing and multilocus sequence typing (MLST). Various tissues (spleen, liver, and skin) were collected from cadavers of 680 passerines between March and December 2021. The presence of A. phagocytophilum was detected by qPCR Taqman targeting the msp2 gene. Three blackbirds (Turdus merula) were found positive, representing detection rates of 0.4 % in all birds tested and 3.3 % in blackbirds. The higher frequency of detection in blackbirds could be at least partially explained by their lifestyle, as they feed on the ground. Analysis of the results of groEL and ankA typing and MLST from positive blackbirds support the hypothesis that the avian A. phagocytophilum strains in Ile-de-France are distinct from those found in mammals, and that they form their own cluster in Europe.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clotilde Rouxel
- ANSES, INRAE, École nationale vétérinaire d'Alfort (EnvA), UMR BIPAR, Laboratoire de Santé Animale, 94700 Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Adrien Etienne
- ANSES, INRAE, École nationale vétérinaire d'Alfort (EnvA), UMR BIPAR, Laboratoire de Santé Animale, 94700 Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Pascal Arné
- EnvA, Centre hospitalier universitaire vétérinaire - Faune sauvage (Chuv-FS), 94700, Maisons-Alfort, France; EnvA, UPEC, ANSES, Dynamyc research group EA 7380, 94700, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Cécile Le Barzic
- EnvA, Centre hospitalier universitaire vétérinaire - Faune sauvage (Chuv-FS), 94700, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Guillaume Girault
- ANSES, INRAE, EnvA, Université Paris-Est, UMR Virologie, Laboratoire de Santé Animale, 94700 Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Henri-Jean Boulouis
- ANSES, INRAE, École nationale vétérinaire d'Alfort (EnvA), UMR BIPAR, Laboratoire de Santé Animale, 94700 Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Nadia Haddad
- ANSES, INRAE, École nationale vétérinaire d'Alfort (EnvA), UMR BIPAR, Laboratoire de Santé Animale, 94700 Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Anne-Claire Lagrée
- ANSES, INRAE, École nationale vétérinaire d'Alfort (EnvA), UMR BIPAR, Laboratoire de Santé Animale, 94700 Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Pierre Lucien Deshuillers
- ANSES, INRAE, École nationale vétérinaire d'Alfort (EnvA), UMR BIPAR, Laboratoire de Santé Animale, 94700 Maisons-Alfort, France.
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Wilhelmsson P, Lager M, Jaenson TGT, Waldenström J, Olsen B, Lindgren PE. Anaplasma phagocytophilum in Ticks Blood-Feeding on Migratory Birds in Sweden. Microorganisms 2024; 12:735. [PMID: 38674679 PMCID: PMC11052380 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12040735] [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: 03/01/2024] [Revised: 03/28/2024] [Accepted: 03/29/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Migratory birds play a dual role as potential reservoirs of tick-borne pathogens, and potential dispersers of pathogen-containing ticks during their migratory journeys. Ixodes ricinus, a prevalent tick species in Northern and Western Europe, serves as a primary vector for Anaplasma phagocytophilum-a bacterium with implications for human and animal health. There is limited information available regarding A. phagocytophilum in birds. Our investigation focused on A. phagocytophilum prevalence in ticks collected from migratory birds in southeastern Sweden. The identification of ticks involved both molecular analyses for species determination and morphological classification to ascertain the developmental stage. The presence of A. phagocytophilum was determined using real-time PCR. Of the 1115 ticks analyzed from 4601 birds, 0.9% (n = 10), including I. ricinus and Ixodes frontalis, tested positive for A. phagocytophilum. Notably, common blackbirds (Turdus merula) yielded the highest number of A. phagocytophilum-infected ticks. The findings suggest that A. phagocytophilum is present in a small proportion of ticks infesting migratory birds in southeastern Sweden. Consequently, the role of birds as hosts for ticks infected with A. phagocytophilum appears to be low, suggesting that birds seem to play a minor indirect role in the geographic dispersal of A. phagocytophilum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Wilhelmsson
- Division of Inflammation and Infection, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, SE-581 83 Linköping, Sweden;
- National Reference Laboratory for Borrelia and Other Tick-Borne Bacteria, Division of Clinical Microbiology, Laboratory Medicine, Region Jönköping County, SE-551 85 Jönköping, Sweden;
| | - Malin Lager
- National Reference Laboratory for Borrelia and Other Tick-Borne Bacteria, Division of Clinical Microbiology, Laboratory Medicine, Region Jönköping County, SE-551 85 Jönköping, Sweden;
| | - Thomas G. T. Jaenson
- Department of Organismal Biology, Evolutionary Biology Centre, Uppsala University, SE-752 36 Uppsala, Sweden;
| | - Jonas Waldenström
- Centre for Ecology and Evolution in Microbial Model Systems, Linnaeus University, SE-392 31 Kalmar, Sweden;
| | - Björn Olsen
- Zoonosis Science Center, Department of Medical Sciences, Uppsala University, SE-751 23 Uppsala, Sweden;
| | - Per-Eric Lindgren
- Division of Inflammation and Infection, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, SE-581 83 Linköping, Sweden;
- National Reference Laboratory for Borrelia and Other Tick-Borne Bacteria, Division of Clinical Microbiology, Laboratory Medicine, Region Jönköping County, SE-551 85 Jönköping, Sweden;
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Sgroi G, D'Alessio N, Vada R, Ferroglio E, Vicente J, Veneziano V. The contribution of citizen science in the surveillance of wildlife and related arthropods. Parasitology 2023; 150:1089-1095. [PMID: 37929599 PMCID: PMC10801373 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182023001038] [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: 08/29/2023] [Revised: 10/30/2023] [Accepted: 11/01/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023]
Abstract
Environmental and anthropogenic factors may significantly affect the diffusion of wild animals, enhancing the interface of human–wildlife interactions and driving the spread of pathogens and vector-borne diseases between animals and humans. However, in the last decade, the involvement of citizens in scientific research (the so-called citizen science approach, henceforth abbreviated as CS) provided a network of large-scale and cost-effective surveillance programmes of wildlife populations and their related arthropod species. Therefore, this review aims to illustrate different methods and tools used in CS studies, by arguing the main advantages and considering the limitations of this approach. The CS approach has proven to be an effective method for establishing density and distribution of several wild animal species, in urban, peri-urban and rural environments, as well a source of information regarding vector–host associations between arthropods and wildlife. Extensive efforts are recommended to motivate citizens to be involved in scientific projects to improve both their and our knowledge of the ecology and diseases of wildlife. Following the One Health paradigm, collaborative and multidisciplinary models for the surveillance of wildlife and related arthropod species should be further developed by harnessing the potentiality of the CS approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni Sgroi
- Department of Animal Health, Experimental Zooprophylactic Institute of Southern Italy, Portici, Italy
| | - Nicola D'Alessio
- Department of Animal Health, Experimental Zooprophylactic Institute of Southern Italy, Portici, Italy
- Osservatorio Faunistico Venatorio, Naples, Italy
| | - Rachele Vada
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, Italy
| | - Ezio Ferroglio
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, Italy
| | - Joaquin Vicente
- Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos, University of Castilla-La Mancha, Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Vincenzo Veneziano
- Osservatorio Faunistico Venatorio, Naples, Italy
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
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Adjadj NR, Cargnel M, Ribbens S, Quinet C, Malandrin L, Mignon B, Mori M. Prevalence of Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, Rickettsia spp. and Babesia spp. in cattle serum and questing ticks from Belgium. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2023; 14:102146. [PMID: 37044019 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2023.102146] [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: 10/12/2022] [Revised: 01/26/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2023] [Indexed: 04/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Anaplasmosis, borreliosis, rickettsiosis and babesiosis are tick-borne diseases of medical, veterinary and economic importance. In Belgium, little is known on the prevalence of these diseases in animals and previous screenings relate only to targeted geographic regions, clinical cases or a limited number of tested samples. We therefore performed the first nationwide seroprevalence study of Anaplasma spp., A. phagocytophilum, Borrelia spp., Rickettsia spp. and Babesia spp. in Belgian cattle. We also screened questing ticks for the aforementioned pathogens. METHODS ELISAs and IFATs were performed on a representative sample set of cattle sera stratified proportionally to the number of cattle herds per province. Questing ticks were collected in areas where the highest prevalence for the forenamed pathogens in cattle serum were observed. Ticks were analyzed by quantitative PCR for A. phagocytophilum (n = 783), B. burgdorferi sensu lato (n = 783) and Rickettsia spp. (n = 715) and by PCR for Babesia spp. (n = 358). RESULTS The ELISA screening for antibodies to Anaplasma spp. and Borrelia spp. in cattle sera showed an overall seroprevalence of 15.6% (53/339) and 12.9% (52/402), respectively. The IFAT screening for antibodies against A. phagocytophilum, Rickettsia spp. and Babesia spp. resulted in an overall seroprevalence of 34.2% (116/339), 31.2% (99/317) and 3.4% (14/412), respectively. At the provincial level, the provinces of Liege and Walloon Brabant harboured the highest seroprevalence of Anaplasma spp. (44.4% and 42.7% respectively) and A. phagocytophilum (55.6% and 71.4%). East Flanders and Luxembourg exhibited the highest seroprevalence of Borrelia spp. (32.4%) and Rickettsia spp. (54.8%) respectively. The province of Antwerp showed the highest seroprevalence of Babesia spp. (11%). The screening of field-collected ticks resulted in a prevalence of 13.8% for B. burgdorferi s.l., with B. afzelii and B. garinii being the most common genospecies (65.7% and 17.1%, respectively). Rickettsia spp. was detected in 7.1% of the tested ticks and the only identified species was R. helvetica. A low prevalence was found for A. phagocytophilum (0.5%) and no Babesia positive tick was detected. CONCLUSIONS The seroprevalence data in cattle indicate hot spots for tick-borne pathogens in specific provinces and highlights the importance of veterinary surveillance in anticipating the emergence of diseases among humans. The detection of all pathogens, with the exception of Babesia spp. in questing ticks, underlines the need of raising awareness among public and professionals on other tick-borne diseases along with lyme borreliosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadjah Radia Adjadj
- Sciensano, Bacterial zoonoses unit, Veterinary bacteriology, Brussels, Belgium; Sciensano, Unit of exotic viruses and vector-borne diseases, Brussels, Belgium.
| | - Mickaël Cargnel
- Sciensano, Department of epidemiology and public health, service of veterinary epidemiology, Brussels, Belgium.
| | | | - Christian Quinet
- Association Regionale de Sante et d'Identification Animales (ARSIA), Ciney, Belgium.
| | | | - Bernard Mignon
- University of Liège, department of infectious and parasitic diseases, Liège, FARAH (Fundamental and Applied Research for Animals and Health) Belgium.
| | - Marcella Mori
- Sciensano, Bacterial zoonoses unit, Veterinary bacteriology, Brussels, Belgium.
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Wodecka B, Kolomiiets V. Genetic Diversity of Borreliaceae Species Detected in Natural Populations of Ixodes ricinus Ticks in Northern Poland. Life (Basel) 2023; 13:life13040972. [PMID: 37109501 PMCID: PMC10143352 DOI: 10.3390/life13040972] [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: 03/02/2023] [Revised: 03/30/2023] [Accepted: 04/06/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
In Europe, Ixodes ricinus tick is the vector of Lyme disease spirochetes and their relatives (Borreliella genus) and Borrelia miyamotoi. However, a newly described tick I. inopinatus with similar biological features and separated from I. ricinus may act as a vector for different Borrelia species. To date, eleven Borreliella species were detected in the natural populations of I. ricinus. Recently, two North American species have been detected in ticks parasitizing bats and red foxes in Europe, i.e., B. lanei and B. californiensis pointing to the necessity for searching for them in natural tick populations. In this study, using the coxI molecular marker only I. ricinus was identified in field-collected ticks with the exception of individual specimens of Haemaphysalis concinna. Using the flaB gene and mag-trnI intergenic spacer as molecular markers 14 Borreliaceae species have been detected with various frequencies in different parts of northern Poland. Among infected ticks, the most frequent were Borreliella (Bl.) afzelii (29.4%) and Bl. garinii (20.0%), followed by Bl. spielmanii, Bl. valaisiana, Bl. lanei, Bl. californiensis, B. miyamotoi, Bl. burgdorferi, Bl. carolinensis, Bl. americana, B. turcica, Bl. lusitaniae, Bl. bissettiae and Bl. finlandensis. Three of the above-mentioned species, i.e., Bl. lanei, Bl. californiensis and B. turcica were detected in this study for the first time in the natural ixodid tick population in Europe. The existence of the newly detected spirochetes increases their total diversity in Europe and points to the necessity of careful identification and establishment of the actual distribution of all Borreliaceae species transmitted by I. ricinus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beata Wodecka
- Department of Genetics and Genomics, Institute of Biology, Szczecin University, 71-415 Szczecin, Poland
| | - Valentyna Kolomiiets
- Department of Genetics and Genomics, Institute of Biology, Szczecin University, 71-415 Szczecin, Poland
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Defaye B, Moutailler S, Vollot B, Galon C, Gonzalez G, Moraes RA, Leoncini AS, Rataud A, Le Guillou G, Pasqualini V, Quilichini Y. Detection of Pathogens and Ticks on Sedentary and Migratory Birds in Two Corsican Wetlands (France, Mediterranean Area). Microorganisms 2023; 11:microorganisms11040869. [PMID: 37110292 PMCID: PMC10141976 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11040869] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2023] [Revised: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 03/24/2023] [Indexed: 03/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Birds are one of the most species-diverse vertebrate groups and are susceptible to numerous hematophagous ectoparasites. Migratory birds likely contribute to the circulation of these ectoparasites and their associated pathogens. One of the many migration paths crosses the Mediterranean islands including Corsica and its wetlands, which are migration stopovers. In our study, we collected blood samples and hematophagous ectoparasites in migratory and sedentary bird populations in two coastal lagoons: Biguglia and Gradugine. A total of 1377 birds were captured from which 762 blood samples, 37 louse flies, and 44 ticks were collected. All the louse flies were identified as Ornithomya biloba and all the ticks were from the Ixodes genus: Ixodes sp. (8.5%), I. accuminatus/ventalloi (2.9%), I. arboricola/lividus (14.3%), I. frontalis (5.7%) and I. ricinus (68.6%). Five pathogens were detected: Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Erhlichia chaffeensis, and Rickettsia helvetica in ticks, and Trypanosoma sp. in louse flies. Ehrlichia chaffeensis and the West Nile virus were both detected in bird blood samples in Corsica. This is the first report of these tick, louse fly and pathogen species isolated on the bird population in Corsica. Our finding highlights the importance of bird populations in the presence of arthropod-borne pathogens in Corsican wetlands.
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Cleveland DW, Anderson CC, Brissette CA. Borrelia miyamotoi: A Comprehensive Review. Pathogens 2023; 12:267. [PMID: 36839539 PMCID: PMC9967256 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12020267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2022] [Revised: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 02/02/2023] [Indexed: 02/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Borrelia miyamotoi is an emerging tick-borne pathogen in the Northern Hemisphere and is the causative agent of Borrelia miyamotoi disease (BMD). Borrelia miyamotoi is vectored by the same hard-bodied ticks as Lyme disease Borrelia, yet phylogenetically groups with relapsing fever Borrelia, and thus, has been uniquely labeled a hard tick-borne relapsing fever Borrelia. Burgeoning research has uncovered new aspects of B. miyamotoi in human patients, nature, and the lab. Of particular interest are novel findings on disease pathology, prevalence, diagnostic methods, ecological maintenance, transmission, and genetic characteristics. Herein, we review recent literature on B. miyamotoi, discuss how findings adapt to current Borrelia doctrines, and briefly consider what remains unknown about B. miyamotoi.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Catherine A. Brissette
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, ND 58202, USA
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Keve G, Csörgő T, Benke A, Huber A, Mórocz A, Németh Á, Kalocsa B, Tamás EA, Gyurácz J, Kiss O, Kováts D, Sándor AD, Karcza Z, Hornok S. Ornithological and molecular evidence of a reproducing Hyalomma rufipes population under continental climate in Europe. Front Vet Sci 2023; 10:1147186. [PMID: 37035818 PMCID: PMC10073722 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1147186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2023] [Accepted: 02/22/2023] [Indexed: 04/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Reports on adult Hyalomma ticks in certain regions of the Carpathian Basin date back to the 19th century. These ticks were thought to emerge from nymphs dropping from birds, then molting to adults. Although the role of migratory birds in carrying ticks of this genus is known from all parts of Europe, in most countries no contemporaneous multiregional surveillance of bird-associated ticks was reported which could allow the recognition of hotspots in this context. From 38 passeriform bird species 956 ixodid ticks were collected at seven locations in Hungary. Tick species were identified as Ixodes ricinus (n = 598), Ixodes frontalis (n = 18), Ixodes lividus (n = 6), Haemaphysalis concinna (n = 321), and D. reticulatus (n = 1). All 12 Hyalomma sp. ticks (11 engorged nymphs and 1 unengorged larva) were identified as H. rufipes based on three mitochondrial markers. This species was only found in the Transdanubian region and along its southeastern border. The Common Blackbird and the European Robin were the two main hosts of I. ricinus and I. frontalis, whereas H. concinna was almost exclusively collected form long-distance migrants. The predominant hosts of H. rufipes were reed-associated bird species, the Sedge Warbler and the Bearded Reedling, both in their nesting period. This study provides ornithological explanation for the regional, century-long presence of adult Hyalomma ticks under continental climate in the Transdanubian Region of the Carpathian Basin. More importantly, the autochthonous occurrence of a H. rufipes population was revealed for the first time in Europe, based on the following observations: (1) the bird species infested with H. rufipes are not known to migrate during their nesting period; (2) one larva was not yet engorged; (3) the larva and the nymphs must have belonged to different local generations; and (4) all H. rufipes found in the relevant location were identical in their haplotypes based on three maternally inherited mitochondrial markers, probably reflecting founder effect. This study also demonstrated regional and temporal differences in tick species carried by birds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gergő Keve
- Department of Parasitology and Zoology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Budapest, Hungary
- ELKH-ÁTE Climate Change: New Blood-Sucking Parasites and Vector-Borne Pathogens Research Group, Budapest, Hungary
- *Correspondence: Gergő Keve
| | - Tibor Csörgő
- Department of Anatomy, Cell- and Developmental Biology, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
- Ócsa Bird Ringing Station, Ócsa, Hungary
- BirdLife Hungary, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Anikó Benke
- BirdLife Hungary, Budapest, Hungary
- Fenékpuszta Bird Ringing Station, Keszthely, Hungary
| | - Attila Huber
- BirdLife Hungary, Budapest, Hungary
- Aggtelek National Park Directorate, Jósvafő, Hungary
| | - Attila Mórocz
- BirdLife Hungary, Budapest, Hungary
- Duna-Dráva National Park Directorate, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Ákos Németh
- BirdLife Hungary, Budapest, Hungary
- Kiskunság National Park Directorate, Kecskemét, Hungary
- Kiskunság Bird Protection Association, Izsák, Hungary
| | | | - Enikő Anna Tamás
- BirdLife Hungary, Budapest, Hungary
- Faculty of Water Sciences, University of Public Service, Baja, Hungary
| | - József Gyurácz
- BirdLife Hungary, Budapest, Hungary
- Department of Biology, Eötvös Loránd University, Savaria, Szombathely, Hungary
| | - Orsolya Kiss
- BirdLife Hungary, Budapest, Hungary
- Faculty of Agriculture, Institute of Animal Sciences and Wildlife Management, University of Szeged, Hódmezővásárhely, Hungary
| | - Dávid Kováts
- Ócsa Bird Ringing Station, Ócsa, Hungary
- BirdLife Hungary, Budapest, Hungary
- Hungarian Biodiversity Research Society, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Attila D. Sándor
- Department of Parasitology and Zoology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Budapest, Hungary
- ELKH-ÁTE Climate Change: New Blood-Sucking Parasites and Vector-Borne Pathogens Research Group, Budapest, Hungary
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | | | - Sándor Hornok
- Department of Parasitology and Zoology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Budapest, Hungary
- ELKH-ÁTE Climate Change: New Blood-Sucking Parasites and Vector-Borne Pathogens Research Group, Budapest, Hungary
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Zając Z, Kulisz J, Kunc-Kozioł R, Woźniak A, Filipiuk M, Rudolf R, Bartosik K, Cabezas-Cruz A. Tick Infestation in Migratory Birds of the Vistula River Valley, Poland. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph192113781. [PMID: 36360665 PMCID: PMC9655835 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192113781] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2022] [Revised: 10/18/2022] [Accepted: 10/21/2022] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Migratory birds play an important role in the eco-epidemiology of tick-borne diseases due to their ability to carry ticks for long distances. The aim of the present study was to investigate the prevalence and factors influencing the intensity of tick infestation in migratory birds. The study was conducted in a locality situated in the Vistula River valley, eastern Poland, during autumn, when the high migratory activity of birds is registered in the region. The birds were captured using ornithological nets and identified at the species level. In the next step, they were carefully inspected for attached ticks. Tick infestation was observed in 4.43% of the captured birds. The highest mean intensity of tick infestation was observed in birds foraging on the ground or in low shrubs and by long- and medium-distance migrants, i.e., Turdus merula (2.73), T. philomelos (2.04), and Erithacus rubecula (1.58). Ixodes ricinus was found to infest the birds most frequently. However, other tick species, i.e., I. trianguliceps, I. crenulatus (synonym I. canisuga), and I. apronophorus, rarely found in eastern Poland, were also found parasitizing birds. The occurrence of I. persulcatus, I. frontalis, and I. acuminatus (synonym I. redikorzevi) was confirmed in the region for the first time. The results of the study suggest that captured bird species are susceptible to tick infestation and could play an important role in the circulation of some tick-borne pathogens. They also play a significant role in the spread of ticks. The ecology and ethology of birds, including their foraging styles and migratory habits, are factors determining the risk of exposure of birds to tick attacks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zbigniew Zając
- Department of Biology and Parasitology, Medical University of Lublin, Radziwiłłowska 11, 20-080 Lublin, Poland
| | - Joanna Kulisz
- Department of Biology and Parasitology, Medical University of Lublin, Radziwiłłowska 11, 20-080 Lublin, Poland
| | - Renata Kunc-Kozioł
- Department of Biology and Parasitology, Medical University of Lublin, Radziwiłłowska 11, 20-080 Lublin, Poland
| | - Aneta Woźniak
- Department of Biology and Parasitology, Medical University of Lublin, Radziwiłłowska 11, 20-080 Lublin, Poland
| | - Maciej Filipiuk
- Department of Zoology and Nature Protection, Institute of Biological Sciences, Maria Curie-Skłodowska University, Akademicka 19, 20-033 Lublin, Poland
| | - Robert Rudolf
- Kaliszany Ornithological Station, 24-340 Stare Kaliszany, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Bartosik
- Department of Biology and Parasitology, Medical University of Lublin, Radziwiłłowska 11, 20-080 Lublin, Poland
| | - Alejandro Cabezas-Cruz
- Anses, INRAE, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d’Alfort, UMR BIPAR, Laboratoire de Santé Animale, F-94700 Maisons-Alfort, France
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Keve G, Sándor AD, Hornok S. Hard ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) associated with birds in Europe: Review of literature data. Front Vet Sci 2022; 9:928756. [PMID: 36090176 PMCID: PMC9453168 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2022.928756] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2022] [Accepted: 07/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Hard ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) are considered the most important transmitters of pathogens in the temperate zone that covers most of Europe. In the era of climate change tick-borne diseases are predicted to undergo geographical range expansion toward the north through regions that are connected to southern areas of the continent by bird migration. This alone would justify the importance of synthesized knowledge on the association of tick species with avian hosts, yet birds also represent the most taxonomically and ecologically diverse part of urban vertebrate fauna. Birds frequently occur in gardens and near animal keeping facilities, thus playing a significant role in the dispersal of ticks and tick-borne pathogens in synanthropic environments. The primary aim of this review is to provide a comprehensive reference source (baseline data) for future studies, particularly in the context of discovering new tick-host associations after comparison with already published data. The records on the ixodid tick infestations of birds were assessed from nearly 200 papers published since 1952. In this period, 37 hard tick species were reported from 16 orders of avian hosts in Europe. Here we compile a list of these tick species, followed by the English and Latin name of all reported infested bird species, as well as the tick developmental stage and country of origin whenever this information was available. These data allowed a first-hand analysis of general trends regarding how and at which developmental stage of ticks tend to infest avian hosts. Five tick species that were frequently reported from birds and show a broad geographical distribution in the Western Palearctic (Ixodes arboricola, I. frontalis, I. ricinus, Haemaphysalis concinna and Hyalomma marginatum) were also selected for statistical comparisons. Differences were demonstrated between these tick species regarding their association with bird species that typically feed from the ground and those that rarely occur at the soil level. The ecology of these five bird-infesting tick species is also illustrated here according to avian orders, taking into account the ecology (habitat type) and activity (circadian rhythm and feeding level) of most bird species that represent a certain order.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gergő Keve
- Department of Parasitology and Zoology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Budapest, Hungary
- ELKH-ÁTE Climate Change: New Blood-Sucking Parasites and Vector-Borne Pathogens Research Group, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Attila D. Sándor
- Department of Parasitology and Zoology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Budapest, Hungary
- ELKH-ÁTE Climate Change: New Blood-Sucking Parasites and Vector-Borne Pathogens Research Group, Budapest, Hungary
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- *Correspondence: Attila D. Sándor
| | - Sándor Hornok
- Department of Parasitology and Zoology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Budapest, Hungary
- ELKH-ÁTE Climate Change: New Blood-Sucking Parasites and Vector-Borne Pathogens Research Group, Budapest, Hungary
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11
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Rataud A, Galon C, Bournez L, Henry PY, Marsot M, Moutailler S. Diversity of Tick-Borne Pathogens in Tick Larvae Feeding on Breeding Birds in France. Pathogens 2022; 11:pathogens11080946. [PMID: 36015066 PMCID: PMC9414652 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11080946] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2022] [Revised: 08/17/2022] [Accepted: 08/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Birds play a role in maintaining tick-borne diseases by contributing to the multiplication of ticks and pathogens on a local scale during the breeding season. In the present study, we describe the diversity of tick and pathogen species of medical and veterinary importance in Europe hosted by 1040 captured birds (56 species) during their breeding season in France. Of the 3114 ticks collected, Ixodes ricinus was the most prevalent species (89.5%), followed by I. frontalis (0.8%), I. arboricola (0.7%), Haemaphysalis concinna (0.5%), H. punctata (0.5%), Hyalomma spp. (0.2%), and Rhipicephalus spp. (0.06%). Because they may be representative of the bird infection status for some pathogen species, 1106 engorged tick larvae were screened for pathogens. Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato was the most prevalent pathogen genus in bird-feeding larvae (11.7%), followed by Rickettsia spp. (7.4%), Anaplasma spp. (5.7%), Babesia spp. (2.3%), Ehrlichia spp. (1.4%), and B. miyamotoi (1%). Turdidae birds (Turdus merula and T. philomelos), Troglodytes troglodytes, and Anthus trivialis had a significantly higher prevalence of B. burgdorferi s.l.-infected larvae than other pathogen genera. This suggests that these bird species could act as reservoir hosts for B. burgdorferi s.l. during their breeding season, and thus play an important role in acarological risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amalia Rataud
- Laboratory for Animal Health, Epidemiology Unit, Université Paris Est, ANSES, 94700 Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Clemence Galon
- ANSES, INRAE, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d’Alfort, UMR BIPAR, Laboratoire de Santé Animale, 94700 Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Laure Bournez
- ANSES, Nancy Laboratory for Rabies and Wildlife, 54220 Malzéville, France
| | - Pierre-Yves Henry
- Mécanismes Adaptatifs et Evolution (MECADEV UMR 7179), Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle, CNRS, 91800 Brunoy, France
- Centre de Recherches sur la Biologie des Populations d’Oiseaux (CRBPO), Centre d’Ecologie et des Sciences de la Conservation (CESCO UMR 7204), Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle, CNRS, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Maud Marsot
- Laboratory for Animal Health, Epidemiology Unit, Université Paris Est, ANSES, 94700 Maisons-Alfort, France
- Correspondence: (M.M.); (S.M.)
| | - Sara Moutailler
- ANSES, INRAE, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d’Alfort, UMR BIPAR, Laboratoire de Santé Animale, 94700 Maisons-Alfort, France
- Correspondence: (M.M.); (S.M.)
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12
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Johnson N, Phipps LP, Hansford KM, Folly AJ, Fooks AR, Medlock JM, Mansfield KL. One Health Approach to Tick and Tick-Borne Disease Surveillance in the United Kingdom. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19105833. [PMID: 35627370 PMCID: PMC9142090 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19105833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2022] [Revised: 05/06/2022] [Accepted: 05/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Where ticks are found, tick-borne diseases can present a threat to human and animal health. The aetiology of many of these important diseases, including Lyme disease, bovine babesiosis, tick-borne fever and louping ill, have been known for decades whilst others have only recently been documented in the United Kingdom (UK). Further threats such as the importation of exotic ticks through human activity or bird migration, combined with changes to either the habitat or climate could increase the risk of tick-borne disease persistence and transmission. Prevention of tick-borne diseases for the human population and animals (both livestock and companion) is dependent on a thorough understanding of where and when pathogen transmission occurs. This information can only be gained through surveillance that seeks to identify where tick populations are distributed, which pathogens are present within those populations, and the periods of the year when ticks are active. To achieve this, a variety of approaches can be applied to enhance knowledge utilising a diverse range of stakeholders (public health professionals and veterinarians through to citizen scientists). Without this information, the application of mitigation strategies to reduce pathogen transmission and impact is compromised and the ability to monitor the effects of climate change or landscape modification on the risk of tick-borne disease is more challenging. However, as with many public and animal health interventions, there needs to be a cost-benefit assessment on the most appropriate intervention applied. This review will assess the challenges of tick-borne diseases in the UK and argue for a cross-disciplinary approach to their surveillance and control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas Johnson
- Vector-Borne Diseases, Virology Department, Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), Woodham Lane, Surrey KT15 3NB, UK; (L.P.P.); (A.J.F.); (K.L.M.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Lawrence Paul Phipps
- Vector-Borne Diseases, Virology Department, Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), Woodham Lane, Surrey KT15 3NB, UK; (L.P.P.); (A.J.F.); (K.L.M.)
| | - Kayleigh M. Hansford
- Medical Entomology and Zoonoses Ecology, UK Health Security Agency, Porton Down SP4 0JG, UK; (K.M.H.); (J.M.M.)
| | - Arran J. Folly
- Vector-Borne Diseases, Virology Department, Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), Woodham Lane, Surrey KT15 3NB, UK; (L.P.P.); (A.J.F.); (K.L.M.)
| | - Anthony R. Fooks
- International Development Team, Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), Woodham Lane, Surrey KT15 3NB, UK;
| | - Jolyon M. Medlock
- Medical Entomology and Zoonoses Ecology, UK Health Security Agency, Porton Down SP4 0JG, UK; (K.M.H.); (J.M.M.)
| | - Karen L. Mansfield
- Vector-Borne Diseases, Virology Department, Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), Woodham Lane, Surrey KT15 3NB, UK; (L.P.P.); (A.J.F.); (K.L.M.)
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13
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The evolving story of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato transmission in Europe. Parasitol Res 2022; 121:781-803. [PMID: 35122516 PMCID: PMC8816687 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-022-07445-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2021] [Accepted: 01/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Beside mosquitoes, ticks are well-known vectors of different human pathogens. In the Northern Hemisphere, Lyme borreliosis (Eurasia, LB) or Lyme disease (North America, LD) is the most commonly occurring vector-borne infectious disease caused by bacteria of the genus Borrelia which are transmitted by hard ticks of the genus Ixodes. The reported incidence of LB in Europe is about 22.6 cases per 100,000 inhabitants annually with a broad range depending on the geographical area analyzed. However, the epidemiological data are largely incomplete, because LB is not notifiable in all European countries. Furthermore, not only differ reporting procedures between countries, there is also variation in case definitions and diagnostic procedures. Lyme borreliosis is caused by several species of the Borrelia (B.) burgdorferi sensu lato (s.l.) complex which are maintained in complex networks including ixodid ticks and different reservoir hosts. Vector and host influence each other and are affected by multiple factors including climate that have a major impact on their habitats and ecology. To classify factors that influence the risk of transmission of B. burgdorferi s.l. to their different vertebrate hosts as well as to humans, we briefly summarize the current knowledge about the pathogens including their astonishing ability to overcome various host immune responses, regarding the main vector in Europe Ixodes ricinus, and the disease caused by borreliae. The research shows, that a higher standardization of case definition, diagnostic procedures, and standardized, long-term surveillance systems across Europe is necessary to improve clinical and epidemiological data.
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14
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Lesiczka PM, Hrazdilová K, Majerová K, Fonville M, Sprong H, Hönig V, Hofmannová L, Papežík P, Růžek D, Zurek L, Votýpka J, Modrý D. The Role of Peridomestic Animals in the Eco-Epidemiology of Anaplasma phagocytophilum. MICROBIAL ECOLOGY 2021; 82:602-612. [PMID: 33547531 DOI: 10.1007/s00248-021-01704-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2020] [Accepted: 01/26/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Anaplasma phagocytophilum is an important tick-borne zoonotic agent of human granulocytic anaplasmosis (HGA). In Europe, the Ixodes ticks are the main vector responsible for A. phagocytophilum transmission. A wide range of wild animals is involved in the circulation of this pathogen in the environment. Changes in populations of vertebrates living in different ecosystems impact the ecology of ticks and the epidemiology of tick-borne diseases. In this study, we investigated four species, Western European hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus), northern white-breasted hedgehog (Erinaceus roumanicus), Eurasian red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris), and the common blackbird (Turdus merula), to describe their role in the circulation of A. phagocytophilum in urban and periurban ecosystems. Ten different tissues were collected from cadavers of the four species, and blood and ear/skin samples from live blackbirds and hedgehogs. Using qPCR, we detected a high rate of A. phagocytophilum: Western European hedgehogs (96.4%), northern white-breasted hedgehogs (92.9%), Eurasian red squirrels (60%), and common blackbirds (33.8%). In the groEL gene, we found nine genotypes belonging to three ecotypes; seven of the genotypes are associated with HGA symptoms. Our findings underline the role of peridomestic animals in the ecology of A. phagocytophilum and indicate that cadavers are an important source of material for monitoring zoonotic pathogens. Concerning the high prevalence rate, all investigated species play an important role in the circulation of A. phagocytophilum in municipal areas; however, hedgehogs present the greatest anaplasmosis risk for humans. Common blackbirds and squirrels carry different A. phagocytophilum variants some of which are responsible for HGA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paulina Maria Lesiczka
- Department of Pathology and Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Palackého třída 1946/1, Brno, Czech Republic
- CEITEC VFU, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Palackého třída 1946/1, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Kristýna Hrazdilová
- CEITEC VFU, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Palackého třída 1946/1, Brno, Czech Republic
- Faculty of Medicine in Pilsen, Biomedical Center, Charles University, alej Svobody 1655, /76, Plzeň, Czech Republic
| | - Karolina Majerová
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Vinicna 7, Prague, Czech Republic
- Biology Centre, Institute of Parasitology, Czech Academy of Sciences, Branišovská, 31, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Manoj Fonville
- 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
| | - 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
| | - Václav Hönig
- Biology Centre, Institute of Parasitology, Czech Academy of Sciences, Branišovská, 31, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
- Veterinary Research Institute, Brno, Hudcova, 70, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Lada Hofmannová
- Department of Pathology and Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Palackého třída 1946/1, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Petr Papežík
- Department of Pathology and Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Palackého třída 1946/1, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Daniel Růžek
- Biology Centre, Institute of Parasitology, Czech Academy of Sciences, Branišovská, 31, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
- Veterinary Research Institute, Brno, Hudcova, 70, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Ludek Zurek
- CEITEC VFU, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Palackého třída 1946/1, Brno, Czech Republic
- Department of Microbiology, Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcka, 129, Prague, Czech Republic, Czech Republic
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Mendel University, Zemědělská, 1665, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Votýpka
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Vinicna 7, Prague, Czech Republic
- Biology Centre, Institute of Parasitology, Czech Academy of Sciences, Branišovská, 31, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - David Modrý
- Department of Pathology and Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Palackého třída 1946/1, Brno, Czech Republic.
- Biology Centre, Institute of Parasitology, Czech Academy of Sciences, Branišovská, 31, České Budějovice, Czech Republic.
- Department of Botany and Zoology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kotlářská 2, Brno, Czech Republic.
- Department of Veterinary Sciences/CINeZ, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcka, 129, Prague, Czech Republic.
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15
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Uiterwijk M, Ibáñez-Justicia A, van de Vossenberg B, Jacobs F, Overgaauw P, Nijsse R, Dabekaussen C, Stroo A, Sprong H. Imported Hyalomma ticks in the Netherlands 2018-2020. Parasit Vectors 2021; 14:244. [PMID: 33962655 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-021-04738-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2021] [Accepted: 04/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ticks of the genus Hyalomma, which are vectors for several tick-borne diseases, are occasionally found in areas outside their endemic range including northern parts of Europe. The objective of this study was to analyse adult Hyalomma ticks that were recently found in the Netherlands. METHODS Hyalomma ticks were morphologically identified. Cluster analysis, based upon sequence data (cox1 barcoding) for molecular identification, and pathogen detection were performed. Additionally, a cross-sectional survey of horses was conducted to actively search for Hyalomma ticks in summer 2019. Analysis of temperature was done to assess the possibility of (i) introduced engorged nymphs moulting to adults and (ii) establishment of populations in the Netherlands. RESULTS Seventeen adult Hyalomma ticks (one in 2018, eleven in 2019, five in 2020) were found by citizens and reported. Fifteen ticks were detected on horses and two on humans. Twelve were identified as H. marginatum, one as H. rufipes and four, of which only photographic images were available, as Hyalomma sp. No Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever virus or Babesia/Theileria parasites were detected. One adult tick tested positive for Rickettsia aeschlimannii. In the cross-sectional horse survey, no Hyalomma ticks were found. Analysis of temperatures showed that engorged nymphs arriving on migratory birds in spring were able to moult to adults in 2019 and 2020, and that cumulative daily temperatures in the Netherlands were lower than in areas with established H. marginatum populations. CONCLUSIONS Our results show that Hyalomma ticks are regularly introduced in the Netherlands as nymphs. Under the Dutch weather conditions, these nymphs are able to develop to the adult stage, which can be sighted by vigilant citizens. Only one human pathogen, Rickettsia aeschlimannii, was found in one of the ticks. The risk of introduction of tick-borne diseases via Hyalomma ticks on migratory birds is considered to be low. Establishment of permanent Hyalomma populations is considered unlikely under the current Dutch climatic conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathilde Uiterwijk
- Centre for Monitoring of Vectors (CMV), National Reference Laboratory, Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA), Wageningen, the Netherlands.
| | - Adolfo Ibáñez-Justicia
- Centre for Monitoring of Vectors (CMV), National Reference Laboratory, Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA), Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Bart van de Vossenberg
- National Plant Protection Organization (NPPO-NL), National Reference Laboratory, Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA), Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Frans Jacobs
- Centre for Monitoring of Vectors (CMV), National Reference Laboratory, Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA), Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Paul Overgaauw
- Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences (IRAS), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Rolf Nijsse
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Charlotte Dabekaussen
- Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences (IRAS), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Arjan Stroo
- Centre for Monitoring of Vectors (CMV), National Reference Laboratory, Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA), Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Hein Sprong
- Centre for Infectious Disease Control (CIb), National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, the Netherlands
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16
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Remesar S, Díaz P, Prieto A, García-Dios D, Panadero R, Fernández G, Brianti E, Díez-Baños P, Morrondo P, López CM. Molecular detection and identification of piroplasms (Babesia spp. and Theileria spp.) and Anaplasma phagocytophilum in questing ticks from northwest Spain. MEDICAL AND VETERINARY ENTOMOLOGY 2021; 35:51-58. [PMID: 32757238 DOI: 10.1111/mve.12468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2020] [Revised: 06/15/2020] [Accepted: 07/10/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Anaplasma phagocytophilum and some piroplasm species are pathogens mainly transmitted by Ixodes ricinus. Considering that this tick species is predominant in north-western Spain, individual specimens (652 nymphs, 202 females and 202 males) and 23 larval pools were processed to determine the prevalence of these pathogens in questing I. ricinus from that region. Additionally, Dermacentor marginatus, Dermacentor reticulatus, Ixodes frontalis and Ixodes acuminatus were individually analysed. The groESL operon as well as the 16S rRNA and msp2 genes of Anaplasma were analysed. Similarly, piroplasms were identified at the 18S rRNA gene and the ITS1 of Babesia spp. and Theileria spp. Babesia venatorum (1.5%), A. phagocytophilum (0.7%), Babesia microti (0.3%) and Theileria sp. OT3 (0.2%) were detected in I. ricinus. A single I. frontalis (8.3%) tested positive to A. phagocytophilum. Although a low percentage of I. ricinus were infected with A. phagocytophilum and piroplasms, a potentially human pathogenic variant of A. phagocytophilum was detected, and both Babesia species found were zoonotic. Since the vector of Theileria sp. OT3 remains unknown, further investigations are needed to unravel the role of I. ricinus in the transmission of this piroplasm.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Remesar
- Investigación en Sanidad Animal: Galicia (Grupo INVESAGA), Facultade de Veterinaria, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Lugo, Spain
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Università degli Studi di Messina, Polo Universitario Annunziata, Messina, Italy
| | - P Díaz
- Investigación en Sanidad Animal: Galicia (Grupo INVESAGA), Facultade de Veterinaria, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Lugo, Spain
| | - A Prieto
- Investigación en Sanidad Animal: Galicia (Grupo INVESAGA), Facultade de Veterinaria, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Lugo, Spain
| | - D García-Dios
- Investigación en Sanidad Animal: Galicia (Grupo INVESAGA), Facultade de Veterinaria, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Lugo, Spain
| | - R Panadero
- Investigación en Sanidad Animal: Galicia (Grupo INVESAGA), Facultade de Veterinaria, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Lugo, Spain
| | - G Fernández
- Investigación en Sanidad Animal: Galicia (Grupo INVESAGA), Facultade de Veterinaria, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Lugo, Spain
| | - E Brianti
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Università degli Studi di Messina, Polo Universitario Annunziata, Messina, Italy
| | - P Díez-Baños
- Investigación en Sanidad Animal: Galicia (Grupo INVESAGA), Facultade de Veterinaria, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Lugo, Spain
| | - P Morrondo
- Investigación en Sanidad Animal: Galicia (Grupo INVESAGA), Facultade de Veterinaria, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Lugo, Spain
| | - C M López
- Investigación en Sanidad Animal: Galicia (Grupo INVESAGA), Facultade de Veterinaria, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Lugo, Spain
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17
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Abstract
With one exception (epidemic relapsing fever), borreliae are obligately maintained in nature by ticks. Although some Borrelia spp. may be vertically transmitted to subsequent generations of ticks, most require amplification by a vertebrate host because inheritance is not stable. Enzootic cycles of borreliae have been found globally; those receiving the most attention from researchers are those whose vectors have some degree of anthropophily and, thus, cause zoonoses such as Lyme disease or relapsing fever. To some extent, our views on the synecology of the borreliae has been dominated by an applied focus, viz., analyses that seek to understand the elements of human risk for borreliosis. But, the elements of borrelial perpetuation do not necessarily bear upon risk, nor do our concepts of risk provide the best structure for analyzing perpetuation. We identify the major global themes for the perpetuation of borreliae, and summarize local variations on those themes, focusing on key literature to outline the factors that serve as the basis for the distribution and abundance of borreliae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sam R. Telford
- Dept of Infectious Disease and Global Health, Tufts University, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, 200 Westboro Road, North Grafton, MA 01536, USA
| | - Heidi K. Goethert
- Dept of Infectious Disease and Global Health, Tufts University, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, 200 Westboro Road, North Grafton, MA 01536, USA
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18
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Hasle G, Leinaas HP, Heier L, Garcia AL, Røed KH. Mitochondrial DNA in Ixodus ricinus (Acari: Ixodidae) on birds reflects ticks' transportation routes to Lista, Norway. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2020; 12:101553. [PMID: 33130437 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2020.101553] [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: 05/06/2019] [Revised: 09/01/2020] [Accepted: 09/01/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Ticks are important pathogen vectors, and large mammals and birds have the greatest potential for dispersing them. To study tick dispersal by migrating birds, we have analysed genetic variations in mitochondrial DNA control region from Ixodes ricinus from northward migrating blackbird, Turdus merula, and (European) robin, Erithacus rubecula, at the Lista Bird Observatory in southwestern Norway. We compared their genetic structure with that of resident tick populations from areas covering their expected last stop (i.e. Great Britain and Jutland, Denmark) before taking off for southern Norway, and the resident tick population at Lista. The statistical analysis showed that the I. ricinus found on blackbirds differed significantly from those found on robins, which is consistent with the birds' differential migration routes. I. ricinus from robins did not differ genetically from those flagged at Jutland, suggesting that the former mainly originate in continental Europe. Bayesian analysis indicated that most of the blackbirds caught early in the spring (i.e. before or on the 1st of April) carried ticks of a mixed origin from both Great Britain and continental Europe, while blackbirds caught later in the season carried an increasing amount of ticks acquired locally.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gunnar Hasle
- Reiseklinikken, St Olavs Plass 3, Oslo, 0165, Norway.
| | - Hans Petter Leinaas
- Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, P.O.Box 1066, Blindern, Oslo, 0316, Norway.
| | - Lise Heier
- Reiseklinikken, St Olavs Plass 3, Oslo, 0165, Norway.
| | - Aïda López Garcia
- NOF-BirdLife Norway, Lista Bird Observatory, Fyrveien 6, Borhaug, 4563, Norway.
| | - Knut Håkon Røed
- School of Veterinary Science, NMBU-Norwegian University of Life Sciences, P.O. Box 369 Sentrum, Oslo, 0102, Norway.
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Heylen DJ, Reinoso-Pérez MT, Goodman L, Dhondt KV, Dhondt AA. Ectoparasitism during an avian disease outbreak: An experiment with Mycoplasma-infected house finches and ticks. Int J Parasitol Parasites Wildl 2020; 12:53-63. [PMID: 32426219 PMCID: PMC7225381 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2020.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2019] [Revised: 04/01/2020] [Accepted: 04/01/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Hosts are typically co-parasitized by multiple species. Parasites can benefit or suffer from the presence of other parasites, which can reduce or increase the overall virulence due to competition or facilitation. Outcomes of new multi-parasite systems are seldom predictable. In 1994 the bacterium Mycoplasma gallisepticum jumped from poultry to songbirds in which it caused an epidemic throughout North America. Songbirds are often parasitized by hard ticks, and can act as reservoirs for tick-borne pathogens. We tested the hypothesis that Mycoplasma infection in house finches influences North America's most important tick vector Ixodes scapularis, by affecting the tick's feeding success, detachment behaviour and survival to the next stage. Most ticks detached during the daylight hours irrespective of the bird's disease status and time since infestation. Birds incrementally invested in anti-tick resistance mechanisms over the course of the experiment; this investment was made earlier in the Mycoplasma-infected birds. At higher tick densities, the feeding success on birds with more severe conjunctivitis was lower than in the uninfected birds. Throughout the experiment we found positive density dependent effects on the tick's feeding success. More diseased hosts suffered more from the tick infestations, as shown by reduced haematocrits. Three Mycoplasma-infected birds died during the weeks following the experiment, although all birds were kept in optimal housing conditions. Mycoplasma made the bird a less accessible and valuable host for ticks, which is an example of ecological interference. Therefore, Mycoplasma has the potential to ultimately reduce transmission outcomes of tick-borne pathogens via songbird hosts. Songbird hosts show signs of acquired immunological resistance against ticks. Resistance acquisition was accelerated under the influence of Mycoplasma. Mycoplasma infection had no strong effects on diurnal detachments. Mycoplasma made birds a less accessible and valuable host for ticks. Virulence increased under co-parasitism on the same host tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dieter J.A. Heylen
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA
- Interuniversity Institute for Biostatistics and Statistical Bioinformatics, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
- Eco-Epidemiology Group, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
- Corresponding author. Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA.
| | - María Teresa Reinoso-Pérez
- Laboratory of Ornithology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
- Department of Natural Resources, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Laura Goodman
- Department of Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Keila V. Dhondt
- Department of Natural Resources, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - André A. Dhondt
- Laboratory of Ornithology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
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20
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Okeyo M, Hepner S, Rollins RE, Hartberger C, Straubinger RK, Marosevic D, Bannister SA, Bormane A, Donaghy M, Sing A, Fingerle V, Margos G. Longitudinal study of prevalence and spatio-temporal distribution of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato in ticks from three defined habitats in Latvia, 1999-2010. Environ Microbiol 2020; 22:5033-5047. [PMID: 32452153 DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.15100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2020] [Revised: 05/18/2020] [Accepted: 05/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Members of the Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (s.l.) species complex are known to cause human Lyme borreliosis. Because of longevity of some reservoir hosts and the Ixodes tick vectors' life cycle, long-term studies are required to better understand species and population dynamics of these bacteria in their natural habitats. Ticks were collected between 1999 and 2010 in three ecologically different habitats in Latvia. We used multilocus sequence typing utilizing eight chromosomally located housekeeping genes to obtain information about species and population fluctuations and/or stability of B. burgdorferi s.l. in these habitats. The average prevalence over all years was 18.9%. From initial high-infection prevalences of 25.5%, 33.1% and 31.8%, from 2002 onwards the infection rates steadily decreased to 7.3%. Borrelia afzelii and Borrelia garinii were the most commonly found genospecies but striking local differences were obvious. In one habitat, a significant shift from rodent-associated to bird-associated Borrelia species was noted whilst in the other habitats, Borrelia species composition was relatively stable over time. Sequence types (STs) showed a random spatial and temporal distribution. These results demonstrated that there are temporal regional changes and extrapolations from one habitat to the next are not possible.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mercy Okeyo
- Bavarian Health and Food Safety Authority, German National Reference Centre for Borrelia, Veterinärstr. 2, 85764, Oberschleissheim, Germany
| | - Sabrina Hepner
- Bavarian Health and Food Safety Authority, German National Reference Centre for Borrelia, Veterinärstr. 2, 85764, Oberschleissheim, Germany
| | - Robert E Rollins
- Division of Evolutionary Biology, Faculty of Biology, LMU Munich, Großhaderner Str. 2, 82152, Planegg-Martinsried, Germany
| | - Christina Hartberger
- Bavarian Health and Food Safety Authority, German National Reference Centre for Borrelia, Veterinärstr. 2, 85764, Oberschleissheim, Germany
| | - Reinhard K Straubinger
- Bacteriology and Mycology, Institute for Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, LMU Munich, Veterinärstraße 13, 80539, Munich, Germany
| | - Durdica Marosevic
- Bavarian Health and Food Safety Authority, German National Reference Centre for Borrelia, Veterinärstr. 2, 85764, Oberschleissheim, Germany
| | | | - Antra Bormane
- Center for Disease Prevention and Control, Infectious Diseases Surveillance and Immunization Unit, Duntes iela 22-4, Riga, LV-1005, Latvia
| | - Michael Donaghy
- Department of Clinical Neurology, Green Templeton College, The University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Andreas Sing
- Bavarian Health and Food Safety Authority, German National Reference Centre for Borrelia, Veterinärstr. 2, 85764, Oberschleissheim, Germany
| | - Volker Fingerle
- Bavarian Health and Food Safety Authority, German National Reference Centre for Borrelia, Veterinärstr. 2, 85764, Oberschleissheim, Germany
| | - Gabriele Margos
- Bavarian Health and Food Safety Authority, German National Reference Centre for Borrelia, Veterinärstr. 2, 85764, Oberschleissheim, Germany
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21
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Cutler S, Vayssier-Taussat M, Estrada-Peña A, Potkonjak A, Mihalca AD, Zeller H. A new Borrelia on the block: Borrelia miyamotoi - a human health risk? ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2020; 24. [PMID: 31064634 PMCID: PMC6505184 DOI: 10.2807/1560-7917.es.2019.24.18.1800170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Background Borrelia miyamotoi clusters phylogenetically among relapsing fever borreliae, but is transmitted by hard ticks. Recent recognition as a human pathogen has intensified research into its ecology and pathogenic potential. Aims We aimed to provide a timely critical integrative evaluation of our knowledge on B. miyamotoi, to assess its public health relevance and guide future research. Methods This narrative review used peer-reviewed literature in English from January 1994 to December 2018. Results Borrelia miyamotoi occurs in the world’s northern hemisphere where it co-circulates with B. burgdorferi sensu lato, which causes Lyme disease. The two borreliae have overlapping vertebrate and tick hosts. While ticks serve as vectors for both species, they are also reservoirs for B. miyamotoi. Three B. miyamotoi genotypes are described, but further diversity is being recognised. The lack of sufficient cultivable isolates and vertebrate models compromise investigation of human infection and its consequences. Our understanding mainly originates from limited case series. In these, human infections mostly present as influenza-like illness, with relapsing fever in sporadic cases and neurological disease reported in immunocompromised patients. Unspecific clinical presentation, also occasionally resulting from Lyme- or other co-infections, complicates diagnosis, likely contributing to under-reporting. Diagnostics mainly employ PCR and serology. Borrelia miyamotoi infections are treated with antimicrobials according to regimes used for Lyme disease. Conclusions With co-infection of tick-borne pathogens being commonplace, diagnostic improvements remain important. Developing in vivo models might allow more insight into human pathogenesis. Continued ecological and human case studies are key to better epidemiological understanding, guiding intervention strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sally Cutler
- School of Health, Sport & Bioscience, University of East London, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Agustín Estrada-Peña
- Department of Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Aleksandar Potkonjak
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Andrei Daniel Mihalca
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Hervé Zeller
- European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, Solna, Sweden
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Pedersen BN, Jenkins A, Kjelland V. Tick-borne pathogens in Ixodes ricinus ticks collected from migratory birds in southern Norway. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0230579. [PMID: 32271774 PMCID: PMC7145107 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0230579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2020] [Accepted: 03/03/2020] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Birds are important hosts for the first life stages of the Ixodes ricinus tick and they can transport their parasites over long distances. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Neoehrlichia mikurensis and Rickettsia helvetica in ticks collected from migratory birds in Norway. A total of 815 Ixodes ricinus ticks from 216 birds trapped at Lista Bird Observatory in southern Norway during spring and autumn migration in 2008 were analysed by real-time PCR. B. burgdorferi s. l. was the most prevalent pathogen, detected in 6.1% of the ticks. The prevalence of N. mikurensis, A. phagocytophilum and R. helvetica was 1.2%, 0.9% and 0.4% respectively. In addition, one sample (0.1%) was positive for B. miyamotoi. In total, 8.2% of the ticks were infected with at least one pathogen. Co-infection with B. burgdorferi s. l. and N. mikurensis or A. phagocytophilum was found in 6.0% of the infected ticks. Our results show that all the known major tick-borne bacterial pathogens in Norway are subject to transport by migratory birds, potentially allowing spread to new areas. Our study showed a surprisingly high number of samples with PCR inhibition (57%). These samples had been extracted using standard methodology (phenol-chloroform extraction). This illustrates the need for inhibition controls to determine true prevalence rates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benedikte N. Pedersen
- Department of Natural Science and Environmental Health, University of South-Eastern Norway, Gullbringvegen, Norway
- * E-mail: (BNP); (AJ)
| | - Andrew Jenkins
- Department of Natural Science and Environmental Health, University of South-Eastern Norway, Gullbringvegen, Norway
- * E-mail: (BNP); (AJ)
| | - Vivian Kjelland
- Department of Natural Sciences, Faculty of Engineering and Science, University of Agder, Kristiansand, Norway
- Sørlandet Hospital Health Enterprise, Research Unit, Kristiansand, Norway
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23
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Norte AC, Lopes de Carvalho I, Núncio MS, Araújo PM, Matthysen E, Albino Ramos J, Sprong H, Heylen D. Getting under the birds' skin: tissue tropism of Borrelia burgdorferi s.l. in naturally and experimentally infected avian hosts. MICROBIAL ECOLOGY 2020; 79:756-769. [PMID: 31612324 DOI: 10.1007/s00248-019-01442-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2019] [Accepted: 09/11/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Wild birds are frequently exposed to the zoonotic tick-borne bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (s.l.), and some bird species act as reservoirs for some Borrelia genospecies. Studying the tropism of Borrelia in the host, how it is sequestered in different organs, and whether it is maintained in circulation and/or in the host's skin is important to understand pathogenicity, infectivity to vector ticks and reservoir competency.We evaluated tissue dissemination of Borrelia in blackbirds (Turdus merula) and great tits (Parus major), naturally and experimentally infected with Borrelia genospecies from enzootic foci. We collected both minimally invasive biological samples (feathers, skin biopsies and blood) and skin, joint, brain and visceral tissues from necropsied birds. Infectiousness of the host was evaluated through xenodiagnoses and infection rates in fed and moulted ticks. Skin biopsies were the most reliable method for assessing avian hosts' Borrelia infectiousness, which was supported by the agreement of infection status results obtained from the analysis of chin and lore skin samples from necropsied birds and of their xenodiagnostic ticks, including a significant correlation between the estimated concentration of Borrelia genome copies in the skin and the Borrelia infection rate in the xenodiagnostic ticks. This confirms a dermatropism of Borrelia garinii, B. valaisiana and B. turdi in its avian hosts. However, time elapsed from exposure to Borrelia and interaction between host species and Borrelia genospecies may affect the reliability of skin biopsies. The blood was not useful to assess infectiousness of birds, even during the period of expected maximum spirochetaemia. From the tissues sampled (foot joint, liver, spleen, heart, kidney, gut and brain), Borrelia was detected only in the gut, which could be related with infection mode, genospecies competition, genospecies-specific seasonality and/or excretion processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Cláudia Norte
- Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, Department of Life Sciences, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University of Coimbra, Largo Marquês de Pombal, 3004-517, Coimbra, Portugal.
- Centre for Vectors and Infectious Diseases Dr. Francisco Cambournac, National Institute of Health Doutor Ricardo Jorge, Lisbon, Portugal.
| | - Isabel Lopes de Carvalho
- Centre for Vectors and Infectious Diseases Dr. Francisco Cambournac, National Institute of Health Doutor Ricardo Jorge, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Maria Sofia Núncio
- Centre for Vectors and Infectious Diseases Dr. Francisco Cambournac, National Institute of Health Doutor Ricardo Jorge, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Pedro Miguel Araújo
- Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, Department of Life Sciences, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University of Coimbra, Largo Marquês de Pombal, 3004-517, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Erik Matthysen
- Evolutionary Ecology Group, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Jaime Albino Ramos
- Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, Department of Life Sciences, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University of Coimbra, Largo Marquês de Pombal, 3004-517, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Hein Sprong
- Centre for Infectious Disease Control (CIb), vhNational Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, the Netherlands
| | - Dieter Heylen
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA
- Interuniversity Institute for Biostatistics and Statistical Bioinformatics, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
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24
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The Potential Role of Migratory Birds in the Rapid Spread of Ticks and Tick-Borne Pathogens in the Changing Climatic and Environmental Conditions in Europe. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 17:ijerph17062117. [PMID: 32209990 PMCID: PMC7142536 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17062117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2020] [Revised: 03/09/2020] [Accepted: 03/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
This opinion piece highlights the role of migratory birds in the spread of ticks and their role in the circulation and dissemination of pathogens in Europe. Birds with different lifestyles, i.e., non-migrants residing in a specific area, or short-, medium-, and long-distance migrants, migrating within one or several distant geographical regions are carriers of a number of ticks and tick-borne pathogens. During seasonal migrations, birds that cover long distances over a short time and stay temporarily in different habitats can introduce tick and pathogen species in areas where they have never occurred. An increase in the geographical range of ticks as well as the global climate changes affecting the pathogens, vectors, and their hosts increase the incidence and the spread of emerging tick-borne diseases worldwide. Tick infestations of birds varied between regions depends on the rhythms of tick seasonal activity and the bird migration rhythms determined by for example, climatic and environmental factors. In areas north of latitude ca. 58°N, immature Ixodes ricinus ticks are collected from birds most frequently, whereas ticks from the Hyalomma marginatum group dominate in areas below 42°N. We concluded that the prognosis of hazards posed by tick-borne pathogens should take into account changes in the migration of birds, hosts of many epidemiologically important tick species.
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25
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Azagi T, Hoornstra D, Kremer K, Hovius JWR, Sprong H. Evaluation of Disease Causality of Rare Ixodes ricinus-Borne Infections in Europe. Pathogens 2020; 9:pathogens9020150. [PMID: 32102367 PMCID: PMC7168666 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens9020150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2020] [Revised: 02/21/2020] [Accepted: 02/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
In Europe, Ixodes ricinus ticks transmit pathogens such as Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato and tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV). In addition, there is evidence for transmission to humans from I. ricinus of Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Babesia divergens, Babesia microti, Babesia venatorum, Borrelia miyamotoi, Neoehrlichia mikurensis, Rickettsia helvetica and Rickettsia monacensis. However, whether infection with these potential tick-borne pathogens results in human disease has not been fully demonstrated for all of these tick-borne microorganisms. To evaluate the available evidence for a causative relation between infection and disease, the current study analyses European case reports published from 2008 to 2018, supplemented with information derived from epidemiological and experimental studies. The evidence for human disease causality in Europe found in this review appeared to be strongest for A. phagocytophilum and B. divergens. Nonetheless, some knowledge gaps still exist. Importantly, comprehensive evidence for pathogenicity is lacking for the remaining tick-borne microorganisms. Such evidence could be gathered best through prospective studies, for example, studies enrolling patients with a fever after a tick bite, the development of specific new serological tools, isolation of these microorganisms from ticks and patients and propagation in vitro, and through experimental studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tal Azagi
- Centre for Infectious Diseases Research, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, P.O. Box 1, Bilthoven 3720 BA, The Netherlands; (K.K.); (H.S.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Dieuwertje Hoornstra
- Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine, Amsterdam University Medical Centers Location Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam 1105 AZ, The Netherlands; (D.H.); (J.W.R.H.)
| | - Kristin Kremer
- Centre for Infectious Diseases Research, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, P.O. Box 1, Bilthoven 3720 BA, The Netherlands; (K.K.); (H.S.)
| | - Joppe W. R. Hovius
- Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine, Amsterdam University Medical Centers Location Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam 1105 AZ, The Netherlands; (D.H.); (J.W.R.H.)
| | - Hein Sprong
- Centre for Infectious Diseases Research, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, P.O. Box 1, Bilthoven 3720 BA, The Netherlands; (K.K.); (H.S.)
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26
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Norte AC, Margos G, Becker NS, Albino Ramos J, Núncio MS, Fingerle V, Araújo PM, Adamík P, Alivizatos H, Barba E, Barrientos R, Cauchard L, Csörgő T, Diakou A, Dingemanse NJ, Doligez B, Dubiec A, Eeva T, Flaisz B, Grim T, Hau M, Heylen D, Hornok S, Kazantzidis S, Kováts D, Krause F, Literak I, Mänd R, Mentesana L, Morinay J, Mutanen M, Neto JM, Nováková M, Sanz JJ, Pascoal da Silva L, Sprong H, Tirri IS, Török J, Trilar T, Tyller Z, Visser ME, Lopes de Carvalho I. Host dispersal shapes the population structure of a tick-borne bacterial pathogen. Mol Ecol 2020; 29:485-501. [PMID: 31846173 DOI: 10.1111/mec.15336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2018] [Revised: 08/02/2019] [Accepted: 12/11/2019] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Birds are hosts for several zoonotic pathogens. Because of their high mobility, especially of longdistance migrants, birds can disperse these pathogens, affecting their distribution and phylogeography. We focused on Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, which includes the causative agents of Lyme borreliosis, as an example for tick-borne pathogens, to address the role of birds as propagation hosts of zoonotic agents at a large geographical scale. We collected ticks from passerine birds in 11 European countries. B. burgdorferi s.l. prevalence in Ixodes spp. was 37% and increased with latitude. The fieldfare Turdus pilaris and the blackbird T. merula carried ticks with the highest Borrelia prevalence (92 and 58%, respectively), whereas robin Erithacus rubecula ticks were the least infected (3.8%). Borrelia garinii was the most prevalent genospecies (61%), followed by B. valaisiana (24%), B. afzelii (9%), B. turdi (5%) and B. lusitaniae (0.5%). A novel Borrelia genospecies "Candidatus Borrelia aligera" was also detected. Multilocus sequence typing (MLST) analysis of B. garinii isolates together with the global collection of B. garinii genotypes obtained from the Borrelia MLST public database revealed that: (a) there was little overlap among genotypes from different continents, (b) there was no geographical structuring within Europe, and (c) there was no evident association pattern detectable among B. garinii genotypes from ticks feeding on birds, questing ticks or human isolates. These findings strengthen the hypothesis that the population structure and evolutionary biology of tick-borne pathogens are shaped by their host associations and the movement patterns of these hosts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Cláudia Norte
- MARE - Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,Center for Vector and Infectious Diseases Research, National Institute of Health Dr. Ricardo Jorge, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Gabriele Margos
- German National Reference Centre for Borrelia (NRZ), Bavarian Health and Food Safety Authority (LGL), Oberschleissheim, Germany
| | - Noémie S Becker
- Division of Evolutionary Biology, Faculty of Biology, LMU Munich, Planegg-Martinsried, Germany
| | - Jaime Albino Ramos
- MARE - Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Maria Sofia Núncio
- Center for Vector and Infectious Diseases Research, National Institute of Health Dr. Ricardo Jorge, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Volker Fingerle
- German National Reference Centre for Borrelia (NRZ), Bavarian Health and Food Safety Authority (LGL), Oberschleissheim, Germany
| | - Pedro Miguel Araújo
- MARE - Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Peter Adamík
- Department of Zoology, Palacky University, Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | | | - Emilio Barba
- Instituto Cavanilles de Biodiversidad y Biología Evolutiva (ICBiBE), Universidad de Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - Rafael Barrientos
- Department of Biodiversity, Ecology and Evolution, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Laure Cauchard
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
| | - Tibor Csörgő
- Ócsa Bird Ringing Station, Ócsa, Hungary.,Department of Anatomy, Cell and Developmental Biology, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Anastasia Diakou
- Laboratory of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Niels J Dingemanse
- Behavioural Ecology, Department of Biology, Ludwig Maximilians University of Munich, Planegg-Martinsried, Germany
| | - Blandine Doligez
- CNRS - Department of Biometry and Evolutionary Biology (LBBE) - University Lyon 1, University of Lyon, Villeurbanne, France
| | - Anna Dubiec
- Museum and Institute of Zoology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warszawa, Poland
| | - Tapio Eeva
- Department of Biology, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Barbara Flaisz
- Department of Parasitology and Zoology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Tomas Grim
- Department of Zoology, Palacky University, Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Michaela Hau
- Evolutionary Physiology Laboratory, Max Planck Institute for Ornithology, Seewiesen, Germany
| | - Dieter Heylen
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA.,Interuniversity Institute for Biostatistics and Statistical Bioinformatics, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Sándor Hornok
- Department of Parasitology and Zoology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Savas Kazantzidis
- Forest Research Institute, Hellenic Agricultural Organization "DEMETER", Thesaloniki, Greece
| | - David Kováts
- Ócsa Bird Ringing Station, Ócsa, Hungary.,Hungarian Biodiversity Research Society, Budapest, Hungary
| | | | - Ivan Literak
- Department of Biology and Wildlife Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Hygiene and Ecology, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences Brno, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Raivo Mänd
- Department of Zoology, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Lucia Mentesana
- Evolutionary Physiology Laboratory, Max Planck Institute for Ornithology, Seewiesen, Germany
| | - Jennifer Morinay
- CNRS - Department of Biometry and Evolutionary Biology (LBBE) - University Lyon 1, University of Lyon, Villeurbanne, France.,Department of Ecology and Evolution, Animal Ecology, Evolutionary Biology Centre, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Marko Mutanen
- Department of Ecology and Genetics, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| | - Júlio Manuel Neto
- Department of Biology, Molecular Ecology and Evolution Lab, University of Lund, Lund, Sweden
| | - Markéta Nováková
- Department of Biology and Wildlife Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Hygiene and Ecology, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences Brno, Brno, Czech Republic.,Department of Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Juan José Sanz
- Departamento de Ecología Evolutiva, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales (CSIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Luís Pascoal da Silva
- Department of Life Sciences, CFE - Centre for Functional Ecology - Science for People & the Planet, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,CIBIO-InBIO, Research Center in Biodiversity and Genetic Resources, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Hein Sprong
- National Institute of Public Health and Environment (RIVM), Laboratory for Zoonoses and Environmental Microbiology, Bilthoven, The Netherlands
| | - Ina-Sabrina Tirri
- Finnish Museum of Natural History, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - János Török
- Behavioural Ecology Group, Department of Systematic Zoology and Ecology, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Tomi Trilar
- Slovenian Museum of Natural History, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Zdeněk Tyller
- Department of Zoology, Palacky University, Olomouc, Czech Republic.,Museum of the Moravian Wallachia Region, Vsetín, Czech Republic
| | - Marcel E Visser
- Department of Animal Ecology, Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW), Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Isabel Lopes de Carvalho
- Center for Vector and Infectious Diseases Research, National Institute of Health Dr. Ricardo Jorge, Lisbon, Portugal
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Borrelia prevalence and species distribution in ticks removed from humans in Germany, 2013-2017. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2019; 11:101363. [PMID: 31987819 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2019.101363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2019] [Revised: 12/11/2019] [Accepted: 12/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Lyme borreliosis caused by spirochaetes of the Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (s.l.) complex is the most common tick-borne disease in Europe. In addition, the relapsing-fever spirochaete Borrelia miyamotoi, which has been associated with febrile illness and meningoencephalitis in immunocompromised persons, is present in Europe. This study investigated Borrelia prevalence and species distribution in ticks removed from humans and sent as diagnostic material to the Institute for Parasitology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, in 2013-2017. A probe-based real-time PCR was carried out and Borrelia-positive samples were subjected to species determination by reverse line blot (RLB), including a B. miyamotoi-specific probe. The overall Borrelia-infection rate as determined by real-time PCR was 20.02 % (510/2547, 95 % CI: 18.48-21.63 %), with annual prevalences ranging from 17.17 % (90/524, 95 % CI: 14.04-20.68 %) in 2014 to 24.12 % (96/398, 95 % CI: 19.99-28.63 %) in 2015. In total, 271/475 (57.1 %) positive samples available for RLB were successfully differentiated. Borrelia afzelii was detected in 30.53 % of cases (145/475, 95 % CI: 26.41-34.89), followed by B. garinii/B. bavariensis (13.26 % [63/475], 95 % CI: 10.34-16.65). Borrelia valaisiana occurred in 5.89 % (28/475, 95 % CI: 3.95-8.41), B. spielmanii in 4.63 % (22/475, 95 % CI: 2.93-6.93), B. burgdorferi sensu stricto (s.s.)/B. carolinensis in 2.32 % (11/475, 95 % CI: 1.16-4.11), B. lusitaniae in 0.63 % (3/475, 95 % CI: 0.13-1.83) and B. bisettiae in 0.42 % (2/475, 95 % CI: 0.05-1.51) of positive ticks. Borrelia kurtenbachii was not detected, while B. miyamotoi was identified in 7.37 % (35/475, 95 % CI: 5.19-10.10) of real-time PCR-positive samples. Sanger sequencing of B. garinii/B. bavariensis-positive ticks revealed that the majority were B. garinii-infections (50/52 successfully amplified samples), while only 2 ticks were infected with B. bavariensis. Furthermore, 6/12 B. burgdorferi s.s./B. carolinensis-positive samples could be differentiated; all of them were identified as B. burgdorferi sensu stricto. Thirty-nine ticks (8.21 %, 95 % CI: 5.90-11.05) were coinfected with two different species. Comparison of the species distribution between ticks removed from humans in 2015 and questing ticks collected in the same year and the same area revealed a significantly higher B. afzelii-prevalence in diagnostic tick samples than in questing ticks, confirming previous observations. The obtained data indicate that Borrelia prevalence fluctuated in the same range as observed in a previous study, analysing the period from 2006 to 2012. Detection of B. miyamotoi in 7.37 % of Borrelia-positive samples points to the fact that clinicians should be aware of this pathogen as a differential diagnosis in cases of febrile illness.
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Lernout T, De Regge N, Tersago K, Fonville M, Suin V, Sprong H. Prevalence of pathogens in ticks collected from humans through citizen science in Belgium. Parasit Vectors 2019; 12:550. [PMID: 31752967 PMCID: PMC6873681 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-019-3806-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2019] [Accepted: 11/12/2019] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In order to evaluate the risk of human exposure to tick-borne pathogens in Belgium, a study on the prevalence of several pathogens was conducted on feeding ticks removed from humans in 2017. METHODS Using a citizen science approach based on an existing notification tool for tick bites, a sample of ticks was collected across the country. Collected ticks were screened by PCR for the presence of the following pathogens: Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Babesia spp., Borrelia burgdorferi (sensu lato), Borrelia miyamotoi, Neoehrlichia mikurensis, Rickettsia helvetica and tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV). RESULTS In total, 1599 ticks were included in the sample. The great majority of ticks belonged to Ixodes ricinus (99%); other tick species were identified as Ixodes hexagonus (0.7%) and Dermacentor reticulatus (0.3%). Borrelia burgdorferi (s.l.) was detected in 14% of nymphs and adult ticks. Adult ticks (20%) were more likely to be infected than nymphs (12%). The most common genospecies were B. afzelii (52%) and B. garinii (21%). Except for TBEV, the other tick-borne pathogens studied were all detected in the tick sample, although at a lower prevalence: 1.5% for Babesia spp.; 1.8% for A. phagocytophilum; 2.4% for B. miyamotoi; 2.8% for N. mikurensis; and 6.8% for R. helvetica. Rickettsia raoultii, the causative agent of tick-borne lymphadenopathy, was identified for the first time in Belgium, in two out of five D. reticulatus ticks. Co-infections were found in 3.9% of the examined ticks. The most common co-infection was B. burgdorferi (s.l.) + N. mikurensis. CONCLUSIONS Although for most of the tick-borne diseases in Belgium, other than Lyme borreliosis, no or few cases of human infection are reported, the pathogens causing these diseases were all (except for TBEV) detected in the tick study sample. Their confirmed presence can help raise awareness among citizens and health professionals in Belgium on possible diseases other than Lyme borreliosis in patients presenting fever or other non-characteristic symptoms after a tick bite.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tinne Lernout
- Sciensano, Belgian Institute for Health, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Nick De Regge
- Sciensano, Belgian Institute for Health, Brussels, Belgium
| | | | - Manoj Fonville
- Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, The Netherlands
| | - Vanessa Suin
- Sciensano, Belgian Institute for Health, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Hein Sprong
- Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, The Netherlands
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Wedekind-Grunert S, Schröder B, Richter D. Basic reproduction number of Lyme disease spirochaetes – modelling various genospecies-host associations in Central Europe. Ecol Modell 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolmodel.2019.108821] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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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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Anaplasma phagocytophilum evolves in geographical and biotic niches of vertebrates and ticks. Parasit Vectors 2019; 12:328. [PMID: 31253201 PMCID: PMC6599317 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-019-3583-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2019] [Accepted: 06/24/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Anaplasma phagocytophilum is currently regarded as a single species. However, molecular studies indicate that it can be subdivided into ecotypes, each with distinct but overlapping transmission cycle. Here, we evaluate the interactions between and within clusters of haplotypes of the bacterium isolated from vertebrates and ticks, using phylogenetic and network-based methods. Methods The presence of A. phagocytophilum DNA was determined in ticks and vertebrate tissue samples. A fragment of the groEl gene was amplified and sequenced from qPCR-positive lysates. Additional groEl sequences from ticks and vertebrate reservoirs were obtained from GenBank and through literature searches, resulting in a dataset consisting of 1623 A. phagocytophilum field isolates. Phylogenetic analyses were used to infer clusters of haplotypes and to assess phylogenetic clustering of A. phagocytophilum in vertebrates or ticks. Network-based methods were used to resolve host-vector interactions and their relative importance in the segregating communities of haplotypes. Results Phylogenetic analyses resulted in 199 haplotypes within eight network-derived clusters, which were allocated to four ecotypes. The interactions of haplotypes between ticks, vertebrates and geographical origin, were visualized and quantified from networks. A high number of haplotypes were recorded in the tick Ixodes ricinus. Communities of A. phagocytophilum recorded from Korea, Japan, Far Eastern Russia, as well as those associated with rodents had no links with the larger set of isolates associated with I. ricinus, suggesting different evolutionary pressures. Rodents appeared to have a range of haplotypes associated with either Ixodes trianguliceps or Ixodes persulcatus and Ixodes pavlovskyi. Haplotypes found in rodents in Russia had low similarities with those recorded in rodents in other regions and shaped separate communities. Conclusions The groEl gene fragment of A. phagocytophilum provides information about spatial segregation and associations of haplotypes to particular vector-host interactions. Further research is needed to understand the circulation of this bacterium in the gap between Europe and Asia before the overview of the speciation features of this bacterium is complete. Environmental traits may also play a role in the evolution of A. phagocytophilum in ecotypes through yet unknown relationships. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13071-019-3583-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Heylen D, Lasters R, Adriaensen F, Fonville M, Sprong H, Matthysen E. Ticks and tick-borne diseases in the city: Role of landscape connectivity and green space characteristics in a metropolitan area. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2019; 670:941-949. [PMID: 30921726 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.03.235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2019] [Revised: 03/14/2019] [Accepted: 03/15/2019] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Green spaces in the city are important for human wellbeing, but are also zones in which humans can become infected with zoonotic diseases. Therefore, there is a need to understand how infection risk is related to green space characteristics, wildlife communities and connectivity with rural areas hosting reservoir populations of hosts. Our hypothesis is that wildlife hosts in urban green spaces, and thereby the prevalence of questing ticks and their Lyme disease causing pathogens (Borrelia burgdorferi s.l.), can be partly predicted based on green space characteristics as well as measures of connectivity to known source areas. We sampled ticks in twenty-two green spaces during Spring (2014 and 2016) and Autumn 2016, located along an urbanization gradient in Antwerp (Belgium). More than 18,000 m2 was sampled, with tick densities ranging from 0 to 386 individuals/100 m2. We estimated connectivity using the least-cost algorithm as either the cost distance to the nearest green space, or to a known population of roe deer (Capreolus capreolus), known to be an important tick propagation host. Both connectivity measures turned out to be correlated, reflecting a gradient in green space isolation from the periphery to the urban center. In 87% of plots where ticks were trapped, at least one Borrelia-infected tick was found. The overall Borrelia-prevalence in nymphs was 17.8%, in adults 32.6%. Density of infected ticks decreased with urbanization and increased with connectivity. Nymphs in larger green spaces were more likely to be infected. While density and infection prevalence for adults increased with the amount of neighboring agricultural land, the larval density and nymphal infection prevalence decreased. Interestingly, the proportion of Borrelia genospecies associated with birds or mammals was comparable in rural and (sub)urban areas (bird/mammal: 0.38), suggesting that even in small green spaces Borrelia infections can persist in local host populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Heylen
- Interuniversity Institute for Biostatistics and statistical Bioinformatics, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium; Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, United States of America.
| | - R Lasters
- Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - F Adriaensen
- Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - M Fonville
- Laboratory for Zoonoses and Environmental Microbiology, National Institute for Public Health and Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, the Netherlands
| | - H Sprong
- Laboratory for Zoonoses and Environmental Microbiology, National Institute for Public Health and Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, the Netherlands
| | - E Matthysen
- Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium
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Mysterud A, Heylen DJA, Matthysen E, Garcia AL, Jore S, Viljugrein H. Lyme neuroborreliosis and bird populations in northern Europe. Proc Biol Sci 2019; 286:20190759. [PMID: 31138073 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2019.0759] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Many vector-borne diseases are transmitted through complex pathogen-vector-host networks, which makes it challenging to identify the role of specific host groups in disease emergence. Lyme borreliosis in humans is now the most common vector-borne zoonosis in the Northern Hemisphere. The disease is caused by multiple genospecies of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato bacteria transmitted by ixodid (hard) ticks, and the major host groups transmit Borrelia genospecies with different pathogenicity, causing variable clinical symptoms in humans. The health impact of a given host group is a function of the number of ticks it infects as well as the pathogenicity of the genospecies it carries. Borrelia afzelii, with mainly small mammals as reservoirs, is the most common pathogen causing Lyme borreliosis, and it is often responsible for the largest proportion of infected host-seeking tick nymphs in Europe. The bird-borne Borrelia garinii, though less prevalent in nymphal ticks, is more likely to cause Lyme neuroborreliosis, but whether B. garinii causes disseminated disease more frequently has not been documented. Based on extensive data of annual disease incidence across Norway from 1995 to 2017, we show here that 69% of disseminated Lyme borreliosis cases were neuroborreliosis, which is three times higher than predicted from the infection prevalence of B. garinii in host-seeking ticks (21%). The population estimate of migratory birds, mainly of thrushes, explained part of the annual variation in cases of neuroborreliosis, with a one-year time lag. We highlight the important role of the genospecies' pathogenicity and the host associations for understanding the epidemiology of disseminated Lyme borreliosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atle Mysterud
- 1 Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Synthesis (CEES), Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo , PO Box 1066, Blindern, 0316 Oslo , Norway.,2 Evolutionary Ecology Group, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp , Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Wilrijk , Belgium
| | - Dieter J A Heylen
- 3 Interuniversity Institute for Biostatistics and Statistical Bioinformatics, Hasselt University , Diepenbeek , Belgium.,4 Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Princeton University , Princeton, NJ , USA
| | - Erik Matthysen
- 2 Evolutionary Ecology Group, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp , Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Wilrijk , Belgium
| | | | - Solveig Jore
- 6 Department of Food, Water, Zoonotic and Vector-borne Infections, The Norwegian Public Health Institute , PO Box 4404, Nydalen, 0403 Oslo , Norway
| | - Hildegunn Viljugrein
- 1 Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Synthesis (CEES), Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo , PO Box 1066, Blindern, 0316 Oslo , Norway.,7 Norwegian Veterinary Institute , PO Box 750, Sentrum, 0106 Oslo , Norway
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Drehmann M, Chitimia-Dobler L, Lindau A, Frank A, Mai S, Fachet K, Hauck D, Knoll S, Strube C, Lühken R, Fischer D, Ziegler L, Mackenstedt U. Ixodes frontalis: a neglected but ubiquitous tick species in Germany. EXPERIMENTAL & APPLIED ACAROLOGY 2019; 78:79-91. [PMID: 31093856 DOI: 10.1007/s10493-019-00375-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2019] [Accepted: 05/07/2019] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
The ornithophilic tick species Ixodes frontalis (Panzer) is spatially distributed in Europe, Asia and northern Africa. It can serve as a carrier of different bacteria and viruses, but little is known of its actual vector competence. In addition, adult females of this species are associated with the avian "tick-related syndrome" (TRS). Like most ornithophilic tick species, I. frontalis is usually collected from bird nests or directly from their hosts. Reports of I. frontalis being collected with the flagging method are scarce. In Germany, the species is considered as very rare. In the few reports that are available, the majority of ticks has been discovered on migrating birds. Therefore, knowledge of the actual distribution of this species in Germany was strictly limited. In this study, we report the finding of 1084 individuals of I. frontalis collected with the flagging method in urban areas and gardens in several regions of Germany. Furthermore, the species was discovered on 35 dead Eurasian blackbirds (Turdus merula) from all over Germany. Finally, we report of five new possible cases of TRS, three in free-ranging birds and two in captive birds, including a Harris's hawk (Parabuteo unicinctus) kept for falconry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Drehmann
- Parasitology Unit, Institute of Zoology, University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart, Germany.
| | - Lidia Chitimia-Dobler
- Parasitology Unit, Institute of Zoology, University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart, Germany
- Bundeswehr Institute of Microbiology, Munich, Germany
| | - Alexander Lindau
- Parasitology Unit, Institute of Zoology, University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Alisa Frank
- Parasitology Unit, Institute of Zoology, University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Sabrina Mai
- Parasitology Unit, Institute of Zoology, University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Katrin Fachet
- Parasitology Unit, Institute of Zoology, University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Daniela Hauck
- Institute for Parasitology, Centre for Infection Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hanover, Germany
| | - Steffen Knoll
- Institute for Parasitology, Centre for Infection Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hanover, Germany
| | - Christina Strube
- Institute for Parasitology, Centre for Infection Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hanover, Germany
| | - Renke Lühken
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Dominik Fischer
- Clinic for Birds, Reptiles, Amphibians and Fish, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Luisa Ziegler
- Clinic for Birds, Reptiles, Amphibians and Fish, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Ute Mackenstedt
- Parasitology Unit, Institute of Zoology, University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart, Germany
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Unravelling the phenology of Ixodes frontalis, a common but understudied tick species in Europe. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2019; 10:505-512. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2018.12.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2018] [Revised: 12/13/2018] [Accepted: 12/27/2018] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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Genospecies of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato detected in 16 mammal species and questing ticks from northern Europe. Sci Rep 2019; 9:5088. [PMID: 30911054 PMCID: PMC6434031 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-41686-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2018] [Accepted: 03/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Lyme borreliosis is the most common vector-borne zoonosis in the northern hemisphere, and the pathogens causing Lyme borreliosis have distinct, incompletely described transmission cycles involving multiple host groups. The mammal community in Fennoscandia differs from continental Europe, and we have limited data on potential competent and incompetent hosts of the different genospecies of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (sl) at the northern distribution ranges where Lyme borreliosis is emerging. We used qPCR to determine presence of B. burgdorferi sl in tissue samples (ear) from 16 mammalian species and questing ticks from Norway, and we sequenced the 5S-23 S rDNA intergenic spacer region to determine genospecies from 1449 qPCR-positive isolates obtaining 423 sequences. All infections coming from small rodents and shrews were linked to the genospecies B. afzelii, while B. burgdorferi sensu stricto (ss) was only found in red squirrels (Sciurus vulgaris). Red squirrels were also infected with B. afzelii and B. garinii. There was no evidence of B. burgdorferi sl infection in moose (Alces alces), red deer (Cervus elaphus) or roe deer (Capreolus capreolus), confirming the role of cervids as incompetent hosts. In infected questing ticks in the two western counties, B. afzelii (67% and 75%) dominated over B. garinii (27% and 21%) and with only a few recorded B. burgdorferi ss and B. valaisiana. B. burgdorferi ss were more common in adult ticks than in nymphs, consistent with a reservoir in squirrels. Our study identifies potential competent hosts for the different genospecies, which is key to understand transmission cycles at high latitudes of Europe.
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Zahoor MA, Zahoor MK, Siddique AB, Shafique M, Nawaz Z, Yasmin A, Qamar MF, Shahid MA. Welfare of Pet Birds and Potential Zoonoses. Anim Welf 2018. [DOI: 10.5772/intechopen.72282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
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Sherifi K, Rexhepi A, Berxholi K, Mehmedi B, Gecaj RM, Hoxha Z, Joachim A, Duscher GG. Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever Virus and Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato in Ticks from Kosovo and Albania. Front Vet Sci 2018; 5:38. [PMID: 29560357 PMCID: PMC5845633 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2018.00038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2017] [Accepted: 02/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Tick-borne diseases pose a serious threat to human health in South-Eastern Europe, including Kosovo. While Crimean–Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is a well-known emerging infection in this area, there are no accurate data on Lyme borreliosis and tick-borne encephalitis (TBE). Therefore, we sampled and tested 795 ticks. Ixodes ricinus (n = 218), Dermacentor marginatus (n = 98), and Haemaphysalis spp. (n = 24) were collected from the environment by flagging (all from Kosovo), while Hyalomma marginatum (n = 199 from Kosovo, all from Kosovo) and Rhipicephalus bursa (n = 130, 126 from Albania) could be collected only by removal from animal pasture and domestic ruminants. Ticks were collected in the years 2014/2015 and tested for viral RNA of CCHF and TBE viruses, as well as for DNA of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato by real-time PCR. In Kosovo, nine ticks were positive for RNA of Crimean–Congo hemorrhagic fever virus and seven for DNA of B. burgdorferi s. l. None of the ticks tested positive for TBEV. CCHF virus was detected in one H. marginatum male specimen collected while feeding on grazing cattle from the Prizren region and in eight R. bursa specimens (five females and three males collected while feeding on grazing sheep and cattle) from the Prishtina region (Kosovo). B. burgdorferi s. l. was detected in seven questing ticks (four male and one female D. marginatus, two I. ricinus one female and one male) from the Mitrovica region (Kosovo). Our study confirmed that CCHF virus is circulating in Kosovo mainly in H. marginatum and R. bursa in the central areas of the country. B. burgdorferi s. l. was found in its major European host tick, I. ricinus, but also in D. marginatus, in the north of the Kosovo. In order to prevent the spread of these diseases and better control of the tick-borne infections, an improved vector surveillance and testing of ticks for the presence of pathogens needs to be established.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kurtesh Sherifi
- Faculty of Agriculture and Veterinary, University of Prishtina "Hasan Prishtina", Pristina, Kosovo
| | - Agim Rexhepi
- Faculty of Agriculture and Veterinary, University of Prishtina "Hasan Prishtina", Pristina, Kosovo
| | - Kristaq Berxholi
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Agricultural University of Tirana, Tirana, Albania
| | - Blerta Mehmedi
- Faculty of Agriculture and Veterinary, University of Prishtina "Hasan Prishtina", Pristina, Kosovo
| | - Rreze M Gecaj
- Faculty of Agriculture and Veterinary, University of Prishtina "Hasan Prishtina", Pristina, Kosovo
| | - Zamira Hoxha
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Agricultural University of Tirana, Tirana, Albania
| | - Anja Joachim
- Department of Pathobiology, Institute of Parasitology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Georg G Duscher
- Department of Pathobiology, Institute of Parasitology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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Obiegala A, Silaghi C. Candidatus Neoehrlichia Mikurensis—Recent Insights and Future Perspectives on Clinical Cases, Vectors, and Reservoirs in Europe. CURRENT CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY REPORTS 2018. [DOI: 10.1007/s40588-018-0085-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
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40
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Portillo A, Santibáñez P, Palomar AM, Santibáñez S, Oteo JA. ' Candidatus Neoehrlichia mikurensis' in Europe. New Microbes New Infect 2018; 22:30-36. [PMID: 29556406 PMCID: PMC5857181 DOI: 10.1016/j.nmni.2017.12.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2017] [Revised: 12/14/2017] [Accepted: 12/20/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
'Candidatus Neoehrlichia mikurensis' is an uncultured emerging bacterium that is provisionally included in the family Anaplasmataceae. In Europe, it is transmitted by Ixodes ricinus ticks. Rodents are the reservoirs. It is widely distributed in mammals (both wild and domestic) and birds. It causes an inflammatory disease in humans with underlying diseases, but the microorganism also affects immunocompetent individuals in which asymptomatic infection has been recognized. A high degree of suspicion and the use of molecular tools are needed for the correct diagnosis. Efforts to cultivate it and to investigate its pathogenesis should be a priority.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Portillo
- Center of Rickettsiosis and Arthropod-Borne Diseases, Infectious Diseases Department, Hospital San Pedro-Center of Biomedical Research from La Rioja (CIBIR), La Rioja, Spain
| | - P Santibáñez
- Center of Rickettsiosis and Arthropod-Borne Diseases, Infectious Diseases Department, Hospital San Pedro-Center of Biomedical Research from La Rioja (CIBIR), La Rioja, Spain
| | - A M Palomar
- Center of Rickettsiosis and Arthropod-Borne Diseases, Infectious Diseases Department, Hospital San Pedro-Center of Biomedical Research from La Rioja (CIBIR), La Rioja, Spain
| | - S Santibáñez
- Center of Rickettsiosis and Arthropod-Borne Diseases, Infectious Diseases Department, Hospital San Pedro-Center of Biomedical Research from La Rioja (CIBIR), La Rioja, Spain
| | - J A Oteo
- Center of Rickettsiosis and Arthropod-Borne Diseases, Infectious Diseases Department, Hospital San Pedro-Center of Biomedical Research from La Rioja (CIBIR), La Rioja, Spain
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