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Koutantou M, Drancourt M, Angelakis E. Prevalence of Lyme Disease and Relapsing Fever Borrelia spp. in Vectors, Animals, and Humans within a One Health Approach in Mediterranean Countries. Pathogens 2024; 13:512. [PMID: 38921809 PMCID: PMC11206712 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens13060512] [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: 05/02/2024] [Revised: 06/05/2024] [Accepted: 06/10/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024] Open
Abstract
The genus Borrelia has been divided into Borreliella spp., which can cause Lyme Disease (LD), and Borrelia spp., which can cause Relapsing Fever (RF). The distribution of genus Borrelia has broadened due to factors such as climate change, alterations in land use, and enhanced human and animal mobility. Consequently, there is an increasing necessity for a One Health strategy to identify the key components in the Borrelia transmission cycle by monitoring the human-animal-environment interactions. The aim of this study is to summarize all accessible data to increase our understanding and provide a comprehensive overview of Borrelia distribution in the Mediterranean region. Databases including PubMed, Google Scholar, and Google were searched to determine the presence of Borreliella and Borrelia spp. in vectors, animals, and humans in countries around the Mediterranean Sea. A total of 3026 were identified and screened and after exclusion of papers that did not fulfill the including criteria, 429 were used. After examination of the available literature, it was revealed that various species associated with LD and RF are prevalent in vectors, animals, and humans in Mediterranean countries and should be monitored in order to effectively manage and prevent potential infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Myrto Koutantou
- Diagnostic Department and Public Health Laboratories, Hellenic Pasteur Institute, 11521 Athens, Greece
| | | | - Emmanouil Angelakis
- Diagnostic Department and Public Health Laboratories, Hellenic Pasteur Institute, 11521 Athens, Greece
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Daněk O, Hrbatová A, Volfová K, Ševčíková S, Lesiczka P, Nováková M, Ghodrati S, Hrazdilova K, Veneziano V, Napoli E, Otranto D, Montarsi F, Mihalca AD, Mechouk N, Adamík P, Modrý D, Zurek L. Italian peninsula as a hybridization zone of Ixodes inopinatus and I. ricinus and the prevalence of tick-borne pathogens in I. inopinatus, I. ricinus, and their hybrids. Parasit Vectors 2024; 17:196. [PMID: 38685096 PMCID: PMC11059663 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-024-06271-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2024] [Accepted: 04/05/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ixodes inopinatus was described from Spain on the basis of morphology and partial sequencing of 16S ribosomal DNA. However, several studies suggested that morphological differences between I. inopinatus and Ixodes ricinus are minimal and that 16S rDNA lacks the power to distinguish the two species. Furthermore, nuclear and mitochondrial markers indicated evidence of hybridization between I. inopinatus and I. ricinus. In this study, we tested our hypothesis on tick dispersal from North Africa to Southern Europe and determined the prevalence of selected tick-borne pathogens (TBPs) in I. inopinatus, I. ricinus, and their hybrids. METHODS Ticks were collected in Italy and Algeria by flagging, identified by sequencing of partial TROSPA and COI genes, and screened for Borrelia burgdorferi s.l., B. miyamotoi, Rickettsia spp., and Anaplasma phagocytophilum by polymerase chain reaction and sequencing of specific markers. RESULTS Out of the 380 ticks, in Italy, 92 were I. ricinus, 3 were I. inopinatus, and 136 were hybrids of the two species. All 149 ticks from Algeria were I. inopinatus. Overall, 60% of ticks were positive for at least one TBP. Borrelia burgdorferi s.l. was detected in 19.5% of ticks, and it was significantly more prevalent in Ixodes ticks from Algeria than in ticks from Italy. Prevalence of Rickettsia spotted fever group (SFG) was 51.1%, with significantly greater prevalence in ticks from Algeria than in ticks from Italy. Borrelia miyamotoi and A. phagocytophilum were detected in low prevalence (0.9% and 5.2%, respectively) and only in ticks from Italy. CONCLUSIONS This study indicates that I. inopinatus is a dominant species in Algeria, while I. ricinus and hybrids were common in Italy. The higher prevalence of B. burgdorferi s.l. and Rickettsia SFG in I. inopinatus compared with that in I. ricinus might be due to geographical and ecological differences between these two tick species. The role of I. inopinatus in the epidemiology of TBPs needs further investigation in the Mediterranean Basin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ondřej Daněk
- Biology Centre, Institute of Parasitology, Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Alena Hrbatová
- CEITEC University of Veterinary Sciences, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Karolina Volfová
- CEITEC University of Veterinary Sciences, Brno, Czech Republic
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Sylvie Ševčíková
- Department of Microbiology, Nutrition and Dietetics, Czech University of Life Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Paulina Lesiczka
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Markéta Nováková
- CEITEC University of Veterinary Sciences, Brno, Czech Republic
- Department of Botany and Zoology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Sajjad Ghodrati
- Biology Centre, Institute of Parasitology, Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
- Department of Botany and Zoology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Kristyna Hrazdilova
- Faculty of Medicine in Pilsen, Biomedical Center, Charles University, Pilsen, Czech Republic
| | - Vincenzo Veneziano
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Productions, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Ettore Napoli
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Domenico Otranto
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, Valenzano, Italy
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Fabrizio Montarsi
- Instituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, Legnaro, Italy
| | - Andrei Daniel Mihalca
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-Napoca, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Noureddine Mechouk
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-Napoca, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Peter Adamík
- Department of Zoology, Palacky University Olomouc, Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - David Modrý
- Biology Centre, Institute of Parasitology, Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
- Department of Botany and Zoology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Ludek Zurek
- CEITEC University of Veterinary Sciences, Brno, Czech Republic.
- Department of Microbiology, Nutrition and Dietetics, Czech University of Life Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic.
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Melis S, Batisti Biffignandi G, Olivieri E, Galon C, Vicari N, Prati P, Moutailler S, Sassera D, Castelli M. High-throughput screening of pathogens in Ixodes ricinus removed from hosts in Lombardy, northern Italy. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2024; 15:102285. [PMID: 38035456 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2023.102285] [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: 08/03/2023] [Revised: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 11/15/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023]
Abstract
Ticks are important vectors of many pathogens in Europe, where the most impactful species is Ixodes ricinus. Recently, the geographical distribution of this tick species has been expanding, resulting in an increased risk of human exposure to tick bites. With the present study, we aimed to screen 350 I. ricinus specimens collected from humans and wild animals (mainly ungulates), to have a broader understanding of the tick-borne pathogens circulating in the Lombardy region, in northern Italy. To do so, we took advantage of a high-throughput real-time microfluidic PCR approach to screen ticks in a cost-effective and time-saving manner. Molecular analysis of the dataset revealed the presence of four genera of bacteria and two genera of protozoa: in ungulates, 77 % of collected ticks carried Anaplasma phagocytophilum, while the most common pathogen species in ticks removed from humans were those belonging to Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato group (7.6 %). We also detected other pathogenic microorganisms, such as Rickettisa monacensis, Rickettsia helvetica, Neoehrlichia mikurensis, Babesia venatorum, and Hepatozoon martis. Besides, we also reported the presence of the pathogenic agent Borrelia miyamotoi in the area (1.4 % overall). The most common dual co-infection detected in the same tick individual involved A. phagocytophilum and Rickettsia spp. Our study provided evidence of the circulation of different tick-borne pathogens in a densely populated region in Italy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophie Melis
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | | | - Emanuela Olivieri
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna, Pavia, Italy
| | - Clémence Galon
- ANSES, INRAE, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, UMR BIPAR, Laboratoire de Santé Animale, Maisons-Alfort, F-94700, France
| | - Nadia Vicari
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna, Pavia, Italy
| | - Paola Prati
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna, Pavia, Italy
| | - Sara Moutailler
- ANSES, INRAE, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, UMR BIPAR, Laboratoire de Santé Animale, Maisons-Alfort, F-94700, France
| | - Davide Sassera
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy; Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo Pavia Italy
| | - Michele Castelli
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy.
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Shan J, Jia Y, Hickenbotham P, Teulières L, Clokie MRJ. Combining citizen science and molecular diagnostic methods to investigate the prevalence of Borrelia burgdorferi s.l. and Borrelia miyamotoi in tick pools across Great Britain. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1126498. [PMID: 37180256 PMCID: PMC10169747 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1126498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2022] [Accepted: 03/31/2023] [Indexed: 05/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Lyme disease is the most common tick-borne disease and is caused by a group of bacteria known as Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (s.l.) complex. Sharing the same genus as B. burgdorferi, Borrelia miyamotoi is a distinct genotype that causes relapsing fever disease. This emerging tick-borne disease is increasingly becoming a concern in public health. To investigate the prevalence of B. burgdorferi s.l. and B. miyamotoi in ticks first, we developed a PCR (Bmer-qPCR) that targets the phage terminase large subunit (terL) gene carried by B. miyamotoi. A similar approach had been used successfully in developing Ter-qPCR for detecting B. burgdorferi s.l. The terL protein functions as an enzyme in packaging phage DNA. Analytical validation of the Bmer-qPCR confirmed its specificity, efficiency and sensitivity. Second, we designed a citizen science-based approach to detect 838 ticks collected from numerous sites across Great Britain. Finally, we applied Bmer-qPCR and Ter-qPCR to 153 tick pools and revealed that the prevalence of B. burgdorferi s.l. and B. miyamotoi was dependent on their geographical locations, i.e. Scotland showed a higher rate of B. burgdorferi s.l. and lower rate of B. miyamotoi carriage as compared to those of the England data. A pattern of diminishing rate of B. miyamotoi carriage from southern England to northern Scotland was visible. Together, the citizen science-based approach provided an estimation of the carriage rate of B. burgdorferi s.l. and B. miyamotoi in tick pools and a potential spreading pattern of B. miyamotoi from the south to the north of Great Britain. Our findings underscore the power of combining citizen science with the molecular diagnostic method to reveal hidden pattern of pathogen-host-environment interplay. Our approach can provide a powerful tool to elucidate the ecology of tick-borne diseases and may offer guidance for pathogen control initiatives. In an era of limited resources, monitoring pathogens requires both field and laboratory support. Citizen science approaches provide a method to empower the public for sample collection. Coupling citizen science approaches with laboratory diagnostic tests can make real-time monitoring of pathogen distribution and prevalence possible.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinyu Shan
- Department of Genetics and Genome Biology, University of Leicester, Leicester, United Kingdom
| | - Ying Jia
- Department of Genetics and Genome Biology, University of Leicester, Leicester, United Kingdom
| | - Peter Hickenbotham
- Department of Genetics and Genome Biology, University of Leicester, Leicester, United Kingdom
| | | | - Martha R. J. Clokie
- Department of Genetics and Genome Biology, University of Leicester, Leicester, United Kingdom
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Susnjar J, Cerar Kisek T, Strasek Smrdel K, Ruzic-Sabljic E, Adam K, Ivovic V. Detection, identification and genotyping of Borrelia spp. in ticks of Coastal-Karst and Littoral-Inner Carniola regions in Slovenia. Folia Parasitol (Praha) 2023; 70. [PMID: 37042198 DOI: 10.14411/fp.2023.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2021] [Accepted: 01/13/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023]
Abstract
The density and spread of tick vector species have increased throughout Europe in the last 30 years, leading to an increase of Lyme borreliosis cases, including in Slovenia. The aim of this study was to isolate Borrelia strains and determine the prevalence of B. burgdorferi sensu lato and B. miyamotoi in adults of Ixodes ricinus (Linnaeus) collected in 2019 in the two regions of the country (Coastal-Karst and Littoral-Inner Carniola) by cultivation and PCR. We isolated B. burgdorferi s.l. by culture method in 28/559 (5%) ticks from both regions. Culture-negative samples (531/559, i.e., 95%) were additionally tested by real-time PCR. In 155/531 (29.2%) PCR-positive samples, a fragment of flaB or glpQ was amplified and further sequenced to identify species of the Borrelia. Using both methods, cultivation and PCR, Borrelia spp. prevalence was 32.7% in the Coastal-Karst region and 33.0% in the Littoral-Inner Carniola region. Genotyping of the Borrelia spp. isolates revealed that 17/28 (60%) were B. garinii subtype Mlg2. Of all tick samples tested for B. miyamotoi 8/398 (2%) were PCR positive. Based on previous studies in these regions, we had expected more ticks to be infected with B. afzelii, but genotyping revealed that B. garinii was the most abundant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jana Susnjar
- Department of Biodiversity, Faculty of Mathematics, Natural Sciences and Information Technologies, University of Primorska,Koper, Slovenia
| | - Tjasa Cerar Kisek
- Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Katja Strasek Smrdel
- Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Eva Ruzic-Sabljic
- Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Katja Adam
- Department of Biodiversity, Faculty of Mathematics, Natural Sciences and Information Technologies, University of Primorska,Koper, Slovenia
| | - Vladimir Ivovic
- Department of Biodiversity, Faculty of Mathematics, Natural Sciences and Information Technologies, University of Primorska,Koper, Slovenia
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Bubanová D, Fučíková AM, Majláth I, Pajer P, Bjelková K, Majláthová V. The first detection of relapsing fever spirochete Borrelia miyamotoi in Ixodes ricinus ticks from the northeast Czech Republic. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2022; 13:102042. [PMID: 36126494 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2022.102042] [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: 03/14/2022] [Revised: 09/06/2022] [Accepted: 09/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Borrelia miyamotoi, a relapsing fever spirochete, is considered a human pathogen. Knowledge of this borrelia is currently limited. Data about its potential impact on public health, circulation in nature, or its occurrence in natural environments are insufficient. For our study, a total of 505 questing Ixodes ricinus ticks (337 nymphs, 85 females and 83 males) from Hradec Králové Region in the Czech Republic were collected. Additionally, 160 winged Lipoptena deer keds from Hradec Králové Region, from Pardubice Region, Czech Republic, and from one location in western Slovakia were collected. The presence of B. miyamotoi in ticks and deer keds was determined using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting a gene encoding glycerophosphodiester phosphodiesterase (glpQ), antigenic protein specific to the relapsing fever spirochetes. Borrelia miyamotoi was identified in six nymphs and four females of I. ricinus ticks. The overall prevalence was 2%. None of the examined Lipoptena specimens were found to be infected. Although no human case of infection with B. miyamotoi has been reported in the Czech Republic yet, this spirochete is widespread in ticks, and therefore the risk of human infection exists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dominika Bubanová
- Institute of Biology and Ecology, Pavol Jozef Šafárik University in Košice, Šrobárova 2, Košice 041 80, Slovak Republic
| | - Alena Myslivcová Fučíková
- Department of Biology, University of Hradec Králové, Hradecká 1285, Hradec Králové 500 03, Czech Republic
| | - Igor Majláth
- Institute of Biology and Ecology, Pavol Jozef Šafárik University in Košice, Šrobárova 2, Košice 041 80, Slovak Republic.
| | - Petr Pajer
- Institute of Molecular Genetics, Czech Academy of Sciences, Vídeňská 1083, Prague 142 20, Czech Republic
| | - Karolína Bjelková
- Department of Biology, University of Hradec Králové, Hradecká 1285, Hradec Králové 500 03, Czech Republic
| | - Viktória Majláthová
- Institute of Biology and Ecology, Pavol Jozef Šafárik University in Košice, Šrobárova 2, Košice 041 80, Slovak Republic
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Garcia-Vozmediano A, De Meneghi D, Sprong H, Portillo A, Oteo JA, Tomassone L. A One Health Evaluation of the Surveillance Systems on Tick-Borne Diseases in the Netherlands, Spain and Italy. Vet Sci 2022; 9:vetsci9090504. [PMID: 36136720 PMCID: PMC9501221 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci9090504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2022] [Revised: 09/06/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Ixodid ticks and tick-borne diseases are expanding their geographical range, but surveillance activities vary among countries. We analysed the surveillance systems in place in the Netherlands, Spain and Italy, to identify ideal elements to monitor tick-borne diseases, by using a One Health evaluation protocol. We identified differences among the three surveillance systems, with the Dutch initiative showing a high level of transdisciplinary collaboration, good identification of the actors and engagement of the public in research and education. Measurable outcomes have been generated, such as the reduction in tick bites and the discovery of new pathogens and tick species. In Italy and Spain, surveillance systems are based on compulsory notification to health authorities; legislation seems relevant but law enforcement alongside the availability of economic resources is rather fragmented and limited to the most severe diseases. The non-scientific community is marginally considered and collaborations are limited to local initiatives. Research activities in both countries have mostly contributed to gaining knowledge on the distribution of tick species and the discovery of new pathogens. Although all TBD surveillance plans comply with the EU regulations, the initiatives characterised by trans-disciplinary collaboration may be more effective for the surveillance and prevention of tick-transmitted diseases. Abstract To identify ideal elements for the monitoring and prevention of tick-borne diseases (TBD), we analysed the surveillance systems in place in the Netherlands, Spain and Italy. We applied a semi-quantitative evaluation to identify outcomes and assess the degree of One Health implementation. Differences emerged in the surveillance initiatives, as well as the One Health scores. The Dutch surveillance is dominated by a high level of transdisciplinary and trans-sectoral collaboration, enabling communication and data sharing among actors. Different project-based monitoring, research and educational activities are centrally coordinated and the non-scientific community is actively involved. All this yielded measurable health outcomes. In Italy and Spain, TBD surveillance and reporting systems are based on compulsory notification. Law enforcement, alongside dedicated time and availability of economic resources, is fragmented and limited to the most severe health issues. Veterinary and human medicine are the most involved disciplines, with the first prevailing in some contexts. Stakeholders are marginally considered and collaborations limited to local initiatives. Research activities have mostly contributed to gaining knowledge on the distribution of tick vectors and discovery of new pathogens. Although all TBD surveillance plans comply with EU regulations, initiatives characterised by transdisciplinary collaboration may be more effective for the surveillance and prevention of TBD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aitor Garcia-Vozmediano
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, L. go Braccini, 2, 10095 Grugliasco, TO, Italy
- Correspondence:
| | - Daniele De Meneghi
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, L. go Braccini, 2, 10095 Grugliasco, TO, Italy
- Network for EcoHealth and One Health (NEOH), European Chapter of Ecohealth International, Kreuzstrasse 2, P.O. Box, 4123 Allschwil, Switzerland
| | - Hein Sprong
- Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Antonie van Leeuwenhoeklaan 9, 3720 MA Bilthoven, The Netherlands
| | - Aránzazu Portillo
- Center of Rickettsiosis and Arthropod-Borne Diseases (CRETAV), Department of Infectious Diseases, San Pedro University Hospital-Center for Biomedical Research of La Rioja (CIBIR), Calle Piqueras 98, 26006 Logroño, La Rioja, Spain
| | - José A. Oteo
- Center of Rickettsiosis and Arthropod-Borne Diseases (CRETAV), Department of Infectious Diseases, San Pedro University Hospital-Center for Biomedical Research of La Rioja (CIBIR), Calle Piqueras 98, 26006 Logroño, La Rioja, Spain
| | - Laura Tomassone
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, L. go Braccini, 2, 10095 Grugliasco, TO, Italy
- Network for EcoHealth and One Health (NEOH), European Chapter of Ecohealth International, Kreuzstrasse 2, P.O. Box, 4123 Allschwil, Switzerland
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Bubanová D, Majláth I, Vargová B, Pipová N, Szekeres S, Majláthová V. Prevalence of relapsing fever spirochete
Borrelia miyamotoi
in
Ixodes ricinus
ticks from eastern Slovakia. Zoonoses Public Health 2022; 69:242-247. [DOI: 10.1111/zph.12914] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2021] [Revised: 12/06/2021] [Accepted: 12/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Igor Majláth
- Pavol Jozef Šafárik University in Košice Košice Slovak Republic
| | - Blažena Vargová
- Applied Research Center University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy in Kosice Kosice Slovak Republic
| | - Natália Pipová
- Pavol Jozef Šafárik University in Košice Košice Slovak Republic
| | - Sándor Szekeres
- Department of Parasitology and Zoology University of Veterinary Medicine Budapest Hungary
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Stroffolini G, Segala FV, Lupia T, Faraoni S, Rossi L, Tomassone L, Zanet S, De Rosa FG, Di Perri G, Calcagno A. Serology for Borrelia spp. in Northwest Italy: A Climate-Matched 10-Year Trend. Life (Basel) 2021; 11:life11121310. [PMID: 34947841 PMCID: PMC8706290 DOI: 10.3390/life11121310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2021] [Revised: 11/23/2021] [Accepted: 11/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Ticks are hematophagous parasites that can transmit a variety of human pathogens, and their life cycle is dependent on several climatic factors for development and survival. We conducted a study in Piedmont and Aosta Valley, Italy, between 2009 and 2018. The study matched human sample serologies for Borrelia spp. with publicly available climatic and meteorological data. A total of 12,928 serological immunofluorescence assays (IFA) and Western blot (WB) tests were analysed. The median number of IFA and WB tests per year was 1236 (range 700–1997), with the highest demand in autumn 2018 (N = 289). In the study period, positive WB showed an increasing trend, peaking in 2018 for both IgM (N = 97) and IgG (N = 61). These results were consistent with a regional climatic variation trending towards an increase in both temperature and humidity. Our results suggest that coupling data from epidemiology and the environment, and the use of a “one health” approach, may provide a powerful tool in understanding disease transmission and strengthen collaboration between specialists in the era of climate instability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giacomo Stroffolini
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Department of Medical Sciences, Amedeo di Savoia Hospital, University of Turin, 10149 Turin, Italy; (G.D.P.); (A.C.)
- Correspondence: (G.S.); (F.V.S.); Tel.: +39-0114393793 (G.S.)
| | - Francesco Vladimiro Segala
- Clinic of Infectious Diseases, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, 00168 Rome, Italy
- Correspondence: (G.S.); (F.V.S.); Tel.: +39-0114393793 (G.S.)
| | - Tommaso Lupia
- Unit of Infectious Diseases, Cardinal Massaia Hospital, 14100 Asti, Italy; (T.L.); (F.G.D.R.)
| | - Silvia Faraoni
- Laboratory of Microbiology and Virology, Ospedale Amedeo di Savoia, ASL “Città di Torino”, 10149 Turin, Italy;
| | - Luca Rossi
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, 10149 Turin, Italy; (L.R.); (L.T.); (S.Z.)
| | - Laura Tomassone
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, 10149 Turin, Italy; (L.R.); (L.T.); (S.Z.)
| | - Stefania Zanet
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, 10149 Turin, Italy; (L.R.); (L.T.); (S.Z.)
| | | | - Giovanni Di Perri
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Department of Medical Sciences, Amedeo di Savoia Hospital, University of Turin, 10149 Turin, Italy; (G.D.P.); (A.C.)
| | - Andrea Calcagno
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Department of Medical Sciences, Amedeo di Savoia Hospital, University of Turin, 10149 Turin, Italy; (G.D.P.); (A.C.)
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Trevisan G, Cinco M, Trevisini S, di Meo N, Ruscio M, Forgione P, Bonin S. Borreliae Part 2: Borrelia Relapsing Fever Group and Unclassified Borrelia. BIOLOGY 2021; 10:1117. [PMID: 34827110 PMCID: PMC8615063 DOI: 10.3390/biology10111117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Revised: 10/21/2021] [Accepted: 10/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Borreliae of the relapsing fever group (RFG) are heterogenous and can be divided mainly into three groups according to vectors, namely the soft-tick-borne relapsing fever (STBRF) Borreliae, the hard-tick-borne relapsing fever (HTBRF) Borreliae, the louse-borne relapsing fever (LBRF) Borreliae, and the avian relapsing fever ones. With respect to the geographical distribution, the STBRF Borreliae are further subdivided into Old World and New World strains. Except for the Avian relapsing fever group Borreliae, which cause avian spirochetosis, all the others share infectivity in humans. They are indeed the etiological agent of both endemic and epidemic forms of relapsing fever, causing high spirochaetemia and fever. Vectors are primarily soft ticks of Ornithodoros spp. in the STBRF group; hard ticks, notably Ixodes sp., Amblyomma sp., Dermacentor sp., and Rhipicephalus sp., in the HTBRF group; and the louse pediculus humanus humanus in the TBRF one. A recent hypothesis was supported for a common ancestor of RFG Borreliae, transmitted at the beginning by hard-body ticks. Accordingly, STBRF Borreliae switched to use soft-bodied ticks as a vector, which was followed by the use of lice by Borrelia recurrentis. There are also new candidate species of Borreliae, at present unclassified, which are also described in this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giusto Trevisan
- DSM-Department of Medical Sciences, University of Trieste, 34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - Marina Cinco
- DSV-Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, 34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - Sara Trevisini
- ASUGI-Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Giuliano Isontina, 34129 Trieste, Italy
| | - Nicola di Meo
- DSM-Department of Medical Sciences, University of Trieste, 34149 Trieste, Italy
- ASUGI-Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Giuliano Isontina, 34129 Trieste, Italy
| | - Maurizio Ruscio
- ASUGI-Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Giuliano Isontina, 34129 Trieste, Italy
| | - Patrizia Forgione
- UOSD Dermatologia, Centro Rif. Regionale Malattia di Hansen e Lyme, P.O. dei Pellegrini, ASL Napoli 1 Centro, 80145 Naples, Italy
| | - Serena Bonin
- DSM-Department of Medical Sciences, University of Trieste, 34149 Trieste, Italy
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11
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Occurrence and Identification of Ixodes ricinus Borne Pathogens in Northeastern Italy. Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10091181. [PMID: 34578213 PMCID: PMC8470124 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10091181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2021] [Revised: 09/09/2021] [Accepted: 09/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
In Europe, Ixodes ricinus is the main vector for tick-borne pathogens (TBPs), the most common tick species in Italy, particularly represented in pre-alpine and hilly northern areas. From 2011 to 2017, ticks were collected by dragging in Belluno province (northeast Italy) and analyzed by molecular techniques for TBP detection. Several species of Rickettsia spp. and Borrelia spp. Anaplaspa phagocitophilum, Neoerlichia mikurensis and Babesia venatorum, were found to be circulating in the study area carried by I. ricinus (n = 2668, all stages). Overall, 39.1% of screened pools were positive for at least one TBP, with a prevalence of 12.25% and 29.2% in immature stages and adults, respectively. Pathogens were detected in 85% of the monitored municipalities, moreover the presence of TBPs varied from one to seven different pathogens in the same year. The annual TBPs prevalence fluctuations observed in each municipality highlights the necessity of performing continuous tick surveillance. In conclusion, the observation of TBPs in ticks remains an efficient strategy for monitoring the circulation of tick-borne diseases (TBDs) in a specific area.
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12
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Shan J, Jia Y, Teulières L, Patel F, Clokie MRJ. Targeting Multicopy Prophage Genes for the Increased Detection of Borrelia burgdorferi Sensu Lato (s.l.), the Causative Agents of Lyme Disease, in Blood. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:651217. [PMID: 33790883 PMCID: PMC8005754 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.651217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2021] [Accepted: 02/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The successful treatment of Lyme disease (LD) is contingent on accurate diagnosis. However, current laboratory detection assays lack sensitivity in the early stages of the disease. Because delayed diagnosis of LD incurs high healthcare costs and great suffering, new highly sensitive tests are in need. To overcome these challenges, we developed an internally controlled quantitative PCR (Ter-qPCR) that targets the multicopy terminase large subunit (terL) gene encoded by prophages that are only found in LD-causing bacteria. The terL protein helps phages pack their DNA. Strikingly, the detection limit of the Ter-qPCR was analytically estimated to be 22 copies and one bacterial cell in bacteria spiked blood. Furthermore, significant quantitative differences was observed in terms of the amount of terL detected in healthy individuals and patients with either early or late disease. Together, the data suggests that the prophage-targeting PCR has significant power to improve success detection for LD. After rigorous clinical validation, this new test could deliver a step-change in the detection of LD. Prophage encoded markers are prevalent in many other pathogenic bacteria rendering this approach highly applicable to bacterial identification in general.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinyu Shan
- Department of Genetics and Genome Biology, University of Leicester, Leicester, United Kingdom
| | - Ying Jia
- Department of Genetics and Genome Biology, University of Leicester, Leicester, United Kingdom
| | - Louis Teulières
- PhelixRD Charity 230 Rue du Faubourg St Honoré, Paris, France
| | - Faizal Patel
- Department of Genetics and Genome Biology, University of Leicester, Leicester, United Kingdom
| | - Martha R. J. Clokie
- Department of Genetics and Genome Biology, University of Leicester, Leicester, United Kingdom
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13
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Borrelia miyamotoi-An Emerging Human Tick-Borne Pathogen in Europe. Microorganisms 2021; 9:microorganisms9010154. [PMID: 33445492 PMCID: PMC7827671 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9010154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2020] [Revised: 12/18/2020] [Accepted: 01/11/2021] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Borrelia miyamotoi is classified as a relapsing fever spirochete. Although B. miyamotoi is genetically and ecologically distinct from Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, both microorganisms are transmitted by the same Ixodes tick species. B. miyamotoi was detected in I. persulcatus ticks in 1994 in Japan. A phylogenetic analysis based on selected sequences of B. miyamotoi genome revealed genetic differences between isolates from Asia, North America, and Europe, which are clearly separated into three genotypes. Symptomatic human cases of Borrelia miyamotoi disease (BMD) were first reported in 2011 in Russia and then in North America, Europe, and Asia. The most common clinical manifestation of BMD is fever with flu-like symptoms. Several differences in rare symptoms (thrombocytopenia, monocytosis, cerebrospinal fluid pleocytosis, or symptoms related to the central nervous system) have been noted among cases caused by Asian, European, and American types of B. miyamotoi. BMD should be considered in the diagnosis of patients after tick bites, particularly with meningoencephalitis, without anti-Borrelia antibodies in the cerebrospinal fluid. This review describes the biology, ecology, and potential of B. miyamotoi as a tick-borne pathogen of public health concern, with particular emphasis on Europe.
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14
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Glycerophosphodiester Phosphodiesterase Identified as Non-Reliable Serological Marker for Borrelia miyamotoi Disease. Microorganisms 2020; 8:microorganisms8121846. [PMID: 33255178 PMCID: PMC7760085 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms8121846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2020] [Revised: 11/09/2020] [Accepted: 11/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The relapsing fever group Borrelia miyamotoi is an emerging tick-borne pathogen. Diagnosis of infection is currently mainly based on serological methods detecting antibodies against B. miyamotoi glycerophosphodiester phosphodiesterase (GlpQ). Here, we scrutinized the reliability of GlpQ as a diagnostic marker and compared the seroprevalence in different study populations and by applying various immunoblotting methods. Antibodies were detected in the sera of 7/53 hunters and in 1/11 sera of Lyme neuroborreliosis patients. Furthermore, 17/74 sera of persons with high concentrations of anti-Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (α-Bbsl) antibodies reacted strongly with B. miyamotoi GlpQ in immunoblots. The B. miyamotoi GlpQ seroprevalence was 7/50 in α-Bbsl negative persons. In healthy blood donors from commercial suppliers and from the Austrian Red Cross, seroprevalences were 5/14 and 10/35, respectively. Strikingly, two B. miyamotoi PCR-positive cases from Austria had negative GlpQ serology, indicating poor sensitivity. Finally, when we analyzed sera of dogs, we found α-B. miyamotoi GlpQ antibody seroprevalence in tick-free dogs (n = 10) and in tick-exposed dogs (n = 19) with 2/10 and 8/19, respectively. Thus, our results indicate that GlpQ-based B. miyamotoi serology holds neither specificity nor sensitivity.
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Garcia-Vozmediano A, Krawczyk AI, Sprong H, Rossi L, Ramassa E, Tomassone L. Ticks climb the mountains: Ixodid tick infestation and infection by tick-borne pathogens in the Western Alps. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2020; 11:101489. [PMID: 32723635 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2020.101489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2020] [Revised: 06/03/2020] [Accepted: 06/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
In mountain areas of northwestern Italy, ticks were rarely collected in the past. In recent years, a marked increase in tick abundance has been observed in several Alpine valleys, together with more frequent reports of Lyme borreliosis. We then carried out a four-year study to assess the distribution and abundance of ticks and transmitted pathogens and determine their altitudinal limit in a natural park area in Piedmont region. Ixodes ricinus and Dermacentor marginatus were collected from both the vegetation and hunted wild ungulates. Tick abundance was significantly associated with altitude, habitat type and signs of animal presence, roe deer's in particular. Ixodes ricinus prevailed in distribution and abundance and, although their numbers decreased with increasing altitude, we recorded the presence of all active life stages of up to around 1700 m a.s.l., with conifers as the second most infested habitat after deciduous woods. Molecular analyses demonstrated the infection of questing I. ricinus nymphs with B. burgdorferi sensu lato (15.5 %), Rickettsia helvetica and R. monacensis (20.7 %), Anaplasma phagocytophilum (1.9 %), Borrelia miyamotoi (0.5 %) and Neoehrlichia mikurensis (0.5 %). One third of the questing D. marginatus were infected with R. slovaca. We observed a spatial aggregation of study sites infested by B. burgdorferi s.l. infected ticks below 1400 m. Borrelia-infected nymphs prevailed in open areas, while SFG rickettsiae prevalence was higher in coniferous and deciduous woods. Interestingly, prevalence of SFG rickettsiae in ticks doubled above 1400 m, and R. helvetica was the only pathogen detected above 1800 m a.s.l. Tick infestation on hunted wild ungulates indicated the persistence of tick activity during winter months and, when compared to past studies, confirmed the recent spread of I. ricinus in the area. Our study provides new insights into the population dynamics of ticks in the Alps and confirms a further expansion of ticks to higher altitudes in Europe. We underline the importance of adopting a multidisciplinary approach in order to develop effective strategies for the surveillance of tick-borne diseases, and inform the public about the hazard posed by ticks, especially in recently invaded areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aitor Garcia-Vozmediano
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, Largo Braccini, 2, 10095 Grugliasco, TO, Italy.
| | - Aleksandra Iwona Krawczyk
- Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Antonie van Leeuwenhoeklaan 9, 3720 BA Bilthoven, the Netherlands.
| | - Hein Sprong
- Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Antonie van Leeuwenhoeklaan 9, 3720 BA Bilthoven, the Netherlands.
| | - Luca Rossi
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, Largo Braccini, 2, 10095 Grugliasco, TO, Italy.
| | - Elisa Ramassa
- Ente di gestione delle aree protette delle Alpi Cozie, Via Fransuà Fontan, 1, 10050 Salbertrand TO, Italy.
| | - Laura Tomassone
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, Largo Braccini, 2, 10095 Grugliasco, TO, Italy.
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16
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Pollet T, Sprong H, Lejal E, Krawczyk AI, Moutailler S, Cosson JF, Vayssier-Taussat M, Estrada-Peña A. The scale affects our view on the identification and distribution of microbial communities in ticks. Parasit Vectors 2020; 13:36. [PMID: 31964404 PMCID: PMC6975024 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-020-3908-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2019] [Accepted: 01/15/2020] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Ticks transmit the highest variety of pathogens impacting human and animal health worldwide. It is now well established that ticks also harbour a microbial complex of coexisting symbionts, commensals and pathogens. With the development of high throughput sequencing technologies, studies dealing with such diverse bacterial composition in tick considerably increased in the past years and revealed an unexpected microbial diversity. These data on diversity and composition of the tick microbes are increasingly available, giving crucial details on microbial communities in ticks and improving our knowledge on the tick microbial community. However, consensus is currently lacking as to which scales (tick organs, individual specimens or species, communities of ticks, populations adapted to particular environmental conditions, spatial and temporal scales) best facilitate characterizing microbial community composition of ticks and understanding the diverse relationships among tick-borne bacteria. Temporal or spatial scales have a clear influence on how we conduct ecological studies, interpret results, and understand interactions between organisms that build the microbiome. We consider that patterns apparent at one scale can collapse into noise when viewed from other scales, indicating that processes shaping tick microbiome have a continuum of variability that has not yet been captured. Based on available reports, this review demonstrates how much the concept of scale is crucial to be considered in tick microbial community studies to improve our knowledge on tick microbe ecology and pathogen/microbiota interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Pollet
- UMR BIPAR, Animal Health Laboratory, INRAE, ANSES, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, Université Paris-Est, Maisons-Alfort, France.
| | - Hein Sprong
- Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, The Netherlands
| | - Emilie Lejal
- UMR BIPAR, Animal Health Laboratory, INRAE, ANSES, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, Université Paris-Est, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Aleksandra I Krawczyk
- Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, The Netherlands
- Laboratory of Entomology, Wageningen University and Research Centre, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Sara Moutailler
- UMR BIPAR, Animal Health Laboratory, INRAE, ANSES, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, Université Paris-Est, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Jean-Francois Cosson
- UMR BIPAR, Animal Health Laboratory, INRAE, ANSES, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, Université Paris-Est, Maisons-Alfort, France
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17
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Grech-Angelini S, Stachurski F, Vayssier-Taussat M, Devillers E, Casabianca F, Lancelot R, Uilenberg G, Moutailler S. Tick-borne pathogens in ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) collected from various domestic and wild hosts in Corsica (France), a Mediterranean island environment. Transbound Emerg Dis 2019; 67:745-757. [PMID: 31630482 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.13393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2019] [Revised: 10/02/2019] [Accepted: 10/14/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Corsica is a mountainous French island in the north-west of the Mediterranean Sea presenting a large diversity of natural environments where many interactions between humans, domestic animals and wild fauna occur. Despite this favourable context, tick-borne pathogens (TBPs) have not systematically been investigated. In this study, a large number of TBPs were screened in ticks collected over a period of one year from domestic and wild hosts in Corsica. More than 1,500 ticks belonging to nine species and five genera (Rhipicephalus, Hyalomma, Dermacentor, Ixodes and Haemaphysalis) were analysed individually or pooled (by species, gender, host and locality). A real-time microfluidic PCR was used for high-throughput screening of TBP DNA. This advanced methodology enabled the simultaneous detection of 29 bacterial and 12 parasitic species (including Borrelia, Anaplasma, Ehrlichia, Rickettsia, Bartonella, Candidatus Neoehrlichia, Coxiella, Francisella, Babesia and Theileria). The Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF) virus was investigated individually in tick species known to be vectors or carriers of this virus. In almost half of the tick pools (48%), DNA from at least one pathogen was detected and eleven species of TBPs from six genera were reported. TBPs were found in ticks from all collected hosts and were present in more than 80% of the investigated area. The detection of DNA of certain species confirmed the previous identification of these pathogens in Corsica, such as Rickettsia aeschlimannii (23% of pools), Rickettsia slovaca (5%), Anaplasma marginale (4%) and Theileria equi (0.4%), but most TBP DNA identified had not previously been reported in Corsican ticks. This included Anaplasma phagocytophilum (16%), Rickettsia helvetica (1%), Borrelia afzelii (0.7%), Borrelia miyamotoi (1%), Bartonella henselae (2%), Babesia bigemina (2%) and Babesia ovis (0.5%). The high tick infection rate and the diversity of TBPs reported in this study highlight the probable role of animals as reservoir hosts of zoonotic pathogens and human exposure to TBPs in Corsica.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Frédéric Stachurski
- CIRAD, UMR ASTRE, Montpellier, France.,ASTRE, CIRAD, INRA, Univ. Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Muriel Vayssier-Taussat
- UMR BIPAR, Animal Health Laboratory, ANSES, INRA, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, Université Paris-Est, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Elodie Devillers
- UMR BIPAR, Animal Health Laboratory, ANSES, INRA, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, Université Paris-Est, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - François Casabianca
- INRA, UR045 Laboratoire de Recherches sur le Développement de l'élevage, Corte, France
| | - Renaud Lancelot
- CIRAD, UMR ASTRE, Montpellier, France.,ASTRE, CIRAD, INRA, Univ. Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | | | - Sara Moutailler
- UMR BIPAR, Animal Health Laboratory, ANSES, INRA, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, Université Paris-Est, Maisons-Alfort, France
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18
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Millet I, Ragionieri M, Tomassone L, Trentin C, Mannelli A. Assessment of the Exposure of People to Questing Ticks Carrying Agents of Zoonoses in Aosta Valley, Italy. Vet Sci 2019; 6:E28. [PMID: 30884896 PMCID: PMC6466159 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci6010028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2018] [Revised: 02/16/2019] [Accepted: 03/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
We estimated the probability of exposure of people to questing ticks, infected with bacterial agents of the tick-borne zoonoses-in Aosta Valley, western Alps, Italy. We collected ticks by dragging, and from collectors' clothes in three hiking trails, which were divided into an internal path, with short vegetation, and an external part with taller grass. Dragging yielded 285 Ixodes ricinus nymphs and 31 adults, and two Dermacentor marginatus adults. Eleven I. ricinus nymphs and 9 adults were collected from collectors' clothes. Borrelia burgdorferi s.l. was identified by PCR in 12 out of 30 I. ricinus nymphs (prevalence = 40.0%, 95% confidence interval = 22.5, 57.5). The prevalence of infection by Rickettsia spp. was 13.3% (95% CI = 1.2, 25.5). The probability of encountering at least one questing I. ricinus infected by each bacterial agent (probability of exposure, E) in 100 m² was obtained by combining the number of collected nymphs, the prevalence of infection by each bacterial agent, the frequency of passage by visitors, and the probability of tick attachment to people. The mean number of nymphs collected by dragging was greatest in the internal part of hiking trails (mean = 7.9). Conversely, E was greater in the external part (up to 0.14 for B. burgdorferi s.l., and 0.07 for Rickettsia spp.), due to a greater probability of tick attachment to people in relatively tall vegetation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilary Millet
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, 10095 Grugliasco, Italy.
| | - Marco Ragionieri
- Dipartimento di Prevenzione, SC Sanità animale, Azienda USL della Valle d'Aosta, 11020 Quart, Italy.
| | - Laura Tomassone
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, 10095 Grugliasco, Italy.
| | - Claudio Trentin
- Dipartimento di Prevenzione, SC Sanità animale, Azienda USL della Valle d'Aosta, 11020 Quart, Italy.
| | - Alessandro Mannelli
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, 10095 Grugliasco, Italy.
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