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Veinović G, Sukara R, Mihaljica D, Penezić A, Ćirović D, Tomanović S. The Occurrence and Diversity of Tick-Borne Pathogens in Small Mammals from Serbia. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2024; 24:285-292. [PMID: 38346321 DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2023.0088] [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] [Indexed: 05/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Background: Despite abundance of small mammals in Serbia, there is no information on their role in the epidemiology of tick-borne diseases (TBDs). This retrospective study aimed to identify different tick-borne pathogens (TBPs) in small mammals in Serbia collected during 2011. Materials and Methods: A total of 179 small mammals were collected from seven different localities in Serbia. The five localities belong to the capital city of Serbia-Belgrade: recreational areas-Ada Ciganlija, Titov gaj, and Košutnjak as well as mountainous suburban areas used for hiking-Avala and Kosmaj. The locality Veliko Gradište is a tourist place in northeastern Serbia, whereas the locality Milošev Do is a remote area in western Serbia with minor human impact on the environment. Results: The results of the presented retrospective study are the first findings of Rickettsia helvetica, Rickettsia monacensis, Neoehrlichia mikurensis, Borrelia afzelii, Borrelia miyamotoi, Babesia microti, Hepatozoon canis, and Coxiella burnetii in small mammals in Serbia. The presence of R. helvetica was confirmed in two Apodemus flavicollis, the presence of one of the following pathogens, R. monacensis, B. afzelii, H. canis, Ba. microti, and N. mikurensis was confirmed in one A. flavicollis each, whereas the presence of B. miyamotoi was confirmed in one Apodemus agrarius. Coinfection with B. afzelii and Ba. microti was confirmed in one A. flavicollis. DNA of C. burnetii was detected in 3 of 18 pools. Conclusions: The results confirm that detected pathogens circulate in the sylvatic cycle in Serbia and point to small mammals as potential reservoir hosts for the detected TBPs. Further large-scale studies on contemporary samples are needed to clarify the exact role of particular small mammal species in the epidemiology of TBDs caused by the detected pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gorana Veinović
- Group for Medical Entomology, Centre of Excellence for Food and Vector-Borne Zoonoses, Institute for Medical Research, National Institute of Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Ratko Sukara
- Group for Medical Entomology, Centre of Excellence for Food and Vector-Borne Zoonoses, Institute for Medical Research, National Institute of Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Darko Mihaljica
- Group for Medical Entomology, Centre of Excellence for Food and Vector-Borne Zoonoses, Institute for Medical Research, National Institute of Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | | | - Duško Ćirović
- Faculty of Biology, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Snežana Tomanović
- Group for Medical Entomology, Centre of Excellence for Food and Vector-Borne Zoonoses, Institute for Medical Research, National Institute of Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
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Babyesiza WS, Mpagi J, Ssuuna J, Akoth S, Katakweba A. Ectoparasite Fauna of Rodents and Shrews with Their Spatial, Temporal, and Dispersal along a Degradation Gradient in Mabira Central Forest Reserve. J Parasitol Res 2023; 2023:7074041. [PMID: 37928436 PMCID: PMC10625493 DOI: 10.1155/2023/7074041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2023] [Revised: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Ectoparasites like fleas, mites, and ticks that are key carriers of harmful pathogens such as viruses, bacteria, cestodes, and nematodes live on rodents and shrews. It should be noted that rodents' ecological adaptability makes them suitable as parasite hosts. The main objective of the study was to determine the ectoparasite assemblages in rodents and shrews along a degradation gradient, while comparing infestation levels in different habitats with varying levels of degradation. The study was conducted in Mabira Central Forest Reserve. Ectoparasites were collected following rodent and shrew removal trapping which was done using Sherman's traps set along transects of 200 meters in three habitat strata that included adjacent forest habitats, degraded forest edge, and regenerating forest interior. Data was collected intermittently with a break every two months for one year from November 2018 to December 2019. A total of 1411 rodents and shrews were collected, yielding a total of 5692 ectoparasites from 22 host species (17 rodents and 5 shrews). The most prevalent group of ectoparasites was mites followed by fleas, lice, ticks, and earwig. Ectoparasite prevalence significantly differed depending on hosts species (P = 0.001) and host age (P = 0.022), but not host sex (P = 0.78), while mean infestation significantly varied basing on host species (P = 0.001), host sex (P = 0.001), season (P = 0.001), and habitat (P = 0.001). Prevalence (P = 0.001) and mean infestation (P = 0.001) significantly varied across studied habitats. The study has emphasized the significance of Praomys jacksoni and Hylomyscus stella as significant hosts for mites and S. congicus as a significant host for fleas. Additionally, environment and host characteristics have a bearing on prevalence and infestation of ectoparasites with habitat degradation playing a significant role in the occurrence of ectoparasites, thereby emphasizing its contribution to zoonotic outbreaks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Waswa Sadic Babyesiza
- Africa Centre of Excellence for Innovative Rodent Pest Management and Biosensor Technology Development (ACE IRPM&BTD), Uganda
- Department of Wildlife Management, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro, Tanzania
- Department of Zoology, Entomology and Fisheries Science, Makerere University, Uganda
| | - Joseph Mpagi
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Busitema University, Uganda
| | - James Ssuuna
- Africa Centre of Excellence for Innovative Rodent Pest Management and Biosensor Technology Development (ACE IRPM&BTD), Uganda
- Department of Wildlife Management, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro, Tanzania
| | - Sisiria Akoth
- Africa Centre of Excellence for Innovative Rodent Pest Management and Biosensor Technology Development (ACE IRPM&BTD), Uganda
- Department of Wildlife Management, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro, Tanzania
- Department of Zoology, Entomology and Fisheries Science, Makerere University, Uganda
| | - Abdul Katakweba
- Africa Centre of Excellence for Innovative Rodent Pest Management and Biosensor Technology Development (ACE IRPM&BTD), Uganda
- Institute of Pest Management, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro, Tanzania
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Smith AT, Krasnov BR, Horak IG, Ueckermann EA, Matthee S. Ectoparasites associated with the Bushveld gerbil ( Gerbilliscus leucogaster) and the role of the host and habitat in shaping ectoparasite diversity and infestations. Parasitology 2023; 150:792-804. [PMID: 37272490 PMCID: PMC10478068 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182023000562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2023] [Revised: 05/25/2023] [Accepted: 05/25/2023] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Rodents are known hosts for various ectoparasite taxa such as fleas, lice, ticks and mites. South Africa is recognized for its animal diversity, yet little is published about the parasite diversity associated with wild rodent species. By focusing on a wildlife-human/domestic animal interface, the study aims to record ectoparasite diversity and levels of infestations of the Bushveld gerbil, Gerbilliscus leucogaster, and to establish the relationship between ectoparasite infestation parameters and host- and habitat factors. Rodents (n = 127) were trapped in 2 habitat types (natural and agricultural) during 2014–2020. More than 6500 individuals of 32 epifaunistic species represented by 21 genera and belonging to 5 taxonomic groups (fleas, sucking lice, ticks, mesostigmatan mites and trombiculid mites) were collected. Mesostigmatan mites and lice were the most abundant and fleas and mesostigmatan mites the most prevalent groups. Flea and mesostigmatan mite numbers and mesostigmatan mite species richness was significantly higher on reproductively active male than female rodents. Only ticks were significantly associated with habitat type, with significantly higher tick numbers and more tick species on rodents in the natural compared to the agricultural habitat. We conclude that the level of infestation by ectoparasites closely associated with the host (fleas and mites) was affected by host-associated factors, while infestation by ectoparasite that spend most of their life in the external environment (ticks) was affected by habitat type.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amber T. Smith
- Department of Conservation Ecology and Entomology, Stellenbosch University, 7602 Stellenbosch, South Africa
| | - Boris R. Krasnov
- Mitrani Department of Desert Ecology, Swiss Institute for Dryland Environmental and Energy Research, Jacob Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Sede-Boqer Campus, 84990 Midreshet Ben-Gurion, Israel
| | - Ivan G. Horak
- Department of Zoology and Entomology, Rhodes University, PO Box 94, Makhanda 6140, South Africa
| | - Eddie A. Ueckermann
- Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, Potchefstroom Campus, North-West University, North-West, South Africa
| | - Sonja Matthee
- Department of Conservation Ecology and Entomology, Stellenbosch University, 7602 Stellenbosch, South Africa
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Diversity of small mammal ectoparasite species and factors that affect their abundance in Chimit Kola, northwestern Ethiopia. Glob Ecol Conserv 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gecco.2023.e02370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
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Kitrytė N, Križanauskienė A, Baltrūnaitė L. Ecological indices and factors influencing communities of ectoparasitic laelapid mites (Acari, Mesostigmata, Laelapidae) of small mammals in Lithuania. JOURNAL OF VECTOR ECOLOGY : JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY FOR VECTOR ECOLOGY 2022; 47:99-108. [PMID: 36629361 DOI: 10.52707/1081-1710-47.1.99] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2021] [Accepted: 02/25/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Family Laelapidae is an ecologically diverse group that includes free-living species and parasites of vertebrates and invertebrates. At least seven genera in this family are associated with small mammals. In this study, ectoparasitic laelapid mites of rodents and shrews were investigated in Lithuania. In total, 2,274 small mammal specimens of 12 species were trapped and 6,089 laelapid mites were collected. The updated list of ectoparasitic mites in Lithuania included 21 mite species. Seven mite species were identified as highly specific for a host species or genus, one species was moderately specific, and four mite species were assigned to generalist parasites. All host species had one or two superdominant mite species. The prevalence and mean intensity varied significantly depending on host species and habitat. We analyzed the influence of the host (species, sex, age) and environmental factors (landscape morphology type, habitat, anthropogenic effect) on the abundance of the mite community and most numerous mite species, as well as the impact of the host community (Shannon's diversity index, species richness, host abundance) on mean abundance of the mite community. Only particular host species (Apodemus flavicollis, Microtus agrestis, and Microtus arvalis) and habitats (pastures, mixed forests) influenced the abundance of mites.
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Krasnov BR, Shenbrot GI, Khokhlova IS. Phylogenetic signals in flea-host interaction networks from four biogeographic realms: differences between interactors and the effects of environmental factors. Int J Parasitol 2022; 52:475-484. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2022.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2022] [Revised: 04/19/2022] [Accepted: 04/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
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Brian JI, Aldridge DC. Both presence-absence and abundance models provide important and different information about parasite infracommunities. Parasitol Res 2021; 120:3933-3937. [PMID: 34599361 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-021-07327-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2021] [Accepted: 09/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Joshua I Brian
- Aquatic Ecology Group, The David Attenborough Building, Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 3QZ, UK.
| | - David C Aldridge
- Aquatic Ecology Group, The David Attenborough Building, Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 3QZ, UK
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Bajer A, Dwużnik-Szarek D. The specificity of Babesia-tick vector interactions: recent advances and pitfalls in molecular and field studies. Parasit Vectors 2021; 14:507. [PMID: 34583754 PMCID: PMC8480096 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-021-05019-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2021] [Accepted: 09/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Babesia spp. are protozoan parasites of great medical and veterinary importance, especially in the northern Hemisphere. Ticks are known vectors of Babesia spp., although some Babesia-tick interactions have not been fully elucidated. Methods The present review was performed to investigate the specificity of Babesia-tick species interactions that have been identified using molecular techniques in studies conducted in the last 20 years under field conditions. We aimed to indicate the main vectors of important Babesia species based on published research papers (n = 129) and molecular data derived from the GenBank database. Results Repeated observations of certain Babesia species in specific species and genera of ticks in numerous independent studies, carried out in different areas and years, have been considered epidemiological evidence of established Babesia-tick interactions. The best studied species of ticks are Ixodes ricinus, Dermacentor reticulatus and Ixodes scapularis (103 reports, i.e. 80% of total reports). Eco-epidemiological studies have confirmed a specific relationship between Babesia microti and Ixodes ricinus, Ixodes persulcatus, and Ixodes scapularis and also between Babesia canis and D. reticulatus. Additionally, four Babesia species (and one genotype), which have different deer species as reservoir hosts, displayed specificity to the I. ricinus complex. Eco-epidemiological studies do not support interactions between a high number of Babesia spp. and I. ricinus or D. reticulatus. Interestingly, pioneering studies on other species and genera of ticks have revealed the existence of likely new Babesia species, which need more scientific attention. Finally, we discuss the detection of Babesia spp. in feeding ticks and critically evaluate the data on the role of the latter as vectors. Conclusions Epidemiological data have confirmed the specificity of certain Babesia-tick vector interactions. The massive amount of data that has been thus far collected for the most common tick species needs to be complemented by more intensive studies on Babesia infections in underrepresented tick species. Graphical abstract ![]()
Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13071-021-05019-3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Bajer
- Department of Eco-Epidemiology of Parasitic Diseases, Institute of Developmental Biology and Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, Miecznikowa 1, 02-096, Warsaw, Poland.
| | - Dorota Dwużnik-Szarek
- Department of Eco-Epidemiology of Parasitic Diseases, Institute of Developmental Biology and Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, Miecznikowa 1, 02-096, Warsaw, Poland
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