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Bakker JW, Esser HJ, Sprong H, Godeke GJ, Hoornweg TE, de Boer WF, Pijlman GP, Koenraadt CJM. Differential susceptibility of geographically distinct Ixodes ricinus populations to tick-borne encephalitis virus and louping ill virus. Emerg Microbes Infect 2024; 13:2321992. [PMID: 38484290 PMCID: PMC10946273 DOI: 10.1080/22221751.2024.2321992] [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: 03/19/2024]
Abstract
Tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) is an emerging pathogen in the Netherlands. Multiple divergent viral strains are circulating and the focal distribution of TBEV remains poorly understood. This may, however, be explained by differences in the susceptibility of tick populations for specific viruses and viral strains, and by viral strains having higher infection success in their local tick population. We investigated this hypothesis by exposing Dutch Ixodes ricinus ticks to two different TBEV strains: TBEV-NL from the Netherlands and TBEV-Neudoerfl from Austria. In addition, we exposed ticks to louping Ill virus (LIV), which is endemic to large parts of the United Kingdom and Ireland, but has not been reported in the Netherlands. Ticks were collected from two locations in the Netherlands: one location without evidence of TBEV circulation and one location endemic for the TBEV-NL strain. Ticks were infected in a biosafety level 3 laboratory using an artificial membrane feeding system. Ticks collected from the region without evidence of TBEV circulation had lower infection rates for TBEV-NL as compared to TBEV-Neudoerfl. Vice versa, ticks collected from the TBEV-NL endemic region had higher infection rates for TBEV-NL compared to TBEV-Neudoerfl. In addition, LIV infection rates were much lower in Dutch ticks compared to TBEV, which may explain why LIV is not present in the Netherlands. Our findings show that ticks from two distinct geographical populations differ in their susceptibility to TBEV strains, which could be the result of differences in the genetic background of the tick populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julian W. Bakker
- Laboratory of Entomology, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, Netherlands
| | - Helen J. Esser
- Wildlife Ecology and Conservation Group, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, Netherlands
| | - Hein Sprong
- Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute of Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, Netherlands
| | - Gert-Jan Godeke
- Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute of Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, Netherlands
| | - Tabitha E. Hoornweg
- Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute of Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, Netherlands
| | - Willem F. de Boer
- Wildlife Ecology and Conservation Group, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, Netherlands
| | - Gorben P. Pijlman
- Laboratory of Virology, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, Netherlands
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Estrada-Peña A, Sprong H, Wijburg SR. A crucial nexus: Phylogenetic versus ecological support of the life-cycle of Ixodes ricinus (Ixodoidea: Ixodidae) and Borrelia spp. amplification. CURRENT RESEARCH IN PARASITOLOGY & VECTOR-BORNE DISEASES 2024; 6:100198. [PMID: 39081593 PMCID: PMC11286992 DOI: 10.1016/j.crpvbd.2024.100198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2024] [Revised: 06/25/2024] [Accepted: 06/29/2024] [Indexed: 08/02/2024]
Abstract
The tick Ixodes ricinus parasitizes a wide range of vertebrates. These hosts vary in the relative contribution to the feeding of the different tick life stages, and their interplay is pivotal in the transmission dynamics of tick-borne pathogens. We aimed to know if there is a phylogenetic signal in the feeding and propagation hosts of I. ricinus, independently of other traits, as well as in the amplification of Borrelia burgdorferi (s.l.) in feeding larvae. We used a compilation of 1127 published field surveys in Europe, providing data for 96,586 hosts, resulting in 265,124 larvae, 72,080 nymphs and 37,726 adults. The load of immature ticks on hosts showed a significant phylogenetic signal towards the genera Psammodromus, Podarcis, and Lacerta (nymphs only). We hypothesize that such signal is the background hallmark of the primitive hosts associations of I. ricinus, probably in the glaciation refugia. A secondary phylogenetic signal for tick immatures appeared for some genera of Rodentia and Eulipotyphla. Results suggest the notion that the tick gained these hosts after spread from glaciation refugia. Analyses support a phylogenetic signal in the tick adults, firmly linked to Cetartiodactyla, but not to Carnivora or Aves. This study provides the first demonstration of host preferences in the generalist tick I. ricinus. We further demonstrate that combinations of vertebrates contribute in different proportions supporting the tick life-cycle in biogeographical regions of the Western Palaearctic as each region has unique combinations of dominant hosts. Analysis of the amplification of B. burgdorferi (s.l.) demonstrated that each genospecies is better amplified by competent reservoirs with which a strong phylogenetic signal exists. These vertebrates are the same along the spatial range: environmental traits do not change the reservoirs along the large territory studied. The transmission of B. burgdorferi (s.l.) is amplified by a few species of vertebrates, that share biogeographical regions with the tick vector in variable proportions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agustin Estrada-Peña
- Department of Animal Health, University of Zaragoza, Spain
- Instituto Agroalimentario de Aragón, IA2, 50013-Zaragoza, Spain
- Ministry of Human Health, Madrid, Spain
| | - Hein Sprong
- Centre for Infectious Diseases, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, 3720 BA Bilthoven, the Netherlands
| | - Sara R. Wijburg
- Centre for Infectious Diseases, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, 3720 BA Bilthoven, the Netherlands
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3
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Moore CO, André MR, Šlapeta J, Breitschwerdt EB. Vector biology of the cat flea Ctenocephalides felis. Trends Parasitol 2024; 40:324-337. [PMID: 38458883 PMCID: PMC11168582 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2024.02.006] [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: 11/28/2023] [Revised: 02/12/2024] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/10/2024]
Abstract
Ctenocephalides felis, the cat flea, is among the most prevalent and widely dispersed vectors worldwide. Unfortunately, research on C. felis and associated pathogens (Bartonella and Rickettsia spp.) lags behind that of other vectors and vector-borne pathogens. Therefore, we aimed to review fundamental aspects of C. felis as a vector (behavior, epidemiology, phylogenetics, immunology, and microbiome composition) with an emphasis on key techniques and research avenues employed in other vector species. Future laboratory C. felis experimental infections with Bartonella, Rickettsia, and Wolbachia species/strains should examine the vector-pathogen interface utilizing contemporary visualization, transcriptomic, and gene-editing techniques. Further environmental sampling will inform the range and prevalence of C. felis and associated pathogens, improving the accuracy of vector and pathogen modeling to improve infection/infestation risk assessment and diagnostic recommendations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte O Moore
- Intracellular Pathogens Research Laboratory, Department of Clinical Science, North Carolina State University, NC, USA
| | - Marcos Rogério André
- Vector-Borne Bioagents Laboratory (VBBL), Department of Pathology, Reproduction, and One Health, Faculty of Agrarian and Veterinary Sciences, São Paulo State University (FCAV/UNESP), Jaboticabal, SP 14884-900, Brazil
| | - Jan Šlapeta
- Sydney School of Veterinary Science, Faculty of Science, The University of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Edward B Breitschwerdt
- Intracellular Pathogens Research Laboratory, Department of Clinical Science, North Carolina State University, NC, USA.
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Hrazdilova K, Danek O, Hrbatova A, Cervena B, Noskova E, Adamik P, Votypka J, Mihalca AD, Noureddine M, Modry D, Zurek L. Genetic analysis challenges the presence of Ixodes inopinatus in Central Europe: development of a multiplex PCR to distinguish I. inopinatus from I. ricinus. Parasit Vectors 2023; 16:354. [PMID: 37814284 PMCID: PMC10561450 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-023-05971-2] [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: 05/24/2023] [Accepted: 09/17/2023] [Indexed: 10/11/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ixodes ricinus is an important vector of several pathogens, primarily in Europe. Recently, Ixodes inopinatus was described from Spain, Portugal, and North Africa and then reported from several European countries. In this study, a multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was developed to distinguish I. ricinus from I. inopinatus and used in the surveillance of I. inopinatus in Algeria (ALG) and three regions in the Czech Republic (CZ). METHODS A multiplex PCR on TROSPA and sequencing of several mitochondrial (16S rDNA, COI) and nuclear markers (TROSPA, ITS2, calreticulin) were used to differentiate these two species and for a subsequent phylogenetic analysis. RESULTS Sequencing of TROSPA, COI, and ITS2 separated these two species into two subclades, while 16S rDNA and calreticulin could not distinguish I. ricinus from I. inopinatus. Interestingly, 23 nucleotide positions in the TROSPA gene had consistently double peaks in a subset of ticks from CZ. Cloning of these PCR products led to a clear separation of I. ricinus and I. inopinatus indicating hybridization and introgression between these two tick taxa. Based on a multiplex PCR of TROSPA and analysis of sequences of TROSPA, COI, and ITS2, the majority of ticks in CZ were I. ricinus, no I. inopinatus ticks were found, and 10 specimens showed signs of hybridization. In contrast, most ticks in ALG were I. inopinatus, four ticks were I. ricinus, and no signs of hybridization and introgression were detected. CONCLUSIONS We developed a multiplex PCR method based on the TROSPA gene to differentiate I. ricinus and I. inopinatus. We demonstrate the lack of evidence for the presence of I. inopinatus in Central Europe and propose that previous studies be re-examined. Mitochondrial markers are not suitable for distinguishing I. inopinatus from I. ricinus. Furthermore, our data indicate that I. inopinatus and I. ricinus can hybridize, and the hybrids can survive in Europe.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristyna Hrazdilova
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Mendel University, Brno, Czech Republic
- Biomedical Center, Faculty of Medicine in Pilsen, Charles University, Plzen, Czech Republic
| | - Ondrej Danek
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Center of Czech Academy of Sciences, Budějovice, Czech Republic
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources/CINeZ, Czech University of Life Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Alena Hrbatova
- CEITEC, University of Veterinary Sciences, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Barbora Cervena
- CEITEC, University of Veterinary Sciences, Brno, Czech Republic
- Institute of Vertebrate Biology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Eva Noskova
- CEITEC, University of Veterinary Sciences, Brno, Czech Republic
- Department of Botany and Zoology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Peter Adamik
- Department of Zoology, Palacky University Olomouc, Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Votypka
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Center of Czech Academy of Sciences, Budějovice, Czech Republic
- Department of Parasitology, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Andrei Daniel Mihalca
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-Napoca, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Mechouk Noureddine
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-Napoca, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - David Modry
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Center of Czech Academy of Sciences, Budějovice, Czech Republic
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources/CINeZ, Czech University of Life Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
- Department of Botany and Zoology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Ludek Zurek
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Mendel University, Brno, Czech Republic.
- CEITEC, University of Veterinary Sciences, Brno, Czech Republic.
- Department of Microbiology, Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources/CINeZ, Czech University of Life Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic.
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5
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Hekimoğlu O. Phylogenetic placement of Turkish populations of Ixodes ricinus and Ixodes inopinatus. EXPERIMENTAL & APPLIED ACAROLOGY 2022; 88:179-189. [PMID: 36251170 DOI: 10.1007/s10493-022-00750-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2022] [Accepted: 10/08/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Studies on phylogeography and population structure of Ixodes ricinus have been carried out in Europe for decades, but the number of specimens from the Middle East included in these analyses is relatively small, despite the wide distribution of the species in this area. This study aimed to clarify the phylogenetic positions of I. ricinus from Turkey as well as to investigate the presence of Ixodes inopinatus in Anatolia. For this purpose, one mitochondrial (mt 16S rDNA) and one nuclear gene (defensin) were used to generate molecular data from I. ricinus samples, which were collected from 17 locations across the species' distributional range in Turkey. Bayesian inference was used to investigate phylogenetic relationships. Globally, the mt 16S rDNA lineages correspond to the lineages revealed by defensin; I. ricinus and I. inopinatus sequences clustered separately. However, a discordant genetic pattern was observed between the phylogenetic position of turkish I. ricinus revealed by nuclear versus mitochondrial genes. All Turkish haplotypes of mt 16SrDNA clustered with I. ricinus samples from Europe, which might be the result of extensive gene flow between populations of Europe and the Middle East. On the other hand, a sample from Thrace Region grouped within I. inopinatus clade. Thus, the occurrence of I. inopinatus in Turkey was demonstrated for the first time using molecular data. Moreover, four individuals were found to be heterozygous for the defensin. The potential evolutionary processes that underlie this observed discrepancy between the phylogenetic trees of two genes have been discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olcay Hekimoğlu
- Division of Ecology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Hacettepe University, Beytepe, 06800, Ankara, Turkey.
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6
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Polic D, Yıldırım Y, Lee KM, Franzén M, Mutanen M, Vila R, Forsman A. Linking large-scale genetic structure of three Argynnini butterfly species to geography and environment. Mol Ecol 2022; 31:4381-4401. [PMID: 35841126 PMCID: PMC9544544 DOI: 10.1111/mec.16594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2021] [Revised: 06/17/2022] [Accepted: 06/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
Understanding which factors and processes are associated with genetic differentiation within and among species remains a major goal in evolutionary biology. To explore differences and similarities in genetic structure and its association with geographical and climatic factors in sympatric sister species, we conducted a large‐scale (>32° latitude and >36° longitude) comparative phylogeographical study on three Argynnini butterfly species (Speyeria aglaja, Fabriciana adippe and F. niobe) that have similar life histories, but differ in ecological generalism and dispersal abilities. Analyses of nuclear (ddRAD‐sequencing derived SNP markers) and mitochondrial (COI sequences) data revealed differences between species in genetic structure and how genetic differentiation was associated with climatic factors (temperature, solar radiation, precipitation, wind speed). Geographical proximity accounted for much of the variation in nuclear and mitochondrial structure and evolutionary relationships in F. adippe and F. niobe, but only explained the pattern observed in the nuclear data in S. aglaja, for which mitonuclear discordance was documented. In all species, Iberian and Balkan individuals formed genetic clusters, suggesting isolation in glacial refugia and limited postglacial expansion. Solar radiation and precipitation were associated with the genetic structure on a regional scale in all species, but the specific combinations of environmental and geographical factors linked to variation within species were unique, pointing to species‐specific responses to common environments. Our findings show that the species share similar colonization histories, and that the same ecological factors, such as niche breadth and dispersal capacity, covary with genetic differentiation within these species to some extent, thereby highlighting the importance of comparative phylogeographical studies in sympatric sister species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Polic
- Department of Biology and Environmental Science, Linnaeus University, Kalmar, Sweden
| | - Yeşerin Yıldırım
- Department of Biology and Environmental Science, Linnaeus University, Kalmar, Sweden.,Department of Ecology and Genetics, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Kyung Min Lee
- Ecology and Genetics Research Unit, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland.,Zoology Unit, Finnish Museum of Natural History, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Markus Franzén
- Ecology and Genetics Research Unit, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| | - Marko Mutanen
- Ecology and Genetics Research Unit, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| | - Roger Vila
- Institut de Biologia Evolutiva (CSIC-Universitat Pompeu Fabra), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Anders Forsman
- Department of Biology and Environmental Science, Linnaeus University, Kalmar, Sweden
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Anoopkumar AN, Aneesh EM. Assessing the importance of Molecular and Genetic perspectives in Prophesying the KFD transmission risk provinces in the Western Ghats, Kerala, INDIA in context with spatial distribution, Extensive genetic Diversity, and phylogeography. Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis 2021; 76:101652. [PMID: 33910066 DOI: 10.1016/j.cimid.2021.101652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2020] [Accepted: 04/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The deadly effects of KFD have been pointed in southern India; however, the infecting regions have been getting larger in recent epochs. People who live or work in regions where KFDV infected tick vectors are present are severely prone to procuring the infection. Being aware of tick vectors and infectious agents' geospatial location is vital to direct sustenance approaches to prevent and manage such infectious diseases as KFD. The present investigation has focussed on the spatial distribution, Extensive genetic Diversity, and phylogeography to forecast the probable KFD disease risk provinces in the Western Ghats. The statistical analysis for diversity indices and community comparison has been performed by using SPSS version 24.0.0 and R software version 3.4.2. The nucleotide sequences of the respective ticks and KFDV were retrieved from NCBI. The first strand of this investigation revealed that, around the world, the Indian province was found to exhibit a maximum range of diversity for tick vectors. The next strands prophesied the KFD transmission risk areas in the Western Ghats region, India, with computational spatial analysis and phylogeography. The final strand exposed the genetic diversity of the KFD virus and the tick vectors in terms of their spatial distribution worldwide.
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Affiliation(s)
- A N Anoopkumar
- Communicable Disease Research Laboratory (CDRL), Department of Zoology, St. Joseph's College, Irinjalakuda, University of Calicut, Kerala, India.
| | - Embalil Mathachan Aneesh
- Communicable Disease Research Laboratory (CDRL), Department of Zoology, St. Joseph's College, Irinjalakuda, University of Calicut, Kerala, India.
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8
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Gray J, Kahl O, Zintl A. What do we still need to know about Ixodes ricinus? Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2021; 12:101682. [PMID: 33571753 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2021.101682] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2020] [Revised: 01/06/2021] [Accepted: 01/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
In spite of many decades of intensive research on Ixodes ricinus, the castor bean tick of Europe, several important aspects of its basic biology remain elusive, such as the factors determining seasonal development, tick abundance and host specificity, and the importance of water management. Additionally, there are more recent questions about the geographical diversity of tick genotypes and phenotypes, the role of migratory birds in the ecoepidemiology of I. ricinus, the importance of protective immune responses against I. ricinus, particularly in the context of vaccination, and the role of the microbiome in pathogen transmission. Without more detailed knowledge of these issues, it is difficult to assess the likely effects of changes in climate and biodiversity on tick distribution and activity, to predict potential risks arising from new and established tick populations and I. ricinus-borne pathogens, and to improve prevention and control measures. This review aims to discuss the most important outstanding questions against the backdrop of the current state of knowledge of this important tick species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeremy Gray
- UCD School of Biology and Environmental Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland.
| | | | - Annetta Zintl
- UCD School of Veterinary Sciences, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland.
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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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10
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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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11
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Poli P, Lenoir J, Plantard O, Ehrmann S, Røed KH, Leinaas HP, Panning M, Guiller A. Strong genetic structure among populations of the tick Ixodes ricinus across its range. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2020; 11:101509. [PMID: 32993929 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2020.101509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2020] [Revised: 07/03/2020] [Accepted: 07/06/2020] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Ixodes ricinus is the most common and widely distributed tick species in Europe, responsible for several zoonotic diseases, including Lyme borreliosis. Population genetics of disease vectors is a useful tool for understanding the spread of pathogens and infection risks. Despite the threat to the public health due to the climate-driven distribution changes of I. ricinus, the genetic structure of tick populations, though essential for understanding epidemiology, remains unclear. Previous studies have demonstrated weak to no apparent spatial pattern of genetic differentiation between European populations. Here, we analysed the population genetic structure of 497 individuals from 28 tick populations sampled from 20 countries across Europe, the Middle-East, and northern Africa. We analysed 125 SNPs loci after quality control. We ran Bayesian and multivariate hierarchical clustering analyses to identify and describe clusters of genetically related individuals. Both clustering methods support the identification of three spatially-structured clusters. Individuals from the south and north-western parts of Eurasia form a separated cluster from northern European populations, while central European populations are a mix between the two groups. Our findings have important implications for understanding the dispersal processes that shape the spread of zoonotic diseases under anthropogenic global changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro Poli
- Université de Picardie Jules Verne, UMR « Ecologie et Dynamique des Systèmes Anthropisés » (EDYSAN, UMR 7058 CNRS), 33 Rue Saint Leu, 80000 Amiens CEDEX 1, France.
| | - Jonathan Lenoir
- Université de Picardie Jules Verne, UMR « Ecologie et Dynamique des Systèmes Anthropisés » (EDYSAN, UMR 7058 CNRS), 33 Rue Saint Leu, 80000 Amiens CEDEX 1, France
| | | | - Steffen Ehrmann
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Deutscher Platz 5e, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Knut H Røed
- Department of Basic Sciences and Aquatic Medicine, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, N-0033, Oslo, Norway
| | - Hans Petter Leinaas
- Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, Box 1066 Blindern, N-0316 Oslo, Norway
| | - Marcus Panning
- Institute of Virology, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Hermann-Herder-Str, 11 79104, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Annie Guiller
- Université de Picardie Jules Verne, UMR « Ecologie et Dynamique des Systèmes Anthropisés » (EDYSAN, UMR 7058 CNRS), 33 Rue Saint Leu, 80000 Amiens CEDEX 1, France.
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12
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Vikse R, Paulsen KM, Edgar KS, H-O Pettersson J, Ottesen PS, Okbaldet YB, Kiran N, Lamsal A, Lindstedt HEH, Pedersen BN, Soleng A, Andreassen ÅK. Geographical distribution and prevalence of tick-borne encephalitis virus in questing Ixodes ricinus ticks and phylogeographic structure of the Ixodes ricinus vector in Norway. Zoonoses Public Health 2020; 67:370-381. [PMID: 32112526 DOI: 10.1111/zph.12696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2019] [Revised: 01/24/2020] [Accepted: 02/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
The tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV), a zoonotic flaviviral infection, is endemic in large parts of Norway and Eurasia. Humans are mainly infected with TBEV via bites from infected ticks. In Norway, the main geographical distribution of ticks is along the Norwegian coastline from southeast (~59°N) and up to the southern parts of Nordland County (~65°N). In this study, we collected ticks by flagging along the coast from Østfold County to Nordland County. By whole-genome sequencing of the mitochondrial genome of Ixodes ricinus, the phylogenetic tree suggests that there is limited phylogeographic structure both in Norway and in Europe. The overall TBEV prevalence is 0.3% for nymphs and 4.3% for adults. The highest estimated TBEV prevalence in adult ticks was detected in Rogaland and Vestfold County, while for nymphs it is highest in Vestfold, Vest-Agder and Rogaland. The present work is one of the largest studies on distribution and prevalence of TBEV in ticks in Scandinavia, showing that the virus is wider distributed in Norway than previously anticipated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rose Vikse
- Division for Infection Control and Environmental Health, Department of Virology, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Katrine M Paulsen
- Division for Infection Control and Environmental Health, Department of Virology, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway.,Department of Production Animal Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Oslo, Norway
| | - Kristin Skarsfjord Edgar
- Division for Infection Control and Environmental Health, Department of Pest Control, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - John H-O Pettersson
- Division for Infection Control and Environmental Health, Department of Infectious Diseases Epidemiology and Modelling, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway.,Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology/Zoonosis Science Center, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.,Marie Bashir Institute for Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, Charles Perkins Centre, School of Life and Environmental Sciences and Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Preben Skrede Ottesen
- Division for Infection Control and Environmental Health, Department of Pest Control, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Yohannes Bein Okbaldet
- Division for Infection Control and Environmental Health, Department of Virology, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Nosheen Kiran
- Division for Infection Control and Environmental Health, Department of Virology, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Alaka Lamsal
- Division for Infection Control and Environmental Health, Department of Virology, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway.,University of South East Norway, Bø i Telemark, Norway
| | - Heidi Elisabeth H Lindstedt
- Division for Infection Control and Environmental Health, Department of Pest Control, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Benedikte Nevjen Pedersen
- Division for Infection Control and Environmental Health, Department of Virology, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway.,University of South East Norway, Bø i Telemark, Norway
| | - Arnulf Soleng
- Division for Infection Control and Environmental Health, Department of Pest Control, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Åshild K Andreassen
- Division for Infection Control and Environmental Health, Department of Virology, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway.,University of South East Norway, Bø i Telemark, Norway
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13
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Weir W, Gray A, Shiels B, Katzer F. Babesia venatorum has not 'just arrived' in the UK. Vet Rec 2020; 186:96-97. [PMID: 31974184 DOI: 10.1136/vr.m219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- William Weir
- University of Glasgow, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, Garscube Campus, Bearsden Road, Glasgow G61 1QH
| | - Alexander Gray
- University of Glasgow, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, Garscube Campus, Bearsden Road, Glasgow G61 1QH
| | - Brian Shiels
- University of Glasgow, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, Garscube Campus, Bearsden Road, Glasgow G61 1QH
| | - Frank Katzer
- Moredun Research Institute, Pentlands Science Park, Bush Loan, Penicuik, Midlothian EH26 0PZ
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14
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How general are generalist parasites? The small mammal part of the Lyme disease transmission cycle in two ecosystems in northern Europe. Oecologia 2019; 190:115-126. [PMID: 31062166 DOI: 10.1007/s00442-019-04411-2] [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] [Received: 11/20/2018] [Accepted: 04/30/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
The pathogens causing Lyme disease are all vectored by generalist tick species found on a wide range of vertebrates, but spatial and annual variation in host use has rarely been quantified. We here compare the load of Ixodes ricinus (the vector) on small mammals and investigate the infection prevalence of Borrelia burgdorferi s.l. (the pathogen) involved in the enzootic transmission cycle of Lyme disease in two contrasting ecosystems in Norway from 2014 to 2016. The most common larval tick host in the eastern region was the bank vole, while the common shrew dominated in the western region of Norway. However, the wood mouse and the bank vole had consistently higher larval tick loads than the common shrew in both ecosystems. Hence, the evidence indicated that species are differently suitable as hosts, regardless of their abundances. The pathogen infection prevalence was similar among small mammal species, but markedly higher in the region with larger small mammal populations and higher tick loads, while the seasonal and annual variation was less marked. Our study indicated that the generalist I. ricinus shows consistent patterns of load on species of small vertebrate hosts, while B. burgdorferi s.l. (B. afzelii) was a true generalist. The similar roles of host species across regions suggest that disease dynamics can be predicted from host community composition, but predicting the role of host community composition for disease dynamics requires a detailed understanding of the different species population limitations under global change.
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15
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Al-Khafaji AM, Clegg SR, Pinder AC, Luu L, Hansford KM, Seelig F, Dinnis RE, Margos G, Medlock JM, Feil EJ, Darby AC, McGarry JW, Gilbert L, Plantard O, Sassera D, Makepeace BL. Multi-locus sequence typing of Ixodes ricinus and its symbiont Candidatus Midichloria mitochondrii across Europe reveals evidence of local co-cladogenesis in Scotland. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2018; 10:52-62. [PMID: 30197267 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2018.08.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2018] [Revised: 07/17/2018] [Accepted: 08/29/2018] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Ticks have relatively complex microbiomes, but only a small proportion of the bacterial symbionts recorded from ticks are vertically transmitted. Moreover, co-cladogenesis between ticks and their symbionts, indicating an intimate relationship over evolutionary history driven by a mutualistic association, is the exception rather than the rule. One of the most widespread tick symbionts is Candidatus Midichloria, which has been detected in all of the major tick genera of medical and veterinary importance. In some species of Ixodes, such as the sheep tick Ixodes ricinus (infected with Candidatus Midichloria mitochondrii), the symbiont is fixed in wild adult female ticks, suggesting an obligate mutualism. However, almost no information is available on genetic variation in Candidatus M. mitochondrii or possible co-cladogenesis with its host across its geographic range. Here, we report the first survey of Candidatus M. mitochondrii in I. ricinus in Great Britain and a multi-locus sequence typing (MLST) analysis of tick and symbiont between British ticks and those collected in continental Europe. We show that while the prevalence of the symbiont in nymphs collected in England is similar to that reported from the continent, a higher prevalence in nymphs and adult males is apparent in Wales. In general, Candidatus M. mitochondrii exhibits very low levels of sequence diversity, although a consistent signal of host-symbiont coevolution was apparent in Scotland. Moreover, the tick MLST scheme revealed that Scottish specimens form a clade that is partially separated from other British ticks, with almost no contribution of continental sequence types in this north-westerly border of the tick's natural range. The low diversity of Candidatus M. mitochondrii, in contrast with previously reported high rates of polymorphism in I. ricinus mitogenomes, suggests that the symbiont may have swept across Europe recently via a horizontal, rather than vertical, transmission route.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alaa M Al-Khafaji
- Institute of Infection & Global Health, University of Liverpool, 146 Brownlow Hill, Liverpool L3 5RF, UK; College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Al-Qadisiyah, Diwaniyah 58001, Qadisiyyah Province, Iraq
| | - Simon R Clegg
- Institute of Infection & Global Health, University of Liverpool, 146 Brownlow Hill, Liverpool L3 5RF, UK; School of Life Sciences, University of Lincoln, Brayford Pool, Lincoln LN6 7TS, UK
| | - Alice C Pinder
- Institute of Veterinary Science, University of Liverpool, 401 Great Newton Street, Liverpool L3 5RP, UK
| | - Lisa Luu
- Institute of Infection & Global Health, University of Liverpool, 146 Brownlow Hill, Liverpool L3 5RF, UK
| | - Kayleigh M Hansford
- Medical Entomology and Zoonoses Ecology, Public Health England, Manor Farm Road, Porton Down, Salisbury SP4 0JG, UK
| | - Frederik Seelig
- The Milner Centre for Evolution, Department of Biology & Biochemistry, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath BA2 7AY, UK
| | - Ruth E Dinnis
- The Milner Centre for Evolution, Department of Biology & Biochemistry, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath BA2 7AY, UK
| | - Gabriele Margos
- The Milner Centre for Evolution, Department of Biology & Biochemistry, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath BA2 7AY, UK
| | - Jolyon M Medlock
- Medical Entomology and Zoonoses Ecology, Public Health England, Manor Farm Road, Porton Down, Salisbury SP4 0JG, UK
| | - Edward J Feil
- The Milner Centre for Evolution, Department of Biology & Biochemistry, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath BA2 7AY, UK
| | - Alistair C Darby
- Institute of Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Biosciences Building, Liverpool L69 7ZB, UK
| | - John W McGarry
- Institute of Veterinary Science, University of Liverpool, 401 Great Newton Street, Liverpool L3 5RP, UK
| | - Lucy Gilbert
- Ecological Sciences Group, The James Hutton Institute, Craigiebuckler, Aberdeen AB15 8QH, UK
| | - Olivier Plantard
- BIOEPAR, INRA, Oniris, Université Bretagne Loire, 44307, Nantes, France
| | - Davide Sassera
- Department of Biology & Biotechnology, University of Pavia, via Ferrata 9, 27100, Pavia, Italy
| | - Benjamin L Makepeace
- Institute of Infection & Global Health, University of Liverpool, 146 Brownlow Hill, Liverpool L3 5RF, UK.
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