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Kapo N, Zuber Bogdanović I, Gagović E, Žekić M, Veinović G, Sukara R, Mihaljica D, Adžić B, Kadriaj P, Cvetkovikj A, Djadjovski I, Potkonjak A, Velo E, Savić S, Tomanović S, Omeragić J, Beck R, Hodžić A. Ixodid ticks and zoonotic tick-borne pathogens of the Western Balkans. Parasit Vectors 2024; 17:45. [PMID: 38297327 PMCID: PMC10832161 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-023-06116-1] [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: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 12/27/2023] [Indexed: 02/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Ixodid ticks are distributed across all countries of the Western Balkans, with a high diversity of species. Many of these species serve as vectors of pathogens of veterinary and medical importance. Given the scattered data from Western Balkan countries, we have conducted a comprehensive review of available literature, including some historical data, with the aim to compile information about all recorded tick species and associated zoonotic pathogens in this region. Based on the collected data, the tick fauna of the Western Balkans encompasses 32 tick species belonging to five genera: Ixodes, Haemaphysalis, Dermacentor, Rhipicephalus and Hyalomma. A range of pathogens responsible for human diseases has also been documented, including viruses, bacteria and parasites. In this review, we emphasize the necessity for integrated surveillance and reporting, urging authorities to foster research by providing financial support. Additionally, international and interdisciplinary collaborations should be encouraged that include the exchange of expertise, experiences and resources. The present collaborative effort can effectively address gaps in our knowledge of ticks and tick-borne diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naida Kapo
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sarajevo, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | | | - Ema Gagović
- Department for Bacteriology and Parasitology, Laboratory for Parasitology, Croatian Veterinary Institute, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Marina Žekić
- Scientific Veterinary Institute "Novi Sad", Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Gorana Veinović
- Institute for Medical Research, National Institute of Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Ratko Sukara
- Institute for Medical Research, National Institute of Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Darko Mihaljica
- Institute for Medical Research, National Institute of Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Bojan Adžić
- Diagnostic Veterinary Laboratory, Podgorica, Montenegro
| | - Përparim Kadriaj
- Vector Control Unit, Department of Epidemiology and Control of Infectious Diseases, Institute of Public Health, Tirana, Albania
| | - Aleksandar Cvetkovikj
- Veterinary Institute, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje, Skopje, North Macedonia
| | - Igor Djadjovski
- Veterinary Institute, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje, Skopje, North Macedonia
| | - Aleksandar Potkonjak
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Enkelejda Velo
- Vector Control Unit, Department of Epidemiology and Control of Infectious Diseases, Institute of Public Health, Tirana, Albania
| | - Sara Savić
- Scientific Veterinary Institute "Novi Sad", Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Snežana Tomanović
- Institute for Medical Research, National Institute of Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Jasmin Omeragić
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sarajevo, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Relja Beck
- Department for Bacteriology and Parasitology, Laboratory for Parasitology, Croatian Veterinary Institute, Zagreb, Croatia.
| | - Adnan Hodžić
- Department of Microbiology and Ecosystem Science, Centre for Microbiology and Environmental Systems Science (CMESS), University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
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Vilibic-Cavlek T, Janev-Holcer N, Bogdanic M, Ferenc T, Vujica Ferenc M, Krcmar S, Savic V, Stevanovic V, Ilic M, Barbic L. Current Status of Vector-Borne Diseases in Croatia: Challenges and Future Prospects. Life (Basel) 2023; 13:1856. [PMID: 37763260 PMCID: PMC10532474 DOI: 10.3390/life13091856] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Revised: 08/22/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Different vector-borne pathogens are present or have (re-)emerged in Croatia. Flaviviruses tick-borne encephalitis (TBEV), West Nile (WNV), and Usutu (USUV) are widely distributed in continental regions, while Toscana virus (TOSV) and sandfly fever viruses are detected at the Croatian littoral. Recently, sporadic clinical cases of Tahyna orthobunyavirus (TAHV) and Bhanja bandavirus infection and seropositive individuals have been reported in continental Croatia. Acute infections and serologic evidence of WNV, TBEV, USUV, and TAHV were also confirmed in sentinel animals and vectors. Autochthonous dengue was reported in 2010 at the Croatian littoral. Lyme borreliosis is the most widely distributed vector-borne bacterial infection. The incidence is very high in northwestern and eastern regions, which correlates with numerous records of Ixodes ricinus ticks. Acute human Anaplasma phagocytophilum infections are reported sporadically, but there are many records of serologic evidence of anaplasmosis in animals. Mediterranean spotted fever (Rickettsia conorii) and murine typhus (Rickettsia typhi) are the main rickettsial infections in Croatia. Human leishmaniasis is notified sporadically, while serologic evidence of leishmaniasis was found in 11.4% of the Croatian population. After the official eradication of malaria in 1964, only imported cases were reported in Croatia. Since vector-borne diseases show a growing trend, continuous monitoring of vectors is required to protect the population from these infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatjana Vilibic-Cavlek
- Department of Virology, Croatian Institute of Public Health, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
- School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Natasa Janev-Holcer
- Environmental Health Department, Croatian Institute of Public Health, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
- Department of Social Medicine and Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Rijeka, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia
| | - Maja Bogdanic
- Department of Virology, Croatian Institute of Public Health, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Thomas Ferenc
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Merkur University Hospital, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Mateja Vujica Ferenc
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital Center Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Stjepan Krcmar
- Department of Biology, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, 31000 Osijek, Croatia
| | - Vladimir Savic
- Poultry Center, Croatian Veterinary Institute, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Vladimir Stevanovic
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases with Clinic, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Maja Ilic
- Department of Communicable Disease Epidemiology, Croatian Institute of Public Health, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Ljubo Barbic
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases with Clinic, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
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Koczwarska J, Pawełczyk A, Dunaj-Małyszko J, Polaczyk J, Welc-Falęciak R. Rickettsia species in Dermacentor reticulatus ticks feeding on human skin and clinical manifestations of tick-borne infections after tick bite. Sci Rep 2023; 13:9930. [PMID: 37336983 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-37059-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 06/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Dermacentor reticulatus ticks are sporadically removed from human skin and therefore the medical consequences of their feeding are neglected compared to Ixodes ricinus. We investigated the prevalence of pathogens in D. reticulatus removed from human skin and possible clinical manifestations suggestive of tick-borne diseases after a tick bite. A total of 2153 ticks were studied and of these only 34 were D. reticulatus. The mean prevalence of Rickettsia in D. reticulatus was 50.0% and R. raoultii was identified in 82.4% of infected D. reticulatus ticks. We confirmed the first case of R. aeschlimannii infection in D. reticulatus ticks. Among participants bitten by D. reticulatus, 13.3% reported reddening around the tick bite site and flu-like symptoms, including lymphadenopathy and 3.3% reported eschar on the tick site bite. All of the participants with flu-like symptoms after tick removal were bitten by ticks infected with R. raoultii. The results of this study indicate that even though D. reticulatus ticks bite humans sporadically, pathogenic Rickettsia have a remarkably high prevalence in this tick species. We can expect that the incidence of tick-borne lymphadenopathy might increase with the reported expansion of the D. reticulatus into new areas and its growing abundance in Central Europe.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Koczwarska
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, Miecznikowa 1, 02-096, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Agnieszka Pawełczyk
- Department of Immunopathology of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, Medical University of Warsaw, Pawińskiego 3C, 02-106, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Justyna Dunaj-Małyszko
- Department of the Infectious Diseases and Neuroinfections, Medical University in Białystok, Żurawia 14, 15-540, Białystok, Poland
| | - Justyna Polaczyk
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, Miecznikowa 1, 02-096, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Renata Welc-Falęciak
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, Miecznikowa 1, 02-096, Warsaw, Poland.
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Abreu-Yanes E, Abreu-Acosta N, Foronda P. Study of tick-borne zoonotic pathogens in questing and feeding ticks in Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain. JOURNAL OF VECTOR ECOLOGY : JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY FOR VECTOR ECOLOGY 2023; 48:59-62. [PMID: 37255360 DOI: 10.52707/1081-1710-48.1.59] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 03/18/2023] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Ticks are vectors of many zoonotic pathogens of clinical relevance, including Anaplasma and Rickettsia species. Since few data about these tick-borne pathogens are available in the Canary Islands, the aim of the present study was to screen their presence in questing and feeding ticks on the island of Tenerife. A total of 81 ticks was removed from six hedgehogs, and eight ticks were collected from the grass. PCR assays for tick species identification based on the LSU rRNA gene, and detection of Anaplasma spp. and Rickettsia spp. by targeting the 16s rRNA and gltA gene, respectively, were carried out. Rhipicephalus sanguineus and Haemaphysalis formosensis tick species were identified, with Rickettsia hoogstraalii detected in H. formosensis. In addition, Rickettsia helvetica and one unidentified Rickettsia species were detected. The overall prevalence of Rickettsia in ticks was 12.2%, and none harbored Anaplasma sp. This work constitutes the first identification in the Canary Islands of pathogenic R. helvetica and the species of unknown pathogenicity R. hoogstraalii in questing ticks. The clinical relevance of the pathogens identified highlights the need for studies with increased sample size and locations, including potential hosts, as well as warning the population about the relevance of ticks as vectors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Estefanía Abreu-Yanes
- Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de Canarias, Universidad de La Laguna. Avda. Astrofísico F. Sánchez, s/n, 38203 La Laguna, Canary Islands, Spain
- Nertalab S.L. José Rodríguez Mouré, 38008 Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain
| | - Néstor Abreu-Acosta
- Nertalab S.L. José Rodríguez Mouré, 38008 Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain
| | - Pilar Foronda
- Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de Canarias, Universidad de La Laguna. Avda. Astrofísico F. Sánchez, s/n, 38203 La Laguna, Canary Islands, Spain,
- Departament Obstetricia y Ginecología, Pediatría, Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Toxicología, Medicina Legal y Forense y Parasitología, Universidad de La Laguna. Avda. Astrofísico F. Sánchez, s/n, 38203 La Laguna, Canary Islands, Spain
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Krčmar S, Klobučar A, Vucelja M, Boljfetić M, Kučinić M, Madić J, Cvek M, Mađarić BB. DNA barcoding of hard ticks (Ixodidae), notes on distribution of vector species and new faunal record for Croatia. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2022; 13:101920. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2022.101920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2021] [Revised: 01/14/2022] [Accepted: 01/31/2022] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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Vikentjeva M, Geller J, Remm J, Golovljova I. Rickettsia spp. in rodent-attached ticks in Estonia and first evidence of spotted fever group Rickettsia species Candidatus Rickettsia uralica in Europe. Parasit Vectors 2021; 14:65. [PMID: 33472659 PMCID: PMC7818765 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-020-04564-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2020] [Accepted: 12/28/2020] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Rickettsia spp. are human pathogens that cause a number of diseases and are transmitted by arthropods, such as ixodid ticks. Estonia is one of few regions where the distribution area of two medically important tick species, Ixodes persulcatus and I. ricinus, overlaps. The nidicolous rodent-associated Ixodes trianguliceps has also recently been shown to be present in Estonia. Although no data are available on human disease(s) caused by tick-borne Rickettsia spp. in Estonia, the presence of three Rickettsia species in non-nidicolous ticks has been previously reported. The aim of this study was to detect, identify and partially characterize Rickettsia species in nidicolous and non-nidicolous ticks attached to rodents in Estonia. RESULTS Larvae and nymphs of I. ricinus (n = 1004), I. persulcatus (n = 75) and I. trianguliceps (n = 117), all removed from rodents and shrews caught in different parts of Estonia, were studied for the presence of Rickettsia spp. by nested PCR. Ticks were collected from 314 small animals of five species [Myodes glareolus (bank voles), Apodemus flavicollis (yellow necked mice), A. agrarius (striped field mice), Microtus subterranius (pine voles) and Sorex araneus (common shrews)]. Rickettsial DNA was detected in 8.7% (103/1186) of the studied ticks. In addition to identifying R. helvetica, which had been previously found in questing ticks, we report here the first time that the recently described I. trianguliceps-associated Candidatus Rickettsia uralica has been identified west of the Ural Mountains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Vikentjeva
- Department of Virology and Immunology, National Institute for Health Development, Tallinn, Estonia. .,Department of Gene Technology, Tallinn University of Technology, Tallinn, Estonia.
| | - Julia Geller
- Department of Virology and Immunology, National Institute for Health Development, Tallinn, Estonia
| | - Jaanus Remm
- Department of Zoology, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Irina Golovljova
- Department of Virology and Immunology, National Institute for Health Development, Tallinn, Estonia.,Tallinn Children's Hospital, Tallinn, Estonia
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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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Remesar S, Díaz P, Portillo A, Santibáñez S, Prieto A, Díaz-Cao JM, López CM, Panadero R, Fernández G, Díez-Baños P, Oteo JA, Morrondo P. Prevalence and molecular characterization of Rickettsia spp. in questing ticks from north-western Spain. EXPERIMENTAL & APPLIED ACAROLOGY 2019; 79:267-278. [PMID: 31655926 DOI: 10.1007/s10493-019-00426-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2019] [Accepted: 10/22/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Tick-borne rickettsioses, most of them belonging to the spotted fever group (SFG), have been recognized as important emerging vector-borne zoonotic diseases. In order to determine the presence of Rickettsia spp. in questing ticks from north-western Spain, 1056 Ixodes ricinus, 19 Dermacentor marginatus, 17 Dermacentor reticulatus and one Ixodes acuminatus were processed. Rickettsia DNA was detected by PCR targeting rOmpA and rOmpB genes. A total of 219 (20.7%) I. ricinus, 19 (100%) D. marginatus and four D. reticulatus (23.5%) were positive. The prevalence was significantly higher in I. ricinus from coastal areas and in winter. Five species were identified: Rickettsia felis, Rickettsia monacensis, Rickettsia raoultii, Rickettsia slovaca and "Candidatus Rickettsia rioja". Our results reveal a significant presence of some pathogenic Rickettsia species in questing tick populations from this area which involves a noticeable risk of rickettsiosis. As R. raoultii, R. slovaca and "Ca. R. rioja" DNA were identified in I. ricinus, considered an unusual vector for these Rickettsia species, further studies are needed to unravel the role of that tick species in the maintenance and transmission of these three Rickettsia species in north-western Spain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susana Remesar
- Departamento de Patología Animal (Grupo INVESAGA), Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Pabellón I, Planta Baja, Campus Universitario s/n, 27002, Lugo, Spain
| | - Pablo Díaz
- Departamento de Patología Animal (Grupo INVESAGA), Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Pabellón I, Planta Baja, Campus Universitario s/n, 27002, Lugo, Spain.
| | - Aránzazu Portillo
- Centro de Rickettsiosis y Enfermedades Transmitidas por Artrópodos Vectores (CRETAV), Departamento de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Hospital U. San Pedro-CIBIR, Logroño, Spain
| | - Sonia Santibáñez
- Centro de Rickettsiosis y Enfermedades Transmitidas por Artrópodos Vectores (CRETAV), Departamento de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Hospital U. San Pedro-CIBIR, Logroño, Spain
| | - Alberto Prieto
- Departamento de Patología Animal (Grupo INVESAGA), Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Pabellón I, Planta Baja, Campus Universitario s/n, 27002, Lugo, Spain
| | - José M Díaz-Cao
- Departamento de Patología Animal (Grupo INVESAGA), Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Pabellón I, Planta Baja, Campus Universitario s/n, 27002, Lugo, Spain
| | - Ceferino M López
- Departamento de Patología Animal (Grupo INVESAGA), Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Pabellón I, Planta Baja, Campus Universitario s/n, 27002, Lugo, Spain
| | - Rosario Panadero
- Departamento de Patología Animal (Grupo INVESAGA), Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Pabellón I, Planta Baja, Campus Universitario s/n, 27002, Lugo, Spain
| | - Gonzalo Fernández
- Departamento de Patología Animal (Grupo INVESAGA), Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Pabellón I, Planta Baja, Campus Universitario s/n, 27002, Lugo, Spain
| | - Pablo Díez-Baños
- Departamento de Patología Animal (Grupo INVESAGA), Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Pabellón I, Planta Baja, Campus Universitario s/n, 27002, Lugo, Spain
| | - José A Oteo
- Centro de Rickettsiosis y Enfermedades Transmitidas por Artrópodos Vectores (CRETAV), Departamento de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Hospital U. San Pedro-CIBIR, Logroño, Spain
| | - Patrocinio Morrondo
- Departamento de Patología Animal (Grupo INVESAGA), Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Pabellón I, Planta Baja, Campus Universitario s/n, 27002, Lugo, Spain
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Spotted Fever Group Rickettsia Infection and Transmission Dynamics in Amblyomma maculatum. Infect Immun 2019; 87:IAI.00804-18. [PMID: 30642897 PMCID: PMC6434108 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00804-18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2018] [Accepted: 01/07/2019] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Tick vectors are capable of transmitting several rickettsial species to vertebrate hosts, resulting in various levels of disease. Studies have demonstrated the transmissibility of both rickettsial pathogens and novel Rickettsia species or strains with unknown pathogenicity to vertebrate hosts during tick blood meal acquisition; however, the quantitative nature of transmission remains unknown. Tick vectors are capable of transmitting several rickettsial species to vertebrate hosts, resulting in various levels of disease. Studies have demonstrated the transmissibility of both rickettsial pathogens and novel Rickettsia species or strains with unknown pathogenicity to vertebrate hosts during tick blood meal acquisition; however, the quantitative nature of transmission remains unknown. We tested the hypothesis that if infection severity is a function of the rickettsial load delivered during tick transmission, then a more virulent spotted fever group (SFG) Rickettsia species is transmitted at higher levels during tick feeding. Using Amblyomma maculatum cohorts infected with Rickettsia parkeri or “Candidatus Rickettsia andeanae,” a quantitative PCR (qPCR) assay was employed to quantify rickettsiae in tick salivary glands and saliva, as well as in the vertebrate hosts at the tick attachment site over the duration of tick feeding. Significantly greater numbers of R. parkeri than of “Ca. Rickettsia andeanae” rickettsiae were present in tick saliva and salivary glands and in the vertebrate hosts at the feeding site during tick feeding. Microscopy demonstrated the presence of both rickettsial species in tick salivary glands, and immunohistochemical analysis of the attachment site identified localized R. parkeri, but not “Ca. Rickettsia andeanae,” in the vertebrate host. Lesions were also distinct and more severe in vertebrate hosts exposed to R. parkeri than in those exposed to “Ca. Rickettsia andeanae.” The specific factors that contribute to the generation of a sustained rickettsial infection and subsequent disease have yet to be elucidated, but the results of this study suggest that the rickettsial load in ticks and during transmission may be an important element.
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Microsatellite-based genetic diversity of Dermacentor reticulatus in Europe. INFECTION GENETICS AND EVOLUTION 2018; 66:200-209. [DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2018.09.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2018] [Revised: 08/27/2018] [Accepted: 09/30/2018] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
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Kohn M, Krücken J, McKay-Demeler J, Pachnicke S, Krieger K, von Samson-Himmelstjerna G. Dermacentor reticulatus in Berlin/Brandenburg (Germany): Activity patterns and associated pathogens. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2018; 10:191-206. [PMID: 30385074 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2018.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2018] [Revised: 09/03/2018] [Accepted: 10/14/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Dermacentor reticulatus is one of the most important European tick species. However, its spatial distribution, seasonality and regional vector role are not well known. This study aimed to gather information about abundance patterns of questing ticks and associated pathogens in unfed female adult D. reticulatus in the Berlin/Brandenburg area. Using the flagging method, questing ticks were collected at four sites in 2010-2012 and 2000 D. reticulatus were analysed regarding infection with Rickettsia, Babesia, Borrelia and Anaplasmataceae by conventional or real-time PCR. Dermacentor reticulatus showed a bimodal activity pattern: highest numbers of adult ticks were recorded between March and end of May (mean 50 ticks/h) and from mid-August until end of November (mean 102 ticks/h). During summer, almost complete inactivity was observed (mean 0.4 ticks/h). Sporadic samplings from December to February revealed tick activity also during winter (mean 47 ticks/h), which was characterised by large fluctuations. Using negative binomial regression analysis, significant influences of the variables sampling site, season and temperature on the abundance of questing D. reticulatus were determined. The parameters relative humidity and year were not of significant importance. PCR analyses showed an average prevalence of 64% for Rickettsia sp. Large differences in pathogen frequencies were observed between sampling sites (31.4-78.3%). Regression analysis demonstrated a significant influence of the sampling site but not of season and year. Examinations regarding other pathogen groups indicated prevalences of 0.25% (Borrelia sp.) and 0.05% (Anaplasmataceae) but absence of Babesia sp. Sequencing of positive samples revealed infections with Rickettsia raoultii, Borrelia miyamotoi, Borrelia afzelii and Anaplasma phagocytophilum. The study shows stable populations of D. reticulatus in Berlin/Brandenburg. People should be aware of ticks throughout the year since Ixodes ricinus is co-endemic and active in spring, summer and autumn while adult D. reticulatus are active throughout the year and even in winter during periods of frost as long as it is warming up during the day. Prevalence of R. raoultii in the present study is among the highest described for D. reticulatus. Borrelia miyamotoi was detected for the first time in D. reticulatus, illustrating the importance of screening studies to evaluate the pathogen structure in D. reticulatus populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mareen Kohn
- Institute for Parasitology and Tropical Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Robert-von-Ostertag-Str. 7-13, 14163, Berlin, Germany
| | - Jürgen Krücken
- Institute for Parasitology and Tropical Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Robert-von-Ostertag-Str. 7-13, 14163, Berlin, Germany
| | - Janina McKay-Demeler
- Institute for Parasitology and Tropical Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Robert-von-Ostertag-Str. 7-13, 14163, Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Klemens Krieger
- Bayer Animal Health GmbH, Alfred-Nobel-Straße 50, 40789, Monheim, Germany
| | - Georg von Samson-Himmelstjerna
- Institute for Parasitology and Tropical Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Robert-von-Ostertag-Str. 7-13, 14163, Berlin, Germany.
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12
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Stefanetti V, Morganti G, Veronesi F, Gavaudan S, Capelli G, Ravagnan S, Antognoni MT, Bianchi F, Passamonti F. Exposure of Owned Dogs and Feeding Ticks to Spotted Fever Group Rickettsioses in Central Italy. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2018; 18:704-708. [PMID: 30129908 DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2018.2303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Dogs may be useful sentinels for public health monitoring of spotted fever group rickettsioses (SFGR). The aim of this study was to determine the exposure to SFGR among dogs and feeding ticks in central Italy. A total of 344 dogs and 607 adult ticks (395 Rhipicephalus sanguineus and 212 Ixodes ricinus specimens) collected from the coats of sampled animals were included in the study. Canine serum samples were analyzed by indirect fluorescent antibody technique (IFAT) for IgG antibodies against Rickettsia conorii and Rickettsia rickettsii. All the ticks and buffy coats were processed by a PCR targeting a fragment of gltA followed by sequencing. Overall, 56 dogs (16.3%) tested positive for one or both rickettsial antigens by IFAT with endpoint titers ranging from 1:64 to 1:2048; 38 (11%) serum samples reacted against R. conorii, 46 (13.4%) reacted against R. rickettsii, and 28 (8.1%) reacted simultaneously against both rickettsial agents. All buffy coats were PCR negative. Rickettsial DNA was revealed in 39 (18.4%) I. ricinus and in 10 (2.5%) R. sanguineus specimens. The amplicons sequencing showed three SFGR, that is, R. conorii detected in 10 R. sanguineus specimens and Rickettsia helvetica and Rickettsia monacensis detected in 7 and 32 I. ricinus ticks. Nine out of the 10 R. conorii isolates were obtained from ticks collected from seronegative dogs, and one specimen from a dog tested positive for both R. rickettsii and R. conorii by immunofluorescence assay. Among the seven ticks tested positive for R. helvetica, six were recovered from the coats of seronegative dogs and one from a dog having antibodies against R. conorii; the 32 isolates of R. monacensis were obtained from 28 seronegative and 4 R. conorii/R. rickettsii-positive dogs. The results highlight the non-negligible exposure of the canine population to SFGR in the sampled areas.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Giulia Morganti
- 1 Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Perugia , Perugia, Italy
| | - Fabrizia Veronesi
- 1 Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Perugia , Perugia, Italy
| | - Stefano Gavaudan
- 2 Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Umbria e delle Marche , Ancona, Italy
| | - Gioia Capelli
- 3 Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie , Legnaro, Italy
| | - Silvia Ravagnan
- 3 Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie , Legnaro, Italy
| | | | - Flavia Bianchi
- 1 Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Perugia , Perugia, Italy
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13
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Scarpulla M, Barlozzari G, Salvato L, De Liberato C, Lorenzetti R, Macrì G. Rickettsia helvetica in Human-Parasitizing and Free-Living Ixodes ricinus from Urban and Wild Green Areas in the Metropolitan City of Rome, Italy. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2018; 18:404-407. [PMID: 29664700 PMCID: PMC6067101 DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2017.2235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Rickettsia helvetica is an emerging human pathogen, belonging to the spotted fever group (SFG) rickettsiae, associated with generally aneruptive fever, meningitis, and sudden death in chronic perimyocarditis. In this study, we describe the detection of R. helvetica in human-parasitizing and free-living Ixodes ricinus from the Metropolitan City of Rome. The pathogen was found in a tick acquired by a woman in an urban park. The circulation of R. helvetica was further confirmed by its detection in free-living ticks from a wild green area. These findings demonstrate that urban as well as wild green areas can represent a risk of infection to humans by R. helvetica, with potentially severe sequelae. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of R. helvetica in the Lazio region. Large-scale studies are needed to evaluate and quantify the presence of R. helvetica and other SFG rickettsiae in the urban and periurban context and to assess the risk to humans and animals related to their frequentation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuela Scarpulla
- 1 Department of Direzione Operativa Sierologia, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Lazio e della Toscana M. Aleandri , Rome, Italy
| | - Giulia Barlozzari
- 1 Department of Direzione Operativa Sierologia, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Lazio e della Toscana M. Aleandri , Rome, Italy
| | - Laura Salvato
- 1 Department of Direzione Operativa Sierologia, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Lazio e della Toscana M. Aleandri , Rome, Italy
| | - Claudio De Liberato
- 2 Department of Ufficio di Staff Accettazione, Refertazione e Sportello dell'Utente, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Lazio e della Toscana M. Aleandri , Rome, Italy
| | - Raniero Lorenzetti
- 3 Department of Ufficio di Staff Biotecnologie, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Lazio e della Toscana M. Aleandri , Rome, Italy
| | - Gladia Macrì
- 1 Department of Direzione Operativa Sierologia, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Lazio e della Toscana M. Aleandri , Rome, Italy
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14
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Andersson MO, Tolf C, Tamba P, Stefanache M, Radbea G, Frangoulidis D, Tomaso H, Waldenström J, Dobler G, Chitimia-Dobler L. Molecular survey of neglected bacterial pathogens reveals an abundant diversity of species and genotypes in ticks collected from animal hosts across Romania. Parasit Vectors 2018; 11:144. [PMID: 29554947 PMCID: PMC5859542 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-018-2756-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2017] [Accepted: 02/26/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Ticks are transmitting a wide range of bacterial pathogens that cause substantial morbidity and mortality in domestic animals. The full pathogen burden transmitted by tick vectors is incompletely studied in many geographical areas, and extensive studies are required to fully understand the diversity and distribution of pathogens transmitted by ticks. Results We sampled 824 ticks of 11 species collected in 19 counties in Romania. Ticks were collected mainly from dogs, but also from other domestic and wild animals, and were subjected to molecular screening for pathogens. Rickettsia spp. was the most commonly detected pathogen, occurring in 10.6% (87/824) of ticks. Several species were detected: Rickettsia helvetica, R. raoultii, R. massiliae, R. monacensis, R. slovaca and R. aeschlimannii. A single occurrence of the zoonotic bacterium Bartonella vinsonii berkhoffii was detected in a tick collected from a dog. Anaplasma phagocytophilum occurred in four samples, and sequences similar to Anaplasma marginale/ovis were abundant in ticks from ruminants. In addition, molecular screening showed that ticks from dogs were carrying an Ehrlichia species identical to the HF strain as well as the enigmatic zoonotic pathogen “Candidatus Neoehrlichia mikurensis”. An organism similar to E. chaffeensis or E. muris was detected in an Ixodes ricinus collected from a fox. Conclusions We describe an abundant diversity of bacterial tick-borne pathogens in ticks collected from animal hosts in Romania, both on the level of species and genotypes/strains within these species. Several findings were novel for Romania, including Bartonella vinsonii subsp. berkhoffii that causes bacteremia and endocarditis in dogs. “Candidatus Neoehrlichia mikurensis” was detected in a tick collected from a dog. Previously, a single case of infection in a dog was diagnosed in Germany. The results warrant further studies on the consequences of tick-borne pathogens in domestic animals in Romania. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13071-018-2756-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin O Andersson
- Center for Ecology and Evolution in Microbial Model Systems (EEMiS), Linnaeus University, -391 82, Kalmar, SE, Sweden
| | - Conny Tolf
- Center for Ecology and Evolution in Microbial Model Systems (EEMiS), Linnaeus University, -391 82, Kalmar, SE, Sweden
| | - Paula Tamba
- Institute for Diagnosis and Animal Health, Bucharest, Romania
| | | | - Gabriel Radbea
- Sal-Vet Private Veterinary Clinics, Timis County, Timisoara, Romania
| | | | - Herbert Tomaso
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Institute of Bacterial Infections and Zoonoses, Naumburger Strasse 96a, 07743, Jena, Germany
| | - Jonas Waldenström
- Center for Ecology and Evolution in Microbial Model Systems (EEMiS), Linnaeus University, -391 82, Kalmar, SE, Sweden
| | - Gerhard Dobler
- Bundeswehr Institute of Microbiology, Neuherbergstrasse 11, D-80937, Munich, Germany. .,German Center of Infection Research (DZIF) Partner Munich, Neuherbergstrasse 11, D-80937, Munich, Germany.
| | - Lidia Chitimia-Dobler
- Institute for Diagnosis and Animal Health, Bucharest, Romania.,Bundeswehr Institute of Microbiology, Neuherbergstrasse 11, D-80937, Munich, Germany.,German Center of Infection Research (DZIF) Partner Munich, Neuherbergstrasse 11, D-80937, Munich, Germany
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15
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Fischer S, Spierling NG, Heuser E, Kling C, Schmidt S, Rosenfeld UM, Reil D, Imholt C, Jacob J, Ulrich RG, Essbauer S. High prevalence of Rickettsia helvetica in wild small mammal populations in Germany. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2018; 9:500-505. [PMID: 29398604 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2018.01.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2017] [Revised: 11/01/2017] [Accepted: 01/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Since the beginning of the 21st century, spotted fever rickettsioses are known as emerging diseases worldwide. Rickettsiae are obligately intracellular bacteria transmitted by arthropod vectors. The ecology of Rickettsia species has not been investigated in detail, but small mammals are considered to play a role as reservoirs. Aim of this study was to monitor rickettsiae in wild small mammals over a period of five years in four federal states of Germany. Initial screening of ear pinna tissues of 3939 animals by Pan-Rick real-time PCR targeting the citrate synthase (gltA) gene revealed 296 rodents of seven species and 19 shrews of two species positive for rickettsial DNA. Outer membrane protein gene (ompB, ompAIV) PCRs based typing resulted in the identification of three species: Rickettsia helvetica (90.9%) was found as the dominantly occurring species in the four investigated federal states, but Rickettsia felis (7.8%) and Rickettsia raoultii (1.3%) were also detected. The prevalence of Rickettsia spp. in rodents of the genus Apodemus was found to be higher (approximately 14%) than in all other rodent and shrew species at all investigated sites. General linear mixed model analyses indicated that heavier (older) individuals of yellow-necked mice and male common voles seem to contain more often rickettsial DNA than younger ones. Furthermore, rodents generally collected in forests in summer and autumn more often carried rickettsial DNA. In conclusion, this study indicated a high prevalence of R. helvetica in small mammal populations and suggests an age-dependent increase of the DNA prevalence in some of the species and in animals originating from forest habitats. The finding of R. helvetica and R. felis DNA in multiple small mammal species may indicate frequent trans-species transmission by feeding of vectors on different species. Further investigations should target the reason for the discrepancy between the high rickettsial DNA prevalence in rodents and the so far almost absence of clinical apparent human infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan Fischer
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Südufer 10, 17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Nastasja G Spierling
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Südufer 10, 17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Elisa Heuser
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Südufer 10, 17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Christopher Kling
- Bundeswehr Institute of Microbiology, Department Virology and Rickettsiology, Neuherbergstr. 11, 80937 Munich, Germany
| | - Sabrina Schmidt
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Südufer 10, 17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Ulrike M Rosenfeld
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Südufer 10, 17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Daniela Reil
- Julius Kühn-Institute, Federal Research Centre for Cultivated Plants, Institute for Plant Protection in Horticulture and Forests, Vertebrate Research, Toppheideweg 88, 48161 Münster, Germany
| | - Christian Imholt
- Julius Kühn-Institute, Federal Research Centre for Cultivated Plants, Institute for Plant Protection in Horticulture and Forests, Vertebrate Research, Toppheideweg 88, 48161 Münster, Germany
| | - Jens Jacob
- Julius Kühn-Institute, Federal Research Centre for Cultivated Plants, Institute for Plant Protection in Horticulture and Forests, Vertebrate Research, Toppheideweg 88, 48161 Münster, Germany
| | - Rainer G Ulrich
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Südufer 10, 17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Sandra Essbauer
- Bundeswehr Institute of Microbiology, Department Virology and Rickettsiology, Neuherbergstr. 11, 80937 Munich, Germany.
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16
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Raulf MK, Jordan D, Fingerle V, Strube C. Association of Borrelia and Rickettsia spp. and bacterial loads in Ixodes ricinus ticks. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2017; 9:18-24. [PMID: 29103949 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2017.10.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2017] [Revised: 10/19/2017] [Accepted: 10/23/2017] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
In recent years, awareness of coinfections has increased as synergistic or antagonistic effects on interacting bacteria have been observed. To date, several reports on coinfections of ticks with Rickettsia and Borrelia spp. are available. However, associations are rarely described and studies are based on rather low sample sizes. In the present study, coinfections of Ixodes ricinus with these pathogens were investigated by determining their association in a meta-analysis. A total of 5079 tick samples examined for Rickettsia and Borrelia spp. via probe-based quantitative real-time PCR in previous prevalence studies or as submitted diagnostic material were included. In Borrelia-positive ticks, genospecies were determined by Reverse Line Blot. Determination of bacterial loads resulted in an increase between developmental tick stages with highest mean bacterial loads in female ticks (7.96×104 in Borrelia single-infected, 4.87×105 in Rickettsia single-infected and 3.22×105 in Borrelia-Rickettsia coinfected females). The determined Borrelia-Rickettsia tick coinfection rate was 12.3% (626/5079) with a significant difference to the expected coinfection rate of 9.0% (457/5079). A significant slight association as well as correlation between Borrelia and Rickettsia were determined. In addition, a significant interrelation of the bacterial load in coinfected ticks was shown. At the level of Borrelia genospecies, significant weak associations with Rickettsia spp. were detected for B. afzelii, B. garinii/bavariensis, B. valaisiana and B. lusitaniae. The positive association provides evidence for interactions between Borrelia and Rickettsia spp. in the tick vector, presumably resulting in higher bacterial replication rates in the tick vector and possibly the reservoir host. However, coinfection may impact the vector negatively as indicated by an absent increase in coinfection rates from nymphs to adults. Future studies are needed to investigate the underlying mechanisms of the positive association in ticks and possible associations in the vertebrate host as well as the potential influence of environmental factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie-Kristin Raulf
- Institute for Parasitology, Centre for Infection Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Buenteweg 17, 30559 Hannover, Germany; Immunology Unit & Research Center for Emerging Infections and Zoonoses, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Buenteweg 17, 30559 Hannover, Germany
| | - Daniela Jordan
- Institute for Parasitology, Centre for Infection Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Buenteweg 17, 30559 Hannover, Germany
| | - Volker Fingerle
- German National Reference Centre for Borrelia, Veterinaerstraße 2, 85764 Oberschleissheim, Germany
| | - Christina Strube
- Institute for Parasitology, Centre for Infection Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Buenteweg 17, 30559 Hannover, Germany.
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17
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Mierzejewska EJ, Estrada-Peña A, Bajer A. Spread of Dermacentor reticulatus is associated with the loss of forest area. EXPERIMENTAL & APPLIED ACAROLOGY 2017; 72:399-413. [PMID: 28831655 PMCID: PMC5583311 DOI: 10.1007/s10493-017-0160-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2016] [Accepted: 07/22/2017] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
Changes in tick distribution and abundance are among the main drivers of the (re)emergence of transmitted pathogens. We aimed to uncover the reasons of the reported spread of Dermacentor reticulatus in Poland using a variety of proxies of environmental features, ground-measured temperature and remotely-sensed data of temperature and vegetation. Ground-measured temperature was recorded in 2013-2014, in sites where D. reticulatus presence (n = 16) or absence (n = 16) was confirmed. We specifically aimed to test whether changes in phenology of vegetation and the length of the growing season were correlated with field-derived data regarding the presence/absence of D. reticulatus. We also used categorical descriptions of the habitat to capture the vegetation patterns that might delineate the distribution of the tick. We demonstrated that temperature, phenology of vegetation and length of growing season have no correlation with the occurrence of D. reticulatus in Poland. There is, however, a clear association between the trends of the loss of forests and the presence of the tick. This parameter was two times higher at sites colonized by D. reticulatus in comparison to the sites where the population of the tick is not yet established. A spatial analysis demonstrated that the preferred territories for D. reticulatus are those of a highly fragmented landscape within a large patch of homogeneous vegetation, in the vicinity of permanent water courses or reservoirs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ewa J Mierzejewska
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland.
| | - Agustín Estrada-Peña
- Department of Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Anna Bajer
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
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18
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Abstract
Studies on the human-biting pathogen vectors Dermacentor reticulatus and Ixodes ricinus have been scarce in southern Europe. The aims of the present study were to determine the abundance of these ticks in a peri-urban park in northern Italy, describe the seasonal activity of D. reticulatus and examine the correlation between tick occurrence and environmental factors. Ticks were collected monthly from April 2015 to May 2016 using both dragging and flagging techniques. Various climatic variables (mean temperature, relative humidity and evapotranspiration for the collection dates; and 30-day moving averages preceding each collection date were calculated for rainfall, temperature, relative humidity and saturation deficit) also were recorded. Overall, 444 adults of D. reticulatus and 10 adults of I. ricinus were collected. Males of D. reticulatus appeared earlier in the year than females, but overall females were collected more frequently than males (1:1.25). Statistical analysis showed significant differences in the density of D. reticulatus among sampling transects and among months. The seasonal dynamic of D. reticulatus was characterized by a single peak of activity in the early spring. Tick density was associated with climatic variables: the 30-day moving average saturation deficit was particularly significant as most ticks (83%) were collected at values below 5.2mmHg. At the level of individual sampling transects, seasonal dynamics could be influenced by habitat type and host availability. We found D. reticulatus to be most abundant in mixed forests dominated by oaks and rich in ponds. As to I. ricinus, though found in a small number, its presence can be confirmed by our investigation. In light of the results of this study, the risk for encounters with D. reticulatus and I. ricinus may be higher than previously thought in northern Italy.
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19
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Mrljak V, Kuleš J, Mihaljević Ž, Torti M, Gotić J, Crnogaj M, Živičnjak T, Mayer I, Šmit I, Bhide M, Barić Rafaj R. Prevalence and Geographic Distribution of Vector-Borne Pathogens in Apparently Healthy Dogs in Croatia. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2017; 17:398-408. [DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2016.1990] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Vladimir Mrljak
- Clinic for Internal Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Josipa Kuleš
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | | | - Marin Torti
- Clinic for Internal Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Jelena Gotić
- Clinic for Internal Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Martina Crnogaj
- Clinic for Internal Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Tatjana Živičnjak
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases with Clinic, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Iva Mayer
- Clinic for Internal Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Iva Šmit
- Clinic for Internal Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Mangesh Bhide
- Clinic for Internal Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy, Kosice, Slovakia
| | - Renata Barić Rafaj
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
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20
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Obiegala A, Król N, Oltersdorf C, Nader J, Pfeffer M. The enzootic life-cycle of Borrelia burgdorferi (sensu lato) and tick-borne rickettsiae: an epidemiological study on wild-living small mammals and their ticks from Saxony, Germany. Parasit Vectors 2017; 10:115. [PMID: 28285593 PMCID: PMC5346851 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-017-2053-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2017] [Accepted: 02/22/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Borrelia burgdorferi (sensu lato) and rickettsiae of the spotted fever group are zoonotic tick-borne pathogens. While small mammals are confirmed reservoirs for certain Borrelia spp., little is known about the reservoirs for tick-borne rickettsiae. Between 2012 and 2014, ticks were collected from the vegetation and small mammals which were trapped in Saxony, Germany. DNA extracted from ticks and the small mammals' skin was analyzed for the presence of Rickettsia spp. and B. burgdorferi (s.l.) by qPCR targeting the gltA and p41 genes, respectively. Partial sequencing of the rickettsial ompB gene and an MLST of B. burgdorferi (s.l.) were conducted for species determination. RESULTS In total, 673 small mammals belonging to eight species (Apodemus agrarius, n = 7; A. flavicollis, n = 214; Microtus arvalis, n = 8; Microtus agrestis, n = 1; Mustela nivalis, n = 2; Myodes glareolus, n = 435; Sorex araneus, n = 5; and Talpa europaea, n = 1) were collected and examined. In total, 916 questing ticks belonging to three species (Ixodes ricinus, n = 741; Dermacentor reticulatus, n = 174; and I. trianguliceps, n = 1) were collected. Of these, 474 ticks were further investigated. The prevalence for Rickettsia spp. and B. burgdorferi (s.l.) in the investigated small mammals was 25.3 and 31.2%, respectively. The chance of encountering Rickettsia spp. in M. glareolus was seven times higher for specimens infested with D. reticulatus than for those which were free of D. reticulatus (OR: 7.0; 95% CI: 3.3-14.7; P < 0.001). In total, 11.4% of questing I. ricinus and 70.5% of D. reticulatus were positive for Rickettsia spp. DNA of B. burgdorferi (s.l.) was detected only in I. ricinus (5.5%). Sequence analysis revealed 9 R. helvetica, 5 R. raoultii, and 1 R. felis obtained from 15 small mammal samples. CONCLUSION Small mammals may serve as reservoirs for Rickettsia spp. and B. burgdorferi (s.l.). While the prevalence for Rickettsia spp. in M. glareolus is most likely depending on the abundance of attached D. reticulatus, the prevalence for B. burgdorferi (s.l.) in small mammals is independent of tick abundance. Dermacentor reticulatus may be the main vector of certain Rickettsia spp. but not for Borrelia spp.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Obiegala
- Institute of Animal Hygiene and Veterinary Public Health, University of Leipzig, An den Tierkliniken 1, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Nina Król
- Institute of Animal Hygiene and Veterinary Public Health, University of Leipzig, An den Tierkliniken 1, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
- Department of Microbial Ecology and Environmental Protection, Institute of Genetics and Microbiology, University of Wrocław, Przybyszewskiego 63/77, 51-148, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Carolin Oltersdorf
- Institute of Animal Hygiene and Veterinary Public Health, University of Leipzig, An den Tierkliniken 1, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Julian Nader
- Institute of Animal Hygiene and Veterinary Public Health, University of Leipzig, An den Tierkliniken 1, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Martin Pfeffer
- Institute of Animal Hygiene and Veterinary Public Health, University of Leipzig, An den Tierkliniken 1, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
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Chisu V, Leulmi H, Masala G, Piredda M, Foxi C, Parola P. Detection of Rickettsia hoogstraalii, Rickettsia helvetica, Rickettsia massiliae, Rickettsia slovaca and Rickettsia aeschlimannii in ticks from Sardinia, Italy. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2016; 8:347-352. [PMID: 28110915 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2016.12.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2016] [Revised: 12/04/2016] [Accepted: 12/14/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Tick-borne diseases represent a large proportion of infectious diseases that have become a world health concern. The presence of Rickettsia spp. was evaluated by standard PCR and sequencing in 123 ticks collected from several mammals and vegetation in Sardinia, Italy. This study provides the first evidence of the presence of Rickettsia hoogstralii in Haemaphysalis punctata and Haemaphysalis sulcata ticks from mouflon and Rickettsia helvetica in Ixodes festai ticks from hedgehog. In addition, Rickettsia massiliae, Rickettsia slovaca and Rickettsia aeschlimannii were detected in Rhipicephalus sanguineus, Dermacentor marginatus and Hyalomma marginatum marginatum ticks from foxes, swine, wild boars, and mouflon. The data presented here increase our knowledge of tick-borne diseases in Sardinia and provide a useful contribution toward understanding their epidemiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Chisu
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sardegna, Sassari, Italy
| | - Hamza Leulmi
- Aix Marseille Université, Unité de Recherche en Maladies Infectieuses et Tropicales Emergentes (URMITE), UM63, CNRS 7278, IRD 198 (Dakar), Inserm 1095, Marseille, France; Ecole Nationale Supérieure Vétérinaire d'Alger, El Aliya Algiers, 16000, Algeria
| | - Giovanna Masala
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sardegna, Sassari, Italy
| | - Mariano Piredda
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sardegna, Sassari, Italy
| | - Cipriano Foxi
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sardegna, Sassari, Italy
| | - Philippe Parola
- Aix Marseille Université, Unité de Recherche en Maladies Infectieuses et Tropicales Emergentes (URMITE), UM63, CNRS 7278, IRD 198 (Dakar), Inserm 1095, Marseille, France.
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Stańczak J, Biernat B, Matyjasek A, Racewicz M, Zalewska M, Lewandowska D. Kampinos National Park: a risk area for spotted fever group rickettsioses, central Poland? EXPERIMENTAL & APPLIED ACAROLOGY 2016; 70:395-410. [PMID: 27631765 PMCID: PMC5061876 DOI: 10.1007/s10493-016-0083-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2016] [Accepted: 08/03/2016] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
Ixodid ticks are important vectors of a variety of bacterial and protozoan pathogens which cause infections in humans. In this study, altogether 1041 questing Ixodes ricinus (n = 305) and Dermacentor reticulatus ticks (n = 736), sympatrically occurring in Kampinos National Park (KPN), central-east Poland, were analyzed by PCR for Rickettsia species. Overall, the pathogen prevalence in ticks was 27.5 % for I. ricinus and 42.8 % for D. reticulatus. Sequencing analysis showed that the first tick species was exclusively infected with R. helvetica, whereas the latter was infected with R. raoultii. These organism may pose a threat for populations exposed to ticks. Preliminary results of a serosurvey of 74 KPN employees, inhabitants and visitors from the same area showed a 31.1 % total seroprevalence against SFG rickettsiae compared to 13.3 % seropositive blood donors of the control group. Risk factors significantly associated with IgG seropositivity were: occupational exposure to ticks (p = 0.002), frequency of tick bites (p = 0.02) and male gender (p = 0.005). Seropositive and seronegative individuals occupationally exposed to ticks did not differ significantly with respect to age and years of employment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna Stańczak
- Department of Tropical Parasitology, Institute of Maritime and Tropical Medicine, Medical University of Gdańsk, Powstania Styczniowego 9B Str., 81-519, Gdynia, Poland.
| | - Beata Biernat
- Department of Tropical Parasitology, Institute of Maritime and Tropical Medicine, Medical University of Gdańsk, Powstania Styczniowego 9B Str., 81-519, Gdynia, Poland
| | - Anna Matyjasek
- Department of Tropical Parasitology, Institute of Maritime and Tropical Medicine, Medical University of Gdańsk, Powstania Styczniowego 9B Str., 81-519, Gdynia, Poland
- Chair and Clinic of Internal Medicine, Connective Tissue Diseases and Geriatrics, Medical University of Gdańsk, Dębinki 7 Str., 80-211, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Maria Racewicz
- Department of Tropical Parasitology, Institute of Maritime and Tropical Medicine, Medical University of Gdańsk, Powstania Styczniowego 9B Str., 81-519, Gdynia, Poland
| | - Marta Zalewska
- Department of Environmental Hazards Prevention and Allergology, Medical University of Warsaw, Banacha 1a Str., 02-091, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Daria Lewandowska
- Department of Tropical Parasitology, Institute of Maritime and Tropical Medicine, Medical University of Gdańsk, Powstania Styczniowego 9B Str., 81-519, Gdynia, Poland
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Wölfel S, Speck S, Essbauer S, Thoma BR, Mertens M, Werdermann S, Niederstrasser O, Petri E, Ulrich RG, Wölfel R, Dobler G. High seroprevalence for indigenous spotted fever group rickettsiae in forestry workers from the federal state of Brandenburg, Eastern Germany. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2016; 8:132-138. [PMID: 27793612 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2016.10.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2016] [Revised: 10/16/2016] [Accepted: 10/21/2016] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
In the last decade six Rickettsia species, including Rickettsia slovaca have been characterized in Germany. All of these species could be linked to distinct clinical syndromes in humans. However, due to lack of seroepidemiological data an estimation of the prevalence and the public health impact of rickettsial infections in Germany is difficult. The aim of the present study was to determine the seroprevalence of spotted fever group (SFG) rickettsiae in a population with an elevated exposure risk to ticks. For that purpose, 559 sera of forestry workers in the federal state of Brandenburg, Eastern Germany, were screened for SFG-rickettsiae reactive IgG antibodies. Positive sera were subsequently titrated by microimmunofluorescence assay against R. helvetica, R. raoultii, R. felis, "R. monacensis" and R. slovaca. The total average IgG seroprevalence rate against SFG rickettsiae of 27.5% was found to be represented by 9.7% R. helvetica, 5% R. raoultii, 2.7% R. felis, 0.5% "R. monacensis" and 0.5% R. slovaca. The remaining 9.1% positive test results were of non-differentiable origin. IgG seroprevalences ranged from 11% to 55% in the different forestry districts. Older and male participants had a significantly higher probability for seropositivity and higher anti-rickettsia antibody titer level. In addition, the number of recent as well as the recalled lifetime tick bites was significantly associated with seropositivity and higher titers against SFG rickettsiae. In conclusion, we found an unexpected high total seroprevalence against SFG rickettsiae in forestry workers and serological evidence confirming the occurrence of R. raoultii, R. felis, "R. monacensis" and R. helvetica in the federal State of Brandenburg.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silke Wölfel
- Bundeswehr Institute of Microbiology, Munich, Germany; German Center of Infection Research (DZIF), partner site Munich, Germany.
| | - Stephanie Speck
- Institute of Animal Hygiene and Veterinary Public Health, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Sandra Essbauer
- Bundeswehr Institute of Microbiology, Munich, Germany; German Center of Infection Research (DZIF), partner site Munich, Germany
| | - Bryan R Thoma
- Bundeswehr Institute of Microbiology, Munich, Germany; German Center of Infection Research (DZIF), partner site Munich, Germany
| | - Marc Mertens
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute for Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | | | | | | | - Rainer G Ulrich
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute for Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Roman Wölfel
- Bundeswehr Institute of Microbiology, Munich, Germany; German Center of Infection Research (DZIF), partner site Munich, Germany
| | - Gerhard Dobler
- Bundeswehr Institute of Microbiology, Munich, Germany; German Center of Infection Research (DZIF), partner site Munich, Germany
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24
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Dzelalija B, Punda-Polic V, Medic A, Dobec M. Rickettsiae and rickettsial diseases in Croatia: Implications for travel medicine. Travel Med Infect Dis 2016; 14:436-443. [PMID: 27404664 DOI: 10.1016/j.tmaid.2016.06.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2016] [Revised: 06/30/2016] [Accepted: 06/30/2016] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
AIM To review the current state of knowledge concerning rickettsiae and rickettsioses in Croatia and to discuss their implications for travellers. METHODS The PubMed database was searched from 1991 to 2015 by combining the words "rickettsia," "rickettsiosis", "travellers" and "Croatia". RESULTS Since 1969, Croatia appears to be free of epidemic typhus (ET) caused by Rickettsia prowazekii and the last case of Brill-Zinsser disease was recorded in 2008. Mediterranean spotted fever (MSF) caused by Rickettsia conorii is the most frequent human rickettsial infection in Croatia, followed by murine typhus caused by Rickettsia typhi. Human cases of MSF and murine typhus have been predominantly observed along the eastern Adriatic coast from Zadar to Dubrovnik and between Zadar and Split, respectively. Rickettsia akari, etiologic agent of rickettsialpox, was isolated from blood of a patient diagnosed with MSF in Zadar, but no cases of rickettsialpox were reported. Several species of pathogenic (Rickettsia slovaca, Rickettsia aeschlimannii, Ricketsia helvetica, and Ricketsia raoultii) and species of undetermined pathogenicity (Ricketsia hoogstraalii sp. nov.) rickettsiae were identified in ticks collected in different ecological regions of Croatia. A search of the literature revealed no evidence of rickettsial infection in travellers visiting Croatia. Three imported cases of Rickettsia africae were observed in travellers returning from South Africa. CONCLUSION Rickettsiae and rickettsial diseases continue to be present in Croatia. As they can be acquired while travelling, physicians should consider rickettsial infection in the differential diagnosis of patients returning from Croatia and presenting with febrile illness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Boris Dzelalija
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Zadar General Hospital, Zadar, Croatia; School of Medicine, University of Split, Split, Croatia
| | | | - Alan Medic
- Institute of Public Health, Zadar, Croatia
| | - Marinko Dobec
- Medica, Medizinische Laboratorien Dr. F. Kaeppeli, Wolfbachstrasse 17, CH-8024 Zurich, Switzerland.
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25
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Földvári G, Široký P, Szekeres S, Majoros G, Sprong H. Dermacentor reticulatus: a vector on the rise. Parasit Vectors 2016; 9:314. [PMID: 27251148 PMCID: PMC4888597 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-016-1599-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 159] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2015] [Accepted: 05/18/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Dermacentor reticulatus is a hard tick species with extraordinary biological features. It has a high reproduction rate, a rapid developmental cycle, and is also able to overcome years of unfavourable conditions. Dermacentor reticulatus can survive under water for several months and is cold-hardy even compared to other tick species. It has a wide host range: over 60 different wild and domesticated hosts are known for the three active developmental stages. Its high adaptiveness gives an edge to this tick species as shown by new data on the emergence and establishment of D. reticulatus populations throughout Europe. The tick has been the research focus of a growing number of scientists, physicians and veterinarians. Within the Web of Science database, more than a fifth of the over 700 items published on this species between 1897 and 2015 appeared in the last three years (2013–2015). Here we attempt to synthesize current knowledge on the systematics, ecology, geographical distribution and recent spread of the species and to highlight the great spectrum of possible veterinary and public health threats it poses. Canine babesiosis caused by Babesia canis is a severe leading canine vector-borne disease in many endemic areas. Although less frequently than Ixodes ricinus, D. reticulatus adults bite humans and transmit several Rickettsia spp., Omsk haemorrhagic fever virus or Tick-borne encephalitis virus. We have not solely collected and reviewed the latest and fundamental scientific papers available in primary databases but also widened our scope to books, theses, conference papers and specialists colleagues’ experience where needed. Besides the dominant literature available in English, we also tried to access scientific literature in German, Russian and eastern European languages as well. We hope to inspire future research projects that are necessary to understand the basic life-cycle and ecology of this vector in order to understand and prevent disease threats. We conclude that although great strides have been made in our knowledge of the eco-epidemiology of this species, several gaps still need to be filled with basic research, targeting possible reservoir and vector roles and the key factors resulting in the observed geographical spread of D. reticulatus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gábor Földvári
- Department of Parasitology and Zoology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Szent István University, Budapest, Hungary.
| | - Pavel Široký
- Department of Biology and Wildlife Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Hygiene and Ecology, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences Brno, Brno, Czech Republic.,CEITEC-Central European Institute of Technology, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences Brno, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Sándor Szekeres
- Department of Parasitology and Zoology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Szent István University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Gábor Majoros
- Department of Parasitology and Zoology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Szent István University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Hein Sprong
- National Institute of Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, The Netherlands
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26
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Olivieri E, Zanzani SA, Latrofa MS, Lia RP, Dantas-Torres F, Otranto D, Manfredi MT. The southernmost foci of Dermacentor reticulatus in Italy and associated Babesia canis infection in dogs. Parasit Vectors 2016; 9:213. [PMID: 27090579 PMCID: PMC5477853 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-016-1502-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2016] [Accepted: 04/10/2016] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Two clustered clinical cases of canine babesiosis were diagnosed by veterinary practitioners in two areas of northeastern Italy close to natural parks. This study aimed to determine the seroprevalence of babesial infection in dogs, the etiological agents that cause canine babesiosis and the potential tick vector for the involved Babesia spp. METHODS The study area was represented by two parks in northeastern Italy: Groane Regional Park (Site A) and the Ticino Valley Lombard Park (Site B). From March to May 2015 ticks were collected from the vegetation in three transects in each site. In the same period, blood samples were collected from 80 dogs randomly chosen from veterinary clinics and kennel located in the two areas. Morphological identification of the ticks was performed and six specimens were molecularly characterised by the amplification and sequencing of partial mitochondrial 12S rRNA, 16S rRNA and cox1 genes. For phylogenetic analyses, sequences herein obtained for all genes and those available from GenBank for other Dermacentor spp. were included. Dog serum samples were analysed with a commercial indirect fluorescent antibody test to detect the presence of IgG antibodies against Babesia canis. Ticks and blood samples were tested by PCR amplification using primers targeting 18S rRNA gene of Babesia spp. RESULTS Ticks collected (n = 34) were morphologically identified as adults of D. reticulatus. Twenty-eight ticks were found in all transects from Site A and the remaining six were collected in Site B. Blast analysis of mitochondrial sequences confirmed the morphological identification of processed tick specimens by revealing a highest nucleotide similarity (99-100%) with those of D. reticulatus available in the GenBank database. The phylogenetic trees were concordant in clustering D. reticulatus in a monophyletic clade. Seven dogs (8.8%) had antibodies against B. canis, most of which (n = 6) came from Site A. Analysis of nucleotide sequences obtained from one tick and from one dog identified B. canis displayed a 100% similarity to those available in GenBank. CONCLUSIONS This study morphologically and molecularly confirms the presence of D. reticulatus in Italy and links it, for the first time, with the occurrence of B. canis infection in dogs in this country.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emanuela Olivieri
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Perugia, 06126, Perugia, Italy
| | - Sergio A Zanzani
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Milan, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Maria S Latrofa
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, 70010, Valenzano, Bari, Italy
| | - Riccardo P Lia
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, 70010, Valenzano, Bari, Italy
| | - Filipe Dantas-Torres
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, 70010, Valenzano, Bari, Italy.,Department of Immunology, Aggeu Magalhães Research Centre Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), 50740465, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil
| | - Domenico Otranto
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, 70010, Valenzano, Bari, Italy
| | - Maria T Manfredi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Milan, 20133, Milan, Italy.
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Chitimia-Dobler L. Spatial distribution of Dermacentor reticulatus in Romania. Vet Parasitol 2015; 214:219-23. [DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2015.09.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2015] [Revised: 09/11/2015] [Accepted: 09/14/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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28
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Radzijevskaja J, Paulauskas A, Aleksandraviciene A, Jonauskaite I, Stanko M, Karbowiak G, Petko B. New records of spotted fever group rickettsiae in Baltic region. Microbes Infect 2015; 17:874-8. [PMID: 26383013 DOI: 10.1016/j.micinf.2015.09.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2015] [Revised: 07/27/2015] [Accepted: 09/01/2015] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Tick-borne rickettsiae are considered to be emerging, but there is still a lack of data on the occurrence and prevalence of the spotted fever group rickettsiae across Europe, especially in the Baltic countries. The aim of the present study was to investigate the presence of Rickettsia spp. in Dermacentor reticulatus and Ixodes ricinus ticks, as well as to determine their prevalence in various regions of Lithuania and Latvia. The prevalence of Rickettsia spp. in geographically distinct populations of D. reticulatus on transect Baltic-Adriatic regions was compared. The molecular analyses of 1859 D. reticulatus and 361 I. ricinus from 48 localities in Lithuania and Latvia revealed the presence of Rickettsia raoultii in D. reticulatus and Rickettsia helvetica in I. ricinus. The prevalence of pathogens in D. reticulatus (4.9%) and I. ricinus (17%) ranged in different locations from 0% to 36.9% and 0%-31.3%, respectively. Higher overall infection rates were detected in D. reticulatus collected in Poland (15.8%) and Slovakia (11.4%), with the prevalence range in different locations from 0% to 59.6%. Our study is the first demonstration of the presence of R. raoultii in D. reticulatus ticks in the Baltic countries and R. helvetica in questing I. ricinus ticks in Lithuania.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Michal Stanko
- Institute of Parasitology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Hlinkova 3, 040 01 Košice, Slovak Republic
| | - Grzegorz Karbowiak
- W. Stefanski Institute of Parasitology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Twarda 51/55, 00-818 Warszawa, Poland
| | - Branislav Petko
- Institute of Parasitology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Hlinkova 3, 040 01 Košice, Slovak Republic
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Host preferences of immature Dermacentor reticulatus (Acari: Ixodidae) in a forest habitat in Germany. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2015; 6:508-15. [PMID: 25983104 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2015.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2015] [Revised: 04/09/2015] [Accepted: 04/11/2015] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Dermacentor reticulatus is widespread throughout Europe and is expanding its range in several European countries. It is associated with a number of different pathogens. Its role in the transmission of disease to humans is currently small; however, it might play an important role in the maintenance of pathogens in enzootic cycles. The ecology of D. reticulatus, especially of the immatures, is not well known. In this study, ticks from small mammals, caught in a capture-mark-release study between May 2012 and October 2014 in a unique woodland area close to Karlsruhe, Germany, were collected. The main host species trapped were the yellow-necked mouse (Apodemus flavicollis) and the bank vole (Myodes glareolus). Small mammal populations showed high variability in their density between the study years, which is probably due to harsh winter conditions in 2012/2013 and missing mast leading to high winter mortality. Larvae and nymphs of D. reticulatus were predominantly found in July and August, respectively, and the infestation rates among the different small mammal species suggest a host preference of D. reticulatus for M. glareolus.
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30
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Yu Z, Wang H, Wang T, Sun W, Yang X, Liu J. Tick-borne pathogens and the vector potential of ticks in China. Parasit Vectors 2015; 8:24. [PMID: 25586007 PMCID: PMC4300027 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-014-0628-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 103] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2014] [Accepted: 12/29/2014] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Ticks, as obligate blood-sucking ectoparasites, attack a broad range of vertebrates and transmit a great diversity of pathogenic microorganisms. They are considered second only to mosquitoes as vectors of human disease, and the most important vector of pathogens of domestic and wild animals. Of the 117 described species in the Chinese tick fauna, 60 are known to transmit one or more diseases: 36 species isolated within China and 24 species isolated outside China. Moreover, 38 of these species carry multiple pathogens, indicating the potentially vast role of these vectors in transmitting pathogens. Spotted fever is the most common tick-borne disease, and is carried by at least 27 tick species, with Lyme disease and human granulocytic anaplasmosis ranked as the second and third most widespread tick-borne diseases, carried by 13 and 10 species, respectively. Such knowledge provides us with clues for the identification of tick-associated pathogens and suggests ideas for the control of tick-borne diseases in China. However, the numbers of tick-associated pathogens and tick-borne diseases in China are probably underestimated because of the complex distribution and great diversity of tick species in this country.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhijun Yu
- Key Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of Hebei Province, College of Life Sciences, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang, 050024, China.
| | - Hui Wang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of Hebei Province, College of Life Sciences, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang, 050024, China.
| | - Tianhong Wang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of Hebei Province, College of Life Sciences, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang, 050024, China.
| | - Wenying Sun
- Key Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of Hebei Province, College of Life Sciences, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang, 050024, China.
| | - Xiaolong Yang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of Hebei Province, College of Life Sciences, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang, 050024, China.
| | - Jingze Liu
- Key Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of Hebei Province, College of Life Sciences, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang, 050024, China.
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Rizzoli A, Silaghi C, Obiegala A, Rudolf I, Hubálek Z, Földvári G, Plantard O, Vayssier-Taussat M, Bonnet S, Spitalská E, Kazimírová M. Ixodes ricinus and Its Transmitted Pathogens in Urban and Peri-Urban Areas in Europe: New Hazards and Relevance for Public Health. Front Public Health 2014; 2:251. [PMID: 25520947 PMCID: PMC4248671 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2014.00251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 285] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2014] [Accepted: 11/09/2014] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Tick-borne diseases represent major public and animal health issues worldwide. Ixodes ricinus, primarily associated with deciduous and mixed forests, is the principal vector of causative agents of viral, bacterial, and protozoan zoonotic diseases in Europe. Recently, abundant tick populations have been observed in European urban green areas, which are of public health relevance due to the exposure of humans and domesticated animals to potentially infected ticks. In urban habitats, small and medium-sized mammals, birds, companion animals (dogs and cats), and larger mammals (roe deer and wild boar) play a role in maintenance of tick populations and as reservoirs of tick-borne pathogens. Presence of ticks infected with tick-borne encephalitis virus and high prevalence of ticks infected with Borrelia burgdorferi s.l., causing Lyme borreliosis, have been reported from urbanized areas in Europe. Emerging pathogens, including bacteria of the order Rickettsiales (Anaplasma phagocytophilum, "Candidatus Neoehrlichia mikurensis," Rickettsia helvetica, and R. monacensis), Borrelia miyamotoi, and protozoans (Babesia divergens, B. venatorum, and B. microti) have also been detected in urban tick populations. Understanding the ecology of ticks and their associations with hosts in a European urbanized environment is crucial to quantify parameters necessary for risk pre-assessment and identification of public health strategies for control and prevention of tick-borne diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annapaola Rizzoli
- Fondazione Edmund Mach, Research and Innovation Centre, San Michele all'Adige , Trento , Italy
| | - Cornelia Silaghi
- Comparative Tropical Medicine and Parasitology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität , Munich , Germany ; Vetsuisse-Faculty, Swiss National Centre for Vector Entomology, Institute for Parasitology, University of Zurich , Zürich , Switzerland
| | - Anna Obiegala
- Comparative Tropical Medicine and Parasitology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität , Munich , Germany ; Institute of Animal Hygiene and Veterinary Public Health, University of Leipzig , Leipzig , Germany
| | - Ivo Rudolf
- Institute of Vertebrate Biology, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, v.v.i. , Brno , Czech Republic
| | - Zdeněk Hubálek
- Institute of Vertebrate Biology, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, v.v.i. , Brno , Czech Republic
| | - Gábor Földvári
- Department of Parasitology and Zoology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Szent István University , Budapest , Hungary
| | - Olivier Plantard
- INRA, UMR1300 BioEpAR , Nantes , France ; LUNAM Université, Oniris, Ecole nationale vétérinaire, agroalimentaire et de l'alimentation Nantes-Atlantique, UMR BioEpAR , Nantes , France
| | - Muriel Vayssier-Taussat
- USC BIPAR, INRA, ANSES - French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety , Maisons-Alfort , France
| | - Sarah Bonnet
- USC BIPAR, INRA, ANSES - French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety , Maisons-Alfort , France
| | - Eva Spitalská
- Institute of Virology, Slovak Academy of Sciences , Bratislava , Slovakia
| | - Mária Kazimírová
- Institute of Zoology, Slovak Academy of Sciences , Bratislava , Slovakia
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Buczek A, Bartosik K, Zając Z. Changes in the activity of adult stages of Dermacentor reticulatus (Ixodida: Amblyommidae) induced by weather factors in eastern Poland. Parasit Vectors 2014; 7:245. [PMID: 24885216 PMCID: PMC4047258 DOI: 10.1186/1756-3305-7-245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2014] [Accepted: 05/20/2014] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The host-seeking activity in Dermacentor reticulatus ticks undergoes rhythmical changes correlated with environmental conditions. Therefore, this study is focused on investigating the activity of adult stages of the species during weather changes occurring in winter months in eastern Poland, i.e. a period of tick diapause. Methods D. reticulatus ticks were collected in a meadow ecosystem near Lublin (eastern Poland, 51°36'N, 22°58'E) between the third decade of November 2011 and the third decade of January 2012. During each collection, temperature and humidity were measured at the soil surface and at a height of 25 cm and the differences (delta) in the parameters between the two measurement points were calculated. Results During one hour of our observation, from 0 to 42 specimens were collected, with the greatest numbers (25-40 specimens) between late November and mid- December. The activity of adult D. reticulatus (females and males in total) depended on soil and air temperature (r = -0.6986, p < 0.05). Soil and air humidity did not exert an impact on the questing behaviour of adult stages. In turn, the greater the moisture delta between these two measurement points was, the greater the activity of the adult tick stages was observed. Our investigations have demonstrated differences in the questing behaviour between D. reticulatus females and males correlated with environmental conditions. The temperatures of soil and air increased the migratory activity in females but did not affect migration of male ticks. In turn, the deltas of temperatures (r = -0.6986, p < 0.05) and humidity (r = 0.6829, p < 0.05) did not have a statistically significant effect on stimulation of female activity but they induced significant changes on the behaviour of males, for which we found a highly negative correlation between the number of active specimens and the temperature delta (r = -0.7276, p < 0.05) and a highly positive correlation with the humidity delta (r = 0.8199, p < 0.01). Conclusions Weather changes can be accompanied by activity of adult D. reticulatus even in their winter diapause period. Therefore, there is an increased threat to human and animal health posed by tick-borne diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alicja Buczek
- Department of Biology and Parasitology, Medical University, Radziwiłłowska 11 St,, 20-080 Lublin, Poland.
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Buczek A, Bartosik K, Kuczyński P. Sensitivity to permethrin in a Dermacentor reticulatus population from eastern Poland in laboratory study. Parasit Vectors 2014; 7:18. [PMID: 24405550 PMCID: PMC4029145 DOI: 10.1186/1756-3305-7-18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2013] [Accepted: 11/07/2013] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The action of chemical compounds on the Palaearctic tick D. reticulatus (Fabricius) (Acari: Amblyomminae) has been poorly investigated so far. Therefore, the effects of application of permethrin on engorged D. reticulatus females have been assessed, and the survival rate for the different developmental stages of the tick species in its non-parasitic phase of the life cycle was determined upon application of the pyrethroid. Methods Each engorged D. reticulatus female, egg batch, unfed larvae (50 specimens), or unfed nymphs (10 specimens) were sprayed with 20 μl of 0.015625%- 0.250% solutions of a Coopex WP preparation, which corresponded to 0.78125- 12.5 μg of permethrin, respectively. The effect of permethrin in the preoviposition and oviposition periods was assessed based on the length of the egg development period, number of females capable of laying eggs, number and weight of eggs laid by the females, and indicators of female reproductive rate. Delayed effects of the action of the various permethrin doses were determined by quantitative and qualitative analysis of the course of embryonic development and larval hatch. The effect of permethrin on survival of the different tick stages was assessed at a temperature of 25°C and 90% RH 48 hours after application of permethrin to one to three day-old D. reticulatus eggs, seven to ten-day-old unfed larvae and nymphs. Results The investigations demonstrated that at the doses applied permethrin decreased the reproductive rate of females, but only at the dose of 6.25 μg/1 specimen was the mean number of laid eggs drastically reduced, which may result in a decrease in tick abundance already in the first generation. The embryonic development of the eggs laid by the females treated with 6.25 and 12.5 μg of permethrin/1 specimen was highly disturbed. Irrespective of the permethrin dose applied, all eggs died within 48 hours after application. 100% of unfed D. reticulatus larvae and nymphs died within 48 hours after application of permethrin doses of 6.25 μg/50 specimens and 12.5 μg/10 specimens, respectively. Conclusions Permethrin can be recommended for D. reticulatus control, particularly in the case of tick resistance to other chemical substances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alicja Buczek
- Chair and Department of Biology and Parasitology, Medical University of Lublin, Radziwiłłowska11 St, 20-080, Lublin, Poland.
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Rizzoli A, Silaghi C, Obiegala A, Rudolf I, Hubálek Z, Földvári G, Plantard O, Vayssier-Taussat M, Bonnet S, Spitalská E, Kazimírová M. Ixodes ricinus and Its Transmitted Pathogens in Urban and Peri-Urban Areas in Europe: New Hazards and Relevance for Public Health. Front Public Health 2014. [PMID: 25520947 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2014.00251.pmid:25520947;pmcid:pmc4248671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Tick-borne diseases represent major public and animal health issues worldwide. Ixodes ricinus, primarily associated with deciduous and mixed forests, is the principal vector of causative agents of viral, bacterial, and protozoan zoonotic diseases in Europe. Recently, abundant tick populations have been observed in European urban green areas, which are of public health relevance due to the exposure of humans and domesticated animals to potentially infected ticks. In urban habitats, small and medium-sized mammals, birds, companion animals (dogs and cats), and larger mammals (roe deer and wild boar) play a role in maintenance of tick populations and as reservoirs of tick-borne pathogens. Presence of ticks infected with tick-borne encephalitis virus and high prevalence of ticks infected with Borrelia burgdorferi s.l., causing Lyme borreliosis, have been reported from urbanized areas in Europe. Emerging pathogens, including bacteria of the order Rickettsiales (Anaplasma phagocytophilum, "Candidatus Neoehrlichia mikurensis," Rickettsia helvetica, and R. monacensis), Borrelia miyamotoi, and protozoans (Babesia divergens, B. venatorum, and B. microti) have also been detected in urban tick populations. Understanding the ecology of ticks and their associations with hosts in a European urbanized environment is crucial to quantify parameters necessary for risk pre-assessment and identification of public health strategies for control and prevention of tick-borne diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annapaola Rizzoli
- Fondazione Edmund Mach, Research and Innovation Centre, San Michele all'Adige , Trento , Italy
| | - Cornelia Silaghi
- Comparative Tropical Medicine and Parasitology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität , Munich , Germany ; Vetsuisse-Faculty, Swiss National Centre for Vector Entomology, Institute for Parasitology, University of Zurich , Zürich , Switzerland
| | - Anna Obiegala
- Comparative Tropical Medicine and Parasitology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität , Munich , Germany ; Institute of Animal Hygiene and Veterinary Public Health, University of Leipzig , Leipzig , Germany
| | - Ivo Rudolf
- Institute of Vertebrate Biology, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, v.v.i. , Brno , Czech Republic
| | - Zdeněk Hubálek
- Institute of Vertebrate Biology, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, v.v.i. , Brno , Czech Republic
| | - Gábor Földvári
- Department of Parasitology and Zoology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Szent István University , Budapest , Hungary
| | - Olivier Plantard
- INRA, UMR1300 BioEpAR , Nantes , France ; LUNAM Université, Oniris, Ecole nationale vétérinaire, agroalimentaire et de l'alimentation Nantes-Atlantique, UMR BioEpAR , Nantes , France
| | - Muriel Vayssier-Taussat
- USC BIPAR, INRA, ANSES - French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety , Maisons-Alfort , France
| | - Sarah Bonnet
- USC BIPAR, INRA, ANSES - French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety , Maisons-Alfort , France
| | - Eva Spitalská
- Institute of Virology, Slovak Academy of Sciences , Bratislava , Slovakia
| | - Mária Kazimírová
- Institute of Zoology, Slovak Academy of Sciences , Bratislava , Slovakia
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Parola P, Paddock CD, Socolovschi C, Labruna MB, Mediannikov O, Kernif T, Abdad MY, Stenos J, Bitam I, Fournier PE, Raoult D. Update on tick-borne rickettsioses around the world: a geographic approach. Clin Microbiol Rev 2013; 26:657-702. [PMID: 24092850 PMCID: PMC3811236 DOI: 10.1128/cmr.00032-13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 916] [Impact Index Per Article: 83.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Tick-borne rickettsioses are caused by obligate intracellular bacteria belonging to the spotted fever group of the genus Rickettsia. These zoonoses are among the oldest known vector-borne diseases. However, in the past 25 years, the scope and importance of the recognized tick-associated rickettsial pathogens have increased dramatically, making this complex of diseases an ideal paradigm for the understanding of emerging and reemerging infections. Several species of tick-borne rickettsiae that were considered nonpathogenic for decades are now associated with human infections, and novel Rickettsia species of undetermined pathogenicity continue to be detected in or isolated from ticks around the world. This remarkable expansion of information has been driven largely by the use of molecular techniques that have facilitated the identification of novel and previously recognized rickettsiae in ticks. New approaches, such as swabbing of eschars to obtain material to be tested by PCR, have emerged in recent years and have played a role in describing emerging tick-borne rickettsioses. Here, we present the current knowledge on tick-borne rickettsiae and rickettsioses using a geographic approach toward the epidemiology of these diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philippe Parola
- Aix Marseille Université, Unité de Recherche en Maladies Infectieuses et Tropicales Emergentes (URMITE), UM63, CNRS 7278, IRD 198, Inserm 1095, WHO Collaborative Center for Rickettsioses and Other Arthropod-Borne Bacterial Diseases, Faculté de Médecine, Marseille, France
| | | | - Cristina Socolovschi
- Aix Marseille Université, Unité de Recherche en Maladies Infectieuses et Tropicales Emergentes (URMITE), UM63, CNRS 7278, IRD 198, Inserm 1095, WHO Collaborative Center for Rickettsioses and Other Arthropod-Borne Bacterial Diseases, Faculté de Médecine, Marseille, France
| | - Marcelo B. Labruna
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia Universidade de São Paulo, Cidade Universitária, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Oleg Mediannikov
- Aix Marseille Université, Unité de Recherche en Maladies Infectieuses et Tropicales Emergentes (URMITE), UM63, CNRS 7278, IRD 198, Inserm 1095, WHO Collaborative Center for Rickettsioses and Other Arthropod-Borne Bacterial Diseases, Faculté de Médecine, Marseille, France
| | - Tahar Kernif
- Service d'Ecologie des Systèmes Vectoriels, Institut Pasteur d'Algérie, Algiers, Algeria
| | - Mohammad Yazid Abdad
- Division of Veterinary and Biomedical Science, Murdoch University, Australian Rickettsial Reference Laboratory, Barwon Health, Geelong, Victoria, Australia
| | - John Stenos
- Division of Veterinary and Biomedical Science, Murdoch University, Australian Rickettsial Reference Laboratory, Barwon Health, Geelong, Victoria, Australia
| | - Idir Bitam
- University of Boumerdes, Boumerdes, Algeria
| | - Pierre-Edouard Fournier
- Aix Marseille Université, Unité de Recherche en Maladies Infectieuses et Tropicales Emergentes (URMITE), UM63, CNRS 7278, IRD 198, Inserm 1095, WHO Collaborative Center for Rickettsioses and Other Arthropod-Borne Bacterial Diseases, Faculté de Médecine, Marseille, France
| | - Didier Raoult
- Aix Marseille Université, Unité de Recherche en Maladies Infectieuses et Tropicales Emergentes (URMITE), UM63, CNRS 7278, IRD 198, Inserm 1095, WHO Collaborative Center for Rickettsioses and Other Arthropod-Borne Bacterial Diseases, Faculté de Médecine, Marseille, France
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Obsomer V, Wirtgen M, Linden A, Claerebout E, Heyman P, Heylen D, Madder M, Maris J, Lebrun M, Tack W, Lempereur L, Hance T, Van Impe G. Spatial disaggregation of tick occurrence and ecology at a local scale as a preliminary step for spatial surveillance of tick-borne diseases: general framework and health implications in Belgium. Parasit Vectors 2013; 6:190. [PMID: 23800283 PMCID: PMC3726513 DOI: 10.1186/1756-3305-6-190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2013] [Accepted: 06/16/2013] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The incidence of tick-borne diseases is increasing in Europe. Sub national information on tick distribution, ecology and vector status is often lacking. However, precise location of infection risk can lead to better targeted prevention measures, surveillance and control. METHODS In this context, the current paper compiled geolocated tick occurrences in Belgium, a country where tick-borne disease has received little attention, in order to highlight the potential value of spatial approaches and draw some recommendations for future research priorities. RESULTS Mapping of 89,289 ticks over 654 sites revealed that ticks such as Ixodes ricinus and Ixodes hexagonus are largely present while Dermacentor reticulatus has a patchy distribution. Suspected hot spots of tick diversity might favor pathogen exchanges and suspected hot spots of I. ricinus abundance might increase human-vector contact locally. This underlines the necessity to map pathogens and ticks in detail. While I. ricinus is the main vector, I. hexagonus is a vector and reservoir of Borrelia burgdorferi s.l., which is active the whole year and is also found in urban settings. This and other nidiculous species bite humans less frequently, but seem to harbour pathogens. Their role in maintaining a pathogenic cycle within the wildlife merits investigation as they might facilitate transmission to humans if co-occurring with I. ricinus. Many micro-organisms are found abroad in tick species present in Belgium. Most have not been recorded locally but have not been searched for. Some are transmitted directly at the time of the bite, suggesting promotion of tick avoidance additionally to tick removal. CONCLUSION This countrywide approach to tick-borne diseases has helped delineate recommendations for future research priorities necessary to design public health policies aimed at spatially integrating the major components of the ecological cycle of tick-borne diseases. A systematic survey of tick species and associated pathogens is called for in Europe, as well as better characterisation of species interaction in the ecology of tick-borne diseases, those being all tick species, pathogens, hosts and other species which might play a role in tick-borne diseases complex ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valerie Obsomer
- Université Catholique de Louvain, Earth and Life Institute, Georges Lemaitre climate and earth research centre, place Louis Pasteur 3, 1348, Louvain la Neuve, Belgium
- Biodiversity department ELIB, Université Catholique de Louvain, Earth and Life Institute, 4 place Croix du sud, 1348, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
| | - Marc Wirtgen
- Department of infectious and parasitic diseases, health and pathology of the wildlife, University of Liège, boulevard de Colonster 20, 4000, Liège 1, Belgium
| | - Annick Linden
- Department of infectious and parasitic diseases, health and pathology of the wildlife, University of Liège, boulevard de Colonster 20, 4000, Liège 1, Belgium
| | - Edwin Claerebout
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133 9820, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Paul Heyman
- Reference Laboratory for Vector-Borne Diseases, Queen Astrid Military Hospital, Bruynstraat 1, 1120, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Dieter Heylen
- Evolutionary ecology group, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan, 171-2020, Antwerpen, Belgium
| | - Maxime Madder
- Institute for Tropical Medicine, 155 nationalestraat, B2000, Antwerpen, Belgium
- Department of Veterinary Tropical Diseases, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Jo Maris
- ARSIA, Allée des Artisans, 2 - 5590, Ciney, Belgium
| | - Maude Lebrun
- Dierenarts Gezondheidszorg Herkauwers Veepeiler, DGZ Vlaanderen, l Hagenbroeksesteenweg 167 l, 2500, Lier, Belgium
| | - Wesley Tack
- Laboratory of Forestry, Department of Forest and Water Management, Ghent University, Geraardsbergsesteenweg 267, 9090, Melle-Gontrode, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Laetitia Lempereur
- Laboratory of Parasitology and Pathology of Parasitic Diseases, Department of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Liège, Bd de Colonster 20 B43, 4000, Liège, Belgium
| | - Thierry Hance
- Biodiversity department ELIB, Université Catholique de Louvain, Earth and Life Institute, 4 place Croix du sud, 1348, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
| | - Georges Van Impe
- Biodiversity department ELIB, Université Catholique de Louvain, Earth and Life Institute, 4 place Croix du sud, 1348, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
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Jiang J, You BJ, Liu E, Apte A, Yarina TR, Myers TE, Lee JS, Francesconi SC, O’Guinn ML, Tsertsvadze N, Vephkhvadze N, Babuadze G, Sidamonidze K, Kokhreidze M, Donduashvili M, Onashvili T, Ismayilov A, Agayev N, Aliyev M, Muttalibov N, Richards AL. Development of three quantitative real-time PCR assays for the detection of Rickettsia raoultii, Rickettsia slovaca, and Rickettsia aeschlimannii and their validation with ticks from the country of Georgia and the Republic of Azerbaijan. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2012. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2012.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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Abstract
The present paper is based on original and literature data. In Croatia the first studies on the occurrence of ixodid species were made about 80 years ago. The number of tick species recorded in Croatia considerably increased during the 1950s, 60s, 70s and 80s of the past century. A total of 21 species of hard tick belonging to 5 genera have been recorded in Croatia. Ixodes is the best represented genus, with seven species recorded. Haemaphysalis is represented by six species, followed by Rhipicephalus with four species. Dermacentor and Hyalomma are represented by two species each. The ticks were collected on 47 different host species. Eleven tick species were collected on Bos taurus and Ovis aries, followed by Capra hircus and Equus caballus with 8 species and Canis lupus familiaris with 6 species. On the remaining 42 host species one, two or three tick species were collected. The most widespread tick is Ixodes ricinus which was found on 25 different host species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stjepan Krčmar
- Department of Biology, J.J. Strossmayer University of Osijek, Cara Hadrijana 8/A, HR-31000 Osijek, Croatia
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Dantas-Torres F, Chomel BB, Otranto D. Ticks and tick-borne diseases: a One Health perspective. Trends Parasitol 2012; 28:437-46. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2012.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 547] [Impact Index Per Article: 45.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2012] [Revised: 07/17/2012] [Accepted: 07/19/2012] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
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Wood H, Artsob H. Spotted Fever Group Rickettsiae: A Brief Review and a Canadian Perspective. Zoonoses Public Health 2012; 59 Suppl 2:65-79. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1863-2378.2012.01472.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Bartosik K, Wiśniowski Ł, Buczek A. Questing behavior of Dermacentor reticulatus adults (Acari: Amblyommidae) during diurnal activity periods in eastern Poland. JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY 2012; 49:859-864. [PMID: 22897046 DOI: 10.1603/me11121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Studies on diurnal activity and factors affecting the questing behavior in Dermacentor reticulatus (F.) adults were conducted in an open-type habitat in eastern Poland (51 degrees 15' N, 22 degrees 36' E). Observations, for 25 min each, were made at 2-h intervals between 1000 and 1800 hours, during the autumn (from late September to mid-October 2000) and spring (from late April to mid-May 2001) activity peaks. The questing behavior of adult D. reticulatus ticks depended on the time of the day and season. The autumn activity was higher than that in spring, yet both these periods were characterized by a rising trend from the morning to early afternoon with a peak at approximately 1400 hours (on average 40 and 30 specimens per one collection, respectively). In spring, the high activity (on average 31.8 specimens/ collection) persisted until late afternoon (1800 hours), while in the autumn period it declined before nightfall (on average 21.4 specimens/collection at 1800 hours). Females predominated over males in both seasonal periods of activity and greater differences in the sex ratio were recorded in the spring. We found a negative correlation between the diurnal activity of the adult ticks and temperature and between the number of active ticks and the length of day both in the autumn and spring. However, no statistically significant correlation was demonstrated between the diurnal activity of adult ticks and humidity. The investigations show that, in addition to environmental factors, tick host-seeking behavior is dependent on the activity of their hosts and biological traits of this species.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Bartosik
- Department of Biology and Parasitology, Medical University of Lublin, 11 Radziwiłłowska Street, 20-080 Lublin, Poland.
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Paulauskas A, Radzijevskaja J, Rosef O. Molecular detection and characterization of Anaplasma phagocytophilum strains. Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis 2012; 35:187-95. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cimid.2012.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2011] [Revised: 12/29/2011] [Accepted: 01/04/2012] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Elfving K, Lukinius A, Nilsson K. Life cycle, growth characteristics and host cell response of Rickettsia helvetica in a Vero cell line. EXPERIMENTAL & APPLIED ACAROLOGY 2012; 56:179-87. [PMID: 22116301 PMCID: PMC3253991 DOI: 10.1007/s10493-011-9508-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2011] [Accepted: 11/12/2011] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Rickettsia helvetica, a spotted fever rickettsia and emerging pathogen with Ixodes ricinus ticks as the main vector, is an agent of human disease and may cause febrile illness as well as meningitis. In three parallel series the isolated standard type of R. helvetica, obtained from a PCR-positive I. ricinus tick, was high-passaged and propagated in a Vero cell line. By using quantitative real-time PCR, the generation time from inoculation to stationary phase of growth was calculated to 20-22 h. In the static cultivation system the stationary phase was observed from the seventh day after inoculation, and there was no observed degradation of R. helvetica DNA during the 14 days studied. Microscopy showed that the organisms invaded the host cells rapidly and were primarily found free in the cytoplasm and only occasionally located in the nucleus. Four days after inoculation some of the host cells were broken and many indifferent stages of cytoplasmic organic decomposition were seen. However the R. helvetica organism did not show any morphologic alterations and the number of organisms was stable after the replication peak which may indicate that R. helvetica is adapted to growth in a Vero cell line and/or that the phase of degradation occurs later than the 14 days studied. The findings differ from what has been reported for other rickettsiae of the spotted fever group and may be of importance for invasiveness and virulence of R. helvetica.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karin Elfving
- Department of Medical Sciences, Unit of Clinical Bacteriology, Uppsala University, 751 85 Uppsala, Sweden
- Center of Clinical Research, Dalarna, 791 82 Falun, Sweden
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Falu Hospital, 791 82 Falun, Sweden
| | - Agneta Lukinius
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Rudbeck Laboratory, Uppsala University, 751 85 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Kenneth Nilsson
- Department of Medical Sciences, Unit of Clinical Bacteriology, Uppsala University, 751 85 Uppsala, Sweden
- Department of Medical Sciences, Unit of Infectious Diseases, Uppsala University, 751 85 Uppsala, Sweden
- Center of Clinical Research, Dalarna, 791 82 Falun, Sweden
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Falu Hospital, 791 82 Falun, Sweden
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Siroký P, Kubelová M, Bednář M, Modrý D, Hubálek Z, Tkadlec E. The distribution and spreading pattern of Dermacentor reticulatus over its threshold area in the Czech Republic--how much is range of this vector expanding? Vet Parasitol 2011; 183:130-5. [PMID: 21802855 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2011.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2011] [Revised: 06/27/2011] [Accepted: 07/05/2011] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Host-seeking Dermacentor reticulatus ticks were detected by flagging method at 46 localities at south-east part of the Czech Republic, in the basins of rivers Morava and Dyje. Exact north-west distribution limits of D. reticulatus were defined in this area for the first time. Detailed prediction map of probabilities of D. reticulatus occurrence was obtained using GIS analysis. Spatial model delimited a south-north gradient in probability across the studied area, with highest probabilities above 0.8 in its southernmost part. Abundance of D. reticulatus varied markedly between localities in interval 0.33-222 of ticks per flag per hour. The highest abundances were in flooded areas at lower streams, towards upper streams abundance and density of these ticks decreased. Females prevailed in samples with population sex ratio of 0.413, significantly deviating from parity. Larvae and nymphs of this species were not detected by flagging. Although D. reticulatus range expansion probably did not reach such a degree as reported in other countries, these ticks became very abundant in some parts of studied area. Since spreading of vector-borne diseases became a problem in Europe, the knowledge of their exact recent geographic ranges is important for future modelling of their shift predictability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pavel Siroký
- Department of Biology and Wildlife Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Hygiene and Ecology, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences Brno, Palackého 1-3, 612 42 Brno, Czech Republic.
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Lüssenhop J, Bäumer W, Kietzmann M, Schnieder T, Wolken S. Dynamics of distribution and efficacy of different spot-on permethrin formulations in dogs artificially infested with Dermacentor reticulatus. Parasit Vectors 2011; 4:45. [PMID: 21447196 PMCID: PMC3073924 DOI: 10.1186/1756-3305-4-45] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2011] [Accepted: 03/30/2011] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Varying reports concerning the duration and reliability of different permethrin preparations' efficacy can be found in the literature. The aim of this study was to investigate the dynamics of the distribution and efficacy of four different spot-on formulations with permethrin as the active ingredient formulated with different solvents. To examine the influence of these solvents on the speed of distribution and the acaricidal activity of permethrin in the coat, an in vivo study under laboratory conditions was performed. Six dogs per test period were treated with the recommended dose and 1, 14 and 28 days after treatment dogs were infested with Dermacentor reticulatus ticks: a) on the back, near the application site, and b) on the hind leg, the greatest possible distance from the application site. Efficacies were determined 6 hours after tick infestation to examine the repellent effect and the speed of kill of the products which plays an important role in the context of tick transmitted diseases. RESULTS After six hours of exposure, a significant acaricidal efficacy (p < 0.001) could be observed in all treated groups over the whole duration of the study, regardless of which product was used. While the arithmetic mean of attached ticks was < 3 on Day 1, numbers increased over the course of the study to a mean of > 9 on Day 28. However, most of these ticks were dead even 28 days after treatment, as the mean of live attached ticks was still < 2. Significant differences could neither be found between the different permethrin spot-on formulations, nor between the two parts of the body (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS All products were able to kill ticks within six hours following infestation from Day 1 to Day 28 after treatment. Additionally, no significant difference between the tick numbers on the back and the hind leg could be found at any time, which implies a homogenous distribution of permethrin over the body. The efficacy of all four products was comparable during the whole study period, showing that the different solvents do not significantly affect the dynamics of distribution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johanna Lüssenhop
- Institute for Parasitology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Buenteweg 17, 30559, Hannover, Germany
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmacy, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Buenteweg 17, 30559, Hannover, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Bäumer
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmacy, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Buenteweg 17, 30559, Hannover, Germany
| | - Manfred Kietzmann
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmacy, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Buenteweg 17, 30559, Hannover, Germany
| | - Thomas Schnieder
- Institute for Parasitology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Buenteweg 17, 30559, Hannover, Germany
| | - Sonja Wolken
- Institute for Parasitology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Buenteweg 17, 30559, Hannover, Germany
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Wirtgen M, Nahayo A, Linden A, Garigliany M, Desmecht D. Detection of Anaplasma phagocytophilum in Dermacentor
reticulatus ticks. Vet Rec 2011; 168:195. [DOI: 10.1136/vr.d1053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- M. Wirtgen
- Network of Wildlife Diseases; Department of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine; University of Liège; B43a, Boulevard de Colonster 20 4000 Liège Belgium
| | - A. Nahayo
- Network of Wildlife Diseases; Department of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine; University of Liège; B43a, Boulevard de Colonster 20 4000 Liège Belgium
| | - A. Linden
- Network of Wildlife Diseases; Department of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine; University of Liège; B43a, Boulevard de Colonster 20 4000 Liège Belgium
| | - M. Garigliany
- Department of Pathology; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine; University of Liège; B43a, Boulevard de Colonster 20 4000 Liège Belgium
| | - D. Desmecht
- Department of Pathology; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine; University of Liège; B43a, Boulevard de Colonster 20 4000 Liège Belgium
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Leo SST, Pybus MJ, Sperling FAH. Deep mitochondrial DNA lineage divergences within Alberta populations of Dermacentor albipictus (Acari: Ixodidae) do not indicate distinct species. JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY 2010; 47:565-574. [PMID: 20695271 PMCID: PMC7027266 DOI: 10.1603/me10006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2010] [Accepted: 04/04/2010] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
The winter tick Dermacentor albipictus (Packard) has a single-host life cycle that allows it to reach severe infestation levels on ungulates, particularly moose. Genotypic variation within these and related ticks has been a source of taxonomic confusion, although the continuity in their morphology and life history has generally been interpreted as indicating the existence of a single species. To further investigate this variation, we sequenced regions of two mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) genes (COI and 16S rDNA),two nuclear genes (lysozyme and ITS-2), and two bacterial markers from Francisella-like endosymbionts found in these ticks (eubacterial mtDNA 16S rRNA and a homolog of Francisella tularensis [Dorofe'ev] 17-kDa lipoprotein). We sampled 42 D. albipictus individuals from whitetail and mule deer culled from three populations in east-central Alberta, as well as four D. albipictus and two Dermacentor variabilis (Say) from other locations. We then compared DNA sequence variation between the genes and related this to variation in the morphology of spiracle plates. Both mtDNA regions indicated two deeply diverged lineages (mean difference of 7.1% for COI and 4.5% for 16S) that would normally be considered diagnostic of distinct species in DNA barcoding studies. However, very little divergence was revealed by nuclear gene sequences, bacterial endosymbionts, and morphometric analyses, and any variation that did occur in these markers was not congruent with mtDNA divergences. We conclude that the sampled populations in Alberta represent a single species, D. albipictus, and reiterate the importance of integrative approaches in species delimitation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah S T Leo
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, CW 405 Biological Sciences Center, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T6G 2E9
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Leo SST, Pybus MJ, Sperling FAH. Deep mitochondrial DNA lineage divergences within Alberta populations of Dermacentor albipictus (Acari: Ixodidae) do not indicate distinct species. JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY 2010. [PMID: 20695271 PMCID: PMC7027266 DOI: 10.1093/jmedent/47.4.565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
The winter tick Dermacentor albipictus (Packard) has a single-host life cycle that allows it to reach severe infestation levels on ungulates, particularly moose. Genotypic variation within these and related ticks has been a source of taxonomic confusion, although the continuity in their morphology and life history has generally been interpreted as indicating the existence of a single species. To further investigate this variation, we sequenced regions of two mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) genes (COI and 16S rDNA),two nuclear genes (lysozyme and ITS-2), and two bacterial markers from Francisella-like endosymbionts found in these ticks (eubacterial mtDNA 16S rRNA and a homolog of Francisella tularensis [Dorofe'ev] 17-kDa lipoprotein). We sampled 42 D. albipictus individuals from whitetail and mule deer culled from three populations in east-central Alberta, as well as four D. albipictus and two Dermacentor variabilis (Say) from other locations. We then compared DNA sequence variation between the genes and related this to variation in the morphology of spiracle plates. Both mtDNA regions indicated two deeply diverged lineages (mean difference of 7.1% for COI and 4.5% for 16S) that would normally be considered diagnostic of distinct species in DNA barcoding studies. However, very little divergence was revealed by nuclear gene sequences, bacterial endosymbionts, and morphometric analyses, and any variation that did occur in these markers was not congruent with mtDNA divergences. We conclude that the sampled populations in Alberta represent a single species, D. albipictus, and reiterate the importance of integrative approaches in species delimitation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah S T Leo
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, CW 405 Biological Sciences Center, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T6G 2E9
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Nilsson K, Elfving K, Pahlson C. Rickettsia helvetica in patient with meningitis, Sweden, 2006. Emerg Infect Dis 2010; 16:490-2. [PMID: 20202426 PMCID: PMC3322002 DOI: 10.3201/eid1603.090184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 104] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Pathogenicity of Rickettsia helvetica is relatively unknown. We isolated a spotted fever group rickettsial organism from a patient with subacute meningitis. Nucleotide sequences of the 16S rRNA, ompB, and 17kDa genes identified the isolate as R. helvetica. This organism may be associated with serious infections such as central nervous system disorders.
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