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Kazimírová M, Mangová B, Chvostáč M, Didyk YM, de Alba P, Mira A, Purgatová S, Selyemová D, Rusňáková Tarageľová V, Schnittger L. The role of wildlife in the epidemiology of tick-borne diseases in Slovakia. CURRENT RESEARCH IN PARASITOLOGY & VECTOR-BORNE DISEASES 2024; 6:100195. [PMID: 39027084 PMCID: PMC11252786 DOI: 10.1016/j.crpvbd.2024.100195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2024] [Revised: 06/13/2024] [Accepted: 06/18/2024] [Indexed: 07/20/2024]
Abstract
Tick-borne diseases (TBD) represent an important challenge for human and veterinary medicine. In Slovakia, studies on the epidemiology of tick-borne pathogens (TBP) regarding reservoir hosts have focused on small mammals and to a lesser extent on birds or lizards, while knowledge of the role of the remaining vertebrate groups is limited. Generally, wild ungulates, hedgehogs, small- and medium-sized carnivores, or squirrels are important feeding hosts for ticks and serve as reservoirs for TBP. Importantly, because they carry infected ticks and/or are serologically positive, they can be used as sentinels to monitor the presence of ticks and TBP in the environment. With their increasing occurrence in urban and suburban habitats, wild ungulates, hedgehogs or foxes are becoming an important component in the developmental cycle of Ixodes ricinus and of TBP such as Anaplasma phagocytophilum or Babesia spp. On the other hand, it has been postulated that cervids may act as dilution hosts for Borrelia burgdorferi (sensu lato) and tick-borne encephalitis virus. In southwestern Slovakia, a high prevalence of infection with Theileria spp. (100%) was observed in some cervid populations, while A. phagocytophilum (prevalence of c.50%) was detected in cervids and wild boars. The following pathogens were detected in ticks feeding on free-ranging ungulates, birds, and hedgehogs: A. phagocytophilum, Rickettsia spp., Coxiella burnetii, Neoehrlichia mikurensis, B. burgdorferi (s.l.), and Babesia spp. The growing understanding of the role of wildlife as pathogen reservoirs and carriers of pathogen-infected ticks offers valuable insights into the epidemiology of TBP, providing a foundation for reducing the risk of TBD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mária Kazimírová
- Institute of Zoology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Barbara Mangová
- Institute of Zoology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Michal Chvostáč
- Institute of Zoology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Yuliya M. Didyk
- Institute of Zoology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
- Schmalhausen Institute of Zoology NAS of Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine
| | - Paloma de Alba
- Instituto de Patobiología Veterinaria (INTA-CONICET), Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA), Hurlingham, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Anabela Mira
- Instituto de Virología e Innovaciones Tecnológicas (INTA-CONICET), Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA), Hurlingham, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Slávka Purgatová
- Institute of Zoology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Diana Selyemová
- Institute of Zoology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | | | - Leonhard Schnittger
- Instituto de Patobiología Veterinaria (INTA-CONICET), Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA), Hurlingham, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Lesiczka PM, Myśliwy I, Buńkowska-Gawlik K, Modrý D, Hrazdilová K, Hildebrand J, Perec-Matysiak A. Circulation of Anaplasma phagocytophilum among invasive and native carnivore species living in sympatry in Poland. Parasit Vectors 2023; 16:368. [PMID: 37853498 PMCID: PMC10583402 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-023-05996-7] [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: 06/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/04/2023] [Indexed: 10/20/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Anaplasma phagocytophilum is characterized by a worldwide distribution and distinguished from other Anaplasmataceae by the broadest range of mammalian hosts and high genetic diversity. The role carnivores play in the life cycle of A. phagocytophilum in Europe is uncertain. Currently, only the red fox is considered a suitable reservoir host. In this study, we focused on native and invasive medium-sized carnivore species that live in sympatry and represent the most abundant species of wild carnivores in Poland. METHODS A total of 275 individual spleen samples from six carnivore species (Vulpes vulpes, Meles meles, Procyon lotor, Nyctereutes procyonoides and Martes spp.) were screened combining nested PCR and sequencing for A. phagocytophilum targeting a partial groEL gene with subsequent phylogenetic analysis inferred by the maximum likelihood method. RESULTS The DNA of A. phagocytophilum was detected in 16 of 275 individuals (5.8%). Eight unique genetic variants of A. phagocytophilum were obtained. All detected haplotypes clustered in the clade representing European ecotype I. Three variants belonged to the subclade with European human cases together with strains from dogs, foxes, cats, and wild boars. CONCLUSIONS While carnivores might have a restricted role in the dissemination of A. phagocytophilum due to their relatively low to moderate infection rates, they hold significance as hosts for ticks. Consequently, they could contribute to the transmission of tick-borne infections to humans indirectly, primarily through tick infection. This underscores the potential risk of urbanization for the A. phagocytophilum life cycle, further emphasizing the need for comprehensive understanding of its ecological dynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paulina Maria Lesiczka
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czech Republic.
| | - Izabella Myśliwy
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Wrocław, Wrocław, Poland
| | | | - David Modrý
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
- Biology Centre, Institute of Parasitology, Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
- Department of Botany and Zoology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Kristýna Hrazdilová
- Faculty of Medicine in Pilsen, Biomedical Center, Pilsen, Czech Republic
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Mendel University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Joanna Hildebrand
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Wrocław, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Agnieszka Perec-Matysiak
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Wrocław, Wrocław, Poland
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Apaa TT, McFadzean H, Gandy S, Hansford K, Medlock J, Johnson N. Anaplasma phagocytophilum Ecotype Analysis in Cattle from Great Britain. Pathogens 2023; 12:1029. [PMID: 37623989 PMCID: PMC10459425 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12081029] [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: 07/03/2023] [Revised: 07/22/2023] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Anaplasma phagocytophilum (A. phagocytophilum) is the aetiological agent of tick-borne fever in cattle and sheep, and granulocytic anaplasmosis in human and dogs. Livestock, companion animal and human infections with A. phagocytophilum have been reported globally. Across England and Wales, two isolates (called ecotypes) have been reported in ticks. This study examined A. phagocytophilum isolates present in livestock and wildlife in Great Britain (GB), with a particular focus on cattle. Clinical submissions (EDTA blood) from cattle (n = 21) and sheep (n = 3) were received by APHA for tick-borne disease testing and the animals were confirmed to be infected with A. phagocytophilum using a PCR targeting the Msp2 gene. Further submissions from roe deer (n = 2), red deer (n = 2) and Ixodes ricinus ticks (n = 22) were also shown to be infected with A. phagocytophilum. Subsequent analysis using a nested PCR targeting the groEL gene and sequencing confirmed the presence of ecotype I in cattle, sheep, red deer and Ixodes ricinus, and ecotype II in roe deer and I. ricinus removed from deer carcasses. Despite the presence of two ecotypes, widely distributed in ticks from England and Wales, only ecotype I was detected in cattle in this study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ternenge Thaddaeus Apaa
- Vector Borne Diseases, Virology Department, Animal and Plant Health Agency, Woodham Lane, Addlestone KT15 3NB, UK
| | - Harriet McFadzean
- Animal and Plant Health Agency, Staplake Mount, Starcross, Exeter EX6 8PE, UK
| | - Sara Gandy
- Medical Entomology & Zoonoses, UK Health Security Agency, Porton Down, Salisbury SP4 0JG, UK
| | - Kayleigh Hansford
- Medical Entomology & Zoonoses, UK Health Security Agency, Porton Down, Salisbury SP4 0JG, UK
| | - Jolyon Medlock
- Medical Entomology & Zoonoses, UK Health Security Agency, Porton Down, Salisbury SP4 0JG, UK
| | - Nicholas Johnson
- Vector Borne Diseases, Virology Department, Animal and Plant Health Agency, Woodham Lane, Addlestone KT15 3NB, UK
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Adjadj NR, Cargnel M, Ribbens S, Quinet C, Malandrin L, Mignon B, Mori M. Prevalence of Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, Rickettsia spp. and Babesia spp. in cattle serum and questing ticks from Belgium. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2023; 14:102146. [PMID: 37044019 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2023.102146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2022] [Revised: 01/26/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2023] [Indexed: 04/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Anaplasmosis, borreliosis, rickettsiosis and babesiosis are tick-borne diseases of medical, veterinary and economic importance. In Belgium, little is known on the prevalence of these diseases in animals and previous screenings relate only to targeted geographic regions, clinical cases or a limited number of tested samples. We therefore performed the first nationwide seroprevalence study of Anaplasma spp., A. phagocytophilum, Borrelia spp., Rickettsia spp. and Babesia spp. in Belgian cattle. We also screened questing ticks for the aforementioned pathogens. METHODS ELISAs and IFATs were performed on a representative sample set of cattle sera stratified proportionally to the number of cattle herds per province. Questing ticks were collected in areas where the highest prevalence for the forenamed pathogens in cattle serum were observed. Ticks were analyzed by quantitative PCR for A. phagocytophilum (n = 783), B. burgdorferi sensu lato (n = 783) and Rickettsia spp. (n = 715) and by PCR for Babesia spp. (n = 358). RESULTS The ELISA screening for antibodies to Anaplasma spp. and Borrelia spp. in cattle sera showed an overall seroprevalence of 15.6% (53/339) and 12.9% (52/402), respectively. The IFAT screening for antibodies against A. phagocytophilum, Rickettsia spp. and Babesia spp. resulted in an overall seroprevalence of 34.2% (116/339), 31.2% (99/317) and 3.4% (14/412), respectively. At the provincial level, the provinces of Liege and Walloon Brabant harboured the highest seroprevalence of Anaplasma spp. (44.4% and 42.7% respectively) and A. phagocytophilum (55.6% and 71.4%). East Flanders and Luxembourg exhibited the highest seroprevalence of Borrelia spp. (32.4%) and Rickettsia spp. (54.8%) respectively. The province of Antwerp showed the highest seroprevalence of Babesia spp. (11%). The screening of field-collected ticks resulted in a prevalence of 13.8% for B. burgdorferi s.l., with B. afzelii and B. garinii being the most common genospecies (65.7% and 17.1%, respectively). Rickettsia spp. was detected in 7.1% of the tested ticks and the only identified species was R. helvetica. A low prevalence was found for A. phagocytophilum (0.5%) and no Babesia positive tick was detected. CONCLUSIONS The seroprevalence data in cattle indicate hot spots for tick-borne pathogens in specific provinces and highlights the importance of veterinary surveillance in anticipating the emergence of diseases among humans. The detection of all pathogens, with the exception of Babesia spp. in questing ticks, underlines the need of raising awareness among public and professionals on other tick-borne diseases along with lyme borreliosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadjah Radia Adjadj
- Sciensano, Bacterial zoonoses unit, Veterinary bacteriology, Brussels, Belgium; Sciensano, Unit of exotic viruses and vector-borne diseases, Brussels, Belgium.
| | - Mickaël Cargnel
- Sciensano, Department of epidemiology and public health, service of veterinary epidemiology, Brussels, Belgium.
| | | | - Christian Quinet
- Association Regionale de Sante et d'Identification Animales (ARSIA), Ciney, Belgium.
| | | | - Bernard Mignon
- University of Liège, department of infectious and parasitic diseases, Liège, FARAH (Fundamental and Applied Research for Animals and Health) Belgium.
| | - Marcella Mori
- Sciensano, Bacterial zoonoses unit, Veterinary bacteriology, Brussels, Belgium.
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Disease surveillance in England and Wales, January 2023. Vet Rec 2023; 192:114-118. [PMID: 36734571 DOI: 10.1002/vetr.2704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
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Presence of Anaplasma phagocytophilum Ecotype I in UK Ruminants and Associated Zoonotic Risk. Pathogens 2023; 12:pathogens12020216. [PMID: 36839488 PMCID: PMC9966478 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12020216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2022] [Revised: 01/19/2023] [Accepted: 01/28/2023] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Anaplasma phagocytophilum is the causative agent of tick-borne fever in sheep, pasture fever in cattle, and granulocytic anaplasmosis in humans. The increasing prevalence and transboundary spread of A. phagocytophilum in livestock, ticks, and wildlife in the UK poses a potential zoonotic risk that has yet to be estimated. Several ecotypes of A. phagocytophilum show variable zoonotic potential. To evaluate the possible risk associated with the transmission of A. phagocytophilum from ruminants to humans, the ecotype was determined by sequencing the groEL gene from 71 positive blood and tissue samples from UK ruminants. Thirty-four groEL sequences were obtained, fourteen of which were identified in multiple samples. Of the 13 nucleotide polymorphisms identified through pairwise comparison, all corresponded to synonymous substitutions. The subsequent phylogenetic estimation of the relationship with other European/world isolates indicated that all the groEL sequences clustered with other ecotype I sequences. The presence of ecotype I closely reflects that observed in ruminants in continental Europe and suggests a lower risk of zoonotic transmission from this reservoir.
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Gandy S, Hansford K, McGinley L, Cull B, Smith R, Semper A, Brooks T, Fonville M, Sprong H, Phipps P, Johnson N, Medlock JM. Prevalence of Anaplasma phagocytophilum in questing Ixodes ricinus nymphs across twenty recreational areas in England and Wales. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2022; 13:101965. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2022.101965] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2022] [Revised: 05/03/2022] [Accepted: 05/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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Karshima SN, Ahmed MI, Kogi CA, Iliya PS. Anaplasma phagocytophilum infection rates in questing and host-attached ticks: a global systematic review and meta-analysis. Acta Trop 2022; 228:106299. [PMID: 34998998 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2021.106299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2021] [Revised: 12/17/2021] [Accepted: 12/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Anaplasma phagocytophilum causes a multi-organ non-specific febrile illness referred to as human granulocytic anaplasmosis. The epidemiologic risk of the pathogen is underestimated despite human encroachment into the natural habitats of ticks. In this study, we performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine the global infection rates and distribution of A. phagocytophilum in tick vectors. We pooled data using the random-effects model, assessed individual study quality using the Joanna Briggs Institute critical appraisal instrument for prevalence studies and determined heterogeneity and across study bias using Cochran's Q-test and Egger's regression test respectively. A total of 126 studies from 33 countries across 4 continents reported A. phagocytophilum estimated infection rate of 4.76% (9453/174,967; 95% CI: 3.96, 5.71). Estimated IRs across sub-groups varied significantly (p <0.05) with a range of 1.95 (95% CI: 0.63, 5.86) to 7.15% (95% CI: 5.31, 9.56). Country-based IRs ranged between 0.42 (95% CI: 0.22, 0.80) in Belgium and 37.54% (95% CI: 0.72, 98.03) in Norway. The highest number of studies on A. phagocytophilum were in Europe (82/126) by continent and the USA (33/126) by country. The risk of transmitting this pathogens from ticks to animals and humans exist and therefore, we recommend the use of chemical and biological control measures as well as repellents and protective clothing by occupationally exposed individuals to curtail further transmission of the pathogen to humans and animals.
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Lesiczka PM, Hrazdilová K, Majerová K, Fonville M, Sprong H, Hönig V, Hofmannová L, Papežík P, Růžek D, Zurek L, Votýpka J, Modrý D. The Role of Peridomestic Animals in the Eco-Epidemiology of Anaplasma phagocytophilum. MICROBIAL ECOLOGY 2021; 82:602-612. [PMID: 33547531 DOI: 10.1007/s00248-021-01704-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2020] [Accepted: 01/26/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Anaplasma phagocytophilum is an important tick-borne zoonotic agent of human granulocytic anaplasmosis (HGA). In Europe, the Ixodes ticks are the main vector responsible for A. phagocytophilum transmission. A wide range of wild animals is involved in the circulation of this pathogen in the environment. Changes in populations of vertebrates living in different ecosystems impact the ecology of ticks and the epidemiology of tick-borne diseases. In this study, we investigated four species, Western European hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus), northern white-breasted hedgehog (Erinaceus roumanicus), Eurasian red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris), and the common blackbird (Turdus merula), to describe their role in the circulation of A. phagocytophilum in urban and periurban ecosystems. Ten different tissues were collected from cadavers of the four species, and blood and ear/skin samples from live blackbirds and hedgehogs. Using qPCR, we detected a high rate of A. phagocytophilum: Western European hedgehogs (96.4%), northern white-breasted hedgehogs (92.9%), Eurasian red squirrels (60%), and common blackbirds (33.8%). In the groEL gene, we found nine genotypes belonging to three ecotypes; seven of the genotypes are associated with HGA symptoms. Our findings underline the role of peridomestic animals in the ecology of A. phagocytophilum and indicate that cadavers are an important source of material for monitoring zoonotic pathogens. Concerning the high prevalence rate, all investigated species play an important role in the circulation of A. phagocytophilum in municipal areas; however, hedgehogs present the greatest anaplasmosis risk for humans. Common blackbirds and squirrels carry different A. phagocytophilum variants some of which are responsible for HGA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paulina Maria Lesiczka
- Department of Pathology and Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Palackého třída 1946/1, Brno, Czech Republic
- CEITEC VFU, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Palackého třída 1946/1, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Kristýna Hrazdilová
- CEITEC VFU, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Palackého třída 1946/1, Brno, Czech Republic
- Faculty of Medicine in Pilsen, Biomedical Center, Charles University, alej Svobody 1655, /76, Plzeň, Czech Republic
| | - Karolina Majerová
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Vinicna 7, Prague, Czech Republic
- Biology Centre, Institute of Parasitology, Czech Academy of Sciences, Branišovská, 31, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Manoj Fonville
- Laboratory for Zoonoses and Environmental Microbiology, National Institute for Public Health and Environment (RIVM), Antonie van Leeuwenhoeklaan 9, P.O. Box 1, Bilthoven, The Netherlands
| | - Hein Sprong
- Laboratory for Zoonoses and Environmental Microbiology, National Institute for Public Health and Environment (RIVM), Antonie van Leeuwenhoeklaan 9, P.O. Box 1, Bilthoven, The Netherlands
| | - Václav Hönig
- Biology Centre, Institute of Parasitology, Czech Academy of Sciences, Branišovská, 31, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
- Veterinary Research Institute, Brno, Hudcova, 70, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Lada Hofmannová
- Department of Pathology and Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Palackého třída 1946/1, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Petr Papežík
- Department of Pathology and Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Palackého třída 1946/1, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Daniel Růžek
- Biology Centre, Institute of Parasitology, Czech Academy of Sciences, Branišovská, 31, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
- Veterinary Research Institute, Brno, Hudcova, 70, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Ludek Zurek
- CEITEC VFU, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Palackého třída 1946/1, Brno, Czech Republic
- Department of Microbiology, Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcka, 129, Prague, Czech Republic, Czech Republic
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Mendel University, Zemědělská, 1665, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Votýpka
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Vinicna 7, Prague, Czech Republic
- Biology Centre, Institute of Parasitology, Czech Academy of Sciences, Branišovská, 31, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - David Modrý
- Department of Pathology and Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Palackého třída 1946/1, Brno, Czech Republic.
- Biology Centre, Institute of Parasitology, Czech Academy of Sciences, Branišovská, 31, České Budějovice, Czech Republic.
- Department of Botany and Zoology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kotlářská 2, Brno, Czech Republic.
- Department of Veterinary Sciences/CINeZ, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcka, 129, Prague, Czech Republic.
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Ticks and their epidemiological role in Slovakia: from the past till present. Biologia (Bratisl) 2021; 77:1575-1610. [PMID: 34548672 PMCID: PMC8446484 DOI: 10.1007/s11756-021-00845-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2021] [Accepted: 07/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
In Slovakia, 22 tick species have been found to occur to date. Among them, Ixodes ricinus, Dermacentor reticulatus, D. marginatus and marginally Haemaphysalis concinna, H. inermis and H. punctata have been identified as the species of public health relevance. Ticks in Slovakia were found to harbour and transmit zoonotic and/or potentially zoonotic agents such as tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV), spirochaetes of the Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (s.l.) complex, the relapsing fever sprirochaete Borrelia miyamotoi, bacteria belonging to the orders Rickettsiales (Rickettsia spp., Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Neoehrlichia mikurensis), Legionellales (Coxiella burnetii), and Thiotrichales (Francisella tularensis), and Babesia spp. parasites (order Piroplasmida). Ixodes ricinus is the principal vector of the largest variety of microorganisms including viruses, bacteria and piroplasms. TBEV, B. burgdorferi s.l., rickettsiae of the spotted fever group, C. burnetii and F. tularensis have been found to cause serious diseases in humans, whereas B. miyamotoi, A. phagocytophilum, N. mikurensis, Babesia microti, and B. venatorum pose lower or potential risk to humans. Distribution of TBEV has a focal character. During the last few decades, new tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) foci and their spread to new areas have been registered and TBE incidence rates have increased. Moreover, Slovakia reports the highest rates of alimentary TBE infections among the European countries. Lyme borreliosis (LB) spirochaetes are spread throughout the distribution range of I. ricinus. Incidence rates of LB have shown a slightly increasing trend since 2010. Only a few sporadic cases of human rickettsiosis, anaplasmosis and babesiosis have been confirmed thus far in Slovakia. The latest large outbreaks of Q fever and tularaemia were recorded in 1993 and 1967, respectively. Since then, a few human cases of Q fever have been reported almost each year. Changes in the epidemiological characteristics and clinical forms of tularaemia have been observed during the last few decades. Global changes and development of modern molecular tools led to the discovery and identification of emerging or new tick-borne microorganisms and symbionts with unknown zoonotic potential. In this review, we provide a historical overview of research on ticks and tick-borne pathogens in Slovakia with the most important milestones and recent findings, and outline future directions in the investigation of ticks as ectoparasites and vectors of zoonotic agents and in the study of tick-borne diseases.
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Lesiczka PM, Modry D, Sprong H, Fonville M, Pikula J, Piacek V, Heger T, Hrazdilova K. Detection of Anaplasma phagocytophilum in European brown hares (Lepus europaeus) using three different methods. Zoonoses Public Health 2021; 68:917-925. [PMID: 34379883 DOI: 10.1111/zph.12883] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2021] [Revised: 07/12/2021] [Accepted: 07/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
European brown hare (Lepus europaeus Pallas 1778) is a broadly distributed lagomorph species in Europe, recognized as a host for Ixodes ricinus and reservoir of a wide range of pathogens with zoonotic potential. Even though Lepus europaeus represents an important game animal in Central Europe, the data available on Anaplasma phagocytophilum in this lagomorph are scarce. In this study, three populations of brown hare from distinct localities in the Czech Republic were analysed for the presence of Anaplasma phagocytophilum DNA. We used standard qPCR, targeting the msp2 gene and adapted the same assay also for digital droplet PCR. Out of 91 samples, these two methods identified 9 and 12 as positive, respectively. For taxonomic analysis, we amplified the groEL gene from five of six samples that were found positive by both methods. In phylogenetic analyses, this haplotype belongs to ecotype 1, and to the subclade with isolates from cervids and I. ricinus. Our findings underline the importance of correct result interpretation and positivity cut-off set-up for different detection methods of A. phagocytophilum. This bacterium is characterized by a high intraspecific variability and highly sensitive detection itself, is not enough. Detailed molecular typing is necessary to define the zoonotic potential of different strains and their natural reservoirs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paulina Maria Lesiczka
- Department of Pathology and Parasitology, University of Veterinary Sciences Brno, Brno, Czech Republic.,CEITEC-Central European Institute of Technology, University of Veterinary Sciences Brno, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - David Modry
- Department of Pathology and Parasitology, University of Veterinary Sciences Brno, Brno, Czech Republic.,Biology Centre, Institute of Parasitology, Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice, Czech Republic.,Department of Botany and Zoology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic.,Department of Veterinary Sciences/CINeZ, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Hein Sprong
- Laboratory for Zoonoses and Environmental Microbiology, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, The Netherlands
| | - Manoj Fonville
- Laboratory for Zoonoses and Environmental Microbiology, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, The Netherlands
| | - Jiri Pikula
- Department of Ecology & Diseases of Zoo Animals, Game, Fish and Bees, University of Veterinary Sciences Brno, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Vladimir Piacek
- Department of Ecology & Diseases of Zoo Animals, Game, Fish and Bees, University of Veterinary Sciences Brno, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Tomas Heger
- Department of Ecology & Diseases of Zoo Animals, Game, Fish and Bees, University of Veterinary Sciences Brno, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Kristyna Hrazdilova
- CEITEC-Central European Institute of Technology, University of Veterinary Sciences Brno, Brno, Czech Republic.,Biomedical Center, Faculty of Medicine in Pilsen, Charles University, Plzeň, Czech Republic
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Takumi K, Hofmeester TR, Sprong H. Red and fallow deer determine the density of Ixodes ricinus nymphs containing Anaplasma phagocytophilum. Parasit Vectors 2021; 14:59. [PMID: 33468215 PMCID: PMC7814456 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-020-04567-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2020] [Accepted: 12/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The density of Ixodes ricinus nymphs infected with Anaplasma phagocytophilum is one of the parameters that determines the risk for humans and domesticated animals to contract anaplasmosis. For this, I. ricinus larvae need to take a bloodmeal from free-ranging ungulates, which are competent hosts for A. phagocytophilum. Methods Here, we compared the contribution of four free-ranging ungulate species, red deer (Cervus elaphus), fallow deer (Dama dama), roe deer (Capreolus capreolus), and wild boar (Sus scrofa), to A. phagocytophilum infections in nymphs. We used a combination of camera and live trapping to quantify the relative availability of vertebrate hosts to questing ticks in 19 Dutch forest sites. Additionally, we collected questing I. ricinus nymphs and tested these for the presence of A. phagocytophilum. Furthermore, we explored two potential mechanisms that could explain differences between species: (i) differences in larval burden, which we based on data from published studies, and (ii) differences in associations with other, non-competent hosts. Results Principal component analysis indicated that the density of A. phagocytophilum-infected nymphs (DIN) was higher in forest sites with high availability of red and fallow deer, and to a lesser degree roe deer. Initial results suggest that these differences are not a result of differences in larval burden, but rather differences in associations with other species or other ecological factors. Conclusions These results indicate that the risk for contracting anaplasmosis in The Netherlands is likely highest in the few areas where red and fallow deer are present. Future studies are needed to explore the mechanisms behind this association. Graphical abstract ![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Katsuhisa Takumi
- Centre for Zoonoses and Environmental Microbiology Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, The Netherlands.
| | - Tim R Hofmeester
- Department of Wildlife Fish and Environmental Studies, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Skogsmarksgränd 7, 907 36, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Hein Sprong
- Centre for Zoonoses and Environmental Microbiology Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, The Netherlands
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Tripartite Interactions among Ixodiphagus hookeri, Ixodes ricinus and Deer: Differential Interference with Transmission Cycles of Tick-Borne Pathogens. Pathogens 2020; 9:pathogens9050339. [PMID: 32365910 PMCID: PMC7281138 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens9050339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2020] [Revised: 04/21/2020] [Accepted: 04/29/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
For the development of sustainable control of tick-borne diseases, insight is needed in biological factors that affect tick populations. Here, the ecological interactions among Ixodiphagus hookeri, Ixodes ricinus, and two vertebrate species groups were investigated in relation to their effects on tick-borne disease risk. In 1129 questing ticks, I. hookeri DNA was detected more often in I. ricinus nymphs (4.4%) than in larvae (0.5%) and not in adults. Therefore, we determined the infestation rate of I. hookeri in nymphs from 19 forest sites, where vertebrate, tick, and tick-borne pathogen communities had been previously quantified. We found higher than expected co-occurrence rates of I. hookeri with deer-associated Anaplasma phagocytophilum, and lower than expected rates with rodent-associated Borrelia afzelii and Neoehrlichia mikurensis. The prevalence of I. hookeri in nymphs varied between 0% and 16% and was positively correlated with the encounter probability of ungulates and the densities of all life stages of I. ricinus. Lastly, we investigated the emergence of I. hookeri from artificially fed, field-collected nymphs. Adult wasps emerged from seven of the 172 fed nymphs. From these observations, we inferred that I. hookeri is parasitizing I. ricinus larvae that are feeding on deer, rather than on rodents or in the vegetation. Since I. hookeri populations depend on deer abundance, the main propagation host of I. ricinus, these wasps have no apparent effect on tick populations. The presence of I. hookeri may directly interfere with the transmission cycle of A. phagocytophilum, but not with that of B. afzelii or N. mikurensis.
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