1
|
Mechouk N, Ionică AM, Cazan CD, Deak G, Boucheikhchoukh M, Bendjeddou ML, Bouslama Z, Mihalca AD. Molecular evidence of Borrelia lusitaniae from questing Ixodes ticks in Algeria. Vet Parasitol Reg Stud Reports 2024; 53:101062. [PMID: 39025546 DOI: 10.1016/j.vprsr.2024.101062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2024] [Revised: 06/04/2024] [Accepted: 06/10/2024] [Indexed: 07/20/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ticks are hematophagous arthropods acting as important vectors for several microorganisms. Ticks have an important role in the epidemiology of numerous diseases from a public health standpoint. In Algeria, knowledge of tick-borne associated microorganisms is limited. This paper aimed to investigate the presence of microorganisms in Ixodes ticks in Ain Kerma El Tarf region. MATERIALS AND METHODS Ticks were collected from the environment using the flagging method in El Hannachir, Ain kerma (El Tarf province), conserved in 70% ethanol, and morphologically identified. DNA was individually isolated from the ticks and screened for the presence of Piroplasmids and Hepatozoon spp., Borrelia spp., Spotted fever group Rickettsia, Bartonella spp., Mycoplasma spp., Anaplasmataceae, Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Francisella tularensis. RESULTS Adult ticks of the genus Ixodes (n = 51) were collected. Due to their pronounced morphological resemblance, the sampled ticks are referenced as: I. ricinus/ I.inopinatus (n = 51, 26 males, 25 females). The following pathogens were identified in the tested ticks: Borrelia lusitaniae (n = 17; 33.33%), Rickettsia monacensis (n = 10; 19.60%), and R. helvetica (n = 5; 9.80%). In addition, five ticks (9.80%) were found to be coinfected with Borrelia lusitaniae and R. monacensis/ heletica. All ticks were negative for Piroplasmids and Hepatozoon spp., Bartonella spp., Mycoplasma spp., Anaplasmataceae, Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Francisella tularensis. CONCLUSION Questing Ixodes ticks from Algeria are carriers of various pathogens, with Borrelia lusitaniae posing a potential risk in the country.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Noureddine Mechouk
- Laboratory of Ecology of Terrestrial and Aquatics Systems (EcoSTAq), Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Badji Mokhtar University, BP 12, 23200 Annaba, Algeria; Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-Napoca, Calea Mănăștur 3-5, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
| | - Angela Monica Ionică
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-Napoca, Calea Mănăștur 3-5, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; Molecular Diagnosis Laboratory, Clinical Hospital of Infectious Diseases of Cluj-Napoca, 23 Iuliu Moldovan, 400348 Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
| | - Cristina Daniela Cazan
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-Napoca, Calea Mănăștur 3-5, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
| | - Georgiana Deak
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-Napoca, Calea Mănăștur 3-5, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
| | - Mehdi Boucheikhchoukh
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, Chadli Bendjedid El Tarf University, PB 73, El-Tarf 36000, Algeria.
| | - Mohammed Lamine Bendjeddou
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-Napoca, Calea Mănăștur 3-5, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Zihad Bouslama
- National Environmental Research Center, Sidi Amar Campus, BP N° 2024, 23005 Annaba, Algeria
| | - Andrei Daniel Mihalca
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-Napoca, Calea Mănăștur 3-5, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Strnad M, Rudenko N, Rego RO. Pathogenicity and virulence of Borrelia burgdorferi. Virulence 2023; 14:2265015. [PMID: 37814488 PMCID: PMC10566445 DOI: 10.1080/21505594.2023.2265015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2022] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Infection with Borrelia burgdorferi often triggers pathophysiologic perturbations that are further augmented by the inflammatory responses of the host, resulting in the severe clinical conditions of Lyme disease. While our apprehension of the spatial and temporal integration of the virulence determinants during the enzootic cycle of B. burgdorferi is constantly being improved, there is still much to be discovered. Many of the novel virulence strategies discussed in this review are undetermined. Lyme disease spirochaetes must surmount numerous molecular and mechanical obstacles in order to establish a disseminated infection in a vertebrate host. These barriers include borrelial relocation from the midgut of the feeding tick to its body cavity and further to the salivary glands, deposition to the skin, haematogenous dissemination, extravasation from blood circulation system, evasion of the host immune responses, localization to protective niches, and establishment of local as well as distal infection in multiple tissues and organs. Here, the various well-defined but also possible novel strategies and virulence mechanisms used by B. burgdorferi to evade obstacles laid out by the tick vector and usually the mammalian host during colonization and infection are reviewed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Martin Strnad
- Biology Centre CAS, Institute of Parasitology, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
- Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Branišovská, Czech Republic
| | - Natalie Rudenko
- Biology Centre CAS, Institute of Parasitology, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Ryan O.M. Rego
- Biology Centre CAS, Institute of Parasitology, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
- Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Branišovská, Czech Republic
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Yessinou RE, Cazan CD, Panait LC, Mollong E, Biguezoton AS, Bonnet SI, Farougou S, Groschup MH, Mihalca AD. New geographical records for tick-borne pathogens in ticks collected from cattle in Benin and Togo. Vet Med Sci 2022; 9:345-352. [PMID: 36508582 PMCID: PMC9856996 DOI: 10.1002/vms3.1022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ticks are obligate hematophagous arthropods capable of transmitting a great variety of endemic and emerging pathogens causing diseases in animals and humans. OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of Bartonella spp., Rickettsia spp., Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (s.l.) and Anaplasma phagocytophilum in ticks collected from cattle in Benin and Togo. METHODS Overall, 396 (148 males, 205 females and 43 nymphs) ticks were collected from cattle in 17 districts (Benin and Togo) between 2019 and 2020. Ticks were pooled into groups of 2-6 ticks per pool according to individual host, location, species and developmental stage. The DNA of each pool was extracted for molecular screening. RESULTS PCR results revealed that 20 tick pools were positive for Bartonella spp. (Benin and Togo) and 23 tick pools positive for Rickettsia spp. (Benin), while all pools were negative for A. phagocytophilum and B. burgdorferi s.l. Sequence analysis of positive Rickettsia samples revealed the presence of Rickettsia aeschlimannii. CONCLUSIONS The present study highlights the presence of zoonotic agents in ticks collected from cattle in Benin and Togo. This information will raise awareness of tick-borne diseases among physicians and veterinarians, stimulate further studies to monitor these pathogens, and advise on necessary measures to control the spread of these zoonoses.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Roland Eric Yessinou
- Communicable Disease Research Unit (URMaT)University of Abomey‐CalaviCotonouBenin
| | - Cristina Daniela Cazan
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic DiseasesFaculty of Veterinary MedicineUniversity of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj‐NapocaCluj‐NapocaRomania,CDS‐9, Molecular Biology and Veterinary Parasitology UnitFaculty of Veterinary MedicineUniversity of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj‐NapocaCluj‐NapocaRomania
| | - Luciana Cătălina Panait
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic DiseasesFaculty of Veterinary MedicineUniversity of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj‐NapocaCluj‐NapocaRomania
| | - Eyabana Mollong
- Laboratory of Applied EntomologySection: Agro‐Resources Protection, Faculty of SciencesUniversity of LomeLomeTogo
| | - Abel S. Biguezoton
- Unité Maladies à Vecteurs et Biodiversité (UMaVeB)Centre International de Recherche‐Développement sur l'Elevage en zone Subhumide (CIRDES)Bobo‐DioulassoBurkina Faso
| | - Sarah Irène Bonnet
- Functional Genetics of Infectious Diseases UnitInstitut Pasteur, CNRS UMR 2000Université de Paris, Paris 7France,Animal Health DepartmentNouzillyFrance
| | - Souaïbou Farougou
- Communicable Disease Research Unit (URMaT)University of Abomey‐CalaviCotonouBenin
| | - Martin H. Groschup
- Friedrich‐Loeffler‐Insitut (FLI)Federal Research Institute for Animal HealthInstitute of Novel and Emerging Infectious DiseasesGreifswald‐Insel RiemsGermany
| | - Andrei Daniel Mihalca
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic DiseasesFaculty of Veterinary MedicineUniversity of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj‐NapocaCluj‐NapocaRomania
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
D’Amico G, Ionică AM, Györke A, Dumitrache MO. Epidemiological Survey of the Main Tick-Borne Pathogens Infecting Dogs from the Republic of Moldova. Pathogens 2022; 11:1267. [PMID: 36365018 PMCID: PMC9697118 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11111267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2022] [Revised: 10/25/2022] [Accepted: 10/26/2022] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite the significant burden of tick-borne diseases (TBDs), epidemiologic studies are missing, and TBD awareness is low in the Republic of Moldova. Our study is the first to assess the prevalence of the main tick-borne pathogens (TBPs) infecting dogs in this country and associated risk factors. In this cross-sectional, multi-centre study (June 2018-July 2019), blood samples were collected from dogs presenting in veterinary clinics (Chişinău: N = 30) and hosted in public dog shelters (Cahul: N = 42; Chişinău: N = 48). TBPs were assessed by molecular techniques and risk factors by the logistic regression model. Hepatozoon canis was the most prevalent TBP (15.8% [19/120]), followed by Babesia canis (11.7% [14/120]), Anaplasma phagocytophilum (5.8% [7/120]), and Bartonella spp. (0.8% [1/120]). Blood samples tested negative for Borrelia spp., Rickettsia spp., Francisella tularensis, Anaplasma platys, and Ehrlichia canis. Dogs originating from the veterinary clinics had a higher prevalence of A. phagocytophilum infection than those from the shelters (16.6% versus 2.2%, respectively, p = 0.0292; OR: 27.0 [95%CI: 1.4-521.9]). Dogs from Chișinău had a higher prevalence of Hepatozoon canis infection versus those from Cahul (19.2% versus 9.5%, respectively, p = 0.0295; OR: 3.9 [95%CI: 1.1-13.4]). We recommend routine use of acaricides and deworming of dogs to prevent or/and limit TBD spread. Further TBD surveillance studies are needed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gianluca D’Amico
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Angela Monica Ionică
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- Clinical Hospital of Infectious Diseases of Cluj-Napoca, 400348 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Adriana Györke
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Mirabela Oana Dumitrache
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Rodino KG, Pritt BS. When to Think About Other Borreliae:: Hard Tick Relapsing Fever (Borrelia miyamotoi), Borrelia mayonii, and Beyond. Infect Dis Clin North Am 2022; 36:689-701. [PMID: 36116843 DOI: 10.1016/j.idc.2022.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
In North America, several hard tick-transmitted Borrelia species other than Borrelia burgdorferi cause human disease, including Borrelia miyamotoi, Borrelia mayonii, and possibly Borrelia bissettii. Due to overlapping clinical syndromes, nonspecific tickborne disease (TBD) testing strategies, and shared treatment approaches, infections with these lesser known Borrelia are likely under-reported. In this article, we describe the epidemiology, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and treatment of these less common Borrelia pathogens.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kyle G Rodino
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 3400 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Bobbi S Pritt
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Division of Clinical Microbiology, Mayo Clinic, 200 1st Street Southwest, Rochester, MN 55905, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Udziela S, Biesiada G, Osiewicz M, Michalak M, Stażyk K, Garlicki A, Czepiel J. Musculoskeletal manifestations of Lyme borreliosis - a review. Arch Med Sci 2022; 18:726-731. [PMID: 35591816 PMCID: PMC9102650 DOI: 10.5114/aoms.2020.96458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2019] [Accepted: 03/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Lyme borreliosis (LB) is a zoonotic disease caused by Gram-negative bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato. The majority of reported cases of LB originate in the northern hemisphere, mostly in the US and Europe. One of the typical manifestations of LB are musculoskeletal symptoms; they may appear in any of the three LB stages. The diagnosis is based on clinical manifestations and confirmed by serological tests. One course of antibiotic therapy is sufficient for LB to dissipate in most cases, although for some patients, the symptoms subside gradually even after completion of therapy. Patients who have been demonstrated to have specific antibodies but are symptomless should not be treated. In instances where the advised treatment proved to be unsuccessful, patients should be referred to rheumatologist for additional diagnostics. The goal of this review is to update physicians on current scientific knowledge on musculoskeletal manifestations of LB.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Grażyna Biesiada
- Department of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Krakow, Poland
| | - Magdalena Osiewicz
- Department of Integrated Dentistry, Dental Institute, Faculty of Medicine, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Krakow, Poland
| | - Mateusz Michalak
- Students’ Scientific Society Jagiellonian University Medical College, Krakow, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Stażyk
- Department of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Krakow, Poland
| | - Aleksander Garlicki
- Department of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Krakow, Poland
| | - Jacek Czepiel
- Department of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Krakow, Poland
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Citizen Science Provides an Efficient Method for Broad-Scale Tick-Borne Pathogen Surveillance of Ixodes pacificus and Ixodes scapularis across the United States. mSphere 2021; 6:e0068221. [PMID: 34585963 PMCID: PMC8550138 DOI: 10.1128/msphere.00682-21] [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] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Tick-borne diseases have expanded over the last 2 decades as a result of shifts in tick and pathogen distributions. These shifts have significantly increased the need for accurate portrayal of real-time pathogen distributions and prevalence in hopes of stemming increases in human morbidity. Traditionally, pathogen distribution and prevalence have been monitored through case reports or scientific collections of ticks or reservoir hosts, both of which have challenges that impact the extent, availability, and accuracy of these data. Citizen science tick collections and testing campaigns supplement these data and provide timely estimates of pathogen prevalence and distributions to help characterize and understand tick-borne disease threats to communities. We utilized our national citizen science tick collection and testing program to describe the distribution and prevalence of four Ixodes-borne pathogens, Borrelia burgdorferisensu lato, Borrelia miyamotoi, Anaplasma phagocytophilum, and Babesia microti, across the continental United States. IMPORTANCE In the 21st century, zoonotic pathogens continue to emerge, while previously discovered pathogens continue to have changes within their distribution and prevalence. Monitoring these pathogens is resource intensive, requiring both field and laboratory support; thus, data sets are often limited within their spatial and temporal extents. Citizen science collections provide a method to harness the general public to collect samples, enabling real-time monitoring of pathogen distribution and prevalence.
Collapse
|
8
|
Colunga-Salas P, Hernández-Canchola G, Sánchez-Montes S, Lozano-Sardaneta YN, Becker I. Genetic diversity of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto: Novel strains from Mexican wild rodents. Transbound Emerg Dis 2021; 68:1263-1274. [PMID: 32772436 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.13780] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2020] [Revised: 08/03/2020] [Accepted: 08/04/2020] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Borrelia burgdorferi s.s. is a Gram-negative spirochaete, the aetiological agent of Lyme disease, the most common vector-borne disease in the Northern hemisphere. Reports on the presence of B. burgdorferi in central Mexico have been strongly criticized, since these were based only on unspecific serological methods. Furthermore, the worldwide genetic diversity of B. burgdorferi s.s. has not been evaluated. For this reason, the aim of the present study was to confirm the presence of B. burgdorferi in the central area of Mexico and to evaluate its relationship with regard to the global genetic diversity of B. burgdorferi s.s. To achieve this, fragments of the flagellin and the outer surface protein A genes were amplified from ear biopsies of the arboreal wild endemic mice Habromys schmidlyi. With these sequences, a concatenated Bayesian analysis was performed to confirm the identity of B. burgdorferi s.s. Afterwards, the global genetic diversity of this bacterial species was evaluated using our sequences and those available in GenBank. A prevalence of 10.4% (5/48) of H. schmidlyi infected with Borrelia sp. was detected, and the phylogenetic analyses confirmed the identity of B. burgdorferi s.s. Using both genes, the genetic diversity was low. However, genetic structuring analyses revealed that populations of western United States and those from Mexico formed slightly different genetic groups, separated from the populations of the rest of the world. Our study not only confirms the presence of this bacterium in central Mexico, but also shows the most southern record of this bacterium so far. It also highlights the importance of H. schmidlyi as a new potential host of this bacterial species. Our study also provides first genetic data on an incipient process of divergence in B. burgdorferi s.s. populations of eastern United States and central Mexico.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pablo Colunga-Salas
- Centro de Medicina Tropical, División de Investigación, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, México
- Programa de Doctorado en Ciencias Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Giovani Hernández-Canchola
- Museum of Natural Science, 119 Foster Hall, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, USA
- Colección de Mamíferos, Museo de Zoología "Alfonso L. Herrera", Departamento de Biología Evolutiva, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Sokani Sánchez-Montes
- Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas y Agropecuarias región Tuxpan, Universidad Veracruzana, Veracruz, México
| | - Yokomi N Lozano-Sardaneta
- Centro de Medicina Tropical, División de Investigación, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, México
| | - Ingeborg Becker
- Centro de Medicina Tropical, División de Investigación, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, México
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Park JW, Lee SH, Lee GS, Seo JJ, Chung JK. Epidemiological Characteristics of Field Tick-Borne Pathogens in Gwang-ju Metropolitan Area, South Korea, from 2014 to 2018. Osong Public Health Res Perspect 2020; 11:177-184. [PMID: 32864308 PMCID: PMC7442441 DOI: 10.24171/j.phrp.2020.11.4.06] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives The importance of tick-borne diseases is increasing because of climate change, with a lack of long-term studies on tick-borne pathogens in South Korea. To understand the epidemiological characteristics of tick-borne diseases, the monthly distribution of field ticks throughout the year was studied in South Korea between May 2014 and April 2018 in a cross sectional study. Methods The presence of various tick-borne pathogens (Rickettsia species, Borrelia species, Anaplasma phagocytophilum) was confirmed by using polymerase chain reaction, to provide information for a prevention strategy against tick-borne pathogenic infections, through increased understanding of the relationship between seasonal variation and risk of infection with Rickettsia species. This was performed using logistic regression analysis (SPSS 20, IBM, USA) of the data obtained from the study. Results During the study period there were 11,717 ticks collected and 4 species identified. Haemapysalis longicornis was the most common species (n = 10,904, 93.1%), followed by Haemapysalis flava (n = 656, 5.6%), Ixodes nipponensis (n = 151, 1.3%), and Amblyomma testudinarium (n = 6, 0.05%) The results of this cross-sectional study showed that Haemapysalis flava carried a higher risk of transmission of Rickettsia species than other tick species (p < 0.05). Conclusion In conclusion, due attention should be paid to preventing tick-borne infections in humans whilst engaged in outdoor activities in Spring and Autumn, particularly in places where there is a high prevalence of ticks.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jung Wook Park
- Division of Infectious Disease Investigation, Health and Environment Research Institute of Gwangju, Gwangju, Korea
| | - Seung Hun Lee
- Division of Bacterial Disease Research, Center for Infectious Disease Research, Korea National Institute of Health, Cheongju, Korea.,Yeosu National Quarantine Station, Korea Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, Yeosu, Korea
| | - Gi Seong Lee
- Division of Infectious Disease Investigation, Health and Environment Research Institute of Gwangju, Gwangju, Korea
| | - Jin Jong Seo
- Division of Infectious Disease Investigation, Health and Environment Research Institute of Gwangju, Gwangju, Korea
| | - Jae Keun Chung
- Division of Infectious Disease Investigation, Health and Environment Research Institute of Gwangju, Gwangju, Korea
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Middelveen MJ, Martinez RM, Fesler MC, Sapi E, Burke J, Shah JS, Nicolaus C, Stricker RB. Classification and Staging of Morgellons Disease: Lessons from Syphilis. Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol 2020; 13:145-164. [PMID: 32104041 PMCID: PMC7012249 DOI: 10.2147/ccid.s239840] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2019] [Accepted: 01/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Morgellons disease (MD) is a contested dermopathy that is associated with Borrelia spirochetal infection. A simple classification system was previously established to help validate the disease based on clinical features (classes I-IV). METHODS Drawing on historical and pathological parallels with syphilis, we formulated a more detailed staging system based on clinical features as well as severity of skin lesions and corresponding histopathological infection patterns, as determined by anti-Borrelia immunohistochemical staining. RESULTS Clinical classes I-IV of MD are further categorized as mild, moderate and severe, or stages A, B and C, respectively, based on histopathological findings. Stage A lesions demonstrated little or no immune infiltrates and little or no disorganization of cells; macrophages were not present, and hemorrhage was negligible. Extracellular isolated spirochetes and intracellular staining of keratinocytes in the lower epidermis was occasionally seen. Stage C lesions demonstrated positive staining of keratinocytes in the stratum basale and stratum spinosum and positive intracellular staining of macrophages for Borrelia. Aggregate Borrelia colonies were frequently encountered, hemorrhage was frequent, and intracellularly stained fibroblasts were occasionally seen. Stage B lesions demonstrated a pattern intermediate between Stages A and C. CONCLUSION The enhanced staging system provides objective criteria to assess the severity of dermopathy in MD. Further studies are needed to determine the optimal treatment for MD based on this staging system related to Borrelia infection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Eva Sapi
- Department of Biology and Environmental Science, University of New Haven, West Haven, CT, USA
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
11
|
Banović P, Čapo I, Ogorelica D, Vranješ N, Simin V, Lalošević D. Mysterious path of Borrelia spielmanii: spreading without morphological alteration of collagen type I and IV. Future Microbiol 2020; 14:1469-1475. [PMID: 31904266 DOI: 10.2217/fmb-2019-0217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The majority of suggested mechanisms of Borrelia spreading inside erythema migrans (EM) are developed from in vitro studies and animal models. This report is the first to describe pathomorphological substrate of EM caused by Borrelia spielmanii in humans, addressing the hypothesis of enhanced Borrelia penetration through extracellular matrix. In the process of ruling out of atypical Masters' disease, we conducted a punch biopsy of suspected EM and a two-tier serology testing for Lyme borreliosis, where we registered antibodies against B. spielmanii. Skin biopsy showed CD4+ and CD8+ lymphocyte involvement and high activity of matrix metalloproteinase 9. No alterations were detected in distribution and morphology of collagen type I and IV. Therefore, it is suggested that other mechanisms should be considered as major contributing factors to local spreading of B. spielmanii.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pavle Banović
- Lyme Borreliosis Outpatient Clinic, Department for Prevention of Rabies & Other Infectious Diseases, Pasteur Institute Novi Sad, Hajduk Veljkova 1 St, Novi Sad, Republic of Serbia.,Faculty of Medicine, University of Novi Sad, Hajduk Veljkova St. No 3, Novi Sad, Republic of Serbia
| | - Ivan Čapo
- Histology & Embryology Department, Faculty of Medicine, University of Novi Sad, Hajduk Veljkova 3 St, Novi Sad, Republic of Serbia
| | - Dejan Ogorelica
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Novi Sad, Hajduk Veljkova St. No 3, Novi Sad, Republic of Serbia.,Clinic of Dermatovenereology Diseases, Clinical Center of Vojvodina, Hajduk Veljkova 1 St, Novi Sad, Republic of Serbia
| | - Nenad Vranješ
- Department for Research & Monitoring of Rabies & Other Zoonoses, Pasteur Institute Novi Sad, Hajduk Veljkova 1 St, Republic of Serbia
| | - Verica Simin
- Department for Microbiological & Other Diagnostics, Pasteur Institute Novi Sad, Hajduk Veljkova 1 St, Novi Sad, Republic of Serbia
| | - Dušan Lalošević
- Histology & Embryology Department, Faculty of Medicine, University of Novi Sad, Hajduk Veljkova 3 St, Novi Sad, Republic of Serbia.,Department for Microbiological & Other Diagnostics, Pasteur Institute Novi Sad, Hajduk Veljkova 1 St, Novi Sad, Republic of Serbia
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Chronic Lyme Disease: An Evidence-Based Definition by the ILADS Working Group. Antibiotics (Basel) 2019; 8:antibiotics8040269. [PMID: 31888310 PMCID: PMC6963229 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics8040269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2019] [Revised: 12/09/2019] [Accepted: 12/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective: Chronic Lyme disease has been a poorly defined term and often dismissed as a fictitious entity. In this paper, the International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society (ILADS) provides its evidence-based definition of chronic Lyme disease. Definition: ILADS defines chronic Lyme disease (CLD) as a multisystem illness with a wide range of symptoms and/or signs that are either continuously or intermittently present for a minimum of six months. The illness is the result of an active and ongoing infection by any of several pathogenic members of the Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato complex (Bbsl). The infection has variable latency periods and signs and symptoms may wax, wane and migrate. CLD has two subcategories, CLD, untreated (CLD-U) and CLD, previously treated (CLD-PT). The latter requires that CLD manifestations persist or recur following treatment and are present continuously or in a relapsing/remitting pattern for a duration of six months or more. Methods: Systematic review of over 250 peer reviewed papers in the international literature to characterize the clinical spectrum of CLD-U and CLD-PT. Conclusion: This evidence-based definition of chronic Lyme disease clarifies the term's meaning and the literature review validates that chronic and ongoing Bbsl infections can result in chronic disease. Use of this CLD definition will promote a better understanding of the infection and facilitate future research of this infection.
Collapse
|
13
|
Mixed Borrelia burgdorferi and Helicobacter pylori Biofilms in Morgellons Disease Dermatological Specimens. Healthcare (Basel) 2019; 7:healthcare7020070. [PMID: 31108976 PMCID: PMC6627092 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare7020070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2019] [Revised: 04/17/2019] [Accepted: 05/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Morgellons disease (MD) is a dermopathy that is associated with tick-borne illness. It is characterized by spontaneously developing skin lesions containing embedded or projecting filaments, and patients may also experience symptoms resembling those of Lyme disease (LD) including musculoskeletal, neurological and cardiovascular manifestations. Various species of Borrelia and co-infecting pathogens have been detected in body fluids and tissue specimens from MD patients. We sought to investigate the coexistence of Borrelia burgdorferi (Bb) and Helicobacter pylori (Hp) in skin specimens from MD subjects, and to characterize their association with mixed amyloid biofilm development. METHODS Testing for Bb and Hp was performed on dermatological specimens from 14 MD patients using tissue culture, immunohistochemical (IHC) staining, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing, fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) and confocal microscopy. Markers for amyloid and biofilm formation were investigated using histochemical and IHC staining. RESULTS Bb and Hp were detected in dermatological tissue taken from MD lesions. Bb and Hp tended to co-localize in foci within the epithelial tissue. Skin sections exhibiting foci of co-infecting Bb and Hp contained amyloid markers including β-amyloid protein, thioflavin and phosphorylated tau. The biofilm marker alginate was also found in the sections. CONCLUSIONS Mixed Bb and Hp biofilms containing β-amyloid and phosphorylated tau may play a role in the evolution of MD.
Collapse
|
14
|
Yang Y, Yang Z, Kelly P, Li J, Ren Y, Wang C. Borrelia miyamotoi sensu lato in Père David Deer and Haemaphysalis longicornis Ticks. Emerg Infect Dis 2019; 24:928-931. [PMID: 29664385 PMCID: PMC5938796 DOI: 10.3201/eid2405.171355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
By sequence analysis of 16S rRNA, flaB, p66, and glpQ, we identified Borrelia miyamotoi in 1 of 4 Père David deer (n = 43) seropositive for Borrelia spp. and 1.2% (3/244) of Haemaphysalis longicornis ticks from Dafeng Elk National Natural Reserve, China. Future studies should assess Borrelia pathogenesis in deer.
Collapse
|
15
|
Stanek G, Strle F. Lyme borreliosis-from tick bite to diagnosis and treatment. FEMS Microbiol Rev 2018; 42:233-258. [PMID: 29893904 DOI: 10.1093/femsre/fux047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 115] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2017] [Accepted: 10/16/2017] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Lyme borreliosis is caused by certain genospecies of the Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato complex, which are transmitted by hard ticks of the genus Ixodes. The most common clinical manifestation is erythema migrans, an expanding skin redness that usually develops at the site of a tick bite and eventually resolves even without antibiotic treatment. The infecting pathogens can spread to other tissues and organs, resulting in manifestations that can involve the nervous system, joints, heart and skin. Fatal outcome is extremely rare and is due to severe heart involvement; fetal involvement is not reliably ascertained. Laboratory support-mainly by serology-is essential for diagnosis, except in the case of typical erythema migrans. Treatment is usually with antibiotics for 2 to 4 weeks; most patients recover uneventfully. There is no convincing evidence for antibiotic treatment longer than 4 weeks and there is no reliable evidence for survival of borreliae in adequately treated patients. European Lyme borreliosis is a frequent disease with increasing incidence. However, numerous scientifically questionable ideas on its clinical presentation, diagnosis and treatment may confuse physicians and lay people. Since diagnosis of Lyme borreliosis should be based on appropriate clinical signs, solid knowledge of clinical manifestations is essential.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gerold Stanek
- Institute for Hygiene and Applied Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, A-1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Franc Strle
- Department of Infectious Diseases, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, 1525 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Abstract
Twenty-five years ago, the AIDS epidemic was wreaking havoc around the world. Although "HIV denialists" threatened to undermine research efforts to combat the epidemic, development of targeted antiviral therapy eventually provided effective treatment for the disease. Now the Lyme disease epidemic is wreaking havoc around the world, and "Lyme denialists" are undermining efforts to combat the epidemic. Drawing on our experience with the AIDS epidemic, there is a significant need to develop targeted therapy to control the Lyme disease epidemic.
Collapse
|
17
|
Kannangara DW, Patel P. Report of Non-Lyme, Erythema Migrans Rashes from New Jersey with a Review of Possible Role of Tick Salivary Toxins. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2018; 18:641-652. [PMID: 30129909 DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2018.2278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Erythema migrans (EM) rashes once considered pathognomonic of Lyme disease (LD) have been reported following bites of arthropods that do not transmit LD and in areas with no LD. Also, EM rashes have been reported in association with organisms other than members of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato complex. Arthropod saliva has chemicals that have effects on the host and pathogen transmission. Tick saliva has protein families similar to spiders and scorpions and even substances homologous to those found in snakes and other venomous animals. Ticks "invertebrate pharmacologists" have a sophisticated arsenal of chemicals that assist in blood feeding, pathogen transmission, and suppressing host defenses. No organisms have been isolated from many EM rashes. We propose that tick salivary toxins may play a role in the causation of rashes and laboratory abnormalities in tick-borne diseases. The role of tick salivary toxins needs further exploration. Cases of Lyme-like EM rashes referred to as STARI (Southern Tick-Associated Rash Illness) following bites of the lone star tick, Amblyomma americanum, in the United States have been reported predominantly in Southeastern Missouri and a few in South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia, and one case each in Mississippi and Long Island, New York. Although there is one report of Borrelia lonestari in a patient with a rash, biopsies of 31 cases of STARI, with cultures and PCR, failed to show a relationship. Distribution of A. americanum, whose bites are associated with STARI, now extends along the East Coast of the United States, including New Jersey, up to the Canadian border. As far as we are aware, there have been no prior reports of Lyme-like rashes in New Jersey. In this study, we present case examples of 2 Lyme-like rashes, variations of EM rashes, and a brief review of studies that suggest a role of tick salivary toxins in tick-borne diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Pritiben Patel
- St Luke's Health NetWork , Warren Campus, Phillipsburg, New Jersey
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Stromdahl EY, Nadolny RM, Hickling GJ, Hamer SA, Ogden NH, Casal C, Heck GA, Gibbons JA, Cremeans TF, Pilgard MA. Amblyomma americanum (Acari: Ixodidae) Ticks Are Not Vectors of the Lyme Disease Agent, Borrelia burgdorferi (Spirocheatales: Spirochaetaceae): A Review of the Evidence. JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY 2018; 55:501-514. [PMID: 29394366 PMCID: PMC6459681 DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjx250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2017] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
In the early 1980s, Ixodes spp. ticks were implicated as the key North American vectors of Borrelia burgdorferi (Johnson, Schmid, Hyde, Steigerwalt and Brenner) (Spirocheatales: Spirochaetaceae), the etiological agent of Lyme disease. Concurrently, other human-biting tick species were investigated as potential B. burgdorferi vectors. Rashes thought to be erythema migrans were observed in patients bitten by Amblyomma americanum (L.) (Acari: Ixodidae) ticks, and spirochetes were visualized in a small percentage of A. americanum using fluorescent antibody staining methods, sparking interest in this species as a candidate vector of B. burgdorferi. Using molecular methods, the spirochetes were subsequently described as Borrelia lonestari sp. nov. (Spirocheatales: Spirochaetaceae), a transovarially transmitted relapsing fever Borrelia of uncertain clinical significance. In total, 54 surveys from more than 35 research groups, involving more than 52,000 ticks, have revealed a low prevalence of B. lonestari, and scarce B. burgdorferi, in A. americanum. In Lyme disease-endemic areas, A. americanum commonly feeds on B. burgdorferi-infected hosts; the extremely low prevalence of B. burgdorferi in this tick results from a saliva barrier to acquiring infection from infected hosts. At least nine transmission experiments involving B. burgdorferi in A. americanum have failed to demonstrate vector competency. Advancements in molecular analysis strongly suggest that initial reports of B. burgdorferi in A. americanum across many states were misidentified B. lonestari, or DNA contamination, yet the early reports continue to be cited without regard to the later clarifying studies. In this article, the surveillance and vector competency studies of B. burgdorferi in A. americanum are reviewed, and we conclude that A. americanum is not a vector of B. burgdorferi.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ellen Y. Stromdahl
- Army Public Health Center, Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD 21010-5403
- Corresponding author, ;
| | - Robyn M. Nadolny
- Army Public Health Center, Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD 21010-5403
| | - Graham J. Hickling
- Center for Wildlife Health, The University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture, Knoxville, TN 37996
| | - Sarah A. Hamer
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843
| | - Nicholas H. Ogden
- Public Health Risk Sciences Division, National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada, Quebec, Canada J2S 2M2
| | - Cory Casal
- Army Public Health Center, Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD 21010-5403
| | - Garrett A. Heck
- Army Public Health Center, Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD 21010-5403
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523
| | | | | | - Mark A. Pilgard
- Division of Vector-Borne Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Fort Collins, CO 80521
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Molins CR, Ashton LV, Wormser GP, Andre BG, Hess AM, Delorey MJ, Pilgard MA, Johnson BJ, Webb K, Islam MN, Pegalajar-Jurado A, Molla I, Jewett MW, Belisle JT. Metabolic differentiation of early Lyme disease from southern tick-associated rash illness (STARI). Sci Transl Med 2018; 9:9/403/eaal2717. [PMID: 28814545 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.aal2717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2016] [Accepted: 06/28/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Lyme disease, the most commonly reported vector-borne disease in the United States, results from infection with Borrelia burgdorferi. Early clinical diagnosis of this disease is largely based on the presence of an erythematous skin lesion for individuals in high-risk regions. This, however, can be confused with other illnesses including southern tick-associated rash illness (STARI), an illness that lacks a defined etiological agent or laboratory diagnostic test, and is coprevalent with Lyme disease in portions of the eastern United States. By applying an unbiased metabolomics approach with sera retrospectively obtained from well-characterized patients, we defined biochemical and diagnostic differences between early Lyme disease and STARI. Specifically, a metabolic biosignature consisting of 261 molecular features (MFs) revealed that altered N-acyl ethanolamine and primary fatty acid amide metabolism discriminated early Lyme disease from STARI. Development of classification models with the 261-MF biosignature and testing against validation samples differentiated early Lyme disease from STARI with an accuracy of 85 to 98%. These findings revealed metabolic dissimilarity between early Lyme disease and STARI, and provide a powerful and new approach to inform patient management by objectively distinguishing early Lyme disease from an illness with nearly identical symptoms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Claudia R Molins
- Division of Vector-Borne Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Fort Collins, CO 80521, USA
| | - Laura V Ashton
- Division of Vector-Borne Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Fort Collins, CO 80521, USA.,Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA
| | - Gary P Wormser
- Division of Infectious Diseases,Department of Medicine, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY 10595, USA
| | - Barbara G Andre
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA
| | - Ann M Hess
- Department of Statistics, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA
| | - Mark J Delorey
- Division of Vector-Borne Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Fort Collins, CO 80521, USA
| | - Mark A Pilgard
- Division of Vector-Borne Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Fort Collins, CO 80521, USA
| | - Barbara J Johnson
- Division of Vector-Borne Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Fort Collins, CO 80521, USA
| | - Kristofor Webb
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA
| | - M Nurul Islam
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA
| | - Adoracion Pegalajar-Jurado
- Division of Vector-Borne Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Fort Collins, CO 80521, USA
| | - Irida Molla
- Division of Infectious Diseases,Department of Medicine, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY 10595, USA
| | - Mollie W Jewett
- Division of Immunology and Pathogenesis, Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL 32816, USA
| | - John T Belisle
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Middelveen MJ, Sapi E, Burke J, Filush KR, Franco A, Fesler MC, Stricker RB. Persistent Borrelia Infection in Patients with Ongoing Symptoms of Lyme Disease. Healthcare (Basel) 2018; 6:E33. [PMID: 29662016 PMCID: PMC6023324 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare6020033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2018] [Revised: 03/27/2018] [Accepted: 04/11/2018] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Lyme disease is a tickborne illness that generates controversy among medical providers and researchers. One of the key topics of debate is the existence of persistent infection with the Lyme spirochete, Borreliaburgdorferi, in patients who have been treated with recommended doses of antibiotics yet remain symptomatic. Persistent spirochetal infection despite antibiotic therapy has recently been demonstrated in non-human primates. We present evidence of persistent Borrelia infection despite antibiotic therapy in patients with ongoing Lyme disease symptoms. METHODS In this pilot study, culture of body fluids and tissues was performed in a randomly selected group of 12 patients with persistent Lyme disease symptoms who had been treated or who were being treated with antibiotics. Cultures were also performed on a group of ten control subjects without Lyme disease. The cultures were subjected to corroborative microscopic, histopathological and molecular testing for Borrelia organisms in four independent laboratories in a blinded manner. RESULTS Motile spirochetes identified histopathologically as Borrelia were detected in culture specimens, and these spirochetes were genetically identified as Borreliaburgdorferi by three distinct polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based approaches. Spirochetes identified as Borrelia burgdorferi were cultured from the blood of seven subjects, from the genital secretions of ten subjects, and from a skin lesion of one subject. Cultures from control subjects without Lyme disease were negative for Borrelia using these methods. CONCLUSIONS Using multiple corroborative detection methods, we showed that patients with persistent Lyme disease symptoms may have ongoing spirochetal infection despite antibiotic treatment, similar to findings in non-human primates. The optimal treatment for persistent Borrelia infection remains to be determined.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Eva Sapi
- Department of Biology and Environmental Science, University of New Haven, West Haven, CT 06516, USA.
| | - Jennie Burke
- Australian Biologics, Sydney, NSW 2000, Australia.
| | - Katherine R Filush
- Department of Biology and Environmental Science, University of New Haven, West Haven, CT 06516, USA.
| | - Agustin Franco
- School of Health Sciences, Universidad Catolica Santiago de Guayaquil, Guayaquil 090615, Ecuador.
| | - Melissa C Fesler
- Union Square Medical Associates, 450 Sutter Street, Suite 1504, San Francisco, CA 94108, USA.
| | - Raphael B Stricker
- Union Square Medical Associates, 450 Sutter Street, Suite 1504, San Francisco, CA 94108, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Hacker GM, Brown RN, Fedorova N, Girard YA, Higley M, Clueit B, Lane RS. Spatial clustering of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato within populations of Allen's chipmunks and dusky-footed woodrats in northwestern California. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0195586. [PMID: 29634745 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0195586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2017] [Accepted: 03/26/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The ecology of Lyme borreliosis is complex in northwestern California, with several potential reservoir hosts, tick vectors, and genospecies of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato. The primary objective of this study was to determine the fine-scale spatial distribution of different genospecies in four rodent species, the California ground squirrel (Otospermophilus beecheyi), northern flying squirrel (Glaucomys sabrinus), dusky-footed woodrat (Neotoma fuscipes), and Allen's chipmunk (Neotamias senex). Rodents were live-trapped between June 2004 and May 2005 at the Hoopa Valley Tribal Reservation (HVTR) in Humboldt County, California. Ear-punch biopsies obtained from each rodent were tested by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequencing analysis. The programs ArcGIS and SaTScan were used to examine the spatial distribution of genospecies. Multinomial log-linear models were used to model habitat and host-specific characteristics and their effect on the presence of each borrelial genospecies. The Akaike information criterion (AICc) was used to compare models and determine model fit. Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto was primarily associated with chipmunks and B. bissettiae largely with woodrats. The top model included the variables "host species", "month", and "elevation" (weight = 0.84). Spatial clustering of B. bissettiae was detected in the northwestern section of the HVTR, whereas B. burgdorferi sensu stricto was clustered in the southeastern section. We conclude that the spatial distribution of these borreliae are driven at least in part by host species, time-of-year, and elevation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gregory M Hacker
- Department of Natural Resources, Humboldt State University, Arcata, California, United States of America
| | - Richard N Brown
- Department of Natural Resources, Humboldt State University, Arcata, California, United States of America
| | - Natalia Fedorova
- Department of Environmental Science, Policy and Management, University of California, Berkeley, California, United States of America
| | - Yvette A Girard
- Department of Environmental Science, Policy and Management, University of California, Berkeley, California, United States of America
| | - Mark Higley
- Hoopa Tribal Forestry, Hoopa Valley Tribal Reservation, Hoopa, California, United States of America
| | - Bernadette Clueit
- Department of Natural Resources, Humboldt State University, Arcata, California, United States of America
| | - Robert S Lane
- Department of Environmental Science, Policy and Management, University of California, Berkeley, California, United States of America
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Moon KL, Chown SL, Loh SM, Oskam CL, Fraser CI. Australian penguin ticks screened for novel Borrelia species. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2017; 9:410-414. [PMID: 29275874 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2017.12.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2017] [Revised: 12/07/2017] [Accepted: 12/08/2017] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Lyme borreliosis (or Lyme Disease) is an emerging threat to human health in the Northern Hemisphere caused by tick-borne bacteria from the Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (Bbsl) complex. Seabirds are important reservoir hosts of some members of the Bbsl complex in the Northern Hemisphere, and some evidence suggests this may be true of penguins in the Southern Hemisphere. While the Bbsl complex has not been detected in Australia, a novel Borrelia species ('Candidatus Borrelia tachyglossi') was recently sequenced from native ticks (Ixodes holocyclus and Bothriocroton concolor) parasitising echidnas (Tachyglossus aculeatus), suggesting unidentified borreliae may be circulating amongst native wildlife and their ticks. In the present study, we investigated whether ticks parasitising little penguins (Eudyptula novaehollandiae) harbour native or introduced Borrelia bacteria. We chose this penguin species because it is heavily exploited by ticks during the breeding season, lives in close proximity to other potential reservoir hosts (including native wildlife and migratory seabirds), and is known to be infected with other tick-borne pathogens (Babesia). We screened over 230 penguin ticks (Ixodes spp.) from colonies in south-eastern Australia, and found no evidence of Borrelia DNA. The apparent absence or rarity of the bacterium in south-eastern Australia has important implications for identifying potential tick-borne pathogens in an understudied region.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Katherine L Moon
- Fenner School of Environment and Society, Australian National University, Acton, ACT 2601, Australia; School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia.
| | - Steven L Chown
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Siew-May Loh
- Vector & Waterborne Pathogens Research Group, School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA 6150, Australia
| | - Charlotte L Oskam
- Vector & Waterborne Pathogens Research Group, School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA 6150, Australia
| | - Ceridwen I Fraser
- Fenner School of Environment and Society, Australian National University, Acton, ACT 2601, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Stone BL, Tourand Y, Brissette CA. Brave New Worlds: The Expanding Universe of Lyme Disease. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2017; 17:619-629. [PMID: 28727515 DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2017.2127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Projections around the globe suggest an increase in tick-vectored disease incidence and distribution, and the potential for emergence of novel tick-borne pathogens. Lyme disease is the most common reported tick-borne illness in the Unites States and is prevalent throughout much of central Europe. In recent years, the worldwide burden of Lyme disease has increased and extended into regions and countries where the disease was not previously reported. In this review, we discuss the trends for increasing Lyme disease, and examine the factors driving Lyme disease expansion, including the effect of climate change on the spread of vector Ixodid ticks and reservoir hosts; and the impacts of increased awareness on disease reporting and diagnosis. To understand the growing threat of Lyme disease, we need to study the interplay between vector, reservoir, and pathogen. In addition, we need to understand the contributions of climate conditions to changes in disease risk.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Brandee L Stone
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences , Grand Forks, North Dakota
| | - Yvonne Tourand
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences , Grand Forks, North Dakota
| | - Catherine A Brissette
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences , Grand Forks, North Dakota
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Scott JD, Foley JE, Anderson JF, Clark KL, Durden LA. Detection of Lyme Disease Bacterium, Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, in Blacklegged Ticks Collected in the Grand River Valley, Ontario, Canada. Int J Med Sci 2017; 14:150-158. [PMID: 28260991 PMCID: PMC5332844 DOI: 10.7150/ijms.17763] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2016] [Accepted: 12/28/2016] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
We document the presence of blacklegged ticks, Ixodes scapularis, in the Grand River valley, Centre Wellington, Ontario. Overall, 15 (36%) of 42 I. scapularis adults collected from 41 mammalian hosts (dogs, cats, humans) were positive for the Lyme disease bacterium, Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (s.l.). Using real-time PCR testing and DNA sequencing of the flagellin (fla) gene, we determined that Borrelia amplicons extracted from I. scapularis adults belonged to B. burgdorferi sensu stricto (s.s.), which is pathogenic to humans and certain domestic animals. Based on the distribution of I. scapularis adults within the river basin, it appears likely that migratory birds provide an annual influx of I. scapularis immatures during northward spring migration. Health-care providers need to be aware that local residents can present with Lyme disease symptoms anytime during the year.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- John D Scott
- Research Division, Lyme Ontario, Fergus, Ontario Canada N1M 2L7
| | - Janet E Foley
- Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, USA 95616
| | - John F Anderson
- Department of Entomology and Center for Vector Ecology and Zoonotic Diseases. The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, New Haven, Connecticut, USA 06504
| | - Kerry L Clark
- Epidemiology & Environmental Health, Department of Public Health, University of North Florida, Jacksonville, USA 32224
| | - Lance A Durden
- Department of Biology, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, Georgia 30458, USA
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Scott JD, Clark KL, Foley JE, Anderson JF, Durden LA, Manord JM, Smith ML. Detection of Borrelia Genomospecies 2 in Ixodes spinipalpis Ticks Collected from a Rabbit in Canada. J Parasitol 2016; 103:38-46. [PMID: 27835071 DOI: 10.1645/16-127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Lyme disease is a serious health problem, with many patients requiring in-depth clinical assessment and extended treatment. In the present study, we provide the first records of the western blacklegged tick, Ixodes pacificus , and Ixodes spinipalpis parasitizing eastern cottontails, Sylvilagus floridanus . We also documented a triple co-infestation of 3 tick species (Ixodes angustus, I. pacificus , I. spinipalpis) feeding on an eastern cottontail. Notably, we discovered a unique member of the Lyme disease bacterium, Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (s.l.) in Canada. Ixodes spinipalpis ticks, which were collected from an eastern cottontail on Vancouver Island, British Columbia (BC), were positive for B. burgdorferi s.l. With the use of polymerase chain reaction amplification on the tick extracts and DNA sequencing on the borrelial amplicons, we detected Borrelia genomospecies 2, a novel subgroup of the B. burgdorferi s.l. complex. Based on 416 nucleotides of the flagellin B (flaB) gene, our amplicons are identical to the Borrelia genomospecies 2 type strain CA28. Borrelia genomospecies 2 is closely related genetically to other B. burgdorferi s.l. genospecies, namely Borrelia americana, Borrelia andersonii, and B. burgdorferi sensu stricto (s.s.) that cause Lyme disease. Like some other borrelial strains, Borrelia genomospecies 2 can be missed by current Lyme disease serology. Health-care providers must be aware that Borrelia genomospecies 2 is present in I. pacificus and I. spinipalpis ticks in far-western North America, and patients with clinical symptoms of Lyme disease need to be assessed for potential infection with this pathogen.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- John D Scott
- Research Division, Lyme Ontario, 365 St. David Street South, Fergus, Ontario, Canada N1M 2L7
| | - Kerry L Clark
- Research Division, Lyme Ontario, 365 St. David Street South, Fergus, Ontario, Canada N1M 2L7
| | - Janet E Foley
- Research Division, Lyme Ontario, 365 St. David Street South, Fergus, Ontario, Canada N1M 2L7
| | - John F Anderson
- Research Division, Lyme Ontario, 365 St. David Street South, Fergus, Ontario, Canada N1M 2L7
| | - Lance A Durden
- Research Division, Lyme Ontario, 365 St. David Street South, Fergus, Ontario, Canada N1M 2L7
| | - Jodi M Manord
- Research Division, Lyme Ontario, 365 St. David Street South, Fergus, Ontario, Canada N1M 2L7
| | - Morgan L Smith
- Research Division, Lyme Ontario, 365 St. David Street South, Fergus, Ontario, Canada N1M 2L7
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Basile RC, Yoshinari NH, Mantovani E, Bonoldi VN, Macoris DDG, Queiroz-Neto AD. Brazilian borreliosis with special emphasis on humans and horses. Braz J Microbiol 2016; 48:167-172. [PMID: 27769883 PMCID: PMC5220628 DOI: 10.1016/j.bjm.2016.09.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2015] [Accepted: 05/20/2016] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Borreliosis caused by Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato is a cosmopolitan zoonosis studied worldwide; it is called Lyme disease in many countries of the Northern Hemisphere and Lyme-like or Baggio-Yoshinari Syndrome in Brazil. However, despite the increasing number of suspect cases, this disease is still neglected in Brazil by the medical and veterinary communities. Brazilian Lyme-like borreliosis likely involves capybaras as reservoirs and Amblyomma and Rhipicephalus ticks as vectors. Thus, domestic animals can serve as key carriers in pathogen dissemination. This zoonosis has been little studied in horses in Brazil. The first survey was performed in the state of Rio de Janeiro, and this Brazilian Borreliosis exhibits many differences from the disease widely described in the Northern Hemisphere. The etiological agent shows different morphological and genetic characteristics, the disease has a higher recurrence rate after treatment with antibiotics, and the pathogen stimulates intense symptoms such as a broader immune response in humans. Additionally, the Brazilian zoonosis is not transmitted by the Ixodes ricinus complex. With respect to clinical manifestations, Baggio-Yoshinari Syndrome has been reported to cause neurological, cardiac, ophthalmic, muscle, and joint alterations in humans. These symptoms can possibly occur in horses. Here, we present a current panel of studies involving the disease in humans and equines, particularly in Brazil.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Roberta Carvalho Basile
- Universidade Estadual Paulista, Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias, Jaboticabal, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
| | | | - Elenice Mantovani
- Universidade de São Paulo, Departamento de reumatologia, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | | | - Delphim da Graça Macoris
- Universidade Estadual Paulista, Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias, Jaboticabal, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Antonio de Queiroz-Neto
- Universidade Estadual Paulista, Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias, Jaboticabal, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Sayler K, Rowland J, Boyce C, Weeks E. Borrelia burgdorferi DNA absent, multiple Rickettsia spp. DNA present in ticks collected from a teaching forest in North Central Florida. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2016; 8:53-59. [PMID: 27720381 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2016.09.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2016] [Revised: 09/22/2016] [Accepted: 09/23/2016] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Tick-borne diseases are an emerging public health threat in the United States. In Florida, there has been public attention directed towards the possibility of locally acquired Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto, the causative agent of Lyme disease, in association with the lone star tick. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of ticks and the pathogens they carry and potentially transmit, such as B. burgdorferi, in a highly utilized teaching and research forest in North Central Florida. Ticks were collected by dragging and flagging methods over a four month period in early 2014, identified, and tested by PCR for multiple pathogens including Anaplasma, Borrelia, Rickettsia, and Ehrlichia species. During the study period the following ticks were collected: 2506 (96.5%) Amblyomma americanum L., 64 (2.5%) Ixodes scapularis Say, 19 (0.7%) Dermacentor variabilis Say, and 5 (0.2%) Ixodes affinis Neuman. Neither Borrelia spp. (0/846) nor Anaplasma spp. (0/69; Ixodes spp. only) were detected by PCR in any of the ticks tested. However, Rickettsia DNA was present in 53.7% (86/160), 62.5% (40/64), 60.0% (3/5) and 31.6% (6/19) of A. americanum, I. scapularis, I. affinis and D. variabilis, respectively. Furthermore, E. chaffeensis and E. ewingii DNA were detected in 1.3% and 4.4% of adult A. americanum specimens tested, respectively. Although receiving an A. americanum bite is likely in wooded areas in North Central Florida due to the abundance of this tick, the risk of contracting a tick-borne pathogen in this specific area during the spring season appears to be low. The potential for pathogen prevalence to be highly variable exists, even within a single geographical site and longitudinal studies are needed to assess how tick-borne pathogen prevalence is changing over time in North Central Florida.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Katherine Sayler
- College of Veterinary Medicine, 2015 SW 16th Avenue, Veterinary Academic Building, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA
| | - Jessica Rowland
- Department of Entomology and Nematology, PO Box 110620, 1881 Natural Area Drive, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA; Emerging Pathogens Institute, 2055 Mowry Rd, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA
| | - Carisa Boyce
- College of Veterinary Medicine, 2015 SW 16th Avenue, Veterinary Academic Building, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA; Department of Entomology and Nematology, PO Box 110620, 1881 Natural Area Drive, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA
| | - Emma Weeks
- Department of Entomology and Nematology, PO Box 110620, 1881 Natural Area Drive, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Parallelisms and Contrasts in the Diverse Ecologies of the Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Borrelia burgdorferi Complexes of Bacteria in the Far Western United States. Vet Sci 2016; 3:vetsci3040026. [PMID: 29056734 PMCID: PMC5606591 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci3040026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2016] [Revised: 09/03/2016] [Accepted: 09/14/2016] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Borrelia burgdorferi are two tick-borne bacteria that cause disease in people and animals. For each of these bacteria, there is a complex of closely related genospecies and/or strains that are genetically distinct and have been shown through both observational and experimental studies to have different host tropisms. In this review we compare the known ecologies of these two bacterial complexes in the far western USA and find remarkable similarities, which will help us understand evolutionary histories and coadaptation among vertebrate host, tick vector, and bacteria. For both complexes, sensu stricto genospecies (those that infect humans) share a similar geographic range, are vectored mainly by ticks in the Ixodes ricinus-complex, utilize mainly white-footed mice (Peromyscus leucopus) as a reservoir in the eastern USA and tree squirrels in the far west, and tend to be generalists, infecting a wider variety of vertebrate host species. Other sensu lato genospecies within each complex are generally more specialized, occurring often in local enzootic cycles within a narrow range of vertebrate hosts and specialized vector species. We suggest that these similar ecologies may have arisen through utilization of a generalist tick species as a vector, resulting in a potentially more virulent generalist pathogen that spills over into humans, vs. utilization of a specialized tick vector on a particular vertebrate host species, promoting microbe specialization. Such tight host-vector-pathogen coupling could also facilitate high enzootic prevalence and the evolution of host immune-tolerance and bacterial avirulence.
Collapse
|
29
|
Scott JD. Borrelia mayonii: prying open Pandora's box of spirochetes. THE LANCET. INFECTIOUS DISEASES 2016; 16:637. [PMID: 27301918 DOI: 10.1016/s1473-3099(16)30053-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2016] [Revised: 03/14/2016] [Accepted: 04/15/2016] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- John D Scott
- Lyme Ontario, Research Division, Fergus, ON, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Loh SM, Gofton AW, Lo N, Gillett A, Ryan UM, Irwin PJ, Oskam CL. Novel Borrelia species detected in echidna ticks, Bothriocroton concolor, in Australia. Parasit Vectors 2016; 9:339. [PMID: 27301754 PMCID: PMC4908759 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-016-1627-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2016] [Accepted: 06/07/2016] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND To date, little has been documented about microorganisms harboured within Australian native ticks or their pathogenic potential. Recently, a Borrelia sp. related to the Relapsing Fever (RF) group was identified in a single tick removed from a wild echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatus). The present study investigated the presence of Borrelia in 97 Bothriocroton concolor ticks parasitizing echidnas in Queensland, New South Wales, and Victoria, Australia, using nested PCR with Borrelia-specific primers targeting the 16S rRNA (16S) and flaB genes. RESULTS Borrelia-specific PCR assays confirmed the presence of a novel Borrelia sp. related to the RF and reptile-associated (REP) spirochaetes in 38 (39 %) B. concolor ticks. This novel Borrelia sp. was identified in 41 % of the B. concolor ticks in Queensland and New South Wales, but not in any ticks from Victoria. The resulting flaB sequences (407 bp) were 88 and 86 % similar to the flaB sequences from Borrelia turcica and Borrelia hermsii, respectively. Of the ticks confirmed as Borrelia-positive following the flaB assay, 28 were positive with the 16S assay. Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S sequences (1097 bp) suggests that these sequences belong to a novel Borrelia sp., which forms a unique monophyletic clade that is similar to, but distinct from, RF Borrelia spp. and REP-associated Borrelia spp. CONCLUSIONS We conclude that the novel Borrelia sp. identified in this study does not belong to the Borrelia burgdorferi (sensu lato) complex, and that the phylogenetic analysis of the partial 16S gene sequences suggests it forms a unique monophyletic cluster in the genus Borrelia, potentially forming a fourth major group in this genus associated with monotremes in Australia. However, a thorough molecular characterisation will be required to confirm the phylogenetic position of this unique Borrelia sp. The zoonotic potential and pathogenic consequences of this novel Borrelia sp. are unknown at the current time.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Siew-May Loh
- Vector and Water-Borne Pathogen Research Laboratory, School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Alexander W Gofton
- Vector and Water-Borne Pathogen Research Laboratory, School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Nathan Lo
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Amber Gillett
- Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital, Beerwah, Queensland, Australia
| | - Una M Ryan
- Vector and Water-Borne Pathogen Research Laboratory, School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Peter J Irwin
- Vector and Water-Borne Pathogen Research Laboratory, School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Charlotte L Oskam
- Vector and Water-Borne Pathogen Research Laboratory, School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Nelder MP, Russell CB, Sheehan NJ, Sander B, Moore S, Li Y, Johnson S, Patel SN, Sider D. Human pathogens associated with the blacklegged tick Ixodes scapularis: a systematic review. Parasit Vectors 2016; 9:265. [PMID: 27151067 PMCID: PMC4857413 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-016-1529-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2016] [Accepted: 04/21/2016] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The blacklegged tick Ixodes scapularis transmits Borrelia burgdorferi (sensu stricto) in eastern North America; however, the agent of Lyme disease is not the sole pathogen harbored by the blacklegged tick. The blacklegged tick is expanding its range into areas of southern Canada such as Ontario, an area where exposure to blacklegged tick bites and tick-borne pathogens is increasing. We performed a systematic review to evaluate the public health risks posed by expanding blacklegged tick populations and their associated pathogens. METHODS We followed PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines for conducting our systematic review. We searched Ovid MEDLINE, Embase, BIOSIS, Scopus and Environment Complete databases for studies published from 2000 through 2015, using subject headings and keywords that included "Ixodes scapularis", "Rickettsia", "Borrelia", "Anaplasma", "Babesia" and "pathogen." Two reviewers screened titles and abstracts against eligibility criteria (i.e. studies that included field-collected blacklegged ticks and studies that did not focus solely on B. burgdorferi) and performed quality assessments on eligible studies. RESULTS Seventy-eight studies were included in the final review, 72 were from the US and eight were from Canada (two studies included blacklegged ticks from both countries). Sixty-four (82%) studies met ≥ 75% of the quality assessment criteria. Blacklegged ticks harbored 91 distinct taxa, 16 of these are tick-transmitted human pathogens, including species of Anaplasma, Babesia, Bartonella, Borrelia, Ehrlichia, Rickettsia, Theileria and Flavivirus. Organism richness was highest in the Northeast (Connecticut, New York) and Upper Midwest US (Wisconsin); however, organism richness was dependent on sampling effort. The primary tick-borne pathogens of public health concern in Ontario, due to the geographic proximity or historical detection in Ontario, are Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Babesia microti, B. burgdorferi, Borrelia miyamotoi, deer tick virus and Ehrlichia muris-like sp. Aside from B. burgdorferi and to a much lesser concern A. phagocytophilum, these pathogens are not immediate concerns to public health in Ontario; rather they represent future threats as the distribution of vectors and pathogens continue to proliferate. CONCLUSIONS Our review is the first systematic assessment of the literature on the human pathogens associated with the blacklegged tick. As Lyme disease awareness continues to increase, it is an opportune time to document the full spectrum of human pathogens transmittable by blacklegged ticks.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mark P Nelder
- Enteric, Zoonotic and Vector-borne Diseases; Communicable Diseases, Emergency Preparedness and Response; Public Health Ontario, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
| | - Curtis B Russell
- Enteric, Zoonotic and Vector-borne Diseases; Communicable Diseases, Emergency Preparedness and Response; Public Health Ontario, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Nina Jain Sheehan
- Enteric, Zoonotic and Vector-borne Diseases; Communicable Diseases, Emergency Preparedness and Response; Public Health Ontario, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Beate Sander
- Enteric, Zoonotic and Vector-borne Diseases; Communicable Diseases, Emergency Preparedness and Response; Public Health Ontario, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Stephen Moore
- Enteric, Zoonotic and Vector-borne Diseases; Communicable Diseases, Emergency Preparedness and Response; Public Health Ontario, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ye Li
- Analytic Services, Knowledge Services, Public Health Ontario, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Steven Johnson
- Analytic Services, Knowledge Services, Public Health Ontario, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Samir N Patel
- Public Health Ontario Laboratories, Public Health Ontario, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Doug Sider
- Enteric, Zoonotic and Vector-borne Diseases; Communicable Diseases, Emergency Preparedness and Response; Public Health Ontario, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Fredericks LP, Forgacs D, Yu J, Allan BF. An Expanded Reverse Line Blot Hybridization Protocol for the Simultaneous Detection of Numerous Tick-Borne Pathogens in North America. JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY 2016; 53:721-726. [PMID: 26819330 DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjv251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2015] [Accepted: 12/23/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Due to an increasing diversity of bacterial pathogens known to be transmitted by hard ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) in North America, a comprehensive assay is needed to detect and differentiate among these numerous tick-borne pathogens. We describe an expanded protocol using a combination of multiplex polymerase chain reaction and reverse line blot hybridization to detect a greater diversity of infectious agents than were previously detectable. Ten novel oligonucleotide probes, either individually or in concert, enabled or enhanced identification of six Borrelia species, three Rickettsia species, and one Ehrlichia species. Simultaneous detection of these numerous tick-borne pathogens can advance surveillance efforts and improve accuracy of detection and, thus, reporting.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- L Page Fredericks
- Department of Entomology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, 505 S. Goodwin Ave., Urbana, IL 61801 (; ; )
| | - David Forgacs
- Interdisciplinary Program of Genetics, Texas A&M University, 2128 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843
| | - Johnny Yu
- Department of Entomology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, 505 S. Goodwin Ave., Urbana, IL 61801 (; ; )
| | - Brian F Allan
- Department of Entomology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, 505 S. Goodwin Ave., Urbana, IL 61801 (; ; ),
- School of Integrative Biology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, 505 S. Goodwin Ave., Urbana, IL 61801, and
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Scott JD, Foley JE, Clark KL, Anderson JF, Durden LA, Manord JM, Smith ML. Established Population of Blacklegged Ticks with High Infection Prevalence for the Lyme Disease Bacterium, Borrelia burgdorferi Sensu Lato, on Corkscrew Island, Kenora District, Ontario. Int J Med Sci 2016; 13:881-891. [PMID: 27877080 PMCID: PMC5118759 DOI: 10.7150/ijms.16922] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2016] [Accepted: 09/26/2016] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
We document an established population of blacklegged ticks, Ixodes scapularis, on Corkscrew Island, Kenora District, Ontario, Canada. Primers of the outer surface protein A (OspA) gene, the flagellin (fla) gene, and the flagellin B (flaB) gene were used in the PCR assays to detect Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (s.l.), the Lyme disease bacterium. In all, 60 (73%) of 82 adult I. scapularis, were infected with B. burgdorferi s.l. As well, 6 (43%) of 14 unfed I. scapularis nymphs were positive for B. burgdorferi s.l. An I. scapularis larva was also collected from a deer mouse, and several unfed larvae were gathered by flagging leaf litter. Based on DNA sequencing of randomly selected Borrelia amplicons from six nymphal and adult I. scapularis ticks, primers for the flagellin (fla) and flagellin B (flaB) genes reveal the presence of B. burgdorferi sensu stricto (s.s.), a genospecies pathogenic to humans and certain domestic animals. We collected all 3 host-feeding life stages of I. scapularis in a single year, and report the northernmost established population of I. scapularis in Ontario. Corkscrew Island is hyperendemic for Lyme disease and has the highest prevalence of B. burgdorferi s.l. for any established population in Canada. Because of this very high infection prevalence, this population of I. scapularis has likely been established for decades. Of epidemiological significance, cottage owners, island visitors, outdoors enthusiasts, and medical professionals must be vigilant that B. burgdorferi s.l.-infected I. scapularis on Corkscrew Island pose a serious public health risk.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- John D Scott
- Lyme Ontario, Research Division, 365 St. David St. South, Fergus, Ontario, Canada N1M 2L7
| | - Janet E Foley
- Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, California 95616, United States of America
| | - Kerry L Clark
- Epidemiology & Environmental Health, Department of Public Health, University of North Florida, 1 UNF Drive, Jacksonville, Florida 32224, United States of America
| | - John F Anderson
- Department of Entomology and Center for Vector Ecology and Zoonotic Diseases. The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, P.O. Box 1106, New Haven, Connecticut 06504-1106, United States of America
| | - Lance A Durden
- Department of Biology, Georgia Southern University, 4324 Old Register Road, Statesboro, Georgia 30458, United States of America
| | - Jodi M Manord
- Epidemiology & Environmental Health, Department of Public Health, University of North Florida, 1 UNF Drive, Jacksonville, Florida 32224, United States of America
| | - Morgan L Smith
- Epidemiology & Environmental Health, Department of Public Health, University of North Florida, 1 UNF Drive, Jacksonville, Florida 32224, United States of America
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Scott JD, Foley JE. Detection of <i>Borrelia americana</i> in the Avian Coastal Tick, <i>Ixodes auritulus</i> (Acari: Ixodidae), Collected from a Bird Captured in Canada. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2016. [DOI: 10.4236/ojas.2016.63027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
|
35
|
Scott JD, Anderson JF, Durden LA, Smith ML, Manord JM, Clark KL. Prevalence of the Lyme Disease Spirochete, Borrelia burgdorferi, in Blacklegged Ticks, Ixodes scapularis at Hamilton-Wentworth, Ontario. Int J Med Sci 2016; 13:316-24. [PMID: 27226771 PMCID: PMC4879763 DOI: 10.7150/ijms.14552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2015] [Accepted: 03/21/2016] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Lyme disease has emerged as a major health concern in Canada, where the etiological agent, Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (s.l.), a spirochetal bacterium, is typically spread by the bite of certain ticks. This study explores the presence of B. burgdorferi s.l. in blacklegged ticks, Ixodes scapularis, collected at Dundas, Ontario (a locality within the region of Hamilton-Wentworth). Using passive surveillance, veterinarians and pet groomers were asked to collect blacklegged ticks from dogs and cats with no history of travel. Additionally, I. scapularis specimens were submitted from local residents and collected by flagging. Overall, 12 (41%) of 29 blacklegged ticks were infected with B. burgdorferi s.l. Using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and DNA sequencing, two borrelial amplicons were characterized as B. burgdorferi sensu stricto (s.s.), a genospecies pathogenic to humans and certain domestic animals. Notably, three different vertebrate hosts each had two engorged I. scapularis females removed on the same day and, likewise, one cat had three repeat occurrences of this tick species. These multiple infestations suggest that a population of I. scapularis may be established in this area. The local public health unit has been underreporting the presence of B. burgdorferi s.l.-infected I. scapularis in the area encompassing Dundas. Our findings raise concerns about the need to erect tick warning signs in parkland areas. Veterinarians, medical professionals, public health officials, and the general public must be vigilant that Lyme disease-carrying blacklegged ticks pose a public health risk in the Dundas area and the surrounding Hamilton-Wentworth region.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- John D Scott
- 1. Research Division, Lyme Ontario, Fergus, Ontario, Canada N1M 2L7
| | - John F Anderson
- 2. Department of Entomology and Center for Vector Ecology and Zoonotic Diseases. The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, New Haven, Connecticut, USA 06511
| | - Lance A Durden
- 3. Department of Biology, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, Georgia, USA 30458
| | - Morgan L Smith
- 4. Environmental Epidemiology Research Laboratory, Department of Public Health, University of North Florida, Jacksonville, Florida, USA 32224
| | - Jodi M Manord
- 4. Environmental Epidemiology Research Laboratory, Department of Public Health, University of North Florida, Jacksonville, Florida, USA 32224
| | - Kerry L Clark
- 4. Environmental Epidemiology Research Laboratory, Department of Public Health, University of North Florida, Jacksonville, Florida, USA 32224
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Gofton AW, Doggett S, Ratchford A, Oskam CL, Paparini A, Ryan U, Irwin P. Bacterial Profiling Reveals Novel "Ca. Neoehrlichia", Ehrlichia, and Anaplasma Species in Australian Human-Biting Ticks. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0145449. [PMID: 26709826 PMCID: PMC4692421 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0145449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2015] [Accepted: 12/03/2015] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
In Australia, a conclusive aetiology of Lyme disease-like illness in human patients remains elusive, despite growing numbers of people presenting with symptoms attributed to tick bites. In the present study, we surveyed the microbial communities harboured by human-biting ticks from across Australia to identify bacteria that may contribute to this syndrome. Universal PCR primers were used to amplify the V1-2 hyper-variable region of bacterial 16S rRNA genes in DNA samples from individual Ixodes holocyclus (n = 279), Amblyomma triguttatum (n = 167), Haemaphysalis bancrofti (n = 7), and H. longicornis (n = 7) ticks. The 16S amplicons were sequenced on the Illumina MiSeq platform and analysed in USEARCH, QIIME, and BLAST to assign genus and species-level taxonomies. Nested PCR and Sanger sequencing were used to confirm the NGS data and further analyse novel findings. All 460 ticks were negative for Borrelia spp. by both NGS and nested PCR analysis. Two novel "Candidatus Neoehrlichia" spp. were identified in 12.9% of I. holocyclus ticks. A novel Anaplasma sp. was identified in 1.8% of A. triguttatum ticks, and a novel Ehrlichia sp. was identified in both A. triguttatum (1.2%) ticks and a single I. holocyclus (0.6%) tick. Further phylogenetic analysis of novel "Ca. Neoehrlichia", Anaplasma and Ehrlichia based on 1,265 bp 16S rRNA gene sequences suggests that these are new species. Determining whether these newly discovered organisms cause disease in humans and animals, like closely related bacteria do abroad, is of public health importance and requires further investigation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alexander W. Gofton
- Vector and Water-borne Pathogen Research Group, School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Stephen Doggett
- Department of Medical Entomology, Pathology West and Institute for Clinical Pathology and Medical Research, Westmead Hospital, Westmead, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Andrew Ratchford
- Emergency Department, Mona Vale Hospital, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Charlotte L. Oskam
- Vector and Water-borne Pathogen Research Group, School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Andrea Paparini
- Vector and Water-borne Pathogen Research Group, School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Una Ryan
- Vector and Water-borne Pathogen Research Group, School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Peter Irwin
- Vector and Water-borne Pathogen Research Group, School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
|
38
|
Brandt FC, Ertas B, Falk TM, Metze D, Böer-Auer A. Histopathology and immunophenotype of acrodermatitis chronica atrophicans correlated withospAandospCgenotypes ofBorreliaspecies. J Cutan Pathol 2015; 42:674-92. [DOI: 10.1111/cup.12550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2015] [Revised: 07/04/2015] [Accepted: 07/04/2015] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Dieter Metze
- Department of Dermatology; Munster University; Münster Germany
| | | |
Collapse
|
39
|
Borrelia burgdorferi not confirmed in human-biting Amblyomma americanum ticks from the southeastern United States. J Clin Microbiol 2015; 53:1697-704. [PMID: 25788545 DOI: 10.1128/jcm.03454-14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2014] [Accepted: 03/07/2015] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The predominant human-biting tick throughout the southeastern United States is Amblyomma americanum. Its ability to transmit pathogens causing Lyme disease-like illnesses is a subject of ongoing controversy. Results of previous testing by the Department of Defense Human Tick Test Kit Program and other laboratories indicated that it is highly unlikely that A. americanum transmits any pathogen that causes Lyme disease. In contrast, a recent publication by Clark and colleagues (K. L. Clark, B. Leydet, and S. Hartman, Int. J. Med. Sci. 10:915-931, 2013) reported detection of Lyme group Borrelia in A. americanum using a nested-flagellin-gene PCR. We evaluated this assay by using it and other assays to test 1,097 A. americanum ticks collected from humans. Using the Clark assay, in most samples we observed nonspecific amplification and nonrepeatability of results on subsequent testing of samples. Lack of reaction specificity and repeatability is consistent with mispriming, likely due to high primer concentrations and low annealing temperatures in this protocol. In six suspect-positive samples, Borrelia lonestari was identified by sequencing of an independent gene region; this is not a Lyme group spirochete and is not considered zoonotic. B. burgdorferi was weakly amplified from one pool using some assays, but not others, and attempts to sequence the amplicon of this pool failed, as did attempts to amplify and sequence B. burgdorferi from the five individual samples comprising this pool. Therefore, B. burgdorferi was not confirmed in any sample. Our results do not support the hypothesis that A. americanum ticks are a vector for Lyme group Borrelia infections.
Collapse
|
40
|
Middelveen MJ, Bandoski C, Burke J, Sapi E, Filush KR, Wang Y, Franco A, Mayne PJ, Stricker RB. Exploring the association between Morgellons disease and Lyme disease: identification of Borrelia burgdorferi in Morgellons disease patients. BMC DERMATOLOGY 2015; 15:1. [PMID: 25879673 PMCID: PMC4328066 DOI: 10.1186/s12895-015-0023-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2014] [Accepted: 01/28/2015] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Background Morgellons disease (MD) is a complex skin disorder characterized by ulcerating lesions that have protruding or embedded filaments. Many clinicians refer to this condition as delusional parasitosis or delusional infestation and consider the filaments to be introduced textile fibers. In contrast, recent studies indicate that MD is a true somatic illness associated with tickborne infection, that the filaments are keratin and collagen in composition and that they result from proliferation and activation of keratinocytes and fibroblasts in the skin. Previously, spirochetes have been detected in the dermatological specimens from four MD patients, thus providing evidence of an infectious process. Methods & Results Based on culture, histology, immunohistochemistry, electron microscopy and molecular testing, we present corroborating evidence of spirochetal infection in a larger group of 25 MD patients. Irrespective of Lyme serological reactivity, all patients in our study group demonstrated histological evidence of epithelial spirochetal infection. Strength of evidence based on other testing varied among patients. Spirochetes identified as Borrelia strains by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and/or in-situ DNA hybridization were detected in 24/25 of our study patients. Skin cultures containing Borrelia spirochetes were obtained from four patients, thus demonstrating that the organisms present in dermatological specimens were viable. Spirochetes identified by PCR as Borrelia burgdorferi were cultured from blood in seven patients and from vaginal secretions in three patients, demonstrating systemic infection. Based on these observations, a clinical classification system for MD is proposed. Conclusions Our study using multiple detection methods confirms that MD is a true somatic illness associated with Borrelia spirochetes that cause Lyme disease. Further studies are needed to determine the optimal treatment for this spirochete-associated dermopathy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Cheryl Bandoski
- Department of Biology and Environmental Science, University of New Haven, West Haven, CT, USA.
| | | | - Eva Sapi
- Department of Biology and Environmental Science, University of New Haven, West Haven, CT, USA.
| | - Katherine R Filush
- Department of Biology and Environmental Science, University of New Haven, West Haven, CT, USA.
| | - Yean Wang
- Australian Biologics, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
| | | | - Peter J Mayne
- International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society, Bethesda, MD, USA.
| | - Raphael B Stricker
- International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society, Bethesda, MD, USA. .,, 450 Sutter Street, Suite 1504, San Francisco, CA, 94108, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Lyme disease: A rigorous review of diagnostic criteria and treatment. J Autoimmun 2015; 57:82-115. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jaut.2014.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 97] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2014] [Revised: 09/15/2014] [Accepted: 09/16/2014] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
|
42
|
Donohoe H, Pennington-Gray L, Omodior O. Lyme disease: Current issues, implications, and recommendations for tourism management. TOURISM MANAGEMENT 2015; 46:408-418. [PMID: 32287743 PMCID: PMC7126666 DOI: 10.1016/j.tourman.2014.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2013] [Accepted: 07/05/2014] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Lyme disease is a bacterial infection spread through the bite of an infected tick. In the last few decades, the number and spatial reach of new cases has increased globally and in the United States, Lyme disease is now the most commonly reported vector-borne disease. Despite this evolving public health crisis, there has been little-to-no discussion of the implications for tourism supply and demand. This paper reviews the scientific literature to identify Lyme disease risk factors and the implications for tourism management are discussed. The major contribution of this paper is a set of recommendations for tourism managers who may be tasked with mitigating the risks for visitors and employees as well as the potential impacts of Lyme disease on destination sustainability.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Holly Donohoe
- Department of Tourism, Recreation and Sport Management, University of Florida, USA
| | - Lori Pennington-Gray
- Department of Tourism, Recreation and Sport Management, University of Florida, USA
| | - Oghenekaro Omodior
- Department of Tourism, Recreation and Sport Management, University of Florida, USA
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
Goddard J, Embers M, Hojgaard A, Piesman J. Comparison of Tick Feeding Success and Vector Competence for Borrelia burgdorferi Among Immature Ixodes scapularis (Ixodida: Ixodidae) of Both Southern and Northern Clades. JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY 2015; 52:81-5. [PMID: 26336283 PMCID: PMC4817621 DOI: 10.1093/jme/tju005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Northern and southern Ixodes scapularis Say populations differ greatly in density, host utilization, and especially questing behavior of the immatures. Haplotypes of I. scapularis in North America can be divided into two major clades-the All American Clade (haplotypes A through J) and the Southern Clade (M through O). This genetic variation may affect feeding success and vector competence. This study compared feeding success of larval I. scapularis measured by time-to-drop-off and subsequent transmissibility success of Borrelia burgdorferi to mice using ticks from Mississippi, Connecticut (both F haplotype), and Louisiana (haplotype O). Northern ticks (CT) fed to repletion much faster than MS and LA ticks: overall, 73.6% of CT ticks had dropped off mice at Day 3 compared to only 1.7% and 6.6% of ticks dropped off for MS and LA ticks at that same time point. As for vector competence, 4 of the 4 mice in each case (MS or CT) that had been fed on by infected nymphs tested positive for B. burgdorferi. In a second experiment, 5 of the 6 mice tested positive for B. burgdorferi after exposure to infected LA ticks as compared with 3 of the 4 mice exposed to infected CT ticks. These data demonstrate that there is no difference in northern and southern populations of I. scapularis in their ability to transmit B. burgdorferi, but the ability of the northern populations to feed rapidly on rodents exceeds that of southern populations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jerome Goddard
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Entomology and Plant Pathology, 100 Twelve Lane, Clay Lyle Entomology Bldg., Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS 39762.
| | - Monica Embers
- Division of Bacteriology and Parasitology, Tulane National Primate Research Center, Covington, LA
| | - Andrias Hojgaard
- Division of Vector Borne Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Ft. Collins, CO
| | - Joseph Piesman
- Division of Vector Borne Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Ft. Collins, CO
| |
Collapse
|
44
|
Middelveen MJ, Burke J, Sapi E, Bandoski C, Filush KR, Wang Y, Franco A, Timmaraju A, Schlinger HA, Mayne PJ, Stricker RB. Culture and identification of Borrelia spirochetes in human vaginal and seminal secretions. F1000Res 2014; 3:309. [PMID: 28690828 PMCID: PMC5482345 DOI: 10.12688/f1000research.5778.3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/22/2015] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Recent reports indicate that more than 300,000 cases of Lyme disease are diagnosed yearly in the USA. Preliminary clinical, epidemiological and immunological studies suggest that infection with the Lyme disease spirochete
Borrelia burgdorferi (Bb) could be transferred from person to person via intimate human contact without a tick vector. Failure to detect viable
Borrelia spirochetes in vaginal and seminal secretions would argue against this hypothesis. Methods: Patients with and without a history of Lyme disease were selected for the study after informed consent was obtained. Serological testing for Bb was performed on all subjects. Semen or vaginal secretions were inoculated into BSK-H medium and cultured for four weeks. Examination of genital cultures and culture concentrates for the presence of spirochetes was performed using light and darkfield microscopy, and spirochete concentrates were subjected to Dieterle silver staining, anti-Bb immunohistochemical staining, molecular hybridization and PCR analysis for further characterization. Immunohistochemical and molecular testing was performed in three independent laboratories in a blinded fashion. Positive and negative controls were included in all experiments. Results: Control subjects who were asymptomatic and seronegative for Bb had no detectable spirochetes in genital secretions by PCR analysis. In contrast, spirochetes were observed in cultures of genital secretions from 11 of 13 subjects diagnosed with Lyme disease, and motile spirochetes were detected in genital culture concentrates from 12 of 13 Lyme disease patients using light and darkfield microscopy. Morphological features of spirochetes were confirmed by Dieterle silver staining and immunohistochemical staining of culture concentrates. Molecular hybridization and PCR testing confirmed that the spirochetes isolated from semen and vaginal secretions were strains of
Borrelia, and all cultures were negative for treponemal spirochetes. PCR sequencing of cultured spirochetes from three couples having unprotected sex indicated that two couples had identical strains of Bb
sensu stricto in their semen and vaginal secretions, while the third couple had identical strains of
B. hermsii detected in their genital secretions. Conclusions: The culture of viable
Borrelia spirochetes in genital secretions suggests that Lyme disease could be transmitted by intimate contact from person to person. Further studies are needed to evaluate this hypothesis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Jennie Burke
- Australian Biologics, Sydney, NSW 2000, Australia
| | - Eva Sapi
- Department of Biology and Environmental Science, University of New Haven, West Haven, CT, 06516, USA
| | - Cheryl Bandoski
- Department of Biology and Environmental Science, University of New Haven, West Haven, CT, 06516, USA
| | - Katherine R Filush
- Department of Biology and Environmental Science, University of New Haven, West Haven, CT, 06516, USA
| | - Yean Wang
- Australian Biologics, Sydney, NSW 2000, Australia
| | | | - Arun Timmaraju
- Department of Biology and Environmental Science, University of New Haven, West Haven, CT, 06516, USA
| | - Hilary A Schlinger
- International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society, Bethesda, MD, 20827-1461, USA
| | - Peter J Mayne
- International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society, Bethesda, MD, 20827-1461, USA
| | - Raphael B Stricker
- International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society, Bethesda, MD, 20827-1461, USA
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Middelveen MJ, Burke J, Sapi E, Bandoski C, Filush KR, Wang Y, Franco A, Timmaraju A, Schlinger HA, Mayne PJ, Stricker RB. Culture and identification of Borrelia spirochetes in human vaginal and seminal secretions. F1000Res 2014; 3:309. [PMID: 28690828 DOI: 10.12688/f1000research.5778.2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/19/2015] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Recent reports indicate that more than 300,000 cases of Lyme disease are diagnosed yearly in the USA. Preliminary clinical, epidemiological and immunological studies suggest that infection with the Lyme disease spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi (Bb) could be transferred from person to person via intimate human contact without a tick vector. Failure to detect viable Borrelia spirochetes in vaginal and seminal secretions would argue against this hypothesis. Methods: Patients with and without a history of Lyme disease were selected for the study after informed consent was obtained. Serological testing for Bb was performed on all subjects. Semen or vaginal secretions were inoculated into BSK-H medium and cultured for four weeks. Examination of genital cultures and culture concentrates for the presence of spirochetes was performed using light and darkfield microscopy, and spirochete concentrates were subjected to Dieterle silver staining, anti-Bb immunohistochemical staining, molecular hybridization and PCR analysis for further characterization. Immunohistochemical and molecular testing was performed in three independent laboratories in a blinded fashion. Positive and negative controls were included in all experiments. Results: Control subjects who were asymptomatic and seronegative for Bb had no detectable spirochetes in genital secretions by PCR analysis. In contrast, spirochetes were observed in cultures of genital secretions from 11 of 13 subjects diagnosed with Lyme disease, and motile spirochetes were detected in genital culture concentrates from 12 of 13 Lyme disease patients using light and darkfield microscopy. Morphological features of spirochetes were confirmed by Dieterle silver staining and immunohistochemical staining of culture concentrates. Molecular hybridization and PCR testing confirmed that the spirochetes isolated from semen and vaginal secretions were strains of Borrelia, and all cultures were negative for treponemal spirochetes. PCR sequencing of cultured spirochetes from three couples having unprotected sex indicated that two couples had identical strains of Bb sensu stricto in their semen and vaginal secretions, while the third couple had identical strains of B. hermsii detected in their genital secretions. Conclusions: The culture of viable Borrelia spirochetes in genital secretions suggests that Lyme disease could be transmitted by intimate contact from person to person. Further studies are needed to evaluate this hypothesis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Jennie Burke
- Australian Biologics, Sydney, NSW 2000, Australia
| | - Eva Sapi
- Department of Biology and Environmental Science, University of New Haven, West Haven, CT, 06516, USA
| | - Cheryl Bandoski
- Department of Biology and Environmental Science, University of New Haven, West Haven, CT, 06516, USA
| | - Katherine R Filush
- Department of Biology and Environmental Science, University of New Haven, West Haven, CT, 06516, USA
| | - Yean Wang
- Australian Biologics, Sydney, NSW 2000, Australia
| | | | - Arun Timmaraju
- Department of Biology and Environmental Science, University of New Haven, West Haven, CT, 06516, USA
| | - Hilary A Schlinger
- International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society, Bethesda, MD, 20827-1461, USA
| | - Peter J Mayne
- International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society, Bethesda, MD, 20827-1461, USA
| | - Raphael B Stricker
- International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society, Bethesda, MD, 20827-1461, USA
| |
Collapse
|
46
|
Borgermans L, Goderis G, Vandevoorde J, Devroey D. Relevance of chronic lyme disease to family medicine as a complex multidimensional chronic disease construct: a systematic review. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF FAMILY MEDICINE 2014; 2014:138016. [PMID: 25506429 PMCID: PMC4258916 DOI: 10.1155/2014/138016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2014] [Accepted: 11/12/2014] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Lyme disease has become a global public health problem and a prototype of an emerging infection. Both treatment-refractory infection and symptoms that are related to Borrelia burgdorferi infection remain subject to controversy. Because of the absence of solid evidence on prevalence, causes, diagnostic criteria, tools and treatment options, the role of autoimmunity to residual or persisting antigens, and the role of a toxin or other bacterial-associated products that are responsible for the symptoms and signs, chronic Lyme disease (CLD) remains a relatively poorly understood chronic disease construct. The role and performance of family medicine in the detection, integrative treatment, and follow-up of CLD are not well studied either. The purpose of this paper is to describe insights into the complexity of CLD as a multidimensional chronic disease construct and its relevance to family medicine by means of a systematic literature review.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Liesbeth Borgermans
- Department of Family Medicine & Chronic Care, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Laarbeeklaan 103, 1090 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Geert Goderis
- Department of General Practice and University Hospitals Leuven, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (KUL), Kapucijnenvoer 33, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jan Vandevoorde
- Department of Family Medicine & Chronic Care, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Laarbeeklaan 103, 1090 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Dirk Devroey
- Department of Family Medicine & Chronic Care, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Laarbeeklaan 103, 1090 Brussels, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
Mays SE, Hendricks BM, Paulsen DJ, Houston AE, Trout Fryxell RT. Prevalence of five tick-borne bacterial genera in adult Ixodes scapularis removed from white-tailed deer in western Tennessee. Parasit Vectors 2014; 7:473. [PMID: 25331818 PMCID: PMC4207311 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-014-0473-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2013] [Accepted: 10/02/2014] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background In the northeastern and midwestern regions of the United States Ixodes scapularis Say transmits the causal agents of anaplasmosis (Anaplasma phagocytophilum), babesiosis (Babesia microti), and borreliosis (Borrelia burgdorferi and B. miyamotoi). In the southeastern United States, none of those pathogens are considered endemic and two other tick-borne diseases (TBDs) (ehrlicihosis and rickettiosis) are more common. Our objective was to determine baseline presence and absence data for three non-endemic bacterial agents (Anaplasma, Borrelia and Babesia) and two commonly reported bacterial agents (Ehrlichia, and Rickettsia) in southern I. scapularis (n = 47) collected from 15 hunter-harvested white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) in western Tennessee. Findings Of the 47 ticks, 27 tested PCR positive for non-pathogenic Rickettsia species, two for Ehrlichia ewingii, one for Ehrlichia sp. “Panola Mountain”, and one for Anaplasma phagocytophilum variant 1 strain. None of these ticks were positive for Babesia or Borrelia (including B. burgdorferi). Conclusions Finding human pathogens in host-fed I. scapularis merits additional studies surveying pathogen prevalence in questing ticks. Collection of questing I. scapularis in their peak activity months should be undertaken to determine the overall encounter rates and relative risk of pathogenic Ehrlichia in southern I. scapularis. Ehrlichia sequences were homologous to previous human isolates, but neither Babesia nor B. burgdorferi were identified in these ticks. With the identification of pathogenic bacteria in this relatively small collection of I. scapularis from western Tennessee, the study of the absence of Lyme disease in the south should be refocused to evaluate the role of pathogenic Ehrlichia in southern I. scapularis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sarah E Mays
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, University of Tennessee, 370 Plant Biotechnology Building 2505 E J Chapman Drive, Knoxville, TN, USA.
| | - Brian M Hendricks
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, University of Tennessee, 370 Plant Biotechnology Building 2505 E J Chapman Drive, Knoxville, TN, USA.
| | - David J Paulsen
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, University of Tennessee, 370 Plant Biotechnology Building 2505 E J Chapman Drive, Knoxville, TN, USA.
| | - Allan E Houston
- Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and Wildlife, University of Tennessee, Tennessee and Ames Plantation, Grand Junction, Knoxville, Tennessee, USA.
| | - Rebecca T Trout Fryxell
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, University of Tennessee, 370 Plant Biotechnology Building 2505 E J Chapman Drive, Knoxville, TN, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
48
|
The Western progression of lyme disease: infectious and Nonclonal Borrelia burgdorferi Sensu Lato populations in Grand Forks County, North Dakota. Appl Environ Microbiol 2014; 81:48-58. [PMID: 25304515 DOI: 10.1128/aem.02422-14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Scant attention has been paid to Lyme disease, Borrelia burgdorferi, Ixodes scapularis, or reservoirs in eastern North Dakota despite the fact that it borders high-risk counties in Minnesota. Recent reports of B. burgdorferi and I. scapularis in North Dakota, however, prompted a more detailed examination. Spirochetes cultured from the hearts of five rodents trapped in Grand Forks County, ND, were identified as B. burgdorferi sensu lato through sequence analyses of the 16S rRNA gene, the 16S rRNA gene-ileT intergenic spacer region, flaB, ospA, ospC, and p66. OspC typing revealed the presence of groups A, B, E, F, L, and I. Two rodents were concurrently carrying multiple OspC types. Multilocus sequence typing suggested the eastern North Dakota strains are most closely related to those found in neighboring regions of the upper Midwest and Canada. BALB/c mice were infected with B. burgdorferi isolate M3 (OspC group B) by needle inoculation or tick bite. Tibiotarsal joints and ear pinnae were culture positive, and B. burgdorferi M3 was detected by quantitative PCR (qPCR) in the tibiotarsal joints, hearts, and ear pinnae of infected mice. Uninfected larval I. scapularis ticks were able to acquire B. burgdorferi M3 from infected mice; M3 was maintained in I. scapularis during the molt from larva to nymph; and further, M3 was transmitted from infected I. scapularis nymphs to naive mice, as evidenced by cultures and qPCR analyses. These results demonstrate that isolate M3 is capable of disseminated infection by both artificial and natural routes of infection. This study confirms the presence of unique (nonclonal) and infectious B. burgdorferi populations in eastern North Dakota.
Collapse
|
49
|
Brandt FC, Ertas B, Falk TM, Metze D, Böer-Auer A. Genotyping of Borrelia from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded skin biopsies of cutaneous borreliosis and tick bite reactions by assays targeting the intergenic spacer region, ospA and ospC genes. Br J Dermatol 2014; 171:528-43. [PMID: 24471698 DOI: 10.1111/bjd.12855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/22/2014] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Lyme borreliosis has a broad spectrum of clinical presentations involving the skin, joints and nervous system. The variable manifestations have been attributed to different Borrelia genospecies but genotyping required culture or fresh tissue. However, in dermatology practice, formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded biopsies are used for dermatopathological examination. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for Borrelia burgdorferi sensu latu has been established on such specimens, but studies attempting genotyping of subspecies or strains are lacking. OBJECTIVES To adapt PCR assays for genotyping of Borrelia using paraffin-embedded biopsies, to identify Borrelia genospecies and to compare clinicopathological features of different genospecies. METHODS Eighty-two paraffin-embedded biopsies from 68 patients, with erythema migrans, acrodermatitis chronica atrophicans, lymphocytoma cutis or tick bite reactions, were studied with assays targeting the intergenic spacer (IGS), ospA and ospC, followed by sequencing and phylogenetic analysis. Clinicopathological data were analysed comparing different Borrelia genospecies. RESULTS Genotyping by IGS, ospA and ospC was successful in 85% of patients (91% B. afzelii, 7% B. garinii, 2% B. bavariensis). ospA serotyping identified type 2 (90%), type 3 (8%) and type 4 (2%). ospC-PCR was positive in 40% of the patients revealing 12 different groups, noninvasive forms being seen only in tick bite reactions and erythema migrans. No major clinicopathological differences could be identified between the genospecies, but neural inflammation and arthralgia were seen more often in lesions caused by invasive ospC strains. CONCLUSIONS Genotyping of Borrelia can be easily implemented in a routine dermatopathology setting, especially as a fast method to confirm early cutaneous borreliosis. Genotyping could also enable earlier treatment of patients infected with invasive strains.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- F C Brandt
- Department of Dermatology, Münster University, Von Esmarch Strasse 58, Münster, 48149, Germany
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
50
|
Remarkable diversity of tick or mammalian-associated Borreliae in the metropolitan San Francisco Bay Area, California. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2014; 5:951-61. [PMID: 25129859 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2014.07.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2014] [Revised: 07/20/2014] [Accepted: 07/21/2014] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The diversity of Lyme disease (LD) and relapsing fever (RF)-group spirochetes in the metropolitan San Francisco Bay area in northern California is poorly understood. We tested Ixodes pacificus, I. spinipalpis, and small mammals for presence of borreliae in Alameda County in the eastern portion of San Francisco Bay between 2009 and 2012. Analyses of 218 Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (Bb sl) culture or DNA isolates recovered from host-seeking I. pacificus ticks revealed that the human pathogen Bb sensu stricto (hereinafter, B. burgdorferi) had the broadest habitat distribution followed by B. bissettii. Three other North American Bb sl spirochetes, B. americana, B. californiensis and B. genomospecies 2, also were detected at lower prevalence. OspC genotyping of the resultant 167 B. burgdorferi isolates revealed six ospC alleles (A, D, E3, F, H and K) in I. pacificus. A novel spirochete belonging to the Eurasian Bb sl complex, designated CA690, was found in a questing I. spinipalpis nymph. Borrelia miyamotoi, a relapsing-fever (RF) group spirochete recently implicated as a human pathogen, was detected in 24 I. pacificus. Three rodent species were infected with Bb sl: the fox squirrel (Sciurus niger) with B. burgdorferi, and the dusky-footed wood rat (Neotoma fuscipes) and roof rat (Rattus rattus) with B. bissettii. Another spirochete that clustered phylogenetically with the Spanish R57 Borrelia sp. in a clade distinct from both the LD and RF groups infected some of the roof rats. Together, eight borrelial genospecies were detected in ticks or small mammals from a single Californian county, two of which were related phylogenetically to European spirochetes.
Collapse
|