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Rataud A, Drouin A, Bournez L, Pisanu B, Moutailler S, Henry PY, Marsot M. Contributions of birds to the feeding of ticks at host community level: Effects of tick burden, host density and yearly fluctuations. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2024; 15:102390. [PMID: 39241452 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2024.102390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2024] [Revised: 07/12/2024] [Accepted: 08/11/2024] [Indexed: 09/09/2024]
Abstract
The eco-epidemiology of tick-borne diseases hinges on the abundance and distribution of hosts that sustain tick populations and the pathogens they carry. Research into the role of bird species in the feeding of Ixodes ricinus ticks, the primary tick species of veterinary and public health importance in Europe, remains scarce. This study endeavors to bridge these knowledge gaps by (i) assessing the density of feeding ticks (DFT) within a bird community to pinpoint species making substantial contributions, and (ii) exploring interannual variations in DFT over an extended timeline. Furthermore, we investigate whether variations in individual tick burden (TB) were more closely associated with the characteristics of bird species or interannual variations affecting the density of questing tick, using interannual TB variation as a surrogate. To fulfill these aims, we conducted a 13-year longitudinal study monitoring I. ricinus ticks feeding on a bird community in a periurban forest in France, covering breeding periods from 2007 to 2019. Within this community, we identified seven principal bird species significantly contributing to I. ricinus tick feeding: the Common Blackbird (Turdus merula), the Song Thrush (Turdus philomelos), the European Robin (Erithacus rubecula), the Dunnock (Prunella modularis), the Eurasian Blackcap (Sylvia atricapilla), the Great Tit (Parus major), and the Common Nightingale (Luscinia megarhynchos). Our results show that the bird community's contribution to tick feeding remained relatively consistent from year-to-year, though certain years displayed higher or lower DFT values related to the average over the study period. Moreover, five out the seven major species accounted for 80 % to 95 % of DFT annually. Consequently, we emphasized the need to broaden the scope of future research on bird contributions to tick population dynamics beyond merely thrushes (Turdidae species), to encompass a more diverse range of species, particularly those common birds that engage in ground foraging activities. Furthermore, variations in individual tick burden were predominantly influenced by the characteristics of bird species rather than by interannual variability in infestation rates. This finding suggests a significant role for species-specific traits in determining tick exposure and susceptibility. In conclusion, our study offers new insights into the medium-term dynamics of tick-bird ecological systems, underscoring the need for future study of tick populations and their interactions with vertebrate hosts to improve our understanding of tick-borne disease circulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amalia Rataud
- Université Paris Est, ANSES, Laboratory for Animal Health, Epidemiology Unit, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Alex Drouin
- Université Paris Est, ANSES, Laboratory for Animal Health, Epidemiology Unit, Maisons-Alfort, France; CIRAD, UMR ASTRE, Montpellier F-34398, France; ASTRE, Univ Montpellier, CIRAD, INRAE, Montpellier, France
| | - Laure Bournez
- Nancy Laboratory for Rabies and Wildlife, French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety (ANSES), Malzéville, France
| | - Benoit Pisanu
- Office Français de la Biodiversité, UMS Patrimoine Naturel OFB/MNHN/CNRS, 36 rue Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire, CP41, 75005, Paris, France
| | - Sara Moutailler
- ANSES, INRAE, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, UMR BIPAR, Laboratoire de Santé Animale, Maisons-Alfort F-94700, France
| | - Pierre-Yves Henry
- Mécanismes adaptatifs et Evolution (MECADEV UMR 7179), Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, CNRS, Brunoy, France; Centre de Recherches sur la Biologie des Populations d'Oiseaux (CRBPO), Centre d'Ecologie et des Sciences de la Conservation (CESCO UMR 7204), Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, CNRS, Sorbonne Universités, Paris, France
| | - Maud Marsot
- Université Paris Est, ANSES, Laboratory for Animal Health, Epidemiology Unit, Maisons-Alfort, France.
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Mertens-Scholz K, Hoffmann B, Gethmann JM, Brangsch H, Pletz MW, Klaus C. Prevalence of tick-borne bacterial pathogens in Germany-has the situation changed after a decade? Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2024; 14:1429667. [PMID: 39091677 PMCID: PMC11291221 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2024.1429667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2024] [Accepted: 06/25/2024] [Indexed: 08/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Tick-borne pathogens, such as Borreliella spp., Rickettsia spp., and Anaplasma spp., are frequently detected in Germany. They circulate between animals and tick vectors and can cause mild to severe diseases in humans. Knowledge about distribution and prevalence of these pathogens over time is important for risk assessment of human and animal health. Methods Ixodes ricinus nymphs were collected at different locations in 2009/2010 and 2019 in Germany and analyzed for tick-borne pathogens by real-time PCR and sequencing. Results Borreliella spp. were detected with a prevalence of 11.96% in 2009/2010 and 13.10% in 2019 with B. afzelii and B. garinii as dominant species. Borrelia miyamotoi was detected in seven ticks and in coinfection with B. afzelii or B. garinii. Rickettsia spp. showed a prevalence of 8.82% in 2009/2010 and 1.68% in 2019 with the exclusive detection of R. helvetica. The prevalence of Anaplasma spp. was 1.00% in 2009/2010 and 7.01% in 2019. A. phagocytophilum was detected in seven tick samples. None of the nymphs were positive for C. burnetii. Discussion Here, observed changes in prevalence were not significant after a decade but require longitudinal observations including parameters like host species and density, climatic factors to improve our understanding of tick-borne diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katja Mertens-Scholz
- Institute of Bacterial Infections and Zoonoses, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut – Federal Research Institute for Animal Health (FLI), Jena, Germany
- Institute of Infectious Diseases and Infection Control, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany
| | - Bernd Hoffmann
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut – Federal Research Institute for Animal Health (FLI), Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Jörn M. Gethmann
- Institute of Epidemiology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut – Federal Research Institute for Animal Health (FLI), Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Hanka Brangsch
- Institute of Bacterial Infections and Zoonoses, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut – Federal Research Institute for Animal Health (FLI), Jena, Germany
| | - Mathias W. Pletz
- Institute of Infectious Diseases and Infection Control, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany
| | - Christine Klaus
- Institute of Bacterial Infections and Zoonoses, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut – Federal Research Institute for Animal Health (FLI), Jena, Germany
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3
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Bakker JW, Münger E, Esser HJ, Sikkema RS, de Boer WF, Sprong H, Reusken CBEM, de Vries A, Kohl R, van der Linden A, Stroo A, van der Jeugd H, Pijlman GP, Koopmans MPG, Munnink BBO, Koenraadt CJM. Ixodes ricinus as potential vector for Usutu virus. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2024; 18:e0012172. [PMID: 38985837 PMCID: PMC11236205 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0012172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2023] [Accepted: 04/25/2024] [Indexed: 07/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Usutu virus (USUV) is an emerging flavivirus that is maintained in an enzootic cycle with mosquitoes as vectors and birds as amplifying hosts. In Europe, the virus has caused mass mortality of wild birds, mainly among Common Blackbird (Turdus merula) populations. While mosquitoes are the primary vectors for USUV, Common Blackbirds and other avian species are exposed to other arthropod ectoparasites, such as ticks. It is unknown, however, if ticks can maintain and transmit USUV. We addressed this question using in vitro and in vivo experiments and field collected data. USUV replicated in IRE/CTVM19 Ixodes ricinus tick cells and in injected ticks. Moreover, I. ricinus nymphs acquired the virus via artificial membrane blood-feeding and maintained the virus for at least 70 days. Transstadial transmission of USUV from nymphs to adults was confirmed in 4.9% of the ticks. USUV disseminated from the midgut to the haemocoel, and was transmitted via the saliva of the tick during artificial membrane blood-feeding. We further explored the role of ticks by monitoring USUV in questing ticks and in ticks feeding on wild birds in the Netherlands between 2016 and 2019. In total, 622 wild birds and the Ixodes ticks they carried were tested for USUV RNA. Of these birds, 48 (7.7%) carried USUV-positive ticks. The presence of negative-sense USUV RNA in ticks, as confirmed via small RNA-sequencing, showed active virus replication. In contrast, we did not detect USUV in 15,381 questing ticks collected in 2017 and 2019. We conclude that I. ricinus can be infected with USUV and can transstadially and horizontally transmit USUV. However, in comparison to mosquito-borne transmission, the role of I. ricinus ticks in the epidemiology of USUV is expected to be minor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julian W Bakker
- Laboratory of Entomology, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | | | - Helen J Esser
- Wildlife Ecology and Conservation Group, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Reina S Sikkema
- Department of Viroscience, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
- Vogeltrekstation, Dutch Centre for Avian Migration and Demography, NIOO-KNAW, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Willem F de Boer
- Wildlife Ecology and Conservation Group, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Hein Sprong
- National Institute of Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Chantal B E M Reusken
- Department of Viroscience, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
- National Institute of Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Ankje de Vries
- National Institute of Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Robert Kohl
- Department of Viroscience, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | | | - Arjan Stroo
- Centre for Monitoring of Vectors, Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA), Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Henk van der Jeugd
- Vogeltrekstation, Dutch Centre for Avian Migration and Demography, NIOO-KNAW, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Gorben P Pijlman
- Laboratory of Virology, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, the Netherlands
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Rouxel C, Etienne A, Arné P, Le Barzic C, Girault G, Boulouis HJ, Haddad N, Lagrée AC, Deshuillers PL. Anaplasma phagocytophilum in urban and peri-urban passerine birds in Ile-de-France. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2024; 15:102350. [PMID: 38723399 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2024.102350] [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: 10/05/2023] [Revised: 04/09/2024] [Accepted: 05/04/2024] [Indexed: 05/20/2024]
Abstract
Wild animals in general, birds in particular, play a key role in transporting ticks and propagating tick-borne pathogens. Several studies have confirmed the infection of birds with Anaplasma phagocytophilum, with overall prevalence varying widely from country to country and/or study to study. This zoonotic bacterium, transmitted mainly by ticks of the genus Ixodes, is responsible for granulocytic anaplasmosis in humans (HGA) and domestic animals (cats, dogs, horses). The disease is also called tick-borne fever (TBF) in ruminants. Extremely rare in the USA, TBF is very common in Europe, where it causes economic losses in livestock. Conversely, HGA is well established in the USA whereas only a few less severe cases have been observed in Europe. Current typing techniques support the existence of multiple variants with differences in virulence/pathogenicity and tropism for certain tick and host species. However, epidemiological cycles remain difficult to characterize in Europe. Several studies describe a cycle apparently involving only birds in Europe, but no such study has been conducted in mainland France. Our objectives were to search for A. phagocytophilum in passerine birds in the Ile-de-France region and to explore their diversity using groEL and ankA gene typing and multilocus sequence typing (MLST). Various tissues (spleen, liver, and skin) were collected from cadavers of 680 passerines between March and December 2021. The presence of A. phagocytophilum was detected by qPCR Taqman targeting the msp2 gene. Three blackbirds (Turdus merula) were found positive, representing detection rates of 0.4 % in all birds tested and 3.3 % in blackbirds. The higher frequency of detection in blackbirds could be at least partially explained by their lifestyle, as they feed on the ground. Analysis of the results of groEL and ankA typing and MLST from positive blackbirds support the hypothesis that the avian A. phagocytophilum strains in Ile-de-France are distinct from those found in mammals, and that they form their own cluster in Europe.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clotilde Rouxel
- ANSES, INRAE, École nationale vétérinaire d'Alfort (EnvA), UMR BIPAR, Laboratoire de Santé Animale, 94700 Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Adrien Etienne
- ANSES, INRAE, École nationale vétérinaire d'Alfort (EnvA), UMR BIPAR, Laboratoire de Santé Animale, 94700 Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Pascal Arné
- EnvA, Centre hospitalier universitaire vétérinaire - Faune sauvage (Chuv-FS), 94700, Maisons-Alfort, France; EnvA, UPEC, ANSES, Dynamyc research group EA 7380, 94700, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Cécile Le Barzic
- EnvA, Centre hospitalier universitaire vétérinaire - Faune sauvage (Chuv-FS), 94700, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Guillaume Girault
- ANSES, INRAE, EnvA, Université Paris-Est, UMR Virologie, Laboratoire de Santé Animale, 94700 Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Henri-Jean Boulouis
- ANSES, INRAE, École nationale vétérinaire d'Alfort (EnvA), UMR BIPAR, Laboratoire de Santé Animale, 94700 Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Nadia Haddad
- ANSES, INRAE, École nationale vétérinaire d'Alfort (EnvA), UMR BIPAR, Laboratoire de Santé Animale, 94700 Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Anne-Claire Lagrée
- ANSES, INRAE, École nationale vétérinaire d'Alfort (EnvA), UMR BIPAR, Laboratoire de Santé Animale, 94700 Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Pierre Lucien Deshuillers
- ANSES, INRAE, École nationale vétérinaire d'Alfort (EnvA), UMR BIPAR, Laboratoire de Santé Animale, 94700 Maisons-Alfort, France.
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5
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Veiga J, Baltà O, Figuerola J. Does bird life-history influence the prevalence of ticks? A citizen science study in North East Spain. One Health 2024; 18:100718. [PMID: 38644969 PMCID: PMC11026695 DOI: 10.1016/j.onehlt.2024.100718] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2023] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/23/2024] Open
Abstract
After mosquitoes, ticks are among the most important vector of pathogens of concern for animal and public health, but unless mosquitoes ticks remain attached to their hosts for long time periods providing an opportunity to analyse their role in the dispersal and dynamics of different zoonotic pathogens. Given their interest in public health it is important to understand which factors affect their incidence in different hosts and to stablish effective surveillance programs to determine the risk of transmission and spill-over of zoonotic pathogens. Taking benefit of a large network of volunteer ornithologists, we analysed the life-history traits associated to the presence of ticks using information of 620,609 individuals of 231 avian species. Bird phylogeny, locality and year explained a large amount of variance in tick prevalence. Non-colonial species non breeding in grasslands and non-spending the non-breeding season as gregarious groups or isolated individuals (e.g. thrushes, quails and finches) had the higher prevalence of ticks and appear as good candidates for zoonosis surveillance programs based on the analyses of ticks collected from wild birds. Ringers underestimated tick prevalence but can be considered as an important source of information of ticks for public and animal health surveillance programs if properly trained for the detection and collection of the different tick development phases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jesus Veiga
- Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - Oriol Baltà
- Institut Català d'Ornitologia, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jordi Figuerola
- Estación Biológica de Doñana – CSIC, Sevilla, Spain
- CIBER Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
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6
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Wilhelmsson P, Lager M, Jaenson TGT, Waldenström J, Olsen B, Lindgren PE. Anaplasma phagocytophilum in Ticks Blood-Feeding on Migratory Birds in Sweden. Microorganisms 2024; 12:735. [PMID: 38674679 PMCID: PMC11052380 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12040735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2024] [Revised: 03/28/2024] [Accepted: 03/29/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Migratory birds play a dual role as potential reservoirs of tick-borne pathogens, and potential dispersers of pathogen-containing ticks during their migratory journeys. Ixodes ricinus, a prevalent tick species in Northern and Western Europe, serves as a primary vector for Anaplasma phagocytophilum-a bacterium with implications for human and animal health. There is limited information available regarding A. phagocytophilum in birds. Our investigation focused on A. phagocytophilum prevalence in ticks collected from migratory birds in southeastern Sweden. The identification of ticks involved both molecular analyses for species determination and morphological classification to ascertain the developmental stage. The presence of A. phagocytophilum was determined using real-time PCR. Of the 1115 ticks analyzed from 4601 birds, 0.9% (n = 10), including I. ricinus and Ixodes frontalis, tested positive for A. phagocytophilum. Notably, common blackbirds (Turdus merula) yielded the highest number of A. phagocytophilum-infected ticks. The findings suggest that A. phagocytophilum is present in a small proportion of ticks infesting migratory birds in southeastern Sweden. Consequently, the role of birds as hosts for ticks infected with A. phagocytophilum appears to be low, suggesting that birds seem to play a minor indirect role in the geographic dispersal of A. phagocytophilum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Wilhelmsson
- Division of Inflammation and Infection, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, SE-581 83 Linköping, Sweden;
- National Reference Laboratory for Borrelia and Other Tick-Borne Bacteria, Division of Clinical Microbiology, Laboratory Medicine, Region Jönköping County, SE-551 85 Jönköping, Sweden;
| | - Malin Lager
- National Reference Laboratory for Borrelia and Other Tick-Borne Bacteria, Division of Clinical Microbiology, Laboratory Medicine, Region Jönköping County, SE-551 85 Jönköping, Sweden;
| | - Thomas G. T. Jaenson
- Department of Organismal Biology, Evolutionary Biology Centre, Uppsala University, SE-752 36 Uppsala, Sweden;
| | - Jonas Waldenström
- Centre for Ecology and Evolution in Microbial Model Systems, Linnaeus University, SE-392 31 Kalmar, Sweden;
| | - Björn Olsen
- Zoonosis Science Center, Department of Medical Sciences, Uppsala University, SE-751 23 Uppsala, Sweden;
| | - Per-Eric Lindgren
- Division of Inflammation and Infection, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, SE-581 83 Linköping, Sweden;
- National Reference Laboratory for Borrelia and Other Tick-Borne Bacteria, Division of Clinical Microbiology, Laboratory Medicine, Region Jönköping County, SE-551 85 Jönköping, Sweden;
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7
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Keve G, Csörgő T, Kováts D, Hornok S. Long term evaluation of factors influencing the association of ixodid ticks with birds in Central Europe, Hungary. Sci Rep 2024; 14:4958. [PMID: 38418856 PMCID: PMC10902401 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-55021-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Birds play a crucial role in disseminating ticks that carry pathogens of high veterinary-medical importance. The aim of this study was to analyze data of a long-term tick collection from birds at a single stop-over site in Central Europe, Hungary. Over eight years (2015-2022) 5833 ticks (ten species) were collected from 2395 tick-infested birds. The most abundant species were Ixodes ricinus (n = 3971) and Haemaphysalis concinna (n = 1706). Ixodes ricinus nymphs and larvae were the most frequently occurring on resident and short-distance migratory birds with forest habitat but Ha. concinna was the most abundant species on reed-associated, long-distance migrants. Haemaphysalis concinna occurred mostly on birds feeding above the ground level, while I. ricinus predominated on ground feeding birds. Infestation with I. ricinus nymphs always peaked in the first half of the year, in contrast to larvae which were more abundant on avian hosts in the autumn. At the same time, Ha. concinna larvae and nymphs had their peak numbers in the summer. This is the first long-term study on the tick infestation of birds in Central Europe. The study shows that, migration distance, habitat type, and typical feeding level of birds, as well as characteristics of tick life cycle are all key factors in the role of birds as tick disseminators. It was revealed that Savi's Warbler (Locustella luscinioides) is the most frequent hosts of Ha. concinna in Central Hungary.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gergő Keve
- Department of Parasitology and Zoology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Budapest, Hungary.
- HUN-REN-UVMB Climate Change: New Blood-Sucking Parasites and Vector-Borne Pathogens Research Group, Budapest, Hungary.
| | - Tibor Csörgő
- Department of Anatomy, Cell- and Developmental Biology, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
- Ócsa Bird Ringing Station, Ócsa, Hungary
- BirdLife Hungary, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Dávid Kováts
- Ócsa Bird Ringing Station, Ócsa, Hungary
- BirdLife Hungary, Budapest, Hungary
- Hungarian Biodiversity Research Society, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Sándor Hornok
- Department of Parasitology and Zoology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Budapest, Hungary
- HUN-REN-UVMB Climate Change: New Blood-Sucking Parasites and Vector-Borne Pathogens Research Group, Budapest, Hungary
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Hills SL, Poehling KA, Chen WH, Staples JE. Tick-Borne Encephalitis Vaccine: Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, United States, 2023. MMWR Recomm Rep 2023; 72:1-29. [PMID: 37943707 PMCID: PMC10651317 DOI: 10.15585/mmwr.rr7205a1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) virus is focally endemic in parts of Europe and Asia. The virus is primarily transmitted to humans by the bites of infected Ixodes species ticks but can also be acquired less frequently by alimentary transmission. Other rare modes of transmission include through breastfeeding, blood transfusion, solid organ transplantation, and slaughtering of viremic animals. TBE virus can cause acute neurologic disease, which usually results in hospitalization, often permanent neurologic or cognitive sequelae, and sometimes death. TBE virus infection is a risk for certain travelers and for laboratory workers who work with the virus. In August 2021, the Food and Drug Administration approved Ticovac TBE vaccine for use among persons aged ≥1 year. This report summarizes the epidemiology of and risks for infection with TBE virus, provides information on the immunogenicity and safety of TBE vaccine, and summarizes the recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) for use of TBE vaccine among U.S. travelers and laboratory workers. The risk for TBE for most U.S. travelers to areas where the disease is endemic is very low. The risk for exposure to infected ticks is highest for persons who are in areas where TBE is endemic during the main TBE virus transmission season of April–November and who are planning to engage in recreational activities in woodland habitats or who might be occupationally exposed. All persons who travel to areas where TBE is endemic should be advised to take precautions to avoid tick bites and to avoid the consumption of unpasteurized dairy products because alimentary transmission of TBE virus can occur. TBE vaccine can further reduce infection risk and might be indicated for certain persons who are at higher risk for TBE. The key factors in the risk-benefit assessment for vaccination are likelihood of exposure to ticks based on activities and itinerary (e.g., location, rurality, season, and duration of travel or residence). Other risk-benefit considerations should include 1) the rare occurrence of TBE but its potentially high morbidity and mortality, 2) the higher risk for severe disease among certain persons (e.g., older persons aged ≥60 years), 3) the availability of an effective vaccine, 4) the possibility but low probability of serious adverse events after vaccination, 5) the likelihood of future travel to areas where TBE is endemic, and 6) personal perception and tolerance of risk ACIP recommends TBE vaccine for U.S. persons who are moving or traveling to an area where the disease is endemic and will have extensive exposure to ticks based on their planned outdoor activities and itinerary. Extensive exposure can be considered based on the duration of travel and frequency of exposure and might include shorter-term (e.g., <1 month) travelers with daily or frequent exposure or longer-term travelers with regular (e.g., a few times a month) exposure to environments that might harbor infected ticks. In addition, TBE vaccine may be considered for persons who might engage in outdoor activities in areas where ticks are likely to be found, with a decision to vaccinate made on the basis of an assessment of their planned activities and itinerary, risk factors for a poor medical outcome, and personal perception and tolerance of risk. In the laboratory setting, ACIP recommends TBE vaccine for laboratory workers with a potential for exposure to TBE virus
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Shaw AK, Levet M, Binning SA. A unified evolutionary framework for understanding parasite infection and host migratory behaviour. Ecol Lett 2023; 26:1987-2002. [PMID: 37706582 DOI: 10.1111/ele.14301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2023] [Revised: 08/09/2023] [Accepted: 08/12/2023] [Indexed: 09/15/2023]
Abstract
Animal migration impacts organismal health and parasite transmission: migrants are simultaneously exposed to parasites and able to reduce infection for both individuals and populations. However, these dynamics are difficult to study; empirical studies reveal disparate results while existing theory makes assumptions that simplify natural complexity. Here, we systematically review empirical studies of migration and infection across taxa, highlighting key gaps in our understanding. Next, we develop a unified evolutionary framework incorporating different selective pressures of parasite-migration interactions while accounting for ecological complexity that goes beyond previous theory. Our framework generates diverse migration-infection patterns paralleling those seen in empirical systems, including partial and differential migration. Finally, we generate predictions about which mechanisms dominate which empirical systems to guide future studies. Our framework provides an overarching understanding of selective pressures shaping migration patterns in the context of animal health and disease, which is critical for predicting how environmental change may threaten migration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allison K Shaw
- Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minnesota, USA
| | - Marie Levet
- Département de Sciences Biologiques, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Sandra A Binning
- Département de Sciences Biologiques, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
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Kwasnik M, Rola J, Rozek W. Tick-Borne Encephalitis-Review of the Current Status. J Clin Med 2023; 12:6603. [PMID: 37892741 PMCID: PMC10607749 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12206603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2023] [Revised: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) is the arboviral etiological agent of tick-borne encephalitis (TBE), considered to be one of the most important tick-borne viral diseases in Europe and Asia. In recent years, an increase in the incidence of TBE as well as an increasing geographical range of the disease have been noted. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic and the imposition of restrictions that it necessitated, the incidence of TBE is rising in more than half of the European countries analyzed in recent studies. The virus is transmitted between ticks, animals, and humans. It seems that ticks and small mammals play a role in maintaining TBEV in nature. The disease can also affect dogs, horses, cattle, and small ruminants. Humans are incidental hosts, infected through the bite of an infected tick or by the alimentary route, through the consumption of unpasteurized milk or milk products from TBEV-infected animals. TBEV infections in humans may be asymptomatic, but the symptoms can range from mild flu-like to severe neurological. In Europe, cases of TBE are reported every year. While there is currently no effective treatment for TBE, immunization and protection against tick bites are critical in preventing this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Malgorzata Kwasnik
- Department of Virology, National Veterinary Research Institute, Al. Partyzantow 57, 24-100 Pulawy, Poland; (J.R.); (W.R.)
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Defaye B, Moutailler S, Vollot B, Galon C, Gonzalez G, Moraes RA, Leoncini AS, Rataud A, Le Guillou G, Pasqualini V, Quilichini Y. Detection of Pathogens and Ticks on Sedentary and Migratory Birds in Two Corsican Wetlands (France, Mediterranean Area). Microorganisms 2023; 11:microorganisms11040869. [PMID: 37110292 PMCID: PMC10141976 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11040869] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2023] [Revised: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 03/24/2023] [Indexed: 03/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Birds are one of the most species-diverse vertebrate groups and are susceptible to numerous hematophagous ectoparasites. Migratory birds likely contribute to the circulation of these ectoparasites and their associated pathogens. One of the many migration paths crosses the Mediterranean islands including Corsica and its wetlands, which are migration stopovers. In our study, we collected blood samples and hematophagous ectoparasites in migratory and sedentary bird populations in two coastal lagoons: Biguglia and Gradugine. A total of 1377 birds were captured from which 762 blood samples, 37 louse flies, and 44 ticks were collected. All the louse flies were identified as Ornithomya biloba and all the ticks were from the Ixodes genus: Ixodes sp. (8.5%), I. accuminatus/ventalloi (2.9%), I. arboricola/lividus (14.3%), I. frontalis (5.7%) and I. ricinus (68.6%). Five pathogens were detected: Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Erhlichia chaffeensis, and Rickettsia helvetica in ticks, and Trypanosoma sp. in louse flies. Ehrlichia chaffeensis and the West Nile virus were both detected in bird blood samples in Corsica. This is the first report of these tick, louse fly and pathogen species isolated on the bird population in Corsica. Our finding highlights the importance of bird populations in the presence of arthropod-borne pathogens in Corsican wetlands.
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Keve G, Csörgő T, Benke A, Huber A, Mórocz A, Németh Á, Kalocsa B, Tamás EA, Gyurácz J, Kiss O, Kováts D, Sándor AD, Karcza Z, Hornok S. Ornithological and molecular evidence of a reproducing Hyalomma rufipes population under continental climate in Europe. Front Vet Sci 2023; 10:1147186. [PMID: 37035818 PMCID: PMC10073722 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1147186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2023] [Accepted: 02/22/2023] [Indexed: 04/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Reports on adult Hyalomma ticks in certain regions of the Carpathian Basin date back to the 19th century. These ticks were thought to emerge from nymphs dropping from birds, then molting to adults. Although the role of migratory birds in carrying ticks of this genus is known from all parts of Europe, in most countries no contemporaneous multiregional surveillance of bird-associated ticks was reported which could allow the recognition of hotspots in this context. From 38 passeriform bird species 956 ixodid ticks were collected at seven locations in Hungary. Tick species were identified as Ixodes ricinus (n = 598), Ixodes frontalis (n = 18), Ixodes lividus (n = 6), Haemaphysalis concinna (n = 321), and D. reticulatus (n = 1). All 12 Hyalomma sp. ticks (11 engorged nymphs and 1 unengorged larva) were identified as H. rufipes based on three mitochondrial markers. This species was only found in the Transdanubian region and along its southeastern border. The Common Blackbird and the European Robin were the two main hosts of I. ricinus and I. frontalis, whereas H. concinna was almost exclusively collected form long-distance migrants. The predominant hosts of H. rufipes were reed-associated bird species, the Sedge Warbler and the Bearded Reedling, both in their nesting period. This study provides ornithological explanation for the regional, century-long presence of adult Hyalomma ticks under continental climate in the Transdanubian Region of the Carpathian Basin. More importantly, the autochthonous occurrence of a H. rufipes population was revealed for the first time in Europe, based on the following observations: (1) the bird species infested with H. rufipes are not known to migrate during their nesting period; (2) one larva was not yet engorged; (3) the larva and the nymphs must have belonged to different local generations; and (4) all H. rufipes found in the relevant location were identical in their haplotypes based on three maternally inherited mitochondrial markers, probably reflecting founder effect. This study also demonstrated regional and temporal differences in tick species carried by birds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gergő Keve
- Department of Parasitology and Zoology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Budapest, Hungary
- ELKH-ÁTE Climate Change: New Blood-Sucking Parasites and Vector-Borne Pathogens Research Group, Budapest, Hungary
- *Correspondence: Gergő Keve
| | - Tibor Csörgő
- Department of Anatomy, Cell- and Developmental Biology, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
- Ócsa Bird Ringing Station, Ócsa, Hungary
- BirdLife Hungary, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Anikó Benke
- BirdLife Hungary, Budapest, Hungary
- Fenékpuszta Bird Ringing Station, Keszthely, Hungary
| | - Attila Huber
- BirdLife Hungary, Budapest, Hungary
- Aggtelek National Park Directorate, Jósvafő, Hungary
| | - Attila Mórocz
- BirdLife Hungary, Budapest, Hungary
- Duna-Dráva National Park Directorate, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Ákos Németh
- BirdLife Hungary, Budapest, Hungary
- Kiskunság National Park Directorate, Kecskemét, Hungary
- Kiskunság Bird Protection Association, Izsák, Hungary
| | | | - Enikő Anna Tamás
- BirdLife Hungary, Budapest, Hungary
- Faculty of Water Sciences, University of Public Service, Baja, Hungary
| | - József Gyurácz
- BirdLife Hungary, Budapest, Hungary
- Department of Biology, Eötvös Loránd University, Savaria, Szombathely, Hungary
| | - Orsolya Kiss
- BirdLife Hungary, Budapest, Hungary
- Faculty of Agriculture, Institute of Animal Sciences and Wildlife Management, University of Szeged, Hódmezővásárhely, Hungary
| | - Dávid Kováts
- Ócsa Bird Ringing Station, Ócsa, Hungary
- BirdLife Hungary, Budapest, Hungary
- Hungarian Biodiversity Research Society, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Attila D. Sándor
- Department of Parasitology and Zoology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Budapest, Hungary
- ELKH-ÁTE Climate Change: New Blood-Sucking Parasites and Vector-Borne Pathogens Research Group, Budapest, Hungary
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | | | - Sándor Hornok
- Department of Parasitology and Zoology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Budapest, Hungary
- ELKH-ÁTE Climate Change: New Blood-Sucking Parasites and Vector-Borne Pathogens Research Group, Budapest, Hungary
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Trifonova I, Christova I, Ivanova-Aleksandrova N, Gladnishka T, Ivanova V, Panayotova E, Taseva E, Dimitrov D, Marinov M, Kamenov G, Zehtindjiev P. Survey of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato and West Nile fever virus in wild birds in Bulgaria. Biologia (Bratisl) 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s11756-022-01239-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
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A Systematic Review of the Distribution of Tick-Borne Pathogens in Wild Animals and Their Ticks in the Mediterranean Rim between 2000 and 2021. Microorganisms 2022; 10:microorganisms10091858. [PMID: 36144460 PMCID: PMC9504443 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10091858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Revised: 08/28/2022] [Accepted: 09/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Tick-borne pathogens (TBPs) can be divided into three groups: bacteria, parasites, and viruses. They are transmitted by a wide range of tick species and cause a variety of human, animal, and zoonotic diseases. A total of 148 publications were found on tick-borne pathogens in wild animals, reporting on 85 species of pathogens from 35 tick species and 17 wild animal hosts between 2000 and February 2021. The main TBPs reported were of bacterial origin, including Anaplasma spp. and Rickettsia spp. A total of 72.2% of the TBPs came from infected ticks collected from wild animals. The main tick genus positive for TBPs was Ixodes. This genus was mainly reported in Western Europe, which was the focus of most of the publications (66.9%). It was followed by the Hyalomma genus, which was mainly reported in other areas of the Mediterranean Rim. These TBPs and TBP-positive tick genera were reported to have come from a total of 17 wild animal hosts. The main hosts reported were game mammals such as red deer and wild boars, but small vertebrates such as birds and rodents were also found to be infected. Of the 148 publications, 12.8% investigated publications on Mediterranean islands, and 36.8% of all the TBPs were reported in seven tick genera and 11 wild animal hosts there. The main TBP-positive wild animals and tick genera reported on these islands were birds and Hyalomma spp. Despite the small percentage of publications focusing on ticks, they reveal the importance of islands when monitoring TBPs in wild animals. This is especially true for wild birds, which may disseminate their ticks and TBPs along their migration path.
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Keve G, Sándor AD, Hornok S. Hard ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) associated with birds in Europe: Review of literature data. Front Vet Sci 2022; 9:928756. [PMID: 36090176 PMCID: PMC9453168 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2022.928756] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2022] [Accepted: 07/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Hard ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) are considered the most important transmitters of pathogens in the temperate zone that covers most of Europe. In the era of climate change tick-borne diseases are predicted to undergo geographical range expansion toward the north through regions that are connected to southern areas of the continent by bird migration. This alone would justify the importance of synthesized knowledge on the association of tick species with avian hosts, yet birds also represent the most taxonomically and ecologically diverse part of urban vertebrate fauna. Birds frequently occur in gardens and near animal keeping facilities, thus playing a significant role in the dispersal of ticks and tick-borne pathogens in synanthropic environments. The primary aim of this review is to provide a comprehensive reference source (baseline data) for future studies, particularly in the context of discovering new tick-host associations after comparison with already published data. The records on the ixodid tick infestations of birds were assessed from nearly 200 papers published since 1952. In this period, 37 hard tick species were reported from 16 orders of avian hosts in Europe. Here we compile a list of these tick species, followed by the English and Latin name of all reported infested bird species, as well as the tick developmental stage and country of origin whenever this information was available. These data allowed a first-hand analysis of general trends regarding how and at which developmental stage of ticks tend to infest avian hosts. Five tick species that were frequently reported from birds and show a broad geographical distribution in the Western Palearctic (Ixodes arboricola, I. frontalis, I. ricinus, Haemaphysalis concinna and Hyalomma marginatum) were also selected for statistical comparisons. Differences were demonstrated between these tick species regarding their association with bird species that typically feed from the ground and those that rarely occur at the soil level. The ecology of these five bird-infesting tick species is also illustrated here according to avian orders, taking into account the ecology (habitat type) and activity (circadian rhythm and feeding level) of most bird species that represent a certain order.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gergő Keve
- Department of Parasitology and Zoology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Budapest, Hungary
- ELKH-ÁTE Climate Change: New Blood-Sucking Parasites and Vector-Borne Pathogens Research Group, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Attila D. Sándor
- Department of Parasitology and Zoology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Budapest, Hungary
- ELKH-ÁTE Climate Change: New Blood-Sucking Parasites and Vector-Borne Pathogens Research Group, Budapest, Hungary
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- *Correspondence: Attila D. Sándor
| | - Sándor Hornok
- Department of Parasitology and Zoology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Budapest, Hungary
- ELKH-ÁTE Climate Change: New Blood-Sucking Parasites and Vector-Borne Pathogens Research Group, Budapest, Hungary
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Toxoplasma gondii and Rickettsia spp. in ticks collected from migratory birds in the Republic of Korea. Sci Rep 2022; 12:12672. [PMID: 35879387 PMCID: PMC9314388 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-16785-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2021] [Accepted: 07/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Migratory birds disperse ticks and associated tick-borne pathogens along their migratory routes. Four selected pathogens of medical importance (Coxiella burnetii, Rickettsia spp., Francisella tularensis, and Toxoplasma gondii) were targeted for detection in 804 ticks (365 pools) collected from migratory birds at Hong and Heuksan Islands in the Republic of Korea (ROK) from 2010 to 2011 and 2016. Toxoplasma gondii and Rickettsia spp., were detected in 1/365 (0.27%) and 34/365 (9.32%) pools of ticks, respectively. T. gondii and five rickettsial species were recorded in ticks collected from migratory birds for the first time in ROK. The five rickettsial species (R. monacensis, Candidatus Rickettsia longicornii, R. japonica, R. raoultii, and R. tamurae) were identified using sequence and phylogenetic analysis using ompA and gltA gene fragments. Rickettsia spp. are important pathogens that cause rickettsiosis in humans, with cases recorded in the ROK. These results provide important evidence for the potential role of migratory birds in the introduction and dispersal of T. gondii and Rickettsia spp. along their migratory routes and raise awareness of potential transmission of zoonotic tick-borne pathogens associated with migratory birds in the ROK.
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Should I stay, should I go, or something in between? The potential for parasite-mediated and age-related differential migration strategies. Evol Ecol 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s10682-022-10190-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
AbstractSeasonal long-distance migratory behaviour of trillions of animals may in part have evolved to reduce parasite infection risk, and the fitness costs that may come with these infections. This may apply to a diversity of vertebrate migration strategies that can sometimes be observed within species and may often be age-dependent. Herein we review some common age-related variations in migration strategy, discussing why in some animal species juveniles preferentially forego or otherwise rearrange their migrations as compared to adults, potentially as an either immediate (proximate) or anticipatory (ultimate) response to infection risk and disease. We notably focus on the phenomenon of “oversummering”, where juveniles abstain from migration to the breeding grounds. This strategy is particularly prevalent amongst migratory shorebirds and has thus far received little attention as a strategy to reduce parasite infection rate, while comparative intra-specific research approaches have strong potential to elucidate the drivers of differential behavioural strategies.
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Wondim MA, Czupryna P, Pancewicz S, Kruszewska E, Groth M, Moniuszko-Malinowska A. Epidemiological Trends of Trans-Boundary Tick-Borne Encephalitis in Europe, 2000-2019. Pathogens 2022; 11:pathogens11060704. [PMID: 35745558 PMCID: PMC9228375 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11060704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2022] [Revised: 06/01/2022] [Accepted: 06/14/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Tick-borne encephalitis is a neuroinfection widely distributed in the Euro-Asia region. Primarily, the virus is transmitted by the bite of infected ticks. From 2000-2019, the total number of confirmed cases in Europe reported to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control was 51,519. The number of cases decreased in 2014 and 2015; however, since 2015, a growing number of cases have been observed, with the involvement of countries in which TBE has not been previously reported. The determinant factors for the spread of TBE are host population size, weather conditions, movement of hosts, and local regulations on the socioeconomic dynamics of the local and travelling people around the foci areas. The mean incidence rate of tick-borne encephalitis from 2000-2019 in Europe was 3.27, while the age-adjusted mean incidence rate was 2.19 per 100,000 population size. This review used several articles and data sources from the European Centre for Diseases Prevention and Control.
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Morozov A, Tischenkov A, Silaghi C, Proka A, Toderas I, Movila A, Frickmann H, Poppert S. Prevalence of Bacterial and Protozoan Pathogens in Ticks Collected from Birds in the Republic of Moldova. Microorganisms 2022; 10:microorganisms10061111. [PMID: 35744630 PMCID: PMC9227923 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10061111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2022] [Revised: 05/20/2022] [Accepted: 05/24/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Epidemiological knowledge on pathogens in ticks feeding on birds in Moldova is scarce. To reduce this gap of information, a total of 640 migrating and native birds of 40 species were caught from 2012 to 2015 and examined for the presence of ticks in the Republic of Moldova. Altogether, 262 ticks belonging to five tick species (Ixodes ricunus n = 245, Ixodes frontalis n = 12, Haemaphysalis punctata n = 2, Hyalomma marginatum n = 2 (only males), Dermacentor marginatus n = 1) were collected from 93 birds. Of these ticks, 250 (96%) were at the stage of a nymph and 9 at the stage of a larva (3%). One imago of I. frontalis and two imagoes of Hy. marginatum were found. Generally, ticks infested 14.1% of the assessed birds belonging to 12 species. DNA was extracted from individual ticks with subsequent PCR targeting Rickettsia spp., Borrelia spp. in general, as well as relapsing fever-associated Borrelia spp., in particular, Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Neoehrlichia mikurensis, Babesia spp. and Coxiella burnetii. The bird species Turdus merula showed the heaviest infestation with ticks and the highest incidence of infected ticks. Altogether, 32.8% of the assessed ticks (n = 86) were positive for one of the pathogens. DNA of Borrelia spp. was found in 15.2% (40/262) of the investigated ticks; in 7.6% of ticks (20/262), DNA of rickettsiae was detected; 6.9% (18/262) of the ticks were positive for A. phagocytophilum DNA; in 1.5% of the ticks (4/262), DNA of Neoehrlichia mikurensis was detected, followed by 1.5% (4/262) Babesia microti and 1.5% (4/262) Borrelia miyamotoi. Within the B. burgdorferi complex, B. garinii (n = 36) was largely predominant, followed by B. valaisiana (n = 2) and B. lusitaniae (n = 2). Among the detected Rickettsia spp., R. monacensis (n = 16), R. helvetica (n = 2) and R. slovaca (n = 1) were identified. In conclusion, the study provided some new information on the prevalence of ticks on birds in Moldova, as well as the presence of DNA of pathogens in the ticks. By doing so, it provided an additional piece in the puzzle of the global epidemiology of tick-transmitted infectious diseases from a geographic side from where respective surveillance data are scarce.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandr Morozov
- Center of Research of Biological Invasions, Institute of Zoology, MD-2012 Chisinau, Moldova; (A.P.); (I.T.); (A.M.)
- Correspondence: (A.M.); (S.P.)
| | - Alexei Tischenkov
- Natural Geography Department, Shevchenko Transnistria State University, MD-3300 Tiraspol, Moldova;
| | - Cornelia Silaghi
- Comparative Tropical Medicine and Parasitology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 80802 Munich, Germany;
- Institute of Infectology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institute, 17493 Greifswald, Germany
| | - Andrei Proka
- Center of Research of Biological Invasions, Institute of Zoology, MD-2012 Chisinau, Moldova; (A.P.); (I.T.); (A.M.)
| | - Ion Toderas
- Center of Research of Biological Invasions, Institute of Zoology, MD-2012 Chisinau, Moldova; (A.P.); (I.T.); (A.M.)
| | - Alexandru Movila
- Center of Research of Biological Invasions, Institute of Zoology, MD-2012 Chisinau, Moldova; (A.P.); (I.T.); (A.M.)
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Comprehensive Care, Indiana University School of Dentistry, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Hagen Frickmann
- Department of Microbiology and Hospital Hygiene, Bundeswehr Hospital Hamburg, 20359 Hamburg, Germany;
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Virology and Hygiene, University Medicine Rostock, 18057 Rostock, Germany
| | - Sven Poppert
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine Hamburg, 20359 Hamburg, Germany
- Correspondence: (A.M.); (S.P.)
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Wimbauer M, Bakkes DK, Wölfel S, Bröker M, Schaper S, Rieß R, Dobler G, Chitimia-Dobler L. Rickettsia spp. in ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) from wild birds: First detection of Candidatus Rickettsia vini in Hesse, Germany. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2022; 13:101908. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2022.101908] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2021] [Revised: 01/17/2022] [Accepted: 01/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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Cunze S, Glock G, Klimpel S. Spatial and temporal distribution patterns of tick-borne diseases (Tick-borne Encephalitis and Lyme Borreliosis) in Germany. PeerJ 2021; 9:e12422. [PMID: 34993011 PMCID: PMC8675256 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.12422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2021] [Accepted: 10/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In the face of ongoing climate warming, vector-borne diseases are expected to increase in Europe, including tick-borne diseases (TBD). The most abundant tick-borne diseases in Germany are Tick-Borne Encephalitis (TBE) and Lyme Borreliosis (LB), with Ixodes ricinus as the main vector. METHODS In this study, we display and compare the spatial and temporal patterns of reported cases of human TBE and LB in relation to some associated factors. The comparison may help with the interpretation of observed spatial and temporal patterns. RESULTS The spatial patterns of reported TBE cases show a clear and consistent pattern over the years, with many cases in the south and only few and isolated cases in the north of Germany. The identification of spatial patterns of LB disease cases is more difficult due to the different reporting practices in the individual federal states. Temporal patterns strongly fluctuate between years, and are relatively synchronized between both diseases, suggesting common driving factors. Based on our results we found no evidence that weather conditions affect the prevalence of both diseases. Both diseases show a gender bias with LB bing more commonly diagnosed in females, contrary to TBE being more commonly diagnosed in males. CONCLUSION For a further investigation of of the underlying driving factors and their interrelations, longer time series as well as standardised reporting and surveillance system would be required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Cunze
- Institute of Ecology, Evolution and Diversity, Johann Wolfgang Goethe Universität Frankfurt am Main, Frankfurt am Main, Hesse, Germany
| | - Gustav Glock
- Institute of Ecology, Evolution and Diversity, Johann Wolfgang Goethe Universität Frankfurt am Main, Frankfurt am Main, Hesse, Germany
| | - Sven Klimpel
- Institute of Ecology, Evolution and Diversity, Johann Wolfgang Goethe Universität Frankfurt am Main, Frankfurt am Main, Hesse, Germany
- Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre, Senckenberg Nature Research Society, Frankfurt am Main, Hesse, Germany
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22
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Korobitsyn IG, Moskvitina NS, Tyutenkov OY, Gashkov SI, Kononova YV, Moskvitin SS, Romanenko VN, Mikryukova TP, Protopopova EV, Kartashov MY, Chausov EV, Konovalova SN, Tupota NL, Sementsova AO, Ternovoi VA, Loktev VB. Detection of tick-borne pathogens in wild birds and their ticks in Western Siberia and high level of their mismatch. Folia Parasitol (Praha) 2021; 68. [PMID: 34825655 DOI: 10.14411/fp.2021.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2020] [Accepted: 07/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The Tomsk region located in the south of Western Siberia is one of the most high-risk areas for tick-borne diseases due to elevated incidence of tick-borne encephalitis and Lyme disease in humans. Wild birds may be considered as one of the reservoirs for tick-borne pathogens and hosts for infected ticks. A high mobility of wild birds leads to unpredictable possibilities for the dissemination of tick-borne pathogens into new geographical regions. The primary goal of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of tick-borne pathogens in wild birds and ticks that feed on them as well as to determine the role of different species of birds in maintaining the tick-borne infectious foci. We analysed the samples of 443 wild birds (60 species) and 378 ticks belonging to the genus Ixodes Latraille, 1795 collected from the wild birds, for detecting occurrence of eight tick-borne pathogens, the namely tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV), West Nile virus (WNV), and species of Borrelia, Rickettsia, Ehrlichia, Anaplasma, Bartonella and Babesia Starcovici, 1893, using RT-PCR/or PCR and enzyme immunoassay. One or more tick-borne infection markers were detected in 43 species of birds. All markers were detected in samples collected from fieldfare Turdus pilaris Linnaeus, Blyth's reed warbler Acrocephalus dumetorum Blyth, common redstart Phoenicurus phoenicurus (Linnaeus), and common chaffinch Fringilla coelebs Linnaeus. Although all pathogens have been identified in birds and ticks, we found that in the majority of cases (75.5 %), there were mismatches of pathogens in birds and ticks collected from them. Wild birds and their ticks may play an extremely important role in the dissemination of tick-borne pathogens into different geographical regions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Yulia V Kononova
- State Research Centre of Virology and Biotechnology 'Vector', World-Class Genomic Research Center for Biological Safety and Technological Independence, Koltsovo, Novosibirsk Region, Russia
| | | | | | - Tamara P Mikryukova
- State Research Centre of Virology and Biotechnology 'Vector', World-Class Genomic Research Center for Biological Safety and Technological Independence, Koltsovo, Novosibirsk Region, Russia
| | - Elena V Protopopova
- State Research Centre of Virology and Biotechnology 'Vector', World-Class Genomic Research Center for Biological Safety and Technological Independence, Koltsovo, Novosibirsk Region, Russia
| | - Mikhail Yu Kartashov
- State Research Centre of Virology and Biotechnology 'Vector', World-Class Genomic Research Center for Biological Safety and Technological Independence, Koltsovo, Novosibirsk Region, Russia
| | - Eugene V Chausov
- State Research Centre of Virology and Biotechnology 'Vector', World-Class Genomic Research Center for Biological Safety and Technological Independence, Koltsovo, Novosibirsk Region, Russia
| | - Svetlana N Konovalova
- State Research Centre of Virology and Biotechnology 'Vector', World-Class Genomic Research Center for Biological Safety and Technological Independence, Koltsovo, Novosibirsk Region, Russia
| | - Natalia L Tupota
- State Research Centre of Virology and Biotechnology 'Vector', World-Class Genomic Research Center for Biological Safety and Technological Independence, Koltsovo, Novosibirsk Region, Russia
| | - Alexandra O Sementsova
- State Research Centre of Virology and Biotechnology 'Vector', World-Class Genomic Research Center for Biological Safety and Technological Independence, Koltsovo, Novosibirsk Region, Russia
| | - Vladimir A Ternovoi
- State Research Centre of Virology and Biotechnology 'Vector', World-Class Genomic Research Center for Biological Safety and Technological Independence, Koltsovo, Novosibirsk Region, Russia
| | - Valery B Loktev
- State Research Centre of Virology and Biotechnology 'Vector', World-Class Genomic Research Center for Biological Safety and Technological Independence, Koltsovo, Novosibirsk Region, Russia
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Gandy S, Kilbride E, Biek R, Millins C, Gilbert L. Experimental evidence for opposing effects of high deer density on tick-borne pathogen prevalence and hazard. Parasit Vectors 2021; 14:509. [PMID: 34593023 PMCID: PMC8485466 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-021-05000-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2021] [Accepted: 09/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Identifying the mechanisms driving disease risk is challenging for multi-host pathogens, such as Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (s.l.), the tick-borne bacteria causing Lyme disease. Deer are tick reproduction hosts but do not transmit B. burgdorferi s.l., whereas rodents and birds are competent transmission hosts. Here, we use a long-term deer exclosure experiment to test three mechanisms for how high deer density might shape B. burgdorferi s.l. prevalence in ticks: increased prevalence due to higher larval tick densities facilitating high transmission on rodents (M1); alternatively, reduced B. burgdorferi s.l. prevalence because more larval ticks feed on deer rather than transmission-competent rodents (dilution effect) (M2), potentially due to ecological cascades, whereby higher deer grazing pressure shortens vegetation which decreases rodent abundance thus reducing transmission (M3). METHODS In a large enclosure where red deer stags were kept at high density (35.5 deer km-2), we used an experimental design consisting of eight plots of 0.23 ha, four of which were fenced to simulate the absence of deer and four that were accessible to deer. In each plot we measured the density of questing nymphs and nymphal infection prevalence in spring, summer and autumn, and quantified vegetation height and density, and small mammal abundance. RESULTS Prevalence tended to be lower, though not conclusively so, in high deer density plots compared to exclosures (predicted prevalence of 1.0% vs 2.2%), suggesting that the dilution and cascade mechanisms might outweigh the increased opportunities for transmission mechanism. Presence of deer at high density led to shorter vegetation and fewer rodents, consistent with an ecological cascade. However, Lyme disease hazard (density of infected I. ricinus nymphs) was five times higher in high deer density plots due to tick density being 18 times higher. CONCLUSIONS High densities of tick reproduction hosts such as deer can drive up vector-borne disease hazard, despite the potential to simultaneously reduce pathogen prevalence. This has implications for environmental pathogen management and for deer management, although the impact of intermediate deer densities now needs testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Gandy
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK. .,The James Hutton Institute, Craigiebuckler, Aberdeen, UK.
| | - Elizabeth Kilbride
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Roman Biek
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Caroline Millins
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK.,Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Lucy Gilbert
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
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Rubel F, Brugger K, Chitimia-Dobler L, Dautel H, Meyer-Kayser E, Kahl O. Atlas of ticks (Acari: Argasidae, Ixodidae) in Germany. EXPERIMENTAL & APPLIED ACAROLOGY 2021; 84:183-214. [PMID: 33939100 PMCID: PMC8102463 DOI: 10.1007/s10493-021-00619-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2021] [Accepted: 04/21/2021] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
An updated and increased compilation of georeferenced tick locations in Germany is presented here. This data collection extends the dataset published some years ago by another 1448 new tick locations, 900 locations of which were digitized from literature and 548 locations are published here for the first time. This means that a total of 3492 georeferenced tick locations is now available for Germany. The tick fauna of Germany includes two species of Argasidae in the genera Argas and Carios and 19 species of Ixodidae in the genera Dermacentor, Haemaphysalis, and Ixodes, altogether 21 tick species. In addition, three species of Ixodidae in the genera Hyalomma (each spring imported by migratory birds) and Rhipicephalus (occasionally imported by dogs returning from abroad with their owners) are included in the tick atlas. Of these, the georeferenced locations of 23 tick species are depicted in maps. The occurrence of the one remaining tick species, the recently described Ixodes inopinatus, is given at the level of the federal states. The most common and widespread tick species is Ixodes ricinus, with records in all 16 federal states. With the exception of Hamburg, Dermacentor reticulatus was also found in all federal states. The occurrence of the ixodid ticks Ixodes canisuga, Ixodes frontalis, Ixodes hexagonus and I. inopinatus were documented in at least 11 federal states each. The two mentioned argasid tick species were also documented in numerous federal states, the pigeon tick Argas reflexus in 11 and the bat tick Carios vespertilionis in seven federal states. The atlas of ticks in Germany and the underlying digital dataset in the supplement can be used to improve global tick maps or to study the effects of climate change and habitat alteration on the distribution of tick species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Franz Rubel
- Unit for Veterinary Public Health and Epidemiology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Wien, Austria
| | - Katharina Brugger
- Unit for Veterinary Public Health and Epidemiology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Wien, Austria
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Khamassi Khbou M, Romdhane R, Foughali AA, Sassi L, Suin V, Rekik M, Benzarti M. Presence of antibodies against tick-borne encephalitis virus in sheep in Tunisia, North Africa. BMC Vet Res 2020; 16:441. [PMID: 33183295 PMCID: PMC7664096 DOI: 10.1186/s12917-020-02651-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2020] [Accepted: 10/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEv) is a flavivirus that circulates in a complex cycle involving small mammals as amplifying hosts and ticks as vectors and reservoirs. The current study aimed to investigate the presence of TBEv in Tunisian sheep. A sample of 263 adult sheep were selected from 6 localities where Ixodes ricinus is well established. Sera were screened using ELISA for TBEv IgG detection, then the doubtful and positive sera were tested by the seroneutralisation test (SNT) and screened for West Nile Virus (WNv) IgG for cross-reaction assessment. RESULTS The ELISA for TBEv IgG detected one positive serum and 17 borderlines. The SNT showed one positive serum among the 18 tested, giving an overall antibody prevalence of 0.38% (95% CI = 0.07-2.12%). All but one serum tested negative to WNv ELISA. None of the sheep farmers reported neurological signs among sheep or humans in their households. CONCLUSIONS The results may indicate the circulation of TBEv for the first time in Tunisia and in North Africa. Further studies based on either virus isolation or RNA detection, are needed to confirm the presence of TBEv in North Africa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Médiha Khamassi Khbou
- Laboratory of Infectious Animal Diseases, Zoonosis and Sanitary Regulation, Institution of Agricultural Research and Higher Education, Univ. Manouba, National School of Veterinary Medicine of Sidi Thabet, 2020, Sidi Thabet, Tunisia.
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Institution of Agricultural Research and Higher Education, Univ. Manouba, National School of Veterinary Medicine of Sidi Thabet, 2020, Sidi Thabet, Tunisia.
| | - Rihab Romdhane
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Institution of Agricultural Research and Higher Education, Univ. Manouba, National School of Veterinary Medicine of Sidi Thabet, 2020, Sidi Thabet, Tunisia
| | - Asma Amina Foughali
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Institution of Agricultural Research and Higher Education, Univ. Manouba, National School of Veterinary Medicine of Sidi Thabet, 2020, Sidi Thabet, Tunisia
| | - Limam Sassi
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Institution of Agricultural Research and Higher Education, Univ. Manouba, National School of Veterinary Medicine of Sidi Thabet, 2020, Sidi Thabet, Tunisia
| | - Vanessa Suin
- Viral Diseases Service, Sciensano. Rue Juliette Wytsmanstraat 14, 1050, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Mourad Rekik
- International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA), P.O. Box 950764, 11195, Amman, Jordan
| | - M'hammed Benzarti
- Laboratory of Infectious Animal Diseases, Zoonosis and Sanitary Regulation, Institution of Agricultural Research and Higher Education, Univ. Manouba, National School of Veterinary Medicine of Sidi Thabet, 2020, Sidi Thabet, Tunisia
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Deviatkin AA, Kholodilov IS, Belova OA, Bugmyrin SV, Bespyatova LA, Ivannikova AY, Vakulenko YA, Lukashev AN, Karganova GG. Baltic Group Tick-Borne Encephalitis Virus Phylogeography: Systemic Inconsistency Pattern between Genetic and Geographic Distances. Microorganisms 2020; 8:microorganisms8101589. [PMID: 33076346 PMCID: PMC7602664 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms8101589] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2020] [Revised: 10/07/2020] [Accepted: 10/13/2020] [Indexed: 10/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Tick-Borne Encephalitis Virus (TBEV) is a dangerous arbovirus widely distributed in Northern Eurasia. The area of this pathogen changes over time. At the beginning of the 2000s, the Ixodes tick populations in Karelia increased. At the same time, the area of I. persulcatus, the main vector of the Siberian TBEV subtype, also expanded. Herein, we sequenced 10 viruses isolated from ticks collected in three locations from the Karelia region in 2008-2018. PCR positive samples were passaged in suckling mice or pig embryo kidney cells (PEK). After the second passage in suckling, mice viral RNA was isolated and E-gene fragment was sequenced. Viral sequences were expected to be similar or nearly identical. Instead, there was up to a 4.8% difference in nucleotide sequence, comparable with the most diverse viruses belonging to the Baltic subgroup in Siberian TBEV subtype (Baltic TBEV-Sib). To reveal whether this was systemic or incidental, a comprehensive phylogeographical analysis was conducted. Interestingly, viruses within each geographic region demonstrated comparable diversity to the whole Baltic TBEV-Sib. Moreover, Baltic TBEV-Sib has a distribution area limited by three ecological regions. This means that active virus mixing occurs in the vast geographic area forming one common virus pool. The most plausible explanation is the involvement of flying animals in the TBEV spread.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrei A. Deviatkin
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Institute of Molecular Medicine, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, 119048 Moscow, Russia;
- Correspondence: (A.A.D.); (G.G.K.)
| | - Ivan S. Kholodilov
- Laboratory of Biology of Arboviruses, Chumakov Institute of Poliomyelitis and Viral Encephalitides (FSBSI “Chumakov FSC R&D IBP RAS), 108819 Moscow, Russia; (I.S.K.); (O.A.B.); (A.Y.I.)
| | - Oxana A. Belova
- Laboratory of Biology of Arboviruses, Chumakov Institute of Poliomyelitis and Viral Encephalitides (FSBSI “Chumakov FSC R&D IBP RAS), 108819 Moscow, Russia; (I.S.K.); (O.A.B.); (A.Y.I.)
| | - Sergey V. Bugmyrin
- Laboratory for Animal and Plant Parasitology, Institute of Biology of the Karelian Research Centre of the Russian Academy of Sciences (IB KarRC RAS), 185910 Petrozavodsk, Russia; (S.V.B.); (L.A.B.)
| | - Lubov A. Bespyatova
- Laboratory for Animal and Plant Parasitology, Institute of Biology of the Karelian Research Centre of the Russian Academy of Sciences (IB KarRC RAS), 185910 Petrozavodsk, Russia; (S.V.B.); (L.A.B.)
| | - Anna Y. Ivannikova
- Laboratory of Biology of Arboviruses, Chumakov Institute of Poliomyelitis and Viral Encephalitides (FSBSI “Chumakov FSC R&D IBP RAS), 108819 Moscow, Russia; (I.S.K.); (O.A.B.); (A.Y.I.)
| | - Yulia A. Vakulenko
- Department of Virology, Faculty of Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119234 Moscow, Russia;
- Martsinovsky Institute of Medical Parasitology, Tropical and Vector Borne Diseases, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, 119435 Moscow, Russia
| | - Alexander N. Lukashev
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Institute of Molecular Medicine, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, 119048 Moscow, Russia;
- Martsinovsky Institute of Medical Parasitology, Tropical and Vector Borne Diseases, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, 119435 Moscow, Russia
| | - Galina G. Karganova
- Laboratory of Biology of Arboviruses, Chumakov Institute of Poliomyelitis and Viral Encephalitides (FSBSI “Chumakov FSC R&D IBP RAS), 108819 Moscow, Russia; (I.S.K.); (O.A.B.); (A.Y.I.)
- Department of Organization and Technology of Immunobiological Preparations, Institute for Translational Medicine and Biotechnology, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, 119991 Moscow, Russia
- Correspondence: (A.A.D.); (G.G.K.)
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27
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Paulsen KM, Lamsal A, Bastakoti S, Pettersson JHO, Pedersen BN, Stiasny K, Haglund M, Smura T, Vapalahti O, Vikse R, Alfsnes K, Andreassen ÅK. High-throughput sequencing of two European strains of tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV), Hochosterwitz and 1993/783. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2020; 12:101557. [PMID: 33080519 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2020.101557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2020] [Revised: 08/28/2020] [Accepted: 09/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) is a medically important arbovirus, widespread in Europe and Asia. The virus is primarily transmitted to humans and animals by bites from ticks and, in rare cases, by consumption of unpasteurized dairy products. The aim of this study was to sequence and characterize two TBEV strains with amplicon sequencing by designing overlapping primers. The amplicon sequencing, via Illumina MiSeq, covering nearly the entire TBEV genome, was successful: We retrieved and characterized the complete polyprotein sequence of two TBEV strains, Hochosterwitz and 1993/783 from Austria and Sweden, respectively. In this study the previous phylogenetic analysis of both strains was confirmed to be of the European subtypes of TBEV (TBEV-Eu) by whole genome sequencing. The Hochosterwitz strain clustered with the two strains KrM 93 and KrM 213 from South Korea, and the 1993/783 strain clustered together with the NL/UH strain from the Netherlands. Our study confirms the suitability and rapidness of the high-throughput sequencing method used to produce complete TBEV genomes from TBEV samples of high viral load giving high-molecular-weight cDNA with large overlapping amplicons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katrine M Paulsen
- Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Division for Infection Control and Environmental Health, Department of Virology, PO-Box 222 Skøyen, NO-0213, Oslo, Norway
| | - Alaka Lamsal
- Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Division for Infection Control and Environmental Health, Department of Virology, PO-Box 222 Skøyen, NO-0213, Oslo, Norway; University of South-Eastern Norway, Department of Natural Science and Environmental Health, Gullbringvegen 36, NO-3800, Bø, Norway
| | - Srijana Bastakoti
- Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Division for Infection Control and Environmental Health, Department of Virology, PO-Box 222 Skøyen, NO-0213, Oslo, Norway
| | - John H-O Pettersson
- Uppsala University, Zoonosis Science Center, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, Uppsala, Sweden; The University of Sydney, Marie Bashir Institute for Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, Charles Perkins Centre, School of Life and Environmental Sciences and Sydney Medical School, Sydney, Australia
| | - Benedikte N Pedersen
- University of South-Eastern Norway, Department of Natural Science and Environmental Health, Gullbringvegen 36, NO-3800, Bø, Norway
| | - Karin Stiasny
- Medical University of Vienna, Center for Virology, Kinderspitalgasse 15, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Mats Haglund
- Kalmar County Hospital, Department of Infectious Diseases, SE-391 85, Kalmar, Sweden
| | - Teemu Smura
- University of Helsinki, Department of Virology, Medicum, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Olli Vapalahti
- University of Helsinki, Department of Virology, Medicum, Helsinki, Finland; University of Helsinki, Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Helsinki, Finland; University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Department of Virology and Immunology, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Rose Vikse
- Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Division for Infection Control and Environmental Health, Department of Virology, PO-Box 222 Skøyen, NO-0213, Oslo, Norway
| | - Kristian Alfsnes
- Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Division for Infection Control and Environmental Health, Department of Bacteriology, PO-Box 222 Skøyen, NO-0213, Oslo, Norway
| | - Åshild K Andreassen
- Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Division for Infection Control and Environmental Health, Department of Virology, PO-Box 222 Skøyen, NO-0213, Oslo, Norway; University of South-Eastern Norway, Department of Natural Science and Environmental Health, Gullbringvegen 36, NO-3800, Bø, Norway.
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Borşan SD, Toma-Naic A, Péter Á, Sándor AD, Peștean C, Mihalca AD. Impact of abiotic factors, habitat type and urban wildlife on the ecology of hard ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) in urban and peri-urban habitats. Parasit Vectors 2020; 13:476. [PMID: 32948235 PMCID: PMC7501622 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-020-04352-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2020] [Accepted: 09/11/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ticks are increasingly acknowledged as significant vectors for a wide array of pathogens in urban environments with reports of abundant tick populations in recreational areas. The study aims to contribute to a better knowledge of the abiotic and biotic factors which impact the ecology of hard ticks in urban and peri-urban habitats in Romania. METHODS Questing ticks were collected by flagging in seven recreational locations, from four types of habitats in Cluj-Napoca, Romania: parks; gardens; a cemetery; and peri-urban forests. Hedgehogs, birds and micromammals were also sampled and searched for ticks, using standard methods (i.e. torch-based searches, ornithological mist nets, snap-traps, etc.), while vegetation was evaluated on surveyed areas. Data on questing ticks were converted to abundance indices. Mood's median tests were used to assess the relationship between the abiotic and biotic factors and the abundance of questing ticks. RESULTS Two species of questing ticks were found: Ixodes ricinus (96.8%) and Haemaphysalis punctata (3.2%). Ixodes ricinus was also the predominant engorged tick collected from urban wildlife. For I. ricinus the highest mean total abundance index/location (total no. of ticks/100 m2) was recorded in the urban gardens (3.79, 95% CI: ± 1.59) and parks (2.68, 95% CI: ± 0.75), whereas the lowest mean total abundance index was noted in the peri-urban forests (0.06, 95% CI: ± 0.03) and the urban cemetery (0.04, 95% CI: ± 0.02). The adults and nymphs of I. ricinus displayed a bimodal activity pattern, while the larvae showed a unimodal questing behaviour with an autumnal peak. Positive correlations were found between the mean total abundance index and the rise in the daily mean temperature and relative humidity, and between the global abundance of questing ticks and the presence of hedgehogs in the respective locations (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS Ticks were collected in all the recreational sites surveyed in Cluj-Napoca. Ixodes ricinus was the dominant questing and engorged tick species. Several abiotic and biotic factors shape the ecology of ticks in Cluj-Napoca city, with climate and the local presence of suitable hosts being the most important.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia-Diana Borşan
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-Napoca, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Andra Toma-Naic
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-Napoca, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Áron Péter
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-Napoca, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Attila D. Sándor
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-Napoca, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- Department of Parasitology and Zoology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Cosmin Peștean
- Department of Surgery, Anesthesiology and Intensive Therapy, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-Napoca, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Andrei-Daniel Mihalca
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-Napoca, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
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29
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Michel F, Ziegler U, Fast C, Eiden M, Klaus C, Dobler G, Stiasny K, Groschup MH. Role of ducks in the transmission cycle of tick-borne encephalitis virus? Transbound Emerg Dis 2020; 68:499-508. [PMID: 32599659 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.13704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2020] [Revised: 06/15/2020] [Accepted: 06/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV), a member of the family Flaviviridae, is the most important tick-transmitted arbovirus in Europe. It can cause severe illnesses in humans and in various animal species. The main mechanism for the spread of TBEV into new areas is considered to be the translocation of infected ticks. To find out whether ducks can function as a natural virus reservoir in addition to serving as passive transport vectors, we carried out an experimental TBEV challenge study to reveal their susceptibility and resulting pathogenesis. Nineteen ducks were inoculated subcutaneously with TBEV strain 'Neudoerfl' and monitored for 21 days. Blood, oropharyngeal and cloacal swabs were collected throughout the experiment and organ samples upon necropsy at the end of the study. All samples were tested for TBEV-RNA by real-time polymerase chain reaction. TBEV-specific antibodies were determined by virus neutralization test and ELISA. Organ samples were examined histopathologically and by immunohistochemistry. The inoculated ducks did not show any clinical symptoms. TBEV-specific RNA was detected in all brain samples as well as in a few blood and swab samples. Moreover, all challenged birds produced TBEV antibodies and showed a mild to severe acute to subacute necrotizing encephalitis. TBEV-specific antigen was detected in the brain of 14 ducks by immunohistochemistry. The short and low viremic phases, as well as the low virus load in tissues, suggest that ducks should not be considered as reservoir hosts. However, due to the high antibody levels, ducks can serve as sentinel species for the detection of natural TBEV foci.
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Affiliation(s)
- Friederike Michel
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Ute Ziegler
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Christine Fast
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Martin Eiden
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Christine Klaus
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Institute of Bacterial Infections and Zoonoses, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Jena, Germany
| | - Gerhard Dobler
- Department of Virology and Rickettsiology, Bundeswehr Institute of Microbiology, Munich, Germany
| | - Karin Stiasny
- Center for Virology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Martin H Groschup
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
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30
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Hornok S, Boldogh SA, Takács N, Juhász A, Kontschán J, Földi D, Koleszár B, Morandini P, Gyuranecz M, Szekeres S. Anaplasmataceae closely related to Ehrlichia chaffeensis and Neorickettsia helminthoeca from birds in Central Europe, Hungary. Antonie Van Leeuwenhoek 2020; 113:1067-1073. [PMID: 32318980 PMCID: PMC7272389 DOI: 10.1007/s10482-020-01415-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2020] [Accepted: 04/07/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Increasing amount of data attest that (in the context of vector-borne infections) birds are not only important as hosts of blood-sucking arthropod vectors, but also as reservoirs of vector-borne pathogens. From 2015 to 2019 cadavers of 100 birds (from 45 species, nine orders) were collected in Hungary, and their organs were screened for DNA from a broad range of vector-borne bacteria with PCR and sequencing. Molecular analyses revealed the presence of Anaplasmataceae, and sequencing identified bacteria closely related to Neorickettsia helminthoeca and Ehrlichia chaffeensis in a Eurasian teal (Anas crecca) and a song thrush (Turdus philomelos), respectively. All samples were PCR negative for rickettsiae, borreliae, Francisella and Coxiella spp., as well as for piroplasms. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a Neorickettsia and an Ehrlichia sp., which belong to the phylogenetic groups of N. helminthoeca and E. chaffeensis, respectively, from Europe. The potential presence of these two vector-borne bacteria needs to be taken into account during future studies on the eco-epidemiology of Anaplasmataceae in Europe.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sándor Hornok
- Department of Parasitology and Zoology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Budapest, 1078, Hungary.
| | - Sándor A Boldogh
- Department of Nature Conservation, Aggtelek National Park Directorate, Jósvafő, 3758, Hungary
| | - Nóra Takács
- Department of Parasitology and Zoology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Budapest, 1078, Hungary
| | - Alexandra Juhász
- Department of Parasitology and Zoology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Budapest, 1078, Hungary
| | - Jenő Kontschán
- Department of Zoology, Plant Protection Institute, Centre for Agricultural Research, Budapest, 1022, Hungary
| | - Dorottya Földi
- Zoonotic Bacteriology and Mycoplasmatology Research Team, Institute for Veterinary Medical Research, Centre for Agricultural Research, Budapest, 1143, Hungary
| | - Balázs Koleszár
- Department of Parasitology and Zoology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Budapest, 1078, Hungary
| | - Pál Morandini
- Hungarian Ornithological and Nature Conservation Society, Budapest, 1125, Hungary
| | - Miklós Gyuranecz
- Zoonotic Bacteriology and Mycoplasmatology Research Team, Institute for Veterinary Medical Research, Centre for Agricultural Research, Budapest, 1143, Hungary
| | - Sándor Szekeres
- Department of Parasitology and Zoology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Budapest, 1078, Hungary.
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The Potential Role of Migratory Birds in the Rapid Spread of Ticks and Tick-Borne Pathogens in the Changing Climatic and Environmental Conditions in Europe. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 17:ijerph17062117. [PMID: 32209990 PMCID: PMC7142536 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17062117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2020] [Revised: 03/09/2020] [Accepted: 03/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
This opinion piece highlights the role of migratory birds in the spread of ticks and their role in the circulation and dissemination of pathogens in Europe. Birds with different lifestyles, i.e., non-migrants residing in a specific area, or short-, medium-, and long-distance migrants, migrating within one or several distant geographical regions are carriers of a number of ticks and tick-borne pathogens. During seasonal migrations, birds that cover long distances over a short time and stay temporarily in different habitats can introduce tick and pathogen species in areas where they have never occurred. An increase in the geographical range of ticks as well as the global climate changes affecting the pathogens, vectors, and their hosts increase the incidence and the spread of emerging tick-borne diseases worldwide. Tick infestations of birds varied between regions depends on the rhythms of tick seasonal activity and the bird migration rhythms determined by for example, climatic and environmental factors. In areas north of latitude ca. 58°N, immature Ixodes ricinus ticks are collected from birds most frequently, whereas ticks from the Hyalomma marginatum group dominate in areas below 42°N. We concluded that the prognosis of hazards posed by tick-borne pathogens should take into account changes in the migration of birds, hosts of many epidemiologically important tick species.
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Răileanu C, Tauchmann O, Vasić A, Wöhnke E, Silaghi C. Borrelia miyamotoi and Borrelia burgdorferi (sensu lato) identification and survey of tick-borne encephalitis virus in ticks from north-eastern Germany. Parasit Vectors 2020; 13:106. [PMID: 32106890 PMCID: PMC7045458 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-020-3969-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2019] [Accepted: 02/13/2020] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Ixodes ricinus is the most common tick species in Europe and the main vector for Borrelia burgdorferi (sensu lato) and tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV). It is involved also in the transmission of Borrelia miyamotoi, a relapsing fever spirochete that causes health disorders in humans. Little is known regarding the circulation of Borrelia species and the natural foci of TBEV in north-eastern Germany. The goal of this study was to investigate the infection rates of Borrelia spp. and of TBEV in I. ricinus ticks from north-eastern Germany. Methods Ticks were collected by flagging from 14 forest sites in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania between April and October 2018. RNA and DNA extraction was performed from individual adult ticks and from pools of 2–10 nymphs. Real time reverse transcription PCR (RT-qPCR) targeted the 3′ non-coding region of TBEV, while DNA of Borrelia spp. was tested by nested PCR for the amplification of 16S-23S intergenic spacer. Multilocus sequence typing (MLST) was performed on B. miyamotoi isolates. Results In total, 2407 ticks were collected (239 females, 232 males and 1936 nymphs). Female and male I. ricinus ticks had identical infection rates (both 12.1%) for Borrelia spp., while nymphal pools showed a minimum infection rate (MIR) of 3.3%. Sequencing revealed four Borrelia species: B. afzelii, B. garinii, B. valaisiana and B. miyamotoi. Borrelia afzelii had the highest prevalence in adult ticks (5.5%) and nymphs (MIR of 1.8%). Borrelia miyamotoi was identified in 3.0% of adults and registered the MIR of 0.8% in nymphs. Borrelia valaisiana was confirmed in 2.5% adult ticks and nymphs had the MIR of 0.7%, while B. garinii was present in 1.1% of adults and showed a MIR of 0.1% in nymphs. The MLST of B. miyamotoi isolates showed that they belong to sequence type 635. No tick sample was positive after RT-qPCR for TBEV RNA. Conclusions The prevalence of B. miyamotoi in I. ricinus ticks registered similar levels to other reports from Europe suggesting that this agent might be well established in the local tick population. The detection of B. burgdorferi (s.l.) indicates a constant circulation in tick populations from this region.![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristian Răileanu
- Institute of Infectology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Südufer 10, 17943, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Oliver Tauchmann
- Institute of Infectology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Südufer 10, 17943, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Ana Vasić
- Institute of Infectology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Südufer 10, 17943, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Elisabeth Wöhnke
- Institute of Infectology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Südufer 10, 17943, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany.,Institute of Molecular Virology and Cell Biology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Cornelia Silaghi
- Institute of Infectology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Südufer 10, 17943, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany. .,Institute of Molecular Virology and Cell Biology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany. .,Department of Biology, University of Greifswald, Domstrasse 11, 17489, Greifswald, Germany.
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Holding M, Dowall SD, Medlock JM, Carter DP, Pullan ST, Lewis J, Vipond R, Rocchi MS, Baylis M, Hewson R. Tick-Borne Encephalitis Virus, United Kingdom. Emerg Infect Dis 2020; 26:90-96. [PMID: 31661056 PMCID: PMC6924911 DOI: 10.3201/eid2601.191085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
During February 2018–January 2019, we conducted large-scale surveillance for the presence and prevalence of tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) and louping ill virus (LIV) in sentinel animals and ticks in the United Kingdom. Serum was collected from 1,309 deer culled across England and Scotland. Overall, 4% of samples were ELISA-positive for the TBEV serocomplex. A focus in the Thetford Forest area had the highest proportion (47.7%) of seropositive samples. Ticks collected from culled deer within seropositive regions were tested for viral RNA; 5 of 2,041 ticks tested positive by LIV/TBEV real-time reverse transcription PCR, all from within the Thetford Forest area. From 1 tick, we identified a full-length genomic sequence of TBEV. Thus, using deer as sentinels revealed a potential TBEV focus in the United Kingdom. This detection of TBEV genomic sequence in UK ticks has important public health implications, especially for undiagnosed encephalitis.
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Experimental study of micro-habitat selection by ixodid ticks feeding on avian hosts. Int J Parasitol 2019; 49:1005-1014. [PMID: 31734336 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2019.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2019] [Revised: 09/07/2019] [Accepted: 09/10/2019] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Mechanisms of on-host habitat selection of parasites are important to the understanding of host-parasite interactions and evolution. To this end, it is important to separate the factors driving parasite micro-habitat selection from those resulting from host anti-parasite behaviour. We experimentally investigated whether tick infestation patterns on songbirds are the result of an active choice by the ticks themselves, or the outcome of songbird grooming behaviour. Attachment patterns of three ixodid tick species with different ecologies and host specificities were studied on avian hosts. Ixodes arboricola, Ixodes ricinus and Ixodes frontalis were put on the head, belly and back of adult great tits (Parus major) and adult domestic canaries (Serinus canaria domestica) which were either restricted or not in their grooming capabilities. Without exception, ticks were eventually found on a bird's head. When we gave ticks full opportunities to attach on other body parts - in the absence of host grooming - they showed lower attachment success. Moreover, ticks moved from these other body parts to the host's head when given the opportunity. This study provides evidence that the commonly observed pattern of ticks feeding on songbirds' heads is the result of an adaptive behavioural strategy. Experimental data on a novel host species, the domestic canary, and a consistent number of published field observations, strongly support this hypothesis. We address some proximate and ultimate causes that may explain parasite preference for this body part in songbirds. The link found between parasite micro-habitat preference and host anti-parasite behaviour provides further insight into the mechanisms driving ectoparasite aggregation, which is important for the population dynamics of hosts, ectoparasites and the micro-pathogens for which they are vectors.
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35
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Tkachev SE, Babkin IV, Chicherina GS, Kozlova IV, Verkhozina MM, Demina TV, Lisak OV, Doroshchenko EK, Dzhioev YP, Suntsova OV, Belokopytova PS, Tikunov AY, Savinova YS, Paramonov AI, Glupov VV, Zlobin VI, Tikunova NV. Genetic diversity and geographical distribution of the Siberian subtype of the tick-borne encephalitis virus. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2019; 11:101327. [PMID: 31767494 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2019.101327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2019] [Revised: 10/21/2019] [Accepted: 11/06/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV), a member of the Flaviviridae family, is currently subdivided into three main subtypes-the European (TBEV-Eu), the Far-Eastern (TBEV-FE), and the Siberian (TBEV-Sib). The TBEV-Sib is the most common subtype and found in all regions where TBEV was detected, except for Central and Western Europe. Currently, four genetic lineages have been described within TBEV-Sib. In this study, detailed analysis of TBEV-Sib genetic diversity, geographic distribution, phylogeography and divergence time of different TBEV-Sib genetic lineages based on E gene fragments, complete genome sequences, and all currently available data in the GenBank database was performed. As a result, a novel Bosnia lineage within the TBEV-Sib was identified. It was demonstrated that the Zausaev lineage is the most widely distributed among the TBEV-Sib lineages, and was detected in all studied regions except the Far East. The Vasilchenko lineage was found from Western Siberia to the Far East. The Baltic lineage is presented from Europe to Western Siberia. The Obskaya lineage was found only in Western Siberia. TBEV strains from a newly described Bosnia lineage were detected in Bosnia, the Crimean peninsula, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan. The greatest divergence of the TBEV-Sib genetic variants was observed in Western Siberia. Within the TBEV-Sib, the Obskaya lineage diverged from the common ancestor the earliest, after that the Bosnia lineage was separated, then the Baltic lineage, and the Zausaev and Vasilchenko lineages diverged most recently.
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Affiliation(s)
- S E Tkachev
- Institute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine of the SB RAS, Acad. Lavrentyev's pr., 8, Novosibirsk, 630090, Russia.
| | - I V Babkin
- Institute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine of the SB RAS, Acad. Lavrentyev's pr., 8, Novosibirsk, 630090, Russia
| | - G S Chicherina
- Institute of Systematics and Ecology of Animals SB RAS, Frunze str., 11, Novosibirsk, 630091, Russia
| | - I V Kozlova
- Scientific Centre for Family Health and Human Reproduction Problems, Timiryazev Str., 16, Irkutsk, 664003, Russia
| | - M M Verkhozina
- Center for Hygiene and Epidemiology in the Irkutsk Region, Trilisser Str., 51, Irkutsk, 664047, Russia
| | - T V Demina
- Irkutsk State Agrarian University by A.A. Ezhevsky, Molodezhny Settlement, Irkutsk District, Irkutsk, 664038, Russia
| | - O V Lisak
- Scientific Centre for Family Health and Human Reproduction Problems, Timiryazev Str., 16, Irkutsk, 664003, Russia
| | - E K Doroshchenko
- Scientific Centre for Family Health and Human Reproduction Problems, Timiryazev Str., 16, Irkutsk, 664003, Russia
| | - Yu P Dzhioev
- Research Institute of Biomedical Technology of Irkutsk State Medical University, Krasnogo Vosstaniya Str., 1/3, Irkutsk, 664003, Russia
| | - O V Suntsova
- Scientific Centre for Family Health and Human Reproduction Problems, Timiryazev Str., 16, Irkutsk, 664003, Russia
| | - P S Belokopytova
- Institute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine of the SB RAS, Acad. Lavrentyev's pr., 8, Novosibirsk, 630090, Russia
| | - A Yu Tikunov
- Institute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine of the SB RAS, Acad. Lavrentyev's pr., 8, Novosibirsk, 630090, Russia
| | - Yu S Savinova
- Scientific Centre for Family Health and Human Reproduction Problems, Timiryazev Str., 16, Irkutsk, 664003, Russia
| | - A I Paramonov
- Scientific Centre for Family Health and Human Reproduction Problems, Timiryazev Str., 16, Irkutsk, 664003, Russia
| | - V V Glupov
- Institute of Systematics and Ecology of Animals SB RAS, Frunze str., 11, Novosibirsk, 630091, Russia
| | - V I Zlobin
- Research Institute of Biomedical Technology of Irkutsk State Medical University, Krasnogo Vosstaniya Str., 1/3, Irkutsk, 664003, Russia
| | - N V Tikunova
- Institute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine of the SB RAS, Acad. Lavrentyev's pr., 8, Novosibirsk, 630090, Russia.
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Michelitsch A, Wernike K, Klaus C, Dobler G, Beer M. Exploring the Reservoir Hosts of Tick-Borne Encephalitis Virus. Viruses 2019; 11:E669. [PMID: 31336624 PMCID: PMC6669706 DOI: 10.3390/v11070669] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2019] [Revised: 07/17/2019] [Accepted: 07/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) is an important arbovirus, which is found across large parts of Eurasia and is considered to be a major health risk for humans. Like any other arbovirus, TBEV relies on complex interactions between vectors, reservoir hosts, and the environment for successful virus circulation. Hard ticks are the vectors for TBEV, transmitting the virus to a variety of animals. The importance of these animals in the lifecycle of TBEV is still up for debate. Large woodland animals seem to have a positive influence on virus circulation by providing a food source for adult ticks; birds are suspected to play a role in virus distribution. Bank voles and yellow-necked mice are often referred to as classical virus reservoirs, but this statement lacks strong evidence supporting their highlighted role. Other small mammals (e.g., insectivores) may also play a crucial role in virus transmission, not to mention the absence of any suspected reservoir host for non-European endemic regions. Theories highlighting the importance of the co-feeding transmission route go as far as naming ticks themselves as the true reservoir for TBEV, and mammalian hosts as a mere bridge for transmission. A deeper insight into the virus reservoir could lead to a better understanding of the development of endemic regions. The spatial distribution of TBEV is constricted to certain areas, forming natural foci that can be restricted to sizes of merely 500 square meters. The limiting factors for their occurrence are largely unknown, but a possible influence of reservoir hosts on the distribution pattern of TBE is discussed. This review aims to give an overview of the multiple factors influencing the TBEV transmission cycle, focusing on the role of virus reservoirs, and highlights the questions that are waiting to be further explored.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Michelitsch
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Südufer 10, 17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Kerstin Wernike
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Südufer 10, 17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Christine Klaus
- Institute for Bacterial Infections and Zoonoses, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Naumburger Str. 96a, 07743 Jena, Germany
| | - Gerhard Dobler
- Bundeswehr Institute of Microbiology, German Center of Infection Research (DZIF) partner site Munich, Neuherbergstraße 11, 80937 München, Germany
| | - Martin Beer
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Südufer 10, 17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany.
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37
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Mysterud A, Heylen DJA, Matthysen E, Garcia AL, Jore S, Viljugrein H. Lyme neuroborreliosis and bird populations in northern Europe. Proc Biol Sci 2019; 286:20190759. [PMID: 31138073 PMCID: PMC6545076 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2019.0759] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2019] [Accepted: 05/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Many vector-borne diseases are transmitted through complex pathogen-vector-host networks, which makes it challenging to identify the role of specific host groups in disease emergence. Lyme borreliosis in humans is now the most common vector-borne zoonosis in the Northern Hemisphere. The disease is caused by multiple genospecies of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato bacteria transmitted by ixodid (hard) ticks, and the major host groups transmit Borrelia genospecies with different pathogenicity, causing variable clinical symptoms in humans. The health impact of a given host group is a function of the number of ticks it infects as well as the pathogenicity of the genospecies it carries. Borrelia afzelii, with mainly small mammals as reservoirs, is the most common pathogen causing Lyme borreliosis, and it is often responsible for the largest proportion of infected host-seeking tick nymphs in Europe. The bird-borne Borrelia garinii, though less prevalent in nymphal ticks, is more likely to cause Lyme neuroborreliosis, but whether B. garinii causes disseminated disease more frequently has not been documented. Based on extensive data of annual disease incidence across Norway from 1995 to 2017, we show here that 69% of disseminated Lyme borreliosis cases were neuroborreliosis, which is three times higher than predicted from the infection prevalence of B. garinii in host-seeking ticks (21%). The population estimate of migratory birds, mainly of thrushes, explained part of the annual variation in cases of neuroborreliosis, with a one-year time lag. We highlight the important role of the genospecies' pathogenicity and the host associations for understanding the epidemiology of disseminated Lyme borreliosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atle Mysterud
- Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Synthesis (CEES), Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, PO Box 1066, Blindern, 0316 Oslo, Norway
- Evolutionary Ecology Group, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Dieter J. A. Heylen
- Interuniversity Institute for Biostatistics and Statistical Bioinformatics, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA
| | - Erik Matthysen
- Evolutionary Ecology Group, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium
| | | | - Solveig Jore
- Department of Food, Water, Zoonotic and Vector-borne Infections, The Norwegian Public Health Institute, PO Box 4404, Nydalen, 0403 Oslo, Norway
| | - Hildegunn Viljugrein
- Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Synthesis (CEES), Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, PO Box 1066, Blindern, 0316 Oslo, Norway
- Norwegian Veterinary Institute, PO Box 750, Sentrum, 0106 Oslo, Norway
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Brinkerhoff RJ, Dang L, Streby HM, Gimpel M. Life history characteristics of birds influence patterns of tick parasitism. Infect Ecol Epidemiol 2018; 9:1547096. [PMID: 30598737 PMCID: PMC6263100 DOI: 10.1080/20008686.2018.1547096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2018] [Accepted: 11/06/2018] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Birds serve as reservoirs for tick-borne pathogens as well as hosts for multiple tick species of public health relevance. Birds may perpetuate life cycles of vectors and vector-borne pathogens and disperse disease vectors over long distances, supplementing populations at range margins or seeding invading populations beyond the edges of current tick distributions. Our goal for this study was to identify life history characteristics of birds that most strongly affect tick parasitism. Materials and Methods: We collected 6203 ticks from 5426 birds from two sites in eastern North America and used field-derived parasitism data and published literature to analyze impacts of life history factors on tick parasitism in birds. Results and Discussion: We identified body size and nest site to have the strongest impact on tick prevalence and abundance in the songbird species included in this study. Our findings reveal site-independent patterns in tick parasitism on birds and suggest that physical more than behavioral characteristics may influence a bird species’ suitability as a host for ticks. Conclusions: The data and results published here will contribute to a growing body of literature and information on bird-tick interactions and will help elucidate patterns of tick and tick-borne pathogen geographic expansion.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Jory Brinkerhoff
- Department of Biology, University of Richmond, Richmond, VA, USA.,School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
| | - Lena Dang
- Department of Biology, University of Richmond, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Henry M Streby
- Department of Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN, USA.,Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, USA
| | - Maren Gimpel
- Forman's Branch Bird Observatory, Washington College, Chestertown, MD, USA
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39
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Pajoro M, Pistone D, Varotto Boccazzi I, Mereghetti V, Bandi C, Fabbi M, Scattorin F, Sassera D, Montagna M. Molecular screening for bacterial pathogens in ticks (Ixodes ricinus) collected on migratory birds captured in northern Italy. Folia Parasitol (Praha) 2018; 65. [PMID: 29925679 DOI: 10.14411/fp.2018.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2017] [Accepted: 05/28/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Migratory birds have an important role in transporting ticks and associated tick-borne pathogens over long distances. In this study, 2,793 migratory birds were captured by nets in a ringing station, located in northern Italy, and checked for the presence of ticks. Two-hundred and fifty-one ticks were identified as nymphs and larvae of Ixodes ricinus (Linnaeus, 1758) and they were PCR-screened for the presence of bacteria belonging to Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, Rickettsia spp., Francisella tularensis and Coxiella burnetii. Four species of Borrelia (B. garinii, B. afzelii, B. valaisiana and B. lusitaniae) and three species of Rickettsia (R. monacensis, R. helvetica and Candidatus Rickettsia mendelii) were detected in 74 (30%) and 25 (10%) respectively out of 251 ticks examined. Co-infection with Borrelia spp. and Rickettsia spp. in the same tick sample was encountered in 7 (7%) out of the 99 infected ticks. We report for the first time the presence of Candidatus Rickettsia mendelii in I. ricinus collected on birds in Italy. This study, besides confirming the role of birds in dispersal of I. ricinus, highlights an important route by which tick-borne pathogens might spread across different countries and from natural environments towards urbanised areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Massimo Pajoro
- Pediatric Clinical Research Center Romeo ed Enrica Invernizzi, University of Milano, Italy
| | - Dario Pistone
- University of South Bohemia, Faculty of Science, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic.,Department of Bioscience, University of Milano, Italy
| | | | - Valeria Mereghetti
- Department of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, University of Milano, Italy
| | - Claudio Bandi
- Pediatric Clinical Research Center Romeo ed Enrica Invernizzi, University of Milano, Italy.,Department of Bioscience, University of Milano, Italy
| | - Massimo Fabbi
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emila Romagna, Pavia, Italy
| | | | - Davide Sassera
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Pavia, Italy
| | - Matteo Montagna
- Department of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, University of Milano, Italy
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Saegerman C, Bertagnoli S, Meyer G, Ganière JP, Caufour P, De Clercq K, Jacquiet P, Fournié G, Hautefeuille C, Etore F, Casal J. Risk of introduction of lumpy skin disease in France by the import of vectors in animal trucks. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0198506. [PMID: 29889905 PMCID: PMC5995388 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0198506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2017] [Accepted: 05/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The lumpy skin disease virus (LSDV) is a dsDNA virus belonging to the Poxviridae family and the Capripoxvirus genus. Lumpy skin diseases (LSD) is a highly contagious transboundary disease in cattle producing major economic losses. In 2014, the disease was first reported in the European Union (in Cyprus); it was then reported in 2015 (in Greece) and has spread through different Balkan countries in 2016. Indirect vector transmission is predominant at small distances, but transmission between distant herds and between countries usually occurs through movements of infected cattle or through vectors found mainly in animal trucks. METHODS AND PRINCIPAL FINDINGS In order to estimate the threat for France due to the introduction of vectors found in animal trucks (cattle or horses) from at-risk countries (Balkans and neighbours), a quantitative import risk analysis (QIRA) model was developed according to the international standard. Using stochastic QIRA modelling and combining experimental/field data and expert opinion, the yearly risk of LSDV being introduced by stable flies (Stomoxys calcitrans), that travel in trucks transporting animals was between 6 x 10-5 and 5.93 x 10-3 with a median value of 89.9 x 10-5; it was mainly due to the risk related to insects entering farms in France from vehicles transporting cattle from the at-risk area. The risk related to the transport of cattle going to slaughterhouses or the transport of horses was much lower (between 2 x 10-7 and 3.73 x 10-5 and between 5 x 10-10 and 3.95 x 10-8 for cattle and horses, respectively). The disinsectisation of trucks transporting live animals was important to reduce this risk. CONCLUSION AND SIGNIFICANCE The development of a stochastic QIRA made it possible to quantify the risk of LSD being introduced in France through the import of vectors that travel in trucks transporting animals. This tool is of prime importance because the LSD situation in the Balkans is continuously changing. Indeed, this model can be updated to process new information on vectors and the changing health situation, in addition to new data from the TRAde Control and Expert System (TRACES, EU database). This model is easy to adapt to different countries and to other vectors and diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claude Saegerman
- Centre of Fundamental and Applied Research for Animals and Health (FARAH), University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
- Members of the Expert Committee for Animal Health and Welfare, ANSES, Maisons-Alfort, France
- * E-mail:
| | | | - Gilles Meyer
- Members of the Expert Committee for Animal Health and Welfare, ANSES, Maisons-Alfort, France
- IHAP, University of Toulouse, INRA, ENVT, Toulouse, France
| | - Jean-Pierre Ganière
- Members of the Expert Committee for Animal Health and Welfare, ANSES, Maisons-Alfort, France
- ONIRIS, Nantes, France
| | - Philippe Caufour
- CIRAD-INRA ASTRE Joint Research Unit (UMR), BIOS Department, CIRAD, Montpellier, France
| | | | | | - Guillaume Fournié
- Members of the Expert Committee for Animal Health and Welfare, ANSES, Maisons-Alfort, France
- Veterinary Epidemiology, Economics and Public Health Group, Department of Pathobiology and Population Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, Hatfield, United Kingdom
| | - Claire Hautefeuille
- French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety (ANSES), Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Florence Etore
- French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety (ANSES), Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Jordi Casal
- Members of the Expert Committee for Animal Health and Welfare, ANSES, Maisons-Alfort, France
- Departament de Sanitat I Anatomia Animals. Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona / IRTA-CReSA, Barcelona, Spain
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41
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Di Lecce I, Bazzocchi C, Cecere JG, Epis S, Sassera D, Villani BM, Bazzi G, Negri A, Saino N, Spina F, Bandi C, Rubolini D. Patterns of Midichloria infection in avian-borne African ticks and their trans-Saharan migratory hosts. Parasit Vectors 2018; 11:106. [PMID: 29471857 PMCID: PMC5824480 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-018-2669-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2017] [Accepted: 01/23/2018] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Ticks are obligate haematophagous ectoparasites of vertebrates and frequently parasitize avian species that can carry them across continents during their long-distance migrations. Ticks may have detrimental effects on the health state of their avian hosts, which can be either directly caused by blood-draining or mediated by microbial pathogens transmitted during the blood meal. Indeed, ticks host complex microbial communities, including bacterial pathogens and symbionts. Midichloria bacteria (Rickettsiales) are widespread tick endosymbionts that can be transmitted to vertebrate hosts during the tick bite, inducing an antibody response. Their actual role as infectious/pathogenic agents is, however, unclear. Methods We screened for Midichloria DNA African ticks and blood samples collected from trans-Saharan migratory songbirds at their arrival in Europe during spring migration. Results Tick infestation rate was 5.7%, with most ticks belonging to the Hyalomma marginatum species complex. Over 90% of Hyalomma ticks harboured DNA of Midichloria bacteria belonging to the monophylum associated with ticks. Midichloria DNA was detected in 43% of blood samples of avian hosts. Tick-infested adult birds were significantly more likely to test positive to the presence of Midichloria DNA than non-infested adults and second-year individuals, suggesting a long-term persistence of these bacteria within avian hosts. Tick parasitism was associated with a significantly delayed timing of spring migration of avian hosts but had no significant effects on body condition, whereas blood Midichloria DNA presence negatively affected fat deposits of tick-infested avian hosts. Conclusions Our results show that ticks effectively transfer Midichloria bacteria to avian hosts, supporting the hypothesis that they are infectious to vertebrates. Bird infection likely enhances the horizontal spread of these bacteria across haematophagous ectoparasite populations. Moreover, we showed that Midichloria and tick parasitism have detrimental non-independent effects on avian host health during migration, highlighting the complexity of interactions involving ticks, their vertebrate hosts, and tick-borne bacteria. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13071-018-2669-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene Di Lecce
- Wild Urban Evolution and Ecology Lab, Centre of New Technologies, University of Warsaw, Banacha 2C, 02-097, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Chiara Bazzocchi
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Milano, via Celoria 10, I-20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Jacopo G Cecere
- Istituto Superiore per la Protezione e la Ricerca Ambientale (ISPRA), via Cà Fornacetta 9, I-40064, Ozzano Emilia (BO), Italy
| | - Sara Epis
- Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Università degli Studi di Milano, via Celoria 26, I-20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Davide Sassera
- Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie, Università degli Studi di Pavia, via Ferrata 9, I-27100, Pavia, Italy
| | - Barbara M Villani
- Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Università degli Studi di Milano, via Celoria 26, I-20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Gaia Bazzi
- Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Università degli Studi di Milano, via Celoria 26, I-20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Agata Negri
- Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Università degli Studi di Milano, via Celoria 26, I-20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Nicola Saino
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Politiche Ambientali, Università degli Studi di Milano, via Celoria 26, I-20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Fernando Spina
- Istituto Superiore per la Protezione e la Ricerca Ambientale (ISPRA), via Cà Fornacetta 9, I-40064, Ozzano Emilia (BO), Italy
| | - Claudio Bandi
- Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Università degli Studi di Milano, via Celoria 26, I-20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Diego Rubolini
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Politiche Ambientali, Università degli Studi di Milano, via Celoria 26, I-20133, Milan, Italy.
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42
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Hansford KM, Pietzsch ME, Cull B, Gillingham EL, Medlock JM. Potential risk posed by the importation of ticks into the UK on animals: records from the Tick Surveillance Scheme. Vet Rec 2017; 182:107. [PMID: 29217768 DOI: 10.1136/vr.104263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2016] [Revised: 06/14/2017] [Accepted: 11/02/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
In order to monitor important tick vectors in the UK, Public Health England's Tick Surveillance Scheme (TSS) receives specimens from across the country for identification. In recent years, an increasing number of these specimens have been removed from animals with a recent history of travel outside the UK. This paper presents all data collated by the TSS on ticks entering the country on recently travelled or imported animals since surveillance commenced in 2005. Ten different tick species representing six different genera were identified, entering the UK from 15 different countries. Key themes appear to be emerging from the last 10 years of data, including canine travel from Cyprus and Spain being associated with Rhipicephalus sanguineus importation, and canine travel from France being associated with the importation of multiple tick species and canine illness. In addition, more unusual importation routes have been uncovered, such as the importation of Hyalomma lusitanicum on a dog. Some companion animal owners may not be fully aware of the risks associated with ticks, and may not seek advice from a veterinarian before travel or importing a pet. Promoting awareness of ticks and tickborne disease risk during and after travel or animal importation is needed and veterinarians play an importation role in disseminating this information to their clients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kayleigh M Hansford
- Department of Medical Entomology & Zoonoses Ecology, Emergency Response Department - Science & Technology, Public Health England, Porton Down, UK.,NIHR Health Protection Research Unit, Environmental Change & Health, UK
| | - Maaike E Pietzsch
- Department of Medical Entomology & Zoonoses Ecology, Emergency Response Department - Science & Technology, Public Health England, Porton Down, UK
| | - Benjamin Cull
- Department of Medical Entomology & Zoonoses Ecology, Emergency Response Department - Science & Technology, Public Health England, Porton Down, UK
| | - Emma L Gillingham
- Department of Medical Entomology & Zoonoses Ecology, Emergency Response Department - Science & Technology, Public Health England, Porton Down, UK
| | - Jolyon M Medlock
- Department of Medical Entomology & Zoonoses Ecology, Emergency Response Department - Science & Technology, Public Health England, Porton Down, UK.,NIHR Health Protection Research Unit, Environmental Change & Health, UK.,NIHR Health Protection Research Unit, Emerging and Zoonotic Infections, UK
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43
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Francisella-Like Endosymbionts and Rickettsia Species in Local and Imported Hyalomma Ticks. Appl Environ Microbiol 2017; 83:AEM.01302-17. [PMID: 28710265 DOI: 10.1128/aem.01302-17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2017] [Accepted: 07/03/2017] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Hyalomma ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) are hosts for Francisella-like endosymbionts (FLE) and may serve as vectors of zoonotic disease agents. This study aimed to provide an initial characterization of the interaction between Hyalomma and FLE and to determine the prevalence of pathogenic Rickettsia in these ticks. Hyalomma marginatum, Hyalomma rufipes, Hyalommadromedarii, Hyalommaaegyptium, and Hyalommaexcavatum ticks, identified morphologically and molecularly, were collected from different hosts and locations representing the distribution of the genus Hyalomma in Israel, as well as from migratory birds. A high prevalence of FLE was found in all Hyalomma species (90.6%), as well as efficient maternal transmission of FLE (91.8%), and the localization of FLE in Malpighian tubules, ovaries, and salivary glands in H. marginatum Furthermore, we demonstrated strong cophylogeny between FLE and their host species. Contrary to FLE, the prevalence of Rickettsia ranged from 2.4% to 81.3% and was significantly different between Hyalomma species, with a higher prevalence in ticks collected from migratory birds. Using ompA gene sequences, most of the Rickettsia spp. were similar to Rickettsiaaeschlimannii, while a few were similar to Rickettsiaafricae of the spotted fever group (SFG). Given their zoonotic importance, 249 ticks were tested for Crimean Congo hemorrhagic fever virus infection, and all were negative. The results imply that Hyalomma and FLE have obligatory symbiotic interactions, indicating a potential SFG Rickettsia zoonosis risk. A further understanding of the possible influence of FLE on Hyalomma development, as well as on its infection with Rickettsia pathogens, may lead to novel ways to control tick-borne zoonoses.IMPORTANCE This study shows that Francisella-like endosymbionts were ubiquitous in Hyalomma, were maternally transmitted, and cospeciated with their hosts. These findings imply that the interaction between FLE and Hyalomma is of an obligatory nature. It provides an example of an integrative taxonomy approach to simply differentiate among species infesting the same host and to identify nymphal and larval stages to be used in further studies. In addition, it shows the potential of imported Hyalomma ticks to serve as a vector for spotted fever group rickettsiae. The information gathered in this study can be further implemented in the development of symbiont-based disease control strategies for the benefit of human health.
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