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Gomes IRC, Gurgel-Gonçalves R, Gazeta GS, Borsoi ABP, Bitencourth K, Leite LF, Coelho NGSS, Dislich R, Wiederhecker HC, Santos EG, Guimarães M. Effect of environmental variables on the abundance of Amblyomma ticks, potential vectors of Rickettsia parkeri in central Brazil. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0301685. [PMID: 38748697 PMCID: PMC11095677 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0301685] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2024] [Accepted: 03/20/2024] [Indexed: 05/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Amblyomma ticks are vectors of both Rickettsia rickettsii and R. parkeri in the Americas, where capybaras (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris) are the main hosts in urban areas, thus contributing to the transmission of spotted fever. Herein, we studied: (i) the seasonal dynamics and abundance of ticks in areas where capybaras live, (ii) the effect of environmental variables on tick abundance, and (iii) the presence of Rickettsia-infected ticks. Between September 2021 and September 2022, we sampled ticks using cloth-dragging at 194 sites on the shore of Lake Paranoá in Brasília, Brazil. We measured environmental data (season, vegetation type, canopy density, temperature, humidity, and presence or vestige of capybara) at each site. Nymphs and adults were morphologically identified to the species level, and a selected tick sample including larvae was subjected to genotypic identification. We investigated Rickettsia-infected ticks by PCR (gltA, htrA, ompB, and ompA genes) and associations between tick abundance and environmental variables using Generalized Linear Models. A total of 30,334 ticks (96% larvae) were captured. Ticks were identified as Amblyomma, with A. sculptum comprising 97% of the adult/nymphs. Genotype identification of a larval sample confirmed that 95% belonged to A. dubitatum. Seasonal variables showed significant effects on tick abundance. Most larvae and nymphs were captured during the early dry season, while the adults were more abundant during the wet season. Vegetation variables and the presence of capybaras showed no association with tick abundance. Rickettsia parkeri group and R. bellii were identified in A. dubitatum, while A. sculptum presented R. bellii. We conclude that: (i) Amblyomma ticks are widely distributed in Lake Paranoá throughout the year, especially larvae at the dry season, (ii) the abundance of Amblyomma ticks is explained more by climatic factors than by vegetation or presence of capybaras, and (iii) A. dubitatum ticks are potential vectors of R. parkeri in Brasília.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isadora R. C. Gomes
- Biological Sciences Course, Catholic University of Brasília, Federal District, Brasília, Brazil
- Faculty of Medicine, Laboratory of Medical Parasitology and Vector Biology, University of Brasília, Federal District, Brasília, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo Gurgel-Gonçalves
- Faculty of Medicine, Laboratory of Medical Parasitology and Vector Biology, University of Brasília, Federal District, Brasília, Brazil
| | - Gilberto S. Gazeta
- National Reference Laboratory for Rikettsiosis Vectors, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Ana B. P. Borsoi
- National Reference Laboratory for Rikettsiosis Vectors, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Karla Bitencourth
- National Reference Laboratory for Rikettsiosis Vectors, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Letícia F. Leite
- Biological Sciences Course, Catholic University of Brasília, Federal District, Brasília, Brazil
| | | | - Ricardo Dislich
- Ministry of Planning and Budget, Esplanade of Ministries, Federal District, Brasília, Brazil
| | | | - Eduardo G. Santos
- Post Graduation Program in Ecology, Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Brasília, Federal District, Brasília, Brazil
| | - Melina Guimarães
- Biological Sciences Course, Catholic University of Brasília, Federal District, Brasília, Brazil
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Kjær LJ, Johansson M, Lindgren PE, Asghar N, Wilhelmsson P, Fredlund H, Christensson M, Wallenhammar A, Bødker R, Rasmussen G, Kjellander P. Potential drivers of human tick-borne encephalitis in the Örebro region of Sweden, 2010-2021. Sci Rep 2023; 13:7685. [PMID: 37169798 PMCID: PMC10175290 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-34675-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 05/05/2023] [Indexed: 05/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Incidence of tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) has increased during the last years in Scandinavia, but the underlying mechanism is not understood. TBE human case data reported between 2010 and 2021 were aggregated into postal codes within Örebro County, south-central Sweden, along with tick abundance and environmental data to analyse spatial patterns and identify drivers of TBE. We identified a substantial and continuing increase of TBE incidence in Örebro County during the study period. Spatial cluster analyses showed significant hotspots (higher number of cases than expected) in the southern and northern parts of Örebro County, whereas a cold spot (lower number of cases than expected) was found in the central part comprising Örebro municipality. Generalised linear models showed that the risk of acquiring TBE increased by 12.5% and 72.3% for every percent increase in relative humidity and proportion of wetland forest, respectively, whereas the risk decreased by 52.8% for every degree Celsius increase in annual temperature range. However, models had relatively low goodness of fit (R2 < 0.27). Results suggest that TBE in Örebro County is spatially clustered, however variables used in this study, i.e., climatic variables, forest cover, water, tick abundance, sheep as indicator species, alone do not explain this pattern.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lene Jung Kjær
- Section for Animal Welfare and Disease Control, Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark.
| | - Magnus Johansson
- School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
| | - Per-Eric Lindgren
- Division of Inflammation and Infection, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
- Division of Clinical Microbiology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Region Jönköping County, Jönköping, Sweden
| | - Naveed Asghar
- School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
| | - Peter Wilhelmsson
- Division of Inflammation and Infection, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
- Division of Clinical Microbiology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Region Jönköping County, Jönköping, Sweden
| | - Hans Fredlund
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
- Örebro County Council, Örebro, Sweden
| | - Madeleine Christensson
- Grimsö Wildlife Research Station, Department of Ecology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), Riddarhyttan, Sweden
| | - Amélie Wallenhammar
- School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
| | - René Bødker
- Section for Animal Welfare and Disease Control, Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - Gunløg Rasmussen
- School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
- Örebro County Council, Örebro, Sweden
| | - Petter Kjellander
- Grimsö Wildlife Research Station, Department of Ecology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), Riddarhyttan, Sweden
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Christie R, Stack Whitney K, Perrone J, Bahlai CA. Longer study length, standardized sampling techniques, and broader geographic scope leads to higher likelihood of detecting stable abundance patterns in long term black-legged tick studies. PeerJ 2022; 10:e13916. [PMID: 36281361 PMCID: PMC9587717 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.13916] [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: 12/15/2021] [Accepted: 07/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Understanding how study design and monitoring strategies shape inference within, and synthesis across, studies is critical across biological disciplines. Many biological and field studies are short term and limited in scope. Monitoring studies are critical for informing public health about potential vectors of concern, such as Ixodes scapularis (black-legged ticks). Black-legged ticks are a taxon of ecological and human health concern due to their status as primary vectors of Borrelia burgdorferi, the bacteria that transmits Lyme disease. However, variation in black-legged tick monitoring, and gaps in data, are currently considered major barriers to understanding population trends and in turn, predicting Lyme disease risk. To understand how variable methodology in black-legged tick studies may influence which population patterns researchers find, we conducted a data synthesis experiment. Materials and Methods We searched for publicly available black-legged tick abundance dataset that had at least 9 years of data, using keywords about ticks in internet search engines, literature databases, data repositories and public health websites. Our analysis included 289 datasets from seven surveys from locations in the US, ranging in length from 9 to 24 years. We used a moving window analysis, a non-random resampling approach, to investigate the temporal stability of black-legged tick population trajectories across the US. We then used t-tests to assess differences in stability time across different study parameters. Results All of our sampled datasets required 4 or more years to reach stability. We also found several study factors can have an impact on the likelihood of a study reaching stability and of data leading to misleading results if the study does not reach stability. Specifically, datasets collected via dragging reached stability significantly faster than data collected via opportunistic sampling. Datasets that sampled larva reached stability significantly later than those that sampled adults or nymphs. Additionally, datasets collected at the broadest spatial scale (county) reached stability fastest. Conclusion We used 289 datasets from seven long term black-legged tick studies to conduct a non-random data resampling experiment, revealing that sampling design does shape inferences in black-legged tick population trajectories and how many years it takes to find stable patterns. Specifically, our results show the importance of study length, sampling technique, life stage, and geographic scope in understanding black-legged tick populations, in the absence of standardized surveillance methods. Current public health efforts based on existing black-legged tick datasets must take monitoring study parameters into account, to better understand if and how to use monitoring data to inform decisioning. We also advocate that potential future forecasting initiatives consider these parameters when projecting future black-legged tick population trends.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rowan Christie
- Gosnell School of Life Sciences, Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, NY, United States of America
| | - Kaitlin Stack Whitney
- Gosnell School of Life Sciences, Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, NY, United States of America,Science, Technology & Society Department, Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, NY, United States of America
| | - Julia Perrone
- School of Information, Kent State University, Kent, OH, United States of America
| | - Christie A. Bahlai
- Department of Biological Sciences and Environmental Science and Design Research Initiative, Kent State University, Kent, OH, United States of America
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Wongnak P, Bord S, Jacquot M, Agoulon A, Beugnet F, Bournez L, Cèbe N, Chevalier A, Cosson JF, Dambrine N, Hoch T, Huard F, Korboulewsky N, Lebert I, Madouasse A, Mårell A, Moutailler S, Plantard O, Pollet T, Poux V, René-Martellet M, Vayssier-Taussat M, Verheyden H, Vourc'h G, Chalvet-Monfray K. Meteorological and climatic variables predict the phenology of Ixodes ricinus nymph activity in France, accounting for habitat heterogeneity. Sci Rep 2022; 12:7833. [PMID: 35552424 PMCID: PMC9098447 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-11479-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [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: 12/22/2021] [Accepted: 03/31/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Ixodes ricinus ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) are the most important vector for Lyme borreliosis in Europe. As climate change might affect their distributions and activities, this study aimed to determine the effects of environmental factors, i.e., meteorological, bioclimatic, and habitat characteristics on host-seeking (questing) activity of I. ricinus nymphs, an important stage in disease transmissions, across diverse climatic types in France over 8 years. Questing activity was observed using a repeated removal sampling with a cloth-dragging technique in 11 sampling sites from 7 tick observatories from 2014 to 2021 at approximately 1-month intervals, involving 631 sampling campaigns. Three phenological patterns were observed, potentially following a climatic gradient. The mixed-effects negative binomial regression revealed that observed nymph counts were driven by different interval-average meteorological variables, including 1-month moving average temperature, previous 3-to-6-month moving average temperature, and 6-month moving average minimum relative humidity. The interaction effects indicated that the phenology in colder climates peaked differently from that of warmer climates. Also, land cover characteristics that support the highest baseline abundance were moderate forest fragmentation with transition borders with agricultural areas. Finally, our model could potentially be used to predict seasonal human-tick exposure risks in France that could contribute to mitigating Lyme borreliosis risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Phrutsamon Wongnak
- Université de Lyon, INRAE, VetAgro Sup, UMR EPIA, 69280, Marcy l'Etoile, France
- Université Clermont Auvergne, INRAE, VetAgro Sup, UMR EPIA, 63122, Saint-Genès-Champanelle, France
| | - Séverine Bord
- Université Paris-Saclay, AgroParisTech, INRAE, UMR MIA-Paris, 75005, Paris, France
| | - Maude Jacquot
- Université de Lyon, INRAE, VetAgro Sup, UMR EPIA, 69280, Marcy l'Etoile, France
- Université Clermont Auvergne, INRAE, VetAgro Sup, UMR EPIA, 63122, Saint-Genès-Champanelle, France
- Ifremer, RBE-SGMM-LGPMM, 17390, La Tremblade, France
| | | | - Frédéric Beugnet
- Global Technical Services, Boehringer-Ingelheim Animal Health, 69007, Lyon, France
| | - Laure Bournez
- Nancy Laboratory for Rabies and Wildlife, The French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety (ANSES), 54220, Malzéville, France
| | - Nicolas Cèbe
- Université de Toulouse, INRAE, UR CEFS, 31326, Castanet-Tolosan, France
- LTSER ZA PYRénées GARonne, 31326, Auzeville-Tolosane, France
| | | | | | - Naïma Dambrine
- Université de Lyon, INRAE, VetAgro Sup, UMR EPIA, 69280, Marcy l'Etoile, France
- Université Clermont Auvergne, INRAE, VetAgro Sup, UMR EPIA, 63122, Saint-Genès-Champanelle, France
| | - Thierry Hoch
- INRAE, Oniris, UMR BIOEPAR, 44300, Nantes, France
| | | | | | - Isabelle Lebert
- Université de Lyon, INRAE, VetAgro Sup, UMR EPIA, 69280, Marcy l'Etoile, France
- Université Clermont Auvergne, INRAE, VetAgro Sup, UMR EPIA, 63122, Saint-Genès-Champanelle, France
| | | | | | - Sara Moutailler
- ANSES, ENVA, INRAE, UMR 956 BIPAR, 94701, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | | | - Thomas Pollet
- ANSES, ENVA, INRAE, UMR 956 BIPAR, 94701, Maisons-Alfort, France
- INRAE, CIRAD, UMR ASTRE, 34398, Montpellier, France
| | - Valérie Poux
- Université de Lyon, INRAE, VetAgro Sup, UMR EPIA, 69280, Marcy l'Etoile, France
- Université Clermont Auvergne, INRAE, VetAgro Sup, UMR EPIA, 63122, Saint-Genès-Champanelle, France
| | - Magalie René-Martellet
- Université de Lyon, INRAE, VetAgro Sup, UMR EPIA, 69280, Marcy l'Etoile, France
- Université Clermont Auvergne, INRAE, VetAgro Sup, UMR EPIA, 63122, Saint-Genès-Champanelle, France
| | | | - Hélène Verheyden
- Université de Toulouse, INRAE, UR CEFS, 31326, Castanet-Tolosan, France
- LTSER ZA PYRénées GARonne, 31326, Auzeville-Tolosane, France
| | - Gwenaël Vourc'h
- Université de Lyon, INRAE, VetAgro Sup, UMR EPIA, 69280, Marcy l'Etoile, France
- Université Clermont Auvergne, INRAE, VetAgro Sup, UMR EPIA, 63122, Saint-Genès-Champanelle, France
| | - Karine Chalvet-Monfray
- Université de Lyon, INRAE, VetAgro Sup, UMR EPIA, 69280, Marcy l'Etoile, France.
- Université Clermont Auvergne, INRAE, VetAgro Sup, UMR EPIA, 63122, Saint-Genès-Champanelle, France.
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Alafaci A, Crépin A, Beaubert S, Berjeaud JM, Delafont V, Verdon J. Exploring the Individual Bacterial Microbiota of Questing Ixodes ricinus Nymphs. Microorganisms 2021; 9:microorganisms9071526. [PMID: 34361961 PMCID: PMC8303981 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9071526] [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: 05/31/2021] [Revised: 06/25/2021] [Accepted: 07/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Ixodes ricinus is the most common hard tick species in Europe and an important vector of pathogens of human and animal health concerns. The rise of high-throughput sequencing has facilitated the identification of many tick-borne pathogens and, more globally, of various microbiota members depending on the scale of concern. In this study, we aimed to assess the bacterial diversity of individual I. ricinus questing nymphs collected in France using high-throughput 16S gene metabarcoding. From 180 dragging-collected nymphs, we identified more than 700 bacterial genera, of which about 20 are abundantly represented (>1% of total reads). Together with 136 other genera assigned, they constitute a core internal microbiota in this study. We also identified 20 individuals carrying Borreliella. The most abundant species is B. afzelii, known to be one of the bacteria responsible for Lyme disease in Europe. Co-detection of up to four Borreliella genospecies within the same individual has also been retrieved. The detection and co-detection rate of Borreliella in I. ricinus nymphs is high and raises the question of interactions between these bacteria and the communities constituting the internal microbiota.
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Estrada-Peña A, Cevidanes A, Sprong H, Millán J. Pitfalls in Tick and Tick-Borne Pathogens Research, Some Recommendations and a Call for Data Sharing. Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10060712. [PMID: 34200175 PMCID: PMC8229135 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10060712] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2021] [Revised: 05/31/2021] [Accepted: 06/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
An understanding of the relationships of ticks and tick-borne pathogens can only be achieved by integrating data from multiple studies. The publication of raw material is a necessary step for wide-area meta-analyses and study design, data collection and reporting require harmonization. This is an opinion paper, not a consensus position, and is open to debate. This work reflects our view about how data should be communicated in mainstream journals. We indicate rules that should be observed in recording weather data, to avoid serendipitous correlations between the density of ticks and climate variables and recommend the inclusion of raw data in reports. We stress the need for standardized methods to collect ticks that cannot be obtained by standard flagging. The reporting of infection rates of pathogens in ticks should avoid conclusions based on pure molecular findings in feeding ticks. Studies demonstrating the vectorial capacity of ticks should not be supported only by molecular surveys of feeding ticks. Vacuous conclusions about vectorial or reservoir status based solely on the finding of genomic material of a pathogen should be discouraged. We stress that phylogenetic studies based on random selection of sequences from GenBank are unsuitable. We firmly support the development of a dedicated server of curated sequences of ticks and pathogens as a standard for future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agustín Estrada-Peña
- Department of Animal Health. Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. University of Zaragoza, 50013 Zaragoza, Spain
- Research Group in Emerging Zoonoses, Instituto Agroalimentario de Aragón-IA2 (Universidad de Zaragoza-CITA), 50013 Zaragoza, Spain;
- Correspondence:
| | - Aitor Cevidanes
- Department of Animal Health, NEIKER-Basque Institute for Agricultural Research and Development, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Parque Científico y Tecnológico de Bizkaia P812, 48160 Derio, Spain;
| | - Hein Sprong
- Center for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Mailbox 63, Room V353, Antonie van Leeuwenhoeklaan 9, P.O. Box 1, 3720 BA Bilthoven, The Netherlands;
| | - Javier Millán
- Research Group in Emerging Zoonoses, Instituto Agroalimentario de Aragón-IA2 (Universidad de Zaragoza-CITA), 50013 Zaragoza, Spain;
- Fundación ARAID, 50018 Zaragoza, Spain
- Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Andrés Bello, Santiago 8370146, Chile
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Gray J, Kahl O, Zintl A. What do we still need to know about Ixodes ricinus? Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2021; 12:101682. [PMID: 33571753 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2021.101682] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2020] [Revised: 01/06/2021] [Accepted: 01/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
In spite of many decades of intensive research on Ixodes ricinus, the castor bean tick of Europe, several important aspects of its basic biology remain elusive, such as the factors determining seasonal development, tick abundance and host specificity, and the importance of water management. Additionally, there are more recent questions about the geographical diversity of tick genotypes and phenotypes, the role of migratory birds in the ecoepidemiology of I. ricinus, the importance of protective immune responses against I. ricinus, particularly in the context of vaccination, and the role of the microbiome in pathogen transmission. Without more detailed knowledge of these issues, it is difficult to assess the likely effects of changes in climate and biodiversity on tick distribution and activity, to predict potential risks arising from new and established tick populations and I. ricinus-borne pathogens, and to improve prevention and control measures. This review aims to discuss the most important outstanding questions against the backdrop of the current state of knowledge of this important tick species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeremy Gray
- UCD School of Biology and Environmental Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland.
| | | | - Annetta Zintl
- UCD School of Veterinary Sciences, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland.
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