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Jore S, Viljugrein H, Hjertqvist M, Dub T, Mäkelä H. Outdoor recreation, tick borne encephalitis incidence and seasonality in Finland, Norway and Sweden during the COVID-19 pandemic (2020/2021). Infect Ecol Epidemiol 2023; 13:2281055. [PMID: 38187169 PMCID: PMC10769561 DOI: 10.1080/20008686.2023.2281055] [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: 06/23/2023] [Accepted: 11/03/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2024] Open
Abstract
During the pandemic outdoor activities were encouraged to mitigate transmission risk while providing safe spaces for social interactions. Human behaviour, which may favour or disfavour, contact rates between questing ticks and humans, is a key factor impacting tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) incidence. We analyzed annual and weekly TBE cases in Finland, Norway and Sweden from 2010 to 2021 to assess trend, seasonality, and discuss changes in human tick exposure imposed by COVID-19. We compared the pre-pandemic incidence (2010-2019) with the pandemic incidence (2020-2021) by fitting a generalized linear model (GLM) to incidence data. Pre-pandemic incidence was 1.0, 0.29 and 2.8 for Finland, Norway and Sweden, respectively, compared to incidence of 2.2, 1.0 and 3.9 during the pandemic years. However, there was an increasing trend for all countries across the whole study period. Therefore, we predicted the number of cases in 2020/2021 based on a model fitted to the annual cases in 2010-2019. The incidences during the pandemic were 1.3 times higher for Finland, 1.7 times higher for Norway and no difference for Sweden. When social restrictions were enforced to curb the spread of SARS-CoV-2 there were profound changes in outdoor recreational behavior. Future consideration of public health interventions that promote outdoor activities may increase exposure to vector-borne diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Solveig Jore
- Zoonotic, Food & Waterborne Infections, Norwegian Institute of Public Health (NIPH), Oslo, Norway
| | - Hildegunn Viljugrein
- Norwegian Veterinary Institute, Norway
- Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Synthesis (CEES), Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, Blindern, Norway
| | - Marika Hjertqvist
- Department of Communicable Disease Control and Health Protection, Public Health Agency of Sweden, Solna, Sweden
| | - Timothée Dub
- Infectious Disease Control and Vaccinations Unit, Department of Health Security, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), Helsinki, Finland
| | - Henna Mäkelä
- Infectious Disease Control and Vaccinations Unit, Department of Health Security, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), Helsinki, Finland
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2
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Poulos C, Boeri M, Coulter J, Huang L, Schley K, Pugh SJ. Travelers' preferences for tick-borne encephalitis vaccination. Expert Rev Vaccines 2022; 21:1495-1504. [PMID: 36154795 DOI: 10.1080/14760584.2022.2108798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND This study aimed to quantify preferences and risk tolerance for a tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) vaccination. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS A stated-preference survey instrument was administered to international travelers living in the United States to elicit preferences for a no-cost TBE vaccine when planning an international trip, conditional upon four different qualitative levels of endemic TBE risk. RESULTS The likelihood of choosing the vaccine increased with a destination's level of endemic risk. Most respondents (94%) would choose to receive the vaccine at the highest risk level presented in the survey (i.e. when multiple TBE cases among humans are reported year after year); 6% of the sample would choose not to receive the vaccine at any risk level. Respondents who engage in outdoor activities were twice as likely as the average respondent to choose vaccination rather than opting out of vaccination, and were one-third more likely than the average respondent to choose to receive the vaccine at the lowest risk level. CONCLUSIONS Respondents were highly interested in a TBE vaccine, assuming no cost, and most were willing to be vaccinated at all qualitative TBE risk levels. Respondents who participated in outdoor activities were more likely than the average respondent to choose the vaccine.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Marco Boeri
- RTI Health Solutions, Belfast, Northern Ireland
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3
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De Pelsmaeker N, Korslund L, Steifetten Ø. Host in reserve: The role of common shrews (
Sorex araneus
) as a supplementary source of tick hosts in small mammal communities influenced by rodent population cycles. Ecol Evol 2022; 12:e8776. [PMID: 35432925 PMCID: PMC9001028 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.8776] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2021] [Revised: 03/06/2022] [Accepted: 03/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Rodents often act as important hosts for ticks and as pathogen reservoirs. At northern latitudes, rodents often undergo multi‐annual population cycles, and the periodic absence of certain hosts may inhibit the survival and recruitment of ticks. We investigated the potential role of common shrews (Sorex araneus) to serve as a supplementary host source to immature life stages (larvae and nymphs) of a generalist tick Ixodes ricinus and a small mammal specialist tick I. trianguliceps, during decreasing abundances of bank voles (Myodes glareolus). We used generalized mixed models to test whether ticks would have a propensity to parasitize a certain host species dependent on host population size and host population composition across two high‐latitude gradients in southern Norway, by comparing tick burdens on trapped animals. Host population size was defined as the total number of captured animals and host population composition as the proportion of voles to shrews. We found that a larger proportion of voles in the host population favored the parasitism of voles by I. ricinus larvae (estimate = −1.923, p = .039) but not by nymphs (estimate = −0.307, p = .772). I. trianguliceps larvae did not show a lower propensity to parasitize voles, regardless of host population composition (estimate = 0.875, p = .180), while nymphs parasitized shrews significantly more as vole abundance increased (estimate = 2.106, p = .002). These results indicate that common shrews may have the potential to act as a replacement host during periods of low rodent availability, but long‐term observations encompassing complete rodent cycles may determine whether shrews are able to maintain tick range expansion despite low rodent availability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolas De Pelsmaeker
- Department of Nature, Health and Environment University of Southeastern Norway Bø Norway
| | - Lars Korslund
- Department of Natural Sciences University of Agder Kristiansand Norway
| | - Øyvind Steifetten
- Department of Nature, Health and Environment University of Southeastern Norway Bø Norway
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4
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Food-Borne Transmission of Tick-Borne Encephalitis Virus—Spread, Consequences, and Prophylaxis. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19031812. [PMID: 35162837 PMCID: PMC8835261 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19031812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2022] [Revised: 02/02/2022] [Accepted: 02/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) is the most common viral neurological disease in Eurasia. It is usually transmitted via tick bites but can also occur through ingestion of TBEV-infected milk and dairy products. The present paper summarises the knowledge of the food-borne TBEV transmission and presents methods for the prevention of its spread. The incidence of milk-borne TBE outbreaks is recorded in central, eastern, and north-eastern Europe, where Ixodes ricinus, Ixodes persulcatus, and/or Dermacentor reticulatus ticks, i.e., the main vectors of TBEV, occur abundantly. The growing occurrence range and population size of these ticks increases the risk of infection of dairy animals, i.e., goats, sheep, and cows, with viruses transmitted by these ticks. Consumers of unpasteurised milk and dairy products purchased from local farms located in TBE endemic areas are the most vulnerable to alimentary TBEV infections. Familial infections with these viruses are frequently recorded, mainly in children. Food-transmitted TBE can be monophasic or biphasic, and some of its neurological and psychiatric symptoms may persist in patients for a long time. Alimentary TBEV infections can be effectively prevented by consumption of pasteurised milk and the use of TBEV vaccines. It is recommended that milk and dairy products should be checked for the presence of TBE viruses prior to distribution. Protection of dairy animals against tick attacks and education of humans regarding the epidemiology and prophylaxis of TBE are equally important.
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5
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Agudelo M, Palus M, Keeffe JR, Bianchini F, Svoboda P, Salát J, Peace A, Gazumyan A, Cipolla M, Kapoor T, Guidetti F, Yao KH, Elsterová J, Teislerová D, Chrdle A, Hönig V, Oliveira T, West AP, Lee YE, Rice CM, MacDonald MR, Bjorkman PJ, Růžek D, Robbiani DF, Nussenzweig MC. Broad and potent neutralizing human antibodies to tick-borne flaviviruses protect mice from disease. J Exp Med 2021; 218:e20210236. [PMID: 33831141 PMCID: PMC8040517 DOI: 10.1084/jem.20210236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2021] [Revised: 02/17/2021] [Accepted: 02/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) is an emerging human pathogen that causes potentially fatal disease with no specific treatment. Mouse monoclonal antibodies are protective against TBEV, but little is known about the human antibody response to infection. Here, we report on the human neutralizing antibody response to TBEV in a cohort of infected and vaccinated individuals. Expanded clones of memory B cells expressed closely related anti-envelope domain III (EDIII) antibodies in both groups of volunteers. However, the most potent neutralizing antibodies, with IC50s below 1 ng/ml, were found only in individuals who recovered from natural infection. These antibodies also neutralized other tick-borne flaviviruses, including Langat, louping ill, Omsk hemorrhagic fever, Kyasanur forest disease, and Powassan viruses. Structural analysis revealed a conserved epitope near the lateral ridge of EDIII adjoining the EDI-EDIII hinge region. Prophylactic or early therapeutic antibody administration was effective at low doses in mice that were lethally infected with TBEV.
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MESH Headings
- Amino Acid Sequence
- Animals
- Antibodies, Monoclonal/administration & dosage
- Antibodies, Monoclonal/genetics
- Antibodies, Monoclonal/immunology
- Antibodies, Neutralizing/administration & dosage
- Antibodies, Neutralizing/genetics
- Antibodies, Neutralizing/immunology
- Antibodies, Viral/administration & dosage
- Antibodies, Viral/genetics
- Antibodies, Viral/immunology
- Cells, Cultured
- Cohort Studies
- Cross Reactions/immunology
- Encephalitis Viruses, Tick-Borne/drug effects
- Encephalitis Viruses, Tick-Borne/immunology
- Encephalitis Viruses, Tick-Borne/physiology
- Encephalitis, Tick-Borne/immunology
- Encephalitis, Tick-Borne/prevention & control
- Encephalitis, Tick-Borne/virology
- Epitopes/immunology
- Female
- Humans
- Immunoglobulin G/administration & dosage
- Immunoglobulin G/immunology
- Mice, Inbred BALB C
- Sequence Homology, Amino Acid
- Survival Analysis
- Viral Envelope Proteins/genetics
- Viral Envelope Proteins/immunology
- Mice
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Affiliation(s)
- Marianna Agudelo
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunology, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY
| | - Martin Palus
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
- Veterinary Research Institute, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Jennifer R. Keeffe
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA
| | - Filippo Bianchini
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunology, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine, Università della Svizzera italiana, Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Pavel Svoboda
- Veterinary Research Institute, Brno, Czech Republic
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacy, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences Brno, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Jiří Salát
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
- Veterinary Research Institute, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Avery Peace
- Laboratory of Virology and Infectious Disease, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY
| | - Anna Gazumyan
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunology, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY
| | - Melissa Cipolla
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunology, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY
| | - Tania Kapoor
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunology, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY
| | - Francesca Guidetti
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunology, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY
| | - Kai-Hui Yao
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunology, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY
| | - Jana Elsterová
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
- Veterinary Research Institute, Brno, Czech Republic
| | | | - Aleš Chrdle
- Hospital České Budějovice, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
- Faculty of Social and Health Sciences, University of South Bohemia, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
- Royal Liverpool University Hospital, Liverpool, UK
| | - Václav Hönig
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
- Veterinary Research Institute, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Thiago Oliveira
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunology, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY
| | - Anthony P. West
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA
| | - Yu E. Lee
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA
| | - Charles M. Rice
- Laboratory of Virology and Infectious Disease, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY
| | - Margaret R. MacDonald
- Laboratory of Virology and Infectious Disease, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY
| | - Pamela J. Bjorkman
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA
| | - Daniel Růžek
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
- Veterinary Research Institute, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Davide F. Robbiani
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunology, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine, Università della Svizzera italiana, Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Michel C. Nussenzweig
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunology, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY
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6
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Banović P, Obregón D, Mijatović D, Simin V, Stankov S, Budakov-Obradović Z, Bujandrić N, Grujić J, Sević S, Turkulov V, Díaz-Sánchez AA, Cabezas-Cruz A. Tick-Borne Encephalitis Virus Seropositivity among Tick Infested Individuals in Serbia. Pathogens 2021; 10:301. [PMID: 33807559 PMCID: PMC8001322 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10030301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2021] [Revised: 02/13/2021] [Accepted: 03/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE), caused by the TBE virus (TBEV), is a life-threatening disease with clinical symptoms ranging from non-specific to severe inflammation of the central nervous system. Despite TBE is a notifiable disease in Serbia since 2004, there is no active TBE surveillance program for the serologic or molecular screening of TBEV infection in humans in the country. This prospective cohort study aimed to assess the TBEV exposure among tick-infested individuals in Serbia during the year 2020. A total of 113 individuals exposed to tick bites were recruited for the study and screened for anti-TBEV antibodies using a commercial indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFA) test. Blood samples from 50 healthy donors not exposed to tick bites were included as a control group. Most of the enrolled patients reported infestations with one tick, being I. ricinus the most frequent tick found in the participants. The TBEV seroprevalence was higher (13.27%, 15 total 113) in tick-infested individuals than in healthy donors (4%, 2 total 50), although the difference was not significant. Notably, male individuals exposed to tick bites showed five times higher relative risk (RR) of being TBEV-seropositive than healthy donors of the same gender (RR= 5.1, CI = 1.6-19; p = 0.007). None of the seropositive individuals developed clinical manifestations of TBE, but the first clinical-stage of Lyme borreliosis (i.e., erythema migrans) was detected in seven of them. Potential TBEV foci were identified in rural areas, mostly in proximity or within the Fruška Gora mountain. We conclude that the Serbian population is at high risk of TBEV exposure. Further epidemiological studies should focus on potential TBEV foci identified in this study. The implementation of active surveillance for TBEV might contribute to evaluating the potential negative impact of TBE in Serbia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pavle Banović
- Ambulance for Lyme Borreliosis and Other Tick-Borne Diseases, Pasteur Institute Novi Sad, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia;
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Novi Sad, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia; (Z.B.-O.); (N.B.); (J.G.); (S.S.); (V.T.)
| | - Dasiel Obregón
- School of Environmental Sciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada;
- Center for Nuclear Energy in Agriculture, University of São Paulo, Piracicaba, SP 13400-970, Brazil
| | - Dragana Mijatović
- Ambulance for Lyme Borreliosis and Other Tick-Borne Diseases, Pasteur Institute Novi Sad, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia;
| | - Verica Simin
- Department of Microbiology, Pasteur Institute Novi Sad, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia; (V.S.); (S.S.)
| | - Srdjan Stankov
- Department of Microbiology, Pasteur Institute Novi Sad, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia; (V.S.); (S.S.)
| | - Zorana Budakov-Obradović
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Novi Sad, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia; (Z.B.-O.); (N.B.); (J.G.); (S.S.); (V.T.)
- Blood Transfusion Institute Vojvodina, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Nevenka Bujandrić
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Novi Sad, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia; (Z.B.-O.); (N.B.); (J.G.); (S.S.); (V.T.)
- Blood Transfusion Institute Vojvodina, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Jasmina Grujić
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Novi Sad, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia; (Z.B.-O.); (N.B.); (J.G.); (S.S.); (V.T.)
- Blood Transfusion Institute Vojvodina, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Siniša Sević
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Novi Sad, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia; (Z.B.-O.); (N.B.); (J.G.); (S.S.); (V.T.)
- Clinic for Infectious Diseases, Clinical Center of Vojvodina, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Vesna Turkulov
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Novi Sad, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia; (Z.B.-O.); (N.B.); (J.G.); (S.S.); (V.T.)
- Clinic for Infectious Diseases, Clinical Center of Vojvodina, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia
| | | | - Alejandro Cabezas-Cruz
- Anses, INRAE, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d’Alfort, UMR BIPAR, Laboratoire de Santé Animale, F-94700 Maisons-Alfort, France
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7
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Clark JJ, Gilray J, Orton RJ, Baird M, Wilkie G, Filipe ADS, Johnson N, McInnes CJ, Kohl A, Biek R. Population genomics of louping ill virus provide new insights into the evolution of tick-borne flaviviruses. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2020; 14:e0008133. [PMID: 32925939 PMCID: PMC7515184 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0008133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2020] [Revised: 09/24/2020] [Accepted: 08/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The emergence and spread of tick-borne arboviruses pose an increased challenge to human and animal health. In Europe this is demonstrated by the increasingly wide distribution of tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV, Flavivirus, Flaviviridae), which has recently been found in the United Kingdom (UK). However, much less is known about other tick-borne flaviviruses (TBFV), such as the closely related louping ill virus (LIV), an animal pathogen which is endemic to the UK and Ireland, but which has been detected in other parts of Europe including Scandinavia and Russia. The emergence and potential spatial overlap of these viruses necessitates improved understanding of LIV genomic diversity, geographic spread and evolutionary history. We sequenced a virus archive composed of 22 LIV isolates which had been sampled throughout the UK over a period of over 80 years. Combining this dataset with published virus sequences, we detected no sign of recombination and found low diversity and limited evidence for positive selection in the LIV genome. Phylogenetic analysis provided evidence of geographic clustering as well as long-distance movement, including movement events that appear recent. However, despite genomic data and an 80-year time span, we found that the data contained insufficient temporal signal to reliably estimate a molecular clock rate for LIV. Additional analyses revealed that this also applied to TBEV, albeit to a lesser extent, pointing to a general problem with phylogenetic dating for TBFV. The 22 LIV genomes generated during this study provide a more reliable LIV phylogeny, improving our knowledge of the evolution of tick-borne flaviviruses. Our inability to estimate a molecular clock rate for both LIV and TBEV suggests that temporal calibration of tick-borne flavivirus evolution should be interpreted with caution and highlight a unique aspect of these viruses which may be explained by their reliance on tick vectors. Tick-borne pathogens represent a major emerging threat to public health and in recent years have been expanding into new areas. LIV is a neglected virus endemic to the UK and Ireland (though it has been detected in Scandinavia and Russia) which is closely related to the major human pathogen TBEV, but predominantly causes disease in sheep and grouse. The recent detection of TBEV in the UK, which has also emerged elsewhere in Europe, requires more detailed understanding of the spread and sequence diversity of LIV. This could be important for diagnosis and vaccination, but also to improve our understanding of the evolution and emergence of these tick-borne viruses. Here we describe the sequencing of 22 LIV isolates which have been sampled from several host species across the past century. We have utilised this dataset to investigate the evolutionary pressures that LIV is subjected to and have explored the evolution of LIV using phylogenetic analysis. Crucially we were unable to estimate a reliable molecular clock rate for LIV and found that this problem also extends to a larger phylogeny of TBEV sequences. This work highlights a previously unknown caveat of tick-borne flavivirus evolutionary analysis which may be important for understanding the evolution of these important pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordan J. Clark
- MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, Glasgow, United Kingdom
- Moredun Research Institute, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- * E-mail: (JC); (RB)
| | - Janice Gilray
- Moredun Research Institute, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Richard J. Orton
- MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Margaret Baird
- MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Gavin Wilkie
- MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Ana da Silva Filipe
- MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Nicholas Johnson
- Animal and Plant Health Agency, Addlestone, Surrey, United Kingdom
- Faculty of Health and Medical Science, University of Surrey, Guildford, Surrey, United Kingdom
| | | | - Alain Kohl
- MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Roman Biek
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine - University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
- * E-mail: (JC); (RB)
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8
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Bilgin Z, Turan N, Cizmecigil UY, Altan E, Esatgil MU, Yilmaz A, Aydin O, Kocazeybek B, Richt JA, Yilmaz H. Investigation of Vector-Borne Viruses in Ticks, Mosquitos, and Ruminants in the Thrace District of Turkey. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2020; 20:670-679. [PMID: 32397953 DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2019.2532] [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] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
There is a considerable increase in vector-borne zoonotic diseases around the world, including Turkey, such as Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF), tick borne encephalitis (TBE), Rift Valley fever (RVF), and West Nile fever (WNF), causing disease and death in humans and animals and significant economical losses. Hence, the aim of this study was to investigate the presence of CCHF virus (CCHFV) and TBE virus (TBEV) in ticks and RVF virus (RVFV) and WNF virus (WNV) in mosquitos, as well as in sheep and cattle, in the Thrace district of the Marmara region, which borders Bulgaria and Greece. Buffy-coat samples from 86 cattle and 81 sheep, as well as 563 ticks and 7390 mosquitos, were collected and examined by quantitative real-time RT-PCR for the presence of CCHFV, TBEV, RVFV, and WNV. All buffy-coat samples from cattle and sheep were negative for these viruses. Similarly, all tick samples were negative for CCHFV-RNA and TBEV-RNA. Among 245 pools representing 7390 mosquitos, only 1 pool sample was found to be positive for WNV-RNA and was confirmed by sequencing. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that it was WNV lineage-2. No RVFV-RNA was detected in the 245 mosquito pools. In conclusion, results of this study indicate that CCHFV, TBEV, and RVFV are not present in livestock and respective vectors in the Thrace district of Marmara region of Turkey, whereas WNV-RNA was found in mosquitos from this region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zahide Bilgin
- Department of Parasitology, Veterinary Faculty, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Nuri Turan
- Department of Virology, Veterinary Faculty, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Utku Y Cizmecigil
- Department of Virology, Veterinary Faculty, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Eda Altan
- Department of Virology, Veterinary Faculty, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Meltem Ulutas Esatgil
- Department of Parasitology, Veterinary Faculty, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Aysun Yilmaz
- Department of Virology, Veterinary Faculty, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Ozge Aydin
- Department of Virology, Veterinary Faculty, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Bekir Kocazeybek
- Department of Microbiology, Cerrahpasa Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Juergen A Richt
- Department of Diagnostic Medicine/Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas, USA
| | - Huseyin Yilmaz
- Department of Virology, Veterinary Faculty, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Istanbul, Turkey
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9
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Semenza JC, Suk JE. Vector-borne diseases and climate change: a European perspective. FEMS Microbiol Lett 2019; 365:4631076. [PMID: 29149298 PMCID: PMC5812531 DOI: 10.1093/femsle/fnx244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 167] [Impact Index Per Article: 33.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2017] [Accepted: 11/28/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Climate change has already impacted the transmission of a wide range of vector-borne diseases in Europe, and it will continue to do so in the coming decades. Climate change has been implicated in the observed shift of ticks to elevated altitudes and latitudes, notably including the Ixodes ricinus tick species that is a vector for Lyme borreliosis and tick-borne encephalitis. Climate change is also thought to have been a factor in the expansion of other important disease vectors in Europe: Aedes albopictus (the Asian tiger mosquito), which transmits diseases such as Zika, dengue and chikungunya, and Phlebotomus sandfly species, which transmits diseases including Leishmaniasis. In addition, highly elevated temperatures in the summer of 2010 have been associated with an epidemic of West Nile Fever in Southeast Europe and subsequent outbreaks have been linked to summer temperature anomalies. Future climate-sensitive health impacts are challenging to project quantitatively, in part due to the intricate interplay between non-climatic and climatic drivers, weather-sensitive pathogens and climate-change adaptation. Moreover, globalisation and international air travel contribute to pathogen and vector dispersion internationally. Nevertheless, monitoring forecasts of meteorological conditions can help detect epidemic precursors of vector-borne disease outbreaks and serve as early warning systems for risk reduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan C Semenza
- European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, Tomtebodavägen 11A, Stockholm, S-171 83, Sweden
| | - Jonathan E Suk
- European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, Tomtebodavägen 11A, Stockholm, S-171 83, Sweden
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Sherifi K, Rexhepi A, Berxholi K, Mehmedi B, Gecaj RM, Hoxha Z, Joachim A, Duscher GG. Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever Virus and Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato in Ticks from Kosovo and Albania. Front Vet Sci 2018; 5:38. [PMID: 29560357 PMCID: PMC5845633 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2018.00038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2017] [Accepted: 02/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Tick-borne diseases pose a serious threat to human health in South-Eastern Europe, including Kosovo. While Crimean–Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is a well-known emerging infection in this area, there are no accurate data on Lyme borreliosis and tick-borne encephalitis (TBE). Therefore, we sampled and tested 795 ticks. Ixodes ricinus (n = 218), Dermacentor marginatus (n = 98), and Haemaphysalis spp. (n = 24) were collected from the environment by flagging (all from Kosovo), while Hyalomma marginatum (n = 199 from Kosovo, all from Kosovo) and Rhipicephalus bursa (n = 130, 126 from Albania) could be collected only by removal from animal pasture and domestic ruminants. Ticks were collected in the years 2014/2015 and tested for viral RNA of CCHF and TBE viruses, as well as for DNA of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato by real-time PCR. In Kosovo, nine ticks were positive for RNA of Crimean–Congo hemorrhagic fever virus and seven for DNA of B. burgdorferi s. l. None of the ticks tested positive for TBEV. CCHF virus was detected in one H. marginatum male specimen collected while feeding on grazing cattle from the Prizren region and in eight R. bursa specimens (five females and three males collected while feeding on grazing sheep and cattle) from the Prishtina region (Kosovo). B. burgdorferi s. l. was detected in seven questing ticks (four male and one female D. marginatus, two I. ricinus one female and one male) from the Mitrovica region (Kosovo). Our study confirmed that CCHF virus is circulating in Kosovo mainly in H. marginatum and R. bursa in the central areas of the country. B. burgdorferi s. l. was found in its major European host tick, I. ricinus, but also in D. marginatus, in the north of the Kosovo. In order to prevent the spread of these diseases and better control of the tick-borne infections, an improved vector surveillance and testing of ticks for the presence of pathogens needs to be established.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kurtesh Sherifi
- Faculty of Agriculture and Veterinary, University of Prishtina "Hasan Prishtina", Pristina, Kosovo
| | - Agim Rexhepi
- Faculty of Agriculture and Veterinary, University of Prishtina "Hasan Prishtina", Pristina, Kosovo
| | - Kristaq Berxholi
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Agricultural University of Tirana, Tirana, Albania
| | - Blerta Mehmedi
- Faculty of Agriculture and Veterinary, University of Prishtina "Hasan Prishtina", Pristina, Kosovo
| | - Rreze M Gecaj
- Faculty of Agriculture and Veterinary, University of Prishtina "Hasan Prishtina", Pristina, Kosovo
| | - Zamira Hoxha
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Agricultural University of Tirana, Tirana, Albania
| | - Anja Joachim
- Department of Pathobiology, Institute of Parasitology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Georg G Duscher
- Department of Pathobiology, Institute of Parasitology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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Brugger K, Boehnke D, Petney T, Dobler G, Pfeffer M, Silaghi C, Schaub GA, Pinior B, Dautel H, Kahl O, Pfister K, Süss J, Rubel F. A Density Map of the Tick-Borne Encephalitis and Lyme Borreliosis Vector Ixodes ricinus (Acari: Ixodidae) for Germany. JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY 2016; 53:1292-1302. [PMID: 27498885 DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjw116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2016] [Accepted: 06/27/2016] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
The castor bean tick Ixodes ricinus (L.) is the principal vector for a variety of viral, bacterial, and protozoan pathogens causing a growing public-health issue over the past decades. However, a national density map of I. ricinus is still missing. Here, I. ricinus nymphs in Germany were investigated by compiling a high-resolution map depicting the mean annually accumulated nymphal density, as observed by monthly flagging an area of 100 m2 Input data comprise ticks collected at 69 sampling sites. The model domain covers an area of about 357,000 km2 (regional scale). Two negative binomial regression models were fitted to the data to interpolate the tick densities to unsampled locations using bioclimatic variables and land cover, which were selected according to their significance by the Akaike information criterion (AIC). The default model was fitted to the complete dataset resulting in AIC = 842. An optimized model resulted in a significantly better value of AIC = 732. Tick densities are very low in urban (green) areas. Maximum annual densities up to 1,000 nymphs per 100 m2 are observed in broad-leaved forests. The tick maps were verified by leave-one-out cross-validation. Root mean square errors of RMSE = 137 and RMSE = 126 nymphs per 100 m2 were estimated for the two models, respectively. These errors are of the order of the interannual variation of the tick densities. The compilation of a high-resolution density map of unfed nymphal I. ricinus for Germany provides a novel, nationwide insight into the distribution of an important disease vector.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharina Brugger
- Institute for Veterinary Public Health, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, 1210 Vienna, Austria (; ; )
| | - Denise Boehnke
- Institute of Geography and Geoecology, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Reinhard-Baumeister-Platz 1, 76131 Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Trevor Petney
- Institute of Zoology, Department of Ecology and Parasitology, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Kornblumen Straße 13, 76131 Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Gerhard Dobler
- Bundeswehr Institute of Microbiology, Neuherbergstraße 11, 80937 Munich, Germany
| | - Martin Pfeffer
- Institute of Animal Hygiene and Veterinary Public Health, University of Leipzig, An den Tierkliniken 1, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Cornelia Silaghi
- Institute of Parasitology, National Center of Vector Entomology, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstraße 266a, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Günter A Schaub
- Group Zoology/Parasitology, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Universitätsstraße 150, 44801 Bochum, Germany
| | - Beate Pinior
- Institute for Veterinary Public Health, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, 1210 Vienna, Austria (; ; )
| | - Hans Dautel
- Tick-Radar GmbH, Haderslebener Straße 9, 12163 Berlin, Germany (; )
| | - Olaf Kahl
- Tick-Radar GmbH, Haderslebener Straße 9, 12163 Berlin, Germany (; )
| | - Kurt Pfister
- Comparative Tropical Medicine and Parasitology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Leopoldstraße 5, 80752 Munich, Germany
| | - Jochen Süss
- Tick Information Center, Lindenstraße 35, 07646 Lippersdorf, Germany
| | - Franz Rubel
- Institute for Veterinary Public Health, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, 1210 Vienna, Austria (; ; )
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12
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Cyclic patterns in the central European tick-borne encephalitis incidence series. Epidemiol Infect 2016; 145:358-367. [DOI: 10.1017/s0950268816002223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
SUMMARYTick-borne encephalitis (TBE) is peculiar due to its unstable dynamics with profound inter-annual fluctuations in case numbers – a phenomenon not well understood to date. Possible reasons – apart from variable human contact with TBE foci – include external factors, e.g. climatic forcing, autonomous oscillations of the disease system itself, or a combined action of both. Spectral analysis of TBE data from six regions of central Europe (CE) revealed that the ostensibly chaotic dynamics can be explained in terms of four superposed (quasi-)periodical oscillations: a quasi-biennial, triennial, pentennial, and a decadal cycle. These oscillations exhibit a high degree of regularity and synchrony across CE. Nevertheless, some amplitude and phase variations are responsible for regional differences in incidence patterns. In addition, periodic changes occur in the degree of synchrony in the regions: marked in-phase periods alternate with rather off-phase periods. Such a feature in the disease dynamics implies that it arises as basically diverging self-oscillations of local disease systems which, at intervals, receive synchronizing impulses, such as periodic variations in food availability for key hosts driven by external factors. This makes the disease dynamics synchronized over a large area during peaks in the synchronization signal, shifting to asynchrony in the time in between.
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13
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Neglected tick-borne pathogens in the Czech Republic, 2011–2014. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2016; 7:107-112. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2015.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2015] [Revised: 09/02/2015] [Accepted: 09/16/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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Imhoff M, Hagedorn P, Schulze Y, Hellenbrand W, Pfeffer M, Niedrig M. Review: Sentinels of tick-borne encephalitis risk. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2015; 6:592-600. [PMID: 26005107 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2015.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2015] [Revised: 04/15/2015] [Accepted: 05/01/2015] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) is a viral zoonotic disease endemic in many regions of Eurasia. The definition of TBE risk areas is complicated by the focal nature of the TBE virus transmission. Furthermore, vaccination may reduce case numbers and thus mask infection risk to unvaccinated persons. Therefore, additional risk indicators are sought to complement the current risk assessment solely based on human incidence. We reviewed studies published over the past ten years investigating potential new sentinels of TBE risk to understand the advantages and disadvantages of the various sentinel animal surveys and surrogate indicator methods. Virus prevalence in questing ticks is an unsuitable indicator of TBE infection risk as viral RNA is rarely detected even in large sample sizes collected at known TBE endemic areas. Seroprevalence in domestic animals, on the other hand, showed good spatial correlation with TBE incidence in humans and might also uncover presently unknown TBEV foci.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maren Imhoff
- Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens: Highly Pathogenic Viruses (ZBS 1), Robert Koch Institute, Nordufer 20, 13353 Berlin, Germany.
| | - Peter Hagedorn
- Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens: Highly Pathogenic Viruses (ZBS 1), Robert Koch Institute, Nordufer 20, 13353 Berlin, Germany.
| | - Yesica Schulze
- Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens: Highly Pathogenic Viruses (ZBS 1), Robert Koch Institute, Nordufer 20, 13353 Berlin, Germany.
| | - Wiebke Hellenbrand
- Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens: Highly Pathogenic Viruses (ZBS 1), Robert Koch Institute, Nordufer 20, 13353 Berlin, Germany.
| | - Martin Pfeffer
- Institute of Animal Hygiene & Veterinary Public Health, Centre of Veterinary Public Health, University of Leipzig, An den Tierkliniken 1, 04103 Leipzig, Germany.
| | - Matthias Niedrig
- Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens: Highly Pathogenic Viruses (ZBS 1), Robert Koch Institute, Nordufer 20, 13353 Berlin, Germany.
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Abstract
Recognition of factors that influence the formation of tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) foci is important for assessing the risk of humans acquiring the viral infection and for establishing what can be done (within reasonable boundaries) to minimize that risk. In Slovenia, the dynamics of the TBE vector, i.e. Ixodes ricinus, was studied over a 4-year period and the prevalence of infection in ticks was established. Two groups of tick hosts were investigated: deer and small mammals. Red deer have been confirmed as having a direct influence on the incidence of TBE and rodents have been recognized as important sentinels for TBE infections, although their role in the enzootic cycle of the virus still remains to be elucidated. Last, forest and agricultural areas, which are influenced by human activity, are suitable habitats for ticks, and important for TBEV transmission and establishment. Human behaviour is also therefore an important factor and should always be considered in studies of TBE ecology.
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Drelich A, Andreassen Å, Vainio K, Kruszyński P, Wąsik TJ. Prevalence of tick-borne encephalitis virus in a highly urbanized and low risk area in Southern Poland. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2014; 5:663-7. [PMID: 25108791 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2014.04.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2014] [Revised: 03/17/2014] [Accepted: 04/27/2014] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
The knowledge of the exact distribution of tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) endemic foci is crucial to plan and implement the optimal prevention of tick-borne encephalitis (TBE), including a vaccination program. In Poland, however, there is still no data on the local distribution of TBEV in many areas of the country. Silesian agglomeration area (Southern Poland) is a highly urbanized and industrialized region of the country, where TBE cases are only sporadically recorded. In this study, a total of 4350 adult Ixodes ricinus were collected between September 2010 and June 2012 at twelve locations. The screening using real-time PCR was carried out on 854 tick pools of five specimens, and the positive pools were verified by pyrosequencing. TBEV was identified in 13 pools (1.52%) at 4 sites, of which 9 pools were verified by pyrosequencing. An overall pool prevalence was estimated at 0.31% ranging from 0.19% to 1.11% for positive locations [95% CI 0.16-0.52], which is comparable with regions with high number of TBE cases reported annually.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleksandra Drelich
- Department and Institute of Microbiology and Virology, The School of Pharmacy and Division of Laboratory Medicine, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland
| | - Åshild Andreassen
- Division of Infectious Disease Control, Department of Virology, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Kirsti Vainio
- Division of Infectious Disease Control, Department of Virology, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Piotr Kruszyński
- Department and Institute of Microbiology and Virology, The School of Pharmacy and Division of Laboratory Medicine, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland
| | - Tomasz J Wąsik
- Department and Institute of Microbiology and Virology, The School of Pharmacy and Division of Laboratory Medicine, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland.
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Frimmel S, Krienke A, Riebold D, Loebermann M, Littmann M, Fiedler K, Klaus C, Süss J, Reisinger EC. Tick-borne encephalitis virus habitats in North East Germany: reemergence of TBEV in ticks after 15 years of inactivity. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2014; 2014:308371. [PMID: 25110671 PMCID: PMC4109299 DOI: 10.1155/2014/308371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2014] [Accepted: 06/06/2014] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
The incidence of tick-borne encephalitis has risen in Europe since 1990 and the tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) has been documented to be spreading into regions where it was not previously endemic. In Mecklenburg-West Pomerania, a federal state in Northern Germany, TBEV was not detectable in over 16,000 collected ticks between 1992 and 2004. Until 2004, the last human case of TBE in the region was reported in 1985. Following the occurrence of three autochthonous human cases of TBE after 2004, however, we collected ticks from the areas in which the infections were contracted. To increase the chance of detecting TBEV-RNA, some of the ticks were fed on mice. Using nested RT-PCR, we were able to confirm the presence of TBEV in ticks for the first time after 15 years. A phylogenetic analysis revealed a close relationship between the sequences we obtained and a TBEV sequence from Mecklenburg-East Pomerania published in 1992 and pointed to the reemergence of a natural focus of TBEV after years of low activity. Our results imply that natural foci of TBEV may either persist at low levels of activity for years or reemerge through the agency of migrating birds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvius Frimmel
- Department of Tropical Medicine, Infectious Diseases and Nephrology, University of Rostock Medical School, Ernst-Heydemann-Straße 6, 18057 Rostock, Germany
| | - Anja Krienke
- Department of Tropical Medicine, Infectious Diseases and Nephrology, University of Rostock Medical School, Ernst-Heydemann-Straße 6, 18057 Rostock, Germany
| | - Diana Riebold
- Department of Tropical Medicine, Infectious Diseases and Nephrology, University of Rostock Medical School, Ernst-Heydemann-Straße 6, 18057 Rostock, Germany
| | - Micha Loebermann
- Department of Tropical Medicine, Infectious Diseases and Nephrology, University of Rostock Medical School, Ernst-Heydemann-Straße 6, 18057 Rostock, Germany
| | - Martina Littmann
- Health Department of the State of Mecklenburg-West Pomerania, 18055 Rostock, Germany
| | - Karin Fiedler
- Health Department of the State of Mecklenburg-West Pomerania, 18055 Rostock, Germany
| | - Christine Klaus
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institute Jena, National Reference Laboratory for Tick-Borne Diseases, 07743 Jena, Germany
| | - Jochen Süss
- Tick Information Center, 07646 Lippersdorf, Germany
| | - Emil Christian Reisinger
- Department of Tropical Medicine, Infectious Diseases and Nephrology, University of Rostock Medical School, Ernst-Heydemann-Straße 6, 18057 Rostock, Germany
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Lindblom P, Wilhelmsson P, Fryland L, Sjöwall J, Haglund M, Matussek A, Ernerudh J, Vene S, Nyman D, Andreassen A, Forsberg P, Lindgren PE. Tick-borne encephalitis virus in ticks detached from humans and follow-up of serological and clinical response. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2013; 5:21-8. [PMID: 24275477 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2013.07.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2013] [Accepted: 07/14/2013] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The risk of tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) infection after a tick bite remains largely unknown. To address this, we investigated the presence of TBEV in ticks detached from humans in an attempt to relate viral copy number, TBEV subtype, and tick feeding time with the serological and clinical response of the tick-bitten participants. Ticks, blood samples, and questionnaires were collected from tick-bitten humans at 34 primary health care centers in Sweden and in the Åland Islands (Finland). A total of 2167 ticks was received from 1886 persons in 2008-2009. Using a multiplex quantitative real-time PCR, 5 TBEV-infected ticks were found (overall prevalence 0.23%, copy range <4×10(2)-7.7×10(6)per tick). One unvaccinated person bitten by a tick containing 7.7×10(6) TBEV copies experienced symptoms. Another unvaccinated person bitten by a tick containing 1.8×10(3) TBEV copies developed neither symptoms nor TBEV antibodies. The remaining 3 persons were protected by vaccination. In contrast, despite lack of TBEV in the detached ticks, 2 persons developed antibodies against TBEV, one of whom reported symptoms. Overall, a low risk of TBEV infection was observed, and too few persons got bitten by TBEV-infected ticks to draw certain conclusions regarding the clinical outcome in relation to the duration of the blood meal and virus copy number. However, this study indicates that an antibody response may develop without clinical symptoms, that a bite by an infected tick not always leads to an antibody response or clinical symptoms, and a possible correlation between virus load and tick feeding time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pontus Lindblom
- Division of Medical Microbiology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden.
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Porretta D, Mastrantonio V, Amendolia S, Gaiarsa S, Epis S, Genchi C, Bandi C, Otranto D, Urbanelli S. Effects of global changes on the climatic niche of the tick Ixodes ricinus inferred by species distribution modelling. Parasit Vectors 2013; 6:271. [PMID: 24330500 PMCID: PMC3848450 DOI: 10.1186/1756-3305-6-271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 91] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2013] [Accepted: 09/12/2013] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Global climate change can seriously impact on the epidemiological dynamics of vector-borne diseases. In this study we investigated how future climatic changes could affect the climatic niche of Ixodes ricinus (Acari, Ixodida), among the most important vectors of pathogens of medical and veterinary concern in Europe. METHODS Species Distribution Modelling (SDM) was used to reconstruct the climatic niche of I. ricinus, and to project it into the future conditions for 2050 and 2080, under two scenarios: a continuous human demographic growth and a severe increase of gas emissions (scenario A2), and a scenario that proposes lower human demographic growth than A2, and a more sustainable gas emissions (scenario B2). Models were reconstructed using the algorithm of "maximum entropy", as implemented in the software Maxent 3.3.3e; 4,544 occurrence points and 15 bioclimatic variables were used. RESULTS In both scenarios an increase of climatic niche of about two times greater than the current area was predicted as well as a higher climatic suitability under the scenario B2 than A2. Such an increase occurred both in a latitudinal and longitudinal way, including northern Eurasian regions (e.g. Sweden and Russia), that were previously unsuitable for the species. CONCLUSIONS Our models are congruent with the predictions of range expansion already observed in I. ricinus at a regional scale and provide a qualitative and quantitative assessment of the future climatically suitable areas for I. ricinus at a continental scale. Although the use of SDM at a higher resolution should be integrated by a more refined analysis of further abiotic and biotic data, the results presented here suggest that under future climatic scenarios most of the current distribution area of I. ricinus could remain suitable and significantly increase at a continental geographic scale. Therefore disease outbreaks of pathogens transmitted by this tick species could emerge in previous non-endemic geographic areas. Further studies will implement and refine present data toward a better understanding of the risk represented by I. ricinus to human health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniele Porretta
- Department of Environmental Biology, University of Rome “La Sapienza”, Via dei Sardi 70, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Valentina Mastrantonio
- Department of Environmental Biology, University of Rome “La Sapienza”, Via dei Sardi 70, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Sara Amendolia
- Department of Environmental Biology, University of Rome “La Sapienza”, Via dei Sardi 70, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Stefano Gaiarsa
- Department of Veterinary Science and Public Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Sara Epis
- Department of Veterinary Science and Public Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
- School of Bioscience and Biotechnology, University of Camerino, Camerino, Italy
| | - Claudio Genchi
- Department of Veterinary Science and Public Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Claudio Bandi
- Department of Veterinary Science and Public Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Domenico Otranto
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Sandra Urbanelli
- Department of Environmental Biology, University of Rome “La Sapienza”, Via dei Sardi 70, 00185 Rome, Italy
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Katargina O, Russakova S, Geller J, Kondrusik M, Zajkowska J, Zygutiene M, Bormane A, Trofimova J, Golovljova I. Detection and characterization of tick-borne encephalitis virus in Baltic countries and eastern Poland. PLoS One 2013; 8:e61374. [PMID: 23650497 PMCID: PMC3641128 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0061374] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2012] [Accepted: 03/07/2013] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Ticks were collected from the vegetation in the Baltic countries Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and eastern Poland and analyzed for the presence of tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) by amplification of the partial E and NS3 genes. In Estonia we found statistically significant differences in the TBEV prevalence between I. persulcatus and I. ricinus ticks (4.23% and 0.42%, respectively). In Latvia, the difference in TBEV prevalence between the two species was not statistically significant (1.02% for I. persulcatus and 1.51% for I. ricinus, respectively). In Lithuania and Poland TBEV was detected in 0.24% and 0.11% of I. ricinus ticks, respectively. Genetic characterization of the partial E and NS3 sequences demonstrated that the TBEV strains belonged to the European subtype in all countries, as well as to the Siberian subtype in Estonia. We also found that in areas where ranges of two tick species overlap, the TBEV subtypes may be detected not only in their natural vector, but also in sympatric tick species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga Katargina
- Department of Virology, National Institute for Health Development, Tallinn, Estonia
| | - Stanislava Russakova
- Department of Virology, National Institute for Health Development, Tallinn, Estonia
| | - Julia Geller
- Department of Virology, National Institute for Health Development, Tallinn, Estonia
- Department of Gene Technology, Tallinn University of Technology, Tallinn, Estonia
| | - Macije Kondrusik
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Neuroinfections, Medical University, Bialystok, Poland
| | - Joanna Zajkowska
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Neuroinfections, Medical University, Bialystok, Poland
| | - Milda Zygutiene
- Department of Epidemiological Surveillance, Centre for Communicable Diseases and AIDS, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Antra Bormane
- Infectious Diseases Surveillance and Immunisation Unit, Centre for Disease Prevention and Control of Latvia, Riga, Latvia
| | - Julia Trofimova
- Molecular Biology of Bacterial Infection Unit, Latvian Centre of Infectious Diseases, East University Hospital, Riga, Latvia
| | - Irina Golovljova
- Department of Virology, National Institute for Health Development, Tallinn, Estonia
- * E-mail:
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Bingsohn L, Beckert A, Zehner R, Kuch U, Oehme R, Kraiczy P, Amendt J. Prevalences of tick-borne encephalitis virus and Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato in Ixodes ricinus populations of the Rhine-Main region, Germany. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2013; 4:207-13. [PMID: 23415373 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2012.11.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2012] [Revised: 11/14/2012] [Accepted: 11/20/2012] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) and Lyme borreliosis are the most common tick-borne zooanthroponoses in Germany. The federal risk map for TBE in this country is based on recorded cases of human infection, whereas information on the vector-based prevalence of either pathogen is fragmentary. In this study, a total of 12,497 host-seeking nymphal and adult Ixodes ricinus ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) were collected from March to October 2009 and April to June 2010, in 5 TBE non-risk and 4 TBE risk areas of the Rhine-Main region (Hesse) via flagging. A total of 3615 ticks was examined for infection with Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato and 9115 ticks were analyzed for TBE virus (TBEV). Pathogens were detected by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Among 3615 questing ticks, 344 (9.5%) were found infected with B. burgdorferi sensu lato. Five Borrelia genospecies were identified by sequencing the OspA gene: B. afzelii (81.3%), B. garinii (14.0%), B. valaisiana (2.7%), B. spielmanii (1.3%), and B. bavariensis (0.7%). TBE infection of ticks differed between areas classified as TBE risk and TBE non-risk areas. While the prevalence of TBEV was between 0 and 0.2% (3 of 3947 ticks) in the TBE risk areas, no TBEV-infected tick was detected from TBE non-risk areas. The results show that B. burgdorferi sensu lato occurred in all 9 examined locations, indicating that Lyme borreliosis is prevalent in the Rhine-Main region, whereas TBEV was detected only in previously classified risk areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linda Bingsohn
- Division of Medical Entomology, Institute of Forensic Medicine, Goethe University Hospital, 60596 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
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22
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Stefanoff P, Pfeffer M, Hellenbrand W, Rogalska J, Rühe F, Makówka A, Michalik J, Wodecka B, Rymaszewska A, Kiewra D, Baumann-Popczyk A, Dobler G. Virus detection in questing ticks is not a sensitive indicator for risk assessment of tick-borne encephalitis in humans. Zoonoses Public Health 2012; 60:215-26. [PMID: 22765504 DOI: 10.1111/j.1863-2378.2012.01517.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) is the most important tick-transmitted arbovirus causing human disease in Europe, but information on its endemic occurrence varies between countries because of differences in surveillance systems. Objective data are necessary to ascertain the disease risk for vaccination recommendations and other public health interventions. In two independent, separately planned projects, we used real-time RT-PCR to detect TBE virus in questing ticks. In Poland, 32 sampling sites were selected in 10 administrative districts located in regions where sporadic TBE cases were reported. In Germany, 18 sampling sites were selected in two districts located in a region with high TBE incidence. Altogether, >16,000 ticks were tested by real-time RT-PCR, with no sample testing positive for TBEV. A systematic search for published studies on TBEV prevalence in ticks in Poland and Germany also suggested that testing large numbers of collected ticks could not consistently assure virus detection in known endemic foci. Although assignment of results to administrative regions is essential for TBE risk mapping, this was possible in only 10 (investigating 22,417 ticks) of 15 published studies (>50,000 ticks) identified. We conclude that the collection and screening of ticks by real-time RT-PCR cannot be recommended for assessment of human TBE risk. Alternative methods of environmental TBEV monitoring should be considered, such as serological monitoring of rodents or other wildlife.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Stefanoff
- Department of Epidemiology, National Institute of Public Health-National Institute of Hygiene, Warsaw, Poland.
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23
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Kiffner C, Vor T, Hagedorn P, Niedrig M, Rühe F. Determinants of tick-borne encephalitis virus antibody presence in roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) sera. MEDICAL AND VETERINARY ENTOMOLOGY 2012; 26:18-25. [PMID: 21592155 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2915.2011.00961.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
In order to identify variables associated with the presence of the tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) virus, we conducted a serological survey of roe deer [Capreolus capreolus (Artiodactyla: Cervidae, Linnaeus 1758)] in three forest districts of southern Hesse, Germany. Overall, 24 out of 105 (22.9%) of the sera were positive (≥1 : 10 plaque reduction neutralization test). Using a logistic regression approach, we found that unexplained spatial variation, indexed roe deer density (positive correlation), hind foot length of the tested roe deer (positive correlation) and infestation with female Ixodes spp. ticks (negative correlation) predicted the probability of TBE virus antibody presence in individual roe deer sera. Spring temperature increase and host sex were rejected as explanatory variables. We found considerable differences in TBE virus antibody seroprevalence (50.0% vs. 17.6%) between two forest districts located in the same county; this finding questions the current county-resolution of public health recordings. Given the high seroprevalence of roe deer and the considerable explanatory power of our model, our approach appears suitable to delineate science-based risk maps at a smaller spatial scale and to abandon the current human incidence per county criterion. Importantly, using roe deer as sentinels would eliminate the inherent bias of risk maps based on human incidence (varying levels of immunization and exposure of humans).
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Affiliation(s)
- C Kiffner
- Department of Forest Zoology and Forest Conservation incl. Wildlife Biology and Game Management, Büsgen-Institute, Georg-August-University Göttingen, Busgenweg 3, Göttingen, Germany.
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24
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Knap N, Korva M, Dolinšek V, Sekirnik M, Trilar T, Avšič-Županc T. Patterns of tick-borne encephalitis virus infection in rodents in Slovenia. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2011; 12:236-42. [PMID: 22022821 DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2011.0728] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) is the most important causative agent of arboviral infection in Europe, causing neurologic symptoms. The incidence of the disease has greatly increased over the past decades, and in the meantime, some changes in spatial distribution of TBE cases have been observed. Therefore, it is important to recognize the distribution of endemic areas, to use preventive measures successfully. In this study, rodents from all over Slovenia were evaluated as suitable sentinels for TBEV distribution. Rodents from four species (Myodes glareolus, Apodemus flavicollis, Apodemus sylvaticus, and Apodemus agrarius) were screened for the presence of TBEV antibodies with immunofluorescence assay; the antibodies were detected in 5.9% of sera. The prevalence of infection varied according to the rodent species and according to the region of trapping. Select rodents were also screened for the presence of TBEV RNA in several organs. Both analyses showed higher rate of infection in bank voles, which also produced higher titers of anti-TBEV antibodies and a higher TBEV RNA viral load compared with mice. The regional prevalence of infection in rodents can be correlated with the incidence of disease. Molecular results indicate that the virus can be detected in the organs of the rodents for longer periods, indicating prolonged infections of the rodent hosts by the virus. Rodents can therefore be used as a useful indicator of the circulation of TBEV in an area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nataša Knap
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, Ljubljana, Slovenia
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25
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Durmiši E, Knap N, Saksida A, Trilar T, Duh D, Avšič-Županc T. Prevalence and Molecular Characterization of Tick-Borne Encephalitis Virus inIxodes ricinusTicks Collected in Slovenia. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2011; 11:659-64. [DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2010.0054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Emina Durmiši
- Medical Faculty, Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Nataša Knap
- Medical Faculty, Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Ana Saksida
- Medical Faculty, Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Tomi Trilar
- Slovenian Museum of Natural History, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Darja Duh
- Public Health Institute Maribor, Maribor, Slovenia
| | - Tatjana Avšič-Županc
- Medical Faculty, Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
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26
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Prevalence of tick-borne encephalitis virus in Ixodes ricinus and Dermacentor reticulatus ticks collected from the Lublin region (eastern Poland). Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2011; 2:16-9. [PMID: 21771532 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2010.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2010] [Revised: 10/04/2010] [Accepted: 10/04/2010] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
A total of 875 nymphal and adult Ixodes ricinus ticks and 148 adult Dermacentor reticulatus ticks were collected by flagging lower vegetation in the Lublin region (eastern Poland) and examined for the presence of RNA of tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) by nested RT-PCR. The minimum infection rate of I. ricinus ticks with TBEV amounted to 1.6% while the infection rate of D. reticulatus ticks was 10.8%. The results suggest that D. reticulatus may be a potential vector of TBEV in Central Europe.
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27
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Klaus C, Hoffmann B, Hering U, Mielke B, Sachse K, Beer M, Süss J. Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) virus prevalence and virus genome characterization in field-collected ticks (Ixodes ricinus) from risk, non-risk and former risk areas of TBE, and in ticks removed from humans in Germany. Clin Microbiol Infect 2010; 16:238-44. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1469-0691.2009.02764.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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28
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Stanek G. [Pandora's Box: pathogens in Ixodes ricinus ticks in Central Europe]. Wien Klin Wochenschr 2010; 121:673-83. [PMID: 19998007 DOI: 10.1007/s00508-009-1281-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2009] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Among the various species of hard ticks, Ixodes ricinus is the most frequently found tick throughout Europe. As with other ixodid ticks, the developmental cycle runs through three stages. In each stage a blood meal is required in order to develop to the next stage. Ixodes ricinus has been found to feed on more than 300 different vertebrate species. Usually, larval ticks feed on small mammals such as mice and become infected with various microorganisms and viruses, of which some are substantial pathogens to humans. The pathogens remain in the tick during molting and are thus transstadially transmitted to the next developmental stage. Pathogens transmitted to humans are the agents of Lyme borreliosis, the tick-borne encephalitis virus, Rickettsia species, Anaplasma phagocytophilum, occasionally Francisella tularensis, and protozoal Babesia species. Within the scope of an EU project Ixodes ricinus ticks from all federal states of Austria were searched by means of PCR methods for bacterial pathogens such as Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, Coxiella burnetii, Ehrlichia spp., Francisella tularensis, Rickettsia spp., and protozoal Babesia. Additionally, the prevalence of Bartonella spp. in this tick species was also determined. Besides the singular detection of Coxiella burnetii and Francisella tularensis in one tick collection site the overall prevalence of Anaplasma phagocytophilum, borreliae, rickettsae and babesiae in Ixodes ricinus amounted to 15%, 14%, 6% and surprising 36% and 51%, respectively. Bartonellae were detected in about 7%.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gerold Stanek
- Institut für Hygiene und Angewandte Immunologie, Medizinische Universität Wien, Wien, Austria. gerold.stanek@ meduniwien.ac.at
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29
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Carpi G, Bertolotti L, Rosati S, Rizzoli A. Prevalence and genetic variability of tick-borne encephalitis virus in host-seeking Ixodes ricinus in northern Italy. J Gen Virol 2009; 90:2877-2883. [PMID: 19675189 DOI: 10.1099/vir.0.013367-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) is a severe disease that has been endemic in north-east Italy since 1992. Over the past two decades, there has been an increase in the number of human cases reported in many European countries, including Italy. To assess the current TBE infection risk, questing ticks were collected from known TBE foci, as well as from a site in northern Italy where no human infections have been reported previously. A total of 1739 Ixodes ricinus (1485 nymphs and 254 adults) was collected and analysed for TBEV prevalence by a real-time RT-PCR targeting the 3' untranslated region. Phylogenetic analyses of the partial envelope gene were conducted on two newly sequenced TBE virus (TBEV) strains and 28 previously published sequences to investigate the genealogical relationships of the circulating TBEV strains. These phylogenetic analyses confirmed a previous report that the European TBEV subtype is the only subtype circulating within the TBE foci in north-east Italy. Interestingly, nucleotide sequence analysis revealed a high degree of divergence (mean 2.54 %) between the TBEV strains recovered in the Italian province of Trento, despite the circulation of a single TBEV subtype. This elevated genetic variability within a single TBE focus may reflect local differences in the long-standing evolutionary dynamics of TBEV at this site relative to previously characterized sites, or more recent and continuous reintroduction of various TBEV strains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanna Carpi
- Dipartimento di Produzioni Animali, Epidemiologia, Ecologia, Facoltà di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Torino, Via Leonardo da Vinci 44, 10095 Grugliasco (TO), Italy.,IASMA Research and Innovation Centre, Fondazione Edmund Mach, Environment and Natural Resources Area, S. Michele all'Adige, Trento, Italy
| | - Luigi Bertolotti
- Dipartimento di Produzioni Animali, Epidemiologia, Ecologia, Facoltà di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Torino, Via Leonardo da Vinci 44, 10095 Grugliasco (TO), Italy
| | - Sergio Rosati
- Dipartimento di Produzioni Animali, Epidemiologia, Ecologia, Facoltà di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Torino, Via Leonardo da Vinci 44, 10095 Grugliasco (TO), Italy
| | - Annapaola Rizzoli
- IASMA Research and Innovation Centre, Fondazione Edmund Mach, Environment and Natural Resources Area, S. Michele all'Adige, Trento, Italy
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30
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Haemig PD, Lithner S, Sjöstedt de luna S, Lundkvist Å, Waldenström J, Hansson L, Arneborn M, Olsen B. Red fox and tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) in humans: Can predators influence public health? ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2009; 40:527-32. [DOI: 10.1080/00365540701805446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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31
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Semenza JC, Menne B. Climate change and infectious diseases in Europe. THE LANCET. INFECTIOUS DISEASES 2009; 9:365-75. [PMID: 19467476 DOI: 10.1016/s1473-3099(09)70104-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 327] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Concerted action is needed to address public health issues raised by climate change. In this Review we discuss infections acquired through various routes (arthropod vector, rodent, water, food, and air) in view of a changing climate in Europe. Based on an extensive review of published work and expert workshops, we present an assessment of the infectious disease challenges: incidence, prevalence, and distribution are projected to shift in a changing environment. Due to the high level of uncertainty on the rate of climate change and its impact on infectious diseases, we propose to mount a proactive public health response by building an integrated network for environmental and epidemiological data. This network would have the capacity to connect epidemic intelligence and infectious disease surveillance with meteorological, entomological, water quality, remote sensing, and other data, for multivariate analyses and predictions. Insights from these analyses could then guide adaptation strategies and protect population health from impending threats related to climate change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan C Semenza
- Section Future Threats and Determinants, Unit of Scientific Advice, European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, Stockholm, Sweden.
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32
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Moshkin MP, Novikov EA, Tkachev SE, Vlasov VV. Epidemiology of a tick-borne viral infection: theoretical insights and practical implications for public health. Bioessays 2009; 31:620-8. [DOI: 10.1002/bies.200800196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
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33
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Mansfield KL, Johnson N, Phipps LP, Stephenson JR, Fooks AR, Solomon T. Tick-borne encephalitis virus - a review of an emerging zoonosis. J Gen Virol 2009; 90:1781-1794. [PMID: 19420159 DOI: 10.1099/vir.0.011437-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 310] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
During the last 30 years, there has been a continued increase in human cases of tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) in Europe, a disease caused by tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV). TBEV is endemic in an area ranging from northern China and Japan, through far-eastern Russia to Europe, and is maintained in cycles involving Ixodid ticks (Ixodes ricinus and Ixodes persulcatus) and wild vertebrate hosts. The virus causes a potentially fatal neurological infection, with thousands of cases reported annually throughout Europe. TBE has a significant mortality rate depending upon the strain of virus or may cause long-term neurological/neuropsychiatric sequelae in people affected. In this review, we comprehensively reviewed TBEV, its epidemiology and pathogenesis, the clinical manifestations of TBE, along with vaccination and prevention. We also discuss the factors which may have influenced an apparent increase in the number of reported human cases each year, despite the availability of effective vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- K L Mansfield
- Rabies and Wildlife Zoonoses Group, Veterinary Laboratories Agency, Woodham Lane, New Haw, Surrey, UK
| | - N Johnson
- Rabies and Wildlife Zoonoses Group, Veterinary Laboratories Agency, Woodham Lane, New Haw, Surrey, UK
| | - L P Phipps
- Rabies and Wildlife Zoonoses Group, Veterinary Laboratories Agency, Woodham Lane, New Haw, Surrey, UK
| | | | - A R Fooks
- Rabies and Wildlife Zoonoses Group, Veterinary Laboratories Agency, Woodham Lane, New Haw, Surrey, UK
| | - T Solomon
- Brain Infections Group, Divisions of Neurological Science and Medical Microbiology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
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34
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Long-term persistence of tick-borne encephalitis antibodies in children 5 years after first booster vaccination with Encepur® Children. Vaccine 2009; 27:1585-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2008.12.057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2008] [Revised: 12/22/2008] [Accepted: 12/28/2008] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
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35
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Wittermann C, Schöndorf I, Gniel D. Antibody response following administration of two paediatric tick-borne encephalitis vaccines using two different vaccination schedules. Vaccine 2009; 27:1661-6. [DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2008.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2008] [Revised: 09/26/2008] [Accepted: 10/02/2008] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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36
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Rizzoli A, Hauffe HC, Tagliapietra V, Neteler M, Rosà R. Forest structure and roe deer abundance predict tick-borne encephalitis risk in Italy. PLoS One 2009; 4:e4336. [PMID: 19183811 PMCID: PMC2629566 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0004336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 108] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2008] [Accepted: 12/15/2008] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The Western Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) virus often causes devastating or lethal disease. In Europe, the number of human TBE cases has increased dramatically over the last decade, risk areas are expanding and new foci are being discovered every year. The early localisation of new TBE foci and the identification of the main risk factors associated with disease emergence represent a priority for the public health community. Although a number of socio-economic parameters have been suggested to explain TBE upsurges in eastern Europe, the principal driving factors in relatively stable western European countries have not been identified. Methodology/Principal Findings In this paper, we analyse the correlation between the upsurge of TBE in 17 alpine provinces in northern Italy from 1992 to 2006 with climatic variables, forest structure (as a proxy for small mammal reservoir host abundance), and abundance of the principal large vertebrate tick host (roe deer), using datasets available for the last 40 years. No significant differences between the pattern of changes in climatic variables in provinces where TBE has emerged compared to provinces were no clinical TBE cases have been observed to date. Instead, the best model for explaining the increase in TBE incidence in humans in this area include changes in forest structure, in particular the ratio of coppice to high stand forest, and the density of roe deer. Conclusion/Significance Substantial changes in vegetation structure that improve habitat suitability for the main TBE reservoir hosts (small mammals), as well as an increase in roe deer abundance due to changes in land and wildlife management practices, are likely to be among the most crucial factors affecting the circulation potential of Western TBE virus and, consequently, the risk of TBE emergence in humans in western Europe. We believe our approach will be useful in predicting TBE risk on a wider scale.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annapaola Rizzoli
- Fondazione Edmund Mach, Centro Ricerca e Innovazione, Michele all'Adige, Italy.
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37
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D'Agaro P, Martinelli E, Burgnich P, Nazzi F, Del Fabbro S, Iob A, Ruscio M, Pischiutti P, Campello C. Prevalence of tick-borne encephalitis virus inIxodes Ricinusfrom a novel endemic area of North Eastern Italy. J Med Virol 2009; 81:309-16. [DOI: 10.1002/jmv.21389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
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38
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Long-term persistence of tick-borne encephalitis antibodies in adults 5 years after booster vaccination with Encepur® Adults. Vaccine 2009; 27:853-6. [DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2008.11.082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2008] [Revised: 11/18/2008] [Accepted: 11/22/2008] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
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39
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Hartelt K, Wurst E, Collatz J, Zimmermann G, Kleespies RG, Oehme RM, Kimmig P, Steidle JL, Mackenstedt U. Biological control of the tick Ixodes ricinus with entomopathogenic fungi and nematodes: Preliminary results from laboratory experiments. Int J Med Microbiol 2008. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijmm.2007.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
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40
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Walder G, Falkensammer B, Heinz FX, Holzmann H, Dierich MP, Würzner R. Tick-borne encephalitis in the Tyrol (Austria): Changes in incidence and endemicity 2000–2006. Int J Med Microbiol 2008. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijmm.2008.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
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41
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42
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43
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Wittermann C, Nicolay U, Hilbert AK, Schoendorf I. Paediatric tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) vaccines: Schedules to optimise protection. Int J Med Microbiol 2008. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijmm.2008.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022] Open
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44
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Protection against tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) for people living in and travelling to TBE-endemic areas. Travel Med Infect Dis 2008; 6:331-41. [PMID: 18984477 DOI: 10.1016/j.tmaid.2008.06.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2008] [Accepted: 06/04/2008] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Once considered a local health issue confined to certain regions in Russia and Central and Eastern Europe, tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) is now considered an international health concern, and the most important and widespread viral disease transmitted by ticks in Europe. The number of reported TBE cases continues to increase in many endemic regions, and new foci have been identified. Increases in travel, access to high-risk areas, and the pursuit of leisure activities within TBE-endemic areas are placing more people at risk of TBE. Travellers from non-endemic regions are often unaware of the risk of acquiring TBE and therefore many travellers are not protected against TBE. Active immunization is the most effective way to avoid TBE and its potentially life-threatening sequelae. After a tick bite, no post-exposure treatment including active/passive vaccination is available or recommended in the immunologically naive patient. Available vaccines have undergone a series of modifications and improvement in both composition (with special formulations for children) and schedules to further enhance the safety of immunization and to meet the needs of vaccinees. Efforts to develop internationally recognized recommendations for TBE vaccination for travellers are underway.
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45
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Bröker M, Kollaritsch H. After a tick bite in a tick-borne encephalitis virus endemic area: Current positions about post-exposure treatment. Vaccine 2008; 26:863-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2007.11.046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2007] [Accepted: 11/18/2007] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
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46
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Abstract
Tick-borne diseases are on the rise. Lyme borreliosis is prevalent throughout the Northern Hemisphere, and the same Ixodes tick species transmitting the etiologic agents of this disease also serve as vectors of pathogens causing human babesiosis, human granulocytic anaplasmosis, and tick-borne encephalitis. Recently, several novel agents of rickettsial diseases have been described. Despite an explosion of knowledge in the fields of tick biology, genetics, molecular biology, and immunology, transitional research leading to widely applied public health measures to combat tick-borne diseases has not been successful. Except for the vaccine against tick-borne encephalitis virus, and a brief campaign to reduce this disease in the former Soviet Union through widespread application of DDT, success stories in the fight against tick-borne diseases are lacking. Both new approaches to tick and pathogen control and novel ways of translating research findings into practical control measures are needed to prevent tick-borne diseases in the twenty-first century.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph Piesman
- Division of Vector-Borne Infectious Diseases, Coordinating Center for Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Fort Collins, CO 80522, USA.
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Süss J, Klaus C, Gerstengarbe FW, Werner PC. What makes ticks tick? Climate change, ticks, and tick-borne diseases. J Travel Med 2008; 15:39-45. [PMID: 18217868 DOI: 10.1111/j.1708-8305.2007.00176.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 95] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jochen Süss
- National Reference Laboratory for Tick-borne Diseases, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institute, Jena, Germany.
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Süss J, Gelpi E, Klaus C, Bagon A, Liebler-Tenorio EM, Budka H, Stark B, Müller W, Hotzel H. Tickborne encephalitis in naturally exposed monkey (Macaca sylvanus). Emerg Infect Dis 2007; 13:905-7. [PMID: 17553233 PMCID: PMC2792843 DOI: 10.3201/eid1306.061173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
We describe tickborne encephalitis (TBE) in a monkey (Macaca sylvanus) after natural exposure in an area at risk for TBE. TBE virus was present in the brain and could be identified as closely related to the European subtype, strain Neudoerfl.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jochen Süss
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institute, Jena, Germany.
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