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Wilhelmsson P, Lager M, Jaenson TGT, Waldenström J, Olsen B, Lindgren PE. Anaplasma phagocytophilum in Ticks Blood-Feeding on Migratory Birds in Sweden. Microorganisms 2024; 12:735. [PMID: 38674679 PMCID: PMC11052380 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12040735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2024] [Revised: 03/28/2024] [Accepted: 03/29/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Migratory birds play a dual role as potential reservoirs of tick-borne pathogens, and potential dispersers of pathogen-containing ticks during their migratory journeys. Ixodes ricinus, a prevalent tick species in Northern and Western Europe, serves as a primary vector for Anaplasma phagocytophilum-a bacterium with implications for human and animal health. There is limited information available regarding A. phagocytophilum in birds. Our investigation focused on A. phagocytophilum prevalence in ticks collected from migratory birds in southeastern Sweden. The identification of ticks involved both molecular analyses for species determination and morphological classification to ascertain the developmental stage. The presence of A. phagocytophilum was determined using real-time PCR. Of the 1115 ticks analyzed from 4601 birds, 0.9% (n = 10), including I. ricinus and Ixodes frontalis, tested positive for A. phagocytophilum. Notably, common blackbirds (Turdus merula) yielded the highest number of A. phagocytophilum-infected ticks. The findings suggest that A. phagocytophilum is present in a small proportion of ticks infesting migratory birds in southeastern Sweden. Consequently, the role of birds as hosts for ticks infected with A. phagocytophilum appears to be low, suggesting that birds seem to play a minor indirect role in the geographic dispersal of A. phagocytophilum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Wilhelmsson
- Division of Inflammation and Infection, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, SE-581 83 Linköping, Sweden;
- National Reference Laboratory for Borrelia and Other Tick-Borne Bacteria, Division of Clinical Microbiology, Laboratory Medicine, Region Jönköping County, SE-551 85 Jönköping, Sweden;
| | - Malin Lager
- National Reference Laboratory for Borrelia and Other Tick-Borne Bacteria, Division of Clinical Microbiology, Laboratory Medicine, Region Jönköping County, SE-551 85 Jönköping, Sweden;
| | - Thomas G. T. Jaenson
- Department of Organismal Biology, Evolutionary Biology Centre, Uppsala University, SE-752 36 Uppsala, Sweden;
| | - Jonas Waldenström
- Centre for Ecology and Evolution in Microbial Model Systems, Linnaeus University, SE-392 31 Kalmar, Sweden;
| | - Björn Olsen
- Zoonosis Science Center, Department of Medical Sciences, Uppsala University, SE-751 23 Uppsala, Sweden;
| | - Per-Eric Lindgren
- Division of Inflammation and Infection, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, SE-581 83 Linköping, Sweden;
- National Reference Laboratory for Borrelia and Other Tick-Borne Bacteria, Division of Clinical Microbiology, Laboratory Medicine, Region Jönköping County, SE-551 85 Jönköping, Sweden;
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Quarsten H, Henningsson A, Krogfelt K, Strube C, Wennerås C, Mavin S. Tick-borne diseases under the radar in the North Sea Region. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2023; 14:102185. [PMID: 37116420 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2023.102185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2023] [Revised: 04/18/2023] [Accepted: 04/18/2023] [Indexed: 04/30/2023]
Abstract
The impact of tick-borne diseases caused by pathogens such as Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Neoehrlichia mikurensis, Borrelia miyamotoi, Rickettsia helvetica and Babesia species on public health is largely unknown. Data on the prevalence of these pathogens in Ixodes ricinus ticks from seven countries within the North Sea Region in Europe as well as the types and availability of diagnostic tests and the main clinical features of their corresponding diseases is reported and discussed. Raised awareness is needed to discover cases of these under-recognized types of tick-borne disease, which should provide valuable insights into these diseases and their clinical significance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanne Quarsten
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Sørlandet Hospital, Kristiansand 4615, Norway.
| | - Anna Henningsson
- Department of Clinical Microbiology in Jönköping, County Hospital Ryhov, Jönköping 55185, Sweden; Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Linköping University, Linköping 58183, Sweden
| | - Karen Krogfelt
- Department of Science and Environment, University of Roskilde, Roskilde 4000, Denmark
| | - Christina Strube
- Institute for Parasitology, Centre for Infection Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hanover 30559, Germany
| | - Christine Wennerås
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg 413 46, Sweden
| | - Sally Mavin
- Scottish Lyme Disease and Tick-Borne Infections Reference Laboratory, Raigmore Hospital, Inverness IV2 3BW, United Kingdom
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Flattery A, McKiernan F, Browne J, Gray J, Zaid T, O'Connor J, Zintl A. The prevalence and distribution of Anaplasma phagocytophilum genotypes in Ixodes ricinus nymphs collected from farm- and woodland sites in Ireland. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2022; 13:101928. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2022.101928] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2021] [Revised: 02/01/2022] [Accepted: 02/21/2022] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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Razanske I, Rosef O, Radzijevskaja J, Krikstolaitis R, Paulauskas A. Impact of tick-borne Anaplasma phagocytophilum infections in calves of moose (Alces alces) in southern Norway. Folia Parasitol (Praha) 2021; 68. [PMID: 34782490 DOI: 10.14411/fp.2021.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2020] [Accepted: 07/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The Gram-negative, obligate intracellular tick-transmitted pathogen Anaplasma phagocytophilum can cause acute febrile diseases in humans and domestic animals. The expansion of the tick Ixodes ricinus (Linnaeus, 1758) in northern Europe due to climate change is of serious concern for animal and human health. The aim of the present study was to investigate the impact of A. phagocytophilum infection in moose Alces alces (Linnaeus) calves by evaluating the carcass weights of infected and non-infected animals and examining animal tissues samples for co-infections with either species of Babesia Starcovici, 1893 or bacteria of the genus Bartonella. The carcasses of 68 free-ranging moose calves were weighed by hunters during the hunting seasons from 2014 to 2017 in two regions in southern Norway and spleen samples were collected. Anaplasma phagocytophilum was detected in moose sampled from locations infected with ticks with a prevalence of 82% (n = 46). The carcass weights of A. phagocytophilum-infected calves (n = 46) and non-infected (n = 22) calves were compared. Although the average weight of infected calves (45.6 kg) was lower than that of non-infected calves (46.5 kg), the difference was not statistically significant. Three different variants of the bacterium 16S rRNA gene were identified. The average weight of animals infected with variant I was 49.9 kg, whereas that of animals infected with variant III was 42.0 kg, but the difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.077). Co-infections of A. phagocytophilum with Bartonella spp. or with Babesia spp. were found in 20 and two calves, respectively. A triple infection was found in two calves. Sequence analysis of the 18S rRNA gene of Babesia-positive samples revealed the presence of Babesia cf. odocoilei (Emerson et Wright, 1970). Strains of Bartonella closely related to Bartonella bovis (Bermond, Boulouis, Heller, Laere, Monteil, Chomel, Sander, Dehio et Piemont, 2002) were identified based on phylogenetic analysis of the gltA and rpoB genes. The loss of body mass in moose calves in the tick-infected site was probably influenced by multiple factors.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Olav Rosef
- Vytautas Magnus University, Kaunas, Lithuania.,Rosef Field Research Station, Mjavatn, Norway
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Quarsten H, Salte T, Lorentzen ÅR, Hansen IJW, Hamre R, Forselv KJN, Øines Ø, Wennerås C, Noraas S. Tick-Borne Pathogens Detected in the Blood of Immunosuppressed Norwegian Patients Living in a Tick-Endemic Area. Clin Infect Dis 2020; 73:e2364-e2371. [PMID: 32662513 DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciaa971] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2020] [Accepted: 07/08/2020] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The knowledge regarding the occurrence and the clinical implications of tick-borne infections in immunosuppressed patients living in tick-endemic areas is limited. METHODS Adult patients with autoimmune conditions requiring immunosuppressive treatment such as infliximab and rituximab, were invited to participate in the study when they attended the hospital for treatment and/or control of the disease. Whole blood samples were analysed by real-time PCR for Borrelia burgdorferi s.l., Borrelia miyamotoi, Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Rickettsia spp., Candidatus Neoehrlichia mikurensis and Babesia spp. RESULTS The occurrence of tick-borne pathogens in the blood of patients (n=163) with autoimmune conditions requiring immunosuppressive treatment were evaluated. Pathogen DNA was detected in 8.6% (14/163) of the patients. The predominant pathogen was Candidatus Neoehrlichia mikurensis (12/14), which was carried in the blood of infected patients for 10-59 days until treatment with doxycycline. Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato and Rickettsia spp. were detected in one patient each. The B. burgdorferi-infected patient presented with fever, whereas the remaining patients were judged to have subclinical infections. Borrelia miyamotoi, Anaplasma phagocytophilum, and Babesia spp. were not detected in any patient. CONCLUSIONS Patients treated with biologicals and living in a tick-endemic area seem to have a high risk of contracting Ca. Neoehrlichia mikurensis infection which if left untreated could result in thromboembolic complications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanne Quarsten
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Sørlandet Hospital Health Enterprise, Kristiansand, Norway
| | - Tore Salte
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Sørlandet Hospital Health Enterprise, Kristiansand, Norway
| | - Åslaug R Lorentzen
- Department of Neurology, Sørlandet Hospital Health Enterprise, Kristiansand, Norway
- The Norwegian National Advisory Unit on Tick-Borne Diseases, Arendal, Norway
| | - Inger J W Hansen
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Section of Rheumatology, Sørlandet Hospital Health Enterprise, Kristiansand, Norway
| | - Runar Hamre
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Sørlandet Hospital Health Enterprise, Kristiansand, Norway
| | - Kristine J N Forselv
- Department of Neurology, Sørlandet Hospital Health Enterprise, Kristiansand, Norway
| | - Øivind Øines
- Department of Food Safety, Animal Welfare, and Animal Health, Oslo Norwegian Veterinary Institute, Oslo, Norway
| | - Christine Wennerås
- Department of Infectious Diseases, University of Gothenburg, Sahlgrenska Academy, Göteborg, Sweden
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Göteborg, Sweden
| | - Sølvi Noraas
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Sørlandet Hospital Health Enterprise, Kristiansand, Norway
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Mysterud A, Stigum VM, Seland IV, Herland A, Easterday WR, Jore S, Østerås O, Viljugrein H. Tick abundance, pathogen prevalence, and disease incidence in two contrasting regions at the northern distribution range of Europe. Parasit Vectors 2018; 11:309. [PMID: 29788994 PMCID: PMC5964723 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-018-2890-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2018] [Accepted: 05/08/2018] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Emergence of tick-borne diseases is impacting humans and livestock across the Northern Hemisphere. There are, however, large regional variations in number of cases of tick-borne diseases. Some areas have surprisingly few cases of disease compared to other regions. The aim here is to provide a first step towards a better understanding of such contrasting regional patterns of disease emergences at the northern distribution range of Ixodes ricinus in Europe. Methods We compare disease incidence, vector abundance and pathogen prevalence in eastern and western Norway differing in the number of tick-borne disease cases. First, we analysed the incidence of Lyme borreliosis in humans, tick-borne fever (anaplasmosis) in sheep and anaplasmosis and babesiosis in cattle to verify if incidence differed. Secondly, we analysed extensive field data on questing tick density, pathogen prevalence, as well as the broad spatial pattern of human and livestock distribution as it may relate to tick exposure. Results The incidences of all diseases were lower in eastern, compared to western, Norway, but this was most marked for the livestock diseases. While the prevalence of Borrelia burgdorferi (sensu lato) in ticks was similar in the two regions, the prevalence of Anaplasma phagocytophilum was markedly lower in eastern, compared to western, Norway. We found overall a lower abundance of questing nymphs in the east. In the east, there were cases of babesiosis in cattle where anaplasmosis was absent, suggesting absence of the pathogen rather than differences in exposure to ticks as part of the explanation for the much lower incidence of anaplasmosis in eastern Norway. Conclusions Many factors contribute to different disease incidence across ecosystems. We found that regional variation in tick-borne disease incidence may be partly linked to vector abundance and pathogen prevalence, but differently for human and livestock diseases. Further studies are needed to determine if there is also regional variation in specific genospecies and strain frequencies differing in pathogenicity. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13071-018-2890-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atle Mysterud
- Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Synthesis (CEES), Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, P.O. Box 1066 Blindern, NO-0316, Oslo, Norway.
| | - Vetle Malmer Stigum
- Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Synthesis (CEES), Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, P.O. Box 1066 Blindern, NO-0316, Oslo, Norway
| | - Ingrid Vikingsdal Seland
- Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Synthesis (CEES), Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, P.O. Box 1066 Blindern, NO-0316, Oslo, Norway
| | - Anders Herland
- Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Synthesis (CEES), Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, P.O. Box 1066 Blindern, NO-0316, Oslo, Norway
| | - W Ryan Easterday
- Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Synthesis (CEES), Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, P.O. Box 1066 Blindern, NO-0316, Oslo, Norway
| | - Solveig Jore
- Department of Food, Water, Zoonotic & Vector-borne Infections, The Norwegian Public Health Institute, P.O. Box 4404 Nydalen, NO-0403, Oslo, Norway
| | - Olav Østerås
- Department of the Norwegian Cattle Health Services, TINE Norwegian Dairies BA, NO-1431, Ås, Norway
| | - Hildegunn Viljugrein
- Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Synthesis (CEES), Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, P.O. Box 1066 Blindern, NO-0316, Oslo, Norway.,Norwegian Veterinary Institute, P.O. Box 750 Sentrum, NO-0106, Oslo, Norway
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Mysterud A, Jore S, Østerås O, Viljugrein H. Emergence of tick-borne diseases at northern latitudes in Europe: a comparative approach. Sci Rep 2017; 7:16316. [PMID: 29176601 PMCID: PMC5701145 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-15742-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2017] [Accepted: 10/27/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The factors that drive the emergence of vector-borne diseases are difficult to identify due to the complexity of the pathogen-vector-host triad. We used a novel comparative approach to analyse four long-term datasets (1995-2015) on the incidence of tick-borne diseases in humans and livestock (Lyme disease, anaplasmosis and babesiosis) over a geographic area that covered the whole of Norway. This approach allowed us to separate general (shared vector) and specific (pathogen reservoir host) limiting factors of tick-borne diseases, as well as the role of exposure (shared and non-shared pathogens in different hosts). We found broadly similar patterns of emergence across the four tick-borne diseases. Following initial increases during the first decade of the time series, the numbers of cases peaked at slightly different years and then stabilized or declined in the most recent years. Contrasting spatial patterns of disease incidence were consistent with exposure to ticks being an important factor influencing disease incidence in livestock. Uncertainty regarding the reservoir host(s) of the pathogens causing anaplasmosis and babesiosis prevented a firm conclusion regarding the role of the reservoir host-pathogen distribution. Our study shows that the emergence of tick-borne diseases at northern latitudes is linked to the shared tick vector and that variation in host-pathogen distribution and exposure causes considerable variation in emergence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atle Mysterud
- Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Synthesis (CEES), Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, P.O. Box 1066 Blindern, NO-0316, Oslo, Norway.
| | - Solveig Jore
- Department of Food, Water, Zoonotic & Vector-borne Infections, The Norwegian Institute for Public Health, P.O. Box 4404 Nydalen, NO-0403, Oslo, Norway
| | - Olav Østerås
- Department of the Norwegian Cattle Health Services, TINE Norwegian Dairies BA, Oslo, NO-1431 Ås, Norway
| | - Hildegunn Viljugrein
- Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Synthesis (CEES), Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, P.O. Box 1066 Blindern, NO-0316, Oslo, Norway
- Norwegian Veterinary Institute, P.O. Box 750 Sentrum, NO-0106, Oslo, Norway
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Henningsson AJ, Hvidsten D, Kristiansen BE, Matussek A, Stuen S, Jenkins A. Detection of Anaplasma phagocytophilum in Ixodes ricinus ticks from Norway using a realtime PCR assay targeting the Anaplasma citrate synthase gene gltA. BMC Microbiol 2015; 15:153. [PMID: 26231851 PMCID: PMC4521461 DOI: 10.1186/s12866-015-0486-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2015] [Accepted: 07/16/2015] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background A TaqMan real-time PCR assay targeting the Anaplasma citrate synthase gene, gltA, was developed and used for detection of Anaplasma phagocytophilum in 765 Ixodes ricinus ticks collected from dogs and cats in northern Norway (n = 669) and Telemark county in southern Norway (n = 96). Results Among the ticks from northern Norway the prevalence of A. phagocytophilum was 3.0 %, while the prevalence in southern Norway was 2.1 % (p = 0.63). The gltA PCR assay showed a high analytical sensitivity (30 genomic units) and efficiency (98.5 %), and its utility in clinical diagnostics should be evaluated in future studies. Conclusion This is the first report of A. phagocytophilum occurrence in ticks collected north of the Arctic Circle in Norway. The prevalence is comparable to that found in Telemark county in southern Norway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna J Henningsson
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Division of Medical Services, County Hospital Ryhov, Jönköping, Sweden.
| | - Dag Hvidsten
- Department of Microbiology and Infection Control, University Hospital of North Norway, Tromsø, Norway.
| | - Bjørn-Erik Kristiansen
- Research group of host-microbe interactions, Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, UiT - The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway.
| | - Andreas Matussek
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Division of Medical Services, County Hospital Ryhov, Jönköping, Sweden.
| | - Snorre Stuen
- Department of Production Animal Clinical Sciences, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Sandnes, Norway.
| | - Andrew Jenkins
- Department of Environmental and Health Studies, Telemark University College, Bø, Norway.
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Quarsten H, Skarpaas T, Fajs L, Noraas S, Kjelland V. Tick-borne bacteria in Ixodes ricinus collected in southern Norway evaluated by a commercial kit and established real-time PCR protocols. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2015; 6:538-44. [PMID: 25985721 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2015.04.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2014] [Revised: 04/17/2015] [Accepted: 04/20/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Ticks are important vectors of human pathogens. The knowledge of disease causing agents harboured by ticks in Norway is limited. The focus of this study was (a) to detect the bacteria of medical importance in ticks collected from the vegetation at locations in the southern part of the country and (b) to evaluate a novel commercially available multiplex PCR based method by comparing results with conventional established real-time PCR protocols. Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato was confirmed to be the most prevalent pathogen detected (31%) among one hundred individually analysed adult ticks. Borrelia miyamotoi, a spirochete associated with relapsing fever, was detected in one sample. Anaplasma phagocytophilum was found in 4% of the ticks, followed by Rickettsia helvetica which was detected in one sample. Similar pathogen prevalence was also detected in 500 ticks analysed in pools. This is the first report of the spotted fever group Rickettsia in Norway. Francisella tularensis, Bartonella species or Coxiella burnetti was not detected. However, due to the low number of ticks analysed, the possible presence of these pathogens in the region cannot be ruled out. All isolates were screened by at least two different molecular methods for each bacterial target; one commercially available multiplex PCR based tick-borne bacteria flow chip system (Master Diagnostica) and corresponding real-time PCR protocols. The comparison of methods verified that most findings were detected by both methods (71 Borrelia, 15 Anaplasma and 2 Rickettsia), whereas two additional Borrelia and Anaplasma infected samples were detected by the real-time protocols.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Quarsten
- Sørlandet Hospital Health Enterprise, Department of Medical Microbiology, PO Box 416, NO-4604 Kristiansand, Norway.
| | - T Skarpaas
- Sørlandet Hospital Health Enterprise, Department of Medical Microbiology, PO Box 416, NO-4604 Kristiansand, Norway
| | - L Fajs
- University of Ljubljana, Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Zaloška 4, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - S Noraas
- Sørlandet Hospital Health Enterprise, Department of Medical Microbiology, PO Box 416, NO-4604 Kristiansand, Norway
| | - V Kjelland
- Sørlandet Hospital Health Enterprise, Research Unit, PO Box 416, NO-4604 Kristiansand, Norway; University of Agder, Department of Engineering and Science, Institute of Natural Sciences, Gimlemoen 25, NO-4630 Kristiansand, Norway
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Hjetland R, Henningsson AJ, Vainio K, Dudman SG, Grude N, Ulvestad E. Seroprevalence of antibodies to tick-borne encephalitis virus and Anaplasma phagocytophilum in healthy adults from western Norway. Infect Dis (Lond) 2014; 47:52-6. [PMID: 25342575 DOI: 10.3109/00365548.2014.959044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of this study was to assess the seroprevalence of antibodies to tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) and Anaplasma phagocytophilum in a healthy adult population from Sogn and Fjordane county in western Norway. Sera from 1, 213 blood donors were analysed for IgG-antibodies to TBEV, and a random subgroup of 301 donors for IgG to A. phagocytophilum. In the TBEV ELISA, five (0.4%) sera were positive. These were all interpreted as "false" positives, as four had received vaccines against flaviviruses, and the remaining was negative for neutralizing antibodies to TBEV. Antibodies to A. phagocytophilum were detected by indirect immunofluorescence in 49 (16.2%) subjects (titer range 80-1280). The results indicate that TBE currently is not endemic in this part of western Norway. However, there is serological evidence of the existence of human granulocytic anaplasmosis in the population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reidar Hjetland
- Department of Microbiology, General Hospital of Førde , Førde , Norway
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Mysterud A, Easterday WR, Qviller L, Viljugrein H, Ytrehus B. Spatial and seasonal variation in the prevalence of Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato in questing Ixodes ricinus ticks in Norway. Parasit Vectors 2013; 6:187. [PMID: 23786850 PMCID: PMC3691722 DOI: 10.1186/1756-3305-6-187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2013] [Accepted: 06/17/2013] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Understanding the variation in prevalence of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (Lyme Borreliosis Spirochaetes, LBS) and Anaplasma phagocytophilum (causing tick-borne fever in ruminants and human granulocytic ehrlichiosis) in ticks is vital from both a human and an animal disease perspective to target the most effective mitigation measures. From the host competence hypothesis, we predicted that prevalence of LBS would decrease with red deer density, while prevalence of A. phagocytophilum would increase. METHODS Based on a sample of 112 adult and 686 nymphal Ixodes ricinus ticks collected with flagging during questing from 31 transects (4-500 m long) corresponding to individual seasonal home ranges of 41 red deer along the west coast of Norway, we tested whether there were spatial and seasonal variations in prevalence with a special emphasis on the population density of the most common large host in this area, the red deer (Cervus elaphus). We used a multiplex real-time PCR assay for detection of A. phagocytophilum and LBS. RESULTS Prevalence of LBS was higher in adult female ticks (21.6%) compared to adult male ticks (11.5%) and nymphs (10.9%), while prevalence was similar among stages for prevalence of A. phagocytophilum (8.8%). Only partly consistent with predictions, we found a lower prevalence of LBS in areas of high red deer density, while there was no relationship between red deer density and prevalence of A. phagocytophilum in ticks. Prevalence of both bacteria was much higher in ticks questing in May compared to August. CONCLUSIONS Our study provides support to the notion that spatial variation in host composition forms a role for prevalence of LBS in ticks also in a northern European ecosystem, while no such association was found for A. phagocytophilum. Further studies are needed to fully understand the similar seasonal pattern of prevalence of the two pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atle Mysterud
- Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Synthesis (CEES), Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, P.O. Box1066, Oslo, NO-0316, Norway
| | - William Ryan Easterday
- Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Synthesis (CEES), Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, P.O. Box1066, Oslo, NO-0316, Norway
| | - Lars Qviller
- Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Synthesis (CEES), Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, P.O. Box1066, Oslo, NO-0316, Norway
| | - Hildegunn Viljugrein
- Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Synthesis (CEES), Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, P.O. Box1066, Oslo, NO-0316, Norway
- Norwegian Veterinary Institute, P.O. Box 750 Sentrum, Oslo, NO-0106, Norway
| | - Bjørnar Ytrehus
- Norwegian Veterinary Institute, P.O. Box 750 Sentrum, Oslo, NO-0106, Norway
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Paulauskas A, Radzijevskaja J, Rosef O. Molecular detection and characterization of Anaplasma phagocytophilum strains. Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis 2012; 35:187-95. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cimid.2012.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2011] [Revised: 12/29/2011] [Accepted: 01/04/2012] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Schorn S, Pfister K, Reulen H, Mahling M, Manitz J, Thiel C, Silaghi C. Prevalence of Anaplasma phagocytophilum in Ixodes ricinus in Bavarian public parks, Germany. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2011; 2:196-203. [PMID: 22108012 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2011.09.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2011] [Revised: 09/08/2011] [Accepted: 09/13/2011] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Previous studies have shown that public parks provide extraordinary habitats for ticks and tick-borne pathogens. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the tick abundance (ticks/100 m(2)) in urban areas and the prevalence of Anaplasma phagocytophilum. Collection of ticks was performed by the flagging method in selected Bavarian public parks in a 2-year survey. DNA from 30 ticks of each developmental stage, sampling site and month was extracted and screened by specific real-time PCR for A. phagocytophilum. Selected positive samples were further genetically differentiated by nested PCR, targeting the 16S rRNA gene. A total of 13,403 Ixodes ricinus were collected with an average tick abundance of 15-53 ticks/100 m(2) in 2009 and 15-35 ticks/100 m(2) in 2010, depending on the sampling site. DNA of A. phagocytophilum was detected in 11.6% (n=146) and 8.5% (n=50) of adult females, 13.3% (n=164) and 9.2% (n=51) of adult males as well as 5% (n=60) and 3.9% (n=29) of nymphs for 2009 (n=3685) and 2010 (n=1884), respectively. 16S rRNA gene analysis revealed 6 different genetic variants, 2 of which were 100% identical to known sequences in humans. The results give strong evidence that the occurrence of A. phagocytophilum in I. ricinus is highly variable in different habitat types due to geographical, climatic, and biological factors as well as different genetic variants of A. phagocytophilum circulated in ticks with a noticeable habitat and host tropism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabine Schorn
- Comparative Tropical Medicine and Parasitology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany.
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Rosef O, Paulauskas A, Radzijevskaja J. Prevalence of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato and Anaplasma phagocytophilum in questing Ixodes ricinus ticks in relation to the density of wild cervids. Acta Vet Scand 2009; 51:47. [PMID: 19943915 PMCID: PMC2788566 DOI: 10.1186/1751-0147-51-47] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2009] [Accepted: 11/27/2009] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato and Anaplasma phagocytophilum have been considered as pathogens in animals and humans. The role of wild cervids in the epidemiology is not clear. We analyzed questing Ixodes ricinus ticks collected in spring for these pathogens from sites with high (Fjelløyvær and Strøm) and low density (Tjore, Hinnebu and Jomfruland) of wild cervids to study the spread of the pathogens in questing ticks. Methods For detection of Anaplasma phagocytophilum a 77-bp fragment in the msp2 gene was used. Detection of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato was performed using the FL6 and FL7 primers according to sequences of conserved regions of the fla gene. The OspA gene located on the linear 49-kb plasmid was used as target in multiplex PCR for genotyping. Genospecies-specific primers were used in the PCR for Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto, B. afzelii and B. garinii. Results Infection rates with Borrelia spp. were significantly lower at Fjelløyvær and Strøm compared to Tjore and Hinnebu; Fjelløyvær vs. Tjore (χ2 = 20.27, p < 0.0001); Fjelløyvær vs. Hinnebu (χ2 = 24.04, p < 0.0001); Strøm vs. Tjore (χ2 = 11.47, p = 0.0007) and Strøm vs. Hinnebu (χ2 = 16.63, p < 0.0001). The Borrelia genospecies were dominated by. B. afzelii (82%) followed by B. garinii (9.7%) and B. burgdorferi sensu stricto (6.9%). B. burgdorferi s.s. was only found on the island of Jomfruland. The infection rate of Anaplasma phagocytophilum showed the following figures; Fjelløyvær vs Hinnebu (χ2 = 16.27, p = 0.0001); Strøm vs. Tjore (χ2 = 13.16, p = 0.0003); Strøm vs. Hinnebu (χ2 = 34.71, p < 0.0001); Fjelløyvær vs. Tjore (χ2 = 3.19, p = 0.0742) and Fjelløyvær vs. Støm (χ2 = 5.06, p = 0.0245). Wild cervids may serve as a reservoir for A. phagocytophilum. Jomfruland, with no wild cervids but high levels of migrating birds and rodents, harboured both B. burgdorferi s.l. and A. phagocytophilum in questing I. ricinus ticks. Birds and rodents may play an important role in maintaining the pathogens on Jomfruland. Conclusion The high abundance of roe deer and red deer on the Norwegian islands of Fjelløyvær and Strøm may reduce the infection rate of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato in host seeking Ixodes ricinus, in contrast to mainland sites at Hinnebu and Tjore with moderate abundance of wild cervids. The infection rate of Anaplasma phagocytophilum showed the opposite result with a high prevalence in questing ticks in localities with a high density of wild cervids compared to localities with lower density.
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