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Probst J, Springer A, Fingerle V, Strube C. Frequency of Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Borrelia spp., and coinfections in Ixodes ricinus ticks collected from dogs and cats in Germany. Parasit Vectors 2024; 17:87. [PMID: 38395915 PMCID: PMC10893606 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-024-06193-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2023] [Accepted: 02/11/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Changing geographical and seasonal activity patterns of ticks may increase the risk of tick infestation and tick-borne pathogen (TBP) transmission for both humans and animals. METHODS To estimate TBP exposure of dogs and cats, 3000 female I. ricinus from these hosts were investigated for Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Borrelia species. RESULTS qPCR inhibition, which was observed for ticks of all engorgement stages but not questing ticks, was eliminated at a template volume of 2 µl. In ticks from dogs, A. phagocytophilum and Borrelia spp. prevalence amounted to 19.0% (285/1500) and 28.5% (427/1500), respectively, while ticks from cats showed significantly higher values of 30.9% (464/1500) and 55.1% (827/1500). Accordingly, the coinfection rate with both A. phagocytophilum and Borrelia spp. was significantly higher in ticks from cats (17.5%, 262/1500) than dogs (6.9%, 104/1500). Borrelia prevalence significantly decreased with increasing engorgement duration in ticks from both host species, whereas A. phagocytophilum prevalence decreased only in ticks from dogs. While A. phagocytophilum copy numbers in positive ticks did not change significantly over the time of engorgement, those of Borrelia decreased initially in dog ticks. In ticks from cats, copy numbers of neither A. phagocytophilum nor Borrelia spp. were affected by engorgement. Borrelia species differentiation was successful in 29.1% (365/1254) of qPCR-positive ticks. The most frequently detected species in ticks from dogs were B. afzelii (39.3% of successfully differentiated infections; 70/178), B. miyamotoi (16.3%; 29/178), and B. valaisiana (15.7%; 28/178), while B. afzelii (40.1%; 91/227), B. spielmanii (21.6%; 49/227), and B. miyamotoi (14.1%; 32/227) occurred most frequently in ticks from cats. CONCLUSIONS The differences in pathogen prevalence and Borrelia species distribution between ticks collected from dogs and cats may result from differences in habitat overlap with TBP reservoir hosts. The declining prevalence of A. phagocytophilum with increasing engorgement duration, without a decrease in copy numbers, could indicate transmission to dogs over the time of attachment. The fact that this was not observed in ticks from cats may indicate less efficient transmission. In conclusion, the high prevalence of A. phagocytophilum and Borrelia spp. in ticks collected from dogs and cats underlines the need for effective acaricide tick control to protect both animals and humans from associated health risks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Probst
- Institute for Parasitology, Centre for Infection Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Buenteweg 17, 30559, Hanover, Germany
| | - Andrea Springer
- Institute for Parasitology, Centre for Infection Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Buenteweg 17, 30559, Hanover, Germany
| | - Volker Fingerle
- National Reference Centre for Borrelia, Bavarian Health and Food Safety Authority, Veterinärstraße 2, 85764, Oberschleissheim, Germany
| | - Christina Strube
- Institute for Parasitology, Centre for Infection Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Buenteweg 17, 30559, Hanover, Germany.
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Glass A, Springer A, Raulf MK, Fingerle V, Strube C. 15-year Borrelia prevalence and species distribution monitoring in Ixodes ricinus/inopinatus populations in the city of Hanover, Germany. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2023; 14:102074. [PMID: 36335680 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2022.102074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2022] [Revised: 09/16/2022] [Accepted: 10/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Lyme borreliosis, caused by Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (s.l.) spirochaetes, is the most common tick-borne disease (TBD) in the Northern Hemisphere. Rising incidences indicate that its epidemiology may be affected by global changes. Therefore, the current study aimed to assess changes in tick infection rates with Borrelia spp. over a 15-year monitoring period in the city of Hanover, Germany, as a follow-up to previous prevalence studies (years 2005, 2010 and 2015). To assess the epidemiological risk, ticks of the Ixodes ricinus/inopinatus-complex were sampled from April to October 2020 by the flagging method at 10 frequently visited recreation areas in Hanover. Analysis by quantitative real-time PCR of 2100 individual ticks revealed an overall Borrelia prevalence of 25.5% (535/2100). Regarding different tick developmental stages, nymphs showed a significantly lower Borrelia prevalence (18.4% [193/1050]) than adult ticks (32.6% [342/1050]). Comparison with previous years revealed a stable total Borrelia prevalence along with consistent infection rates in the different developmental stages over the 15-year monitoring period. Borrelia species differentiation by Reverse Line Blot was successful in 67.3% of positive ticks collected in 2020, with B. afzelii being the dominating species (59.2% of the differentiated infections), besides B. burgdorferi sensu stricto (s.s.), B. garinii, B. valaisiana, B. spielmanii, B. bavariensis and B. bissettiae and the relapsing fever spirochaete B. miyamotoi. Additionally, the proportion of infections attributed to B. afzelii showed a significant increase in 2020 compared to 2005 and 2015 (59.2% vs. 37.6% and 32.0% of successfully differentiated infections, respectively). Coinfections with Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Rickettsia spp. stayed stable comparing 2020 with previous years. Therefore, although changes in the Borrelia prevalence in questing ticks were not observed throughout the 15-year monitoring period, shifts in Borrelia species distribution may alter the epidemiological risk.
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Richtrová E, Míchalová P, Lukavská A, Navrátil J, Kybicová K. Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato infection in Ixodes ricinus ticks in urban green areas in Prague. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2022; 13:102053. [PMID: 36279729 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2022.102053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2022] [Revised: 09/26/2022] [Accepted: 09/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Ixodes ricinus ticks are considered as the vector of the Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato complex in urban areas, including city parks and green recreational areas. The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence of B. burgdorferi s. l. in urban areas in the city of Prague, Czech Republic. In selected public green areas in Prague, a total of 2819 I. ricinus ticks were collected in spring, from April to June, in 2014-2020. Quantitative real time PCR revealed 28.1% of ticks (31% of males, 33.7% of females and 25.8% of nymphs) to be positive for B. burgdorferi s. l. The prevalence varied significantly (p˂0.01) between collection sites, with the highest numbers of infected ticks found in the central city areas. The places serving people for recreational and sport activities in urban areas are characterized by a lower diversity of reservoir hosts, provide opportunity for exposure to Borrelia infected ticks, and pose a higher infection risk. We have detected seven Borrelia species in ticks: B. garinii, B. afzelii, B. bavariensis, B. burgdorferi sensu stricto, B. valaisiana, B. spielmanii, and B. finlandensis. Most positive ticks were infected by B. garinii (35%) and B. afzelii (36.9%). Our results show that the Borrelia transmission cycle occurs within urban biotops and highlight the need for surveillance of tick-borne pathogens in public green areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Richtrová
- National Institute of Public Health, Šrobárova 49/48, Prague 100 00, Czech Republic.
| | - P Míchalová
- National Institute of Public Health, Šrobárova 49/48, Prague 100 00, Czech Republic
| | - A Lukavská
- National Institute of Public Health, Šrobárova 49/48, Prague 100 00, Czech Republic
| | - J Navrátil
- National Institute of Public Health, Šrobárova 49/48, Prague 100 00, Czech Republic
| | - K Kybicová
- National Institute of Public Health, Šrobárova 49/48, Prague 100 00, Czech Republic
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Coors A, Hassenstein MJ, Krause G, Kerrinnes T, Harries M, Breteler MMB, Castell S. Regional seropositivity for Borrelia burgdorferi and associated risk factors: findings from the Rhineland Study, Germany. Parasit Vectors 2022; 15:241. [PMID: 35786209 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-022-05354-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2022] [Accepted: 05/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Lyme borreliosis is the most prevalent vector-borne disease in Europe, and numbers might increase due to climate change. However, borreliosis is not notifiable in North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW), Germany. Hence, little is known about the current human seroprevalence in NRW. However, the proportion of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato-infected ticks has increased in a NRW nature reserve. The literature suggests increasing age and male sex as risk factors for seropositivity, whereas the influence of socioeconomic status is controversial. Thus, we aimed to determine regional seropositivity for Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (B. burgdorferi s.l.) and its risk factors in the Rhineland Study population in Bonn, NRW, and to compare it with previous surveys to evaluate potential effects of climate change. Methods We assessed seropositivity in 2865 Rhineland Study participants by determining immunoglobulin G (IgG) and immunoglobulin M (IgM) antibodies for B. burgdorferi s.l. using a two-step algorithm combining enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay tests and line immunoblots. We calculated the odds of being classified as IgG or IgM positive as a function of age, sex, and educational level using binomial logistic regression models. We applied varying seropositivity classifications and weights considering age, sex and education to compensate for differences between the sample and regional population characteristics. Results IgG antibodies for B. burgdorferi s.l. were present in 2.4% and IgM antibodies in 0.6% of the participants (weighted: 2.2% [IgG], 0.6% [IgM]). The likelihood of IgG seropositivity increased by 3.0% (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.5–5.2%) per 1 year increase in age. Men had 1.65 times the odds for IgG seropositivity as women (95% CI 1.01–2.73), and highly educated participants had 1.83 times the odds (95% CI 1.10–3.14) as participants with an intermediate level of education. We found no statistically significant link between age, sex, or education and IgM seropositivity. Our weighted and age-standardized IgG seroprevalence was comparable to the preceding serosurvey German Health Interview and Examination Survey for Adults (DEGS) for NRW. Conclusions We confirmed that increasing age and male sex are associated with increased odds for IgG seropositivity and provide evidence for increased seropositivity in the highly educated group. B. burgdorferi s.l. seropositivity remained constant over the past decade in this regional German population. Graphical abstract ![]()
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Kubiak K, Dmitryjuk M, Dziekońska-Rynko J, Siejwa P, Dzika E. The Risk of Exposure to Ticks and Tick-Borne Pathogens in a Spa Town in Northern Poland. Pathogens 2022; 11:pathogens11050542. [PMID: 35631063 PMCID: PMC9144930 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11050542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2022] [Revised: 04/21/2022] [Accepted: 05/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of this study was to determine the potential risk of human exposure to tick-borne infection in a recreation areas in a spa town located in northern Poland. Questing Ixodes ricinus and Dermacentor reticulatus ticks were collected in the spring of 2018. Tick-borne microorganisms were detected by PCR. Species were identified based on RFLP and the sequencing of DNA. In total, 38.3% of the ticks (34.6% of I. ricinus and 48.6% of D. reticulatus) were infected. The prevalence was 14.9% for Borrelia spp., 10.6% for Babesia spp. and 17.7% for Rickettsia spp. No Anaplasma phagocytophilum was detected. Spirochaetes B. afzelii, B. garinii and B. burgdorferi s.s. were detected only in I. ricinus ticks (20.2%). The differences in the infection rates of Babesia spp. between I. ricinus (7.7%) and D. reticulatus (18.9%) were not significant. DNA of B. canis and B. venatorum were identified in both tick species. B. microti were detected in D. reticulatus ticks. The prevalence of Rickettsia spp. was significantly higher in D. reticulatus (37.8%) than that in I. ricinus (10.6%). R. raoultii was identified only in D. reticulatus and R. helvetica in I. ricinus. Co-infections of at least two pathogens were recognized in 13% of positive ticks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katarzyna Kubiak
- Department of Medical Biology, Collegium Medicum, School of Public Health, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Zolnierska 14c, 10-561 Olsztyn, Poland;
- Correspondence:
| | - Małgorzata Dmitryjuk
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Oczapowskiego 1A, 10-719 Olsztyn, Poland;
| | - Janina Dziekońska-Rynko
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Oczapowskiego 1A, 10-719 Olsztyn, Poland; (J.D.-R.); (P.S.)
| | - Patryk Siejwa
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Oczapowskiego 1A, 10-719 Olsztyn, Poland; (J.D.-R.); (P.S.)
- Students’ Parasitology “Vermis” Science Club, Department of Medical Biology, Collegium Medicum, School of Public Health, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Zolnierska 14c, 10-561 Olsztyn, Poland
| | - Ewa Dzika
- Department of Medical Biology, Collegium Medicum, School of Public Health, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Zolnierska 14c, 10-561 Olsztyn, Poland;
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Gandy S, Hansford K, McGinley L, Cull B, Smith R, Semper A, Brooks T, Fonville M, Sprong H, Phipps P, Johnson N, Medlock JM. Prevalence of Anaplasma phagocytophilum in questing Ixodes ricinus nymphs across twenty recreational areas in England and Wales. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2022; 13:101965. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2022.101965] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2022] [Revised: 05/03/2022] [Accepted: 05/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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Grochowska A, Dunaj-Małyszko J, Pancewicz S, Czupryna P, Milewski R, Majewski P, Moniuszko-Malinowska A. Prevalence of Tick-Borne Pathogens in Questing Ixodes ricinus and Dermacentor reticulatus Ticks Collected from Recreational Areas in Northeastern Poland with Analysis of Environmental Factors. Pathogens 2022; 11:468. [PMID: 35456142 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11040468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2022] [Revised: 04/05/2022] [Accepted: 04/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Ticks, such as Ixodes ricinus and Dermacentor reticulatus, act as vectors for multiple pathogens posing a threat to both human and animal health. As the process of urbanization is progressing, those arachnids are being more commonly encountered in urban surroundings. In total, 1112 I. ricinus (n = 842) and D. reticulatus (n = 270) ticks were collected from several sites, including recreational urban parks, located in Augustów and Białystok, Poland. Afterwards, the specimens were examined for the presence of Borrelia spp., Babesia spp., Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Rickettsia spp., Bartonella spp., and Coxiella burnetii using the PCR method. Overall obtained infection rate reached 22.4% (249/1112). In total, 26.7% (225/842) of I. ricinus was infected, namely with Borrelia spp. (25.2%; 212/842), Babesia spp. (2.0%; 17/842), and A. phagocytophilum (1.2%; 10/842). Among D. reticulatus ticks, 8.9% (24/270) were infected, specifically with Babesia spp. (7.0%; 19/270), A. phagocytophilum (1.1%; 3/270), and Borrelia burgdorferi s.l. (0.7%; 2/270). No specimen tested positively for Rickettsia spp., Bartonella spp., or Coxiella burnetii. Co-infections were detected in 14 specimens. Results obtained in this study confirm that I. ricinus and D. reticulatus ticks found within the study sites of northeastern Poland are infected with at least three pathogens. Evaluation of the prevalence of pathogens in ticks collected from urban environments provides valuable information, especially in light of the growing number of tick-borne infections in humans and domesticated animals.
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Răileanu C, Tauchmann O, Silaghi C. Sympatric occurrence of Ixodes ricinus with Dermacentor reticulatus and Haemaphysalis concinna and the associated tick-borne pathogens near the German Baltic coast. Parasit Vectors 2022; 15:65. [PMID: 35193661 PMCID: PMC8862291 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-022-05173-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2021] [Accepted: 01/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Ixodid ticks from the Northern Hemisphere have registered a northward expansion in recent years, and Dermacentor reticulatus is such an example in Europe, its expansion being considered a result of climate change alongside other factors. The aim of this study was to identify the composition of questing tick species and the associated pathogens at different sites near the German Baltic coast. Methods Questing ticks were collected monthly at four sites (May–November, 2020), mainly grasslands, and in October and November 2020 at a fifth site. Molecular screening of ticks for pathogens included RT-qPCR for the tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV), qPCR for Anaplasma phagocytophilum, PCR for Babesia species and Rickettsia species, and nested PCR for Borrelia species. Results Altogether 1174 questing ticks were collected: 760 Ixodes ricinus, 326 D. reticulatus and 88 Haemaphysalis concinna. The highest activity peak of I. ricinus and D. reticulatus was in May, in June for H. concinna while a second peak was observed only for I. ricinus and D. reticulatus in September and October, respectively. All samples tested negative for TBEV. For A. phagocytophilum, 1.5% of I. ricinus adults tested positive while the minimum infection rate (MIR) in nymphs was 1.3%. This pathogen was found in 0.6% of D. reticulatus. Babesia spp. were detected in I. ricinus (18.2% adults, 2.1% MIR in nymphs) and H. concinna (13.3% adults, 9.7% MIR in nymphs). Borrelia spp. were present only in I. ricinus (49.1% adults, 11.9% MIR in nymphs), while Rickettsia spp. were detected in I. ricinus (14% adults, 8.9% MIR in nymphs) and D. reticulatus (82%). Co-detection of pathogens was observed in 26.6% and 54.8% of positive I. ricinus adults and nymph pools, respectively, while one D. reticulatus tested positive for A. phagocytophilum and Rickettsia spp. The most common co-infection in I. ricinus adults was Babesia microti and Borrelia afzelii (12.3% of positive ticks). Conclusions The results of this study confirm the northern expansion of D. reticulatus and H. concinna in Germany. The detailed data of the infection levels at each location could be useful in assessing the risk of pathogen acquisition following a tick bite. Graphical Abstract ![]()
Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13071-022-05173-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristian Răileanu
- Institute of Infectology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Suedufer 10, 17493, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Oliver Tauchmann
- Institute of Infectology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Suedufer 10, 17493, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Cornelia Silaghi
- Institute of Infectology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Suedufer 10, 17493, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany. .,Department of Biology, University of Greifswald, Domstraße 11, 17489, Greifswald, Germany.
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Hansford KM, Wheeler BW, Tschirren B, Medlock JM. Questing Ixodes ricinus ticks and Borrelia spp. in urban green space across Europe: A review. Zoonoses Public Health 2022; 69:153-166. [PMID: 35122422 PMCID: PMC9487987 DOI: 10.1111/zph.12913] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2021] [Revised: 01/05/2022] [Accepted: 01/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
For more than three decades, it has been recognized that Ixodes ricinus ticks occur in urban green space in Europe and that they harbour multiple pathogens linked to both human and animal diseases. Urban green space use for health and well‐being, climate mitigation or biodiversity goals is promoted, often without consideration for the potential impact on tick encounters or tick‐borne disease outcomes. This review synthesizes the results of over 100 publications on questing I. ricinus and Borrelia spp. infections in ticks in urban green space in 24 European countries. It presents data on several risk indicators for Lyme borreliosis and highlights key research gaps and recommendations for future studies. Across Europe, mean density of I. ricinus in urban green space was 6.9 (range; 0.1–28.8) per 100 m2 and mean Borrelia prevalence was 17.3% (range; 3.1%–38.1%). Similar density estimates were obtained for nymphs, which had a Borrelia prevalence of 14.2% (range; 0.5%–86.7%). Few studies provided data on both questing nymph density and Borrelia prevalence, but those that did found an average of 1.7 (range; 0–5.6) Borrelia‐infected nymphs per 100 m2 of urban green space. Although a wide range of genospecies were reported, Borrelia afzelii was the most common in most parts of Europe, except for England where B. garinii was more common. The emerging pathogen Borrelia miyamotoi was also found in several countries, but with a much lower prevalence (1.5%). Our review highlights that I. ricinus and tick‐borne Borrelia pathogens are found in a wide range of urban green space habitats and across several seasons. The impact of human exposure to I. ricinus and subsequent Lyme borreliosis incidence in urban green space has not been quantified. There is also a need to standardize sampling protocols to generate better baseline data for the density of ticks and Borrelia prevalence in urban areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kayleigh M Hansford
- Medical Entomology & Zoonoses Ecology, UK Health Security Agency, Porton Down, UK.,European Centre for Environment & Human Health, University of Exeter Medical School, Truro, UK.,Health Protection Research Unit in Environmental Change & Health, Public Health England, Porton Down, UK
| | - Benedict W Wheeler
- European Centre for Environment & Human Health, University of Exeter Medical School, Truro, UK.,Health Protection Research Unit in Environmental Change & Health, Public Health England, Porton Down, UK
| | | | - Jolyon M Medlock
- Medical Entomology & Zoonoses Ecology, UK Health Security Agency, Porton Down, UK.,Health Protection Research Unit in Environmental Change & Health, Public Health England, Porton Down, UK.,Health Protection Research Unit in Emerging & Zoonotic Infections, Public Health England, Porton Down, UK
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Springer A, Jordan D, Glass A, Kahl O, Fingerle V, Girl P, Chitimia-Dobler L, Strube C. Borrelia Infections in Ageing Ticks: Relationship with Morphometric Age Ratio in Field-Collected Ixodes ricinus Nymphs. Microorganisms 2022; 10:microorganisms10010166. [PMID: 35056615 PMCID: PMC8778018 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10010166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2021] [Revised: 01/05/2022] [Accepted: 01/11/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
In Europe, Ixodes ricinus plays a major role as a vector of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (s.l.) spirochaetes, the causative agents of Lyme borreliosis, among other pathogens. In unfed ticks, Borrelia spirochaetes experience prolonged nutrient restriction. However, only few studies exist with regard to Borrelia infections in unfed ticks of different physiological ages. Changing body dimensions of unfed ticks, due to the consumption of energy reserves, allow physiological age estimation. The present study investigated the relationship of morphometric age with Borrelia prevalence and spirochaete load in 1882 questing I. ricinus nymphs, collected at two different locations in northern Germany in 2020. In addition, Borrelia species composition was investigated by employing a reverse line blot (RLB) probe panel suitable for the detection of ten different B. burgdorferi s.l. species, as well as the relapsing-fever spirochaete B. miyamotoi. Overall, Borrelia prevalence was 25.8% (485/1882). Whilst there was no statistically significant difference in Borrelia prevalence between the different morphometric age groups, Borrelia infection intensity as determined by probe-based quantitative real-time PCR significantly declined with increasing morphometric age. Borrelia species differentiation by RLB was successful in 29.5% of positive ticks, and revealed B. afzelii as the dominating species (65.0% of the differentiated infections). Additionally, B. garinii, B. valaisiana, B. burgdorferi sensu stricto, B. spielmanii, and B. miyamotoi were detected.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Springer
- Institute for Parasitology, Centre for Infection Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, 30559 Hanover, Germany; (A.S.); (D.J.); (A.G.)
| | - Daniela Jordan
- Institute for Parasitology, Centre for Infection Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, 30559 Hanover, Germany; (A.S.); (D.J.); (A.G.)
| | - Antje Glass
- Institute for Parasitology, Centre for Infection Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, 30559 Hanover, Germany; (A.S.); (D.J.); (A.G.)
| | - Olaf Kahl
- Tick-Radar GmbH, 10555 Berlin, Germany;
| | - Volker Fingerle
- National Reference Center for Borrelia, Bavarian Health and Food Safety Authority, 85764 Oberschleissheim, Germany;
| | - Philipp Girl
- Bundeswehr Institute of Microbiology, 80937 Munich, Germany; (P.G.); (L.C.-D.)
| | | | - Christina Strube
- Institute for Parasitology, Centre for Infection Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, 30559 Hanover, Germany; (A.S.); (D.J.); (A.G.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-511-9538-711
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Knoll S, Springer A, Hauck D, Schunack B, Pachnicke S, Fingerle V, Strube C. Distribution of Borrelia burgdorferi s.l. and Borrelia miyamotoi in Ixodes tick populations in Northern Germany, co-infections with Rickettsiales and assessment of potential influencing factors. Med Vet Entomol 2021; 35:595-606. [PMID: 34180074 DOI: 10.1111/mve.12537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2021] [Revised: 04/30/2021] [Accepted: 06/03/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
To determine Borrelia spp. (Spirochaetales: Spirochaetaceae) prevalence and species distribution in Northern Germany, Ixodes ticks were sampled from April to October in 2018 and 2019 by the flagging method at three locations each in five regions. Analysis by quantitative real-time PCR of 3150 individual ticks revealed an overall prevalence of 30.6%, without significant differences between tick stages (31.7% positive adults, 28.6% positive nymphs). Significant differences were observed in seasonal infection rates, but not between regions, landscape types or sampling years. Analysis of co-infections with Rickettsiales indicated a negative association between Borrelia and Anaplasma phagocytophilum infection. The most frequent Borrelia species differentiated by Reverse Line Blot were B. afzelii and B. garinii/B. bavariensis, followed by B. valaisiana, B. burgdorferi sensu stricto, B. spielmanii and B. lusitaniae. Furthermore, B. miyamotoi was identified in 12.9% of differentiable samples. No effect of region nor landscape type on species composition was found, but significant variations in the distribution at the different sampling sites within a region were observed. The detected monthly fluctuations in prevalence and the differences in intra-regional Borrelia species distribution underline the importance of long-term and multi-location monitoring of Borrelia spp. in ticks as an essential part of public health assessment.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Knoll
- Institute for Parasitology, Centre for Infection Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hanover, Germany
| | - A Springer
- Institute for Parasitology, Centre for Infection Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hanover, Germany
| | - D Hauck
- Institute for Parasitology, Centre for Infection Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hanover, Germany
| | - B Schunack
- Bayer Animal Health GmbH (part of Elanco Animal Health), Leverkusen, Germany
| | - S Pachnicke
- Bayer Vital GmbH, Leverkusen, Germany
- Elanco Deutschland GmbH, Monheim, Germany
| | - V Fingerle
- National Reference Centre for Borrelia, Oberschleißheim, Germany
| | - C Strube
- Institute for Parasitology, Centre for Infection Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hanover, Germany
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12
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Hansford KM, Wheeler BW, Tshirren B, Medlock JM. Urban woodland habitat is important for tick presence and density in a city in England. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2021; 13:101857. [PMID: 34763308 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2021.101857] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2021] [Revised: 07/30/2021] [Accepted: 10/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Urban green spaces provide an opportunity for contact between members of the public and ticks infected with pathogens. Understanding tick distribution within these areas and the drivers for increased tick density or Borrelia infection are important from a risk management perspective. This study aimed to generate data on tick presence, nymph density and Borrelia infection across a range of urban green space habitats, in order to identify those that may potentially present a higher risk of Lyme borreliosis to members of the public. Several sites were visited across the English city of Bath during 2015 and 2016. Tick presence was confirmed in all habitats surveyed, with increased likelihood in woodland and woodland edge. Highest nymph densities were also reported in these habitats, along with grassland during one of the sampling years. Adult ticks were more likely to be infected compared to nymphs, and the highest densities of infected nymphs were associated with woodland edge habitat. In addition to Lyme borreliosis causing Borrelia genospecies, Borrelia miyamotoi was also detected at several sites. This study adds to the growing evidence that urban green space habitats present a public health risk from tick bites, and this has implications for many policy areas including health and wellbeing, climate adaptation and urban green space planning.
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13
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Norte AC, Harris DJ, Silveira D, Nunes CS, Núncio MS, Martínez EG, Giménez A, de Sousa R, Lopes de Carvalho I, Perera A. Diversity of microorganisms in Hyalomma aegyptium collected from spur-thighed tortoise (Testudo graeca) in North Africa and Anatolia. Transbound Emerg Dis 2021; 69:1951-1962. [PMID: 34125999 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.14188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2021] [Accepted: 06/04/2021] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Ticks carry a diverse community of microorganisms including non-pathogenic symbionts, commensals, and pathogens, such as viruses, bacteria, protozoans, and fungi. The assessment of tick-borne microorganisms (TBM) in tortoises and their ticks is essential to understand their eco-epidemiology, and to map and monitor potential pathogens to humans and other animals. The aim of this study was to characterize the diversity of microorganisms found in ticks collected from the spur-thighed tortoise (Testudo graeca) in North Africa and Anatolia. Ticks feeding on wild T. graeca were collected, and pathogens were screened by polymerase chain reaction using group-specific primers. In total, 131 adult Hyalomma aegyptium ticks were collected from 92 T. graeca in Morocco (n = 48), Tunisia (n = 2), Algeria (n = 70), and Turkey (n = 11). Bacteria and protozoa detected included Hemolivia mauritanica (22.9%), Midichloria mitochondrii (11.4%), relapsing-fever borreliae (8.4%), Ehrlichia spp. (7.6%), Rickettsia spp. (3.4%), Borrelia burgdorferi s.l. (0.9%), Francisella spp. (0.9%), and Wolbachia spp. (0.8%). The characterization of Rickettsia included R. sibirica mongolitimonae (Algeria), R. aeschlimannii (Turkey), and R.africae (Morocco). Hemolivia mauritanica and Ehrlichia spp. prevalence varied significantly with the sampling region/country. We did not detect significant associations in microorganism presence within ticks, nor between microorganism presence and tick mitochondrial DNA haplogroups. This is the first report of Francisella persica-like, relapsing fever borreliae, M. mitochondrii, and Wolbachia spp. in H. aegyptium ticks collected from wild hosts from the South and Eastern Mediterranean region, and of R. sibirica mongolitimonae and R. africae in H. aegyptium from Algeria and Morocco, respectively. Given that T. graeca is a common species in commercial and non-commercial pet trade, the evaluation of the role of this species and its ticks as hosts for TBM is particularly relevant for public health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Cláudia Norte
- MARE - Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,Centre for Vector and Infectious Diseases Research, National Institute of Health Doutor Ricardo Jorge, Águas de Moura, Portugal
| | - David James Harris
- CIBIO/InBIO - Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, Universidade do Porto, Vairão, Portugal
| | - Diogo Silveira
- CIBIO/InBIO - Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, Universidade do Porto, Vairão, Portugal
| | - Carolina Saramago Nunes
- Centre for Vector and Infectious Diseases Research, National Institute of Health Doutor Ricardo Jorge, Águas de Moura, Portugal
| | - Maria Sofia Núncio
- Centre for Vector and Infectious Diseases Research, National Institute of Health Doutor Ricardo Jorge, Águas de Moura, Portugal
| | - Eva Graciá Martínez
- Departamento de Biología Aplicada, Universidad Miguel Hernández, Elche, Spain.,Centro de Investigación e Innovación Agroalimentaria y Agroambiental (CIAGRO-UMH), Miguel Hernández University, Elche, Spain
| | - Andrés Giménez
- Departamento de Biología Aplicada, Universidad Miguel Hernández, Elche, Spain.,Centro de Investigación e Innovación Agroalimentaria y Agroambiental (CIAGRO-UMH), Miguel Hernández University, Elche, Spain
| | - Rita de Sousa
- Centre for Vector and Infectious Diseases Research, National Institute of Health Doutor Ricardo Jorge, Águas de Moura, Portugal
| | - Isabel Lopes de Carvalho
- Centre for Vector and Infectious Diseases Research, National Institute of Health Doutor Ricardo Jorge, Águas de Moura, Portugal
| | - Ana Perera
- CIBIO/InBIO - Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, Universidade do Porto, Vairão, Portugal
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14
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Răileanu C, Silaghi C, Fingerle V, Margos G, Thiel C, Pfister K, Overzier E. Borrelia burgdorferi Sensu Lato in Questing and Engorged Ticks from Different Habitat Types in Southern Germany. Microorganisms 2021; 9:microorganisms9061266. [PMID: 34200876 PMCID: PMC8230558 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9061266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2021] [Revised: 06/07/2021] [Accepted: 06/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (s.l.) causes the most common tick-borne infection in Europe, with Germany being amongst the countries with the highest incidences in humans. This study aimed at (1) comparing infection rates of B. burgdorferi s.l. in questing Ixodes ricinus ticks from different habitat types in Southern Germany, (2) analysing genospecies distribution by habitat type, and (3) testing tissue and ticks from hosts for B. burgdorferi s.l. Questing ticks from urban, pasture, and natural habitats together with feeding ticks from cattle (pasture) and ticks and tissue samples from wild boars and roe deer (natural site) were tested by PCR and RFLP for species differentiation. B. burgdorferi s.l. was found in 29.8% questing adults and 15% nymphs. Prevalence was lower at the urban sites with occurrence of roe deer than where these were absent. Borrelia burgdorferi s.l. DNA was found in 4.8% ticks from roe deer, 6.3% from wild boar, and 7.8% from cattle. Six genospecies were identified in unfed ticks: Borrelia afzelii (48.6%), Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto (16%), Borrelia garinii (13.2%), Borrelia valaisiana (7.5%), Borrelia spielmanii (6.2%), and Borrelia bavariensis (0.9%). This study shows high infection levels and a great diversity of Borrelia in questing ticks. The presence of roe deer seems to reduce B. burgdorferi s.l. infection rates in tick populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristian Răileanu
- Institute of Infectology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Südufer 10, 17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany;
| | - Cornelia Silaghi
- Institute of Infectology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Südufer 10, 17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany;
- Comparative Tropical Medicine and Parasitology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 80805 Munich, Germany; (C.T.); (K.P.); (E.O.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Volker Fingerle
- National Reference Center for Borrelia, Bavarian Health and Food Safety Authority (LGL), 85764 Oberschleißheim, Germany; (V.F.); (G.M.)
| | - Gabriele Margos
- National Reference Center for Borrelia, Bavarian Health and Food Safety Authority (LGL), 85764 Oberschleißheim, Germany; (V.F.); (G.M.)
| | - Claudia Thiel
- Comparative Tropical Medicine and Parasitology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 80805 Munich, Germany; (C.T.); (K.P.); (E.O.)
| | - Kurt Pfister
- Comparative Tropical Medicine and Parasitology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 80805 Munich, Germany; (C.T.); (K.P.); (E.O.)
| | - Evelyn Overzier
- Comparative Tropical Medicine and Parasitology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 80805 Munich, Germany; (C.T.); (K.P.); (E.O.)
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15
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Knoll S, Springer A, Hauck D, Schunack B, Pachnicke S, Strube C. Regional, seasonal, biennial and landscape-associated distribution of Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Rickettsia spp. infections in Ixodes ticks in northern Germany and implications for risk assessment at larger spatial scales. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2021; 12:101657. [PMID: 33524939 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2021.101657] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2020] [Revised: 01/07/2021] [Accepted: 01/11/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Tick-associated Rickettsiales are important pathogens with relevance for public and animal health; therefore, knowledge regarding their distribution is essential for risk assessment and disease prevention. To investigate the prevalence of Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Rickettsia spp. in northern Germany, Ixodes ticks were flagged monthly from April to October in 2018 and 2019 at three collection sites each in the regions of Bremen, Emsland, Hanover, Kassel and Uelzen. A total of 3150 ticks (1052 females, 1048 males and 1050 nymphs) were individually examined for rickettsial infections using probe-based quantitative real-time PCR. Overall prevalence of A. phagocytophilum was 6.4 % (202/3150; 6.7 % [71/1052] in females, 7.5 % [79/1048] in males and 5.0 % [52/1050] in nymphs). For Rickettsia spp., the overall prevalence was 29.6 % (931/3150; 33.4 % [351/1052] in females, 28.3 % [297/1048] in males and 27.0 % [283/1050] in nymphs). Rickettsia species identification by real-time pyrosequencing on a subset of 409 positive samples was successful in 407 cases (99.5 %). Rickettsia helvetica was the predominant species with a detection rate of 99.8 % (406/407). Additionally, Rickettsia monacensis was detected in one tick (0.2 %). Generalized linear mixed models showed significant regional as well as monthly differences regarding the prevalence of both pathogens. In addition, the prevalence of both pathogens was significantly higher in 2018 (A. phagocytophilum: 8.0 % [126/1575], Rickettsia spp.: 35.4 % [558/1575]) than in 2019 (A. phagocytophilum: 4.8 % [76/1575], Rickettsia spp.: 23.9 % [373/1575]). In contrast, no effect of landscape type on pathogen prevalence was found. As Rickettsia spp.-detection was based on the single-copy gene gltA, it was possible to calculate the individual pathogen load per tick, which was significantly higher in female ticks than in nymphs (mean values: 8.19 × 104 vs. 9.58 × 103). Regional, seasonal and biennial prevalence differences of tick-transmitted Rickettsiales show the necessity to investigate ticks from multiple locations, over several months and in more than one year to reliably assess the infection risk on a larger geographical scale.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steffen Knoll
- Institute for Parasitology, Centre for Infection Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Buenteweg 17, 30559, Hanover, Germany
| | - Andrea Springer
- Institute for Parasitology, Centre for Infection Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Buenteweg 17, 30559, Hanover, Germany
| | - Daniela Hauck
- Institute for Parasitology, Centre for Infection Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Buenteweg 17, 30559, Hanover, Germany
| | - Bettina Schunack
- Bayer Animal Health GmbH (Part of Elanco Animal Health), 51373, Leverkusen, Germany
| | | | - Christina Strube
- Institute for Parasitology, Centre for Infection Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Buenteweg 17, 30559, Hanover, Germany.
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16
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Liebig K, Boelke M, Grund D, Schicht S, Springer A, Strube C, Chitimia-Dobler L, Dobler G, Jung K, Becker S. Tick populations from endemic and non-endemic areas in Germany show differential susceptibility to TBEV. Sci Rep 2020; 10:15478. [PMID: 32968088 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-71920-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2020] [Accepted: 08/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) is endemic in twenty-seven European countries, transmitted via the bite of an infected tick. TBEV is the causative agent of one of the most important viral diseases of the central nervous system (CNS). In Germany, 890 human cases were registered between the years 2018–2019. The castor bean tick, Ixodes ricinus, is the TBEV vector with the highest importance in Central Europe, including Germany. Despite the nationwide distribution of this tick species, risk areas of TBEV are largely located in Southern Germany. To increase our understanding of TBEV-tick interactions, we collected ticks from different areas within Germany (Haselmühl/Bavaria, Hanover/Lower Saxony) and infected them via an in vitro feeding system. A TBEV isolate was obtained from an endemic focus in Haselmühl. In two experimental series conducted in 2018 and 2019, ticks sampled in Haselmühl (TBEV focus) showed higher artificial feeding rates, as well as higher TBEV infections rates than ticks from the non-endemic area (Hanover). Other than the tick origin, year and month of the infection experiment as well as co-infection with Borrelia spp., had a significant impact on TBEV Haselmühl infection rates. Taken together, these findings suggest that a specific adaptation of the tick populations to their respective TBEV virus isolates or vice versa, leads to higher TBEV infection rates in those ticks. Furthermore, co-infection with other tick-borne pathogens such as Borrelia spp. can lower TBEV infection rates in specific populations.
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17
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Bournez L, Umhang G, Moinet M, Richomme C, Demerson JM, Caillot C, Devillers E, Boucher JM, Hansmann Y, Boué F, Moutailler S. Tick-Borne Encephalitis Virus: Seasonal and Annual Variation of Epidemiological Parameters Related to Nymph-to-Larva Transmission and Exposure of Small Mammals. Pathogens 2020; 9:E518. [PMID: 32605114 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens9070518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2020] [Revised: 06/23/2020] [Accepted: 06/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
A greater knowledge of the ecology of the natural foci of tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) is essential to better assess the temporal variations of the risk of tick-borne encephalitis for humans. To describe the seasonal and inter-annual variations of the TBEV-cycle and the epidemiological parameters related to TBEV nymph-to-larva transmission, exposure of small mammals to TBEV, and tick aggregation on small mammals, a longitudinal survey in ticks and small mammals was conducted over a 3-year period in a mountain forest in Alsace, eastern France. TBEV prevalence in questing nymphs was lower in 2013 than in 2012 and 2014, probably because small mammals (Myodes glareolus and Apodemus flavicollis) were more abundant in 2012, which reduced tick aggregation and co-feeding transmission between ticks. The prevalence of TBEV in questing nymphs was higher in autumn than spring. Despite these variations in prevalence, the density of infected questing nymphs was constant over time, leading to a constant risk for humans. The seroprevalence of small mammals was also constant over time, although the proportion of rodents infested with ticks varied between years and seasons. Our results draw attention to the importance of considering the complex relationship between small mammal densities, tick aggregation on small mammals, density of infected questing nymphs, and prevalence of infected nymphs in order to forecast the risk of TBEV for humans.
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18
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Balážová A, Baláž V, Ondruš J, Široký P. Duplex qPCR assay for detection and quantification of Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Rickettsia spp. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2020; 11:101462. [PMID: 32723653 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2020.101462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2019] [Revised: 04/24/2020] [Accepted: 05/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Rickettsia spp. are vector-borne zoonotic bacteria, which are clinically important especially in immunocompromised patients. There are large gaps in the current knowledge of their geographic distribution and prevalence in both their vectors and hosts. Our aim was to develop reliable and easy detection method for both these pathogens. We made a new hydrolysis probe based duplex Real-Time PCR assay based on previous studies. We optimized the assays and tested them to provide reliable recommended procedures with a sensitivity to a minimum of 10 target DNA copies per sample. The assays were designed to be specific for A. phagocytophilum and in the same reaction detect multiple species of rickettsiae. We designed gBlock quantification standards that provide the option to identify differences in pathogen load among different samples in subsequent studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alena Balážová
- Department of Biology and Wildlife Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Hygiene and Ecology, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences Brno, Palackého tř. 1946/1, 612 42 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Vojtech Baláž
- Department of Biology and Wildlife Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Hygiene and Ecology, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences Brno, Palackého tř. 1946/1, 612 42 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Jaroslav Ondruš
- Department of Biology and Wildlife Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Hygiene and Ecology, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences Brno, Palackého tř. 1946/1, 612 42 Brno, Czech Republic; CEITEC - Central European Institute of Technology, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences Brno, Palackého tř. 1946/1, 612 42 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Pavel Široký
- Department of Biology and Wildlife Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Hygiene and Ecology, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences Brno, Palackého tř. 1946/1, 612 42 Brno, Czech Republic; CEITEC - Central European Institute of Technology, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences Brno, Palackého tř. 1946/1, 612 42 Brno, Czech Republic.
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19
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Grochowska A, Milewski R, Pancewicz S, Dunaj J, Czupryna P, Milewska AJ, Róg-Makal M, Grygorczuk S, Moniuszko-Malinowska A. Comparison of tick-borne pathogen prevalence in Ixodes ricinus ticks collected in urban areas of Europe. Sci Rep 2020; 10:6975. [PMID: 32332817 PMCID: PMC7181685 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-63883-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2019] [Accepted: 04/06/2020] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Tick-borne diseases are a major threat to human and animal health. An increasing number of natural habitats have been transformed into urban areas by human activity; hence, the number of reported tick bites in urban and suburban areas has risen. This retrospective analysis evaluated 53 scientific reports concerning infections of Ixodes ricinus ticks collected from urban and suburban areas of Europe between 1991 and 2017. The results indicate significant differences in many variables, including a higher number of Anaplasma phagocytophilum infections in Eastern Europe than in Western Europe. The opposite result was observed for Candidatus Neoehrlichia mikurensis infections. A comparison of climate zones revealed that Borrelia burgdorferi s.l. infections have the greatest median incidence rate in subtropical climate zones. No statistical significance was found when comparing other tick-borne pathogens (TBPs), such as Borrelia miyamotoi, Rickettsia spp., Babesia spp., Bartonella spp., Ehrlichia spp., Coxiella burnetii and Francisella tularensis. The analysis also showed significant differences in the overall prevalence of TBPs according to average temperatures and rainfall across Europe. This retrospective study contributes to the knowledge on the occurrence and prevalence of TBPs in urbanized areas of Europe and their dependence on the habitats and geographical distributions of ticks. Due to the increased risk of tick bites, it is of great importance to investigate infections in ticks from urban and suburban areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Grochowska
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Neuroinfections, Medical University of Białystok, Żurawia 14, 15-540, Białystok, Poland.
| | - Robert Milewski
- Department of Statistics and Medical Informatics, Medical University of Białystok, Szpitalna 37, 15-295 Białystok, Poland
| | - Sławomir Pancewicz
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Neuroinfections, Medical University of Białystok, Żurawia 14, 15-540, Białystok, Poland
| | - Justyna Dunaj
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Neuroinfections, Medical University of Białystok, Żurawia 14, 15-540, Białystok, Poland
| | - Piotr Czupryna
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Neuroinfections, Medical University of Białystok, Żurawia 14, 15-540, Białystok, Poland
| | - Anna Justyna Milewska
- Department of Statistics and Medical Informatics, Medical University of Białystok, Szpitalna 37, 15-295 Białystok, Poland
| | - Magdalena Róg-Makal
- Department of Invasive Cardiology, Medical University of Białystok, M. Skłodowskiej-Curie 24 A, 15-276, Białystok, Poland
| | - Sambor Grygorczuk
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Neuroinfections, Medical University of Białystok, Żurawia 14, 15-540, Białystok, Poland
| | - Anna Moniuszko-Malinowska
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Neuroinfections, Medical University of Białystok, Żurawia 14, 15-540, Białystok, Poland
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20
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Hauck D, Jordan D, Springer A, Schunack B, Pachnicke S, Fingerle V, Strube C. Transovarial transmission of Borrelia spp., Rickettsia spp. and Anaplasma phagocytophilum in Ixodes ricinus under field conditions extrapolated from DNA detection in questing larvae. Parasit Vectors 2020; 13:176. [PMID: 32264920 PMCID: PMC7140504 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-020-04049-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2020] [Accepted: 03/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Ixodes ricinus constitutes the main European vector tick for the Lyme borreliosis pathogen Borrelia burgdorferi (sensu lato), the relapsing fever borrelia Borrelia miyamotoi, as well as Anaplasma phagocytophilum and several Rickettsia species. Under laboratory conditions, a transovarial transmission to the next tick generation is described for Rickettsia spp. and Borrelia spp., especially regarding B. miyamotoi, whereas the efficiency of transovarial transfer under field conditions is largely unstudied. Methods In order to better estimate the potential infection risk by tick larvae for humans and animals, 1500 I. ricinus larvae from 50 collected “nests” (larvae adhering to the flag in a clumped manner) were individually examined for Borrelia, Rickettsia and A. phagocytophilum DNA using quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR). Results Thirty-nine of 50 nests each (78.0%, 95% CI: 64.0–88.5%) were positive for Borrelia spp. and Rickettsia spp. DNA, and in three nests (6.0%, 95% CI: 1.3–16.5%) A. phagocytophilum DNA was detected. Overall, DNA from at least one pathogen could be detected in 90.0% (45/50, 95% CI: 78.2–96.7%) of the nests. Of the 1500 larvae, 137 were positive for Borrelia spp. DNA (9.1%, 95% CI: 7.7–10.7%), 341 for Rickettsia spp. DNA (22.7%, 95% CI: 20.6–24.9%) and three for A. phagocytophilum DNA (0.2%, 95% CI: 0–0.6%). Quantity of Borrelia spp. and Anaplasma spp. DNA in positive larvae was low, with 2.7 × 100Borrelia 5S-23S gene copies and 2.4 × 101A. phagocytophilum msp2/p44 gene copies detected on average, while Rickettsia-positive samples contained on average 5.4 × 102gltA gene copies. Coinfections were found in 66.0% (33/50, 95% CI: 51.2–78.8%) of the nests and 8.6% (38/443, 95% CI: 6.1–11.6%) of positive larvae. In fact, larvae had a significantly higher probability of being infected with Borrelia spp. or Rickettsia spp. when both pathogens were present in the nest. Conclusions This study provides evidence for transovarial transmission of Rickettsia spp. and Borrelia spp. in I. ricinus under field conditions, possibly facilitating pathogen persistence in the ecosystem and reducing the dependence on the presence of suitable reservoir hosts. Further studies are needed to prove transovarial transmission and to explain the surprisingly high proportion of nests containing Rickettsia and/or Borrelia DNA-positive larvae compared to infection rates in adult ticks commonly reported in other studies.![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Hauck
- Institute for Parasitology, Centre for Infection Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Buenteweg 17, 30559, Hanover, Germany
| | - Daniela Jordan
- Institute for Parasitology, Centre for Infection Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Buenteweg 17, 30559, Hanover, Germany
| | - Andrea Springer
- Institute for Parasitology, Centre for Infection Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Buenteweg 17, 30559, Hanover, Germany
| | | | | | - Volker Fingerle
- National Reference Centre for Borrelia, Veterinaerstraße 2, 85764, Oberschleissheim, Germany
| | - Christina Strube
- Institute for Parasitology, Centre for Infection Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Buenteweg 17, 30559, Hanover, Germany.
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Răileanu C, Tauchmann O, Vasić A, Wöhnke E, Silaghi C. Borrelia miyamotoi and Borrelia burgdorferi (sensu lato) identification and survey of tick-borne encephalitis virus in ticks from north-eastern Germany. Parasit Vectors 2020; 13:106. [PMID: 32106890 PMCID: PMC7045458 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-020-3969-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2019] [Accepted: 02/13/2020] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Ixodes ricinus is the most common tick species in Europe and the main vector for Borrelia burgdorferi (sensu lato) and tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV). It is involved also in the transmission of Borrelia miyamotoi, a relapsing fever spirochete that causes health disorders in humans. Little is known regarding the circulation of Borrelia species and the natural foci of TBEV in north-eastern Germany. The goal of this study was to investigate the infection rates of Borrelia spp. and of TBEV in I. ricinus ticks from north-eastern Germany. Methods Ticks were collected by flagging from 14 forest sites in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania between April and October 2018. RNA and DNA extraction was performed from individual adult ticks and from pools of 2–10 nymphs. Real time reverse transcription PCR (RT-qPCR) targeted the 3′ non-coding region of TBEV, while DNA of Borrelia spp. was tested by nested PCR for the amplification of 16S-23S intergenic spacer. Multilocus sequence typing (MLST) was performed on B. miyamotoi isolates. Results In total, 2407 ticks were collected (239 females, 232 males and 1936 nymphs). Female and male I. ricinus ticks had identical infection rates (both 12.1%) for Borrelia spp., while nymphal pools showed a minimum infection rate (MIR) of 3.3%. Sequencing revealed four Borrelia species: B. afzelii, B. garinii, B. valaisiana and B. miyamotoi. Borrelia afzelii had the highest prevalence in adult ticks (5.5%) and nymphs (MIR of 1.8%). Borrelia miyamotoi was identified in 3.0% of adults and registered the MIR of 0.8% in nymphs. Borrelia valaisiana was confirmed in 2.5% adult ticks and nymphs had the MIR of 0.7%, while B. garinii was present in 1.1% of adults and showed a MIR of 0.1% in nymphs. The MLST of B. miyamotoi isolates showed that they belong to sequence type 635. No tick sample was positive after RT-qPCR for TBEV RNA. Conclusions The prevalence of B. miyamotoi in I. ricinus ticks registered similar levels to other reports from Europe suggesting that this agent might be well established in the local tick population. The detection of B. burgdorferi (s.l.) indicates a constant circulation in tick populations from this region.![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristian Răileanu
- Institute of Infectology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Südufer 10, 17943, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Oliver Tauchmann
- Institute of Infectology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Südufer 10, 17943, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Ana Vasić
- Institute of Infectology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Südufer 10, 17943, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Elisabeth Wöhnke
- Institute of Infectology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Südufer 10, 17943, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany.,Institute of Molecular Virology and Cell Biology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Cornelia Silaghi
- Institute of Infectology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Südufer 10, 17943, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany. .,Institute of Molecular Virology and Cell Biology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany. .,Department of Biology, University of Greifswald, Domstrasse 11, 17489, Greifswald, Germany.
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Springer A, Raulf MK, Fingerle V, Strube C. Borrelia prevalence and species distribution in ticks removed from humans in Germany, 2013-2017. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2020; 11:101363. [PMID: 31987819 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2019.101363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2019] [Revised: 12/11/2019] [Accepted: 12/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Lyme borreliosis caused by spirochaetes of the Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (s.l.) complex is the most common tick-borne disease in Europe. In addition, the relapsing-fever spirochaete Borrelia miyamotoi, which has been associated with febrile illness and meningoencephalitis in immunocompromised persons, is present in Europe. This study investigated Borrelia prevalence and species distribution in ticks removed from humans and sent as diagnostic material to the Institute for Parasitology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, in 2013-2017. A probe-based real-time PCR was carried out and Borrelia-positive samples were subjected to species determination by reverse line blot (RLB), including a B. miyamotoi-specific probe. The overall Borrelia-infection rate as determined by real-time PCR was 20.02 % (510/2547, 95 % CI: 18.48-21.63 %), with annual prevalences ranging from 17.17 % (90/524, 95 % CI: 14.04-20.68 %) in 2014 to 24.12 % (96/398, 95 % CI: 19.99-28.63 %) in 2015. In total, 271/475 (57.1 %) positive samples available for RLB were successfully differentiated. Borrelia afzelii was detected in 30.53 % of cases (145/475, 95 % CI: 26.41-34.89), followed by B. garinii/B. bavariensis (13.26 % [63/475], 95 % CI: 10.34-16.65). Borrelia valaisiana occurred in 5.89 % (28/475, 95 % CI: 3.95-8.41), B. spielmanii in 4.63 % (22/475, 95 % CI: 2.93-6.93), B. burgdorferi sensu stricto (s.s.)/B. carolinensis in 2.32 % (11/475, 95 % CI: 1.16-4.11), B. lusitaniae in 0.63 % (3/475, 95 % CI: 0.13-1.83) and B. bisettiae in 0.42 % (2/475, 95 % CI: 0.05-1.51) of positive ticks. Borrelia kurtenbachii was not detected, while B. miyamotoi was identified in 7.37 % (35/475, 95 % CI: 5.19-10.10) of real-time PCR-positive samples. Sanger sequencing of B. garinii/B. bavariensis-positive ticks revealed that the majority were B. garinii-infections (50/52 successfully amplified samples), while only 2 ticks were infected with B. bavariensis. Furthermore, 6/12 B. burgdorferi s.s./B. carolinensis-positive samples could be differentiated; all of them were identified as B. burgdorferi sensu stricto. Thirty-nine ticks (8.21 %, 95 % CI: 5.90-11.05) were coinfected with two different species. Comparison of the species distribution between ticks removed from humans in 2015 and questing ticks collected in the same year and the same area revealed a significantly higher B. afzelii-prevalence in diagnostic tick samples than in questing ticks, confirming previous observations. The obtained data indicate that Borrelia prevalence fluctuated in the same range as observed in a previous study, analysing the period from 2006 to 2012. Detection of B. miyamotoi in 7.37 % of Borrelia-positive samples points to the fact that clinicians should be aware of this pathogen as a differential diagnosis in cases of febrile illness.
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Krämer F, Hüsken R, Krüdewagen EM, Deuster K, Blagburn B, Straubinger RK, Butler J, Fingerle V, Charles S, Settje T, Schunack B, Stanneck D. Prevention of transmission of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato and Anaplasma phagocytophilum by Ixodes spp. ticks to dogs treated with the Seresto® collar (imidacloprid 10% + flumethrin 4.5%). Parasitol Res 2020; 119:299-315. [PMID: 31734862 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-019-06394-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2018] [Accepted: 07/05/2019] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
The capability of imidacloprid 10% + flumethrin 4.5% (Seresto®) collars to prevent transmission of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (Bbsl) and Anaplasma phagocytophilum (Ap) by naturally infected ticks was evaluated in two studies with 44 dogs. In each study, one group served as non-treated control, whereas the other groups were treated with the Seresto® collar. All dogs were exposed to naturally Bbsl- and Ap-infected hard ticks (Ixodes ricinus, Ixodes scapularis). In study 1, tick infestation was performed on study day (SD) 63 (2 months post-treatment [p.t.]); in study 2, it was performed on SD 32 (one month p.t.) respectively SD 219 (seven months p.t.). In situ tick counts were performed 2 days after infestation. Tick counts and removals followed 6 (study 1) or 5 days (study 2) later. Blood sampling was performed for the detection of specific Bbsl and Ap antibodies and, in study 1, for the documentation of Ap DNA by PCR. Skin biopsies were examined for Bbsl by PCR and culture (only study 1). The efficacy against Ixodes spp. was 100% at all time points. In study 1, two of six non-treated dogs became infected with Bbsl, and four of six tested positive for Ap; none of the treated dogs tested positive for Bbsl or Ap. In study 2, ten of ten non-treated dogs became infected with Bbsl and Ap; none of the treated dogs tested positive for Bbsl or Ap; 100% acaricidal efficacy was shown in both studies. Transmission of Bbsl and Ap was successfully blocked for up to 7 months.
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Hauck D, Springer A, Pachnicke S, Schunack B, Fingerle V, Strube C. Ixodes inopinatus in northern Germany: occurrence and potential vector role for Borrelia spp., Rickettsia spp., and Anaplasma phagocytophilum in comparison with Ixodes ricinus. Parasitol Res 2019; 118:3205-3216. [PMID: 31720842 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-019-06506-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2019] [Accepted: 10/11/2019] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
In 2014, a new tick species, Ixodes inopinatus, was described, which is closely related to Ixodes ricinus. So far, I. inopinatus has been found in Tunisia, Morocco, Spain, Portugal, Romania, Austria, and southern Germany. No data is yet available regarding occurrence of I. inopinatus in northern Germany and the potential role of I. inopinatus as a vector for tick-borne pathogens. Therefore, 3845 DNA samples from Ixodes ticks collected for prevalence studies on Borrelia spp., Rickettsia spp., and Anaplasma phagocytophilum during the years 2010-2015 in the northern German cities of Hamburg and Hanover were differentiated into I. ricinus or I. inopinatus by sequencing a part of the 16S rRNA gene. In total, 4% (137/3845) of the sequenced ticks were assigned to the species I. inopinatus and 96% (3708/3845) to I. ricinus. The prevalence of Borrelia spp., Rickettsia spp., and A. phagocytophilum DNA in I. inopinatus was 34% (46/137), 46% (63/137), and 3% (4/137), respectively, whereas the prevalence of these bacteria in I. ricinus was 25% (919/3708), 47% (1729/3708), and 4% (135/3708), respectively. Compared with I. ricinus, significantly more I. inopinatus ticks tested positive for Borrelia. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of I. inopinatus in northern Germany. Detection of the DNA of Borrelia spp., Rickettsia spp., and A. phagocytophilum in questing I. inopinatus indicates a potential role of this tick species as a vector of these pathogens, which needs to be confirmed by transmission experiments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Hauck
- Institute for Parasitology, Centre for Infection Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Buenteweg 17, 30559, Hanover, Germany
| | - Andrea Springer
- Institute for Parasitology, Centre for Infection Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Buenteweg 17, 30559, Hanover, Germany
| | | | | | - Volker Fingerle
- German National Reference Centre for Borrelia, Veterinärstraße 2, 85764, Oberschleissheim, Germany
| | - Christina Strube
- Institute for Parasitology, Centre for Infection Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Buenteweg 17, 30559, Hanover, Germany.
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Kubiak K, Dziekońska-Rynko J, Szymańska H, Kubiak D, Dmitryjuk M, Dzika E. Questing Ixodes ricinus ticks (Acari, Ixodidae) as a vector of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato and Borrelia miyamotoi in an urban area of north-eastern Poland. Exp Appl Acarol 2019; 78:113-126. [PMID: 31102133 DOI: 10.1007/s10493-019-00379-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2019] [Accepted: 05/13/2019] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Green areas located within large cities, as natural ecotypes, are a convenient habitat for ticks and their use as recreational areas is associated with the potential risk of acquiring tick-borne diseases. This study estimated the I. ricinus tick density, prevalence of infection with Borrelia species and the diversity of these bacteria in a green urban area (Olsztyn) of north-eastern Poland, an endemic region of tick-borne diseases. The ticks were collected during spring and autumn of 2015, at sites differing in the degree of human pressure and habitat. Borrelia species detection, typing and a molecular phylogenetic analysis were carried out based on the sequenced flaB gene. The overall mean abundance of I. ricinus was 2.0 ± 1.55 ticks per 100 m2. The density of I. ricinus did not vary significantly between sites. According to semi-qualitative tick abundance categories, the collection sites were classified as 'very low' and 'low' tick abundance category. The overall infection rate of I. ricinus with Borrelia spirochaetes was 27.4%. The infection rate of adult ticks (42.0%) was three times higher than with nymphs (14.3%). Based on the restriction patterns and sequencing, B. afzelii (93.1%; 27/29), B. valaisiana 3.5% (1/29) and B. miyamotoi (3.5%; 1/29), related to the relapsing fever (RF) spirochaetes, were detected. No co-infections were found. Borrelia miyamotoi, detected for the first time in ticks in the north-eastern urban areas of Poland, was identical to isolates described as European-type. The Borrelia spirochaete infection rate of I. ricinus ticks in an urban area indicated a high risk of LB. Physicians should also be aware of B. miyamotoi infections among patients with a history of tick-bites in north-eastern Poland.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katarzyna Kubiak
- Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Zolnierska 14c, 10-561, Olsztyn, Poland.
| | - Janina Dziekońska-Rynko
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Oczapowskiego 2, 10-719, Olsztyn, Poland
| | - Hanna Szymańska
- Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Zolnierska 14c, 10-561, Olsztyn, Poland
| | - Dariusz Kubiak
- Department of Microbiology and Mycology, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Oczapowskiego 2, 10-719, Olsztyn, Poland
| | - Małgorzata Dmitryjuk
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, University Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Oczapowskiego 1A, 10-719, Olsztyn, Poland
| | - Ewa Dzika
- Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Zolnierska 14c, 10-561, Olsztyn, Poland
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Blazejak K, Raulf MK, Janecek E, Jordan D, Fingerle V, Strube C. Shifts in Borrelia burgdorferi (s.l.) geno-species infections in Ixodes ricinus over a 10-year surveillance period in the city of Hanover (Germany) and Borrelia miyamotoi-specific Reverse Line Blot detection. Parasit Vectors 2018; 11:304. [PMID: 29776377 PMCID: PMC5960134 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-018-2882-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2018] [Accepted: 04/30/2018] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Lyme borreliosis caused by spirochetes of the Borrelia burgdorferi (sensu lato) complex is still the most common tick-borne disease in Europe, posing a considerable threat to public health. The predominant vector in Europe is the widespread hard tick Ixodes ricinus, which also transmits the relapsing fever spirochete B. miyamotoi as well as pathogenic Rickettsiales (Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Rickettsia spp.). To assess the public health risk, a long-term monitoring of tick infection rates with the named pathogens is indispensable. METHODS The present study is the first German 10-year follow-up monitoring of tick infections with Borrelia spp. and co-infections with Rickettsiales. Furthermore, a specific Reverse Line Blot (RLB) protocol for detection of B. miyamotoi and simultaneous differentiation of B. burgdorferi (s.l.) geno-species was established. RESULTS Overall, 24.0% (505/2100) of ticks collected in the city of Hanover were infected with Borrelia. In detail, 35.4% (203/573) of adult ticks [38.5% females (111/288) and 32.3% males (92/285)] and 19.8% nymphs (302/1527) were infected, representing consistent infection rates over the 10-year monitoring period. Geno-species differentiation using RLB determined B. miyamotoi in 8.9% (45/505) of positive ticks. Furthermore, a significant decrease in B. afzelii and B. spielmanii infection rates from 2010 to 2015 was observed. Co-infections with Rickettsia spp. and A. phagocytophilum increased between 2010 and 2015 (7.3 vs 10.9% and 0.3 vs 1.1%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS Long-term monitoring is an essential part of public health risk assessment to capture data on pathogen occurrence over time. Such data will reveal shifts in pathogen geno-species distribution and help to answer the question whether or not climate change influences tick-borne pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katrin Blazejak
- Institute for Parasitology, Centre for Infection Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Buenteweg 17, 30559, Hanover, Germany
| | - Marie-Kristin Raulf
- Institute for Parasitology, Centre for Infection Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Buenteweg 17, 30559, Hanover, Germany.,Immunology Unit and Research Center for Emerging Infections and Zoonoses, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Buenteweg 17, 30559, Hanover, Germany
| | - Elisabeth Janecek
- Institute for Parasitology, Centre for Infection Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Buenteweg 17, 30559, Hanover, Germany
| | - Daniela Jordan
- Institute for Parasitology, Centre for Infection Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Buenteweg 17, 30559, Hanover, Germany
| | - Volker Fingerle
- German National Reference Centre for Borrelia, Oberschleißheim, Germany
| | - Christina Strube
- Institute for Parasitology, Centre for Infection Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Buenteweg 17, 30559, Hanover, Germany.
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Raulf MK, Jordan D, Fingerle V, Strube C. Association of Borrelia and Rickettsia spp. and bacterial loads in Ixodes ricinus ticks. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2017; 9:18-24. [PMID: 29103949 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2017.10.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2017] [Revised: 10/19/2017] [Accepted: 10/23/2017] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
In recent years, awareness of coinfections has increased as synergistic or antagonistic effects on interacting bacteria have been observed. To date, several reports on coinfections of ticks with Rickettsia and Borrelia spp. are available. However, associations are rarely described and studies are based on rather low sample sizes. In the present study, coinfections of Ixodes ricinus with these pathogens were investigated by determining their association in a meta-analysis. A total of 5079 tick samples examined for Rickettsia and Borrelia spp. via probe-based quantitative real-time PCR in previous prevalence studies or as submitted diagnostic material were included. In Borrelia-positive ticks, genospecies were determined by Reverse Line Blot. Determination of bacterial loads resulted in an increase between developmental tick stages with highest mean bacterial loads in female ticks (7.96×104 in Borrelia single-infected, 4.87×105 in Rickettsia single-infected and 3.22×105 in Borrelia-Rickettsia coinfected females). The determined Borrelia-Rickettsia tick coinfection rate was 12.3% (626/5079) with a significant difference to the expected coinfection rate of 9.0% (457/5079). A significant slight association as well as correlation between Borrelia and Rickettsia were determined. In addition, a significant interrelation of the bacterial load in coinfected ticks was shown. At the level of Borrelia genospecies, significant weak associations with Rickettsia spp. were detected for B. afzelii, B. garinii/bavariensis, B. valaisiana and B. lusitaniae. The positive association provides evidence for interactions between Borrelia and Rickettsia spp. in the tick vector, presumably resulting in higher bacterial replication rates in the tick vector and possibly the reservoir host. However, coinfection may impact the vector negatively as indicated by an absent increase in coinfection rates from nymphs to adults. Future studies are needed to investigate the underlying mechanisms of the positive association in ticks and possible associations in the vertebrate host as well as the potential influence of environmental factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie-Kristin Raulf
- Institute for Parasitology, Centre for Infection Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Buenteweg 17, 30559 Hannover, Germany; Immunology Unit & Research Center for Emerging Infections and Zoonoses, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Buenteweg 17, 30559 Hannover, Germany
| | - Daniela Jordan
- Institute for Parasitology, Centre for Infection Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Buenteweg 17, 30559 Hannover, Germany
| | - Volker Fingerle
- German National Reference Centre for Borrelia, Veterinaerstraße 2, 85764 Oberschleissheim, Germany
| | - Christina Strube
- Institute for Parasitology, Centre for Infection Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Buenteweg 17, 30559 Hannover, Germany.
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Strnad M, Hönig V, Růžek D, Grubhoffer L, Rego ROM. Europe-Wide Meta-Analysis of Borrelia burgdorferi Sensu Lato Prevalence in Questing Ixodes ricinus Ticks. Appl Environ Microbiol 2017; 83:e00609-17. [PMID: 28550059 DOI: 10.1128/AEM.00609-17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 91] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2017] [Accepted: 05/16/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Lyme borreliosis is the most common zoonotic disease transmitted by ticks in Europe and North America. Despite having multiple tick vectors, the causative agent, Borrelia burgdorferisensu lato, is vectored mainly by Ixodes ricinus in Europe. In the present study, we aimed to review and summarize the existing data published from 2010 to 2016 concerning the prevalence of B. burgdorferi sensu lato spirochetes in questing I. ricinus ticks. The primary focus was to evaluate the infection rate of these bacteria in ticks, accounting for tick stage, adult tick gender, region, and detection method, as well as to investigate any changes in prevalence over time. The data obtained were compared to the findings of a previous metastudy. The literature search identified data from 23 countries, with 115,028 ticks, in total, inspected for infection with B. burgdorferi sensu lato We showed that the infection rate was significantly higher in adults than in nymphs and in females than in males. We found significant differences between European regions, with the highest infection rates in Central Europe. The most common genospecies were B. afzelii and B. garinii, despite a negative correlation of their prevalence rates. No statistically significant differences were found among the prevalence rates determined by conventional PCR, nested PCR, and real-time PCR.IMPORTANCEBorrelia burgdorferisensu lato is a pathogenic bacterium whose clinical manifestations are associated with Lyme borreliosis. This vector-borne disease is a major public health concern in Europe and North America and may lead to severe arthritic, cardiovascular, and neurological complications if left untreated. Although pathogen prevalence is considered an important predictor of infection risk, solitary isolated data have only limited value. Here we provide summarized information about the prevalence of B. burgdorferi sensu lato spirochetes among host-seeking Ixodes ricinus ticks, the principal tick vector of borreliae in Europe. We compare the new results with previously published data in order to evaluate any changing trends in tick infection.
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Schötta AM, Wijnveld M, Stockinger H, Stanek G. Approaches for Reverse Line Blot-Based Detection of Microbial Pathogens in Ixodes ricinus Ticks Collected in Austria and Impact of the Chosen Method. Appl Environ Microbiol 2017; 83:e00489-17. [PMID: 28455331 DOI: 10.1128/AEM.00489-17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2017] [Accepted: 04/20/2017] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Ticks transmit a large number of pathogens capable of causing human disease. In this study, the PCR-reverse line blot (RLB) method was used to screen for pathogens in a total of 554 Ixodes ricinus ticks collected from all provinces of Austria. These pathogens belong to the genera Borrelia, Rickettsiae, Anaplasma/Ehrlichia (including "Candidatus Neoehrlichia"), Babesia, and Coxiella The pathogens with the highest detected prevalence were spirochetes of the Borrelia burgdorferisensu lato complex, in 142 ticks (25.6%). Borrelia afzelii (80/142) was the most frequently detected species, followed by Borrelia burgdorferisensu stricto (38/142) and Borrelia valaisiana (36/142). Borrelia garinii/Borrelia bavariensis, Borrelia lusitaniae, and Borrelia spielmanii were found in 28 ticks, 5 ticks, and 1 tick, respectively. Rickettsia spp. were detected in 93 ticks (16.8%): R. helvetica (39/93), R. raoultii (38/93), R. monacensis (2/93), and R. slovaca (1/93). Thirteen Rickettsia samples remain uncharacterized. "Candidatus Neoehrlichia mikurensis," Babesia spp. (B. venatorum, B. divergens, B. microti), and Anaplasma phagocytophilum were found in 4.5%, 2.7%, and 0.7%, respectively. Coxiella burnetii was not detected. Multiple microorganisms were detected in 40 ticks (7.2%), and the cooccurrence of Babesia spp. and "Candidatus Neoehrlichia mikurensis" showed a significant positive correlation. We also compared different PCR-RLBs for detection of Borrelia burgdorferisensu lato and Rickettsia spp. and showed that different detection approaches provide highly diverse results, indicating that analysis of environmental samples remains challenging.IMPORTANCE This study determined the wide spectrum of tick-borne bacterial and protozoal pathogens that can be encountered in Austria. Surveillance of (putative) pathogenic microorganisms occurring in the environment is of medical importance, especially when those agents can be transmitted by ticks and cause disease. The observation of significant coinfections of certain microorganisms in field-collected ticks is an initial step to an improved understanding of microbial interactions in ticks. In addition, we show that variations in molecular detection methods, such as in primer pairs and target genes, can considerably influence the final results. For instance, detection of certain genospecies of borreliae may be better or worse by one method or the other, a fact of great importance for future screening studies.
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Waindok P, Schicht S, Fingerle V, Strube C. Lyme borreliae prevalence and genospecies distribution in ticks removed from humans. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2017; 8:709-714. [PMID: 28528880 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2017.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2017] [Revised: 05/01/2017] [Accepted: 05/08/2017] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Lyme borreliosis (LB) is the most important human tick-borne disease, but Borrelia genospecies cause different clinical manifestations. Ticks of the genus Ixodes removed from humans between 2006 and 2012 were analysed for Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (sl) infections. The majority of ticks originated from the Greater Hanover region in Northern Germany. The engorgement status varied over the entire spectrum from unengorged (no evidence of started blood feeding) to fully engorged. In the present study, prevalence data for B. burgdorferi sl 2011 and 2012 were obtained by quantitative real-time PCR and compared to those from a former study including years 2006-2010 (Strube et al., 2011) to evaluate B. burgdorferi sl infections in ticks affecting humans over a 7-year period. In 2011, 34.2% (70/205) of adult ticks, 22.2% (94/423) of nymphs, 8.3% of larvae (1/12) as well 3 of 6 not differentiated ticks were Borrelia positive. In 2012, 31.8% (41/129) of adult ticks, 20.4% of nymphs (69/337) as well as 1 of 4 of the not differentiated ticks were determined positive. Total Borrelia infection rates decreased significantly from 23.1% in 2006 to 17.1% in 2010, followed by a significant increase to 26.0% in 2011 and 23.4% in 2012. Furthermore, B. burgdorferi sl genospecies distribution in 2006-2012 was determined in the present study by applying Reverse Line Blot technique. Borrelia genospecies differentiation was successful in 641 (67.3%) out of 953 positive tick samples. The most frequently occurring genospecies was B. afzelii (40.5% of infected ticks), followed by B. garinii/B. bavariensis (12.4%). Amongst the 641 ticks analysed for their genospecies, 74 (11.5%) carried more than one genospecies, of which 69 (10.7%) were double-infected and five (0.8%) were triple-infected. Comparison of genospecies distribution in ticks removed from humans with those from questing ticks flagged in the same geographical area revealed that ticks removed from humans were significantly more frequently infected with B. afzelii (p=0.0004), but significantly less infected with B. burgdorferi sensu stricto (p=0.0001).
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick Waindok
- Institute for Parasitology, Centre for Infection Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Buenteweg 17, 30559 Hanover, Germany.
| | - Sabine Schicht
- Institute for Parasitology, Centre for Infection Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Buenteweg 17, 30559 Hanover, Germany.
| | - Volker Fingerle
- German National Reference Centre for Borrelia, Veterinaerstraße 2, 85764 Oberschleissheim, Germany.
| | - Christina Strube
- Institute for Parasitology, Centre for Infection Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Buenteweg 17, 30559 Hanover, Germany.
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Obiegala A, Król N, Oltersdorf C, Nader J, Pfeffer M. The enzootic life-cycle of Borrelia burgdorferi (sensu lato) and tick-borne rickettsiae: an epidemiological study on wild-living small mammals and their ticks from Saxony, Germany. Parasit Vectors 2017; 10:115. [PMID: 28285593 PMCID: PMC5346851 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-017-2053-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2017] [Accepted: 02/22/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Borrelia burgdorferi (sensu lato) and rickettsiae of the spotted fever group are zoonotic tick-borne pathogens. While small mammals are confirmed reservoirs for certain Borrelia spp., little is known about the reservoirs for tick-borne rickettsiae. Between 2012 and 2014, ticks were collected from the vegetation and small mammals which were trapped in Saxony, Germany. DNA extracted from ticks and the small mammals' skin was analyzed for the presence of Rickettsia spp. and B. burgdorferi (s.l.) by qPCR targeting the gltA and p41 genes, respectively. Partial sequencing of the rickettsial ompB gene and an MLST of B. burgdorferi (s.l.) were conducted for species determination. RESULTS In total, 673 small mammals belonging to eight species (Apodemus agrarius, n = 7; A. flavicollis, n = 214; Microtus arvalis, n = 8; Microtus agrestis, n = 1; Mustela nivalis, n = 2; Myodes glareolus, n = 435; Sorex araneus, n = 5; and Talpa europaea, n = 1) were collected and examined. In total, 916 questing ticks belonging to three species (Ixodes ricinus, n = 741; Dermacentor reticulatus, n = 174; and I. trianguliceps, n = 1) were collected. Of these, 474 ticks were further investigated. The prevalence for Rickettsia spp. and B. burgdorferi (s.l.) in the investigated small mammals was 25.3 and 31.2%, respectively. The chance of encountering Rickettsia spp. in M. glareolus was seven times higher for specimens infested with D. reticulatus than for those which were free of D. reticulatus (OR: 7.0; 95% CI: 3.3-14.7; P < 0.001). In total, 11.4% of questing I. ricinus and 70.5% of D. reticulatus were positive for Rickettsia spp. DNA of B. burgdorferi (s.l.) was detected only in I. ricinus (5.5%). Sequence analysis revealed 9 R. helvetica, 5 R. raoultii, and 1 R. felis obtained from 15 small mammal samples. CONCLUSION Small mammals may serve as reservoirs for Rickettsia spp. and B. burgdorferi (s.l.). While the prevalence for Rickettsia spp. in M. glareolus is most likely depending on the abundance of attached D. reticulatus, the prevalence for B. burgdorferi (s.l.) in small mammals is independent of tick abundance. Dermacentor reticulatus may be the main vector of certain Rickettsia spp. but not for Borrelia spp.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Obiegala
- Institute of Animal Hygiene and Veterinary Public Health, University of Leipzig, An den Tierkliniken 1, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Nina Król
- Institute of Animal Hygiene and Veterinary Public Health, University of Leipzig, An den Tierkliniken 1, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
- Department of Microbial Ecology and Environmental Protection, Institute of Genetics and Microbiology, University of Wrocław, Przybyszewskiego 63/77, 51-148, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Carolin Oltersdorf
- Institute of Animal Hygiene and Veterinary Public Health, University of Leipzig, An den Tierkliniken 1, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Julian Nader
- Institute of Animal Hygiene and Veterinary Public Health, University of Leipzig, An den Tierkliniken 1, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Martin Pfeffer
- Institute of Animal Hygiene and Veterinary Public Health, University of Leipzig, An den Tierkliniken 1, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
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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. J Med Entomol 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] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [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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Sormunen JJ, Penttinen R, Klemola T, Hänninen J, Vuorinen I, Laaksonen M, Sääksjärvi IE, Ruohomäki K, Vesterinen EJ. Tick-borne bacterial pathogens in southwestern Finland. Parasit Vectors 2016; 9:168. [PMID: 27004834 PMCID: PMC4802833 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-016-1449-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2016] [Accepted: 03/12/2016] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Ixodes ricinus and Ixodes persulcatus are the main vectors of Lyme borreliosis spirochetes and several other zoonotic bacteria in northern Europe and Russia. However, few studies screening bacterial pathogens in Finnish ticks have been conducted. Therefore, reports on the occurrence and prevalence of several bacterial pathogens detected from ticks elsewhere in Europe and Russia are altogether missing from Finland. The main aim of the current study was to produce novel data on the occurrence and prevalence of several tick-borne bacterial pathogens in ticks collected from southwestern Finland. Methods Ticks were collected in 2013–2014 by blanket dragging from 25 localities around southwestern Finland, and additionally from a dog in Lempäälä. Collected ticks were molecularly identified and screened for Borrelia burgdorferi s.l., Borrelia miyamotoi, Rickettsia, Bartonella and Candidatus Neoehrlichia mikurensis using quantitative PCR. Furthermore, detected Rickettsia spp. were sequenced using conventional PCR to determine species. Results A total of 3169 ticks in 1174 DNA samples were screened for the listed pathogens. The most common bacteria detected was B. burgdorferi (s.l.) (18.5 % nymphal and 23.5 % adult ticks), followed by Rickettsia spp. (1.1 %; 5.1 %) and B. miyamotoi (0.51 %; 1.02 %). B. miyamotoi and Rickettsia spp. were also detected in larval samples (minimum infection rates 0.31 % and 0.21 %, respectively). Detected Rickettsia spp. were identified by sequencing as R. helvetica and R. monacensis. All screened samples were negative for Bartonella spp. and Ca. N. mikurensis. Conclusions In the current study we report for the first time the presence of Rickettsia in Finnish ticks. Furthermore, Rickettsia spp. and B. miyamotoi were found from larval tick samples, emphasizing the importance they may have as vectors of these pathogens. Comparisons of tick density estimates and B. burgdorferi (s.l.) prevalence made between the current study and a previous study conducted in 2000 in ten out of the 25 study localities suggest that an increase in tick abundance and B. burgdorferi (s.l.) prevalence has occurred in at least some of the study localities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jani J Sormunen
- Department of Biology, University of Turku, FI-20014, Turku, Finland.,Archipelago Research Institute, University of Turku, FI-20014, Turku, Finland
| | - Ritva Penttinen
- Zoological Museum, Department of Biology, University of Turku, FI-20014, Turku, Finland
| | - Tero Klemola
- Department of Biology, University of Turku, FI-20014, Turku, Finland
| | - Jari Hänninen
- Archipelago Research Institute, University of Turku, FI-20014, Turku, Finland
| | - Ilppo Vuorinen
- Archipelago Research Institute, University of Turku, FI-20014, Turku, Finland
| | - Maija Laaksonen
- Department of Biology, University of Turku, FI-20014, Turku, Finland
| | - Ilari E Sääksjärvi
- Zoological Museum, Department of Biology, University of Turku, FI-20014, Turku, Finland
| | - Kai Ruohomäki
- Department of Biology, University of Turku, FI-20014, Turku, Finland
| | - Eero J Vesterinen
- Department of Biology, University of Turku, FI-20014, Turku, Finland. .,Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Helsinki, FI-00014, Helsinki, Finland.
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Mehlhorn H, Mehlhorn T, Müller M, Vogt M, Rissland J. Tick survey for prevalent pathogens in peri-urban recreation sites in Saarland and Rhineland-Palatinate (Germany). Parasitol Res 2015; 115:1167-72. [PMID: 26646396 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-015-4852-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2015] [Accepted: 11/24/2015] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Ixodid ticks are important vectors of human pathogens in Central Europe. Despite this fact, prevalence studies are scarce, especially with regard to much-frequented peri-urban recreation sites. In this pilot study, 4.014 larvae, nymphs and adult ticks sampled monthly during the active seasons in 2011 and 2012 from 14 distinct collection sites in two German states (Saarland and Rhineland-Palatinate) were screened for Borrelia spp., Anaplasma spp. and tick-borne encephalitis virus. Mean prevalence rates were 19.8 % for Borrelia spp., 1.9 % for Anaplasma spp. and 0.1 % for tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV), which are in accordance with those reported from other regions in Germany and neighbouring countries. Nevertheless, the detection of TBEV-infected ticks is the first positive result after several unsuccessful efforts over the previous years in official "TBE-risk" zones of Saarland and Rhineland-Palatinate which supports the presumption of the origin of observed local infection. Besides ixodid ticks a non-engorged adult female tick of the invading species Dermacentor reticulatus has been found reflecting the appearance of another vector eventually jeopardising the health of host animals as well as humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heinz Mehlhorn
- Institute for Parasitology, Heinrich Heine University, D-40225, Düsseldorf, Germany.
| | - Tim Mehlhorn
- Institute for Clinical Microbiology and Hospital Hygiene, Heinrich Heine University, D-40225, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Melanie Müller
- Institute of Virology, Saarland University Medical Centre, Homburg, Germany
| | - Manfred Vogt
- Landesuntersuchungsamt Rheinland-Pfalz, Abteilung Humanmedizin, Koblenz, Germany
| | - Jürgen Rissland
- Institute of Virology, Saarland University Medical Centre, Homburg, Germany
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