1
|
Blažeková V, Stanko M, Sprong H, Kohl R, Zubriková D, Vargová L, Bona M, Miklisová D, Víchová B. Ixodiphagus hookeri (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) and Tick-Borne Pathogens in Ticks with Sympatric Occurrence (and Different Activities) in the Slovak Karst National Park (Slovakia), Central Europe. Pathogens 2024; 13:385. [PMID: 38787237 PMCID: PMC11123704 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens13050385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2024] [Revised: 04/27/2024] [Accepted: 05/04/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Ticks are involved in the transmission a plethora of pathogens. To effectively control ticks and mitigate the risks associated with tick-borne diseases, it is important to implement tick control measures. These may include the use of acaricides as well as the development and implementation of an alternative, environmentally friendly tick management program that include practices such as habitat modification or establishing biological control. Ixodiphagus hookeri Howard is a tick-specific parasitoid wasp that predates on several species of ixodid ticks and could contribute to the control of the tick population. This work aimed to detect the presence of parasitoid wasps in ticks (Ixodidae) using genetic approaches. Several tick species of the genera Ixodes, Haemaphysalis, and Dermacentor, with a sympatric occurrence in the Slovak Karst National Park in southeastern Slovakia, were screened for the presence of wasps of the genus Ixodiphagus. The DNA of the parasitoids was detected in four tick species from three genera. This work presents the first molecular detection of parasitoids in two Dermacentor tick species, as well as the first molecular identification of Ixodiphagus wasps in Ixodes ricinus and Haemaphysalis concinna ticks from the Karst area. In the given area, it was observed that I. ricinus and H. concinna ticks are hyper-parasitized by wasps. Moreover, it was observed that wasps here can parasitize several tick species, some of which are of less significance for human and animal health (as they transmit fewer pathogens).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Veronika Blažeková
- Laboratory of Molecular Ecology of Vectors, Institute of Parasitology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Hlinkova 3, 040 01 Košice, Slovakia; (V.B.); (M.S.); (D.Z.); (L.V.); (D.M.)
- Department of Epizootiology, Parasitology and Protection of One Health, University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy in Košice, Komenského 73, 040 81 Košice, Slovakia
| | - Michal Stanko
- Laboratory of Molecular Ecology of Vectors, Institute of Parasitology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Hlinkova 3, 040 01 Košice, Slovakia; (V.B.); (M.S.); (D.Z.); (L.V.); (D.M.)
- Institute of Zoology Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dúbravská cesta 9, 845 06 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Hein Sprong
- Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Antonie van Leeuwenhoeklaan 9, 3721 MA Bilthoven, The Netherlands; (H.S.); (R.K.)
| | - Robert Kohl
- Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Antonie van Leeuwenhoeklaan 9, 3721 MA Bilthoven, The Netherlands; (H.S.); (R.K.)
| | - Dana Zubriková
- Laboratory of Molecular Ecology of Vectors, Institute of Parasitology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Hlinkova 3, 040 01 Košice, Slovakia; (V.B.); (M.S.); (D.Z.); (L.V.); (D.M.)
| | - Lucia Vargová
- Laboratory of Molecular Ecology of Vectors, Institute of Parasitology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Hlinkova 3, 040 01 Košice, Slovakia; (V.B.); (M.S.); (D.Z.); (L.V.); (D.M.)
| | - Martin Bona
- Department of Medical Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Pavol Jozef Šafárik University in Košice, Trieda SNP 1, 040 11 Košice, Slovakia;
| | - Dana Miklisová
- Laboratory of Molecular Ecology of Vectors, Institute of Parasitology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Hlinkova 3, 040 01 Košice, Slovakia; (V.B.); (M.S.); (D.Z.); (L.V.); (D.M.)
| | - Bronislava Víchová
- Laboratory of Molecular Ecology of Vectors, Institute of Parasitology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Hlinkova 3, 040 01 Košice, Slovakia; (V.B.); (M.S.); (D.Z.); (L.V.); (D.M.)
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Tóth AG, Farkas R, Papp M, Kilim O, Yun H, Makrai L, Maróti G, Gyurkovszky M, Krikó E, Solymosi N. Ixodes ricinus tick bacteriome alterations based on a climatically representative survey in Hungary. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0124323. [PMID: 37966205 PMCID: PMC10715062 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.01243-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 11/16/2023] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Climate-sensitive disease vectors, such as ticks, respond to the environment with changes in their microbiome. These changes can affect the emergence or re-emergence of various vector-borne pathogens, such as the causative agent of Lyme borreliosis (LB) or tick-borne encephalitis. This aspect is particularly emphasized in light of climate change. The climatically representative assessment of microbiome differences in various developmental stages of the most common Central European tick species, Ixodes ricinus, deepens our understanding of the potential climatic factors behind microbial relative abundance and interaction changes. This knowledge can support the development of novel disease vector control strategies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Adrienn Gréta Tóth
- Centre for Bioinformatics, University of Veterinary Medicine, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Róbert Farkas
- Department of Parasitology and Zoology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Márton Papp
- Centre for Bioinformatics, University of Veterinary Medicine, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Oz Kilim
- Department of Physics of Complex Systems, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Haeun Yun
- Centre for Bioinformatics, University of Veterinary Medicine, Budapest, Hungary
| | | | - Gergely Maróti
- Institute of Plant Biology, Biological Research Center, HUN-REN, Szeged, Hungary
- Faculty of Water Sciences, University of Public Service, Baja, Hungary
| | - Mónika Gyurkovszky
- Department of Parasitology and Zoology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Eszter Krikó
- Centre for Bioinformatics, University of Veterinary Medicine, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Norbert Solymosi
- Centre for Bioinformatics, University of Veterinary Medicine, Budapest, Hungary
- Department of Physics of Complex Systems, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Ramos RAN, de Macedo LO, Bezerra-Santos MA, de Carvalho GA, Verocai GG, Otranto D. The Role of Parasitoid Wasps, Ixodiphagus spp. (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae), in Tick Control. Pathogens 2023; 12:pathogens12050676. [PMID: 37242346 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12050676] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2023] [Revised: 04/25/2023] [Accepted: 04/27/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Species of Ixodiphagus (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) are parasitoid wasps whose immature forms develop inside ixodid and argasid ticks (Acari: Ixodida). Following oviposition by adult female wasps into the idiosoma of ticks, larvae hatch and start feeding on their internal contents, eventually emerging as adult wasps from the body of the dead ticks. Species of Ixodiphagus have been reported as parasitoids of 21 species of ticks distributed across 7 genera. There are at least ten species described in the genus, with Ixodiphagus hookeri being the most studied as an agent for biological control of ticks. Although attempts of tick control by means of this parasitoid largely failed, in a small-scale study 150,000 specimens of I. hookeri were released over a 1-year period in a pasture where a small cattle population was kept, resulting in an overall reduction in the number of Amblyomma variegatum ticks per animal. This review discusses current scientific information about Ixodiphagus spp., focusing on the role of this parasitoid in the control of ticks. The interactions between these wasps and the ticks' population are also discussed, focusing on the many biological and logistical challenges, with limitations of this control method for reducing tick populations under natural conditions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Lucia Oliveira de Macedo
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Federal University of the Agreste of Pernambuco, Garanhuns 55292-270, PE, Brazil
| | | | | | - Guilherme Gomes Verocai
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Domenico Otranto
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, Valenzano, 70121 Bari, Italy
- Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamedan 65174, Iran
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Vecchi MOM, Ramos RAN, Bitencourth K, Vecchi MB, Alves MAS. First record of the parasitoid wasp Ixodiphagus hookeri (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) infesting the tick Amblyomma nodosum (Acari: Ixodidae). Parasitol Res 2023; 122:1255-1259. [PMID: 36922409 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-023-07813-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 03/02/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023]
Abstract
Ticks (Ixodida) are ecologically important ectoparasites that may impact human health and economic activities. Parasitoid wasps are natural enemies of ticks and a potential option for its biological control. In the present study, we recorded parasitism of the nymphs of the tick Amblyomma nodosum by the parasitoid wasp Ixodiphagus hookeri. The ticks, in turn, were parasitizing white-bearded manakins, Manacus manacus (Passeriformes: Pipridae) in the União Biological Reserve, one of the last major remnants of lowland rainforest in Rio de Janeiro state, southeastern Brazil. During the collection of ectoparasites from two manakins in this reserve, 20-30 parasitoid wasps hatched spontaneously from two of the ticks collected. The species of the tick nymphs and adult wasps were identified using morphological traits and molecular analyses. This record is the first documented case of I. hookeri parasitizing A. nodosum and the first time that parasitoid wasps have been found in ticks parasitizing birds in Brazil. This is also the first record of Ixodiphagus from southeastern Brazil in more than a century, with the only other record dating back to 1914. The record presented here provides valuable new information on the biology of this tick and its parasitoids, and new insights into this interspecific interaction. Further research on these vertebrate-tick-wasp interactions will be necessary to better understand the respective roles of the organisms involved in these processes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mariah O M Vecchi
- Department of Ecology, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.,Laboratory of Ticks and Other Apterous Arthropods, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.,Graduate Program in Ecology, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | - Karla Bitencourth
- Laboratory of Ticks and Other Apterous Arthropods, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Maurício B Vecchi
- Department of Ecology, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Maria Alice S Alves
- Department of Ecology, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
First detection of Ixodiphagus hookeri (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) in Ixodes ricinus ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) from multiple locations in Hungary. Sci Rep 2023; 13:1624. [PMID: 36709348 PMCID: PMC9884279 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-28969-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2022] [Accepted: 01/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The parasitoid wasp, Ixodiphagus hookeri (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae), is the natural enemy of a wide range of hard and soft tick species. While these encyrtid wasps are supposed to be distributed worldwide, only a few studies report on their actual distribution around the globe. Within a shotgun sequencing-based metagenome analysis, the occurrence of I. hookeri was screened at multiple Ixodes ricinus (Acari: Ixodidae) tick sampling points in Hungary to contribute to the assessment of the distribution patterns of the parasitoid wasps in Central Europe. To our knowledge, the first report of the species in Hungary and the description of the southernmost I. hookeri associated geoposition in Central Europe took place within our study. I. hookeri infested I. ricinus nymphs were detected at five sampling points in Hungary. The results show that the exact distribution range of I. hookeri is still barely studied. At the same time, unprecedented public health issues being brought about by climate change might require steps toward the exploitation of the tick biocontrol potential and as an ecological bioindicator role of the parasitoid wasp in the future.
Collapse
|
6
|
Bonnet SI, Vourc’h G, Raffetin A, Falchi A, Figoni J, Fite J, Hoch T, Moutailler S, Quillery E. The control of Hyalomma ticks, vectors of the Crimean–Congo hemorrhagic fever virus: Where are we now and where are we going? PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2022; 16:e0010846. [PMCID: PMC9671348 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0010846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
At a time of major global, societal, and environmental changes, the shifting distribution of pathogen vectors represents a real danger in certain regions of the world as generating opportunities for emergency. For example, the recent arrival of the Hyalomma marginatum ticks in southern France and the concurrent appearance of cases of Crimean–Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF)—a disease vectored by this tick species—in neighboring Spain raises many concerns about the associated risks for the European continent. This context has created an urgent need for effective methods for control, surveillance, and risk assessment for ticks and tick-borne diseases with a particular concern regarding Hyalomma sp. Here, we then review the current body of knowledge on different methods of tick control—including chemical, biological, genetical, immunological, and ecological methods—and the latest developments in the field, with a focus on those that have been tested against ticks from the genus Hyalomma. In the absence of a fully and unique efficient approach, we demonstrated that integrated pest management combining several approaches adapted to the local context and species is currently the best strategy for tick control together with a rational use of acaricide. Continued efforts are needed to develop and implement new and innovative methods of tick control. Disease-bearing Hyalomma ticks are an increasingly emerging threat to humans and livestock worldwide. Various chemical, biological, genetic, and ecological methods for tick control have been developed, with variable efficiencies. Today, the best tick control strategy involves an integrated pest management approach.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sarah I. Bonnet
- Animal Health Department, INRAE, Nouzilly, France
- Ecology and Emergence of Arthropod-borne Pathogens Unit, Institut Pasteur, CNRS UMR 2000, Université Paris-cité, Paris, France
- * E-mail:
| | - Gwenaël Vourc’h
- Université Clermont Auvergne, INRAE, VetAgro Sup, UMR EPIA, Saint-Genès-Champanelle, France
- Université de Lyon, INRAE, VetAgro Sup, UMR EPIA, Marcy l’Etoile, France
| | - Alice Raffetin
- Reference Centre for Tick-Borne Diseases, Paris and Northern Region, Department of Infectious Diseases, General Hospital of Villeneuve-Saint-Georges, 40 allée de la Source, Villeneuve-Saint-Georges, France
- EA 7380 Dynamyc, UPEC, Créteil, France
- Unité de recherche EpiMAI, USC ANSES, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d’Alfort, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Alessandra Falchi
- UR7310, Faculté de Sciences, Campus Grimaldi, Université de Corse, Corte, France
| | - Julie Figoni
- Santé publique France, 94410 Saint-Maurice, France
| | - Johanna Fite
- French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety, 14 rue Pierre et Marie Curie, Maisons-Alfort Cedex, France
| | | | - Sara Moutailler
- ANSES, INRAE, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d’Alfort, UMR BIPAR, Laboratoire de Santé Animale, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Elsa Quillery
- French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety, 14 rue Pierre et Marie Curie, Maisons-Alfort Cedex, France
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Krawczyk AI, Röttjers L, Fonville M, Takumi K, Takken W, Faust K, Sprong H. Quantitative microbial population study reveals geographical differences in bacterial symbionts of Ixodes ricinus. MICROBIOME 2022; 10:120. [PMID: 35927748 PMCID: PMC9351266 DOI: 10.1186/s40168-022-01276-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2021] [Accepted: 04/20/2022] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ixodes ricinus ticks vector pathogens that cause serious health concerns. Like in other arthropods, the microbiome may affect the tick's biology, with consequences for pathogen transmission. Here, we explored the bacterial communities of I. ricinus across its developmental stages and six geographic locations by the 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing, combined with quantification of the bacterial load. RESULTS A wide range of bacterial loads was found. Accurate quantification of low microbial biomass samples permitted comparisons to high biomass samples, despite the presence of contaminating DNA. The bacterial communities of ticks were associated with geographical location rather than life stage, and differences in Rickettsia abundance determined this association. Subsequently, we explored the geographical distribution of four vertically transmitted symbionts identified in the microbiome analysis. For that, we screened 16,555 nymphs from 19 forest sites for R. helvetica, Rickettsiella spp., Midichloria mitochondrii, and Spiroplasma ixodetis. Also, the infection rates and distributions of these symbionts were compared to the horizontally transmitted pathogens Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, Anaplasma phagocytophilum, and Neoehrlichia mikurensis. The infection rates of all vertically transmitted symbionts differed between the study sites, and none of the symbionts was present in all tested ticks suggesting a facultative association with I. ricinus. The proportions in which symbionts occurred in populations of I. ricinus were highly variable, but geographically close study sites expressed similar proportions. These patterns were in contrast to what we observed for horizontally transmitted pathogens. Lastly, nearly 12% of tested nymphs were free of any targeted microorganisms, which is in line with the microbiome analyses. CONCLUSIONS Our results show that the microbiome of I. ricinus is highly variable, but changes gradually and ticks originating from geographically close forest sites express similar bacterial communities. This suggests that geography-related factors affect the infection rates of vertically transmitted symbionts in I. ricinus. Since some symbionts, such as R. helvetica can cause disease in humans, we propose that public health investigations consider geographical differences in its infection rates.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Aleksandra I Krawczyk
- Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Antonie van Leeuwenhoeklaan 9, Bilthoven, 3720 MA, the Netherlands.
- Laboratory of Entomology, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands.
| | - Lisa Röttjers
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Laboratory of Molecular Bacteriology, Rega Institute, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Manoj Fonville
- Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Antonie van Leeuwenhoeklaan 9, Bilthoven, 3720 MA, the Netherlands
| | - Katshuisa Takumi
- Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Antonie van Leeuwenhoeklaan 9, Bilthoven, 3720 MA, the Netherlands
| | - Willem Takken
- Laboratory of Entomology, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Karoline Faust
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Laboratory of Molecular Bacteriology, Rega Institute, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Hein Sprong
- Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Antonie van Leeuwenhoeklaan 9, Bilthoven, 3720 MA, the Netherlands.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Karshima SN, Ahmed MI, Kogi CA, Iliya PS. Anaplasma phagocytophilum infection rates in questing and host-attached ticks: a global systematic review and meta-analysis. Acta Trop 2022; 228:106299. [PMID: 34998998 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2021.106299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2021] [Revised: 12/17/2021] [Accepted: 12/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Anaplasma phagocytophilum causes a multi-organ non-specific febrile illness referred to as human granulocytic anaplasmosis. The epidemiologic risk of the pathogen is underestimated despite human encroachment into the natural habitats of ticks. In this study, we performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine the global infection rates and distribution of A. phagocytophilum in tick vectors. We pooled data using the random-effects model, assessed individual study quality using the Joanna Briggs Institute critical appraisal instrument for prevalence studies and determined heterogeneity and across study bias using Cochran's Q-test and Egger's regression test respectively. A total of 126 studies from 33 countries across 4 continents reported A. phagocytophilum estimated infection rate of 4.76% (9453/174,967; 95% CI: 3.96, 5.71). Estimated IRs across sub-groups varied significantly (p <0.05) with a range of 1.95 (95% CI: 0.63, 5.86) to 7.15% (95% CI: 5.31, 9.56). Country-based IRs ranged between 0.42 (95% CI: 0.22, 0.80) in Belgium and 37.54% (95% CI: 0.72, 98.03) in Norway. The highest number of studies on A. phagocytophilum were in Europe (82/126) by continent and the USA (33/126) by country. The risk of transmitting this pathogens from ticks to animals and humans exist and therefore, we recommend the use of chemical and biological control measures as well as repellents and protective clothing by occupationally exposed individuals to curtail further transmission of the pathogen to humans and animals.
Collapse
|
9
|
Soares LA, Fiorini LC, Duarte FC, Almeida IBD, Sampaio PHS, Romano DMDM, Mendes MC. Investigation of the parasitoid Ixodiphagus hookeri (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) in Amblyomma sculptum (Acari: Ixodidae) ticks in the municipality of Salto, São Paulo, Brazil. ARQUIVOS DO INSTITUTO BIOLÓGICO 2022. [DOI: 10.1590/1808-1657000112022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
|
10
|
Lejal E, Chiquet J, Aubert J, Robin S, Estrada-Peña A, Rue O, Midoux C, Mariadassou M, Bailly X, Cougoul A, Gasqui P, Cosson JF, Chalvet-Monfray K, Vayssier-Taussat M, Pollet T. Temporal patterns in Ixodes ricinus microbial communities: an insight into tick-borne microbe interactions. MICROBIOME 2021; 9:153. [PMID: 34217365 PMCID: PMC8254910 DOI: 10.1186/s40168-021-01051-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2020] [Accepted: 03/17/2021] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ticks transmit pathogens of medical and veterinary importance and are an increasing threat to human and animal health. Assessing disease risk and developing new control strategies requires identifying members of the tick-borne microbiota as well as their temporal dynamics and interactions. METHODS Using high-throughput sequencing, we studied the Ixodes ricinus microbiota and its temporal dynamics. 371 nymphs were monthly collected during three consecutive years in a peri-urban forest. After a Poisson lognormal model was adjusted to our data set, a principal component analysis, sparse network reconstruction, and differential analysis allowed us to assess seasonal and monthly variability of I. ricinus microbiota and interactions within this community. RESULTS Around 75% of the detected sequences belonged to five genera known to be maternally inherited bacteria in arthropods and to potentially circulate in ticks: Candidatus Midichloria, Rickettsia, Spiroplasma, Arsenophonus and Wolbachia. The structure of the I. ricinus microbiota varied over time with interannual recurrence and seemed to be mainly driven by OTUs commonly found in the environment. Total network analysis revealed a majority of positive partial correlations. We identified strong relationships between OTUs belonging to Wolbachia and Arsenophonus, evidence for the presence of the parasitoid wasp Ixodiphagus hookeri in ticks. Other associations were observed between the tick symbiont Candidatus Midichloria and pathogens belonging to Rickettsia. Finally, more specific network analyses were performed on TBP-infected samples and suggested that the presence of pathogens belonging to the genera Borrelia, Anaplasma and Rickettsia may disrupt microbial interactions in I. ricinus. CONCLUSIONS We identified the I. ricinus microbiota and documented marked shifts in tick microbiota dynamics over time. Statistically, we showed strong relationships between the presence of specific pathogens and the structure of the I. ricinus microbiota. We detected close links between some tick symbionts and the potential presence of either pathogenic Rickettsia or a parasitoid in ticks. These new findings pave the way for the development of new strategies for the control of ticks and tick-borne diseases. Video abstract.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- E Lejal
- UMR BIPAR, Animal Health Laboratory, INRAE, ANSES, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, Université Paris-Est, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - J Chiquet
- Université Paris-Saclay, AgroParisTech, INRAE, UMR MIA-Paris, 75005, Paris, France
| | - J Aubert
- Université Paris-Saclay, AgroParisTech, INRAE, UMR MIA-Paris, 75005, Paris, France
| | - S Robin
- Université Paris-Saclay, AgroParisTech, INRAE, UMR MIA-Paris, 75005, Paris, France
| | - A Estrada-Peña
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - O Rue
- INRAE, MaIAGE, Université Paris-Saclay, Jouy-en-Josas, France
- INRAE, BioinfOmics, MIGALE Bioinformatics Facility, Université Paris-Saclay, Jouy-en-Josas, France
| | - C Midoux
- INRAE, MaIAGE, Université Paris-Saclay, Jouy-en-Josas, France
- INRAE, BioinfOmics, MIGALE Bioinformatics Facility, Université Paris-Saclay, Jouy-en-Josas, France
- INRAE, PROSE, Université Paris-Saclay, Antony, France
| | - M Mariadassou
- INRAE, MaIAGE, Université Paris-Saclay, Jouy-en-Josas, France
- INRAE, BioinfOmics, MIGALE Bioinformatics Facility, Université Paris-Saclay, Jouy-en-Josas, France
| | - X Bailly
- Université Clermont Auvergne, INRAE, VetAgro Sup, UMR EPIA, 63122, Saint Genes Champanelle, France
- Université de Lyon, INRAE, VetAgro Sup, UMR EPIA, 69280, Marcy l'Etoile, France
| | - A Cougoul
- Université Clermont Auvergne, INRAE, VetAgro Sup, UMR EPIA, 63122, Saint Genes Champanelle, France
- Université de Lyon, INRAE, VetAgro Sup, UMR EPIA, 69280, Marcy l'Etoile, France
| | - P Gasqui
- Université Clermont Auvergne, INRAE, VetAgro Sup, UMR EPIA, 63122, Saint Genes Champanelle, France
- Université de Lyon, INRAE, VetAgro Sup, UMR EPIA, 69280, Marcy l'Etoile, France
| | - J F Cosson
- UMR BIPAR, Animal Health Laboratory, INRAE, ANSES, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, Université Paris-Est, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - K Chalvet-Monfray
- Université Clermont Auvergne, INRAE, VetAgro Sup, UMR EPIA, 63122, Saint Genes Champanelle, France
- Université de Lyon, INRAE, VetAgro Sup, UMR EPIA, 69280, Marcy l'Etoile, France
| | | | - T Pollet
- UMR ASTRE, CIRAD, INRAE, Campus de Baillarguet, Montpellier, France.
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Ixodiphagus hookeri wasps (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) in two sympatric tick species Ixodes ricinus and Haemaphysalis concinna (Ixodida: Ixodidae) in the Slovak Karst (Slovakia): ecological and biological considerations. Sci Rep 2021; 11:11310. [PMID: 34050233 PMCID: PMC8163793 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-90871-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2021] [Accepted: 05/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Ixodiphagus endoparasitoid wasps are natural tick enemies that can reduce their abundance. In this study, we investigated the presence of Ixodiphagus hookeri in Haemaphysalis concinna and Ixodes ricinus ticks in the Slovak Karst (southern Slovakia) and analysed the ecological and physiological relationships in the parasitoid-host system. Unfed H. concinna and I. ricinus nymphs harvested from vegetation were fed on rabbits. The engorged specimens were kept at 25 °C and 75% RH until the emergence of the adult wasps. For the first time in Europe, we found the presence of I. hookeri in two species of ticks collected in the same locality and compared their development in these tick species. The prevalence of wasps in H. concinna and I. ricinus during their spring activity was estimated at 10.64% and 27.78%, respectively. The presence of the wasps did not affect the duration of nymph feeding. Engorged wasp-infected ticks achieved higher body mass than non-infected specimens. In both tick species, there were no differences in the length of the development period and the number and sex ratio of adult I. hookeri. The analysed indicators and characteristics of the I. hookeri wasp-tick system can be used in research on tick control.
Collapse
|
12
|
Luu L, Palomar AM, Farrington G, Schilling AK, Premchand-Branker S, McGarry J, Makepeace BL, Meredith A, Bell-Sakyi L. Bacterial Pathogens and Symbionts Harboured by Ixodes ricinus Ticks Parasitising Red Squirrels in the United Kingdom. Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10040458. [PMID: 33920445 PMCID: PMC8070177 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10040458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2021] [Revised: 04/04/2021] [Accepted: 04/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Red squirrels (Sciurus vulgaris) are native to most of Eurasia; in much of the United Kingdom, they have been supplanted by the non-native grey squirrel, and are considered an endangered species. Very little is known about the range of tick-borne pathogens to which UK red squirrels are exposed. As part of trap-and-release surveys examining prevalence of Mycobacterium spp. in red squirrel populations on two UK islands, Ixodes ricinus ticks were removed from squirrels and PCR screened for Borrelia spp., intracellular arthropod-borne bacteria and the parasitic wasp Ixodiphagus hookeri. At both sites, the most commonly encountered tick-transmitted bacterium was Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (overall minimum prevalence 12.7%), followed by Anaplasma phagocytophilum (overall minimum prevalence 1.6%). Single ticks infected with Spiroplasma were found at both sites, and single ticks infected with Borrelia miyamotoi or an Ehrlichia sp. at one site. Ticks harbouring Wolbachia (overall minimum prevalence 15.2%) were all positive for I. hookeri. Our study shows that UK red squirrels are potentially exposed to a variety of bacterial pathogens via feeding ticks. The effects on the health and survival of this already vulnerable wildlife species are unknown, and further studies are needed to evaluate the threat posed to red squirrels by Borrelia and other tick-borne pathogens.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Luu
- Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L3 5RF, UK; (L.L.); (G.F.); (J.M.); (B.L.M.)
| | - Ana M. Palomar
- Centre of Rickettsiosis and Arthropod-Borne Diseases, Hospital Universitario San Pedro-CIBIR, 26006 Logroño, Spain;
| | - Gemma Farrington
- Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L3 5RF, UK; (L.L.); (G.F.); (J.M.); (B.L.M.)
| | - Anna-Katarina Schilling
- Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, Midlothian EH25 9RG, UK; (A.-K.S.); (A.M.)
| | - Shonnette Premchand-Branker
- Department of Biology, University of York, Wentworth Way, York YO10 5DD, UK;
- The Pirbright Institute, Ash Road, Pirbright, Surrey GU24 0NF, UK
| | - John McGarry
- Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L3 5RF, UK; (L.L.); (G.F.); (J.M.); (B.L.M.)
| | - Benjamin L. Makepeace
- Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L3 5RF, UK; (L.L.); (G.F.); (J.M.); (B.L.M.)
| | - Anna Meredith
- Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, Midlothian EH25 9RG, UK; (A.-K.S.); (A.M.)
- Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Lesley Bell-Sakyi
- Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L3 5RF, UK; (L.L.); (G.F.); (J.M.); (B.L.M.)
- The Pirbright Institute, Ash Road, Pirbright, Surrey GU24 0NF, UK
- Correspondence:
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Bernard Q, Phelan JP, Hu LT. Controlling Lyme Disease: New Paradigms for Targeting the Tick-Pathogen-Reservoir Axis on the Horizon. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2020; 10:607170. [PMID: 33344266 PMCID: PMC7744311 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2020.607170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2020] [Accepted: 11/04/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Linden T. Hu
- Department of Molecular Biology and Microbiology, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States
| |
Collapse
|