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Kubiak K, Szymańska H, Dziekońska-Rynko J, Tylkowska A, Dmitryjuk M, Dzika E. Tick-borne pathogens in questing adults Dermacentor reticulatus from the Eastern European population (north-eastern Poland). Sci Rep 2024; 14:698. [PMID: 38184725 PMCID: PMC10771447 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-51299-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 01/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Dermacentor reticulatus is tick species with an expanding geographical range in Europe, which creates the possibility of spreading microorganisms of significant veterinary and medical importance. The study aimed to investigate the prevalence and genetic diversity of Rickettsia spp., Babesia spp., Borrelia spp. and Anaplasma phagocytophilum in adult D. reticulatus ticks from the Eastern European population in the urban and the natural biotopes of north-eastern Poland. Microorganisms were detected by PCR and identified by DNA sequencing. The overall infection rate of at least one of the pathogens was 29.6%. The predominantly was Rickettsia spp. (27.1%) (with R. raoultii-9.1%) followed by Babesia spp. (2.4%) with B. canis (1.5%) as the most frequent. Based on 18S rRNA gene sequence, three B. canis genotypes were revealed. The prevalence of R. raoultii and B. canis was significantly higher in ticks from natural biotopes. The infection rates of B. afzelii and A. phagocytophilum were determined at 0.9% and 0.3%, respectively. Co-infections were detected in 3.8% of infected ticks. In diagnosing tick-borne diseases in humans, tick-borne lymphadenopathy should not be excluded. The prevalence of different genotypes of B. canis suggests differences in the clinical picture of canine babesiosis in the area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katarzyna Kubiak
- Department of Medical Biology, School of Public Health, Collegium Medicum, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, 10-561, Olsztyn, Poland.
| | - Hanna Szymańska
- Department of Medical Biology, School of Public Health, Collegium Medicum, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, 10-561, Olsztyn, Poland
| | - Janina Dziekońska-Rynko
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, 10-957, Olsztyn, Poland
| | - Agnieszka Tylkowska
- Department of Biology of Animal Environment, Institute of Animal Science, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, 02-786, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Małgorzata Dmitryjuk
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, 10-719, Olsztyn, Poland
| | - Ewa Dzika
- Department of Medical Biology, School of Public Health, Collegium Medicum, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, 10-561, Olsztyn, Poland
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Lipatova I, Černevičienė D, Griciuvienė L, Ražanskė I, Aleksandravičienė A, Kibiša A, Radzijevskaja J, Olech W, Anusz K, Didkowska A, Paulauskas A. Anaplasma phagocytophilum in European bison (Bison bonasus) and their ticks from Lithuania and Poland. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2023; 14:102246. [PMID: 37639831 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2023.102246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2023] [Revised: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 08/14/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023]
Abstract
The increasing population of European bison (Bison bonasus) can contribute to the prevalence of zoonotic pathogens. The aim of the present study was to assess the presence of A. phagocytophilum infection in European bison tissues as well as ticks removed from European bison in Lithuania and Poland. A further objective of this work was to compare the detected A. phagocytophilum strains. A total of 85 tissue samples (spleen) of European bison and 560 ticks belonging to two species, Ixodes ricinus (n = 408) and Dermacentor reticulatus (n = 152) were tested. DNA of A. phagocytophilum was detected based on RT-PCR in 40% of the European bison samples, 8.8% of the I. ricinus and 5.9% of the D. reticulatus ticks. Analysis of the obtained partial 16S rRNA gene sequences of A. phagocytophilum revealed the presence of three variants with two polymorphic sites. Furthermore, phylogenetic analysis with partial msp4 gene sequences grouped A. phagocytophilum variants into three clusters. This study revealed that the groEL gene sequences of A. phagocytophilum from European bison and their ticks grouped into ecotype I and only one sequence from Lithuanian European bison belonged to ecotype II. The results of the present study indicated that European bison may play a role as a natural reservoir of A. phagocytophilum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Indrė Lipatova
- Vytautas Magnus University, K. Donelaičio 58, Kaunas LT-44248, Lithuania.
| | - Dalia Černevičienė
- Vytautas Magnus University, K. Donelaičio 58, Kaunas LT-44248, Lithuania
| | - Loreta Griciuvienė
- Vytautas Magnus University, K. Donelaičio 58, Kaunas LT-44248, Lithuania
| | - Irma Ražanskė
- Vytautas Magnus University, K. Donelaičio 58, Kaunas LT-44248, Lithuania
| | | | - Artūras Kibiša
- Vytautas Magnus University, K. Donelaičio 58, Kaunas LT-44248, Lithuania
| | - Jana Radzijevskaja
- Vytautas Magnus University, K. Donelaičio 58, Kaunas LT-44248, Lithuania
| | - Wanda Olech
- Department of Animal Genetics and Conservation, Warsaw University of Life Sciences (SGGW), Ciszewskiego 8, 02-786 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Krzysztof Anusz
- Department of Food Hygiene and Public Health Protection, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences (SGGW), Nowoursynowska 166, 02-787 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Anna Didkowska
- Department of Food Hygiene and Public Health Protection, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences (SGGW), Nowoursynowska 166, 02-787 Warsaw, Poland
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Zygner W, Gójska-Zygner O, Bartosik J, Górski P, Karabowicz J, Kotomski G, Norbury LJ. Canine Babesiosis Caused by Large Babesia Species: Global Prevalence and Risk Factors-A Review. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:2612. [PMID: 37627403 PMCID: PMC10451873 DOI: 10.3390/ani13162612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2023] [Revised: 07/19/2023] [Accepted: 08/11/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Canine babesiosis is a disease caused by protozoan pathogens belonging to the genus Babesia. Four species of large Babesia cause canine babesiosis (B. canis, B. rossi, B. vogeli, and the informally named B. coco). Although canine babesiosis has a worldwide distribution, different species occur in specific regions: B. rossi in sub-Saharan Africa, B. canis in Europe and Asia, and B. coco in the Eastern Atlantic United States, while B. vogeli occurs in Africa, southern parts of Europe and Asia, northern Australia, southern regions of North America, and in South America. B. vogeli is the most prevalent large Babesia species globally. This results from its wide range of monotropic vector species, the mild or subclinical nature of infections, and likely the longest evolutionary association with dogs. The most important risk factors for infection by large Babesia spp. include living in rural areas, kennels or animal shelters, or regions endemic for the infection, the season of the year (which is associated with increased tick activity), infestation with ticks, and lack of treatment with acaricides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wojciech Zygner
- Division of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Department of Preclinical Sciences, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences—SGGW, Ciszewskiego 8, 02-786 Warsaw, Poland; (J.B.); (P.G.); (J.K.)
| | - Olga Gójska-Zygner
- Labros Veterinary Clinic, Św. Bonifacego 92, 02-940 Warsaw, Poland; (O.G.-Z.); (G.K.)
| | - Justyna Bartosik
- Division of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Department of Preclinical Sciences, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences—SGGW, Ciszewskiego 8, 02-786 Warsaw, Poland; (J.B.); (P.G.); (J.K.)
| | - Paweł Górski
- Division of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Department of Preclinical Sciences, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences—SGGW, Ciszewskiego 8, 02-786 Warsaw, Poland; (J.B.); (P.G.); (J.K.)
| | - Justyna Karabowicz
- Division of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Department of Preclinical Sciences, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences—SGGW, Ciszewskiego 8, 02-786 Warsaw, Poland; (J.B.); (P.G.); (J.K.)
| | - Grzegorz Kotomski
- Labros Veterinary Clinic, Św. Bonifacego 92, 02-940 Warsaw, Poland; (O.G.-Z.); (G.K.)
| | - Luke J. Norbury
- Department of Biosciences and Food Technology, School of Science, STEM College, RMIT University, Bundoora, VIC 3083, Australia;
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Sawczyn-Domańska A, Zwoliński J, Kloc A, Wójcik-Fatla A. Prevalence of Borrelia, Neoehrlichia mikurensis and Babesia in ticks collected from vegetation in eastern Poland. EXPERIMENTAL & APPLIED ACAROLOGY 2023; 90:409-428. [PMID: 37389691 PMCID: PMC10406691 DOI: 10.1007/s10493-023-00818-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2022] [Accepted: 06/22/2023] [Indexed: 07/01/2023]
Abstract
In Poland, tick-borne diseases constitute the majority of diseases related to exposure to biological agents with a predominance of Lyme borreliosis; therefore, research on ticks as a reservoir of various pathogens remains crucial in the epidemiology of human diseases after tick bites. This study aimed to identify the occurrence of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, Borrelia miyamotoi, Neoehrlichia mikurensis, and Babesia spp. in ticks collected from vegetation in eastern Poland. Additionally, the prevalence of co-infections in the adult Ixodes ricinus ticks was determined. Among I. ricinus ticks the predominantly detected pathogen was B. burgdorferi s.l. (23%) with B. burgdorferi sensu stricto as the most frequently identified species, followed by B. garinii. In 2013, the double or triple infections of B. burgdorferi s.s., B. afzelii, and B. garinii species did not exceed 9% in adult ticks, whereas in 2016, the prevalence of mixed infections reached 29%. The prevalence of N. mikurensis and B. miyamotoi in I. ricinus was determined at the same level of 2.8%. Four Babesia species were identified in the examined I. ricinus population: B. microti (1.5%), B. venatorum (1.2%), B. divergens (0.2%), and B. capreoli (0.1%). Co-infections were detected in 10.1% of all infected ticks with the highest prevalence of co-infections with B. burgdorferi s.l. and Babesia species. The changes in the prevalence and the distribution of particular pathogens within tick populations indicate the need for monitoring the current situation related to tick-borne pathogens from the aspect of risk to human health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Sawczyn-Domańska
- Department of Health Biohazards and Parasitology, Institute of Rural Health, Jaczewskiego 2, 20-090, Lublin, Poland.
| | - Jacek Zwoliński
- Department of Health Biohazards and Parasitology, Institute of Rural Health, Jaczewskiego 2, 20-090, Lublin, Poland
| | - Anna Kloc
- Department of Health Biohazards and Parasitology, Institute of Rural Health, Jaczewskiego 2, 20-090, Lublin, Poland
| | - Angelina Wójcik-Fatla
- Department of Health Biohazards and Parasitology, Institute of Rural Health, Jaczewskiego 2, 20-090, Lublin, Poland
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Zając Z, Obregon D, Foucault-Simonin A, Wu-Chuang A, Moutailler S, Galon C, Kulisz J, Woźniak A, Bartosik K, Cabezas-Cruz A. Disparate dynamics of pathogen prevalence in Ixodes ricinus and Dermacentor reticulatus ticks occurring sympatrically in diverse habitats. Sci Rep 2023; 13:10645. [PMID: 37391552 PMCID: PMC10313804 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-37748-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2023] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 07/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Ixodes ricinus and Dermacentor reticulatus ticks are important reservoirs and vectors of pathogens. The aim of the present study was to investigate the dynamic of the prevalence and genetic diversity of microorganisms detected in these tick species collected from two ecologically diverse biotopes undergoing disparate long-term climate condition. High-throughput real time PCR confirmed high prevalence of microorganisms detected in sympatrically occurring ticks species. D. reticulatus specimens were the most often infected with Francisella-like endosymbiont (FLE) (up to 100.0%) and Rickettsia spp. (up to 91.7%), while in case of I. ricinus the prevalence of Borreliaceae spirochetes reached up to 25.0%. Moreover, pathogens belonging to genera of Bartonella, Anaplasma, Ehrlichia and Babesia were detected in both tick species regardless the biotope. On the other hand, Neoehrlichia mikurensis was conformed only in I. ricinus in the forest biotope, while genetic material of Theileria spp. was found only in D. reticulatus collected from the meadow. Our study confirmed significant impact of biotope type on prevalence of representatives of Borreliaceae and Rickettsiaceae families. The most common co-infection detected in D. reticulatus was Rickettsia spp. + FLE, while Borreliaceae + R. helvetica was the most common in I. ricinus. Additionally, we found significant genetic diversity of R. raoultii gltA gene across studied years, however such relationship was not observed in ticks from studied biotopes. Our results suggest that ecological type of biotope undergoing disparate long-term climate conditions have an impact on prevalence of tick-borne pathogens in adult D. reticulatus and I. ricinus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zbigniew Zając
- Department of Biology and Parasitology, Medical University of Lublin, Radziwiłłowska 11 St, 20-080, Lublin, Poland.
| | - Dasiel Obregon
- School of Environmental Sciences University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Angélique Foucault-Simonin
- Anses, INRAE, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, UMR BIPAR, Laboratoire de Santé Animale, 94700, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Alejandra Wu-Chuang
- Anses, INRAE, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, UMR BIPAR, Laboratoire de Santé Animale, 94700, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Sara Moutailler
- Anses, INRAE, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, UMR BIPAR, Laboratoire de Santé Animale, 94700, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Clemence Galon
- Anses, INRAE, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, UMR BIPAR, Laboratoire de Santé Animale, 94700, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Joanna Kulisz
- Department of Biology and Parasitology, Medical University of Lublin, Radziwiłłowska 11 St, 20-080, Lublin, Poland
| | - Aneta Woźniak
- Department of Biology and Parasitology, Medical University of Lublin, Radziwiłłowska 11 St, 20-080, Lublin, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Bartosik
- Department of Biology and Parasitology, Medical University of Lublin, Radziwiłłowska 11 St, 20-080, Lublin, Poland
| | - Alejandro Cabezas-Cruz
- Anses, INRAE, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, UMR BIPAR, Laboratoire de Santé Animale, 94700, Maisons-Alfort, France.
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Nowakowski-Sims E, Ferrante S. Perspectives of Integrative Body-Mind-Spirit Interventions Among Women with Substance Use Disorder: A Qualitative Study. ALCOHOLISM TREATMENT QUARTERLY 2022. [DOI: 10.1080/07347324.2022.2145924] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Stephen Ferrante
- School of Social Work, Barry University, Miami Shores, Florida, USA
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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] [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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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:pathogens11040468. [PMID: 35456142 PMCID: PMC9024821 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11040468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [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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Update on prevalence of Babesia canis and Rickettsia spp. in adult and juvenile Dermacentor reticulatus ticks in the area of Poland (2016-2018). Sci Rep 2022; 12:5755. [PMID: 35388041 PMCID: PMC8986869 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-09419-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2021] [Accepted: 03/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Ornate dog tick, Dermacentor reticulatus is an important vector of Babesia canis, and Rickettsia spp. and other pathogens of veterinary and public health interest. The current study is the first to investigate the long-term changes in prevalence of these pathogens in expanding tick populations in Central Europe. Molecular techniques (PCR, sequencing) were applied for the detection of pathogen DNA in adult (n = 2497) and juvenile ticks (1096 larvae and 410 nymphs). DNA of Rickettsia spp. was identified in 35% of adults and 12.6% of juvenile ticks. DNA of B. canis was detected in 3% of adult ticks and only in ticks from the Eastern region (regional prevalence 6%). As previously, no B. canis-positive ticks were found in Western Poland, including ticks from Wrocław area (n = 298). DNA of B. canis was identified in 0.33% of juvenile ticks (in 3 pools of larvae and 2 nymphs) from the Eastern region. In the current study we confirmed high occurrence of R. raoultii in adults ticks from all four zones and relatively high prevalence of B. canis in the Eastern population of D. reticulatus, corresponding well with high incidence of canine babesiosis in this area of Poland. Finally, we confirmed R. raoultii and B. canis infection in all life stages of D. reticulatus ticks.
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Pańczuk A, Tokarska-Rodak M, Teodorowicz P, Pawłowicz-Sosnowska E. Tick-borne pathogens in Dermacentor reticulatus collected from dogs in eastern Poland. EXPERIMENTAL & APPLIED ACAROLOGY 2022; 86:419-429. [PMID: 35286554 DOI: 10.1007/s10493-022-00700-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2021] [Accepted: 02/07/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
In recent years, the distribution of Dermacentor reticulatus ticks has expanded into new territories in many European countries, including Poland, with increased population densities in areas of their regular occurrence. The spread of D. reticulatus enhances the risk of exposure of domestic animals and their owners to tick-borne diseases. The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of infection of D. reticulatus ticks feeding on dogs with the pathogens Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato and Anaplasma phagocytophilum. The study material comprised 152 D. reticulatus ticks collected from dogs in the northeastern part of Lublin Province (eastern Poland). A ready-made AmpliSens® TBEV, B.burgdorferi sl, A.phagocytophilum, E.chaffeensis/E.muris-FRT PCR kit was used for qualitative detection and differentiation of tick-borne infections. The assessment of the degree of infection of the analyzed ticks with the two pathogens revealed that 9.2% (14/152) of the examined ticks were infected with one of the pathogens. No co-infections with the pathogens were detected in any of the ticks. The highest specific percentage of infections (8.6%, 13/152) was associated with A. phagocytophilum. The presence of B. burgdorferi s.l. was detected in only one of the examined ticks (0.7%). The spread of D. reticulatus to new territories and the increase in population density in areas of their regular occurrence implies the need for further studies of the prevalence of pathogens with medical and veterinary importance in order to assess the risk of tick-borne diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Pańczuk
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Pope John Paul II State School of Higher Education in Biała Podlaska, Sidorska Street 95/97, 21-500, Biała Podlaska, Poland.
| | - Małgorzata Tokarska-Rodak
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Pope John Paul II State School of Higher Education in Biała Podlaska, Sidorska Street 95/97, 21-500, Biała Podlaska, Poland
| | - Patrycja Teodorowicz
- Innovation Research Centre, Pope John Paul II State School of Higher Education in Biała Podlaska, Biała Podlaska, Poland
| | - Ewa Pawłowicz-Sosnowska
- Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Pope John Paul II State School of Higher Education in Biała Podlaska, Biała Podlaska, Poland
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Insights from experience in the treatment of tick-borne bacterial coinfections with tick-borne encephalitis. ANNUAL REPORTS IN MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/bs.armc.2022.08.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Grochowska A, Dunaj J, Pancewicz S, Czupryna P, Majewski P, Wondim M, Tryniszewska E, Moniuszko-Malinowska A. Detection of Borrelia burgdorferi s.l., Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Babesia spp. in Dermacentor reticulatus ticks found within the city of Białystok, Poland-first data. EXPERIMENTAL & APPLIED ACAROLOGY 2021; 85:63-73. [PMID: 34528136 PMCID: PMC8486709 DOI: 10.1007/s10493-021-00655-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2020] [Accepted: 09/01/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Pathogens carried by ticks pose a threat to both human and animal health across the world. Typically associated with rural landscapes, ticks appear to adapt well to life in urban recreational areas. Although Dermacentor reticulatus is commonly found across Europe, data on the prevalence of pathogens in this tick species, in an urban environment, are very limited. PCR was used to examine 368 D. reticulatus individuals collected in the Zwierzyniecki Forest Nature Reserve in Białystok, Poland. In total, 10.3% of ticks were infected, with Babesia spp. (9.2%), Anaplasma phagocytophilum (0.8%) and Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (0.3%). Rickettsia spp., Bartonella spp., and Coxiella burnetii were not detected. Sequence analysis for Babesia-positive samples identified 79.4% of them as Babesia canis, 8.8% as Babesia microti, 5.9% as Babesia spp., 2.9% as Babesia venatorum, and 2.9% as Babesia vogeli. Results obtained in this study indicate that D. reticulatus ticks found within the urban premises of the study area are infected with at least three pathogens and therefore are an important factor in public health risk for tick-borne diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Grochowska
- 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
| | - Sławomir Pancewicz
- 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
| | - Piotr Majewski
- Department of Microbiological Diagnostics and Infectious Immunology, Medical University of Białystok, Waszyngtona 15A, 15-269, Białystok, Poland
| | - Mulugeta Wondim
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Neuroinfections, Medical University of Białystok, Żurawia 14, 15-540, Białystok, Poland
| | - Elżbieta Tryniszewska
- Department of Microbiological Diagnostics and Infectious Immunology, Medical University of Białystok, Waszyngtona 15A, 15-269, 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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Pawełczyk A, Bednarska M, Hamera A, Religa E, Poryszewska M, Mierzejewska EJ, Welc-Falęciak R. Long-term study of Borrelia and Babesia prevalence and co-infection in Ixodes ricinus and Dermacentor recticulatus ticks removed from humans in Poland, 2016-2019. Parasit Vectors 2021; 14:348. [PMID: 34210355 PMCID: PMC8252237 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-021-04849-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2021] [Accepted: 06/12/2021] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Lyme borreliosis (LB) is the most common vector-borne disease in Europe. Monitoring changes in the prevalence of different Borrelia species in ticks may be an important indicator of risk assessment and of differences in pathogenicity in humans. The objective of our study was to assess the prevalence, co-infection and distribution of Borrelia and Babesia species in ticks removed from humans in a large sample collected during a study period of 4 years. Methods The ticks were collected throughout Poland from March to November over 4-year period from 2016 to 2019. All ticks (n = 1953) were morphologically identified in terms of species and developmental stage. Molecular screening for Borrelia and Babesia by amplification of the flagellin gene (flaB) or 18S rRNA marker was performed. Pathogen identity was confirmed by Sanger sequencing or PCR–restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. Results The ticks removed from humans in Poland during this study belonged to two species: Ixodes ricinus (97%) and Dermacentor reticulatus (3%). High Borrelia prevalence (25.3%), including B. miyamotoi (8.4%), was confirmed in Ixodes ricinus ticks removed from humans, as was the change in frequency of occurrence of Borrelia species during the 4-year study. Despite Babesia prevalence being relatively low (1.3%), the majority of tested isolates are considered to be pathogenic to humans. Babesia infection was observed more frequently among Borrelia-positive ticks (2.7%) than among ticks uninfected with Borrelia (0.8%). The most frequent dual co-infections were between Borrelia afzelii and Babesia microti. The presence of Borrelia was also confirmed in D. reticulatus (12.7%); however the role of these ticks in spirochete transmission to susceptible hosts is still unclear. Conclusions Although the overall risk of developing LB after a tick bite is low in Europe, knowledge of the prevalence and distribution of Borrelia and Babesia species in ticks might be an important indicator of the risk of both these tick-borne diseases. Graphical abstract ![]()
Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13071-021-04849-5.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agnieszka Pawełczyk
- Department of Immunopathology of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, Medical University of Warsaw, 3C Pawińskiego Street, 02-106, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Małgorzata Bednarska
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, 1 Miecznikowa Street, 02-096, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Adrianna Hamera
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, 1 Miecznikowa Street, 02-096, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Emilia Religa
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, 1 Miecznikowa Street, 02-096, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Milena Poryszewska
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, 1 Miecznikowa Street, 02-096, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Ewa J Mierzejewska
- Wild Urban Evolution and Ecology Lab, Centre of New Technologies, Banacha 2c Street, 02-097, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Renata Welc-Falęciak
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, 1 Miecznikowa Street, 02-096, Warsaw, Poland.
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Dwużnik-Szarek D, Mierzejewska EJ, Rodo A, Goździk K, Behnke-Borowczyk J, Kiewra D, Kartawik N, Bajer A. Monitoring the expansion of Dermacentor reticulatus and occurrence of canine babesiosis in Poland in 2016-2018. Parasit Vectors 2021; 14:267. [PMID: 34016152 PMCID: PMC8138931 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-021-04758-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2020] [Accepted: 04/29/2021] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The significance of tick-borne diseases has increased considerably in recent years. Because of the unique distribution of the tick species Dermacentor reticulatus in Poland, comprising two expanding populations, Eastern and Western that are separated by a Dermacentor-free zone, it is important to conduct studies on the process of tick expansion and emergence of canine babesiosis. The main aim of the current study was to monitor the expansion of D. reticulatus populations from spring 2016 to autumn 2018 to determine (1) the actual geographical range of this tick species, and (2) and the seasonal/annual shift in range limits and changes in distance between Western and Eastern populations of ticks (the size of the non-endemic area). Methods Ticks were collected in spring/autumn during a 3-year study. From each season and year at least three pairs of sites from the Western and Eastern populations were selected. Then the mean distance between paired sites was calculated for each season and year. We collected and analyzed data from veterinary clinics on the number of canine babesiosis cases treated in the clinic during a whole year (2018). Results Accordingly, further expansion of the two D. reticulatus populations was recorded, mainly along river basins. Marked colonization of the gap zone was observed, with a mean annual shift in the range of 2.5–10 km and a steadily decreasing distance between the two tick populations. The occurrence of babesiosis in different regions revealed low numbers of cases in Western Poland (19 cases/year) and the gap area (only 7 cases/year) and high incidence (up to 250 cases/1000 dogs) and fatality (total 3.65%) in Central and Eastern Poland. Strong associations were found geographically between tick and babesiosis occurrence and temporally in the seasonal patterns of occurrence of ticks and outbreaks of babesiosis. Conclusions We documented the shift in range limits and continued process of colonization of the gap zone accompanied by the emergence of canine babesiosis in the Eastern expansion zone. Updated maps of the distribution of ticks and occurrence of babesiosis in different regions of Poland have allowed us to predict of the emergence of pathogens vectored by D. reticulatus. Graphic Abstract Incidence (per 1000 dogs) of canine babesiosis in veterinary clinics by current range of D. reticulatus ![]()
Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13071-021-04758-7.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dorota Dwużnik-Szarek
- Department of Eco-Epidemiology of Parasitic Diseases, Institute of Developmental Biology and Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, Miecznikowa 1, 02-096, Warsaw, Poland.
| | - Ewa J Mierzejewska
- Department of Eco-Epidemiology of Parasitic Diseases, Institute of Developmental Biology and Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, Miecznikowa 1, 02-096, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Anna Rodo
- Department of Pathology and Veterinary Diagnostics, Warsaw University of Life Sciences- SGGW, 159c Nowoursynowska Street, 02-766, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Goździk
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Functional Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Jolanta Behnke-Borowczyk
- Department of Forest Phytopathology, Faculty of Forestry, Poznań University of Life Sciences, Poznań, Poland
| | - Dorota Kiewra
- Department of Microbial Ecology and Environmental Protection, Institute of Genetics and Microbiology, University of Wroclaw, 63/77 Przybyszewskiego Street, 51-148, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Natalia Kartawik
- Department of Forest Phytopathology, Faculty of Forestry, Poznań University of Life Sciences, Poznań, Poland
| | - Anna Bajer
- Department of Eco-Epidemiology of Parasitic Diseases, Institute of Developmental Biology and Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, Miecznikowa 1, 02-096, Warsaw, Poland
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Michalski MM, Kubiak K, Szczotko M, Dmitryjuk M. Tick-Borne Pathogens in Ticks Collected from Wild Ungulates in North-Eastern Poland. Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10050587. [PMID: 34064818 PMCID: PMC8151034 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10050587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2021] [Revised: 05/05/2021] [Accepted: 05/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
This study was carried out in north-eastern Poland during two hunting seasons between 2018 and 2020. Ticks (Ixodes ricinus and Dermacentor reticulatus) were removed from wild cervids and boars and examined for the presence of Borrelia spirochetes and Rickettsiales members: Rickettsia spp. and Anaplasma phagocytophilum. The present study contributes to the knowledge of even-toed ungulates, which are an important reservoir of the above-mentioned pathogens and a potential source of infections for humans through ticks as vectors. Almost 40% of the collected ticks (191 out of 484) were infected with the following pathogens: 3.3% with Borrelia spp., 19.2% with A. phagocytophilum and 26.9% with Rickettsia spp. Only the ticks collected from cervids carried Borrelia. Typing of the species DNA confirmed the presence of B. afzelii, B. garinii, B. lusitaniae and B. miyamotoi. An analysis of Rickettsia spp. sequences using the GenBank data revealed the presence of R. helvetica, R. raoultii and R. monacensis. Monoinfections (79.1%) dominated over co-infections (20.9%). Among co-infections, the most frequent was A. phagocytophilum/Rickettsia spp. (70%), however co-infections, including B. afzelii/A. phagocytophilum, B. afzelii/Rickettsia spp., B. miyamotoi/A. phagocytophilum and B. afzelii/B. garinii/B. lusitaniae, were also noted. Significant differences were observed in the affinity of some pathogens to their vectors. Thus, Borrelia spp. and A. phagocytophilum were more frequently detected in I. ricinus (5.3% and 23.1%) than in D. reticulatus (1.2% and 15.3%). Infection frequency with Rickettsia spp. was similar (approximately 25–29%) in both tick species. The prevalence of A. phagocytophilum and Rickettsia spp. in ticks removed from cervids was 19.8% and 27.1%, and in ticks from wild boars it was 13.3% and 24.4%, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mirosław M. Michalski
- Department of Parasitology and Invasive Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, 10–719 Olsztyn, Poland;
| | - Katarzyna Kubiak
- Department of Medical Biology, Collegium Medicum, School of Public Health, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, 10–561 Olsztyn, Poland;
| | - Magdalena Szczotko
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, 10–719 Olsztyn, Poland;
| | - Małgorzata Dmitryjuk
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, 10–719 Olsztyn, Poland;
- Correspondence:
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Onyiche TE, Răileanu C, Fischer S, Silaghi C. Global Distribution of Babesia Species in Questing Ticks: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Based on Published Literature. Pathogens 2021; 10:230. [PMID: 33669591 PMCID: PMC7926846 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10020230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2021] [Revised: 02/17/2021] [Accepted: 02/17/2021] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Babesiosis caused by the Babesia species is a parasitic tick-borne disease. It threatens many mammalian species and is transmitted through infected ixodid ticks. To date, the global occurrence and distribution are poorly understood in questing ticks. Therefore, we performed a meta-analysis to estimate the distribution of the pathogen. A deep search for four electronic databases of the published literature investigating the prevalence of Babesia spp. in questing ticks was undertaken and obtained data analyzed. Our results indicate that in 104 eligible studies dating from 1985 to 2020, altogether 137,364 ticks were screened with 3069 positives with an estimated global pooled prevalence estimates (PPE) of 2.10%. In total, 19 different Babesia species of both human and veterinary importance were detected in 23 tick species, with Babesia microti and Ixodesricinus being the most widely reported Babesia and tick species, respectively. Regardless of species, adult ticks with 2.60% had the highest infection rates, while larvae had the least with 0.60%. Similarly, female ticks with 4.90% were infected compared to males with 3.80%. Nested-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) 2.80% had the highest prevalence among the molecular techniques employed. In conclusion, results obtained indicate that Babesia species are present in diverse questing tick species at a low prevalence, of which some are competent vectors.
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Affiliation(s)
- ThankGod E. Onyiche
- Department of Veterinary Parasitology and Entomology, University of Maiduguri, P. M. B. 1069, Maiduguri 600230, Nigeria;
- Institute of Infectology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Südufer 10, 17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany; (C.R.); (S.F.)
| | - Cristian Răileanu
- Institute of Infectology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Südufer 10, 17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany; (C.R.); (S.F.)
| | - Susanne Fischer
- Institute of Infectology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Südufer 10, 17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany; (C.R.); (S.F.)
| | - Cornelia Silaghi
- Institute of Infectology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Südufer 10, 17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany; (C.R.); (S.F.)
- Department of Biology, University of Greifswald, Domstrasse 11, 17489 Greifswald, Germany
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Occurrence and Abundance of Dermacentor reticulatus in the Habitats of the Ecological Corridor of the Wieprz River, Eastern Poland. INSECTS 2021; 12:insects12020096. [PMID: 33498682 PMCID: PMC7910990 DOI: 10.3390/insects12020096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2020] [Revised: 01/11/2021] [Accepted: 01/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Simple Summary Ecological corridors are zones of natural vegetation, which connect with other vegetation strips to create migration routes and provide shelter for animals. One of the longest ecological corridors in eastern Poland runs along the Wieprz River valley. We examined the occurrence and relative abundance of Dermacentor reticulatus in research plots established in the river valley and confirmed the presence of this tick species in each of the seven examined sites. The results of our research show that the habitats of the river ecological corridor can be regarded as preferred habitats of D. reticulatus in eastern Poland. Abstract Ecological corridors are zones of natural vegetation, which connect with other vegetation strips to create migration routes for animals and plants. The aim of our study was to investigate the occurrence and relative abundance of Dermacentor reticulatus in various habitats of the ecological corridor of the Wieprz River in eastern Poland. Ticks were collected using the flagging method in seven sites within the ecological corridor of the Wieprz River, i.e., one of the longest uninterrupted vegetation strips in eastern Poland. The presence of D. reticulatus adults was confirmed in each of the examined sites. The autumn peak of tick activity dominated in most plots. During this period, on average up to 309.7 individuals were collected within 30-min. The results of our study show that, due to the high abundance of local D. reticulatus populations, the habitats located in the ecological corridor of the Wieprz River can be regarded as preferred habitats of this tick species.
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Kartashov MY, Shvalov AN, Tupota NL, Romanenko VN, Moskvitina NS, Ternovoi VA, Loktev VB. Complete mitogenome of the ixodid tick Dermacentor reticulatus (Acari: Ixodida). MITOCHONDRIAL DNA PART B-RESOURCES 2020; 5:3366-3368. [PMID: 33458171 PMCID: PMC7782210 DOI: 10.1080/23802359.2020.1821811] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Here, we present the complete mitochondrial DNA sequence of Dermacentor reticulatus. The mitogenome is 14,806 bp and contains 13 protein-coding, 2 rRNA, and 22 tRNA genes, along with 2 control regions. Dermacentor reticulatus mitogenome has the common mitochondrial gene order of Metastriata ticks. It is phylogenetically close to the mitogenomes of Dermacentor ticks, of which D. everestanus mitogenome is the closest with 85.7% similarity. These data provide insights into the phylogenetic relations among Dermacentor ticks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mikhail Yu Kartashov
- State Research Center of Virology and Biotechnology "Vector," Rospotrebnadzor, World-Class Genomic Research Center for Biological Safety and Technological Independence, Koltsovo, Novosibirsk Region, Russia.,National Research Tomsk State University, Tomsk, Russia
| | - Alexander N Shvalov
- State Research Center of Virology and Biotechnology "Vector," Rospotrebnadzor, World-Class Genomic Research Center for Biological Safety and Technological Independence, Koltsovo, Novosibirsk Region, Russia
| | - Natalya L Tupota
- State Research Center of Virology and Biotechnology "Vector," Rospotrebnadzor, World-Class Genomic Research Center for Biological Safety and Technological Independence, Koltsovo, Novosibirsk Region, Russia
| | | | | | - Vladimir A Ternovoi
- State Research Center of Virology and Biotechnology "Vector," Rospotrebnadzor, World-Class Genomic Research Center for Biological Safety and Technological Independence, Koltsovo, Novosibirsk Region, Russia
| | - Valery B Loktev
- State Research Center of Virology and Biotechnology "Vector," Rospotrebnadzor, World-Class Genomic Research Center for Biological Safety and Technological Independence, Koltsovo, Novosibirsk Region, Russia
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Ličková M, Fumačová Havlíková S, Sláviková M, Slovák M, Drexler JF, Klempa B. Dermacentor reticulatus is a vector of tick-borne encephalitis virus. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2020; 11:101414. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2020.101414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2019] [Revised: 02/11/2020] [Accepted: 03/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
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Zając Z, Bartosik K, Woźniak A. Monitoring Dermacentor reticulatus Host-Seeking Activity in Natural Conditions. INSECTS 2020; 11:E264. [PMID: 32344927 PMCID: PMC7290311 DOI: 10.3390/insects11050264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2020] [Revised: 04/22/2020] [Accepted: 04/23/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Ticks are hematophagous ectoparasites of humans and animals. These arthropods employ different strategies in their host-seeking activity; most often, it is the "nest"- and "pasture-questing" behaviour. Some species, e.g., Dermacentor reticulatus, exhibit both types of activity depending on their developmental stage. The aim of the present study was to investigate the host-seeking activity of adult D. reticulatus ticks in the eastern part of Poland. To this end, ticks were collected with the flagging method during their seasonal activity in three different types of habitat. Active specimens were marked with a permanent marker and then released. This was repeated consistently at 7-day intervals using a different colour of the marker each time, which allowed tracking the questing activity of the specimens. Most frequently, repetitive tick activity (repeated up to seven times) was noted in a locality surrounded by urban developments. In an agriculturally unused open meadow habitat, 69.9% of D. reticulatus ticks were found to undertake questing activity only once. D. reticulatus females proved to be more aggressive and determined to find a host than the males of this species. Adult D. reticulatus ticks are able to stay in the habitat for a long time and undertake multiple host-seeking activities. The greatest threat of attacks on animals, including domestic animals, and sporadically humans, by these ticks occurs in meadow habitats, which are preferred by this species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zbigniew Zając
- Chair and Department of Biology and Parasitology, Medical University of Lublin, Radziwillowska 11 St., 20-080 Lublin, Poland
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Zając Z, Woźniak A, Kulisz J. Density of Dermacentor reticulatus Ticks in Eastern Poland. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 17:ijerph17082814. [PMID: 32325850 PMCID: PMC7215473 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17082814] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2020] [Revised: 04/14/2020] [Accepted: 04/16/2020] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Dermacentor reticulatus, the ornate cow tick, is second only to Ixodes ricinus as the most important reservoir and vector of infectious diseases in Europe. In recent years, the distribution of D. reticulatus ticks has expanded into new territories, including increased population densities in areas of their previous occurrence. Our investigations around this consisted of two stages. In the first stage, we monitored the seasonal activity of D. reticulatus ticks in Polesie National Park in 2014-2019. The second stage, which was carried out in 2019 at the peak of the spring (March) and autumn (October) activity of this species, included assessment of the density of D. reticulatus ticks in the entire province. To this end, the study area was divided into 101 equal plots that were surveyed for ticks. The seasonal activity of D. reticulatus in Polesie National Park showed peaks of activity in autumn in 2014-2018 and in spring in 2019. A total of 19,559 adult D. reticulatus specimens were collected, with a mean of 96.8 specimens/100 m2 in Lublin Province. The area of Lublin Province is characterized by a high density of the ornate cow tick. An increase in the surface area of meadows and fallow land has contributed to a rise in the number of local populations of D. reticulatus ticks.
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Pollet T, Sprong H, Lejal E, Krawczyk AI, Moutailler S, Cosson JF, Vayssier-Taussat M, Estrada-Peña A. The scale affects our view on the identification and distribution of microbial communities in ticks. Parasit Vectors 2020; 13:36. [PMID: 31964404 PMCID: PMC6975024 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-020-3908-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2019] [Accepted: 01/15/2020] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Ticks transmit the highest variety of pathogens impacting human and animal health worldwide. It is now well established that ticks also harbour a microbial complex of coexisting symbionts, commensals and pathogens. With the development of high throughput sequencing technologies, studies dealing with such diverse bacterial composition in tick considerably increased in the past years and revealed an unexpected microbial diversity. These data on diversity and composition of the tick microbes are increasingly available, giving crucial details on microbial communities in ticks and improving our knowledge on the tick microbial community. However, consensus is currently lacking as to which scales (tick organs, individual specimens or species, communities of ticks, populations adapted to particular environmental conditions, spatial and temporal scales) best facilitate characterizing microbial community composition of ticks and understanding the diverse relationships among tick-borne bacteria. Temporal or spatial scales have a clear influence on how we conduct ecological studies, interpret results, and understand interactions between organisms that build the microbiome. We consider that patterns apparent at one scale can collapse into noise when viewed from other scales, indicating that processes shaping tick microbiome have a continuum of variability that has not yet been captured. Based on available reports, this review demonstrates how much the concept of scale is crucial to be considered in tick microbial community studies to improve our knowledge on tick microbe ecology and pathogen/microbiota interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Pollet
- UMR BIPAR, Animal Health Laboratory, INRAE, ANSES, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, Université Paris-Est, Maisons-Alfort, France.
| | - Hein Sprong
- Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, The Netherlands
| | - Emilie Lejal
- UMR BIPAR, Animal Health Laboratory, INRAE, ANSES, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, Université Paris-Est, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Aleksandra I Krawczyk
- Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, The Netherlands
- Laboratory of Entomology, Wageningen University and Research Centre, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Sara Moutailler
- UMR BIPAR, Animal Health Laboratory, INRAE, ANSES, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, Université Paris-Est, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Jean-Francois Cosson
- UMR BIPAR, Animal Health Laboratory, INRAE, ANSES, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, Université Paris-Est, Maisons-Alfort, France
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Young KM, Corrin T, Wilhelm B, Uhland C, Greig J, Mascarenhas M, Waddell LA. Zoonotic Babesia: A scoping review of the global evidence. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0226781. [PMID: 31887120 PMCID: PMC6936817 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0226781] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2019] [Accepted: 12/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Babesiosis is a parasitic vector-borne disease of increasing public health importance. Since the first human case was reported in 1957, zoonotic species have been reported on nearly every continent. Zoonotic Babesia is vectored by Ixodes ticks and is commonly transmitted in North America by Ixodes scapularis, the tick species responsible for transmitting the pathogens that also cause Lyme disease, Powassan virus, and anaplasmosis in humans. Predicted climate change is expected to impact the spread of vectors, which is likely to affect the distribution of vector-borne diseases including human babesiosis. METHODS A scoping review has been executed to characterize the global evidence on zoonotic babesiosis. Articles were compiled through a comprehensive search of relevant bibliographic databases and targeted government websites. Two reviewers screened titles and abstracts for relevance and characterized full-text articles using a relevance screening and data characterization tool developed a priori. RESULTS This review included 1394 articles relevant to human babesiosis and/or zoonotic Babesia species. The main zoonotic species were B. microti, B. divergens, B. duncani and B. venatorum. Articles described a variety of study designs used to study babesiosis in humans and/or zoonotic Babesia species in vectors, animal hosts, and in vitro cell cultures. Topics of study included: pathogenesis (680 articles), epidemiology (480), parasite characterization (243), diagnostic test accuracy (98), mitigation (94), treatment (65), transmission (54), surveillance (29), economic analysis (7), and societal knowledge (1). No articles reported predictive models investigating the impact of climate change on Babesia species. CONCLUSION Knowledge gaps in the current evidence include research on the economic burden associated with babesiosis, societal knowledge studies, surveillance of Babesia species in vectors and animal hosts, and predictive models on the impact of climate change. The scoping review results describe the current knowledge and knowledge gaps on zoonotic Babesia which can be used to inform future policy and decision making.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaitlin M. Young
- Public Health Risk Sciences Division, National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Tricia Corrin
- Public Health Risk Sciences Division, National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Carl Uhland
- Independent Consultant, St-Hyacinthe, Quebec, Canada
| | - Judy Greig
- Public Health Risk Sciences Division, National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Mariola Mascarenhas
- Public Health Risk Sciences Division, National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Lisa A. Waddell
- Public Health Risk Sciences Division, National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
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Abstract
Introduction: Infection with Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) causes the disease toxoplasmosis in humans and animals. Oral transmission alone may not explain the widespread distribution of this parasite over large species of host animals and geographic areas.Areas covered: Limited studies indicate the potential role of ticks in the distribution of T. gondii. The possibility of transmission of T. gondii has been demonstrated in Dermacentor variabilis, Dermacentor andersoni, Amblyomma americanum, Dermacentor reticulatus, Ixodes ricinus, Ixodes amblyomma, Amblyomma cajennense, Ornithodorus moubata and Haemaphysalis longicornis. Tick transmission of T. gondii, spread of ticks and pathogens by migratory birds and presence in the United States (US) of tick vectors of human and animal disease like Haemaphysalis longicornis indigenous to other parts of the world provide a possible mechanism for the widespread distribution of T. gondii, and a potentially expanding disease threat.Expert opinion: The evidence indicates that T. gondii is potentially an unrecognized tick-borne pathogen spreading toxoplasmosis, and that clinicians might consider toxoplasmosis in the differential diagnosis of tickborne diseases.
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Dwużnik D, Mierzejewska EJ, Drabik P, Kloch A, Alsarraf M, Behnke JM, Bajer A. The role of juvenile Dermacentor reticulatus ticks as vectors of microorganisms and the problem of 'meal contamination'. EXPERIMENTAL & APPLIED ACAROLOGY 2019; 78:181-202. [PMID: 31119415 DOI: 10.1007/s10493-019-00380-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2019] [Accepted: 05/13/2019] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Juvenile Dermacentor reticulatus ticks inhabit nests and burrows of their rodent hosts and cannot be collected from vegetation. To detect vertical transmission of Babesia canis in D. reticulatus, we studied larvae and nymphs collected from rodents. However, the molecular techniques used for detection of pathogen DNA are sensitive enough to detect not only pathogens vectored by ticks but also those taken up with current or previous blood meals ('meal contamination') or just present in the environment and on the tick or host surface ('environmental contaminations'). Thus, an additional aim of our study was to evaluate the extent of such contamination while studying feeding ticks collected from rodents. Juvenile D. reticulatus were collected from 140 rodents: 91 bank voles trapped in two forest sites in the Mazury Lake District and 49 rodents (Apodemus and Microtus spp.) from an open habitat near the town of Białobrzegi in Central Poland. Altogether 504 D. reticulatus ticks, comprising 266 individually evaluated nymphs and 238 larvae assigned to 50 larval pools, were studied for the presence of Babesia, Bartonella and Rickettsia spp. DNA. Statistical analyses were conducted to (1) evaluate the effect of rodent host factors (species, sex and age) on prevalence of infection in ticks, and (2) to compare the frequency of positive samples between groups of pathogen-positive and pathogen-negative rodent hosts. To complete the last aim, blood samples obtained from 49 rodents from Białobrzegi were studied for the presence of Babesia and Bartonella DNA. Infestation of rodent hosts with juvenile ticks ranged between 46 and 78%, with a mean abundance of 3.6 ticks/rodent for D. reticulatus and 4.8 ticks/rodent for Ixodes ricinus. The highest prevalence of PCR-positive D. reticulatus samples was obtained for Rickettsia spp. (28%) and R. raoultii was identified in 22 sequenced PCR products. Babesia DNA was detected in 20 (7.5%), including B. microti in 18 (6.8%) and B. canis in two (0.8%) of 266 D. reticulatus nymphs that were analyzed. Babesia microti DNA was also detected in four pools of D. reticulatus larvae (4/50 pools = 8%). The detection success of B. microti in D. reticulatus was associated with the species of the rodent hosts of the ticks (much higher for typical B. microti-host-species such as Microtus spp. than for Apodemus spp.) and host age (3 × higher in ticks collected from adult hosts in comparison to juvenile ones). Moreover, the DNA of B. microti was detected in 68% of D. reticulatus nymphs collected from B. microti-positive rodents in comparison to only 1.6% of nymphs collected from B. microti-negative rodents. Bartonella DNA was detected in 18% of D. reticulatus tick samples (38% of larval pools, 14% of nymphs). Again, host factors played important roles for 'tick positivity'-the highest prevalence of positive ticks was on Apodemus spp., which are regarded as Bartonella reservoirs. Bartonella DNA was detected in 42% of nymphs and 57% of larval pools collected from Bartonella-positive rodents in comparison to 28% of nymphs and 11% of larvae collected from Bartonella-negative rodents. Vertical transmission of B. canis in D. reticulatus ticks was confirmed in the field. Additionally, we demonstrated that 'meal contamination' generates a confounding signal in molecular detection of pathogen DNA extracted from ticks collected from infected hosts and must be taken into account in evaluating the competence of tick species as vectors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dorota Dwużnik
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Ewa J Mierzejewska
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Paulina Drabik
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Agnieszka Kloch
- Department of Ecology, Faculty of Biology, Biological and Chemical Research Centre, University of Warsaw, ul. Żwirki i Wigury 101, 02-089, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Mohammed Alsarraf
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Jerzy M Behnke
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK
| | - Anna Bajer
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland.
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Multiple infections in questing nymphs and adult female Ixodes ricinus ticks collected in a recreational forest in Denmark. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2019; 10:1060-1065. [PMID: 31176664 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2019.05.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2018] [Revised: 05/21/2019] [Accepted: 05/30/2019] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
During its lifecycle, the generalist Ixodes ricinus takes up three blood meals from a wide selection of vertebrate hosts, some of which are reservoirs for multiple vector-associated pathogens. Since I. ricinus also readily bites humans, pets, and livestock, these hosts are at risk of becoming infected with more than one tick-borne pathogen. Multiple tick-borne infections are a public health concern, since they may increase diversity and duration of symptoms and complicate differential diagnosis and therapy. We used an existing Fluidigm real-time PCR chip to identify the minimum risk of exposure to infected/co-infected ticks in Denmark. We screened 509 nymphs and 504 adult female I. ricinus ticks for 17 different vector-associated pathogenic agents. The questing ticks were collected by flagging during the same season in two consecutive years in Grib forest in the capital region of Copenhagen. Overall, 19.1% of the nymphs and 52.2% of the adult female ticks harbored at least one zoonotic pathogen. The main agents were Borrelia spp., Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Rickettsia helvetica, while Candidatus Neoehrlichia mikurensis and Babesia venatorum both were present in less than 1% of the ticks. In 3.5% of the nymphs and 12.3% of adults we found more than one tick-borne pathogen. Of these, 15% were potentially triple or quadruple infections. Whereas mixed infections with Borrelia were equally distributed among both life stages, the adult ticks hosted 84.5% of the co-infections with different species of tick-borne pathogens, chiefly involving Borrelia species in combination with either R. helvetica or A. phagocytophilum. Statistical analyses indicated non-random co-occurrence of Borrelia spielmanii/Borrelia garinii in both life stages and B. garinii/Borrelia afzelii and B. garinii/Borrelia valaisiana in the nymphs. Although the overall prevalence of ticks hosting more than one infection only constituted 7.9% at the particular site investigated in this study, our results still underline that co-infections should be considered in diagnosis and treatment of tick-borne diseases in northern Europe.
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Dwużnik D, Mierzejewska EJ, Alsarraf M, Bajer A. A new focus of the tick Haemaphysalis concinna in Western Poland. EXPERIMENTAL & APPLIED ACAROLOGY 2019; 78:93-112. [PMID: 31115732 DOI: 10.1007/s10493-019-00371-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2019] [Accepted: 05/07/2019] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
The relict tick Haemaphysalis concinna has a fragmented and focal distribution in Central Europe and Asia. Although in the majority of neighboring countries the occurrence of this tick species is well-documented (i.e., in Germany, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Ukraine), to-date its occurrence in Poland has been registered only once, in 1953 in Troszyn in North-Western Pomerania, close to the German-Polish border. In the present study we report the first documented finding of H. concinna in Western Poland, confirmed both by collection of juvenile ticks from rodent hosts and questing ticks from vegetation. Trapping of rodents took place in the summer of 2018 in three locations in Western Poland (Słonin, Nowy Młyn 1, Nowy Młyn 2). Rodents were inspected for ectoparasites, which were detached and fixed in 70% ethanol. All the collected ticks were assigned to species and developmental stages using appropriate morphological keys, and representative individuals were genotyped by molecular methods. A total of 1482 feeding ticks were collected from 106 rodents from three sites. The common tick Ixodes ricinus was found in abundance on small rodents at all three sites; Dermacentor reticulatus ticks were identified at two sites in small numbers and, finally, numerous juvenile H. concinna (n = 427) were found at one of our study sites (Nowy Młyn 2). The highest prevalence and abundance of H. concinna were recorded on voles, Microtus agrestis and M. oeconomus, from this site in August. Additionally, questing nymphs and adult H. concinna were collected locally from vegetation (n = 20). Genotyping and phylogenetic analysis confirmed the species as H. concinna. A new focus of H. concinna has been described in Western Poland. Our long-term field work monitoring the expansion of the distribution of D. reticulatus in Poland, during which all collected ticks are identified, suggests that H. concinna is still very rare in the country.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dorota Dwużnik
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Zoology, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, 1 Miecznikowa Street, 02-096, Warsaw, Poland.
| | - Ewa J Mierzejewska
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Zoology, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, 1 Miecznikowa Street, 02-096, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Mohammed Alsarraf
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Zoology, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, 1 Miecznikowa Street, 02-096, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Anna Bajer
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Zoology, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, 1 Miecznikowa Street, 02-096, Warsaw, Poland
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28
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Cabezas-Cruz A, Allain E, Ahmad AS, Saeed MA, Rashid I, Ashraf K, Yousfi L, Shehzad W, Indjein L, Rodriguez-Valle M, Estrada-Peña A, Obregón D, Jabbar A, Moutailler S. Low genetic diversity of Ehrlichia canis associated with high co-infection rates in Rhipicephalus sanguineus (s.l.). Parasit Vectors 2019; 12:12. [PMID: 30616670 PMCID: PMC6322249 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-018-3194-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2018] [Accepted: 11/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato (s.l.) is the most widely distributed ixodid tick and is a vector of major canine and human pathogens. High-throughput technologies have revealed that individual ticks carry a high diversity of pathogens, including bacteria, protozoa and viruses. Currently, it is accepted that co-infections (multiple pathogen species within an individual) are very common in ticks and influence pathogen acquisition and transmission as well as host infection risk. However, little is known on the impact of the genetic diversity of pathogens on the incidence of co-infections. Herein, we studied the frequency of co-infections in R. sanguineus (s.l.) and their association with the genetic diversity of Ehrlichia canis. METHODS Rhipicephalus sanguineus (s.l.) female ticks (n = 235) were collected from healthy farm dogs in three districts of Pakistan. Microfluidic real-time PCR, a powerful nanotechnology for high-throughput molecular detection of pathogens, was used to test the presence of 25 bacterial and seven parasitic species in individual ticks. The genetic diversity of E. canis was evaluated by characterizing the trp36 gene. RESULTS A total of 204 ticks were infected with at least one pathogen and 109 co-infected with two (80%) or three (20%) pathogens. Rickettsia massiliae (human pathogen) and E. canis (zoonotic dog pathogen) were the most common pathogens co-infecting (30.4%) ticks. Furthermore, all identified co-infections included R. massiliae and/or E. canis. Multiple correspondence analysis (MCA) revealed that single infections did not show clear regional association whereas some co-infections were restricted to certain geographical regions. The sequence analysis of trp36 in representative samples allowed the identification of three E. canis strains with low genetic diversity, and the strain found in Muzaffargarh district appeared to be more adapted to co-infection with R. massiliae. CONCLUSIONS Rhipicephalus sanguineus (s.l.) harbors multiple co-infections with human and dog pathogens of zoonotic potential. Findings of this study suggest that genetic diversity of E. canis may favor co-infections with different pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandro Cabezas-Cruz
- UMR BIPAR, INRA, ANSES, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d’Alfort, Université Paris-Est, 94700 Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Eleonore Allain
- UMR BIPAR, INRA, ANSES, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d’Alfort, Université Paris-Est, 94700 Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Abdullah S. Ahmad
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Werribee, Victoria 3030 Australia
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore, Punjab Pakistan
| | - Muhammad A. Saeed
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Werribee, Victoria 3030 Australia
| | - Imran Rashid
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore, Punjab Pakistan
| | - Kamran Ashraf
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore, Punjab Pakistan
| | - Lena Yousfi
- UMR BIPAR, INRA, ANSES, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d’Alfort, Université Paris-Est, 94700 Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Wasim Shehzad
- Institute of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Faculty of Biosciences, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore, Punjab Pakistan
| | - Lea Indjein
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Werribee, Victoria 3030 Australia
| | - Manuel Rodriguez-Valle
- Queensland Alliance for Agriculture & Food Innovation, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Queensland 4072 Australia
| | | | - Dasiel Obregón
- Cell and Molecular Biology Laboratory, Center for Nuclear Energy in Agriculture, University of Sao Paulo, Piracicaba, SP Brazil
| | - Abdul Jabbar
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Werribee, Victoria 3030 Australia
| | - Sara Moutailler
- UMR BIPAR, INRA, ANSES, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d’Alfort, Université Paris-Est, 94700 Maisons-Alfort, France
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29
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Sroka J, Bilska-Zając E, Wójcik-Fatla A, Zając V, Dutkiewicz J, Karamon J, Piotrowska W, Cencek T. Detection and Molecular Characteristics of Toxoplasma gondii DNA in Retail Raw Meat Products in Poland. Foodborne Pathog Dis 2018; 16:195-204. [PMID: 30407082 PMCID: PMC6434587 DOI: 10.1089/fpd.2018.2537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Raw and undercooked meat are regarded as important sources of Toxoplasma gondii infection of people in Europe; however, data concerning this issue in Poland are still insufficient. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of T. gondii DNA isolated from raw meat products retailed in Poland. The molecular characteristics of detected DNA were also performed. Samples of cured bacon, raw or smoked sausages, ham, and minced meat were examined for the presence of T. gondii DNA. Samples were digested by pepsin solution, followed by the DNA isolation. Nested and real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed based on the amplification of 35-fold-repetitive B1 fragment gene of T. gondii. For selected B1-positive samples, multiplex PCR was performed using SAG1, SAG2 (5'-SAG2 and 3'-SAG2), altSAG2, SAG3, GRA6, BTUB, C29-2, and L358 genetic markers. Amplicons were sequenced and analyzed with NCBI database. Among 3223 examined samples, 175 (5.4%) were PCR positive. The highest percentages of positive results were found for samples originating from south-east regions of Poland-Podkarpackie (17.9%), Małopolskie (12.6%), and Lubelskie (10.8%) (p < 0.001). The percentages of positive results for particular types of meat products-sausages, smoked meat products, ham, and minced meat-ranged from 4.5% to 5.8% and the differences between them were not significant (p > 0.05). Sequence analysis of selected B1-positive samples demonstrated mostly the alleles of clonal type III (49.0%), and less-type II (17.3%), and type I (10.2%) based on nine used genetic markers. The combinations of types I/II or II/III or I/III alleles at different loci were also found in 23.5% of cases. Detection of T. gondii DNA in raw meat products may indicate the potential health threat for consumers in Poland; however, for complete risk assessment of T. gondii infection, the additional studies, including detection of live parasite, are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacek Sroka
- 1 Department of Parasitology and Invasive Diseases, National Veterinary Research Institute , Pulawy, Poland
| | - Ewa Bilska-Zając
- 1 Department of Parasitology and Invasive Diseases, National Veterinary Research Institute , Pulawy, Poland
| | - Angelina Wójcik-Fatla
- 2 Department of Health Biohazards and Parasitology, Institute of Rural Health , Lublin, Poland
| | - Violetta Zając
- 2 Department of Health Biohazards and Parasitology, Institute of Rural Health , Lublin, Poland
| | - Jacek Dutkiewicz
- 2 Department of Health Biohazards and Parasitology, Institute of Rural Health , Lublin, Poland
| | - Jacek Karamon
- 1 Department of Parasitology and Invasive Diseases, National Veterinary Research Institute , Pulawy, Poland
| | - Weronika Piotrowska
- 1 Department of Parasitology and Invasive Diseases, National Veterinary Research Institute , Pulawy, Poland
| | - Tomasz Cencek
- 1 Department of Parasitology and Invasive Diseases, National Veterinary Research Institute , Pulawy, Poland
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Gondard M, Michelet L, Nisavanh A, Devillers E, Delannoy S, Fach P, Aspan A, Ullman K, Chirico J, Hoffmann B, van der Wal FJ, de Koeijer A, van Solt-Smits C, Jahfari S, Sprong H, Mansfield KL, Fooks AR, Klitgaard K, Bødker R, Moutailler S. Prevalence of tick-borne viruses in Ixodes ricinus assessed by high-throughput real-time PCR. Pathog Dis 2018; 76:5181333. [PMID: 30423120 DOI: 10.1093/femspd/fty083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2018] [Accepted: 11/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Ticks are one of the principal arthropod vectors of human and animal infectious diseases. Whereas the prevalence of tick-borne encephalitis virus in ticks in Europe is well studied, there is less information available on the prevalence of the other tick-borne viruses (TBVs) existing worldwide. The aim of this study was to improve the epidemiological survey tools of TBVs by the development of an efficient high-throughput test to screen a wide range of viruses in ticks.In this study, we developed a new high-throughput virus-detection assay based on parallel real-time PCRs on a microfluidic system, and used it to perform a large scale epidemiological survey screening for the presence of 21 TBVs in 18 135 nymphs of Ixodes ricinus collected from five European countries. This extensive investigation has (i) evaluated the prevalence of four viruses present in the collected ticks, (ii) allowed the identification of viruses in regions where they were previously undetected.In conclusion, we have demonstrated the capabilities of this new screening method that allows the detection of numerous TBVs in a large number of ticks. This tool represents a powerful and rapid system for TBVs surveillance in Europe and could be easily customized to assess viral emergence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathilde Gondard
- UMR BIPAR, Animal Health Laboratory, ANSES, INRA, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, Université Paris-Est, 14 Rue P. et M. Curie, 94700 Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Lorraine Michelet
- UMR BIPAR, Animal Health Laboratory, ANSES, INRA, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, Université Paris-Est, 14 Rue P. et M. Curie, 94700 Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Athinna Nisavanh
- UMR BIPAR, Animal Health Laboratory, ANSES, INRA, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, Université Paris-Est, 14 Rue P. et M. Curie, 94700 Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Elodie Devillers
- UMR BIPAR, Animal Health Laboratory, ANSES, INRA, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, Université Paris-Est, 14 Rue P. et M. Curie, 94700 Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Sabine Delannoy
- IdentyPath Platform, Food Safety Laboratory, ANSES, 14 Rue P. et M. Curie, 94700 Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Patrick Fach
- IdentyPath Platform, Food Safety Laboratory, ANSES, 14 Rue P. et M. Curie, 94700 Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Anna Aspan
- Department of Microbiology, National Veterinary Institute (SVA), SE-751 89 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Karin Ullman
- Department of Microbiology, National Veterinary Institute (SVA), SE-751 89 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Jan Chirico
- Department of Microbiology, National Veterinary Institute (SVA), SE-751 89 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Bernd Hoffmann
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Sü dufer 10, 17493 Greifswald - Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Fimme Jan van der Wal
- Wageningen Bioveterinary Research (WBVR), Wageningen UR, Houtribweg 39, 8221 RA Lelystad, The Netherlands
| | - Aline de Koeijer
- Wageningen Bioveterinary Research (WBVR), Wageningen UR, Houtribweg 39, 8221 RA Lelystad, The Netherlands
| | - Conny van Solt-Smits
- Wageningen Bioveterinary Research (WBVR), Wageningen UR, Houtribweg 39, 8221 RA Lelystad, The Netherlands
| | - Seta Jahfari
- Laboratory for Zoonoses and Environmental Microbiology, National Institute for Public Health and Environment (RIVM), Antonie van Leeuwenhoeklaan 9, 3721 MA Bilthoven, The Netherlands
| | - Hein Sprong
- Laboratory for Zoonoses and Environmental Microbiology, National Institute for Public Health and Environment (RIVM), Antonie van Leeuwenhoeklaan 9, 3721 MA Bilthoven, The Netherlands
| | - Karen L Mansfield
- Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), Woodham Lane, New Haw, Addlestone, Surrey, KT15 3NB, United Kingdom
| | - Anthony R Fooks
- Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), Woodham Lane, New Haw, Addlestone, Surrey, KT15 3NB, United Kingdom
| | - Kirstine Klitgaard
- National Veterinary Institute, DTU, Henrik Dams Allé, Building 205B, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Rene Bødker
- National Veterinary Institute, DTU, Henrik Dams Allé, Building 205B, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Sara Moutailler
- UMR BIPAR, Animal Health Laboratory, ANSES, INRA, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, Université Paris-Est, 14 Rue P. et M. Curie, 94700 Maisons-Alfort, France
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Kohn M, Krücken J, McKay-Demeler J, Pachnicke S, Krieger K, von Samson-Himmelstjerna G. Dermacentor reticulatus in Berlin/Brandenburg (Germany): Activity patterns and associated pathogens. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2018; 10:191-206. [PMID: 30385074 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2018.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2018] [Revised: 09/03/2018] [Accepted: 10/14/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Dermacentor reticulatus is one of the most important European tick species. However, its spatial distribution, seasonality and regional vector role are not well known. This study aimed to gather information about abundance patterns of questing ticks and associated pathogens in unfed female adult D. reticulatus in the Berlin/Brandenburg area. Using the flagging method, questing ticks were collected at four sites in 2010-2012 and 2000 D. reticulatus were analysed regarding infection with Rickettsia, Babesia, Borrelia and Anaplasmataceae by conventional or real-time PCR. Dermacentor reticulatus showed a bimodal activity pattern: highest numbers of adult ticks were recorded between March and end of May (mean 50 ticks/h) and from mid-August until end of November (mean 102 ticks/h). During summer, almost complete inactivity was observed (mean 0.4 ticks/h). Sporadic samplings from December to February revealed tick activity also during winter (mean 47 ticks/h), which was characterised by large fluctuations. Using negative binomial regression analysis, significant influences of the variables sampling site, season and temperature on the abundance of questing D. reticulatus were determined. The parameters relative humidity and year were not of significant importance. PCR analyses showed an average prevalence of 64% for Rickettsia sp. Large differences in pathogen frequencies were observed between sampling sites (31.4-78.3%). Regression analysis demonstrated a significant influence of the sampling site but not of season and year. Examinations regarding other pathogen groups indicated prevalences of 0.25% (Borrelia sp.) and 0.05% (Anaplasmataceae) but absence of Babesia sp. Sequencing of positive samples revealed infections with Rickettsia raoultii, Borrelia miyamotoi, Borrelia afzelii and Anaplasma phagocytophilum. The study shows stable populations of D. reticulatus in Berlin/Brandenburg. People should be aware of ticks throughout the year since Ixodes ricinus is co-endemic and active in spring, summer and autumn while adult D. reticulatus are active throughout the year and even in winter during periods of frost as long as it is warming up during the day. Prevalence of R. raoultii in the present study is among the highest described for D. reticulatus. Borrelia miyamotoi was detected for the first time in D. reticulatus, illustrating the importance of screening studies to evaluate the pathogen structure in D. reticulatus populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mareen Kohn
- Institute for Parasitology and Tropical Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Robert-von-Ostertag-Str. 7-13, 14163, Berlin, Germany
| | - Jürgen Krücken
- Institute for Parasitology and Tropical Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Robert-von-Ostertag-Str. 7-13, 14163, Berlin, Germany
| | - Janina McKay-Demeler
- Institute for Parasitology and Tropical Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Robert-von-Ostertag-Str. 7-13, 14163, Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Klemens Krieger
- Bayer Animal Health GmbH, Alfred-Nobel-Straße 50, 40789, Monheim, Germany
| | - Georg von Samson-Himmelstjerna
- Institute for Parasitology and Tropical Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Robert-von-Ostertag-Str. 7-13, 14163, Berlin, Germany.
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Szczepańska A, Kiewra D, Guz-Regner K. Sensitivity of Ixodes ricinus (L., 1758) and Dermacentor reticulatus (Fabr., 1794) ticks to Bacillus thuringiensis isolates: preliminary study. Parasitol Res 2018; 117:3897-3902. [PMID: 30324255 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-018-6096-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2018] [Accepted: 09/26/2018] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
Bacillus thuringiensis is a highly specific entomopathogenic microorganism. Although defined as having properties which work against insects, its role in the control of tick populations is still insufficiently known. In our bioassay, four environmental strains of B. thuringiensis, along with one commercially available product (Vectobac), have been used against ticks. Vectobac turned out to be ineffective in the biocontrol of ticks; however, two of environmental B. thuringiensis strains proved to be efficient against both Ixodes ricinus and Dermacentor reticulatus. In those cases, the mortality rate for ticks was assessed as being up to 80%, and LC50 ranged between 9.1 × 106 and 1.3 × 1015 (cfu/ml). Dermacentor reticulatus males were the most sensitive to bacteria. The similarity between the most and least efficient B. thuringiensis strains in enzymatic profiles-including lipases, phosphatases, proteases, and chitinases-may indicate a limited role of detected enzymes in the pathogenicity profile of bacterial strains against ticks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Szczepańska
- Department of Microbial Ecology and Environmental Protection, Institute of Genetics and Microbiology, University of Wroclaw, Przybyszewskiego str. 63/77, 51-148, Wroclaw, Poland.
| | - Dorota Kiewra
- Department of Microbial Ecology and Environmental Protection, Institute of Genetics and Microbiology, University of Wroclaw, Przybyszewskiego str. 63/77, 51-148, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Guz-Regner
- Department of Microbiology, IGM University of Wroclaw, Przybyszewskiego str. 63/77, 51-148, Wroclaw, Poland
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Kubiak K, Sielawa H, Dziekońska-Rynko J, Kubiak D, Rydzewska M, Dzika E. Dermacentor reticulatus ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) distribution in north-eastern Poland: an endemic area of tick-borne diseases. EXPERIMENTAL & APPLIED ACAROLOGY 2018; 75:289-298. [PMID: 30027324 PMCID: PMC6097734 DOI: 10.1007/s10493-018-0274-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2018] [Accepted: 06/20/2018] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
Dermacentor reticulatus is the second most important tick species in Poland. Although the north-eastern region of Poland is considered typical for D. reticulatus and is treated as a contiguous area of Eastern populations of the meadow ticks, the occurrence of this tick species in this region to date has been recorded as separate foci. The present report supplements data on the geographical distribution of D. reticulatus in urban and natural biotopes of north-eastern Poland (Warmia and Mazury province). In 2015-2017 (during the springtime activity of ticks) adult questing D. reticulatus were found in 13 of 25 monitored localities. Six sites are located in urbanized areas, within the administrative borders of the city of Olsztyn and seven sites are in natural biotopes in the central part of Warmia and Mazury. A total of 398 adult D. reticulatus ticks, including 257 females and 141 males, were collected. A comparison of data grouped according to urban and natural type of area revealed no statistical differences between them. Taking into account the habitat type, the mean tick density was the highest in open landscapes. The identification of new foci D. reticulatus in the endemic areas of Lyme borreliosis, tick-borne encephalitis and canine babesiosis is crucial for determining the risk of diseases transmitted by ticks and taking proper preventive measures.
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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.
| | - Hanna Sielawa
- 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
| | - 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
| | - Martyna Rydzewska
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Oczapowskiego 2, 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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Zhou Z, Wu Y, Chen Y, Wang Z, Hu S, Zhou R, Dong C, Lin H, Nie K. Molecular and serological prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii and Anaplasma spp. infection in goats from Chongqing Municipality, China. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2018; 25:20. [PMID: 29633708 PMCID: PMC5892175 DOI: 10.1051/parasite/2018024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2017] [Accepted: 03/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Toxoplasmosis and anaplasmosis are severe zoonotic diseases, the former caused by Toxoplasma gondii and the latter by Anaplasma spp. In the present study, 332 goat blood samples were randomly collected from Chongqing Municipality, China to screen for T. gondii and Anaplasma spp. We used a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to detect DNA, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to test for T. gondii antibodies. The prevalence of T. gondii and Anaplasma spp. was 38% and 35% respectively by PCR, and 42% for T. gondii antibodies by ELISA. The co-infection rate by T. gondii and Anaplasma was 13%, where the two predominant pathogens co-infecting were Anaplasma phagocytophilum + A. bovis (10%), followed by T. gondii + A. phagocytophilum (9.64%). While co-infection by three pathogens varied ranging from 1.81% to 5.72%, less than 1% of goats were found to be positive for four pathogens. This is the first investigation of T. gondii and Anaplasma spp. infection in goats from Chongqing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zuoyong Zhou
- College of Animal Science, Rongchang Campus of Southwest University, No. 160 Xueyuan Road, Rongchang District, Chongqing 402460, PR China - Veterinary Science Engineering Research Center of Chongqing, No. 160 Xueyuan Road, Rongchang District, Chongqing 402460, PR China
| | - Yutong Wu
- Guizhou Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine, No. 2 Laolipo, Naming District, Guizhou 550005, PR China
| | - Yiwang Chen
- College of Animal Science, Rongchang Campus of Southwest University, No. 160 Xueyuan Road, Rongchang District, Chongqing 402460, PR China - Veterinary Science Engineering Research Center of Chongqing, No. 160 Xueyuan Road, Rongchang District, Chongqing 402460, PR China
| | - Zhiying Wang
- College of Animal Science, Rongchang Campus of Southwest University, No. 160 Xueyuan Road, Rongchang District, Chongqing 402460, PR China - Veterinary Science Engineering Research Center of Chongqing, No. 160 Xueyuan Road, Rongchang District, Chongqing 402460, PR China
| | - Shijun Hu
- College of Animal Science, Rongchang Campus of Southwest University, No. 160 Xueyuan Road, Rongchang District, Chongqing 402460, PR China - Veterinary Science Engineering Research Center of Chongqing, No. 160 Xueyuan Road, Rongchang District, Chongqing 402460, PR China
| | - Rongqiong Zhou
- College of Animal Science, Rongchang Campus of Southwest University, No. 160 Xueyuan Road, Rongchang District, Chongqing 402460, PR China - Veterinary Science Engineering Research Center of Chongqing, No. 160 Xueyuan Road, Rongchang District, Chongqing 402460, PR China
| | - Chunxia Dong
- Chongqing Animal Disease Prevention and Control Center, Chongqing 400174, PR China
| | - Hongquan Lin
- Chongqing Animal Disease Prevention and Control Center, Chongqing 400174, PR China
| | - Kui Nie
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Southwest University, Beibei District Chongqing 400715, PR China
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Varloud M, Liebenberg J, Fourie J. Early Babesia canis transmission in dogs within 24 h and 8 h of infestation with infected pre-activated male Dermacentor reticulatus ticks. Parasit Vectors 2018; 11:41. [PMID: 29343275 PMCID: PMC5772715 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-018-2637-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2017] [Accepted: 01/10/2018] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND This study was designed to assess the ability of fed male Dermacentor reticulatus ticks to transmit Babesia canis to dogs after being detached from previous canine or ovine hosts. METHODS The study was an exploratory, parallel group design conducted in two trials. All the animals were sero-negative for babesiosis prior to enrolment. In a first trial, donor dogs and donor sheep were infested with Babesia canis infected male and uninfected female ticks for 72 h. The ticks were detached and the second group of host dogs were infested for 24 h before tick removal. In a second trial, the experiment was repeated but the donor animals were infested for 88 h and the second group of host dogs were infested for 8 h prior to tick removal. After infestation, the dogs were maintained under clinical surveillance and blood samples were collected for blood smear, IFA and PCR analysis. A dog was considered infected if any of these tests were positive. RESULTS All of the dogs (6 out of 6) were infected after being exposed to pre-activated male ticks for 24 h. Half of the dogs were infected after being exposed to pre-activated ticks for 8 h: 1 out of 3 dogs infested with ticks removed from sheep and 2 out of 3 dogs infested with ticks removed from dog. All the infected dogs were positive to blood smear, IFA and PCR. Three of these dogs exhibited elevated body temperature (> 39.4 °C). CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrates the ability of male D. reticulatus to transmit B. canis to dogs. The study also illustrates for the first time that, regardless of the first host on which ticks may attach and start feeding, Babesia canis can be transmitted to dogs within 8 h of infestation. Since no minimal transmission time can be established for all possible natural situations, a strategy of prevention based on anti-attachment or repellency is recommended.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie Varloud
- Ceva Santé Animale, 10 Avenue de la Ballastière, 33500, Libourne, France.
| | - Julian Liebenberg
- Clinvet International, P.O. Box 11186, Universitas, Bloemfontein, 9321, South Africa
| | - Josephus Fourie
- Clinvet International, P.O. Box 11186, Universitas, Bloemfontein, 9321, South Africa
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