Haemaphysalis concinna is a Palearctic tick species known as a potential or proven vector of several pathogens, including a broad spectrum of Babesia and Theileria species. The aim of this study was to examine the monthly presence of these piroplasms in H. concinna specimens collected from the vegetation of an urban habitat in Budapest, Hungary, in 2019 and 2020. The questing abundance of H. concinna was highest in June. By contrast, the occurrence of T. capreoli in unfed H. concinna peaked in April, and was significantly more common in the spring, than in the rest of the year. Among the detected eleven Babesia genotypes, two were present only in nymphs and adults of H. concinna. These were identical in the amplified part of their 18S rRNA gene to piroplasms reported from the Far East. Three further Babesia genotypes, however, showed genetic heterogeneity and were also carried by larvae. Babesia-infected nymphs and adults were most common in May and July.
In conclusion, the results of this study show that in a questing population of H. concinna the highest monthly prevalence of Babesia and Theileria spp. may be different from each other and from the peak abundance of carrier ticks. Based on previous reports on the effect of tick-borne pathogens on other species of ticks, the factors that may influence this phenomenon in H. concinna may include changes in the metabolism and behavior (host finding and feeding success) as well as survival rate of infected ticks. Further studies will be necessary to clarify this.
{"title":"Uneven temporal distribution of piroplasms (Piroplasmida: Babesiidae, Theileriidae) in Haemaphysalis concinna in an urban biotope of the Western Palearctic focus region of this tick species","authors":"Gergő Keve , Ciara Reynolds , Nóra Takács , Sándor Hornok","doi":"10.1016/j.ttbdis.2025.102458","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ttbdis.2025.102458","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Haemaphysalis concinna</em> is a Palearctic tick species known as a potential or proven vector of several pathogens, including a broad spectrum of <em>Babesia</em> and <em>Theileria</em> species. The aim of this study was to examine the monthly presence of these piroplasms in <em>H. concinna</em> specimens collected from the vegetation of an urban habitat in Budapest, Hungary, in 2019 and 2020. The questing abundance of <em>H. concinna</em> was highest in June. By contrast, the occurrence of <em>T. capreoli</em> in unfed <em>H. concinna</em> peaked in April, and was significantly more common in the spring, than in the rest of the year. Among the detected eleven <em>Babesia</em> genotypes, two were present only in nymphs and adults of <em>H. concinna</em>. These were identical in the amplified part of their 18S rRNA gene to piroplasms reported from the Far East. Three further <em>Babesia</em> genotypes, however, showed genetic heterogeneity and were also carried by larvae. <em>Babesia</em>-infected nymphs and adults were most common in May and July.</div><div>In conclusion, the results of this study show that in a questing population of <em>H. concinna</em> the highest monthly prevalence of <em>Babesia</em> and <em>Theileria</em> spp. may be different from each other and from the peak abundance of carrier ticks. Based on previous reports on the effect of tick-borne pathogens on other species of ticks, the factors that may influence this phenomenon in <em>H. concinna</em> may include changes in the metabolism and behavior (host finding and feeding success) as well as survival rate of infected ticks. Further studies will be necessary to clarify this.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49320,"journal":{"name":"Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases","volume":"16 2","pages":"Article 102458"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2025-02-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143463460","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-02-21DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2025.102456
Matej Kautman , Branka Bilbija , Markéta Nováková , Emil Tkadlec , Ivo Papoušek , Peter Mikulíček , David Jandzik , Hossein Javanbakht , Ghoulem Tiar , Pavel Široký
Ticks are important vectors of various microorganisms, including bacteria. In this study, we examined Hyalomma aegyptium ticks collected from 240 spur-thighed tortoises Testudo graeca at 42 localities in the Mediterranean and Middle East and analysed them for the presence of bacteria of the genera Anaplasma, Borrelia, Coxiella, and Rickettsia. Altogether, 576 out of 928 analysed ticks (62.1%) were positive for at least one of the tested bacteria. The highest prevalence in individual ticks was found for Borrelia turcica (43.6%), followed by Rickettsia (12.3%) and Anaplasma (6.1%). No sample was positive for Coxiella burnetii. Among Rickettsia, we detected two species, Rickettsia africae and Rickettsia aeschlimannii, and also other unspecified Rickettsia. Anaplasma (100% identity with A. phagocytophilum) was detected at 15 (35%) out of 42 studied localities, any of Rickettsia at 28 (67%), and B. turcica at 32 (76%) localities. The geographic distribution of the studied microorganisms varied, with none of them detected in Syria, and only Rickettsia spp. detected in Morocco. Sequence analysis revealed substantial genetic variability in all detected agents, with the most variable (36 new haplotypes) being glpQ gene used as a marker for B. turcica. We also analysed the prevalence of various co-infections among studied ticks, with the mean number of co-infected ticks per tortoise increased with the number of ticks per tortoise. However, the frequencies of co-infected ticks do not indicate the presence of antagonistic or synergistic facilitative interactions between the agents. According to our data, we could expect that the eco-epidemiological importance of H. aegyptium does not stem from their tortoise hosts but rather from the low host specificity of its larvae and nymphs, feeding on a wider spectrum of reptilian, avian, and mammalian hosts.
{"title":"The importance of the tortoise tick Hyalomma aegyptium as a carrier of bacterial agents on a wide range","authors":"Matej Kautman , Branka Bilbija , Markéta Nováková , Emil Tkadlec , Ivo Papoušek , Peter Mikulíček , David Jandzik , Hossein Javanbakht , Ghoulem Tiar , Pavel Široký","doi":"10.1016/j.ttbdis.2025.102456","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ttbdis.2025.102456","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Ticks are important vectors of various microorganisms, including bacteria. In this study, we examined <em>Hyalomma aegyptium</em> ticks collected from 240 spur-thighed tortoises <em>Testudo graeca</em> at 42 localities in the Mediterranean and Middle East and analysed them for the presence of bacteria of the genera <em>Anaplasma, Borrelia, Coxiella</em>, and <em>Rickettsia</em>. Altogether, 576 out of 928 analysed ticks (62.1%) were positive for at least one of the tested bacteria. The highest prevalence in individual ticks was found for <em>Borrelia turcica</em> (43.6%), followed by <em>Rickettsia</em> (12.3%) and <em>Anaplasma</em> (6.1%). No sample was positive for <em>Coxiella burnetii</em>. Among <em>Rickettsia</em>, we detected two species, <em>Rickettsia africae</em> and <em>Rickettsia aeschlimannii</em>, and also other unspecified <em>Rickettsia. Anaplasma</em> (100% identity with <em>A. phagocytophilum</em>) was detected at 15 (35%) out of 42 studied localities, any of <em>Rickettsia</em> at 28 (67%), and <em>B. turcica</em> at 32 (76%) localities. The geographic distribution of the studied microorganisms varied, with none of them detected in Syria, and only <em>Rickettsia</em> spp. detected in Morocco. Sequence analysis revealed substantial genetic variability in all detected agents, with the most variable (36 new haplotypes) being <em>glpQ</em> gene used as a marker for <em>B. turcica</em>. We also analysed the prevalence of various co-infections among studied ticks, with the mean number of co-infected ticks per tortoise increased with the number of ticks per tortoise. However, the frequencies of co-infected ticks do not indicate the presence of antagonistic or synergistic facilitative interactions between the agents. According to our data, we could expect that the eco-epidemiological importance of <em>H. aegyptium</em> does not stem from their tortoise hosts but rather from the low host specificity of its larvae and nymphs, feeding on a wider spectrum of reptilian, avian, and mammalian hosts.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49320,"journal":{"name":"Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases","volume":"16 2","pages":"Article 102456"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2025-02-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143453744","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-02-14DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2025.102454
Gordon Brestrich , Madiha Shafquat , Frederick J. Angulo , Alexander Davidson , Kristian Lie , Kate Halsby , Julie Davis , Jennifer Moïsi , James H. Stark
Lyme borreliosis (LB) is the most common tick-borne disease in Europe. Many European countries conduct LB surveillance, but these data do not always capture the complete burden on the healthcare system and are difficult to compare across countries due to unstandardized reporting procedures. In this study, we combined data from public health surveillance and published literature to estimate the incidence of patients with LB seeking healthcare by clinical manifestation in Norway, Finland, and Poland.
Surveillance data in each country were combined with medical administrative datasets (e.g., public health registries, claims databases, electronic medical records) to estimate the incidence of medically-attended LB. These estimates were adjusted to exclude cases that were not prescribed LB-specific antibiotics, and remove cases present in multiple datasets. Country-specific distributions of clinical manifestations were used to obtain medically-attended incidence by clinical manifestation. We estimated a high incidence of medically-attended LB in Norway (213.2 / 100,000 population per year [PPY]), Finland (116.4 / 100,000 PPY), and Poland (130.9 / 100,000 PPY). This corresponds to 67,578 annual cases or 2.7 times more than reported by surveillance in these countries. Incidence of disseminated LB was also substantial with 9.9, 36.3 and 6.2/ 100,000 PPY in Norway, Finland and Poland respectively corresponding to a total of 4,920 annual cases. This study provides estimates for incidence of medically-attended LB, including disseminated LB, in three European countries and highlights the limitations of surveillance data alone in assessing LB burden.
{"title":"Estimation of medically-attended LB incidence in Norway, Finland and Poland using data from national surveillance and published literature","authors":"Gordon Brestrich , Madiha Shafquat , Frederick J. Angulo , Alexander Davidson , Kristian Lie , Kate Halsby , Julie Davis , Jennifer Moïsi , James H. Stark","doi":"10.1016/j.ttbdis.2025.102454","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ttbdis.2025.102454","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Lyme borreliosis (LB) is the most common tick-borne disease in Europe. Many European countries conduct LB surveillance, but these data do not always capture the complete burden on the healthcare system and are difficult to compare across countries due to unstandardized reporting procedures. In this study, we combined data from public health surveillance and published literature to estimate the incidence of patients with LB seeking healthcare by clinical manifestation in Norway, Finland, and Poland.</div><div>Surveillance data in each country were combined with medical administrative datasets (e.g., public health registries, claims databases, electronic medical records) to estimate the incidence of medically-attended LB. These estimates were adjusted to exclude cases that were not prescribed LB-specific antibiotics, and remove cases present in multiple datasets. Country-specific distributions of clinical manifestations were used to obtain medically-attended incidence by clinical manifestation. We estimated a high incidence of medically-attended LB in Norway (213.2 / 100,000 population per year [PPY]), Finland (116.4 / 100,000 PPY), and Poland (130.9 / 100,000 PPY). This corresponds to 67,578 annual cases or 2.7 times more than reported by surveillance in these countries. Incidence of disseminated LB was also substantial with 9.9, 36.3 and 6.2/ 100,000 PPY in Norway, Finland and Poland respectively corresponding to a total of 4,920 annual cases. This study provides estimates for incidence of medically-attended LB, including disseminated LB, in three European countries and highlights the limitations of surveillance data alone in assessing LB burden.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49320,"journal":{"name":"Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases","volume":"16 2","pages":"Article 102454"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2025-02-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143402893","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-02-13DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2025.102457
Lara M.I. Heyse , Nina Król , Zaida Rentería-Solís , Torsten Langner , Nico P. Reinhardt , Martin Pfeffer , Stefan Birka , Patrick S. Sebastian , Anna Obiegala
Germany is harbouring the majority of Europe's raccoon population, which are considered as invasive neozoa. Many zoonotic pathogens are found in wild raccoons worldwide, but there is a lack of eco-epidemiological data for most of Germany's raccoon populations concerning tick-borne pathogens (TBPs). This is why tissue samples of 485 free-ranging raccoons originating from ten federal states of Germany between the years of 2017 and 2021 were examined for the presence of five TBPs (Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, Rickettsia spp., Bartonella spp., Babesia spp. and Neoehrlichia mikurensis) with zoonotic relevance using molecular methods. Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato was detected in 21 (6.3 %) raccoons, Rickettsia spp. were found in 26 (7.8 %) and Bartonella spp. in 3 (0.6 %) raccoons. Babesia spp. and Neoehrlichia mikurensis were not detected.
{"title":"Tick-borne pathogens in raccoons (Procyon lotor) from Germany","authors":"Lara M.I. Heyse , Nina Król , Zaida Rentería-Solís , Torsten Langner , Nico P. Reinhardt , Martin Pfeffer , Stefan Birka , Patrick S. Sebastian , Anna Obiegala","doi":"10.1016/j.ttbdis.2025.102457","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ttbdis.2025.102457","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Germany is harbouring the majority of Europe's raccoon population, which are considered as invasive neozoa. Many zoonotic pathogens are found in wild raccoons worldwide, but there is a lack of eco-epidemiological data for most of Germany's raccoon populations concerning tick-borne pathogens (TBPs). This is why tissue samples of 485 free-ranging raccoons originating from ten federal states of Germany between the years of 2017 and 2021 were examined for the presence of five TBPs (<em>Borrelia burgdorferi</em> sensu lato, <em>Rickettsia</em> spp., <em>Bartonella</em> spp., <em>Babesia</em> spp. and <em>Neoehrlichia mikurensis</em>) with zoonotic relevance using molecular methods. <em>Borrelia burgdorferi</em> sensu lato was detected in 21 (6.3 %) raccoons, <em>Rickettsia</em> spp. were found in 26 (7.8 %) and <em>Bartonella</em> spp. in 3 (0.6 %) raccoons. <em>Babesia</em> spp. and <em>Neoehrlichia mikurensis</em> were not detected.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49320,"journal":{"name":"Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases","volume":"16 2","pages":"Article 102457"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2025-02-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143402892","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-02-12DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2025.102455
S. Viridiana Laredo-Tiscareño , Javier A. Garza-Hernandez , Chandra S. Tangudu , Wichan Dankaona , Carlos A. Rodríguez-Alarcón , Rodolfo Gonzalez-Peña , Jaime R. Adame-Gallegos , Diana M. Beristain-Ruiz , Ignacio Netzahualcoyotl Barajas-López , Alissa M. Hargett , Ulrike G. Munderloh , Bradley J. Blitvich
We examined ticks from Mexico using viral metagenomics to increase our understanding of the composition and diversity of the tick virome. The analysis was performed using 3,127 ticks of four Ixodidae spp. and one Argasidae spp. collected in 2019 to 2021 from domestic animals in four states of Mexico (Chiapas, Chihuahua, Guerrero, and Michoacán). All ticks were homogenized and tested for viruses using two approaches. In the first approach, an aliquot of each homogenate underwent two blind passages in Ixodes scapularis (ISE6) cells. Supernatants from all second passage cultures were subjected to polyethylene glycol (PEG) precipitation to enrich for virions then RNAs were extracted from the precipitates and analyzed by unbiased high-throughput sequencing (UHTS). In the second approach, an aliquot of every homogenate was subjected to PEG precipitation then RNAs were extracted and analyzed by UHTS, allowing for the detection of viruses unable to replicate in ISE6 cells. We identified seven novel species of viruses from multiple taxonomic groups (Bunyavirales, Flaviviridae, Nodaviridae, Nyamivirdae, Rhabdoviridae, Solemoviridae, and Totiviridae), some of which are highly divergent from all classified viruses and cannot be assigned to any established genus. Twelve recognized species of viruses were also identified. In summary, multiple novel and recognized viruses were detected in ticks from Mexico, highlighting the remarkable diversity of the tick virome.
{"title":"Detection of multiple novel viruses in argasid and ixodid ticks in Mexico","authors":"S. Viridiana Laredo-Tiscareño , Javier A. Garza-Hernandez , Chandra S. Tangudu , Wichan Dankaona , Carlos A. Rodríguez-Alarcón , Rodolfo Gonzalez-Peña , Jaime R. Adame-Gallegos , Diana M. Beristain-Ruiz , Ignacio Netzahualcoyotl Barajas-López , Alissa M. Hargett , Ulrike G. Munderloh , Bradley J. Blitvich","doi":"10.1016/j.ttbdis.2025.102455","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ttbdis.2025.102455","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>We examined ticks from Mexico using viral metagenomics to increase our understanding of the composition and diversity of the tick virome. The analysis was performed using 3,127 ticks of four <em>Ixodidae</em> spp. and one <em>Argasidae</em> spp. collected in 2019 to 2021 from domestic animals in four states of Mexico (Chiapas, Chihuahua, Guerrero, and Michoacán). All ticks were homogenized and tested for viruses using two approaches. In the first approach, an aliquot of each homogenate underwent two blind passages in <em>Ixodes scapularis</em> (ISE6) cells. Supernatants from all second passage cultures were subjected to polyethylene glycol (PEG) precipitation to enrich for virions then RNAs were extracted from the precipitates and analyzed by unbiased high-throughput sequencing (UHTS). In the second approach, an aliquot of every homogenate was subjected to PEG precipitation then RNAs were extracted and analyzed by UHTS, allowing for the detection of viruses unable to replicate in ISE6 cells. We identified seven novel species of viruses from multiple taxonomic groups (<em>Bunyavirales, Flaviviridae, Nodaviridae, Nyamivirdae, Rhabdoviridae, Solemoviridae</em>, and <em>Totiviridae</em>), some of which are highly divergent from all classified viruses and cannot be assigned to any established genus. Twelve recognized species of viruses were also identified. In summary, multiple novel and recognized viruses were detected in ticks from Mexico, highlighting the remarkable diversity of the tick virome.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49320,"journal":{"name":"Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases","volume":"16 2","pages":"Article 102455"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2025-02-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143395668","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-02-12DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2025.102453
Chiara Cialini , Alessandra Cafiso , Mattias Waldeck , Åsa Lundgren , Johan Fält , Bo Settergren , Phimphanit Choklikitumnuey , Giulia Chiappa , Eleonora Rosso , Laura Roveri , Elisa Fesce , Nicola Ferrari , Per-Eric Lindgren , Chiara Bazzocchi , Giulio Grandi
Ixodes ricinus, the most common tick species in Northern Europe, plays a significant role as a vector of several pathogens, with its geographical distribution expanding in recent years. In Southern Sweden, particularly in Region Skåne County (referred to as Skåne), the favorable climate and landscape conditions support extensive proliferation of I. ricinus. Despite Lyme borreliosis being common in this region and few annual cases of tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) being reported, data on the circulation of tick-borne pathogens (TBPs) remain limited. This study molecularly investigated the presence of Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Babesia spp., Borrelia spp., and TBE virus (TBEV) in I. ricinus ticks (n = 1000). In detail, questing ticks (82 adults and 196 nymphs) were collected from vegetation in forest and meadow areas, while 581, 80 and 8 feeding adults were collected from 39 roe deer, 6 fallow deer and 1 moose, respectively. Additionally, 53 feeding adults were removed from domestic animals (42 from four dogs and 11 from one cat).
The molecular analyses detected Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Borrelia spp., and Babesia spp. in 54 %, 24 %, 3.2 % of host-feeding ticks and in 0.40 %, 35 %, 3.6 % of questing ticks, respectively. In detail, for Borrelia and Babesia genera, the following species were detected: Borrelia miyamotoi, Borrelia afzelii, Borrelia garinii, Borrelia burgdorferi s.s., Babesia microti and Babesia venatorum. TBEV was not detected.
Moreover, the relationship between the feeding duration of the roe deer-collected ticks and their PCR-positivity for Borrelia spp. and A. phagocytophilum was also modeled. The results showed a reduction in the probability of tick infection with Borrelia spp. as attachment time increased, supporting evidence that roe deer serum exerts a borreliacidal effect. This study highlights the presence of several zoonotic TBPs in Skåne, emphasizing the need for a structured monitoring plan and preventive strategies within a One Health framework.
{"title":"Prevalence of tick-borne pathogens in feeding and questing Ixodes ricinus ticks from Southern Sweden","authors":"Chiara Cialini , Alessandra Cafiso , Mattias Waldeck , Åsa Lundgren , Johan Fält , Bo Settergren , Phimphanit Choklikitumnuey , Giulia Chiappa , Eleonora Rosso , Laura Roveri , Elisa Fesce , Nicola Ferrari , Per-Eric Lindgren , Chiara Bazzocchi , Giulio Grandi","doi":"10.1016/j.ttbdis.2025.102453","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ttbdis.2025.102453","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Ixodes ricinus</em>, the most common tick species in Northern Europe, plays a significant role as a vector of several pathogens, with its geographical distribution expanding in recent years. In Southern Sweden, particularly in Region Skåne County (referred to as Skåne), the favorable climate and landscape conditions support extensive proliferation of <em>I. ricinus</em>. Despite Lyme borreliosis being common in this region and few annual cases of tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) being reported, data on the circulation of tick-borne pathogens (TBPs) remain limited. This study molecularly investigated the presence of <em>Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Babesia</em> spp., <em>Borrelia</em> spp., and TBE virus (TBEV) in <em>I. ricinus</em> ticks (<em>n</em> = 1000). In detail, questing ticks (82 adults and 196 nymphs) were collected from vegetation in forest and meadow areas, while 581, 80 and 8 feeding adults were collected from 39 roe deer, 6 fallow deer and 1 moose, respectively. Additionally, 53 feeding adults were removed from domestic animals (42 from four dogs and 11 from one cat).</div><div>The molecular analyses detected <em>Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Borrelia</em> spp., and <em>Babesia</em> spp. in 54 %, 24 %, 3.2 % of host-feeding ticks and in 0.40 %, 35 %, 3.6 % of questing ticks, respectively. In detail, for <em>Borrelia</em> and <em>Babesia</em> genera, the following species were detected: <em>Borrelia miyamotoi, Borrelia afzelii, Borrelia garinii, Borrelia burgdorferi</em> s.s<em>., Babesia microti</em> and <em>Babesia venatorum</em>. TBEV was not detected.</div><div>Moreover, the relationship between the feeding duration of the roe deer-collected ticks and their PCR-positivity for <em>Borrelia</em> spp. and <em>A. phagocytophilum</em> was also modeled. The results showed a reduction in the probability of tick infection with <em>Borrelia</em> spp. as attachment time increased, supporting evidence that roe deer serum exerts a borreliacidal effect. This study highlights the presence of several zoonotic TBPs in Skåne, emphasizing the need for a structured monitoring plan and preventive strategies within a One Health framework.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49320,"journal":{"name":"Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases","volume":"16 2","pages":"Article 102453"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2025-02-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143395667","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-02-07DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2025.102445
Stefanie Böhm , Andreas Beyerlein , Volker Fingerle , Merle M. Böhmer , Manfred Wildner
Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) frequently causes severe disease or even long-term sequelae, especially in adults. In Germany, TBE risk areas are defined based on historical TBE incidences at the district level and are updated yearly. Meanwhile, almost all Bavarian districts are designated risk areas. TBE vaccination is recommended for residents or visitors of these risk areas. However, recent evidence indicates that only around one fifth of adults and one third of children and adolescents are vaccinated against TBE. Most persons notified with TBE (>97 %) are found to be not or insufficiently vaccinated. Our study aimed to identify the reasons for and against TBE vaccination among persons at high risk for tick-borne diseases (TBD) based on recent diagnosis of Lyme borreliosis (LB) to inform future preventive measures.
We invited persons with a recent course of LB notified between June and August 2019 to complete a self-reported questionnaire about their knowledge, attitudes and behaviours regarding TBD-related themes. We examined self-reported TBE vaccination status using different categories based on the number of doses received.
Information on their TBE vaccination status was provided by 366 of 376 eligible participants, of whom 249 (68 %) reported to have been vaccinated. Of 228 participants who provided further details, 142 (62 %) reported to have received a regular booster vaccination. Apart from age category and TBD-specific knowledge level, vaccination status was not associated with any other sociodemographic or residence-specific factors, outdoor behaviours, occupational exposure, or prior experiences with ticks or TBDs. Main reasons for vaccination were living in a TBE risk area, spending time in tick-prone environments and recommendation by a physician. Main barriers were vaccine scepticism, fear of side effects, not having given TBE vaccination any thought and low risk perception.
These results suggest that in order to achieve a higher vaccination coverage to prevent TBE cases, awareness about TBE risk areas and the recommended vaccination need to be raised. Addressing misconceptions and increasing trust in vaccine safety appears crucial to address perceived barriers. Engaging trusted sources, such as medical professionals, and both implementing broad public campaigns and focusing on high-risk groups are key strategies for increasing vaccination uptake.
{"title":"Tick-borne encephalitis vaccination in persons with a recent history of Lyme borreliosis: Insights from a Knowledge, Attitudes and Behaviour survey in Bavaria, Germany","authors":"Stefanie Böhm , Andreas Beyerlein , Volker Fingerle , Merle M. Böhmer , Manfred Wildner","doi":"10.1016/j.ttbdis.2025.102445","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ttbdis.2025.102445","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) frequently causes severe disease or even long-term sequelae, especially in adults. In Germany, TBE risk areas are defined based on historical TBE incidences at the district level and are updated yearly. Meanwhile, almost all Bavarian districts are designated risk areas. TBE vaccination is recommended for residents or visitors of these risk areas. However, recent evidence indicates that only around one fifth of adults and one third of children and adolescents are vaccinated against TBE. Most persons notified with TBE (>97 %) are found to be not or insufficiently vaccinated. Our study aimed to identify the reasons for and against TBE vaccination among persons at high risk for tick-borne diseases (TBD) based on recent diagnosis of Lyme borreliosis (LB) to inform future preventive measures.</div><div>We invited persons with a recent course of LB notified between June and August 2019 to complete a self-reported questionnaire about their knowledge, attitudes and behaviours regarding TBD-related themes. We examined self-reported TBE vaccination status using different categories based on the number of doses received.</div><div>Information on their TBE vaccination status was provided by 366 of 376 eligible participants, of whom 249 (68 %) reported to have been vaccinated. Of 228 participants who provided further details, 142 (62 %) reported to have received a regular booster vaccination. Apart from age category and TBD-specific knowledge level, vaccination status was not associated with any other sociodemographic or residence-specific factors, outdoor behaviours, occupational exposure, or prior experiences with ticks or TBDs. Main reasons for vaccination were living in a TBE risk area, spending time in tick-prone environments and recommendation by a physician. Main barriers were vaccine scepticism, fear of side effects, not having given TBE vaccination any thought and low risk perception.</div><div>These results suggest that in order to achieve a higher vaccination coverage to prevent TBE cases, awareness about TBE risk areas and the recommended vaccination need to be raised. Addressing misconceptions and increasing trust in vaccine safety appears crucial to address perceived barriers. Engaging trusted sources, such as medical professionals, and both implementing broad public campaigns and focusing on high-risk groups are key strategies for increasing vaccination uptake.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49320,"journal":{"name":"Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases","volume":"16 2","pages":"Article 102445"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2025-02-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143350076","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-01-30DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2025.102443
Shahin Tajeri , Perle Latré de Laté , Johanneke D. Hemmink , Christina Vrettou , Gordon Langsley , W. Ivan Morrison
Theileria annulata and Theileria lestoquardi are deadly tick-borne parasites of cattle and sheep, respectively. These parasites are transmitted by Hyalomma ticks, and their geographical distributions partially overlap, with T. annulata having a wider range. Theileria lestoquardi infection is highly pathogenic in its natural sheep and goat hosts while T. annulata infection usually causes a mild disease in these species. Interestingly, T. annulata does not produce merozoites/piroplasms in sheep and goats, therefore it is not tick-transmissible. The aim of the current study was to understand the basis of the attenuated pathogenicity of ovine infections by T. annulata. Theileria annulata and T. lestoquardi sporozoites were used to infect sheep and parasitized ovine leukocytes were isolated and phenotyped. This revealed that T. annulata sporozites target ovine B-cells, whereas T. lestoquardi sporozoite infection was not restricted to ovine B-cells. The ability of ovine B-cells infected with T. lestoquardi or T. annulata to traverse Matrigel in vitro was investigated, as a surrogate for their ability to disseminate in vivo and cause disease. The Matrigel traversal index of T. lestoquardi-transformed ovine B-cells was significantly higher than that of T. annulata-transformed ovine B-cells isolated from the same host, consistent with the reported diminished pathogenicity of T. annulata infections in sheep. Theileria lestoquardi-transformed ovine B-cells preferentially expressed matrix metalloproteinase 2 (mmp2), whereas T. annulata-infected ovine B-cells strongly expressed mmp9. Correspondingly, MMP9 protein levels and collagenase activity were higher in T. annulata-transformed ovine B-cells. However, T. annulata-transformed ovine B-cells expressed higher levels of transcripts for Tissue Inhibitor of Metallopeptidases 1 and 2 (TIMP1 and TIMP2). TIMPs are the natural endogenous inhibitors of MMPs. This argues that their heightened expression could underpin the significantly lower Matrigel traversal activity of T. annulata-infected compared to T. lestoquardi-infected ovine B-cells.
{"title":"Theileria annulata infects B-cells in sheep, which display lower dissemination potential compared to T. lestoquardi-infected ovine B-cells","authors":"Shahin Tajeri , Perle Latré de Laté , Johanneke D. Hemmink , Christina Vrettou , Gordon Langsley , W. Ivan Morrison","doi":"10.1016/j.ttbdis.2025.102443","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ttbdis.2025.102443","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Theileria annulata</em> and <em>Theileria lestoquardi</em> are deadly tick-borne parasites of cattle and sheep, respectively. These parasites are transmitted by <em>Hyalomma</em> ticks, and their geographical distributions partially overlap, with <em>T. annulata</em> having a wider range. <em>Theileria lestoquardi</em> infection is highly pathogenic in its natural sheep and goat hosts while <em>T. annulata</em> infection usually causes a mild disease in these species. Interestingly, <em>T. annulata</em> does not produce merozoites/piroplasms in sheep and goats, therefore it is not tick-transmissible. The aim of the current study was to understand the basis of the attenuated pathogenicity of ovine infections by <em>T. annulata. Theileria annulata</em> and <em>T. lestoquardi</em> sporozoites were used to infect sheep and parasitized ovine leukocytes were isolated and phenotyped. This revealed that <em>T. annulata</em> sporozites target ovine B-cells, whereas <em>T. lestoquardi</em> sporozoite infection was not restricted to ovine B-cells. The ability of ovine B-cells infected with <em>T. lestoquardi</em> or <em>T. annulata</em> to traverse Matrigel <em>in vitro</em> was investigated<em>,</em> as a surrogate for their ability to disseminate <em>in vivo</em> and cause disease. The Matrigel traversal index of <em>T. lestoquardi</em>-transformed ovine B-cells was significantly higher than that of <em>T. annulata</em>-transformed ovine B-cells isolated from the same host, consistent with the reported diminished pathogenicity of <em>T. annulata</em> infections in sheep. <em>Theileria lestoquardi</em>-transformed ovine B-cells preferentially expressed matrix metalloproteinase 2 (<em>mmp2</em>)<em>,</em> whereas <em>T. annulata</em>-infected ovine B-cells strongly expressed <em>mmp9.</em> Correspondingly, MMP9 protein levels and collagenase activity were higher in <em>T. annulata</em>-transformed ovine B-cells. However, <em>T. annulata</em>-transformed ovine B-cells expressed higher levels of transcripts for Tissue Inhibitor of Metallopeptidases 1 and 2 (TIMP1 and TIMP2). TIMPs are the natural endogenous inhibitors of MMPs. This argues that their heightened expression could underpin the significantly lower Matrigel traversal activity of <em>T. annulata</em>-infected compared to <em>T. lestoquardi</em>-infected ovine B-cells.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49320,"journal":{"name":"Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases","volume":"16 2","pages":"Article 102443"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2025-01-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143076120","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-01-01DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2024.102420
Julia Gonzalez , Cristina Harvey , Cárita de Souza Ribeiro-Silva , Brenda Leal-Galvan , Kelly A. Persinger , Pia U. Olafson , Tammi L. Johnson , Adela Oliva Chavez
Current tick control measures are focused on the use of synthetic acaricides and personal protective measures. However, the emergence of acaricide resistance and the maintenance of tick populations in wildlife has precluded the efficient management of ticks. Thus, host-targeted, non-chemical control measures are needed to reliably reduce ticks parasitizing sylvatic reservoirs. This project aimed to evaluate extracellular vesicles (EVs) from Amblyomma americanum as vaccine candidates for white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus; WTD). Salivary gland (SG) and midgut (MG) EVs were isolated by ultracentrifugation. Three deer were vaccinated with SG and MG EVs and received two boosters at days 28 and 50. Two control deer were injected with adjuvant and PBS only. On day 58, WTD were infested with 100 A. americanum nymphs, 50 females, and 50 males that were allowed to feed to repletion. On-host and off-host mortality, tick engorgement weight, nymph molting, time to oviposition, and egg hatchability were evaluated. Serum samples were recovered every seven days until the last day of tick drop off, and then at one year (Y1) and 1-year and 1-month (Y1M1). Vaccination resulted in seroconversion and significant increases in total IgG levels that remained significantly higher than controls and pre-vaccination levels at Y1 and Y1M1. No negative effects were observed in nymphs, but on-host mortality of female A. americanum was significantly higher in vaccinated animals. No effects were observed on reproductive parameters. These results indicate that proteins within female tick SG and MG vesicles are not good candidates for vaccine design against nymphs; however, the on-host adult mortality suggests that tick EVs harbor protective antigens against A. americanum females.
{"title":"Evaluation of tick salivary and midgut extracellular vesicles as anti-tick vaccines in White-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus)","authors":"Julia Gonzalez , Cristina Harvey , Cárita de Souza Ribeiro-Silva , Brenda Leal-Galvan , Kelly A. Persinger , Pia U. Olafson , Tammi L. Johnson , Adela Oliva Chavez","doi":"10.1016/j.ttbdis.2024.102420","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ttbdis.2024.102420","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Current tick control measures are focused on the use of synthetic acaricides and personal protective measures. However, the emergence of acaricide resistance and the maintenance of tick populations in wildlife has precluded the efficient management of ticks. Thus, host-targeted, non-chemical control measures are needed to reliably reduce ticks parasitizing sylvatic reservoirs. This project aimed to evaluate extracellular vesicles (EVs) from <em>Amblyomma americanum</em> as vaccine candidates for white-tailed deer (<em>Odocoileus virginianus</em>; WTD). Salivary gland (SG) and midgut (MG) EVs were isolated by ultracentrifugation. Three deer were vaccinated with SG and MG EVs and received two boosters at days 28 and 50. Two control deer were injected with adjuvant and PBS only. On day 58, WTD were infested with 100 <em>A. americanum</em> nymphs, 50 females, and 50 males that were allowed to feed to repletion. On-host and off-host mortality, tick engorgement weight, nymph molting, time to oviposition, and egg hatchability were evaluated. Serum samples were recovered every seven days until the last day of tick drop off, and then at one year (Y1) and 1-year and 1-month (Y1M1). Vaccination resulted in seroconversion and significant increases in total IgG levels that remained significantly higher than controls and pre-vaccination levels at Y1 and Y1M1. No negative effects were observed in nymphs, but on-host mortality of female <em>A. americanum</em> was significantly higher in vaccinated animals. No effects were observed on reproductive parameters. These results indicate that proteins within female tick SG and MG vesicles are not good candidates for vaccine design against nymphs; however, the on-host adult mortality suggests that tick EVs harbor protective antigens against <em>A. americanum</em> females.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49320,"journal":{"name":"Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases","volume":"16 1","pages":"Article 102420"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142819998","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-01-01DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2024.102436
Cusi Ferradas , Guillermo Salvatierra , David Payahuanca , Winnie Contreras , Andrés M. López-Pérez , Therangika A. Hangawatte , Diana León , Bruno M. Ghersi , Ricardo Gamboa , Katia Manzanares Villanueva , Viviana Pinedo-Cancino , Risa Pesapane , Gabriela Salmón-Mulanovich , Andrés G. Lescano , Janet Foley
Rickettsiae are a family of ectoparasite-borne bacteria that can produce high morbidity and mortality among humans. There are scarce data on rickettsial ecology in rural areas of the Peruvian Amazon basin, where seroprevalence has not been determined, and the identities of animals acting as reservoirs of these bacteria are not known. We conducted a cross-sectional study in Zungarococha (between 2019 and 2021), a rural community located approximately 20 km away from Iquitos city. Blood samples were collected from humans (175), dogs (123), and cats (12). Blood samples and tissues were collected from black rats (84). Finally, we collected fleas from dogs and cats (222), ticks from dogs (91), and mites from black rats (32). Blood samples from humans, dogs, cats, and black rats were analyzed by indirect immunofluorescence assays (IFA) to detect IgG antibodies against rickettsias. We screened ectoparasites and black rat tissues by real-time-PCR (qPCR). Positive ectoparasites were further assessed by PCR and DNA amplicon sequencing. Non-parametric tests were used to evaluate factors associated with being seropositive among human adults. IgG seroprevalences were 38.3 %, 58.5 %, 16.7 % and 48.1 % among humans, dogs, cats, and rats, respectively. Among humans, only male gender was statistically associated with having IgG antibodies against Rickettsia spp. (p-value=0.049, chi-square test). Different ectoparasites were identified, including Ctenocephalides felis from cats and dogs, Rhipicephalus sanguineus s.l. from dogs, and Laelaps nuttalli from black rats. Rhipicephalus sanguineus s.l. (2/91 ticks) and Ct. felis (53/56 fleas and 55/55 flea pools) were qPCR-positive for Rickettsia spp. Recovered genetic material from 53 Ct. felis was sequenced and all were identified as Rickettsia asembonensis. All tissue samples from black rats were negative by qPCR. Humans, dogs, cats, and black rats are exposed to spotted fever group rickettsiae in rural areas surrounding Iquitos. As reported in urban areas, R. asembonensis is the main Rickettsia species circulating in rural areas surrounding Iquitos and Ct. felis appears to be the main vector.
{"title":"Spotted fever group rickettsiae in black rats, pets, and humans in Zungarococha community, A rural area in the surroundings of Iquitos, Peru","authors":"Cusi Ferradas , Guillermo Salvatierra , David Payahuanca , Winnie Contreras , Andrés M. López-Pérez , Therangika A. Hangawatte , Diana León , Bruno M. Ghersi , Ricardo Gamboa , Katia Manzanares Villanueva , Viviana Pinedo-Cancino , Risa Pesapane , Gabriela Salmón-Mulanovich , Andrés G. Lescano , Janet Foley","doi":"10.1016/j.ttbdis.2024.102436","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ttbdis.2024.102436","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Rickettsiae are a family of ectoparasite-borne bacteria that can produce high morbidity and mortality among humans. There are scarce data on rickettsial ecology in rural areas of the Peruvian Amazon basin, where seroprevalence has not been determined, and the identities of animals acting as reservoirs of these bacteria are not known. We conducted a cross-sectional study in Zungarococha (between 2019 and 2021), a rural community located approximately 20 km away from Iquitos city. Blood samples were collected from humans (175), dogs (123), and cats (12). Blood samples and tissues were collected from black rats (84). Finally, we collected fleas from dogs and cats (222), ticks from dogs (91), and mites from black rats (32). Blood samples from humans, dogs, cats, and black rats were analyzed by indirect immunofluorescence assays (IFA) to detect IgG antibodies against rickettsias. We screened ectoparasites and black rat tissues by real-time-PCR (qPCR). Positive ectoparasites were further assessed by PCR and DNA amplicon sequencing. Non-parametric tests were used to evaluate factors associated with being seropositive among human adults. IgG seroprevalences were 38.3 %, 58.5 %, 16.7 % and 48.1 % among humans, dogs, cats, and rats, respectively. Among humans, only male gender was statistically associated with having IgG antibodies against <em>Rickettsia</em> spp. (p-value=0.049, chi-square test). Different ectoparasites were identified, including <em>Ctenocephalides felis</em> from cats and dogs, <em>Rhipicephalus sanguineus</em> s.l. from dogs, and <em>Laelaps nuttalli</em> from black rats. <em>Rhipicephalus sanguineus</em> s.l. (2/91 ticks) and <em>Ct. felis</em> (53/56 fleas and 55/55 flea pools) were qPCR-positive for <em>Rickettsia</em> spp. Recovered genetic material from 53 <em>Ct. felis</em> was sequenced and all were identified as <em>Rickettsia asembonensis.</em> All tissue samples from black rats were negative by qPCR. Humans, dogs, cats, and black rats are exposed to spotted fever group rickettsiae in rural areas surrounding Iquitos. As reported in urban areas, <em>R. asembonensis</em> is the main <em>Rickettsia</em> species circulating in rural areas surrounding Iquitos and <em>Ct. felis</em> appears to be the main vector.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49320,"journal":{"name":"Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases","volume":"16 1","pages":"Article 102436"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142972939","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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