Pub Date : 2025-11-01DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2025.102575
Xiangfen Yuan , Xiaolin Xu , Huiyu Wang , Hongli Jing , Songyin Qiu , Yufang Kong , Yue Zhang , Jizhou Lv , Xun Suo , Shaoqiang Wu
Ornithodoros lahorensis (syn. Alveonasus lahorensis) is a species of soft tick within the Argasidae family, known for causing debilitating symptoms, as well as transmitting pathogens that pose significant health risks and economic losses to affected livestock and potentially humans. The salivary gland is the key component in the pathogenic mechanisms of ticks, as it not only facilitates feeding but also serves as a medium for pathogen transmission. Here, data-independent acquisition (DIA) coupled to liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) was used to quantitatively identify differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) in female O. lahorensis salivary glands after blood feeding. A total of 3866 proteins were annotated, and 1185 DEPs were identified at 24 h post-feeding (1105 upregulated, 80 downregulated). The data are available via ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD059319. Bioinformatics analyses revealed that these DEPs are primarily involved in metabolic processes, immune regulation, ribosomal assembly, and signal transduction. This study provides the first comprehensive analysis of the O. lahorensis salivary glands proteomes during the early post-feeding period, offering valuable insights for future research on and control ticks and tick-borne diseases.
{"title":"Quantitative proteomic analysis of salivary glands in female Ornithodoros lahorensis (syn. Alveonasus lahorensis) after blood feeding via DIA-coupled LC-MS/MS","authors":"Xiangfen Yuan , Xiaolin Xu , Huiyu Wang , Hongli Jing , Songyin Qiu , Yufang Kong , Yue Zhang , Jizhou Lv , Xun Suo , Shaoqiang Wu","doi":"10.1016/j.ttbdis.2025.102575","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ttbdis.2025.102575","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Ornithodoros lahorensis (syn. Alveonasus lahorensis)</em> is a species of soft tick within the <em>Argasidae</em> family, known for causing debilitating symptoms, as well as transmitting pathogens that pose significant health risks and economic losses to affected livestock and potentially humans. The salivary gland is the key component in the pathogenic mechanisms of ticks, as it not only facilitates feeding but also serves as a medium for pathogen transmission. Here, data-independent acquisition (DIA) coupled to liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) was used to quantitatively identify differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) in female <em>O. lahorensis</em> salivary glands after blood feeding. A total of 3866 proteins were annotated, and 1185 DEPs were identified at 24 h post-feeding (1105 upregulated, 80 downregulated). The data are available via ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD059319. Bioinformatics analyses revealed that these DEPs are primarily involved in metabolic processes, immune regulation, ribosomal assembly, and signal transduction. This study provides the first comprehensive analysis of the <em>O. lahorensis</em> salivary glands proteomes during the early post-feeding period, offering valuable insights for future research on and control ticks and tick-borne diseases.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49320,"journal":{"name":"Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases","volume":"16 6","pages":"Article 102575"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2025-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145662420","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-11-01DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2025.102571
Yingxin Tu , Can Wang , Wenbing Zhu , Tajie Danba , Shuo Feng , Meixi Ren , Guoyu Niu , Yujing Zhu
Ticks are the second most important vectors of human diseases after mosquitoes. Hard ticks are more abundant and widespread than soft ticks, resulting in their greater involvement in diverse diseases. Consequently, most research on tick-borne pathogens has focused on hard ticks. In contrast, soft ticks, which comprise fewer species, have received less research attention. In this study, we identified a novel single-stranded RNA virus (tentatively named Gagosa Mountain virus) in Ornithodoros lahorensis ticks from the Shigatse region of Tibet. We collected 80 engorged soft ticks from Tibetan sheep, placing each in a separate tube for pathogen analysis. Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and nested PCR techniques were employed to confirm the presence of Gagosa Mountain virus, and subsequent analyses focused on elucidating its genomic features and phylogenetic relationships. Our results demonstrated that Gagosa Mountain virus was present in 15 out of 80 ticks, corresponding to a positivity rate of 19%. The 13,133-nucleotide single-stranded negative-sense RNA genome contained six open reading frames (ORFs) encoding the N protein, RdRp, and four hypothetical proteins. Pairwise distance analysis showed high nucleotide sequence identity among the viral sequences. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that Gagosa Mountain virus is most closely related to Lhasa Rhabd tick virus 1, which is an unclassified member of the family Rhabdoviridae. Further analyses demonstrated that Gagosa Mountain virus represents a novel member of the genus Betanemrhavirus within the family Rhabdoviridae.
{"title":"Gagosa Mountain virus, a novel arbovirus identified in Ornithodoros lahorensis ticks from the Shigatse region of the Tibetan Plateau","authors":"Yingxin Tu , Can Wang , Wenbing Zhu , Tajie Danba , Shuo Feng , Meixi Ren , Guoyu Niu , Yujing Zhu","doi":"10.1016/j.ttbdis.2025.102571","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ttbdis.2025.102571","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Ticks are the second most important vectors of human diseases after mosquitoes. Hard ticks are more abundant and widespread than soft ticks, resulting in their greater involvement in diverse diseases. Consequently, most research on tick-borne pathogens has focused on hard ticks. In contrast, soft ticks, which comprise fewer species, have received less research attention. In this study, we identified a novel single-stranded RNA virus (tentatively named Gagosa Mountain virus) in <em>Ornithodoros lahorensis</em> ticks from the Shigatse region of Tibet. We collected 80 engorged soft ticks from Tibetan sheep, placing each in a separate tube for pathogen analysis. Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and nested PCR techniques were employed to confirm the presence of Gagosa Mountain virus, and subsequent analyses focused on elucidating its genomic features and phylogenetic relationships. Our results demonstrated that Gagosa Mountain virus was present in 15 out of 80 ticks, corresponding to a positivity rate of 19%. The 13,133-nucleotide single-stranded negative-sense RNA genome contained six open reading frames (ORFs) encoding the N protein, RdRp, and four hypothetical proteins. Pairwise distance analysis showed high nucleotide sequence identity among the viral sequences. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that Gagosa Mountain virus is most closely related to Lhasa Rhabd tick virus 1, which is an unclassified member of the family <em>Rhabdoviridae</em>. Further analyses demonstrated that Gagosa Mountain virus represents a novel member of the genus <em>Betanemrhavirus</em> within the family <em>Rhabdoviridae</em>.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49320,"journal":{"name":"Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases","volume":"16 6","pages":"Article 102571"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2025-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145566045","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-10-24DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2025.102560
K. Fachet-Lehmann, A. Lindau, U. Mackenstedt
The brown dog tick (Rhipicephalus sanguineus s.l.), though not endemic in Germany, is regularly introduced via travelers with dogs and imported rescue dogs. Due to its relevance in veterinary and human medicine, its potential to establish in Germany’s climate is of interest. Although previous studies confirm indoor survival and reproduction of R. sanguineus s.s. in Germany, climate change and milder winters may also allow outdoor survival. This study assessed the survival of R. sanguineus s.s. and R. innaei from February 2023 to May 2024 using laboratory-bred ticks placed at indoor and outdoor sites. Tick survival (adults, nymphs, larvae) was monitored weekly, along with temperature and humidity. Reproductive success was evaluated via oviposition and larval hatching.
R. sanguineus s.s. adults survived up to 44 weeks, nymphs up to 20 weeks, and larvae up to 5 weeks. R. innaei showed shorter survival (37, 10, and 4 weeks, respectively). Successful oviposition and larval hatching occurred outdoors between May´23 and September´23 for both species. However, winter survival was not observed; all ticks died following sub-zero temperatures in December´23.
Despite the inability to overwinter outdoors, both species can survive for extended periods in spring and summer and may enter homes via dogs, where conditions favor year-round survival. Their ability to transition indoors via dogs, where conditions favor year-round survival, suggests a potential for establishment in Germany through combined indoor and seasonal outdoor persistence.
{"title":"From import to establishment? Experimental evidence for seasonal outdoor survival of two Rhipicephalus species in Germany","authors":"K. Fachet-Lehmann, A. Lindau, U. Mackenstedt","doi":"10.1016/j.ttbdis.2025.102560","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ttbdis.2025.102560","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The brown dog tick (<em>Rhipicephalus sanguineus</em> s.l.), though not endemic in Germany, is regularly introduced via travelers with dogs and imported rescue dogs. Due to its relevance in veterinary and human medicine, its potential to establish in Germany’s climate is of interest. Although previous studies confirm indoor survival and reproduction of <em>R. sanguineus</em> s.s. in Germany, climate change and milder winters may also allow outdoor survival. This study assessed the survival of <em>R. sanguineus</em> s.s. and <em>R. innaei</em> from February 2023 to May 2024 using laboratory-bred ticks placed at indoor and outdoor sites. Tick survival (adults, nymphs, larvae) was monitored weekly, along with temperature and humidity. Reproductive success was evaluated via oviposition and larval hatching.</div><div><em>R. sanguineus</em> s.s. adults survived up to 44 weeks, nymphs up to 20 weeks, and larvae up to 5 weeks. <em>R. innaei</em> showed shorter survival (37, 10, and 4 weeks, respectively)<em>.</em> Successful oviposition and larval hatching occurred outdoors between May´23 and September´23 for both species. However, winter survival was not observed; all ticks died following sub-zero temperatures in December´23.</div><div>Despite the inability to overwinter outdoors, both species can survive for extended periods in spring and summer and may enter homes via dogs, where conditions favor year-round survival. Their ability to transition indoors via dogs, where conditions favor year-round survival, suggests a potential for establishment in Germany through combined indoor and seasonal outdoor persistence.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49320,"journal":{"name":"Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases","volume":"16 6","pages":"Article 102560"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2025-10-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145363960","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-10-14DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2025.102557
Helene Mens , Rosa Gynthersen , Nanna Skaarup Andersen , Mathilde Ørbæk , Fredrikke C. Knudtzen , Sanne Løkkegaard Larsen , Sigurdur Skarphedinsson , Olga A. Stukolova , Dieuwertje Hoornstra , Joppe W. Hovius , Anne-Mette Lebech
Borrelia miyamotoi and Neoehrlichia mikurensis are recently discovered tick-borne pathogens. The aim of this study was to ascertain the extent of transmission among high-risk groups and healthy controls.
The study design is retrospective cohort study. Blood from a total of 1180 individuals, collected between 2002–2021: (i) 180 tick-exposed individuals, (ii) 400 immunocompromised individuals and (iii) 600 blood donors was included. Infection was examined by a protein array (B. miyamotoi) and PCR.
Neoehrlichia mikurensis DNA was detected in only one individual with Lyme neuroborreliosis (LNB) with symptoms compatible with both infections. Borrelia miyamotoi seroprevalence (being either IgM or IgG positive) among tick-exposed individuals (8.3 %, 95%CI 5.1–13.3) was significantly higher compared to healthy blood donors (1.5 %, 95 % CI 0.8–2.8) and immunocompromised individuals (3.3 %, 95 %CI 1.9–5.5), p < 0.0001. Altogether, 37 of 1180 individuals (3.1 %, 95 %CI 2.2–4.3) were found to be B. miyamotoi seropositive.
Neoehrlichiosis and Borrelia miyamotoi disease should be considered in patients with febrile illness and relevant exposure and in non-characteristic presentations of Lyme borreliosis in Denmark.
{"title":"Prevalence of Borrelia miyamotoi and Neoehrlichia mikurensis in a cohort of tick-exposed individuals and population controls in Denmark 2002–2021","authors":"Helene Mens , Rosa Gynthersen , Nanna Skaarup Andersen , Mathilde Ørbæk , Fredrikke C. Knudtzen , Sanne Løkkegaard Larsen , Sigurdur Skarphedinsson , Olga A. Stukolova , Dieuwertje Hoornstra , Joppe W. Hovius , Anne-Mette Lebech","doi":"10.1016/j.ttbdis.2025.102557","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ttbdis.2025.102557","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Borrelia miyamotoi</em> and <em>Neoehrlichia mikurensis</em> are recently discovered tick-borne pathogens. The aim of this study was to ascertain the extent of transmission among high-risk groups and healthy controls.</div><div>The study design is retrospective cohort study. Blood from a total of 1180 individuals, collected between 2002–2021: (i) 180 tick-exposed individuals, (ii) 400 immunocompromised individuals and (iii) 600 blood donors was included. Infection was examined by a protein array (<em>B. miyamotoi</em>) and PCR.</div><div><em>Neoehrlichia mikurensis</em> DNA was detected in only one individual with Lyme neuroborreliosis (LNB) with symptoms compatible with both infections. <em>Borrelia miyamotoi</em> seroprevalence (being either IgM or IgG positive) among tick-exposed individuals (8.3 %, 95%CI 5.1–13.3) was significantly higher compared to healthy blood donors (1.5 %, 95 % CI 0.8–2.8) and immunocompromised individuals (3.3 %, 95 %CI 1.9–5.5), <em>p</em> < 0.0001. Altogether, 37 of 1180 individuals (3.1 %, 95 %CI 2.2–4.3) were found to be <em>B. miyamotoi</em> seropositive.</div><div>Neoehrlichiosis and <em>Borrelia miyamotoi</em> disease should be considered in patients with febrile illness and relevant exposure and in non-characteristic presentations of Lyme borreliosis in Denmark.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49320,"journal":{"name":"Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases","volume":"16 6","pages":"Article 102557"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2025-10-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145294203","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-10-14DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2025.102555
K.L. Clark , J. Villegas Nunez , C. Gentry , A. Gibson , H. Husein , R. Burstein , K. Hamm
The Rocky Mountain wood tick, Dermacentor andersoni Stiles, is the most common human biting tick in the Rocky Mountain region of the USA. Although Rickettsia spp. and Colorado tick fever virus have been studied in D. andersoni in certain areas of their distribution, investigations of most other tickborne pathogens are lacking. Despite the history of Rocky Mountain spotted fever in the Bitterroot Mountains of western Montana, no comprehensive surveys of large numbers of ticks for Rickettsia spp. have been conducted there for >40 years. For the present study, host-seeking adult D. andersoni were collected at multiple sites in canyons on the west side of the Bitterroot Valley in western Montana in spring 2021. Following DNA extraction, ticks were screened by polymerase chain reaction assays for several tick-borne microorganisms. DNA sequence data analysis was conducted to confirm identity and conduct phylogenetic comparisons with reference strain sequences of different organisms. No ticks were found to contain Anaplasma spp., Borrelia spp., or Ehrlichia spp. DNA, and a Babesia sp. was detected in only one tick. However, Bartonella spp. DNA was detected in 2 % of tested ticks. Additionally, five species of Rickettsia, including R. peacockii, R. bellii, R. rhipicephali, R. montanensis, and R. rickettsii, were identified in ticks from different sites. The most prevalent Rickettsia species was R. peacockii and the least common was R. rickettsii (found in only two ticks). The relevance of these findings is discussed in relation to historical and contemporary data on Bartonella spp. and Rickettsia spp.
{"title":"Tickborne microorganisms in Dermacentor andersoni (Acari: Ixodidae) in the Bitterroot Mountains of Western Montana","authors":"K.L. Clark , J. Villegas Nunez , C. Gentry , A. Gibson , H. Husein , R. Burstein , K. Hamm","doi":"10.1016/j.ttbdis.2025.102555","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ttbdis.2025.102555","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The Rocky Mountain wood tick, <em>Dermacentor andersoni</em> Stiles, is the most common human biting tick in the Rocky Mountain region of the USA. Although <em>Rickettsia</em> spp. and Colorado tick fever virus have been studied in <em>D. andersoni</em> in certain areas of their distribution, investigations of most other tickborne pathogens are lacking. Despite the history of Rocky Mountain spotted fever in the Bitterroot Mountains of western Montana, no comprehensive surveys of large numbers of ticks for <em>Rickettsia</em> spp. have been conducted there for >40 years. For the present study, host-seeking adult <em>D. andersoni</em> were collected at multiple sites in canyons on the west side of the Bitterroot Valley in western Montana in spring 2021. Following DNA extraction, ticks were screened by polymerase chain reaction assays for several tick-borne microorganisms. DNA sequence data analysis was conducted to confirm identity and conduct phylogenetic comparisons with reference strain sequences of different organisms. No ticks were found to contain <em>Anaplasma</em> spp., <em>Borrelia</em> spp., or <em>Ehrlichia</em> spp. DNA, and a <em>Babesia</em> sp. was detected in only one tick. However, <em>Bartonella</em> spp. DNA was detected in 2 % of tested ticks. Additionally, five species of <em>Rickettsia</em>, including <em>R. peacockii, R. bellii, R. rhipicephali, R. montanensis</em>, and <em>R. rickettsii,</em> were identified in ticks from different sites. The most prevalent <em>Rickettsia</em> species was <em>R. peacockii</em> and the least common was <em>R. rickettsii</em> (found in only two ticks). The relevance of these findings is discussed in relation to historical and contemporary data on <em>Bartonella</em> spp. and <em>Rickettsia</em> spp.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49320,"journal":{"name":"Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases","volume":"16 6","pages":"Article 102555"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2025-10-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145304248","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-10-11DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2025.102553
Mayara Campos Lombardi , Nicolas Colácio , Camila de Valgas e Bastos , Sandra Gesteira Coelho , Tiago Facury Moreira , Rodrigo Melo Meneses , Antônio Último de Carvalho , Elias Jorge Facury-Filho , Júlia Angélica Gonçalves Silveira
Bovine colostrum (BC) is widely recognized for its fundamental role in the nutrition and protection of newborn calves. However, it may also contain pathogens, and research is still limited to a few agents. This study aimed to assess the presence of Anaplasma marginale (msp4), Babesia bovis (cytb), B. bigemina (cytb), and hemotropic Mycoplasma spp. (hemoplasmas) (16S rRNA or gapN) in BC and blood by molecular investigation. Aseptically collected blood (5 mL) and colostrum (40 mL) were obtained once from 104 Holstein cows from a commercial dairy herd in southern Minas Gerais, Brazil, within the first 24 hours after parturition. Blood analyses by PCR revealed the frequencies of 95.19% (99/104) for A. marginale, 62.5% (65/104) for B. bigemina, 52.88% (55/104) for B. bovis, and 74.85% (82/104) for hemoplasmas. The most prevalent blood co-infection was A. marginale plus hemoplasmas. The investigation in BC by PCR showed that the agents were present in 22.12% of the samples, with frequencies of 12.12% (12/99) for A. marginale, 10.91% (6/55) for B. bovis, and 6.1% (5/82) for hemoplasmas. No co-infection was identified. These findings highlight the relevance of management for control of the hemopathogens, and demonstrate the need for further investigation into the viability of the microorganisms and their epidemiological role, once the vertical transmission is an important route for some pathogens.
{"title":"First molecular detection of Anaplasma marginale, Babesia bovis, and hemotropic Mycoplasma spp. in bovine colostrum","authors":"Mayara Campos Lombardi , Nicolas Colácio , Camila de Valgas e Bastos , Sandra Gesteira Coelho , Tiago Facury Moreira , Rodrigo Melo Meneses , Antônio Último de Carvalho , Elias Jorge Facury-Filho , Júlia Angélica Gonçalves Silveira","doi":"10.1016/j.ttbdis.2025.102553","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ttbdis.2025.102553","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Bovine colostrum (BC) is widely recognized for its fundamental role in the nutrition and protection of newborn calves. However, it may also contain pathogens, and research is still limited to a few agents. This study aimed to assess the presence of <em>Anaplasma marginale</em> (<em>msp4</em>), <em>Babesia bovis</em> (<em>cytb</em>), <em>B. bigemina</em> (<em>cytb)</em>, and hemotropic <em>Mycoplasma</em> spp. (hemoplasmas) (16S rRNA or <em>gapN</em>) in BC and blood by molecular investigation. Aseptically collected blood (5 mL) and colostrum (40 mL) were obtained once from 104 Holstein cows from a commercial dairy herd in southern Minas Gerais, Brazil, within the first 24 hours after parturition. Blood analyses by PCR revealed the frequencies of 95.19% (99/104) for <em>A. marginale</em>, 62.5% (65/104) for <em>B. bigemina</em>, 52.88% (55/104) for <em>B. bovis</em>, and 74.85% (82/104) for hemoplasmas<em>.</em> The most prevalent blood co-infection was <em>A. marginale</em> plus hemoplasmas. The investigation in BC by PCR showed that the agents were present in 22.12% of the samples, with frequencies of 12.12% (12/99) for <em>A. marginale</em>, 10.91% (6/55) for <em>B. bovis</em>, and 6.1% (5/82) for hemoplasmas. No co-infection was identified. These findings highlight the relevance of management for control of the hemopathogens, and demonstrate the need for further investigation into the viability of the microorganisms and their epidemiological role, once the vertical transmission is an important route for some pathogens.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49320,"journal":{"name":"Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases","volume":"16 6","pages":"Article 102553"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2025-10-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145269648","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-10-10DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2025.102556
Gergő Kürtös , Nóra Rácz , Viktória Kassay , Krisztián Olaszy , Zsuzsanna Vizi , Anna Szilasi , Nóra Takács , Gergő Keve , Barbara Tuska-Szalay , Sándor Hornok
Feline hepatozoonosis, due to Hepatozoon felis, has been recently reported in wild cats from Central Europe. At the same time, only two isolated cases were reported in domestic cats, one in Austria, and another in Hungary. In the southern part of Central Europe, Hungary, three cats were presented at two small animal clinics in the course of 1.5 months, their most important clinical findings included anaemia (for all three cats), malignant neoplasia (case #1), chyloabdomen, splenomegaly and hepatic nodules (case #2), and dyspnoea (case #3). Hepatozoon gamonts measuring 12.3 × 6 μm were present in 0.1–0.3 % of the neutrophilic granulocytes. A nearly 1700 bp-long-part of the 18S rRNA gene of this species showed only 98.3 % and 97.7 % sequence identities with H. felis and H. silvestris, respectively. Based on the phylogenetic analysis of this long part of the 18S rRNA gene, this protozoon clustered separately, with moderately high (87 %) support, from H. felis and was a sister species to H. silvestris. In a shorter part of the 18S rRNA gene, the Hepatozoon species in this study had 99.6 % sequence identity to Hepatozoon luiperdjie, and they clustered together phylogenetically, although with low (56 %) support. Based on morphological characteristics and phylogenetic relationships, the protozoan parasite emerging among domestic cats in the southern part of Central Europe is a species most closely related to H. luiperdjie. The emergence of this protozoan parasite in the region warrants monitoring among domestic cats in other countries of Central Europe.
{"title":"Infection caused by a parasite most closely related to Hepatozoon luiperdjie in cats from Hungary","authors":"Gergő Kürtös , Nóra Rácz , Viktória Kassay , Krisztián Olaszy , Zsuzsanna Vizi , Anna Szilasi , Nóra Takács , Gergő Keve , Barbara Tuska-Szalay , Sándor Hornok","doi":"10.1016/j.ttbdis.2025.102556","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ttbdis.2025.102556","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Feline hepatozoonosis, due to <em>Hepatozoon felis</em>, has been recently reported in wild cats from Central Europe. At the same time, only two isolated cases were reported in domestic cats, one in Austria, and another in Hungary. In the southern part of Central Europe, Hungary, three cats were presented at two small animal clinics in the course of 1.5 months, their most important clinical findings included anaemia (for all three cats), malignant neoplasia (case #1), chyloabdomen, splenomegaly and hepatic nodules (case #2), and dyspnoea (case #3). <em>Hepatozoon</em> gamonts measuring 12.3 × 6 μm were present in 0.1–0.3 % of the neutrophilic granulocytes. A nearly 1700 bp-long-part of the 18S rRNA gene of this species showed only 98.3 % and 97.7 % sequence identities with <em>H. felis</em> and <em>H. silvestris</em>, respectively. Based on the phylogenetic analysis of this long part of the 18S rRNA gene, this protozoon clustered separately, with moderately high (87 %) support, from <em>H. felis</em> and was a sister species to <em>H. silvestris</em>. In a shorter part of the 18S rRNA gene, the <em>Hepatozoon</em> species in this study had 99.6 % sequence identity to <em>Hepatozoon luiperdjie</em>, and they clustered together phylogenetically, although with low (56 %) support. Based on morphological characteristics and phylogenetic relationships, the protozoan parasite emerging among domestic cats in the southern part of Central Europe is a species most closely related to <em>H. luiperdjie</em>. The emergence of this protozoan parasite in the region warrants monitoring among domestic cats in other countries of Central Europe.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49320,"journal":{"name":"Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases","volume":"16 6","pages":"Article 102556"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2025-10-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145269647","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
As obligate hematophagous parasites, ticks have evolved to cope with substantial amounts of iron and exogenous microorganisms present in host blood during feeding. In ticks, ferritin plays an important role in maintaining the oxidative balance of gut and the homeostasis of the microbial community structure, but its regulatory mechanism has not yet been clarified. This study successfully identified a ferritin gene from Haemaphysalis doenitzi, named Hd-fer, and further studied the function of Hd-fer. The results showed that rHd-fer had antioxidant properties and antibacterial activity. The expression of Hd-fer gene in the ovary and midgut was significantly higher than other organs, and the expression in adults was significantly higher than other stages. The Hd-fer gene knock-out significantly changed the abundance of the midgut microbial community, and the relative abundance decreased generally, while the relative abundance of Achromobacter increased. The knockout of Hd-fer gene also significantly changed the structural composition of the midgut microbial species, and pathogenic microorganisms showed a growing trend, producing their unique microbial genera, including Barnesiellaceae, Carnobacterium and Pediococcus. The RNA interference of Hd-fer led to prolonging the tick's blood sucking time and reducing engorged weight. The results of this study showed that Hd-fer may affect the stability of the midgut microbial community structure by regulating iron availability, which in turn plays an important role in the survival and reproduction of ticks. These findings provide novel insights into the role of ferritin in tick biology and highlight its potential as a target for controlling tick-borne diseases.
{"title":"Ferritin-mediated regulation of gut microbiota homeostasis promotes blood-feeding adaptation in the tick Haemaphysalis doenitzi","authors":"Zhihua Gao , Xiaofeng Xu , Yanqing Shi , Jiayi Zhang, Weijia Xing, Xinyu Zhang, Weikang Zhao, Ruya Cao, Xiaolong Yang","doi":"10.1016/j.ttbdis.2025.102554","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ttbdis.2025.102554","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>As obligate hematophagous parasites, ticks have evolved to cope with substantial amounts of iron and exogenous microorganisms present in host blood during feeding. In ticks, ferritin plays an important role in maintaining the oxidative balance of gut and the homeostasis of the microbial community structure, but its regulatory mechanism has not yet been clarified. This study successfully identified a ferritin gene from <em>Haemaphysalis doenitzi</em>, named <em>Hd-fer</em>, and further studied the function of <em>Hd-fer</em>. The results showed that rHd-fer had antioxidant properties and antibacterial activity. The expression of <em>Hd-fer</em> gene in the ovary and midgut was significantly higher than other organs, and the expression in adults was significantly higher than other stages. The <em>Hd-fer</em> gene knock-out significantly changed the abundance of the midgut microbial community, and the relative abundance decreased generally, while the relative abundance of <em>Achromobacter</em> increased. The knockout of <em>Hd-fer</em> gene also significantly changed the structural composition of the midgut microbial species, and pathogenic microorganisms showed a growing trend, producing their unique microbial genera, including <em>Barnesiellaceae, Carnobacterium</em> and <em>Pediococcus</em>. The RNA interference of <em>Hd-fe</em>r led to prolonging the tick's blood sucking time and reducing engorged weight. The results of this study showed that Hd-fer may affect the stability of the midgut microbial community structure by regulating iron availability, which in turn plays an important role in the survival and reproduction of ticks. These findings provide novel insights into the role of ferritin in tick biology and highlight its potential as a target for controlling tick-borne diseases.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49320,"journal":{"name":"Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases","volume":"16 6","pages":"Article 102554"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2025-09-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145208093","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Equine piroplasmosis is a major tick-borne horse disease, caused by the intracellular development of piroplasms (Theileria equi sensu lato and Babesia caballi), with significant economic and sanitary consequences. In 2024, 203 blood samples were collected in Guadeloupe (Caribbean) from asymptomatic horses. Using an 18S rRNA nested PCR (nPCR) specific for each equine genus parasite, 79 samples tested positive for Theileria equi and 9 for Babesia caballi, resulting in respective prevalence of 38.9% and 4.4%. Three horses were co-infected. For B. caballi, 18S rRNA sequence analysis revealed the presence of the genotype A only. For T. equi, the genotypes A and C were evidenced as mono-infections A (16/79, 20.3% of the infected horses) or mono-infections C (15/79, 19.0% of the infected horses). Interestingly, mono-infections with T. equi genotype E (17/79, 21.5% of the infected horses) were also detected, but only on horses imported from Europe and especially from metropolitan France, where this genotype is dominant. Further characterization using published T. equi ema-1 and T. haneyi specific nPCRs revealed two major points. First, most 18S rRNA genotype C isolates (13/15) were detected using the T. haneyi specific nPCR. Second, the genotype E of T. equi could not be detected by any of these two nPCRs. Co-infection occurrence and types were then evaluated using a combination of the three analyses: 18S rRNA sequencing, T. haneyi specific nPCR and T. equi ema-1 nPCR. Horses co-infected with the genotypes A and C (T. haneyi) represented the main population (32/79, 40.5% of the infected horses), while the co-infections AE (5/79, 6.3% of the horses) and CE (2/79, 2.5% of the horses) were rare. One horse was detected with a triple infection ACE. Taking into account all detected genotypes (120), 45.0% of the isolates belonged to the genotype A (54/120), 38.3% to the genotype C T. haneyi (46/120) and 16.7% to the Eurasian genotype E (20/120). The rarity of co-infections with the genotype E and the absence of this genotype on locally born horses suggest the absence of transmission of the genotype E by locally present vector ticks.
This work represents the first molecular record of Theileria haneyi in South and Central America and in the Caribbeans. We also demonstrate the introduction of T. equi genotype E from Europe with infected horses but not its installation, as well as a diagnostic issue to detect this genotype using PCR targeting ema-1 gene.
{"title":"Genetic diversity of equine piroplasmosis agents in Guadeloupe (Caribbeans): first report of Theileria haneyi, evaluation of diagnostic tools and impact of horse movement","authors":"Mickaël Mège , Claire Bonsergent , Laetitia Viry , Mélanie Dhune , Sylvie Lecollinet , Laurence Malandrin","doi":"10.1016/j.ttbdis.2025.102547","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ttbdis.2025.102547","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Equine piroplasmosis is a major tick-borne horse disease, caused by the intracellular development of piroplasms (<em>Theileria equi</em> sensu lato and <em>Babesia caballi</em>), with significant economic and sanitary consequences. In 2024, 203 blood samples were collected in Guadeloupe (Caribbean) from asymptomatic horses. Using an 18S rRNA nested PCR (nPCR) specific for each equine genus parasite, 79 samples tested positive for <em>Theileria equi</em> and 9 for <em>Babesia caballi</em>, resulting in respective prevalence of 38.9% and 4.4%. Three horses were co-infected. For <em>B. caballi</em>, 18S rRNA sequence analysis revealed the presence of the genotype A only. For <em>T. equi,</em> the genotypes A and C were evidenced as mono-infections A (16/79, 20.3% of the infected horses) or mono-infections C (15/79, 19.0% of the infected horses). Interestingly, mono-infections with <em>T. equi</em> genotype E (17/79, 21.5% of the infected horses) were also detected, but only on horses imported from Europe and especially from metropolitan France, where this genotype is dominant. Further characterization using published <em>T. equi ema-1</em> and <em>T. haneyi</em> specific nPCRs revealed two major points. First, most 18S rRNA genotype C isolates (13/15) were detected using the <em>T. haneyi</em> specific nPCR. Second, the genotype E of <em>T. equi</em> could not be detected by any of these two nPCRs. Co-infection occurrence and types were then evaluated using a combination of the three analyses: 18S rRNA sequencing, <em>T. haneyi</em> specific nPCR and <em>T. equi ema-1</em> nPCR. Horses co-infected with the genotypes A and C (<em>T. haneyi</em>) represented the main population (32/79, 40.5% of the infected horses), while the co-infections AE (5/79, 6.3% of the horses) and CE (2/79, 2.5% of the horses) were rare. One horse was detected with a triple infection ACE. Taking into account all detected genotypes (120), 45.0% of the isolates belonged to the genotype A (54/120), 38.3% to the genotype C <em>T. haneyi</em> (46/120) and 16.7% to the Eurasian genotype E (20/120). The rarity of co-infections with the genotype E and the absence of this genotype on locally born horses suggest the absence of transmission of the genotype E by locally present vector ticks.</div><div>This work represents the first molecular record of <em>Theileria haneyi</em> in South and Central America and in the Caribbeans. We also demonstrate the introduction of <em>T. equi</em> genotype E from Europe with infected horses but not its installation, as well as a diagnostic issue to detect this genotype using PCR targeting <em>ema-1</em> gene.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49320,"journal":{"name":"Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases","volume":"16 6","pages":"Article 102547"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2025-09-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145160092","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Human granulocytic anaplasmosis (HGA) is a tick-borne disease emerging in North America, caused by the zoonotic variant Ap-ha (human active) of the bacterium Anaplasma phagocytophilum. This research aimed to understand the reservoir competency of small mammals for Ap-ha in the province of Québec, Canada. To achieve this aim, wild small mammals were sampled from June to August in 2022 and 2023 and tested for Ap and its variants (Ap-ha, Ap-v1) using qPCR targeting the msp2 and 16S genes. In total, 547 small mammals from nine different taxa were live captured across two years. Nearly half (48.2 %) of small mammals carried at least one Ixodes scapularis tick larva and 29.3 % carried at least one I. scapularis nymph. The odds of Ap infection were three times higher in eastern chipmunks (OR = 2.98, p < 0.05) and five times lower in red squirrels (OR = 0.21, p < 0.01) when compared to Peromyscus spp. mice. When infected, Peromyscus mice and eastern chipmunks transmitted the infection on average to 6.8 % (CI95: 24.9–48.7) and 52.9 % (CI95: 16.7–89.1) of feeding larvae, respectively. An Ap variant could be identified in 90 % (109/121) of infected small mammals, all of which were the Ap-ha strain. In conclusion, eastern chipmunks and Peromyscus mice should be considered as reservoir hosts contributing to the transmission and emergence of anaplasmosis in Canada. This study also confirms the circulation of the Ap-ha variant within host and tick communities in Southeastern Canada.
{"title":"Various small mammal hosts are involved in the transmission cycle of zoonotic Anaplasma phagocytophilum in Southeastern Canada","authors":"Raphaëlle Audet-Legault , Cécile Aenishaenslin , Geneviève Baron , Heather Coatsworth , Marion Desmarchelier , Vanessa Gabriele-Rivet , Patrick A․ Leighton , Jérôme Pelletier , Jean-Philippe Rocheleau , Catherine Bouchard","doi":"10.1016/j.ttbdis.2025.102551","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ttbdis.2025.102551","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Human granulocytic anaplasmosis (HGA) is a tick-borne disease emerging in North America, caused by the zoonotic variant Ap-ha (human active) of the bacterium <em>Anaplasma phagocytophilum.</em> This research aimed to understand the reservoir competency of small mammals for Ap-ha in the province of Québec, Canada. To achieve this aim, wild small mammals were sampled from June to August in 2022 and 2023 and tested for Ap and its variants (Ap-ha, Ap-v1) using qPCR targeting the <em>msp2</em> and 16S genes. In total, 547 small mammals from nine different taxa were live captured across two years<em>.</em> Nearly half (48.2 %) of small mammals carried at least one <em>Ixodes scapularis</em> tick larva and 29.3 % carried at least one <em>I. scapularis</em> nymph. The odds of Ap infection were three times higher in eastern chipmunks (OR = 2.98, <em>p</em> < 0.05) and five times lower in red squirrels (OR = 0.21, <em>p</em> < 0.01) when compared to <em>Peromyscus</em> spp. mice. When infected, <em>Peromyscus</em> mice and eastern chipmunks transmitted the infection on average to 6.8 % (CI95: 24.9–48.7) and 52.9 % (CI95: 16.7–89.1) of feeding larvae, respectively. An Ap variant could be identified in 90 % (109/121) of infected small mammals, all of which were the Ap-ha strain. In conclusion, eastern chipmunks and <em>Peromyscus</em> mice should be considered as reservoir hosts contributing to the transmission and emergence of anaplasmosis in Canada. This study also confirms the circulation of the Ap-ha variant within host and tick communities in Southeastern Canada.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49320,"journal":{"name":"Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases","volume":"16 6","pages":"Article 102551"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2025-09-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145160093","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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