Introduced Siberian Chipmunks (Tamias sibiricus barberi) Harbor More-Diverse Borrelia burgdorferi Sensu Lato Genospecies than Native Bank Voles (Myodes glareolus)

ABSTRACTLittle attention has been given in scientific literature to how introduced species may act as a new host for native infectious agents and modify the epidemiology of a disease. In this study, we investigated whether an introduced species, the Siberian chipmunk (Tamias sibiricus barberi), was a potentially new reservoir host forBorrelia burgdorferisensu lato, the causative agent of Lyme disease. First, we ascertained whether chipmunks were infected by all of theB. burgdorferisensu lato genospecies associated with rodents and available in their source of infection, questing nymphs. Second, we determined whether the prevalence and diversity ofB. burgdorferisensu lato in chipmunks were similar to those of a native reservoir rodent, the bank vole (Myodes glareolus). Our research took place between 2006 and 2008 in a suburban French forest, where we trapped 335 chipmunks and 671 voles and collected 743 nymphs of ticks that were questing for hosts by dragging on the vegetation. We assayed forB. burgdorferisensu lato with ear biopsy specimens taken from the rodents and in nymphs using PCR and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP). Chipmunks were infected by the threeBorreliagenospecies that were present in questing nymphs and that infect rodents (B. burgdorferisensu stricto,B. afzelii, andB. garinii). In contrast, voles hosted onlyB. afzelii. Furthermore, chipmunks were more infected (35%) than voles (16%). These results may be explained by the higher exposure of chipmunks, because they harbor more ticks, or by their higher tolerance of otherB. burgdorferisensu lato genospecies than ofB. afzelii. If chipmunks are competent reservoir hosts forB. burgdorferisensu lato, they may spill backB. burgdorferisensu lato to native communities and eventually may increase the risk of Lyme disease transmission to humans.

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Extensive Distribution of the Lyme Disease Bacterium, Borrelia burgdorferi Sensu Lato, in Multiple Tick Species Parasitizing Avian and Mammalian Hosts across Canada

Healthcare ◽

10.3390/healthcare6040131 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 6 (4) ◽

pp. 131 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

John Scott ◽

Kerry Clark ◽

Janet Foley ◽

John Anderson ◽

Bradley Bierman ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Lyme Disease ◽

Borrelia Burgdorferi ◽

Tick Species ◽

Ixodes Scapularis ◽

Borrelia Burgdorferi Sensu Lato ◽

Emergency Rooms ◽

Eastern Canada ◽

New Host ◽

Maintenance Cycle ◽

Passerella Iliaca

Lyme disease, caused by the spirochetal bacterium, Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (Bbsl), is typically transmitted by hard-bodied ticks (Acari: Ixodidae). Whenever this tick-borne zoonosis is mentioned in medical clinics and emergency rooms, it sparks a firestorm of controversy. Denial often sets in, and healthcare practitioners dismiss the fact that this pathogenic spirochetosis is present in their area. For distribution of Bbsl across Canada, we conducted a 4-year, tick–host study (2013–2016), and collected ticks from avian and mammalian hosts from Atlantic Canada to the West Coast. Overall, 1265 ticks representing 27 tick species belonging to four genera were collected. Of the 18 tick species tested, 15 species (83%) were positive for Bbsl and, of these infected ticks, 6 species bite humans. Overall, 13 of 18 tick species tested are human-biting ticks. Our data suggest that a 6-tick, enzootic maintenance cycle of Bbsl is present in southwestern B.C., and five of these tick species bite humans. Biogeographically, the groundhog tick, Ixodes cookei, has extended its home range from central and eastern Canada to southwestern British Columbia (B.C.). We posit that the Fox Sparrow, Passerella iliaca, is a reservoir-competent host for Bbsl. The Bay-breasted Warbler, Setophaga castanea, and the Tennessee Warbler, Vermivora peregrina, are new host records for the blacklegged tick, Ixodes scapularis. We provide the first report of a Bbsl-positive Amblyomma longirostre larva parasitizing a bird; this bird parasitism suggests that a Willow Flycatcher is a competent reservoir of Bbsl. Our findings show that Bbsl is present in all provinces, and that multiple tick species are implicated in the enzootic maintenance cycle of this pathogen. Ultimately, Bbsl poses a serious public health contagion Canada-wide.

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Retrotransposon-Based Blood Meal Analysis of Nymphal Deer Ticks Demonstrates Spatiotemporal Diversity of Borrelia burgdorferi and Babesia microti Reservoirs

Applied and Environmental Microbiology ◽

10.1128/aem.02370-20 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 87 (2) ◽

Author(s):

Heidi K. Goethert ◽

Thomas N. Mather ◽

Joanna Buchthal ◽

Sam R. Telford

Keyword(s):

Lyme Disease ◽

Borrelia Burgdorferi ◽

Quantitative Pcr ◽

Blood Meal ◽

Reservoir Host ◽

Qpcr Assay ◽

Babesia Microti ◽

Primary Host ◽

Content Type ◽

Host Utilization

ABSTRACT Deer tick-transmitted Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto (Lyme disease) and Babesia microti (babesiosis) increasingly burden public health across eastern North America. The white-footed mouse is considered the primary host for subadult deer ticks and the most important reservoir host for these and other disease agents. Local transmission is thought to be modulated by less reservoir-competent hosts, such as deer, diverting ticks from feeding on mice. We measured the proportion of mouse-fed or deer-fed host-seeking nymphs from 4 sites during 2 transmission seasons by blood meal remnant analysis using a new retrotransposon-based quantitative PCR (qPCR) assay. We then determined the host that was associated with the infection status of the tick. During the first year, the proportion of mouse-fed ticks ranged from 17% on mainland sites to 100% on an island, while deer-fed ticks ranged from 4% to 24%. The proportion of ticks feeding on mice and deer was greater from island sites than mainland sites (on average, 92% versus 43%). Mouse-fed ticks decreased significantly during year 2 in 3 of 4 sites (most were <20%), while deer-fed ticks increased for all sites (75% at one site). Overall, ticks were more likely to be infected when they had fed on mice (odds ratio [OR] of 2.4 and 1.6 for Borrelia and Babesia, respectively) and were less likely to be infected if they had fed on deer (OR, 0.8 and 0.4). We conclude that host utilization by deer ticks is characterized by significant spatiotemporal diversity, which may confound efficacy tests of interventions targeting reservoir hosts. IMPORTANCE White-footed mice are thought to be the most important reservoir host for the deer tick-transmitted pathogens that cause Lyme disease and human babesiosis because they are the primary host for immature ticks. Transmission would be reduced, however, if ticks feed on deer, which are not capable of infecting ticks with either pathogen. By directly measuring whether ticks had fed on either mice or deer using a new quantitative PCR (qPCR) assay to detect remnants of host DNA leftover from the larval blood meal, we demonstrate that host utilization by ticks varies significantly over time and space and that mice often feed fewer ticks than expected. This finding has implications for our understanding of the ecology of these diseases and for the efficacy of control measures.

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Surveillance of Ticks and Tick-Borne Pathogens in Suburban Natural Habitats of Central Maryland

Journal of Medical Entomology ◽

10.1093/jme/tjaa291 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Matthew T Milholland ◽

Lars Eisen ◽

Robyn M Nadolny ◽

Andrias Hojgaard ◽

Erika T Machtinger ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Lyme Disease ◽

Borrelia Burgdorferi ◽

Spotted Fever ◽

Babesia Microti ◽

Borrelia Burgdorferi Sensu Lato ◽

Spotted Fever Group ◽

Borrelia Miyamotoi ◽

Natural Habitats ◽

Questing Ticks ◽

Tick Vectors

Abstract Lyme and other tick-borne diseases are increasing in the eastern United States and there is a lack of research on integrated strategies to control tick vectors. Here we present results of a study on tick-borne pathogens detected from tick vectors and rodent reservoirs from an ongoing 5-yr tick suppression study in the Lyme disease-endemic state of Maryland, where human-biting tick species, including Ixodes scapularis Say (Acari: Ixodidae) (the primary vector of Lyme disease spirochetes), are abundant. During the 2017 tick season, we collected 207 questing ticks and 602 ticks recovered from 327 mice (Peromyscus spp. (Rodentia: Cricetidae)), together with blood and ear tissue from the mice, at seven suburban parks in Howard County. Ticks were selectively tested for the presence of the causative agents of Lyme disease (Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato [s.l.]), anaplasmosis (Anaplasma phagocytophilum), babesiosis (Babesia microti), ehrlichiosis (Ehrlichia ewingii, Ehrlichia chaffeensis, and ‘Panola Mountain’ Ehrlichia) and spotted fever group rickettsiosis (Rickettsia spp.). Peromyscus ear tissue and blood samples were tested for Bo. burgdorferi sensu stricto (s.s), A. phagocytophilum, Ba. microti, and Borrelia miyamotoi. We found 13.6% (15/110) of questing I. scapularis nymphs to be Bo. burgdorferi s.l. positive and 1.8% (2/110) were A. phagocytophilum positive among all sites. Borrelia burgdorferi s.s. was found in 71.1% (54/76) of I. scapularis nymphs removed from mice and 58.8% (194/330) of captured mice. Results from study on tick abundance and pathogen infection status in questing ticks, rodent reservoirs, and ticks feeding on Peromyscus spp. will aid efficacy evaluation of the integrated tick management measures being implemented.

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Lyme Disease (Lyme Borreliosis, Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato Infection)

10.1542/9781610025225-part03-ch076 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 482-489

Keyword(s):

Lyme Disease ◽

Borrelia Burgdorferi ◽

Lyme Borreliosis ◽

Borrelia Burgdorferi Sensu Lato

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Far-Reaching Dispersal of Borrelia burgdorferi Sensu Lato-Infected Blacklegged Ticks by Migratory Songbirds in Canada

Healthcare ◽

10.3390/healthcare6030089 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 6 (3) ◽

pp. 89 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

John Scott ◽

Kerry Clark ◽

Janet Foley ◽

Bradley Bierman ◽

Lance Durden

Keyword(s):

Lyme Disease ◽

Borrelia Burgdorferi ◽

Health Care Providers ◽

Ixodes Scapularis ◽

Pcr Amplification ◽

Sensu Stricto ◽

Borrelia Burgdorferi Sensu Lato ◽

Care Providers ◽

Northern Areas ◽

Migratory Songbirds

Lyme disease has been documented in northern areas of Canada, but the source of the etiological bacterium, Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (Bbsl) has been in doubt. We collected 87 ticks from 44 songbirds during 2017, and 24 (39%) of 62 nymphs of the blacklegged tick, Ixodes scapularis, were positive for Bbsl. We provide the first report of Bbsl-infected, songbird-transported I. scapularis in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia; Newfoundland and Labrador; north-central Manitoba, and Alberta. Notably, we report the northernmost account of Bbsl-infected ticks parasitizing a bird in Canada. DNA extraction, PCR amplification, and DNA sequencing reveal that these Bbsl amplicons belong to Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto (Bbss), which is pathogenic to humans. Based on our findings, health-care providers should be aware that migratory songbirds widely disperse B. burgdorferi-infected I. scapularis in Canada’s North, and local residents do not have to visit an endemic area to contract Lyme disease.

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Detection and Transstadial Passage of Babesia Species and Borrelia burgdorferi Sensu Lato in Ticks Collected from Avian and Mammalian Hosts in Canada

Healthcare ◽

10.3390/healthcare7040155 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 7 (4) ◽

pp. 155 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

John D. Scott ◽

Kerry L. Clark ◽

Nikki M. Coble ◽

Taylor R. Ballantyne

Keyword(s):

Lyme Disease ◽

Borrelia Burgdorferi ◽

Medical Training ◽

Sensu Stricto ◽

Babesia Microti ◽

Borrelia Burgdorferi Sensu Lato ◽

Rrna Gene ◽

Babesia Species ◽

House Wren ◽

Human Babesiosis

Lyme disease and human babesiosis are the most common tick-borne zoonoses in the Temperate Zone of North America. The number of infected patients has continued to rise globally, and these zoonoses pose a major healthcare threat. This tick-host-pathogen study was conducted to test for infectious microbes associated with Lyme disease and human babesiosis in Canada. Using the flagellin (flaB) gene, three members of the Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (Bbsl) complex were detected, namely a Borrelia lanei-like spirochete, Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto (Bbss), and a distinct strain that may represent a separate Bbsl genospecies. This novel Bbsl strain was detected in a mouse tick, Ixodes muris, collected from a House Wren, Troglodytes aedon, in Quebec during the southward fall migration. The presence of Bbsl in bird-feeding larvae of I. muris suggests reservoir competency in three passerines (i.e., Common Yellowthroat, House Wren, Magnolia Warbler). Based on the 18S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene, three Babesia species (i.e., Babesia divergens-like, Babesia microti, Babesia odocoilei) were detected in field-collected ticks. Not only was B. odocoilei found in songbird-derived ticks, this piroplasm was apparent in adult questing blacklegged ticks, Ixodes scapularis, in southern Canada. By allowing live, engorged ticks to molt, we confirm the transstadial passage of Bbsl in I. muris and B. odocoilei in I. scapularis. Bbss and Babesia microti were detected concurrently in a groundhog tick, Ixodes cookei, in Western Ontario. In Alberta, a winter tick, Dermacentor albipictus, which was collected from a moose, Alces alces, tested positive for Bbss. Notably, a B. divergens-like piroplasm was detected in a rabbit tick, Haemaphysalis leporispalustris, collected from an eastern cottontail in southern Manitoba; this Babesia species is a first-time discovery in Canada. This rabbit tick was also co-infected with Borrelia lanei-like spirochetes, which constitutes a first in Canada. Overall, five ticks were concurrently infected with Babesia and Bbsl pathogens and, after the molt, could potentially co-infect humans. Notably, we provide the first authentic report of I. scapularis ticks co-infected with Bbsl and B. odocoilei in Canada. The full extent of infectious microorganisms transmitted to humans by ticks is not fully elucidated, and clinicians need to be aware of the complexity of these tick-transmitted enzootic agents on human health. Diagnosis and treatment must be administered by those with accredited medical training in tick-borne zoonosis.

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Evaluation of RevA, a Fibronectin-Binding Protein of Borrelia burgdorferi, as a Potential Vaccine Candidate for Lyme Disease

Clinical and Vaccine Immunology ◽

10.1128/cvi.00758-12 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 20 (6) ◽

pp. 892-899 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

Angela M. Floden ◽

Tammy Gonzalez ◽

Robert A. Gaultney ◽

Catherine A. Brissette

Keyword(s):

Lyme Disease ◽

Borrelia Burgdorferi ◽

Passive Immunization ◽

Surface Protein ◽

Surface Expression ◽

Content Type ◽

Good Target ◽

Potential Vaccine ◽

Mammalian Infection

ABSTRACTPrevious studies indicated that the Lyme disease spirocheteBorrelia burgdorferiexpresses the RevA outer surface protein during mammalian infection. As an adhesin that promotes bacterial interaction with fibronectin, RevA appears to be a good target for preventive therapies. RevA proteins are highly conserved across all Lyme borreliae, and antibodies against RevA protein are cross-reactive among RevA proteins from diverse strains. Mice infected withB. burgdorferimounted a rapid IgM response to RevA, followed by a strong IgG response that generally remained elevated for more than 12 months, suggesting continued exposure of RevA protein to the immune system. RevA antibodies were bactericidalin vitro. To evaluate the RevA antigen as a potential vaccine, mice were vaccinated with recombinant RevA and challenged withB. burgdorferiby inoculation with a needle or by a tick bite. Cultured tissues from all treatment groups were positive forB. burgdorferi. Vaccinated animals also appeared to have similar levels ofB. burgdorferiDNA compared to nonvaccinated controls. Despite its antigenicity, surface expression, and the production of bactericidal antibodies against it, RevA does not protect againstBorrelia burgdorferiinfection in a mouse model. However, passive immunization with anti-RevA antibodies did prevent infection, suggesting the possible utility of RevA-based immunotherapeutics or vaccine.

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Altered Murine Tissue Colonization by Borrelia burgdorferi following Targeted Deletion of Linear Plasmid 17-Carried Genes

Infection and Immunity ◽

10.1128/iai.05984-11 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 80 (5) ◽

pp. 1773-1782 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Timothy Casselli ◽

Yvonne Tourand ◽

Troy Bankhead

Keyword(s):

Lyme Disease ◽

Borrelia Burgdorferi ◽

Mutant Strain ◽

Genetic Manipulation ◽

Infectious Clone ◽

Linear Plasmid ◽

Peripheral Tissues ◽

Content Type ◽

Immunodeficient Mice

ABSTRACTThe causative agent of Lyme disease,Borrelia burgdorferi, possesses a segmented genome comprised of a single linear chromosome and upwards of 23 linear and circular plasmids. Much of what is known about plasmid-borne genes comes from studying laboratory clones that have spontaneously lost one or more plasmids duringin vitropassage. Some plasmids, including the linear plasmid lp17, are never or rarely reported to be lost during routine culture; therefore, little is known about the requirement of these conserved plasmids for infectivity. In this study, the effects of deleting regions of lp17 were examined bothin vitroandin vivo. A mutant strain lacking the genesbbd16tobbd25showed no deficiency in the ability to establish infection or disseminate to the bloodstream of mice; however, colonization of peripheral tissues was delayed. Despite the ability to colonize ear, heart, and joint tissues, this mutant exhibited a defect in bladder tissue colonization for up to 56 days postinfection. This phenotype was not observed in immunodeficient mice, suggesting that bladder colonization by the mutant strain was inhibited by an adaptive immune-based mechanism. Moreover, the mutant displayed increased expression of outer surface protein Cin vitro, which was correlated with the absence of the genebbd18. To our knowledge, this is the first report involving genetic manipulation of lp17 in an infectious clone ofB. burgdorferiand reveals for the first time the effects of lp17 gene deletion during murine infection by the Lyme disease spirochete.

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Outer Surface Protein C Peptide Derived from Borrelia burgdorferi Sensu Stricto as a Target for Serodiagnosis of Early Lyme Disease

Clinical and Vaccine Immunology ◽

10.1128/cvi.00608-12 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 20 (4) ◽

pp. 474-481 ◽

Cited By ~ 27

Author(s):

Paul M. Arnaboldi ◽

Rudra Seedarnee ◽

Mariya Sambir ◽

Steven M. Callister ◽

Josephine A. Imparato ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Lyme Disease ◽

Borrelia Burgdorferi ◽

Bacterial Species ◽

Erythema Migrans ◽

Early Infection ◽

Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽

Attractive Alternative ◽

Serum Samples ◽

Peptide Epitope ◽

Content Type

ABSTRACTCurrent serodiagnostic assays for Lyme disease are inadequate at detecting early infection due to poor sensitivity and nonspecificity that arise from the use of whole bacteria or bacterial proteins as assay targets; both targets contain epitopes that are cross-reactive with epitopes found in antigens of other bacterial species. Tests utilizing peptides that contain individual epitopes highly specific forBorrelia burgdorferias diagnostic targets are an attractive alternative to current assays. Using an overlapping peptide library, we mapped linear epitopes in OspC, a critical virulence factor ofB. burgdorferirequired for mammalian infection, and confirmed the results by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). We identified a highly conserved 20-amino-acid peptide epitope, OspC1. Via ELISA, OspC1 detected specific IgM and/or IgG in 60 of 98 serum samples (62.1%) obtained from patients with erythema migrans (early Lyme disease) at the time of their initial presentation. By comparison, the commercially available OspC peptide PepC10 detected antibody in only 48 of 98 serum samples (49.0%). In addition, OspC1 generated fewer false-positive results among negative healthy and diseased (rheumatoid arthritis and positive Rapid Plasma Reagin [RPR+] test result) control populations than did PepC10. Both highly specific and more sensitive than currently available OspC peptides, OspC1 could have value as a component of a multipeptide Lyme disease serological assay with significantly improved capabilities for the diagnosis of early infection.

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