Synanthropic Birds Influence the Distribution ofBorreliaSpecies: Analysis ofIxodes ricinusTicks Feeding on Passerine Birds

ABSTRACTIxodes ricinusticks collected from 835 birds and from vegetation in the Czech Republic were analyzed. Host-seeking ticks (n= 427) were infected predominantly byBorrelia afzelii(25%). Ticks (n= 1,012) from songbirds (Passeriformes) were infected commonly byBorrelia garinii(12.1%) andBorrelia valaisiana(13.4%). Juveniles of synanthropic birds, Eurasian blackbirds (Turdus merula) and song thrushes (Turdus philomelos), were major reservoir hosts ofB. garinii.

Download Full-text

Differential Role of Passerine Birds in Distribution of Borrelia Spirochetes, Based on Data from Ticks Collected from Birds during the Postbreeding Migration Period in Central Europe

Applied and Environmental Microbiology ◽

10.1128/aem.01674-08 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 75 (3) ◽

pp. 596-602 ◽

Cited By ~ 81

Author(s):

Lenka Dubska ◽

Ivan Literak ◽

Elena Kocianova ◽

Veronika Taragelova ◽

Oldrich Sychra

Keyword(s):

Czech Republic ◽

Urban Areas ◽

Bird Species ◽

Parus Major ◽

Passerine Bird ◽

Sensu Stricto ◽

Passerine Birds ◽

Borrelia Garinii ◽

The Czech Republic

ABSTRACT Borrelia spirochetes in bird-feeding ticks were studied in the Czech Republic. During the postbreeding period (July to September 2005), 1,080 passerine birds infested by 2,240 Ixodes ricinus subadult ticks were examined. Borrelia garinii was detected in 22.2% of the ticks, Borrelia valaisiana was detected in 12.8% of the ticks, Borrelia afzelii was detected in 1.6% of the ticks, and Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto was detected in 0.3% of the ticks. After analysis of infections in which the blood meal volume and the stage of the ticks were considered, we concluded that Eurasian blackbirds (Turdus merula), song thrushes (Turdus philomelos), and great tits (Parus major) are capable of transmitting B. garinii; that juvenile blackbirds and song thrushes are prominent reservoirs for B. garinii spirochetes; that some other passerine birds investigated play minor roles in transmitting B. garinii; and that the presence B. afzelii in ticks results from infection in a former stage. Thus, while B. garinii transmission is associated with only a few passerine bird species, these birds have the potential to distribute millions of Lyme disease spirochetes between urban areas.

Download Full-text

Incidence of Borrelia garinii and Borrelia afzelii in Ixodes ricinus Ticks in an Urban Environment, Prague, Czech Republic, Between 1995 and 1998

European Journal of Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases ◽

10.1007/s100960050335 ◽

1999 ◽

Vol 18 (7) ◽

pp. 515-517 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

J. Bašta ◽

J. Plch ◽

D. Hulínská ◽

M. Daniel

Keyword(s):

Czech Republic ◽

Urban Environment ◽

Ixodes Ricinus ◽

Borrelia Garinii ◽

Borrelia Afzelii ◽

Ixodes Ricinus Ticks

Download Full-text

Candidatus Neoehrlichia mikurensis is widespread in questing Ixodes ricinus ticks in the Czech Republic

Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases ◽

10.1016/j.ttbdis.2020.101371 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 11 (3) ◽

pp. 101371 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Jaroslav Ondruš ◽

Alena Balážová ◽

Vojtech Baláž ◽

Kristína Zechmeisterová ◽

Adam Novobilský ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Czech Republic ◽

Ixodes Ricinus ◽

The Czech Republic ◽

Candidatus Neoehrlichia Mikurensis ◽

Ixodes Ricinus Ticks ◽

Neoehrlichia Mikurensis

Download Full-text

Relative incompetence of European rabbits for Lyme disease spirochaetes

Parasitology ◽

10.1017/s0031182099006241 ◽

2000 ◽

Vol 121 (3) ◽

pp. 297-302 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

F.-R. MATUSCHKA ◽

T. W. SCHINKEL ◽

B. KLUG ◽

A. SPIELMAN ◽

D. RICHTER

Keyword(s):

Lyme Disease ◽

Antibody Response ◽

Ixodes Ricinus ◽

Borrelia Afzelii ◽

European Rabbits ◽

Reservoir Hosts

To determine whether rabbits may serve as reservoir hosts for Lyme disease spirochaetes in Europe, we compared their competence as hosts for Borrelia afzelii, one of the most prevalent European spirochaetal variants, with that of the Mongolian jird. To infect rabbits or jirds, at least 3 nymphal or adult Ixodes ricinus ticks infected with spirochaetes fed to repletion on each animal. Whereas jirds readily acquired tick-borne Lyme disease spirochaetes and subsequently infected vector ticks, rabbits exposed to tick-borne spirochaetes rarely became infectious to ticks. Only the rabbit that was infectious to ticks developed an antibody response. To the extent that I. ricinus ticks feed on European rabbits, these mammals may be zooprophylactic by diverting vector ticks from more suitable reservoir competent hosts.

Download Full-text