Transport of Babesia venatorum-infected Ixodes ricinus to Norway by northward migrating passerine birds

AbstractSand lizards (Lacerta agilis) were trapped and examined for ticks from May to September in 2002 and 2003 in Northeastern Poland. A total of 233 Ixodes ricinus (L.) ticks (76 larvae and 157 nymphs) was found on 31 of 235 captured lizards (13.2%). The tick infestation is relatively low compared to that of mammals and passerine birds from the same area (Siński et al. 2006, Gryczyńska et al. 2002). Tick infestation depended on the month of capture, being the highest in spring. In autumn no ticks were recorded on any of the captured lizards. The oldest lizards carried the highest number of ticks but no differences related to sex of the host were found. All the collected ticks were analysed by PCR for the presence of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, the etiological agents of Lyme disease. Spirochetes were detected in 11 out of 233 (4.7%) ticks tested. Genetic analysis confirmed that the spirochetes are members of the Borrelia afzelii, B. garinii and B. burgdorferi sensu stricto genospecies. Mixed infection were not detected. The prevalence of infection was analysed in relation to months of the capture, age and sex of the lizards, but differences were not statistically significant. The obtained results suggest that lizards are probably not B. burgdorferi reservoirs, but further studies are required to confirm this.

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A three-years assessment of Ixodes ricinus-borne pathogens in a French peri-urban forest

Parasites & Vectors ◽

10.1186/s13071-019-3799-7 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 12 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Emilie Lejal ◽

Maud Marsot ◽

Karine Chalvet-Monfray ◽

Jean-François Cosson ◽

Sara Moutailler ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Borrelia Burgdorferi ◽

Ixodes Ricinus ◽

Urban Forest ◽

Common Species ◽

Borrelia Miyamotoi ◽

Rickettsia Felis ◽

Annual Prevalence ◽

Causative Agents ◽

Babesia Venatorum ◽

Pathogen Vector

Abstract Background Ixodes ricinus is the predominant tick species in Europe and the primary pathogen vector for both humans and animals. These ticks are frequently involved in the transmission of Borrelia burgdorferi (sensu lato), the causative agents of Lyme borreliosis. While much more is known about I. ricinus tick-borne pathogen composition, information about temporal tick-borne pathogen patterns remain scarce. These data are crucial for predicting seasonal/annual patterns which could improve understanding and prevent tick-borne diseases. Methods We examined tick-borne pathogen (TBP) dynamics in I. ricinus collected monthly in a peri-urban forest over three consecutive years. In total, 998 nymphs were screened for 31 pathogenic species using high-throughput microfluidic real-time PCR. Results We detected DNA from Anaplasma phagocytophilum (5.3%), Rickettsia helvetica (4.5%), Borrelia burgdorferi (s.l.) (3.7%), Borrelia miyamotoi (1.2%), Babesia venatorum (1.5%) and Rickettsia felis (0.1%). Among all analysed ticks, 15.9% were infected by at least one of these microorganisms, and 1.3% were co-infected. Co-infections with B. afzeli/B. garinii and B. garinii/B. spielmanii were significantly over-represented. Moreover, significant variations in seasonal and/or inter-annual prevalence were observed for several pathogens (R. helvetica, B. burgdorferi (s.l.), B. miyamotoi and A. phagocytophilum). Conclusions Analysing TBP prevalence in monthly sampled tick over three years allowed us to assess seasonal and inter-annual fluctuations of the prevalence of TBPs known to circulate in the sampled area, but also to detect less common species. All these data emphasize that sporadic tick samplings are not sufficient to determine TBP prevalence and that regular monitoring is necessary.

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

Applied and Environmental Microbiology ◽

10.1128/aem.02278-10 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 77 (3) ◽

pp. 1115-1117 ◽

Cited By ~ 23

Author(s):

Lenka Dubska ◽

Ivan Literak ◽

Elena Kocianova ◽

Veronika Taragelova ◽

Veronika Sverakova ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Czech Republic ◽

Ixodes Ricinus ◽

Passerine Birds ◽

Borrelia Garinii ◽

The Czech Republic ◽

Borrelia Afzelii ◽

Turdus Merula ◽

Host Seeking ◽

Reservoir Hosts

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.

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Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato genospecies in Ixodes ricinus ticks feeding on passerine birds in southern Norway

Biologija ◽

10.6001/biologija.v62i2.3338 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 62 (2) ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Jana Radzijevskaja ◽

Olav Rosef ◽

Vesta Matulaitytė ◽

Algimantas Paulauskas

Keyword(s):

Borrelia Burgdorferi ◽

Ixodes Ricinus ◽

Pcr Amplification ◽

Borrelia Burgdorferi Sensu Lato ◽

Passerine Birds ◽

Direct Pcr ◽

Turdus Merula ◽

Questing Ticks ◽

Ixodes Ricinus Ticks ◽

Southern Norway

Birds are increasingly considered important in the global dispersal of tick-borne pathogens. The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato genospecies in Ixodes ricinus ticks collected on passerine birds from two ornithological stations (Jomfruland and Lista) in southern Norway. In both sampling sites a total of 608 (109 larvae and 499 nymphs) of immature ticks were collected from 157 infested birds representing 26 species. The presence of B. burgdorferi s.l. DNA in ticks was tested using direct PCR amplification of the ospA gene, localized on lp-54 plasmid in B. burgdorferi s.l. genome. Twenty one out of 157 infested (13%) birds carried B. burgdorferi s.l. infected Ixodes ricinus ticks. B. burgdorferi s.l. DNA was detected in 19.7% of the tick samples. In total, 6.4% of larvae (7/109) and 10% of nymphs (50/499) were positive. The vast majority of infected ticks were found on blackbird (Turdus merula). The most frequent genospecies was B. garinii (85.5%), followed by B. afzelii (9.0%) and B. valaisiana (5.5%). Five different B. garinii genotypes were identified. Our findings showed that the blackbirds may support the circulation and spread of B. garinii and B. valaisiana. B. garinii was not detected in questing ticks from investigated locations. B. afzelii genospecies, however, dominated in questing ticks, rodents and ticks from rodents.

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Three Babesia species in Ixodes ricinus ticks from migratory birds in Sweden

Parasites & Vectors ◽

10.1186/s13071-021-04684-8 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 14 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Peter Wilhelmsson ◽

Olga Pawełczyk ◽

Thomas G. T. Jaenson ◽

Jonas Waldenström ◽

Björn Olsen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Ixodes Ricinus ◽

Migratory Birds ◽

Animal Health ◽

Babesia Microti ◽

Tick Population ◽

Protozoan Parasites ◽

Potential Threat ◽

South Eastern ◽

Ixodes Ricinus Ticks ◽

Babesia Venatorum

Abstract Background Migratory birds can cross geographical and environmental barriers and are thereby able to facilitate transmission of tick-borne pathogens both as carriers of infected ticks and as reservoirs of pathogenic microorganisms. Ixodes ricinus is one of the most abundant tick species in the Northern Hemisphere and a main vector of several Babesia species, some which pose a potential threat to human and animal health. At present only two cases of overt babesiosis in humans have so far been reported in Sweden. To better understand the potential role of birds as disseminators of zoonotic Babesia protozoan parasites, we investigated the presence of Babesia species in ticks removed from migratory birds. Methods Ticks were collected from birds captured at Ottenby Bird Observatory, south-eastern Sweden, from March to November 2009. Ticks were molecularly identified to species, and morphologically to developmental stage, and the presence of Babesia protozoan parasites was determined by real-time PCR. Results In total, 4601 migratory birds of 65 species were examined for tick infestation. Ticks removed from these birds have previously been investigated for the presence of Borrelia bacteria and the tick-borne encephalitis virus. In the present study, a total of 1102 ticks were available for molecular analysis of Babesia protozoan parasites. We found that 2.4% of the ticks examined, all I. ricinus, were positive for mammal-associated Babesia species. Out of all Babesia-positive samples, Babesia venatorum was the most prevalent (58%) species, followed by Babesia microti (38%) and Babesia capreoli (4.0%). B. venatorum and B. capreoli were detected in I. ricinus larvae, whereas B. microti was only present in I. ricinus nymphs. This supports the view that the two first-mentioned species are vertically (transovarially) transmitted in the tick population, in contrast to B. microti. The largest number of Babesia-infected ticks was removed from the common redstart (Phoenicurus phoenicurus) and European robin (Erithacus rubecula). Conclusions This study reveals that Babesia protozoan parasites are present in ticks infesting migratory birds in south-eastern Sweden, which could potentially lead to the dissemination of these tick-borne microorganisms into new areas, thus posing a threat to humans and other mammals.

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Occurrence and Identification of Ixodes ricinus Borne Pathogens in Northeastern Italy

Pathogens ◽

10.3390/pathogens10091181 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (9) ◽

pp. 1181

Author(s):

Michela Bertola ◽

Fabrizio Montarsi ◽

Federica Obber ◽

Graziana Da Rold ◽

Sara Carlin ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Ixodes Ricinus ◽

Tick Species ◽

Specific Area ◽

Molecular Techniques ◽

Immature Stages ◽

Efficient Strategy ◽

Northern Areas ◽

Northeastern Italy ◽

Babesia Venatorum

In Europe, Ixodes ricinus is the main vector for tick-borne pathogens (TBPs), the most common tick species in Italy, particularly represented in pre-alpine and hilly northern areas. From 2011 to 2017, ticks were collected by dragging in Belluno province (northeast Italy) and analyzed by molecular techniques for TBP detection. Several species of Rickettsia spp. and Borrelia spp. Anaplaspa phagocitophilum, Neoerlichia mikurensis and Babesia venatorum, were found to be circulating in the study area carried by I. ricinus (n = 2668, all stages). Overall, 39.1% of screened pools were positive for at least one TBP, with a prevalence of 12.25% and 29.2% in immature stages and adults, respectively. Pathogens were detected in 85% of the monitored municipalities, moreover the presence of TBPs varied from one to seven different pathogens in the same year. The annual TBPs prevalence fluctuations observed in each municipality highlights the necessity of performing continuous tick surveillance. In conclusion, the observation of TBPs in ticks remains an efficient strategy for monitoring the circulation of tick-borne diseases (TBDs) in a specific area.

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First evidence of Babesia venatorum and Babesia capreoli in questing Ixodes ricinus ticks in the Czech Republic

Annals of Agricultural and Environmental Medicine ◽

10.5604/12321966.1152067 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 22 (2) ◽

pp. 212-214 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Kristyna Venclikova ◽

Jan Mendel ◽

Lenka Betasova ◽

Zdenek Hubalek ◽

Ivo Rudolf

Keyword(s):

Czech Republic ◽

Ixodes Ricinus ◽

The Czech Republic ◽

Ixodes Ricinus Ticks ◽

Babesia Venatorum

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A three-years assessment of Ixodes ricinus-borne pathogens in a French peri-urban forest

10.1101/597013 ◽

2019 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Emilie Lejal ◽

Maud Marsot ◽

Karine Chalvet-Monfray ◽

Jean-François Cosson ◽

Sara Moutailler ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Borrelia Burgdorferi ◽

Ixodes Ricinus ◽

Urban Forest ◽

Common Species ◽

Borrelia Miyamotoi ◽

Rickettsia Felis ◽

Annual Prevalence ◽

Causative Agents ◽

Babesia Venatorum ◽

Pathogen Vector

AbstractBackgroundIxodes ricinus is the predominant tick species in Europe and the primary pathogen vector for both humans and animals. These ticks are frequently involved in the transmission of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, the causative agents of Lyme borreliosis. While much more is known about I. ricinus tick-borne pathogen composition, information about temporal tick-borne pathogen patterns remain scarce. These data are crucial for predicting seasonal/annual patterns which could improve understanding and prevent tick-borne diseases.MethodsWe examined tick-borne pathogen (TBPs) dynamics in I. ricinus collected monthly in a peri-urban forest over three consecutive years. In total, 998 nymphs were screened for 31 pathogenic species using high-throughput microfluidic real-time PCR.ResultsWe detected DNA from Anaplasma phagocytophilum (5.3%), Rickettsia helvetica (4.5%), Borrelia burgdorferi s.l. (3.7%), Borrelia miyamotoi (1.2%), Babesia venatorum (1.5%) and Rickettsia felis (0.1%). Among all analysed ticks, 15.9% were infected by at least one of these microorganisms, and 1.3% were co-infected. Co-infections with B. afzeli/B. garinii and B. garinii/B. spielmanii were significantly over-represented. Moreover, significant variations in seasonal and/or inter-annual prevalence were observed for several pathogens (R. helvetica, B. burgdorferi s.l., B. miyamotoi, and A. phagocytophilum).ConclusionsAnalysing TBPs prevalence in monthly sampled tick over three years allowed us to assess seasonal and inter-annual fluctuations of the prevalence of TBPs known to circulate in the sampled area, but also to punctually detect less common species. All these data emphasize that sporadic tick samplings are not sufficient to determine TBPs prevalence and that regular monitoring is necessary.

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