scholarly journals The specificity of Babesia-tick vector interactions: recent advances and pitfalls in molecular and field studies

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Bajer ◽  
Dorota Dwużnik-Szarek
Keyword(s):  
Ixodes Ricinus ◽  
Species Interactions ◽  
Tick Species ◽  
Ixodes Scapularis ◽  
Epidemiological Data ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Molecular Techniques ◽  
Babesia Microti ◽  
Ixodes Persulcatus ◽  
Tick Vector

Abstract Background Babesia spp. are protozoan parasites of great medical and veterinary importance, especially in the northern Hemisphere. Ticks are known vectors of Babesia spp., although some Babesia-tick interactions have not been fully elucidated. Methods The present review was performed to investigate the specificity of Babesia-tick species interactions that have been identified using molecular techniques in studies conducted in the last 20 years under field conditions. We aimed to indicate the main vectors of important Babesia species based on published research papers (n = 129) and molecular data derived from the GenBank database. Results Repeated observations of certain Babesia species in specific species and genera of ticks in numerous independent studies, carried out in different areas and years, have been considered epidemiological evidence of established Babesia-tick interactions. The best studied species of ticks are Ixodes ricinus, Dermacentor reticulatus and Ixodes scapularis (103 reports, i.e. 80% of total reports). Eco-epidemiological studies have confirmed a specific relationship between Babesia microti and Ixodes ricinus, Ixodes persulcatus, and Ixodes scapularis and also between Babesia canis and D. reticulatus. Additionally, four Babesia species (and one genotype), which have different deer species as reservoir hosts, displayed specificity to the I. ricinus complex. Eco-epidemiological studies do not support interactions between a high number of Babesia spp. and I. ricinus or D. reticulatus. Interestingly, pioneering studies on other species and genera of ticks have revealed the existence of likely new Babesia species, which need more scientific attention. Finally, we discuss the detection of Babesia spp. in feeding ticks and critically evaluate the data on the role of the latter as vectors. Conclusions Epidemiological data have confirmed the specificity of certain Babesia-tick vector interactions. The massive amount of data that has been thus far collected for the most common tick species needs to be complemented by more intensive studies on Babesia infections in underrepresented tick species. Graphical abstract

scholarly journals Global Distribution of Babesia Species in Questing Ticks: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Based on Published Literature

Pathogens ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 230
Author(s):  
ThankGod E. Onyiche ◽  
Cristian Răileanu ◽  
Susanne Fischer ◽  
Cornelia Silaghi
Keyword(s):  
Tick Species ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Mammalian Species ◽  
Molecular Techniques ◽  
Ixodid Ticks ◽  
Babesia Microti ◽  
Babesia Species ◽  
Nested Polymerase Chain Reaction ◽  
Questing Ticks ◽  
Veterinary Importance

Babesiosis caused by the Babesia species is a parasitic tick-borne disease. It threatens many mammalian species and is transmitted through infected ixodid ticks. To date, the global occurrence and distribution are poorly understood in questing ticks. Therefore, we performed a meta-analysis to estimate the distribution of the pathogen. A deep search for four electronic databases of the published literature investigating the prevalence of Babesia spp. in questing ticks was undertaken and obtained data analyzed. Our results indicate that in 104 eligible studies dating from 1985 to 2020, altogether 137,364 ticks were screened with 3069 positives with an estimated global pooled prevalence estimates (PPE) of 2.10%. In total, 19 different Babesia species of both human and veterinary importance were detected in 23 tick species, with Babesia microti and Ixodesricinus being the most widely reported Babesia and tick species, respectively. Regardless of species, adult ticks with 2.60% had the highest infection rates, while larvae had the least with 0.60%. Similarly, female ticks with 4.90% were infected compared to males with 3.80%. Nested-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) 2.80% had the highest prevalence among the molecular techniques employed. In conclusion, results obtained indicate that Babesia species are present in diverse questing tick species at a low prevalence, of which some are competent vectors.

Babesiosis and malaria

2011 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. E. G. Cox
Keyword(s):  
Ixodes Scapularis ◽  
Life Cycles ◽  
Molecular Techniques ◽  
Babesia Microti ◽  
Babesia Divergens ◽  
The World ◽  
Causative Agents ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Human Infections ◽  
Human Babesiosis

Babesiosis and malaria are rare zoonoses that, with new developments in diagnosis and the application of molecular techniques, are becoming increasingly frequently recognised. Babesia species infect millions of cattle and unknown numbers of sheep, dogs, horses, and wildlife throughout the world but human infections are very uncommon. There are two distinct forms of human babesiosis. In Europe the causative agent is Babesia divergens, a natural parasite of cattle transmitted by the tick Ixodes ricinis. B. divergens infections in humans are extremely rare and nearly all have been recorded from asplenic or otherwise immunocompromised patients. In the USA, human babesiosis is more common than in Europe, although still very rare, and is not restricted to immunocompromised individuals. The causative agents are Babesia microti and B. duncani, common parasites of rodents, transmitted by the tick Ixodes scapularis. In addition there have been sporadic reports of human babesiosis from other parts of the world but in most cases the species of Babesia involved has not been characterised. Malaria parasites and Babesia both inhabit red blood cells during part of their life cycles and these stages cause the diseases, malaria and babesiosis, which are similar in many respects. The facts that humans can occasionally acquire malaria and babesiosis from animals, that both parasites appear similar when seen in blood films and that both cause similar symptoms can cause problems in diagnosis and these rare infections are, therefore, of interest to clinicians and epidemiologists.

scholarly journals Tick-borne pathogens in ticks collected from dogs, Latvia, 2011–2016

2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Agne Namina ◽  
Valentina Capligina ◽  
Maija Seleznova ◽  
Rudolfs Krumins ◽  
Darja Aleinikova ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ixodes Ricinus ◽  
Tick Species ◽  
Environmental Changes ◽  
Dermacentor Reticulatus ◽  
Ixodes Persulcatus ◽  
Borrelia Miyamotoi ◽  
Emerging Pathogens ◽  
Additional Risk ◽  
Risk Of Exposure ◽  
The Difference

Abstract Background Different tick species are able to transmit different pathogens, and tick-borne diseases are of substantial concern worldwide for both humans and animals. Environmental changes and changes in the range of tick species, including Dermacentor reticulatus in Europe, can affect the spread of zoonotic pathogens. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of the tick-borne pathogens in ticks removed from dogs in Latvia, and to explore possible changes between years 2011 and 2016. Results In 2011, only Ixodes ticks (221 Ixodes ricinus and 22 Ixodes persulcatus) were collected from dogs, while in 2016 tick samples belonged to Ixodes ricinus (360), Ixodes persulcatus (2) and Dermacentor reticulatus (27) species. In total, 35.8 and 40.0% of adult ticks were pathogen-positive in 2011 and 2016, respectively; the difference was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). The molecular analysis indicated the presence of 13 tick-borne microorganisms; the most prevalent pathogen was Rickettsia, followed by Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato group spirochetes, Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Babesia species. Borrelia miyamotoi was also present. A co-infection with two and three tick-borne pathogens was detected in 7.9 and 7.4% of Ixodes ricinus and Dermacentor reticulatus, respectively. The results of this study confirmed that the spread of novel vectors could bring additional risk of exposure to novel emerging pathogens to pets and their owners, as both Babesia canis and Rickettsia raoultii were shown to be highly associated with Dermacentor reticulatus ticks in Latvia. Conclusions This study demonstrates the potential danger from the inadvertent introduction of novel disease pathogens and vectors. Awareness of co-infections and Dermacentor reticulatus-related pathogens needs to be increased.

scholarly journals Occurrence and Identification of Ixodes ricinus Borne Pathogens in Northeastern Italy

Pathogens ◽  
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.

Presence of Candidatus Neoehrlichia mikurensis and Babesia microti in rodents and two tick species (Ixodes ricinus and Ixodes trianguliceps) in Slovakia

2016 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 319-326 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lucia Blaňarová ◽  
Michal Stanko ◽  
Dana Miklisová ◽  
Bronislava Víchová ◽  
Ladislav Mošanský ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ixodes Ricinus ◽  
Tick Species ◽  
Babesia Microti ◽  
Candidatus Neoehrlichia Mikurensis ◽  
Ixodes Trianguliceps ◽  
Neoehrlichia Mikurensis

scholarly journals Methods for epidemiological studies in competitive cycling: an extension of the IOC consensus statement on methods for recording and reporting of epidemiological data on injury and illness in sport 2020

2021 ◽  
pp. bjsports-2020-103906
Author(s):  
Benjamin Clarsen ◽  
Babette M Pluim ◽  
Víctor Moreno-Pérez ◽  
Xavier Bigard ◽  
Cheri Blauwet ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Consensus Statement ◽  
Expert Panel ◽  
Epidemiological Data ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Population Characteristics ◽  
Exposure Study ◽  
Injury Mechanisms ◽  
Study Population ◽  
Final Manuscript ◽  
Collection Methods

In 2020, the IOC released a consensus statement that provides overall guidelines for the recording and reporting of epidemiological data on injury and illness in sport. Some aspects of this statement need to be further specified on a sport-by-sport basis. To extend the IOC consensus statement on methods for recording and reporting of epidemiological data on injury and illness in sports and to meet the sport-specific requirements of all cycling disciplines regulated by the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI). A panel of 20 experts, all with experience in cycling or cycling medicine, participated in the drafting of this cycling-specific extension of the IOC consensus statement. In preparation, panel members were sent the IOC consensus statement, the first draft of this manuscript and a list of topics to be discussed. The expert panel met in July 2020 for a 1-day video conference to discuss the manuscript and specific topics. The final manuscript was developed in an iterative process involving all panel members. This paper extends the IOC consensus statement to provide cycling-specific recommendations on health problem definitions, mode of onset, injury mechanisms and circumstances, diagnosis classifications, exposure, study population characteristics and data collection methods. Recommendations apply to all UCI cycling disciplines, for both able-bodied cyclists and para-cyclists. The recommendations presented in this consensus statement will improve the consistency and accuracy of future epidemiological studies of injury and illness in cycling.

scholarly journals Genetic Contribution of Endometriosis to the Risk of Developing Hormone-Related Cancers

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (11) ◽  
pp. 6083
Author(s):  
Aintzane Rueda-Martínez ◽  
Aiara Garitazelaia ◽  
Ariadna Cilleros-Portet ◽  
Sergi Marí ◽  
Rebeca Arauzo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mendelian Randomization ◽  
Clear Cell ◽  
Association Studies ◽  
Epidemiological Data ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Genome Wide Association Studies ◽  
Genome Wide ◽  
Genomic Analyses ◽  
Gynecological Disorder ◽  
Robust Evidence

Endometriosis is a common gynecological disorder that has been associated with endometrial, breast and epithelial ovarian cancers in epidemiological studies. Since complex diseases are a result of multiple environmental and genetic factors, we hypothesized that the biological mechanism underlying their comorbidity might be explained, at least in part, by shared genetics. To assess their potential genetic relationship, we performed a two-sample mendelian randomization (2SMR) analysis on results from public genome-wide association studies (GWAS). This analysis confirmed previously reported genetic pleiotropy between endometriosis and endometrial cancer. We present robust evidence supporting a causal genetic association between endometriosis and ovarian cancer, particularly with the clear cell and endometrioid subtypes. Our study also identified genetic variants that could explain those associations, opening the door to further functional experiments. Overall, this work demonstrates the value of genomic analyses to support epidemiological data, and to identify targets of relevance in multiple disorders.

scholarly journals Monitoring the patterns of submission and presence of tick-borne pathogens in Ixodes scapularis collected from humans and companion animals in Ontario, Canada (2011–2017)

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark P. Nelder ◽  
Curtis B. Russell ◽  
Antonia Dibernardo ◽  
Katie M. Clow ◽  
Steven Johnson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Borrelia Burgdorferi ◽  
Regression Models ◽  
Ixodes Scapularis ◽  
Companion Animals ◽  
Companion Animal ◽  
Babesia Microti ◽  
Blacklegged Tick ◽  
Host Type ◽  
Animal Populations ◽  
Pathogen Prevalence

Abstract Background The universal nature of the human–companion animal relationship and their shared ticks and tick-borne pathogens offers an opportunity for improving public and veterinary health surveillance. With this in mind, we describe the spatiotemporal trends for blacklegged tick (Ixodes scapularis) submissions from humans and companion animals in Ontario, along with pathogen prevalence. Methods We tested tick samples submitted through passive surveillance (2011–2017) from humans and companion animals for Borrelia burgdorferi, Borrelia miyamotoi, Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Babesia microti. We describe pathogen prevalence in ticks from humans and from companion animals and constructed univariable Poisson and negative binomial regression models to explore the spatiotemporal relationship between the rates of tick submissions by host type. Results During the study, there were 17,230 blacklegged tick samples submitted from humans and 4375 from companion animals. Tick submission rates from companion animals were higher than expected in several public health units (PHUs) lacking established tick populations, potentially indicating newly emerging populations. Pathogen prevalence in ticks was higher in PHUs where established blacklegged tick populations exist. Borrelia burgdorferi prevalence was higher in ticks collected from humans (maximum likelihood estimate, MLE = 17.5%; 95% confidence interval, CI 16.97–18.09%) than from companion animals (9.9%, 95% CI 9.15–10.78%). There was no difference in pathogen prevalence in ticks by host type for the remaining pathogens, which were found in less than 1% of tested ticks. The most common co-infection B. burgdorferi + B. miyamotoi occurred in 0.11% of blacklegged ticks from humans and animals combined. Borrelia burgdorferi prevalence was higher in unengorged (21.9%, 95% CI 21.12–22.65%) than engorged ticks (10.0%, 95% CI 9.45–10.56%). There were no consistent and significant spatiotemporal relationships detected via regression models between the annual rates of submission of each host type. Conclusions While B. burgdorferi has been present in blacklegged ticks in Ontario for several decades, other tick-borne pathogens are also present at low prevalence. Blacklegged tick and pathogen surveillance data can be used to monitor risk in human and companion animal populations, and efforts are under consideration to unite surveillance efforts for the different target populations. Graphic Abstract

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