scholarly journals The importance of dogs in eco-epidemiology of Lyme borreliosis: a review

2012 ◽  
Vol 49 (No. 4) ◽  
pp. 135-142 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Bhide ◽  
M. Travnicek ◽  
J. Curlik ◽  
A. Stefancikova
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Lyme Disease ◽  
Characteristic Feature ◽  
Lyme Borreliosis ◽  
Disease Surveillance ◽  
Wide Spectrum ◽  
Close Association ◽  
Disease Prevalence ◽  
Borrelia Burgdorferi Sensu Lato ◽  
Game Animals

Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, is endemic in most of the regions in Europe. Pathogen circulates in nature involving ticks vector (mainly Ixodes ricinus in Europe) and wide spectrum of reservoir animals like rodents, game animals, birds as well as pets. Considering the close association of a dog and humans, and their similar activities in nature, it is necessary to evaluate the significance of a dog as an important animal in ecology and epidemiology of Lyme borreliosis. Antibody profile in Lyme disease is the most characteristic feature in dogs that helps to evaluate the changes in disease prevalence in particular area and helps to assess the risk factors for human. The article reviews overall eco-epidemiological importance of dogs in Lyme disease surveillance.

scholarly journals Geographical and genospecies distribution of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato DNA detected in humans in the USA

2014 ◽  
Vol 63 (5) ◽  
pp. 674-684 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kerry L. Clark ◽  
Brian F. Leydet ◽  
Clifford Threlkeld
Keyword(s):  
Lyme Disease ◽  
Borrelia Burgdorferi ◽  
Skin Biopsy ◽  
Lyme Borreliosis ◽  
Erythema Migrans ◽  
Skin Lesions ◽  
Sensu Stricto ◽  
Borrelia Burgdorferi Sensu Lato ◽  
Southern States ◽  
The Usa

The present study investigated the cause of illness in human patients primarily in the southern USA with suspected Lyme disease based on erythema migrans-like skin lesions and/or symptoms consistent with early localized or late disseminated Lyme borreliosis. The study also included some patients from other states throughout the USA. Several PCR assays specific for either members of the genus Borrelia or only for Lyme group Borrelia spp. (Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato), and DNA sequence analysis, were used to identify Borrelia spp. DNA in blood and skin biopsy samples from human patients. B. burgdorferi sensu lato DNA was found in both blood and skin biopsy samples from patients residing in the southern states and elsewhere in the USA, but no evidence of DNA from other Borrelia spp. was detected. Based on phylogenetic analysis of partial flagellin (flaB) gene sequences, strains that clustered separately with B. burgdorferi sensu stricto, Borrelia americana or Borrelia andersonii were associated with Lyme disease-like signs and symptoms in patients from the southern states, as well as from some other areas of the country. Strains most similar to B. burgdorferi sensu stricto and B. americana were found most commonly and appeared to be widely distributed among patients residing throughout the USA. The study findings suggest that human cases of Lyme disease in the southern USA may be more common than previously recognized and may also be caused by more than one species of B. burgdorferi sensu lato. This study provides further evidence that B. burgdorferi sensu stricto is not the only species associated with signs and/or symptoms consistent with Lyme borreliosis in the USA.

Surveillance and Molecular Identification of Borrelia Species in Ticks Collected at U.S. Army Garrison Humphreys, Republic of Korea, 2018–2019

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Seung-Ho Lee ◽  
Sung-Tae Chong ◽  
Heung-Chul Kim ◽  
Terry A Klein ◽  
Kyungmin Park ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lyme Borreliosis ◽  
Disease Surveillance ◽  
Disease Risk ◽  
Republic Of Korea ◽  
Borrelia Burgdorferi Sensu Lato ◽  
Molecular Characteristics ◽  
Rrna Gene ◽  
Haemaphysalis Longicornis ◽  
Borrelia Miyamotoi ◽  
Contributing Factors

Abstract Tick-borne pathogens are contributing factors for the increased incidence of vector-borne diseases throughout the world, including Lyme borreliosis, one of the most prevalent spirochetes belonging to the Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato group. The present study focused on the detection of Borrelia species from hard ticks collected at U.S. Army Garrison Humphreys, Republic of Korea (ROK), using molecular and genotypic analyses. Tick-borne disease surveillance was conducted from January to December, 2018–2019. A total of 24,281 ticks (2 genera and 5 species) were collected from road-killed Korean Water deer (KWD) and by tick drag. Haemaphysalis longicornis (92.0%) was the most commonly collected species, followed by Haemaphysalis flava (4.9%), Ixodes nipponensis (3.1%), Haemaphysalis phasiana (0.07%), and Haemaphysalis japonica (<0.01%). The ospA gene sequences of Borrelia afzelii were detected in 12/529 pools of I. nipponensis. Three and one pools were positive for B. afzelii and Borrelia miyamotoi, respectively, using the 16s rRNA gene. None of the pools of Haemaphysalis ticks collected from KWD or by tick drag were positive for Borrelia species. I. nipponensis was collected throughout the year from KWD and from February to November by tick drag, suggesting that they were active throughout the year, and expanding the risk period for acquiring Lyme borreliosis and Borrelia relapsing fever in the ROK. This study assessed disease risk factors associated with the prevalence of Lyme disease in ticks collected from KWD and by tick drag using molecular analysis. These results provide an understanding and awareness into the prevalence and molecular characteristics of Borrelia species in the ROK.

scholarly journals Seroprevalence of antibodies against Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato in healthy blood donors in Romania: an update

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Zsuzsa Kalmár ◽  
Violeta Briciu ◽  
Mircea Coroian ◽  
Mirela Flonta ◽  
Amanda-Lelia Rădulescu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Borrelia Burgdorferi ◽  
Western Blot ◽  
Lyme Borreliosis ◽  
Blood Donors ◽  
Clinical Manifestations ◽  
Borrelia Burgdorferi Sensu Lato ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Igm Antibodies ◽  
Associated Risk Factors

Abstract Background The Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (s.l.) genogroup is the causative agent responsible for Lyme borreliosis, a common tick-borne infectious disease in some temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere. In humans, the clinical manifestations of Lyme borreliosis vary from dermatological infection to severe systemic manifestations. In Romania, data on the seroprevalence of Lyme borreliosis and associated risk factors are scarce and outdated, as the only seroprevalence study with a large dataset was published more than 20 years ago. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the seroprevalence for Borrelia burgdorferi s.l. in healthy blood donors from six Romanian counties and identify the associated risk factors. Methods The study was conducted among 1200 healthy blood donors aged between 18 and 65 years during November 2019 and September 2020 from six counties in the northwestern and central parts of Romania. A two-tiered testing strategy was applied. Positive and equivocal immunoenzymatic test results for IgG and IgM antibodies were further confirmed by Western blot. Results Serum samples from 20% of the blood donors had positive or equivocal IgG and IgM ELISA index values. In total, 2.3% of the serum samples for IgG and 1.8% for IgM were positive by Western blot. The seroprevalence for both antibodies varied between 1.5% (Satu-Mare) and 6.5% (Bistrița-Năsăud) in the six counties investigated. The highest seroprevalence was observed in men (4.7%), in blood donors performing their professional activities outdoors (4.2%), and in those aged  ≥ 56 years (8%). Conclusions These findings confirm the presence of specific IgG and IgM antibodies to B. burgdorferi s.l. among healthy blood donors from Romania. Furthermore, potential risk factors, such as gender, age, and behavior, associated with the presence of positive B. burgdorferi s.l. antibodies among healthy blood donors were identified. Graphical Abstract

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

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.

scholarly journals The Brilliance of Borrelia: Mechanisms of Host Immune Evasion by Lyme Disease-Causing Spirochetes

Pathogens ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 281
Author(s):  
Cassidy Anderson ◽  
Catherine A. Brissette
Keyword(s):  
Immune Response ◽  
Lyme Disease ◽  
Immune Evasion ◽  
Host Immune Response ◽  
Surface Proteins ◽  
Borrelia Burgdorferi Sensu Lato ◽  
Adaptive Responses ◽  
Tick Saliva ◽  
Vector Borne ◽  
Antimicrobial Peptide Resistance

Lyme disease (LD) has become the most common vector-borne illness in the northern hemisphere. The causative agent, Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, is capable of establishing a persistent infection within the host. This is despite the activation of both the innate and adaptive immune responses. B. burgdorferi utilizes several immune evasion tactics ranging from the regulation of surface proteins, tick saliva, antimicrobial peptide resistance, and the disabling of the germinal center. This review aims to cover the various methods by which B. burgdorferi evades detection and destruction by the host immune response, examining both the innate and adaptive responses. By understanding the methods employed by B. burgdorferi to evade the host immune response, we gain a deeper knowledge of B. burgdorferi pathogenesis and Lyme disease, and gain insight into how to create novel, effective treatments.

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