Migratory birds as disseminators of ticks and the tick-borne pathogens Borrelia bacteria and tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) virus – a seasonal study at Ottenby Bird Observatory in South-eastern Sweden

Abstract Background:Birds can act as reservoirs of tick-borne pathogens and can also disperse pathogen-containing ticks to both nearby and remote localities. The aims of this study were to estimate tick infestation patterns on migratory birds and the prevalence of different Borrelia species and tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) in ticks removed from birds in south-eastern Sweden.Methods:Ticks were collected from resident and migratory birds captured at the Ottenby Bird Observatory, Öland, Sweden, from March to November 2009. Ticks were molecularly identified to species, and morphologically to developmental stage, and the presence of Borrelia bacteria and TBEV was determined by quantitative real-time PCR.Results:A total of 1,339 ticks in the genera Haemaphysalis, Hyalomma and Ixodes was recorded of which I. ricinus was the most abundant species. Important tick hosts were the European robin (Erithacus rubecula), Blackbird (Turdus merula), Tree pipit (Anthus trivialis), Eurasian wren (Troglodytes troglodytes), Common redstart (Phoenicurus phoenicurus), Willow warbler (Phylloscopus trochilus), and Common whitethroat (Sylvia communis). Borrelia bacteria were detected in 25 % (285/1,124) of the detached ticks available for analysis. Seven Borrelia species (B. afzelii, B. burgdorferi sensu stricto, B. garinii, B. lusitaniae, B. turdi, B. valaisiana and B. miyamotoi) were identified. B. turdi was recorded for the first time in ticks in Sweden. The number of Borrelia cells per tick ranged from 2.0 × 100 to 7.0 × 105. B. miyamotoi-containing ticks contained a significantly higher median number of Borrelia cells than B. burgdorferi sensu lato-containing ticks. B. garinii and B. miyamotoi were the most prevalent Borrelia species in tick larvae. Larvae of I. ricinus with B. garinii were removed from seven bird species, particularly S. communis and A. trivialis, which may suggest that the larvae had contracted the Borrelia bacteria from or via these birds. Also, a high percentage of tick larvae containing B. miyamotoi was removed from E. rubecula. All ticks were negative for TBEV.Conclusions:The results corroborate the view that the contributions of birds to human disease are substantial, particularly as blood hosts for ticks and for their short-, medium- and long-distance dispersal. Moreover, several ground-foraging bird species appear to be important for the maintenance and dispersal of Borrelia species. The absence of TBEV in the ticks conforms to other similar studies.

Download Full-text

Migratory Birds as Disseminators of Ticks and the Tick-Borne Pathogens Borrelia Bacteria and Tick-Borne Encephalitis (TBE) Virus – A Seasonal Study at Ottenby Bird Observatory in South-Eastern Sweden

10.21203/rs.3.rs-62248/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Peter Wilhelmsson ◽

Thomas G. T. Jaenson ◽

Björn Olsen ◽

Jonas Waldenström ◽

Per-Eric Lindgren

Keyword(s):

Migratory Birds ◽

Bird Species ◽

Abundant Species ◽

Median Number ◽

Sensu Stricto ◽

Long Distance ◽

South Eastern ◽

Tick Borne Encephalitis ◽

Tick Borne Encephalitis Virus ◽

Anthus Trivialis

Abstract Introduction Birds can act as reservoirs of tick-borne pathogens and can also disperse pathogen-containing ticks to both nearby and remote localities. The aims of this study were to estimate tick infestation patterns on migratory birds and the prevalence of different Borrelia species and tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) in ticks removed from birds in south-eastern Sweden.Materials and Methods Ticks were collected from resident and migratory birds captured at the Ottenby Bird Observatory, Öland, Sweden, from March to November 2009. Ticks were molecularly identified to species, and morphologically to developmental stage, and the presence of Borrelia bacteria and TBEV was determined by quantitative real-time PCR.Results A total of 1,339 ticks in the genera Haemaphysalis, Hyalomma and Ixodes was recorded of which I. ricinus was the most abundant species. Important tick hosts were the European robin (Erithacus rubecula), Blackbird (Turdus merula), Tree pipit (Anthus trivialis), Eurasian wren (Troglodytes troglodytes), Common redstart (Phoenicurus phoenicurus), Willow warbler (Phylloscopus trochilus), and Common whitethroat (Sylvia communis). Borrelia bacteria were detected in 25 % (285/1,124) of the detached ticks available for analysis. Seven Borrelia species (B. afzelii, B. burgdorferi sensu stricto, B. garinii, B. lusitaniae, B. turdi, B. valaisiana and B. miyamotoi) were identified. B. turdi was recorded for the first time in ticks in Sweden. The number of Borrelia cells per tick ranged from 2.0 × 100 to 7.0 × 105. B. miyamotoi-containing ticks contained a significantly higher median number of Borrelia cells than B. burgdorferi sensu lato-containing ticks. B. garinii and B. miyamotoi were the most prevalent Borrelia species in tick larvae. Larvae of I. ricinus with B. garinii were removed from seven bird species, particularly S. communis and A. trivialis, which may suggest that the larvae had contracted the Borrelia bacteria from or via these birds. Also, a high percentage of tick larvae containing B. miyamotoi was removed from E. rubecula. Of the 1,124 ticks analysed, all were negative for TBEV.Conclusions The results corroborate the view that the contributions of birds to human disease are substantial, particularly as blood hosts for ticks and for their short-, medium- and long-distance dispersal. Moreover, several ground-foraging bird species appear to be important for the maintenance and dispersal of Borrelia species. The absence of TBEV in all bird-derived ticks investigated conforms to other similar studies.

Download Full-text

Migratory birds as disseminators of ticks and the tick-borne pathogens Borrelia bacteria and tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) virus: a seasonal study at Ottenby Bird Observatory in South-eastern Sweden

Parasites & Vectors ◽

10.1186/s13071-020-04493-5 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 13 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Peter Wilhelmsson ◽

Thomas G. T. Jaenson ◽

Björn Olsen ◽

Jonas Waldenström ◽

Per-Eric Lindgren

Keyword(s):

Migratory Birds ◽

Bird Species ◽

Abundant Species ◽

Median Number ◽

Long Distance ◽

South Eastern ◽

Tick Borne Encephalitis ◽

Tbe Virus ◽

Tick Borne Encephalitis Virus ◽

Anthus Trivialis

Abstract Background Birds can act as reservoirs of tick-borne pathogens and can also disperse pathogen-containing ticks to both nearby and remote localities. The aims of this study were to estimate tick infestation patterns on migratory birds and the prevalence of different Borrelia species and tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) in ticks removed from birds in south-eastern Sweden. Methods Ticks were collected from resident and migratory birds captured at the Ottenby Bird Observatory, Öland, Sweden, from March to November 2009. Ticks were molecularly identified to species, and morphologically to developmental stage, and the presence of Borrelia bacteria and TBEV was determined by quantitative real-time PCR. Results A total of 1339 ticks in the genera Haemaphysalis, Hyalomma, and Ixodes was recorded of which I. ricinus was the most abundant species. Important tick hosts were the European robin (Erithacus rubecula), Blackbird (Turdus merula), Tree pipit (Anthus trivialis), Eurasian wren (Troglodytes troglodytes), Common redstart (Phoenicurus phoenicurus), Willow warbler (Phylloscopus trochilus), and Common whitethroat (Sylvia communis). Borrelia bacteria were detected in 25% (285/1,124) of the detached ticks available for analysis. Seven Borrelia species (B. afzelii, B. burgdorferi (s.s.), B. garinii, B. lusitaniae, B. turdi, B. valaisiana, and B. miyamotoi) were identified. B. turdi was recorded for the first time in ticks in Sweden. The number of Borrelia cells per tick ranged from 2.0 × 100 to 7.0 × 105. B. miyamotoi-containing ticks contained a significantly higher median number of Borrelia cells than B. burgdorferi (s.l.)-containing ticks. B. garinii and B. miyamotoi were the most prevalent Borrelia species in tick larvae. Larvae of I. ricinus with B. garinii were removed from seven bird species, particularly S. communis and A. trivialis, which may suggest that the larvae had contracted the Borrelia bacteria from or via these birds. Also, a high percentage of tick larvae containing B. miyamotoi was removed from E. rubecula. All ticks were negative for TBEV. Conclusions The results corroborate the view that the contributions of birds to human disease are substantial, particularly as blood hosts for ticks and for their short-, medium-, and long-distance dispersal. Moreover, several ground-foraging bird species appear to be important for the maintenance and dispersal of Borrelia species. The absence of TBEV in the ticks conforms to other similar studies.

Download Full-text

Detection of tick-borne encephalitis virus in I. ricinus ticks collected from autumn migratory birds in Latvia

Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases ◽

10.1016/j.ttbdis.2014.11.011 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 6 (2) ◽

pp. 178-180 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Alisa Kazarina ◽

Kristīne Japiņa ◽

Oskars Keišs ◽

Ineta Salmane ◽

Dace Bandere ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Migratory Birds ◽

Encephalitis Virus ◽

Tick Borne Encephalitis ◽

Tick Borne Encephalitis Virus

Download Full-text

Aspergillosis, Avian Species and the One Health Perspective: The Possible Importance of Birds in Azole Resistance

Microorganisms ◽

10.3390/microorganisms8122037 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 8 (12) ◽

pp. 2037

Author(s):

Aryse Martins Melo ◽

David A. Stevens ◽

Lisa A. Tell ◽

Cristina Veríssimo ◽

Raquel Sabino ◽

...

Keyword(s):

One Health ◽

Plant Pathogens ◽

Bird Species ◽

Sensu Stricto ◽

Urban Environments ◽

Avian Species ◽

Azole Resistance ◽

Natural Environments ◽

Long Distance ◽

The One

The One Health context considers health based on three pillars: humans, animals, and environment. This approach is a strong ally in the surveillance of infectious diseases and in the development of prevention strategies. Aspergillus spp. are fungi that fit substantially in this context, in view of their ubiquity, as well as their importance as plant pathogens, and potentially fatal pathogens for, particularly, humans and avian species. In addition, the emergence of azole resistance, mainly in Aspergillus fumigatus sensu stricto, and the proven role of fungicides widely used on crops, reinforces the need for a multidisciplinary approach to this problem. Avian species are involved in short and long distance travel between different types of landscapes, such as agricultural fields, natural environments and urban environments. Thus, birds can play an important role in the dispersion of Aspergillus, and of special concern, azole-resistant strains. In addition, some bird species are particularly susceptible to aspergillosis. Therefore, avian aspergillosis could be considered as an environmental health indicator. In this review, aspergillosis in humans and birds will be discussed, with focus on the presence of Aspergillus in the environment. We will relate these issues with the emergence of azole resistance on Aspergillus. These topics will be therefore considered and reviewed from the “One Health” perspective.

Download Full-text

Seasonal Changes in Bird Assemblages of a Forest-Steppe Ecotone in North Patagonia

10.1101/338772 ◽

2018 ◽

Author(s):

Víctor R. Cueto ◽

Cristian A. Gorosito

Keyword(s):

Species Composition ◽

Seasonal Variations ◽

Bird Species ◽

Abundant Species ◽

Species Level ◽

Forest Steppe ◽

Total Abundance ◽

Long Distance ◽

North Patagonia ◽

Different Seasons

AbstractWe evaluate seasonal variations at the community level, analyzing changes in species richness, species composition and total abundance, and at the species level, evaluating differences in breeding and molting seasonality among bird species in a forest-steppe ecotone of north Patagonia. The bird assemblage showed a low seasonal variation in richness and total abundance, but a great change in species composition between spring-summer and fall-winter. The change in species composition promoted few seasonal variations in richness and total abundance, because they were compensated by the presence of abundant species that visit the area in different seasons. At the species level, resident birds and short distance migrants tended to begin breeding earlier than long distance migrants, and birds began to molt body and flight feathers after breeding. Therefore, we found a low overlap of these two demanding activities. Our results highlight the importance of bird movements in response to seasonal variations in the availability of resources, which promote migration or local displacements of birds.Resumen. Cambios estacionales en los ensambles de aves en un ecotono bosque-estepa del norte de PatagoniaEvaluamos las variaciones estacionales a nivel comunitario, analizando la riqueza de especies, la composición de especies y la abundancia total, y a nivel de las especies, evaluando las diferencias en la estacionalidad reproductiva y de muda entre las especies de aves en un ecotono bosque-estepa del norte de Patagonia. El ensamble de aves mostró pocas variaciones estacionales en la riqueza y abundancia total, pero un notable cambio en la composición de especies entre la primavera-verano y el otoño-invierno. El cambio en la composición de especies promovió pocas variaciones estaciones en la riqueza y la abundancia total, porque fueron compensadas por la abundancia de las especies que visitan el área en las diferentes estaciones. A nivel de las especies, las aves residentes y migrantes de corta distancia tendieron a comenzar la reproducción antes que las migrantes de larga distancia, y las aves comenzaron la muda de plumas del cuerpo y del ala al finalizar la reproducción. Por lo cual encontramos una baja superposición de estas dos demandantes actividades. Nuestros resultados remarcan la importancia del movimiento de las aves en respuesta a las variaciones en la disponibilidad de recursos, que promueven la migración o el desplazamiento local de las aves.

Download Full-text

The effect of climate change on the duration of avian breeding seasons: a meta-analysis

Proceedings of The Royal Society B Biological Sciences ◽

10.1098/rspb.2017.1710 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 284 (1867) ◽

pp. 20171710 ◽

Cited By ~ 15

Author(s):

Lucyna Halupka ◽

Konrad Halupka

Keyword(s):

Migratory Birds ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Bird Species ◽

Egg Laying ◽

Long Distance ◽

Local Climate ◽

Ecological Flexibility ◽

Breeding Grounds ◽

Breeding Seasons

Many bird species are advancing the timing of their egg-laying in response to a warming climate. Little is known, however, of whether this advancement affects the respective length of the breeding seasons. A meta-analysis of 65 long-term studies of 54 species from the Northern Hemisphere has revealed that within the last 45 years an average population has lengthened the season by 1.4 days per decade, which was independent from changes in mean laying dates. Multi-brooded birds have prolonged their seasons by 4 days per decade, while single-brooded have shortened by 2 days. Changes in season lengths covaried with local climate changes: warming was correlated with prolonged seasons in multi-brooded species, but not in single-brooders. This might be a result of higher ecological flexibility of multi-brooded birds, whereas single brooders may have problems with synchronizing their reproduction with the peak of food resources. Sedentary species and short-distance migrants prolonged their breeding seasons more than long-distance migrants, which probably cannot track conditions at their breeding grounds. We conclude that as long as climate warming continues without major changes in ecological conditions, multi-brooded or sedentary species will probably increase their reproductive output, while the opposite effect may occur in single-brooded or migratory birds.

Download Full-text

Molecular phylogeography of tick-borne encephalitis virus in central Europe

Journal of General Virology ◽

10.1099/vir.0.054478-0 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 94 (9) ◽

pp. 2129-2139 ◽

Cited By ~ 24

Author(s):

Manfred Weidmann ◽

Stefan Frey ◽

Caio C. M. Freire ◽

Sandra Essbauer ◽

Daniel Růžek ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Czech Republic ◽

Central Europe ◽

Encephalitis Virus ◽

Danube River ◽

Long Distance ◽

The Czech Republic ◽

Tick Borne Encephalitis ◽

Tbev Strain ◽

Depth Analysis ◽

Tick Borne Encephalitis Virus

In order to obtain a better understanding of tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) strain movements in central Europe the E gene sequences of 102 TBEV strains collected from 1953 to 2011 at 38 sites in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Austria and Germany were determined. Bayesian analysis suggests a 350-year history of evolution and spread in central Europe of two main lineages, A and B. In contrast to the east to west spread at the Eurasian continent level, local central European spreading patterns suggest historic west to east spread followed by more recent east to west spread. The phylogenetic and network analyses indicate TBEV ingressions from the Czech Republic and Slovakia into Germany via landscape features (Danube river system), biogenic factors (birds, red deer) and anthropogenic factors. The identification of endemic foci showing local genetic diversity is of paramount importance to the field as these will be a prerequisite for in-depth analysis of focal TBEV maintenance and long-distance TBEV spread.

Download Full-text

Transfer of nitrogen by migratory birds in the African-Western Eurasian Flyways

Animal Migration ◽

10.1515/ami-2020-0101 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 7 (1) ◽

pp. 52-57

Author(s):

Sofia Varriano ◽

Julie M. Mallon ◽

Cody Folta ◽

Hawa Coulibaly ◽

Kevin J. Krajcir ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Migratory Birds ◽

Bird Species ◽

N Deposition ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Nitrogen Transfer ◽

Long Distance ◽

Bird Populations ◽

Atlantic Flyway ◽

Sub Saharan ◽

Species Specific

AbstractMigrating animals are known to play an important role in nutrient transfer over short distances; however, this phenomenon has not been well studied for long-distance migrants. In this preliminary study, we focused on nitrogen (N) transfer by 44 bird species that migrate from Eurasia to two regions in sub-Saharan Africa that fall into the lowest 10% quantile of global N-deposition (mean annual deposition ≤ 10.44 mg/m2/year). We estimated the number of birds that die during the non-breeding season in these areas and then used N content and species-specific mass values to calculate annual N-deposition rates. For these two areas of low N-deposition, we found that bird mortality contributed 0.2 – 1.1% of total nitrogen deposition, which is a relatively small proportion. Therefore, we conclude that nitrogen transfer by long-distance bird migrants using the East Atlantic Flyway and the West Asian-East African Flyway currently has limited impact on the sub-Saharan nitrogen cycle. However, it is worth noting that this impact may have been more important in the past due to larger bird populations and lower background N-deposition (i.e., less anthropogenic impact).

Download Full-text

Tick-borne encephalitis: an increasing threat in Europe

Companion Animal ◽

10.12968/coan.2020.0009 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 25 (2) ◽

pp. 59-62

Author(s):

Ian Wright

Keyword(s):

Ixodes Ricinus ◽

Migratory Birds ◽

Encephalitis Virus ◽

Northern Europe ◽

Current Information ◽

Tick Borne Encephalitis ◽

Rapid Spread ◽

Tick Borne Encephalitis Virus ◽

The Uk ◽

Distribution In Europe

Tick-borne encephalitis, caused by the tick-borne encephalitis virus, is a rapidly emerging disease in Western, Central and Northern Europe, affecting dogs and people with potentially fatal consequences. This rapid spread, alongside the presence of the Ixodes ricinus vector throughout the UK, had led to concerns that it may become endemic through introduction of infected ticks on imported animals or on migratory birds. This was realised last year when evidence of endemic foci in the UK was demonstrated, particularly in Thetford Forest. This article reviews current information on tick-borne encephalitis, its distribution in Europe and the risk it poses to UK dogs and their owners.

Download Full-text