scholarly journals SEROPREVALENCE OF MOSQUITO-BORN AND TICK-BORN MICROORGANISMS IN HUMAN POPULATION OF SOUTH BACKA DISTRICT

2016 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 23-30 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ivana Hrnjaković Cvjetković ◽  
Tamaš Petrović ◽  
Dušan Petrić ◽  
Dejan Cvjetković ◽  
Gordana Kovačević ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Borrelia Burgdorferi ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Human Population ◽  
Chikungunya Virus ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Borrelia Burgdorferi Sensu Lato ◽  
Igg Antibodies ◽  
Public Attention ◽  
Usutu Virus ◽  
The Family

Chikungunya virus is an Arbo virus belonging to the family Togaviridae. In urban areas, antropophilic Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes are vectors for virus transmission to human population. Chikungunya virus has attracted the professional and scientifi c public attention in 2013 causing a massive outbreak on the American continent. In Europe, autochthonous transmissions of Chikungunya virus infections have beenrecorded in Italy in 2007 as well as in France in 2010 and 2014. Usutu virus is a RNA virus from the family Flaviviridae. Th e virus circulates in a transmission cycle between wild birds and Culex mosquitoes. The virus has been detected in numerous bird species across Europe. Manifestations recorded in humans include meningoencephalitis and skin rash. First human cases in Europe were recorded in immunocompromised individuals in Italy in 2009. Spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato is transmitted to humans by ticks and causes Lyme disease, a multisystemic disease with dermatological, neurological, cardiological or articular manifestations. Ninety three persons interviewed about risk factors for vector-borne infections were examined. The examination was performed using commercial ELISA IgG for Chikungunya and Usutu virus and ELISA IgM and IgG test for Borrelia burgdorferi in line with manufacturer’s instructions (Euroimmun, Germany). Out of 93 examined individuals Usutu virus specific IgG antibodies were identified in 7.5% (7/93) persons. Th e results of ELISA IgG test for Chikungunya virus were negative in the majority of tested samples, whereas 7.5% (7/93) of samples revealed borderline result. In 9.7% (9/93) participants, antibodies against Borrelia burgdorferi were detected only by ELISA IgM test. Recent infection with Borrelia burgdorferi was confi rmed in 2.15% (2/93) individuals, whereas IgG antibodies against Borrelia burgdorferi were detected in only one participant. Th e obtained results indicated that Usutu virus is active in the territory of South Bačka District contrary to Chikungunya virus as well as that Borrelia burgdorferi is an important pathogen in the investigated region.

scholarly journals Tick-borne pathogens in Ixodidae ticks collected from privately-owned dogs in Italy: a country-wide molecular survey

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stefania Zanet ◽  
Elena Battisti ◽  
Paola Pepe ◽  
Lavinia Ciuca ◽  
Liliana Colombo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Borrelia Burgdorferi ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Borrelia Burgdorferi Sensu Lato ◽  
Specific Pcr ◽  
The Family ◽  
Borrelia Burgdorferi S.L ◽  
Privately Owned ◽  
Prevalent Species ◽  
Minimum Infection Rate ◽  
Theileria Spp

Abstract Background Ticks and tick-borne diseases are increasingly recognized as a cause of disease in dogs worldwide. The epidemiology of ticks and tick-transmitted protozoa and bacteria has changed due to the spread of ticks to urban and peri-urban areas and the movement of infected animals, posing new risks for animals and humans. This countrywide study reports information on distribution and prevalence of pathogens in ticks collected from privately-owned dogs in Italy. We analyzed 2681 Ixodidae ticks, collected from 1454 pet dogs from Italy. Specific PCR protocols were used to detect i) Piroplasms of the genera Babesia and Theileria , ii) Gram-negative cocci of the family Anaplasmataceae and iii) Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato. Sequencing of positive amplicons allowed for species identification. Results Babesia / Theileria spp. DNA was detected in 435 homogeneous tick-pools (Minimum Infection Rate (MIR) = 27.6%; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 25.4-29.8%) with higher prevalence in Ixodes ricinus and Rhipicephalus sanguneus group. The zoonotic B. venatorum was the most prevalent species (MIR = 7.5%; 95% CI = 6.3-9.0%). Anaplasma and Ehrlichia species were detected in 165 tick-pools (MIR = 10.5%; 95% CI = 9.3-11.8%) and specifically, A. phagocytophilum was identified with MIR = 5.1% (95% CI = 4.1-6.3%). Borrelia burgdorferi s.l. and B. afzelii were detected with MIR = 0.4% (95% CI = 0.2-0.8%) and MIR = 0.3% (95% CI 0.1-0.7%) respectively. Conclusions Zoonotic pathogens B. venatorum and A. phagocytophilum were the most frequently detected in ticks collected from privately-owned dogs which might be used as markers of pathogens presence and distribution.

scholarly journals Molecular Detection of Borrelia burgdorferi Sensu Lato and Anaplasma phagocytophilum in Ticks Collected from Dogs in Urban Areas of North-Eastern Poland

Pathogens ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 455
Author(s):  
Mirosław M. Michalski ◽  
Katarzyna Kubiak ◽  
Magdalena Szczotko ◽  
Marta Chajęcka ◽  
Małgorzata Dmitryjuk
Keyword(s):  
Borrelia Burgdorferi ◽  
Anaplasma Phagocytophilum ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Molecular Detection ◽  
Dermacentor Reticulatus ◽  
Borrelia Burgdorferi Sensu Lato ◽  
16S Rna ◽  
North Eastern ◽  
The City ◽  
Rna Genes

From 2016 to 2018, ticks were collected from 272 dogs admitted to veterinary clinics in the city of Olsztyn (north-eastern Poland). Among 522 collected ticks, 423 were identified as Ixodes ricinus (413 females and 10 males) and 99 as Dermacentor reticulatus (62 females and 37 males). Non-engorged (86 individuals) and engorged (436 individuals) ticks were screened for the presence of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato and Anaplasma phagocytophilum DNA. Borrelia and A. phagocytophilum species detection was determined based on the sequence of the fla B and 16S RNA genes, respectively. DNA of B. burgdorferi s.l. was identified in 31.6% (165/522, 95% CI: 27.6–35.8%) of ticks (I. ricinus 151/423, 35.7%, 95% CI: 31.1–40.4%; D. reticulates 14/99, 14.1%, 95% CI: 7.9–22.6%). A. phagocytophilum was identified in 0.96% (5/522, 95% CI: 0.3–2.2%) of specimens. All positive samples were engorged I. ricinus females (5/402, 1.2%, 95% CI: 0.4–2.9%). In 85.4% (141/165, 95% CI: 79.1–90.4%) of Borrelia infected ticks, the DNA of one genospecies was revealed. The DNA of at least two different genospecies was detected in 14.5% of specimens (24/165, 95% CI: 9.5–20.8). The coexistence of B. burgdorferii s.l. and A. phagocytophilum was not detected.

Human pathogenic borreliae in Ixodes ricinus ticks in natural and urban ecosystem (Czech Republic)

2014 ◽  
Vol 59 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristýna Venclíková ◽  
Lenka Betášová ◽  
Silvie Šikutová ◽  
Petra Jedličková ◽  
Zdeněk Hubálek ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Czech Republic ◽  
Borrelia Burgdorferi ◽  
Ixodes Ricinus ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Urban Ecosystem ◽  
Borrelia Burgdorferi Sensu Lato ◽  
Urban Park ◽  
Borrelia Burgdorferi S.L ◽  
Ixodes Ricinus Ticks ◽  
First Time

AbstractA total of 1279 field-collected Ixodes ricinus ticks were screened for Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (s.l.) in a natural and an urban ecosystem of Ostrava city (Czech Republic) by using molecular methods. Minimal prevalence rate for Borrelia burgdorferi s.l. in ticks for the urban park Bělský les was found to be 13.8% (17.6% in males, 17.8% in females and 11.7% in nymphs), similarly for the natural site Proskovice was minimal prevalence 15% (12.5% in males, 20% in females and 14.9% in nymphs). Six proven human pathogenic genomic species have been recorded in the study: B. afzelii, B. garinii, B. burgdorferi s.s., B. valaisiana, B. lusitaniae, and B. spielmanii. Emerging B. spielmanii was detected for the first time in Ixodes ricinus ticks in the region. Our results highlight the need for surveillance of zoonotic tick-borne pathogens even in urban areas.

scholarly journals Tick-borne pathogens in Ixodidae ticks collected from privately-owned dogs in Italy: a country-wide molecular survey

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stefania Zanet ◽  
Elena Battisti ◽  
Paola Pepe ◽  
Lavinia Ciuca ◽  
Liliana Colombo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Borrelia Burgdorferi ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Gram Negative ◽  
Specific Pcr ◽  
The Family ◽  
Borrelia Burgdorferi S.L ◽  
Privately Owned ◽  
Prevalent Species ◽  
Minimum Infection Rate ◽  
Theileria Spp

Abstract Background Ticks and tick-borne diseases are increasingly recognized as a cause of disease in dogs worldwide. The epidemiology of ticks and tick-transmitted protozoa and bacteria has changed due to the spread of ticks to urban and peri-urban areas and the movement of infected animals, posing new risks for animals and humans. This countrywide study reports information on distribution and prevalence of pathogens in ticks collected from privately-owned dogs in Italy. We analyzed 2681 Ixodidae ticks, collected from 1454 pet dogs from Italy. Specific PCR protocols were used to detect i) Piroplasms of the genera Babesia and Theileria , ii) Gram-negative cocci of the family Anaplasmataceae and iii) Borrelia burgdorferi s.l. Sequencing of positive amplicons allowed for species identification.Results Babesia / Theileria spp. DNA was detected in 435 tick-pools (Minimum Infection Rate (MIR) = 27.57%; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 25.42-29.82%) with higher prevalence in Ixodes ricinus and Rhipicephalus sanguneus group. The zoonotic B. venatorum was the most prevalent species (MIR = 7.54%; 95% CI = 6.34-8.95%). Anaplasma and Ehrlichia species were detected in 165 tick-pools (MIR = 10.46%; 95% CI = 9.26-11.79%) and specifically, A. phagocytophilum was identified with MIR = 5.07% (95% CI = 4.09-6.27%). Borrelia burgdorferi s.l. and B. afzelii were detected with MIR = 0.38% (95% CI = 0.17-0.83%) and MIR = 0.25% (95% CI 0.1-0.65%) respectively.Conclusions Zoonotic pathogens were the most frequently detected in ticks collected from privately-owned dogs which might be used as markers of pathogens presence and distribution.

scholarly journals Limited Evidence for Infection of Urban and Peri-urban Nonhuman Primates with Zika and Chikungunya Viruses in Brazil

mSphere ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Andres Moreira-Soto ◽  
Ianei de Oliveira Carneiro ◽  
Carlo Fischer ◽  
Marie Feldmann ◽  
Beate M. Kümmerer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Zika Virus ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Human Population ◽  
Chikungunya Virus ◽  
Nonhuman Primates ◽  
Limited Evidence ◽  
Population Immunity ◽  
Antibody Titers ◽  
Transmission Cycles ◽  
Local Transmission

Since 2013, Zika virus (ZIKV) and chikungunya virus (CHIKV) have infected millions of people in the Americas via urban transmission cycles. Nonhuman primates (NHP) are involved in sylvatic transmission cycles maintaining ZIKV and CHIKV in the Old World. We tested NHP sampled during 2012 to 2017 in urban and peri-urban areas severely affected by ZIKV and CHIKV in Brazil. Seroprevalence and antibody titers were low for both viruses. Additionally, we found evidence for infection by heterologous viruses eliciting cross-reactive antibodies. Our data suggest that urban or peri-urban NHP are not easily infected by ZIKV and CHIKV despite intense local transmission. These data may imply that the ZIKV and CHIKV outbreaks in the Americas cannot be sustained in urban or peri-urban NHP once human population immunity limits urban transmission cycles. Investigation of diverse animals is urgently required to determine the fate of the ZIKV and CHIKV outbreaks in the Americas.

scholarly journals Long-Term Bird Assemblage Trends in Areas of High and Low Human Population Density

2008 ◽  
Vol 2008 ◽  
pp. 1-4 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kyle Barrett ◽  
Christina M. Romagosa ◽  
Matthew I. Williams
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Population Density ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Human Population ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
The United States ◽  
Human Population Density ◽  
Bird Assemblages ◽  
Bird Assemblage ◽  
The Impact

Urban areas are expanding globally, and the impact of high human population density (HHPD) on bird species richness remains unresolved. Studies primarily focus on species richness along an urban-to-rural gradient; however, some studies have analyzed larger-scale patterns and found results that contrast with those obtained at smaller scales. To move the discussion beyond static species richness patterns, we analyzed the effect of HHPD on bird assemblage dynamics (year-to-year extinction probability, turnover, changes in species richness) across the United States over a 25-year period. We found that bird assemblages in both high and low human population density areas changed significantly over the period of record. Specifically, bird assemblages increased in species richness on average. Assemblage change in areas of HHPD was not significantly different from assemblage change in areas with LHPD. These results suggest that human population density alone does not alter the persistence of avian assemblage patterns.

scholarly journals Borrelia burgdorferi BmpA-BBK32 and BmpA-BBA64: New Recombinant Chimeric Proteins with Potential Diagnostic Value

Pathogens ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 767
Author(s):  
Weronika Grąźlewska ◽  
Bartłomiej Ferra ◽  
Monika Rudzińska ◽  
Lucyna Holec-Gąsior
Keyword(s):  
Borrelia Burgdorferi ◽  
Correct Diagnosis ◽  
Chimeric Protein ◽  
Diagnostic Value ◽  
Amino Acid Sequences ◽  
Borrelia Burgdorferi Sensu Lato ◽  
Chimeric Proteins ◽  
Igg Antibodies ◽  
One Step ◽  
New Generation

Currently, the diagnosis of Lyme disease is based mostly on two-tiered serologic testing. In the new generation of immunoenzymatic assays, antigens comprise whole-cell lysates of members of the Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (s.l.) species complex, with the addition of selected recombinant proteins. Due to the high diversity of members of the B. burgdorferi s.l. genospecies and the low degree of conservation among the amino acid sequences of their proteins, serodiagnostic methods currently in use are not sufficient for the correct diagnosis of borreliosis. Two divalent chimeric proteins (BmpA-BBK32 and BmpA-BBA64) were expressed in Escherichia coli. Following purification by one-step metal-affinity chromatography, preparations were obtained containing milligram levels of chimeric protein exhibiting electrophoretic purity in excess of 98%. Reactivity of the new chimeric proteins with specific human IgG antibodies was preliminarily determined by Western blot. For this purpose, 20 negative sera and 20 positive sera was used. The new chimeric proteins were highly reactive with IgG antibodies contained in the serum of patients suffering from borreliosis. Moreover, no immunoreactivity of chimeric proteins was observed with antibodies in the sera of healthy people. These promising results suggest that new chimeric proteins have the potential to discriminate between positive and negative sera.

scholarly journals The macroecology and evolution of avian competence for Borrelia burgdorferi

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel J. Becker ◽  
Barbara A Han
Keyword(s):  
Borrelia Burgdorferi ◽  
Phylogenetic Signal ◽  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Boosted Regression Trees ◽  
Borrelia Burgdorferi Sensu Lato ◽  
Spatial And Temporal Patterns ◽  
Mammal Species ◽  
Show Evidence

Aim: Predicting novel reservoirs of zoonotic pathogens would be improved by identifying inter-specific drivers of host competence, the ability to transmit pathogens to new hosts or vectors. Tick-borne pathogens can provide a useful model system, as larvae become infected only when feeding on a competent host during their first bloodmeal. For tick-borne diseases, competence has been best studied for Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (Bbsl), which causes Lyme borreliosis. Major reservoirs include several small mammal species, but birds may play an underrecognized role in human risk given their ability to disperse infected ticks across large spatial scales. Here, we provide a global synthesis of the ecological and evolutionary factors that determine the ability of bird species to infect larval ticks with Bbsl. Location: Global. Time period: 1983 to 2019. Major taxa studied: Birds. Methods: We compiled a dataset of Bbsl competence across 183 bird species and applied meta-analysis, phylogenetic factorization, and boosted regression trees to describe spatial and temporal patterns in competence, characterize its phylogenetic distribution across birds, reconstruct its evolution, and evaluate the trait profiles associated with competent avian species. Results: Half of sampled bird species show evidence of competence for Bbsl. Competence displays moderate phylogenetic signal, has evolved multiple times across bird species, and is pronounced in the genus Turdus. Trait-based analyses distinguished competent birds with 80% accuracy and show that such species have low baseline corticosterone, exist on both ends of the pace-of-life continuum, breed and winter at high latitudes, and have broad migratory movements into their breeding range. We use these trait profiles to predict various likely but unsampled competent species, including novel concentrations of avian reservoirs within the Neotropics. Main conclusion: Our results can generate new hypotheses for how birds contribute to the dynamics of tick-borne pathogens and help prioritize surveillance of likely but unsampled competent birds. Our findings further emphasize that birds display underrecognized variation in their contributions to enzootic cycles of Bbsl and the broader need to better consider competence in ecological and predictive studies of multi-host pathogens.

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