Prevalence of Borrelia burgdorferi and Borrelia miyamotoi in questing Ixodes ricinus ticks from four sites in the UK

Layzell, Scott; Bailey, Daniel; Peacey, Mick; Nuttall, Patricia A.

doi:10.1016/j.ttbdis.2017.09.007

Cited by 16 publications

(27 citation statements)

References 57 publications

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“…genospecies were found in all years, at both sites, with a minimum overall prevalence of 12.6%. This compares with overall Borrelia prevalences of I. ricinus of 1.7% (range 0-6.0%) detected in questing nymphs sampled at multiple sites across mainland Scotland and the Isle of Mull [25], 6.4% and 0.7% in questing nymphs at sites of, respectively, high and low Lyme disease incidence in the Outer Hebrides [26], 3.2% (range 0-5.6%) in questing nymphs and adults at four sites in England [27], 19.0% (range 0-24.5%) in questing nymphs collected over three years at sites in a single area of southern England [28] and 3.8% (range 0-24.0%) in questing ticks collected over six years at 20 sites in recreational areas of England and Wales [29]. In the two last-mentioned studies, significant variation was seen in tick infection rates between years [28,29]; on Brownsea Island, where ticks were sampled in both Spring and Autumn, the minimum overall prevalence of Borrelia infection was 9.9% in 2017 compared with 21.3% in 2018.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 78%

Bacterial Pathogens and Symbionts Harboured by Ixodes ricinus Ticks Parasitising Red Squirrels in the United Kingdom

et al. 2021

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Red squirrels (Sciurus vulgaris) are native to most of Eurasia; in much of the United Kingdom, they have been supplanted by the non-native grey squirrel, and are considered an endangered species. Very little is known about the range of tick-borne pathogens to which UK red squirrels are exposed. As part of trap-and-release surveys examining prevalence of Mycobacterium spp. in red squirrel populations on two UK islands, Ixodes ricinus ticks were removed from squirrels and PCR screened for Borrelia spp., intracellular arthropod-borne bacteria and the parasitic wasp Ixodiphagus hookeri. At both sites, the most commonly encountered tick-transmitted bacterium was Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (overall minimum prevalence 12.7%), followed by Anaplasma phagocytophilum (overall minimum prevalence 1.6%). Single ticks infected with Spiroplasma were found at both sites, and single ticks infected with Borrelia miyamotoi or an Ehrlichia sp. at one site. Ticks harbouring Wolbachia (overall minimum prevalence 15.2%) were all positive for I. hookeri. Our study shows that UK red squirrels are potentially exposed to a variety of bacterial pathogens via feeding ticks. The effects on the health and survival of this already vulnerable wildlife species are unknown, and further studies are needed to evaluate the threat posed to red squirrels by Borrelia and other tick-borne pathogens.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 78%

Bacterial Pathogens and Symbionts Harboured by Ixodes ricinus Ticks Parasitising Red Squirrels in the United Kingdom

et al. 2021

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“…Map combines our data of drag-sampling and ticks submitted from culled deer, national maps from the Public Health England/Health Protection Agency tick surveillance scheme (Cull et al ., 2018; PHE, 2016; HPA, 2013a, 2013b, 2013c, 2013d), the National Biodiversity Network Atlas (NBN, 2020), Medlock et al . (2018), Layzell et al . (2018), and previously unpublished records from pan-species surveying at Sussex Wildlife Trust reserves.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Tick borne encephalitis virus has been detected in one of the Park’s host counties, but to our knowledge no ticks within the SDNP have been tested. Layzell et al . (2018) drag-sampled a single site within the National Park in 2014 (West Dene, West Sussex) and isolated Borellia miyamotoi in I.ricinus ticks from that site.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Using ArcMap 10.7 (ESRI, Redlands USA) sites where ticks had been submitted by deerstalkers or drag-sampled by JM were mapped, indicated by points at 100 m 2 resolution. In addition, to map recorded presence of tick hazard at 10 km 2 resolution by species, data from the following sources were compared and combined as layers: (1) the most recent published Public Health England/Health Protection Agency tick maps for England and Wales (Cull et al ., 2018; PHE, 2016; HPA, 2013a, b, c, d), (2) National Biodiversity Network Atlas (NBN, 2020) (which includes historic data 1890 onwards, and into which Public Health England now submits tick records (PHE, 2020b)), (3) a single site drag-sample in 2014 by Layzell et al . (2018), (4) point locations of ticks submitted from culled deer or collected by drag-sampling in this project 2015-16, (5) point locations drag-sampled for Haemaphysalis punctata by Public Health England and the Animal and Plant Health Agency, primarily 2015-18 (Medlock et al ., 2018), (6) records from pan-species surveying at Sussex Wildlife Trust reserves, mainly 2016-17 (previously unpublished data).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Tick hazard in the South Downs National Park (UK): species, distribution, key locations for future interventions, site density, habitats

Middleton

Cooper

Rott

2021

Preprint

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Background: The South Downs National Park (SDNP) is the UK's most visited National Park, and a foci of tick-borne Lyme disease. A range of human pathogens have been detected in UK ticks and related hosts, and the first presumed autochthonous cases of tick-borne encephalitis and babesiosis were recorded in 2019-20. SDNP's key objectives include conserving wildlife and encouraging enjoyment of the countryside, so interventions are needed that reduce hazard without negatively affecting ecosystem health. To be successful these require knowledge of site hazards, and we aimed to provide this to enable action. Methods: British Deer Society volunteers submitted ticks removed from deer. Key potential intervention sites were selected and ticks collected by drag-sampling six 50 m2 transects per site, in most cases twice yearly for two years. Ticks were identified in-lab (sex, life stage, species), hazard measured as tick presence, Density of Ticks (all life stages, DOT), and Density of Nymphs (DON). Sites and habitat types were analysed for association with hazard. Distribution across SDNP was mapped in a Geographic Information System (GIS), by combining and comparing our fieldwork results with records from five other data sources (recent and historic). Results: 87 Ixodes ricinus (all but one adults, 82%F) were removed from 14 deer (Dama dama n=10; Capreolus capreolus n=3; 1 not recorded; tick burden, 1-35) at 12 locations (commonly woodland). Five potential key intervention sites were identified and drag-sampled 2015-16, collecting 623 ticks (238 on-transects): 53.8% nymphs, 42.5% larvae, 3.7% adults (13M, 10F). Ticks were present on-transects at all sites drag-sampled (I.ricinus at three, Haemaphysalis punctata at two). The Mens (TM, the quietist site for human visitors) had the highest DOT at 30/300 m2 (DON=30/300 m2), followed by Queen Elizabeth Country Park (QECP, the busiest) at 22/300 m2 (12/300 m2), Cowdray Estate (CE) at 8/300 m2 (6/300 m2), and Seven Sisters Country Park (SSCP) at 1/300 m2 (1/300 m2). Ditchling Beacon Nature Reserve (DBNR) was sampled 2016 only (one adult H.punctata collected). Woodland had significantly higher hazard than grazed downland, but ticks were present at all downland sites drag-sampled. GIS mapping showed I.ricinus identified in 33/37 of SDNPs 10 km2 grid squares, Ixodes hexagonus 10/37, H.punctata 7/37, Dermacentor reticulatus 1/37. Conclusions: Mapping shows tick hazard is broadly distributed across SDNP. Ixodes ricinus was most common, though the seeming range expansion of H.punctata is concerning, particularly as it seems to thrive better on grazed downland than I.ricinus. Site specific recommendations include: management of small high hazard plots with heavy visitor numbers (QECP); signage on post-visit precautions (all sites); repellent impregnated clothing for deerstalkers (CE); flock trials to control H.punctata (SSCP, DBNR). Further research at TM, which has high tick density, may contribute to knowledge on ecological dynamics underlying infection density, and the potential use of predator re-introduction/protection as a public health intervention. Ecological research on H.punctata would aid control. The SDNP Authority is ideally placed to link and champion site-based and regional policies to reduce hazard, whilst avoiding or reducing conflict between public health and ecosystem health.

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“…In Japan the same year, two publications showed that B. miyamotoi could be present in patients presenting with signs and symptoms suggesting Lyme disease (16,17). Subsequently, B. miyamotoi has also been detected in other European countries such as Belgium and England (18,19). In a study conducted in New York state using multiplex real-time PCR on 796 clinical specimens (blood and CSF), B. miyamotoi was found in eight cases (20).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Borrelia miyamotoi: 43 Cases Diagnosed in France by Real-Time PCR in Patients With Persistent Polymorphic Signs and Symptoms

Franck¹,

Ghozzi²,

Pajaud³

et al. 2020

Front. Med.

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Background: Borrelia species are divided into three groups depending on the induced disease and the tick vector. Borrelia miyamotoi is a relapsing fever Borrelia but can induce symptoms related to Lyme disease. Discovered in 1995, it is found in ticks around the world. In France, this species of Borrelia has been isolated in ticks and rodents, but was not yet observed in humans. Objective: The aim of the study was to look for B. miyamotoi in symptomatic patients. Methods: Real-time PCR was performed on 824 blood samples from patients presenting symptoms of persistent polymorphic syndrome possibly due to tick bite, a syndrome recognized by the French Authority for Health, which is close to the post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome. PCR was also performed on 24 healthy control persons. The primers were specifically designed for this particular species of Borrelia. The sequence of interest of 94 bp is located on the glpQ gene. Sequencing of amplification products, randomly chosen, confirmed the amplification specificity. To better investigate cases, a clinical questionnaire was sent to the patients PCR-positive for B. miyamotoi and to their physician. Results: This search revealed a positive PCR for B. miyamotoi in the blood from 43 patients out of 824 (5.22%). PCR was negative in all control persons. A clinical chart was obtained from 31 of the 43 patients. A history of erythema migrans was reported in five of these 31 patients (16%). All patients complained about fatigue, joint pain and neuro-cognitive disorders. Some patients complained about respiratory problems (chest tightness and/or lack of air in 41.9%). Episodes of relapsing fever were reported by 11 of the 31 patients (35.5%). Chilliness, hot flushes and/or sweats were reported by around half of the patients. B. miyamotoi may not cross-react with B. burgdorferi serology. Conclusion: This study is the first to detect B. miyamotoi in human blood in France. This series of human B. miyamotoi infection is the largest in patients with long term persistent syndrome. Our data suggest that this infection may be persistent, even on the long term.

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Prevalence of Borrelia burgdorferi and Borrelia miyamotoi in questing Ixodes ricinus ticks from four sites in the UK

Cited by 16 publications

References 57 publications

Bacterial Pathogens and Symbionts Harboured by Ixodes ricinus Ticks Parasitising Red Squirrels in the United Kingdom

Bacterial Pathogens and Symbionts Harboured by Ixodes ricinus Ticks Parasitising Red Squirrels in the United Kingdom

Tick hazard in the South Downs National Park (UK): species, distribution, key locations for future interventions, site density, habitats

Borrelia miyamotoi: 43 Cases Diagnosed in France by Real-Time PCR in Patients With Persistent Polymorphic Signs and Symptoms

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