Endosymbionts carried by ticks feeding on dogs in Spain

Vilà, A; Estrada-Peña, Agustı́n; Altet, Laura; Cusco, A.; Dandreano, S.; Francino, Olga; Halos, Lénaïg; Roura, Xavier

doi:10.1016/j.ttbdis.2019.04.003

Cited by 8 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 36 publications

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“…This could be due to the fact that the vectors, R. sanguineus and I. ricinus, are widely distributed throughout the Spanish geography (61). Regarding R. sanguineus, this tick is the most common tick found in dogs in Spain (61)(62)(63) and it has been detected across the country, which could justify the homogeneous distribution found in this study (61,64). The prevalences obtained from studies previously carried out in Galicia, Castilla, and Leon or Madrid on both bacteria (9, 65-68) were lower than the results obtained in this study, except in the case of Castilla and Leon (19.2% for E. canis) (66).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 63%

Current Distribution of Selected Vector-Borne Diseases in Dogs in Spain

et al. 2020

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Currently, climate change, modifications of landscapes and habitats due to human activities, as well as an increase in the movement of reservoirs and new species of competent vectors, have contributed to the spread of canine vector-borne diseases. These are mostly emerging and neglected diseases, some of them with zoonotic potential. Therefore, the objective of this study was to assess the prevalence and distribution of four major canine vector-borne diseases (Dirofilaria immitis, Leishmania infantum, Anaplasma spp., and Ehrlichia canis) in Spain. Between September 2018 and February 2020, blood was sampled from 4643 client-owned dogs from 111 veterinary clinics from the 17 autonomous communities of Spain. All samples were tested for the detection of D. immitis antigens, and for antibodies against L. infantum, Anaplasma spp. and E. canis. Of the studied dogs, 22.14% were positive for one or several diseases while the prevalence was 6.25% (CI: 5.59-6.98) for D. immitis, and the seroprevalences were 10.36% (CI: 9.52-11.27) for L. infantum, 5.06% (CI: 4.47-5.73) for Anaplasma spp., and 4.26% (CI: 3.72-4.88) for E. canis. Co-infections by two and three vector-borne diseases were reported in 13% and 2% of the infected dogs, respectively. The studied vector-borne diseases are widely distributed throughout the Spanish geography, being observed and expanding northward in the case of D. immitis and L. infantum. The results point to an insufficiency of preventive measures to avoid the infection, and the need of the implementation of awareness campaigns among veterinarians and owners. Furthermore, a close collaboration between veterinarians, physicians and health authorities would be necessary for such zoonotic vector-borne diseases.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 63%

Current Distribution of Selected Vector-Borne Diseases in Dogs in Spain

et al. 2020

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“…Furthermore, sequencing of 16S rRNA was used to evaluate the tick microbiome (99,103). In seven studies, CLEs were detected additionally or exclusively using sequencing in a variety of tick species, or Coxiella was only identified on genus level (99,102,103,110,119,122). Nine tick species were found to harbor CLE in these studies.…”

Section: Coxiella-like Endosymbiontsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Prevalence of Coxiella burnetii in Hard Ticks in Europe and Their Role in Q Fever Transmission Revisited—A Systematic Review

et al. 2021

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The zoonosis Q fever is caused by the obligate intracellular bacterium Coxiella burnetii. Besides the main transmission route via inhalation of contaminated aerosols, ticks are discussed as vectors since the first isolation of the pathogen from a Dermacentor andersonii tick. The rare detection of C. burnetii in ticks and the difficult differentiation of C. burnetii from Coxiella-like endosymbionts (CLEs) are questioning the relevance of ticks in the epidemiology of Q fever. In this review, literature databases were systematically searched for recent prevalence studies concerning C. burnetii in ticks in Europe and experimental studies evaluating the vector competence of tick species. A total of 72 prevalence studies were included and evaluated regarding DNA detection methods and collection methods, country, and tested tick species. Specimens of more than 25 different tick species were collected in 23 European countries. Overall, an average prevalence of 4.8% was determined. However, in half of the studies, no Coxiella-DNA was detected. In Southern European countries, a significantly higher prevalence was observed, possibly related to the abundance of different tick species here, namely Hyalomma spp. and Rhipicephalus spp. In comparison, a similar proportion of studies used ticks sampled by flagging and dragging or tick collection from animals, under 30% of the total tick samples derived from the latter. There was no significant difference in the various target genes used for the molecular test. In most of the studies, no distinction was made between C. burnetii and CLEs. The application of specific detection methods and the confirmation of positive results are crucial to determine the role of ticks in Q fever transmission. Only two studies were available, which assessed the vector competence of ticks for C. burnetii in the last 20 years, demonstrating the need for further research.

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“…Additionally, Ixodiphagus wasps transmit some commensal and symbiotic microorganisms that may play an essential role in tick biology and physiology, e.g. nutrition, development, reproduction, immunity, and adaptation to environmental conditions, and influence the occurrence and distribution of pathogens in ticks 13 – 19 .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ixodiphagus hookeri wasps (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) in two sympatric tick species Ixodes ricinus and Haemaphysalis concinna (Ixodida: Ixodidae) in the Slovak Karst (Slovakia): ecological and biological considerations

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Bartosik

et al. 2021

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Ixodiphagus endoparasitoid wasps are natural tick enemies that can reduce their abundance. In this study, we investigated the presence of Ixodiphagus hookeri in Haemaphysalis concinna and Ixodes ricinus ticks in the Slovak Karst (southern Slovakia) and analysed the ecological and physiological relationships in the parasitoid-host system. Unfed H. concinna and I. ricinus nymphs harvested from vegetation were fed on rabbits. The engorged specimens were kept at 25 °C and 75% RH until the emergence of the adult wasps. For the first time in Europe, we found the presence of I. hookeri in two species of ticks collected in the same locality and compared their development in these tick species. The prevalence of wasps in H. concinna and I. ricinus during their spring activity was estimated at 10.64% and 27.78%, respectively. The presence of the wasps did not affect the duration of nymph feeding. Engorged wasp-infected ticks achieved higher body mass than non-infected specimens. In both tick species, there were no differences in the length of the development period and the number and sex ratio of adult I. hookeri. The analysed indicators and characteristics of the I. hookeri wasp-tick system can be used in research on tick control.

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Endosymbionts carried by ticks feeding on dogs in Spain

Cited by 8 publications

References 36 publications

Current Distribution of Selected Vector-Borne Diseases in Dogs in Spain

Current Distribution of Selected Vector-Borne Diseases in Dogs in Spain

The Prevalence of Coxiella burnetii in Hard Ticks in Europe and Their Role in Q Fever Transmission Revisited—A Systematic Review

Ixodiphagus hookeri wasps (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) in two sympatric tick species Ixodes ricinus and Haemaphysalis concinna (Ixodida: Ixodidae) in the Slovak Karst (Slovakia): ecological and biological considerations

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