Infection of Field-Collected Ixodes ricinus (Acari: Ixodidae) Larvae with Borrelia burgdorferi in Switzerland

Zhioua, Elias; Aeschlimann, André; Gern, Lise

doi:10.1093/jmedent/31.5.763

Cited by 32 publications

(22 citation statements)

References 15 publications

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“…afzelii infections were evident in 11 out of 27 Borreliainfected bird-feeding ticks, and 6 of them were larvae (14). Transovarial transmission of borreliae in I. ricinus is very rare (63), and due to the absence of other infected ticks, cofeeding transmission seems very unlikely in the above-mentioned samples. Thus, our data suggest that birds may also act as reservoirs for rodent-associated Borrelia species.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 87%

“…When transovarial transmission of a pathogen is absent or very rare, as is the case with Borrelia spp. (63), A. phagocytophilum (10), and Babesia microti (15), detection of these agents in feeding larvae is an indication of pathogen transmission from an infected reservoir host to the tick. With the exception of SFG rickettsiae, which use ticks as the vector and reservoir, established and emerging pathogens are maintained by vertebrate reservoirs during their life cycles.…”

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confidence: 99%

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Coexistence of Pathogens in Host-Seeking and Feeding Ticks within a Single Natural Habitat in Central Germany

Franke

Fritzsch

Tomaso³

et al. 2010

Appl Environ Microbiol

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The importance of established and emerging tick-borne pathogens in Central and Northern Europe is steadily increasing. In 2007, we collected Ixodes ricinus ticks feeding on birds (n ‫؍‬ 211) and rodents (n ‫؍‬ 273), as well as host-seeking stages (n ‫؍‬ 196), in a habitat in central Germany. In order to find out more about their natural transmission cycles, the ticks were tested for the presence of Lyme disease borreliae, Anaplasma phagocytophilum, spotted fever group (SFG) rickettsiae, Francisella tularensis, and babesiae. Altogether, 20.1% of the 680 ticks examined carried at least one pathogen. Bird-feeding ticks were more frequently infected with Borrelia spp. (15.2%) and A. phagocytophilum (3.2%) than rodent-feeding ticks (2.6%; 1.1%) or questing ticks (5.1%; 0%). Babesia spp. showed higher prevalence rates in ticks parasitizing birds (13.2%) and host-seeking ticks (10.7%), whereas ticks from small mammals were less frequently infected (6.6%). SFG rickettsiae and F. tularensis were also found in ticks collected off birds (2.1%; 1.2%), rodents (1.8%; 1.5%), and vegetation (4.1%; 1.6%). Various combinations of coinfections occurred in 10.9% of all positive ticks, indicating interaction of transmission cycles. Our results suggest that birds not only are important reservoirs for several pathogens but also act as vehicles for infected ticks and might therefore play a key role in the dispersal of tick-borne diseases.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 87%

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confidence: 99%

Coexistence of Pathogens in Host-Seeking and Feeding Ticks within a Single Natural Habitat in Central Germany

Franke

Fritzsch

Tomaso³

et al. 2010

Appl Environ Microbiol

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“…Adults were surface-sterilized and dissected to remove the gut. Midguts were chilled, placed on glass slides, and examined for the presence of spirochetes using direct ßuorescent antibody assay (DFA) (Zhioua et al 1994). Antigens were dried for at least 2 h at 34ЊC and subsequently Þxed with acetone for 10 min.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Infection of Ixodes ricinus (Acari: Ixodidae) by Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato in North Africa

Zhioua

Bouattour

et al. 1999

Journal of Medical Entomology

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Free-living adult Ixodes ricinus L. were collected in Amdoun, situated in the Kroumiry mountains in northwestern Tunisia (North Africa). Using direct ßuorescence antibody assay, the infection rate of Þeld-collected I. ricinus by Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato was 30.5% (n ϭ 72). No difference in infection rate was observed between male and female ticks. Spirochetes that had been isolated from I. ricinus from Ain Drahim (Kroumiry Mountains) in 1988 were identiÞed as Borrelia lusitaniae (formerly genospecies PotiB2). This is the Þrst identiÞcation of a genospecies of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato from the continent of Africa.

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“…Larvae are generally not infected with B. burgdorferi, A. phagocytophilum, or B. microti upon hatching; transovarial passage of these pathogens from adult females to eggs has not been consistently demonstrated or is considered insignificant (91,136,148,154,171,228). However, transovarial transmission of B. divergens from adult I. ricinus ticks to larvae does occur (57,207) and is also believed to be important in maintaining the life cycle of other tick-borne viral and rickettsial pathogens (e.g., TBE virus, spotted fever group rickettsia) (32,162).…”

Section: Biology and Ecology Of Ixodes Ticksmentioning

confidence: 99%

Coinfections Acquired from Ixodes Ticks

et al. 2006

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SUMMARY The pathogens that cause Lyme disease (LD), human anaplasmosis, and babesiosis can coexist in Ixodes ticks and cause human coinfections. Although the risk of human coinfection differs by geographic location, the true prevalence of coinfecting pathogens among Ixodes ticks remains largely unknown for the majority of geographic locations. The prevalence of dually infected Ixodes ticks appears highest among ticks from regions of North America and Europe where LD is endemic, with reported prevalences of ≤28%. In North America and Europe, the majority of tick-borne coinfections occur among humans with diagnosed LD. Humans coinfected with LD and babesiosis appear to have more intense, prolonged symptoms than those with LD alone. Coinfected persons can also manifest diverse, influenza-like symptoms, and abnormal laboratory test results are frequently observed. Coinfecting pathogens might alter the efficiency of transmission, cause cooperative or competitive pathogen interactions, and alter disease severity among hosts. No prospective studies to assess the immunologic effects of coinfection among humans have been conducted, but animal models demonstrate that certain coinfections can modulate the immune response. Clinicians should consider the likelihood of coinfection when pursuing laboratory testing or selecting therapy for patients with tick-borne illness.

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Infection of Field-Collected Ixodes ricinus (Acari: Ixodidae) Larvae with Borrelia burgdorferi in Switzerland

Cited by 32 publications

References 15 publications

Coexistence of Pathogens in Host-Seeking and Feeding Ticks within a Single Natural Habitat in Central Germany

Coexistence of Pathogens in Host-Seeking and Feeding Ticks within a Single Natural Habitat in Central Germany

Infection of Ixodes ricinus (Acari: Ixodidae) by Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato in North Africa

Coinfections Acquired from Ixodes Ticks

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