Lack of resistance against the tick Ixodes ricinus in two related passerine bird species

Heylen, Dieter; Madder, Maxime; Matthysen, Erik

doi:10.1016/j.ijpara.2009.07.011

Cited by 34 publications

(43 citation statements)

References 52 publications

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“…In a previous study using the same Borrelia infected ticks and bird individuals, we found no negative effects of the repeated exposures on the bird's body condition despite the fact that the birds had to compensate for the erythrocyte loss due to acute blood depletions caused by the ticks [for details, see Heylen and colleagues ()]. Also in other studies, the impact of B. burgdorferi s.l.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 50%

“…Borrelia ‐free birds were obtained by collecting nestlings from parasite‐free boxes in the wild and introducing them with their parents into tick‐free aviaries [for details, see Heylen and colleagues ()]. Nestlings were collected from woodlots in long‐term study populations in northern Belgium.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…When birds were 9 weeks old, individuals were infested with I. ricinus nymphs three times in succession [infestation 1–3; (Fig. ); for details, see also Heylen and colleagues ()]. Each infestation lasted 4–5 days, and birds were kept free of ticks for 5–6 days between the successive infestations.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Songbirds as general transmitters but selective amplifiers of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato genotypes in Ixodes rinicus ticks

Heylen

Matthysen

Fonville

et al. 2013

Environmental Microbiology

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We investigated to what extent a European songbird (Parus major) selectively transmits and amplifies Borrelia burgdorferi s.l. bacteria. Borrelia-naïve birds were recurrently exposed to Ixodes ricinus nymphs carrying a community of more than 34 5S-23S genotypes belonging to five genospecies (Borrelia garinii, Borrelia valaisiana, Borrelia afzelii, B. burgdorferi s.s. and Borrelia spielmanii). Fed ticks were screened for Borrelia after moulting. We found evidence for co-feeding transmission of avian and possibly also mammalian genotypes. Throughout the course of infestations, the infection rate of B. garinii and B. valaisiana increased, indicating successful amplification and transmission, while the infection rate for B. afzelii, B. burgdorferi s.s and B. spielmanii tended to decrease. Within the B. garinii and B. valaisiana genotype communities, certain genotypes were transmitted more than others. Moreover, birds were able to host mixed infections of B. garinii and B. valaisiana, as well as mixed infections of genotypes of the same genospecies. We experimentally show that resident songbirds transmit a broad range of Borrelia genotypes, but selectively amplify certain genotypes, and that one bird can transmit simultaneously several genotypes. Our results highlight the need to explicitly consider the association between genotypes and hosts, which may offer opportunities to point out which hosts are most responsible for the Borrelia presence in questing ticks.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 50%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Songbirds as general transmitters but selective amplifiers of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato genotypes in Ixodes rinicus ticks

Heylen

Matthysen

Fonville

et al. 2013

Environmental Microbiology

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“…For some sites additional details were provided by authors, however, the methodology is already described in published articles and summarised in the Additional file 1. This includes (1) Collection BAYER, 579 sites [13], (2) Collection RLVBD, 51 sites [14], (3) Collection UGENT FOREST, 33 sites [15,16], (4) Collection ARSIA, 17 sites [17], (5) Collection UCLIREC, 5 sites [18], and (6) Collection UA1, 16 sites [7,19-22]. Collection GREY DATA includes tick field observations from the website of NATAGORA and NATUURPUNT (http://www.observations.be, http://www.waarnemingen.be) by registered users involved with nature related activities from 1980 until February 2012.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Spatial disaggregation of tick occurrence and ecology at a local scale as a preliminary step for spatial surveillance of tick-borne diseases: general framework and health implications in Belgium

et al. 2013

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BackgroundThe incidence of tick-borne diseases is increasing in Europe. Sub national information on tick distribution, ecology and vector status is often lacking. However, precise location of infection risk can lead to better targeted prevention measures, surveillance and control.MethodsIn this context, the current paper compiled geolocated tick occurrences in Belgium, a country where tick-borne disease has received little attention, in order to highlight the potential value of spatial approaches and draw some recommendations for future research priorities.ResultsMapping of 89,289 ticks over 654 sites revealed that ticks such as Ixodes ricinus and Ixodes hexagonus are largely present while Dermacentor reticulatus has a patchy distribution. Suspected hot spots of tick diversity might favor pathogen exchanges and suspected hot spots of I. ricinus abundance might increase human-vector contact locally. This underlines the necessity to map pathogens and ticks in detail. While I. ricinus is the main vector, I. hexagonus is a vector and reservoir of Borrelia burgdorferi s.l., which is active the whole year and is also found in urban settings. This and other nidiculous species bite humans less frequently, but seem to harbour pathogens. Their role in maintaining a pathogenic cycle within the wildlife merits investigation as they might facilitate transmission to humans if co-occurring with I. ricinus. Many micro-organisms are found abroad in tick species present in Belgium. Most have not been recorded locally but have not been searched for. Some are transmitted directly at the time of the bite, suggesting promotion of tick avoidance additionally to tick removal.ConclusionThis countrywide approach to tick-borne diseases has helped delineate recommendations for future research priorities necessary to design public health policies aimed at spatially integrating the major components of the ecological cycle of tick-borne diseases. A systematic survey of tick species and associated pathogens is called for in Europe, as well as better characterisation of species interaction in the ecology of tick-borne diseases, those being all tick species, pathogens, hosts and other species which might play a role in tick-borne diseases complex ecosystems.

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“…However, this had no effect on general body condition of the parent birds nor on offspring quality (Heylen and Matthysen 2008, Heylen et al 2009). Also, great tits do not seem to acquire resistance to ticks when experimentally infested (Heylen et al 2010). On the other hand, observational data did show an association between tick load on the parent and nestling condition (Heylen et al 2009).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

No evidence for long‐term effects of reproductive effort on parasite prevalence in great tits Parus major

Jong

Fokkema

Ubels

et al. 2014

Journal of Avian Biology

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Allocation of resources between the life history traits reproduction and parasite defence are expected because both are energetically costly. Experimental evidence for such allocation has been found in short‐term effects of reproduction on parasite prevalence or immune function. However, there is increasing evidence for long‐term negative effects of reproductive effort on individuals. This study investigates whether long‐term effects of reproductive effort on parasite prevalence exist. Brood sizes of great tits Parus major were experimentally altered in one breeding season and in the subsequent breeding season the prevalence of three parasites types (blood parasites, ticks and fleas) on the surviving parents were investigated. We detected no long‐term effects of brood size manipulation on the prevalence of parasites in the next year and therefore provide no evidence for inter‐seasonal effects of reproductive effort on parasite prevalence. The post hoc level of statistical power was reasonable for effects on blood parasite and flea prevalence, but low for effects on tick prevalence.

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Lack of resistance against the tick Ixodes ricinus in two related passerine bird species

Cited by 34 publications

References 52 publications

Songbirds as general transmitters but selective amplifiers of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato genotypes in Ixodes rinicus ticks

Songbirds as general transmitters but selective amplifiers of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato genotypes in Ixodes rinicus ticks

Spatial disaggregation of tick occurrence and ecology at a local scale as a preliminary step for spatial surveillance of tick-borne diseases: general framework and health implications in Belgium

No evidence for long‐term effects of reproductive effort on parasite prevalence in great tits Parus major

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