Prevalence of granulocytic Ehrlichia and Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato in Ixodes ricinus ticks collected from Southwestern Finland and from Vormsi Island in Estonia

Mäkinen, Johanna; Vuorinen, Ilppo; Oksi, Jarmo; Peltomaa, Miikka; He, Qiushui; Marjamäki, Merja; Viljanen, Matti K.

doi:10.1034/j.1600-0463.2003.1110209.x

Cited by 28 publications

(42 citation statements)

References 35 publications

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“…In addition, migratory birds may facilitate the expansion of Anaplasma- infected ticks to new regions [25]. Ap has been detected in ticks from Finland and neighbouring countries [26,27]. The prevalence of Ap infection has not yet been studied in Finnish people but studies in Denmark showed a high incidence of human granulocytic ehrlichiosis in humans exposed to ticks [28].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Survey of selected tick-borne diseases in dogs in Finland

Vera

Kapiainen

Junnikkala

et al. 2014

Parasites & Vectors

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BackgroundDue to climate changes during the last decades, ticks have progressively spread into higher latitudes in northern Europe. Although some tick borne diseases are known to be endemic in Finland, to date there is limited information with regard to the prevalence of these infections in companion animals. We determined the antibody and DNA prevalence of the following organisms in randomly selected client-owned and clinically healthy hunting dogs living in Finland: Ehrlichia canis (Ec), Anaplasma phagocytophilum (Ap), Borrelia burgdorferi (Bb) and Bartonella.MethodsAnti-Ap, −Bb and –Ec antibodies were determined in 340 Finnish pet dogs and 50 healthy hunting dogs using the 4DX Snap®Test (IDEXX Laboratories). In addition, PCRs for the detection of Ap and Bartonella DNA were performed. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to identify risk factors associated with seropositivity to a vector borne agent.ResultsThe overall seroprevalence was highest for Ap (5.3%), followed by Bb (2.9%), and Ec (0.3%). Seropositivities to Ap and Bb were significantly higher in the Åland Islands (p <0.001), with prevalence of Ap and Bb antibodies of 45 and 20%, respectively. In healthy hunting dogs, seropositivity rates of 4% (2/50) and 2% (1/50) were recorded for Ap and Bb, respectively. One client-owned dog and one hunting dog, both healthy, were infected with Ap as determined by PCR, while being seronegative. For Bartonella spp., none of the dogs tested was positive by PCR.ConclusionsThis study represents the first data of seroprevalence to tick borne diseases in the Finnish dog population. Our results indicate that dogs in Finland are exposed to vector borne diseases, with Ap being the most seroprevalent of the diseases tested, followed by Bb. Almost 50% of dogs living in Åland Islands were Ap seropositive. This finding suggests the possibility of a high incidence of Ap infection in humans in this region. Knowing the distribution of seroprevalence in dogs may help predict the pattern of a tick borne disease and may aid in diagnostic and prevention efforts.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Survey of selected tick-borne diseases in dogs in Finland

Vera

Kapiainen

Junnikkala

et al. 2014

Parasites & Vectors

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“…In Germany, the overall prevalence ranges from 1.0% to 4.5% [35,36]. The overall prevalence in Europe ranges from 0.25% in Scotland to 57.1% in Italy [37,38] with great variation in every country: from 0.4% to 15% in France [39,40], from 3% to 57% in Italy [38,41,42], from 0.25% to 2% in Scotland [37], 3% in Estonia [43], from 5.1% to 8.7% in Austria [44,45], from 0.5% to 2.2% in Switzerland [46-48], up to 40.5% in Denmark [49] and up to 14% in various Eastern European countries [50-54]. …”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Anaplasma phagocytophilum in horses and ticks in Tunisia

et al. 2012

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Background Anaplasma phagocytophilum , the causative agent of granulocytic anaplasmosis, affects several species of wild and domesticated mammals, including horses. We used direct and indirect methods to compare and evaluate exposure to A. phagocytophilum in horses in northern Tunisia.MethodsSerum from 60 horses was tested by IFA for antibodies to A. phagocytophilum , and whole blood was tested for A. phagocytophilum 16S rRNA gene using a nested-PCR. To examine the risk of A. phagocytophilum transmission, 154 ticks that had been collected from horses were examined for the presence of A. phagocytophilum by nested-PCR targeting 16S rRNA gene.ResultsThis is the first time that A. phagocytophilum has been detected in horses in Tunisia, with an overall seroprevalence of 40/60 (67%). Six of the seroreactive samples (10%) had an IFA titer of 1:80, 14 (23%) of 1:160, 8 (13%) of 1:320 and 12 (20%) a titer 1 ≥ 640. The seroprevalence revealed no significant regional and sex differences. In contrast, a significant difference was observed between breeds. Eight (13%) of the horses were positive for A. phagocytophilum in the PCR, with no significant breed and age differences. Hyalomma marginatum was a predominant tick species (130/154), and 3 were infected by A. phagocytophilum (a prevalence of 2.3%). The concordance rate of A. phagocytophilum detection between IFA and PCR had a k value of −0.07.ConclusionsThe results presented in this study suggest that horses infested by ticks in Tunisia are exposed to A. phagocytophilum.

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“…Interestingly, the present cat had been outdoors in the same region. Anaplasma phagocytophilum has previously been detected in ticks in all of the neighboring countries; Estonia [21], European Russia [16], Sweden [22], and Norway [23]. …”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Anaplasma phagocytophilum infection in a domestic cat in Finland: Case report

Heikkilä

Бондаренко²,

Mihalkov³

et al. 2010

Acta Vet Scand

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BackgroundAnaplasmosis is a vectorborne disease caused by the gram-negative bacterium Anaplasma phagocytophilum. This species displays positive tropism to granulocytes and can cause illness in several mammalian species, including cats, dogs, and humans. It is considered as an emerging disease in Europe. The clinical signs are nonspecific and include fever, lethargy, and inappetence. The most typical hematologic abnormality is thrombocytopenia. A tentative diagnosis can be made by detecting intracytoplasmic morulae inside neutrophils. The diagnosis is confirmed by PCR and serology in paired serum samples. A sample for PCR analysis should be taken before treatment. Anaplasmosis is treated with doxycycline.Case presentationA feline case of anaplasmosis is presented. The history, clinical presentation, diagnostics, treatment, and follow-up are discussed.ConclusionsThis case indicates that Anaplasma phagocytophilum infects cats in Finland. To provide accurate treatment, anaplasmosis should be listed as a differential diagnosis in cats suffering from acute febrile illness with previous tick exposure.

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Prevalence of granulocytic Ehrlichia and Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato in Ixodes ricinus ticks collected from Southwestern Finland and from Vormsi Island in Estonia

Cited by 28 publications

References 35 publications

Survey of selected tick-borne diseases in dogs in Finland

Survey of selected tick-borne diseases in dogs in Finland

Anaplasma phagocytophilum in horses and ticks in Tunisia

Anaplasma phagocytophilum infection in a domestic cat in Finland: Case report

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