Retracted: Established and emerging pathogens inIxodes ricinusticks collected from birds on a conservation island in the Baltic Sea

Abstract

Tick-borne pathogens such as Lyme borreliosis spirochaetes, Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Rickettsia spp. and Babesia spp. cause a great variety of diseases in animals and humans. Although their importance with respect to emerging human diseases is increasing, many issues about their ecology are still unclear. In spring 2007, 191 Ixodes ricinus (Acari: Ixodidae) ticks were collected from 99 birds of 11 species on a bird conservation island in the Baltic Sea in order to test them for Borrelia spp., A. phagocytophilum, Rickettsia spp. and Babesia spp. infections. Identification of the pathogens was performed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), restriction fragment length polymorphism and sequence analysis. The majority of birds with ticks testing positive were European robins and thrushes. Borrelia DNA was detected in 14.1%, A. phagocytophilum in 2.6%, rickettsiae in 7.3% and Babesia spp. in 4.7% of the ticks. Co-infections with different pathogens occurred in six ticks (3.1%). The fact that 11 ticks (five larvae, six nymphs) were infected with Borrelia afzelii suggests that birds may, contrary to current opinion, serve as reservoir hosts for this species. Among rickettsial infections, we identified Rickettsia monacensis and Rickettsia helvetica. As we detected five Rickettsia spp. positive larvae and two birds carried more than one infected tick, transmission of those pathogens from birds to ticks appears possible. Further characterization of Babesia infections revealed Babesia divergens and Babesia microti. The occurrence of Babesia spp. in a total of five larvae suggests that birds may be able to infect ticks, at least with Ba. microti, a species considered not to be transmitted transovarially in ticks.

Tick-Borne Pathogens in Ticks Feeding on Migratory Passerines in Western Part of Estonia

“…The low prevalence (0.4%) of A. phagocytophilum in birdfeeding ticks in the present study corresponds to the data from other studies (Franke et al 2010a, Palomar et al 2012. It is also in correspondence with our previous studies that showed 0.9% prevalence of A. phagocytophilum in I. ricinus ticks collected from the vegetation in the area near Kabli and Pulgoja bird stations (Katargina et al 2012).…”

“…Birds can carry ticks infected by such tick-borne pathogens as tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) (Waldenstrom et al 2007), Anaplasma phagocytophilum (Alekseev et al 2001, Bjoersdorff et al 2001, Daniels et al 2002, Franke et al 2010a and Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (s.l.) (Olsen et al 1995, Gylfe et al 2000, Hanincova et al 2003b, Poupon et al 2006, Franke et al 2010a.…”

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

“…Birds, particularly blackbirds, seem to be a pivotal element for the conjunction of the transmission cycles of different tick-borne pathogens. In a recent study, we also found coinfected ticks on other bird species, e.g., European robins (13).…”

“…Some small mammals, like meadow voles and chipmunks, develop a strong rickettsemia which might allow transmission to parasitizing ticks (38). Although a vehicle function of birds is hypothesized (13), further investigations are needed to ascertain their possible role as reservoir hosts for SFG rickettsiae.…”

Prevalence of Lyme Disease Agents and Several Emerging Pathogens in Questing Ticks From the German Baltic Coast

“…Because small mammals are reservoir hosts for Ba. microti and birds might also be reservoir competent (Siń ski et al 2006, Franke et al 2010), they presumably are major tick hosts in the areas of Karlshagen and Bansin. Nevertheless, further studies are necessary to support this hypothesis.…”