Serological Evidence of Natural Exposure to Tick-Borne Pathogens in Horses, Romania

Bogdan, Andreea Monica; Ioniţă, Mariana; Mitrea, Ioan Liviu

doi:10.3390/microorganisms9020373

Cited by 4 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 39 publications

(63 reference statements)

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“…in questing I. ricinus in Romania varies widely according to the geographical region [ 14 – 17 ], and prevalence varying between 3.4 and 14.2% in I. ricinus collected from humans was reported in Cluj and Sibiu counties [ 18 ]. Aside from several studies on the presence and distribution of tick-borne pathogens in questing [ 19 , 20 ] and engorged ticks collected from humans [ 21 ] and wild hosts [ 17 , 22 – 28 ], and serological surveys in dogs and horses [ 29 – 31 ], reports on the incidence of tick-borne bacterial diseases in humans still remain limited. As the only seroprevalence study with a large dataset was published more than 20 years ago, and because data concerning the prevalence of tick-borne diseases in humans from Romania are outdated and scarce, further up-to-date research could be beneficial to the Romanian population for awareness campaigns.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Seroprevalence of antibodies against Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato in healthy blood donors in Romania: an update

et al. 2021

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Background The Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (s.l.) genogroup is the causative agent responsible for Lyme borreliosis, a common tick-borne infectious disease in some temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere. In humans, the clinical manifestations of Lyme borreliosis vary from dermatological infection to severe systemic manifestations. In Romania, data on the seroprevalence of Lyme borreliosis and associated risk factors are scarce and outdated, as the only seroprevalence study with a large dataset was published more than 20 years ago. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the seroprevalence for Borrelia burgdorferi s.l. in healthy blood donors from six Romanian counties and identify the associated risk factors. Methods The study was conducted among 1200 healthy blood donors aged between 18 and 65 years during November 2019 and September 2020 from six counties in the northwestern and central parts of Romania. A two-tiered testing strategy was applied. Positive and equivocal immunoenzymatic test results for IgG and IgM antibodies were further confirmed by Western blot. Results Serum samples from 20% of the blood donors had positive or equivocal IgG and IgM ELISA index values. In total, 2.3% of the serum samples for IgG and 1.8% for IgM were positive by Western blot. The seroprevalence for both antibodies varied between 1.5% (Satu-Mare) and 6.5% (Bistrița-Năsăud) in the six counties investigated. The highest seroprevalence was observed in men (4.7%), in blood donors performing their professional activities outdoors (4.2%), and in those aged ≥ 56 years (8%). Conclusions These findings confirm the presence of specific IgG and IgM antibodies to B. burgdorferi s.l. among healthy blood donors from Romania. Furthermore, potential risk factors, such as gender, age, and behavior, associated with the presence of positive B. burgdorferi s.l. antibodies among healthy blood donors were identified. Graphical Abstract

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Seroprevalence of antibodies against Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato in healthy blood donors in Romania: an update

et al. 2021

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Equine Granulocytic Anaplasmosis

Oliver

Conrado

Nolen-Walston

2023

Veterinary Clinics of North America: Equine Practice

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Seroprevalence of Tick-Borne Infections in Horses from Northern Italy

Villa

Gazzonis

Allievi

et al. 2022

Animals

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Tick-borne diseases in horses are considered an emergent problem worldwide; the geographical redistribution of ticks, due to climatic and ecological changes, and the movements of infected horses between different nations play important roles in the spread of tick-borne diseases affecting these hosts. In this study, a survey was planned to estimate the seroprevalence of the Gram-negative bacterium Anaplasma phagocytophilum and the piroplasmid protozoa Babesia caballi and Theileria equi in Italian horses, as well as to evaluate possible risk factors associated with seropositive cases. Serum samples from 261 horses reared in northern Italy were collected and analyzed by indirect immunofluorescence antibody test for the detection of A. phagocytophilum-, B. caballi- and T. equi-specific antibodies. The overall seroprevalence to at least one of the investigated pathogens was 51%; sixty-one horses were seropositive to A. phagocytophilum (23.4%), forty-nine to B. caballi and the same number to T. equi (18.8% each). Seropositivity for more than one of the investigated agents was detected in thirty-two horses and the most common co-infection was observed between B. caballi and T. equi (5.7%). A significant risk factor for all the three pathogens was the elevation above sea level; indeed, the risk of infection was higher with an increase and decrease in elevation for A. phagocytophilum and for B. caballi and T. equi, respectively. Tick control in horses is strongly recommended considering the high seroprevalence values of transmitted pathogens.

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Serological Evidence of Natural Exposure to Tick-Borne Pathogens in Horses, Romania

Cited by 4 publications

References 39 publications

Seroprevalence of antibodies against Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato in healthy blood donors in Romania: an update

Seroprevalence of antibodies against Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato in healthy blood donors in Romania: an update

Equine Granulocytic Anaplasmosis

Seroprevalence of Tick-Borne Infections in Horses from Northern Italy

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