Spatial pattern of risk exposure to pathogens transmitted by Ixodes ricinus in north-eastern Italy and the Italy/Slovenia transborder territory

Cinco, Marina; Floris, Romina; Menardi, Giulia; Boemo, Barbara; Mignozzi, Katja; Altobelli, Alfredo

doi:10.1016/j.ijmm.2008.04.001

Cited by 5 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 12 publications

(13 reference statements)

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“…phagocytophilum varies considerably across Europe. Our estimates (8.8%) are above the reported 1.6% for Italy/Slovenia [57], 1.9% in Luxembourg [58], 1.3% in Switzerland [59], and 3.2% in Hanover, Germany [60]. Estimates are close to the 8.7% reported in Leipzig, Germany [61], but lower than the 20.5% reported in Spain [62].…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 51%

Spatial and seasonal variation in the prevalence of Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato in questing Ixodes ricinus ticks in Norway

et al. 2013

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BackgroundUnderstanding the variation in prevalence of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (Lyme Borreliosis Spirochaetes, LBS) and Anaplasma phagocytophilum (causing tick-borne fever in ruminants and human granulocytic ehrlichiosis) in ticks is vital from both a human and an animal disease perspective to target the most effective mitigation measures. From the host competence hypothesis, we predicted that prevalence of LBS would decrease with red deer density, while prevalence of A. phagocytophilum would increase.MethodsBased on a sample of 112 adult and 686 nymphal Ixodes ricinus ticks collected with flagging during questing from 31 transects (4–500 m long) corresponding to individual seasonal home ranges of 41 red deer along the west coast of Norway, we tested whether there were spatial and seasonal variations in prevalence with a special emphasis on the population density of the most common large host in this area, the red deer (Cervus elaphus). We used a multiplex real-time PCR assay for detection of A. phagocytophilum and LBS.ResultsPrevalence of LBS was higher in adult female ticks (21.6%) compared to adult male ticks (11.5%) and nymphs (10.9%), while prevalence was similar among stages for prevalence of A. phagocytophilum (8.8%). Only partly consistent with predictions, we found a lower prevalence of LBS in areas of high red deer density, while there was no relationship between red deer density and prevalence of A. phagocytophilum in ticks. Prevalence of both bacteria was much higher in ticks questing in May compared to August.ConclusionsOur study provides support to the notion that spatial variation in host composition forms a role for prevalence of LBS in ticks also in a northern European ecosystem, while no such association was found for A. phagocytophilum. Further studies are needed to fully understand the similar seasonal pattern of prevalence of the two pathogens.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 51%

Spatial and seasonal variation in the prevalence of Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato in questing Ixodes ricinus ticks in Norway

et al. 2013

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“…However, studies of the effect of habitat fragmentation on different tick-borne pathogens are scarce (25,40,67). Most only report on the infection prevalence of pathogens in ticks according to sampling locations, the stage of tick development, and their sex (18,56); few studies take into account the interplay or simultaneous effects of explanatory environmental factors (2).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Ecological Factors Characterizing the Prevalence of Bacterial Tick-Borne Pathogens in Ixodes ricinus Ticks in Pastures and Woodlands

Halos

Bord

Cotté

et al. 2010

Appl Environ Microbiol

113

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Ecological changes are recognized as an important driver behind the emergence of infectious diseases. The prevalence of infection in ticks depends upon ecological factors that are rarely taken into account simultaneously. Our objective was to investigate the influences of forest fragmentation, vegetation, adult tick hosts, and habitat on the infection prevalence of three tick-borne bacteria, Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, Anaplasma phagocytophilum, and Rickettsia sp. of the spotted fever group, in questing Ixodes ricinus ticks, taking into account tick characteristics. Samples of questing nymphs and adults were taken from 61 pastures and neighboring woodlands in central France. The ticks were tested by PCR of pools of nymphs and individual adults. The individual infection prevalence was modeled using multivariate regression. The highest infection prevalences were found in adult females collected in woodland sites for B. burgdorferi sensu lato and A. phagocytophilum (16.1% and 10.7%, respectively) and in pasture sites for Rickettsia sp. (8.7%). The infection prevalence in nymphs was lower than 6%. B. burgdorferi sensu lato was more prevalent in woodlands than in pastures. Forest fragmentation favored B. burgdorferi sensu lato and A. phagocytophilum prevalence in woodlands, and in pastures, the B. burgdorferi sensu lato prevalence was favored by shrubby vegetation. Both results are probably because large amounts of edges or shrubs increase the abundance of small vertebrates as reservoir hosts. The Rickettsia sp. prevalence was maximal on pasture with medium forest fragmentation. Female ticks were more infected by B. burgdorferi sensu lato than males and nymphs in woodland sites, which suggests an interaction between the ticks and the bacteria. This study confirms the complexity of the tick-borne pathogen ecology. The findings support the importance of small vertebrates as reservoir hosts and make a case for further studies in Europe on the link between the composition of the reservoir host community and the infection prevalence in ticks.

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“…Collection of ticks by blanket dragging was performed in each study site in spring (March-May), summer (June-July), and autumn (October-November) (for further details see Cinco et al, 2008). The ticks were classified into larvae, nymphs (grouped in pools of three), and adults (males and females) and stored at À80 1C.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Detection and genotyping of Borrelia burgdorferi in the trans-border area between Italy and Slovenia and evaluation of co-infection with Anaplasma phagocytophilum in ticks

Menardi

Floris

Mignozzi

et al. 2008

International Journal of Medical Microbiology

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Spatial pattern of risk exposure to pathogens transmitted by Ixodes ricinus in north-eastern Italy and the Italy/Slovenia transborder territory

Cited by 5 publications

References 12 publications

Spatial and seasonal variation in the prevalence of Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato in questing Ixodes ricinus ticks in Norway

Spatial and seasonal variation in the prevalence of Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato in questing Ixodes ricinus ticks in Norway

Ecological Factors Characterizing the Prevalence of Bacterial Tick-Borne Pathogens in Ixodes ricinus Ticks in Pastures and Woodlands

Detection and genotyping of Borrelia burgdorferi in the trans-border area between Italy and Slovenia and evaluation of co-infection with Anaplasma phagocytophilum in ticks

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