DOCSLIB.ORG

(Lacerta Agilis) in the Transmission Cycle of Borrelia Burgdorferi Sensu

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
(Lacerta Agilis) in the Transmission Cycle of Borrelia Burgdorferi Sensu ARTICLE IN PRESS International Journal of Medical Microbiology 298 (2008) S1, 161–167 www.elsevier.de/ijmm The role of the sand lizard (Lacerta agilis) in the transmission cycle of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato Vikto´ria Majla´thova´a,Ã, Igor Majla´thb, Martin Hromadac, Piotr Tryjanowskid, Martin Bonab, Marcin Antczakd, Bronislava Vı´chova´a,Sˇtefan Dzimkoa,b, Andrei Mihalcae, Branislav Pet’koa aParasitological Institute SAS, Hlinkova 3, Kosˇice 040 01, Slovakia bInstitute of Biology and Ecology, University of P.J. Sˇafa´rik, Kosˇice, Slovakia cDepartment of Zoology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of South Bohemia, Cˇeske´ Budeˇjovice, Czech Republic dDepartment of Behavioural Ecology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznan´, Poland eFaculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences Veterinary Medicine, Cluj-Napoca, Romania Accepted 27 March 2008 Abstract In order to examine the role of Lacerta agilis in the transmission cycle of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, lizards were captured in three different localities in Slovakia, Poland, and Romania. Skin biopsy specimens from collar scales and ticks feeding on the lizards at the time of capture were collected. In total, 87 individuals (11 in Slovakia, 48 in Poland, 28 in Romania) of L. agilis were captured. Altogether, 245 (74, 74, 97) larvae and 191 (78, 113, 0) nymphs were removed from captured lizards. Borrelial infection was detected by PCR amplifying a fragment of the 5S–23S rDNA intergenic spacer and genotyping by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP). When examining the presence of borreliae in biopsy specimens, striking differences between separate populations were observed. Whilst none of the biopsy specimens from L. agilis from Poland were positive for B. burgdorferi s.l., 45% of the sand lizards from Slovakia and 57% from Romania were positive. B. lusitaniae was confirmed in all positive biopsy specimens. The prevalence of borreliae in ticks that had fed on lizards was 6% in Poland, 21% in Slovakia, and 13% in Romania. While B. lusitaniae was the only genospecies in ticks from Slovakia (except for 2 larvae infected with B. afzelii)and Romania, it represented 64% and B. valaisiana 27% of the borrelia infections in ticks from lizards captured in Poland. The highest probability of ticks to get infected expressed as specific infectivity of lizards was recorded in Slovakia (0.102) and the lowest in Poland (0.003). Our findings underline the importance of the sand lizard in the transmission cycle of B. lusitaniae. r 2008 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved. Keywords: Borrelia lusitaniae; Sand lizard; Lacerta agilis; Ixodes ricinus; Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato; Slovakia; Poland; Romania Introduction ÃCorresponding author. Tel.: +421 55 633 4455; Lyme borreliosis (LB) is the most widespread vector- fax: +421 55 633 1414. borne disease in the northern hemisphere. The causative E-mail address: [email protected] (V. Majla´thova´). agents of LB are spirochetes from the Borrelia burgdorferi 1438-4221/$ - see front matter r 2008 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved. doi:10.1016/j.ijmm.2008.03.005 ARTICLE IN PRESS 162 V. Majla´thova´et al. / International Journal of Medical Microbiology 298 (2008) S1, 161–167 sensu lato (s.l.) complex which currently comprises at least The aim of this study was to demonstrate that the 12 genospecies. The main European vector of LB is Ixodes sand lizard (L. agilis) contributes to the maintenance ricinus, the most common tick in Europe. Currently, cycle of B. burgdorferi s.l. and to compare 3 distinct B. burgdorferi s.s., B. garinii, B. afzelii,andB. spielmanii populations of L. agilis in Europe. are clearly established as pathogenic to humans (van Dam et al., 1993; Wang et al., 1999; Fo¨ldva´ri et al., 2005). B. valaisiana and B. lusitaniae previously considered as Materials and methods non-pathogenic might cause disease as well (Collares- Pereira et al., 2004; Diza et al., 2004). The geographic Study area distribution of B. burgdorferi s.l. genospecies in Europe is very variable and can vary even in relatively small areas as The study was carried out during summer of 2006 in 3 well as over time in a given area (Derda´kova´and distinct localities. The first locality was chosen in Lencˇa´kova´,2005). In endemic areas of Europe, at least Martinske´ Hole Mountains, Slovakia (491050N, 6 Borrelia genospecies may circulate between vertebrate 181490E). The dominant vegetation consisted of European hosts and ticks. B. afzelii and B. garinii are the most beech (Fagus sylvatica) and silver fir (Abies alba). Beech is frequent and the most widely distributed genospecies and mostly mixed with silver fir, Norway spruce (Picea abies), occur over the whole of Europe (Huba´lek and Halouzka, and sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus).Theclimateiscold 1997) followed by B. valaisiana and B. burgdorferi s.s. with high humidity. Lizards were sampled on the forest (Derda´kova´et al., 2003). B. spielmanii and B. lusitaniae edges and clearings. The second sampling area was belong to the less abundant genospecies in Europe. located near the town Odolanow, Poland (511340N, Records of B. spielmanii in I. ricinus, in reservoir hosts, 171400E). This study area was characterised by intensively and in human patients come from the Netherlands (Wang farmed land with a mosaic of arable fields, meadows, and et al., 1999), the Czech Republic (Derda´kova´et al., 2003), small woodlots and scattered trees and shrubs of different Germany (Richter et al., 2004), and Hungary (Fo¨ldva´ri age, with dominance of white willow (Salix fragilis), silver et al., 2005). The prevalence of B. lusitaniae varies in birch (Betula pendula), black poplar (Populus nigra), and different parts of Europe. While in the Mediterranean pine (Pinus sylvestris). The third locality in the Delta basin it represents the dominant or the only genospecies Danube, Romania, was situated on the Sfaˆntu Gheorghe present in I. ricinus ticks, reports from other parts of arm of Danube directly at the Black Sea shore (441540N, Europe are rather rare (Postic et al., 1997; Gern et al., 291360E). Local habitats are sandy, covered with feather 1999; De Michelis et al., 2000; Younsi et al., 2001; Sarih grass (Stipa spp.), Juncus spp., and other steppe species. et al., 2003; Wodecka and Skotarczak, 2005; Poupon Elevated mounds support stands of white willow (Salix et al., 2006; Amore et al., 2007). Particular Borrelia alba), black poplar (Populus nigra), alder (Alnus spp.), ash genospecies differ in their transmission cycles with tree (Fraxinus spp.), and oak (Quercus spp.). different vertebrate taxons as reservoir hosts. Birds are competent reservoir hosts of B. garinii and B. valaisiana (Humair et al., 1998; Hanincova´et al., 2003b). Rodents Lizard species serve as reservoir hosts for B. afzelii(Humair et al., 1999; Hanincova´et al., 2003a)andB. garinii belonging to the L. agilis is a short-legged, rather robust, small to OspA type 4 (Postic et al., 1997). The newly described medium-sized lizard (up to 90 mm snout-to-vent length) genospecies B. spielmanii is maintained in natural foci by from the family Lacertidae. The sand lizard is a ground- theedibledormouse(Eliomys quercinus)andthefat dwelling and strongly diurnal species with one of the dormouse (Glis glis)(Matuschka et al., 1994; Richter widest distribution ranges of all reptiles in Europe et al., 2004). Several lizard species were proved to possess (Bischoff, 1984). Sand lizards are largely insectivorous, a complement with borreliacidal activity (Lane and Loye, actively chasing and consuming a range of spiders and 1989; Wright et al., 1998), and therefore the role of lizards insects (Corbett and Tamarind, 1979). In Slovakia and in the circulation of B. burgdorferi s.l. has been under- Poland, L. agilis agilis, the subspecies of sand lizard estimated. Recent studies suggest associations of lizards abundant in north-western Europe, was captured in with B. lusitaniae circulation. The reservoir competence of May 2006, and in Romania, L. agilis chersonensis,an Psammodromus algirus was proven recently (Dsouli et al., east European subspecies preferring dry sandy habitats 2006). B. lusitaniae was detected in skin biopsy specimens such as sand dunes, heaths, and meadows with sandy and blood samples and in larvae and nymphs of I. ricinus soils, was caught in July 2006. removed from green lizards (Lacerta viridis)(Majla´thova´ et al., 2006) and wall lizards (Podarcis muralis)(Amore et Tick and lizard collection al., 2007). Richter and Matuschka (2006) detected a high prevalence of B. lusitaniae in ticks feeding on L. agilis and Sand lizards were captured using landing fishnets, by Podarcis muralis. hand, or by noosing, where a loop made from fishing ARTICLE IN PRESS V. Majla´thova´et al. / International Journal of Medical Microbiology 298 (2008) S1, 161–167 163 nylon was attached to the end of a wooden stick and of amplified DNA was digested at 65 1C overnight in a dangled in front of a lizard, who would be captured solution containing 5 U of Tru1 I(300U/ml)and1Â upon walking through the loop. Animals were sexed, Buffer R (Fermentas). Electrophoresis was carried out in aged (adult, subadult, juvenile), and examined for the 16% polyacrylamide gel at 150 V for 3 h. The gels were presence of ticks. Ticks were removed with forceps stained with SYBR Gold nucleic acid gel stain (Molecular immediately after capture and stored in 70% ethanol. Probes, Leiden, The Netherlands) for 20 min, and bands Tissue samples were taken from each individual. A skin were visualized with a UV transilluminator (Derda´kova´ biopsy from collar scales (1 Â 1.5 mm) was taken with et al., 2003). sterile scissors and put in separate vials with 70% ethanol. All procedures, DNA isolation, PCR, and electro- Ticks were identified to the species, sexed, and only phoresis were performed in separate rooms using I. ricinus ticks were further examined for the presence of different pipettes and racks, wearing separate coats B.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Association of Borrelia Garinii and B. Valaisiana with Songbirds in Slovakia
    University of Nebraska - Lincoln DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln Public Health Resources Public Health Resources 5-2003 Association of Borrelia garinii and B. valaisiana with Songbirds in Slovakia Klara Hanincova Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine, London W2 1PG Veronika Taragelova Institute of Zoology, Slovak Academy of Science, 81364 Bratislava Juraj Koci Department of Biology, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Trnava, 918 43 Trnava, Slovakia Stefanie M. Schafer Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine, London W2 1PG Rosie Hails NERC Centre of Ecology and Hydrology, Oxford OX 1 3SR See next page for additional authors Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/publichealthresources Part of the Public Health Commons Hanincova, Klara; Taragelova, Veronika; Koci, Juraj; Schafer, Stefanie M.; Hails, Rosie; Ullmann, Amy J.; Piesman, Joseph; Labuda, Milan; and Kurtenbach, Klaus, "Association of Borrelia garinii and B. valaisiana with Songbirds in Slovakia" (2003). Public Health Resources. 115. https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/publichealthresources/115 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Public Health Resources at DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. It has been accepted for inclusion in Public Health Resources by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. Authors Klara Hanincova, Veronika Taragelova, Juraj Koci, Stefanie M. Schafer, Rosie Hails, Amy J. Ullmann, Joseph Piesman, Milan Labuda, and Klaus Kurtenbach This article is available at DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln: https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/ publichealthresources/115 APPLIED AND ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY, May 2003, p. 2825–2830 Vol. 69, No. 5 0099-2240/03/$08.00ϩ0 DOI: 10.1128/AEM.69.5.2825–2830.2003 Copyright © 2003, American Society for Microbiology.
    [Show full text]
  • Transmission Dynamics of Borrelia Lusitaniae and Borrelia Afzelii Among Ixodes Ricinus, Lizards, and Mice in Tuscany, Central Italy
    VECTOR-BORNE AND ZOONOTIC DISEASES Volume 9, Number 00, 2009 ORIGINAL ARTICLE ª Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. DOI: 10.1089=vbz.2008.0195 Transmission Dynamics of Borrelia lusitaniae and Borrelia afzelii Among Ixodes ricinus, Lizards, and Mice in Tuscany, Central Italy Charlotte Ragagli,1,2 Luigi Bertolotti,1,3 Mario Giacobini,1,3 Alessandro Mannelli,1 Donal Bisanzio,1,3 Giusi Amore,1,4 and Laura Tomassone1 Abstract To estimate the basic reproduction number (R0)ofBorrelia lusitaniae and Borrelia afzelii, we formulated a mathematical model considering the interactions among the tick vector, vertebrate hosts, and pathogens in a 500-ha enclosed natural reserve on Le Cerbaie hills, Tuscany, central Italy. In the study area, Ixodes ricinus were abundant and were found infected by B. lusitaniae and B. afzelii. Lizards (Podarcis spp.) and mice (Apodemus spp.), respectively, are the reservoir hosts of these two Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (s.l.) genospecies and compete for immature ticks. B. lusitaniae R0 estimation is in agreement with field observations, indicating the maintenance and diffusion of this genospecies in the study area, where lizards are abundant and highly infested by I. ricinus immature stages. In fact, B. lusitaniae shows a focal distribution in areas where the tick vector and the vertebrate reservoir coexist. Mouse population dynamics and their relatively low suitability as hosts for nymphs seem to determine, on the other hand, a less efficient transmission of B. afzelii, whose R0 differs between scenarios in the study area. Considering host population dynamics, the proposed model suggests that, given a certain combi- nation of the two host population sizes, both spirochete genospecies can coexist in our study area.
    [Show full text]
  • A Portuguese Isolate of Borrelia Lusitaniae Induces Disease in C3H/Hen Mice
    J. Med. Microbiol. Ð Vol. 50 72001), 1055±1060 # 2001 The Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland ISSN 0022-2615 BACTERIAL PATHOGENICITY A Portuguese isolate of Borrelia lusitaniae induces disease in C3H/HeN mice NORDIN S. ZEIDNER, MARIA S. NU NCIOÃ,BRADLEYS.SCHNEIDER,LISEGERN{, JOSEPH PIESMAN, OTILIA BRANDAÄ O{ and ARMINDO R. FILIPEà Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Division of Vector-Borne Infectious Diseases, Fort Collins, CO 80522, USA, ÃInstituto Nacional de Sau de, Dr. Ricardo Jorge, Centro de Estudos de Vectores e Doencas Infecciosas, A guas de Moura, Portugal, {Institut de Zoologie, University of Neuchaà tel, Neuchaà tel, Switzerland and {Department of Pathology, SaÄo Bernardo Hospital, Setu bal, Portugal A low-passage, Portuguese isolate of Borrelia lusitaniae, strain PotiB2, was inoculated into C3H/HeN mice and disease was monitored by histopathology at 8weeks after spirochaete challenge. Ear, heart, bladder, femoro-tibial joint, brain and spinal cord were examined. B. lusitaniae strain PotiB2 &6 of 10 mice) and B. burgdorferi sensu stricto strain N40 &9 of 10 mice) induced similar lesions in the bladder of infected mice characterised as a multifocal, lymphoid, interstitial cystitis. Moreover, both B. lusitaniae PotiB2 and B. burdorferi N40 induced lesions in the heart of infected mice. The lesions induced by B. lusitaniae PotiB2 &2 of 10 mice) were characterised as a severe, necrotising endarteritis of the aorta, with a minimal, mixed in¯ammatory in®ltrate &neutrophils, macrophages and lymphoid cells) extending into the adjacent myocardium. In contrast, B. burgdorferi N40 induced a periarteritis of the pulmonary artery &7 of 10 mice), with no involvement of the endothelium and more extensive in¯ammation and subsequent necrosis of the adjacent myocardium.
    [Show full text]
  • REVIEW ARTICLES AAEM Ann Agric Environ Med 2005, 12, 165–172
    REVIEW ARTICLES AAEM Ann Agric Environ Med 2005, 12, 165–172 ASSOCIATION OF GENETIC VARIABILITY WITHIN THE BORRELIA BURGDORFERI SENSU LATO WITH THE ECOLOGY, EPIDEMIOLOGY OF LYME BORRELIOSIS IN EUROPE 1, 2 1 Markéta Derdáková 'DQLHOD/HQþiNRYi 1Parasitological Institute, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Košice, Slovakia 2Institute of Zoology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia 'HUGiNRYi 0 /HQþiNRYi ' $VVRFLDWLRQ RI JHQHWLF YDULDELOLW\ ZLWKLQ WKH Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato with the ecology, epidemiology of Lyme borreliosis in Europe. Ann Agric Environ Med 2005, 12, 165–172. Abstract: Lyme borreliosis (LB) represents the most common vector-borne zoonotic disease in the Northern Hemisphere. The infection is caused by the spirochetes of the Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (s.l.) complex which circulate between tick vectors and vertebrate reservoir hosts. The complex of Borrelia burgdorferi s.l. encompasses at least 12 species. Genetic variability within and between each species has a considerable impact on pathogenicity, clinical picture, diagnostic methods, transmission mechanisms and its ecology. The distribution of distinct genospecies varies with the different geographic area and over a time. In recent years, new molecular assays have been developed for direct detection and classification of different Borrelia strains. Profound studies of strain heterogeneity initiated a new approach to vaccine development and routine diagnosis of Lyme borreliosis in Europe. Although great progress has been made in characterization of the organism, the present knowledge of ecology and epidemiology of B. burgdorferi s.l. is still incomplete. Further information on the distribution of different Borrelia species and subspecies in their natural reservoir hosts and vectors is needed. Address for correspondence: MVDr.
    [Show full text]
  • Fine-Scale Phylogeographic Structure of Borrelia Lusitaniae Revealed by Multilocus Sequence Typing
    Fine-Scale Phylogeographic Structure of Borrelia lusitaniae Revealed by Multilocus Sequence Typing Liliana R. Vitorino1,2,3, Gabriele Margos2, Edward J. Feil2, Margarida Collares-Pereira3, Libia Ze´-Ze´ 1,4, Klaus Kurtenbach2* 1 Departamento de Biologia Vegetal/Centro de Gene´tica e Biologia Molecular, Faculdade de Cieˆncias, Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, Lisboa, Portugal, 2 Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Bath, Bath, United Kingdom, 3 Unidade de Leptospirose e Borreliose de Lyme, Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal, 4 Centro de Estudos de Vectores e Doenc¸as Infecciosas, Instituto Nacional de Sau´de Dr. Ricardo Jorge, Lisboa, Portugal Abstract Borrelia lusitaniae is an Old World species of the Lyme borreliosis (LB) group of tick-borne spirochetes and prevails mainly in countries around the Mediterranean Basin. Lizards of the family Lacertidae have been identified as reservoir hosts of B. lusitaniae. These reptiles are highly structured geographically, indicating limited migration. In order to examine whether host geographic structure shapes the evolution and epidemiology of B. lusitaniae, we analyzed the phylogeographic population structure of this tick-borne bacterium using a recently developed multilocus sequence typing (MLST) scheme based on chromosomal housekeeping genes. A total of 2,099 questing nymphal and adult Ixodes ricinus ticks were collected in two climatically different regions of Portugal, being ,130 km apart. All ticks were screened for spirochetes by direct PCR. Attempts to isolate strains yielded 16 cultures of B. lusitaniae in total. Uncontaminated cultures as well as infected ticks were included in this study. The results using MLST show that the regional B.
    [Show full text]
  • Spatial Stratification of Various Lyme Disease Spirochetes in a Central
    RESEARCH ARTICLE Spatial stratification of various Lyme disease spirochetes in a Central European site Dania Richter1, Boris Schro¨ der2,3, Niklas K. Hartmann3 & Franz-Rainer Matuschka1 1Abt. Parasitologie, Institut fu¨r Pathologie, Charite´ Universita¨ tsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany; 2Institut fu¨r Erd- und Umweltwissenschaften, Universita¨ t Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany; and 3Bodenlandschaftsmodellierung, Leibniz-Zentrum fu¨r Agrarlandschaftsforschung (ZALF) e.V., Mu¨ncheberg, Germany Downloaded from https://academic.oup.com/femsec/article/83/3/738/596339 by guest on 29 September 2021 Correspondence: Dania Richter, Abt. Abstract Parasitologie, Institut fu¨r Pathologie, Charite´ Universita¨ tsmedizin Berlin, Malteserstraße To determine whether the genospecies composition of Lyme disease spirochetes 74-100, 12249 Berlin, Germany. Tel.: is spatially stratified, we collected questing Ixodes ricinus ticks in neighboring 49 30 838 70 372; fax: 49 30 776 2085; plots where rodents, birds, and lizards were present as reservoir host and com- e-mail: [email protected] pared the prevalence of various genospecies. The overall prevalence of spiro- chetes in questing ticks varied across the study site. Borrelia lusitaniae appeared Present addresses: Boris Schro¨ der, to infect adult ticks in one plot at the same frequency as did Borrelia afzelii in Landschaftso¨ kologie, Department fu¨r O¨ kologie und O¨ kosystemmanagement, the other plots. The relative density of questing nymphal and adult ticks varied Technische Universita¨ tMu¨ nchen, Freising, profoundly. Where lizards were exceedingly abundant, these vertebrates seemed Germany to constitute the dominant host for nymphal ticks, contributing the majority Niklas K. Hartmann, Lancaster Environment of infected adult ticks. Because lizards support solely B. lusitaniae and appear Centre, Lancaster University, Lancaster, UK to exclude other genospecies, their narrow genospecies association results in predominance of B.
    [Show full text]
  • Laboratory Diagnostic Testing for Borrelia Burgdorferi Infection1
    4 Laboratory Diagnostic Testing for 1 Borrelia burgdorferi Infection Barbara J.B. Johnson 4.1 Introduction tests include culture of Borrelia from skin or blood and occasionally cerebrospinal fluid Serology is the only standardized type of (CSF), and detection of genetic material by laboratory testing available to support the PCR in skin, blood, synovial fl uid and CSF. clinical diagnosis of Lyme borreliosis (Lyme These tests have specialized roles in research disease) in the USA. It is also the only type of and in academic and reference laboratories diagnostic testing approved by the US Food but are not available for routine use. Culture and Drug Administration (FDA). Of the 77 and PCR each have distinct limitations that devices cleared by the FDA for in vitro will be noted in this chapter. diagnostic use for Lyme disease, all are Diagnostic tests are of clinical value designed to detect immune responses to only if they are used appropriately. This has antigens of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto, become particularly important in the fi eld of particularly IgM and IgG (FDA, 2010). diagnostic testing for Lyme disease, as both Serological tests do not become positive until patients and doctors hear conflicting an infected individual has had time to information about the risk of Lyme disease develop antibodies. In Lyme disease, this in various environments. Furthermore, means that early acute disease characterized patients are sometimes given laboratory by an expanding rash (erythema migrans or diagnostic tests when they lack objective EM) at the site of a tick bite cannot be reliably signs of Lyme disease and a history of diagnosed by serology.
    [Show full text]
  • The Potential Risk of Exposure to Borrelia Garinii, Anaplasma
    www.nature.com/scientificreports OPEN The potential risk of exposure to Borrelia garinii, Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Babesia microti in the Wolinski National Park (north‑western Poland) Marek Asman 1*, Joanna Witecka 1, Jan Korbecki 2 & Krzysztof Solarz 1 Ixodes ricinus (Acari: Ixodida) is the main vector in Europe of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Babesia microti. Wolinski National Park (WNP) is situated by the Baltic Sea and is frequently visited by tourists. The aim of the study was to determine the potential risk of exposure to tick borne infection with B. burgdorferi s.l., A. phagocytophilum and B. microti on the areas of WNP. In total, 394 I. ricinus were tested. The pathogens in ticks were detected by PCR, nested PCR, RFLP and sequencing. Altogether, pathogens were detected in 12.69% of the studied ticks. B. burgdorferi s.l., was shown in 0.25% of the studied I. ricinus, while A. phagocytophilum and B. microti were detected in 1.01% and 10.65% of studied ticks, respectively. Co‑infection by A. phagocytophilum and B. microti was shown in only one I. ricinus nymph. Analysis of B. burgdorferi s.l., genospecies showed that 0.25% of the studied ticks were infected with Borrelia garinii. The obtained results show the potentially high human risk of exposure to tick‑borne infection with B. microti, and the low potential risk of infection with B. garinii and A. phagocytophilum on the studied areas of WNP. It is commonly known that in Europe, including Poland, Ixodes ricinus is a vector and/or reservoir of many pathogens including Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Babesia microti.
    [Show full text]
  • Borrelia Mayonii
    Correspondence Borrelia mayonii: prying completely overlooked.8 This novel 4 Rudenko N, Golovchenko M, Vancová M, strain was reported before B mayonii, Clark K, Grubhoff er L, Oliver JH Jr. Isolation of open Pandora’s box of live Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato spirochetes and should have been addressed in from patients with undefi ned disorders and spirochetes both the text and the phylogenetic symptoms not typical for Lyme borreliosis. Clin Microbiol Infect 2016; 22: 267, e9–e15. analyses (fi gure 4 in the Article). 5 Golovchenko M, Vancová M, Clark K, Bobbi Pritt and colleagues1 reveal Furthermore, the authors contend Oliver JH Jr, Grubhoff er L, Rudenko N. that Borrelia mayonii is a new that Wisconsin is the epicentre A divergent spirochete strain isolated from a resident of the southeastern United States member of the Borrelia burgdorferi of B mayonii; however, migratory was identifi ed by multilocus sequence typing sensu lato complex, and show songbirds play a vital part in the as Borrelia bissettii. Parasit Vectors 2016; 9: 68. that this spirochete is pathogenic epidemiology of Lyme disease vector 6 Rudenko N, Golovchenko M, Mokracek A, et al. to human beings. However, the ticks, including the blacklegged tick Detection of Borrelia bissettii in cardiac valve authors err on several key points. (Ixodes scapularis).9 Since passerine tissue of a patient with endocarditis and aortic valve stenosis (Czech Republic). J Clin Microbiol They state B burgdorferi sensu stricto migrants transport I scapularis 2008; 46: 3530–43. was previously the only cause of immatures thousands of kilometres 7 Collares-Pereira M, Couceiro S, Franca I, et al.
    [Show full text]
  • Lyme Disease Importance Lyme Disease Is a Tickborne Illness Caused by Members of the Borrelia Burgdorferi Sensu Lato Complex
    Lyme Disease Importance Lyme disease is a tickborne illness caused by members of the Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato complex. These organisms are maintained in wildlife, but Lyme Borreliosis, most reported illnesses are in humans, with occasional cases in domestic animals, Lyme Arthritis, particularly dogs. Lyme disease was first recognized in the 1970s, when a cluster of Erythema Migrans juvenile arthritis cases was investigated in the U.S.; however, the causative with Polyarthritis organisms are now known to be relatively widespread and have been found in Europe as well as parts of Asia, Canada and South America. Clinical cases in humans are readily cured with antibiotics during the initial stage of the illness, Last Updated: January 2021 when an unusual rash often aids disease recognition. However, people whose infections remain untreated during this early stage sometimes develop other syndromes, such as arthritis or neurological signs, which can be more difficult to diagnose. Lyme disease in animals is still incompletely understood. Etiology Lyme disease is caused by members of the Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato complex, in the family Spirochaetaceae. A very similar disease in Brazil is sometimes called Lyme-like disease or Baggio-Yoshinari syndrome. There are about 20 recognized genospecies (genomic groups) in the B. burgdorferi s.l. complex, of which approximately half have been reported in humans. The organisms found most often in clinical cases are B. burgdorferi sensu stricto (B. burgdorferi s.s.), B. garinii, B. bavariensis (formerly B. garinii OspA serotype 4), B. afzelii, and to a lesser extent, B. mayonii and B. spielmanii. B. bissetii, B. valaisiana and B.
    [Show full text]
  • Borrelia Lusitaniae Ospa Gene Heterogeneity in Mediterranean Basin Area
    View metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk brought to you by CORE provided by Institutional Research Information System University of Turin J Mol Evol (2007) 65:512–518 DOI 10.1007/s00239-007-9029-5 Borrelia lusitaniae OspA Gene Heterogeneity in Mediterranean Basin Area Elena Grego Æ Luigi Bertolotti Æ Simone Peletto Æ Giuseppina Amore Æ Laura Tomassone Æ Alessandro Mannelli Received: 28 February 2007 / Accepted: 31 July 2007 / Published online: 26 September 2007 Ó Springer Science+Business Media, LLC 2007 Abstract In this study, Borrelia lusitaniae DNA extrac- Introduction ted from ticks and lizards was used to amplify the outer surface protein A (OspA) gene in order to increase Lyme borreliosis (LB) is the most commonly reported tick- knowledge about sequence variability in the Mediterranean borne zoonosis in Europe and North America and it is caused basin area, to better understand how Borrelia lusitaniae has by spirochetes included in B. burgdorferi sensu lato (s.l.) evolved and how its distribution has expanded. Phyloge- complex. Eleven different genospecies belong to this group, netic trees including Italian and reference sequences of which B. afzelii, B. burgdorferi sensu stricto, B. garinii, showed a clear separation of B. lusitaniae OspA strains in and probably also B. valaisiana have been demonstrated to two different major clades. North African isolates form a be pathogenic (Wang et al. 1999). Furthermore, recent clade with Portuguese POTIB strains, whereas Italian studies have identified Borrelia lusitaniae as a potential samples are grouped with German strains and a human agent of Lyme disease. The first human isolate of B.
    [Show full text]
  • Title MOLECULAR ECOLOGY of CHIGGER MITES
    Title MOLECULAR ECOLOGY OF CHIGGER MITES (ACARI: TROMBICULIDAE) AND ASSOCIATED BACTERIA IN THAILAND Thesis submitted in accordance with the requirements of the University of Liverpool for the degree of Doctor in Philosophy by Kittipong Chaisiri November 2016 AUTHOR’S DECLARATION Apart from the help and advice acknowledged, this thesis represents the unaided work of the author ..................................................... Kittipong Chaisiri November 2016 This research was carried out in the Department of Infection Biology, Institute of Infection and Global Health, University of Liverpool ii ABSTRACT Molecular ecology of chigger mites (Acari: Trombiculidae) and associated bacteria in Thailand Kittipong Chaisiri Chiggers are the tiny six-legged larval stage of mites in the family Trombiculidae. These mites, particularly the genus Leptotrombidium, act as important vectors of Orientia tsutsugamushi, the causative agent of scrub typhus disease in the Asia-Pacific region (including Thailand). Although the medical impact of these mites has been recognized in the country due to the increasing incidence of the disease in humans, knowledge of the ecology and epidemiological role of these mites is still very limited to date. A systematic review of mite-associated bacteria was conducted from 193 publications (1964 - January 2015) providing a reference database of bacteria found in mites of agricultural, veterinary and medical importance. Approximately 150 bacterial species were reported from 143 mite species with Cardinium, Wolbachia and Orientia as the dominant genera. Nationwide field sampling of small mammals from 13 locations in Thailand revealed a high diversity of chigger mites. From approximately 16,000 mites isolated from 18 host species examined (1,574 individual animals), 38 chigger species were found including three species new to science (i.e., Trombiculindus kosapani n.
    [Show full text]