Article
Infectious Diseases
Derick Thompson, John A. Watt, Catherine A. Brissette
Summary: The text discusses the host immune and inflammatory response induced by Lyme borreliosis bacterium and how these responses influence the pathology of Lyme disease.
TICKS AND TICK-BORNE DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Ilse M. Lucke, Amber Vrijlandt, Johan Lim, Anneke J. Kooi, Ivo N. Schaik, Hans L. Zaaijer, Joppe W. Hovius, Filip Eftimov
Summary: This study found that apparent Bbsl seroconversion often occurs in patients receiving IVIg treatment, but antibodies typically disappear post-treatment, with seroreversion observed in a majority of patients within 3 months. The transient presence of anti-Bbsl IgG antibodies after IVIg treatment appears to be dependent on the brand of IVIg, reflecting variations in Bbsl exposure of plasma donors. Lyme borreliosis serological testing during and after IVIg treatment may be of limited utility.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROLOGY
(2021)
Article
Parasitology
Zsuzsa Kalmar, Violeta Briciu, Mircea Coroian, Mirela Flonta, Amanda-Lelia Radulescu, Adriana Topan, Andrei Daniel Mihalca, Mihaela Lupse
Summary: The study in Romania found specific IgG and IgM antibodies to Borrelia burgdorferi s.l. among healthy blood donors. Higher seroprevalence was observed in men, older individuals, and those engaged in outdoor work.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Nicole A. Fusco, Bradley J. Cosentino, James P. Gibbs, Maximilian L. Allen, Alexander J. Blumenfeld, George H. Boettner, Elizabeth J. Carlen, Merri Collins, Catherine Dennison, Devin Digiacopo, Andre-Philippe Drapeau Picard, Jonathan Edmonson, M. Caitlin Fisher-Reid, Rebecca Fyffe, Travis Gallo, Alannah Grant, William Harbold, Stephen B. Heard, Diana J. R. Lafferty, Richard M. Lehtinen, Shealyn Marino, John E. Mcdonald, Alessio Mortelliti, Maureen Murray, Amy Newman, Krista N. Oswald, Caitlin Ott-Conn, Jonathan L. Richardson, Rebecca Rimbach, Paul Salaman, Michael Steele, Mason R. Stothart, Mark C. Urban, Kurt Vandegrift, John P. Vanek, Sean N. Vanderluit, Lucie Vezina, Adalgisa Caccone
Summary: Urbanization influences genetic connectivity of eastern grey squirrels, but connected populations are still maintained in forested areas.
Article
Immunology
Tian-Le Che, Bao-Gui Jiang, Qiang Xu, Yu-Qi Zhang, Chen-Long Lv, Jin-Jin Chen, Ying-Jie Tian, Yang Yang, Simon I. Hay, Wei Liu, Li-Qun Fang
Summary: This study established a nationwide database involving Lyme borreliosis risk factors in China and used a two-stage statistical model to identify the environmental factors influencing its distribution. By mapping the risk distribution, it was found that high-risk areas were not only concentrated in high latitude regions but also distributed in middle and low latitude areas.
EMERGING MICROBES & INFECTIONS
(2022)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Marko Vucelja, Stjepan Krcmar, Josipa Habus, Vesna Mojcec Perko, Marko Boljfetic, Linda Bjedov, Josip Margaletic
Summary: This study investigated the altitudinal distributions, population structures, and seasonal dynamics of tick fauna in three localities in Continental Croatia (Medvednica and Papuk) and an alpine biogeographic region (Gorski Kotar). Questing ticks were sampled twice a year (spring and autumn, from 2019 to 2021) at different altitudes using the flagging method. The majority of the ticks were identified as Ixodes ricinus, with the highest tick abundance observed at higher altitudes in mixed forests of European beech and European silver fir. Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato infection was detected in a small percentage of ticks, with the presence of the Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto genotype.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Mateusz Markowicz, Michael Kundi, Gerold Stanek, Hannes Stockinger
Summary: The relationship between infection with Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato and nonspecific symptoms is controversial. This study found that individuals infected with B. burgdorferi sl did not develop nonspecific symptoms more frequently compared to non-infected controls.
TICKS AND TICK-BORNE DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Yekaterina O. Ostapchuk, Yuliya Perfilyeva, Andrey Zhigailov, Elina R. Maltseva, Alena S. Neupokoyeva, Akerke O. Bissenbay, Zhanna A. Berdygulova, Dinara A. Naizabayeva, Anna S. Nizkorodova, Zhanna Zh Shapiyeva, Ravilya A. Yegemberdiyeva, Tatyana Kuznetsova, Saltanat Kuatbekova, Assiya Akanova, Gulnara A. Ismagulova, Seidigapbar M. Mamadaliyev, Andrey M. Dmitrovskiy, Yuriy A. Skiba
Summary: Lyme borreliosis is common in Kazakhstan, especially in the Almaty oblast, with evidence of active circulation of Borrelia burgdorferi s.l. The study found a 24% prevalence rate of B. burgdorferi s.l. in Ixodes persulcatus ticks that attacked humans, as well as a 5.8% seroprevalence rate of antibodies against B. burgdorferi s.l. in the local population. These results highlight the importance of LB preventive measures in the region.
TICKS AND TICK-BORNE DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Robert E. Rollins, Zehra Yeyin, Maja Wyczanska, Nikolas Alig, Sabrina Hepner, Volker Fingerle, Gabriele Margos, Noemie S. Becker
Summary: The study found Borrelia burgdorferi s. l. positive ticks in all plots around Munich, Germany, with significantly different numbers of positive nymphs between plots but not for positive adults. Six Bbsl genospecies were identified, with B. afzelii and B. garinii dominating and B. miyamotoi found in two sampling plots, highlighting variability in Bbsl prevalence and genospecies distribution over short geographic distances.
TICKS AND TICK-BORNE DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Zhihai He, Baogui Jiang, Lin Huang, Zongti Shao, Yun Zhang, Yuqiong Li, Ennian Pu, Xingde Duan, Hang Jiang, Jian Wang, Mingguo Yao, Fan Wang, Shuangshuang Bie, Michael E. von Fricken, Yi Sun, Yi Dong, Jiafu Jiang, Chunhong Du
Summary: This study conducted a comprehensive investigation of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (BBSL) in reservoirs and vectors in Yunnan Province, China. The results revealed a wide distribution of BBSL and multiple endemic genospecies, highlighting the need for expanded surveillance efforts for human in southwestern China.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Sophie Charlotte Doff, Jasmin Wenderlein, Anna Wiesinger, Stephanie Hiereth, Sebastian Ulrich, Reinhard K. Straubinger
Summary: In this study, two different line immunoassays (LIAs) were compared for the detection of Lyme borreliosis in dogs and horses. The results showed that both LIAs were reliable for canine serum samples, but there were still challenges in diagnosing equine serum samples.
VETERINARY SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Cristian Raileanu, Cornelia Silaghi, Volker Fingerle, Gabriele Margos, Claudia Thiel, Kurt Pfister, Evelyn Overzier
Summary: The study demonstrates high infection levels and diverse genospecies of Borrelia in questing ticks in different habitats in Southern Germany. The presence of roe deer appears to reduce infection rates of B. burgdorferi s.l. in tick populations.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Lynn M. Osikowicz, Maria R. Rizzo, Andrias Hojgaard, Sarah E. Maes, Rebecca J. Eisen
Summary: This article describes the prevalence and diversity of Lyme disease in the United States. By using different detection methods, the authors found various species of spirochetes present in specific tick species, revealing the potential transmission of pathogens among ticks.
TICKS AND TICK-BORNE DISEASES
(2024)
Review
Microbiology
Klaus-Peter Hunfeld, Peter Kraiczy, Douglas E. Norris, Benedikt Lohr
Summary: Lyme borreliosis is a multisystem disorder caused by the spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, transmitted by hard ticks of the Ixodes ricinus complex. Although the full spectrum of in vitro antibiotic susceptibility for some recently developed compounds is still not defined, our current understanding of the in vitro interactions between B. burgdorferi s. l. and antimicrobial agents and their mechanisms of resistance remains limited, largely based on a few isolates of Borrelia.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Hannah Dominguez McLaughlin, Colin Lawton, Denita Hadziabdic, Sarah Boggess, Meher Ony, Robert Trigiano
Summary: This study analyzed the genetic profile of grey squirrel populations in Ireland to gain insight into their introduction, evolutionary history in Ireland, and vulnerability to management strategies.
BIOLOGICAL INVASIONS
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Laura M. Bergner, Richard J. Orton, Julio A. Benavides, Daniel J. Becker, Carlos Tello, Roman Biek, Daniel G. Streicker
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Emma L. Gillingham, Jessica L. Hall, Richard J. Birtles, Kevin J. Bown, Jolyon M. Medlock, Robert Smith, Kayleigh M. Hansford, Jenny C. Warner, Matthew Dryden, Maaike E. Pietzsch
ZOONOSES AND PUBLIC HEALTH
(2020)
Article
Zoology
Kari-Anne Heald, Caroline Millins, Andrew C. Kitchener, Ashley C. Banyard, Georg Hantke, Katherine A. Sainsbury, Michael McDonald, Anna Meredith
Article
Parasitology
Eleanor R. Dickinson, Caroline Millins, Roman Biek
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2020)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Laura M. Bergner, Richard J. Orton, Alice Broos, Carlos Tello, Daniel J. Becker, Jorge E. Carrera, Arvind H. Patel, Roman Biek, Daniel G. Streicker
Summary: Research shows that deltaviruses diversify by transmitting between different mammalian species, with a recent diversification indicated within the Americas. Both bat and rodent-infecting deltaviruses were paraphyletic, and co-evolutionary modeling rejected cospeciation with mammalian hosts. A two-year field study revealed multiple introductions of divergent deltaviruses to common vampire bats in Peru, illustrating horizontal transmission within and between species.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2021)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Katherine E. L. Worsley-Tonks, Luis E. Escobar, Roman Biek, Mariana Castaneda-Guzman, Meggan E. Craft, Daniel G. Streicker, Lauren A. White, Nicholas M. Fountain-Jones
PLOS NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES
(2020)
Article
Biology
Nicholas M. Fountain-Jones, Simona Kraberger, Roderick B. Gagne, Daryl R. Trumbo, Patricia E. Salerno, W. Chris Funk, Kevin Crooks, Roman Biek, Mathew Alldredge, Ken Logan, Guy Baele, Simon Dellicour, Holly B. Ernest, Sue VandeWoude, Scott Carver, Meggan E. Craft
Summary: The study used host and viral genomic data to investigate how urbanization affects the spread of feline immunodeficiency virus in wild pumas. The results show that landscape variables and host gene flow explained significant amounts of variation in virus spread in an urban development bounded region but not in a more wild landscape, demonstrating how anthropogenic landscapes can alter pathogen spread.
COMMUNICATIONS BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Carolina Albuquerque, Davide Pagnossin, Kirsten Landsgaard, Jessica Simpson, Derek Brown, June Irvine, Denise Candlish, Alison E. Ridyard, Gillian Douce, Caroline Millins
Summary: The study indicates that canine carriage of Clostridioides difficile is 18.7%, with 34% of strains being toxigenic. Previous antibiotic treatment is significantly associated with carriage, but toxigenic strains do not correlate with diarrhoeal disease in dogs.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Olubunmi R. Aminu, Taya L. Forde, Divine Ekwem, Paul Johnson, Luca Nelli, Blandina T. Mmbaga, Deogratius Mshanga, Mike Shand, Gabriel Shirima, Markus Walsh, Ruth N. Zadoks, Roman Biek, Tiziana Lembo
Summary: Combining participatory mapping with GIS-based analyses, this study explores the geography of endemic anthrax in rural Africa, utilizing community knowledge to identify high-risk areas and studying the environmental factors associated with these areas. The results highlight the importance of contact with Bacillus anthracis spores in determining anthrax risk.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Virology
Maude Jacquot, Megan A. Wallace, Daniel G. Streicker, Roman Biek
Summary: This study investigated the cross-species transmission frequency of rabies virus among North American bat species, finding that within genus, host range overlap rather than host relatedness best explains the frequency of cross-species transmission events. This suggests that among recently diverged species, the ability to infect a novel host is no longer restricted by physiological barriers but is limited by physical contact.
Article
Ecology
Sara Gandy, Elizabeth Kilbride, Roman Biek, Caroline Millins, Lucy Gilbert
Summary: Research has found that the role of deer in shaping the hazard of Lyme disease is not significant, as they both increase the abundance of ticks and do not transmit the pathogens, resulting in opposing effects that cancel each other out.
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Biology
Nardus Mollentze, Deborah Keen, Uuriintuya Munkhbayar, Roman Biek, Daniel G. Streicker
Summary: The transmission of SARS-CoV-2 from humans to other species poses a threat to wildlife conservation and can lead to the emergence of new sources of viral diversity. Researchers have developed computational heuristics to identify susceptible host species based on the variation in the ACE2 receptor used by the virus. However, the predictive performance of these heuristics remains uncertain. This study shows that while ACE2 variation can accurately predict animal susceptibility to sarbecoviruses, the predictions are primarily based on host phylogeny rather than infection biology.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Nardus Mollentze, Daniel G. Streicker, Pablo R. Murcia, Katie Hampson, Roman Biek
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2020)
Article
Immunology
Caroline Millins, Walter Leo, Isabell MacInnes, Johanne Ferguson, Graham Charlesworth, Donald Nayar, Reece Davison, Jonathan Yardley, Elizabeth Kilbride, Selene Huntley, Lucy Gilbert, Mafalda Viana, Paul Johnson, Roman Biek
Summary: A study in the Western Isles of Scotland found that residents of treeless islands with higher Lyme disease incidence were more likely to be infected by Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato-infected ticks. Some residents suggested changing deer distribution as a potential driver of Lyme disease emergence. This highlights the importance of an integrated approach in understanding factors contributing to Lyme disease.
EMERGING INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)