Article
Microbiology
Kimberly J. Ledger, Lorenza Beati, Samantha M. Wisely
Summary: This study aimed to describe the occurrence of ticks and tick-borne pathogens in different land use types in southern Africa. Through molecular techniques, 1716 ticks were screened for infection, revealing multiple pathogen species across seven tick species collected. The findings suggest that tick species and the pathogens they carry may vary according to land use, highlighting the importance of comprehensive surveillance in understanding the diversity and ecology of tick-borne pathogens.
Article
Parasitology
Dieter J. A. Heylen, Bersissa Kumsa, Elikira Kimbita, Mwiine Nobert Frank, Dennis Muhanguzi, Frans Jongejan, Safiou Bienvenu Adehan, Alassane Toure, Fred Aboagye-Antwi, Ndudim Isaac Ogo, Nick Juleff, Dionne Crafford, Josephus Fourie, Michel Labuchange, Maxime Madder
Summary: This study conducted a surveillance of tick-borne pathogens in cattle in rural areas of several African countries. The prevalence of different pathogens varied among countries and was associated with the distribution of specific vector ticks. Factors such as age, gender, weight, and tick exposure were also found to be related to infections. The findings of this study can provide important insights for monitoring and prevention of tick-borne pathogens in cattle.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2023)
Article
Parasitology
Jairo Alfonso Mendoza-Roldan, Giovanni Benelli, Marcos Antonio Bezerra-Santos, Viet-Linh Nguyen, Giuseppe Conte, Roberta Iatta, Tommaso Furlanello, Domenico Otranto
Summary: This study assessed the prevalence and distribution of tick-borne pathogens in clinically suspect dogs from three macro areas in Italy over a 15-year period. The results showed high seroprevalence and wide distribution of the four key pathogens, advocating for integrative control strategies for their prevention.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2021)
Article
Parasitology
Asmaa A. Hegab, Hussein M. Omar, Mai Abuowarda, Souzan G. Ghattas, Nisreen E. Mahmoud, Magdy M. Fahmy
Summary: The study aimed to screen and genetically identify tick-borne pathogens in dogs and associated ticks in Egypt. The prevalence of TBPs in dogs was 23.56%, with Anaplasma, Ehrlichia, and Babesia being the most common. The molecular prevalence rate of TBPs was 25.81% in dog blood samples and 29.17% in ticks, with various species of TBPs detected, including Hepatozoon canis and Anaplasma marginale being reported for the first time in Egypt.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Latifa Elhachimi, Carolien Rogiers, Stijn Casaert, Siham Fellahi, Thomas Van Leeuwen, Wannes Dermauw, Felix Valcarcel, Angeles Sonia Olmeda, Sylvie Daminet, Sarah El Hamiani Khatat, Hamid Sahibi, Luc Duchateau
Summary: Tick-borne pathogens were investigated in cattle in the Rabat-Sale-Kenitra region of Morocco, revealing a high prevalence and diversity of tick species, with Anaplasma/Ehrlichia spp. having the highest infection rate. Risk factors for pathogen abundance included crossbreeds, females, older age, and high tick infestation. Locations with the highest prevalence of tick-borne pathogens were Jorf El Melha, Sidi Yahya Zaer, Ait Ichou, and Arbaoua.
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Joseph Wang'ang'a Oundo, Daniel Masiga, Quirine ten Bosch, Jandouwe Villinger, Constantianus J. M. Koenraadt, Shewit Kalayou
Summary: Tick-borne diseases are a significant issue in livestock health in sub-Saharan Africa, including coastal Kenya. This study investigates the epidemiology and management factors of tick-borne diseases in zebu cattle in coastal Kenya.
PREVENTIVE VETERINARY MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Clara-Lee van Wyk, Khethiwe Mtshali, Moeti O. Taioe, Stallone Terera, Deon Bakkes, Tsepo Ramatla, Xuenan Xuan, Oriel Thekisoe
Summary: Ticks infesting urban stray dogs in Potchefstroom, South Africa, were identified as Haemaphysalis elliptica and Rhipicephalus sanguineus, carrying various pathogenic organisms known to cause tick-borne diseases.
Review
Microbiology
El-Sayed El-Alfy, Ibrahim Abbas, Hanadi B. Baghdadi, Shimaa Abd El-Salam El-Sayed, Shengwei Ji, Mohamed Abdo Rizk
Summary: This study is the first meta-analysis on the molecular epidemiology and species diversity of tick-borne pathogens (TBPs) infecting animals in Egypt. Data from various databases were collected and analyzed to provide insights into parasite epidemiology, species diversity, and the development of prevention and control methods.
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Daniela Hernandez Muguiro, Omid Nekouei, Kei Ying Lee, Fraser Hill, Vanessa R. Barrs
Summary: This study aimed to determine the molecular prevalence of Ehrlichia canis and Babesia species in owned dogs suspected of tick-borne infection in Hong Kong, and to identify risk factors associated with B. gibsoni infection. The results showed that Babesia infections and E. canis infections were common in the tested dogs, with B. gibsoni being the most prevalent infection.
PREVENTIVE VETERINARY MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Parasitology
Heidy-Carolina Martinez Diaz, Juliana Gil-Mora, Paola Betancourt-Ruiz, Carlos Ramiro Silva-Ramos, J. Manuel Matiz-Gonzalez, Maria-Alejandra Villalba-Perez, Maria Catalina Ospina-Pinto, Alejandro Ramirez-Hernandez, Luz -Adriana Olaya-M, Eliana Bolanos, Claudia Cuervo, Efrain Benavides, Marylin Hidalgo
Summary: This study aimed to determine the tick species and tick-borne pathogens circulating in rural areas of Cauca department, Colombia. The results showed the presence of various tick species carrying pathogens that are of importance to humans and animals.
Article
Microbiology
Dennis Getange, Joel L. Bargul, Esther Kanduma, Marisol Collins, Boku Bodha, Diba Denge, Tatenda Chiuya, Naftaly Githaka, Mario Younan, Eric M. Fevre, Lesley Bell-Sakyi, Jandouwe Villinger
Summary: The study revealed a high diversity of ticks and tick-borne pathogens associated with camels and co-grazing sheep in northern Kenya. In addition, the findings suggest that camels and/or the ticks infesting them serve as reservoirs for zoonotic diseases, posing a public health threat to pastoralist communities.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Mi Seon Bang, Choon-Mee Kim, Sang-Hyun Pyun, Dong-Min Kim, Na Ra Yun
Summary: This study investigated the presence of tick-borne pathogens in ticks removed from tick-bitten humans in the southwestern provinces of the Republic of Korea. The findings revealed the detection of spotted fever group (SFG) Rickettsia, Anaplasma phagocytophilum, and Babesia spp. as the most common pathogens carried by ticks, with the identification of three predominant tick species. This study also reported the first detection of R. tamurae and Ca. R. jingxinensis in Korea, contributing to the understanding of tick-borne infections in animals and humans in the ROK.
Review
Microbiology
Imran Farooq, Tara J. Moriarty
Summary: Tick-borne infectious diseases can affect various tissues and organs, including bone, which is one of the most multifunctional structures in the human body. Research on the impact of tick-borne pathogens on bones is scarce, with evidence of eight different tick-borne diseases affecting bone. Pathological bone effects commonly associated with tick-borne infections include disruption of bone marrow function and bone loss. Further investigation into this topic is warranted given the preliminary nature of existing research.
Article
Microbiology
David Xi, Abbie Thoma, Minha Rajput-Ray, Anne Madigan, Gordana Avramovic, Kunal Garg, Leona Gilbert, John S. Lambert
Summary: This study retrospectively investigated the types of tick-borne infections (TBIs), symptoms, and the effectiveness of combination antibiotics in a patient cohort in Ireland. The results showed that combination antibiotics effectively relieved TBI symptoms and had good patient tolerance.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Tomas Vaclavik, Alena Balazova, Vojtech Balaz, Emil Tkadlec, Marcel Schichor, Kristina Zechmeisterova, Jaroslav Ondrus, Pavel Siroky
Summary: Studies on tick-borne diseases in Europe mainly focus on pathogens like Lyme disease and tick-borne encephalitis, neglecting other pathogens like Anaplasma, Rickettsia, Babesia, and Candidatus Neoehrlichia mikurensis. Data from the Czech Republic shows uneven geographic distribution of certain pathogens, while landscape variables significantly influence tick abundance and pathogen prevalence.
TRANSBOUNDARY AND EMERGING DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Eva Spada, Paola Galluzzo, Alessandra Torina, Guido R. Loria, Roberta Perego, Francesca Grippi, Valeria Blanda, Luciana Baggiani, Alessia D'Amico, Maria G. Pennisi, Chris R. Helps, Richard Malik, Mark Westman, Barbara Gandolfi, Sarah Spencer, Daniela Proverbio, Severine Tasker
Summary: This study combines data from two studies and finds an association between the feline AB blood group system and haemoplasma infection. Cats with the Ab genotype have a higher likelihood of haemoplasma infection.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Mohan Gupta, Roji Raut, Sulochana Manandhar, Ashok Chaudhary, Ujwal Shrestha, Saubhagya Dangol, G. C. Sudarshan, Keshab Raj Budha, Gaurab Karki, Sandra Diaz-Sanchez, Christian Gortazar, Jose de la Fuente, Pragun Rajbhandari, Prajwol Manandhar, Rajindra Napit, Dibesh Karmacharya
Summary: This study aimed to isolate and test potential probiotics bacteria from the cloacal swabs of indigenous chicken breeds in the rural outskirts of Kathmandu valley, Nepal. Four strains of Lactobacillus spp. with potential probiotics properties were identified. Further research is needed to evaluate these strains for use as poultry probiotics feed supplements.
Article
Food Science & Technology
Rita Vaz-Rodrigues, Lorena Mazuecos, Margarita Villar, Jose Miguel Urra, Christian Gortazar, Jose de la Fuente
Summary: The aim of this study was to identify serum protein biomarkers for nutritional status to predict disease symptoms in COVID-19 patients before and after vaccination. Proteomics analysis revealed significant differences in serum proteins between pre-vaccine cohorts, with AGPs, CRP, and RBP increasing with COVID-19 severity, while albumin, TTR, and TF decreased. Immunoassay validated the results for albumin and RBP. In post-vaccine cohorts, the same pattern was observed for AGPs, CRP, albumin, and TTR, but TF levels were similar and RBP showed a slight reduction. Immunoassay validated the results for albumin, TTR, and TF. The study identified serum nutritional biomarkers that could predict COVID-19 prognosis and emphasized the importance of personalized nutrition protocols in managing the disease.
JOURNAL OF FUNCTIONAL FOODS
(2023)
Review
Immunology
Paul D. Kasaija, Marinela Contreras, Halid Kirunda, Ann Nanteza, Fredrick Kabi, Swidiq Mugerwa, Jose de la Fuente
Summary: Anti-tick vaccines have been successfully used in Venezuela to reduce tick populations and tick-borne diseases, but have not been adopted in tropical African countries. This article emphasizes the importance of personalized vaccines and suggests that African governments should invest in research for anti-tick vaccines.
Article
Microbiology
Francesca Grippi, Vincenza Cannella, Giusi Macaluso, Valeria Blanda, Giovanni Emmolo, Francesco Santangelo, Domenico Vicari, Paola Galluzzo, Carmela Sciacca, Rosalia D'Agostino, Ilenia Giacchino, Cristina Bertasio, Mario D'Incau, Annalisa Guercio, Alessandra Torina
Summary: This study investigates the prevalence of Leptospira spp. in stray animals, finding higher infection rates in dogs compared to cats. Pathogenic Leptospira spp. were also detected in the urine and blood of stray cats.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Alessandra Torina, Francesco La Russa, Valeria Blanda, Alfonso Peralbo-Moreno, Laia Casades-Marti, Liliana Di Pasquale, Carmelo Bongiorno, Valeria Vitale Badaco, Luciano Toma, Francisco Ruiz-Fons
Summary: The main objective of this study was to understand the determinants of the ecology and population dynamics of Aedes albopictus in order to predict its abundance. The researchers captured and monitored adult mosquitoes and identified the main factors affecting their abundance. The results are important for accurately predicting and controlling the abundance of this invasive mosquito species in coastal Mediterranean areas.
ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Marta Baxarias, Oriol Jornet-Rius, Giulia Donato, Cristina Mateu, Ma Magdalena Alcover, Maria Grazia Pennisi, Laia Solano-Gallego
Summary: This study highlights the importance of evaluating the clinical health status of apparently healthy L. infantum-seropositive dogs in Europe. Routine laboratory tests, including antibody quantification and PCR, should be performed to detect sick dogs with clinicopathological findings that would otherwise remain undetected.
Review
Microbiology
Giusi Macaluso, Francesca Grippi, Santina Di Bella, Valeria Blanda, Francesca Gucciardi, Alessandra Torina, Annalisa Guercio, Vincenza Cannella
Article
Microbiology
Iciar Martinez-Florez, Maria Jose Guerrero, Annabel Dalmau, Maria Cabre, Maria Magdalena Alcover, Diana Berenguer, Liam Good, Roser Fisa, Cristina Riera, Laura Ordeix, Laia Solano-Gallego
Summary: This study evaluated the safety and clinical efficacy of local meglumine antimoniate, locally administered polyhexamethylene biguanide (PHMB) alone or PHMB in combination with a Toll-like receptor 4 agonist (TLR4a) for the treatment of papular dermatitis due to L. infantum infection. The results showed that local administration of meglumine antimoniate had the fastest clinical resolution, while local administration of PHMB (alone or with TLR4a) also showed positive results. In conclusion, the local administration of meglumine antimoniate appears to be safe and clinically efficient for the treatment of canine papular dermatitis due to L. infantum infection.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Derek Cocker, Kondwani Chidziwisano, Madalitso Mphasa, Taonga Mwapasa, Joseph M. Lewis, Barry Rowlingson, Melodie Sammarro, Winnie Bakali, Chifundo Salifu, Allan Zuza, Mary Charles, Tamandani Mandula, Victor Maiden, Stevie Amos, Shevin Jacob, Henry Kajumbula, Lawrence Mugisha, David Musoke, Rachel Byrne, Thomas Edwards, Rebecca Lester, Nicola Elviss, Adam P. Roberts, Andrew C. Singer, Christopher Jewell, Tracy Morse, Nicholas Feasey
Summary: The prevalence of ESBL-producing Enterobacterales is extremely high in humans, animals, and the environment in southern Malawi. Urbanization and seasonality are significant risk factors for colonization, and without proper environmental improvements, transmission of ESBL-producing bacteria is likely to persist in this setting.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Jose de la Fuente, Agustin Estrada-Pena, Christian Gortazar, Rita Vaz-Rodrigues, Isabel Sanchez, Juan Carrion Tudela
Summary: This study used a citizen science approach to evaluate the risks associated with Lyme borreliosis (LB) and the implementation of control interventions in Spain. The results showed that factors such as age, gender, tick bites, disease clinical signs, comorbidities, health care services, and treatment effectiveness affect LB. The main conclusion of the study is the need for better surveillance, diagnosis, and treatment of LB and related comorbidities, as well as the development and implementation of new interventions.
VECTOR-BORNE AND ZOONOTIC DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Marta Baxarias, Laia Solano-Gallego
Summary: This study evaluated the effect of storage on NBTT in dog blood samples. The results showed that the NBTT can be performed up to 72 h after the collection of canine blood if correctly refrigerated at 4℃.
VETERINARY CLINICAL PATHOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Jose de la Fuente, Lorena Mazuecos, Marinela Contreras
Summary: Ticks and tick-borne diseases are a global threat to human and animal health. Developing vaccines for tick control and pathogen transmission is still a challenge. Only two registered vaccines based on recombinant Bm86/Bm95 antigens have been commercialized for controlling cattle-tick infestations. However, new technologies and approaches are being explored for the development of vaccines and paratransgenic interventions to control tick-borne diseases.
TICKS AND TICK-BORNE DISEASES
(2023)
Review
Microbiology
Jose de la Fuente, Agustin Estrada-Pena, Marta Rafael, Consuelo Almazan, Sergio Bermudez, Abdelbaset E. Abdelbaset, Paul D. Kasaija, Fredrick Kabi, Foluke Adedayo Akande, Dorcas Oluwakemi Ajagbe, Timothy Bamgbose, Srikant Ghosh, Azhahianambi Palavesam, Penny H. Hamid, Charlotte L. Oskam, Siobhon L. Egan, Amanda Duarte-Barbosa, Olcay Hekimoglu, Matias P. J. Szabo, Marcelo B. Labruna, Ananta Dahal
Summary: In this comprehensive review study, the challenge posed by ticks and tick-borne diseases (TBDs) with growing incidence affecting global human and animal health was addressed. Data and perspectives from different countries and regions were collected to update the current situation with ticks and TBDs and highlight the existing information bias and gaps perceived by society. The study emphasizes the importance of multidisciplinary and international collaborations in advancing surveillance, communication, and proposed future directions to address these challenges.
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Marta Baxarias, Cristina Mateu, Guadalupe Miro, Laia Solano-Gallego
Summary: This study investigated the seroprevalence of canine leishmaniosis in apparently healthy dogs in different areas of Spain. The results showed significant regional variations in the infection rates, with the highest prevalence in the Southeast and the lowest in the North.
VETERINARY MEDICINE AND SCIENCE
(2023)