Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Alaka Lamsal, Morten Tryland, Katrine M. Paulsen, Javier Sanchez Romano, Ingebjorg H. Nymo, Karin Stiasny, Arnulf Soleng, Rose Vikse, Ashild K. Andreassen
Summary: Semi-domesticated reindeer in high-altitude areas of Norway were screened for tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) antibodies, but the results could not confirm TBEV infection. This knowledge is important for future TBEV surveillance in Norway.
ZOONOSES AND PUBLIC HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Katrin Liebig, Mathias Boelke, Domenic Grund, Sabine Schicht, Malena Bestehorn-Willmann, Lidia Chitimia-Dobler, Gerhard Dobler, Klaus Jung, Stefanie C. Becker
Summary: The focal distribution of tick-borne encephalitis virus in natural habitats may be influenced by specific relationships between virus isolates and tick populations, hinting at a coevolutionary adaptation between the virus and tick populations.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Pantelis Georgiades, Ekaterina Ezhova, Meri Raty, Dmitry Orlov, Markku Kulmala, Jos Lelieveld, Svetlana Malkhazova, Kamil Erguler, Tuukka Petaja
Summary: Tick-borne diseases are a challenge associated with warming climate, as the expansion of tick habitats and the acceleration of tick development are influenced by climatic parameters. This study focuses on European Russia and explores the link between climatic parameters and tick-related hospital visits as well as borreliosis incidence rates. The findings suggest that regions in the southern forested areas of European Russia are expected to experience a longer tick season and an increase in borreliosis incidence rates, while the northern areas with established tick populations may not see a prolongation of the tick season.
Article
Parasitology
Petter Kjellander, Ulrika A. Bergvall, Jan Chirico, Karin Ullman, Madeleine Christensson, Per-Eric Lindgren
Summary: This study found that ticks are active and parasitize roe deer during winter in Sweden. The main weather factors regulating tick winter activity were temperature and precipitation.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2023)
Review
Microbiology
Jeremy S. Gray, Nicholas H. Ogden
Summary: The distribution and activity of primary ixodid vectors of human babesiosis are impacted by global warming, leading to northwards expansion of tick populations. Models predict an increase in cases of human babesiosis further north, although no concrete evidence of the disease being affected by global warming currently exists.
Article
Microbiology
Maria Kazimirova, Lenka Mahrikova, Zuzana Hamsikova, Michal Stanko, Maryna Golovchenko, Natalie Rudenko
Summary: Lyme borreliosis is a prevalent tick-borne infection in Europe, particularly in Slovakia. A study in Slovakia found spatial and temporal variations in the prevalence of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (Bbsl) species in ticks collected from different ecological habitats. The findings highlight the epidemiological risk of Lyme borreliosis in various areas of Slovakia.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Marina Sidorenko, Jana Radzijevskaja, Saulius Mickevicius, Nomeda Bratcikoviene, Algimantas Paulauskas
Summary: The study analyzed the prevalence of TBEV in Ixodes ricinus and Dermacentor reticulatus ticks in Lithuania, revealing the presence of TBEV in various developmental stages of ticks and identifying TBEV-infected ticks in multiple locations across seven counties.
TICKS AND TICK-BORNE DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Zbigniew Zajac, Joanna Kulisz, Aneta Wozniak, Katarzyna Bartosik, Angelique Foucault-Simonin, Sara Moutailler, Alejandro Cabezas-Cruz
Summary: This study investigated the presence of tick species in the Western Carpathians, Poland and examined the impact of environmental factors on tick occurrence and activity, the prevalence of vectored pathogens, and tick hosts as reservoir organisms. The results showed that only two species of ticks were found in the study area, with temperature significantly affecting tick activity and the number of Ixodes ricinus nymphs varying with altitude. The main hosts for ticks were rodents, and the ticks collected from vegetation were often infected with various pathogens.
Article
Virology
Adam Kevely, Veronika Pranclova, Monika Slavikova, Jan Haviernik, Vaclav Honig, Eva Novakova, Martin Palus, Daniel Ruzek, Boris Klempa, Juraj Koci
Summary: The study utilized a recombinant reporter tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) to investigate its fitness in different tick-derived cell cultures and live ticks. The reporter virus successfully replicated in tick cell lines and live ticks, but fluorescence was not observed in live ticks. The results suggest that the reporter virus can be a useful tool for studying interactions between ticks and TBEV in a tick in vitro model, but further development of reporter-tagged viruses is needed for studying TBEV in live ticks.
Article
Parasitology
Tal Azagi, Margriet Harms, Arno Swart, Manoj Fonville, Dieuwertje Hoornstra, Lapo Mughini-Gras, Joppe W. Hovius, Hein Sprong, Cees van den Wijngaard
Summary: The study found associations between the presence of tick-borne pathogens in ticks feeding on humans and self-reported symptoms. However, due to the subjective nature of such reports and the fact that infection was determined in the ticks and not in the patient samples, further prospective studies utilizing diagnostic modalities should be performed before any clinical outcome can be causally linked to infection with tick-borne pathogens.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Patrycja Opalinska, Anna Wierzbicka, Marek Asman, Grzegorz Raczka, Marcin K. Dyderski, Magdalena Nowak-Chmura
Summary: The European roe deer is the most common deer species in Europe, acting as a reservoir and amplifier host for tick-borne diseases. Research in West-Central Poland found that forest roe deer had a significantly higher tick load and occurrence probability compared to field roe deer.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Parasitology
Katie Lihou, Richard Wall
Summary: This study built a spatial model to predict the risk of ticks on livestock farms in Britain, taking into account variables related to tick hazard and livestock exposure. Using a random forest machine learning model, the predicted results matched observed patterns of tick distribution, with the highest risk areas being in southwest and northwest England, Wales, and west Scotland. The probability of tick presence on livestock farms is predicted to increase by 5-7% across Britain under future climate scenarios, with a greater increase at higher altitudes and latitudes, further increasing the risk of tick-borne diseases.
VETERINARY PARASITOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Virology
Evelina Simkute, Arnoldas Pautienius, Juozas Grigas, Paulina Urbute, Arunas Stankevicius
Summary: This study investigated the prevalence rate of TBEV in dogs living in a highly endemic region of Lithuania and evaluated the main risk factors for severe disease course and death. The results demonstrated that TBEV is a common and clinically important pathogen in dogs.
Article
Microbiology
Oxana A. Belova, Alexandra E. Polienko, Anastasia D. Averianova, Galina G. Karganova
Summary: The study analyzed the life cycle features of the hybrid between I. ricinus and I. persulcatus ticks under laboratory conditions. It was found that the hybrid generation is sterile, with decreased engorgement success in females and reduced hatched larvae. The morphogenetic diapause of the ticks also varied between the two species under laboratory conditions.
Article
Microbiology
Agne Namina, Alisa Kazarina, Marija Lazovska, Sarmite Akopjana, Viktorija Ulanova, Agnija Kivrane, Lauma Freimane, Darja Sadovska, Janis Kimsis, Antra Bormane, Valentina Capligina, Renate Ranka
Summary: This study compared the microbial composition of three tick species collected in Latvia using 16S rRNA profiling. The results showed significant differences in microbial diversity and composition among different tick species and life stages. The Francisella genus was closely associated with D. reticulatus ticks, while Candidatus Midichlorii and Candidatus Lariskella were associated with I. ricinus and I. persulcatus females, respectively.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Helga Birgit Bjornara, Sveinung Berntsen, Saskia J. te Velde, Aslak Fyhri, Ketil Isaksen, Benedicte Deforche, Lars Bo Andersen, Andreas Stenling, Elling Bere
Summary: Knowledge about how weather conditions affect travel behavior is important for planners and policymakers. This study examined the influence of weather on cycling for transportation among parents of young children. The results showed that weather variability had an impact on cycling behavior, but there was no significant difference between e-bike and non e-bike users.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORTATION
(2023)
Article
Virology
Beathe K. Granerud, Thor Ueland, Andreas Lind, Arne Soraas, Borre Fevang, Anne Katrine Steffensen, Huda Al-Baldawi, Fridtjof Lund-Johansen, Pal Aukrust, Bente Halvorsen, Tuva B. Dahl, Susanne Dudman, Fredrik Mueller, Jan Cato Holter
Summary: The Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2 has a higher viral load and more sustained viral shedding in the nasopharynx compared to the Delta variant.
Article
Biology
Bronner P. Goncalves, Matthew Hall, Waasila Jassat, Valeria Balan, Srinivas Murthy, Christiana Kartsonaki, Malcolm G. Semple, Amanda Rojek, Joaquin Baruch, Luis Felipe Reyes, Abhishek Dasgupta, Jake Dunning, Barbara Wanjiru Citarella, Mark Pritchard, Alejandro Martin-Quiros, Uluhan Sili, J. Kenneth Baillie, Diptesh Aryal, Yaseen Arabi, Aasiyah Rashan, Andrea Angheben, Janice Caoili, Francois Martin Carrier, Ewen M. Harrison, Joan Gomez-Junyent, Claudia Figueiredo-Mello, James Joshua Douglas, Mohd Basri Mat Nor, Yock Ping Chow, Xin Ci Wong, Silvia Bertagnolio, Soe Soe Thwin, Anca Streinu-Cercel, Leonardo Salazar, Asgar Rishu, Rajavardhan Rangappa, David S. Y. Ong, Madiha Hashmi, Gail Carson, Janet Diaz, Rob Fowler, Moritz U. G. Kraemer, Evert-Jan Wils, Peter Horby, Laura Merson, Piero L. Olliaro
Summary: This study proposes an innovative method to infer the SARS-CoV-2 variants responsible for clinical cases using publicly available population-level data. The analysis of over 100,000 patients from 28 countries suggests that patients hospitalized with Omicron variant infection less often present with commonly reported symptoms compared to patients infected with pre-Omicron variants. Furthermore, patients admitted to hospital after Omicron variant emergence had lower mortality compared to patients admitted during the period when Omicron variant was responsible for only a minority of infections.
Article
Immunology
Joakim Overbo, Asma Aziz, K. Zaman, John Clemens, Cathinka Halle Julin, Firdausi Qadri, Kathrine Stene-Johansen, Rajib Biswas, Shaumik Islam, Taufiqur Rahman Bhuiyan, Warda Haque, Synne Sandbu, Manzoor E. Elahee, Mohammad Ali, Jennifer L. Dembinski, Susanne Dudman
Summary: A study investigated the immune response and safety of a two-dose regimen with the HEV 239 vaccine among healthy adults. The results showed that the vaccine produced broad and likely functional immune responses against HEV that remained for at least two years. The safety profile was acceptable, and a phase four study in rural Bangladesh is feasible.
Review
Virology
Asma Binte Aziz, Joakim Overbo, Susanne Dudman, Cathinka Halle Julin, Yoon Jeong Gabby Kwon, Yasmin Jahan, Mohammad Ali, Jennifer L. Dembinski
Summary: This review summarizes the latest knowledge on HEV infection, including its epidemiology, clinical characteristics, testing, and treatment. The distinct challenges and possible remedies for HEV in Bangladesh are also highlighted. HEV remains a neglected virus, with costly tests and a lack of suitable treatments hindering detection. Improved surveillance, raised awareness, and the effectiveness trial in Bangladesh may significantly reduce the global burden of HEV.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Christiana Kartsonaki, J. Kenneth Baillie, Noelia Garcia Barrio, Joaquin Baruch, Abigail Beane, Lucille Blumberg, Fernando Bozza, Tessa Broadley, Aidan Burrell, Gail Carson, Barbara Wanjiru Citarella, Andrew Dagens, Emmanuelle A. Dankwa, Christl A. Donnelly, Jake Dunning, Loubna Elotmani, Martina Escher, Nataly Farshait, Jean-Christophe Goffard, Bronner P. Goncalves, Matthew Hall, Madiha Hashmi, Benedict Sim Lim Heng, Antonia Ho, Waasila Jassat, Miguel Pedrera Jimenez, Cedric Laouenan, Samantha Lissauer, Ignacio Martin-Loeches, France Mentre, Laura Merson, Ben Morton, Daniel Munblit, Nikita A. Nekliudov, Alistair D. Nichol, Budha Charan Singh Oinam, David Ong, Prasan Kumar Panda, Michele Petrovic, Mark G. Pritchard, Nagarajan Ramakrishnan, Grazielle Viana Ramos, Claire Roger, Oana Sandulescu, Malcolm G. Semple, Pratima Sharma, Louise Sigfrid, Emily C. Somers, Anca Streinu-Cercel, Fabio Taccone, Pavan Kumar Vecham, Bharath Kumar Tirupakuzhi Vijayaraghavan, Jia Wei, Evert-Jan Wils, Xin Ci Wong, Peter Horby, Amanda Rojek, Piero L. Olliaro, Ali Abbas
Summary: This study analyzed demographic features, treatments, and clinical outcomes of hospitalized COVID-19 patients in 52 countries from January 2020 to January 2022. Age and male sex were associated with a higher risk of death. Symptoms, co-morbidities, and treatments were associated with clinical outcomes. This comprehensive international study provides valuable information for prioritizing treatment for COVID-19 patients at higher risk of death.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF EPIDEMIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biology
Asena Goren, Hildegunn Viljugrein, Inger Maren Rivrud, Solveig Jore, Haakon Bakka, Yngvild Vindenes, Atle Mysterud
Summary: Climate change has caused significant changes in seasonal weather patterns and phenology in various species. However, there is limited empirical research on the impact of these changes on the emergence and seasonal dynamics of vector-borne diseases. Lyme borreliosis, the most common vector-borne disease in the northern hemisphere, has been increasing in incidence and geographical distribution. An analysis of long-term surveillance data from Norway shows a marked change in the timing of Lyme borreliosis cases, with the peak now occurring six weeks earlier than 25 years ago. This study highlights the potential for climate change to shape the seasonal dynamics of vector-borne diseases.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Atle Mysterud, Hildegunn Viljugrein, Roy Andersen, Geir Rune Rauset, Malin Rokseth Reiten, Christer M. Rolandsen, Olav Strand
Summary: Climate changes can cause sudden changes in the epidemiological characteristics of infectious wildlife diseases, leading to outbreaks. The impact of emerging infectious diseases (EIDs) on large vertebrate populations is poorly documented, in part due to limited surveillance of remote wildlife populations. In this study, the likely impact of digital necrobacillosis on wild alpine reindeer in a national park in Norway was quantified. The outbreak of digital necrobacillosis in 2019 resulted in a decrease in summer survival rate of juveniles, but its overall impact on population dynamics was moderate.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Sara Debes, Jon Birger Haug, Birgitte Freiesleben De Blasio, Jonas Christoffer Lindstrom, Christine Monceyron Jonassen, Susanne Gjeruldsen Dudman
Summary: The development of antibiotic resistance, fueled by inappropriate antibiotic usage, poses a threat to global health. Despite the fact that a majority of respiratory tract infections (RTIs) are caused by viruses, antibiotics are often prescribed empirically to treat such infections. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of antibiotic treatment and investigate factors influencing antibiotic decision-making in hospitalized adults with viral RTIs. The findings revealed a role for antimicrobial stewardship to improve antibiotic use in patients admitted for viral RTIs, even in a country with relatively low antibiotic consumption rates.
Article
Urology & Nephrology
Marina Wainstein, Nicholas Spyrison, Danyang Dai, Moji Ghadimi, Jonathan S. Chavez-Iniguez, Lilia Rizo-Topete, Barbara Wanjiru Citarella, Laura Merson, Jason D. Pole, Rolando Claure-Del Granado, David W. Johnson, S. Shrapnel
Summary: There is a lack of research on the relationship between COVID-19 and acute kidney injury (AKI) in low- and low-middle income countries. This study found that AKI incidence was highest in LLMIC, with lower rates of dialysis and poorer patient outcomes.
KIDNEY INTERNATIONAL REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Sarah Louise Murphy, Bente Halvorsen, Jan Cato Holter, Camilla Huse, Anders Tveita, Marius Troseid, Hedda Hoel, Anders Benjamin Kildal, Aleksander Rygh Holten, Tori Vigeland Lerum, Ole Henning Skjonsberg, Annika E. Michelsen, Trond M. Aalokken, Kristian Tonby, Andreas Lind, Susanne Dudman, Beathe Kiland Granerud, Lars Heggelund, Simen Boe, Anne Ma Dyrholt-Riise, Pal Aukrust, Andreas Barratt-Due, Thor Ueland, Tuva Borresdatter Dahl
Summary: This study investigates the role of ECM remodeling and excessive fibrogenesis in severe COVID-19. The findings demonstrate that certain ECM mediators such as OPN, S100A12, and YKL-40 are closely associated with disease severity and mortality. High levels of ECM mediators during hospitalization are related to thorax pathology after 3 months. In vitro experiments also show the release of certain markers (such as growth differentiation factor 15, galectin 3, and matrix metalloproteinase 9) from macrophages and lung cell lines after exposure to inactivated SARS-CoV-2, indicating a direct link between these mediators and the causal agent of COVID-19.
JOURNAL OF INTERNAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Geography, Physical
Justyna Czekirda, Bernd Etzelmueller, Sebastian Westermann, Ketil Isaksen, Florence Magnin
Summary: The thermal regime and development of permafrost in periglacial regions have a significant impact on geomorphological processes and landscape development. In Norway, approximately 10% of unstable rock slopes may be underlain by widespread permafrost. This study assesses the variations of permafrost in selected rock walls in Norway over the past 120 years, revealing sporadic to continuous permafrost distribution along the modeled profiles. The results suggest an average increase of 0.2°C per decade in ground temperature at 20m depth since the 1980s, with higher rates of change at elevated locations within a single rock wall section.
Article
Ecology
Atle Mysterud, Hildegunn Viljugrein, Petter Hopp, Roy Andersen, Haakon Bakka, Sylvie L. Benestad, Knut Madslien, Torfinn Moldal, Geir Rune Rauset, Olav Strand, Linh Tran, Turid Vikoren, Jorn Vage, Christer M. Rolandsen
Summary: Surveillance of wildlife diseases is challenging but important, and using citizen science and hunters can help in expanding coverage. This study reports the successful use of recreational hunters in monitoring chronic wasting disease in wild reindeer in Norway.
ECOLOGICAL SOLUTIONS AND EVIDENCE
(2023)
Article
Geography, Physical
Cas Renette, Kristoffer Aalstad, Juditha Aga, Robin Benjamin Zweigel, Bernd Etzelmueller, Karianne Staalesen Lilleoren, Ketil Isaksen, Sebastian Westermann
Summary: Ground temperatures in coarse deposits like blockfields and rock glaciers are observed to be lower due to lower soil moisture content. This study used the CryoGrid model to simulate the impact of drainage on ground thermal regime and ice in blocky terrain permafrost. Simulations showed that well-drained blocky deposits have significantly lower temperatures compared to other scenarios. The findings highlight the importance of considering subsurface water-ice balance in mapping permafrost distribution in mountainous areas.
EARTH SURFACE DYNAMICS
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Sanjaya K. Shrestha, Jasmin Shrestha, Tor A. Strand, Sanela Numanovic, Ashild K. Andreassen, Jennifer L. Dembinski, Rose Vikse, Susanne Dudman
Summary: Acute gastroenteritis (AGE) has a significant impact on morbidity and mortality globally. The viral cause of diarrhoeal diseases often remains unknown due to limited diagnostic resources. Non-polio enteroviruses (NPEVs) are frequently detected in stool samples from AGE cases but their role in AGE is uncertain. This study investigated the presence and diversity of NPEVs in diarrhoeal stool samples from a birth cohort in Nepal, and found that NPEVs were most commonly detected in infants up to one year old.
MICROBIOLOGY RESEARCH
(2023)
