Article
Microbiology
Dieuwertje Hoornstra, Olga A. Stukolova, Ludmila S. Karan, Denis S. Sarksyan, Nadezhda M. Kolyasnikova, Mikhail L. Markelov, Anna S. Cherkashina, Anna S. Dolgova, Anna E. Sudina, Marina Sokolova, Alexander E. Platonov, Joppe W. Hovius
Summary: A protein array for serodiagnosis of Borrelia miyamotoi disease (BMD) was developed and validated, which showed high sensitivity and specificity. Reactivity against glycerophosphodiester phosphodiesterase (GlpQ) and any variable major protein (Vmp) or flagellin resulted in the highest specificity for IgM/IgG detection.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2022)
Review
Microbiology
Katarzyna Kubiak, Magdalena Szczotko, Malgorzata Dmitryjuk
Summary: Borrelia miyamotoi, a relapsing fever spirochete, is genetically and ecologically distinct from Borrelia burgdorferi, but both are transmitted by Ixodes ticks. Genetic differences exist among B. miyamotoi isolates from Asia, North America, and Europe, causing variations in symptomatic cases of Borrelia miyamotoi disease.
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Johana Hrnkova, Marina Golovchenko, Abubakar Sadiq Musa, Tersia Needham, Jignesh Italiya, Francisco Ceacero, Radim Kotrba, Libor Grubhoffer, Natalie Rudenko, Jiri Cerny
Summary: Exotic farm animals can serve as hosts for hard ticks and be infected by Borrelia spirochetes, potentially maintaining the spirochetes in nature.
FRONTIERS IN VETERINARY SCIENCE
(2022)
Review
Microbiology
Dawn W. W. Cleveland, Cassidy C. C. Anderson, Catherine A. A. Brissette
Summary: Borrelia miyamotoi is an emerging tick-borne pathogen causing Borrelia miyamotoi disease (BMD). It is vectored by the same hard-bodied ticks as Lyme disease Borrelia, but is phylogenetically related to relapsing fever Borrelia. Recent research has revealed new aspects of B. miyamotoi in human patients, nature, and the lab, including disease pathology, prevalence, diagnostic methods, ecological maintenance, transmission, and genetic characteristics. This review discusses these findings in relation to current Borrelia doctrines and highlights what remains unknown about B. miyamotoi.
Article
Ecology
Ranna Nakao, Kentaro Kasama, Bazartseren Boldbaatar, Yoshitoshi Ogura, Hiroki Kawabata, Atsushi Toyoda, Tetsuya Hayashi, Ai Takano, Ken Maeda
Summary: This study determined the genome sequences of 16 HTRF borreliae strains, showing that chromosomal gene synteny was highly conserved among different geographic regions and tick species. Phylogenetic analysis based on core gene sequences revealed distinguishable HTRF and STRF borreliae, with each forming a monophyletic group in the RF borreliae lineage.
BMC ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2021)
Article
Parasitology
F. Keesing, D. J. McHenry, M. H. Hersh, R. S. Ostfeld
Summary: The study found a low overall infection rate of Borrelia miyamotoi in ticks in Dutchess County, New York, but individual sites could have higher rates. Transovarial transmission remains a possible route of infection. Ticks feeding on short-tailed shrews, red squirrels, and opossums tended to have higher infection rates.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2021)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Alexander R. Kneubehl, Aparna Krishnavajhala, Sebastian Munoz Leal, Adam J. Replogle, Luke C. Kingry, Sergio E. Bermudez, Marcelo B. Labruna, Job E. Lopez
Summary: This study sequenced and assembled the genomes of sTBRF spirochetes from the Western Hemisphere, revealing high chromosomal synteny but diverse plasmid composition. The findings highlight the importance of complete chromosome and plasmid sequences in understanding the biological differences between TBRF spirochete species.
Article
Immunology
Florian Roettgerding, John Njeru, Elif Schluefter, Andreas Latz, Rouzbeh Mahdavi, Ulrich Steinhoff, Sally J. Cutler, Silke Besier, Volkhard A. J. Kempf, Volker Fingerle, Peter Kraiczy
Summary: This study aimed to develop novel and reliable immunoassays for the serodiagnosis of louse-borne relapsing fever (LBRF). Two immunoreactive antigens (CihC and GlpQ) were identified as promising target candidates, and two immunoassays (line immunoblot and ELISA) for IgM and IgG were evaluated. The results showed that these assays had high sensitivity and specificity, even at early time points of infection, indicating their potential as reliable tools in clinical practice.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Anna E. Jacob, Jeffrey Scott Weese, Joyce Rosseau, Katie M. Clow
Summary: Increasing temperatures due to climate change have led to the expansion of Ixodes scapularis ticks in Canada, which carry pathogens that are significant for public and animal health. A study on ticks of companion animals found that B. burgdorferi had a higher prevalence in certain regions of Canada, while B. miyamotoi and A. phagocytophilum had lower prevalence rates.
ZOONOSES AND PUBLIC HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Daniel J. Salkeld, Danielle M. Lagana, Julie Wachara, W. Tanner Porter, Nathan C. Nieto
Summary: Tick-borne diseases in California, particularly Lyme disease, are influenced by the local host ecology and prevalence of zoonotic diseases. Surveillance scale can impact the reported infection prevalence, and understanding multiple pathogen species in the same habitat is crucial for interpreting local pathogen occurrence. Neglected habitats, such as coastal chaparral, may harbor a variety of tick-borne pathogens, emphasizing the need for local-scale data descriptions rather than aggregated data.
APPLIED AND ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Miroslaw M. Michalski, Katarzyna Kubiak, Magdalena Szczotko, Malgorzata Dmitryjuk
Summary: This study in north-eastern Poland focused on ticks removed from wild cervids and boars to examine the presence of Borrelia species, Rickettsia species, and Anaplasma phagocytophilum. The results showed that almost 40% of the collected ticks were infected, with A. phagocytophilum and Rickettsia species being the most prevalent. Different species of Borrelia were also identified, with Borrelia species only found in ticks collected from cervids. The study revealed significant differences in pathogen affinity to tick species, with Borrelia species and A. phagocytophilum more commonly detected in Ixodes ricinus than in Dermacentor reticulatus.
Letter
Immunology
Xiao-Ai Zhang, Feng Tian, Yue Li, Xiao-Long Zhang, Bao-Gui Jiang, Bao-Cheng Liu, Jing-Tao Zhang, Shen Tian, Heng Ding, Shuang Li, Hao Li, Li-Qun Fang, Wei Liu
Summary: In a field investigation in China, relapsing fever (RF) Borrelia was found in ticks and wild mammals. Multiple species were identified, including human-pathogenic Borrelia miyamotoi, Borrelia persica, and unclassified Babesia sp. The coexistence of RF Borrelia species in certain tick species poses a potential threat to public health.
EMERGING MICROBES & INFECTIONS
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Dominika Bubanova, Alena Myslivcova Fucikova, Igor Majlath, Petr Pajer, Karolina Bjelkova, Viktoria Majlathova
Summary: This study identified the presence of Borrelia miyamotoi infection in Ixodes ricinus ticks in the Czech Republic through PCR testing. Although no human cases were found, there is a potential risk of human infection as this spirochete is widespread in ticks.
TICKS AND TICK-BORNE DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Robert D. Gilmore, Alexander R. Kneubehl, Job E. Lopez, Brittany A. Armstrong, Kevin S. Brandt, Taylor J. Van Gundy
Summary: This study describes an improved PCR assay for detecting plasmids in Borrelia miyamotoi strains LB-2001 and CT13-2396, revealing differences in the number and types of plasmids present in LB-2001 and CT13-2396. This suggests the complexity of gene rearrangements that occur in B. miyamotoi strains isolated from the same geographic region.
TICKS AND TICK-BORNE DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Robert D. Gilmore, Sierra Mikula, Emma K. Harris, Taylor J. Van Gundy, Irina Goodrich, Kevin S. Brandt
Summary: Research shows that Borrelia miyamotoi maintains all plasmids and genetic stability during long-term in vitro cultivation. The pathogen remains infectious in mice and the process of in vitro culture does not affect its genome.
TICKS AND TICK-BORNE DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Infectious Diseases
M. E. Baarsma, A. Vrijlandt, J. Ursinus, H. L. Zaaijer, S. Jurriaans, A. P. van Dam, J. W. Hovius
Summary: This study compared the diagnostic parameters of the ZEUS Borrelia VlsE1/pepC10 assay and C6-ELISA in European patients with Lyme borreliosis, healthy blood donors, and potentially cross-reactive controls. The specificity of both assays was similar in healthy blood donors, but C6-ELISA appeared to have slightly higher sensitivity in patients with early localized or disseminated Lyme borreliosis. The VlsE1/pepC10 assay showed significantly higher specificity in sera with potentially cross-reactive antibodies.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY & INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Frederik R. van de Schoor, Hedwig D. Vrijmoeth, Michelle A. E. Brouwer, Hadewych J. M. ter Hofstede, Heidi L. M. Lemmers, Helga Dijkstra, Collins K. Boahen, Marije Oosting, Bart-Jan Kullberg, Joppe W. Hovius, Cees C. van den Wijngaard, Frank L. van de Veerdonk, Mihai G. Netea, Leo A. B. Joosten
Summary: This study investigates the regulation of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) during early Lyme borreliosis (LB) and provides insights into the host response to B. burgdorferi. The study finds that the addition of interleukin-12 (IL-12) amplifies the IFN-gamma response in cells exposed to B. burgdorferi, and the response is significantly higher in LB patients. The study also identifies a single nucleotide polymorphism associated with increased IFN-gamma production.
INFECTION AND IMMUNITY
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
M. E. Baarsma, Freek R. van de Schoor, Stefanie A. Gauw, Hedwig D. Vrijmoeth, Jeanine Ursinus, Nienke Goudriaan, Calin D. Popa, Hadewych J. M. ter Hofstede, Mariska M. G. Leeflang, Kristin Kremer, Cees C. van den Wijngaard, Bart-Jan Kullberg, Leo A. B. Joosten, Joppe W. Hovius
Summary: This study assessed the sensitivity and specificity of three cellular tests for Lyme borreliosis and found that they had lower specificity compared to serological tests, leading to a high number of false-positive results. Therefore, these cellular tests are currently not suitable for clinical use.
LANCET INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Mariska Kerstholt, Freek R. van de Schoor, Marije Oosting, Simone J. C. F. M. Moorlag, Yang Li, Martin Jaeger, Wouter A. van der Heijden, Rahajeng N. Tunjungputri, Jessica C. dos Santos, Brenda Kischker, Hedwig D. Vrijmoeth, M. E. Baarsma, Bart-Jan Kullberg, Mihaela Lupse, Joppe W. Hovius, Cees C. van den Wijngaard, Mihai G. Netea, Quirijn de Mast, Leo A. B. Joosten
Summary: This study reveals that B. burgdorferi infection decreases cytokine production in cells and lowers glycolysis. MFAP3L gene is found to influence lactate production and mediate this effect through ERK2 activation and platelet degranulation. Platelet-derived factors, such as CXCL7, play important roles in B. burgdorferi-induced cytokine production.
CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Microbiology
Y. L. Verschoor, A. Vrijlandt, R. Spijker, R. M. van Hest, H. Ter Hofstede, K. van Kempen, A. J. Henningsson, J. W. Hovius
Summary: Lyme borreliosis is a diverse and debilitating disease caused by spirochetes transmitted by ticks. Antibiotic treatment is the common approach, but there is debate about the persistence of the infection after treatment. Animal studies provide insufficient evidence for the persistence of viable and infectious spirochetes after adequate antibiotic treatment, but Borrelial nucleic acids may persist.
CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY REVIEWS
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Gunjan Arora, Geoffrey E. Lynn, Xiaotian Tang, Connor E. Rosen, Dieuwertje Hoornstra, Andaleeb Sajid, Joppe W. Hovius, Noah W. Palm, Aaron M. Ring, Erol Fikrig
Summary: This study identifies CD55 as a novel host binding partner of Borrelia crocidurae and Borrelia persica, the causative agents of relapsing fever in Africa and Eurasia. CD55, present on erythrocytes, plays a role in immune evasion and infection. Soluble recombinant CD55 inhibits erythrocyte rosette formation, and CD55-deficient mice have lower pathogen load and elevated proinflammatory cytokine and complement factor C5a levels.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Karin Persson Waller, Kerstin Dahlgren, Giulio Grandi, Maya Louise Holding, Katarina Naslund, Anna Omazic, Hein Sprong, Karin Ullman, Mikael Leijon
Summary: A disease outbreak in a Swedish cattle herd may be caused by an unusual type of Mycoplasma in combination with immune suppression due to granulocytic anaplasmosis caused by Anaplasma phagocytophilum. The latter bacterium is widespread in the herd and also found in wild deer and ticks.
Article
Microbiology
Tryntsje Cuperus, Ankje de Vries, Ryanne I. I. Jaarsma, Hein Sprong, Miriam Maas
Summary: This study found the presence of multiple (tick-borne) zoonotic pathogens in European moles, including spotted fever Rickettsia, Leptospira spp., Bartonella spp., and Hantaviridae. However, no pathogens relevant to humans were found. Although the zoonotic risk from moles appears limited, our results indicate that these animals do play a role in multiple host-pathogen cycles.
Article
Microbiology
Tal Azagi, B. J. A. Hoeve-Bakker, Mark Jonker, Jeroen H. Roelfsema, Hein Sprong, Karen Kerkhof
Summary: This study evaluated the analytical specificity, sensitivity, and robustness of qPCR assays for detecting tick-borne pathogens in human samples. The results showed that the qPCRs performed well and were potentially suitable for human diagnostics. However, further clinical validation and independent confirmation are needed.
Article
Biology
Aitor Garcia-Vozmediano, Alessandro Bellato, Luca Rossi, Marieke N. Hoogerwerf, Hein Sprong, Laura Tomassone
Summary: Wild and domestic animals can be useful sentinels for monitoring diseases that affect public health. In a region of northwestern Italy, an increase in tick densities and the spread of TBEV in neighboring countries led to the screening of wild ungulates for TBEV antibodies, with negative results indicating its absence in the area. However, continued monitoring is necessary due to the spread of TBEV and its vector in Europe.
Review
Parasitology
Clara Florentine Kohler, Maya Louise Holding, Hein Sprong, Patrick A. Jansen, Helen J. Esser
Summary: Biodiversity loss and the emergence of zoonotic diseases are major global challenges. Restoring ecosystems needs to take into account the risk of tick-borne diseases and the interaction between vertebrate diversity and pathogen transmission. Long-term surveillance of wildlife communities, ticks, and their pathogens is crucial to prevent tick-borne diseases from increasing during nature restoration.
TRENDS IN PARASITOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Virology
Claude Saegerman, Marie-France Humblet, Marc Leandri, Gaelle Gonzalez, Paul Heyman, Hein Sprong, Monique L'Hostis, Sara Moutailler, Sarah I. Bonnet, Nadia Haddad, Nathalie Boulanger, Stephen Leib, Thierry Hoch, Etienne Thiry, Laure Bournez, Jana Kerlik, Aurelie Velay, Solveig Jore, Elsa Jourdain, Emmanuelle Gilot-Fromont, Katharina Brugger, Julia Geller, Marie Studahl, Natasa Knap, Tatjana Avsic-Zupanc, Daniel P. Ruzek, Tizza Zomer, Rene Bodker, Thomas F. H. Berger, Sandra Martin-Latil, Nick De Regge, Alice A. Raffetin, Sandrine Lacour, Matthias Klein, Tinne Lernout, Elsa Quillery, Zdenek Hubalek, Francisco Ruiz-Fons, Agustin Estrada-Pena, Philippe Fravalo, Pauline Kooh, Florence Etore, Celine M. Gossner, Bethan Purse
Summary: Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) is an endemic viral disease in Eurasia, primarily transmitted to humans through ticks and occasionally through unpasteurized milk products. The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control has reported an increase in TBE incidence over the years, as well as its emergence in new areas. Through expert knowledge elicitation, we identified nine key drivers for TBE emergence and increased incidence, including changes in human behavior, eating habits, landscape, humidity, difficulty in controlling reservoirs and vectors, temperature, wildlife compartments, increase in autochthonous wild mammals, and distribution of tick species vectors.
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Aitor Garcia-Vozmediano, Daniele De Meneghi, Hein Sprong, Aranzazu Portillo, Jose A. Oteo, Laura Tomassone
Summary: We analyzed the surveillance systems in the Netherlands, Spain, and Italy to identify the ideal elements for monitoring and preventing tick-borne diseases (TBD). The Dutch initiative showed a high level of transdisciplinary collaboration, while Italy and Spain's surveillance systems were based on compulsory notification. The Dutch initiative yielded measurable outcomes, such as a reduction in tick bites and the discovery of new pathogens. However, the initiatives characterized by transdisciplinary collaboration may be more effective in surveillance and prevention of TBD.
VETERINARY SCIENCES
(2022)
Letter
Health Care Sciences & Services
Cees C. van den Wijngaard, Jeanine Ursinus, Hedwig D. Vrijmoeth, Hans Knoop, Albert Wong, Leo A. B. Joosten, Joppe W. Hovius, Bart Jan Kullberg
LANCET REGIONAL HEALTH-EUROPE
(2022)
Article
Primary Health Care
M. E. Baarsma, S. A. Claassen, H. E. van der Horst, J. W. Hovius, J. M. Sanders
Summary: This study combines medical and communication science approaches to assess the experiences of patients with chronic Lyme-associated symptoms (CLD) and their interactions with the healthcare system. The findings suggest that patients often feel misunderstood and neglected, and their symptoms significantly impact their daily lives. The study highlights the importance of improving doctor-patient communication and provides potential ways to address the issues faced by CLD patients.
