Article
Immunology
Paola Gonzalez-Carmona, Aranzazu Portillo, Cristina Cervera-Acedo, Daniel Gonzalez-Fernandez, Jose A. Oteo
Summary: We present a case of Candidatus Neoehrlichia mikurensis infection in a woman with a history of hematologic malignancy in Spain. Immunocompromised patients, particularly those living in tick-infested areas, should be considered for Candidatus N. mikurensis infections if they present with persistent fever and venous thrombosis.
EMERGING INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Entomology
Anna Sawczyn-Domanska, Jacek Zwolinski, Anna Kloc, Angelina Wojcik-Fatla
Summary: In Poland, tick-borne diseases, especially Lyme borreliosis, are the majority of diseases caused by exposure to biological agents, so studying ticks as reservoirs of various pathogens is crucial for understanding the epidemiology of these diseases. This study investigated the occurrence of several pathogens, including Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, Borrelia miyamotoi, Neoehrlichia mikurensis, and Babesia spp., in ticks collected from vegetation in eastern Poland. The study also found that co-infections with multiple pathogens are relatively common in adult Ixodes ricinus ticks. The findings highlight the importance of monitoring tick-borne pathogens for human health risk assessment.
EXPERIMENTAL AND APPLIED ACAROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Alejandra Wu-Chuang, Lourdes Mateos-Hernandez, Apolline Maitre, Ryan O. M. Rego, Radek Sima, Stefania Porcelli, Sabine Rakotobe, Angelique Foucault-Simonin, Sara Moutailler, Vaidas Palinauskas, Juste Azelyte, Ladislav Simo, Dasiel Obregon, Alejandro Cabezas-Cruz
Summary: Research has found that infection with Borrelia afzelii causes changes to the microbiota composition, diversity, and structure in ticks. Anti-microbiota vaccines can alter the tick microbiota's ability to be infected by Borrelia and decrease the pathogen's load. Network analysis is a suitable tool for identifying properties of the vector microbiota associated with infection-refractory states.
Article
Microbiology
Magdalena Szczotko, Katarzyna Kubiak, Miroslaw Mariusz Michalski, Leonardo Moerbeck, Sandra Antunes, Ana Domingos, Malgorzata Dmitryjuk
Summary: A study in northeastern Poland analyzed the prevalence of the bacteria Neoehrlichia mikurensis in 348 Ixodes ricinus and Dermacentor reticulatus ticks. The research found a potential transmission risk for tick-bitten humans, as this pathogen was detected in common tick species in the area.
Article
Immunology
Michelle J. Klouwens, Jos J. A. Trentelman, Diego Barriales, Jasmin I. Ersoz, Mikel Azkargorta, Felix Elortza, Radek Sima, Ondrej Hajdusek, Julen Tomas Cortazar, Iraide Escobes Corcuera, Emil Colstrup, Abhijeet Nayak, Itziar Martin Ruiz, Hector Rodriguez, Ard M. Nijhof, Juan Anguita, Joppe W. R. Hovius
Summary: In this study, differential protein production in the salivary glands of Ixodes ricinus ticks in response to Borrelia afzelii infection and different feeding conditions was identified using quantitative proteomics. Recombinant tick proteins selected from this study significantly reduced the post-engorgement weights of I. ricinus nymphs in experimental animal models, but efficient transmission of B. afzelii to the murine host was still observed.
Article
Immunology
Sazzad Mahmood, Radek Sima, Veronika Urbanova, Jos J. A. Trentelman, Nicolas Krezdorn, Peter Winter, Petr Kopacek, Joppe W. Hovius, Ondrej Hajdusek
Summary: This study focused on the interaction between Borrelia and ticks at the molecular level, identifying differentially expressed genes in the tick midgut regulated by B. afzelii. The findings confirmed intensive interaction between B. afzelii and I. ricinus ticks, with some tick genes affecting infection progress and prevalence in mice tissues. Targeting genes and proteins exploited by Borrelia during transmission in ticks could lead to novel preventive strategies for Lyme borreliosis.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Entomology
Gilian van Duijvendijk, Inge Krijger, Marloes van Schaijk, Manoj Fonville, Gerrit Gort, Hein Sprong, Willem Takken
Summary: This study investigated the seasonal infection risk of Ixodes ricinus ticks and their rodent hosts, as well as the infection rates of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato and Borrelia miyamotoi. The results showed that the heterogeneity of environmental and host factors influenced the transmission of these two different Borrelia species, with a stronger effect on horizontally transmitted B. burgdorferi than on vertically transmitted B. miyamotoi.
EXPERIMENTAL AND APPLIED ACAROLOGY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Michiel Wijnveld, Anna-Margarita Schoetta, Theresa Stelzer, Georg Duscher, Michael Leschnik, Hannes Stockinger, Per-Eric Lindgren, Gerold Stanek
Summary: By screening ticks collected from dogs in 2008, the study found DNA from a Babesia sp. and an organism closely related to Theileria capreoli, which are novel for Austria.
Article
Immunology
Linnea Hoper, Elisabet Skoog, Martin Stenson, Anna Grankvist, Linda Wass, Bjorn Olsen, Kenneth Nilsson, Andreas Martensson, Jacob Soderlind, Augustinas Sakinis, Christine Wenneras
Summary: Neoehrlichiosis caused by Ca. N. mikurensis is an emerging tick-borne infectious disease that can lead to vascular complications. Younger age is a risk factor for developing vascular events. There may be qualitative differences in the incidence of vascular events between immunosuppressed and immunocompetent patients.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Giovanni Sgroi, Roberta Iatta, Piero Lovreglio, Angela Stufano, Younes Laidoudi, Jairo Alfonso Mendoza-Roldan, Marcos Antonio Bezerra-Santos, Vincenzo Veneziano, Francesco Di Gennaro, Annalisa Saracino, Maria Chironna, Claudio Bandi, Domenico Otranto
Summary: During 2021, blood and serum samples were collected from 135 individuals exposed to tick bites in southern Italy. The study found a high circulation of tickborne pathogens and Candidatus M. mitochondrii DNA in the region, indicating the importance of coordinated surveillance for monitoring and controlling the spread of these pathogens.
EMERGING INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Hanne Quarsten, Tore Salte, Aslaug R. Lorentzen, Inger J. W. Hansen, Runar Hamre, Kristine J. N. Forselv, Oivind Oines, Christine Wenneras, Solvi Noraas
Summary: The occurrence of tick-borne pathogens in the blood of patients with autoimmune conditions requiring immunosuppressive treatment was evaluated, with a detection rate of 8.6%. The main pathogen detected was Ca. Neoehrlichia mikurensis, with potential thromboembolic complications if left untreated.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
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
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)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Jacques Sevestre, Antoine Benichou, Vanessa Rio, Pascal Delaunay, Geraldine Gonfrier, Cecile Martaresche, Virginie Carlo, Sarah Nakam, Veronique Mondain, Michel Carles, Pierre Yves Jeandel, Jacques Durant
Summary: The study shows a high prevalence of Lyme borreliosis in the French Riviera region, but many patients with presumed Lyme borreliosis are actually diagnosed with other conditions. These findings are important for accurate diagnosis and treatment of Lyme borreliosis.
FRONTIERS IN MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Kathrin Jeske, Barbara Herzig-Straschil, Cristian Raileanu, Dusan Kunec, Oliver Tauchmann, Duygu Emirhar, Sabrina Schmidt, Jakob Trimpert, Cornelia Silaghi, Gerald Heckel, Rainer G. Ulrich, Stephan Drewes
Summary: The study showed that the striped field mouse in Austria carries various zoonotic pathogens, including DOBV and Leptospira spp. Two DOBV-positive mice and one Leptospira borgpetersenii-positive mouse were detected in the screening of 35 mice collected near the Hungarian border.
TRANSBOUNDARY AND EMERGING DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Fisheries
S. Bartkova, B. Kokotovic, I. Dalsgaard
JOURNAL OF FISH DISEASES
(2017)
Article
Fisheries
S. Bartkova, B. Kokotovic, H. F. Skall, N. Lorenzen, I. Dalsgaard
JOURNAL OF FISH DISEASES
(2017)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Bronislava Vichova, Maria Horska, Lucia Blanarova, Milan Svihran, Martin Andersson, Branislav Pet'ko
TICKS AND TICK-BORNE DISEASES
(2016)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Maria E. Karlsson, Martin O. Andersson
TICKS AND TICK-BORNE DISEASES
(2016)
Article
Ecology
L. Raberg, A. Hagstrom, M. Andersson, S. Bartkova, K. Scherman, M. Strandh, B. Tschirren
JOURNAL OF EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY
(2017)
Article
Microbiology
Simona Bartkova, Pimlapas Leekitcharoenphon, Frank M. Aarestrup, Inger Dalsgaard
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2017)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Martin Andersson, Kristin Scherman, Lars Raberg
APPLIED AND ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2014)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Martin Andersson, Nadege Zaghdoudi-Allan, Paula Tamba, Mircea Stefanache, Lidia Chitimia
TICKS AND TICK-BORNE DISEASES
(2014)
Review
Microbiology
Simona Bartkova, Anne Kahru, Margit Heinlaan, Ott Scheler
Summary: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses a global health threat, with antibiotics, heavy metals, and microplastics potentially synergistically enhancing the development of antibiotic resistant bacteria in the environment. Experimental methods are crucial to quantify the presence of these pollutants and associated microbial communities in the natural environment. Current technologies are being used to characterize ecosystems affected by microplastics and their role in promoting AMR, while emerging technologies show promise for further investigating AMR in these environments.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Immanuel Sanka, Simona Bartkova, Pille Pata, Olli-Pekka Smolander, Ott Scheler
Summary: Droplet microfluidics has introduced innovative strategies in biology and chemistry, including novel quantification methods like ddPCR. Image-based droplet detection often requires specific tools or programming skills, but rule-based software like CellProfiler has been found to be more suitable and user-friendly for this purpose.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Tatsiana Shalima, Kamini A. Mishra, Sandra Kaabel, Lukas Ustrnul, Simona Bartkova, Kaia Tonsuaadu, Ivo Heinmaa, Riina Aav
Summary: In this study, cyclohexanohemicucurbit[8]uril was found to encapsulate sulfur- and oxygen-containing unsubstituted heterocycles, making it a promising selective sorption material for extracting sulfur heterocycles from water. The research utilized techniques such as single-crystal X-ray diffraction and NMR spectroscopy to investigate the binding capabilities of this macrocycle.
FRONTIERS IN CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Review
Biochemical Research Methods
Artur Ruszczak, Simona Bartkova, Marta Zapotoczna, Ott Scheler, Piotr Garstecki
Summary: The application of droplet-based methods in antimicrobial resistance research allows for faster detection, increased sensitivity, characterization of heterogeneity in bacterial populations' response to antibiotics, and expanded screening of antibiotic combinations. This article discusses the key steps and parameters of droplet-based experiments, reviews recent findings achieved with these methods, and highlights their advantages and capacity to provide new insights into the problem of antimicrobial resistance.
CURRENT OPINION IN BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Immanuel Sanka, Simona Bartkova, Pille Pata, Mart Ernits, Monika Merje Meinberg, Natali Agu, Villem Aruoja, Olli-Pekka Smolander, Ott Scheler
Summary: In this article, the authors propose a set of user-friendly analytical pipelines for droplet experiments. By combining open-source image-analysis software with a custom-developed data processing tool called EasyFlow, the pipelines can be applied to various types of droplet experiments, such as single-cell experiments.
ANALYTICA CHIMICA ACTA
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Miroslaw M. Kasprzak, Marek Sady, Joanna Kruk, Simona Bartkova, Immanuel Sanka, Ott Scheler, Ewelina Jamroz, Wiktor Berski, Sylwia Onacik-Guer, Rafal Szram, Charles Odilichukwu R. Okpala, Joanna Tkaczewska, Marzena Zajac, Jacek Domagala, Stanislaw Ptasznik
Summary: The incorporation of lipid droplets and further characterization of matrices within dairy products can be achieved using adjacent particles as protein complexes/lipids. The study found that replacing milk fat in yogurt with an emulsion stabilized with rapeseed oil can reduce the size of oil droplets without compromising bacterial viability, sensory properties, or texture.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Simona Bartkova, Marko Vendelin, Immanuel Sanka, Pille Pata, Ott Scheler
ANALYTICAL METHODS
(2020)
