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
Ecology
Nannet Doreen Fabri, Hein Sprong, Hans Heesterbeek, Frauke Ecke, Joris Petrus Gerardus Marinus Cromsigt, Tim Ragnvald Hofmeester
Summary: This study quantified the link between the ecotypes of Anaplasma phagocytophilum, life stages of the tick Ixodes ricinus, and vertebrate host groups through a meta-analysis. The composition of vertebrate communities was shown to affect the relative abundance of different ecotypes of A. phagocytophilum in different life stages of I. ricinus. Changes in vertebrate communities, such as an increase in red deer abundance and shifts in small mammal population dynamics, could potentially increase the circulation of A. phagocytophilum and pose higher risks to public and veterinary health.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Viktoriya A. Levytska, Andriy B. Mushinsky, Dana Zubrikova, Lucia Blanarova, Ewa Dlugosz, Bronislava Vichova, Kateryna A. Slivinska, Zdzislaw Gajewski, Slawomir Gizinski, Shuling Liu, Lan Zhou, Artem S. Rogovskyy
Summary: The study investigated the prevalence of various tick-borne pathogens in different regions of Ukraine, finding variations in infection rates among different tick species, while no significant differences were observed between the five cities.
TICKS AND TICK-BORNE DISEASES
(2021)
Review
Entomology
Lucy Gilbert
Summary: Ticks are widespread and carry pathogens, impacting by climate change; tick-borne disease systems are complex with diverse drivers, modeling can help understand changes; future research should focus on assessing the resilience of ticks and tick-borne pathogens to climate change.
ANNUAL REVIEW OF ENTOMOLOGY, VOL 66, 2021
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Oxana A. Belova, Alexandra E. Polienko, Anastasia D. Averianova, Galina G. Karganova
Summary: Ixodes ricius and Ixodes persulcatus ticks are the main vectors of tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV). The overlap in distribution ranges of these tick species can lead to hybridization, affecting both tick spread and arbovirus infection properties. The study found that virus transmission effectiveness and RNA copy numbers were highest in ticks, specifically hybrids, during the transmission of the Siberian subtype of TBEV. However, after molting, the transmission effectiveness decreased.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
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
Medicine, General & Internal
Zbigniew Zajac, Katarzyna Bartosik, Joanna Kulisz, Aneta Wozniak
Summary: Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the incidence of tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) is increasing in many European countries.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Parasitology
Laurence Geebelen, Tinne Lernout, Katrien Tersago, Sanne Terryn, Joppe W. Hovius, Arieke Docters van Leeuwen, Steven Van Gucht, Niko Speybroeck, Hein Sprong
Summary: This study investigates the occurrence and clinical manifestation of tick-borne infections in Belgium. Only a small number of patients with fever after a tick bite were identified. Although no tick-borne pathogens were detected, their presence cannot be ruled out due to the limited number of patients and current limitations in methodologies.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Ternenge Thaddaeus Apaa, Harriet Mcfadzean, Sara Gandy, Kayleigh Hansford, Jolyon Medlock, Nicholas Johnson
Summary: This study examined the presence of A. phagocytophilum in livestock and wildlife in Great Britain, with a focus on cattle. The results showed the presence of ecotype I in cattle, sheep, red deer, and Ixodes ricinus ticks, and ecotype II in roe deer and I. ricinus removed from deer carcasses. However, only ecotype I was detected in cattle in this study.
Article
Parasitology
Manon Lemasson, Gregory Caignard, Yves Unterfinger, Houssam Attoui, Lesley Bell-Sakyi, Edouard Hirchaud, Sara Moutailler, Nicholas Johnson, Damien Vitour, Jennifer Richardson, Sandrine A. Lacour
Summary: This study presents the first description of the protein-protein interaction network between TBEV/LIV and I. ricinus, shedding light on key interactions between the virus and tick vector. By investigating these interactions, the study lays the foundation for a deeper understanding of the vector competence of I. ricinus.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(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.
Review
Microbiology
Molly McVicar, Isabella Rivera, Jeremiah B. Reyes, Monika Gulia-Nuss
Summary: Lyme disease, transmitted by the western black-legged tick (Ixodes pacificus), is the most important vector-borne disease in the US. This tick species is well adapted to the coastal areas of California, Oregon, and Washington. It carries various pathogens, but our understanding of its ecology and transmission of these pathogens is still limited.
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Aitor Garcia-Vozmediano, Giorgia Giglio, Elisa Ramassa, Fabrizio Nobili, Luca Rossi, Laura Tomassone
Summary: The study investigated people's perception of health risks posed by ticks in an area recently invaded by these arthropods, as well as the infection caused by tick bites. The findings show that people rarely adopt preventive measures against ticks, yet previous experience of tick bites is positively associated with the adoption of personal protection measures. Overall, public awareness about the risks of being bitten by infected ticks should be improved to mitigate the increasing incidence of tick-borne diseases in the region.
VETERINARY SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Francesca Dagostin, Valentina Tagliapietra, Giovanni Marini, Claudia Cataldo, Maria Bellenghi, Scilla Pizzarelli, Rosaria Rosanna Cammarano, William Wint, Neil S. Alexander, Markus Neteler, Julia Haas, Timothee Dub, Luca Busani, Annapaola Rizzoli
Summary: This study provides a comprehensive understanding of the main ecological and environmental factors that affect the spread of Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) across Europe. The results identify key variables related to vegetation cover, climate, and the presence of tick hosts that contribute to the variability of TBE incidence. The findings can support modeling efforts to estimate the risk of TBEV infections and aid in implementing surveillance and prevention campaigns.
Article
Parasitology
Aleksandra Iwona Krawczyk, Sam Rottjers, Maria Joao Coimbra-Dores, Dieter Heylen, Manoj Fonville, Willem Takken, Karoline Faust, Hein Sprong
Summary: This study investigated the relationship between bacterial communities and horizontally transmitted human pathogens in Ixodes ricinus nymphs. The results revealed specific associations between microorganisms and the tick symbiont M. mitochondrii, as well as relationships between different pathogens. These findings contribute to a better understanding of tick-borne disease dynamics.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Karolina Majerova, Vaclav Hoenig, Michal Houda, Petr Papezik, Manoj Fonville, Hein Sprong, Natalie Rudenko, Maryna Golovchenko, Barbora Cerna Bolfikova, Pavel Hulva, Daniel Ruzek, Lada Hofmannova, Jan Votypka, David Modry
Article
Microbiology
Karolina Majerova, Ricardo Gutierrez, Manoj Fonville, Vaclav Hoenig, Petr Papezik, Lada Hofmannova, Paulina Maria Lesiczka, Yaarit Nachum-Biala, Daniel Ruzek, Hein Sprong, Shimon Harrus, David Modry, Jan Votypka
Summary: The study showed that cadavers of synurbic mammalian species are a valuable source for pathogen screening, with high infection rates of Bartonella spp. found in three tested mammalian species. Spleen, ear, lung, and liver tissues were identified as the most suitable for detecting Bartonella DNA.
Article
Microbiology
Agustin Estrada-Pena, Aitor Cevidanes, Hein Sprong, Javier Millan
Summary: Understanding the relationships between ticks and tick-borne pathogens requires integrating data from multiple studies, and ensuring harmonization in data collection, study design, and reporting. Rules should be followed to avoid serendipitous correlations, and raw data should be included in reports. Standardized methods for tick collection should be used, and conclusions based solely on molecular findings should be avoided.
Article
Ecology
Aitor Garcia-Vozmediano, Laura Tomassone, Manoj Fonville, Luigi Bertolotti, Dieter Heylen, Nannet D. Fabri, Jolyon M. Medlock, Ard M. Nijhof, Kayleigh M. Hansford, Hein Sprong, Aleksandra I. Krawczyk
Summary: Rickettsiella species are common symbionts in a variety of arthropod species, including Ixodes ricinus ticks, with genetic diversity and distribution impacted by geographic location and life stage. Phylogenetic analysis revealed four distinct clades of Rickettsiella, with close relations to other arthropods, and specific isolation patterns for Clades II and IV. Coinfections were observed, but significant associations with other tick-associated bacteria were not detected.
Article
Microbiology
Tal Azagi, Ron P. Dirks, Elena S. Yebra-Pimentel, Peter J. Schaap, Jasper J. Koehorst, Helen J. Esser, Hein Sprong
Summary: This study presents the complete genomes of Ca. Neoehrlichia mikurensis derived from wildlife reservoir host tissues using advanced sequencing technologies. This approach offers an alternative to obtaining material from clinical cases and expensive bacterial isolation methods, expanding the potential for laboratory diagnostics. It also has implications for other difficult-to-culture tick-borne pathogens.
Article
Microbiology
Aleksandra Krawczyk, Lisa Rottjers, Manoj Fonville, Katshuisa Takumi, Willem Takken, Karoline Faust, Hein Sprong
Summary: The microbiome of Ixodes ricinus ticks varies greatly and is influenced by geographical factors. Vertically transmitted symbionts show different infection rates at different sites, while geographically close sites exhibit similar proportions of these symbionts. This is in contrast to horizontally transmitted pathogens.
Article
Ecology
Nannet Doreen Fabri, Hein Sprong, Hans Heesterbeek, Frauke Ecke, Joris Petrus Gerardus Marinus Cromsigt, Tim Ragnvald Hofmeester
Summary: This study quantified the link between the ecotypes of Anaplasma phagocytophilum, life stages of the tick Ixodes ricinus, and vertebrate host groups through a meta-analysis. The composition of vertebrate communities was shown to affect the relative abundance of different ecotypes of A. phagocytophilum in different life stages of I. ricinus. Changes in vertebrate communities, such as an increase in red deer abundance and shifts in small mammal population dynamics, could potentially increase the circulation of A. phagocytophilum and pose higher risks to public and veterinary health.
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)
Article
Microbiology
Marja J. L. Kik, Ryanne I. Jaarsma, Jooske IJzer, Hein Sprong, Andrea Grone, Jolianne M. Rijks
Summary: The presence of Bartonella alsatica in both wild and domestic rabbits indicates a potential risk of infection to humans when in close contact with rabbits and their fleas.
MICROBIOLOGY RESEARCH
(2021)