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
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.
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
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
Parasitology
Zsuzsa Kalmar, Violeta Briciu, Mircea Coroian, Mirela Flonta, Amanda-Lelia Radulescu, Adriana Topan, Andrei Daniel Mihalca, Mihaela Lupse
Summary: The study in Romania found specific IgG and IgM antibodies to Borrelia burgdorferi s.l. among healthy blood donors. Higher seroprevalence was observed in men, older individuals, and those engaged in outdoor work.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2021)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Karen M. Holcomb, Noelle Khalil, Duncan W. Cozens, Jamie L. Cantoni, Doug E. Brackney, Megan A. Linske, Scott C. Williams, Goudarz Molaei, Rebecca J. Eisen
Summary: Tick-borne diseases pose a continuous threat to human health in the United States. This study compared active and passive tick surveillance methods to assess their concordance in measuring tick and pathogen presence, infection prevalence, and tick abundance. The findings showed consistent estimates of tick and pathogen presence and infection prevalence, but variable comparisons for tick abundance estimates.
TICKS AND TICK-BORNE DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
B. Mols, J. E. Churchill, J. P. G. M. Cromsigt, D. P. J. Kuijper, C. Smit
Summary: This study investigates how human recreational activities influence deer space-use patterns and the spatial distribution of the sheep tick, a vector of zoonotic diseases. The research suggests that trails commonly used for recreation can reduce the abundance of ticks and consequently lower the risk of tick-borne diseases for humans.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Carlos Sacristan, Carlos G. das Neves, Faisal Suhel, Irene Sacristan, Torstein Tengs, Inger S. Hamnes, Knut Madslien
Summary: The study revealed varying prevalence of Bartonella in moose and red deer in Norway, with Bartonella also detected in ticks and biting midges. Moose may serve as a reservoir for Bartonella. This study marks the first report of Bartonella genus in ticks from Fennoscandia and Culicoides worldwide.
TRANSBOUNDARY AND EMERGING DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Kayleigh M. Hansford, Liz McGinley, Benedict W. Wheeler, Barbara Tschirren, Jolyon M. Medlock
Summary: Ticks are present in various habitats, with woodland being important for Borrelia infection. This study investigated the density and prevalence of ticks in urban, peri-urban, and rural woodlands in southern England. The results showed that tick density and Borrelia infection rates were similar in urban and rural woodlands, suggesting a potential risk of Lyme borreliosis transmission in urban areas. This is of public health concern due to the dominance of Borrelia garinii, which is associated with neuroborreliosis.
ZOONOSES AND PUBLIC HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Nina Militzer, Alexander Bartel, Peter-Henning Clausen, Peggy Hoffmann-Kohler, Ard M. Nijhof
Summary: The life cycle of the hard tick Ixodes ricinus was completed for the first time in vitro, with longer feeding times, lower engorgement weights, and a significant improvement in feeding efficiency with the supplementation of vitamin B.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Steffen Knoll, Andrea Springer, Daniela Hauck, Bettina Schunack, Stefan Pachnicke, Christina Strube
Summary: The study investigated the prevalence of Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Rickettsia spp. in Ixodes ticks in northern Germany over two years. Results showed significant regional and seasonal differences in pathogen prevalence, highlighting the importance of diverse sampling locations and periods for accurate infection risk assessment on a larger scale.
TICKS AND TICK-BORNE DISEASES
(2021)
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
Parasitology
Artur Trzebny, Justyna Liberska, Anna Slodkowicz-Kowalska, Miroslawa Dabert
Summary: The study found no evidence of Ixodes ricinus playing a role in transmitting human-infecting microsporidians. The low occurrence of microsporidian species in both fed and host-seeking ticks suggests that ticks have mechanisms to defend against these parasites.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2022)
Review
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Farah I. Mumin, Andy Fenton, Abdinasir Yusuf Osman, Siobhan M. Mor
Summary: Zoonoses pose a significant burden on human and animal health in Somalia, but due to years of instability and weak disease surveillance, data on the burden of zoonoses is lacking. This scoping review assessed and synthesized the available literature on zoonoses in Somalia. The study found that Rift Valley Fever, brucellosis, and hepatitis E were the most frequently studied diseases, with limited research on the environmental aspects.
Article
Plant Sciences
Mats Van Gestel, Kris Verheyen, Erik Matthysen, Dieter Heylen
Summary: The risk of tick-borne disease in humans is influenced by exposure to pathogen-infected ticks, which is driven by tick populations, pathogen prevalence, and human activity. Research has shown differences in tick densities and pathogen prevalence between green spaces, but variations within green spaces are still not well understood. Focus should be on prevention and management efforts in or near deciduous, structure-rich forest stands, where tick densities are highest.
URBAN FORESTRY & URBAN GREENING
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Miriam Koene, Jolianne Rijks, Miriam Maas, Robin Ruuls, Marc Engelsma, Peter van Tulden, Marja Kik, Jooske IJzer, Daan Notermans, Maaike de Vries, Ewout Fanoy, Roan Pijnacker, Marcel Spierenburg, Herjan Bavelaar, Hanneke Berkhout, Sanjay Sankatsing, Rob Diepersloot, Kerstin Myrtennas, Malin Granberg, Mats Forsman, Hendrik-Jan Roest, Andrea Grone
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2019)
Article
Virology
Miriam Maas, Melanie van Heteren, Ankje de Vries, Thijs Kuiken, Tabitha Hoornweg, Edwin Veldhuis Kroeze, Barry Rockx
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Tim R. Hofmeester, Esther J. Buegel, Bob Hendrikx, Miriam Maas, Frits F. J. Franssen, Hein Sprong, Kevin D. Matson
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Cristina Fevola, Chiara Rossi, Fausta Rosso, Matteo Girardi, Roberto Rosa, Mattia Manica, Luca Delucchi, Duccio Rocchini, Carol X. Garzon Lopez, Daniele Arnoldi, Alessandro Bianchi, Elena Buzan, Nathalie Charbonnel, Margherita Collini, Ludovit Dureje, Frauke Ecke, Nicola Ferrari, Stefan Fischer, Emma L. Gillingham, Birger Hornfeldt, Maria Kazimirova, Adam Konecny, Miriam Maas, Magnus Magnusson, Andrea L. Miller, Jukka Niemimaa, Ake Nordstrom, Anna Obiegala, Gert E. Olsson, Paolo Pedrini, Jaroslav Pialek, Chantal B. Reusken, Franco Rizzolli, Claudia Romeo, Cornelia Silaghi, Tarja Sironen, Michal Stanko, Valentina Tagliapietra, Rainer G. Ulrich, Olli Vapalahti, Liina Voutilainen, Lucas A. Wauters, Annapaola Rizzoli, Antti Vaheri, Anne Jaaskelainen, Heikki Henttonen, Heidi C. Hauffe
VECTOR-BORNE AND ZOONOTIC DISEASES
(2020)
Article
Immunology
Tabitha E. Hoornweg, Ilse Zutt, Ankje de Vries, Miriam Maas, Marieke N. Hoogerwerf, Tatjana Avsic-Zupanc, Misa Korva, Johan H. J. Reimerink, Chantal B. E. M. Reusken
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2020)
Article
Virology
Tryntsje Cuperus, Ankje de Vries, Tabitha E. Hoornweg, Manoj Fonville, Ryanne Jaarsma, Marieke Opsteegh, Miriam Maas
Summary: The study found that Seoul virus (SEOV) is prevalent in different populations of pet and feeder rats in the Netherlands, with the highest positivity rate found in commercial breeders. The seroprevalence was largely in line with the prevalence calculated from PCR-positive rats, indicating widespread transmission of SEOV in domesticated rats in Europe.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Miriam Maas, Rea Tatem-Dokter, Jolianne M. Rijks, Cecile Dam-Deisz, Frits Franssen, Hester van Bolhuis, Mike Heddergott, Anna Schleimer, Vinciane Schockert, Clotilde Lambinet, Pauline Hubert, Thomas Redelijk, Rene Janssen, Ana Paula Lopes Cruz, Irene Campos Martinez, Yannick Caron, Annick Linden, Christophe Lesenfants, Julien Paternostre, Joke van der Giessen, Alain C. Frantz
Summary: The geographic range of the zoonotic raccoon roundworm is expanding, creating new public health risks in parts of Europe. The prevalence of the parasite was determined in Dutch raccoons, with genetic analysis suggesting some populations were introduced from captivity. Public education and awareness are essential to reduce the public health risk posed by this parasite.
TRANSBOUNDARY AND EMERGING DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Virology
Arno Swart, Miriam Maas, Ankje de Vries, Tryntsje Cuperus, Marieke Opsteegh
Summary: Serological assays like ELISA are important for detecting infectious diseases, but the classical cut-off approach may not be optimal for analyzing serological data. In contrast, binary mixture models can handle data heterogeneity and uncertainty more effectively, without the need for correction based on sensitivity and specificity.
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Miriam Maas, Jitske Glorie, Cecile Dam-Deisz, Ankje de Vries, Frits F. J. Franssen, Ryanne Jaarsma, Paul D. Hengeveld, Cindy M. Dierikx, Joke W. B. van der Giessen, Marieke Opsteegh
Summary: Successful repopulation programs of Eurasian beavers have increased beaver populations throughout Europe. Beavers can host multiple zoonotic pathogens, but their role in the spread of zoonotic diseases in the Netherlands is currently limited.
JOURNAL OF WILDLIFE DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Agronomy
Inge M. Krijger, Max Strating, Marga van Gent-Pelzer, Theo A. J. van der Lee, Sara A. Burt, Fleur H. Schroeten, Robin de Vries, Marieke de Cock, Miriam Maas, Bastiaan G. Meerburg
Summary: Rodents in the Netherlands have developed resistance to anticoagulant rodenticides, particularly brodifacoum. A study found genetic mutations at codon 139 of the Vkorc1 gene in both Norway rats and house mice. These results provide a baseline for integrated pest management strategies in the Netherlands.
PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Marieke de Cock, Manoj Fonville, Ankje de Vries, Alex Bossers, Bartholomeus van den Bogert, Renate Hakze-van der Honing, Ad Koets, Hein Sprong, Wim van der Poel, Miriam Maas
Summary: This study used 16S rRNA gene sequencing and virome-enriched sequencing to detect zoonotic pathogens in wild rats. Several potential zoonotic bacteria and viruses were identified, and the presence of some bacteria was confirmed. It was found that three bacterial taxa dominated the samples. The study also highlighted the limited species-level identification capacity of 16S rRNA gene sequencing but suggested its potential as a pre-screening method for zoonotic bacteria in the future.
TRANSBOUNDARY AND EMERGING DISEASES
(2022)
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
Infectious Diseases
Cindy Dierikx, Paul Hengeveld, Sandra Witteveen, Angela van Hoek, Marga van Santen-Verheuvel, Margriet Montizaan, Marja Kik, Miriam Maas, Leo Schouls, Antoni Hendrickx, Dutch MRSA surveillance study grp, Engeline van Duijkeren
Summary: This study compared the genetic characteristics of mecC-MRSA from hedgehogs and humans using next-generation sequencing. The results showed that mecC-MRSA from both species mainly belonged to two clonal complexes, suggesting a potential common source. However, there was no firm evidence for recent zoonotic transmission of mecC-MRSA from hedgehogs to humans, and further studies are needed to understand the role of hedgehogs in the occurrence of mecC-MRSA in humans.
JOURNAL OF ANTIMICROBIAL CHEMOTHERAPY
(2023)
Letter
Immunology
Jolianne M. Rijks, Anna D. Tulen, Daan W. Notermans, Frans A. G. Reubsaet, Maaike C. de Vries, Miriam G. J. Koene, Corien M. Swaan, Miriam Maas
Summary: We analyzed national registry data on 26 autochthonous cases of Francisella tularensis subspecies holarctica infection in the Netherlands since 2011 to determine the transmission modes. Our findings suggest that terrestrial animals are the predominant source of transmission, followed by aquatic animals. We recommend prioritizing disease-risk communication towards hunters, recreationists, and outdoor professionals.
EMERGING INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)