Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Sam J. England, Katie Lihou, Daniel Robert
Summary: Terrestrial animals naturally accumulate electrostatic charges, which can attract parasites like ticks using electric forces across air gaps. Experimental and theoretical evidence shows that ticks can use electric fields to close the gap and attach to their hosts, regardless of the polarity of the electric field. This discovery provides new insights into how ticks and other terrestrial organisms find and attach to hosts or vectors, and may inspire novel solutions for mitigating the negative impacts of ticks on humans and livestock.
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.
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
Entomology
Per M. Jensen, Finn Danielsen, Sigurdur Skarphedinsson
Summary: Tracking the spread of vector-borne diseases is difficult, but internet search records may provide low-cost real-time monitoring data.
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)
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
Melina Garcia Guizzo, Tereza Hatalova, Helena Frantova, Ludek Zurek, Petr Kopacek, Jan Perner
Summary: Ticks not only transmit pathogenic bacteria, but also harbor intracellular bacteria known as symbionts. The role of bacterial symbiosis in Ixodes ricinus ticks is not well understood. In this study, researchers aimed to create a model of I. ricinus ticks depleted of the symbiont Midichloria mitochondrii in order to study its functional integration in tick biology. They used the ex vivo membrane blood feeding system to feed the ticks and supplemented the blood with tetracycline to deplete M. mitochondrii. They found that the use of tetracycline had a toxic effect on ticks, but developed a protocol to successfully produce an apo-symbiotic strain of I. ricinus in subsequent generations. The absence of M. mitochondrii resulted in substandard larvae with reduced ability to blood-feed.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
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
Jani J. Sormunen, Veli-Matti Pakanen, Riikka Elo, Satu Makela, Jukka Hytonen
Summary: Despite extensive screening efforts on ticks in Finland, no ticks carrying Francisella tularensis were found, suggesting no circulation of the pathogen in local tick populations in the high-incidence region of tularaemia.
TICKS AND TICK-BORNE DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Alexander G. Litov, Oxana A. Belova, Sergey Bugmyrin, Ivan S. Kholodilov, Lidia Iu Romanova, Galina G. Karganova
Summary: The commonly used primer sets targeting rRNA were found to be unsuitable for hybrid tick determination, while the primer set targeting the Toll gene showed the best performance for DNA amplification from hybrid ticks.
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)
Article
Biology
Beata Wodecka, Valentyna Kolomiiets
Summary: In Europe, the Ixodes ricinus tick is the primary vector for Lyme disease spirochetes and their relatives. However, a newly described tick called I. inopinatus, with similar biological features to I. ricinus, may also act as a vector for different Borrelia species. This study found 14 different Borreliaceae species in northern Poland, including three newly detected species in the natural ixodid tick population in Europe.
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
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Marko Vucelja, Stjepan Krcmar, Josipa Habus, Vesna Mojcec Perko, Marko Boljfetic, Linda Bjedov, Josip Margaletic
Summary: This study investigated the altitudinal distributions, population structures, and seasonal dynamics of tick fauna in three localities in Continental Croatia (Medvednica and Papuk) and an alpine biogeographic region (Gorski Kotar). Questing ticks were sampled twice a year (spring and autumn, from 2019 to 2021) at different altitudes using the flagging method. The majority of the ticks were identified as Ixodes ricinus, with the highest tick abundance observed at higher altitudes in mixed forests of European beech and European silver fir. Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato infection was detected in a small percentage of ticks, with the presence of the Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto genotype.
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
Infectious Diseases
Dorota Kiewra, Mariusz Szymanowski, Aleksandra Czulowska, Aleksandra Kolanek
Summary: This study examined the dynamic changes in the local-scale distribution of D. reticulatus in Lower Silesia, SW Poland. The findings indicate a general tendency for the ticks to expand eastward, with a likely rate of range change estimated at around 0.6-2.3 km/year.
TICKS AND TICK-BORNE DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Geography, Physical
Milena Rozycka, Kacper Jancewicz, Piotr Migon, Mariusz Szymanowski
Summary: The paper analyzes two mountain fronts delimiting the Sowie Mountains block from SW Poland, one fault-generated and the other coinciding with a distinct lithological boundary. The study finds that while the two mountain fronts differ in morphological characteristics, only some indices and parameters have discriminating value, mainly SL index, drainage basin typology, and altitude variability in the frontal zone.
Article
Forestry
Monika Staniaszek-Kik, Jan Zarnowiec, Ewa Stefanska-Krzaczek
Summary: The size of structural components in root-pit-mound complexes is crucial for moss species richness, with species composition being mainly determined by forest type. Uprooted trees can be colonized by different terricolous mosses and have important conservation value in forest communities. Moss species richness is influenced by forest type, while species composition is affected by the type of forest and the size of components within the root-pit-mound complex.
ANNALS OF FOREST SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Piotr Migon, Kacper Jancewicz, Mariusz Szymanowski
Summary: The upper Nysa Szalona river drainage basin in the West and Middle Sudetes exhibits diverse topography representative of the low- to medium-altitude mountain belt of Central Europe. The area is characterized by mountain ridges, massifs, uplands, and basins, with a geological history that includes pre-Variscan basement rocks, post-Variscan sedimentary cover, and volcanic rocks. The contemporary topography of the area integrates landforms resulting from rock-controlled denudation, non-uniform uplift, and glacial imprint over the late Cenozoic timescale.
Article
Forestry
Aleksandra Kolanek, Mariusz Szymanowski, Andrzej Raczyk
Summary: This study aimed to quantify the impact of anthropogenic factors on forest fires using Poland as an example. It found that variables such as the length of border between forests and built-up areas and road density significantly influenced forest fire density. Additionally, the impact of most analyzed variables varied across the study area, with geographically weighted regression models showing better fit compared to global models.
Article
Geography
Mariusz Szymanowski, Milena Rozycka, Kacper Jancewicz, Piotr Migon
Summary: This article explores the value of using madograms to characterize the geomorphology of mountain frontal belts, confirming its usefulness in quantifying morphology and spatial structure, and offering recommendations for future users.
TRANSACTIONS IN GIS
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Justyna Rubaszek, Mariusz Szymanowski, Adam Michalski, Radoslaw Tatko, Marta Weber-Siwirska
Summary: The research assessed the potential for greening the roofs of prefabricated apartment blocks in the context of climate effects, proposing a three-stage investigatory procedure. A total of 480 buildings in priority areas were selected for greening, with scenarios defined for extensive and semi-intensive greening. The study highlighted the need for additional strengthening of roof structures to support green roof implementation.
Review
Computer Science, Information Systems
Kacper Jancewicz, Milena Rozycka, Mariusz Szymanowski, Maciej Kryza, Piotr Migon
Summary: This article reviews DTM-based measures that can be used to study the main drainage divides of mountain ranges. It presents both previous measures and new or modified approaches, aiming to showcase a range of tools and discuss their potential and challenges.
ISPRS INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF GEO-INFORMATION
(2022)
Article
Geography
Mariusz Szymanowski, Agnieszka Latocha
Summary: This study evaluated the influence of environmental factors on depopulation in the Klodzko region in the Sudetes by conducting comparative analysis and spatial modeling. Natural features were confirmed to play a key role in strengthening out-migration and land abandonment. However, separating the impact of environmental and socio-economic factors proved to be difficult to quantify, and the environment may act as a local modifier of external non-environmental processes when a change exceeds the equilibrium threshold.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Ewa Stefanska-Krzaczek, Grzegorz Swacha, Jan Zarnowiec, Malgorzata W. Radula, Zygmunt Kacki, Monika Staniaszek-Kik
Summary: Bryophytes are good indicators of habitat conditions and their diversity and distribution in Central European forests were assessed in this study using vegetation records from the Polish Vegetation Database. The study found that bryophyte species number and cover were high in moist forest types with both deciduous and coniferous tree stands, and their composition and abundance depended on substrate moisture, fertility, pH, and tree species composition.
ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS
(2022)
Article
Parasitology
Dagmara Dyczko, Dorota Kiewra, Aleksandra Kolanek, Pawel Blazej
Summary: Ticks play an important role in transmitting pathogens that cause diseases in humans and animals. This study assesses the usefulness of detailed forest habitat-type maps in estimating the risk of tick-borne diseases at a local scale in Lower Silesia, Poland. The results show that forest habitat type, air temperature, and relative humidity significantly affect tick density. The study also identifies various tick-borne pathogens.
PARASITOLOGY RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ludwik Zolnierz, Ewa Fudali, Mariusz Szymanowski
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the impact of urban environmental factors on the distribution and richness of bryophyte species. The survey covered 500 study plots in the city of Wroclaw, Poland, and assessed 27 environmental factors using various methods. The normalized difference vegetation index was found to have the strongest effect on the distribution and richness of epiphytic bryophytes. The urban heat island and tree species diversity also had significant, but weaker effects. Among the tree stand features, the presence of European ash and tree height were identified as influential factors. Maintaining afforested areas with old trees and cooler microclimates is crucial for preserving the diversity of epiphytic bryophytes in urban landscapes.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Agronomy
Godfrey Philliam Apangu, Beverley Adams-Groom, Jack Satchwell, Catherine H. Pashley, Malgorzata Werner, Maciej Kryza, Mariusz Szymanowski, Malgorzata Malkiewicz, Nicolas Bruffaerts, Lucie Hoebeke, Agnieszka Grinn-Gofron, Lukasz Grewling, Nestor Gonzalez Roldan, Gilles Oliver, Charlotte Sindt, Mathilde Kloster, Carsten Ambelas Skjoth
Summary: This study used remote sensing and atmospheric transport models to examine the contribution of cereal harvesting to peak Alternaria spore concentrations. The results showed that Sentinel-2 satellite data detected intensive harvesting areas, and local agricultural areas cultivated with cereals were the main sources of peak spore concentrations. This approach can be applied to estimate peak spore concentrations and sources of other bioaerosols.
AGRICULTURAL AND FOREST METEOROLOGY
(2022)
Article
Forestry
Rafal Krzaczek, Ewa Stefanska-Krzaczek
Summary: The study aims to assess the occurrence and distribution of Natura 2000 forest habitats in managed oak forests, as well as the age of the oak forests. The results show that Natura 2000 habitats occupy a significant portion of the managed oak forests, and older oak forests within SACs form larger and more compact forests.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Harold Salant, Yaarit Nachum-Biala, Doni Zivotofsky, Tsachi Even Tzur, Gad Baneth
Summary: This study describes the presentation, clinical signs, parasitemia levels, laboratory findings and treatment of dogs infected with B. negevi. Treatment with imidocarb dipropionate was helpful for recovery from clinical disease but did not facilitate parasite elimination, and it is therefore recommended to treat canine B. negevi infection with the combination of atovaquone and azithromycin.
TICKS AND TICK-BORNE DISEASES
(2024)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Gervillien Arnold Malonga, Almoustapha Issiaka Maiga, Dimitry Moudiongui Mboungou Malanda, Mahamadou Saliou, Juth ece Private Malanda-Kiminou, Oumar Dolo, Anicet Luc Magloire Boumba, Alhassane Ba, Robert Murphy, Jean Felix Peko, Anne-Genevieve Marcelin, Vincent Calvez, Stephane Marot
Summary: A serological survey in sub-urban areas of the capital cities of Congo and Mali reveals human contact with Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV) associated with previously described CCHFV risk factors.
TICKS AND TICK-BORNE DISEASES
(2024)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Aleksander Wymazal, Sabina Nowak, Robert W. Myslajek, Anna Bajer, Renata Welc-Faleciak, Maciej Szewczyk, Iga Kwiatkowska, Kinga M. Stepniak, Michal Figura, Agnieszka Kloch
Summary: The wolf population in Central and Eastern Europe has been increasing, but their frequent contacts with humans make them a potential zoonotic reservoir. This study found a high prevalence of tick-borne pathogens in free-ranging wolves from Poland.
TICKS AND TICK-BORNE DISEASES
(2024)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Nannet D. Fabri, Hans Heesterbeek, Joris P. G. M. Cromsigt, Frauke Ecke, Hein Sprong, Lonneke Nijhuis, Tim R. Hofmeester, Nienke Hartemink
Summary: In many parts of the northern hemisphere, different species of deer, small mammals, and birds coexist and their composition can strongly influence the outbreak potential of tick-borne pathogens. This study investigates how the abundance and composition of vertebrate communities affect the basic reproduction number R0 of tick-borne pathogens, and shows that species composition plays a substantial role in the outbreak potential of tick-borne diseases.
TICKS AND TICK-BORNE DISEASES
(2024)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Lynn M. Osikowicz, Maria R. Rizzo, Andrias Hojgaard, Sarah E. Maes, Rebecca J. Eisen
Summary: This article describes the prevalence and diversity of Lyme disease in the United States. By using different detection methods, the authors found various species of spirochetes present in specific tick species, revealing the potential transmission of pathogens among ticks.
TICKS AND TICK-BORNE DISEASES
(2024)
Review
Infectious Diseases
El-Sayed El-Alfy, Ibrahim Abbas, Somaya Saleh, Rana Elseadawy, Ragab M. Fereig, Mohamed Abdo Rizk, Xuenan Xuan
Summary: Published data on tick-borne pathogens in camels worldwide have been collected, providing an overview of their global prevalence and species diversity. Evidence of natural infection of camels with certain tick-borne pathogens is limited, particularly because most of the camels were considered healthy at the time of sampling. More research is needed to understand the role of camels in maintaining and transmitting these pathogens.
TICKS AND TICK-BORNE DISEASES
(2024)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Saana Sipari, Mikko Kiljunen, Minna Nylund, Eva R. Kallio
Summary: This study introduces a stable isotope analysis method to directly identify tick breeding hosts by sampling field collected larvae. The results show that stable isotope signatures can reflect the diet of the breeding host of the mother tick.
TICKS AND TICK-BORNE DISEASES
(2024)
