81 research outputs found
Zecken-übertragene Anaplasmataceae und Babesia microti in Kleinsäugern und ihren Zecken an Standorten mit unterschiedlicher Habitatstruktur
No full textKleinsäuger sind essentiell für die Entwicklung und die Verbreitung von subadulten Schildzecken. Den Kleinsäugern kommt so eine wichtige Rolle als potentielle Reservoirwirte für Zecken-übertragene Pathogene zu. Die Ziele dieser Studie waren unterschiedliche Zecken-übertragene Pathogene in wildlebenden Kleinsäugern nachzuweisen und die Reservoirfunktion der jeweiligen Kleinsäugerarten, im Zusammenhang mit unterschiedlich strukturierten Habitaten, zu evaluieren. Zwischen 2012 und 2013 wurden Kleinsäuger an drei unterschiedlich strukturierten Standorten gefangen: (1) an einem Stadtpark in Regensburg, (2) an einem silvatischen Standort in Tussenhausen im Unterallgäu und (3) an einem renaturierten Standort, der in der Nähe von Leipzig in Sachsen liegt. Zusätzlich wurden Zecken im Jahr 2013 am Waldstandort geflaggt. DNA wurde aus Blut-, Milz- und Gonaden-Proben der Mäuse und aus Mäuseneonaten extrahiert. Auf den Mäusen befindliche Zecken wurden abgesammelt. Aus diesen und den wirtssuchenden Zecken wurde ebenfalls DNA extrahiert. Zusätzlich wurden bereits vorhandene DNA-Proben aus wirtssuchenden Zecken aus den Jahren 2009-2013 bzw. 2011-2012 vom urbanen bzw. vom silvatischen Standort untersucht. Die Proben wurden mittels konventioneller oder Real-Time PCR auf Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Candidatus Neoehrlichia mikurensis (CNM) und Babesia microti untersucht.
Insgesamt wurden 631 Kleinsäuger zehn verschiedener Arten gefangen (4 Apodemus agrarius, 7 Microtus arvalis, 1 M. agrestis, 396 Myodes glareolus, 2 Mustela nivalis, 5 Sorex coronatus, 1 Sorex araneus, 1 Talpa europaea, 36 Ap. sylvaticus, 178 Ap. flavicollis). Davon wurden insgesamt 36 Mäuse im Stadtpark, 243 am silvatischen und 352 am renaturierten Standort, wo die größte Artenvielfalt vorherrschte (n=8), gefangen. Insgesamt wurden 3.391 Zecken drei verschiedener Arten (8 Ixodes trianguliceps, 3.250 Ixodes ricinus, 133 Dermacentor reticulatus) abgesammelt.
CNM wurde in insgesamt 28,6 % der Kleinsäuger nachgewiesen. Dabei waren 31,6 % My. glareolus, 28,1 % Ap. flavicollis, 57,1 % M. arvalis und 2,7% Ap. sylvaticus positiv. Die Prävalenzen unterschieden sich signifikant beim Vergleich der jeweiligen Standorte, wobei die Infektionsrate am renaturierten Standort am höchsten war (χ²: 13,4; p: 0,0004). Insgesamt waren 3,8 % der gesogenen und 2,2 % der wirtssuchenden Zecken positiv. In den untersuchten Kleinsäugerföten bzw. -Neonaten, die von positiven Muttertieren stammten, war die Prävalenz für CNM 31,8 %. Insgesamt 60,0 % der positiven Muttertiere hatten wenigstens einen positiven Foetus oder Neonaten. Anaplasma phagocytophilum wurde zu einem geringen Prozentsatz in Nagern festgestellt (0,0-5,6 %), wobei es keinen signifikanten Unterschied zwischen den Standorten, Jahren und Kleinsäugerarten gab. Jedoch waren gesogene Nymphen (I. ricinus) signifikant häufiger befallen als gesogene Larven (χ²: 25,1; p: <0,0001). Die Prävalenz für B. microti war in Nagern vom Waldstandort (4,6 %) signifikant höher als in Nagern von den beiden anderen Standorten (0-0,6 %) (χ²: 11,95; p: 0,00125). Babesia microti konnte in M. arvalis (14,3 %), Ap. flavicollis (0,4 %) und My. glareolus (2,3 %) festgestellt werden. Babesia microti wurde in 3 von 965 (1 I. trianguliceps, 2 I. ricinus) gesogenen Zecken festgestellt (0,3 %; 95 % CI: 0,0-1,0). Diese Zecken stammten ausschließlich vom Waldstandort. Ixodes ricinus Nymphen waren signifikant häufiger infiziert als I. ricinus Larven (χ²: 26,7; p <0,0001). Ein Vorkommen von I. trianguliceps Zecken war ausschließlich am silvatischen Standort nachweisbar. Gesogene I. trianguliceps und I. ricinus Zecken waren zu einer geringen Prävalenz positiv (14,3 % bzw. 0,2 %).
Aufgrund der hohen CNM Prävalenzen und dem möglichen diaplazentaren Übertragungsweg in Mäusen, ist CNM wahrscheinlich eher ein Nager-assoziiertes als ein Zecken-assoziiertes Pathogen. Die Prävalenzen in Nagern waren außerdem 10-mal so hoch, als in gesaugten und wirtssuchenden Zecken. Aufgrund der niedrigen Prävalenzen sind die untersuchten Nagerarten wahrscheinlich nur zufällige Wirte für A. phagocytophilum. Die Zirkulation von B. microti scheint dort wahrscheinlicher, wo es eine sympatrische Existenz von Wühlmäusen und I. trianguliceps Zecken gibt. Im Gegensatz dazu war die Prävalenz in Apodemus spp. gering und somit ist davon auszugehen, dass Mäuse dieser Familie an den untersuchten Standorten für den Erhalt von B. microti eine untergeordnete Rolle spielen
A silicon-membrane based artificial feeding system for Amblyomma sculptum nymphs
No full textThe aim of the study was to establish an artificial feeding system (AFS), based on silicon membranes, for Amblyomma sculptum nymphs and compare it to classical feeding systems using laboratory animals. Three cohorts of 60 nymphs were fed on a rabbit, calf, and with the newly established AFS using prewarmed (38 °C) defibrinated bovine blood. The attachment rate (38.3%) as well as the engorgement rate (36.7%) in the AFS were both significantly lower (p = 0.0001; p = 0.0002) than in the animal-based feeding systems (73.3–85%). Subsequent development of engorged nymphs was similar regarding engorgement weight (11.96–16.3 mg) and subsequent molting (78.3–100%) into adults in all three cohorts. The main limitations of the AFS are the low attachment and engorgement rates, which require further optimization to enhance initial attraction to the membrane, for instance, by adding external attractants to the membrane or stimulating agents such as ATP to the bovine blood. Despite these limitations, the developed AFS provides a valuable tool for future research on ticks, tick-borne diseases and drug efficacy.EEA RafaelaFil: Obiegala, Anna. University of Leipzig. Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. Institute of Animal Hygiene and Veterinary Public Health; AlemaniaFil: Król, Nina. University of Leipzig. Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. Institute of Animal Hygiene and Veterinary Public Health; AlemaniaFil: Heyse, Lara M.I. University of Leipzig. Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. Institute of Animal Hygiene and Veterinary Public Health; AlemaniaFil: Pfeffer, Martin. University of Leipzig. Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. Institute of Animal Hygiene and Veterinary Public Health; AlemaniaFil: Montini, Martina. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias; ArgentinaFil: Nava, Santiago. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Rafaela. Instituto de Investigación de la Cadena Láctea (IDICAL); ArgentinaFil: Nava, Santiago. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Investigación de la Cadena Láctea (IDICAL); ArgentinaFil: Sebastian, Patrick. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Rafaela. Instituto de Investigación de la Cadena Láctea (IDICAL); ArgentinaFil: Sebastian, Patrick. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Investigación de la Cadena Láctea (IDICAL); Argentin
Tick-borne pathogens in raccoons (Procyon lotor) from Germany
No full textGermany is harbouring the majority of Europe's raccoon population, which are considered as invasive neozoa. Many zoonotic pathogens are found in wild raccoons worldwide, but there is a lack of eco-epidemiological data for most of Germany's raccoon populations concerning tick-borne pathogens (TBPs). This is why tissue samples of 485 free-ranging raccoons originating from ten federal states of Germany between the years of 2017 and 2021 were examined for the presence of five TBPs (Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, Rickettsia spp., Bartonella spp., Babesia spp. and Neoehrlichia mikurensis) with zoonotic relevance using molecular methods. Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato was detected in 21 (6.3 %) raccoons, Rickettsia spp. were found in 26 (7.8 %) and Bartonella spp. in 3 (0.6 %) raccoons. Babesia spp. and Neoehrlichia mikurensis were not detected.EEA RafaelaFil: Heyse, Lara M.I. University of Leipzig. Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. Institute of Animal Hygiene and Veterinary Public Health; AlemaniaFil: Król, Nina. University of Leipzig. Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. Institute of Animal Hygiene and Veterinary Public Health; AlemaniaFil: Rentería-Solís, Zaida. University of Leipzig. Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. Institute of Parasitology; AlemaniaFil: Langner, Torsten. University of Leipzig. Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. Institute of Food Hygiene; AlemaniaFil: Reinhardt, Nico P. State Agency for Nature, Environment and Consumer Protection North Rhine-Westphalia. Wildlife Research Institute; AlemaniaFil: Pfeffer, Martin. University of Leipzig. Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. Institute of Animal Hygiene and Veterinary Public Health; AlemaniaFil: Birka, Stefan. University of Leipzig. Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. Institute of Food Hygiene; AlemaniaFil: Sebastian, Patrick. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Rafaela. Instituto de Investigación de la Cadena Láctea (IDICAL); ArgentinaFil: Sebastian, Patrick. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Investigación de la Cadena Láctea (IDICAL); ArgentinaFil: Obiegala, Anna. University of Leipzig. Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. Institute of Animal Hygiene and Veterinary Public Health; Alemani
Candidatus Neoehrlichia Mikurensis—Recent Insights and Future Perspectives on Clinical Cases, Vectors, and Reservoirs in Europe
No full textPurpose of Review
Ticks are among the most important vectors of pathogens concerning animal and human health worldwide. Candidatus Neoehrlichia mikurensis (CNM) is a recently discovered intracellular bacterium of the order Rickettsiales associated with human clinical cases. In this review, we give an overview on the current knowledge of CNM in connection with diagnosis, clinical cases, and treatment and discuss the newest developments in the knowledge on potential vectors and reservoirs.
Recent Findings
Small mammals and in particular rodents seem to be the most likely reservoir hosts for CNM in Europe. Ticks may be competent vectors in which the pathogen is transstadially transmitted. In both, vectors and reservoirs, vertical transmission is controversially discussed. Some recent studies suggested that CNM may be rather rodent- than tick-associated. As regards clinical cases, mainly immunosuppressed persons are affected but evidence of contact to CNM has also been established in some healthy people. Many other aspects such as important life history traits of CNM remain unknown and neglected in both research and diagnosis.
Summary
CNM is a highly interesting tick-borne and rodent-associated pathogen that under the right preconditions can cause severe disease in human beings. The cultivation of this intracellular bacterium of the order Rickettsiales seems to be the most pressing task to tackle in the future research on this pathogen
Detection of <i>Mycoplasma</i> spp., herpesviruses, topiviruses, and ferlaviruses in samples from chelonians in Europe
No full text We tested samples from 1,015 chelonians in Europe for Mycoplasma spp., herpesviruses, ranaviruses, picornaviruses, and ferlaviruses by PCR. Mycoplasma spp. were detected in 42.1% and herpesviruses were detected in 8.0% of tested chelonians. Differentiation of the herpesviruses revealed that 46.9% of the detected chelonian viruses were testudinid herpesvirus 1 (TeHV-1) and 54.3% were TeHV-3, including co-detections of TeHV-1 and -3 in 3 tortoises. TeHV-4 was detected in a leopard tortoise ( Stigmochelys pardalis), and a herpesvirus that could not be further characterized was found in a pond slider ( Trachemys scripta). Picornaviruses (topiviruses) were detected in 2.2% of the tested animals; ferlaviruses were found in 0.6%; no ranaviruses were detected in any of the animals tested. Mycoplasma spp. were detected significantly more often in Horsfield’s tortoises ( Testudo horsfieldii), leopard tortoises, and Indian star tortoises ( Geochelone elegans) than in other species. Horsfield’s tortoises were also significantly more often positive for TeHV-1. Mycoplasma and TeHV-1 were co-detected in 3.0%, and mycoplasma and TeHV-3 in 2.3%. The TeHV-4–positive tortoise was also positive for mycoplasma. Mycoplasma and picornaviruses were co-detected in 1.2% of the tortoises. A spur-thighed tortoise ( Testudo graeca) was positive for mycoplasma and a ferlavirus. In some cases, >2 pathogens were detected. A significant correlation between mycoplasma and herpesvirus detection was found. Of all tested animals, 47.6% were positive for at least one pathogen, demonstrating the importance of pathogen detection in captive chelonians. </jats:p
7. Prevention and control of tick-borne anaplasmosis, cowdriosis and babesiosis in the cattle industry
No full textMolekular epidemiologische Begutachtung der Variantenverbreitung von A. phagocytophilum in verschiedenen Wirtsspezies in Deutschland und anderen Teilen Europas
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Auswirkungen des Klimawandels auf die Lebensbedingungen von Nagetieren, assoziierten Parasiten und Pathogenen
No full textRodents are hosts of parasitic arthropods and their pathogens that can infl ict serious diseases in humans and livestock. Future effects of climate change may affect reproduction, development and population dynamics of rodents as weil as host-seeking behavior of arthropod vectors and their ability to transmit disease agents. This ongoing project aims to examine the effect of climate change on ectoparasites and pathogens with sanitary relevant zoonotic potential and consequences for rodent species that are regarded as pest species in agriculture and forestry.
The „Global Change Experimental Facility" provides an ideal setting at a suitable spatial scale to identify such effects in field conditions. Altogether 10 plots, each consisting ofrandomly distributed 400 m2 patches of five different land use types, are used. Climate conditions are manipulated in half of the plots to reflect future temperature and precipitation while the other plots are unmanipulated experimental controls. Over three years, rodents, ectoparasites and pathogens will be studied. From about April to October, rodents are trapped with up to 8 live traps per patch per month for three consecutive days. Animals are individually marked with PIT tags. Blood and tissue samples are taken, sex, weight and reproduction documented, ectoparasites collected and individuals released at the point of capture.
In 2019, 305 individuals were caught, mostly Apodemus spp. and Microtus spp„ Altogether more individuals were caught on intensively used grassland. Data collected so far do not allow assessing a climate effect on rodents, ectoparasites and pathogens or their preference for specific land use types. Preliminary results have to be supplemented and validated with further field data
The enzootic life-cycle of Borrelia burgdorferi (sensu lato) and tick-borne rickettsiae: an epidemiological study on wild-living small mammals and their ticks from Saxony, Germany
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