Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases最新文献

{"title":"Assessing the potential risk of lone star tick, Amblyomma americanum, establishment in California","authors":"Janet Foley,&nbsp;Francesca Rubino,&nbsp;Drew Kam,&nbsp;Kailyn Lozano","doi":"10.1016/j.ttbdis.2025.102566","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ttbdis.2025.102566","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The lone star tick (LST), <em>Amblyomma americanum,</em> is an aggressive human biter and important vector of the causative agents of tick-borne diseases. As geographic ranges of multiple <em>Amblyomma</em> species rapidly expand due to habitat changes and human and other animal movement patterns, there are concerns for establishment of LST in US states with suitable climates, such as California, especially given a dearth in gaps in tick surveillance. Importantly, previous niche modeling confirmed habitat in California along the length of the coast and coast range mountains. We sought data on LSTs and LST risk from 30 different entities including companies that identify and test ticks, natural history and entomology museums and collections, experts, and large databases. These queries and published records yielded records of 76 LSTs from California as well as two <em>Amblyomma cajennense</em> sensu lato<em>,</em> one <em>Amblyomma sabanerae,</em> one <em>Amblyomma maculatum,</em> and five <em>Amblyomma dissimile.</em> Among LSTs, there were 18 adult females, ten males, 13 adults for which sex was not recorded, 22 nymphs, two larvae, and 11 with no stage data. LSTs were recorded only during late spring through late summer, with all three feeding stages superimposed temporally. Active surveillance was conducted at nine sites considered high-risk due to earlier records of LSTs or high probability of establishment on niche modeling, using tick flagging, monitoring ovine and cervid hosts, and circulating a flier; no LSTs were recovered in this activity. We assessed risk for establishment of LSTs in California using invasion theory, prior niche modeling, literature review of ecological constraints on LSTs within their current range, data acquired in retrospective and prospective segments of this study, and expert consultation. Elevated risk is expected particularly along coastal California. Although some of these ticks likely were transported from out of state endemic regions, the findings of 76 LSTs, including all three feeding stages, in multiple counties raises concern that establishment in the future could occur in California.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49320,"journal":{"name":"Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases","volume":"16 6","pages":"Article 102566"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2025-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145507936","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Infection caused by a parasite most closely related to Hepatozoon luiperdjie in cats from Hungary","authors":"Gergő Kürtös ,&nbsp;Nóra Rácz ,&nbsp;Viktória Kassay ,&nbsp;Krisztián Olaszy ,&nbsp;Zsuzsanna Vizi ,&nbsp;Anna Szilasi ,&nbsp;Nóra Takács ,&nbsp;Gergő Keve ,&nbsp;Barbara Tuska-Szalay ,&nbsp;Sándor Hornok","doi":"10.1016/j.ttbdis.2025.102556","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ttbdis.2025.102556","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Feline hepatozoonosis, due to <em>Hepatozoon felis</em>, has been recently reported in wild cats from Central Europe. At the same time, only two isolated cases were reported in domestic cats, one in Austria, and another in Hungary. In the southern part of Central Europe, Hungary, three cats were presented at two small animal clinics in the course of 1.5 months, their most important clinical findings included anaemia (for all three cats), malignant neoplasia (case #1), chyloabdomen, splenomegaly and hepatic nodules (case #2), and dyspnoea (case #3). <em>Hepatozoon</em> gamonts measuring 12.3 × 6 μm were present in 0.1–0.3 % of the neutrophilic granulocytes. A nearly 1700 bp-long-part of the 18S rRNA gene of this species showed only 98.3 % and 97.7 % sequence identities with <em>H. felis</em> and <em>H. silvestris</em>, respectively. Based on the phylogenetic analysis of this long part of the 18S rRNA gene, this protozoon clustered separately, with moderately high (87 %) support, from <em>H. felis</em> and was a sister species to <em>H. silvestris</em>. In a shorter part of the 18S rRNA gene, the <em>Hepatozoon</em> species in this study had 99.6 % sequence identity to <em>Hepatozoon luiperdjie</em>, and they clustered together phylogenetically, although with low (56 %) support. Based on morphological characteristics and phylogenetic relationships, the protozoan parasite emerging among domestic cats in the southern part of Central Europe is a species most closely related to <em>H. luiperdjie</em>. The emergence of this protozoan parasite in the region warrants monitoring among domestic cats in other countries of Central Europe.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49320,"journal":{"name":"Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases","volume":"16 6","pages":"Article 102556"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2025-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145269647","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Expression patterns of chemokine mediators and TLR10 in natural bovine babesiosis and anaplasmosis infections","authors":"Mayne Barboza Sarti ,&nbsp;Geovana Menegão de Souza ,&nbsp;Camila Fagionato Agostinho ,&nbsp;Gustavo Henrique Carvalho Borges ,&nbsp;Flávia Fernanda Carneiro Santana ,&nbsp;Luciana Morita Katiki ,&nbsp;Anibal Eugênio Vercesi Filho ,&nbsp;Ana Gonçalves Domingos ,&nbsp;Rodrigo Giglioti","doi":"10.1016/j.ttbdis.2025.102546","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ttbdis.2025.102546","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Cattle tick fever, caused by the protozoa <em>Babesia bovis</em> and <em>B. bigemina</em> and the rickettsial bacterium <em>Anaplasma marginale</em>, represents a significant constraint to livestock productivity worldwide. Taurine cattle are considered more susceptible to these hemoparasites than zebuine breeds. Chemokines and Toll-like Receptors (TLRs) play key roles in immune processes such as chemotaxis and inflammation, primarily through interactions with respective receptors. This study assessed the relationship between the expression of four chemokine-related genes (<em>ccr3, cxcl12, cxcl8,</em> and <em>cxcr1</em>) and one TLR (<em>tlr10</em>) with the infection levels of <em>B. bovis, B. bigemina</em>, and <em>A. marginale</em> in 24 naturally infected calves from two genetic groups (Angus [<em>n</em> = 13; 100% taurine] and Ultrablack [<em>n</em> = 11; 82% Angus, 18% zebuine]). Blood samples were collected every 30 days over six time points (Nov 2021–Apr 2022). DNA was used to quantify hemoparasite loads by qPCR (log DNA copy number, CNlog), while RNA was used for RT-qPCR-based gene expression analysis. A mixed model was used to assess associations between gene expression and infection levels, controlling for evaluation, sex, genetic group, and their interactions. All genes, except <em>cxcl12</em>, showed significant associations with at least one hemoparasite. Higher <em>B. bovis</em> and <em>B. bigemina</em> CNlog values were linked to reduced expression of most genes, whereas <em>A. marginale</em> infection was associated with increased gene expression. These findings highlight distinct immune modulation strategies by hemoparasites and underscore the need for species-specific interventions. Further studies are required to explore the mechanisms by which these mediators influence susceptibility or resistance in cattle.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49320,"journal":{"name":"Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases","volume":"16 6","pages":"Article 102546"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2025-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145103187","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Assortative mating in Ixodes scapularis Say, 1821 (Acari: Ixodidae)","authors":"Lorenza Beati ,&nbsp;Matteo Montagna ,&nbsp;Jean Tsao ,&nbsp;Thierry de Meeûs","doi":"10.1016/j.ttbdis.2025.102550","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ttbdis.2025.102550","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Mate choice influences levels of inbreeding and genetic diversity in natural populations. Positive assortative mating (PAM), for instance, has been described in <em>Ixodes ricinus</em> L., but this behavior has yet to be investigated in the closely related <em>Ixodes scapularis</em> Say, 1821<em>.</em> By analyzing nine microsatellite loci of 30 females and 30 males removed <em>in copula</em> from hunter-harvested deer specimens at the Savannah River Site (South Carolina) during the hunting season of fall 2010, we found a weak but significant assortative pairing signature in a population that, otherwise, appeared genetically homogeneous. This indicated that in spite of a low average relative relatedness between members of the same pair, the difference between observed and all other possible male-female pairs was highly significant. The results suggested that our non-coding microsatellite loci were drafted by genes coding for PAM, through genetic hitchhiking. To explain our data, such genes would need to be homogeneously distributed in the genome and span from a few genes with major effects on PAM to many genes with moderate or weak effects on PAM.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49320,"journal":{"name":"Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases","volume":"16 6","pages":"Article 102550"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2025-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145103194","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Checklist and diversity of tick fauna associated with domestic animals in Cambodia","authors":"Sony Yean ,&nbsp;Didot Budi Prasetyo ,&nbsp;Theary Ren ,&nbsp;Davy Krib ,&nbsp;Saoya Sen ,&nbsp;Bunthon Chea ,&nbsp;Sothyra Tum ,&nbsp;Sorn San ,&nbsp;Samuth Sum ,&nbsp;Sarah Bonnet ,&nbsp;Sébastien Boyer","doi":"10.1016/j.ttbdis.2025.102570","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ttbdis.2025.102570","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The tick fauna in Cambodia is poorly documented, with limited information on the diversity and distribution of tick species. This study aimed to address this knowledge gap by investigating tick species collected from various hosts, and across different habitats and regions of the country. Tick sampling was conducted in urban areas, rural villages, farms, and forest fringes, with additional samples obtained from a wildlife rescue center, caves, and swiftlet nests. Ticks were collected directly from hosts, as well as on vegetation through flagging methods. Tick species were identified morphologically, and selected specimens were subjected to molecular identification using the <em>cox1</em> gene. A total of 853 vertebrate hosts representing 13 different animals, including five wildlife, were inspected: buffalo, cats, cattle, chickens, dogs, ducks, goats, goose, pigs, pigeons, pangolins, pythons, and wild pigs. From this first nationwide tick collection, a total of 7,461 ticks were collected, comprising six genera and 14 species of ticks, including seven newly identified species such as <em>Carios batuensis, Dermacentor steini, Dermacentor filippovae, Haemaphysalis canestrinii, Haemaphysalis formosensis, Haemaphysalis hystricis</em>, and <em>Haemaphysalis wellingtoni. Rhipicephalus microplus</em> and <em>Rhipicephalus linnaei</em> were the most predominant tick species collected from cattle and dogs, respectively, whereas no ticks were found on buffaloes, chickens, ducks, goose, pigs or pigeons. Results showed that ticks are widely distributed throughout Cambodia, with particularly rich diversity observed in forest fringes habitats. This study also allowed the number of tick species identified in the country with seven additional species, bringing the total to 26.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49320,"journal":{"name":"Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases","volume":"16 6","pages":"Article 102570"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2025-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145574808","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Seroprevalence of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato and incidence of Lyme borreliosis in Switzerland","authors":"Rahel Ackermann-Gäumann ,&nbsp;Christoph Niederhauser ,&nbsp;Peter Gowland ,&nbsp;Frederick J. Angulo ,&nbsp;Alexandra Loew-Baselli ,&nbsp;Gordon Brestrich ,&nbsp;Ye Tan ,&nbsp;Michelle Covi ,&nbsp;Andreas Pilz ,&nbsp;James Stark ,&nbsp;Antony Croxatto ,&nbsp;Reto Lienhard","doi":"10.1016/j.ttbdis.2025.102568","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ttbdis.2025.102568","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Lyme borreliosis (LB), caused by <em>Borrelia burgdorferi</em> sensu lato (Bbsl), is a significant public health concern in Switzerland. Reliable data on seroprevalence and incidence are needed to better understand disease burden and inform prevention strategies. This study aimed to estimate the seroprevalence of Bbsl-specific antibodies and the incidence of symptomatic LB infections in the Swiss adult population.</div><div>We analyzed Bbsl-specific IgG antibodies in 2,194 residual plasma samples from blood donors (aged 18–75 years) collected at seven Swiss Red Cross donation centers between September and December 2022. Samples were tested using the Liaison® Borrelia IgG VlsE chemiluminescence immunoassay and confirmed with the SeraSpot Anti-Borrelia-10 IgG assay according to National Reference Laboratory interpretative criteria.</div><div>The overall seroprevalence was 6.1%, with higher prevalence in males (8.2%) than in females (2.9%) and regional variation ranging from 1.6% in Genève to 8.8% in Bern. Based on seroprevalence data, the estimated incidence of symptomatic Bbsl infections was 224 cases per 100,000 population per year (PPY). This estimate, although 1.3 times higher, is similar to the incidence derived from the Sentinella surveillance network. Using Sentinella data, clinically diagnosed erythema migrans was the most common manifestation (150 cases per 100,000 PPY), while disseminated forms, confirmed by clinical and laboratory criteria, occurred less frequently (1.0–8.5 cases per 100,000 PPY).</div><div>Our findings provide critical insights into the burden of LB in Switzerland, highlight its public health relevance, and reinforce the importance of preventive measures. Future research should focus on longitudinal monitoring and harmonized methodologies to facilitate cross-country comparisons.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49320,"journal":{"name":"Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases","volume":"16 6","pages":"Article 102568"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2025-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145534838","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Patterns of demographic and behavioral factors associated with tick encounters in Maine (USA) using passive surveillance data","authors":"Griffin M. Dill ,&nbsp;Thomas F. Rounsville ,&nbsp;Ann M. Bryant ,&nbsp;Allison M. Gardner","doi":"10.1016/j.ttbdis.2025.102573","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ttbdis.2025.102573","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>While ecological factors drive tick abundance and pathogen prevalence, human behaviors and demographics can interact with these ecological drivers to shape tick encounter risk. We analyzed 7848 tick submissions and associated survey responses from Maine residents collected from January 2020 through December 2022 via a passive tick surveillance program. We examined the spatial and demographic differences in the use of tick prevention strategies among individuals who submitted tick specimens. We investigated differences in tick encounter frequency across reported property types and human activities and differences in tick attachment sites on the body, based upon human age and tick life stage. We found that personal protection measures were used prior to only 15 % of reported tick encounters, with higher usage reported for ticks found on adults than children and by individuals engaged in high-perceived-risk activities including camping, hunting, hiking, and agricultural work. We also detected spatial differences, with residents of southern regions that generally have higher acarological risk employing preventive measures more frequently than those in northern regions. Tick encounters were commonly reported at participants’ residences, often during yardwork/gardening and outdoor play. We noted age-related patterns in bite frequency and attachment sites, with children more frequently bitten on the head and neck and adults on the legs and torso. Across all age classes, immature ticks tended to attach lower on the body. By identifying high-risk areas, vulnerable age groups, predominant tick attachment sites, and gaps in protective practices, our findings can inform the development and implementation of targeted tick protection interventions.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49320,"journal":{"name":"Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases","volume":"16 6","pages":"Article 102573"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2025-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145589842","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Comparison of the number of Lyme neuroborreliosis cases in European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) data and national public surveillance reports, 2018–2023","authors":"Alexander Davidson ,&nbsp;Frederick J. Angulo ,&nbsp;Julie Davis ,&nbsp;Kate Halsby ,&nbsp;Gordon Brestrich ,&nbsp;Jennifer C. Moïsi ,&nbsp;James H. Stark","doi":"10.1016/j.ttbdis.2025.102542","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ttbdis.2025.102542","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Lyme borreliosis (LB) is the most common vector-borne disease in Europe. At least 29 European Economic Area (EEA) countries publish online LB surveillance reports. However, countries have different criteria for what is notifiable for LB surveillance, limiting comparability. EEA countries began reporting Lyme neuroborreliosis (LNB) cases, a disseminated LB manifestation, to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) in 2018, using a uniform case definition. This analysis compared LNB data from ECDC and national surveillance reports to evaluate their utility in monitoring LB in Europe. LNB surveillance data from 2018 to 2023 were downloaded from ECDC. Nationally reported online LB surveillance data from EEA countries were identified and reviewed. Countries that reported LNB cases in national surveillance and to ECDC were included and case data were compared. Of 31 EEA countries during 2018 to 2023, 11 (35 %) differentiated LNB cases in their national published LB surveillance; eight of these also reported to ECDC. The number of LNB cases published in national reports in these eight countries did not exactly match the number of LNB cases reported to ECDC but overall disease trends were similar. Comparing the LNB cases from eight countries in ECDC and national surveillance demonstrates that both capture evolving LNB disease trends despite some differences in the number of cases reported to each. To allow for more robust comparisons of LB burden and trends across Europe, harmonizing case definitions and reporting mechanisms for LB would provide great value.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49320,"journal":{"name":"Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases","volume":"16 6","pages":"Article 102542"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2025-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145108878","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Ticks in changing times: Drought seems to be a main driver of declining Ixodes ricinus abundance in an urban setting","authors":"Orhan Bozbey,&nbsp;Andrea Springer,&nbsp;Anna-Katharina Topp,&nbsp;Antje Glass,&nbsp;Christina Strube","doi":"10.1016/j.ttbdis.2025.102567","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ttbdis.2025.102567","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Urban green spaces promote human well-being, but also represent areas of tick infestation and pathogen transmission risk. In Hanover city, Germany, long-term monitoring of questing tick abundance was initiated in 2017–2018 (Hauck et al., 2020). Here, we combine this data with a six-year follow-up, including the 2018–2020 and 2022 Europe-wide drought periods. Additionally, the density of infected nymphs (DIN) was calculated including pathogen prevalence data from 2020 (Glass et al., 2022). Tick density was observed to decline after drought years with a time lag, falling from an average of 25 and 26 ticks per 100 m² in 2017 and 2018 to 20 ticks in 2019, 16 in 2020 and 6 in 2021, which is a reduction of almost 75%. After the precipitation-rich year of 2021, density began to recover in 2022 (7 ticks/100 m²), but remained low in 2023 (10 ticks/100 m²) and 2024 (8 ticks/100 m²). After the 8-year observation period, tick density has therefore been reduced by almost 70% compared to initial values. Generalized linear mixed modelling showed significant associations between <em>I. ricinus</em> density and climatic variables. The DIN per monitoring site was 0.03–9.76/100 m², 0.00–0.04/100 m² and 0.11–16.81/100 m² for <em>Borrelia</em> spp., <em>A. phagocytophilum</em>, and <em>Rickettsia</em> species<em>.</em> This study strongly indicates that climate change, especially prolonged drought, affects <em>I. ricinus</em> populations in urban settings, and its long-term dataset can serve as a reference for future ecological and public-health risk assessments under a changing climate.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49320,"journal":{"name":"Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases","volume":"16 6","pages":"Article 102567"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2025-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145528868","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Prevalence of heartwater in Guadeloupe (2024): stable endemicity and evidence of spread to Les Saintes","authors":"Victor Dufleit ,&nbsp;Laure Guerrini ,&nbsp;Mélanie Dhune ,&nbsp;Laetitia Viry ,&nbsp;Armande Belfort ,&nbsp;Loïc Jacquet-Crétides ,&nbsp;Jimmy Deddy ,&nbsp;Joanna Cozier ,&nbsp;Michel Naves ,&nbsp;Ludovic Arthein ,&nbsp;Thony Samut ,&nbsp;Sylvie Lecollinet ,&nbsp;Manuel Pezeron ,&nbsp;Valerie Rodrigues ,&nbsp;Damien F Meyer ,&nbsp;Eric M C Etter","doi":"10.1016/j.ttbdis.2025.102569","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ttbdis.2025.102569","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Heartwater is a tick-borne disease caused by <em>Ehrlichia ruminantium</em> and remains endemic in the Guadeloupe archipelago. While previous data from 1989 suggested a seroprevalence of 22 % in cattle, no updated figures were available for livestock, and certain islands such as Les Saintes were considered disease-free.</div><div>This study aimed to update the sero-epidemiological status of heartwater in cattle and goats across Guadeloupe in 2024. Blood samples were collected from 261 cattle and 135 goats from all islands. Serological testing using the MAP1B ELISA was performed, and true seroprevalence was estimated using a simplified stochastic model that accounts for test sensitivity, specificity, and sample uncertainty. The mean cattle seroprevalence was estimated at 28 % (95 % CI [22–34 %]), with no significant differences between Basse-Terre, Grande-Terre, and Marie-Galante. Importantly, seropositive goats were identified on all major islands, including Les Saintes. Our findings suggest that heartwater remains endemically stable in Guadeloupe since the 1980s and reveal for the first time its serological presence in Les Saintes. These results emphasize the importance of strengthening regional surveillance systems, including veterinary reporting, serological monitoring, and coordinated efforts to prevent further spread across the Caribbean.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49320,"journal":{"name":"Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases","volume":"16 6","pages":"Article 102569"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2025-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145543691","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}