Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases最新文献

{"title":"Evaluation of Theileria equi vertical transmission rate and routes in a cohort of asymptomatic mares and their foals","authors":"Lisa-Marie Hermans ,&nbsp;Claire Bonsergent ,&nbsp;Anne Josson ,&nbsp;Gloria Rocafort-Ferrer ,&nbsp;Marine Le Guyader ,&nbsp;Sophie Angelloz-Pessey ,&nbsp;Agnès Leblond ,&nbsp;Laurence Malandrin","doi":"10.1016/j.ttbdis.2024.102432","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ttbdis.2024.102432","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Equine piroplasmosis is a tick-borne disease mainly caused by <em>Theileria equi</em> and <em>Babesia caballi</em>. The objectives of this study were to analyse the frequency and routes of vertical transmission of these blood parasites from 179 asymptomatic mares to their foals. Foals were sampled within 72 h post-partum. The seroprevalences determined by Indirect Immunofluorescent Antibody Test (IFAT) and based on a subset sample of 107 couples, were 59.8% and 42.1% for <em>T. equi</em> and <em>B. caballi</em>, respectively in the mare population, and 54.2% and 40.2% in the foal population. A species-specific nested PCR was performed on all blood samples (358) and on available samples of placenta (24), umbilicus (6) and colostrum (18). For mares, 30.2% (54/179) and 2.2% (4/179) were PCR-positive for <em>T. equi</em> and <em>B. caballi</em>, respectively. Vertical transmission was not observed in the case of <em>B. caballi</em>, and four foals were born <em>T. equi</em> PCR-positive, giving a transmission rate of 7.4% (4/54). The blood smear evaluation showed viable <em>T. equi</em> parasites for the four foals without clinical signs of neonatal equine piroplasmosis, but one foal had acute renal failure. <em>Theileria equi</em> DNA was detected in umbilical cords, placenta and/or colostrum from PCR-positive mares, without correlation with the carrier status of the foal. One foal was born carrier but <em>T. equi</em> DNA had not been detected in the placenta. The 18S rRNA genotype E of <em>T. equi</em> was characterized in the four foals, foetal parts of the placenta and colostrum. The routes of transmission and particularly the possibility of colostral passage warrant further investigation.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49320,"journal":{"name":"Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases","volume":"16 1","pages":"Article 102432"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142899835","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Nation-wide surveillance of tick (Acari: Ixodidae) infestations of humans in Singapore","authors":"Mackenzie L. Kwak ,&nbsp;Jean-Marc Chavatte ,&nbsp;Chia-Da Hsu ,&nbsp;Abigail Ng ,&nbsp;Benjamin P Y-H Lee ,&nbsp;Nazmi Bin Nazir ,&nbsp;Nadia Faradilla Maharani Abas ,&nbsp;Erica Qian Hui Lee ,&nbsp;Ryo Nakao ,&nbsp;Benoit Malleret","doi":"10.1016/j.ttbdis.2025.102441","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ttbdis.2025.102441","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Ticks are an increasingly important threat to public health in Southeast Asia, due to the role of many tick species as parasites of humans and as vectors of zoonotic pathogens. Singapore is a densely populated Southeast Asian nation with a rich tick fauna and a significant mosaic of city and greenspace. However, apart from occasional case reports, the human-biting ticks in Singapore have received little attention from researchers. Based on an ongoing nationwide tick surveillance program beginning in 2018 and literature records (since 2002), we present data from 51 cases of tick infestation in humans in Singapore involving 128 individual ticks of 11 species. The genera <em>Dermacentor, Haemaphysalis, Ixodes</em>, and <em>Amblyomma</em> were all found to bite humans in Singapore. The most common species infesting humans in Singapore was <em>Dermacentor auratus</em> which was responsible for more than half of all infestations. The first records of <em>Haemaphysalis papuana</em> in Singapore are also presented, with 3 cases of human infestation by this tick species. Finally, we highlight the Singapore National Tick Reference Collection (SNTRC) as an invaluable resource for the identification and study of ticks in Singapore.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49320,"journal":{"name":"Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases","volume":"16 1","pages":"Article 102441"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143015013","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Equine piroplasmosis in different geographical areas in France: Prevalence heterogeneity of asymptomatic carriers and low genetic diversity of Theileria equi and Babesia caballi","authors":"Maggy Jouglin ,&nbsp;Claire Bonsergent ,&nbsp;Nathalie de la Cotte ,&nbsp;Mickaël Mège ,&nbsp;Céline Bizon ,&nbsp;Anne Couroucé ,&nbsp;Élodie-Anne Lallemand ,&nbsp;Agnès Leblond ,&nbsp;Louise C Lemonnier ,&nbsp;Aurélia Leroux ,&nbsp;Ilaria Marano ,&nbsp;Alexandre Muzard ,&nbsp;Émilie Quéré ,&nbsp;Marion Toussaint ,&nbsp;Albert Agoulon ,&nbsp;Laurence Malandrin","doi":"10.1016/j.ttbdis.2024.102434","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ttbdis.2024.102434","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Equine piroplasmosis is a worldwide tick-borne disease caused by the parasites <em>Theileria equi</em> sensu lato and <em>Babesia caballi</em>, with significant economic and sanitary consequences. These two parasites are genetically variable, with a potential impact on diagnostic accuracy.</div><div>Our study aimed to evaluate the frequency of asymptomatic carriers of these parasites in France and describe the circulating genotypes. We developed a species-specific nested PCR protocol targeting the 18S small sub-unit (SSU) rRNA gene and used it on blood samples collected from 566 asymptomatic horses across four National Veterinary Schools.</div><div>The carrier frequency varied from 18.7 % around Paris (central-north) to 56.1 % around Lyon (southeast), with an overall prevalence of 38.3 %. <em>Theileria equi</em> carriers were ten times more frequent (91.7 %; 209/228 isolates) compared to <em>B. caballi</em> carriers (8.3 %; 19/228 isolates). Notably, <em>T. equi</em> carrier frequency was significantly lower in the northern region (Ile de France) compared to the southeastern regions. A positive relationship was observed between the frequencies of asymptomatic carriers and the frequency of previous acute piroplasmosis reported from the owner across all four geographic areas. Neither horse gender nor age showed a significant effect on the frequency of asymptomatic carriers. In some areas, a substantial proportion of horses (22.2 % to 37.5 %) carried <em>T. equi</em> before the age of three years, indicating high infection pressure.</div><div>Genotyping of 201 <em>T. equi</em> isolates revealed a predominance of genotype E (98 %) and few isolates belonging to genotype A (2 %). Notably, two of the four <em>T. equi</em> genotype A isolates were detected in horses originating from Spain. All 19 <em>B. caballi</em> isolates belonged to the genotype A.</div><div>The discussion section explores the link between these results, the tick distribution and abundance, and the frequency of detection of <em>T. equi</em> and <em>B. caballi</em> in febrile cases attributed to piroplasmosis.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49320,"journal":{"name":"Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases","volume":"16 1","pages":"Article 102434"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142928575","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Biological control of ticks in domestic environments: Modeling the potential impact of entomopathogenic fungi on the transmission of East Coast fever in cattle","authors":"Joseph Wang'ang'a Oundo ,&nbsp;Nienke Hartemink ,&nbsp;Mart C.M. de Jong ,&nbsp;Constantianus J.M. Koenraadt ,&nbsp;Shewit Kalayou ,&nbsp;Daniel Masiga ,&nbsp;Quirine ten Bosch","doi":"10.1016/j.ttbdis.2024.102435","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ttbdis.2024.102435","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Biological control of ticks using entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) is a highly desired alternative to chemical acaricides for the control of tick-borne pathogens. For <em>Metarhizium anisopliae</em> isolate ICIPE 7, one of these EPFs, efficacy against multiple tick species has been demonstrated in laboratory and field settings. However, we currently have little quantitative understanding of how EPFs can impact transmission. We developed a deterministic model of tick–host–pathogen interactions to explore how the effects of EPF on <em>Rhipicephalus appendiculatus</em> ticks may impact the transmission dynamics of East Coast fever (ECF) in cattle populations. We parameterized the multi-faceted effects of EPFs on tick dynamics using experimental data on Tickoff® biopesticide (a novel formulation of <em>M. anisopliae</em> ICIPE 7) and related EPFs. The epidemiological impact of EPF was evaluated across a range of product profiles and implementation strategies. Model results indicate that, for the explored product profiles, EPF derives most of its epidemiological impact through the delayed mortality effect. This EPF-induced mortality could not only reduce the onward <em>Theileria parva</em> transmission to cattle (both treated and untreated) but could also cause a reduction in the tick-to-host ratio and thus cattle exposure to ticks. The effects of EPF on reproduction fitness and engorgement of ticks elicit negligible impact. High levels of population coverage and treatment frequency are needed to reduce the tick population size and reach meaningful epidemiological impact in cattle populations. Additionally, increasing the persistence time of fungal conidia on cattle skin – through technological improvements to the EPF formulation–can substantially reduce acute infections when combined with appreciable population coverage levels, treatment frequency, and efficient spraying techniques. Our model analysis provides insights into the potential impact of EPF when deployed at a population level, and lends support to further research and development of this biological tick control tool.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49320,"journal":{"name":"Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases","volume":"16 1","pages":"Article 102435"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142916103","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Evaluating the need for standardised disease manifestation categories in patients infected with the tick-borne encephalitis virus: A Delphi panel","authors":"Kate Halsby ,&nbsp;Gerhard Dobler ,&nbsp;Ava Easton ,&nbsp;Guntis Karelis ,&nbsp;Lenka Krbková ,&nbsp;Jan Kyncl ,&nbsp;Johann Sellner ,&nbsp;Franc Strle ,&nbsp;Malin Veje ,&nbsp;Joanna Zajkowska ,&nbsp;Dace Zavadska ,&nbsp;Frederick J. Angulo ,&nbsp;Andreas Pilz ,&nbsp;Wilhelm Erber ,&nbsp;Meghan Gabriel ,&nbsp;Jon Russo ,&nbsp;Mark Price ,&nbsp;Harish Madhava ,&nbsp;Uta Katharina Meyding-Lamadé","doi":"10.1016/j.ttbdis.2024.102431","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ttbdis.2024.102431","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Categorization systems for tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) infection lack consistency in classifying disease severity. To evaluate the need for a standard, consensus-based categorisation system for TBEV infection across subtypes, we gathered an expert panel of clinicians and scientists with diverse expertise in TBEV infection. Consensus was sought using the Delphi technique, which consisted of 2 web-based survey questionnaires and a final, virtual, consensus-building exercise. Ten panellists representing 8 European countries participated in the Delphi exercise, with specialities in neurology, infectious disease, paediatrics, immunology, virology, and epidemiology. Panellists reached unanimous consensus on the need for a standardised, international categorisation system to capture both clinical presentation and severity of TBEV infection. Ideally, such a system should be feasible for use at bedside, be clear and easy to understand, and capture both the acute and follow-up phases of TBEV infection. Areas requiring further discussion were (1) the timepoints at which assessments should be made and (2) whether there should be a separate system for children. This Delphi panel study found that a critical gap persists in the absence of a feasible and practical classification system for TBEV infection. Specifically, the findings of our Delphi exercise highlight the need for the development of a user-friendly classification system that captures the acute and follow-up (i.e., outcome) phases of TBEV infection and optimally reflects both clinical presentation and severity. Development of a clinical categorisation system will enhance patient care and foster comparability among studies, thereby supporting treatment development, refining vaccine strategies, and fortifying public health surveillance.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49320,"journal":{"name":"Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases","volume":"16 1","pages":"Article 102431"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142873306","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Seasonal activities, morphological characteristics, and veterinary importance of Haemaphysalis mageshimaensis in Ishigaki and Yonaguni, Okinawa, Japan","authors":"Satoko Nakao ,&nbsp;Thillaiampalam Sivakumar ,&nbsp;Yuko Takakuwa ,&nbsp;Hajime Suzuki ,&nbsp;Keiichiro Ohta ,&nbsp;Keiko Nakamura ,&nbsp;Osamu Tsuha ,&nbsp;Yuzuru Ikehara ,&nbsp;Sanae Ikehara ,&nbsp;Syota Ohki ,&nbsp;Mizue Inumaru ,&nbsp;Yukiko Higa ,&nbsp;Rika Umemiya-Shirafuji ,&nbsp;Naoaki Yokoyama","doi":"10.1016/j.ttbdis.2025.102440","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ttbdis.2025.102440","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Ticks are of veterinary importance as they transmit various pathogens to animals. In Yaeyama, Okinawa, Japan, <em>Haemaphysalis longicornis</em> became the dominant tick species after the eradication of <em>Rhipicephalus</em> (<em>Boophilus</em>) <em>microplus</em> in the 1990s. However, any recent changes remained unclear due to lack of surveys. We surveyed questing ticks in pastures on Ishigaki and Yonaguni islands of Yaeyama, from September 2022 to May 2024. A total of 18,435 ticks, including 14,784 from Ishigaki and 3,651 from Yonaguni, were collected. The ticks collected in Ishigaki and Yonaguni included 7,637 and 2,697 larvae, 5,870 and 829 nymphs, and 1,277 and 125 adults, respectively. Morphological analysis classified all collected adults and nymphs as either <em>Haemaphysalis mageshimaensis</em> or <em>H. longicornis</em>. We observed that <em>H. mageshimaensi</em>s was dominant in both Ishigaki and Yonaguni, accounting for 99 % and 96 % of the populations, respectively, compared to <em>H. longicornis</em>. While adults and nymphs of <em>H. longicornis</em> were active in spring, summer, and autumn, <em>H. mageshimaensis</em> was active year-round. We found that the differences in the body colour and length, density and number of hairs on the second palp segment, and degree of protrusion on the outer edge of the third palp segment may be useful for differentiating <em>H. mageshimaensis</em> from <em>H. longicornis</em>. PCR screening of DNAs from selected ticks showed that 9.7 % of <em>H. mageshimaensis</em> and 25 % of <em>H. longicornis</em> were infected with <em>Theileria orientalis</em>. Our findings indicate that <em>H. mageshimaensis</em> has overtaken <em>H. longicornis</em> as the dominant species in Yaeyama, highlighting the need for year-round tick control measures.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49320,"journal":{"name":"Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases","volume":"16 1","pages":"Article 102440"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143015015","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Hyalomma aegyptium: Observed global distribution, imported specimens, preferred hosts and vector competence","authors":"Franz Rubel","doi":"10.1016/j.ttbdis.2025.102438","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ttbdis.2025.102438","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The tortoise tick <em>Hyalomma aegyptium</em> (Linnaeus, 1758) is a three-host tick, predominantly infesting land tortoises of the genus <em>Testudo</em>. A database was compiled, resulting in 557 <em>H. aegyptium</em> georeferenced locations in the Palearctic. This dataset covers the entire range of <em>H. aegyptium</em> for the first time. Thus, the natural distribution area of <em>H. aegyptium</em> extends from Morocco in northwestern Africa to Kyrgyzstan in Central Asia between 10° W–73° E and 28–46° N, which is shown in an overview map and four detailed maps covering North Africa, the Balkans, the Near East, and the Middle East. In addition, documented findings on land tortoises that have been exported worldwide as popular pets give an impression of the occurrence of <em>H. aegyptium</em> outside its natural distribution. The host species is known from 424 mapped <em>H. aegyptium</em> locations, which can be ranked as follows: 92.9% <em>Testudo</em> spp., 4.0% mammals (mainly hedgehogs and hares), 1.7% humans, 0.9% lizards and 0.5% birds. If only tortoise hosts are considered, these are 92.6% <em>Testudo graeca</em>, 3.8% <em>Testudo hermanni</em>, 2.8% <em>Testudo horsfieldii</em> and 0.8% <em>Testudo marginata</em>. It is striking that no infestation with <em>H. aegyptium</em> has been detected on <em>Testudo kleinmanni</em> in their natural habitat, but it was detected on imported specimens in Malta and the USA. Although numerous tick-borne pathogens have been detected in <em>H. aegyptium</em>, vector competence, i.e. the experimentally proved transmission of pathogens from the vector to the host, could only be demonstrated for three pathogens. These are the two blood parasites <em>Hemolivia mauritanica</em> and <em>Hepatozoon kisrae</em> as well as <em>Coxiella burnetii</em>, the causative agent of Q fever.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49320,"journal":{"name":"Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases","volume":"16 1","pages":"Article 102438"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143041943","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Seroprevalence of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato antibodies in English adult blood donors: A nationwide cross-sectional study, 2021–2022","authors":"Eilish Hart ,&nbsp;John Tulloch ,&nbsp;Daniel Bailey ,&nbsp;Tim Brooks ,&nbsp;Heli Harvala ,&nbsp;Peter Simmonds ,&nbsp;Roberto Vivancos ,&nbsp;Neil French ,&nbsp;Amanda Semper","doi":"10.1016/j.ttbdis.2025.102439","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ttbdis.2025.102439","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Estimates of Lyme disease incidence in England are based on reporting of cases with a laboratory-confirmed diagnosis only, underestimating total cases. In 2017 - 2018, two independent reviews commissioned by the UK Government highlighted the lack of official data on Lyme disease prevalence and incidence as a critical knowledge gap.</div></div><div><h3>Aim</h3><div>To estimate the prevalence of IgG antibodies in the English adult population specific for <em>Borrelia burgdorferi</em> sensu lato (Bbsl), the causative agent of Lyme disease.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>The prevalence of Bbsl-specific antibodies in the English population was estimated in a cross-sectional cohort, selected from an archive of residual NHS blood donor plasma samples (age range 17 - 84, collected between 2021 - 2022). 10,000 samples were randomly selected proportionate to the population size of each of the nine English administrative regions. 9,994 samples were tested using a standard two-tiered testing strategy, with an IgG/IgM ELISA followed by an IgG immunoblot (array) test for any sera with positive or indeterminate reactivity in the ELISA.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Out of the 9,994 samples tested, 482 were seroreactive by screening ELISA. After two-tier testing, 49 were confirmed positive. Regional and demographic differences in seroprevalence were observed after two-tier testing, but due to the low overall seroprevalence, were not significant upon multivariable analysis.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>The seroprevalence of <em>Borrelia burgdorferi</em> sensu lato-specific IgG in the English adult population (2021 - 2022), determined using two-tier testing was estimated at 0.49 % (95 % CI 0.36 – 0.65). This is lower than neighbouring UK nation Scotland and other northern European countries.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49320,"journal":{"name":"Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases","volume":"16 1","pages":"Article 102439"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143042142","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Surveillance of tick-borne encephalitis virus foci in Slovakia: A seroprevalence study in ruminants combined with virus detection in ticks","authors":"Martina Ličková ,&nbsp;Bronislava Víchová ,&nbsp;Markéta Derdáková ,&nbsp;Monika Sláviková ,&nbsp;Sabína Fumačová Havlíková ,&nbsp;Dana Zubriková ,&nbsp;Diana Selyemová ,&nbsp;Michal Chvostáč ,&nbsp;Lucia Blaňarová ,&nbsp;Viktória Čabanová ,&nbsp;Veronika Vaňová ,&nbsp;Lucia Šulejová ,&nbsp;Jana Kerlik ,&nbsp;Tomáš Szemes ,&nbsp;Katarína Šoltys ,&nbsp;Boris Klempa","doi":"10.1016/j.ttbdis.2025.102444","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ttbdis.2025.102444","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) is an important human pathogen that causes tick-borne encephalitis, a potentially fatal neurological disease. Human infections occur through tick bites or after the consumption of raw milk products from infected animals, causing alimentary outbreaks representing a significant public health problem in Slovakia. In the present study, a total of 1029 ruminant sera (from 672 sheep and 357 goats) from 18 localities, collected in Slovakia during 2017–2019 were initially screened for TBEV-specific antibodies by ELISA, and 98 (9.5 %) of them were confirmed as positive by the plaque reduction neutralization test or immunofluorescence assay. The differences in observed seroprevalence of 11.9 % (80/672) among sheep and of 5.0 % (18/357) among goats were significant. Tick screening was subsequently conducted near the surveyed farms where seropositive animals were identified. Overall, 2,534 ticks (2,528 <em>Ixodes ricinus,</em> 3 <em>Dermacentor reticulatus,</em> 2 <em>Dermacentor marginatus,</em> 1 <em>Haemaphysalis concinna</em>) from 7 collection sites were pooled and analysed by RT-qPCR, resulting in estimated prevalence of 2.86 % (ranging from 0.31 to 8.72 % at different sites). The estimated prevalence in adults was lower (2.15 %) than in nymphs (2.9 %). Positive ticks (all <em>I. ricinus</em>) and milk samples were then used for virus isolation. Three new cell culture isolates were prepared and sequenced. Obtained full-length genome sequences revealed high genetic diversity and phylogenetic clustering with virus strains found across Europe. The seroprevalence of TBEV in farm animals is an effective tool for identifying areas of virus circulation and guiding more in-depth field investigations of local tick populations. This combined approach of serological and virological surveillance provides valuable data for assessing the risk of alimentary TBEV infections and characterizing local TBEV strains.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49320,"journal":{"name":"Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases","volume":"16 1","pages":"Article 102444"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143168534","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Seasonal activity patterns of Ixodes scapularis and Ixodes pacificus in the United States","authors":"Lars Eisen","doi":"10.1016/j.ttbdis.2024.102433","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ttbdis.2024.102433","url":null,"abstract":"&lt;div&gt;&lt;div&gt;Knowledge of seasonal activity patterns of human-biting life stages of tick species serving as vectors of human disease agents provides basic information on when during the year humans are most at risk for tick bites and tick-borne diseases. Although there is a wealth of published information on seasonal activity patterns of &lt;em&gt;Ixodes scapularis&lt;/em&gt; and &lt;em&gt;Ixodes pacificus&lt;/em&gt; in the United States, a critical review of the literature for these important tick vectors is lacking. The aims of this paper were to: (i) review what is known about the seasonal activity patterns of &lt;em&gt;I. scapularis&lt;/em&gt; and &lt;em&gt;I. pacificus&lt;/em&gt; in different parts of their geographic ranges in the US, (ii) provide a synthesis of the main findings, and (iii) outline key knowledge gaps and methodological pitfalls that limit our understanding of variability in seasonal activity patterns. Based on ticks collected while questing or from wild animals, the seasonal activity patterns were found to be similar for &lt;em&gt;I. pacificus&lt;/em&gt; in the Far West and &lt;em&gt;I. scapularis&lt;/em&gt; in the Southeast, with synchronous activity of larvae and nymphs, peaking in spring (April to June) in the Far West and from spring to early summer (April to July) in the Southeast, and continuous activity of adults from fall through winter and spring with peak activity from fall through winter (November/December to March). In the colder climates of the Upper Midwest and Northeast, &lt;em&gt;I. scapularis&lt;/em&gt; adults have a bimodal seasonal pattern, with activity peaks in fall (October to November) and spring (April to May). The seasonal activity patterns for immatures differ between the Upper Midwest, synchronous for larvae and nymphs with peak activity in spring and summer (May to August), and the Northeast, where the peak activity of nymphs in spring and early summer (May to July) precedes that of larvae in summer (July to September). Seasonality of human tick encounters also is influenced by changes over the year in the level of outdoor activities in tick habitat. Studies on the seasonality of ticks infesting humans have primarily focused on the coastal Northeast and the Pacific Coast states, with fewer studies in the Southeast, inland parts of the Northeast, and the Upper Midwest. Discrepancies between seasonal patterns for peak tick questing activity and peak human infestation appear to occur primarily for the adult stages of &lt;em&gt;I. scapularis&lt;/em&gt; and &lt;em&gt;I. pacificus&lt;/em&gt;. Study design and data presentation limitations of the published literature are discussed. Scarcity of data for seasonal activity patterns of &lt;em&gt;I. pacificus&lt;/em&gt; outside of California and for &lt;em&gt;I. scapularis&lt;/em&gt; from parts of the Southeast, Northeast, and Upper Midwest is a key knowledge gap. In addition to informing the public of when during the year the risk for tick bites is greatest, high-quality studies describing current seasonal activity patterns also will generate the data needed for robust model-based projecti","PeriodicalId":49320,"journal":{"name":"Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases","volume":"16 1","pages":"Article 102433"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143170013","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}