Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases最新文献

{"title":"Ticks and tick-borne pathogens on Belle-Île-en-Mer: An exploratory study in a western French island environment","authors":"A. Haidar-Ahmad ,&nbsp;C. Barthel ,&nbsp;P. Boyer ,&nbsp;G. Joncour ,&nbsp;B. Degeilh ,&nbsp;N. Boulanger","doi":"10.1016/j.ttbdis.2024.102399","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ttbdis.2024.102399","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The islands of Brittany provide unique ecosystems for ticks and tick-borne diseases owing to their oceanic climate, influencing interactions among ticks, hosts, and pathogens. We conducted a preliminary investigation on Belle-Île-en-Mer, an island off the Atlantic coast of Brittany in western France, to assess the prevalence of questing adult ticks and associated human pathogenic bacteria. <em>Dermacentor</em> spp<em>.</em> were found to dominate the tick population (61 %): 23 % <em>Dermacentor reticulatus</em> and 77 % <em>D. marginatus. Haemaphysalis punctata</em> (27 %) was also prevalent on the island, and <em>Ixodes ricinus</em> (12 %) was detected for the first time on Belle-Île-en-Mer. Both <em>Dermacentor</em> species harbored either <em>Rickettsia slovaca</em> (24 %) or <em>Rickettsia raoultii</em> (20 %), whereas <em>I. ricinus</em> carried <em>Borrelia burgdorferi</em> sensu lato and <em>Anaplasma phagocytophilum</em> but not <em>Borrelia miyamotoi</em> or <em>Neoehrlichia mikurensis</em>. Detection of two potentially pathogenic species in the <em>B. burgdorferi</em> sensu lato complex, <em>B. afzelii</em> and <em>B. lusitaniae</em>, along with <em>A. phagocytophilum</em> underscores the current risk of Lyme borreliosis and anaplasmosis. The high prevalence of <em>Rickettsia</em> infection in <em>Dermacentor</em> indicates an additional risk of human rickettsioses.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49320,"journal":{"name":"Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases","volume":"16 1","pages":"Article 102399"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2024-09-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1877959X2400092X/pdfft?md5=220379e0982b2c406886c77200a19492&pid=1-s2.0-S1877959X2400092X-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142310344","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":"Calf immunization protocols with low-virulence isolates of Anaplasma marginale: Analysis of post-inoculation effects and protection against natural challenge","authors":"Filipe Lucas de Melo Mendonça ,&nbsp;Matheus Figueiredo Coelho ,&nbsp;Camila Valgas Bastos ,&nbsp;Júlia Angélica Gonçalves da Silveira ,&nbsp;Rafael Romero Nicolino ,&nbsp;Jose Azael Zambrano Uribe ,&nbsp;Múcio Flávio Barbosa Ribeiro ,&nbsp;Bruna Torres Silvestre ,&nbsp;Rodrigo Melo Meneses ,&nbsp;Antônio Último de Carvalho ,&nbsp;Tiago Facury Moreira ,&nbsp;Elias Jorge Facury-Filho","doi":"10.1016/j.ttbdis.2024.102394","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ttbdis.2024.102394","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Bovine anaplasmosis is endemic and is of fundamental importance worldwide. Therefore, measures for controlling and preventing clinical diseases are warranted to ensure the reduction of associated economic losses. The objective of the present study was to assess the post-inoculation effects and protection conferred by three different protocols of inoculation of low-virulence live strains of <em>Anaplasma marginale</em> (UFMG1 and UFMG3) in field-challenged cattle. Sixty-eight Holstein calves with an average age of 17 days were randomly divided into four groups. The groups received two subcutaneous administrations spaced 40 days apart, at a dosage of 2 × 10⁶ infected erythrocytes of the following <em>A. marginale</em> strains: G1 (UFMG1 + UFMG1); G2 (UFMG3 + UFMG3); G3 (UFMG1 + UFMG3); and G4 (control). Every two days, the animals were evaluated for rectal temperature, Packed Cell Volume (PCV), and blood smears. Blood samples were collected prior to inoculation, before the field challenge, and after the challenge period, nPCR and IFAT techniques were performed. There were no significant differences in rickettsemia levels, reduction in PCV, or antibody detection among the different inoculation strategies. Forty days after the second inoculation, 90 %, 84.6 %, and 90.9 % of the animals in G1, G2, and G3, respectively, tested positive using nPCR. After inoculation, the group G2, which received the UFMG3 inoculum, had a higher frequency of treatment (odds ratio of 6.7; 1.198-38.018 CI; <em>p</em> = 0.03), while groups G1 and G3 demonstrated similar treatment frequencies compared to the control. During the natural challenge phase, 13.3 % of animals in group G1 required treatment (odds ratio of 0.108; 0.018-0.635 CI; <em>p</em> = 0.014) compared to 58.8 % of the control group. Considering the results collectively, the protocol using the UFMG1 strain (G1) stands out for its potential to be safe and induce some degree of immunization against <em>A. marginale</em>, reducing the incidence of clinical disease and the need for treatment during natural challenge.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49320,"journal":{"name":"Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases","volume":"16 1","pages":"Article 102394"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2024-09-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1877959X24000876/pdfft?md5=bc677300f4e100b6ab7a6836040ce789&pid=1-s2.0-S1877959X24000876-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142299402","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":"Knowledge, attitudes and behaviour towards ticks and tick-borne diseases—A survey among Lyme borreliosis cases in Bavaria in 2019","authors":"Stefanie Böhm ,&nbsp;Volker Fingerle ,&nbsp;Andreas Beyerlein ,&nbsp;Manfred Wildner ,&nbsp;Merle M. Böhmer","doi":"10.1016/j.ttbdis.2024.102396","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ttbdis.2024.102396","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Lyme borreliosis (LB) is the most common tick-borne disease (TBD) in Germany. In Bavaria, the average annual incidence of reported cases was 34.3 cases per 100,000 inhabitants between 2013 and 2020, although case numbers were presumed to be substantially higher. Since no vaccine against LB is currently available, prevention focuses on individual protection measures. This study aims to address knowledge, attitudes, and behaviours among LB cases, a population group at increased exposure to ticks, tick bites and repeated infections.</p><p>We invited Bavarian LB cases reported between weeks 23 and 35 in 2019 to participate in a questionnaire study. Questions included socio-demographic characteristics, experiences with TBDs, potential tick exposures, details of the recent episode of LB, and knowledge, attitudes, and behaviours regarding TBDs and protection measures.</p><p>Among the 377 participants, 300 were adults/adolescents, 77 were children (&lt;14 years). Two third resided in rural areas. Although mostly well informed, a significant proportion of participants did not know or were misinformed about availability of repellents (48.5 %), risk of LB in their district (24.9 %), ticks not falling from trees (22.1 %) and non-availability of vaccination against LB (20.9 %). Even though a majority perceived checking for ticks after spending time outdoors, wearing long clothes, wearing closed shoes and tucking pants in socks as effective protection measures against tick bites, a much lower proportion applied those measures frequently (proportions perceived vs. applied: 99.2 % vs. 72.1%; 93.8 % vs. 40.2 %, 88.8 % vs. 51.1 % and 85.4 % vs. 16.8 %, respectively).</p><p>Identified lack of knowledge or misconception regarding risk factors, availability of protection measures and tick behaviour may hamper application of recommended protection measures. There appeared to be a discrepancy between perceived effectiveness and frequency of application of protection measures. Addressing identified gaps in education campaigns, specifically targeting people living in rural areas, and utilising physician-patient interactions for education are promising entry points to increase awareness and prevent TBDs. Moreover, motivators and barriers for the application of preventive behaviour should be subject of future studies.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":49320,"journal":{"name":"Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases","volume":"16 1","pages":"Article 102396"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2024-09-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1877959X2400089X/pdfft?md5=9d03a727cfe4da7f68ad5d07521b5457&pid=1-s2.0-S1877959X2400089X-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142244154","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":"Seropositivity to tick-borne pathogens in nature management workers in the Netherlands","authors":"B.J.A. Hoeve-Bakker ,&nbsp;G. Çelik ,&nbsp;O.E. van den Berg ,&nbsp;C.C. van den Wijngaard ,&nbsp;A. Hofhuis ,&nbsp;J.H.J. Reimerink ,&nbsp;S.F.T. Thijsen ,&nbsp;K. Kerkhof","doi":"10.1016/j.ttbdis.2024.102397","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ttbdis.2024.102397","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>The incidence of tick-borne infections other than Lyme borreliosis and tick-borne encephalitis is rising in Europe, including the Netherlands. Nature management workers, being highly exposed to ticks, serve as valuable sentinels for seroprevalence studies on tick-borne pathogens (TBPs). This study assessed nature management workers’ seropositivity to TBPs including <em>Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Babesia divergens, B. microti, Borrelia burgdorferi</em> s.l., <em>Rickettsia conorii</em> and <em>R. typhi</em> in the Netherlands. In addition, the study examined coexposure to multiple TBPs and identified risk factors for <em>B. burgdorferi</em> s.l.- and <em>A. phagocytophilum</em>-seropositivity.</p><p>The study included 525 nature management workers who donated serum and completed a questionnaire. Sera were analysed for exposure to <em>A. phagocytophilum, B. divergens, B. microti, R. conorii</em> and <em>R. typhi</em> using immunofluorescence assays. For <em>B. burgdorferi</em> s.l. antibody detection, the recommended two-tier testing strategy was used. Risk factor analysis was performed using logistic regression modelling.</p><p>Seropositivity was 30.9 % for <em>B. burgdorferi</em> s.l.; 16.4 % for <em>A. phagocytophilum</em>; 6.5 % for <em>R. conorii</em>; 2.3 % for <em>R. typhi</em>; 4.2 % for <em>B. divergens</em>; and 0.4 % for <em>B. microti</em>. Almost half (49.3 %) of the participants demonstrated seropositivity for one or more pathogens. Risk factors for <em>B. burgdorferi</em> s.l.-seropositivity included being male, increasing age and tick bite frequency. For <em>A. phagocytophilum</em>-seropositivity, increasing age and working in North Holland province were significant risk factors.</p><p>This study illustrates the exposure to TBPs in the Netherlands, emphasizing the need for ongoing vigilance and international collaborations to better understand and address the growing threat of TBPs in regions with demonstrated environmental TBP circulation.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":49320,"journal":{"name":"Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases","volume":"16 1","pages":"Article 102397"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2024-09-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1877959X24000906/pdfft?md5=4c05bad0dfb6c78fb1c4ab49f3d7a12e&pid=1-s2.0-S1877959X24000906-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142230741","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":"Detection of Neoehrlichia mikurensis in 11 persons who attribute their persistent health complaints to a tick-borne disease","authors":"Audun Olav Dahlberg ,&nbsp;Audun Aase ,&nbsp;Harald Reiso ,&nbsp;Rune Midgard ,&nbsp;Hanne Quarsten","doi":"10.1016/j.ttbdis.2024.102391","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ttbdis.2024.102391","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><p><em>Neoehrlichia mikurensis</em> infections can cause symptomatic disease, particular among immunosuppressed persons. Long-lasting asymptomatic carriage of <em>N. mikurensis</em> may be common in endemic areas. This study explores possible associations between carriage of <em>N. mikurensis</em> DNA and persistent health complaints in persons who attribute their symptoms to a tick-borne disease.</p></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><p>Eleven persons tested positive for <em>N. mikurensis</em> DNA by PCR in a study cohort of 285 persons reporting persistent health complaints. The 11 persons were tested again in a follow-up sample. Oral doxycycline treatment was given if the confirmatory PCR-test was positive. Treatment response was assessed by telephone interview. Demographics, clinical manifestations, tick exposure, physical health, somatic symptom burden and fatigue were compared to persons with negative <em>N. mikurensis</em> PCR (controls, <em>N</em> = 274).</p></div><div><h3>Results</h3><p>Six persons had detectable <em>N. mikurensis</em> DNA in a follow-up sample up to 9.5 months after the index sample. Seven persons (one without a positive confirmative test) received doxycycline treatment. Three reported symptom restitution after completed antibiotic treatment. However, their symptoms were not clearly attributed to infection by <em>N. mikurensis</em>. We did not find any significant differences between infected persons and non-infected controls regarding their clinical manifestations and health burdens.</p></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><p>We corroborate previous evidence of long-term carriage of <em>N. mikurensis,</em> but cannot infer that to be causative of persistent health complaints.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":49320,"journal":{"name":"Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases","volume":"16 1","pages":"Article 102391"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2024-09-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1877959X24000840/pdfft?md5=0d9739b3a6a8cb3dd6b4f91de0b76cb8&pid=1-s2.0-S1877959X24000840-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142168551","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":"Clinical picture and outcome of the first identified case of human Neoehrlichia mikurensis infection in Finland","authors":"Ulla Hohenthal ,&nbsp;Jessica Tikkala ,&nbsp;Varpu Rinne ,&nbsp;Riikka Österback ,&nbsp;Anniina Keskitalo ,&nbsp;Annukka Pietikäinen ,&nbsp;Jukka Hytönen","doi":"10.1016/j.ttbdis.2024.102395","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ttbdis.2024.102395","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":49320,"journal":{"name":"Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases","volume":"16 1","pages":"Article 102395"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2024-09-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1877959X24000888/pdfft?md5=32f2ba534d7986289de58473e5ee3bdf&pid=1-s2.0-S1877959X24000888-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142168550","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":"Contributions of birds to the feeding of ticks at host community level: Effects of tick burden, host density and yearly fluctuations","authors":"Amalia Rataud ,&nbsp;Alex Drouin ,&nbsp;Laure Bournez ,&nbsp;Benoit Pisanu ,&nbsp;Sara Moutailler ,&nbsp;Pierre-Yves Henry ,&nbsp;Maud Marsot","doi":"10.1016/j.ttbdis.2024.102390","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ttbdis.2024.102390","url":null,"abstract":"&lt;div&gt;&lt;p&gt;The eco-epidemiology of tick-borne diseases hinges on the abundance and distribution of hosts that sustain tick populations and the pathogens they carry. Research into the role of bird species in the feeding of &lt;em&gt;Ixodes ricinus&lt;/em&gt; ticks, the primary tick species of veterinary and public health importance in Europe, remains scarce. This study endeavors to bridge these knowledge gaps by (i) assessing the density of feeding ticks (&lt;span&gt;&lt;math&gt;&lt;mrow&gt;&lt;mi&gt;D&lt;/mi&gt;&lt;mi&gt;F&lt;/mi&gt;&lt;mi&gt;T&lt;/mi&gt;&lt;/mrow&gt;&lt;/math&gt;&lt;/span&gt;) within a bird community to pinpoint species making substantial contributions, and (ii) exploring interannual variations in &lt;span&gt;&lt;math&gt;&lt;mrow&gt;&lt;mi&gt;D&lt;/mi&gt;&lt;mi&gt;F&lt;/mi&gt;&lt;mi&gt;T&lt;/mi&gt;&lt;/mrow&gt;&lt;/math&gt;&lt;/span&gt; over an extended timeline. Furthermore, we investigate whether variations in individual tick burden (&lt;span&gt;&lt;math&gt;&lt;mrow&gt;&lt;mi&gt;T&lt;/mi&gt;&lt;mi&gt;B&lt;/mi&gt;&lt;mo&gt;)&lt;/mo&gt;&lt;/mrow&gt;&lt;/math&gt;&lt;/span&gt; were more closely associated with the characteristics of bird species or interannual variations affecting the density of questing tick, using interannual &lt;span&gt;&lt;math&gt;&lt;mrow&gt;&lt;mi&gt;T&lt;/mi&gt;&lt;mi&gt;B&lt;/mi&gt;&lt;/mrow&gt;&lt;/math&gt;&lt;/span&gt; variation as a surrogate. To fulfill these aims, we conducted a 13-year longitudinal study monitoring &lt;em&gt;I. ricinus&lt;/em&gt; ticks feeding on a bird community in a periurban forest in France, covering breeding periods from 2007 to 2019. Within this community, we identified seven principal bird species significantly contributing to &lt;em&gt;I. ricinus&lt;/em&gt; tick feeding: the Common Blackbird (&lt;em&gt;Turdus merula&lt;/em&gt;), the Song Thrush (&lt;em&gt;Turdus philomelos&lt;/em&gt;), the European Robin (&lt;em&gt;Erithacus rubecula&lt;/em&gt;), the Dunnock (&lt;em&gt;Prunella modularis&lt;/em&gt;), the Eurasian Blackcap (&lt;em&gt;Sylvia atricapilla&lt;/em&gt;), the Great Tit (&lt;em&gt;Parus major&lt;/em&gt;), and the Common Nightingale (&lt;em&gt;Luscinia megarhynchos&lt;/em&gt;). Our results show that the bird community's contribution to tick feeding remained relatively consistent from year-to-year, though certain years displayed higher or lower &lt;span&gt;&lt;math&gt;&lt;mrow&gt;&lt;mi&gt;D&lt;/mi&gt;&lt;mi&gt;F&lt;/mi&gt;&lt;mi&gt;T&lt;/mi&gt;&lt;/mrow&gt;&lt;/math&gt;&lt;/span&gt; values related to the average over the study period. Moreover, five out the seven major species accounted for 80 % to 95 % of &lt;span&gt;&lt;math&gt;&lt;mrow&gt;&lt;mi&gt;D&lt;/mi&gt;&lt;mi&gt;F&lt;/mi&gt;&lt;mi&gt;T&lt;/mi&gt;&lt;/mrow&gt;&lt;/math&gt;&lt;/span&gt; annually. Consequently, we emphasized the need to broaden the scope of future research on bird contributions to tick population dynamics beyond merely thrushes (&lt;em&gt;Turdidae&lt;/em&gt; species), to encompass a more diverse range of species, particularly those common birds that engage in ground foraging activities. Furthermore, variations in individual tick burden were predominantly influenced by the characteristics of bird species rather than by interannual variability in infestation rates. This finding suggests a significant role for species-specific traits in determining tick exposure and susceptibility. In conclusion, our study offers new insights into the medium-term dynamics of tick-bird ecological systems, underscoring the need for future study of tick populat","PeriodicalId":49320,"journal":{"name":"Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases","volume":"15 6","pages":"Article 102390"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2024-09-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1877959X24000839/pdfft?md5=ed236ab14ee19f506244de66581f9fc7&pid=1-s2.0-S1877959X24000839-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142146659","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":"Description of Ornithodoros (Pavlovskyella) tartakovskyi using scanning electron microscopy, with notes on the morphology of Pavlovskyella sensu stricto and Theriodoros subgenera","authors":"Sebastián Muñoz-Leal ,&nbsp;Valentina Nova-Cancino ,&nbsp;Adam Sobieski ,&nbsp;Pedro Cachu ,&nbsp;Vasyl Tkach ,&nbsp;Michelle Michalski","doi":"10.1016/j.ttbdis.2024.102392","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ttbdis.2024.102392","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Accumulation of DNA sequence data and its use in systematics of the family Argasidae reveals new incongruencies between genera and subgenera, since several groups defined by classical taxonomy appear to be paraphyletic, which is the case of the subgenus <em>Pavlovskyella</em>. In order to identify morphological characters unique to one of the monophyletic groupings within <em>Pavlovskyella</em> and improve its system, we describe all active stages of <em>Ornithodoros</em> (<em>Pavlovskyella</em>) <em>tartakovskyi</em>, a species with an incomplete original description. Larvae, nymphs, males and females from Iran were examined with scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The larva of <em>O</em>. (<em>P</em>.) <em>tartakovskyi</em> lacks dorsal plate, posteromedian seta, postcoxal setae and a spinose area in palpal article I; the dorsal surface has 13 pairs of setae and the hypostome has two short rows of denticles in the apex only. The first nymphal instar (N1) has a micromammillated body with faint dorsal and ventral disks. The second nymphal instar (N2) shows mammillated body with an incipient hood, and dorsal disks outlined as in subsequent instars. Both N1 and N2 have a small patch of glabrous surface in the anterior margin of preanal groove, absent in posterior stages. Third nymphal instar (N3) has a small hood and lack cheeks, which are incipient in the fourth nymphal instar (N4). The four nymphal instars (N1–N4) have blunt hypostomes, striated capitula, non-mammillated legs, and 3 humps on tarsi I. Females and males of <em>O</em>. (<em>P</em>.) <em>tartakovskyi</em> have mammillated bodies, small cheeks not covering the capitulum, the anteromedian disk is placed anteriorly to anterior central disks, and a posterior median file of disks is merged with the median disk. We describe all postembryonic stages of <em>O</em>. (<em>P</em>.) <em>tartakovskyi</em> providing morphological characters that define <em>Pavlovskyella</em> sensu stricto and <em>Theriodoros</em>, a sister subgenus that includes similarly shaped species.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":49320,"journal":{"name":"Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases","volume":"15 6","pages":"Article 102392"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2024-08-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1877959X24000852/pdfft?md5=e12468f6ca080999dde6540829a3184a&pid=1-s2.0-S1877959X24000852-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142099673","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":"Publicly available surveillance data on tick-borne encephalitis in Europe, 2023","authors":"Frederick J․ Angulo ,&nbsp;Kate Halsby ,&nbsp;Alexander Davidson ,&nbsp;Saiganesh Ravikumar ,&nbsp;Andreas Pilz ,&nbsp;James H. Stark ,&nbsp;Jennifer C. Moïsi","doi":"10.1016/j.ttbdis.2024.102388","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ttbdis.2024.102388","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) defines a case of tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) as an infection by the TBE virus (TBEV) with clinical manifestations of central nervous system inflammation (e.g., meningitis, encephalitis). To better understand the TBE surveillance landscape, online searches were conducted to determine if cases of TBE, TBEV infection, acute meningitis or encephalitis, or viral meningitis or encephalitis were subject to statutory reporting in European countries in 2023. In countries with statutory reporting, notification responsibility and available information on surveillance-reported cases were determined. The number of TBE cases reported to ECDC were compared with the number of cases recorded in national surveillance reports. Of 44 countries of the Europe Region of the United Nations, 37 (84 %) mandated statutory reporting of cases of TBE, TBEV infection, or acute/viral meningitis/encephalitis. Twenty-six (87 %) of 30 countries with identified surveillance reports recorded TBE cases in 2020–2023. Of these countries, 17 (65 %) required TBE reporting by clinicians and laboratories, 5 (19 %) by clinicians only, and 4 (15 %) by laboratories only. Twenty-four countries reported on TBE cases to ECDC in 2020; however, surveillance for TBE in Europe is heterogeneous. Standardization of TBE surveillance would enhance the understanding of TBE disease burden in Europe.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":49320,"journal":{"name":"Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases","volume":"15 6","pages":"Article 102388"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2024-08-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1877959X24000815/pdfft?md5=f78ac8bd181addc8942cf9f8b826fe31&pid=1-s2.0-S1877959X24000815-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141977017","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":"Environmental and host factors underlying tick infestation in invasive raccoons (Procyon lotor) in Hokkaido, Japan","authors":"Mebuki Ito ,&nbsp;Miku Minamikawa ,&nbsp;Anastasiia Kovba ,&nbsp;Hideka Numata ,&nbsp;Tetsuji Itoh ,&nbsp;Yuki Katada ,&nbsp;Shiho Niwa ,&nbsp;Yurie Taya ,&nbsp;Yuto Shiraki ,&nbsp;Gita Sadaula Pandey ,&nbsp;Samuel Kelava ,&nbsp;Nariaki Nonaka ,&nbsp;Ryo Nakao ,&nbsp;Ryosuke Omori ,&nbsp;Yuma Ohari ,&nbsp;Norikazu Isoda ,&nbsp;Michito Shimozuru ,&nbsp;Toshio Tsubota ,&nbsp;Keita Matsuno ,&nbsp;Mariko Sashika","doi":"10.1016/j.ttbdis.2024.102389","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ttbdis.2024.102389","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Revealing interactions between ticks and wild animals is vital for gaining insights into the dynamics of tick-borne pathogens in the natural environment. We aimed to elucidate the factors that determine tick infestation in wild animals by investigating ticks on invasive raccoons (<em>Procyon lotor</em>) in Hokkaido, Japan. We first examined the composition, intensity, and seasonal variation of ticks infesting raccoons in six study areas in Hokkaido from March 2022 to August 2023. In one study area, ticks infesting tanukis (raccoon dog, <em>Nyctereutes procyonoides albus</em>) were collected in May to July in both 2022 and 2023, and questing ticks were collected from the vegetation by flagging every other week in the same period. Next, we screened 17 environmental and host variables to determine factors that affect the number of ticks infesting raccoons using generalized linear (mixed) models. From 245 raccoons, we identified a total of 3,917 ticks belonging to eight species of two genera: the most prominent species were <em>Ixodes ovatus</em> (52.9 %), followed by <em>Haemaphysalis megaspinosa</em> (14.4 %), <em>Ixodes tanuki</em> (10.6 %), and <em>Ixodes persulcatus</em> (9.5 %). <em>Ixodes ovatus</em> was also predominant among questing ticks and ticks infesting tanukis. Although <em>I. tanuki</em> was frequently collected from raccoons and tanukis, it was rarely collected in the field. The variables that significantly affected the infestation on raccoons differed by genus, species and developmental stage of the tick. For instance, the infestation of adult <em>I. ovatus</em> was significantly affected by four variables: night-time temperature during nine days before capturing the raccoon, the size of forest area around the capture site, sex of the raccoon, and sampling season. The first two variables were also responsible for the infestation on raccoons of almost all species and stages of ticks. Our study revealed that the number and composition of ticks infesting raccoons can be affected not only by landscape of their habitats but also by weather conditions in several days before capturing.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":49320,"journal":{"name":"Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases","volume":"15 6","pages":"Article 102389"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2024-08-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1877959X24000827/pdfft?md5=226089a5050c1cc34cdd5de2d102a33b&pid=1-s2.0-S1877959X24000827-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141978602","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}