Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases最新文献

{"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}

{"title":"Genome sequence of Ehrlichia muris from Ixodes ricinus collected in Italy on a migratory bird provides epidemiological and evolutionary insights","authors":"Carlo Croci ,&nbsp;Luca Erriquez ,&nbsp;Beatrice Bisaglia ,&nbsp;Greta Bellinzona ,&nbsp;Emanuela Olivieri ,&nbsp;Davide Sassera ,&nbsp;Michele Castelli","doi":"10.1016/j.ttbdis.2024.102409","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ttbdis.2024.102409","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Ticks are prominent vectors of several zoonotic diseases. Tick-borne pathogens include the members of the genus <em>Ehrlichia</em>, which are obligate intracellular bacteria infecting immune and hematopoietic cells. <em>Ehrlichia muris</em> predominantly affects rodents, but was also reported to be a human pathogen. The known geographical distribution of this bacterium ranges from Asia, to the USA and eastern Europe. In the present work, we report the finding of <em>E. muris</em> in an <em>Ixodes ricinus</em> tick collected from a migratory bird (<em>Turdus iliacus</em>) in Italy, southern Europe. We sequenced the total DNA from this tick sample, and, thanks to a dedicated bioinformatic pipeline, selectively assembled the genome of the bacterium, which represents the first one for <em>E. muris</em> from Europe. Phylogenetic and comparative genomic analyses were then performed. Accounting for tick species distribution, bird migratory routes, and molecular phylogeny of the bacterium, it is likely that this bird transported the tick to Italy from an endemic area of <em>E. muris</em>, such as eastern Europe.</div><div>In addition, comparative genomic analyses highlighted that <em>E. muris</em> and other <em>Ehrlichia</em> spp. display copy number variations in two families of membrane proteins, likely due to recent gene duplication, deletion and recombination events. These differences are probably a source of variability for surface antigens to evade host immunity, with a potential role in host adaptation and specificity. The present results underline the impact of migratory birds on the spread of tick-borne pathogens towards non-endemic areas, highlighting the need for further epidemiological surveillance at bird ringing stations in Italy, and advocating further investigations on possible local transmission of <em>E. muris</em> in competent mammalian hosts.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49320,"journal":{"name":"Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases","volume":"15 6","pages":"Article 102409"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2024-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142570158","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":"Corrigendum to “Calf immunization protocols with low-virulence isolates of Anaplasma marginale: analysis of post-inoculation effects and protection against natural challenge” [Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases 16 (2025) 102394]","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.2024.102412","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ttbdis.2024.102412","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":49320,"journal":{"name":"Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases","volume":"15 6","pages":"Article 102412"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2024-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142711638","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-borne virus infection in wild animals: Investigation of the emerging Yezo virus in Hokkaido, Japan","authors":"Mebuki Ito ,&nbsp;Miku Minamikawa ,&nbsp;Anastasiia Kovba ,&nbsp;Hideka Numata ,&nbsp;Tetsuji Itoh ,&nbsp;Takuma Ariizumi ,&nbsp;Asako Shigeno ,&nbsp;Yuki Katada ,&nbsp;Shiho Niwa ,&nbsp;Yurie Taya ,&nbsp;Yuto Shiraki ,&nbsp;Gita Sadaula Pandey ,&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.2024.102419","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ttbdis.2024.102419","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Yezo virus (YEZV) is an emerging tick-borne virus that causes acute febrile illness. It has been continuously reported in patients and ticks in Japan and China since its first identification in Hokkaido, Japan. While serological tests have demonstrated that YEZV infections are prevalent in wild animals, such as raccoons (<em>Procyon lotor</em>), the determinants of infection in wild animals remain largely unknown. We examined the prevalence of YEZV in invasive raccoons, native tanukis (raccoon dogs, <em>Nyctereutes procyonoides albus</em>), and ticks in six study areas in Hokkaido between 2018 and 2023 to identify ecological factors underlying YEZV infection in wild animals. YEZV RNA fragments were detected in 0.22% of the 1,857 questing ticks. Anti-YEZV antibodies were detected in 32 of the 514 (6.2%) raccoon serum samples and in 5 of the 40 (12.5%) tanuki serum samples. Notably, the seroprevalence in raccoons varied significantly in one of the study areas over the years, that is, 0.0%, 60.0%, and 28.6% in 2021, 2022, and 2023, respectively, implying the temporary emergence of YEZV microfoci. By analyzing the tick load and YEZV seropositivity in raccoons in a field-based setting, we found a positive correlation between adult <em>Ixodes ovatus</em> load and YEZV-antibody positivity, highlighting the importance of <em>I. ovatus</em> in YEZV infection in wild animals. We also explored the environmental and host factors influencing YEZV seropositivity in raccoons and tanukis and found that landscape factors, such as the size of forest area around the trap site, were crucial for YEZV seropositivity in these animals. The significant variables for YEZV seropositivity in raccoons were partially different from those affecting tick infestation intensity in raccoons. The present results extend our understanding of tick-borne virus circulation in the field, emphasizing the unique ecology of the emerging YEZV.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49320,"journal":{"name":"Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases","volume":"15 6","pages":"Article 102419"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2024-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142744923","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":"Molecular investigation of tick-borne pathogens from different regions of Morocco","authors":"Ana Cláudia Norte ,&nbsp;El-Mustapha Laghzaoui ,&nbsp;Andreia Guerreiro-Nunes ,&nbsp;El Hassan El Mouden ,&nbsp;Maria Sofia Núncio ,&nbsp;Rita de Sousa ,&nbsp;Isabel Lopes de Carvalho","doi":"10.1016/j.ttbdis.2024.102418","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ttbdis.2024.102418","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Tick-borne pathogens are a worldwide threat to public health that can only be mitigated by knowledge on tick-host associations coupled with surveillance of their infection by pathogenic microorganisms. This information is not equally available throughout tick vector distribution range and is deficient in some geographical areas. In this study we did a molecular survey of tick-borne pathogens associated with different tick species in Morocco. We analyzed four different species of <em>Hyalomma</em> (<em>Hyalomma aegyptium, Hyalomma anatolicum, Hyalomma dromedarii</em> and <em>Hyalomma impeltatum</em>) and <em>Rhipicephalus sanguineus</em> sensu lato ticks from four vertebrate hosts and from the vegetation. The most common tick species collected was <em>H. aegyptium</em> feeding on <em>Testudo graeca</em> tortoises, followed by <em>H. anatolicum</em> from the vegetation. <em>Hyalomma aegyptium</em> feeding on <em>T. graeca</em> was found infected with <em>Borrelia turcica</em>, representing the first detection for Western North Africa, and <em>Rickettsia sibirica</em> mongolitimonae, also detected for the first time in Morocco. <em>Rickettsia aeschlimannii</em> was also detected in <em>H. aegyptium</em> feeding on <em>T. graeca</em>. Additionally, <em>R. aeschlimannii</em> was detected in <em>H. anatolicum</em> from the vegetation, and <em>Rickettsia massiliae</em> in <em>R. sanguineus</em> s.l. from an Algerian hedgehog <em>Atelix algirus</em>. Because <em>H. aegyptium</em> are common parasites of <em>T. graeca</em> tortoises, and these animals are subjected to pet trade, it is important to evaluate the associated human health risks through regular surveillance and perform awareness campaigns for prevention of the general public.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49320,"journal":{"name":"Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases","volume":"15 6","pages":"Article 102418"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2024-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142744979","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}