<it>Babesia</it> spp. and <it>Anaplasma phagocytophilum</it> in questing ticks, ticks parasitizing rodents and the parasitized rodents – Analyzing the host-pathogen-vector interface in a metropolitan area
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The aims of this study were to evaluate the host-tick-pathogen interface of <it>Babesia</it> spp. and <it>Anaplasma phagocytophilum</it> in restored areas in both questing and host-attached <it>Ixodes ri...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2012-09-01
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| Series: | Parasites & Vectors |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.parasitesandvectors.com/content/5/1/191 |
| _version_ | 1818238177446461440 |
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| author | Silaghi Cornelia Woll Dietlinde Hamel Dietmar Pfister Kurt Mahling Monia Pfeffer Martin |
| author_facet | Silaghi Cornelia Woll Dietlinde Hamel Dietmar Pfister Kurt Mahling Monia Pfeffer Martin |
| author_sort | Silaghi Cornelia |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | <p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The aims of this study were to evaluate the host-tick-pathogen interface of <it>Babesia</it> spp. and <it>Anaplasma phagocytophilum</it> in restored areas in both questing and host-attached <it>Ixodes ricinus</it> and <it>Dermacentor reticulatus</it> and their small mammalian hosts.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Questing ticks were collected from 5 sites within the city of Leipzig, Germany, in 2009. Small mammals were trapped at 3 of the 5 sites during 2010 and 2011. DNA extracts of questing and host-attached <it>I. ricinus</it> and <it>D. reticulatus</it> and of several tissue types of small mammals (the majority bank voles and yellow-necked mice), were investigated by PCR followed by sequencing for the occurrence of DNA of <it>Babesia</it> spp. and by real-time PCR for <it>A. phagocytophilum</it>. A selected number of samples positive for <it>A. phagocytophilum</it> were further investigated for variants of the partial <it>16S rRNA</it> gene. Co-infection with <it>Rickettsia</it> spp. in the questing ticks was additionally investigated.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>4.1% of questing <it>I. ricinus</it> ticks, but no <it>D. reticulatus</it>, were positive for <it>Babesia</it> sp. and 8.7% of <it>I. ricinus</it> for <it>A. phagocytophilum</it>. Sequencing revealed <it>B. microti</it>, <it>B. capreoli</it> and <it>Babesia</it> spp. EU1 in Leipzig and sequence analysis of the partial <it>16S RNA</it> gene of <it>A. phagocytophilum</it> revealed variants either rarely reported in human cases or associated with cervid hosts. The statistical analysis revealed significantly less ticks infected with <it>A. phagocytophilum</it> in a city park in Leipzig as compared to the other sampling sites. <it>A. phagocytophilum</it>-DNA was detected in 2 bank voles, DNA of <it>B. microti</it> in 1 striped field-mouse and of <it>Babesia</it> sp. EU1 in the skin tissue of a mole. Co-infections were detected.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Our results show the involvement of small mammals in the natural endemic cycles of tick-borne pathogens. A more thorough understanding of the interactions of ticks, pathogens and hosts is the essential basis for effective preventive control measures.</p> |
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| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-6407fb1491db41c984f3956d2e91edd1 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1756-3305 |
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| last_indexed | 2024-12-12T12:37:30Z |
| publishDate | 2012-09-01 |
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| series | Parasites & Vectors |
| spelling | doaj.art-6407fb1491db41c984f3956d2e91edd12022-12-22T00:24:17ZengBMCParasites & Vectors1756-33052012-09-015119110.1186/1756-3305-5-191<it>Babesia</it> spp. and <it>Anaplasma phagocytophilum</it> in questing ticks, ticks parasitizing rodents and the parasitized rodents – Analyzing the host-pathogen-vector interface in a metropolitan areaSilaghi CorneliaWoll DietlindeHamel DietmarPfister KurtMahling MoniaPfeffer Martin<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The aims of this study were to evaluate the host-tick-pathogen interface of <it>Babesia</it> spp. and <it>Anaplasma phagocytophilum</it> in restored areas in both questing and host-attached <it>Ixodes ricinus</it> and <it>Dermacentor reticulatus</it> and their small mammalian hosts.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Questing ticks were collected from 5 sites within the city of Leipzig, Germany, in 2009. Small mammals were trapped at 3 of the 5 sites during 2010 and 2011. DNA extracts of questing and host-attached <it>I. ricinus</it> and <it>D. reticulatus</it> and of several tissue types of small mammals (the majority bank voles and yellow-necked mice), were investigated by PCR followed by sequencing for the occurrence of DNA of <it>Babesia</it> spp. and by real-time PCR for <it>A. phagocytophilum</it>. A selected number of samples positive for <it>A. phagocytophilum</it> were further investigated for variants of the partial <it>16S rRNA</it> gene. Co-infection with <it>Rickettsia</it> spp. in the questing ticks was additionally investigated.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>4.1% of questing <it>I. ricinus</it> ticks, but no <it>D. reticulatus</it>, were positive for <it>Babesia</it> sp. and 8.7% of <it>I. ricinus</it> for <it>A. phagocytophilum</it>. Sequencing revealed <it>B. microti</it>, <it>B. capreoli</it> and <it>Babesia</it> spp. EU1 in Leipzig and sequence analysis of the partial <it>16S RNA</it> gene of <it>A. phagocytophilum</it> revealed variants either rarely reported in human cases or associated with cervid hosts. The statistical analysis revealed significantly less ticks infected with <it>A. phagocytophilum</it> in a city park in Leipzig as compared to the other sampling sites. <it>A. phagocytophilum</it>-DNA was detected in 2 bank voles, DNA of <it>B. microti</it> in 1 striped field-mouse and of <it>Babesia</it> sp. EU1 in the skin tissue of a mole. Co-infections were detected.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Our results show the involvement of small mammals in the natural endemic cycles of tick-borne pathogens. A more thorough understanding of the interactions of ticks, pathogens and hosts is the essential basis for effective preventive control measures.</p>http://www.parasitesandvectors.com/content/5/1/191<it>Babesia</it> spp<it>Anaplasma phagocytophilum</it><it>Ixodes ricinus</it><it>Dermacentor reticulatus</it>Bank voleYellow-necked mouseRecreational areaHost surveyVector-host relation |
| spellingShingle | Silaghi Cornelia Woll Dietlinde Hamel Dietmar Pfister Kurt Mahling Monia Pfeffer Martin <it>Babesia</it> spp. and <it>Anaplasma phagocytophilum</it> in questing ticks, ticks parasitizing rodents and the parasitized rodents – Analyzing the host-pathogen-vector interface in a metropolitan area Parasites & Vectors <it>Babesia</it> spp <it>Anaplasma phagocytophilum</it> <it>Ixodes ricinus</it> <it>Dermacentor reticulatus</it> Bank vole Yellow-necked mouse Recreational area Host survey Vector-host relation |
| title | <it>Babesia</it> spp. and <it>Anaplasma phagocytophilum</it> in questing ticks, ticks parasitizing rodents and the parasitized rodents – Analyzing the host-pathogen-vector interface in a metropolitan area |
| title_full | <it>Babesia</it> spp. and <it>Anaplasma phagocytophilum</it> in questing ticks, ticks parasitizing rodents and the parasitized rodents – Analyzing the host-pathogen-vector interface in a metropolitan area |
| title_fullStr | <it>Babesia</it> spp. and <it>Anaplasma phagocytophilum</it> in questing ticks, ticks parasitizing rodents and the parasitized rodents – Analyzing the host-pathogen-vector interface in a metropolitan area |
| title_full_unstemmed | <it>Babesia</it> spp. and <it>Anaplasma phagocytophilum</it> in questing ticks, ticks parasitizing rodents and the parasitized rodents – Analyzing the host-pathogen-vector interface in a metropolitan area |
| title_short | <it>Babesia</it> spp. and <it>Anaplasma phagocytophilum</it> in questing ticks, ticks parasitizing rodents and the parasitized rodents – Analyzing the host-pathogen-vector interface in a metropolitan area |
| title_sort | it babesia it spp and it anaplasma phagocytophilum it in questing ticks ticks parasitizing rodents and the parasitized rodents analyzing the host pathogen vector interface in a metropolitan area |
| topic | <it>Babesia</it> spp <it>Anaplasma phagocytophilum</it> <it>Ixodes ricinus</it> <it>Dermacentor reticulatus</it> Bank vole Yellow-necked mouse Recreational area Host survey Vector-host relation |
| url | http://www.parasitesandvectors.com/content/5/1/191 |
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