Molecular detection of tick-borne bacteria and protozoa in cervids and wild boars from Portugal

Background: Wildlife can act as reservoir of different tick-borne pathogens, such as bacteria, parasites and viruses. The aim of the present study was to assess the presence of tick-borne bacteria and protozoa with veterinary and zoonotic importance in cervids and wild boars from the Centre and South of Portugal.Methods: One hundred and forty one blood samples from free-ranging ungulates including 73 red deer (Cervus elaphus), 65 wild boars (Sus scrofa) and three fallow deer (Dama dama) were tested for the presence of Anaplasma marginale/A. ovis, A. phagocytophilum, Anaplasma/Ehrlichia spp., Babesia/Theileria spp., Borrelia burgdorferi (sensu lato) (s.l.), and Rickettsia spp. DNA by PCR.Results: Anaplasma spp. DNA was detected in 33 (43.4 %) cervids (31 red deer and two fallow deer) and in two (3.1 %) wild boars while Theileria spp. were found in 34 (44.7 %) cervids (32 red deer and two fallow deer) and in three (4.6 %) wild boar blood samples. Sequence analysis of msp4 sequences identified A. marginale, A. ovis, while the analysis of rDNA sequence data disclosed the presence of A. platys and A. phagocytophilum and T. capreoli and Theileria sp. OT3. Anaplasma spp./Theileria spp. mixed infections were found in 17 cervids (22.4 %) and in two wild boars (3.1 %). All samples were negative for Babesia sp., B. burgdorferi (s.l.), Ehrlichia sp. or Rickettsia sp.Conclusions: This is the first detection of Anaplasma marginale, A. ovis, A. phagocytophilum, A. platys, Theileria capreoli and Theileria sp. OT3 in cervids and wild boars from Portugal. Further studies concerning the potential pathogenicity of the different species of Anaplasma and Theileria infecting wild ungulates, the identification of their vector range, and their putative infectivity to domestic livestock and humans should be undertaken

Significance of red deer [Cervus elaphus] in the ecology of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato

Background. Red deer (Cervus elaphus) is one of the most important host of the adult tick (Ixodes ricinus) which is the basic vector of the Lyme disease causative agent — Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato in Europe. The aim of the present study was to establish the role of red deer in the transmission of B. burgdorferi s.l. Material and methods. Tissues from 74 red deers were evaluated and the presence of B. burgdorferi s.l DNA was identified using nested PCR technique based on fla gene. The identification of species belonging to B. burgdorferi s.l complex was performed after restriction digestion of nested PCR product with DdeI enzyme and sequencing of nested PCR product. The study included also 55 isolates of I. ricinus females removed from red deer and 466 ticks (73 adult and 393 nymphs) collected from the vegetation in the area where the red deer lives. Results. There were no DNA of B. burgdorferi s.l complex in the red deer tissues and in ticks removed from deer, however in one tick removed from deer the DNA of other Borrelia species — B. miyamotoi was identified. In ticks collected from vegetation 3 species belonging to B. burgdorferi s.l. complex were identified: B. garinii (3.2% ticks studied), B. afzelii (6.9%) and B. valaisiana (3.6%), however DNA of B. miyamotoi was absent. These results confirm inability of survival of B. burgdorferi s.l. species in tick I. ricinus feeding on red deer blood. However there is a possibility of survival of B. miyamotoi in presence of deer blood at least in ticks feeding on red deer. The main role of red deer in keeping the constant infection level of B. burgdorferi s.l. in the whole population of I. ricinus ticks does not concern B. miyamotoi

Wystepowanie Ixodes ricinus na wybranych terenach rekreacyjnych b. wojewodztwa szczecinskiego. Cz.3

The occurrence of Ixodes ricinus in the selected recreative areas in the province of Szczecin. Part III. Within the last years, the incidences of diseascs transmitted by Ixodes ricinus tick have rapidly increased. We estimated the occurrence of Ixodes ricinus in the popuJlr recreation urban areas in Szczecin and in the Province of Szczecin. The study was carried out in 1999, with two samples at each site, and were compared with data of 1998. The temperature and humidity of air were measured. The most ticks were found in the range of 70-80% relative humidity of air. Among 3.198 specimens collected 59.5% were nymphs, 19.0% larvae, 11.1 % females and 10.4% males. The nymphs were the most frequent in spring and in autumn, while the larvae were most frequent in autumn (26.2%) then in spring (11.9%)

OCCURRENCE OF SPIROCHETES BORRELIA BURGDORFERI S. L. IN TICKS IXODES RICINUS IN THE FORESTS OF SZCZECIN PROVINCE

Presently acquired results are the outcome of, as for today, pilot-scale, preliminary study, although they were based on a tick (Ixodes ricinus) population of 533 individuals, collected from the vicinity of Szczecin. The areas sampled have been considered as recreational, which means they are frequented by a large number of people. The ticks were collected in 1996 in two seasons: spring-summer and summer-autumn. The overall prevalence of the spirochetes B. burgdorferi sensu lato, in the tick population studied, was 12.6%, while that of the spring-summer season reached 25.5%, decreasing in the summer-autumn season down to 2.3%

GENETIC DIVERSITY OF BORRELIA BURGDORFERI SENSU LATO IN IXODES RICINUS TICKS COLLECTED IN NORTH-WEST POLAND

Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (s. I.), the etiological agent of Lyme diesease, is transmitted by the bite of Ixodes ricinus. During May and September 1999, field surveys on Lyme disease spirochetes were conducted in three locations of a region of north-west Poland, known as recreational districts visited by many people. The ticks Ixodes ricinus were collected in natural habitats by dragging a flanel cloth over the vegetation. Sex and developmental stage of each tick were determined. Based on a polymerase chain reaction test with primers that recognize a chromosomal gene of all strains, out of the total 1414 specimens collected, 126 (8.9%) were found to be infected. the species B. burgdorferi s. 1. comprises at least three pathogenic genomospecies, B. burgdorferi sensu stricto (s. s.), Borrelia garinii, and Borerelia afzelii, witch could be distinguished in nested-PCR tests with species-specific primers. B. burgdorferi s. s. was most prevalent (96% of infected ticks), followed by B. garinii (1.3%), and B. afzelii. was not found. Of the infected ticks, over the 99% were infected with a single species; one specimens was infected with two species. For 4 ticks, the infecting species could not be identied. The difference in rates of prevalence was observed among the tree locations (17%-5.3%-3.2%)

Wystepowanie Ixodes ricinus na wybranych terenach rekreacyjnych b. wojewodztwa szczecinskiego. Cz.2

The aim of the study was to estimate the occurrence (the quantative and rate percent) of Ixodes ricinus in the popular recreation areas in Szczecin (Arkonka, Osów, Głębokie, Landscape Park of Szczecin, Dąbie Forest Park, Zdroje Forest Park) and in province of Szczecin (Forest of Goleniów, Ińsko, Pobierowo, Chojna). Investigations were performed in 1998 year, twice on each places; in May/June and repeted in September/October. The temperature and humidity of air were measured. Obtained specimens were regard of sex and growing stage during each collection. A total of 2.055 specimens collected 49% were nymphs, 13.9% female, 11.3% male and 25.8% larvaes. The nymphs the most frequently were in spring when humidity of air was 55% and temperature 24°C. The larvaes, in autumn were most frequently (31.4%) then in spring (20.5%) when the temperature of the air was 18-22°C, and the humidity from 60 to 85% during the collections