Unregulated introduced fish (Perca fluviatilis Linnaeus, 1758) is host to zoonotic parasites in a small Mediterranean island.

Introduced species have a major impact on freshwater ecosystems, particularly on islands. Numerous fish species have been introduced in Corsica (Mediterranean island, southern France) as part of planned programs or clandestinely. The introduction of non-native freshwater fish species can have a range of impacts on the recipient ecosystem, including through the co-introduction of its pathogens. A sample of introduced perch Perca fluviatilis Linnaeus, 1758 from the artificial reservoir of Padula was examined following a report of parasites by an angler. The analyses revealed the occurrence of Eustrongylides sp. (Nematoda) and Clinostomum complanatum (Digenea), two zoonotic parasites in P. fluviatilis. Both parasites are reported for the first time in France. Eustrongylides sp. and C. complanatum may have been introduced with their fish intermediate hosts or through their final bird hosts. The occurrence of the two parasites raises concerns from both a veterinary and human health perspective as they can use a wide range of amphibians as intermediate hosts and can be acquired in humans through the consumption of raw or undercooked fish.

Morphological and molecular characterization of Chloromyxum dasyatidis n. sp. (Myxosporea: Chloromyxidae) in the common stingray Dasyatis pastinaca (Linnaeus) from Tunisian waters (Central Mediterranean Sea).

A new species of Chloromyxum Mingazzini, 1890, C. dasyatidis n. sp., is described from the gallbladder of the elasmobranch fish Dasyatis pastinaca (Linnaeus) from the Mediterranean coast off Tunisia. Mature myxospores were subspherical measuring 13.0 ± 0.3 (12.5-13.9) µm in length, 11.3 ± 0.5 (10.2-12.2) µm in width, and 11.8 ± 0.5 (11.4-12.7) µm in thickness. Four pyriform polar capsules 4.4 ± 0.3 (4.0-4.9) µm long and 3.5 ± 0.3 (3.0-3.8) µm wide. Valves were ornamented by 5 to 7 elevated surface ridges and displayed short caudal filaments. Chloromyxum dasyatidis n. sp. had an overall prevalence of infection of 38.5%, with significant seasonal variation, being more prevalent during summer (60.0%) and autumn (70.8%). Phylogenetically, this species grouped within the Chloromyxum sensu stricto lineage, forming a small clade together with the genetically more similar species C. acuminatum and C. myolibati, both from stingray hosts.

Cryptosporidium spp. in wild murids (Rodentia) from Corsica, France.

Cryptosporidium spp. are worldwide protozoan parasites that can affect to a broad range of vertebrate hosts, including rodents. In the island of Corsica (France), there are no previous data about these protozoa infecting wild rodents. To estimate the distribution and occurrence, a total of 117 wild murine rodents of the species Rattus rattus (84), Mus musculus domesticus (21), Apodemus sylvaticus (11), and Rattus norvegicus (1) were captured in 24 different biotopes. Fecal samples were screened for Cryptosporidium spp. by nested PCR to amplify an 830 bp fragment of the 18S rRNA gene. As general occurrence, 15.4% of the rodents analyzed were positive for Cryptosporidium spp., being detected widely distributed along the island in R. rattus (17.6%) and M. m. domesticus (14.3%). Cryptosporidium viatorum, Cryptosporidium sp. rat genotype II, and Cryptosporidium sp. rat genotype III were successfully identified in R. rattus. The results herein reported provide the first data on Cryptosporidium spp. in wild murine species from a Mediterranean island and constitute the first report of the zoonotic species C. viatorum in R. rattus. Although a low occurrence of Cryptosporidium spp. in murids was obtained and only in one animal the zoonotic species C. viatorum was identified, our results highlight that wild murine rodents from Corsica could mediate in the maintenance and transmission of this protozoan to the environment and other hosts including humans and animals. Further studies are required to better understand the epidemiology of Cryptosporidium spp. in wild rodents from Corsica and their possible public health repercussions.

A new species of nematode parasite, Cucullanus tunisiensis sp. nov. (Nematoda: Cucullanidae) from Epinephelus aeneus (Perciformes: Serranidae) off Tunisia.

Cucullanus tunisiensis sp. nov., (Nematoda: Cucullanidae), collected from the intestine of the white grouper Epinephelus aeneus from waters off the coast of Tunisia is described based on light and scanning electron microscopic observations. The new species is characterized by the presence of lateral alae, ventral sucker, long unequal spicules (left spicule 2474-2789 µm long, right spicule 2357-2518 µm long). This is the sixth nominal species of the genus Cucullanus Müller, 1777 and the first representative of this genus infecting fishes of Serranidae family reported from Tunisian waters.

First description of Chloromyxum squali Gleeson and Adlard, 2012 (Myxozoa) in the Mediterranean Sea in a new host Squalus blainville (Chondrichthyes: Squalidae): morphological, ultrastructural and phylogenetic data.

Chloromyxum squali Gleeson and Adlard, 2012 originally described from Squalus acanthias Linnaeus, 1758 is reported for the first time from the gallbladder of Squalus blainville (Risso, 1827) caught from the eastern coast of Tunisia. In the present study, this chloromyxid was described based on morphological and ultrastructural features combined with molecular analysis of 18S rDNA. Young plasmodia were found attached to the gallbladder, while mature plasmodia and myxospores were observed floating free in the bile. Mature plasmodia were polysporic, subspherical in shape, measured 97.8 ± 0.5 µm long and 63.4 ± 0.4 µm wide. Mature myxospores were ovoid with a pointed anterior end, measuring 10.2 ± 0.5 µm long and 8.3 ± 0.5 µm wide. Two asymmetrical shell valves adhered together along an S-shaped suture line. Each valve has 5-7 elevated surface ridges parallel to suture line. A bundle of long caudal filaments extended from the basal end of shell valves. Four pyriform polar capsules equal in size, measuring 3.1 ± 0.4 µm long and 2.5 ± 0.3 µm wide, were situated at the same level in the anterior pole of the myxospore, each with a polar filament coiled in 7-8 turns. Pairwise comparisons among the SSU rDNA sequences revealed significant similarity between Chloromyxum squali infecting S. acanthias with the sequence obtained in this study. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that C. squali clustered in the clade of Chloromyxum species infecting the gallbladder of marine Chondrichthyes. Chloromyxum squali showed a seasonal variation of prevalence with significantly higher prevalence noted in summer and in autumn and absence of infection in winter.

A biflagellate spermatozoon in the African bonytongue Heterotis niloticus (Teleostei, Osteoglossidae).

In this transmission electron microscopy study, we describe the ultrastructure of the spermatozoon of Heterotis niloticus (Osteoglossiformes), which is distinguished by having two flagella. Our investigation also highlights the great diversity of sperm cell structures observed across osteoglossiform families, such as aflagellate (Gymnarchidae, Mormyridae), monoflagellate (Notopteridae, Pantodontidae) and biflagellate spermatozoa. As biflagellate spermatozoa are rare in vertebrates, we also summarize the orders and families known to possess this ultrastructural character, most of which are fishes.

Anti-Quorum Sensing Activity of 12 Essential Oils on chromobacterium violaceum and Specific Action of cis-cis-p-Menthenolide from Corsican Mentha suaveolens ssp. Insularis.

Quorum sensing (QS) is a bacterial communication mechanism used to express various survival or virulence traits leading to enhanced resistance. Chromobacterium violaceum is a commonly used strain that highlights anti-QS action of bioactive substances. Here, we wanted to see if 12 selected essential oils (EO) could exert anti-QS activity. We measured the sublethal minimal QS inhibitory concentration (MQSIC) by assessing violacein production of C. violaceum along with bacterial growth. To confirm the QS disruption, we also proceed to surface bacterial observations using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). We showed that cis-cis-p-menthenolide extracted and isolated from a plant endemic to occidental Mediterranean Sea islands, Mentha suaveolens ssp. insularis, acts as an inhibitor of violacein production and biofilm formation. Measured MQSIC was much lower than the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC): 0.10 mg·mL-1 vs. 3.00 mg·mL-1. Moreover, disturbance of QS-related traits was confirmed by the degradation of C. violaceum biofilm matrix. There is a clear structure⁻activity relationship between cis-cis-p-menthenolide and anti-QS activity. Indeed, its isomer molecule (mintlactone) exerts a poor anti-QS action. These results indicate that inhibition of violacein production and biofilm formation by cis-cis-p-menthenolide might be related to a disruption in the QS mechanism.

Effect of chronic arsenic exposure under environmental conditions on bioaccumulation, oxidative stress, and antioxidant enzymatic defenses in wild trout Salmo trutta (Pisces, Teleostei).

The present study evaluates the relation between chronic arsenic (As) exposure in the natural distribution area of wild brown trout (Salmo trutta), oxidative stress and antioxidant enzymatic defenses. Two rivers of the same watershed were evaluated to highlight the correlation between As accumulation and the resulting stress: (i) the Presa River, which has high chronic As levels (2281.66 µg/L) due to past mining activity, and (ii) the Bravona River (control river). This metalloid was measured in main fish tissues (gills, kidney, liver, muscle, gonads and fins) and water. As organotropism in S. trutta was kidney > liver > gill > fin > gonad > muscle. The HepatoSomatic Index (HSI) and somatic condition (CF) were used to compare fish population conditions from both sites. Arsenic can be absorbed by the gills and can induce oxidative stress and disturb antioxidant defenses. The aim of this study was to evaluate oxidative stress response by measuring malondialdehyde (MDA) content, as a marker of lipid peroxidation, and antioxidant enzymatic defenses (Superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase CAT, glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and glutathione S-transferase (GST)), in the main tissues of control and exposed trout. The highest MDA content was found in the kidney and liver of exposed trout. SOD and CAT activities in exposed livers and kidneys were considerably increased while a significant rise of GPx activity was observed only in the liver. GST activity was found to be significantly induced in the liver of exposed trout. The results demonstrate that arsenic bioaccumulation can induce lipid peroxidation and substantial modifications in antioxidant enzymatic defenses in main wild trout tissues.

Influence of season and site location on European cultured sea bass parasites in Corsican fish farms using indicator species analysis (IndVal).

The parasites of 536 European sea bass, Dicentrarchus labrax, were studied between January 2012 and December 2013 in six Corsican fish farms. The indicator value (IndVal) method, which combines measures of fidelity and specificity, has been used in this study. Because of its resilience to changes in abundance, IndVal is a particularly effective tool for ecological bioindicator. The IndVal method showed how season can influence the occurrence of parasite species in cultured sea bass and also identified parasites as bioindicators relative to fish farm location. The combination of specificity and fidelity highlighted several parasite species as significant indicators. A randomization test identified five parasite species as having a significant indicator value for season (the monogenean Diplectanum aequans; the copepods Lernanthropus kroyeri and Caligus minimus; the isopod Ceratothoa oestroides, and the myxosporidian Ceratomyxa labracis). If gills parasites are compared, they can be seen to be indicator species for two different seasons. The only Monogenea species D. aequans had fidelity and specificity more pronounced in winter, whereas both copepod species and the Isopoda revealed highest rates of infestation corresponding with an increase of water temperature. Four species have a significant indicator value for site location (D. aequans, L. kroyeri, C. minimus, and C. oestroides). The fact that the farm 6 was isolated on the east coast of Corsica may not have allowed the parasite to infect other farms. The presence of copepods on a single farm can also be explained according to salinity variations. Data for species composition and infection levels should help to improve the monitoring and management of parasitism in cultured sea bass populations.

Neomultitestis aspidogastriformis Bray and Cribb, 2003 (Digenea, Lepocreadiidae): mature spermatozoon and sperm morphologies in the Lepocreadioidea.

Spermatological characteristics are described for the first time in the genus Neomultitestis Machida, 1982, belonging to the family Lepocreadiidae Odhner, 1905. Adult Neomultitestis aspidogastriformis were collected from the digestive tract of Platax teira, caught off New Caledonia. The mature spermatozoon of N. aspidogastriformis is described by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). It includes two axonemes with 9 + "1" pattern of Trepaxonemata, an antero-lateral electron-dense material, attachment zones, two mitochondria, a nucleus, two bundles of parallel cortical microtubules, external ornamentation of the plasma membrane, spine-like bodies, and granules of glycogen. Certain ultrastructural characteristics of the spermatozoon, especially the antero-lateral electron-dense material, are shared by N. aspidogastriformis and all species of the superfamily Lepocreadioidea studied so far. The antero-lateral electron-dense material, present in different families of lepocreadioids, supports the monophyletic status of the superfamily. We also list several ultrastructural characteristics which characterize the mature spermatozoon of the Lepocreadioidea.

Ultrastructural characters of the spermatozoa in Digeneans of the genus Bianium Stunkard, 1930 (Digenea, Lepocreadiidae) parasites of fishes: a comparative study of Bianium plicitum and Bianium arabicum.

We present in this paper the first ultrastructural study of the spermatozoon of species of the genus Bianium Stunkard, 1930, namely Bianium plicitum and Bianium arabicum belonging to the family Lepocreadiidae. Specimens are parasites of the tetraodontid teleosts Lagocephalus laevigatus caught in the Atlantic Ocean and Lagocephalus sceleratus caught in Pacific Ocean, respectively. Live worms were fixed and processed for transmission electron microscopy. Observations of numerous cross and longitudinal sections of the spermatozoa of B. plicitum and B. arabicum demonstrated the general pattern described in all previously studied Lepocreadioidea, namely two axonemes with 9+ "1" pattern of Trepaxonemata, two mitochondria, a nucleus, parallel cortical microtubules, and an external ornamentation of the plasma membrane associated with spine-like bodies. The maximum number of cortical microtubules and the external ornamentation were not located at the anterior extremity of the spermatozoon but at a more posterior level, as in all the species of Lepocreadioidea studied to date. Differences observed between spermatozoa of B. plicitum and B. arabicum were observed in: (1) the location of the first mitochondrion, (2) size of cortical microtubules which were longer in B. arabicum than in B. plicitum, and (3) the order of the disappearance of the axonemes, mitochondrion, and cortical microtubules toward the posterior region of the spermatozoon. Only the nucleus reaches into the posterior extremity of the spermatozoon in these two species. The general pattern of the spermatozoon described in these two species exhibit the general model in the genus Bianium.

Topography and ultrastructure of the tegument of Deropristis inflata Molin, 1859 (Digenea: Deropristidae), a parasite of the European eel Anguilla anguilla (Osteichthyes: Anguillidae).

The tegumental ultrastructure of the intestine fluke Deropristis inflata was studied using scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The surface of the tegument was covered by transverse cytoplasmic ridges from which protrude numerous thorn-like spines showing crenelated tips on the posterior part. Spines were arranged in staggered rows. Cobblestone-like units of the tegument were observed on a semicircle-shaped formation over the oral sucker. A tegumental excrescence was observed in the dorsal anterior side of the fluke. Ultrastructural study revealed that the tegument of D. inflata had a typical syncytial organization with a distal cytoplasm lying over a basal matrix and cytons. Cytoplasmic bridges allowed transit of secretory vesicles and granules packed in gland cells. Two types of sensory structures were examined. Type 1 sensory receptor was a button-like uniciliated papilla mounted on a folded tegumental base and surrounded by cytoplasmic ridges. This receptor consisted of a nerve bulb and a cilium that extended from a centriole. Type 2 sensory receptor was a smooth bulb-like non-ciliated papilla. It was only recovered on the ventral sucker. This receptor consisted of a nerve bulb enclosing an ovoid electron-dense structure. For both receptors, the nerve bulbs contained numerous mitochondria, nerve fibers, and electron-lucent material. Particular distributions of the sensory receptors were observed with a concentration on the anterior third of the body around the oral and ventral suckers. Diagrams were made to help in understanding the nature of these structures.

Influence of site, season, silvering stage, and length on the parasites of the European eel Anguilla anguilla in two Mediterranean coastal lagoons of the island of Corsica, France using indicator species method.

The parasites of 425 European eels, Anguilla anguilla, were studied between 2009 and 2012 in two Mediterranean coastal lagoons of the island of Corsica, France. An indicator value (IndVal) method was used for analysis, which combines measures of fidelity and specificity. Because of its resilience to detect changes in abundance, IndVal is an effective ecological bioindicator. The IndVal method demonstrated that site, season, silvering stage, and length could influence the occurrence of parasite species in European eel. A randomization test identified ten parasite species as having a significant indicator value for site (lagoons differed principally in salinity: oligohaline to polyhaline for the Biguglia lagoon and polyhaline to euhaline for the Urbino lagoon; the digeneans Bucephalus anguillae and Lecithochirium musculus, the cestodes Bothriocephalus claviceps, Proteocephalus macrocephalus, and larvae of Myzophyllobothrium sp., the nematodes Anguillicoloides crassus, and encysted larvae of Contracaecum sp., the acanthocephalan Acanthocephaloides incrassatus, the monogenean Pseudodactyogyrus anguillae, and the copepod Ergasilus gibbus); one parasite species for the spring season (the acanthocephalan A. incrassatus); six parasite species for silvering stage (yellow, pre-silver, silver; the trematodes B. anguillae and Deropristis inflata, encysted larvae of the nematode Contracaecum sp., the acanthocephalan A. incrassatus, the monogenean P. anguillae, and the copepod E. gibbus); and three parasite species for some of the five length classes (the cestode P. macrocephalus, encysted larvae of the nematode Contracaecum sp., and the monogenean P. anguillae). Data for species composition and infection levels should help to improve the management of parasitism in the populations of European eels.

Detection of Pathogens and Ticks on Sedentary and Migratory Birds in Two Corsican Wetlands (France, Mediterranean Area).

Birds are one of the most species-diverse vertebrate groups and are susceptible to numerous hematophagous ectoparasites. Migratory birds likely contribute to the circulation of these ectoparasites and their associated pathogens. One of the many migration paths crosses the Mediterranean islands including Corsica and its wetlands, which are migration stopovers. In our study, we collected blood samples and hematophagous ectoparasites in migratory and sedentary bird populations in two coastal lagoons: Biguglia and Gradugine. A total of 1377 birds were captured from which 762 blood samples, 37 louse flies, and 44 ticks were collected. All the louse flies were identified as Ornithomya biloba and all the ticks were from the Ixodes genus: Ixodes sp. (8.5%), I. accuminatus/ventalloi (2.9%), I. arboricola/lividus (14.3%), I. frontalis (5.7%) and I. ricinus (68.6%). Five pathogens were detected: Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Erhlichia chaffeensis, and Rickettsia helvetica in ticks, and Trypanosoma sp. in louse flies. Ehrlichia chaffeensis and the West Nile virus were both detected in bird blood samples in Corsica. This is the first report of these tick, louse fly and pathogen species isolated on the bird population in Corsica. Our finding highlights the importance of bird populations in the presence of arthropod-borne pathogens in Corsican wetlands.

Harmful algae and pathogens on plastics in three mediterranean coastal lagoons.

Plastic is now a pervasive pollutant in all marine ecosystems. The microplastics and macroplastic debris were studied in three French Mediterranean coastal lagoons (Prevost, Biguglia and Diana lagoons), displaying different environmental characteristics. In addition, biofilm samples were analyzed over the seasons to quantify and identify microalgae communities colonizing macroplastics, and determine potentially harmful microorganisms. Results indicate low but highly variable concentrations of microplastics, in relation to the period and location of sampling. Micro-Raman spectroscopy analyses revealed that the majority of macroplastic debris corresponded to polyethylene (PE) and low-density polyethylene (LDPE), and to a far lesser extent to polypropylene (PP). The observations by Scanning Electron Microscopy of microalgae communities colonizing macroplastic debris demonstrated differences depending on the seasons, with higher amounts in spring and summer, but without any variation between lagoons and polymers. Among the Diatomophyceae, the most dominant genera were Amphora spp., Cocconeis spp., and Navicula spp.. Cyanobacteria and Dinophyceae such as Prorocentrum cordatum, a potentially toxic species, were also found sporadically. The use of Primer specific DNA amplification tools enabled us to detect potentially harmful microorganisms colonizing plastics, such as Alexandrium minutum or Vibrio spp. An additional in situ experiment performed over one year revealed an increase in the diversity of colonizing microalgae in relation to the duration of immersion for the three tested polymers PE, LDPE and polyethylene terephthalates (PET). Vibrio settled durably after two weeks of immersion, whatever the polymer. This study confirms that Mediterranean coastal lagoons are vulnerable to the presence of macroplastic debris that may passively host and transport various species, including some potentially harmful algal and bacterial microorganisms.

The Primary Mode of Action of Lippia graveolens Essential Oil on Salmonella enterica subsp. Enterica Serovar Typhimurium.

Essential oils are known to exhibit diverse antimicrobial properties, showing their value as a natural resource. Our work aimed to investigate the primary mode of action of Cuban Lippia graveolens (Kunth) essential oil (EO) against Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Typhimurium (S. enterica ser. Typhimurium). We assessed cell integrity through various assays, including time-kill bacteriolysis, loss of cell material with absorption at 260 and 280 nm, total protein leakage, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The impact of L. graveolens EO on membrane depolarization was monitored and levels of intracellular and extracellular ATP were measured by fluorescence intensity. The minimum inhibitory and bactericidal concentrations (MIC and MBC) of L. graveolens EO were 0.4 and 0.8 mg/mL, respectively. This EO exhibited notable bactericidal effects on treated cells within 15 min without lysis or leakage of cellular material. TEM showed distinct alterations in cellular ultrastructure, including membrane shrinkage and cytoplasmic content redistribution. We also observed disruption of the membrane potential along with reduced intracellular and extracellular ATP concentrations. These findings show that L. graveolens EO induces the death of S. enterica ser. Typhimurium, important information that can be used to combat this foodborne disease-causing agent.

Lernanthropus kroyeri (Van Beneden and Hesse 1851) parasitic Copepoda (Siphonostomatoidae, Lernanthropidae) of European cultured sea bass Dicentrarchus labrax (Linnaeus 1758) from Corsica: ecological and morphological study.

Lernanthropus kroyeri (Copepoda, Siphonostomatoida: Lernanthropidae) is a gill parasite found on the European sea bass Dicentrarchus labrax. During a survey of sea bass of Corsican fish farms, we studied the biology of this parasite under culture conditions. We first chose to conduct a scanning electron microscopic study to give additional information about the lifestyle of the parasite. Our examinations made it possible to reveal some unreported superficial structures including details not described previously. Specializations associated with the tegument, in particular, sensory structures and anchoring systems were studied to understand the mechanisms of survival and dispersal of the species. Patterns variation of parasites communities was examined by taking into account environmental factors, such as temperature or salinity, and physiological parameters related to host. The relation between parasites and location of fish was also studied to quantify the importance of site influence on parasite communities. Prevalence and abundances of the infections in different culture systems, fish stocks, and sampling seasons are given. L. kroyeri was significantly present during spring and summer, coinciding with a period of increasing temperature. Significant differences were found grouping data by host size, with higher infection levels in the larger-sized fish.

Ultrastructural study of the spermatozoon of the digenean Enodiotrema reductum Looss, 1901 (Platyhelminthes, Plagiorchioidea, Plagiorchiidae), parasite of the green turtle Chelonia mydas (Linnaeus, 1758) in Senegal.

This study describes the ultrastructural organisation of the spermatozoon of a digenean Enodiotrema reductum (Pligiorchiida: Plagiorchiidae) from the green turtle Chelonia mydas (Linnaeus, 1758). This is the first report of E. reductum from Senegal. The mature spermatozoon of E. reductum is filiform and exhibits two axonemes of the 9 + "1" pattern of the Trepaxonemata, a nucleus, parallel cortical microtubules, an extramembranar ornamentation associated with spine-like bodies and granules of glycogen, among other ultrastructural features. The spermatozoon of E. reductum is distinguished by the presence of a moniliform mitochondrion composed of a bulge associated with a long cord and of a central cytoplasmic expansion. This work represents the first utrastructural study of any representative of the large family Plagiorchiidae. Our results are compared with previously published data on spermatozoa of other digenean taxa.

Distribution of Tick-Borne Pathogens in Domestic Animals and Their Ticks in the Countries of the Mediterranean Basin between 2000 and 2021: A Systematic Review.

Tick-borne pathogens (TBPs) include a wide range of bacteria, parasites and viruses that cause a large spectrum of animal, human and zoonotic tick-borne diseases (TBDs). The object of this review was to establish an inventory and an analysis of TBPs found in domestic animals in the countries of the Mediterranean Basin. This geographic area occupies a central position between several continents and is an area of movement for animals, humans and pathogens of interest and their vectors, which is important in terms of animal and human health. In this systematic review, we included a total of 271 publications produced between 2000-2021 concerning TBPs in domestic animals. Among this literature, we found a total of 90 pathogen species (known as TBPs) reported in the 20 countries of the area; these were detected in tick species from domestic animals and were also directly detected in domestic animals. In all, 31 tick species were recorded and 12 domestic animal species, the latter comprising nine livestock and three pet species. More than 50% of the publications were from Western Europe. Island data were extracted and assessed, as islands of the Mediterranean Basin were represented in 16% of the publications and 77.8% of the TBPs reported. Our results show the importance of islands in the monitoring of TBPs, despite the low percentage of publications.

A Systematic Review of the Distribution of Tick-Borne Pathogens in Wild Animals and Their Ticks in the Mediterranean Rim between 2000 and 2021.

Tick-borne pathogens (TBPs) can be divided into three groups: bacteria, parasites, and viruses. They are transmitted by a wide range of tick species and cause a variety of human, animal, and zoonotic diseases. A total of 148 publications were found on tick-borne pathogens in wild animals, reporting on 85 species of pathogens from 35 tick species and 17 wild animal hosts between 2000 and February 2021. The main TBPs reported were of bacterial origin, including Anaplasma spp. and Rickettsia spp. A total of 72.2% of the TBPs came from infected ticks collected from wild animals. The main tick genus positive for TBPs was Ixodes. This genus was mainly reported in Western Europe, which was the focus of most of the publications (66.9%). It was followed by the Hyalomma genus, which was mainly reported in other areas of the Mediterranean Rim. These TBPs and TBP-positive tick genera were reported to have come from a total of 17 wild animal hosts. The main hosts reported were game mammals such as red deer and wild boars, but small vertebrates such as birds and rodents were also found to be infected. Of the 148 publications, 12.8% investigated publications on Mediterranean islands, and 36.8% of all the TBPs were reported in seven tick genera and 11 wild animal hosts there. The main TBP-positive wild animals and tick genera reported on these islands were birds and Hyalomma spp. Despite the small percentage of publications focusing on ticks, they reveal the importance of islands when monitoring TBPs in wild animals. This is especially true for wild birds, which may disseminate their ticks and TBPs along their migration path.