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The hard tick Ixodes ricinus transmits a variety of zoonotic pathogens, including Babesia divergens, the most common cause of bovine babesiosis in northern Europe. In endemic areas, cattle are rarely clinically affected, as animals up to the age of nine months are resistant against relevant clinical disease and develop protective premunity. However, outbreaks in immunologically naïve herds may lead to considerable losses. Such an outbreak with a high mortality rate occurred in 2018 on a northern German beef production farm, as previously reported. The present study provides an update on the epidemiological situation and management strategy of the farm. In spring 2022, blood samples were taken from 46 animals for PCR and serological testing before pasture turnout. Although no clinical cases had been noticed since 2019, B. divergens DNA was detected by quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR), followed by amplification and sequencing of the 18S rRNA gene, in 6.5% (3/46) of cattle blood samples. Presence of anti-B. divergens antibodies was confirmed in 26.1% (12/46) of animals, while further 10.9% (5/46) had a borderline antibody titre. The antibody status of 23 of these animals had already been determined in 2018 and/or 2020, revealing fluctuating titre patterns indicative of repeated pathogen exposure. Moreover, 457 questing I. ricinus specimens collected on the farm's pastures and 83 I. ricinus specimens detached from cattle were screened for Babesia spp. DNA by qPCR, followed by 18S rDNA amplification and sequencing. Endemisation of B. divergens was confirmed by 0.9% (4/457) positive questing I. ricinus, while the ticks detached from cattle were Babesia-negative. The farm's management strategy includes annual metaphylactic treatment with imidocarb dipropionate during the main tick exposure period in spring. However, the antibody titre fluctuations and the persistent infections at the end of the housing period indicate that the absence of clinical disease is primarily due to a rising level of premunity. Metaphylactic treatment with imidocarb seems to be a suitable management option to protect newly acquired immunologically naïve animals. The endemisation of B. divergens is also of public health significance, as the pastures are located close to a tourist destination in a popular hiking area.
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The ornate dog tick Dermacentor reticulatus, vector of Babesia canis, has shown a considerable range expansion in several European countries. Previously, only few areas in Germany were recognised as endemic for B. canis, but a marked increase in autochthonous canine babesiosis cases and spread to new areas has been noted recently. To better assess the current risk for dogs, the present study screened 5913 specimens of D. reticulatus from all over Germany, collected in the frame of a Citizen Science study during 2019-2023. Moreover, 343 Dermacentor marginatus ticks were also included. Babesia detection was achieved by quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR). Positive samples were confirmed by sequencing. Moreover, a MGB-probe-based triplex qPCR was established to detect and distinguish between the canine Babesia spp. relevant in Europe, i.e. B. canis, Babesia vogeli and Babesia gibsoni. Overall, B. canis DNA was detected in five D. reticulatus specimens (0.08%). Two of the B. canis-positive ticks originated from areas previously known as endemic for canine babesiosis, namely from the area of Freiburg im Breisgau, federal state of Baden-Wuerttemberg, and from the district St. Wendel, federal state of Saarland. Three further B. canis-positive ticks were detected in districts not yet recognised as endemic, one each in the district of Mansfeld-Suedharz, federal state of Saxony-Anhalt, the district of Ravensburg, federal state of Baden-Wuerttemberg and in the city of Fürth, federal state of Bavaria. However, the tick in Fürth was found on a dog who had returned from a trip to the Breisgau region on the previous day, indicating translocation of the specimen out of this well-known endemic focus. The geographical distribution of the positive samples shows that B. canis is currently spreading in Germany, particularly via dogs travelling within the country, increasing the infection risk throughout the country. Important measures to contain a further spread of the pathogen include comprehensive year-round tick prophylaxis with licensed acaricides, not only to protect the individual pet, but also the entire dog population. Moreover, screening of dogs entering Germany from B. canis-endemic countries is required and any treatment should aim at pathogen elimination by use of appropriate imidocarb dosages.
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Vector-borne diseases (VBDs) are considered as (re-)emerging, but information on the transmission cycles and wildlife reservoirs is often incomplete, particularly with regard to urban areas. The present study investigated blood samples from European hedgehogs (Erinaceus europaeus) presented at wildlife rehabilitation centres in the region of Hanover. Past exposure to B. burgdorferi sensu lato (s.l.) and tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) was assessed by serological detection of antibodies, while current infections with Borrelia spp., Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Rickettsia spp., Neoehrlichia mikurensis, Bartonella spp., Babesia spp. and Spiroplasma ixodetis were investigated by (q)PCR. Of 539 hedgehogs tested for anti-Borrelia antibodies, 84.8% (457/539) were seropositive, with a higher seropositivity rate in adult than subadult animals, while anti-TBEV antibodies were detected in one animal only (0.2%; 1/526). By qPCR, 31.2% (168/539) of hedgehog blood samples were positive for Borrelia spp., 49.7% (261/525) for A. phagocytophilum, 13.0% (68/525) for Bartonella spp., 8.2% for S. ixodetis (43/525), 8.0% (42/525) for Rickettsia spp. and 1.3% (7/525) for Babesia spp., while N. mikurensis was not detected. While further differentiation of Borrelia spp. infections was not successful, 63.2% of the A. phagocytophilum infections were assigned to the zoonotic ecotype I and among Rickettsia spp. infections, 50.0% to R. helvetica by ecotype- or species-specific qPCR, respectively. Sequencing revealed the presence of a Rickettsia sp. closely related to Rickettsia felis in addition to a Bartonella sp. previously described from hedgehogs, as well as Babesia microti and Babesia venatorum. These findings show that hedgehogs from rehabilitation centres are valuable sources to identify One Health pathogens in urban areas. The hedgehogs are not only exposed to pathogens from fleas and ticks in urban areas, but they also act as potent amplifiers for these vectors and their pathogens, relevant for citizens and their pets.
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Equine piroplasmosis (EP) is caused by Theileria (T.) equi and/or Babesia (B.) caballi. The aim was to assess the percentage of positive test results for EP in horses in Europe and to identify risk factors for pathogen contact/infection. This study included results from PCR and competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay testing requested by European veterinarians between 2008 and 2021. Binary bivariate logistic regression was used to analyze risk factors. A total of 4060 horses were included. PCR testing was positive in 9.7% (154/1589), serology for T. equi in 15.2% (393/2591) and for B. caballi in 6.8% (175/2578). The odds of positive serology increased by 6.8% (B. caballi, p = 0.008) and 9.5% (T. equi, p < 0.001) each year. Regionality had a statistically significant impact on PCR (Eastern p = 0.047/OR = 1.605; Southern p = 0.029/OR = 1.451; Central p = 0.007/OR = 0.617) and serological testing for T. equi (Southern p < 0.001/OR = 2.521; Central p < 0.001/OR = 0.537; Northern p = 0.003/OR = 0.462), as well as breeds on seroprevalence of B. caballi (heavy horses: p = 0.016/OR = 2.239) and T. equi (ponies: p = 0.007/OR = 0.340; warmbloods: p = 0.025/OR = 1.602). In conclusion, there was a significant geographical impact on the results of PCR and serology, consistent with known vector habitats. The rising numbers of horses tested serologically positive highlights the importance of surveillance.
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BACKGROUND: Changing geographical and seasonal activity patterns of ticks may increase the risk of tick infestation and tick-borne pathogen (TBP) transmission for both humans and animals. METHODS: To estimate TBP exposure of dogs and cats, 3000 female I. ricinus from these hosts were investigated for Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Borrelia species. RESULTS: qPCR inhibition, which was observed for ticks of all engorgement stages but not questing ticks, was eliminated at a template volume of 2 µl. In ticks from dogs, A. phagocytophilum and Borrelia spp. prevalence amounted to 19.0% (285/1500) and 28.5% (427/1500), respectively, while ticks from cats showed significantly higher values of 30.9% (464/1500) and 55.1% (827/1500). Accordingly, the coinfection rate with both A. phagocytophilum and Borrelia spp. was significantly higher in ticks from cats (17.5%, 262/1500) than dogs (6.9%, 104/1500). Borrelia prevalence significantly decreased with increasing engorgement duration in ticks from both host species, whereas A. phagocytophilum prevalence decreased only in ticks from dogs. While A. phagocytophilum copy numbers in positive ticks did not change significantly over the time of engorgement, those of Borrelia decreased initially in dog ticks. In ticks from cats, copy numbers of neither A. phagocytophilum nor Borrelia spp. were affected by engorgement. Borrelia species differentiation was successful in 29.1% (365/1254) of qPCR-positive ticks. The most frequently detected species in ticks from dogs were B. afzelii (39.3% of successfully differentiated infections; 70/178), B. miyamotoi (16.3%; 29/178), and B. valaisiana (15.7%; 28/178), while B. afzelii (40.1%; 91/227), B. spielmanii (21.6%; 49/227), and B. miyamotoi (14.1%; 32/227) occurred most frequently in ticks from cats. CONCLUSIONS: The differences in pathogen prevalence and Borrelia species distribution between ticks collected from dogs and cats may result from differences in habitat overlap with TBP reservoir hosts. The declining prevalence of A. phagocytophilum with increasing engorgement duration, without a decrease in copy numbers, could indicate transmission to dogs over the time of attachment. The fact that this was not observed in ticks from cats may indicate less efficient transmission. In conclusion, the high prevalence of A. phagocytophilum and Borrelia spp. in ticks collected from dogs and cats underlines the need for effective acaricide tick control to protect both animals and humans from associated health risks.
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Anaplasma phagocytophilum , Borrelia , Enfermedades de los Gatos , Coinfección , Enfermedades de los Perros , Ixodes , Humanos , Perros , Animales , Gatos , Femenino , Borrelia/genética , Anaplasma phagocytophilum/genética , Coinfección/epidemiología , Coinfección/veterinaria , Enfermedades de los Gatos/epidemiología , Enfermedades de los Perros/epidemiología , Alemania/epidemiologíaRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Hyalomma marginatum and H. rufipes are two-host tick species, which are mainly distributed in southern Europe, Africa to central Asia but may also be found in Central and Northern Europe through introduction by migratory birds. METHODS: Ticks were collected while feeding or crawling on animals and humans, or from the environment, in different regions in Germany, between 2019 and 2021 in a citizen science study and from 2022 to 2023 in the wake of this study. RESULTS: From 2019 to 2023, a total of 212 Hyalomma adult ticks were detected in Germany. This included 132 H. marginatum and 43 H. rufipes ticks sent to research institutions and 37 photographic records that were only identified to genus level. The number of detected ticks varied over the years, with the highest number of 119 specimens recorded in 2019, followed by 57 in 2020. Most of the specimens were collected from horses, while some were collected from other animals, humans or found crawling on human clothes or other objects inside or outside houses. The screening of 175 specimens for Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus and of 132 specimens for Babesia/Theileria spp. by PCR gave negative results, while human-pathogenic Rickettsia were detected in 44% (77/175) of the total samples. Subsequent amplicon sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of representative samples determined the species of 41 Rickettsia aeschlimannii and one R. slovaca sequences. CONCLUSIONS: Analysis of climatic factors indicated a significantly higher probability of Hyalomma occurrence at locations with higher average spring temperature during the years 2019 and 2020 compared to randomly generated pseudo-absence locations. Dry and hot conditions probably facilitated Hyalomma nymphs' survival and molting into adults during these years.
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Virus de la Fiebre Hemorrágica de Crimea-Congo , Ixodidae , Garrapatas , Humanos , Animales , Caballos , Muda , Filogenia , Ixodidae/microbiología , Garrapatas/microbiología , Alemania/epidemiología , CalorRESUMEN
We report the finding of five nymphs and three adult ticks attached to German tourists while traveling the American continents. All eight specimens were morphologically identified and confirmed genetically using the 16S rRNA gene and screened for Rickettsia spp. infections. Five tick species were identified: one Amblyomma mixtum nymph from Ecuador, one Amblyomma varium nymph from Colombia, three Amblyomma coelebs nymphs from Costa Rica, one Amblyomma americanum male from the USA, one Dermacentor andersoni female and one D. andersoni male from Canada. Tick-borne microorganisms screening using the pan-Rickettsia-PCR resulted in two positive and six negative ticks. The A. mixtum nymph was positive for Rickettsia amblyommatis, while the D. andersoni female was positive for Rickettsia peacockii.
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Garrapatas , Animales , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Amblyomma , Ninfa , ARN Ribosómico 16S/genética , Garrapatas/clasificaciónRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: The European hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus) is known for high levels of ectoparasitism that not only represents a health risk for the animals themselves, but also for pet animals and humans as hedgehogs are frequently taken into human care. In the present study, patterns of ectoparasite infestation were assessed in hedgehogs taken into care at northern German animal rehabilitation centres. METHODS: Ectoparasites (ticks, fleas and mites) of 498 hedgehogs were collected over a period of 3 years from July 2018 to May 2021. Species were identified based on morphological characteristics and also via amplification and sequencing of the partial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 2 (COX-2) gene for fleas of the family Ceratophyllidae. Seasonal changes in infestation patterns as well as correlations with animal age, body weight and health status were assessed using generalised linear models. RESULTS: Infestation with ticks, fleas and mites occurred throughout the year. Overall, 86.5% (431/498) of the examined hedgehogs were infested with ticks, 91.4% (455/498) with fleas and 17.7% (88/498) with mites. Ixodes ricinus and Ixodes hexagonus/Ixodes canisuga were the most common tick species detected, with the additional occurrence of one Ixodes frontalis. Significant seasonal changes were observed for I. ricinus, but not for I. hexagonus/I. canisuga. Additionally, I. ricinus nymph prevalence declined significantly as of 2020, probably as a consequence of the climate change-related drought as of 2018. In hedgehogs with flea infestations, Archaeopsylla erinacei, Ceratophyllus sciurorum, Nosopsyllus fasciatus and Ctenocephalides felis were identified. In all cases of mite infestation, Caparinia tripilis was detected, in addition to specimens of the family Macronyssidae and free-living mites of the family Acaridae. Statistical analyses showed correlations regarding the factors month, year, body weight and age, but no correlation was evident regarding the health status of the animals. CONCLUSIONS: With a detected infestation rate of 98.6%, almost all of the examined hedgehogs were infested with at least one ectoparasite species. The seasonal activity patterns of the different ectoparasite species together with the complex annual cycle of hedgehogs lead to different seasonal patterns in ectoparasite prevalence and infestation intensities. Due to the risk of transmission of zoonotic pathogens as well as the possible negative impact on the host itself, hedgehogs should be treated against ectoparasites when taken into care facilities.
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Infestaciones Ectoparasitarias , Infestaciones por Pulgas , Ixodes , Ácaros , Escabiosis , Siphonaptera , Infestaciones por Garrapatas , Animales , Humanos , Erizos/parasitología , Infestaciones por Pulgas/epidemiología , Infestaciones Ectoparasitarias/epidemiología , Infestaciones Ectoparasitarias/veterinaria , Infestaciones Ectoparasitarias/parasitología , Alemania/epidemiología , Peso Corporal , Infestaciones por Garrapatas/epidemiología , Infestaciones por Garrapatas/veterinaria , Infestaciones por Garrapatas/parasitologíaRESUMEN
Fasciola hepatica is an internal parasite of both human and veterinary relevance. In order to control fasciolosis, a multitude of attempts to predict the risk of infection such as risk maps or forecasting models have been developed. These attempts mainly focused on the influence of geo-climatic and meteorological features. Predicting bovine fasciolosis on farm level taking into account farm-specific settings yet remains challenging. In the present study, a new methodology for this purpose, a data-driven machine learning approach using a random forest classification algorithm was applied to a cross-sectional data set of farm characteristics, management regimes, and farmer aspects within two structurally different dairying regions in Germany in order to identify factors relevant for the occurrence of F. hepatica that could predict farm-level bulk tank milk positivity. The resulting models identified farm-specific key aspects in regard to the presence of F. hepatica. In study region North, farm-level production parameters (farm-level milk yield, farm-level milk fat, farm-level milk protein), leg hygiene, body condition (prevalence of overconditioned and underconditioned cows, respectively) and pasture access were identified as features relevant in regard to farm-level F. hepatica positivity. In study region South, pasture access together with farm-level lameness prevalence, farm-level prevalence of hock lesions, herd size, parity, and farm-level milk fat appeared to be important covariates. The stratification of the analysis by study region allows for the extrapolation of the results to similar settings of dairy husbandry. The local, region-specific modelling of F. hepatica presence in this work contributes to the understanding of on-farm aspects of F. hepatica appearance. The applied technique represents a novel approach in this context to model epidemiological data on fasciolosis which allows for the identification of farms at risk and together with additional findings in regard to the epidemiology of fasciolosis, can facilitate risk assessment and deepen our understanding of on-farm drivers of the occurrence of F. hepatica.
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Enfermedades de los Bovinos , Fasciola hepatica , Fascioliasis , Femenino , Humanos , Animales , Bovinos , Granjas , Bosques Aleatorios , Estudios Transversales , Enfermedades de los Bovinos/epidemiología , Enfermedades de los Bovinos/parasitología , Fascioliasis/epidemiología , Fascioliasis/veterinaria , Fascioliasis/parasitología , Industria Lechera/métodosRESUMEN
Fasciola hepatica is one of the economically most important endoparasites in cattle production. The aim of the present work was to evaluate the relevance of production level on the associations of on-farm presence of F. hepatica with farm-level milk yield, milk fat, and milk protein in Holstein cows, a specialised dairy breed, and in Simmental cows, a dual purpose breed. Furthermore, we investigated whether differential associations were present depending on breed. Data from 560 dairy farms across Germany housing 93,672 cows were analysed. The presence of F. hepatica antibodies was determined via ELISA on bulk tank milk samples. Quantile regression was applied to model the median difference in milk yield, milk fat, and milk protein depending on the interaction of breed and fluke occurrence. Whereas a reduction in milk yield (-1,206 kg, p < 0.001), milk fat (-22.9 kg, p = 0.001), and milk protein (-41.6 kg, p <0.001) was evident on F. hepatica positive German Holstein farms, only milk fat (-33.8 kg, p = 0.01) and milk protein (-22.6 kg, p = 0.03) were affected on F. hepatica positive German Simmental farms. Subsequently, production traits were modelled within each of the two breeds for low, medium, and high producing farms in the presence of F. hepatica antibodies and of confounders. On Holstein farms, the presence of F. hepatica seropositivity was associated with lower production, while on German Simmental farms such an association was less evident. This work demonstrates that production level is relevant when assessing the associations between the exposure to F. hepatica with production characteristics. Moreover, both models indicate a breed dependence. This could point towards a differential F. hepatica resilience of specialised dairy breeds in comparison with dual purpose breeds.
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Enfermedades de los Bovinos , Fasciola hepatica , Fascioliasis , Femenino , Bovinos , Animales , Fascioliasis/parasitología , Granjas , Enfermedades de los Bovinos/epidemiología , Industria Lechera , Proteínas de la Leche , Anticuerpos Antihelmínticos/análisis , LactanciaRESUMEN
Changing climatic conditions and other anthropogenic influences have altered tick distribution, abundance and seasonal activity over the last decades. In Germany, the two most important tick species are Ixodes ricinus and Dermacentor reticulatus, the latter of which has expanded its range across the country during the past three decades. While I. ricinus was rarely found during the colder months in the past, D. reticulatus is known to be active at lower temperatures. To quantify tick appearance during winter, specimens were monitored in quasi-natural tick plots three times a week. Additionally, the questing activities of these two tick species were observed throughout the year at nine field collection sites that were regularly sampled by the flagging method from April 2020 to April 2022. Furthermore, tick winter activity in terms of host infestation was analysed as part of a nationwide submission study from March 2020 to October 2021, in which veterinarians sent in ticks mainly collected from dogs and cats. All three study approaches showed a year-round activity of I. ricinus and D. reticulatus in Germany. During the winter months (December to February), on average 1.1% of the inserted I. ricinus specimens were observed at the tops of rods in the tick plots. The average questing activity of I. ricinus amounted to 2 ticks/100 m² (range: 1-17) in the flagging study, and 32.4% (211/651) of ticks found infesting dogs and cats during winter 2020/21 were I. ricinus. On average 14.7-20.0% of the inserted D. reticulatus specimens were observed at the tops of rods in the tick plots, while the average winter questing activity in the field study amounted to 23 specimens/100 m² (range: 0-62), and 49.8% (324/651) of all ticks collected from dogs and cats during winter 2020/21 were D. reticulatus. Additionally, the hedgehog tick Ixodes hexagonus was found to infest dogs and cats quite frequently during the winter months, accounting for 13.2% (86/651) of the collected ticks. A generalized linear mixed model identified significant correlations of D. reticulatus winter activity in quasi-natural plots with climatic variables. The combined study approaches confirmed a complementary main activity pattern of I. ricinus and D. reticulatus with climate change-driven winter activity of both species. Milder winters and a decrease of snowfall, and consequently high winter activity of D. reticulatus, among other factors, may have contributed to the rapid spread of this tick species throughout the country. Therefore, an effective year-round tick control is strongly recommended to not only efficiently protect dogs and cats with outdoor access from ticks and tick-borne pathogens (TBPs), but also to limit the further geographical spread of ticks and TBPs to so far non-endemic regions. Further measures, including information of the public, are necessary to protect both, humans and animals, in a One Health approach.
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Enfermedades de los Gatos , Dermacentor , Enfermedades de los Perros , Ixodes , Infestaciones por Garrapatas , Humanos , Animales , Gatos , Perros , Estaciones del Año , Infestaciones por Garrapatas/epidemiología , Infestaciones por Garrapatas/veterinaria , AlemaniaRESUMEN
Fasciola hepatica and Ostertagia ostertagi are cattle parasites with worldwide relevance for economic outcome as well as animal health and welfare. The on-farm exposure of cattle to both parasites is a function of host-associated, intrinsic, as well as environmental and farm-specific, extrinsic, factors. Even though knowledge on the biology of both parasites exists, sophisticated and innovative modelling approaches can help to deepen our understanding of key aspects fostering the exposure of dairy cows to these pathogens. In the present study, multiple multinomial logistic regression models were fitted via neural networks to describe the differences among farms where cattle were not exposed to either F. hepatica or O. ostertagi, to one parasite, or to both, respectively. Farm-specific production and management characteristics were used as covariates to portray these differences. This elucidated inherent farm characteristics associated with parasite exposure. In both studied regions, pasture access for cows, farm-level milk yield, and lameness prevalence were identified as relevant factors. In region 'South', adherence to organic farming principles was a further covariate of importance. In region 'North', the prevalence of cows with a low body condition score, herd size, hock lesion prevalence, farm-level somatic cell count, and study year appeared to be of relevance. The present study broadens our understanding of the complex epidemiological scenarios that could predict differential farm-level parasite status. The analyses have revealed the importance of awareness of dissimilarities between farms in regard to the differential exposure to F. hepatica and O. ostertagi. This provides solid evidence that dynamics and relevant factors differ depending on whether or not cows are exposed to F. hepatica, O. ostertagi, or to both.
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Enfermedades de los Bovinos , Fasciola hepatica , Ostertagiasis , Animales , Bovinos , Enfermedades de los Bovinos/epidemiología , Enfermedades de los Bovinos/parasitología , Industria Lechera , Granjas , Modelos Logísticos , Leche/parasitología , Redes Neurales de la Computación , Ostertagia , Ostertagiasis/epidemiología , Ostertagiasis/veterinaria , FemeninoRESUMEN
Tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) is a tick-transmitted flavivirus, which can infect humans and animals, sometimes even with a fatal outcome. Since many decades, TBEV is endemic in southern Germany, while only sporadic occurrence has been noted in northern parts of the country so far. Nevertheless, autochthonous human clinical cases are increasing in the federal state of Lower Saxony in north-western Germany, and several natural foci of TBEV transmission have recently been detected in this federal state. In order to shed more light on the current distribution of TBEV in Lower Saxony, the present study examined blood samples from wild and domestic animals for antibodies against TBEV. Overall, samples from 4,085 animals were tested by ELISA, including wild boar (N = 1,208), roe deer (N = 149), red deer (N = 61), fallow deer (N = 18), red foxes (N = 9), nutria (N = 9), raccoon dogs (N = 3), raccoons (N = 3), badgers (N = 1), European pine martens (N = 1), horses (N = 574), sheep (N = 266), goats (N = 67), dogs (N = 1,317) and cats (N = 399). Samples with an ELISA result of ≥60 Vienna units (VIEU)/ml were subjected to confirmatory serum neutralization tests (SNT). In total, 343 of 4,085 (8.4%) animals tested positive for anti-TBEV-IgG by ELISA, of which 60 samples were confirmed by SNT. Samples of 89 animals showed a cytotoxic effect in the SNT and were excluded from seroprevalence calculation, resulting in an overall seroprevalence of 1.5% (60/3,996). Seroprevalence was higher among wild animals (wild boar: 2.9% [34/1,190], roe deer: 2.7% [4/149], red deer: 1.7% [1/60], fallow deer: 5.6% [1/18]) than among domestic animals (dogs: 1.1% [15/1,317], horses: 0.8% [4/505], sheep: 0.4% [1/266]). No anti-TBEV-antibodies were detected in the other wild animal species as well as goats and cats. A notable clustering of positive samples was observed in districts where TBEV transmission foci have been described. Further clusters in other districts suggest the existence of so far undetected transmission foci, underlining the fact that both wild and domestic animals are useful sentinels for monitoring the spread of TBEV.
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Ciervos , Virus de la Encefalitis Transmitidos por Garrapatas , Encefalitis Transmitida por Garrapatas , Porcinos , Animales , Humanos , Gatos , Caballos , Ovinos , Animales Domésticos , Encefalitis Transmitida por Garrapatas/epidemiología , Encefalitis Transmitida por Garrapatas/veterinaria , Estudios Seroepidemiológicos , Animales Salvajes , Sus scrofa , Cabras , Anticuerpos Antivirales , Alemania/epidemiología , ZorrosRESUMEN
The newly discovered group of Jingmenviruses has been shown to infect a wide range of hosts and has been associated with febrile illness in humans. During a survey for Jingmenviruses in ticks from Lower Saxony, Germany, Alongshan virus (ALSV) was identified in Ixodes spp. ticks. Additional virus screenings revealed the presence of ALSV in the bodies and saliva of ticks collected at several locations in Lower Saxony. Vector competence studies that included Ixodes ricinus and Dermacentor reticulatus validated the replication of ALSV within those tick species. In vitro feeding experiments with ALSV-injected Ixodes ricinus demonstrated effective viral transmission during blood feeding. To evaluate the potential viral transmission during a natural blood meal, sera from wild game and domestic animals were investigated. One serum sample from a red deer was found to be positive for ALSV RNA, while serological screenings in game and domestic animals revealed the presence of ALSV-specific antibodies at different locations in Lower Saxony. Overall, those results demonstrate the broad distribution of ALSV in ticks in Lower Saxony and hypothesize frequent exposure to animals based on serological investigations. Hence, its potential risk to human and animal health requires further investigation.
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Phthalates are mainly used as plasticizers and are associated inter alia with adverse effects on reproductive functions. While more and more national programs in Europe have started monitoring internal exposure to phthalates and its substitute 1,2-Cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid (DINCH), the comparability of results from such existing human biomonitoring (HBM) studies across Europe is challenging. They differ widely in time periods, study samples, degree of geographical coverage, design, analytical methodology, biomarker selection, and analytical quality assurance level. The HBM4EU initiative has gathered existing HBM data of 29 studies from participating countries, covering all European regions and Israel. The data were prepared and aggregated by a harmonized procedure with the aim to describe-as comparably as possible-the EU-wide general population's internal exposure to phthalates from the years 2005 to 2019. Most data were available from Northern (up to 6 studies and up to 13 time points), Western (11; 19), and Eastern Europe (9; 12), e.g., allowing for the investigation of time patterns. While the bandwidth of exposure was generally similar, we still observed regional differences for Butyl benzyl phthalate (BBzP), Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), Di-isononyl phthalate (DiNP), and Di-isobutyl phthalate (DiBP) with pronounced decreases over time in Northern and Western Europe, and to a lesser degree in Eastern Europe. Differences between age groups were visible for Di-n-butyl phthalate (DnBP), where children (3 to 5-year olds and 6 to 11-year olds) had lower urinary concentrations than adolescents (12 to 19-year-olds), who in turn had lower urinary concentrations than adults (20 to 39-year-olds). This study is a step towards making internal exposures to phthalates comparable across countries, although standardized data were not available, targeting European data sets harmonized with respect to data formatting and calculation of aggregated data (such as developed within HBM4EU), and highlights further suggestions for improved harmonization in future studies.
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BACKGROUND: Ticks and tick-borne diseases play a major role in companion animal health. Additionally, the European tick fauna is changing, for instance due to the spread of Dermacentor reticulatus, displaying a higher likelihood of winter activity than Ixodes ricinus. Therefore, we investigated current tick infestations in dogs and cats in Germany and in parts of Austria and the seasonal infestation risk. METHODS: Overall, 219 veterinary practices were invited to collect ticks from cats and dogs on a monthly basis. Ticks were morphologically identified and female I. ricinus specimens were measured to estimate attachment duration. RESULTS: In total, 19,514 ticks, 17,789 (91.2%) from Germany and 1506 (7.7%) from Austria, were received between March 2020 and October 2021, with 10,287 specimens (52.7%) detached from dogs, 8005 from cats (41.0%) and 1222 from other species (6.3%). In Germany, the most common tick species collected from dogs were I. ricinus (78.0%) and D. reticulatus (18.8%), while cats mainly harboured I. ricinus (91.3%) and I. hexagonus (5.5%) and only few D. reticulatus (0.6%). In Austria, collected I. ricinus reached similar proportions in dogs (90.4%) and cats (95.3%), followed by D. reticulatus in both dogs (5.2%) and cats (1.5%), with I. hexagonus (0.9%) collected only marginally from cats. The average infestation intensity amounted to 1.62 ticks/dog and 1.88 ticks/cat. The single to multiple infestation ratio was 79.1% to 20.9% in dogs and 69.0% to 31.0% in cats, with cats being significantly more often multiple infested than dogs, while the proportion of mixed-species infestations was 2.0% for both dogs and cats. The average attachment duration of female I. ricinus specimens amounted to 78.76 h for dogs and 82.73 h for cats. Furthermore, year-round tick exposure was confirmed, with 108 D. reticulatus and 70 I. ricinus received on average per month during December 2020 to February 2021. CONCLUSIONS: The study shows a year-round tick infestation risk, with activity of both D. reticulatus and I. ricinus during winter, and confirms the widespread occurrence of D. reticulatus in Germany. Additionally, long average attachment durations and frequent multiple infestations underline the need for adequate year-round tick control, even during the winter months.
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Enfermedades de los Gatos , Dermacentor , Enfermedades de los Perros , Ixodes , Infestaciones por Garrapatas , Gatos , Animales , Perros , Femenino , Enfermedades de los Gatos/epidemiología , Austria/epidemiología , Enfermedades de los Perros/epidemiología , Infestaciones por Garrapatas/epidemiología , Infestaciones por Garrapatas/veterinaria , Alemania/epidemiologíaRESUMEN
Sucking lice live in intimate association with their hosts and often display a high degree of host specificity. The present study investigated sucking lice of the genus Lemurpediculus from six mouse lemur (Microcebus) and two dwarf lemur (Cheirogaleus) species endemic to the island of Madagascar, considered a biodiversity hotspot. Louse phylogenetic trees were created based on cytochrome C oxidase subunit I (COI), elongation factor 1α (EF1α) and internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1) sequences. While clustering according to host species was generally observed for COI and ITS1, suggesting high host specificity of the examined lice, EF1α sequences alone did not distinguish between lice of different Microcebus species, possibly due to rather recent divergence. As bootstrap support for basal tree structure was rather low, further data are necessary to resolve the evolutionary history of louse-mouse lemur associations. Three new species of sucking lice are described: Lemurpediculus zimmermanni sp. Nov. From Microcebus ravelobensis, Lemurpediculus gerpi sp.nov. from Microcebus gerpi, and Lemurpediculus tsimanampesotsae sp. nov. from Microcebus griseorufus. These new species are compared with all known congeneric species and identifying features are illustrated for all known species of Lemurpediculus.
RESUMEN
The relevance of emerging infectious diseases continues to grow worldwide as human activities increasingly extend into formerly remote natural areas. This is particularly noticeable on the island of Madagascar. As closest relatives to humans on the island, lemurs are of particular relevance as a potential origin of zoonotic pathogen spillover. Knowledge of pathogens circulating in lemur populations is, however, very poor. Particularly little is known about lemur hemoparasites. To infer host range, ecological and geographic spread of the recently described hemoparasitic nematode Lemurfilaria lemuris in northwestern Madagascar, a total of 942 individuals of two mouse lemur species (Microcebus murinus [n = 207] and Microcebus ravelobensis [n = 433]) and two rodent species (the endemic Eliurus myoxinus [n = 118] and the invasive Rattus rattus [n = 184]) were captured in two fragmented forest landscapes (Ankarafantsika National Park and Mariarano Classified Forest) in northwestern Madagascar for blood sample examination. No protozoan hemoparasites were detected by microscopic blood smear screening. Microfilaria were present in 1.0% (2/207) of M. murinus and 2.1% (9/433) of M. ravelobensis blood samples but not in rodent samples. Internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS-1) sequences were identical to an unnamed Onchocercidae species previously described to infect a larger lemur species, Propithecus verreauxi, about 650 km further south. In contrast to expectations, L. lemuris was not detected. The finding of a pathogen in a distantly related host species, at a considerable geographic distance from the location of its original detection, instead of a microfilaria species previously described for one of the studied host species in the same region, illustrates our low level of knowledge of lemur hemoparasites, their host ranges, distribution, modes of transmission, and their zoonotic potential. Our findings shall stimulate new research that will be of relevance for both conservation medicine and human epidemiology.
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Cheirogaleidae , Lemur , Lemuridae , Strepsirhini , Ratas , Animales , Humanos , Especificidad del Huésped , Roedores , Madagascar , Especificidad de la EspecieRESUMEN
Lyme borreliosis, caused by Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (s.l.) spirochaetes, is the most common tick-borne disease (TBD) in the Northern Hemisphere. Rising incidences indicate that its epidemiology may be affected by global changes. Therefore, the current study aimed to assess changes in tick infection rates with Borrelia spp. over a 15-year monitoring period in the city of Hanover, Germany, as a follow-up to previous prevalence studies (years 2005, 2010 and 2015). To assess the epidemiological risk, ticks of the Ixodes ricinus/inopinatus-complex were sampled from April to October 2020 by the flagging method at 10 frequently visited recreation areas in Hanover. Analysis by quantitative real-time PCR of 2100 individual ticks revealed an overall Borrelia prevalence of 25.5% (535/2100). Regarding different tick developmental stages, nymphs showed a significantly lower Borrelia prevalence (18.4% [193/1050]) than adult ticks (32.6% [342/1050]). Comparison with previous years revealed a stable total Borrelia prevalence along with consistent infection rates in the different developmental stages over the 15-year monitoring period. Borrelia species differentiation by Reverse Line Blot was successful in 67.3% of positive ticks collected in 2020, with B. afzelii being the dominating species (59.2% of the differentiated infections), besides B. burgdorferi sensu stricto (s.s.), B. garinii, B. valaisiana, B. spielmanii, B. bavariensis and B. bissettiae and the relapsing fever spirochaete B. miyamotoi. Additionally, the proportion of infections attributed to B. afzelii showed a significant increase in 2020 compared to 2005 and 2015 (59.2% vs. 37.6% and 32.0% of successfully differentiated infections, respectively). Coinfections with Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Rickettsia spp. stayed stable comparing 2020 with previous years. Therefore, although changes in the Borrelia prevalence in questing ticks were not observed throughout the 15-year monitoring period, shifts in Borrelia species distribution may alter the epidemiological risk.
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Borrelia , Ixodes , Animales , Alemania/epidemiologíaRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: In the last years, research on feline cardio-pulmonary parasites has considerably increased in Europe. Not only domestic cats (Felis catus), but also European wildcats (Felis silvestris) can serve as definitive hosts for these nematodes. The F. silvestris population in Germany has been growing rapidly within the last decades; therefore, the assessment of its cardio-pulmonary parasite status is of importance to unravel whether the wildcat population serves as a substantial reservoir for these nematodes and might pose a health threat to domestic cats. METHODS: As part of a nature conservation project for European wildcats in the German federal state Rhineland-Palatinate, lungs (n = 128) and hearts (n = 111) of 128 F. silvestris found dead were examined for cardio-pulmonary parasites. All isolated parasites were identified morphologically, and results were confirmed by molecular analysis of a total of 3-11 specimens of each worm species. RESULTS: A total of 70.3% (90/128) wildcats were positive for at least one lungworm species. Angiostrongylus chabaudi was most common (53.1% [68/128]), followed by Aelurostrongylus abstrusus (42.2% [54/128]), Troglostrongylus brevior (31.3% [40/128]) and Capillaria spp. (3.1% [4/128]). Of note, about two-thirds of the infected wildcats harboured coinfections. Infection intensities ranged from 1 to 167 nematodes per wildcat. Generalised linear models revealed a strong correlation between A. chabaudi and A. abstrusus infection, and prevalences were higher in adult than in younger wildcats, except for T. brevior. Moreover, the T. brevior prevalence varied significantly with nutritional status. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that feline cardio-pulmonary nematodes are common parasites in European wildcats in Germany but do not appear to have a serious impact on the overall health of the population. Due to presumed spillover events via prey, cardio-pulmonary nematodes may circulate between the wildcat population and domestic cats and might therefore pose a health risk to individual domestic cats.