Ticks and tick-borne diseases from Mallorca Island, Spain.

Ixodid ticks are obligate blood-feeding arthropods and important vectors of pathogens. In Mallorca, almost no data on the tick fauna are available. Herein, we investigated ticks and tick-borne pathogens in ticks collected from dogs, a cat and humans in Mallorca as result of a citizen science project. A total of 91 ticks were received from German tourists and residents in Mallorca. Ticks were collected from March to October 2023 from dogs, cat and humans, morphologically and genetically identified and tested for pathogens by PCRs. Six tick species could be identified: Ixodes ricinus (n = 2), Ixodes ventalloi (n = 1), Hyalomma lusitanicum (n = 7), Hyalomma marginatum (n = 1), Rhipicephalus sanguineus s.l. (n = 71) and Rhipicephalus pusillus (n = 9). Rhipicephalus sanguineus s.l. adults were collected from dogs and four females from a cat and the 16S rDNA sequences identified it as Rh. sanguineus s.s. Hyalomma lusitanicum was collected from 1 human, 1 dog and 5 specimens were collected from the ground in the community of Santanyi, together with one H. marginatum male. This is the first report of Hyalomma marginatum in Mallorca. Both I. ricinus were collected from humans and I. ventalloi female was collected from a dog. All ticks tested negative for Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Coxiella spp., Francisella spp., and piroplasms. In 32/71 (45%) specimens of Rh. sanguineus s.s., Rickettsia spp. could be detected and in 18/32 (56.2%) sequenced tick DNAs R. massiliae was identified. Ixodes ventalloi female and both I. ricinus tested positive in the screening PCR, but the sequencing for the identification of the Rickettsia sp. failed.

Exotic ticks removed from German travelers.

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.

Tick findings from subterranean environments in the Central German Uplands and Luxembourg reveal a predominance of male Ixodes hexagonus.

Questing ticks are usually collected by flagging or dragging. Mostly exophilic tick species are caught, such as Ixodes ricinus, the most common tick in Central Europe. In the present study, ticks collected from underground environments in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and in the Central German Uplands (Federal States of Hesse, Bavaria, Thuringia, Baden-Wuerttemberg, Rhineland-Palatinate, Saarland and Northrhine-Westphalia) were investigated. Six tick species were revealed among the 396 analyzed specimens: Ixodes ariadnae, Ixodes canisuga, Ixodes hexagonus, I. ricinus, Ixodes trianguliceps, and Dermacentor marginatus. Adults and immatures of I. hexagonus dominated the findings (57% of all specimens), especially in shelters acting as potential resting places of main hosts. Ixodes canisuga and I. trianguliceps were for the first time recorded in Luxembourg, and one nymph of the bat tick I. ariadnae represents only the second report for Germany. Collecting ticks in subterranean environments turned out to be a useful approach to increase knowledge about the occurrence of relatively rare tick species, including those that spend most of their lifetime on their hosts, but detach in such environmental settings.

Ticks and Rickettsiae Associated with Wild Animals Sold in Bush Meat Markets in Cameroon.

Ticks are obligate blood-sucking parasites of wild animals and transmit many zoonotic microorganisms that can spread to domesticated animals and then to humans. In Cameroon, little is known about tick diversity among wildlife, especially for animals which are hunted for human consumption. Therefore, this survey was undertaken to investigate tick and Rickettsia species diversity parasitizing the wild animals sold in bush meat markets in Cameroon. In total, 686 ticks were collected and identified to the species level based on morphology, and some were genetically analyzed using the 16S rRNA gene. Eighteen tick species belonging to five genera were identified: Amblyomma spp. (Amblyomma compressum, Amblyomma flavomaculatum, and Amblyomma variegatum), Haemaphysalis spp. (Haemaphysalis camicasi, Haemaphysalis houyi, Haemaphysalis leachi, and Haemaphysalis parmata), Hyalomma spp. (Hyalomma nitidum, Hyalomma rufipes, and Hyalomma truncatum), Ixodes spp. (Ixodes rasus and Ixodes moreli), and Rhipicephalus spp. (Rhipicephalus guilhoni, Rhipicephalus moucheti, Rhipicephalus muhsamae, Rhipicephalus microplus, Rhipicephalus camicasi, and Rhipicephalus linnaei). In terms of Rickettsia important for public health, two Rickettsia spp., namely Rickettsia aeschlimannii and Rickettsia africae, were detected in Hyalomma spp. and Amblyomma spp., respectively. Distinct tick-pathogen patterns were present for divergent sequences of R. africae associated with exclusively A. variegatum vectors (type strain) versus vectors comprising A. compressum, A. flavomaculatum, and A. variegatum. This suggests possible effects of vector species population dynamics on pathogen population circulation dynamics. Furthermore, Candidatus Rickettsia africaustralis was detected for the first time in Cameroon in I. rasus. This study highlights the high diversity of ticks among wildlife sold in bush meat markets in Cameroon.

Molecular detection of tick-borne pathogens in Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu stricto collected from dogs in the steppe and high plateau regions of Algeria.

Epidemiology and distributions of canine tick-borne diseases as well as their veterinary and zoonotic significance are poorly understood in Algeria. The present study describes a molecular investigation of important tick-borne pathogens in Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu stricto collected from domestic dogs in steppe and high plateau areas of central and eastern Algeria. In total, 1,043 ticks were collected from 147 dogs, including 756 ticks from 124 dogs in the steppe region of Djelfa and 287 ticks from 23 dogs in the high plateau area of Bordj Bou Arreridj. Ticks were divided into 384 pools (309 pools from Djelfa and 75 pools from Bordj Bou Arreridj) and tested for genomic materials of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV) as well as DNA for Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Anaplasma platys, Ehrlichia canis, Rickettsia spp., Babesia spp., and Hepatozoon spp. using PCR, sequencing and phylogenetic analysis. Hepatozoon spp. was most prevalent, with 160 positive pools (41.7%), and 12 of these were sequenced and identified as Hepatozoon canis. Babesia spp. was detected in 50 samples (13.0%), of which 11 were sequenced and identified as Babesia vogeli. A. platys and E. canis were detected in 92 (24.0%) and 15 (3.9%) of tested samples, respectively. Rickettsia spp. were detected in 24 (6.3%) samples, including 11 samples identified as R. massiliae, 6 samples identified as R. conorii conorii, and 7 samples could not be identified to species level. All 384 pools tested negative for CCHFV and A. phagocytophilum. In addition to detection of R. conorii conorii, R. massiliae, and E. canis, the present study provides the first molecular data for occurrence of A. platys, B. vogeli, and H. canis in Rh. sanguineus s.s. infesting dogs in Algeria. Further large scale studies should be conducted to better understand the epidemiology, distributions, and importance of canine tick-borne pathogens in Algeria.

Rickettsia spp. in ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) from wild birds: First detection of Candidatus Rickettsia vini in Hesse, Germany.

Tick-borne diseases are recognized as a growing public health concern and cause significant issues in humans and animals by serving as dispersal agents of ticks and their associated pathogens. Birds contribute to the spread of ticks and tick-borne diseases, with migratory birds playing a role in regional dispersal. Only a few studies have been carried out in Germany so far to investigate tick fauna on birds and the pathogens they harbour. In 2017 and 2018, we collected ticks from a total of 358 birds in the northern region of the Federal State of Hesse, Germany. Most ticks were Ixodes ricinus larvae and nymphs (95.4%). However, two ornithophilic species were also collected: Ixodes frontalis (larvae, nymphs and females) and Ixodes arboricola (larvae and nymphs). Ticks were tested individually or in pools, depending on the tick life stage and species for each bird host, in order to detect tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) virus and Rickettsia spp. All samples tested negative for TBE virus. Of 684 investigated tick pools, 162 tested positive for Rickettsia spp. by screening PCR. Of these, 117 carried Rickettsia helvetica detected by specific real-time PCR. The samples which were negative in the R. helvetica PCR were further investigated using five targets (gltA, 16S, ompA IV, ompB, 23S-5S intergenic spacer region) using multi locus sequence typing and phylogenetic analysis. The obtained sequences showed strong phylogenetic relationship to Candidatus Rickettsia vini, which is most closely related to R. japonica and R. heilongjiangensis, and occur in I. arboricola. Three more sequences were determined as R. helvetica in I. ricinus and I. frontalis. This is the first detection of Ca. R. vini in Germany and the first 23S-5S data published for Ca. R. vini, a useful target for Rickettsia species identification.

Long-Term Itching in a Tourist Following Bite by a Nymph of Dermacentor auratus (Acari: Ixodidae) in Cambodia.

The impact of tick bites during holidays in tropical countries is seldom reported. Here, we describe long-term skin alterations and itching experienced by a German tourist following the bite of a nymph of Dermacentor auratus Supino, 1897 in Cambodia. Tick infestation may be neglected by travelers. Therefore, careful travel history is necessary when travelers report a tick bite after spending holiday in tropical and subtropical countries.

Ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) on birds migrating to the island of Ponza, Italy, and the tick-borne pathogens they carry.

Seasonal migration of birds between breeding and wintering areas can facilitate the spread of tick species and tick-borne diseases. In this study, 151 birds representing 10 different bird species were captured on Ponza Island, an important migratory stopover off the western coast of Italy and screened for tick infestation. Ticks were collected and identified morphologically. Morphological identification was supported through sequencing a fragment of the 16S mitochondrial gene. In total, 16 captured birds carried ticks from four tick species: Hyalomma rufipes (n = 14), Amblyomma variegatum (n = 1), Amblyomma sp. (n = 1), and Ixodes ventalloi (n = 2). All specimens were either larvae (n = 2) or nymphs (n = 16). All ticks were investigated for tick-borne pathogens using published molecular methods. Rickettsia aeschlimannii was detected in six of the 14 collected H. rufipes ticks. Additionally, the singular A. variegatum nymph tested positive for R. africae. In all 14 H. rufipes specimens (2 larvae and 12 nymphs), Francisella-like endosymbionts were detected. Four H. rufipes ticks tested positive for Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato in a screening PCR but did not produce sufficient amplicon amounts for species identification. All ticks tested negative for tick-borne encephalitis virus, Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus, Coxiella burnetii, Coxiella-like organisms, Babesia spp., and Theileria spp. This study confirms the role of migratory birds in the spread and establishment of both exotic tick species and tick-borne pathogens outside their endemic range.

Tick Fauna and Associated Rickettsia, Theileria, and Babesia spp. in Domestic Animals in Sudan (North Kordofan and Kassala States).

Ticks and tick-borne diseases (TBDs) have a major economic impact on animal production worldwide. In the present study, 2410 ticks were collected from January to August 2017 from livestock and other domestic animals in North Kordofan and Kassala, Sudan, for species identification and investigation of Rickettsia spp. and piroplasms, either individually or as pools containing up to 10 ticks by molecular methods. In total, 13 tick species were identified by morphology and 16S rDNA sequencing. The most frequent tick species were Hyalomma impeltatum (24.90%), Rhipicephalus evertsi evertsi (18.84%), Amblyomma lepidum (16.06%), and Rhipicephalus camicasi (12.49%). A pan-Rickettsia real-time PCR revealed an overall minimum infection rate (MIR) with Rickettsia spp. of 5.64% (136 positive tick pools/2410 total ticks). Rickettsia africae and Rickettsia aeschlimannii were the most frequently identified species by sequencing. Furthermore, the following highly pathogenic livestock parasites were detected: Theileria annulata, Theileria lestoquardi, Theileria equi, and Babesia caballi. The present study documented Rhipicephalus afranicus as well as Rickettsia conorii israelensis, Rickettsia massiliae, and Babesia pecorum for the first time in Sudan. These findings are significant for the animal production sector as well as in terms of One Health, as the detected Rickettsia spp. can cause serious illness in humans.

Ixodid tick species and two tick-borne pathogens in three areas in the Sudan.

Ticks are important parasites from economic and public health points of view because of their ability to reduce farm animals' productivity and transmit zoonotic diseases. We conducted this cross-sectional study between January and March 2016 and between March and April 2017 to identify tick species in West Darfur, Al-Jazeera, and the River Nile states in the Sudan and to investigate whether these ticks carry Rickettsia spp. and Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) virus. In total, 1593 ticks were collected from 207 animals and identified based on morphology or 16S rRNA gene and tested for Rickettsia spp. and CCHF virus either individually or as pools containing 2 to 10 pooled ticks using molecular methods. Overall, 14 tick species belonging to three genera, namely Amblyomma, Hyalomma, and Rhipicephalus, were identified. Hyalomma anatolicum and Rhipicephalus evertsi evertsi were the most frequent ticks. A total of 561 tests comprised of individual or pooled ticks were conducted and 13.7% (77/561) were positive for Rickettsia spp. which were mostly Rickettsia aeschlimannii and R. africae. The highest positivity was noticed among H. rufipes collected from cattle and camels in West Darfur. However, none of the screened Hyalomma ticks harbored CCHF viral RNA. These findings suggest that there might be a risk of zoonotic transmission of Rickettsia spp. by ticks but zoonotic transmission of CCHF virus is apparently doubtful. An in-depth and a country-wide epidemiological study is needed to better understand the dynamic of Rickettsia spp. and CCHF virus in the Sudan.

Detection of Amblyomma mixtum (Acari: Ixodidae) in Germany on a Human Traveler Returning From Cuba.

The importation of exotic ticks to Germany on infested humans is rarely reported. Here we describe the detection of an Amblyomma mixtum nymph harboring Rickettsia amblyommatis by a tourist returning from a holiday trip to Cuba. Tick infestation may be neglected by tourists. Therefore, careful anamnesis and diagnosis should be carried out when tourists return from tropical and subtropical countries suffering from nonspecific symptoms, such as fever and malaise.

Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever virus in Hyalomma impeltatum ticks from North Kordofan, the Sudan.

An evidence for Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV) was found in Hyalomma impeltatum ticks collected from sheep in North Kordofan in the Sudan. Based on sequencing of the partial segment S, the detected virus belongs to lineage I with closest similarity to CCHFV strains from Senegal. So far, this lineage is unknown in the Sudan.

Imported Hyalomma ticks in Germany in 2018.

BACKGROUND: Hyalomma marginatum and Hyalomma rufipes are two-host tick species, which are mainly distributed in southern Europe, Africa and middle-eastern Asia. They are well-known vectors of Crimean Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) virus and other viruses as well as Rickettsia aeschlimannii. In recent years, these tick species have been found sporadically in Germany, but they do not belong to the autochthonous tick fauna in Germany. METHODS: Ticks with unusual morphology were collected and sent from private persons or public health offices to involve institutions for morphological identification and further testing. All ticks identified as Hyalomma spp. were tested using molecular detection methods for CCHF virus, Rickettsia spp., Coxiella burnetii and Coxiella-like organisms, Babesia spp. and Theileria spp. RESULTS: Thirty-five ticks with an unusual appearance or behaviour were reported to us during summer-autumn 2018. For 17 of them, the description or photos implied that they belong to the hard tick genus Hyalomma. The remaining 18 ticks were sent to us and were identified as adult Hyalomma marginatum (10 specimens) or adult Hyalomma rufipes (8 specimens). All ticks tested negative for CCHF virus, Coxiella burnetii, Coxiella-like organisms, Babesia spp. and Theileria spp. The screening for rickettsiae gave positive results in 9 specimens . The Rickettsia species in all cases was identified as R. aeschlimannii. CONCLUSIONS: These results show that exotic tick species imported into Germany were able to develop from the nymphal to the adult stage under appropriate weather conditions. Fifty percent of the ticks carried R. aeschlimannii, a human pathogen, while CCHF virus or other pathogens were not detected. Imported Hyalomma ticks may be the source of exotic diseases acquired in Germany.

Detection of Rickettsia monacensis and Rickettsia amblyommatis in ticks collected from dogs in Costa Rica and Nicaragua.

The neotropical climate of Central America provides ideal conditions for ticks, which may transmit several human pathogens, including spotted-fever group Rickettsia. Dogs may act as sentinels or reservoirs for human tick-borne diseases due to shared tick species. Here, ticks were collected from 680 client-owned dogs in Nicaragua and Costa Rica, and a total of 316 tick pools were investigated for Rickettsia infection by quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) targeting the gltA gene. Subsequently, up to six further genomic targets (16S rDNA, gltA, sca4, ompA, ompB and the 23S-5S intergenic spacer) were investigated for Rickettsia species determination. The predominant tick species was Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato (s.l.) (19.9% of dogs infested in Costa Rica, 48.0% in Nicaragua), followed by Ixodes boliviensis (3.1% in Costa Rica / none in Nicaragua) and Amblyomma ovale (4.8% in Costa Rica, 0.9% in Nicaragua). In total, 22 of 316 tick pools containing 60 of 1023 individual ticks were Rickettsia-positive as determined by qPCR, resulting in a minimum infection rate (MIR) of 2.2%. In detail, MIR in Rh. sanguineus s.l. was 0.7% (7/281 pools), in I. boliviensis 33.3% (12/13 pools) and in A. ovale 9.7% (3/22 pools). For 11 of 12 positive I. boliviensis pools and one of six positive Rh. sanguineus s.l. pools, the species could be determined as R. monacensis. R. amblyommatis was identified in one Rh. sanguineus s.l. pool from Costa Rica and one A. ovale pool from Nicaragua. Nine of 12 R. monacensis-positive tick pools were collected in San Rafael de Heredia, Costa Rica, indicating a high local occurrence in this area. This study supports recent evidence that R. monacensis is present on the American continent. Its high local occurrence among dog-associated I. boliviensis, which may also parasitize humans, in Costa Rica gives cause for concern, as R. monacensis is also pathogenic to humans.

First detection of Rickettsia conorii ssp. caspia in Rhipicephalus sanguineus in Zambia.

Ticks are important vectors for Rickettsia spp. of the spotted fever group all around the world. Rickettsia conorii is the etiological agent of boutonneuse fever in the Mediterranean region and Africa. Tick identification was based on morphological features and further characterized using the 16S rRNA gene. The ticks were individually tested using pan-Rickettsia real-time-PCR for screening, and 23S-5S intergenic spacer region, 16S rDNA, gltA, sca4, ompB, and ompA genes were used to analyze the Rickettsia positive samples. Rickettsia conorii ssp. caspia was detected in tick collected in Zambia for the first time, thus demonstrating the possibility of the occurrence of human disease, namely Astrakhan fever, due to this Rickettsia ssp. in this region of Africa. The prevalence of R. conorii ssp. caspia was 0.06% (one positive tick out of 1465 tested ticks) and 0.07% (one positive tick out of 1254 tested Rh. sanguineus).