Abstract
BackgroundThe aims of this study were to evaluate the host-tick-pathogen interface of Babesia spp. and Anaplasma phagocytophilum in restored areas in both questing and host-attached Ixodes ricinus and Dermacentor reticulatus and their small mammalian hosts.MethodsQuesting ticks were collected from 5 sites within the city of Leipzig, Germany, in 2009. Small mammals were trapped at 3 of the 5 sites during 2010 and 2011. DNA extracts of questing and host-attached I. ricinus and D. reticulatus and of several tissue types of small mammals (the majority bank voles and yellow-necked mice), were investigated by PCR followed by sequencing for the occurrence of DNA of Babesia spp. and by real-time PCR for A. phagocytophilum. A selected number of samples positive for A. phagocytophilum were further investigated for variants of the partial 16S rRNA gene. Co-infection with Rickettsia spp. in the questing ticks was additionally investigated.Results4.1% of questing I. ricinus ticks, but no D. reticulatus, were positive for Babesia sp. and 8.7% of I. ricinus for A. phagocytophilum. Sequencing revealed B. microti, B. capreoli and Babesia spp. EU1 in Leipzig and sequence analysis of the partial 16S RNA gene of A. phagocytophilum revealed variants either rarely reported in human cases or associated with cervid hosts. The statistical analysis revealed significantly less ticks infected with A. phagocytophilum in a city park in Leipzig as compared to the other sampling sites. A. phagocytophilum-DNA was detected in 2 bank voles, DNA of B. microti in 1 striped field-mouse and of Babesia sp. EU1 in the skin tissue of a mole. Co-infections were detected.ConclusionOur results show the involvement of small mammals in the natural endemic cycles of tick-borne pathogens. A more thorough understanding of the interactions of ticks, pathogens and hosts is the essential basis for effective preventive control measures.
Highlights
The aims of this study were to evaluate the host-tick-pathogen interface of Babesia spp. and Anaplasma phagocytophilum in restored areas in both questing and host-attached Ixodes ricinus and Dermacentor reticulatus and their small mammalian hosts
I. ricinus is an important vector for pathogens such as Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato and the tick-borne encephalitis virus, and for so-called emerging pathogens like Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Babesia spp
D. reticulatus as well serves as a vector for pathogens of human and veterinary concern, e. g. for Rickettsia raoultii and Babesia canis canis [2,3]
Summary
The aims of this study were to evaluate the host-tick-pathogen interface of Babesia spp. and Anaplasma phagocytophilum in restored areas in both questing and host-attached Ixodes ricinus and Dermacentor reticulatus and their small mammalian hosts. Comparison of Babesia prevalences from previous studies shows that infection rates are generally lower, by a factor of 5 to 10, in the South of Germany (Table 1) Both babesiosis and granulocytic anaplasmosis are zoonotic diseases with a natural enzootic cycle involving the agent itself, the tick and the host. We attempted (i) to identify Babesia infections in questing and hostattached I. ricinus and D. reticulatus populations, (ii) to identify the infection rate with A. phagocytophilum in questing and host-attached I. ricinus, (iii) to identify possible small mammalian reservoir hosts in the investigated areas and (iv) to evaluate co-infections with Rickettsia spp. in the same questing ticks which had been investigated for Rickettsia spp. in a previous study [13]
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