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Jolyon M Medlock - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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distribution of the tick Dermacentor Reticulatus in the united kingdom
Medical and Veterinary Entomology, 2017Co-Authors: Jolyon M Medlock, Alexander G C Vaux, Kayleigh M Hansford, Benjamin Cull, Swaid Abdullah, Maaike E Pietzsch, Richard Wall, Nicholas Johnson, L P PhippsAbstract:The recent implication of Dermacentor Reticulatus (Ixodida: Ixodidae) in the transmission of canine babesiosis in the U.K. has highlighted the lack of accurate published data on its distribution in this country. This paper aims to collate and appraise historical data for D. Reticulatus, to supplement such data with more recent surveillance data and to report on field sampling conducted during 2009–2016. These updated data facilitate better understanding of the current distribution of this tick in the U.K., which will better inform disease risk assessments. There appear to be four known regions of the U.K. in which D. Reticulatus currently occurs, including western Wales, North and South Devon, and Essex. The majority of foci are located in coastal sand dunes and maritime grasslands, including grazing marsh. However, more recently the tick has been detected in urban greenspace in Essex. The emergence of this tick as a vector of babesiosis in the U.K. and its recent apparent spread in Essex into urban greenspace highlight the need for continued surveillance and for further research into its status as a vector of human and veterinary pathogens.
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first report of rickettsia raoultii in field collected Dermacentor Reticulatus ticks from austria
Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases, 2016Co-Authors: Georg Gerhard Duscher, Jolyon M Medlock, Adnan Hodžic, Martin Weiler, Alexander G C Vaux, Ivo Rudolf, Wolfdieter Sixl, V Versteirt, Zdenek HubalekAbstract:In a set of pooled field collected Dermacentor Reticulatus ticks, Rickettsia raoultii, the causative agent of Tick-borne lymphadenopathy/Dermacentor-borne necrosis erythema and lymphadenopathy, was found for the first time in Austria. The coordinates of the positive locations for tick and pathogen abundance are given and shown in a map.
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spotted fever group rickettsiae in Dermacentor Reticulatus and haemaphysalis punctata ticks in the uk
Parasites & Vectors, 2013Co-Authors: Ellen Tijsseklasen, Hein Sprong, Kayleigh M Hansford, Setareh Jahfari, Paul Phipps, Jolyon M MedlockAbstract:Background Spotted fever group (SFG) rickettsiae have recently been identified for the first time in UK ticks. This included the findings of Rickettsia helvetica in Ixodes ricinus and Rickettsia raoultii in Dermacentor Reticulatus. This paper further investigates the occurrence of SFG rickettsiae in additional geographically distinct populations of D. Reticulatus, and for the first time, investigates the occurrence of SFG rickettsiae in UK populations of Haemaphysalis punctata ticks.
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status of Dermacentor Reticulatus in the uk
Veterinary Record, 2011Co-Authors: Jolyon M Medlock, L J Jameson, L P PhippsAbstract:IN the light of recent interest in the occurrence of Dermacentor Reticulatus (Fig 1) in the UK following recently published additional reports of this tick in south-east England ( VR , April 2, 2011, vol 168, p 340; Smith and others 2011), backing up a previous letter in Veterinary Record (Jameson and Medlock 2009), we felt it appropriate to provide an update on the distribution of established populations of this native tick …
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first detection of spotted fever group rickettsiae in ixodes ricinus and Dermacentor Reticulatus ticks in the uk
Epidemiology and Infection, 2011Co-Authors: Ellen Tijsseklasen, L J Jameson, Steve Leach, Manoj Fonville, Hein Sprong, Jolyon M MedlockAbstract:A preliminary study was conducted to determine the presence of spotted fever rickettsiae in two species of British tick ( Ixodes ricinus and Dermacentor Reticulatus ). The 16S rRNA gene of Rickettsia spp. was detected in 39/401 (9·7%) of ticks tested, including 22/338 (6·5%) I. ricinus and 17/63 (27%) D. Reticulatus . Some positive I. ricinus samples showed 100% homology with Rickettsia helvetica (10/22), and most positive D. Reticulatus showed 100% homology with R. raoultii (13/17). Five other Rickettsia spp. were detected exhibiting 96–99% homology. Ticks positive for rickettsiae were collected from various hosts and from vegetation from eight counties across Great Britain. The distribution of R. helvetica in various engorged and unfed stages of I. ricinus suggests that R. helvetica is widespread. R. raoultii was found in questing adult D. Reticulatus in Wales and England. This is the first evidence of potentially pathogenic spotted fever rickettsiae in British ticks.
Jacek Dutkiewicz - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Hantavirus RNA was not detected in Dermacentor Reticulatus ticks
Annals of Agricultural and Environmental Medicine, 2020Co-Authors: Angelina Wójcik-fatla, Józef Piotr Knap, Jacek DutkiewiczAbstract:A total of 190 Dermacentor Reticulatus ticks (80 males, 110 females) collected on the territory of Ostrow Lubelski, Suchawa, Zalutyn and Kazimierz Dolny (Lublin Province, eastern Poland) were examined by reverse transcription PCR and nested PCR methods for the presence of hantavirus RNA. None of the examined Dermacentor Reticulatus specimens showed the presence of the hantavirus-specific RNA in spite of using two pairs of primers and the clearly positive results obtained with the positive control. Thus, the hypothesis about the possible participation of ticks in the transmission of hantaviruses was not confirmed.
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occurrence of francisella spp in Dermacentor Reticulatus and ixodes ricinus ticks collected in eastern poland
Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases, 2015Co-Authors: Angelina Wojcikfatla, Ewa Cisak, Violetta Zając, Jacek Sroka, Anna Sawczyn, Jacek DutkiewiczAbstract:Abstract A total of 530 questing Dermacentor Reticulatus ticks and 861 questing Ixodes ricinus ticks were collected from Lublin province (eastern Poland) and examined for the presence of Francisella by PCR for 16S rRNA ( rrs ) and tul4 genes. Only one female D. Reticulatus tick out of 530 examined (0.2%) was infected with Francisella tularensis subspecies holarctica , as determined by PCR of the rrs gene. None of 861 I. ricinus ticks were infected with F. tularensis . In contrast, the presence of Francisella -like endosymbionts (FLEs) was detected in more than half of the D. Reticulatus ticks (50.4%) and 0.8% of the I. ricinus ticks. The nucleotide sequences of the FLEs detected in D. Reticulatus exhibited 100% homology with the nucleotide sequence of the FLE strain FDrH detected in Hungary in D. Reticulatus. In conclusion, our results suggest a low contribution of D. Reticulatus and I. ricinus ticks to the circulation of F. tularensis in eastern Poland. This finding, however, needs to be confirmed by further studies in other areas. Our study confirmed the common infection of D. Reticulatus with Francisella -like endosymbionts (FLEs) of unknown pathogenic potential and revealed, for the first time, a low grade of infection of I. ricinus with FLEs.
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study on tick borne rickettsiae in eastern poland i prevalence in Dermacentor Reticulatus acari amblyommidae
Annals of Agricultural and Environmental Medicine, 2013Co-Authors: Angelina Wojcikfatla, Ewa Cisak, Violetta Zając, Jacek Sroka, Anna Sawczyn, Jacek DutkiewiczAbstract:Rickettsia spp. transmitted by ticks are classified mostly in the Spotted Fever Group Rickettsiae (SFGR). Numerous species of this group have been identified in Eurasia as emerging pathogens, but still little is known about their occurrence, effects on human health, and co-incidence with other tick-borne pathogens. The aim of the presented study was to determine the prevalence of Rickettsia spp. in adult Dermacentor Reticulatus (Acari: Amblyommidae) ticks collected in Lublin province of eastern Poland using the PCR method. The infection rate of D. Reticulatus with Rickettsia spp. was 53.0%. All except one rickettsial isolates showed 100% homology with Rickettsia raoultii. A high prevalence of R. raoultii in Dermacentor Reticulatus ticks from eastern Poland suggests that the SFGR species should be considered as potential causative agents of tick-borne diseases in this area.
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babesia microti in adult Dermacentor Reticulatus ticks from eastern poland
Vector-borne and Zoonotic Diseases, 2012Co-Authors: Angelina Wojcikfatla, Katarzyna Bartosik, Alicja Buczek, Jacek DutkiewiczAbstract:Abstract A total of 468 adult Dermacentor Reticulatus ticks (298 females and 170 males) collected by flagging in the forests of Lubelskie province, eastern Poland, were analyzed by PCR and nested-PCR for the presence of Babesia microti DNA. In all, 21 ticks (4.5%) were found to be infected with B. microti. The infection rate in females (5.0%) was slightly greater than in males (3.5%). Detection of B. microti for the first time in adult D. Reticulatus ticks suggests that this species should be considered as a potential vector of B. microti in Europe.
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prevalence of tick borne encephalitis virus in ixodes ricinus and Dermacentor Reticulatus ticks collected from the lublin region eastern poland
Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases, 2011Co-Authors: Angelina Wojcikfatla, Ewa Cisak, Violetta Zając, Jacek Zwolinski, Jacek DutkiewiczAbstract:Abstract A total of 875 nymphal and adult Ixodes ricinus ticks and 148 adult Dermacentor Reticulatus ticks were collected by flagging lower vegetation in the Lublin region (eastern Poland) and examined for the presence of RNA of tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) by nested RT-PCR. The minimum infection rate of I. ricinus ticks with TBEV amounted to 1.6% while the infection rate of D. Reticulatus ticks was 10.8%. The results suggest that D. Reticulatus may be a potential vector of TBEV in Central Europe.
Angelina Wojcikfatla - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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occurrence of francisella spp in Dermacentor Reticulatus and ixodes ricinus ticks collected in eastern poland
Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases, 2015Co-Authors: Angelina Wojcikfatla, Ewa Cisak, Violetta Zając, Jacek Sroka, Anna Sawczyn, Jacek DutkiewiczAbstract:Abstract A total of 530 questing Dermacentor Reticulatus ticks and 861 questing Ixodes ricinus ticks were collected from Lublin province (eastern Poland) and examined for the presence of Francisella by PCR for 16S rRNA ( rrs ) and tul4 genes. Only one female D. Reticulatus tick out of 530 examined (0.2%) was infected with Francisella tularensis subspecies holarctica , as determined by PCR of the rrs gene. None of 861 I. ricinus ticks were infected with F. tularensis . In contrast, the presence of Francisella -like endosymbionts (FLEs) was detected in more than half of the D. Reticulatus ticks (50.4%) and 0.8% of the I. ricinus ticks. The nucleotide sequences of the FLEs detected in D. Reticulatus exhibited 100% homology with the nucleotide sequence of the FLE strain FDrH detected in Hungary in D. Reticulatus. In conclusion, our results suggest a low contribution of D. Reticulatus and I. ricinus ticks to the circulation of F. tularensis in eastern Poland. This finding, however, needs to be confirmed by further studies in other areas. Our study confirmed the common infection of D. Reticulatus with Francisella -like endosymbionts (FLEs) of unknown pathogenic potential and revealed, for the first time, a low grade of infection of I. ricinus with FLEs.
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study on tick borne rickettsiae in eastern poland i prevalence in Dermacentor Reticulatus acari amblyommidae
Annals of Agricultural and Environmental Medicine, 2013Co-Authors: Angelina Wojcikfatla, Ewa Cisak, Violetta Zając, Jacek Sroka, Anna Sawczyn, Jacek DutkiewiczAbstract:Rickettsia spp. transmitted by ticks are classified mostly in the Spotted Fever Group Rickettsiae (SFGR). Numerous species of this group have been identified in Eurasia as emerging pathogens, but still little is known about their occurrence, effects on human health, and co-incidence with other tick-borne pathogens. The aim of the presented study was to determine the prevalence of Rickettsia spp. in adult Dermacentor Reticulatus (Acari: Amblyommidae) ticks collected in Lublin province of eastern Poland using the PCR method. The infection rate of D. Reticulatus with Rickettsia spp. was 53.0%. All except one rickettsial isolates showed 100% homology with Rickettsia raoultii. A high prevalence of R. raoultii in Dermacentor Reticulatus ticks from eastern Poland suggests that the SFGR species should be considered as potential causative agents of tick-borne diseases in this area.
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babesia microti in adult Dermacentor Reticulatus ticks from eastern poland
Vector-borne and Zoonotic Diseases, 2012Co-Authors: Angelina Wojcikfatla, Katarzyna Bartosik, Alicja Buczek, Jacek DutkiewiczAbstract:Abstract A total of 468 adult Dermacentor Reticulatus ticks (298 females and 170 males) collected by flagging in the forests of Lubelskie province, eastern Poland, were analyzed by PCR and nested-PCR for the presence of Babesia microti DNA. In all, 21 ticks (4.5%) were found to be infected with B. microti. The infection rate in females (5.0%) was slightly greater than in males (3.5%). Detection of B. microti for the first time in adult D. Reticulatus ticks suggests that this species should be considered as a potential vector of B. microti in Europe.
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prevalence of tick borne encephalitis virus in ixodes ricinus and Dermacentor Reticulatus ticks collected from the lublin region eastern poland
Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases, 2011Co-Authors: Angelina Wojcikfatla, Ewa Cisak, Violetta Zając, Jacek Zwolinski, Jacek DutkiewiczAbstract:Abstract A total of 875 nymphal and adult Ixodes ricinus ticks and 148 adult Dermacentor Reticulatus ticks were collected by flagging lower vegetation in the Lublin region (eastern Poland) and examined for the presence of RNA of tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) by nested RT-PCR. The minimum infection rate of I. ricinus ticks with TBEV amounted to 1.6% while the infection rate of D. Reticulatus ticks was 10.8%. The results suggest that D. Reticulatus may be a potential vector of TBEV in Central Europe.
Anna Bajer - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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molecular study of transovarial transmission of babesia canis in the Dermacentor Reticulatus tick
Annals of Agricultural and Environmental Medicine, 2018Co-Authors: Ewa J Mierzejewska, Dorota Dwuznik, Anna BajerAbstract:: The Dermacentor Reticulatus tick is a main vector of Babesia canis in Europe. The risk of canine babesiosis is unpredictable, due to significant differences in the prevalence of B. canis between ticks originating from closely situated regions. This phenomenon may be explained by vertical transmission of the pathogen in a vector population. Thus, molecular techniques were applied to investigate the occurrence of transovarial transmission in D. Reticulatus ticks. DNA of B. canis was detected in 20.7% (6/29) of engorged female ticks collected from dogs, in every pool of eggs laid by positive females (100%, 6/6) and in larvae hatched from these eggs. In the pools of eggs collected from two positive females (2/6; 33.3%), no larvae hatched and no embryos were observed inside the eggs. Conclusions. Transovarial transmission of B. canis can be an important mechanism supporting maintenance of the pathogen in the environment without the presence of a reservoir vertebrate host. However, the efficiency of transovarial transmission in the maintenance of B. canis in natural conditions requires further field research.
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Spread of Dermacentor Reticulatus is associated with the loss of forest area
Experimental and Applied Acarology, 2017Co-Authors: Ewa J Mierzejewska, Agustín Estrada-peña, Anna BajerAbstract:Changes in tick distribution and abundance are among the main drivers of the (re)emergence of transmitted pathogens. We aimed to uncover the reasons of the reported spread of Dermacentor Reticulatus in Poland using a variety of proxies of environmental features, ground-measured temperature and remotely-sensed data of temperature and vegetation. Ground-measured temperature was recorded in 2013–2014, in sites where D. Reticulatus presence (n = 16) or absence (n = 16) was confirmed. We specifically aimed to test whether changes in phenology of vegetation and the length of the growing season were correlated with field-derived data regarding the presence/absence of D. Reticulatus . We also used categorical descriptions of the habitat to capture the vegetation patterns that might delineate the distribution of the tick. We demonstrated that temperature, phenology of vegetation and length of growing season have no correlation with the occurrence of D. Reticulatus in Poland. There is, however, a clear association between the trends of the loss of forests and the presence of the tick. This parameter was two times higher at sites colonized by D. Reticulatus in comparison to the sites where the population of the tick is not yet established. A spatial analysis demonstrated that the preferred territories for D. Reticulatus are those of a highly fragmented landscape within a large patch of homogeneous vegetation, in the vicinity of permanent water courses or reservoirs.
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mapping of Dermacentor Reticulatus expansion in poland in 2012 2014
Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases, 2016Co-Authors: Ewa J Mierzejewska, Agustin Estradapena, Mohammed Alsarraf, Maciej Kowalec, Anna BajerAbstract:Abstract Rapid expansion of the tick Dermacentor Reticulatus (Fabricius) has been reported in many European countries. In Poland its range was limited to the area on the eastern side of the Vistula River up until the 1990s. However, new foci were recently discovered, while the centre of the country and mountain regions are believed to be free of this tick and are known as “the gap”. A few unconfirmed factors, like unfavourable weather conditions, changes in land cover and absence of competent hosts have previously been reported as possible reasons for the absence of D. Reticulatus in this area. Since D. Reticulatus plays an important role for the maintenance and the circulation of tick-borne pathogens, we (1) determined its actual range in Poland, (2) monitored its expansion in 2012–2014 and (3) correlated abiotic conditions on its known range. Dragging was conducted in the area between the Vistula River and the western border of Poland in 2012–2014, along the three major Polish rivers and their tributaries. Temperature and humidity on the ground were recorded 4 times a day at a total of 32 sites. D. Reticulatus was found in 21 new locations on the western side of the Vistula River and in 22 locations in western Poland. The presence of this tick species was confirmed for the first time in Wielkopolskie, Kujawsko-Pomorskie and Łodzkie voivodeships. Existence of ‘the gap’ was confirmed on a strip of land along the northwest–southeast axis (an area of approximately 151 000 km 2 ), that extends between Zachodniopomorskie and Pomorskie in the North, and the mountain areas with foothills in the South, in Opolskie, Śląskie, Malopolskie and Podkarpackie voivodeships. This gap divides the tick population in Poland into two separated populations – Western and Eastern. The lowest abundance of ticks was found in the newly established foci in central and western Poland. Our study showed the need for the monitoring of the D. Reticulatus expansion. Early detection of new foci is crucial for taking proper prevention measures.
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pathogens vectored by the tick Dermacentor Reticulatus in endemic regions and zones of expansion in poland
Parasites & Vectors, 2015Co-Authors: Ewa J Mierzejewska, Agnieszka Pawelczyk, Marek Radkowski, Renata Welcfaleciak, Anna BajerAbstract:Background Dermacentor Reticulatus plays an important role in the maintenance of pathogens of medical and veterinary importance in the environment. Currently two isolated populations of D. Reticulatus are present in Poland –Western and Eastern. The range of the Eastern population covers endemic areas in eastern Poland but this population is expanding westwards creating an expansion zone in the centre of the country. The expansion zone in western Poland is occupied by the recently discovered Western population, spreading eastwards.
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dominance of Dermacentor Reticulatus over ixodes ricinus ixodidae on livestock companion animals and wild ruminants in eastern and central poland
Experimental and Applied Acarology, 2015Co-Authors: Ewa J Mierzejewska, Renata Welcfaleciak, Grzegorz Karbowiak, Maciej Kowalec, Jerzy M Behnke, Anna BajerAbstract:The most common tick species parasitizing animals in Poland are Ixodes ricinus and Dermacentor Reticulatus. These tick species differ in their distribution, habitats, seasonal activity and host specificity. Ixodes ricinus is the most prevalent and widely distributed, whereas the range of D. Reticulatus is limited to eastern and central parts of the country with several new foci in the middle-west and the west. However, as in many central European countries, the range of D. Reticulatus is expanding, and some authors have correlated this expansion with an increasing number of available hosts. The aim of the present study was to determine the tick fauna on domestic and livestock animals in two areas endemic for I. ricinus and D. Reticulatus and to compare the risk of infestation with different tick species in open and forest areas. Over a 14 month period, 732 ticks were collected from five host species including domestic animals (dogs and cats), livestock (cows and horses) and wildlife (European bison) in two areas, central and NE Poland, endemic for D. Reticulatus. Three tick species were recorded: D. Reticulatus (623 individuals; 85.1 % of all collected ticks), I. ricinus (106 individuals; 14.5 %) and three females of Ixodes hexagonus (0.4 %) from a dog. Dermacentor Reticulatus was the dominant tick species found on four host species and constituted 86, 81, 97 and 100 % of all ticks from dogs, horses, cows and bison, respectively, and was collected from animals throughout the year, including during the winter. The common tick, I. ricinus, was the dominant tick collected from cats (94 %). Fully-engorged, ready-for-reproduction females of D. Reticulatus were collected from all host species. In May 2012, questing ticks were collected by dragging in forest or open habitats. The density of adult marsh ticks in open areas was around 2 ticks/100 m2 in the majority of locations, with a maximum of 9.5 ticks/100 m2. The density of adult I. ricinus was much lower in its typical habitat (forests: range 0.8–2.2 ticks/100 m2) between three and seven times lower than the density of D. Reticulatus in its typical habitat. In regions endemic for marsh ticks, this tick species constitutes the main risk of tick infestation for livestock and dogs throughout the year. Livestock and companion animals are competent hosts for D. Reticulatus, enabling the completion of the tick’s life cycle. Anti-tick treatment should be adjusted to marsh tick seasonal activity and drug sensitivity.
Hein Sprong - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Dermacentor Reticulatus: a vector on the rise
Parasites & Vectors, 2016Co-Authors: Gábor Földvári, Pavel Široký, Sándor Szekeres, Gábor Majoros, Hein SprongAbstract:Dermacentor Reticulatus is a hard tick species with extraordinary biological features. It has a high reproduction rate, a rapid developmental cycle, and is also able to overcome years of unfavourable conditions. Dermacentor Reticulatus can survive under water for several months and is cold-hardy even compared to other tick species. It has a wide host range: over 60 different wild and domesticated hosts are known for the three active developmental stages. Its high adaptiveness gives an edge to this tick species as shown by new data on the emergence and establishment of D. Reticulatus populations throughout Europe. The tick has been the research focus of a growing number of scientists, physicians and veterinarians. Within the Web of Science database, more than a fifth of the over 700 items published on this species between 1897 and 2015 appeared in the last three years (2013–2015). Here we attempt to synthesize current knowledge on the systematics, ecology, geographical distribution and recent spread of the species and to highlight the great spectrum of possible veterinary and public health threats it poses. Canine babesiosis caused by Babesia canis is a severe leading canine vector-borne disease in many endemic areas. Although less frequently than Ixodes ricinus , D. Reticulatus adults bite humans and transmit several Rickettsia spp., Omsk haemorrhagic fever virus or Tick-borne encephalitis virus. We have not solely collected and reviewed the latest and fundamental scientific papers available in primary databases but also widened our scope to books, theses, conference papers and specialists colleagues’ experience where needed. Besides the dominant literature available in English, we also tried to access scientific literature in German, Russian and eastern European languages as well. We hope to inspire future research projects that are necessary to understand the basic life-cycle and ecology of this vector in order to understand and prevent disease threats. We conclude that although great strides have been made in our knowledge of the eco-epidemiology of this species, several gaps still need to be filled with basic research, targeting possible reservoir and vector roles and the key factors resulting in the observed geographical spread of D. Reticulatus .
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new foci of haemaphysalis punctata and Dermacentor Reticulatus in the netherlands
Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases, 2016Co-Authors: Tim R Hofmeester, Hein Sprong, Arieke Docters Van Leeuwen, Sipke E Van WierenAbstract:In 2014 Haemaphysalis punctata was found in several locations on the mainland of the Netherlands for the first time since 1897. In the same areas Dermacentor Reticulatus and Ixodes ricinus were found. Haemaphysalis punctata and D. Reticulatus were tested for presence of Babesia spp. and Rickettsia spp. by PCR. Babesia spp. and spotted fever Rickettsiae were not detected in any of the collected H. punctata, while several D. Reticulatus (6%) collected from the same areas were found to be positive for R. raoultii, a causative agent of tick-borne lymphadenopathy. We discuss the role of free-ranging domestic animals in maintaining H. punctata and D. Reticulatus populations in dune areas in the Netherlands.
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spotted fever group rickettsiae in Dermacentor Reticulatus and haemaphysalis punctata ticks in the uk
Parasites & Vectors, 2013Co-Authors: Ellen Tijsseklasen, Hein Sprong, Kayleigh M Hansford, Setareh Jahfari, Paul Phipps, Jolyon M MedlockAbstract:Background Spotted fever group (SFG) rickettsiae have recently been identified for the first time in UK ticks. This included the findings of Rickettsia helvetica in Ixodes ricinus and Rickettsia raoultii in Dermacentor Reticulatus. This paper further investigates the occurrence of SFG rickettsiae in additional geographically distinct populations of D. Reticulatus, and for the first time, investigates the occurrence of SFG rickettsiae in UK populations of Haemaphysalis punctata ticks.
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first detection of spotted fever group rickettsiae in ixodes ricinus and Dermacentor Reticulatus ticks in the uk
Epidemiology and Infection, 2011Co-Authors: Ellen Tijsseklasen, L J Jameson, Steve Leach, Manoj Fonville, Hein Sprong, Jolyon M MedlockAbstract:A preliminary study was conducted to determine the presence of spotted fever rickettsiae in two species of British tick ( Ixodes ricinus and Dermacentor Reticulatus ). The 16S rRNA gene of Rickettsia spp. was detected in 39/401 (9·7%) of ticks tested, including 22/338 (6·5%) I. ricinus and 17/63 (27%) D. Reticulatus . Some positive I. ricinus samples showed 100% homology with Rickettsia helvetica (10/22), and most positive D. Reticulatus showed 100% homology with R. raoultii (13/17). Five other Rickettsia spp. were detected exhibiting 96–99% homology. Ticks positive for rickettsiae were collected from various hosts and from vegetation from eight counties across Great Britain. The distribution of R. helvetica in various engorged and unfed stages of I. ricinus suggests that R. helvetica is widespread. R. raoultii was found in questing adult D. Reticulatus in Wales and England. This is the first evidence of potentially pathogenic spotted fever rickettsiae in British ticks.