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Gábor Földvári - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Dicipivirus (family Picornaviridae) in wild Northern white-breasted Hedgehog (Erinaceus roumanicus)
Archives of Virology, 2018Co-Authors: Gábor Földvári, Sándor Szekeres, Róbert Mátics, Beatrix KapusinszkyAbstract:Using random amplification and high-throughput sequencing technology a novel picornavirus with dicistronic genome organization and genetically related to canine picodicistrovirus (genus Dicipivirus , family Picornaviridae ) was identified and characterized in Northern white-breasted Hedgehogs. Hedgehog dicipivirus (Hedgehog/H14/2015/HUN, MF188967) was detected in 15 (75%) of 20 faecal specimens by RT-PCR with high viral loads (up to 8.2x10^8 genomic copies/ml faeces). Hedgehog dicipivirus RNA was also identified in blood, ear skin, abdominal muscle and liver tissues. While the general dicistronic genome organization of Hedgehog/H14/2015/HUN is similar to canine picodicistrovirus (5’UTR-P1-IGR-P2/P3-3UTR) there are some unique genome characteristics within the untranslated regions, especially in the functional IRES elements. This study reports the putative second member of the genus Dicipivirus , in a novel host species.
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candidatus neoehrlichia mikurensis and anaplasma phagocytophilum in urban Hedgehogs
Emerging Infectious Diseases, 2014Co-Authors: Gábor Földvári, Sándor Szekeres, Krisztina Rigo, Monika Jablonszky, Gabor Majoros, Maria Toth, Setareh Jahfari, Viktor Molnar, Elena Claudia Coipan, Hein SprongAbstract:To the Editor: Candidatus Neoehrlichia mikurensis is a member of the order Rickettsiales, family Anaplasmataceae (1). Manifestations of infection with these bacteria are atypical and severe and include cough, nausea, vomiting, anemia, headache, pulmonary infiltration, malaise, myalgia, arthralgia, fatigue, recurrent fever for ≤8 months, and/or death (2–5). Candidatus N. mikurensis has been detected in Ixodes ovatus, I. persulcatus, and Haemaphysalis concinna ticks in Asia (1,5). Candidatus N. mikurensis has been identified as one of the most prevalent pathogenic agents in I. ricinus ticks throughout Europe (2,3,6). Rodents of diverse species and geographic origins have been shown to carry these bacteria, but transmission experiments have not been conducted to unambiguously identify natural vertebrate reservoirs (1–3,5–7). This emerging tickborne pathogen has been detected mainly in immunocompromised patients in Sweden (n = 1), Switzerland (n = 3), Germany (n = 2), and the Czech Republic (n = 2) and in immunocompetent patients in China (n = 7) (2–5). Anaplasma phagocytophilum is an obligate, intracellular, tickborne bacterium of the family Anaplasmataceae and causes granulocytic anaplasmosis in humans and domestic animals. In Europe, I. ricinus ticks are its major vector, and red deer, roe deer, rodents, and European Hedgehogs (Erinaceus europaeus) are suspected reservoir hosts (8). Northern white-breasted Hedgehogs (Erinaceus roumanicus) are urban-dwelling mammals (order Eulipotyphla, family Erinaceidae) that serve as major maintenance hosts for the 3 stages of I. ricinus ticks (9). However, E. roumanicus Hedgehogs have not been studied for their ability to carry A. phagocytophilum. In addition, no suspected reservoirs other than rodents have been investigated for Candidatus N. mikurensis. The purpose of this study was to determine whether this Hedgehog is a potential reservoir of these 2 bacteria. We conducted an ecoepidemiologic study during 2009–2011 to obtain information about ticks and tickborne pathogens of urban Hedgehogs in a park on Margaret Island in central Budapest, Hungary (9). Ear tissue samples were obtained from Hedgehogs anesthetized with intramuscular ketamine (5 mg/kg) and dexmedetomidine (50 µg/kg). DNA was extracted from samples by using the QIAamp DNA Mini Kit (QIAGEN, Hilden, Germany) or the Miniprep Express Matrix protocol (MP Biomedicals, Santa Ana, CA, USA). We used quantitative real-time PCRs that partially amplify the heat shock protein gene (groEL) of Candidatus N. mikurensis and the merozoite surface protein 2 gene (msp2) of A. phagocytophilum (3). PCR was performed in a 20-μL volume containing iQ Multiplex Powermix (Bio-Rad Laboratories, Hercules, CA, USA) in a LightCycler 480 Real-Time PCR System (F. Hoffmann-La Roche, Basel, Switzerland). Final PCR concentrations were 1× iQ Powermix, 250 nmol/L of primers ApMSP2F and ApMSP2R, 125 nmol/L of probe ApMSP2P-FAM, 250 nmol/L of primers NMikGroEL-F2a and NMikGroEL-R2b, 250 nmol/L of probe NMikGroEL-P2a-RED, and 3 μL of template DNA. To confirm quantitative PCR results, we performed conventional PCRs in a Px2 Thermal Cycler (Thermo Electron Corporation, Waltham, MA, USA) on selected PCR-positive samples for both pathogens (3). Sequences obtained were submitted to GenBank under accession nos. {"type":"entrez-nucleotide","attrs":{"text":"KF803997","term_id":"576637860","term_text":"KF803997"}}KF803997 (groEL gene of Candidatus N. mikurensis) and {"type":"entrez-nucleotide","attrs":{"text":"KF803998","term_id":"576637863","term_text":"KF803998"}}KF803998 (groEL gene of A. phagocytophilum). Candidatus N. mikurensis was detected in 2 (2.3%) of 88 Hedgehog tissue samples. Formerly, rodents were the only wild mammals found to act as potential reservoirs for this pathogen. Results of studies that attempted to detect these bacteria in common shrews (Sorex araneus), greater white-toothed shrews (Crocidura russula) (2,3), or common moles (Talpa europaea) (2) were negative. However, our results indicate that northern white-breasted Hedgehogs might be a non-rodent reservoir for Candidatus N. mikurensis. The low pathogen prevalence observed in this urban Hedgehog population compared with that in rodents in other locations (2,3) might be caused by use of skin samples. Skin samples from rodents showed only 1.1% positivity in a study in Germany; however, average prevalence of Candidatus N. mikurensis in transudate, spleen, kidney, and liver samples from the same animals was 37.8%–51.1% (2). Although we did not test other organs, we hypothesize that prevalence of Candidatus N. mikurensis infection urban Hedgehogs is probably >2.3%. We detected A. phagocytophilum in 67 (76.1%) of 88 urban Hedgehogs. This prevalence was similar to that found among European Hedgehogs in Germany (8). I. ricinus ticks are more common than I. hexagonus ticks in this urban Hedgehog population (9). Thus, I. ricinus ticks can acquire these bacteria when feeding on Hedgehogs and the risk for human infection with A. phagocytophilum in this park in Budapest is relatively high. Neoehrlichiosis and granulocytic anaplasmosis have not been diagnosed in humans in Hungary. This finding is probably caused by diagnostic difficulties rather than absence of these pathogens in the environment. Infection with Candidatus N. mikurensis and A. phagocytophilum cause predominantly noncharacteristic symptoms. Laboratory cultivation and serologic detection of Candidatus N. mikurensis has not been successful, and this pathogen has not been identified in blood smears. Thus, accurate diagnosis of suspected cases requires suitable molecular methods. Parks can be considered points of contact for reservoir animals, pathogens, ticks, and humans. Our results indicate that E. roumanicus Hedgehogs play a role in urban ecoepidemiology of ≥2 emerging human pathogens. To better understand the urban cycle of these pathogens, potential reservoir hosts, ticks collected from these hosts, and vegetation in parks should be investigated.
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ticks and the city ectoparasites of the northern white breasted Hedgehog erinaceus roumanicus in an urban park
Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases, 2011Co-Authors: Gábor Földvári, Krisztina Rigo, Monika Jablonszky, Nora Biro, Gabor Majoros, V Molnar, Maria TothAbstract:Abstract The European Hedgehog ( Erinaceus europaeus ) is known to host several ectoparasites and also tick-borne pathogens, but there is scant information on its eastern relative, the Northern white-breasted Hedgehog ( Erinaceus roumanicus ). We have studied an urban population of E. roumanicus in a city park of central Budapest, Hungary, for 2 years to investigate their tick and flea species. A total of 5063 ticks and 818 fleas were collected from 247 Hedgehogs (including 46 recaptures). Ectoparasite prevalence and intensity differed significantly ( p Ixodes ricinus (93.7%) followed by unidentified Ixodes larvae (5%). Only 57 Hedgehog ticks ( I. hexagonus ) were removed from 22 Hedgehogs. One I. acuminatus and one Hyalomma marginatum nymph were also collected. Mean intensity of tick infestation was 26.5 (range: 0–155 ticks/host) and mean intensity of flea infestation was 6.6 (range: 0–78 fleas/host). Most fleas (99.4%) collected were Hedgehog fleas ( Archaeopsylla erinacei ), dog fleas ( Ctenocephalides canis ) were found on 2 Hedgehogs. Hyalomma marginatum has previously not been found in Hungary, and I. acuminatus was only reported sporadically before. The large number of ectoparasites and the 2 imported tick species may thus survive in close proximity to humans if Hedgehogs are present. This calls attention to the risk of possible tick-borne human infections that urban Hedgehogs can pose.
Maria Toth - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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candidatus neoehrlichia mikurensis and anaplasma phagocytophilum in urban Hedgehogs
Emerging Infectious Diseases, 2014Co-Authors: Gábor Földvári, Sándor Szekeres, Krisztina Rigo, Monika Jablonszky, Gabor Majoros, Maria Toth, Setareh Jahfari, Viktor Molnar, Elena Claudia Coipan, Hein SprongAbstract:To the Editor: Candidatus Neoehrlichia mikurensis is a member of the order Rickettsiales, family Anaplasmataceae (1). Manifestations of infection with these bacteria are atypical and severe and include cough, nausea, vomiting, anemia, headache, pulmonary infiltration, malaise, myalgia, arthralgia, fatigue, recurrent fever for ≤8 months, and/or death (2–5). Candidatus N. mikurensis has been detected in Ixodes ovatus, I. persulcatus, and Haemaphysalis concinna ticks in Asia (1,5). Candidatus N. mikurensis has been identified as one of the most prevalent pathogenic agents in I. ricinus ticks throughout Europe (2,3,6). Rodents of diverse species and geographic origins have been shown to carry these bacteria, but transmission experiments have not been conducted to unambiguously identify natural vertebrate reservoirs (1–3,5–7). This emerging tickborne pathogen has been detected mainly in immunocompromised patients in Sweden (n = 1), Switzerland (n = 3), Germany (n = 2), and the Czech Republic (n = 2) and in immunocompetent patients in China (n = 7) (2–5). Anaplasma phagocytophilum is an obligate, intracellular, tickborne bacterium of the family Anaplasmataceae and causes granulocytic anaplasmosis in humans and domestic animals. In Europe, I. ricinus ticks are its major vector, and red deer, roe deer, rodents, and European Hedgehogs (Erinaceus europaeus) are suspected reservoir hosts (8). Northern white-breasted Hedgehogs (Erinaceus roumanicus) are urban-dwelling mammals (order Eulipotyphla, family Erinaceidae) that serve as major maintenance hosts for the 3 stages of I. ricinus ticks (9). However, E. roumanicus Hedgehogs have not been studied for their ability to carry A. phagocytophilum. In addition, no suspected reservoirs other than rodents have been investigated for Candidatus N. mikurensis. The purpose of this study was to determine whether this Hedgehog is a potential reservoir of these 2 bacteria. We conducted an ecoepidemiologic study during 2009–2011 to obtain information about ticks and tickborne pathogens of urban Hedgehogs in a park on Margaret Island in central Budapest, Hungary (9). Ear tissue samples were obtained from Hedgehogs anesthetized with intramuscular ketamine (5 mg/kg) and dexmedetomidine (50 µg/kg). DNA was extracted from samples by using the QIAamp DNA Mini Kit (QIAGEN, Hilden, Germany) or the Miniprep Express Matrix protocol (MP Biomedicals, Santa Ana, CA, USA). We used quantitative real-time PCRs that partially amplify the heat shock protein gene (groEL) of Candidatus N. mikurensis and the merozoite surface protein 2 gene (msp2) of A. phagocytophilum (3). PCR was performed in a 20-μL volume containing iQ Multiplex Powermix (Bio-Rad Laboratories, Hercules, CA, USA) in a LightCycler 480 Real-Time PCR System (F. Hoffmann-La Roche, Basel, Switzerland). Final PCR concentrations were 1× iQ Powermix, 250 nmol/L of primers ApMSP2F and ApMSP2R, 125 nmol/L of probe ApMSP2P-FAM, 250 nmol/L of primers NMikGroEL-F2a and NMikGroEL-R2b, 250 nmol/L of probe NMikGroEL-P2a-RED, and 3 μL of template DNA. To confirm quantitative PCR results, we performed conventional PCRs in a Px2 Thermal Cycler (Thermo Electron Corporation, Waltham, MA, USA) on selected PCR-positive samples for both pathogens (3). Sequences obtained were submitted to GenBank under accession nos. {"type":"entrez-nucleotide","attrs":{"text":"KF803997","term_id":"576637860","term_text":"KF803997"}}KF803997 (groEL gene of Candidatus N. mikurensis) and {"type":"entrez-nucleotide","attrs":{"text":"KF803998","term_id":"576637863","term_text":"KF803998"}}KF803998 (groEL gene of A. phagocytophilum). Candidatus N. mikurensis was detected in 2 (2.3%) of 88 Hedgehog tissue samples. Formerly, rodents were the only wild mammals found to act as potential reservoirs for this pathogen. Results of studies that attempted to detect these bacteria in common shrews (Sorex araneus), greater white-toothed shrews (Crocidura russula) (2,3), or common moles (Talpa europaea) (2) were negative. However, our results indicate that northern white-breasted Hedgehogs might be a non-rodent reservoir for Candidatus N. mikurensis. The low pathogen prevalence observed in this urban Hedgehog population compared with that in rodents in other locations (2,3) might be caused by use of skin samples. Skin samples from rodents showed only 1.1% positivity in a study in Germany; however, average prevalence of Candidatus N. mikurensis in transudate, spleen, kidney, and liver samples from the same animals was 37.8%–51.1% (2). Although we did not test other organs, we hypothesize that prevalence of Candidatus N. mikurensis infection urban Hedgehogs is probably >2.3%. We detected A. phagocytophilum in 67 (76.1%) of 88 urban Hedgehogs. This prevalence was similar to that found among European Hedgehogs in Germany (8). I. ricinus ticks are more common than I. hexagonus ticks in this urban Hedgehog population (9). Thus, I. ricinus ticks can acquire these bacteria when feeding on Hedgehogs and the risk for human infection with A. phagocytophilum in this park in Budapest is relatively high. Neoehrlichiosis and granulocytic anaplasmosis have not been diagnosed in humans in Hungary. This finding is probably caused by diagnostic difficulties rather than absence of these pathogens in the environment. Infection with Candidatus N. mikurensis and A. phagocytophilum cause predominantly noncharacteristic symptoms. Laboratory cultivation and serologic detection of Candidatus N. mikurensis has not been successful, and this pathogen has not been identified in blood smears. Thus, accurate diagnosis of suspected cases requires suitable molecular methods. Parks can be considered points of contact for reservoir animals, pathogens, ticks, and humans. Our results indicate that E. roumanicus Hedgehogs play a role in urban ecoepidemiology of ≥2 emerging human pathogens. To better understand the urban cycle of these pathogens, potential reservoir hosts, ticks collected from these hosts, and vegetation in parks should be investigated.
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ticks and the city ectoparasites of the northern white breasted Hedgehog erinaceus roumanicus in an urban park
Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases, 2011Co-Authors: Gábor Földvári, Krisztina Rigo, Monika Jablonszky, Nora Biro, Gabor Majoros, V Molnar, Maria TothAbstract:Abstract The European Hedgehog ( Erinaceus europaeus ) is known to host several ectoparasites and also tick-borne pathogens, but there is scant information on its eastern relative, the Northern white-breasted Hedgehog ( Erinaceus roumanicus ). We have studied an urban population of E. roumanicus in a city park of central Budapest, Hungary, for 2 years to investigate their tick and flea species. A total of 5063 ticks and 818 fleas were collected from 247 Hedgehogs (including 46 recaptures). Ectoparasite prevalence and intensity differed significantly ( p Ixodes ricinus (93.7%) followed by unidentified Ixodes larvae (5%). Only 57 Hedgehog ticks ( I. hexagonus ) were removed from 22 Hedgehogs. One I. acuminatus and one Hyalomma marginatum nymph were also collected. Mean intensity of tick infestation was 26.5 (range: 0–155 ticks/host) and mean intensity of flea infestation was 6.6 (range: 0–78 fleas/host). Most fleas (99.4%) collected were Hedgehog fleas ( Archaeopsylla erinacei ), dog fleas ( Ctenocephalides canis ) were found on 2 Hedgehogs. Hyalomma marginatum has previously not been found in Hungary, and I. acuminatus was only reported sporadically before. The large number of ectoparasites and the 2 imported tick species may thus survive in close proximity to humans if Hedgehogs are present. This calls attention to the risk of possible tick-borne human infections that urban Hedgehogs can pose.
Beatrix Kapusinszky - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Dicipivirus (family Picornaviridae) in wild Northern white-breasted Hedgehog (Erinaceus roumanicus)
Archives of Virology, 2018Co-Authors: Gábor Földvári, Sándor Szekeres, Róbert Mátics, Beatrix KapusinszkyAbstract:Using random amplification and high-throughput sequencing technology a novel picornavirus with dicistronic genome organization and genetically related to canine picodicistrovirus (genus Dicipivirus , family Picornaviridae ) was identified and characterized in Northern white-breasted Hedgehogs. Hedgehog dicipivirus (Hedgehog/H14/2015/HUN, MF188967) was detected in 15 (75%) of 20 faecal specimens by RT-PCR with high viral loads (up to 8.2x10^8 genomic copies/ml faeces). Hedgehog dicipivirus RNA was also identified in blood, ear skin, abdominal muscle and liver tissues. While the general dicistronic genome organization of Hedgehog/H14/2015/HUN is similar to canine picodicistrovirus (5’UTR-P1-IGR-P2/P3-3UTR) there are some unique genome characteristics within the untranslated regions, especially in the functional IRES elements. This study reports the putative second member of the genus Dicipivirus , in a novel host species.
Becki Lawson - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Detection and characterisation of multiple herpesviruses in free-living Western European Hedgehogs (Erinaceus europaeus)
Scientific Reports, 2018Co-Authors: Helle B. Hydeskov, Andrew A. Cunningham, Akbar Dastjerdi, Kevin P. Hopkins, Marie-pierre Ryser-degiorgis, Frederik Widén, Becki LawsonAbstract:Sporadic cases of herpesvirus-associated disease have been reported in the Western European Hedgehog ( Erinaceus europaeus ), but there has been little surveillance for, nor any sequence characterisation of, herpesviruses in this species to date. A nested pan-herpesvirus polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting a region of the DNA polymerase gene was used to test 129 Western European Hedgehogs from across Great Britain, 2011–2016; 59 (46%) of which were PCR-positive. In addition, samples from two previously published cases of fatal herpesvirus infection in E. europaeus , from Sweden and Switzerland, were positive using this PCR. No statistically significant relationship was detected between PCR result and sex, age class, year or season for the British Hedgehogs tested. In most PCR-positive animals (19/22) from which liver and brain were tested separately, both were PCR-positive. Sanger sequencing of amplicons from 59 British Hedgehogs revealed at least two novel viruses within the Gammaherpesvirinae . Thirteen of these Hedgehogs had liver and brain tissues screened for microscopic abnormalities, of which one had non-suppurative meningoencephalitis, but neither intranuclear inclusion bodies nor herpesvirus virions (on electron microscopical examination) were identified. Sequencing of the whole DNA polymerase gene confirmed two genetically different Human alphaherpesvirus 1 viruses in the Swedish and Swiss Hedgehogs.
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salmonella enteritidis st183 emerging and endemic biotypes affecting western european Hedgehogs erinaceus europaeus and people in great britain
Scientific Reports, 2018Co-Authors: Becki Lawson, Lydia H V Franklinos, Julia Rodriguezramos Fernandez, Clare Wendhansen, Satheesh Nair, Shaheed K Macgregor, Shinto K John, Romain PizziAbstract:The impacts of Hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus) Salmonella infection on public health and on animal welfare and conservation are unknown. We isolated Salmonella Enteritidis multi-locus sequence-type (ST)183 from 46/170 (27%) Hedgehog carcasses (27 S. Enteritidis phage type (PT)11, 18 of a novel PT66 biotype and one with co-infection of these PTs) and from 6/208 (3%) Hedgehog faecal samples (4 PT11, 2 PT66) from across Great Britain, 2012–2015. Whole genome phylogenetic analysis of the Hedgehog isolates and ST183 from people in England and Wales found that PT11 and PT66 form two divergent clades. Hedgehog and human isolates were interspersed throughout the phylogeny indicating that infections in both species originate from a common population. PT11 was recovered from Hedgehogs across England and Scotland, consistent with endemic infection. PT66 was isolated from Scotland only, possibly indicating a recent emergence event. People infected with ST183 were four times more likely to be aged 0–4 years than people infected by the more common ST11 S. Enteritidis. Evidence for human ST183 infection being non-foodborne included stronger correlation between geographic and genetic distance, and significantly increased likelihood of infection in rural areas, than for ST11. These results are consistent with Hedgehogs acting as a source of zoonotic infection.
Krisztina Rigo - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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candidatus neoehrlichia mikurensis and anaplasma phagocytophilum in urban Hedgehogs
Emerging Infectious Diseases, 2014Co-Authors: Gábor Földvári, Sándor Szekeres, Krisztina Rigo, Monika Jablonszky, Gabor Majoros, Maria Toth, Setareh Jahfari, Viktor Molnar, Elena Claudia Coipan, Hein SprongAbstract:To the Editor: Candidatus Neoehrlichia mikurensis is a member of the order Rickettsiales, family Anaplasmataceae (1). Manifestations of infection with these bacteria are atypical and severe and include cough, nausea, vomiting, anemia, headache, pulmonary infiltration, malaise, myalgia, arthralgia, fatigue, recurrent fever for ≤8 months, and/or death (2–5). Candidatus N. mikurensis has been detected in Ixodes ovatus, I. persulcatus, and Haemaphysalis concinna ticks in Asia (1,5). Candidatus N. mikurensis has been identified as one of the most prevalent pathogenic agents in I. ricinus ticks throughout Europe (2,3,6). Rodents of diverse species and geographic origins have been shown to carry these bacteria, but transmission experiments have not been conducted to unambiguously identify natural vertebrate reservoirs (1–3,5–7). This emerging tickborne pathogen has been detected mainly in immunocompromised patients in Sweden (n = 1), Switzerland (n = 3), Germany (n = 2), and the Czech Republic (n = 2) and in immunocompetent patients in China (n = 7) (2–5). Anaplasma phagocytophilum is an obligate, intracellular, tickborne bacterium of the family Anaplasmataceae and causes granulocytic anaplasmosis in humans and domestic animals. In Europe, I. ricinus ticks are its major vector, and red deer, roe deer, rodents, and European Hedgehogs (Erinaceus europaeus) are suspected reservoir hosts (8). Northern white-breasted Hedgehogs (Erinaceus roumanicus) are urban-dwelling mammals (order Eulipotyphla, family Erinaceidae) that serve as major maintenance hosts for the 3 stages of I. ricinus ticks (9). However, E. roumanicus Hedgehogs have not been studied for their ability to carry A. phagocytophilum. In addition, no suspected reservoirs other than rodents have been investigated for Candidatus N. mikurensis. The purpose of this study was to determine whether this Hedgehog is a potential reservoir of these 2 bacteria. We conducted an ecoepidemiologic study during 2009–2011 to obtain information about ticks and tickborne pathogens of urban Hedgehogs in a park on Margaret Island in central Budapest, Hungary (9). Ear tissue samples were obtained from Hedgehogs anesthetized with intramuscular ketamine (5 mg/kg) and dexmedetomidine (50 µg/kg). DNA was extracted from samples by using the QIAamp DNA Mini Kit (QIAGEN, Hilden, Germany) or the Miniprep Express Matrix protocol (MP Biomedicals, Santa Ana, CA, USA). We used quantitative real-time PCRs that partially amplify the heat shock protein gene (groEL) of Candidatus N. mikurensis and the merozoite surface protein 2 gene (msp2) of A. phagocytophilum (3). PCR was performed in a 20-μL volume containing iQ Multiplex Powermix (Bio-Rad Laboratories, Hercules, CA, USA) in a LightCycler 480 Real-Time PCR System (F. Hoffmann-La Roche, Basel, Switzerland). Final PCR concentrations were 1× iQ Powermix, 250 nmol/L of primers ApMSP2F and ApMSP2R, 125 nmol/L of probe ApMSP2P-FAM, 250 nmol/L of primers NMikGroEL-F2a and NMikGroEL-R2b, 250 nmol/L of probe NMikGroEL-P2a-RED, and 3 μL of template DNA. To confirm quantitative PCR results, we performed conventional PCRs in a Px2 Thermal Cycler (Thermo Electron Corporation, Waltham, MA, USA) on selected PCR-positive samples for both pathogens (3). Sequences obtained were submitted to GenBank under accession nos. {"type":"entrez-nucleotide","attrs":{"text":"KF803997","term_id":"576637860","term_text":"KF803997"}}KF803997 (groEL gene of Candidatus N. mikurensis) and {"type":"entrez-nucleotide","attrs":{"text":"KF803998","term_id":"576637863","term_text":"KF803998"}}KF803998 (groEL gene of A. phagocytophilum). Candidatus N. mikurensis was detected in 2 (2.3%) of 88 Hedgehog tissue samples. Formerly, rodents were the only wild mammals found to act as potential reservoirs for this pathogen. Results of studies that attempted to detect these bacteria in common shrews (Sorex araneus), greater white-toothed shrews (Crocidura russula) (2,3), or common moles (Talpa europaea) (2) were negative. However, our results indicate that northern white-breasted Hedgehogs might be a non-rodent reservoir for Candidatus N. mikurensis. The low pathogen prevalence observed in this urban Hedgehog population compared with that in rodents in other locations (2,3) might be caused by use of skin samples. Skin samples from rodents showed only 1.1% positivity in a study in Germany; however, average prevalence of Candidatus N. mikurensis in transudate, spleen, kidney, and liver samples from the same animals was 37.8%–51.1% (2). Although we did not test other organs, we hypothesize that prevalence of Candidatus N. mikurensis infection urban Hedgehogs is probably >2.3%. We detected A. phagocytophilum in 67 (76.1%) of 88 urban Hedgehogs. This prevalence was similar to that found among European Hedgehogs in Germany (8). I. ricinus ticks are more common than I. hexagonus ticks in this urban Hedgehog population (9). Thus, I. ricinus ticks can acquire these bacteria when feeding on Hedgehogs and the risk for human infection with A. phagocytophilum in this park in Budapest is relatively high. Neoehrlichiosis and granulocytic anaplasmosis have not been diagnosed in humans in Hungary. This finding is probably caused by diagnostic difficulties rather than absence of these pathogens in the environment. Infection with Candidatus N. mikurensis and A. phagocytophilum cause predominantly noncharacteristic symptoms. Laboratory cultivation and serologic detection of Candidatus N. mikurensis has not been successful, and this pathogen has not been identified in blood smears. Thus, accurate diagnosis of suspected cases requires suitable molecular methods. Parks can be considered points of contact for reservoir animals, pathogens, ticks, and humans. Our results indicate that E. roumanicus Hedgehogs play a role in urban ecoepidemiology of ≥2 emerging human pathogens. To better understand the urban cycle of these pathogens, potential reservoir hosts, ticks collected from these hosts, and vegetation in parks should be investigated.
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ticks and the city ectoparasites of the northern white breasted Hedgehog erinaceus roumanicus in an urban park
Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases, 2011Co-Authors: Gábor Földvári, Krisztina Rigo, Monika Jablonszky, Nora Biro, Gabor Majoros, V Molnar, Maria TothAbstract:Abstract The European Hedgehog ( Erinaceus europaeus ) is known to host several ectoparasites and also tick-borne pathogens, but there is scant information on its eastern relative, the Northern white-breasted Hedgehog ( Erinaceus roumanicus ). We have studied an urban population of E. roumanicus in a city park of central Budapest, Hungary, for 2 years to investigate their tick and flea species. A total of 5063 ticks and 818 fleas were collected from 247 Hedgehogs (including 46 recaptures). Ectoparasite prevalence and intensity differed significantly ( p Ixodes ricinus (93.7%) followed by unidentified Ixodes larvae (5%). Only 57 Hedgehog ticks ( I. hexagonus ) were removed from 22 Hedgehogs. One I. acuminatus and one Hyalomma marginatum nymph were also collected. Mean intensity of tick infestation was 26.5 (range: 0–155 ticks/host) and mean intensity of flea infestation was 6.6 (range: 0–78 fleas/host). Most fleas (99.4%) collected were Hedgehog fleas ( Archaeopsylla erinacei ), dog fleas ( Ctenocephalides canis ) were found on 2 Hedgehogs. Hyalomma marginatum has previously not been found in Hungary, and I. acuminatus was only reported sporadically before. The large number of ectoparasites and the 2 imported tick species may thus survive in close proximity to humans if Hedgehogs are present. This calls attention to the risk of possible tick-borne human infections that urban Hedgehogs can pose.