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Hein Sprong - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Control of Lyme borreliosis and other Ixodes ricinus-borne diseases
Parasites & Vectors, 2018Co-Authors: Hein Sprong, Tal Azagi, Dieuwertje Hoornstra, Ard M. Nijhof, Sarah Knorr, M. Ewoud Baarsma, Joppe W HoviusAbstract:Lyme borreliosis (LB) and other Ixodes ricinus- borne diseases (TBDs) are diseases that emerge from interactions of humans and domestic animals with infected ticks in nature. Nature, environmental and health policies at (inter)national and local levels affect the risk, disease burden and costs of TBDs. Knowledge on ticks, their pathogens and the diseases they cause have been increasing, and resulted in the discovery of a diversity of control options, which often are not highly effective on their own. Control strategies involving concerted actions from human and animal health sectors as well as from nature managers have not been formulated, let alone implemented. Control of TBDs asks for a “health in all policies” approach, both at the (inter)national level, but also at local levels. For example, wildlife protection and creating urban green spaces are important for animal and human well-being, but may increase the risk of TBDs. In contrast, culling or fencing out deer decreases the risk for TBDs under specific conditions, but may have adverse effects on biodiversity or may be societally unacceptable. Therefore, in the end, nature and health workers together must carry out tailor-made control options for the control of TBDs for humans and animals, with minimal effects on the environment. In that regard, multidisciplinary approaches in environmental, but also medical settings are needed. To facilitate this, communication and collaboration between experts from different fields, which may include patient representatives, should be promoted.
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Behavioural responses of Ixodes ricinus nymphs to carbon dioxide and rodent odour
Medical and Veterinary Entomology, 2016Co-Authors: G.l.a. Van Duijvendijk, Gerrit Gort, Hein Sprong, Willem TakkenAbstract:Many haematophagous ectoparasites use carbon dioxide (CO2) and host odour to detect and locate their hosts. The tick Ixodes ricinus (Linnaeus) (Ixodida: Ixodidae) walks only small distances and quests in vegetation until it encounters a host. The differential effects of CO2 and host odour on the host-finding behaviour of I. ricinus have, however, never been clarified and hence represent the subject of this study. The effects of CO2 and odour from bank voles on the activation and attraction of I. ricinus nymphs were analysed in a Y-tube olfactometer. Carbon dioxide evoked a response in the absence and presence of host odour, but did not attract nymphs. Host odour, however, did not evoke a response but did attract nymphs in the absence and presence of CO2. The current results show that CO2 is an activator, but not an attractant, and that host odour is an attractant, but not an activator, of I. ricinus nymphs, and provide ecological insights into the host-finding behaviour of I. ricinus.
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larvae of Ixodes ricinus transmit borrelia afzelii and b miyamotoi to vertebrate hosts
Parasites & Vectors, 2016Co-Authors: Gilian Van Duijvendijk, Willem Takken, Manoj Fonville, Claudia Coipan, Alex Wagemakers, Jasmin I Ersoz, Anneke Oei, Gabor Foldvari, Joppe W Hovius, Hein SprongAbstract:Background Lyme borreliosis is the most common tick-borne human disease and is caused by Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (s.l.). Borrelia miyamotoi, a relapsing fever spirochaete, is transmitted transovarially, whereas this has not been shown for B. burgdorferi (s.l). Therefore, B. burgdorferi (s.l) is considered to cycle from nymphs to larvae through vertebrates. Larvae of Ixodes ricinus are occasionally B. burgdorferi (s.l) infected, but their vector competence has never been studied.
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the presence of borrelia miyamotoi a relapsing fever spirochaete in questing Ixodes ricinus in belgium and in the netherlands
Zoonoses and Public Health, 2015Co-Authors: C Cochez, Willem Takken, Manoj Fonville, Paul Heyman, Dieter Heylen, Paul Hengeveld, L Simons, Hein SprongAbstract:Borrelia miyamotoi is a tick-borne bacterium that may cause relapsing fever in humans. As this pathogen has been discovered in Europe only recently, only little is known about its local impact on human health and its spatial distribution. In this study, we show the results of PCR screenings for B. miyamotoi in flagged Ixodes ricinus from Belgium and the Netherlands. B. miyamotoi was detected in nine of thirteen, and three of five locations from the Netherlands and Belgium, respectively. These outcomes indicate that B. miyamotoi is more spread than previously thought. The mean infection rate B. miyamotoi was 1.14% for Belgium and 3.84% for the Netherlands.
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borrelia miyamotoi in host seeking Ixodes ricinus ticks in england
Epidemiology and Infection, 2015Co-Authors: Kayleigh M Hansford, Setareh Jahfari, Manoj Fonville, Hein Sprong, Jolyon M MedlockAbstract:This paper reports the first detection of Borrelia miyamotoi in UK Ixodes ricinus ticks. It also reports on the presence and infection rates of I. ricinus for a number of other tick-borne pathogens of public health importance. Ticks from seven regions in southern England were screened for B. miyamotoi, Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato ( s.l .), Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Neoehrlichia mikurensis using qPCR. A total of 954 I. ricinus ticks were tested, 40 were positive for B. burgdorferi s.l ., 22 positive for A. phagocytophilum and three positive for B. miyamotoi , with no N. mikurensis detected. The three positive B. miyamotoi ticks came from three geographically distinct areas, suggesting a widespread distribution, and from two separate years, suggesting some degree of endemicity. Understanding the prevalence of Borrelia and other tick-borne pathogens in ticks is crucial for locating high-risk areas of disease transmission.
Oleg Mediannikov - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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co infection of bacteria and protozoan parasites in Ixodes ricinus nymphs collected in the alsace region france
Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases, 2019Co-Authors: Amira Nebbak, Handi Dahmana, Benoit Jaulhac, Lionel Almeras, Nathalie Boulanger, Oleg MediannikovAbstract:Abstract Fifty nymphal Ixodes ricinus ticks collected in Alsace, France, identified by morphological criteria and using MALDI-TOF MS, were tested by PCR to detect tick-associated bacteria and protozoan parasites. Seventy percent (35/50) of ticks contained at least one microorganism; 26% (9/35) contained two or more species. Several human pathogens were identified including Borrelia burgdorferi s.s. (4%), Borrelia afzelii (2%), Borrelia garinii (2%), Borrelia valaisiana (4%), Borrelia miyamotoi (2%), Rickettsia helvetica (6%) and “Babesia venatorum” (2%). Bartonella spp. (10%) and a Wolbachia spp. (8%) were also detected. The most common co-infections involved Anaplasmataceae with Borrelia spp. (4%), Anaplasmataceae with Bartonella spp. (6%) and Anaplasmataceae with Rickettsia spp. (6%). Co-infection involving three different groups of bacteria was seen between bacteria of the family Anaplasmataceae, Borrelia spp. and Bartonella spp. (2%). Results highlight the panel of infectious agents carried by Ixodes ricinus. Co-infection suggests the possibility of transmission of more than one pathogen to human and animals during tick blood feeding.
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arsenophonus nasoniae and rickettsiae infection of Ixodes ricinus due to parasitic wasp ixodiphagus hookeri
PLOS ONE, 2016Co-Authors: Monika Bohacsova, Oleg Mediannikov, Mária Kazimírová, Zuzana SekeyovaAbstract:Arsenophonus nasoniae, a male-killing endosymbiont of chalcid wasps, was recently detected in several hard tick species. Following the hypothesis that its presence in ticks may not be linked to the direct occurrence of bacteria in tick's organs, we identified A. nasoniae in wasps emerging from parasitised nymphs. We confirmed that 28.1% of Ixodiphagus hookeri wasps parasitizing Ixodes ricinus ticks were infected by A. nasoniae. Moreover, in examined I. ricinus nymphs, A. nasoniae was detected only in those, which were parasitized by the wasp. However, in part of the adult wasps as well as in some ticks that contained wasp's DNA, we did not confirm A. nasoniae. We also found, that in spite of reported male-killing, some newly emerged adult wasp males were also infected by A. nasoniae. Additionally, we amplified the DNA of Rickettsia helvetica and Rickettsia monacensis (known to be Ixodes ricinus-associated bacteria) in adult parasitoid wasps. This may be related either with the digested bacterial DNA in wasp body lumen or with a role of wasps in circulation of rickettsiae among tick vectors.
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Isolation of Arsenophonus nasoniae from Ixodes ricinus ticks in Slovakia
Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases, 2012Co-Authors: Oleg Mediannikov, Geetha Subramanian, Zuzana Sekeyova, Lesley Bell-sakyiAbstract:Abstract The tick Ixodes ricinus is the most prevalent and widely distributed tick species in Central Europe, commonly found in woodlands, heaths, and forests and particularly abundant in the Alpine region. This tick readily bites humans and transmits a number of bacterial and viral pathogens. We collected 10 live nymphs of I. ricinus ticks from vegetation in the Rovinka forest, Slovakia, and isolated a strain of Arsenophonus nasoniae from one tick using the BME/CTVM2 cell line. A new isolate was then subcultured on axenic media (Columbia agar supplemented with 5% sheep blood). To the best of our knowledge, this bacterium was never previously isolated from hard ticks or identified in ticks in Europe. We amplified and sequenced the 16S rRNA, rpoB , and ftsY genes. Limited genetic characterization showed that the isolated strain is almost identical to a strain from the parasitic wasp Nasonia vitripennis . Electron microscopy revealed a typical morphology of a Gram-negative bacterium, without pili or flagellae. Its role in human and animal pathology remains to be evaluated.
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multiple tick associated bacteria in Ixodes ricinus from slovakia
Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases, 2012Co-Authors: Geetha Subramanian, Zuzana Sekeyova, Didier Raoult, Oleg MediannikovAbstract:Eighty Ixodes ricinus ticks collected in the Rovinka forest in Slovakia were tested by real-time and routine single-step PCR for the presence of different pathogenic and endosymbiotic bacteria. No evidence of Coxiella burnetii, Diplorickettsia massiliensis, or Bartonella spp. was found. However, we identified, as the pathogenic bacteria, Anaplasma phagocytophilum in 8%, Rickettsia helvetica in 11%, Borrelia afzelii in 9%, Bo. garinii in 8%, Bo. burgdorferi sensu stricto in 5%, Bo. valaisiana in 3%, and Bo. miyamotoi in 1% of ticks. Other bacteria with unknown or suspected pathogenicity for humans were also identified: Arsenophonus nasoniae in 25%, Spiroplasma ixodetis in 3%, Candidatus Midichloria mitochondrii in 4%, Wolbachia aff. pipientis in 14%, and Ehrlichia muris in 3% of ticks. A. nasoniae was found almost exclusively in nymphs, and E. muris was only found in adult ticks. In total, 65% of ticks contained at least one species of bacteria, and 16% contained 2 or more species.
Alain Chauvin - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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transmission of bartonella henselae by Ixodes ricinus
Emerging Infectious Diseases, 2008Co-Authors: Violaine Cotté, Evelyne Le Naour, Thomas Lilin, Danielle Le Rhun, Benoit Lecuelle, Henri-jean Boulouis, Alain Chauvin, Sarah Bonnet, Muriel VayssiertaussatAbstract:Bartonella spp. are facultative intracellular bacteria associated with several emerging diseases in humans and animals. B. henselae causes cat-scratch disease and is increasingly associated with several other syndromes, particularly ocular infections and endocarditis. Cats are the main reservoir for B. henselae and the bacteria are transmitted to cats by cat fleas. However, new potential vectors are suspected of transmitting B. henselae, in particular, Ixodes ricinus, the most abundant ixodid tick that bites humans in western Europe. We used a membrane-feeding technique to infect I. ricinus with B. henselae and demonstrate transmission of B. henselae within I. ricinus across developmental stages, migration or multiplication of B. henselae in salivary glands after a second meal, and transmission of viable and infective B. henselae from ticks to blood. These results provide evidence that I. ricinus is a competent vector for B. henselae.
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babesia sp eu1 from roe deer and transmission within Ixodes ricinus
Emerging Infectious Diseases, 2007Co-Authors: Sarah Bonnet, Maggy Jouglin, Monique Lhostis, Alain ChauvinAbstract:Babesiosis is a zoonosis caused by intraerythrocytic piroplasms of the genus Babesia, which are transmitted by ticks (1). In Europe, ≈30 human cases of babesiosis have been reported over the past 50 years and have been traditionally attributed to infection with the bovine parasite B. divergens transmitted by Ixodes ricinus (2,3). However, in 2003, Herwaldt et al. described the first molecular characterization of a new Babesia species, Babesia sp. EU1, isolated from 2 persons in Austria and Italy (4). Since this description, EU1 has been recovered from roe deer in Slovenia (5) and from I. ricinus in Slovenia (6) and Switzerland (7,8). Babesia species EU1 merits increased attention as a potential agent of emerging tickborne disease in humans because its suspected vector, I. ricinus, is the most prevalent and widely distributed tick in Europe and frequently bites humans. To evaluate the public health importance of EU1, its vector, animal reservoir hosts, and geographic distribution must be identified. We identified EU1 in roe deer and in I. ricinus in western France.
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babesia sp eu1 from roe deer and transmission within Ixodes ricinus
Emerging Infectious Diseases, 2007Co-Authors: Sarah Bonnet, Maggy Jouglin, Monique Lhostis, Alain ChauvinAbstract:We report in vitro culture of zoonotic Babesia sp. EU1 from blood samples of roe deer in France. This study provides evidence of transovarial and transstadial transmission of the parasite within Ixodes ricinus, which suggests that this tick could be a vector and reservoir of EU1.
Zuzana Sekeyova - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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arsenophonus nasoniae and rickettsiae infection of Ixodes ricinus due to parasitic wasp ixodiphagus hookeri
PLOS ONE, 2016Co-Authors: Monika Bohacsova, Oleg Mediannikov, Mária Kazimírová, Zuzana SekeyovaAbstract:Arsenophonus nasoniae, a male-killing endosymbiont of chalcid wasps, was recently detected in several hard tick species. Following the hypothesis that its presence in ticks may not be linked to the direct occurrence of bacteria in tick's organs, we identified A. nasoniae in wasps emerging from parasitised nymphs. We confirmed that 28.1% of Ixodiphagus hookeri wasps parasitizing Ixodes ricinus ticks were infected by A. nasoniae. Moreover, in examined I. ricinus nymphs, A. nasoniae was detected only in those, which were parasitized by the wasp. However, in part of the adult wasps as well as in some ticks that contained wasp's DNA, we did not confirm A. nasoniae. We also found, that in spite of reported male-killing, some newly emerged adult wasp males were also infected by A. nasoniae. Additionally, we amplified the DNA of Rickettsia helvetica and Rickettsia monacensis (known to be Ixodes ricinus-associated bacteria) in adult parasitoid wasps. This may be related either with the digested bacterial DNA in wasp body lumen or with a role of wasps in circulation of rickettsiae among tick vectors.
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Isolation of Arsenophonus nasoniae from Ixodes ricinus ticks in Slovakia
Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases, 2012Co-Authors: Oleg Mediannikov, Geetha Subramanian, Zuzana Sekeyova, Lesley Bell-sakyiAbstract:Abstract The tick Ixodes ricinus is the most prevalent and widely distributed tick species in Central Europe, commonly found in woodlands, heaths, and forests and particularly abundant in the Alpine region. This tick readily bites humans and transmits a number of bacterial and viral pathogens. We collected 10 live nymphs of I. ricinus ticks from vegetation in the Rovinka forest, Slovakia, and isolated a strain of Arsenophonus nasoniae from one tick using the BME/CTVM2 cell line. A new isolate was then subcultured on axenic media (Columbia agar supplemented with 5% sheep blood). To the best of our knowledge, this bacterium was never previously isolated from hard ticks or identified in ticks in Europe. We amplified and sequenced the 16S rRNA, rpoB , and ftsY genes. Limited genetic characterization showed that the isolated strain is almost identical to a strain from the parasitic wasp Nasonia vitripennis . Electron microscopy revealed a typical morphology of a Gram-negative bacterium, without pili or flagellae. Its role in human and animal pathology remains to be evaluated.
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multiple tick associated bacteria in Ixodes ricinus from slovakia
Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases, 2012Co-Authors: Geetha Subramanian, Zuzana Sekeyova, Didier Raoult, Oleg MediannikovAbstract:Eighty Ixodes ricinus ticks collected in the Rovinka forest in Slovakia were tested by real-time and routine single-step PCR for the presence of different pathogenic and endosymbiotic bacteria. No evidence of Coxiella burnetii, Diplorickettsia massiliensis, or Bartonella spp. was found. However, we identified, as the pathogenic bacteria, Anaplasma phagocytophilum in 8%, Rickettsia helvetica in 11%, Borrelia afzelii in 9%, Bo. garinii in 8%, Bo. burgdorferi sensu stricto in 5%, Bo. valaisiana in 3%, and Bo. miyamotoi in 1% of ticks. Other bacteria with unknown or suspected pathogenicity for humans were also identified: Arsenophonus nasoniae in 25%, Spiroplasma ixodetis in 3%, Candidatus Midichloria mitochondrii in 4%, Wolbachia aff. pipientis in 14%, and Ehrlichia muris in 3% of ticks. A. nasoniae was found almost exclusively in nymphs, and E. muris was only found in adult ticks. In total, 65% of ticks contained at least one species of bacteria, and 16% contained 2 or more species.
Jolyon M Medlock - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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surveillance of british ticks an overview of species records host associations and new records of Ixodes ricinus distribution
Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases, 2018Co-Authors: Benjamin Cull, Kayleigh M Hansford, Maaike E Pietzsch, Emma L Gillingham, Jolyon M MedlockAbstract:Abstract Public Health England’s passive Tick Surveillance Scheme (TSS) records the distribution, seasonality and host associations of ticks submitted from across the United Kingdom (UK), and helps to inform the UK government on emerging tick-borne disease risks. Here we summarise data collected through surveillance during 2010–2016, and compare with previous TSS data from 2005 to 2009, particularly in relation to the primary Lyme borreliosis vector Ixodes ricinus. 4173 records were submitted, constituting >14,000 ticks; 97% were endemic tick records (13,833 ticks of 11 species), with an additional 97 records of imported ticks (438 ticks of 17 species). Tick submissions were mainly from veterinary professionals (n = 1954; 46.8%) and members of the public and amateur entomologists (n = 1600; 38.3%), as well as from academic institutions (n = 249; 6.0%), wildlife groups (n = 239; 5.7%) and health professionals (n = 131; 3.1%). The most commonly reported hosts of endemic ticks were dogs (n = 1593; 39.1% of all records), humans (n = 835; 20.5%) and cats (n = 569; 14%). New host associations were recorded for a number of tick species. Ixodes ricinus was the most frequently recorded endemic tick species (n = 2413; 59.2% of all records), followed by I. hexagonus (n = 1355; 33.2%), I. canisuga (n = 132; 3.2%) and I. frontalis (n = 56; 1.4%), with other species each making up
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borrelia miyamotoi in host seeking Ixodes ricinus ticks in england
Epidemiology and Infection, 2015Co-Authors: Kayleigh M Hansford, Setareh Jahfari, Manoj Fonville, Hein Sprong, Jolyon M MedlockAbstract:This paper reports the first detection of Borrelia miyamotoi in UK Ixodes ricinus ticks. It also reports on the presence and infection rates of I. ricinus for a number of other tick-borne pathogens of public health importance. Ticks from seven regions in southern England were screened for B. miyamotoi, Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato ( s.l .), Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Neoehrlichia mikurensis using qPCR. A total of 954 I. ricinus ticks were tested, 40 were positive for B. burgdorferi s.l ., 22 positive for A. phagocytophilum and three positive for B. miyamotoi , with no N. mikurensis detected. The three positive B. miyamotoi ticks came from three geographically distinct areas, suggesting a widespread distribution, and from two separate years, suggesting some degree of endemicity. Understanding the prevalence of Borrelia and other tick-borne pathogens in ticks is crucial for locating high-risk areas of disease transmission.
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borrelia miyamotoi in host seeking Ixodes ricinus ticks in england
Epidemiology and Infection, 2015Co-Authors: Kayleigh M Hansford, Setareh Jahfari, Manoj Fonville, Hein Sprong, Jolyon M MedlockAbstract:Received 3 February 2014; Final revision 6 June 2014; Accepted 14 June 2014SUMMARYThis paper reports the first detection of Borrelia miyamotoi in UK Ixodes ricinus ticks. It alsoreports on the presence and infection rates of I. ricinus for a number of other tick-bornepathogens of public health importance. Ticks from seven regions in southern England werescreened for B. miyamotoi, Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (s.l.), Anaplasma phagocytophilum andNeoehrlichia mikurensis using qPCR. A total of 954 I. ricinus ticks were tested, 40 were positivefor B. burgdorferi s.l., 22 positive for A. phagocytophilum and three positive for B. miyamotoi,with no N. mikurensis detected. The three positive B. miyamotoi ticks came from threegeographically distinct areas, suggesting a widespread distribution, and from two separate years,suggesting some degree of endemicity. Understanding the prevalence of Borrelia and othertick-borne pathogens in ticks is crucial for locating high-risk areas of disease transmission.Key words: Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Borrelia burgdorferi s.l., Borrelia miyamotoi, Ixodes ricinus,public health.INTRODUCTIONOwing to their known vector status, the distributionand geographical expansion of British ticks and theprevalence of pathogens they transmit are importantto public and veterinary health. One particularlyimportant tick species is Ixodes ricinus, the mostcommonly reported species to feed on humans inBritain [1]. I. ricinus is an important vector ofBorrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (s.l.), the aetiologicalagent of Lyme borreliosis, which is suggested tohave been present within the British tick populationfor over 100 years [2]. Although there are about1000 confirmed cases of Lyme borreliosis each yearin England and Wales, it is assumed that as many as3000 cases occur annually, with case numbers steadilyincreasing since 2001 [3]. Three pathogenic geno-species, B. burgdorferi sensu stricto (s.s.), B. afzeliiand B. garinii are generally recognized as a cause ofLyme borreliosis worldwide, and all three occur inBritain [3]. B. garinii has been associated with neuro-borreliosis and B. afzelii and B. burdgorferi s.s. havebeen associated with skin manifestations [4].Other tick-borne pathogens have also beendetected in British tick species, including Anaplasmaphagocytophilum, Babesia spp. [5] and Rickettsiaspp. [6]. The former, also transmitted by I. ricinus,
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distribution of Ixodes ricinus in the british isles investigation of historical records
Medical and Veterinary Entomology, 2005Co-Authors: Maaike E Pietzsch, Jolyon M Medlock, L Jones, David Avenell, J Abbott, P Harding, Steve LeachAbstract:. Ixodes ricinus Linnaeus (Acari: Ixodidae) is the most abundant and widely distributed tick in the British Isles, and is a vector for a number of bacterial, viral and protozoal pathogens of both medical and veterinary importance. This report provides an update to the historical distribution data of I. ricinus, published by the Biological Records Centre (BRC), Monks Wood in The Provisional Atlas of the Ticks (Ixodidae) of the British Isles by K. P. Martyn (1988), and is supplemented with additional BRC records since 1988, additional data from published scientific literature and unpublished field studies, and enhanced with spatial and temporal information on tick stages collected and their host associations. Records have been mapped at 10 km resolution and enhanced to 5 km, 1 km and 0.1 km. Differentiation between records representing one-off collections from those representing populations of I. ricinus has been achieved through the classification of the records into either reported or established populations. Detailed seasonality and host associations of records are investigated, highlighting the value in obtaining additional detailed contemporary data to aid risk assessments and research within this field.
