Search Results (538)

Deer keds (Lipoptena spp. and Neolipoptena ferrisi) are hematophagous ectoparasites that primarily infest white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) and other cervids in the United States. The distribution of deer keds in the northeastern United States and the pathogens they harbor remains relatively unexplored. In this study, we examined the geographical distribution and pathogen prevalence of deer keds in Massachusetts by collecting samples from white-tailed deer and testing for tick-borne pathogens. Deer keds were collected across the state, including in four previously unrecorded counties, indicating a wide distribution. Pathogen screening revealed the presence of Anaplasma phagocytophilum DNA in 30% of the keds, but no other pathogens were detected. The medical and biological significance of detecting A. phagocytophilum DNA in deer keds requires future studies. This research provides a baseline for the distribution and pathogen prevalence of deer keds in Massachusetts and highlights the potential of deer keds as sentinels for monitoring deer-associated microbes. Full article

Ticks are a major concern for both animal and human health, as they are primary vectors of infectious pathogens. This study focused on ticks found in a nature reserve in southern Italy, highly frequented for recreational activities and inhabited by wild boars. Using molecular techniques, 214 ticks, including questing ticks and those removed from wild boars, were examined for tick-borne pathogens (TBPs), with a focus on zoonotic pathogens. Six tick species were identified: Hyalomma lusitanicum, Rhipicephalus pusillus, Rh. sanguineus s.l., Rh. bursa, Rh. turanicus, and Dermacentor marginatus, several of which are known vectors of zoonotic pathogens. Overall, 14% of ticks were positive for TBPs, mainly bacteria of Rickettsia genus. Molecular analyses detected Rickettsia slovaca, R. massiliae, Candidatus R. shennongii, R. conorii, R. felis, and R. barbariae. Additionally, single detections of Coxiella burnetii and Theileria annulata were recorded. Phylogenetic analyses were conducted on Rickettsia sequences. The range of ticks and TBPs present in this area highlights potential public health concerns. New associations between tick species and TBPs were documented, though vector roles need further investigation. The study highlights the importance of monitoring tick populations in both rural and urban environments to protect public health and prevent tick-borne disease spreading. Full article

Crimean–Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is a serious tick-borne disease with a wide geographical distribution. Classified as a level 4 biosecurity risk pathogen, CCHF can be transmitted cross-species due to its aerosol infectivity and ability to cause severe hemorrhagic fever outbreaks with high morbidity and mortality. However, current methods for detecting anti-CCHFV antibodies are limited. This study aimed to develop a novel luciferase immunosorbent assay (LISA) for the detection of CCHFV-specific IgG antibodies. We designed specific antigenic fragments of the nucleoprotein and evaluated their sensitivity and specificity in detecting IgG in serum samples from mice and horses. In addition, we compared the efficacy of our LISA to a commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Our results demonstrated that the optimal antigen for detecting anti-CCHFV IgG was located within the stalk cut-off domain of the nucleoprotein. The LISA exhibited high specificity for serum samples from indicated species and significantly higher sensitivity (at least 128 times) compared with the commercial ELISA. The proposed CCHFV-LISA has the potential to facilitate serological diagnosis and epidemiological investigation of CCHFV in natural foci, providing valuable technical support for surveillance and early warning of this disease. Full article

Ticks are temporary ectoparasites that serve as vectors for a wide range of pathogens affecting both wildlife and humans. In Greece, research on the prevalence of tick-borne pathogens in wildlife is limited. This study investigates the presence of pathogens, including Anaplasma spp., Babesia spp., Bartonella spp., Rickettsia spp., as well as tick-borne encephalitis (TBE), and Crimean–Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) viruses, in ticks collected from 28 wild animals across 10 different animal species. Ticks were manually harvested and identified using molecular methods, with sequencing confirming the presence of Hyalomma aegyptium, H. marginatum, H. anatolicum, Ixodes frontalis, and I. ventalloi. Among the pathogens detected, R. aeschlimannii was the most prevalent, particularly in H. aegyptium ticks from tortoises. Additionally, R. africae was identified in H. aegyptium from tortoises, marking the first report of this pathogen in this tick species in Greece. Hemolivia mauritanica, an apicomplexan parasite commonly found in Testudo tortoises, was also detected. No evidence of Babesia spp., Anaplasma spp., Bartonella spp., or viral nucleic acid was found. Phylogenetic analysis revealed close genetic relationships between the detected Rickettsia species and those previously reported in neighboring regions. These findings underscore the role of wildlife in the epidemiology of tick-borne pathogens in Greece and highlight the need for comprehensive surveillance to prevent future outbreaks. Full article

Ticks and tick-borne pathogens (TBPs) are a threat to human and animal health worldwide. A structured questionnaire was used to assess the knowledge, attitudes/practices, and perceptions (KAP) of 86 farmers of extensive sheep farming systems across different agro-ecological areas in Tunisia. The response rate was about 91.3%. Overall, 68.5% of the questions referring to knowledge and perceptions were answered correctly. Indeed, about half of the respondents were aware that ticks infest animals, with weight loss given as the major consequence. However, more than half of the farmers were unaware of the transmission and vectorial role of ticks. Those who knew that ticks are vectors cited microbes and icterus as the main concerns. A broad majority of farmers (70.9%) stated that they removed the attached ticks manually and 45.3% crushed them. As acaricides were perceived to be efficient for fighting ticks, according to 97.7% of the sheep farmers, they were used for both the animals and their sleeping areas. Although the toxicity of acaricides is known, 59.3% of the respondents did not use personal protection equipment when applying these products. Taken together, gaps in KAP among sheep farmers were identified. It can be used to better design awareness communication tools for TBPs. Full article

The western European hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus) and the northern white-breasted hedgehog (E. roumanicus) are natural hosts of the tick Ixodes hexagonus, the vector of tick-borne pathogens such as the Borreliella bacteria responsible for Lyme disease. The aim of this study was to identify these pathogens in ticks collected from hedgehogs in northwestern Poland and to assess their genetic diversity by molecular analysis of the detected pathogens based on the flaB gene and the mag-trnI intergenic spacer. Among 101 hedgehogs examined, 737 ticks were found on 56 (55.45%) individuals, including 501 females of I. hexagonus. Borreliella spirochete infection was confirmed in 9 females of I. hexagonus (1.8%) obtained from 4 (3.96%) hedgehogs, detecting Borreliella (Bl.) afzelii (8/89%) and Bl. spielmanii (1/11%). Phylogenetic analysis based on the flaB gene and the mag-trnI intergenic spacer showed a lack of diversity in Bl. afzelii detected in I. hexagonus ticks collected from hedgehogs as well as little diversity against reference strains detected in small mammals and ticks collected from them. The results confirm that hedgehogs play an important role in the circulation of the detected spirochete species, at least as hosts of I. hexagonus ticks infected with them, indicating their potential to spread Borreliella spirochetes. Full article

Multiple blood pathogen infections are increasingly found in many areas, particularly in tropical regions. This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness and safety of using doxycycline monotherapy to treat triple blood pathogen infection in sheltered dogs. A total of 375 sheltered dogs were screened for blood pathogen using polymerase chain reaction technique (PCR). There were 34 dogs with triple infection (Babesia vogeli, Ehrlichia canis, and Anaplasma platys), and most dogs displayed anemia and thrombocytopenia. These dogs were treated with doxycycline (10 mg/kg/day) orally for four weeks, and their blood profiles were monitored. Almost all pathogens were undetectable by PCR by day 14 and pathogens were all cleared by day 28. Most blood profiles significantly improved after 14 days. The improvement continued after 28 days. The red blood cell and platelet count (PLT) were increased in similar trends between mild-to-moderate and severe thrombocytopenia groups. The average PLT in the mild-to-moderate thrombocytopenia group raised to normal level by day 14, whereas in the severe group, it was gradually increased to normal level by day 70. We propose using doxycycline monotherapy for 28 days to eliminate all pathogens, and facilitate recovery and welfare in dogs suffering with triple blood pathogen infections. Full article

Tick-borne diseases (TBDs) pose a growing threat to companion animals, especially dogs, due to the increasing abundance of tick populations in Europe, driven by climate change, urbanization, and the mobility of humans and animals. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of tick-borne pathogens in clinically ill dogs suspected of having developed TBDs during the autumn-winter season, as well as to detect pathogens in ticks collected during the same period in the Warmian–Masurian Voivodeship in Poland. A total of 30 dogs with clinical symptoms of babesiosis and 45 ticks from dogs were acquired for this study. Clinical symptoms in dogs included elevated body temperature > 39.0 °C (73.3%), anemia (56.7%), thrombocytopenia (80%), and dark urine (53.3%). Co-infections with Babesia spp. were identified in two combinations (Babesia spp. and Mycoplasma spp. (n = 5), Babesia spp. and Borrelia spp. (n = 2)) and one co-infection with Anaplasma spp. and Borrelia spp., highlighting the complexity of TBD diagnosis and treatment. The analyzed tick species were Ixodes ricinus (86.7%; n = 39; 18 females and 21 males) and Dermacentor reticulatus (13.3%; n = 6; 4 females and 2 males). In I. ricinus, Babesia spp. were identified in 7.7% (3/39), Mycoplasma spp. in 7.7% (3/39), Borrelia in 25.6% (10/39), and Anaplasma spp. in 10.3% (4/39). In D.reticulatus, only two pathogens—Borrelia spp. and Anaplasma spp.—were detected, both only once (16.7%; 1/6). No significant differences were observed between the prevalence of the studied pathogens and tick species, sex, or developmental stage. This study emphasizes the year-round risk of TBDs in dogs, particularly during the autumn-winter months, and underscores the need for continuous vigilance in tick prevention, broad-spectrum diagnostics, and treatment strategies. Full article

Currently, a large number of novel tick-borne viruses potentially pathogenic to humans are discovered. Studying many of them by classical methods of virology is difficult due to the absence of live viral particles or a sufficient amount of their genetic material. In this case, the use of modern methods of bioinformatics and synthetic and structural biology can help. Haseki tick virus (HSTV) is a recently discovered tick-borne unclassified ssRNA(+) virus. HSTV-positive patients experienced fever and an elevated temperature. However, at the moment, there is no information on the tertiary structure and functions of its proteins. In this work, we used AlphaFold 3 and other bioinformatic tools for the annotation of HSTV nonstructural proteins, based on the principle that the tertiary structure of a protein is inextricably linked with its molecular function. We were the first to obtain models of tertiary structures and describe the putative functions of HSTV nonstructural proteins (NS3 helicase, NS3 protease, NS5 RNA-dependent RNA-polymerase, and NS5 methyltransferase), which play a key role in viral genome replication. Our results may help in further taxonomic identification of HSTV and the development of direct-acting antiviral drugs, POC tests, and vaccines. Full article

Vector-borne diseases represent a serious threat to human and animal health, especially where environmental conditions favor pathogen-carrying vectors. Dogs serve as natural hosts for two tick-borne pathogens: Ehrlichia canis, which causes canine monocytic ehrlichiosis, and spotted fever group (SFG) Rickettsia spp., a zoonotic threat in the Mediterranean region. Rhipicephalus sanguineus is the primary vector for these pathogens. Shelter dogs, due to increased exposure to ticks and confined living conditions, facilitate the spread of vector-borne pathogens, raising the risk of zoonotic transmission. This study conducted a serological survey of 1287 dogs from two shelters, assessing exposure to Rickettsia spp. and E. canis and examining the influence of demographic and environmental factors. Seroprevalence rates were 41.8% for Rickettsia spp. and 24.5% for E. canis, with 14% of dogs positive for both pathogens. No significant association was found with sex or breed. A higher seroprevalence was observed in dogs older than 12 months and in those from the shelter on the Mediterranean coast compared to those from the Tyrrhenian coast, likely due to climatic differences. The study highlights the role of climate in disease spread and the need for public health interventions, supporting One Health initiatives to prevent zoonotic disease transmission. Full article

Anaplasma marginale and Babesia bigemina are tick-borne pathogens, posing significant threats to the health and productivity of cattle in tropical and subtropical regions worldwide. Currently, detection of Babesia bigemina and Anaplasma marginale in infected animals relies primarily on microscopic examination of Giemsa-stained blood or organ smears, which has limited sensitivity. Molecular methods offer higher sensitivity but are costly and impractical in resource-limited settings. Following the development of a pen-side test for detecting Theileria parva infections in cattle, we have created two additional CRISPR-Cas12a assays targeting Anaplasma marginale and Babesia bigemina. The assays target the major surface protein 5 (MSP5) for A. marginale and rhoptry-associated protein 1a (RAP1a) for B. bigemina. These additional tests involve a 20 min recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA) reaction followed by a 60 min CRISPR-Cas12a detection with a lateral strip readout. Results demonstrate high specificity, with no cross-reactivity against other tick-borne parasites, and a limit of detection down to 10² DNA copies/µL of each target marker. The findings pave the way for sensitive and user-friendly pen-side tests to diagnose A. marginale and B. bigemina infections. Full article

Babesia canis is the parasite responsible for a life-threatening disease for dogs in Central Europe, of which the main vector is the ornate dog tick—Dermacentor reticulatus. The objective of the presented study was to assess the prevalence of Babesia infection in dogs with clinical suspicion of babesiosis, which tested positive for B. canis from locations where there is no or very limited information about dog exposure to this pathogen. In order to confirm the presence of this protozoan, blood samples were collected from dogs treated in veterinary clinics with suspicion of canine babesiosis. The samples were sent for microscopic analysis to Vetlab, a commercial veterinary diagnostic laboratory, to confirm the diagnosis. Overall, 3032 dog blood samples from Southern Poland were examined between 1 August 2018 and 31 December 2022 at the Vetlab laboratory. A total of 282 (9.3%) samples were found to be Babesia-positive using Wright–Giemsa stain peripheral blood smears, with an increase in two periods per year—April and October. Among the five voivodships, from which the laboratory analyzed blood samples, the highest number of Babesia-positive samples came from Częstochowa (Silesia) and its surroundings. Moreover, Babesia protozoans occurred more frequently in blood smears of pure-breed rather than mixed-breed dogs. The obtained results showed that infections with large Babesia in dogs from Southern Poland (with a special indication for the Śląskie Voivodship) should be taken into consideration during the differential diagnosis of tick-borne diseases at veterinary clinics. The presented study increases the vigilance and awareness of veterinarians and dog owners in this region, where babesiosis was very rarely diagnosed until date. Full article

Background: Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus (SFTSV) is a recently emerged tickborne virus in east Asia with over 18,000 confirmed cases. With a high case fatality ratio, SFTSV has been designated a high priority pathogen by the WHO and the NIAID. Despite this, there are currently no approved therapies or vaccines to treat or prevent SFTS. Vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) represents an FDA-approved vaccine platform that has been considered for numerous viruses due to its low sero-prevalence in humans, ease in genetic manipulation, and promiscuity in incorporating foreign glycoproteins into its virions. Methods: In this study, we developed a recombinant VSV (rVSV) expressing the SFTSV glycoproteins Gn/Gc (rVSV-SFTSV) and assessed its safety, immunogenicity, and efficacy in C57BL/6, Ifnar^−/−, and AG129 mice. Results: We demonstrate that rVSV-SFTSV is safe when given to immunocompromised animals and is not neuropathogenic when injected intracranially into young immunocompetent mice. Immunization of wild type (C57BL/6) and Ifnar^−/− mice with rVSV-SFTSV resulted in high levels of neutralizing antibodies and protection in a lethal SFTSV challenge model. Additionally, passive transfer of sera from immunized Ifnar^−/− mice into naïve animals was protective when given pre- or post-exposure. Finally, we demonstrate that immunization with rVSV-SFTSV cross protects AG129 mice against challenge with the closely related Heartland bandavirus despite negligible neutralizing titers to the virus. Conclusions: Taken together, these data suggest that rVSV-SFTSV is a promising vaccine candidate for SFTSV and Heartland bandavirus with a favorable safety profile. Full article

Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) is an acute febrile illness caused by the SFTS virus (SFTSV). We conducted this study to propose a scientific evidence-based treatment that can improve prognosis through changes in viral load and inflammatory cytokines according to the specific treatment of SFTS patients. This prospective and observational study was conducted at 14 tertiary referral hospitals, which are located in SFTS endemic areas in Korea, from 1 May 2018 to 31 October 2020. Patients of any age were eligible for inclusion if they were polymerase chain reaction positive against SFTSV, or showed a four-fold or higher increase in IgG antibody titers between two serum samples collected during the acute and convalescent phases. On the other hand, patients with other tick-borne infections were excluded. In total, 79 patients were included in the study. The viral load of the group treated with steroids was 3.39, 3.21, and 1.36 log₁₀ RNA copies/reaction at each week since the onset of symptoms, and the viral load in patients treated with plasma exchange was 4.47, 2.60, and 2.00 log₁₀ RNA copies/reaction at each week after symptom onset. The inflammatory cytokines were not reduced effectively by any specific treatment except IVIG for the entire treatment period. Secondary infections according to pathogens revealed four bacterial (26.7%) and one fungal (6.7%) infection in the steroid group. The viral load of SFTSV and inflammatory cytokines cannot be decreased by steroid and plasma exchange treatments. Secondary bacterial infections can occur when steroids are administered for the treatment of SFTS. Therefore, caution should be exercised when choosing treatment strategies for SFTS. Full article