Browsing by Subject "Ticks"

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Identification of new microfoci and genetic characterization of tick-borne encephalitis virus isolates from Eastern Germany and Western Poland
(2024) Król, Nina; Chitimia-Dobler, Lidia; Dobler, Gerhard; Kiewra, Dorota; Czułowska, Aleksandra; Obiegala, Anna; Zajkowska, Joanna; Juretzek, Thomas; Pfeffer, Martin
(1) Background: Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) is the most important tick-borne viral disease in Eurasia, although effective vaccines are available. Caused by the tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV, syn. Orthoflavivirus encephalitidis), in Europe, it is transmitted by ticks like Ixodes ricinus and Dermacentor reticulatus. TBEV circulates in natural foci, making it endemic to specific regions, such as southern Germany and northeastern Poland. Our study aimed to identify new TBEV natural foci and genetically characterize strains in ticks in previously nonendemic areas in Eastern Germany and Western Poland. (2) Methods: Ticks were collected from vegetation in areas reported by TBE patients. After identification, ticks were tested for TBEV in pools of a maximum of 10 specimens using real-time RT-PCR. From the positive TBEV samples, E genes were sequenced. (3) Results: Among 8400 ticks from 19 sites, I. ricinus (n = 4784; 56.9%) was predominant, followed by D. reticulatus (n = 3506; 41.7%), Haemaphysalis concinna (n = 108; 1.3%), and I. frontalis (n = 2; <0.1%). TBEV was detected in 19 pools originating in six sites. The phylogenetic analyses revealed that TBEV strains from Germany and Poland clustered with other German strains, as well as those from Finland and Estonia. (4) Conclusions: Although there are still only a few cases are reported from these areas, people spending much time outdoors should consider TBE vaccination.
Rickettsia spp. in ticks of South Luangwa valley, Eastern Province, Zambia
(2023) Phiri, Bruno S. J.; Kattner, Simone; Chitimia-Dobler, Lidia; Woelfel, Silke; Albanus, Celina; Dobler, Gerhard; Küpper, Thomas
Ticks are important vectors for Rickettsia spp. belonging to the Spotted Fever Group responsible for causing Rickettsiosis worldwide. Rickettsioses pose an underestimated health risk to tourists and local inhabitants. There is evidence of the presence of Rickettsia spp. in Zambia, however there is limited data. A total of 1465 ticks were collected in 20 different locations from dogs and cattle including one cat. Ticks were identified by morphological features or by sequencing of the 16S mitochondrial rRNA gene. Individual ticks were further tested for rickettsiae using a pan-Rickettsia real-time-PCR. Rickettsia species in PCR-positive ticks were identified by sequencing the 23S-5S intergenic spacer region or partial ompA gene, respectively. Seven tick species belonging to three different tick genera were found, namely: Amblyomma variegatum, Rhipicephalus appendiculatus, Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus, Rhipicephalus simus, Rhipicephalus sanguineus, Rhipicephalus zambesiensis and Haemaphysalis elliptica. Out of the 1465 ticks collected, 67 (4.6%) tested positive in the pan-Rickettsia PCR. This study provides detailed data about the presence of Rickettsia species in South Luangwa Valley, Eastern Province, Zambia for the first time. High prevalence of Rickettsia africae in Amblyomma variegatum was found, which indicates the potential risk of infection in the investigated area. Furthermore, to our best knowledge, this is the first time Rickettsia massiliae, a human pathogen causing spotted fever, has been detected in Zambia.