15-year Borrelia prevalence and species distribution monitoring in Ixodes ricinus/inopinatus populations in the city of Hanover, Germany

Glass, Antje; Springer, Andrea; Raulf, Marie‐Kristin; Fingerle, Volker; Strübe, Christina

doi:10.1016/j.ttbdis.2022.102074

Cited by 12 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 59 publications

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“…One was co-infection with Borrelia spp. Similar coinfections are often described in Europe, where both pathogens are prevalent [37]. The results of a study in Greece showed that the bacterium was detected in 4 of 45 pools (8.9%) of I. ricinus ticks collected from goats in northern Greece, which provided the first molecular evidence for the circulation of A. phagocytophilum in I. ricinus ticks in the country [38].…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 57%

Pathogens Detected in Questing Ixodes ricinus Ticks in a Mountainous Area in Greece

Tsioka,

Saratsis,

Pappa

et al. 2024

Pathogens

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Ixodes ricinus ticks are vectors of a plethora of pathogens. The purpose of this study was to screen 398 I. ricinus ticks for a variety of pathogens. Following the pooling, homogenization, and extraction of total nucleic acids, a real-time PCR was applied for the detection of a panel of tick-borne pathogens, while additional conventional PCRs combined with Sanger sequencing were applied for the detection of viruses and typing of Rickettsia and Borrelia species. At least one pathogen was detected in 60 of the 80 (75%) tick pools. Rickettsia spp. predominated, as it was detected in 63.75% of the pools (51/80; MIR 12.81%), followed by Borrelia spp. (35 pools (45%); MIR 8.79%), while Anaplasma phagocytophilum was detected in 2 pools (2.5%, MIR 0.5%). The ticks of six Rickettsia-positive pools were tested individually (from stored half-ticks); all sequences were identical to those of R. monacensis. Similarly, the ticks of six Borrelia-positive pools were tested individually, and it was shown that four belonged to the genospecies Borrelia garinii and two to Borrelia valaisiana. Phleboviruses were detected in 3 pools (3.75%; MIR 0.75%), with sequences clustering in the Ixovirus genus, while nairoviruses were detected in 7 pools (8.75%; MIR 1.76%), with one sequence clustering in the Orthonairovirus genus, and six clustering in the Norwavirus genus. Although a small number of ticks from only one area in Greece were tested, a variety of pathogens together with recently identified viruses were detected, prompting further studies in ticks and surveillance studies in humans.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 57%

Pathogens Detected in Questing Ixodes ricinus Ticks in a Mountainous Area in Greece

Tsioka,

Saratsis,

Pappa

et al. 2024

Pathogens

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“…The distribution of Borrelia species and strains in this geographical region shows a notable difference compared to North America. In Germany, B. afzelii constituted approximately 60% of the infected ticks, followed by B. garinii and B. burgdorferi s.s ., each accounting for around 10% (37). In contrast, B. burgdorferi s.s. stands as the prevailing species in North America (1).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Identification of disease-specific TCRs maintaining pathogenic T helper cell responses in postinfectious Lyme Arthritis

Dirks,

Fischer,

Klaussner

et al. 2024

Preprint

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Background: Antibiotic-Refractory Lyme Arthritis (ARLA) involves a complex interplay of T cell responses targeting Borrelia burgdorferi antigens succeeding towards autoantigens by epitope spreading. However, the precise molecular mechanisms driving the pathogenic T cell response in ARLA remain unclear. Our aim was to elucidate the molecular program of disease-specific Th cells. Methods: Using flow cytometry, high-throughput T cell receptor (TCR) sequencing and scRNA-seq of CD4+ Th cells isolated from the joints of European ARLA patients, we aimed at inferring antigen specificity through unbiased analysis of TCR repertoire patterns, identifying surrogate markers for disease-specific TCRs and connecting TCR specificity to transcriptional patterns. Results: PD-1hiHLA-DR+CD4+ effector T cells were clonally expanded within the inflamed joints and persisted throughout disease course. Among these cells, we identified a distinct TCRβ motive restricted to HLA-DRB1*11 or *13 alleles. These alleles, being underrepresented in North American ARLA patients, were unexpectedly prevalent in our European cohort. The identified TCRβ motive served as surrogate marker for a convergent TCR response specific to ARLA, distinguishing it from other rheumatic diseases. In the scRNA-seq dataset, the TCRβ motive particularly mapped to peripheral T helper (TPH) cells displaying signs of sustained proliferation, continuous TCR signaling, and expressing CXCL13 and IFN-γ. Conclusion: By inferring disease-specific TCRs from synovial T cells we identified a convergent TCR response in the joints of ARLA patients that continuously fueled the expansion of TPH cells expressing a pathogenic cytokine effector program. The identified TCRs can be harnessed to identify the major antigen targets of the maladaptive immune response.

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“…Furthermore, in the city parks of Vilnius, Latvia, and in recreational areas of Hanover, Germany, 25% of ticks yielded B. burgdorferi s.l. [ 38 , 39 ]. Comprehensive studies on host-seeking ticks infected with B. burgdorferi s.l.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Co-Occurrence of Borrelia burgdorferi Sensu Lato and Babesia spp. DNA in Ixodes ricinus Ticks Collected from Vegetation and Pets in the City of Poznań, Poland

Liberska,

Michalik,

Olechnowicz

et al. 2024

Pathogens

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Here, we described the prevalence of Borrelia burgdorferi s.l. and Babesia species found in mono- and double infections among Ixodes ricinus ticks occurring in urban areas of the city of Poznań, Poland. We tested 1029 host-seeking ticks and 1268 engorged ticks removed from pet animals. Borrelia afzelii and B. garinii prevailed both in ticks from vegetation (3.7% and 3.7%, respectively) and from pets (3.7% and 0.6%, respectively). Babesia canis and Ba. microti were the most prevalent in host-seeking (2.6% and 1.4%, respectively) and feeding ticks (2.8% and 2.2%, respectively). Babesia microti sequences proved to be identical to the human pathogenic Ba. microti genotype “Jena/Germany”. Sequences of the rarest piroplasm Ba. venatorum (0.7%) were identical with those isolated from European patients. About 1.0% of tested ticks yielded dual infections; in host-seeking ticks, Ba. canis prevailed in co-infections with B. afzelii and B. garinii, whereas Ba. microti and B. afzelii dominated in double-infected feeding ticks. Dual infections, even with a low prevalence, pose a challenge for differential diagnosis in patients with acute febrile disease after a tick bite. The finding of Ba. canis in both tick groups suggests that I. ricinus could be involved in the circulation of this piroplasm.

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15-year Borrelia prevalence and species distribution monitoring in Ixodes ricinus/inopinatus populations in the city of Hanover, Germany

Cited by 12 publications

References 59 publications

Pathogens Detected in Questing Ixodes ricinus Ticks in a Mountainous Area in Greece

Pathogens Detected in Questing Ixodes ricinus Ticks in a Mountainous Area in Greece

Identification of disease-specific TCRs maintaining pathogenic T helper cell responses in postinfectious Lyme Arthritis

Co-Occurrence of Borrelia burgdorferi Sensu Lato and Babesia spp. DNA in Ixodes ricinus Ticks Collected from Vegetation and Pets in the City of Poznań, Poland

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