A One Health approach to study the circulation of tick-borne pathogens: A preliminary study

Abstract

Tick-borne pathogens (TBPs) have complex life cycles involving tick vectors and vertebrate hosts. However, there is limited empirical evidence on the zoonotic circulation of TBPs. In this study, we used a One Health approach to study the possible circulation of TBPs in ticks, animals and humans within a rural household in the foothills of the Fruška Gora mountain, northern Serbia. The presence of TBP DNA was assessed using microfluidic PCR (25 bacterial species, 7 parasite species, 5 bacterial genera, 3 parasite genera) in animal, human and tick samples and the presence of tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) RNA was screened for using RT-qPCR on tick samples. In addition, Lyme borreliosis serology was assessed in patients sera. Rhipicephalus sanguineus and Ixodes ricinus ticks were identified on dogs and Haemaphysalis punctata was identified on house walls. Rickettsia helvetica was the most common pathogen detected in pooled R. sanguineus and I. ricinus tick samples, followed by Hepatozoon canis . None of the H. punctata tick samples tested positive for the presence of TBPs. Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Rickettsia monacensis were the most frequent pathogens detected in dogs, followed by Rickettsia felis , whereas Anaplasma bovis was the only pathogen found in one of the goats tested. None of the human blood samples collected from family members tested positive for the presence of TBPs. Although microfluidic PCR did not detect Borrelia sp. in any of the tested tick or blood samples, a family member with a history of Lyme disease was seropositive for Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (s.l.). We conclude that, despite the presence of TBPs in tick and vertebrate reservoirs, there is no evidence of infection with TBPs across various components of the epidemiological chain in a rural Fruška Gora household.

Unexpected TBEV Seropositivity in Serbian Patients Who Recovered from Viral Meningitis and Encephalitis

“…There were several attempts in recent years to examine possible exposure of the Serbian population to TBEV, mainly via seroprevalence studies [ 9 , 10 , 23 , 32 , 33 ]. According to currently available data, possible exposure to TBEV was in previous years detected only in the population of northern Serbia and the Belgrade area [ 10 , 25 , 32 ].…”

Occurrence and Identification of Ixodes ricinus Borne Pathogens in Northeastern Italy

“…Given the fact that TBDs could severely concern both human and animal health, surveillance programs for TBDs and TBPs, based on harmonized One Health approaches, have been implemented in several European countries in recent years [3,4].…”

Ticks and Tick-Borne Diseases in Central America and the Caribbean: A One Health Perspective

“…In conclusion, there are major gaps in our understanding of TBPs prevalent in CAC and only the use of the 'One Health' approach involving the collaboration of veterinarians, physicians, and researchers can overcome this limitation. Such studies can include the sampling of animals, ticks, and humans in a defined location, combined with highthroughput molecular detection of pathogens as well as serology [7]. A positive thrust towards the implementation of the 'One Health' approach in the CAC with respect to ticks and TBPs/TBDs is the availability of state-of-the-art diagnostic tools that have been developed and used for their detection and identification in the region.…”

“…Based on the definition by the 'One Health' Global Network: "One Health recognizes the interconnection among the health of humans, animals and ecosystems which involves the application of a coordinated, collaborative, multidisciplinary and cross-sectoral approach to address potential or existing risks that originate at the animal-human-ecosystem interface" [6]. This concept can also be applied to the study of epidemiology of TBDs [7][8][9]. Wild and domestic animals infested by ticks play an integral role in the epidemiology of zoonotic TBDs.…”