Evidence of Bartonella sp. in questing adult and nymphal Ixodes ricinus ticks from France and co-infection with Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato and Babesia sp.

Abstract

-Ticks are known vectors for a wide range of pathogenic microorganisms. Their role in the transmission of some others is so far only suspected. Ticks can transmit multiple pathogens, however, little is known about the co-existence of these pathogens within questing ticks. We looked for the presence of DNA from three micro-organisms, Bartonella sp., Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato and Babesia sp. which are known or suspected tick-borne pathogens, using a cohort of 92 questing Ixodes ricinus ticks collected from pastures in northern France. DNA was extracted from each individual tick and the presence of the three pathogens was investigated using Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) amplification. Nine among 92 samples (9.8%) demonstrated PCR products using Bartonella specific primers, 3 among 92 (3.3%) using Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato specific primers and 19 among 92 (20.6%) using Babesia specific primers. Seven among 92 samples (7.6%) were PCR positive for at least two of the pathogens and one sample was positive for all three. Adult ticks (12/18; 67%) showed significantly higher infection rates compared to nymphs (11/74; 15%) for all three pathogens (P < 0.001). This study is the demonstration of the simultaneous presence of Bartonella sp., Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato and Babesia sp. in questing Ixodes ricinus ticks. questing ticks / co-infection / PCR detection

Coexistence of tick-borne pathogens in game animals and ticks in western Poland

“…The presence of Bartonella spp. has been confirmed in ticks Ixodes pacificus in California (Chang et al, 2001) and Bartonella henselae -in I. ricinus ticks in Italy and Denmark (Schouls et al, 1999;Sanogo et al, 2003, Halos et al, 2005.…”

Transmission ofBartonella henselaebyIxodes ricinus

“…DNA was detected in questing and engorged nymphs and adults Ixodes spp. collected in North America, Europe, and Asia (13,(18)(19)(20)(21)(22)(23)(24)(25)(26). If one considers that ixodid ticks feed only once per stage, Bartonella spp.…”

“…with known tick-borne pathogens such as B. burgdorferi sensu lato, A. phagocytophilum, or Babesia spp. is not a rare event in ticks and hosts (13,19,24,27). A study conducted in a veterinary hospital in the United States (California) demonstrated that all dogs with endocarditis and infected with Bartonella spp.…”

Pars plana vitrectomy with internal limiting membrane removal for a macular hole associated with Behçet's disease

“…1 Because idiopathic macular holes rarely occur before the age of 55 years 3 Falthough we could not dispute the idiopathic origin of our caseFwe speculate that vitreous inflammation causing vitreous gel shrinkage and tangential traction in combination with macular oedema could cause a macular hole. The present case indicates that pars plana vitrectomy combined with ILM peeling might lead Sir, Neuroretinitis secondary to concurrent infection with cat scratch disease and lyme disease Neuroretinitis is an infectious or inflammatory process of the optic nerve characterized by optic disc oedema and macular star.…”

“…Recently, however, Bartonella species have been isolated in the I. ricinus tick with concurrent presence of B. burgdorferi species. 2,3 Identification of coinfected ticks suggests a possible new transmission mechanism of CSD and LD and should be considered when evaluating a patient with neuroretinitis.…”