<i>Candidatus</i> Cryptoplasma Associated with Green Lizards and <i>Ixodes ricinus</i> Ticks, Slovakia, 2004–2011

Kočíková, Božena; Majláth, Igor; Víchová, Bronislava; Maliničová, Lenka; Pristaš, Peter; Connors, Vincent A.; Majláthová, Viktória

doi:10.3201/eid2412.161958

Cited by 8 publications

(15 citation statements)

References 13 publications

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“…Finally, the detection of an undescribed member of the Anaplasmataceae in lizards agrees with previous reports from Europe (Slovakia) [ 71 ] and USA [ 72 ]. This microorganism is related to genus Anaplasma , but represents a lineage distinct from all known Anaplasma spp.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 91%

Role of reptiles and associated arthropods in the epidemiology of rickettsioses: A one health paradigm

et al. 2021

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We assessed the presence of Rickettsia spp., Coxiella burnetii and Anaplasma phagocytophilum in reptiles, their ectoparasites and in questing ticks collected in a nature preserve park in southern Italy, as well as in a peri-urban area in another region. We also investigated the exposure to these pathogens in forestry workers, farmers and livestock breeders living or working in the nature preserve park given the report of anecdotal cases of spotted fever rickettsioses. Rickettsia spp. were molecularly detected in Podarcis muralis and Podarcis siculus lizards (i.e., 3.1%), in Ixodes ricinus (up to 87.5%) and in Neotrombicula autumnalis (up to 8.3%) collected from them as well as in I. ricinus collected from the environment (up to 28.4%). Rickettsia monacensis was the most prevalent species followed by Rickettsia helvetica. An undescribed member of the family Anaplasmataceae was detected in 2.4% and 0.8% of the reptiles and ectoparasites, respectively. Sera from human subjects (n = 50) were serologically screened and antibodies to Rickettsia spp. (n = 4; 8%), C. burnetti (n = 8; 16%) and A. phagocytophilum (n = 11; 22%) were detected. Two ticks collected from two forestry workers were positive for spotted fever group (SFG) rickettsiae. Ixodes ricinus is involved in the transmission of SFG rickettsiae (R. monacensis and R. helvetica) in southern Europe and lizards could play a role in the sylvatic cycle of R. monacensis, as amplifying hosts. Meanwhile, N. autumnalis could be involved in the enzootic cycle of some SFG rickettsiae among these animals. People living or working in the southern Italian nature preserve park investigated are exposed to SFG rickettsiae, C. burnetii and A. phagocytophilum.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 91%

Role of reptiles and associated arthropods in the epidemiology of rickettsioses: A one health paradigm

et al. 2021

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“…Candidatus Cryptoplasma sp. REP belonging to the Anaplasmataceae family, was found to be associated with lizards and was also detected in questing and lizard-feeding I. ricinus ticks in Slovak Karst National Park in SE Slovakia (Kočíková et al 2018). The endosymbiont Wolbachia pipientis was also detected in part of the examined ticks.…”

Section: Non-zoonotic Microorganisms and Parasites Detected In Ticksmentioning

confidence: 89%

“…Larvae, nymphs and very rarely adult ticks were reported from 31 species of small mammals -rodents (Rodentia) and insectivores (Insectivora) (Rosický 1953;Turček 1954;Mačička 1955;Grulich 1960;Černý 1961;Kožuch et al 1967a;Nosek et al 1967b;Kiefer et al 1981;Stanko and Ambros 1985;Kožuch et al 1987;Labuda et al 1989;Stanko and Ambros 1989;Kováčik and Dudich 1990;Stanko 1995;Stanko and Miklisová 1995;Hanincová et al 2003a;Minichová et al 2017). In addition, larvae and nymphs were found to infest four species of lizards (Grulich et al 1957;Černý 1961;Řeháček et al 1961;Lác et al 1971;Majláth et al 1998;Majláthová et al 2006;Václav et al 2011;Kočíková et al 2018) and more than 50 bird species (Rosický 1953;Turček 1954;Černý 1961;Nosek et al 1967b;Ernek et al 1968;Černý 1972;Nosek et al 1972b;Hanincová et al 2003b;Tarageľová et al 2005;Špitalská et al 2006;Berthová et al 2016). Carnivores (mustelids, foxes, badgers), wild ungulates (Artiodactyla) such as roe deer Capreolus capreolus (Linnaeus, 1758), fallow deer Dama dama (Linnaeus, 1758), red deer Cervus elaphus Linnaeus, 1758, mouflon Ovis gmelini musimon Pallas, 1762, wild boar Sus scrofa Linnaeus, 1758, as well as dom...…”

Section: Tick Species Of Public Health Relevancementioning

confidence: 99%

Ticks and their epidemiological role in Slovakia: from the past till present

et al. 2021

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In Slovakia, 22 tick species have been found to occur to date. Among them, Ixodes ricinus, Dermacentor reticulatus, D. marginatus and marginally Haemaphysalis concinna, H. inermis and H. punctata have been identified as the species of public health relevance. Ticks in Slovakia were found to harbour and transmit zoonotic and/or potentially zoonotic agents such as tickborne encephalitis virus (TBEV), spirochaetes of the Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (s.l.) complex, the relapsing fever sprirochaete Borrelia miyamotoi, bacteria belonging to the orders Rickettsiales (Rickettsia spp., Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Neoehrlichia mikurensis), Legionellales (Coxiella burnetii), and Thiotrichales (Francisella tularensis), and Babesia spp. parasites (order Piroplasmida). Ixodes ricinus is the principal vector of the largest variety of microorganisms including viruses, bacteria and piroplasms. TBEV, B. burgdorferi s.l., rickettsiae of the spotted fever group, C. burnetii and F. tularensis have been found to cause serious diseases in humans, whereas B. miyamotoi, A. phagocytophilum, N. mikurensis, Babesia microti, and B. venatorum pose lower or potential risk to humans. Distribution of TBEV has a focal character. During the last few decades, new tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) foci and their spread to new areas have been registered and TBE incidence rates have increased. Moreover, Slovakia reports the highest rates of alimentary TBE infections among the European countries. Lyme borreliosis (LB) spirochaetes are spread throughout the distribution range of I. ricinus. Incidence rates of LB have shown a slightly increasing trend since 2010. Only a few sporadic cases of human rickettsiosis, anaplasmosis and babesiosis have been confirmed thus far in Slovakia. The latest large outbreaks of Q fever and tularaemia were recorded in 1993 and 1967, respectively. Since then, a few human cases of Q fever have been reported almost each year. Changes in the epidemiological characteristics and clinical forms of tularaemia have been observed during the last few decades. Global changes and development of modern molecular tools led to the discovery and identification of emerging or new tick-borne microorganisms and symbionts with unknown zoonotic potential. In this review, we provide a historical overview of research on ticks and tick-borne pathogens in Slovakia with the most important milestones and recent findings, and outline future directions in the investigation of ticks as ectoparasites and vectors of zoonotic agents and in the study of tick-borne diseases.Keywords Tick-borne pathogens . Tick-borne encephalitis virus . Borrelia . Anaplasma . Rickettsia . Coxiella burnetii . Francisella tularensis . Babesia

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“…was 6.81% in all the ticks with 15.25% in A. tholloni and 2.21% in H. parmata . Cryptoplasma is an enigmatic Anaplasma -like pathogen (Anaplasmataceae) that was sporadically identified [ 87 ]. Its medical and veterinary importance remains unknown but rodents are potential reservoir hosts [ 87 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Survey of ticks and tick-borne pathogens in wild chimpanzee habitat in Western Uganda

et al. 2023

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Background Ticks and tick-borne pathogens significantly impact both human and animal health and therefore are of major concern to the scientific community. Knowledge of tick-borne pathogens is crucial for prescription of mitigation measures. In Africa, much research on ticks has focused on domestic animals. Little is known about ticks and their pathogens in wild habitats and wild animals like the endangered chimpanzee, our closest relative. Methods In this study, we collected ticks in the forested habitat of a community of 100 chimpanzees living in Kibale National Park, Western Uganda, and assessed how their presence and abundance are influenced by environmental factors. We used non-invasive methods of flagging the vegetation and visual search of ticks both on human team members and in chimpanzee nests. We identified adult and nymph ticks through morphological features. Molecular techniques were used to detect and identify tick-borne piroplasmids and bacterial pathogens. Results A total of 470 ticks were collected, which led to the identification of seven tick species: Haemaphysalis parmata (68.77%), Amblyomma tholloni (20.70%), Ixodes rasus sensu lato (7.37%), Rhipicephalus dux (1.40%), Haemaphysalis punctaleachi (0.70%), Ixodes muniensis (0.70%) and Amblyomma paulopunctatum (0.35%). The presence of ticks, irrespective of species, was influenced by temperature and type of vegetation but not by relative humidity. Molecular detection revealed the presence of at least six genera of tick-borne pathogens (Babesia, Theileria, Borrelia, Cryptoplasma, Ehrlichia and Rickettsia). The Afrotopical tick Amblyomma tholloni found in one chimpanzee nest was infected by Rickettsia sp. Conclusions In conclusion, this study presented ticks and tick-borne pathogens in a Ugandan wildlife habitat whose potential effects on animal health remain to be elucidated. Graphical Abstract

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Candidatus Cryptoplasma Associated with Green Lizards and Ixodes ricinus Ticks, Slovakia, 2004–2011

Cited by 8 publications

References 13 publications

Role of reptiles and associated arthropods in the epidemiology of rickettsioses: A one health paradigm

Role of reptiles and associated arthropods in the epidemiology of rickettsioses: A one health paradigm

Ticks and their epidemiological role in Slovakia: from the past till present

Survey of ticks and tick-borne pathogens in wild chimpanzee habitat in Western Uganda

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