Molecular detection of vector-borne pathogens in wild and domestic carnivores and their ticks at the human–wildlife interface

Millán, Javier; Proboste, Tatiana; Mera, Isabel G. Fernández de; Chirife, Andrea D.; Fuente, José de la; Altet, Laura

doi:10.1016/j.ttbdis.2015.11.003

Cited by 86 publications

(86 citation statements)

References 36 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…In contrast to the red fox, badgers and wolves have been less investigated in Europe. No badgers showed positivity for A. phagocytophilum in The Netherland (68), Czech Republic 71, and Spain (72), where negative results have been obtained also for the wolf (37). Notably, out of 114 badgers only two were found positive during a study on the occurrence of VBPs in mustelids from Belgium and The Netherland (73).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 96%

Molecular Survey on Vector-Borne Pathogens in Alpine Wild Carnivorans

et al. 2020

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

In Europe, free-ranging wildlife has been linked to the emergence of several vector-borne diseases such as rodents for Borrelia burgdorferi s.l. In particular, wild carnivorans are one of the most important sources of emerging zoonotic pathogens worldwide, although little information is available regarding the epidemiology of vector-borne parasites in these animals. Thus, the aim of this paper was to investigate the prevalence of Babesia spp., Anaplasma spp., Ehrlichia spp., Hepatozoon spp. and Leishmania infantum in alpine wild canids and mustelids from Italy. For this study, spleen samples of 157 foxes (Vulpes vulpes), 45 badgers (Meles meles), and 33 wolves (Canis lupus) collected between 2009 and 2017 in Northwest Italy were examined by using conventional PCR. Logistic regression was used to identify possible risk factors for pathogen infections. DNA of any of the tested pathogens was found in more than 90% of the analyzed animals. In particular, Babesia spp. showed significantly higher prevalence in foxes (89.7%) and badgers (89.6%) than in wolves, while the latter were considerably more infected with Hepatozoon canis (75.8%) than foxes (5.1%). None of the badger tested positive for Hepatozoon spp., although they showed high prevalence of Leishmania infantum (53.3%). Sequencing results revealed the presence, among others, of Babesia vulpes, Babesia sp. isolate badger type A and B, and Anaplasma phagocytophilum. Moreover, previously unreported pathogen/host associations were observed, such as Babesia capreoli in wolves and badgers. The prevalence of vector-borne pathogens observed in the present study is one of the highest reported so far, suggesting the importance of free-ranging carnivorans in the epidemiology and maintenance of the sylvatic cycle of the pathogens. Moreover, several of these pathogens are of particular importance regarding human (A. phagocytophilum, L. infantum) and pet health (L. infantum, B. vulpes).

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 96%

Molecular Survey on Vector-Borne Pathogens in Alpine Wild Carnivorans

et al. 2020

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…In addition, on the edges of these natural areas, there is an increasing number of suburban residential areas. Therefore, hikers, nature lovers and local residents, along with their pets, can thus easily be exposed to infected wildlife (Millán et al., ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Risk factors of Leptospira infection in Mediterranean periurban micromammals

Millán

Cevidanes

Chirife

et al. 2017

Zoonoses and Public Health

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

SummaryUrbanization of natural areas can change abiotic factors, providing artificial sources of humidity in summer and decreasing variation of temperatures in winter. Our study aimed at document risk factors of infection in mammal reservoirs of pathogenic Leptospira in the human/wildlife interface of a large metropolitan area. We hypothesize that survival of Leptospira and thus their prevalence in animal reservoirs should be higher in residential areas than in natural habitats, especially after the hot, dry Mediterranean summers. We established the prevalence of Leptospira spp. and identified the serovars in 353 urine samples from micromammals (chiefly the wood mouse Apodemus sylvaticus, n = 266) using direct immunofluorescence and PCR. Animals were captured in spring and autumn, 2011-2012, in two natural parks and two adjacent residential areas in periurban Barcelona (NE Spain). Overall observed prevalence of infection was 11%, ranking between 8% and 13% in the better represented host species. We observed marked differences between seasons; the probability of finding a micromammal infected in spring was three times greater than in autumn (almost four times for wood mouse). Prevalence was not related with type of habitat, micromammal relative abundance or sex of the animal. Three Leptospira species were confirmed: Leptospira interrogans (47% of cases), Leptospira borgpetersenii (41%) and Leptospira kirschneri (12%). The serovars most commonly detected were those typically hosted by rodents, and serovars Ballum and Icterohemorrhagiae were the only ones found in autumn. People living in periurban Barcelona and those visiting the natural areas of the metropolitan area face hazard of infection with rodent-borne Leptospira, especially during spring.

show abstract

“…Furthermore, blood-feeding ectoparasites such as ticks add a dimension of complexity to the ecology of infectious diseases. In North America and Europe, there is evidence of tick-borne pathogens (TBP) are associated with wild mammals close to anthropogenic areas [4, 5, 6]. Unfortunately, throughout Central America there is a paucity of information regarding the roles of synanthropic mammals in the transmission of TBP.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Synanthropic Mammals as Potential Hosts of Tick-Borne Pathogens in Panama

et al. 2017

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Synanthropic wild mammals can be important hosts for many vector-borne zoonotic pathogens. The aim of this study was determine the exposure of synanthropic mammals to two types of tick-borne pathogens in Panama, spotted fever group Rickettsia (SFGR) and Borrelia relapsing fever (RF) spirochetes. One hundred and thirty-one wild mammals were evaluated, including two gray foxes, two crab-eating foxes (from zoos), four coyotes, 62 opossum and 63 spiny rats captured close to rural towns. To evaluate exposure to SFGR, serum samples from the animals were tested by indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) using Rickettsia rickettsii and Candidatus Rickettsia amblyommii antigen. Immunoblotting was performed using Borrelia turicatae protein lysates and rGlpQ, to assess infection caused by RF spirochetes. One coyote (25%) and 27 (43%) opossums showed seroreactivity to SFGR. Of these opossums, 11 were seroreactive to C. R. amblyommii. Serological reactivity was not detected to B. turicatae in mammal samples. These findings may reflect a potential role of both mammals in the ecology of tick-borne pathogens in Panama.

show abstract

Molecular detection of vector-borne pathogens in wild and domestic carnivores and their ticks at the human–wildlife interface

Cited by 86 publications

References 36 publications

Molecular Survey on Vector-Borne Pathogens in Alpine Wild Carnivorans

Molecular Survey on Vector-Borne Pathogens in Alpine Wild Carnivorans

Risk factors of Leptospira infection in Mediterranean periurban micromammals

Synanthropic Mammals as Potential Hosts of Tick-Borne Pathogens in Panama

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About