Pathogen screening in the red fox (Vulpes Vulpes) from Lithuania

Paulauskas, Algimantas; Sakalauskas, Povilas; Lipatova, Indrė; Radzijevskaja, Jana

doi:10.6001/biologija.v65i4.4122

Cited by 4 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 30 publications

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“…Out of 60 samples, one adult female arctic fox from the costal ecotype was positive for A. phagocytophilum-specific real-time qPCR (Ct = 36.71; sequencing was repeatedly not successful). In line with this finding, red foxes have been reported to carry A. phagocytophilum DNA in at least 10 European countries [4,5]. Anaplasma phygocytophilum (Rickettsiales: Anaplasmataceae) is the causative agent of granulocytic anaplasmosis in multiple hosts (including humans) and tick-borne fever in ruminants [15].…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 75%

“…All 60 samples were negative or contained DNA below the PCR detection limit for other tested vector-borne pathogens. Taking into account that red foxes are known to harbor a broad range of the vector-borne protozoa and bacteria targeted here (e.g., in northern Europe [5]; in southern Europe [4,6]), PCR-negativity of most samples implies that the warming climate of Iceland has not entailed changes of similar magnitude in the distribution of tick-borne pathogens in 2011-2012, as reported in the same period from Scandinavia [17]. This is further confirmed by the absence of any ticks on the 60 foxes analyzed here, as well as on 315 arctic foxes examined in 2015-2016 [8].…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The closest relative of the arctic fox in the Palearctic region is the red fox (V. vulpes), and in northern countries, these two species show partly overlapping geographical range and niche [3]. The red fox is widespread in Europe and is known to harbor a broad range of pathogens transmitted by hard ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) and other blood-sucking arthropod vectors [4][5][6]. This implies that red foxes participate in the natural transmission cycle of vector-borne pathogens but may also be used as sentinels for epidemiological surveillance of associated disease risks.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Broad Range Screening of Vector-Borne Pathogens in Arctic Foxes (Vulpes lagopus) in Iceland

Hornok

Mühldorfer

Takács

et al. 2020

Animals

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The arctic fox (Vulpes lagopus) is the only native terrestrial mammal in Iceland. While red foxes (V. vulpes) are known to be epidemiologically important carriers of several vector-borne pathogens in Europe, arctic foxes have never been evaluated in a similar context on this continent. This has become especially relevant in the last decade, considering the establishing populations of the tick species Ixodes ricinus in Iceland. In this study, liver DNA extracts of 60 arctic foxes, hunted between 2011–2012, were molecularly screened for vector-borne protozoan parasites (Trypanosomatidae, Babesia, Theileria, Hepatozoon) and bacteria (Anaplasma, Ehrlichia, Rickettsia, Borrelia, hemotropic Mycoplasma). One sample was real-time qPCR positive for Anaplasma phagocytophilum, though this positivity could not be confirmed with sequencing. Samples were negative for all other tested vector-borne pathogens. Results of this study indicate that, except for A. phagocytophilum, Icelandic arctic foxes were apparently “not yet infected” with vector-borne pathogens in 2011–2012, or their infections were “below the detection limit” of applied methods. Taking into account the broad range of target microorganisms analyzed here, as well as the warming climate and increasing presence of the vector I. ricinus in Iceland, our results will be very useful as baseline data for comparison in future monitoring of the emergence of ticks and tick-borne diseases in this country.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 75%

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Broad Range Screening of Vector-Borne Pathogens in Arctic Foxes (Vulpes lagopus) in Iceland

Hornok

Mühldorfer

Takács

et al. 2020

Animals

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Red fox (Vulpes vulpes) play an important role in the propagation of tick-borne pathogens

Lesiczka

Rudenko

Golovchenko

et al. 2023

Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases

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Diversity of Flea Species (Siphonaptera) and Their Vector-Borne Pathogens from Bats (Chiroptera) in Lithuania

Sakalauskas,

Lipatova,

Griciuvienė

et al. 2024

Diversity

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Bat fleas (Insecta: Siphonaptera: Ischnopsyllidae) are highly host-specific ectoparasites distributed worldwide (except Antarctica). The identification of flea species and the detection of flea-borne pathogens plays a significant role not only in veterinary and public health, but also in providing insights into the ecology, behaviour, and geographical distribution of fleas and flea-associated pathogens. The present study aimed to conduct a morphological and molecular identification of fleas collected from Lithuanian bats, as well as to screen for the presence of vector-borne pathogens. A total of 58 flea specimens were collected from bats in Lithuania. Based on morphological analysis, seven flea species were identified (Ischnopsyllus variabilis, I. octactenus, I. simplex, I. elongatus, I. hexactenus, Nycteridopsylla pentactena, and N. eusarca) and screened for the presence of Anaplasma spp., Borrelia spp., Babesia spp., Bartonella spp., Rickettsia spp., and Mycoplasma spp. Molecular analysis of fleas’ COI and 18S rRNA genes showed that the flea species collected from bats are closely genetically related. Bartonella DNA was detected in bat fleas (41.4%). No DNA of Anaplasma, Borrelia, Babesia, Rickettsia, and Mycoplasma was amplified in the tested samples. The Wolbachia sp. was accidentally found in I. elongatus. The phylogenetic analysis of four Bartonella genes (16S-23S rRNA ITS, gltA, rpoB, and groEL) revealed specificity to bats or bats’ ectoparasites. This is the first report about bat flea species and the pathogens in bat fleas in Lithuania. New host records for bat fleas were also reported. This study extends the knowledge about bat fleas and their role as vectors of different pathogens.

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Pathogen screening in the red fox (Vulpes Vulpes) from Lithuania

Cited by 4 publications

References 30 publications

Broad Range Screening of Vector-Borne Pathogens in Arctic Foxes (Vulpes lagopus) in Iceland

Broad Range Screening of Vector-Borne Pathogens in Arctic Foxes (Vulpes lagopus) in Iceland

Red fox (Vulpes vulpes) play an important role in the propagation of tick-borne pathogens

Diversity of Flea Species (Siphonaptera) and Their Vector-Borne Pathogens from Bats (Chiroptera) in Lithuania

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