Spotted fever group Rickettsiae in Dermacentor marginatus from wild boars in Italy

Abstract

Following the increase in wild boar population recorded in urban and peri-urban areas through Europe, the present survey aimed to assess the occurrence of zoonotic tick-borne bacteria in animals and their ticks collected from southern Italy, in order to evaluate the potential risk of infection for animals and humans. From October to December 2019, a total of 176 ticks collected from 93 wild boars and their spleen samples were molecularly screened for Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato complex, Coxiella burnetii and spotted fever group (SFG) Rickettsia species. Overall, all the wild boars were infested by ticks (mean intensity, 1.9) with Dermacentor marginatus and Ixodes ricinus being identified in 99.4% and 0.6%, respectively. Out of 93 wild boars, 17 (18.3%) were infested by ticks positive to spotted fever group (SFG) Rickettsia species. Rickettsia slovaca and Rickettsia raoultii were identified in 16 (9%) and 1 (0.6%) D. marginatus, respectively, whereas a single I. ricinus (0.6%) was infected by R. slovaca. A single wild boar (1.1%) scored positive to R. slovaca. All ticks and wild boars scored negative to C. burnetii and B. burgdorferi s.l. complex. Data herein obtained suggest wild boars are involved in the dissemination of D. marginatus, especially in peri-urban settlements of the study area. An integrated management approach is advocated for wild boar population control and preventing the potential risk of tick-borne bacteria in animals and humans.

Ticks on wild boar in the metropolitan area of Barcelona (Spain) are infected with spotted fever group rickettsiae

“…species have been previously detected in ticks collected from wild boar, either in Spain (de la Fuente et al., 2004; Estrada‐Peña et al., 2005) or other countries such as the Czech Republic, Italy or Germany (Honig et al., 2017; Iori et al., 2010; Silaghi et al., 2014). Conversely, our negative results for C. burnetii agree with previous studies in wild boar ticks (Astobiza et al., 2011; Sgroi et al., 2020). Regarding the detection of TBPs in wild boar tissues, Anaplasma , Rickettsia or Babesia species have not been reported in tissues from wild boars in Spain, and B. burgdorferi s.l.…”

“…Rickettsia massiliae has been detected in R. sanguineus s.l. ticks collected from wild boar (Chisu et al., 2014; Leulmi et al., 2016), whereas R. slovaca and R. raoultii have both been identified in D. marginatus ticks, also from wild boar (Leulmi et al., 2016; Márquez, 2009; Pereira et al., 2018; Sgroi et al., 2020). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time that R. slovaca is reported in H. lusitanicum ticks.…”

Tick exposure and risk of tick‐borne pathogens infection in hunters and hunting dogs: a citizen science approach

“…On the other hand, studies where physicians performed the body inspection and collection of ticks, larvae and nymphs were also identified from human patients in different countries (e.g., Italy—Audino et al., 2021; Otranto et al., 2014; USA— Nieto et al., 2018; Belgium—Lernout et al., 2019 and Serbia—Banović et al., 2021). Dermacenor marginatus was the most abundant tick species on hunters and hunting dogs as well as on wild boars, in the Mediterranean area (Spain—Ortuño et al., 2006; Corsica—Grech‐Angelini et al., 2016 and Italy—Sgroi et al., 2020). Indeed, these ungulates are involved in the maintenance of this tick species in the environment (Selmi et al., 2017; Sgroi et al., 2020 ) and, therefore, representing a potential risk for hunters and hunting dogs in the area where wild boars thrive.…”

“…Dermacenor marginatus was the most abundant tick species on hunters and hunting dogs as well as on wild boars, in the Mediterranean area (Spain—Ortuño et al., 2006; Corsica—Grech‐Angelini et al., 2016 and Italy—Sgroi et al., 2020). Indeed, these ungulates are involved in the maintenance of this tick species in the environment (Selmi et al., 2017; Sgroi et al., 2020 ) and, therefore, representing a potential risk for hunters and hunting dogs in the area where wild boars thrive. The higher frequency of D. marginatus infestation in hunters frequenting woods with their dogs than those practicing hunting without them, combined with the presence of this tick species on the animals, may suggest a likely tick exposure of people in close contact with hunting dogs (Audino et al., 2021; Toepp et al., 2018 ).…”

“…Other relevant TBPs include Anaplasma phagocytophilum , Coxiella burnetii and Rickettsia spp., which can be transmitted to a wide range of wild and domestic mammals, as well as humans (Bowser & Anderson, 2018; Cutler et al., 2019; Estrada‐Peña et al., 2017; Krause, 2019; Parola et al., 2013; Sgroi et al., 2021; Sprong et al., 2018 ). The increased urbanization of European areas contributes to a higher circulation of synanthropic wildlife, and consequently may expose people to TBPs and other zoonotic agents since these animals could harbour a plethora of tick vectors (Baneth, 2014; Rizzoli et al., 2014; Sgroi et al., 2020 ). In Italy, little data are available on ticks collected from citizens, as well as on the prevalence of TBPs in humans due to the paucity in clinical case notifications (Beltrame et al., 2018; Otranto et al., 2014 ).…”