Ticks on the turf: investigating the presence of ixodid ticks on and around football fields in Germany

Kahl, Olaf; Kämmer, Daniel; Bulling, Ingrid; Komorek, Martin; Eiff, Christof von; Malerczyk, Claudius

doi:10.1007/s10493-021-00628-0

Cited by 5 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 17 publications

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“…Sequencing of 16S rDNA is considered a gold standard for the identification of ticks and many other organisms, including bacteria. However, I. ricinus could not be differentiated from I. inopinatus by the commonly used 16S rDNA fragment [ 13 , 16 ] due to the high haplotype diversity of this gene [ 8 , 10 , 11 , 16 , 22 – 25 ]. The COI gene is another common marker used for species delineation within the animal kingdom (e.g., the BOLD [Barcode of Life Data System] database); however, similarly to 16S rDNA, its analyses do not have the power to detect potential hybridization between closely related species.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Genetic analysis challenges the presence of Ixodes inopinatus in Central Europe: development of a multiplex PCR to distinguish I. inopinatus from I. ricinus

Hrazdilova,

Danek,

Hrbatova

et al. 2023

Parasites Vectors

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Background Ixodes ricinus is an important vector of several pathogens, primarily in Europe. Recently, Ixodes inopinatus was described from Spain, Portugal, and North Africa and then reported from several European countries. In this study, a multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was developed to distinguish I. ricinus from I. inopinatus and used in the surveillance of I. inopinatus in Algeria (ALG) and three regions in the Czech Republic (CZ). Methods A multiplex PCR on TROSPA and sequencing of several mitochondrial (16S rDNA, COI) and nuclear markers (TROSPA, ITS2, calreticulin) were used to differentiate these two species and for a subsequent phylogenetic analysis. Results Sequencing of TROSPA, COI, and ITS2 separated these two species into two subclades, while 16S rDNA and calreticulin could not distinguish I. ricinus from I. inopinatus. Interestingly, 23 nucleotide positions in the TROSPA gene had consistently double peaks in a subset of ticks from CZ. Cloning of these PCR products led to a clear separation of I. ricinus and I. inopinatus indicating hybridization and introgression between these two tick taxa. Based on a multiplex PCR of TROSPA and analysis of sequences of TROSPA, COI, and ITS2, the majority of ticks in CZ were I. ricinus, no I. inopinatus ticks were found, and 10 specimens showed signs of hybridization. In contrast, most ticks in ALG were I. inopinatus, four ticks were I. ricinus, and no signs of hybridization and introgression were detected. Conclusions We developed a multiplex PCR method based on the TROSPA gene to differentiate I. ricinus and I. inopinatus. We demonstrate the lack of evidence for the presence of I. inopinatus in Central Europe and propose that previous studies be re-examined. Mitochondrial markers are not suitable for distinguishing I. inopinatus from I. ricinus. Furthermore, our data indicate that I. inopinatus and I. ricinus can hybridize, and the hybrids can survive in Europe. Graphical abstract

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Genetic analysis challenges the presence of Ixodes inopinatus in Central Europe: development of a multiplex PCR to distinguish I. inopinatus from I. ricinus

Hrazdilova,

Danek,

Hrbatova

et al. 2023

Parasites Vectors

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“…The distribution range of I. ricinus reaches the north of Africa where a new morphological form of this species was detected with accompanying molecular diversity and classified as new species I. inopinatus [28]. The new species was also found in different European countries, i.e., Germany, Austria, Romania and Switzerland and represented 0.9-7.9% of the tick population [33][34][35][36][37][38][39][40]. Therefore molecular identification of ixodid ticks was the part of present work.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 90%

Genetic Diversity of Borreliaceae Species Detected in Natural Populations of Ixodes ricinus Ticks in Northern Poland

Wodecka

Kolomiiets

2023

Life

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In Europe, Ixodes ricinus tick is the vector of Lyme disease spirochetes and their relatives (Borreliella genus) and Borrelia miyamotoi. However, a newly described tick I. inopinatus with similar biological features and separated from I. ricinus may act as a vector for different Borrelia species. To date, eleven Borreliella species were detected in the natural populations of I. ricinus. Recently, two North American species have been detected in ticks parasitizing bats and red foxes in Europe, i.e., B. lanei and B. californiensis pointing to the necessity for searching for them in natural tick populations. In this study, using the coxI molecular marker only I. ricinus was identified in field-collected ticks with the exception of individual specimens of Haemaphysalis concinna. Using the flaB gene and mag-trnI intergenic spacer as molecular markers 14 Borreliaceae species have been detected with various frequencies in different parts of northern Poland. Among infected ticks, the most frequent were Borreliella (Bl.) afzelii (29.4%) and Bl. garinii (20.0%), followed by Bl. spielmanii, Bl. valaisiana, Bl. lanei, Bl. californiensis, B. miyamotoi, Bl. burgdorferi, Bl. carolinensis, Bl. americana, B. turcica, Bl. lusitaniae, Bl. bissettiae and Bl. finlandensis. Three of the above-mentioned species, i.e., Bl. lanei, Bl. californiensis and B. turcica were detected in this study for the first time in the natural ixodid tick population in Europe. The existence of the newly detected spirochetes increases their total diversity in Europe and points to the necessity of careful identification and establishment of the actual distribution of all Borreliaceae species transmitted by I. ricinus.

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Infectious risks associated with outdoor sports activities

Velay,

Baquer,

Brunet

et al. 2024

Infectious Diseases Now

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Ticks on the turf: investigating the presence of ixodid ticks on and around football fields in Germany

Cited by 5 publications

References 17 publications

Genetic analysis challenges the presence of Ixodes inopinatus in Central Europe: development of a multiplex PCR to distinguish I. inopinatus from I. ricinus

Genetic analysis challenges the presence of Ixodes inopinatus in Central Europe: development of a multiplex PCR to distinguish I. inopinatus from I. ricinus

Genetic Diversity of Borreliaceae Species Detected in Natural Populations of Ixodes ricinus Ticks in Northern Poland

Infectious risks associated with outdoor sports activities

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