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A special issue of Life (ISSN 2075-1729). This special issue belongs to the section "Microbiology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 June 2023) | Viewed by 14126

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Dr. Beata Wodecka

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Faculty of Biology, University of Szczecin, 71-415 Szczecin Poland
Interests: ticks and tick-borne diseases; microbiology; tick-borne pathogens transmission; molecular biology; microbial genetics and evolution; bioinformatics; phylogenetics and phylogeography
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

It is our pleasure to announce the launch of a new Special Issue of Life on the highly relevant topic of "Tick-Transmitted Diseases”.

Ticks are obligatory and temporary blood-sucking ectoparasites of vertebrates. After insects, they are the second most common vector for pathogenic viruses, bacteria and protozoans, and are therefore of great medical and veterinary significance. By adaptation to different environmental conditions, ticks persist in most continents, from the Equator to subarctic areas. Because of climate change, the distribution range of many tick species, especially so-called generalist species that are involved in transmitting the most pathogens, has expanded. Additionally, progressive human exposure increases the probability of tick bites and the incidence of tick-borne diseases.

As disease vectors, ticks have been known since antiquity. However, the first association of ticks with microorganisms as disease agents occurred in the 19th century, when numerous pathogens were detected in different tick species. Since the first use of molecular methods for pathogen detection, the number of newly described species has grown annually. Ticks may be reservoirs of numerous non-pathogenic microorganisms. This constantly growing number of new microorganisms means that it is difficult to establish their medical and/or veterinary role. To better understand tick-borne diseases, studies of the 21st century have focused on the molecular descriptions of pathogen genomes, as well as pathogen–vector and pathogen–host interactions.

To date, studies on tick-borne pathogens have revealed new disease-causing species among previously non-pathogenic microorganisms. Furthermore, new areas of occurrence for known pathogen species have been certified, expanding the risk of infection. Therefore, the study of tick-borne pathogens is particularly relevant, with the abundance of known microorganisms transmitted by ticks acting as inspiration for further research.

This Special Issue aims to highlight the newest studies on tick-borne pathogens. We welcome submissions of original research papers and reviews from different disciplines, including microbiology, molecular biology, genetics, ecology, and medical sciences

Dr. Beata Wodecka
Guest Editor

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Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Life is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

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Keywords

tick-borne diseases
bacteria
viruses
protozoans

Published Papers (9 papers)

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14 pages, 2185 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Tick-Bite “Meteo”-Prevention: An Evaluation of Public Responsiveness to Tick Activity Forecasts Available Online

by Petr Zeman

Life 2023, 13(9), 1908; https://doi.org/10.3390/life13091908 - 14 Sep 2023

Viewed by 721

Abstract

Until causal prophylaxis is available, the avoidance of ticks and personal protection provide the best insurance against contracting a tick-borne disease (TBD). To support public precaution, tick-activity forecasts (TAFs) based on weather projection are provided online for some regions/countries. This study—aimed at evaluating the efficacy of this preventative strategy—was conducted between 2015 and 2019, and included two countries where TAFs are issued regularly (Czech Republic, Germany) and two neighbouring countries for reference (Austria, Switzerland). Google Trends (GT) data were used to trace public concern with TAFs and related health information. GTs were compared with epidemiological data on TBD cases and tick bites, wherever available. Computer simulations of presumable effectiveness under various scenarios were performed. This study showed that public access to TAFs/preventive information is infrequent and not optimally distributed over the season. Interest arises very early in midwinter and then starts to fall in spring/summer when human–tick contacts culminate. Consequently, a greater number of TBD cases are contracted beyond the period of maximum public responsiveness to prevention guidance. Simulations, nevertheless, indicate that there is a potential for doubling the prevention yield if risk assessment, in addition to tick activity, subsumes the population’s exposure, and a real-time surrogate is proposed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Tick-Transmitted Diseases)

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10 pages, 1042 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Molecular Detection and Characterization of Ehrlichia canis Isolates from Three Geographic Regions in Mexico: A Retrospective Study

by José Juan Lira-Amaya, Diana M. Beristain-Ruiz, Jesús Racanco-Delgado, Javier A. Garza-Hernández, Cuauhcihuatl Vital-García, Montserrat Santamaria-Espinosa, Grecia Martínez-García, Antonio Alvarez-Martínez, Andrés Quezada-Casasola, Carmen Rojas-Martínez, Beatriz Alvarado-Robles and Julio V. Figueroa-Millán

Life 2023, 13(8), 1629; https://doi.org/10.3390/life13081629 - 27 Jul 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1395

Abstract

Canine monocytic ehrlichiosis (CME) is the most common tick-borne disease affecting domestic dogs and other wild canids. It has a worldwide distribution and is associated with the presence of the brown dog tick. Few studies have been conducted in Mexico to identify and characterize Ehrlichia canis genetic variability. In the present study, 111 dogs of different sex, breed, and age from three geographic regions in Mexico were included. All of them had a previous history of tick infestation and/or the presence of one or more clinical signs compatible with CME. All dogs were tested by a commercial ELISA and nested PCR assay for the detection of E. canis. In addition, we analyzed the E. canis genetic diversity from the 16S rRNA gene sequences obtained in this study, along with 15 additional sequences described for E. canis in Mexico and obtained from GeneBank. Serological detection by commercial ELISA results showed overall infection rates of 85.58% (95/111), including 73.1% (30/41) in samples from Guerrero state; 75% (15/20) in Morelos; and 100% (50/50) in Chihuahua. On the other hand, molecular detection (nPCR assay) showed 31.5% (35/111) overall infection rate, with 41.4% (17/41) in Guerrero state; 55% (11/20) in Morelos; and 14% (7/50) in Chihuahua. We observed a high 16S rRNA gene sequence conservancy in most of the E. canis isolates in the three geographical areas from Mexico, including those analyzed in this research, suggesting a common geographic origin among isolates. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Tick-Transmitted Diseases)

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12 pages, 466 KiB

Open AccessCommunication

Detection and Molecular Characterization of Canine Babesiosis Causative Agent Babesia canis in Naturally Infected Dogs in the Dobrogea Area (Southeastern Romania)

by Mariana Ionita, Laurentiu Leica, Marion Wassermann, Emanuel Mitrea, Isabela Madalina Nicorescu and Ioan Liviu Mitrea

Life 2023, 13(6), 1354; https://doi.org/10.3390/life13061354 - 9 Jun 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1760

Abstract

Canine babesiosis is an emerging tick-borne disease of major veterinary concern in Europe. Its prevalence has increased in the last two decades and is spreading rapidly toward the north. The aim of this study was to investigate the genetic diversity of Babesia spp. strains isolated from naturally infected dogs in a tick-endemic area (Dobrogea) in southeastern Romania. For this purpose, a total of twenty-three samples from dogs diagnosed with various clinical forms of babesiosis, evaluated by means of clinical history, physical examination, and hematological tests, were subjected to a molecular investigation using PCR, sequencing analysis, and genetic characterization. A microscopic examination of thin Diff-quick-stained blood smears revealed large intra-erythrocytic Babesia piroplasms in all dogs. The PCR and sequencing analysis results indicated the presence of Babesia canis in 22 dogs (95.7%) and Babesia vogeli in 1 dog (4.3%). Among the B. canis isolates, two genotypes were distinguished based on two nucleotide substitutions (GA→AG) observed in the 18S rRNA gene sequences (at positions 609 and 610), with the AG genotype predominating (54.5% of samples), while the GA variant was identified in 9.1% of samples. In the remaining isolates (36.4%), both variants were identified. The B. vogeli-positive dog also tested positive for antibodies against Ehrlichia canis and displayed severe disease. This study reports, for the first time, the presence of genetically heterogenic B. canis strains in dogs with clinical babesiosis in Romania. These findings provide a basis for future studies on the relationship between the genetic structure of the causative agents of canine babesiosis in Romania and the course of the disease. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Tick-Transmitted Diseases)

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11 pages, 956 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Molecular Prevalence and Genetic Diversity Based on Msp1a Gene of Anaplasma ovis in Goats from Türkiye

by Mehmet Can Ulucesme, Sezayi Ozubek and Munir Aktas

Life 2023, 13(5), 1101; https://doi.org/10.3390/life13051101 - 28 Apr 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1399

Abstract

Anaplasma ovis is a tick-borne obligated intraerythrocytic bacterium that infects domestic sheep, goats, and wild ruminants. Recently, several studies have been carried out using 16S rRNA and msp4 genes to identify the genetic diversity of A. ovis. Instead of these genes, which are known to be highly stable among heterologous strains, Msp1a, which is accepted as a stable molecular marker to classify A. marginale strains, was used in A. ovis genetic diversity studies. The genetic diversity of A. ovis strains according to the Msp1a gene has not been extensively reported. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine the genetic diversity of A. ovis in goats specifically using analysis of the Msp1a gene. Blood samples were taken from the vena jugularis to the EDTA tubes from 293 randomly selected goats (apparently healthy) in the Antalya and Mersin provinces of Mediterranean region of Türkiye. The Msp1a gene of A. ovis was amplified in all DNA samples through the use of PCR, using a specific set of primers named AoMsp1aF and AoMsp1aR. Among the amplified products, well-defined bands with different band sizes were subjected to sequence analysis. The obtained sequence data were converted into amino acid sequences using an online bioinformatics program and the tandem regions were examined. The Msp1a gene of A. ovis was amplified in 46.1% (135 out of 293) of the goats. Through tandem analysis, five distinct tandems (Ao8, Ao18, Tr15-16-17) were identified, and it was found that three of these tandems (Tr15-16-17) were previously unknown and were therefore defined as new tandems. The study also involved examination of ticks from goats. It was observed that the goats in the area were infested with several tick species, including Rhipicephalus bursa (888/1091, 81.4%), R. turanicus (96/1091, 8.8%), Dermacentor raskemensis (92/1091, 8.4%), Hyalomma marginatum (9/1091, 0.8%), and R. sanguineus s.l. (6/1091, 0.5%). This study provides important data for understanding the genetic diversity and evolution of A. ovis based on tandem repeats in the Msp1a protein. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Tick-Transmitted Diseases)

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17 pages, 1764 KiB

Open AccessArticle

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

by Beata Wodecka and Valentyna Kolomiiets

Life 2023, 13(4), 972; https://doi.org/10.3390/life13040972 - 9 Apr 2023

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1361

Abstract

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. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Tick-Transmitted Diseases)

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15 pages, 1512 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Molecular Detection of Rickettsia and Other Bacteria in Ticks and Birds in an Urban Fragment of Tropical Dry Forest in Magdalena, Colombia

by Miguel Mateo Rodriguez, Angel Oviedo, Daniel Bautista, Diana Patricia Tamaris-Turizo, Fernando S. Flores and Lyda R. Castro

Life 2023, 13(1), 145; https://doi.org/10.3390/life13010145 - 4 Jan 2023

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1907

Abstract

Birds are important hosts in the life cycle of some species of ticks. In Colombia, there are few eco-epidemiological studies of tick-borne diseases; the existing ones have been focused on areas where unusual outbreaks have occurred. This study describes the identification of ticks collected from birds and vegetation, and the detection of bacteria in those ticks and in blood samples from birds in an urban fragment of tropical dry forest in the department of Magdalena, Colombia. Bird sampling was carried out monthly in 2021, and 367 birds, distributed among 41 species, were captured. All collected ticks were identified as Amblyomma sp. or Amblyomma dissimile. The presence of rickettsiae in ticks collected from birds was evaluated by molecular analysis of the gltA, ompA and sca1 genes. 16S rRNA meta-taxonomy was used to evaluate rickettsiae in ticks collected from vegetation and in blood samples from birds. The presence of the species “Candidatus Rickettsia colombianensi” was detected in ticks from birds. Bacteria of the family Rickettsiacea was the most abundant in ticks collected from vegetation. Bacteria of the families Staphylococcaceae, Comamonadaceae and Pseudomonadaceae were prevalent in the samples of blood from birds. Rickettsia spp. was also detected in low abundance in some of the bird blood samples. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Tick-Transmitted Diseases)

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20 pages, 3756 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Anaplasma phagocytophilum Transmission Activates Immune Pathways While Repressing Wound Healing in the Skin

by Jacob Underwood, Cristina Harvey, Elizabeth Lohstroh, Branden Pierce, Cross Chambers, Stephanie Guzman Valencia and Adela S. Oliva Chávez

Life 2022, 12(12), 1965; https://doi.org/10.3390/life12121965 - 24 Nov 2022

Viewed by 1745

Abstract

Anaplasma phagocytophilum, the causative agent of human granulocytic anaplasmosis (HGA), is an obligate intracellular bacterium transmitted by the bite of black-legged ticks, Ixodes scapularis. The main host cells in vertebrates are neutrophils. However, the first site of entry is in the skin during tick feeding. Given that the initial responses within skin are a crucial determinant of disease outcome in vector-borne diseases, we used a non-biased approach to characterize the transcriptional changes that take place at the bite during I. scapularis feeding and A. phagocytophilum transmission. Experimentally infected ticks were allowed to feed for 3 days on C57BL/6J mice to allow bacterial transmission and establishment. Skin biopsies were taken from the attachment site of uninfected ticks and A. phagocytophilum-infected ticks. Skin without ticks (intact skin) was used as baseline. RNA was isolated and sequenced using next-generation sequencing (NGS). The differentially expressed genes were used to identify over-represented pathways by gene ontology (GO) and pathway enrichment (PE). Anaplasma phagocytophilum transmission resulted in the activation of interferon signaling and neutrophil chemotaxis pathways in the skin. Interestingly, it also led to the downregulation of genes encoding extracellular matrix (ECM) components, and upregulation of metalloproteinases, suggesting that A. phagocytophilum delays wound healing responses and may increase vascular permeability at the bite site. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Tick-Transmitted Diseases)

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10 pages, 721 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Use of Wild Ungulates as Sentinels of TBEV Circulation in a Naïve Area of the Northwestern Alps, Italy

by Aitor Garcia-Vozmediano, Alessandro Bellato, Luca Rossi, Marieke N. Hoogerwerf, Hein Sprong and Laura Tomassone

Life 2022, 12(11), 1888; https://doi.org/10.3390/life12111888 - 15 Nov 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2009

Abstract

Wild and domestic animals can be usefully employed as sentinels for the surveillance of diseases with an impact on public health. In the case of tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV), the detection of antibodies in animals can be more effective than screening ticks for detecting TBEV foci, due to the patchy distribution of the virus. In the Piedmont region, northwestern Italy, TBEV is considered absent, but an increase in tick densities, of Ixodes ricinus in particular, has been observed, and TBEV is spreading in bordering countries, e.g., Switzerland. Therefore, we collected sera from wild ungulates during the hunting season (October–December) from 2017 to 2019 in the Susa Valley, Italian western Alps, and screened them for TBEV antibodies by a commercial competitive ELISA test. We collected 267 serum samples by endocranial venous sinuses puncture from red deer, roe deer and northern chamois carcasses. The animals were hunted in 13 different municipalities, at altitudes ranging between 750 and 2800 m a.s.l. The serological survey for TBEV yielded negative results. Borderline results for five serum samples were further confirmed as negative for TBEV by a plaque reduction neutralisation test. To date, our results indicate that TBEV is not circulating in western Piedmont. However, monitoring of TBEV should continue since TBEV and its vector are spreading in Europe. The wide-range distribution of wild ungulates and their role as feeding hosts, make them useful indicators of the health threats posed by Ixodid ticks. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Tick-Transmitted Diseases)

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9 pages, 919 KiB

Open AccessBrief Report

Passive Surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 in Adult Blacklegged Ticks (Ixodes scapularis) from Northeast Pennsylvania

by Erin A. Hunt, Sarah Schwartz and Nicole Chinnici

Life 2023, 13(9), 1857; https://doi.org/10.3390/life13091857 - 2 Sep 2023

Viewed by 936

Abstract

Monitoring the spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in wildlife is vital to public health. White-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) in the United States have tested positive for SARS-CoV-2, and their interactions with blacklegged ticks (Ixodes scapularis) raise the question of whether or not these ticks also carry SARS-CoV-2. In this study, 449 blacklegged ticks from Northeast Pennsylvania were collected in the fall of 2022 and tested via RT-qPCR for the presence of SARS-CoV-2. Fourteen ticks were amplified with late quantification cycles (Cq) using primers from two nucleocapsid genes (N1 and N2) via TaqMan assays. Three of these samples were amplified on a SYBR green assay during secondary testing. However, melt curve and gel electrophoresis analysis verified negative results for these three samples. Genetic sequencing was performed on one of the three samples to look for potential cross-reactions causing the amplification observed. However, no significant match was found in the NCBI database. Although all 449 blacklegged ticks were negative for SARS-CoV-2, I. scapularis should continue to be tested for COVID-19. If blacklegged ticks test positive for COVID-19 in the future, research should focus on determining the stability of SARS-CoV-2 with the tick vector and the potential for transmission through tick bites. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Tick-Transmitted Diseases)

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