Search Results (26)

Migratory birds play a key role in the ecology of tick-borne pathogens, serving as both hosts for ticks and as potential carriers of a wide range of infectious agents that can affect wildlife, domestic animals, and humans. Their long-distance movements contribute to the dispersal of ticks and the pathogens they harbor, with potential implications for the emergence and spread of zoonotic disease. This study focuses on the prevalence of Rickettsia spp. and Babesia/Theileria spp. in ticks collected from migratory birds in Sardinia, Italy, during two consecutive migration seasons (April–May and October–November 2021), corresponding to the spring and autumn migratory periods. A total of 961 ticks, primarily Ixodes ricinus, was collected from various bird species. Molecular analyses using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequencing enabled the detection and identification of multiple Rickettsia species, with R. helvetica, R. monacensis, and R. aeschlimannii being the most frequently identified. Protozoan pathogens, including B. venatorum and Theileria ovis, were also detected in the tick samples. These findings underscore the diversity of pathogens in bird-associated ticks and the role of migratory birds in the geographical spread of these diseases. These results also provide valuable insights into pathogen transmission dynamics and stress the importance of monitoring migratory birds to assess and mitigate the risks of zoonotic diseases. Further research is needed to clarify the ecological interactions among birds, ticks, and pathogens across different geographic regions. Full article

Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever Virus (CCHFV) is an emerging zoonotic pathogen with a high case fatality risk. Its primary vectors, Hyalomma spp. ticks, are expanding their geographic range, raising concerns about the increasing risk of Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) outbreaks in Europe. Migratory birds contribute considerably to the spread of Hyalomma ticks, transporting immature forms over long distances during spring migrations. Additionally, climate change plays a crucial role in this expansion by creating favorable conditions for Hyalomma spp. survival and dispersal. This review explores the interplay between Hyalomma spp. ecology as vectors of CCHFV, the role of migratory birds and the impact of climate change on the dispersal of CCHFV across Europe. Understanding these dynamics is essential for assessing future risks, improving surveillance strategies, and implementing effective public health interventions. Full article

Rapid environmental changes driven by human activities are contributing to a significant decline in global biodiversity, with avian species being particularly affected due to their migratory behavior. As highly mobile hosts, birds facilitate the geographic dispersal of ectoparasites, including ticks, which serve as vectors for numerous zoonotic pathogens. This study, conducted in collaboration with the Faunistic Observatory of the Asinara National Park between 2021 and 2023, aimed to investigate the potential role of migratory birds in tick dispersal and the presence of Borrelia spp. DNA. Birds were captured using mist nets during pre-breeding (April–May) and post-breeding (October–November) migration periods. Ticks were systematically collected and identified at the species level, and molecular analyses were performed using real-time and conventional PCR to detect the presence of Borrelia spp. DNA. Results showed a distinct seasonal variation in tick species composition. In autumn, Ixodes ricinus was predominant (99%), whereas Hyalomma species were more frequently observed in spring (78%). Molecular screening revealed Borrelia spp. DNA in 26.1% of the collected ticks, with Borrelia garinii being the most prevalent species. These findings underscore the ecological significance of migratory birds in the dissemination of ticks and tick-borne pathogens, highlighting their potential role in shaping disease transmission dynamics across different geographic regions. This study provides valuable insights into the seasonal fluctuations in tick populations associated with migratory avifauna and the epidemiological risks posed by these interactions. Continued surveillance of migratory birds as vectors of zoonotic pathogens is essential for informing public health strategies and mitigating the risks of emerging infectious diseases, but further investigation is needed to clarify the actual role of migratory birds in the transmission of Borrelia spp. Full article

Bats (Chiroptera) are among the most diverse and geographically dispersed mammals. They are of great importance to the ecosystem, as pollinators, seed dispersers and pest controllers, in addition to being hosts to several parasitic arthropods, including ticks, mites, lice, fleas and flies. Their diet includes the tissue and blood or other body fluids of bats. Bats are reservoirs of several disease-causing agents, many of them pathogenic to humans, such as bacteria, as well as protozoa, viruses and fungi. This study was conducted in Monte Negro, Rondônia, Brazil and the occurrence of parasitic arthropods in bats was evaluated, as well as a screening of bacteria that these ectoparasites can carry. Through a total of 69 nocturnal captures, 217 chiropterans were sampled, representing 23 species and six families. A total of 592 specimens of parasitic arthropods (ticks, mites and flies) were collected from these bats (9% dipterans, 59% ticks and 32% mites). Bartonella spp. were found in two species of bat flies (Trichobius joblingi and Strebla mirabilis) in peri-urban and forest areas with an infection rate of 62% and 38%, respectively. We report for the first time in Rondônia the argasid tick Ornithodoros hasei and its infection by a spotted fever group bacterium ‘Candidatus Rickettsia wissemanii’ in a peri-urban area. Full article

Canine monocytic ehrlichiosis (CME) is a globally prevalent disease transmitted by the tick Rhipicephalus sanguineus and caused by the Gram-negative bacterium Ehrlichia spp. Following an incubation period, the infection is categorized based on the progression of the disease into acute, subclinical, and chronic stages. Besides hematological alterations, the cardiovascular system is significantly impacted by the hemodynamic effects of the disease, as persistent anemia can lead to myocardial hypoxia and the activation of inflammatory processes, potentially causing myocarditis. It is known that in dogs infected with Ehrlichia canis, there is a higher occurrence of arrhythmias and a predominance of sympathetic activity. This study assessed arrhythmogenic parameters, including P wave dispersion (Pd), QT dispersion (QTd), and QT instability, along with heart rate variability (HRV) analysis from 24 h Holter monitoring in naturally infected dogs during the acute phase (n = 10) and chronic phase (n = 10) compared to a control group (n = 10). The Pd and QTd values were higher in the infect group, confirming the arrhythmogenic character. Instability parameters (TI, LTI, and STI) were higher in sick animals, but no worsening was observed in the chronic phase. All HRV metrics in the time domain were higher in the control group, indicating a balanced sympathovagal activity throughout the day in healthy dogs. Additionally, parameters linked to parasympathetic activity (rMSSD and pNN50) were reduced in the sick groups, confirming the dominance of sympathetic activity. These findings indicate a decrease in HRV in sick individuals and reinforce this useful marker for assessing the influence of the autonomic nervous system on the cardiovascular system. In conclusion, CME exhibits arrhythmogenic activity characterized by the deterioration of predictive parameters for ventricular arrhythmias and increased activity of the sympathetic autonomic nervous system in the heart. This is likely secondary to myocarditis, myocardial hypoxia, and structural damage to cardiomyocytes. Full article

Hiking trails may act as hotspots at the wildlife–human interface, posing an acarological risk for people and their pets. Ticks that are maintained in the environment by wild animals may quest on people walking along the trails. Assessing the risk of tick bites for people involved in outdoor activities is a further step in mitigating the risk of tick-borne diseases. This work describes the variation of tick abundance along a gradient of distances from hiking trails, where wildlife passage is favored by higher accessibility. Hiking trails with dense vegetation on the sides were sampled for ticks along a 100 m dragging transect, located in a natural park in North-Western Italy. Additional transects were replicated at 1, 2 and 4 m away from the trail on both sides. After morphological identification, descriptive statistics and modeling were applied to determine the abundance patterns across distances. Larvae were most abundant near the trail, peaking at 1 m and dropping sharply at further distances. Nymphs showed a more gradual and consistent decrease at progressing distance from the trail. Few adults were collected, preventing the identification of a clear trend. With higher tick abundance, the immediate vicinity of hiking trails may represent a source of acarological risk for humans and pets. Full article

The importance of Environment, Social, and Governance (ESG) considerations for businesses has evolved from compliance to a strategic imperative. This shift is driven by increased investor scrutiny, reputation and brand value impact, talent attraction, innovation stimulation, community relations, and global regulatory requirements. At the same time, the ESG regulations and policies, related technological landscape, and market trends are continuously changing. It is, therefore no longer tenable for firms to stick to a minimalistic approach of ESG regulatory box-ticking ‘compliance’; instead, it is becoming increasingly critical to develop ESG ‘capabilities’ that help firms to seamlessly and proactively adapt themselves to the changing environment and even turning it into new (strategic) opportunities rather than reluctantly reacting to change, being operationally and organizationally overwhelmed, and disrupted, often with inadequate response and poor adoption as result. Many studies show that data and technology can be powerful enablers of such capability. The evidence is, however, unstructured and dispersed. In response, this study consolidates existing research and presents a comprehensive conceptual framework, bridging the fragmented landscape of ESG data and the technology literature. It offers practical guidance for firms, helping them lay holistic data and technology foundations for ESG and advance toward higher maturity levels in their ESG capability. Full article

Tick-borne diseases result from human–ixodid tick encounters, making it crucial to understand host–ixodid tick interactions and host-dependent distribution for epidemiology and prevention. This study examines water deer patterns and ixodid tick interactions in designated croplands of South Korea over two years, finding that the highest deer presence occurred in July and the lowest in May, during crop harvesting. Four tick species were identified, with Haemaphysalis longicornis being predominant (92.2%). Tick life stage analysis revealed peak nymphs and adults in July and larvae in October. Nymph abundance correlated positively with nearby water deer. MaxEnt biodiversity prediction results indicated wider water deer distribution in summer, reflecting their tendency to use multiple croplands. Areas with nymphs and adults aligned with predicted deer presence in summer, while larval areas aligned in autumn. Increased agroforestry expanded water deer habitats, enhancing tick dispersion. Prevention involved minimizing human–deer encounters by strategic land use in tick-prone areas. This comprehensive study provides insights into preventing severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome in agricultural workers, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions based on host behavior and tick life stages in different seasons. Full article

Migratory birds play a dual role as potential reservoirs of tick-borne pathogens, and potential dispersers of pathogen-containing ticks during their migratory journeys. Ixodes ricinus, a prevalent tick species in Northern and Western Europe, serves as a primary vector for Anaplasma phagocytophilum—a bacterium with implications for human and animal health. There is limited information available regarding A. phagocytophilum in birds. Our investigation focused on A. phagocytophilum prevalence in ticks collected from migratory birds in southeastern Sweden. The identification of ticks involved both molecular analyses for species determination and morphological classification to ascertain the developmental stage. The presence of A. phagocytophilum was determined using real-time PCR. Of the 1115 ticks analyzed from 4601 birds, 0.9% (n = 10), including I. ricinus and Ixodes frontalis, tested positive for A. phagocytophilum. Notably, common blackbirds (Turdus merula) yielded the highest number of A. phagocytophilum-infected ticks. The findings suggest that A. phagocytophilum is present in a small proportion of ticks infesting migratory birds in southeastern Sweden. Consequently, the role of birds as hosts for ticks infected with A. phagocytophilum appears to be low, suggesting that birds seem to play a minor indirect role in the geographic dispersal of A. phagocytophilum. Full article

Migratory and local birds may disperse ticks and their associated pathogens. The aim of this study was to provide information regarding ticks infesting birds in Asturias, a region that accounts for most of the Lyme disease hospitalizations in Spain. From September 2021 to April 2023, trained and experienced bird-banders collected ticks from birds in two estuary and four forest locations. A total of 1698 birds (52 species, 38 genera, and 26 families) were captured. A total of 51 ticks (28 larvae, 20 nymphs, and 3 females) were collected from 43 birds, belonging to three species: Ixodes ricinus (31), Ixodes frontalis (18), and Haemaphysalis concinna (1). The average prevalence of tick infestation was 2.5% and the average tick burden was 1.2 ticks per infested host. The bird species Turdus merula, Parus major, Luscinia svecica, and Anthus pratensis were among the most infested. Anaplasma phagocytophilum was detected in one I. ricinus nymph collected from Phylloscopus collybita. We have not detected Borrelia burgdorferi s.l., Rickettsia spp., Coxiella burnetii, or piroplasmids in any of the 51 analyzed ticks. These results suggest low infestation rate in migratory/estuary birds and a higher rate in forest/sedentary ones. Despite this, the detection of pathogens, although with low prevalence, can pose a risk to public health. Full article

Ticks are hematophagous ectoparasites that transmit pathogens to animals and humans. Updated knowledge regarding the global epidemiology of tick-borne Rickettsia hoogstraalii is dispersed, and its molecular detection and genetic characterization are missing in Pakistan. The current study objectives were to molecularly detect and genetically characterize Rickettsia species, especially R. hoogstraalii, in hard ticks infesting livestock in Pakistan, and to provide updated knowledge regarding their global epidemiology. Ticks were collected from livestock, including goats, sheep, and cattle, in six districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Pakistan. Overall, 183 hosts were examined, of which 134 (73.2%), including goats (number = 39/54, 72.2%), sheep (23/40, 57.5%), and cattle (71/89, 80%) were infested by 823 ticks. The most prevalent tick species was Rhipicephalus microplus (number = 283, 34.3%), followed by Hyalomma anatolicum (223, 27.0%), Rhipicephalus turanicus (122, 14.8%), Haemaphysalis sulcata (104, 12.6%), Haemaphysalis montgomeryi (66, 8.0%), and Haemaphysalis bispinosa (25, 3.03%). A subset of 210 ticks was selected and screened for Rickettsia spp. using PCR-based amplification and subsequent sequencing of rickettsial gltA and ompB fragments. The overall occurrence rate of R. hoogstraalii was 4.3% (number = 9/210). The DNA of Rickettsia was detected in Hy. anatolicum (3/35, 8.5%) and Ha. sulcata (6/49, 12.2%). However, no rickettsial DNA was detected in Rh. microplus (35), Rh. turanicus (35), Ha. montgomeryi (42), and Ha. bispinosa (14). The gltA and ompB fragments showed 99–100% identity with R. hoogstraalii and clustered phylogenetically with the corresponding species from Pakistan, Italy, Georgia, and China. R. hoogstraalii was genetically characterized for the first time in Pakistan and Hy. anatolicum globally. Further studies should be encouraged to determine the role of ticks in the maintenance and transmission of R. hoogstraalii in different hosts. Full article

The role of migratory birds in the spread of ticks and tick-borne pathogens along their routes from Africa to Europe is increasingly emerging. Wild birds can host several tick species, often infected by bacteria responsible for zoonoses. The aim of the study is to assess the possible introduction of exotic ticks carried by migratory birds into Italy from Africa and to detect the presence of Rickettsia species and Coxiella burnetii they may harbor. During a two-year survey, we collected ticks from migratory birds captured during their short stop-over on Ventotene Island. Specimens were first identified by morphology or sequencing molecular targets when needed, and then tested by real-time PCR for the presence of selected pathogens. A total of 91% of the collection consisted of sub-Saharan ticks, more than 50% of which were infected by Rickettsia species belonging to the spotted fever group, mainly represented by R. aeschlimannii. In contrast, the suspected C. burnetii detected in two soft ticks were confirmed as Coxiella-like endosymbionts and not the pathogen. Although there are still gaps in the knowledge of this dispersal process, our findings confirm the role of migratory birds in the spread of ticks and tick-borne pathogens, suggesting the need for a continuous surveillance to monitor the potential emergence of new diseases in Europe. Full article

Lyme disease is the most common vector-borne disease in the United States and Canada. The causative agent of Lyme disease in North America is the spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi. In western North America, the primary vector of Borrelia burgdorferi is the western black-legged tick, Ixodes pacificus. Surveillance and modelling efforts indicate that I. pacificus is primarily found in coastal California, Oregon, Washington and the southern coastal regions of British Columbia However, infection rates with B. burgdorferi among I. pacificus ticks remain low, ranging from 0.6% to 9.9%. Lyme disease case numbers in western North America are also relatively low compared to eastern North America. Enzootic maintenance of B. burgdorferi by hosts in natural environments and climatic factors may influence Lyme disease risk. The borreliacidal western fence lizard, Sceloporus occidentalis, may contribute to the low infection rates observed in I. pacificus ticks, while the migratory nature of avian hosts can allow for long-distance tick dispersal. Moderately warm and moist environments and protection from sunlight define the suitable habitats of I. pacificus ticks. In this review, we discuss the ecology and epidemiology of Lyme disease in relation to I. pacificus, as well as the need for more studies in western North America. Full article

Identifying the species that act as hosts, vectors, and vehicles of vector-borne pathogens is vital for revealing the transmission cycles, dispersal mechanisms, and establishment of vector-borne pathogens in nature. Ticks are common vectors for pathogens causing human and animal diseases, and they transmit a greater variety of pathogenic agents than any other arthropod vector group. Ticks depend on the movements by their vertebrate hosts for their dispersal, and tick species with long feeding periods are more likely to be transported over long distances. Wild birds are commonly parasitized by ticks, and their migration patterns enable the long-distance range expansion of ticks. The African–Palearctic migration system is one of the world’s largest migrations systems. African–Western Palearctic birds create natural links between the African, European, and Asian continents when they migrate biannually between breeding grounds in the Palearctic and wintering grounds in Africa and thereby connect different biomes. Climate is an important geographical determinant of ticks, and with global warming, the distribution range and abundance of ticks in the Western Palearctic may increase. The introduction of exotic ticks and their microorganisms into the Western Palearctic via avian vehicles might therefore pose a greater risk for the public and animal health in the future. Full article

The migratory behavior of wild birds contributes to the geographical spread of ticks and their microorganisms. In this study, we aimed to investigate the dispersal and co-occurrence of Francisella and spotted fever group Rickettsia (SFGR) in ticks infesting birds migrating northward in the African-Western Palaearctic region (AWPR). Birds were trapped with mist nests across the Mediterranean basin during the 2014 and 2015 spring migration. In total, 575 ticks were collected from 244 birds. We screened the ticks for the species Francisella tularensis, the genus Francisella, and SFGR by microfluidic real-time PCR. Confirmatory analyses and metagenomic sequencing were performed on tick samples that putatively tested positive for F. tularensis during initial screenings. Hyalomma rufipes was the most common tick species and had a high prevalence of Francisella, including co-occurrence of Francisella and SFGR. Metagenomic analysis of total DNA extracted from two H. rufipes confirmed the presence of Francisella, Rickettsia, and Midichloria. Average nucleotide identity and phylogenetic inference indicated the highest identity of the metagenome-assembled genomes to a Francisella-like endosymbiont (FLE), Rickettsia aeschlimannii, and Midichloria mitochondrii. The results of this study suggest that (i) FLE- and SFGR-containing ticks are dispersed by northbound migratory birds in the AWPR, (ii) H. rufipes likely is not involved in transmission of F. tularensis in the AWPR, and (iii) a dual endosymbiosis of FLEs and Midichloria may support some of the nutritional requirements of H. rufipes. Full article