Dataset Information

Detection of tick-borne 'Candidatus Neoehrlichia mikurensis' and Anaplasma phagocytophilum in Spain in 2013.

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: 'Candidatus Neoehrlichia mikurensis' is a tick-borne bacteria implicated in human health. To date, 'Ca. Neoehrlichia mikurensis' has been described in different countries from Africa, Asia and Europe, but never in Spain. However, according to the epidemiological features of the main vector in Europe, Ixodes ricinus, its circulation in our country was suspected. METHODS: A total of 200 I. ricinus ticks collected in the North of Spain were analyzed. DNAs were extracted and used as templates for PCRs targeting fragment genes for Anaplasma/Ehrlichia detection. The amplified products were sequenced and analyzed. RESULTS: 'Ca. Neoehrlichia mikurensis' was amplified in two specimens. Furthermore, Anaplasma phagocytophilum was detected in 61 samples analyzed. CONCLUSIONS: The detection of 'Ca. Neoehrlichia mikurensis' in I. ricinus ticks from Spain indicates its circulation and the potential risk of contracting a human infection in this country.

SUBMITTER: Palomar AM

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3912351 | biostudies-literature | 2014

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Detection of tick-borne 'Candidatus Neoehrlichia mikurensis' and Anaplasma phagocytophilum in Spain in 2013.

Palomar Ana M AM García-Álvarez Lara L Santibáñez Sonia S Portillo Aránzazu A Oteo José A JA

Parasites & vectors 20140131

<h4>Background</h4>'Candidatus Neoehrlichia mikurensis' is a tick-borne bacteria implicated in human health. To date, 'Ca. Neoehrlichia mikurensis' has been described in different countries from Africa, Asia and Europe, but never in Spain. However, according to the epidemiological features of the main vector in Europe, Ixodes ricinus, its circulation in our country was suspected.<h4>Methods</h4>A total of 200 I. ricinus ticks collected in the North of Spain were analyzed. DNAs were extracted and ...[more]

PMID: 24484637

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Project description:BackgroundSmall mammals are crucial for the life history of ixodid ticks, but their role and importance in the transmission cycle of tick-borne pathogens is mostly unknown. Candidatus Neoehrlichia mikurensis (CNM) and Anaplasma phagocytophilum are both tick-borne pathogens, and rodents are discussed to serve as main reservoir hosts for CNM but not for the latter especially in Germany. Analysing the prevalence of both pathogens in small mammals and their ticks in endemic regions may help to elucidate possible transmission paths in small mammal populations and between small mammals and ticks.MethodsIn 2012 and 2013, small mammals were trapped at three different sites in Germany. DNA was extracted from different small mammal tissues, from rodent neonates, foetuses and from questing and attached ticks. DNA samples were tested for CNM and A. phagocytophilum by real-time PCR. Samples positive for A. phagocytophilum were further characterized at the 16S rRNA gene locus.ResultsCNM was detected in 28.6% of small mammals and in 2.2% of questing and 3.8% of attached ticks. Altogether 33 positive ticks were attached to 17 different hosts, while positive ticks per host ranged between one and seven. The prevalences for this pathogen differed significantly within small mammal populations comparing sites (χ(2): 13.3987; p: 0.0004) and between sexes. Male rodents had an approximately two times higher chance of infection than females (OR: 1.9652; 95% CI: 1.32-2.92). The prevalence for CNM was 31.8% (95% CI: 22-44) in rodent foetuses and neonates (23 of 67) from positive dams, and 60% (95% CI: 35.7-80.25) of positive gravid or recently parturient rodents (9 out of 15) had at least one positive foetus or neonate. Anaplasma phagocytophilum was detected at a low percentage in rodents (0-5.6%) and host-attached ticks (0.5-2.9%) with no significant differences between rodent species. However, attached nymphs were significantly more often infected than attached larvae (χ(2): 25.091; p: <0.0001).ConclusionThis study suggests that CNM is mainly a rodent-associated pathogen and provides evidence for a potential transplacental transmission in rodents. In contrast, most of the rodent species captured likely represent only accidental hosts for A. phagocytophilum at the investigated sites.

Dataset Information

Detection of tick-borne 'Candidatus Neoehrlichia mikurensis' and Anaplasma phagocytophilum in Spain in 2013.

Publications

Detection of tick-borne 'Candidatus Neoehrlichia mikurensis' and Anaplasma phagocytophilum in Spain in 2013.

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