Distribution of the tick Dermacentor reticulatus in the United Kingdom

The recent implication of Dermacentor reticulatus (Ixodida: Ixodidae) in the transmission of canine babesiosis in the U.K. has highlighted the lack of accurate published data on its distribution in this country. This paper aims to collate and appraise historical data for D. reticulatus, to supplement such data with more recent surveillance data and to report on field sampling conducted during 2009–2016. These updated data facilitate better understanding of the current distribution of this tick in the U.K., which will better inform disease risk assessments. There appear to be four known regions of the U.K. in which D. reticulatus currently occurs, including western Wales, North and South Devon, and Essex. The majority of foci are located in coastal sand dunes and maritime grasslands, including grazing marsh. However, more recently the tick has been detected in urban greenspace in Essex. The emergence of this tick as a vector of babesiosis in the U.K. and its recent apparent spread in Essex into urban greenspace highlight the need for continued surveillance and for further research into its status as a vector of human and veterinary pathogens.     

Discovery of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Dermacentor reticulatus</Emphasis> (Acari: Amblyommidae) populations in the Lubuskie Province (Western Poland)

The distribution of the meadow tick, Dermacentor reticulatus (Fabricius) is divided into two separate areas—Western Europe and Eastern (Russian). The break in distribution of this species falls in Poland, as well as other sites. The populations of D. reticulatus in Poland, which have been confirmed by collecting ticks from vegetation, are located in the north-eastern and western parts of the country, although there are also reports of D. reticulatus occurring on hosts in several parts of Poland which have not been confirmed by collecting ticks from vegetation. Until this research was carried out, the view was that this species does not occur in the western part of Poland in the area between the Vistula and Oder rivers. In the site surveys conducted in the Lubuskie Province (western part of Poland around the city of Zielona Góra, about 55 km from the Polish-German border), during the springtime activity peak for adult stages looking for hosts, seven natural implantations of D. reticulatus were discovered where 208 tick specimens were collected by flagging. These were exclusively adult stages, including 127 females and 81 males. Because of the distance (around 350 km) from the nearest focus in Mazuria in North-eastern Poland, the populations discovered have been named the D. reticulatus “Lubuskie Focus”. The research proves for the first time that D. reticulatus occurs in Western Poland. The research indicates that D. reticulatus is the second most important tick in Poland, after Ixodes ricinus (L.), which is epidemiologically very important, especially as a parasite on dogs and cattle. The proliferation of the meadow tick in Central Europe is inseparably linked with the expansion of canine babesiosis.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Dermacentor reticulatus</Emphasis> ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) distribution in north-eastern Poland: an endemic area of tick-borne diseases

Dermacentor reticulatus is the second most important tick species in Poland. Although the north-eastern region of Poland is considered typical for D. reticulatus and is treated as a contiguous area of Eastern populations of the meadow ticks, the occurrence of this tick species in this region to date has been recorded as separate foci. The present report supplements data on the geographical distribution of D. reticulatus in urban and natural biotopes of north-eastern Poland (Warmia and Mazury province). In 2015–2017 (during the springtime activity of ticks) adult questing D. reticulatus were found in 13 of 25 monitored localities. Six sites are located in urbanized areas, within the administrative borders of the city of Olsztyn and seven sites are in natural biotopes in the central part of Warmia and Mazury. A total of 398 adult D. reticulatus ticks, including 257 females and 141 males, were collected. A comparison of data grouped according to urban and natural type of area revealed no statistical differences between them. Taking into account the habitat type, the mean tick density was the highest in open landscapes. The identification of new foci D. reticulatus in the endemic areas of Lyme borreliosis, tick-borne encephalitis and canine babesiosis is crucial for determining the risk of diseases transmitted by ticks and taking proper preventive measures.     

Molecular detection of Babesia canis in Dermacentor reticulatus ticks collected in Slovakia

Dermacentor reticulatus ticks are recognized as the most important vectors of Babesia canis, the aetiological agent of canine babesiosis occurring throughout Europe. Vector competence of D. reticulatus for B. canis is well described and experimentally determined; however, by using molecular analysis it was proven so by one recent study in Russia. Herein, the additional molecular evidence of B. canis infection in D. reticulatus ticks collected in Slovakia is provided. Using PCR followed by sequencing of distinctive amplicons we determined the presence of Babesia canis canis in one of 100 tested adult ticks. Two zoonotic pathogens, Francisella tularensis and Coxiella burnetii, were previously isolated from D. reticulatus ticks in Slovakia. In our samples, we detected only the presence of F. tularensis.     

Long-term dynamics of population density and species composition of pasture ixodid ticks (Parasitiformes,Ixodidae) in anthropogenic and natural areas

Long-term monitoring of population density and species composition of ixodid ticks inhabiting the territory of Tomsk and its outskirts has demonstrated that at least two species (Ixodes persulcatus and I. pavlovskyi) simultaneously inhabit all the biotopes examined. It was found that the fraction of I. pavlovskyi increased in biotopes adjacent to city buildings. I. persulcatus dominated in natural control biotopes, whereas I. pavlovskyi were found in these biotopes as solitary specimens. It was demonstrated that during 15 years of observation (1996–2011), the population density of ticks in the outskirts significantly increased. The combination of ecological and chemical methods of tick control in limited territories can result in a noticeable decrease of tick population density. Two tick species non-typical of the region (Dermacentor reticulatus and Haemaphysalis concinna) were revealed in one biotope.     

Isolation ofNosema slovaca (Microsporidiae) fromDermacentor reticulatus ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) collected in Hungary

Nosema slovaca (Microsporidiae) was isolated from a maleDermacentor reticulatus tick collected in the Mélykút locality, Bács-Kiskun province, Hungary. This parasitic protozoan caused an acute infection in partly engorgedD. reticulatus females when inoculated intracoelomically resulting in death of the ticks within 5–15 days post-infection. This strain ofNosema can be maintained in the laboratory by passaging between partly engorgedD. reticulatus females and is currently being studied for its potential as a biological control agent of ixodid ticks.     

Mapping and monitoring tick (Acari,Ixodida) distribution,seasonality, and host associations in the United Kingdom between 2017 and 2020

Tick-borne disease risk is intrinsically linked to the distribution of tick vector species. To assess risk and anticipate disease emergence, an understanding of tick distribution, host associations, and seasonality is needed. This can be achieved, to some extent, using passive surveillance supported by engagement with the public, animal health, and public health experts. The Tick Surveillance Scheme (TSS) collects data and maps tick distribution across the United Kingdom (UK). Between 2017 and 2020, 3720 tick records were received and 39 tick species were detected. Most records were acquired in the UK, with a subset associated with recent overseas travel. The dominant UK acquired species was Ixodes ricinus (Ixodida: Ixodidae, Linnaeus), the main vector of Lyme borreliosis. Records peaked during May and June, highlighting a key risk period for tick bites. Other key UK species were detected, including Dermacentor reticulatus (Ixodida: Ixodidae, Fabricius) and Haemaphysalis punctata (Ixodida: Ixodidae, Canestrini & Fanzago) as well as several rarer species that may present novel tick-borne disease risk to humans and other animals. Updated tick distribution maps highlight areas in the UK where tick exposure has occurred. There is evidence of increasing human tick exposure over time, including during the COVID-19 pandemic, but seasonal patterns remain unchanged.     

Immunity of dogs against Babesia canis, its vector tick Dermacentor reticulatus, and Ixodes ricinus in endemic area

Previous epidemiological studies allowed us to accurately define endemic areas of canine babesiosis and tick distribution in southeastern France (Martinod, 1983). Using a micro-ELISA test 100 dogs sera were tested with 3 antigens: Babesia canis, Dermacentor reticulatus and Ixodes ricinus. Antibodies against B. canis and its vector D. reticulatus were detected in an endemic area, sometimes with high levels (optical density 1.38 and 0.80 respectively). A correlation factor and regression lines were found between ELISA activity of B. canis and vector tick antigens, even for dogs which never showed any babesiosis symptoms. These results were compared with those of an area without any babesiosis. Furthermore I. ricinus antigens detected ELISA activity in sera of dogs; some cross reactions were observed between I. ricinus and D. reticulatus antigen.     

Use of a doxycycline-enrofloxacin-metronidazole combination with/without diminazene diaceturate to treat naturally occurring canine babesiosis caused by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Babesia gibsoni</Emphasis>

Canine babesiosis is an important worldwide, tick-borne disease caused by hemoprotozoan parasites of the genus Babesia. Babesia gibsoni is the predominant species that causes canine babesiosis in Taipei, Taiwan. It is a small pleomorphic intraerythrocytic parasite that can cause erythrocyte destruction and hemolytic anemia. Efficacy of oral administration of a doxycycline-enrofloxacin-metronidazole combination with and without injections of diminazene diaceturate in the management of naturally occurring canine babesiosis caused by B. gibsoni was evaluated retrospectively. The overall efficacy of this combination of doxycycline-enrofloxacin-metronidazole in conjunction with and without administration of diminazene diaceturate was 85.7% and 83.3%, respectively; with a mean recovery time of 24.2 and 23.5 days, respectively. Concomitant use of intramuscular diminazene diaceturate may not improve the efficacy of a doxycycline-enrofloxacin-metronidazole combination in management of canine babesiosis caused by B. gibsoni.     

Utilisation of rodent species by larvae and nymphs of hard ticks (Ixodidae) in two habitats in NE Poland

The impact of host identity and habitat type on the density of hard ticks (Ixodes ricinus and Dermacentor reticulatus) infections on rodents in forest and abandoned field habitats in NE Poland was investigated. Ixodes ricinus was most abundant in the forest system, but D. reticulatus, although rarer, was most abundant in the field system. Environmental humidity and the much lower density of rodents probably limited the abundance of I. ricinus larvae in the field system, although this tick was still common on Microtus oeconomus from around small ponds. Nymphs of I. ricinus were comparatively rare in the forest, probably because of infection of non-rodent hosts. Dermacentor reticulatus nymphs on the other hand were very much more common in the ears of Microtus species than would have been predicted based on larval densities. The impact of habitat change (in this case successional change following field abandonment) on tick densities is emphasised, and the role of Apodemus as an epidemiological bridge, linking woodland and field habitats, is highlighted.     

Diversity,ecology, and seasonality of hard ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) in eastern Croatia

The diversity of hard tick fauna was studied in different forest communities in 48 localities of eastern Croatia using the dragging‐flagging method and by hand from ten different vertebrate hosts. A total of 2,225 specimens comprising seven species in three genera were identified. Ixodes ricinus, the most abundant species (72.8% of all collected specimens) was recorded in 44 localities, followed by Dermacentor reticulatus in 19 localities, while the other five species (D. marginatus, H. concinna, H. inermis, I. canisuga, and I. hexagonus) were recorded in fewer localities. The highest ratio (67% of collected ticks) was in the adult stage with the predominance of females. The numbers of collected females, males, and nymphs of I. ricinus and H. concinna differed significantly. Ten new tick‐host associations in Croatia were recorded. Fifty‐three animals were infested with one tick species. Single species infestation with I. ricinus was found in 45.8% of animals, followed by D. reticulatus with 25.4%, D. marginatus with 10.2%, H. inermis and I. hexagonus with 3.4%, and I. canisuga with 1.7%. Coinfestation with two species of ticks were recorded in six animals. Ixodes ricinus, H. inermis, and D. reticulatus showed bimodal seasonal activity; for other species unimodal activity patterns were recorded.     

Francisella tularensis prevalence and load in Dermacentor reticulatus ticks in an endemic area in Central Europe

A total of 7778 host‐seeking adult Dermacentor reticulatus (Ixodida: Ixodidae) ticks were examined for the prevalence of Francisella tularensis holarctica (Thiotrichales: Francisellaceae) in a natural focus of tularaemia in the floodplain forest–meadow ecosystem along the lower reaches of the Dyje (Thaya) river in South Moravia (Czech Republic) between 1995 and 2013. Ticks were pooled (10 specimens per pool) and their homogenates inoculated subcutaneously in 4‐week‐old specific pathogen‐free mice. Dead mice were sectioned, their spleens cultivated on thioglycollate–glucose–blood agar and impression smears from the spleen, liver and heart blood were Giemsa‐stained. Sixty‐four pools were positive for F. tularensis: the overall minimum infection rate (MIR) was 0.82%. Overall MIRs for the 4714 female and 3064 male D. reticulatus examined were 0.89 and 0.72%, respectively; MIRs fluctuated across years between 0.0 and 2.43%. The estimated bacterial load in infected ticks varied from 0.84 to 5.34 log₁₀ infectious F. tularensis cells per tick (i.e. from about seven to 220 000 cells). Ticks with low loads were more prevalent; more than 1000 infectious cells were detected in 24 ticks (0.3% of all ticks and 37.5% of infected ticks). Monitoring of D. reticulatus for the presence and cell numbers of F. tularensis may be a valuable tool in the surveillance of tularaemia.     

Endocytobionts inDermacentor reticulatus ticks (Ixodidae): An electron microscope study

Endocytobionts (ECBs) were detected in the ovaries ofDermacentor reticulatus. Their developmental cycle is directly related to the developmental stages of tick oocytes. Two basic forms of ECBs occur in tick cells, i.e. dense forms, occurring singly or in aggregates situated free in the cytoplasm of host cells, and the light forms which are larger, pleomorphic and always situated inside vacuoles of host cells. The light forms occur together with dense forms in all oocytes. The dense forms occur freely and independently in funicular cells of the oocyte, the epithelial cells of oviducts, and additionally in the cells of the Malpighian tubules. A probable function of ECBs in the tick host is discussed.     

Toxic effect of endocytobionts fromDermacentor reticulatus ticks in three tick species after in vivo application

The endocytobionts from ovaries of partially engorged femaleDermacentor reticulatus ticks, inoculated intracoelomally into females of three tick species,D. reticulatus, Ixodes ricinus andHaemaphysalis inermis, caused considerable morphological alterations in the examined cells and tissues of the synganglion, fat body, tracheal complex and ovary of these recipients.     

Preliminary studies on virus and spirochete accumulation in the cement plug of ixodid ticks

We provide evidence that tick-borne encephalitis virus and Borrelia burgdorferi s.l. are accumulated in the cement plug in the host skin within the first few hours after tick attachment. Extirpation of the tick without the cement plug, even very soon after the attachment, did not prevent the transmission by Ixodes ricinus, Ixodes persulcatus or Dermacentor reticulatus to mice. This was within 1 hour in the case of the TBE virus and after 20–22 h of attachment, in the case of Borrelia and I. persulcatus. The epidemiological significance of these findings is discussed.     

Studies on the critical water mass and the rehydration potential of unfed adult Dermacentor marginatus and D. reticulatus ticks (Acari: Ixodidae)

In unfed adult Dermacentor marginatus and D. reticulatusticks survival and capability to restore water balance after loss of high percentages of exchangeable body water were investigated. Furthermore, it was examined how frequently dehydrated ticks of these species were able to rehydrate by uptake of atmospheric water vapour. The critical water mass, defined as the water mass remaining in a tick at the nonambulatory state, differed between light and heavy weight groups and averaged 62.4 and 55.8%, respectively, of the total body water of fully hydrated ticks in females, and 54.4 and 51.1% respectively, in males of D. marginatus. In D. reticulatus, the corresponding figures were 55.9 and 54.7% in females and 52.1 and 52.7% in males. All ticks survived dehydration to 50, 75 or 100% of the critical water mass, and 96.7% of the D. marginatus ticks and 95.8% of the D. reticulatus ticks compensated water losses during subsequent incubation at 95% relative humidity (r.h.) and 20°C. Unfed females and males of both Dermacentor spp. were capable to balance water loss very frequently over a period of several months. When ticks were repeatedly dehydrated at 0% r.h. for 7 days and rehydrated at 95% r.h. and 20°C, females and males of D. marginatus reached the 50% mortality after 22 and 29 cycles of de- and rehydration, respectively, during 211 and 285 days, respectively. In D. reticulatus, 50% of females and males survived 23 and 17 cycles, respectively, during 248 and 186 days, respectively. Rehydration weights were as high or even higher as those of ticks kept at permanent 95% r.h.     

Tick-borne pathogens in Dermacentor reticulatus collected from dogs in eastern Poland

In recent years, the distribution of Dermacentor reticulatus ticks has expanded into new territories in many European countries, including Poland, with increased population densities in areas of their regular occurrence. The spread of D. reticulatus enhances the risk of exposure of domestic animals and their owners to tick-borne diseases. The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of infection of D. reticulatus ticks feeding on dogs with the pathogens Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato and Anaplasma phagocytophilum. The study material comprised 152 D. reticulatus ticks collected from dogs in the northeastern part of Lublin Province (eastern Poland). A ready-made AmpliSens® TBEV, B.burgdorferi sl, A.phagocytophilum, E.chaffeensis/E.muris-FRT PCR kit was used for qualitative detection and differentiation of tick-borne infections. The assessment of the degree of infection of the analyzed ticks with the two pathogens revealed that 9.2% (14/152) of the examined ticks were infected with one of the pathogens. No co-infections with the pathogens were detected in any of the ticks. The highest specific percentage of infections (8.6%, 13/152) was associated with A. phagocytophilum. The presence of B. burgdorferi s.l. was detected in only one of the examined ticks (0.7%). The spread of D. reticulatus to new territories and the increase in population density in areas of their regular occurrence implies the need for further studies of the prevalence of pathogens with medical and veterinary importance in order to assess the risk of tick-borne diseases.

     

Dermacentor reticulatus – a tick on its way from glacial refugia to a panmictic Eurasian population

The ornate dog tick (Dermacentor reticulatus) shows a recently expanding geographic distribution. Knowledge on its intraspecific variability, population structure, rate of genetic diversity and divergence, including its evolution and geographic distribution, is crucial to understand its dispersal capacity. All such information would help to evaluate the potential risk of future spread of associated pathogens of medical and veterinary concern. A set of 865 D. reticulatus ticks was collected from 65 localities across 21 countries, from Portugal in the west to Kazakhstan and southern Russia in the east. Cluster analyses of 16 microsatellite loci were combined with nuclear (ITS2, 18S) and mitochondrial (12S, 16S, COI) sequence data to uncover the ticks’ population structures and geographical patterns. Approximate Bayesian computation was applied to model evolutionary relationships among the found clusters. Low variability and a weak phylogenetic signal showing an east–west cline were detected both for mitochondrial and nuclear sequence markers. Microsatellite analyses revealed three genetic clusters, where the eastern and western cluster gradient was supplemented by a third, northern cluster. Alternative scenarios could explain such a tripartite population structure by independent formation of clusters in separate refugia, limited gene flow connected with isolation by distance causing a “bipolar pattern”, and the northern cluster deriving from admixture between the eastern and western populations. The best supported demographic scenario of this tick species indicates that the northern cluster derived from admixture between the eastern and western populations 441 (median) to 224 (mode) generations ago, suggesting a possible link with the end of the Little Ice Age in Europe.     

Detection of Borrelia burgdorferi s.l., Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Babesia spp. in Dermacentor reticulatus ticks found within the city of Białystok,Poland—first data

Pathogens carried by ticks pose a threat to both human and animal health across the world. Typically associated with rural landscapes, ticks appear to adapt well to life in urban recreational areas. Although Dermacentor reticulatus is commonly found across Europe, data on the prevalence of pathogens in this tick species, in an urban environment, are very limited. PCR was used to examine 368 D. reticulatus individuals collected in the Zwierzyniecki Forest Nature Reserve in Bia?ystok, Poland. In total, 10.3% of ticks were infected, with Babesia spp. (9.2%), Anaplasma phagocytophilum (0.8%) and Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (0.3%). Rickettsia spp., Bartonella spp., and Coxiella burnetii were not detected. Sequence analysis for Babesia-positive samples identified 79.4% of them as Babesia canis, 8.8% as Babesia microti, 5.9% as Babesia spp., 2.9% as Babesia venatorum, and 2.9% as Babesia vogeli. Results obtained in this study indicate that D. reticulatus ticks found within the urban premises of the study area are infected with at least three pathogens and therefore are an important factor in public health risk for tick-borne diseases.

     

Microbial communities and interactions in the lone star tick,Amblyomma americanum

To quantify microbial composition and interactions, we identified prokaryotic communities in the lone star tick (Amblyomma americanum) based on 16S rRNA gene sequences and direct probing. The lone star tick is the vector of emerging diseases and host to additional symbionts of unknown activity, and is representative of other blood‐sucking arthropods. We evaluated the potential for vertical (transovarial) transmission by molecular analysis of microbial symbionts from egg and larval clutches. Direct probing of adults (N = 8 populations from the southeastern and midwestern USA, 900 ticks total) revealed three vertically transmitted symbionts: a Coxiella symbiont occurred at 100% frequency, Rickettsia species occurred in 45–61% of all ticks in every population and an Arsenophonus symbiont occurred in 0–90% of ticks per population. Arsenophonus and Rickettsia exhibited significant heterogeneity in frequency among populations. The human pathogens Ehrlichia chafeensis and Borrelia lonestari were rare in most populations. Additional microbes were detected sporadically. Most ticks (78%) were co‐infected by two or three microbes but statistical analysis indicated no significant deviation from random co‐occurrence. Our findings indicate that microbial communities within lone star ticks are diverse, and suggest that direct probing for a wider range of prokaryotes and application of quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) may provide further insights into microbial interactions within disease vectors. Our results also emphasize the close phylogenetic relationship between tick symbionts and human pathogens, and consistent differences in their prevalence.