Changes in host densities and co-feeding pattern efficiently predict tick-borne encephalitis hazard in an endemic focus in northern Italy |
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| Institution: | 1. Department of Biodiversity and Molecular Ecology, Research and Innovation Centre, Fondazione Edmund Mach, 38010 San Michele all’Adige, Trento, Italy;2. Center Agriculture Food Environment, University of Trento, 38010 San Michele all’Adige, Trento, Italy;3. Terrestrial Population Dynamics, Natural Resources Institute Finland, FI-00790 Helsinki, Finland;1. School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK;2. Modha Biomedical Ltd, 9B St Cuthberts Avenue, Great Glen, Leicester LE8 9EJ, UK;3. Molecular Parasitology Laboratory, School of Life Sciences Pharmacy and Chemistry, Kingston University, Kingston University, Penrhyn Road, Kingston upon Thames, Surrey KT1 2EE, UK;1. Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Perugia, 06126 Perugia, Italy;2. Department of Veterinary Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20133 Milan, Italy;1. Department of Biodiversity and Molecular Ecology, Research and Innovation Centre, Fondazione Edmund Mach, San Michele all´Adige, Trento, Italy;2. Institute of Zoology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovak Republic;3. Biomedical Research Center, Institute of Virology Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovak Republic;4. Azienda Provinciale per i Servizi Sanitari, Ospedale Santa Chiara, Trento, Italy;1. Medical Entomology and Zoonoses Ecology, Emergency Response Department, Public Health England, Porton Down, Salisbury, SP4 0JG, UK;2. NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Environmental Change and Health, UK;3. Genomics of Rare and Emerging Human Pathogens, National Infection Service, Public Health England, Porton Down, Salisbury, SP4 0JG, UK;4. Virology and Pathogenesis, National Infection Service, Public Health England, Porton Down, Salisbury, SP4 0JG, UK;5. Wildlife Zoonoses and Vector-Borne Research Group, Department of Virology, Animal and Plant Health Agency, Addlestone, Surrey, KT15 3NB, UK;1. Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, University of Turin, Italy;2. Istituto per le Piante da Legno e l’Ambiente, IPLA spa, Turin, Italy;3. OIE Reference Laboratory for West Nile Fever, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell’ Abruzzo e del Molise, Teramo, Italy;1. Forest & Nature Lab, Department of Environment, Ghent University, Geraardsbergsesteenweg 267, 9090, Melle-Gontrode, Belgium;2. Evolutionary Ecology Group, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 11, 2610, Wilrijk, Belgium;3. Geobotany, Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg, Schänzlestr. 1, D-79104, Freiburg, Germany;4. Wageningen University and Research, Plant Sciences Group, Bio-interactions and Plant Health Business Unit, P.O. Box 16, 6700 AA,Wageningen, The Netherlands;5. Centre for Infectious Disease Control Netherlands, National Institute for Public Health and Environment, P.O. Box 1, 3720 BA, Bilthoven, The Netherlands |
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| Abstract: | Tick-borne encephalitis is an important zoonosis in many parts of north-western, central and eastern Europe, Russia and the Far East, with considerable altitudinal and latitudinal shifts described during recent decades. The reported routes of transmission for TBE virus include the saliva-activated non-viraemic transmission between co-feeding ticks taking place on rodent hosts. During the period 2001–2014, a population of the yellow-necked mouse (Apodemus flavicollis), which is considered among the most efficient TBE competent host, especially in central and western Europe, was intensively live-trapped in a known TBE focus in the Province of Trento, Italy. Individual live-trapped mice were checked for the number and position of feeding ticks and serologically screened for TBEv antibodies. A combined effect of climatic conditions and density of both roe deer and mice on the number of co-feeding tick groups was observed. Specifically, the occurrence of co-feeding ticks on mice during the questing season was affected by autumnal cooling in the previous season. On the other hand, co-feeding occurrence was also positively associated with roe deer abundance, while mouse density showed a hump-shaped pattern. Individual features of A. flavicollis such as weight and sex also affected co-feeding occurrence with the heaviest (breeding adult) males carrying more co-feeding ticks. We also found that the overall number of co-feeding ticks on mice positively affected TBEv antibody detection in this species the following year. In conclusion, a specific combination of climatic conditions in conjunction with certain rodent and roe deer densities are the principal determinants of the number of co-feeding ticks on A. flavicollis and, consequently, TBEv circulation. These variables can be used to provide an early warning signal for a TBE hazard, thus representing a useful tool for Public Health authorities to prepare action for prevention and control within TBEv circulation areas. |
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| Keywords: | Tick-borne encephalitis Rodent density Autumnal cooling TBE hazard |
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