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Home / Equine Research Bank / Parasit Vectors / Novel foci of Dermacentor reticulatus ticks infected with Ba...
Parasites & vectors2015; 8; 232; doi: 10.1186/s13071-015-0841-2

Novel foci of Dermacentor reticulatus ticks infected with Babesia canis and Babesia caballi in the Netherlands and in Belgium.

Abstract: Autochthonous populations of Dermacentor reticulatus ticks in the Netherlands were discovered after fatal cases of babesiosis occurred in resident dogs in 2004. The presence of D. reticulatus in the Netherlands has also linked with the emergence of piroplasmosis in the resident horse population. The aim of this study was to put together results of continued surveillance of field sites and hosts for this tick in the Netherlands and also in Belgium and determine their infection status for Babesia and Theileria species. Methods: Ticks were collected from the vegetation at 11 locations between 2011 and 2013. D. reticulatus ticks were also collected from different hosts between 2007 and 2013. Ticks were screened by PCR and reverse line blot (RLB). Results: A total of 1368 D. reticulatus ticks were collected from 4 previously known field locations and from 5 new locations in the Netherlands and from 2 sites in Belgium (one old and one new location). A total of 855 ticks collected from 8 locations in the Netherlands and 2 locations in Belgium were tested. Fourteen ticks (1,64%) collected at 4 field locations (Dintelse Gorzen, Rozenburg, Slikken van de Heen and St. Philipsland) were positive for Babesia canis, whereas two ticks were positive for Babesia caballi, one tick in the Dintelse Gorzen in the Netherlands and one tick was found positive in De Panne in Belgium. A further 1092 D. reticulatus ticks were collected between 2007 and 2013 from 40 dogs (132 ticks), two ticks from two humans, 51 ticks from 15 horses, two ticks from two cats, one tick from a roe deer, whereas most ticks (904) were collected from cattle (n = 25). Ticks were found throughout the year on dogs in nearly all provinces of the Netherlands. None of the ticks collected from these hosts were infected. Conclusions: D. reticulatus is continuing its spread into novel areas. The finding that some autochthonous ticks are infected with B. canis and B. caballi poses a threat to the resident dog and horse population and justifies year-round tick control measures.
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Publication Date: 2015-04-17 PubMed ID: 25889392PubMed Central: PMC4404102DOI: 10.1186/s13071-015-0841-2Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research article is focused on a study of the spread and infection status of a tick species, Dermacentor reticulatus, in the Netherlands and Belgium, which carries harmful diseases detrimental to animals such as dogs and horses.

Research objectives and methods

  • The researchers aimed to compile observations and results from consistent surveillance of field sites and hosts for the Dermacentor reticulatus tick in the Netherlands and Belgium. Their intent was to determine the ticks’ infection status for Babesia and Theileria species, which are harmful pathogens.
  • The study was conducted by collecting ticks from vegetation in 11 different locations between 2011 and 2013. Additionally, Dermacentor reticulatus ticks were also collected from a variety of hosts from the years 2007 to 2013.
  • To examine the ticks for infections, they were tested using PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) and RLB (Reverse Line Blot). These methodologies allowed the researchers to identify any pathogens present in the specimens.

Research findings

  • From 11 locations, a total of 1368 Dermacentor reticulatus ticks were collected. This included four known field locations and five new ones in the Netherlands as well as two sites in Belgium.
  • Out of the 855 ticks tested from eight locations in the Netherlands and two locations in Belgium, 14 ticks (1.64%) from four field locations were positive for Babesia canis, and two ticks tested positive for Babesia caballi. Babesia canis can cause babesiosis in dogs, while Babesia caballi causes equine piroplasmosis.
  • Further, 1092 Dermacentor reticulatus ticks were collected from 40 dogs, gathering 132 ticks. Other hosts included two humans, 15 horses, two cats, and a roe deer. The majority of ticks, 904 in number, were collected from cattle. Interestingly, none of the ticks collected from these hosts were infected.

Conclusions and implications

  • Through this research, it has been revealed that Dermacentor reticulatus is spreading into new areas. With the finding that some indigenous ticks are infected with B. canis and B. caballi, this raises a threat to the resident dog and horse population, prompting for necessary tick control measures all-throughout the year.
  • This research enhances our understanding of the spread and disease-infection status of ticks, providing valuable data that can inform more effective public health initiatives and animal care strategies.

Cite This Article

APA
Jongejan F, Ringenier M, Putting M, Berger L, Burgers S, Kortekaas R, Lenssen J, van Roessel M, Wijnveld M, Madder M. (2015). Novel foci of Dermacentor reticulatus ticks infected with Babesia canis and Babesia caballi in the Netherlands and in Belgium. Parasit Vectors, 8, 232. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-015-0841-2

Publication

Parasites & vectors
ISSN: 1756-3305
NlmUniqueID: 101462774
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 8
Pages: 232

Researcher Affiliations

Jongejan, Frans
  • Utrecht Centre for Tick-borne Diseases (UCTD), FAO Reference Centre for Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 1, 3584 CL, Utrecht, The Netherlands. F.Jongejan@uu.nl.
  • Department of Veterinary Tropical Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X04, Pretoria, Onderstepoort, 0110, South Africa. F.Jongejan@uu.nl.
Ringenier, Moniek
  • Utrecht Centre for Tick-borne Diseases (UCTD), FAO Reference Centre for Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 1, 3584 CL, Utrecht, The Netherlands. M.H.Ringenier@uu.nl.
Putting, Michael
  • Utrecht Centre for Tick-borne Diseases (UCTD), FAO Reference Centre for Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 1, 3584 CL, Utrecht, The Netherlands. M.L.Putting@uu.nl.
Berger, Laura
  • Utrecht Centre for Tick-borne Diseases (UCTD), FAO Reference Centre for Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 1, 3584 CL, Utrecht, The Netherlands. L.F.Berger@uu.nl.
Burgers, Stefan
  • Utrecht Centre for Tick-borne Diseases (UCTD), FAO Reference Centre for Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 1, 3584 CL, Utrecht, The Netherlands. S.R.J.Burgers@uu.nl.
Kortekaas, Reinier
  • Utrecht Centre for Tick-borne Diseases (UCTD), FAO Reference Centre for Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 1, 3584 CL, Utrecht, The Netherlands. R.B.Kortekaas@uu.nl.
Lenssen, Jesse
  • Utrecht Centre for Tick-borne Diseases (UCTD), FAO Reference Centre for Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 1, 3584 CL, Utrecht, The Netherlands. J.Lenssen@uu.nl.
van Roessel, Marleen
  • Utrecht Centre for Tick-borne Diseases (UCTD), FAO Reference Centre for Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 1, 3584 CL, Utrecht, The Netherlands. M.Roessel@uu.nl.
Wijnveld, Michiel
  • Current address: Institute for Hygiene and Applied Immunology, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Kinderspitalgasse 15, 1090, Vienna, Austria. michiel.wijnveld@meduniwien.ac.at.
Madder, Maxime
  • Unit of Veterinary Entomology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Nationalestraat 155, B2000, Antwerp, Belgium. mmadder@itg.be.
  • Department of Veterinary Tropical Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X04, Pretoria, Onderstepoort, 0110, South Africa. mmadder@itg.be.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Babesia / classification
  • Babesia / isolation & purification
  • Belgium / epidemiology
  • Cats
  • Cattle
  • Deer
  • Dermacentor / microbiology
  • Dogs
  • Horses
  • Humans
  • Netherlands / epidemiology
  • Tick Infestations / epidemiology
  • Tick Infestations / parasitology
  • Tick Infestations / veterinary

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Citations

This article has been cited 51 times.
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