Ticks represent the primary vectors of several serious diseases, including the Lyme disease caused by Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (Bbsl). In this study two dominant ectoparasitic groups of arthropods (Mesostigmata, Siphonaptera) were investigated for the presence of borrelian DNA in order to determine their potential role of vectors (or carriers) of this bacterium. All individuals (235) were collected from wild-living rodents obtained in three localities in the Czech Republic (Bažantula, Baba and Křižovice). The majority of parasites were members of the families Parasitidae and Dermanyssidae (Mesostigmata) and families Hystrichopsyllidae and Ceratophyllidae (Siphonaptera). The rodent host species was almost exclusively the yellow-necked mouse (Apodemus flavicollis). Bbsl was detected by the PCR method in the following ectoparasite species: Euryparasitus emarginatus (1), Eulaelaps stabularis (1), Haemogamassus nidi (1), Laelaps agilis (5), Myonyssus gigas (1) (Mesostigmata) and Ctenophthalmus agyrtes (1), C. solutus (3) (Siphonaptera).
- MeSH
- Acari microbiology MeSH
- Arvicolinae parasitology MeSH
- Borrelia burgdorferi Group genetics isolation & purification MeSH
- Arthropod Vectors * MeSH
- DNA, Bacterial genetics isolation & purification MeSH
- Murinae parasitology MeSH
- Polymerase Chain Reaction MeSH
- Siphonaptera microbiology MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Check Tag
- Animals MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
- Geographicals
- Czech Republic MeSH
The occurrence of Ixodes ricinus ticks was observed in the suburban locality of Brno-Pisarky (South Moravia, Czech Republic) from March to November, 1996 to 2002. A total of 2,813 ticks was collected. Statistical tests divided the activity of ticks into three periods during the year. The curve of seasonality had two peaks with a maximum in May and August, with a significantly larger number of specimens collected during this period compared to other months. The abundance of ticks during Spring and Autumn months was comparable. All developmental stadia of ticks were found in this locality. The number of larvae, males, and females was not significantly different, but the occurrence of nymphs was significantly greater. Except for the year 2000, there were no statistically significant differences in tick abundance. Tick activity was not dependent on humidity but did vary directly with temperature. This relation had a linear character and could be described by the equation y = 8.3 + 1.8x.
Ticks (especially those in the family Ixodidae) are the primary vectors of the infectious agent Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, which causes Lyme disease. To determine the potential role of mites as vectors of B. burgdorferi sensu lato, mites were collected from wild rodents in the Bazantula region of North Moravia (Czech Republic). These samples were examined for the presence of Borreliae by using DFM and PCR methods. Mites positive for the presence of DNA of B. burgdorferi sensu lato were determined as members of the families Haemogamasidae and Parasitidae. One sample from a mite of genus Haemogamasus was successfully isolated, and the specimen was confirmed as B. afzelii by using PCR-RFLP and by gradient SDS-PAGE. This suggests the possible participation of gamasid mites in borrelial circulation in nature and also points to the utility of further such studies to identify potential vectors (other than ticks) of the spirochete.
- MeSH
- Arachnid Vectors microbiology MeSH
- Borrelia burgdorferi Group genetics isolation & purification MeSH
- DNA, Bacterial analysis MeSH
- Species Specificity MeSH
- Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel veterinary MeSH
- Financing, Organized MeSH
- Rodentia MeSH
- Disease Vectors MeSH
- Mite Infestations parasitology veterinary MeSH
- Rodent Diseases parasitology MeSH
- Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length MeSH
- Mites microbiology MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Check Tag
- Male MeSH
- Female MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Geographicals
- Czech Republic MeSH
