Cíl: Zjistit výskyt potenciálně patogenních druhů babesií pro člověka v klíšťatech a v krvi psů a jelenů ve vybraných regionech České republiky. Prevalenci Babesia spp. v klíšťatech porovnat s výskytem jiných patogenů přenášených klíšťaty jako Borrelia spp., Anaplasma spp., Rickettsia spp. Materiál a metody: Vzorky klíšťat byly jednotlivě homogenizovány, ze vzorků klíšťat a krve živočichů provedena izolace DNA. Detekce Babesia spp. byla stanovena metodou PCR 18S rRNA genu a sekvenační analýzou PCR produktů určeny jednotlivé druhy babesií. Výsledky: V letech 2014–2016 byla analyzována klíšťata a krev psů a jelenů na různých místech České republiky. Ze souboru 675 klíšťat Ixodes ricinus dosahovala pozitivita na přítomnost Babesia spp. hodnot od 0,0 do 3,3 %. Sekvenační analýzou byly v klíšťatech identifikovány druhy Babesia venatorum, Babesia microti (patogenní druhy pro člověka) a druh Babesia capreoli. Prevalence Babesia spp. v klíšťatech byla v porovnání s výskytem jiných patogenů jako Borrelia burgdorferi s. l. (29,3 %), Anaplasma phagocytophilum (4,9 %) nižší a srovnatelná s Rickettsia spp. (1,6 %). U třetiny pozitivních klíšťat na babesie byla zjištěna koinfekce s Borrelia burgdorferi s. l. (B. venatorum – Borrelia garinii, Borrelia afzelii a B. microti – B. afzelii). Ze 109 vzorků krve psů bylo 3,7 % pozitivních na Babesia spp. s výskytem druhů Babesia gibsoni a Babesia vulpes. Z 50 vzorků krve jelenů z přírodního ekosystému dosahovala pozitivita 4,0 %. Identifikován byl druh Babesia divergens, nejvíce patogenní druh Babesia spp. pro člověka. Z 80 vzorků krve jelenů chovaných na farmách bylo pozitivních 5,0 % s výskytem druhu Babesia odocoilei. Nukleotidové sekvence babesií způsobujících humánní babesiózu byly zaslány do genové banky a přijaty pod čísly ON892053 (B. venatorum), ON892061 (B. microti), ON892067 (B. divergens). Závěr: Metodou PCR 18S rRNA genu a sekvenací amplikonů byly na území České republiky detekovány tři druhy babesií patogenních pro člověka: B. divergens, B. venatorum, B. microti. Výskyt těchto druhů babesií znamená potenciální riziko onemocnění babesiózou, zejména pro asplenické a imunokompromitované pacienty. Zjištěné koinfekce s Borrelia burgdorferi s. l. mohou být příčinou komplikovaného průběhu onemocnění.

Aim: To determine the occurrence of species of Babesia potentially pathogenic for humans in ticks and in the blood of dogs and deer in selected regions of the Czech Republic. To compare the prevalence of Babesia spp. in ticks with that of other tick-borne pathogens, such as Borrelia spp., Anaplasma spp., and Rickettsia spp. Material and Methods: Tick samples were individually homogenized. DNA was isolated from tick samples and animal blood. The detection of Babesia spp. was based on PCR of the 18S rRNA gene, and the identification to the species level was done by sequencing analysis of the PCR products. Results: In 2014–2016, ticks and blood of dogs and deer collected in various areas of the Czech Republic were analyzed. In a set of 675 Ixodes ricinus ticks, the positivity rate for Babesia spp. varied from 0.0 to 3.3 %. The species Babesia venatorum, Babesia microti (both pathogenic for humans), and Babesia capreoli were identified in ticks by sequencing analysis. The prevalence of Babesia spp. in ticks compared to that of other pathogens such as Borrelia burgdorferi s. l. (29.3 %) or Anaplasma phagocytophilum (4.9 %) was lower and comparable to that of Rickettsia spp. (1.6 %). Co-infection with Borrelia burgdorferi s.l (B. venatorum – Borrelia garinii, Borrelia afzelii, and B. microti – B. afzelii) was found in a third of Babesia spp. positive ticks. Out of 109 dog blood samples, 3.7 % were positive for Babesia spp., specifically Babesia gibsoni and Babesia vulpes. Of 50 blood samples of wild deer from the natural ecosystem, the positivity rate reached 4.0 %. The species Babesia divergens, a major human pathogen, was identified. Out of 80 blood samples from farmed deer, 5.0 % were positive for the species Babesia odocoilei. Nucleotide sequences of the agents causing human babesiosis were deposited in the gene bank under accession numbers ON892053 (B. venatorum), ON892061 (B. microti), and ON892067 (B. divergens). Conclusions: Using PCR of the 18S rRNA gene and amplicon sequencing, three species of Babesia causing human babesiosis were detected in the Czech Republic: B. divergens, B. venatorum, and B. microti. Babesia spp. pathogenic for humans pose a potential risk especially in asplenic and immunocompromised patients. The detected co-infections with Borrelia spp. can be the cause of a complicated course of the disease.

• MeSH
• Babesia mikrobiologie   MeSH
• babezióza * epidemiologie   krev   přenos   MeSH
• Borrelia burgdorferi MeSH
• diagnostické techniky molekulární metody   MeSH
• klíšťata * mikrobiologie   MeSH
• koinfekce diagnóza   přenos   MeSH
• krev mikrobiologie   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• nemoci přenášené klíšťaty epidemiologie   přenos   prevence a kontrola   MeSH
• polymerázová řetězová reakce metody   MeSH
• psi * mikrobiologie   MeSH
• vysoká zvěř * krev   mikrobiologie   MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• psi * mikrobiologie   MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Česká republika MeSH

UNLABELLED: Lyme disease, caused by spirochetes in the Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato clade within the Borrelia genus, is transmitted by Ixodes ticks and is currently the most prevalent and rapidly expanding tick-borne disease in Europe and North America. We report complete genome sequences of 47 isolates that encompass all established species in this clade while highlighting the diversity of the widespread human pathogenic species B. burgdorferi. A similar set of plasmids has been maintained throughout Borrelia divergence, indicating that they are a key adaptive feature of this genus. Phylogenetic reconstruction of all sequenced Borrelia genomes revealed the original divergence of Eurasian and North American lineages and subsequent dispersals that introduced B. garinii, B. bavariensis, B. lusitaniae, B. valaisiana, and B. afzelii from East Asia to Europe and B. burgdorferi and B. finlandensis from North America to Europe. Molecular phylogenies of the universally present core replicons (chromosome and cp26 and lp54 plasmids) are highly consistent, revealing a strong clonal structure. Nonetheless, numerous inconsistencies between the genome and gene phylogenies indicate species dispersal, genetic exchanges, and rapid sequence evolution at plasmid-borne loci, including key host-interacting lipoprotein genes. While localized recombination occurs uniformly on the main chromosome at a rate comparable to mutation, lipoprotein-encoding loci are recombination hotspots on the plasmids, suggesting adaptive maintenance of recombinant alleles at loci directly interacting with the host. We conclude that within- and between-species recombination facilitates adaptive sequence evolution of host-interacting lipoprotein loci and contributes to human virulence despite a genome-wide clonal structure of its natural populations. IMPORTANCE: Lyme disease (also called Lyme borreliosis in Europe), a condition caused by spirochete bacteria of the genus Borrelia, transmitted by hard-bodied Ixodes ticks, is currently the most prevalent and rapidly expanding tick-borne disease in the United States and Europe. Borrelia interspecies and intraspecies genome comparisons of Lyme disease-related bacteria are essential to reconstruct their evolutionary origins, track epidemiological spread, identify molecular mechanisms of human pathogenicity, and design molecular and ecological approaches to disease prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. These Lyme disease-associated bacteria harbor complex genomes that encode many genes that do not have homologs in other organisms and are distributed across multiple linear and circular plasmids. The functional significance of most of the plasmid-borne genes and the multipartite genome organization itself remains unknown. Here we sequenced, assembled, and analyzed whole genomes of 47 Borrelia isolates from around the world, including multiple isolates of the human pathogenic species. Our analysis elucidates the evolutionary origins, historical migration, and sources of genomic variability of these clinically important pathogens. We have developed web-based software tools (BorreliaBase.org) to facilitate dissemination and continued comparative analysis of Borrelia genomes to identify determinants of human pathogenicity.

• MeSH
• Borrelia burgdorferi komplex genetika   klasifikace   MeSH
• Borrelia burgdorferi genetika   klasifikace   MeSH
• Borrelia genetika   klasifikace   MeSH
• fylogeneze * MeSH
• genetická variace MeSH
• genom bakteriální * MeSH
• interakce mikroorganismu a hostitele genetika   MeSH
• klíště mikrobiologie   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• lipoproteiny * genetika   MeSH
• lymeská nemoc * mikrobiologie   přenos   MeSH
• molekulární evoluce MeSH
• plazmidy genetika   MeSH
• rekombinace genetická * MeSH
• sekvenování celého genomu MeSH
• selekce (genetika) * MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Evropa MeSH
• Severní Amerika MeSH

• Klíčová slova
• symptomatická léčba,
• MeSH
• hlášení nemocí MeSH
• incidence MeSH
• klíště růst a vývoj   virologie   MeSH
• klíšťová encefalitida * diagnóza   epidemiologie   komplikace   prevence a kontrola   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• repelenty proti hmyzu MeSH
• vakcinace * metody   MeSH
• viry klíšťové encefalitidy klasifikace   patogenita   MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Česká republika MeSH

Flaviviruses such as dengue virus (DENV), Zika virus (ZIKV), and yellow fever virus (YFV) are spread by mosquitoes and cause human disease and mortality in tropical areas. In contrast, Powassan virus (POWV), which causes severe neurologic illness, is a flavivirus transmitted by ticks in temperate regions of the Northern hemisphere. We find serologic neutralizing activity against POWV in individuals living in Mexico and Brazil. Monoclonal antibodies P002 and P003, which were derived from a resident of Mexico (where POWV is not reported), neutralize POWV lineage I by recognizing an epitope on the virus envelope domain III (EDIII) that is shared with a broad range of tick- and mosquito-borne flaviviruses. Our findings raise the possibility that POWV, or a flavivirus closely related to it, infects humans in the tropics.

• MeSH
• epitopy imunologie   MeSH
• Flavivirus imunologie   MeSH
• klíšťata virologie   imunologie   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• monoklonální protilátky imunologie   MeSH
• neutralizující protilátky * imunologie   MeSH
• protilátky virové imunologie   MeSH
• viry klíšťové encefalitidy imunologie   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Brazílie MeSH
• Mexiko MeSH

Ticks (Family Ixodidae) spend most of their life cycle as immature stages in the soil and litter, and as any other soil invertebrates, are likely to be controlled top-down by soil-dwelling predators. To date, the ability of soil invertebrate predators to control ixodid tick population remains little known, partly due to methodological difficulties. In the current study, we developed and successfully tested a novel method of labeling live Ixodes ricinus (L., 1758) (Ixodida: Ixodidae) nymphs with a 15N isotope label. Labeled ticks were used in a small-scale 8-day-long microcosm experiment to reveal soil predators attacking nymphs. Only a small fraction (4.1% of all samples) of soil generalist predators preyed upon nymphs. A strong 15N label was found in 5 predator species, namely 2 spiders (Pachygnatha listeri Sundevall, 1830, Tetragnathidae and Ozyptila sp., Theridiidae), 2 gamasid mites (Pergamasus beklemischevi Sellnick, 1929 and Pergamasus quisquiliarum [Canestrini, 1882], Parasitidae), and 1 staphylinid beetle (Geostiba circellaris [Gravenhorst, 1806], Staphylinidae). The isotopic labeling can be a useful tool in revealing a range of invertebrate predators that can control tick populations in soil.

• MeSH
• brouci * MeSH
• Ixodidae * MeSH
• izotopové značení MeSH
• klíště * MeSH
• nymfa MeSH
• půda MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

The ectoparasitic mite Varroa destructor transmits and triggers viral infections that have deleterious effects on honey bee colonies worldwide. We performed a manipulative experiment in which worker bees collected at emergence were exposed to Varroa for 72 h, and their proteomes were compared with those of untreated control bees. Label-free quantitative proteomics identified 77 differentially expressed A. mellifera proteins (DEPs). In addition, viral proteins were identified by orthogonal analysis, and most importantly, Deformed wing virus (DWV) was found at high levels/intensity in Varroa-exposed bees. Pathway enrichment analysis suggested that the main pathways affected included peroxisomal metabolism, cyto-/exoskeleton reorganization, and cuticular proteins. Detailed examination of individual DEPs revealed that additional changes in DEPs were associated with peroxisomal function. In addition, the proteome data support the importance of TGF-β signaling in Varroa-DWV interaction and the involvement of the mTORC1 and Hippo pathways. These results suggest that the effect of DWV on bees associated with Varroa feeding results in aberrant autophagy. In particular, autophagy is selectively modulated by peroxisomes, to which the observed proteome changes strongly corresponded. This study complements previous research with different study designs and suggests the importance of the peroxisome, which plays a key role in viral infections.

• MeSH
• hmyzí proteiny metabolismus   MeSH
• interakce hostitele a parazita MeSH
• peroxizomy * metabolismus   virologie   MeSH
• proteom metabolismus   analýza   MeSH
• proteomika metody   MeSH
• RNA-viry * fyziologie   MeSH
• signální transdukce MeSH
• Varroidae * virologie   MeSH
• včely virologie   parazitologie   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH

The brown dog tick, Rhipicephalus sanguineus is a complex of tick species with an unsettled species concept. In Europe, R. sanguineus is considered mainly a Mediterranean tick with sporadic findings in central and northern Europe. R. sanguineus is known as a vector of a range of pathogens of medical and veterinary importance, most of which not yet reported as autochthonous in Hungary. A total of 1839 ticks collected by veterinarians from dogs and cats were obtained in Hungary. The study aims at precise determination of ticks identified as R. sanguineus and detection of pathogens in collected ticks. All ticks were morphologically determined and 169 individuals were identified as R. sanguineus. A subset of 15 ticks was selected for molecular analysis (16S rDNA, 12S rDNA, COI). Phylogenetic analyses invariably placed sequences of all three markers into a single haplotype identified as R. sanguineus sensu stricto. All 169 brown dog ticks were tested for the presence of A. platys, E. canis, R. conorii, B. vogeli and H. canis. None of the investigated ticks was positive for the screened pathogens, though A. phagocytophilum sequence was detected in a single tick.

• MeSH
• Anaplasma * MeSH
• Ehrlichia canis izolace a purifikace   genetika   MeSH
• fylogeneze * MeSH
• infestace klíšťaty * veterinární   parazitologie   MeSH
• kočky parazitologie   MeSH
• nemoci přenášené klíšťaty veterinární   mikrobiologie   parazitologie   MeSH
• nemoci psů * parazitologie   diagnóza   MeSH
• psi MeSH
• Rhipicephalus sanguineus * mikrobiologie   MeSH
• Rickettsia conorii izolace a purifikace   genetika   MeSH
• RNA ribozomální 16S analýza   genetika   MeSH
• RNA ribozomální * MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• kočky parazitologie   MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• psi MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• kazuistiky MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Maďarsko MeSH

A novel Bartonella-like symbiont (BLS) of Tyrophagus putrescentiae was characterized. BLS formed a separate cluster from the Bartonella clade together with an ant symbiont. BLS was present in mite bodies (103 16S DNA copies/mite) and feces but was absent in eggs. This indicated the presence of the BLS in mite guts. The BLS showed a reduction in genome size (1.6 Mb) and indicates gene loss compared to Bartonella apis. The BLS can be interacted with its host by using host metabolic pathways (e.g., the histidine and arginine metabolic pathways) as well as by providing its own metabolic pathways (pantothenate and lipoic acid) to the host, suggesting the existence of a mutualistic association. Our experimental data further confirmed these potential mutualistic nutritional associations, as cultures of T. putrescentiae with low BLS abundance showed the strongest response after the addition of vitamins. Despite developing an arguably tight dependency on its host, the BLS has probably retained flagellar mobility, as evidenced by the 32 proteins enriched in KEGG pathways associated with flagellar assembly or chemotaxis (e.g., fliC, flgE, and flgK, as highly expressed genes). Some of these proteins probably also facilitate adhesion to host gut cells. The microcin C transporter was identified in the BLS, suggesting that microcin C may be used in competition with other gut bacteria. The 16S DNA sequence comparison indicated a mite clade of BLSs with a broad host range, including house dust and stored-product mites. Our phylogenomic analyses identified a unique lineage of arachnid specific BLSs in mites and scorpions.IMPORTANCEA Bartonella-like symbiont was found in an astigmatid mite of allergenic importance. We assembled the genome of the bacterium from metagenomes of different stored-product mite (T. putrescentiae) cultures. The bacterium provides pantothenate and lipoic acid to the mite host. The vitamin supply explains the changes in the relative abundance of BLSs in T. putrescentiae as the microbiome response to nutritional or pesticide stress, as observed previously. The phylogenomic analyses of available 16S DNA sequences originating from mite, scorpion, and insect samples identified a unique lineage of arachnid specific forming large Bartonella clade. BLSs associated with mites and a scorpion. The Bartonella clade included the previously described Ca. Tokpelaia symbionts of ants.

• MeSH
• Acaridae * mikrobiologie   MeSH
• alergeny MeSH
• Bacteria MeSH
• Bartonella * genetika   MeSH
• kyselina lipoová * MeSH
• roztoči * genetika   MeSH
• symbióza MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

Larval trombiculid (chigger) mites are common ectoparasites of terrestrial vertebrates including humans, causing itching and skin inflammation known as trombiculiasis. Investigation of their diversity, distribution and seasonal abundance is therefore important from a veterinary and public health point of view. Although researchers have paid increased attention to these parasites in recent years, there is still little ecological data available on chiggers associated with birds inhabiting different types of habitats such as wetlands, for example. In 2021, we investigated the mite fauna in a specialist reedbed passerine, the bearded tit (Panurus biarmicus), and their effects on this host in the south-west Slovakia, Central Europe. A total of 1134 larvae of 1 mite species Blankaartia acuscutellaris were found in 99 out of 267 examined bearded tits. Juveniles were more infested than adult birds, but no differences were found between sexes. The larvae of mites first appeared on the host during the second half of June and peaked in the second half of July. After that, their numbers decreased gradually until October. Despite the relatively high prevalence and intensity of mite infestation in the bearded tit, no differences in body condition between infested and uninfested birds suggest that infestation by B. acuscutellaris may not have serious negative effects on the host health. Bearded tits can therefore be a reliable indicator of the presence of the chigger mites in wetland habitats.

• MeSH
• infestace roztoči * epidemiologie   veterinární   MeSH
• larva MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• Passeriformes * parazitologie   MeSH
• Trombiculidae * MeSH
• trombikuliáza * epidemiologie   veterinární   parazitologie   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• kazuistiky MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Evropa MeSH

Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is the most widely distributed tick-borne viral disease in humans and is caused by the Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV). The virus has a broader distribution, expanding from western China and South Asia to the Middle East, southeast Europe, and Africa. The historical known distribution of the CCHFV vector Hyalomma marginatum in Europe includes most of the Mediterranean and the Balkan countries, Ukraine, and southern Russia. Further expansion of its potential distribution may have occurred in and out of the Mediterranean region. This study updated the distributional map of the principal vector of CCHFV, H. marginatum, in the Old World using an ecological niche modeling approach based on occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) and a set of covariates. The model predicted higher suitability of H. marginatum occurrences in diverse regions of Africa and Asia. Furthermore, the model estimated the environmental suitability of H. marginatum across Europe. On a continental scale, the model anticipated a widespread potential distribution encompassing the southern, western, central, and eastern parts of Europe, reaching as far north as the southern regions of Scandinavian countries. The distribution of H. marginatum also covered countries across Central Europe where the species is not autochthonous. All models were statistically robust and performed better than random expectations (p < 0.001). Based on the model results, climatic conditions could hamper the successful overwintering of H. marginatum and their survival as adults in many regions of the Old World. Regular updates of the models are still required to continually assess the areas at risk using up-to-date occurrence and climatic data in present-day and future conditions.

• MeSH
• hemoragická horečka krymská * epidemiologie   MeSH
• Ixodidae * MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• nemoci přenášené klíšťaty * MeSH
• virus krymsko-konžské hemoragické horečky * MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Evropa MeSH