OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to evaluate the seroprevalence of antibodies of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (Bbsl) and Leptospira interrogans sensu lato (Lisl) and their possible concurrence in domestic cats living in variable conditions in South Moravia in the district of Brno and its environs. Additional objectives were to discover possible differences in seroprevalence between groups of cats living in different living conditions, and to determine the spectrum of Leptospira serogroups in cats in the same places. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 360 blood sera from domestic cats of 3 different sets were collected during the period 2013-2015. All samples were examined using ELISA for the detection of IgM and IgG antibodies against Bbsl, and the microscopic agglutination test (MAT) for the detection of antibodies against 8 serogroups of Lisl. RESULTS: The ELISA method determined 15.8%, 4.8% and 10.3% IgM anti-Borrelia antibodies in the patient group, shelter cats and street cats, respectively. IgG anti-Borrelia antibodies were found in 6.2%, 9.5%, 5.2%, respectively. Antibodies specific for 5 Leptospira serogroups were detected by the use of MAT in 8.8%, 9.5% and 10.3% of cats from the investigated groups. The total positivity of all examined cats for anti-Borrelia antibodies was 18.0% and for anti-Leptospira - 9.2%. CONCLUSIONS: Cats can be infected with both Bbsl and Lisl. The obtained results are exclusive to the city of Brno and its environs, and are comparable to the limited previous studies. There is a need for further studies of clinical signs of both infections and the possible transmission of Leptospira by ticks.
- MeSH
- Borrelia burgdorferi komplex izolace a purifikace MeSH
- kočky MeSH
- Leptospira interrogans izolace a purifikace MeSH
- leptospiróza epidemiologie mikrobiologie veterinární MeSH
- lymeská nemoc epidemiologie mikrobiologie veterinární MeSH
- nemoci koček epidemiologie mikrobiologie MeSH
- prevalence MeSH
- protilátky bakteriální krev MeSH
- séroepidemiologické studie MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Check Tag
- kočky MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- Geografické názvy
- Česká republika MeSH
The aim of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of antibodies to B. burgdorferi s.l. in wild small mammals in the Czech Republic and compare sensitivity of PCR and cultivaton. Wild small mammals (n = 691) were trapped in years 2010-2014 in three localities of the Czech Republic. Heart rinses (n = 340) and sera (n = 351) were examined by modified indirect ELISA. Seventy animals were randomly selected for comparison of results of cultivation and PCR. Mean annual antiborelian positivity was 12% with statistical difference (p < 0.05) between Bank Vole (Clethrionomys glareolus) and other six animal species, while there was no statistical difference (p > 0.05) between rodentia and insectivora, gender and localities. The cultivation revealed one positive sample (1.4%), negative in both PCR and ELISA. Method PCR revealed seven positive samples (10%); two of them were simultaneously dubious in ELISA. Eleven animals, negative in cultivation and PCR, had antibodies in ELISA. Method of PCR compared to cultivation seems to be more sensitive for detection of Borrelia.
- MeSH
- Arvicolinae imunologie mikrobiologie MeSH
- Borrelia burgdorferi genetika růst a vývoj imunologie MeSH
- divoká zvířata imunologie mikrobiologie MeSH
- ELISA MeSH
- hlodavci imunologie mikrobiologie MeSH
- imunoglobulin G krev MeSH
- imunoglobulin M krev MeSH
- lymeská nemoc epidemiologie imunologie veterinární MeSH
- polymerázová řetězová reakce MeSH
- protilátky bakteriální krev MeSH
- savci imunologie mikrobiologie MeSH
- senzitivita a specificita MeSH
- séroepidemiologické studie MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Check Tag
- zvířata MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- Geografické názvy
- Česká republika MeSH
Reaction of vertebrate serum complement with different Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato species is used as a basis in determining reservoir hosts among domesticated and wild animals. Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto, Borrelia garinii, and Borrelia afzelii were tested for their sensitivity to sera of exotic vertebrate species housed in five zoos located in the Czech Republic. We confirmed that different Borrelia species have different sensitivity to host serum. We found that tolerance to Borrelia infection possessed by hosts might differ among individuals of the same genera or species and is not affected by host age or sex. Of all zoo animals included in our study, carnivores demonstrated the highest apparent reservoir competency for Lyme borreliosis spirochetes. We showed that selected exotic ungulate species are tolerant to Borrelia infection. For the first time we showed the high tolerance of Siamese crocodile to Borrelia as compared to the other studied reptile species. While exotic vertebrates present a limited risk to the European human population as reservoirs for the causative agents of Lyme borreliosis, cases of incidental spillover infection could lead to successful replication of the pathogens in a new host, changing the status of selected exotic species and their role in pathogen emergence or maintenance. The question if being tolerant to pathogen means to be a competent reservoir host still needs an answer, simply because the majority of exotic animals might never be exposed to spirochetes in their natural environment.
- MeSH
- Borrelia burgdorferi fyziologie MeSH
- komplement farmakologie MeSH
- lymeská nemoc imunologie mikrobiologie veterinární MeSH
- obratlovci imunologie MeSH
- zdroje nemoci MeSH
- zvířata v ZOO MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Check Tag
- mužské pohlaví MeSH
- ženské pohlaví MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- práce podpořená grantem MeSH
This study was conducted to evaluate the prevalence of antibodies against Borrelia bugdorferi (Bb) s.l. and tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) in zoo animals in the Czech Republic. We collected 133 serum samples from 69 animal species from 5 zoos located in different parts of the country. The samples were obtained from even-toed ungulates (n=78; 42 species), odd-toed ungulates (n=32; 11 species), carnivores (n=13; 9 species), primates (n=2, 2 species), birds (n=3; 2 species), and reptiles (n=5; 3 species). A high antibody prevalence (60%) was observed for Bb s.l. On the other hand, only two animals had TBEV-specific antibodies: a markhor (Capra falconeri) and a reindeer (Rangifer tarandus), both from the same zoo, located in an area endemic for TBEV. Both of these animals were also positive for Bb s.l. antibodies. Our results indicate that a high number of animal species in the Czech zoos were exposed to Bb s.l. and that TBEV infection occurred at least in one of the investigated zoos. Considering the pathogenic potential of these two tick-borne pathogens, clinical and serological monitoring should be continued, and therapeutic and preventive measures should be taken when necessary.
- MeSH
- Borrelia burgdorferi komplex izolace a purifikace MeSH
- klíšťová encefalitida epidemiologie veterinární MeSH
- lymeská nemoc epidemiologie veterinární MeSH
- séroepidemiologické studie MeSH
- viry klíšťové encefalitidy izolace a purifikace MeSH
- zvířata v ZOO * MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Check Tag
- zvířata MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- práce podpořená grantem MeSH
- Geografické názvy
- Česká republika MeSH
This study presents the binding of ovine factor H (fH) by various serotypes of Borrelia and simultaneously correlates their complement resistance to sheep serum. Affinity ligand binding assay was employed to study the binding of borrelial proteins to ovine recombinant fH and its truncated forms (short consensus repeat, SCR 7 and SCRs 19-20). From a repertoire of 17 borrelial strains, only two strains showed affinity to sheep fH. A ~28-kDa protein of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto (B. burgdorferi s.s., strain SKT-2) bound full-length fH as well as SCRs 19-20. This fH-binding protein was further identified as complement regulator-acquiring surface protein of B. burgdorferi (BbCRASP-1) by MALDI-TOF analysis. Surprisingly, a ~26-kDa protein of Borrelia bissettii (DN127) showed affinity to full-length fH but not to SCR 7 and SCRs19-20. In complement sensitivity assay, both strains-SKT-2 and DN127-were resistant to normal sheep serum. Significant complement resistance of two Borrelia garinii strains (G117 and T25) was also observed; however, none of those strains was able to bind sheep fH. Our study underscores the need of further exploration of fH-mediated evasion of complement system by Borrelia in domestic animals.
- MeSH
- bakteriální proteiny chemie genetika imunologie MeSH
- Borrelia klasifikace genetika imunologie izolace a purifikace MeSH
- kinetika MeSH
- komplement - faktor H chemie imunologie MeSH
- lymeská nemoc imunologie mikrobiologie veterinární MeSH
- molekulární sekvence - údaje MeSH
- nemoci ovcí imunologie mikrobiologie MeSH
- ovce MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Check Tag
- zvířata MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- práce podpořená grantem MeSH
- srovnávací studie MeSH
The aim of this study is to present molecular, serologic, and clinical findings for dogs that were naturally infected with Anaplasma phagocytophilum or Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (s. l.) in the Czech Republic. This data can provide information relevant to human infection. In total, blood samples from 296 dogs and 118 engorged ticks were examined. Samples were tested for A. phagocytophilum using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification, nested PCR, and direct sequencing of the 16S rDNA, and for B. burgdorferi s. l. using PCR amplification of the 16S rDNA and restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis of the 5S-23S rDNA intergenic spacer. In addition, blood samples were screened for antibodies to these bacteria. Ten (3.4%) dogs were PCR-positive for A. phagocytophilum. Morulae of A. phagocytophilum in granulocytes were found in two of these dogs. Nine of the PCR-positive dogs had clinical signs related to anaplasmosis. Statistically significant differences in the PCR detection rates were found between breeds and between symptomatic and asymptomatic dogs. Infection with Borrelia garinii was detected by PCR in a dog with meningoencephalitis. DNA of A. phagocytophilum and B. burgdorferi s. l. (B. garinii or Borrelia afzelii) was detected in 8.5% and 6.8% of ticks, respectively. Immunoglobulin (Ig) G seropositivity to A. phagocytophilum was 26%. Significant differences were found with respect to breed and gender. IgM and IgG antibodies to B. burgdorferi s. l. were detected in 2.4% and 10.3% of dogs, respectively. Our findings suggest that the exposure to B. burgdorferi s. l. exists in dogs in the Czech Republic, and exposure to A. phagocytophilum is common.
- MeSH
- Anaplasma phagocytophilum imunologie izolace a purifikace MeSH
- Borrelia burgdorferi imunologie izolace a purifikace MeSH
- ehrlichióza krev epidemiologie mikrobiologie veterinární MeSH
- imunoglobulin G MeSH
- imunoglobulin M MeSH
- klíšťata mikrobiologie MeSH
- lymeská nemoc krev epidemiologie mikrobiologie veterinární MeSH
- nemoci psů krev epidemiologie mikrobiologie MeSH
- polymerázová řetězová reakce veterinární MeSH
- protilátky bakteriální MeSH
- psi MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Check Tag
- mužské pohlaví MeSH
- psi MeSH
- ženské pohlaví MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- Geografické názvy
- Česká republika MeSH
Ixodes ricinus tick saliva-activated transmission of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto spirochetes was studied on the C3H/HeN mouse model. The influence of the feeding of uninfected nymphs on the proliferation and distribution of intradermally inoculated spirochetes was compared with the effect of co-inoculated saliva or salivary gland extract (SGE), respectively. Spirochete loads in murine tissues were evaluated using real-time q-PCR. SGE induced significantly increased spirochete numbers in the skin on the days 4 and 6 post-infection (p.i.). On the other hand, decreased bacterial load in the heart of SGE-treated mice was demonstrated in comparison with control animals. The inoculation of tick saliva increased spirochete load in the urinary bladder on day 6 p.i., while the number of spirochetes in the heart declined on day 6 p.i. The feeding of I. ricinus nymphs raised the spirochete load in the bladder on the days 4 and 6 p.i. On day 6, the number of spirochetes found in the heart was significantly lower than in controls. The prevalence of spirochetes in ticks infected by feeding on mice was more than 10 times higher when the mice were infected with the mixture of spirochetes and saliva or SGE, in comparison with spirochetes alone. The presence of SGE in the infectious inoculum increased the spirochete burden per tick from 0 to almost 28,000. Taken together, these results show a very early effect of tick saliva on the proliferation and distribution of Borrelia spirochetes in the host, probably due to the effect of saliva on the host innate immunity mechanisms.
- MeSH
- Borrelia burgdorferi růst a vývoj MeSH
- klíště mikrobiologie MeSH
- kůže mikrobiologie MeSH
- lymeská nemoc mikrobiologie přenos veterinární MeSH
- močový měchýř mikrobiologie MeSH
- myši inbrední C3H MeSH
- myši MeSH
- počet mikrobiálních kolonií MeSH
- sliny mikrobiologie MeSH
- srdce mikrobiologie MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Check Tag
- myši MeSH
- ženské pohlaví MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Publikační typ
- práce podpořená grantem MeSH
- MeSH
- Borrelia imunologie MeSH
- finanční podpora výzkumu jako téma MeSH
- lymeská nemoc diagnóza veterinární MeSH
- nemoci ovcí dějiny MeSH
- nemoci psů mikrobiologie MeSH
- proteiny nervové tkáně diagnostické užití MeSH
- stafylokokový protein A diagnostické užití MeSH
- vysoká zvěř mikrobiologie MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Check Tag
- zvířata MeSH
- Geografické názvy
- Slovenská republika MeSH
