Epidemiological investigation of Lyme disease in animals in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region,China / 中国生物制品学杂志

@#ObjectiveTo investigate the epidemiology of Lyme disease and analyze the genotypes of Borrelia burgdorferi in five kinds of host animals of ticks in four cities of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region,China.MethodsA total of 814 serum samples were collected from cattle,sheep,goats,horses and dogs in Urumqi,Ili,Changji and Kashgar Cities,and determined for IgG antibody against Lyme disease. A total of 135 ticks in the above-mentioned cities were collected,from which DNAs were extracted and used as template for amplification of the 5S-23S rRNA spacer fragments of B. burgdorferi by nested PCR. The positive samples were sequenced,and the results were compared with those of 5S-23S rRNA spacer of B. burgdorferi reported in GenBank by BLAST,and a phylogenetic tree was constructed by MEGA X software.ResultsThe IgG antibody positive rates against Lyme disease in Urumqi,Ili,Changji and Kashgar Cities were 23. 6%,2. 4%,2. 7% and 0 respectively,which showed significant difference（χ2= 48. 481,P < 0. 001）. However,the positive rates in cattle,sheep,goats,dogs and horses were 1. 1%,4. 4%,18. 7%,60. 5% and 0 respectively,which showed sig-nificant difference（χ2= 129. 03,P <0. 001）. Of the 135 tick DNA samples,24 were positive for B.burgdorferi,indicating a carrier rate of 17. 78%. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the genotypes B.garinii accounted for 75%,while B.afzelii accounted for 16. 67%,and B.burgdorferi accounted for 8. 33%.ConclusionThere are Lyme diseases in cattle,sheep,goats and dogs in Urumqi,Kashgar and Ili Cities of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region,China,of which the major genotype is B.garinii. The study provides a scientific basis for prevention and control of Lyme disease in Xinjiang.

Atrofodermia de Pasini-Pierini, presentación de dos casos clínicos / Atrophoderma of Pasini and Pierini. Presentation of two clinical cases / Atrofodermia de Pasini-Pierini, apresentação de dois casos clínicos

La atrofodermia de Pasini-Pierini es una enfermedad rara con menos de 100 reportes de casos en la literatura, más frecuente en mujeres, predominando en la segunda o tercera década de la vida. Genera una atrofia a nivel dérmico, presentándose como una placa única o múltiple, de bordes bien definidos con un desnivel en profundidad. La causa es desconocida, se ha relacionado con infecciones por Borrelia Burgdorferi. En cuanto a los tratamientos disponibles, no existe un tratamiento comprobado de primera línea, se indica en algunos casos doxiciclina por periodos prolongados. Se presentan dos casos clínicos de la atrofodermia de Pasini-Pierini y se revisan las características de dicha entidad.

Summary: Atrophoderma of Pasini and Pierini is a rare disease, there being under 100 cases reported in literature. It is more frequent in women, and mainly occurs in their twenties or thirties. This condition results in dermal atrophy, and it may present as single or multiple plaques, with well-defined borders by differences in depth. The cause is unknown, although it has been related to Borrelia Burgdorferi infections. As to available therapies, there is no first line clinically proven treatment, although in some cases doxycycline is indicated for long periods. The study presents two clinical cases of atrophoderma of Pasini and Pierini and reviews the main characteristics of this condition.

A atrofodermia de Pasini-Pierini é uma doença rara com menos de 100 casos relatados na literatura; é mais frequente em mulheres, predominando na segunda ou terceira década de vida. Gera atrofia em nível dérmico, apresentando-se como placa única ou múltipla, com bordas bem definidas e depressão em relação à pele adjacente. A causa é desconhecida e tem sido associada a infecções por Borrelia burgdorferi. Em relação aos tratamentos disponíveis, não há tratamento comprovado de primeira linha, sendo a doxiciclina indicada por longos períodos em alguns casos. Apresentam-se dois casos clínicos de atrofodermia de Pasini-Pierini e faz-se uma revisão das características desta entidade.

Detección de anticuerpos tipo igg contra borrelia burgdorferi, y factores asociados a la enfermedad de lyme en población canina, de los municipios honda-Tolima, la mesa y Chia-Cundinamarca. detección de anticuerpos tipo igg contra borrelia burgdorferi en población canina / Detection of IgG-type antibodies against Borrelia Burgdorferi, and factors associated with Lyme disease in the canine population, of the municipalities Honda-Tolima, La Mesa and Chia-Cundinamarca

Borrelia burgdorferi, is the spirochete responsible for causing Lyme disease in man and different animals. Objective. Detect specific IgG type antibodies against Borrelia burgdorferi, in canines using the immunofluorescence technique and its correlation with other factors associated with Lyme disease. Methods. Blood was taken for IgG detection against Borrelia burgdorferi sl; Peripheral blood smear of the canines and hemolymph of the ticks to search for spirochetes with Wright staining and finally classification of the ticks using morphometric keys. Results. In the serological test, on average 69.0% of the canines sampled gave positive results in the different titrations. Bacterial structures were spirally visualized both in the peripheral blood of the canines and in the hemolymph of the ticks. The vector found was classified as Rhipicephalus sanguineus, until now not reported in the scientific literature as a carrier of Borrelia, nor associated with the disease.

Epidemiological characteristics of Borrelia burgdorferi in ticks in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region / 中华地方病学杂志

Objective:To investigate the epidemic status and molecular characteristics of Borrelia burgdorferi in ticks in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region (referred to as Xinjiang). Methods:From April to June 2020, 312 samples of Ixodes were collected in 6 areas of Yili, Alashankou, Hutubi, Qinghe, Fuhai and Wujiaqu, Xinjiang. Nested PCR and fluorescence quantitative PCR were used to detect Borrelia burgdorferi in ticks. The positive samples by both methods were genotyped and identified by nested PCR products. Results:The positive rates of nested PCR and fluorescence quantitative PCR were 8.97% (28/312) and 11.86% (37/312), respectively. Among them, the fluorescence quantitative PCR positive rate of Qinghe was the highest of 35.29% (12/34), and the positive rate of Fuhai was the lowest of 2.00% (1/50). The positive samples by both methods was 26. Genotyping results showed that 12 samples were highly homologous to Borrelia garinii, 10 copies to Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto, and 4 copies to Borrelia afzelii. Conclusions:The positive rate of Borrelia burgdorferi in ticks in Xinjiang is higher, which has confirmed that there are 3 pathogenic Borrelia burgdorferi genotypes in Xinjiang. The dominant genotype is Borrelia garinii, followed by Borrelia burgdorgferi sensu stricto genotype and Borrelia afzelii genotype.

Panuveítis asociada a la enfermedad de Lyme en un paciente colombiano. Reporte de caso / Panuveitis due to Lyme disease in a Colombian patient: Case report

RESUMEN La enfermedad de Lyme es una zoonosis transmitida por la picadura de garrapatas del género Ixodes sp. Ha sido descrita con más frecuencia en zonas endémicas de países meridionales. Sus manifestaciones clínicas son muy variables y se presentan de acuerdo con el estadio clínico de la enfermedad, teniendo así el compromiso ocular un espectro clínico muy variado que incluye manifestaciones desde la superficie ocular hasta la inflamación del segmento posterior. Se presenta el caso de un paciente de 72 años con un viaje reciente a los Estados Unidos (EE. UU.), atendido en la consulta particular por un oftalmólogo supraespecialista en uveítis de la ciudad de Medellín. El paciente hacía un mes refería una disminución de la agudeza visual (AV) en su ojo izquierdo y al examen oftalmológico presentó signos clínicos de panuveítis no granulomatosa asociada a un edema macular y vasculitis retinal. Se confirmó la enfermedad de Lyme en fase tardía por la presencia de anticuerpos en sangre por Western blot. Se realizó tratamiento exitoso con antibióticos (doxiciclina), con recuperación de la AV y la mejoría completa de los signos inflamatorios intraoculares.

SUMMARY Lyme Disease is a zoonosis transmitted by arthropods that has been described with more frequency in endemic zones of meridional countries. Its clinical manifestations vary according to the clinical stage of the disease. The eye can be affected in many forms including the involvement of the ocular surface and the posterior segment, with more severe inflammation of the retina and the choroid. We present a case of a 72-year male with a recent trip to EEUU who complained of decreasing vision in his left eye had clinical signs of non-granulomatous panuveitis with macular edema and retinal vasculitis. Lyme disease was confirmed with positive antibodies in blood and Western blot test, and the patient was successfully treated using oral Doxycycline. His visual acuity improved and had a resolution of the intraocular inflammation after the specific treatment.

Enfermedad de Lyme en la Ciudad de México / Lyme disease in Mexico City

Resumen: Se comunica el caso de una paciente de 29 años de edad, originaria y residente de la Ciudad de México, que inició su padecimiento con dolor en el segundo dedo de la mano izquierda posterior a una visita al bosque de Aragón, que progresó con náusea y diarrea, así como artralgias incapacitantes con predominio en las manos y los pies sin eritema multiforme en la mano. A su ingreso al hospital tuvo marcadores de inflamación de 19 x 103/μL leucocitos y proteína C reactiva de 28 mg/dL, que se elevaron durante su estancia hospitalaria; ante la falta de respuesta al tratamiento médico y múltiples pruebas negativas se decidió realizar Western Blot para ricketsias con lo que se obtuvo resultado positivo para Borrelia burgdorferi, con lo que se estableció el diagnóstico definitivo de borreliosis de Lyme; la paciente recibió tratamiento adecuado y tuvo mejoría clara. La enfermedad de Lyme es una zoonosis transmitida por las garrapatas del género Ixodes causadas por la espiroqueta Borrelia burgdorferi. La Ciudad de México no se ha reportado como zona endémica por lo que comunicamos este caso.

Abstract: This paper reports the case of a 29-year-old female patient, who was originally from Mexico City and began her condition with pain in the second finger of left hand after a visit to the Aragon forest in Mexico City, progressing with nausea and diarrhea, as well as incapacitating arthralgias with predominance in hands and feet without erythema multiforme in hand. Upon admission, she had inflammation markers of 19 x 103/μL leukocytes and C-reactive protein of 28 mg/dL, which were elevated during her hospital stay; due to the lack of response to medical treatment and multiple negative tests, a Western Blot test for ricketsias was done obtaining a positive result for Borrelia burgdorferi, establishing the definitive diagnosis of Lyme borreliosis, receiving adequate treatment and presenting clear improvement. Lyme disease is a zoonosis transmitted by the ticks of the genus Ixodes caused by the spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi. Mexico City has not been reported as an endemic area, which is why we report this case.

Detección de Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato en perros y sus garrapatas en comunidades rurales de Yucatán, México / Detection of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato in dogs and its ticks in rural communities of Yucatán, Mexico

Resumen Actualmente, el estudio de la borreliosis canina adquiere mayor relevancia, ya que el perro es considerado como un importante centinela del complejo Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, el cual podría desempeñar un papel clave en la dispersión de garrapatas de las áreas selváticas al ambiente doméstico. En México, la distribución y presencia de genoespecies patógenas de B. burgdorferi en perros y sus garrapatas aún no ha sido investigada. Por tal motivo, la presente investigación tiene como objetivo detectar y estimar la prevalencia de B burgdorferi s.l. en perros y sus garrapatas en dos comunidades rurales de Yucatán, México. En cada comunidad se visitaron 50 viviendas donde se estudiaron 144 muestras de sangre de perros por punción de la vena safena, así como la colecta de sus garrapatas. Se colectaron un total de 846 garrapatas de las especies Ixodes affinis (33 / 846), Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato (786 / 846) y Amblyomma mixtum (27 / 846). Para detectar la presencia de B. burgdorferi s.l. en dichas muestras, se amplificó el gen conservado flaB y las lipoproteínas de membrana externa, ospC y p66, mediante el uso de la reacción en cadena de la polimerasa. La prevalencia obtenida en sangre de perros fue de 17.3 % (25 / 144) para flaB, 12.50 % (18 / 144) para el gen p66 y 1.38 % (2 / 144) para el gen ospC. De las garrapatas analizadas, R. sanguineus s.l. tuvo una prevalencia de infección de 0.89 %, A. mixtum de 5.88 % e I. affinis de 15.15 %, siendo esta última especie la que presentó mayor prevalencia. Dos perros y sus garrapatas I. affinis fueron positivos al gen flaB. Solamente una garrapata R. sanguineus s.l. fue positiva al gen p66 y ninguna especie de garrapata fue positiva al gen ospC. Este estudio confirma la existencia de B. burgdorferi s.l. en perros y sus garrapatas en comunidades rurales de Yucatán, México. La detección de Borrelia en perros podría ser un criterio importante para la evaluación del riesgo de borreliosis en humanos, ya que el perro puede emplearse como indicador epidemiológico para la identificación de nuevos focos de esta enfermedad.

Abstract In Mexico, the distribution and the presence of pathogenic genospecies of B. burgdorferi in dogs and their ticks has not been extensively investigated. The study of canine borreliosis is acquiring greater relevance, since the dog is considered to be an important sentinel for pathogens pertaining to the complex Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato; in addition, dogs could be playing a key role in the spread of ticks from forested areas into the domestic environment. This study aimed to detect and estimate the prevalence of B. burgdorferi s.l. in dogs and their ticks in two rural communities of Yucatán, Mexico. In each community, 50 houses were visited, where 144 blood samples from dogs were studied by puncture of the saphenous vein, as well as the collection of their ticks. To detect the presence of B. burgdorferi s.l. in these samples, the conserved gene flaB, p66 and ospC were PCR amplified. A total of 144 dog blood samples, and 846 of ticks were obtained from the examined animals. Considering tick species, Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato (786 / 846) was common, while Ixodes affinis (33 / 846), and Amblyomma mixtum (27 / 846) resulted less frequent. As per gene conservation, the prevalence of B. burgdorferi in canine blood was 17.3 % (25 / 144) to flaB, 12.50 % (18 / 144) for p66 and 1.38 % (2 / 144) for the ospC gene. Within the analyzed ticks, R. sanguineus s.l. had a prevalence of 0.89 %, A. mixtum 5.88 % and I. affinis 15.15 %, being this last species the one that presented higher prevalence. Two dogs and their ticks I. affinis were positive to the flaB gene. Only a tick R. sanguineus s.l. was positive to the gene p66 and no tick species was positive the ospC gene. This study confirmed the existence of B. burgdorferi s.l. in dogs and their ticks in rural communities of Yucatán, Mexico. The detection of Borrelia in dogs may be an important criterion for the evaluation of the risk of borreliosis in humans, since the dog can be used as an epidemiological indicator for the identification of new outbreaks of this disease. Rev. Biol. Trop. 66(1): 428-437. Epub 2018 March 01.

Horses as a Potential Reservoir of Lyme Borreliosis in Jeju-do, Korea / 예방의학회지

Lyme borreliosis (LB) is the most common tick-borne infectious disease in North America, and it was designated as a national notifiable infectious disease in Korea in December 2010. While no cases in Jeju-do were recorded from 2012 to 2016, a recent survey reported that the seroprevalence of Borrelia burgdorferi using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays in horses in Jeju-do was 19.0% (95% confidence interval, 12.0 to 28.3%). This fact suggests that horses may be a potential reservoir of LB in Jeju-do and that individuals in close contact with horses may be a high-risk group. Thus, a serological study in this high-risk group is urgently needed.

Síndrome de Lyme crónico con manifestaciones neurológicas: a propósito de un caso / Chronic Lyme syndrome with neurological manifestations: A case report

RESUMEN El síndrome de Lyme crónico representa un término controversial que agrupa un conjunto de síntomas persistentes e inespecíficos, en su mayoría reumatológicos o neurológicos, dentro de los cuales se encuentra la enfermedad postLyme, cuya incidencia epidemiológica es baja, el conocimiento fisiopatológico es controversial y el abordaje diagnóstico se basa especialmente en la interpretación clínica, dirigiendo su enfoque terapéutico hacia la resolución sintomática. Se presenta un caso de una mujer de 17 años, con enfermedad de Lyme de reciente diagnóstico, de aparente evolución de 3 años, con diagnóstico previo de enfermedad desmielinizante, que consultó por deterioro neurológico. Se revisan consideraciones científicas sobre su aproximación clínica y principios terapéuticos, los cuales se contrastan con los aplicados.

SUMMARY Chronic Lyme syndrome represents a controversial term that groups together a set of persistent and nonspecific symptoms, mostly rheumatological and / or neurological, among which is the Post Lyme Disease, whose epidemiological incidence is low, pathophysiology is controversial and the diagnostic approach is based especially on clinical interpretation, directing its therapeutic approach towards symptomatic resolution. We present a case of a female patient of 17 years of age with Lyme disease of recent diagnosis of apparent evolution of 3 years, with previous diagnosis of demyelinating disease, who consulted for neurological deterioration. Scientific considerations on its clinical approach and therapeutic principles are reviewed, contrasting them with those applied.

Enfermedad de Lyme: a propósito de un caso clínico importado / Lyme disease: about an imported case report

Resumen Presentamos el caso clínico de una mujer norteamericana que consultó en nuestro país por un eritema migrans múltiple, diagnosticándose una enfermedad de Lyme. Este cuadro infeccioso es causado por espiroquetas del complejo Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (Bbsl) y es transmitido por la mordedura de garrapatas. Tradicionalmente Bbsl había sido detectada en garrapatas sólo en el hemisferio norte. Sin embargo, desde el 2013 ha habido reportes en Sudamérica. En Chile, recientemente se describió Borrelia chilensis, la cual no tiene una enfermedad asociada en humanos. Se discuten aspectos del agente infeccioso, su epidemiología, sus vectores y nuevos hallazgos en Sudamérica. Además, se plantean los criterios diagnósticos clínicos, de laboratorio y tratamiento, de acuerdo a la etapa en su historia natural.

This is a case report of an american woman who consulted in our country for multiple erythema migrans, from which a Lyme disease was diagnosed. This infectious disease is caused by spirochetes from the Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato complex (Bbsl) and is transmitted by the bite of ticks. Traditionally Bbsl had been detected in ticks only in the Northern Hemisphere. However, since 2013 there have been reports in South America. In Chile, Borrelia chilensis was recently described, which does not have an associated disease in humans. Aspects of the infectious agent, its epidemiology, its vectors and new findings in South America are discussed. Likewise, the clinical diagnostic criteria, laboratory and appropriate treatment are proposed, according to the stage in their natural history.

Passage of Borrelia burgdorferi through diverse Ixodid hard ticks causes distinct diseases: Lyme borreliosis and Baggio-Yoshinari syndrome

Baggio-Yoshinari syndrome is an emerging, tick-borne, infectious disease recently discovered in Brazil. This syndrome is similar to Lyme disease, which is common in the United States of America, Europe and Asia; however, Brazilian borreliosis diverges from the disease observed in the Northern Hemisphere in its epidemiological, microbiological, laboratory and clinical characteristics. Polymerase chain reaction procedures showed that Baggio-Yoshinari syndrome is caused by the Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto spirochete. This bacterium has not yet been isolated or cultured in adequate culture media. In Brazil, this zoonosis is transmitted to humans through the bite of Amblyomma and Rhipicephalus genera ticks; these vectors do not belong to the usual Lyme disease transmitters, which are members of the Ixodes ricinus complex. The adaptation of Borrelia burgdorferi to Brazilian vectors and reservoirs probably originated from spirochetes with atypical morphologies (cysts or cell-wall-deficient bacteria) exhibiting genetic adjustments, such as gene suppression. These particularities could explain the protracted survival of these bacteria in hosts, beyond the induction of a weak immune response and the emergence of serious reactive symptoms. The aim of the present report is to note differences between Baggio-Yoshinari syndrome and Lyme disease, to help health professionals recognize this exotic and neglected zoonosis.

Optic neuritis and chorioretinitis as ocular manifestations of borreliosis in Brazil: three cases reported / Neurite óptica e coriorretinite como manifestações oculares da borreliose no Brasil: três casos relatados

Abstract Lyme disease is a systemic infection caused by a tick bite and transmission of the Borrelia burgdorferi spirochete. Species of tick vectors of the disease infest mainly wild or rural animals and rodents that may be asymptomatic reservoirs of the bacteria. Characteristic of the northern hemisphere, Lyme disease in Brazil takes on different characteristics, complicating diagnosis. This paper aims to describe three cases of Lyme-like disease in a city in the state of Bahia, Brazil, with ophthalmologic findings.

Resumo A doença de Lyme é uma infecção sistêmica causada pela picada do carrapato e transmissão da espiroqueta Borrelia burgdorferi. As espécies de carrapatos vetores da doença infestam, principalmente, animais silvestres, rurais e roedores que podem ser reservatórios assintomáticos da bactéria. Característica do hemisfério norte, a doença de Lyme no Brasil assume características distintas, dificultando seu diagnóstico. Esse trabalho tem por objetivo, descrever três casos da doença Lyme símile do Brasil, com achados oftalmológicos, em município do Estado da Bahia.

Brazilian borreliosis with special emphasis on humans and horses

Abstract Borreliosis caused by Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato is a cosmopolitan zoonosis studied worldwide; it is called Lyme disease in many countries of the Northern Hemisphere and Lyme-like or Baggio-Yoshinari Syndrome in Brazil. However, despite the increasing number of suspect cases, this disease is still neglected in Brazil by the medical and veterinary communities. Brazilian Lyme-like borreliosis likely involves capybaras as reservoirs and Amblyomma and Rhipicephalus ticks as vectors. Thus, domestic animals can serve as key carriers in pathogen dissemination. This zoonosis has been little studied in horses in Brazil. The first survey was performed in the state of Rio de Janeiro, and this Brazilian Borreliosis exhibits many differences from the disease widely described in the Northern Hemisphere. The etiological agent shows different morphological and genetic characteristics, the disease has a higher recurrence rate after treatment with antibiotics, and the pathogen stimulates intense symptoms such as a broader immune response in humans. Additionally, the Brazilian zoonosis is not transmitted by the Ixodes ricinus complex. With respect to clinical manifestations, Baggio-Yoshinari Syndrome has been reported to cause neurological, cardiac, ophthalmic, muscle, and joint alterations in humans. These symptoms can possibly occur in horses. Here, we present a current panel of studies involving the disease in humans and equines, particularly in Brazil.

Morgellons Disease

Morgellons disease is a rare disease with unknown etiology. Herein, we report the first case of Morgellons disease in Korea. A 30-year-old woman presented with a 2-month history of pruritic erythematous patches and erosions on the arms, hands, and chin. She insisted that she had fiber-like materials under her skin, which she had observed through a magnifying device. We performed skin biopsy, and observed a fiber extruding from the dermal side of the specimen. Histopathological examination showed only mild lymphocytic infiltration, and failed to reveal evidence of any microorganism. The polymerase chain reaction for Borrelia burgdorferi was negative in her serum.

Prevalencia de Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato en roedores sinantrópicos de dos comunidades rurales de Yucatán, México / Prevalence of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato in synanthropic rodents in two rural communities of Yucatán, México

Introducción. La enfermedad de Lyme es una zoonosis multisistémica causada por Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato. Esta espiroqueta circula en un ciclo enzoótico entre un reservorio vertebrado primario y las garrapatas. Se ha encontrado que varias especies de roedores son eficientes reservorios naturales de B. burgdorferi s.l. Objetivo. Estimar la prevalencia de B. burgdorferi s.l. en roedores sinantrópicos en dos comunidades rurales de Yucatán, México. Materiales y métodos. Se capturaron 123 roedores (94 Mus musculus y 29 Rattus rattus ) para obtener muestras de tejidos de oreja y vejiga. Para la detección de B. burgdorferi s.l. en las muestras, se amplificaron los genes de la flagelina B ( fla B ) y las lipoproteínas de membrana externa, ospC y p66 , mediante reacción en cadena de la polimerasa, y se secuenciaron los amplicones obtenidos. Resultados. La frecuencia de infección por B. burgdorferi s.l. en roedores fue de 36,5 % para flaB (45/123), de 10,5 % (13/123) para p66 y de 3,2 % (4/123) para ospC . En R. rattus la frecuencia de infección fue de 17,2 % y en M. musculus fue de 42,5 %. La frecuencia de infección de B. burgdorferi s.l. en los tejidos estudiados fue de 11,3 % (14/123) en muestras de tejido de vejiga y de 17,0 % (21/123) en las de oreja. No se encontraron diferencias estadísticas (p>0,05) en la frecuencia de infección entre los dos tipos de muestras de tejido utilizadas para el diagnóstico. El gen ospC presentó 98 % de homología con la especie Borrelia garinii , una de las especies heterogéneas del complejo B. burgdorferi s.l. Conclusiones. Los roedores presentaron una alta prevalencia de infección con B. burgdorferi s.l.; las especies M. musculus y R. rattus podrían jugar un papel importante en la continuidad de la presencia de esta bacteria en comunidades rurales de Yucatán, México.

Introduction: Lyme disease is a multisystemic zoonotic disease caused by Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato. This spirochete circulates in an enzootic cycle between the primary vertebrate reservoir and its tick vectors. Different species of rodents are known to be efficient natural reservoirs for B. burgdorferi s.l. Objective: To estimate the prevalence of B. burgdorferi s.l. in synanthropic rodents from two rural communities of Yucatán, México. Materials and methods: A total of 123 rodents (94 Mus musculus and 29 Rattus rattus ) were trapped, and ear and bladder samples were collected. Flagelin B ( flaB ) genes and outer membrane lipoproteins ospC y p66 were amplified in order to detect B. burgdorferi s.l. presence in the samples. The obtained amplicons were sequenced. Results: The overall infection rates in rodents were 36.5% for flaB (45/123), 10.5% (13/123) for p66, and 3.2% (4/123) for ospC . Rattus rattus had 17.2% of infection and M. musculus , 42.5%. From all examined tissue, 11.3% (14/123) of bladders, and 17.0% (21/123) of ears were infected with the spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi s.l. No statistical differences (p>0.05) were found between the two tissue samples used for diagnosis. The ospC gen was 98% homologous to Borrelia garinii , one species of the B. burgdorferi s.l. complex. Conclusions: We concluded that rodents have a high prevalence of B. burgdorferi s.l. infection, and both species of rodents, M. musculus and R. rattus, might be playing an important role in the maintenance of this bacterium in rural communities of Yucatán, México.

Serological survey on some pathogens in wild brown hares (Lepus europaeus) in Central Italy

Objective To determine the exposure of wild brown hares [Lepus europaeus (L. europaeus), pallas] to Anaplasma phagocytophilum (A. phagocytophilum), Borrelia burgdorferi (B. burgdorferi) sensu lato, Encephalitozoon cuniculi (E. cuniculi), Leishmania sp., Neospora caninum (N. caninum) and Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii). Methods Two hundred twenty-two blood serum samples of wild brown hares captured in protected areas of the province of Pisa (Central Italy) were tested to detect antibodies against the reported pathogens. Results Thirty one (14.0%) animals resulted positive for at least one tested agent, with antibody titres ranging from 1:20 to 1:320. In particular, 13 (5.8%) samples were positive to B. burgdorferi s.l., 11 (4.9%) to N. caninum, 3 (1.3%) to T. gondii, 2 (0.9%) to A. phagocytophilum and 2 (0.9%) to Leishmania sp. No samples scored positive to E. cuniculi. Four animals (14.8%) resulted coinfected with 2 different pathogens. Conclusion The obtained results showed that B. burgdorferi s.l. N. caninum, T. gondii, A. phagocytophilum and Leishmania sp. circulate in wild brown hares in Central Italy, suggesting a possible role of L. europaeus as reservoir of these pathogens. The obtained results showed that autochthonous wild brown hares living in Central Italy have been exposed to several pathogens circulating in this area, suggesting a possible role of L. europaeus as reservoir.

Fluorescent membrane markers elucidate the association of Borrelia burgdorferi with tick cell lines

This study aimed to describe the association of Borrelia burgdorferi s.s. with ixodid tick cell lines by flow cytometry and fluorescence and confocal microscopy. Spirochetes were stained with a fluorescent membrane marker (PKH67 or PKH26), inoculated into 8 different tick cell lines and incubated at 30°C for 24 h. PKH efficiently stained B. burgdorferi without affecting bacterial viability or motility. Among the tick cell lines tested, the Rhipicephalus appendiculatus cell line RA243 achieved the highest percentage of association/internalization, with both high (90%) and low (10%) concentrations of BSK-H medium in tick cell culture medium. Treatment with cytochalasin D dramatically reduced the average percentage of cells with internalized spirochetes, which passed through a dramatic morphological change during their internalization by the host cell as observed in time-lapse photography. Almost all of the fluorescent bacteria were seen to be inside the tick cells. PKH labeling of borreliae proved to be a reliable and valuable tool to analyze the association of spirochetes with host cells by flow cytometry, confocal and fluorescence microscopy.

Serological survey on some pathogens in wild brown hares (Lepus europaeus) in Central Italy

OBJECTIVE@#To determine the exposure of wild brown hares [Lepus europaeus (L. europaeus), pallas] to Anaplasma phagocytophilum (A. phagocytophilum), Borrelia burgdorferi (B. burgdorferi) sensu lato, Encephalitozoon cuniculi (E. cuniculi), Leishmania sp., Neospora caninum (N. caninum) and Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii).@*METHODS@#Two hundred twenty-two blood serum samples of wild brown hares captured in protected areas of the province of Pisa (Central Italy) were tested to detect antibodies against the reported pathogens.@*RESULTS@#Thirty one (14.0%) animals resulted positive for at least one tested agent, with antibody titres ranging from 1:20 to 1:320. In particular, 13 (5.8%) samples were positive to B. burgdorferi s.l., 11 (4.9%) to N. caninum, 3 (1.3%) to T. gondii, 2 (0.9%) to A. phagocytophilum and 2 (0.9%) to Leishmania sp. No samples scored positive to E. cuniculi. Four animals (14.8%) resulted coinfected with 2 different pathogens.@*CONCLUSION@#The obtained results showed that B. burgdorferi s.l. N. caninum, T. gondii, A. phagocytophilum and Leishmania sp. circulate in wild brown hares in Central Italy, suggesting a possible role of L. europaeus as reservoir of these pathogens. The obtained results showed that autochthonous wild brown hares living in Central Italy have been exposed to several pathogens circulating in this area, suggesting a possible role of L. europaeus as reservoir.

Serological Detection of Borrelia burgdorferi among Horses in Korea

Lyme disease is a tick-borne zoonotic infectious disease caused by Borrelia burgdorferi. The present study assessed the infection status of B. burgdorferi among horses reared in Korea using ELISA and PCR. Between 2009 and 2013, blood samples were collected from 727 horses throughout Korea. Data for each animal including age, gender, breed, and region of sample collection were used for epidemiological analysis. Overall, 38 (5.2%; true prevalence: 5.5%) of 727 horses were seropositive by ELISA. There were statistically significant differences according to breed and region (P<0.001) whose differences might be attributed to the ecology of vector ticks and climate conditions. Using 2 nested PCR, none of the samples tested positive for B. burgdorferi. Thus, a positive ELISA result can indicate only that the tested horse was previously exposed to B. burgdorferi, with no certainty over the time of exposure. Since global warming is likely to increase the abundance of ticks in Korea, continuous monitoring of tick-borne diseases in Korean horses is needed.

Seroprevalence of Borrelia burgdorferi in occupationally exposed persons in the Belgrade area, Serbia

Lyme disease (LD) is a natural focal zoonotic disease caused by Borrelia burgdorferi, which is mainly transmitted through infected Ixodes ricinus tick bites. The presence and abundance of ticks in various habitats, the infectivity rate, as well as prolonged human exposure to ticks are factors that may affect the infection risk as well as the incidence of LD. In recent years, 20% to 25% of ticks infected with different borrelial species, as well as about 5,300 citizens with LD, have been registered in the Belgrade area. Many of the patients reported tick bites in city’s grassy areas. The aim of this study was to assess the seroprevalence of B. burgdorferi in high-risk groups (forestry workers and soldiers) in the Belgrade area, and to compare the results with healthy blood donors. A two-step algorithm consisting of ELISA and Western blot tests was used in the study. Immunoreactivity profiles were also compared between the groups. The results obtained showed the seroprevalence to be 11.76% in the group of forestry workers, 17.14% in the group of soldiers infected by tick bites and 8.57% in the population of healthy blood donors. The highest IgM reactivity was detected against the OspC protein, while IgG antibodies showed high reactivity against VlsE, p19, p41, OspC, OspA and p17. Further investigations in this field are necessary in humans and animals in order to improve protective and preventive measures against LD.