Absence of Lyme disease spirochetes in larval ixodes ricinus ticks

0370963 - ÚBO 2013 RIV US eng J - Journal Article
Richter, D. - Debski, A. - Hubálek, Zdeněk - Matuschka, F.-R.
Absence of Lyme disease spirochetes in larval ixodes ricinus ticks.
Vector-Borne and Zoonotic Diseases. Roč. 12, č. 1 (2012), s. 21-27. ISSN 1530-3667. E-ISSN 1557-7759
EU Projects: European Commission(XE) 10284 - EDEN
Institutional research plan: CEZ:AV0Z60930519
Keywords : blood meal * Borrelia * Ixodes * Lyme disease * Vertical transmission
Subject RIV: EE - Microbiology, Virology
Impact factor: 2.277, year: 2012

To determine which kind of spirochete infects larval Ixodes ricinus, we examined questing larvae and larvae derived from engorged females for the presence of particular spirochetal DNA that permitted species differentiation. Borrelia miyamotoi was the sole spirochete detected in larval ticks sampled while questing on vegetation. Questing nymphal and adult ticks were infected mainly by Borrelia afzelii, whereas larval ticks resulting from engorged females of the same population were solely infected by B. miyamotoi. Since larvae acquire Lyme disease spirochetes within a few hours of attachment to an infected rodent, questing larvae in nature may have acquired Lyme disease spirochetes from an interrupted host contact. Even if transovarial transmission of Lyme disease spirochetes may occasionally occur, it seems to be an exceedingly rare event. No undisputable proof exists for vertical transmission of Lyme disease spirochetes, whereas B. miyamotoi appears to be readily passed between generations of vector ticks.
Permanent Link: http://hdl.handle.net/11104/0204631