Survey of Pathogens in Nymphal Ticks From the Czech Republic

摘要

Background: Tick-borne diseases, many of which have similar symptoms, are caused by a wide range of bacteria, protozoa, and viruses, and can be transmitted by the same vector. Active surveillance of ticks can provide health agencies with data for population risk assessments and inform physicians as to the possible pathogens patients may encounter. We developed and used an Abbott PLEX-ID assay to screen ticks from the Czech Republic to identify the pathogen composition and distribution. Methods: We used a multi-locus broad-range PCR and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry assay (PCR/ESI-MS) designed to detect a wide range of vector-borne bacterial, viral, and protozoal pathogens. Total nucleic acids were extracted from nymphal ticks collected at 4 sites in the Czech Republic and screened on the assay. Electrospray ionization mass spectrometry of the PCR amplicons was used to determine their base composition. These base composition signatures were subsequently used to identify the organisms found in the samples. Results: Extracts from 435 field collected nympal Ixodes ricinus ticks were screened for a variety of pathogens. Pathogens were found in 30.6percent (133/435) of the ticks. We detected Borrelia, Anaplasma, Rickettsia, and Babesia. Additionally 5.1percent (22/435) of the infected ticks contained 2 or more pathogens. Preliminary data also suggests a high prevalence of Tick Borne Encephalitis Virus (TBEV). Conclusions: We demonstrate broad-range detection of tick-borne pathogens in a single assay using ticks from the Czech Republic. The Ibis assay detected a diverse range of bacteria, protozoa, and viruses associated with ticks including a high prevalence of TBEV and ticks confected with two or more pathogens. The Abbott PLEX-ID system, which allows specimen processing and result reporting to be completed within five hours, provides rapid and accurate detection and identification of a broad range of pathogens causing tick-borne human infections.