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Applied and Environmental Microbiology, December 2006, p. 7594-7601, Vol. 72, No. 12
0099-2240/06/$08.00+0     doi:10.1128/AEM.01851-06
Copyright © 2006, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.

Longitudinal Analysis of Tick Densities and Borrelia, Anaplasma, and Ehrlichia Infections of Ixodes ricinus Ticks in Different Habitat Areas in The Netherlands{triangledown}

Peter R. Wielinga,1* Cor Gaasenbeek,2 Manoj Fonville,1 Albert de Boer,2 Ankje de Vries,1 Wim Dimmers,3 Gerard Akkerhuis Op Jagers,3 Leo M. Schouls,4 Fred Borgsteede,2 and Joke W. B. van der Giessen1

National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Microbiological Laboratory for Health Protection, Antonie van Leeuwenhoeklaan 9, P.O. Box 1, Bilthoven, The Netherlands,1 Animal Sciences Group WUR, Division of Infectious Diseases, Lelystad, The Netherlands,2 Alterra WUR, Ecosystems, Wageningen, The Netherlands,3 National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Laboratory for Vaccine-Preventable Diseases, Bilthoven, The Netherlands4

Received 4 August 2006/ Accepted 2 October 2006

From 2000 to 2004, ticks were collected by dragging a blanket in four habitat areas in The Netherlands: dunes, heather, forest, and a city park. Tick densities were calculated, and infection with Borrelia burgdorferi and Anaplasma and Ehrlichia species was investigated by reverse line blot analysis. The lowest tick density was observed in the heather area (1 to 8/100 m2). In the oak forest and city park, the tick densities ranged from 26 to 45/100 m2. The highest tick density was found in the dune area (139 to 551/100 m2). The infection rates varied significantly for the four study areas and years, ranging from 0.8 to 11. 5% for Borrelia spp. and 1 to 16% for Ehrlichia or Anaplasma (Ehrlichia/Anaplasma) spp. Borrelia infection rates were highest in the dunes, followed by the forest, the city park, and heather area. In contrast, Ehrlichia/Anaplasma was found most often in the forest and less often in the city park. The following Borrelia species were found: Borrelia sensu lato strains not identified to the species level (2.5%), B. afzelii (2.5%), B. valaisiana (0.9%), B. burgdorferi sensu stricto (0.13%), and B. garinii (0.13%). For Ehrlichia/Anaplasma species, Ehrlichia and Anaplasma spp. not identified to the species level (2.5%), Anaplasma schotti variant (3.5%), Anaplasma phagocytophilum variant (0.3%), and Ehrlichia canis (0.19%) were found. E. canis is reported for the first time in ticks in The Netherlands in this study. Borrelia lusitaniae, Ehrlichia chaffeensis, and the human granylocytic anaplasmosis agent were not detected. About 1.6% of the ticks were infected with both Borrelia and Ehrlichia/Anaplasma, which was higher than the frequency predicted from the individual infection rates, suggesting hosts with multiple infections or a possible selective advantage of coinfection.

* Corresponding author. Mailing address: Microbiological Laboratory for Health Protection, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Antonie van Leeuwenhoeklaan 9, Bilthoven 3720 BA, The Netherlands. Phone: 3130-2743666. Fax: 3130-2744434. E-mail: peter.wielinga{at}rivm.nl.

{triangledown} Published ahead of print on 6 October 2006.

Applied and Environmental Microbiology, December 2006, p. 7594-7601, Vol. 72, No. 12
0099-2240/06/$08.00+0     doi:10.1128/AEM.01851-06
Copyright © 2006, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.



This article has been cited by other articles:

  • Gassner, F., Verbaarschot, P., Smallegange, R. C., Spitzen, J., Van Wieren, S. E., Takken, W. (2008). Variations in Ixodes ricinus Density and Borrelia Infections Associated with Cattle Introduced into a Woodland in The Netherlands. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 74: 7138-7144 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
  • McKenzie, F. E. (2007). Multiply Infected Vectors. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 73: 2398-2398 [Full Text]  


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