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Hosts on which nymphal Ixodes ricinus most abundantly feed
F R Matuschka1, P Fischer, K Musgrave
1Department of Tropical Public Health, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115.
The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
|January 1, 1991
Summary
The study found that the yellow-necked mouse (Apodemus flavicollis) and the forest mouse (A. agrarius) are key European reservoirs for Lyme disease bacteria (Borrelia burgdorferi), with A. agrarius being particularly important for nymphal tick feeding.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Entomology
- Infectious Disease Ecology
- Parasitology
Background:
- Lyme disease, caused by Borrelia burgdorferi, is a significant public health concern in Europe.
- Identifying competent reservoir hosts is crucial for understanding and controlling Lyme disease transmission.
- Ixodes ricinus is the primary vector tick for Borrelia burgdorferi in Europe.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine potential European reservoirs for Borrelia burgdorferi.
- To investigate host preference of larval and nymphal Ixodes ricinus ticks.
- To correlate host abundance with seasonal tick activity and Lyme disease transmission.
Main Methods:
- Field study assessing tick infestation on mice (Apodemus flavicollis, A. agrarius), voles (Clethrionomys glareolus), and sand lizards (Lacerta agilis).
- Quantification of larval and nymphal Ixodes ricinus parasitizing different host species.
- Analysis of host abundance and seasonal activity patterns of subadult ticks.
Main Results:
- Larval ticks heavily infested mice (Apodemus spp.) and voles (Clethrionomys glareolus).
- Nymphal ticks showed differential feeding patterns compared to larvae, with a higher proportion feeding on A. agrarius and lizards.
- Apodemus agrarius and lizards were exposed to spirochetes carried by nymphal ticks early in the transmission season.
Conclusions:
- Larval and nymphal Ixodes ricinus exhibit distinct host-feeding preferences.
- Apodemus agrarius may serve as a more effective reservoir host for Borrelia burgdorferi than other studied rodents.
- The presence of lizards might play a role in inhibiting Lyme disease transmission.