Contrasting pathogen prevalence between tick and dog populations at Chornobyl

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Veterinary Medicine
• Infectious Diseases

Background:

• The Chornobyl disaster led to widespread radioactive and chemical contamination.
• Ecological impacts are well-studied, but effects on vector-borne pathogens and hosts are less understood.
• This study investigates tick-borne pathogen presence in the Chornobyl Exclusion Zone.

Purpose of the Study:

• To characterize tick-borne pathogen presence in ticks and dogs.
• To compare pathogen prevalence between the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) and Chornobyl City (CC) areas.
• To assess the impact of environmental contamination on vector-borne disease dynamics.

Main Methods:

• Collected ticks and dog blood samples from NPP and CC.
• Utilized endpoint PCR and quantitative PCR for pathogen identification.
• Developed droplet digital PCR for specific pathogens like Babesia canis and Anaplasma phagocytophilum.

Main Results:

• Ixodes ricinus and Dermacentor reticulatus ticks were identified.
• Higher prevalence of Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Borrelia burgdorferi in ticks at NPP.
• Lower prevalence of Anaplasma phagocytophilum in dogs at NPP compared to CC, with Babesia canis evenly distributed.

Conclusions:

• Contrasting pathogen prevalence in ticks and dogs suggests differential exposure at NPP and CC.
• This research contributes to understanding the ecological consequences of Chornobyl's contamination.
• Highlights the need for further research on wildlife health in contaminated environments.