Relative importance of Ixodes ricinus and Ixodes trianguliceps as vectors for Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Babesia microti in field vole (Microtus agrestis) populations

Bown, K; Lambin, X; Telford, GR; Ogden, NH; Telfer, S; Woldehiwet, Z; Birtles, RJ

Abstract

The importance of Ixodes ricinus in the transmission of tick-borne pathogens is well recognized in the United
Kingdom and across Europe. However, the role of coexisting Ixodes species, such as the widely distributed
species Ixodes trianguliceps, as alternative vectors for these pathogens has received little attention. This study
aimed to assess the relative importance of I. ricinus and I. trianguliceps in the transmission of Anaplasma
phagocytophilum and Babesia microti among United Kingdom field voles (Microtus agrestis), which serve as
reservoir hosts for both pathogens. While all instars of I. trianguliceps feed exclusively on small mammals, I.
ricinus adults feed primarily on larger hosts such as deer. The abundance of both tick species and pathogen
infection prevalence in field voles were monitored at sites surrounded with fencing that excluded deer and at
sites where deer were free to roam. As expected, fencing significantly reduced the larval burden of I. ricinus on
field voles and the abundance of questing nymphs, but the larval burden of I. trianguliceps was not significantly
affected. The prevalence of A. phagocytophilum and B. microti infections was not significantly affected by the
presence of fencing, suggesting that I. trianguliceps is their principal vector. The prevalence of nymphal and
adult ticks on field voles was also unaffected, indicating that relatively few non-larval I. ricinus ticks feed upon
field voles. This study provides compelling evidence for the importance of I. trianguliceps in maintaining these
enzootic tick-borne infections, while highlighting the potential for such infections to escape into alternative
hosts via I. ricinus.

Citation

Bown, K., Lambin, X., Telford, G., Ogden, N., Telfer, S., Woldehiwet, Z., & Birtles, R. (2008). Relative importance of Ixodes ricinus and Ixodes trianguliceps as vectors for Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Babesia microti in field vole (Microtus agrestis) populations. Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 74(23), 7118-7125. https://doi.org/10.1128/AEM.00625-08

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Publication Date: Jan 1, 2008
• Deposit Date: Dec 20, 2011
• Journal: Applied and Environmental Microbiology
• Print ISSN: 0099-2240
• Publisher: American Society for Microbiology
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 74
• Issue: 23
• Pages: 7118-7125
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1128/AEM.00625-08
• Publisher URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1128/AEM.00625-08