Serological signature of tick-borne pathogens in Scandinavian brown bears over two decades

• DOI: 10.1186/s13071-015-0967-2
• Publication Date: 2015-07-27T13:01:34Z
• Authors: Lye Paillard; Krista L. Jones; Alina L. Evans; Jérémy Berret; Maxime Jacquet; Reto Lienhard; Mahmoud Bouzelbou...; Jon M. Arnemo; Jon E. Swenson; Maarten J. Voordouw
• Keywords: Parasitology; Entomology; Tick-borne disease; Signature (topology)

Anthropogenic disturbances are changing the geographic distribution of ticks and tick-borne diseases. Over last few decades, tick Ixodes ricinus has expanded its range abundance considerably in northern Europe. Concurrently, incidence diseases, such as Lyme borreliosis encephalitis, increased human populations Scandinavian countries. Wildlife can serve sentinels for changes We used serum samples from a long-term study on brown bear, Ursus arctos, standard immunological methods to test whether exposure Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, causative agent borreliosis, encephalitis virus (TBEV) had over time. Bears been sampled period 18 years (1995-2012) southern area, where present, area uncommon or absent. high levels IgG antibodies against B. lato but not TBEV. at higher values anti-Borrelia than bears area. duration study, value Anti-Borrelia with age bear declined oldest classes. Our is consistent view that pathogens expanding their prevalence Scandinavia. Long-term serological monitoring large mammals provide insight into how anthropogenic