Transmission of the Human Relapsing Fever Spirochete Borrelia persica by the Argasid Tick Ornithodoros tholozani Involves Blood Meals from Wildlife Animal Reservoirs and Mainly Transstadial Transfer

• DOI: 10.1128/aem.03117-20
• Publication Date: 2021-03-22T14:30:06Z
• Authors: Gabriela Kleinerman; Tom Eshed; Yaarit Nachum-Biala; Roni King; Gad Baneth
• Keywords: relapsing fever; Ornithodoros; Argasidae

Borrelia persica, transmitted by the argasid tick Ornithodoros tholozani, causes human tick-borne relapsing fever in Middle East and Central Asia. Infection is acquired often when visiting tick-infested caves reported to be mainly transovarially between ticks, occasionally infecting humans. To study epidemiology of this infection, ticks were trapped 24 12 geographic zones covering all Israel identified morphologically. DNA was extracted from larvae, nymphs, adult stages each location PCR followed sequencing performed identify species, blood meal sources. We collected 51,472 16 surveyed. analyzed 2,774 O. tholozani 72 (2.6%) nine positive for B. persica rates male, female, nymphal (4.4%, 3%, 3.2%, respectively) higher than larva (P < 0.001), with only 3 (0.04%) larvae. Presence associated infection = 0.003), meals golden jackals, red foxes, Cairo spiny mouse ≤ 0.043). survey 402 wild mammals revealed highest social voles (22%), foxes (16%), jackals (8%), mice (3%). In conclusion, although transovarial transmission occurs at low levels, apparently acquire wildlife canid rodents may eventually transmit borreliosis humans who enter their habitat.IMPORTANCEBorrelia a spirochete that an area spans India Mediterranean. Until now, it thought soft vector also its main reservoir transmits mostly generations. This showed feeding minimal. Since are found isolated ruins, assumed canids migrate over long distances have major role remote populations, then maintained locally transferred during bites. Prevention could achieved restricting entrance canines habitats populations.