Transmission of Bartonella henselae by Ixodes ricinus
Author Information
Author(s): Cotté Violaine, Bonnet Sarah, Le Rhun Danielle, Le Naour Evelyne, Chauvin Alain, Boulouis Henri-Jean, Lecuelle Benoit, Lilin Thomas, Vayssier-Taussat Muriel
Primary Institution: Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique, Maisons-Alfort, France
Hypothesis
Can Ixodes ricinus transmit Bartonella henselae to humans?
Conclusion
The study provides evidence that Ixodes ricinus is a competent vector for Bartonella henselae.
Supporting Evidence
- Bartonella henselae is known to cause cat-scratch disease in humans.
- Ixodes ricinus is the most abundant tick species that bites humans in western Europe.
- Ticks were shown to transmit viable and infective Bartonella henselae from their saliva to the blood.
- Experimental infection of cats with infected ticks resulted in bacteremia.
- DNA of Bartonella henselae was detected in various developmental stages of Ixodes ricinus.
Takeaway
Ticks can spread a germ that causes cat-scratch disease in people, and this study shows how it happens.
Methodology
A membrane-feeding technique was used to infect Ixodes ricinus ticks with Bartonella henselae and assess transmission across developmental stages.
Limitations
The study primarily focused on laboratory conditions and may not fully represent natural transmission scenarios.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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