Experimental in vitro transmission of Babesia sp. (EU1) by Ixodes ricinus

Sarah Bonnet , Nadine Brisseau , Axelle Hermouet , Maggy Jouglin , Alain Chauvin

Babesia sp. (EU1), first characterized in 2003, has been implicated in human cases of babesiosis in Italy, Austria and Germany. It has been identified in roe deer and in its suspected tick vector, Ixodes ricinus, in several European countries. The aim of the present study was to validate the competence of I. ricinus as a vector of Babesia sp. (EU1) via experimental infections. For this purpose, a parasite strain isolated from roe deer was cloned in sheep erythrocytes. After experimental infections, parasite DNA was successfully amplified by PCR in both eggs and larvae originating from infected I. ricinus females and in the salivary glands of females exposed to Babesia sp. (EU1) as nymphs. We also demonstrate that infected females were able to transmit parasite DNA during a new blood meal. Together with previous epidemiological studies, these results validate I. ricinus as a competent vector for Babesia sp. (EU1).

Mots clés: zoonosis; Babesia sp. (EU1); Ixodes ricinus; in vitro culture; experimental transmission

Domaines: Biologie moléculaire; Génétique animale; Biologie cellulaire; Interactions cellulaires [q-bio.CB]; Microbiologie et Parasitologie; Immunologie; Neurosciences [q-bio.NC]; Santé publique et épidémiologie; Biologie animale

Sarah Bonnet, Nadine Brisseau, Axelle Hermouet, Maggy Jouglin, Alain Chauvin. Experimental in vitro transmission of Babesia sp. (EU1) by Ixodes ricinus. Veterinary Research, 2009, 40 (3), pp.1-8. ⟨10.1051/vetres/2009004⟩. ⟨hal-00903099⟩