Scholarlink

<p>Ticks of the genus <i>Ornithodoros</i> are recognized vectors of relapsing fever group <i>Borrelia</i>, such as <i>Borrelia venezuelensis</i>, whose infection dynamics in its vector, <i>Ornithodoros rudis</i>, remains poorly understood in Brazil. This study aimed to investigate the transstadial perpetuation and transovarial transmission of <i>B. venezuelensis</i> in <i>O. rudis</i> and the vector competence of all parasitic stages of this tick species. Experimental colonies were maintained under controlled laboratory conditions, and ticks were fed on Syrian hamsters (<i>Mesocricetus auratus</i>). Infection in hamsters was monitored using dark field microscopy and real-time PCR. <i>Borrelia venezuelensis</i> was detected across multiple tick life stages, and its presence in larvae derived from infected females confirmed transovarial transmission. Vector competence for <i>B. venezuelensis</i> was demonstrated for larvae, nymphs and adults of <i>O. rudis.</i> Additionally, neurological symptoms and sudden death were observed in some hamsters, possibly associated with toxicosis due to heavy tick infestation. These findings provide the first experimental evidence of transstadial and transovarial maintenance of <i>B. venezuelensis</i> in <i>O. rudis</i>, reinforcing its role as a competent vector and contributing to a better understanding of the eco-epidemiology of relapsing fever in South America.</p>

错误：搜索内容不能为空，请输入英文关键词
错误：关键词超出字数限制，请精简
高级检索

Transstadial and transovarial perpetuations of Borrelia venezuelensis in Ornithodoros rudis, with demonstration of vector competence

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

    开放获取

  • 发表日期：

    2026年4月8日

查看全文
  • Felipe R. Jorge,
  • Glauber M. B. de Oliveira,
  • Igor S. Silito,
  • Matheus Pasini Martins,
  • Sebastián Muñoz-Leal,
  • Marcelo B. Labruna

摘要

Ticks of the genus Ornithodoros are recognized vectors of relapsing fever group Borrelia, such as Borrelia venezuelensis, whose infection dynamics in its vector, Ornithodoros rudis, remains poorly understood in Brazil. This study aimed to investigate the transstadial perpetuation and transovarial transmission of B. venezuelensis in O. rudis and the vector competence of all parasitic stages of this tick species. Experimental colonies were maintained under controlled laboratory conditions, and ticks were fed on Syrian hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus). Infection in hamsters was monitored using dark field microscopy and real-time PCR. Borrelia venezuelensis was detected across multiple tick life stages, and its presence in larvae derived from infected females confirmed transovarial transmission. Vector competence for B. venezuelensis was demonstrated for larvae, nymphs and adults of O. rudis. Additionally, neurological symptoms and sudden death were observed in some hamsters, possibly associated with toxicosis due to heavy tick infestation. These findings provide the first experimental evidence of transstadial and transovarial maintenance of B. venezuelensis in O. rudis, reinforcing its role as a competent vector and contributing to a better understanding of the eco-epidemiology of relapsing fever in South America.