Survey of tickborne infections in Denmark.
We conducted a study of the distribution and prevalence of tickborne infections in Denmark by using roe deer as sentinels. Blood samples from 237 roe deer were collected during the 2002-2003 hunting season. Overall, 36.6% of deer were Borrelia seropositive, while 95.6% were Anaplasma phagocytophilum positive; all animals were negative for Bartonella quintana and B. henselae by indirect immunofluorescence assay. When a hemagglutination-inhibition test was used, 8.7% of deer were found positive for tickborne encephalitis (TBE)-complex virus. A total of 42.6% were found positive by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for A. phagocytophilum with significant seasonal variation. All were PCR negative for Rickettsia helvetica. PCR and sequencing also showed a novel bacterium in roe deer previously only found in ticks. The study showed that the emerging pathogen A. phagocytophilum is widely distributed and that a marked shift has occurred in the distribution of TBE-complex virus in Denmark. This finding supports studies that predict alterations in distribution due to climatic changes.
Skarphédinsson
Sigurdur
S
Department of Clinical Microbiology, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark. siggi@inet.uni2.dk
Jensen
Per M
PM
Kristiansen
Kåre
K
D000367:Age Factors; D000712:Anaplasmosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D000818:Animals; D001179:Arthropod Vectors; D001474:Bartonella Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary; D003670:Deer / Q000382:microbiology*; D003718:Denmark / Q000453:epidemiology; D004197:Disease Reservoirs; D016873:Ehrlichiosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary; D004675:Encephalitis, Tick-Borne / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary; D008193:Lyme Disease / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary; D012282:Rickettsia Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary; D018571:Sentinel Surveillance; D017282:Tick-Borne Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary*