Melting pot of tick-borne zoonoses : the European hedgehog contributes to the maintenance of various tick-borne diseases in natural cycles urban and suburban areas

Background: European hedgehogs (Erinaceus europaeus) are urban dwellers and host both Ixodes ricinus and Ixodes hexagonus. These ticks transmit several zoonotic pathogens like Borrelia burgdorferi (sensu lato), Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Rickettsia helvetica, Borrelia miyamotoi and " Candidatus Neoehrlichia mikurensis". It is unclear to what extent hedgehogs in (sub) urban areas contribute to the presence of infected ticks in these areas, which subsequently pose a risk for acquiring a tick-borne disease. Therefore, it is important to investigate to what extent hedgehogs contribute to the enzootic cycle of these tick-borne pathogens, and to shed more light at the mechanisms of the transmission cycles involving hedgehogs and both ixodid tick species. Methods: Engorged ticks from hedgehogs were collected from (sub) urban areas via rehabilitating centres in Belgium. Ticks were screened individually for presence of Borrelia burgdorferi (sensu lato), Borrelia miyamotoi, Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Rickettsia helvetica and " Candidatus Neoehrlichia mikurensis" using PCR-based methods. Infection rates of the different pathogens in ticks were calculated and compared to infection rates in questing ticks. Results: Both Ixodes hexagonus (n = 1132) and Ixodes ricinus (n = 73) of all life stages were found on the 54 investigated hedgehogs. Only a few hedgehogs carried most of the ticks, with 6 of the 54 hedgehogs carrying more than half of all ticks (624/ 1205). Borrelia miyamotoi, A. phagocytophilum, R. helvetica and B. burgdorferi genospecies (Borrelia afzelii, Borrelia bavariensis and Borrelia spielmanii) were detected in both I. hexagonus and I. ricinus. Anaplasma phagocytophilum, R. helvetica, B. afzelii, B. bavariensis and B. spielmanii were found significantly more in engorged ticks in comparison to questing I. ricinus. Conclusions: European hedgehogs seem to contribute to the spread and transmission of tick-borne pathogens in urban areas. The relatively high prevalence of B. bavariensis, B. spielmanii, B. afzelii, A. phagocytophilum and R. helvetica in engorged ticks suggests that hedgehogs contribute to their enzootic cycles in (sub) urban areas. The extent to which hedgehogs can independently maintain these agents in natural cycles, and the role of other hosts (rodents and birds) remain to be investigated

Mesenchymal tumor organoid models recapitulate rhabdomyosarcoma subtypes

Rhabdomyosarcomas (RMS) are mesenchyme-derived tumors and the most common childhood soft tissue sarcomas. Treatment is intense, with a nevertheless poor prognosis for high-risk patients. Discovery of new therapies would benefit from additional preclinical models. Here, we describe the generation of a collection of 19 pediatric RMS tumor organoid (tumoroid) models (success rate of 41%) comprising all major subtypes. For aggressive tumors, tumoroid models can often be established within 4–8 weeks, indicating the feasibility of personalized drug screening. Molecular, genetic, and histological characterization show that the models closely resemble the original tumors, with genetic stability over extended culture periods of up to 6 months. Importantly, drug screening reflects established sensitivities and the models can be modified by CRISPR/Cas9 with TP53 knockout in an embryonal RMS model resulting in replicative stress drug sensitivity. Tumors of mesenchymal origin can therefore be used to generate organoid models, relevant for a variety of preclinical and clinical research questions

Molecular detection of tick-borne pathogens Borrelia afzelii, Borrelia miyamotoi and Anaplasma phagocytophilum in Eurasian red squirrels (Sciurus vulgaris)

Eurasian red squirrels (Sciurus vulgaris) are common hosts of ixodid ticks and could thus carry tick-borne disease agents. The relative contribution of the red squirrel, a medium-sized rodent species, to the transmission dynamics of tick-borne pathogens in Europe yet remains unclear. We analysed spleen and liver samples from 45 dead squirrels collected in Flanders, Belgium, during tick activity season and detected the presence of Borrelia burgdorferi s.l. in the spleen of two squirrels (4.4%). One of the sequences could be identified as Borrelia afzelii. Borrelia miyamotoi was detected in the spleen of three squirrels (6.7%) and Anaplasma phagocytophilum in four spleen samples (8.9%). Both A. phagocytophilum ecotype I and II were found. We could not detect the presence of "Candidatus Neoehrlichia mikurensis" or tick-borne encephalitis virus in any of the squirrels. Our results suggest that Eurasian red squirrels can host B. afzelii, as already proposed by previous studies, but we could not confirm the previous established association between squirrels and B. burgdorferi sensu stricto. Our results demonstrate the epidemiological importance of the red squirrel, particularly in (sub) urban areas, since they can harbour a similar community of tick-borne pathogens as do mice and voles and can act as hosts for A. phagocytophilum ecotype I, which has important implications for human health risk

Additional file 3: of Melting pot of tick-borne zoonoses: the European hedgehog contributes to the maintenance of various tick-borne diseases in natural cycles urban and suburban areas

The number of Ixodes ricinus and Ixodes hexagonus ticks infected with a certain pathogen, for all life stages together or for larvae (L), nymphs (N) or adults (A) separately. (CSV 719 bytes