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  • Publication
    Métadonnées seulement
    Phenology of Ixodes ricinus and infection with Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato along a North- and South-facing altitudinal gradient on Chaumont Mountain, Switzerland
    (2007)
    Cadenas, Francisca Moran
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    Jouda, Fatima
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    Humair, Pierre-François
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    Moret, Jacqueline
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    Questing Ixodes ricinus L. ticks were collected monthly from 2003 to 2005 on the north- and south-facing slopes of Chaumont Mountain in Neuchatel, Switzerland, at altitudes varying from 620 to 1,070 in. On the south-facing slope, questing tick density was higher than on the north-facing slope, and it decreased with altitude. Density tended to increase with altitude on the north-facing slope. Saturation deficit values higher than 10 mmHg and lasting for >2 mo were often recorded on the south-facing slope, explaining seasonal patterns of questing tick activity. The overall prevalence of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato was 22.4%, and prevalence differed according to exposure and among years. No difference was noticed between nymphs and adults. Four Borrelia species were identified. Mixed infections were detected in 52 ticks, B. garinii and B. valaisiana (n = 21) and B. afzelii and B. burgdorferi s.s. (n = 20) were the most frequent associations observed. The density of infected ticks varied from 3.6 to 78.7 infected nymphs per 1 00 m(2) and from 0.6 to 16.9 infected adults per 100 m(2), both slopes combined. The study on the south-facing slope was a follow-up of a previous study carried out at the same location during 1999-2001. Comparison of climatic data between the two periods showed a marked increase in saturation deficit. Substantial differences in density and phenology of ticks also were observed. At high elevations, ticks were significantly more abundant during the current study. This can be explained by rising temperatures recorded during summer at altitude, reaching values similar to those registered in the first study beneath. At the lowest altitude, adults were significantly less abundant, probably due to long-lasting high saturation deficits that impaired nymphal survival. The density of Borrelia-infected ticks was higher than in the previous study.
  • Publication
    Métadonnées seulement
    Evaluation of a modified culture medium for Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato
    (2007)
    Rodriguez, Islay
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    Lienhard, Reto
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    Veuve, Marie Colette
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    Jouda, Fatima
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    Siegrist, Hans H
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    Fernandez, Carmen
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    Rodriguez, José Enrique
    The aim of the present study was to assess the possible use of a modified medium, prepared in the laboratory using the constituents of Barb our-Stonner-Kelly (BSK) medium and medium 199 as base, for the culture of Borrelia strains, comparing the growth of individual strains in this medium and in the BSK-H medium, and the protein profile and antigenic characteristics of Borrelia proteins expressed in these media. A qualitative evaluation of growth of Borrelia species was made with acceptable results (morphology and motility), but during a quantitative evaluation using the three main genospecies of Borrelia, the better results were obtained with a B. burgdorferi sensu stricto strain. The modified medium did not enable the growth of a B. afzelii strain. The protein profile and antigenic characteristic of the expressed proteins in the modified medium were studied with satisfactory results. These results suggest the modified medium as an alternative for the cultivation of Borrelia strains, with some limitations, in poorly-resourced laboratories.
  • Publication
    Métadonnées seulement
    Presence of potentially pathogenic Babesia sp for human in Ixodes ricinus in Switzerland
    (2006)
    Casati, Simona
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    Sager, Heinz
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    Piffaretti, Jean-Claude
    We have designed and performed a new PCR method based on the 18S rRNA in order to individuate the presence and the identity of Babesia parasites. Out of H 59 Ixodes ricinus (Acari: Ixodidae) ticks collected in four areas of Switzerland, nine were found to contain Babesia DNA. Sequencing of the short amplicon obtained (411 452 bp) allowed the identification of three human pathogenic species: Babesia microti, B. divergens, for the first time in Switzerland, Babesia sp. EU1. We also report coinfections with B. sp. EU1-Borrelia burgdoferi sensu stricto and Babesia sp. EU1-B. afzelii.
  • Publication
    Métadonnées seulement
    Risk of Borrelia burgdorferi infection in western Switzerland following a tick bite
    (2004)
    Nahimana, I
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    Blanc, D S
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    Praz, G
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    Francioli, P
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    The aim of this study was to define the risk of developing Lyme borreliosis after a tick bite. A survey was conducted from 1993 to 1995 in the western part of Switzerland in a group of patients who presented for treatment of a recent tick bite. Only patients with negative serological tests (enzyme-linked fluorescent assay screening test, and IgG and IgM immunoblots) at the first consultation and for whom a second blood sample was available 2 months later were included in the study. Of the 376 patients included, 266 had no clinical manifestation (group 1) and 110 had a small local cutaneous reaction (
  • Publication
    Métadonnées seulement
    Transmission of Borrelia garinii OspA serotype 4 to BALB/c mice by Ixodes ricinus ticks collected in the field
    (2001)
    Hu, Chang Min
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    Wilske, Bettina
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    Fingerle, Volker
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    Lobet, Yves
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    In Europe, Borrelia garinii OspA serotype 4 has been isolated from the cerebrospinal fluid of patients but, up to now, has never been identified among culture isolates from Ixodes ricinus ticks. This information raises the question of whether OspA serotype 4 is transmitted by I. ricinus in nature. In the present study, L ricinus nymphs collected in an area of endemicity in southern Germany were allowed to feed on mice. Cultivation of ear biopsy specimens showed that six of seven B. garinii-infected mice were infected by OspA serotype 4. In contrast, very few B. garinii OspA serotype 4 organisms were isolated directly from the ticks which infected the mice; most isolates were B. afzelii. The infected mice transmitted mainly OspA serotype 4 to xenodiagnostic ticks, preferentially in combination with B. afzelii.
  • Publication
    Métadonnées seulement
    Epidemiology of Lyme borreliosis in French-speaking Switzerland
    (2000)
    Nahimana, I
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    Praz, G
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    Moosmann, Yves
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    Francioli, P
    The purpose of this study was to assess the number of cases and the clinical aspects of Lyme borreliosis in French-speaking Switzerland. From July 1996 to December 1997, all laboratories performing serological tests for Lyme borreliosis sent a questionnaire to the treating physicians whenever the tests were positive. In addition, the physicians who diagnosed a case on clinical grounds only were also asked to report these cases. During this period, 1460 positive serological tests were recorded among approximately 10 360 performed (14%). A total of 775 questionnaires were returned (53%). In 3/4 of the cases, the test was ordered because of an acute clinical manifestation or a tick bite. The rest related to chronic symptoms or follow-up. In 504 cases (65%), diagnosis was considered certain or probable. These were erythema migrans in 46%, clinical manifestations of stage II in 33 % (26 facial palsy, 20 acute arthritis, 5 benign cutaneous lymphocytoma) and chronic symptoms in 21% (23 acrodermatitis, 26 neuropathies, and 8 arthritis). The adjusted incidence, estimated on the basis of the treating physician's place of residence, ranged from 9/100 000 in Valais to 95/100 000 in Neuchatel. This study indicates that Lyme borreliosis is a diagnosis frequently looked for and established in French-speaking Switzerland. Although erythema migrans is the main clinical manifestation, symptoms of stage II and III indicate that Lyme borreliosis is also responsible for relatively major systemic morbidity.
  • Publication
    Métadonnées seulement
    Longitudinal study of Lyme borreliosis in a high risk population in Switzerland
    (1998)
    Zhioua, Elyes
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    Sauvain, Marie-Josephe
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    Van der Linden, Sjef
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    Fahrer, Heinz
    Orienteers from all parts of Switzerland (n = 416) were included in a longitudinal study for lyme borreliosis. In spring 1986, the seroprevalence was 28.1 %. At the beginning of the study, 84.3 % of orienteers reported a history of tick bite, and 3.8 % reported a past history of lyme borreliosis. During the first (spring 1986-autumn 1986), second (autumn 1986-spring 1987) and third (spring 1987-autumn 1987) period, rates of seroconversion were 0.6 % 2.7 % and 2.1 % respectively. During the first and second period, clinical incidence were 1.0 % and 0.25 % respectively. No active lyme borreliosis was detected during the third period. Among orienteers who seroconverted during the study (n = 16), only two developed clinical symptoms. Hence, Borrelia burgdorferi infection is often asymptomatic.