Líffræðifélag Íslands - biologia.is
Líffræðiráðstefnan 2025
Erindi/veggspjald / Talk/poster V27
Höfundar / Authors: Matthias Alfredsson1*, Kayleigh Hansford2, Daniel Carter3, Heiða Sigurðardóttir4, Þórunn Sóley Björnsdóttir4, Hrólfur Smári Pétursson4, Guðný Rut Pálsdóttir4 and Jolyon M. Medlock2
Starfsvettvangur / Affiliations: 1Natural Science Institute of Iceland, Urridaholtsstraeti 6–8, 212 Gardabaer, Iceland 2Medical Entomology group, UK Health Security Agency, Porto Down, Salisbury, Wiltshire, UK 3Genomics of Rare and Emerging Human Pathogens Department, UK Health Security Agency, Salisbury, Wiltshire, UK 4Institute for Experimental Pathology at Keldur, University of Iceland, Keldnavegur 3, 112 Reykjavik, Iceland *C
Kynnir / Presenter: Heiða Sigurðardóttir
Ixodes ricinus is the most widespread tick species in Europe and a known vector of zoonotic pathogens, including Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (s.l.) and tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV). Its presence in Iceland has raised concerns about pathogen transmission to humans and animals. This study assessed whether I. ricinus ticks in Iceland carry B. burgdorferi (s.l.) and, in limited samples, other pathogens of public health relevance. Ticks were collected from birds at the South East Iceland Bird Observatory in 2018–2019. All were screened for B. burgdorferi (s.l.). Additionally, 133 ticks collected before 2018 and preserved in the Natural Science Institute of Iceland were analyzed for B. burgdorferi (s.l.), TBEV, Coxiella burnetii, Francisella tularensis, and Rickettsia spp. Positive Borrelia samples underwent sequencing and BLAST analysis. In total, 1,209 I. ricinus ticks were screened for B. burgdorferi (s.l.), with a prevalence of 9.9% (86/866). Sequencing of 28 positive samples identified three genospecies: B. garinii (82.1%), B. valaisiana (14.3%), and B. afzelii (3.6%). No other pathogens were detected in archived specimens. This study provides the first molecular evidence of B. burgdorferi (s.l.) in I. ricinus in Iceland. Although Lyme borreliosis is not considered endemic and I. ricinus is not yet established, the presence of infected ticks indicates a potential risk. Ongoing surveillance and public health awareness are essential to mitigate this risk.