Rodents as hosts for Ixodes ricinus and Borrelia afzelii

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

Ixodes ricinus is the vector of the Lyme borreliosis-causing bacterium Borrelia afzelii in Europe. Larvae of I. ricinus mainly feed on rodents, which are reservoir hosts of B. afzelii. Rodent species vary in their suitability as hosts for ticks and B. afzelii. The effects of rodent species on tick burden, host infection rate and infectivity are reviewed and the effect of rodent species on tick physiology was studied in a field experiment. Wood mice (Apodemus sylvaticus) and bank voles (Myodes glareolus) were trapped in the field and body weight of engorged larvae and flat nymphs was measured. Body weight of engorged larvae and flat nymphs was higher for ticks that fed on wood mice compared to ticks that fed on bank voles. Overall, we conclude that wood mice are better hosts for ticks but that bank voles are better hosts for B. afzelii. The density of a rodent species, which is largely affected by food availability, has, however, the largest effect on determining the contribution of a rodent species to the density of infected nymphs and, therefore, Lyme borreliosis risk.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationEcology and prevention of Lyme borreliosis
EditorsM.A.H. Braks, S.E. van Wieren, W. Takken, H. Sprong
PublisherWageningen Academic Publishers
Chapter5
Pages63-73
ISBN (Electronic)9789086868384
ISBN (Print)9789086862931
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 28 Nov 2016

Publication series

NameEcology and Control of Vector-borne diseases
Volume4
ISSN (Print)1875-0699

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