Biology subjects

Migne, C. V.

Publications and source records attributed to Migne, C. V..

3 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2025

Phenology of questing Ixodes frontalis nymphs reveals a late-winter to early-spring activity peak

Although Ixodes frontalis is widespread across Europe, including urban and peri-urban habitats, several aspects of its biology remain undescribed. One such aspect is the population dynamics of its nymphal stage, which has so far been reported from limited sample sizes, preventing the identification of its peak abundance. To fill this knowledge gap, we conducted a year-long monthly survey at four locations in France representing three distinct climates. The sampling protocol--based on the flagging method performed under bamboo bushes where larvae of this species had previously been found--was designed to maximize the likelihood of capturing the nymphal stage. Based on the 400 nymphs collected during this survey, a clear peak of I. frontalis nymphs was observed around March (February to April) across all four sites, with an additional peak in August at one site. The population dynamics of the larval stage--based on semi-quantitative counts--showed the same previously described pattern, with a peak in late autumn. Twenty adults (11 females and 9 males) were also collected from March to December, but these data did not allow a clear identification of a peak abundance. Because several bird species--such as blackbirds, song thrushes, European robins, and Eurasian blackcaps--serve as feeding hosts for both I. ricinus and I. frontalis, and are also reservoirs for pathogens transmitted by these ticks, the implications of our findings for the eco-epidemiology of tick-borne diseases are discussed. Graphical abstract O_FIG O_LINKSMALLFIG WIDTH=200 HEIGHT=84 SRC="FIGDIR/small/696149v1_ufig1.gif" ALT="Figure 1000"> View larger version (34K): org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@170abeforg.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@2802b5org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@c9be48org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@eb8e4d_HPS_FORMAT_FIGEXP M_FIG C_FIG HighlightsA sampling method for Ixodes frontalis nymphs was developed Four hundred nymphs were collected across four different sites in France through a monthly survey A clear peak was observed around March, with an additional peak in August at one site

ecology↗

bioRxiv2025

Spatial pattern of serology against Borrelia and tick-borne encephalitis virus in roe deer (Capreolus capreolus), Northern France, 2019-2022

BackgroundLyme borreliosis and tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) are tick-borne zoonoses of public health importance, transmitted in Western Europe by the same tick vector Ixodes ricinus. Roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) is a widespread feeding host for I. ricinus stages. Here, we explored the spatial extent of both pathogens in the wild in Northern France by assessing serological status in roe deer. MethodsWe collected 3,147 blood samples (2019-2022), and searched antibodies against both pathogens using ELISA tests. We fitted logistic models to investigate exposure to both or either pathogens, and explored spatial patterns using Kulldorf clustering scan tests. ResultsThe overall ELISA IgG prevalence was 23.24% (95%CI [21.77-34.72]) for Borrelia and 8.64% (95%CI [7.45-9.86]) for TBEV. The median Borrelia seroprevalence varied from 4% to 42% between departments, with two high-risk clusters of exposure identified. TBEV seroprevalence did not show any spatial pattern, and positives by seroneutralisation tests were reported in eight departments. DiscussionOur findings suggest the presence of both pathogens over large areas. Wider spatial sampling including areas at lower risk and improved serological methods would be beneficial to further validate those estimates.

ecology↗

bioRxiv2023

Tick-borne zoonotic flaviviruses and Borrelia infections in wildlife hosts: what have field studies contributed?

Tick-borne flaviviruses and Borrelia spp. are globally spread pathogens of zoonotic potential that are maintained by a transmission cycle at the interface between ticks and vertebrate hosts, mainly wild animals. Aside data on pathogen burden in ticks, information on the status of various hosts relative to infection could be critical. We reviewed how those infections have been studied in wildlife species in the field to discuss how collected data provided relevant epidemiological information and identify needs for further studies. The literature was screened for populational studies on direct or antibody detection for tick-borne Borrelia spp. and flaviviruses in animals, in the wild. Overall, Borrelia spp. were more studied (73% of case studies, representing 297 host species) than flaviviruses (27% of case studies, representing 114 host species). Studies on both Borrelia spp. and flaviviruses focused mainly on the same species, namely bank vole and yellow-necked mouse. Most studies were order-specific and cross-sectional, reporting prevalence at various locations, but with little insight into the underlying epidemiological dynamics. Species with potential to act as reservoir hosts were overlooked, notably passerine birds. We highlight the necessity of collecting both demographics and infection data in wildlife studies, and to consider communities of species, to better estimate zoonotic risk potential in the One Health context.

ecology↗