How to cite this article: Vet. Res. (2009) 40:21
DOI: 10.1051/vetres/2009004

Experimental in vitro transmission of Babesia sp. (EU1) by Ixodes ricinus

Sarah Bonnet^{1, 2}, Nadine Brisseau¹, Axelle Hermouet¹, Maggy Jouglin¹ and Alain Chauvin<sup>1

1</sup>  UMR ENVN, INRA 1300 BIOEPAR, École Nationale Vétérinaire de Nantes, Interactions Hôte-Parasite-Milieu, Atlanpole-La Chantrerie, BP 40706, 44307 Nantes Cedex 03, France
²  Present address: UMR 956 INRA/AFSSA/ENVA, AFSSA, 23 avenue du Général de Gaulle, 94700 Maisons-Alfort, France

Received 9 October 2008; accepted 11 February 2009; published online 13 February 2009

Abstract - Babesia sp. (EU1), first characterized in 2003, has been implicated in human cases of babesiosis in Italy, Austria and Germany. It has been identified in roe deer and in its suspected tick vector, Ixodes ricinus, in several European countries. The aim of the present study was to validate the competence of I. ricinus as a vector of Babesia sp. (EU1) via experimental infections. For this purpose, a parasite strain isolated from roe deer was cloned in sheep erythrocytes. After experimental infections, parasite DNA was successfully amplified by PCR in both eggs and larvae originating from infected I. ricinus females and in the salivary glands of females exposed to Babesia sp. (EU1) as nymphs. We also demonstrate that infected females were able to transmit parasite DNA during a new blood meal. Together with previous epidemiological studies, these results validate I. ricinus as a competent vector for Babesia sp. (EU1).

Key words: zoonosis / Babesia sp. (EU1) / Ixodes ricinus / in vitro culture / experimental transmission

Corresponding author: sbonnet@vet-alfort.fr

© INRA, EDP Sciences 2009