@article{PAR00014563,
  title = {{C}o-infection of ticks : the rule rather than the exception},
  author = {{M}outailler, {S}. and {M}oro, {C}. {V}. and {V}aumourin, {E}. and {M}ichelet, {L}. and {T}ran, {F}. {H}. and {D}evillers, {E}. and {C}osson, {J}. {F}. and {G}asqui, {P}. and {V}an, {V}. {T}. and {M}avingui, {P}atrick and {V}ourc'h, {G}. and {V}ayssier-{T}aussat, {M}.},
  editor = {},
  language = {{ENG}},
  abstract = {{I}ntroduction {T}icks are the most common arthropod vectors of both human and animal diseases in {E}urope, and the {I}xodes ricinus tick species is able to transmit a large number of bacteria, viruses and parasites. {T}icks may also be co-infected with several pathogens, with a subsequent high likelihood of co-transmission to humans or animals. {H}owever few data exist regarding co-infection prevalences, and these studies only focus on certain well-known pathogens. {I}n addition to pathogens, ticks also carry symbionts that may play important roles in tick biology, and could interfere with pathogen maintenance and transmission. {I}n this study we evaluated the prevalence of 38 pathogens and four symbionts and their co-infection levels as well as possible interactions between pathogens, or between pathogens and symbionts. {M}ethodology/principal findings {A} total of 267 {I}xodes ricinus female specimens were collected in the {F}rench {A}rdennes and analyzed by high-throughput real-time {PCR} for the presence of 37 pathogens (bacteria and parasites), by r{RT}-{PCR} to detect the presence of {T}ick-{B}orne encephalitis virus ({TBEV}) and by nested {PCR} to detect four symbionts. {P}ossible multipartite interactions between pathogens, or between pathogens and symbionts were statistically evaluated. {A}mong the infected ticks, 45% were co-infected, and carried up to five different pathogens. {W}hen adding symbiont prevalences, all ticks were infected by at least one microorganism, and up to eight microorganisms were identified in the same tick. {W}hen considering possible interactions between pathogens, the results suggested a strong association between {B}orrelia garinii and {B}. afzelii, whereas there were no significant interactions between symbionts and pathogens. {C}onclusion/significance {O}ur study reveals high pathogen co-infection rates in ticks, raising questions about possible co-transmission of these agents to humans or animals, and their consequences to human and animal health. {W}e also demonstrated high prevalence rates of symbionts co-existing with pathogens, opening new avenues of enquiry regarding their effects on pathogen transmission and vector competence.},
  keywords = {{FRANCE}},
  booktitle = {},
  journal = {{P}los {N}eglected {T}ropical {D}iseases},
  volume = {10},
  numero = {3},
  pages = {e0004539 [17 p.]},
  ISSN = {1935-2735},
  year = {2016},
  DOI = {10.1371/journal.pntd.0004539},
  URL = {https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/{PAR}00014563},
}