Abstract:
In the epidemiology of infectious diseases, the basic reproduction number,R0, has a number of important applications, most
notably it can be used to predict whether a pathogen is likely to become established, or persist, in a given area.We used the
R0 model to investigate the persistence of 3 tick-borne pathogens; Babesia microti, Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Borrelia
burgdorferi sensu lato in an Apodemus sylvaticus-Ixodes ricinus system. The persistence of these pathogens was also
determined empirically by screening questing ticks and wood mice by PCR. All 3 pathogens behaved differently in response
to changes in the proportion of transmission hosts on which I. ricinus fed, the efficiency of transmission between the host and
ticks and the abundance of larval and nymphal ticks found on small mammals. Empirical data supported theoretical
predictions of the R0 model. The transmission pathway employed and the duration of systemic infection were also identified
as important factors responsible for establishment or persistence of tick-borne pathogens in a given tick-host system. The
current study demonstrates how the R0 model can be put to practical use to investigate factors affecting tick-borne pathogen
persistence, which has important implications for animal and human health worldwide.
