Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40375316›Full record

ArticleParasites & vectors2025

Detection of Borrelia burgdorferi (s.l.) in Ixodes ricinus ticks collected in Iceland.

Matthias Alfredsson, Kayleigh Hansford, Daniel Carter, Heiða Sigurðardóttir, Þórunn Sóley Björnsdóttir, Hrólfur Smári Pétursson, Guðný Rut Pálsdóttir, Jolyon M Medlock

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Parasites & vectors, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Prevalence and Risk Factors ofPathogens (Basel, Switzerland) · 2026
    Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Matthias AlfredssonNatural Science Institute of Iceland, Urridaholtsstraeti 6-8, 212, Gardabaer, Iceland. matthias.s.alfredsson@natt.is.
Kayleigh HansfordMedical Entomology Group, UK Health Security Agency, Porton Down, Salisbury, Wiltshire, UK.
Daniel CarterGenomics of Rare and Emerging Human Pathogens Department, UK Health Security Agency, Porton Down, Salisbury, Wiltshire, UK.
Heiða SigurðardóttirInstitute for Experimental Pathology at Keldur, University of Iceland, Keldnavegur 3, 112, Reykjavik, Iceland.
Þórunn Sóley BjörnsdóttirInstitute for Experimental Pathology at Keldur, University of Iceland, Keldnavegur 3, 112, Reykjavik, Iceland.
Hrólfur Smári PéturssonInstitute for Experimental Pathology at Keldur, University of Iceland, Keldnavegur 3, 112, Reykjavik, Iceland.
Guðný Rut PálsdóttirInstitute for Experimental Pathology at Keldur, University of Iceland, Keldnavegur 3, 112, Reykjavik, Iceland.
Jolyon M MedlockMedical Entomology Group, UK Health Security Agency, Porton Down, Salisbury, Wiltshire, UK.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundIxodes ricinus is the most common tick species throughout Europe; it can transmit various pathogens that can cause diseases in humans and animals. It is the principal vector of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (s.l.) and tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV), and there is increasing concern about I. ricinus's potential to transmit pathogens to humans and animals in Iceland. The aim of this research is to determine whether I. ricinus ticks collected in Iceland carry B. burgdorferi (s.l) and, in a limited number of samples, other pathogens to better understand the potential health risks that I. ricinus bites may pose to both humans and animals in Iceland.

methodsBirds were captured and examined for ticks at the South East Iceland Bird Observatory from 2018 to 2019. All ticks were screened for infection with B. burgdorferi (s.l.). Additionally, 133 ticks collected in Iceland prior to 2018, stored in the collection at the Natural Science Institute of Iceland, were screened for the presence of B. burgdorferi (s.l.), TBEV, Coxiella burnetii, Francisella tularensis and Rickettsia spp. Samples positive for Borrelia were sequenced by Genewiz Azenta, Germany, and BLAST (NCBI) analysis was performed on the obtained sequences.

resultsA total of 1209 I. ricinus ticks collected in Iceland were screened for the presence of B. burgdorferi (s.l.); 133 ticks from a museum collection were additionally screened for other pathogens. Borrelia burgdorferi (s.l.) was detected in 9.9% of the tick samples (86/866). DNA sequencing from 28 positive samples revealed three genospecies. The most frequently detected was Borrelia garinii (82.1%), followed by B. valaisiana (14.3%) and B. afzelii (3.6%). TBEV, C. burnetii, F. tularensis and Rickettsia spp. were not detected in ticks from the collection.

conclusionsThis research confirms the presence of B. burgdorferi (s.l.) in I. ricinus ticks collected in Iceland. Even though Lyme disease is not endemic and I. ricinus ticks are not considered established, the risk of exposure remains. Further research on B. burgdorferi (s.l.) and other pathogens these ticks may carry is essential along with raising public awareness and fostering collaboration between experts to reduce the risk of tick-borne diseases in Iceland.

Indexed as

Borrelia burgdorferiIxodesAnimalsBirdsEncephalitis Viruses, Tick-BorneFemaleHumansIcelandLyme DiseaseRickettsiaBorrelia burgdorferi (s.l.)Ixodes ricinusLyme diseaseTick-borne pathogensTicks

Identifiers

PMID40375316
PMCPMC12082893

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.