• Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato in Ixodes ricinus ticks from Norway: evaluation of a PCR test targeting the chromosomal flaB gene 

      Jenkins, Andrew; Hvidsten, Dag; Matussek, Andreas; Lindgren, Per-Eric; Stuen, Snorre; Kristiansen, Bjørn-Erik (Journal article; Tidsskriftartikkel; Peer reviewed, 2012)
      A consensus TaqMan real-time PCR test targeting the chromosomal flaB gene of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato was constructed. The test was compared with a recently published generic Light Upon eXtension (LUX) 16S rRNA real-time PCR test (Wilhelmsson et al. in J Clin Microbiol 48:4169–4176, 2010) on material consisting of 242 Ixodes ricinus ticks collected from dogs and cats in Northern Norway (n = ...
    • Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato-infected Ixodes ricinus collected from vegetation near the Arctic Circle 

      Hvidsten, Dag; Stordal, Frode; Lager, Malin; Rognerud, Bjørg; Kristiansen, Bjørn Erik; Matussek, Andreas; Gray, Jeremy; Stuen, Snorre (Journal article; Tidsskriftartikkel; Peer reviewed, 2015-07-06)
      This is the first study to determine the density of questing Ixodes ricinus in northern Norway. It was performed at two sites in Brønnøy, which has been known for its tick permissive habitats for decades and is one of the northernmost habitats with an abundant I. ricinus population in the world. From April to November 2011, all stages of host-seeking I. ricinus were collected from the two sites. ...
    • Detection of Anaplasma phagocytophilum in Ixodes ricinus ticks from Norway using a realtime PCR assay targeting the Anaplasma citrate synthase gene gltA 

      Henningsson, Anna J.; Hvidsten, Dag; Kristiansen, Bjørn Erik; Matussek, Andreas; Stuen, Snorre; Jenkins, Andrew (Journal article; Tidsskriftartikkel; Peer reviewed, 2015-08-01)
      Background: A TaqMan real-time PCR assay targeting the Anaplasma citrate synthase gene, gltA, was developed and used for detection of Anaplasma phagocytophilum in 765 Ixodes ricinus ticks collected from dogs and cats in northern Norway (n = 669) and Telemark county in southern Norway (n = 96). Results: Among the ticks from northern Norway the prevalence of A. phagocytophilum was 3.0 %, while the ...
    • The distribution limit of the common tick, Ixodes ricinus, and some associated pathogens in north-western Europe 

      Hvidsten, Dag; Frafjord, Karl; Gray, Jeremy S.; Henningsson, Anna Jonsson; Jenkins, Andrew; Kristiansen, Bjørn Erik; Lager, Malin; Rognerud, Bjørg; Slåtsve, Arne Martin; Stordal, Frode; Stuen, Snorre; Wilhelmsson, Peter (Journal article; Tidsskriftartikkel; Peer reviewed, 2020-02-03)
      In north-western Europe, the common tick, <i>Ixodes ricinus</i>, is widely established, its distribution appears to be increasing and the spread of tick-borne diseases is of increasing concern. The project <i>‘Flått i Nord’</i> (Ticks in northern Norway) commenced in spring 2009 with the intention of studying the tick’s distribution and that of its pathogens in northern Norway. Several methods were ...
    • Ixodes ricinus and Borrelia prevalence at the Arctic Circle in Norway 

      Hvidsten, Dag; Stuen, Snorre; Jenkins, Andrew; Dienus, Olaf; Olsen, Renate Slind; Kristiansen, Bjørn-Erik; Mehl, Reidar Arne; Matussek, Andreas (Journal article; Tidsskriftartikkel; Peer reviewed, 2013-11-18)
      The distribution limit of Ixodes ricinus ticks in northwestern Europe (Brønnøy, Norway, 1◦ south of the Arctic Circle), has been known since the 1930s. To reconfirm this finding and extend studies in the areas adjacent to the Arctic Circle (66◦33 N), ticks were collected from dogs and cats in 8 districts in northern Norway from 64◦56 N to 68◦48 N. We detected 549 I. ricinus, 244 (44%) of them ...