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Dott. Aitor Garcia Vozmediano

Phd thesis

'A One Health Approach for the Control of Tick-borne Diseases'

In the last decades, the emergence of ticks and tick-borne diseases (TBD) has become a public health concern in Europe. In Piedmont region (Northwestern Italy) ticks were rare in the past, especially in mountain areas. However, in the recent years, we have been observing an increase in tick abundance in the environment but also in reported tick-bites and TBD cases in humans. Tick-borne diseases are characterized by complex transmission cycles; thus, an integrated approach is needed. The ‘One Health’ (OH) approach may effectively provide scientific evidence for TBD surveillance and prevention, and support decision makers. This PhD project investigates the presence and abundance of tick vectors and tick-borne pathogens in two natural areas of Piedmont region, recently invaded by ticks, to identify potential risk factors involved in their emergence, and to evaluate their impact on public health. Additionally, we aimed to identify ideal surveillance and control elements based on a OH approach. We recorded a further expansion of Ixodes ricinus in Europe, being maintained at altitudes up to around 1700 m a.s.l. The abundance of I. ricinus was significantly associated with altitude, habitat type and signs of roe deer presence and molecular analyses demonstrated its infection with several zoonotic agents: B. burgdorferi sensu lato, spotted fever group rickettsiae, Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Borrelia miyamotoi and Neoehrlichia mikurensis. Dermacentor spp. ticks were also collected, in particular D. marginatus and D. reticulatus. Rickettsia slovaca and Candidatus Rickettsia rioja, causative agents of SENLAT (Scalp Eschar Neck Lymphadenopathy) syndrome in humans, infected Dermacentor ticks and wild boar tissues, suggesting the greater contribution of wild boar in its eco-epidemiology and dispersion in the study area. We also confirmed that Piedmontese population is exposed to infected tick bites. However, a generalized low awareness was observed among the population; in fact, although most citizens perceive ticks as a health threat, they do not frequently adopt protective measures. This justified the longer duration of tick attachment generally observed in bitten patients (> 24 hours). A serosurvey in wild ungulates was additionally carried out in mountain areas to assess the circulation of tick-borne encephalitis virus. No serum sample yielded positive results, indicating the absence of this pathogen in our territory so far. Notwithstanding, this activity should be maintained in the long term for early pathogen detection and rapid response, since the virus is circulating in bordering areas of the Piedmont.

Regarding tick ecology, this project integrated some investigations about tick symbionts, whose presence is key for tick development and survival. We detected the infection of Francisella-like endosymbionts in Dermacentor spp. which have been previously associated with positive effects in the tick fitness, by providing nutrimental support to ticks. Moreover, a large-scale study was carried out to investigate the infection of Rickettsiella symbionts in I. ricinus populations in Europe, identifying a great diversity within the Rickettsiella genus.

Research on TBD requires the knowledge and skills from different disciplines. However, transdisciplinarity seems to work when structural support is provided by the system; instead, critical elements such as insufficient funding, system decentralization and monodisciplinary approaches threaten the response capacity of the systems. One Health operation and infrastructure aspects can strengthen surveillance systems and could be particularly important in areas of recent spread of ticks and TBD.

Research activities

Garcia-Vozmediano A, Krawczyk AI, Sprong H, Rossi L, Ramassa E, Tomassone L. Ticks climb the mountains: Ixodid tick infestation and infection by tick-borne pathogens in the Western Alps. Ticks Tick Borne Dis. 2020 Sep;11(5):101489. doi: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2020.101489.

Garcia-Vozmediano A, Giglio G, Ramassa E, Nobili F, Rossi L, Tomassone L. Dermacentor marginatus and Dermacentor reticulatus, and Their Infection by SFG Rickettsiae and Francisella-Like Endosymbionts, in Mountain and Periurban Habitats of Northwestern Italy. Vet Sci. 2020 Oct 16;7(4):157. doi: 10.3390/vetsci7040157

Garcia-Vozmediano A, Giglio G, Ramassa E, Nobili F, Rossi L, Tomassone L. Low Risk Perception about Ticks and Tick-Borne Diseases in an Area Recently Invaded by Ticks in Northwestern Italy. Vet Sci. 2021 Jul 13;8(7):131. doi: 10.3390/vetsci8070131.

Garcia-Vozmediano A, Tomassone L, Fonville M, Bertolotti L, Heylen D, Fabri ND, Medlock JM, Nijhof AM, Hansford KM, Sprong H, Krawczyk AI. The Genetic Diversity of Rickettsiella Symbionts in Ixodes ricinus Throughout Europe. Microb Ecol. 2021 Sep 28. doi: 10.1007/s00248-021-01869-7.

Garcia-Vozmediano A, De Meneghi D, Sprong H, Portillo A, Oteo JA, Tomassone L. A One Health Evaluation of the Surveillance Systems on Tick-Borne Diseases in the Netherlands, Spain and Italy. Vet Sci. 2022 Sep 14;9(9):504. doi: 10.3390/vetsci9090504.

1st YEAR

Garcia-Vozmediano A., Sprong H., Favretto A.R., Tomassone L. A One-Health approach to tackle tick-borne diseases - analysis of European surveillance initiatives: The Netherlands. NEOH Final Conference: Creating impact for One Health and Ecohealth: advancements in implementation, evaluation and governance, Bologna, Italy,  10-12th September 2018. POSTER.

2nd YEAR

Garcia-Vozmediano A., Rossi L., Sprong H., Tomassone L. Emergence of ticks and tick-borne diseases in Northwest Italy. 'Workshop on Arthropod-borne diseases transmitted by ticks, mites, fleas and lice'. Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Greifswald-Isle of Riems, Germany, 15-16th November 2018. ORAL PRESENTATION.

Orusa R., Rossi L., Masala G., Mignone W., Domenis L., Pepe E., Carella E., Cesano M., Garcia-Vozmediano A., Marucco F., Robetto S. TAPE-WOLF: L’ECHINOCOCCOSI AL TEMPO DEL LUPO. 37emes Rencontres Groupe d'Etude sur l'Ecopathologie de la Faune Sauvage de Montagne (GEEFSM), Etroubles, Val d'Aosta. 13-16th June 2019. Collaboration on a POSTER.

Garcia-Vozmediano A., Krawczyk A.I., Sprong H., Rossi L., Tomassone L. Ticks and tick-borne pathogens: emerging health threats on the Italian side of the Western Alps. 'International Symposium on Tick-Borne Pathogens and Disease, ITPD 2019'. Austrian Society for Hygiene, Microbiology and Preventive Medicine (ÖGHMP), Vienna, Austria, 8-11th September 2019. POSTER.

Garcia-Vozmediano A., Rossi L., Ramassa E., Nobili F., Tomassone L. Zecche: il ‘lato oscuro’ della biodiversità. 'Conservazione della biodiversità nei parchi e nelle aree protette, BioDiv2019'. Successione ecologica, Alessandria, Italy, 23-24th September 2019. POSTER.

 

3rd YEAR

Tomassone L., Garcia-Vozmediano A., Rossi L. Zecche Ixodidae in Piemonte: attività di ricerca e sorveglianza e rischi per la salute pubblica. VIII Convegno Regionale LE SCIENZE NATURALI IN PIEMONTE. Grugliasco, Torino, 16th November 2019. Presentazione orale

Garcia-Vozmediano A., Bellato A., Rossi L., Ramassa E., Nobili F., Tomassone L. Wildlife as sentinels of TBEV circulation and tick infestation in northwestern Italy.10th Tick and Tick-Borne Pathogen Conference (TTP.10), Murighiol, Danube Delta, Romania, 24-28th August 2020. Abstract accepted for POSTER.

Garcia-Vozmediano A., Giglio G., Ramassa E., Nobili F., Rossi L.,Tomassone L. Dermacentor marginatus and Dermacentor reticulatus, and their infection by SFG rickettsiae, in mountain and suburban habitats in northwestern Italy. 10th Tick and Tick-Borne Pathogen Conference (TTP.10), Murighiol, Danube Delta, Romania, 24-28th August 2020. Abstract accepted for POSTER.

Garcia-Vozmediano A., De Meneghi D., Sprong H., Oteo J.A., Favretto A.R., Balduzzi G., Tomassone L. A One Health approach to tackle tick-borne diseases - analysis of surveillance initiatives in selected EU countries: The Netherlands, Spain and Italy. 10th Tick and Tick-Borne Pathogen Conference (TTP.10), Murighiol, Danube Delta, Romania, 24-28th August 2020. Abstract accepted for ORAL PRESENTATION.

Tomassone L., Garcia-Vozmediano A., Martello E., Ragagli C., Rossi L., Mannelli A. Altitudinal shift of ticks in Italy: changes over the past thirty years in the western Alps and Northern Apennine. 10th Tick and Tick-Borne Pathogen Conference (TTP.10), Murighiol, Danube Delta, Romania, 24-28th August 2020. Abstract accepted for ORAL PRESENTATION.

 

1st YEAR

72nd National SISVet Congress, Turin (Italy),  20th-22nd June, 2018

Congress "Le malattie trasmesse dalle zecche in area locale e tropicale", Verona (Italy), 29th June, 2018

NEOH Final Conference: Creating impact for One Health and Ecohealth: advancements in implementation, evaluation and governance, Bologna (Italy),  10-12th September 2018.

 

2nd YEAR

Workshop on Arthropod-borne diseases transmitted by ticks, mites, fleas and lice. Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Greifswald-Isle of Riems, Germany, 15-16th November 2018.

37emes Rencontres Groupe d'Etude sur l'Ecopathologie de la Faune Sauvage de Montagne (GEEFSM), Etroubles, Val d'Aosta. 13-16th June 2019.

International Symposium on Tick-Borne Pathogens and Disease. Austrian Society for Hygiene, Microbiology and Preventive Medicine (ÖGHMP), Vienna, Austria,  8-11th September 2019.

Conservazione della biodiversità nei parchi e nelle aree protette, BioDiv2019. Successione ecologica, Alessandria, Italy, 23-24th September 2019.

3rd YEAR

VIII Convegno Regionale "Le Scienze Naturali in Piemonte". Gruppo Piemontese di Studi Ornitologici (GPSO) e Associazione Naturalistica Piemontese (ANP). Grugliasco, Torino, 16th November 2019.

 

14th-20th January 2018 - Centre for Agricultural Research for Development - CIRAD (Montpellier, France). Supervisor: Dr. Vladimir Grosbois.

10th January -15th April 2019 - National Institute for Public Health and the Environment - RIVM (Bilthoven, The Netherlands) Supervisor: Dr. Hein Sprong

1st YEAR

26th October 2017 - Journal Club: 'Analysis of spatial organization of pasteur as a contact network, implications for potential disease spread and biosecurity in livestock' (Dr. Francesca Abbona).

31st October 2017 - Seminar: 'Luminex technology'. (Lecturer: Dr. Rudd Jorna). Department of Veterinary Science, L.go Braccini 2, Grugliasco.

13th November 2017 - Seminar: 'Biosensor assays in Veterinary Medicine'. (Lecturer: Prof. Tiziana Cannizzo).

27th November 2017 - Seminar: 'Overview on poultry production and management: intensive vs extensive farming systems' (Lecturer: Prof. Achille Schiavone).

20th December 2017 - Journal Club: 'Data Analysis and Modelling Unit' (Speaker: Riccardo Gervasi). Department of Veterinary Science, L.go Braccini2, Grugliasco.

1st February 2018 - Seminar: 'Gut Health in Animal Production'. (Lecturer: Prof. Maria Teresa Capucchio).

14th February 2018 - Seminar: 'Why non-rodent domestic and wild animal models are needed for studying brain plasticity'. (Lecturer: Prof. Luca Bonfanti).

7th March 2018 - Research Day. Department of Veterinary Science, L.go Braccini 2, Grugliasco.

6th April 2018 - Seminar: 'Morphological study of the liver in sheep infested by parasites'. (Lecturer: Dr. Eglantina Xhemollari). Department of Veterinary Science, L.go Braccini 2, Grugliasco.

9th April 2018 - Seminar: 'F. hepatica, D. dentriticum and E.granulosus infestation and their relations with some hematological and biochemical blood indicators". (Lecturer: Dr. Eglantina Xhemollari). Department of Veterinary Science, L.go Braccini 2, Grugliasco.

12th April 2018 - Seminar: 'Aspetti pratici della farmacocinetica in farmacovigillanza veterinaria'. (Lecturer: Dr. Andrejs Sitov). Department of Veterinary Science, L.go Braccini 2, Grugliasco.

20th April 2018 - Workshop organized by the Doctoral School: 'Technology Transfer and Entreprenuership at the University of Turin'. (Lecturer:Dr. PhD. M. Sciacca). Sala A.Graf, Rettorato, via Po 17, Torino.

5th June 2018 - Seminar: 'Open Science'. (Lecturer: Dr. Elena Giglia). Department of Veterinary Science, L.go Braccini 2, Grugliasco.

7th June 2018 - Third mission: 'Conosciamo le zecche' (Dr. Aitor Garcia Vozmediano). Elementary School 'Don Fontan'. Viale Bramafam 17, Bardonecchia.

13th July 2018 - Third mission:'Zecche di montagna: conoscere per difendersi da un nuovo nemico' (Dr. Luca Rossi, Dr. Laura Tomassone and Dr. Aitor Garcia Vozmediano). Sede Parco Naturale Gran Bosco di Salbertrand, Via Fransuà Fontan 1, Salbertrand.

19th - 20th July 2018 - Research Days of the Department of Veterinary Science. Department of Veterinary Science, L.go Braccini 2, Grugliasco.

20th July 2018 - Third mission:'Zecche di montagna: conoscere per difendersi da un nuovo nemico' (Dr. Luca Rossi, Dr. Laura Tomassone and Dr. Aitor Garcia Vozmediano). Palazzo delle Feste. Piazza Valle Stretta, 1, Bardonecchia.

24th July 2018 - Third mission:'Zecche in montagna: conoscere per difendersi' (Dr. Luca Rossi, Dr. Laura Tomassone and Dr. Aitor Garcia Vozmediano). Ecomuseo dell'Alta Val Sangone. Viale Italia 3, Coazze.

7 th August 2018 - Third mission:'Zecche di montagna: conoscere per difendersi da un nuovo nemico' (Dr. Luca Rossi, Dr. Laura Tomassone and Dr. Aitor Garcia Vozmediano). Sala Consigliare del Comune di Fenestrelle. Via Roma 8, Fenestrelle.

13th September 2018 - 'D-day'. Centro di Biotecnologie Molecolari - M.B.C., Via Nizza 52, Torino.

 

2nd YEAR

7 th May 2019 - Seminar: 'The CRISPR tool kit for genome editing and Beyond' (Lecturer: Dr. M. Adli). Department of Veterinary Science - Anatomopathologic Sector, L.go Braccini 2, Grugliasco.

10 th May 2019 - Third mission:' Zecche "di montagna". Una problematica emergente' (Dr. Laura Tomassone and Dr. Aitor Garcia Vozmediano). Museo di Storia Naturale a Cascina Vigna, via S. Francesco di S. 188, Carmagnola.

15 th May 2019 - Seminar: 'How to get published' and 'Introducing Scopus' (Lecturer: Massimiliano Bearzot). Department of Veterinary Science, L.go Braccini 2, Grugliasco.

17 th May 2019 - Third mission: 'Zecche "di montagna". Una problematica emergente' (Dr. Laura Tomassone and Dr. Aitor Garcia Vozmediano). Sede del Ente Parco Aree Protette del Po Torinese, via Alessandria 2, Castagneto Po.

24 th May 2019 - Third mission:'Zecche "di montagna". Una problematica emergente' (Dr. Laura Tomassone and Dr. Aitor Garcia Vozmediano). Sede del Ente Parco Aree Protette del Po Torinese a Cascina Le Vallere, Corso Trieste 98, Moncalieri.

20th June 2019 - Seminar: 'Vector Borne Diseases in free-ranging wildlife: Case studies from the South of Spain' (Lecturer: Dr. Ignacio Garcia Bocanegra). Department of Veterinary Science - Parasitology Sector, L.go Braccini 2, Grugliasco.

25th June 2019 - Seminar: 'DIVULGAZIONE E INFORMAZIONE SCIENTIFICA' (Lecturer: Dr. Piero Bianucci). Department of Veterinary Science, L.go Braccini 2, Grugliasco.

28 th June 2019 - Third mission:' Zecche in montagna. Conoscere per prevenire' (Dr. Laura Tomassone and Dr. Aitor Garcia Vozmediano). Sede CAI Bussoleno, Borgata Grange 20, Bussoleno.

3rd July 2019 - Seminar: 'Antimicrobial Resistance in Wildlife: implications for Public Health' (Lecturer: Emanuel Serrano). Department of Veterinary Science, L.go Braccini 2, Grugliasco.

4th July 2019 - Seminar: 'Come si costruisce un articolo divulgativo, una intervista, una conferenza stampa' (Lecturer: Dr. Piero Bianucci). Department of Veterinary Science, L.go Braccini 2, Grugliasco.

12th July 2019 - Third mission:' Zecche in montagna. Conoscere per prevenire' (Dr. Laura Tomassone, Luca Rossi and Dr. Aitor Garcia Vozmediano). Sala consigliare in Piazza Garambois 1, Oulx.

 

3rd YEAR

21st October 2019 - Seminar: 'Integrated approaches to human and animal health in Africa with a One Health perspective'. Lectures: Dr. Andrea Calcagno, Dr. Paolo Motta, Dr. Uriel Kitron and CCM Centro Collaborazione Media ONG. Dipartimento Scienze Veterinarie, Grugliasco.

11th February 2020 - Laurea Honoris Causa in Medicina Veterinaria a Emiliana Brocchi e Uriel Dan Kitron. Campus Universitario di Grugliasco. Dipartimento Scienze Veterinarie, Grugliasco.

11th February 2020 - Seminar: 'Australian wildlife, Wombats and sarcoptic mange disease'. Lecture: Prof. Carver.

12th February 2020 - Seminar at Department of Veterinary Sciences, Grugliasco (Italy):

- 'Advances in the study of the effectiveness of copper ions on the viability of Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis'. Lecture: Carlos Tejeda, PhD student, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile.

- 'Study of the invasion of monk parakeet (Myopsitta monachus) in the Metropolitan region of Chile, from a sanitary, ecological and genetic approach' Lecture: Alejandra Sandoval, PhD student, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile.

- 'Identification of spatial clusters from seized material at slaughterhouses as a strategy of health intervention in cattle in the south of Chile'. Lecture: Associate Prof. Carla Rosenfeld. Epidemiology and Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile.

- 'Epidemiological description of cases of Hantavirus in Chile, period 2005-2018'. Lecture: Associate Prof. Carla Rosenfeld. Epidemiology and Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile.

14th May 2020 - Webinar Corso Monografico: il pest management ai tempi del COVID-19. Organisation: inPESTlab. Lectures: Marco Benedetti, Dott. Daniele Caldirola, Per. Arg. Paolo Guerra, Dott. Daniele Fiore, Dott. Guglielmo Pampiglione, Prof. Dino Scaravelli.

23th June 2020 - Webinar 'The Research Ecosystem and Its Evaluation'. Trainer: Luigi Rucco, Elsevier.

30th June 2020 - Online Workshop 'Pandemic! A one health view of emerging infectious diseases - What veterinary sciences can contribute'. Collaborative Working Group di European Animal Health and Welfare Research and STAR-IDAZ, supported by Agenzia per la Promozione della Ricerca Europea.

9th July 2020 - Giornate di eccellenza: 'Wildlife Diseases Control: Which role for vaccination?'. Lecture: Christian Gortazar Schmidt (Universidad Castilla-La Mancha).

15th July 2020 - Webinar: 'Le potenzialità del dottorato in contesti non accademici'. Speakers: Natalia Paganelli (NCP Euraxess), Stefania Capano (Menarini), Michela Bernandini (Merck Group).

 

1st YEAR

29th January - 2nd February 2018 - 'Management of data of veterinary interest'. Department of Veterinary Science, L.go Braccini 2, Grugliasco (Lecturer: Prof. Mario Giacobini)

30th January - 7th February 2018: 'Norms on Animal Testing and Management of Animal Facilities'. Department of Veterinary Science, L.go Braccini 2, Grugliasco (Lecturer: Dr. Flavia Girolami).

6th February - 8th February 2018: 'Image aquisition, manipulation and final figure preparation'. Department of Veterinary Science, L.go Braccini 2, Grugliasco (Lecturer: Prof. Paolo Accornero).

6th February, 12th September 2018: 'Communication and presentation of scientific data'. Department of Veterinary Science, L.go Braccini 2, Grugliasco (Lecturer: Prof. Luca Bonfanti).

8th February 2018: 'Evaluation of research and third mission'. Department of Veterinary Science, L.go Braccini 2, Grugliasco (Lecturer: Prof. Luca Bonfanti).

26th March, 7th-8th May 2018: 'Scientific Writing'. Department of Veterinary Science, L.go Braccini 2, Grugliasco (Lecturer: Prof. Carlo Nebbia).

7th May to 5th June 2018: 'Scientific English'. Department of Veterinary Science, L.go Braccini 2, Grugliasco (Lecturer: Prof. Alice Edna Spencer).

 

2nd YEAR

13th May to 18th June 2019: 'English for Academic Purposes Course'.Department of Veterinary Science, L.go Braccini 2, Grugliasco (Lecturer: Prof. Jemma Robinson).

1st YEAR

23rd October - 27th Novembre 2017 : Miriadax Platform 'Curso Pràctico de Sistemas de Informacion Geogràfica sobre Software Libre (qGIS)'. Online. Universidad Complutense de Madrid (Spain).

26th February - 29th March 2018 : Stanford University Course 'Scientific Writing'. Online.

8th May, 15 th May 2018: 1st edition - Workshop "Bibliography and bibliometrics like pros" - Corso Ricerche Bibliografiche. Doctoral School of University of Turin.

 

2nd YEAR

15th October - 2nd December 2018: FutureLearn Platform - "One Health:Conecting humans, animals and the environment". Online. University of Basel.

 

3rd YEAR

13th August 2019 - 11th March 2020: Stanford University Course 'Statistics for Medical Professionals'. Online. Stanford University Medical School

Last update: 03/11/2022 00:38

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