Data from: The roles of contrasting host types on the environmental abundance of Anaplasma phagocytophilum, an emerging zoonotic pathogen
Data files
Sep 04, 2026 version files 116.72 KB
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archive_dataframe.xlsx
24.22 KB
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finalised_bird_models.R
29.88 KB
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finalised_deer_models.R
26.41 KB
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finalised_rodent_models.R
33.64 KB
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README.md
2.57 KB
Abstract
Fundamental knowledge of the role of hosts in shaping vector-borne pathogen abundance is critical to understanding the ecology of these disease systems; yet the roles can be challenging to tease apart, especially for pathogens vectored by generalist feeders with multiple hosts. In this study, we aimed to quantify the relative contributions of hypothesised pathogen transmission hosts (deer and sheep) and non-transmission hosts (birds and rodents) on the environmental abundance of ecotypes I and II of Anaplasma phagocytophilum, a zoonotic pathogen vectored by Ixodes ricinus ticks, that causes tick-borne fever in sheep and anaplasmosis in humans. Data on A. phagocytophilum prevalence and hazard, deer space-use and sheep presence were collected from 40 sites, data on rodent space-use from 20 sites, and data on bird space-use from 10 sites in northwest Scotland 2018 – 2020. As predicted, bird space-use was negatively associated with A. phagocytophilum prevalence, indicating that birds may act as pathogen dilution hosts; deer were positively associated with A. phagocytophilum prevalence and hazard, indicating their role as pathogen transmission hosts; and prevalences of A. phagocytophilum and B. burgdorferi s.l. were negatively correlated, supporting the hypothesis that each host has opposite roles for these pathogens. We did not find statistically significant associations between sheep presence or rodent space-use index with A. phagocytophilum prevalence. Our results highlight the need to consider hosts that do not transmit the focal pathogen as well as potential trade-offs between different pathogens. Our findings have implications for conservation and disease mitigation in that land management practices that reduce deer density while increasing bird abundance may reduce A. phagocytophilum prevalence and the risk it poses to humans and livestock.
Dataset DOI: 10.5061/dryad.v6wwpzh8m
In this study, we analysed data collected at 40 sites in the Northwest of Scotland (from 2018 – 2020) to quantify the relative contributions of hypothesised pathogen transmission hosts (deer and sheep) and non-transmission hosts (birds and rodents) on the environmental abundance of ecotypes I and II of Anaplasma phagocytophilum. Our results add to our understanding of the ecology of the A. phagocytophilum system, thereby addressing a crucial gap in knowledge, and have implications for conservation and disease mitigation.
Files and variables
File: archive_dataframe.xlsx
Description:
The first sheet (Archived data) contains all data used in constructing models to quantify the contribution of 4 different host types (deer, sheep, rodents and birds) on Anaplasma prevalence and hazard. The data contains the columns we used to construct our response variables (pathogen prevalence and hazard) and the abundance indices for deer, rodents, birds and a presence/absence variable for sheep. Habitat type, ground vegetation density and air temperature were also accounted for in our analysis and are included in the data frame.
The second sheet (Data overview) gives a detailed explanation for each of the column variables (according to their column headings).
If you have questions relating to this data please contact the authors (william@mclellanhome.co.uk).
File: finalised_deer_models.R
Description: This script was used to analyse the effect of deer abundance and sheep presence on Anaplasma prevalence and hazard and shows the code used for model selection and generating predictions.
File: finalised_rodent_models.R
Description: This script was used to analyse the effect of rodent abundance on Anaplasma prevalence and hazard and shows the code used for model selection and generating predictions.
File: finalised_bird_models.R
Description: This script was used to analyse the effect of bird abundance on Anaplasma prevalence and hazard and shows the code used for model selection and generating predictions.
Code/software
This xlsx. file can be opened in Microsoft Excel and read in to programming software, such as R.
If you have questions relating to the R script please contact me through the email address given above.