Unwanted souvenirs-import routes and pathogen detection of the non-endemic tick Rhipicephalus sanguineus s.l. in Germany.

ABSTRACT: Ticks of the Genus Rhipicephalus occur worldwide. Especially members of Rh. sanguineus s.l. are primarily associated with dogs. As unwanted souvenirs, they are introduced by dogs into non-endemic areas such as Germany, where they can establish and reproduce indoors. A citizen-science study was conducted between 2019 and 2024, asking interested citizens to report tick infestations and send in travel related tick findings which were associated with dogs and were focused on Rhipicephalus species. Tick species were identified using the 16S rRNA gene and tested for pathogens associated with the genus Rhipicephalus. In addition, each tick introduction was considered as a case and categorized and analyzed individually. During the study period, 44 cases were reported. In 17 cases tick specimens we

SUBMITTER: Fachet-Lehmann K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11897088 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature