Rickettsiaceae and Anaplasmataceae infections in Ixodes ricinus ticks from urban and natural forested areas of Poland.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Ixodes ricinus is a major vector for a range of microbial pathogens and the most prevalent and widely distributed tick species on the European continent, occurring in both natural and urban habitats. Nevertheless, little is known about the relative density of ticks in these two ecologically distinct habitats and the diversity of tick-borne pathogens that they carry.

Methods

We compared densities of questing I. ricinus nymphs and adults in urban and natural habitats in Central and Northeastern Poland, assessed the prevalence and rate of co-infection with A. phagocytophilum, Rickettsia, Ehrlichia and 'Ca. Neoehrlichia spp.' in ticks, and compared the diversity of tick-borne pathogens using molecular assays (PCR).

Results

Of the 1325 adults and nymphs, 6.2% we

SUBMITTER: Welc-Faleciak R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3994390 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature