Molecular identification of Borrelia spirochetes in questing Ixodes ricinus from northwestern Spain.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Ixodes ricinus, the predominant tick species in Europe, can transmit the causative agents of important human diseases such as Lyme borreliosis (LB), caused by Borrelia spirochetes. In northern Spain, LB is considered endemic; recently, a significant increase of the annual incidence of LB was reported in the northwestern (NW) region.

Methods

In order to provide information on the prevalence of Borrelia spp., pooled and individually free-living I. ricinus from NW Spain were molecularly analyzed. Positive samples were characterized at the fla and Glpq genes and the rrfA-rrlB intergenic spacer region to identify Borrelia species/genospecies.

Results

Borrelia burgdorferi (sensu lato) (s.l.) individual prevalence and MIR were significantly higher in adult females

SUBMITTER: Diaz P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5738910 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature