First detection of Borrelia miyamotoi in Ixodes ricinus ticks from northern Italy.

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND:Borrelia miyamotoi is a spirochete transmitted by several ixodid tick species. It causes a relapsing fever in humans and is currently considered as an emerging pathogen. In Europe, B. miyamotoi seems to occur at low prevalence in Ixodes ricinus ticks but has a wide distribution. Here we report the first detection of B. miyamotoi in Ixodes ricinus ticks collected in two independent studies conducted in 2016 in the north-eastern and north-western Alps, Italy. RESULTS:Three out of 405 nymphs (0.74%) tested positive for Borrelia miyamotoi. In particular, B. miyamotoi was found in 2/365 nymphs in the western and in 1/40 nymphs in the eastern alpine area. These are the first findings of B. miyamotoi in Italy. CONCLUSIONS:Exposure to B. miyamotoi and risk of human infection may occur t

SUBMITTER: Ravagnan S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5859684 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature