Role of mustelids in the life-cycle of ixodid ticks and transmission cycles of four tick-borne pathogens.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Elucidating which wildlife species significantly contribute to the maintenance of Ixodes ricinus populations and the enzootic cycles of the pathogens they transmit is imperative in understanding the driving forces behind the emergence of tick-borne diseases. Here, we aimed to quantify the relative contribution of four mustelid species in the life-cycles of I. ricinus and Borrelia burgdorferi (sensu lato) in forested areas and to investigate their role in the transmission of other tick-borne pathogens. Road-killed badgers, pine martens, stone martens and polecats were collected in Belgium and the Netherlands. Their organs and feeding ticks were tested for the presence of tick-borne pathogens.

Results

Ixodes hexagonus and I. ricinus were found on half of the screene

SUBMITTER: Hofmeester TR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6245527 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature