The role of sheep ked (Melophagus ovinus) as potential vector of protozoa and bacterial pathogens.

ABSTRACT: The sheep ked (Melophagus ovinus) hematophagous insect may act as a potential vector of vector-borne pathogens. The aim of this study was to detect the presence of Trypanosoma spp., Bartonella spp., Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato in sheep ked collected from sheep in Poland. In total, Trypanosoma spp. was detected in 58.91% of M. ovinus, whereas Bartonella spp. and B. burgdorferi s.l. were found in 86.82% and 1.55% of the studied insects, respectively. A. phagocytophilum was not detected in the studied material. In turn, co-infection by Trypanosoma spp. and Bartonella spp. was detected in 50.39%, while co-infection with Trypanosoma spp. and Bartonella spp. and B. burgdorferi s.l. was found in 1.55% of the studied insects. The conducted study showed for the fir

SUBMITTER: Werszko J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8322267 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature