The specificity of Babesia-tick vector interactions: recent advances and pitfalls in molecular and field studies.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Babesia spp. are protozoan parasites of great medical and veterinary importance, especially in the northern Hemisphere. Ticks are known vectors of Babesia spp., although some Babesia-tick interactions have not been fully elucidated.

Methods

The present review was performed to investigate the specificity of Babesia-tick species interactions that have been identified using molecular techniques in studies conducted in the last 20 years under field conditions. We aimed to indicate the main vectors of important Babesia species based on published research papers (n = 129) and molecular data derived from the GenBank database.

Results

Repeated observations of certain Babesia species in specific species and genera of ticks in numerous independent studies, carried ou

SUBMITTER: Bajer A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8480096 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature