Questing Ixodes ricinus ticks and Borrelia spp. in urban green space across Europe: A review.

ABSTRACT: For more than three decades, it has been recognized that Ixodes ricinus ticks occur in urban green space in Europe and that they harbour multiple pathogens linked to both human and animal diseases. Urban green space use for health and well-being, climate mitigation or biodiversity goals is promoted, often without consideration for the potential impact on tick encounters or tick-borne disease outcomes. This review synthesizes the results of over 100 publications on questing I. ricinus and Borrelia spp. infections in ticks in urban green space in 24 European countries. It presents data on several risk indicators for Lyme borreliosis and highlights key research gaps and recommendations for future studies. Across Europe, mean density of I. ricinus in urban green space was 6.9 (range; 0.1-28.8)

SUBMITTER: Hansford KM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9487987 | biostudies-literature | 2022 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature