Co-circulation of emerging tick-borne pathogens in Middle Germany

Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis. 2011 May;11(5):533-7. doi: 10.1089/vbz.2010.0048. Epub 2010 Sep 16.

Abstract

From May until October 2007, a total of 658 Ixodes ricinus ticks were collected off birds (189), rodents (273), and vegetation (196) in a certain area of Middle Germany and investigated for infection with Babesia spp., Anaplasma phagocytophilum, and Rickettsia spp. Overall, 13.1% (86/658) of the ticks were infected with at least one pathogen; co-infections occurred in 0.6% (4/658). Babesia spp. specific DNA was detected in 9.7% (64/658) of the ticks, 1.4% (9/658) were infected with A. phagocytophilum, and 2.6% (17/658) harbored rickettsiae. At least two different Rickettsia species were identified: Rickettsia monacensis and Rickettsia helvetica. Our study provides first interesting insights into the circulation and co-circulation of several emerging pathogens not only in ticks parasitizing birds and small mammals as potential reservoirs but also in questing ticks in a single natural habitat.

MeSH terms

  • Anaplasma phagocytophilum / genetics
  • Anaplasma phagocytophilum / isolation & purification*
  • Animals
  • Babesia / genetics
  • Babesia / isolation & purification*
  • Birds
  • DNA, Bacterial / isolation & purification
  • DNA, Protozoan / isolation & purification
  • Databases, Nucleic Acid
  • Disease Reservoirs
  • Germany
  • Insect Vectors* / microbiology
  • Insect Vectors* / parasitology
  • Ixodes* / microbiology
  • Ixodes* / parasitology
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Rickettsia / classification
  • Rickettsia / genetics
  • Rickettsia / isolation & purification*
  • Rodentia

Substances

  • DNA, Bacterial
  • DNA, Protozoan