Detection of Tick-Borne Pathogens of the Genera <i>Rickettsia, Anaplasma</i> and <i>Francisella</i> in <i>Ixodes ricinus</i> Ticks in Pomerania (Poland)

• Main Authors: Lucyna Kirczuk, Mariusz Piotrowski, Anna Rymaszewska
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2021-07-01
• Series: Pathogens
• Subjects: <i>Rickettsia helvetica</i>; tick-borne pathogens; <i>Anaplasma phagocytophilum</i>
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0817/10/7/901

Tick-borne pathogens are an important medical and veterinary issue worldwide. Environmental monitoring in relation to not only climate change but also globalization is currently essential. The present study aimed to detect tick-borne pathogens of the genera <i>Anaplasma</i>, <i>Rickettsia</i> and <i>Francisella</i> in <i>Ixodes ricinus</i> ticks collected from the natural environment, i.e., recreational areas and pastures used for livestock grazing. A total of 1619 specimens of <i>I. ricinus</i> were collected, including ticks of all life stages (adults, nymphs and larvae). The study was performed using the PCR technique. Diagnostic gene fragments <i>msp2</i> for <i>Anaplasma</i>, <i>gltA</i> for <i>Rickettsia</i> and <i>tul4</i> for <i>Francisella</i> were amplified. No <i>Francisella</i> spp. DNA was detected in <i>I. ricinus.</i> DNA of <i>A. phagocytophilum</i> was detected in 0.54% of ticks and <i>Rickettsia</i> spp. in 3.69%. Nucleotide sequence analysis revealed that only one species of <i>Rickettsia</i>, <i>R. helvetica</i>, was present in the studied tick population. The present results are a part of a large-scale analysis aimed at monitoring the level of tick infestation in Northwest Poland.