Prevalence of Borrelia burgdorferi Sensu Lato in Ixodes ricinus Ticks Collected from Kaylaka Park in Pleven, Bulgaria

Blazhev, Alexander; Stanilov, Iskren; Miteva, Lyuba; Atanasova, Milena; Blazheva, Svetla; Stanilova, Spaska

doi:10.3390/microorganisms10040772

Cited by 5 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 42 publications

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“…A total of 95 Ixodes ticks were collected from the vegetation by flagging in urbanized and wild areas in the region of Pleven. A detailed description of sampling from the Pleven region was previously described [ 14 ].…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Anaplasma and Ehrlichia Species in Ixodidae Ticks Collected from Two Regions of Bulgaria

2023

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The aim of the study was to determine prevalence of Anaplasmataceae-infected ticks in the Black Sea Coast and the Pleven regions of Bulgaria. A total of 350 ticks from different tick species were collected. Two hundred fifty-five ticks were removed from dogs in the Black Sea Coast region, and 95 Ixodes ricinus ticks were collected by flagging vegetation with a white flannel cloth in two areas in the region of Pleven. After the DNA isolation of the ticks, a genus-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed to identify Anaplasmataceae. Second PCRs were performed with species-specific primers to identify Ehrlichia canis (E. canis) and Anaplasma phagocytophilum (A. phagocytophilum). The results showed that 26.9% of the Ixodes ricinus ticks were infected with Anaplasmataceae in the Black Sea Coast region and 36.8% in the Pleven region. The infection with E. canis was detected in 35.7% and A. phagocytophilum in 25.0% of positive ticks from the Black Sea Coast region. In the Pleven region, 22.9% of ticks were positive for E. canis, while 42.9% were positive for A. phagocytophilum. The molecular identification of E. canis in ticks collected from Bulgaria was performed for the first time. In conclusion, the present study revealed a higher prevalence of ticks infected with Anaplasmataceae, particularly A. phagocytophilum, in the Pleven region than in the Black Sea Coast region.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Anaplasma and Ehrlichia Species in Ixodidae Ticks Collected from Two Regions of Bulgaria

2023

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“…The risk of Borrelia infection is associated with activityrelated contact with ticks and depends on the density and infection rate of the tick population [7]. Outdoor workers, especially foresters and farmers, are occupationally exposed to infection with B. burgdorferi.…”

Section: Introduction and Objectivementioning

confidence: 99%

Knowledge, protection behaviours and seroprevalence of Lyme borreliosis in inhabitants of Lublin Province , eastern Poland – evaluation of a prophylaxis programme

Zając,

Sroka,

Wójcik-Fatla

2023

Ann Agric Environ Med.

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Introduction and Objective. Lyme borreliosis (LB) is the most frequent tick-borne disease with 17,338 cases reported in Poland in 2022. Since research on a LB vaccine is still ongoing, the promotion of individual behaviours and limiting of tick exposure is one of the most effective ways to prevent LB. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the LB prevention programme by assessing the knowledge, practice behaviours, seroprevalence of LB and satisfaction among the population of the Lublin Province in eastern Poland. Materials and method. The prevention programme was carried out among 2,920 participants who were asked about their exposure to ticks, history of LB and prevention behaviours. Awareness of knowledge was evaluated before and after training. Seroprevalence of LB was rated by ELISA and immunoblot assays. Results. Over 73% of participants reported tick bites in their lifetime, without significant differences between rural and urban area inhabitants. More than 80% of individuals declared that they use protective measures (PPM), such as proper clothes and body checking; repellents were the least frequently used by participants. The diagnosis of LB but not tick bites in a lifetime influenced the more frequent use of PPM. Increase in knowledge was observed in 86% of participants after education, and the highest knowledge was noted among respondents with higher education. The seroprevalence of anti-B. burgdorferi antibodies was 37% and was higher among men than women (40% vs. 36%). Conclusions. The population of Lublin Province is highly exposed to tick bites and infection with B. burgdorferi. The high seroprevalence and increase in knowledge confirmed the effectiveness and need for preventive programmes. These results can be useful for optimizing and enhancing the effects of future prevention campaigns.

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Pathogens detected in ticks (Ixodes ricinus) feeding on red squirrels (Sciurus vulgaris) from city parks in Warsaw

Dwużnik-Szarek,

Beliniak,

Malaszewicz

et al. 2024

Exp Appl Acarol

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The European red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris) is a common host for Ixodes ricinus ticks in urban and rural habitats, however, studies on ticks and tick-borne pathogens (TBPs) of squirrels have not been conducted in Poland yet. Thus, the aims of the current study were to assess and compare the prevalence and abundance of ticks on red squirrels trapped at two sites in the Warsaw area (in an urban forest reserve and an urban park) and using molecular tools, to assess the genetic diversity of three pathogens (Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, Rickettsia and Babesia spp.) in I. ricinus ticks collected from squirrels. For the detection of Rickettsia spp. a 750 bp long fragment of the citrate synthase gltA gene was amplified; for B. burgdorferi s.l. 132f/905r and 220f/824r primers were used to amplify the bacterial flaB gene fragments (774 and 605 bp, respectively) and for Babesia spp., a 550 bpfragment of 18S rRNA gene was amplified. In total, 91 red squirrels were examined for ticks. There were differences in tick prevalence and mean abundance of infestation in squirrels from the urban forest reserve and urban park. Three species of B. burgdorferi s.l., Rickettsia spp., and Babesia microti were detected in ticks removed from the squirrels. Our results broaden knowledge of S. vulgaris as an important host for immature I. ricinus stages and support the hypothesis that red squirrels act as a reservoir of B. burgdorferi. Moreover, we conclude that red squirrels may also play a role in facilitating the circulation of other pathogens causing serious risk of tick-borne diseases in natural and urban areas.

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Prevalence of Borrelia burgdorferi Sensu Lato in Ixodes ricinus Ticks Collected from Kaylaka Park in Pleven, Bulgaria

Cited by 5 publications

References 42 publications

Anaplasma and Ehrlichia Species in Ixodidae Ticks Collected from Two Regions of Bulgaria

Anaplasma and Ehrlichia Species in Ixodidae Ticks Collected from Two Regions of Bulgaria

Knowledge, protection behaviours and seroprevalence of Lyme borreliosis in inhabitants of Lublin Province , eastern Poland – evaluation of a prophylaxis programme

Pathogens detected in ticks (Ixodes ricinus) feeding on red squirrels (Sciurus vulgaris) from city parks in Warsaw

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