Molecular screening for bacterial pathogens in ticks (Ixodes ricinus) collected on migratory birds captured in northern Italy
Language English Country Czech Republic Media electronic
Document type Journal Article
PubMed
29925679
DOI
10.14411/fp.2018.008
PII: 2018.008
Knihovny.cz E-resources
- Keywords
- Borrelia spp., Candidatus Rickettsia mendelii, Migratory birds, molecular characterisation, tick-borne pathogens,
- MeSH
- Bacteria isolation & purification MeSH
- Borrelia isolation & purification MeSH
- Tick Infestations epidemiology parasitology veterinary MeSH
- Ixodes growth & development microbiology MeSH
- Larva microbiology MeSH
- Animal Migration MeSH
- Bird Diseases epidemiology parasitology MeSH
- Nymph microbiology MeSH
- Prevalence MeSH
- Rickettsia isolation & purification MeSH
- Songbirds * MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Check Tag
- Animals MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Geographicals
- Italy epidemiology MeSH
Migratory birds have an important role in transporting ticks and associated tick-borne pathogens over long distances. In this study, 2,793 migratory birds were captured by nets in a ringing station, located in northern Italy, and checked for the presence of ticks. Two-hundred and fifty-one ticks were identified as nymphs and larvae of Ixodes ricinus (Linnaeus, 1758) and they were PCR-screened for the presence of bacteria belonging to Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, Rickettsia spp., Francisella tularensis and Coxiella burnetii. Four species of Borrelia (B. garinii, B. afzelii, B. valaisiana and B. lusitaniae) and three species of Rickettsia (R. monacensis, R. helvetica and Candidatus Rickettsia mendelii) were detected in 74 (30%) and 25 (10%) respectively out of 251 ticks examined. Co-infection with Borrelia spp. and Rickettsia spp. in the same tick sample was encountered in 7 (7%) out of the 99 infected ticks. We report for the first time the presence of Candidatus Rickettsia mendelii in I. ricinus collected on birds in Italy. This study, besides confirming the role of birds in dispersal of I. ricinus, highlights an important route by which tick-borne pathogens might spread across different countries and from natural environments towards urbanised areas.
Department of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences University of Milano Italy
Department of Biology and Biotechnology University of Pavia Italy
Department of Bioscience University of Milano Italy
Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emila Romagna Pavia Italy
Pediatric Clinical Research Center Romeo ed Enrica Invernizzi University of Milano Italy
University of South Bohemia Faculty of Science Ceske Budejovice Czech Republic
References provided by Crossref.org
Management Options for Ixodes ricinus-Associated Pathogens: A Review of Prevention Strategies
