Tick-borne diseases under the radar in the North Sea Region

Ticks Tick Borne Dis. 2023 Jul;14(4):102185. doi: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2023.102185. Epub 2023 Apr 26.

Abstract

The impact of tick-borne diseases caused by pathogens such as Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Neoehrlichia mikurensis, Borrelia miyamotoi, Rickettsia helvetica and Babesia species on public health is largely unknown. Data on the prevalence of these pathogens in Ixodes ricinus ticks from seven countries within the North Sea Region in Europe as well as the types and availability of diagnostic tests and the main clinical features of their corresponding diseases is reported and discussed. Raised awareness is needed to discover cases of these under-recognized types of tick-borne disease, which should provide valuable insights into these diseases and their clinical significance.

Keywords: Anaplasma phagocytophilum; Babesia; Borrelia miyamotoi; Neoehrlichia mikurensis; Rickettsia; Rituximab.

Publication types

  • Review
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Borrelia Infections* / epidemiology
  • Borrelia Infections* / microbiology
  • Borrelia Infections* / veterinary
  • Borrelia*
  • Europe
  • Humans
  • Ixodes* / microbiology
  • North Sea
  • Rickettsia*
  • Tick-Borne Diseases* / epidemiology
  • Tick-Borne Diseases* / microbiology