Natural transmission of Zoonotic Babesia spp. by Ixodes ricinus ticks

Emerg Infect Dis. 2009 Feb;15(2):320-2. doi: 10.3201/eid1502.081247.

Abstract

To determine characteristics of natural transmission of Babesia sp. EU1 and B. divergens by adult Ixodes ricinus ticks, we examined tick salivary gland contents. We found that I. ricinus is a competent vector for EU1 and that their sporozoites directly invade erythrocytes. We conclude that EU1 is naturally transmitted by I. ricinus.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Arachnid Vectors / parasitology*
  • Babesia* / classification
  • Babesia* / genetics
  • Babesia* / growth & development
  • Babesia* / isolation & purification
  • Babesiosis / parasitology
  • Babesiosis / transmission
  • Babesiosis / veterinary*
  • Cattle
  • Deer / parasitology*
  • Erythrocytes / parasitology
  • Female
  • Ixodes / parasitology*
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Salivary Glands / parasitology
  • Sequence Analysis, DNA
  • Sporozoites / growth & development
  • Zoonoses / parasitology*
  • Zoonoses / transmission

Associated data

  • GENBANK/FJ215872
  • GENBANK/FJ215873