Ticks parasitizing humans in Greece

Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis. 2011 May;11(5):539-42. doi: 10.1089/vbz.2010.0036. Epub 2010 Oct 6.

Abstract

In summer 2008, two fatal cases were observed in Northeastern Greece: a Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) case (first report in Greece) and a Mediterranean spotted fever case. In total, 537 ticks removed from humans who referred for this reason to the two hospitals of the region during June-September 2008 were identified. The vast majority of them (81.5%) were Rhipicephalus sanguineus, which is the main vector of Rickettsia conorii, while Hyalomma marginatum, the main vector of CCHF virus, accounted for 5.2%. The increased aggressiveness of R. sanguineus might be related to the weather conditions occurred during 2007-2008, while a variety of factors, including climate, might play a role in CCHF emergence.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Age Distribution
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Animals
  • Bites and Stings / epidemiology
  • Boutonneuse Fever / transmission*
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Female
  • Greece / epidemiology
  • Hemorrhagic Fever, Crimean / transmission*
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Ixodes / microbiology
  • Ixodidae / microbiology*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Rhipicephalus sanguineus / microbiology
  • Sex Distribution
  • Tick Infestations / epidemiology*
  • Weather
  • Young Adult