Diversity and coexistence of tick-borne pathogens in central Germany

J Med Entomol. 2011 May;48(3):651-5. doi: 10.1603/me10254.

Abstract

In total, 1000 Ixodes ricinus L. ticks were collected from a small recreational forest area in central Germany (Thuringia) and investigated for the presence of Borrelia spp., Babesia spp., Anaplasma spp., Rickettsia spp., Coxiella burnetii, and Francisella tularensis. Overall, 43.6% of the ticks were infected with at least one pathogen. In 8.4% of ticks double infections were detected, and 1.6% harbored more than two pathogens. In this study, we present data on the coexistence of established and emerging pathogens in questing nymphs and adult ticks in a recreational area in central Germany, indicating the need for further studies for a reliable risk assessment.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Borrelia / genetics
  • Borrelia / isolation & purification
  • DNA / genetics
  • DNA / isolation & purification
  • Female
  • Germany
  • Gram-Negative Bacteria / genetics
  • Gram-Negative Bacteria / isolation & purification*
  • Ixodes / growth & development
  • Ixodes / microbiology*
  • Male
  • Nymph / microbiology
  • Proteobacteria / genetics
  • Proteobacteria / isolation & purification*

Substances

  • DNA