Occurrence and Identification of <i>Ixodes ricinus</i> Borne Pathogens in Northeastern Italy

• Main Authors: Michela Bertola, Fabrizio Montarsi, Federica Obber, Graziana Da Rold, Sara Carlin, Federica Toniolo, Elena Porcellato, Christian Falcaro, Valeria Mondardini, Silvia Ormelli, Silvia Ravagnan
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2021-09-01
• Series: Pathogens
• Subjects: tick-borne pathogens; surveillance; co-infection; prevalence; <i>Rickettsia</i> spp.; <i>Borrelia</i> spp
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0817/10/9/1181

In Europe, <i>Ixodes ricinus</i> is the main vector for tick-borne pathogens (TBPs), the most common tick species in Italy, particularly represented in pre-alpine and hilly northern areas. From 2011 to 2017, ticks were collected by dragging in Belluno province (northeast Italy) and analyzed by molecular techniques for TBP detection. Several species of <i>Rickettsia</i> spp. and <i>Borrelia</i> spp. <i>Anaplaspa phagocitophilum</i>, <i>Neoerlichia mikurensis</i> and <i>Babesia venatorum</i>, were found to be circulating in the study area carried by <i>I. ricinus</i> (n = 2668, all stages). Overall, 39.1% of screened pools were positive for at least one TBP, with a prevalence of 12.25% and 29.2% in immature stages and adults, respectively. Pathogens were detected in 85% of the monitored municipalities, moreover the presence of TBPs varied from one to seven different pathogens in the same year. The annual TBPs prevalence fluctuations observed in each municipality highlights the necessity of performing continuous tick surveillance. In conclusion, the observation of TBPs in ticks remains an efficient strategy for monitoring the circulation of tick-borne diseases (TBDs) in a specific area.