Investigation of Tick-Borne Pathogens in <i>Ixodes ricinus</i> in a Peri-Urban Park in Lombardy (Italy) Reveals the Presence of Emerging Pathogens

• Main Authors: Alessandra Cafiso, Emanuela Olivieri, Anna Maria Floriano, Giulia Chiappa, Valentina Serra, Davide Sassera, Chiara Bazzocchi
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2021-06-01
• Series: Pathogens
• Subjects: tick-borne diseases; <i>Neoehrlichia mikurensis</i>; <i>Ehrlichia</i>-like; Schotti variant; <i>Babesia venatorum</i>; EU1
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0817/10/6/732

Ticks are important vectors of a great range of pathogens of medical and veterinary importance. Lately, the spread of known tick-borne pathogens has been expanding, and novel ones have been identified as (re)emerging health threats. Updating the current knowledge on tick-borne pathogens in areas where humans and animals can be easily exposed to ticks represents a starting point for epidemiological studies and public awareness. A PCR screening for tick-borne pathogens was carried out in <i>Ixodes ricinus</i> ticks collected in a peri-urban recreational park in Ticino Valley, Italy. The presence of <i>Rickettsia</i> spp., <i>Borrelia burgdorferi</i> senso latu complex, <i>Anaplasma</i> spp. and <i>Babesia</i> spp. was evaluated in a total of 415 <i>I. ricinus</i> specimens. <i>Rickettsia</i> spp. (<i>R monacensis</i> and <i>R. helvetica</i>) were detected in 22.96% of the samples, while <i>B. burgdorferi</i> s.l. complex (<i>B. afzelii</i> and <i>B. lusitaniae</i>) were present in 10.94%. <i>Neoehrlichia mikurensis</i> (1.99%) and <i>Babesia venatorum</i> (0.73%) were reported in the area of study for the first time. This study confirmed the presence of endemic tick-borne pathogens and highlighted the presence of emerging pathogens that should be monitored especially in relation to fragile patients, the difficult diagnosis of tick-borne associated diseases and possible interactions with other tick-borne pathogens.