Wild canids as hosts for ticks and tick-borne zoonotic pathogens in Serbia

• Main Authors: Sukara Ratko, Mihaljica Darko, Veinović Gorana, Ćirović Duško, Tomanović Snežana
• Format: Article
• Language: srp
• Published: Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Belgrade 2020-01-01
• Series: Veterinarski Glasnik
• Subjects: foxes; jackals; pcr; serbia; vector-borne pathogens; wild canids
• Online Access: http://www.doiserbia.nb.rs/img/doi/0350-2457/2020/0350-24572002144S.pdf

Wild canids are recognized as important reservoir hosts for several vector-borne pathogens and are a good sentinel species for epidemiological surveillance. Identifying the reservoir hosts for particular zoonotic pathogens in a specific area enables the implementation of adequate measures in order to prevent the occurrence of zoonotic diseases in humans and domestic animals. The present review aims to summarize the role of wild canids in the epidemiology of tick-borne zoonoses in Serbia based on previously published papers and to discuss the available data from an epidemiological point of view. The results of previously published studies indicate that wild canids are potential reservoir hosts for several zoonotic tick-borne pathogens in Serbia, and hosts for several tick species which are proven competent vectors. Based on molecular studies conducted so far, the presence of Anaplasma phagocytophilum, was confirmed in jackals while the presence of Candidatus Neoehrlichia micurensis (FU98), Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto, Borrelia garinii, and Borrelia lusitaniae was proven by PCR in analyzed red foxes. There is a need for continuous epidemiological monitoring of diseases caused by pathogens previously confirmed in wild canids. Also, further research is needed to reveal the role of other wild and domestic animals in the epidemiology of tick-borne zoonoses in Serbia.