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. 2021 Jun 10;10(6):732.
doi: 10.3390/pathogens10060732.

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

Alessandra Cafiso  1 , Emanuela Olivieri  2 , Anna Maria Floriano  2 , Giulia Chiappa  1 , Valentina Serra  1 , Davide Sassera  2 , Chiara Bazzocchi  1   3
Affiliations

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

Alessandra Cafiso et al. Pathogens. .

Abstract

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 Ixodes ricinus ticks collected in a peri-urban recreational park in Ticino Valley, Italy. The presence of Rickettsia spp., Borrelia burgdorferi senso latu complex, Anaplasma spp. and Babesia spp. was evaluated in a total of 415 I. ricinus specimens. Rickettsia spp. (R monacensis and R. helvetica) were detected in 22.96% of the samples, while B. burgdorferi s.l. complex (B. afzelii and B. lusitaniae) were present in 10.94%. Neoehrlichia mikurensis (1.99%) and Babesia venatorum (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.

Keywords: Babesia capreoli; Babesia venatorum; Borrelia burgdorferi s.l.; EU1; Ehrlichia-like; Neoehrlichia mikurensis; Northern Italy; Schotti variant; tick bite; tick-borne diseases.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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