Diversity of ticks and tick-borne pathogens in ticks removed from dogs and cats: a focus on Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, and Romania

Abstract

Background: Ticks in Europe comprise over 100 species, with Ixodes, Rhipicephalus, Dermacentor, and Haemaphysalis being the most prevalent. Ixodes ricinus is the most widespread, while Dermacentor reticulatus is common in central Europe. Rhipicephalus sanguineus has expanded into temperate regions, affecting tick-host interactions and pathogen transmission. Companion animals, especially dogs and cats, are common tick hosts and vectors for pathogens such as borreliosis, anaplasmosis, and canine babesiosis. This study investigates the prevalence and species composition of ticks infesting dogs and cats in Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, and Romania, focusing on seasonal trends and pathogen occurrence.

Methods: From 2020 to 2022, ticks were collected from dogs and cats during veterinary consultations across five countries. A total of 4563 ticks were identified morphologically, and 1085 were screened for pathogens, including Babesia canis, Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Ehrlichia canis, and Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato.

Results: I. ricinus was the predominant species (65.0%), followed by D. reticulatus (29.8%) and R. sanguineus (3.8%). Ticks were present year-round, with peaks in spring and autumn. Of the 1085 tested ticks, 29.0% were positive for at least one pathogen, with A. phagocytophilum being the most common (15.0%). B. burgdorferi s.l. was detected in 7.0% of ticks, and Babesia spp. in 6.5%, predominantly B. canis.

Conclusions: This study highlights the year-round risk of tick infestations and vector-borne pathogen transmission in dogs and cats in Central Europe, underscoring the need for ongoing tick surveillance. Veterinary practitioners should enhance public awareness about ticks and associated health risks for companion animals.

Keywords: Dermacentor reticulatus; Ixodes hexagonus; Ixodes ricinus; Cat; Central European Region; Companion animals; Dog; Ticks; Vector-borne.

Fig. 1

A Geographic distribution and presence of total number of ticks in dogs and cats in the Czech Republic (CZ), Slovakia (SK), Poland (PL), Hungary (HU), and Romania (RO). B The table presents the number of tick species found in dogs and cats. C Combined tick species prevalence in dogs and cats in all countries expressed as percentages. I. ricinus, IR; D. reticulatus, DR; R. sanguineus, RS; R. turanicus, RT; Rhipicephalus spp., RH; I. hexagonus, IH; H. concinna, HC

Fig. 2

The prevalence of tick species collected from the Czech Republic (CZ), Slovakia (SK), Hungary (HU), Poland (PL), and Romania (RO). A The map illustrates the total number of ticks and the distribution of various tick species across each country based on samples obtained from veterinary clinics during the study period. B The table presents the number of tick species collected in each country. C Combined tick species prevalence in all countries expressed as percentages

Fig. 3

Regions where D. reticulatus ticks were found in the Czech Republic (CZ), Slovakia (SK), Hungary (HU), Poland (PL), and Romania (RO). The map illustrates the varying levels of D. reticulatus presence in each country based on tick submissions from veterinary clinics. This data reveals regional variations in tick population density

Fig. 4

The number of I. ricinus and D. reticulatus ticks collected by veterinarians on dogs and cats divided into months during the study period from January 2020 to December 2022 in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Poland, and Romania. The x-axis illustrates the monthly distribution of collected ticks, while the y-axis represents the corresponding quantity of these ticks