[Vectors of Borrelia burgdorferi]

Abstract

During the period 1990-1992-5,915 ticks were collected and identified in the area of Belgrade. Identification has shown that 99.8% were Ixodes ricinus and 0.2% Dermacentor marginatus. Infection with Borrelia burgdorferi was found in 27.0% to 31.7%. Females were more often infected than males and nymphs more often than larvae. Tick infection was at lowest degree in parks, little bit higher in woods and highest in mixed park-wood areas. Out of 28 locations, six can not be defined as foci of Lyme borreliosis, two are defined as potential foci and 20 as active foci of Lyme borreliosis. In a three year period we have isolated Borrelia burgdorferi in five occasions; in one occasion from ticks collected in Barajevo and in four occasions from ticks collected in Kosutnjak.