Coexistence of Pathogens in Host-Seeking and Feeding Ticks within a Single Natural Habitat in Central Germany

摘要: The importance of established and emerging tick-borne pathogens in Central Northern Europe is steadily increasing. In 2007, we collected Ixodes ricinus ticks feeding on birds (n = 211) rodents 273), as well host-seeking stages 196), a habitat central Germany. order to find out more about their natural transmission cycles, the were tested for presence Lyme disease borreliae, Anaplasma phagocytophilum, spotted fever group (SFG) rickettsiae, Francisella tularensis, babesiae. Altogether, 20.1% 680 examined carried at least one pathogen. Bird-feeding frequently infected with Borrelia spp. (15.2%) A. phagocytophilum (3.2%) than rodent-feeding (2.6%; 1.1%) or questing (5.1%; 0%). Babesia showed higher prevalence rates parasitizing (13.2%) (10.7%), whereas from small mammals less (6.6%). SFG rickettsiae F. tularensis also found off (2.1%; 1.2%), (1.8%; 1.5%), vegetation (4.1%; 1.6%). Various combinations coinfections occurred 10.9% all positive ticks, indicating interaction cycles. Our results suggest that not only are important reservoirs several but act vehicles might therefore play key role dispersal diseases.