The potential role of migratory birds in transmission cycles of Babesia spp., Anaplasma phagocytophilum, and Rickettsia spp.

摘要: Babesia spp., Anaplasma phagocytophilum, and Rickettsia spp. are potentially emerging tick-borne pathogens, whereas many issues about their ecology, e.g. reservoir host specificity, still unclear. In spring 2007, we collected 191 feeding Ixodes ricinus ticks from 99 birds of 11 different species on a German bird conservation island in the Baltic Sea. were detected 4.7% (9/191), A. phagocytophilum was present 2.6% (5/191), identified 7.3% (14/191) investigated ticks. Further characterization infections resulted B. divergens microti. Among infections, at least 2 species: R. monacensis helvetica. Furthermore, harboured mixed infections. Our study provides first interesting insights into role migratory distribution several pathogens.