Ticks are more suitable than red foxes for monitoring zoonotic tick-borne pathogens in northeastern Italy.

摘要: Northeastern Italy is a hotspot for several tick-borne pathogens, transmitted to animals and humans mainly by Ixodes ricinus. Here we compare the results of molecular monitoring ticks zoonotic TBPs over six-year period, with red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) in an endemic area. In period 2011–2016, 2,578 were collected 38 sites 20 municipalities Belluno Province. Individual adults (264), pooled larvae (n = 330) nymphs (n = 1984) screened encephalitis virus, Borrelia burgdorferi (s.l.), Rickettsia spp., Babesia Anaplasma phagocytophilum “Candidatus Neoehrlichia mikurensis” specific SYBR green real-time PCR assays sequencing. The spleens 97 foxes, culled 2015–2017 during sport hunting or population control programs, also screened. Overall, nine different pathogens found I. ricinus nymph adult ticks: helvetica (3.69%); R. monacensis (0.49%); four species B. (s.l.) complex [B. afzelii (1.51%); (s.s.) (1.25%); garinii (0.18%); valaisiana (0.18%)]; A. (3.29%); N. (1.73%); venatorum (0.04%). Larvae first year only two pools (0.6%) positive helvetica. Tick-borne virus was not although human cases do occur rate infection varied widely according tick developmental stage, site collection. As expected, most infected, 27.6% harboring at least one pathogen compared 7.3% nymphs. Pathogens minimum above 1% recorded every year. None detectable 52 (54%) which instead cf. microti (also referred as microti-like, “Theileria annae”, “Babesia annae” vulpes”). show that cannot be used sentinel monitor epidemiological context northeastern Italy. high prevalence its absence strongly suggests vector this pathogen.