engleski

MOLECULAR IDENTIFICATION OF TICK-BORNE AGENTS IN IXODES RICINUS AND DERMACENTOR RETICULATUS TICKS IN NORTH-WESTERN CROATIA

In north-western part of Croatia, as in other neighbouring Central European countries, ticks are proven to be vectors for microorganisms which cause human and animal diseases. We used molecular methods to investigate wether Ixodes ricinus and Dermacentor reticulatus ticks in north-western Croatia were infected by some of these agents. Hundred and six ticks were collected from grass using the cloth dragging method in north–west Croatia. Ninety two Ixodes ricinus and 14 Dermacentor reticulatus ticks were found, respetively. PCR assay based on the amplification of the 16S rRNA gene was used for screening of A. phagocytophilum in ticks. Nucleotide sequences of portions of the bacterial groESL heat shock operon amplified from infected ticks were determined. For detection and determination of Rickettsia sp. 4 genes were used, gene for 17 kDa protein, a portion of gltA gene, ompA and ompB gene. Nucleotide sequences of all four genes from infected ticks were determined. A. phagocytophilum was detected in 4 (4, 34%) I. ricinus ticks but none of the D. reticulatus tick was infected. Nucleotide sequences of groESL operon were identical in all four ticks. Rickettsia sp. was detected in 5 ticks. R. helvetica was determined in 1(1, 08%) I. ricinus tick, Rickettsia sp.RpA4 (R. raoultii) was determined in 4(28, 57%) D. reticulatus ticks. Our study confirmed that Anaplasma phagocytophylum and Rickettsia helvetica exist in Ixodes ricinus and Rickettsia raoultii exist in Dermacentor reticulatus ticks in north-western Croatia. We suggest more frequent testing for these agents among all patients with tick-borne diseases in north-west Croatia.

Molecular identification; Tick-brone agents; Dermacentor reticulatus; north-west Croatia

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