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Identification of pathogens in Ixodes ricinus and Dermacentor reticulatus from public gardens in Zagreb, Croatia

A total of 356 questing Ixodid ticks were collected by dragging during spring and autumn 2008 in three public gardens (parks) from Zagreb (Croatia). Pools of 5 ticks, grouped by gender, were tested for presence of Anaplasma phagocytophylum, Rickettsia spp., Anaplasma/Ehrlichia spp., Bartonella spp., Coxiella burnetti and Babesia spp. by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and subsequently sequenced. Infection of ticks with Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato was done with RT-PCR. Tick species were distributed depending on the collection area ; D. reticulatus were collected on a Jarun meadow (close to the river) while I. ricinus ticks were present in two localities close to forest. B. burgdorferi s.l. was detected in 85.7% of I. ricinus and 6.4% of D. reticulatus pools. Rickettsial DNA was identified in 87.1% D. reticulatus and 16.7% I. ricinus. Sequence analysis revealed that all D. reticulatus were infected with Rickettsia raoultii identical to strain Marne (Acc.No DQ365800) while I. ricinus were infected with R. monacensis identical to strain IrRMunich (Acc.No DQ100169). All sequences of A. phagocytophylum detected in 21.4% samples were identical. We haven't confirmed a presence of C. burnetti in questing ticks from Zagreb. In a single pool of males I. ricinus DNA from Bartonella spp.was amplified but sequencing failed as well as sequencing of Babesia sp. Detected in 7.1% of I. ricinus. In contrast, Babesia canis canis was present 77.4% D. reticulatus samples collected from same location (Jarun). Interestingly no statistical difference was observed after comparing infection rate in male and female ticks. Two pools of I. ricinus nymphs were found to be infected with B. burgdorferi s.l. and R. monacensis. The results of this study show a presence of numerous tick-borne pathogens in public garden. For the first time we have demonstrated presence of R. raoultii, R. monacensis and A. phagocytophylum in Croatia.

Ixodes ricinus ; Dermacentor reticulatus ; pathogens ; Zagreb ; Croatia

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