Ecology and prevalence of Borrelia burgdorferi s.l. in Ixodes ricinus (Acari: Ixodidae) ticks

Acta Vet Hung. 2022 Feb 7. doi: 10.1556/004.2021.00056. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTWeather conditions greatly affect tick population densities and activity, on which depends the occurrence of tick-borne diseases (TBDs). During the spring months from 2017 to 2019, 1,357 specimens of Ixodes ricinus ticks were collected at 9 localities in the vicinity of Novi Sad (Serbia). The number of collected ticks varied considerably among the different sampling sites and years. Also, a statistically significant difference was found between months and observed number of ticks for each stadium. By statistical analysis of tick activity depending on microclimatic conditions, a positive and statistically significant relationship between temperature and the number of ticks for each life stage was established, but not for humidity. Dew had a statistically significant impact only on nymphs but not on adults. The infection rate of Borrelia burgdorferi s.l. was the highest in March (46.5-51.2%) and the lowest in May (32.9-34.8%). The highest prevalence was detected in males and the lowest in nymphs. Since there is a positive and statistically significant correlation between tick number and prevalence, the ability to provide weather-based predictions of the seasonal patterns of current tick activity is important for the risk assessment of TBDs such as Lyme borreliosis.PMID:35124568 | DOI:10.1556/004.2021.00056
Source: Acta Veterinaria Hungarica - Category: Veterinary Research Authors: Source Type: research