First Detection of <i>Rickettsia helvetica</i> in <i>Ixodes ricinus</i> Ticks in Austria

Abstract

A total of 853 Ixodes ricinus ticks collected from the nine federal states of Austria were examined by molecular methods for possible infections with Rickettsia spp. It was shown that roughly one-third of the ticks were infected with Rickettsia spp. Moreover, Rickettsia helvetica was detected in Austria for the first time.