The Risk of Exposure to Ticks and Tick-Borne Pathogens in a Spa Town in Northern Poland

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the potential risk of human exposure to tick-borne infection in a recreation areas in a spa town located in northern Poland. Questing <i>Ixodes ricinus</i> and <i>Dermacentor reticulatus</i> ticks were collected in the spring of 2018. Tick-borne microorganisms were detected by PCR. Species were identified based on RFLP and the sequencing of DNA. In total, 38.3% of the ticks (34.6% of <i>I. ricinus</i> and 48.6% of <i>D. reticulatus</i>) were infected. The prevalence was 14.9% for <i>Borrelia</i> spp., 10.6% for <i>Babesia</i> spp. and 17.7% for <i>Rickettsia</i> spp. No <i>Anaplasma phagocytophilum</i> was detected. Spirochaetes <i>B. afzelii</i>, <i>B. garinii</i> and <i>B. burgdorferi</i> s.s. were detected only in <i>I. ricinus</i> ticks (20.2%). The differences in the infection rates of <i>Babesia</i> spp. between <i>I. ricinus</i> (7.7%) and <i>D. reticulatus</i> (18.9%) were not significant. DNA of <i>B. canis</i> and <i>B. venatorum</i> were identified in both tick species. <i>B. microti</i> were detected in <i>D. reticulatus</i> ticks. The prevalence of <i>Rickettsia</i> spp. was significantly higher in <i>D. reticulatus</i> (37.8%) than that in <i>I. ricinus</i> (10.6%). <i>R. raoultii</i> was identified only in <i>D. reticulatus</i> and <i>R. helvetica</i> in <i>I. ricinus</i>. Co-infections of at least two pathogens were recognized in 13% of positive ticks.