Krzysztof Siuda

Detection of Anaplasma phagocytophilum in Amblyomma flavomaculatum ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) collected from lizard Varanus exanthematicus imported to Poland.

Adults and nymphs of Amblyomma exornatum, A. flavomaculatum, A. latum, Amblyomma spp. and Hyalomma aegyptium, were collected from savannah monitors, royal python (Africa, Ghana) and marginated tortoises (Europe, Greece) imported to Poland, in 2004–2007. Altogether 345 ticks were examined by polymerase chain reaction for rickettsial agents. None of the tested ticks was positive for the gltA gene of Rickettsia spp. DNA of 16S rRNA gene from Anaplasma phagocytophilum was amplified and sequenced from two adult A. flavomaculatum ticks attached to two different specimens Varanus exanthematicus from Ghana. Both PCR amplicons obtained (GQ305134) had 100% sequence homology with A. phagocytophilum sequences deposited in GenBank. This results suggests for the first time that A. flavomaculatum may be vector of this pathogen in Africa. It could be expected that ticks distributed on their hosts may introduce pathogens not yet known to Polish or even European fauna. This study contributes to the overall recognition of the scarcely explored fauna of the exotic ticks transferred to Poland on reptiles from remote destinations.

First case of human infestation by the tick Ixodes vespertilionis (Acari: Ixodidae)

Human infestation by the bat tick Ixodes vespertilionis (Acari: Ixodidae) is described; this is the first recorded case of this tick parasitizing humans.

Detection of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato and spotted fever group rickettsiae in hard ticks (Acari, Ixodidae) parasitizing bats in Poland.

A total of 491 Ixodes vespertilionis and 8 Ixodes ricinus collected from bats and cave walls in southern Poland between 2010 and 2012 were examined by the polymerase chain reaction for tick-transmitted pathogens. PCR analysis for Borrelia burgdorferi s.l., Rickettsia spp., and Anaplasma phagocytophilum yielded negative results for all I. vespertilionis. DNA of Rickettsia helvetica was detected in three specimens of I. ricinus attached to Rhinolophus hipposideros or Myotis myotis, while Borrelia garinii was found in one tick parasitizing Myotis daubentonii. These pathogens were recorded for the first time in hard ticks that parasitized bats.

The patterns of seasonal activity of Ixodes vespertilionis (Acari: Ixodidae) on Rhinolophus hipposideros in nursery colonies.

The aim of this study was to describe the dynamics of the long-legged bat tick Ixodes vespertilionis infestation on the lesser horseshoe bat Rhinolophus hipposideros in 2 nursery colonies roosting in attics. Out of a total of 810 lesser horseshoe bats examined, 217 (26.8%) were found to be infested with a total of 464 I. vespertilionis individuals. The developmental stage most frequently found was the larva, followed by the nymph, and the adult female. Bats were significantly more frequently infested with I. vespertilionis ticks in the period April to May than in other months. In these months, all tick developmental stages were observed. During summer and autumn, only immature developmental stages were recorded, whilst in September and October larvae predominated. Considerable differences in tick load between nursery colonies were observed. The length of seasonal presence on bats, prevalence, and infestation intensity of I. vespertilionis on lesser horseshoe bats were higher in the nursery colony situated in close vicinity of a cave than in the colony situated far from the caves. The results suggest that the pattern of seasonal infestation of ticks on bats roosting in nursery colonies coincides with the seasonal activity of Rh. hipposideros in the caves. The first case of mixed infestation of the lesser horseshoe bat with I. vespertilionis and I. ricinus were also recorded.

Mass occurrence of Ixodes vespertilionis (Acari: Ixodidae) in caves, on bats roosting in caves and in a nursery colony

Long-legged bat tick, Ixodes (Eschatocephalus) vespertilionis Koch, was observed and collected from bats roosting in caves and a nursery shelter in the Polish part of the Carpathians between 2010 and 2012. Free-living unfed ticks occurred on cave walls in great numbers. Females and males were the most abundant. High parasite loads were noted on lesser horseshoe bats Rhinolophus hipposideros (Bechstein) roosting in caves and in a nursery shelter. Immature stages predominated on bats.

Prevalence of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato in Ixodes ricinus ticks collected from southern Poland.

In 2008–2011 ticks were collected from southern Poland. Out of 6336 individuals collected and identified as Ixodes ricinus, 768 (2 larvae, 84 nymphs, 417 females, 265 males) were included in molecular study. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence and types of genospecies of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato in ticks. The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was applied to detect the presence of pathogens in ticks. Subsequently the amplified DNA was digested with TasI enzyme. The infection rate was 15% (116) of examined ticks. PCR-RFLP analysis allowed distinguishing three genospecies of B. burgdorferi s.l.: B. burgdorferi sensu stricto, B. afzelii, and B. garinii. RFLP analyses of 116 positive samples revealed 96 (83%) monoinfections and 13 (11%) coinfections, whereas unidentified genospecies were present in 7 (6%) of positive samples. In the case of monoinfections, B. burgdorferi s.s. was the predominant species of pathogen in infected ticks - 61.4%. Other genospecies: B. garinii and B. afzelii were detected in 22.9% and 15.6% of the samples, respectively. To sum up, 15 % of ticks were infected by B. burgdorferi s.l which increases the risk of human infections in the recreational areas of southern Poland. Furthermore, there is a need to increase public awareness and implement more preventive measures concerning Lyme disease.