Ticks and Tick-Borne Pathogens Circulating in Peri-Domestic Areas in Mainland Portugal

Overview

Journal Microorganisms

Specialty Microbiology

Date 2024 May 25

PMID 38792834

Authors

Leonardo Moerbeck

Ricardo Parreira

Magdalena Szczotko

Goncalo Seixas

Rita Velez

Malgorzata Dmitryjuk

Ana Sofia Santos

Ana Domingos

Sandra Antunes

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Over the years, tick-borne pathogens (TBPs) have garnered significant interest due to their medical, veterinary and economic importance. Additionally, TBPs have drawn attention to how these microorganisms interact with their own vectors, increasing the risk to human and animal infection of emerging and reemerging zoonoses. In this sense, ticks, which are obligate hematophagous ectoparasites, have a key role in maintaining and transmitting TBPs among humans and animals. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of neglected TBPs in mainland Portugal, namely spp., spp., spp. and . DNA fragments were detected in questing ticks collected from five different ecological areas under investigation. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this study reports new worldwide findings, including infecting , and sensu lato. Additionally, it presents new findings in Portugal of infecting and of presumably endosymbionts being detected in . Overall, there were 208 tick samples that were negative for all screened TBPs. The results herein obtained raise concerns about the circulation of neglected TBPs in mainland Portugal, especially in anthropophilic ticks, highlighting the importance of adopting a One Health perspective.

Citing Articles

Update on tick-borne rickettsioses in mainland Portugal: emerging threats and potential vectors.

Moerbeck L, Parreira R, Seixas G, Velez R, Domingos A, Antunes S Parasit Vectors. 2024; 17(1):538.

PMID: 39719610 PMC: 11667872. DOI: 10.1186/s13071-024-06627-5.

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