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Updated: Dec 20, 2025
Author Spotlight: Controlled Human Exposure Model for Tick Research and Lyme Disease Studies
Published on: December 1, 2023
Multiple Tick-Borne Pathogens in Ixodes ricinus Ticks Collected from Humans in Romania
Zsuzsa Kalmár1, Mirabela Oana Dumitrache1, Gianluca D'Amico1
1Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
Abstract:
Ticks are medically important vectors of infectious diseases that are able to transmit pathogens to humans and animals. Tick-borne diseases represent a major health concern, posing an increasing risk to the public health during the last century and affecting millions of people. The aim of the current study was to provide epidemiological data regarding the presence of certain tick-borne pathogens in ticks feeding on humans in Romania. Overall, 522 Ixodes ricinus ticks collected from humans were screened for six pathogens: Borrelia spp., Neoehrlichia mikurensis, Babesia spp., Coxiella spp., Bartonella spp., and Francisella tularensis. Ticks attached to humans were collected between 2013-2015 in Cluj County, Romania. Conventional, nested and quantitative PCR were used to detect specific genetic sequences of each pathogen. For identifying the infectious agents, positive samples were sequenced. The infection prevalence was 21.07% from which 8.18% were mixed infections. The detected agents were Borrelia spp., N. mikurensis and Babesia spp. The present data reveal the endemic occurrence of potentially zoonotic pathogens in Romania. Revealing the current distribution of tick-borne pathogens in ticks collected from humans may provide new insights in understanding the complex ecology of tick-borne diseases and enlightens current knowledge about the infection prevalence at local, regional and national levels.
Insights
Ticks in Romania carry dangerous pathogens like Borrelia, Neoehrlichia mikurensis, and Babesia. This study highlights the prevalence of these tick-borne diseases in humans, emphasizing public health risks.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Entomology
- Infectious Diseases
- Molecular Epidemiology
Background:
- Ticks are significant vectors transmitting pathogens to humans and animals.
- Tick-borne diseases pose a growing public health concern globally.
- Understanding pathogen distribution in ticks is crucial for disease prevention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the epidemiological data of tick-borne pathogens in ticks collected from humans in Romania.
- To screen for specific pathogens including Borrelia spp., Neoehrlichia mikurensis, Babesia spp., Coxiella spp., Bartonella spp., and Francisella tularensis.
- To assess the prevalence and co-infection rates of these pathogens.
Main Methods:
- Collection of 522 Ixodes ricinus ticks from humans in Cluj County, Romania (2013-2015).
- Utilized conventional, nested, and quantitative PCR for pathogen detection.
- Sequencing of positive samples for accurate identification of infectious agents.
Main Results:
- An overall infection prevalence of 21.07% was observed in the ticks.
- Mixed infections were detected in 8.18% of the ticks.
- Borrelia spp., Neoehrlichia mikurensis, and Babesia spp. were the predominant detected agents.
Conclusions:
- The study confirms the endemic presence of potentially zoonotic tick-borne pathogens in Romania.
- Findings provide insights into the complex ecology of tick-borne diseases.
- Data contribute to understanding infection prevalence at local, regional, and national levels.
