Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 8, 2025

Detecting the Lyme Disease Spirochete, Borrelia Burgdorferi, in Ticks Using Nested PCR
07:20

Detecting the Lyme Disease Spirochete, Borrelia Burgdorferi, in Ticks Using Nested PCR

Published on: February 4, 2018

18.1K

Neoehrlichia mikurensis-A New Emerging Tick-Borne Pathogen in North-Eastern Poland?

Magdalena Szczotko1,2, Katarzyna Kubiak3, Mirosław Mariusz Michalski4

  • 1Students' Parasitology "Vermis" Science Club, Department of Medical Biology, Collegium Medicum, School of Public Health, University of Warmia and Mazury, 10-719 Olsztyn, Poland.

Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland)
|February 25, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Neoehrlichia mikurensis, a tick-borne bacterium, was found in Ixodes ricinus and Dermacentor reticulatus ticks in northeastern Poland. Urban-collected ticks showed higher infection rates, indicating a potential transmission risk to humans.

Area of Science:

  • Veterinary Microbiology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Medical Entomology

Background:

  • Neoehrlichia mikurensis is an emerging tick-borne bacterium responsible for neoehrlichiosis, primarily affecting immunocompromised individuals.
  • Ixodes ricinus is the main European vector, with Neoehrlichia mikurensis posing a growing public health concern.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the prevalence of Neoehrlichia mikurensis in Ixodes ricinus and Dermacentor reticulatus ticks in northeastern Poland.
  • To investigate potential differences in pathogen presence between questing and feeding ticks, and across different collection environments.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of 348 ticks (Ixodes ricinus and Dermacentor reticulatus) collected from vegetation and dogs in northeastern Poland.
  • Quantitative PCR (qPCR) targeting the 16S rRNA gene for Neoehrlichia mikurensis detection, followed by nested PCR and sequencing for confirmation.
  • Comparison of prevalence data between questing ticks from vegetation and feeding ticks removed from dogs.

Main Results:

  • Neoehrlichia mikurensis prevalence was higher in questing ticks (19.3%) compared to ticks removed from dogs (6.7%).
  • The bacterium was detected in both Ixodes ricinus and Dermacentor reticulatus ticks, with the latter being a novel finding for Poland.
  • Ticks from urban areas exhibited higher infection rates than those from suburban and natural environments.

Conclusions:

  • The presence of Neoehrlichia mikurensis in common tick species in northeastern Poland signifies a potential risk of transmission to humans.
  • This study highlights the importance of tick surveillance, particularly in urbanized areas, for Neoehrlichia mikurensis.
  • Further research is warranted to understand the full epidemiological impact and transmission dynamics of Neoehrlichia mikurensis in this region.
Keywords:
Dermacentor reticulatusIxodes ricinusNeoehrlichia mikurensisOne Healthtick-borne pathogenticks

More Related Videos

Tick Microbiome Characterization by Next-Generation 16S rRNA Amplicon Sequencing07:21

Tick Microbiome Characterization by Next-Generation 16S rRNA Amplicon Sequencing

Published on: August 25, 2018

12.9K
Methods for Rapid Transfer and Localization of Lyme Disease Pathogens Within the Tick Gut09:54

Methods for Rapid Transfer and Localization of Lyme Disease Pathogens Within the Tick Gut

Published on: February 14, 2011

11.7K

Related Concept Videos

Bacterial Phylum Spirochaetes01:30

Bacterial Phylum Spirochaetes

Spirochetes, unique bacteria in the phylum Spirochaetes, are gram-negative, motile, tightly coiled, slender, and flexible. They inhabit aquatic sediments and animals, with some causing diseases like syphilis. Spirochetes are classified into eight genera based on habitat, pathogenicity, phylogeny, and characteristics.Their distinctive motility arises from endoflagella, located within the cell’s periplasm. These endoflagella anchor at the cell poles and extend along the cell length, encased...
50
Fungal Phylum Microsporidia01:28

Fungal Phylum Microsporidia

Microsporidia are a group of obligate intracellular fungi that were initially classified as protists but were later reclassified based on phylogenetic, molecular, and structural evidence linking them to the Chytridiomycota. These unicellular, non-motile organisms are highly specialized parasites that infect a wide range of animal hosts, including humans. They have evolved extensive genomic and metabolic reductions, making them highly dependent on their hosts for survival.Morphology and Genomic...
64
Diversity of Protists I01:15

Diversity of Protists I

Excavata is a diverse group of protists that includes both chemoorganotrophic and phototrophic species, with some thriving in anaerobic environments. Among the key groups within Excavata are diplomonads and parabasalids, which are flagellated protists that lack mitochondria and chloroplasts. These microorganisms typically inhabit anoxic environments, such as the intestines of animals, where they exist either symbiotically or as parasites, relying on fermentation for energy production. Some...
67