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Prevalence of tick-borne bacterial pathogens in Germany-has the situation changed after a decade?

Katja Mertens-Scholz1,2, Bernd Hoffmann3, Jörn M Gethmann4

  • 1Institute of Bacterial Infections and Zoonoses, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut - Federal Research Institute for Animal Health (FLI), Jena, Germany.

Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology
|August 2, 2024
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Prevalence of tick-borne pathogens like Borreliella, Rickettsia, and Anaplasma in Germany remained stable over a decade. Continued monitoring is crucial for understanding tick-borne disease risks in humans and animals.

Area of Science:

  • Veterinary Entomology
  • Medical Entomology
  • Zoonotic Disease Epidemiology

Background:

  • Tick-borne pathogens pose significant risks to human and animal health in Germany.
  • Understanding the temporal distribution and prevalence of these pathogens is vital for effective risk assessment.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To analyze the prevalence and distribution of key tick-borne pathogens in Germany over a ten-year period.
  • To compare pathogen prevalence in Ixodes ricinus nymphs between 2009/2010 and 2019.

Main Methods:

  • Collection of Ixodes ricinus nymphs from various German locations in 2009/2010 and 2019.
  • Real-time PCR and sequencing were employed to detect and identify tick-borne pathogens.

Main Results:

  • Borreliella spp. prevalence increased slightly from 11.96% to 13.10%, with B. afzelii and B. garinii dominant.
  • Rickettsia spp. prevalence decreased significantly from 8.82% to 1.68%, with R. helvetica exclusively detected.
  • Anaplasma spp. prevalence rose from 1.00% to 7.01%, including A. phagocytophilum detection.

Conclusions:

  • While no significant changes in overall pathogen prevalence were observed over the decade, trends indicate shifts in specific pathogen frequencies.
  • Longitudinal studies incorporating host factors and climate data are recommended for a comprehensive understanding of tick-borne disease dynamics.
Keywords:
Anaplasma phagocytophilumBorreliella spp.Coxiella burnetiiIxodes ricinusRickettsia spp.prevalence

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