Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 14, 2026

Feeding of Ticks on Animals for Transmission and Xenodiagnosis in Lyme Disease Research
08:23

Feeding of Ticks on Animals for Transmission and Xenodiagnosis in Lyme Disease Research

Published on: September 1, 2013

Neoehrlichia mikurensis: an emerging pathogen in Southeastern Poland - prevalence in Ixodes ricinus ticks and

Zbigniew Zając1, Joanna Kulisz1, Renata Kunc-Kozioł1

  • 1Department of Biology and Parasitology, Medical University, Lublin, Poland.

Annals of Agricultural and Environmental Medicine : AAEM
|March 31, 2025
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Neoehrlichia mikurensis was detected in Ixodes ricinus ticks in the Subcarpathian Region. Phylogenetic analysis of the groEL gene revealed low genetic diversity in these emerging pathogen populations.

Area of Science:

  • Veterinary Entomology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Zoonotic Diseases

Background:

  • Neoehrlichia mikurensis is an emerging bacterial pathogen identified in ticks, animals, and humans.
  • Ixodes ricinus ticks are significant vectors for various pathogens.
  • The Subcarpathian Region's tick populations require investigation for Neoehrlichia mikurensis presence.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the prevalence of Neoehrlichia mikurensis in Ixodes ricinus ticks.
  • To analyze the phylogenetic diversity of Neoehrlichia mikurensis within the Subcarpathian Region.

Main Methods:

  • Collection of 412 Ixodes ricinus ticks from forest and meadow habitats.
  • Molecular detection of Neoehrlichia mikurensis using microfluidic real-time PCR in 240 tick specimens.
  • Phylogenetic analysis of the groEL gene from selected amplicons.

Main Results:

  • Neoehrlichia mikurensis infection confirmed in 6.35% of female and 2.38% of male ticks.
  • No significant difference in Neoehrlichia mikurensis prevalence was observed between forest and meadow habitats.
  • Phylogenetic analysis indicated low genetic diversity among the studied Neoehrlichia mikurensis isolates.

Conclusions:

  • Ixodes ricinus ticks in the Subcarpathian Region are infected with Neoehrlichia mikurensis.
  • The groEL gene sequences of Neoehrlichia mikurensis exhibited low genetic variation, consistent with European populations.
  • This study confirms the presence and characterizes the genetic diversity of Neoehrlichia mikurensis in the investigated area.
Keywords:
Ixodes ricinusNeoehrlichia mikurensisTick-borne diseasesTicks

More Related Videos

Detecting the Lyme Disease Spirochete, Borrelia Burgdorferi, in Ticks Using Nested PCR07:20

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

Published on: February 4, 2018

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

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 by a...
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...
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...
Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever01:26

Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever

Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF) is a severe tick-borne illness caused by Rickettsia rickettsii, a Gram-negative, coccobacillary bacterium. This pathogen is an obligate intracellular parasite, requiring a host cell for replication. Transmission occurs through the bite of an infected tick. In the United States, the most important vectors are Dermacentor variabilis (American dog tick) and Dermacentor andersoni (Rocky Mountain wood tick), though other tick species may also serve as vectors.