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Ticks From Mink and Their Associated Microorganisms in Spain.
Ana M Palomar1, Aránzazu Portillo1, Asunción Gómez2
1Centre of Rickettsioses and Arthropod-Borne Diseases (CRETAV), Infectious Diseases Department, San Pedro University Hospital-Centre of Biomedical Research from La Rioja (CIBIR), Logroño, La Rioja, Spain.
Transboundary and Emerging Diseases
|December 5, 2025
Summary
Ticks from European and American mink in Spain carry various bacteria, protozoa, and viruses. This highlights mink
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Entomology
- Zoonotic Disease Epidemiology
- Wildlife Health
Background:
- Wildlife, particularly wild carnivores like mink, are significant reservoirs for emerging zoonotic agents, including tick-borne pathogens.
- Ticks are crucial vectors and reservoirs for these diseases, yet studies on microorganisms within ticks infesting mink are limited.
- Understanding the microbial communities in ticks from mink is vital for assessing zoonotic disease risks.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify and characterize bacteria, protozoa, and viruses harbored by ticks collected from European and American mink in Northern Spain.
- To investigate the role of mink and associated tick species in the epidemiology of tick-borne microorganisms.
- To provide baseline data on tick-borne pathogens in mink populations.
Main Methods:
- Collection and identification of ticks (Ixodes acuminatus, Ixodes hexagonus, Rhipicephalus sanguineus) from European and American mink between 2007 and 2021.
- Processing of 916 tick specimens into 165 pools for molecular analysis.
- Detection of microorganisms using molecular techniques, including PCR amplification.
Main Results:
- Multiple tick-borne microorganisms were detected, including Ehrlichia sp., Neoehrlichia mikurensis, Coxiella spp., Rickettsiella spp., Ixovirus spp., and Hepatozoon martis.
- Coxiella spp. were prevalent in Ixodes hexagonus and Ixodes acuminatus ticks, and also detected in Rhipicephalus sanguineus.
- Ixovirus spp. and Rickettsiella spp. were identified in Ixodes acuminatus, while Hepatozoon martis was found in Ixodes hexagonus.
Conclusions:
- Mink play a role in the epidemiology of various tick-borne microorganisms, some of which are significant human pathogens.
- The identified tick species (I. acuminatus, I. hexagonus) act as vectors, and mink serve as reservoirs for these pathogens.
- Further research is warranted to fully elucidate the transmission dynamics and public health implications of these tick-borne agents in mink populations.
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