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Detecting the Lyme Disease Spirochete, Borrelia Burgdorferi, in Ticks Using Nested PCR
Published on: February 4, 2018
Tick-Borne Infections: Results from a Prospective Observational Study from a Single Centre in Northern Italy
Andrea Tedesco1, Pietro Sponga2, Giulia Bertoli1
1Department of Infectious, Tropical Diseases and Microbiology, IRCCS Sacro Cuore Don Calabria Hospital, Negrar di Valpolicella, 37024 Verona, Italy.
Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland)
|July 28, 2026
Summary
Tick testing showed little value for diagnosing tick-borne diseases (TBDs) in Italy. Pathogen detection in ticks rarely correlated with confirmed human TBD cases, suggesting limited clinical utility.
Area of Science:
- Medical Entomology
- Infectious Diseases
- Public Health
Background:
- Tick-borne diseases (TBDs) data in Italy is fragmented.
- This study investigated tick-borne pathogens (TBPs) and TBDs in an Italian hospital.
- Assessed the correlation between TBPs and human disease presentation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe TBPs and TBDs in a single Italian hospital setting.
- To evaluate the clinical utility of tick testing for TBD diagnosis.
- To assess the concordance between detected tick pathogens and confirmed human TBDs.
Main Methods:
- Prospective observational study (March 2024 - January 2025).
- Included individuals aged 8+ years providing consent.
- Collected data and blood samples at baseline and 12-18 weeks.
- Analyzed pooled ticks via real-time PCR; used serological and molecular tests for TBD diagnosis.
Main Results:
- Ninety-three participants enrolled; median age 39 years.
- Rickettsia spp. (15.1%) and Borrelia spp. (7.5%) were most frequent in ticks.
- Only four confirmed TBD cases: Lyme borreliosis (n=2), SENLAT (n=1), TBE (n=1).
- Low concordance (2.1%) between TBP detection in ticks and human TBD development.
Conclusions:
- Low concordance between tick pathogen detection and confirmed human TBDs.
- Tick testing demonstrated limited clinical value in this Italian hospital setting.
- Highlights the need for cautious interpretation of tick testing results in TBD diagnosis.
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