Experimental and Applied Acarology (2013) 59, 367-376

Snezana Tomanovic, Dimosthenis Chochlakis, Zeljko Radulovic, Marija Milutinovic, Sanja Cakic, Darko Mihaljica, Yannis Tselentis and Anna Psaroulaki (2013)
Analysis of pathogen co-occurrence in host-seeking adult hard ticks from Serbia
Experimental and Applied Acarology 59 (3), 367-376
Abstract: Past studies in Serbia have reported concurrent infections of Ixodes ricinus ticks with Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato genospecies, Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Francisella tularensis. As a step forward, this investigation included a broader range of microorganisms and five most common and abundant tick species in Serbia. Five tick species were identified (Dermacentor marginatus, D. reticulatus, Haemaphysalis punctata, H. concinna and I. ricinus) and analyzed for the presence of seven pathogens. Anaplasma ovis, A. phagocytophilum, Babesia canis, B. burgdorferi s.l., Coxiella burnetii, Rickettsia helvetica and R. monacensis were detected. Sequencing of samples positive for F. tularensis revealed the presence of Francisella-like endosymbionts. No Bartonella spp. DNA was amplified. Concurrent infections were present in three tick species (D. reticulatus, H. concinna and I. ricinus). The rate of co-infections was highest in I. ricinus (20/27), while this tick species harbored the broadest range of co-infection combinations, with dual, triple and a quadruple infection(s) being detected.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Snezana Tomanovic, Marija Milutinovic

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
general biology - morphology - evolution

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Ixodes ricinus		Serbia
	Dermacentor reticulatus		Serbia
	Dermacentor marginatus		Serbia
	Haemaphysalis punctata		Serbia
	Haemaphysalis concinna		Serbia