Parasitology Research (1998) 84, 167-172

Z. Hubalek and J. Halouzka (1998)
Prevalence rates of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato in host-seeking Ixodes ricinus ticks in Europe
Parasitology Research 84 (3), 167-172
Abstract: Prevalence rates of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato in host-seeking Ixodes ricinus ticks in Europe
Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato spirochetes have been found in all examined Ixodes ricinus (L.) populations in Europe. The overall mean proportions of unfed I. ricinus infected with B. burgdorferi s.l. were 1.9% (range 0-11%), 10.8% (2-43%) and 17.4% (3-58%) for larvae (n = 5699), nymphs (n = 48 804) and adults (n = 41 666), respectively. However, the results varied according to the method used. Cultivation in BSK medium is the least sensitive technique (an average of 11% adult ticks found infected), whereas polymerase chain reaction detecting spirochetal DNA is probably the most sensitive method (29% adults found infected). Microscopic methods (dark field, phase contrast, direct or indirect fluorescence) are generally comparable to each other (17-20% adults found infected) and should be regarded as standard procedures because they also make possible a quantitative estimation of spirochetes in the vector. Some technical problems of these methods are discussed.
(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): Zdenek Hubálek

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
review

---

Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Ixodes ricinus