PCR detection of granulocytic Anaplasma and Babesia in Ixodes ricinus ticks and birds in west-central Poland

The aim of the study was to establish the role of forest birds as reservoirs of Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Babesia spp. in Wielkopolski National Park. A total of 108 birds from 9 species were collected between May-September 2002. Blood samples were taken from 84 specimens and 442 individuals of t...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Annals of Agricultural and Environmental Medicine 2006, Vol.13 (1), p.21-23
Main Authors: Skotarczak, Bogumiła, Rymaszewska, Anna, Wodecka, Beata, Sawczuk, Marek, Adamska, Małgorzata, Maciejewska, Agnieszka
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Anaplasma
Anaplasma - isolation & purification
Anaplasma phagocytophilum
Anaplasma phagocytophilum - isolation & purification
Animals
Arachnid Vectors - microbiology
Arachnid Vectors - parasitology
Aves
Babesia
Babesia - isolation & purification
Babesiosis - diagnosis
Babesiosis - epidemiology
Babesiosis - transmission
Babesiosis - veterinary
Bird Diseases - diagnosis
Bird Diseases - epidemiology
Birds
Disease Reservoirs - veterinary
DNA, Bacterial - analysis
DNA, Protozoan - analysis
Ehrlichiosis - diagnosis
Ehrlichiosis - epidemiology
Ehrlichiosis - transmission
Ehrlichiosis - veterinary
Ixodes - microbiology
Ixodes - parasitology
Ixodes ricinus
Ixodidae
Poland - epidemiology
Polymerase Chain Reaction - methods
Species Specificity
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Summary:The aim of the study was to establish the role of forest birds as reservoirs of Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Babesia spp. in Wielkopolski National Park. A total of 108 birds from 9 species were collected between May-September 2002. Blood samples were taken from 84 specimens and 442 individuals of the common tick, Ixodes ricinus, were collected from the birds. The 73 additional ticks were collected from vegetation. PCR amplification of a fragment of the epank 1 gene and 18S rRNA gene was used for detection of A. phagocytophilum and Babesia spp. DNA, respectively. Pathogen DNA was not detected in any of the blood samples or ticks collected from birds. On the other hand, 3 ticks collected from vegetation (4.1% of all examined specimens) were positive for A. phagocytophilum DNA. In spite of the high level of infestation of birds by I. ricinus, it is clear that they do not constitute a competent reservoir of A. phagocytophilum and Babesia in WNP. Additionally, I. ricinus is not a significant vector in this area.
ISSN:1232-1966