Year-end Sale % OFF 
Abstract
We investigated the distribution of Dermacentor spp. and their infection by zoonotic bacteria causing SENLAT (scalp eschar neck lymphadenopathy) in Turin province, northwestern Italy. We collected ticks in a mountain and in a periurban park, from vegetation and different animal sources, and we sampled tissues from wild boar. Dermacentor marginatus (n = 121) was collected in both study areas, on vegetation, humans, and animals, while D. reticulatus (n = 13) was exclusively collected on wild boar from the periurban area. Rickettsia slovaca and Candidatus Rickettsia rioja infected 53.1% of the ticks, and R. slovaca was also identified in 11.3% of wild boar tissues. Bartonella spp. and Francisella tularensis were not detected, however, Francisella-like endosymbionts infected both tick species (9.2%). Our findings provide new insights on the current distribution of Dermacentor spp. and their infection with a spotted-fever group rickettsiae in the Alps region. Wild boar seem to play a major role in their eco-epidemiology and dispersion in the study area. Although further studies are needed to assess the burden of rickettsial diseases, our results highlight the risk of contracting SENLAT infection through Dermacentor spp. bites in the region.
Highlights
In the last few decades, human-induced changes in climate and land use have been favouring the geographic expansion of hard ticks, blood-feeding ectoparasites transmitting microorganisms of remarkable medical and veterinary importance [1]
We investigated the distribution of Dermacentor spp. in the Italian Alpine region, in a mountain and in a periurban natural area of Piedmont, and evaluated their infection by zoonotic tick-borne bacteria causing SENLAT
Dermacentor marginatus was distributed in both study areas, on various hosts and vegetation (Table 1)
Summary
In the last few decades, human-induced changes in climate and land use have been favouring the geographic expansion of hard ticks, blood-feeding ectoparasites transmitting microorganisms of remarkable medical and veterinary importance [1]. In addition to Ixodes ricinus, the most widespread tick species and well-known disease vector in Europe [2], ticks of the genus Dermacentor have increasingly gained attention, both for their geographical spread and their vectorial role. Dermacentor reticulatus has been showing an intensive spread in areas of north-western, north-eastern, and central. The Alps region were considered a barrier for its southern spread [9], recent studies recorded D. reticulatus in the northern regions of Italy [10,11,12]. Dermacentor marginatus is, commonly distributed in the Mediterranean basin, including almost the entire Italian territory [13]. These three-host tick species parasitize a wide range of vertebrate hosts, with immatures
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
