Abstract
The hard tick Dermacentor reticulatus transmits Babesia canis, the causative agent of canine babesiosis. Both the occurrence and local distribution of D. reticulatus as well as infection rates of questing ticks with B. canis are thus far poorly known in Bavaria, Germany. The objectives of this study were to conduct (1) a georeferenced field study on the occurrence of D. reticulatus with digital habitat characterization and (2) a PCR analysis of D. reticulatus collected in Bavaria for infection with B. canis. Dermacentor reticulatus were collected by flagging at 60 sites specifically selected according to habitat conditions and screened individually for Babesia DNA. A digital habitat characterization for D. reticulatus was performed according to results of the field analysis including the parameters land use, proximity to water, “potential natural vegetation”, red deer corridors and climate data. Altogether, 339 D. reticulatus ticks (214 females and 125 males) were collected between 2010 and 2013 at 12 out of 60 sampling sites. All 12 sites were characterized by high humidity with marshy areas. Babesia canis DNA was detected in 1 out of 301 (0.3%) questing D. reticulatus in Bavaria. The digital habitat characterization revealed 15 forest areas in Bavaria with similar ecological characteristics as the sites positive for D. reticulatus.
Highlights
The hard tick Dermacentor reticulatus can transmit zoonotic pathogens such as Rickettsia raoultii and Francisella tularensis as well as the protozoon Babesia canis, the causative agent of canine babesiosis, a severe infectious disease in dogs [1,2]
Canine babesiosis is increasingly reported as an autochthonous disease in Germany [1]
A similar pattern has been shown for the distribution of Ixodes scapularis and the incidence of Lyme disease caused by Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato
Summary
The hard tick Dermacentor reticulatus can transmit zoonotic pathogens such as Rickettsia raoultii and Francisella tularensis as well as the protozoon Babesia canis, the causative agent of canine babesiosis, a severe infectious disease in dogs [1,2]. Canine babesiosis is increasingly reported as an autochthonous disease in Germany [1]. Possible reasons for such autochthonous infections include an expanding distribution of D. reticulatus due to changes of climate, land use and host density and distribution [1,3,4]. A similar pattern has been shown for the distribution of Ixodes scapularis and the incidence of Lyme disease caused by Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato. An increase in temperature due to climate change led to an increase in the incidence of Lyme disease [5]. Accurate and updated knowledge on the distribution of this tick species as well as its potential infections rates with B. canis is of utmost importance, with regard to potentially necessary prevention measures
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
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 call
