Abstract
BackgroundSpotted fever group (SFG) rickettsiae have recently been identified for the first time in UK ticks. This included the findings of Rickettsia helvetica in Ixodes ricinus and Rickettsia raoultii in Dermacentor reticulatus. This paper further investigates the occurrence of SFG rickettsiae in additional geographically distinct populations of D. reticulatus, and for the first time, investigates the occurrence of SFG rickettsiae in UK populations of Haemaphysalis punctata ticks.MethodsQuesting D. reticulatus and H. punctata were collected at a number of sites in England and Wales. DNA from questing ticks was extracted by alkaline lysis and detection of rickettsiae DNA was performed, in addition to detection of A. phagocytophilum, N. mikurensis, C. burnetii and B. burgdorferi sensu lato.ResultsThis paper builds on previous findings to include the detection of spotted fever Rickettsia which showed the highest homology to Rickettsia massiliae in Haemaphysalis punctata, as well as R. helvetica in D. reticulatus. The occurrence of SFG rickettsiae in D. reticulatus in the UK appears to be confined only to Welsh and Essex populations, with no evidence so far from Devon. Similarly, the occurrence of SFG rickettsiae in H. punctata appears confined to one of two farms known to be infested with this tick in North Kent, with no evidence so far from the Sussex populations. Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Neoehrlichia mikurensis, Coxiella burnetii and Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato DNA was not detected in any of the ticks.ConclusionThese two tick species are highly restricted in their distribution in England and Wales, but where they do occur they can be abundant. Following detection of these SFG rickettsiae in additional UK tick species, as well as I. ricinus, research should now be directed towards clarifying firstly the geographic distribution of SFG rickettsiae in UK ticks, and secondly to assess the prevalence rates in ticks, wild and domesticated animals and humans to identify the drivers for disease transmission and their public health significance.
Highlights
Spotted fever group (SFG) rickettsiae have recently been identified for the first time in UK ticks
Rickettsial diseases reported in Europe include Mediterranean spotted fever, tick-borne lymphadenopathy (TIBOLA), Dermacentorborne necrosis erythema lymphadenopathy (DEBONEL) and Lymphangitis-associated rickettsiosis (LAR) [1]
In an attempt to further quantify the potential risk of transmission of SFG rickettsiae and other bacterial pathogens to humans following tick bites in the UK, we investigated the presence of Rickettsia spp., Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Neoehrlichia mikurensis, Coxiella burnetii and Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato in both H. punctata and D. reticulatus ticks
Summary
Spotted fever group (SFG) rickettsiae have recently been identified for the first time in UK ticks. This included the findings of Rickettsia helvetica in Ixodes ricinus and Rickettsia raoultii in Dermacentor reticulatus. New SFG rickettsiae have been detected in recent years with species in the UK [4] occurring in a range of habitats [5] and is the main vector for a number of tick-borne diseases including Lyme borreliosis, louping ill virus, babesiosis and anaplasmosis. Dermacentor reticulatus is more restricted in its distribution and has been reported from sand dune habitats in western Wales, coastal grassland dominated by sheep in Devon [6] as well as from parts of Essex [7,8]. No sampling of the Devon D. reticulatus population has so far been carried out
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
