Uneven temporal distribution of piroplasms (Piroplasmida: Babesiidae, Theileriidae) in Haemaphysalis concinna in an urban biotope of the Western Palearctic focus region of this tick species

IF 3.1 2区医学 Q2 INFECTIOUS DISEASES

Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases Pub Date : 2025-02-22 DOI:10.1016/j.ttbdis.2025.102458

Gergő Keve , Ciara Reynolds , Nóra Takács , Sándor Hornok

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Haemaphysalis concinna is a Palearctic tick species known as a potential or proven vector of several pathogens, including a broad spectrum of Babesia and Theileria species. The aim of this study was to examine the monthly presence of these piroplasms in H. concinna specimens collected from the vegetation of an urban habitat in Budapest, Hungary, in 2019 and 2020. The questing abundance of H. concinna was highest in June. By contrast, the occurrence of T. capreoli in unfed H. concinna peaked in April, and was significantly more common in the spring, than in the rest of the year. Among the detected eleven Babesia genotypes, two were present only in nymphs and adults of H. concinna. These were identical in the amplified part of their 18S rRNA gene to piroplasms reported from the Far East. Three further Babesia genotypes, however, showed genetic heterogeneity and were also carried by larvae. Babesia-infected nymphs and adults were most common in May and July.

In conclusion, the results of this study show that in a questing population of H. concinna the highest monthly prevalence of Babesia and Theileria spp. may be different from each other and from the peak abundance of carrier ticks. Based on previous reports on the effect of tick-borne pathogens on other species of ticks, the factors that may influence this phenomenon in H. concinna may include changes in the metabolism and behavior (host finding and feeding success) as well as survival rate of infected ticks. Further studies will be necessary to clarify this.

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来源期刊

Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases INFECTIOUS DISEASES-MICROBIOLOGY

CiteScore

6.90

自引率

12.50%

发文量

185

审稿时长

6-12 weeks

期刊介绍： Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases is an international, peer-reviewed scientific journal. It publishes original research papers, short communications, state-of-the-art mini-reviews, letters to the editor, clinical-case studies, announcements of pertinent international meetings, and editorials. The journal covers a broad spectrum and brings together various disciplines, for example, zoology, microbiology, molecular biology, genetics, mathematical modelling, veterinary and human medicine. Multidisciplinary approaches and the use of conventional and novel methods/methodologies (in the field and in the laboratory) are crucial for deeper understanding of the natural processes and human behaviour/activities that result in human or animal diseases and in economic effects of ticks and tick-borne pathogens. Such understanding is essential for management of tick populations and tick-borne diseases in an effective and environmentally acceptable manner.