Prevalence of Anaplasma phagocytophilum in ticks collected from migratory birds in Lithuania

Abstract

The prevalence of Anaplasma phagocytophilum was studied in ticks collected on birds in Lithuania during spring of 2007 and autumn of 2008. A total 60 ticks were collected from 36 birds caught at Ventes Ragas Ornithological Station. For detection of A. phagocytophilum DNA in ticks were used two pair of primers: very sensitive EHR521/747 (for 16S rRNA gene), but possible detected also other Rickettsiales species, and species- specific ApMSP2f/r (for msp2 gene). A. phagocytophilum infection wasn’t detected in ticks from birds, but other rickettsial infection was detected in 43.3% (26/60) of ticks from Acrocephalus schoenobaenus, A. scirpaceus, Erithacus rubecula, Luscinia luscinia, Parus major, Phylloscopus trochilus, Sylvia communis and Turdus philomelos birds in Lithuania.