Babesia spp. in questing ticks and ticks parasitizing cervids

Abstract

Babesiosis is an emerging, tick-transmitted, zoonotic disease caused by hematotropic parasites of the genus Babesia. Babesial parasites are some of the most ubiquitous and widespread blood parasites in the world, second only to the trypanosomes, and consequently have considerable worldwide economic, medical, and veterinary impact [1]. Human babesiosis, primarily caused by B.microti in the USA and by B.divergens in Europe was first documented in 1957 in former Yougoslavia. Since then, several hundred clinical cases in the USA and about 40 clinical cases in Europe have been recorded. However, in Europe it occurs almost exclusively in splenectomized or otherwise immunosuppressed patients [1,2]. The aim of this study was investigate the presence of Babesia parasites in questing ticks, ticks parasitizing cervids and characterize Babesia species in Lithuania. Ixodes ricinus and Dermacentor reticulatus ticks were collected from vegetation in deer farms and from cervids: red deer and roe deer in 2011-2012 years. A total 135 ticks were screened for the presence of DNA of Babesia spp. GenBank analysis of the Babesia spp. positive samples revealed presence of B.microti and B.venatorum.