The prevalence of Rickettsia spp. pathogens in ticks from migratory birds

Abstract

Birds are increasingly considered important in the global dispersal of tick-borne pathogens. The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of the spotted fever group (SFG) rickettsiae in ticks feeding on passerine migrating birds and living in their nests. A total of 284 I. ricinus ticks (109 larvae and 175 nymphs) were collected from birds at Ventės Ragas ornithological station in 2013 and 2014 years, and 2767 I. lividus ticks (1 male, 4 females, 7 nymphs and 2755 larvae) were found in sand martin (Riparia riparia) nests from three breeding colonies in 2013 and 2015 years. PCR analysis was used to detect Rickettsia spp. by targeting gltA and 17-kDa genes. Rickettsia pathogens were detected in 10.2 % of the I. ricinus ticks and in 89 % of I. lividus ticks. Sequence analysis of partial 17-kDa gene of Rickettsia isolates derived from I. ricinus ticks reveals presence of human pathogenic R. helvetica and R. monacensis. Rickettsia isolates from I. lividus ticks were closely related to Rickettsia vini. The presence of Rickettsia vini is reported for the first time in Lithuania.