Prevalence of Borrelia burgdorferi infection in Ixodes ricinus ticks at urban and suburban forest habitats
Siński, E.; Rijpkema, S.G.
Przeglad Epidemiologiczny 51(4): 431-435
1997
ISSN/ISBN: 0033-2100 PMID: 9562791 Document Number: 474555
The aim of this preliminary study was to estimate the risk of infection of Ixodes ricinus ticks by the agent of Lyme disease--Borrelia burgdorferi s.l. (Acari: Ixodidae). Ticks were collected from the vegetation during May--August 1996 at two different forest habitats: Dziekanów Leśny near Warsaw and Lasek Bielański in Warsaw. Prevalence of B. burgdorferi infection of the nymphs and adults ticks was assessed by indirect immunofluorescence and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Tick occurrence during time of sampling was greater in Lasek Bielański than in Dziekanów Leśny. In both forest habitats ticks were infected with B. burgdorferi s.l., and prevalence of infection ranged from 19.2% in Lasek Bielański to 31% in Dziekanów Leśny. Four species of B. burgdorferi s.l. were identified in the ticks: B. burgdorferi s.l., B. garinii, B. afzelii and group VS116. This study shows that suburban forest and urban park habitats where I. ricinus is present are risk areas of human infection with Lyme disease spirochaetes.