Molecular Typing of Tick-Borne Pathogens in Ixodids of Bosnia and Herzegovina
Ticks are key vectors of zoonotic pathogens, and their expanding distribution in Europe heightens public health concerns. In Bosnia and Herzegovina, while tick distribution is well documented, molecular data on tick-borne pathogens remain limited. This study aimed to illustrate the presence and dive...
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MDPI AG
2025-04-01
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| author | Ina Hoxha Jovana Dervović Margarida Ruivo Michiel Wijnveld Adelheid G. Obwaller Bernhard Jäger Martin Weiler Julia Walochnik Edwin Kniha Amer Alić |
| author_facet | Ina Hoxha Jovana Dervović Margarida Ruivo Michiel Wijnveld Adelheid G. Obwaller Bernhard Jäger Martin Weiler Julia Walochnik Edwin Kniha Amer Alić |
| author_sort | Ina Hoxha |
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| description | Ticks are key vectors of zoonotic pathogens, and their expanding distribution in Europe heightens public health concerns. In Bosnia and Herzegovina, while tick distribution is well documented, molecular data on tick-borne pathogens remain limited. This study aimed to illustrate the presence and diversity of these pathogens, focusing on areas with high human activity. Ticks (n = 556) were collected in April 2022 from eight diverse locations, including urban parks, private properties, and rural sites. PCR-based screening was employed to detect Anaplasmataceae, <i>Borrelia</i>, <i>Francisella</i>, Piroplasmida, <i>Rickettsia</i>, and tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV), with subsequent sequencing to confirm results. Further characterization of <i>Borrelia burgdorferi</i> sensu lato was achieved via reverse line blotting (RLB) hybridization and sequencing. <i>Ixodes ricinus</i> was the most prevalent species, followed by <i>Dermacentor marginatus</i> and <i>D. reticulatus.</i> Our analysis revealed an overall infection rate of 22.1% in questing ticks, with <i>Rickettsia</i> spp. and <i>Borrelia</i> spp. predominating. Notably, seven <i>Borrelia</i> species were identified in <i>I. ricinus</i>, alongside <i>Anaplasma phagocytophilum</i>, <i>Rickettsia helvetica</i>, and <i>R. monacensis</i>, with co-infections mainly observed in peri-urban areas. This study provides the first molecular evidence of multiple tick-borne pathogens in the region, underscoring the need for further surveillance and risk assessment of tick-borne diseases in the region. |
| format | Article |
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| issn | 2076-2607 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
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| series | Microorganisms |
| spelling | doaj-art-1b18cf623d53434fb6ca73d0f0cada2f2025-08-20T02:33:51ZengMDPI AGMicroorganisms2076-26072025-04-01135105410.3390/microorganisms13051054Molecular Typing of Tick-Borne Pathogens in Ixodids of Bosnia and HerzegovinaIna Hoxha0Jovana Dervović1Margarida Ruivo2Michiel Wijnveld3Adelheid G. Obwaller4Bernhard Jäger5Martin Weiler6Julia Walochnik7Edwin Kniha8Amer Alić9Institute of Specific Prophylaxis and Tropical Medicine, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University Vienna, 1090 Vienna, AustriaDepartment of Clinical Sciences of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sarajevo, 71000 Sarajevo, Bosnia and HerzegovinaInstitute for Hygiene and Applied Immunology, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, AustriaInstitute for Hygiene and Applied Immunology, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, AustriaDivision of Science, Research and Development, Federal Ministry of Defence, 1090 Vienna, AustriaCBRN Defence Centre, Austrian Armed Forces, 2100 Korneuburg, AustriaCBRN Defence Centre, Austrian Armed Forces, 2100 Korneuburg, AustriaInstitute of Specific Prophylaxis and Tropical Medicine, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University Vienna, 1090 Vienna, AustriaInstitute of Specific Prophylaxis and Tropical Medicine, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University Vienna, 1090 Vienna, AustriaDepartment of Clinical Sciences of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sarajevo, 71000 Sarajevo, Bosnia and HerzegovinaTicks are key vectors of zoonotic pathogens, and their expanding distribution in Europe heightens public health concerns. In Bosnia and Herzegovina, while tick distribution is well documented, molecular data on tick-borne pathogens remain limited. This study aimed to illustrate the presence and diversity of these pathogens, focusing on areas with high human activity. Ticks (n = 556) were collected in April 2022 from eight diverse locations, including urban parks, private properties, and rural sites. PCR-based screening was employed to detect Anaplasmataceae, <i>Borrelia</i>, <i>Francisella</i>, Piroplasmida, <i>Rickettsia</i>, and tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV), with subsequent sequencing to confirm results. Further characterization of <i>Borrelia burgdorferi</i> sensu lato was achieved via reverse line blotting (RLB) hybridization and sequencing. <i>Ixodes ricinus</i> was the most prevalent species, followed by <i>Dermacentor marginatus</i> and <i>D. reticulatus.</i> Our analysis revealed an overall infection rate of 22.1% in questing ticks, with <i>Rickettsia</i> spp. and <i>Borrelia</i> spp. predominating. Notably, seven <i>Borrelia</i> species were identified in <i>I. ricinus</i>, alongside <i>Anaplasma phagocytophilum</i>, <i>Rickettsia helvetica</i>, and <i>R. monacensis</i>, with co-infections mainly observed in peri-urban areas. This study provides the first molecular evidence of multiple tick-borne pathogens in the region, underscoring the need for further surveillance and risk assessment of tick-borne diseases in the region.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/13/5/1054<i>Anaplasma</i>Balkanbarcoding<i>Borrelia</i><i>Neoehrlichia mikurensis</i>PCR |
| spellingShingle | Ina Hoxha Jovana Dervović Margarida Ruivo Michiel Wijnveld Adelheid G. Obwaller Bernhard Jäger Martin Weiler Julia Walochnik Edwin Kniha Amer Alić Molecular Typing of Tick-Borne Pathogens in Ixodids of Bosnia and Herzegovina Microorganisms <i>Anaplasma</i> Balkan barcoding <i>Borrelia</i> <i>Neoehrlichia mikurensis</i> PCR |
| title | Molecular Typing of Tick-Borne Pathogens in Ixodids of Bosnia and Herzegovina |
| title_full | Molecular Typing of Tick-Borne Pathogens in Ixodids of Bosnia and Herzegovina |
| title_fullStr | Molecular Typing of Tick-Borne Pathogens in Ixodids of Bosnia and Herzegovina |
| title_full_unstemmed | Molecular Typing of Tick-Borne Pathogens in Ixodids of Bosnia and Herzegovina |
| title_short | Molecular Typing of Tick-Borne Pathogens in Ixodids of Bosnia and Herzegovina |
| title_sort | molecular typing of tick borne pathogens in ixodids of bosnia and herzegovina |
| topic | <i>Anaplasma</i> Balkan barcoding <i>Borrelia</i> <i>Neoehrlichia mikurensis</i> PCR |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/13/5/1054 |
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