Diversity of ticks and tick-borne pathogens in ticks removed from dogs and cats: a focus on Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, and Romania
Abstract Background Ticks in Europe comprise over 100 species, with Ixodes, Rhipicephalus, Dermacentor, and Haemaphysalis being the most prevalent. Ixodes ricinus is the most widespread, while Dermacentor reticulatus is common in central Europe. Rhipicephalus sanguineus has expanded into temperate r...
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BMC
2025-07-01
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| Series: | Parasites & Vectors |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-025-06852-6 |
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| author | Sajjad Ghodrati Andra Nica Michal Ceregrzyn Lukasz Adaszek Jan Doležal Gianluca D’Amico David Modrý |
| author_facet | Sajjad Ghodrati Andra Nica Michal Ceregrzyn Lukasz Adaszek Jan Doležal Gianluca D’Amico David Modrý |
| author_sort | Sajjad Ghodrati |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Ticks in Europe comprise over 100 species, with Ixodes, Rhipicephalus, Dermacentor, and Haemaphysalis being the most prevalent. Ixodes ricinus is the most widespread, while Dermacentor reticulatus is common in central Europe. Rhipicephalus sanguineus has expanded into temperate regions, affecting tick–host interactions and pathogen transmission. Companion animals, especially dogs and cats, are common tick hosts and vectors for pathogens such as borreliosis, anaplasmosis, and canine babesiosis. This study investigates the prevalence and species composition of ticks infesting dogs and cats in Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, and Romania, focusing on seasonal trends and pathogen occurrence. Methods From 2020 to 2022, ticks were collected from dogs and cats during veterinary consultations across five countries. A total of 4563 ticks were identified morphologically, and 1085 were screened for pathogens, including Babesia canis, Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Ehrlichia canis, and Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato. Results I. ricinus was the predominant species (65.0%), followed by D. reticulatus (29.8%) and R. sanguineus (3.8%). Ticks were present year-round, with peaks in spring and autumn. Of the 1085 tested ticks, 29.0% were positive for at least one pathogen, with A. phagocytophilum being the most common (15.0%). B. burgdorferi s.l. was detected in 7.0% of ticks, and Babesia spp. in 6.5%, predominantly B. canis. Conclusions This study highlights the year-round risk of tick infestations and vector-borne pathogen transmission in dogs and cats in Central Europe, underscoring the need for ongoing tick surveillance. Veterinary practitioners should enhance public awareness about ticks and associated health risks for companion animals. Graphical abstract |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-e872fdf408224044821e75dc501747ce |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 1756-3305 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Parasites & Vectors |
| spelling | doaj-art-e872fdf408224044821e75dc501747ce2025-08-20T03:04:22ZengBMCParasites & Vectors1756-33052025-07-0118111110.1186/s13071-025-06852-6Diversity of ticks and tick-borne pathogens in ticks removed from dogs and cats: a focus on Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, and RomaniaSajjad Ghodrati0Andra Nica1Michal Ceregrzyn2Lukasz Adaszek3Jan Doležal4Gianluca D’Amico5David Modrý6Department of Botany and Zoology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk UniversityMSD Animal HealthMSD Animal HealthDepartment of Epizootiology and Clinic of Infectious Diseases, University of Life SciencesMSD Animal HealthDepartment of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-NapocaDepartment of Botany and Zoology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk UniversityAbstract Background Ticks in Europe comprise over 100 species, with Ixodes, Rhipicephalus, Dermacentor, and Haemaphysalis being the most prevalent. Ixodes ricinus is the most widespread, while Dermacentor reticulatus is common in central Europe. Rhipicephalus sanguineus has expanded into temperate regions, affecting tick–host interactions and pathogen transmission. Companion animals, especially dogs and cats, are common tick hosts and vectors for pathogens such as borreliosis, anaplasmosis, and canine babesiosis. This study investigates the prevalence and species composition of ticks infesting dogs and cats in Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, and Romania, focusing on seasonal trends and pathogen occurrence. Methods From 2020 to 2022, ticks were collected from dogs and cats during veterinary consultations across five countries. A total of 4563 ticks were identified morphologically, and 1085 were screened for pathogens, including Babesia canis, Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Ehrlichia canis, and Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato. Results I. ricinus was the predominant species (65.0%), followed by D. reticulatus (29.8%) and R. sanguineus (3.8%). Ticks were present year-round, with peaks in spring and autumn. Of the 1085 tested ticks, 29.0% were positive for at least one pathogen, with A. phagocytophilum being the most common (15.0%). B. burgdorferi s.l. was detected in 7.0% of ticks, and Babesia spp. in 6.5%, predominantly B. canis. Conclusions This study highlights the year-round risk of tick infestations and vector-borne pathogen transmission in dogs and cats in Central Europe, underscoring the need for ongoing tick surveillance. Veterinary practitioners should enhance public awareness about ticks and associated health risks for companion animals. Graphical abstracthttps://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-025-06852-6TicksIxodes ricinusDermacentor reticulatusIxodes hexagonusCompanion animalsDog |
| spellingShingle | Sajjad Ghodrati Andra Nica Michal Ceregrzyn Lukasz Adaszek Jan Doležal Gianluca D’Amico David Modrý Diversity of ticks and tick-borne pathogens in ticks removed from dogs and cats: a focus on Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, and Romania Parasites & Vectors Ticks Ixodes ricinus Dermacentor reticulatus Ixodes hexagonus Companion animals Dog |
| title | Diversity of ticks and tick-borne pathogens in ticks removed from dogs and cats: a focus on Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, and Romania |
| title_full | Diversity of ticks and tick-borne pathogens in ticks removed from dogs and cats: a focus on Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, and Romania |
| title_fullStr | Diversity of ticks and tick-borne pathogens in ticks removed from dogs and cats: a focus on Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, and Romania |
| title_full_unstemmed | Diversity of ticks and tick-borne pathogens in ticks removed from dogs and cats: a focus on Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, and Romania |
| title_short | Diversity of ticks and tick-borne pathogens in ticks removed from dogs and cats: a focus on Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, and Romania |
| title_sort | diversity of ticks and tick borne pathogens in ticks removed from dogs and cats a focus on poland czech republic slovakia hungary and romania |
| topic | Ticks Ixodes ricinus Dermacentor reticulatus Ixodes hexagonus Companion animals Dog |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-025-06852-6 |
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