Diversity of ticks and tick-borne pathogens in ticks removed from dogs and cats: a focus on Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, and Romania

Result code in IS VaVaI

<a href="https://www.isvavai.cz/riv?ss=detail&h=RIV%2F60077344%3A_____%2F25%3A00637709" target="_blank" >RIV/60077344:_____/25:00637709 - isvavai.cz</a>

Alternative codes found

RIV/60460709:41210/25:102417 RIV/00216224:14310/25:00142384

Result on the web

<a href="https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-025-06852-6" target="_blank" >https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-025-06852-6</a>

DOI - Digital Object Identifier

<a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s13071-025-06852-6" target="_blank" >10.1186/s13071-025-06852-6</a>

Result language

angličtina

Original language name

Diversity of ticks and tick-borne pathogens in ticks removed from dogs and cats: a focus on Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, and Romania

Original language description

BackgroundTicks 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.MethodsFrom 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.ResultsI. 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.ConclusionsThis 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.

Czech name

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Czech description

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Type

J_imp - Article in a specialist periodical, which is included in the Web of Science database

CEP classification

—

OECD FORD branch

40301 - Veterinary science

Project

<a href="/en/project/GA21-11661S" target="_blank" >GA21-11661S: Comparative ecology and epidemiological significance of Ixodes inopinatus, a newly recognized diseases vector in Central Europe</a><br>

Continuities

I - Institucionalni podpora na dlouhodoby koncepcni rozvoj vyzkumne organizace

Publication year

2025

Confidentiality

S - Úplné a pravdivé údaje o projektu nepodléhají ochraně podle zvláštních právních předpisů

Name of the periodical

Parasites & Vectors

ISSN

1756-3305

e-ISSN

1756-3305

Volume of the periodical

18

Issue of the periodical within the volume

1

Country of publishing house

GB - UNITED KINGDOM

Number of pages

11

Pages from-to

290

UT code for WoS article

001531988300001

EID of the result in the Scopus database

2-s2.0-105011275654