The ecology of tick-borne diseases: prevalence rate and reservoir competence in northern Italy

Tick borne diseases are zoonosis causing infection in humans and domestic animals. The most spread zoonosis in Europe are the one caused by Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Babesia spp., Borrelia spp. and Rickettsia spp. Impact of global, climatic and social changes occurring in recent years has increased incidence of ticks and number of infected people and animals. This cause movement of ticks into higher altitudes and thus the emergence of new outbreaks. Our study from alpine region of northern Italy reveals an prevalence of four pathogens in I.ricinus ticks from different reservoir host such as wild ungulates, rodents, sheep, birds, dogs and humans. The highest prevalence of A. phagocytophilum was 14,2% and 10,2% for Rickettsia spp. in wild ungulates, 7,1% for Babesia spp. and 37,5% for Borrelia spp. in birds. In addition we also reveals data on reservoir competence of host such as wild ungulates, birds and rodents. Where the most common species were A.phagocytophilum in wild ungulates, R.helvetica in wild ungulates and rodents, B.garnii, B.afzeli, B.luisitania in birds and rodents. Our data contribute to better understanding the role of different reservoir host which is crucial for tracing the ecology of these tick-borne pathogens