[en] The occurrence of autochthonous clinical cases of canine and equine babesiosis in Belgium during the last two decades suggests that the vector of the pathogens responsible for these diseases, Dermacentor reticulatus (Ixodida: Ixodidae), may be present in this country. Consequently, evidence for the presence of this tick species in different locations within Belgium was investigated. Four different locations were monitored by flagging in 2010; these included the locations at which D. reticulatus was previously found on a dog in 2009 and on two red deer in 2007. Two different species of tick were identified, Ixodes ricinus (Ixodida: Ixodidae) and D. reticulatus. A total of 282 D. reticulatus adult ticks (98 males, 184 females) were collected from the four sites. Ticks were found mainly from early March until the end of May and a peak in activity was apparent in March. A Babesia spp. (Piroplasmida: Babesiidae) genus-specific polymerase chain reaction test based on the amplification of a fragment of the 18S rRNA gene was used to investigate the potential presence of Babesia spp. All DNA extracts isolated from the total tick samples yielded negative results. Additional studies to accurately determine the distribution and vectorial capacity of this important tick species in Belgium are warranted.
Disciplines :
Veterinary medicine & animal health Entomology & pest control
Linden, Annick ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département des maladies infectieuses et parasitaires > Santé et pathologies de la faune sauvage
Saegerman, Claude ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département des maladies infectieuses et parasitaires > Epidémiologie et analyse des risques appl. aux sc. vétér.
Heyman, Paul
Losson, Bertrand ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département des maladies infectieuses et parasitaires > Parasitologie et pathologie des maladies parasitaires
✱ These authors have contributed equally to this work.
Language :
English
Title :
Foci report on indigenous Dermacentor reticulatus populations in Belgium and a preliminary study of associated babesiosis pathogens.
Publication date :
2012
Journal title :
Medical and Veterinary Entomology
ISSN :
0269-283X
eISSN :
1365-2915
Publisher :
Wiley, New York, United States - New York
Volume :
26
Issue :
3
Pages :
355-358
Peer reviewed :
Peer Reviewed verified by ORBi
Commentary :
(c) 2011 The Authors. Medical and Veterinary Entomology (c) 2011 The Royal Entomological Society.
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