Absence ofspp. in ixodid ticks collected from vegetation and animals in eastern Poland.

Abstract

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Parasites of the genusare intracellular protozoa that infect the leukocytes and erythrocytes of animals, causing theileriosis. The aim of the study was to examine the presence ofspp. in adult ticks and their offspring in the Lublin region of eastern Poland. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Ticks were collected from vegetation and from wild and domestic animals in Lublin Province, Poland. Engorged females were left in laboratory conditions to lay eggs. Detection ofspp. was performed by amplifying a fragment of the 18S rRNA gene. RESULTS: Overall, 1,000 ticks collected from vegetation, 50 engorged female ticks from animals, and eggs and larvae from 5 females were tested forspp. The parasite was not detected in adult ticks or samples isolated from eggs and larvae. CONCLUSIONS: The results did not confirm the prevalence ofin ticks in eastern Poland. The distribution ofin ticks and animals in the Lublin macroregion requires further monitoring.