New problems of environmental ecology: ticks and tick-borne pathogens in city parks of Ukraine

City parks of Vinnytsia, Ukraine, were examined for the occurrence of host-seeking ticks and collected specimens were examined for presence of rickettsial pathogens. In the summer season, the only collected individuals were Dermacentor reticulatus adults (n = 203). DNA identification of pathogens was conducted with the use of 16S rRNA gene amplification. Molecular analyses confirmed the presence of Rickettsia raoultii in ticks from all parks, with infection prevalence ranging from 5% to 68% across parks. These results indicate that city parks in Vinnytsia have become a new habitat for ticks of high medical and veterinary importance. Due to the risk of acquiring tick-borne pathogens, the urban environment such as parks and home gardens, should be monitored for the presence of ticks and their infection with human pathogens. Screening of these areas is an important preventive element of environmental epidemiology.

Automated summary

Ticks carrying Rickettsia raoultii were found in city parks of Vinnytsia, Ukraine, with varying prevalence across parks. This indicates that these parks have become a new habitat for ticks of significant medical and veterinary importance. Regular monitoring of ticks and their infection with human pathogens in urban environments such as parks and home gardens is important for preventing the spread of tick-borne diseases.