Rickettsial infection in Ixodes ricinus and Dermacentor reticulatus ticks in urban green areas of Ukraine

Hard ticks Ixodes ricinus and Dermacentor reticulatus are the most important vectors for Rickettsia spp. in Central and Western Europe. We studied questing ticks from urban parks and green areas in eastern, northern and central Ukraine. The DNA of Rickettsia spp. was detected in 16.3% of I. ricinus and 29.1% of D. reticulatus. Totally, three species were found in urban habitats: R. helvetica was found in 14.7% of I. ricinus and in 1.5% D. reticulatus; R. monacensis in 1.5% of I. ricinus, and R. raoultii in 28.8% of D. reticulatus. We can conclude that the risk of contracting rickettsiosis in popular tourist urban habitats of Ukraine exists.

Automated summary

Ticks in urban parks and green areas in Ukraine were found to carry Rickettsia spp. DNA, with 16.3% of I. ricinus and 29.1% of D. reticulatus testing positive. R. helvetica and R. monacensis were found in I. ricinus, while R. raoultii was found in D. reticulatus. This indicates a risk of rickettsiosis in popular tourist urban habitats in Ukraine.