Tick-borne pathogens in removed ticks Veneto, northeastern Italy: A cross-sectional investigation

BACKGROUND:

In Italy, the incidence of tick-borne diseases in humans is underestimated, as they are not obligatorily notifiable. The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of tick-borne pathogens in ticks removed from human subjects in Veneto region (northeastern Italy), an area for which no published studies are yet available.

METHOD:

Forty-five ticks prospectively removed from human subjects, between March and August 2016, were analysed for bacterial DNA.

RESULTS:

Seven of 45 ticks were infected with bacteria, including human pathogens: 4 Rickettsia spp. (9%), including R. monacensis and R. helvetica; 3 Borrelia spp. and 1 Anaplasma phagocytophilum. Three subjects bitten by infected ticks reported symptoms.

CONCLUSIONS:

Rickettsiosis and anaplasmosis, tick-borne diseases previously not considered in northeastern Italy, should not be neglected. A new survey for a longer period is required to obtain stronger epidemiological data.