Even tick larvae can participate in the transmission of parasite-induced babesiosis, scientists from Poland and the USA have shown. It is a disease that is also dangerous for humans, affecting red blood cells, kidneys and liver.
- Protozoa, which can cause babesiosis, were found in all stages of development of ticks, but the greatest number was found in the larvae
- The disease is most common in animals, but ticks can also transmit it to humans
- According to the research of Polish scientists, ticks from forest areas more often transmit babesiosis, and from urban areas – borreliosis
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Babesiosis and ticks
Babesiosis is a disease caused by the protozoa of the genus Babesia. This disease affects the red blood cells, liver and kidneys. Contrary to popular belief, it is not just an animal disease, some species can cause disease in humans. So far, the meadow tick has been considered as a vector for Babesia.
Thanks to the research of scientists from the University of Life Sciences in Poznań (UPP), the University of Adam Mickiewicz, the Institute of Dendrology of the Polish Academy of Sciences and the University of Berkeley, we know more about the role of tick larvae in the transmission of this disease.
As part of the research conducted at the premises of the UPP Forest Experimental Plants (Murowana Goślina and Siemianice – both located in Greater Poland) and Poznań city parks, scientists looked at what ticks carry them.
– We tested 1598 common ticks for the presence of Babesia protozoa. The following Babesia species were present in the ticks from Wielkopolska: B. canis, B. divergens, B. venatorum. These species are dangerous for dogs and can be dangerous for humans – emphasizes Dr. Anna Wierzbicka from the Faculty of Forestry and Wood Technology of the UPP, quoted in the press release from the university.
Babesia canis has been detected in all development stages of the common tick, with the highest percentage recorded in larvae (13%). – researchers report.
– Our discovery suggests that Babesia is passed on by female ticks through the ovaries to the eggs – trans-ovaries, that is, the “mother” of the tick passes them on to the offspring – emphasizes Dr. Wierzbicka.
It also turned out that in forest areas 10,2 percent. ticks were transmitted by the Babesia parasite, and in parks in city parks – 2,5 percent. This is the opposite situation to that observed, for example, for Lyme bacteria, which is more common in cities than in forests.
The results of the study indicate that the tick can transmit babesiosis to animals and humans.
Check if you could get infected from the tick. Genetic testing for tick-borne infections is an analysis of the genetic material, i.e. a tick, in order to check whether it is a carrier of bacteria that are dangerous to humans.
Therefore, scientists point to the need for further research to show the role of ticks in this regard and the real possibility of transmission.
The study also showed that the recreational areas of Poznań are a place of serious disease, especially for dogs (but also for humans). The percentage of infected ticks in this area is higher than that recorded in other parts of the country. Dog owners and vets should take this into account when planning dog protection and diagnosing their diseases, the authors of the study suggest.
More information on the source publication page (https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1877959X21001394)
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Author: Marek Matacz / PAP
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