First Record ofIxodes arboricola(Ixodida: Ixodidae) From Turkey With Presence ofCandidatusRickettsia vini (Rickettsiales: Rickettsiaceae): Table 1.

Abstract

Birds are the specific hosts of many tick species and may contribute to the dissemination of ticks and tick-borne pathogens throughout the world. Determination of ticks infesting birds and their pathogens are important for the detection of natural foci of human pathogens. Unfortunately, there is very limited information about the occurrence of ticks on birds and associated pathogens in Turkey. We performed a tick survey on three passerine bird species; Parus major, Sylvia atricapilla, and Turdus merula. Ticks collected from these birds were identified to species and tested for the presence of Borrelia, Ehrlichia, and Rickettsia species. Ixodes arboricola Schulze & Schlottke, Ixodes frontalis Panzer, and Ixodes ricinus L. were found on the birds. This is the first study reporting the presence of I. frontalis and I. arboricola on S. atricapilla and P. major, respectively, in Turkey. In addition, the results of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with primers specific for gltA and ompA genes and DNA sequence analysis of positive PCR products indicated the presence of Candidatus Rickettsia vini in I. arboricola ticks. In conclusion, this is the first record of both I. arboricola and Candidatus Rickettsia vini in Turkey. Therefore, future studies needed to be conducted on the ticks infesting birds and their pathogens to elucidate the role of birds in the dispersal of tick species and tick-borne pathogens in Turkey.

Molecular characterization of ‘Candidatus Rickettsia vini’ in Ixodes arboricola from the Czech Republic and Slovakia

“…of Pages 4 the Czech Republic and Slovakia. Previously, this rickettsia has been confirmed in I. arboricola and I. ricinus ticks from Spain and in I. arboricola ticks from Turkey (Keskin et al, 2014;Palomar et al, 2012a).…”

A survey of ticks (Acari: Ixodida) infesting some wild animals from Sivas, Turkey

“…Therefore, tick-host associations and natural cycles of many tick-borne pathogens are still far from being clarified in Turkey. In only recent studies, ticks infesting reptiles and birds have been reported from Southeastern and Black Sea regions in Turkey (Keskin et al , 2014. Other than these, there are reports for Hyalomma aegyptium (L.) collected from Testudo graeca L. (Široký et al, 2014); Hyalomma spp.…”

“…Thus, they are closely associated with several tick-borne pathogens, such as Crimean Congo hemorrhagic virus, borreliae, and rickettsiae Keskin et al 2014).…”

“…Turkish tick fauna currently consists of 47 species belonging to nine genera Keskin et al 2014). Most of literature regarding Turkish ticks has concentrated on their medical and veterinary significance (Bursali et al 2010(Bursali et al , 2011Gargili et al 2011;Bakirci et al 2014).…”

Overview of Zoonotic Diseases in Turkey: The One Health Concept and Future Threats

“…In Turkey, Candidatus R. vini was detected in I. arboricola ticks collected from birds in the Kizilirmak Delta (77).…”