Diversity of Babesia infecting European sheep ticks (Ixodes ricinus)
Diversity of Babesia infecting European sheep ticks (Ixodes ricinus)
Duh, D.; Petrovec, M.; Avsic-Zupanc, T.
Journal of Clinical Microbiology 39(9): 3395-3397
2001
ISSN/ISBN: 0095-1137
PMID: 11526189
DOI: 10.1128/jcm.39.9.3395-3397.2001
Questing Ixodes ricinus (Acari: Ixodidae) adult and nymphal ticks collected in various parts of Slovenia were tested for the presence of babesial parasites with a PCR assay based on the nuclear small subunit rRNA gene (nss-ribosomal DNA [rDNA]). Thirteen of 135 ticks were found to contain babesial DNA. Sequence determination and analysis of amplified portions of nss-rDNA revealed their identity with Babesia microti and a high degree of homology with Babesia odocoilei and Babesia divergens. The results of this study represent the first genetic evidence of B. microti and B. divergens-like parasites in I. ricinus ticks in Europe.