Prevalence of Borrelia burgdorferi Sensu Lato Genospecies in Ixodes ricinus Ticks from Recreational Areas of Silesia Częstość występowania genogatunków Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato w populacji kleszczy Ixodes ricinus na terenach rekreacyjnych województwa śląskiego

Background. Lyme borreliosis is a multisystem disorder caused by the genetically diverse spirochetes Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato. Different species of pathogenic Borrelia are able to cause various symptoms. Borrelia is transmitted to humans by ticks. Objectives. The aim of the study was to analyze the prevalence of B. burgdorferi s.l. genospecies in Ixodes rici− nus ticks. Material and Methods. PCR−RFLP analysis of the flagellin gene was performed. The study was conducted in recreational areas of Silesia (Tarnowskie Gory administrative district). Results. Eleven monoinfections and two dual infections were detected: six (40.0%) were infected with B. burgdor− feri sensu stricto, five (33.3%) with B. garinii, and four (26.7%) with B. afzelii. Two of the analyzed ticks were infected simultaneously with B. burgdorferi s.s. and B. garinii. Conclusions. Investigations of the prevalence of B. burgdorferi s.l. genospecies in tick populations of recreation− al areas are a basis for evaluating the risk of infection. Moreover, the PCR−RFLP technique is an easy and rapid method for genotyping Borrelia species (Adv Clin Exp Med 2006, 15, 6, 1003–1008).

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