Udział stadiów rozwojowych Ixodes ricinus w przenoszeniu Anaplasma [Ehrlichia] phagocytophila

The present study constitutes a survey on the prevalence of human granulocytic ehrlichiosis agent, Anaplasma (Ehrlichia) phagocytophila, infecting ticks, Ixodes ricinus. I. ricinus were collected in the spring and autumn of the years 2000-2002 in western Pomerania (Poland), on vegetation using cloth drags. In all, 3340 individuals of J. ricinus were collected from the sampling sites. This total comprised of 511 females, 525 males, and 1998 nymphs. The prevalence of this pathogen in ticks was assessed using the PCR technique (a fragment of 16S rDNA gene amplified with EHR 521 and EHR 747 primers). The overall prevalence of A. phagocytophila in I. ricinus was 3 % in adults but only 1.6% in nymphs.