Seasonal dynamics of tick (Acari: Ixodidae) populations in different areas of Romania and the associated risks of tick-borne diseases

摘要

Tick-borne diseases are an increasing health burden in Europe and over world. Climate changes, affecting vector biology and disease transmission, could create conditions suitable for outbreaks of such diseases. This study was undertaken to investigate the distribution and seasonal dynamics of ticks - important candidate vectors for a great variety of pathogens, in Romania. Different locations, from eight counties, were selected, distributed over different habitats. Ticks were collected from natural infested animals, monthly, from October 2007 until November 2009. Meteorological and environmental data were collected at each location. Five tick species were identified: Ixodes ricinus, Dermacentor marginatus, Hyalomma plumbeum, Rhipicephalus bursa, Rhipicephalus sanguineus. The tick activity conserved a bimodal seasonal pattern in all locations. However, some differences were noticed, according to the evolution of the local geo-climatic parameters.