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Ticks and tick-borne pathogens are becoming an emerging threat to the health of both humans and animals. The number of cases of tick-borne diseases, especially Lyme disease, is constantly growing. Over the last several years, coinfections, which could be explained as presence of two of more pathogens in one organism are being observed with growing interest. Their occurrence may lead to severe or unusual symptoms, prolonged disease duration, diagnostic and therapeutic difficulties. Research on this subject concerns mainly ticks of the species Ixodes ricinus, however, literature data suggest that also the species Dermacentor reticulatus plays an important role as a vector of tick-borne pathogens., (© National Institute of Public Health – National Institute of Hygiene.)

Purpose: The north-eastern Poland is an endemic region of tick-borne diseases. The aim of the study is to assess the prevalence of anti- Rickettsia  antibodies in the inhabitants of the north-eastern Poland and to assess the risk of acute infection (rickettsiosis) after a tick bite. Other aim was to assess the risk of co-infection with other pathogens after a tick bite. Methods: Two types of examinations were performed: serological and molecular. Serological analysis was performed in 82 foresters and 82 farmers with a history of tick bite. The molecular study was performed in 540 patients with various symptoms after a tick bite. The control group consisted of 20 honorary blood donors with no tick bites in anamnesis. Anti- Rickettsia spp. antibodies titres were determined by ELISA: Rickettsia SFG IgG ELISA (DRG International Inc. USA). PCR tests were performed towards Rickettsia spp. Borrelia burgdorferi , Anaplasma phagocytophilum. Results: In 64 (39.02%) farmers and foresters, anti- Rickettsia IgG antibodies were detected. The presence of anti- Rickettsia IgG antibodies was confirmed in 42 foresters (51.22%) and in 22 farmers (26.83%). In control group, results of all tests were negative. Rickettsia spp. DNA has not been confirmed in any out of 540 (0%) symptomatic patients. Conclusions: Seroprevalence of Rickettsia spp. infection in north-eastern Poland is high, especially in people often bitten by ticks, which makes this pathogen potentially dangerous for humans. Prevalence of anti- Rickettsia IgG antibodies in foresters is higher than in farmers. Symptomatic infection with Rickettsia spp. in humans in north-eastern Poland is uncommon.

Tick-borne rickettsioses are emerging diseases in Europe. The Mediterranean region is endemic for rickettsioses, but the disease can also occur in other European countries. Ticks can be a vector of these bacteria. Spotted fevers caused by rickettsiae have nonspecific symptoms and are difficult to diagnose. The results of serological tests are positive many days after the onset of symptoms. PCR method can be useful in the diagnostic process. In the article we discuss the problem of rickettsia in Europe., (© National Institute of Public Health – National Institute of Hygiene)