Surveillance of ticks and tick-borne microorganisms in two natural protected areas in Andalusia, South of Spain

Abstract

Abstract Background Spain has two of the most singular ecosystems of Europe with exclusive habitats and unique biodiversity, Doñana and Los Alcornocales, that are key nodes along the East Atlantic flyway between Europe and Africa. The high biodiversity supports a relevant wildlife richness in continuous dispersion that may favor the emergence of tick-borne pathogens, but data from these environments remain scarce. Methods From April 2018 to March 2019, questing ticks and associated microorganisms ( Borrelia spp., spotted fever group Rickettsia spp., Anaplasma spp., Ehrlichia spp., Neoehrlichia spp., and Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus) were monitored. Results Questing ticks were found in all the sampling campaigns, and 4726 specimens belonging to 10 species, dominated by Hyalomma lusitanicum , were collected. Candidatus Rickettsia rioja, R. slovaca , R. raoultii , R. aeschlimannii , R. monacensis , R. barbariae , R. massiliae , Borrelia lusitaniae , and Ehrlichia species were detected. Viruses were not amplified. Conclusions These results highlight the protected areas as natural foci of tick-borne pathogens and underscore the need for integrated surveillance.