Molecular detection of Babesia canis in Dermacentor reticulatus ticks collected in Slovakia

Dermacentor reticulatus ticks are recognized as the most important vectors of Babesia canis, the aetiological agent of canine babesiosis occurring throughout Europe. Vector competence of D. reticulatus for B. canis is well described and experimentally determined; however, by using molecular analysis it was proven so by one recent study in Russia. Herein, the additional molecular evidence of B. canis infection in D. reticulatus ticks collected in Slovakia is provided. Using PCR followed by sequencing of distinctive amplicons we determined the presence of Babesia canis canis in one of 100 tested adult ticks. Two zoonotic pathogens, Francisella tularensis and Coxiella burnetii, were previously isolated from D. reticulatus ticks in Slovakia. In our samples, we detected only the presence of F. tularensis.