| dc.description.abstract | Of the 867 known tick species worldwide, many currently act as a vector for various pathogens. These pathogens are often associated with diseases, which can affect both animal and human health(1). The hard (ixodid) tick Dermacentor reticulatus is known in particular for transmission of Babesia canis, Babesia caballi and Theileria equi(1,2), but the ability of this particular tick to serve as a vector for many other pathogens has yet to be studied. One of the pathogens that is of great importance is Rickettsia raoultii. In the Netherlands, 6% of D. reticulatus ticks were found positive for the presence of the DNA of Rickettsia raoultii (3), but whether or not D. reticulatus can actually serve as a vector is yet to be determined. During the conduction of 11 in vitro feeding experiments, blood samples that were possibly infected with R. raoultii were collected and submitted for DNA extraction, PCR (polymerase chain reaction) and RLB (reverse line blot hybridisation). The level of tick attachment was monitored during the in vitro feeding experiments and with every new experiment an attempt was made to increase the attachment rate to 100% by adding different attachment stimuli. The highest attachment rate achieved during this study was 27%. After all experiments had been conducted and DNA testing had been completed, the results were evaluated. Out of 109 samples that were tested in total, two were positive for containing DNA of Rickettsia, one for Rickettsia helvetica and one for Neorickettsia mikurensis, but none specifically for R. raoultii. In order to in- or exclude the possible role of D. reticulatus as a vector for R. raoultii, more in vitro feeding experiments need to be performed and an attachment rate of 100% should be achieved. | |
