Ticks and Tick-Borne Pathogens: Occurrence and Host Associations over Four Years of Wildlife Surveillance in the Liguria Region (Northwest Italy)

Tick-borne diseases (TBDs) are a considerable public health problem worldwide. The occurrence of spp., s.l., , spp., and tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEv) was investigated via PCR and sequencing in 683 ticks collected from 105 roe deer, 61 wild boars, 49 fallow deer, and 2 chamois, in the Liguria region, northwest Italy, between 2019 and 2022. The ticks were morphologically identified. Four different tick species were found: (66.8% of the collected ticks), (15.8%), s.s. (15.7%), and (0.9%). Six ticks (0.9%) were only identified as spp. Of the 222 pools analyzed, 27.9% were positive. Most pools (n = 58, 26.1% of pools analyzed) were positive for spp., and several species were found: was the dominant species (15.3%), followed by (8.1%), while (1.8%), (0.5%), and (0.5%) were found only sporadically. was identified in three pools and s.l. in one pool. All samples were negative for and TBEv. Significant associations were found between and roe deer, and wild boar, and between and . The prevalence of spp. differed significantly between tick and host species. This updated picture of tick species and TBPs in wild ungulates in Liguria, where the population of these animals is increasing, shows a widespread presence of potentially zoonotic spp. Continuous monitoring and public information on preventive measures are needed.