PCR detection of re-emerging tick-borne pathogen, Anaplasma phagocytophilum, in deer ked (Lipoptena cervi) a blood-sucking ectoparasite of cervids

Anaplasma phagocytophilum is an obligate intracellular bacterium, circulating in the natural foci in enzootic, vector-host cycle. In Europe, A. phagocytophilum is transmitted by Ixodes ricinus ticks. In Slovakia, cervids which are considered as naturally infected reservoirs of A. phagocytophilum are besides the ticks commonly infested with insects from the family Hippoboscidae. In this study, the presence of A. phagocytophilum was confirmed in deer keds (Lipoptena cervi) removed from deer by using of molecular approach. Detection of A. phagocytophilum in deer keds represents the remains of infected blood meal taken from infected deer host, what underlines the potential role of these blood-sucking insects in the mechanical transmission of pathogenic bacteria within the susceptible population of wild animals. Moreover, it may suggest the risk for the transmission of A. phagocytophilum or related pathogens to humans and healthy animals via the bite of infected hematophagous ectoparasites.