# The Occurrence of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato in Ixodes ricinus Ticks Collected from Nature-Educational and Tourist Trails in the Poprad Landscape Park

## TL;DR

This study found that ticks in the Poprad Landscape Park in Poland carry Borrelia burgdorferi, a pathogen that causes Lyme disease, posing a risk to tourists and residents.

## Contribution

The study provides new data on the presence of tick-borne pathogens in a popular tourist area in southern Poland.

## Key findings

- Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato was detected in 31% of the collected ticks.
- No Anaplasma phagocytophilum or Babesia spp. were found in the examined ticks.
- The results highlight a high risk of Lyme disease transmission in the Poprad Landscape Park.

## Abstract

Throughout Europe, including Poland, Ixodes ricinus ticks are the main vector of numerous pathogenic agents that pose a serious threat to public health. Southern Poland attracts many tourists with its scenic landscapes and abundant recreational opportunities. These areas are ideal habitats for wild fauna, which serve as the main reservoirs and hosts for these pathogens and ticks. The large population and biodiversity of these hosts facilitate the proliferation of ticks. The aim of this study was to determine the potential exposure of humans to ticks and tick-borne pathogens such as Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, Anaplasma phagocytophilum, and Babesia spp., along the nature-educational and tourist trails of the Poprad Landscape Park. From 2020 to 2021, ticks were collected using the flagging method on three tourist trails and nature-educational paths within the Poprad Landscape Park. DNA was isolated from 213 I. ricinus ticks using the ammonia method. To detect pathogens in ticks, PCR and nested PCR methods were used. To detect B. burgdorferi s.l. and A. phagocytophilum, two pairs of primers specific to the flaB gene fragment and 16S rRNA gene fragment were used, respectively. For Babesia spp. detection, primers specific to the 18S rRNA gene were used. The amplification products were separated electrophoretically and visualized under ultraviolet light. In total, among the 213 examined ticks, B. burgdorferi s.l. was detected in 31% of the samples. Neither A. phagocytophilum nor Babesia spp. were detected in the studied material. These results indicate a potentially high risk of ticks and tick-borne B. burgdorferi s.l. infections for residents and tourists in the recreational areas of the Poprad Landscape Park.