Expansion of Dermacentor reticulatus in central-southern Poland and new threats to human and animal health

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To date, the Eastern European and Western European populations of this tick species have been separated by an area located in Poland where the species have never been found. In this paper, we describe newly discovered D. reticulatus localities in areas transformed by human activities in central-southern Poland. Thespecimens of ornate dog tick were identified among ticks collected from companion animals in 2010, 2012, 2013, and 2014. Our results verify the available data on the spread of ornate dog tick and indicate that, since 2010, this tick species has probably been present in this area, which has a strongly transformed agricultural structure and used to be regarded as a D. reticulatus -free zone. However, field studies are required to determine the current distribution range of D. reticulatus and its population size. The presence of the ornate dog tick in urban and suburban habitats in central-southern Poland poses new threats to the health of companion animals and humans associated with the transmission of pathogens by this species. Biological sciences/Zoology Earth and environmental sciences/Natural hazards Dermacentor reticulatus ornate dog tick new localities occurrence range ticks infesting companion animals Poland Figures Figure 1 Figure 2 Introduction The meadow or ornate dog tick Dermacentor reticulatus (Fabricius, 1794) was regarded as one of the most expansive tick species at the turn of the 21 st century. Its geographical range has increased across Europe 1,2 , especially in its northern, central, and eastern parts. The boundary of the D. reticulatus occurrence in the west and east of the continent, historically referred to as Western European and Eastern European populations, has been regarded as a tick-free area in Poland 3 . The spread and increase in the abundance of D. reticulatus have been caused by climate and environmental changes, which create favorable conditions for the species in various geographical regions 4-7 . The climate warming and weather phenomena recorded recently in Europe have contributed to prolonged seasonal activity of adults of this species, which may begin in early March and last until December in the northern and central parts of the continent. The first activity peak is recorded from April to May in spring, and the next peak occurs in late summer and autumn, usually persisting from mid-August/early September to November 5,8,9,10,11 . Currently, host seeking D. reticulatus specimens can be found even in winter months at an ambient temperature of approximately 0°C in the absence of snow cover 9,10,12 . Juvenile stages of this tick species are active in summer and autumn, with the highest activity of larvae observed in June or July and nymphs in July or August, depending on the region 13-16 . In the European part of Eurasia, the entire life cycle of D. reticulatus from oviposition to adult stages usually lasts from 1 to 2 years 17 . In laboratory conditions at a temperature of 20C±3°C and 75% relative humidity, the life cycle of this tick is completed within one year (author’s unpublished data). Unengorged adults can live even 3-4 years 17 . Their longest survival of 617.8 days was recorded at 5°C and 100% R.H. and the shortest lifespan (33.6 days) was noted at 27°C and 15% R.H. 18 . In the temperature range from 5 o C to 27 o C and at relative humidity from 15% to 100%, the mortality rate of unengorged adults was reported to increase, regardless of their sex, with an increase in relative humidity and a temperature decline. D. reticulatus is mainly transported to new habitats by migrating mammals, mainly representatives of Cervidae and carnivores 19,20 . Companion animals traveling with their keepers may also play a role in the spread of adult ticks 21,22 . Additionally, birds may be involved in the transmission of D. reticulatus , as its larvae have been collected from these animals 23 . Further research is necessary to determine the role of these hosts in the spread of D. reticulatus in nature. The colonization of various habitats by the ornate dog tick is supported by its special adaptation abilities and biological and physiological features, e.g. high tolerance to humidity and temperature conditions 5,7,8,15,18,23,24 . Moreover, this tick species is characterized by a wide range of hosts of juvenile 15,23 and adult 1,19,22,25 stages, which facilitates finding sources of food (blood) necessary for further development in new habitats. Across its entire geographical range, D. reticulatus adults infest dogs ( Canis lupus familiaris ) 1 , which may play an important role in the maintenance of the population of this tick in urban environments. Companion animals, especially dogs, may be involved in the circulation of tick-borne pathogens transmitted by the ornate dog tick in urban areas 26 . The expansion of the D. reticulatus occurrence range and changes in their phenology have increased the exposure of tick hosts to infection by various pathogens transmitted during feeding, e.g. tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV), spotted-fever group rickettsiae (SFGR), Babesia spp., Theileria equi , and Francisella turarensis 1 . In Europe, D. reticulatus is one of the most important vectors of Babesia spp., i.e. the causative agent of canine babesiosis posing a high risk of death in dogs 27 and spotted fever group rickettsiae 1 , e.g. Rickettsia slovaka and Rickettsia raoultii bacteria from the SF group responsible for a syndrome characterized by scalp eschars and neck lymphadenopathy following tick bites (SENLAT). In this paper, we describe new localities of D. reticulatus in a zone that has so far been free of this species in central Poland and we draw attention to the consequences of the presence of the tick to animal and human health. Results and Discussion In this study, D. reticulatus ticks were found for the first time in central-southern Poland in three localities (Radomsko, Żytno, and Kłobuck) situated at a distance of approx. 25-60 km from each other (Fig. 1). To date, this area has been regarded as a zone separating the eastern and western ornate dog tick populations in Poland 3 . In total, six D. reticulatus specimens were collected from six dogs and one specimen was removed from one cat (Fig. 2, Table 1). There were three fully engorged females, one partially engorged female, and three males. As declared by the keepers of the dogs and cat, their animals stayed in the same area throughout the study period. The incidents of attachment of D. reticulatus adult ticks to companion animals in different study years indicate that this species has probably been present in central-eastern Poland since 2010. The collection of the D. reticulatus specimens in central-southern Poland confirms the findings of the rapid migration of this tick in Poland reported by other researchers 3,30,31 . Table 1 . Dermacentor reticulatus ticks collected from companion animals in central-southern Poland (2010-2014). Date of collection Collection site Host species Anatomical location on host Life stage of removed tick 22.10.2010 Radomsko * Canis lupus familiaris head almost fully engorged female 11.05.2012 Radomsko Canis lupus familiaris abdomen partially engorged 10.04.2012 Radomsko Felis catus head male 03.05. 2013 Kłobuck ** Canis lupus familiaris head male 27.05.2014 Radomsko Canis lupus familiaris head male 20.06.2014 Kłobuck Canis lupus familiaris neck almost fully engorged female 10.05.2014 Żytno *** Canis lupus familiaris leg almost fully engorged female geographical coordinates of collection sites * 51°04′01″N, 19°26′41″E, 223 a.s.l.; ** 50°54′02″N, 18°56′12″E, 239 a.s.l.; *** 50°55'38"N 19°37'39"E, 202 a.s.l. The incidents of attachment of D. reticulatus adult ticks to companion animals in different study years indicate that this species has probably been present in central-eastern Poland since 2010. The collection of the D. reticulatus specimens in central-southern Poland confirms the findings of the rapid migration of this tick in Poland reported by other researchers 3,30,31 . At the end of the 20 th century and the beginning of the 21 st century, the eastern and western D. reticulatus occurrence range in Europe was separated in Poland by an area between the Vistula River and the Oder River 32 . The first localities of D. reticulatus west of the Vistula River were recorded in Pomeranian Lake District in the early 2000s 33,34 and in subsequent years, as reported by Dwużnik-Szarek et al. 3 . In western Poland, the tick species was first found near the border with Germany in Dolnośląskie and Lubuskie Provinces 35-38 . In 2022, D. reticulatus specimens were collected near Poznań (west-central Poland) 39 . Two specimens (one female and one male), probably from a local population, were removed from a dog in Racibórz in south-western Poland 40 . Dermacentor reticulatus ticks were probably brought to the area analyzed in this study by animals migrating from the western regions of Poland and/or eastern Germany, where stable populations of this species have been identified 4,6 . The new D. reticulatus localities in central Poland are situated in or near urbanized areas. The shift in the range of these ticks towards urban areas has been observed for two decades in other parts of Poland 39,41-45 and Europe 10,46-48 . The environmental conditions in central Poland are highly favorable for this tick species. Within its distribution range, the species is most often found in riparian forests, river and lake banks, meadows, mid-forest clearings, and wastelands with a high groundwater level 1,7,8,23,24,30,31 . The D. reticulatus colonization of the study area may have been facilitated by human activities changing the hydrographic network (conversion of smaller tributaries of the main rivers in the region into drainage ditches and construction of drainage ditches, regulation of rivers, construction of artificial water reservoirs) and landscape transformation (mid-field afforestation, fallow areas, urbanization, conversion of forests into agricultural land). The mosaic landscape creates not only open habitats preferred by D. reticulatus ticks but also various habitats suitable for their potential hosts in central Poland. The relationships between the reduction of forested areas and the presence of D. reticulatus were confirmed by Mierzejewska et al. 49 . In Poland, juvenile stages of D. reticulatus (larvae and/or nymphs) have been collected from various species of rodents from the families Murinae, Microtinae, and Soricidae 13,14,16,50-52 , and nymphs have also been found to infest larger mammals, e.g. deer, roe deer, hares, and rabbits 32 . Adult ticks parasitize large wild-living mammals, mainly representatives of the families Cervidae: Alces alces (moose), Dama dama (fallow deer), and Cervus elaphus (red deer) 34,38,53 , Canidae: Canis lupus (wolf) and Vulpes vulpes (fox) 54 , Bovidae: Bison bonasus (European bison) (55), and Suidae - Sus scofa (wild boar) 38,56 . In the D. reticulatus occurrence range, adult specimens are collected from dogs and other domestic animals 43,45,57 . In some habitats of central-eastern Poland, it is the dominant tick species infesting dogs 57 . The presence of D. reticulatus ticks in the study area poses a threat to the health of not only companion animals but also humans, who may be accidental hosts of adult stages 22,25,58 . An interesting case of attachment of a female D. reticulatus tick to human skin was recorded in eastern Poland; the tick was transferred to the apartment by the pet dog (Buczek et al., unpublished data). As demonstrated by our research, after ingestion of dog’s blood, female D. reticulatus ticks can lay eggs that hatch into larvae in household conditions. The high risk of D. reticulatus attacks on companion animals and humans is also associated with the fact that adult specimens are active throughout the day, mainly from 12:00 to ca. 16:00 in spring and from 10:00 to approx. 18:00 in autumn with a peak around 14:00 in both these seasons, i.e. at the time of possible presence of their hosts in tick habitats 59 . The expansion of D. reticulatus ticks into central-southern Poland may lead to the spread of pathogens transmitted by this species in the environment, which should be taken into account in the clinical diagnosis of tick-borne diseases in domestic animals and humans. In Poland and its western and southern neighbors, numerous pathogens with medical and veterinary importance have been detected in this tick species, e.g. R. raoultii and other SFG rickettsiae, Babesia spp., TBEV, Anaplasma phagocytophilum , and Francisella tularensis 43,60-63 . Spotted fever group rickettsiae, mainly R. raoultii , exhibit the highest prevalence in D. reticulatus . In western Poland, they were detected in 38.3% of specimens collected from vegetation 43 and in 60% of ticks removed from dogs 63 . In the endemic regions in eastern and northern Poland, the percentage of host seeking D. reticulatus infected with these bacteria ranged from 34.18% to 56.7% 60-62 . A high prevalence of R. raoultii and host seeking D. reticulatus specimens was also recorded in Poland’s western and southern neighboring countries. The mean rates of infection with this bacterium were 64% -70.5% in Germany 10,64 and 47.9% in the Czech Republic and Slovakia 65 . Depending on the habitat, TBE viruses causing tick-borne encephalitis in humans were detected in 0.33%-10.8% of D. reticulatus specimens from the tick population in eastern Poland 42,62,66 67 . The presence of TBE viruses in this tick species was reported from the district of northern Saxony near the Polish border 68 . The greatest threat to the health of dogs attacked by ticks is associated with the transmission of Babesia protozoa. In Poland, the prevalence of B. canis in ornate dog ticks is usually in the range of 1–4%, depending on the region 61,62 . However, it can reach even 21.3% in swampy habitats in eastern Poland 69 . The incidence of clinical babesiosis in the Polish population of dogs is higher in eastern and central Poland (Eastern tick population) than in western Poland (new endemic region for the ornate dog tick) and in the tick-free area 3 . Conclusions In conclusion, our observation has verified the data on the spread of D. reticulatus in Poland and confirmed its progressive expansion in Central Europe. The present results suggest that, since at least 2010, D. reticulatus ticks have been present in a zone in Poland that has so far been considered to be free of this species. Field studies (collection of ticks from vegetation) may indicate the distribution of these ticks and the size of their population in central-southern Poland. The expansion of D. reticulatus to the areas of central-southern Poland enlarges the area of potential foci of diseases transmitted by this tick species, e.g. babesiosis in dogs and rickettsiosis in humans, which are both diagnosed in other parts of Poland. Given the high vector competence and the wide spectrum of D. reticulatus hosts as well as its co-occurrence with Ixodes ricinus in the same habitats, the analyzed tick species can significantly contribute to the circulation and maintenance of other tick-borne pathogens in the environment, which are one of the most important biological agents posing a threat to the health of companion animals and humans. Monitoring the occurrence of this tick species can help develop strategies for reduction of the incidence of tick-borne diseases in humans and animals. Methods Study area The study was carried out in central Poland: Radomsko and Żytno Communes in Łódzkie Province and Kłobuck Commune in Śląskie Province. The climate in this area is transitional, which is associated with the influences of air masses characteristic of the continental and oceanic zones. The climate in this region is also determined by differences in terrain elevation and soil moisture. In recent years, an increase in the mean air temperature has been observed in the study area. The field and forest landscape of this area with relics of natural forest and meadow-peatland ecosystems are favorable habitats for numerous animal species that can be potential tick hosts, e.g. moose, red deer, fallow deer, roe deer, wild boar, hare, fox, raccoon dog, marten, badger, beaver, weasel, and stoat. Radomsko Commune (51°04′01″N, 19°26′41″E, 223 a.s.l.) is situated in the valley of the Warta River and on Radomsko Hills. Its southern part is located in a nationally important ecological corridor covering the valley of the Warta River and in the area of the main underground water reservoir in Upper Cretaceous formations. Its area covers numerous wet meadows, swamps, and peat bogs, where many northern plants can be found (marsh horsetail, swamp sedge, several species of mosses, long-leaved chickweed, and wild rosemary). However, species characteristic of Central Europe, e.g. European beech, common hornbeam, English oak, broad-leaved linden, and Norway maple, are the most numerous plants. Herbaceous plants are represented by finger sedge, wood anemone, and dog’s mercury. Riparian forests and oak-hornbeam forests are the dominant habitats in the valley of Warta tributaries. The plant cover in the valley bottom is closely related to the habitat conditions and land use. Mid-field tree stands and forests are characterized by a high degree of habitat degradation caused by changes (intensive drainage) or neglect of water relations. Areas of former mid-forest meadows provide a favorable living habitat for mammals and birds. Wetlands and forest coppices located near agricultural fields are frequent habitats for roe deer and boars. The area comprises large forest complexes mainly with communities of fresh mixed coniferous forest, wet mixed coniferous forest, and alder forest. The tree stand is dominated by pine, alder, birch, and oak. Żytno Commune (50°55'38"N 19°37'39"E, 202 a.s.l.) covers a largely swampy area between the Pilica and Warta River valleys. Marsh and peat wetlands are a frequent element of its landscape. Nearly 50% of the area is covered by forests dominated by pine trees. Dębowiec Nature Reserve was established in the commune to protect a natural oak-hornbeam forest with broad-leaved linden at the margins of its occurrence range and an elm-ash riparian forest with rare herbaceous plants. Dębowiec Reserve and the neighboring forest complexes are located in wet valleys covered with natural alder and ash forests. The proglacial valley and the old riverbeds of the Pilica River are covered by riparian forests, rushes, herbaceous plants, and wet meadows in addition to fertile oak-hornbeam forests. Kłobuck Commune (50°54′02″N, 18°56′12″E, 239 a.s.l.) is located in the catchment area of the Warta River. Numerous smaller rivers flow from the wet valleys into its largest tributary, the Liswarta River. The vegetation of the area is represented by coniferous (56%), forest (27%), mountain (16%), and alder (1%) communities. Pine and larch are the main forest-forming species (66.4%), with a lower percentage of spruce, oak, maple, sycamore, elm, ash, birch, beech, and others 28 . Tick collection Ticks were collected from companion animals (six dogs and a cat) during routine health checks carried out by veterinarians in the study area. Ectoparasites collected from the animals were stored in sterile plastic test tubes with 70% ethanol pending identification in the laboratory. The species and sex of the tick specimens removed from the skin of the animals was identified based on the guide to tick identification by Nowak-Chmura 29 . Declarations Data availability All data are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request Author contributions M.R. collected the data, A.B. and M.R. performed the laboratory analysis, A.B., W.B., and M.R. wrote the final version of the manuscript. A.B. and K.B. visualization, K.B. editing and revision. All authors contributed to and approved the final manuscript. Funding The study has not received external funding. Competing interests The authors declare no competing interests References Földvári, G., Široký, P., Szekeres, S., Majoros, G., Sprong, H. Dermacentor reticulatus : a vector on the rise. Parasit. Vectors 9 , 314 https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-016-1599-x (2016). European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control and European Food Safety Authority. Tick maps [internet]. Stockholm: ECDC; March 2022. Available from: https://ecdc.europa.eu/en/disease-vectors/surveillance-and-disease-data/tick-maps Dwużnik-Szarek, D., Mierzejewska, E. J., Rodo, A. et al. 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L., Zanzani, S.A., Veronesi, F., Manfredi, M. T. Seasonal dynamics of adult Dermacentor reticulatus in a peri-urban park in southern Europe. Ticks Tick-Borne Dis. 8 , 772-779. doi: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2017.06.002 (2017). Mierzejewska, E.J., Estrada-Peña, A. & Bajer, A. Spread of Dermacentor reticulatus is associated with the loss of forest area. Exp Appl Acarol 72, 399-413. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10493-017-0160-8 (2017). Karbowiak, G. The role of Apodemus flavicollis and Clethrionomys glareolus as hosts of Ixodes ricinus and Dermacentor reticulatus in northern Poland. In Proceedings of the 3rd International Conference “Ticks and tick-borne pathogens: into the 21st century” (eds. Kazimírová, M., Labuda, M., Nuttall, P. A.) (High Tatra Mountains, Slovakia, 30 August–3 September 1999. Institute of Zoology SAS, Bratislava) 181-183 (2000). Grzeszczuk, A., Karbowiak, G., Ziarko, S., Kovalchuk, O. The root-vole Microtus oeconomus (Pallas, 1776): a new potential reservoir of Anaplasma phagocytophilum . Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis . 6 , 240-243. doi: 10.1089/vbz.2006.6.240 (2006). Welc-Falęciak, R., Bajer, A., Behnke, J. M., Siński, E. The ecology of Bartonella spp. infections in two rodent communities in the Mazury Lake District region of Poland. Parasitology 137 , 1069-1077. doi: 10.1017/S0031182009992058 (2010). Bogdaszewska, Z. Występowanie i ekologia kleszcza łąkowego Dermacentor reticulatus (Fabricius, 1794) w ognisku mazurskim. IV. Wyniki badań nad określeniem specyficzności żywicielskiej. Wiad. Parazytol . 51 , 39-42 (2005). Dróżdż, J., Bogdaszewska, Z. Ognisko Dermacentor reticulatus podtrzymywane przez jelenie i daniele w hodowli fermowej (Kosewo, Polska). Wiad. Parazytol . 43 , 207-212 (1997) Izdebska, J. N. The occurrence of Dermacentor reticulatus (Fabricius, 1794) (Acari, Ixodidae) on the bison ( Bison bonasus ) from the Białowieża Primaeval Forest. Przegl. Zool . 42 , 219-221 (1998) (in Polish). Fryderyk, S. Nowe interesujące stwierdzenie Dermacentor reticulatus (Fabr.) (Acari: Ixodida: Ixodidae) na dziku ( Sus scrofa L.). Wiad. Parazytol . 44 , 737-739 (1998). Mierzejewska, E. J. et al . Dominance of Dermacentor reticulatus over Ixodes ricinus (Ixodidae) on livestock, companion animals and wild ruminants in eastern and central Poland. Exp. Appl. Acarol . 66 , 83-101. https://doi:10.1007/s10493-015-9889-0 (2015). Pawełczyk A. et al . Long-term study of Borrelia and Babesia prevalence and co-infection in Ixodes ricinus and Dermacentor reticulatus ticks removed from humans in Poland, 2016-2019. Parasit. Vectors 14 , 348. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-021-04849-5 (2021). Bartosik, K., Wiśniowski, L., Buczek, A. Questing behavior of Dermacentor reticulatus adults (Acari: Amblyommidae) during diurnal activity periods in eastern Poland. J. Med. Entomol . 49 , 859-864. doi: 10.1603/me11121 (2012). Chmielewski, T., Podsiadly, E., Karbowiak, G., Tylewska-Wierzbanowska, S. Rickettsia spp. in ticks, Poland. Emerg. Infect. Dis . 15 , 486-488. doi: 10.3201/eid1503.080711 (2009). Mierzejewska, E. J., Pawełczyk, A., Radkowski, M., Welc-Falęciak, R., Bajer, A. Pathogens vectored by the tick, Dermacentor reticulatus , in endemic regions and zones of expansion in Poland. Parasit. Vectors . 8: 490. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-015-1099-4 (2015). Zając, V. et al . Prevalence of infections and coinfections with 6 pathogens in Dermacentor reticulatus ticks collected in eastern Poland. Ann. Agric. Environ. Med . 24 , 26-32. doi: 10.5604/12321966.1233893 (2017). Król, N., Obiegala, A., Pfeffer, M., Lonc, E., Kiewra, D. Detection of selected pathogens in ticks collected from cats and dogs in the Wrocław Agglomeration, South-West Poland. Parasit. Vectors . 9 , 351. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-016-1632-0 (2016). Obiegala, A., Król, N., Oltersdorf, C., Nader, J., Pfeffer, M. The enzootic life-cycle of Borrelia burgdorferi (sensu lato) and tick-borne rickettsiae: an epidemiological study on wild-living small mammals and their ticks from Saxony, Germany. Parasit. Vectors 10 , 115. doi: 10.1186/s13071-017-2053-4 (2017). Balážová, A., Földvári, G., Bilbija, B., Nosková, E., Široký, P. High Prevalence and Low Diversity of Rickettsia in Dermacentor reticulatus Ticks, Central Europe. Emerg. Infect. Dis . 28 , 893-895. doi: 10.3201/eid2804.211267 (2022). Kondrusik, M., Golovjova, I., Zajkowska, J. Genetic characterization of TBE virus obtained from Ixodes ricinus and Dermacentor reticulatus ticks. In Proceedings of the Conference “ Emerging Vector-Borne Diseases in a Changing Environment” (10-11-12 May 2010, Le Corun, Montepellier, France) 6–7 (2010). Wójcik-Fatla, A., Cisak, E., Zając, V., Zwoliński, J., Dutkiewicz, J. Prevalence of tick-borne encephalitis virus in Ixodes ricinus and Dermacentor reticulatus ticks collected from the Lublin region (eastern Poland). Ticks Tick Borne Dis . 2 , 16-19. doi: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2010.10.001 (2011). Chitimia-Dobler, L. et al . Repeated isolation of tick-borne encephalitis virus from adult Dermacentor reticulatus ticks in an endemic area in Germany. Parasit. Vectors. 12 , 90. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-019-3346-6 (2019). Dzięgiel, B. et al . Prevalence of Babesia canis , Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato , and Anaplasma phagocytophilum in hard ticks collected from meadows of Lubelskie Voivodship (eastern Poland). Bull. Vet. Inst. Pulawy . 58, 29-33. https://doi.org/10.2478/bvip-2014-0005 (2014). Additional Declarations No competing interests reported. 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Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-2953092","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Article","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":204309540,"identity":"df0afa2c-5d93-4fb5-b046-afb40765a7b5","order_by":0,"name":"Alicja Buczek","email":"data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAZAAAAAyAQMAAABI0h/eAAAABlBMVEX///8AAABVwtN+AAAACXBIWXMAAA7EAAAOxAGVKw4bAAAA9ElEQVRIiWNgGAWjYDACdsYGBgkGhgQQm7GhgoGBj4EHyCzAo4UZRcsZBgY2sBYDfFogFERLYxsRWvibmRs/WNQw5BkcP/7w4cx5h6PZJHIPMBfg0SJxmLFZQuIYQ7HBmYRkw43bDue2SeQlMM/A57DDjG0MEmwMiRtuMByTfAjWkmPAzINHizxYyz+QFsb2nw/nEKHFAKRFsg2khZmNcWMDEVoMQX6R7JMoljyTxiw541h6bhvPu4TD+Pwid7z94WeJbzZ5fMAQ+9hTY53bz5578HFBBR7vAwGzBCgykcFh/BqAMfgBwxBCWkbBKBgFo2BEAQCW507nl4/fLQAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==","orcid":"","institution":"Medical University of Lublin","correspondingAuthor":true,"prefix":"","firstName":"Alicja","middleName":"","lastName":"Buczek","suffix":""},{"id":204309541,"identity":"de3fa786-f7da-4a01-9288-9cfe146a61ab","order_by":1,"name":"Weronika Buczek","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Medical University of Lublin","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Weronika","middleName":"","lastName":"Buczek","suffix":""},{"id":204309542,"identity":"0609912d-d730-4801-bce9-6e4463ec25e6","order_by":2,"name":"Maciej Rudek","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Medical University of Lublin","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Maciej","middleName":"","lastName":"Rudek","suffix":""},{"id":204309543,"identity":"10b353b5-ff4d-4fd4-acdc-5d09a911d9e3","order_by":3,"name":"Katarzyna Bartosik","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Medical University of Lublin","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Katarzyna","middleName":"","lastName":"Bartosik","suffix":""}],"badges":[],"createdAt":"2023-05-18 15:44:26","currentVersionCode":1,"declarations":"","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-2953092/v1","doiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-2953092/v1","draftVersion":[],"editorialEvents":[],"editorialNote":"","failedWorkflow":false,"files":[{"id":37672803,"identity":"052fb5cb-33bb-4122-9303-5e70868d63ba","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2023-05-30 15:25:30","extension":"jpg","order_by":1,"title":"Figure 1","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":122183,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eGeographical locations in Poland where \u003cem\u003eDermacentor reticulatus\u003c/em\u003e ticks were found on companion animals in 2010-2014. O- 51°04′01″N, 19°26′41″E, 223 a.s.l.; \u0026nbsp;- 50°54′02″N, 18°56′12″E, 239 a.s.l.; D- 50°55'38\"N 19°37'39\"E, 202 a.s.l. (marcinwasilewski.eu on the basis of the OpenStreetMap; © authors OpenStreetMap).\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"1.jpg","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-2953092/v1/62d6eefd736602f9f6313252.jpg"},{"id":37672802,"identity":"43e93dca-9629-44b2-b4eb-c62faf3379ef","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2023-05-30 15:25:30","extension":"jpg","order_by":2,"title":"Figure 2","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":91817,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eEngorged female of \u003cem\u003eDermacentor reticulatus\u003c/em\u003e (arrow) collected from a dog's head in Radomsko in October 2010 (scale in cm).\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"2.jpg","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-2953092/v1/c5c3be340f5e95c4d398b9fb.jpg"},{"id":39991948,"identity":"0b9d5915-e1c9-41c0-97c9-caa7973fa59b","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2023-07-13 15:44:30","extension":"pdf","order_by":0,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"manuscript-pdf","size":377180,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"manuscript.pdf","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-2953092/v1/9090535a-2361-4f52-baa4-6370a9de3b0b.pdf"}],"financialInterests":"No competing interests reported.","formattedTitle":"Expansion of Dermacentor reticulatus in central-southern Poland and new threats to human and animal health","fulltext":[{"header":"Introduction","content":"\u003cp\u003eThe meadow or ornate dog tick \u003cem\u003eDermacentor reticulatus\u003c/em\u003e (Fabricius, 1794) was regarded as one of the most expansive tick species at the turn of the 21\u003csup\u003est\u003c/sup\u003e century. Its geographical range has increased across Europe\u0026nbsp;\u003csup\u003e1,2\u003c/sup\u003e,\u0026nbsp;especially in its northern, central, and eastern parts. The boundary of the\u0026nbsp;\u003cem\u003eD. reticulatus\u003c/em\u003e occurrence in the west and east of the continent, historically referred to as Western European and Eastern European populations, has been regarded as a tick-free area in Poland\u0026nbsp;\u003csup\u003e3\u003c/sup\u003e.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe spread and increase in the abundance of \u003cem\u003eD. reticulatus\u003c/em\u003e have been caused by climate and environmental changes, which create favorable conditions for the species in various geographical regions\u0026nbsp;\u003csup\u003e4-7\u003c/sup\u003e.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe climate warming and weather phenomena recorded recently in Europe have contributed to prolonged seasonal activity of adults of this species, which may begin in early March and last until December\u0026nbsp;in the northern and central parts of the continent. The first activity peak is recorded from April to May in spring, and the next peak occurs in late summer and autumn, usually persisting from mid-August/early September to November\u0026nbsp;\u003csup\u003e5,8,9,10,11\u003c/sup\u003e.\u0026nbsp;Currently, host seeking\u0026nbsp;\u003cem\u003eD. reticulatus\u0026nbsp;\u003c/em\u003especimens can be found even in winter months at an ambient temperature of approximately 0\u0026deg;C in the absence of snow cover\u0026nbsp;\u003csup\u003e9,10,12\u003c/sup\u003e.\u0026nbsp;Juvenile stages of this tick species are active in summer and autumn, with the highest activity of larvae observed in June or July and nymphs in July or August, depending on the region\u0026nbsp;\u003csup\u003e13-16\u003c/sup\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn the European part of Eurasia, the entire life cycle of \u003cem\u003eD. reticulatus\u003c/em\u003e from oviposition to adult stages usually lasts from 1 to 2 years\u0026nbsp;\u003csup\u003e17\u003c/sup\u003e.\u0026nbsp;In laboratory conditions at a temperature of\u0026nbsp;20C\u0026plusmn;3\u0026deg;C and\u0026nbsp;75% relative humidity, the life cycle of this tick is completed within one year (author\u0026rsquo;s unpublished data). Unengorged adults can live even\u0026nbsp;3-4 years \u003csup\u003e17\u003c/sup\u003e.\u0026nbsp;Their longest survival of 617.8 days was recorded at 5\u0026deg;C and 100% R.H. and the shortest lifespan (33.6 days) was noted at 27\u0026deg;C and 15% R.H.\u0026nbsp;\u003csup\u003e18\u003c/sup\u003e.\u0026nbsp;In the temperature range from\u0026nbsp;5\u003csup\u003eo\u003c/sup\u003eC to 27\u003csup\u003eo\u003c/sup\u003eC\u0026nbsp;and at relative humidity from 15% to 100%, the mortality rate of unengorged adults was reported to increase, regardless of their sex, with an increase in relative humidity and a temperature decline.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eD. reticulatus\u003c/em\u003e is mainly transported to new habitats by migrating mammals, mainly representatives of Cervidae and carnivores\u0026nbsp;\u003csup\u003e19,20\u003c/sup\u003e.\u0026nbsp;Companion animals traveling with their keepers may also play a role in the spread of adult ticks\u0026nbsp;\u003csup\u003e21,22\u003c/sup\u003e. Additionally, birds\u0026nbsp;may be involved in the transmission of \u003cem\u003eD. reticulatus\u003c/em\u003e, as its larvae have been collected from these animals\u0026nbsp;\u003csup\u003e23\u003c/sup\u003e.\u0026nbsp;Further research is necessary to determine\u0026nbsp;the role of these hosts in the spread of \u003cem\u003eD. reticulatus\u003c/em\u003e in nature.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe colonization of various habitats by the ornate dog tick is supported by its special adaptation abilities and biological and physiological features, e.g. high tolerance to humidity and temperature conditions\u0026nbsp;\u003csup\u003e5,7,8,15,18,23,24\u003c/sup\u003e.\u0026nbsp;Moreover, this tick species is characterized by a wide range of hosts of juvenile\u0026nbsp;\u003csup\u003e15,23\u003c/sup\u003e and adult \u003csup\u003e1,19,22,25\u003c/sup\u003e stages, which facilitates finding\u0026nbsp;sources of food (blood) necessary for further development in new habitats. Across its entire geographical range,\u0026nbsp;\u003cem\u003eD. reticulatus\u003c/em\u003e adults infest dogs (\u003cem\u003eCanis lupus familiaris\u003c/em\u003e)\u003cem\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/em\u003e\u003csup\u003e1\u003c/sup\u003e,\u0026nbsp;which may play an important role in the maintenance of the population of this tick in urban environments. Companion animals, especially dogs, may be involved in the circulation of tick-borne pathogens transmitted by the ornate dog tick in urban areas\u0026nbsp;\u003csup\u003e26\u003c/sup\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe expansion of the \u003cem\u003eD. reticulatus\u003c/em\u003e occurrence range and changes in their phenology have increased the exposure of tick hosts to infection by various pathogens transmitted during feeding, e.g. tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV), spotted-fever group rickettsiae (SFGR), \u003cem\u003eBabesia\u003c/em\u003e spp., \u003cem\u003eTheileria equi\u003c/em\u003e, and \u003cem\u003eFrancisella turarensis\u003c/em\u003e \u003csup\u003e1\u003c/sup\u003e.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn Europe, \u003cem\u003eD. reticulatus\u003c/em\u003e is one of the most important vectors of \u003cem\u003eBabesia\u003c/em\u003e spp., i.e. the causative agent of canine babesiosis posing a high risk of death in dogs\u0026nbsp;\u003csup\u003e27\u003c/sup\u003e and spotted fever group rickettsiae \u003csup\u003e1\u003c/sup\u003e, e.g.\u0026nbsp;\u003cem\u003eRickettsia slovaka\u003c/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eRickettsia raoultii\u003c/em\u003e bacteria from the SF group responsible for a syndrome characterized by scalp eschars and neck lymphadenopathy following tick bites\u0026nbsp;(SENLAT).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn this paper, we describe new localities of \u003cem\u003eD. reticulatus\u003c/em\u003e in a zone that has so far been free of this species in central Poland and we draw attention to the consequences of the presence of the tick to animal and human health.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Results and Discussion","content":"\u003cp\u003eIn this study, \u003cem\u003eD. reticulatus\u0026nbsp;\u003c/em\u003eticks were found for the first time in central-southern Poland in three localities (Radomsko, Żytno, and Kłobuck) situated at a distance of approx. 25-60 km from each other\u0026nbsp;(Fig. 1). To date, this area has been regarded as a zone separating the eastern and western ornate dog tick populations in Poland\u0026nbsp;\u003csup\u003e3\u003c/sup\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn total, six \u003cem\u003eD. reticulatus\u003c/em\u003e specimens were collected from six dogs and one specimen was removed from one cat (Fig. 2, Table 1). There were three fully engorged females, one partially engorged female, and three males. As declared by the keepers of the dogs and cat, their animals stayed in the same area throughout the study period.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe incidents of attachment of \u003cem\u003eD. reticulatus\u003c/em\u003e adult ticks to companion animals in different study years indicate that this species has probably been present in central-eastern Poland since 2010. The collection of the \u003cem\u003eD. reticulatus\u003c/em\u003e specimens in central-southern Poland confirms the findings of the rapid migration of this tick in Poland reported by other researchers \u003csup\u003e3,30,31\u003c/sup\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTable 1\u003c/strong\u003e. \u003cem\u003eDermacentor reticulatus\u003c/em\u003e ticks collected from companion animals in central-southern Poland (2010-2014).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ctable border=\"1\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\"\u003e\n \u003ctbody\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eDate of collection\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eCollection site\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eHost species\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAnatomical location on host\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eLife stage of removed tick\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e22.10.2010\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eRadomsko *\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eCanis lupus familiaris\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003ehead\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003ealmost fully engorged female\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e11.05.2012\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eRadomsko\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eCanis lupus familiaris\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eabdomen\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003epartially engorged\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e10.04.2012\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eRadomsko\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eFelis catus\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003ehead\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003emale\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e03.05. 2013\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eKłobuck **\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eCanis lupus familiaris\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003ehead\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003emale\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e27.05.2014\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eRadomsko\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eCanis lupus familiaris\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003ehead\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003emale\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e20.06.2014\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eKłobuck\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eCanis lupus familiaris\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eneck\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003ealmost fully engorged female\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e10.05.2014\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eŻytno ***\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eCanis lupus familiaris\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eleg\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003ealmost fully engorged female\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003c/tbody\u003e\n\u003c/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003egeographical coordinates of collection sites * 51\u0026deg;04\u0026prime;01\u0026Prime;N, 19\u0026deg;26\u0026prime;41\u0026Prime;E, 223 a.s.l.; ** 50\u0026deg;54\u0026prime;02\u0026Prime;N, 18\u0026deg;56\u0026prime;12\u0026Prime;E, 239 a.s.l.; *** 50\u0026deg;55\u0026apos;38\u0026quot;N 19\u0026deg;37\u0026apos;39\u0026quot;E, 202 a.s.l.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe incidents of attachment of \u003cem\u003eD. reticulatus\u003c/em\u003e adult ticks to companion animals in different study years indicate that this species has probably been present in central-eastern Poland since 2010. The collection of the \u003cem\u003eD. reticulatus\u003c/em\u003e specimens in central-southern Poland confirms the findings of the rapid migration of this tick in Poland reported by other researchers \u003csup\u003e3,30,31\u003c/sup\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAt the end of the 20\u003csup\u003eth\u003c/sup\u003e century and the beginning of the 21\u003csup\u003est\u003c/sup\u003e century, the eastern and western \u003cem\u003eD. reticulatus\u0026nbsp;\u003c/em\u003eoccurrence range in Europe was separated in Poland by an area between the Vistula River and the Oder River\u0026nbsp;\u003csup\u003e32\u003c/sup\u003e.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;The first localities of \u003cem\u003eD. reticulatus\u003c/em\u003e west of the Vistula River were recorded in Pomeranian Lake District in the early 2000s \u003csup\u003e33,34\u003c/sup\u003e and in subsequent years, as reported by\u0026nbsp;Dwużnik-Szarek\u0026nbsp;et al. \u003csup\u003e3\u003c/sup\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn western Poland, the tick species was first found near the border with Germany in Dolnośląskie and Lubuskie Provinces\u0026nbsp;\u003csup\u003e35-38\u003c/sup\u003e.\u0026nbsp;In 2022, \u003cem\u003eD. reticulatus\u003c/em\u003e specimens were collected near Poznań (west-central Poland)\u0026nbsp;\u003csup\u003e39\u003c/sup\u003e.\u0026nbsp;Two specimens (one female and one male), probably from a local population, were removed from a dog in Racib\u0026oacute;rz in south-western Poland\u0026nbsp;\u003csup\u003e40\u003c/sup\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eDermacentor reticulatus\u003c/em\u003e ticks were probably brought to the area analyzed in this study by animals migrating from the western regions of Poland and/or eastern Germany, where stable populations of this species have been identified\u0026nbsp;\u003csup\u003e4,6\u003c/sup\u003e.\u0026nbsp;The new \u003cem\u003eD. reticulatus\u003c/em\u003e localities in central Poland are situated in or near urbanized areas. The shift in the range of these ticks towards urban areas has been observed for two decades in other parts of Poland\u0026nbsp;\u003csup\u003e39,41-45\u003c/sup\u003e and Europe\u0026nbsp;\u003csup\u003e10,46-48\u003c/sup\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe environmental conditions in central Poland are highly favorable for this tick species. Within its distribution range, the species is most often found in riparian forests, river and lake banks, meadows, mid-forest clearings, and wastelands with a high groundwater level\u0026nbsp;\u003csup\u003e1,7,8,23,24,30,31\u003c/sup\u003e. The \u003cem\u003eD. reticulatus\u003c/em\u003e colonization of\u0026nbsp;the study area may have been facilitated by human activities changing the hydrographic network (conversion of smaller tributaries of the main rivers in the region into drainage ditches and construction of drainage ditches, regulation of rivers, construction of artificial water reservoirs) and landscape transformation (mid-field afforestation, fallow areas, urbanization, conversion of forests into agricultural land). The mosaic landscape creates not only open habitats preferred by \u003cem\u003eD. reticulatus\u003c/em\u003e ticks but also various habitats suitable for their potential hosts in central Poland. The relationships between the reduction of forested areas and the presence of\u003cem\u003e\u0026nbsp;D. reticulatus\u003c/em\u003e were confirmed by Mierzejewska et al.\u0026nbsp;\u003csup\u003e49\u003c/sup\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn Poland, juvenile stages of \u003cem\u003eD. reticulatus\u003c/em\u003e (larvae and/or nymphs) have been collected from various species of rodents from the families\u0026nbsp;Murinae, Microtinae, and Soricidae\u0026nbsp;\u003csup\u003e13,14,16,50-52\u003c/sup\u003e, and nymphs have also been found to infest\u0026nbsp;larger mammals, e.g. deer, roe deer, hares, and rabbits\u0026nbsp;\u003csup\u003e32\u003c/sup\u003e.\u0026nbsp;Adult ticks parasitize large wild-living mammals, mainly representatives of the families Cervidae:\u0026nbsp;\u003cem\u003eAlces alces\u0026nbsp;\u003c/em\u003e(moose), \u003cem\u003eDama dama\u0026nbsp;\u003c/em\u003e(fallow deer), and \u003cem\u003eCervus elaphus\u003c/em\u003e (red deer) \u003csup\u003e34,38,53\u003c/sup\u003e, Canidae: \u003cem\u003eCanis lupus\u0026nbsp;\u003c/em\u003e(wolf) and \u003cem\u003eVulpes vulpes\u0026nbsp;\u003c/em\u003e(fox) 54\u003cem\u003e,\u003c/em\u003e Bovidae: \u003cem\u003eBison bonasus\u003c/em\u003e (European bison) (55), and Suidae - \u003cem\u003eSus scofa\u003c/em\u003e (wild boar) \u003csup\u003e38,56\u003c/sup\u003e. In the \u003cem\u003eD. reticulatus\u003c/em\u003e occurrence range, adult specimens are collected from dogs and other domestic animals\u0026nbsp;\u003csup\u003e43,45,57\u003c/sup\u003e.\u0026nbsp;In some habitats of central-eastern Poland, it is the dominant tick species infesting dogs\u0026nbsp;\u003csup\u003e57\u003c/sup\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe presence of \u003cem\u003eD. reticulatus\u003c/em\u003e ticks in the study area poses a threat to the health of not only companion animals but also humans, who may be accidental hosts of adult stages\u0026nbsp;\u003csup\u003e22,25,58\u003c/sup\u003e.\u0026nbsp;An interesting case of attachment of a female \u003cem\u003eD. reticulatus\u0026nbsp;\u003c/em\u003etick to human skin was recorded in eastern Poland; the tick was transferred to the apartment by the pet dog (Buczek et al., unpublished data). As demonstrated by our research, after ingestion of dog\u0026rsquo;s blood, female \u003cem\u003eD. reticulatus\u003c/em\u003e ticks can lay eggs that hatch into larvae in household conditions.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe high risk of \u003cem\u003eD. reticulatus\u003c/em\u003e attacks on companion animals and humans is also associated with the fact that adult specimens are active throughout the day, mainly from 12:00 to ca. 16:00 in spring and from 10:00 to approx. 18:00 in autumn with a peak around 14:00 in both these seasons, i.e. at the time of possible presence of their hosts in tick habitats\u0026nbsp;\u003csup\u003e59\u003c/sup\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe expansion of \u003cem\u003eD. reticulatus\u003c/em\u003e ticks into central-southern Poland may lead to the spread of pathogens transmitted by this species in the environment, which should be taken into account in the clinical diagnosis of tick-borne diseases in domestic animals and humans.\u0026nbsp;In Poland and its western and southern neighbors, numerous pathogens with medical and veterinary importance have been detected in this tick species, e.g.\u0026nbsp;\u003cem\u003eR. raoultii\u003c/em\u003e and other SFG\u0026nbsp;rickettsiae, \u003cem\u003eBabesia\u003c/em\u003e spp., TBEV, \u003cem\u003eAnaplasma phagocytophilum\u003c/em\u003e, and\u0026nbsp;\u003cem\u003eFrancisella tularensis\u003c/em\u003e \u003csup\u003e43,60-63\u003c/sup\u003e.\u0026nbsp;Spotted fever group rickettsiae, mainly \u003cem\u003eR. raoultii\u003c/em\u003e, exhibit the highest prevalence in \u003cem\u003eD. reticulatus\u003c/em\u003e. In western Poland, they were detected in 38.3% of specimens collected from vegetation\u0026nbsp;\u003csup\u003e43\u003c/sup\u003e and in 60% of ticks removed from dogs\u0026nbsp;\u003csup\u003e63\u003c/sup\u003e.\u0026nbsp;In the endemic regions in eastern and northern Poland, the percentage of host seeking\u003cem\u003e\u0026nbsp;D. reticulatus\u003c/em\u003e infected with these bacteria ranged from 34.18% to 56.7%\u0026nbsp;\u003csup\u003e60-62\u003c/sup\u003e.\u0026nbsp;A high prevalence of \u003cem\u003eR. raoultii\u003c/em\u003e and host seeking \u003cem\u003eD. reticulatus\u003c/em\u003e specimens was also recorded in Poland\u0026rsquo;s western and southern neighboring countries. The mean rates of infection with this bacterium were 64% -70.5% in Germany\u0026nbsp;\u003csup\u003e10,64\u003c/sup\u003e and 47.9% in the Czech Republic and Slovakia\u0026nbsp;\u003csup\u003e65\u003c/sup\u003e.\u0026nbsp;Depending on the habitat, TBE viruses causing tick-borne encephalitis in humans were detected in 0.33%-10.8% of \u003cem\u003eD. reticulatus\u003c/em\u003e specimens from the tick population in eastern Poland\u0026nbsp;\u003csup\u003e42,62,66 67\u003c/sup\u003e.\u0026nbsp;The presence of TBE viruses in this tick species was reported from\u0026nbsp;the district of northern Saxony\u0026nbsp;near the Polish border\u0026nbsp;\u003csup\u003e68\u003c/sup\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe greatest threat to the health of dogs attacked by ticks is associated with the transmission of \u003cem\u003eBabesia\u003c/em\u003e protozoa.\u0026nbsp;In Poland, the prevalence of\u003cem\u003e\u0026nbsp;B. canis\u003c/em\u003e in ornate dog ticks is usually in the range of 1\u0026ndash;4%, depending on the region\u0026nbsp;\u003csup\u003e61,62\u003c/sup\u003e. However, it can reach even 21.3%\u0026nbsp;in swampy habitats in eastern Poland\u0026nbsp;\u003csup\u003e69\u003c/sup\u003e. The incidence\u0026nbsp;of clinical babesiosis\u0026nbsp;in the Polish population of dogs is higher in eastern and central Poland (Eastern tick population) than in western Poland (new endemic region for the ornate dog tick) and in the tick-free area\u0026nbsp;\u003csup\u003e3\u003c/sup\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Conclusions","content":"\u003cp\u003eIn conclusion, our observation has verified the data on the spread of \u003cem\u003eD. reticulatus\u003c/em\u003e in Poland and confirmed its progressive expansion in Central Europe. The present results suggest that, since at least 2010,\u0026nbsp;\u003cem\u003eD. reticulatus\u003c/em\u003e ticks have been present in a zone in Poland that has so far been considered to be free of this species. Field studies (collection of ticks from vegetation)\u0026nbsp;may indicate the distribution of these ticks and the size of their population in central-southern Poland.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe expansion of \u003cem\u003eD. reticulatus\u003c/em\u003e to the areas of central-southern Poland enlarges the area of potential foci of diseases transmitted by this tick species, e.g. babesiosis in dogs and rickettsiosis in humans, which are both diagnosed in other parts of Poland.\u0026nbsp;Given the high vector competence and the wide spectrum of \u003cem\u003eD. reticulatus\u003c/em\u003e hosts as well as its co-occurrence with \u003cem\u003eIxodes ricinus\u003c/em\u003e in the same habitats, the analyzed tick species can significantly contribute to the circulation and maintenance of other tick-borne pathogens in the environment, which are one of the most important biological agents posing a threat to the health of companion animals and humans.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMonitoring the occurrence of this tick species can help develop strategies for reduction of the incidence of tick-borne diseases in humans and animals.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Methods","content":"\u003cp\u003eStudy area\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe study was carried out in central Poland: Radomsko and Żytno Communes in Ł\u0026oacute;dzkie Province and Kłobuck Commune in Śląskie Province. The climate in this area is transitional, which is associated with the influences of air masses characteristic of the continental and oceanic zones. The climate in this region is also determined by differences in terrain elevation and soil moisture. In recent years, an increase in the mean air temperature has been observed in the study area.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe field and forest landscape of this area with relics of natural forest and meadow-peatland ecosystems are favorable habitats for numerous animal species that can be potential tick hosts, e.g. moose, red deer, fallow deer, roe deer, wild boar, hare, fox, raccoon dog, marten, badger, beaver, weasel, and stoat.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRadomsko\u0026nbsp;Commune (51\u0026deg;04\u0026prime;01\u0026Prime;N, 19\u0026deg;26\u0026prime;41\u0026Prime;E, 223 a.s.l.)\u0026nbsp;is\u0026nbsp;situated in the valley of the Warta River and on Radomsko Hills. Its southern part is located in a nationally important ecological corridor covering the valley of the Warta River and in the area of the main underground water reservoir in Upper Cretaceous formations. Its area covers numerous wet meadows, swamps, and peat bogs, where many northern plants can be found (marsh horsetail, swamp sedge, several species of mosses, long-leaved chickweed, and wild rosemary). However, species characteristic of Central Europe, e.g. European beech, common hornbeam, English oak, broad-leaved linden, and Norway maple, are the most numerous plants. Herbaceous plants are represented by finger sedge, wood anemone, and dog\u0026rsquo;s mercury.\u0026nbsp;Riparian forests and oak-hornbeam forests are the dominant habitats in the valley of Warta tributaries. The plant cover in the valley bottom is closely related to the habitat conditions and land use. Mid-field tree stands and forests are characterized by a high degree of habitat degradation caused by changes (intensive drainage) or neglect of water relations. Areas of former mid-forest meadows provide a favorable living habitat for mammals and birds. Wetlands and forest coppices located near agricultural fields are frequent habitats for roe deer and boars.\u0026nbsp;The area comprises large forest complexes mainly with communities of fresh mixed coniferous forest, wet mixed coniferous forest, and alder forest. The tree stand is dominated by pine, alder, birch, and oak.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eŻytno Commune\u0026nbsp;(50\u0026deg;55\u0026apos;38\u0026quot;N 19\u0026deg;37\u0026apos;39\u0026quot;E, 202 a.s.l.)\u0026nbsp;covers a largely swampy area between the Pilica and Warta River valleys. Marsh and peat wetlands are a frequent element of its landscape. Nearly 50% of the area is covered by forests dominated by pine trees.\u0026nbsp;Dębowiec Nature Reserve was established in the commune to protect a natural oak-hornbeam forest with broad-leaved linden at the margins of its occurrence range and an elm-ash riparian forest with rare herbaceous plants.\u0026nbsp;Dębowiec Reserve and the neighboring forest complexes are located in wet valleys covered with natural alder and ash forests. The proglacial valley and the old riverbeds of the Pilica River are covered by riparian forests, rushes, herbaceous plants, and wet meadows\u0026nbsp;in addition to fertile oak-hornbeam forests.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eKłobuck Commune (50\u0026deg;54\u0026prime;02\u0026Prime;N, 18\u0026deg;56\u0026prime;12\u0026Prime;E, 239 a.s.l.) is located in the catchment area of the Warta River. Numerous smaller rivers flow from the wet valleys into its largest tributary, the Liswarta River. The vegetation of the area is represented by coniferous (56%), forest (27%), mountain (16%), and alder (1%) communities. Pine and larch are the main forest-forming species (66.4%), with a lower percentage of spruce, oak, maple, sycamore, elm, ash, birch, beech, and others \u003csup\u003e28\u003c/sup\u003e. \u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTick collection\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTicks were collected from companion animals (six dogs and a cat) during routine health checks carried out by veterinarians in the study area. Ectoparasites collected from the animals were stored in sterile plastic test tubes with 70% ethanol pending identification in the laboratory. The species and sex of the tick specimens removed from the skin of the animals was identified based on the guide to tick identification by Nowak-Chmura \u003csup\u003e29\u003c/sup\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Declarations","content":"\u003cp\u003eData availability\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAll data are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAuthor contributions\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eM.R. collected the data, A.B. and M.R. performed the laboratory analysis, A.B., W.B., and M.R. wrote the final version of the manuscript. A.B. and K.B. visualization, K.B. editing and revision. All authors contributed to and approved the final manuscript.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFunding\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe study has not received external funding.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCompeting interests\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe authors declare no competing interests\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"References","content":"\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eF\u0026ouml;ldv\u0026aacute;ri, G., \u0026Scaron;irok\u0026yacute;, P., Szekeres, S., Majoros, G., Sprong, H. \u003cem\u003eDermacentor reticulatus\u003c/em\u003e: a vector on the rise. \u003cem\u003eParasit. Vectors\u003c/em\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e9\u003c/strong\u003e, 314 https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-016-1599-x (2016).\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEuropean Centre for Disease Prevention and Control and European Food Safety Authority. Tick maps [internet]. Stockholm: ECDC; March 2022. 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Repeated isolation of tick-borne encephalitis virus from adult \u003cem\u003eDermacentor reticulatus\u003c/em\u003e ticks in an endemic area in Germany. \u003cem\u003eParasit. Vectors. \u003c/em\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e12\u003c/strong\u003e, 90. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-019-3346-6 (2019).\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDzięgiel, B. \u003cem\u003eet al\u003c/em\u003e. Prevalence of \u003cem\u003eBabesia canis\u003c/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eBorrelia burgdorferi sensu lato\u003c/em\u003e, and \u003cem\u003eAnaplasma phagocytophilum\u003c/em\u003e in hard ticks collected from meadows of Lubelskie Voivodship (eastern Poland). \u003cem\u003eBull. Vet. Inst. Pulawy\u003c/em\u003e. 58, 29-33. https://doi.org/10.2478/bvip-2014-0005 (2014). \u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ol\u003e"}],"fulltextSource":"","fullText":"","funders":[],"hasAdminPriorityOnWorkflow":false,"hasManuscriptDocX":true,"hasOptedInToPreprint":true,"hasPassedJournalQc":"","hasAnyPriority":false,"hideJournal":true,"highlight":"","institution":"","isAcceptedByJournal":false,"isAuthorSuppliedPdf":false,"isDeskRejected":"","isHiddenFromSearch":false,"isInQc":false,"isInWorkflow":false,"isPdf":false,"isPdfUpToDate":true,"isWithdrawnOrRetracted":false,"journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"researchsquare","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"externalIdentity":"","sideBox":"","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"/submission","title":"Research Square","twitterHandle":"researchsquare","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":false,"editorialSystem":"","reportingPortfolio":"","inReviewEnabled":false,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true},"keywords":"Dermacentor reticulatus, ornate dog tick, new localities, occurrence range, ticks infesting companion animals, Poland","lastPublishedDoi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-2953092/v1","lastPublishedDoiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-2953092/v1","license":{"name":"CC BY 4.0","url":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"},"manuscriptAbstract":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eDermacentor reticulatus\u003c/em\u003e is one of the tick species with the greatest epidemiological importance in Europe. To date, the Eastern European and Western European populations of this tick species have been separated by an area located in Poland where the species have never been found. In this paper, we describe newly discovered \u003cem\u003eD. reticulatus\u003c/em\u003elocalities in areas transformed by human activities in central-southern Poland.\u003cem\u003e \u003c/em\u003eThespecimens of ornate dog tick were identified among ticks collected from companion animals in 2010, 2012, 2013, and 2014.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur results verify the available data on the spread of ornate dog tick and indicate that, since 2010, this tick species has probably been present in this area, which has a strongly transformed agricultural structure and used to be regarded as a \u003cem\u003eD. reticulatus\u003c/em\u003e-free zone. However, field studies are required to determine the current distribution range of \u003cem\u003eD. reticulatus\u003c/em\u003e and its population size.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe presence of the ornate dog tick in urban and suburban habitats in central-southern Poland poses new threats to the health of companion animals and humans associated with the transmission of pathogens by this species.\u003c/p\u003e","manuscriptTitle":"Expansion of Dermacentor reticulatus in central-southern Poland and new threats to human and animal health","msid":"","msnumber":"","nonDraftVersions":[{"code":1,"date":"2023-05-30 15:25:25","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-2953092/v1","editorialEvents":[{"type":"communityComments","content":0}],"status":"published","journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"researchsquare","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"externalIdentity":"","sideBox":"","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"/submission","title":"Research Square","twitterHandle":"researchsquare","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":false,"editorialSystem":"","reportingPortfolio":"","inReviewEnabled":false,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true}}],"origin":"","ownerIdentity":"6c60964a-5828-41ce-bbe4-540f2a399e7c","owner":[],"postedDate":"May 30th, 2023","published":true,"recentEditorialEvents":[],"rejectedJournal":[],"revision":"","amendment":"","status":"posted","subjectAreas":[{"id":21872524,"name":"Biological sciences/Zoology"},{"id":21872525,"name":"Earth and environmental sciences/Natural hazards"}],"tags":[],"updatedAt":"2023-07-13T15:44:22+00:00","versionOfRecord":[],"versionCreatedAt":"2023-05-30 15:25:25","video":"","vorDoi":"","vorDoiUrl":"","workflowStages":[]},"version":"v1","identity":"rs-2953092","journalConfig":"researchsquare"},"__N_SSP":true},"page":"/article/[identity]/[[...version]]","query":{"redirect":"/article/rs-2953092","identity":"rs-2953092","version":["v1"]},"buildId":"_2-kVJe1T_tPrBINL-cwx","isFallback":false,"isExperimentalCompile":false,"dynamicIds":[84888],"gssp":true,"scriptLoader":[]}