Volume 54 (2004) Issue: 2004 No#2-3

POPULATION DYNAMICS AND BORRELIA BURGDORFERI INFECTION RATE OF IXODES RICINUS TICKS IN THE BELGRADE AREA

Author(s): Milutinović Marija, Radulović Ž, Jovičić Vilma, Oreščanin Zorana

Keywords:Ixodes ricinus, population dynamics, Borrelia burgdorferi

To obtain better understanding of epidemiological and epizootiological agents inside a specific region, investigations of ticks in the Belgrade area, an endemic focus of Lyme disease, were carried out during 2002. Green areas of four localities were investigated: Ada Ciganlija, Ko{utnjak, Miljakova~ka forest and Avala. The research involved: relative abundance, population dynamics and detection of Borrelia burgdorferi in Ixodes ricinus ticks. A total of 2704 ticks were collected. The greatest number of ticks were recorded on Avala (1265), followed by Miljakova~ka forest (614), Ko{utnjak (541) and Ada Ciganlija (284). Maximal abundance of ticks was recorded in mid-April at Ada Ciganlija, but during May in other localities. A total of 530 ticks of the species Ixodes ricinus (from all localities) was examined by darkfield microscopy for Borreliae. Out of this number, 125 (23.58 %) were infected with Borrelia burgdorferi. The proportions of infected ticks were 20.34 % in nymphs and 23.99 % in adults. Infection rates by localities were: Avala - 18.75 %, Miljakova~ka forest – 20.21 %, Ada Ciganlija – 29.31 % and Ko{utnjak - 31.88 %. There were statistically significant differences in the infection rates between localities (p<0.05).