Infections with Tickborne Pathogens after Tick Bite, Austria, 2015–2018

• DOI: 10.3201/eid2704.203366
• Publication Date: 2021-04-06T04:26:58Z
• Authors: Mateusz Markowicz; Anna-Margarita Sc...; Dieter Höss; Michael Kundi; Christina Schray; Hannes Stockinger; Gerold Stanek
• Keywords: Anaplasma phagocytophilum; Tick-borne disease; Erythema migrans

Abstract The aim of this prospective study was to assess the risk for tickborne infections after a tick bite. A total 489 persons bitten by 1,295 ticks were assessed occurrence with Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Rickettsia spp., Babesia Candidatus Neoehrlichia mikurensis, and relapsing fever borreliae. B. s.l. infection found in 25 (5.1%) participants, whom 15 had erythema migrans. Eleven (2.3%) participants positive PCR N. mikurensis. One asymptomatic participant infected miyamotoi identified. Full engorgement (odds ratio 9.52) confirmation 4.39) increased infection. helvetica highly abundant but not pathogenic humans. Knowledge about outcome bites is crucial because emerging pathogens might be underestimated limited laboratory facilities.