A clear and present danger: tick-borne diseases in Europe

Expert Rev Anti Infect Ther. 2010 Jan;8(1):33-50. doi: 10.1586/eri.09.118.

Abstract

Ticks can transmit a variety of viruses, bacteria or parasites that can cause serious infections or conditions in humans and animals. While tick-borne diseases are becoming an increasing and serious problem in Europe, tick-borne diseases are also responsible for major depressions in livestock production and mortality in sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America and Asia. This review will focus on the most important circulating tick-transmitted pathogens in Europe (Borrelia spp., Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Babesia spp., tick-borne encephalitis virus, Rickettsia spp. and Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus).

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Anaplasmosis / diagnosis
  • Anaplasmosis / epidemiology
  • Anaplasmosis / transmission
  • Animals
  • Arachnid Vectors / microbiology*
  • Arachnid Vectors / parasitology*
  • Arachnid Vectors / physiology
  • Babesiosis / diagnosis
  • Babesiosis / epidemiology
  • Babesiosis / transmission
  • Encephalitis / diagnosis
  • Encephalitis / epidemiology
  • Europe / epidemiology
  • Hemorrhagic Fever, Crimean / diagnosis
  • Hemorrhagic Fever, Crimean / epidemiology
  • Hemorrhagic Fever, Crimean / transmission
  • Humans
  • Lyme Disease / diagnosis
  • Lyme Disease / epidemiology
  • Lyme Disease / transmission
  • Rickettsiaceae Infections / diagnosis
  • Rickettsiaceae Infections / epidemiology
  • Rickettsiaceae Infections / transmission
  • Tick-Borne Diseases / diagnosis
  • Tick-Borne Diseases / epidemiology*
  • Tick-Borne Diseases / transmission
  • Ticks / microbiology*
  • Ticks / parasitology*
  • Ticks / physiology