Ticks are important human and animal parasites and vectors of many infectious disease agents. Control of tick activity is an effective tool to reduce the risk of contracting tick-transmitted diseases. The castor bean tick (Ixodes ricinus) is the most common tick species in Europe. It is also a vector of the causative agents of Lyme borreliosis and tick-borne encephalitis, which are two of the most important arthropod-borne diseases in Europe. In recent years, increases in tick activity and incidence of tick-borne diseases have been observed in many European countries. These increases are linked to many ecological and anthropogenic factors such as landscape management, climate change, animal migration, and increased popularity of outdoor activities or changes in land usage. Tick activity is driven by many biotic and abiotic factors, some of which can be effectively managed to decrease risk of tick bites. In the USA, recommendations for landscape management, tick host control, and tick chemical control are well-defined for the applied purpose of reducing tick presence on private property. In Europe, where fewer studies have assessed tick management strategies, the similarity in ecological factors influencing vector presence suggests that approaches that work in USA may also be applicable. In this article we review key factors driving the tick exposure risk in Europe to select those most conducive to management for decreased tick-associated risk.

Ticks are ubiquitous ectoparasites, feeding on representatives of all classes of terrestrial vertebrates and transmitting numerous pathogens of high human and veterinary medical importance. Exotic animals kept in zoological gardens, ranches, wildlife parks or farms may play an important role in the ecology of ticks and tick-borne pathogens (TBPs), as they may serve as hosts for local tick species. Moreover, they can develop diseases of varying severity after being infected by TBPs, and theoretically, can thus serve as reservoirs, thereby further propagating TBPs in local ecosystems. The definite role of these animals in the tick–host-pathogen network remains poorly investigated. This review provides a summary of the information currently available regarding ticks and TBPs in connection to captive local and exotic wildlife, with an emphasis on zoo-housed species.

Ticks transmit a broad spectrum of pathogens, threatening both animal and human health. Tick survival and proliferation are strongly dependent on host selection and suitability. The hard tickIxodes ricinus, which is widespread throughout most of Europe, is a host generalist capable of feeding on many different vertebrate species. Pasture-kept exotic farm animals may be at a high risk for tick and tick-borne pathogens infestations but research characterizing this is currently lacking. This study focused on the detection ofBorreliaspirochetes (includingBorrelia miyamotoi) in exotic farm animals. Using nested-PCR withBorrelia-specific primers, 121 serum samples from 54 exotic farm animals of several species bred in four different farms in Bohemia and Moravia (Czechia) were tested. Positive samples were sequenced for the identification ofBorreliaspecies. The prevalence ofBorreliaDNA in the samples ranged from 13 to 67%, depending on the sampling site. The sequencing results confirmed the DNA presence of multiple spirochete species from theBorrelia burgdorferisensu lato complex. Only one sample from an ostrich (Struthio camelus) was found to be positive forBorrelia myiamotoi. The results show that exotic farm animals can serve as hosts for hard ticks and can be infected byBorreliaspirochetes, transmitted by hard ticks. Therefore, these animals could play a relevant role in maintainingBorreliaspirochetes in nature.

This study describes the development of a species determination/DNA quantification system called Pleo Qplex and an individual identification STR multiplex called Pleo STRplex using Panthera leo samples. Pleo Qplex enables us to measure the quantity of extracted nuclear and mitochondrial DNA and detect the presence of co-purified inhibitors. Pleo STRplex, consisting of seven loci, enables the determination of the DNA profile from a sample of Panthera leo based on the analysis of short tandem repeats (STRs). The Pleo STRplex provides additional loci on top of previously published STR loci in Ptig STRplex and contains a specific STR marker that confirms Panthera leo. An allelic ladder of all STR markers was prepared to enable reliable allele calling. The STR loci can also be used to type the DNA of other members of the genus Panthera. The work on the resulting STR profiles is performed using GenoProof Suite, which offers databasing, matching, and relationship analysis.

The Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) is listed in CITES Appendix II and is protected under the Bern Convention and the EU Habitats Directive, yet it remains a frequent target of wildlife crime, highlighting the urgent need for reliable identification methods. This study focuses on determination and DNA quantification of the Lynx spp. using quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR). The Llynx Qplex quantification multiplex system effectively distinguishes Lynx spp. from other Feliformia species by targeting mitochondrial and nuclear markers. Additionally, we present the results of the developmental validation of the Llyn STRplex system for individual identification and databasing using six STR loci. This study followed ISFG recommendations for non-human DNA testing and developmental validation guidelines. Both systems demonstrate high sensitivity (5 pg genomic DNA for Llynx Qplex and 30 pg of mtDNA for Llyn STRplex) and high specificity to Lynx spp., confirmed by testing against 16 related Feliformia species. Robustness was evaluated, showing sensitivity to temperature variation, and both repeatability and reproducibility were successfully tested across replicates and conditions. Given that forensic casework often involves degraded and limited biological material, molecular tools must be both sensitive and specific to ensure accurate results. Developing precise and efficient tools is essential for supporting investigations of wildlife crime involving the Eurasian lynx, as well as efforts aimed at conserving the species.

Background: Numerous recent studies have shown that ticks and tick-borne pathogens pose a considerable threat in urban areas, such as parks, playgrounds, zoos, cemeteries, etc. Abandoned postindustrial localities, and other types of vague terrain, are other examples of urban wilderness areas that have been absolutely neglected in respect to ticks and tick-borne pathogens thus far, even though they provide ideal biotopes for ticks. Methods: The abundance of ticks and prevalence of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato spirochetes were compared between a city park and an adjacent abandoned construction waste disposal site in Prague, Czechia from June to October 2021. Results: The results showed that ticks and borrelia spirochetes are present at the city park as well as at the abandoned construction waste disposal site, although in lower numbers. Discussion: According to the best of our knowledge, this is the first report describing the presence of ticks and tick-borne pathogens in an urban postindustrial landscape. More detailed studies are needed to uncover the role of these localities in the ecology of ticks and ecoepidemiology of tick-borne diseases in urban areas.