Ticks are highly specialized obligate hematophagous ectoparasites. They are important vectors for the transmission of pathogens, including many viruses. The genus Orthobunyavirus belongs to the family Peribunyaviridae, and Phlebovirus is a genus of viruses belonging to the family Phenuiviridae. Both genera belong to the order Bunyavirales. The aim of the study was to determine the possible presence of orthobunyaviruses and phleboviruses in ticks captured in Slovenia, and to analyze their genetic diversity. The study examined 8515 ticks caught by the flagging vegetation, sampled monthly from April 2005 to November 2008, at 14 locations in Slovenia. Tick samples were identified and grouped according to species (Dermacentor reticulatus, Haemaphysalis concinna, Haemaphysalis punctata and Ixodes ricinus), sex, developmental stage, location and date of sampling. RNA was isolated from the pooled tick samples, and using molecular methods and phylogenetic analysis of the nucleotide sequences of the L segment of the viral genome, we detected Uukuniemi virus (UUKV) and unclassified phleboviruses, which were further divided into four subgroups, genetically related to Norway phlebovirus 1 and Blacklegged tick phlebovirus 1, which belong to the genus Ixovirus. Phleboviruses are not grouped by sampling site. We did not detect orthobunyaviruses in ticks. The presence of phleboviruses was detected only among ticks of the species Ixodes ricinus. We have demonstrated that the prevalence of phlebovirus in ticks varies depending on the location. The most frequently infected developmental stage was an adult tick.
|
