Ticks distribution and zoonotic risk in urban parks of Imola: preliminary results.

The aim of study is to evaluate the distribution of ticks in urban and periurban parks of Imola (Bologna) and to determine the widespread of pathogens as Borrelia burgdorferi s.l., Bartonella spp., and Anaplasma phagocytophilum.33 dragging were carried out in 4 parks (Acque Minerali, Lungofiume, Tozzoni, Bosco della Frattona). 641 ticks were harvested, 98,8% of these in Bosco della Frattona. 82,7% were Ixodes ricinus, 17,3% were Riphicephalus sanguineus. The highest density were observed in Bosco della Frattona (6,2 nymphs /100 m2; IC = 3,7-10,1); in the Lungofiume park no one tick was harvested. Borrelia burgdorferi s.l. and Bartonella spp. presented prevalences of 10,5% (IC=5,5%-17,6%) and 60,5% (IC=50,9%-69,5%) respectively. No one tick was infected with Anaplasma phagocytophilum. We concluded that ticks are present also in urban and periurban habitat and could represent a treat for public health.