Ticks are vector arthropods responsible for the transmission of several pathogenic agents that affect both human and animal health worldwide. In this study our objective was to analyse, using molecular tools, the bacterial community of Dermacentor reticulatus and Haemaphysalis inermis ticks collected in south-eastern Slovakia. Using real-time PCR, we identified the presence of Rickettsia spp. DNA at levels of 14/59 (23.72 %) and 29/173 (16.76 %) in D. reticulatus and H. inermis, respectively. In addition, using standard PCR and sequencing, we identified the presence of Rickettsia raoultii DNA in 13 ticks belonging to the two investigated species. Rickettsia raoultii blast results revealed an average identification percentage of 99.62 %. Following the results of this molecular study there is a possibility that D. reticulatus and H. inermis play a potential role in the transmission of R. raoultii. To prove the possibility of validity of this hypothesis, we suggest performing experimental models in future studies. Our results can serve as preliminary data for future transmission models.

蜱是媒介节肢动物，负责传播影响全世界人类和动物健康的几种病原体。在这项研究中，我们的目标是使用分子工具分析在斯洛伐克东南部收集的网状皮螟和无刺血蜱的细菌群落。使用实时 PCR，我们确定了立克次体的存在。DNA 在D. reticulatus和H. inermis中的水平分别为 14/59 (23.72 %) 和 29/173 (16.76 %) 。此外，使用标准 PCR 和测序，我们在属于两个研究物种的 13 个蜱中鉴定了Rickettsia raoultii DNA的存在。立克次体爆炸结果显示平均识别率为 99.62%。根据这项分子研究的结果，D. reticulatus和H. inermis有可能在R. raoultii的传播中发挥潜在作用。为了证明这一假设的有效性，我们建议在未来的研究中进行实验模型。我们的结果可以作为未来传输模型的初步数据。