Ticks are medically important hematophagous ectoparasites transmitting pathogens such as Borrelia, Rickettsia, Babesia, Anaplasma, and Coxiella species that may seriously affect the health of animals and humans. More than a million cases of rickettsiosis, anaplasmosis, and Q fever occur annually worldwide, often in farmers or other occupationally exposed people. Despite the confirmed presence of the causative agents in endemic areas, the attention to these intriguing illnesses is frequently neglected in many countries, including Slovakia. We performed serological and molecular analyses of 403 human sera and 118 blood samples obtained from Slovak patients in the last decade. Herein, we describe seven particular cases to illustrate how clinicians and public health professionals are performing laboratory diagnostic work together to monitor the circulation of rickettsiae and rickettsia-like pathogens and solve health challenges associated with these infections. The results of laboratory testing were related to the symptoms of the diseases and possible tick infestations. Fever and erythema or rash were commonly reported in the cases of rickettsial infections, which were confirmed by the presence of IgM anti-SFGR antibodies and PCR assay positive for either Rickettsia helvetica, Rickettsia raoultii, or Rickettsia sp. On the other hand, an acute Q fever was commonly associated with fever and close contact with livestock or their products. Additionally, for the first time in Slovakia, we described a case with the presence of Anaplasma phagocytophilum DNA in human patient’s blood for 47 days. In conclusion, we assume that effective surveillance of rickettsioses and Rickettsia-like infections is essential for public health. It certainly contributes to better prevention and management of these communicable diseases.

蜱是医学上重要的吸血外寄生虫，可传播病原体，如疏螺旋体、立克次体、巴贝虫、无形体和柯氏杆菌。可能严重影响动物和人类健康的物种。全世界每年发生超过 100 万例立克次体病、无形体病和 Q 热病例，通常发生在农民或其他职业暴露人群中。尽管已确认在流行地区存在病原体，但在包括斯洛伐克在内的许多国家中，对这些有趣疾病的关注经常被忽视。我们对过去十年中从斯洛伐克患者身上获得的 403 份人类血清和 118 份血液样本进行了血清学和分子分析。在此，我们描述了七个特定案例，以说明临床医生和公共卫生专业人员如何共同进行实验室诊断工作，以监测立克次体和立克次体样病原体的循环并解决与这些感染相关的健康挑战。实验室检测结果与疾病症状和可能的蜱虫感染有关。在立克次体感染病例中通常报告发热和红斑或皮疹，这通过 IgM 抗 SFGR 抗体的存在和 PCR 检测阳性证实Rickettsia helvetica、Rickettsia raoultii或Rickettsia sp。另一方面，急性 Q 热通常与发烧和与牲畜或其产品的密切接触有关。此外，我们首次在斯洛伐克描述了一个病例，该病例在人类患者的血液中存在嗜噬细胞无形体DNA 达 47 天。总之，我们假设对立克次体病和立克次体样感染的有效监测对公共卫生至关重要。它当然有助于更好地预防和管理这些传染病。