Tick-Borne Pathogens in Wild Cervids from Poland: A Molecular Survey on Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Piroplasms

Abstract

Simple Summary Tick-borne diseases affect both animal and human health, and wild animals can play an important role in maintaining and spreading the pathogens that cause these infections. To better understand this role, we investigated the presence of selected tick-borne pathogens in three common wild deer species from Poland: red deer, fallow deer, and roe deer. Spleen samples from 90 animals were tested for the bacteria Anaplasma phagocytophilum and for piroplasms, blood parasites. More than half of the animals carried A. phagocytophilum, with the highest prevalence found in red deer. Piroplasms were detected in 30% of the samples, mainly in red deer. In detail, genetic analysis only revealed the presence of Theileria capreoli, and in particular of two distinct T. capreoli genotypes, each associated with different deer species, whereas no Babesia species were identified. These findings improve our understanding of the distribution of tick-borne pathogens in Polish wildlife and highlight the potential role of wild cervids as natural reservoirs of these microorganisms, some of which can affect humans. Continued surveillance of wildlife populations is important to monitor the circulation of tick-borne pathogens and to better understand their ecology and potential impact on animal and public health across Europe.