INVESTIGATIONS OF TICK HABITATS AND POTENTIAL PATHOGENS CARRIED IN URBAN ENVIRONMENTS OF JIANGSU PROVINCE
10.3969/j.issn.1005-0507.2026.03.006
- VernacularTitle:江苏省城镇环境中蜱类孳生地及其携带病原体调查
- Author:
Zhi-ming WU
1
;
Ye TIAN
1
;
Wei-fang YANG
1
;
Hong-na CHEN
1
;
Jian GAO
1
;
Hui LIU
1
;
Yu-fu ZHANG
1
;
Gan CAO
2
;
Hong-liang CHU
3
Author Information
1. Institute of Disinfection and Vector Biology Control, Jiangsu Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Nanjing 210009, Jiangsu, China
2. Changzhou Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Changzhou 213022, Jiangsu, China
3. Institute of Disinfection and Vector Biology Control, Jiangsu Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Nanjing 210009, Jiangsu, China; National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Enteric Pathogens, Nanjing 210009, Jiangsu, China; Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory of Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Pathogens, Nanjing 210009, Jiangsu, China
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Urban environment;
Host-seeking ticks;
Breeding habitat;
Haemaphysalis longicornis;
Haemaphysalis flava;
Bandavirus dabieense
- From:
Acta Parasitologica et Medica Entomologica Sinica
2026;33(3):192-197
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Objective To investigate the species composition, distribution, density, and pathogen-carrying status of host-seeking ticks in urban environments of Jiangsu Province, and to provide a scientific basis for the prevention and control of tick-borne diseases in urban settings. Methods From April to September 2023, a survey on host-seeking ticks was conducted in three types of habitats (city parks, residential areas, and street greenbelts) across 54 counties (cities, districts) of 13 prefecture-level cities in Jiangsu Province by using the flagging method. RStudio 4.4.3 (Windows version) was employed to perform chi-square test analysis on the species composition of ticks across different months, and Friedman test (for multiple paired samples) was applied to analyze monthly changes in the average tick density index among different habitats. Quantitative real-time PCR was performed to detect pathogens in the captured ticks. Results A total of 863 host-seeking ticks were captured from 54 habitats in 24 counties (cities, districts) of 11 prefecture-level cities (Nanjing, Wuxi, Changzhou, Suzhou, Nantong, Huai'an, Yancheng, Yangzhou, Zhenjiang, Taizhou, and Suqian) in Jiangsu Province, whereas no ticks were captured in Xuzhou and Lianyungang. The collected ticks belonged to three species, with Haemaphysalis longicornis being the dominant species (accounting for 82.62%), followed by Haemaphysalis flava and Hae. phasiana. The average density index of ticks in positive habitats was 3.20 ticks/ (flag·100 m). In terms of tick density among prefecture-level cities, Wuxi had the highest density[13.55 ticks/(flag·100 m)], whereas Nanjing and Taizhou had the lowest[both,0.20 ticks/(flag·100 m)]. With respect to the types of positive habitats,46 positive city parks,7 positive residential areas, and 1 positive street greenbelt were found, with the average tick density index being 3.46, 1.86, and 3.60 ticks/flag · 100 m, respectively. No statistically significant differences were observed in the monthly variations in the average tick density index among different habitats (P＞0.05). Pathogen detection showed no Bandavirus dabieense, Rickettsia, or Borrelia burgdorferi in the collected ticks. Conclusions Host-seeking ticks have established populations in urban environments across most prefecture-level cities in Jiangsu Province, with Hae. longicornis identified as the dominant species. City parks serve as the primary breeding habitats for these ticks. Strengthening tick surveillance and control measures in densely populated and frequently visited areas, such as city parks and residential neighborhoods, is crucial for the effective prevention and control of urban tick-borne diseases.
