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SUMMARY
In this review the authors summarize the epidemiological role of tick infestation
of birds, in the context of the recent scientific results. Birds play an important
role in the transportation of ticks and tick-borne pathogens, some of which may
pose a risk to humans and domestic animals. Two host-generalist tick species,
Ixodes ricinus and Haemaphysalis concinna occur more often on birds in Central
Europe, than ornitophilic tick species. The prevalence of tick infestation among
birds may depend on several factors, such as migrating strategy (short or long
distance migrants), feeding level (on the ground or above), climatic factors and
also the pathogens living in ticks. It is known that during the spring migration
birds arriving from the south may carry developmental stages of exotic ticks
(e.g. Hyalomma species) and if these immature ticks are able to moult to adults,
they can feed on domestic animals. Bird ticks may carry viruses (e.g. TBE virus),
bacteria (mostly Borrelia spp., Anaplasma spp. and Rickettsia spp.) and parasi tes (Babesia spp.) which could represent potential threat to humans. Ticks of
migratory songbirds could carry exotic pathogens, as well. The knowledge on
tick-borne pathogens in bird tissues is limited, but Anaplasma phagocytophilum,
Coxiella burnetii and Rickettsia spp. have been shown to be present in the blood
of birds. In this way, it has been demonstrated, that avian hosts can be potential
reservoirs of bacteria. Therefore it is important to monitor birds and their ticks,
especially because birds are the most common representatives of wildlife near
human communities and animal farms, so they can easily pose a risk to human
and animal health.
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