One-year research on tick species found on domestic animals in Montenegro and testing for the presence of pathogens in ticks

Background and Aim: Examining the presence, diversity, and vector capacities of tick species is fundamental to the surveillance and control of tick-borne diseases. During 2024, a survey of the present tick species and an analysis of the presence of the pathogen agents: Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV) and Tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) in them were carried out in the territory of Montenegro. The selection of these tick-borne disease pathogens was based not only on the severity of the diseases they cause but also on the potential danger of their presence in the territory of Montenegro, as these diseases have been recorded in neighboring countries. Materials and Methods: Ticks were collected from animals during the peak tick activity period, from April to November. Sampling was carried out in urban, suburban and rural areas, by directly removing ticks from dogs, cattle and sheep. Only adult forms of ticks were sampled. Molecular detection of tick-borne pathogens was performed using appropriate real-time PCR protocols. Results: Over the seven-month sampling period, a total of 119 adult ticks were collected. Five species from three different genera have been identified: Ixodes ricinus, Hyalomma marginatum, Rhipicephalus bursa, R. sanguineus sensu lato and – for the first time recorded in Montenegro – Ixodes hexagonus. Out of a total of three pathogens tested, none (0%) were detected in ticks. Conclusion: Continuous research of ticks and tick-borne diseases contributes to more efficient monitoring and suppression of vector-borne diseases, with the ultimate goal of protecting human and animal health.