Retrospective molecular analyses of hard ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) from patients admitted to the Centre for Tick-Borne Diseases in Central Europe, Hungary (1999–2021), in relation to clinical symptoms

The seasonal occurrence of I. ricinus-borne pathogens appeared to be genus-dependent, but did not correlate with known typical reservoirs (rodents, birds, reptiles), nor with tick developmental stage or transstadial versus transovarial transmission. Pathogen detection in ticks that bit humans did not necessarily imply an infection.