Abstract

Most ticks are known vectors of various tick-borne diseases. Proper detection and identification of tick-transmitted bacteria
is very important to make a correct diagnosis of the disease and to provide effective treatment. More detailed knowledge of the ecology of local tick and tick-transmitted bacteria may improve human healthcare strategies. During the campaign “Send tick by post!” a variety of tick-borne bacterial pathogens have been identified, with an overall high prevalence rate of 62% for infected ticks among collected ticks with 22% being co-infected. While testing protocols have been approved for detection of most tick-borne bacteria, then diagnostic tests for B.miyamotoi or N. mikurensis should yet be developed for routine laboratory diagnosis. In most cases, tickborne diseases can be treated successfully with a few weeks of antibiotic therapy, but early treatment can prevent the risk for developing late complications.