Newly introduced ticks a potential meningitis transmitter

Scientists identify a new species of tick in Germany

Ticks are now active in Germany and other European countries almost the entire year. The mild temperatures during the winter months are the reason for the increased activity of the bloodsucking parasites. Researchers have now discovered that the tick species Ixodes inopinatus seems to be a potential new carrier of meningitis in this country as well.

The scientists of the German Center for Infection Research have identified a new possible carrier of meningitis: it is the tick species Ixodes inopinatus. The experts published the results of their study in the English-language journal "ScienceDirekt".

Scientists found that there is a new kind of ticks in Germany. However, it is still unclear whether the tick species Ixodes inopinatus transmits the dangerous TBE virus. (Image: Smileus / fotolia.com)

Parasites are now active in Germany almost the whole year

Ticks are known transmitters of meningitis. It used to be normal in Germany that ticks did not pose a threat to humans, at least during the winter months, due to a lack of activity. But in the meantime many ticks are active in autumn. Thanks to the mild temperatures during the winter months, ticks are a threat almost all year round. In addition, the ticks unfortunately continue to spread throughout Europe.

Why does the tick species Ixodes inopinatus spread in Europe??

Already in 2016, infection cases were detected for the first time by the tick species Ixodes inopinatus in the Netherlands. Of course, experts wondered what was behind the growing prevalence of these ticks. Scientists suspect that birds contribute to the widespread spread of ticks.

Ixodes inopinatus discovered in southern Germany

Molecular biology studies of TBE viruses from different regions of Europe have shown that the viruses are distributed especially on the well-known bird migration lines. So scientists collected for their study ticks at these so-called bird resting places. The researchers of the German Center for Infection Research found that there is now a species of ticks in southern Germany, which has so far usually occurred only in the Mediterranean area.

Ixodes inopinatus transmits the TBE virus?

It is still unclear whether the discovered tick species Ixodes inopinatus also transmits the TBE virus in Germany. This species of ticks is still largely unknown in this country. The scientists therefore also want to find out whether the ticks may transmit completely new pathogens that do not exist in Germany so far.

Also other new types of ticks isolated proven

In addition to the tick species Ixodes inopinatus mentioned here, the researchers have also identified other types of ticks that have so far been detected only sporadically. The ticks fauna is much more diverse than previously thought, explains the author Gerhard Dobler from the Institute of Microbiology in Munich.

The carryover of ticks could have a big impact

The importance of the spread of ticks across continents has so far been underestimated and under-researched. Such a process could be a possible cause of the onset of newly introduced diseases transmitted through contact with ticks. In other words, such a pathway could be of much greater importance than previously thought, adds Dobler. (As)