In Europe, apart from the mosquitoes, ticks are epidemiologically the most important vectors of zoonotic microbial pathogens. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of infection and the seasonal activity of Borrelia spp., Babesia spp. and Anaplasma phagocytophilum in questing ticks (Ixodes spp., Dermacentor spp., Haemaphysalis spp.).

Study area is situated near the Hrhov village (48^o34.899 N, 20^o 46.743 E) in the karst region of eastern Slovakia, Central Europe. Ticks were collected in two-week intervals, during the one year period (February 2011 - February 2012) by the method of flagging the vegetation. Subsequently, the ticks were investigated for the presence of pathogens by the molecular methods.

In the file of 660 tested ticks, the highest was the prevalence of spirochetes from Borrelia burgdorferi s.l. complex (12.4%). Using the RFLP method, six genospecies were determined. The predominant genospecies were B. garinii (38.8%) and B. afzelii (36.7%). In addition, one Dermacentor marginatus tick tested positive for B. afzelii and one Haemaphysalis inermis was infected with B. valaisiana. All D. reticulatus ticks were free of Borrelia spp. infection. The second, most prevailing pathogen in tested Ixodes ricinus ticks was Babesia spp. (7.7%). Further sequencing allowed distinguishing between B. microti “Jena strain” (64.28%) and B. venatorum (21.42%). The presence of A. phagocytophilum was confirmed in 2.76% of tested I. ricinus ticks.