A survey of ixodid species parasitizing wild boar (Sus scrofa) in Collserola Natural Park and molecular detection of selected tick-borne pathogens

A survey of ticks feeding on wild boar was performed between years 2013 and 2016 in Collserola Natural Park, a peri-urban park surrounded by the highly populated Barcelona metropolitan area. A total of 2.235 ticks were collected of 261 wild boars and classified morphologically. Infestation prevalence was 53.7% and abundance, which was partially explained by host sex, age and body condition as well as season (GLM), was 8.48 ticks per boar. Furthermore, ticks and wild boars were screened by RT-PCR for Rickettsia spp. and Coxiella burnetti. Our results demonstrate rickettsial infection in ticks.