Molecular screening of vector-borne pathogens in European badgers (Meles meles) in Lithuania

Abstract

Vector-borne pathogens are increasingly recognised in European wildlife, but little is known about their occurrence in European badgers (Meles meles), particularly in the Baltic region. Badgers may play a role in maintaining and transmitting pathogens relevant to animal and human health. This study aimed to investigate the presence and diversity of selected vector-borne pathogens in European badgers from Lithuania. Spleen samples from 24 badgers were screened for eight pathogens (Anaplasma spp., Babesia spp., Bartonella spp., Borrelia spp., Hepatozoon spp., Mycoplasma spp., Neoehrlichia mikurensis, and Rickettsia spp.) using PCR assays. Seventeen of 24 badgers (70.8%) were infected with at least one pathogen. Babesia spp. was the most prevalent, detected in 15 individuals (62.5%), followed by Anaplasma phagocytophilum (3/24; 12.5%) and Mycoplasma spp. (3/24; 12.5%). No evidence of infection with Bartonella spp., Borrelia spp., Hepatozoon spp., Neoehrlichia mikurensis, or Rickettsia spp. was found. Phylogenetic analysis confirmed that the detected sequences corresponded to Babesia sp. type A, A. phagocytophilum and Mycoplasma spp. This study provides the first molecular evidence of vector-borne pathogens in European badgers from Lithuania. The results suggest that badgers may contribute to the maintenance of multiple vector-borne pathogens in natural ecosystems.

Keywords: badgers; Meles meles; pathogens; vector-borne; Lithuania