Authors

Discussion

Potentially zoonotic pathogens have been previously detected in bat-associated ticks. Their role in disease transmission, as well as their frequency of feeding on non-bat hosts, is poorly known. We used molecular blood meal analysis to reveal feeding patterns of bat tick species, including Ixodes ariadnae (n = 11), I. simplex (n = 9), and I. vespertilionis (n = 141) collected in Hungary and Romania. About 78% of the samples showed the presence of vertebrate DNA, predominantly revealing bats. We also detected non-bat hosts in these ticks, such as domestic dogs, Canis lupus familiaris, wild boar, Sus scrofa, and a horse, Equus sp. We found the presence of Neoehrlichia mikurensis in bat ticks for the first time. Overall, bat-associated ticks may exhibit a broader host range than previously thought. Their role as disease vectors should be re-evaluated in more complex host systems, as they may contribute to pathogen transmission beyond just bat hosts.