[Seasonal activity of the ticks Ixodes ricinus in the lakesides and forests habitats of Szczecin and environs and its infestation with the spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi].

The article presents the results of researche (1999-2000) on numbers and seasonal activity of Ixodes ricinus in selected lakesides and forests habitats of Szczecin and on occurence of the spirochetes Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato in ticks. A total of 8065 ticks were collected from 6 localities : 647 larvae, 4549 nymphs, 1624 females and 1244 males. The spirochetes B. burgdorferi were found (using the PCR techniques) in 2271 specimens e.c. 28.1% whole population. Numbers infected larvae were 216 (33.4%), nymphs 1215 (26.7%), females 490 ( 30.6%), males 350 (28.1%). This study shows that examinated habitats where I. ricinus is present are risk areas of human infection with Lyme disease spirochaetes.