Ixodes ricinus is the most important tick species in Europe as it is most widely 
distributed and transmits the majority of tick-borne zoonotic pathogens. As 
limited data are available for Hungary, the aim of the present study was to 
investigate the seasonal timing of questing by I. ricinus and the infection rate 
of this tick species with all major tick-borne zoonotic pathogens. Monthly 
collections of I. ricinus were carried out over 3 consecutive years by dragging 
a blanket in 6 biotopes representing different areas of Hungary. Altogether, 
1800 nymphs (300 per collection point) were screened as pooled samples (each of 
5 specimens) by PCR-based methods for tick-borne pathogens. I. ricinus larvae, 
nymphs, and adults had bimodal activity patterns with a major peak in the 
spring. As newly moulted ticks of all stages are thought to emerge in the autumn 
of each year, it appears that most newly emerged ticks delayed their questing 
until the following spring. The minimum prevalence of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu 
lato was 2.5%. Borr. afzelii, Borr. burgdorferi sensu stricto, Borr. garinii, 
Borr. lusitaniae, and Borr. valaisiana were identified by hybridization. The 
minimum infection rate with spotted fever group rickettsiae was 1.9%. Rickettsia 
helvetica was identified in all biotopes. The minimum prevalence of Anaplasma 
phagocytophilum, Babesia divergens and Bab. microti was low (0.3-0.5%). 
Bartonella spp.-, Francisella tularensis-, and TBE virus-specific amplification 
products were not detected. Relative to the results of comparable studies 
carried out in the Carpathian Basin, the prevalence of tick-borne pathogens was 
low in Hungary. This might be attributed to the climatic difference between the 
lowland areas of Hungary and submountain areas of the surrounding countries 
involved in the studies.