[Ticks associated to infectious pathologies in Portugal].

Ticks are hematophagos arthropods that parasitize terrestrial vertebrates. They are world wide, living in almost all terrestrial regions. Although mainly associated to animals, there are several tick species that bite humans and transmit tick-borne agents causing important infectious disease. In this paper the authors revise the most outstanding aspects of those arthropods as vectors of infectious pathogens in Portugal, focusing biologic, ecologic and epidemiologic features with Public Health interest.