Outcome of the entomological monitoring for Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever virus in the western and southern regions of Kazakhstan in 2021-2022.

The natural foci of Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF) in Kazakhstan are geographically located in the southern regions of the country (Kyzylorda, Turkestan and Zhambyl regions), where the infection of ticks with the CCHF virus predominantly reside, tick species composition and the number of vectors are monitored annually. The objective of our research was to investigate the genetic variants of the CCHF virus in the southern endemic regions, as well as to monitor the spread of the CCHF virus in the western regions of the country (Aktobe, Atyrau and Mangystau regions). In total, 974 (216 pools) ticks from the western regions and 3527 (583 pools) ticks from the southern regions collected during 2021-2022 were investigated. The presence of CCHF virus was detected by real-time reverse transcription PCR (qRT- PCR) in 1 pool out of 799 pools (0.12%) with Hyalomma scupense ticks captured in the CCHF-endemic Kyzylorda region. In the western regions, CCHF virus was not detected in ticks. The sequencing of incomplete fragments of the S, M and L segments of the CCHF virus in the detected virus was identified as genotype Asia - I. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the isolate obtained in this study is grouped with the isolate from a patient with CCHF, which we reported in 2015 (KX129738 Genbank). Our findings highlight the importance of including sequencing in the annual monitoring system for better understanding the evolution of the CCHF virus in the study areas of our country.

Cannabis sativa (Linnaeus, 1753): The use of its extract against Rhipicephalus linnaei (Audouin, 1826) ticks.

To minimize the damage caused by synthetic acaricides to non-target organisms, the use of bioactives compounds extracted from plants has been considered. In this study, semi-engorged females of Rhipicephalus linnaei ticks were exposed to Cannabis sativa flower extract (submersion for 5 minutes in different concentrations diluted in ethanol 30 %) evaluated alterations in the integument and salivary glands. The results demonstrated that lower concentrations of the extract caused damage to both the integument and salivary glands, affecting the cuticular epithelial cells responsible for synthesizing all layers of the cuticle. The concentration of 2.5 mg/mL caused more extensive damage than 5.0 mg/mL, and 40 mg/mL completely disrupted the epithelium. Exposure of the salivary glands showed that at 2.5 ug/mL dose the glandular acini was disrupted, leaving only a heterogeneous mass with some nuclei of acinar cells, leading to acinar rupture. These findings indicate that the extract from Cannabis sativa flowers irreversibly alters the morphology and consequently, interferes with the functionality of different vital organs.

A systematic review of ticks and tick-borne pathogens of cattle reared by smallholder farmers in South Africa.

Ticks are important ectoparasites of domestic animals, wild animals and humans. They spread a variety of infective agents such as protozoans, viruses, and bacteria. Cattle reared by smallholder farmers are susceptible to ticks and tick-borne pathogens due to the type of production system practiced by the farmers. Hence, this review was focused on the occurrence of ticks and tick-borne pathogens in cattle reared by smallholder farmers in South Africa. The systematic search produced a total of 13,408 articles from four databases, and after screening processes, the review utilized 23 articles published between 1983 and 2023. A total of 26 tick species belonging to seven genera were identified in the reviewed articles, with Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) decoloratus and Rhipicephalus evertsi evertsi being the most frequently reported tick species in South Africa followed by Amblyomma hebreum, Rhipicephalus appendiculatus, Hyalomma marginatum rufipes, Rhipicephalus microplus, Rhipicephalus follis, Rhipicephalus gertrudae and Hyalomma truncatum. The most frequently reported tick-borne pathogens across the provinces included Babesia bigemina, Babesia bovis, and Anaplasma marginale, with Eastern Cape Province accounting for most of the records followed by KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga Provinces. The findings of this review confirm that cattle reared by smallholder farmers harbour various ticks and tick-borne pathogens of veterinary, public health and economic importance, and regular monitoring of tick infestations in South Africa is recommended to avoid disease outbreaks.

Molecular characterisation of Australasian Ixodiphagus (Hymenoptera; Encyrtidae; Encyrtinae) reveals unexpected diversity and a potential novel host switch.

Ticks are important medical and veterinary parasites that represent a substantial health threat to humans, companion animals, and livestock. Ixodiphagus wasps (Hymenoptera; Encyrtidae) are known endoparasitoids of ixodid (hard) and argasid (soft) ticks, with potential utility as natural biocontrol agents. Two species, Ixodiphagus brunneus and Ixodiphagus mysorensis, are previously recorded from Australia, however, the genus lacks formal revisionary work in Australia, and the validity and host ranges of these species remain uncertain. This work aimed to investigate the diversity of Ixodiphagus in Australasia and provide a molecular data resource for future work on these understudied endoparasitoids. We extracted DNA from archival Ixodiphagus specimens from Australian and New Zealand insect collections and performed high-throughput sequencing which resulted in complete or mostly complete mitochondrial genome sequences from 11 specimens, including I. brunneus, Ixodiphagus taiaroaensis, and a novel Ixodiphagus sp. reared from Rhipicephalus linnaei from Townsville, Australia. In addition, approximately 70% of the genome of the Wolbachia endosymbiont of I. brunneus was recovered. Finally, we screened 178 recently collected pooled tick samples from southern New South Wales, Australia, for Ixodiphagus spp. using 28S rRNA and cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1(COI) gene PCR, and recovered 14 positive samples. Phylogenetic analysis of Australasian Ixodiphagus spp. based on 28S rRNA and complete mitochondrial genome sequences determined that members of the Australasian fauna are distinct from Ixodiphagus hookeri (the only other Ixodiphagus species for which genetic data exists), and that at least two distinct species are present in Australia; I. brunneus identified from Ixodes holocyclus and Haemaphysalis bancrofti ticks, and an uncharacterised Ixodiphagus sp. found in Rhipicephalus linnaei ticks from northern Queensland. Furthermore, there was substantial genetic diversity at the 28S rRNA loci among I. brunneus samples, which may represent normal genetic variability or a secondary cryptic species. The molecular data generated here represents the first known for the genus Ixodiphagus in Australasia, doubling that of the world fauna, and provides the first known complete mitochondrial genomes for these important tick parasitoids.

Molecular detection of Coxiella burnetii in ticks infesting wild and domestic animals in the Eastern region of Punjab, Pakistan.

Tick-borne pathogens are significant for human, veterinary, and wildlife health. Coxiella burnetii is an example that is widely distributed across various hosts and can cross species boundaries. In Pakistan, there is a scarcity of data regarding C. burnetii at the intersection of wildlife and livestock. Ticks were collected from ruminants and wildlife from the districts of Kasur, Pakpattan, and Okara in Pakistan. Five tick species totaling 571 ticks were collected, with the following distribution: 56.4% Hyalomma anatolicum, 22.4% Rhipicephalus microplus, 10.5% Hyalomma marginatum, 7.9% Rhipicephalus sanguineus, and 2.8% Rhipicephalus turanicus. Fifty tick pools were screened for C. burnetii to amplify a segment of the IS1111 using real-time PCR assays. Ticks collected from sheep and goats had a greater rate of positivity for C. burnetii (40% and 38%, respectively) compared to Indian long-eared hedgehogs with a prevalence of 2%. Coxiella burnetii was prominent in Rhipicephalus microplus (92.3%) and Hyalomma anatolicum (88.9%), followed by Rhipicephalus turanicus (66.6%), Rhipicephalus sanguineus (33.3%), and Hyalomma marginatum (25.0%). Ticks from Pakpattan district displayed the highest prevalence of C. burnetii (88.9%), whereas the lowest was observed in ticks from Kasur district (77.3%). There was no significant association between tick gender and C. burnetii infection. Female host animals were more likely to harbor ticks containing C. burnetii, with a prevalence rate of 81.8%. The research underscores the urgent need for comprehensive studies on C. burnetii in Pakistan, especially at the interface of wildlife and livestock. The high prevalence rates observed in certain tick species and geographic regions emphasize the importance of targeted public health interventions. Future research should focus on elucidating the transmission dynamics and implementing effective control measures to mitigate the impact of these pathogens on human, veterinary, and wildlife health in the region.

Epidemiology and global spread of emerging tick-borne Alongshan virus.

The emergence and spread of novel viral pathogens is a major threat to human health, particularly in the context of climate and human-induced change in land use. Alongshan virus (ALSV) is a tick-borne virus associated with human disease, which was first identified in northeast China. More recently, several studies reported the emergence of ALSV in mammalian and arthropod hosts in multiple different countries outside of Asia, and the first viral genome sequencing data has become available. ALSV is a member of the Jingmenvirus group closely related to the Flaviviridae family. Unusually, the positive-sense, single-stranded RNA genome of ALSV is segmented and consists of four distinct segments, two of which show homology with the NS3 and NS5 protein encoding regions of non-segmented flaviviruses. Transmission of arthropod-borne pathogens will likely increase in the future due to environmental change mediated by a variety of environmental and ecological factors and increasing human encroachment into wild animal habitats. In this review, we present current knowledge of global ALSV distribution and emergence patterns, highlight genetic diversity, evolution and susceptible species. Finally, we discuss the role of this emerging tick-borne virus in the context of urbanization and global health.

Autochthonous Human Babesia divergens Infection, England.

We describe a case of autochthonous human Babesia divergens infection in an immunocompetent woman in England. The patient had fever, hemolysis, multiorgan failure, and 18% parasitemia. We confirmed B. divergens by 18S rDNA PCR and sequencing. Clinicians should consider babesiosis as a differential diagnosis in patients with unexplained hemolysis.

Broad range molecular detection methods identify only Borrelia spp. in erythema migrans biopsies and blood of tick-bitten patients.

In this multicenter study conducted in France, we challenged the hypothesis of the transmission of pathogens other than Borrelia spp. in 22 patients developing erythema migrans following a tick bite. Using a combination of high-throughput microfluidic PCRs and agnostic metagenomics on skin biopsies and blood samples, no microorganisms other than Borrelia spp. was found.

Ticks and tick-borne pathogens on Belle-Île-en-Mer: An exploratory study in a western French island environment.

The islands of Brittany provide unique ecosystems for ticks and tick-borne diseases owing to their oceanic climate, influencing interactions among ticks, hosts, and pathogens. We conducted a preliminary investigation on Belle-Île-en-Mer, an island off the Atlantic coast of Brittany in western France, to assess the prevalence of questing adult ticks and associated human pathogenic bacteria. Dermacentor spp. were found to dominate the tick population (61 %): 23 % Dermacentor reticulatus and 77 % D. marginatus. Haemaphysalis punctata (27 %) was also prevalent on the island, and Ixodes ricinus (12 %) was detected for the first time on Belle-Île-en-Mer. Both Dermacentor species harbored either Rickettsia slovaca (24 %) or Rickettsia raoultii (20 %), whereas I. ricinus carried Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato and Anaplasma phagocytophilum but not Borrelia miyamotoi or Neoehrlichia mikurensis. Detection of two potentially pathogenic species in the B. burgdorferi sensu lato complex, B. afzelii and B. lusitaniae, along with A. phagocytophilum underscores the current risk of Lyme borreliosis and anaplasmosis. The high prevalence of Rickettsia infection in Dermacentor indicates an additional risk of human rickettsioses.

Molecular Identification of Hyalomma Ticks and Application of Bacillus thuringiensis Toxins as an Effective Biological Acaricide.

Bacillus thuringiensis (B. thuringiensis) is considered one of the most important entomopathogenic microorganisms. It produces potent toxins against insects. Therefore, the present study investigates the bioacaricidal properties of B. thuringiensis on the Hyalomma tick species. Firstly, we identify Hyalomma ticks based on morphological screening and molecular characterization. The cytochrome C oxidase subunit I (COX1) gene was selected for the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis, which resulted in the amplification of 656 bp. The amplified products were sequenced, and the isolated (COX1) gene of ticks was submitted to the gene bank of NCBI (Accession No. OR077934.1). The nucleotide sequences were retrieved from the NCBI data bank by BLASTn analysis, which confirmed that all obtained sequences belong to genus Hyalomma, and multiple alignments confirmed that the sequence of Hyalomma anatolicum Tandojam-isolate (HA-TJ) 100% aligned with Hyalomma analoticum KP792577.1, Hyalomma detritum KP792595.1, Hyalomma excavatum KX911989.1, and H. excavatum OQ449693.1. The generated phylogenetic tree confirmed that sequences of HA-TJ COX1 clustered with a single clad of H. analoticum, H. excavatum, and H. detritum. The acaricidal effect of B. thuringiensis toxins B. thuringiensis spore crystal mix (BtSCM) and B. thuringiensis crystal proteins (Btcps) was evaluated against larvae and adult life stages of Hyalomma ticks in vitro. We applied Btcps and BtSCM separately with different concentrations and calculated the mortality percentage. Adult mortality was estimated at the 8th, 10th, 12th, and 15th days posttreatment and larval mortality after 24 h. During treatment of the adult life stage, at first, ticks were immersed in different concentrations of Btcps and BtSCM for 5 min after the treatments, and the samples were transferred to sterile containers and placed in an incubator with 80% humidity at 23°C. Furthermore, Btcps produced the highest mortality on Day 15, 89 ± 1.00% at a concentration of 3000 µg/mL, followed by the 12th, 10th, and 8th days produced 83 ± 1.91%, 70 ± 1.15%, and 61 ± 1.00%, respectively. BtSCM produced mortality of 69 ± 1.91% on Day 15 at a concentration of 3000 µg/mL, followed by the 12th, 10th, and 8th days at 57 ± 2.51%, 37 ± 1.91%, and 34 ± 2.00%. The present study revealed that B. thuringiensis toxins produced a significant (p < 0.05) increase in mortality rate in adults of Hyalomma ticks. Additionally, Btcps and BtSCM were used to treat the larval stage. The treatments were applied to calculate the mortality percentage via the Laravel packet test. At a 1500 µg/mL concentration, Btcps resulted in the highest mortality of 98 ± 1.15%; this was followed by 1250 µg/mL, 1000 µg/mL, and 750 µg/mL, which produced mortalities of 76 ± 1.63%, 60 ± 1.63%, and 56 ± 1.63%, respectively. In addition, BtSCM produced a mortality rate of 79 ± 2.51% at a concentration of 1500 µg/mL. Furthermore, 75 ± 2.51%, 65 ± 1.91%, and 58 ± 1.15% mortality were observed at concentrations of 1250 µg/mL, 1000 µg/mL, and 750 µg/mL, respectively. The results showed a significant (p < 0.05) increase in larval mortality compared to the control group. We conclude that B. thuringiensis toxins are applicable as a bioacaricide.

Ectoparasites of the European wildcat (Felis silvestris) in Germany.

Understanding the impact of parasites on wildlife populations is an important aspect of conservation management. However, research on ectoparasites in wildlife can be difficult, as examinations of live animals which are not habituated to human handling are often impossible. The European wildcat (Felis silvestris) is a strictly protected wildlife species whose population has been recovering in Germany in recent decades. Several studies from different European countries have investigated the parasitological status of European wildcat populations. However, most of these studies assessed endoparasite infections, whereas ectoparasite infestations have often been neglected. To fill this knowledge gap for wildcats in Germany, 131 dead found specimens were examined for ectoparasites by macroscopic and microscopic examination of the fur and the ear canals. Infestation with ectoparasites was present in 84.0% (110/131) of the wildcats. Ticks showed the highest prevalence with 72.5% (95/131) of wildcats infested, with 49.6% (65/131) infested with Ixodes ricinus and 36.6% (48/131) with Ixodes hexagonus/canisuga. A total of 27.5% (36/131) of the wildcats were positive for at least one flea species. Of the nine different flea species identified by morphology and/or molecular analyses, Ceratophyllidae were most common (16.8% [22/131]), with Ceratophyllus sciurorum confirmed on 12.2% (16/131) and Nosopsyllus fasciatus on 1.5% (2/131) animals, followed by Pulex irritans (5.3% [7/131]), Spilopsyllus cuniculi (3.8% [5/131]), Chaetopsylla spp. (3.1% [4/131]) (2/131 Chaetopsylla trichosa and 1/131 Chaetopsylla globiceps), Ctenocephalides felis (1.5% [2/131]), Archaeopsylla erinacei (1.5% [2/131]) and Ctenophthalmus baeticus (0.8% [1/131]). Further, 23.7% (31/131) of the wildcats harboured mites, identified as Trombicula autumnalis in 12.2% (16/131) and Otodectes cynotis in 4.8% (6/124) of cases. The only louse species detected was Felicola hercynianus with a prevalence of 2.3% (3/131). Infestation intensities ranged from 1 to 86 ticks, 1-49 fleas, 1-1896 mites, and 1-92 F. hercynianus per wildcat. This study demonstrates that a variety of ectoparasites infests wildcats in Germany, but they do not seem to have a serious impact on the general health of wildcats, as judged by the hosts' mostly good or very good nutritional condition. In addition, the potential risk to domestic cats (Felis catus) and humans posed by the wildcats' ectoparasites, appears to be low but present.

Age- and Sex-Specific Differences in Lyme Disease Health-Related Behaviors, Ontario, Canada, 2015-2022.

We investigated differences in risk factors and preventive behaviors by age and sex among persons with reported Lyme disease in Ontario, Canada, during 2015-2022. Incidence rates peaked among children 5-9 and adults 50-79 years of age. Median age was higher for female than male case-patients (54 vs. 51 years). Male case-patients reported more activity in wooded and tall grass areas than did female case-patients; fewer male case-patients reported sharing living space with outdoor-exposed companion animals. As age increased, more case-patients reported activity in blacklegged tick habitats, exposure to ticks, and wearing adequate clothing, but fewer reported sharing living space with outdoor-exposed companion animals. Adoption of preventive behaviors was relatively low and did not differ by sex. Male case-patients, children 5-9 years of age and their parents or caregivers, and adults >59 years of age represent populations that would benefit from tailored public health messaging on Lyme disease prevention.

Rapid Increase in Seroprevalence of Borrelia burgdorferi Antibodies among Dogs, Northwestern North Carolina, USA, 2017-20211.

We evaluated spatial-temporal risk for Lyme disease in northwestern North Carolina, USA, by using individual-level canine Borrelia burgdorferi seroprevalence data collected during 2017-2021 at routine veterinary screenings for tickborne diseases. Seroprevalence in dogs increased from 2.2% (47/2,130) in 2017 to 11.2% (339/3,033) in 2021. The percentage of incident seropositivity increased from 2.1% (45/2,130) in 2017 to 7.6% (231/3,033) in 2021. Exploratory geographic analyses found canine seroprevalence shifted from clustered (2017, Moran's I = 0.30) to dispersed (2021, Moran's I = -0.20). Elevation, slope, aspect, and forest land cover density were associated with canine seroprevalence within various household buffer regions in 2017. Slope was associated with seroprevalence at the household level in 2021. Results support the use of individual-level canine seroprevalence data for monitoring human risk for Lyme disease. Establishing sentinel veterinary clinics within Lyme disease-emergent communities might promote prevention and control efforts and provide opportunities for educational and behavioral interventions.

Establishment of Amblyomma maculatum Ticks and Rickettsia parkeri the Northeastern United States.

We document a case of Rickettsia parkeri rickettsiosis in a patient in Connecticut, USA, who became ill after a bite from a Gulf Coast tick (Amblyomma maculatum). We used PCR to amplify R. parkeri DNA from the detached tick. The patient showed a 4-fold rise in IgG reactive with R. parkeri antigens.

Peptide-based immunoprotection against Rhipicephalus microplus tick.

The main agents for tick control are chemical acaricides. However, when used without technical guidance, they can lead to environmental damage and the development of resistant tick strains. In this context, vaccines are alternative o be used in integrated tick management format by combining with other effective tools. We isolated RNA from ticks Rhipicephalus microplus, prepared the library, and performed next-generation sequencing; a pipeline analysis was applied to identify the hypothetical proteins having immunogenic potential and their predicted immunogenic peptides. Twelve peptides, ranging from 12 to 38 amino acid residues, containing the selected epitopes from different targets were selected and synthesized in two forms: the pure peptide; and the peptide conjugated to keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH) carrier. These peptides were divided into two groups of six peptides each. The antigen formulations (groups 1 and 2) were prepared with conjugated peptides containing 200 µg of each peptide per dose emulsified with Montanide ISA 61VG (SEPPIC); the control treatment had the adjuvant formulation without peptides (group 3). To evaluate the protective efficacy, 15 weaned male calves (Angus breed) aged around 6 months to one year and weighing approximately 200-250 kg were divided into three groups of five animals each; they were immunized thrice, at an interval of 28 days. After immunization, all the calves infested with 15,000 larvae of Rhipicephalus microplus. Peptide epitopes were recognized by antibodies against host-specific IgGs using indirect ELISA. The mean of the antibody level was determined for each group and compared using analysis of variance with two factors (ANOVA). F-test was used to determine the significance of differences observed between the groups. The percentage efficacy was calculated based on the number of ticks, the weight of teleoginas, and the weight and hatchability of the eggs, compared to that in the control group. The evaluation of immunoprotection indicated efficacies of 69 and 51 %, respectively in Group 1 and 2.

Impact of climate change on the geographical distribution of ticks of public health significance in Colombia: Amblyomma ovale (Ixodida: Ixodidae), the Amblyomma maculatum (Ixodida: Ixodidae) complex and the Amblyomma cajennense (Ixodida: Ixodidae) complex.

Ticks of the Amblyomma maculatum (Ixodida Ixodidae) complex, the Amblyomma cajennense (Ixodida Ixodidae) complex and Amblyomma ovale (Ixodida Ixodidae) are known to transmit various Rickettsia species in Colombia, but their exact distribution is unknown. We built several models based on current climate and projected future climate changes using a maximum entropy approach. A total of 314 records of the A. cajennense complex (65.9%; n = 207), A. ovale (22.9%; n = 72), and the A. maculatum complex (11.1%; n = 35) were obtained. Amblyomma ovale has a current distribution in the Pacific, Caribbean and Andean regions and could be potentially found in the Amazon. Amblyomma maculatum has a current distribution in the Andean and could potentially be found in the Caribbean and Orinoco regions. Amblyomma mixtum can be found near the Caribbean Sea and in the Pacific region, and A. patinoi is likely to be found in the Andean region and the Caribbean. In 2070, it will be possible to find an expansion of A. ovale and A. maculatum and a decrease of A. mixtum and A. patinoi. The variables that best predict the distribution of these species are isothermality (small fluctuations in temperature) and annual precipitation. Amblyomma cajennense s.l and A. ovale, A. cajennese s.l and A. patinoi, as well as A. maculatum and A. patinoi, have an important environmental sympatry. Epidemiological and acarological surveillance is crucial to investigate rickettsiosis caused by R. parkeri in A. ovale regions, by R. rickettsii in A. patinoi and A. mixtum areas, and by R. parkeri s.s in A. maculatum regions.

Molecular detection of Anaplasma bovis, Candidatus Anaplasma boleense and Rickettsia spp. in ticks infesting small ruminants.

Anaplasma spp. and Rickettsia spp. are intracellular vector-borne pathogens and harbored by a wide range of ticks and vertebrate hosts. Aim of this study was to molecularly characterize Anaplasma spp. and Rickettsia spp. in different ticks collected from livestock hosts in nine districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Pakistan. In total, 862 ticks were collected from cattle, goats and sheep. Highest tick's infestation was observed on cattle 56.14% (32/57), followed by goats 45.45% (40/88), and sheep 42.05% (45/107). Rhipicephalus microplus (305/862, 35.38%) was predominant species, followed by Haemaphysalis sulcata (243/862, 28.19%), Hyalomma anatolicum (133/862, 15.42%), Haemaphysalis bispinosa (120/862, 13.92%), and Hyalomma kumari (61/862, 7.07%). A subset of 135 ticks were screened for Anaplasma spp. and Rickettsia spp. based on the amplification of partial 16 S rDNA and outer-membrane protein A (ompA) fragments, respectively. In total, 16 ticks (11.85%) were positive for Anaplasma spp. and Rickettsia spp. Obtained 16 S rDNA sequences for Anaplasma spp. detected in Ha. bispinosa and Ha. sulcata showed 99.98% identity with Anaplasma bovis, while other detected in Rh. microplus showed 99.84% identity with Candidatus Anaplasma boleense. Similarly, detected ompA sequence in Ha. sulcata showed 100% identity with Rickettsia sp. and 97.93% with Rickettsia slovaca, and another sequence detected in Rh. microplus showed 100% identity with Candidatus Rickettsia shennongii. In phylogenetic trees, these sequences clustered with corresponding species from Pakistan, China, Turkey, South Korea, South Africa, and Herzegovina. This is the first study reporting detection of A. bovis in Ha. bispinosa and Ha. sulcata, Ca. A. boleense in Rh. microplus collected from goats, and R. slovaca-like in Ha. sulcata. Our results enforce the need for regular surveillance of Rickettsiales in hard ticks infesting livestock in the region.

Assessing perceptions of flea and tick infestation risk in Southeast Queensland, Australia.

Social cognitive models are useful for improving our understanding of the relationship between people's health beliefs and disease risks and have been widely employed in human medicine. In veterinary science, there is little research about owners' perceptions of pet health and parasitic infections/infestations, despite the risk of transmission of zoonotic pathogens by ectoparasites. This study investigated the effects of demographic factors on pet owner's perception of ectoparasite infestation risk and behaviours related to animal health in southeast Queensland, Australia employing the Health Belief Model (HBM). A total of 241 dog owners were surveyed in 2018. The electronic survey was generated through SurveyMonkey and distributed utilising UQ SVS and Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) email networks, informative posters and brochures placed in selected veterinary clinics, and in-person visits to dog parks. The relationship between dog owners' perception of flea and tick infestation risk was assessed using an adaptation of the Health Belief Model, social cognitive framework for health protection. Most survey respondents were between 26 and 45 years of age (40%), identified themselves as females (83%) and had a bachelor's degree (43%). Our results indicate that female owners had greater level of health concern related to ectoparasites compared to males. Similarly, owners aged 18 to 25, with a grade 10 to 12 level of attained education and living predominately in a rural setting showed greater level of health concern related to ectoparasite infestations. The results also indicated that cat owners had on average, higher levels of health concern than dog owners. Our study indicates that the perceptions of pet owners towards perception of flea and tick infestation risk varies demographically, and owner education is an important predictor of prevention behaviours towards tick and flea infestation of pets.

Prevalence of Tick Infection with Bartonella in China: A Review and Meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Bartonellosis is a global vector-borne zoonosis caused by Bartonella, a genus of intracellular Gram-negative bacteria. It is one of 14 emerging infectious diseases that have recently been identified in China, and the prevalence varies by region. A more in-depth understanding is needed regarding the role and influencing factors of ticks in the transmission of Bartonella, including the infection rate of ticks with Bartonella in different regions. This study explored the prevalence of Bartonella in ticks and the factors that influence it. METHODS: Databases (PubMed, Embase, Elsevier ScienceDirect, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, CNKI, VIP, CBM, and WanFang) were searched to review the preliminary research on Bartonella-carrying ticks in China. RESULTS: We identified and included 22 articles. Bartonella infection rates in ticks varied from 0 to 22.79% examined by the included studies. Our meta-analysis revealed that the prevalence of Bartonella in ticks was 3.15% (95% CI: 1.22 - 5.82%); the prevalence was higher in parasitic ticks (4.90%; 95% CI: 1.39 -10.14%) than ticks seeking hosts (1.42%; 95% CI: 0.62 - 2.50%) (P = 0.047). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of Bartonella in the southern region of China (6.45%) was higher than that in the northern region (1.28%) (P = 0.030). Knowledge of ticks' vectors and reservoir competence is crucial to reduce the disease burden.

Molecular evidence of hepatozoonosis in tigers of Vidarbha region of Maharashtra State of India.

BACKGROUND: Hepatozoonosis has been reported in many species around the world. Few incidences have been reported in various species of wild felids. Tigers are endangered large cats and are protected under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 under Schedule I. The study was carried out to estimate the positivity rate of hepatozoonosis in tigers of the Vidarbha region of Maharashtra, India. METHODS: Blood (n = 21) or tissue samples (n = 5) were collected from 26 wild captured / zoo-born or dead tigers during the quarantine period/post-mortem examination. Blood smear examination along with Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) studies were conducted for the detection of hepatozoonosis. All the amplicons from the positive samples were purified and sequenced, and the sequences were subjected to nBLAST analysis to detect the species of Hepatozoon. The sequences were deposited into public domain database of National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) and accession numbers were allotted. A phylogenetic study was undertaken to understand the evolutionary lineage of the pathogen. Tissue distribution studies were carried out on tissue samples received during post mortem. A clinical case in a tiger cub was managed and sub-clinical cases were monitored for relapse. Age-wise, sex-wise, region-wise and captive time-wise positivity rate was estimated. The data was analyzed using statistical tools. RESULTS: A total of 12 tigers were found positive for H. felis during the screening. A clinical case was diagnosed and successfully treated. The age group of 0-3 years reported a positivity rate of 66.66%, and all the cases found positive were reported between the age group of 0-7 years. Males reported a positivity rate of 58.33 per cent, while females reported 35.71%. Taboba and Andhari Tiger Reserve of the state had a positivity rate of 52.94 per cent. However, the statistical analysis for blood parameters and positivity rate by 't' test and Chi-squared test were found to be non-significant. CONCLUSIONS: An overall positivity rate of 46.15% indicates the wide distribution of hepatozoonosis among wild tigers of the Vidarbha region of Maharashtra, India, which is strategically important considering the gene flow and migration of tigers. Hepatozoonosis can progress to clinical outcomes in young animals and require veterinary intervention. Molecular tools and phylogenetic studies can supplement important data on circulating species of Hepatozoon in the field. Further studies on the clinical management and epidemiology of the infection in wild felids will comprehend the cause of wildlife conservation.