Molecular Characterization and Phylogenetic Analysis of Theileria spp. and Babesia spp. Isolated from Various Ticks in Southeastern and Northwestern Regions of Iran.

INTRODUCTION: Piroplasms are hemoprotozoa comprising heterogeneous tick-borne parasites, which are differentiated into three genera, namely Babesia, Theileria, and Cytauxzoon. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence, molecular identification, and phylogenetic relationship of both Theileria spp. and Babesia spp. in tick species isolated from different domestic animals from two different geographical locations of Iran. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 930 ticks collected from goats, sheep, and cattle were examined for the presence of Theileria spp. and Babesia spp. using PCR targeting 18S rRNA gene followed by sequencing. Sequence analysis was performed based on the data published in the GenBank on Theileria spp. and Babesia spp. isolates using bioinformatic tools, such as the standard nucleotide BLAST. RESULTS: A 390 or 430 base pair fragment of 18S rRNA gene of Theileria and Babesia species was successfully amplified in 17.2% of the examined ticks (16of 93). Genome of Theileria or Babesia species was detected in 4 ticks collected in Heris, including 3 Dermacentor marginatus and 1 Rhipicephalus sanguineus, and also in 12 ticks collected in Chabahar, including 10 R. sanguineus and 2 D. marginatus. Partial analysis of 18S rRNA gene sequence of the four D. marginatus, collected from goats and sheep in Heris, showed that they were infected with Theileria spp. that were 95-97% identical to Iranian Theileria ovis present in the GenBank database (GenBank acc. no. KP019206.1). While the five R. sanguineus, collected from sheep and goats in Chabahar, were infected with Babesia spp. that were 91-97% identical to Iranian Babesia ovis present in the GenBank database (GenBank acc. no. AY362829.1: KT587794.1). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of Babesia and Theileria is different in southeastern and northwestern parts of Iran, with higher prevalence of babesiosis in the southeastern region and that of theileriosis in the northwestern region. Sequence analysis of 18S rRNA gene revealed that T. ovis and B. ovis are genetically polymorphic in these regions.

Co-circulation of Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever virus strains Asia 1 and 2 between the border of Iran and Pakistan.

Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) is a tick-borne viral disease that is transmitted by numerous species of ticks, which serve both as a reservoir and vector of CCHF virus (CCHFV). Molecular and serological tests were undertaken on hard ticks (Ixodidae spp.) and samples from livestock were collected in 2015 from Chabahar County in Southeast Iran. Using RT-PCR, the ticks were tested for the presence of CCHFV. In addition, seven livestock were serologically tested for the presence of IgG antibodies using an ELISA test. IgG antibodies against CCHFV were detected in one of 7 of the livestock that were tested. In total, 49 ticks including five species: Rhipicephalus sanguineus, Hyalomma anatolicum, Hy. asiaticum, Hy. dromedarii and Hy. marginatum with a prevalence of 46.9%, 32.7%, 4.1%, 4.1% and 2.1% respectively were identified. CCHFV was detected in three ticks among 49 collected ticks. The ticks infected with CCHFV belonged to the genus Hyalomma and Rhipicephalus. Phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that two sequences clustered in clade IV (Asia-1) and one sequence was located within clade IV (Asia-2). Most of the animal and human CCHF cases of the country are reported from Sistan and Baluchistan provinces. Regular monitoring programs in the tick population and livestock are needed in the future.