Incidence of tick-borne spotted fever group Rickettsia species in rodents in two regions in Kazakhstan.

Records on the distribution of Rickettsia spp. in their natural hosts in Central Asia are incomplete. Rodents and small mammals are potential natural reservoirs for Rickettsiae in their natural lifecycle. Studies about the maintenance of Rickettsia in wild animals are available for Western nations, but-to our knowledge-no studies and data are available in the Republic of Kazakhstan so far. The first case description of Rickettsioses in Kazakhstan was made in the 1950ies in the Almaty region and now Kyzylorda, East Kazakhstan, Pavlodar and North Kazakhstan are endemic areas. The existence of murine and endemic typhus was proven in arthropod vectors in the regions Kyzylorda and Almaty. Here we show for the first time investigations on tick-borne Rickettsia species detected by a pan-rickettsial citrate synthase gene (gltA) real-time PCR in ear lobes of small mammals (n = 624) in Kazakhstan. From all analysed small mammals 2.72% were positive for Rickettsia raoultii, R. slovaca or R. conorii. Sequencing of the rickettsial gene OmpAIV and the 23S-5S interspacer region revealed a similar heritage of identified Rickettsia species that was observed in ticks in previous studies from the region. In summary, this study proves that rodents in Kazakhstan serve as a natural reservoir of Rickettsia spp.

Epidemiology of echinococcosis in Kazakhstan: an update.

Kazakhstan is highly endemic for echinococcosis. Both Echinococcus granulosus and E. multilocularis are widely distributed in the country. Official records of human cystic echinococcosis over the past 5-10 years suggest a stable incidence of approximately 800-1000 cases per year, which is 5 cases per 100,000 per year. This followed a rapid increase in the incidence following the dissolution of the Soviet Union. Between 2007 and 2013, 5949 cases were reported in the national surveillance data. The prevalence in sheep, based on slaughterhouse studies, suggests that between 30 and 50% of sheep are infected with hydatid cysts, while cattle have a prevalence of approximately 7%. Rural dogs have a high prevalence of infection of between 5 and 10%, with shepherd dogs having prevalences of over 20%. G1 and G6/7 strains of E. granulosus have been isolated from dogs in Kazakhstan. Wolves are also infected, with one prevalence estimate of approximately 20%. The incidence of human alveolar echinococcosis is less clear, although estimates from Kazakhstani expatriates living in Germany and the hospital records of a single referral centre in Almaty suggest 34 or 130 cases per year (or an annual incidence of 0.20 or 0.76 cases per 100,000), respectively, could be occurring in Kazakhstan. Studies suggest that in some rural dog populations the prevalence may be about 5%. The parasite is widely distributed in foxes and small mammals through much of Kazakhstan.

Epidemiology of fishborne trematodiasis in Kazakhstan.

Fish borne trematodes are an important cause of morbidity in Kazakhstan. The number of human cases of opisthorchiidosis (infection with parasites of the family opisthorchiidae) reached a peak of 2521 recorded cases (17 cases per 100,000) in 2002 with a gradual decline to 1225 cases (7.4 cases per 100,000) in 2011. Most human cases are found in the north and north east part of Kazakhstan in areas drained by the Irtysh River and it tributaries. A further focus is found in the north west in the Ural river basin in the European part of Kazakhstan. The most common occupations of patients with opisthorchiidosis included the manual laborers, those employed in the home or unemployed. Necropsy investigations of village dogs in an endemic region revealed 37 of 51 (72%) village dogs infected with either Opisthorchis felineus or Methorchis bilis. Likewise an investigation of 242 cats consisting of strays, village, suburban and city cats revealed 79 (33%) animals infected with O. felineus. Higher prevalences were seen in strays and village cats compared to suburban cats. No urban cats, which lived in apartments, were found to be infected. Other important zoonoses included Echinococcus granulosus, detected in 2 of the 51 necropsied village dogs and E. multilocularis was found in 2 out of 124 necropsied stray cats. Investigations of locally caught fish revealed 10 of 107 (9%) roach (Rutilus rutilus), 49 of 68(72%) ide (Leuciscus idus) and 2 of 79 (2.5%) bream (Abramis brama) infested with trematode metacercariae. No metacercariae were found in 609 crucian carp (Carassius carassius), 35 tench (Tinca tinca), 79 carp (Cyprinus carpio), 46 perch (Perca fluviatilis) or 20 zander (Sander lucioperca).