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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 ASLV 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.

Tick-borne Apicomplexa in wildlife and ticks of French Guiana.

Tick-borne Apicomplexa encompass a group of parasites responsible for significant medical and veterinary diseases, including babesiosis, theileriosis, and hepatozoonosis. In this study, we investigated the presence and diversity of tick-borne Apicomplexa in wildlife and ticks inhabiting the Amazon rainforests of French Guiana. To this end, we conducted molecular screening and typing using 18S rRNA sequences on a collection of 1161 specimens belonging to 71 species, including 44 species of wild mammals, five species of passerines, and 22 species of ticks. We characterized eight genovariants of Babesia, Theileria, Hemolivia, and Hepatozoon parasites, some matching known species, while others suggested potential novel species. These parasites were detected in wild mammals, including opossums, sloths, armadillos, porcupines, margays, greater grisons, and ticks, but not in passerines. Finally, similarities with surveys conducted in Brazil highlight the specific sylvatic transmission cycles of South American tick-borne Apicomplexa.

Title: Apicomplexes transmis par les tiques chez la faune sauvage et les tiques de Guyane française. Abstract: Les Apicomplexes transmis par les tiques englobent un groupe de parasites responsables de maladies médicales et vétérinaires importantes, notamment la babésiose, la theilériose et l'hépatozoonose. Dans cette étude, nous avons étudié la présence et la diversité des Apicomplexes transmis par les tiques dans la faune sauvage et les tiques habitant les forêts tropicales amazoniennes de Guyane française. À cette fin, nous avons effectué un criblage moléculaire et un typage à l'aide de séquences d'ARNr 18S sur une collection de 1 161 spécimens appartenant à 71 espèces, dont 44 espèces de mammifères sauvages, cinq espèces de passereaux et 22 espèces de tiques. Nous avons caractérisé huit génovariants des parasites Babesia, Theileria, Hemolivia et Hepatozoon, certains correspondant à des espèces connues tandis que d'autres suggéraient de nouvelles espèces potentielles. Ces parasites ont été détectés chez des mammifères sauvages, dont des opossums, des paresseux, des tatous, des porcs-épics, des margays, des grisons et des tiques, mais pas chez des passereaux. Enfin, des similitudes avec des enquêtes menées au Brésil mettent en évidence les cycles de transmission sylvatiques spécifiques des Apicomplexa transmis par les tiques d'Amérique du Sud.

Zoonotic Tick-Borne Pathogens in Ticks from Vegetation and Alpine Ibex (Capra ibex) in the Maritime Alps, Italy.

In the Maritime Alps (northwestern Italy), we collected ticks from vegetation and Alpine ibex (Capra ibex). Ixodes ricinus was the most abundant species in the study area, questing up to 1824 m a.s.l. and infesting 28 out of 72 ibexes. Haemaphysalis punctata, H. sulcata and Dermacentor marginatus were also collected. The abundance of questing ticks significantly decreased with altitude, with beechwoods being the preferred habitat. By PCR, we identified Borrelia burgdorferi s.l. in questing I. ricinus (28.3%; 95%CI: 19.4-38.6) but not in specimens collected from animals. Rickettsia spp. infected both questing (20.6%; 95%CI: 12.9-30.3) and on-host (30.2%; 95%CI: 21.2-40.4) I. ricinus. Anaplasma phagocytophilum was detected in 4.3% (95%CI: 1.2-10.8) of questing I. ricinus and in 45.3% (95%CI: 34.6-56.4) of I. ricinus collected from ibex. Female I. ricinus collected on animals were significantly more infected with A. phagocytophilum than females collected from vegetation (OR = 11.7; 95%CI: 3.8-48.1). By amplifying and sequencing a fragment of the groEL gene, we identified 13 groEL haplotypes, clustering with ecotypes I and II; ecotype I, prevalent in our sample, is considered zoonotic. Our study demonstrates the presence of different tick-borne zoonotic agents in the study area, encompassing a wide altitudinal range, as confirmed by the ticks found on ibex, a typical mountain-dwelling mammal. The results also confirm the altitudinal range expansion of ticks and associated pathogens in the Alps and suggest that Alpine ibex may act as a reservoir for A. phagocytophilum, as do other wild ungulate species.

Tick-Derived Peptide Blocks Potassium Channel TREK-1.

Ticks transmit a variety of pathogens, including rickettsia and viruses, when they feed on blood, afflicting humans and other animals. Bioactive components acting on inflammation, coagulation, and the immune system were reported to facilitate ticks' ability to suck blood and transmit tick-borne diseases. In this study, a novel peptide, IstTx, from an Ixodes scapularis cDNA library was analyzed. The peptide IstTx, obtained by recombinant expression and purification, selectively inhibited a potassium channel, TREK-1, in a dose-dependent manner, with an IC50 of 23.46 ± 0.22 µM. The peptide IstTx exhibited different characteristics from fluoxetine, and the possible interaction of the peptide IstTx binding to the channel was explored by molecular docking. Notably, extracellular acidification raised its inhibitory efficacy on the TREK-1 channel. Our results found that the tick-derived peptide IstTx blocked the TREK-1 channel and provided a novel tool acting on the potassium channel.

Molecular detection of some zoonotic tick-borne pathogens in ticks collected from camels (Camelus dromedarius) as hosts and wild rodents as potential reservoirs.

Ticks and tick-borne pathogens pose a great threat to human and animal health. The present study aimed to determine the prevalence of ticks that infest camels and investigate the presence of tick-borne pathogens in the blood of camels, associated ticks, and surrounding rodents as reservoirs. From 100 inspected camels, from different localities in the Giza governorate, 1000 ixodid ticks were collected; these ticks belonged to three genera: Hyalomma, Amblyomma, and Rhipicephalus. The genus Hyalomma was represented by four species, Hyalomma dromedarii was the most prevalent species (55.4%), followed by Hyalomma excavatum (22%), Hyalomma impeltatum (11.6%) and Hyalomma rufipes (2.8%). The genus Amblyomma was represented by two species, Amblyomma gemma (2.8%) and Amblyomma marmoreum (2.7%), while the genus Rhipicephalus was represented by only one species, Rhipicephalus pulchellus (2.7%). Ticks, camel blood, and rodents (total number 100 brown rats) are screened for tick-borne pathogens (Borrelia burgdorferi, Borrelia miyamotoi, Babesia sp., and Coxiella burnetii) using PCR. Camel blood was found to be infected with Borrelia burgdorferi (66.6%), Borrelia miyamotoi (55%), and Babesia sp. (11.6%). Coxiella burnetii DNA was detected in all the collected ticks but was not detected in the blood of camels or rodents. Borrelia miyamotoi was detected in 12.5% of H. impeltatum, 55% of Camels, and 6% of the rodents, which may indicate a proposed risk of dispersal of B. miyamotoi, the agent of tick-borne relapsing fever.

Kyasanur Forest Disease: A Comprehensive Review.

Vector-borne microbial diseases are ubiquitous, and their management remains elusive. Such diseases with zoonotic potential result in public health challenges requiring additional control and preventive measures. Despite their cosmopolitan presence, vector-borne infections are neglected due to their endemicity in specified geographical regions. The Kyasanur forest disease (KFD) caused by the Kyasanur forest disease virus (KFDV) is among such diseases transmitted through ticks and localized to India. Despite its prevalence, high transmissibility, and potential to cause fatalities, KFDV has not been given the deserved attention by the governments. Further, KFDV circulates in the rural and wild geographical areas threatening infections to people living in these areas with limited access to medical and healthcare. Therefore, physicians, healthcare workers, and the general population need to understand the KFDV and its ecology, epidemiology, transmission, pathogenesis, laboratory diagnosis, and control and prevention as described comprehensively in this review.

Viral Diversity and Ecological Impact of DNA Viruses in Dominant Tick Species in China.

Ticks are blood-feeding ectoparasites that also transmit various pathogens, posing severe risks to human and animal health. DNA viruses play a crucial role in the microbial ecology of ticks, but their distribution and ecological significance remain largely undetermined. Here, we assembled an extensive catalog encompassing 4320 viral operational taxonomic units (vOTUs) from six main dominant tick species in China, of which 94.8% have not been found in any other environment. To bridge the knowledge gap in tick DNA virus research and provide a crucial resource platform, we developed the Tick DNA Virus Database. This database includes the vOTUs that are known to cause diseases. Most of the predicted vOTUs are associated with dominant bacterial and archaeal phyla. We identified 105 virus-encoded putative auxiliary metabolic genes (AMGs) that are involved in host metabolism and environmental adaptation, potentially influencing ticks through both top-down and bottom-up mechanisms. The identification of microbial communities and antibiotic resistance in wild tick species suggests that wild ticks are reservoirs of antibiotic resistance and potential spreaders of antibiotic resistance. These findings reveal the potential role of tick viruses in ecosystems, highlighting the importance of monitoring tick microbiomes to address global public health challenges.

Description of Ornithodoros (Pavlovskyella) tartakovskyi using scanning electron microscopy, with notes on the morphology of Pavlovskyella sensu stricto and Theriodoros subgenera.

Accumulation of DNA sequence data and its use in systematics of the family Argasidae reveals new incongruencies between genera and subgenera, since several groups defined by classical taxonomy appear to be paraphyletic, which is the case of the subgenus Pavlovskyella. In order to identify morphological characters unique to one of the monophyletic groupings within Pavlovskyella and improve its system, we describe all active stages of Ornithodoros (Pavlovskyella) tartakovskyi, a species with an incomplete original description. Larvae, nymphs, males and females from Iran were examined with scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The larva of O. (P.) tartakovskyi lacks dorsal plate, posteromedian seta, postcoxal setae and a spinose area in palpal article I; the dorsal surface has 13 pairs of setae and the hypostome has two short rows of denticles in the apex only. The first nymphal instar (N1) has a micromammillated body with faint dorsal and ventral disks. The second nymphal instar (N2) shows mammillated body with an incipient hood, and dorsal disks outlined as in subsequent instars. Both N1 and N2 have a small patch of glabrous surface in the anterior margin of preanal groove, absent in posterior stages. Third nymphal instar (N3) has a small hood and lack cheeks, which are incipient in the fourth nymphal instar (N4). The four nymphal instars (N1-N4) have blunt hypostomes, striated capitula, non-mammillated legs, and 3 humps on tarsi I. Females and males of O. (P.) tartakovskyi have mammillated bodies, small cheeks not covering the capitulum, the anteromedian disk is placed anteriorly to anterior central disks, and a posterior median file of disks is merged with the median disk. We describe all postembryonic stages of O. (P.) tartakovskyi providing morphological characters that define Pavlovskyella sensu stricto and Theriodoros, a sister subgenus that includes similarly shaped species.

Ticks and Tick-Borne Pathogens: Occurrence and Host Associations over Four Years of Wildlife Surveillance in the Liguria Region (Northwest Italy).

Tick-borne diseases (TBDs) are a considerable public health problem worldwide. The occurrence of Anaplasma spp., Borrelia burgdorferi s.l., Coxiella burnetii, Rickettsia spp., and tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEv) was investigated via PCR and sequencing in 683 ticks collected from 105 roe deer, 61 wild boars, 49 fallow deer, and 2 chamois, in the Liguria region, northwest Italy, between 2019 and 2022. The ticks were morphologically identified. Four different tick species were found: Ixodes ricinus (66.8% of the collected ticks), Dermacentor marginatus (15.8%), Rhipicephalus sanguineus s.s. (15.7%), and Haemaphysalis punctata (0.9%). Six ticks (0.9%) were only identified as Rhipicephalus spp. Of the 222 pools analyzed, 27.9% were positive. Most pools (n = 58, 26.1% of pools analyzed) were positive for Rickettsia spp., and several species were found: Rickettsia slovaca was the dominant species (15.3%), followed by R. monacensis (8.1%), while R. helvetica (1.8%), R. massiliae (0.5%), and R. raoultii (0.5%) were found only sporadically. Anaplasma phagocytophilum was identified in three pools and B. burgdorferi s.l. in one pool. All samples were negative for C. burnetii and TBEv. Significant associations were found between I. ricinus and roe deer, D. marginatus and wild boar, and between R. monacensis and I. ricinus. The prevalence of Rickettsia spp. differed significantly between tick and host species. This updated picture of tick species and TBPs in wild ungulates in Liguria, where the population of these animals is increasing, shows a widespread presence of potentially zoonotic Rickettsia spp. Continuous monitoring and public information on preventive measures are needed.

Powassan Virus Encephalitis after Tick Bite, Manitoba, Canada.

A case of Powassan encephalitis occurred in Manitoba, Canada, after the bite of a black-legged tick. Awareness of this emerging tickborne illness is needed because the number of vector tick species is growing. No specific treatment options exist, and cases with illness and death are high. Prevention is crucial.