First molecular detection of Theileria ovis in Rhipicephalus sanguineus tick in Iran

ObjectiveTo determine tick infestation of domestic ruminants and their infection to ovine theileriosis in northern Iran.MethodsAbout 425 domestic ruminants in Ghaemshahr city in northern Iran were inspected for tick infestations. Twenty tick specimens (13 females and 7 males) of Rhipicephalus sanguineus (R. sanguineus), the most common tick in the study area, were tested by PCR amplification against 18s rRNA genome of Theileria spp using specie specific primers and then the PCR products were sequenced for species identification by comparison with data base available in GenBank.ResultsAbout 323 ticks were collected from 102 animals (88 sheep, 12 goats and 2 cattle). The prevalence of ticks infesting animals was R. sanguineus (82.35%), Rhipicephalus bursa (R. bursa) (0.3%), Ixodes ricinus (I. ricinus) (15.2%), Boophilus annulatus (B. annulatus) (1.2%), Haemaphysalis punctata (H. punctata) (0.3%) and Haemaphysalis numidiana (H. numidiana) (0.6%). Eleven (55%) tick specimens were PCR positive against genome of Theileria ovis (T. ovis). Sequence analysis of the PCR products confirmed presence of T. ovis in one R. sanguinus.ConclusionsThis is the first report of tick infection to T. ovis in Iran. Due to dominant prevalence of R. sanguineus as well as its infection to T. ovis, it is postulated this tick is the main vector of ovine theileriosis in northern Iran.     

Investigation of Borrelia spp. in ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) at the border crossings between China and Russia in Heilongjiang Province, China

ObjectiveTo investigate the precise species of tick vector and the Borrelia spirochete pathogen at the Heilongjiang Province international border with Russia.MethodsIn this study, ticks were collected from 12 Heilongjiang border crossings (including grasslands, shrublands, forests, and plantantions) to determine the rate and species type of spirochete-infected ticks and the most prevalent spirochete genotypes.ResultsThe ticks represented three genera and four species of the Ixodidae family [Ixodes persulcatus, Dermacentor silvarum, Haemaphysalis concinna and Haemaphysalis japonica]. Ixodes persulcatus had the highest amount of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato infection of 25.6% and the most common species of Borrelia isolated from Ixodes persulcatus was Borrelia garinii, strain PD91.ConclusionsOur results suggest that Borrelia garinii PD91-infected Ixodes persulcatus may be the principal cause of Lyme disease in the border crossing areas of Heilongjiang Province.     

Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus in ticks collected from humans, livestock, and picnic sites in the hyperendemic region of Turkey

During June and July 2007, about 3125 adult ticks were collected from humans, animals, and vegetation in a hyperendemic region (Sivas and Tokat) of Turkey. A total of 2193 ticks were pooled in 225 pools and screened for the Crimean Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV) presence by antigen-capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Infection rates were calculated as the maximum likelihood estimation with 95% confidence intervals (CI). The dominant tick species was found to be Hyalomma marginatum with the following infestation rates in human, cattle and sheep, respectively: 47.43%, 66.07%, and 30.12%. Maximum likelihood estimation values of CCHFV in H. marginatum ticks collected from human, cattle, and sheep were 0.91% (CI 0.05-4.42), 2.10% (CI 1.12-3.64), and 3.11% (CI 1.18-6.87), respectively. CCHFV antigens were also demonstrated in Hyalomma excavatum, Haemaphysalis parva, and Boophilus annulatus ticks collected from cattle and Rhipicephalus bursa ticks from sheep. Our results suggest that the studied area might maintain its endemic properties in the near future unless effective tick control measures are implemented.     

Anaplasma phagocytophilum infection in domestic animals in ten provinces/cities of China

A nationwide epidemiologic investigation of domestic animal infections has been conducted in nine provinces and one city during 2007-2010. Serum samples from a total of 707 goats, 433 cattle, and 219 dogs were collected for detecting Anaplasma phagocytophilum IgG antibody by immunofluorescence assays and the average seroprevalences were 10.05% for dogs, 3.82% for goats, and 0.69% for cattle, respectively. A total of 472 goats, 201 cattle, 102 dog blood clots, and 1,580 ticks were collected for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplifying A. phagocytophilum 16S rRNA genes and the PCR-positive rates were 26.69% for goats, 23.38% for cattle, and 10.89% for dogs. Six species were identified and the average PCR-positive rates were 58.3% for Dermacentor silvarum, 43.9% for Haemaphysalis longicornis, 12.5% for Ixodes persulcatus, 7.5% (3 of 40) for Boophilus microplus, and 5.2% for Rhipicephalus sanguineus, respectively. The evidence in the study indicated the zoonotic Rickettsia is highly prevalent in China.     

Ticks infesting wild and domestic animals and humans of Sri Lanka with new host records

An island-wide collection of tick species infesting humans, domesticated and wild animals and questing ticks in domestic and peridomestic environments was carried out during 2009–2011. A total of 30,461 ticks were collected from 30 different hosts and free living stages from the ground. The collection consisted of 22 tick species from 30 different hosts recording 12 tick species from humans, 19 from domesticated animals and 21 from wild animals, with a total of 97 new host records. The most common tick species on humans were Dermacentor auratus and Amblyomma testudinairum, while Haemaphysalis intermedia, Rhipicephalus microplus and Rhipicephalus sanguineus were common in domesticated and wild animals sharing 20 host species. Among the questing ticks, immature D. auratus was the most abundant. Humans and domesticated animals were mostly infested by the nymphal stages while adult ticks were found on wild animals. High number of new host records could be due to domestic animals picking tick species from wildlife and vise versa at the human/animal interface. Habitat destruction due to forest fragmentation has lead to wild animals roaming in urban and semi-urban neighbourhoods increasing the interactions of wild animals with domesticated animals. Wild animals play a significant role as a reservoir of many tick borne infections which can easily be spread to domesticated animals and then to humans via tick infestations. Data in this paper are useful for those interested in tick infesting wild and domestic animals and humans in describing the zoonotic potential of tick borne infections.     

Prevalence of Borrelia burgdorferi Sensu Lato in Ticks from Eastern China

To explore the tick distribution and prevalence of Borrelia in Zhejiang Province, we performed a survey in nine sites. A total of 447 adult ticks of 11 species were captured and the dominant tick species were Haemaphysalis longicornis and Ixodes sinensis and the abundance of tick species in different areas varied significantly. Overall, 4.70% of the ticks were polymerase chain reaction (PCR) positive for Borrelia. The average PCR positive rates were 5.19% for H. longicornis, 3.45% for Amblyomma testudinarium, 1.06% for I. sinensis, 5.00% for Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus, and 19.44% for Ixodes granulatus, respectively. No Borrelia DNA was detected in Rhiphicephalus haemaphysaloides, Haemaphysalis yeni, Dermacentor taiwanensis, Haemaphysalis hystricis, Hyalomna asiaticum, and Ixodes ovatus. The prevalence of Borrelia was significantly different among tick species and the prevalence in I. granulatus was significantly higher than that in other tick species. Of note, experimentally confirmed vectors for B. burgdorferi s.l. including I. sinensis and I. granulatus were found in Zhejiang Province. Two species of B. burgdorferi s.l. exist in Zhejiang Province of which 12 sequences were most similar to the sequence of Borrelia garinii and nine sequences were most similar to the sequence of Borrelia valaisiana or Borrelia yangtze sp. nov.     

广西地区家畜牛、羊体表硬蜱情况调查及种类鉴定

目的 掌握广西地区牛羊场硬蜱种类及其分子特征,了解该地区蜱类的分类地位,为养殖户防控硬蜱及蜱媒传染病提供参考依据。方法 本实验于2019年1月至2021年11月,采用动物体表法采集寄生的蜱类;提取蜱基因组,PCR扩增3种硬蜱的线粒体16S rDNA和COI基因片段,并进行同源性分析。基于邻接法,用MEGA6.0软件分别构建系统发生树,进行遗传进化分析。结果 牛羊体表上共采集蜱2 030只,隶属1科2属3种,其中微小扇头蜱1 968只,长角血蜱49只,具角血蜱13只。PCR扩增微小扇头蜱、长角血蜱和具角血蜱16S rDNA和COI基因片段长度分别是460 bp和710 bp左右,分别与GenBank中已登录的相应种类相似较高且在一个进化分支上。结论 广西地区牛羊场优势蜱种是微小扇头蜱且存在长角血蜱和具角血蜱。三蜱种16S rDNA和COI序列存在多样性和地域差异性。     

Coxiella burnetii in Humans,Domestic Ruminants,and Ticks in Rural Western Kenya

We conducted serological surveys for Coxiella burnetii in archived sera from patients that visited a rural clinic in western Kenya from 2007 to 2008 and in cattle, sheep, and goats from the same area in 2009. We also conducted serological and polymerase chain reaction-based surveillance for the pathogen in 2009–2010, in human patients with acute lower respiratory illness, in ruminants following parturition, and in ticks collected from ruminants and domestic dogs. Antibodies against C. burnetii were detected in 30.9% (N = 246) of archived patient sera and in 28.3% (N = 463) of cattle, 32.0% (N = 378) of goats, and 18.2% (N = 159) of sheep surveyed. Four of 135 (3%) patients with acute lower respiratory illness showed seroconversion to C. burnetii. The pathogen was detected by polymerase chain reaction in specimens collected from three of six small ruminants that gave birth within the preceding 24 hours, and in five of 10 pools (50%) of Haemaphysalis leachi ticks collected from domestic dogs.     

Biochemical characteristics of ticks of the families Argasidae and Ixodidae

Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis was used to study homogenate supernatants from the bloodsucking ticks (Argasidae and Ixodidae) belonging to 8 different genera and species. Differences were found in the electrophoretic mobility of protein fractions in adult ticks of these two different families and between several genera of Ixodes ticks (such as Haemaphysalis, Hyalomma, Dermacentor, Rhipicephalus and Ixodes). Argasidae ticks were found to have generic and even species-specific differences at the nymphal stage of development. A. lahorensis nymph-3 contained 5 protein fractions; O. papillipes had 2 fractions, and O. moubata had 3 fractions. Electrophoretic protein separation showed the equal number of protein fractions within one genus of ticks. At the larval stage, the tick homogenates were always found to have one protein fraction. The hemolymph of O. papillipes and O. moubata ticks displayed differences between the imago and nymph-3. A new biochemical marker was proposed to establish a species affinity.     

The fauna of Ixodes ticks in the Saratov Region under the present conditions

A total of 10566 specimens of 10 species of Ixodes ticks, such as Dermacentor marginats, D. reticulatus, D. niveus, Rhipicephalus rossicus, Ixodes ricinus, I. persulcatus, I. crenulatus, Haemaphysalis punctata, Hyalomma scupense, and H. marginatum, were collected and identified in the Saratov Region in 2002-2006. Dermacentor marginats and D. reticulatus were found to be the most dominant species. Rhipicephalus rossicus, Ixodes ricinus, and Hyalomma scupense were also constantly detected in the region. I. persulcatus considered earlier untypical of the Saratov Region was detected. The paper presents data on the confined geographical and environmental features of individual species of Ixodes ticks in the Saratov Region.     

Experimental vaccination of sheep and cattle against tick infestation using recombinant 5′‐nucleotidase

Limited prior evidence suggests that 5′‐nucleotidase, an ectoenzyme principally located in the Malpighian tubules of the tick Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus, could be an effective antigen in an anti‐tick vaccine. To assess this, recombinant 5′‐nucleotidase was expressed in Escherichia coli and used in vaccination trials with both sheep and cattle. Vaccinated sheep were challenged with freshly moulted adult ticks. Those with high titres of anti‐nucleotidase antibodies showed significant protection against tick infestation, although protection was less than that found with the previously characterized antigen, Bm86. Cattle were vaccinated, in separate groups, with 5′‐nucleotidase, Bm86 and both antigens combined. Cattle, as the natural host, were challenged with larval ticks. Although Bm86 showed typical efficacy, no significant protection was seen in cattle vaccinated with 5′‐nucleotidase. Cattle receiving a dual antigen formulation were no better protected than those receiving Bm86 alone. One possible reason for the difference between host species, namely antibody titre, was examined and shown to be an unlikely explanation. This demonstrates a limitation of using a model host like sheep in vaccine studies.     

甘肃省迭部和铧尖地区4种蜱自然感染莱姆病伯氏疏螺旋体的调查

目的 调查甘肃省迭部和铧尖地区4种蜱自然感染莱姆病伯氏疏螺旋体(Bb)情况,为莱姆病的防治提供科学依据。方法 2010年3月至6月,在甘肃省迭部和铧尖地区岷山北麓迭部林区（秦岭山脉）和肃南祁连山北麓铧尖林区,对4种优势蜱（森林革蜱、草原革蜱、日本血蜱和青海血蜱）自然感染莱姆病Bb进行流行病学检测。采用夹夜法,每隔10 m布夹,晚放晨收,将捕获的啮齿类动物逆毛检虫法采集寄生蜱,同时采用拖旗法采集游离蜱。对采集的4种活的成蜱,清洗消毒后解剖取其中肠内容物分别涂片,置暗视野镜下观察莱姆病Bb;对所分离到的螺旋体再用Bb单克隆和多克隆抗体鉴别试验加以证实。结果 共采集到蜱类2科8属36种,即硬蜱科6属33种,软蜱科2属3种。解剖森林革蜱、草原革蜱、日本血蜱和草原硬蜱4种201只蜱的肠道,暗视野观察出携带莱姆病Bb的阳性蜱25只,阳性率为12.44％(25/201);接种培养森林革蜱、草原革蜱和日本血蜱3种65只蜱,从12只蜱体内培养分离出莱姆病Bb,阳性率为18.46％(12/65)。结论 森林革蜱、草原革蜱和日本血蜱均有程度不同地莱姆病Bb的自然感染。     

A survey of ticks on farm animals in Libya.

Thirteen species of ixodid ticks and two species of argasid ticks were collected during a three-year survey of 58 farms in Libya. These included Boophilus annulatus, B. microplus, B. decoloratus, seven species of Hyalomma, Rhipicephalus sanguineus, Rh. evertsi, Rh. bursa, Argas persicus and Ornithodoros foleyi. This is the first recording of B. microplus, B. decoloratus and Rh. bursa in Libya. Of 20,391 animals examined by random sampling, 2020 (9.6%) had ticks; particularly common were Hy. dromedarii on camels, Hy. impeltatum on sheep and Hy. excavatum on cattle. The tick found most frequently overall was Hy. dromedarii.     

Tick-borne rickettsioses in Pune district, Maharashtra, India

An extensive study on tick-borne rickettsioses in the Pune district of Maharashtra revealed that Indian tick typhus exists as a zoonosis, which only occasionally causes disease in man. By sero-conversion in guinea pigs, presumptive isolates of Rickettsia conori and Coxiella burnetii were recovered from 4 of the 11 species of ticks examined. Boophilus microplus and Rhipicephalus haemaphysalis were found to be harbouring R. conori whereas C. burnetii was isolated from Haemaphysalis intermedia and Hyalomma hussaini in addition to the above mentioned 2 tick species. Complement fixation tests carried out on sera from various species of rodents and gerbils revealed the presence of antibodies against the R. conori antigen in the sera of Rattus blanfordi, R.r. rufescens and Suncus murinus. In the case of large mammals, similar antibodies were detected in the sera from dog, cow, horse and sheep. C. burnetii infection was found to exist in both the sylvan and domestic cycle, as evidenced from the involvement of ticks, large and small mammals and man in its natural history.     

内蒙古奇乾地区媒介蜱携带伯氏疏螺旋体的调查研究

目的了解内蒙古奇乾地区媒介蜱携带伯氏疏螺旋体(Borrelia burgdorferii,B.b)的感染情况。方法用布旗法采集游离蜱,利用PCR和基因测序法对媒介蜱标本中B.b的感染进行检测和基因分型。结果采集媒介蜱共320只,其中全沟硬蜱293只(91.56%),森林革蜱22只(6.88%),嗜群血蜱5只(1.56%)。媒介蜱B.b阳性携带率为26.88%,可携带B.garinii、B.afzelii和B.miyamotoi 3种基因型。其中全沟硬蜱、森林革蜱和嗜群血蜱B.b阳性携带率分别为29.01%(85/293)、4.55%(1/22)、0(0/5)。结论内蒙古奇乾地区全沟硬蜱为优势蜱种,携带B.b基因型存在多样性,应引起公共卫生部门的高度重视。     

Investigation of anaplasmosis in Yiyuan County, Shandong Province, China

ObjectiveTo investigate the situation of anaplasmosis in Yiyuan county, Shandong Province.MethodsA total of 26 blood samples from febrile patients suspected of anaplasmosis, 48 blood samples from healthy farmers, 8 from dogs, and 10 from goats and 170 ticks were collected in the same area during 2005-2007, and detected by serological and molecular methods.ResultsEight confirmed cases and 6 probable cases were determined using serologic and molecular methods. The seroprevalence of Anaplasma phagocytophilum (A. phagocytophilum) was 26.7% in healthy cases. Nine out of 10 sheep samples and 7 out of 8 dog samples reacted positively to the A. phagocytophilum antigen. PCR amplification and sequencing of the 16SrRNA of A. phagocytophilum gene showed that some samples from patients, goats and ticks were 100% identical. The seroprevalence of Rickettsia typhi was 22.9%, Orientia tsutsugamushi 6.3%, Rickettsia sibirica 27.1%, Coxiella burnetii 18.8%, Bartonella henselae 31.3%, and Borrelia burgdorferi 41.6%.ConclusionsIt is important to make differential diagnosis of febrile patients and to apply treatment with specific antibiotics. It is needed to enforce essential prevention and control measures including tick control and to improve sanitation conditions.     

Lyme disease and babesiosis: preliminary findings on the transmission risk in highly frequented areas of the Monti Sibillini National Park (Central Italy)

The Monti Sibillini National Park is a recently borne protected area in the central Apennines that has become an important tourist destination. Mountain grasslands and woods have made it also a suitable habitat for sheep and bovine cattle, as well as for wild animals such as the wild bore and the roe deer. Therefore, a preliminary investigation was conducted to assess the risk of transmission of tick-borne zoonoses, such as Lyme disease and Babesiosis, by actively looking for both the arthropod vector and the causative agent. For two consecutive years, ambushing ticks were collected in four distinct geographical areas, comprehensive of many highly frequented tourist places. The tick fauna, tick habitats and the seasonal distribution of the different tick life stages collected with the method of "flagging and dragging" have been reported. Almost all the collected specimens belonged to the species Haemaphysalis punctata (Canestrini and Fanzago) (Acari: Ixodidae), which was found moderately infected with Babesia spp. Only a few Ixodes ricinus (Linnaeus) ticks, the most competent vector of Lyme disease, were found and on PCR examination all of them resulted negative as far as the infectious agent Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (Johnson) is concerned.