Circulation of Brucellaceae,Anaplasma and Ehrlichia spp. in borderline of Iran,Azerbaijan, and Armenia

Objective: To estimate the infection of ticks to Anaplasma, Ehrlichia, Babesia, Theileria, and Brucellaceae using molecular methods in borderline of Iran, Azerbaijan, and Armenia.Methods: Totally, 2 022 ticks were collected from different livestock. Then, species were diagnosed under stereomicroscope according to valid morphological keys. Tick DNA was extracted followed by PCR to detect Anaplasma, Ehrlichia, Theileria, Babesia and Brucellaceae infection in ticks. Results: A total of 498 males [24.62%(95% CI 22.76%-26.57%)], 741 females [36.64%(95% CI 34.54%-38.79%)], 782 nymphs [38.67%(95% CI 36.55%-40.84%)] and 1 larva [0.04%(95% CI 0.00%-0.28%)] were identified. Among identified samples, we found four genera including Hyalomma, Rhipicephalus, Haemaphysalis, and Dermacentor. Molecular assay revealed that the prevalence of ticks to Anaplasma or Ehrlichia, and Brucellaceae was 22.02%(95% CI 16.01%-29.06%) and 15.03%(95% CI 9.43%-22.26%), respectively. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the identified Anaplasma sp. had the most similarity with Anaplasma centrale, Anaplasma platys, Anaplasma camelii, and Anaplasma phagocytophilum, submitted in Gen Bank. Furthermore, the detected Ehrlichia sp. and Brucellaceae bacterium had the most similarity with Ehrlichia ruminantium and Mycoplana peli, respectively. However, no sign of the presence of Theileria and Babesia spp. was seen in the studied samples. Conclusions: Anaplasmosis, ehrlichiosis and brucellosis should be considered as important health threats in northwestern Iran and consistent monitoring on infection of ticks and livestock should be performed regularly.     

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.     

Ectoparasites of lesser mouse eared bat,Myotis blythii from Kermanshah Iran

ObjectiveTo identify the ectoparasits of lesser mouse eared bat, Myotis blythii inside the Mahi-Dasth cave in Kermanshah province, Iran.MethodsA total of 30 lasser mouse eared bat (Myotis blythii) in a cave close to Kermanshah city were hunted with special net and were transported to the laboratory. After anesthetizing by chloroform, ectoparasites from these bats were removed and identified.ResultsThe ectoparasites include flies, ticks and mites. The 39 identified flies belonged to two families including Strebilidae (7.7%) and Nycteribiidae (92.3%). A total number of 5 ticks of larval, nymphal and adult stages of Ixodes vespertilionis and 18 mites from Spiturnicidae family were identified.ConclusionsThe result of this study is a clue for the identification of ectoparasites from bats and implication of possible prevention measures for diseases transmitted by ectoparasites.     

Survey of tick species parasiting domestic ruminants in Ghaemshahr county,Mazandaran province,Iran

ObjectiveTo determine the tick species parasitizing domestic ruminants in Ghaemshahr county in Mazandaran, a Caspian province in the north of Iran.MethodsAbout 361 sheep, 54 goats and 10 cattle of 18 herds in several villages in Ghaemshahr were inspected for tick infestation. Separated ticks were preserved in 70% alcohol and identified.ResultsAbout 323 ticks (207 female, 116 male) were collected, the occurrence of ticks on sheep, goats and cattle were 28.3%, 22.2% and 20.0% respectively. The mean number of ticks on each animal was low (3-5 ticks per animal). Rhipicephalus sanguineus, Rhipicephalus bursa, Ixodes ricinus, Boophilus annulatus, Haemaphysalis punctata and Haemaphysalis numidiana were the tick species we found. Rhipicephalus sanguineus were the most abundant species in the study area. The largest number of ticks were generally present from April to July, mostly in animal ears and tails. Ixodes, Boophilus and Haemaphysalis occurred in mountainous areas of Ghaemshahr, whereas Rhipicephalus were present in both mountains and plains of the study area.ConclusionsThe result of this study is a survey of tick species from domestic animals in Iran and implication of possible prevention measures for diseases transmitted by ticks.