Veterinary Research Forum

Abstract The Q fever is a zoonotic bacterial infection caused by an obligate intra-cellular bacterium, Coxiella burnetii. Members of the Canidae family (Mammalia), including dogs and foxes, are potential reservoirs of C. burnetii, which has a wide host range from mammals and birds to arthropods (primarily ticks). Infected dogs can transmit the disease to other animals and humans. This study aimed to investigate the presence of C. burnetii in dogs and ticks collected from infested dogs in the Kars, Ardahan, and Iğdir provinces of Türkiye by serological and molecular methods. Three hundred canine serum samples were analyzed for phase I and phase II C. burnetii antibodies using indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Whole blood samples (n = 300) from the dogs sampled for sera and 184 ticks randomly collected from these dogs were also analyzed for C. burnetii with touch-down polymerase chain reaction. The ticks were classified according to the taxonomic characteristics. In result, 107 tick DNA samples collected from individual females and pooled males were evaluated. The C. burnetii was detected in 3.73% (of the tick samples. However, C. burnetii was not detected in any of the canine blood samples by polymerase chain reaction. Out of the 300 dogs, 18.33% presented antibodies against C. burnetii in their blood serum. When assessed for location, C. burnetii seropositivity was found to be significantly high especially in the Northeastern Anatolia region (18.33%). Study data highlighted the zoonotic risk of ticks, demonstrating that ticks on dogs can carry C. burnetii.

Abstract Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is indeed to be considered as one of the most significant vector-borne diseases globally. The virus responsible for CCHF can persist in various animals and lead to severe infections in humans. Ticks of the Ixodidae family are the acknowledged vectors of CCHF virus (CCHFV) transmission to humans. In this review, different tick species from Iran and its neighbors and their roles in the transmission of CCHFV were evaluated. However, the transmission patterns of CCHF to humans primarily involve tick bites, direct contact with the blood, organs, or tissues of contaminated animals, and exposure to CCHF patients are important in virus transmission. The results of this review confirm that the tick vectors in Iran and its neighbors are very common. Even though tick bite is one of the most important risk factors for CCHF, it cannot explain all cases, and there are other important risk factors, such as high-risk occupations and having contact with livestock. Ticks that have been proven to transmit the disease, especially Hyalomma marginatum, are scattered in Iran and neighboring countries. Transporting passengers and livestock and sometimes smuggling livestock are the means of transmitting the virus between neighboring countries. Therefore, there is a need for joint preparedness and response programs to prevent and manage CCHF between Iran and its neighbors.

Abstract A total number of 450 blood samples were collected from 45 different randomly selected cattle herds. Light microscopic examination of blood smears revealed Babesia spp. infection in 4.2%, while 8.9% of blood samples were positive using PCR. Upon multiplex-PCR (mPCR), B. bigemina and B. bovis infections were detected in 37/40 (92.5%) and 3/40 (7.5%) samples, respectively. 530 ticks of 10 Ixodid species were collected from the same cattle. Hyalomma anatolicum was the most prevalent tick species (19.9%). An expected 520 bp fragment of Babesia spp. was generated in 22 (48.8%) of Rhpicephalus annulatus, 18 (40.0%) of R. bursa and 12 (30.0%) R. sanguineus sensu lato. The mPCR findings revealed that all infected ticks including R. annulatus, R. bursa and R. sanguineus were totally infected with B. bigemina. The DNA amplification of B. bovis and B. bigemina in egg samples showed that only B. bigemina was detected in two specimens of R. annulatus. It could be concluded that B. bigemina was the dominant causative agent in this region but the evidence of B. bovis infection of cattle in a few cases was noted, as well. The results suggested that B. bigemina and B. bovis could be detected in the DNA extracted from R. annulatus, R. bursa and R. sanguineus sensu lato confirming previous reports. Since B. bigemina is transmitted transovarially by R. annulatus, it might act as an important vector for B. bigemina.

Abstract The economic importance of tick infestation on camels are important as they are important meat and milk producer animals in the less vegetation area of Iran and their health and production are greatly affected by the high tick infestation. In this investigation, tick infestations on camels (Camelus dromedarius) were determined in Qeshm Island, Iran. A total number of 912 adult ticks (472 males and 440 females) were collected and identified. Hyalomma dromedarii was the predominant tick specie and accounted for 61.9% of the adult ticks. Other hard ticks were H. anatolicum excavatum (22 %), H. asiaticum asiaticum (14.2 %), H. marginatum (1.9 %), H. impeltatum (0.4 %) and Ripicephalus bursa (0.4 %). In conclusion, The provision of tick control programs in the Qeshm Island would seem a prerequisite for improving camel meat and milk production.