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Hard ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) have been historically identified by morphological methods which require highly specialized expertise and more recently by DNA-based molecular assays that involve high costs. Although both approaches provide complementary data for tick identification, each method has limitations which restrict their use on large-scale settings such as regional or national tick surveillance programs. To overcome those obstacles, the matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) has been introduced as a cost-efficient method for the identification of various organisms, as it balances performance, speed, and high data output. Here we describe the use of this technology to validate the distinction of two closely related Dermacentor tick species based on the development of the first nationwide MALDI-TOF MS reference database described to date. The dataset obtained from this protein-based approach confirms that tick specimens collected from United States regions west of the Rocky Mountains and identified previously as Dermacentor variabilis are the recently described species, Dermacentor similis. Therefore, we propose that this integrative taxonomic tool can facilitate vector and vector-borne pathogen surveillance programs in the United States and elsewhere.

Respiration in ticks is highly efficient and exceptionally low. Ticks can survive years between bloodmeals by having low activity and respiration to conserve energetic resources. Our objective was to compare metabolic (VCO2) and activity rates across 6 tick species. We predicted that VCO2 would be different among species and scale linearly with activity and body mass. Activity and CO2 production were measured for 32 h in 6 tick species: Dermacentor andersoni, D. variabilis, Haemaphysalis longicornis, Rhipicephalus appendiculatus, R. microplus, and R. sanguineus. Individual ticks were measured for 30 min three times to ensure breathing occurred. Absolute and mass-specific VCO2, total activity, body mass, and ventilation patterns were compared among species. As expected, ticks did not always breathe during the 30-minute measurements, especially R. sanguineus. Ventilation patterns differed among species with R. microplus having primarily cyclic patterns and R. appendiculatus having discontinuous gas exchange. VCO2 did not scale with body mass in most species. Haemaphysalis longicornis and R. sanguineus had the lowest VCO2; however, H. longicornis was the second most active species. Life history, including questing behavior and range expansion, could be contributing to differences between species. For instance, H. longicornis had exceptionally low metabolic rates despite above average activity levels, suggesting an energetic advantage which may underlie recently documented range expansions in North America. Our results demonstrate how ticks utilize energetic resources to maximize longevity. Future research describing questing behavior and distribution modeling may help explain differences in metabolic rates and activity and impacts on life history traits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Members belonging to the tick genus Hyalomma function as a multi-host reservoir for several pathogens and important parasites infesting large animals, such as camels, goats, cattle and sheep. In Egypt, there is a high risk of pathogen transmission as camels and cattle are imported from Sudan and Ethiopia and shipped to slaughterhouses and animal markets located in populated areas. Hyalomma dromedarii ticks are semi-desert vectors and, similar to other members of the genus Hyalomma, characterized by long-term feeding. During this process, different physiological, biochemical and immunological interactions occur within both the feeding ticks and their hosts. These biological changes affect the different tick developmental phases. The aim of this study was to explore the transcriptome of mixed messenger RNAs (mRNAs) collected from H. dromedarii eggs, larvae, nymphs and fed and unfed adults, using the Gateway cDNA library prepared in pCMV sport6.1 vector Methods: The clones were sequenced and searched for potential secreted, membrane-associated or transmembrane (SMaT) sequences. The identified SMaT sequences were compared to the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) non-redundant protein sequence database using Blastx. Annotation and functional classification were achieved by comparison to sequences in the UniProtKB/Swiss-Prot and VectorBase databases and to the publicly available annotated proteomes of six hard tick species (H. asiaticum, Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato, Dermacentor silvarum, Rhipicephalus microplus, Ixodes scapularis and Haemaphysalis longicornis) in addition to the published H. dromedarii sialotranscriptome. For the common sequences, we predicted the physicochemical properties, secondary structures and antigenicity of the fragments similar to matched sequences in the UniProtKB/Swiss-Prot database using three different methods. Results: The quality-trimmed sequences from the cDNA library revealed 319 SMaT transcripts among 1248 sequenced clones. Annotation of the SMaT sequences using the UniProtKB/Swiss-Prot database revealed only 232 non-redundant sequences with at least one match. According to the UniProtKB/Swiss-Prot and Vectorbase databases, the SMaT sequences were either secreted (extracellular) (29 sequences) or cellular (transmembrane and membrane-associated) (203 sequences). These were classified into 10 functional classes: biogenesis (49 sequences), defense (9 sequences), development (36 sequences), signal transduction (28 sequences), transport (15 sequences), protein modification (33 sequences), homeostasis (6 sequences), metabolism (45 sequences) and miscellaneous/uncharacterized (11 sequences). A total of 60 sequences were shared between H. dromedarii SMaT, the sialotransciptome and six other hard tick species. The peptide fragments of these sequences that aligned to proteins from the UniProtKB/Swiss-Prot database were predicted to be promising epitopes and mapped to 10 functional classes at different ratios. Conclusions: Our immuno-informatics analysis identified 60 sequences common among hard tick species and encoded by H. dromedarii salivary glands. These annotated SMaT sequences of H. dromedarii will pave the way for the identification and discovery of novel potential protective antigens that are either secreted, membrane-associated or transmembrane. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Ticks are vectors of numerous pathogens, with their bacterial composition, abundance, diversity, and interaction influencing both their growth and disease transmission efficiency. Despite the abundance of ticks in Inner Mongolia, China, comprehensive data on their microbial communities are lacking. This study aims to analyze the microbial communities within ticks from Inner Mongolia to inform innovative control strategies for interrupting pathogen transmission. Methods: Tick samples were collected from animals and vegetation in multiple locations across Inner Mongolia and stored at − 80 °C. Ticks were identified using morphological keys and molecular biology methods. Full-length 16S rRNA gene sequencing was performed on collected samples. Bacterial community composition and diversity were mainly analyzed using bioinformatic tools such as QIIME, phyloseq, and DESeq2. Alpha diversity was assessed using Chao1, ACE, and Shannon indices, while beta diversity was evaluated using Bray-Curtis dissimilarity matrices. LEfSe analysis was applied to identify taxa associated with ecological and biological variables. Results: A total of 5,048,137 high-quality read counts were obtained, forming an average of 789.3 OTUs per sample. Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, and Bacteroidetes were the most dominant phyla. Bacterial community composition varied significantly with geography, with Dermacentor nuttalli showing a higher abundance of Rickettsia in Xilingol League, while other regions had different dominant genera. The microbial community also differed based on the feeding status of ticks. Additionally, the microbiota of engorged ticks showed organ specificity. Pathogen detection efforts revealed the presence of nine pathogens across all three tick species. D. nuttalli was found to carry a significantly higher burden of pathogenic bacteria, making it the most potentially threatening tick species in Inner Mongolia. Conclusions: The study highlights significant variations in tick microbiomes influenced by geographic location, feeding status, and tick species. It underscores the importance of enhancing tick and tick-borne disease surveillance in Inner Mongolia for early detection and control of emerging pathogens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Ticks represent a significant vector for the transmission of infectious diseases, with the prevalence of tick-borne diseases becoming a prominent global health concern in recent decades. Anaplasma spp., Rickettsia spp., and Piroplasma have been identified as significant pathogens with the potential to impact human and animal health. However, there is a dearth of data concerning the prevalence of these pathogens in the eastern Tibetan Plateau, China. Methods: In this study, a total of 643 Dermacentor silvarum and 314 Haemaphysalis longicornis were identified through the application of morphological and molecular identification techniques on 957 ticks collected from yaks in Zoige County. The assessed of Anaplasma spp., Rickettsia spp., Theileria spp., and Babesia spp. was assessed in 957 ticks and 96 blood samples collected from yaks. Results: Significant discrepancies were observed in the positivity rates for the four pathogens among the tick species and sampling sites. The identification of different species within the four pathogens was based on the analysis of the 16S rRNA of Anaplasma spp., the ompA and ompB genes of Rickettsia spp., and the 18S rRNA of Theileria spp. and Babesia spp. The prevalence ranges of the four pathogens are 9.9-50.2%, 29.5-100%, 16.2-46.4%, and 14.5-58.4%, respectively. Conclusion: In view of the growing zoonotic risks, further investigations into the prevalence of additional pathogens in ticks and animals, including livestock, in the eastern Tibetan Plateau, China, are essential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Most of the rickettsioses are transmitted by ticks, and often overlooked by the medical profession, but are clinically important as they cause major human diseases. Recent studies have shown the existence of some rickettsial species in Iran, but very little information is available about the status of rickettsial epidemiology and ecology. This study investigated the presence of Rickettsia spp. in ticks and ruminants in western of Iran by molecular methods. Materials and Methods: 250 blood samples were collected from sheep and goats, as well as 244 ticks were collected opportunistically from ruminants in the Kurdistan province. The collected samples were tested using a real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) assay targeting the Rickettsia16SrRNA gene. Rickettsia spp. positive by the qPCR were further amplified by conventional PCR of the gltA and OmpA genes. These ampliqons were further analyzed by sequencing. Results: The ticks species collected in this study included Rhipicephalus sanguineus, Rh. turanicus, Haemaphysalis concinna, and Dermacentor marginatus. In total, DNA of Rickettsia spp. was detected in 131 collected ticks (53.7%). Of the positives, Rickettsia slovaca (59.2%) and Ri. hoogstraalii (16.3%) were the most common species identified followed by Ri. raoultii, Ri. massiliae, Ri. sibirica, and Ri. conorii subsp. israelensis. In contrast, there were no positives observed in the blood samples collected from ruminants. Conclusion: The results indicate the presence of rickettsial species in ticks. The detection of these pathogens is significant because they cause clinical disease in humans. The results support the notion that the Iranian public health system needs to be more aware of these diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Hard ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) have been historically identified by morphological methods which require highly specialized expertise and more recently by DNA-based molecular assays that involve high costs. Although both approaches provide complementary data for tick identification, each method has limitations which restrict their use on large-scale settings such as regional or national tick surveillance programs. To overcome those obstacles, the matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) has been introduced as a cost-efficient method for the identification of various organisms, as it balances performance, speed, and high data output. Here we describe the use of this technology to validate the distinction of two closely related Dermacentor tick species based on the development of the first nationwide MALDI-TOF MS reference database described to date. The dataset obtained from this protein-based approach confirms that tick specimens collected from United States regions west of the Rocky Mountains and identified previously as Dermacentor variabilis are the recently described species, Dermacentor similis. Therefore, we propose that this integrative taxonomic tool can facilitate vector and vector-borne pathogen surveillance programs in the United States and elsewhere.

Background: Ticks carry a variety of microorganisms, some of which are pathogenic to humans. The human risk of tick-borne diseases depends on, among others, the prevalence of pathogens in ticks biting humans. To follow-up on this prevalence over time, a Belgian study from 2017 was repeated in 2021. Methods: During the tick season 2021, citizens were invited to have ticks removed from their skin, send them and fill in a short questionnaire on an existing citizen science platform for the notification of tick bites (TekenNet). Ticks were morphologically identified to species and life stage level and screened using multiplex qPCR targeting, among others, Borrelia burgdorferi (sensu lato), Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Borrelia miyamotoi, Neoehrlichia mikurensis, Babesia spp., Rickettsia helvetica and tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV). The same methodology as in 2017 was used. Results: In 2021, the same tick species as in 2017 were identified in similar proportions; of 1094 ticks, 98.7% were Ixodes ricinus, 0.8% Ixodes hexagonus and 0.5% Dermacentor reticulatus. A total of 928 nymphs and adults could be screened for the presence of pathogens. Borrelia burgdorferi (s.l.) was detected in 9.9% (95% CI 8.2–12.0%), which is significantly lower than the prevalence of 13.9% (95% CI 12.2–15.7%) in 2017 (P = 0.004). The prevalences of A. phagocytophilum (4.7%; 95% CI 3.5–6.3%) and R. helvetica (13.3%; 95% CI 11.2–15.6%) in 2021 were significantly higher compared to 2017 (1.8%; 95% CI 1.3–2.7% and 6.8%; 95% CI 5.6–8.2% respectively) (P < 0.001 for both). For the other pathogens tested, no statistical differences compared to 2017 were found, with prevalences ranging between 1.5 and 2.9% in 2021. Rickettsia raoultii was again found in D. reticulatus ticks (n = 3/5 in 2021). Similar to 2017, no TBEV was detected in the ticks. Co-infections were found in 5.1% of ticks. When combining co-infection occurrence in 2017 and 2021, a positive correlation was observed between B. burgdorferi (s.l.) and N. mikurensis and B. burgdorferi (s.l.) and B. miyamotoi (P < 0.001 for both). Conclusions: Although the 2021 prevalences fell within expectations, differences were found compared to 2017. Further research to understand the explanations behind these differences is needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An important symbolic and subsistence animal for many Native American Tribes, the moose (Alces alces; mos in Algonquin, Penobscot language) has been under consistent threat in the northeastern United States because of winter tick (Dermacentor albipictus) parasitism over the past several decades, causing declines in moose populations throughout the region. This decline has raised concern for Tribes and agencies that are invested in moose. Given this concern, it is increasingly important to effectively monitor and develop strategies to manage winter ticks to address consistent population declines of moose due to winter ticks. The Penobscot Nation developed a novel strategy to sample questing winter ticks (i.e., ticks that are actively seeking hosts) using a plot‐based sampling protocol that may be suitable for heterogeneous habitats. We deployed this protocol in the northeastern United States in 2022 during the tick questing period (Sep–Dec) on Penobscot Nation sovereign trust lands, the White Mountain National Forest and Umbagog National Wildlife Refuge, and western‐central Massachusetts, USA. We analyzed the data using occupancy and N‐mixture models. Detection probability peaked during mid‐October and tick occupancy and abundance were greatest at sites with intermediate understory vegetation height. The sampling protocol was successful at sampling ticks in Massachusetts, where abundances were expected to be low, indicating that it may be useful for studies planning to monitor winter tick distribution and abundance in areas with sub‐optimal moose habitat and where winter tick abundance is expected to be low. This approach may also benefit managers or researchers intending to monitor many species of hard ticks, and where imperfect detection is expected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Dermacentor reticulatus is an arthropod vector with great medical and veterinary importance. Its wide distribution and biological characteristics determine its important role in the circulation of pathogens in the parasite–host system. Its occurrence range is divided into western and eastern populations, which are separated from each other by the so-called Dermacentor-free zone localized in central Poland. This study aimed to estimate the potential epidemiological significance of D. reticulatus in the new endemic focus west of the Vistula River (Upper Silesia, central–southern Poland) and its co-occurrence with Ixodes ricinus. The molecular studies revealed the presence of Rickettsia spp. in 23.8% of the D. reticulatus specimens. In turn, 94.1% of the I. ricinus adults were infected with B. burgdorferi s.l., 11.7% with Babesia spp., and 5.8% with Rickettsia spp. Polymicrobial infections were noted in 17.6% of the I. ricinus. Our finding emphasizes the risk of infestation by both tick species and the risk of tick-borne infections in an area previously thought to be free of Dermacentor ticks. It is necessary to enhance medical and veterinary services for the more efficient diagnosis and prevention of tick-borne diseases in this region. Dermacentor reticulatus (Acari: Ixodidae) is an important arthropod vector in medical and veterinary contexts. Its geographic range is divided into western and eastern populations separated by a "Dermacentor-free zone" in central Poland. Recent faunistic studies showed a new endemic locality of the species in Upper Silesia to the west of the Vistula River (central–southern Poland) and its co-occurrence with I. ricinus. The prevalence of five tick-borne pathogens (TBPs), e.g., B. burgdorferi s.l., Bartonella spp., Rickettsia spp., and Babesia spp., in the ticks was assessed with polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methods. The molecular studies revealed the presence of Rickettsia spp. in 23.8% of the D. reticulatus specimens. In turn, 94.1% of the I. ricinus adults were infected with B. burgdorferi s.l., 11.7 % with Babesia spp., and 5.8% with Rickettsia spp. Coinfections with two TBPs were noted in 17.6% of the I. ricinus. These findings highlight not only the risk of infestation by both tick species in an area previously considered Dermacentor-free, but also the high prevalence of TBPs in the study area. Increased focus on medical and veterinary services appears necessary to diagnose and prevent tick-borne diseases in this region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Ticks are spreading at high altitudes in mountain areas and can come into contact with previously unexposed or poorly exposed hosts, such as Alpine ibex (Capra ibex). We collected ticks on ibex and vegetation in the northwestern Italian Alps and tested them for tick-borne pathogens. Ixodes ricinus was the most abundant tick species collected and was infected with Borrelia burgdorferi s.l., Rickettsia spp. and Anaplasma phagocytophilum. Our results suggest that Alpine ibex, like other wild ungulate species, may act as a reservoir for A. phagocytophilum while being an incompetent reservoir for the Lyme borreliosis agent. Future studies should monitor the possible impacts of ticks and transmitted pathogens on the health and conservation of ibex. 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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Crimean–Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF) unexpectedly emerged in humans in Northwest Spain in 2021, and two additional cases were reported in the region in 2022. The 2021 case was associated with a tick bite on the outskirts of the city where the patient lived. PCR analysis of 95 questing ticks collected in the outskirts of that city in 2021, none of the genus Hyalomma, revealed a prevalence of confirmed CCHF virus (CCHFV) infection of 10.5%. Our results in this emerging scenario suggest the need to consider that CCHFV may be effectively spreading to Northwest Spain and to urgently understand any possible role of non‐Hyalomma spp. ticks in the eco‐epidemiological dynamics of CCHFV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ticks are a major parasite on the Qīnghăi-Tibet Plateau, western China, and represent an economic burden to agriculture and animal husbandry. Despite research on tick-borne pathogens that threaten humans and animals, the viromes of dominant tick species in this area remain unknown. In this study, we collected Dermacentor nuttalli ticks near Qīnghăi Lake and identified 13 viruses belonging to at least six families through metagenomic sequencing. Four viruses were of high abundance in pools, including Xīnjiāng tick-associated virus 1 (XJTAV1), and three novel viruses: Qīnghăi Lake virus 1, Qīnghăi Lake virus 2 (QHLV1, and QHLV2, unclassified), and Qīnghăi Lake virus 3 (QHLV3, genus Uukuvirus of family Phenuiviridae in order Bunyavirales), which lacks the M segment. The minimum infection rates of the four viruses in the tick groups were 8.2%, 49.5%, 6.2%, and 24.7%, respectively, suggesting the prevalence of these viruses in D. nuttalli ticks. A putative M segment of QHLV3 was identified from the next-generation sequencing data and further characterized for its signal peptide cleavage site, N-glycosylation, and transmembrane region. Furthermore, we probed the L, M, and S segments of other viruses from sequencing data of other tick pools by using the putative M segment sequence of QHLV3. By revealing the viromes of D. nuttalli ticks, this study enhances our understanding of tick-borne viral communities in highland regions. The putative M segment identified in a novel uukuvirus suggests that previously identified uukuviruses without M segments should have had the same genome organization as typical bunyaviruses. These findings will facilitate virus discovery and our understanding of the phylogeny of tick-borne uukuviruses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Karachay-Cherkessia is the region in the Russian Federation that has been overlooked in terms of research on the human bacterial pathogens transmitted by ticks. In this study, we investigated the infection status of ticks with Rickettsia, Borrelia, Coxiella burmetii, Anaplasma phagocytophilum, and Ehrlichia chaffeensis/Ehrlichia muris associated with natural focal infections in Karachay-Cherkessia. A total amount of 159 ticks from three species across three genera (Ixodes ricinus, Dermacentor marginatus, Hyalomma scupense) removed from humans were collected for analysis. Additionally, we used 53 individual ticks and 40 tick pools from the vegetation of three species (I. ricinus, D. marginatus, and Rhipicephalus bursa). Screening of the studied pathogens was performed by using commercial qPCR kits. Sanger sequencing utilizing partial sequences of gltA and ompA genes was employed to identify the Rickettsia species. Our findings revealed the presence of DNA from five species within the spotted fever group Rickettsia, namely Rickettsia raoultii, R. slovaca, R. helvetica, R. monacensis, and R. aeschlimannii. Moreover, two distinct genotypes were identified within R. aeschlimannii, R. helvetica, and R. monacensis. Additionally, DNA from Borrelia burgdoferi s.l., B. miyamotoi, and A. phagocytophilum was detected in the tested ticks. This study provides valuable insights into the prevalence and the diversity of bacterial pathogens transmitted by ticks in the Karachay-Cherkessia region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Ticks are obligate hematophagous ectoparasites involved in transmitting viruses of public health importance. The objective of this work was to identify the Jingmen tick virus in hard ticks from the Colombian Caribbean, an arbovirus of importance for public health. Methods: Ticks were collected in rural areas of Córdoba and Cesar, Colombia. Taxonomic identification of ticks was carried out, and pools of 13 individuals were formed. RNA extraction was performed. Library preparation was performed with the MGIEasy kit, and next-generation sequencing (NGS) with MGI equipment. Bioinformatic analyses and taxonomic assignments were performed using the Galaxy platform, and phylogenetic analyses were done using IQ-TREE2. Results: A total of 766 ticks were collected, of which 87.33% (669/766) were Rhipicephalus microplus, 5.4% (42/766) Dermacentor nitens, 4.2% (32/766) Rhipicephalus linnaei, and 3.0% (23/766) Amblyomma dissimile. Complete and partial segments 1, 2, 3, and 4 of Jingmen tick virus (JMTV) were detected in the metatranscriptome of the species R. microplus, D. nitens, and A. dissimile. The JMTVs detected are phylogenetically related to JMTVs detected in Aedes albopictus in France, JMTVs detected in R. microplus in Trinidad and Tobago, JMTVs in R. microplus and A. variegatum in the French Antilles, and JMTVs detected in R. microplus in Colombia. Interestingly, our sequences clustered closely with JMTV detected in humans from Kosovo. Conclusions: JMTV was detected in R. microplus, D. nitens, and A. dissimile. JMTV could pose a risk to humans. Therefore, it is vital to establish epidemiological surveillance measures to better understand the possible role of JMTV in tropical diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Of the 44 species within the genus Dermacentor (Acari: Ixodidae) worldwide, nine are found in the Neotropics and four are endemic to this region. In Colombia, located in the northwestern corner of South America, there are two species of the genus: Dermacentor imitans restricted to the trans-Andean Pacific region, and Dermacentor nitens widely distributed in the country. Elsewhere, D. nitens is found in both the Nearctic and Neotropics, from southern USA to northern Argentina. In the Neotropics, D. nitens is widely distributed including records in Caribbean islands. Molecular analyses of D. nitens collected in the Amazon region of Colombia have shown genetic differences with specimens from other localities of the country, although morphological differences have not been explored. We performed morphological and molecular comparisons of individuals from two natural regions of Colombia: the Orinoquia, and the Amazon. The morphological and morphometric results show that females and males are grouped in two morphotypes: morphotype I from the Orinoquia region, and morphotype II from Leticia in the Amazon region. The molecular analyses supported the morphological results and showed the formation of two well-differentiated sister clades within D. nitens, with divergences between both morphotypes of 3–4% and 5–6% for the 16S rRNA and COI genes, respectively. Species delimitation analyzes and the Poisson Tree Processes model tentatively suggest the presence of two species within the sequences associated with D. nitens in Colombia. The first represented by the sequences from the Orinoquia region evaluated here, together with sequences from other regions of Colombia and other Neotropical countries such as Brazil, Panama, and French Guiana. The second is represented by the sequences of individuals from Leticia, in the Amazon region of Colombia. The results highlight that D. nitens might represent a species complex, but further sampling, experimental crosses, and studies at the level of complete genomes should be performed to obtain additional evidence for species recognition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the prevalence of Anaplasma and Ehrlichia in 494 engorged ticks collected from various animal hosts, including cattle, horses, sheep, chickens, dogs, and cats, in six regions of northern Kyrgyzstan. Ten tick species, belonging to two families and six genera, were identified based on CO1, 16S rRNA, and ITS2 genes: Argas persicus (26.5%), Haemaphysalis punctata (18.0%), Dermacentor spp. (16.0%), Rhipicephalus annulatus (11.8%), R. turanicus (10.9%), D. marginatus (7.7%), Hyalomma scupense (4.5%), Hy. marginatum (3.8%), R. sangineus complex (0.6%), and Ornithodoros lahorensis (0.2%). PCR analysis revealed a 15.0% (74/494) overall infection rate of Anaplasma and Ehrlichia. Anaplasma species were found in six tick species and were identified as A. bovis (n = 44), Anaplasma spp. (n = 20), A. ovis (n = 5), and A. capra (n = 2). Ehrlichia species were found only in H. punctata (n = 5) and identified as E. chaffeensis (n = 1) and Ehrlichia spp. (n = 4). Additionally, two H. punctata were co-infected with Anaplasma and Ehrlichia. This is the first study to investigate tick-borne bacterial pathogens in ticks collected from animal hosts in Kyrgyzstan. Our findings contribute to a better understanding of the epidemiology and emergence of tick-borne infections in Kyrgyzstan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For many mammals living at higher latitudes, food scarcity and snow-hindered movements associated with their first winter are synonymous of trying months. In addition, most wild animals have to cope with parasites. Many studies have been conducted on captive animals to assess consequences parasitism on health over winter, but comparable studies on wild populations are scarce for large mammals. Here, we performed winter tick (Dermacentor albipictus Packard, 1869) counts and collected body condition data (mass and hematological parameters) on 15 moose (Alces alces (Linnaeus, 1758)) calves from two distinct climatic regions in northern and southern New Brunswick (Canada) in January. The same calves were recaptured 3 months later to observe variation in body condition parameters. Higher tick loads and more drastic changes of hematological parameters, such as hematocrit and creatinine in southern individuals, suggested that this population might be suffering more from the consequences of winter tick infestation than the northernmost population. However, other parameters that were not measured in our study, such as quantity and quality of food, could influence moose calves body condition at the southeastern limit of their range. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Dermacentor (D.) reticulatus ticks carry and transmit a wide range of pathogens to vertebrate hosts. Limited information is available about the existence of emerging tick-borne pathogens and the distribution of D. reticulatus in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The study aimed to investigate the occurrence and distribution of D. reticulatus and to detect the presence of Anaplasma spp., Borrelia (B.) burgdorferi s.l., Rickettsia spp., and Babesia spp. in samples originating from questing ticks and ticks collected from domestic animals in various regions of Bosnia and Herzegovina. A total of 402 collected D. reticulatus ticks were widely distributed throughout the country. Of the 41 pools consisting of 205 individual D. reticulatus ticks, 21 (51.2%) indicated the presence of Rickettsia spp., 17 (41.4%) of Babesia spp., 2 (4.8%) of Anaplasma spp., and 1 (2.4%) of B. burgdorferi s.l. after real-time PCR screening. Our study indicates that D. reticulatus has significantly expanded its distribution and host range in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Moreover, our results represent the first detection of Babesia spp. in D. reticulatus in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Given the demonstrated presence of emerging pathogens in questing and feeding ticks, there is an urge to establish a surveillance system for ticks and tick-borne pathogens in Bosnia and Herzegovina. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ticks are involved in the transmission a plethora of pathogens. To effectively control ticks and mitigate the risks associated with tick-borne diseases, it is important to implement tick control measures. These may include the use of acaricides as well as the development and implementation of an alternative, environmentally friendly tick management program that include practices such as habitat modification or establishing biological control. Ixodiphagus hookeri Howard is a tick-specific parasitoid wasp that predates on several species of ixodid ticks and could contribute to the control of the tick population. This work aimed to detect the presence of parasitoid wasps in ticks (Ixodidae) using genetic approaches. Several tick species of the genera Ixodes, Haemaphysalis, and Dermacentor, with a sympatric occurrence in the Slovak Karst National Park in southeastern Slovakia, were screened for the presence of wasps of the genus Ixodiphagus. The DNA of the parasitoids was detected in four tick species from three genera. This work presents the first molecular detection of parasitoids in two Dermacentor tick species, as well as the first molecular identification of Ixodiphagus wasps in Ixodes ricinus and Haemaphysalis concinna ticks from the Karst area. In the given area, it was observed that I. ricinus and H. concinna ticks are hyper-parasitized by wasps. Moreover, it was observed that wasps here can parasitize several tick species, some of which are of less significance for human and animal health (as they transmit fewer pathogens). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever orthonairovirus (CCHFV) is a negative-sense, single-stranded RNA virus with a segmented genome and the causative agent of a severe Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF) disease. The virus is transmitted mainly by tick species in Hyalomma genus but other ticks such as representatives of genera Dermacentor and Rhipicephalus may also be involved in virus life cycle. To improve our understanding of CCHFV adaptation to its tick species, we compared nucleotide composition and codon usage patterns among the all CCHFV strains i) which sequences and other metadata as locality of collection and date of isolation are available in GenBank and ii) which were isolated from in-field collected tick species. These criteria fulfilled 70 sequences (24 coding for S, 23 for M, and 23 for L segment) of virus isolates originating from different representatives of Hyalomma and Rhipicephalus genera. Phylogenetic analyses confirmed that Hyalomma- and Rhipicephalus-originating CCHFV isolates belong to phylogenetically distinct CCHFV clades. Analyses of nucleotide composition among the Hyalomma- and Rhipicephalus-originating CCHFV isolates also showed significant differences, mainly in nucleotides located at the 3rd codon positions indicating changes in codon usage among these lineages. Analyses of codon adaptation index (CAI), effective number of codons (ENC), and other codon usage statistics revealed significant differences between Hyalomma- and Rhipicephalus-isolated CCHFV strains. Despite both sets of strains displayed a higher adaptation to use codons that are preferred by Hyalomma ticks than Rhipicephalus ticks, there were distinct codon usage preferences observed between the two tick species. These findings suggest that over the course of its long co-evolution with tick vectors, CCHFV has optimized its codon usage to efficiently utilize translational resources of Hyalomma species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, significant changes have been observed in the distribution and abundance of local Dermacentor reticulatus populations. However, changes in D. reticulatus dynamics have not been studied in southeastern Poland. Our objective was to enhance our understanding of the environmental factors influencing the occurrence and density of D. reticulatus in this area. Additionally, we sought to investigate the genetic diversity of the tick population and the prevalence of tick-borne pathogens (TBPs). To this end, we established 45 study sites in the Subcarpathian province. Ticks were collected during their peak activity in both spring and autumn. A subset of randomly selected specimens underwent molecular analysis for TBPs screening, using high-throughput microfluidic real-time PCR. Positive amplicons were then sequenced, and phylogenetic analyses were conducted. Our findings confirmed the presence of D. reticulatus ticks in 24 surveyed sites, primarily concentrated in the northern and eastern parts of the region. The mean density of D. reticulatus ticks in their compact range was 5.8 ± 6.4 specimens/100 m2. Notably, air temperature and altitude emerged as significant factors influencing the species' activity. We also identified a high prevalence of Rickettsia raoultii infections in adult D. reticulatus, reaching up to 84.21%. Additionally, 9.52% of ticks were found to be infected with R. helvetica and 4.76% with Anaplasma phagocytophilum. Furthermore, our genetic analyses confirmed the identity of D. reticulatus in the Subcarpathian region, aligning with haplotypes found in other regions of Poland, Czechia, Croatia, and Portugal. In conclusion, our study suggests that the surveyed region represents the current boundary of the compact range of D. reticulatus in Poland in which this tick species exhibits low genetic diversity and a narrow spectrum of detected TBPs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Ticks are arthropods found in many parts of the world that parasitize vertebrates, including livestock, wild animals, and humans. The distribution of tick in animals is an issue that needs to be taken into consideration as it also causes great economic losses. This study aims to detect ticks in the cattle population raised in Çankırı (province, Türkiye). Methods: In this study, tick samples were collected from 150 cattle between June and October 2022. Tick samples (n=1196) were identified morphologically using a stereomicroscope. Results: All collected ticks were adults, of these 516 (43.1%) were males and 680 (56.9%) females. With 845 (70.7%) specimens Haemaphysalis punctata was the most prevalent species, followed by Dermacentor marginatus 120 (10%), R. sanguineus 113 (9.4%). The least common tick type was Ixodes ricinus with 4 (0.3%), followed by Rhipicephalus bursa 9 (0.8%), and Hyalomma marginatum 9 (0.8%). There was a significant difference in terms of gender distribution between tick species (p<0.001), which was most pronounced in the case of R. sanguineus where 75% of the specimens were females and 25% males. R. sanguineus was the most prevalent species in Cardaklı and Yakalı; D. marginatus in Budakpınar and Soğluk; while Hae. puncatata in Eyüpözü, Susuz, Kızılıbrık, Ilıpınar, Hüyük, and Bozkuş District. The most common ticks in Susuz and Kızılıbrık belonged to the genus Haemaphysalis. Conclusion: This study contributed to health and economy by investigating the tick population in cattle. The distribution of ticks varies according to regions, climates and livestock activities. Since such studies have not been conducted in Çankırı before, we did not have the opportunity to compare with other studies. Prioritizing cattle has helped define the tick population in this region where animal husbandry is developed. By examining ticks, data was gained regionally in the fight against tick-borne diseases. In the study, the distribution of ticks between the Black Sea and Central Anatolia regions was examined and regional data was also obtained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Forty-five tick species have been recorded in Kazakhstan. However, their genetic diversity and evolutionary relationships, particularly when compared to ticks in neighbouring countries, remain unclear. In the present study, 148 mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) sequence data from our laboratory and NCBI (National Center for Biotechnology Information; https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/) data were used to address this knowledge gap. Phylogenetic analyses showed that i) Hyalomma anatolicum anatolicum (Koch, 1844) ticks from Jambyl Oblast (southeastern Kazakhstan) and Gansu Province (northwestern China) constituted a newly deviated clade; and ii) Dermacentor reticulatus (Fabricius, 1974) ticks from South Kazakhstan Oblast were closer to those in Romania and Turkey. The network diagram of haplotypes showed that i) the H-1 and H-2 haplotypes of Dermacentor marginatus (Sulzer, 1776) ticks from Zhetisu and Almaty were all newly evolved; and ii) the H-3 haplotypes of Haemaphysalis erinacei (Pavesi, 1884) from Almaty Oblast and Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region (northwestern China) were evolved from the H-1 haplotype from Italy. In the future, more COI data from different tick species, especially from Kazakhstan and neighbouring countries, should be employed in the field of tick DNA barcoding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Tick-borne pathogens especially viruses are continuously appearing worldwide, which have caused severe public health threats. Understanding the species, distribution and epidemiological trends of tickborne viruses (TBVs) is essential for disease surveillance and control. Methods: In this study, the data on TBVs and the distribution of ticks in China were collected from databases and literature. The geographic distribution of TBVs in China was mapped based on geographic locations of viruses where they were prevalent or they were detected in vector ticks. TBVs sequences were collected from The National Center for Biotechnology Information and used to structure the phylogenetic tree. Results: Eighteen TBVs from eight genera of five families were prevalent in China. Five genera of ticks played an important role in the transmission of TBVs in China. According to phylogenetic analysis, some new viral genotypes, such as the Dabieshan tick virus (DTV) strain detected in Liaoning Province and the JMTV strain detected in Heilongjiang Province existed in China. Discussion: TBVs were widely distributed but the specific ranges of viruses from different families still varied in China. Seven TBVs belonging to the genus Orthonairovirus of the family Nairoviridae such as Nairobi sheep disease virus (NSDV) clustered in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region (XUAR) and northeastern areas of China. All viruses of the family Phenuiviridae except Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus (SFTSV) were novel viruses that appeared in the last few years, such as Guertu virus (GTV) and Tacheng tick virus 2 (TcTV-2). They were mainly distributed in the central plains of China. Jingmen tick virus (JMTV) was distributed in at least fourteen provinces and had been detected in more than ten species of tick such as Rhipicephalus microplus and Haemaphysalis longicornis, which had the widest distribution and the largest number of vector ticks among all TBVs. Parainfluenza virus 5 (PIV5) and Lymphatic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) were two potential TBVs in Northeast China that could cause serious diseases in humans or animals. Ixodes persulcatus carried the highest number of TBVs, followed by Dermacentor nuttalli and H. longicornis. They could carry as many as ten TBVs. Three strains of Tick-borne encephalitis (TBEV) from Inner Mongolia Province clustered with ones from Russia, Japan and Heilongjiang Province, respectively. Several SFTSV strains from Zhejiang Province clustered with strains from Korea and Japan. Specific surveillance of dominant TBVs should be established in different areas in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

White-footed mice (Peromyscus leucopus) are important host reservoirs for Borrelia burgdorferi and Rickettsia rickettsii. These bacteria are responsible for the tick-borne illnesses Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever, respectively. These illnesses infect Ohio citizens annually, as well others in the larger range where these ticks are found. The goal of this study was to test white-footed mice and ticks for B. burgdorferi and R. rickettsii at Capital University's Primmer Outdoor Learning Center located in Logan, Ohio during the summer of 2020. Blood samples and ticks were collected from mice (n = 16) over the span of six live-trapping sessions in a woodlot and fencerow on the property. Ticks were also collected from four other locations using the drag-cloth method. DNA was extracted from the blood samples (n = 13) and ticks (n = 16) and tested for the presence of B. burgdorferi and Rickettsia sp. using conventional PCR and agarose gel electrophoresis. Relative abundance of mice was slightly higher in the fencerow than in the woodlot. Only American dog ticks (Dermacentor variabilis) were found in this study. B. burgdorferi was not detected, while Rickettsia sp. were confirmed for one mouse and 14 ticks. The results from this study increase our understanding of tick-borne pathogens within the state of Ohio and suggest we need to take steps to minimize risk of disease exposure at the University field site. In the future, this work can be used to inform models to simulate tick-borne pathogen dynamics in southeastern Ohio for both Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Companion dogs are at risk of tick infestations. This paper describes cases of transfer of Dermacentor reticulatus ticks by dogs to apartments in eastern Poland, tick development in household conditions, and potential consequences for the residents. For the first time, the preoviposition and oviposition of D. reticulatus females removed from dogs or spontaneously detached from these hosts were studied in household conditions. Similar analyses were performed simultaneously in laboratory settings (25 °C and 75% RH). In the household characterized by a temperature range of 18.5–21.3 °C and 46.9–56% humidity, the preoviposition and oviposition periods with the development of D. reticulatus larvae lasted 20.8 ± 3.1 days and 29.9 ± 1.4 days, respectively. Greater numbers of eggs (2415.8 ± 983.1) were laid by females in the household than laboratory conditions. There were no statistically significant differences in the hatching success between both experiments. The study also provides the first description of infestation of a human by a partially engorged D. reticulatus female that had detached from dog's skin. Ticks transferred by dogs can develop successfully in human homes. After feeding on dogs, females achieve high reproductive performance. This suggests that dogs may play an important role in the biology of this tick species in urbanized areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This comprehensive global meta-analysis reviews the parasitism levels of tick genera and species, life stages, seasonality, attachment sites, the global mean ranks of tick species parasitism rates and records, and their distribution and role as vectors. Methods: From the 418 papers identified, 390 papers were selected to become part of the study. Results: The genera recorded as infesting domestic ruminants were Rhipicephalus (42 species), Haemaphysalis (32 species), Hyalomma (19 species), Amblyomma (18 species), Ixodes (10 species), Dermacentor (8 species), Margaropus and Nosomma (1 species). Globally, domestic ruminants are more infested by adult females and males than by the nymphal and larval stages of the tick species. The global tick species parasitism levels at the attachment sites of domestic ruminants were, in order, tail and anal region, neck and dewlap, scrotum or udder, ear region, thigh and abdomen, and dorsal surface. Conclusions: Among 131 species of eight genera of hard ticks recorded infesting domestic ruminants, 42 species had mean ranks of tick species parasitism rates up to 10%, and 37 species had mean ranks of tick species parasitism up to 10 records. Briefly, the higher the indexes of tick species parasitism rates and records, the more important their role as vectors. In addition, the majority of them are found among tick species-infested humans with nearly high ranks of tick species parasitism rates and records that double their medical, veterinary, and zoonotic importance to be the most common vectors and reservoirs of bacterial, protozoan, and viral pathogenic microorganisms, causing severe infectious diseases, and as a result, can be more dangerous to humans and domestic ruminants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The ornate dog tick Dermacentor reticulatus is second only to the hard tick Ixodes ricinus in terms of importance as a vector of infectious organisms, especially of Babesia canis, the agent of canine babesiosis. Both the geographical range and local densities of D. reticulatus are steadily increasing in many regions of Europe. In the present study, we tested the hypothesis that D. reticulatus possesses an efficient breeding strategy that allows for a rapid increase in tick numbers and densities through the formation of mixed-sex clusters/aggregations while questing in the environment. Methods: An observational study was carried out in the spring of 2023, at three sites in two regions in Central and North-Eastern Poland, both characterised by high tick densities. At each site, a 400-m-long transect was inspected for questing ticks. All noted ticks were collected, and tick numbers and sexes per stem were recorded. Differences in tick distribution by site and sex were analysed statistically. Results: A total of 371 D. reticulatus (219 females, 152 males) ticks were collected from 270 grass stems over a combined 1200 m of transect. The majority of grass stems (74.4%) were occupied by just a single individual, with two-tick clusters the second most common category. The maximum number of D. reticulatus individuals observed on a single grass stem was six. Mixed-sex clusters were significantly more common than single-sex clusters at all three sites. With study sites combined, mixed-sex clusters accounted for 17.4% (95% confidence limit [95% CL] 13.9–21.6%) of observations, while for multiple males and multiple females, the values were 2.6% (95% CL: 1.4–4.7%) and 5.6% (95% CL: 3.7–8.3%), respectively. Conclusions: Mixed-sex clusters of D. reticulatus ticks were significantly more common than single-sex clusters, which we hypothesise reflects an efficient, likely pheromone-mediated breeding strategy of this expansive tick species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Baltic states are the region in Europe where tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) is most endemic. The highest notification rate of TBE cases is reported in Lithuania, where the incidence of TBE has significantly increased since 1992. A recent study reported 0.4% prevalence of TBE virus (TBEV) in the two most common tick species distributed in Lithuania, Ixodes ricinus and Dermacentor reticulatus, with the existence of endemic foci confirmed in seven out of Lithuania's ten counties. However, until now, no comprehensive data on molecular characterisation and phylogenetic analysis have been available for the circulating TBEV strains. The aim of this study was to analyse TBEV strains derived from I. ricinus and D. reticulatus ticks collected from Lithuania and provide a genotypic characterisation of viruses based on sequence analysis of partial E protein and NS3 genes. The 54 nucleotide sequences obtained were compared with 81 TBEV strains selected from the NCBI database. Phylogenetic analysis of the partial E and NS3 gene sequences derived from 34 Lithuanian TBEV isolates revealed that these were specific to Lithuania, and all belonged to the European subtype, with a maximum identity to the Neudoerfl reference strain (GenBank accession no. U27495) of 98.7% and 97.4%, respectively. The TBEV strains showed significant regional genetic diversity. The detected TBEV genotypes were not specific to the tick species. However, genetic differences were observed between strains from different locations, while strains from the same location showed a high similarity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Babesia canis is a clinically relevant vector-borne pathogen in dogs, and its presence is expanding. The efficacy of Simparica Trio® (Zoetis) in the prevention of B. canis transmission was evaluated at the minimum recommended label dose of 1.2 mg/kg sarolaner, 24 µg/kg moxidectin and 5 mg/kg pyrantel per kg bodyweight. Methods: Twenty-four (24) dogs were randomly allocated to either a placebo-treated group or one of two treatment groups with Simparica Trio. Dogs were infested with B. canis-infected Dermacentor reticulatus ticks 21 or 28 days after treatment administration. Blood samples for antibody and DNA detection were collected from each dog prior to tick infestation until 28 days after infestation. A dog was defined as being B. canis positive if it tested positive by both an indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) and PCR at any time during the study. Results: No treatment-related adverse reactions were recorded during the study. All placebo-treated animals displayed clinical signs due to babesiosis and tested positive on both IFA and PCR. None of the Simparica Trio-treated animals displayed any clinical symptoms or tested positive, resulting in a 100% efficacy in the prevention of canine babesiosis (P < 0.0001). Conclusions: A single treatment with Simparica Trio at the minimum recommended label dose of 1.2 mg/kg sarolaner, 24 µg/kg moxidectin and 5 mg/kg pyrantel per kg bodyweight prevents the transmission of B. canis by infected D. reticulatus to dogs for at least 28 days. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ticks host different pathogens as endosymbiont and nonpathogenic microorganisms and play an important role in reproductive fitness and nutrient provision. However, the bacterial microbiomes of white-tailed deer ticks have received minimal attention. This study aimed to examine the bacterial microbiome of ticks collected from Odocoileus virginianus on the Mexico-United States border to assess differences in microbiome diversity in ticks of different species, sexes, and localities. Five different tick species were collected: Rhipicephalus microplus, Dermacentor nitens, Otobius megnini, Amblyomma cajennense, and A. maculatum. The tick microbiomes were analyzed using next-generation sequencing. Among all tick species, the most predominant phylum was Proteobacteria, followed by Actinobacteria and Firmicutes. The ticks from Tamaulipas and Nuevo León presented the highest bacterial species diversity. Acinetobacter johnsonii and A. lwoffii were the common bacterial species in the microbiome of all ticks, Coxiella were present in R. microplus, and Dermacentor nitens also exhibited a Francisella-like endosymbiont. The microbiome of most females in D. nitens was less diverse than that of males, whereas R. microplus occurs in females, suggesting that microbiome diversity is influenced by sex. In the bacterial communities of A. maculatum and O. megnini, Candidatus Midichloria massiliensis, and Candidatus Endoecteinascidia fumentensis were the most predominant endosymbionts. These results constitute the initial report on these bacteria, and this is also the first study to characterize the microbiome of O. megnini. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Robust tick surveillance enhances diagnosis and prevention of tick-borne pathogens, yet surveillance efforts in the United States are highly uneven, resulting in large surveillance vacuums, one of which spans the state of New Mexico. As part of a larger effort to fill this vacuum, we conducted both active and passive tick sampling in New Mexico, focusing on the southern portion of the state. We conducted active tick sampling using dragging and CO₂ trapping at 45 sites across Hidalgo, Doña Ana, Otero, and Eddy counties between June 2021 to May 2022. Sampling occurred intermittently, with at least one sampling event each month from June to October 2021, pausing in winter and resuming in March through May 2022. We also conducted opportunistic, passive tick sampling in 2021 and 2022 from animals harvested by hunters or captured or collected by researchers and animals housed in animal hospitals, shelters, and farms. All pools of ticks were screened for Rickettsia rickettsii, Rickettsia parkeri, Rickettsia amblyommatis, Ehrlichia ewingii, and Ehrlichia chaffeensis. Active sampling yielded no ticks. Passive sampling yielded 497 ticks comprising Carios kelleyi from pallid bats, Rhipicephalus sanguineus from dogs, mule deer, and Rocky Mountain elk, Otobius megnini from dogs, cats, horses, and Coues deer, Dermacentor parumapertus from dogs and black-tailed jackrabbits, Dermacentor albipictus from domesticated cats, mule deer and Rocky Mountain elk, and Dermacentor spp. from American black bear, Rocky Mountain elk, and mule deer. One pool of D. parumapterus from a black-tailed jackrabbit in Luna County tested positive for R. parkeri, an agent of spotted fever rickettsiosis. Additionally, a spotted fever group Rickettsia was detected in 6 of 7 C. kelleyi pools. Two ticks showed morphological abnormalities; however, these samples did not test positive for any of the target pathogens, and the cause of the abnormalities is unknown. Passive surveillance yielded five identified species of ticks from three domestic and six wild mammal species. Our findings update tick distributions and inform the public, medical, and veterinary communities of the potential tick-borne pathogens present in southern New Mexico. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ixodid ticks are distributed across all countries of the Western Balkans, with a high diversity of species. Many of these species serve as vectors of pathogens of veterinary and medical importance. Given the scattered data from Western Balkan countries, we have conducted a comprehensive review of available literature, including some historical data, with the aim to compile information about all recorded tick species and associated zoonotic pathogens in this region. Based on the collected data, the tick fauna of the Western Balkans encompasses 32 tick species belonging to five genera: Ixodes, Haemaphysalis, Dermacentor, Rhipicephalus and Hyalomma. A range of pathogens responsible for human diseases has also been documented, including viruses, bacteria and parasites. In this review, we emphasize the necessity for integrated surveillance and reporting, urging authorities to foster research by providing financial support. Additionally, international and interdisciplinary collaborations should be encouraged that include the exchange of expertise, experiences and resources. The present collaborative effort can effectively address gaps in our knowledge of ticks and tick-borne diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alectorobius species are soft ticks primarily infesting birds, such as swallows, while Dermacentor species are hard ticks mainly infesting mammals, such as small ruminants. This study for the first time reported on the morphological and molecular bases of two tick species, namely A. coniceps and a Dermacentor sp. in Pakistan. The former species was examined in swallows' nests in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, while the latter species was examined in small ruminants in Balochistan province. In total, 25 ticks were collected, with 14 ticks morphologically identified as A. coniceps (males = 9 and females = 5) and 11 ticks identified as Dermacentor sp. (males = 7 and females = 4). Following morphological identification, molecular identification was gained by obtaining 16S rDNA and cox1 sequences for these ticks. The BLAST results for the 16S rDNA and cox1 sequences from A. coniceps shared a maximum identity of 97.46% and 96.49% with the same species from Malta. The BLAST analysis of the 16S rDNA and cox1 sequences from Dermacentor sp. showed maximum identities of 98.42% and 97.45% with Dermacentor pavlovskyi from China. The phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rDNA and cox1 of A. coniceps showed a close evolutionary relationship with the same species. The case of Dermacentor sp., based on 16S DNA and cox1, indicated a close evolutionary relationship with Dermacentor pavlovskyi from China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Brucellosis is a sanitary and economically relevant disease affecting humans, livestock, and wildlife. Ticks have been suggested as vectors, long-term carriers, and amplifiers of Brucella. In this study, ticks from wildlife ungulate hosts living in hunting reserves of a central region of Spain were collected during a 6-year period, pooled, and screened for Brucella spp. by PCR. Aiming to correlate Brucella spp. DNA presence in ticks with Brucella spp. infections in wildlife ungulate hosts, liver samples from deceased wildlife ungulates coming from the hunting reserves showing a positive result for Brucella in ticks were tested using a commercial ELISA. In total, 229 tick pools from wild boar (Sus scrofa, n = 176; 76.8%, 95% CI 70.9%–81.8%), red deer (Cervus elaphus, n = 40; 17.4%, 95% CI 13.1%–22.9%), mouflon (Ovis orientalis musimon, n = 7; 3.06%, 95% CI 1.49%–6.17%), and fallow deer (Dama dama, n = 6; 2.62%, 95% CI 1.21%–5.60%) were analyzed. PCR results showed that 3.93% (95% CI 2.08%–7.30%) tick pools (9/229) from 16.6% hunting reserves (7/41) screened yielded a positive PCR result for Brucella. All positive ticks were Dermacentor (Dermacentor marginatus or Dermacentor reticulatus) collected from wild boar. Ticks collected from wild boars were positive to Brucella in a relative percentage of 5.10% (95% CI = 1.61–11.4) in 2018 and of 7.59% (95% CI = 2.79–15.6) in 2021 (6-year prevalence of 5.17%, 9/176). ELISA showed positive results in three wild boars coming from two out of seven hunting reserves (28.5%) with a positive PCR for Brucella in ticks. To conclude, Brucella spp. DNA can be detected in Dermacentor ticks parasitizing wild boars living in hunting reserves harboring Brucella spp.-seropositive wild boars. This study provides evidence that the contribution of arthropod vectors should be considered in the epidemiology of brucellosis in wildlife. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dermacentor reticulatus is tick species with an expanding geographical range in Europe, which creates the possibility of spreading microorganisms of significant veterinary and medical importance. The study aimed to investigate the prevalence and genetic diversity of Rickettsia spp., Babesia spp., Borrelia spp. and Anaplasma phagocytophilum in adult D. reticulatus ticks from the Eastern European population in the urban and the natural biotopes of north-eastern Poland. Microorganisms were detected by PCR and identified by DNA sequencing. The overall infection rate of at least one of the pathogens was 29.6%. The predominantly was Rickettsia spp. (27.1%) (with R. raoultii—9.1%) followed by Babesia spp. (2.4%) with B. canis (1.5%) as the most frequent. Based on 18S rRNA gene sequence, three B. canis genotypes were revealed. The prevalence of R. raoultii and B. canis was significantly higher in ticks from natural biotopes. The infection rates of B. afzelii and A. phagocytophilum were determined at 0.9% and 0.3%, respectively. Co-infections were detected in 3.8% of infected ticks. In diagnosing tick-borne diseases in humans, tick-borne lymphadenopathy should not be excluded. The prevalence of different genotypes of B. canis suggests differences in the clinical picture of canine babesiosis in the area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ticks are obligate ectoparasites and vectors of a variety of pathogens in humans and animals. Certain tick-borne pathogens (TBPs) have been identified as the cause of zoonoses, posing potentially significant threats to the human health and livestock industries. Fungi are one of the major TBPs that can affect ticks and cause disease in humans. At present, there are few studies on the diversity of fungal microbial communities carried by Ixodes. Therefore, profiling tick-borne fungi will contribute to understanding the tick-fungal interaction. This study evaluated the community profile and differences in the fungal microbiome in Ixodidae collected on parasitic ticks or nonparasitic ticks in Wuwei, Gansu Province, China. The Shannon index, Simpson index, and Richness index were used to evaluate the diversity of mycobiome. Principle coordinates analysis (PCoA) was conducted to determine patterns of diversity in mycobiome. Using correlation analysis to determine the correlation of mycobiome. The results show that the high-throughput sequencing of the internal transcribed spacer gene generated 3,634,943 raw reads and 7,482 amplicon sequence variants. The dominant tick species in this region was Dermacentor nuttalli (Ixodidae). The mycobiome belonged to four classes—Dothideomycetes, Sordariomycetes, Ustilaginomycetes, and Tremellomycetes—and more than 261 genera, the most abundant genera were Cladosporium, Purpureocillium, Aureobasidium, Tranzscheliella, and Sporormiella. Alpha diversity indicated that the abundance and evenness of mycobiome were marginally higher in nonparasitic ticks than in parasitic ticks. PCoA showed that the community structures of parasitic ticks vary from nonparasitic ticks, samples from nonparasitic ticks tended to cluster more closely than those from the parasitic ticks. Correlation analysis indicated that there was a significant positive correlation or negative correlation between the mycobiome. Our results indicate that the mycobiome carried by Dermacentor nuttalli had rich diversity, and there was a significant difference in mycobiome between parasitic ticks and nonparasitic ticks. These findings may conducive to understand the complex interaction between ticks and commensal fungi and provide help for the further exploration of the behavioral characteristics of ticks and formulation of effective biological control measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Ticks are responsible for transmitting several disease-causing agents to humans and animals, including those causing Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever. Human protection from tick bites relies on personal protection tactics for preventing or minimizing tick feeding. One common method is the use of chemicals for repelling or killing ticks. This study sought to assess the repellent capability of the tick-killing compound, nootkatone, which is found in natural sources like grapefruit oil, against adult ticks in a laboratory setting. Nootkatone can be found in two main structural arrangements in nature, resulting in the ability to distinguish between a (+) isomer and a (−) isomer. The (+) isomer has a lower odor threshold (and is therefore more potent in its fragrance) and was chosen for use in this study. Adult females of three tick species, the American dog tick (Dermacentor variabilis), the blacklegged tick (Ixodes scapularis), and the lone star tick (Amblyomma americanum), were repelled by nootkatone at different concentrations. Blacklegged ticks were most susceptible to this compound, not only being repelled at very low nootkatone concentrations, but also experiencing significant mortality when checked 24 h after exposure. American dog ticks and lone star ticks required much higher concentrations to repel and were not killed by the brief exposures. These experimental results indicate that nootkatone may be used in a dual action killing/repelling role against adult ticks, with particularly strong effects against blacklegged ticks. Ticks are vectors of many human and animal zoonotic disease-causing agents causing significant global health and economic strain. Repellents and acaricides are integral to the human capacity for personal protection from tick bites. Nootkatone, a naturally occurring sesquiterpene found in the Alaskan cedar tree, grapefruit, and other sources, has been documented to be a potent acaricide. Research has also noted repellent effects against some tick species. In this study, our aim was to investigate the effect of synthetic, high-purity (+)-nootkatone on adult Ixodes scapularis, Dermacentor variabilis, and Amblyomma americanum ticks in an in vitro, vertical filter paper bioassay. (+)-nootkatone showed compelling tick repellency, but median effective concentrations (EC50) significantly differed among species. Ixodes scapularis were repelled at very low concentrations (EC50 = 0.87 ± 0.05 µg/cm2). Higher concentrations were required to repel D. variabilis (EC50 = 252 ± 12 µg/cm2) and A. americanum (EC50 = 2313 ± 179 µg/cm2). Significant post-exposure mortality, assessed 24 h after repellency trials, was also observed in I. scapularis but was absent entirely in D. variabilis and A. americanum. These tests demonstrate that nootkatone has a promising dual-action personal protection capacity against adult I. scapularis ticks, warranting further investigation in more natural environments and in the presence of host cues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background:Ehrlichia canis is transmitted by ticks causing Canine monocytic ehrlichiosis, which is considered one of the most critical tickborne pathogens. Materials and Methods: This study aimed to identify by PCR technique E. canis in ticks associated with dogs from urban and rural homes in Nuevo Leon, Mexico. The study was conducted at 13 localities in eight municipalities from 2012 to 2021. Results: A total of 1873 ticks of three species were captured: Amblyomma tenellum, Dermacentor variabilis, and Rhipicephalus sanguineus s.l. The overall infection rate of E. canis in ticks was 59.12% (149/252). Of the 15 sequences, three haplotypes were identified. Conclusion: The urban transmission cycle of canine ehrlichiosis is demonstrated, where the potential vector is the tick R. sanguineus s.l. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A comparison was made of the supercooling points (SCPs) of questing Dermacentor variabilis adults from two populations located ca. 800 km apart on the Canadian prairies. This is also the first study to examine whether there are seasonal fluctuations in the SCP of questing D. variabilis adults. The SCPs of adult ticks from Lizard Lake Community Pasture, a recently established population in west-central Saskatchewan, varied over spring and summer, with the median SCP warming over time. In addition, the SCPs of ticks from Lizard Lake Community Pasture were significantly higher than those of adult ticks collected from Sandy Hook in Manitoba, a population that has been established for decades. The off-host survival of adults from Sandy Hook between summer and spring has been shown previously to be significantly greater than that of adults from Lizard Lake Community Pasture. The findings of the present study suggest that there may be geographical variation in the SCPs of D. variabilis adults which may be associated with differences in overwinter survival. The relatively low SCPs of questing D. variabilis adults, and the ability of some adults to survive off-host during winter, may be factors contributing to the range expansion of this tick species in Canada. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: As tick-borne diseases rise to become the second most prevalent arthropod-transmitted disease globally, the increasing investigations focus on ticks correspondingly. Factors contributed to this increase include anthropogenic influences, changes in vertebrate faunal composition, social-recreational shifts, and climatic variation. Employing the 16S gene sequence method in next-generation sequencing (NGS) allows comprehensive pathogen identification in samples, facilitating the development of refined approaches to tick research omnidirectionally. Methods: In our survey, we compared the microbial richness and biological diversity of ticks in Wuwei City, Gansu province, differentiating between questing ticks found in grass and parasitic ticks collected from sheep based on 16S NGS method. Results: The results show Rickettsia, Coxiella, and Francisella were detected in all 50 Dermacentor nuttalli samples, suggesting that the co-infection may be linked to specific symbiotic bacteria in ticks. Our findings reveal significant differences in the composition and diversity of microorganisms, with the Friedmanniella and Bordetella genera existing more prevalent in parasitic ticks than in questing ticks (p  <  0.05). Additionally, the network analysis demonstrates that the interactions among bacterial genera can be either promotive or inhibitive in ticks exhibiting different lifestyles with the correlation index |r|  >  0.6. For instance, Francisella restrains the development of 10 other bacteria in parasitic ticks, whereas Phyllobacterium and Arthrobacter enhance colonization across all tick species. Discussion: By leveraging NGS techniques, our study reveals a high degree of species and phylogenetic diversity within the tick microbiome. It further highlights the potential to investigate the interplay between bacterial genera in both parasitic and questing ticks residing in identical habitat environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Canine babesiosis is a common disease in the northern part of the Republic of Kazakhstan, in particular in the Kostanay region. In recent years, a large number of cases of the disease with a variety of clinical symptoms have been registered. Aim: The purpose of the study was to monitor the spread, characterization, and identify the Babesia species involved of Babesia species in ticks and blood of dogs in the Kostanai region. Methods: The research work began in 2017 with the study of the spread of babesiosis in dogs in the Kostanay region according to the reports of veterinary clinics. The collection of ticks from the territory and from dogs was carried out in 2017–2021. Results: As a result of the research work, the presence in the city and some areas of the Kostanay region of two species of ixodid Dermacentor reticulatus and Dermacentor marginatus, was established. Of these, one species was identified in dogs, which serves as a carrier of canine babesiosis—D. reticulatus. In all 31 DNA samples from the blood of dogs diagnosed with babesiosis, a fragment of the 18S rRNA gene was amplified. The nucleotide sequence was obtained for 30 samples (96.8%), in one sample a low luminescence intensity of a specific PCR product was observed. Two Babesia canis haplotypes were distinguished on the basis of two nucleotide substitutions (GA→AG) observed in the sequences of the 18S rRNA gene. Conclusions: In conclusion, the results of this study provide insight into the distribution of B. canis haplotypes in dogs in the Kostanay region, and canine babesiosis is caused solely by the large Babesia species B. canis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Haemaphysalis longicornis feeds on four synanthropic rodent species. • Haemaphysalis longicornis and Amblyomma americanum use large animals as hosts. • Striped skunks, Mephitis mephitis , are a major host for H. longicornis. • New species record for New Jersey, USA: Ixodes marxi found on eastern gray squirrels. The northeastern United States (US) is a hotspot for tick-borne diseases. Adding to an already complex vector landscape, in 2017 large populations of the invasive Haemaphysalis longicornis , the Asian longhorned tick, were detected in New Jersey (NJ) and later found to be widespread from Connecticut to Georgia. In its native range in northeastern Asia, H. longicornis is considered an important vector of deadly pathogens to humans, companion animals, and livestock. To identify the primary hosts of H. longicornis, we surveyed synanthropic small and medium-sized mammals in three different sites in suburban New Brunswick, NJ. Specifically, we collected approximately 9,000 tick specimens belonging to nine species from 11 different species of mammals sampled between May and September 2021. We found that H. longicornis feeds more frequently on rodents than previously thought, and that this invasive tick is likely exposed to important enzootic and zoonotic pathogens. Overall, we obtained detailed information about the seasonal dynamics and feeding patterns of six tick species common in the northeastern US, Haemaphysalis longicornis , Amblyomma americanum, Dermacentor variabilis, Ixodes scapularis, Ixodes texanus and Ixodes cookei. We found that unlike I. scapularis that feeds on mammals of all sizes, H. longicornis feeds on hosts following the general pattern of A. americanum , favoring larger species such as skunks, groundhogs, and raccoons. However, our survey revealed that unlike A. americanum , H. longicornis reaches high densities on Virginia opossum. Overall, the newly invasive H. longicornis was the most numerous tick species, both on multiple host species and in the environment, raising significant questions regarding its role in the epidemiology of tick-borne pathogens, especially those affecting livestock, companion animals and wildlife. In conclusion, our findings provide valuable insights into the tick species composition on mammalian hosts in NJ and the ongoing national expansion of H. longicornis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this note, I report on my observations of a pair of Canada Jays (Perisoreus canadensis) gathering live engorged female Winter Ticks (Dermacentor albipictus) from the recent bed of a yearling Moose (Alces alces) and flying into the adjacent woods to cache the ticks before returning for more. The Moose bed was on snow and contained loose hair and blood-stained snow as well as the engorged ticks. I found 12 additional beds on snow during the next 48 h within 250 m of the original bed, and all contained loose hair and blood-stained snow, but no ticks. Jays may routinely visit Moose beds on snow in spring because they recognize them as a potential source of food. Moose, however, may not be present during spring in many jay territories, so access to engorged ticks at beds is probably opportunistic and unreliable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Dermacentor ticks have a wide geographic range with an uneven distribution in the globe. They are not scientifically well known because they survive in hard topographic and harsh climatic regions along with elevated mountains. Many mammals serve as a primary host for Dermacentor ticks, like many other tick species. The present study aimed to provide the first morphological and molecular confirmation of Dermacentor marginatus and its related pathogens like Anaplasma marginale and Rickettsia raoultii in Pakistan. In this study, a total of 26 specimens (19 males and 7 females) were collected from goats and morphologically identified. A subset of 18 specimens were subjected for the molecular characterization of ticks and associated pathogen detection. In the BLAST and phylogenetic analyses, D. marginatus and their associated pathogen sequences showed close resemblance with their corresponding species. In the present study, we reported the first genetic characterization of D. marginatus and associated A. marginale and R. raoultii in Pakistan. Due to the difficult access and harsh climate, it is important to investigate the ticks and related pathogens in the northern parts of Pakistan due to their zoonotic threats. Ticks of the genus Dermacentor Koch, 1844 (Acari: Ixodidae) are poorly known systematically due to their habitation in harsh topographic environments and high mountains. Dermacentor ticks are diversely distributed in the Palearctic, Nearctic, and Oriental regions. There is no available information on the occurrence of Dermacentor marginatus in Pakistan; thus, the current investigation aimed the first morphological and molecular confirmation of this species and associated Anaplasma marginale and Rickettsia raoultii. Ticks were collected from goats (Capra hircus) and morphologically identified. Genomic DNA was extracted from 18/26 (69.23%) tick specimens, including 11 males and 7 females (1 unfed and 6 fed females). Extracted DNA was subjected to PCR for the amplification of genetic markers like 16S rDNA and cox1 for ticks, 16S rDNA for Anaplasma spp., and gltA and ompB for Rickettsia spp. A total of 26 D. marginatus ticks composed of 19 males (73.07%) and 7 females (26.9%) [1 (3.84%) unfed and 6 (23.07%) fed females] were collected from goats. According to amplicons via BLAST analysis, the 16S rDNA sequence showed 97.28–98.85% identity and the cox1 sequence showed 95.82–98.03% identity with D. marginatus. Additionally, the 16S rDNA sequence for Anaplasma sp. was detected in D. marginatus that showed 100% identity with Anaplasma marginale. Rickettsial gltA and ompB sequences for Rickettsia sp. showed 100% identity with Rickettsia raoultii. In phylogenetic analysis, ticks' 16S rDNA and cox1 sequences clustered with the same species. In phylogenetic analysis, A. marginale based on 16 rDNA clustered with A. marginale, while gltA and ompB sequences clustered with R. raoultii. This is the first study on the genetic characterization of D. marginatus and associated A. marginale and R. raoultii in Pakistan. The northern areas of Pakistan, which need to be explored in terms of ticks and associated pathogens due to their zoonotic threats, have been neglected due to the inaccessible climatic conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The Scalp Eschar and Neck Lymph Adenopathy After a Tick Bite (SENLAT) syndrome is frequently caused by Rickettsia slovaca and Rickettsia raoultii. Only six microbiologically confirmed SENLAT cases have been reported in Italy between 1996 and 2021. We report ten cases of SENLAT seen between 2015 and 2022 in a tertiary care center in Tuscany, Italy. Cases presentation: All patients were women; most common symptoms were scalp eschar on the site of tick bite (100%) and cervical lymphadenopathy (90%). No microbiological identification was obtained. Persistent alopecia, for several months to years, was observed in four patients. The known difficulty of microbiological diagnosis in SENLAT was worsened, in our cases, by factors as the absence of ticks available for identification and microbiological study, and antibiotic treatment administration previous to microbiological tests. Conclusion: The report highlights the presence of SENLAT in Italy, aiming to raise the awareness toward the emergence of this clinical entity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]