Bovine ticks harbour a diverse array of microorganisms in Pakistan

Ghafar, Abdul; Cabezas-Cruz, Alejandro; Galon, Clémence; Obregón, Dasiel; Gasser, Robin B.; Moutailler, Sara; Jabbar, Abdul

doi:10.1186/s13071-019-3862-4

Cited by 213 publications

(299 citation statements)

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“…Finding ticks that carry DNA of up to seven microorganisms of veterinary and medical significance indicates the level of risk associated with tick infestation to animals as well as humans. Previously, a similar level of co-occurrence of endosymbionts (i.e., Francisella-like and Coxiella-like) and pathogens (belonging to Anaplasma, Babesia, Bartonella, Borrelia, Ehrlichia, Hepatozoon, Rickettsia and Theileria genera) in bovine ticks was reported from the Punjab and Sindh provinces of Pakistan [28]. Similarly, microbiome analyses of Dermacentor silvarum and Ixodes persulcatus ticks from China revealed the presence of up to 29 and 373 bacterial genera, respectively, belonging to endosymbionts and pathogens [68,69].…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 56%

“…Moreover, most of the families in the FATA are living with their animals and there is a general lack of awareness about TBDs of veterinary and public health importance [7]. Our findings and previous reports of rickettsial species from ticks in Pakistan [28] highlight the need to establish a diagnostic surveillance system for zoonotic rickettsial pathogens in this country.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 70%

“…Recently, a micro-chip-based microfluidic real-time PCR technique was developed to detect and differentiate up to 96 microorganisms per tick in a single PCR procedure [31]. This method has been proven to be well-suited for rapid and large-scale epidemiological and surveillance studies [28,[31][32][33][34][35][36] and is anticipated to be an invaluable tool for the detection of microorganisms in ticks from regions such as the FATA.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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An Assessment of the Molecular Diversity of Ticks and Tick-Borne Microorganisms of Small Ruminants in Pakistan

et al. 2020

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This study investigated ticks and tick-borne microorganisms of small ruminants from five districts of the Federally Administered Tribal Area (FATA) of Pakistan. Morphological (n = 104) and molecular (n = 54) characterization of the ticks revealed the presence of six ixodid ticks: Rhipicephalus (Rh.) haemaphysaloides, Rh. microplus, Rh. turanicus, Haemaphysalis (Hs.) punctata, Hs. sulcata and Hyalomma anatolicum. Phylogenetic analyses of nucleotide sequence data for two mitochondrial (16S and cytochrome c oxidase 1) and one nuclear (second internal transcribed spacer) DNA regions provided strong support for the grouping of the six tick species identified in this study. Microfluidic real-time PCR, employing multiple pre-validated nuclear and mitochondrial genetic markers, detected 11 potential pathogens and endosymbionts in 72.2% of the ticks (n = 54) tested. Rickettsia (R.) massiliae was the most common pathogen found (42.6% of ticks) followed by Theileria spp. (33.3%), Anaplasma (A.) ovis and R. slovaca (25.9% each). Anaplasma centrale, A. marginale, Ehrlichia spp., R. aeschlimannii, R. conorii and endosymbionts (Francisella- and Coxiella-like) were detected at much lower rates (1.9–22.2%) in ticks. Ticks from goats (83.9%) carried significantly higher microorganisms than those from sheep (56.5%). This study demonstrates that ticks of small ruminants from the FATA are carrying multiple microorganisms of veterinary and medical health significance and provides the basis for future investigations of ticks and tick-borne diseases of animals and humans in this and neighboring regions.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 56%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 70%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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An Assessment of the Molecular Diversity of Ticks and Tick-Borne Microorganisms of Small Ruminants in Pakistan

et al. 2020

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“…A. marginale has previously been reported in Rh. microplus in Côte d'Ivoire [60], Ecuador [77], India [78] and Pakistan [79]. As for genus Ehrlichia, we recorded for the first time two different genotypes of "E. rustica" in both Rh.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 84%

Molecular Characterization of Some Equine Vector-Borne Pathogens and Identification of Their Vectors in Egypt

Abdullah¹,

Aboelsoued²,

Farag³

et al. 2020

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Background Equine vector borne diseases (EVBD) have been considered emerging and reemerging diseases transmitted by arthropods and most of these diseases have zoonotic concern. This study was designed to screen EVBD in equines and their vectors using molecular analyses and identify vectors by MALDI-TOF and molecular techniques.Methods A total of 335 blood samples were collected from apparently healthy equines (320 from horses and 15 from donkeys) from Cairo and Beni-Suef provinces in Egypt. A total of 166 arthropods (105 sucking flies and 61 ticks) were collected from the same animals. MALDI-TOF and molecular techniques were used to confirm the findings of morphological identification of vector. Quantitative PCR and Standard PCR coupled with sequencing were performed in equines and vectors DNA for screening multiple pathogens.Results MALDI-TOF and molecular techniques confirmed that Hippoposca equina (louse fly), Rhipicephalus annulatus (Rh. annulatus) and Rh. microplus ixodid ticks were found. In vectors, we identified Anaplasma marginale (A. marginale; 1.6%), A. platys-like (1.6%) and a new Ehrlichia sp. (4.9%) in Rh. microplus, while Ehrlichia rustica (E. rustica) was found in Rh. microplus and Rh. annulatus. Likewise, Borrelia theileri was identified in Rh. microplus (3.3%). For H. equina, Anaplasma and Borrelia sp. DNA were detected by qPCR only. In equines, A. marginale (0.6%), A. ovis (0.6%) and Theileria ovis (T. ovis; 0.6%) were found in donkeys. In horses, T. equi (1.2%) and a new Theileria sp. Africa (2.7%) were identified.Conclusions For the first time, we reported here the presence of Rh. microplus as a competent tick for Rh. annulatus in Egypt using MALDI-TOF and molecular identification. To the best of our knowledge, we provided the first detection of different pathogens as A. marginale, A. platys-like, E. rustica, new Ehrlichia sp., B. theileri in Rh. microplus, A. marginale, A. ovis and T. ovis in donkeys and a new Theileria sp. Africa in horses in Egypt.

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“…Farmers did not perceive tick-borne pathogens as a threat (in contrast to AHPs) to their animals, although anaplasmosis, babesiosis and theileriosis are endemic bovine tick-borne diseases (TBD) in Pakistan (83). Recent investigations have demonstrated that bovine ticks carry a diverse array of pathogens, some of which can be zoonotic (84). Losses due to TBDs could be very high in Pakistan, particularly on resource-poor farms.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Participatory Investigation of Bovine Health and Production Issues in Pakistan

et al. 2020

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Systems to record the frequency of animal health events in Pakistan are limited. A participatory approach was used to address gaps in farmers' knowledge and understanding of bovine health and production issues in five agroecological zones (AEZs) of Pakistan. Participatory tools, including simple ranking, pairwise ranking, constraint impact scoring, and constraint profiling were used in group discussions with farmers and animal health professionals (AHPs) in six districts of two provinces, Punjab and Sindh. The results of the ranking activities showed that foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), clinical mastitis, ticks, hemorrhagic septicemia, reproductive disorders, blackleg, and endoparasites were the most important bovine health and production constraints for small-scale dairy farmers. Constraint impact scoring showed that the participants perceived that: (1) milk production was severely affected by FMD and mastitis; (2) blackleg and parasitism led to poor growth rates and reduced meat production; (3) reproductive disorders and mastitis caused major economic losses (due to the high cost of treatment); and (4) blackleg and hemorrhagic septicemia were the leading causes of mortality in cattle and buffaloes. Although there was strong agreement in responses and constraint impact scores between farmers and AHPs, farmers were more concerned about health issues that cause high mortalities, whereas AHPs emphasized the importance of disorders with a high economic impact. Despite socioeconomic differences among AEZs, farmers' knowledge about bovine health and production constraints was similar. The findings from this study revealed that farmers had limited understanding of the risk factors and routes of transmission of various infectious diseases of bovines, which emphasizes the need to develop and implement tailored extension programs in Pakistan to control contagious diseases of animals and to improve the profitability of small-scale dairy farmers.

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Bovine ticks harbour a diverse array of microorganisms in Pakistan

Cited by 213 publications

References 69 publications

An Assessment of the Molecular Diversity of Ticks and Tick-Borne Microorganisms of Small Ruminants in Pakistan

An Assessment of the Molecular Diversity of Ticks and Tick-Borne Microorganisms of Small Ruminants in Pakistan

Molecular Characterization of Some Equine Vector-Borne Pathogens and Identification of Their Vectors in Egypt

A Participatory Investigation of Bovine Health and Production Issues in Pakistan

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