Omid GHASHGHAEI, Saeid Reza NOUROLLAHI-FARD, Mohammad KHALILI, Hamid SHARIFI

A survey of ixodid ticks feeding on cattle and molecular detection of Coxiella burnetii from ticks in Southeast Iran

Ticks are the main hematophagous arthropods and obligatory ectoparasites that are considered a vector of serious pathogens for animals and humans. The aims of the present survey were to assess the prevalence and diversity of ticks in cattle in Southeast Iran and to determine Coxiella burnetii in the ticks. From May 2014 to April 2015, 583 ticks were collected randomly from 257 cattle. Nested trans-PCR was performed to detect C. burnetii. The overall prevalence of hard tick infestation on cattle was 56.8%. In total, seven different species were identified: Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato (32.6%), Hyalomma anatolicum (28.8%), Hyalomma excavatum (19%), Hyalomma dromedarii (11.9%), Rhipicephalus bursa (2.9%), Hyalomma asiaticum (2.7%), and Hyalomma marginatum (2.1%). Four out of 83 tick pools consisting of H. anatolicum, H. excavatum, and R. sanguineus sensu lato tested positive for C. burnetii in nested trans-PCR assay. This study is the first report of C. burnetii in ticks infesting cattle by nested trans-PCR assay and shows their role as putative vectors and reservoirs for this pathogenic agent in Iran.

Keywords:

Tick Coxiella burnetii, cattle, nested trans-PCR, Iran,

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