Tickborne pathogen detection, Western Siberia, Russia

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Entomology
• Infectious Diseases
• Molecular Biology

Background:

• Ticks are significant vectors for various zoonotic pathogens.
• Understanding tick-borne pathogen prevalence is crucial for public health and veterinary medicine.
• Western Siberia is a region with a high density of Ixodid ticks.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the prevalence of Borrelia, Anaplasma/Ehrlichia, Bartonella, and Babesia spp. in Ixodes persulcatus and Dermacentor reticulatus ticks from Western Siberia.
• To identify specific species and strains of detected pathogens.
• To assess the co-infection rates within tick populations.

Main Methods:

• Collection of Ixodes persulcatus (n=125) and Dermacentor reticulatus (n=84) ticks from Western Siberia.
• DNA extraction from tick samples.
• Detection of pathogens using nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays.
• Sequencing of PCR products for pathogen identification and characterization.

Main Results:

• Ixodes persulcatus ticks showed high infection rates with Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (37.6%), Bartonella spp. (37.6%), Ehrlichia muris (8.8%), and Anaplasma phagocytophilum (2.4%).
• Dermacentor reticulatus ticks were infected with Bartonella spp. (21.4%), Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (3.6%), and Babesia canis canis (3.6%).
• Specific Borrelia species like B. garinii and B. afzelii were identified in I. persulcatus, while B. garinii NT29 was found in D. reticulatus. Babesia spp. were absent in I. persulcatus, but B. canis canis was detected in D. reticulatus.

Conclusions:

• Ixodes persulcatus and Dermacentor reticulatus ticks in Western Siberia harbor a diverse range of clinically significant tick-borne pathogens.
• The findings indicate a substantial risk of pathogen transmission to humans and animals in this region.
• Further epidemiological studies are warranted to understand the transmission dynamics and public health implications of these findings.