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Updated: Jul 29, 2026

Feeding of Ticks on Animals for Transmission and Xenodiagnosis in Lyme Disease Research
Published on: August 31, 2013
Molecular Characterization of Tick-borne Pathogens in Bactrian Camels and Ticks from Gansu Province, China
Hong-Xi Zhao1, Xiao-Qing Zan2, Jin-Zhong Tao2
1College of Animal Science and Technology, Ningxia University, Yinchuan, 750021, People's Republic of China. zhaohongxi2006@163.com.
Purpose:
Ticks are dangerous ectoparasites for humans and other animals, and tick-borne pathogens of Bactrian camels have been epidemiologically surveyed in Gansu Province, China. We aimed to determine the current distribution of tick-borne pathogens among Bactrian camels in Gansu during August 2013 using molecular tools.
Methods:
All ticks underwent morphological identification. We extracted DNA from the blood samples and ticks, screened them for Theileria, Babesia, Anaplasma, and Ehrlichia using standard or nested PCR with specific primers.
Results:
All ticks collected from the skin were identified as Hyalomma asiaticum. The blood and tick samples harbored similar pathogens, including the Theileria species, T. annulata, T. luwenshuni, T. uilenbergi, and T. capreoli, the Anaplasma species A. bovis and uncultured Anaplasma, the Ehrlichia species E. canis and uncultured Ehrlichia, and a new haplotype of Babesia species.
Conclusion:
Our findings of anaplasmataceae and piroplasmida in Bactrian camels in Gansu provide a theoretical basis for deeper investigation into the epidemiology of tick-borne pathogens in these camels.
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