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

Abstract

Ticks are the main hematophagous arthropods and obligatory ectoparasites that are considered a vector of serious pathogensfor animals and humans. The aims of the present survey were to assess the prevalence and diversity of ticks in cattle in Southeast Iranand to determineCoxiella burnetiiin the ticks. From May 2014 to April 2015, 583 ticks were collected randomly from 257 cattle. Nestedtrans-PCR was performed to detectC. burnetii . The overall prevalence of hard tick infestation on cattle was 56.8%. In total, seven differentspecies were identified:Rhipicephalus sanguineussensu lato (32.6%),Hyalomma anatolicum(28.8%),Hyalomma excavatum(19%),Hyalomma dromedarii(11.9%),Rhipicephalus bursa(2.9%),Hyalomma asiaticum(2.7%), andHyalomma marginatum(2.1%). Four outof 83 tick pools consisting ofH. anatolicum ,H. excavatum , andR. sanguineussensu lato tested positive forC. burnetiiin nested trans- PCR assay. This study is the first report ofC. burnetiiin ticks infesting cattle by nested trans-PCR assay and shows their role as putativevectors and reservoirs for this pathogenic agent in Iran.