Molecular Detection of <i>Rickettsia</i> spp. and Other Tick-Borne Pathogens in Ticks from a Nature Reserve: Implications for Zoonotic Transmission
Ticks are a major concern for both animal and human health, as they are primary vectors of infectious pathogens. This study focused on ticks found in a nature reserve in southern Italy, highly frequented for recreational activities and inhabited by wild boars. Using molecular techniques, 214 ticks,...
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2024-12-01
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| Series: | Animals |
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| author | Santina Di Bella Valeria Blanda Silvia Scibetta Ilenia Giacchino Antonino Gentile Giuseppina Chiarenza Vincenza Cannella Giovanni Provinzano Francesca Grippi Annalisa Guercio |
| author_facet | Santina Di Bella Valeria Blanda Silvia Scibetta Ilenia Giacchino Antonino Gentile Giuseppina Chiarenza Vincenza Cannella Giovanni Provinzano Francesca Grippi Annalisa Guercio |
| author_sort | Santina Di Bella |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Ticks are a major concern for both animal and human health, as they are primary vectors of infectious pathogens. This study focused on ticks found in a nature reserve in southern Italy, highly frequented for recreational activities and inhabited by wild boars. Using molecular techniques, 214 ticks, including questing ticks and those removed from wild boars, were examined for tick-borne pathogens (TBPs), with a focus on zoonotic pathogens. Six tick species were identified: <i>Hyalomma lusitanicum</i>, <i>Rhipicephalus pusillus</i>, <i>Rh. sanguineus s.l.</i>, <i>Rh. bursa</i>, <i>Rh. turanicus</i>, and <i>Dermacentor marginatus</i>, several of which are known vectors of zoonotic pathogens. Overall, 14% of ticks were positive for TBPs, mainly bacteria of <i>Rickettsia</i> genus. Molecular analyses detected <i>Rickettsia slovaca</i>, <i>R. massiliae</i>, <i>Candidatus</i> R. shennongii, <i>R. conorii</i>, <i>R. felis</i>, and <i>R. barbariae</i>. Additionally, single detections of <i>Coxiella burnetii</i> and <i>Theileria annulata</i> were recorded. Phylogenetic analyses were conducted on <i>Rickettsia</i> sequences. The range of ticks and TBPs present in this area highlights potential public health concerns. New associations between tick species and TBPs were documented, though vector roles need further investigation. The study highlights the importance of monitoring tick populations in both rural and urban environments to protect public health and prevent tick-borne disease spreading. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-381c80269205456d89eb1b5a540b052d |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2076-2615 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-12-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Animals |
| spelling | doaj-art-381c80269205456d89eb1b5a540b052d2025-01-10T13:13:58ZengMDPI AGAnimals2076-26152024-12-011517210.3390/ani15010072Molecular Detection of <i>Rickettsia</i> spp. and Other Tick-Borne Pathogens in Ticks from a Nature Reserve: Implications for Zoonotic TransmissionSantina Di Bella0Valeria Blanda1Silvia Scibetta2Ilenia Giacchino3Antonino Gentile4Giuseppina Chiarenza5Vincenza Cannella6Giovanni Provinzano7Francesca Grippi8Annalisa Guercio9Centro di Referenza Nazionale per Anaplasma, Babesia Rickettsia, Theileria (C.R.A.Ba.R.T.), Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia “A. Mirri”, 90129 Palermo, ItalyCentro di Referenza Nazionale per Anaplasma, Babesia Rickettsia, Theileria (C.R.A.Ba.R.T.), Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia “A. Mirri”, 90129 Palermo, ItalyCentro di Referenza Nazionale per Anaplasma, Babesia Rickettsia, Theileria (C.R.A.Ba.R.T.), Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia “A. Mirri”, 90129 Palermo, ItalyArea Diagnostica Sierologica, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia “A. Mirri”, 90129 Palermo, ItalyCentro di Referenza Nazionale per Anaplasma, Babesia Rickettsia, Theileria (C.R.A.Ba.R.T.), Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia “A. Mirri”, 90129 Palermo, ItalyArea Diagnostica Sierologica, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia “A. Mirri”, 90129 Palermo, ItalyCentro di Referenza Nazionale per Anaplasma, Babesia Rickettsia, Theileria (C.R.A.Ba.R.T.), Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia “A. Mirri”, 90129 Palermo, ItalyRiserva Naturale Monte Pellegrino, Ente Gestore Associazione Ranger d’Italia Sezione Sicilia ODV, 90146 Palermo, ItalyArea Diagnostica Sierologica, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia “A. Mirri”, 90129 Palermo, ItalyCentro di Referenza Nazionale per Anaplasma, Babesia Rickettsia, Theileria (C.R.A.Ba.R.T.), Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia “A. Mirri”, 90129 Palermo, ItalyTicks are a major concern for both animal and human health, as they are primary vectors of infectious pathogens. This study focused on ticks found in a nature reserve in southern Italy, highly frequented for recreational activities and inhabited by wild boars. Using molecular techniques, 214 ticks, including questing ticks and those removed from wild boars, were examined for tick-borne pathogens (TBPs), with a focus on zoonotic pathogens. Six tick species were identified: <i>Hyalomma lusitanicum</i>, <i>Rhipicephalus pusillus</i>, <i>Rh. sanguineus s.l.</i>, <i>Rh. bursa</i>, <i>Rh. turanicus</i>, and <i>Dermacentor marginatus</i>, several of which are known vectors of zoonotic pathogens. Overall, 14% of ticks were positive for TBPs, mainly bacteria of <i>Rickettsia</i> genus. Molecular analyses detected <i>Rickettsia slovaca</i>, <i>R. massiliae</i>, <i>Candidatus</i> R. shennongii, <i>R. conorii</i>, <i>R. felis</i>, and <i>R. barbariae</i>. Additionally, single detections of <i>Coxiella burnetii</i> and <i>Theileria annulata</i> were recorded. Phylogenetic analyses were conducted on <i>Rickettsia</i> sequences. The range of ticks and TBPs present in this area highlights potential public health concerns. New associations between tick species and TBPs were documented, though vector roles need further investigation. The study highlights the importance of monitoring tick populations in both rural and urban environments to protect public health and prevent tick-borne disease spreading.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/15/1/72ticks<i>Rickettsia</i>tick-borne pathogensPiroplasmids<i>Coxiella burnetii</i>zoonosis |
| spellingShingle | Santina Di Bella Valeria Blanda Silvia Scibetta Ilenia Giacchino Antonino Gentile Giuseppina Chiarenza Vincenza Cannella Giovanni Provinzano Francesca Grippi Annalisa Guercio Molecular Detection of <i>Rickettsia</i> spp. and Other Tick-Borne Pathogens in Ticks from a Nature Reserve: Implications for Zoonotic Transmission Animals ticks <i>Rickettsia</i> tick-borne pathogens Piroplasmids <i>Coxiella burnetii</i> zoonosis |
| title | Molecular Detection of <i>Rickettsia</i> spp. and Other Tick-Borne Pathogens in Ticks from a Nature Reserve: Implications for Zoonotic Transmission |
| title_full | Molecular Detection of <i>Rickettsia</i> spp. and Other Tick-Borne Pathogens in Ticks from a Nature Reserve: Implications for Zoonotic Transmission |
| title_fullStr | Molecular Detection of <i>Rickettsia</i> spp. and Other Tick-Borne Pathogens in Ticks from a Nature Reserve: Implications for Zoonotic Transmission |
| title_full_unstemmed | Molecular Detection of <i>Rickettsia</i> spp. and Other Tick-Borne Pathogens in Ticks from a Nature Reserve: Implications for Zoonotic Transmission |
| title_short | Molecular Detection of <i>Rickettsia</i> spp. and Other Tick-Borne Pathogens in Ticks from a Nature Reserve: Implications for Zoonotic Transmission |
| title_sort | molecular detection of i rickettsia i spp and other tick borne pathogens in ticks from a nature reserve implications for zoonotic transmission |
| topic | ticks <i>Rickettsia</i> tick-borne pathogens Piroplasmids <i>Coxiella burnetii</i> zoonosis |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/15/1/72 |
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