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Liu G, Tan W, Wang H, Han X, Hornok S, Zhao S, Mi L, Wang S, Yang M, Wang Y. The great gerbil (Rhombomys opimus) as a host for tick species in Gurbantunggut Desert. Parasit Vectors 2024; 17:55. [PMID: 38326828 PMCID: PMC10851595 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-024-06160-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 02/09/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Rodents play an important role in the life cycle of ixodid and argasid ticks, particularly as hosts of larvae and nymphs. The great gerbil (Rhombomys opimus), the preferred prey item of several carnivores (e.g. the red fox and marbled polecat), is the dominant rodent species in the Gurbantunggut Desert in northwestern China. The aim of this study was to investigate tick species associated with different hosts in the habitat of great gerbils, including wildlife and livestock. METHODS During 2018-2023, ticks were removed from 326 great gerbils, two red foxes (Vulpes vulpes), three marbled polecats (Vormela peregusna), 35 pastured sheep (Ovis aries), and one long-eared desert hedgehog (Hemiechinus auritus) in the Gurbantunggut Desert. Ticks were identified according to standard morphological keys. Then, they were further analyzed by molecular and phylogenic methods based on two mitochondrial markers, 16S rDNA and cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) genes. RESULTS A total of 889 ticks were collected, representing five species. These included Hyalomma asiaticum (n = 425: 24 larvae, 79 nymphs and 322 adults), Rhipicephalus turanicus (n = 153: 2 nymphs and 151 adults), Haemaphysalis erinacei (n = 298: 4 larvae, 7 nymphs and 287 adults), Ixodes acuminatus (n = 7: 4 nymphs and 3 adults) and Ornithodoros tartakovskyi (6 adults). Based on COI sequences, molecular and phylogenetic analyses showed that (i) I. acuminatus from great gerbils and marbled polecats clustered with I. acuminatus reported from Europe; (ii) O. tartakovskyi found in northwestern China belonged to an independent clade; (iii) Hy. asiaticum, R. turanicus and Ha. erinacei had 100% sequence identities to conspecific ticks sampled previously in China. CONCLUSIONS The great gerbil is an important host for the developmental stages of I. acuminatus, O. tartakovskyi, Ha. erinacei, Hy. asiaticum and R. turanicus, thus supporting the life cycle of several tick species which, as adults, parasitize predators (red fox and marble polecat) as well as pastured sheep and hedgehogs in the Gurbantunggut Desert. Ixodes acuminatus and O. tartakovskyi were found for the first time on great gerbil and marbled polecat, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gang Liu
- Key Laboratory for Prevention and Control of Emerging Infectious Diseases and Public Health Security, The XPCC, School of Medicine, Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, People's Republic of China
| | - Wenbo Tan
- Key Laboratory for Prevention and Control of Emerging Infectious Diseases and Public Health Security, The XPCC, School of Medicine, Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, People's Republic of China
| | - Huiqian Wang
- Key Laboratory for Prevention and Control of Emerging Infectious Diseases and Public Health Security, The XPCC, School of Medicine, Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaoshuang Han
- Key Laboratory for Prevention and Control of Emerging Infectious Diseases and Public Health Security, The XPCC, School of Medicine, Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, People's Republic of China
| | - Sándor Hornok
- Department of Parasitology and Zoology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Budapest, Hungary
- HUN-REN-UVMB Climate Change: New Blood-Sucking Parasites and Vector-Borne Pathogens Research Group, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Shanshan Zhao
- Key Laboratory for Prevention and Control of Emerging Infectious Diseases and Public Health Security, The XPCC, School of Medicine, Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, People's Republic of China
| | - Ligu Mi
- Key Laboratory for Prevention and Control of Emerging Infectious Diseases and Public Health Security, The XPCC, School of Medicine, Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, People's Republic of China
| | - Suwen Wang
- Key Laboratory for Prevention and Control of Emerging Infectious Diseases and Public Health Security, The XPCC, School of Medicine, Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, People's Republic of China
| | - Meihua Yang
- Department of Forest, College of Agriculture, Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuanzhi Wang
- Key Laboratory for Prevention and Control of Emerging Infectious Diseases and Public Health Security, The XPCC, School of Medicine, Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, People's Republic of China.
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Shahhosseini N, Paquette SJ, Kayedi MH, Abaei MR, Sedaghat MM. Genetic Characterization of Sandfly-Borne Viruses in Phlebotomine Sandflies in Iran. Microorganisms 2023; 11:2754. [PMID: 38004764 PMCID: PMC10673459 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11112754] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2023] [Revised: 10/25/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Phleboviruses are classified into two main groups: the sandfly fever group (transmitted by sandflies and mosquitoes) and the Uukuniemi group (transmitted by ticks). Old World sandfly-borne viruses (SBVs) are classified into four main serocomplexes; sandfly fever Naples viruses (SFNVs), sandfly fever Sicilian viruses (SFSVs), Karimabad viruses (KARVs), and Salehabad viruses (SALVs). This study addresses current knowledge gaps on SBVs in Iran by focusing on identification and molecular epidemiology. We used PCR to examine DNA/RNA extracts to identify sandfly species and evaluate for SBV presence. We identified five specimens positive for phleboviruses: one Ph. sergenti for Tehran virus (TEHV), one Ph. papatasi for SFSV, and two Ph. papatasi and one Ph. perfiliewi for KARV. A phylogenetic tree indicated that the TEHV isolate from this study formed a cluster with previous isolates of TEHV, Zerdali virus, and Fermo virus. Meanwhile, the identified SFSV isolate fell in lineage I and was grouped with previous isolates of SFSVs and Dashli virus in Iran. Finally, the KARV isolates from this study formed a monophyletic clade in a sister relationship with other viruses in KARV lineages I and II. This comprehensive study on SBVs in Iran provided new insights into the molecular epidemiology of TEHV, SFSVs and KARVs in this country.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nariman Shahhosseini
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, AB T1K 3M4, Canada;
| | - Sarah-Jo Paquette
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, AB T1K 3M4, Canada;
| | - Mohammad Hassan Kayedi
- Razi Herbal Medicines Research Center, Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, Khorramabad 6814993165, Iran;
| | - Mohammad Reza Abaei
- Department of Medical Entomology and Vector Control, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 141556446, Iran;
| | - Mohammad Mehdi Sedaghat
- Department of Medical Entomology and Vector Control, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 141556446, Iran;
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