Molecular Detection ofspp. andspp. in Ticks Collected from Livestock in Ardabil Province, Northwestern Iran.

Abstract

BACKGROUND: andare among the most important tick-borne parasites causing zoonotic diseases worldwide. Due to the suitable geographical conditions and the extensive livestock industry in Ardabil Province, this study aimed to the molecularly identify tick-borne parasites in northwestern Iran in 2024. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, a comprehensive examination was conducted on 841 ticks collected from livestock to detect the presence ofspp. andspp. The study utilized polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting thegene, followed by sequencing to identify the tick-borne parasites. Sequence analysis was conducted using the data available in GenBank (PV449773, PV449749, PV493067, PV494101, and PV494132). Mega software (version 11) was used for genetic analysis. RESULTS: A total of 841 ticks belonging to 211 herds of livestock were collected from 12 counties of Ardabil Province. Eleven tick species belonging to six genera were identified. The most abundant hard tick species was(42.26%), while the most abundant soft tick species was(98.93%). PCR method analyses showed that out of 26 pooled samples, 6 (23.07%) pools were positive forspp., and 4 (15.38%) pools were positive forspp. CONCLUSION: This study confirmed the presence ofspp. andspp. parasites in ticks collected from Ardabil Province. The results demonstrated the occurrence of these pathogens, posing a potential risk to both livestock and human health. These findings highlight the need for continuous monitoring and preventive measures to control tick-borne diseases in the region.