VIII. Academic Studies Congress | Andizhan, Uzbekistan

First Detection of Providencia rettgeri, Colpodellidae spp, Ehrlichia spp, and Rickettsia hoogstraalii in Ticks Infesting Goats of Pakistan: Unveiling Emerging Zoonotic Threats

Not scheduled

20m

Description

First Detection of Providencia rettgeri, Colpodellidae spp, Ehrlichia spp, and Rickettsia hoogstraalii in Ticks Infesting Goats of Pakistan: Unveiling Emerging Zoonotic Threats
Abstract
Ticks are among the most significant hematophagous ectoparasites and vectors of infectious diseases, second only to mosquitoes, with the capacity to transmit a wide range of pathogens to humans, animals, and birds. This study aims to molecularly screen ticks and their associated pathogens infesting goats (Capra hircus) in Pakistan. We examined 202 goats across seven districts in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province between January 2022 to June 2023. Using the phenol-chloroform technique, we extracted DNA and subsequently amplified it to detect pathogen presence with 16S, gltA, and ompA primers. Tick DNA was also amplified for species confirmation using the 12S rDNA partial sequence. Our findings revealed a mean tick abundance of 6.44% per goat. A total of 1,305 ticks were identified, both morphologically and molecularly, as Hyalomma anatolicum, Hy. excavatum, Haemaphysalis sulcata, and Hae. punctata. The ticks comprised 361 females, 323 males, 286 larvae, and 198 nymphs. District Buner exhibited the highest tick prevalence, followed by Kohistan, Chitral, Hazara, Bannu, Karak, and Lakki Marwat. Notably, we identified several pathogenic microorganisms, including the human opportunistic Providencia rettgeri and Colpodella spp., with significant implications for human health. Additionally, the tick-borne pathogens Ehrlichia spp. and Rickettsia hoogstraalii were also detected. This study presents the first report of human pathogenic microbes in ticks infesting goats in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province of Pakistan, underscoring potential public health risks and the importance of zoonotic disease transmission. This study contributes to the expanding knowledge of tick-borne pathogen epidemiology, emphasizing its critical relevance to both wildlife and human health. Our findings contribute to the expanding knowledge of tick-borne pathogens and their impact on both wildlife and human health.
Keywords: Tick-borne pathogens, Epidemiology, Providencia rettgeri, Colpodella spp., Ehrlichia spp, Rickettsia hoogstraalii.