Epidemiological survey on pet dog ticks (Rhipicephalus turanicus sensu stricto) and their blood samples in Korla, northwestern China

Abstract

Background Pet dogs pose a potential risk to transmitting zoonotic pathogens by ticks. however information about the prevalence status in pet dog of Tick-borne diseases is currently limited. Result In the study, 196 blood samples and 223 parasitic ticks were collected from pet dogs in Korla, northwestern China. Based on morphological and molecular characteristics, all ticks were identified as Rhipicephalus turanicus sensu stricto.We used primers targeting the 16S ribosomal(16S rRNA) for detection of Anaplasma bovis species, targeting the small subunit 18S ribosomal RNA gene (18S rRNA) for detection of Hepatozoon canis species and targeting htpAB-associated repetitive element gene (IS111) for detection of Coxiella burnetii species The nPCR-positive products were sequenced, aligned, and phylogenetically analyzed. Three tick-borne pathogenic bacteria were detected in the samples. Coxiella burnetii were detected both in parasitic ticks and in blood samples with a detection rate of 17.93% (40/233) in ticks and 79.1% (155/196) in blood samples, followed by 21.52% Hepatozoon canis (48/233) in tick, 2.5% Anaplasma bovis (5/196) in blood samples. Conclusion This study provided molecular evidence for the occurrence of A. bovis, H. canis and C. burnetii circulating in pet dogs and their parasitic ticks in northwestern China. Understanding the prevalence of Tick-borne diseases in pet dog is essential for developing effective strategies for disease control and management.