Molecular Identification of Rickettsia Species in Ticks Infesting Cattle, Sheep, and Goats from Kerman, Southeastern Iran: Application of Real-Time PCR for Epidemiological Surveillance

Shokooh Saljoughi, Shiva; Hajjafari, Ashkan; Khalili, Mohammad; Arefipoor, Hamide; Nazeria, Fatemeh; Mozaffari, Aliasghar

doi:10.22092/ari.2026.371457.3950

Molecular Identification of Rickettsia Species in Ticks Infesting Cattle, Sheep, and Goats from Kerman, Southeastern Iran: Application of Real-Time PCR for Epidemiological Surveillance

Articles in Press

Document Type : Original Articles

Authors

¹ Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Vet.medicine, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Iran.

² Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Specialized Science, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran

³ Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Vet.medicine, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Iran.

10.22092/ari.2026.371457.3950

Abstract

Background: Rickettsia spp. represent emerging zoonotic pathogens transmitted by arthropods such as ticks, posing considerable implications for public health and livestock management. Although there is growing acknowledgment of their significance in adjacent areas, data from southeastern Iran are still scarce.
Methods: One hundred ticks were collected from cattle, sheep, and goats in Anbarabad, Kerman Province. Genomic DNA extraction was performed, and samples were analyzed for Rickettsia spp. utilizing SYBR Green-based real-time PCR that targets the gltA gene. Amplification profiles and melt curve analysis were utilized to confirm the sensitivity and specificity of detection.
Results: Rickettsia DNA was detected in 15% of ticks overall, with infection rates of 16% in ticks from cattle and 14% in ticks from sheep and goats. These findings confirm the presence of Rickettsia spp. in mixed-livestock systems in Anbarabad, highlighting the circulation of these pathogens across different host species. The observed infection rates suggest a consistent level of exposure among ticks parasitizing various livestock, reinforcing the need for continued surveillance and control measures in such endemic settings.
Conclusions: This study represents one of the few molecular examinations of Rickettsia species conducted in southeastern Iran, offering essential foundational information for future research endeavors. The discovery of a moderate presence of ticks in both cattle and small ruminants underscores the ongoing risk of pathogen spread within mixed-livestock systems, which may facilitate transmission between species. The use of advanced molecular techniques, such as sequencing, is essential for enhancing species-level resolution, clarifying complex epidemiological patterns, and guiding targeted public health strategies in regions where diseases are prevalent.

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