Molecular identification and characterization of Rickettsia spp. and other tick-borne pathogens in flea from Birjand, Iran

Taji, Pejman; Shirali, Salumeh; Solgi, Rahmat; Sakha, Mehdi

doi:10.22092/ari.2026.371367.3943

Molecular identification and characterization of Rickettsia spp. and other tick-borne pathogens in flea from Birjand, Iran

Articles in Press

Document Type : Original Articles

Authors

¹ Department of veterinary Pathobiology, SR.C., Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.

² Department of biotechnology, Ahv.C.,Islamic Azad University , Ahvaz,Iran

³ . Department of Parasitology and mycology, Infectious Diseases Research Center, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran.

⁴ Department of Clinical Science, SR.C., Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.

10.22092/ari.2026.371367.3943

Abstract

Tick-borne pathogens are of significant threats to both animal and human health worldwide. Among these pathogens, Babesia, theilera and rickettsiae are of particular concern due to their prevalence in cattles. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of TBPs in tick species isolated from cattle of different geographical locations of east of Iran. The study was performed from January to June 2024. A total of 350 ticks were collected from 100 heads of cattle living in the study areas. Blood samples and collected ticks were screened for the presence of TBPs using molecular techniques. From the total 95 ticks collected, 40 (42 %) were morphologically identified as Hyalomma marginatum. and 35 (36.8%) as Dermacentor marginatus, and 20 (21%) Rhipicephalus sanguines. The most frequently detected pathogen in the cattle was rickettsiae, found in 5% (n = 5) of the samples. Other pathogens identified included T. annulata at 4 %. Overall, 7.3% (n = 7/95) of the tick DNA pools tested positive for protozoa. Sequencing results indicated that the tick groups were infected with R. conorii (3%), B. bovis (3%) and T. annulata (1%). This study verifies the presence of multiple vector-borne pathogens (VBPs) in cattle in east of Iran, likely due to their significant exposure to arthropod vectors like ticks. This study highlights the presence of various tick-borne pathogens in cattle and their associated ticks in Iran. The findings indicate the need for necessary surveillance and control measures to reduce the risk of tick-borne diseases in both canine and human populations.

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