Diversity and genotypic analysis of tick‐borne pathogens carried by ticks infesting horses in Korea. Issue 2 (29th September 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Seo, M.‐G.; Kwon, O.‐D.; Kwak, D.
• Is Part Of: Medical and veterinary entomology. Volume 35:Issue 2(2021)
• Page Start: 213
• Page End: 218
• Publication Date: 2020-09-29
• Subjects: Ehrlichia -- horse tick -- phylogeny -- Rickettsia -- Theileria -- tick‐borne pathogens; Entomology -- Periodicals; Veterinary entomology -- Periodicals; Insects as carriers of disease -- Periodicals; 616.968
• DOI: 10.1111/mve.12483
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0269-283X

Abstract

Abstract: Ticks account for an extensive range of health and welfare issues in horses. In addition, tick‐borne pathogens (TBPs) limit global animal trading and equine sporting events. Here, we assess the prevalence, co‐infectivity and risk factors of TBPs in horse ticks in Korea. A total of 245 hard ticks, including 103 male and 142 female adults, were obtained from horses on Jeju Island during the spring to autumn seasons of 2013– 2019. All collected ticks were identified as adult Haemaphysalis longicornis . We screened and analyzed each tick for the presence of several TBPs by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis. Among the 245 ticks, we detected genes for three TBPs, Candidatus Rickettsia longicornii (22.9%), Ehrlichia canis (0.4%) and Theileria luwenshuni (0.4%), while Anaplasma spp. was not detected. TBPs were most prevalent in ticks harvested during the autumn season, and more abundant in the female than male adults. This is the first report of the genera Ehrlichia, Rickettsia and Theileria in horse ticks in Korea. TBPs in horse ticks are likely a reservoir for zoonotic transmission to other animals, including humans. Our findings demonstrate the need for further understanding of the prevalence and epidemiology of TBPs in wild and domestic animals. Abstract : Haemaphysalis longicornis was the most prevalent tick species infesting horses on Jeju Island in Korea. Tick‐borne pathogens in horse ticks are likely a reservoir for zoonotic transmission to other animals, including humans. This is the first study of the genera Ehrlichia, Rickettsia and Theileria in horse ticks in Korea.