New geographical records for tick‐borne pathogens in ticks collected from cattle in Benin and Togo. Issue 1 (12th December 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Yessinou, Roland Eric; Cazan, Cristina Daniela; Panait, Luciana Cătălina; Mollong, Eyabana; Biguezoton, Abel S.; Bonnet, Sarah Irène; Farougou, Souaïbou; Groschup, Martin H.; Mihalca, Andrei Daniel
• Is Part Of: Veterinary medicine and science. Volume 9:Issue 1(2023)
• Page Start: 345
• Page End: 352
• Publication Date: 2022-12-12
• Subjects: bacteria -- public health -- Rickettsia aeschlimannii -- tick -- West Africa; Veterinary medicine -- Periodicals; Animal Diseases; Veterinary medicine; Periodicals; Periodicals; 636.08905
• DOI: 10.1002/vms3.1022
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2053-1095

Abstract

Abstract: Background: Ticks are obligate hematophagous arthropods capable of transmitting a great variety of endemic and emerging pathogens causing diseases in animals and humans. Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of Bartonella spp., Rickettsia spp., Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (s.l.) and Anaplasma phagocytophilum in ticks collected from cattle in Benin and Togo. Methods: Overall, 396 (148 males, 205 females and 43 nymphs) ticks were collected from cattle in 17 districts (Benin and Togo) between 2019 and 2020. Ticks were pooled into groups of 2–6 ticks per pool according to individual host, location, species and developmental stage. The DNA of each pool was extracted for molecular screening. Results: PCR results revealed that 20 tick pools were positive for Bartonella spp. (Benin and Togo) and 23 tick pools positive for Rickettsia spp. (Benin), while all pools were negative for A. phagocytophilum and B. burgdorferi s.l. Sequence analysis of positive Rickettsia samples revealed the presence of Rickettsia aeschlimannii . Conclusions: The present study highlights the presence of zoonotic agents in ticks collected from cattle in Benin and Togo. This information will raise awareness of tick‐borne diseases among physicians and veterinarians, stimulate further studies to monitor these pathogens, and advise on necessary measures to control the spread of these zoonoses. Abstract : A total of 396 ticks were collected from cattle between 2019 and 2020, and divided in pools (two to six ticks per pool) for molecular screening. The present study highlights the presence of zoonotic agents in ticks collected from cattle in Benin and Togo.