Detection of Two Species of the Genus Parapoxvirus (Bovine Papular Stomatitis Virus and Pseudocowpox Virus) in Ticks Infesting Cattle in Burkina Faso.

Achille Ouedraogo,Abel Biguezoton,Olivier Zannou,Rémi Charrel,Claude Saegerman,Laetitia Lempereur,Léa Luciani,Laurence Thirion,Adrien Belem,Laura Pezzi

doi:10.3390/microorganisms8050644

Abstract

The molecular identification of arboviruses in West Africa is of particular interest, due to their zoonotic potential in a population living in close contact with livestock, and in a region where the livestock migration across borders raises the risk of diseases infection and dissemination. The aim of the study was the screening of potential circulating arboviruses and the assessment of their zoonotic implications. Therefore, ticks were collected on cattle located in three provinces of eastern Burkina Faso. Tick pools were tested using a panel of genus-specific real-time assays targeting conserved regions of parapoxvirus, orthopoxvirus, flavivirus and phlebovirus. On the 26 farms visited, a total of 663 ticks were collected. Four genera and six tick species were morphologically identified, with Amblyomma variegatum and Hyalomma spp. being the most represented species. No arboviruses were found. However, this study highlights the presence of pseudocowpox virus (8.2%) and bovine papular stomatitis virus (5.8%) among the positive tick pools. BPSV positive ticks were found in herds sharing water and pastures resources and with a history of seasonal transhumance. Therefore, common grazing and the seasonal transhumance are likely to support the transmission of the virus. This could have important health and economic impacts, especially regarding transboundary cattle movements.

Highlights

In West Africa, cattle farming is of great importance, as it generates income for a large part of the population [1]
The aim of this study is to provide information on arboviruses circulating in ticks infecting cattle in eastern Burkina Faso
Some areas are completely unexplored regarding these diseases, which is the case in Eastern Burkina Faso

Summary

Introduction

In West Africa, cattle farming is of great importance, as it generates income for a large part of the population [1]. The main vector is represented by Hyalomma tick species infesting wild and domestic ruminants This disease could affect humans; primarily farmers, veterinarians and others coming in contact with livestock and infected ticks [4,6,7]. In addition to the arboviruses, the family of poxviridae, mainly represented by the genera parapoxvirus and orthopoxvirus, includes viruses affecting livestock animals and humans such as the pseudocowpox virus (PCPV) and the bovine papular stomatitis virus (BPSV). They cause mild diseases in cattle, they are able to induce a significant loss of productivity [8,9]. This disease is well known on the African continent, where it is transmitted by flies and ticks [10,11]

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Conclusion