Abstract
Tick-borne diseases (TBDs) indulge in severe economic losses in the livestock industry by adversely affecting the small ruminant breeding in tropical and subtropical zone countries, including Turkey. Turkey encompasses a wide land area representing diverse climatic conditions. The present study explored the presence and distribution of Babesia ovis, Theileria ovis, Theileria lestoquardi, Anaplasma ovis, Anaplasma phagocytophilum and the co-occurrence status of these pathogens. A total of 299 sheep blood samples were collected from fifteen provinces located in six different geographical regions in Turkey. PCR analyses were executed using species-specific primers based on Babesia ovis BoSSU rRNA, Theileria ovis ToSSU rRNA, Theileria lestoquardi 18S rRNA, Anaplasma ovis Major Surface Protein (AoMSP4), and Anaplasma phagocytophilum 16S rRNA genes. Overall, 219 (73.24%) sheep were found to be infected with at least one of the following protozoan and rickettsial pathogens; B. ovis, A. ovis, T. ovis, and A. phagocytophilum. Theileria lestoquardi was not detected in any blood sample. The global prevalence of B. ovis, A. ovis, T. ovis, and A. phagocytophilum was estimated to be 2.68%, 16.05%, 41.47%, and 57.19%, respectively. Besides this, dual (24.41%), triple (9.03%), and quadruple (0.67%) co-infections were detected in the study. Phylogenetic analysis revealed significant nucleotide sequence identities between the sequences obtained in this study and the sequences registered in the GenBank. This study provides relevant data regarding the predominance of ovine tick-borne protozoan and rickettsial agents in Turkey. A high molecular prevalence of tick-borne pathogens (TBPs) was identified in the study. This situation indicates that TBPs should be screened continuously, and necessary control measures should be taken to prevent diseases caused by tick-borne protozoan and rickettsial agents.
Highlights
In the veterinary field, tick-borne diseases (TBDs) are highly significant [1]
The overall prevalences of B. ovis, T. ovis, A. ovis, and A. phagocytophilum were identified as 2.68%, 41.47%, 16.05%, and 57.19%, respectively
We screened ovine tick-borne hemoprotozoan and rickettsial agents in sheep from fifteen different provinces located in six geographical regions of Turkey, and B. ovis, T. ovis, A. ovis, and A. phagocytophilum were identified in blood samples
Summary
Tick-borne diseases (TBDs) are highly significant [1]. Tickborne hemoprotozoan and rickettsial agents hinder animal production in tropical and subtropical zone countries, including Turkey [2]. These agents negatively affect small ruminant breeding by reducing the yield and causing abortions. This, in turn, leads to serious economic losses in the livestock industry [2,3,4]. Several hemoparasitic and rickettsial diseases transmitted by vector ticks could infect small ruminants in Europe [5]. Anaplasmosis, babesiosis, and theileriosis are the main TBDs and pose threats to the small ruminant breeding and livestock economy [1]
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