Ticks continue to facilitate the spread of pathogens that affect both humans and domestic animals. Domestic dogs interact with humans and other domestic animals, playing a crucial role in the spread of ticks and tick-borne pathogens. This study examined the diversity of tick species infesting domestic dogs and the occurrence of tick-borne pathogens in the Upper East region. Domestic dogs were randomly selected and examined for tick infestation. The sampled ticks were morphologically identified, pooled and screened for tick-borne pathogens using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and Sanger sequencing. From the 93 dogs examined, all 749 ticks collected were adult Rhipicephalus sanguineus. Out of the 177 tick pools screened, pathogen DNA was detected in 43 pools (24.29%). The identified pathogens were uncultured Anaplasma sp. (14.12%), Ehrlichia canis (7.34%), Rickettsia conorii subsp. israelensis (3.95%) and Coxiella burnetii (2.82%). Factors such as dog age or sex, or tick sex, did not influence the occurrence of a tick-borne pathogen (p > 0.05). This study reports the first molecular detection of R. conorii subsp. israelensis in Ghana. The occurrence of zoonotic pathogens suggests an increased risk to dog owners and a need to adopt protective measures to prevent infection spread. These findings highlight the importance of integrated tick control, improved diagnostic capabilities and epidemiological surveillance in Ghana to reduce the burden of tick-borne diseases on animal and human health.

In order to assess the spreading of tick-borne bacteria and protozoa in a protected area largely frequented by people and in which numerous domestic and wild animals live, molecular analyses were carried out in ticks collected from fallow deer (Dama dama) to detect Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Borrelia sp., Coxiella burnetii, Francisella tularensis, Hepatozoon sp., and piroplasms. A total of 148 tick pools, for a total of 475 ticks collected from fallow deer and identified as female adult Ixodes ricinus, were submitted to DNA extraction and different PCR assays. One hundred and two (68.92%) pools were positive for one or more pathogens: three (2.02%) for C. burnetii, 21 (14.19%) for Borrelia sp., 35 (23.64%) for piroplasms, and 87 (58.78%) for A. phagocytophilum. All tick pools were negative for F. tularensis and Hepatozoon sp. Sixty-seven (45.27%) pools were positive for only one investigated pathogen, whereas in 35 (23.64%) pools DNA of two or more pathogens were found. Sequencing analyses identified 28 piroplasm amplicons as Theileria sp. OT3 and seven amplicons as possible Theileria cervi. Sequencing of the 21 Borrelia amplicons identified six samples as B. miyamotoi and eight as B. lusitaniae, whereas seven amplicons had 100% homology with a Borrelia sp. found in France and 99.37% with a B. theileri strain detected in Zambia. Monitoring tick-borne pathogens in ticks is pivotal to assess the spread of these microorganisms, the evolution of their epidemiology, and the risk of infections for animals and humans.

Molecular detection and characterization of vector-borne pathogens in domestic cats (Felis catus) in Türkiye: The first report of Coxiella burnetii from cats in Türkiye.

Retraction: Coxiella burnetii in Humans and Ticks in Rural Senegal.

Background Borrelia burgdorferi , the agent of Lyme disease, has been found to co-localize in Alzheimer's disease autopsy brain tissues with biofilm, amyloid, and phosphorylated tau. Objective To determine whether dapsone combination therapy (DCT), a biofilm/persister antibiotic regimen with good central nervous system penetration can improve p-tau and peripheral inflammatory markers in a patient with chronic Lyme disease (CLD)/post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome (PTLDs). Methods A 67-year-old female with CLD/PTLDs, and Ehrlichia , Babesia , Bartonella , and Coxiella burnetii had a 15-year history of joint pain with inflammation and mild cognitive impairment despite prior treatment with doxycycline. She was checked for changes in peripheral inflammation, i.e., rheumatoid factors (RFs) and changes in serum p-tau181, p-tau 217, and amyloid-β (Aβ) 42:40 ratios before and after treatment with DCT. Results Elevated RFs at 20 IU/mL decreased into normal range three months post treatment accompanied by a decrease in pain with improved flexibility. An initially elevated serum p-tau 217 level in the blood at 0.33 pg/mL (normal range <0.15 pg/mL) prior to using DCT normalized, decreasing to 0.12 pg/mL three months post therapy, while p-tau 181 levels remained within normal limits. Aβ ratios simultaneously improved post DCT increasing from 0.185 pg/mL to 0.216 (normal range >0.170) accompanied by subjective improvements in concentration and recall. Conclusions This is the first case study proving that a short term, biofilm/persister drug regimen, i.e., DCT, can potentially improve peripheral autoantibodies (RFs) and pathological triggers of neuroinflammation (p-tau, Aβ) in a patient with CLD/PTLDs.

In January 2020 Coxiella (C.) burnetii was detected in a small goat flock after the observation of a weak born kid, an abortion as well as a malformed kid. All animals older than 3 months were subsequently primarily vaccinated with Coxevac (2x three weeks apart) until May 2020 and were revaccinated once in October/November 2020 and in May 2021. Young animals were primarily vaccinated annually except for 2023. Surveillance was performed by qPCR-testing of milk samples, vaginal and preputial (genital swabs, GT), nasal (NT) and environmental swabs (UT). Vaccination was controlled by blood and milk samples which were analyzed for phase-(PhI, PhII)-specific antibodies. Data were compared with those that had been collected in a seronegative goat herd in the course of vaccination. The load of C. burnetii steadily decreased in all types of samples until June 2020. Weak positive samples were detected until November (milk) and December 2020 (GT). Two NT tested weak-positive (5 C.b./NT) in May and December 2021. No persistent infection was observed. The detection rate in UT was high until April 2020 (24/24), remained stable during the rest of the year (31/40) and slowly decreased during the following years: 12/24 (2021), 5/16 (2022), 2/8 (2023), 1/8 (2024), and 0/8 (2025). Unexpectedly, vaccination only significantly increased the PhI-titers while PhII-titers remained stable. In contrast, in seronegative kids in the case- and adults in the control-herd vaccination induced a significant increase of PhII- titers while almost no PhI- titers were observed. No short-term effect of vaccination was observed, therefore prophylactic vaccination is very important. A quantitative interpretation is required for environmental samples, these samples are valuable to verify the lack of infection. Positive results may be confirmed by NT or GT. NT are equivalent to GT, and they are collected more easily.

Haemaphysalis punctata is a widespread Palearctic tick species, yet its role in the circulation of tick-borne pathogens in Türkiye remains poorly characterized. No systematic pathogen survey has previously been conducted on host-seeking individuals of this species. This study aimed to provide the first comprehensive molecular investigation of bacterial, protozoan, and viral tick-borne pathogens (TBPs) in questing H. punctata populations in Central and Northeastern Anatolia. A total of 96 host-seeking adult H. punctata were collected from 29 sampling sites in 11 districts across seven provinces. DNA and RNA extracts were screened using a multi-agent polymerase chain reaction (PCR)--sequencing panel targeting a broad range of TBPs. Positive amplicons were sequenced for species identification, and complete genome sequencing was performed for the detected Burana virus strain. Phylogenetic analyses were conducted using maximum-likelihood and Bayesian approaches. Microorganisms detected included Babesia major (5.21%), Theileria orientalis (1.04%), an uncharacterized Ehrlichia sp. (1.04%), and spotted fever group rickettsiae (3.13%) comprising Candidatus Rickettsia yenbekshikazakhensis and Rickettsia hoogstraalii. Coxiella burnetii was identified at the highest prevalence (20.83%), representing the first detection of this agent in questing H. punctata in Türkiye. Several ticks carried mixed infections. Notably, Burana virus was detected in one specimen-marking the first confirmed occurrence of this orthonairovirus outside Central Asia. Complete S, M, and L segment genomes were recovered, and phylogenetic analyses showed a close-though not identical-relationship to strains from Kyrgyzstan and Xinjiang. This study provides the first systematic assessment of TBPs in host-seeking H. punctata in Türkiye and documents, for the first time in this species, the presence of Burana virus, Candidatus R. yenbekshikazakhensis, T. orientalis, and C. burnetii. The findings highlight H. punctata as an underrecognized but epidemiologically relevant tick species in Anatolia and reveal previously undocumented microorganism circulation, with important implications for surveillance of emerging viral and zoonotic threats.

The southern region of Poland, rich in natural and tourist attractions, encourages outdoor recreation and spending time in nature. Ongoing climate change, including global warming, has contributed to an increased abundance of ticks and an extended period of their seasonal activity. Consequently, the number of tick-borne disease cases continues to rise, and their diagnosis and treatment are often challenging and prolonged. The aim of this study is to summarize current knowledge on the occurrence of ticks in tourist areas of southern Poland and to raise public health awareness among individuals engaged in tourism and recreation, particularly regarding tick presence and the tick-borne diseases they transmit. To achieve the above goal, a review of available scientific and review articles on tick fauna and their role in the transmission of tick-borne disease pathogens in southern Poland was conducted. Electronic databases such as PubMed and Google Scholar were used in the literature analysis. The presence of ticks belonging to the family Ixodidae (Ixodes ricinus, Ixodes vespertilionis), Amblyommidae (Dermacentor reticulatus), and Argasidae (Argas reflexus, Argas polonicus) has been confirmed. In ticks collected from vegetation and humans in southern Poland, the presence of the following pathogens has been confirmed: Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Babesia microti, Toxoplasma gondii, tick-borne encephalitis virus, Ehrlichia chaffeensis/Ehrlichia muris, Rickettsia spp., and Coxiella burnetii, as well as various coinfections. Knowledge of tick distribution and the pathogens they transmit plays a key role in assessing the risk of human and animal exposure to tick-borne diseases. Equally important is the dissemination of information on preventive strategies and protective measures against tick bites. The presence of ticks in recreational and tourist areas underscores the need for ongoing educational activities concerning ticks and tickborne diseases in southern Poland.

Strategies for developing multi-epitope subunit vaccines against tick-borne protozoa and bacteria.

Q fever is an underrecognised zoonosis with significant global and regional variation. Data on its burden in North India are limited. This study aimed to determine the frequency and clinical profile of Q fever among patients presenting with acute febrile illness in a tertiary care hospital in Kashmir. A hospital-based study was conducted over 18months in which patients with fever ≤3weeks were enrolled after excluding other defined infections. Serum and whole blood samples were tested for Coxiella burnetii using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for phase I/II immunoglobulin M (IgM) and IgG antibodies and conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting the IS1111a gene. Demographic and clinical data were analysed using SPSS version 22.0 and R software, with statistical significance set at p<0.05. Of 96 patients, 15.6% were positive by ELISA, PCR or both. The highest positivity occurred in the 31-40y age group (45%; p=0.002). The Ganderbal (35.3%) and Srinagar (18.5%) districts showed the highest prevalence (p=0.043). Significant association was observed with a shorter hospital stay (p<0.001). IgG phase II ELISA demonstrated better sensitivity (50%) than IgM phase II ELISA (25%), while PCR provided early detection. A frequency of 15.6% for Q fever was observed, especially in the adult age group. PCR outperformed serological assays in early detection, while IgM phase II ELISA showed poor sensitivity. Strengthened clinical suspicion, enhanced diagnostic capacity and integrated One Health surveillance are essential for effective control.

Acute undifferentiated febrile illness (AUFI) is a challenging clinical condition in tropical regions, caused by a broad range of pathogens. In Villeta municipality, Colombia, data on neglected bacterial causes remain scarce, highlighting the need to expand understanding of the local etiological spectrum. Thus, the aim of the present study was to explore the presence of the neglected pathogens, Bartonella, Borrelia, and Coxiella burnetii, as potential causes of AUFI in Villeta. DNA was extracted from whole-blood samples from febrile patients. Quality and purity were assessed spectrophotometrically and by conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Bartonella, Borrelia, and C. burnetii were detected using genus- and species-specific quantitative PCR (qPCR) assays. Bartonella-positive samples were further analyzed by multigene PCRs and sequencing for species identification. Anti-Bartonella and anti-C. burnetii immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies were evaluated by indirect immunofluorescence to assess recent or past exposure to these agents. A total of 41 febrile patients were evaluated. Bartonella DNA was detected in 9.8% (4/41) of samples. No Borrelia or C burnetii DNA was detected. Phylogenetic analysis revealed two distinct clades, although none could be assigned to species level. Serological analysis showed anti-Bartonella IgG antibodies in 29.3% (12/41) of cases, with 9.8% (4/41) exhibiting seroconversion. One patient presented both molecular and seroconversion evidence of recent Bartonella infection. None of the patients were seropositive for C. burnetii. This study provides the first molecular and serological evidence of Bartonella circulation among febrile patients in Villeta, Colombia, revealing genetically distinct lineages and indicating both active and past infections, underscoring its potential role in AUFI.

Q fever is a zoonotic infection caused by the bacterium Coxiella burnetii. French Guiana, largely covered by the Amazon rainforest, is considered a hyper-endemic region. While ruminants are the primary reservoirs worldwide, the reservoir in French Guiana remains debated, likely relying on wild fauna. This study aimed to identify spatiotemporal clusters of human Q fever in the Cayenne area and investigate their relationships with environmental factors using remote sensing data. A retrospective study was conducted on acute Q fever human cases from January 2007 to December 2017. Cases were aggregated into regular grids, and explanatory variables derived from remote sensing data or local sources. Clusters were identified using spatial autocorrelation and spatiotemporal scanning. A generalized Poisson additive model was applied for explanatory modelling. A total of 513 cases of acute Q fever were aggregated within 1205 analysis units. Spatial and spatiotemporal analyses identified six clusters, all classified as hotspots. An epicentre was detected at the base of 'Mont Rémire' in the municipality of 'Rémire-Montjoly'. Several risk factors were associated with the occurrence of acute Q fever cases: proximity to forests (edf: 4.05), wild live mammals watching (edf: 1.00), slaughterhouse (edf: 6.11), density of potentially unfit housing (edf: 6.53) and spatial distribution (edf: 2.00). This study identifies priority areas where public health actions and research efforts should be focused, including slaughterhouses, farms and the surrounding wildlife.

Epidemiological investigation of Coxiella burnetii in farms after an outbreak of Q fever in slaughterhouse workers.

Q fever vaccines – a Veterinary Perspective

Umbilical cord torsion (UCT) is the most frequent pathology of the equine umbilical cord (UC) and a prominent cause of abortion, yet objective data on its features remain limited. This study compared UCT with clinically normal pregnancies (CNP) to (i) identify gross and histological features of the UC and fetal membranes, (ii) determine whether UCT is associated with fetal growth restriction, and (iii) rule out infectious aetiologies. Gross and histological features of the UC, chorioallantois and amnion were compared between groups. Fetal weight and crown-rump length were analysed relative to gestational age. Inflammatory infiltrates were evaluated and PCR screened chorioallantoic tissue for equine herpesviruses, Chlamydia psittaci, Coxiella burnetii and Leptospira spp. Alternating reddening and blanching on the amniotic UC was observed in all UCT cases and absent from CNP (p<0.001). Less specific, yet significant, features included amniotic UC stretch marks, membrane congestion, increased visibility of UC stromal vasculature, villous mineralisation, and karyorrhexis. The UCT cords were longer (total length 81.1cm 95% CI 77.7-84.6 vs. 54.2cm 95% CI 49.5-59.0, p<0.001), with a larger intraamniotic portion (p=0.04). Fetal weight did not differ significantly between groups (p=0.08), but crown-rump length was reduced in UCT (p=0.01). No significant inflammatory infiltrates were detected, and all screened samples tested negative for equine herpesviruses, C. burnetii and C. psittaci. This study defines UCT by reproducible gross and histological features and introduces a diagnostic matrix for improved assessment of risk factors and mechanisms of UCT abortion.

ABSTRACT: Innovative solutions to Q-fever challenges in a rural-remote Australian setting

IntroductionTicks are globally recognised as the second most important vectors of infectious diseases, posing significant threats to human and animal health. Haemaphysalis parva (Acari: Ixodidae) is frequently reported infesting humans and domestic animals and has been experimentally demonstrated to transmit Babesia ovis, with field associations to ovine babesiosis during the colder months. It has also been reported to harbour several zoonotic pathogens, including Coxiella burnetii, Francisella tularensis, and various Rickettsia species. Here, we aim to report the complete mitochondrial genome of Haemaphysalis parva (Ixodida: Ixodidae), a zoonotic tick species with significant public health relevance in Türkiye. MethodsFor this purpose, we isolated total genomic DNA from H. parva and sequenced using Illumina HiSeq 2000 platform, raw reads were processed, and then the mitogenome was assembled using the Geneious R9 program with "map to reference" and verified via "de novo assembly" options.Results and DiscussionThe mitogenome of H. parva is a circular DNA molecule of 14,843bp, comprising the canonical 37 genes (13 PCGs, 22 tRNAs, and 2 rRNAs) and two major non-coding regions (312bp and 304bp). Strand-specific compositional bias revealed a strong A + T enrichment (77.8%) and pervasive negative AT- and GC-skew values, diverging from the typical skew profiles observed in most arthropods and possibly reflecting lineage-specific replication asymmetries. All PCGs exhibited AT-biased codon usage, preferentially encoding hydrophobic amino acids. Several genes (cox1, cytB, nd2, nd6) showed dN/dS ratios > 1, suggesting positive adaptive evolution. Comparative mitogenomic analysis of 27 Haemaphysalis species confirmed overall structural conservation but identified a rearranged nd1-rrnS gene block relative to the Ixodes reference genome. Collinearity and synteny analyses revealed multiple conserved sequence blocks, including a putative humanin-like ORF within the rrnL gene region, indicating potential dual-coding or regulatory elements within non-PCG regions.

Neglected zoonoses, including Q fever, brucellosis, chlamydiosis, and toxoplasmosis, pose significant health risks to both animals and humans, particularly in low-resource settings. This study assessed their seroprevalence and risk factors in small ruminants across five Ethiopian districts. Among the 1,402 animals tested, 16.5% were seropositive for Coxiella burnetii (Q fever), 6.8% were seropositive for Brucella spp., 8.8% were seropositive for Chlamydia abortus, and 11.4% were seropositive for Toxoplasma gondii, with 5.3% showing mixed infections. At the flock level, 76.8% harbored at least one pathogen, and 45.2% tested positive for multiple infections. Mixed-effects logistic regression identified key risk factors. Animals in lowland pastoral systems had a significantly lower risk of C. burnetii exposure (OR: 0.2; 95% CI: 0.08–0.6, p = 0.01). Similarly, households that culled abortive animals presented a reduced infection risk (OR: 0.6; 95% CI: 0.4–0.9, p = 0.05). In contrast, the agropastoral system was linked to a lower likelihood of Brucella exposure (OR: 5.8; 95% CI: 2.1–16.5; p = 0.001). The risk of toxoplasmosis was greater in mixed crop–livestock systems (OR: 10.4; 95% CI: 1.0–109; p = 0.05) and sheep and goat mixed flocks (OR: 7.6; 95% CI: 1.0–61.2; P = 0.05). The high seroprevalence of these zoonoses in Ethiopian small ruminants underscores their significant public health and economic impact. The widespread flock-level burden and frequent coinfections highlight ongoing transmission risks, reproductive losses, and challenges in disease control. Variations in exposure across production systems emphasize the role of management practices in disease dynamics. Given the multipathogen burden, targeted interventions should move beyond single-disease approaches and adopt integrated control strategies within a One Health framework to mitigate risks for both livestock and human populations.

Tick-borne pathogens pose a significant threat to human health. In this study, a multiple droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) assay was developed to detect four tick-borne pathogens: Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (Bbsl), Coxiella burnetii (C. burnetii), spotted fever group Rickettsia (SFGR), and Borrelia miyamotoi (B. miyamotoi). Based on the singleplex ddPCR reaction system of Bbsl, the primer probes of the other three species were incorporated to develop a multiplex ddPCR reaction system. The annealing temperature and the final concentration of the primer probes were then optimized for multiplex ddPCR. The multiplex ddPCR assay was assessed for its sensitivity, specificity, repeatability, and ability to detect simulated and actual samples. The developed multiplex ddPCR approach enables the simultaneous detection of Bbsl, C. burnetii, SFGR, and B. miyamotoi. The positive target microtitre clusters are closely grouped and distinctly separated from each other, with the multiplex ddPCR assay demonstrating a dynamic range of five orders of magnitude. The limits of detection (LOD) for the multiplex ddPCR assay were 4 copies/20 µL for Bbsl, 3 copies/20 µL for C. burnetii, 3 copies/20 µL for SFGR, and 2 copies/20 µL for B. miyamotoi. The assay demonstrated high specificity, with no observed cross-reactivity against non-target pathogens. Performance was validated using both spiked samples and field-collected clinical specimens. In the evaluation of 30 ticks and 30 serum samples, the ddPCR method (in both singleplex and multiplex formats) achieved higher positive detection rates for all four target pathogens compared to quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR). In addition, the detection proportions of multiplex and singleplex ddPCR were consistent. Multiplex ddPCR can detect low DNA concentrations in samples and enables the absolute quantification of Bbsl, C. burnetii, SFGR, and B. miyamotoi, providing a novel detection approach for the clinical diagnosis of tick-borne diseases.

Coxiella burnetii, the causative agent of Q fever, is a zoonotic pathogen that poses significant public health and veterinary concerns worldwide. This study aimed to determine the seroprevalence of C. burnetii infection in sheep raised in the Central Anatolia region of Türkiye. A total of 3,000 blood serum samples were collected from 100 sheep farms located in eight provinces (Afyonkarahisar, Aksaray, Antalya, Burdur, Isparta, Karaman, Konya, and Niğde). Samples were tested using a commercial ELISA kit (IDEXX Q fever Ab Test), and the results were interpreted according to the manufacturer’s guidelines. Of the 3,000 serum samples analyzed, 279 tested positive, yielding an overall individual seroprevalence rate of 9.3%. Provincial seroprevalence varied widely, ranging from 1.5% in Antalya to 18.9% in Niğde. These differences may be associated with regional variations in animal husbandry practices, biosecurity levels, and climatic conditions. The use of ELISA, as recommended by the WOAH, provided a reliable screening method for detecting C. burnetii-specific antibodies. This study highlights the presence and regional distribution of C. burnetii infection in sheep farms in Central Anatolia. Given the zoonotic potential and often subclinical nature of the disease, regular serological monitoring is essential for disease control and prevention strategies. The findings contribute valuable data for veterinary epidemiology and public health policy development in Türkiye.