Search Results (155)

Ixodid ticks are vectors for a plethora of pathogens, including the Crimean–Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV), which causes severe disease in humans. Two autochthonous CCHF human cases were reported in 2025 in Greece. The aim of the present study was to gain a better insight into the geographic distribution and prevalence of CCHFV and the related Aigai virus (AIGV) in ticks in Greece. Therefore, 680 ticks (135 Hyalomma and 545 Rhipicephalus ticks) collected during 2024 from livestock (sheep, goats, cattle) and from the environment were tested for CCHFV and AIGV. AIGV was detected in 12 adult Rhipicephalus bursa ticks (12/511, 2.3%), while all Hyalomma ticks and R. bursa nymphs were negative for both viruses. AIGV-positive ticks were collected in May and June from goats and sheep in two distantly located regional units of Greece. AIGV sequences from partial S RNA segment differ from the prototype AIGV strain (AP-92) by 10.3% and 1.4% at the nucleotide and amino acid level, respectively. Integrated surveillance studies are needed in ticks, humans, wild and domestic animals within a One Health framework to gain a better insight into the epidemiology of CCHF in Greece, while clinical research is needed to elucidate the impact of AIGV in public health. Full article

Ticks are vectors of pathogens affecting wildlife, livestock, and humans. Knowledge of their abundance, species composition, and ecological drivers is essential for an understanding of tick-borne disease ecology. In this study, four natural sites in Sicily (southern Italy) were selected, and 39 sampling events from April 2024 to August 2025 yielded 1200 ticks: 407 larvae, 474 nymphs, and 319 adults. Five genera were identified (Dermacentor, Haemaphysalis, Rhipicephalus, Ixodes, and Hyalomma); Rhipicephalus bursa was the most abundant species, followed by Haemaphysalis punctata. Most ticks were collected in spring–summer, except at one site where abundance peaked in autumn–winter. A significant association was found between site and season (p < 0.0001), but tick abundance per sampling event did not differ among sites (p = 0.431) or seasons (p = 0.769). No significant correlations emerged between tick abundance and environmental variants. However, significant associations were detected between site and sex (p < 0.0001), site and developmental stage (p < 0.0001), and species and developmental stage (p < 0.0001). Sites exclusively hosting wild boar showed higher species richness. These findings underscore the ecological complexity of tick populations in Mediterranean protected areas and provide baseline data useful for integrated tick surveillance and wildlife health management. Full article

Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV) is transmitted predominantly through the bite of infected Hyalomma ticks, yet the earliest events at the vector–host–virus interface in human skin remain largely undefined. This review synthesizes current knowledge of human cutaneous structure and immunity, tick feeding biology, and salivary immunomodulation to propose how local skin responses may shape systemic outcomes of CCHFV disease. We detail the roles and permissiveness of major skin-resident and infiltrating cell types, including keratinocytes, melanocytes, Langerhans cells, dermal dendritic cells, monocytes/macrophages, fibroblasts, granulocytes, T cells, B cells, NK cells, and innate lymphoid cells, in antiviral defense and as potential early targets or carriers of CCHFV. Emphasis is placed on how tick saliva components reprogram the cutaneous microenvironment, alter interferon, complement, inflammasome, and cytokine pathways, and may enable saliva-assisted transmission and viral dissemination from the dermis. We highlight mounting evidence from other arboviruses demonstrating that the skin can act as both a barrier and a major amplifying organ, and we extrapolate testable hypotheses on how early cutaneous immune dynamics might influence CCHFV severity and hemorrhagic manifestations. Finally, we outline key knowledge gaps that, if answered, may inform the development of vaccines and therapeutics that harness cutaneous immunity to block systemic spread. Full article

Between 1993 and 2024, a total of 274 hard ticks (Ixodidae) were collected from 138 subterranean localities in Croatia. This study represents the most extensive survey of hard tick fauna in subterranean habitats in Croatia to date. The collected specimens were classified into three genera and seven taxa, including two taxa that could not be identified to the species level (one from the genus Ixodes and one from Haemaphysalis). The genus Ixodes was the most abundant, comprising five taxa, whereas Haemaphysalis and Hyalomma were each represented by a single taxon. The highest diversity of hard ticks was recorded in subterranean habitats in Dalmatia, followed by north-western Croatia and Slavonia. Ixodes vespertilionis Koch, 1844 was the dominant species in the collected sample, representing 81.0% of all specimens, and was recorded in all studied regions. This species was present throughout the entire year, whereas I. hexagonus Leach, 1815 was recorded during nine months, I. frontalis (Panzer, 1798) during four months, and the remaining taxa during shorter periods. The largest number of I. vespertilionis specimens was collected in spring (33.2%), while the lowest number was recorded in winter (16.6%). The record of I. frontalis represents the first documented occurrence of this species in subterranean habitats in Croatia. Full article

Tick-borne diseases are rising across Europe, yet human-biting tick data from the central Balkans remain limited. We analysed ticks removed from patients seeking care after tick bites at centers in Skopje (North Macedonia) and Novi Sad (Serbia) between January 2022 and December 2024, recording species, developmental stage, month of removal, and anatomical attachment site. A total of 1641 ticks were collected (North Macedonia, n = 157; Serbia, n = 1484) and identified morphologically. Six tick species were detected in North Macedonia and eight in Serbia. Ixodes ricinus was dominant in both countries, comprising ~69% of ticks in North Macedonia and >90% in Serbia, while Hyalomma marginatum was found in North Macedonia. Adult females predominated among ticks in North Macedonia (75.8%), whereas nymphs were most frequent among ticks in Serbia (55.6%); between-center comparisons of developmental stage should be interpreted cautiously given the marked sampling imbalance. In both settings, collections peaked in May–June (~64% of annual ticks), indicating highest bite pressure in late spring/early summer. Attachment sites were most commonly the torso and lower extremities, with significant between-country differences and species-/stage-specific patterns most evident in Serbia. These data refine the epidemiology of human tick exposure in two Balkan countries and support targeted seasonal prevention messaging and strengthened regional surveillance. Full article

Jingmen tick virus (JMTV) is a novel flavi-like virus first identified in 2010 in Rhipicephalus microplus in the Jingmen region of Hubei Province, China and has been reported in different Asian countries, Central and South America, Africa, and Europe. Beyond ticks, JMTV has been detected in a range of other arthropods and in vertebrate hosts. In humans, JMTV has been found in patients with Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever in Kosovo and Turkey, and in febrile patients with a history of tick bites in China, suggesting it may be a novel human pathogen. To investigate the presence of JMTV in Italy, we developed a One-step real-time RT-PCR assay and applied it to individually screen 1150 ticks collected from northeastern, central, and southern Italy. JMTV RNA was detected in multiple tick species, including Ixodes ricinus, Rhipicephalus bursa, Rhipicephalus sanguineus s.l., Dermacentor marginatus, and Hyalomma marginatum with a prevalence ranging from 0.52% to 18.42% in questing ticks. The detection of JMTV in ticks from all surveyed areas, indicates that the virus is geographically widespread in Italy. These findings highlight the need for comprehensive surveillance strategies to identify new areas of active virus circulation and to investigate the potential impact of JMTV on public health. Full article

Coxiella burnetii (C. burnetii) is a zoonotic pathogen with significant public and veterinary significance. Whilst livestock are considered as primary reservoirs of the pathogen, ticks play a crucial role in transmission and environmental contamination. Within Namibia, there is serological evidence of pathogen circulation in livestock and wildlife. However, no study has ever been conducted to determine the prevalence of C. burnetii in ticks in Namibia. Thus, this study investigated the prevalence and genetic diversity of C. burnetii in ticks collected from two different ecological settings. A total of 502 ticks (Rhipicephalus, Amblyomma, and Hyalomma) collected from 278 cattle (139 from each of the tropical Zambezi and arid Khomas regions) were screened for C. burnetii using PCR targeting the genus-specific 16S rRNA and the species-specific isocitrate dehydrogenase (icd) genes. Based on the isocitrate dehydrogenase (icd) genes, an overall prevalence of 8% (40/502) was observed for C. burnetii, with significantly higher infection rates observed in the more tropical Zambezi region (11.7%) when compared to the more arid Khomas region (2.8%) [p = 0.0005]. Variation was observed amongst tick species [p = 0.00121], with prevalence being slightly higher in Amblyomma ticks (12.9%) and Hyalomma (10.6%) as compared to Rhipicephalus ticks (3.6%). Phylogenetic analysis based on the icd gene sequences confirmed 99–100% identity with C. burnetii strains from around the world, thus confirming the circulation of this pathogen in ticks, ultimately supporting their potential role in the epidemiology of this pathogen in Namibia. The observed regional prevalence difference could be driven by variation in the ecological factors, with the subtropical climatic conditions of Zambezi likely favoring higher tick infection rates. Our findings highlight the need for One Health–based surveillance to mitigate the risks associated with pathogen risk. This study provides the first molecular evidence of C. burnetii in ticks in Namibia, highlighting their role in the pathogen’s epidemiology and providing relevant information for informed control strategies. Full article

Ticks are important vectors of pathogens affecting humans and animals, posing a serious threat to health. For the first time, we studied the metagenomic profile of the microbial composition of Hyalomma scupense and Hyalomma asiaticum ticks in Kazakhstan. A total of 94 adult H. asiaticum and H. scupense ticks collected from randomly selected cattle in Kazakhstan in 2023 were analyzed. 16S rRNA gene sequencing was performed using the Ion Torrent NGS platform. Taxonomic classification was carried out in the BV-BRC platform with the Kraken2 database. Metagenomic analysis revealed 26 bacterial genera, including both pathogenic and symbiotic taxa. In H. scupense, the dominant groups were Francisella (89.0%), Staphylococcus (76.0%) and Candidatus Midichloria (61.0%), while in H. asiaticum, they were Francisella (99.0% and 95.0%) and Helcococcus (65.0%). In male H. scupense, the proportion of Francisella reached 89%, whereas in females, it varied from 2% to 28%. In H. asiaticum, Helcococcus accounted for 65% in males compared to 11% in females. This is the first report on the metagenomic profile of the microbiota of H. scupense and H. asiaticum in Kazakhstan. The detection of pathogens indicates a risk of their transmission to humans and animals and highlights the need to develop new tick control strategies. Full article

Ilicic acid, nerolidol, and 9-hydroxynerolidol are major components of the aerial parts of Dittrichia viscosa. These components were selectively isolated in multigram quantities and used as lead compounds to generate diversity in the search for new natural-product-derived pesticides. A total of 29 derivatives of these three molecules—some of which are known natural products—were generated by subjecting these natural products to different transformations. In order to explore potential applications in sustainable biocontrol, some of the compounds generated were evaluated for plant protection potential against insect pests (Spodoptera littoralis, Myzus persicae, Rhopalosiphum padi), against the nematode Meloidogyne javanica, and for their phytotoxic effects on ryegrass (Lolium perenne) and lettuce (Lactuca sativa). Additionally, their effects against the tick Hyalomma lusitanicum have been tested. Compound 11 was found to be antifeedant against S. littoralis and nematicidal. Compounds 3a and 8 were potent antifeedants against R. padi. None of the tested compounds significantly inhibited lettuce growth, and compounds 17, 3, and 3a even promoted root development. Conversely, compounds 3, 4, 11, 17, and 21a exhibited strong herbicidal activity on ryegrass. In larvicidal assays against H. lusitanicum, compounds 3, 3a, 11, 17, 29, and 33 were active, with compound 29 being six times more active than the positive control nootkatone. Full article

Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV) is a tick-borne zoonotic pathogen of growing public health concern in southeastern Europe. This study provides the first serological evidence of CCHFV circulation in Croatia, based on testing 1473 serum samples from farm and companion animals, including sheep, horses, cattle, goats, dogs, and cats. A total of 109 samples (7.4%) tested positive for CCHFV antibodies using a commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit. The highest seroprevalence was recorded in sheep (28.3%), followed by horses (4.3%) and a single cat (0.5%), with no antibodies detected in cattle, goats, or dogs. Almost all seropositive animals originated from coastal and subcoastal Croatia, where Hyalomma ticks are present. Only two seropositive cases were detected in continental areas. Sheep samples from several farms in Zadar County showed intra-farm seropositivity rates of up to 85.7%, suggesting localised virus circulation likely influenced by vector distribution and farm-level practices. No viral ribonucleic acid (RNA) was detected by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), consistent with the transient nature of viremia in most animal hosts. These findings confirm the silent circulation of CCHFV in Croatia and reinforce the need for targeted, regionally adapted surveillance strategies that integrate multiple hosts and support early warning systems aligned with the One Health concept. Full article

Ixodid ticks are vectors of pathogens that cause dangerous infectious and parasitic diseases in animals, leading to reduced productivity and, in some cases, mass mortality. In Kazakhstan, information on tick fauna and their epizootological role in the transmission of hemoparasites is limited. This study aimed to determine the species composition of ixodid ticks parasitizing cattle in the Almaty, Zhambyl, and Turkistan oblasts, and to assess their potential role in the transmission of Theileria and Anaplasma spp. A total of 3121 ixodid ticks were collected from cattle, belonging to the genera Hyalomma (86.9%; 2711/3121), Rhipicephalus (8.5%; 266/3121), Dermacentor (3.2%; 101/3121), and Haemaphysalis (1.4%; 43/3121). Morphological identification revealed that ticks of the genus Hyalomma, including Hyalomma scupense (31.7%), Hyalomma asiaticum (27.9%), and Hyalomma anatolicum (19.6%), were the predominant species. Rhipicephalus annulatus was recorded for the first time in the Almaty and Zhambyl oblasts. Partial sequencing of the cox1 gene confirmed the species identification obtained by morphological examination. A total of 113 representative ticks were subjected to DNA extraction for the identification of Theileria and Anaplasma species using conventional PCR with primers targeting the 28SrRNA and GroEL genes, respectively. No Anaplasma spp. were detected in the analyzed tick samples. Theileria annulata DNA was identified in seven nymphs of Hy. scupense (6.1%) collected in the Zhambyl oblast, and for the first time in Kazakhstan, in one female Rhipicephalus annulatus (0.9%) collected in the Almaty oblast. The overall infection prevalence of Theileria annulata was 7.0% (8/113). Full article

Hyalomma ticks are known for their ability to transmit a wide range of pathogens, posing a significant threat to both human and animal health. The viral communities associated with Hyalomma asiaticum ticks in Kazakhstan remain largely unexplored. Using high-throughput sequencing on the Ion Torrent platform, nine RNA viruses belonging to seven families were identified. These viruses were associated with H. asiaticum ticks collected in 2024 in southern Kazakhstan. The detected viruses—including Bole tick virus 1 (Phenuiviridae), Bole tick virus 3 (Chuviridae), Bole tick virus 4 (Flaviviridae), Hubei toti-like virus 24 (Totiviridae), Kashgar totiv tick virus 1 (Totiviridae), Lonestar tick totivirus (Totiviridae), Qingyuan parti tick virus 1 (Partitiviridae), and Taishun tick virus (Rhabdoviridae)—had previously been reported only in China. This study provides the first documented evidence of the presence of RNA viruses previously unreported in Kazakhstan within H. asiaticum tick populations. A newly isolated Kazakhstan strain of Wad Medani virus (Sedoreoviridae), identified from H. asiaticum, shares genetic similarities with Russian strains, suggesting a common epidemiological landscape across Central Eurasia. The detection of novel RNA viruses in Kazakhstan highlights the need for ongoing surveillance, as their impact on human and animal health remains insufficiently understood. Full article

Tick infestation represents a significant constraint on livestock productivity in Saudi Arabia; however, there remains a substantial gap in research addressing tick species diversity, distribution, and their direct effects on milk production. This study aimed to morphologically and molecularly identify tick species infesting dairy cattle, quantify the impact of tick infestation on milk yield and composition, and contribute to the limited understanding of tick ecology and its economic implications in the region. Ticks were collected from infested cows and identified morphologically using taxonomic keys. Molecular identification was performed via PCR amplification of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene. Milk production and quality parameters were assessed in tick-infested and healthy cows in Hafar Al-Batin, Eastern Saudi Arabia. Morphological and genetic analyses confirmed Hyalomma anatolicum as the predominant tick species in the study area, with COI sequences showing high similarity to regional isolates. Tick-infested cows exhibited substantial reductions in milk yield, fat, calcium, and potassium levels, indicating significant metabolic disruptions. Blood biochemical analysis revealed elevated levels of liver enzymes [aspartate aminotransferase (AST) increased by 238.6%, gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) by 155.7%], renal markers [creatinine increased by 788.9%, urea by 130.0%], and electrolyte imbalances [serum calcium decreased by 39.5%, potassium by 45.2%]. Hematological findings included increased white blood cell (WBC) and red blood cell (RBC) counts by 44.9% and 124.7%, respectively, along with a 53.1% decrease in hemoglobin (HGB), suggesting a systemic inflammatory response and possible anemia. This study is among the first to genetically confirm the presence of H. anatolicum in Hafar Al-Batin using molecular tools, thereby enhancing the accuracy of species-level identification and highlighting the physiological impact of tick burden on dairy productivity. Full article

The cytochrome p450 gene family is widely involved in various biological processes in arthropods. Tick p450s are often associated with chemical acaricides, but knowledge of their involvement in the metabolism of plant-derived essential oil components is limited. In this study, we identified the non-redundant number of p450 transcripts (NRNPTs) from Haemaphysalis longicornis and Hyalomma asiaticum under the Cymbopogon citratus essential oil (CCEO) and terpinolene stress using de novo transcriptome data, respectively. In this study, we identified and characterized the NRNPTs of Ha. longicornis and Hy. asiaticum. Their gene expression patterns and biological functions under CCEO and terpinolene stress were further analyzed. Finally, Hy. asiaticum NRNPTs (87) were more numerous than Ha. longicornis (58). Phylogenetic analyses showed that NRNPTs of both Hy. asiaticum and Ha. longicornis could be categorized in clan 2, clan 3, clan 4, and clan mito, this data comes from the NRNPTs. Phylogenetic analyses showed that NRNPTs of both Hy. asiaticum and Ha. longicornis could be categorized in clan 2, clan 3, clan 4, and clan mito. p450 members of both were most distributed in clan 3. In addition, one Hy. asiaticum NRNPT was identified as belonging to the new classification clan 20 (HyasCYP20A1). The biological functions and pathways of p450 family members enriched in Hy. asiaticum and Ha. longicornis under different exogenous substance stresses were different, and the expression patterns of these genes were inconsistent. Molecular docking results showed that Ha. longicornis p450 members (HaloCYP3A4 and HaloCYP4B1), which were significantly up-regulated under CCEO stress, as well as Hy. asiaticum HyasCYP24A1 and HyasCYP4V2 (the HaloCYP3A4 and HaloCYP4B1 homologous genes), encode proteins that differ in their ability to metabolize CCEO components, but they all bind well to Germacrene D and naphthalene. Our study enriches the knowledge of the involvement of p450 family members of different tick species in the metabolism of essential oil components of plants, and provides a theoretical basis for further in-depth studies on the function of tick p450 enzymes. Full article