Molecular Characterization of Anaplasma , Ehrlichia, Babesia , and Borrelia in Ticks from Guangdong Province of Southern China

Abstract

Tick-borne pathogens have become emerging global health threats in humans and animals. The objective of the present study was to investigate Anaplasma, Ehrlichia, Babesia , and Borrelia in ticks in southern China. Ticks were collected from animals and identified to the species level. Tick-borne Anaplasma , Ehrlichia , Babesia , and Borrelia were tested by PCR assays, and analyzed by sequencing and phylogenetics. We collected 747 ticks, including Rhipicephalus microplus (n=225) and R. sanguineus (n=522), from pet dogs in Guangdong Province of southern China. Using PCR and phylogenetic analysis we showed that these ticks carried Anaplasma platys , Ehrlichia canis , Borrelia miyamotoi , Babesia vogeli , and an unclassified Ehrlichia species in Rhipicephalus ticks. Of these pathogens, B. miyamotoi was first found in southern China. A. platys , E. canis , and B. miyamotoi were zoonotic pathogens that infected both R. microplus and R. sanguineus , whereas Ba. vogeli only infected R. sanguineus , with a prevalence of 0.3%-1.5%. The results of this study showed diversity and complexity of tick-borne pathogens in Guangdong Province of southern China, implying the importance of tick-borne pathogen surveillance and control.