First screening for tick-borne pathogens in Chinese Milu deer (Elaphurus davidianus)

Ya-Qian Chen; Qing-Xun Zhang; Zhi-Bin Cheng; Yun-Fang Shan; Tian-Chun Pu; Tian Liu; Qing-Yun Guo; Pan Zhang; Xing-Long Song; Cong-Shan Yang; Zhen-Yu Zhong; Jia-De Bai

Ticks and Tick-Borne Diseases (Mar 2024)

First screening for tick-borne pathogens in Chinese Milu deer (Elaphurus davidianus)

Ya-Qian Chen,
Qing-Xun Zhang,
Zhi-Bin Cheng,
Yun-Fang Shan,
Tian-Chun Pu,
Tian Liu,
Qing-Yun Guo,
Pan Zhang,
Xing-Long Song,
Cong-Shan Yang,
Zhen-Yu Zhong,
Jia-De Bai

Affiliations

Ya-Qian Chen: College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, Anhui, China; Beijing Milu Ecological Research Center, Beijing Academy of Science and Technology, Beijing, China
Qing-Xun Zhang: Beijing Milu Ecological Research Center, Beijing Academy of Science and Technology, Beijing, China
Zhi-Bin Cheng: Beijing Milu Ecological Research Center, Beijing Academy of Science and Technology, Beijing, China
Yun-Fang Shan: Beijing Milu Ecological Research Center, Beijing Academy of Science and Technology, Beijing, China
Tian-Chun Pu: Beijing Key Laboratory of Captive Wildlife Technologies in Beijing Zoo, Beijing, China
Tian Liu: Beijing Milu Ecological Research Center, Beijing Academy of Science and Technology, Beijing, China
Qing-Yun Guo: Beijing Milu Ecological Research Center, Beijing Academy of Science and Technology, Beijing, China
Pan Zhang: Beijing Milu Ecological Research Center, Beijing Academy of Science and Technology, Beijing, China
Xing-Long Song: College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, Anhui, China
Cong-Shan Yang: College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, Anhui, China; Corresponding author.
Zhen-Yu Zhong: Beijing Milu Ecological Research Center, Beijing Academy of Science and Technology, Beijing, China
Jia-De Bai: Beijing Milu Ecological Research Center, Beijing Academy of Science and Technology, Beijing, China

Journal volume & issue: Vol. 15, no. 2
p. 102293

Abstract

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Ticks are primary vectors for many tick-borne pathogens (TBPs) and pose a serious threat to veterinary and public health. Information on the presence of TBPs in Chinese Milu deer (Elaphurus davidianus) is limited. In this study, a total of 102 Chinese Milu deer blood samples were examined for Anaplasma spp., Theileria spp., Babesia spp., Rickettsia spp., and Borrelia spp., and three TBPs were identified: Anaplasma phagocytophilum (48; 47.1 %), Candidatus Anaplasma boleense (47; 46.1%), and Theileria capreoli (8; 7.8 %). Genetic and phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA and 18S rRNA confirmed their identity with corresponding TBPs. To our knowledge, this is the first report on Candidatus A. boleense and T. capreoli detection in Chinese Milu deer. A high prevalence of A. phagocytophilum with veterinary and medical significance was identified in endangered Chinese Milu deer, which could act as potential zoonotic reservoirs. The identification of the TBPs in Chinese Milu deer provides useful information for the prevention and control of tick-borne diseases.

Published in Ticks and Tick-Borne Diseases

ISSN: 1877-9603 (Online)
Publisher: Elsevier
Country of publisher: Germany
LCC subjects: Medicine: Internal medicine: Infectious and parasitic diseases
Website: https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/ticks-and-tick-borne-diseases

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