Molecular identification of tick (Acari: Ixodidae) and tick-borne pathogens from Przewalski's gazelle (Procapra Przewalskii) and Tibetan sheep (Ovis aries) in Qinghai Lake National Nature Reserve, China
Qiang Chen,
Zengkui Li,
Ming Kang,
Guangwei Hu,
Jinshan Cai,
Jing Li,
Xiaoling Han,
Changjiang Chen,
Shunfu He,
Xiaoyu Hu,
Yongcai He,
Zhongyu Li,
Jiyong Chen,
Pengcheng Geng,
Shuo Jiang,
Jinghua Ma,
Xiao Zhang,
Ximei Tai,
Ying Li
Affiliations
Qiang Chen
Qinghai University State Key Laboratory of Plateau Ecology and Agriculture, Xining, 810016, Qinghai, China
Zengkui Li
Qinghai University State Key Laboratory of Plateau Ecology and Agriculture, Xining, 810016, Qinghai, China
Ming Kang
Qinghai University State Key Laboratory of Plateau Ecology and Agriculture, Xining, 810016, Qinghai, China
Guangwei Hu
Qinghai Yak Breeding and Promotion Service Center, Datong, 810100, Qinghai, China
Jinshan Cai
Animal Disease Prevention and Control Center of Qinghai Province, Xining, 810000, China
Jing Li
Animal Disease Prevention and Control Center of Qinghai Province, Xining, 810000, China
Xiaoling Han
Qinghai National Park Research, Monitoring and Evaluation Center, Xining, 810008, Qinghai, China
Changjiang Chen
Huangyuan Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Station, Xining, 810016, Qinghai, China
Shunfu He
Xining Wildlife Park, Xining, 810016, Qinghai, China
Xiaoyu Hu
Qinghai University State Key Laboratory of Plateau Ecology and Agriculture, Xining, 810016, Qinghai, China
Yongcai He
Qinghai University State Key Laboratory of Plateau Ecology and Agriculture, Xining, 810016, Qinghai, China
Zhongyu Li
Qinghai Xunhua Salar Autonomous County Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Station, Haidong, 811100, Qinghai, China
Jiyong Chen
Yushu Animal Disease Prevention and Control Center, yushu, 815099, Qinghai, China
Pengcheng Geng
Golog Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture Animal Epidemic Disease Prevention Control Center, Golog, 814000, Qinghai, China
Shuo Jiang
Qinghai University State Key Laboratory of Plateau Ecology and Agriculture, Xining, 810016, Qinghai, China
Jinghua Ma
Qinghai University State Key Laboratory of Plateau Ecology and Agriculture, Xining, 810016, Qinghai, China
Xiao Zhang
Qinghai University State Key Laboratory of Plateau Ecology and Agriculture, Xining, 810016, Qinghai, China
Ximei Tai
Qinghai University State Key Laboratory of Plateau Ecology and Agriculture, Xining, 810016, Qinghai, China
Ying Li
Qinghai University State Key Laboratory of Plateau Ecology and Agriculture, Xining, 810016, Qinghai, China; Qinghai Provincial Key Laboratory of Pathogen Diagnosis for Animal Diseases and Green Technical Research for Prevention and Control, Xining, 810016, Qinghai, China; Corresponding author. Qinghai University State Key Laboratory of Plateau Ecology and Agriculture, Xining, 810016, Qinghai, China.
The Qinghai Lake National Nature Reserve (QLNNR), renowned for its abundant natural resources and diverse ecological habitats, serves as an ideal environment for ticks, thereby increasing the risk of various tick-borne pathogens (TBPs) transmission. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of TBPs in ticks collected from Przewalski's gazelle and Tibetan sheep within the QLNNR. A total of 313 tick samples were collected from the vicinity of Qinghai Lake. Tick species identification was conducted using both morphological and molecular biology techniques. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification was performed to detect the presence of spotted fever group (SFG) Rickettsia, Coxiella burnetii, Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Babesia microti, Theileria spp, Borrelia burgdorferi, Brucella spp, and Anaplasma ovis was performed using specific primers. Positive samples were sequenced and analyzed using BLASTn, followed by phylogenetic tree construction. The ticks collected from the Qinghai Lake area were identified as Dermacentor nuttalli. The overall prevalence rates of ticks carrying SFG Rickettsia and C. burnetii were 42.8 % (134/313) and 4.8 % (15/313), respectively. Three SFG Rickettsia species were detected, including R. raoultii 33.9 % (106/313), R. slovaca 3.8 % (12/113) and R. sibirica 7.7 % (24/113), with R. raoultii being the predominant species. The prevalence rates of SFG Rickettsia and C. burnetii in ticks from Tibetan sheep was 44.7 % (115/257) and 4.7 % (12/257), respectively,and in ticks from Przewalski's gazelle were 33.9 % (19/56) and 5.4 % (3/56). Furthermore, the study revealed a positive linear relationship between the abundance of Przewalski's gazelle and the number of ticks, as well as the prevalence of TBPs. The current study has identified Dermacentor nuttalli as the predominant tick vector species within the QLNNR region. The detection of SFG Rickettsia and C. burnetii has augmented our understanding of the epidemiological profile of ticks and TBPs in this area, thereby providing a robust theoretical foundation for the implementation of effective prevention and control strategies against TBPs.
