Rhipicephalus sanguineus (Acari: Ixodidae) as a probable vector of ovine anaplasmosis in southeastern Iran

Background: Rhipicephalus sanguineus (Acari: Ixodidae) is the most common tick found on domestic and wild animals in urban and rural areas in many parts of the world. The involvement of R. sanguineus in transmission of pathogens to animals is already proven. Pathogenic species such as Rickettsia, Anaplasma, Hepatozoon canis are examples of tick borne agents isolated from R. sanguineus.Objectives: We aimed to present molecular evidences on R. sanguineus as a probable vector of ovine anaplasmosis in Kerman Province, southeastern Iran Materials and Methods: Tick specimens were collected from different climate zones twice a month from 2016 to 2017. The hard ticks were frozen at -20 Cº, transferred to laboratory and identified using taxonomic keys. Genomic DNA was extracted using CTAB from 237 tick samples. A fragment of 16S rRNA and major surface proteins 4 (msp4) was amplified by PCR.Results: 827 tick samples belonging to Haemaphysalis sulcata, Hyalomma anatolicum, H. asiaticum, H. dromedarii, H. marginatum, Hyalomma sp., Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) annulatus, R. sanguineus were identified in visited geographical regions of southern Kerman province. Amplicons of 524-bp 16S rRNA and 464-bp msp4 were amplified for 80 tick samples. Four fragments, one from 16S rRNA gene and three from msp4 gene obtained from R. sanguineus were sequenced.Conclusion: This study indicated, for the first time, the potential role of Rhipicephalus sanguineus in the natural cycle of ovine anaplasmosis in Kerman Province. Our results suggested incrimination of R. sanguineus as a probable vector in the transmission of A. ovis to small ruminants.

Keywords:

Anaplasma , Tick , Rhipicephalus sanguineus , Kerman Province , Iran