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In this study, the hard ticks, whole blood and serum samples collected from small ruminants (sheep and goat) in middle Black Sea region of Turkey where Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) human cases were observed in the past years were surveyed for the presence of RNA and specific IgG antibodies from CCFH virus (CCHFV). CCHFV RNA was found in 30 of 255 tick pools (11.76%) and nine of 105 (8.57%) leucocyte samples. No CCHFV genomic RNA was detected from animals in Yildizeli and Vezirkopru. However, CCHFV RNA was found from animals in Gerze and Resadiye. Seventy-eight of 105 goat and sheep blood serum samples tested were antibody-positive for CCHFV by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) (goat: 42/63; sheep: 36/42). Viral RNA was detected from tick samples in all of four provinces. Positivity rates for the provinces varied and were as follows: Gerze 13.04%, Resadiye 35.41%, Vezirkopru 1.61% and Yildizeli 6.06%. CCHFV genomic RNA was detected in four of seven tick species tested. These results suggest that these hard ticks may act as a reservoir for CCHFV in northern Turkey.

No abstract

In this study, the hard ticks collected from a variety of mammalian species (cattle, sheep, goat, buffalo) and a turtle in either coastal or inland Black Sea region of Turkey were surveyed for the presence of RNA from Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV) and West Nile virus (WNV). No WNV genomic RNA was detected in any tick sample. However, CCHFV RNA was found in 29 of 421 tick pools (6.88%). Positivity rates for the provinces varied and were as follows: Samsun 4.38%; Ordu 4.34%; Giresun 6.32%; Sinop 14.63%; Amasya 5.55%; Tokat 3.38% and Sivas 4.83%. Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever virus genomic RNA was detected in seven of eleven tick species tested. These results suggest that these hard ticks may act as a reservoir for CCHFV in northern Turkey, but probably have no role in WNV transmission.

Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus threatens human health. Exposure of the infected tick is a strong risk factor for human disease. In this study, the hard ticks collected from a variety of mammalian species (cattle, sheep, goat, and buffalo) and a turtle in either coastal or inland Black Sea region of Turkey were surveyed for the presence of antigen from Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV). CCHFV antigen was found in 46 of 421 tick pools (10.92%). Positivity rates for the provinces varied and were as follows: Samsun 33.87%, Ordu 4.34%, Giresun 8.86%, Sinop 6.09%, Amasya 7.40%, Tokat 5.08%, and Sivas 8.06%. CCHFV antigen was detected in seven of 11 tick species tested. These results suggest that these hard ticks may act as a reservoir for CCHFV in northern Turkey.