Co-infection of tick-borne bacterial pathogens in ticks in Inner Mongolia, China

Abstract

Tick-borne infectious diseases pose a serious health threat in certain regions of the world. Emerging infectious diseases caused by novel tick-borne pathogens have been reported that are causing particular concern. Several tick-borne diseases often coexist in the same foci, and a single vector tick can transmit two or more pathogens at the same time, which greatly increases the probability of co-infection in host animals and humans and can lead to an epidemic of tick-borne disease. The lack of epidemiological data and information on the specific clinical symptoms related to co-infection with tick-borne pathogens means that it is not currently possible to accurately and rapidly distinguish between a single pathogen infection and co-infection with multiple pathogens, which can have serious consequences. Inner Mongolia in the north of China is endemic for tick-borne infectious diseases, especially in the eastern forest region. Previous studies have found that more than 10% of co-infections were in host-seeking ticks. However, the lack of data on the specific types of co-infection with pathogens makes clinical treatment difficult. In our study, we present data on the co-infection types and the differences in co-infection among different ecological regions through genetic analysis of tick samples collected throughout Inner Mongolia. Our findings may aid clinicians in the diagnosis of concomitant tick-borne infectious diseases.

Surveillance of tick-borne bacteria infection in ticks and forestry populations in Inner Mongolia, China

“…Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, located in northern China, is well-known for its various landscapes and is one of the natural foci of various tick-borne diseases in China (7)(8)(9)(10). Arxan, on the border between China and Mongolia in the northeastern Inner Mongolia, features abundant wildlife resources and a developed livestock industry that provides a suitable environment for ticks to survive and reproduce.…”

First detection of Candidatus Rickettsia tarasevichiae in Hyalomma marginatum ticks

“…This means that there is a wide range of invertebrate hosts infected with CRT, which threatens human health in the context of increased human activity in wildlife habitats. Despite the limited reports on CRT in Inner Mongolia [19,20], this region is of great importance due to its vast land area, ecological and environmental diversity, and rich tick species reserve. Inner Mongolia encompasses three distinct ecological zones, including forest, grassland, and Gobi and semi desertification steppe areas from east to west, which makes it a unique and complex environment for tick-borne diseases.…”

“…The prevalence and biodiversity of Rickettsia spp. in I. persulcatus, H. concinna, H. douglasi, Dermacentor nuttalli and D. silvarum ticks from different regions in Inner Mongolia were examined in our previous study [19,27,28]. However, there is a lack of research data on CRT, and it is necessary to investigate the status of CRT infection in Inner Mongolia.…”