Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever cases in the North of Iran have three distinct origins

Background: Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is asymptomatic in infected animals, yet the virus poses a serious threat to humans causing a symptomatic, hemorrhagic disease with a high case-fatality rate. Numerous genera of ticks serve as both vectors and reservoirs of the Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV). Objectives:The aim of the present study is to determine the CCHFV prevalence in ticks from northeast Iran to establish a phylogenetic relationship of the tick-derived CCHFV strains circulating in Iran.Methods: During April to June 2013, a total of 93 hard ticks were collected from different animals in the Damghan district. The Ssegment of positive samples was fully sequenced using the Sanger technique. A total of 142 CCHFV sequences comprised full-length of CCHFV sequences obtained in this study were aligned using the MAFFT algorithm, then phylogenetic tree was constructed using Geneious v 7.1.8. Results:The identified tick species included Hyalomma marginatum (6.5%), Hy. dromedarii (21.5%), Hy. anatolicum (15.1%), Hy. asiaticum (3.2%) and Hy. schulzei (2.2%), as well as Rhipicephalus sanguineus (47.3%). The CCHFV RNA was detected in 4 samples of 93 tick samples (4.3%) by RT-PCR. A total of 4 CCHFV sequences were obtained in this study clustered within clade IV (Asia-1 and Asia-2). Conclusions:We demonstrated that 4 species of hard ticks could be a vector for CCHFV in Iran. In addition, our findings indicate the circulation of CCHFV clade IV strain in the northeast of Iran and provide a solid base for more targeted surveillance and prevention programs in Iran.

show abstract

“…Grouping of the complete CCHFV S-segment sequences obtained in the current study are in conformity with the previous reports (36,37).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 92%

“…Several arboviruses are circulating in Iran (30)(31)(32)(33)(34)(35), however, CCHF human causes are considered as the most severe arbovirus in Iran with considerable mortality rate each year (36,37). The seroprevalence of CCHFV in humans and animals in Iran was investigated for several years (38).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Spatial and Phylodynamic Survey on Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever Virus Strains in Northeast of Iran

Faghihi

Telmadarraiy

Chinikar

et al. 2018

Jundishapur J Microbiol

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…There are several arboviruses in Iran (9), but CCHF causes the highest rate of infection and mortality per year (10,11). A high CCHF seroprevalence was observed in the slaughterhouse workers.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Factors Affecting Transmission of Crimean - Congo Hemorrhagic Fever among Slaughterhouse Employees: A Serosurvey in Mashhad, Iran

Shahhosseini

Garmjan

Rezaiyan

et al. 2018

Jundishapur J Microbiol

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background: Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is a severe viral disease. Slaughterhouses are potentially high risk working environments for CCHF infection due to close contact of livestock and humans. Objectives: The current study aimed at conducting a serosurvey among abattoir workers and evaluating different factors affecting the transmission of CCHF. Methods: A serosurvey was conducted to determine the frequency of Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV) IgG antibodies among abattoir workers in Mashhad, Northeastern Iran. Sera were collected from 136 slaughterhouse workers and assessed by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for IgG CCHFV antibodies. In addition, a questionnaire was used to evaluate the risk factors involving in the transmission of the virus to the workers. Results: Serological evidence was observed in 39 out of 136 (29%) participants. The infection rate did not correlate with the work experience, type of livestock, and the permanent use of available personal protection equipment (PPE). However, standard hand disinfectants had a significant role in decreasing CCHFV IgG seropositivity (OR = 0.2, P = 0.004). Two out of 39 seropositive cases reported the history of hospitalization and CCHF infection diagnosis. Conclusions: The results of the study demonstrated that almost one-third of the investigated slaughterhouse workers were exposed to CCHFV, though the clinical manifestations were less than those of nosocomial transmissions. The currently used PPE could not protect workers against CCHFV infection; therefore, the need for effective preventive strategies for workers in the livestock industry should be emphasized.

show abstract

“…Several arboviruses are circulating in Iran [ 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 ], but human CCHF cases have the highest number of infections and mortality per annum [25] . In this regards, the southeast of Iran is an endemic area for CCHF.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Co-circulation of Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever virus strains Asia 1 and 2 between the border of Iran and Pakistan

Shahhosseini

Jafarbekloo

Telmadarraiy

et al. 2017

Heliyon

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) is a tick-borne viral disease that is transmitted by numerous species of ticks, which serve both as a reservoir and vector of CCHF virus (CCHFV). Molecular and serological tests were undertaken on hard ticks (Ixodidae spp.) and samples from livestock were collected in 2015 from Chabahar County in Southeast Iran. Using RT-PCR, the ticks were tested for the presence of CCHFV. In addition, seven livestock were serologically tested for the presence of IgG antibodies using an ELISA test. IgG antibodies against CCHFV were detected in one of 7 of the livestock that were tested. In total, 49 ticks including five species: Rhipicephalus sanguineus, Hyalomma anatolicum, Hy. asiaticum, Hy. dromedarii and Hy. marginatum with a prevalence of 46.9%, 32.7%, 4.1%, 4.1% and 2.1% respectively were identified. CCHFV was detected in three ticks among 49 collected ticks. The ticks infected with CCHFV belonged to the genus Hyalomma and Rhipicephalus. Phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that two sequences clustered in clade IV (Asia-1) and one sequence was located within clade IV (Asia-2). Most of the animal and human CCHF cases of the country are reported from Sistan and Baluchistan provinces. Regular monitoring programs in the tick population and livestock are needed in the future.

show abstract

Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever cases in the North of Iran have three distinct origins

Cited by 11 publications

References 13 publications

Spatial and Phylodynamic Survey on Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever Virus Strains in Northeast of Iran

Spatial and Phylodynamic Survey on Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever Virus Strains in Northeast of Iran

Factors Affecting Transmission of Crimean - Congo Hemorrhagic Fever among Slaughterhouse Employees: A Serosurvey in Mashhad, Iran

Co-circulation of Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever virus strains Asia 1 and 2 between the border of Iran and Pakistan

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About