Molecular Detection and Phylogenetic Analysis of Tick-Borne Encephalitis Virus from Ticks Collected from Cattle in Kyrgyzstan, 2023

Abstract

Ticks are important vectors of the tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV). In Kyrgyzstan, the livestock farming trade and nomadic lifestyle enable tick-borne diseases to be imported from neighboring countries, but there are few relevant studies. In this study, we collected 40 ticks from cattle in Kyrgyzstan. Molecular marker analysis identified the ticks as Ixodes persulcatus (97.5%; n = 39) and Haemaphysalis punctata (2.5%; n = 1). Real-time PCR screening revealed two ticks to be positive for TBEV, but only one tick was amplified using nested PCR targeting the TBEV envelope (E) and non-structure 5 (NS5) gene. The obtained sequences belonged to the TBEV Siberian subtype and phylogenetic tree analysis results confirmed that the virus was related to the Bosnia strain. We also performed next-generation sequencing, which confirmed the TBEV Siberian subtype. Continuous research and surveillance of TBEV in Kyrgyzstan are required to provide further information on tick-borne diseases.

Molecular Analysis of Tick-Borne Bacterial Pathogens from Ticks Infesting Animal Hosts in Kyrgyzstan, 2021

“…Although several studies of tick-borne pathogens have been reported in animal hosts in Kyrgyzstan, no information is available on using molecular tools to characterize their prevalence in ticks. The only pathogen identified in ticks is the tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV), which causes severe neurological disorders and is found in Ixodes persulcatus in the northern region [ 10 , 11 ]. Our investigation revealed that seven of the ten tick species including H. punctata , A. persicus , R. annulatus , R. turanicus , Demacentor spp., Hy.…”

“…Ticks are one of the major ectoparasitic arthropods affecting the health of domestic animals [ 5 , 6 ]. They may transmit a wide range of pathogens, including bacteria ( Anaplasma , Ehrlichia [ 7 ], Rickettsia [ 8 ]), viruses ( Dabie bandavirus [ 9 ] and Orthoflavivirus encephalitidis [ 10 , 11 ]), and protozoa ( Babesia and Theileria [ 12 , 13 ]). When large numbers of ticks feed on animals, they can reduce milk and meat production, thereby decreasing the value of domestic animals.…”