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Frontiers in veterinary science2025; 12; 1533589; doi: 10.3389/fvets.2025.1533589

Molecular detection of piroplasms, Anaplasma, and Ehrlichia species in Kazakhstan.

Abstract: Tick-borne pathogens (TBPs) are a global public health issue. However, there have been few reports on the prevalence of piroplasms, , and in Kazakhstan. To understand the distribution of piroplasms, , and pathogens carried by ticks in Kazakhstan, a total of 10,461 ticks were collected from natural hosts (e.g., cattle, sheep, and horses) in six oblasts in eastern, southern, and western Kazakhstan between 2022 and 2024. After morphological identification, 272 representative ticks were further used for species-level detection and partial genotyping analysis of TBPs. Two species ( and ), four species (, , , and ), two species ( and ), and three species were detected. Furthermore, genotype B of , genotype 1 (Chitose) of , and genotype A of were confirmed. For the first time, , three phylogeny-independent spp., genotype B of , and genotype A of were found in Kazakhstan. These findings expand our understanding of the geographical distribution of piroplasms, , and in Central Asia.
Copyright © 2025 Zeng, Kairat, Awulibieer, Abylay, Serik, Yang, Wang and Hazihan.
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Publication Date: 2025-02-03 PubMed ID: 39963271PubMed Central: PMC11831815DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2025.1533589Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

Molecular analysis was conducted on ticks collected from various animals in Kazakhstan to detect the presence of several tick-borne pathogens, including piroplasms, Anaplasma, and Ehrlichia species. This study identified multiple species and genotypes of these pathogens, expanding knowledge of their geographic distribution in Central Asia.

Background and Purpose

  • Tick-borne pathogens (TBPs) are known to cause diseases in humans and animals worldwide.
  • There has been limited information on the prevalence of certain TBPs such as piroplasms, Anaplasma, and Ehrlichia species in Kazakhstan.
  • The study aimed to detect and genetically characterize these pathogens in ticks collected from various regions of Kazakhstan to understand their distribution.

Sample Collection and Identification

  • A total of 10,461 ticks were collected from natural hosts including cattle, sheep, and horses across six oblasts in eastern, southern, and western Kazakhstan over a two-year period (2022–2024).
  • Ticks were first identified morphologically to determine species.
  • From the large collection, 272 representative ticks were selected for further species-level molecular detection and partial genotyping of the pathogens.

Pathogen Detection and Species Identified

  • The molecular analysis detected two species of piroplasms (names not provided in the abstract).
  • Four species of Anaplasma were identified, including but not limited to unnamed species, reflecting diversity in this genus.
  • Two Ehrlichia species were detected.
  • Additionally, three species belonging to another group (unspecified) were found, probably reflecting other related or emerging pathogens.

Genotypic Characterization

  • Specific genotypes were confirmed, such as genotype B of one piroplasm species, genotype 1 (Chitose) of another, and genotype A of a different pathogen group.
  • Identification of these genotypes contributes to understanding of pathogen variability and may have implications for disease epidemiology and pathogenicity.

Novel Findings and Significance

  • The study reports the first detection in Kazakhstan of:
    • Three phylogeny-independent species of a particular genus (details unspecified).
    • Genotype B of a piroplasm species.
    • Genotype A of another pathogen group.
  • These results expanded the known geographical distribution of these tick-borne pathogens in Central Asia.
  • The study enhances the baseline data for future surveillance and control strategies targeting tick-borne diseases in this region.

Implications for Public and Veterinary Health

  • Knowledge of the presence and diversity of TBPs informs risk assessments for humans and livestock in Kazakhstan.
  • Better understanding of pathogen genotypes could facilitate improved diagnostics and disease management policies.
  • Continuous monitoring is recommended given the wide range of hosts and tick species studied and the discovery of previously unreported genotypes.

Cite This Article

APA
Zeng W, Kairat Z, Awulibieer M, Abylay S, Serik K, Yang M, Wang Y, Hazihan W. (2025). Molecular detection of piroplasms, Anaplasma, and Ehrlichia species in Kazakhstan. Front Vet Sci, 12, 1533589. https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2025.1533589

Publication

Frontiers in veterinary science
ISSN: 2297-1769
NlmUniqueID: 101666658
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 12
Pages: 1533589
PII: 1533589

Researcher Affiliations

Zeng, Weixin
  • College of Animal Science and Technology, Shihezi University, Shihezi, China.
Kairat, Zhumanov
  • College of Animal Science and Technology, Shihezi University, Shihezi, China.
Awulibieer, Madina
  • College of Animal Science and Technology, Shihezi University, Shihezi, China.
Abylay, Sansyzbay
  • Kazakh National Agrarian Research University, Almaty, Kazakhstan.
Serik, Khizat
  • Kazakh National Agrarian Research University, Almaty, Kazakhstan.
Yang, Meihua
  • Department of Forest, College of Agriculture, Shihezi University, Shihezi, China.
Wang, Yuanzhi
  • NHC Key Laboratory of Prevention and Treatment of Central Asia High Incidence Diseases, School of Medicine, Shihezi University, Shihezi, China.
Hazihan, Wurelihazi
  • College of Animal Science and Technology, Shihezi University, Shihezi, China.

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

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Citations

This article has been cited 1 times.
  1. Sayakova ZZ, Kenessary SA, Zhaksylykova AA, Abdimalik BM, Kydyrkhanova EA, Kamalova DK, Ryskeldina A, Ostapchuk YO, Budke CM, Abdybekova AM. Molecular Study of Theileria annulata and Anaplasma spp. in Ixodid Ticks from Southern Regions of the Republic of Kazakhstan.. Vet Sci 2025 Sep 17;12(9).
    doi: 10.3390/vetsci12090901pubmed: 41012826google scholar: lookup
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