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Parasitology research2018; 117(11); 3557-3566; doi: 10.1007/s00436-018-6053-x

Some aspects on tick species in Mongolia and their potential role in the transmission of equine piroplasms, Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Borrelia burgdorferi L.

Abstract: Ticks are cosmopolitan vectors of numerous diseases, and detection of various pathogens in ticks can help to assess their distribution. In the current study, 528 adult ticks were collected from grazing animals or the ground in ten different Mongolian provinces. Dermacentor nuttalli constituted 76.1% of them and was found in all ecozones except the eastern desert. Dermacentor marginatus (8.3%), Dermacentor silvarum (1.1%) and Ixodes persulcatus (3.0%) were found in the northern forest areas and Hyalomma asiaticum (11.4%) only in the southern (semi-)desert. Of these, 359 ticks were subjected to DNA extraction and PCR was carried out to detect various pathogens. Anaplasma spp. was found in D. marginatus and D. nuttalli (2.5% positive each), including flagged specimen and identified as Anaplasma phagocytophilum. Borrelia spp. were found in 2.5% of the ticks (mostly in I. persulcatus) and identified as Borrelia garinii. Babesia spp. (40%) identified as Babesia caballi were detected in all five tick species including flagged Dermacentor spp. and I. persulcatus, and 3.5% of the ticks (all species except D. silvarum) were positive for Theileria spp. identified as Theileria equi. The piroplasms were found in all provinces. Tick-borne encephalitis virus was not detected. The results highlight the high risk of equine piroplasmosis in Mongolia, which is a concern for both the nomadic population who rely on horses for transport and for conservation of Przewalski's horses in Mongolia. In addition, zoonotic agents such as the avian B. garinii and A. phagocytophilum were also detected, outlining a high risk for exposed humans.
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Publication Date: 2018-09-03 PubMed ID: 30178195DOI: 10.1007/s00436-018-6053-xGoogle 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.

The research study focuses on examining different types of ticks in Mongolia and their role in the transmission of various diseases like equine piroplasms, Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Borrelia burgdorferi to grazing animals. The study highlights significant risks to the equine population and potential threats to human health due to the presence of these disease-carrying ticks.

Study Methodology

  • During the study, 528 adult ticks were collected. These ticks were gathered from grazing animals or directly from the ground across ten different provinces in Mongolia.
  • The collected ticks were subjected to DNA extraction and tested using Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) for various pathogens.

Tick Species Distribution

  • The majority of ticks belonged to the Dermacentor nuttalli species (76.1%) and were found in all ecozones except the eastern desert.
  • The study also detected other species like Dermacentor marginatus (8.3%), Dermacentor silvarum (1.1%), Ixodes persulcatus (3.0%), and Hyalomma asiaticum (11.4%).
  • D. marginatus, D. silvarum, and I. persulcatus were primarily found in the northern forest areas while H. asiaticum was discovered only in the southern semi-desert regions.

Detection of Pathogens

  • Anaplasma spp. were found in D. marginatus and D. nuttalli (2.5% positive) and were identified as Anaplasma phagocytophilum.
  • 2.5% of the ticks (mostly in I. persulcatus) were found to carry Borrelia spp., identified as Borrelia garinii.
  • Babesia spp., identified as Babesia caballi, were discovered in 40% of the ticks. These were found in all five tick species.
  • 3.5% of the ticks were positive for Theileria spp., identified as Theileria equi. D. silvarum was the only tick species that did not test positive for this pathogen.

Implications of the Study

  • The study did not detect any ticks carrying the tick-borne encephalitis virus.
  • The presence of parasitic piroplasms in all collected provinces underlines the high risk of equine piroplasmosis in Mongolia.
  • This discovery poses a significant threat to the nomadic population who rely on horses for transport and for the conservation of indigenous horse populations like Przewalski’s horses.
  • Pathogens that can potentially transmit diseases to humans, like B. garinii and A. phagocytophilum, were discovered among the ticks, indicating a higher health risk to humans in contact with these ticks or animals infested by them.

Cite This Article

APA
Narankhajid M, Yeruult C, Gurbadam A, Battsetseg J, Aberle SW, Bayartogtokh B, Joachim A, Duscher GG. (2018). Some aspects on tick species in Mongolia and their potential role in the transmission of equine piroplasms, Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Borrelia burgdorferi L. Parasitol Res, 117(11), 3557-3566. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-018-6053-x

Publication

Parasitology research
ISSN: 1432-1955
NlmUniqueID: 8703571
Country: Germany
Language: English
Volume: 117
Issue: 11
Pages: 3557-3566

Researcher Affiliations

Narankhajid, Myadagsuren
  • Institute of Parasitology, Department of Pathobiology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinaerplatz 1, 1210, Wien, Austria.
  • Mongolian National University of Medical Sciences, S. Zorig Street 3, Ulaanbaatar, 14210, Mongolia.
Yeruult, Chultemsuren
  • Mongolian National University of Medical Sciences, S. Zorig Street 3, Ulaanbaatar, 14210, Mongolia.
Gurbadam, Agvaandaram
  • Mongolian National University of Medical Sciences, S. Zorig Street 3, Ulaanbaatar, 14210, Mongolia.
Battsetseg, Jigjav
  • National Centre for Zoonotic Diseases, Ministry of Health, Songinokhairkhan 20, Ulaanbaatar, 14219, Mongolia.
Aberle, Stephan W
  • Department of Virology, Medical University of Vienna, Kinderspitalgasse 15, 1095, Vienna, Austria.
Bayartogtokh, Badamdorj
  • Department of Biology, National University of Mongolia, Zaluuchuud Avenue 1, Ulaanbaatar, 14201, Mongolia.
Joachim, Anja
  • Institute of Parasitology, Department of Pathobiology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinaerplatz 1, 1210, Wien, Austria.
Duscher, Georg Gerhard
  • Institute of Parasitology, Department of Pathobiology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinaerplatz 1, 1210, Wien, Austria. Georg.Duscher@vetmeduni.ac.at.

MeSH Terms

  • Anaplasma phagocytophilum / genetics
  • Anaplasma phagocytophilum / isolation & purification
  • Animals
  • Babesia / genetics
  • Babesia / isolation & purification
  • Borrelia burgdorferi / genetics
  • Borrelia burgdorferi / isolation & purification
  • Dermacentor / microbiology
  • Dermacentor / parasitology
  • Ehrlichiosis / microbiology
  • Ehrlichiosis / transmission
  • Ehrlichiosis / veterinary
  • Encephalitis Viruses, Tick-Borne
  • Female
  • Horse Diseases / microbiology
  • Horse Diseases / parasitology
  • Horses
  • Humans
  • Ixodes / microbiology
  • Ixodes / parasitology
  • Lyme Disease / microbiology
  • Lyme Disease / transmission
  • Lyme Disease / veterinary
  • Male
  • Mongolia
  • Theileria / genetics
  • Theileria / isolation & purification

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