Colpodella species are close relatives of Apicomplexan protozoa. Although most species of this genus are free-living organisms that feed on other protists and algae, reports indicate their occurence in ticks and human patients, including an individual with a history of tick bite manifesting neurological symptoms. During an investigation of tick-borne pathogens (TBPs) in blood samples of cattle, goats, and in ticks collected on them, Colpodella sp. DNA was detected in a Rhipicephalus bursa tick collected from cattle, while of Theileria sergenti/buffeli/orientalis, Babesia bigemina, Sarcocystis cruzi, Babesia spp., and Rickettsia spp. were molecularly detected in cattle, goats, and ticks in southern Italy. Data herein reported highlight the unprecedented presence of Colpodella sp. in ticks in Italy, raising concern due to the potential pathogenic role of this less known protozoan. This finding advocates for performing routine epidemiological surveys to monitor potential emerging vector-borne pathogens.

Tick-borne rickettsial disease (TBRD) is a perilous acute infection that often eludes diagnosis in its early stages. The triad of knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAPs) among medical professionals is key to reducing missed diagnosis rates. Therefore, a meticulous evaluation of KAPs is imperative. This study aimed to delve into the understanding of TBRD and explore the beliefs and practices related to personal prevention methods among individuals in Lu\'an, a hotspot for TBRD. During the summer months of 2023, convenience sampling was employed by circulating a confidential questionnaire to 1,206 participants in the endemic regions of China. This questionnaire painted a comprehensive picture of the participants\' sociodemographic profiles and their KAPs levels vis-à-vis TBRD. The findings revealed that participants scored a mere 55.78% in knowledge, while their attitudes and practices garnered impressive scores of 90.09% and 90.83%, respectively. Upon further analysis using multiple linear regression, several intriguing patterns emerged. Male participants, employed in the Infectious Disease Department, held vice-senior or higher titles, or had prior medical training demonstrated superior knowledge scores. On the other hand, medical personnel who were younger than 30, possessed graduate degrees or higher qualifications, and had training excelled in attitudes and practices. Notably, when employing the Boston Consulting Group (BCG) matrix, a significant distribution of medical personnel was observed across the four quadrants. Specifically, 37.43%, 13.19%, 19.61%, and 29.77% fell into the first, second, third, and fourth quadrants. This survey underscores the commendable attitudes and practices of medical staff towards TBRD in endemic regions of China. However, their knowledge level remains wanting and demands urgent improvement.

BACKGROUND: Tacheng tick virus 2 (TcTV-2) is an emerging tick-borne virus belonging to the genus Uukuvirus in the family Phenuiviridae. Initially isolated in 2019 from a patient in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region (XUAR), northwestern China, who developed fever and headache after a tick bite, TcTV-2 was concurrently molecularly detected in hard ticks across various countries, including China, Kazakhstan, Romania, and Turkey. This study conducted a retrospective epidemiological investigation of TcTV-2 infection.
METHODS: In this retrospective cohort study, we collected samples from 47 tick-bitten patients, 984 herdsmen, 7 Asian badgers, 13 red foxes, and 168 Hyalomma asiaticum tick egg batches. Patients\' samples were primarily analyzed by using high-throughput sequencing, targeting the V3-V4 region of the bacterial 16S rRNA gene and viral cDNA libraries. Typical tick-borne pathogens were further confirmed using RT-PCR and detected in Asian badgers, red foxes and Hy. asiaticum tick egg batches. We also conducted enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to detected specific IgM and IgG antibodies against TcTV-2 in herdsmen. Phylogenetic analysis was performed to genetically characterize TcTV-2 detected in this study.
RESULTS: TcTV-2 was detected in various samples, including blood, urine, and throat swabs from 12.77% (6/47) tick-bitten patients. It was found in blood samples of 14.29% (1/7) of wild badgers, 7.69% (1/13) of red foxes, and 13.69% (23/168) of Hy. asiaticum egg batches. Furthermore, ELISA results revealed that 9.55% (94/984) of the serum samples (34 from males and 60 from females) were tested positive for TcTV-2-specific IgG, while 2.95% (29/984, 7 males and 22 females) showed positivity for TcTV-2-specific IgM. Additionally, 1.02% (10/984, 4 males and 6 females) of the sera tested positive for both TcTV-2-specific IgM and IgG. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that the TcTV-2 strains detected in this study were genetically similar, regardless of their origin and host species.
CONCLUSIONS: Clinical symptoms of TcTV-2 infection in patients are nonspecific, with common symptoms including headache, fever, asthenia, vomiting, myalgia, rash, and meningitis-like signs. TcTV-2 can be detected in blood, urine, and throat swab samples of infected patients. Among local herdsmen, 9.55% tested positive for TcTV-2-specific IgG and 2.95% for TcTV-2-specific IgM. Importantly, TcTV-2 can be transovarially transmitted in Hy. asiaticum ticks, and the Asian badgers and red foxes are potential reservoirs of TcTV-2.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prevalence of tick-borne rickettsial infections in selected areas of Liupanshui City, Guizhou Province, 2023, so as to provide insights into the management of tick-borne rickettsioses in the city.
METHODS: Ticks were captured from the body surface of bovines and sheep in Gaoxing Village, Dashan Township, Liupanshui City, Guizhou Province during the period between April and June, 2023, and tick species were identified using morphological and molecular biological techniques. In addition, tick-borne Rickettsia was identified using a nested PCR assay, including spotted fever group rickettsiae (SFGR), Coxiella spp., Anaplasma spp., Ehrlichia spp., and Orientia spp., and positive amplified fragments were sequenced and aligned with known sequences accessed in the GenBank database.
RESULTS: A total of 200 ticks were collected and all tick species were identified as Rhipicephalus microplus. Nestle PCR assay combined with sequencing identified ticks carrying Candidatus Rickettsia jingxinensis (40.50%), Coxiella burnetii (1.50%), and Coxiella-like endosymbionts (27.00%), and Anaplasma spp., Ehrlichia spp. or Orientsia spp. was not detected.
CONCLUSIONS: R. microplus carried Candidatus R. jingxinensis, C. burnetii, and Coxiella-like endosymbionts in selected areas of Liupanshui City, Guizhou Province. Intensified monitoring of tickborne rickettsial infections is needed in livestock and humans to reduce the damages caused by rickettsioses.
［摘要］ 目的 了解贵州省六盘水市部分地区蜱携带立克次体感染率, 为当地蜱传立克次体病防控工作提供参考依据。方法 2023 年 4—6 月在贵州省六盘水市盘州市大山镇高兴村捕捉牛、羊体表寄生蜱, 采用形态学和分子生物学方法对 蜱种进行鉴定。采用巢式 PCR 法检测蜱携带的立克次体, 包括斑点热群立克次体、柯克斯体属、无形体属、埃立克体属和 东方体属, 扩增的阳性片段测序后与 GenBank 已知序列进行同源性比对。结果 共采集 200 只蜱, 经鉴定均为微小扇头 蜱。巢式 PCR 联合测序鉴定出蜱携带敬信立克次体暂定种 (40.50%)、贝氏柯克斯体 (1.50%) 和柯克斯体共生菌 (27.00%), 未 检测出无形体、埃立克体及东方体。结论 贵州省六盘水市部分地区微小扇头蜱携带敬信立克次体暂定种、贝氏柯克斯 体和柯克斯体共生菌; 当地有关部门需加强家畜和人群蜱传立克次体感染监测, 减少蜱传立克次体病危害。.

BACKGROUND: The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) offer optimal climatic conditions for tick reproduction and dispersal. Research on tick-borne pathogens in this region is scarce. Despite recent advances in the characterization and taxonomic explanation of various tick-borne illnesses affecting animals in Egypt, no comprehensive examination of TBP (tick-borne pathogen) statuses has been performed. Therefore, the present study aims to detect the prevalence of pathogens harbored by ticks in Egypt.
RESULTS: A four-year PCR-based study was conducted to detect a wide range of tick-borne pathogens (TBPs) harbored by three economically important tick species in Egypt. Approximately 86.7% (902/1,040) of the investigated Hyalomma dromedarii ticks from camels were found positive with Candidatus Anaplasma camelii (18.8%), Ehrlichia ruminantium (16.5%), Rickettsia africae (12.6%), Theileria annulata (11.9%), Mycoplasma arginini (9.9%), Borrelia burgdorferi (7.7%), Spiroplasma-like endosymbiont (4.0%), Hepatozoon canis (2.4%), Coxiella burnetii (1.6%) and Leishmania infantum (1.3%). Double co-infections were recorded in 3.0% (27/902) of Hy. dromedarii ticks, triple co-infections (simultaneous infection of the tick by three pathogen species) were found in 9.6% (87/902) of Hy. dromedarii ticks, whereas multiple co-infections (simultaneous infection of the tick by ≥ four pathogen species) comprised 12% (108/902). Out of 1,435 investigated Rhipicephalus rutilus ticks collected from dogs and sheep, 816 (56.9%) ticks harbored Babesia canis vogeli (17.1%), Rickettsia conorii (16.2%), Ehrlichia canis (15.4%), H. canis (13.6%), Bo. burgdorferi (9.7%), L. infantum (8.4%), C. burnetii (7.3%) and Trypanosoma evansi (6.6%) in dogs, and 242 (16.9%) ticks harbored Theileria lestoquardi (21.6%), Theileria ovis (20.0%) and Eh. ruminantium (0.3%) in sheep. Double, triple, and multiple co-infections represented 11% (90/816), 7.6% (62/816), and 10.3% (84/816), respectively in Rh. rutilus from dogs, whereas double and triple co-infections represented 30.2% (73/242) and 2.1% (5/242), respectively in Rh. rutilus from sheep. Approximately 92.5% (1,355/1,465) of Rhipicephalus annulatus ticks of cattle carried a burden of Anaplasma marginale (21.3%), Babesia bigemina (18.2%), Babesia bovis (14.0%), Borrelia theleri (12.8%), R. africae (12.4%), Th. annulata (8.7%), Bo. burgdorferi (2.7%), and Eh. ruminantium (2.5%). Double, triple, and multiple co-infections represented 1.8% (25/1,355), 11.5% (156/1,355), and 12.9% (175/1,355), respectively. The detected pathogens\' sequences had 98.76-100% similarity to the available database with genetic divergence ranged between 0.0001 to 0.0009% to closest sequences from other African, Asian, and European countries. Phylogenetic analysis revealed close similarities between the detected pathogens and other isolates mostly from African and Asian countries.
CONCLUSIONS: Continuous PCR-detection of pathogens transmitted by ticks is necessary to overcome the consequences of these infection to the hosts. More restrictions should be applied from the Egyptian authorities on animal importations to limit the emergence and re-emergence of tick-borne pathogens in the country. This is the first in-depth investigation of TBPs in Egypt.

Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) is an emerging infectious disease, caused by severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus (SFTSV), which is primarily transmitted via tick bites. Clusters of SFTS caused by human-to-human transmission have been reported both at home and abroad, mainly focused on the transmission or exposure modes. However, the correlation between SFTS clusters and viral genotypes has not been investigated. This study mainly reported two clusters of SFTS in Xinyang City, Henan Province, from 2022 to 2023, discussed the possible route of person-to-person transmission of SFTSV infection and analyzed the association between SFTS clusters and virus genotypes. We found that two groups of SFTSV in two clusters were clustered separately into different genotypes through viral sequence analysis of 4 confirmed patients. We also performed phylogenetic analysis, after including SFTSV sequences obtained from SFTS clusters deposited in the GenBank. Three SFTSV genotypes have been reported among cases of human-to-human transmission, suggesting that the occurrence of SFTS clusters may not be related to SFTSV genotypes. This study provided genetic evidence for revealing the chain of human-to-human transmission of SFTS clusters, indicating that contact with patients\' blood is an important transmission route of SFTSV. The findings laid the foundation for preventing and controlling human-to-human transmission of SFTS.
发热伴血小板减少综合征(severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome, SFTS)是一种新发传染病，主要通过蜱虫叮咬传播，其病原体为发热伴血小板减少综合征病毒(severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus, SFTSV)。人际传播引发的SFTS聚集性疫情在国内外均有报道，人们重点关注了人际传播的感染途径，然而SFTS聚集性疫情和病毒基因型之间的相关性研究却未见报道。本文主要报道了2022~2023年河南省信阳市发生的两起SFTS聚集性疫情，探讨了SFTSV出现人际传播感染的可能途径，并对SFTS聚集性疫情与病毒基因型进行了关联分析。通过4例确诊患者的病毒序列分析，发现两起聚集性疫情中的2组SFTSV分别聚集在隶属于不同基因型的两个分支。将本研究病毒序列与GenBank中获得的SFTS聚集性疫情报道过的病毒序列进行系统发育分析，进一步发现人际传播病例报道的SFTSV涉及3种基因型，提示SFTS聚集性疫情的发生可能和病毒基因型无明显关联。本研究表明血液接触感染可能是SFTS聚集性疫情发生的主要传播途径，为揭示SFTS聚集性疫情的人际传播链提供了遗传学证据，为SFTS的人际传播防控提供了科学数据支撑。.

Questing ticks carry various tick-borne pathogens (TBPs) that are responsible for causing tick-borne diseases (TBDs) in humans and animals around the globe, especially in the tropics and sub-tropics. Information on the distribution of ticks and TBPs in a specific geography is crucial for the formulation of mitigation measures against TBDs. Therefore, this study aimed to survey the TBPs in the questing tick population in Bangladesh. A total of 2748 questing hard ticks were collected from the pastures in Sylhet, Bandarban, Sirajganj, Dhaka, and Mymensingh districts through the flagging method. After morphological identification, the ticks were grouped into 142 pools based on their species, sexes, life stages, and collection sites. The genomic DNA extracted from tick specimens was screened for 14 pathogens, namely Babesia bigemina (AMA-1), Babesia bovis (RAP-1), Babesia naoakii (AMA-1), Babesia ovis (18S rRNA), Theileria luwenshuni (18S rRNA), Theileria annulata (Tams-1), Theileria orientalis (MPSP), Anaplasma marginale (groEL), Anaplasma phagocytophilum (16S rRNA), Anaplasma bovis (16S rRNA), Anaplasma platys (16S rRNA), Ehrlichia spp. (16S rRNA), Rickettsia spp. (gltA), and Borrelia (Bo.) spp. (flagellin B) using genus and species-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays. The prevalence of the detected pathogens was calculated using the maximum likelihood method (MLE) with 95 % confidence interval (CI). Among 2748 ixodid ticks, 2332 (84.86 %) and 416 (15.14 %) were identified as Haemaphysalis bispinosa and Rhipicephalus microplus, respectively. Haemaphysalis bispinosa was found to carry all the seven detected pathogens, while larvae of R. microplus were found to carry only Bo. theileri. Among the TBPs, the highest detection rate was observed in A. bovis (20/142 pools, 0.81 %, CI: 0.51-1.20), followed by T. orientalis (19/142 pools, 0.72 %, CI: 0.44-1.09), T. luwenshuni (9/142 pools, 0.34 %, CI: 0.16-0.62), B. ovis (4/142 pools, 0.15 %, CI: 0.05 - 0.34) and Bo. theileri (4/142 pools, 0.15 %, CI: 0.05-0.34), Ehrlichia ewingii (3/142 pools, 0.11 %, CI: 0.03-0.29), and Babesia bigemina (1/142, 0.04 %, CI: 0.00 - 0.16). This study reports the existence of T. luwenshuni, E. ewingii, and Bo. theileri in Bangladesh for the first time. The novel findings of this study are the foremost documentation of transovarian transmission of B. bigemina and E. ewingii in H. bispinosa and also provide primary molecular evidence on the presence of E. ewingii and Bo. theileri in H. bispinosa. Therefore, this study may shed light on the circulating TBPs in ticks in the natural environment and thereby advocate awareness among physicians and veterinarians to control and prevent TBDs in Bangladesh.

BACKGROUND: Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (SFTS) is a tick-borne disease caused by the SFTS virus (SFTSV) which has the potential to become a pandemic and is currently a major public health concern.
METHODS: We present the case of a 74-year-old female from an urban area of Chongqing, with leukocytopenia, thrombocytopenia, organ function, inflammatory, blood coagulation, and immune abnormalities. SFTSV infection was confirmed through molecular detection and metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) analysis, indicating a diagnosis of SFTS due to the patient\'s history of tick bites. The patient received symptomatic and supportive therapy, including antibiotics, antiviral treatment, and antifungal therapy, and finally discharged from the hospital on day 18.
CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights the need for increased awareness, early diagnosis, and prompt treatment for tick-borne SFTS. It also provides a comprehensive understanding of the disease\'s characteristics, pathogenesis, detection methods, and available treatments.

The growth in ecotourism and nature-based recreational activities in China has resulted in an increased frequency of visits to green spaces, thereby elevating exposure to ticks and the subsequent risk of tick-borne diseases. This study comprehensively investigate individual behavioral and cognitive factors associated with the risk of contracting tick-borne diseases to facilitate the development of effective prevention and control strategies, supporting public health initiatives in high-prevalence regions. We conducted an extensive questionnaire survey among 3000 residents from three northeastern provinces in China (Heilongjiang, Jilin, and Liaoning), where tick-borne diseases exhibit relatively high prevalence. The survey focused on gathering information regarding participants\' tick bite history, perception of tick-borne disease risks, and outdoor activity patterns. Using structural equations analysis, we explored the pathways and strengths of the associations between these factors. Our findings revealed an average self-reported tick bite rate of 14% among the participants. Notably, tick-borne encephalitis exhibited the highest self-reported prevalence of infection (4%) among tick-borne diseases, while both Lyme disease and Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome had a prevalence of 2%. The average rate of tick bites among respondents\' pets was 14%, with bites predominantly located on the ears, back, and abdomen. The strongest correlation was observed between tick bite rate and subsequent infections, emphasizing its role as the primary contributing factors to infectious status. Moreover, our results indicated that the causal structure of tick-borne disease infections varied across different cities, underscoring the significance of considering the ecological environment and regional knowledge on ticks. This study provides valuable insights into the current landscape of tick-borne disease infections in northeast China and identifies potential behavioral and cognitive factors, an aspect that has not been previously investigated. Our findings enable predictions on the future impact of knowledge dissemination efforts and improved urban facilities on mitigating tick bites and reducing tick-borne disease infections.

Ticks are a hematophagous parasite and a vector of pathogens for numerous human and animal diseases of significant importance. The expansion of tick distribution and the increased risk of tick-borne diseases due to global climate change necessitates further study of the spatial distribution trend of ticks and their potential influencing factors. This study constructed a dataset of tick species distribution in Xinjiang for 60 years based on literature database retrieval and historical data collection (January 1963-January 2023). The distribution data were extracted, corrected, and deduplicated. The dominant tick species were selected for analysis using the MaxEnt model to assess their potential distribution in different periods under the current and BCC-CSM2.MR mode scenarios. The results indicated that there are eight genera and 48 species of ticks in 108 cities and counties of Xinjiang, with Hyalomma asiaticum, Rhipicephalus turanicus, Dermacentor marginatus, and Haemaphysalis punctatus being the top four dominant species. The MaxEnt model analysis revealed that the suitability areas of the four dominant ticks were mainly distributed in the north of Xinjiang, in areas such as Altay and Tacheng Prefecture. Over the next four periods, the medium and high suitable areas within the potential distribution range of the four tick species will expand towards the northwest. Additionally, new suitability areas will emerge in Altay, Changji Hui Autonomous Prefecture, and other local areas. The 60-year tick dataset in this study provides a map of preliminary tick distribution in Xinjiang, with a diverse array of tick species and distribution patterns throughout the area. In addition, the MaxEnt model revealed the spatial change characteristics and future distribution trend of ticks in Xinjiang, which can provide an instrumental data reference for tick monitoring and tick-borne disease risk prediction not only in the region but also in other countries participating in the Belt and Road Initiative.