21 Kas 2024 Perşembe
A survey on hard ticks as potential vectors of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever collected from long-eared hedgehog (Hemiechinus auritus) in south east of Iran: First report of Hyalomma asiaticum from hedgehog in Iran
Abstract :Hedgehogs are nocturnal foraging animals which plays an important role as hosts for a wide range of parasites, bacteria, viruses and fungi. The aim of the present study was to investigate prevalence of hard ticks collected from long eared hedgehogs (Hemiechinus auritus) as potential vectors of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) in Sistan region, south east of Iran. A total number of 20 hedgehogs were collected from north, south and east of Sistan for ectoparasites examination. hedgehogs were anesthetized and ticks were collected using forceps. Genus and species were diagnosed under stereomicroscope according to valid morphological keys. 2 genera and 2 species were detected including: 188 (97.9%) Rhipicephalus sanguineus and 4 (2.1%) Hyalomma asiaticum. 112 ticks (58.3%) were male and 80 (41.7%) were female. Frequency of body part infestation was 47%, 30% and 23% for the ear, back and head, respectively. As far as our knowledge, this is the first report of Hyalomma asiaticum isolation from hedgehogs in Iran. Considering the predominance of Rhipicephalus and Hyalomma genus in Sistan along with the fact that these ticks are the main vectors of CCHF virus, controlling and preventive strategies alongside awareness of people at risk should be pursued more seriously.
Long-eared hedgehog, Hard tick, Sistan, Iran