High-Throughput Microfluidic Real-Time PCR for the Detection of Multiple Microorganisms in Ixodid Cattle Ticks in Northeast Algeria.

Ixodid ticks are hematophagous arthropods considered to be prominent ectoparasite vectors that have a negative impact on cattle, either through direct injury or via the transmission of several pathogens. In this study, we investigated the molecular infection rates of numerous tick-borne pathogens in ticks sampled on cattle from the Kabylia region, northeastern Algeria, using a high-throughput microfluidic real-time PCR system. A total of 235 ticks belonging to seven species of the genera , , and were sampled on cattle and then screened for the presence of 36 different species of bacteria and protozoans. The most prevalent tick-borne microorganisms were spp. at 79.1%, followed by -like endosymbionts (62.9%), spp. (17.8%), spp. (14.4%), spp. (6.8%), spp. (6.8%), and spp. (2.5%). Among the 80.4% of ticks bearing microorganisms, 20%, 36.6%, 21.7%, and 2.1% were positive for one, two, three, and four different microorganisms, respectively. was detected in , , and ticks. was found in , and and were detected in . was found in all identified tick genera, but was detected exclusively in spp. ticks. The DNA of spp. and spp. was identified in several tick species. was found in , , , , and and was found in and . Our study highlights the importance of tick-borne pathogens in cattle in Algeria.