Detection of Ticks and Tick-Borne Pathogens of Urban Stray Dogs in South Africa.

This study aimed to identify ticks infesting dogs admitted to the Potchefstroom Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) and to detect tick-borne pathogens they are harbouring. A total of 592 ticks were collected from 61 stray dogs admitted to PAWS originating from several suburbs in and near Potchefstroom, South Africa. The dog ticks were identified as (39%) and (61%) by both morphological and DNA analyses. Of these ticks, consisted of 67.5% (156/231) and 32.5% (75/231) female and male ticks, respectively, whilst consisted of 48.5% (175/361) and 51.5% (186/361) female and male ticks, respectively. Microscopic examination of blood smears from engorged female ticks indicated overall occurrences of 0.5% (1/204) for spp. from , 1% (2/204) of spp. from , and 22% (45/204) of spp. from both and Using pooled samples molecular detection of tick-borne pathogens indicated overall occurrences of 1% (1/104) for in 9.6% (10/104) of spp. in and , 5.8% (6/104) of in and , and 13.5% (14/104) of spp. in both and . Additionally, PCR detected 6.5% (2/31) of spp. DNA from eggs. Our data indicate that urban stray dogs admitted at PAWS are infested by and ticks which are harbouring several pathogenic organisms known to cause tick-borne diseases.