Khumalo Cynthia Sipho, Mulavu Malala, Changula Katendi, Mubemba Benjamin, Bubala Nchimunya, Martin Anne C, Ng'ombwa Innocent Billy, Nalubamba King Shimumbo, Chitanga Simbarashe, Muleya Walter, Simulundu Edgar
Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia.
Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Health Sciences, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia.
Sci One Health. 2024 Aug 8;3:100074. doi: 10.1016/j.soh.2024.100074. eCollection 2024.
In sub-Saharan Africa, limited studies have investigated zoonotic pathogens that may be harboured by ticks infesting reptiles such as tortoises. Here, we report the presence of pathogenic in ticks () collected from the leopard tortoise () in rural Zambia. Using polymerase chain reaction, 56% (49/87) of ticks were positive for the outer membrane protein () gene. Multi-locus sequence and phylogenetic analysis based on the , , and citrate synthase () genes showed that the ticks carried . , and other spp. closely related to , , and . Given the proximity between humans, livestock, and wildlife in these habitats, there exists a considerable risk of transmission of zoonotic to human populations in this rural setting. These results call for heightened awareness and further research into the dynamics of tick-borne diseases in regions where humans and animals coexist, particularly in the context of tortoise-associated ticks as vectors. Understanding and addressing these potential disease vectors is crucial for effective public health measures and the prevention of zoonoses.
在撒哈拉以南非洲，针对寄生于乌龟等爬行动物身上的蜱虫所携带的人畜共患病原体进行调查的研究较少。在此，我们报告了在赞比亚农村地区从豹纹陆龟身上采集的蜱虫（ ）中存在致病性 。通过聚合酶链反应，56%（49/87）的蜱虫 外膜蛋白（ ）基因呈阳性。基于 、 和柠檬酸合酶（ ）基因的多位点序列和系统发育分析表明，这些蜱虫携带了 、 以及与 、 、 和 密切相关的其他 属物种。鉴于这些栖息地中人类、家畜和野生动物之间的接近程度，在这种农村环境中，人畜共患 传播给人类的风险相当大。这些结果呼吁提高认识，并进一步研究人类与动物共存地区蜱传疾病的动态，特别是在以乌龟相关蜱虫作为传播媒介的情况下。了解并应对这些潜在的疾病传播媒介对于有效的公共卫生措施和预防 人畜共患病至关重要。
