Balti Ghofrane, Aounallah Hajer, Ouni Ahmed, Derghal Moufida, Rhim Adel, Chemkhi Jomaa, Guizani Ikram, Bouattour Ali, Guerbouj Souheila, M'ghirbi Youmna
Laboratory of Viruses, Vectors and Hosts (LR20IPT02), Pasteur Institute of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, Tunis 1002, Tunis, Tunisia.
Laboratory of Molecular Epidemiology and Experimental Pathology Applied to Infectious Diseases (LR16IPT04), Pasteur Institute of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, Tunis 1002, Tunisia.
Int J Parasitol Parasites Wildl. 2025 Jun 30;27:101109. doi: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2025.101109. eCollection 2025 Aug.
Hedgehogs are small wild mammals known to host various ectoparasites, including hard ticks and fleas, which can transmit vector-borne pathogens to humans and animals. We investigated the ectoparasites infesting 10 hedgehogs () captured in northern Tunisia and found both ticks and fleas. Ectoparasite species were identified based on their morphological characteristics as well as using molecular methods via the partial amplification of the 16 S rRNA, the mitochondrial Cytochrome C Oxidase subunit I, and the 18 S rRNA genes. Four tick species were identified: , followed by , , and . Molecular analysis confirmed the presence of the subspecies , with phylogenetic clustering suggesting a genetic relationship with tick populations in Algeria, Turkey, and China. Two additional flea species were identified: , the hedgehog flea, and , the cat flea, both known to be vectors of pathogens. We confirmed that hedgehogs were infested with , with the obtained sequences clustering closely with those previously reported in Spain. This genetic similarity may suggest a shared origin and indicate a wider geographic distribution for this subspecies. Our study underscores the importance of understanding the interactions between hedgehogs, ectoparasites, and their environments. Our findings may inform public health strategies and wildlife management, aiming to control ectoparasite populations and reduce the risk of the emergence of zoonotic diseases.
刺猬是小型野生哺乳动物，已知其身上寄生着各种体外寄生虫，包括硬蜱和跳蚤，这些寄生虫可将媒介传播的病原体传播给人类和动物。我们调查了在突尼斯北部捕获的10只刺猬（）身上的体外寄生虫，发现了蜱和跳蚤。根据体外寄生虫的形态特征以及通过对16 S rRNA、线粒体细胞色素C氧化酶亚基I和18 S rRNA基因进行部分扩增的分子方法来鉴定体外寄生虫的种类。鉴定出了四种蜱类：，其次是，，和。分子分析证实了亚种的存在，系统发育聚类表明其与阿尔及利亚、土耳其和中国的蜱种群存在遗传关系。还鉴定出了另外两种跳蚤：刺猬跳蚤，和猫蚤，这两种跳蚤均已知是病原体的传播媒介。我们证实刺猬感染了，获得的序列与之前在西班牙报道的序列紧密聚类。这种遗传相似性可能表明有共同的起源，并表明该亚种有更广泛的地理分布。我们的研究强调了了解刺猬、体外寄生虫及其环境之间相互作用的重要性。我们的研究结果可为公共卫生策略和野生动物管理提供参考，旨在控制体外寄生虫种群并降低人畜共患疾病出现的风险。
