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. 2024 Oct 9:6:100220.
doi: 10.1016/j.crpvbd.2024.100220. eCollection 2024.

Diversity of questing ticks and prevalence of tick-associated pathogens in Khao Kheow-Khao Chomphu Wildlife Sanctuary, Chon Buri, Thailand

Wittawat Wechtaisong  1 , Chalida Sri-In  1 , Kritsada Thongmeesee  1   2 , Elizabeth Riana  1   3 , Thuong Thi Huyen Bui  1   3 , Lyric C Bartholomay  4 , Sonthaya Tiawsirisup  1
Affiliations

Diversity of questing ticks and prevalence of tick-associated pathogens in Khao Kheow-Khao Chomphu Wildlife Sanctuary, Chon Buri, Thailand

Wittawat Wechtaisong et al. Curr Res Parasitol Vector Borne Dis. .

Abstract

Ixodid ticks are important vectors for tick-borne diseases distributed worldwide, including Thailand. Recreation areas within wildlife habitats are considered high-risk zones for tick exposure and tick-borne disease in humans. The study aimed to determine seasonal variations in tick diversity and pathogen prevalence in Khao Kheow-Khao Chomphu Wildlife Sanctuary, Chon Buri, Thailand. From November 2021 to March 2023, a total of 1331 immature ticks were collected by dragging. The proportion of collected larvae was highest in February 2022, while the number of collected nymphs peaked in December 2021. Seven tick species were molecularly identified: Haemaphysalis lagrangei, H. wellingtoni, H. shimoga, H. obesa, Dermacentor auratus, Rhipicephalus microplus, and Amblyomma integrum. Of 80 tick pools, Anaplasma, piroplasms (Babesia and Theileria), Bartonella, and Rickettsia were detected in 10% (8/80), 3.75% (3/80), 1.25% (1/80), and 3.75% (3/80) of tick pools, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis grouped the newly generated sequences in the clades of Anaplasma bovis, Babesia gibsoni, Theileria cervi, Bartonella henselae, and Rickettsia montanensis. A seasonal pattern of pathogen appearance was detected during November to February, the cool season in Thailand. Based on our results indicating the highest peak of immature ticks and prevalence of pathogens, visitors should take precautions to avoid tick exposure during this season.

Keywords: Diversity; Pathogens; Questing ticks; Thailand; Wildlife sanctuary.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.

Figures

Image 1
Graphical abstract
Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Location of sampling sites. Chon Buri Province, Thailand shown in grey area (A), Khao Kheow-Khao Chomphu Wildlife Sanctuary shown in black area (B), sampling Site 1 (13°14′11″N, 101°02′40″E) (C), and sampling Site 2 (13°14′11″N, 101°02′37″E) (D).
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Seven morphological forms in dorsal view of immature ticks collected in this study. ADermacentor sp. larva related to D. auratus (GenBank: MT371592) with 99.75% similarity. BHaemaphysalis sp. larva related to H. lagrangei (GenBank: MG788690) with 100% similarity. CRhipicephalus sp. larva related to R. microplus (GenBank: OQ725522) with 100% similarity. DAmblyomma sp. nymph related to A. integrum (GenBank: OP363195) with 100% similarity. EDermacentor sp. nymph related to D. auratus (GenBank: MT371592) with 99.75% similarity. FHaemaphysalis sp. nymph related to H. shimoga (GenBank: KC170730) with 99.78% similarity. GHaemaphysalis sp. nymph related to H. wellingtoni (GenBank: MG283136) with 100% similarity.
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
The number of ticks collected (A) and PCR-positive tick pools (B) obtained at sampling Site 1, Khao Kheow-Khao Chomphu Wildlife Sanctuary, Chon Buri Province, Thailand.
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
The number of ticks collected (A) and PCR-positive tick pools (B) obtained at sampling Site 2, Khao Kheow-Khao Chomphu Wildlife Sanctuary, Chon Buri Province, Thailand.
Fig. 5
Fig. 5
Maximum likelihood (ML) tree of tick 16S rDNA gene sequences (primer cut; 405 bp) computed with the GTR+G+I model. The phylogenetic relationships of the newly generated sequences (black dots) and reference sequences from the GenBank database. Dermanyssus gallinae (GenBank: LC029787) was used as the outgroup.
Fig. 6
Fig. 6
Maximum likelihood (ML) tree of Anaplasmataceae 16S rRNA gene sequences (primer cut; 305 bp) computed with the K2+G model. The phylogenetic relationships of the newly generated sequences (black dots) and reference sequences from the GenBank database. Ehrlichia canis (GenBank: KR920044) was used as the outgroup.
Fig. 7
Fig. 7
Maximum likelihood (ML) tree of Babesia spp. 18S rRNA gene sequences (primer cut; 426 bp) computed with the TN93+G model. The phylogenetic relationships of the newly generated sequences (black dot) and reference sequences from the GenBank database. Plasmodium falciparum (GenBank: JQ627151) was used as the outgroup.
Fig. 8
Fig. 8
Maximum likelihood (ML) tree of Theileria spp. 18S rRNA gene sequences (primer cut; 426 bp) computed with the TN93+G model. The phylogenetic relationships of the newly generated sequences (black dots) and reference sequences from the GenBank database. Plasmodium falciparum (GenBank: JQ627151) was used as the outgroup.
Fig. 9
Fig. 9
Maximum likelihood (ML) tree of Bartonella spp. internal transcribed spacer region 16S-23S rRNA sequences computed with the T92+G model. The phylogenetic relationships of the newly generated sequence (black dot) and reference sequences from the GenBank database.
Fig. 10
Fig. 10
Maximum likelihood (ML) tree of Rickettsia spp. gltA gene sequences (primer cut; 333 bp) computed with the T92+G model. The phylogenetic relationships of the newly generated sequence (black dot) and reference sequences from the GenBank database. Rickettsia bellii (GenBank: DQ146481) was used as the outgroup.
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