Identification of ticks and tick-borne pathogens of wildlife necropsy cases submitted to the SANBI National Zoological Gardens, South Africa

dc.contributor.authorKhumalo, Nozipho
dc.contributor.authorLedwaba, Maphuti Betty
dc.contributor.authorLabuschagne, Kim
dc.contributor.authorVorster, Ilse
dc.contributor.authorOosthuizen, Marinda C.
dc.contributor.authorMwale, Monica
dc.contributor.authorChaisi, Mamohale E.
dc.date.accessioned2025-05-29T10:24:30Z
dc.date.issued2024-10
dc.descriptionDATA AVAILABILITY : Sequence data is available on BOLD https://www.boldsystems.org/index.php/Login/page
dc.description.abstractTicks are arachnid blood-feeding parasites, which infest livestock, wildlife, and humans, transmitting medically and veterinary significant pathogens. Their biodiversity and distribution in wild animals remains complex. This study analysed archived tick samples (n = 48) from the South African Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) Wildlife Biobank utilizing morphology and genetic analyses of the 16S rRNA and COI (DNA barcoding) mitochondrial genes to identify ticks collected among 13 vertebratesavian, reptilian, and mammalian host species. The specimens came from nine localities including nature reserves and captive facilities (zoological garden) in South Africa, Namibia, and Botswana. These ticks were also assessed for associated pathogens with the reverse line blot (RLB) hybridization assay. Seven tick genera, Amblyomma, Hyalomma, Haemaphysalis, Ixodes, Rhipicephalus, Rhipicentor, and Otobius were identified, with Amblyomma being the most prevalent (22.9 %) in our sample set. Obtained sequences were 95–100 % similar to published records of tick species collected from wild and domestic animals, as well as those collected from vegetation, from different southern African areas. However, tick specimens (n = 3) identified morphologically as Hyalomma truncatum, Rhipicephalus e. evertsi, and R. simus, were, on a molecularly level, more closely related to their sister taxa (H. glabrum, R. e. mimeticus, and R. gertrudae, respectively) suggesting a need for taxonomic verification. With the RLB hybridization assay, six samples reacted with the Ehrlichia/Anaplasma genus-specific probe, while two reacted with the Theileria/Babesia genus-specific probe. Sequencing of the RLB amplicons targeting the 18S rRNA gene (n = 2) indicated 100 % similarity to Hepatozoon fitzsimonsi, while one was closely related to He. ingwe with 99.39 % similarity. The results show that wildlife harbour different tick species, and pathogen detection identified novel genotypes, indicating wildlife as potential pathogens reservoirs. This study enhances our understanding of tick biodiversity, distribution and highlights wildlife's role in harbouring diverse tick species and novel pathogens.
dc.description.departmentVeterinary Tropical Diseases
dc.description.embargo2025-08-29
dc.description.librarianhj2025
dc.description.sdgSDG-15: Life on land
dc.description.sponsorshipThe Thuthuka NRF small grant funding.
dc.description.urihttps://www.elsevier.com/locate/vprsr
dc.identifier.citationKhumalo, N., Ledwaba, M.B., Labuschagne, K. et al. 2024, 'Identification of ticks and tick-borne pathogens of wildlife necropsy cases submitted to the SANBI National Zoological Gardens, South Africa', Veterinary Parasitology : Regional Studies and Reports', vol. 55, art. 101105, pp. 1-14, doi : 10.1016/j.vprsr.2024.101105.
dc.identifier.issn2405-9390 (online)
dc.identifier.other10.1016/j.vprsr.2024.101105.
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/2263/102574
dc.language.isoen
dc.publisherElsevier
dc.rights© 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights are reserved, including those for text and data mining, AI training, and similar technologies. Notice : this is the author’s version of a work that was accepted for publication in Veterinary Parasitology: Regional Studies and Reports. Changes resulting from the publishing process, such as peer review, editing, corrections, structural formatting, and other quality control mechanisms may not be reflected in this document. A definitive version was subsequently published in Veterinary Parasitology: Regional Studies and Reports, vol. 55, art. 101105, pp. 1-14, 2024, doi : 10.1016/j.vprsr.2024.101105.
dc.subjectTicks
dc.subject16S rRNA
dc.subjectCOI
dc.subjectBarcoding
dc.subjectWildlife
dc.subjectTick-borne pathogen (TBP)
dc.subjectSouth African Biodiversity Institute (SANBI)
dc.subjectDNA barcoding
dc.subjectDeoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)
dc.subjectReverse line blot (RLB)
dc.titleIdentification of ticks and tick-borne pathogens of wildlife necropsy cases submitted to the SANBI National Zoological Gardens, South Africa
dc.typePostprint Article

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