Vector prevalence and detection of crimean-congo haemorrhagic fever virus in Golestan province, Iran

Mohammad Mehdi Sedaghat, Moslem Sarani, Sadegh Chinikar, Zakiye Telmadarraiy, Abdolreza Salahi Moghaddam, Kamal Azam, Norbert Nowotny, Anthony R. Fooks, Nariman Shahhosseini*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

21 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Background & objectives: Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV) causes severe disease with fatality rate of 30%. The virus is transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected tick, direct contact with the products of infected livestock as well as nosocomially. The disease occurs sporadically throughout many of African, Asian and European countries. Different species of ticks serve either as vector or reservoir for CCHFV. This study was aimed to determine the prevalence of CCHFV in hard ticks (Ixodidae) in the Golestan Province of Iran. Methods: A molecular survey was conducted on hard ticks (Ixodidae) isolated from six counties in Golestan Province, north of Iran during 2014–15. The ticks were identified using morphological characteristics and presence of CCHFV RNA was detected using RT-PCR. Results: Data revealed the presence of CCHFV in 5.3% of the ticks selected for screening. The infected ticks belonged to Hyalomma dromedarii, Hy. anatolicum, Hy. marginatum and Rhipicephalus sanguineus species. Interpretation & conclusion: The study demonstrated that Hyalomma ticks are the main vectors of CCHFV in Golestan Province. Thus, preventive strategies such as using acaricides and repellents in order to avoid contact with Hyalomma ticks are proposed.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)353-357
Number of pages5
JournalJournal of Vector Borne Diseases
Volume54
Issue number4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Dec 2017
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • CCHFV
  • Golestan Province
  • Iran
  • Ixodidae tick

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Parasitology
  • Infectious Diseases

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