Health risks associated with argasid ticks, transmitted pathogens, and blood parasites in Pyrenean Griffon vulture (Gyps fulvus) nestlings.

There is a knowledge gap in the study of Argasidae soft ticks and the pathogens they can transmit. These hematophagous arthropods are widely distributed and are often considered typical bird ectoparasites. Tick-parasitized birds can act not only as a reservoir of pathogens but also can carry these p...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Moraga Fernández, Alberto, Oliva Vidal , Pilar, Sánchez Sánchez, Marta, Muñoz Fernandez, Clara, Martínez , José María, Margalida , Antoni, Fuente García, José de Jesús de la, García Fernández de Mera, María Isabel
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Fecha de publicación:2023
País:España
Institución:Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha
Repositorio:RUIdeRA. Repositorio Institucional de la UCLM
OAI Identifier:oai:ruidera.uclm.es:10578/33530
Acceso en línea:https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10344-023-01741-8
https://hdl.handle.net/10578/33530
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Argasids
Vultures
Ticks
Tick-borne pathogens
Blood parasites
Descripción
Sumario:There is a knowledge gap in the study of Argasidae soft ticks and the pathogens they can transmit. These hematophagous arthropods are widely distributed and are often considered typical bird ectoparasites. Tick-parasitized birds can act not only as a reservoir of pathogens but also can carry these pathogen-infected arthropods to new areas. Seven griffon vulture nestlings were sampled in northeastern Spain, collecting ticks (n = 28) from two individuals and blood from each vulture (n = 7). Blood samples from griffon vultures tested PCR positive for Flavivirus (7/7), Anaplasma (6/7), piroplasms (4/7), and Rickettsia (1/7). A total of 27 of the 28 analyzed ticks were positive for Rickettsia, 9/28 for Anaplasma, 2/28 for piroplasms, and 5/28 for Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFv). Sequencing and phylogenetic analyses confirmed the presence of Rickettsia spp., Babesia ardeae, and zoonotic Anaplasma phagocytophilum in vultures and Rickettsia spp., B. ardeae, and CCHFv genotype V in ticks.