Publications by authors named "Shun-Chung Chang"

spp. are responsible for ovine and caprine theileriosis, leading to significant morbidity and mortality in small ruminants. The present study aims to investigate spp.

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Ticks pose significant threats to hosts by transmitting spp., which are grouped into Lyme borreliae, relapsing fever borreliae (RF), and reptiles- and monotremes-associated borreliae. The RF borreliae encompass a group of species predominantly transmitted by soft ticks, but some of its members can also be transmitted by hard ticks.

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Article Synopsis
  • Ticks from the genus Koch are not well understood due to their habitat in difficult mountain terrains, and this study aims to identify and confirm their presence in Pakistan for the first time.
  • The researchers collected ticks from goats and successfully extracted and analyzed genomic DNA from a majority of the specimens using PCR to identify genetic markers and confirm species identity.
  • The findings revealed significant genetic similarities between the ticks from Pakistan and known species, highlighting the need for further exploration of ticks and their associated diseases in Pakistan's northern regions due to potential zoonotic risks.
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Ticks are hematophagous ectoparasites that transmit different pathogens such as spp. to domestic and wild animals as well as humans. Genetic characterizations of spp.

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Argasid ticks have the vectorial potential for transmitting disease-causing pathogens to avian hosts, resulting in economic losses that may not be fully estimated. species are the responsible agents of borreliosis in poultry, animals and humans. Our previous studies have reported a high prevalence of infesting domestic fowls in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Pakistan.

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Ticks are hematophagous ectoparasites that transmit pathogens to animals and humans. Updated knowledge regarding the global epidemiology of tick-borne is dispersed, and its molecular detection and genetic characterization are missing in Pakistan. The current study objectives were to molecularly detect and genetically characterize species, especially in hard ticks infesting livestock in Pakistan, and to provide updated knowledge regarding their global epidemiology.

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Article Synopsis
  • Caprine theileriosis, caused by the parasite Theileria ovis, poses significant production challenges for goat and sheep farming in regions like Pakistan, where these animals are vital for the economy.
  • A study in the Muzaffar Garh district examined 1,084 goat blood samples over a year using PCR, revealing a low infection rate of 1.11%, with higher prevalence during summer.
  • Young goats showed more infections in winter, and infected animals exhibited altered blood parameters, indicating health issues; hence, the study suggests implementing control measures to combat T. ovis.
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