Molecular Detection of in and : Updated Knowledge on the Epidemiology of Tick-Borne .

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. Ticks were collected from livestock, including goats, sheep, and cattle, in six districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Pakistan. Overall, 183 hosts were examined, of which 134 (73.2%), including goats (number = 39/54, 72.2%), sheep (23/40, 57.5%), and cattle (71/89, 80%) were infested by 823 ticks. The most prevalent tick species was (number = 283, 34.3%), followed by (223, 27.0%), (122, 14.8%), (104, 12.6%), (66, 8.0%), and (25, 3.03%). A subset of 210 ticks was selected and screened for spp. using PCR-based amplification and subsequent sequencing of rickettsial and fragments. The overall occurrence rate of was 4.3% (number = 9/210). The DNA of was detected in (3/35, 8.5%) and (6/49, 12.2%). However, no rickettsial DNA was detected in (35), (35), (42), and (14). The and fragments showed 99-100% identity with and clustered phylogenetically with the corresponding species from Pakistan, Italy, Georgia, and China. was genetically characterized for the first time in Pakistan and globally. Further studies should be encouraged to determine the role of ticks in the maintenance and transmission of in different hosts.