First report on detection of Hepatozoon ayorgbor in Rhipicephalus haemaphysaloides and Hepatozoon colubri in Haemaphysalis sulcata and Hyalomma anatolicum: risks of spillover of Hepatozoon spp. from wildlife to domestic animals

This study aimed to detect Hepatozoon spp. in ticks infesting asymptomatic domestic animals and provide insight into their potential spillover from wild animals. In total, 537 tick specimens were collected Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, morphologically identified. The most prevalent species was Haemaphysalis cornupunctata (69; 12.8%), followed by kashmirensis (62; 11.5%), Rhipicephalus microplus (58; 10.8%), montgomeryi (51; 9.5%), sanguineus (49; 9.1%), each bispinosa sulcata (43; 8.0%), Hyalomma anatolicum turanicus (37; 6.9%), haemaphysaloides (33; 6.1%) scupense (30; 5.6%), isaaci (25; 4.7%). extracted DNA a subset of subjected PCR amplify 18S rRNA fragments By BLAST analysis, the sp. detected Hy. cows Ha. sheep showed 99.7% maximum identity with colubri . Similarly, R. goats shared 99.49% ayorgbor , dogs exhibited canis Having an overall infection rate (9.3%; 16/172), highest recorded for H. (3.5%; 6/172), (2.3%; 4/172). phylogenetic tree, clustered corresponding Iran, same Croatia, Ghana, Portugal, conspecifics Israel, Romania, Zambia. Regarding wildlife through ticks, free ranging at higher risk compared confined (RR = 3.05), consuming food habitats those 3.06), residing farm buildings located villages 3.28). addition first report on this is earliest data showing These preliminary findings suggest via under certain factors.