| Autor: |
Dincer E; Department of Virology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Dokuz Eylül University, Izmir, Turkey., Timurkan MO; Department of Virology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ataturk University, Erzurum, Turkey., Yalcınkaya D; Department of Medical Services, Vocational School of Health Services, Toros University, Mersin, Turkey., Hekimoglu O; Division of Ecology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey., Nayır MB; Department of Virology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Dokuz Eylül University, Izmir, Turkey., Sertkaya TZ; Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Ankara Medipol University, Ankara, Turkey., Yorulmaz T; Hunting and Wildlife Program, Department of Forestry, Yapraklı Vocational School, Çankırı Karatekin University, Çankırı, Turkey. |
| Abstrakt: |
Background: Jingmen tick virus (JMTV) and Tacheng tick virus-1 (TcTV-1) are emerging tick-borne viruses that have been recently confirmed to be etiological agents of human disease in China. However, the ecology of JMTV and TcTV-1, especially their association with ticks in wildlife and livestock, remains largely unknown in Turkey. Materials and Methods: Eight hundred thirty-two tick specimens in 117 pools were collected in Turkey between 2020 and 2022 from wildlife ( Miniopterus schreibersii and Rhinolophus hipposideros; n = 10, 1.2%; Testudo graeca; n = 50, 6%) and livestock ( Ovis aries and Capra aegagrus hircus; n = 772, 92.7%). The specimens were individually screened for JMTV and TcTV-1 using nRT-PCR assays targeting the partial genes. Results: JMTV was detected in one Ixodes simplex pool and two Rhipicephalus bursa pools collected from central and Aegean provinces, respectively. TcTV-1 was identified in five Hyalomma aegyptium pools collected in Mediterranean provinces. No coinfection was detected in the tick pools. Maximum likelihood analysis of JMTV partial segment 1 sequences reveal that these sequences form a separate cluster together with viruses previously characterized in Turkey and the Balkan Peninsula. The phylogenetic analysis of the TcTV-1 nucleocapsid sequences indicates that they are closely related to viruses in ticks, sheep, cattle, and humans in China, but form a separate group among themselves. Conclusion: This study provides the first molecular evidence of TcTV-1 in Hy. aegyptium in Turkey. In addion, these findings indicate that JMTV and TcTV-1 extend ticks species and geographic distributions. Thus, multiregional surveillance in livestock and wildlife is needed to evaluate potential tick vectors and the human health impact of these viruses in Turkey. |
