Detection of Tick-Borne Rickettsial Pathogens in Ticks from Livestock and Dogs in Uganda
Faculty Mentor
Dr. Marina Eremeeva
Location
Russell Union Ballroom
Type of Research
On-going
Session Format
Poster Presentation
College
Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health
Department
BEEHS
Abstract
Detection of Tick-Borne Rickettsial Pathogens in Ticks from Livestock and Dogs in Uganda
Brianna Reyes1, Kiana Moncur1, Darby Clark1, Amanda Jo Williams-Newkirk2, Johanna S. Salzer2, Lance A. Durden3, and Marina E. Eremeeva1
Affiliations:
1Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro GA 30458
2Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, 30329
3College of Sciences and Mathematics, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro GA 30458
In Sub-Saharan Africa, tick-borne pathogens pose a significant threat to livestock health and human health. Despite this, there is limited surveillance data in many African countries. This research investigates the presence and diversity of tick-borne rickettsial pathogens in 257 ticks collected from goats, sheep, cows, and dogs in Uganda.
Adult ticks were identified as Rhipicephalus sanguineus (60), Rhipicephalus appendiculatus (8), Rhipicephalus evertsi (21), Haemaphysalis paraleachi (16), and Haemaphysalis parmata (1) using taxonomic keys. One hundred and fifty-one nymphs were identified as Rhipicephalus species. Eighty-nine (34.6%) ticks tested PCR-positive for at least one pathogen using EvaGreen-PCR screening assays, including 1.9% (n=5) for spotted fever group Rickettsia, 2.3% (n=6) for Ehrlichia, and 30.1% (n=78) for Anaplasma. Ticks collected from goats had the highest prevalence of Anaplasma PCR-positive ticks (82%, n=79) compared to only 6.3% (n=32) in ticks from sheep. Three ticks tested PCR-positive for two pathogens. Preliminary sequencing and analysis of GroEL gene identified Anaplasma marginale, A. bovis, and A. ovis in these ticks.
The high prevalence of Anaplasma in ticks collected from goats indicates that some animal hosts may play critical role in the circulation of tick-borne pathogens. Further studies involving various livestock and wildlife animals are needed to characterize life cycle of tick-borne pathogens and their primary host association.
Program Description
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Start Date
4-23-2026 2:00 PM
End Date
4-23-2026 4:00 PM
Recommended Citation
Reyes, Brianna L., "Detection of Tick-Borne Rickettsial Pathogens in Ticks from Livestock and Dogs in Uganda" (2026). GS4 Student Scholars Symposium. 181.
https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/research_symposium/2026/2026/181
Detection of Tick-Borne Rickettsial Pathogens in Ticks from Livestock and Dogs in Uganda
Russell Union Ballroom
Detection of Tick-Borne Rickettsial Pathogens in Ticks from Livestock and Dogs in Uganda
Brianna Reyes1, Kiana Moncur1, Darby Clark1, Amanda Jo Williams-Newkirk2, Johanna S. Salzer2, Lance A. Durden3, and Marina E. Eremeeva1
Affiliations:
1Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro GA 30458
2Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, 30329
3College of Sciences and Mathematics, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro GA 30458
In Sub-Saharan Africa, tick-borne pathogens pose a significant threat to livestock health and human health. Despite this, there is limited surveillance data in many African countries. This research investigates the presence and diversity of tick-borne rickettsial pathogens in 257 ticks collected from goats, sheep, cows, and dogs in Uganda.
Adult ticks were identified as Rhipicephalus sanguineus (60), Rhipicephalus appendiculatus (8), Rhipicephalus evertsi (21), Haemaphysalis paraleachi (16), and Haemaphysalis parmata (1) using taxonomic keys. One hundred and fifty-one nymphs were identified as Rhipicephalus species. Eighty-nine (34.6%) ticks tested PCR-positive for at least one pathogen using EvaGreen-PCR screening assays, including 1.9% (n=5) for spotted fever group Rickettsia, 2.3% (n=6) for Ehrlichia, and 30.1% (n=78) for Anaplasma. Ticks collected from goats had the highest prevalence of Anaplasma PCR-positive ticks (82%, n=79) compared to only 6.3% (n=32) in ticks from sheep. Three ticks tested PCR-positive for two pathogens. Preliminary sequencing and analysis of GroEL gene identified Anaplasma marginale, A. bovis, and A. ovis in these ticks.
The high prevalence of Anaplasma in ticks collected from goats indicates that some animal hosts may play critical role in the circulation of tick-borne pathogens. Further studies involving various livestock and wildlife animals are needed to characterize life cycle of tick-borne pathogens and their primary host association.
