Nationwide Geographical and Temporal Distribution of Tick-Borne Diseases in Korean Water Deer (<i>Hydropotes inermis argyropus</i>).

ABSTRACT: Ticks are major vectors of numerous pathogens, and their public health significance is increasing due to climate change and the expanding involvement of wildlife hosts. In Korea, the Korean water deer (KWD, Hydropotes inermis argyropus) is widely distributed and considered a key wild host for ticks, potentially serving as a reservoir for diverse tick-borne diseases (TBDs). To examine the geographical and temporal distribution of TBDs in this species, 1035 spleen samples were collected from KWDs across 12 regions between April and November 2023. Overall, 93.6% (969) of samples were positive for at least one pathogen. Five Anaplasma species were identified: A. phagocytophilum, A. phagocytophilum-like A (APLA), APLB, A. bovis, and A. capra. In additio

SUBMITTER: Kim B 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12108476 | biostudies-literature | 2025 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature