Molecular study of Francisella spp. from ticks in hedgehogs (Erinaceus europaeus) in urban-suburban areas of West Azerbaijan Province.

ABSTRACT: Wildlife plays a fundamental role in maintaining the complex balance of the ecology of tick-borne diseases, serving as both a host for ticks and a potential ecological role for the pathogens they carry. The present study investigated the presence of zoonotic pathogenic bacteria in hedgehogs (Erinaceus europaeus), a wildlife species found in the northwestern region of Iran. Specifically, the study focused on the detection of Francisella spp. using the PCR method. A total of 31 blood samples and 106 ticks collected from hedgehogs were analyzed. Among the ticks, 10 samples (n = 106; 9.43%; 95% CI: 5.20%-16.50%) tested positive for Francisella spp., while none of the blood samples (n = 31; 0%; 95% CI: 0%-11.03%) were positive. Furthermore, for the RD1 gene, which is used to identify Francisell

SUBMITTER: Enferadi A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12542350 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature