# A Molecular Epidemiological Survey of Tick-Borne Pathogens in Dogs and Their Associated Ticks in Xinjiang, China

## TL;DR

This study surveyed tick-borne pathogens in Xinjiang, China, finding high infection rates in dogs and ticks, and highlights the need for tick control.

## Contribution

The study provides new epidemiological data on tick development and pathogen prevalence in Xinjiang, China.

## Key findings

- Ticks in Xinjiang complete development from egg to adult in about 50 days.
- High infection rates of Anaplasma, Babesia, and Rickettsia were found in dogs and ticks.
- Pathogen sequences showed high similarity to global strains, indicating evolutionary linkage.

## Abstract

Ticks represent a significant public and veterinary health challenge due to their capacity to transmit serious pathogens to canines and humans. This study aimed to characterize the threat posed by ticks in Xinjiang, China, by addressing two primary objectives: determining the developmental timeline of local tick species and identifying the associated tick-borne pathogens. Our findings revealed a rapid developmental cycle from egg to adult of approximately 50 days, indicating a high reproductive capacity. Furthermore, screening of canine blood and tick samples detected high infection rates of Anaplasma spp., Babesia spp., and Rickettsia spp. Genetic analysis confirmed that the detected pathogen sequences share high sequence identity with strains circulating worldwide. This research provides essential epidemiological evidence that underscores the urgent need for robust tick-control strategies and raises awareness of the risk posed by endemic tick-borne diseases in the region.

Tick-borne diseases (TBDs) pose a significant global threat to both canine and public health, largely attributable to the extensive geographic distribution of ticks and their ability to harbor diverse pathogens. To evaluate regional risk, this study examined the developmental biology of a prevalent tick species in Xinjiang, China, and performed molecular surveillance for key pathogens in both tick vectors and canine hosts. Observations of reproductive biology revealed that Riphicephalus turanicus ticks could complete their development from egg to adult in approximately 50 days on laboratory rabbits, indicating a rapid lifecycle and high reproductive potential. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based screening of 379 canine blood samples detected infection rates of 14.25% for Anaplasma spp., 2.64% for Hepatozoon spp., 21.64% for Rickettsia spp., and 21.90% for Babesia spp. Concurrently, screening of 184 tick samples revealed detection rates of 15.22% for Anaplasma ovis, 8.15% for Hepatozoon spp., and 21.74% for Rickettsia spp. Statistical analysis identified significant regional variation in pathogen prevalence across the surveyed locations. The BLASTn (BLAST: Basic Local Alignment Search Tool) alignment revealed high sequence identity (99.30–100%) with known strains of Babesia, Rickettsia, and Anaplasma circulating in Asia and Europe. confirming the presence of these pathogens in the local ecosystem and evolutionary linkage to global lineages. Collectively, these findings provide valuable epidemiological insight into the endemic nature of TBDs in Xinjiang and emphasize the importance of integrated tick management and sustained disease surveillance programs.