Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus in various ixodid tick species from a highly endemic area

Ticks are major vectors of numerous diseases affecting animals and humans. Presence of various tick-borne pathogens such as Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV) in various tick species was documented. CCHF is a severe tick-borne illness caused by the CCHFV which is a member of the Nairovirus genus (family: Bunyaviridae). Presence of CCHFV was shown in the most prevalent ixodid tick species such as Hyalomma marginatum and Rhiphicephalus bursa in Turkey. In the present study, prevalence and species diversity of ixodid ticks carrying CCHFV in Tokat province where CCHF is highly endemic were determined by using real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RRT-PCR). As a result, 15 out 745 ticks from various hosts (2%) were found to be CCHFV positive. The CCHFV positive ticks were Haemaphysalis concinna, Hyalomma anatolicum, Hyalomma detritum, Hyalomma marginatum, Hyalomma turanicum, Rhipicephalus bursa, and Rhiphicephalus turanicus indicating that multiple ixodid tick species may contribute to transmission of CCHFV to humans and animals in Turkey.