Genetic evidence of regional circulation of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus in ixodid ticks from southern Kazakhstan
Berdikulov M. Maikhin K. Karibayev T. Kalkabayev K. Kazybay B. Nissanova R. Makhmutov A. Rametov N. Abdikalyk A. Abdrakhmanov S. Yang D.-K. Mussayeva G.
2025Frontiers Media SA
Frontiers in Veterinary Science
2025#12
Introduction: Arthropod-borne viruses (arboviruses) pose a growing threat to livestock and human health across Central Asia. This study aimed to assess the presence and genetic diversity of arboviral pathogens—Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV), Bluetongue virus (BTV), Schmallenberg virus (SBV), and lumpy skin disease virus (LSDV)—in ixodid ticks livestock in southern Kazakhstan. Methods: A total of 3,281 adult ticks were collected from three regions (Turkestan, Zhambyl, and Kyzylorda) and identified morphologically. Molecular screening was performed using real-time and nested RT-PCR. Results: CCHFV RNA was detected exclusively in female ticks from the Turkestan region, with Dermacentor pictus showing the highest infection rate (21.05%), followed by Hyalomma anatolicum, Dermacentor marginatus, and Hyalomma scupense. No viral RNA was detected for BTV, SBV, or LSDV. Discussion: Phylogenetic analysis based on partial S and L segments revealed that the Kazakhstani isolates clustered within Asia-1 and Asia-2 genotypes and shared high sequence identity with regional strains from Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, and China, supporting transboundary virus circulation. These findings provide additional molecular evidence of localized CCHFV activity in livestock-associated ticks in southern Kazakhstan, expanding current knowledge on the virus’s geographic distribution and genetic diversity. Copyright
arbovirus , bluetongue virus , Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever , lumpy skin disease , Schmallenberg virus , tick , vector , virus
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National Veterinary Reference Center, Almaty, Kazakhstan
Kazakh Scientific Research Veterinary Institute LLP, Almaty, Kazakhstan
Kazakh National Agrarian Research University, Faculty of Veterinary Science and Zooengineering, Almaty, Kazakhstan
Tecton Analytics LLP, Astana, Kazakhstan
Diavak-ABN Scientific and Production Center, Almaty, Kazakhstan
S. Seifullin Kazakh Agrotechnical University, Animal science and veterinary institute, Astana, Kazakhstan
Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency, Gimcheon, South Korea
National Veterinary Reference Center
Kazakh Scientific Research Veterinary Institute LLP
Kazakh National Agrarian Research University
Tecton Analytics LLP
Diavak-ABN Scientific and Production Center
S. Seifullin Kazakh Agrotechnical University
Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency
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