Molecular detection of a novel Babesia sp. and pathogenic spotted fever group rickettsiae in ticks collected from hedgehogs in Turkey: Haemaphysalis erinacei, a novel candidate vector for the genus Babesia

In this study, a total of 319 ticks were obtained from hedgehogs (Erinaceus concolor). All ticks were pooled into groups and screened by PCR for tick-borne pathogens (TBPs). PCR and sequence analyses identified the presence of a novel Babesia sp. in adult Haemaphysalis erinacei. In addition, the presence of natural transovarial transmission of this novel Babesia sp. was detected in Ha. erinacei. According to the 18S rRNA (nearly complete) and partial rRNA locus (ITS-1/5.8S/ITS-2) phylogeny, it was determined that this new species is located within the Babesia sensu stricto clade and is closely related to Babesia spp. found in carnivores. Furthermore, the presence of three pathogenic spotted fever group (SFG) rickettsiae was determined in 65.8% of the tick pools: Rickettsia sibirica subsp. mongolitimonae in Hyalomma aegyptium (adult), Hyalomma spp. (larvae), Rhipicephalus turanicus (adult), and Ha. erinacei (adult); Rickettsia aeschlimannii in H. aegyptium (adult); Rickettsia slovaca in Hyalomma spp. (larvae and nymphs) and H. aegyptium (adult). To our knowledge, this is the first report of R. sibirica mongolitimonae in H. aegyptium, Ha. erinacei, and Rh. turanicus, and the first report of R. slovaca in H. aegyptium. In addition, the presence of a single Hemolivia mauritanica haplotype was detected in H. aegyptium adults. Consequently, the presence of a novel Babesia sp. has been identified in a new candidate vector tick species in this study. Additionally, three SFG rickettsiae that cause infections in humans were identified in ticks collected from hedgehogs. Therefore, environmental wildlife monitoring for hedgehogs should be carried out for ticks and tick-borne pathogens in the region. Additionally, studies regarding the reservoir status of hedgehogs for the aforementioned pathogens must be carried out.