Abstract
BACKGROUND: Anaplasma spp. and Ehrlichia spp. are amongst the most important tick-transmitted bacteria that can cause zoonotic disease in various hosts including ruminants and humans. METHODS: In this study, 16srRNA, EE, and dsb sequences were respectively used to screen Anaplasmataceae family, Anaplasma spp., and Ehrlichia spp. in tick samples (n= 100) collected from 100 domestic ruminants including 50 sheep and 50 cattle in Jiroft City, southeast of Iran, between June and August 2021. RESULTS: two genera were predominant among the ticks including Hyalomma spp. (64%; 43% from sheep and 21% from cattle) and Rhipicephalus spp. (36%; 22% from cattle and 14% from sheep); all ticks were adult and 73% of them were male. DNA of Anaplasmataceae was detected in 17% (17/100) of the ticks collected from cattle (18%; 9/50) and sheep (16%; 8/50). Anaplasma spp. was not found in the samples, but two ticks were positive for Ehrlichia spp.; all were positive for Ehrlichia spp. belonged to the cattle (4%; 2/50). CONCLUSION: This study shows that Anaplasmataceae strains are circulating via ticks among domestic ruminants in the study area, emphasizing the need for effective tick control strategies by livestock farmers, health, and veterinary authorities. Surveillance, molecular characterization and further sequencing-based studies are crucial for informed control and prevention efforts.