Health risks associated with argasid ticks, transmitted pathogens, and blood parasites in Pyrenean griffon vulture (Gyps fulvus) nestlings

Abstract

Abstract There is a knowledge gap in the study of Argasidae soft ticks and the pathogens they can transmit. These hematophagous arthropods are widely distributed and are often considered typical bird ectoparasites. Tick-parasitized birds can act not only as a reservoir of pathogens but also can carry these pathogen-infected arthropods to new areas. Seven griffon vulture nestlings were sampled in northeastern Spain, collecting ticks ( n = 28) from two individuals and blood from each vulture ( n = 7). Blood samples from griffon vultures tested PCR positive for Flavivirus (7/7), Anaplasma (6/7), piroplasms (4/7), and Rickettsia (1/7). A total of 27 of the 28 analyzed ticks were positive for Rickettsia , 9/28 for Anaplasma , 2/28 for piroplasms, and 5/28 for Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFv). Sequencing and phylogenetic analyses confirmed the presence of Rickettsia spp., Babesia ardeae , and zoonotic Anaplasma phagocytophilum in vultures and Rickettsia spp., B. ardeae , and CCHFv genotype V in ticks.