Ixodes ticks and cases of brucellosis in Tavush Province of Armenia: sustainable agriculture

Background. Ticks are known to cause tick-borne zoonotic diseases (meta-zoonosis). On the other hand, several factors, such as animal gender and animal replacement, pet dogs/their owner associations as well as soil composition, have been reported to be potential risk factors for brucellosis at the animal level. Currently, scientific data is also being accumulated that proves the association between Ixodes ticks and brucellosis cases. Purpose. The current study in the range of "The role of Ixodes ticks in the transmission of brucellosis" aims to study the prevalence of Ixodes ticks in Tavush Province of Armenia in association with the loci of outbreaks of brucellosis in Tavush. Materials and methods. Fieldwork was conducted from January to December 2023 in the Berd Region of the Tavush Distinct. Ticks were gathered/quantified/prepared for analysis according to standard methodological guidelines. Flagging was conducted at intervals of 50–60 steps, yielding approximately 30 samples per geographic zone. For the database creation on animal brucellosis cases during 1950-2020, archival data from relevant organizations and internet sources were studied. Results. Through a comprehensive study, the occurrence of six tick species in the Berd region with diverse ecosystems, including plains, forests, subalpine, and alpine zones – Rhipicephalus annulatus, Rhipicephalus bursa, Ixodes ricinus, Dermacentor marginatus, Hyalomma marginatum and Hyalomma scupense—was documented. Conclusion. The results of the present studies do not exclude the role of Ixodes ticks in the outbreaks of brucellosis cases in the region. The results are important for the development of strategies for zoonosis control as well as for the determination of pastures for livestock. Sponsorship information. This work was supported by the State Committee of Science, Armenia (project 21AG-4D065). EDN: FOULPV