<p><strong>Molecular detection of <em>Hepatozoon canis</em> (Apicomplexa: Hepatozoidae) in ticks (Ixodida) collected from dogs in Kerman, Iran</strong></p>

Previous studies from Iran showed that canine hepatozoonosis is prevalent in dogs. Still, there is limited information about the tick vectors of Hepatozoon canis (Apicomplexa: Hepatozoidae) although Ripicephalus sanguineus sensu lato complex ticks (Acari: Ixodida) are known to be competent vectors. In Iran, He. canis was detected in R. sanguineus and R. turanicus in the west of the country. This study aimed to investigate the molecular prevalence of He. canis in ticks collected from stray dogs in a southeastern city of Iran. From 2019 to 2020, 50 tick-infested free-ranging dogs (24 female, 26 male) in Kerman city were randomly chosen. From each dog, five ticks were collected in individually labeled tubes and transferred to the laboratory. Ticks of each dog were identified morphologically, crushed, and pooled for genomic DNA extraction. Conventional PCR targeting an 891 bp fragment of the 18S ribosomal RNA gene of He. canis was performed on 50 tick pools, and products were gel-electrophoresed. All of the collected ticks were diagnosed as R. sanguineus sensu lato. DNA of He. canis was detected in 14 tick pools (28%). Dogs from which positive ticks were collected were of both sexes and aged between 5 months and 6 years old. This study shows for the first time a considerable prevalence of He. canis in ticks feeding from stray dogs of Kerman implying a potential health risk for domestic and wild canine hosts in the region. It also shows that molecular examination of ticks for Hepatozoon DNA could be a proper alternative to blood collection in epidemiological studies. Effective ectoparasite control strategies, regular examination of dogs, and successful chemoprophylaxis are advocated.