Molecular Survey and Phylogenetic Characterization of Tick-Borne Pathogens in Hubei Province, China.

Background: Tick-borne diseases pose a serious disease burden globally, with pathogens including viruses, bacteria, rickettsia, and spirochetes. This study aims to investigate ticks and pathogens in Huanggang and Suizhou, two regions with the highest tick-borne disease prevalence in Hubei, China. Methods: A total of 2,958 ticks were collected, and their species diversity was characterized. RNA and DNA were used for polymerase chain reaction detection and sequencing of Dabie bandavirus (DBV), spotted fever group rickettsioses (SFGR), Coxiella burnetii, Borrelia, Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Babesia, and Bartonella pathogens in ticks. Molecular evolutionary traits and phylogenetic linkages were further analyzed. Results: One family, four genera, and four species of ticks were identified, with Haemaphysalis longicornis being the predominant species. The overall DBV-positive rate was 2.63% in ticks from Huanggang City and 0.48% in those from Suizhou City. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that the DBV strains from Hubei Province belonged to genotypes A-F, with high evolutionary homology with those sampled from local human patients. The tick-borne SFGR-positive rate was significantly higher in samples from Huanggang City (48.23%) than in Suizhou City (8.29%). High levels of A. phagocytophilum sequences were detected in both regions, with 99% homologous. Borrelia burgdorferi was detected for the first time in Suizhou City, with a very low carriage rate (0.24%), and was not detected in Huanggang City. No Bartonella, Babesia, or C. burnetii pathogens were detected from either location. Conclusions: This study represents a substantial effort to investigate the diversity of tick-borne pathogens in Huanggang and Suizhou City. Our findings provide references and data to help develop effective tick-borne disease prevention, surveillance, and early warning systems.