Detection of Babesia caballi in Amblyomma variegatum ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) collected from cattle in the Republic of Guinea

A reverse line blot hybridisation (RLB) assay was applied to screen Amblyomma variegatum adult ticks (n = 504) collected from N'Dama cattle in the Republic of Guinea. In a PCR, the V1 hypervariable region of the 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene was amplified with a set of primers unique for species of the genera Anaplasma and Ehrlichia, and the V4 hypervariable region of the 18S rRNA gene was amplified with primers specific for members of the genera Theileria and Babesia. Amplified PCR products from A. variegatum ticks were hybridised onto a membrane, to which oligonucleotide probes species-specific for Ehrlichia/Anaplasma and Theileria/Babesia parasites were covalently linked. No pathogens belonging to Ehrlichia/Anaplasma species were found, while 10 DNA samples resulted positive for Babesia caballi and 5 samples for Theileria velifera. This is the first report of B. caballi in A. variegatum ticks. One of the B. caballi positive samples was sequenced. This new strain (BcabGuinea) showed a 97% similarity to the Z15104 B. caballi GenBank sequence.     

Detection of a novel spotted fever group rickettsia in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Amblyomma parvum</Emphasis> ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) from Argentina

The present study evaluated the rickettsial infection in Amblyomma parvum ticks collected in Northwestern Córdoba Province, Argentina. Each tick was subjected to DNA extraction and tested by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting fragments of the rickettsial genes gltA and ompB. Nine (69.2%) out of 13 adult ticks yielded expected PCR products for the two rickettsial genes. Products from the ompB PCR were sequenced, generating DNA sequences 100% identical for the nine PCR-positive ticks. Three of these ticks were tested in another battery of PCR targeting fragments of the rickettsial genes gltA, htrA, and ompA. Products from the gltA, htrA, and ompA PCRs were sequenced generating DNA sequences 100% identical for the three PCR-positive ticks. The rickettsia detected in the A. parvum ticks was designated as Rickettsia sp. strain Argentina. Phylogenetic analyses performed with partial sequences of the rickettsial genes gltA, htrA, ompB, and ompA showed that Rickettsia sp. strain Argentina belonged to the spotted fever group, being distinct from all known Rickettsia species and genotypes available in GenBank, representing possibly a new Rickettsia species. This was the first evidence of rickettsial infection in the tick A. parvum, and the third report of rickettsial infection among the Argentinean tick fauna. The role of Rickettsia sp. strain Argentina as a human pathogen is unknown. Further studies are needed to obtain tissue-cultured isolates of Rickettsia sp. strain Argentina, in order to better characterize it and to determine its taxonomic status as a new species.     

Microorganisms in the ticks Amblyomma dissimile Koch 1844 and Amblyomma rotundatum Koch 1844 collected from snakes in Brazil

Knowledge about ticks (Acari) and screening of ticks parasitizing various hosts are necessary to understand the epidemiology of tick‐borne pathogens. The objective of this study was to investigate tick infestations on snakes (Reptilia: Squamata: Serpentes) arriving at the serpentarium at the Institute Vital Brazil, Rio de Janeiro. Some of the identified ticks were individually tested for the presence of bacteria of the genera Rickettsia (Rickettsiales: Rickettsiaceae), Borrelia (Spirochaetales: Spirochaetaceae), Coxiella (Legionellales: Coxiellaceae), Bartonella (Rhizobiales: Bartonellaceae), Ehrlichia (Rickettsiales: Anaplasmataceae), Anaplasma (Rickettsiales: Anaplasmataceae), and Apicomplexa protozoa of the genera Babesia (Piroplasmida: Babesiidae) and Hepatozoon (Eucoccidiorida: Hepatozoidae). A total of 115 hard ticks (Ixodida: Ixodidae) were collected from 17 host individuals obtained from four Brazilian states. Two species of tick were identified: Amblyomma dissimile Koch 1844 (four larvae, 16 nymphs, 40 adults), and Amblyomma rotundatum Koch 1844 (12 nymphs, 43 adults). Rickettsia bellii was found in A. rotundatum and A. dissimile ticks and Rickettsia sp. strain Colombianensi, Anaplasma‐like and Hepatozoon sp. in A. dissimile ticks. Among the tested ticks, no DNA of Borrelia, Bartonella, Coxiella or Babesia was found. The present findings extend the geographic range of Rickettsia sp. strain Colombianensi in Brazil and provide novel tick–host associations.     

Mating,male Ixodes scapularis express several genes including those with sequence similarity to immunoglobulin-binding proteins and metalloproteases

We created a cDNA library from mating, male Ixodes scapularis ticks and screened the library with a subtracted probe to eliminate genes common to feeding female and mating male I. scapularis ticks. A total of seven unique cDNAs were identified in this screen. One cDNA had sequence similarity to the IGBP-MC gene from Rhipicephalus appendiculatus, and another cDNA potentially encodes a protein with similarity to metalloproteases. RT-PCR, using RNA isolated from male and female I. scapularis ticks, confirmed that these genes are expressed in male, but not female ticks. The remaining five cDNAs did not match any sequences in the GenBank database. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Strain diversity of Borrelia burgdorferi in ticks dispersed in North America by migratory birds

The role of migratory birds in the dispersal of Ixodes scapularis ticks in the northeastern U.S. is well established and is presumed to be a major factor in the expansion of the geographic risk for Lyme disease. Population genetic studies of B. burgdorferi sensu stricto, the agent of Lyme disease in this region, consistently reveal the local presence of as many as 15 distinct strain types as designated by major groups of the ospC surface lipoprotein. Recent evidence suggests such strain diversity is adaptive to the diverse vertebrate hosts that maintain enzootic infection. How this strain diversity is established in emergent areas is unknown. To determine whether similar strain diversity is present in ticks imported by birds, we examined B. burgdorferi strains in I. scapularis ticks removed from migrants at an isolated island site. Tick mid‐guts were cultured and isolates underwent DNA amplification with primers targeting ospC. Amplicons were separated by gel electrophoresis and sequenced. One hundred thirty‐seven nymphal ticks obtained from 68 birds resulted in 24 isolates of B. burgdorferi representing eight ospC major groups. Bird‐derived ticks contain diverse strain types of B. burgdorferi, including strain types associated with invasive Lyme disease. Birds and the ticks that feed on them may introduce a diversity of strains of the agent of Lyme disease to emergent areas.     

Proposing a new hypothesis: Rickettsia spp. as a mechanism maintaining parapatry between two Australian reptile tick species

This study investigates two parasitic reptile ticks — Bothriocroton hydrosauri and Amblyomma limbatum — of the sleepy lizard (Tiliqua rugosa) that abut at a 1–2 km wide parapatric boundary in South Australia. Long‐term research has investigated potential mechanisms to explain the maintenance of this boundary but has not uncovered why the distribution of A. limbatum does not extend further south. It has been previously hypothesised that pathogens may be responsible for maintaining parapatric boundaries. Rickettsia spp. has previously been reported in B. hydrosauri ticks. This study explored whether Rickettsia spp. occurs in co‐occurring A. limbatum. We observed that Rickettsia spp. was absent from all A. limbatum ticks and that 83% of examined B. hydrosauri were found to be positive with a spotted fever group Rickettsia strain. This study puts forward the hypothesis that Rickettsia spp. could contribute to the maintenance of the Mt Mary parapatric boundary between these two tick species. Further work is required to determine whether Rickettsia spp. can be transmitted from B. hydrosauri to A. limbatum and — if transmission can occur — to explore whether Rickettsia is lethal to A. limbatum ticks.     

Detection of Anaplasmaphagocytophilum in Amblyomma flavomaculatum ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) collected from lizard Varanus exanthematicus imported to Poland

Adults and nymphs of Amblyomma exornatum, A. flavomaculatum, A. latum, Amblyomma spp. and Hyalomma aegyptium, were collected from savannah monitors, royal python (Africa, Ghana) and marginated tortoises (Europe, Greece) imported to Poland, in 2004–2007. Altogether 345 ticks were examined by polymerase chain reaction for rickettsial agents. None of the tested ticks was positive for the gltA gene of Rickettsia spp. DNA of 16S rRNA gene from Anaplasma phagocytophilum was amplified and sequenced from two adult A. flavomaculatum ticks attached to two different specimens Varanus exanthematicus from Ghana. Both PCR amplicons obtained (GQ305134) had 100% sequence homology with A. phagocytophilum sequences deposited in GenBank. This results suggests for the first time that A. flavomaculatum may be vector of this pathogen in Africa. It could be expected that ticks distributed on their hosts may introduce pathogens not yet known to Polish or even European fauna. This study contributes to the overall recognition of the scarcely explored fauna of the exotic ticks transferred to Poland on reptiles from remote destinations.     

Species identification of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ixodes granulatus</Emphasis> (Acari: Ixodidae) based on internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) sequences

To investigate the genetic specificity of Ixodes granulatus ticks collected from Taiwan, the genetic identities and phylogenetic relationships were analyzed by comparing the sequences of the internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) region obtained from 27 strains of ticks representing twelve species of Ixodes. Five major clades can be easily distinguished by neighbour-joining analysis and were congruent by maximum-parsimony method. All these I. granulatus ticks collected from Taiwan and Japan were genetically affiliated to a monophyletic group with highly homogeneous sequences (95.8–99.5% similarity), and can be discriminated from other species and subgenera of Ixodes ticks with a sequence divergence ranging from 13.6% to 62.9%. Moreover, interspecific analysis revealed that four distinct lineages are evident between Ixodes ticks, and all these I. granulatus ticks collected from Taiwan and Japan belong to the same lineage. Our results provide the first investigation on the genetic specificity of I. granulatus ticks, and demonstrate that all these I. granulatus ticks represent a unique lineage distinct from other species and subgenera of Ixodes ticks. The feasibility of ITS2-based genetic analysis for species-specific identification of I. granulatus ticks around East Asia was highly anticipated.     

Molecular detection of Rickettsia aeschlimannii in Hyalomma spp. ticks from camels (Camelus dromedarius) in Nigeria,West Africa

Several species of the spotted fever group rickettsiae have been identified as emerging pathogens throughout the world, including in Africa. In this study, 197 Hyalomma ticks (Ixodida: Ixodidae) collected from 51 camels (Camelus dromedarius) in Kano, northern Nigeria, were screened by amplification and sequencing of the citrate synthase (gltA), outer membrane protein A (ompA) and 17‐kDa antigen gene fragments. Rickettsia sp. gltA fragments were detected in 43.3% (42/97) of the tick pools tested. Rickettsial ompA gene fragments (189 bp and 630 bp) were detected in 64.3% (n = 27) and 23.8% (n = 10) of the gltA‐positive tick pools by real‐time and conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR), respectively. The amplicons were 99–100% identical to Rickettsia aeschlimannii TR/Orkun‐H and R. aeschlimannii strain EgyRickHimp‐El‐Arish in GenBank. Furthermore, 17‐kDa antigen gene fragments of 214 bp and 265 bp were detected in 59.5% (n = 25) and 38.1% (n = 16), respectively, of tick pools, and sequences were identical to one another and 99–100% identical to those of the R. aeschlimannii strain Ibadan A1 in GenBank. None of the Hyalomma impressum ticks collected were positive for Rickettsia sp. DNA. Rickettsia sp. gltA fragments (133 bp) were detected in 18.8% of camel blood samples, but all samples were negative for the other genes targeted. This is the first report to describe the molecular detection of R. aeschlimannii in Hyalomma spp. ticks from camels in Nigeria.     

Detection of spotted fever group Rickettsia spp. from bird ticks in the U.K.

Migratory birds are known to play a role in the long‐distance transportation of microorganisms. To investigate whether this is true for rickettsial agents, we undertook a study to characterize tick infestation in populations of the migratory passerine bird Riparia riparia (Passeriformes: Hirundinidae), the sand martin. A total of 194 birds were sampled and ticks removed from infested birds. The ticks were identified as female Ixodes lividus (Acari: Ixodidae) using standard morphological and molecular techniques. Tick DNA was assayed to detect Rickettsia spp. using polymerase chain reaction and DNA was sequenced for species identification. A single Rickettsia spp. was detected in 100% of the ticks and was designated Rickettsia sp. IXLI1. Partial sequences of 17‐kDa and ompA genes showed greatest similarity to Rickettsia sp. TCM1, an aetiological agent of Japanese spotted fever‐like illness, previously described in Thailand. Phylogenetic analysis showed that Rickettsia sp. IXLI1 fitted neatly into a group containing strains Rickettsia japonica, Rickettsia sp. strain Davousti and Rickettsia heilongjiangensis. In conclusion, this research shows that U.K. migratory passerine birds host ticks infected with Rickettsia species and contribute to the geographic distribution of spotted fever rickettsial agents.     

Molecular analysis of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ixodes granulatus</Emphasis>, a possible vector tick for <Emphasis Type="Italic">Borrelia burgdorferi</Emphasis> sensu lato in Taiwan

The genetic identity of Ixodes granulatus ticks was determined for the first time in Taiwan. The phylogenetic relationships were analyzed by comparing the sequences of mitochondrial 16S ribosomal DNA gene obtained from 19 strains of ticks representing seven species of Ixodes and two outgroup species (Rhipicephalus sanguineus and Haemaphysalis inermis). Four major clades could be easily distinguished by neighbour-joining analysis and were congruent by maximum-parsimony method. All these I. granulatus ticks of Taiwan were genetically affiliated to a monophyletic group with highly homogeneous sequences (92.2–99.3% similarity), and can be discriminated from other Ixodes species and other genera of ticks with a sequence divergence ranging from 11.7 to 30.8%. Moreover, intraspecific analysis revealed that two distinct lineages are evident between the same species of I. granulatus ticks collected from Taiwan and Malaysia. Our results demonstrate that all these I. granulatus ticks of Taiwan represent a unique lineage distinct from the common vector ticks (I. ricinus complex) for Borrelia burgdorferi spirochetes.     

Genetic diversity of Ixodes ricinus (Ixodida: Ixodidae) ticks in sympatric and allopatric zones in Baltic countries

Ixodes ricinus (Linnaeus 1758) and Ixodes persulcatus (Schulze 1930) ticks are involved in the transmission of a wide variety of pathogens with considerable impact on human and animal health. The co‐distribution zone of these two tick species is situated in the Baltic countries, which provides a special setting for the population studies. In the present study, genetic variability of I. ricinus ticks collected in allopatric and sympatric locations in the Baltic countries has been investigated using a sequence analysis of the mitochondrial DNA control region, 16S rRNA and cytb genes. There were 32 haplotypes (Hd: 0.8551) and 27 haplotypes (Hd:0.8213) of control region sequences from ticks in allopatric and sympatric zones detected, respectively. Out of 47 16S rRNA gene haplotypes, 32 haplotypes (Hd: 0.7213) were found in the allopatric zone and 27 (Hd:0.9572) in the sympatric zone. The Cytb gene was very conserved and monomorphic in ticks from the allopatric zone, whereas three unique haplotypes were observed in the sympatric zone. The higher number of unique haplotypes of the control region was detected in the allopatric zone. Median joining network and Fst analysis did not reveal a clear separation between ticks from the two zones.     

Resistance of Brahman and Hereford Cattle to African ticks with reference to serum gamma globulin levels and blood composition

Field collections of ticks from two breeds of cattle showed that the common species of ticks wereAmblyomma hebraeum, Rhipicephalus appendiculatus andRhipicephalus evertsi evertsi. The density of these species was higher on Hereford than on Brahman cattle. The results also indicated that the density of immature stages of the above-mentioned ticks is higher on Hereford than on Brahman cattle.A positive correlation was found between the number of ticks on the cattle and the serum gamma globulin levels, an indication of an increase in the production of antibodies. An inverse relationship was found between tick burden and red blood cell count and hemoglobin concentration. Other ablood components, such as basophils, eosinophils and lymphocytes were not affected by the changes in the density of the tick populations. It appears that resistance may have been acquired by the hosts and that Brahman cattle may acquire resistance to a higher degree than Herefords.     

Hyalomma truncatum (Acari; Ixodidae): investigations into the scototaxis of unfed adult ticks

Under controlled test conditions, unfed male and female Hyalomma truncatum ticks exhibited a positive scototaxis to stationary, two-dimensional targets. Upright-positioned rectangles were the most attractive targets. The attractiveness of these targets increased with their size. Significantly more ticks responded scototactically positively to the targets under a luminance contrast ratio of 5:1, as compared with other luminance contrast ratios. Targets with an elevation angle of 13° were occupied more frequently than objects with higher elevation angles. Scototaxis was the same towards a stationary and a sinusoid oscillating target. When an upright-positioned rectangle was combined with a CO₂ gradient, the number of ticks that migrated into the CO₂ gradient and contacted the target did not increase significantly. The interval between exposure and first locomotion of the ticks, however, was significantly shorter under the influence of a CO₂ gradient than in all other experiments without a CO₂ gradient. A temperature gradient simulating a natural host (cattle) did not alter the scototaxis. The results of these investigations suggest that the positive scototaxis exhibited by adult H. truncatum ticks is not likely to be part of their appetence behaviour but rather searching behaviour to find adequate protection from harsh climatic conditions.     

Prevalence of hard tick infestations in cattle of West Bengal,India

The present study was conducted to determine the prevalence of hard tick infestations in cattle of West Bengal from July 2015 to June 2016. The prevalence of hard tick infestations was studied in relation to sex and age of animals and seasonal changes in a year. Cattle of selected places were examined carefully for the presence of ticks and in positive cases ticks were collected manually and identified on the basis of morphological characters. A total of 310 cattle were examined and out of which, 130 (41.93%) cattle were found to be infested with hard ticks and the prevalent species were Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) sp., Hyalomma sp. and Haemaphysalis sp. of ticks. A significantly (p < 0.01) higher infestation was observed in female cattle (43.30%) than males (35.71%). Age-wise highest prevalence of tick infestations was found in <1 year (65%) age group followed by >3 years age group (36.8%) and 1–3 years (35.63%) age group, respectively. Seasonally, the prevalence of hard ticks was highest (p < 0.01) in monsoon (59.25%) and lowest in winter (27.09%). The study revealed that the prevalence of Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) sp. (32.25%) was significantly (p < 0.01) higher compared to Hyalomma (12.58%) and Haemaphysalis sp. (3.22%). The observations of the present study would provide a basis for evolving effective control strategy for the management of ticks in bovines of West Bengal.     

Preliminary studies on the effect of Anaplasma marginale antibodies ingested by Dermacentor andersoni ticks (Acari:Ixodidae) with their blood meal on infections in salivary glands

The effect of Anaplasma marginale antibodies ingested with the tick blood meal was tested on infected male ticks that were allowed to feed on cattle immunized with the erythrocytic stage of A. marginale. The experiments were done in two trials. Trial 1 was done using splenectomized calves (two calves per treated and control groups) while ticks in trial 2 were fed on intact yearling cattle (four cattle per treated and control groups). The cattle were immunized with purified outer membrane proteins of erythrocyte-derived A. marginale using saponin (trial 1) or monophosphoryl lipid-A-trehalose dicorynomycolate adjuvant (trial 2). The corresponding control cattle received adjuvant only. All cattle were challenged using Dermacentor andersoni males infected as adults that were allowed to feed for 7 days. In trial 1, the ticks were allowed to feed a second time on susceptible calves to test whether exposure of ticks to immunized cattle affected their ability to transmit anaplasmosis. Infections in fed ticks were monitored by determining the infection rates in salivary glands with an A. marginale-specific RNA probe and light microscopy. Vaccine-derived antibodies ingested with the tick blood meal did not appear to affect the development of A. marginale in previously infected ticks. The infection rates in the salivary glands were not significantly different among ticks fed on immunized versus adjuvant control cattle. When the vaccine-exposed ticks in trial 1 were allowed to feed a second time on susceptible calves, the resulting clinical symptoms of anaplasmosis were similar to those of the controls. There was no statistically significant effect of tick exposure to the anti-erythrocytic stage antibody on the development of salivary gland infection or transmission of A. marginale by ticks.     

Infestation of taiga ticks with borrelias in the territory of Novosibirsk Scientific Center (Siberian Branch,Russian Academy of Sciences)

Borrelia specimens were revealed in taiga ticks Ixodes persulcatus collected in the wild by flagging and also in ticks provided by the Vaccination section of the Novosibirsk Scientific Center, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences (NSC); these ticks were obtained from patients attacked by ticks. Isolation of borrelias in the BSK-H medium had demonstrated the presence of B. garinii, B. afzelii, and B. miyamotoi in the territory of NCS. B. miyamotoi isolates were unstable, loosing their growth ability during subsequent cultivation. DNA of the three above species was detected by PCR in tick samples collected by flagging and obtained from humans. DNA of B. garinii was recorded in ticks more often; DNA of B. afzelii was found less frequently; B. miyamotoi DNA was detected in the smallest number of ticks. In ticks collected by flagging, DNA of B. garinii, B. afzelii, and B. miyamotoi was detected in 38.6%, 9.9%, and in 3.9% of specimens, respectively. In ticks collected from attacked humans, the number of positive tests was lower; e.g., DNA of B. garinii, B. afzelii, and B. miyamotoi was detected in 24.2%, 6.9%, and in 5.6% of samples, respectively. Mixed infection of ticks with two Borrelia species was also detected; DNA of B. miyamotoi and of B. garinii was detected in mixed infections more frequently.     

Direct isolation in cell-free medium of a spiroplasma fromHaemaphysalis leporispalustris (Acari: Ixodidae) in Maryland

A spiroplasma isolate, was obtained from rabbit ticks (Haemaphysalis leporispalustris) taken from cottontail rabbits in Maryland by inoculation of tick suspensions into SP-4 medium. The isolate was indistinguishable from an experimental vertebrate pathogen (suckling mouse cataract agent spiroplasma) when tested with other plant and tick spiroplasmas in growth inhibition, deformation, and metabolism inhibition tests. The isolated organism had a pathogenic profile for suckling rats and embryonated chicken eggs that differed significantly from that of other suckling mouse cataract agent strains. This is the first report of a direct spiroplasma isolation from ticks in cell-free medium, and confirms the specific association of spiroplasmas of the suckling mouse cataract agent serogroup with rabbit ticks.     

Incongruent effects of two isolates of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Rickettsia conorii</Emphasis> on the survival of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Rhipicephalus sanguineus</Emphasis> ticks

Rickettsia conorii, the etiologic agent of Mediterranean spotted fever is widely distributed in Southern Europe, the Middle East, Africa, India and the Caspian region. In the Mediterranean region, the brown dog tick, Rhipicephalus sanguineus, is the recognized vector of R. conorii. To study tick-pathogen relationships and pathogenesis of infection caused in model animals by the bite of an infected tick, we attempted to establish a laboratory colony of Rh. sanguineus persistently infected with R. conorii. Rhipicephalus sanguineus ticks of North American and Mediterranean origin were exposed to R. conorii isolates of African (R. conorii conorii strain Malish) and Mediterranean (R. conorii israelensis strain ISTT) origin. Feeding of ticks upon infected mice and dogs, intra-hemocoel inoculation, and submersion in suspensions of purified rickettsiae were used to introduce the pathogen into uninfected ticks. Feeding success, molting success and the longevity of molted ticks were measured to assess the effects of R. conorii on the survival of Rh. sanguineus. In concordance with previously published results, Rh. sanguineus larvae and nymphs from both North American and Mediterranean colonies exposed to R. conorii conorii Malish experienced high mortality during feeding and molting or immediately after. The prevalence of infection in surviving ticks did not exceed 5%. On the other hand, exposure to ISTT strain had lesser effect on tick survival and resulted in 35–66% prevalence of infection. Rh. sanguineus of Mediterranean origin were more susceptible to infection with either strain of R. conorii than those from North America. Previous experimental studies had demonstrated transovarial and transstadial transmission of R. conorii in Rh. sanguineus; however, our data suggest that different strains of R. conorii may employ different means of maintenance in nature. The vertebrate host may be a more important reservoir than previously thought, or co-feeding transmission between different generations of ticks may obviate or lessen the requirement for transovarial maintenance of R. conorii.     

Molecular detection of dugbe orthonairovirus in cattle and their infesting ticks (Amblyomma and Rhipicephalus (Boophilus)) in Nigeria

Dugbe orthonairovirus (DUGV), a tick-borne zoonotic arbovirus, was first isolated in 1964 in Nigeria. For over four decades, no active surveillance was conducted to monitor the spread and genetic variation of DUGV. This study detected and genetically characterized DUGV circulating in cattle and their infesting ticks (Amblyomma and Rhipicephalus (Boophilus)) in Kwara State, North-Central Nigeria. Blood and or ticks were collected from 1051 cattle at 31 sampling sites (abattoirs and farms) across 10 local government areas of the State. DUGV detection was carried out by RT-qPCR, and positive samples sequenced and phylogenetically analysed. A total of 11824 ticks, mostly A. variegatum (36.0%) and R. (B.) microplus (63.9%), were obtained with mean tick burden of 12 ticks/cattle. Thirty-four (32 A. variegatum and two R. (B.) microplus) of 4644 examined ticks were DUGV-positive, whereas all of the cattle sera tested negative for DUGV genome. Whole genome sequence (S, M and L segments) and phylogenetic analyses indicate that the positive samples shared up to 99.88% nucleotide identity with and clustered around the Nigerian DUGV prototype strain IbAr 1792. Hence, DUGV with high similarity to the previously characterised strain has been detected in Nigeria. To our knowledge, this is the first report of DUGV in North-Central Nigeria and the most recent information after its last surveillance in 1974.