Investigation of Crimean Congo Hemorrhagic Fever Virus in Ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) Infesting on Hedgehogs in Turkey

Southern white-breasted hedgehogs, Erinaceus concolor, are synanthropic and very common wild mammals sharing the same habitats with humans, especially in rural areas. Hedgehogs may be infested by ticks and contribute to circulation of various tick-borne disease agents. In the present study, we investigated ixodid ticks infesting on hedgehogs killed by cars on the highways in the Tokat province for the presence of Crimean Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV) using real-time RT-PCR. A total of 54 ixodid ticks were collected from 52 hedgehogs and they were identified as Hyalomma aegyptium (9.26%), Hyalomma marginatum (9.26%), Hyalomma scupence (3.7%) and Rhipicephalus turanicus (77.8%), using morphological keys. According to real-time RT-PCR tests, CCHFV was detected in one of five H. aegyptium samples. The results shown that H. aegyptium may be contribute transmission of the CCHFV to humans in the urban areas. In addition, CCHFV in the H. aegyptium were documented for the first time in this study.