Identification of ticks from conflict Sumatran tigers ( Panthera tigris sumatrae ) in Bukittinggi, West Sumatra, Indonesia.

BACKGROUND

Vector-borne diseases transmitted by ticks pose risks to both wildlife and humans. In Indonesia, tick-borne infections are rarely considered in differential diagnoses of febrile illnesses such as dengue and malaria, leading to potential underdiagnosis. Wildlife-human conflict, including cases of Sumatran tigers entering residential areas, may facilitate pathogen spillover at the human-animal interface.

AIM: This study aimed to identify and characterize molecular features of tick-borne pathogens associated with conflict-affected wildlife using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification and sequencing and to assess their potential zoonotic risk.

METHODS

Ticks were collected from Sumatran tigers involved in human-wildlife conflict events reported by the public, from both live and deceased animals. Tick species were identified using morphological and molecular approaches. Pathogen detection was conducted using PCR amplification and sequencing of bacterial DNA.

RESULTS

Morphological and molecular analyses identified three tick species, including Amblyomma javanense, Haemaphysalis bispinosa, and Haemaphysalis wellingtoni. Molecular screening detected the presence of Rickettsia spp. and Anaplasma spp. in the collected ticks, indicating circulation of multiple tick-borne pathogens in conflict-affected wildlife.

CONCLUSION

The detection of Rickettsia spp. and Anaplasma spp. in Amblyomma and Haemaphysalis ticks highlights their potential role as vectors of zoonotic pathogens. These findings underscore the importance of integrating tick-borne disease surveillance into wildlife monitoring and adopting a One Health approach to improve early detection and prevention of neglected zoonotic diseases in Indonesia, particularly in Bukittinggi, West Sumatra.