Ticks are involved in the circulation of a number of human pathogens, including spotted fever group (SFG) Rickettsia spp. and Coxiella burnetii. Little is known about the occurrence of these microorganisms in the southern region of Kazakhstan. In 2018-2022, a total of 726 ticks were collected from bitten humans, livestock, and vegetation in four oblasts of the southern region of Kazakhstan and subjected to DNA extraction. The overall infection rate of Coxiella spp. and Rickettsia spp. in the ticks was 3.3% (24/726) and 69.9% (300/429), respectively. Phylogenetic analysis of ompA and gltA genes revealed the presence of three pathogenic SFG rickettsiae: Candidatus R. tarasevichiae, R. aeschlimannii and R. raoultii in ticks collected from bitten humans. In addition, Candidatus R. barbariae was detected in six Rhipicephalus turanicus ticks for the first time in Kazakhstan. To determine the seroprevalence of C. burnetii infection, we performed a serological analysis of samples collected from 656 domestic ruminants (cattle, sheep, and goats) in the region. Overall, 23.5% (154/656) of the animals tested were positive for IgG against C. burnetii. Seroprevalence at the herd level was 54% (28/52). Goats (43%; 12/28; odds ratio (OD) = 28.9, p < 0.05) and sheep (31.9%; 137/430; OD = 18.1, p < 0.05) had higher seroprevalence than cattle (2.5%; 5/198). Among the risk factors considered in this study, age (p = 0.003) and the oblast in which the animals were sampled (p = 0.049) were statistically associated with seropostivity for Q fever in sheep, according to the results of multivariate logistic regression analysis. Seroprevalence ranged from 0% to 55.5% in animals in different districts of the southern region of Kazakhstan. Active C. burnetii bacteremia was detected in four of 154 (2.6%) seropositive animals. The data obtained provide strong evidence of the presence of pathogenic rickettsiae and C. burnetii in the southern region of Kazakhstan and emphasize the need to improve epidemiological surveillance in the region.

Background. Information on the geographical distribution of different species of the Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (B. burgdorferi s.l.) complex is of great epidemiological importance, since different genospecies are associated with certain clinical manifestations of Lyme borreliosis. Although Almaty region of the Republic of Kazakhstan is considered to be endemic for tick-borne borreliosis, there is still no accurate data on the level of borrelia infection in ticks in the region, including information on the genotypes of circulating borrelia.The aim of this work was to study ticks collected from humans in the Almaty region of the Republic of Kazakhstan in 2018.Materials and methods. Ticks were tested for the presence of B. burgdorferi s.l. DNA, genotyping of the identified borrelia was done by sequencing of the fragment of 16S rRNA gene. The analysis of epidemiological data on the incidence of Lyme borreliosis in the Almaty region in 2013–2018 was performed.Results. Rhipicephalus turanicus (116/253), Haemaphysalis punctata (74/253), Dermacentor marginatus (28/253), and Ixodes persulcatus (23/253) were the predominant species of ticks taken from humans. The prevalence of B. burgdorferi s.l. infection in I. persulcatus ticks was 39.13% (9/23) It should be noted that the DNA of B. burgdorferi s.l. was also detected in single individuals of D. marginatus, H. punctata, and R. turanicus, although these species are not considered as competent B. burgdorferi s.l. vectors.Conclusion. As a result of sequencing of the positive homogenates of ticks, two genotypes of B. burgdorferi s.l. were identified: B. afzelii and B. garinii and/or B. bavariensis. Thus, at least two genospecies, B. afzelii and B. garinii and/or B. bavariensis, circulate in the territory of the Almaty region.

Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus (BVDV) is a globally important cattle pathogen causing substantial economic losses. In Kazakhstan, BVDV’s epidemiological status remains poorly characterized due to the absence of systematic surveillance. We carried out a cross-sectional study of cattle herds across Kazakhstan, using ELISA to detect anti-BVDV antibodies and RT-PCR to identify active infections. Positive samples underwent sequencing for phylogenetic analysis of circulating strains. Additionally, a standard reference serum panel was developed to measure virus neutralization titers (ND₅₀) and to evaluate cross-neutralization with Border Disease virus (BDV). Antibodies against BVDV were prevalent, with seropositivity ranging from 28.89% to 96.13% across surveyed regions. Active BVDV infection was confirmed by RT-PCR in 17 animals. Phylogenetic analysis with 2 samples from Mangystau region classified the virus as BVDV2 genotype. The reference serum panel exhibited high neutralizing titers ND₅₀ up to 1:286 against the local BVDV-1 isolate. Notably, these sera also neutralized BDV, albeit at lower titers ND₅₀ 1:45. These findings provide crucial baseline epidemiological data and enhanced diagnostic tools for BVDV in Kazakhstan. They highlight the need for improved surveillance and will inform strategic control measures against this economically significant cattle disease.