Ixodid ticks are vectors of pathogens that cause dangerous infectious and parasitic diseases in animals, leading to reduced productivity and, in some cases, mass mortality. In Kazakhstan, information on tick fauna and their epizootological role in the transmission of hemoparasites is limited. This study aimed to determine the species composition of ixodid ticks parasitizing cattle in the Almaty, Zhambyl, and Turkistan oblasts, and to assess their potential role in the transmission of Theileria and Anaplasma spp. A total of 3121 ixodid ticks were collected from cattle, belonging to the genera Hyalomma (86.9%; 2711/3121), Rhipicephalus (8.5%; 266/3121), Dermacentor (3.2%; 101/3121), and Haemaphysalis (1.4%; 43/3121). Morphological identification revealed that ticks of the genus Hyalomma, including Hyalomma scupense (31.7%), Hyalomma asiaticum (27.9%), and Hyalomma anatolicum (19.6%), were the predominant species. Rhipicephalus annulatus was recorded for the first time in the Almaty and Zhambyl oblasts. Partial sequencing of the cox1 gene confirmed the species identification obtained by morphological examination. A total of 113 representative ticks were subjected to DNA extraction for the identification of Theileria and Anaplasma species using conventional PCR with primers targeting the 28SrRNA and GroEL genes, respectively. No Anaplasma spp. were detected in the analyzed tick samples. Theileria annulata DNA was identified in seven nymphs of Hy. scupense (6.1%) collected in the Zhambyl oblast, and for the first time in Kazakhstan, in one female Rhipicephalus annulatus (0.9%) collected in the Almaty oblast. The overall infection prevalence of Theileria annulata was 7.0% (8/113).

Иксодовые клещи, являясь облигатными кровососами способны передавать возбудителей многих инфекционных и инвазионных заболеваний человека и животных. Важное эпидемиологическое значение на территории Казахстана имеют клещи рода Ixodes – переносчики клещевого энцефалита, риккетсиозов и боррелиозов. В результате сборов и изучения иксодовых клещей на территории Кызылординской области в 2012-2022 гг. было выявлено три вида клещей рода Ixodes: I. crenulatus, I. occultus и I. ricinus. I. crenulatus обнаружен в феврале на ласке и лисице в окрестностях населенных пунктов Жанакорганского района и окрестностях г. Кызылорда. I. occultus обнаруживался с марта по май на большой песчанке и в ее норах в окрестностях г. Кызылорда, Жанакорганском, Щиелийском и Кармакшинском районах. Это норовые клещи, обитающие, в основном, на грызунах и мелких хищниках. Пастбищный клещ I. ricinus на территории Кызылординской области обнаружен нами впервые. Две напитавшиеся самки были сняты в мае 2017 года с мелкого рогатого скота в пос. Ажар Казалинского района. Находка I. ricinus на территории области может свидетельствовать о заносе этого вида с мигрирующими животными или перевозимым скотом, на что эпидемиологам следует обратить особое внимание, так как данный вид является переносчиком возбудителей многих опасных заболеваний человека и животных. Изучены коллекционные экземпляры, собранные в Казахстане в середине прошлого столетия. Приведена краткая морфологическая характеристика каждого вида.

This review article presents literature data on the distribution of alveolar echinococcosis cases across the world over the past 30 years (1993-2023), statistical data from the WOAH for the past 5 years (2020-2024), and the research results reported by domestic scientists. Alveolar echinococcosis, also known as multilocular echinococcosis, is one of the most dangerous zoonotic parasitic infections. The causative agent, the cestode Echinococcus multilocularis, infects carnivorous animals, small rodents, and humans. Humans, as accidental intermediate hosts, are at high risk for severe complications, including liver and other organ damage. This infection has been recorded in Canada, the USA, Germany, France, Switzerland, Austria, Belgium, the Netherlands, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Sweden, Denmark, the UK, China, India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Iran, Iraq, Mongolia, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Russia, Belarus, the Kyrgyz Republic, and the Republic of Kazakhstan. The World Health Organization classifies this infection as one of the 17 neglected diseases requiring control and elimination by 2050.

The catastrophic desiccation of the Aral Sea and subsequent hydrological changes have profoundly altered the region's ecosystem, leading to the restructuring of both fish communities and their associated parasite assemblages. Despite these changes, data on the current parasite fauna of fish in the Northern (Small) Aral Sea remain extremely limited. This study provides a comprehensive assessment of metazoan parasites infecting commercial fish species in this region. A total of 424 individuals representing 13 fish species were examined, revealing 18 parasite species belonging to seven taxonomic classes: Digenea, Monopisthocotylea, Polyopisthocotylea, Chromadorea, Cestoda, Ichthyostraca, and Copepoda. Overall prevalence was 50%, with intensity ranging from 1 to 100 specimens and mean abundance ranging from 0.03 to 26.5. The highest prevalence and species richness were recorded in Sander lucioperca (83.7%, five species), Abramis brama (68.9%, three species), and Silurus glanis (65%, five species). Ergasilus briani is reported for the first time in the Aral Sea. Dominant species posing the greatest threat to fish health included Diplostomum spp., Tylodelphys clavata, and Achtheres percarum. Molecular analysis confirmed the phylogenetic placement of six parasite species using 18S rRNA sequences (97.4-100% identity), while COX1 data were available for only one species, indicating intraspecific variability and limited reference sequences for some taxa. Comparative analysis with historical data indicates a sharp reduction in metazoan parasite species richness (from 70 to 18 species), while infection levels in key commercial fish remain high. These findings reflect ongoing ecological restructuring and underscore the need for regular monitoring.

Background and Aim. Botfly larvae parasitize horses and camels, adversely affects animal health and productivity, and can cause death. This raises a need for systematic control of some botfly species. Botfly parasitism causes significant economic damage in Western Kazakhstan, where camel and horse breeding are prominent. Materials and Methods. The study covered the Kazaly and Aral districts (Kyzylorda region), and the Makhambet, Isatay, Kurmangazy districts (Atyrau region). Field research was conducted in the Kyzylorda region in May and September, 2024, and in the Atyrau region in June, July and September. During the study, a total of 25 camels and 23 horses were examined in the Kyzylorda region; 41 camels and 37 horses were examined in the Atyrau region. The ante-mortem diagnoses of camel cephalopinosis and horse rhinoestrosis were established endoscopically. Results. Botfly larvae were found in the nasal passages of the examined camels and horses and in the stomachs of the horses. In the Kyzylorda region, no cephalopinosis cases were detected among camels in the spring; however, the prevalence increased to 36% in the autumn. In the Atyrau region, there were no cases of cephalopinosis in July, but its prevalence rose to 17.1% in the autumn. No rhinoestrosis cases were detected in the Kyzylorda region. In the Atyrau region, there were no occurrences of the disease in June; however, 9.5% of horses already had rhinoestrosis in September. The prevalence of gasterophilosis among horses of the Kyzylorda region remained at 33.3% in the spring and autumn. In the Atyrau region, the prevalence of gasterophilosis was 20% in the spring, rising to 100% in the autumn. Conclusion. Cephalopina titillator larvae were found in camels in September. Rhinoestrus sp. larvae were detected in horses in September, while Gasterophilus intestinalis was observed in May, June and September. Adult botflies were active in September.

Ticks of the genus Hyalomma are important vectors of pathogens of a number of infectious diseases in southwestern Kazakhstan. In natural foci of the southern part of Kazakhstan circulate pathogens of such infections as Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever, tularemia, fever of the Syrdarya Valley, bovine teileriosis, etc., an important role in the transfer of which is played by H. asiaticum. Annual surveys conducted from March to November in Kyzylorda region in 2012-2023 were carried out. Livestock and wild small mammals were examined for the presence of ticks. It was revealed that this species has a wide distribution and inhabits everywhere in the desert zone. The main feeders of the adult ticks are camels, cattle, sheep, goats and horses. Preimaginal phases were found in rodent burrows, on the great and midday gerbil, on yellow and small gophers, hare-tolai. The study investigated the seasonal dynamics of adult tick populations It was noted that activization of adult ticks of the species and attacks on livestock is observed already in March with the maximum peak of abundance in April-May, then sharply decreases, but continues until November. The main morphological and ecological features that differentiate H. asiaticum from other species of the genus Hyalomma are described.