Abstract Arthropod‐borne rickettsial pathogens are affecting both human and animal health. Due to the lack of studies on tick‐borne rickettsiae in this region, the present study aimed to investigate the molecular identity of Rickettsia spp. in ticks in Northwestern Iran. This cross‐sectional study was conducted in Ardabil Province from January to December 2024. A total of 700 ticks were collected from livestock. DNA was extracted from pooled ticks, and PCR assays targeting the gltA and 16S rRNA genes were performed to detect Rickettsia spp.; positive PCR products were sequenced for confirmation (Pishgam, Iran). A total of 700 ticks belonging to nine species were isolated from livestock. Among these, Rhipicephalus bursa was the most common species. PCR detected Rickettsia DNA in 2 of 26 pools (7.7%), according to accession gene code: PV929760 and PV929761. According to our findings, R. aeschlimannii was detected in ticks from northwestern Iran. Livestock‐associated ticks, including Rhipicephalus spp., are considered logical candidates for further study. Our study highlighted the need for continued surveillance using a One Health approach.
Bagali et al. (Mon,) studied this question.