Patogeni zoonotici trasmessi dalle zecche negli animali domestici e nelle zecche associate: una minaccia emergente e una prospettiva One Health

This thesis presents original data on the epidemiology, diagnosis, and potential control strategies of ticks and associated pathogens of zoonotic relevance in domestic animals, with an emphasis on the One Health perspective. The study examines the impact of different management practices on tick parasitism in free-grazing livestock and dog kennels, and assesses the risks of zoonoses in these contexts, underscoring the importance of continued surveillance for emerging pathogens. Chapter 1 is entitled “Grazing systems and tick infestation in livestock: zoonotic risks and control strategies” and is divided into two sections that focus: (i) ticks and associated pathogens in livestock (i.e., camel, sheep, goats, and cattle) under pastoral lifestyles, and (ii) the impact of different grazing systems (i.e., open pasture vs silvopasture) on tick infestation in cattle and the consequent risk of zoonotic exposure, highlighting control strategies for sustainable management. Chapter 2 is entitled “Zoonotic pathogens in ticks and domestic animals: why continued surveillance matters” and is divided into two sections that address: (i) zoonotic pathogens associated with ticks and livestock hosts (i.e., cattle, and goats) in southern Italy, and (ii) zoonotic pathogens associated with ticks and canine hosts in central Morocco, emphasizing the critical role of ongoing surveillance for the early detection of emerging zoonotic threats. Finally, the general discussion and conclusions section underscores the dynamic nature of zoonotic tick-borne pathogens (ZTBPs) at the interface of humans, animals, and tick vectors. It demonstrates how management practices, such as grazing systems, can shape tick infestation dynamics and zoonotic risk, with silvopasture and pastoral systems being favours. Novel findings, including the first report of Colpodella sp. in ticks in Italy and the detection of pathogens in Moroccan kennel dogs, highlight the circulation of emerging and potentially zoonotic agents. These results stress the need for strengthened diagnostic capacity, sustained surveillance, and the integration of management-based control strategies within a One Health framework to mitigate the risks of ZTBPs in both endemic and resource-limited settings.