Ticks of the genus Ornithodoros are recognized vectors of relapsing fever group Borrelia , such as Borrelia venezuelensis , whose infection dynamics in its vector, Ornithodoros rudis , remains poorly understood in Brazil. This study aimed to investigate the transstadial perpetuation and transovarial transmission of B. venezuelensis in O. rudis and the vector competence of all parasitic stages of this tick species. Experimental...

Q fever in humans and coxiellosis in ruminants are caused by Coxiella burnetii , a zoonotic obligate intracellular bacterium. This infection poses significant health and economic risk. Effective control strategies rely on a thorough understanding of their epidemiology. In this study, we examined the prevalence of C. burnetii in 372 ruminants (190 goats, 133 cattle, and 49 sheep) from the Lower Shabelle and Benadir Regions of S...