A survey for piroplasmids in questing Ixodes fuscipes ticks reveals undescribed Babesia lineages in Uruguay.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Ixodes fuscipes is a tick species found in the Southern Cone of America and the only member of the Ixodes ricinus complex present in Uruguay. Members of this complex are particularly recognized as vectors of diseases affecting human health, such as babesiosis, caused by parasites of the genus Babesia (Apicomplexa: Piroplasmida). However, even though potential hosts of I. fuscipes in Uruguay (rodents, birds, and artiodactyls) are known carriers of Babesia species, the potential role of I. fuscipes as a vector of piroplasmids has not been studied.

Methods

In this study, questing I. fuscipes ticks were collected from five locations in Uruguay, and the presence of piroplasmid DNA was assessed using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to amplify fragments of the small subu

SUBMITTER: Alvez R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12175381 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature