A novel ecotype of Anaplasma phagocytophilum complex in questing Ixodes fuscipes ticks.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Anaplasma phagocytophilum is a complex of tick-borne bacteria of medical and veterinary relevance, whose eco-epidemiology is well characterized in the Northern Hemisphere but remains poorly understood in South America. Here, we report in Uruguay the detection and genetic characterization of a novel A. phagocytophilum ecotype in South America.

Methods

Questing Ixodes fuscipes, the only member of the Ixodes ricinus complex in the country, were collected in five localities in Uruguay, and the presence of Anaplasma spp. DNA was assessed using PCR to amplify fragments of the 16S ribosomal RNA (rrs), gltA and groEL genes.

Results

A total of 223 Ixodes fuscipes ticks were collected between 2017 and 2022 in five localities. PCR screening and subsequent sequencing i

SUBMITTER: Felix ML 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12927253 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature