Vector competence of the tick Ixodes sinensis (Acari: Ixodidae) for Rickettsia monacensis.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Cases of Mediterranean Spotted Fever like rickettsioses, caused by Rickettsia monacensis, have become more common in the last 10 years. In China, natural infection of R. monacensis in various tick species has been confirmed but the vector(s) of R. monacensis have not been recorded.

Methods

The prevalence of R. monacensis in >1500 Ixodidae ticks from central and southern China was determined using centrifugation-shell vial culture and polymerase chain reaction techniques. The predominant species, Ixodes sinensis, harbored a natural infection of R. monacensis and was assumed to be a vector candidate of R. monacensis. Experimental transmissions were initialized by infecting Rickettsia-free tick colonies with R. monacensis using capillary tube feeding (CTF) or immersi

SUBMITTER: Ye X 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4237728 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature