Isolation and propagation of a Spiroplasma sp. from Slovakian Ixodes ricinus ticks in Ixodes spp. cell lines.

ABSTRACT: Ixodes spp. ticks are known to occasionally harbour spiroplasmas - helical mycoplasmas in the class Mollicutes; a previous study in Slovakia reported an overall prevalence of Spiroplasma ixodetis of 3% in Ixodes ricinus. In the present study, extracts of unfed adult I. ricinus ticks collected from vegetation in south-western Slovakia were added to a panel of cell lines derived from I. ricinus and Ixodes scapularis embryos. The cultures were monitored by preparation and examination of Giemsa-stained cytocentrifuge smears at intervals over the subsequent 16-18 months. Spiroplasma-like microorganisms were detected in cultures of both tick species after 2-3 months and subcultured onto fresh, uninfected cells of the appropriate cell line up to seven times. Molecular analysis using PCR assays ta

SUBMITTER: Bell-Sakyi L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4518060 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature