Molecular detection of tick-borne bacteria and protozoa in cervids and wild boars from Portugal.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Wildlife can act as reservoir of different tick-borne pathogens, such as bacteria, parasites and viruses. The aim of the present study was to assess the presence of tick-borne bacteria and protozoa with veterinary and zoonotic importance in cervids and wild boars from the Centre and South of Portugal.

Methods

One hundred and forty one blood samples from free-ranging ungulates including 73 red deer (Cervus elaphus), 65 wild boars (Sus scrofa) and three fallow deer (Dama dama) were tested for the presence of Anaplasma marginale/A. ovis, A. phagocytophilum, Anaplasma/Ehrlichia spp., Babesia/Theileria spp., Borrelia burgdorferi (sensu lato) (s.l.), and Rickettsia spp. DNA by PCR.

Results

Anaplasma spp. DNA was detected in 33 (43.4 %) cervids (31 red deer and tw

SUBMITTER: Pereira A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4862153 | biostudies-literature | 2016 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature