Francisella-Like Endosymbionts and Rickettsia Species in Local and Imported Hyalomma Ticks.

ABSTRACT: Hyalomma ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) are hosts for Francisella-like endosymbionts (FLE) and may serve as vectors of zoonotic disease agents. This study aimed to provide an initial characterization of the interaction between Hyalomma and FLE and to determine the prevalence of pathogenic Rickettsia in these ticks. Hyalomma marginatum, Hyalomma rufipes, Hyalommadromedarii, Hyalommaaegyptium, and Hyalommaexcavatum ticks, identified morphologically and molecularly, were collected from different hosts and locations representing the distribution of the genus Hyalomma in Israel, as well as from migratory birds. A high prevalence of FLE was found in all Hyalomma species (90.6%), as well as efficient matern

SUBMITTER: Azagi T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5583492 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature