First report of Candidatus Rickettsia mendelii in Ixodes brunneus from the United States.

ABSTRACT: Candidatus Rickettsia mendelii is a novel rickettsial species recently identified in Ixodes ricinus. In this study, Ixodes brunneus collected from wild birds (n = 77 ticks) or vegetation (n = 4 ticks) in southeastern Virginia were surveyed for rickettsial agents. Candidatus Rickettsia mendelii was confirmed in I. brunneus through sequencing of the gltA and 16S rRNA genes. This is the first report of this rickettsial species in Ixodes ticks in North America.

SUBMITTER: Cumbie AN 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6913172 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature