Molecular Detection and Genetic Identification of Rickettsia Infection in Ixodes granulatus Ticks, an Incriminated Vector for Geographical Transmission in Taiwan.

ABSTRACT: Tick-borne Rickettsia pathogens have become an emerging source of zoonotic infections and have a major impact on human health worldwide. In this study, the prevalence and genetic identity of Rickettsia infections in Ixodes granulatus ticks was firstly determined in Kinmen Island of Taiwan. A total of 247 I. granulatus ticks were examined for Rickettsia infection by nested-PCR assay targeting the citrate synthase (gltA) gene of Rickettsia. The Rickettsia infection was detected with a general infection rate of 4.86%, and was detected in nymph, male and female stages with an infection rate of 3.81%, 0% and 6.84%, respectively. Phylogenetic relationships were analyzed by comparing the gltA sequences obtained from four Taiwan strains and 19 other strains representing 13 genospecies of Rickettsi

SUBMITTER: Shih CM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8233880 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature