Molecular Detection and Genetic Characterization of Ehrlichia ruminantium Harbored by Amblyomma hebraeum Ticks of Domestic Ruminants in North West Province, South Africa.

ABSTRACT: Ehrlichia ruminantium (E. ruminantium) is the causative agent of heartwater disease and it is mainly transmitted to livestock by Amblyomma hebraeum (A. hebraeum) tick in South Africa. This study investigated the occurrence of E. ruminantium and its genetic diversity in ticks within Ngaka Modiri Molema district of North West Province in South Africa. Genomic DNA was extracted from whole A. hebraeum ticks totaling 876 and resulted in a total of 292 pooled DNA samples. Firstly, conventional PCR was used to detect Ehrlichia spp. targeting the dsbA gene, followed by nested PCR targeting the Map1 gene performed on DNA pool samples that were positive from the first PCR. One hundred and six tick DNA pool samples were positive by dsb

SUBMITTER: Mnisi SS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9559644 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature