Diversity of Coxiella-like and Francisella-like endosymbionts, and Rickettsia spp., Coxiella burnetii as pathogens in the tick populations of Slovakia, Central Europe

Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases
Eva SpitalskáSabína Fumačová Havlíková

Abstract

Ticks are important vectors of pathogens affecting humans and animals worldwide. They do not only carry pathogens but diverse commensal and symbiotic microorganisms are also present in ticks. A molecular screening for tick-borne pathogens and endosymbionts was carried out in Ixodes ricinus, Dermacentor reticulatus and Haemaphysalis inermis questing ticks collected in Slovakia. The presence of Rickettsia spp., Coxiella burnetii, Coxiella-like and Francisella-like microorganisms was evaluated by PCR in 605 individuals and by randomly sequencing 66 samples. Four species of rickettsiae (R. raoultii, R. slovaca, R. helvetica and R. monacensis) were identified and reported with an overall prevalence range between 0.4 and 50.3% (±8.0) depending on tick species, sex and locality. Partial sequencing of the gltA gene of 5 chosen samples in H. inermis showed 99% identity with Candidatus Rickettsia hungarica. The total prevalence of C. burnetii in ticks was 2.2 ± 1.7%; bacteria were confirmed in I. ricinus and D. reticulatus ticks. The sequences from 2 D. reticulatus males and 1 I. ricinus female ticks were compared to GenBank submissions and a 99.8% match was obtained with the pathogenic C. burnetii. Coxiella-like endosymbionts were regis...Continue Reading

Citations

Jan 2, 2021·Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases·Eva ŠpitalskáĽudovít Škultéty
Feb 14, 2020·Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases·Siobhon L EganCharlotte L Oskam
May 6, 2021·The Journal of Dermatology·Makoto KondoKeiichi Yamanaka
May 25, 2021·International Journal for Parasitology. Parasites and Wildlife·Jairo Alfonso Mendoza-RoldanDomenico Otranto

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