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Revista biomédica
On-line version ISSN 2007-8447Print version ISSN 0188-493X
Abstract
MARTINEZ-ORTIZ, Daly et al. Rickettsia spp. in ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) infesting dogs from a rural community with rickettsial diseases reports, Yucatan, Mexico. Rev. biomédica [online]. 2019, vol.30, n.2, pp.43-50. Epub Sep 06, 2019. ISSN 2007-8447. https://doi.org/10.32776/revbiomed.v30i2.650.
Introduction:
Bacteria of the Rickettsia genus are causal agents of the rickettsial diseases, zoonoses transmitted by ectoparasites. In Yucatan, in inhabitants from Bolmay an outbreak occurred; however, the probable vector was not identified.
Objective:
To analyze the Rickettsia spp. presence in ticks infesting domestic dogs from Bolmay.
Material and methods:
We used 105 vials with up to eight ticks. Total DNA from the ectoparasites was extracted, after the identification of the life stages, sex, gender, and species. Two PCR to isolate fragments of the htrA (17-kDa) and rOmpB genes belonging to Rickettsia spp., were performed. The positive products were sequenced and analyzed using the BLAST tool and the Megablast algorithm.
Results:
291 ticks of the genera Amblyomma (55.7%, 162/291), Rhipicephalus (34%, 99/291), and Ixodes (10.3%, 30/291), and the species Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato, Ixodes affinis, and Amblyomma mixtum, were used. The PCR positivity was 11.4% (12/105) for the genera Amblyomma (66.7%, 8/12), Rhipicephalus (25%, 3/12), and Ixodes (8.3%, 1/12), and the species A. mixtum, Rh. sanguineus s. l., and I. affinis. Rickettsial DNA in nymph, larva, adult, males, and females, were identified. Each BLAST analysis showed an identity and coverage of 96% with several Rickettsia spp. sequences, such as Rickettsia typhi, Rickettsia felis and Rickettsia prowazekii, so it was not possible to determine the infecting species.
Conclusion:
Ticks infesting dogs from Bolmay are probably involved in the transmission cycle of Rickettsia spp. The first molecular evidence of Rickettsia spp. in I. affinis ticks from Yucatan, Mexico, is presented.
Keywords : Rickettsia spp.; rickettsiosis; ticks; Yucatan; Mexico.