Molecular evidence of Borrelia lusitaniae from questing Ixodes ticks in Algeria.
Vet Parasitol Reg Stud Reports
; 53: 101062, 2024 Aug.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-39025546
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Ticks are hematophagous arthropods acting as important vectors for several microorganisms. Ticks have an important role in the epidemiology of numerous diseases from a public health standpoint. In Algeria, knowledge of tick-borne associated microorganisms is limited. This paper aimed to investigate the presence of microorganisms in Ixodes ticks in Ain Kerma El Tarf region. MATERIALS ANDMETHODS:
Ticks were collected from the environment using the flagging method in El Hannachir, Ain kerma (El Tarf province), conserved in 70% ethanol, and morphologically identified. DNA was individually isolated from the ticks and screened for the presence of Piroplasmids and Hepatozoon spp., Borrelia spp., Spotted fever group Rickettsia, Bartonella spp., Mycoplasma spp., Anaplasmataceae, Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Francisella tularensis.RESULTS:
Adult ticks of the genus Ixodes (n = 51) were collected. Due to their pronounced morphological resemblance, the sampled ticks are referenced as I. ricinus/ I.inopinatus (n = 51, 26 males, 25 females). The following pathogens were identified in the tested ticks Borrelia lusitaniae (n = 17; 33.33%), Rickettsia monacensis (n = 10; 19.60%), and R. helvetica (n = 5; 9.80%). In addition, five ticks (9.80%) were found to be coinfected with Borrelia lusitaniae and R. monacensis/ heletica. All ticks were negative for Piroplasmids and Hepatozoon spp., Bartonella spp., Mycoplasma spp., Anaplasmataceae, Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Francisella tularensis.CONCLUSION:
Questing Ixodes ticks from Algeria are carriers of various pathogens, with Borrelia lusitaniae posing a potential risk in the country.Key words
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Borrelia
/
Ixodes
Limits:
Animals
Country/Region as subject:
Africa
Language:
En
Journal:
Vet Parasitol Reg Stud Reports
Year:
2024
Document type:
Article
Country of publication:
Netherlands