Identification of Borrelia burgdorferi genospecies isolated from Ixodes ricinus ticks in the South Moravian region of the Czech Republic.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: During 2008-2012, a total of 466 ticks Ixodes ricinus removed from humans were collected and tested for the presence of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (Bbsl). Ticks were collected in all districts of the South Moravian region of the Czech Republic (CZ). OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the infestation of Bbsl in ticks Ixodes ricinus and the identification of genospecies of Bbsl group by DNA sequencing. MATERIAL AND METHODS: DNA isolation from homogenates was performed by UltraClean BloodSpin DNA kit (MoBio) and by automated instrument Prepito (Perkin-Elmer). Detection of spirochetes was carried out by RealTime PCR kit EliGene Borrelia LC (Elisabeth Pharmacon). Finally, all the positive samples were sequenced on an ABI 3130 Genetic Analyzer (Life Technologies) and identified in the BLAST (NCBI) database. RESULTS: A total positivity of the samples was 26%. For the first time in the Czech Republic, 5 of the isolated strains were genotyped as Borrelia spielmanii (7.1%). Other representatives of Bbsl were also observed B. afzelii (70.0%), B. garinii (10.0%), B. valaisiana (8.6%), and B. burgdorferi s. s. (4.3%). CONCLUSION: A general view of the spreading of Bbsl in the South Moravian region was demonstrated. The most interesting result of the study is the finding of B. spielmanii for the first time in this region.