Detection and characterization of a novel spotted fever group Rickettsia genotype in Haemaphysalis leporispalustris from California, USA.

Authors :: Eremeeva ME
Weiner LM
Zambrano ML
Dasch GA
Hu R
Vilcins I
Castro MB
Bonilla DL
Padgett KA
Source :: Ticks and tick-borne diseases [Ticks Tick Borne Dis] 2018 May; Vol. 9 (4), pp. 814-818. Date of Electronic Publication: 2018 Mar 01.
Publication Year :: 2018
Abstract: The rabbit tick, Haemaphysalis leporispalustris Packard, is known for its association with Rickettsia rickettsii as it harbors both virulent and avirulent strains of this pathogen. In this manuscript we report findings and preliminary characterization of a novel spotted fever group rickettsia (SFGR) in rabbit ticks from California, USA. Rickettsia sp. CA6269 (proposed "Candidatus Rickettsia lanei") is most related to known R. rickettsii isolates but belongs to its own well-supported branch different from those of all R. rickettsii including strain Hlp2 and from Rickettsia sp. 364D (also known as R. philipii) and R. peacockii. This SFGR probably exhibits both transovarial and transstadial survival since it was found in both questing larvae and nymphs. Although this rabbit tick does not frequently bite humans, its role in maintenance of other rickettsial agents and this novel SFGR warrant further investigation.<br /> (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.)

Subjects :: Animals
California epidemiology
Multilocus Sequence Typing
Nymph microbiology
Polymerase Chain Reaction
Rabbits microbiology
Rabbits parasitology
Rickettsia classification
Spotted Fever Group Rickettsiosis epidemiology
Spotted Fever Group Rickettsiosis parasitology
Tick Infestations epidemiology
Ticks microbiology
Genotype
Rickettsia genetics
Rickettsia isolation & purification
Spotted Fever Group Rickettsiosis veterinary
Tick Infestations veterinary

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