title: Molecular detection of pathogen DNA in ticks (Acari: Ixodidae): a review.
abstract: Ticks play an important role in human and veterinary medicine, in particular due to their ability to transmit a wide spectrum of pathogenic micro-organisms of protozoal, rickettsial, bacterial and viral origin. Pathogens in ticks can be identified by conventional methods such as indirect immunofluorescence, isolation in cell culture or by using histological staining techniques. However, the advent of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) has resulted in tremendous improvements in the specific and sensitive detection of pathogen DNA in ticks. In this paper, literature on DNA extraction methods, PCR protocols, primers and probes, which are in use for the successful detection and identification of pathogens in ticks, are critically reviewed. Some recommendations are also given towards the end of this review.
authors.affiliation: Division of Parasitology and Tropical Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, The Netherlands. O.A.E.Sparagano@hw.ac.uk
authors.forename: O A
authors.initials: OA
authors.lastname: Sparagano
authors.forename: M T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Allsopp
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Mank
authors.forename: S G
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Rijpkema
authors.forename: J V
authors.initials: JV
authors.lastname: Figueroa
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Jongejan
mesh_terms: D000709:Anaplasma / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D000818:Animals; D001096:Arachnid Vectors / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000469:parasitology / Q000821:virology; D001403:Babesia / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D001898:Borrelia / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D017931:DNA Primers / Q000737:chemistry; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D016054:DNA, Protozoan / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D004536:Ehrlichia / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D016995:Ehrlichia ruminantium / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D004669:Encephalitis Viruses, Tick-Borne / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D016855:Nairovirus / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary; D016794:Theileria / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D017282:Tick-Borne Diseases / Q000635:transmission / Q000662:veterinary*; D013987:Ticks / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000469:parasitology / Q000821:virology
chemical_list: D017931:DNA Primers; D004269:DNA, Bacterial; D016054:DNA, Protozoan; D004279:DNA, Viral