Molecular identification of Borrelia valaisiana and HGE-like Ehrlichia in Ixodes ricinus ticks sampled in north-eastern Italy: first report in Veneto region.
PCR amplification was applied to screen the presence of both Borrelia burgdorferi s.l. and Ehrlichia species in pools of field-collected Ixodes ricinus ticks. The specimens so far analysed (n = 55), grouped in 11 pools, were sampled in Feltre area (Veneto region, NE Italy). Five pools proved positive for B. valaisiana (45%) and one of them (9%) was also positive for Ehrlichia, that was further characterised as a HGE-like Ehrlichia. This is the first report of the two bacteria in the Veneto region. The pool positive for both pathogens was used to adjust a multiplex PCR assay, which allowed the detection and identification of both parasites in a single experiment. The advantages offered by this assay, when standardised, will substantially broaden the perspectives of ecological and epidemiological investigations on animal/human Lyme disease and ehrlichiosis, greatly facilitating disease surveillance and control programs.
Favia
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Dipartimento di Scienze di Sanità Pubblica, Sezione di Parassitologia, Università La Sapienza, Roma, Italy.
Cancrini
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G
Carfì
A
A
Grazioli
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D
Lillini
E
E
Iori
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A
D000818:Animals; D001096:Arachnid Vectors / Q000382:microbiology*; D001898:Borrelia / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D025065:Borrelia burgdorferi / Q000302:isolation & purification; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis; D004197:Disease Reservoirs; D004536:Ehrlichia / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D016873:Ehrlichiosis / Q000382:microbiology; D005838:Genotype; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D018884:Ixodes / Q000382:microbiology*; D008193:Lyme Disease / Q000382:microbiology; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D013045:Species Specificity
D004269:DNA, Bacterial