Rickettsia spp. in Ixodes ricinus ticks in Bavaria, Germany.
This study aims to provide information on the occurrence of spotted fever rickettsiae in Ixodes ricinus ticks in southern Germany. A total of 2,141 I. ricinus ticks was collected in Bavaria. Pools of 5-10 ticks were studied by a PCR targeting the rickettsial citrate synthase gene gltA. The average prevalence rate was 12% (257 of 2,141). Sequencing data exclusively identified Rickettsia helvetica DNA. Results and other data demonstrate the possible role of R. helvetica in I. ricinus as a source of human infections in southern Germany.
Wölfel
R
R
Department of Virology and Rickettsiology, Bundeswehr Institute of Microbiology, Neuherbergstrasse 11, 80937 Munich, Germany. RomanWoelfel@Bundeswehr.org
Terzioglu
R
R
Kiessling
J
J
Wilhelm
S
S
Essbauer
S
S
Pfeffer
M
M
Dobler
G
G
D000818:Animals; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D018884:Ixodes / Q000254:growth & development / Q000382:microbiology*; D007814:Larva; D008297:Male; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011156:Population Density; D012281:Rickettsia / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D012282:Rickettsia Infections / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000635:transmission; D013984:Tick Infestations / Q000517:prevention & control*
D004269:DNA, Bacterial