title: Detection of Alpha and Gamma-Proteobacteria in Amblyomma triste (Acari: Ixodidae) from Uruguay.
abstract: Amblyomma triste is the most prevalent tick species reported in human tick bites in Uruguay and has been found to be infected with Rickettsia parkeri, but no other microorganisms have been reported from this tick. A sample of 254 adults of A. triste was collected by flagging on vegetation in suburban areas in southern Uruguay. Pools of five ticks were assembled and a screening for the DNA from the resulting 51 pools was realized by PCR assays using primers for amplifying a fragment of 16S rRNA gene for members of Anaplasmataceae. Seventeen pools were positive (33%) and the sequenciation of the gene fragment amplified revealed the presence of a putative new Alpha-Proteobacterium (denominated Atri-uru). The phylogenetic analysis showed that this microorganism is closely related to the symbiont of I. ricinus denominated 'Candidatus Midichloria mitochondrii' and other associated organisms. This rickettsial symbiont of ticks is included in a recent new clade proposed for the Alpha subclass of the Proteobacteria. The discovery of this bacterium in A. triste is the first evidence of this group of Rickettsiales detected in the Genus Amblyomma, and the first record in South America. Also, in two of 17 positive samples a Gamma-Proteobacterium related to Francisella-like organisms was detected.
authors: Departamento de Parasitología Veterinaria, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de la República, Av. Alberto Lasplaces 1620, 11600 Montevideo, Uruguay. jvenzal@unizar.es
authors: José Manuel
authors: JM
authors: Venzal
authors: Agustín
authors: A
authors: Estrada-Peña
authors: Aránzazu
authors: A
authors: Portillo
authors: Atilio J
authors: AJ
authors: Mangold
authors: Oscar
authors: O
authors: Castro
authors: Carlos G
authors: CG
authors: de Souza
authors: María L
authors: ML
authors: Félix
authors: Laura
authors: L
authors: Pérez-Martínez
authors: Sonia
authors: S
authors: Santibánez
authors: José A
authors: JA
authors: Oteo
mesh_terms: D020561:Alphaproteobacteria / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D000818:Animals; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D017753:Ecosystem; D005260:Female; D020563:Gammaproteobacteria / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D026863:Ixodidae / Q000235:genetics / Q000382:microbiology*; D008297:Male; D010802:Phylogeny; D012329:RNA, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D012281:Rickettsia / Q000302:isolation & purification; D014583:Uruguay
chemical_list: D004269:DNA, Bacterial; D012329:RNA, Bacterial; D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S