title: Molecular detection of Rickettsia species in Amblyomma ticks collected from snakes in Thailand.
abstract: Some reptile ticks are potential vectors of pathogens such as spotted fever group (SFG) rickettsiae. Here, we report for the first time in detail the molecular evidence, DNA sequences and phylogenetic studies, for the presence of Rickettsia spp. in Amblyomma ticks (Amblyomma helvolum and Amblyomma varanense) from snakes in Thailand. A total of 24 tick samples was collected from 4 snake species and identified. A phylogenetic analysis inferred from the partial sequences of the gltA gene indicated that the Rickettsia spp. from 2 Amblyomma helvolum and 1 Amblyomma varanense belong to the same group as the SFG rickettsiae, which are closely related to Rickettsia raoultii strains. In contrast, there was 1 Rickettsia sp. from Amblyomma helvolum grouped into the same clade with other SFG rickettsiae (Rickettsia tamurae, Rickettsia monacensis, and a Rickettsia endosymbiont of Amblyomma dubitatum from Brazil). However, another Rickettsia sp. from Amblyomma varanense was closely related to Rickettsia bellii and Rickettsia sp. strain RDa420 from Thailand. In addition, from phylogenetic results based on the 16S rRNA gene and a concatenated tree of the 3 genes (gltA, ompA, and ompB), we found what may be a novel SFG rickettsia species closely related to Rickettsia raoultii (from both Amblyomma varanense and Amblyomma helvolum). In conclusion, our findings are the first report on the presence of novel SFG rickettsiae in 2 snake tick species, Amblyomma varanense and Amblyomma helvolum in Thailand and in south-eastern Asia.
authors.affiliation: Biodiversity Research Cluster, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Rama 6 Road, Bangkok 10400, Thailand.
authors.forename: Chalao
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Sumrandee
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Ramkhamhaeng University, Ramkhamhaeng Road, Bangkok 10240, Thailand.
authors.forename: Supanee
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hirunkanokpun
authors.affiliation: Biodiversity Research Cluster, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Rama 6 Road, Bangkok 10400, Thailand.
authors.forename: Kathryn
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Doornbos
authors.affiliation: Biodiversity Research Cluster, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Rama 6 Road, Bangkok 10400, Thailand.
authors.forename: Sangvorn
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kitthawee
authors.affiliation: Biodiversity Research Cluster, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Rama 6 Road, Bangkok 10400, Thailand; Center of Excellence for Vectors and Vector-Borne Diseases, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University at Salaya, Phutthamonthon 4 Road, Nakhon Pathom 73170, Thailand.
authors.forename: Visut
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Baimai
authors.affiliation: Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic & Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Branišovská 31, CZ-37005 České Budějovice, Czech Republic.
authors.forename: Libor
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Grubhoffer
authors.affiliation: Biodiversity Research Cluster, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Rama 6 Road, Bangkok 10400, Thailand.
authors.forename: Wachareeporn
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Trinachartvanit
authors.affiliation: Biodiversity Research Cluster, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Rama 6 Road, Bangkok 10400, Thailand; Center of Excellence for Vectors and Vector-Borne Diseases, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University at Salaya, Phutthamonthon 4 Road, Nakhon Pathom 73170, Thailand. Electronic address: arunee.aha@mahidol.ac.th.
authors.forename: Arunee
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ahantarig
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001096:Arachnid Vectors / Q000145:classification / Q000382:microbiology*; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics; D026863:Ixodidae / Q000145:classification / Q000382:microbiology*; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010802:Phylogeny; D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S / Q000235:genetics; D012281:Rickettsia / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D012911:Snakes / Q000145:classification / Q000469:parasitology*; D013785:Thailand
chemical_list: D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D004269:DNA, Bacterial; D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S
keywords: Amblyomma helvolum; Amblyomma varanense; Rickettsia spp.; Snake; Thailand; Tick