Rickettsia bellii in Amblyomma rotundatum ticks parasitizing Rhinella jimi from northeastern Brazil.
This study evaluated rickettsial infection in Amblyomma rotundatum ticks collected from toads (Rhinella jimi) in the Brazilian Caatinga biome, an unique semiarid region of South America. Tick infestations were observed in 57.8% toads (26/45); mean infestation: 1.6 ticks/toad. DNA extraction from 42 ticks (6 larvae, 22 nymphs and 11 female adults) was tested by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting Rickettsia organisms, which were detected in 100% of the ticks. Amplicons' DNA sequences were identical to each other and 99% identical to Rickettsia bellii from GenBank. DNA samples extracted from the blood of the 45 toads were negative by rickettsia-PCR protocols.
University of São Francisco Valley, Univasf, Petrolina, PE, Brazil. Electronic address: horta.mc@hotmail.com.
Mauricio C
MC
Horta
University of São Paulo, USP, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
Danilo G
DG
Saraiva
University of São Francisco Valley, Univasf, Petrolina, PE, Brazil.
Glauber M B
GM
Oliveira
University of São Paulo, USP, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
Thiago F
TF
Martins
University of São Paulo, USP, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
Marcelo B
MB
Labruna
D000818:Animals; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D002025:Bufonidae / Q000382:microbiology*; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D026863:Ixodidae / Q000382:microbiology*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012281:Rickettsia / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D013984:Tick Infestations / Q000453:epidemiology*
D004269:DNA, Bacterial
Amblyomma rotundatum; Brazil; Pernambuco; Rhinella jimi; Rickettsia bellii