title: Detection of a novel Rickettsia sp. in soft ticks (Acari: Argasidae) in Algeria.
abstract: Argasid ticks are vectors of viral and bacterial agents that can infect humans and animals. In Africa, relapsing fever borreliae are neglected arthropod-borne pathogens that cause mild to deadly septicemia and miscarriage. It would be incredibly beneficial to be able to simultaneous detect and identify other pathogens transmitted by Argasid ticks. From 2012 to 2014, we conducted field surveys in 4 distinct areas of Algeria. We investigated the occurrence of soft ticks in rodent burrows and yellow-legged gull (Larus michahellis) nests in 10 study sites and collected 154 soft ticks. Molecular identification revealed the occurrence of two different soft tick genera and five species, including Carios capensis in yellow-legged gull nests and Ornithodoros occidentalis, Ornithodoros rupestris, Ornithodoros sonrai, Ornithodoros erraticus in rodent burrows. Rickettsial DNA was detected in 41/154, corresponding to a global detection rate of 26.6%. Sequences of the citrate synthase (gltA) gene suggest that this agent is a novel spotted fever group Rickettsia. For the first time in Algeria, we characterize a novel Rickettsia species by molecular means in soft ticks.
authors.affiliation: Aix Marseille Université, URMITE, UM63, CNRS 7278, IRD 198, Inserm 1095, 13005 Marseille, France; Ecole Nationale Supérieure Vétérinaire d'Alger, 16000, Algeria; Institut des Sciences Vétérinaires, Université Blida 1, 09000, Algeria.
authors.forename: Ismail
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Lafri
authors.affiliation: Aix Marseille Université, URMITE, UM63, CNRS 7278, IRD 198, Inserm 1095, 13005 Marseille, France; Ecole Nationale Supérieure Vétérinaire d'Alger, 16000, Algeria.
authors.forename: Hamza
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Leulmi
authors.affiliation: Department of Zoology, Agronomic Graduate School, El Harrach, Algiers, 16000, Algeria.
authors.forename: Fadhila
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Baziz-Neffah
authors.affiliation: EPH de Sidi Ali, Mostaganem, Ministère de la santé, de la population et de la réforme hospitalière, 27000, Algeria.
authors.forename: Reda
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lalout
authors.affiliation: EPH de Sidi Ali, Mostaganem, Ministère de la santé, de la population et de la réforme hospitalière, 27000, Algeria.
authors.forename: Chergui
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Mohamed
authors.affiliation: EPH de Sidi Ali, Mostaganem, Ministère de la santé, de la population et de la réforme hospitalière, 27000, Algeria.
authors.forename: Karakallah
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Mohamed
authors.affiliation: Aix Marseille Université, URMITE, UM63, CNRS 7278, IRD 198, Inserm 1095, 13005 Marseille, France.
authors.forename: Philippe
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Parola
authors.affiliation: Aix Marseille Université, URMITE, UM63, CNRS 7278, IRD 198, Inserm 1095, 13005 Marseille, France; Ecole Nationale Supérieure Vétérinaire d'Alger, 16000, Algeria. Electronic address: idirbitam@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Idir
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Bitam
mesh_terms: D000462:Algeria; D000818:Animals; D026862:Argasidae / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000382:microbiology*; D046091:Charadriiformes / Q000382:microbiology*; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics; D058889:Molecular Typing / Q000379:methods; D026861:Ornithodoros / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000382:microbiology*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012281:Rickettsia / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D012282:Rickettsia Infections / Q000382:microbiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D012377:Rodentia / Q000382:microbiology*
chemical_list: D004269:DNA, Bacterial
keywords: Argasid; Carios capensis; Larus michahellis; Ornithodoros; Rickettsia