title: Questing Amblyomma mixtum and Haemaphysalis juxtakochi (Acari: Ixodidae) Infected with Candidatus "Rickettsia amblyommii" from the Natural Environment in Panama Canal Basin, Panama.
abstract: This work emphasizes the detection of Candidatus "Rickettsia amblyommii" in questing Haemaphysalis juxtakochi and Amblyomma mixtum. From February 2009 to December 2012, questing ticks were collected from the vegetation and leaf-litter of four protected forests and two grassy areas around the Panama Canal basin. DNA was extracted from Amblyomma mixtum, Amblyomma naponense, Amblyomma oblongoguttatum, Amblyomma pecarium, Amblyomma tapirellum, Haemaphysalis juxtakochi, and unidentified immature Amblyomma. Specific primers of citrate synthase gene gltA were used to detect and identify the rickettsiae. Amplicons with the expected band size were purified and sequenced. DNA of C. "R. amblyommii" was found in A. mixtum, H. juxtakochi and Amblyomma immatures. To our knowledge, these finding represent the first report of C. "R. amblyommii" in free-living ticks in the wilderness of Central America.
authors: Departamento en Investigación en Entomología Médica, Instituto Conmemorativo Gorgas de Estudios de la Salud , Panamá
authors: Angélica M Castro
authors: AM
authors: D
authors: Departamento en Investigación en Entomología Médica, Instituto Conmemorativo Gorgas de Estudios de la Salud , Panamá
authors: Gleidys G García
authors: GG
authors: S
authors: Centro de Investigaciones Regionales "Dr. Hideyo Noguchi" de la Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán en Mérida , México.
authors: Karla
authors: K
authors: Dzul-Rosado
authors: Escuela de Biología, Universidad de Panamá
authors: Ana
authors: A
authors: Aguilar
authors: Departamento en Investigación en Genómica y Proteómica, Instituto Conmemorativo Gorgas de Estudios de la Salud , Panamá
authors: Juan
authors: J
authors: Castillo
authors: Departamento en Investigación en Genómica y Proteómica, Instituto Conmemorativo Gorgas de Estudios de la Salud , Panamá
authors: Amanda
authors: A
authors: Gabster
authors: Laboratorio de Análisis Biomolecular, Instituto de Medicina Legal y Ciencias Forenses , Panamá
authors: Diomedes
authors: D
authors: Trejos
authors: Centro de Investigaciones Regionales "Dr. Hideyo Noguchi" de la Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán en Mérida , México.
authors: Jorge
authors: J
authors: Zavala-Castro
authors: Departamento en Investigación en Entomología Médica, Instituto Conmemorativo Gorgas de Estudios de la Salud , Panamá
authors: Sergio E
authors: SE
authors: Bermúdez C
keywords: Candidatus “Rickettsia amblyommii”; Ixodidae; Panama Canal Basin; questing ticks