Spotted fever group rickettsiae in ticks from the Masai Mara region of Kenya

Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2003 May;68(5):551-3. doi: 10.4269/ajtmh.2003.68.551.

Abstract

We have identified for the first time Rickettsia africae, and the ticks that harbored them, in Kenya. A total of 5,325 ticks were collected from vegetation, livestock, and wild animals during two field trips to southwestern Kenya. Most were immature forms (85.2%) belonging to the genera Amblyomma or Rhipicephalus. The adults also included representatives from the genus Boophilus. Ticks were assessed for rickettsial DNA by a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using primers for the spotted fever group (SFG)-specific rickettsial outer membrane protein A (rompA) gene, and positive amplicons were sequenced. While none of the immature ticks tested positive by PCR, 15.8% of the adult Amblyomma variegatum and less than 1% of the Rhipicephalus spp. were SFG positive. Sequences of amplified products were identified as R. africae. These findings extend the known range of R. africae.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Arachnid Vectors / microbiology*
  • Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins / genetics*
  • Cattle
  • DNA, Bacterial / analysis
  • Disease Reservoirs
  • Female
  • Ixodidae / microbiology*
  • Kenya
  • Male
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Rickettsia / classification
  • Rickettsia / genetics
  • Rickettsia / isolation & purification*

Substances

  • Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins
  • DNA, Bacterial
  • rOmpA, Rickettsia