Bacteria genetically related to Coxiella burnetii have been found in ticks. Using molecular techniques, we detected Coxiella-like bacteria, here named Candidatus Coxiella massiliensis, in skin biopsy samples and ticks removed from patients with an eschar. This organism may be a common agent of scalp eschar and neck lymphadenopathy after tick bite.
Keywords: Candidatus Coxiella massiliensis; Coxiella-like bacteria; SENLAT; bacteria; eschar; parasites; scalp eschar and neck lymphadenopathy after tick bite; skin biopsy; ticks; vector-borne infections; vectorborne.