Rickettsia africae and Novel Rickettsial Strain in Amblyomma spp. Ticks, Nicaragua, 2013

Emerg Infect Dis. 2018 Feb;24(2):385-387. doi: 10.3201/eid2402.161901.

Abstract

We report molecular detection of Rickettsia africae in Amblyomma ovale ticks from Nicaragua and a novel rickettsial strain in an A. triste tick. Of 146 ticks from dogs, 16.4% were Rickettsia PCR positive. The presence of Rickettsia spp. in human-biting ticks in Nicaragua may pose a public health concern.

Keywords: Amblyomma spp.; Nicaragua; Rickettsia africae; bacteria; dogs; ompA; rickettsiae; ticks; vector-borne infections.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Dog Diseases / epidemiology
  • Dog Diseases / parasitology
  • Dogs
  • Ixodidae / microbiology*
  • Nicaragua / epidemiology
  • Rickettsia / classification*
  • Rickettsia / isolation & purification*
  • Spotted Fever Group Rickettsiosis / epidemiology
  • Spotted Fever Group Rickettsiosis / microbiology
  • Spotted Fever Group Rickettsiosis / veterinary*
  • Tick Infestations / epidemiology
  • Tick Infestations / parasitology
  • Tick Infestations / veterinary