Francisella like endosymbionts and Rickettsia species in local and imported Hyalomma ticks.

This study was aimed to provide initial characterization of the interaction between Hyalomma and FLE and to determine the prevalence of pathogenic Rickettsia in these ticks. Hyalomma marginatum, H. rufipes, H. dromedarii, H. aegyptium and H. excavatum ticks, identified morphologically and molecularly, were collected from different hosts and locations, representing the genus distribution in Israel, as well as from migratory birds. High prevalence of FLE was found in all Hyalomma species (90.6%), as well as efficient maternal transmission of FLE (91.8%), and the localization of FLE in Malpighian tubules, ovaries and salivary glands in H. marginatum Furthermore, we demonstrated strong co-phylogeny between FLE and their host species. Contrary to FLE, the prevalence of Rickettsia ranged from 2.4% to 81.3% and was significantly different between Hyalomma species, with higher prevalence in ticks collected from migratory birds. Using ompA gene sequences, most of the Rickettsia were similar to R. aeschlimannii, while a few were similar to R. africae of the spotted fever group (SFG). Given their zoonotic importance, 249 ticks were tested for Crimean Congo hemorrhagic fever virus infection and all were negative. The results imply that Hyalomma and FLE have obligatory symbiotic interactions, and indicate on a potential SFG Rickettsia zoonosis risk. Further understanding of the possible influence of FLE on Hyalomma development as well as on its infection with Rickettsia pathogens may lead...
Source: Applied and Environmental Microbiology - Category: Microbiology Authors: Tags: Appl Environ Microbiol Source Type: research