Infection of Amblyomma ovale by Rickettsia sp. strain Atlantic rainforest, Colombia

Ticks Tick Borne Dis. 2014 Oct;5(6):672-5. doi: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2014.04.018. Epub 2014 Jul 15.

Abstract

Our goal was to understand rickettsial spotted fevers' circulation in areas of previous outbreaks reported from 2006 to 2008 in Colombia. We herein present molecular identification and isolation of Rickettsia sp. Atlantic rainforest strain from Amblyomma ovale ticks, a strain shown to be pathogenic to humans. Infected ticks were found on dogs and a rodent in Antioquia and Córdoba Provinces. This is the first report of this rickettsia outside Brazil, which expands its known range considerably.

Keywords: Amblyomma ovale; Colombia; Rickettsia sp. strain Atlantic rainforest; Rodents.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Arachnid Vectors / microbiology*
  • Colombia
  • Disease Reservoirs / microbiology*
  • Dogs
  • Equidae
  • Female
  • Ixodidae / microbiology*
  • Male
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Opossums
  • Phylogeny
  • Rainforest
  • Rickettsia / classification
  • Rickettsia / genetics
  • Rickettsia / isolation & purification*
  • Rodentia