A novel Rickettsia, Candidatus Rickettsia takensis, and the first record of Candidatus Rickettsia laoensis in Dermacentor from Northwestern Thailand.

Three hundred and forty-four tick samples were collected from vegetation at Taksin Maharat National Park, Tak province, northwestern Thailand. They were morphologically identified and molecularly confirmed by 16S rRNA and COI genes as Dermacentor laothaiensis (n = 105), D. steini (n = 139), and D.

Spotted fever group Rickettsia, Anaplasma and Coxiella-like endosymbiont in Haemaphysalis ticks from mammals in Thailand.

Ticks are ectoparasites of vertebrates and vectors of various pathogenic microorganisms. In this study, the presence of bacteria and protozoa was evaluated by PCR and DNA sequencing in 233 mammal ticks collected from 8 provinces in Thailand. Sequence and phylogenetic analyses of partial rickettsial ompA, ompB, sca4 and partial Coxiella 16S rRNA, GroEL, rpoB genes clearly revealed, for the first time, a co-infection of SFG Rickettsia belonging to R.

A new record of Rickettsia japonica in ticks infesting a Burmese ferret-badger in Thailand.

Ticks are important vectors of arthropod-borne diseases and they can transmit a wide variety of zoonotic pathogens to humans, domestic and wild animals. Rickettsia japonica is a member of SFG rickettsiae causing Japanese spotted fever (JSF) and can transmit to humans via infected ticks. In this study, we report the first case of Rickettsia japonica in Haemaphysalis hystricis tick collected from a roadkill Burmese ferret-badger ( Melogale personata ) in Loei province, northeastern Thailand.

Borrelia sp. phylogenetically different from Lyme disease- and relapsing fever-related Borrelia spp. in Amblyomma varanense from Python reticulatus.

Background: Species of the genus Borrelia are causative agents of Lyme disease and relapsing fever. Lyme disease is the most commonly reported vector-borne disease in the northern hemisphere. However, in some parts of the world Lyme borreliosis and relapsing fever may be caused by novel Borrelia genotypes.

Detection of Rickettsia and Anaplasma from hard ticks in Thailand.

We collected a total of 169 adult hard ticks and 120 nymphs from under the leaves of plants located along tourist nature trails in ten localities. The results present data examining the vector competence of ticks of different genera and the presence of Rickettsia and Anaplasma species. The ticks belonged to three genera, Amblyomma, Dermacentor, and Haemaphysalis, comprising 11 species.

Detection of Coxiella-like endosymbiont in Haemaphysalis tick in Thailand.

In this study, we focused on the molecular detection of Coxiella-like bacteria using a PCR technique to identify Coxiella 16S rRNA sequences in Haemaphysalis tick samples (105 adults, 8 nymph pools and 19 larval pools). Seven Haemaphysalis species obtained from 5 locations in Thailand were evaluated in this work. Coxiella endosymbionts could be detected in samples representing all 3 growth stages examined.

Molecular detection of Rickettsia species in Amblyomma ticks collected from snakes in Thailand.

Some reptile ticks are potential vectors of pathogens such as spotted fever group (SFG) rickettsiae. Here, we report for the first time in detail the molecular evidence, DNA sequences and phylogenetic studies, for the presence of Rickettsia spp. in Amblyomma ticks (Amblyomma helvolum and Amblyomma varanense) from snakes in Thailand.

Phylogenetic relationships of Francisella-like endosymbionts detected in two species of Amblyomma from snakes in Thailand.

Ticks are important vectors of several bacterial pathogens, including Francisella. In this study, a total of 24 adult ticks (Amblyomma varanense and Amblyomma helvolum) collected from 4 species of snake from 3 provinces of Thailand was screened for the presence of Francisella-like endosymbionts (FLEs) by PCR. FLEs were detected in 46% (11/24) of all ticks examined.

Dissemination of bloodmeal acquired Rickettsia felis in cat fleas, Ctenocephalides felis.

Background: Cat fleas, Ctenocephalides felis, are known biological vectors for Rickettsia felis. Rickettsial transmission can be vertical via transovarial transmission within a flea population, as well as horizontal between fleas through a bloodmeal. The previously undescribed infection kinetics of bloodmeal-acquired R.

Horizontal transmission of Rickettsia felis between cat fleas, Ctenocephalides felis.

Rickettsia felis is a rickettsial pathogen primarily associated with the cat flea, Ctenocephalides felis. Although laboratory studies have confirmed that R. felis is maintained by transstadial and transovarial transmission in C.

Detection of Rickettsia and a novel Haemaphysalis shimoga symbiont bacterium in ticks in Thailand.

In this study, we identified two Haemaphysalis species present at the Khao Yai National Park in Thailand and investigated the presence of rickettsia in these ticks. A total of 166 Haemaphysalis specimens were collected randomly under leaves along visitor paths at five locations in the park. Male and female adults of two different Haemaphysalis species, H.

Evaluation of mosquito densoviruses for controlling Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae): variation in efficiency due to virus strain and geographic origin of mosquitoes.

Four mosquito densovirus strains were assayed for mortality and infectivity against Aedes aegypti larvae from different geographic regions. The viral titers were quantified by real-time PCR using TaqMan technology. Firstinstar larvae were exposed to the same titer of each densovirus strain for 48 hours.

Mosquito densonucleosis virus non-structural protein NS2 is necessary for a productive infection.

Mosquito densonucleosis viruses synthesize two non-structural proteins, NS1 and NS2. While NS1 has been studied relatively well, little is known about NS2. Antiserum was raised against a peptide near the N-terminus of NS2, and used to conduct Western blot analysis and immuno-fluorescence assays.

Molecular evidence for novel tick-associated spotted fever group rickettsiae from Thailand.

Ticks are of considerable medical and veterinary importance because they directly harm the host through their feeding action and indirectly through vectoring many bacterial pathogens. Despite many ticks being known from Thailand, very little is known about the bacteria they may harbor. We report here the results of a survey of tick-associated bacteria in Thailand.