Molecular Detection and Genetic Identification of Infection in Ticks, an Incriminated Vector for Geographical Transmission in Taiwan.

Tick-borne pathogens have become an emerging source of zoonotic infections and have a major impact on human health worldwide. In this study, the prevalence and genetic identity of infections in ticks was firstly determined in Kinmen Island of Taiwan. A total of 247 ticks were examined for infection by nested-PCR assay targeting the citrate synthase (gltA) gene of . The infection was detected with a general infection rate of 4.86%, and was detected in nymph, male and female stages with an infection rate of 3.81%, 0% and 6.84%, respectively. Phylogenetic relationships were analyzed by comparing the gltA sequences obtained from four Taiwan strains and 19 other strains representing 13 genospecies of . Phylogenetic analyses reveal that all Taiwan strains were genetically affiliated to the genospecies of spotted fever () and transitional () groups of . Our findings reveal the first detection of -like and in ticks from Kinmen Island. As a tourist island between Taiwan and mainland China, these results demonstrate the epidemiological significance of diverse species existed in ticks and highlight the potential threat of geographical transmission among humans in the Taiwan area.