Detection and genetic identification of in questing tick from Tunisia.

Background: Until now, there has been limited information on the prevalence and the phylogeny of sensu lato in ticks in Tunisia, particularly in .

Methods: The present study aimed to determine the prevalence and the phylogeny of s.l., in coexisted and ticks collected from Northern Tunisia. One hundred questig ticks were collected during winter 2020 by tick-dragging method in Beja gouvernorate located in the north of Tunisia. Real-time PCR panel targeting s.l. 23S rRNA gene were performed. Positive DNA samples were subjected to conventional PCRs targeting 457 bp fragment of the sp. flagellin () gene using primers FlaF/FlaR. The identified sp. isolate underwent partial sequence analysis to determine genospecies and evaluate their phylogenetic position.

Results: The study revealed a prevalence rate of 28% (28/100) for sensu lato in the ticks. The prevalence rates across tick species and genders did not show significant variations ( > 0.05). Interestingly, the study underlines the coexistence of and sharing the same geographic areas in Northern Tunisia. Furthermore, DNA of was detected in ticks for the first time in Tunisia. Revealed bacterium is similar to previously identified strains in Mediterranean region, but distinct from those isolated exclusively from countries of Eastern and Central Europe, such as Serbia, Romania, and Poland. This study highlights the prevalence of s.l. in / ticks, and reveals in ticks for the first time in Tunisia.

Conclusion: These findings suggest the involvement of as a potential vector of this pathogenic genospeciess in Tunisia. This may help understanding the ecology of ticks, the natural infection and the transmission dynamics of species in this country.