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Updated: Jul 18, 2026
Detecting the Lyme Disease Spirochete, Borrelia Burgdorferi, in Ticks Using Nested PCR
Published on: February 4, 2018
Multiplex detection of Ehrlichia and Anaplasma pathogens in vertebrate and tick hosts by real-time RT-PCR
Kamesh R Sirigireddy1, Donald C Mock, Roman R Ganta
1Department of Diagnostic Medicine/Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University, 1800 Denison Avenue, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA.
Abstract:
Tick-borne rickettsial infections are responsible for many emerging diseases in humans and several vertebrates. These include human infections with Ehrlichia chaffeensis, Ehrlichia ewingii and Anaplasma phagocytophilum. As single or co-infections can result from a tick bite, the availability of a rapid, multiplex molecular test will be valuable for timely diagnosis and treatment. We recently described a muliplex-molecular test that can detect single or co-infections with up to five Ehrlichia and Anaplasma species. We reported that the test has the sensitivity to identify single infections in the canine host with E. chaffeensis, E. canis, E. ewingii, A. phagocytophilum, and A. platys and co-infection with E. canis and A. platys. In this study, ticks were collected from different parts of the state of Kansas during summer months of the year 2003 and tested for the presence of infection using the molecular test. The analysis revealed a minimum of 3.66% of the ticks to be positive for either E. chaffeensis or E. ewingii in A. americanum and Dermacenter species. This assay will be valuable in monitoring infections in dogs and ticks, and with minor modifications it can be used for diagnosing infections in people and other vertebrates.
Insights
A new multiplex molecular test can detect Ehrlichia and Anaplasma tick-borne infections. This study found these pathogens in Kansas ticks, highlighting the test
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Medicine
- Molecular Diagnostics
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Tick-borne rickettsial infections pose emerging threats to human and animal health.
- Co-infections are common, necessitating accurate and rapid diagnostic tools.
- Existing diagnostic methods may not be sufficient for simultaneous detection of multiple pathogens.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate a novel multiplex molecular assay for detecting Ehrlichia and Anaplasma species in ticks.
- To determine the prevalence of specific Ehrlichia and Anaplasma infections in ticks collected from Kansas.
- To assess the utility of the assay for monitoring tick-borne diseases in canine and wildlife populations.
Main Methods:
- Ticks were collected from various locations in Kansas during the summer of 2003.
- A previously developed multiplex molecular test was used to screen ticks for Ehrlichia and Anaplasma.
- The assay was validated for detecting single and co-infections with targeted pathogens.
Main Results:
- The multiplex assay successfully detected Ehrlichia chaffeensis and Ehrlichia ewingii in ticks.
- A minimum of 3.66% of tested ticks were positive for E. chaffeensis or E. ewingii.
- Infections were identified in Dermacentor and Ixodes species ticks.
Conclusions:
- The multiplex molecular test is effective for identifying Ehrlichia and Anaplasma infections in ticks.
- The findings indicate the presence of these pathogens in Kansas tick populations.
- The assay holds promise for disease surveillance in animals and potential human diagnostics.
