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An Electroporation Method to Transform Rickettsia spp. with a Fluorescent Protein-Expressing Shuttle Vector in Tick Cell Lines
Published on: October 11, 2022
Rickettsia parkeri in Argentina.
Santiago Nava1, Yasmin Elshenawy, Marina E Eremeeva
1Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria, Santa Fe, Argentina.
Emerging Infectious Diseases
|December 3, 2008
Summary
Rickettsia parkeri, a cause of eschar-associated rickettsiosis, was detected in Amblyomma triste ticks collected in Argentina. This finding confirms the presence of this pathogen in the Paraná River Delta region, highlighting a potential public health concern.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Entomology
- Infectious Diseases
- Molecular Diagnostics
Background:
- Eschar-associated rickettsiosis has been clinically reported in the Paraná River Delta, Argentina.
- Amblyomma triste is a tick species prevalent in South America.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the presence of Rickettsia parkeri in Amblyomma triste ticks from the Paraná River Delta.
- To determine the infection rate of Rickettsia parkeri in questing adult A. triste ticks.
Main Methods:
- Collection of questing adult Amblyomma triste ticks from two sites in the lower Paraná River Delta.
- Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) assay to detect Rickettsia parkeri DNA.
Main Results:
- Out of 223 collected ticks, 17 (7.6%) tested positive for Rickettsia parkeri DNA.
- The pathogen was detected in ticks from both collection sites.
Conclusions:
- Rickettsia parkeri is circulating in the Amblyomma triste tick population in the Paraná River Delta.
- This study confirms the role of A. triste as a vector for R. parkeri in this region.
- Findings have implications for understanding and managing rickettsial diseases in the area.
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