Detection of Rickettsia species in ticks feeding on wild boar (Sus scrofa algira) in Algeria

Wild boar (Sus scrofa algira) is considered among the animals most parasitized by ticks in Algeria. Ticks, as hematophagous arthropods, are significant vectors for numerous pathogens affecting public health. This study was carried out in extreme northeastern Algeria from January 2013 to January 2015 with the aim of detecting rickettsiae in wild boar ticks. Molecular analysis was performed on 188 ticks collected from 33 wild boars, focusing on qPCR targeting a 1234 bp fragment of the Citrate synthase gene of Rickettsia spp. Seventy-six ticks were found positive for Rickettsia DNA. Results showed that 72.37 % (55/76) of Dermacentor marginatus ticks were positive for Rickettsia slovaca. Additionally, 18.48 % (17/92) of Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato were positive for Rickettsia massiliae, 30 % (3/10) of Hyalomma marginatum were positive for Rickettsia aeschlimannii, and 10 % (1/10) of Ixodes ricinus were positive for Rickettsia monacensis. These findings indicate the role of wild boar ticks in maintaining the wild cycle of rickettsioses in Algeria.