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Updated: Jul 12, 2026
03:22
Extraction of Saliva, Haemolymph, Salivary Glands, and Midgut from Individual Ticks (Acari: Ixodidae)
Published on: October 31, 2025
Survey for tick-borne pathogens in Amazonian ixodid ticks, Brazil
Salatiel Ribeiro Dias1, Francisco Flávio Vieira de Assis1, Felipe Rodrigues Jorge2
1Laboratory of Animal Health, Universidade Federal do Oeste do Pará, Santarém, PA, Brazil.
Acta Tropica
|July 10, 2026
Summary
This study identified 16 tick species in the Amazon, finding Rickettsia amblyommatis and other novel microbes. The research highlights the Amazon as a reservoir for emerging tick-borne agents needing further surveillance.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Entomology
- Molecular Biology
- Tropical Ecology
Background:
- The Amazon biome's rich biodiversity is understudied for tick-borne pathogens.
- Ixodid ticks are vectors for various zoonotic diseases globally.
- Understanding tick and microbial diversity in the Amazon is crucial for public health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess ixodid tick species richness in the Brazilian Amazon.
- To investigate the presence of Rickettsia, Anaplasma, Borrelia, and Piroplasmida in these ticks.
- To characterize tick-borne microorganisms and their potential pathogenicity.
Main Methods:
- Collected 1,084 ticks from vegetation and hosts in the Brazilian Amazon (2023-2024).
- Identified tick species morphologically, with a focus on the genus Amblyomma.
- Performed molecular screening on 289 ticks for bacterial and protozoan DNA.
Main Results:
- Identified 16 tick species, predominantly Amblyomma.
- Detected Rickettsia amblyommatis in multiple species, R. bellii, and R. rhipicephali.
- Found Anaplasma sp. and 'Candidatus Allocryptoplasma sp.', plus Borrelia associated with reptiles.
Conclusions:
- The Amazon harbors diverse tick species and associated microorganisms, many with unknown pathogenicity.
- Absence of known pathogenic Rickettsia in preserved areas contrasts with other regions.
- The Amazon is a potential reservoir for neglected and emerging tick-borne agents requiring surveillance.
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