A new record of Rickettsia japonica in ticks infesting a Burmese ferret-badger in Thailand
https://doi.org/10.47665/tb.39.1.007
- Author:
Hirunkanokpun, S.
1
;
Ahantarig, A.
2
;
Baimai, V.
2
;
Pramual, P.
3
;
Trinachartvanit, W.
2
Author Information
1. Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Ramkhamhaeng University, Bangkok, 10240, Thailand
2. Biodiversity Research Cluster, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Rama 6 Road, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand
3. Department of Biology, Faculty of science, Mahasarakham University, Maha Sarakham, 44150, Thailand
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Rickettsia japonica;
spotted fever group;
tick;
Thailand.
- From:Tropical Biomedicine
2022;39(No.1):55-59
- CountryMalaysia
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Ticks are important vectors of arthropod-borne diseases and they can transmit a wide variety
of zoonotic pathogens to humans, domestic and wild animals. Rickettsia japonica is a member
of SFG rickettsiae causing Japanese spotted fever (JSF) and can transmit to humans via
infected ticks. In this study, we report the first case of Rickettsia japonica in Haemaphysalis
hystricis tick collected from a roadkill Burmese ferret-badger (Melogale personata) in Loei
province, northeastern Thailand. According to the DNA sequences and phylogenetic analyses
of the outer membrane protein A and B genes (ompA and ompB), the detected R. japonica
was identical to those found in JSF patients in Korea, Japan, and China, and closely related
to Rickettsia detected by ompA in a tick from Thailand. Further study on the prevalence of
R. japonica and diversity of mammalian reservoir hosts will be useful to gain a better
understanding of JSF epidemiology.
- Full text:8.2022my1312.pdf