Molecular identification of ticks infesting camels and the detection of their natural infections with Rickettsia and Borrelia in Riyadh province, Saudi Arabia
The present work aimed to identify camel ticks Hyalomma dromedarii and
Hyalomma marginatum using direct sequence of the mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene and the
detection of their natural infection rate with Rickettsia and Borrelia using the PCR/ hybridization
method for amplification of the citrate synthase (gltA) gene. The phylogenetic analysis
showed 99% similarity between Hyalomma dromedarii and its reference with accession #
L34306.1, as well as between Hyalomma marginatum and its reference with accession #
KT391060.1 obtained from GenBank data base. The prevalence of H. dromedarii and H.
marginatum was about 99% and 1%, respectively. The intraspecific variation among H.
dromedarii ranged between 0.2–6.6%. The interspecific variation between H. dromedarii
and H. marginatum was 18.3%. PCR/hybridization of the sampled H. dromedarii detected
about 31%, 37% and 18% natural infection with Rickettsia, Borrelia and co-infection with both
pathogens, respectively. In contrast, none of Rickettsia or Borrelia was detected in H.
marginatum. The present study emphasizes the accuracy of the identification of camel ticks
based on molecular techniques. The ability of H. dromedarii to spread more than one disease
is an important issue from the epidemiological standpoint. Future epidemiological research
should be carried out in Saudi Arabia to monitor the distribution of tick species and suggest
effective control strategies.
Aedes aegypti (Culicidae), the mosquito that causes yellow fever, is regarded as a significant vector for
many disease agents. The current study sought to learn more about mosquito mid-gut…