Determination of the Presence of <i>Rickettsia</i> Spp. and <i>Borrelia</i> Spp. Carried by Tortoise Ticks from Madagascar

<p>Ticks were removed from three species of Malagasy tortoises, <em>Astrochelys</em> <em>yniphora</em>, <em>A. radiata</em>, and <em>Pyxis arachnoides</em> (comprising two subspecies <em>P. a. arachnoides</em> and<em> P. a. oblonga</em>), between 2012 and 2015. The ticks were presumed to be from the genus <em>Amblyomma</em>. Ticks were morphologically identified and then checked molecularly to confirm their classification or identify any ticks that could not be morphologically identified. Molecular identification was done via end-point PCR that amplified tick cytochrome oxidase (CO1) and tick 12S rRNA genes. Ticks were screened via a real-time polymerase chain reaction assay for the presence of <em>Rickettsia</em> spp. and Borrelia spp., amplifying the rickettsial 17 kDA and <em>Borrelia</em> 16S rRNA gene, respectively. Those positive for either pathogen were analyzed to determine the specific species via end-point PCR and sequencing. One hundred eighty-three ticks out of 239 tested ticks (77%) were positive for the presence of<em> Rickettsia</em> spp. and/or <em>Borrelia</em> spp.; <em>Rickettsia aeschlimannii</em> and <em>Rickettsia africae</em> were sequenced from <em>Rickettsia</em>-positive ticks and a <em>Borrelia</em> species related to <em>Borrelia turcica</em> was sequenced from the <em>Borrelia</em>-positive ticks. The aim of this study was to determine the presence of <em>Rickettsia</em> spp. and <em>Borrelia</em> spp. infecting the ticks, as well as identifying the ticks, in order to determine veterinary and public health risks. This will help further our understanding of these ticks and their pathogens and their relationship to these tortoises, as well as the impact they may have on both human and veterinary health.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science (MS)

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Biological Sciences

Year dc:date.available

2021

Author dc:creator

• Phan, Anna

Contributors dc:contributor

• Wayne Hynes
• Holly Gaff
• Andrea Currylow

• Borrelia
• Madagascar
• Rickettsia
• Ticks
• Tortoise
• Biology
• Entomology
• Genetics
• Pathology
• Veterinary Medicine

Statement dc:rights

• <p>In Copyright. URI: <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/</a> This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s).</p>

Identifier

9798516058776

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:digitalcommons.odu.edu:biology_etds-1120