Confirmation of the presence of Rickettsia felis infecting Ornithodoros puertoricensis in Mexico

Abstract

Soft ticks are neglected competent vectors of a wide range of pathogenic microorganisms, among which bacteria of the genera Rickettsia and Borrelia stand out. In Mexico, previous studies have shown the presence of a member of the Ornithodoros talaje complex in the Virginia opossum (Didelphis virginiana Didelphimorphia: Didelphidae Kerr) from southeastern Mexico. However, its specific identification has not been achieved. Two D. virginiana were treated in a private clinic during the period of April–May 2022. Tick larvae were manually removed, DNA extraction was performed, and some genes from various bacterial and parasitic pathogens were amplified and sequenced. A total of 96 larvae were recovered, which were morphologically identified as Ornithodoros puertoricensis (Ixodida: Argasidae Fox); the 16 S sequences showed a similarity of 96.79%–99.51% with sequences of O. puertoricensis from Panama and Colombia. The presence of Rickettsia felis (Rickettsiales: Rickettsiaceae Bouyer et al.) was detected in 15 specimens from one host. The soft tick O. puertoricensis is recorded for the first time as an ectoparasite of the Virginia opossum in America and represents the second report for this soft tick in Mexico since 1963. This represents the most northern record of this tick species in its geographic distribution and brings a new soft tick‐Rickettsia association.

Molecular detection of Rickettsia felis in fleas and ticks collected from dogs and cats of Puebla, Mexico

“…Additionally, our study provides new collection localities for R. felis in Mexico since it has only been reported discontinuously in Baja California, Durango, Yucatan and, recently, in the neighbouring state of Veracruz (Ballados‐González et al, 2022; Sánchez‐Montes et al, 2021). This shows that it can be found from coastal areas to mountainous areas above 1,000 m above sea level.…”

Isolation ofBorrelia puertoricensisfrom ticks collected in Merida, Yucatan, Mexico

“…Three argasid species, Ornithodoros turicata, Ornithodoros talaje, and Ornithodoros dugesi are known vectors of TBRF spirochetes and transmit Borrelia turicatae, B. mazzottii and B. dugesii, respectively [3]. Although the presence of A. puertoricensis has already been described in Mexico [29] and more recently specimens had been collected in the Mexican state of Veracruz [10], the presence of Borrelia puertoricensis has not been demonstrated. In Panama, this spirochete was isolated by using a MyD88(-/-) immunodeficient transgenic murine model, confirming the existence of another Borrelia sp.…”

“…In Mexico, A. puertoricensis has been described in the state of Veracruz [10], but it is unknown whether B. puertoricensis circulates in the country. We report surveillance efforts in the state Yucatan, Mexico, and collected ticks in neighborhoods of Merida.…”

Borrelia puertoricensis in opossums (Didelphis marsupialis) from Colombia

“…Interestingly, Ballados-González et al collected O . puertoricensis in opossums ( D. virginiana ) from Mexico [ 9 ], a fact that suggests that this soft tick species could be the vector of B . puertoricensis to opossums.…”

“…Subsequently, in 1946, Pifano detected spirochetes in thick blood films of opossums Didelphis aurita from Venezuela [ 8 ]. Although the vector of those spirochetes has yet to be confirmed, O. puertoricensis , a widely distributed tick in Central and northern South America, has been collected on Didelphis virginiana in Mexico [ 9 ]. Although O. puertoricensis remains to be confirmed as a vector of spirochetes, in Panama, Bermúdez et al isolated a new RF group Borrelia ( B. puertoricensis ) from O. puertoricensis collected in burrows frequented by Dasyprocta punctata [ 10 ].…”