Detection of Borrelia and Ehrlichia in Rhipicephalus sanguineus

Abstract

Rhipicephalus sanguineus, the brown dog tick, is endemic throughout the world wherever domestic dogs are present. It has been recently reported by some veterinarians in the city of Laredo, Texas, USA, that Lyme disease, the most common tick-borne disease in the Northern United States, is present in local domestic dogs. Fully engorged R. sanguineus ticks were collected and their DNA was purified. The ticks were screened to determine the prevalence of Borrelia, Rickettsia and Ehrlichiaspecies. Sequences related to Borrelia burgdorferiin 9.8% (n=11/112), “Candidatus Borrelia lonestari” in 16.9% (n=19/112) and Ehrlichia canis in 12.5% (n=14/112) were detected by PCR. Sequencing has confirmed the presence of DNA from Ehrlichia canisand “Candidatus B. lonestari”, corroborating that Borrelia and Ehrlichia are present in domestic dogs in South Texas.

Molecular detection of Bartonella and Borrelia in pet dogs in Metro Manila and Laguna, Philippines

“…However, there has been no recent documentation or anecdotal reports of I. granulatus in dogs in the Philippines. The potential role of R. sanguineus in the transmission of Borrelia has not yet been proven despite reports on molecular detection of the pathogen’s DNA in the tick [ 27 , 28 ]. As the presence of Ixodes in dogs is not reported, there is a low possibility for the active transmission of B. burgdorferi s.l.…”