Vectorial competence of Amblyomma tonelliae to transmit Rickettsia rickettsii. Issue 4 (28th September 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: TARRAGONA, E. L.; SOARES, J. F.; COSTA, F. B.; LABRUNA, M. B.; NAVA, S.
• Is Part Of: Medical and veterinary entomology. Volume 30:Issue 4(2016)
• Page Start: 410
• Page End: 415
• Publication Date: 2016-09-28
• Subjects: Amblyomma tonelliae -- Rickettsia rickettsii -- spotted fever -- vectorial competence; Entomology -- Periodicals; Veterinary entomology -- Periodicals; Insects as carriers of disease -- Periodicals; 616.968
• DOI: 10.1111/mve.12189
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0269-283X

Abstract

Abstract: The aim of this work was to test the vectorial competence of Amblyomma tonelliae (Ixodida: Ixodidae) to transmit Rickettsia rickettsii (Rickettsiales: Rickettsiaceae), the agent of Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF). All parasitic stages of A. tonelliae were exposed to R. rickettsii by allowing each stage to feed on hosts inoculated with this pathogen. Thereafter, ticks were fed on uninfected hosts. All stages of A. tonelliae were able to acquire the R. rickettsii infection and maintain it by transstadial and transovarial transmission. When infected ticks fed on uninfected hosts, the hosts developed rickettsiosis disease. This study demonstrates the vectorial competence of A. tonelliae to transmit R. rickettsii . These results have epidemiological relevance because A. tonelliae is one of the tick species most likely to infest humans in Argentina, including in areas in which RMSF has been reported.