Detection of Rickettsiae in Engorged Ticks from Small Mammals in Malaysia

Abstract

Rickettsiae are intracellular bacteria found in ectoparasites such as ticks, lice, fleas, mites and chiggers that cancause emerging infectious diseases throughout the world. There is lacking of information on their distributionand the tick vectors involved. The aim of this study is therefore to determine whether engorged ticks extractedfrom small mammals (Insectivora, Rodentia and Scandentia) from 15 locations of study areas have any potentialhealth risks to the public. Forty-eight engorged ticks were tested for the presence of rickettsiae DNA usingPolymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) targeting a fragment of the rickettsial gene citrate synthase gene (gltA). Therewas no DNA of rickettsiae detected from the ticks. Further investigations are needed in order to generate morecomprehensive information on the potential distribution of rickettsial disease in different locations and habitatsthat can establish an epidemiological data of rickettsiae in Malaysia.