Abstract

RODRIGUEZ, Islay et al. Molecular detection of emerging pathogens of medical and veterinary importance in ticks found in domestic horses. Rev Cubana Med Trop [online]. 2009, vol.61, n.1, pp. 0-0. ISSN 1561-3054.

INTRODUCTION: at present, there are several tick-borne emerging pathogen species of medical and veterinary importance. Few studies on these agents and its diseases have been made in Cuba. OBJECTIVES: to determine the presence of some of these pathogens in Cuban ticks existing in the equine cattle. METHODS: ninety five ticks collected from domestic use horses were processed, preserved in alcohol and taxonomically identified according to the set classifications. Their DNA was extracted and subjected to several polymerase chain reactions with specific primers for microbial groups Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, Anaplasma-Ehrlichia, y Babesia-Theileria. Each of the products from polymerase chain reactions underwent reverse line blot hybridation using probes for each group as well as specific probes for the main species included in these groups. RESULTS: the studied ticks belonged to Dermacentor (Anocentor) nitens (60 %), Amblyomma cajennense (38 %) y Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus (2 %). Seven Dermacentor (Anocentor) nitens ticks infested with Anaplasma/Ehrlichia bacteria were detected but the species in question could not be detected by the used probes. One of these ticks was also co-infested with Babesia bovis. CONCLUSIONS: it is suggested that a new species of Anaplasma o Ehrlichia, not reported in Cuba before now, is circulating, so studying a higher number of ticks is needed and new probes in reverse line blot hybridation or other methodologies must be incorporated to allow exactly determining the species that may affect the Cuban domestic horses at present.

Keywords : ticks; Borrelia; Anaplasma; Ehrlichia; Babesia; Theileria; horses; polymerase chain reaction-reverse line blot hybridation.

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