Molecular Detection and Characterization of Borrelia garinii (Spirochaetales: Borreliaceae) in Ixodes nipponensis (Ixodida: Ixodidae) Parasitizing a Dog in Korea

摘要

The present study aimed to detect and characterize spp. in ticks attached to dogs in Korea. Overall, 562 ticks (276 pools) attached to dogs were collected and tested for infection by PCR targeting the 5S-23S rRNA intergenic spacer region (rrf-rrl). One tick larva (pool level, 0.4%; individual level, 0.2%) was confirmed by sequencing , a zoonotic pathogen. For molecular characterization, the outer surface protein A ( ) and genes were analyzed. Phylogenetic analysis distinguished from , which has been recently identified as a novel species. On the other hand, phylogenetic analysis showed that single gene analysis involving rrf-rrl or was not sufficient to differentiate from . In addition, the -infected tick was identified as by sequencing according to mitochondrial 16S rRNA and the second transcribed spacer region. To our knowledge, this is the first study to report the molecular detection of in parasitizing a dog in Korea. Continuous monitoring of tick-borne pathogens in ticks attached to animals is required to avoid disease distribution and possible transmission to humans.