AUTHOR=Chitanga Simbarashe , Chibesa Kennedy , Sichibalo Karen , Mubemba Benjamin , Nalubamba King S. , Muleya Walter , Changula Katendi , Simulundu Edgar 

TITLE=Molecular Detection and Characterization of Rickettsia Species in Ixodid Ticks Collected From Cattle in Southern Zambia

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Veterinary Science

VOLUME=8

YEAR=2021

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/veterinary-science/articles/10.3389/fvets.2021.684487

DOI=10.3389/fvets.2021.684487

ISSN=2297-1769

ABSTRACT=<p>Tick-borne zoonotic pathogens are increasingly becoming important across the world. In sub-Saharan Africa, tick-borne pathogens identified include viruses, bacteria and protozoa, with <italic>Rickettsia</italic> being the most frequently reported. This study was conducted to screen and identify <italic>Rickettsia</italic> species in ticks (Family <italic>Ixodidae</italic>) infesting livestock in selected districts of southern Zambia. A total of 236 ticks from three different genera (<italic>Amblyomma, Hyalomma</italic>, and <italic>Rhipicephalus</italic>) were collected over 14 months (May 2018–July 2019) and were subsequently screened for the presence of <italic>Rickettsia</italic> pathogens based on PCR amplification targeting the outer membrane protein B (<italic>ompB</italic>). An overall <italic>Rickettsia</italic> prevalence of 18.6% (44/236) was recorded. Multi-locus sequencing and phylogenetic characterization based on the <italic>ompB, ompA</italic>, 16S <italic>rRNA</italic> and citrate synthase (<italic>gltA</italic>) genes revealed the presence of <italic>Rickettsia africae</italic> (<italic>R. africae</italic>), <italic>R. aeschlimannii</italic>-like species and unidentified <italic>Rickettsia</italic> species. While <italic>R. aeschlimannii</italic>-like species are being reported for the first time in Zambia, <italic>R. africae</italic> has been reported previously, with our results showing a wider distribution of the bacteria in the country. Our study reveals the potential risk of human infection by zoonotic <italic>Rickettsia</italic> species and highlights the need for increased awareness of these infections in Zambia's public health systems.</p>