Author/Editor		Prosenc, Katarina
Title		Gozdni klop (Ixodes ricinus) kot gostitelj rikecij v Sloveniji
Translated title		Detection of Rickettsiae in Ixodes ricinus ticks in Slovenia
Type		monografija
Place		Ljubljana
Publisher		Medicinska fakulteta
Publication year		2001
Volume		str. 75
Language		slo
Abstract		In Slovenia ticks are vectors and/or reservoirs for numerous microorganisms that cause human diseases-zoonoses. In our study, wood tick (Ixodes ricinus), which is the prevalent tick species in Slovenia, was examined as a host of rickettsiae. Ticks were collected from vegetation with flagging and dragging in ten different regions in Slovenia. DNA was extracted from every individual tick. For the detection of rickettsial DNA, the portion of citrate synthase gene (gltA) was amplified with PCR method. In the positive samples the amplification of genes ompA, ompB and gene for the protein of 17 kDa was applied as well. The group of rickettsiae was determined by RFLP analysis of 381 bp products originating from gltA gene and digested with Alu I restriction enzyme. Selected 381 bp PCR products were sequenced and sequences were compared with those of known rickettsiae. The prevalence of infection with rickettsiae among 1400 Ixodes ricinus ticks (263 females, 227 males and 490 nymphs) was 4,5%. That is slightly but not significantly more than in other European countries. There was no significant difference in the rate of infection between male and female ticks (female 7,6%, males 9,7%). The prevalence of infection among nymphs was lower (2,1%). Between geographical areas infection rates varied from 1,1% in Alpine region to 7,7% in Prealpine region. With the RFLP analysis of 381 bp products digested with Alu I seven different restriction patterns were observed. The most frequent pattern was similar to restriction pattern of SFG rickettsiae and the second one to R. akari. When nucleotide sequences analysis of 381 bp products abtained from gltA gene, R. helvetica was determined as most frequent rickettsia in Ixodes ricius ticks. R. akari-like rickettsiae were found as the second most frequent species. Presence of R. helvetica in Ixodes ricius ticks in European countries is common, therefore this part of our results was expected. (Abstract truncated at 2000 characters).
Descriptors		IXODES RICKETTSIA DNA, BACTERIAL GENOME, BACTERIAL DNA PROBES POLYMERASE CHAIN REACTION BASE SEQUENCE SLOVENIA