Dataset ticks 2018

Molecular identification of Bartonella bacilliformis in ticks from two species of wild mammals in Madre de Dios – Peru

Background: Since the late 1990s, a slow but steady increase of South American Bartonellosis have been observed. In Peru, Carrions disease has expanded over broader geographical areas where the traditional vector, Lutzomyia genus, is absent suggesting the presence of undescribed vectors.

Aim: To study the presence of Bartonella bacilliformis in ticks collected from of wild mammals Tapirus terrestris and Pecari tajacu in Madre de Dios, Peru.

Methodology: The study was conducted in the towns of San Lorenzo and Botijon town and 3 of wild mammals from each species were captured for tick collection, identification and real-time PCR detection of B. bacilliformis.

Results: A total of 110 ticks was collected, of these 43 were classified as Amblyomma spp. isolated from the 3 Tapirus terrestris and of which only 3 were positive for B. bacilliformis; 67 were classified as Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus isolated from the 3 peccaries of which 12 ectoparasites were positive for B. bacilliformis.

Conclusions: For the first time B. bacilliformis have been detected in arthropods other than Lutzomyia spp. which are ectoparasites of wild mammals. Further studies are required to elucidate the possible role of ticks in the spread of South American Bartonellosis.