2005: Presence of Borrelia burgdorferi Sensu Lato in Mites Parasitizing Small Rodents.

1: Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis. 2005 Fall;5(3):227-32. Related Articles,
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Presence of Borrelia burgdorferi Sensu Lato in Mites Parasitizing Small
Rodents.

Netusil J, Zakovska A, Horvath R, Dendis M, Janouskovcova E.

Department of Comparative Animal Physiology and General Zoology,
Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic.

Ticks (especially those in the family Ixodidae) are the primary vectors
of the infectious agent Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, which causes
Lyme disease. To determine the potential role of mites as vectors of B.
burgdorferi sensu lato, mites were collected from wild rodents in the
Bazantula region of North Moravia (Czech Republic). These samples were
examined for the presence of Borreliae by using DFM and PCR methods.
Mites positive for the presence of DNA of B. burgdorferi sensu lato
were determined as members of the families Haemogamasidae and
Parasitidae. One sample from a mite of genus Haemogamasus was
successfully isolated, and the specimen was confirmed as B. afzelii by
using PCR-RFLP and by gradient SDS-PAGE. This suggests the possible
participation of gamasid mites in borrelial circulation in nature and
also points to the utility of further such studies to identify
potential vectors (other than ticks) of the spirochete. Vector-Borne
Zoonotic Dis. 5, 227-232.

PMID: 16187890 [PubMed - in process]

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