Isolation and identification of a novel spotted fever group rickettsia, strain IG-1, from Ixodes granulatus ticks collected on Orchid Island (Lanyu), Taiwan

Kun Hsien Tsai, Hsi Chieh Wang, Chun Hsien Chen, Jyh Hsiung Huang, Hsiu Ying Lu, Chien Ling Su, Pei Yun Shu

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

32 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

A novel species of spotted fever group (SFG) rickettsia, Rickettsia spp. IG-1, was identified and isolated from adult Ixodes granulatus ticks collected from Orchid Island (Lanyu), an islet located in southeastern Taiwan. Serum samples collected from the rodent host Rattus losea and SFG-positive human serum reacted with IG-1 using an immunofluorescence assay (IFA). Pairwise nucleotide sequence analysis of 16S rRNA (rrs), gltA, ompA, ompB, and sca4 shows that IG-1 belongs to SFG rickettsiae and had the highest nucleotide sequence similarities to Rickettsia slovaca and R. sibirica. Phylogenetic analysis of the ompA, ompB genes and sca4 shows that IG-1 is most closely related to R. honei. The results showed the sequence divergence of this novel isolate from those rickettsiae previously characterized using the criteria proposed by Fournier and others. Whether IG-1 is pathogenic for humans remains to be studied.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)256-261
Number of pages6
JournalAmerican Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
Volume79
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Aug 1 2008
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Parasitology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Virology

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