Molecular detection of Coxiella (Gammaproteobacteria: Coxiellaceae) in Argas persicus and Alveonasus canestrinii (Acari: Argasidae) from Iran.

BACKGROUND

Coxiella burnetii and non-C. burnetii bacteria or endosymbiotic Coxiella-like were reported in various tick species. We aimed to detect C. burnetii within soft tick species, Argas persicus and Alveonasus canestrinii.

METHODS

Argasid ticks were collected from different counties of Lorestan province, west of Iran. Partial fragments of 16S rRNA, IS1111 insertion sequence, com1, htpB, and icd genes related to Coxiella genus were sequenced.

RESULTS

A partial 16S rRNA and com1 gene fragment as well as IS1111 was detected in four Ar. persicus and twelve Al. canestrinii pools. Moreover, partial htpB and icd gene was only detected in one pool of Ar. persicus.

CONCLUSIONS

Detection of C. burnetii in tick samples was failed due to the occurrence of Coxiella-like endosymbionts and leads to misidentification. Thus, the house-keeping genes should be designated to distinguish C. burnetii within Coxiella-like endosymbionts.