MOLECULAR IDENTIFICATION OF EHRLICHIA CANIS IN RHIPICEPHALUS SANGUINEUS TICKS FROM SIIRT PROVINCE

This study was performed on Ehrlichia canis positive ticks collected from dogs to perform sequencing of their 16S rRNA genetic section using the PCR method. The collection of ticks was performed from a total of 60 dogs in the Siirt province, Turkey. A total of 250 ticks were collected and morphologically investigated. All ticks were identified as Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato (s.l). Ehrlichial DNA was detected by the PCR method performed on 38 (15.2 %) of the ticks. The E. canis strains obtained as a result of the sequence analysis were found to be 100% identical to the American Texas (MH620194), Indian (KX766395), and Egyptian (MG564254) strains. This study thereby has identified a zoonotic agent from the R. sanguineus ticks collected from the dogs in the Siirt province.

Automated summary

This study sequenced the 16S rRNA genetic section of Ehrlichia canis positive ticks collected from dogs in the Siirt province, Turkey, identifying 15.2% of the ticks carrying the pathogen. Sequence analysis revealed that the E. canis strains obtained were 100% identical to strains from the United States, India, and Egypt. The study identified a zoonotic agent from Rhipicephalus sanguineus ticks collected from dogs in the Siirt province.