Rickettsia spp. in ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) from wild birds in Caldas, Colombia

Several bacteria belonging to the genus Rickettsia are recognized as causal agents of diseases in domestic and wild animals and humans. These bacteria are considered emerging or reemerging and are transmitted by ticks, fleas, and lice vectors. In recent decades, there have been reports of rickettsias in ticks of the genus Amblyomma, Ixodes, and Haemaphysalis collected from wild birds. Accordingly, birds play a plausible role in the transport and spread of ticks infected by Rickettsia spp. In this study, we performed molecular detection of Rickettsia species in ticks collected from wild birds in the department of Caldas, Colombia. We detected and identified Rickettsia amblyommatis, 'Candidatus Rickettsia colombianensi' and a Rickettsia sp. closely related to 'Candidatus Rickettsia tarasevichiae' and Rickettsia canadensis. This study contributes to the knowledge on infection by Rickettsia in ticks collected from wild birds in Colombia. We also provide the first reports of infection by R. amblyommatis in the genus Ixodes collected from wild birds in South America and the presence of Rickettsia at elevations above 3000 m a.s.l.

Automated summary

Several species of bacteria belonging to the genus Rickettsia can cause diseases in domestic and wild animals as well as humans. These bacteria are considered emerging or reemerging and are transmitted by ticks, fleas, and lice vectors. Recent research in Colombia found Rickettsia species in ticks collected from wild birds, indicating a possible role of birds in the spread of ticks infected with Rickettsia. The study also identified new Rickettsia species in ticks from wild birds, contributing to the understanding of Rickettsia infections in Colombia. This research provided the first evidence of R. amblyommatis infection in the genus Ixodes in South America, and the presence of Rickettsia at elevations above 3000 m a.s.l.