First detection of Francisella-like endosymbionts in Hyalomma asiaticum asiaticum from China-Kazakhstan border / 中国人兽共患病学报

ABSTRACT

We conducted the detection the Francisella spp.nucle acid from Hyalomma asiaticum asiaticum that main distribution is on railway line area from China-Kazakhstan border.The free-living ticks were collected and then identified by morphological and molecular methods.After species identification,they were detected by PCR targeting 16S rRNA and sdhA of Francisella spp.The amplified products were sequenced and the sequences was analyzed by using the Blast.A phylogenetic tree was constructed using MEGA 6 software.A total of 243 fleas were identified as H.asiaticum asiaticum.Only 35 samples were detected for Francisella spp.positive and the positive rate was 14.4％.Sequence analysis showed that two different sequences (seql and seq2) and all belong to Francisella-like endosymbionts (FLEs).Phylogenetic analyses showed that two FLEs were belong to the same cladd.This is first detection of FLEs nucleic acid from H.asiaticum Railway line area of China-Kazakhstan border.