Abstract
Here we report the first detection of Amblyomma variegatum, a tick species of medical and veterinary importance, and the first molecular evidence of a pathogen, Rickettsia africae, both new to Corsica (France). In August 2018, an ixodid tick with an unusual morphology was removed from the ventral part of a cow’s whole skin in a slaughterhouse located in the village of Ponte-Leccia (Haute-Corse). The tick was morphologically identified as an adult male of A. variegatum. This result was confirmed by 16S rDNA sequence analysis with a close relative being a sequence from Senegal showing 99% nucleotide identity. We tested the tick for Ehrlichia and Rickettsia. The tick was positive to Rickettsia and the corresponding sequence matched with R. africae. There is little or no risk of the introduction and establishment of a viable population of A. variegatum in Corsica by migrating birds. However, if it did, it could produce major economic losses for livestock production. Further studies and sustained surveillance are indicated, not only focusing on this species of tick and this rickettsia, but also on other microorganisms of veterinary and medical importance that might be transmitted in Corsica and other Mediterranean islands.
Highlights
Amblyomma variegatum (Fabricius) (Acari: Ixodidae) is among the most important and widely distributed ticks of tropical livestock (Estrada-Pena et al 2007)
Corsican livestock farming is mainly of the extensive type important interactions between livestock, wildlife and human populations favour the circulation of tick-borne diseases
To the best of our knowledge, this report describes for the first time: (ii) the detection of A. variegatum in Corsica Island (France) and (ii) its positivity to R. africae, the most widespread spotted fever agent in sub-Saharan Africa, where it causes African tick-bite fever (Kelly et al 1996, 2010)
Summary
Amblyomma variegatum (Fabricius) (Acari: Ixodidae) is among the most important and widely distributed ticks of tropical livestock (Estrada-Pena et al 2007). Amblyomma variegatum carries and transmits Rickettsia africae, the agent of African tick bite fever in humans, in Africa and the Caribbean region (Kelly et al 1996, 2010). Corsican livestock farming (sheep, goats, pigs, and cattle) is mainly of the extensive type important interactions between livestock, wildlife and human populations favour the circulation of tick-borne diseases. This first systematic survey of tick fauna on Corsican livestock reported a dominance of typical Mediterranean species (Rhipicephalus bursa and Hyalomma marginatum) (Grech-Angelini et al 2016). We tested the tick for Ehrlichia and Rickettsia spp. and found molecular evidence of the presence of R. africae
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