Abstract
A novel Borrelia species, Candidatus Borrelia javanense, was found in ectoparasite ticks, Amblyomma javanense, from Manis javanica pangolins seized in anti-smuggling operations in southern China. Overall, 12 tick samples in 227 (overall prevalence 5.3%) were positive for Candidatus B. javanense, 9 (5.1%) in 176 males, and 3 (5.9%) in 51 females. The phylogenetic analysis, based on the 16S rRNA gene and the flagellin gene sequences of the Borrelia sp., exhibited strong evidence that Candidatus B. javanense did not belong to the Lyme disease Borrelia group and the relapsing fever Borrelia group but another lineage of Borrelia. The discovery of the novel Borrelia species suggests that A. javanense may be the transmit vector, and the M. javanica pangolins should be considered a possible origin reservoir in the natural circulation of these new pathogens. To our knowledge, this is the first identification of a novel Borrelia species agent in A. javanense from pangolins. Whether the novel agent is pathogenic to humans is unknown and needs further research.
Highlights
Borrelia, a bacteria genus of the spirochete phylum, are the causative agents of major vector-borne diseases, including Lyme disease (LD) and relapsing fevers (RFs), which are transmitted by ticks and lice worldwide [1]
Identification of BoDrruelriiansgp.thine Tsitcukdsy period, we screened a total of 227 adult ticks captured fro During the jsatvuadnyicpa epraiondg,owlinesssceriezeendedinaatnottia-slmofu2g2g7liandguoltpteircaktsiocnaspitnurseodutfhroemrn2C5hMin.a (Figure javanica pangolinasnsimeizaelsdwineraenbtir-osmuguhgtgtlointgheopweirladtliiofne sminedsiocuatl-haeirdncCenhtienrad(Fuirginugret1h)e
A. javafrom pangolinnesn.sAe .hjaasvabneeennsefoius nadn iinmaplomrtoasnttaellcthopeapransigteoloinf Msp.ejcaiveasnaincadpcaonugldolbine. tAh.ejcao- endangered vanense has been found in almost all the pangolin species and could be the coendangered tick species on pangolins in Asia [20]
Summary
A bacteria genus of the spirochete phylum, are the causative agents of major vector-borne diseases, including Lyme disease (LD) and relapsing fevers (RFs), which are transmitted by ticks and lice worldwide [1]. The LD and RF Borrelia species from two separate sister groups are considered two sister genera [2,3,4,5]. Recent surveys have uncovered new Borrelia species and strains that do not belong to the LD or RF group. They form the third group, encompassing only two designated species, B. turcica and “Candidatus Borrelia tachyglossi”, and a few strains not taxonomically described [6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17]. Only two genomes sequenced confirmed that these Borrelia are substantially different from the LD and RF Borrelia groups [15]
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