Systematic and Applied Acarology (2013) 18, 27-29

David A. Florin, Ju Jiang, Richard G. Robbins and Allen L. Richards (2013)
Infection of the Gulf Coast tick, Amblyomma maculatum (Acari: Ixodidae), with Rickettsia parkeri: first report from the State of Delaware
Systematic and Applied Acarology 18 (1), 27-29
Abstract: The molecular detection of Rickettsia parkeri in a Gulf Coast tick, Amblyomma maculatum, collected in Delaware represents the first evidence of the human pathogen R. parkeri associated with A. maculatum in the state. A total of five adult (2 male and 3 female) Gulf Coast ticks were collected from tick drags conducted during a two-day sampling event (21-22 May 2012) at Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge, near Smyrna, Delaware. All specimens were tested for the presence of Rickettsia with a genus-specific quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) assay; one of the female specimens tested positive. This specimen was then assessed for the presence of Rickettsia parkeri and Candidatus Rickettsia andeanae by two species-specific qPCR assays. The presence of R. parkeri DNA was detected, whereas Candidatus R. andeanae DNA was not.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): David A. Florin, Richard G. Robbins

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
general biology - morphology - evolution

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Amblyomma maculatum		U.S.A. (NW)