Dataset ticks 2018

Molecular identification of <i>Bartonella bacilliformis</i> in ticks from two species of wild mammals in Madre de Dios – Peru<b><br></b><b><br></b><b>Background:</b> Since the late 1990s, a slow but steady increase of South American Bartonellosis have been observed. In Peru, Carrions disease has expanded over broader geographical areas where the traditional vector, <i>Lutzomyia</i> genus, is absent suggesting the presence of undescribed vectors. <b>Aim: </b>To study the presence of <i>Bartonella bacilliformis</i> in ticks collected from of wild mammals <i>Tapirus terrestris </i>and <i>Pecari tajacu</i> in Madre de Dios, Peru. <b>Methodology:</b> The study was conducted in the towns of San Lorenzo and Botijon town and 3 of wild mammals from each species were captured for tick collection, identification and real-time PCR detection of <i>B. bacilliformis</i>. <b>Results:</b> A total of 110 ticks was collected, of these 43 were classified as Amblyomma spp. isolated from the 3 Tapirus terrestris and of which only 3 were positive for B. bacilliformis; 67 were classified as Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus isolated from the 3 peccaries of which 12 ectoparasites were positive for B. bacilliformis. <b>Conclusions:</b> For the first time <i>B. bacilliformis</i> have been detected in arthropods other than <i>Lutzomyia spp. </i>which are ectoparasites of wild mammals. Further studies are required to elucidate the possible role of ticks in the spread of South American Bartonellosis.<br>