Bartonella-like DNA detected in Ixodes tasmani ticks (Acari: Ixodida) infesting koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus) in Victoria, Australia

Inger Marie E Vilcins, Michael Kosoy, Julie M. Old, Elizabeth M. Deane

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    16 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    A total of 42 ticks comprising Ixodes tasmani (n = 41) and Ixodes trichosuri (n = 1) were collected from wild koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus) at the Koala Convention Centre, Philip Island, Victoria, Australia and screened for the presence of Bartonella using the target gene gltA. Bartonella-like DNA was detected in 4 of the 19 pooled tick samples (21%). All positive ticks were male. Analysis of partial sequences for the gltA gene indicated the presence of a Bartonella-related species similar to that reported in another Ixodid species. This is the first report of Bartonella-like organisms in a native Australian marsupial.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)499-503
    Number of pages5
    JournalVector-Borne and Zoonotic Diseases
    Volume9
    Issue number5
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 1 Oct 2009

    Keywords

    • Australia
    • Bartonella
    • Ectoparasites
    • GltA
    • Ixodes tasmani
    • Koalas

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