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 language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 499-503 |
Number of pages | 5 |
Journal | Vector-Borne and Zoonotic Diseases |
Volume | 9 |
Issue number | 5 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 1 Oct 2009 |
Keywords
- Australia
- Bartonella
- Ectoparasites
- GltA
- Ixodes tasmani
- Koalas