Molecular detection of Francisella tularensis and Rickettsia spp. in ticks collected on animals in the pasture, Edirne

Ticks, which are vectors, can transmit bacterial, viral and parasitic pathogens to humans and animals. This situation poses a significant threat to human and animal health. The purpose of this study; The aim is to reveal the potential roles of ticks, which play an important role in the transmission of Francisella tularensis and Rickettsia spp. to humans in our country. Between June and September 2023, 540 ticks collected from animals grazing in the pastures in Edirne Keşan villages of Karahisar, Kılıçköy, Kızkapan, Orhaniye, Büyükdoğanca and İpsala villages of Yapıldak, Koyuntepe and Aliçopehlivan were included in the study. These ticks were divided into 54 different groups using a pooling system. DNA extraction was performed for each group. The tul4 gene for Francisella tularensis, Rickettsia spp. ompA, gltA, 23 sRNA genes were examined. In our study, the tul4 gene of Francisella tularensis was not detected. The results show that there is no Francisella tularensis in the ticks collected in the determined villages. As a result of the analysis, Rickettsia spp. was detected in 54 groups. ompA gene was found positive in 4 groups and gltA gene was found positive in 8 groups. The 23S rRNA gene could not be detected. Sequencing analysis was performed in 2 different groups. As a result of sequencing analysis, 4 groups positive for the gltA gene were named Candidatus Rickettsia barbariae, and 8 groups positive for the ompA gene were named Rickettsia massiliae. The common positive groups 8, 10, 20, 23 were named Candidatus Rickettsia barbariae and Rickettsia massiliae. This study was funded by Scientific Research Projects Unit of Trakya University Project number: 2023/18.