The identification of Borrelia burgdorferi genospecies isolated from Ixodes ricinus ticks in the South Moravian region of the Czech Republic
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| Year of publication | 2016 |
| Type | Conference abstract |
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| Description | The Ixodes ricinus tick is the most commonly mentioned transmitter of spirochetes belonging to the Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (Bbsl) group. The Bbsl complex currently contains at least 18 genospecies associated with particular reservoir hosts, 8 of which are distributed throughout Europe. The aim of this study was to determine the infestation of Bbsl in ticks Ixodes ricinus and the identification of genospecies of Bbsl group by DNA sequencing. During 2008–2015, ticks Ixodes ricinus removed from humans were collected and tested for the presence of Bbsl. DNA isolation from homogenates was performed by UltraClean BloodSpin DNA kit (MoBio) and by automated instrument Prepito (Perkin-Elmer). RealTime PCR assay based on the specific flagellin sequence amplification for the detection of B. burgdorferi s.l. was performed by EliGene Borrelia UNI kit (Elisabeth Pharmacon, Czech Republic). The kit is used in clinical laboratories in the European Union as an in vitro diagnostic medical device. Internal control was used according to the instruction manual of the kit during isolation of DNA and PCR assays to control process of amplification, and to avoid PCR inhibited samples and false negative results. RealTime positive samples were subsequently DNA sequenced. The annual positivity of the removed ticks ranged from 16 – 33%. The most frequently occurring genospecies was B. afzelii, followed by B. garinii, B. valaisiana, B. spielmanii, and finally, B. burgdorferi sensu stricto. The most important finding is the first identification of B. spielmanii in this region [1]. 1. Bonczek O, Žákovská A, Vargová L, Šerý O. Identification of Borrelia burgdorferi genospecies isolated from Ixodes ricinus ticks in the South Moravian region of the Czech Republic. Ann Agric Environ Med. 2015; 22(4): 642–646. |