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Molecular evidence ofBartonella DNA in ixodid ticks in Czechia

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Abstract

We report the development of a novel method for detection ofBartonella DNA in ixodid ticks. The assay is based on a specific amplification of a part of 16S rRNA gene and 16S–23S rRNA intergenic spacer region ofBartonella sp. by nested PCR and Southern blot hybridization with specific DNA probe; the method is highly sensitive and specific. The screening of 327 unfed ticks collected in different urban and suburban areas of Czechia in 2003–2005 revealed the presence ofBartonella DNA in fourIxodes ricinus individuals (1.2 %), two males, one female and one nymph.

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Abbreviations

ELISA:

enzyme-linked immunoassay

ITS:

intergenic spacer region

PCR:

polymerase chain reaction

RFLP:

restriction fragment length polymorphism

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Cell Signaling, Cell and Molecular Microbiology Division, Institute of Microbiology, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, 142 20, Prague, Czechia

    K. Hercík, V. Hášová, J. Janeček & P. Branny

Authors
  1. K. Hercík
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  2. V. Hášová
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  3. J. Janeček
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  4. P. Branny
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to P. Branny.

Additional information

This work was supported by grants 204/02/D121 and 310/98/0417 of theGrant Agency of the Czech Republic, andInstitutional Research Concept (Institute of Microbiology) AV 0Z 5020 0510.

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Hercík, K., Hášová, V., Janeček, J. et al. Molecular evidence ofBartonella DNA in ixodid ticks in Czechia. Folia Microbiol 52, 503–509 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02932111

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02932111

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