Amblyomma imitator ticks as vectors of Rickettsia rickettsii, Mexico.

Abstract

Rickettsia rickettsii is a gram-negative, obligate, intracellular bacterium and the cause of Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF). In Mexico, its transmission has been attributed to Rhipicephalus sanguineus and Amblyomma cajennense ticks. Amblyomma imitator has close affi nity with A. cajennense and was formerly confused with this species. These ticks’ distributional range extends from southern Texas, southward through Mexico (where they are widely sympatric with A. cajennense ticks) into Central America (1). In this study, we isolated and characterized R. rickettsii from A. imitator from Mexico by using molecular methods.