Anaplasmataceae, Borrelia and Hepatozoon agents in ticks (Acari: Argasidae, Ixodidae) from Chile

Microorganisms harbored by Chilean autochthonous ticks have been scarcely studied and current knowledge is restricted to three species of hard ticks only. The current study aimed to assess the presence of Anaplasmataceae, Borrelia and Hepatozoon agents in ticks collected directly from the environment, on reptiles, birds and mammals in twelve localities from northern, central and southern regions of the country and Antarctica. Ticks were identified by means of a morphological and molecular approach. PCR detections point the occurrence of an Anaplasma-like agent and a relapsing fever Borrelia sp. in Ornithodoros spheniscus; an Ehrlichia sp. and a Hepatozoon sp. in Ornithodoros atacamensis; "Candidatus Neoehrlichia chilensis", Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (s. 1.), and Hepatozoon in Ixodes ticks morphologically related to the Ixodes sigelos group; and B. burgdorferi s. 1. in Ixodes auritulus. Supported by phylogenetic analyses of characterized microorganisms, this study introduces putative vector roles and initial evidence on possible new agents detected in Chilean ticks.