Pathogens in ticks collected in Israel: II. Bacteria and protozoa found in Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato and Rhipicephalus turanicus

Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato and Rhipicephalus turanicus are very prevalent in Israel and are known to be vectors of human and animal diseases. The aim of this study was to identify the pathogens found in questing ticks and such parasitizing domestic and wild animals. Ticks were collected from 16 localities in Israel with the flagging technique and by examining dogs, hedgehogs, a badger and a tortoise. Bacterial and protozoal pathogens were analyzed by PCR and sequencing. Overall, 374 R. sanguineus s.l. specimens were collected, out of which 142 by flagging and 132 from six dogs. Rickettsia africae, Rickettsia massiliae, Rickettsia conorii subsp. israelensis, and Anaplasma sp. were identified in ticks collected by flagging, Rickettsia aeschlimannii was found only in specimens collected from dogs, while Ehrlichia sp., Coxiella burnetii, Hepatozoon canis and Leishmania infantum were recorded in ticks collected by flagging and from dogs. Out of 226 specimens of R. turanicus, 124 were collected by flagging, while additional 33 from eight dogs, 64 from seven southern white-breasted hedgehogs (Erinaceus concolor), two from a European badger (Meles meles) and one from a Greek tortoise (Testudo graeca). Out of 65 R. sanguineus s.l. pools 17 (26.2%) had pathogens, while seven of them were positive for one pathogen, and 10 for two pathogens. In 43 R. turanicus pools, R. aeschlimannii R. africae, Rickettsia barbariae, R. massiliae, Anaplasma sp., Ehrlichia sp. and C. burnetii, as well as Babesia microti, B. vogeli, Hepatozoon felis, and L. infantum was detected, while Listeria monocytogenes, Bartonella sp. and Toxoplasma gondii were negative in all R. sanguineus s.l. and R. turanicus pools examined. In conclusion, Babesia microti is reported for the first time in Israel, R. africae, R. aeschlimannii, C. burnetii and L. infantum are reported for the first time in R. sanguineus s.l. and R. turanicus, while H. felis is reported for the first time from R. turanicus in the country.