Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) survey for rickettsias and bartonellas in ticks from New Zealand

Abstract

Extract

New Zealand is remarkable for the few species of tick that occur in the country and an apparent absence of tick-borne diseases. There is, however, only a lack of reports of locally-acquired infections which indicates tick-borne spotted fever group (SFG) rickettsias, ehrlichias, anaplasmas and bartonellas do not occur in the country (Roberts et al 2001). To provide more definitive information, we conducted a PCR survey on ticks from New Zealand.

Acknowledgements

We thank Bill McGirr, Howard Johnston, Mark Merkan, Nicola Nelson, Bill Pomroy, Jan Roznawski and Kingsley Seal for providing specimens, and Peter Mason for reviewing the manuscript.