ABSTRACT The tick Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus has been considered a major pest of cattle in tropical regions of the world, inducing significant economic impact on livestock activity. In Brazil, the scenarios of Spotted Fever (SF) epidemic cycles involve Amblyomma sculptum and Amblyomma aureolatum, transmitting Rickettsia rickettsii, as well as Amblyomma ovale, transmitting R. parkeri strain Atlantic Rainforest. However, other potentially pathogenic species of Rickettsia, as well as new species of ticks with vector potential, have been reported for Brazil. Thus, during SF focus investigation and environmental surveillance performed by Brazilian National Network of Environment Surveillance for Tick-borne Diseases between 2011 to 2017, ectoparasites were collected from vertebrate hosts and the environment in rural and urban areas of different Brazilian biomes. Here we analysed Rickettsiae infection in Rh. microplus and possible roles of this tick species in the maintenance and circulation of Rickettsia sp. in SF endemic areas. Cattle tick samples were naturally infected with R. rickettsii, R. parkeri, R. felis, R. tamurae, R. rhipicephali and R. bellii. The data in this study demonstrate that Rh. microplus acquires Rickettsia infection, including pathogenic species, and indicates this tick as suggested marker of Rickettsiae potential presence or circulation.

中文翻译：

---

Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus：巴西立克次体感染

摘要 蜱 Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus 被认为是世界热带地区牛的主要害虫，对牲畜活动产生重大经济影响。在巴西，斑点热 (SF) 流行周期的情景涉及 Amblyomma sculptum 和 Amblyomma aureolatum，传播立克次体立克次体，以及 Amblyomma 椭圆形，传播 R. parkeri 菌株大西洋雨林。然而，巴西已经报道了其他可能致病的立克次体物种，以及具有载体潜力的新蜱种。因此，在巴西国家蜱传疾病环境监测网络在 2011 年至 2017 年期间进行的旧金山重点调查和环境监测期间，外寄生虫是从脊椎动物宿主和巴西不同生物群落的农村和城市地区的环境中收集的。在这里，我们分析了 Rh 中的立克次体感染。这种蜱种在立克次体的维持和循环中的微量和可能的作用。在 SF 流行地区。牛蜱样本自然感染立克氏立克次体、帕氏立克次体、猫立氏体、田村立氏体、R. rhipicephali 和 R. bellii。本研究中的数据表明，Rh。microplus 获得立克次体感染，包括致病物种，并将此蜱指示为立克次体潜在存在或循环的建议标记。牛蜱样本自然感染立克氏立克次体、帕氏立克次体、猫立氏体、田村立氏体、R. rhipicephali 和 R. bellii。本研究中的数据表明，Rh。microplus 获得立克次体感染，包括致病物种，并将此蜱指示为立克次体潜在存在或循环的建议标记。牛蜱样本自然感染立克氏立克次体、帕氏立克次体、猫立氏体、田村立氏体、R. rhipicephali 和 R. bellii。本研究中的数据表明，Rh。microplus 获得立克次体感染，包括致病物种，并将此蜱指示为立克次体潜在存在或循环的建议标记。