Detection of<i>Ehrlichia platys</i>DNA in Brown Dog Ticks (<i>Rhipicephalus sanguineus</i>) in Okinawa Island, Japan

Abstract

Thirty-two Rhipicephalus sanguineus females collected from eight free-roaming dogs in Okinawa Island, Japan, were examined for ehrlichial DNA by 16S rRNA-based PCR and subsequent sequencing. Partial sequences of Ehrlichia platys 16S rRNA (678 to 679 bp) were detected in three ticks (9.4%) from two dogs. This is the first report of detection of E. platys in Japan, and also the first report of detection in ticks.