Identification and molecular characterization of Otobius megnini (Ixodida: Argasidae) seen in humans in Muş province, Turkey

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Karakuş A., Yılmaz A. B., Karaca A., Dik B., Denizhan V.

Persian J. Acarol., cilt.11, sa.1, ss.145-152, 2022 (ESCI)

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Cilt numarası: 11 Sayı: 1
  • Basım Tarihi: 2022
  • Doi Numarası: 10.22073/pja.v11i1.71113
  • Dergi Adı: Persian J. Acarol.
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Emerging Sources Citation Index (ESCI)
  • Sayfa Sayıları: ss.145-152
  • Van Yüzüncü Yıl Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

ABSTRACT

Otobius megnini (Ixodida: Argasidae) is a cosmopolitan soft tick that parasitizes humans as well as domestic and

wild animals. The larval and nymph stages of this tick usually feed by parasitizing in the ear canal. The material of

this study consists of ticks collected during ear cleaning in approximately 496 people coming with the complaint of

ear pain in state hospitals in Bulanik and Malazgirt districts of Muş province, eastern Turkey. As a result of

microscopic examination performed on ticks collected from humans, O. megnini tick was determined and molecular

identification was made for definitive diagnosis. The 16S rRNA gene fragment of the tick was amplified by PCR.

Obtained PCR products were 360 bp. The PCR products were analyzed by sequence analysis and compared with the

reference sequences in the BLAST and Genbank. A phylogenetic tree was created with MEGA 7 software using

Maximum Likelihood model. As a result, the previously identified Otobius megnini in Turkey, was confirmed using

molecular methods for the first time.

KEY WORDS: 16S rRNA; Acari; ear tick; PCR; soft tick.