Rickettsia parkeri in Amblyomma americanum Ticks, Tennessee and Georgia, USA

Abstract

To determine the geographic distribution of the newly recognized human pathogen Rickettsia parkeri, we looked for this organism in ticks from Tennessee and Georgia, USA. Using PCR and sequence analysis, we identified R. parkeri in 2 Amblyomma americanum ticks. This rickettsiosis may be underdiagnosed in the eastern United States.

Keywords

• Rickettsia parkeri
• Amblyomma americanum
• Amblyomma maculatum
• Rocky Mountain spotted fever
• Tennessee
• Georgia