Detection and Identification of A New Spotted Fever Group Rickettisiae in Fujian Province of China

ObjectiveTo investigate spotted fever group rickettsiae in Fujian province,and to identify a potential new species of spotted fever group rickettsiae Fujian strain(FUJ).Methods: Using nucleotide primers derived from the 190kPa surface antigen gene of Rickettsia rickttsii to amplify a rickettssiaspecific 630bp product in different samples,including ticks and amimal blood.The productions were cloned.The plasmid DNA obtained form positive clone was sequenced.The sequence analysis was made by PHYLIP software package with computer.Results: 17% (17/113) Haemaphysalis yeni ticks were found infected spotted fever group rickettsiae.44.73% (17/38)mice were positive.One of the sequence analysis showed that the DNA sequene was different from other spotted fever group rickettsiae,and close to R.japonic.PCP amplified fragment of 630bp were obtained from Haemaphysalis yeni ticks and the deletion of codon ACT(nucleotides 477 to 480) was found in the new sequence.Three fragments of 123bp,159bp and 347bp were obtaind for restriction enzyme PstI,and nearly identical to three fragments of 123bp,159bp and 350bp from R.japonica.Conclusion: These finings demonstrate that ticks and animal infect a new spotted fever group rickttsiae species in Fujin province of China.