GENOMIC IDENTIFICATION OF RICKETTSIA-SLOVACA AMONG SPOTTED-FEVER GROUP RICKETTSIA ISOLATES FROM DERMACENTOR-MARGINATUS IN ARMENIA

Restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplified genes was used for genomic identificat ion of Armenian isolates of the Spotted fever group (SFG) rickettsiae with unclear taxonomic position. Analysis was performed by using one g enus-specific primer pair derived from R. prowazekii citrate synthase gene and two species-specific primer pairs derived from R. rickettsii genes for 190 K and 120 K antigens following AluI, PstI and RsaI diges tion of amplicons. All tested rickettsial SFG Armenian isolates from D ermacentor marginatus were identified as R. slovaca. The geographic di stribution and genetic homogeneity of R. slovaca strains are discussed .