Australia: Murdoch University researchers found new bacteria in Australian ticks removed from echidnas

June 15, 2016

MURDOCH University researchers have detected a new species of bacteria in echidna-biting Australian ticks.

The recent discovery was published by Dr Charlotte Oskam, from Murdoch University’s Vector and Water-borne Pathogen Research Group (VWBPRG), in the parasitology journalParasites and Vectors.

To date, little has been documented about microorganisms harboured within Australian native ticks or their potential to transmit disease.

The study concentrated on ticks removed from echidnas on Australia’s east coast, with researchers discovering the presence of a Borrelia bacteria species separate to a group of bacteria which causes Lyme disease in the northern hemisphere.
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