and Other spp. in Various Hosts in the Mnisi Community, Mpumalanga Province, South Africa.

DNA samples from 74 patients with non-malarial acute febrile illness (AFI), 282 rodents, 100 cattle, 56 dogs and 160 ticks were screened for the presence of DNA using a quantitative PCR (qPCR) assay targeting the gene. The test detected both and sp. SA/ZAM dog DNA. Microbiome sequencing confirmed the presence of low levels of DNA in the blood of rodents, dogs and cattle, while high levels of and sp. SA/ZAM dog were detected in dogs. Directed sequencing of the 16S rRNA and genes in selected samples revealed the presence of DNA in humans, dogs and rodents and highlighted its importance as a possible contributing cause of AFI in South Africa. A number of recently described species and were also detected in the study. Phylogenetic analyses grouped sp. SA/ZAM dog into a distinct clade, with sufficient divergence from other species to warrant classification as a separate species. Until appropriate type-material can be deposited and the species is formally described, we will refer to this novel organism as sp. SA dog.