Molecular Detection of s.l. () and -Like Organism DNA in Early Developmental Stages of Arthropod Vector Species.

sensu lato (sl) is spirochetes transmitted by ticks and known to cause Lyme disease. -like organisms (CLOs) comprise a large group of bacteria that can lead to serious health disorders, including miscarriage. Recently, CLOs have been found in ticks and patient skin biopsies. Due to the involvement of multiple potential vectors in the spread of these pathogens, the objective of this study was to confirm the presence of both organisms in the early developmental stages of selected vectors. Three potential vectors, larvae, larvae, and winged (unfed) adults of , were collected in the Czech Republic in years 2019-2020. The presence of sl and panchlamydial DNA was detected by PCR and positive samples were further analyzed by Sanger sequencing and phylogenetic tree construction. sl DNA was proved in 1.5% (2/137) of larvae (identified as and ), in 1.7% (2/119) of larvae (both identified as ), and in 11% (3/27) of (all identified as ). CLOs were identified in 0.7% (1/137) of larvae (Candidatus ) and in 7.4% (2/27) of (unspecified genus), while larvae could not be evaluated (0%). This research represents the first investigation of the presence of CLOs in . The detection of pathogen DNA in the early developmental stages of vectors suggests the potential for transgenerational transmission of sl and CLOs in the selected vectors, although at a low rate.