A Survey of Spotted Fever Group Rickettsia and Anaplasmataceae Bacteria in Questing Ticks in Hokkaido, Japan

The findings showed that questing ticks in Hokkaido harbor zoonotic bacteria. While <i>I. persulcatus</i> appears to be the principal vector, the detection of pathogens in <i>I. ovatus</i>, <i>H. japonica</i>, and <i>H. megaspinosa</i> suggests the potential for additional vectors in the region. These findings underscore the importance of continuous surveillance and heightened clinical awareness of tick-borne diseases in northern Japan.