| Summary: | <p><strong>Introduction: </strong><em>Rickettsia </em>is a genus of Gram-negative obligate intracellular bacteria that cause several epidemics around the world and are transmitted mainly by ticks, fleas, lice and mites. Rickettsiosis is a re-emergent infectious disease without epidemiological surveillance in Colombia. Until few years ago, <em>Rickettsia rickettsi </em>was the only tick-borne <em>Rickettsioses </em>in America; however, new species are being described, and although their pathogenicity has not been confirmed, they should be considered as potential pathogens.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>The aim of this study was to determine the presence of rickettsial agents in ticks in the state of Meta, Colombia.</p><p><strong>Material and Methods: </strong>A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted; ticks were collected and, after their taxonomic identification, <em>gltA</em>, <em>ompA</em> and <em>omp</em>B genes were amplified and sequenced.</p><p><strong>Results:</strong> A total of 169 pools were obtained to which PCR were carried out, of which 2 PCR were amplified for the <em>gltA</em>, <em>ompA</em> and <em>ompB</em> genes. </p><p><strong>Conclusions:</strong> These results demonstrate the presence of <em>Rickettsia</em> spp in ticks in the State of Meta.<em></em></p><p><strong>Keywords: </strong>Rickettsiosis, IFI, PCR, Candidatus <em>Rickettsia colombianensi</em>, Ticks, Colombia</p>
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