Fleas from domestic dogs and rodents in Rwanda carry Rickettsia asembonensis and Bartonella tribocorum

0520379 - BC 2020 RIV GB eng J - Journal Article
Nziza, J. - Tumushime, J. C. - Cranfield, M. - Ntwari, A. E. - Modrý, David - Mudakikwa, A. - Gilardi, K. - Šlapeta, J.
Fleas from domestic dogs and rodents in Rwanda carry Rickettsia asembonensis and Bartonella tribocorum.
Medical and Veterinary Entomology. Roč. 33, č. 1 (2019), s. 177-184. ISSN 0269-283X. E-ISSN 1365-2915
Institutional support: RVO:60077344
Keywords : time pcr assay * small mammals * ctenocephalides-felis * molecular-detection * cat fleas * siphonaptera * prevalence * diversity * infection * plague * Ctenocephalides * Xenopsylla * flea-borne * gltA * ompA * real-time PCR * ssrA
OECD category: Veterinary science
Impact factor: 2.178, year: 2019
Method of publishing: Open access
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/mve.12340

Fleas (Siphonaptera) are ubiquitous blood-sucking parasites that transmit a range of vector-borne pathogens. The present study examined rodents (n = 29) and domestic dogs (n = 7) living in the vicinity of the Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda, for fleas, identified flea species from these hosts, and detected Bartonella (Rhizobiales: Bartonellaceae) and Rickettsia (Rickettsiales: Rickettsiaceae) DNA. The most frequently encountered flea on rodents was Xenopsylla brasiliensis (Siphonaptera: Pulicidae). In addition, Ctenophthalmus (Ethioctenophthalmus) calceatus cabirus (Siphonaptera: Hystrichopsyllidae) and Ctenocephalides felis strongylus (Siphonaptera: Pulicidae) were determined using morphology and sequencing of the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I and cytochrome c oxidase subunit II genes (cox1 and cox2, respectively). Bartonella tribocorum DNA was detected in X. brasiliensis and Rickettsia asembonensis DNA (a Rickettsia felis-like organism) was detected in C. felis strongylus. The present work complements studies that clarify the distributions of flea-borne pathogens and potential role of fleas in disease transmission in sub-Saharan Africa. In the context of high-density housing in central sub-Saharan Africa, the detection of B. tribocorum and R. asembonensis highlights the need for surveillance in both rural and urban areas to identify likely reservoirs.
Permanent Link: http://hdl.handle.net/11104/0305059