We found a match
Your institution may have access to this item. Find your institution then sign in to continue.
- Title
'Candidatus Rickettsia asemboensi' and Wolbachia spp. in Ctenocephalides felis and Pulex irritans fleas removed from dogs in Ecuador.
- Authors
Oteo, José A.; Portillo, Aránzazu; Portero, Francisco; Zavala-Castro, Jorge; Venzal, José M.; Labruna, Marcelo B.
- Abstract
Background Flea-borne infections are distributed worldwide. Up to date there are no reports about microorganisms associated to fleas in Ecuador. Methods Seventy-one Pulex irritans and 8 Ctenocephalides felis fleas were removed from dogs in two Ecuadorian areas (Pastaza and Chimborazo Provinces) in December 2012. DNA extracts were tested by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays targeting universal 16S rRNA, as well as screened for the presence of Rickettsia spp. (gltA, htrA, ompB, sca4 and ompA genes) and Bartonella spp. (rpoB, gltA and ITS genes). Results Our results showed the presence of 'Candidatus Rickettsia asemboensis' (highly similar to R. felis) in C. felis and Wolbachia spp. endosimbionts in P. irritans collected from animals in Ecuador. No fleas were found to be positive for any Bartonella species or Yersinia pestis. Conclusions Clinicians should be aware of the potential risk of this new Candidatus Rickettsia sp. and keep in mind other flea-borne infections since these flea species frequently bite humans.
- Subjects
ECUADOR; RICKETTSIAL diseases in animals; FLEA control; CAT flea; VETERINARY therapeutics; DOG diseases; WOLBACHIA
- Publication
Parasites & Vectors, 2014, Vol 7, Issue 1, p1
- ISSN
1756-3305
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1186/s13071-014-0455-0