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- Title
The epidemiology of <italic>Rickettsia felis</italic> infecting fleas of companion animals in eastern Australia.
- Authors
Teoh, Yen Thon; Hii, Sze Fui; Graves, Stephen; Rees, Robert; Stenos, John; Traub, Rebecca Justine
- Abstract
Background: Flea-borne spotted fever (FBSF) caused by <italic>Rickettsia felis</italic> is an arthropod-borne zoonosis. This study aimed to determine the prevalence, primary species and genotype(s) of <italic>R. felis</italic> infecting fleas from dogs and cats. Results: All fleas were identified as <italic>Ctenocephalides felis felis</italic>. All rickettsial DNA detected in fleas was identified as being 100% homologous to <italic>R. felis</italic> URRWXCal2, with positivity within tropical, subtropical and temperate regions noted at 6.7%, 13.2% and 15.5%, respectively. Toy/small breed dogs were found to be at a lower odds of harboring <italic>R. felis</italic>-positive fleas compared with large breed dogs on univariate analysis, while DMH and pedigree breed cats were at a lower odds compared to DSH cats. Cooler minimum temperature ranges of between 15 to 20 °C and between 8 to 15 °C increased the odds of <italic>R. felis</italic> positivity in fleas, as did a constrained maximum temperature range of between 27 to 30 °C on multivariable analysis. Conclusions: Environmental temperature may play a part in influencing <italic>R. felis</italic> prevalence and infectivity within its flea host. Regional climatic differences need to be considered when approaching public health risk mitigation strategies for FBSF.
- Subjects
RICKETTSIA felis; FLEAS as carriers of disease; CAT flea; PATHOGENIC bacteria; ZOONOSES
- Publication
Parasites & Vectors, 2018, Vol 11, p1
- ISSN
1756-3305
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1186/s13071-018-2737-4