Wild rodent fleas carrying Bartonella and Rickettsia in an area endemic for vector-borne diseases from Argentina.

Publisher: Nature Publishing Group Country of Publication: England NLM ID: 101563288 Publication Model: Electronic Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 2045-2322 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 20452322 NLM ISO Abbreviation: Sci Rep Subsets: MEDLINE

Original Publication: London : Nature Publishing Group, copyright 2011-

Siphonaptera*/microbiology ; Rickettsia*/genetics ; Rickettsia*/isolation & purification ; Bartonella*/genetics ; Bartonella*/isolation & purification ; Rodentia*/microbiology ; Phylogeny*; Animals ; Argentina/epidemiology ; Rickettsia Infections/epidemiology ; Rickettsia Infections/microbiology ; Rickettsia Infections/veterinary ; Rickettsia Infections/transmission ; Vector Borne Diseases/microbiology ; Vector Borne Diseases/epidemiology ; Vector Borne Diseases/transmission ; Bartonella Infections/epidemiology ; Bartonella Infections/veterinary ; Bartonella Infections/microbiology ; Bartonella Infections/transmission ; Insect Vectors/microbiology ; Endemic Diseases

Vector-borne diseases account for nearly 20% of all globally recognised infectious diseases. Within the spectrum of flea-borne pathogens, Bartonella and Rickettsia bacteria are prominent, contributing to the emergence and resurgence of diseases on a global scale. This study investigates the presence of species of Bartonella and Rickettsia harboured by fleas collected from wild rodents in northwestern Argentina (NWA). A total of 28 fleas from three genera and seven species were assessed. DNA of Bartonella and Rickettsia spp. was found in 12 fleas (42.8%). Phylogenetic analysis of concatenated sequences of gltA and rpoB genes showed the presence of Bartonella quintana in eight fleas of two species, Craneopsylla minerva minerva and Polygenis acodontis. Phylogenetic analysis of concatenated sequences of gltA, ompA and ompB genes identified Rickettsia felis in ten fleas of five species, C. m. minerva, P. acodontis, Polygenis bohlsi bohlsi, Polygenis byturus and Tiamastus palpalis. These bacterial species mark the first report in all flea species studied. This study represents the first survey of flea-borne bacteria for NWA. The results provide information to address strategies for the control and prevention of bartonellosis and rickettsiosis that could have an impact on public health in one of the geographical areas of Argentina with the highest incidence of infections transmitted to humans by ectoparasites.
(© 2024. The Author(s).)

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ANPCyT, PICT 2020-3271 Agencia Nacional de Promoción de la Investigación, el Desarrollo Tecnológico y la Innovación; PIBAA No. 0111 Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas

Keywords: Bartonella quintana; Rickettsia felis; Flea-borne diseases; Rodents; Vector

Date Created: 20241006 Date Completed: 20241006 Latest Revision: 20241010

20250114

PMC11456593

10.1038/s41598-024-74786-7

39370417