Detection of Novel <I>Bartonella</I> Strains and <I>Yersinia pestis</I> in Prairie Dogs and Their Fleas (Siphonaptera: Ceratophyllidae and Pulicidae) Using Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction

Abstract

We developed a multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay that simultaneously detects three types of flea-associated microorganisms. Targets for the assay were sequences encoding portions of the gltA, a 17-kDa antigen, and pla genes of Bartonella spp. Strong et al., Rickettsia spp. da Rocha-Lima, and Yersinia pestis Yersin, respectively. A total of 260 flea samples containing bloodmeal remnants were analyzed from fleas collected from abandoned prairie dog (Cynomys ludovicianus) burrows at the site of an active plague epizootic in Jefferson County, CO. Results indicated that 34 (13.1%) fleas were positive for Bartonella spp., 0 (0%) were positive for Rickettsia spp., and 120 (46.2%) were positive for Y. pestis. Twenty-three (8.8%) of these fleas were coinfected with Bartonella spp. and Y. pestis. A second group of 295 bloodmeal-containing fleas was collected and analyzed from abandoned burrows in Logan County, CO, where a prairie dog die-off had occurred 2-4 mo before the time of sampling. Of these 295 fleas, 7 (2.4%) were positive for Bartonella spp., 0 (0%) were positive for Rickettsia spp., and 46 (15.6%) were positive for Y. pestis. Coinfections were not observed in fleas from the Logan County epizootic site. The multiplex PCR also was used to identify Y. pestis and Bartonella in prairie dog blood and tissues. This report represents the first identification of Bartonella from prairie dogs and their fleas. Prairie dog fleas were tested with PCR, and the Bartonella PCR amplicons produced were sequenced and found to be closely related to similar sequences amplified from Bartonella that had been isolated from prairie dog blood samples. Phylogenetic analyses indicate that the sequences of bartonellae from prairie dogs and prairie dog fleas cluster tightly within a clade that is distinct from those containing other known Bartonella genotypes.

Declines in large wildlife increase landscape-level prevalence of rodent-borne disease in Africa

“…Although host specificity varies widely, many strains appear to have rodents as the primary reservoir hosts (39,40). Bartonella also appears to be primarily vector-borne [although direct and vertical transmission, from parent to offspring, may also occur (40)], with fleas being confirmed vectors (41,42). Bartonella is increasingly being recognized as a zoonotic disease with implications for human and animal health (29).…”

Phylogenetic Analysis of Bartonella Detected in Rodent Fleas in Yunnan, China

“…For rodent Bartonellae, two vectors have been suggested: The oriental rat flea (Xenopsylla cheopis) has been demonstrated to be a competent vector of an unidentified Bartonella species that infects bank voles (Clethrionomys glareolus) (Krampitz, 1962), and the vole ear mite (Trombicula microti) has been proposed as the vector of Bartonella vinsonii vinsonii (Baker, 1946). Several researchers have suggested a role for rodent fleas as the vector of Bartonella species based on detection of Bartonella DNA from fleas collected worldwide (Parola et al, 2003;Rolain et al, 2003;Stevenson et al, 2003;Reeves et al, 2005;Loftis et al, 2006;Marie et al, 2006). In experimental transmission studies, Bown et al (2004) demonstrated that the rodent flea Ctenophthalmus nobilis is a competent vector of at least two Bartonella species: Bartonella grahamii, which has previously been associated with human infection (Kerkhoff et al, 1999;Serratrice et al, 2003), and Bartonella taylorii.…”

Prevalencia de Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato en roedores sinantrópicos de dos comunidades rurales de Yucatán, México

“…Las comunidades de ectoparásitos y patógenos de diferentes especies de roedores de vida silvestre se han estudiado extensamente (17,18), pero muy poco se conoce sobre las especies de roedores sinantrópicos. Los roedores sinantrópicos, como el ratón de casa (Mus musculus) y la rata negra (Rattus rattus), son especies asociadas a las viviendas y a sistemas agrícolas y pecuarios.…”