Detection of Zoonotic <i>Bartonella</i> Pathogens in Rabbit Fleas, Colorado, USA

Sato, Shingo; Brinkerhoff, R. Jory; Hollis, Erin; Funada, Shunta; Shannon, Avery B.; Maruyama, Soichi

doi:10.3201/eid2604.191161

Cited by 9 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 14 publications

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“…species, B. vinsonii subsp. berkhoffii, B. alsatica, and B. rochalimae, were identified in fleas from rabbits, although they were wild animals [23]. One of the most common bacteria of rabbits is Pasteurella (P.) multocida which colonizes the upper respiratory tract and the oro-pharynx.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Spreading of Pasteurella multocida Infection in a Pet Rabbit Breeding and Possible Implications on Healed Bunnies

D’Amico

Casalino

Bozzo

et al. 2022

Veterinary Sciences

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The number of pets such as dogs, cats, rabbits, and parrots has increased in European families. Social benefits to owners such as decreasing feelings of loneliness and anxiety are provided by pets which are also used in Animal-assisted Therapy (AAT). Nevertheless, human-animal interactions are also associated with health problems including allergies, asthma, and zoonosis. Rabbits may carry potential pathogens for humans. One of the most common bacteria that colonizes the oro-pharynx and the upper respiratory tract of rabbits is Pasteurella (P.) multocida. Transmission of the infection to humans results from scratches, licks, and bites but it also can occur from the inhalation of air particles containing the microorganism. Immunocompromised people or persons with pulmonary disorders are particularly susceptible to the infection. Infected rabbits may carry P. multocida with or without clinical signs. In this paper, the sensitivity to antibiotics and the invasiveness ability of P. multocida identified in a farm of pet rabbits affected by severe pasteurellosis were investigated. The strain was P. multocida belonging to capsular type A which is the type most often detected in humans. The identified strain was susceptible to the tested antibiotics, but it appeared equipped with several virulence genes which are responsible for fimbriae production, adhesion processes to host cells, enzyme production, and are involved in iron acquisition processes. These findings are of particular interest because rabbits recovered from pasteurellosis very often become carriers of the bacteria. Therefore, we suggest considering P. multocida screening in the routine medical checks of rabbits, especially if they are meant to be companion animals for children and elder people, given that the transmission of the pathogen cannot be excluded.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Spreading of Pasteurella multocida Infection in a Pet Rabbit Breeding and Possible Implications on Healed Bunnies

D’Amico

Casalino

Bozzo

et al. 2022

Veterinary Sciences

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“…These wild leporids are known as potential reservoirs for many zoonotic pathogenic agents, including tularemia (Francisella tularensis), plague (Yersinia pestis), pasteurellosis (Pasteurella multocida), ringworm (Trichophyton spp. ), and cryptosporidiosis (Cryptosporidium cuniculus) (2). Additionally, can be also a host to several external parasites including fleas (Insecta, Siphonaptera) (1), which are obligate hematophagous insects (3).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Epidemiological study and identification of some flea species infesting wild rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) and cape hares (Lepus capensis) in northern Algeria

Ammam¹,

Rahal²,

Rahal³

et al. 2022

IJVS

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Wild rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) and cape hare (Lepus capensis) are hosts for different flea species and have high medical and veterinary importance, fleas of wild leporids are of special concern since they can act as vectors for diseases, including zoonoses. This study was designed to identify flea species infesting these animals with the description of their epidemiology and the assessment of factors influencing their infestation importance in five provinces located in northern Algeria, to evaluate their implication in the transmission of pathogens. In total, 86 wild leporids were checked from July 2014 to September 2020. Fleas were collected from the fur of animals with tweezers and identified using appropriate keys. The findings showed that 32/86 (37.2%) of animals were infested with fleas. Four flea's species were identified on cape hares Ctenocefalides felis (51.06% of fleas identified), Ctenocefalides canis 34.04%, Spilopsyllus cuniculi 10.63%, and Archaeopsylla erinacei 4.25%, with a seasonal peak in December. The same, four flea species were found parasitizing wild rabbits Spilopsyllus cuniculi 90.7%, Ctenocefalides felis 4.65%, Ctenocefalides canis 2.32%, and Pulex irritans 2.32%, with the highest importance in March and April. Moreover, this study showed no influence of female gestations on the rate of flea hare infestations. However, S cuniculi rate was correlated with the breeding cycle of the wild rabbits. These findings revealed that, the temperature and the humidity can be important factors that influence on wild leporids flea infestation.

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“… B. alsatica strain IBS 382 (CIP 105477) was first isolated from wild rabbits in France ( 9 ). Recently, B. alsatica was detected in the desert cottontail rabbit ( Sylvilagus audubonii ) in the United States ( 10 , 11 ) and possibly in Thrichomys fosteri rodents in Brazil (hypothesized to be derived from a different evolutionary sublineage) ( 12 ). B. alsatica is mostly characterized using the 16S rRNA gene, the 16S-23S rRNA gene intergenic spacer region, or gltA and ftsZ ( 5 , 7 , 9 , 12 ).…”

Section: Announcementmentioning

confidence: 99%