BartonellaInfection in Shelter Cats and Dogs and Their Ectoparasites

Abstract

Mainly through vector transmission, domestic cats and dogs are infected by several Bartonella spp. and represent a large reservoir for human infections. This study investigated the relationship of prevalences of Bartonella infection in shelter dogs and cats and various ectoparasite species infesting them (fleas, ticks, and lice). Moreover, relationships between Bartonella infection and animal gender and age and presence of ectoparasites were analyzed. Blood samples were collected from 120 dogs and 103 cats. There were 386 ticks and 36 fleas harvested on these dogs, and 141 fleas, 4 ticks, and 2 lice harvested on these cats. Isolation/detection of Bartonella sp. was performed by culture, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and partial sequencing. Bartonella was isolated from 21 (20.4%) cats and detected by PCR from 20 (19.4%) cats, 2 (1.7%) dogs, 55 (39%) fleas collected from cats, 28 (10%) ticks DNA samples, and 1 (2.8%) flea collected from dogs. When combining culture and PCR data, 27 cats and 55 fleas collected on cats were positive for Bartonella henselae or Bartonella clarridgeiae, but none were coinfected. Approximately half of the B. henselae isolates from 21 cats were B. henselae type I. Moreover, B. henselae, Bartonella phoceensis, Bartonella queenslandensis, Bartonella rattimassiliensis, Bartonella elizabethae DNA was detected in ticks collected from dogs and one flea was B. clarridgeiae PCR positive. This is the first report of such a wide variety of Bartonella spp. detected in Rhipicephalus sanguineus. Further studies are required to understand the relative importance of these ectoparasites to transmit Bartonella spp. in dogs and cats.

Molecular Detection ofBartonellaSpecies in Fleas Collected from Dogs and Cats from Costa Rica

“…no. GU056200.1) found in Rhipicephalus ticks of dogs from Taiwan (Tsai et al 2011). B. henselae and B. clarridgeiae DNA were identified in flea pools collected from cats.…”

Molecular Detection of Rickettsia felis and Bartonella henselae in Dog and Cat Fleas in Central Oromia, Ethiopia

“…This finding suggests that cats are important sources of this bacterium and is consistent with reports of B. henselae in fleas from several countries worldwide. 18,25,26,33 Bartonella henselae is the major cause of cat-scratch disease, for which cats are implicated as the main animal reservoir. 6,7,24,25,34 The finding of a single C. felis coinfected with B. henselae and R. felis in this study implies the possibility of dual infections in exposed humans.…”

“…24 Cats are considered to be the main reservoir of B. henselae and can transmit the pathogen to humans via scratches or bites, although naturally infected cats are asymptomatic. Although several countries worldwide have reported B. henselae in cats and in fleas, 25,26 the presence of Bartonella spp. in fleas was not reported in Ethiopia until recently.…”

Exposure and Risk Factors to Coxiella burnetii, Spotted Fever Group and Typhus Group Rickettsiae, and Bartonella henselae among Volunteer Blood Donors in Namibia

“…Transmitted mainly by ticks and fleas [23], the pathogenesis of rickettsial infections can involve a spectrum of conditions, from asymptomatic infections to death [18]. Bartonella henselae (cat scratch disease) is usually associated with the bite of an infected flea [14], [24] and has been reported to affect immune-compromised persons such as HIV-infected persons or those with heart valve issues [25]–[27]. Because of the undifferentiated symptoms often associated with Q fever or rickettsial infections, a lack of specific diagnostic tests frequently has led to misidentification with each other [28] or arboviruses [29]–[31].…”