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Published on: February 4, 2018
Molecular detection of Rickettsia infection in field-collected bed bugs
R Potts1, I Molina1, J M Sheele2
1University of South Dakota, Sanford School of Medicine, Division of Basic Biomedical Sciences, Vermillion, SD, USA.
Abstract:
Bed bugs are now one of the most prevalent human-associated, blood-feeding pests in the urban world, but few studies of their association with human pathogens have been conducted since their resurgence. Here, we used PCR to screen samples of field-collected bed bugs (Cimex spp.) for the presence of Rickettsia bacteria and we describe the first detection of an uncharacterized Rickettsia in Cimex lectularius in nature. Rickettsia was detected in 5/39 (12.8%) of the bed bug samples tested. In particular, three pools from the USA and two individual insects from the UK were positive for Rickettsia DNA. Sequencing and analysis of a fragment of the citrate synthase gene (gltA) from positive samples from each country revealed that the Rickettsia detected in both were identical and were closely related to a Rickettsia previously detected in the rat flea Nosopsyllus laeviceps. Additional experiments indicated that the Rickettsia localizes to multiple tissues in the bed bug and reaches high titres. Attempts were made to infect mammalian cells in culture but these efforts were inconclusive. Our findings suggest that Rickettsia are secondary endosymbionts of bed bugs and have potential implications for both bed bug control and public health. However, further investigation is required to determine the pathogenicity of this Rickettsia, its transmission mechanisms, and its contributions to bed bug physiology.
Insights
This study detected a new Rickettsia bacteria in common bed bugs (Cimex lectularius) across the USA and UK. This finding has implications for understanding bed bug control and potential public health risks.
Area of Science:
- Medical Entomology
- Microbiology
- Public Health
Background:
- Bed bugs (Cimex spp.) are significant urban pests with increasing prevalence.
- Limited research exists on the association between bed bugs and human pathogens since their resurgence.
- Understanding potential pathogen carriage by bed bugs is crucial for public health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To screen field-collected bed bugs for the presence of Rickettsia bacteria.
- To identify and characterize any detected Rickettsia species.
- To investigate the implications of Rickettsia in bed bugs for public health and pest control.
Main Methods:
- Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) was used to detect Rickettsia DNA in bed bug samples.
- DNA sequencing of the citrate synthase gene (gltA) was performed for identification.
- Tissue localization and bacterial titer were assessed in infected bed bugs.
Main Results:
- Rickettsia DNA was detected in 12.8% (5/39) of tested bed bug samples from the USA and UK.
- An uncharacterized Rickettsia species, closely related to one found in rat fleas, was identified.
- The Rickettsia was found in multiple bed bug tissues at high concentrations.
Conclusions:
- This study reports the first detection of an uncharacterized Rickettsia in Cimex lectularius in nature.
- Rickettsia appears to be a secondary endosymbiont in bed bugs.
- Further research is needed to determine Rickettsia pathogenicity, transmission, and role in bed bug physiology.
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