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Flea-borne Rickettsia species in fleas, Caldas department, Colombia
Carol B Colonia1, Alejandro Ramírez-Hernández2, Juliana Gil-Mora3
1Grupo de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Facultad de Ciencias, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá D.C., Colombia. carolbcolonia@gmail.com.
Introduction:
Rickettsioses are zoonotic diseases caused by pathogenic bacteria of the genus Rickettsia and transmitted to man by means of arthropod vectors such as ticks, fleas, mites and lice. Historically, Caldas Department has reported a significant number of cases of murine typhus to the Colombian national health surveillance system, and consequent studies of flea-borne rickettsiosis identified the circulation of Rickettsia typhi and Rickettsia felis in multiple municipalities. Our aim was to genotype species of Rickettsia detected in fleas collected from domestic and wild mammals in Caldas.
Methodology:
Flea samples were taken by convenience sampling from dogs, cats and wild mammals (rodents and marsupials) in 26 municipalities. Specimens were classified by current taxonomic keys and pooled for DNA extraction and molecular screening for Rickettsia spp. by PCR amplification of gltA, htrA and sca5 genes. Positive samples were genotyped by enzyme digestion (htrA) and sequencing.
Results:
A total of 1388 flea samples were collected. Rickettsia DNA was amplified in 818 (gltA), 883 (htrA) and 424 (sca5) flea pools. Alignment analysis with available Rickettsia DNA sequences showed greater similarity with R. asembonensis (gltA) and with R. felis (sca5 and htrA). Restriction pattern was compatible with R. felis. R. typhi was not identified.
Conclusion:
The present study confirms the presence and high prevalence of R. asembonensis and R. felis in fleas from domestic and wild animals in different municipalities from Caldas Department.
Insights
This study found Rickettsia asembonensis and Rickettsia felis bacteria in fleas from domestic and wild animals in Colombia's Caldas Department. These findings highlight the prevalence of these flea-borne pathogens in the region.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Medicine
- Infectious Diseases
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Rickettsioses are zoonotic diseases transmitted by arthropods.
- Caldas Department, Colombia, has a history of murine typhus cases.
- Previous studies identified Rickettsia typhi and Rickettsia felis in fleas.
Purpose of the Study:
- To genotype Rickettsia species in fleas from mammals in Caldas.
- To determine the prevalence of specific Rickettsia species.
- To understand the role of fleas as vectors in the region.
Main Methods:
- Collected 1388 flea samples from domestic and wild mammals across 26 municipalities.
- Performed DNA extraction and PCR amplification of gltA, htrA, and sca5 genes.
- Genotyped positive samples using enzyme digestion and sequencing.
Main Results:
- Rickettsia DNA was detected in a significant number of flea pools.
- Sequence analysis indicated high similarity to Rickettsia asembonensis (gltA) and Rickettsia felis (sca5, htrA).
- Rickettsia typhi was not detected; restriction patterns supported R. felis identification.
Conclusions:
- Confirms the presence and high prevalence of Rickettsia asembonensis and Rickettsia felis.
- Identifies fleas from domestic and wild animals as carriers of these pathogens in Caldas.
- Underscores the importance of monitoring flea-borne rickettsioses in the region.
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