Host distribution and pathogen infection of fleas (Siphonaptera) recovered from small mammals in Pennsylvania

Journal of vector ecology: journal of the Society for Vector Ecology

article

Kaila Fedele¹  Karen C. Poh²  Jessica E. Brown³  Amanda Jones⁴  Lance A. Durden⁵  Hannah S. Tiffin²  Alexandra Pagac²  Andrew Y. Li⁶  Erika T. Machtinger² 

[1] Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, Pennsylvania State University, University Park;Department of Entomology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park;Department of Ecosystem Science and Management, Pennsylvania State University, University Park;Walter Reed Army Institute of Research;Department of Biology, Georgia Southern University;Invasive Insect Biocontrol and Behavior Laboratory

关键词: Fleas;    rodents;    Peromyscus leucopus;    Myodes gapperi;    pathogenic bacteria;    Pennsylvania.;   

DOI  :  10.1111/jvec.12371

来源: Society for Vector Ecology

【 摘 要 】

The number of recognized flea-borne pathogens has increased over the past decade. However, the true number of infections related to all flea-borne pathogens remains unknown. To better understand the enzootic cycle of flea-borne pathogens, fleas were sampled from small mammals trapped in central Pennsylvania. A total of 541 small mammals were trapped, with white-footed mice (Peromyscus leucopus) and southern red-backed voles (Myodes gapperi) accounting for over 94% of the captures. Only P. leucopus were positive for examined blood-borne pathogens, with 47 (18.1%) and ten (4.8%) positive for Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Babesia microti, respectively. In addition, 61 fleas were collected from small mammals and tested for pathogens. Orchopeas leucopus was the most common flea and Bartonella vinsonii subspecies arupensis, B. microti, and a Rickettsia felis-like bacterium were detected in various flea samples. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of B. microti DNA detected from a flea and the first report of a R. felis-like bacterium from rodent fleas in eastern North America. This study provides evidence of emerging pathogens found in fleas, but further investigation is required to resolve the ecology of flea-borne disease transmission cycles.

【 授权许可】

Unknown